[Nogrod]

"My dear elf, Arien is beautiful as well but soon fading and the stars of Varda will come... sooner than we might wish I say."

Tom looked at Gildor first quizzically but then gave him an encouraging smile.

"We are here to fulfill our duty set us by the Council. No more, no less."

He puffed his pipe and then looked around the others.

"One thing I might request from you, all of you. Do realise that the presence of the Ring may turn even the wisest head around. So stop referring to anyone what they had been earlier when you knew them without the presence of the Ring. The Ring can chance men and elf alike... even wizards... not to talk of dwarves or orcs. It has power to change anyone of you so don't talk of what someone has been before this mission but only rely on what they say and how they act now."

X'd with Lobelia