[Imladris]

A tense awkward feeling descended upon the room shortly after the Emissary left the chambers. Arshalous drained the rest of the chilled tea in one gulp and glanced at Korak. There was a small attempt at conversation, but Arshalous was not in the mood for talking. Neither, apparently, was anybody else. She wished impulsively that she could just fall asleep like her aunt and avoid things like this.

She should just stand up and go, she told herself...but she wasn't sure if that would be considered rude by the king...and she did not want to do that. Thankfully the king himself took the innitiative and excused himself. Arshalous and Hababa bowed and went to find their mounts.

As Arshalous was swinging herself in her saddle, Korak stumped out of the castle, an absurd puppy grin on his face. It irked her that he was happy...but of course the foolish always were happy because they were not burdened by serious thoughts. She herself was still a bit ruffled that she had to help with the silly temple, but she could not help feeling pleased with building in and of itself. Besides matters of finance, the king and herself (Korak, of course, had taken no interest) had touched upon the appearance of the temple. Marbled supporting pillars, mosaic floors that told of the god's deeds...it indeed would be lovely. Pity that Rae was not more deserving.

The thought of Rae reminded her of the Emissary and she smiled to herself. That had been the gleam of light with the visit. He was intelligent, willing to learn...it was a pity that he worshipped this...Melkor, who was much like Rae. Yet who would want to worship a destructive god that was like Rae? Unless...unless his might was greater than Rae's -- maybe his might had a nobleness that Rae lacked. She would like to ask the Emissary about this new god.