"Well then…"

Ellindë blinked a few times. He was unsure who spoke, but he did not care too much, all it mattered was it broke the silence and his thinking.

"What shall we do?" this time he knew who it was, and it was his wife.

"I say we let others take up on this chance." Laikānis said after, "We have our own matters to deal with too, yes?"

"And what matters would they be?" Melehton shot a look towards her, "There is naught happening last I checked."

"We do not know what the future holds, something might come up." Laikānis motioned to Ellindë, "I do not think he initially thought about marking the stars upon rock."

"No, I did not." He said mildly, "And yes, you are right about the future, Laikānis, we do not know what it holds."

"But…have we been idle for a bit too long?" Luinilockte asked quietly, "At least we have done almost nothing overly productive as of late. I daresay it has become…dull."

Ellindë smirked at her comment, "It seems to have become so."

Melehton sighed, "Yes, it has."

Ellindë looked at the three present, considering each of them and their opinions, "Then for the sake of your entertainment…" He said with a frown, "Accept what those above us has offered."

"But what if there are others better than we?" Melehton again mentioned, "If there are indeed others more proficient in their art, then let them take the positions on the north shore…"

"Yet why would Hwesta mention the north shore to us?" Ellindë rebuked lightly, "If we were invaluable, then the west or southern shore would have been mentioned, and melnā, surely you are aware that the north shore is different from the rest; more unpleasant despite its beauty."

"Yes, I do know, yet you probably know far more than I do."

"…There is one other I believe that surpasses even me."

Both néri knew who it was. Ulcawë, as much as he is regarded to be a bit revolting at times, was abroad more often and knew what was happening around Kuiviénen. It must have been because he is not being tagged along by a nis all the time, though Ellindë and Melehton still loved their spouses greatly, despite some mild envy of the one they considered to be their youngest brother. Ulcawë was useful in the regard of news, and was loyal to a fault.

Ellindë returned to the topic at hand, "We have been reclusive, more than any of us may want to admit. Though think beyond what you may wish to do." The latter was mostly directed to Laikānis, "Being in a more…important position may help find new things for everyone to discover and learn. Advancements, even. As well, this may help others be able to live with an eased mind, knowing that people have it under control." Ellindë tried hard not to cringe at his own words, never having to speak this way before, and at the last part of his statement for he was doubtful of even the kings having this under control.

"What have you in mind, dear?"

Ellindë did not answer immediately to Luinilockte's question, as well as not having yet finished, "…If you are unable to look beyond yourselves, then at least consider being among more than just each other." He looked at Melehton, "Since you yourself mentioned about this…thing, taking elves if there are too few together." The nissi straightened up at this, and Melehton merely nodded in response. Ellindë then finally answered his wife's question, "For this reason and others, I will go."

Luinilockte looked about ready to protest, though she kept her tongue back. Thinking upon those words, she finally answered in a near whisper, "And I will follow…"

Melehton and Laikānis were silent, but eventually the nér jerked his head towards the outdoors, his gaze fixed upon the elder. Both néri stood up and left the hut.

Luinilockte and Laikānis continued sitting in silence, enough that they could faintly hear crickets chirping and the occasional crow or some other bird that had no name yet. Laikānis had her head lowered, looking faintly depressed, and Luinilockte caught the look, her brows furrowing.

"This must have been disturbing to you…and all you and Melehton wanted was to just see us."

"I hate it." Laikānis said abruptly.

Luinilockte blinked, "Hate what?"

"Not knowing." Laikānis said with tear filled eyes, "Everyone else knows more than we do, osellë. It…does it not bother you?"

It did bother her a little bit, but she knew it was her own fault for not looking into great detail, save unless it was something of dire importance (such as finding Ellindë when he simply disappeared many rotations ago). She might need to change that. She answered, "Yes, it does, but it is of my own doing not partaking in these extensive topics. I find pleasure in the simple things, and rather not seek unnecessary trouble."

"But what about what happened now?" Laikānis said harshly, "For all they know the sky might reveal its stars in that black spot, they just have not waited long enough. Or…or…this black hunter, they have no proof that this person exists!"

"We do not know, Laikānis. We…do not know enough."

With that the nis started to weep openly, though not too loudly. Luinilockte moved closer and simply hugged her friend, as an older sister might try and comfort the younger. Which, was exactly the case.

It was true, they did not know enough; they were actually a bit afraid to know, which was normal. From the looks of others, who have beheld these things, it did not seem pleasant, and it discouraged many elves to leave. But that was of their own doing, and they must live with it.

Luinilockte looked about the small room carefully. So close to the forest edge…this place did not feel safe as it used to be, now being dimly reminded of the glade of their awakening. It at first was just a place, a special place, and they behaved like unknowing children. Now understanding the world further, and news being shared with them, it could be dreadful to go there now. And now, here in her and Ellindë's hut, it was the same thing happening all over again. Was nothing meant to last?

Laikānis' weeping had finally slowed, and with a dull voice she muttered lowly, "I just wish I can understand what is going on…"

"I do too."

Laikānis removed herself from her fellow nis' embrace, "We should try and learn more of this…"

Luinilockte nodded, "Yes, it may help us not be overwhelmed when new things happen, since by then we might be able to offer our own opinions."

Laikānis gave a small smile, "Supported and mature ones."

"Exactly."

The néri had gone a fair way down the hill before Melehton stopped, worry and concern crossing his face as something started to nag on his being. Ellindë noticed it and stopped as well.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah…" Melehton did not answer and he looked behind from where they came from. After a few minutes, he relaxed, "…It bothers me greatly when something is distressing her."

"I am sure they feel the exact same thing when we are distressed." Ellindë gave a grim smile, "Though, the question lies in who is closer to panic when it happens?"

Melehton laughed humorlessly, "Indeed."

"Luinilockte will comfort her…and I do not think us being back there will help the situation, since we may have caused the distress."

"We did not intend on it starting, though it is our fault that we let it continue." Melehton gave Ellindë a look, "And it mostly was your words that caused it."

The taller Noldo also had a look, "I hold no remorse for my words, it needed to be said." He paused, "And in truth, I do not think I know what I was talking about either…"

Melehton smiled, "Then we are even."

They both continued walking, silent yet again. This continued on for a couple meters.

"It may be wise that we do accept this proposition, though it may be perilous…" Melehton began, "Even our own shelter is away from most of everyone, and I do not think I want to go through the frustrations of building another that is closer to everyone else, for the sake of clustering."

"We may end up helping others though in setting up the longhouse…"

"Well, at least there would be more than two pairs of hands." Melehton huffed, "You know how tedious and difficult it is with just two people building."

Ellindë sighed, "Even more difficult when there is not a lot of soil at the base."

"Regardless…there will be others aiding the same cause, whatever that may be."

"And that would be monitoring the sky and this…person." Ellindë this time stopped, worry and minor fear crossing his features as it finally dawned to him, "…Our lives are at risk."

The same look came upon the other Noldo, "…what would it be like, to not be…alive?"

Ellindë shook his head, "I do not know, and I have no desire to find out."

Both of them did not know that they were shaking a little bit at the idea. Very quickly the topic was changed.

"We should return to the nissi…" Ellindë looked back, "And see if they agree with our decisions."

Melehton followed suit, "They should."

And with that they went back.

Osellë = sister. Or an associate. This case, a close enough friendship that they could be sisters.