"My lady, may I ask you a question?" Nienna turned to her companion and gave him a mischievous smile.
"You have asked me one already Olórin." He desperately suppressed the desire to roll his eyes. The lady chuckled. "Very well my friend, you may ask." At that Olórin thought the better of his question, not knowing if it would be appropriate. Sensing his hesitation, the Vala set aside her painting and leaned forward.
"You need not be afraid to ask difficult questions. I am here to answer them and answer you I will, according to what you need to know. He nodded.
"Why did you speak for… him?"
"Him?" Her brows furrowed together. "You mean Melkor?" The Maia nodded again, not at all eager to speak the fallen Vala's name. Nienna sighed,
"I believed there was yet hope for him. I am not naïve. I knew that he could have been playing us. However, I also hoped that he would turn his heart and mind to our purpose once again, that showing him mercy may help in that effort. Alas that was not to be."
Olórin stared at the length of wood in his lap, not sure how to respond. Looking up once more he surprisingly saw a glint of tears in the lady's eyes.
"This hurts you?"
"Of course it does. When someone disappoints you there is always pain. Melkor could have done great things if he had not become prideful and gone outside of the music. The world and our company would have been much richer for his work. But Melkor did not want that. Such was his choice." Her wise eyes stared into his, "You wish to ask another question?"
"Was it worth it?" he asked quietly, once again staring down. Silence reigned in the cottage for a long moment. Finally he heard her chair scraping forward across the floor and felt her hand come under his chin, bringing his eyes to look into hers.
"Yes, I believe it was. We were all made with a choice and with that comes chances. I do not know of an instance where Erú refuses someone the opportunity to change. If there is the slightest possibility that a change of heart, from evil to good, could take place we should make the chance available."
The Maia considered all he was told. "I do not know if I could bear that hurt." She smiled sadly.
"It is a great burden to bear, but do not let the fear of hurt close your heart to those who need compassion. Give it anyway and trust that Erú will not give you a burden you cannot carry. Remember this."
"I will."