I have bread for ten, although I can’t promise it’s maggotty. Does the other group have protection?

I have to say I don’t like any of this. We should show our strength and make those men think twice before they dare come near us.

I guess we’ll be needing a lot more weapons and armour. I have a good amount of food in the larder. How many are we?

Of course 😌 I will watch over my nieces and nephews. Are you going now?

Hey! You told me it wasn’t Maeglin and Elrond quibbling! I never had a chance 😆

They’re all very cute though ☺️

That would have been useful 🤭 These days, it appears only one balrog is left, and he’s only a child. A friend of Smog’s actually.

Now, gossip… to be frank, all the good gossip from too years ago has turned into respectable marriages 😆

*She leans her forehead against Maeglin’s, the tips of their noses thouching. Her eyes are half closed, enjoying the music, the warmth of the fire and the closeness of her beloved. When the tempo of the music increases again, she grins, hooks her arm under Maeglin’s, and begins spinning them around.

*Is entirely perplexed, doesn’t understand why the air just changed so significantly, and doesn’t feel like all the important decisions have been made*

I shall patrol the mountains, then. Let me know if you wish me to take prisoners or a lunch break if I run into anyone uncouth.

They don’t hate hobbits. Anna could easily get them to talk with alcohol and kindness, I wager. But I don’t think they would visit an Inn in Mordor.

So our goal is to take prisoners to question?

Please forgive my possibly ignorant question. I’m not versed in strategy, and my tactic is to frighten people off showing my strength. It is usually successful. These men are thoroughly outclassed by the forces of Mordor. Why would we not want to show them that?

I’d be happy to patrol the mountains. I go there often to stretch my spider legs.

They are adorable 🥺

They would not be the first hypocrites, or the biggest.

I’ll happily wander the borders in a sun cloak to draw them out and watch their surprise when I turn into a spider 😌

*she smiles, knowing the forge in their home will be busy soon*

I have a question. Was there any sign that these people are magic users? Like the cult? Or are they ordinary men?

I agree with Talion. If anyone surrenders, or if we capture anyone young and scared, have them meet the justice of the King and Queen of the Southlands. Anyone who raises arms against Mordor shall face our wrath.

*She grins at Laithrûn*

A step ahead of me, then. Nice.

That means we have to look for the rest. Do we have any inkling of how many there are?

Is this camp of theirs permanent? If so, I say we destroy it. And them.

*there is a cold anger in her voice*

*Ungoliant, out in the mountains in spider form, receives the message from an Uruk she recognises as one of Lubizub’s daughters. Arriving at the meeting place, she looks for her family.*

*She smiles sadly at the word “legend”*

See, your feeling that way makes me wish I had put up a bigger fight against those balrogs and eaten Morgoth all those years ago.

And there’s no need to apologise. I understand.

*She reaches for the bottle and refills their glasses.*

The everything and maggots special, coming right up!

*She kisses his temple, smiling softly*

Who says we need to let go while we dance?

*She begins to sway gently to the music*

Don’t worry, it happens to everyone. Just pinch the dough back together, very carefully. I’ll put it near the lava for you in a second. I’m afraid it would be too hot for you!

Adar, what are you having on your pizza?

I couldn’t have known, but l wouldn’t have cared either way. Not then. If I was given the same opportunity again, I don’t know what I’d do.

300 is young for an elf. I presume you were one then? And Arda was young too, and cautionary tales sparse. I hope you can be free of your guilt one day.

🫂

I like to see you lost in music too, but that you knew already ☺️

*She nestles into his arms, enjoying his warmth, his scent, his comforting, steady breathing…*

As many moments as you like 🖤

There is no such thing as boring pizza 😌 I’d say mushrooms would complement it nicely, but I’ve learned that not many elves like them. You can put your pizza on a stone plate and I will place them near the lava for you.

Last try: background are Laithrûn and a certain High King.

Foreground is clearly Ar-Beku giving candy to Smog and Shelob dressed as Elrond and Elros for Halloween 😌

Is it Mae and Elrond squabbling? 👀😆

😆

Well, you’ve already revealed Elrond, and Ungoliant is pretty obvious, so we know who the characters in the right places are 🤭

Alternatively: Maeglin and Glorfindel being perplexed by the outcome.