vezely.
Half-smile descends into a frown; her expression pensive in observation. She can perceive his young mind grappling with the dynamics of an unwritten history that speaks not of base good and evil, but of complexity and various shades of gray, especially when it comes to the Men involved. At the same time, she has never quite felt comfortable venturing into the topic of her prior exploits. Is it not better to protect him from the dark shadows of her past? ❝ It is unfair coming from my mouth, however. ❞ Perhaps she’ll continue; he is mature enough to unpack these connections. ❞ I spent the majority of my life worshipping Sauron and then negotiating with or subjugating those who did not hold such devotion. And all for nought. ❞ Sight drifts afar as she speaks — how many Men did she march to their deaths? How many did she kill? — but a slight huff of a laugh cancels her introspection, this deep-seated bitterness, replacing it with subtle amusement. ❝ But it is an unpopular opinion. Be mindful of which tutors you relay these thoughts less they bemoan my influence. ❞
Although aware of his mother’s past allegiances, hearing her confess to it out loud stings with irony. It does nothing to enlighten him as to how she and his father fit together as they do. He wonders if he will ever understand. Later, perhaps, as his father keeps telling him. Later, when you are older. Perhaps he himself will find himself drawn to a polar opposite. It matters not, however; the minor pang issued by his mother’s admission fades as quickly as it came. A wry smile — much like his mother’s — touches upon his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes as he looks up again. ❛ I want to promise you that I will, but where does “being mindful” turn into “censure”? ❜ A pause. ❛ Whilst I may owe those other civilisations no allegiance, I would not want to blindly condemn them just to remain inconspicuous in the face of some of my tutors. That is, condemn them for more than the damage caused –––– within that centuries old context we spoke about. ❜
