King Elk Forest everyone else that it hits, that it gets to-- is nothing more than collateral damage

he's getting better at identifying that rochester scent -- which makes sense given he's in love with one and frequently encounters others on a regular basis. he approaches the new stranger-rochester held aloft -- he's also getting better at appearing at least to carry some authority -- glancing to the pale spots over his eyes. burke has the same little eyebrows. he can't tell at a glance how the men are related (but he worries, suddenly, that this is mato's father and then he has to make a good impression).

"this is tindómë," he starts, then says, "you're related to burke and mato, i assume?"