Arrow Lake verräter

"then stigmata vill be their father, or i, or ingram," mahler rejoined gruffly. he understood why aurëwen carried on as she did, but it did nothing for her, nor for her little ones. verx had abandoned them and for their sake she must move on. some would consider mahler heartless, too cold in the face of such emotions, but it was his way. he had always been a blunt sort, keeping his own emotions banked beneath the surface.
the sharp scent of her tears rose upon grief-twisted features; mahler watched her impassively, neither passing judgement nor offering a comfort he was unsure she would accept. he was ill-equipped for such scenes, but the gargyole remained all the same. "i am not among them," he offered crisply. "you are a good mother and an asset to diaspora. let yourself heal, aurëven," he urged gently, knowing of her frequent forays outside their land. perhaps she would take a lover, find distraction in the touch and heat of another man. fidelity could not be expected if her husband had effectively widowed her — and they had not been mated, by her own admission.