[He listens to Elros' story with a grim expression on his face. It's not really surprising, of course. But it hurts, nonetheless, to hear what his cousins' lives had become.]

I am sorry you had to see that. [He tells Elros.] What you describe... it is not a situation a child should have been in.

[Still, he supposes, it could have been worse. His cousins, whatever their faults, love children. Maedhros loves the twins; he would bet Maglor did as well. And the child they raised is clearly confident and capable.

Turning to different subjects is better for everyone, really.]

Ceremonial occasions only?