"I do not know how much of it was my doing," he admits calmly, considering his own circumstances, "but she was returned safely. None of us sustained serious injuries."

All of this is welcome, of course, because it distracts Solas from the reality of what had happened to him; a spirit of Mythal trapping him, the bodies of dead elves, the diaries, the knowledge he had learned. All of it is painful in a way that burns somewhere deep inside of him, resting heavy on his tongue.

Still, Thranduil moves and drags him from his thoughts, drawing him away from solemnity and sadness with the graceful drop to his knees. It makes Solas frown, concerned, considering, before he manages to respond.

"I do not step where there might be broken glass. That is a mistake you only make once."