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He digested her story slowly, unable to think much about it. "But... she will remain with the train, correct?" Thoughts swirled behind his eyes, but he was unable to do more then grab at them uselessly. All that seemed important was that his guard duties remained unaffected. "I.. suppose congratulations are in order, lady Erenor... I am confident that you will be wise and strong as the representative of lord Elrond." His eyes remained fixed on the floor of the tent and he wound his fingers together nervously until he realized what he was doing and stopped.
"And... as for me." He swallowed. "You need not apologize for anything, lady Erenor. The name you called me... it should not have affected me so. It is my duty to be stalwart for you, and my weakness if I cannot be so. It is I who must apologize, truly. It is just... an old wound, and one I had thought closed. Truly, not worthy of my lady's attention." He withdrew further back into himself, walling himself off with his courtesy. He raised his eyes to hers again, showing but a flicker of his emotion in the cool depths of his dispassion. "Is this all that was bothering you, milady? If so, I" His voice cracked once again, his eyes flashing. "I would like to know... where you heard that name you uttered in the tunnel. And why you chose to call me... that." He clenched his fists. "And.. I would ask that you do not do it ever again, milady. I hope I am not being presumptuous, but it is for you and not me that I ask... Clearly, I am not... I cannot." He bowed his head again. "Don't... call me that..." He whispered. "I'm not that person anymore..."
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