#anywhere

"Not shutting me out, or not here?" a tilt to her head. The answer could be read either way

She seems to struggle for a response. "The first."

"Well, we varich aren't always as empathic as we should be," Nadeen admits "sometimes folks need to hit me with a twobyfour of sensitivity. So, to me it seems you're putting up walls. Something is worrying you. I can tell that much. Known each other too long"

"Maybe he'd be better off here."

Nadeen ponders this, she wants to tell her friend nonsense, or surely, but it's just not that simple either way "Maybe. Aiden very badly wants to make amends and be a good father, the father he SHOULD Have been. But Connor made his choice, and more than that, I think both holds might need him at Rivervale. You are their premeire knight, at least among the wilders. You visiting now and then and us visiting you may help reduce these stupid house spats that rise up between Ailil and Gwydion. It buys Aiden time to heal, and Connor time to sort out what he wants in full. More than that, for Silverwolf's sake, it draws us out. I like it here, but it IS too reclusive at times."

"Mm."

"But I do know that there's no better knight for him, no better guardian and chevalier to set as an example for him and be bettered by him at the same time. I think you are better off with Connor. I mean no insult by that. He brings out even more good in you and there is so much"

"I dunno."

"I know you think so. Gwydion."

"Well darling, that's what we sidhe DO.." She takes on an exaggerated zha zha accent and mannerism, "Tell the littles peoples how lovely they are and what is the best for them" she makes a corny hand wave "Wunnerful, now you know"

But even her icy eyes dance iwth mischief

Shrug.

"oh come on, that was funny" pouty protest

"Sorry. Yeah."

"espically if you think how hard Sylvi's eyes would ROLL if she overheard it" A smug look

"...yeah."

"Are you happy being sworn to the Chieftain?" SHe asks

"I wanted it, yeah? I love Rivervale..."

"I respect and trust the Chieftain."

"Well, no point in me trying to pinch you into our service here, " A fond smile "You understand I felt I had to offer? I want only the best for Silverwolf so I had to offer. " A beat "i'm thinking of knighting Linnae, if she'll have it. Dreaming knows, she ... she nearly got shot for my sake"

"You know them best."

"Not as well as I should . I had to keep an arms length from both of them because they were sworn to Calanthe"

A pause. "Don't...." A frown. "There's a lot I don't know. But Danica... the sisters were Oathed to Calanthe, exactly."

"Don't..." She frowns. "With Danica, right? It's not... you can't...."

DEFINITELY listening

"Oaths are so much of what we are."

A nod "What .. what do you advise?"

"Don't punish her for following her Oath."

"Don't favor Linnea over Danica, because they both tried to find the right choice in a bad situation."

"I don't blame Dancia, but shouldn't I reward Linnae for her support?"

Grunt.

"It worries me. That it will cause a rift."

"I worry the rift is already there," She admits "Sylvi.. gave me this warning look, real intense"

"Maybe. But then... like.." She frowns. "Guess it's a choice."

"Can heal it, or drive it further. Danica will honor her Oath - because we are what we are - but..." A frown. "If.. I mean, you have a choice to earn her loyalty beyond her obligation."

"Well , for all my time at Rivervale, I am not a troll. There are levels to your kith I barely scratched. I want them both to stay with Silverwolf. They're as solid as bedrock"

"I would serve the Chieftain without my oath. I did, and I would again if some magic river washed away the magic. You and I... I'm not Oathbound to you, not like I was, but I came here because you were in danger. I came to protect you."

"Yes, I noticed," A smile "You are a very stubborn friend"

"Wasn't.. wasn't needed, maybe. But when a troll gives loyalty - not just an oath, but decides... like, we decide. Does that make sense?"

"I... I don't think Danica is decided yet."

"Linnea maybe is. But what you do next, with Danica... " She shrugs.

"I want to treat them both with respect and understanding" She admits "Though, I feel Linnae is taking it harder. She was so quiet, by troll standards even. Closed up"

"This isn't Rivervale."

"No, it's not. Here is more traditional court, but I've gotten used to friendship as well as service, it spoils me I guess. "

"Doesn't mean you can't have friendship."

"Just... dunno. Sorry." She frowns.

"No don't apologize, I want to be a good ruler to folks here, and, more if possible. I can't afford to turn away honest advice from a friend. If you think I shouldn't knight Linnae yet, I'll find some other way to reward her that's not so.. obviosuly a power imbalance"

Dagmar nods.

"I may lose Linnae anyway" A confession

"Hewitt?"