"Yes - Earwen is wed to Arafinwe, my Feanaro's youngest brother." She smiles. "We were never close, as she is better friends with Anaire, Nolofinwe's wife. But she was always kind to me, and I appreciate her better, now that we spend more time together."

Admittedly, mostly because neither Arafinwe nor Earwen nor Anaire are willing to let Nerdanel quietly fade away in grief.

"Very." She sighs. "So the next question is ... is this the island, or is this the train. And what is the point?"