They keep walking, out of town entirely - Tirion has glowing white walls with extraordinarily elaborate scenes carved in - and down a hill.

How far is it?

Oh, Vána's in town helping build the music hall, they're very close. But we're going to Aulë since this is metal, and he's at the bottom of the hill where they're bringing in stone from the mountains.

I should probably learn to pronounce all their names right.

Aulë is just what we call him, their names are in their language and it's not suited to our tongues.

Even so.

They reach the bottom of the hill. You should probably do something with your hair, she says anxiously, if i'm not rude in saying so.

I - what? What should I do with it? Why?

Just, you know, a very careful braid so none is sticking out, some people are developing styles for the Valar but I don't think those have been announced yet. You just shouldn't have it loose, it's indecent.

I didn't realize, I'm sorry. Do you have something on hand to tie it with?

She has several ribbons.

Bella pulls her hair into a braid - she can't quite manage "none sticking out" but she can make it look like she tried - and does her best to get a ribbon around the end, although the task seems to require three hands. She winds up cheating with a little effortful telekinesis, although she has to stop walking to do it.

Thank you. Her guide pointedly avoids watching. And now they take another step down the hill and everything feels different; the air prickles, the sounds from town die out entirely.

That's weird and spooky but she does not want to be a difficult guest for these creepy cult people aaaaaaa

The world continues to feel weirder, and then her guide kneels.

Oh shit kneeling time okay Bella kneels too.

Bella scrambles to unbuckle the sheath from her jeans and put it on the ground in front of her, head bowed.

And he - takes shape, perhaps - out of the air in front of them - like a cheerful bearded man, except too big, and too perfect, to quite seem like a man, and he's still emanating the effortless raw power. He picks up the knife. He sets it back down. There you are, dear. May you use to to craft many beautiful things; may all Valinor find joy in your creations.

Thank you, she replies anxiously.

And Aulë is gone. They both feel energizes as if they've just awoken from a long, refreshing sleep. The light is more tolerable.

Bella is trembling very badly as she goes to buckle the knife back in place.

She puts an arm around her. Their presence becomes easier to enjoy, with time.

Excellent! Let's go see the other side of the city, and arrive at the music hall in time for tonight's performance.