Nothing new for the first part, until- "Thingol dead? And Melian just abandoned the Girdle?"

It seems insane to think of it. Thingol and Melian had been facts of life in Beleriand, to be taken account of even- especially- in their impenetrable isolation. For them to be gone would mean-

No. No, that can't be right.

"Russandol," he says, and feels very, very cold. "Tell me this is not going where I think it is."