Gaucho nodded gently at Ranjiri's opening remarks. It was true, Gaucho didn't trust the Golden. Perhaps it was simply all bad timing, or perhaps the Sultan was making more of coincidence and happenstance than he ought ... yet his instincts had never steered him wrong before. If his body found reason to mistrust the quick-witted unicorn, why should his mind disobey?

Quietly Gaucho listened. Although nothing that Ranjiri said would have been odd coming from anyone else, he well knew the discomfort that accompanied meetings with Thranduil. Everything had an answer, every misstep a justification. That he even asked Ranjiri about Gaucho set the dun on edge - her assumptions were likely quite correct - he probably was just trying to get information. But of what? And why? The Wildfire smiled knowing that Jiji had given him nothing to go off of - Thranduil already knew that Gaucho distrusted him.

Gaucho shook his head gently as the dark mare asked him what Thran had done ... at first he was tempted to tell her everything, but caught himself and silently encouraged her to finish. As she spoke, his mind shifted, confused. What ought he tell her? Their friendship seemed to suggest that she was worthy of the information, and yet ... yet as her Sultan, there were things he needed to keep from his herd. Such information was better suited for Ampere and Meg, not for one he still had to tell himself was no longer a child.

And yet ...

"It good you tell Gaucho." He said allowed as she concluded. "Life is clouded by personal issues -" he remarked with a smirk, extending his wing to her shoulder encouragingly. "-Jiji do right." Sighing, the Wildfire turned his stoic gaze to the clouds, exhaling softly. "Gaucho first find Thranduil after Wraith invasion ... Gaucho called away, and when return, have no memories....Thranduil say he helping Gaucho but ..." With a decided sternness his gaze lowered back to Jiji. "-he not help at all."

Unfolding his wings gently from his flanks, Gaucho gave the red-eyed mare another nod of approval. She had done well, regardless of what her personal feelings were in the matter. "Gaucho will tell warriors to be on look out ... wouldn't be first time Thranduil come into our borders uninvited."

With a last grunt, the Sultan took to the skies, his eyes keenly scanning the ground for any signs of intrusion.