He gives her a wary look. He doesn't understand her perspective; maybe he can't. Maybe he can't credit himself with any strength of character beyond the sheer force of his hatred for his creator. Maybe so much of his judgement and loathing is so stubbornly inward-facing that he's got no space for anything else.

"...I've known some very stupid elves," he says quietly. "And some reasonably bright humans. No need to talk yourself down, darling."