He hadn't liked the idea of it either, still doesn't, but lying about it or trying to soften it would be appreciated. He knows that Thranduil would want the trust of things.

"It may not be something you notice immediately. It took me longer than it should have to discover my loss." Of course, he hadn't actively been trying to figure it out, had no reason to try looking so far as he had back home.

"No single person is responsible. It was the castle itself."