Elendor
Early Morning Meeting
The Ranger-harper Lithiugelir and woman of ill-repute (not that way!) Cordelia have a chance meeting on Bree Hill.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Bree Hill
Game Date: Highday, Day 4 of February
IC Time: Dawn
Weather: Cold
Description: [Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Well, it's cold. Yeah, big surprise there isn't it? It's early Febuary and there's a bit of wind blown snow on the ground but mostly just frozen ground. The sun is coming up though and if the clouds thin or go away, there's always that chance of a sunny, unseasonably warm day. But, probably not today, alas.
Walking up the hill from the direction of Staddle, a tall man with long bow in hand and long grey winter cloak has the hood drawn up against the wind. He stops and looks around, silent. There isn't much to hear up here besides the wind today anyway and it's not a kindly wind. The man only lingers a few minutes, then starts on down over the crest of the hill. The trees do somewhat help block some of the wind as his booted feet leisurely find the path, making his way with easy, relaxed movement.
A leather case thrown over the man's back might give clue to who it is if one has seen him before.
Yet the Hill is not silent for long. From behind the harper comes the sound of fast footsteps, as if someone is running. No figure can be seen yet--perhaps the person is in the forest and not on the path? As Lithuigelir crests the hill and heads down, there comes a distinct, "Ow! Dammit!" that accompanies a thud. Female voice.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Lithiugelir pauses in his descent and turns his cowled head in the direction of the noise. For a moment, he stands quiet, listening. Then he begins to carefully walk in the direction he thinks the sound came from. He doesn't say anything, but his grey eyes search through the thin brush and trees as he comes closer, seeking the originator.
Not far into the woods at all--as if she had been taking some sort of shortcut--a black-haired young woman clad in a heavy cloak leans against a tree, reaching down to rub her left ankle. "Dammit," Cordelia mutters to herself. She doesn't notice the Ranger's approach.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Seeing Cordelia, the harper stands very still and watches her for a few moments. Then he speaks up softly in his tenor, "Are you all right, miss Cordelia?" Apparently, he remembers her name.
The girl jumps, wincing as she does so, but her right hand flies back underneath her cloak as if to grab somethign there. "Oh..." she relaxes. "It's you, Croaker. You scared me--there's not normally anyone out this hour of the day, and the last time I was in the woods alone, some bandits came after me. Anyhow, I twisted my ankle a little, I think."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
A touch of sympathy is perhaps in the man's gaze and he begins to step closer, "I did not mean to startle you. Do you need assistance down into town? To the Healer's perhaps?" And as 'Croaker' comes into the edge of the brush, he has to duck his head as the cowl of his cloak's hood is dragged back from his head by branches. Being smaller can be an advantage in such places.
A hand is proffered, his right, "What are you doing out here yourself, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Thank you," Cordelia smiles, reaching for the man's hand. "I don't think I sprained it, just need to walk it off." Petite as she is, Cordelia does not have to duck to come out of the trees.
A smile, cat-like, perhaps, comes to her at the Ranger's question. "Why I was sukulking, don't you know? Hiding in the bushes and waiting to scare little children and hobbits, steal their money from them and pretend I'm a ghost demanding their soul."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Being polite, Lithiugelir assists Cordelia out of the brush and onto easier footing, then releases her hand. A bit of a smile as he lisetns to her but then that dies, "That, perhaps is not really a fit matter to joke upon, m'lady. Not if those topics have some folk concerned." and watching her, the harper adds, "You didn't really answer my question, either." And cocking his head slightly to one side he smiles a little, "Do you wish for folk to assume the worst of you?"
"I see," Cordelia answers, testing her weight on her foot. She takes a few hesitant steps. "I think, sir, that most folk already _do_ assume the worst of me, and I thought that if I made a joke of it...it might help?" Her lips press together as she considers her own question. "Because no matter what I do, folks blame me for things. Though I was told it would take time to ...change how people see me. So I'm trying, but when it's early in the morning and I'm hurrying into town...for instance, what are you doing out here? You ask me freely, yet you don't volunteer the information yourself.."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Humor perhaps is light in his eyes, "It does take time. But if you aren't a bad person, time will be on your side - and good deeds and actions coupled with time, can do much to ease past angers." Then a shrug, "Not that I know what folk think you have done. Little gossip has come to my ear." and a grin, "I think I was a little too much into my cups my first night back to remember."
And then a nod, glancing back towards the way it looks like Cordelia might have come, "An armed man walking into town is less questionable perhaps than single young lady." and looking back to her, 'Croaker' adds, "Especially in light of said bandits?"
But then the harper adds, "As it happens, I overnighted in Combe. Sung for my supper. I'll be making such rounds. Do you sing?" He asks, suddenly.
"Combe? Where in Combe?" Cordelia asks, a dark expression now beginning to cloud her face. "And an armed man..." she eyes the sword at his belt and begins to slowly step backwards down the hill...though on wincing the first step, she stops. "The bandits that attacked me were near Combe...How do I know that you are not a member of that group?" Again, her hands are under her cloak. "I would say, frankly, that an armed man walking alone is more cause for suspicion."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
A very unconcerned shrug, "If I was one of those bandits I'd hardly be assisting you out of the brush at dawn, all alone up here and having a civil discourse with you, Cordelia." and Lith tsk, tsks, "If I were a bad person, this would not be a bad place to have my way with you, would it?" And then, trying to keep a straight and serious face (but starting to fail), the harper turns his face in profile and runs the long fingers of his left hand along his jawline, "Do you think I look like one of the bandits who attacked you?" As if he were trying out for a part or something.
A dramatic sigh, then a 'whatever' kind of gesture, "I don't even know when this said event supposedly took place. Else I'd know if I had an alibi or not." Then another not really caring shrug and the harper turns away and starts walking for the trail. It appears that he's decided to continue on in towards Bree.
Despite herself, Cordelia giggles, the girl relaxing again. "No," she grins after him. "You're a lot prettier than the bandits were. And you're not wearing the goofy hat that Muirgheal stole from the man who tried to rob her."
She limps after him a step or two. "Harper, can you help me down the hill? I'm late for work at the Healer's already...and I half ran all the way from my uncle's in Combe. Where in Combe did you sing? And yes..." she sighs a little, "I can sing. And I'm sorry. I get angry easily at...things...especially lately."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Lithiugelir stops and looks back at the girl, "Of course I'll assist you back to town. IF you will be kinder company." And a soft laugh, "I don't think I care for silly hats - it looks good enough on your friend." And to her prying into his staying over in Combe, the harper says, "I was actually staying the evening at a friend's house. But, I shall make arrangements to sup and sing at all the common houses in the area, if they will but have me."
The tall man offers his right elbow to the girl so help her, "Go slowly - there is some ice."
"Thank you," Cordelia says again, holding onto his right elbow. "I'm sorry." The last said quietly. "I was scared...not an excuse, but you scared me..and then your asking me about where I was coming from...scared me more." She grimaces a little, but it's not from her ankle. "Do you...." she frowns again, but her expression and tone of voice lighten..."do you need someone to sing along with you?" She laughs.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
The Harper helps Cordelia walk down the steep and sometimes trecherous slope, going slowly and letting her take her time. 'Croaker' glances to her face at her last and he smiles warmly, "No, not at all. But I do like to hear songs I have not yet heard, or new ways they might be sung. So I always try to find others who will teach me."
Another laugh from the girl. "All right. I'll sing you some songs I know as thanks for your help? And an ale or two in there, of course," she grins mischievously. "The healers aren't far from here--I can make the rest of the way myself. And then they'll tend to this ankle, though I think I'm going to be stuck in Bree for a day or two. Good day, though--I'd best hurry!" She hobbles off.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Another laugh, "Oh, I can be bribable, it's shamelessly true, m'lady." to her comment about singing and buying ale. But as Cordelia disengages her arm at an easier part of the path and starts on off without him, Lithiugelir just opens his mouth for an instant, fishlike and without words. Then the man blinks and reaches back to draw his hood back up against the chill wind, "As you like, Cordelia." But his gaze followers her, then his long easy steps as he comes down the hill behind.
Well, it's cold. Yeah, big surprise there isn't it? It's early Febuary and there's a bit of wind blown snow on the ground but mostly just frozen ground. The sun is coming up though and if the clouds thin or go away, there's always that chance of a sunny, unseasonably warm day. But, probably not today, alas.
Walking up the hill from the direction of Staddle, a tall man with long bow in hand and long grey winter cloak has the hood drawn up against the wind. He stops and looks around, silent. There isn't much to hear up here besides the wind today anyway and it's not a kindly wind. The man only lingers a few minutes, then starts on down over the crest of the hill. The trees do somewhat help block some of the wind as his booted feet leisurely find the path, making his way with easy, relaxed movement.
A leather case thrown over the man's back might give clue to who it is if one has seen him before.
Yet the Hill is not silent for long. From behind the harper comes the sound of fast footsteps, as if someone is running. No figure can be seen yet--perhaps the person is in the forest and not on the path? As Lithuigelir crests the hill and heads down, there comes a distinct, "Ow! Dammit!" that accompanies a thud. Female voice.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Lithiugelir pauses in his descent and turns his cowled head in the direction of the noise. For a moment, he stands quiet, listening. Then he begins to carefully walk in the direction he thinks the sound came from. He doesn't say anything, but his grey eyes search through the thin brush and trees as he comes closer, seeking the originator.
Not far into the woods at all--as if she had been taking some sort of shortcut--a black-haired young woman clad in a heavy cloak leans against a tree, reaching down to rub her left ankle. "Dammit," Cordelia mutters to herself. She doesn't notice the Ranger's approach.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Seeing Cordelia, the harper stands very still and watches her for a few moments. Then he speaks up softly in his tenor, "Are you all right, miss Cordelia?" Apparently, he remembers her name.
The girl jumps, wincing as she does so, but her right hand flies back underneath her cloak as if to grab somethign there. "Oh..." she relaxes. "It's you, Croaker. You scared me--there's not normally anyone out this hour of the day, and the last time I was in the woods alone, some bandits came after me. Anyhow, I twisted my ankle a little, I think."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
A touch of sympathy is perhaps in the man's gaze and he begins to step closer, "I did not mean to startle you. Do you need assistance down into town? To the Healer's perhaps?" And as 'Croaker' comes into the edge of the brush, he has to duck his head as the cowl of his cloak's hood is dragged back from his head by branches. Being smaller can be an advantage in such places.
A hand is proffered, his right, "What are you doing out here yourself, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Thank you," Cordelia smiles, reaching for the man's hand. "I don't think I sprained it, just need to walk it off." Petite as she is, Cordelia does not have to duck to come out of the trees.
A smile, cat-like, perhaps, comes to her at the Ranger's question. "Why I was sukulking, don't you know? Hiding in the bushes and waiting to scare little children and hobbits, steal their money from them and pretend I'm a ghost demanding their soul."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Being polite, Lithiugelir assists Cordelia out of the brush and onto easier footing, then releases her hand. A bit of a smile as he lisetns to her but then that dies, "That, perhaps is not really a fit matter to joke upon, m'lady. Not if those topics have some folk concerned." and watching her, the harper adds, "You didn't really answer my question, either." And cocking his head slightly to one side he smiles a little, "Do you wish for folk to assume the worst of you?"
"I see," Cordelia answers, testing her weight on her foot. She takes a few hesitant steps. "I think, sir, that most folk already _do_ assume the worst of me, and I thought that if I made a joke of it...it might help?" Her lips press together as she considers her own question. "Because no matter what I do, folks blame me for things. Though I was told it would take time to ...change how people see me. So I'm trying, but when it's early in the morning and I'm hurrying into town...for instance, what are you doing out here? You ask me freely, yet you don't volunteer the information yourself.."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Humor perhaps is light in his eyes, "It does take time. But if you aren't a bad person, time will be on your side - and good deeds and actions coupled with time, can do much to ease past angers." Then a shrug, "Not that I know what folk think you have done. Little gossip has come to my ear." and a grin, "I think I was a little too much into my cups my first night back to remember."
And then a nod, glancing back towards the way it looks like Cordelia might have come, "An armed man walking into town is less questionable perhaps than single young lady." and looking back to her, 'Croaker' adds, "Especially in light of said bandits?"
But then the harper adds, "As it happens, I overnighted in Combe. Sung for my supper. I'll be making such rounds. Do you sing?" He asks, suddenly.
"Combe? Where in Combe?" Cordelia asks, a dark expression now beginning to cloud her face. "And an armed man..." she eyes the sword at his belt and begins to slowly step backwards down the hill...though on wincing the first step, she stops. "The bandits that attacked me were near Combe...How do I know that you are not a member of that group?" Again, her hands are under her cloak. "I would say, frankly, that an armed man walking alone is more cause for suspicion."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
A very unconcerned shrug, "If I was one of those bandits I'd hardly be assisting you out of the brush at dawn, all alone up here and having a civil discourse with you, Cordelia." and Lith tsk, tsks, "If I were a bad person, this would not be a bad place to have my way with you, would it?" And then, trying to keep a straight and serious face (but starting to fail), the harper turns his face in profile and runs the long fingers of his left hand along his jawline, "Do you think I look like one of the bandits who attacked you?" As if he were trying out for a part or something.
A dramatic sigh, then a 'whatever' kind of gesture, "I don't even know when this said event supposedly took place. Else I'd know if I had an alibi or not." Then another not really caring shrug and the harper turns away and starts walking for the trail. It appears that he's decided to continue on in towards Bree.
Despite herself, Cordelia giggles, the girl relaxing again. "No," she grins after him. "You're a lot prettier than the bandits were. And you're not wearing the goofy hat that Muirgheal stole from the man who tried to rob her."
She limps after him a step or two. "Harper, can you help me down the hill? I'm late for work at the Healer's already...and I half ran all the way from my uncle's in Combe. Where in Combe did you sing? And yes..." she sighs a little, "I can sing. And I'm sorry. I get angry easily at...things...especially lately."
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Lithiugelir stops and looks back at the girl, "Of course I'll assist you back to town. IF you will be kinder company." And a soft laugh, "I don't think I care for silly hats - it looks good enough on your friend." And to her prying into his staying over in Combe, the harper says, "I was actually staying the evening at a friend's house. But, I shall make arrangements to sup and sing at all the common houses in the area, if they will but have me."
The tall man offers his right elbow to the girl so help her, "Go slowly - there is some ice."
"Thank you," Cordelia says again, holding onto his right elbow. "I'm sorry." The last said quietly. "I was scared...not an excuse, but you scared me..and then your asking me about where I was coming from...scared me more." She grimaces a little, but it's not from her ankle. "Do you...." she frowns again, but her expression and tone of voice lighten..."do you need someone to sing along with you?" She laughs.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
The Harper helps Cordelia walk down the steep and sometimes trecherous slope, going slowly and letting her take her time. 'Croaker' glances to her face at her last and he smiles warmly, "No, not at all. But I do like to hear songs I have not yet heard, or new ways they might be sung. So I always try to find others who will teach me."
Another laugh from the girl. "All right. I'll sing you some songs I know as thanks for your help? And an ale or two in there, of course," she grins mischievously. "The healers aren't far from here--I can make the rest of the way myself. And then they'll tend to this ankle, though I think I'm going to be stuck in Bree for a day or two. Good day, though--I'd best hurry!" She hobbles off.
[Lithiugelir(#27282)]
Another laugh, "Oh, I can be bribable, it's shamelessly true, m'lady." to her comment about singing and buying ale. But as Cordelia disengages her arm at an easier part of the path and starts on off without him, Lithiugelir just opens his mouth for an instant, fishlike and without words. Then the man blinks and reaches back to draw his hood back up against the chill wind, "As you like, Cordelia." But his gaze followers her, then his long easy steps as he comes down the hill behind.
Players: Lithiugelir,Cordelia
