For Shame, Nella!
Just how far would you go for a kiss you never quite received, but cannot stop thinking about? Nelladel Telpekhor has found the answer to that question out tonight. Evening, of course, is the best time to do something one shouldn't be doing, but Nella is finding that the cover of darkness provides less security than she'd hoped. It would be hard to recognize her as being the beautiful lady that wanders aimlessly through Telpekhor manner, sometimes with a book.
Her brother Thalion would be quite confused to find a few of his clothes gone, if his things weren't already a bit of a sloppy mess to begin with. Nelladel's parents would be shocked to know that their daughter is possessed of such a wicked streak of cleverness. She's been very thorough in her job: she's wearing men's boots, much too big for her dainty feet, and her brother's breeches, which are belted up around her little waist to keep them from falling down. She has bound her chest with long strips of gauze from the healer's to make it look flatter, and she wears a dirty, patched up work tunic. She's braided her lovely crow black hair into two tight braids, which are hidden beneath a large, black hat. The same hat, in fact, that she pulled all the lace off of when she was supposed to be at tea. It's floppy enough on her small head that it throws most of her face, including her unmistakably feminine eyes, into shadow. Nella is making her way toward the barracks, but her initial courage that she felt when strutting out of the manor with no one the wiser has since dissipated. Her hands are shaking a little as she looks up at the formidable building. She feels a sudden, strong inclination that she shouldn't be here.
Nelladel is in luck--depending on exactly how one defines luck, of course. Evening means that the heat of the summer has eased just a touch, and as such, Ceredir is using the time to train. He's not too far from Card Failin--the scout apparently has no wish to give the guards any impression that he is about to try to sneak off. And so his back is to the main square, facing toward the barracks of the men of Ithilien, as he works with a wooden sword, carefully and slowly going through the motions of training. It must be teh supper hour, though, as noone else is out here, save a few guards somewhat distant.
Oh, the heat...Nelladel is sweating in her long clothes, but there was no alternative to hide all that pale, soft skin. She looks around, throwing her shoulders back, standing tall and trying not to look like the nervous creature she's just become. Finally, she realizes who is standing near the barracks with his back to her, and she breathes just a little easier. She can do this. Nella gives Ceredir and his wooden sword a wide berth in her approach, and says in a huskier voice, trying to hide her own, "Evening." There's just the slightest quake to her voice, no matter how hard she tries. Being bad and dressing up in Thalion's clothes was so much more heroic in her head..
The scout turns, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his sleeve, and eyeing the "boy" up and down. "Evening," Ceredir says, eyes narrowed just slightly, brow with one or two creases of a slight frown. Something is out of place here, but the lack of light makes it difficult to clearly identify what it is. "Can I help you?"
Nella looks clearly over both her shoulders, and then scans the area in front of her, making sure that not one stray glance is passing her way. Then, with still-shaking hands, she tips up the brim of the hat, pulling it back to reveal her lovely face. She tries to smile, but it doesn't quite work. "Hey," she says, in a voice more like her own, and finally grins. Nella feels compelled to give some explanation, and says, her voice pitched just above a whisper, "I did a little eavesdropping to find out where you went."
"By the Valar!!" Ceredir's mouth falls open in utter astonishment as he stares at the girl. "Nella!! What are you doing here?! You can't be here! Good grief!!" The scout's mouth still hangs open in disbelief and shock.
Nella frowns, kicking nervously at the ground with one of her oversized boots. "Well, er, I am." She looks hard at the scout, not quite sure what to make of how much she has startled him. A normal girl might sulk, or decide she was unwanted and in a dangerous situation, but not Nella. Instead, she just shakes her head and quotes her mother, "It's not polite to swear. Didn't you know?" She grins broadly. "My disguise fooled you, too, huh?"
"What? I ..." Ceredir's mouth works, but no words come out as the scout just continues to stare even harder at the girl's reply. "Disguise?! Cursing?!" he starts, then looks behind him and drops his voice. "What are you -doing- here?!! You can't be here!" he repeats, hissing urgently. "If anyone should see you...if they find out...by the Valar!! Your mother! Your house! What..what are you doing here?" Ceredir stumbles all over his own words trying to convey some sense of urgency to the girl--even her smile doesn't seem to sway him.
Nelladel looks at the scout as though he's taken leave of his senses. "Yes, a disguise. You know, when you put on something to look like someone else. Took me forever to find this place, too. In fact...you might act a little more grateful that I came to see you at all," Nella sniffs, finally becoming a bit offended. "I don't care what my mother thinks, or how boring and demure Telpekhor house wishes me to be. I wanted to come here, so I did. It's not hard to find a way to do things, if you really want them." She blushes a little with the implication that she wanted to see him, but it's dark and hard to see the color in her cheeks. "I'm here," Nella says importantly, "because when i heard, I...I guess I wanted to make sure you were alright. See how they were treating you. I thought you could use a friend, about now. But if I was wrong, I'll certainly take my leave."
"I..." The scout stutters once more, unable to form a coherent answer still. Finally he sighs, shaking his head--and then looking up at the girl again with a grin. "You have got nerve, I will grant you that, m'lady. And I certainly do not mean to sound ungrateful. Of all the things in this world I need right now, a friend is the most urgent. So...thank you..." He chuckles low at her, shaking his head in disbelief again. "What are we going to do with you? There are bound to be men coming through here at any moment.."
[Nelladel(#7905)] Now with the scout's approval of her presence, Nella is once more her usual mischievous self. "Let them come," she says first, bravely. Then she thinks the better of it and amends, "Well, unless there's somewhere we can be alone. Have you got a room here?" She reaches out a hand, touches the side of his face. To any guard who might happen to be watching, the sight of a poorly dressed man touching a scout's face would likely appear more than odd. "I want to know everything," Nella says, "How are they treating you? Have you missed me? Are you hungry? I brought treats. Valar knows, these pockets are big enough to hold a lot. I don't know why Thalion would choose pants with such big pockets." She shakes her head, silent for a moment after her flood of questions- that is, until she gets to one of the most important questions of all. "Why are you stuck here?"
"No, there's nowhere we can be alone!" Ceredir hisses a whispered reply, trying not to laugh at the girl's ignorance. "It's a barracks! Soldier's quarters. There are no private rooms like your house. Nella--what were you thinking, coming here?! I mean...I appreciate your concern, don't get me wrong, but you have to..."
The Scout's next words are cut off as the girl reaches out and touches his face. "Nella!" Panic starts coming into his voice. "You have to leave! You can't be here--they treat me fine, I am fine--but you have to leave!"
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella crosses her arms, unappreciative of Ceredir's change in tone. "Well excuse me for not knowing how a barracks is set up! Do you think I've ever been in one before?" The young lady snaps. Her hand is withdrawn. "If you want me to leave, I'll leave," she says, sounding resigned to it. "I was only thinking," she says, looking up at him with a sort of sulking expression, "that for once, I'd have an adventure like my brothers do. One not involving teacups and party dresses. But it seems there isn't much I was missing out on."
Her eyes sweep her surroundings for a moment. All the guards are busy, two engaged in conversation, another looking in a different direction, and yet another watching a passerby. Nella seizes the moment, her heart in her throat. She means to kiss him before she leaves!
"Nella," Ceredir tries to put some patience in his voice--which is pitched low--"if you want to see a barracks and visit me...I can arrange that. But...not right now. It's just going to make things worse for me," the scout continues, looking about nervously again.
Unfortunately, it's while Ceredir's eyes are -not- on the young lady before him that Nella takes the opportunity to step forward and kisses him. The moment takes him by complete surprise so that for two heartbeats, he returns the kiss. Then movement to one side catches his eye and the scout jumps back. "Have you lost your mind? Do you want Sir Elenur actually to have cause to hang me?" He stares at her, looking scared and, strangely, pleased, at the same time.
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella looks nothing but pleased at the kiss- that is, until the hat she's been wearing to hide her hair topples back off her head! Long, shining black braids tumble out of their pins, coming loose and falling down Nella's back. She gasps, as scared as Ceredir now, and quickly scrambles to pick the hat up and put it back on her head, tucking her braids up in it. "I've -not- lost my mind!" the young lady hisses at the scout in a whisper. "I like you- and I want to help. But I can't help unless I know quite what you did to get put here in the first place. You may think I'm just a silly little girl, but my brothers value what I say. And the rest of my family trusts them, if not me."
[BOR(#30834)]
Bor spits.
He stares at the ground where the fluid landed before smashing a boot down atop it and grinding it into the earth. He straightens the lines of his clothing with a hand and looks out across the training grounds. The flash of movement near the pair standing beside Card Failin catches his eye, as does the hasty retrieval of the hat by the young lady. He spits again.
"Not here, not now," the scout says, trying to turn the girl and bundle her back out of the square, his hands moving to try to clumsily secure the hat on her head. "Ask Arashen--he saw everything-- but go! Someone is bound to have seen you now..."
Those very words are now made true by Bor's spotting them. Ceredir groans. "We've been spotted. Go...just..go...hurry."
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella can't help but laugh, just for a moment, as Ceredir helps stick the hat back on her head. But the gravity of the situation quickly erases her smile when she hears the words, "We've been spotted." "I'll ask him," the lady says dutifully. "I will, and I'll help fix this. Whatever it is." She casts one last dubious look at the barracks that seems so uninviting. Ceredir is hurrying her away from Card Failin, while Nella looks around to see which soldier spotted them. She glances in Bor's direction for just a moment, but her eyes don't linger. She's looking at Ceredir now, asking, "When will I see you again?" Though aware of the risks of what she's done, the danger doesn't seem so imminent to Nella right this moment.
Again the scout groans, and now he rolls his eyes, too--eyes that look then right at Bor and then back to the girl. "I don't know, Nella!" he half laughs, shaking his head as if he has given up trying to explain. "After this? They probably won't ever let me go. Would you please...just...just hurry home. I'll send word through Arashen."
[BOR(#30834)]
Bor does not move towards the pair, but his gaze upon them does not diminish in its vigor. His boots seem driven into the ground by impatience.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
Another figure comes from the night into this most unlikely gathering: a Ranger of Ithilien-- a bandaged one. Apparently he is unware of any irregularities in the scene of ahead of him as he walks calmly ahead, a light bow of his head given to Bor as he passes by him.
"Evening, Knight."
[Nelladel(#7905)] "They -will- let you go, you'll see!" Nella insits. She must be planning something already, judging by her determined gaze. "Well..uh...be safe, then." is all Nella says before she finally does what Ceredir's been asking. She starts to head home, walking past Bor and another stranger on her way out of the square, though not looking at anyone or anything in particular. She seems alternately happy and worried, hurrying along in her older brother's baggy clothing. She stumbles, once, quickly righting herself his boots are much too big for her!
[BOR(#30834)]
Bor inclines his head to the injured Ranger, but this is his only acknowledgment to the man. His eyes remain riveted upon Nelladel even as she passes by him, turning to observe her retreat.
"Deception. An admirable trait for a young lady, and one so accustomed to this city," says Bor.
Ceredir's sigh of relief as Nell -finally- leaves is replaced by a sharp intake of breath at Bor's words--the scout's face also falling as he recognizes Gurtir nearby. "Oh no..." he mutters, but nevertheless, he hurries after Nella, the wooden sword he was training with still in his hand.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
The Knight's comment seems to bring to Gurtir's attention the strangeness in the situation: he looks with a frown from Ceredir to the person that passes him by, following the later with surprise.
"What the..." he says, more to himself than anything.
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella is a very smart young lady, and at home, she's praised for being able to correct things that people says and answering difficult questions. So when she hears a voice telling her that she is accustomed to the city, she has to correct him. "I haven't even been in this city for a whole summer yet. A whole season." Then Nella blinks, and turns her head to see who she is talking to. The soldier. Color drains from her face. It's too late to try to feign a deeper voice. She bristles, straightens up and turns to face Bor. She crosses her arms over her chest. "What concern is it of yours?"
[BOR(#30834)]
"I rather meant that deception seems rampant in this city," says Bor, "And in that respect, you are at home here even if your stay has been short." He turns to face the girl fully now and clasps his hands at his back.
"My concern is the safety of the realm. Are you aware that Gondor is at war?" he asks her. "The enemy does not yet knock at our gates, yet who is to say that they are not already among us? Who is to say you, with your false attire, are not among them?"
Ceredir has hurried to catch up to Nelladel and as the girl speaks out, he quickly speaks up, though he is breathless. "Sirs! I take responsibility for this. I told her to dress like this and come see me. She didn't know it was the soldiers' barracks. She is from a respectable House, and I drove her to do this." His eyes seek to meet the other men's--and for Guritr, who knows the scout, it might be apparent that Ceredir has the same look in his eyes and manner as when he told the ranger that he didn't mind getting up before dawn.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
As if almost unwillingly to make this business his own, in spite of his previous curiousity, Gurtir comes to a halt, crossing his arms over his chest (a frown of pain passes swiftly by his face, due to some unseen injure probably). He nods at Ceredir's words, his gaze then moving to the Knight and the lass, no words coming from his mouth.
Yet this silence does not erase him from the scene: an officer, he stands, his autorithy suported by his Dunadan bearing.
[Nelladel(#7905)] "Are you daring to insult my intelligence by asking if I know about a war that all my brothers have a part in?" Nelladel snaps, drawing herself up to her full height, though she is quite petite. She looks incensed, her gray eyes hard. "And do you, -sir-, have any idea whom you are addressing?" Nella takes a step closer to the man before pulling off her hat to reveal her jet black hair. "You should show respect to a lady of Telpekhor when she speaks to you!" Her voice has a biting edge. It's only after she's said all this that she notices Ceredir, now standing near her. "It's not his fault!" Nella says even as Ceredir is just finishing his tale. "It was a dare. My brother dared me, and I took the bait. It had nothing to do with Ceredir- I only spoke with him because I've seen him before he is friendly with some of my family."
[Gurtir(#30678)]
Gurtir does his best not to laugh at the manner the lass addresses the Knight.
[BOR(#30834)]
"Telpekhor? Were I in search of a maid for my household, perhaps I would have heard that name before," says Bor evenly. "For now, I know only that I am addressing two citizens who have not only made a poor attempt at deception, but also have not the composure to come up with a coherent lie between them."
"Fools and idiots."
"Sir.." Ceredir starts, looking with pleading in his eyes toward Gurtir. He opens his mouth several times to try to form a coherent explanation, then just sighs, rubbing his eyes and the bridge of his nose with one hand.
"The truth is, sir," the scout continues--and now he looks also to Bor and tries to keep his tone even tempered, though anger flits in his eyes, "she did not know, really, what this place is. I ..she did not say she was going to do this or I would have told her not to. But, she also had no idea that this was anything other than..well..an adventure."
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nelladel looks rather shocked at the soldier she's never been addressed in such a brash manner before, but then again, she's never walked the streets of a city alone at night in her older brother's clothing before, either. "I'm going to tell my father you called me that." It sounds very childish, yes, and she knows it, but Nella has no idea what else to say to her accuser. She does, however, have the good sense to reach beneath the tunic and pull out a beautiful silver chain bearing the Telpekhor crest. "See?" She demands.
"I am Lady Telpekhor, and I need an escort back to my home right now, please." Her brothers' adventures always ended so much better than this! After Ceredir once again defends her, she adds, trying to return the favor, "Truly. The scout has nothing to do with me being so far from the manor."
[Gurtir(#30678)]
Bor's reply seems to be approved by Gurtir: a display of strength from the Knight that brings the Ranger back to his seriousness.
"Very well.I believe you have proven your point... my lady.", Gurtir speaks at last, his tone impassive, though one might see something of irony in the light bow of his head under such circunstances, "That you can hardly be an enemy of anything other than good behaviour and moral."
He turns to his scout briefly, "We shall discuss your part in it latter, Ceredir.", before facing the lass again, "Please," in spite of the word, it isn't really a request, more of a command, "do name your father. He definitively needs to know of... this. All of this."
[BOR(#30834)]
"I do not engage in name-dropping, lady and certainly not with such peasantry as yourself. You can put away your amulet," says Bor.
"What escort you need will be given, but you will both answer this man's questions before you depart. His authority in this city is unquestioned, where mine might," concludes the Knight.
"Yes, sir," Ceredir replies to the Ranger. But the scout can say no more to help Nella at this point--he falls silent and watches instead for the moment.
[Nelladel(#7905)] "Peasant?!" Nella exclaims, but she drops it. There's no point in talking any more to this thickheaded man. Instead, she turns her furious gaze on the other. "Why would I tell you my father's name? So you can cause trouble for me? I'd prefer my already dull life over that! Besides, he is all the way in Pinnath Gelin, and nothing you say is going to make him leave the estate!" Nella glares at Gurtir. "All I've done was put on some pants and walk through the city. Is that such a criminal offense?"
[Gurtir(#30678)]
"Precisely so I can cause trouble for you.", Gurtir replies drily at the lass, "As a repay for the trouble you are causing me. Sounds just fair, wouldn't you agree?", his eyes inviting both men into the question.
He shakes his head slightly, ending the previous joke, "I would hate to have to get extreme. I see no need as of yet to talk of fines, arrests, on the grounds of public disturbance and disrespect to autorithies. Therefore simply I ask of you the name of who is responsable for you in this city so they may learn of this most irregular adventure of yours and handle it as they see better."
He pauses a little, "But don't push my hand, _my lady_."
"Nella..." Ceredir now says in a quiet, cautionary tone. "Just...tell him. Don't let it get beyond this, more than it should be."
[BOR(#30834)]
"You are quite lucky that this man has chosen to be lenient with you, Telpekhor. A few cuts of my sword to that hair of yours and you would be more of a man than you ever wished to be," adds Bor.
"Listen to your friend."
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella's jaw drops at Bor's suggestion, a hand protectively reaching out and holding tightly to her braids. The world seemed much friendlier when looking out the windows of the manor. She says nothing to him, but reluctantly says to Gurtir, "Thalion Telpekhor. Now may I take my leave?"
[Gurtir(#30678)]
A snorted laugh comes from Gurtir at Bor's suggestion, but by the way he shakes his head, it will not likely be acepted. "Thalion Telpekhor.", he glances at the Knight to see if the name causes any particular reaction then back at Nelladel, "You may take your leave, my lady. Just please do wait for your scort to be arranged.", he looks at Ceredir and then gestures with his head towards the barracks.
"Sir." Taking the hint, Ceredir trots to the barracks, though not before giving Nella a sympathetic smile. Shortly afterwards, two guards emerge--followed by Ceredir again, who stands by the barracks door and watches.
[BOR(#30834)]
"I will say this once and only once. It is quite obvious that whatever has passed between you two is more than casual conversation." He narrows his eyes at Ceredir. "You are a soldier and your duty is, first and foremost, to fight and likely die in service of Gondor. This is the reality of war."
"And to you, lady, I remind you that this man takes his oath from the Steward of Gondor, and not from you. Any impropriety that he suggests of you or you of him must cease now and until the end of this war. If you wish for romance, I suggest you travel to Imladris, where the elves shoulder little of the burden of this conflict and have time for this petty sentimentalism."
[Nelladel(#7905)] "Very well. Just as long as the escort doesn't include -him-." Nella inclines her head at Bor. "Please." She adds to Gurtir, shooting Bor another dirty look for his remarks, but not acknowledging him otherwise. Then she watches Ceredir make his retreat, daring a small smile in his direction. Oh, yes, she thinks she'll see him again soon.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
The Ranger stands there, looking at the lass and her arriving scort. No emotion flickers in Gurtir's face as Bor carries on his speech, though when the Knight mentions Imladris, his eyebrows lift somewhat... disbelief, curiousity. But it all fades as quickly as it came: Nelladel speaks again.
"The Knight has more important business to attend to, I am certain, and could not be bothered with such a task, lady. Nor is he under my command to be sent hither or thither."
He looks at the guards brought by Ceredir, "To the Telpekhor Mannor. Make sure she arrives safe and swiftly and assure her relatives there, or whoever recieves her in, that a messenger shall be sent after dawn."
"Nothing...not one thing happened between us that was not innocent and unintentional," Ceredir says, his eyes filling with anger. The scout stays where he is by the barracks, watching it all unfold, but his fists are clenching.
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nelladel is done with adventure. It has been frightening, and now she feels mostly sad, not to mention tired! She'd be glad to see her bed about now. She is about to leave with her escorts when, figuring she is already in enough trouble, she turns her head back toward the barracks to mouth, "I'll miss you," to Ceredir before she heads away into the night.
[BOR(#30834)]
Bor spits.
"Quite a display from a man of your ranks, Ranger," he remarks.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
"Indeed.", Gurtir replies at Bor, shooting Ceredir a glare, then looking back at the man from Dol Amroth, "But do not worry, Knight, I will see that his hair is cut short."
[Arashen(#24692)]
Standing out among the greens and browns of Ithilien's company and the dark colors of the Hosts - strides a young man clad in the colors of Prince Imrahil.
Wearing the azure tunic of a Blue Squire, Arashen Telpekhor enters the square. He does not appear to have noticed his kinswoman as she is escorted away. He walks with his usual easy, nimble gait - no evidence from his recent injuries linger. His dark gray eyes flicker from one man to the other, resting at last on the Scout, Ceredir. Veering his course, he makes for his friend, though his curious gaze is drawn from time to time to the Knight. "Ceredir!"
The scout's temperament is unmistakable and the young Telpekhor pauses a moment ere asking, "What is wrong?"
[Uinar(#32123)]
Another man arrives, not far after the squire though this man is much older in appearance, and the blue of his tunic and cape is a deeper, more somber hue. He takes another step, a single dark brow raising slightly over sea-grey eyes.
"So this is the one who has caused this trouble?" he asks, his words coming slowly, but not quietly.
Bor's words do nothing to calm Ceredir, but the look from Gurtir at least curb's Ceredir's tongue, the scout saying nothing more to either of those two men. The Ranger's comment about cutting his hair, though, brings a puzzled expression to his face.
'Arashen.' It's with much relief that Ceredir then greets the Squire, and he gestures him over so that he can drop his voice and speak. "I'm in deep in it and it's not my fault. Your -cousin- showed up here. Dressed like a man. And kissed me. I swear to you, I did nothing to encourage it or to bring her here. And now, well..." Ceredir looks to the older man in blue, then sighs, his voice dropped again. "Now you see what it's bringing me."
[Gardirion(#19642)] A sight some within Minas Tirith may not have seen for sometime is Gardirion, scout of Ithilien. He appears smudged and dirty for the most part, perhaps lending to the ideal of friends and family of the city that he had not been home for sometime, lost out in the wilderness. His movements are straight forward and precise, a forward march that one would expect of a Host, and perhaps not of a scout. The mottled dark green and brown cloak worn over the body of Gardirion rests drawn around his frame, despite the fading summer heat, he seems perfectly at home in the attire, not at all bothered by the potential added warmth.
[BOR(#30834)]
"I care not for his hair, nor for his heart. Let his shoulders, his arms, his hands stay strong and that is all that matters," says the Knight.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
"You are invited to take part in a training session of the Company of Ithilien, Knight, so you can test with your own strength if that of my men is enough.", Gurtir replies to Bor.
[Arashen(#24692)]
"This is my -friend- Ceredir," Arashen replies to his kinsman, giving him a sharp look. But Ceredir's response draws the squire's complete attention.
He groans and closes his eyes for a moment. "Which one?" he asks, sighing heavily. "Lissiel or Neladell?"
[Gurtir(#30678)]
Gurtir then turns to the newly arrived older man in somber blue garment, "In part. A certain lass of Telpekhor was also involved."
"What?" Ceredir has been focusing his attention on the discussion between Gurtir and Bor, but now Arashen makes him turn and stare. "Do all the women of your House act like that? And it was Neladell."
[Uinar(#32123)]
Uinar's brows raise noticeably at this rebuke. He turns his gaze to Ceredir, though, as the next words are uttered, "The Ladies, of our house, are spoken of in this way, by your friend?" Uinar asks, turning his eyes to the nearby Knight. "Mind your tongue, is my advice. You will keep your friend longer, if he learns to mind his."
[BOR(#30834)]
"More Telpekhiri? Multiplying like rats, it seems," remarks Bor.
"As for the training session, I trust that you have no need of further expertise in instruction. And neither do I need any instruction myself," he says to the Ranger.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
The Ranger bows his head at the Knight, "This settles the matter then. Thank you for making your place clear to me."
He then turns to his scout, a displeased look upon his face, "Enough, Ceredir. To the barracks.", before addressing Uinar, "My lord. We have met previously. I wonder if you know... Thalion Telpekhor?" his eyes now include the Telpekhiri Squire, "He is the name given by the lady involved in this incident as her responsable."
[Arashen(#24692)]
Even good-natured Arashen bristles at the idea: He stands up taller and frowns at his friend, retorting. "Of course not! The women in my family can be spirited to be sure, but they behave properly according to their birth and station."
To his kinsman, he says naught, merely giving the older man a narrowed-eyed look.
[Uinar(#32123)]
"Another incident, then?" Uinar responds, his voice raising as he turns his shoulders to address the Ranger. "And your man at the center of it once more, it seems. I shall see to Thalion though I would hear an account of it, perhaps at your leisure."
[BOR(#30834)]
Near enough to the Ranger, Bor hears enough of the older man's words to chuckle. "Are there others in this city sensitive to idiocy? I was unaware."
"What? No, no, I meant no disrespect," Ceredir shakes his head rapidly, as first Uinar and then Arashen bristle at his comments. "My apologies--I chose my words poorly. Of course she behaved properly, and I meant not to cast any aspersions on the honor of the ladies of your house. I'm just..." the scout pauses and shakes his head. "I think overwhelmed is the word."
Looking up as Gurtir speak, Ceredir nods and salutes the Ranger, not at all unhappy about being ordered to leave. "Yes, sir. Arashen, please find me later, if you would?" He gives the rest just polite but impersonal nods and hurries into the barracks.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
The Ranger's brow furrow at the Telpekhiri tone.
"I can give you but a parcial account now, for I have not yet heard all parts involved nor all nearby watchers.", Gurtir tells Uinar, gesturing past Bor to the random men who come and go in the area, "But the gist is that lady... whose name I have gathered now to be Nelladel? has, at this hour, disguised herself as a man and come to this Soldier's Square to exchange who knows which words with my scout."
He adds nothing further, the reproach in his voice translating the assumptions made in his mind as he nods an acknowledgement to Ceredir's salute.
[Arashen(#24692)]
Arashen merely nods his assent to his departing friend and then turns, to listen with interest, to Gurtir's account of his wayward cousin.
He covers his mouth with his hand and coughs lightly - thereby hiding a grin.
[Uinar(#32123)]
The elder Telpekhir inclines his head slightly to the Ranger, "At your liesure," he repeats, "Certainly there is more to be heard here. I would hope only to be kept abreast of this for it seems that I shall be staying in Minas Tirith for the time being there are those of my house here, who seem to be in need of ... guidance."
He offers another nod, accompanied with a mild dip of his shoulders.
[Gurtir(#30678)]
Gurtir nods at Uinar's words, a brief glance thrown at Arashen... then he speaks to the older Telpekhir, "You shall. I am glad to know I will be counting on you to solve this matter.", he eyes Bor, "Though there were some who would rather have made an spectacle out of this, I trust that you will agree with my policy of keeping it low-profile and letting each tend to his own."
[Arashen(#24692)]
"A spectacle?" Arashen asks, looking curiously at the Ranger and then to his kinsman beside him.
[BOR(#30834)]
"A spectacle?" repeats Bor, chuckling. "You have quite a nerve, tree-hugger. I should not have to do the disciplining for you or your men."
"Or for the errant hussies of another House, for that matter," he adds.
[Uinar(#32123)]
"I shall not again be informed fully of the insult after seeking to make a peace, on your friend's behalf." Uinar says more quietly, his words chosen slowly, and coming in low tones, as he speaks to the young Telpekhiri squire. " You are too long without a Knight-tutor, I think. I shall speak with the Lord Azrabar on this. Come though, let us depart."
[Gurtir(#30678)]
"He would have the lass' hair cut by sword right here", Gurtir answers Arashen, before laughing at Bor, "I also take my leave after that. We do share sensitiveness at idiocy, my lord."
With but a short bow, the Ranger resumes his long interrupted path to Card Failin.
[Arashen(#24692)]
"Hussey?" Arashen repeats in coldly calm voice, he eyes hard on the knight. "Do you provoke us?"
The quiet words of his kinsman are forgotten or unheeded in the wake of the insult.
[Uinar(#32123)]
"Enough of this." Uinar says sharply, before turning his eyes to the knight, once again, and this time speaking to him. "We shall speak of this," he says, pausing, "Another day. When the good Knight's tongue has cooled."
[BOR(#30834)]
"A diplomat amongst us. How quaint," remarks Bor, rolling his eyes.
[Arashen(#24692)]
The younger Telpekhor's eyes drift lazily down to the man's garb. "Bragollach," he observes, his hard gaze rising once more to knight's own. "We will wait until the end of time for such a thing to occur."
He turns on his heel then, ready to depart with his kinsman. "Perhaps if we hurry we can catch up to Nelladel and speak to her before mother sees her."
[Uinar(#32123)]
"Make haste then," Uinar says, "I shall follow."
He does not move to follow immediately, however, instead turning to face the Bragollach Knight. "I shall see you again, surely, Knight of of the Swan." His tone remains level, "I shall see to my own, for now, and to you later."
[BOR(#30834)]
At last, a smile. The Bragollach smiles. "I look forward to it," he says.
[Arashen(#24692)]
And hasten the squire does, setting off at a rapid stride - his long legs carrying him quickly across the square.
[Uinar(#32123)]
"As do I," comes Uinar's even reply, before he turns to follow his young kinsman.
