Elendor
Busy Breakfast
The morning after Keldean and Lek got lost and then rescued in the Barrow Downs, Keldean talked with Lee, the ranger over breakfast along with Cordelia. Muirgheal showed up, and then Acelen, and there was a small confrontation.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Bree
Description: [Cordelia(#24827)] It's a sleepy kind of day, what with a cool breeze freshening the air and the clouds keeping the sky grey and the world dim. Here in the Pony, of course, folks are up and about, some already eating breakfast in the Common Room. The smell of bacon and eggs and fresh bread wafts lazily through the inn, gently waking those who still sleep.
Enticed by the smells, or hunger, or simply the need to eat before work, Cordelia enters the room, walking in from the inn yard and sighing a little before she yawns. Looking about for a spot to sit, she pauses at the doorway.
[Thulion(#28108)]
A sleepy kind of day, and it looks like that might be just what the cloaked man tucked into one dark corner is doing. A plate already cleaned of most of his breakfast is on the table before him, one of his hands resting upon the handle of a mug of mead, but though his face his hidden, the cowl of his hood is tilted downward. His long legs are stretched out, boots muddy as though he only recently returned indoors. He does not move to mark the new arrival, and most of the patrons who absolutely must walk near give him a wide berth and wary glances, possibly due to the rather weathered, unwashed state of his clothes. Certainly not a proper 'civilised' Breelander.
Keldean is coming from the kitchen a moment later, juggling a glass of juice and a plate full of food. Eggs, sausage, potatoes, and toast. Mingled with the pleasant aroma of the full breakfast is the pungent stench that can only be described as barn and manure. He moves to step past Cordelia. Does he spy the ranger in the corner? He's heading that direction.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Keldean, are you working as a server here again?" Cordelia asks, making up her mind, apparently, as the teen walks by her with food. "It smells good," she sighs. "And I'm starving," she continues, following the teen as he walks toward the ranger. She doesn't seem to have paid any attention to the man.
[Thulion(#28108)]
As the pair make their way towards the Ranger, the man indeed does stir. A soft sniff comes from beneath his hood, and his fingers curl about his mug and lift it to take a drink, his hood lifting and turning slightly so that he must be regarding the twain as they approach. Once the teen is near enough, the man calls out to him in a low voice tinted with humour. "Thought you and your friend would've learned about eating too much," says he with a low chuckle. "If, indeed, that's all it was." By the gleam of his eyes, there is the odd feeling his gaze has shifted to the woman at this latter statement.
"No, I'm not a server.. I work in the stable." Keldean answers, then adds, "Order something if you're hungry." Clearly he won't be sharing -his- food with her. He was up hours ago, and it's fairly obvious with how dirty he is and the smell clinging to him. Thulion speaks and the teen looks over in surprise. "Oh.. it's you." He hadn't noticed him, it seems. Just a coincidence. Now Keldean helps himself to a seat next to the man. "I only get one meal a day, I have to make it worth it."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Fine. I will." What started off as a smart retort from Cordelia drifts off into uncertainty as the ranger's gaze is felt upon her. "Uhh..." she clears her throat, her steps faltering a bit as if she is uncertain if she should follow Keldean toward the man. With a frown, she turns and looks about for a server, but there are none in the common room at present--they're off fetching orders for the customers. So instead, she just stands there.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"You are welcome to sit, Miss Wood, until the server comes about," says the man politely. The Ranger is still watching her, though his exact expression is mostly hidden, he fingers the handle his mug in a rather thoughtful manner. "Acelen must keep you working hard. But then, not too many other places in Bree for folk to keep their horses," remarks Leland idly to the teen.
Keldean is already stuffing a forkfull of egg into his mouth. He glances up when Lee speaks of Acelen and nods in answer, just mannered enough not to answer with his mouth full. He chews and swallows, then takes a long drink of juice. "Yeah. Only place to stable em.." He says finally, then tears into a piece of toast with fierce appetite.
[Cordelia(#24827)] There's a little relief in Cordelia's voice as she speaks, and she pulls over a bench to sit at his table. "Didn't recognize you, Leland. Why are you wearing your hood up indoors in the middle of the morning?" She avoids both the ranger's and Keldean's eyes as she sits, instead, twisiting around to look again for a server. "Did Seeker ever buy back Elfaron?" she asks after a moment.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger gives a low chuckle. "Buys me a bit of time to think alone even the most curious of folks think twice about prodding a dark stranger for news." He does, however, then reach up and push his hood back. As ever, he looks like it's been a little while since he's shaven, though perhaps he has recently rinsed his face and hair, at least. Lifting his mug to his lips, he arches a brow mildly, glancing first to Keldean and then to Cordelia. "Seeker's the name of your friend's husband, no? How'd he manage to go losing his horse?"
Keldean continues stuffing food in his mouth, his brown eyes lowering at the talk of Seeker. This is a conversation he didn't want to find himself in and it shows in his posture. He focuses very intently on his food. "I don't know. Ask Acelen."
[Cordelia(#24827)] Cordelia, though, is first occupied in giving her order to the server: eggs, toast, a huge mug of hot tea. She turns, then, eyeing Thulion. "Guess you ranger types are used to the woods and being alone," she shrugs. "Hard to adjust to folk being interested in your every business here? As for Seeker, I don't know either. But I think he didn't have the money to pay for something and sold Acelen his horse. Or gave him the horse as payment unti he could pay off a debt."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Something like that, yes," The Ranger's lips twitch at Cordelia's remark, then with a soft sigh, he takes a long drink of his mug, his brows furrowing somewhat. "Hmmm. Must've been some debt, to owe him a whole horse," he muses aloud. "What does Acelen have to say about all this?" he asks then, glance shifting between both the woman and Keldean.
"About all of what? Rh-.. Seeker's horse? I don't know.. never talked to him about it." Keldean moves on to the sausauge now, demolishing the breakfast food with startling efficiency that only a growing teen can manage. He only pauses to take sips of juice.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "As for that, Mr. Leland," Cordelia smiles, "you'll have to ask Acelen yourself. He doesn't come much to the healers, and his schedule is such that I rarely see him in the Pony these days. And yes, I suppose it was a sizeable debt, to owe someone a fine horse like Elfaron. Seeker's wife might tell you, if she was so inclined. But I doubt that she'd be so inclined." Another smile.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] "What about Seeker?" A cold female voice asks near Keldean. Muirgheal has entered the room in time to hear the lad's comments, and she doesn't look pleased. Still, she says nothing more, being very civil because her little twins are with her, holding onto her hands. The young blonde woman was making her way toward where Cordelia sits, and she comes to stand beside her friend. "What would I tell him?" Muir asks, looking between Cordelia and the ranger, a puzzled sort of half-smile on her face.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] The children are always excited to see Cordelia. "Cordy!" Seeker and Muirgheal's little girl shouts. Elfaroth offers the dark-haired woman a shy smile.
Keldean nearly jumps out of his skin when Muirgheal's voice fills the air just behind him. He drops his fork with a clatter and turns to look at her with a wary gaze. She might notice the unpleasant blend of smells that comes from a stable around the teen, mixing with the more aromatic breakfast foods. He harshly swallows the food in his mouth, then slowly pulls one foot up onto his chair, his hand reaching for something tucked in his boot.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Was just wondering about how your husband's horse came to live at the Pony's stables, is all," says the Ranger, a polite smile drawing his lips. His grey eyes fall to Keldean for a moment at the boy's rather odd reaction, a brow quirking slightly. "But, perhaps such questions are better saved for another time," he murmurs as the Pony begins to become more crowded. Lifting his mug to his lips for another long sip, he studies the blonde carefully over the rim.
[Cordelia(#24827)] Muirgheal's arrival in the common room also draws a strong reaction from Cordelia, but in this case, it's a pleasant one: the half-Easterling woman's face lights up with a sudden smile that brightens even more at the sound of a child's voice calling her name. "Caoimhe," she turns, grinning. "And Elfaroth." Then she stands, swinging her legs off the bench where she was sitting and addressing Muirgheal. "I ordered some breakfast, but you can have it--feed the children? I am going to be late for work if I stay and join this conversation, I'm afraid." She glances briefly to Keldean somewhere in there--as if curious as to his reaction--but says nothing about it.
[Acelen(#32035)]
The stablemaster enters the Common Room stifling a yawn and carrying a thick piece of bread from whose confines a slab of ham peers out. "Busy tonight," he says to no one in particular as he makes his way to the bar. Reaching behind it, he comes up with a clay jug from which he pours a sample of amber liquid into a mug. The wooden plug is tapped back in and a satisfied smile lights his face as he takes a swallow followed by a huge bite of his bread.
Acelen's gaze travels around the room and then becomes fixed on Keldean. He wends his way through the noisy patrons and nods companionably to Lee. "Mornin'," he says succinctly.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal does catch a whiff of the air around Keldean- the musky scent of dirt and animals in the stables- but she thinks the better of the sharp remark forming on her lips, and says nothing more to the lad. The blonde's dark eyes light and she murmurs a cheerful, "Morning!" to her friend Cordelia. "Leaving so soon?" Muir laments. "Well, I'll only take your breakfast if you'll come out to Archet for dinner soon." She flashes a quick grin. Then the lady sneaks a look at Leland, only to find him studying her over his ale. "If you've such an interest in my family," Muirgheal suggests lightly, "Why don't you say hello to my children? This is Elfaroth, and this is Caoimhe." She points to each of her two tawny-haired, hazel-eyed toddlers, who are busy looking at all the new faces with utmost fascination and wide-eyed wonder.
[Thulion(#28108)]
With a low chuckle, the Ranger sets down his mug and nods to each of the children in turn as they are introduced. "Greetings, Elfaroth, Caoimhe," he murmurs, then looks up to Muirgheal once more. "In town for the day, or just for breakfast?" he asks her lightly, as though merely mildly curious. Catching Acelen's glance, he returns a cordial nod to the stablemaster. "Good morning. How are things in the stables?"
"I need to talk to Seeker." Keldean says to the mother, and he pulls a thin dagger from his boot, the metal reflecting in the firelight. His gaze is still on Muirgheal as his food is forgotten for the moment. "This is his, I want to give it back to him." He adds softly, ignoring everyone else.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelen nods companionably back to Lee. "A sight better than they were when a certain stable boy decided to leave the animals without food or water." He glances meaningfully at Keldean, but it is not as severe as the night the boy returned.
The stablemaster tilts his head as he listens to the females speak. "Elfaroth...," he muses, "The name of Rhifaroth's horse...and now a child carries it."
The glint of the knife causes the horseman to move to the defensive. "Where'd you get that lad?" he demands of Keldean.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Dinner? Archet?" Cordelia repeats the words slowly, as if she is a little shocked by this, then nods. "If you're sure, I accept." Her expression changes--darkens, in fact--as Keldean draws out that knife, and she looks warily to Muirgheal again, then says quietly, "meet me in the Healers later if you'd like." Not waiting for an answer, Cordelia hurries out, glancing again to Keldean and Muirgheal as she does so.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal smiles sweetly at the ranger. "Yes, in town for the day. Picking up some things at the market here that I can't get in Archet, but the children were hungry..." Elfaroth has ventured over to the ranger for a closer greeting, though he doesn't talk much yet. His mother grins, shaking her head and amused, but she's not oblivious when Keldean begins to draw a knife from his boot.
The young blond reacts almost instantly, pulling a dagger from the sheath on her forearm, partially hidden by the sleeve of her lavender gown. Muirgheal's cheeks color quickly when she realizes she's not exactly being attacked, but she doesn't put her weapon away. It's easy to see the tension in her stance. She barely hears Cordelia's farewell, acknowledging with a blink, her gaze still on Keldean.
[Thulion(#28108)]
With almost passive calm, the Ranger takes in the various reactions to the knife drawn by Keldean he, himself, leaning back in his seat as though to disappear into the background for the moment, sipping idly at his mug. Neither does Cordelia's tone escape him, and he watches her closely for a moment, before she hurries away. His attention is drawn back first, however, by the approaching child, whom he offers a kind smile. His mother's sudden defense, though, creases the man's brow in a frown. "Easy, now," he says in a low voice. "What is all this? No one is attacking anyone, here."
Keldean jerks back when Murigheal reacts to quickly, almost falling off his chair as if expecting her to stab him. "I.. only want to give it back, myself. I want to apologize." He says quietly, shoving the slim blade away into it's sheath again. He flicks a glance to Acelen, "I got it from Seeker. It's his."
[Acelen(#32035)]
Now the woman too is pulling a knife. The stablemaster gives a quick glance to the bar where he has left his staff. "We'll have none of that here," he says with some authority in his voice. Both of you put those knives away. We don't allow any fightin' in here, unless Nob's around to pound a few heads in." He nods absently to Keldean in acceptance of his explanation. "Good for you lad." His gaze now settles on Muirgheal. "Best put that away, Miss," he says, "There are those in the inn that don't take kindly to seeing a knife brought out."
[Muirgheal(#32535)] "Do you want to upset him?" Muirgheal asks Keldean, her expression not unlike a snarl. "Seeing you would do bad things for his fragile health. I cannot make that any clearer. You will -not- come near my home. If you wish to give the knife to someone, give it to me, and I'll return it to him. You will -not- speak about this summer, not even in an apology, to him. He's so much happier, forgetting." Muirgheal crosses her arms now, though she's still got her dagger out. As for the ranger, and the stablemaster, they are given only quick, angry glances with Muir's dark eyes. "I'll put it away in good time," she says quietly.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Seems to me that giving it to you was just what he was trying to do, miss," continues the Ranger in a low voice, with a brief glance towards Keldean for confirmation of this. "He means well now, whatever may have happened this summer. If you want to exchange words with him that would be one thing, but even so, do you wish your children to see and hear this?" So-called 'Lee' merely shakes his head, exhaling a long, soft sigh.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Seeing that there is more to this confrontation than meets the eye, Acelen moves a little closer to the table. "Now I'm askin' you nicely," he begins. "Keldean has already told you that he wants to return the knife." He motions to Keldean, "Give it to her, lad. She's his wife, and who better to return it to him. For some reason she is not prepared to give you her trust."
Keldean narrows his gaze, growing frustrated and upset by Muir's refusal. He looks over at Lee and then to Acelen, shaking his head. "I want to give it back myself. I've been trying to give it back since last fall! I traveled... so far.. Giliath.. " He takes a shaking breath, the same stress that's been following him for months coming back. He looks back to the woman, his tone challenging. "You invite Cordelia out to your home? How can my presence upset him more than hers? After what -she- did?!" He asks, an edge to his voice.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal looks away from Keldean finally, at the ranger, incensed. "My children will grow up knowing right from wrong, and that it's alright to defend themselves. Judge me all you'd like." She looks regretful for a moment, having snapped at someone who's been kind to her. She sheaths her dagger at last. "Cordelia is my friend now," she says to Keldean, her voice low, "We've made our peace, her and I, and that's between us. If you come near my house...trespasser..." Muirgheal shakes her head, cheeks still flushed. "I'm not hungry anymore," she announces loudly, and with arms strong from doing sword work every day, she picks both her children up into her arms and heads for the door.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger remains silent for a long moment, watching the blonde depart with her children, his brows knitted and his lips turned in a ponderous frown. "Now, I wonder," he begins slowly, looking back towards Keldean. He studies the boy closely, but not unkindly, his voice low but certainly not scolding. "What that was all about. But here, I deem, is not the place to ask," he adds then, glancing about, for the common room has become quite full. "Yet that Miss Wood would be invited to their home also has me concerned, and I would speak to you about it, sometime, if you would be willing."
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelen watches the departure of Muirgheal with some relief and then bends low over the table to talk to Keldean and Lee. "It disturbs me that Muirheal is so friendly with Cordelia," he says quietly. "Though I think it would profit us not, to warn her as she seems to have taken a great liking to her."
It's not even past the breakfast hour and Keldean is finding himself in a foul mood. He watches Muirgheal leave, teeth clenched, hands balled into fists, and his posture in the chair rigid. He doesn't seem to even hear the words of the two men and instead shoves up to stand, storming for the exit without a word.. the remains of his breakfast left on the table.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"The lad has a bit of a temper, hm?" murmurs the Ranger quietly to Acelen as Keldean stalks off. His grey eyes follow the teen until he passes out of sight, before glancing back to the stablemaster with a nod. "Aye, it would do little but to anger her, I fear. Still, it worries me also. How long has Miss Wood been about Bree?" he asks then with a slight arching of one brow. "I did not meet her until only recently, but she is not from these parts, no?"
[Acelen(#32035)]
"He is young yet," Acelen agrees as he sits down opposite Lee. "The lad often acts rashly, yet I see some good in him. He has a way with the horses, and they can tell if someone is false." The common room is getting noisier now as more people come in to gossip and hold forth on the latest going's on of the residents of the town.
He takes a thoughtful swig of the drink he still carries before answering. "She's been around," he says finally, "And I have been warned not to trust her by someone who I would give my staff to protect. Nay, I saved his life once when he lay sick and almost dead. I've a bit of the healin arts in me, y'know. T'was me mam that taught me how to cure the beasts." He chuckles, "Rhifaroth didn't like me cures, but he lived."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Oh?" The Ranger looks now curiously across to Acelen, setting his own mug down. "More disturbing still, then, that Seeker's own wife would become such close friends with her. Still, even if he didn't like them, cures are cures, though from what I gather he is still... ill. I do wonder about what Muirgheal meant, by not letting Keldean come around, even for an apology. He's a good lad," agrees Lee with a nod. "Goes poking where he aught, it would seem, but such is youth."
[Acelen(#32035)]
"I worry about Seeker if Cordelia is to visit and become friends," Acelen says darkly. "I know that Muirgheal has the healing powers too, but I would like to take a look at her husband. He was always in need of a patch here in there." He laughs softly and points to Lee's sword, "If you carry one of those, you had better be able to use it. I wonder if you might...but no it is a lot to ask," he says, looking distractedly at the door.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"I can use it well enough," murmurs Lee before taking a swig of his own drink, his gaze narrowing slightly upon Acelen. "What is it you fear from Cordelia?" he asks softly. "I take it, then, that guests are not common at Muirgheal and Seeker's home. Miss Wood certainly seemed startled at the invitation." A pause, and he surveys the stablemaster carefully. "If you would ask something, by all means." he says then with a slight, allowing gesture with his hand.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelion smiles faintly. "I never doubted you could use it," he says. "It has enough knicks along the blade to show that it has hit metal on metal." He turns to look directly into the Dunedain's eyes, "If you would visit with Muirgheal under some pretext, I would be much obliged. Rhifaroth is long gone from these parts. I gave him back his horse. He warned me more than once about the woman. If she goes to his home...," he leaves the rest unsaid.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger meets Acelen's gaze, and it does not take him long to dip his chin slightly in a nod. "I shall see what might be done, to prevent any further harm being brought upon Seeker and his family," answers he quietly, then draws a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "That answers more than one of my earlier questions. I am glad that Seeker has his horse back, and that he has not lingered here. But of these things, none of us should encourage speech, for I am sure you know how fast rumour spreads in Bree, once word leaks out. We do not need Cordelia to feel as though there are suspicions against her."
[Acelen(#32035)]
"YOu speak truly," Acelen says quietly. "For my part, this information will stay off my tongue." He smiles, "Rhifaroth gave me that horse once, you know. It was a magnificent beast to ride. I could not see him without it, so I gave it back to him when he went south. From then on, all I heard was rumors. He chuckles, "When I saved his life he gave me a warm cloak to keep. I have it yet, and warm it is. At that time, I had little yet he took pity on me. I like to think there is a friendship between us, so if he is in peril, I would move to prevent it."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"And a good and trustworthy friend you seem," the Dunadan offers a slight smile to Acelen. "Though, if I may," he adds lightly, as one stating some curious habit of a particlar person. "Those ranger types seem to prefer to be called by their chosen names, rather than their given names. Though he is likely far away, Seeker would probably still have it as such, as much as possible." Lifting his mug, Lee eyes it for a moment, then drains the last of its contents. Setting it down, he shifts, bringing his feet around as though to make ready to stand. "Well, I had best be on my way. Have lingered here long already this morning, and there are many things to see to ere the day is out. Fare well," he says with another nod and smile, before standing and striding across the room for the door, lifting his hood again before he goes out.
[Acelen(#32035)]
"Aye, fare thee well," Acelen responds, "And my thanks for looking into the health of my friend. If there is aught I can do to bring him back to health, you have only to send me a message," he calls after the retreating figure.
"Now," he grunts, "Let us go see how the lad fares in the stable." With that he rises and carries his drink away out the door.
Enticed by the smells, or hunger, or simply the need to eat before work, Cordelia enters the room, walking in from the inn yard and sighing a little before she yawns. Looking about for a spot to sit, she pauses at the doorway.
[Thulion(#28108)]
A sleepy kind of day, and it looks like that might be just what the cloaked man tucked into one dark corner is doing. A plate already cleaned of most of his breakfast is on the table before him, one of his hands resting upon the handle of a mug of mead, but though his face his hidden, the cowl of his hood is tilted downward. His long legs are stretched out, boots muddy as though he only recently returned indoors. He does not move to mark the new arrival, and most of the patrons who absolutely must walk near give him a wide berth and wary glances, possibly due to the rather weathered, unwashed state of his clothes. Certainly not a proper 'civilised' Breelander.
Keldean is coming from the kitchen a moment later, juggling a glass of juice and a plate full of food. Eggs, sausage, potatoes, and toast. Mingled with the pleasant aroma of the full breakfast is the pungent stench that can only be described as barn and manure. He moves to step past Cordelia. Does he spy the ranger in the corner? He's heading that direction.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Keldean, are you working as a server here again?" Cordelia asks, making up her mind, apparently, as the teen walks by her with food. "It smells good," she sighs. "And I'm starving," she continues, following the teen as he walks toward the ranger. She doesn't seem to have paid any attention to the man.
[Thulion(#28108)]
As the pair make their way towards the Ranger, the man indeed does stir. A soft sniff comes from beneath his hood, and his fingers curl about his mug and lift it to take a drink, his hood lifting and turning slightly so that he must be regarding the twain as they approach. Once the teen is near enough, the man calls out to him in a low voice tinted with humour. "Thought you and your friend would've learned about eating too much," says he with a low chuckle. "If, indeed, that's all it was." By the gleam of his eyes, there is the odd feeling his gaze has shifted to the woman at this latter statement.
"No, I'm not a server.. I work in the stable." Keldean answers, then adds, "Order something if you're hungry." Clearly he won't be sharing -his- food with her. He was up hours ago, and it's fairly obvious with how dirty he is and the smell clinging to him. Thulion speaks and the teen looks over in surprise. "Oh.. it's you." He hadn't noticed him, it seems. Just a coincidence. Now Keldean helps himself to a seat next to the man. "I only get one meal a day, I have to make it worth it."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Fine. I will." What started off as a smart retort from Cordelia drifts off into uncertainty as the ranger's gaze is felt upon her. "Uhh..." she clears her throat, her steps faltering a bit as if she is uncertain if she should follow Keldean toward the man. With a frown, she turns and looks about for a server, but there are none in the common room at present--they're off fetching orders for the customers. So instead, she just stands there.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"You are welcome to sit, Miss Wood, until the server comes about," says the man politely. The Ranger is still watching her, though his exact expression is mostly hidden, he fingers the handle his mug in a rather thoughtful manner. "Acelen must keep you working hard. But then, not too many other places in Bree for folk to keep their horses," remarks Leland idly to the teen.
Keldean is already stuffing a forkfull of egg into his mouth. He glances up when Lee speaks of Acelen and nods in answer, just mannered enough not to answer with his mouth full. He chews and swallows, then takes a long drink of juice. "Yeah. Only place to stable em.." He says finally, then tears into a piece of toast with fierce appetite.
[Cordelia(#24827)] There's a little relief in Cordelia's voice as she speaks, and she pulls over a bench to sit at his table. "Didn't recognize you, Leland. Why are you wearing your hood up indoors in the middle of the morning?" She avoids both the ranger's and Keldean's eyes as she sits, instead, twisiting around to look again for a server. "Did Seeker ever buy back Elfaron?" she asks after a moment.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger gives a low chuckle. "Buys me a bit of time to think alone even the most curious of folks think twice about prodding a dark stranger for news." He does, however, then reach up and push his hood back. As ever, he looks like it's been a little while since he's shaven, though perhaps he has recently rinsed his face and hair, at least. Lifting his mug to his lips, he arches a brow mildly, glancing first to Keldean and then to Cordelia. "Seeker's the name of your friend's husband, no? How'd he manage to go losing his horse?"
Keldean continues stuffing food in his mouth, his brown eyes lowering at the talk of Seeker. This is a conversation he didn't want to find himself in and it shows in his posture. He focuses very intently on his food. "I don't know. Ask Acelen."
[Cordelia(#24827)] Cordelia, though, is first occupied in giving her order to the server: eggs, toast, a huge mug of hot tea. She turns, then, eyeing Thulion. "Guess you ranger types are used to the woods and being alone," she shrugs. "Hard to adjust to folk being interested in your every business here? As for Seeker, I don't know either. But I think he didn't have the money to pay for something and sold Acelen his horse. Or gave him the horse as payment unti he could pay off a debt."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Something like that, yes," The Ranger's lips twitch at Cordelia's remark, then with a soft sigh, he takes a long drink of his mug, his brows furrowing somewhat. "Hmmm. Must've been some debt, to owe him a whole horse," he muses aloud. "What does Acelen have to say about all this?" he asks then, glance shifting between both the woman and Keldean.
"About all of what? Rh-.. Seeker's horse? I don't know.. never talked to him about it." Keldean moves on to the sausauge now, demolishing the breakfast food with startling efficiency that only a growing teen can manage. He only pauses to take sips of juice.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "As for that, Mr. Leland," Cordelia smiles, "you'll have to ask Acelen yourself. He doesn't come much to the healers, and his schedule is such that I rarely see him in the Pony these days. And yes, I suppose it was a sizeable debt, to owe someone a fine horse like Elfaron. Seeker's wife might tell you, if she was so inclined. But I doubt that she'd be so inclined." Another smile.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] "What about Seeker?" A cold female voice asks near Keldean. Muirgheal has entered the room in time to hear the lad's comments, and she doesn't look pleased. Still, she says nothing more, being very civil because her little twins are with her, holding onto her hands. The young blonde woman was making her way toward where Cordelia sits, and she comes to stand beside her friend. "What would I tell him?" Muir asks, looking between Cordelia and the ranger, a puzzled sort of half-smile on her face.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] The children are always excited to see Cordelia. "Cordy!" Seeker and Muirgheal's little girl shouts. Elfaroth offers the dark-haired woman a shy smile.
Keldean nearly jumps out of his skin when Muirgheal's voice fills the air just behind him. He drops his fork with a clatter and turns to look at her with a wary gaze. She might notice the unpleasant blend of smells that comes from a stable around the teen, mixing with the more aromatic breakfast foods. He harshly swallows the food in his mouth, then slowly pulls one foot up onto his chair, his hand reaching for something tucked in his boot.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Was just wondering about how your husband's horse came to live at the Pony's stables, is all," says the Ranger, a polite smile drawing his lips. His grey eyes fall to Keldean for a moment at the boy's rather odd reaction, a brow quirking slightly. "But, perhaps such questions are better saved for another time," he murmurs as the Pony begins to become more crowded. Lifting his mug to his lips for another long sip, he studies the blonde carefully over the rim.
[Cordelia(#24827)] Muirgheal's arrival in the common room also draws a strong reaction from Cordelia, but in this case, it's a pleasant one: the half-Easterling woman's face lights up with a sudden smile that brightens even more at the sound of a child's voice calling her name. "Caoimhe," she turns, grinning. "And Elfaroth." Then she stands, swinging her legs off the bench where she was sitting and addressing Muirgheal. "I ordered some breakfast, but you can have it--feed the children? I am going to be late for work if I stay and join this conversation, I'm afraid." She glances briefly to Keldean somewhere in there--as if curious as to his reaction--but says nothing about it.
[Acelen(#32035)]
The stablemaster enters the Common Room stifling a yawn and carrying a thick piece of bread from whose confines a slab of ham peers out. "Busy tonight," he says to no one in particular as he makes his way to the bar. Reaching behind it, he comes up with a clay jug from which he pours a sample of amber liquid into a mug. The wooden plug is tapped back in and a satisfied smile lights his face as he takes a swallow followed by a huge bite of his bread.
Acelen's gaze travels around the room and then becomes fixed on Keldean. He wends his way through the noisy patrons and nods companionably to Lee. "Mornin'," he says succinctly.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal does catch a whiff of the air around Keldean- the musky scent of dirt and animals in the stables- but she thinks the better of the sharp remark forming on her lips, and says nothing more to the lad. The blonde's dark eyes light and she murmurs a cheerful, "Morning!" to her friend Cordelia. "Leaving so soon?" Muir laments. "Well, I'll only take your breakfast if you'll come out to Archet for dinner soon." She flashes a quick grin. Then the lady sneaks a look at Leland, only to find him studying her over his ale. "If you've such an interest in my family," Muirgheal suggests lightly, "Why don't you say hello to my children? This is Elfaroth, and this is Caoimhe." She points to each of her two tawny-haired, hazel-eyed toddlers, who are busy looking at all the new faces with utmost fascination and wide-eyed wonder.
[Thulion(#28108)]
With a low chuckle, the Ranger sets down his mug and nods to each of the children in turn as they are introduced. "Greetings, Elfaroth, Caoimhe," he murmurs, then looks up to Muirgheal once more. "In town for the day, or just for breakfast?" he asks her lightly, as though merely mildly curious. Catching Acelen's glance, he returns a cordial nod to the stablemaster. "Good morning. How are things in the stables?"
"I need to talk to Seeker." Keldean says to the mother, and he pulls a thin dagger from his boot, the metal reflecting in the firelight. His gaze is still on Muirgheal as his food is forgotten for the moment. "This is his, I want to give it back to him." He adds softly, ignoring everyone else.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelen nods companionably back to Lee. "A sight better than they were when a certain stable boy decided to leave the animals without food or water." He glances meaningfully at Keldean, but it is not as severe as the night the boy returned.
The stablemaster tilts his head as he listens to the females speak. "Elfaroth...," he muses, "The name of Rhifaroth's horse...and now a child carries it."
The glint of the knife causes the horseman to move to the defensive. "Where'd you get that lad?" he demands of Keldean.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Dinner? Archet?" Cordelia repeats the words slowly, as if she is a little shocked by this, then nods. "If you're sure, I accept." Her expression changes--darkens, in fact--as Keldean draws out that knife, and she looks warily to Muirgheal again, then says quietly, "meet me in the Healers later if you'd like." Not waiting for an answer, Cordelia hurries out, glancing again to Keldean and Muirgheal as she does so.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal smiles sweetly at the ranger. "Yes, in town for the day. Picking up some things at the market here that I can't get in Archet, but the children were hungry..." Elfaroth has ventured over to the ranger for a closer greeting, though he doesn't talk much yet. His mother grins, shaking her head and amused, but she's not oblivious when Keldean begins to draw a knife from his boot.
The young blond reacts almost instantly, pulling a dagger from the sheath on her forearm, partially hidden by the sleeve of her lavender gown. Muirgheal's cheeks color quickly when she realizes she's not exactly being attacked, but she doesn't put her weapon away. It's easy to see the tension in her stance. She barely hears Cordelia's farewell, acknowledging with a blink, her gaze still on Keldean.
[Thulion(#28108)]
With almost passive calm, the Ranger takes in the various reactions to the knife drawn by Keldean he, himself, leaning back in his seat as though to disappear into the background for the moment, sipping idly at his mug. Neither does Cordelia's tone escape him, and he watches her closely for a moment, before she hurries away. His attention is drawn back first, however, by the approaching child, whom he offers a kind smile. His mother's sudden defense, though, creases the man's brow in a frown. "Easy, now," he says in a low voice. "What is all this? No one is attacking anyone, here."
Keldean jerks back when Murigheal reacts to quickly, almost falling off his chair as if expecting her to stab him. "I.. only want to give it back, myself. I want to apologize." He says quietly, shoving the slim blade away into it's sheath again. He flicks a glance to Acelen, "I got it from Seeker. It's his."
[Acelen(#32035)]
Now the woman too is pulling a knife. The stablemaster gives a quick glance to the bar where he has left his staff. "We'll have none of that here," he says with some authority in his voice. Both of you put those knives away. We don't allow any fightin' in here, unless Nob's around to pound a few heads in." He nods absently to Keldean in acceptance of his explanation. "Good for you lad." His gaze now settles on Muirgheal. "Best put that away, Miss," he says, "There are those in the inn that don't take kindly to seeing a knife brought out."
[Muirgheal(#32535)] "Do you want to upset him?" Muirgheal asks Keldean, her expression not unlike a snarl. "Seeing you would do bad things for his fragile health. I cannot make that any clearer. You will -not- come near my home. If you wish to give the knife to someone, give it to me, and I'll return it to him. You will -not- speak about this summer, not even in an apology, to him. He's so much happier, forgetting." Muirgheal crosses her arms now, though she's still got her dagger out. As for the ranger, and the stablemaster, they are given only quick, angry glances with Muir's dark eyes. "I'll put it away in good time," she says quietly.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Seems to me that giving it to you was just what he was trying to do, miss," continues the Ranger in a low voice, with a brief glance towards Keldean for confirmation of this. "He means well now, whatever may have happened this summer. If you want to exchange words with him that would be one thing, but even so, do you wish your children to see and hear this?" So-called 'Lee' merely shakes his head, exhaling a long, soft sigh.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Seeing that there is more to this confrontation than meets the eye, Acelen moves a little closer to the table. "Now I'm askin' you nicely," he begins. "Keldean has already told you that he wants to return the knife." He motions to Keldean, "Give it to her, lad. She's his wife, and who better to return it to him. For some reason she is not prepared to give you her trust."
Keldean narrows his gaze, growing frustrated and upset by Muir's refusal. He looks over at Lee and then to Acelen, shaking his head. "I want to give it back myself. I've been trying to give it back since last fall! I traveled... so far.. Giliath.. " He takes a shaking breath, the same stress that's been following him for months coming back. He looks back to the woman, his tone challenging. "You invite Cordelia out to your home? How can my presence upset him more than hers? After what -she- did?!" He asks, an edge to his voice.
[Muirgheal(#32535)] Muirgheal looks away from Keldean finally, at the ranger, incensed. "My children will grow up knowing right from wrong, and that it's alright to defend themselves. Judge me all you'd like." She looks regretful for a moment, having snapped at someone who's been kind to her. She sheaths her dagger at last. "Cordelia is my friend now," she says to Keldean, her voice low, "We've made our peace, her and I, and that's between us. If you come near my house...trespasser..." Muirgheal shakes her head, cheeks still flushed. "I'm not hungry anymore," she announces loudly, and with arms strong from doing sword work every day, she picks both her children up into her arms and heads for the door.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger remains silent for a long moment, watching the blonde depart with her children, his brows knitted and his lips turned in a ponderous frown. "Now, I wonder," he begins slowly, looking back towards Keldean. He studies the boy closely, but not unkindly, his voice low but certainly not scolding. "What that was all about. But here, I deem, is not the place to ask," he adds then, glancing about, for the common room has become quite full. "Yet that Miss Wood would be invited to their home also has me concerned, and I would speak to you about it, sometime, if you would be willing."
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelen watches the departure of Muirgheal with some relief and then bends low over the table to talk to Keldean and Lee. "It disturbs me that Muirheal is so friendly with Cordelia," he says quietly. "Though I think it would profit us not, to warn her as she seems to have taken a great liking to her."
It's not even past the breakfast hour and Keldean is finding himself in a foul mood. He watches Muirgheal leave, teeth clenched, hands balled into fists, and his posture in the chair rigid. He doesn't seem to even hear the words of the two men and instead shoves up to stand, storming for the exit without a word.. the remains of his breakfast left on the table.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"The lad has a bit of a temper, hm?" murmurs the Ranger quietly to Acelen as Keldean stalks off. His grey eyes follow the teen until he passes out of sight, before glancing back to the stablemaster with a nod. "Aye, it would do little but to anger her, I fear. Still, it worries me also. How long has Miss Wood been about Bree?" he asks then with a slight arching of one brow. "I did not meet her until only recently, but she is not from these parts, no?"
[Acelen(#32035)]
"He is young yet," Acelen agrees as he sits down opposite Lee. "The lad often acts rashly, yet I see some good in him. He has a way with the horses, and they can tell if someone is false." The common room is getting noisier now as more people come in to gossip and hold forth on the latest going's on of the residents of the town.
He takes a thoughtful swig of the drink he still carries before answering. "She's been around," he says finally, "And I have been warned not to trust her by someone who I would give my staff to protect. Nay, I saved his life once when he lay sick and almost dead. I've a bit of the healin arts in me, y'know. T'was me mam that taught me how to cure the beasts." He chuckles, "Rhifaroth didn't like me cures, but he lived."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"Oh?" The Ranger looks now curiously across to Acelen, setting his own mug down. "More disturbing still, then, that Seeker's own wife would become such close friends with her. Still, even if he didn't like them, cures are cures, though from what I gather he is still... ill. I do wonder about what Muirgheal meant, by not letting Keldean come around, even for an apology. He's a good lad," agrees Lee with a nod. "Goes poking where he aught, it would seem, but such is youth."
[Acelen(#32035)]
"I worry about Seeker if Cordelia is to visit and become friends," Acelen says darkly. "I know that Muirgheal has the healing powers too, but I would like to take a look at her husband. He was always in need of a patch here in there." He laughs softly and points to Lee's sword, "If you carry one of those, you had better be able to use it. I wonder if you might...but no it is a lot to ask," he says, looking distractedly at the door.
[Thulion(#28108)]
"I can use it well enough," murmurs Lee before taking a swig of his own drink, his gaze narrowing slightly upon Acelen. "What is it you fear from Cordelia?" he asks softly. "I take it, then, that guests are not common at Muirgheal and Seeker's home. Miss Wood certainly seemed startled at the invitation." A pause, and he surveys the stablemaster carefully. "If you would ask something, by all means." he says then with a slight, allowing gesture with his hand.
[Acelen(#32035)]
Acelion smiles faintly. "I never doubted you could use it," he says. "It has enough knicks along the blade to show that it has hit metal on metal." He turns to look directly into the Dunedain's eyes, "If you would visit with Muirgheal under some pretext, I would be much obliged. Rhifaroth is long gone from these parts. I gave him back his horse. He warned me more than once about the woman. If she goes to his home...," he leaves the rest unsaid.
[Thulion(#28108)]
The Ranger meets Acelen's gaze, and it does not take him long to dip his chin slightly in a nod. "I shall see what might be done, to prevent any further harm being brought upon Seeker and his family," answers he quietly, then draws a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "That answers more than one of my earlier questions. I am glad that Seeker has his horse back, and that he has not lingered here. But of these things, none of us should encourage speech, for I am sure you know how fast rumour spreads in Bree, once word leaks out. We do not need Cordelia to feel as though there are suspicions against her."
[Acelen(#32035)]
"YOu speak truly," Acelen says quietly. "For my part, this information will stay off my tongue." He smiles, "Rhifaroth gave me that horse once, you know. It was a magnificent beast to ride. I could not see him without it, so I gave it back to him when he went south. From then on, all I heard was rumors. He chuckles, "When I saved his life he gave me a warm cloak to keep. I have it yet, and warm it is. At that time, I had little yet he took pity on me. I like to think there is a friendship between us, so if he is in peril, I would move to prevent it."
[Thulion(#28108)]
"And a good and trustworthy friend you seem," the Dunadan offers a slight smile to Acelen. "Though, if I may," he adds lightly, as one stating some curious habit of a particlar person. "Those ranger types seem to prefer to be called by their chosen names, rather than their given names. Though he is likely far away, Seeker would probably still have it as such, as much as possible." Lifting his mug, Lee eyes it for a moment, then drains the last of its contents. Setting it down, he shifts, bringing his feet around as though to make ready to stand. "Well, I had best be on my way. Have lingered here long already this morning, and there are many things to see to ere the day is out. Fare well," he says with another nod and smile, before standing and striding across the room for the door, lifting his hood again before he goes out.
[Acelen(#32035)]
"Aye, fare thee well," Acelen responds, "And my thanks for looking into the health of my friend. If there is aught I can do to bring him back to health, you have only to send me a message," he calls after the retreating figure.
"Now," he grunts, "Let us go see how the lad fares in the stable." With that he rises and carries his drink away out the door.
Players: Acelen, Lee, Thulion, Keldean, Cordelia, Muirgheal
