Headaches and Huskarls

Red Water Tavern
        The most striking feature of this tavern is the almost morbid lack of color. The tables are small and round, all made of hardwood. The walls have wooden paneling but without anything to dress them up. The floor is also wooden. The only piece of color in the whole establishment (apart from the flickering lanterns that hang discretely from beams) is a tattered banner hung behind the bar. It is the banner of the Dorwinrim, for the innkeeper is himself a Dorwinadan. Wooden barrels are racked together behind the bar, many of the bungs leaking slightly, but the drops are collected in waiting decanters. The windows are all shuttered and let in very little light from outside.
        The regular patrons look at you gloomily as you enter. There are not many drinking at this hour, and as soon as they have registered you they turn away to talk amongst themselves once more.

Obvious exits:
Out

    Seated at a table in the tavern is Eirdis, healer of Mazarbul. The place isn't very busy, with only a single other patron in the room and the barkeep. The dwarf has a nearly empty jug of ale beside her, and is currently making some notes in a large, seemingly ancient book. She doesn't register anyone or anything else aside from the level of ale in her mug. Her eyes are bloodshot, as if shehas been awake for at least a few days. The Khazad squints and corrects some words, sighing as if frustrated.

    Ranol makes his way into the tavern, and after a glance around, notices Eirdis sitting off alone. He moves over to her table, bowing politely when he reaches it. "Good morning, Eirdis. How is your day going?" The huskarl asks with a casual smile.

    Eirdis startles and looks up, then recognizes Ranol and smiles a bit. "Oh! Good morning, Huskarl. My day's going passably I suppose, thank you. Aside from the bloody infernal headache I've been having, and wondering what I'll be cooking for Warven..." She blinks, realising she's probably said way too much. "Ah.. How has your morning been thus far?"

    "Cooking?.. " Ranol lifts a curious brow but says nothing further as he helps himself to a seat. "What are you working on? A headache is strange. Our people never get sick. Have you spoken with Thari about it?"

    Eirdis clears her throat and nods. "Well, Warven had commented that he would like to take me for dinner back in Erebor, but I said it would be much more practical if I cooked for us, and.." She grins a bit, then winces. "I know we don't... However, I've been having headaches, severe ones, ever since we got into Bree a few years back.. I've tried every herb, nostrum, potion and other things I can think of, but nothing works. I suppose I've just accepted it as part of my life now, though it's a rare thing indeed."

    "You should talk to Thari. That doesn't sound right, Eirdis." The huskarl speaks in soft voice, concern on his face."And.. be careful how you speak of Warven. There are long ears around here." Ranol glances around the nearly empty tavern. "You and Warven have become friends, then? That's good." He gives her an encouraging smile.

    Eirdis sips from her dwindling mug of ale, wincing and coughing. "No, no, Thari has her owns concerns.. Besides, it's.." She grits her teeth and mutters under her breath, "It's a managable pain, for the most part." She wrinkles her nose and sighs, nodding. "I suppose there are, yes. Thank you for reminding me that we aren't at home, my speech has become more free-flowing since we've been back in the Mountain.." She looks up at Ranol and grins. "Yes, I hope that is the case. Warven's a very kind dwarf, and always ready and willing to cheer me up, should the need arise.. I haven't seen cousin Hildis much, is he doing well?"

    "Eirdis. It will benefit Thari as much as you to ask on it. It will give my cousin a sense of purpose." Ranol has a small smile on his face, but it fades when Hildis is mentioned. He grows more serious. "Aye, Hildis is doing very well, huge trade success from what I have heard."

   Eirdis begins to shake her head when Ranol mentions Thari again, but then gives in and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Fne, next time I see Thari I'll ask him. If I don't see Hildis before you do, give him my congratulations, and, if I may ask a favour?"

    "Oh, sure. I don't know if I will see Hildis before you, though. I have training all day today. I will certaintly pass it along, regardless." Ranol is thoughtful for a moment, "Do you think it wise to breed them now, though? Traveling with a pregnant animal.. I do not know much of such things with animals, but wouldn't that cause problems?"

    Eirdis chuckles softly. "No, no, I would never put Val in such a situation. She's a good beast, and I feel oddly protective of her, almost like an older sibling... We've been through all manner of trials and tribulations together.. No, I mean for when we get back home." She tilts her head a bit. "Training, eh? Well, if you lads need a medic nearby incase anything goes awry, just call for me. Thanks for the talk, cousin.. And for twisting my arm about seeing Thari regarding these headaches. It's probably nothing, but I wouldn't want to be a stubborn fool about such a thing." She grins and stands, closing her book and placing a few coins on the table with a slight tip for the barkeep. "Excellent service, even if the ale isn't Ereborian, m'lad."

    Ranol nods again, smiling once more. He seems to have an easier time speaking with Eirdis these days, likely because she has found a new interest in Warven and he no longer feels any pressure. "Thank you for the drink, cousin. Perhaps I will see you later." The huskarl says, and relaxes to enjoy his beer before heading out himself.