Elendor
No Thanks is Needed
Braldor has a chat with Huskarl about very things.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: After his little vacation with the Barazin that Braldor so dislikes, Ranol came back in a rather pleasant and relaxed mood. This lasted for several days, until something changed overnight that put the huskarl into a very foul disposition. Suddenly the clan-karls are finding their training with their captain to be just short of brutal as the ornery huskarl presses more exacting standards upon them on the training room floor. There is more than a little bit of griping from some of the guards after the morning's practice sessions.
Ranol, himself, has been doing his job with the same dedication as always, but there's a latent frustration that floats around him and dogs his presence, bleeding into his work in small doses. He doesn't speak of anything that's changed in his life, but it's obvious that -something- has gotten his ire up that wasn't there a few days before.
Now the huskarl is just returning from the Hall of Dodin, checking in with the thane to see if there's any specific business of the day that needs doing. He walks in with a faint scowl on his face, but shows all the usual signs of respect and greets Braldor politely.
[Gimli(#30149)] The Thane sits, as is usual, behind his desk, a myriad documents waiting to be read, and most of them answered. The business of the clan seems to be going quite well, yet such prosperity exacts a high toll on the thane's time. Still, when he sees Ranol enter, Braldor looks up from the scroll he's reading, and motions for the Huskarl to sit. "Good morn, Master Ranol", Braldor says, as he sets down the scroll on his desk. "I need to speak with ye, for a moment".
Ranol nods and moves to sit down, glad to take a few minutes off his feet after being on them all morning. One thing catches his attention, the fact that Braldor refers to him by name as opposed to 'Huskarl' as is usually the case, but he says nothing on it.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, lad", Braldor says, eyeing the Huskarl straight in the eye, "I have heard some things... some pleasing, some others not so much". The Thane shifts a bit on his chair, before going on. "Now, I've heard ye're drilling the clan-karls quite hard, and with a short temper. The drillin' part, I have no contention with. Trained clan-karls tend to live longer than those who're not in their best shape. Yet yer sudden change o' mood has come to my attention... and I will have from ye the reason for it". Clearly, the Thane is not one to go beating around the bush...
Ranol can feel his stubbornness rise, not answering immediately. He sorts out what he wants to say, thinks it over carefully before speaking, "My lord, it is.. personal business. I did not realize it was affecting my work to such a degree. I'll be more careful." Usually the huskarl is fairly straight-forward about answering questions, but he doesn't want to share this problem with his boss, or anyone.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is good, and I'm sure the clan-karls will b delighted to hear it", Braldor replies, but there's a bit of stubborness in his looks and voice also, as he adds, "Yet ye skillfully try not to answer my question. The question was plainly posed... and I expect it to be plainly answere", he adds. His face softens a bit then, as he looks at Ranol. "Remember we're Bundazanul, Ranol, almost of the same family... ye can trust me with yer life, and I shall do everything in my power to stop any harm that might come to ye. I have entrusted ye with my life, and so far, I've to say I'm delighted to see I haven't put that trust in the wrong hands".
"Lord Braldor, it is nothing like that. Nothing that will bring me harm, I assure you." Misery? Most definitely. Frustration, absolutely! Ranol highly doubts that Hilvar will be coming after him with a sharpened axe, though. "I am glad that I have met your expectations." He adds, in a delayed fashion as he stops his thoughts from being consumed again.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor nods to Ranol, before answering. "Again, ye speak, yet ye answer me not. What is it, Master Ranol?"
Ranol grips the arm of the chair, growing angry now. "Is this a direct order, thane?" He asks now in a demanding tone, sounding irritated. This is a stronger taste of the grouchiness that the clan-karls have had to deal with.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor's face loses it's warmth, yet it's not anger, but sorrow, that is now reflected. "Take it as ye wish", he says, as he sits back on his chair, the wood creacking a bit, "yet I wish to have my question answered".
Ranol lays his head back, looking up to the shadows in the ceiling as he tries to find an answer that will please the thane. Finally he speaks, with a mix of stubborn defeat as he lowers his gaze again. "I am having difficulties accepting that a relationship is not going how I had hoped."
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor remains quiet for a min ute, and then he laughs loudly. "Is that all?", he asks, and then laughs again, softness returning to his features. "Lad, we're dwarves. Our relationships NEVER go the way WE want them to... they go the way yer dwarf-lady wants it to!", he says, with another peal of laughter. "The sooner ye accept that fact, the easier it will be ofr ye".
Ranol crosses his arms and actually glares at Braldor, not amused at being forced into speaking of his personal troubles and then laughed at. "I'm aware. He doesn't elaborate and simply waits in silence to see what other business the thane has.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, lad, just be patient. In the end, all these things tend to resolve themselves", the thane says, and then sits back. "So... how're ye dealing with yer father's departure? Ye're still at Balur's, or have ye moved back into yer house with yer sister?", he asks, shifting the subject suddenly.
Ranol eyes Braldor carefully, his gaze scrutinizing the thane to see what all this chit-chat is about. He answers in a measured tone, "My sister wants to stay with my uncle's family and I agreed, for the time being... Given that I don't know when my father is going to be returning home, I haven't considered moving back, no." He adds in a more casual tone, "Since I don't really know anything about his departure, there hasn't been much for me to deal with, so I guess well enough."
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor remains silent for a minute, then nods to Ranol. "Well, ye can move back whenever ye want to... the house is yers", he says, in an off-hand kind of way. "Yet if ye wish to stay with Balur, i see no harm in it. Yer father won't be returning to Erebor... in the near future", he adds.
That faint, crabby expression disappears from Ranol's face and he sits up now, confusion and surprise now on his features. "Mine? What do you mean?" He looks worried suddenly, "My father.. did something happen to him? On the trip?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "He has reached the Iron Hills safely, as far as I know", the thane replies. "Yet, as i said, he won't be returning in the near future. The house will go to his eldest then, to look after... which is ye, if I'm not much mistaken", he adds, his black eyes on Ranol.
"Ah.. to look after. That is what you meant. Yes, I keep it in good repair until he returns." Ranol says, nodding. This entire conversation has been queer and Ranor's son is obviously confused about it all. Braldor is direct in wanting to know things, but -never- direct in explaining things.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is well... incidentally, ye're not to worry about yer father's debts any more", he says, also in an off-hand manner. "They've been taken care of. Ye won't have to be ashamed of such a thing any more... and i know it pained ye greatly, to know the debts yer father incurred".
Ranol flicks his eyes to the fire, then back to Braldor, then away again elsewhere as he processes what the thane is saying. He takes several slow breaths, his forehead creased. "Lord Braldor, I know that my father could not possibly have changed his ways to clean up his mess. What.. How are his debts taken care of?" His blue eyes examine the thane closely. "If people are owed money by him, I will see it returned regardless of how long it takes."
[Braldor(#30149)] "No payment is required", Braldor says, making a dismissive gesture with his hand. The emerald on his ring shines and reflects the light given by the lamps of the room. "The debts have been paid in full, Huskarl. All ye need to worry about now is getting those clan-karls in line... and that little incident with yer loved one... Hildis, is it?", he adds.
Ranol isn't satisfied with the vague answers. "Who paid the debts?" He asks, insistance in the request. The huskarl isn't bold enough to assume, and wouldn't be completely sure in his guess, regardless.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I did", Braldor replies, matter-of-factly. "And before ye speak of debts, there are none now, am I clear? NONE".
Ranol is, in fact, opening his mouth to argue when the thane pulls the ultimatum. "But-.." It's a dramatic bit of news, at least for the huskarl. He grows quiet again, his mood no longer one of grouchy irritation. Now he looks overwhelmed. He speaks finally, floundering, "My lord, I cannot find words of thanks that would even begin to seem appropriate. I don't know what to say.." For someone that's incredibly stubborn about dealing with his personal problems on his own, it's a lot to take in.
[Braldor(#30149)] "As said, no thanks are needed', Braldor says, as a grin comes back to his lips. "Just make sure the clan-karls are trained, and that everything goes smoothly... that's all I ask of ye, Huskarl".
Ranol nods quickly, "Aye, Lord Braldor. I will work to the best of my ability, I swear it." He says in solemn vow. "Tell me what needs to be done today, and I will see to it." It Braldor's huskarl wasn't already dedicated, he certainly is now.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I think ye know better what needs to be done, Huskarl", Braldor says, with a smile on his face as he sits back again. "I'm delegating all matters concerning the clan-karls to ye, effective immediately. All o them shall report to ye, and ye in turn will relay any important decisions to me. In all else, ye have free rein to do as ye see fit", he adds. "Oh, also... we of Bundazanul are in speaing terms with the Zinbar again. Please make sure all in the clan know... and relay that message to the Zinbar, if ye please".
Ranol stands as Braldor gives instruction, nodding again. "Aye, thane. I will go see Lord Ovor and inform him. I think many know this already, word has traveled. Is there anything else you wish for me to tell him?" The huskarl seems in a far better mood now, though that may only be the gratitude showing.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nay, that will be all", the Thane replies, as he leans forward and grabs the scroll he was reading when Ranol came in. "Please make sure I'm not bothered by anyone for the next hour... I need to read some of these", he adds, looking with a bit of distaste at the mountain of parchments that lie on his desk. "If ye need me, feel free to come in, but no one else is to be allowed",.
"Aye, Lord Braldor.. " Ranol bows, then backs for the door. He speaks again, "Thank you, for what you have done." There's deep sincerity in his voice, and he waits a moment to make sure his thane has heard before he slips out, pulling the door closed behind him.
[Braldor(#30149)] "No thanks needed, Huskarl", comes the Thane's reply, and then Braldor's gaze goes to the scroll in front of him, his brow furrowing as he reads.
Ranol, himself, has been doing his job with the same dedication as always, but there's a latent frustration that floats around him and dogs his presence, bleeding into his work in small doses. He doesn't speak of anything that's changed in his life, but it's obvious that -something- has gotten his ire up that wasn't there a few days before.
Now the huskarl is just returning from the Hall of Dodin, checking in with the thane to see if there's any specific business of the day that needs doing. He walks in with a faint scowl on his face, but shows all the usual signs of respect and greets Braldor politely.
[Gimli(#30149)] The Thane sits, as is usual, behind his desk, a myriad documents waiting to be read, and most of them answered. The business of the clan seems to be going quite well, yet such prosperity exacts a high toll on the thane's time. Still, when he sees Ranol enter, Braldor looks up from the scroll he's reading, and motions for the Huskarl to sit. "Good morn, Master Ranol", Braldor says, as he sets down the scroll on his desk. "I need to speak with ye, for a moment".
Ranol nods and moves to sit down, glad to take a few minutes off his feet after being on them all morning. One thing catches his attention, the fact that Braldor refers to him by name as opposed to 'Huskarl' as is usually the case, but he says nothing on it.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, lad", Braldor says, eyeing the Huskarl straight in the eye, "I have heard some things... some pleasing, some others not so much". The Thane shifts a bit on his chair, before going on. "Now, I've heard ye're drilling the clan-karls quite hard, and with a short temper. The drillin' part, I have no contention with. Trained clan-karls tend to live longer than those who're not in their best shape. Yet yer sudden change o' mood has come to my attention... and I will have from ye the reason for it". Clearly, the Thane is not one to go beating around the bush...
Ranol can feel his stubbornness rise, not answering immediately. He sorts out what he wants to say, thinks it over carefully before speaking, "My lord, it is.. personal business. I did not realize it was affecting my work to such a degree. I'll be more careful." Usually the huskarl is fairly straight-forward about answering questions, but he doesn't want to share this problem with his boss, or anyone.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is good, and I'm sure the clan-karls will b delighted to hear it", Braldor replies, but there's a bit of stubborness in his looks and voice also, as he adds, "Yet ye skillfully try not to answer my question. The question was plainly posed... and I expect it to be plainly answere", he adds. His face softens a bit then, as he looks at Ranol. "Remember we're Bundazanul, Ranol, almost of the same family... ye can trust me with yer life, and I shall do everything in my power to stop any harm that might come to ye. I have entrusted ye with my life, and so far, I've to say I'm delighted to see I haven't put that trust in the wrong hands".
"Lord Braldor, it is nothing like that. Nothing that will bring me harm, I assure you." Misery? Most definitely. Frustration, absolutely! Ranol highly doubts that Hilvar will be coming after him with a sharpened axe, though. "I am glad that I have met your expectations." He adds, in a delayed fashion as he stops his thoughts from being consumed again.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor nods to Ranol, before answering. "Again, ye speak, yet ye answer me not. What is it, Master Ranol?"
Ranol grips the arm of the chair, growing angry now. "Is this a direct order, thane?" He asks now in a demanding tone, sounding irritated. This is a stronger taste of the grouchiness that the clan-karls have had to deal with.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor's face loses it's warmth, yet it's not anger, but sorrow, that is now reflected. "Take it as ye wish", he says, as he sits back on his chair, the wood creacking a bit, "yet I wish to have my question answered".
Ranol lays his head back, looking up to the shadows in the ceiling as he tries to find an answer that will please the thane. Finally he speaks, with a mix of stubborn defeat as he lowers his gaze again. "I am having difficulties accepting that a relationship is not going how I had hoped."
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor remains quiet for a min ute, and then he laughs loudly. "Is that all?", he asks, and then laughs again, softness returning to his features. "Lad, we're dwarves. Our relationships NEVER go the way WE want them to... they go the way yer dwarf-lady wants it to!", he says, with another peal of laughter. "The sooner ye accept that fact, the easier it will be ofr ye".
Ranol crosses his arms and actually glares at Braldor, not amused at being forced into speaking of his personal troubles and then laughed at. "I'm aware. He doesn't elaborate and simply waits in silence to see what other business the thane has.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, lad, just be patient. In the end, all these things tend to resolve themselves", the thane says, and then sits back. "So... how're ye dealing with yer father's departure? Ye're still at Balur's, or have ye moved back into yer house with yer sister?", he asks, shifting the subject suddenly.
Ranol eyes Braldor carefully, his gaze scrutinizing the thane to see what all this chit-chat is about. He answers in a measured tone, "My sister wants to stay with my uncle's family and I agreed, for the time being... Given that I don't know when my father is going to be returning home, I haven't considered moving back, no." He adds in a more casual tone, "Since I don't really know anything about his departure, there hasn't been much for me to deal with, so I guess well enough."
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor remains silent for a minute, then nods to Ranol. "Well, ye can move back whenever ye want to... the house is yers", he says, in an off-hand kind of way. "Yet if ye wish to stay with Balur, i see no harm in it. Yer father won't be returning to Erebor... in the near future", he adds.
That faint, crabby expression disappears from Ranol's face and he sits up now, confusion and surprise now on his features. "Mine? What do you mean?" He looks worried suddenly, "My father.. did something happen to him? On the trip?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "He has reached the Iron Hills safely, as far as I know", the thane replies. "Yet, as i said, he won't be returning in the near future. The house will go to his eldest then, to look after... which is ye, if I'm not much mistaken", he adds, his black eyes on Ranol.
"Ah.. to look after. That is what you meant. Yes, I keep it in good repair until he returns." Ranol says, nodding. This entire conversation has been queer and Ranor's son is obviously confused about it all. Braldor is direct in wanting to know things, but -never- direct in explaining things.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is well... incidentally, ye're not to worry about yer father's debts any more", he says, also in an off-hand manner. "They've been taken care of. Ye won't have to be ashamed of such a thing any more... and i know it pained ye greatly, to know the debts yer father incurred".
Ranol flicks his eyes to the fire, then back to Braldor, then away again elsewhere as he processes what the thane is saying. He takes several slow breaths, his forehead creased. "Lord Braldor, I know that my father could not possibly have changed his ways to clean up his mess. What.. How are his debts taken care of?" His blue eyes examine the thane closely. "If people are owed money by him, I will see it returned regardless of how long it takes."
[Braldor(#30149)] "No payment is required", Braldor says, making a dismissive gesture with his hand. The emerald on his ring shines and reflects the light given by the lamps of the room. "The debts have been paid in full, Huskarl. All ye need to worry about now is getting those clan-karls in line... and that little incident with yer loved one... Hildis, is it?", he adds.
Ranol isn't satisfied with the vague answers. "Who paid the debts?" He asks, insistance in the request. The huskarl isn't bold enough to assume, and wouldn't be completely sure in his guess, regardless.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I did", Braldor replies, matter-of-factly. "And before ye speak of debts, there are none now, am I clear? NONE".
Ranol is, in fact, opening his mouth to argue when the thane pulls the ultimatum. "But-.." It's a dramatic bit of news, at least for the huskarl. He grows quiet again, his mood no longer one of grouchy irritation. Now he looks overwhelmed. He speaks finally, floundering, "My lord, I cannot find words of thanks that would even begin to seem appropriate. I don't know what to say.." For someone that's incredibly stubborn about dealing with his personal problems on his own, it's a lot to take in.
[Braldor(#30149)] "As said, no thanks are needed', Braldor says, as a grin comes back to his lips. "Just make sure the clan-karls are trained, and that everything goes smoothly... that's all I ask of ye, Huskarl".
Ranol nods quickly, "Aye, Lord Braldor. I will work to the best of my ability, I swear it." He says in solemn vow. "Tell me what needs to be done today, and I will see to it." It Braldor's huskarl wasn't already dedicated, he certainly is now.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I think ye know better what needs to be done, Huskarl", Braldor says, with a smile on his face as he sits back again. "I'm delegating all matters concerning the clan-karls to ye, effective immediately. All o them shall report to ye, and ye in turn will relay any important decisions to me. In all else, ye have free rein to do as ye see fit", he adds. "Oh, also... we of Bundazanul are in speaing terms with the Zinbar again. Please make sure all in the clan know... and relay that message to the Zinbar, if ye please".
Ranol stands as Braldor gives instruction, nodding again. "Aye, thane. I will go see Lord Ovor and inform him. I think many know this already, word has traveled. Is there anything else you wish for me to tell him?" The huskarl seems in a far better mood now, though that may only be the gratitude showing.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nay, that will be all", the Thane replies, as he leans forward and grabs the scroll he was reading when Ranol came in. "Please make sure I'm not bothered by anyone for the next hour... I need to read some of these", he adds, looking with a bit of distaste at the mountain of parchments that lie on his desk. "If ye need me, feel free to come in, but no one else is to be allowed",.
"Aye, Lord Braldor.. " Ranol bows, then backs for the door. He speaks again, "Thank you, for what you have done." There's deep sincerity in his voice, and he waits a moment to make sure his thane has heard before he slips out, pulling the door closed behind him.
[Braldor(#30149)] "No thanks needed, Huskarl", comes the Thane's reply, and then Braldor's gaze goes to the scroll in front of him, his brow furrowing as he reads.
Players: Ranol, Braldor
Located in: Erebor
