Elendor
Spar with Gimli
Ranol gets the opportunity to spar with Lord Gimli, and asks about business regarding his father.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: [Gimli(#30149)] It is the dark hour that precedes the morning, and the lands about the Lonely Mountain await with bated breath the arrival of light. The Moon is but a tiny sliver sinking in the West, while yet the fiery chariot of the Sun hasn't risen over the East. Yet, the industrious dwarves of Erebor are up, and many are now working, be it selling their wares, or trading... even the loud, rhythmic song of the hammer on the anvil can be heard, as many smiths produce weapons, armor, or even works of beauty that only the Children of Mahal may achieve. As one crafty old man use to say, 'gold and jewels are the toys of the dwarves, and iron is their servant'... but Gandalf the Wizard hasn't been seen in Erebor for many a year now, as he probably is roaming the lands West of the Misties, as is his wont, meddling in affairs of Dwarves, Elves, Men, and even Hobbits.
The Hall of Dodin is abuzz, some dwarves practicing formations, others one-on-one fighting. Near a pair of dwarves battling each other with padded weapons is Gloin's son, sometimes giving a instruction to one of the combatants. Clearly, they are part of the Baruk Narag, and Gimli expects nothing but perfection from the King's Own.
Ranol is still waking up, but rising early is something he does quite often. He gets to the Hall of Dodin ahead of the rest of Braldor's guards so that he can have a few minutes of warm-up time alone, without the need to deal with the work of the day yet. He notices Gimli training some of his soldiers and approaches slowly. He enjoys watching the other groups of soldiers train, always striving to learn new techniques and approaches to combat so that he can be more effective in his own work. He bows to the leader of the Narag, "Lord Gimli. Do you mind if I watch?"
[Gimli(#30149)] "Good day to you, master Ranol", Gimli replies, nodding to him. "Certainly, you can stay and watch... but watching is, sometimes, boring", he adds, with a wink to the Bundazanul Huskarl. "Now, Dwerin, mind your balance", he sudenly says, as one of the combatants is thrown down to the floor. "You overextended with your last, lad... watch it!", the Narag Champion admonishes, as the pair start again their mock-fight.
"Aye.." Ranol agrees, and grins. "But I might learn something by watching, at the very least." He stays back a few steps, out of the way. "Unless you have room for another in your training ranks this morning?"
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli looks around, and every other dwarf seems to have a companion for sparring, or several to drill on group-combat tactics. "Well, there seems to be no one else", he says, shaking his head... and then he looks at Ranol and a grin is on his face "besides me, that is".
Ranol watches them continue fighting, his sword arm itching to square up against one of the better-trained Narag. He gives a resigned nod when Gimli points out that all are busy, then glances over in surprise at the hint. "You?" He asks, "You would take time to spar with me?" Maybe Gimli is in the mood to beat the snot out of someone? That's probably the case.
[Gimli(#30149)] "Me, certainly", Gimli replies, nodding earnestly. "My father always tells me that in order to be the best, I must train every day. And I have seen you, huskarl... you fight quite well with that sword of yours!", he adds, winking at Ranol.
Ranol grins and draws his blade to begin wrapping it with the thick cloth he keeps for such a purpose. "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I try to train as much as I am able." The huskarl definitely clocks a lot of hours in the training hall. Once he has his weapon padded he waits until the Narag is ready, an eagerness in his blue eyes now.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Ranol pads his blade, Gimli does the same with his own, the battle axe receiving many layers of cloth to protect Ranol from injuty, should he be stricken by the huge weapon. "Well, then", Gimli says, as he takes some steps further from Ranol, and then brings his axe up to a ready position, "lets dance, you and I". The narag is grinning, yet his eyes are quite serious.
If the huskarl is nervous at all, he doesn't show it. He waits patiently until Gimli is ready while slipping a shield onto his left arm. It isn't the wooden shield that he used to carry, that was destroyed by Grox, but instead a rather unadorned metal shield bought recently at the market. When the Narag invites the dwarf to dance, Ranol moves in boldly, the broadsword arcing in at Gimli's left shoulder.
[Gimli(#30149)] And Gimli's axe arcs, meeting with Ranol's blade in midair and deflecting it to a side. The Narag's weapon finishes the movement, and then is brought to bear on Ranol, yet 'tis not the blade, but the butt of the weapon that is aimed at the huskarl's body.
Ranol swiftly jumps back out of the way as he sees Gimli bring the butt of the axe back at him. The huskarl does not hesitate, and as soon as the air is clear he rushes in again with slash at Gimli's midsection, trying to get a strike in before the Narag Champion can recover from his axe-swing.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists away from the Huskarl, and brings his axe in a roundabout strike aimed again at Ranol's body.
And again, Ranol dodges, ducking down low beneath the axe swing. He's putting everything he can into this spar, trying to make a good showing when sparring with the likes of the House of Durin. The huskarl makes a sweeping cut with the sword at Gimli's legs, making certain to swing with the flat of the blade.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists again, out of range of Ranol's blade, his honed reflexes helping him to get out of harm's way at the right moment. The Champion then attacks with an overhead chop, his axe brought up, with Gimli's muscular arms fully extended, and then brought down violently.
Ranol doesn't get his blade back in time to deflect the axe blade coming down at him, and instead throws his sheild arm up and ducks low, knocking the axe aside. He presses forward again and slashes at Gimli's chest, struggling to get through the extraordinary defense of the Narag.
[Gimli(#30149)] And once more Ranol's blade doesn't find its intended target, as Gimli side-steps to the left. Beads of sweat can be seen now in the Narag's brow, yet with determination he strikes again with his axe, aiming again at the Huskarl's body.
Ranol is no longer grinning and there's equal concentration on his face. The huskarl jumps back out of the way, anticipating the axe this time and once it is safely past he aims a high swing with the flat of the blade at Gimli's head.
[Gimli(#30149)] And Gimli ducks, the blade passing a mere inch from his head, slmost hitting the helm that protects him. And now the Narag attacks again, yet there is no swing this time, but a jab with the head of the axe, aimed at Ranol's midst.
Ranol has his shield at hand, and isn't surprised when an attack comes in low under his swing. He's pushed back from the blow as it rings off the metal of the shield, and takes a deliberate moment to size up his opponent. There's a trace of frustration as he fails to get a single hit in, but it's a challenge. He adjusts his grip on his sword, then cuts at Gimli's side, too stubborn to give up.
[Gimli(#30149)] Stubborness, it seems, runs deep in Gimli too, for he doesn't give up. Taking a step to a side again, he avoids Ranol's blade from hitting once more, and using his momentum, Gloin's son launches a roundabout attack, his axe swung at the Huskarl's side.
Even as his attack misses, Ranol is rushing forward now, past Gimli. He avoids the axe, just ahead of it, and makes a more reckless swing at the Narag's back. It leaves his own defense more open but the huskarl isn't afraid to try more offensive manuevers.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists once more, and the blade swooshes past him, striking nothing but thin air. Seeing the opening in the Huskarl's defense, Gimli presses on the attack, his own axe brought to bear once more on Ranol.
Ranol barely scrambles out of the way of the axe again, his boots sliding on the stone floor. He's starting to breath heavier now and is shaking his head slightly at the seeming futility. The huskarl moves in with a wide, overhead swing down at Gimli's shoulder.
[Gimli(#30149)] And once again the Narag is not at the spot he was a mere second ago, his quick legs moving him away from danger. Now Gimli attacks, trying to find a hole in the Huskarl's defenses, jabbing his axe at him.
Ranol dodges back again and lowers his sword, not launching another attack on the narag. He gives a rueful chuckle, shaking his head again. "I pray to Mahal that I never anger you, Lord Gimli."
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli takes a couple of steps back himself, and loowers his axe as he chuckles. "And I pray I do not find your blade pitted against me, Huskarl! Rumors flying in the Mountain are nothing to what I've seen today. I'm sure Lord Braldor will hear about how well his Huskarl is with that sword, and will be quite pleased", he adds, nodding to Ranol.
"Thank you." Ranol says modestly as he sets his shield down and rubs his left arm with a pinched expression on his face. He flexes his hand a few times, working the ache out. "I was wondering if you could tell me something now.. about that letter that Hildis carried. You said you knew the contents?" His blue eyes study Gimli closely, watching the dwarven champion's reaction.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's dark eyes seem guarded, and his face is almost expressionless. "Aye, I have seen the contents... yet I was asked not to divulge them to anyone. I gave my oath not to do so", he adds, as his eyes soften a bit. "I know that... you might have an interst in all this issue. But rest assured that everything has been done to bring it to a conclusion that would be satisfactory to all involved. Your own Thane was part of this, huskarl. Did you not know?"
"He will not tell me anything." Ranol says, frustration heavy in his voice. "My family is being torn apart and I don't know why. A friend.. has suffered at the hands of my father and I do not even know what to tell her or how to make ammends." He presses his lips together, trying to remain calm.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's face softens noticeably, and he looks kindly upon the Huskarl. "I understand all this, Ranol", he says, as he puts a hand on the Huskarl's shoulder. "You need not make ammends to Hildis, not to anyone else. I am sure Lord Braldor will personally deal with whoever dares to raise his voice against you on this affair... and if he does not, /I/ defintely will", he adds. "Of all the arrangements invoilving your family, I have been told, yet it was Thane Bundazanul who made the decision. Trust to his wisdom that this is the best for you and your family, Huskarl of Bundazanul".
Ranol encounters another stone wall in his quest to find out the truth behind his father's sudden departure. It's good that he just wore himself out with the spar. He has far less pent-up energy to drive his frustration. "I would prefer that no one ever need fight a battle for me." He says quietly, his gaze showing the same fierce determination that was present when they were trading blows. After a long moment of thinking he nods. "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I trust your judgement, and Lord Braldor's."
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli nods to the huskarl, a smile on his face. "All good then", he merely says, as he turns. "It was a good spar, Huskarl. I shall look ofr you more often now, for that blade of yours is quiite mighty".
Ranol bows to the dwarf, "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I appreciate the training time. I best be getting to my own duties." The huskarl is still left without answers, but it seems he may just have to accept that.
The Hall of Dodin is abuzz, some dwarves practicing formations, others one-on-one fighting. Near a pair of dwarves battling each other with padded weapons is Gloin's son, sometimes giving a instruction to one of the combatants. Clearly, they are part of the Baruk Narag, and Gimli expects nothing but perfection from the King's Own.
Ranol is still waking up, but rising early is something he does quite often. He gets to the Hall of Dodin ahead of the rest of Braldor's guards so that he can have a few minutes of warm-up time alone, without the need to deal with the work of the day yet. He notices Gimli training some of his soldiers and approaches slowly. He enjoys watching the other groups of soldiers train, always striving to learn new techniques and approaches to combat so that he can be more effective in his own work. He bows to the leader of the Narag, "Lord Gimli. Do you mind if I watch?"
[Gimli(#30149)] "Good day to you, master Ranol", Gimli replies, nodding to him. "Certainly, you can stay and watch... but watching is, sometimes, boring", he adds, with a wink to the Bundazanul Huskarl. "Now, Dwerin, mind your balance", he sudenly says, as one of the combatants is thrown down to the floor. "You overextended with your last, lad... watch it!", the Narag Champion admonishes, as the pair start again their mock-fight.
"Aye.." Ranol agrees, and grins. "But I might learn something by watching, at the very least." He stays back a few steps, out of the way. "Unless you have room for another in your training ranks this morning?"
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli looks around, and every other dwarf seems to have a companion for sparring, or several to drill on group-combat tactics. "Well, there seems to be no one else", he says, shaking his head... and then he looks at Ranol and a grin is on his face "besides me, that is".
Ranol watches them continue fighting, his sword arm itching to square up against one of the better-trained Narag. He gives a resigned nod when Gimli points out that all are busy, then glances over in surprise at the hint. "You?" He asks, "You would take time to spar with me?" Maybe Gimli is in the mood to beat the snot out of someone? That's probably the case.
[Gimli(#30149)] "Me, certainly", Gimli replies, nodding earnestly. "My father always tells me that in order to be the best, I must train every day. And I have seen you, huskarl... you fight quite well with that sword of yours!", he adds, winking at Ranol.
Ranol grins and draws his blade to begin wrapping it with the thick cloth he keeps for such a purpose. "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I try to train as much as I am able." The huskarl definitely clocks a lot of hours in the training hall. Once he has his weapon padded he waits until the Narag is ready, an eagerness in his blue eyes now.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Ranol pads his blade, Gimli does the same with his own, the battle axe receiving many layers of cloth to protect Ranol from injuty, should he be stricken by the huge weapon. "Well, then", Gimli says, as he takes some steps further from Ranol, and then brings his axe up to a ready position, "lets dance, you and I". The narag is grinning, yet his eyes are quite serious.
If the huskarl is nervous at all, he doesn't show it. He waits patiently until Gimli is ready while slipping a shield onto his left arm. It isn't the wooden shield that he used to carry, that was destroyed by Grox, but instead a rather unadorned metal shield bought recently at the market. When the Narag invites the dwarf to dance, Ranol moves in boldly, the broadsword arcing in at Gimli's left shoulder.
[Gimli(#30149)] And Gimli's axe arcs, meeting with Ranol's blade in midair and deflecting it to a side. The Narag's weapon finishes the movement, and then is brought to bear on Ranol, yet 'tis not the blade, but the butt of the weapon that is aimed at the huskarl's body.
Ranol swiftly jumps back out of the way as he sees Gimli bring the butt of the axe back at him. The huskarl does not hesitate, and as soon as the air is clear he rushes in again with slash at Gimli's midsection, trying to get a strike in before the Narag Champion can recover from his axe-swing.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists away from the Huskarl, and brings his axe in a roundabout strike aimed again at Ranol's body.
And again, Ranol dodges, ducking down low beneath the axe swing. He's putting everything he can into this spar, trying to make a good showing when sparring with the likes of the House of Durin. The huskarl makes a sweeping cut with the sword at Gimli's legs, making certain to swing with the flat of the blade.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists again, out of range of Ranol's blade, his honed reflexes helping him to get out of harm's way at the right moment. The Champion then attacks with an overhead chop, his axe brought up, with Gimli's muscular arms fully extended, and then brought down violently.
Ranol doesn't get his blade back in time to deflect the axe blade coming down at him, and instead throws his sheild arm up and ducks low, knocking the axe aside. He presses forward again and slashes at Gimli's chest, struggling to get through the extraordinary defense of the Narag.
[Gimli(#30149)] And once more Ranol's blade doesn't find its intended target, as Gimli side-steps to the left. Beads of sweat can be seen now in the Narag's brow, yet with determination he strikes again with his axe, aiming again at the Huskarl's body.
Ranol is no longer grinning and there's equal concentration on his face. The huskarl jumps back out of the way, anticipating the axe this time and once it is safely past he aims a high swing with the flat of the blade at Gimli's head.
[Gimli(#30149)] And Gimli ducks, the blade passing a mere inch from his head, slmost hitting the helm that protects him. And now the Narag attacks again, yet there is no swing this time, but a jab with the head of the axe, aimed at Ranol's midst.
Ranol has his shield at hand, and isn't surprised when an attack comes in low under his swing. He's pushed back from the blow as it rings off the metal of the shield, and takes a deliberate moment to size up his opponent. There's a trace of frustration as he fails to get a single hit in, but it's a challenge. He adjusts his grip on his sword, then cuts at Gimli's side, too stubborn to give up.
[Gimli(#30149)] Stubborness, it seems, runs deep in Gimli too, for he doesn't give up. Taking a step to a side again, he avoids Ranol's blade from hitting once more, and using his momentum, Gloin's son launches a roundabout attack, his axe swung at the Huskarl's side.
Even as his attack misses, Ranol is rushing forward now, past Gimli. He avoids the axe, just ahead of it, and makes a more reckless swing at the Narag's back. It leaves his own defense more open but the huskarl isn't afraid to try more offensive manuevers.
[Gimli(#30149)] Yet Gimli twists once more, and the blade swooshes past him, striking nothing but thin air. Seeing the opening in the Huskarl's defense, Gimli presses on the attack, his own axe brought to bear once more on Ranol.
Ranol barely scrambles out of the way of the axe again, his boots sliding on the stone floor. He's starting to breath heavier now and is shaking his head slightly at the seeming futility. The huskarl moves in with a wide, overhead swing down at Gimli's shoulder.
[Gimli(#30149)] And once again the Narag is not at the spot he was a mere second ago, his quick legs moving him away from danger. Now Gimli attacks, trying to find a hole in the Huskarl's defenses, jabbing his axe at him.
Ranol dodges back again and lowers his sword, not launching another attack on the narag. He gives a rueful chuckle, shaking his head again. "I pray to Mahal that I never anger you, Lord Gimli."
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli takes a couple of steps back himself, and loowers his axe as he chuckles. "And I pray I do not find your blade pitted against me, Huskarl! Rumors flying in the Mountain are nothing to what I've seen today. I'm sure Lord Braldor will hear about how well his Huskarl is with that sword, and will be quite pleased", he adds, nodding to Ranol.
"Thank you." Ranol says modestly as he sets his shield down and rubs his left arm with a pinched expression on his face. He flexes his hand a few times, working the ache out. "I was wondering if you could tell me something now.. about that letter that Hildis carried. You said you knew the contents?" His blue eyes study Gimli closely, watching the dwarven champion's reaction.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's dark eyes seem guarded, and his face is almost expressionless. "Aye, I have seen the contents... yet I was asked not to divulge them to anyone. I gave my oath not to do so", he adds, as his eyes soften a bit. "I know that... you might have an interst in all this issue. But rest assured that everything has been done to bring it to a conclusion that would be satisfactory to all involved. Your own Thane was part of this, huskarl. Did you not know?"
"He will not tell me anything." Ranol says, frustration heavy in his voice. "My family is being torn apart and I don't know why. A friend.. has suffered at the hands of my father and I do not even know what to tell her or how to make ammends." He presses his lips together, trying to remain calm.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's face softens noticeably, and he looks kindly upon the Huskarl. "I understand all this, Ranol", he says, as he puts a hand on the Huskarl's shoulder. "You need not make ammends to Hildis, not to anyone else. I am sure Lord Braldor will personally deal with whoever dares to raise his voice against you on this affair... and if he does not, /I/ defintely will", he adds. "Of all the arrangements invoilving your family, I have been told, yet it was Thane Bundazanul who made the decision. Trust to his wisdom that this is the best for you and your family, Huskarl of Bundazanul".
Ranol encounters another stone wall in his quest to find out the truth behind his father's sudden departure. It's good that he just wore himself out with the spar. He has far less pent-up energy to drive his frustration. "I would prefer that no one ever need fight a battle for me." He says quietly, his gaze showing the same fierce determination that was present when they were trading blows. After a long moment of thinking he nods. "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I trust your judgement, and Lord Braldor's."
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli nods to the huskarl, a smile on his face. "All good then", he merely says, as he turns. "It was a good spar, Huskarl. I shall look ofr you more often now, for that blade of yours is quiite mighty".
Ranol bows to the dwarf, "Thank you, Lord Gimli. I appreciate the training time. I best be getting to my own duties." The huskarl is still left without answers, but it seems he may just have to accept that.
Players: Ranol, Gimli
Located in: Erebor
