(Archive ) "Ranol is a...popular dwarf, isn't he?"

Last connect was from 201.237.60.134 on Thu Sep 18 09:03:49 2008.

Trader's Way (Hall of Grar)
A long, low passageway: only high enough for a human to walk through but built wide, to allow carts and such easy access. Torches set in sconces with reflective stone behind them light the way, and the smooth surfaces of the well polished granite glimmer in the firelight. Works of dwarven forge-art, such as fine armour, weapons, and other pieces of iron, steel, silver and gold art work are hung on the wall, displaying the capabilities still posessed by the dwarven smiths.
Contents:
Eirdis
Ranol
Obvious exits:
 Steel Gate leads to Greathall of Thrain II.
 Battered Copper Door leads to Dragon's Breath Tavern.
 
Eirdis walks along, trying to find a well-made but still affordable weapon. She has always wanted to try her hand at the warrior's craft, but has never had the time. Perusing carefully, she politely refuses an offer, then moves to another stall, eyeing the maces and swords.

Their stand is between the rich silver makers, weapon makers and the more modest carpenters. Carved stones, examples of their clans art and her brother's hand, stand in careful stacks in front of the table. Smaller stone work as well as the newer line of dyes brought from outside the mountain decorate the table. HIldis unnecessarily rearranges the goods while she waits for customers.

Eirdis walks along, then notices Hildis and ambles over to her stall, smiling warmly. "Back to work already, eh? I hope your shoulder is doing well, Hildis. I, ah.. I was wondering if .. Well, if you had anything for sale that might be placed in my beard.. Perhaps a few nicely carved ornaments or somesuch.."
"Good day to you, Eirdis," she nods and smiles a greeting to her, ever the merchant. "Beardjewels? You might like some of the carved jewels from Rivendell." She gestures to the semi-precious stones that lay on a black background, a lamp next to them to give them a rich glow. "I like the facted ovals myself," she points to the tray heaped with ambers, turquoise colored stones, leaf greens and rich reds.

Eirdis nods and smiles politely, but when the Rivendell jewels are shown, she frowns a bit and chews her lower lip. "I... I'm afraid such beautiful things aren't exactly within my range to buy, Hildis, although the green ones are quite gorgeous, and I think they'd match my dress."
The merchant nods equitably, "Not that expensive. The silver merchants have what is expensive." She gives Eirdis's gown a quick appraisal and holds up an opaque red stone carved in tiny locked rings. "What do you think of this?"

Eirdis blinks a couple times and nods, "Very pretty, Hildis, but I'm thinking of more of a green stone. Red wouldn't go very well with my dress, aside from at this time of year.. And besides, where would I have the chance to wear it? It's not as if the one solitary person I'm actually -trying- to impress ever notices me." She snorts and smiles a bit. "Men are such strange creatures."

Hildis nods agreeing with her, a polite smile under her beard as she regards the stones. "They can be, can't they?," she says making a sudden selection and holding it up. "These peridot would set your green off nicely." The small roughly faceted stone catches the light deep in its depths.

"And who are you trying to impress," she asks trying to please her customer.

Eirdis nods and almost beams as she eyes the lighter green stones, nodding. Hildis' question catches her off guard, a bit. She hadn't thought the trader would have picked up on her slip of the tongue, and now the apprentice healer clears her throat, blushing slightly, embarassed. "Oh, ah.. A certain blue-eyed wonderful man we both know... Wouldn't want to sully his reputation by speaking his name, you know, since I'm just a healer.. Rather, not even a healer, an apprentice at that! He'd probably just think I was infatuated with him, but..." She sighs, shrugging. "The more I try to put him from my mind, the more I think about him!"

The traders rolls the stone between her fingers letting it catch the lamplight but listens to Eirdis with polite concentration. Her smile for the foibles of men and dealing with them begins to falter as Eirdis continues. "Blue eyed. The same clan as you then? That helps and everyone is an apprentice, that will change with time and certainly love overlooks that kind of thing," her last words are less sure.

Eirdis shakes her head and looks back at the stones. "But Hildis, he probably doesn't even like me... And.. When we were in Bree, and I insinuated I liked him, he.. Well, almost ran." She blinks and shakes her head. "He's Bundazanul.."

Hildis swallows nodding, training her eyes on Eirdis with an effort. "Well," she says in a near whisper then clears her throat speaking louder, "well, if you are sure that he knows that you like him and he ran. Bundazanul? I have been meeting more of them of late. Who knows?" she speculates with diminishing hope. "I might...is he in the guard?"

Eirdis glances at the ground and nods, smiling a little. "Huskarl, actually... Yes, he's Ranol." She seems a bit relieved once she states the Huskarl's name, and looks up a bit, looking at the other stones displayed.

"Huskarl," she repeats flatly. "Well!," Hildis repeats with forced energy, "Huskarl. A...good choice!" she unconsciously palms the stone watching Eirdis, a small frown etched between her brows. "Are you sure that he does not return your affection? Sometimes men don't know what they want."

Eirdis chuckles dryly and looks up at Hildis, frowning. "I haven't said anything to upset you, have I, cousin? You..." She bites her lip and sighs, simply stating her thoughts, "You have feelings for him as well."

"Nay, Eirdis. Nay. /You/ have said nothing to upset me. Ranol is a...popular dwarf, is he not? The Thane appreciates him, he is a favorite of Thari's and is..."she stops and searches among the trays as though she might find her words there. "He is well liked," she finishes finally.

"Hildis, please." The apprentice healer sounds as if she is losing her voice slowly. "Look me in the eye, and tell me you haven't any feelings for Ranol. If.. Well..." She shakes her head and almost shudders, watching the ground, her eyes moist. "He'll decide whom he prefers, anyhow. He can be very strong-willed, at times, our Ranol."

"Our Ranol?" Hildis's eyes spark with a brin of anger and pride. "He will decide what he wills, as you say. My feelings are my own affair, Eirdis," she says softly, the edge gone from her voice, "so I will say nothing to you of them but I mean no ill will by it. It is..it is not my nature to speak of them easily."

Eirdis narrows her eyes briefly at the edge in Hildis' voice, then blinks and nods. "Only trying to... Well, I don't know exactly what I was trying to do.. I.. I do hope this has not harmed what I hope might become a friendship between us.. And I shopuld not speak so freely of my own emotions. I apologise."

Hildis sighs and shakes her head kindly, "It is my way. There is no criticism for you. We will get to know each other with time, surely," she says nodding. "And Ranol. Well, Ranol will decide what he wills. Perhaps...would you like me to say something to him for you. If I were to see him?"