Elendor
Water Falls From the Sky?
Ranol has a chat with Kael in the bar and Thari joins them.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: It's just after the lunch hour in Erebor. Outside the cold winds of winter beat against the Lonely Mountain, but inside the dwarfs are unaffected by the weather. The hardy stone-loving creatures continue working as tirelessly as always. But even dwarves must eat. Ranol is just stepping into the tavern, his heavy blue cloak draped about his shoulders damp from rain.. which means the dwarf must have been outside recently. He looks around slowly, seeking a place to sit.
Kael is sitting next to the large, quality fireplace staring into it deeply. One cannot tell if the Dwarf has something on his mind, or if he is simply daydreaming. As Ranol enters the room, Kael glances over to him. He notices that the Dwarf is wet.. most likely from the rain outside. If Ranol glances to Kael, Kael nods in welcome and motions for him to sit next to the fire.
Ranol catches the gestures of Kael and he smiles. He walks over, his chain armor quietly clinking. "Ahh.. Kael.. yes?" He gives a short bow and pulls his helmet off, scrubbing his hand through his damp hair.
Kael stands up from his seat and bows to Ranol. "Yes, yes," he says, after clearing his throat. "And you are.. Ranol if I am not mistaken? You seem quite drenched, taking a stroll outside, 'eh? Feel free to have a seat, fire's warm."
Ranol grins, and takes a moment to pull off his wet cloak and hang it on a nearby hook to dry. Then he returns and sits. "Aye, I was outside, but it was a training exercise. Cold, wet.. good practice." He begins wringing water out of his black beard.
[Kael(#21749)] "Training, huh?" Kael says, the fire catching a gleam of interest in his dark brown eyes. "What may ye be training for?"
"It was training for my soldiers. We usually go to the Hall of Dodin, but out on the road, the weather won't always be so ideal as here in the mountain. I figure a little bit of practice in icing-rain may serve." Ranol finishes with his beard and sinks back into the chair.
Kael nods in understanding, his mind drifting to Ranol and his soldiers being assaulted by rain and wind and other sorts of things the Dwarf would rather not be involved with. "Sounds like hard work," he says, taking a seat near Ranol. He chuckles a bit. "Icing-rain eh... sure doesn't sound very comfortable. Better to be prepared for the road, though."
"Better to be prepared with some discomfort now. Otherwise you could end up fighting goblins or a troll with freezing cold rain dumping on you and your weapon slipping from your fingers, your footing uncertain.. " Ranol rubs his hands together to warm them, "What do you do, Kael?"
[Kael(#21749)] "Yea you sure have a point there," the Dwarf says with a smile. "Me? I am an apprentice merchant.. still trying to learn the ropes and whatnot. I'd better start getting some rain in my boots as well if I want to gain some nice reputation with my profession.. ah I can see it now, making trade runs all over Middle-Earth. Heh.. I'd better not get ahead of myself, though."
"I just got back from a long trip with a merchant caravan a few months ago. We traveled to Bree and back. It was a difficult journey. Any specific wares that you trade, or more general?" Ranol asks as a bartender comes back. He orders a mug of hot cider, fishing out some coin to pay in advance. The tender looks to Kael and gets any order he may have as well before moving on.
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah I see.. I have not really travelled much outside of Erebor. How is it?" Kael says. "As for specific wares.. I trade mostly in arts, instruments, and all that good stuff. Not really sure where I want to go with it at this moment." The Dwarf shifts in his seat, leaning back in a casual position. As the bartender consults Kael, the Dwarf thinks for a moment what he wants to order, and eventually settles on mug of ale.
"I miss it." Ranol admits with a soft laugh. "Though, we were gone almost three years and the last few months of the journey I was longing to be under stone again. It's different when you're on the road, though. You worry less about the day to day things, and only about where you're going and safely getting there. At least, that's how it is for me."
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah.. makes sense." Kael says. "You lasted three years without longing to be home?" the Dwarf adds playfully with a chuckle. "I suppose other things were on your mind to keep you preoccupied."
Ranol grins. "Well, there were moments, but only the last few months were the worst, when we were traveling back. We had a lot of fighting on the trip with goblins, trolls, and other foul creatures. Each delay seemed much longer with each step closer to the mountain." The bartender returns with their drinks, handing them over before moving off to deliver other orders. Ranol sips his slowly, letting the hot drink warm him.
Kael thanks the bartender, withdrawing a few shiny coins for payment. He puts the mug to his lips, taking a few long gulps before setting the mug down on a nearby table. "I always love the feeling you get when you take the first few drinks from fine ale." Kael adds, offhandedly, then returns to the conversation. "So, really, how foul are goblins? I have heard all the tales.. but are they as cruel and evil as most put them out to be? I heard one Dwarven soldier mention that he overheard a few goblins planning to eat another of their own kind while the Dwarf was scouting their camp.. disgusting."
"They can be very nasty, aye." Ranol says in a solemn tone. "One by itself may not be so bad, but rarely do they travel alone. I bear scars from an orc that I fought alone and bested me, though. I was lucky to live through that." He takes a slow drink of his cider, then continues, "Trolls are worse. They're big, and have hide as tough as chipping at stone. Thick! And they'll eat most anything that breathes. Some are dumb and you can trick them.. but not all."
Kael shakes his head, thinking about all of the rumors and tales he has heard about the terrible creatures. A look of almost.. sympathy?.. or perhaps pity, hard to tell... passes over him. After a few moments of thought, he speaks up again. "Go on about the battle with the orc, how did it go about?"
"The orc? Oh.. That." Ranol looks faintly embarrassed, not having expected Kael to latch onto that little detail. He sips his cider, stalling. "It's not that exciting. I was foolish enough to be out alone near Mirkwood and get ambushed by the goblin and some of his foul kin."
From the direction of the great stair a lady enters all in a rush. She stands amid the tables and scrutinizes each hairy head of the dwarves around her. She focuses on a pitch-black one near the fire. "Ranol!" she calls with annoyance. "Has Nalur been in here?"
It is the melodious foice of Thari, Balur's daughter.
Kael smiles a bit as he notices Ranol's slight embarrassment. "Well, good for you that you cheated those goblins out of their meal. Otherwise you probably would not be hear chatting with me about now." Suddenly, Kael notices the Dwarven lass previously introduced as Thari shout out at Ranol. He looks towards her, and, noticing her agitation, decides not to speak up.
Ranol looks over at his name, picking out Thari almost immediately. He shakes his head at her in lieu of yelling across the room.
Thari makes a sour face at Ranol's silent reply. She turns and walks quickly to the bar now. A moment is spent in quiet conversation with the barkeep.
Kael after seeing Thari make her way to the barkeeper, Kael looks back towards Ranol. "She seems a bit agitated," he adds with a chuckle.
Ranol watches for a moment, then turns his blue eyes back to Kael, grinning at the comment. "Aye.. and if her brother is involved, I'm not sure I want to ask. Probably something with their business." He reaches to set his mug down. "I didn't cheat the goblins, the orc that I fought was their leader and wanted me to take a message back."
Thari now has a mug in her hand. She bustles toward the fire. "May I join you?" she asks Ranol and Kael, in a kinder though still brisk tone.
Kael's eyes follow Ranol's hand as he sets down the mug. The Dwarf's eyes look back towards Ranol. "Ah I see.. what sort of message? Or is that... disclosed information?" Kael asks, the last part he adds with a smile. Noticing Thari arrive, he stands up and bows. "Hello again, Thari, feel free to take a seat, I am listening to Ranol discuss his battles with the orcs."
Ranol chuckles at Kael's question and shakes his head. "No.. no secrets.." Thari is given a warm, welcoming smile. "Of course, cousin." He says, gesturing for her to sit. "Kael is a merchant, plans on traveling someday. I mentioned my fight with Grishnakh." He looks back to Kael, "Thari will tell you how foolish it truly was for me to be caught alone by them. She saved me from bleeding to death."
Thari seats herself near them and stretches her feet out toward the fire. "Oh, we've all travelled alone like fools now and then," she says dismissively. "He was caught once but he's caught many more goblins that rued meeting him." A glance at Ranol. "You're all /wet/," she adds accusingly to him, as if somehow this is a crime.
Kael nods. He grabs his mug and takes another few hard, refreshing gulps.
Ranol nods slowly to Thari with his thick brows lifted, "Aye.. with -water-. It falls from the sky, did you know that?" He asks, teasing. He looks back towards Kael, "Thari has felled quite a few herself."
Thari, who has lost her tan since arriving at home, pale from the months without sunlight, considers the wet Ranol for a moment, then glances into the fire.
"Hah, yes, many a goblin has discounted my axe I'm sure, for it's none so large as the men carry, but some of them learned otherwise!"
[Kael(#21749)] "Oh, really?" Kael adds, his right hand grasping his mug resting on his knee. "So is goblin... edible? If you are dying of hunger... would you be able to eat the corpse of one of those creatures?" Kael asks the rather strange question.
Ranol looks sharply over at his cousin, his eyes wide rather suddenly with concern. "Are you okay?" He asks softly, all serious now. Kael's question startles the guard and he turns his attention back to the merchant. "Eat? A goblin?! I wouldn't.. " There's disgust in his voice. "Odor might.."
Thari's nose wrinkles in disgust at Kael's question, and she lowers her mug as if she can't bear to drink while thinking of it. Her expression clears, however, with Ranol's soft question, brows lifting now in surprise. "What?" she asks. "Yes?" She looks down at her dress as if confused.
Kael chuckles at the two Dwarves' reactions. "I'm sure if I was dying of hunger I could close my nose.. or possibly just chop it off," the Dwarf says jokingly. "Now, you don't need to worry about me eating any goblins.. I'm sure if I ever encounter one I'll be worried about more important things, anyways."
"If you meet a goblin, I think you'll understand why you might not want to eat one. They're hideous to look upon and smell worse. They have black blood, and skin that's.. bah. No, I wouldn't. I would rather starve." Ranol shakes his head, grimacing at the thought. He glances back to Thari, "Why were you looking for Nalur?"
Thari smiles a bit at Kael and takes another swallow or three from her tankard. "Mm?" She glances at Ranol, then rolls her eyes. "Oh, somebody gave an important paper to Nalur. He is the vice president of lumber operations of course and I assume it was somebody new who gave the paper to him. Papa tells me to find him, but I can't ever find him when this happens!"
Kael listens to Thari talk about the Dwarf named 'Nalur' to Ranol. He sets his mug back down on the table after taking a quick swig from it.
"Ah. I haven't seen him since last night, sorry. I was up early. How was your day, otherwise?" Ranol scoops up his cider to drain the rest of the mug, letting Thari pick up the conversation for the moment.
"Fine, fine," Thari says, though she starts to sound sharp and a line draws between her eyes. "Can't seem to find a homestead we really like. Don't know what I'll be doing with myself after marriage. But fine. How are you?"
Her grey eyes to go Kael and she smiles politely. "Oh, I'm sorry. I've been recently engaged to marry Frarin son of Forli. Do you know him?"
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah wow, well congratulations," Kael says to Thari after hearing about her engagement. "I know of him but I have not actually met him directly, no. Have you settled on a wedding date yet?"
Ranol grins at her problem, having a strong theory as to the reason behind their troubles. "How am I?.. " He has his own turn at looking troubled, but answers vaguely. "Fine enough."
"Thank you, thank you," Thari bows her head to Kael. "No, we haven't a date yet, but will set one soon."
She looks at Ranol upon lifting her head. "Fine enough?" she asks, raising her brow significantly.
Kael nods at Thari after her reply. The Dwarf stands and stretches his back, bowing to Thari and Ranol. "Well I really must go, I have some things needing tending to. It was nice chatting with you both, I shall see you around."
Ranol actually snorts when she says they'll set one soon. They're as likely to agree on that as on a home. Frarin? He'll likely want to wait until everyone is content with the arrangement and all affairs are settled until they set the date. And Thari, well, she'll want to rush into it as fast as possible because .. face it! Frarin isn't getting any younger!
The huskarl watches Kael leave and comments softly. "He's a nice enough fellow." He thinks about her reaction to his statement of things being fine. "I suppose there are a few troubles on my mind, but it's nothing to worry about."
"Good day!" Thari bids Kael, nodding at him again while looking at Ranol sidelong. Once Kael is out of earshot she demands, "What're you laughing at me for?"
"You and Frarin.. It is nothing." Ranol says, chuckling again, then adds in a mocking tone, "I just can't imagine -why- Frarin is having a hard time settling on a home.." He twists the mug in his hands, "I'm sure you'll find something eventually, when you've seen every available estate in the mountain."
"What?" says Thari, suddenly anxious. She grips her cup tightly in her hands and leans toward Ranol. "What do you mean?"
"Relax, Thari." The huskarl says in an easy tone. "You're fussy.. that's all. And I'm certain that Frarin will be happy with just about anything but -you- won't be happy until he's as happy as you are with a place."
"Oh." Thari leans back again and spends a broody silent moment nursing at her cup. She glances aside at Ranol, then murmurs. "What am I to do when I am married? I, well, I'm not terribly experienced with cooking and I know how to manage a /staff/ but not a house by myself! And what work should I do? I know that he wants me to work, but where, how? I did not count on starting up a new business from scratch."
"Why wouldn't you continue you the work you have? And just hire someone to see to the house, if you're concerned.. Or ask my sister. She loves doing those kinds of things." Ranol has given up on winning any ground with Panor. Now that his father took off to the Iron Hills with his mother he's at a complete loss.
Thari smiles all at once, and then she laughs. "Of course! What a fool I am. Of course I should just hire someone." She rolls her eyes merrily at herself. "I'm sure I can find someone easily enough. I'll start today! Though not Panor," she cautiouns, another glance at Ranol. "She'd be a bit much at a newlywed home.
Ranol laughs and nods in agreement. "I was only joking about her. Don't worry, I won't suggest it." He reaches to set the mug on the table. "You would only need to hire one person.. someone to look after the home. Plus, with the travel you'll be doing, you'll need a housekeeper anyway. Might as well find someone you trust up front."
Thari is grinning now, nodding at Ranol. "Of course, of course!" She seems lost in thought for a moment, then gives a contented sigh. Her smile fades and she looks seriously upon her cousin. "Now tell me about Hildis," she directs."
"Hildis?" Ranol's smile fades and he looks over at his cousin warily. "I didn't say anything about Hildis. What do you want to know?" He adds as an afterthought, "You've spoken with her more than I have lately, I bet."
Thari waves a hand dismissively at Ranol's last comment. "Are you still interested in her?" she asks next.
Ranol grows more wary, "Yeees..? I wouldn't have gone to the trouble of speaking with her father, otherwise."
Thari nods at this, her eyes straying to the fire. "Good, good," she says. "I'd hate to think that I've been encouraging her if you weren't still interested."
A warning bell begins ringing in Ranol's head and he focuses his gaze on his cousin. "Encouraging her -how-, Thari? What are you saying to her?"
Thari doesn't answer at first, staring at the fire for a long while. The flames toy with strands of gold in her hair and beard.
At last she glances up and answers. "I told her not to be discouraged if you aren't very talkative. Not that I know why you aren't talkative with her. You are talking just fine right now."
"Not talkative?" Ranol asks, taken aback. Of all the things that suddenly raced through his mind in worry, that was not one of them. "When was I not talking to her?"
"At... a picnic?" Thari says tentatively, then rushes on, "It's nothing to worry about. I reassured her."
"Oh.. " It becomes clear then and Ranol grows very quiet, his gaze growing distant. "I had other things on my mind. I guess I was more distracted than I realized." The huskarl sighs, his brows drawing together. "Braldor is keeping something from me, about my father. It's bothering me. There's something going on that I can't figure out."
"It is a bit... confusing that he was simply let free," Thari hazards in cautious reply.
"I know. Hildis is upset about it. She was there talking to Braldor about it, didn't even tell me. I walked into his office while they were meeting. I mean, I guess she has a right to do whatever she wants, but.. I wish she had mentioned it to me first." Ranol studies a spot on the wall, then glances over at Thari suddenly and forces a smile, burying the depressing topic. "It's over and done with, though. So what have you and Frarin been up to other than looking at homes?"
"Are you going to /tell/ her that you wish she had come to you first?" Thari asks in a dubious tone, raising an eyebrow at her cousin and ignoring his question.
"No, probably not." Ranol answers frankly. "It's really not that big of a deal. I'll figure it out.. Or maybe I'll talk to Frarin." There are heavy things on his mind and his distraction may hint heavily at that. "You have enough going on, don't worry about it. I'll figure out what to say to Hildis."
Thari makes a grumbling sound in the back of her throat. "Honestly, the two of you," she mutters. "Going to me about problems instead of each other. I always talk to Frarin unless he's busy, myself. Bright lad, my Frarin," she boasts, starting to smile again.
"You brought it up, Thari.. Not me." Ranol says, frowning. "Besides, it's better if you don't help. If we can't talk to each other now.. how could things get more serious later?"
"Hmmm." Thari sets her chin on her fist. "I suppose that's true," she allows. "If she comes to me again I'll just tell her to go to you."
"I'm glad that you two get along though. Do you like her?" Ranol tries to keep the conversation away from himself, now. Frarin can't stay busy forever. Eventually he'll be able to talk with the silver merchant. Hopefully.
"She's fine," Thari answers doubtfully. "Nice girl. Bit of spirit in her. Could do with knowing her own mind a bit more."
"She was talking about children.. After you left the other day." Ranol can't hide the worried expression on his face.
"Yes?" Thari encourages. "it is a concern if a lass wishes to be a travelling trader. Frarin and I have discussed it."
"Well, I know. But, doesn't it seem a bit early for her to be thinking about it? We barely know each other. It's all Eirdis or Siv ever talked about.. " Ranol runs a hand through his hair, shaking some of the locks that are still damp from the rain.
"I. Well. I don't know." Thari swallows the last of her lukewarm drink and sets the cup down. "Frarin said it almost right away. It was nearly, 'I do think I fancy you, Thari. Have you thought about children?' and I certainly was taken aback myself."
"Hmm.. " Ranol's gaze goes to the fire again. "Maybe I'm worrying too much. Siv was so obsessed with it, maybe I only got nervous. She wants to travel, so I bet she doesn't want to have children for a while yet."
"You could, you know..." Thari allows a pregnant pause to linger before continuing wryly, "...ask /her/ about it."
Ranol narrows his eyes at Thari, his lips pressing together in a sour fashion for a moment. Then he laughs and nods in agreement. "I could. I don't think I am ready, though. I don't want to lead her on about things. My life isn't very stable right now and Braldor is hinting at travel again."
"Oh she should come!" Thari says brightly. "She's been looking at travelling and I want her along." She starts to chuckle in a low, wicked way. "Though it'd be terrible if things went poorly for you and you're stuck with her for another year of travel."
"It's not up to -me-, Thari. Talk to Braldor about it." Ranol interjects when she immediately launches into travel plans. "And whose side are you on, anyway?" His words are in a scornful manner, but there's no heat behind them.
"Yours, yours, yours of course," Thari answers at once. "Did Braldor say where he was thinking fo going?" Her eyes sparkle with eagerness.
"No. He only hinted at it. I'm not even sure, so don't start making plans! Ask him." Ranol says quickly, holding up a hand to stop her before she can get carried away. "And after the conversation I had with him yesterday, I don't even know if I'm included anymore."
"Why wouldn't you be included?" Thari asks suspiciously. "I'll hire you out from under his nose if you're expected to stay at home!"
"I told you.. He's not telling me things. It's strange." Ranol's tone is concerned again, but he smirks at her following proclamation and shakes his head, black beard swishing back and forth. "I doubt he would do that. I'm worrying over nothing, I bet." The huskarl stands. "I should be getting back. I have work to do."
Thari shakes her head as well, then suddenly gasps. "Nalur! Oh Mahal." She jumps to her feet. "Well, good to have a bit of a talk with you." She bows briefly then huries out of the tavern.
Ranol opens his mouth to say something further, but Thari is rushing off before the words reach the air. "Bye.." He says rather lamely, after the fact. The huskarl collects up his damp cloak and heads back to the Thingstead at a less frantic pace.
Kael is sitting next to the large, quality fireplace staring into it deeply. One cannot tell if the Dwarf has something on his mind, or if he is simply daydreaming. As Ranol enters the room, Kael glances over to him. He notices that the Dwarf is wet.. most likely from the rain outside. If Ranol glances to Kael, Kael nods in welcome and motions for him to sit next to the fire.
Ranol catches the gestures of Kael and he smiles. He walks over, his chain armor quietly clinking. "Ahh.. Kael.. yes?" He gives a short bow and pulls his helmet off, scrubbing his hand through his damp hair.
Kael stands up from his seat and bows to Ranol. "Yes, yes," he says, after clearing his throat. "And you are.. Ranol if I am not mistaken? You seem quite drenched, taking a stroll outside, 'eh? Feel free to have a seat, fire's warm."
Ranol grins, and takes a moment to pull off his wet cloak and hang it on a nearby hook to dry. Then he returns and sits. "Aye, I was outside, but it was a training exercise. Cold, wet.. good practice." He begins wringing water out of his black beard.
[Kael(#21749)] "Training, huh?" Kael says, the fire catching a gleam of interest in his dark brown eyes. "What may ye be training for?"
"It was training for my soldiers. We usually go to the Hall of Dodin, but out on the road, the weather won't always be so ideal as here in the mountain. I figure a little bit of practice in icing-rain may serve." Ranol finishes with his beard and sinks back into the chair.
Kael nods in understanding, his mind drifting to Ranol and his soldiers being assaulted by rain and wind and other sorts of things the Dwarf would rather not be involved with. "Sounds like hard work," he says, taking a seat near Ranol. He chuckles a bit. "Icing-rain eh... sure doesn't sound very comfortable. Better to be prepared for the road, though."
"Better to be prepared with some discomfort now. Otherwise you could end up fighting goblins or a troll with freezing cold rain dumping on you and your weapon slipping from your fingers, your footing uncertain.. " Ranol rubs his hands together to warm them, "What do you do, Kael?"
[Kael(#21749)] "Yea you sure have a point there," the Dwarf says with a smile. "Me? I am an apprentice merchant.. still trying to learn the ropes and whatnot. I'd better start getting some rain in my boots as well if I want to gain some nice reputation with my profession.. ah I can see it now, making trade runs all over Middle-Earth. Heh.. I'd better not get ahead of myself, though."
"I just got back from a long trip with a merchant caravan a few months ago. We traveled to Bree and back. It was a difficult journey. Any specific wares that you trade, or more general?" Ranol asks as a bartender comes back. He orders a mug of hot cider, fishing out some coin to pay in advance. The tender looks to Kael and gets any order he may have as well before moving on.
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah I see.. I have not really travelled much outside of Erebor. How is it?" Kael says. "As for specific wares.. I trade mostly in arts, instruments, and all that good stuff. Not really sure where I want to go with it at this moment." The Dwarf shifts in his seat, leaning back in a casual position. As the bartender consults Kael, the Dwarf thinks for a moment what he wants to order, and eventually settles on mug of ale.
"I miss it." Ranol admits with a soft laugh. "Though, we were gone almost three years and the last few months of the journey I was longing to be under stone again. It's different when you're on the road, though. You worry less about the day to day things, and only about where you're going and safely getting there. At least, that's how it is for me."
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah.. makes sense." Kael says. "You lasted three years without longing to be home?" the Dwarf adds playfully with a chuckle. "I suppose other things were on your mind to keep you preoccupied."
Ranol grins. "Well, there were moments, but only the last few months were the worst, when we were traveling back. We had a lot of fighting on the trip with goblins, trolls, and other foul creatures. Each delay seemed much longer with each step closer to the mountain." The bartender returns with their drinks, handing them over before moving off to deliver other orders. Ranol sips his slowly, letting the hot drink warm him.
Kael thanks the bartender, withdrawing a few shiny coins for payment. He puts the mug to his lips, taking a few long gulps before setting the mug down on a nearby table. "I always love the feeling you get when you take the first few drinks from fine ale." Kael adds, offhandedly, then returns to the conversation. "So, really, how foul are goblins? I have heard all the tales.. but are they as cruel and evil as most put them out to be? I heard one Dwarven soldier mention that he overheard a few goblins planning to eat another of their own kind while the Dwarf was scouting their camp.. disgusting."
"They can be very nasty, aye." Ranol says in a solemn tone. "One by itself may not be so bad, but rarely do they travel alone. I bear scars from an orc that I fought alone and bested me, though. I was lucky to live through that." He takes a slow drink of his cider, then continues, "Trolls are worse. They're big, and have hide as tough as chipping at stone. Thick! And they'll eat most anything that breathes. Some are dumb and you can trick them.. but not all."
Kael shakes his head, thinking about all of the rumors and tales he has heard about the terrible creatures. A look of almost.. sympathy?.. or perhaps pity, hard to tell... passes over him. After a few moments of thought, he speaks up again. "Go on about the battle with the orc, how did it go about?"
"The orc? Oh.. That." Ranol looks faintly embarrassed, not having expected Kael to latch onto that little detail. He sips his cider, stalling. "It's not that exciting. I was foolish enough to be out alone near Mirkwood and get ambushed by the goblin and some of his foul kin."
From the direction of the great stair a lady enters all in a rush. She stands amid the tables and scrutinizes each hairy head of the dwarves around her. She focuses on a pitch-black one near the fire. "Ranol!" she calls with annoyance. "Has Nalur been in here?"
It is the melodious foice of Thari, Balur's daughter.
Kael smiles a bit as he notices Ranol's slight embarrassment. "Well, good for you that you cheated those goblins out of their meal. Otherwise you probably would not be hear chatting with me about now." Suddenly, Kael notices the Dwarven lass previously introduced as Thari shout out at Ranol. He looks towards her, and, noticing her agitation, decides not to speak up.
Ranol looks over at his name, picking out Thari almost immediately. He shakes his head at her in lieu of yelling across the room.
Thari makes a sour face at Ranol's silent reply. She turns and walks quickly to the bar now. A moment is spent in quiet conversation with the barkeep.
Kael after seeing Thari make her way to the barkeeper, Kael looks back towards Ranol. "She seems a bit agitated," he adds with a chuckle.
Ranol watches for a moment, then turns his blue eyes back to Kael, grinning at the comment. "Aye.. and if her brother is involved, I'm not sure I want to ask. Probably something with their business." He reaches to set his mug down. "I didn't cheat the goblins, the orc that I fought was their leader and wanted me to take a message back."
Thari now has a mug in her hand. She bustles toward the fire. "May I join you?" she asks Ranol and Kael, in a kinder though still brisk tone.
Kael's eyes follow Ranol's hand as he sets down the mug. The Dwarf's eyes look back towards Ranol. "Ah I see.. what sort of message? Or is that... disclosed information?" Kael asks, the last part he adds with a smile. Noticing Thari arrive, he stands up and bows. "Hello again, Thari, feel free to take a seat, I am listening to Ranol discuss his battles with the orcs."
Ranol chuckles at Kael's question and shakes his head. "No.. no secrets.." Thari is given a warm, welcoming smile. "Of course, cousin." He says, gesturing for her to sit. "Kael is a merchant, plans on traveling someday. I mentioned my fight with Grishnakh." He looks back to Kael, "Thari will tell you how foolish it truly was for me to be caught alone by them. She saved me from bleeding to death."
Thari seats herself near them and stretches her feet out toward the fire. "Oh, we've all travelled alone like fools now and then," she says dismissively. "He was caught once but he's caught many more goblins that rued meeting him." A glance at Ranol. "You're all /wet/," she adds accusingly to him, as if somehow this is a crime.
Kael nods. He grabs his mug and takes another few hard, refreshing gulps.
Ranol nods slowly to Thari with his thick brows lifted, "Aye.. with -water-. It falls from the sky, did you know that?" He asks, teasing. He looks back towards Kael, "Thari has felled quite a few herself."
Thari, who has lost her tan since arriving at home, pale from the months without sunlight, considers the wet Ranol for a moment, then glances into the fire.
"Hah, yes, many a goblin has discounted my axe I'm sure, for it's none so large as the men carry, but some of them learned otherwise!"
[Kael(#21749)] "Oh, really?" Kael adds, his right hand grasping his mug resting on his knee. "So is goblin... edible? If you are dying of hunger... would you be able to eat the corpse of one of those creatures?" Kael asks the rather strange question.
Ranol looks sharply over at his cousin, his eyes wide rather suddenly with concern. "Are you okay?" He asks softly, all serious now. Kael's question startles the guard and he turns his attention back to the merchant. "Eat? A goblin?! I wouldn't.. " There's disgust in his voice. "Odor might.."
Thari's nose wrinkles in disgust at Kael's question, and she lowers her mug as if she can't bear to drink while thinking of it. Her expression clears, however, with Ranol's soft question, brows lifting now in surprise. "What?" she asks. "Yes?" She looks down at her dress as if confused.
Kael chuckles at the two Dwarves' reactions. "I'm sure if I was dying of hunger I could close my nose.. or possibly just chop it off," the Dwarf says jokingly. "Now, you don't need to worry about me eating any goblins.. I'm sure if I ever encounter one I'll be worried about more important things, anyways."
"If you meet a goblin, I think you'll understand why you might not want to eat one. They're hideous to look upon and smell worse. They have black blood, and skin that's.. bah. No, I wouldn't. I would rather starve." Ranol shakes his head, grimacing at the thought. He glances back to Thari, "Why were you looking for Nalur?"
Thari smiles a bit at Kael and takes another swallow or three from her tankard. "Mm?" She glances at Ranol, then rolls her eyes. "Oh, somebody gave an important paper to Nalur. He is the vice president of lumber operations of course and I assume it was somebody new who gave the paper to him. Papa tells me to find him, but I can't ever find him when this happens!"
Kael listens to Thari talk about the Dwarf named 'Nalur' to Ranol. He sets his mug back down on the table after taking a quick swig from it.
"Ah. I haven't seen him since last night, sorry. I was up early. How was your day, otherwise?" Ranol scoops up his cider to drain the rest of the mug, letting Thari pick up the conversation for the moment.
"Fine, fine," Thari says, though she starts to sound sharp and a line draws between her eyes. "Can't seem to find a homestead we really like. Don't know what I'll be doing with myself after marriage. But fine. How are you?"
Her grey eyes to go Kael and she smiles politely. "Oh, I'm sorry. I've been recently engaged to marry Frarin son of Forli. Do you know him?"
[Kael(#21749)] "Ah wow, well congratulations," Kael says to Thari after hearing about her engagement. "I know of him but I have not actually met him directly, no. Have you settled on a wedding date yet?"
Ranol grins at her problem, having a strong theory as to the reason behind their troubles. "How am I?.. " He has his own turn at looking troubled, but answers vaguely. "Fine enough."
"Thank you, thank you," Thari bows her head to Kael. "No, we haven't a date yet, but will set one soon."
She looks at Ranol upon lifting her head. "Fine enough?" she asks, raising her brow significantly.
Kael nods at Thari after her reply. The Dwarf stands and stretches his back, bowing to Thari and Ranol. "Well I really must go, I have some things needing tending to. It was nice chatting with you both, I shall see you around."
Ranol actually snorts when she says they'll set one soon. They're as likely to agree on that as on a home. Frarin? He'll likely want to wait until everyone is content with the arrangement and all affairs are settled until they set the date. And Thari, well, she'll want to rush into it as fast as possible because .. face it! Frarin isn't getting any younger!
The huskarl watches Kael leave and comments softly. "He's a nice enough fellow." He thinks about her reaction to his statement of things being fine. "I suppose there are a few troubles on my mind, but it's nothing to worry about."
"Good day!" Thari bids Kael, nodding at him again while looking at Ranol sidelong. Once Kael is out of earshot she demands, "What're you laughing at me for?"
"You and Frarin.. It is nothing." Ranol says, chuckling again, then adds in a mocking tone, "I just can't imagine -why- Frarin is having a hard time settling on a home.." He twists the mug in his hands, "I'm sure you'll find something eventually, when you've seen every available estate in the mountain."
"What?" says Thari, suddenly anxious. She grips her cup tightly in her hands and leans toward Ranol. "What do you mean?"
"Relax, Thari." The huskarl says in an easy tone. "You're fussy.. that's all. And I'm certain that Frarin will be happy with just about anything but -you- won't be happy until he's as happy as you are with a place."
"Oh." Thari leans back again and spends a broody silent moment nursing at her cup. She glances aside at Ranol, then murmurs. "What am I to do when I am married? I, well, I'm not terribly experienced with cooking and I know how to manage a /staff/ but not a house by myself! And what work should I do? I know that he wants me to work, but where, how? I did not count on starting up a new business from scratch."
"Why wouldn't you continue you the work you have? And just hire someone to see to the house, if you're concerned.. Or ask my sister. She loves doing those kinds of things." Ranol has given up on winning any ground with Panor. Now that his father took off to the Iron Hills with his mother he's at a complete loss.
Thari smiles all at once, and then she laughs. "Of course! What a fool I am. Of course I should just hire someone." She rolls her eyes merrily at herself. "I'm sure I can find someone easily enough. I'll start today! Though not Panor," she cautiouns, another glance at Ranol. "She'd be a bit much at a newlywed home.
Ranol laughs and nods in agreement. "I was only joking about her. Don't worry, I won't suggest it." He reaches to set the mug on the table. "You would only need to hire one person.. someone to look after the home. Plus, with the travel you'll be doing, you'll need a housekeeper anyway. Might as well find someone you trust up front."
Thari is grinning now, nodding at Ranol. "Of course, of course!" She seems lost in thought for a moment, then gives a contented sigh. Her smile fades and she looks seriously upon her cousin. "Now tell me about Hildis," she directs."
"Hildis?" Ranol's smile fades and he looks over at his cousin warily. "I didn't say anything about Hildis. What do you want to know?" He adds as an afterthought, "You've spoken with her more than I have lately, I bet."
Thari waves a hand dismissively at Ranol's last comment. "Are you still interested in her?" she asks next.
Ranol grows more wary, "Yeees..? I wouldn't have gone to the trouble of speaking with her father, otherwise."
Thari nods at this, her eyes straying to the fire. "Good, good," she says. "I'd hate to think that I've been encouraging her if you weren't still interested."
A warning bell begins ringing in Ranol's head and he focuses his gaze on his cousin. "Encouraging her -how-, Thari? What are you saying to her?"
Thari doesn't answer at first, staring at the fire for a long while. The flames toy with strands of gold in her hair and beard.
At last she glances up and answers. "I told her not to be discouraged if you aren't very talkative. Not that I know why you aren't talkative with her. You are talking just fine right now."
"Not talkative?" Ranol asks, taken aback. Of all the things that suddenly raced through his mind in worry, that was not one of them. "When was I not talking to her?"
"At... a picnic?" Thari says tentatively, then rushes on, "It's nothing to worry about. I reassured her."
"Oh.. " It becomes clear then and Ranol grows very quiet, his gaze growing distant. "I had other things on my mind. I guess I was more distracted than I realized." The huskarl sighs, his brows drawing together. "Braldor is keeping something from me, about my father. It's bothering me. There's something going on that I can't figure out."
"It is a bit... confusing that he was simply let free," Thari hazards in cautious reply.
"I know. Hildis is upset about it. She was there talking to Braldor about it, didn't even tell me. I walked into his office while they were meeting. I mean, I guess she has a right to do whatever she wants, but.. I wish she had mentioned it to me first." Ranol studies a spot on the wall, then glances over at Thari suddenly and forces a smile, burying the depressing topic. "It's over and done with, though. So what have you and Frarin been up to other than looking at homes?"
"Are you going to /tell/ her that you wish she had come to you first?" Thari asks in a dubious tone, raising an eyebrow at her cousin and ignoring his question.
"No, probably not." Ranol answers frankly. "It's really not that big of a deal. I'll figure it out.. Or maybe I'll talk to Frarin." There are heavy things on his mind and his distraction may hint heavily at that. "You have enough going on, don't worry about it. I'll figure out what to say to Hildis."
Thari makes a grumbling sound in the back of her throat. "Honestly, the two of you," she mutters. "Going to me about problems instead of each other. I always talk to Frarin unless he's busy, myself. Bright lad, my Frarin," she boasts, starting to smile again.
"You brought it up, Thari.. Not me." Ranol says, frowning. "Besides, it's better if you don't help. If we can't talk to each other now.. how could things get more serious later?"
"Hmmm." Thari sets her chin on her fist. "I suppose that's true," she allows. "If she comes to me again I'll just tell her to go to you."
"I'm glad that you two get along though. Do you like her?" Ranol tries to keep the conversation away from himself, now. Frarin can't stay busy forever. Eventually he'll be able to talk with the silver merchant. Hopefully.
"She's fine," Thari answers doubtfully. "Nice girl. Bit of spirit in her. Could do with knowing her own mind a bit more."
"She was talking about children.. After you left the other day." Ranol can't hide the worried expression on his face.
"Yes?" Thari encourages. "it is a concern if a lass wishes to be a travelling trader. Frarin and I have discussed it."
"Well, I know. But, doesn't it seem a bit early for her to be thinking about it? We barely know each other. It's all Eirdis or Siv ever talked about.. " Ranol runs a hand through his hair, shaking some of the locks that are still damp from the rain.
"I. Well. I don't know." Thari swallows the last of her lukewarm drink and sets the cup down. "Frarin said it almost right away. It was nearly, 'I do think I fancy you, Thari. Have you thought about children?' and I certainly was taken aback myself."
"Hmm.. " Ranol's gaze goes to the fire again. "Maybe I'm worrying too much. Siv was so obsessed with it, maybe I only got nervous. She wants to travel, so I bet she doesn't want to have children for a while yet."
"You could, you know..." Thari allows a pregnant pause to linger before continuing wryly, "...ask /her/ about it."
Ranol narrows his eyes at Thari, his lips pressing together in a sour fashion for a moment. Then he laughs and nods in agreement. "I could. I don't think I am ready, though. I don't want to lead her on about things. My life isn't very stable right now and Braldor is hinting at travel again."
"Oh she should come!" Thari says brightly. "She's been looking at travelling and I want her along." She starts to chuckle in a low, wicked way. "Though it'd be terrible if things went poorly for you and you're stuck with her for another year of travel."
"It's not up to -me-, Thari. Talk to Braldor about it." Ranol interjects when she immediately launches into travel plans. "And whose side are you on, anyway?" His words are in a scornful manner, but there's no heat behind them.
"Yours, yours, yours of course," Thari answers at once. "Did Braldor say where he was thinking fo going?" Her eyes sparkle with eagerness.
"No. He only hinted at it. I'm not even sure, so don't start making plans! Ask him." Ranol says quickly, holding up a hand to stop her before she can get carried away. "And after the conversation I had with him yesterday, I don't even know if I'm included anymore."
"Why wouldn't you be included?" Thari asks suspiciously. "I'll hire you out from under his nose if you're expected to stay at home!"
"I told you.. He's not telling me things. It's strange." Ranol's tone is concerned again, but he smirks at her following proclamation and shakes his head, black beard swishing back and forth. "I doubt he would do that. I'm worrying over nothing, I bet." The huskarl stands. "I should be getting back. I have work to do."
Thari shakes her head as well, then suddenly gasps. "Nalur! Oh Mahal." She jumps to her feet. "Well, good to have a bit of a talk with you." She bows briefly then huries out of the tavern.
Ranol opens his mouth to say something further, but Thari is rushing off before the words reach the air. "Bye.." He says rather lamely, after the fact. The huskarl collects up his damp cloak and heads back to the Thingstead at a less frantic pace.
Players: Kael, Ranol, Thari
Located in: Erebor
