Elendor
Frarin returns to Erebor
Frarin returns to Erebor and is not but a few minutes within the front gate before Thari finds him!
Sort Date: no date set
Location: First Hall, South End
Game Date: 2nd Yule
IC Time: Late morning
Description:
First Hall, South End(#9797RatAU)
Leaping, bubbling, burbling from the stone high above springs the River Running, and with a constant, but subtle roar, it cascades down into a basin at the center of this vast, bejeweled cavern, then runs in a diamond clear stream under a foot bridge, and through a grate under the massive, seemingly hingeless gate of steel and stone. Hewn to perfection by the stone-loving hands of the dwarves, the chamber radiates a sense of both beauty, power, and something beyond both. Dwarves of numerous descriptions move about, many of whom seem to be guards of some sort or another. A look at the gates shows them to be closed.
Contents:
Thari
Great Statue of Mahal(#1731hn)
Marble Obelisk Scriven with Runes (IMPORTANT INFO)(#19802n)
Obvious exits:
Narrow Stairs leads to Stables Under the Mountain.
Northwest leads to Hall of Nain.
Grand Stairway and Front Gate
[Thari(#31038)]
It's Yuletime! There isn't much traffic arriving in the front gate in the middle of the holiday, so most of the dwarves are going up or down the stairs.
This is where Thari is. She just now mounts the top step in a fine dress of shining maroon. She turns toward the the Hall of Nain but as she does so her eyes skim toward the gate. Her hair is a little longer now and a pink line of a healed scratch crosses her face.
Ranol arrives from the Great Stair, Upper Landing.
Ranol has arrived.
[Frarin] Though the number of dwarves arriving through the front gate may be small, it is not non-existant. This is confirmed by the arrival of two figures with heavy cloaks and laden ponies, each with hoods drawn up and thick scarves wrapped about their red noses and cheeks. Their faces may not be uncovered, but the grey cloak and grey pony of one may be familiar to some, or perhaps the end of a blue war hammer protruding from beneath the heavy garment.
They enter upon the First Hall, the front gate already well behind them and the warmth of the mountain descending. Hoods are thrown back as the two figures gaze wearily about the stone chamber and begin unwrapping scarves and leading their mounts towards the stables under the mountain.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes pass beyond the gate and she continues toward the Hall of Nain. But then she hesitates.
Thari looks back, gaze lingering on the grey-cloaked dwarf. She starts walking toward the stables and then, as her suspicions are confirmed, starts smiling. "Frarin!" she calls, but the River Running is loud and her voice is nearly swallowed by it. She grabs fistfuls of her skirts and starts running to catch up with them.
[Frarin] The expression on Frarin's face is tired and his cheeks are bright red from the cold outdoors, but there is also a guarded sense about him as well, as if wary of this return to the Mountain. All of this changes when his gaze finds the swiftly moving figure of Thari, for though her voice is muffled, her run does not fail to enter the silversmith's peripheral vision and he turns to look behind him. His brother Grarin beside him turns in sequence.
The wariness melts from Frarin's face in an instant and, though his cheeks remain red, so also does his tired expression disappear. "Thari!" he does not shout this, but it comes out as a harsh whisper, the joy barely contained. He does not run like Thari, but Barim's reins are blindly tossed towards Grarin as Frarin moves off towards the healer. His arms spread wide, but he seems unable to form words.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari stops running as he sees her, though still walking swiftly, and laughs a little, the flush in her cheeks growing. But, silly lass, her eyes on his face, she hastens yet again as she nears so that she is nearly running whens he is upon him.
Her arms go around his neck as she lifts herself on tiptoe. She kisses him once, discreetly, upon his cheek. Her breath comes quickly and she is nearly laughing beneath it.
[Frarin] Frarin embraces Thari is a strong hug, his arms wrapping about her as if he might lose her, giving no heed to the undoubted curious stares that will likely arise from so public a display of affection. But no, he does not care overmuch, it seems, for even Frarin tips his head to side to kiss Thari's cheek, and that at last seems to bring words to his lips.
"Thari, dear Thari!" he whispers, but his words are interspersed with rolling chuckles and the whisper turns into more of a barked mutter. "By Durin, how I have missed you! Have you been sitting here waiting for me all along? I thought I might have to seek you out, fool dwarf that I was!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Nor does Thari seem to care, she who recently rended clan relations over the issue of her honor. She winds her arms tight around him and plucks at both his hood and his hauberk to get them to slide from his head. "I was not waiting! I was visiting someone and chanced to walk by!" she says with laughing defensiveness. "Oh Frarin!" she drops to whispers again. "It was such a long time that you were gone! We must never do that again!"
[Frarin] Still laughing at Thari, Frarin shakes his head and brushes her hands aside with joking impatience, slipping back his hood on his own and pulling the chainmail coif from his head in one swift movement. "I am sure you were not waiting," he says in a mocking tone that clearly states the opposite. Some of the joy fades from his face as Thari whispers, however. "Yes, a very long time. Longer than I ever thought, but such is the lot of those tasked with dealing with rich dwarves estates. It is enough to make me desire no more wealth than that which I already possess, for it would be a wretched thing for my family to deal with otherwise!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari strokes the back of his hair for a moment once it is revealed. "I was so worried! I wondered if the troll had had you like it did me--" She pulls back a little and looks up at his face grimly. "And I'm not going to have conversation with you about what might happen after you die! What a horrid grim thing to discuss! And I'm certain it is different for a dwarf with a living wife."
[Ranol(#26812)] The first hall is quite trafficked today, it seems, for there is another that happens by during this heartfelt reunion. Ranol is wearing a heavy blue cloak over his new chainmail, sword at his side. His left arm is still in a sling, the broken bones knitting in their slow fashion. In his right he's carrying a laden basket, some Yule treats for Hildis to enjoy given her predicament. It's Thari's maroon dress that catches his eye, and Ranol looks curiously to see what she's about. A smile breaks onto his face when he recognizes the Barazin. "Welcome home, Frarin!" He calls, but does not deviate in his direction towards the Hall of Nain. Priorities!
[Frarin] "Oh I was jesting, you silly woman!" Frarin chuckles, unable to mask a grin when Thari pulls a grim face at him. "And do not trouble yourself over the troll, dear Thari. We saw no sign of it and camped a eight miles or so to the east last night so that we might approach the mountain in the day." He looks up suddenly as the faint call of his name lifts over the drumming of the River Running and squints in Ranol's direction before recognising the huskarl and lifting a hand in greeting.
He even smiles at Ranol as the guard continues on his way, but as he lowers his gaze back to Thari, it seems evident that the brief encounter has reminded him of the reason for his initial wariness. "Thari," he begins more seriously, taking her hand despite the crowd's attention, and turning his back on them. Grarin has already proceeded to the stables, kindly leaving his brother to his sweet reunion. "Thari, you must explain in full what has been going on in Erebor during my absence. The truth, mind you. Your letters and Formin's have been little comfort of late."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari doesn't look away from Frarin as his name is called, though surely she hears it and noticed him glance aside. Her fingers weave through his and for a moment she is caught by something that makes her smile widely.
"I-- let me think. Where shall I begin?" she muses as her smile dies. "There was a good bit that I didn't tell you because I was afraid of what would happen if the letter fell into someone else's hands. Siv spent some time whispering to me about how she was molding Ranol into the proper man for her, said he was turning out like Ranor. She even compared it to how she said I mold you, which just..." her hand tightens on his, her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head. A tight laugh. "She must think that we listen to each other when we quarrel!"
"But I was trusting Ranol to handle his affairs. He didn't believe me about what she was saying, but then one day Eirdis repeats the same rumors Siv was spreading about Ranol and she said that Siv was telling people about.." she colors. "...you and I. And I saw Siv just moments after and I slapped her. Just a slap! Men would be given a fine for such a thing, but our Thanes have gotten involved! And I must say that Braldor has done a fine job defending me. But Frarin.."
Thari takes a breath, leans closer, and whispers, "I have wondered if Eirdis might have been lying to me. I've told no one this but you."
Ranol heads northwest to Hall of Nain.
Ranol has left.
[Frarin] Whatever his joy at their reunion, Frarin's face does not take long to resume it's former wariness and soon his familiar grim expression is descending, though it is softened somewhat still. "Formin told me of the night in the tavern, when he briefly saw Siv speaking with you and Ranol and another dwarf. But he heard enough. He has said nothing of it thus far, but since your encounter with Siv, he has said that he will support your claim if this goes to court."
His brow furrows and a frown tugs at the corners of his mouth, though his reaction to the mention of Braldor in particular is difficult to tell, for his eyes dart to the side for a split second. Glancing about them, his voice lowers to a murmur. "Why would you think she is lying? Because of her interest in Ranol? And the conflict that potentially posed with Siv?"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari smiles briefly. "Dear Formin."
But she shakes her head, taking his hand now in both of hers. "I only doubted because Siv behaves as if she doesn't know what she could have said about you and I." A pause where her brow furrows. "She's rather emphatic about it. But she has had a habit of lying in the past..."
[Frarin] Frarin shakes his head. "Of the two, I would better trust Eirdis's truthfulness than Siv's. Eirdis can be sometimes too girlish - you will pardon my saying, dear Thari - but she is honest, I think. Perhaps quick to jump to conclusions, but never to the extent that Siv did with Ranol before my absence. Even I can attest to that, and I do not often take an interest in such affairs. That was difficult /not/ to."
He falls quiet for a moment, dropping his gaze in though, then looking back up to Thari. "I need to speak with my Steward. I have written Ovor on my own behalf, but if he intends to create a clan feud out of this really quite small issue, then it is the right of the other clans to weigh in. And I will need to speak with Braldor as well. If I can convince my Steward to allow Barazin to show support for Bundazanul, then perhaps Ovor will back down."
[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh Papa and Braldor are so angry with the Zinbar!" Thari sighs. "And Ranol, even he seems cross with them. I've hardly dealt with it after their advisors came and started shouting at me in the thingstead, so I can't say what it is about."
One of her hands unwinds from his to fuss a little with her beard-- straightening braids, touching rubies. "Father and Uncle Ranor got into a scuffle, I hear," she then goes on in a low voice. "Though this is just between you and I of course. Ranol and his sister are living with us now."
[Frarin] Frarin snorts at the mention of the Zinbar and his grip on Thari's hand briefly tightens. "I have usually respected Thane Ovor, but I know he has a hot-headed streak in him. I heard about the incident in your Thingstead with his advisor. Absolutely ridiculous. Ovor should know better than to allow such a thing, small clan or not." He twists to look her more fully in the face and his expression is more lined than ever. "But Thari, you are intimately involved in this. If you are not aware of what is going on behind closed doors, then there may be agreements made on your behalf that you do not approve of. You should speak with Braldor. I will be dead before I see you go to court over such a petty issue."
The mention of Ranol and his sister seems to surprise Frarin, however, as if he had heard nothing of it through any of his other correspondence. "Living with you? Why? And why now? I was given to understand that your father has really very little to do with his brother-in-law."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari smiles once or twice as he speaks, her own face much gentler and more pleased than his as they speak. "I don't really know, Frarin. Ranol said that.. Nalur, I think, struck Ranor. I don't know why." There is a bit of a pause. "Of course my family values my judgement and intelligence but sometimes they do get rather protective and don't tell me things. I'm glad that you aren't like that. I've been so far content to allow Braldor to defend me because it's rather... uncomfortable to discuss the nature of the accusations with him."
[Frarin] "You should insist, nonetheless," Frarin says, apparently quite firm on the subject. "If your younger brother can know, there is no reason you should not be allowed the same knowledge. You may not be comfortable with it, but it is your fate that hangs in the balance here, dear Thari. Still," a brief hint of a smile, "I suppose I'll be doing plenty of demanding to know what is going on for the both of us."
He sighs suddenly at that, the tired look slowly returning. But he pauses, looking briefly at the floor, then to Thari. "Has...your father said anything about the two of us recently? I had one letter from him during my stay at Emyn Engrin, but that was some months ago and alluded nothing to his feelings towards you and I."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's hand lifts. She touches the side of his face, fingertips trailing over his hair and ear and then dropping away. "Papa said that I might invite you for a family supper when you came home and that's good, isn't it? And, as I wrote, he grumbled some months ago about how I had turned Braldor away, but then he stopped, even with how stoutly Braldor has been defending me! That I take as a good sign too."
She takes a breath and lowers her voice. "Once or twice as I spoke about you I do think he was rather impressed. Ranol told him of the ring you gave me and I showed it to him-- and other times. I'm sorry, I know you wish I wouldn't, but I missed you so and spoke of you rather a lot. Which, come to think of it, I'm not sorry for because it helps the whole situation more than being a grumbling stubborn old fellow," she finishes fondly.
[Frarin] It is a frown that creases Frarin's face, but the modest unhappiness is nevertheless slightly broken by something akin to inner satisfaction, suggested only by the brief dropping of his gaze. "Well, do as you see fit then, if you think it will help. Your father seemed to think in his letter that you were getting over your loneliness some time ago, but...I rather suspected otherwise." This is indeed said fondly and with a hint of a smile before Frarin shakes his head.
"But I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your family at dinner for a few days at least. I need to speak with my Steward, and your Thane, and Ovor possibly as well. Barazin will wish to be discreet in its allegiance unless this comes to blows and there is work that needs doing. I am not often called upon to fill my position as ambassador, but I might perhaps offer in this particular situation."
[Thari(#31038)]
"I was not so terribly lonely!" Thari says defensively, sounding a touch embarrased. Her eyes go to the side. "and... the whole worry about being cast into jail and what you might think rather helped."
After a moment, she looks back to his face. "Several days?" she says in dismay. "So long? Could you meet with my father sooner?"
[Siv(#24218)] A cloaked figure now hurries from the direction of the stables, hood drawn back, skirt sweeping the floor...and little tooled flowers decorating the dwarf's beard. None other than Siv, of course--the leatherwork in her hair ties is distinctive.
[Frarin] "Oh yes, of course," Frarin assures Thari, nodding as if to clarify. "I can meet with your father immediately if you like. In fact, I would prefer to. But I do not think I shall have time for supper for a few days at least. As for what I think," he says, smiling faintly at Thari, "I will love you no matter what you do, dear Thari. I think you have been rash and over-protective--" well, the silversmith's bluntness has been none dampended by their long separation "--but I shall love you nonetheless, never fear."
He glances up, mainly to avoid running into the figure coming from the stables. But when it is Siv who materialises out of the peripheral vision, Frarin lips part in surprise and his steps slow. His grip on Thari's hand tightens and he looks warily at Siv, his expression is not necessarily hostile. Indeed, he instead gently tugs at Thari's hand to bring the healer away from Siv's direct line of travel.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari curls her other hand in the crook of Frarin's elbow, looking at him with soft eyes and her cheek on his shoulder. A moment later, however-- "Rash?" she says in a quarrelsome tone. "I think had anyone else been in the situation I was then she would have done the same. I was provoked!"
Frarin tugs on her hand and Thari happens to glance aside. Her eyes land on Siv and, as before, she blanches and seems to freeze.
[Siv(#24218)] "Frarin!" Siv perks, looking up from her thoughts. "How lovely to see you back in town again! Did the business that you had to attend to go well? I'm sorry about your friend's loss, of course. How terrible..." She chatters away merrily, as if there is no feud between clans. And then her eyes settle on Thari. "Oh, you must be so happy to have Frarin back with you! I'm sure you must have missed him terribly, given the current situation you find yourself in and all....
[Frarin] When Thari pauses, Frarin pulls again at her hand, but Siv's greeting seems to throw him off balance, catching him entirely unawares. Whatever the case, it seems that such a greeting was hardly what the silversmith has been expecting. It gives him pause, and his usually grim, critical expression is blank for a moment. Then, recovering himself and clearing his throat, he replies.
"Good morning, Siv," he says, polite but with his usual stiffness reserved for strangers and acquaintances. "Yes, I am only just returned now." But at Siv's comment to Thari, Frarin's grip once again tightens on the healer's hand, though he says nothing.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari actually jumps a little as Siv speaks. She hesitates, too, glancing once at Frarin. "Yes..." she agrees slowly. "I am happy to have him home. Frarin being gone was enough to miss him, not because of any... situations."
[Siv(#24218)] "Well, I think that now that he's back, things should clear right up, no?" Siv grins at the two of them. "I mean, after all, Frarin would know that I said nothing bad about you, wouldn't he?" She smiles again, beaming with happiness, it might seem.
[Frarin] Frarin's lips purse suddenly and his chin lifts slightly, adopting a distinctly wary expression as he beholds Siv. "I do not know what to think, Siv, I have been gone for some many months and will not pass judgment on any of this until I better understand the situation." And with a glance at Thari, he adds, "And I do not think, either, that pretending that this situation is less than it is will help it any either. I do not know if there is blame deserved anywhere, Siv--" here his tone soften a little, as if sympathetic or at least diplomatic "--but until that is determined, I think you should be conscious of the conflict between Thari and yourself before approaching as if nothing is amiss."
[Thari(#31038)]
"Frarin would--" Thari repeats after Siv in a bit of a strangled tone. She snaps her mouth shut, eyes flashing. Her strength is brought to bear in gripping Frarin's hand. "I think," she finally says carefully, "That I and my brothers in my clan are under orders from our Thane to speak with none of yours. I think that I will be obedient to my Thane." She turns toward the stables again, pulling at the silversmith.
Siv snorts loudly. "Fine, be that way if you want. But you can't ever acuse me of not trying to solve this misunderstanding between us. From the very first, all that I have ever asked of you is to tell me directly what it is that I have supposedly said to you that has caused you so much pain. That one simple statement of fact, I cannot even obtain from you. How am I ever supposed to correct misunderstandings or make ammends if I have no idea what has given you offense?"
She snorts once more, arms folded across her chest. "As for the matter of clans, yes, obedience to your Thane is good. But if you ask me, they are both being pigheadedly stubborn and making this into something far worse than it has to be. Men!" She turns on her heels as if to head back to the stables, changes her mind and resumes walking in the direction in which she was originally headed--toward Thari and Frarin, that is.
[Frarin] "Solving a problem is different from assuming it is nearly resolved, Siv," Frarin says in a gently disapproving tone, as a mentor might with a student. "And if that is your feeling, then speak with Thane Ovor about it. He is being unreasonable about this, and has a right to know if you do not wish the clans to resolve so small a dispute. I am under no such restriction in speaking with other clans--" as if it would have stopped him anyhow "--so speak to me if you must. Then perhaps this might be brought to an end."
All of this is said quickly as Frarin is pulled after Thari, but then he offers a polite nod to Siv and follows after Thari, carefully placing himself between Thari and Siv lest the healer turn around for another retort.
[Thari(#31038)]
"My Thane is only trying to protect me! And men are SUPPOSED to be pigheaded!" Thari is on the other side of Frarin and is steadfastly refusing to look at Siv while she hustles toward the stables. "We're DWARVES!"
[Siv(#24218)] Huffing at Frarin's words--chin held high--Siv walks haughtily by the other two. "I will talk it out when you tell me what it is I have suppoedly said to insult Thari so much to the point that she slapped me in public. FInd that out and THEN come to me, Frarin. Good day." And she walks away.
[Frarin] Frarin huffs a breath of exasperation, but does not turn back to Siv. Instead he gives Thari's hand something of a reassuring squeeze. "Pay her no mind, Thari my dear. All will be sorted in good time. Come then, help me unpack poor Barim and then we'll be to see your father immediately."
[Thari(#31038)]
"She assumes that you would take her side over mine!" Thari scoffs in a whisper as they descend the stairs to the stables. "As if you are the more sensible of we two!" SHe contiues in this way for some time.
First Hall, South End(#9797RatAU)
Leaping, bubbling, burbling from the stone high above springs the River Running, and with a constant, but subtle roar, it cascades down into a basin at the center of this vast, bejeweled cavern, then runs in a diamond clear stream under a foot bridge, and through a grate under the massive, seemingly hingeless gate of steel and stone. Hewn to perfection by the stone-loving hands of the dwarves, the chamber radiates a sense of both beauty, power, and something beyond both. Dwarves of numerous descriptions move about, many of whom seem to be guards of some sort or another. A look at the gates shows them to be closed.
Contents:
Thari
Great Statue of Mahal(#1731hn)
Marble Obelisk Scriven with Runes (IMPORTANT INFO)(#19802n)
Obvious exits:
Narrow Stairs leads to Stables Under the Mountain.
Northwest leads to Hall of Nain.
Grand Stairway and Front Gate
[Thari(#31038)]
It's Yuletime! There isn't much traffic arriving in the front gate in the middle of the holiday, so most of the dwarves are going up or down the stairs.
This is where Thari is. She just now mounts the top step in a fine dress of shining maroon. She turns toward the the Hall of Nain but as she does so her eyes skim toward the gate. Her hair is a little longer now and a pink line of a healed scratch crosses her face.
Ranol arrives from the Great Stair, Upper Landing.
Ranol has arrived.
[Frarin] Though the number of dwarves arriving through the front gate may be small, it is not non-existant. This is confirmed by the arrival of two figures with heavy cloaks and laden ponies, each with hoods drawn up and thick scarves wrapped about their red noses and cheeks. Their faces may not be uncovered, but the grey cloak and grey pony of one may be familiar to some, or perhaps the end of a blue war hammer protruding from beneath the heavy garment.
They enter upon the First Hall, the front gate already well behind them and the warmth of the mountain descending. Hoods are thrown back as the two figures gaze wearily about the stone chamber and begin unwrapping scarves and leading their mounts towards the stables under the mountain.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes pass beyond the gate and she continues toward the Hall of Nain. But then she hesitates.
Thari looks back, gaze lingering on the grey-cloaked dwarf. She starts walking toward the stables and then, as her suspicions are confirmed, starts smiling. "Frarin!" she calls, but the River Running is loud and her voice is nearly swallowed by it. She grabs fistfuls of her skirts and starts running to catch up with them.
[Frarin] The expression on Frarin's face is tired and his cheeks are bright red from the cold outdoors, but there is also a guarded sense about him as well, as if wary of this return to the Mountain. All of this changes when his gaze finds the swiftly moving figure of Thari, for though her voice is muffled, her run does not fail to enter the silversmith's peripheral vision and he turns to look behind him. His brother Grarin beside him turns in sequence.
The wariness melts from Frarin's face in an instant and, though his cheeks remain red, so also does his tired expression disappear. "Thari!" he does not shout this, but it comes out as a harsh whisper, the joy barely contained. He does not run like Thari, but Barim's reins are blindly tossed towards Grarin as Frarin moves off towards the healer. His arms spread wide, but he seems unable to form words.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari stops running as he sees her, though still walking swiftly, and laughs a little, the flush in her cheeks growing. But, silly lass, her eyes on his face, she hastens yet again as she nears so that she is nearly running whens he is upon him.
Her arms go around his neck as she lifts herself on tiptoe. She kisses him once, discreetly, upon his cheek. Her breath comes quickly and she is nearly laughing beneath it.
[Frarin] Frarin embraces Thari is a strong hug, his arms wrapping about her as if he might lose her, giving no heed to the undoubted curious stares that will likely arise from so public a display of affection. But no, he does not care overmuch, it seems, for even Frarin tips his head to side to kiss Thari's cheek, and that at last seems to bring words to his lips.
"Thari, dear Thari!" he whispers, but his words are interspersed with rolling chuckles and the whisper turns into more of a barked mutter. "By Durin, how I have missed you! Have you been sitting here waiting for me all along? I thought I might have to seek you out, fool dwarf that I was!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Nor does Thari seem to care, she who recently rended clan relations over the issue of her honor. She winds her arms tight around him and plucks at both his hood and his hauberk to get them to slide from his head. "I was not waiting! I was visiting someone and chanced to walk by!" she says with laughing defensiveness. "Oh Frarin!" she drops to whispers again. "It was such a long time that you were gone! We must never do that again!"
[Frarin] Still laughing at Thari, Frarin shakes his head and brushes her hands aside with joking impatience, slipping back his hood on his own and pulling the chainmail coif from his head in one swift movement. "I am sure you were not waiting," he says in a mocking tone that clearly states the opposite. Some of the joy fades from his face as Thari whispers, however. "Yes, a very long time. Longer than I ever thought, but such is the lot of those tasked with dealing with rich dwarves estates. It is enough to make me desire no more wealth than that which I already possess, for it would be a wretched thing for my family to deal with otherwise!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari strokes the back of his hair for a moment once it is revealed. "I was so worried! I wondered if the troll had had you like it did me--" She pulls back a little and looks up at his face grimly. "And I'm not going to have conversation with you about what might happen after you die! What a horrid grim thing to discuss! And I'm certain it is different for a dwarf with a living wife."
[Ranol(#26812)] The first hall is quite trafficked today, it seems, for there is another that happens by during this heartfelt reunion. Ranol is wearing a heavy blue cloak over his new chainmail, sword at his side. His left arm is still in a sling, the broken bones knitting in their slow fashion. In his right he's carrying a laden basket, some Yule treats for Hildis to enjoy given her predicament. It's Thari's maroon dress that catches his eye, and Ranol looks curiously to see what she's about. A smile breaks onto his face when he recognizes the Barazin. "Welcome home, Frarin!" He calls, but does not deviate in his direction towards the Hall of Nain. Priorities!
[Frarin] "Oh I was jesting, you silly woman!" Frarin chuckles, unable to mask a grin when Thari pulls a grim face at him. "And do not trouble yourself over the troll, dear Thari. We saw no sign of it and camped a eight miles or so to the east last night so that we might approach the mountain in the day." He looks up suddenly as the faint call of his name lifts over the drumming of the River Running and squints in Ranol's direction before recognising the huskarl and lifting a hand in greeting.
He even smiles at Ranol as the guard continues on his way, but as he lowers his gaze back to Thari, it seems evident that the brief encounter has reminded him of the reason for his initial wariness. "Thari," he begins more seriously, taking her hand despite the crowd's attention, and turning his back on them. Grarin has already proceeded to the stables, kindly leaving his brother to his sweet reunion. "Thari, you must explain in full what has been going on in Erebor during my absence. The truth, mind you. Your letters and Formin's have been little comfort of late."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari doesn't look away from Frarin as his name is called, though surely she hears it and noticed him glance aside. Her fingers weave through his and for a moment she is caught by something that makes her smile widely.
"I-- let me think. Where shall I begin?" she muses as her smile dies. "There was a good bit that I didn't tell you because I was afraid of what would happen if the letter fell into someone else's hands. Siv spent some time whispering to me about how she was molding Ranol into the proper man for her, said he was turning out like Ranor. She even compared it to how she said I mold you, which just..." her hand tightens on his, her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head. A tight laugh. "She must think that we listen to each other when we quarrel!"
"But I was trusting Ranol to handle his affairs. He didn't believe me about what she was saying, but then one day Eirdis repeats the same rumors Siv was spreading about Ranol and she said that Siv was telling people about.." she colors. "...you and I. And I saw Siv just moments after and I slapped her. Just a slap! Men would be given a fine for such a thing, but our Thanes have gotten involved! And I must say that Braldor has done a fine job defending me. But Frarin.."
Thari takes a breath, leans closer, and whispers, "I have wondered if Eirdis might have been lying to me. I've told no one this but you."
Ranol heads northwest to Hall of Nain.
Ranol has left.
[Frarin] Whatever his joy at their reunion, Frarin's face does not take long to resume it's former wariness and soon his familiar grim expression is descending, though it is softened somewhat still. "Formin told me of the night in the tavern, when he briefly saw Siv speaking with you and Ranol and another dwarf. But he heard enough. He has said nothing of it thus far, but since your encounter with Siv, he has said that he will support your claim if this goes to court."
His brow furrows and a frown tugs at the corners of his mouth, though his reaction to the mention of Braldor in particular is difficult to tell, for his eyes dart to the side for a split second. Glancing about them, his voice lowers to a murmur. "Why would you think she is lying? Because of her interest in Ranol? And the conflict that potentially posed with Siv?"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari smiles briefly. "Dear Formin."
But she shakes her head, taking his hand now in both of hers. "I only doubted because Siv behaves as if she doesn't know what she could have said about you and I." A pause where her brow furrows. "She's rather emphatic about it. But she has had a habit of lying in the past..."
[Frarin] Frarin shakes his head. "Of the two, I would better trust Eirdis's truthfulness than Siv's. Eirdis can be sometimes too girlish - you will pardon my saying, dear Thari - but she is honest, I think. Perhaps quick to jump to conclusions, but never to the extent that Siv did with Ranol before my absence. Even I can attest to that, and I do not often take an interest in such affairs. That was difficult /not/ to."
He falls quiet for a moment, dropping his gaze in though, then looking back up to Thari. "I need to speak with my Steward. I have written Ovor on my own behalf, but if he intends to create a clan feud out of this really quite small issue, then it is the right of the other clans to weigh in. And I will need to speak with Braldor as well. If I can convince my Steward to allow Barazin to show support for Bundazanul, then perhaps Ovor will back down."
[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh Papa and Braldor are so angry with the Zinbar!" Thari sighs. "And Ranol, even he seems cross with them. I've hardly dealt with it after their advisors came and started shouting at me in the thingstead, so I can't say what it is about."
One of her hands unwinds from his to fuss a little with her beard-- straightening braids, touching rubies. "Father and Uncle Ranor got into a scuffle, I hear," she then goes on in a low voice. "Though this is just between you and I of course. Ranol and his sister are living with us now."
[Frarin] Frarin snorts at the mention of the Zinbar and his grip on Thari's hand briefly tightens. "I have usually respected Thane Ovor, but I know he has a hot-headed streak in him. I heard about the incident in your Thingstead with his advisor. Absolutely ridiculous. Ovor should know better than to allow such a thing, small clan or not." He twists to look her more fully in the face and his expression is more lined than ever. "But Thari, you are intimately involved in this. If you are not aware of what is going on behind closed doors, then there may be agreements made on your behalf that you do not approve of. You should speak with Braldor. I will be dead before I see you go to court over such a petty issue."
The mention of Ranol and his sister seems to surprise Frarin, however, as if he had heard nothing of it through any of his other correspondence. "Living with you? Why? And why now? I was given to understand that your father has really very little to do with his brother-in-law."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari smiles once or twice as he speaks, her own face much gentler and more pleased than his as they speak. "I don't really know, Frarin. Ranol said that.. Nalur, I think, struck Ranor. I don't know why." There is a bit of a pause. "Of course my family values my judgement and intelligence but sometimes they do get rather protective and don't tell me things. I'm glad that you aren't like that. I've been so far content to allow Braldor to defend me because it's rather... uncomfortable to discuss the nature of the accusations with him."
[Frarin] "You should insist, nonetheless," Frarin says, apparently quite firm on the subject. "If your younger brother can know, there is no reason you should not be allowed the same knowledge. You may not be comfortable with it, but it is your fate that hangs in the balance here, dear Thari. Still," a brief hint of a smile, "I suppose I'll be doing plenty of demanding to know what is going on for the both of us."
He sighs suddenly at that, the tired look slowly returning. But he pauses, looking briefly at the floor, then to Thari. "Has...your father said anything about the two of us recently? I had one letter from him during my stay at Emyn Engrin, but that was some months ago and alluded nothing to his feelings towards you and I."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's hand lifts. She touches the side of his face, fingertips trailing over his hair and ear and then dropping away. "Papa said that I might invite you for a family supper when you came home and that's good, isn't it? And, as I wrote, he grumbled some months ago about how I had turned Braldor away, but then he stopped, even with how stoutly Braldor has been defending me! That I take as a good sign too."
She takes a breath and lowers her voice. "Once or twice as I spoke about you I do think he was rather impressed. Ranol told him of the ring you gave me and I showed it to him-- and other times. I'm sorry, I know you wish I wouldn't, but I missed you so and spoke of you rather a lot. Which, come to think of it, I'm not sorry for because it helps the whole situation more than being a grumbling stubborn old fellow," she finishes fondly.
[Frarin] It is a frown that creases Frarin's face, but the modest unhappiness is nevertheless slightly broken by something akin to inner satisfaction, suggested only by the brief dropping of his gaze. "Well, do as you see fit then, if you think it will help. Your father seemed to think in his letter that you were getting over your loneliness some time ago, but...I rather suspected otherwise." This is indeed said fondly and with a hint of a smile before Frarin shakes his head.
"But I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your family at dinner for a few days at least. I need to speak with my Steward, and your Thane, and Ovor possibly as well. Barazin will wish to be discreet in its allegiance unless this comes to blows and there is work that needs doing. I am not often called upon to fill my position as ambassador, but I might perhaps offer in this particular situation."
[Thari(#31038)]
"I was not so terribly lonely!" Thari says defensively, sounding a touch embarrased. Her eyes go to the side. "and... the whole worry about being cast into jail and what you might think rather helped."
After a moment, she looks back to his face. "Several days?" she says in dismay. "So long? Could you meet with my father sooner?"
[Siv(#24218)] A cloaked figure now hurries from the direction of the stables, hood drawn back, skirt sweeping the floor...and little tooled flowers decorating the dwarf's beard. None other than Siv, of course--the leatherwork in her hair ties is distinctive.
[Frarin] "Oh yes, of course," Frarin assures Thari, nodding as if to clarify. "I can meet with your father immediately if you like. In fact, I would prefer to. But I do not think I shall have time for supper for a few days at least. As for what I think," he says, smiling faintly at Thari, "I will love you no matter what you do, dear Thari. I think you have been rash and over-protective--" well, the silversmith's bluntness has been none dampended by their long separation "--but I shall love you nonetheless, never fear."
He glances up, mainly to avoid running into the figure coming from the stables. But when it is Siv who materialises out of the peripheral vision, Frarin lips part in surprise and his steps slow. His grip on Thari's hand tightens and he looks warily at Siv, his expression is not necessarily hostile. Indeed, he instead gently tugs at Thari's hand to bring the healer away from Siv's direct line of travel.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari curls her other hand in the crook of Frarin's elbow, looking at him with soft eyes and her cheek on his shoulder. A moment later, however-- "Rash?" she says in a quarrelsome tone. "I think had anyone else been in the situation I was then she would have done the same. I was provoked!"
Frarin tugs on her hand and Thari happens to glance aside. Her eyes land on Siv and, as before, she blanches and seems to freeze.
[Siv(#24218)] "Frarin!" Siv perks, looking up from her thoughts. "How lovely to see you back in town again! Did the business that you had to attend to go well? I'm sorry about your friend's loss, of course. How terrible..." She chatters away merrily, as if there is no feud between clans. And then her eyes settle on Thari. "Oh, you must be so happy to have Frarin back with you! I'm sure you must have missed him terribly, given the current situation you find yourself in and all....
[Frarin] When Thari pauses, Frarin pulls again at her hand, but Siv's greeting seems to throw him off balance, catching him entirely unawares. Whatever the case, it seems that such a greeting was hardly what the silversmith has been expecting. It gives him pause, and his usually grim, critical expression is blank for a moment. Then, recovering himself and clearing his throat, he replies.
"Good morning, Siv," he says, polite but with his usual stiffness reserved for strangers and acquaintances. "Yes, I am only just returned now." But at Siv's comment to Thari, Frarin's grip once again tightens on the healer's hand, though he says nothing.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari actually jumps a little as Siv speaks. She hesitates, too, glancing once at Frarin. "Yes..." she agrees slowly. "I am happy to have him home. Frarin being gone was enough to miss him, not because of any... situations."
[Siv(#24218)] "Well, I think that now that he's back, things should clear right up, no?" Siv grins at the two of them. "I mean, after all, Frarin would know that I said nothing bad about you, wouldn't he?" She smiles again, beaming with happiness, it might seem.
[Frarin] Frarin's lips purse suddenly and his chin lifts slightly, adopting a distinctly wary expression as he beholds Siv. "I do not know what to think, Siv, I have been gone for some many months and will not pass judgment on any of this until I better understand the situation." And with a glance at Thari, he adds, "And I do not think, either, that pretending that this situation is less than it is will help it any either. I do not know if there is blame deserved anywhere, Siv--" here his tone soften a little, as if sympathetic or at least diplomatic "--but until that is determined, I think you should be conscious of the conflict between Thari and yourself before approaching as if nothing is amiss."
[Thari(#31038)]
"Frarin would--" Thari repeats after Siv in a bit of a strangled tone. She snaps her mouth shut, eyes flashing. Her strength is brought to bear in gripping Frarin's hand. "I think," she finally says carefully, "That I and my brothers in my clan are under orders from our Thane to speak with none of yours. I think that I will be obedient to my Thane." She turns toward the stables again, pulling at the silversmith.
Siv snorts loudly. "Fine, be that way if you want. But you can't ever acuse me of not trying to solve this misunderstanding between us. From the very first, all that I have ever asked of you is to tell me directly what it is that I have supposedly said to you that has caused you so much pain. That one simple statement of fact, I cannot even obtain from you. How am I ever supposed to correct misunderstandings or make ammends if I have no idea what has given you offense?"
She snorts once more, arms folded across her chest. "As for the matter of clans, yes, obedience to your Thane is good. But if you ask me, they are both being pigheadedly stubborn and making this into something far worse than it has to be. Men!" She turns on her heels as if to head back to the stables, changes her mind and resumes walking in the direction in which she was originally headed--toward Thari and Frarin, that is.
[Frarin] "Solving a problem is different from assuming it is nearly resolved, Siv," Frarin says in a gently disapproving tone, as a mentor might with a student. "And if that is your feeling, then speak with Thane Ovor about it. He is being unreasonable about this, and has a right to know if you do not wish the clans to resolve so small a dispute. I am under no such restriction in speaking with other clans--" as if it would have stopped him anyhow "--so speak to me if you must. Then perhaps this might be brought to an end."
All of this is said quickly as Frarin is pulled after Thari, but then he offers a polite nod to Siv and follows after Thari, carefully placing himself between Thari and Siv lest the healer turn around for another retort.
[Thari(#31038)]
"My Thane is only trying to protect me! And men are SUPPOSED to be pigheaded!" Thari is on the other side of Frarin and is steadfastly refusing to look at Siv while she hustles toward the stables. "We're DWARVES!"
[Siv(#24218)] Huffing at Frarin's words--chin held high--Siv walks haughtily by the other two. "I will talk it out when you tell me what it is I have suppoedly said to insult Thari so much to the point that she slapped me in public. FInd that out and THEN come to me, Frarin. Good day." And she walks away.
[Frarin] Frarin huffs a breath of exasperation, but does not turn back to Siv. Instead he gives Thari's hand something of a reassuring squeeze. "Pay her no mind, Thari my dear. All will be sorted in good time. Come then, help me unpack poor Barim and then we'll be to see your father immediately."
[Thari(#31038)]
"She assumes that you would take her side over mine!" Thari scoffs in a whisper as they descend the stairs to the stables. "As if you are the more sensible of we two!" SHe contiues in this way for some time.
Players: Thari, Frarin, Ranol
Located in: Erebor
