Elendor
A Barazin in Jail
Ranol goes to visit Hildis, the jailbird Barazin. After, he runs into his cousin, Thari, and shares what he's learned.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: [Hildis(#23062)]
The dwarf passing the guard has the prosperous look of someone from the trading clan she is well dressed in a simple gown of Barazin red and black. Her daughter has the same emerald eyes and sweet brow, they braid their beards in the same double rows of braids. But Hildis's mother frowns deeply as she leaves her daughter in the cell behind her, her mouth pressed tight in a look of worry and distress.
In the cell her daughter stands holding the clothes her mother brought watching her leave. Behind her there is a small shelf for bed padding, a chair, a table used for meals and any reading or writing the inmate might be inclined to doing. The table is already covered with the untouched bowls from her last meal, books and a parchment with writing on it. Hildis stands a moment after her mother has begun to climb the stairs, the bright expression she had held for their interview fading as fast as her mother's steps.
Ranol heard the rumors, but it took some time for him to be free of his responsibilities for the day. As much as he would have liked to rush off and visit Hildis immediately, he's not actually courting her in any fashion yet couldn't just drop what he was doing. Still, a few hours isn't terrible, and it's not long after her mother has departed that the cell is unlocked for the huskarl to gain entry, the door closed again behind him.
[Hildis(#23062)]
After the steps could no longer be heard the dwarf maiden turned and sat on the bed shelf, the clothes still stacked in her arms. The guard kept his back to her, a courtesy that she took advantage of - a tear winds its way down her cheek now that she does not have to keep up appearences. She has no idea of the passage of time but her beard is wet now and looks up in surprised expectation at the sound of new steps.
The surprise does not fade when after only a short exchange of words between the guard and the huskarl, he is let into the cell. Still clutching her clothes she gets up from the bed shelf, a question and pleasure lighting her still damp eyes.
Ranol waits until he hears the guard move back to his post, then approaches Hildis slowly. "What happened? I've heard a lot of strange rumors.." The huskarl is speaking quietly, his soft voice like distant thunder rumbling across hills. His blue eyes are the rains that have yet to come, compassionate and concerned.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Hildis swallows unable to speak for fear of more tears joining those wetting her beard. The softness of his voice undoes her for a moment and she sits suddenly holding the clothes to cover her face. Twice she tries to speak and struggles with her eyes closed, her face reddening in shame at being seen in tears.
Ranol hesitates, torn between the natural instinct to want to step forward and comfort her, and the knowledge that he has no idea how strong their friendship has become. He settles for the former, moving closer and reaching to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Hildis? Please.. tell me what has happened."
[Hildis(#23062)]
Her head still bowed she takes a quick breath and another to calm herself and lays a soft hand over his when he comforts her. "I am...I am okay and sorry for my tears," she sniffs and tries to smile. "Mother was just here - furious at the authorities, furious at herself for...oh, Ranol, if I tell you what happened I will have broken my word but if I don't then I think that things will be worse for all of us." She lifts her eyes to watch him as she says this.
"Hildis.. you are in -jail-. Surely whatever word you gave cannot be so valuable. They say that you were working with criminals. What happened? What are you protecting?" Ranol doesn't have a very strong grasp of the situation, his knowledge nearly exhausted already.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Pity darkens her eyes, Hildis slowly lifts his hand from her shoulder and brings it to her lap where she clasps it in both of hers. Eyes intent on his she begins in a near whisper, "Ranol, your father..." and stops, searching his face. "Your father gave me the letter I was arrested for carrying," she murmurs careful to not the guard hear her.
"What?.. " The huskarl asks, confused. "What do you mean? Why would you have a letter from my father? Who was it for?" Ranol keeps his voice low, his hand pulling away from hers to rub the back of his neck. His left arm is still in a sling, mending, but he's armed again.. minus his shield that he has yet to replace.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Grimly nodding Hildis bends closer to him after a quick look at the guard. "It was why my mother was so angry, she sent me to your house," she grimaces at that, " we even fought about it, something we never do. I think she wanted me...well, nevermind. She wanted to get back in touch with your mother and sent her a little basket of food. But your father answered and I never saw your mother," her words pick up speed in relief at being able to tell someone but she keeps her voice lowered. "He," she shakes her head at the memory, "he asked me to take a letter, he said it was for someone named Varn in Zinbar and would I take it to avoid it looking badly. He even offered me money which offended me," she finishes sitting back to watch his reaction.
"I don't understand. Why would your mother want to .. " Ranol trails off, shaking his head. Hesitantly he shifts the topic, "Did your father tell you that I spoke with him?" It's the only logical connection in all of this and the Huskarl is still very confused.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"Did my father tell me what?" she asks equally confused.
"That I spoke with him.. Why would your mother send you over with food? This doesn't make any sense, Hildis. Why were you at my home?" Ranol isn't accusing, but is trying to sort through the information.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I didn't want to be there," she sits straighter, "I couldn't understand why mother suddenly wanted to talk to Purnal," she glances at him sidelongs as if struggling not to take offense.
"Unless," she covers her mouth that drops open in unpleasant surprise.
"When did you talk to my father, Ranol? And why?" she asks and regrets instantly but the words hang in the air.
"Well.. I.. " Now it's Ranol's turn to grow uncomfortable. "So your mother didn't say why she wanted you to send the gift along to mine?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I couldn't understand why she wanted /me/ to take it since it is her friend," she answers with a touch of remembered exasperation. "But if you talked to my father," she doesn't pursue why he talked to her father, "then he told her something. So she," she closes her eyes with a sigh and real look of irritation, "ai! Mahal! parents!" and claps her hand over her mouth at how loudly she said that.
"Her friend? Your mother is friends with mine?" Ranol is starting to catch on, and tries to coax this out of Hildis as he struggles to sort through the confusing tidbits.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"So your father said, so my mother said," she answers waiting expectantly for him to stitch the pieces together.
"Okay." The huskarl scratches at his chin beneath his beard. "Bear with me, I do not keep tabs on who my mother is friends with. It's all a bit strange. So, why did you have a letter from my father, and why would he be giving anything to someone in Zinbar?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I don't know," she wails in a whisper. "I don't know but now the authorities are saying that I knew what it was about, knew the dwarf I was to give it to, am in cohoots with your father. Your father! It is crazy, Ranol!"
Ranol moves to lean against the wall, a scowl on his face. "Speak plainly, Hildis. Please. What was in the letter? Why did he ask you to deliver it? What did he -say-?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"What do you mean speak plainly?" she answers in a furious strangled whisper. "I told you that your father gave me a letter, sealed, mind you and asked me to take it to this Varn. And I don't know why and I didn't want to in the first place. And just what are you accusing me of," by this time she is almost nose to nose with him, red faced and angry.
"I'm sorry. I'm just .. having a hard time.. this is.. " Ranol closes his eyes for a moment. "Did my father mention my Uncle Balur at all? Or Thari?... or Nalur?" The huskarl asks in a quiet voice.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"No," she says subsiding somewhat. "He only said that your were away and I was releived because I did not want you to think that I was at your home...for any reason." Now, she closes her eyes.
"Oh.. " Ranol actually seems a bit dismayed by those words from Hildis. "I don't really know what to say to that." He says carefully, his brows drawing together. The huskarl draws back away from her slowly, since she seemingly just made her feelings so clear.
After a few moments of silence, Ranol clears his head of his emotional distress and concentrates on the situation. "Okay. So, you had no idea that this person you were supposed to deliver the letter to was trouble? Right?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
Hildis opens her eyes and scowls at him as he backs off, "What do you mean that you don't know what to say to that?" she asks in a furious whisper. "I will tell you this, I do not know why you talked to my father and I do not want to know." She glares at him, "If you think for an instant that I am interested in you, you...blown up Bundazanal! You are sadly mistaken." She takes deep breaths glancing scowls at him until she is calmed down enough to respond to this last question.
"Right," she agrees shortly.
It's as if she slapped him, the reaction on his face. The huskarl actually looks crushed for a moment, so deep is the hurt expression on his face. Why else would he be here, seeing into this problem? She is Barazin, his is not. He had no idea that anyone he knew outside of her was involved. Ranol swallows, pushing the emotion from his face and adopting a more stony expression that is usually reserved for when he is serving at Braldor's side. "I will speak with my father and ask him what he knows of this business. Will that help?" He asks in a quiet voice, the words detached.
[Hildis(#23062)]
She grabs her own beard and pulls it as she watches his face shutter closed, "I am such a hot head," she whispers. "Ranol, you are my friend and I thank you for coming here. Do not speak to your father. I believe...I believe," she says in a low voice wincing at her own words, "he lied to me. Why would he not lie to you?"
Ranol presses his lips together, no emotion betraying his face now. Her softly spoken words bring little change to his demeanor. "What do you think he lied about?" The huskarl asks, his voice still distant and formal.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"Why because he said that the letter was from your mother for friends of hers in Zinbar," she says with intensity, "and how could it have been if I was arrested for carrying it. And I am sorry if I offended you Ranol,' she says quietly contrite.
"I .." Ranol begins to say, then thinks better of it. "Let me go speak with my father and mother on this. Is there anything I can bring you?" He asks in the same polite tone, the same way he spoke to her when they first met. He moves to the door of the cell, knocking for the guard to come open it.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Close enough behind him to reach for his shoulder she raises her hand to touch him, "Ranol..." she stops herself suppressing a heartfelt sigh.
"Ranol, talk them together or better yet, before your father knows. I am so sorry to say this to you: I think he will lie."
"I think I can determine the best way to approach my own father." Ranol answers defensively, frowing as he turns back. He gives her a short bow. "I will let you know when I find out what this is about." The cell door opens then and the huskarl steps out, speaking his thanks to the guard before departing.
----------------------
It was a natural progression of events. Ranol heard about Hildis getting arrested, Ranol confirmed the rumor, Ranol cleared up his work as quickly as possible and went to visit her. This is probably not unknown to Thari as he surely asked her what she heard before going to see the Barazin. Now, the huskarl is returning to his temporary home with a dark and brooding expression on his face. He heads straight for his room, completely anti-social.
Thari enters the front door a moment or two after Ranol, her arms full of papers. She shuts the door with her elbow as she sees a dark-haired dwarf turning down the hall. "Hello Pano-- uhh, Ranol!" she says, wincing briefly at her mistake. She heads toward the stairs across the vast entryway, her shoes clicking on marble.
Ranol stops, twisting back sharply to look. "Thari.. let me help." He says, backtracking to relieve her of some of the papers with his good hand. The brooding expression doesn't leave his face, but his voice is soft and not angry.
"Oh, thank you. Just going down to my office to work for a little while. I received a note from Frarin! He is on his way home!" Thari heads toward the other stairs that lead down to the family's more private rooms where she has her own suite.
"Good." Ranol answers in a short, crisp tone. He follows her, saying nothing further as he descends the steps after her.
"Maybe he'll even be home tonight!" Thari has an easier time with her papers now that Ranol holds half of them. Her maroon skirts sweep the steps behind her. She gives her cousin a bit of an odd glance sidelong. "What's wrong?"
Ranol doesn't respond to her hopeful banter, his own thoughts heavy and distracting him fully. He doesn't answer Thari at first, doesn't even seem to have heard her. Finally he does speak, in a quiet tone. "Hildis got arrested for delivering some letter to Zinbar. She says my father put her up to it."
Thari's eyes grow round, surprised as she turns a hall toward her suite. "What? What will you do?"
"I don't know.. Confront him about it. The whole story is very confusing, and Hildis.. I probably shouldn't get any further involved. She told me that she was at my home because her mother asked her to send food over to mine. They were past friends or something." Ranol continues to follow, his steps loud on the floor.
"So you... trust your father over Hildis," Thari says neutrally. She comes to a redwood door and opens it, taking a few steps onto the polished dark blue stone floor within.
"I didn't say that.." Ranol answers, exasperated. He stands, waiting for her to enter the room before following her in. "I said I would confront him. What else should I do? Denounce my own father? You heard Braldor. He doesn't want more family feuding."
"Whatever you think is best, Ranol." Thari's office has white walls and feminine redwood against the blue marble. It isn't as large as Balur's, but it has a few chairs for guests before the desk. "I'm sure you will do what's right. You always do. Hildis is depending on you and I'm sure you know it."
"Why would you say that?" Ranol asks, moving to set the papers on the desk. "I told her I would ask my father about it, that is all." His tone is lacking it's usual compassion, and he's avoiding her gaze.
"Ranol, you're my family." Thari rounds her desk and begins straightening the papers. "And you're my friend and you're an honorable dwarf. My loyalty is to you over Hildis. If that's what your judgement tells you to do, then do it."
Ranol looks at her now, her words sinking in slowly. His gaze is sad and he doesn't acknowledge her kindness as he usually might. "I didn't even know that my father was involved when I went to see her. I couldn't figure out why she would come to my house at first because she wasn't explaining things very clearly. I thought perhaps.. " He sighs, shaking his head. "I thought it might have had something to do with my approaching her father, but when I asked her of that she grew very upset." Ranol turns, pacing the room away from Thari, "What does that tell you of my judgement? She said the last thing she wanted was for me to know that she was at my home."
"You approached her father?" Thari asks. Her eyes settle on him now, following him as he paces.
"Yes." Ranol stops, moving now to sit in the closest chair. "A week ago.. perhaps. I asked if he minded if I invited her to a dinner. He told me he would think on it and ask how she felt, and send word." He twists the end of his beard around his fingers. "So I thought maybe that was why she had visited. She was angry that I suggested as much and made her feelings.. very clear. It's foolish. I don't know why I'm worrying about -that-. I should be finding my father." He sinks back into the chair. "I don't know, though. Maybe Braldor, instead."
Thari places her hands flat on the desk and leans forward, suddenly looking very intent. "Ranol, I will not tell you what I thought that morning when Frarin came to my camp to save me from what he was certain was death. The minute he knew how he cared for me he came to rescue me, certain that I did not care for him at all."
Thari points to the side, emphatic and passionate as she continues. "Go save her! Go! This is what you should be doing! Do whatever it takes, even if it spites Braldor and your father!"
Ranol blinks, surprised. He should have expected a scolding. His brows narrow as he scowls. "You're not listening. She told me, straight to my face that she is very much -not- interested. She didn't want to know what I talked to her father about, stated very clearly that she does not like me, and informed me that I was -sadly- mistaken." His hand clenches tightly, "I will try and figure out the right thing, but you're telling me to blindly condemn my father for a woman that does not care for me!"
"Frarin told me he couldn't possibly care for me!" Thari retorts. "Frarin was horribly embarrassed I'd even brought it up! Frarin was uncomfortable around me and didn't want me around!"
"Are you daft?" Thari's voice is raising, indignant but not angry. "She's entirely too sensitive about you and gets wounded if you go two days without seeing her! She's waiting for you to fight for her!"
"What?!" Ranol likes things straightforward and he's entirely too keyed up these days to be playing these kinds of games. He put his feelings on the line and got trampled. "Thari.. where are you getting this idea from? She -told- me.. to my face!"
"I'm getting it from how she behaves," Thari says, hands on hips. "The question is-- is she worth the risk that I might be right?"
Ranol sits, speechless. Thari's logic, as brutal and twisted as it is.. is very direct. He drops his gaze to the floor, sighing quietly. "I don't know.. I think so. I mean, I wanted to see."
"Well, Frarin had to take a while to think, too." Thari drops her hands and goes to work again straightening her desk. "But try to remember that, if I'm right, there's a pretty red-bearded lass who is frightened and waiting for you, and probably isn't insane like the sort you usually attract." She gets a bit of a sly grin.
Ranol remains quiet for a long time, deep in thought. Finally he looks up at Thari, her earlier joke missed completely or disregarded. "I will speak to Braldor. That.. will be the best course. I can't remain objective." He rubs his brow, troubled. "I'll see if I can go find him right now."
The huskarl stands, some of his stress eased, it seems. He gives Thari a long look, "I hope you are right." Then turns and heads out.
"I don't know if I am or not!" Thari calls after him with a wicked laugh in her voice. "Welcome to new romance!" She seems to find this vastly amusing, continuing to chuckle after he is gone.
The dwarf passing the guard has the prosperous look of someone from the trading clan she is well dressed in a simple gown of Barazin red and black. Her daughter has the same emerald eyes and sweet brow, they braid their beards in the same double rows of braids. But Hildis's mother frowns deeply as she leaves her daughter in the cell behind her, her mouth pressed tight in a look of worry and distress.
In the cell her daughter stands holding the clothes her mother brought watching her leave. Behind her there is a small shelf for bed padding, a chair, a table used for meals and any reading or writing the inmate might be inclined to doing. The table is already covered with the untouched bowls from her last meal, books and a parchment with writing on it. Hildis stands a moment after her mother has begun to climb the stairs, the bright expression she had held for their interview fading as fast as her mother's steps.
Ranol heard the rumors, but it took some time for him to be free of his responsibilities for the day. As much as he would have liked to rush off and visit Hildis immediately, he's not actually courting her in any fashion yet couldn't just drop what he was doing. Still, a few hours isn't terrible, and it's not long after her mother has departed that the cell is unlocked for the huskarl to gain entry, the door closed again behind him.
[Hildis(#23062)]
After the steps could no longer be heard the dwarf maiden turned and sat on the bed shelf, the clothes still stacked in her arms. The guard kept his back to her, a courtesy that she took advantage of - a tear winds its way down her cheek now that she does not have to keep up appearences. She has no idea of the passage of time but her beard is wet now and looks up in surprised expectation at the sound of new steps.
The surprise does not fade when after only a short exchange of words between the guard and the huskarl, he is let into the cell. Still clutching her clothes she gets up from the bed shelf, a question and pleasure lighting her still damp eyes.
Ranol waits until he hears the guard move back to his post, then approaches Hildis slowly. "What happened? I've heard a lot of strange rumors.." The huskarl is speaking quietly, his soft voice like distant thunder rumbling across hills. His blue eyes are the rains that have yet to come, compassionate and concerned.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Hildis swallows unable to speak for fear of more tears joining those wetting her beard. The softness of his voice undoes her for a moment and she sits suddenly holding the clothes to cover her face. Twice she tries to speak and struggles with her eyes closed, her face reddening in shame at being seen in tears.
Ranol hesitates, torn between the natural instinct to want to step forward and comfort her, and the knowledge that he has no idea how strong their friendship has become. He settles for the former, moving closer and reaching to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Hildis? Please.. tell me what has happened."
[Hildis(#23062)]
Her head still bowed she takes a quick breath and another to calm herself and lays a soft hand over his when he comforts her. "I am...I am okay and sorry for my tears," she sniffs and tries to smile. "Mother was just here - furious at the authorities, furious at herself for...oh, Ranol, if I tell you what happened I will have broken my word but if I don't then I think that things will be worse for all of us." She lifts her eyes to watch him as she says this.
"Hildis.. you are in -jail-. Surely whatever word you gave cannot be so valuable. They say that you were working with criminals. What happened? What are you protecting?" Ranol doesn't have a very strong grasp of the situation, his knowledge nearly exhausted already.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Pity darkens her eyes, Hildis slowly lifts his hand from her shoulder and brings it to her lap where she clasps it in both of hers. Eyes intent on his she begins in a near whisper, "Ranol, your father..." and stops, searching his face. "Your father gave me the letter I was arrested for carrying," she murmurs careful to not the guard hear her.
"What?.. " The huskarl asks, confused. "What do you mean? Why would you have a letter from my father? Who was it for?" Ranol keeps his voice low, his hand pulling away from hers to rub the back of his neck. His left arm is still in a sling, mending, but he's armed again.. minus his shield that he has yet to replace.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Grimly nodding Hildis bends closer to him after a quick look at the guard. "It was why my mother was so angry, she sent me to your house," she grimaces at that, " we even fought about it, something we never do. I think she wanted me...well, nevermind. She wanted to get back in touch with your mother and sent her a little basket of food. But your father answered and I never saw your mother," her words pick up speed in relief at being able to tell someone but she keeps her voice lowered. "He," she shakes her head at the memory, "he asked me to take a letter, he said it was for someone named Varn in Zinbar and would I take it to avoid it looking badly. He even offered me money which offended me," she finishes sitting back to watch his reaction.
"I don't understand. Why would your mother want to .. " Ranol trails off, shaking his head. Hesitantly he shifts the topic, "Did your father tell you that I spoke with him?" It's the only logical connection in all of this and the Huskarl is still very confused.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"Did my father tell me what?" she asks equally confused.
"That I spoke with him.. Why would your mother send you over with food? This doesn't make any sense, Hildis. Why were you at my home?" Ranol isn't accusing, but is trying to sort through the information.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I didn't want to be there," she sits straighter, "I couldn't understand why mother suddenly wanted to talk to Purnal," she glances at him sidelongs as if struggling not to take offense.
"Unless," she covers her mouth that drops open in unpleasant surprise.
"When did you talk to my father, Ranol? And why?" she asks and regrets instantly but the words hang in the air.
"Well.. I.. " Now it's Ranol's turn to grow uncomfortable. "So your mother didn't say why she wanted you to send the gift along to mine?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I couldn't understand why she wanted /me/ to take it since it is her friend," she answers with a touch of remembered exasperation. "But if you talked to my father," she doesn't pursue why he talked to her father, "then he told her something. So she," she closes her eyes with a sigh and real look of irritation, "ai! Mahal! parents!" and claps her hand over her mouth at how loudly she said that.
"Her friend? Your mother is friends with mine?" Ranol is starting to catch on, and tries to coax this out of Hildis as he struggles to sort through the confusing tidbits.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"So your father said, so my mother said," she answers waiting expectantly for him to stitch the pieces together.
"Okay." The huskarl scratches at his chin beneath his beard. "Bear with me, I do not keep tabs on who my mother is friends with. It's all a bit strange. So, why did you have a letter from my father, and why would he be giving anything to someone in Zinbar?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"I don't know," she wails in a whisper. "I don't know but now the authorities are saying that I knew what it was about, knew the dwarf I was to give it to, am in cohoots with your father. Your father! It is crazy, Ranol!"
Ranol moves to lean against the wall, a scowl on his face. "Speak plainly, Hildis. Please. What was in the letter? Why did he ask you to deliver it? What did he -say-?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
"What do you mean speak plainly?" she answers in a furious strangled whisper. "I told you that your father gave me a letter, sealed, mind you and asked me to take it to this Varn. And I don't know why and I didn't want to in the first place. And just what are you accusing me of," by this time she is almost nose to nose with him, red faced and angry.
"I'm sorry. I'm just .. having a hard time.. this is.. " Ranol closes his eyes for a moment. "Did my father mention my Uncle Balur at all? Or Thari?... or Nalur?" The huskarl asks in a quiet voice.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"No," she says subsiding somewhat. "He only said that your were away and I was releived because I did not want you to think that I was at your home...for any reason." Now, she closes her eyes.
"Oh.. " Ranol actually seems a bit dismayed by those words from Hildis. "I don't really know what to say to that." He says carefully, his brows drawing together. The huskarl draws back away from her slowly, since she seemingly just made her feelings so clear.
After a few moments of silence, Ranol clears his head of his emotional distress and concentrates on the situation. "Okay. So, you had no idea that this person you were supposed to deliver the letter to was trouble? Right?"
[Hildis(#23062)]
Hildis opens her eyes and scowls at him as he backs off, "What do you mean that you don't know what to say to that?" she asks in a furious whisper. "I will tell you this, I do not know why you talked to my father and I do not want to know." She glares at him, "If you think for an instant that I am interested in you, you...blown up Bundazanal! You are sadly mistaken." She takes deep breaths glancing scowls at him until she is calmed down enough to respond to this last question.
"Right," she agrees shortly.
It's as if she slapped him, the reaction on his face. The huskarl actually looks crushed for a moment, so deep is the hurt expression on his face. Why else would he be here, seeing into this problem? She is Barazin, his is not. He had no idea that anyone he knew outside of her was involved. Ranol swallows, pushing the emotion from his face and adopting a more stony expression that is usually reserved for when he is serving at Braldor's side. "I will speak with my father and ask him what he knows of this business. Will that help?" He asks in a quiet voice, the words detached.
[Hildis(#23062)]
She grabs her own beard and pulls it as she watches his face shutter closed, "I am such a hot head," she whispers. "Ranol, you are my friend and I thank you for coming here. Do not speak to your father. I believe...I believe," she says in a low voice wincing at her own words, "he lied to me. Why would he not lie to you?"
Ranol presses his lips together, no emotion betraying his face now. Her softly spoken words bring little change to his demeanor. "What do you think he lied about?" The huskarl asks, his voice still distant and formal.
[Hildis(#23062)]
"Why because he said that the letter was from your mother for friends of hers in Zinbar," she says with intensity, "and how could it have been if I was arrested for carrying it. And I am sorry if I offended you Ranol,' she says quietly contrite.
"I .." Ranol begins to say, then thinks better of it. "Let me go speak with my father and mother on this. Is there anything I can bring you?" He asks in the same polite tone, the same way he spoke to her when they first met. He moves to the door of the cell, knocking for the guard to come open it.
[Hildis(#23062)]
Close enough behind him to reach for his shoulder she raises her hand to touch him, "Ranol..." she stops herself suppressing a heartfelt sigh.
"Ranol, talk them together or better yet, before your father knows. I am so sorry to say this to you: I think he will lie."
"I think I can determine the best way to approach my own father." Ranol answers defensively, frowing as he turns back. He gives her a short bow. "I will let you know when I find out what this is about." The cell door opens then and the huskarl steps out, speaking his thanks to the guard before departing.
----------------------
It was a natural progression of events. Ranol heard about Hildis getting arrested, Ranol confirmed the rumor, Ranol cleared up his work as quickly as possible and went to visit her. This is probably not unknown to Thari as he surely asked her what she heard before going to see the Barazin. Now, the huskarl is returning to his temporary home with a dark and brooding expression on his face. He heads straight for his room, completely anti-social.
Thari enters the front door a moment or two after Ranol, her arms full of papers. She shuts the door with her elbow as she sees a dark-haired dwarf turning down the hall. "Hello Pano-- uhh, Ranol!" she says, wincing briefly at her mistake. She heads toward the stairs across the vast entryway, her shoes clicking on marble.
Ranol stops, twisting back sharply to look. "Thari.. let me help." He says, backtracking to relieve her of some of the papers with his good hand. The brooding expression doesn't leave his face, but his voice is soft and not angry.
"Oh, thank you. Just going down to my office to work for a little while. I received a note from Frarin! He is on his way home!" Thari heads toward the other stairs that lead down to the family's more private rooms where she has her own suite.
"Good." Ranol answers in a short, crisp tone. He follows her, saying nothing further as he descends the steps after her.
"Maybe he'll even be home tonight!" Thari has an easier time with her papers now that Ranol holds half of them. Her maroon skirts sweep the steps behind her. She gives her cousin a bit of an odd glance sidelong. "What's wrong?"
Ranol doesn't respond to her hopeful banter, his own thoughts heavy and distracting him fully. He doesn't answer Thari at first, doesn't even seem to have heard her. Finally he does speak, in a quiet tone. "Hildis got arrested for delivering some letter to Zinbar. She says my father put her up to it."
Thari's eyes grow round, surprised as she turns a hall toward her suite. "What? What will you do?"
"I don't know.. Confront him about it. The whole story is very confusing, and Hildis.. I probably shouldn't get any further involved. She told me that she was at my home because her mother asked her to send food over to mine. They were past friends or something." Ranol continues to follow, his steps loud on the floor.
"So you... trust your father over Hildis," Thari says neutrally. She comes to a redwood door and opens it, taking a few steps onto the polished dark blue stone floor within.
"I didn't say that.." Ranol answers, exasperated. He stands, waiting for her to enter the room before following her in. "I said I would confront him. What else should I do? Denounce my own father? You heard Braldor. He doesn't want more family feuding."
"Whatever you think is best, Ranol." Thari's office has white walls and feminine redwood against the blue marble. It isn't as large as Balur's, but it has a few chairs for guests before the desk. "I'm sure you will do what's right. You always do. Hildis is depending on you and I'm sure you know it."
"Why would you say that?" Ranol asks, moving to set the papers on the desk. "I told her I would ask my father about it, that is all." His tone is lacking it's usual compassion, and he's avoiding her gaze.
"Ranol, you're my family." Thari rounds her desk and begins straightening the papers. "And you're my friend and you're an honorable dwarf. My loyalty is to you over Hildis. If that's what your judgement tells you to do, then do it."
Ranol looks at her now, her words sinking in slowly. His gaze is sad and he doesn't acknowledge her kindness as he usually might. "I didn't even know that my father was involved when I went to see her. I couldn't figure out why she would come to my house at first because she wasn't explaining things very clearly. I thought perhaps.. " He sighs, shaking his head. "I thought it might have had something to do with my approaching her father, but when I asked her of that she grew very upset." Ranol turns, pacing the room away from Thari, "What does that tell you of my judgement? She said the last thing she wanted was for me to know that she was at my home."
"You approached her father?" Thari asks. Her eyes settle on him now, following him as he paces.
"Yes." Ranol stops, moving now to sit in the closest chair. "A week ago.. perhaps. I asked if he minded if I invited her to a dinner. He told me he would think on it and ask how she felt, and send word." He twists the end of his beard around his fingers. "So I thought maybe that was why she had visited. She was angry that I suggested as much and made her feelings.. very clear. It's foolish. I don't know why I'm worrying about -that-. I should be finding my father." He sinks back into the chair. "I don't know, though. Maybe Braldor, instead."
Thari places her hands flat on the desk and leans forward, suddenly looking very intent. "Ranol, I will not tell you what I thought that morning when Frarin came to my camp to save me from what he was certain was death. The minute he knew how he cared for me he came to rescue me, certain that I did not care for him at all."
Thari points to the side, emphatic and passionate as she continues. "Go save her! Go! This is what you should be doing! Do whatever it takes, even if it spites Braldor and your father!"
Ranol blinks, surprised. He should have expected a scolding. His brows narrow as he scowls. "You're not listening. She told me, straight to my face that she is very much -not- interested. She didn't want to know what I talked to her father about, stated very clearly that she does not like me, and informed me that I was -sadly- mistaken." His hand clenches tightly, "I will try and figure out the right thing, but you're telling me to blindly condemn my father for a woman that does not care for me!"
"Frarin told me he couldn't possibly care for me!" Thari retorts. "Frarin was horribly embarrassed I'd even brought it up! Frarin was uncomfortable around me and didn't want me around!"
"Are you daft?" Thari's voice is raising, indignant but not angry. "She's entirely too sensitive about you and gets wounded if you go two days without seeing her! She's waiting for you to fight for her!"
"What?!" Ranol likes things straightforward and he's entirely too keyed up these days to be playing these kinds of games. He put his feelings on the line and got trampled. "Thari.. where are you getting this idea from? She -told- me.. to my face!"
"I'm getting it from how she behaves," Thari says, hands on hips. "The question is-- is she worth the risk that I might be right?"
Ranol sits, speechless. Thari's logic, as brutal and twisted as it is.. is very direct. He drops his gaze to the floor, sighing quietly. "I don't know.. I think so. I mean, I wanted to see."
"Well, Frarin had to take a while to think, too." Thari drops her hands and goes to work again straightening her desk. "But try to remember that, if I'm right, there's a pretty red-bearded lass who is frightened and waiting for you, and probably isn't insane like the sort you usually attract." She gets a bit of a sly grin.
Ranol remains quiet for a long time, deep in thought. Finally he looks up at Thari, her earlier joke missed completely or disregarded. "I will speak to Braldor. That.. will be the best course. I can't remain objective." He rubs his brow, troubled. "I'll see if I can go find him right now."
The huskarl stands, some of his stress eased, it seems. He gives Thari a long look, "I hope you are right." Then turns and heads out.
"I don't know if I am or not!" Thari calls after him with a wicked laugh in her voice. "Welcome to new romance!" She seems to find this vastly amusing, continuing to chuckle after he is gone.
Players: Hildis, Ranol, Thari
Located in: Erebor
