Elendor
The Thane Gets Some Answers
Lord Braldor gets some answers from Ranol and Thari.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: Ranol wouldn't have thought anything strange of Braldor's summons, except for the fact that Thari was also requested. That doesn't bode well. He tracks down his cousin in Balur's large estate, then walks with her to the Thane's chambers, knocking solidly at the door.
Thari stands beside Ranol, well-dressed as usual. She looks up furtively to her cousin with a worried expression.
[Braldor(#30149)] The door is opened by a young dwarf, who bades both Thari and Ranol to come in. Braldor is sitting behind his desk, as usual, with a stack of rolled scrolls in front of him. He looks up as the door is opened, and his brow furrows as those he has requested come in. "Ah, good to see ye, cousins", he says, as he stands and goes around his desk. "Come, have a seat... something to drink, perhaps?", he adds, looking at both of them.
"No thank you, Lord Braldor." Ranol says as he walks in, bowing as he always does before moving to sit down.
Thari shakes her head as Ranol declines the drink. She bows, too, before the Thane, low enough that her beard would have swept the floor were it now still short from the shaving months ago. "Is everything well, Braldor?" she asks as she approaches him.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor dismisses the young dwarf, and waits until the door closes behind him before addressing Thari's question. "Everything /was/ alright", he says, eyeing both Thari and Ranol, "until I had a couple of visits. Ye should know my visitors quite well, for they were no others than yer parents, Ranor and Balur", he adds, as he scowls. "It seems some family feud seems to be spreading into the clan, and I will not have that, and thus I have summoned both of ye here, to clear matters once and for all".
Ranol looks tired. He has heavy shadows under his eyes from restless nights. His injuries are healing well enough. His left arm is still in a cast and sling, but otherwise he seems to be doing well. Emotionally, though, the stress of the clan feud added to the problems of his personal is starting to weight on the huskarl. Braldor's words cause Ranol to sigh softly, and he speaks quietly. "I can talk to my father.. "
Thari looks between Braldor and Ranol. She herself has a few scratches across her face but doesn't appear to be in the bad, tired shape that her cousin seems to be in. "I'm not typically one to be giving my father advice," she says doubtfully, "But if you want me to talk to him, Braldor, I will."
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nay", Braldor replies, shaking his head, "I do not want ye to talk to either of them, but to talk to /me/", he says, stressing the last word. "What is this that happens between Ranor and balur? And there are some outrageous stories coming from that, that will definitely WON'T help us with Zinbar, as things are. So", he adds, his eyes now going to the Huskarl, "why are ye living now with yer uncle? And I want the truth on this", he warns.
Ranol frowns, his fingers picking at the arm of the chair as he thinks about how to make a direct answer to Braldor's question. "My father and I have been fighting for a long time now, since before we left on the trip. I would have moved out a while ago but I wasn't home much and my mother was happier with us all together. This recent.. trouble.. between my father and Thari's has stirred things up too much. It's more comfortable in her home."
[Braldor(#30149)] "I wish to know more about this strain ye have with yer father, Ranol", the Thane says, his eyes not leaving the Huskarl. "Is it because of his previous debts?", he asks.
"I haven't really known anything about it until just the other day," Thari says softly. She selects a chair not far from Ranol and slowly sits down as if in some lingering pain. "My father and brothers haven't told me anything. I didn't even know something happened with Uncle Ranor until Ranol told me just recently." She falls silent then and looks between the two men, listening.
Ranol appears decidedly uncomfortable about this, taking a careful measured breath. He doesn't like his personal business interfering with his work and even less does he enjoy speaking of his father's money problems. "Aye, some of it. He doesn't like the decisions I made.. and that I did not consult with him. He felt that I interfered with his business and has never .. forgiven that. He also hates the friendship Thari and I have." Ranol gives her an apologetic glance.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I see", Braldor replies, and after a moment of silent thought, he nods to the Huskarl. "So, and I will ask plainly now, ye and yer sister have moved to Balur's house because ye couldn't stand living at home? is this so?".
Thari's brows draw together and lift as Ranol mentions their friendship. "Honestly?" she whispers. "I didn't know!"
"For the most part. Panor doesn't fight with him, but she has been miserable, I think. I'm going to see if there's somewhere her and I can stay on our own. We can never repair the relationship with my father as long as we're staying at my uncle's home." Ranol frowns, "After his temper cools. He's too angry right now."
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is well", Braldor replies. "I would've wishes ye came to me with this trouble, Ranol, and I could've provided a solution that, perhaps, would not have angered yer father thus", he says. "I shall order quarters made ready for ye and yer sister... ye can stay there for as long as ye need", he adds, with a benevolent smile to the Huskarl.
Turning to Thari, Braldor's smile disappears. "As for ye, Thari", he says, "I have summoned ye since some quite unwelcome gossip has reached my ears, and I will have ye swear by Mahal himself that yen will tell me the truth on this matter", he adds, seriously.
"I wish you could stay with us, Ranol," Thari tells her cousin, leaning forward a bit with hands folded in her lap. "Panor's quite the sweet lass and I'll never get to see you both!"
She falls silent then as Braldor speaks and turns her grey eyes to him. She starts to look a little worried, a line drawing between her brows. "Yes?" she says. "I'll, I'll tell you the truth."
"Thank you, my lord. I appreciate it." Ranol doesn't want to be indebted to Braldor anymore than he does to his uncle, but at least he can find ways to make it up to the thane through his work efforts. Plus, the longer his sister is in Balur's home, the more difficult it will prove to pry her away. He's already going to get an earful and it's been less than a week.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What I am about to say must not leave this office, and ye both wil swear that it won't be repeated, not will any of ye take any action on this. is it clear?", Braldor asks, eyeing both Thari and Ranol sternly.
Thari's hands grip tightly around each other, face tightening with worry. She looks to Ranol for a long moment as if trying to understand what is happening. But then her eyes go back to Braldor, studying her old friend. Finally she nods. "If you think I oughtn't say anything, I won't, Braldor. I wish I knew what it was before I started making promises, but I'll trust you."
Ranol nods slowly, confusion on his face. He meets Thari's gaze with equal incomprehension, obviously not holding out on knowledge of any new rumors. His mind wanders to Siv, the topic of gossip always linked to her these days. "Aye, Thane."
[Braldor(#30149)] "Good", Braldor says, nodding to both. "Thari, what I've heard involves ye... very much so. I'll be direct, as I trust ye enough not to go beating 'round the bush", he adds, as his dark eyes regard Thari intensely. "Is it true ye're pregnant?"
Thari's eyes fly wide at the question. She stands, hands both pressing to her mouth and her skin going bright red. "/Braldor/!" she gasps through her fingers in utter shock. "I'm, I'm not married! I've never, I--" She turns an even deeper red. "I've never been with a man! How-- how can you even /ask/ such a thing, Braldor?"
Ranol stares at Braldor for a moment, shocked at the question. Then he hurridly looks to Thari, concern on his face. Her reaction is better than he had hoped. Embarrassment is preferable to anger, but it's still early. He looks back at the thane. "Did Siv spread that?" He demands, a deep scowl on his face.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I had to ask, because I needed to be certain", Braldor replies to Thari, his tone even. "The accusation is too serious for not checking the facts completely, before acting. If I have angered ye, daugher of balur, I ask yer forgiveness, but the situation is grave enough to warrant that the question was asked", he adds, standing and bowing low to Thari. He sits again, and now the scowl that was on his face almost disappears. "Now that I have checked that what I thought was right", he adds, his eyes not leaving Thari, "I thank ye for yer time, and for yer truthfulness. I will also thank ye to remember not to tell a single soul about this ocnversation, nor to act upon it. /I/ shall deal with this situation... personally".
Thari's eyes are on Braldor's and those grey eyes are filling up with tears. She nods for him as he bows, nods again as he implies that he already believed her innocence, but she sniffs hard once or twice. Abruptly she turns her back on the Thane, shoulders hunched. Ranol, who might still be able to see her face, would see her eyes squeeze shut and a couple of silent tears run down her red face into her beard.
"Thari.. It's just a stupid rumor. No one would believe that. Not for anything." Ranol speaks softly, reaching to rest his hand on her arm. "Siv isn't right in the head.. we both know this." He glances over to the Thane, "Is that everything, Lord Braldor?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "That will be all", Braldor replies, nodding again. "Huskarl, escort Thari to her quarters. I shall let ye khnow when yers are available. Thari", he adds, and then he puts his hand on her shoulder delicstely, "I'm really sorry if my words have brought any pain to ye. It has pained me very much to say them, and wouldn't have done so if not needed... I wish ye could believe that", he adds, and then removes his hand from her shoulder.
Thari nods quickly once for Ranol, and again for Braldor, her fingers moving subtly up to wipe beneath her eyes. Her shoulders shift. There is a small twitch which says clearly but silently in Iglishmek, 'I'm fine.'
She takes a deep breath and lifts her head. "Yes, yes," she says briskly, turning about again but not meeting Braldor's eye. "I'm being completely silly. Nobody would believe such a thing anyway. It's not even logically possibly unless, unless someone it's suggesting it's someone besides Frarin--" The frank and calm tone of her voice wavers a bit. "He's been gone for months and all. Anyway!" She looks to the side as if there is something terribly interesting about the wall of the Thane's office.
Ranol stands, nodding at Braldor's words of a place to stay. His attention is obviously more on Thari than living arrangements right now. He gives his thane a bow, then moves towards the door, waiting for Thari. "You're right. It's nonsense." He agrees.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nonsense it is... and the one trying to spread it will rue the day he was born... that I promise to ye", Braldor says, as he goes back to his desk. "Now, Ranol, please make sure Thari goes back to her father... I have business to attend to... and accounts to settle", he adds, as his eyes begin to smoulder.
Thari follows after Ranol, but pauses, looking back to the Thane Bundazanul. "Thank you, Braldor," she says quietly, even dipping a brief curtsy to him instead of bowing. She then goes to the door and opens it, glancing at her cousin.
Ranol looks over at Braldor with a sharp glance, his black brows lifting in surprise when the thane says 'he'. The huskarl frowns faintly, trying to fathom who it could have been if it wasn't Siv. Probably that annoying advisor of Ovor's. He doesn't press it, trusting the thane to keep the business as concise as possible. Ranol gestures Thari out, and pulls the door closed behind them.
Thari stands beside Ranol, well-dressed as usual. She looks up furtively to her cousin with a worried expression.
[Braldor(#30149)] The door is opened by a young dwarf, who bades both Thari and Ranol to come in. Braldor is sitting behind his desk, as usual, with a stack of rolled scrolls in front of him. He looks up as the door is opened, and his brow furrows as those he has requested come in. "Ah, good to see ye, cousins", he says, as he stands and goes around his desk. "Come, have a seat... something to drink, perhaps?", he adds, looking at both of them.
"No thank you, Lord Braldor." Ranol says as he walks in, bowing as he always does before moving to sit down.
Thari shakes her head as Ranol declines the drink. She bows, too, before the Thane, low enough that her beard would have swept the floor were it now still short from the shaving months ago. "Is everything well, Braldor?" she asks as she approaches him.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor dismisses the young dwarf, and waits until the door closes behind him before addressing Thari's question. "Everything /was/ alright", he says, eyeing both Thari and Ranol, "until I had a couple of visits. Ye should know my visitors quite well, for they were no others than yer parents, Ranor and Balur", he adds, as he scowls. "It seems some family feud seems to be spreading into the clan, and I will not have that, and thus I have summoned both of ye here, to clear matters once and for all".
Ranol looks tired. He has heavy shadows under his eyes from restless nights. His injuries are healing well enough. His left arm is still in a cast and sling, but otherwise he seems to be doing well. Emotionally, though, the stress of the clan feud added to the problems of his personal is starting to weight on the huskarl. Braldor's words cause Ranol to sigh softly, and he speaks quietly. "I can talk to my father.. "
Thari looks between Braldor and Ranol. She herself has a few scratches across her face but doesn't appear to be in the bad, tired shape that her cousin seems to be in. "I'm not typically one to be giving my father advice," she says doubtfully, "But if you want me to talk to him, Braldor, I will."
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nay", Braldor replies, shaking his head, "I do not want ye to talk to either of them, but to talk to /me/", he says, stressing the last word. "What is this that happens between Ranor and balur? And there are some outrageous stories coming from that, that will definitely WON'T help us with Zinbar, as things are. So", he adds, his eyes now going to the Huskarl, "why are ye living now with yer uncle? And I want the truth on this", he warns.
Ranol frowns, his fingers picking at the arm of the chair as he thinks about how to make a direct answer to Braldor's question. "My father and I have been fighting for a long time now, since before we left on the trip. I would have moved out a while ago but I wasn't home much and my mother was happier with us all together. This recent.. trouble.. between my father and Thari's has stirred things up too much. It's more comfortable in her home."
[Braldor(#30149)] "I wish to know more about this strain ye have with yer father, Ranol", the Thane says, his eyes not leaving the Huskarl. "Is it because of his previous debts?", he asks.
"I haven't really known anything about it until just the other day," Thari says softly. She selects a chair not far from Ranol and slowly sits down as if in some lingering pain. "My father and brothers haven't told me anything. I didn't even know something happened with Uncle Ranor until Ranol told me just recently." She falls silent then and looks between the two men, listening.
Ranol appears decidedly uncomfortable about this, taking a careful measured breath. He doesn't like his personal business interfering with his work and even less does he enjoy speaking of his father's money problems. "Aye, some of it. He doesn't like the decisions I made.. and that I did not consult with him. He felt that I interfered with his business and has never .. forgiven that. He also hates the friendship Thari and I have." Ranol gives her an apologetic glance.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I see", Braldor replies, and after a moment of silent thought, he nods to the Huskarl. "So, and I will ask plainly now, ye and yer sister have moved to Balur's house because ye couldn't stand living at home? is this so?".
Thari's brows draw together and lift as Ranol mentions their friendship. "Honestly?" she whispers. "I didn't know!"
"For the most part. Panor doesn't fight with him, but she has been miserable, I think. I'm going to see if there's somewhere her and I can stay on our own. We can never repair the relationship with my father as long as we're staying at my uncle's home." Ranol frowns, "After his temper cools. He's too angry right now."
[Braldor(#30149)] "That is well", Braldor replies. "I would've wishes ye came to me with this trouble, Ranol, and I could've provided a solution that, perhaps, would not have angered yer father thus", he says. "I shall order quarters made ready for ye and yer sister... ye can stay there for as long as ye need", he adds, with a benevolent smile to the Huskarl.
Turning to Thari, Braldor's smile disappears. "As for ye, Thari", he says, "I have summoned ye since some quite unwelcome gossip has reached my ears, and I will have ye swear by Mahal himself that yen will tell me the truth on this matter", he adds, seriously.
"I wish you could stay with us, Ranol," Thari tells her cousin, leaning forward a bit with hands folded in her lap. "Panor's quite the sweet lass and I'll never get to see you both!"
She falls silent then as Braldor speaks and turns her grey eyes to him. She starts to look a little worried, a line drawing between her brows. "Yes?" she says. "I'll, I'll tell you the truth."
"Thank you, my lord. I appreciate it." Ranol doesn't want to be indebted to Braldor anymore than he does to his uncle, but at least he can find ways to make it up to the thane through his work efforts. Plus, the longer his sister is in Balur's home, the more difficult it will prove to pry her away. He's already going to get an earful and it's been less than a week.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What I am about to say must not leave this office, and ye both wil swear that it won't be repeated, not will any of ye take any action on this. is it clear?", Braldor asks, eyeing both Thari and Ranol sternly.
Thari's hands grip tightly around each other, face tightening with worry. She looks to Ranol for a long moment as if trying to understand what is happening. But then her eyes go back to Braldor, studying her old friend. Finally she nods. "If you think I oughtn't say anything, I won't, Braldor. I wish I knew what it was before I started making promises, but I'll trust you."
Ranol nods slowly, confusion on his face. He meets Thari's gaze with equal incomprehension, obviously not holding out on knowledge of any new rumors. His mind wanders to Siv, the topic of gossip always linked to her these days. "Aye, Thane."
[Braldor(#30149)] "Good", Braldor says, nodding to both. "Thari, what I've heard involves ye... very much so. I'll be direct, as I trust ye enough not to go beating 'round the bush", he adds, as his dark eyes regard Thari intensely. "Is it true ye're pregnant?"
Thari's eyes fly wide at the question. She stands, hands both pressing to her mouth and her skin going bright red. "/Braldor/!" she gasps through her fingers in utter shock. "I'm, I'm not married! I've never, I--" She turns an even deeper red. "I've never been with a man! How-- how can you even /ask/ such a thing, Braldor?"
Ranol stares at Braldor for a moment, shocked at the question. Then he hurridly looks to Thari, concern on his face. Her reaction is better than he had hoped. Embarrassment is preferable to anger, but it's still early. He looks back at the thane. "Did Siv spread that?" He demands, a deep scowl on his face.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I had to ask, because I needed to be certain", Braldor replies to Thari, his tone even. "The accusation is too serious for not checking the facts completely, before acting. If I have angered ye, daugher of balur, I ask yer forgiveness, but the situation is grave enough to warrant that the question was asked", he adds, standing and bowing low to Thari. He sits again, and now the scowl that was on his face almost disappears. "Now that I have checked that what I thought was right", he adds, his eyes not leaving Thari, "I thank ye for yer time, and for yer truthfulness. I will also thank ye to remember not to tell a single soul about this ocnversation, nor to act upon it. /I/ shall deal with this situation... personally".
Thari's eyes are on Braldor's and those grey eyes are filling up with tears. She nods for him as he bows, nods again as he implies that he already believed her innocence, but she sniffs hard once or twice. Abruptly she turns her back on the Thane, shoulders hunched. Ranol, who might still be able to see her face, would see her eyes squeeze shut and a couple of silent tears run down her red face into her beard.
"Thari.. It's just a stupid rumor. No one would believe that. Not for anything." Ranol speaks softly, reaching to rest his hand on her arm. "Siv isn't right in the head.. we both know this." He glances over to the Thane, "Is that everything, Lord Braldor?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "That will be all", Braldor replies, nodding again. "Huskarl, escort Thari to her quarters. I shall let ye khnow when yers are available. Thari", he adds, and then he puts his hand on her shoulder delicstely, "I'm really sorry if my words have brought any pain to ye. It has pained me very much to say them, and wouldn't have done so if not needed... I wish ye could believe that", he adds, and then removes his hand from her shoulder.
Thari nods quickly once for Ranol, and again for Braldor, her fingers moving subtly up to wipe beneath her eyes. Her shoulders shift. There is a small twitch which says clearly but silently in Iglishmek, 'I'm fine.'
She takes a deep breath and lifts her head. "Yes, yes," she says briskly, turning about again but not meeting Braldor's eye. "I'm being completely silly. Nobody would believe such a thing anyway. It's not even logically possibly unless, unless someone it's suggesting it's someone besides Frarin--" The frank and calm tone of her voice wavers a bit. "He's been gone for months and all. Anyway!" She looks to the side as if there is something terribly interesting about the wall of the Thane's office.
Ranol stands, nodding at Braldor's words of a place to stay. His attention is obviously more on Thari than living arrangements right now. He gives his thane a bow, then moves towards the door, waiting for Thari. "You're right. It's nonsense." He agrees.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Nonsense it is... and the one trying to spread it will rue the day he was born... that I promise to ye", Braldor says, as he goes back to his desk. "Now, Ranol, please make sure Thari goes back to her father... I have business to attend to... and accounts to settle", he adds, as his eyes begin to smoulder.
Thari follows after Ranol, but pauses, looking back to the Thane Bundazanul. "Thank you, Braldor," she says quietly, even dipping a brief curtsy to him instead of bowing. She then goes to the door and opens it, glancing at her cousin.
Ranol looks over at Braldor with a sharp glance, his black brows lifting in surprise when the thane says 'he'. The huskarl frowns faintly, trying to fathom who it could have been if it wasn't Siv. Probably that annoying advisor of Ovor's. He doesn't press it, trusting the thane to keep the business as concise as possible. Ranol gestures Thari out, and pulls the door closed behind them.
Players: Braldor, Thari, Ranol
Located in: Erebor
