Sullied Reputations

Eirdis is now clad in a dark emerald green dress that matches her eyes, her red hair done up a bit, so as not to get in her way. She trundles along in sturdy boots, her steps making clicking sounds on the stone as she searches for Ranol. Having spoken with Thari about Siv, her expression is almost murderous. The rumors and lies -must- stop, and she will put a stop to them, if she can, no matter what she has to do.

Ranol is heading down from the caverns where all the warriors train, his shield slung across his back and helm held loosely in one hand. His inky black hair is wet from sweat, his beard tangled and unruly. The huskarl stops halfway across the bridge, pausing to let some of the mist from the waterfall flow over him.

Eirdis blinks and squints a bit, noticing the Huskarl and quietly but quickly making her way down to the bridge. Once she gets to the edge of the stone bridge she clears her throat a bit. "I hope I'm not interrupting you, cousin, but this cannot.. No, must not wait another day." Her demeanor is uncharacteristically serious, and she wastes no time with cheerful pleasantries like she would normally.

Interupting him? Ranol is standing and letting the cloud of precipitation flow over him, doing absolutely nothing. He turns at the voice, his thick brows lifting. "Eirdis. What can I help you with?" He asks, his tone calm and mellow as he gives her a short bow.

[Eirdis(#23386)] Running her finger through her hair unconsciously, she gives a slight curtsy and a dip of her head before continuing. "I have just spoken with Thari about a matter which concerns all of us Thari, Frarin, yourself and I. This matter is the poison that-" She wrinkles her nose distastefully here, "Siv is spreading with her vicious lies and rumors. Thari told me she has spoken to you about it, but I do not think you know the severity of.. Her.. actions."

Ranol runs his hand back though his hair, letting it rest on the back of his neck for a moment before it falls to his side. The huskarl is wearing newly crafted chain mail. It was armor he commissioned upon his return to Erebor and it still shows the shine of it's recent crafting. "Okay.. let us find somewhere quieter to talk." He agrees, and begins walking toward the stairs that lead down to the Great Hall.

[Eirdis(#23386)] Walking quickly beside Ranol with a muderous expression on her face, Eirdis mutters under her breath, "If I ever get my hands on Siv I'm not sure I'll be able to let go, after what she's said and done to you.." She blinks and adds hastily, "And Thari and Frarin, of course."

[Siv(#24218)] Siv, by coincidence, is walking along minding her own business--in fact, she has a book open and she is reading it as she walks, nose buried deep into it. Seems she is headed directly for Ranol and Eirdris without seeing either.

Ranol appears to have been sparring recently, his hair and beard are damp and there's precipitation on his face. He's carrying his helm at his side as he walks with Eirdis, his face showing a general weariness that a day of hard training brings. "Eirdis, be calm. I don't know what you think she's done.. but I doubt it warrants such anger." He says quietly, not moving at nearly so quick a pace as she. In fact, it seems the Huskarl is trying to hide a trace of a limp that begins to show itself now that they're down the Great Stair.

Eirdis stops and watches as Ranol catches up to her, frowning. "You're seeking medical attention for that limp, I hope? Not in any pain, are you?" Her face goes from angry to concerned in an instant, and she walks backwards for a few steps, not noticing Siv.

[Siv(#24218)] "Oh! Afternoon!" Siv chirps, looking up justi n time to avoid a collision. "How are you both doing?" she asks quite cheerfully, closing the book. An especially warm smile is given to Ranol.

"No, no.. It's fine. It's just a pulled muscle when I was trying a foolish manuever in training." Ranol lets out a soft sigh, his blue eyes drawing to Siv as she speaks her greeting. "Hello, Siv. I'm well. How are you?" He asks, giving her a short bow. He keeps his tone calm and level as his gaze flickers to Eirdis.

Eirdis whirls around and blinks, sidestepping and moving back beside Ranol. Only after a silent pause does she realise Siv is talking to her as well. "Oh.. Ehm.. Fine." She blinks again and coughs, adding, "Thank you. And yourself, Siv?"

[Siv(#24218)] "I'm good!" Siv smiles brightly. "I was just looking up another pattern to tool into leather. I think it would make a fine design for a belt. Would you like a belt, Ranol? No charge, of course. I need to practice some, and I thought a fine belt would look good on you. Because of course, my practice projects are really quite good," she boasts. She smiles, the picture of innoncence, perhaps.

"Oh.. umm, sure. Thank you, Siv." Ranol answers, figuring a free belt is a free belt. He certainly doesn't have extra money to be throwing around these days. The armor set him back quite a bit, on top of other problems.

Eirdis seems to lighten up slightly, with the talk of such innocent things as belts and craftmanship. "A leathersmith, eh, Siv? I tried my hand at that for a bit, but I just couldn't get the knack. Healing and plants is more my forté. What with there being so few healers and all.. In fact, Thari is training me. Quite the lass, Thari is."

[Siv(#24218)] "Aye..Zinbar...known for leatherworkers," Siv says proudly. "My father really wanted his sons to do it, but well...." She frowns, not saying more on that. Then she brightens again. "What size is your waist, Ranol? I can measure...hrm...if I have a bit of string...and would you like a sword belt or just an everyday belt?" She searches in her pockets, likely for string.

"Oh, ahh.. I don't know." Ranol looks down at his waist for a moment, surveying the condition of the rather ordinary sword belt he wears. "I guess whichever you prefer?" The dwarf lifts his gaze again, looking rather uncertain.

Eirdis watches and frowns a bit. "Ah, Siv, I hate to interrupt, but Ranol and I were just about to discuss something rather important." Her green eyes flash dangerously, the dwarf lady chewing her lower lip.

[Siv(#24218)] The dangerous expression in Eirdis's eyes completely miss Siv. "Oh! of course!" she says, pulling out a length of string. "Just let me measure his waist and I'll be on my way. With that she sets her book on the ground and then approaches Ranol with the string stretched between her hands, arms wide as if she's about to hug him around the waist.

Ranol honestly has no reason to suspect ill intentions from the Zinbar and stands in a patient humoring fashion, giving Eirdis an apologetic shrug. "You know, Siv might be able to help you with some of your frustrations.." He suggests in a hesitant voice, trying to encourage Eirdis to share her problems.

Eirdis wrinkles her nose and almost loses her composure. "I'm certain Siv would deny even admitting the poison she's sown, Ranol. Surely, even though they're only rumors, Siv knows better." She smiles, sickeningly sweetly, at Siv. "Don't you, Siv?"

[Siv(#24218)] Siv stretches the string around Ranol's waist. "Hrm...no... a little lower wouldlook better for a swordbelt..." she murmurs to herself. "What's that?" she looks up suddenly. "Poison? What poison?" With that, she drops the string, then looks annoyed and starts measuring all over again.

Ranol begins to look rather like a caged animal as one woman is fussing and taking measurements while the other begins throwing accusations. Siv drops the string from measuring his midsection and the huskarl frowns at Eirdis. "What -are- you talking about?" He asks, shaking his head.

Dwarves wander to and fro in the hall. A lady descends from the stairway above carrying a wide book. Her head is held high (for a dwarf). As she reaches the floor and begins to cross toward the Bundazanul Thingstead, it can be seen that she is Thari, daughter of Balur, to those who know her.

[Siv(#24218)] As Eirdis hurries off, Siv manages to pick up the string again adn encircle her arms about Ranol's waist. "Hrm..." She looks down at the string, head tilted so that it just so happens that the top of her head touches Ranol's belly. "All right, this long, then. I think that would be good, yes."

Thari busily crosses the cavern, minding her own business, until her eyes land on Ranol with the distinctive white-blonde Siv kneeling before him. She stops at once. Her nostrils flare. She then carefully sets her huge book on the floor and marches toward the pair.

"What are you doing spreading rumors about me?" is the rageful greeting she gives, punctuated by an open-handed smack aimed for the side of Siv's head.

Thari attacks Siv with her Bare Hands and mildly wounds her!

Ranol stands still, waiting for Siv to finish her measurements with that same patient tolerance. Eirdis storms off and the huskarl sighs in small relief, glad that the potential crisis has sorted itself out. He does feel a bit ridiculous, standing amidst the Great Hall while Siv does her work, but he's not overly concerned. Thari seems almost to appear out of nowhere, her voice puncturing the air just ahead of her hand meeting Siv's head. His jaw drops and almost immediately he reaches to try and take Thari's arm. "What are you doing?!" He asks, shocked.

[Siv(#24218)] String still in hand, Siv goes flying to the floor, the attack completely unexpected. She blinks, starring up at Thari, and then rage rises to her eyes as she gets to her feet. "WHAT, in Durin's name, is wrong wtih you?" she rages, punctuating her words by waving the string at Thari. "Spreading -what- rumors about you?! I haven't mentioned your name or talked about you in I can't remember how long! Have you lost your mind? You're imagining things!"

Thari immediately reaches for Siv's head again, but her hand is stopped when her arm pushes against Ranol's hand. "You liar!" she cries. Heads are turning as she shakes herself free of Ranol. "You liar! You and your horrid lies!" She rushes at Siv, shouting, "You leave me and my family alone, do you hear me?" while trying to hit her other ear.

Thari attacks Siv with her Bare Hands and mildly wounds her!

Ranol really wasn't expecting Thari to go after Siv again, though he probably should have given his cousin's rather fiesty tendancies. The huskarl can't believe this is happening, but wastes little time stepping up to take more solid control of the situation. "Thari! Stop this now!" He demands, rushing after her to try and drag her back from behind.

[Siv(#24218)] "What?! OW!!" Siv falls off to her side again, so that the impact of Thari punching her is lessened. She scrambles to her feet again, this time hurrying to stand -behind- Ranol. "You've gone mad!" she says, looking wide-eyed at Thari and rubbing her ear and side of her head. "You're missing Frarin so badly that you've gone stark raving mad! WHY are you hitting me?! What did I say about you OR your family? The only thing I said lately was to tell Ranol I'm not interested!"

Thari's arms are grabbed by her cousin from behind and she is pulled backwards. "No! You did NOT just say that!" she shouts and starts squirming, trying to twist and follow Siv. "You liar! You-- let GO of me, Ranol!" She gives a hard jerk, trying to break the Huskarl's hold on her.

Ranol struggles to get a solid arm-lock on his cousin, speaking in anger. "Thari! Think of what you're doing and where we are!" The crowd isn't growing smaller and Siv has done nothing to fight back. "Stop this!" He demands again.

[Siv(#24218)] "Tell her, Ranol!" Siv prompts, safely behind the huskarl's back. "Tell her what I said to you the other day! I'm not lying! She's....she's ill, that's what she must be....!" One of Siv's hands comes to rest on Ranol's shoulder.

[Gimli(#30149)] "What be all this!?", comes a voice from behind the dwarves that watch as Thari, ranol, and Siv seem to have a slight... disagreement. "Be there any problems?", says the same gruff voice. "Norlin, go and fetch the... oh, no, wait... seems he's a-comin'", the voice adds. "Now them trouble-makers will be having some real problems", comes another gruff voice, and then a chuckle can be heard.

Thari struggles a moment more and then goes still as Ranol speaks, her head down. She tries to turn to face her cousin. "Ranol?" And then Siv speaks and Thari gives another jerk, baring her teeth at the other lass.

Ranol is not the one having the disagreement, he's the one trying to keep the women apart, though it may not look that way at a glance. "Siv, back up!" He says as the woman gloms onto his shoulder. When Thari stills he doesn't release her, and sure enough a moment later his cousin is trying to get at Siv. "Thari! Stop! I have no idea what these rumors are that you're talking about, but Siv is telling the truth about me and her." The voices of guards draws a wary glance from the huskarl. Maybe he can clear it all up before Thari ends up in bigger trouble.

[Siv(#24218)] "She attacked me! Unprovoked!" Siv calls out in reply to question that has been called out. "She's mad! She's accusing me of all sorts of horrible things--spreading lies or somethign, and she just used that as an excuse to start punching me! I didn't even fight back!" Siv removes her hand from Ranol's shoulder, but sh'e s not about to move away from the protection of the huskarl's back.

[Gimli(#30149)] "Alright! What's going here?", comes a commanding voice from the back of the group surrounding the trio. "Is there a problem? Come on, move on!", it continues, as the sound of shoving and a murmur comes from those around thari, Ranol, and Siv. Finally, a dwarf clad in a dark gambeson can be seen, the glint of mail on his chest, and an axe on a strap. Brown hair cascades down his back, and a long brown beard cascades down his chin, forked. Dark eyes regard those assembled, and finally they land on Ranol, who's holding Thari, and Siv, who hides behind the Huskarl. "Well... what have we here?", the son of Gloin inquires, his brow furrowed and his eyes hard.

"Are you LISTENING to her?" Thari gasps as Ranol locks on her arm. "She's trying to make people think those things about me! You just wait until Frarin gets home, Siv! I---" Suddenly her eyes go round on Gloin's son. "Durin!" she squeaks, and tries to bow before Gimli despite how Ranol has her caught.

"Siv! Quiet." Ranol says in a hard voice, unable to turn to look at her, but he tries to drag Thari further away from the leatherworker. Gimli pushes his way through the crowd and the huskarl suppresses a groan. "Lord Gimli, it's only a misunderstanding. There shouldn't be any more trouble." Ranol tries to diffuse things, releasing Thari's arm with one hand and reaching to clamp that hand over her mouth.

[Siv(#24218)] "Lord Gimli!" Siv gushes, her words overriding Ranol's suggestion and attempt to calm things. "By the Maker! This woman came up to me and punch me in the head twice, when I was standing here minding my own business. She's accusing me of all sorts of things. Saying things about her, when I swear I haven't said anything about her in ...weeks! I never say anything about _her_ in fact! I've been talking to Ranol and the fact that we had wanted to get married! What does that have to do with Thari?!" Her voices gradually rises in excitement.

[Formin(#31050)] One in the crowd of interested dwarves might be familiar to Thari, and to Ranol, and perhaps even to Siv, though that is more unlikely. He is Formin, first cousin of Frarin, currently clad in a light tunic and heavy smithying apron, both of which are newly stained as if the silversmith had come hurrying from his forge. Indeed, his knee-length beard is still slung over one shoulder and he holds still a short pair of tongs.

But besides the expected interest in his expression, Formin looks almost amused rather than alarmed or concerned. His one good-eye is twinkling with intrique and there is the hint of a smile as he cranes to see over the heads of the dwarves in front of him. And at Siv's shout of defense, the old silversmith positively beams to himself.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes go wide again as Ranol clamps a hand over her mouth, but she doesn't resist him now. And then her eyes narrow to hatred as Siv speaks. And widen again upon alighting upon a familiar silversmith, brows lifting emploringly. She reaches up and tries to pry Ranol's hand away.

Ranol tries to keep his hand firmly in place over her mouth as he leans in to whisper harshly in her ear, sounding as angry as he did the day she called his father an idiot. "You need to settle down before you end up in jail! Your father will use this as a direct example of Frarin's influence on you, and he's looking for excuses these days." Maybe he's right, maybe he's not, but at least it might give her something to think about. He slowly pulls his hand away, shifting it to her arm again.

[Gimli(#30149)] "Well... explain", says the Champion of the Baruk Narag, as his dark eyes go from Thari, to Ranol, to Siv, then back to Thari. "What is this I hear from lies, and of punching? You know the law about that, don't you?"

[Siv(#24218)] "I don't know from lies, sir," Siv answers, voice calm now. "Thari came down the stairs, said I was spreading lies about her and then punched me. Twice. If I'm spreading lies about her, I don't know it--it certainly wasn't intentional. Why would I possibly want to say nasty thigns about Thari? She's never done anythign at all to hurt me, and I'm confused why she was so angry as to hit me." Her piece said, Siv steps back a pace, hands folded in front of her to listen.

[Formin(#31050)] Within the crowd and still craning over the heads of his comrads, Formin's blue eyes alight on Thari at precisely the moment hers find him, and he lifts his brows at the healer. There is still a hint of a smile eeking its way into his beard, but that does not prevent him from promptly beginning to navigate his way through the crowd. The tongs come up, gently pushing the crowd aside until the old silversmith stands right at the edge of curious spectators. With especial flourish, he bows low to Gimli, so much so that his beard falls from his shoulder and sweeps the ground.

"My Lord Gimli, if I may be so bold, whatever the case is here that has proved so very intriguing for those here assembled, which must be close to the whole of the mountain, if this is to be a matter of law, perhaps it should be taken away from so many curious onlookers?" Several dark glances are shot his way as he attempts to spoil the fun, but Formin is fair beaming still, especially in Thari's direction. Siv is hardly acknowledged.

[Thari(#31038)]
Thari bows again to Gimli and tries to straighten as dignified as possible with someone holding onto her arms. Her face only hardens a little as Siv speaks. "I apologize, my lord, for contributing to a disturbance. I did not punch her, I only slapped her-- another one of her lies-- and it was for the lies she spreads about myself and my family." Something like hope softens her face as the one-eyed Formin bows, but her gaze goes straight back to Gimli.

Ranol finally relinqueshes his hold on Thari, only moving one hand to rest on her shoulder instead. He bows deeply to Gimli now as well, then straightens and picks his words carefully. "Lord Gimli, I agree with Formin here.. might we move somewhere less public to further discuss this?" The huskarl is looking around at the gathered crowd, a concerned expression on his face.

[Gimli(#30149)] "Well, this is no good", Gimli says, after listening to Siv and Thari. "I do not like people slapping others in public, but I like even less those spreading lies about their cousins", he adds, as he turns a dour eye to both Thari and Siv. "Lads!", he calls, and four armed Narags appear among the multitude, making their way towards their leader. "It seems we might have to escort these fine ladies to sort all this out. And let Thanes Bundazanul and Zinbar come, for they shall be present", he adds. He then turns to watch the trio attentively, specially the two women. "Unles, of course, the ladies mind their ways, and we can all go in peace?"

[Siv(#24218)] Siv huffs slightly, though it's in a guarded sort of way as the four armed dwarves that have approach more than temper her anger. "I did not spread lies about Thari--at least not knowingly. And while I have no wish to break the peace, I, for one, would like to hear exactly what it is she is accusing me of. I can't remember the last time I said anything about Thari, Lord Gimli. As for saying punched instead of slapped, well...I didn't see -how- she hit me. I just felt its effects."

[Thari(#31038)]
"I will of course keep the peace," Thari shifts a little as Ranol releases her, then steps a bit closer to him even as he places a hand on her shoulder. She completely ignores Siv. "And I'll go to her Thane in the future if I need to."


[Formin(#31050)] Formin gently clears his throat, eyes flicking between Gimli and the other three as his face very gradually begins to acquire a pinched look, the supposed amusement just starting to fade. The look increases as Gimli orders four armed guards to approach Thari and Siv. Blinking in an entirely politely sort of manner, with his hands behind his back, the old silversmith allows his gaze to travel about him, as if expecting his mere suggestion of removing to a more private place to have encouraged those gathered to dissipate. It, of course, has not.

"Move off, you lot!" Formin abruptly growls at the assembly, rounding on those behind him and brandishing his tongs. His amusement is gone. "My lord," he says, returning his attention to Gimli with the same politeness. "I doubt either one of these fine ladies requires an armed escort to a place of privacy, sir." He says it as if the idea of arrest had not even occurred to him, that the four Narag were mere bodyguards.

[Siv(#24218)] Thari's words are apparently too much for Siv, now. "My Thane! MY Thane? Whatever for!" she snaps back at the woman. "By the Maker, _what_ did I do to you? _What_ did I say about you?! My Lord," she glances at Gimli, but her temper is on fire and even the guards and the presence of Gimli there isn't enough to subdue her ire, "I would have this out here and now. How am I supposed to know what is upsetting her so if she doesn't tell me? If I've given offense, how am I to make ammends, correct a misunderstanding or even apologize if I have NO idea what she is talking about! Going to my Thane!!" Her hands ball into fists.

Ranol gently squeezes Thari's shoulder, a silent sign, though there's not elaboration on what it is meant to convey. Ranol looks at Gimli and bows again, "My lord, it seems that things have calmed, and .. " The Huskarl of Bundazanul trails off at Siv's outburst, a direct contradiction to his statement. He frowns, "Siv.. Please. I'm sure if you'll let me talk to Thari and you both we can sort this all out without involving half of the city." While his words are sensible, reasonable, there's an edge of anger creeping into his voice and his eyes are reflecting his growing irritation as well.

[Gimli(#30149)] "Well Huskarl", Gimli replies, his dark eyes fixing on Ranol, "it seems the ladies do need someone to look after them right now. It seems to me", he adds, his brow furrowing once more as his gaze shifts to Thari and Siv, "that is they do not behave as it's expected, then regretfully we'll have to make sure that order is restored. Am I making myself clear?"

[Thari(#31038)]
"Siv, bite your tongue," Thari growls. "I'm not about to repeat your filthy lies in front of everyone."

Despite this filthy comment she nods earnestly at Gimli.

Some of the crowd, many of them, listen to Formin and begin to move off. But not all of them.

[Formin(#31050)] "My Lord Gimli," Formin says, an edge to his voice now despite his polite smile. "I don't see that Thari is acting at all out of hand at the moment. Indeed, I believe she has just now asserted that she will keep the pace and bring further such matters before the appropriate authorities. It is Mistress Siv here, I believe, who is allowing her temper to have the better of her." This is accompanied by a thoroughly unamused, dryly polite smile towards Siv.

He moves away from the circle of onlookers now, coming towards Thari and smiling warmly at her. He waves and makes a collective shooing gesture. "Well, let's not stand here and fuel whatever vicious rumours there are going about any longer, shall we? The gossip of this mountain is most intolerable, don't you think?"

[Siv(#24218)] Siv turns to Gimli now, folding her arms across her chest. "I have not lifted a finger against her, nor will I. However, she has accused me in a very public manner of doing something of which I am innocent. She has smeared my reputation publically and attacked me physically. I will not disrupt the peace over this, but I will see to it that justice is done and my reputation cleared. I will be seeing her Thane, in fact."

Ranol nods solemnly to Gimli even as he squeezes his fingers down on Thari's shoulder more tightly, Siv's words drawing the huskarl's attention again. "Siv, I am asking you very politely to let us settle this amongst ourselves, as a -friend-." None of his usual laid-back friendliness is in his tone now, and Ranol may well be hurting Thari with how hard he's gripping her shoulder.

"YOUR reputation?" Thari whispers indignantly, but even this small sound dies off from Balur's daughter. She seems to be very faintly cringing away from Ranol's hand.

[Formin(#31050)] "For Durin's sake," Formin pleads gruffly, looking between the two women. "Will you two desist? By the Maker! There is some wrong done here and it will be addressed, but stop spitting at one another else you encourage a whole of new gossip to spread. If you are so concerned with your reputations, then kindly hold your tongues!"

[Siv(#24218)] "Three days, Ranol. I give you three days to work this out, nad after that I am going to her Thane. And if _she_ goes to Thane Ovor before then, well, then, so will I." She glares back at Thari, turning on her heels to leave, if Gimli would permit it.

As soon as Siv is leaving the huskarl relinquishes his digging grip on Thari. He doesn't respond to her, but instead looks towards Gimli again, "Lord Gimli, I will be happy to look after this, and will report to you when all has been settled." He says, then adds after a quick bow, "I'll speak with Thane Braldor, of course, and Thane Ovor as well." He gives Thari a small nudge in the direction of the Bundazanul Arch, pleading silently to the Maker that she'll not go after Siv instead.

Thari colors a bit as Formin scolds, her eyes dropping away from the old silversmith. She meets Siv glare for glare. She starts toward the Bundazanul Thingstead when Ranol shoves her but pauses long enough to bow deeply before Gimli. And then she is walking where Ranol bade her to go.

 

[Formin(#31050)] Formin is again clasping his hands behind him, smiling in a good-natured sort of way as first Siv, then Thari, depart the hall. The onlookers look vastly disappointed. "Go on, be gone, the lot of you!" Rounding again on the crowd, he waves them off, and with the prospect of good entertainment quickly dissolving, they disperse more easily this time. With another flourishing bow to Gimli, Formin departs as well. Though before he goes, he looks after Thari with a keen look, perhaps suggesting his attitude was not all one of fun and games. But then he is gone, returned to his forge.

 

[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli looks as both Siv and Thari go off their separate ways, then turns and nods to Ranol. "No need to report back, Huskarl", he says, some humor seeping into his voice now, "but I'd definitely let Thanes Bundazanul and Zinbar know about this. We don't want those angry women filling their ears with their complaints, and not let the Thanes be properly prepared", he adds with a chuckle. "Well lads", he adds, turning to the Narag, "our job here is done. Go back to your duties!"

 

Ranol sighs in relief as the dwarf lord seems to be letting it all go. "Aye, my lord. Thank you." The huskarl isn't smiling since he knows he has quite the headache ahead, but he sounds appreciative. "Have a good day, Lord Gimli." Another bow and the huskarl is turning away to move on as well.