Elendor
Ranol Meets with Balur
Ranol goes to visit his uncle Balur and asks for help.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: The home of Balur son of Bolur is fairly set back from the rest of the clan. The stairs are wide as they raise, then turn once to give a bit of privacy and end at a pair of thick wooden double doors hung with square brass knockers.
It is still early enough in the morning, but by now more dwarves have awoken and there is more activity in the Thingstead itself. The melody of deep voices mingles in the background.
Ranol has taken time to bathe and get some clean clothes. He spoke with Braldor before he left, and ended up getting the afternoon off, so he's unarmed. He has a folder full of papers and lifts his free hand to knock at the door.
A little bit of time passes before the door opens. It is Balur himself. As usual, the dwarf bears a striking resemblance to his daughter, but masculine. He has probably also noticably aged since the last time he met Ranol, with white hairs sprouting now from the corners of his mouth and mingling with his beard.
"Ranol!" he says, welcoming. He moves back to allow Ranol room to enter and bows before him. "It has been too long since we have met, nephew."
Ranol seems perhaps a bit surprised. He hadn't anticipated such a warm welcome, but it brings a smile to his face. He offers a deep bow in return, then steps inside. "Yes, uncle." He's quiet for a moment, glancing around at the decor of the home, then looks back towards Balur, "I appreciate that you're taking time to speak with me on such short notice."
Balur's entryway is meant to impress, with the white marble and the discreet furnishings in dark wood. Voices echo. "Well, Thari caught me before a meeting and we spoke. Thank you for looking after her while you were gone. I'm glad she had a relative nearby." He shuts the door to the home and gestures toward a nearby parlor.
Ranol definitely seems impressed, and he's been here before. His blue eyes are constantly drawn towards the subtle embellishments, but when Balur gestures to the room, the huskarl moves that way. "I did my best when I was able. Luckily, she had others to watch out for her as well." He toys with the folder as he stands in the parlour, gaze wandering again as nervousness returns.
"Mmm. Yes. It's been mentioned that you think well of that Frarin fellow." Balur's voice lowers a bit, becomes a touch less friendly. He enters the parlour and the clicking of his heels ends in the soft carpeting. A low fire is burned in the hearth-- this room only seems small in comparison to the enormous entryway-- and couches arranged in a half-circle await before it. "Would you like something to drink? And how can I be of help to you?"
"We have become good friends." Ranol says simply, not pressing the issue just now. "No, thank you." The huskarl becomes quiet again, planning his words out carefully. "I was hoping you could give me some advice on some financial things." His expression is guarded, his eyes wary that Balur might flat-out refuse. He continues to quietly fidget with the folder of papers, clearly ill at ease.
"Yes? Thari said something like that." Balur rounds the couch and seats himself. He leans forward toward the low, round and generous table before the circular couch. "Show me what you have, now."
Ranol runs his hand through his hair, then after Balur sits he moves to take a seat as well. He holds the folder out to his uncle. "The first paper is my earnings, minus what Braldor takes out for the payments I make." The parchment lists as much, along with a summary of his current savings, which is rather low since he commissioned some new armor. "The rest are figures I've collected around town over the last couple of weeks. They're tabs and debts my father has accrued in the last year or so, with what records I could find of what payments he's made." Most are bars small personal debts that Ranor has racked up. Alone they're not much, but the stack of papers is painfully thick.
Ranol takes a breath, then continues, "He doesn't know that I've gathered all of this. I feel guilty for sneaking around, but he's getting in very deep again and it's almost as bad as it was a few years ago. I don't make enough to cover it all, but.. I thought maybe you would have some ideas of solid, reliable investments. Even if it's long-term, I think maybe it could help."
"Mmm." Balur lifts his chin as he looks over the papers. He listens quietly while spreading them out. He says nothing while reading through the stack of papers listing Ranor's debts.
At last he sets everything down and leans back with a sigh. "The solution you are proposing is temporary," he says in a kindly tone, "For the debts will continue to mount. We need to try to find some sort of a permenant solution to stop the debts. What has your mother to say about this situation?"
"She won't talk to me about it, only says not to worry of it. She stretches the money as far as she can, but things are tight and my father doesn't seem to care much." Ranol seems to be relaxing now that his uncle hasn't blatantly chased him out, and seems willing to look at the situation. "I don't want things to grow as bad as they did before. My brother and sister are miserable and they're not old enough to strike out on their own. Maybe my sister could marry, but my brother.. " The huskarl shakes his head. "I don't know of a permanent solution that would allow my father to keep any sense of pride."
Balur takes a deep breath through his nose and leans his forearms on knees while nodding his head and looking down at the papers. At last his eyes lift to Ranol.
"Look, lad," he says in a very kindly voice, as a loving father might use. "I don't know how to say this so that you will take it well, for it's bad news. You are responsible for your mother and the young ones. It is hard, but you must look facts in the face. You must take care of them properly because there is no one but you who can do it. Your primary thought should be for them, those who you are responsible for. You are not responsible for your father. He is a man and a grown dwarf and has not earned the pride that you want him to keep. We must find a way to protect your mother and the little ones from his poor judgement. Do you agree?"
Ranol sits, still as stone as Balur speaks. He blinks once, blue gaze drifting away slowly as he doesn't answer immediately. When the younger dwarf finally speaks, his voice is soft. "I'm sure you're thinking that I'm a fool for even trying, but .. my father has proven to make many poor decisions. I'm not blind to his habits. Is it not the duty of us all to care for our elders when they cannot see to things themselves?"
He lets the question linger only long enough for silence to settle, then continues. "My mother will support him no matter what he does, and I don't wish for my brother and sister to be spectacles for years to come if my father became incarcerated, and they would. We all would."
Balur nods slowly again, his eyes dropping to the papers. He tugs gently at his beard. Suddenly there is a firm nod. "You're right." Sharp grey eyes, so alike to Thari's, go back to Ranol again. "I'll speak with him and try to resolve this. He is my family too. There is no way for you to handle this," he waves at the papers, "until the matter with your father is ended."
Ranol looks up sharply, his blue eyes wide. "No, uncle. Please.. do not bring this up. He'll feel that I betrayed him!" The huskarl swallows heavily. "If you do not know a solution, I will find a way. I only wished your advice."
"Ranol," says Balur firmly, "He is my family too, my wife's own brother. And he need not know that you've spoken with me. What he has done is common enough knowlege."
Balur releases a slow breath. "You aren't alone. I should not have ignored this situation for as long as I have."
Ranol presses his lips together, chewing on Balur's words for a long time. He's torn, his face showing his indecision. "What would you say? I'm not looking to drop my troubles in another's lap." he finally speaks, his voice quiet and sincere.
Balur's eyes look frankly at Ranol's. His hands are clasped, his forearms still on his knees. He, too, looks indecisive. Finally he releases a breath. "I'm going to speak to him like a dwarf who is hurting his children, hurting his wife, and hurting /my/ wife. Your father is much younger than me but you don't see my children having to look after me like you are doing."
"All families are different. All dwarves are different. He only ever desired success for us. I don't think he enjoys what he's become, but he sees no way out of it all that isn't a step backwards." Ranol is troubled now, not happy with Balur's decision even though he desires to help his father. "He.. wouldn't listen to what you have to say, Uncle." The huskarl lifts a hand to run it through his hair again, "I think Braldor would have more success offering suggestions to him than you."
Balur shakes his head, leaning back. "So are you going to ask Braldor for his help, then?" he asks in a bland tone of voice.
Ranol sinks back into the chair, that simple question defeating him. "No.." He grows silent, a deeply troubled expression on his face again.
"I don't wish to cause my father pain.. I have already hurt him greatly."
"And you won't be," says Balur, draping an arm across the back of the couch, his hand curling loosely into a fist. "I would be. And do you think, my good nephew, about how refusing to allow anyone to confront your father regarding his decisions is hurting the rest of your family? Do you not wish to spare them just as much?"
"I thought I might find a way to take care of it myself, and prevent dischord in that manner." Ranol explains, still frowning but beginning to see things in a new light. "People think it wrong of me to want to protect my father, but I could not turn my back on family. That seems a greater wrong to me."
"I am not suggesting turning your back on your father," Balur says steadily. "I have not suggested the family move apart or anything. I am suggesting confronting your father and mending the issue within the family. And it would be no great harm if he were upset with me, you know, as I am sure it would change very little of our history."
Ranol nods slowly in agreement. "That is true." His knitted brows begin to ease, some of his stress starting to ebb as he begins to set a path to follow. "What would you have me do, then?" The huskarl isn't going to step back and dump it all in his uncle's lap if he can help it.
"Leave it a few days, hard as that may be." Balur's eyes turn to the fire. "It will be too suspicious if I seek him out soon after speaking with you. I can loan you money until then if you need it." His gaze returns to Ranol, brows lifted. "Loan, I said, for I'd gift it, but I'm certain you wouldn't take it." His eyes go back to the fire. "I will speak with you again after I speak with your father."
Ranol grimaces at the suggestion of letting things sit for a few days, but nods again in agreement. He didn't ask for help only to turn around and refuse it. "My expenses are not so great that I need anything immediate, but I thank you for the offer."
"Good lad," Balur says gruffly. "As for investments," he goes on, a hand waving toward the papers, "I've a few for you when this is all over. Foodstuffs are something so rarely thought of in trade, but we grow nothing beneath the mountain and while many of the traders are haggling over jewels and clockwork and metals, I am quietly feeding everyone and they're paying me to do it. I wouldn't even tell you this if you weren't family," he says, as if it were any real secret.
Ranol blinks in surprise, the offered advice completely unexpected now that it isn't needed in direct relation to his problems. "I.. had no idea. I've never really thought about your trade success." There's a hint of wonder in his tone. Of course, Ranol has almost no education in financial pursuits. "I would appreciate that very much, Uncle Balur." He shows the first trace of a smile since he arrived. Then something he had shoved aside nudges at the back of his mind, "I made a promise to Thari and I wonder if I could beg a few more minutes of your time to fulfil it."
"Don't thank me yet," Balur says with a raised hand. "It is a difficult sector to invest in, but I can give you advice." He clears his throat. "Yes. Thari." He begins to look slightly wary.
Ranol rises to his feet now, edging around behind the couch as if he anticipates that his uncle may start throwing things at him. "I volunteered to speak on behalf of her and Frarin's love for one another, because she was worried for your approval and I would like the chance to support them."
"But what's going on here?" Balur asks in a low rumble, nodding at Ranol as he moves. "You know something so bad about Frarin that you're reluctant to speak up for him?"
Ranol quickly shakes his head, smiling now. "No no.. I just wish to be ready to leave if I wear out my welcome. It's quite the opposite, really. But if you've already approved of the union, then I will not waste your time, Uncle, and save my words for a speech at the wedding." There's a keen expression on his face now, his eyes watching Balur's reaction closely.
"No, I have not given my approval," Balur says in an exasperated tone, as if he has been asked this numerous times. "And if you've something to say about it, then speak up, lad. I'm just assuming you meant to say more than, 'I promised Thari I'd support her!' That is not a rousing stamp of approval of your own there, Ranol."
Ranol would have been a fool not to test the waters first, and he isn't the type to force his opinions on others. But now that he has Balur's ear he gladly shares his case. "As I mentioned, Frarin and I have become friends, but that was only after Braldor assigned me to specifically act as her guard. That was before he promoted me and right after Frarin rescued her when she was kidnapped in Bree. I'm sure they told you about that." Ranol pauses for a breath, then continues, "I never had doubts about their feelings for each other, especially after Frarin risked himself to save her, but I didn't get to know him until I spent all that time at her side."
"We have a lot in common. We both are quiet, prefer to keep to ourselves.. but Frarin is a strong fighter, he's smart, and he's completely devoted to Thari's happiness. Moreover, he respects her. I had to listen to them bicker for a long time about refusing to ever have any demands or expectations of each other." Ranol rolls his eyes at that memory, then asks, "Did she tell you about the ring he gifted to her?"
Balur's brows draw together. He is studying Ranol closely. "No," he says firmly, "She didn't. What ring?"
"Oh.. well. Sometime after we had the run-in with the trolls, and the bad food.." Ranol grimaces a bit, still feeling guilty for what he did and remembering the horrid sickness to his stomach, "She showed me a ring that Frarin gave to her as a gift. It's expertly crafted, truesilver."
Balur is still for a while, looking thoughtful. He releases a breath. "There's evidence stacking up that this Frarin fellow has a few good points to outweigh the bad," he admits. "Other than this ring, do you know if he makes a decent living for himself? The way that he speaks, I'm lead to believe that he wants to live off of Thari's earnings."
Ranol draws back in surprise at Balur's assumption. "No, I would never think that of Frarin!" The huskarl shakes his head in firm disagreement. "He does quite well with his trade and I think if Thari would let him, he would support her in any desire she has. But, as I mentioned, they're both so stubbornly respectful of one-another.. When they both were injured after the fight in Mirkwood, neither would let me see to their wounds until they were sure the other had been tended."
Balur gives a little grunt and begins to stand. "Well, thank you, Ranol. For what it is worth, I too do believe that there is real affection between them. Thari has been quite the mess since he left, and I have seen Frarin defending her. The ring was new to me. I'm glad you spoke with me."
"I have grown close with Thari on the trip, and I care for her as much as my own sister. Frarin is as fine and good a dwarf as I hope might someday catch Panor's eye." Ranol says nothing more, not about to beat Balur over the head with it all. "Thank you again, Uncle. I will say and do nothing where my father is concerned until I hear from you." Which shouldn't be difficult given the fact that the two rarely speak beyond basic formalities these days.
Balur bows before Ranol and moves to see him to the door. "Thank you for coming to speak with me about all of this. It was good to see you again."
Ranol bows as well, nodding and saying little more beyond, "Good evening, Uncle Balur. It was good to see you, as well." And then the huskarl departs, feeling some weight lifted from his shoulders for the meeting, but of course all those other things fill in the gap. Namely.. Siv.
It is still early enough in the morning, but by now more dwarves have awoken and there is more activity in the Thingstead itself. The melody of deep voices mingles in the background.
Ranol has taken time to bathe and get some clean clothes. He spoke with Braldor before he left, and ended up getting the afternoon off, so he's unarmed. He has a folder full of papers and lifts his free hand to knock at the door.
A little bit of time passes before the door opens. It is Balur himself. As usual, the dwarf bears a striking resemblance to his daughter, but masculine. He has probably also noticably aged since the last time he met Ranol, with white hairs sprouting now from the corners of his mouth and mingling with his beard.
"Ranol!" he says, welcoming. He moves back to allow Ranol room to enter and bows before him. "It has been too long since we have met, nephew."
Ranol seems perhaps a bit surprised. He hadn't anticipated such a warm welcome, but it brings a smile to his face. He offers a deep bow in return, then steps inside. "Yes, uncle." He's quiet for a moment, glancing around at the decor of the home, then looks back towards Balur, "I appreciate that you're taking time to speak with me on such short notice."
Balur's entryway is meant to impress, with the white marble and the discreet furnishings in dark wood. Voices echo. "Well, Thari caught me before a meeting and we spoke. Thank you for looking after her while you were gone. I'm glad she had a relative nearby." He shuts the door to the home and gestures toward a nearby parlor.
Ranol definitely seems impressed, and he's been here before. His blue eyes are constantly drawn towards the subtle embellishments, but when Balur gestures to the room, the huskarl moves that way. "I did my best when I was able. Luckily, she had others to watch out for her as well." He toys with the folder as he stands in the parlour, gaze wandering again as nervousness returns.
"Mmm. Yes. It's been mentioned that you think well of that Frarin fellow." Balur's voice lowers a bit, becomes a touch less friendly. He enters the parlour and the clicking of his heels ends in the soft carpeting. A low fire is burned in the hearth-- this room only seems small in comparison to the enormous entryway-- and couches arranged in a half-circle await before it. "Would you like something to drink? And how can I be of help to you?"
"We have become good friends." Ranol says simply, not pressing the issue just now. "No, thank you." The huskarl becomes quiet again, planning his words out carefully. "I was hoping you could give me some advice on some financial things." His expression is guarded, his eyes wary that Balur might flat-out refuse. He continues to quietly fidget with the folder of papers, clearly ill at ease.
"Yes? Thari said something like that." Balur rounds the couch and seats himself. He leans forward toward the low, round and generous table before the circular couch. "Show me what you have, now."
Ranol runs his hand through his hair, then after Balur sits he moves to take a seat as well. He holds the folder out to his uncle. "The first paper is my earnings, minus what Braldor takes out for the payments I make." The parchment lists as much, along with a summary of his current savings, which is rather low since he commissioned some new armor. "The rest are figures I've collected around town over the last couple of weeks. They're tabs and debts my father has accrued in the last year or so, with what records I could find of what payments he's made." Most are bars small personal debts that Ranor has racked up. Alone they're not much, but the stack of papers is painfully thick.
Ranol takes a breath, then continues, "He doesn't know that I've gathered all of this. I feel guilty for sneaking around, but he's getting in very deep again and it's almost as bad as it was a few years ago. I don't make enough to cover it all, but.. I thought maybe you would have some ideas of solid, reliable investments. Even if it's long-term, I think maybe it could help."
"Mmm." Balur lifts his chin as he looks over the papers. He listens quietly while spreading them out. He says nothing while reading through the stack of papers listing Ranor's debts.
At last he sets everything down and leans back with a sigh. "The solution you are proposing is temporary," he says in a kindly tone, "For the debts will continue to mount. We need to try to find some sort of a permenant solution to stop the debts. What has your mother to say about this situation?"
"She won't talk to me about it, only says not to worry of it. She stretches the money as far as she can, but things are tight and my father doesn't seem to care much." Ranol seems to be relaxing now that his uncle hasn't blatantly chased him out, and seems willing to look at the situation. "I don't want things to grow as bad as they did before. My brother and sister are miserable and they're not old enough to strike out on their own. Maybe my sister could marry, but my brother.. " The huskarl shakes his head. "I don't know of a permanent solution that would allow my father to keep any sense of pride."
Balur takes a deep breath through his nose and leans his forearms on knees while nodding his head and looking down at the papers. At last his eyes lift to Ranol.
"Look, lad," he says in a very kindly voice, as a loving father might use. "I don't know how to say this so that you will take it well, for it's bad news. You are responsible for your mother and the young ones. It is hard, but you must look facts in the face. You must take care of them properly because there is no one but you who can do it. Your primary thought should be for them, those who you are responsible for. You are not responsible for your father. He is a man and a grown dwarf and has not earned the pride that you want him to keep. We must find a way to protect your mother and the little ones from his poor judgement. Do you agree?"
Ranol sits, still as stone as Balur speaks. He blinks once, blue gaze drifting away slowly as he doesn't answer immediately. When the younger dwarf finally speaks, his voice is soft. "I'm sure you're thinking that I'm a fool for even trying, but .. my father has proven to make many poor decisions. I'm not blind to his habits. Is it not the duty of us all to care for our elders when they cannot see to things themselves?"
He lets the question linger only long enough for silence to settle, then continues. "My mother will support him no matter what he does, and I don't wish for my brother and sister to be spectacles for years to come if my father became incarcerated, and they would. We all would."
Balur nods slowly again, his eyes dropping to the papers. He tugs gently at his beard. Suddenly there is a firm nod. "You're right." Sharp grey eyes, so alike to Thari's, go back to Ranol again. "I'll speak with him and try to resolve this. He is my family too. There is no way for you to handle this," he waves at the papers, "until the matter with your father is ended."
Ranol looks up sharply, his blue eyes wide. "No, uncle. Please.. do not bring this up. He'll feel that I betrayed him!" The huskarl swallows heavily. "If you do not know a solution, I will find a way. I only wished your advice."
"Ranol," says Balur firmly, "He is my family too, my wife's own brother. And he need not know that you've spoken with me. What he has done is common enough knowlege."
Balur releases a slow breath. "You aren't alone. I should not have ignored this situation for as long as I have."
Ranol presses his lips together, chewing on Balur's words for a long time. He's torn, his face showing his indecision. "What would you say? I'm not looking to drop my troubles in another's lap." he finally speaks, his voice quiet and sincere.
Balur's eyes look frankly at Ranol's. His hands are clasped, his forearms still on his knees. He, too, looks indecisive. Finally he releases a breath. "I'm going to speak to him like a dwarf who is hurting his children, hurting his wife, and hurting /my/ wife. Your father is much younger than me but you don't see my children having to look after me like you are doing."
"All families are different. All dwarves are different. He only ever desired success for us. I don't think he enjoys what he's become, but he sees no way out of it all that isn't a step backwards." Ranol is troubled now, not happy with Balur's decision even though he desires to help his father. "He.. wouldn't listen to what you have to say, Uncle." The huskarl lifts a hand to run it through his hair again, "I think Braldor would have more success offering suggestions to him than you."
Balur shakes his head, leaning back. "So are you going to ask Braldor for his help, then?" he asks in a bland tone of voice.
Ranol sinks back into the chair, that simple question defeating him. "No.." He grows silent, a deeply troubled expression on his face again.
"I don't wish to cause my father pain.. I have already hurt him greatly."
"And you won't be," says Balur, draping an arm across the back of the couch, his hand curling loosely into a fist. "I would be. And do you think, my good nephew, about how refusing to allow anyone to confront your father regarding his decisions is hurting the rest of your family? Do you not wish to spare them just as much?"
"I thought I might find a way to take care of it myself, and prevent dischord in that manner." Ranol explains, still frowning but beginning to see things in a new light. "People think it wrong of me to want to protect my father, but I could not turn my back on family. That seems a greater wrong to me."
"I am not suggesting turning your back on your father," Balur says steadily. "I have not suggested the family move apart or anything. I am suggesting confronting your father and mending the issue within the family. And it would be no great harm if he were upset with me, you know, as I am sure it would change very little of our history."
Ranol nods slowly in agreement. "That is true." His knitted brows begin to ease, some of his stress starting to ebb as he begins to set a path to follow. "What would you have me do, then?" The huskarl isn't going to step back and dump it all in his uncle's lap if he can help it.
"Leave it a few days, hard as that may be." Balur's eyes turn to the fire. "It will be too suspicious if I seek him out soon after speaking with you. I can loan you money until then if you need it." His gaze returns to Ranol, brows lifted. "Loan, I said, for I'd gift it, but I'm certain you wouldn't take it." His eyes go back to the fire. "I will speak with you again after I speak with your father."
Ranol grimaces at the suggestion of letting things sit for a few days, but nods again in agreement. He didn't ask for help only to turn around and refuse it. "My expenses are not so great that I need anything immediate, but I thank you for the offer."
"Good lad," Balur says gruffly. "As for investments," he goes on, a hand waving toward the papers, "I've a few for you when this is all over. Foodstuffs are something so rarely thought of in trade, but we grow nothing beneath the mountain and while many of the traders are haggling over jewels and clockwork and metals, I am quietly feeding everyone and they're paying me to do it. I wouldn't even tell you this if you weren't family," he says, as if it were any real secret.
Ranol blinks in surprise, the offered advice completely unexpected now that it isn't needed in direct relation to his problems. "I.. had no idea. I've never really thought about your trade success." There's a hint of wonder in his tone. Of course, Ranol has almost no education in financial pursuits. "I would appreciate that very much, Uncle Balur." He shows the first trace of a smile since he arrived. Then something he had shoved aside nudges at the back of his mind, "I made a promise to Thari and I wonder if I could beg a few more minutes of your time to fulfil it."
"Don't thank me yet," Balur says with a raised hand. "It is a difficult sector to invest in, but I can give you advice." He clears his throat. "Yes. Thari." He begins to look slightly wary.
Ranol rises to his feet now, edging around behind the couch as if he anticipates that his uncle may start throwing things at him. "I volunteered to speak on behalf of her and Frarin's love for one another, because she was worried for your approval and I would like the chance to support them."
"But what's going on here?" Balur asks in a low rumble, nodding at Ranol as he moves. "You know something so bad about Frarin that you're reluctant to speak up for him?"
Ranol quickly shakes his head, smiling now. "No no.. I just wish to be ready to leave if I wear out my welcome. It's quite the opposite, really. But if you've already approved of the union, then I will not waste your time, Uncle, and save my words for a speech at the wedding." There's a keen expression on his face now, his eyes watching Balur's reaction closely.
"No, I have not given my approval," Balur says in an exasperated tone, as if he has been asked this numerous times. "And if you've something to say about it, then speak up, lad. I'm just assuming you meant to say more than, 'I promised Thari I'd support her!' That is not a rousing stamp of approval of your own there, Ranol."
Ranol would have been a fool not to test the waters first, and he isn't the type to force his opinions on others. But now that he has Balur's ear he gladly shares his case. "As I mentioned, Frarin and I have become friends, but that was only after Braldor assigned me to specifically act as her guard. That was before he promoted me and right after Frarin rescued her when she was kidnapped in Bree. I'm sure they told you about that." Ranol pauses for a breath, then continues, "I never had doubts about their feelings for each other, especially after Frarin risked himself to save her, but I didn't get to know him until I spent all that time at her side."
"We have a lot in common. We both are quiet, prefer to keep to ourselves.. but Frarin is a strong fighter, he's smart, and he's completely devoted to Thari's happiness. Moreover, he respects her. I had to listen to them bicker for a long time about refusing to ever have any demands or expectations of each other." Ranol rolls his eyes at that memory, then asks, "Did she tell you about the ring he gifted to her?"
Balur's brows draw together. He is studying Ranol closely. "No," he says firmly, "She didn't. What ring?"
"Oh.. well. Sometime after we had the run-in with the trolls, and the bad food.." Ranol grimaces a bit, still feeling guilty for what he did and remembering the horrid sickness to his stomach, "She showed me a ring that Frarin gave to her as a gift. It's expertly crafted, truesilver."
Balur is still for a while, looking thoughtful. He releases a breath. "There's evidence stacking up that this Frarin fellow has a few good points to outweigh the bad," he admits. "Other than this ring, do you know if he makes a decent living for himself? The way that he speaks, I'm lead to believe that he wants to live off of Thari's earnings."
Ranol draws back in surprise at Balur's assumption. "No, I would never think that of Frarin!" The huskarl shakes his head in firm disagreement. "He does quite well with his trade and I think if Thari would let him, he would support her in any desire she has. But, as I mentioned, they're both so stubbornly respectful of one-another.. When they both were injured after the fight in Mirkwood, neither would let me see to their wounds until they were sure the other had been tended."
Balur gives a little grunt and begins to stand. "Well, thank you, Ranol. For what it is worth, I too do believe that there is real affection between them. Thari has been quite the mess since he left, and I have seen Frarin defending her. The ring was new to me. I'm glad you spoke with me."
"I have grown close with Thari on the trip, and I care for her as much as my own sister. Frarin is as fine and good a dwarf as I hope might someday catch Panor's eye." Ranol says nothing more, not about to beat Balur over the head with it all. "Thank you again, Uncle. I will say and do nothing where my father is concerned until I hear from you." Which shouldn't be difficult given the fact that the two rarely speak beyond basic formalities these days.
Balur bows before Ranol and moves to see him to the door. "Thank you for coming to speak with me about all of this. It was good to see you again."
Ranol bows as well, nodding and saying little more beyond, "Good evening, Uncle Balur. It was good to see you, as well." And then the huskarl departs, feeling some weight lifted from his shoulders for the meeting, but of course all those other things fill in the gap. Namely.. Siv.
Players: Ranol, Balur
Located in: Erebor
