Elendor
Return to the Pony
Keldean is back at work at the Pony when Cordelia and a bunch of customers show up to discuss the latest news and innuendos.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Bree, Prancing Pony
IC Time: Evening
Description: Keldean has been back at work at the Pony for a few days now and it seems all the other employees are out to make his life miserable. He's given all the worst, hardest jobs, and where once the others might have helped him now there's little sympathy. It's late in the evening, only a few patrons left at the bar. The youth is pulling the heavy wooden tables across to one side of the room so that the floor can be thoroughly mopped, a scowl on his face as he strains under the effort.
For the second day in a row, Cordelia finds her way to the Pony--though she creaks open the door to the Common Room a crack to check who is inside before she actually enters. If the patrons and other workers here recognize her they don't show it--but then, she has her hood up. "Keldean..." She keeps her voice soft, not saying the teen's name until she is near enough to keep it down.
Keldean pushes hard against the table, slowly pushing the heavy wood furniture against the far wall. Once it's finally flush with the rest he straightens, wiping sweat from his brow as he sighs in relief. He hears his name and turns to look, his brows lifting when he recognizes Cordelia. "Where have you -been-??" He asks, his own voice hushed.
"Muirgheal's..." Cordelia whispers. Frowning, she puts her right hand on the front of her left shoulder and gently rotates that arm, wincing. "She...uh...wanted to speak to me. They let you out of jail?" She glances around, trying not to be overheard.
[George(#21718)] Tousle-headed and bleary-eyed, George clumps into the Pony a little behind Cordelia. His eyes rove over her for a few counts. Then he rubs them, stretches with a yawn, and finds his way over to a table near the fireplace. Lowering into a chair, he claims a second with his feet, and snaps his fingers a few times.
Keldean watches with a scowl as another patron makes his way into the bar so late at night. "You can't sit there.. You can sit at the -bar- .. I have to clean the floors." The teen isn't terribly polite as he addresses George and gestures towards the counter where the other few nightcrawlers are enjoying their drinks.
Keldean looks back at Cordelia without waiting for a reply from the customer. "Yes.. they -let- me out. I'm working here with no pay for a month!" He says in an exasperated whisper. "I had to convince them of quite a lot, which is stupid if you ask me because I brought his cart -back- for him."
George glances over at the teen, and smiles broadly. "Been working you hard here at the Pony, son? Surliness and Barliman just don't seem to be... " He pauses, perhaps seeking a word. "Synonymous," he concludes, with another broad grin. "I like it here, and you'll have to clean up after my boots now, anyway. Ale and some of your meat stew, son."
"A month with no pay?! That's it?!" Cordelia doesn't bother to contain her laughter or keep her voice low. "You got off easy..." She smiles, jerking her head toward George as the man demands service. "Even with the likes of him. Where is Addie's horse?"
Keldean flushes under Cordelia's disregard for his hardship. "Fine. I got off easy." He mutters, turning away sharply to look at George again. "It's practically the middle of t.. " The teen trails off, thinking better of the criticism he was about to unload upon the customer. "Just a moment.. sir." As he heads towards the door out to the kitchen, Keldean calls back to Cordelia. "-My- horse is in the stable."
"It's not your horse--it belongs to my family. And they may come back to get it," Cordelia says, her face darkening. "You don't want to argue with my uncle about whether or no it's his horse, do you?"
[George(#21718)] "A man's stomach is his master, son. As maybe you know." George shifts his weight, stretching out and yawning again. "So what's this about a month with no pay? You some kind of criminal?"
Keldean stops at the doorway, and poor George is still waiting for his meal to be fetched. The teen isn't certain there's any stew left at this late hour anyhow. "I don't think Addie's going to come claim it, and I haven't seen your uncle." His gaze travels over towards the customer again. "It's.. none of your business." He almost launches into a tirade, but changes his mind. Then the teen abruptly pushes through the door and heads off to the kitchen.
George's gaze follows the youth. "Cute kid," he comments. "Bad for business, I should think."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Well, well, if it isn't everyone's faovorite little pathetic scamp! In slips Tamhill with his ever presant staff. Still reed thin, the boy looks as though he's actually had a bath this week. Been hanging around that kind hearted hobbit, Conall, some say.
Big eyes of indeterminate coloring look over the common room of the Pony and check out who all is here. Then in walks the lad as if he owns the place and comes right up to the bar. He can't see over it though. But there's a stool. Nevermind the late hour.
Cordelia pushes back her hood, but leaves her cloak on. "Keldean's not a criminal," she says in a soothing voice, smiling at George--her dark eyes twinkle a little in the firelight. "He was misunderstood, and they're punishing him for it, but he didn't do anything wrong. Now...can I get you an ale?" The girl doesn't even work here anymore, but he she is, offering to pour the man a drink. She turns briefly, eyes scanning the room to see who else has entered, but it appears to be only a child and she gives him no notice.
[George(#21718)] Attention now averted from Keldean and fixed on the girl, George appraises her without her hood. "I say you might fetch me that ale, certainly." His own eyes twinkle back at her. "You could fetch yourself one as well, and sit a while." He indicates a place next to him, on the other side of his feet. "... My treat," he adds, with a smile.
Keldean returns after a few minutes with a bowl of stew and some bread on a tray. He carries it over to the table that George has chosen (which needs to be moved still!) and sets them down with a sigh. With a forced politeness, "The cook says that there are some baked potatoes that are still warm if you would like one."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill managed to get up on the stool and kicks his legs, then smacks the bar top loudly with his staff, "Hey! I be want'n someth'n tae eat!"
There's an answering smile in Cordelia's eyes for George. "Be glad to," she says. "You have the coin for it?" She almost stretches out her hand for the money, but Keldean interrupts with food, and there's a child loudly demanding food. "Isn't that the brat that Nob kicks out of here more often than not?" she says, smile souring.
[Brandebras(#25187)] At this point the door creaks open and a hobbit stands there. A rather flustered-looking young hobbit, red-cheeked and with his brown curls sweat-dampened as though he'd run all the way here. Panting, he shuts the door with an effort and takes a moment to get his breath back before he begins peering round the room.
[Keldean(#23332)] Tamhill's shrill voice suddenly distracts the teen, and Keldean looks over towards the bar. He scowls and walks towards the boy. "Do you have any money?" Without asking, Keldean reaches to try and grab the staff away from Tamhill. He remembers the child's lack of inhibition towards hitting people with it.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Oooh, Tamhill is maybe a little quick to fall for letting anyone grab his beloved beating stick. It's all a poor boy has for defense, besides his little feet, sharp tongue and teeth. The lad gives Keldean the evil eye, "Hey! Leave tha' be! Yea, I got some coin. I be want'n some stew. PLEASE!" the little rat adds, flashing teeth.
And the thin boy adds hurridly, "An' I wants some cheese tae go wit'it, an' somet'n tae drink. Juice?" He asks, hopefully.
[George(#21718)] "The coin, the coin. Do you have the coin." George laughs a little, then pats his waist to indicate a purse hidden there. "Yes, I'm good for it," he tells Cordelia. Then turning to his meat stew, he takes a whiff. "Ah... Cook is still working his magic, I see. Yes, throw a potato in with all that."
"All right, I'll get some ale then," Cordelia answers, though her playful manner has been disrupted by the commotion that Tamhill is causing. She turns to go fetch the ale and nearly trips over the hobbit that has just entered.
Keldean crosses his arms and leans against the bar next to Tam. "Let's see it." He states, frowning at the boy with a skeptical expression on his face. He avoids looking at Cordelia.
[Brandebras(#25187)] The hobbit, busy eyeing the tussle between Keldean and Tamhill, gives a little muffled squeak and jumps swiftly out of Cordelia's way. "Mind my toes!" he chirrups, still sounding a bit breathless, and then it registers. "Hey, aren't you that girl who ..." The words trail off and his apple cheeks turn a tiny bit redder.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill proudly produces ... a whole SILVER PENNY from his pocket! *gasp* The boy proudly places it upon the boy and shows lots of teeth, smiling, "Hop to!"
Keldean grits his teeth, almost glaring at Tamhill. He snatches up the coin and turns to head into the kitchen again. And then he spots Brandebras. He sighs in complete disgust now, "Do you want something to eat, too??" He demands of the hobbit, quickly growing frustrated. The floors are never going to get clean at this rate.
George's eyes follow Cordelia's figure as she heads away from him toward the kitchen, a smile quirking at his lips. As she nearly trips over the hobbit, his legs swing off the bench and under him as he prepares to go to her aid... but, no need. He settles back, brows arching at the greeting, "Aren't you the girl who... "
"Right...I'm that girl that works here," Cordelia conveniently fills in for Brandebras and then George. She smiles brightly again at both of them. "I can fetch you both ales. And Keldean...." she beams at the teen, trying to loop her arm through his..."can help me."
[Brandebras(#25187)] At Keldean's request the hobbit shakes his head. "No - well, yes - well, maybe just a /little/ snack. And a nice cold drink - is there apple cider? I ran most of the way here," the hobbit announces, wisely refraining from pinning any particular epithet on Keldean. "I thought I'd left something ..."
At George's words he turns his head and alas does not take Cordelia's hint. "Disappeared," he tells the man. "For a whole two months! Vanished without trace!" His eyes are round as saucers as he makes that pronouncement.
Keldean pulls away when Cordelia tries to catch his arm in hers. "Sure.. Cider." He flicks a glance at the young woman, then heads for the kitchen again, glancing back at the door to see if she's following before leaving the room once more.
[George(#21718)] "Barliman just can't seem to hold onto help for very long," George comments to no one in particular. "New set of hands every few months. Or so it seems." He cracks his neck to one side with a quiet popping sound, then seems poised to dive into his meat stew when the hobbit's outburst interrupts. The spoon poises between the bowl and his lips, steam pouring forth. "Is that so? Vanished, eh?"
Cordelia doesn't need a hint--nor does she need to hear people speculate about why she had disappered. "Ale and cider! Right away!" She hurries after Keldean. Tamhill's demand for food is liekly forgotten.
[Brandebras(#25187)] The hobbit nods solemnly at George, clearly delighted to have an audience. He moves a little closer, then states in a stage-whisper, "Some folk said she went off with one of those rangers. The man with the writing on his face ..."
Keldean reaches the kitchen and hands the silver coin off for someone to change over (since his math is relatively limited) and begins collecting the requested food. A bowl of stew for Tamhill, some cheese. Three baked potatoes, as well, one for each customer. He has a deep frown on his face and continues avoiding Cordelia's gaze. There's something bothering the teen.
"What is wrong with you?" Cordelia demands, hands folded across her chest. She pulls off her cloak, but doesn't bother to help out--she's not being paid (or not paid) to work here. "I was telling the truth about that horse--Ankh is sure to return at some point and demand it back. Sell the horse or somethign. Where you going to go with it anyhow?" She doesn't mention where Elfaron is..
Keldean looks up sharply, "What's wrong? What's -wrong-?? I had no idea where you were.. if you were okay. I was stuck in the jail! They won't let me leave town, the guards are watching for me at the gate. I couldn't go look for you." Underneath that angery demeanor is that cursed emotion that got him into this entire mess. He still cares about Cordelia, even now. "I had no idea if you were coming back! I'm stuck here and ... and.. I don't know!"
"Keldean..." Cordelia sighs, voice and manner softening. She pulls down the left shoulder of her dress just slightly--there are bandages there. "I couldn't come to you--I wanted to help you but I couldn't. Muirgheal found me in the woods and stabbed me. Lucky for me she felt guilty--she took me to her house and bound my wounds, but I was weak for days. I was her prisoner, in efect." She fixes her dress again. "You're not stuck here. You have a horse. I have Elfaron. We can leave. Take this food now nad just go. South."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Is that what you want to do? Make more trouble and run away again? Where would we go? Do you know? I don't." Keldean has lowered his voice, but he still sounds strained. "What about Liuni? And what if the rangers catch us?"
The rangers...that thought hadn't occurred to Cordelia until now. She frowns. "They won't care if it's just me, you and Liuni leaving. They'll think I'm trying to escape my family, which I am. And south...we can go south," she says, determined. "I'll lighten my hair. Make myself look different."
Keldean grows quiet, the tray of food left to sit cooling on the counter for the moment. There's doubt on his face. "Do you really think your uncle will come back? Why can't we just stay here?" The teen is less eager this time around, the taste of the world outside showed him how dangerous it is.
"Someone will come back. Not Ankh, likely," Cordelia says, glancing at Keldean and then to the food. "You'll be safe, though. Come on, the food is getting cold.'
[Keldean(#23332)] "I don't know.. I need time to think about it." Keldean is in turmoil, his fears and doubts in direct conflict with his wants and desires. "Do you -want- me to go with you?"
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Very quietly, someone comes to stand just outside of the kitchen door and sort of just barely leans against it - just enough to peer in and listen.
Cordelia slings her cloak over one arm and still looks between the food and Keldean. "I want to be with you, Keldean. I like you." Did she -really- say that? She pauses as if surprising herself. "But if you come with me, you'll die. Likely I won't live much logner either."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Die? What are you talking about? Cordelia.. we need to talk about this all." Keldean says with a frustrated sigh. He reaches for the tray of food, "But if I don't get this food to the people out there and Nob hears I'm going to end up back in jail." He moves towards the door, kicking with his foot to open it so he can walk through.
Behind Keldean, Cordelia shakes her head, frowning--no matter how many painful days they had just spent on the road together, Keldean apparently doesn't understand just what kind of people her 'family' is. She grabs a basket of bread and follows him out.
******
Meanwhile back in the Common Room, just after Keldean and Cordelia have left......
The hobbit nods solemnly at George, clearly delighted to have an audience. He moves a little closer, then states in a stage-whisper, "Some folk said she went off with one of those rangers. The man with the writing on his face ..."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
The boy sighs, yes, likely forgotten. Tamhill looks all pathetic and starved, so thin, and can't even get anything to eat. But Brandebras's whisper isn't very hushed and the scamp perks up, listening. Oddly enough, he says ...nothing!
[George(#21718)] "Do tell." The spoon continues on its journey into George's mouth, but the man's attention is focused on the hobbit now.
The hobbit fidgets slightly. "I don't know much more. But she and Mister Seeker were friendly, they were always going about together. Then one day the both of them vanished. Some people wondered if they might have ... uh, it's not very polite to talk about stuff like that, is it? With Mister Seeker being married and all." Red? He's positively crimson now. He shrugs. "But if Miss Wood's back, I suppose they can't have run off together."
[George(#21718)] The same smile that followed Cordelia's back flits across George's stew-filled face. "Is that so," he replies. "Miss Wood? That's her name?" His head jerks toward the door through which Cordelia and Keldean have disappeared.
Well now, that's an easier question. The hobbit ducks his head. "Yes, Miss Cordelia Wood. And that boy, Mister Pinewick," he points toward the door, "he's the one who stole Nob's cart. You'll have heard about that, Mister ..." He lets the word trail off into a query.
[George(#21718)] "Pickthorn. George Pickthorn." He lays the spoon into the bowl and extends his hand. Both man and hobbit appear to have forgotten the boy's presence in the room. Or perhaps they are unconcerned about him. "Well, now, I've been out of town a while. Up visiting the family, don't you know."
The hobbit stretches out his own hand. "Mister Pickthorn - oh, of course!" He beams as if he'd known that all along. "And I'm Brandebras Bywater. The Mayor's brother," he adds, in case that's needed. He eyes the quiet common room and wonders aloud, for anyone who happens to listen, "Don't suppose anyone's seen an ink-bottle lying around? I was /sure/ I'd left mine here ..."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill looks around but doesn't see any ink bottles. "Sure be tak'n a long time tae be gett'n me stew." The boy hops off of the stool and heads for the kitchen - with his staff.
George shakes the hobbit's hand. "Glad to know you, Mister Bywater." He releases the hand, and glances around the common room. "Nope, just got here myself. No ink-bottles that I know of." He eyes the hobbit curiously, then shrugs, taking a quaff of ale before returning to his stew. "Have a lot to catch up on, seems," he notes before taking a mouthful.
The hobbit, Brandebras, takes a long time looking round the room, just in case. When at last his gaze turns back to George, he sighs. Where is /his/ food? However, he enquires politely, "Where did you say your family was?"
[Tamhill(#32501)]
ACK! Keldean kicks the door to open it, hands full of tray, and back blunders Tamhill in a sprawled heap, "Hey! I t'was just a comm'n tae see where me stew be! How rude!"
[Keldean(#23332)] "You have no business going in the kitchen, Tam! I'm bringing your food." Keldean has no regret for hitting the kid with the door and moves past him without offering any aid. He moves towards George first with his tray of food, setting down a small plate with a buttered baked potato in front of the man, then he moves back to the bar where the boy -had- been sitting and sets a bowl of stew, another baked potato, and a glass of juice down. Finally, the last potato on his tray is taken to Brandebras.
George chews slowly and deliberately, taking his time and savouring the stew. He swallows and wipes his lips thoroughly. "I didn't," he smiles in response to the question. If he's about to say more, he's interrupted by the commotion at the door. "Ah, here comes Nob's little thief now." And as the teen stumbles over the little boy, he barks out a short laugh. "Someone needs to put a hole in that door! Second time this evening!"
Cordelia comes back into the common room, carrying a basket of bread and heading to set it down on the table where George sits.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Looking all hurt and offended, the boy scrambles back up onto the stool and looks at the food laid out. "No cheese?" Tamhill asks. But oooh, the stew Hazel makes is sooo good, and there's a potato, too! Though it be hot and he needs to be careful not to burn himself, the scamp starts to dig in.
A quick look back to Keldean, forgetting about the door, "Thank Yea!"
[Brandebras(#25187)] At the commotion from the kitchen Brandebras turns his head to watch, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. "I don't think a hole in the door would help," he says gravely. "Maybe they should just leave it open." As Keldean sets down the baked potato, he summons up a polite smile and even a "Thank you" as he rummages for some coins.
George makes a noncommital noise as he settles back into devouring his stew. He nods at Cordelia and the bread, gesturing to her to sit.
A quick look to Keldean, then Cordelia pulls up a chair and sits next to George. "So you figure out who I am yet/" she smiles.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Finally, the scamp gets what he came in for. As soon as he has his change for his silver penny, and once all of the food is devoured in record time, the boy slips off of the high stool with his stick. Tamhill wipes his mouth with his sleeve and burps loudly, then flashes teeth in a grin, "Dat's good!"
A moment later, the boy is running for the door and other mischief to make. Or to sleep goodness only knows where.
[Keldean(#23332)] Now that everyone has their food, Keldean goes back to dragging tables across the floor. He has little concern for the noise the activity makes, the job needs to be done and these night-owls will simply have to suffer.
[George(#21718)] "Miss Cordelia Woods, who vanishes inot the woods with a married man," returns George between mouthfuls. A grin softens his words. "My kind of girl." He winks.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras too seems most interested in his food. Soon he's busy tucking in to his baked potato, with seemingly no interest in the goings on around him. After one particularly loud scrape, though, he looks up to ask Keldean, "I don't suppose you know where my ink-bottle is? I thought I'd left it here, that was why I came back, but the room looks all different now ..." He gestures with his empty fork.
From underneath dark lashes, Cordelia gives George a shy look, smiling a little. "Now why would you think I'm that type of girl? Just because the rumors say so?" She tosses her hair--it's long and shiny and black. "So...um...who are you again? What do you do for a living in these parts?" Her gaze briefly follows Tamhill and then turns to Keldean and Brandebras, but they seem to be of no concern to her right now.
George watches as the girl tosses her inky black hair, and chuckles. "I think I know where the contents of your ink-bottle went, Mister Bywater... "
Keldean doesn't even hear Brandebras. He's far too busy watching Cordelia speak with George. He sees that look she gives the man and rather roughly shoves the table he's moving into some chairs, making a considerable deliberate clattering. There's a dark look on the teen's face.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras sighs, giving Keldean a pained look - with that much noise, how's a body to hear anything interesting - then returns to the business of eating.
Cordelia's laugh at George's words floats through the room lightly. She gives the man another look, then turns, eyes twinkling and winks to Keldean. "He's accusing me of coloring my hair with ink. Yet he won't tell me what he does here in Bree and he wants me to reveal all my secrets."
[George(#21718)] The clattering distracts George from watching Cordelia's hair bounce soon enough for him to catch the dark look. His bushy red brows lift, and he turns his attention back to the girl. The expression on his face plainly reads, "Oh really?" but he says nothing.
[Brandebras(#25187)] A brief interlude in the table dragging allows Brandebras to hear just a few of Cordelia's words. He looks up. "Ink? Like the ink on Mister Seeker's face? Um.." He focuses back on his plate and those last few mouthfuls of potato.
Keldean looks away at her private wink, anger flashing across his face. He reaches for the chairs and begins stacking them, that scowl still on his face. He looks sharply over at Brandebras when he hears something through the noise he's making. "What did you just say? About Seeker?"
Cordelia's smile fades, too, at the mention of Seeker. She does spare a small smile again for George, though--shrugging and looking apologetic. "It's just that I don't know your name. We haven't met, though you seem to know me? I'm Cordy."
[Brandebras(#25187)] "Hmm?" Brandebras looks up from his plate again, with good reason - sadly, it's now completely empty. "Just that he has ink on his face. You know, those funny drawings ..." Idly his finger traces a chevron shape on the table. "You definitely /haven't/ seen my ink-bottle?" he presses Keldean.
[George(#21718)] "Ah, forgive me. I forget my manners, Miss Woods. My name is George, George Pickthorn." He rises to his feet and bows slightly from the waist. Re-seating himself, he turns toward Brandebras, listening.
[Keldean(#23332)] "No.. I haven't seen it." Keldean answers, rolling his eyes. "I'll tell the others to look for it." He adds after a moment's thought.
"George Pickethorn. Married man." Cordelia smiles, repeating the man's name and adding the last with a wink. "I will have you know that I'm respectable. And that I don't sneak off into the woods with Mr. Seeker. Well, not really." She turns to reply to the hobbit. "I know the man--and I know the markings on his face." That makes her frown, though.
[Brandebras(#25187)] "Oh, would you?" Brandebras looks hopeful at Keldean's offer - seems he's not accusing the lad of theft then. Cordelia's frown seems to unsettle him, for instead of elaborating on his earlier words he mumbles, "I'll just check one or two more likely places." He hops up, walks across the room and stands on tiptoe to peer onto the window-sill, then heaves a sigh. No luck.
George rubs his chin, considering the shape traced on the table. He looks up and over at Cordelia. "Married man? Now what gave you that idea, Miss Woods?" His eyes twinkle. There is no sign of a wedding band or other indication this man is married.
Keldean nods faintly towards the hobbit, and is about to go back to stacking chairs when he hears George. It seems to be the last straw.. that suggestive talk. The teen sucks in a sharp breath, the glare returning swiftly to his face, then he turns and storms out of the room without another word, shoving the door hard as he pushes through it.
"Well you -implied- that you were married when you were speaking to me earlier," Cordelia answers, smiling again. She lets her gaze linger on George for a moment longer than needed. "I trust you'd correct me if I'm wrong? In any case..." Oh....her smile fades quickly as Keldean storms out. She sighs. "I don't know why he gets -so- jealous," she says, shaking her head and standing. "We're just friends..." She rolls her eyes. "I'd better see to his hurt feelings." With that, she tosses her dark hair again, then hurries out of the Common Room after Keldean.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Having exhausted the windowsill, Brandebras trails over toward the fireplace and makes a show of peering behind the brush and poker, then sadly shakes his head. "Maybe I just dropped it on the way home? I'd better go back and check." Completely oblivious to the teenage drama, he heads for the outer door, pausing only long enough to call out cheerily, "Goodnight, Mister Pickthorn!" Then he's gone.
[George(#21718)] "I'll wager the kid thinks they're more than "just friends". Eh, good night, Mister Bywater. Hope you find that ink bottle." George waves a cheerful 'farewell' at the hobbit, and goes back to his stew and his contemplation of a shape traced on the table.
For the second day in a row, Cordelia finds her way to the Pony--though she creaks open the door to the Common Room a crack to check who is inside before she actually enters. If the patrons and other workers here recognize her they don't show it--but then, she has her hood up. "Keldean..." She keeps her voice soft, not saying the teen's name until she is near enough to keep it down.
Keldean pushes hard against the table, slowly pushing the heavy wood furniture against the far wall. Once it's finally flush with the rest he straightens, wiping sweat from his brow as he sighs in relief. He hears his name and turns to look, his brows lifting when he recognizes Cordelia. "Where have you -been-??" He asks, his own voice hushed.
"Muirgheal's..." Cordelia whispers. Frowning, she puts her right hand on the front of her left shoulder and gently rotates that arm, wincing. "She...uh...wanted to speak to me. They let you out of jail?" She glances around, trying not to be overheard.
[George(#21718)] Tousle-headed and bleary-eyed, George clumps into the Pony a little behind Cordelia. His eyes rove over her for a few counts. Then he rubs them, stretches with a yawn, and finds his way over to a table near the fireplace. Lowering into a chair, he claims a second with his feet, and snaps his fingers a few times.
Keldean watches with a scowl as another patron makes his way into the bar so late at night. "You can't sit there.. You can sit at the -bar- .. I have to clean the floors." The teen isn't terribly polite as he addresses George and gestures towards the counter where the other few nightcrawlers are enjoying their drinks.
Keldean looks back at Cordelia without waiting for a reply from the customer. "Yes.. they -let- me out. I'm working here with no pay for a month!" He says in an exasperated whisper. "I had to convince them of quite a lot, which is stupid if you ask me because I brought his cart -back- for him."
George glances over at the teen, and smiles broadly. "Been working you hard here at the Pony, son? Surliness and Barliman just don't seem to be... " He pauses, perhaps seeking a word. "Synonymous," he concludes, with another broad grin. "I like it here, and you'll have to clean up after my boots now, anyway. Ale and some of your meat stew, son."
"A month with no pay?! That's it?!" Cordelia doesn't bother to contain her laughter or keep her voice low. "You got off easy..." She smiles, jerking her head toward George as the man demands service. "Even with the likes of him. Where is Addie's horse?"
Keldean flushes under Cordelia's disregard for his hardship. "Fine. I got off easy." He mutters, turning away sharply to look at George again. "It's practically the middle of t.. " The teen trails off, thinking better of the criticism he was about to unload upon the customer. "Just a moment.. sir." As he heads towards the door out to the kitchen, Keldean calls back to Cordelia. "-My- horse is in the stable."
"It's not your horse--it belongs to my family. And they may come back to get it," Cordelia says, her face darkening. "You don't want to argue with my uncle about whether or no it's his horse, do you?"
[George(#21718)] "A man's stomach is his master, son. As maybe you know." George shifts his weight, stretching out and yawning again. "So what's this about a month with no pay? You some kind of criminal?"
Keldean stops at the doorway, and poor George is still waiting for his meal to be fetched. The teen isn't certain there's any stew left at this late hour anyhow. "I don't think Addie's going to come claim it, and I haven't seen your uncle." His gaze travels over towards the customer again. "It's.. none of your business." He almost launches into a tirade, but changes his mind. Then the teen abruptly pushes through the door and heads off to the kitchen.
George's gaze follows the youth. "Cute kid," he comments. "Bad for business, I should think."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Well, well, if it isn't everyone's faovorite little pathetic scamp! In slips Tamhill with his ever presant staff. Still reed thin, the boy looks as though he's actually had a bath this week. Been hanging around that kind hearted hobbit, Conall, some say.
Big eyes of indeterminate coloring look over the common room of the Pony and check out who all is here. Then in walks the lad as if he owns the place and comes right up to the bar. He can't see over it though. But there's a stool. Nevermind the late hour.
Cordelia pushes back her hood, but leaves her cloak on. "Keldean's not a criminal," she says in a soothing voice, smiling at George--her dark eyes twinkle a little in the firelight. "He was misunderstood, and they're punishing him for it, but he didn't do anything wrong. Now...can I get you an ale?" The girl doesn't even work here anymore, but he she is, offering to pour the man a drink. She turns briefly, eyes scanning the room to see who else has entered, but it appears to be only a child and she gives him no notice.
[George(#21718)] Attention now averted from Keldean and fixed on the girl, George appraises her without her hood. "I say you might fetch me that ale, certainly." His own eyes twinkle back at her. "You could fetch yourself one as well, and sit a while." He indicates a place next to him, on the other side of his feet. "... My treat," he adds, with a smile.
Keldean returns after a few minutes with a bowl of stew and some bread on a tray. He carries it over to the table that George has chosen (which needs to be moved still!) and sets them down with a sigh. With a forced politeness, "The cook says that there are some baked potatoes that are still warm if you would like one."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill managed to get up on the stool and kicks his legs, then smacks the bar top loudly with his staff, "Hey! I be want'n someth'n tae eat!"
There's an answering smile in Cordelia's eyes for George. "Be glad to," she says. "You have the coin for it?" She almost stretches out her hand for the money, but Keldean interrupts with food, and there's a child loudly demanding food. "Isn't that the brat that Nob kicks out of here more often than not?" she says, smile souring.
[Brandebras(#25187)] At this point the door creaks open and a hobbit stands there. A rather flustered-looking young hobbit, red-cheeked and with his brown curls sweat-dampened as though he'd run all the way here. Panting, he shuts the door with an effort and takes a moment to get his breath back before he begins peering round the room.
[Keldean(#23332)] Tamhill's shrill voice suddenly distracts the teen, and Keldean looks over towards the bar. He scowls and walks towards the boy. "Do you have any money?" Without asking, Keldean reaches to try and grab the staff away from Tamhill. He remembers the child's lack of inhibition towards hitting people with it.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Oooh, Tamhill is maybe a little quick to fall for letting anyone grab his beloved beating stick. It's all a poor boy has for defense, besides his little feet, sharp tongue and teeth. The lad gives Keldean the evil eye, "Hey! Leave tha' be! Yea, I got some coin. I be want'n some stew. PLEASE!" the little rat adds, flashing teeth.
And the thin boy adds hurridly, "An' I wants some cheese tae go wit'it, an' somet'n tae drink. Juice?" He asks, hopefully.
[George(#21718)] "The coin, the coin. Do you have the coin." George laughs a little, then pats his waist to indicate a purse hidden there. "Yes, I'm good for it," he tells Cordelia. Then turning to his meat stew, he takes a whiff. "Ah... Cook is still working his magic, I see. Yes, throw a potato in with all that."
"All right, I'll get some ale then," Cordelia answers, though her playful manner has been disrupted by the commotion that Tamhill is causing. She turns to go fetch the ale and nearly trips over the hobbit that has just entered.
Keldean crosses his arms and leans against the bar next to Tam. "Let's see it." He states, frowning at the boy with a skeptical expression on his face. He avoids looking at Cordelia.
[Brandebras(#25187)] The hobbit, busy eyeing the tussle between Keldean and Tamhill, gives a little muffled squeak and jumps swiftly out of Cordelia's way. "Mind my toes!" he chirrups, still sounding a bit breathless, and then it registers. "Hey, aren't you that girl who ..." The words trail off and his apple cheeks turn a tiny bit redder.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill proudly produces ... a whole SILVER PENNY from his pocket! *gasp* The boy proudly places it upon the boy and shows lots of teeth, smiling, "Hop to!"
Keldean grits his teeth, almost glaring at Tamhill. He snatches up the coin and turns to head into the kitchen again. And then he spots Brandebras. He sighs in complete disgust now, "Do you want something to eat, too??" He demands of the hobbit, quickly growing frustrated. The floors are never going to get clean at this rate.
George's eyes follow Cordelia's figure as she heads away from him toward the kitchen, a smile quirking at his lips. As she nearly trips over the hobbit, his legs swing off the bench and under him as he prepares to go to her aid... but, no need. He settles back, brows arching at the greeting, "Aren't you the girl who... "
"Right...I'm that girl that works here," Cordelia conveniently fills in for Brandebras and then George. She smiles brightly again at both of them. "I can fetch you both ales. And Keldean...." she beams at the teen, trying to loop her arm through his..."can help me."
[Brandebras(#25187)] At Keldean's request the hobbit shakes his head. "No - well, yes - well, maybe just a /little/ snack. And a nice cold drink - is there apple cider? I ran most of the way here," the hobbit announces, wisely refraining from pinning any particular epithet on Keldean. "I thought I'd left something ..."
At George's words he turns his head and alas does not take Cordelia's hint. "Disappeared," he tells the man. "For a whole two months! Vanished without trace!" His eyes are round as saucers as he makes that pronouncement.
Keldean pulls away when Cordelia tries to catch his arm in hers. "Sure.. Cider." He flicks a glance at the young woman, then heads for the kitchen again, glancing back at the door to see if she's following before leaving the room once more.
[George(#21718)] "Barliman just can't seem to hold onto help for very long," George comments to no one in particular. "New set of hands every few months. Or so it seems." He cracks his neck to one side with a quiet popping sound, then seems poised to dive into his meat stew when the hobbit's outburst interrupts. The spoon poises between the bowl and his lips, steam pouring forth. "Is that so? Vanished, eh?"
Cordelia doesn't need a hint--nor does she need to hear people speculate about why she had disappered. "Ale and cider! Right away!" She hurries after Keldean. Tamhill's demand for food is liekly forgotten.
[Brandebras(#25187)] The hobbit nods solemnly at George, clearly delighted to have an audience. He moves a little closer, then states in a stage-whisper, "Some folk said she went off with one of those rangers. The man with the writing on his face ..."
Keldean reaches the kitchen and hands the silver coin off for someone to change over (since his math is relatively limited) and begins collecting the requested food. A bowl of stew for Tamhill, some cheese. Three baked potatoes, as well, one for each customer. He has a deep frown on his face and continues avoiding Cordelia's gaze. There's something bothering the teen.
"What is wrong with you?" Cordelia demands, hands folded across her chest. She pulls off her cloak, but doesn't bother to help out--she's not being paid (or not paid) to work here. "I was telling the truth about that horse--Ankh is sure to return at some point and demand it back. Sell the horse or somethign. Where you going to go with it anyhow?" She doesn't mention where Elfaron is..
Keldean looks up sharply, "What's wrong? What's -wrong-?? I had no idea where you were.. if you were okay. I was stuck in the jail! They won't let me leave town, the guards are watching for me at the gate. I couldn't go look for you." Underneath that angery demeanor is that cursed emotion that got him into this entire mess. He still cares about Cordelia, even now. "I had no idea if you were coming back! I'm stuck here and ... and.. I don't know!"
"Keldean..." Cordelia sighs, voice and manner softening. She pulls down the left shoulder of her dress just slightly--there are bandages there. "I couldn't come to you--I wanted to help you but I couldn't. Muirgheal found me in the woods and stabbed me. Lucky for me she felt guilty--she took me to her house and bound my wounds, but I was weak for days. I was her prisoner, in efect." She fixes her dress again. "You're not stuck here. You have a horse. I have Elfaron. We can leave. Take this food now nad just go. South."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Is that what you want to do? Make more trouble and run away again? Where would we go? Do you know? I don't." Keldean has lowered his voice, but he still sounds strained. "What about Liuni? And what if the rangers catch us?"
The rangers...that thought hadn't occurred to Cordelia until now. She frowns. "They won't care if it's just me, you and Liuni leaving. They'll think I'm trying to escape my family, which I am. And south...we can go south," she says, determined. "I'll lighten my hair. Make myself look different."
Keldean grows quiet, the tray of food left to sit cooling on the counter for the moment. There's doubt on his face. "Do you really think your uncle will come back? Why can't we just stay here?" The teen is less eager this time around, the taste of the world outside showed him how dangerous it is.
"Someone will come back. Not Ankh, likely," Cordelia says, glancing at Keldean and then to the food. "You'll be safe, though. Come on, the food is getting cold.'
[Keldean(#23332)] "I don't know.. I need time to think about it." Keldean is in turmoil, his fears and doubts in direct conflict with his wants and desires. "Do you -want- me to go with you?"
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Very quietly, someone comes to stand just outside of the kitchen door and sort of just barely leans against it - just enough to peer in and listen.
Cordelia slings her cloak over one arm and still looks between the food and Keldean. "I want to be with you, Keldean. I like you." Did she -really- say that? She pauses as if surprising herself. "But if you come with me, you'll die. Likely I won't live much logner either."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Die? What are you talking about? Cordelia.. we need to talk about this all." Keldean says with a frustrated sigh. He reaches for the tray of food, "But if I don't get this food to the people out there and Nob hears I'm going to end up back in jail." He moves towards the door, kicking with his foot to open it so he can walk through.
Behind Keldean, Cordelia shakes her head, frowning--no matter how many painful days they had just spent on the road together, Keldean apparently doesn't understand just what kind of people her 'family' is. She grabs a basket of bread and follows him out.
******
Meanwhile back in the Common Room, just after Keldean and Cordelia have left......
The hobbit nods solemnly at George, clearly delighted to have an audience. He moves a little closer, then states in a stage-whisper, "Some folk said she went off with one of those rangers. The man with the writing on his face ..."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
The boy sighs, yes, likely forgotten. Tamhill looks all pathetic and starved, so thin, and can't even get anything to eat. But Brandebras's whisper isn't very hushed and the scamp perks up, listening. Oddly enough, he says ...nothing!
[George(#21718)] "Do tell." The spoon continues on its journey into George's mouth, but the man's attention is focused on the hobbit now.
The hobbit fidgets slightly. "I don't know much more. But she and Mister Seeker were friendly, they were always going about together. Then one day the both of them vanished. Some people wondered if they might have ... uh, it's not very polite to talk about stuff like that, is it? With Mister Seeker being married and all." Red? He's positively crimson now. He shrugs. "But if Miss Wood's back, I suppose they can't have run off together."
[George(#21718)] The same smile that followed Cordelia's back flits across George's stew-filled face. "Is that so," he replies. "Miss Wood? That's her name?" His head jerks toward the door through which Cordelia and Keldean have disappeared.
Well now, that's an easier question. The hobbit ducks his head. "Yes, Miss Cordelia Wood. And that boy, Mister Pinewick," he points toward the door, "he's the one who stole Nob's cart. You'll have heard about that, Mister ..." He lets the word trail off into a query.
[George(#21718)] "Pickthorn. George Pickthorn." He lays the spoon into the bowl and extends his hand. Both man and hobbit appear to have forgotten the boy's presence in the room. Or perhaps they are unconcerned about him. "Well, now, I've been out of town a while. Up visiting the family, don't you know."
The hobbit stretches out his own hand. "Mister Pickthorn - oh, of course!" He beams as if he'd known that all along. "And I'm Brandebras Bywater. The Mayor's brother," he adds, in case that's needed. He eyes the quiet common room and wonders aloud, for anyone who happens to listen, "Don't suppose anyone's seen an ink-bottle lying around? I was /sure/ I'd left mine here ..."
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Tamhill looks around but doesn't see any ink bottles. "Sure be tak'n a long time tae be gett'n me stew." The boy hops off of the stool and heads for the kitchen - with his staff.
George shakes the hobbit's hand. "Glad to know you, Mister Bywater." He releases the hand, and glances around the common room. "Nope, just got here myself. No ink-bottles that I know of." He eyes the hobbit curiously, then shrugs, taking a quaff of ale before returning to his stew. "Have a lot to catch up on, seems," he notes before taking a mouthful.
The hobbit, Brandebras, takes a long time looking round the room, just in case. When at last his gaze turns back to George, he sighs. Where is /his/ food? However, he enquires politely, "Where did you say your family was?"
[Tamhill(#32501)]
ACK! Keldean kicks the door to open it, hands full of tray, and back blunders Tamhill in a sprawled heap, "Hey! I t'was just a comm'n tae see where me stew be! How rude!"
[Keldean(#23332)] "You have no business going in the kitchen, Tam! I'm bringing your food." Keldean has no regret for hitting the kid with the door and moves past him without offering any aid. He moves towards George first with his tray of food, setting down a small plate with a buttered baked potato in front of the man, then he moves back to the bar where the boy -had- been sitting and sets a bowl of stew, another baked potato, and a glass of juice down. Finally, the last potato on his tray is taken to Brandebras.
George chews slowly and deliberately, taking his time and savouring the stew. He swallows and wipes his lips thoroughly. "I didn't," he smiles in response to the question. If he's about to say more, he's interrupted by the commotion at the door. "Ah, here comes Nob's little thief now." And as the teen stumbles over the little boy, he barks out a short laugh. "Someone needs to put a hole in that door! Second time this evening!"
Cordelia comes back into the common room, carrying a basket of bread and heading to set it down on the table where George sits.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Looking all hurt and offended, the boy scrambles back up onto the stool and looks at the food laid out. "No cheese?" Tamhill asks. But oooh, the stew Hazel makes is sooo good, and there's a potato, too! Though it be hot and he needs to be careful not to burn himself, the scamp starts to dig in.
A quick look back to Keldean, forgetting about the door, "Thank Yea!"
[Brandebras(#25187)] At the commotion from the kitchen Brandebras turns his head to watch, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. "I don't think a hole in the door would help," he says gravely. "Maybe they should just leave it open." As Keldean sets down the baked potato, he summons up a polite smile and even a "Thank you" as he rummages for some coins.
George makes a noncommital noise as he settles back into devouring his stew. He nods at Cordelia and the bread, gesturing to her to sit.
A quick look to Keldean, then Cordelia pulls up a chair and sits next to George. "So you figure out who I am yet/" she smiles.
[Tamhill(#32501)]
Finally, the scamp gets what he came in for. As soon as he has his change for his silver penny, and once all of the food is devoured in record time, the boy slips off of the high stool with his stick. Tamhill wipes his mouth with his sleeve and burps loudly, then flashes teeth in a grin, "Dat's good!"
A moment later, the boy is running for the door and other mischief to make. Or to sleep goodness only knows where.
[Keldean(#23332)] Now that everyone has their food, Keldean goes back to dragging tables across the floor. He has little concern for the noise the activity makes, the job needs to be done and these night-owls will simply have to suffer.
[George(#21718)] "Miss Cordelia Woods, who vanishes inot the woods with a married man," returns George between mouthfuls. A grin softens his words. "My kind of girl." He winks.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras too seems most interested in his food. Soon he's busy tucking in to his baked potato, with seemingly no interest in the goings on around him. After one particularly loud scrape, though, he looks up to ask Keldean, "I don't suppose you know where my ink-bottle is? I thought I'd left it here, that was why I came back, but the room looks all different now ..." He gestures with his empty fork.
From underneath dark lashes, Cordelia gives George a shy look, smiling a little. "Now why would you think I'm that type of girl? Just because the rumors say so?" She tosses her hair--it's long and shiny and black. "So...um...who are you again? What do you do for a living in these parts?" Her gaze briefly follows Tamhill and then turns to Keldean and Brandebras, but they seem to be of no concern to her right now.
George watches as the girl tosses her inky black hair, and chuckles. "I think I know where the contents of your ink-bottle went, Mister Bywater... "
Keldean doesn't even hear Brandebras. He's far too busy watching Cordelia speak with George. He sees that look she gives the man and rather roughly shoves the table he's moving into some chairs, making a considerable deliberate clattering. There's a dark look on the teen's face.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras sighs, giving Keldean a pained look - with that much noise, how's a body to hear anything interesting - then returns to the business of eating.
Cordelia's laugh at George's words floats through the room lightly. She gives the man another look, then turns, eyes twinkling and winks to Keldean. "He's accusing me of coloring my hair with ink. Yet he won't tell me what he does here in Bree and he wants me to reveal all my secrets."
[George(#21718)] The clattering distracts George from watching Cordelia's hair bounce soon enough for him to catch the dark look. His bushy red brows lift, and he turns his attention back to the girl. The expression on his face plainly reads, "Oh really?" but he says nothing.
[Brandebras(#25187)] A brief interlude in the table dragging allows Brandebras to hear just a few of Cordelia's words. He looks up. "Ink? Like the ink on Mister Seeker's face? Um.." He focuses back on his plate and those last few mouthfuls of potato.
Keldean looks away at her private wink, anger flashing across his face. He reaches for the chairs and begins stacking them, that scowl still on his face. He looks sharply over at Brandebras when he hears something through the noise he's making. "What did you just say? About Seeker?"
Cordelia's smile fades, too, at the mention of Seeker. She does spare a small smile again for George, though--shrugging and looking apologetic. "It's just that I don't know your name. We haven't met, though you seem to know me? I'm Cordy."
[Brandebras(#25187)] "Hmm?" Brandebras looks up from his plate again, with good reason - sadly, it's now completely empty. "Just that he has ink on his face. You know, those funny drawings ..." Idly his finger traces a chevron shape on the table. "You definitely /haven't/ seen my ink-bottle?" he presses Keldean.
[George(#21718)] "Ah, forgive me. I forget my manners, Miss Woods. My name is George, George Pickthorn." He rises to his feet and bows slightly from the waist. Re-seating himself, he turns toward Brandebras, listening.
[Keldean(#23332)] "No.. I haven't seen it." Keldean answers, rolling his eyes. "I'll tell the others to look for it." He adds after a moment's thought.
"George Pickethorn. Married man." Cordelia smiles, repeating the man's name and adding the last with a wink. "I will have you know that I'm respectable. And that I don't sneak off into the woods with Mr. Seeker. Well, not really." She turns to reply to the hobbit. "I know the man--and I know the markings on his face." That makes her frown, though.
[Brandebras(#25187)] "Oh, would you?" Brandebras looks hopeful at Keldean's offer - seems he's not accusing the lad of theft then. Cordelia's frown seems to unsettle him, for instead of elaborating on his earlier words he mumbles, "I'll just check one or two more likely places." He hops up, walks across the room and stands on tiptoe to peer onto the window-sill, then heaves a sigh. No luck.
George rubs his chin, considering the shape traced on the table. He looks up and over at Cordelia. "Married man? Now what gave you that idea, Miss Woods?" His eyes twinkle. There is no sign of a wedding band or other indication this man is married.
Keldean nods faintly towards the hobbit, and is about to go back to stacking chairs when he hears George. It seems to be the last straw.. that suggestive talk. The teen sucks in a sharp breath, the glare returning swiftly to his face, then he turns and storms out of the room without another word, shoving the door hard as he pushes through it.
"Well you -implied- that you were married when you were speaking to me earlier," Cordelia answers, smiling again. She lets her gaze linger on George for a moment longer than needed. "I trust you'd correct me if I'm wrong? In any case..." Oh....her smile fades quickly as Keldean storms out. She sighs. "I don't know why he gets -so- jealous," she says, shaking her head and standing. "We're just friends..." She rolls her eyes. "I'd better see to his hurt feelings." With that, she tosses her dark hair again, then hurries out of the Common Room after Keldean.
[Brandebras(#25187)] Having exhausted the windowsill, Brandebras trails over toward the fireplace and makes a show of peering behind the brush and poker, then sadly shakes his head. "Maybe I just dropped it on the way home? I'd better go back and check." Completely oblivious to the teenage drama, he heads for the outer door, pausing only long enough to call out cheerily, "Goodnight, Mister Pickthorn!" Then he's gone.
[George(#21718)] "I'll wager the kid thinks they're more than "just friends". Eh, good night, Mister Bywater. Hope you find that ink bottle." George waves a cheerful 'farewell' at the hobbit, and goes back to his stew and his contemplation of a shape traced on the table.
Players: Keldean, Cordelia, Branderas, Tamhill, George
