Elendor
Braldor Lays Down the Law
Braldor pays a visit to Thari to discuss her relationship with Frarin.. who happens to show up! Then things get very heated.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: The Last Homely House
Game Date: May
Description: [Thari(#31038)]
The summer afternoon isn't very bright thanks to the rain, but at least it isn't hot. Thari has the window closed in this fey little room and is seated at the table, feet dangling. Her spare tunic is on the flat surface and she is plying a needle and thread to the sleeve with a look of intense concentration.
Her beard has gotten to be an inch or two long, her hair perhaps a bit longer. It's so thick that it has quite the appearance, soft waves standing straight out from her head in worls and cowlicks, all wild. The scars are still very much visible on her face in pink patches and lines, but the dwarves should be used to that by now.
[Braldor(#30149)] A knock is heard on Thari's door, actually, two knocks, likes a heavy fist is pummeling the poor wooden door. KNOCK! kNOCK! Clearly, no elf is seeking admittance, as their delicate knuckles would have been severly bruised by punishing the door so. No, it's clearly not an Elf. And who it is is soon discovered, as Braldor's voice is heard. "Thari? Are ye in there?"
Ranol stands quietly by Braldor's side, feeling all quite useless since he still can't carry a weapon. But, at the very least he could be a body shield. It's a noble way to die for your Thane.. fling yourself before him and take an arrow to the chest.. or a sword to the stomach.. or a mace to the face.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari slides off of the chair and lands with a thump in the soft carpet. "Yes, Braldor, I'm in. What is it?" she sighs. The lass opens the door, looks at both of the dwarves there, and apparently has second thoughts because she adds, "My, er, lord Thane."
[Braldor(#30149)] "I was wondering how ye were, o' course", the Thane says, going past Thari and entering the room. For the Thane, it seems, the act of opening the door is signal enough that he can come inside. "I've been worried about ye, since yer last incident with the troll... nasty piece o' business that was! Luckily my trusted Huskarl was there to save ye!", he adds, cuffing Ranol amiably on his shoulder. "I guess ye might have heard that Master Ranol has been promoted to Huskarl, eh? He's now the Chief o' my Guard... quite trustworthy fellow, indeed, huh?"
Ranol smiles when Braldor claps him on the shoulder. Then the dwarf backs out of the room with a small shrug for Thari. "I'll keep watch in the hall, m'lord." He says politely, leaving the room.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Yes, Braldor lad, I agree, and I told him so," Thari answers, but she does so in a wary tone, watching the Thane sidelong. She bows for Ranol as he goes. "My mother's nephew, but you knew that, didn't you?"
There is a brief pause that lengthens, nearly awkward, when abruptly she smiles. "So how've you been, Braldor?" It is asked in both a friendly and tense fashion, this question.
Ranol is in the hallway. Guarding in true Huskarly fashion. He's standing next to the open door.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I've been good, thankee", the Thane replies, "although freightfully worried about ye", he adds, casting a sidelong glace at the door. "Given that Ranol is standing guard, I'd say this is a good opportunity to have a small conversation with ye, Thari. Come, sit here", he adds, sitting on a chair and signalling to the bed in the room.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well, I know that everyone was worried with the kidnapping, but there's no cause for it anymore." Thari shuts the door a bit more, leaving just a crack open. She walks to the bed and climbs up to the edge, sitting there with her boots a foot or so off of the floor. "What have you to worry about, cousin?" she asks in an overly-light tone of voice.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What have I to worry about, indeed?", Braldor says, as he regards Thari with dark eyes glittering. "Perhaps I shoulkdn't worry for a wayward Bundazanul to have stayed behind the group... something which helped to cause all that mess with the troll", he says. "Perhaps I shouldn't worry about a wayward girl who's walking a very thin like as it is, flirting outrageously with someone from... from... Barazin", he says, spatting the last word as if it were a foul curse. "Yet I am Thane Bundaznaul, and I'm answerable to yer father and brothers for ye until we get back to Erebor. So I worry".
[Thari(#31038)]
"Now, Braldor," Thari says in a bit more of a firm tone of voice, hands on her knees, "You're making it sound as if it were so terrible that he's a Barazin. I'm sure Father wouldn't mind so long as he's successful and kind." She doesn't /sound/ so very sure. There is a bit of uncertainty about the eyes. "And nobody was hurt by the troll when..." she has the decency to blush here. "...when I tarried behind."
[Frarin(#31050)] In the corridor outside of the guest room another dwarf appears, coming up the grand staircase with a familiar limp. Frarin is walking slowly and, from the sweat gathered around his collar and unarms, has probably just come from a walk outside. This is only the second time in their time at Rivendell that the silversmith has ventured upstairs to Thari's room alone, but it follows quite closely on the first - indeed, perhaps because of the first.
He travels the length of the hallway in fairly short time, offering a polite nod to Ranol as he nears the huskarl. "Good afternoon, cousin," Frarin greets, peering at the sliver of a crack into Thari's room. He doesn't seem to hear the voices within. "Well then, does Thari need guarding from the elves this day?" His tone is light and joking - he seems in a good mood - and the rumble of his voice might carry through the crack of opened door.
"Thane Braldor pays her a visit." Ranol answers quietly, keeping his expression blank. "Perhaps you might wish to wait until he is finished meeting with her?" Ranol makes no move to chase Frarin off, but is standing off to the side, and makes no move to intercept him either.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What yer Father thinks we shall know when we get back to Erebor", comes Braldor's reply, his voice also turning quite firm. "Until then, as a Bundazanul and as a member if this group, ye are under my custody. And a Barazin! For Mahal!", he exclaims, "Is it that there are no good lads in Bundazanul to suit Balur's child? Successful and kind also, and of OUR clan!", he adds. It seems the Thane is not swayed by Thari's words about Barazins in general... or a certain Barazin in particular. "And remind me not about all the business with that troll. That was foolish, lass! Very foolish indeed, tarrying behind with... with... with that Barazin, when all the others had gone. Ye know that is not proper behavior for a Bundazanul... and ye surely know that yer father would disapprove of such a thing if he were here".
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari slides off of the bed to land on the floor with another thump. "I wasn't looking to marry, Braldor!" she protests, a hand flung at the door, where even now deep voices are rumbling. "It just happened, this thing with Frarin! You know that if he were a Bundazanul you'd be pushing me at him, wouldn't you? He's a good lad!" She folds her arms, looking more worried than angry at the Thane. "And if my father were here this whole conversation would be moot as I would have his aye or nay already!"
[Frarin(#31050)] "Oh does he?" Frarin replies, his joking expression fading almost immediately to a dry look of sarcasm. None of the silversmith's usual respect for ranking dwarves is in his tone. "Perhaps I might, perhaps I might not." And with that he makes no attempt to conceal the fact that he is trying to listen to what is going on in the room, physically craning towards the door, especially when Ranol makes no move to inhibit him. One of Frarin's brows raises considerably - he does not look pleased.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That which ye say is moot, for Frarin is no Bundazanul... if he were, he'd know how to behave properly!", Braldor replies, also standing now. "And if this... this /thing/, as ye name it, just happened, then this is a good time to put a stop to it, girl! As ye say, and I'll concede ye're right on that", he adds, as he takes a step towards Thari, "yer father ain't here. If he were, I wouldn't have to worry about this whole mess ye're in, for it'd be his problem, not mine. Yet alas!, he's in Erebor, and so it falls to me to watch over ye, as Thane of our clan. And as such, it's my duty to watch over ye and prevent any harm from coming to ye. And ye know I'm answerable to yer father, yer brothers, and the whole clan for this. And I will not have yer /thing/ with Frarin endanger us anymore".
[Thari(#31038)]
"How under the sun does Frarin endanger the Bundazanul?" Thari asks, both pleading and indignant in tone. "Sometimes people marry out of the clan! I'll grant you, it hasn't happened in my family for a long time, but I'm over a hundred and twenty years now! Father will be pleased that I'm finally looking to marry someone! Why aren't you pleased, too?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "Frarin and ye endanger not only Bundazanul, but everyone in this group, by doing foolish things like staying behind and falling in the grip of a troll. Didn't ye know that the lands are dangerous, and that we must stick together to make sure we're safe?", Braldor replies, his arms akimbo now. "And as for what yer Father thinks, I'd be happy to ask once we get back home. But for the time being, and as he's not here to tell me what his wishes are, I must act in his stead. Ye know that the Heir of Durin is a father ofr us all, and that each Thane must be regarded as a father to those of his clan. I am here to look after the best interest of the clan and yer family... specially those of yer father. So I'll put a stop to it meself if ye don't do it, girl! And trust me, it won't be a nice thing, nor something I wish to do. Yet I shall do it, if ye don't stop. Am I clear, young lady?", he asks, his dark eyes glittering anew.
[Frarin(#31050)] That does it. Frarin's wooden expression as he listens suddenly falls into a grim frown, eyes narrowing, brows knitting together, the ends of his mustache blowing out with a heavy breath. He barely gives Ranol a second glance as a rough hand abruptly pushes at the ajar door and the silversmith steps in. He does not barrel it and the door is not shoved open with a bang - indeed, aside from the positively fuming expression on his face, Frarin's manner seems quite calm. He steps in slowly and begins closing the door before Ranol or Braldor or Thari can protest.
"Really is best to close the door completely, you know," Frarin says, voice like stone, sarcasm dripping. He takes a breath, staring hard at Braldor. "Well, Master Thane, would you like to say something to me?"
Ranol is convinced that the Braldor's voice would have traveled -through- the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not arguing that you've custody of me, Braldor," Thari answers. Her hands go to her hips. "But I'm telling you right now," she continues stubbornly, "that I will NOT be putting a stop to it! You can ask a lot of me, Braldor my lad, but you can't ask that!"
Thari's eyes turn to Frarin as he enters. She looks a touch worry and anger is finally starting to show on her expression.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, look who it is", Braldor says, turning to regard Frarin. "Among Bundazanuls we don't use to overhear private conversations... must be a Barazin affectation", he adds, shaking his head slightly. "But now that ye're here, I'd say to ye what ye surely must have heard Silversmith... because I don't think such stony expression is yer usual one. I will have ye two stop this foolishness right away, and ye shall go to Balur once we reach Erebor, if ye wish something to do with Thari. Until that time, ye will not spend time alone, nor will ye attempt any unproper cotact with her. The forms must be observed, and yer going around them left and right, the both of ye!", he says, bristling. He turns on Thari then, and adds, "And I can ask that, Thari, indeed. Do NOT forget who I am. And ye plainly accepted my custody of ye. Nothing more will I say about it. My decision is final", he adds, crossing his arms.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's breathing becomes so heavy as Braldor speaks that is sounds almost like a growl deep at the back of his throat. His hands mirror Thari's as they go to his hips, but the silversmith is looking decidedly at Braldor, without even a side glance at Thari. "I would not have overheard you had you been speaking in more civil terms to Thari, but dolling out orders tends to carry through even closed doors." Ranol's protests are ignored as Frarin closes the door entirely.
His tone is quick and harsh, but Frarin does not raise his voice, lest others outside of the room overhear. "Will you now? Will you? What makes you think that I have any reason to obey your orders, Braldor? We have every intention of going to Thari's father upon our return to Erebor, but I will not be dictated orders." He gestures wildly towards Thari. "You are a Thane to Thari, but that does not give you /custody/ of her, as if she were some object to be done with at will! You seem quite ready to believe the worst of me, and yet it was not so until my involvement with Thari."
He snorts angrily, crossing his arms as if challenging Braldor. "I know very well who you are, Braldor. But you forget who I am, and who Thari is. We are adults and yet you treat us as naughty children. Your decision is foolish and stupid. If you wish Thari for yourself, then you should say so rather than lecture away like a frustrated beardling!" It seems for once Frarin's usually diplomacy has gone to hell, for his words are as bitter as they have been in a very long time. Yes, the silversmith, it seems, does not like to be ordered about.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I /know/ your decision is final, Braldor, but I can't abide by it! I won't! I..." Thari falls silent as Frarin speaks. Her eyes widen a bit, then flash toward her Thane.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor's face flushes now, and his eyes squint dangerously. "Ye can do as ye wish, Frarin. Ye're right, I am not the Thane of Barazin, not do I have any authority over ye. Thari, however, is another story. I am her Thane, and I'm acting on behalf of her father, as Balur ain't here. And ye speak about my change of mind about ye?", he asks, and his arms cross even tighter now, and his hands are made into fists, turning white at the knuckles slowly. "I have changed me mind about ye because ye have shown no respect for our traditions, and have shown a remarkable lack of judgement. I do not wish Thari for meself, if that's what yer jealousy and foolishness suggest ye believe. Yer lack o' manners are also something that doesn't endear ye to us of Bundazanul", he adds.
He makes towards the door, and he casts one final sidelong glace at Thari. "I shall not stay here to listen to the words of this one, foolish and full of haughtiness that they are. But ye have heard me, Thari daughter of Balur. Remember what I've told ye well. Yer father shall be informed of all that has happened on our return home... I'm sure he and yer brothers will be very intereswted on this all. Good day!" And with that the Thane exits, not turning his head nor bidding good bye to Frarin.
Ranol leans against the wall, rubbing his temple with the fingers of one hand. This is going about how he expected. Then, rather suddenly Braldor is saying good day and the huskarl will assume a more rigid stance and prepare to follow his thane.
[Frarin(#31050)] "I am decent and kind to those deserving of it," Frarin growls, even as Braldor makes for the door. "You ought to be less quick to judge one of your own clan, Braldor, if you seek to act as a father. But a Thane who believes the worst of his own and clearly harbours deep bias against other clans has no place as a Thane at all!" The silversmith's fists are clenched like iron at his sides now and the last brings his voice up to carry after Braldor as the Thane exits the room.
"Good day!" Standing stock still, nearly shaking, Frarin breathes heavily. He glances at last at Thari, but the anger in his face has not had nearly enough time to fade.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari, amazingly enough, holds her tongue as Braldor departs, giving her Thane a level look on his way out but neither bowing nor nodding her head. Once he is well and truly gone, she meets Frarin's angry eyes. "Papa's going to love this," she groans.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin is still heaving great angry breaths as he closes the door after Braldor, shaking his head with teeth clenched tight. He does not initially comment on Thari's words about her father. "How can he be so haughty? How in the hell was he ever elected Thane! He must be very rich indeed, by the Maker!" He brushes past Thari, going towards the room's window as if in need of fresh air.
Once the window is propped open slightly, Frarin turns swiftly about. His angry expression is now almost indignant. "And how can you agree that he has /custody/ of you? For Durin's sake, he is not the King! You are not a beardling, Thari, since when have you been so welcoming to authority?!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari snorts and shakes her head as if in agreeance with his first few comments, but as he rounds on her, her eyes widen again. "He's my /Thane/ Frarin! My father has me go with him because he expects that Braldor will look after me!" She gestures toward the door.
"I'm not welcoming of authority but I know that it's there! My father is my guardian when I am home and Braldor is while I am away and when we are wed YOU will be! I'm a woman, lad!" she says as if exasperated. "There aren't many of us, and it would be the same for me if I were a human or a hobbit or, Mahal forbid, an elf! We're supposed to listen to our men though that doesn't mean we do." Here she gives a bit of a smile.
[Frarin(#31050)] Instead of Frarin's usual relenting in the face of Thari's opinions about Braldor and her father, this time it seems only to encourage him. He shakes his fists frustratingly at his side and looks almost as if he could stamp the ground in irritation. "Fine! You know it's there and I know it's there, and I obey it when it is reasonable, but since when has courting another been outrageous behaviour? If we are the first unmarried couple to sneak off for some alone time, then you may call me Durin!"
But he doesn't stop there. He is riled now and his anger has not subsided with Braldor's departure. "I am /not/ going to be your /guardian/!" Every syllable is pronounced with force. Amazingly, he still manages to keep his voice low. "I do not /care/ if you are a woman, you have the intelligence and courage of any man, and the right to make your own decisions. By the Maker, Thari! I will be your partner, but if you intend to treat me as your guardian, then I will not marry you!" There is no sudden intake of breath as is Frarin has suddenly realised the full meaning of his words - his tone is level and resolute, fully serious.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not agreeing with him!" Thari attempts to interrupt the enraged silversmith, but her voice is quieter than his. "I'm not---" He finishes and she stops speaking, color high on her face and eyes round. She takes a step back, shaking as if slapped. "Frarin," she says in a wounded tone, the shock in her voice making it gentle. "I-- I don't know what to say. I-- I only-- I would have gone on treating you as I ever have." Her hands lift to cover her face quietly.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin pauses, breathing loud, when Thari takes a step back, but still he does not relent. It is as if his thoughts on this matter are not spur of the moment, but long brooded upon and just now rising to the surface. His tone is at least less harsh. "No, /no/. My mother never raised a single point of protest against my father his word was law. And when he was gone, she had to move in with my uncle and his wife in order to live again. Perhaps that is well and fine for humans or elves, but not for our people, not for you."
He turns away from her as she covers her face, and he looks instead out the window, one hand on his hip, the other kneading the lines of his brow. "I fell in love with you because you had that courage to stand up to me, to order me to sleep or stay out of battle. Order me when no one else would, and when I would take it from no others. I have said it before, Thari, if I had ever wanted a wife for the sake of obedience, I could have found one a very long time ago."
[Thari(#31038)]
"And here you're, you're going after me for a fault I've never committed!" Thari protests, her voice high. Her hands drop as he turns away. "Did I now obey Braldor? Did I consider obedience to my father when I swore to marry you even if he said no? Have I suddenly turned meek to you?" She walks to the table and climbs into the chair that Braldor so recently vacated. Her elbows set on the table and her face buries in her hands again. "Oh Mahal!" she says miserably.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin gives one last frustrated shake of his white-knuckled fists, but then his temper seems to abate abruptly at last, for Thari is indeed a miserable sight with her face burried in her hands. The silversmith backs up automatically and sits heavily on the edge of her bed. His shoulders sag and he is silent for a long time. When the silence at last becomes so loud that it is unbearable, then Frarin's rumble breaks the stillness.
"No," he says, voice catching at first. It is rough with the former harsh tone, but tired and growing gentler. "No, I do not think you meek. But to hear Braldor claim custody of you, and you not dispute it, that is...wrong. In my eyes, that is wrong."
[Thari(#31038)]
"And I must, ironically enough," Thari's hand drops as she looks to Frarin, her face flushed and blotchy. "agree with and be obedient to you absolutely on this matter or you will not marry me."
Thari sounds very torn, her voice stretched thin. "I do not like being given ultimatums, Frarin, I don't like being forced. My pride wants me to tell you to go then, if you want to leave me. It is much easier to stand up to you if I know you still love me and want me." Her voice cracks at this, and she blinks. "Why do you not?"
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's shoulders sag further still, but he looks almost as if he had expected such a reply, and feared it. As if somewhere in the back of his mind, as he berated Thari, the fatal flaw of his argument had not failed to escape him either. He licks his lips. "I do," he says, very quietly, forcing his gaze to meet Thari's. "I do still love you, and Durin only knows how much I want you."
He draws a steady breath, still keeping his eyes level with Thari. "I am sorry. I know the irony. But.../my/ conscience could not be content if I consented to act as your guardian, your master. They are one in the same for me." He stands as if to leave, though he remains rooted to the spot. "Thari, you are my love, my best friend." It is a bland comment, out of sync as if thrown out there because he needs to say it, but has found no other place to do so.
[Thari(#31038)]
"i haven't /asked/ you to be my master!" Thari's voice cracks again. She sounds very near to tears now, eyes liquid as she takes a great breath. "Why are you doing this to us? I've never once been obedient to you! What is wrong with you? What--?"
Thari's eyes flash. She blinks, and though this releases her tears, suddenly she is off the chair and standing between him and the door. "What is /wrong/ with you?" she demands, face wet but livid. "I haven't done /one single thing/ you've accused me of and then you're walking out the door for some hypothetical situation that you've made up in your head! You can stop this right now and apologize, you horrible old man, because I love you and I've never once threatened to run off on you, no matter how angry you've made me, and oh Durin," her voice shakes so low, "You make me /so angry/. Make your damned choice right now, Frarin! Are you going to stand beside me or are you going to walk out? This halfway nonsense is doing /nothing/ for me so it can stop RIGHT NOW!"
[Frarin(#31050)] "But Thari, you've just said it! Only moments ago!" It is Frarin's turn to look miserable, brows lifted as he holds his hands out as if the truth is somehow obvious. "You said that your father and Braldor were your gaurdians, and that when we were wed, that I would be the same. You said to Braldor that you did not argue with his custody over you." Yet, there is a new edge in his voice, an uncertain edge. He sounds listless, as if aware of the fact that he is wrong, but with enough heat still in his blood to carry on the argument vainly, rather than apologise.
"And that is not an ultimatum, then?" The comment is futile. Frarin is clearly aware now that he is fighting a losing battle and his retorts have grown lame. And at the last, he...makes a decision? "Of course I want to stand beside you! I asked you, didn't I?"
[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh yes, and that's what Frarin Forli's son expects," Thari retorts sarcastically, "For Thari to meekly obey him, much as she ever has, just like she is obediant to Braldor and Balur. I've always accounted you to be intelligent but obviously I've given you too much credit."
Her face is still ruddy, cheeks still wet. Tears seem to be leaking from the corners of her eyes without sobs. "I'm tired of how you treat me!" she says with a finger jabbing toward him. "You treat me as if you've no obligation to court me and and this nonsense! This nonsense! about leaving me if I don't behave as you like! Who do you think you are? I am Thari Balur's daughter and you're the only one who has ever one me so you're going to count yourself lucky, do you hear me? Because otherwise I will make your life /miserable/ because I'm not leaving you and if you try to leave me the backside of my hand will be having something to say to the side of your head!" She reaches out to smack him in the middle of the chest.
[Frarin(#31050)] Several times during Thari's rant, Frarin looks as if he is about to say something, but he maintains his silence like a naughty beardling. He looks thoroughly verbally whipped, shoulders slouching again, gaze dropping at last to the carpeted floor. The healer's smack is unexpected and he grunts when it hits his chest, though more from surprise than pain. But he allows it to force him back just enough so that he falls back to sit upon the bed.
"You...you are...right." The admission is almost whispered, with Frarin looking to the side with a frown. "I was...angry. At Braldor. Not at you. You are right." A slow intake of breath, Frarin is still looking at the ground. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry." He seems as if he has a much longer explanation for his apology, but that is all he manages for now.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari follows him, standing a foot away from him as he sits at the edge of the bed. "Leaving me! Leaving me, he says! He won't have me!" She presses the palms of her hands against her eyes and now sounds more hurt than angry. "You take advantage of knowing how much I love you! You treat me however you like because you know I'd never go! You know I don't like talking about it when I've a weakness but I'm going to tell you right now that you hurt me /so much/ just now! My heart has never broken before, never before today!"
Thari steps closer to him, pressing between his knees against the edge of the bed, then flings her arms around his neck and buries her face in the edge of his beard.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin tilts his head to cup Thari's face between his cheek and shoulder. He is beginning to breath normally again, but his eyes flick around guiltily. He nods lamely. "Yes, I agree. Sometimes I feel...like the whole world is against us. That's not an excuse though." One hand releases Thari and rubs at his eyes wearily, in a nervous manner. "Oh Durin, oh Durin, what must you think of me? What must you think now? You have every right to think I'm only marrying you out of convenience. Durin, that I could even consider throwing this away."
Getting away from Braldor wasn't nearly so difficult as Ranol anticipated. The dwarf wanted some time alone and the huskarl didn't argue. Despite his better judgement he finds himself wandering back up to Thari's room. And even though he -knows- he shouldn't.. he knocks softly at her door.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari pulls away just enough to nestle her mouth against his and kiss him. She kisses him again, then again once more, tasting his lips thirstily, as if savoring a great treat. "I daresay there has never been a dwarf who is as loved as you are, Frarin. Why /do/ you want to marry me then?"
Thari's lips fit against Frarin's once more just as a knock is heard at the door. Her head lifts at once and she looks back. "Hello?" she asks, her voice sounding a bit rough.
[Frarin(#31050)] "Oh Durin...I don't...deserve you," Frarin rumbles roughly between kisses. His voice is shakey, his kisses hungry and nervous, guilt still lingering in his manner. He shakes his head at Thari's question, a single tear rolling down the gruff old silversmith's cheek. "You...you save me from myself. You..." He shakes his head again, voice catching.
He breaks from the last kiss only reluctantly, staring at Thari as if in some sort of strange disbelief as she looks to the door. Taking a deep breath, Frarin rubs at his cheek and stands unsteadily, in case whoever is at the door is not a dwarf.
"It's Ranol.. May I come in?" He asks, his soft voice drifting through the likely over flowery and decorative elven door.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari looks back up to Frarin as her cousin speaks, and then she raises up on her toes to kiss the silversmith harder, her eyes squeezing shut with lingering tears still at the corners. She then steps away, but a hand is still left on his sleeve. "Come in, Ranol!" she calls.
[Frarin(#31050)] A small sigh of relief escapes Frarin as Ranol calls through the door, but then Thari is kissing the silversmith again and his eyes shut just the same as Thari's, though he does not know it. A deep breath escapes him when she pulls away, but he manages to whisper, "Durin, I'm so sorry," before Thari calls for the huskarl to enter.
Frarin straightens, rubbing at his cheek again and attempting to reassemble himself. But he will still look quite red in the face and tired when Ranol enters.
Ranol steps in, turning to close the door behind him gently. When he turns back, he looks over the two curiously for a moment, then runs a hand through his hair. "Ahh.. I just wanted to stop in. I don't really know why, I guess to make sure you were okay.."
[Thari(#31038)]
"We're fine," says Thari, though she looks tired and there are obvious tear-stains on her cheeks. Her hand is gripping Frarin's sleeve so tightly that her fingers are shaking a little. "Why do you suppose he is doing this, Ranol? Do you honestly believe he doesn't want me for himself?"
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin grunts at Thari's first comment, nodding gruffly, but he says nothing. A sigh does escape him at the healer's questions, but otherwise he is silent. Yet he does not seem at ease, as if stiff in posture, and his lips twitch once or twice. He is blinking more frequently than normal.
"Ahhh... Uhh.. " Ranol hesitates at her question, prudently looking away so the two might regain some composure. "I don't really want to speculate on that. I don't know. He hasn't told me anything."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's face tips up as her eyes go up to Frarin's features. Her hand slides up to touch Frarin's elbow, and then she is releasing him, taking a half-step away from the silversmith. She rubs at her face with both hands. "Oh, Durin, what a day," she groans.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin kneads his brow when Thari steps away and heaves another sigh. With his eyes still covered, he shakes his head. "That arse is probably going to try to report me to my own Steward, as if this were the miltary." He drops his hand and looks at the two with a semi-apologetic expression, as if acknowledging he is insulting their Thane. "Sorry. Don't mind me."
Ranol does stiffen a bit when Frarin goes on to insult Braldor again, glancing over with a wary expression. "Maybe.. I should go." He says carefully. "I just wanted to check, and I have."
[Thari(#31038)]
"I've cursed at you often enough today," Thari says with a wave of a hand toward Frarin, as if it doesn't even occur to her to be offended at an insult to Braldor. She looks tiredly at Ranol with blood-shot eyes. "Thank you for checking on me."
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's hand has gone over his eyes again, but he looks up at Ranol's careful comment, catching the huskarl's wary glance towards him. He waves at Ranol. "Relax, cousin. You won't have to hear me muttering mutinous comments about your Thane. I've done enough damage today as it is." He pauses. "Congratulations, by the way. On your promotion. It was well given." For once, there is no sarcasm in Frarin's voice. It seems he is genuine in his opinion of Braldor's decision.
Ranol pauses, looking over at Frarin as the man speaks. "Thank you, cousin." He says, nodding. Obviously he is concerned about the silver merchant continuing his dark comments, because his expression doesn't ease. "I will see if I can speak with Braldor." He says, looking to Thari now with a steady gaze, then turns and heads out the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Thank you," Thari says in a soft voice to Ranol. She bows to her cousin as he leaves. The door falls shut again. She looks up and over at Frarin. There is tiredness in her eyes and longing. Her lips part as if to speak, but she says nothing.
[Frarin(#31050)] A rough hand scrubs through Frarin's long hair as the silversmith sighs again, other hand on his hip. "By the Maker," he breaths, shaking his head. "By the Maker." And to himself, he begins speaking very quietly. "By the Maker, Frarin Forli's son. Well done on alienating the only two people who don't think of you entirely as a curmudgeon. Bloody brilliant, you are. Yes, well done indeed."
He looks up and gives Thari a sad, apologetic half-smile. "I...should be going. Not running away, just...going." And with an effort at pitiful humour, he adds, "We're alone after all. What would the Thane Braldor say?"
[Thari(#31038)]
"You're not going to let him frighten you into not seeing me, are you?" Thari suddenly becomes animated again, her bloodshot eyes worried. She seems tense, her words entirely at odds with her voice. "Don't go, or if you want some time alone, kiss me first? I want to know how you want me, you lovely rotten old dwarf."
Once he's out the door, Ranol will pull it closed solidly and begin to walk down the hall. He stops some distance from the room and runs his heavy hand through his short black hair again, pausing at a window. Hearing Frarin insult Braldor again like that, outside of the heat of the moment, cut away some of the admiration he's built up for the older dwarf and while his brain is telling him to be sensible and admit that all dwarves have their faults.. another part of him is sorely disappointed.
It's easy for Ranol to be disgusted with his father after everything the man has done, but for some reason it bothers him that he feels any negativity towards Frarin. His blue eyes drift through the trees outside, looking at nothing in particular. To brush of the insult feels as disloyalty to Braldor, but Ranol deeply wants to stick to his promise to Thari as well.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin is still blinking faster than usual as he looks back to Thari, his lips barely parting. He looks miserable as he shakes his head in disbelief. "I acted inexcusably, Thari. How can you still want me after that? How can you not give me the cold shoulder?" His tone as good as says 'That is what I would do'. But his expression softens some into a sort of sad, grateful smile, and he does not move towards the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I have no pride when it comes to you, dear," Thari says. Her own voice is sad in this admission and she leans against the bedpost, looking away. "I love you for your temper. I can't seem to help myself. You would do the same for me," she adds, but it is a wistful statement, as if she plainly does not believe the truth of it.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin frowns and his gaze drops to the floor, that guilty look returning briefly. "No," he says after a time, voice cracking with ashamed honesty. "No, I wouldn't have. Not until today, not until I realised that I took you granted." That brings his eyes up and he moves suddenly towards Thari, a hand on each cheek as he leans in to kiss her. And this time it is with such feeling as he has not kissed before, not with the physical longing of before, but rather with all the passion of a man who knows at last just how lucky he is and how close he has come to losing that he holds most dear.
Ranol sighs softly, dropping his hand to his side. For the hundredth time he wishes he had his blade and feels helpless without the weapon hanging at his hip. He tries to look at the situation from Frarin's point of view so that he can better understand the silversmith's behavior.
The huskarl tries to imagine how he might feel if it were him and that does ease some of his disappointment. It's difficult for Ranol to completely understand. He's never felt that kind of love for anyone, but some of his anxiety ebbs as he reasons out that Frarin probably is only deeply frustrated and seeking to vent his anger.
Then, all at once, Ranol feels guilty for thinking badly of Frarin. The dwarf was only trying to defend his love and care for Thari. He walks back to the bedroom door and knocks upon it again, intending to apologize without considering that they might want more privacy.
[Thari(#31038)]
Sweet and tender is Thari's kiss, a slight tremble beneath Frarin's hands and lips. Her eyes are closed, her hand is set upon his chest. "You won't anymore," she sighs when it is done, only a slight question in her voice. A knock is heard at the door, and Thari's fingers slowly tangle in Frarin's beard as she looks up at him, clearly a bit reluctant to answer, but at last she looks over the silversmith's shoulder. "Yes?"
[Frarin(#31050)] "No!" The word is not shouted, but a quick whisper as Frarin exhales, shaking his head and raising his brows all at once. "No. Never." He turns slightly, glancing over his shoulder at the door. He gives Thari's hand upon his chest a squeeze, then steps back from her and towards the door, smoothing his tunic before opens the door a wary crack.
"Ranol again.." He announces just as the dwarf opens the door. He takes a breath, "Frarin.. I'm sorry about how I behaved. You apologized and I shouldn't have taken your words so personally.. and.. ahh.. " The huskarl licks his lips after looking at Frarin's face and it dawns on him that the merchant likely doesn't care at all about how he feels just now. "I'm going to really go this time.. " He says in a sudden decisive tone, his cheeks flushing in mild embarrassment.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes linger on Frarin as he goes, both intense and somehow-- withdrawn a little. She nods for Ranol but paces across the room toward the table again.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin stares at Ranol as the huskarl explains the reason for his return. His expression is not wary or angry or kind or amused. It is merely attentive, the older dwarf watching Ranol with head tipped very slightly forward. His eyes drop briefly as Ranol finishes, though he does not otherwise move. After a moment, he nods once. "You had a right. To behave that way, I mean. I accept your apology, though I do not think you need to give one. You were being loyal, and that is commendable."
He looks back towards Thari, his gaze still somewhat questioning, hesitant. "I am going to go," he states, with a touch of a question in it. He does, however, add, "But I will not let him scare me off." There is just a hint of humour as Frarin makes reference to Thari's comment about Braldor from a few minutes ago. Perhaps he is suggesting he will return? Perhaps so, but for now he is leaving. "Ranol," he nods politely to the huskarl. Then the silver merchant is gone. Somewhere outside Thari's window, a bird twitters as if nothing was wrong with the world at all.
The summer afternoon isn't very bright thanks to the rain, but at least it isn't hot. Thari has the window closed in this fey little room and is seated at the table, feet dangling. Her spare tunic is on the flat surface and she is plying a needle and thread to the sleeve with a look of intense concentration.
Her beard has gotten to be an inch or two long, her hair perhaps a bit longer. It's so thick that it has quite the appearance, soft waves standing straight out from her head in worls and cowlicks, all wild. The scars are still very much visible on her face in pink patches and lines, but the dwarves should be used to that by now.
[Braldor(#30149)] A knock is heard on Thari's door, actually, two knocks, likes a heavy fist is pummeling the poor wooden door. KNOCK! kNOCK! Clearly, no elf is seeking admittance, as their delicate knuckles would have been severly bruised by punishing the door so. No, it's clearly not an Elf. And who it is is soon discovered, as Braldor's voice is heard. "Thari? Are ye in there?"
Ranol stands quietly by Braldor's side, feeling all quite useless since he still can't carry a weapon. But, at the very least he could be a body shield. It's a noble way to die for your Thane.. fling yourself before him and take an arrow to the chest.. or a sword to the stomach.. or a mace to the face.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari slides off of the chair and lands with a thump in the soft carpet. "Yes, Braldor, I'm in. What is it?" she sighs. The lass opens the door, looks at both of the dwarves there, and apparently has second thoughts because she adds, "My, er, lord Thane."
[Braldor(#30149)] "I was wondering how ye were, o' course", the Thane says, going past Thari and entering the room. For the Thane, it seems, the act of opening the door is signal enough that he can come inside. "I've been worried about ye, since yer last incident with the troll... nasty piece o' business that was! Luckily my trusted Huskarl was there to save ye!", he adds, cuffing Ranol amiably on his shoulder. "I guess ye might have heard that Master Ranol has been promoted to Huskarl, eh? He's now the Chief o' my Guard... quite trustworthy fellow, indeed, huh?"
Ranol smiles when Braldor claps him on the shoulder. Then the dwarf backs out of the room with a small shrug for Thari. "I'll keep watch in the hall, m'lord." He says politely, leaving the room.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Yes, Braldor lad, I agree, and I told him so," Thari answers, but she does so in a wary tone, watching the Thane sidelong. She bows for Ranol as he goes. "My mother's nephew, but you knew that, didn't you?"
There is a brief pause that lengthens, nearly awkward, when abruptly she smiles. "So how've you been, Braldor?" It is asked in both a friendly and tense fashion, this question.
Ranol is in the hallway. Guarding in true Huskarly fashion. He's standing next to the open door.
[Braldor(#30149)] "I've been good, thankee", the Thane replies, "although freightfully worried about ye", he adds, casting a sidelong glace at the door. "Given that Ranol is standing guard, I'd say this is a good opportunity to have a small conversation with ye, Thari. Come, sit here", he adds, sitting on a chair and signalling to the bed in the room.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well, I know that everyone was worried with the kidnapping, but there's no cause for it anymore." Thari shuts the door a bit more, leaving just a crack open. She walks to the bed and climbs up to the edge, sitting there with her boots a foot or so off of the floor. "What have you to worry about, cousin?" she asks in an overly-light tone of voice.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What have I to worry about, indeed?", Braldor says, as he regards Thari with dark eyes glittering. "Perhaps I shoulkdn't worry for a wayward Bundazanul to have stayed behind the group... something which helped to cause all that mess with the troll", he says. "Perhaps I shouldn't worry about a wayward girl who's walking a very thin like as it is, flirting outrageously with someone from... from... Barazin", he says, spatting the last word as if it were a foul curse. "Yet I am Thane Bundaznaul, and I'm answerable to yer father and brothers for ye until we get back to Erebor. So I worry".
[Thari(#31038)]
"Now, Braldor," Thari says in a bit more of a firm tone of voice, hands on her knees, "You're making it sound as if it were so terrible that he's a Barazin. I'm sure Father wouldn't mind so long as he's successful and kind." She doesn't /sound/ so very sure. There is a bit of uncertainty about the eyes. "And nobody was hurt by the troll when..." she has the decency to blush here. "...when I tarried behind."
[Frarin(#31050)] In the corridor outside of the guest room another dwarf appears, coming up the grand staircase with a familiar limp. Frarin is walking slowly and, from the sweat gathered around his collar and unarms, has probably just come from a walk outside. This is only the second time in their time at Rivendell that the silversmith has ventured upstairs to Thari's room alone, but it follows quite closely on the first - indeed, perhaps because of the first.
He travels the length of the hallway in fairly short time, offering a polite nod to Ranol as he nears the huskarl. "Good afternoon, cousin," Frarin greets, peering at the sliver of a crack into Thari's room. He doesn't seem to hear the voices within. "Well then, does Thari need guarding from the elves this day?" His tone is light and joking - he seems in a good mood - and the rumble of his voice might carry through the crack of opened door.
"Thane Braldor pays her a visit." Ranol answers quietly, keeping his expression blank. "Perhaps you might wish to wait until he is finished meeting with her?" Ranol makes no move to chase Frarin off, but is standing off to the side, and makes no move to intercept him either.
[Braldor(#30149)] "What yer Father thinks we shall know when we get back to Erebor", comes Braldor's reply, his voice also turning quite firm. "Until then, as a Bundazanul and as a member if this group, ye are under my custody. And a Barazin! For Mahal!", he exclaims, "Is it that there are no good lads in Bundazanul to suit Balur's child? Successful and kind also, and of OUR clan!", he adds. It seems the Thane is not swayed by Thari's words about Barazins in general... or a certain Barazin in particular. "And remind me not about all the business with that troll. That was foolish, lass! Very foolish indeed, tarrying behind with... with... with that Barazin, when all the others had gone. Ye know that is not proper behavior for a Bundazanul... and ye surely know that yer father would disapprove of such a thing if he were here".
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari slides off of the bed to land on the floor with another thump. "I wasn't looking to marry, Braldor!" she protests, a hand flung at the door, where even now deep voices are rumbling. "It just happened, this thing with Frarin! You know that if he were a Bundazanul you'd be pushing me at him, wouldn't you? He's a good lad!" She folds her arms, looking more worried than angry at the Thane. "And if my father were here this whole conversation would be moot as I would have his aye or nay already!"
[Frarin(#31050)] "Oh does he?" Frarin replies, his joking expression fading almost immediately to a dry look of sarcasm. None of the silversmith's usual respect for ranking dwarves is in his tone. "Perhaps I might, perhaps I might not." And with that he makes no attempt to conceal the fact that he is trying to listen to what is going on in the room, physically craning towards the door, especially when Ranol makes no move to inhibit him. One of Frarin's brows raises considerably - he does not look pleased.
[Braldor(#30149)] "That which ye say is moot, for Frarin is no Bundazanul... if he were, he'd know how to behave properly!", Braldor replies, also standing now. "And if this... this /thing/, as ye name it, just happened, then this is a good time to put a stop to it, girl! As ye say, and I'll concede ye're right on that", he adds, as he takes a step towards Thari, "yer father ain't here. If he were, I wouldn't have to worry about this whole mess ye're in, for it'd be his problem, not mine. Yet alas!, he's in Erebor, and so it falls to me to watch over ye, as Thane of our clan. And as such, it's my duty to watch over ye and prevent any harm from coming to ye. And ye know I'm answerable to yer father, yer brothers, and the whole clan for this. And I will not have yer /thing/ with Frarin endanger us anymore".
[Thari(#31038)]
"How under the sun does Frarin endanger the Bundazanul?" Thari asks, both pleading and indignant in tone. "Sometimes people marry out of the clan! I'll grant you, it hasn't happened in my family for a long time, but I'm over a hundred and twenty years now! Father will be pleased that I'm finally looking to marry someone! Why aren't you pleased, too?"
[Braldor(#30149)] "Frarin and ye endanger not only Bundazanul, but everyone in this group, by doing foolish things like staying behind and falling in the grip of a troll. Didn't ye know that the lands are dangerous, and that we must stick together to make sure we're safe?", Braldor replies, his arms akimbo now. "And as for what yer Father thinks, I'd be happy to ask once we get back home. But for the time being, and as he's not here to tell me what his wishes are, I must act in his stead. Ye know that the Heir of Durin is a father ofr us all, and that each Thane must be regarded as a father to those of his clan. I am here to look after the best interest of the clan and yer family... specially those of yer father. So I'll put a stop to it meself if ye don't do it, girl! And trust me, it won't be a nice thing, nor something I wish to do. Yet I shall do it, if ye don't stop. Am I clear, young lady?", he asks, his dark eyes glittering anew.
[Frarin(#31050)] That does it. Frarin's wooden expression as he listens suddenly falls into a grim frown, eyes narrowing, brows knitting together, the ends of his mustache blowing out with a heavy breath. He barely gives Ranol a second glance as a rough hand abruptly pushes at the ajar door and the silversmith steps in. He does not barrel it and the door is not shoved open with a bang - indeed, aside from the positively fuming expression on his face, Frarin's manner seems quite calm. He steps in slowly and begins closing the door before Ranol or Braldor or Thari can protest.
"Really is best to close the door completely, you know," Frarin says, voice like stone, sarcasm dripping. He takes a breath, staring hard at Braldor. "Well, Master Thane, would you like to say something to me?"
Ranol is convinced that the Braldor's voice would have traveled -through- the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not arguing that you've custody of me, Braldor," Thari answers. Her hands go to her hips. "But I'm telling you right now," she continues stubbornly, "that I will NOT be putting a stop to it! You can ask a lot of me, Braldor my lad, but you can't ask that!"
Thari's eyes turn to Frarin as he enters. She looks a touch worry and anger is finally starting to show on her expression.
[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, look who it is", Braldor says, turning to regard Frarin. "Among Bundazanuls we don't use to overhear private conversations... must be a Barazin affectation", he adds, shaking his head slightly. "But now that ye're here, I'd say to ye what ye surely must have heard Silversmith... because I don't think such stony expression is yer usual one. I will have ye two stop this foolishness right away, and ye shall go to Balur once we reach Erebor, if ye wish something to do with Thari. Until that time, ye will not spend time alone, nor will ye attempt any unproper cotact with her. The forms must be observed, and yer going around them left and right, the both of ye!", he says, bristling. He turns on Thari then, and adds, "And I can ask that, Thari, indeed. Do NOT forget who I am. And ye plainly accepted my custody of ye. Nothing more will I say about it. My decision is final", he adds, crossing his arms.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's breathing becomes so heavy as Braldor speaks that is sounds almost like a growl deep at the back of his throat. His hands mirror Thari's as they go to his hips, but the silversmith is looking decidedly at Braldor, without even a side glance at Thari. "I would not have overheard you had you been speaking in more civil terms to Thari, but dolling out orders tends to carry through even closed doors." Ranol's protests are ignored as Frarin closes the door entirely.
His tone is quick and harsh, but Frarin does not raise his voice, lest others outside of the room overhear. "Will you now? Will you? What makes you think that I have any reason to obey your orders, Braldor? We have every intention of going to Thari's father upon our return to Erebor, but I will not be dictated orders." He gestures wildly towards Thari. "You are a Thane to Thari, but that does not give you /custody/ of her, as if she were some object to be done with at will! You seem quite ready to believe the worst of me, and yet it was not so until my involvement with Thari."
He snorts angrily, crossing his arms as if challenging Braldor. "I know very well who you are, Braldor. But you forget who I am, and who Thari is. We are adults and yet you treat us as naughty children. Your decision is foolish and stupid. If you wish Thari for yourself, then you should say so rather than lecture away like a frustrated beardling!" It seems for once Frarin's usually diplomacy has gone to hell, for his words are as bitter as they have been in a very long time. Yes, the silversmith, it seems, does not like to be ordered about.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I /know/ your decision is final, Braldor, but I can't abide by it! I won't! I..." Thari falls silent as Frarin speaks. Her eyes widen a bit, then flash toward her Thane.
[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor's face flushes now, and his eyes squint dangerously. "Ye can do as ye wish, Frarin. Ye're right, I am not the Thane of Barazin, not do I have any authority over ye. Thari, however, is another story. I am her Thane, and I'm acting on behalf of her father, as Balur ain't here. And ye speak about my change of mind about ye?", he asks, and his arms cross even tighter now, and his hands are made into fists, turning white at the knuckles slowly. "I have changed me mind about ye because ye have shown no respect for our traditions, and have shown a remarkable lack of judgement. I do not wish Thari for meself, if that's what yer jealousy and foolishness suggest ye believe. Yer lack o' manners are also something that doesn't endear ye to us of Bundazanul", he adds.
He makes towards the door, and he casts one final sidelong glace at Thari. "I shall not stay here to listen to the words of this one, foolish and full of haughtiness that they are. But ye have heard me, Thari daughter of Balur. Remember what I've told ye well. Yer father shall be informed of all that has happened on our return home... I'm sure he and yer brothers will be very intereswted on this all. Good day!" And with that the Thane exits, not turning his head nor bidding good bye to Frarin.
Ranol leans against the wall, rubbing his temple with the fingers of one hand. This is going about how he expected. Then, rather suddenly Braldor is saying good day and the huskarl will assume a more rigid stance and prepare to follow his thane.
[Frarin(#31050)] "I am decent and kind to those deserving of it," Frarin growls, even as Braldor makes for the door. "You ought to be less quick to judge one of your own clan, Braldor, if you seek to act as a father. But a Thane who believes the worst of his own and clearly harbours deep bias against other clans has no place as a Thane at all!" The silversmith's fists are clenched like iron at his sides now and the last brings his voice up to carry after Braldor as the Thane exits the room.
"Good day!" Standing stock still, nearly shaking, Frarin breathes heavily. He glances at last at Thari, but the anger in his face has not had nearly enough time to fade.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari, amazingly enough, holds her tongue as Braldor departs, giving her Thane a level look on his way out but neither bowing nor nodding her head. Once he is well and truly gone, she meets Frarin's angry eyes. "Papa's going to love this," she groans.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin is still heaving great angry breaths as he closes the door after Braldor, shaking his head with teeth clenched tight. He does not initially comment on Thari's words about her father. "How can he be so haughty? How in the hell was he ever elected Thane! He must be very rich indeed, by the Maker!" He brushes past Thari, going towards the room's window as if in need of fresh air.
Once the window is propped open slightly, Frarin turns swiftly about. His angry expression is now almost indignant. "And how can you agree that he has /custody/ of you? For Durin's sake, he is not the King! You are not a beardling, Thari, since when have you been so welcoming to authority?!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari snorts and shakes her head as if in agreeance with his first few comments, but as he rounds on her, her eyes widen again. "He's my /Thane/ Frarin! My father has me go with him because he expects that Braldor will look after me!" She gestures toward the door.
"I'm not welcoming of authority but I know that it's there! My father is my guardian when I am home and Braldor is while I am away and when we are wed YOU will be! I'm a woman, lad!" she says as if exasperated. "There aren't many of us, and it would be the same for me if I were a human or a hobbit or, Mahal forbid, an elf! We're supposed to listen to our men though that doesn't mean we do." Here she gives a bit of a smile.
[Frarin(#31050)] Instead of Frarin's usual relenting in the face of Thari's opinions about Braldor and her father, this time it seems only to encourage him. He shakes his fists frustratingly at his side and looks almost as if he could stamp the ground in irritation. "Fine! You know it's there and I know it's there, and I obey it when it is reasonable, but since when has courting another been outrageous behaviour? If we are the first unmarried couple to sneak off for some alone time, then you may call me Durin!"
But he doesn't stop there. He is riled now and his anger has not subsided with Braldor's departure. "I am /not/ going to be your /guardian/!" Every syllable is pronounced with force. Amazingly, he still manages to keep his voice low. "I do not /care/ if you are a woman, you have the intelligence and courage of any man, and the right to make your own decisions. By the Maker, Thari! I will be your partner, but if you intend to treat me as your guardian, then I will not marry you!" There is no sudden intake of breath as is Frarin has suddenly realised the full meaning of his words - his tone is level and resolute, fully serious.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not agreeing with him!" Thari attempts to interrupt the enraged silversmith, but her voice is quieter than his. "I'm not---" He finishes and she stops speaking, color high on her face and eyes round. She takes a step back, shaking as if slapped. "Frarin," she says in a wounded tone, the shock in her voice making it gentle. "I-- I don't know what to say. I-- I only-- I would have gone on treating you as I ever have." Her hands lift to cover her face quietly.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin pauses, breathing loud, when Thari takes a step back, but still he does not relent. It is as if his thoughts on this matter are not spur of the moment, but long brooded upon and just now rising to the surface. His tone is at least less harsh. "No, /no/. My mother never raised a single point of protest against my father his word was law. And when he was gone, she had to move in with my uncle and his wife in order to live again. Perhaps that is well and fine for humans or elves, but not for our people, not for you."
He turns away from her as she covers her face, and he looks instead out the window, one hand on his hip, the other kneading the lines of his brow. "I fell in love with you because you had that courage to stand up to me, to order me to sleep or stay out of battle. Order me when no one else would, and when I would take it from no others. I have said it before, Thari, if I had ever wanted a wife for the sake of obedience, I could have found one a very long time ago."
[Thari(#31038)]
"And here you're, you're going after me for a fault I've never committed!" Thari protests, her voice high. Her hands drop as he turns away. "Did I now obey Braldor? Did I consider obedience to my father when I swore to marry you even if he said no? Have I suddenly turned meek to you?" She walks to the table and climbs into the chair that Braldor so recently vacated. Her elbows set on the table and her face buries in her hands again. "Oh Mahal!" she says miserably.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin gives one last frustrated shake of his white-knuckled fists, but then his temper seems to abate abruptly at last, for Thari is indeed a miserable sight with her face burried in her hands. The silversmith backs up automatically and sits heavily on the edge of her bed. His shoulders sag and he is silent for a long time. When the silence at last becomes so loud that it is unbearable, then Frarin's rumble breaks the stillness.
"No," he says, voice catching at first. It is rough with the former harsh tone, but tired and growing gentler. "No, I do not think you meek. But to hear Braldor claim custody of you, and you not dispute it, that is...wrong. In my eyes, that is wrong."
[Thari(#31038)]
"And I must, ironically enough," Thari's hand drops as she looks to Frarin, her face flushed and blotchy. "agree with and be obedient to you absolutely on this matter or you will not marry me."
Thari sounds very torn, her voice stretched thin. "I do not like being given ultimatums, Frarin, I don't like being forced. My pride wants me to tell you to go then, if you want to leave me. It is much easier to stand up to you if I know you still love me and want me." Her voice cracks at this, and she blinks. "Why do you not?"
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's shoulders sag further still, but he looks almost as if he had expected such a reply, and feared it. As if somewhere in the back of his mind, as he berated Thari, the fatal flaw of his argument had not failed to escape him either. He licks his lips. "I do," he says, very quietly, forcing his gaze to meet Thari's. "I do still love you, and Durin only knows how much I want you."
He draws a steady breath, still keeping his eyes level with Thari. "I am sorry. I know the irony. But.../my/ conscience could not be content if I consented to act as your guardian, your master. They are one in the same for me." He stands as if to leave, though he remains rooted to the spot. "Thari, you are my love, my best friend." It is a bland comment, out of sync as if thrown out there because he needs to say it, but has found no other place to do so.
[Thari(#31038)]
"i haven't /asked/ you to be my master!" Thari's voice cracks again. She sounds very near to tears now, eyes liquid as she takes a great breath. "Why are you doing this to us? I've never once been obedient to you! What is wrong with you? What--?"
Thari's eyes flash. She blinks, and though this releases her tears, suddenly she is off the chair and standing between him and the door. "What is /wrong/ with you?" she demands, face wet but livid. "I haven't done /one single thing/ you've accused me of and then you're walking out the door for some hypothetical situation that you've made up in your head! You can stop this right now and apologize, you horrible old man, because I love you and I've never once threatened to run off on you, no matter how angry you've made me, and oh Durin," her voice shakes so low, "You make me /so angry/. Make your damned choice right now, Frarin! Are you going to stand beside me or are you going to walk out? This halfway nonsense is doing /nothing/ for me so it can stop RIGHT NOW!"
[Frarin(#31050)] "But Thari, you've just said it! Only moments ago!" It is Frarin's turn to look miserable, brows lifted as he holds his hands out as if the truth is somehow obvious. "You said that your father and Braldor were your gaurdians, and that when we were wed, that I would be the same. You said to Braldor that you did not argue with his custody over you." Yet, there is a new edge in his voice, an uncertain edge. He sounds listless, as if aware of the fact that he is wrong, but with enough heat still in his blood to carry on the argument vainly, rather than apologise.
"And that is not an ultimatum, then?" The comment is futile. Frarin is clearly aware now that he is fighting a losing battle and his retorts have grown lame. And at the last, he...makes a decision? "Of course I want to stand beside you! I asked you, didn't I?"
[Thari(#31038)]
"Oh yes, and that's what Frarin Forli's son expects," Thari retorts sarcastically, "For Thari to meekly obey him, much as she ever has, just like she is obediant to Braldor and Balur. I've always accounted you to be intelligent but obviously I've given you too much credit."
Her face is still ruddy, cheeks still wet. Tears seem to be leaking from the corners of her eyes without sobs. "I'm tired of how you treat me!" she says with a finger jabbing toward him. "You treat me as if you've no obligation to court me and and this nonsense! This nonsense! about leaving me if I don't behave as you like! Who do you think you are? I am Thari Balur's daughter and you're the only one who has ever one me so you're going to count yourself lucky, do you hear me? Because otherwise I will make your life /miserable/ because I'm not leaving you and if you try to leave me the backside of my hand will be having something to say to the side of your head!" She reaches out to smack him in the middle of the chest.
[Frarin(#31050)] Several times during Thari's rant, Frarin looks as if he is about to say something, but he maintains his silence like a naughty beardling. He looks thoroughly verbally whipped, shoulders slouching again, gaze dropping at last to the carpeted floor. The healer's smack is unexpected and he grunts when it hits his chest, though more from surprise than pain. But he allows it to force him back just enough so that he falls back to sit upon the bed.
"You...you are...right." The admission is almost whispered, with Frarin looking to the side with a frown. "I was...angry. At Braldor. Not at you. You are right." A slow intake of breath, Frarin is still looking at the ground. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry." He seems as if he has a much longer explanation for his apology, but that is all he manages for now.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari follows him, standing a foot away from him as he sits at the edge of the bed. "Leaving me! Leaving me, he says! He won't have me!" She presses the palms of her hands against her eyes and now sounds more hurt than angry. "You take advantage of knowing how much I love you! You treat me however you like because you know I'd never go! You know I don't like talking about it when I've a weakness but I'm going to tell you right now that you hurt me /so much/ just now! My heart has never broken before, never before today!"
Thari steps closer to him, pressing between his knees against the edge of the bed, then flings her arms around his neck and buries her face in the edge of his beard.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin tilts his head to cup Thari's face between his cheek and shoulder. He is beginning to breath normally again, but his eyes flick around guiltily. He nods lamely. "Yes, I agree. Sometimes I feel...like the whole world is against us. That's not an excuse though." One hand releases Thari and rubs at his eyes wearily, in a nervous manner. "Oh Durin, oh Durin, what must you think of me? What must you think now? You have every right to think I'm only marrying you out of convenience. Durin, that I could even consider throwing this away."
Getting away from Braldor wasn't nearly so difficult as Ranol anticipated. The dwarf wanted some time alone and the huskarl didn't argue. Despite his better judgement he finds himself wandering back up to Thari's room. And even though he -knows- he shouldn't.. he knocks softly at her door.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari pulls away just enough to nestle her mouth against his and kiss him. She kisses him again, then again once more, tasting his lips thirstily, as if savoring a great treat. "I daresay there has never been a dwarf who is as loved as you are, Frarin. Why /do/ you want to marry me then?"
Thari's lips fit against Frarin's once more just as a knock is heard at the door. Her head lifts at once and she looks back. "Hello?" she asks, her voice sounding a bit rough.
[Frarin(#31050)] "Oh Durin...I don't...deserve you," Frarin rumbles roughly between kisses. His voice is shakey, his kisses hungry and nervous, guilt still lingering in his manner. He shakes his head at Thari's question, a single tear rolling down the gruff old silversmith's cheek. "You...you save me from myself. You..." He shakes his head again, voice catching.
He breaks from the last kiss only reluctantly, staring at Thari as if in some sort of strange disbelief as she looks to the door. Taking a deep breath, Frarin rubs at his cheek and stands unsteadily, in case whoever is at the door is not a dwarf.
"It's Ranol.. May I come in?" He asks, his soft voice drifting through the likely over flowery and decorative elven door.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari looks back up to Frarin as her cousin speaks, and then she raises up on her toes to kiss the silversmith harder, her eyes squeezing shut with lingering tears still at the corners. She then steps away, but a hand is still left on his sleeve. "Come in, Ranol!" she calls.
[Frarin(#31050)] A small sigh of relief escapes Frarin as Ranol calls through the door, but then Thari is kissing the silversmith again and his eyes shut just the same as Thari's, though he does not know it. A deep breath escapes him when she pulls away, but he manages to whisper, "Durin, I'm so sorry," before Thari calls for the huskarl to enter.
Frarin straightens, rubbing at his cheek again and attempting to reassemble himself. But he will still look quite red in the face and tired when Ranol enters.
Ranol steps in, turning to close the door behind him gently. When he turns back, he looks over the two curiously for a moment, then runs a hand through his hair. "Ahh.. I just wanted to stop in. I don't really know why, I guess to make sure you were okay.."
[Thari(#31038)]
"We're fine," says Thari, though she looks tired and there are obvious tear-stains on her cheeks. Her hand is gripping Frarin's sleeve so tightly that her fingers are shaking a little. "Why do you suppose he is doing this, Ranol? Do you honestly believe he doesn't want me for himself?"
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin grunts at Thari's first comment, nodding gruffly, but he says nothing. A sigh does escape him at the healer's questions, but otherwise he is silent. Yet he does not seem at ease, as if stiff in posture, and his lips twitch once or twice. He is blinking more frequently than normal.
"Ahhh... Uhh.. " Ranol hesitates at her question, prudently looking away so the two might regain some composure. "I don't really want to speculate on that. I don't know. He hasn't told me anything."
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's face tips up as her eyes go up to Frarin's features. Her hand slides up to touch Frarin's elbow, and then she is releasing him, taking a half-step away from the silversmith. She rubs at her face with both hands. "Oh, Durin, what a day," she groans.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin kneads his brow when Thari steps away and heaves another sigh. With his eyes still covered, he shakes his head. "That arse is probably going to try to report me to my own Steward, as if this were the miltary." He drops his hand and looks at the two with a semi-apologetic expression, as if acknowledging he is insulting their Thane. "Sorry. Don't mind me."
Ranol does stiffen a bit when Frarin goes on to insult Braldor again, glancing over with a wary expression. "Maybe.. I should go." He says carefully. "I just wanted to check, and I have."
[Thari(#31038)]
"I've cursed at you often enough today," Thari says with a wave of a hand toward Frarin, as if it doesn't even occur to her to be offended at an insult to Braldor. She looks tiredly at Ranol with blood-shot eyes. "Thank you for checking on me."
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin's hand has gone over his eyes again, but he looks up at Ranol's careful comment, catching the huskarl's wary glance towards him. He waves at Ranol. "Relax, cousin. You won't have to hear me muttering mutinous comments about your Thane. I've done enough damage today as it is." He pauses. "Congratulations, by the way. On your promotion. It was well given." For once, there is no sarcasm in Frarin's voice. It seems he is genuine in his opinion of Braldor's decision.
Ranol pauses, looking over at Frarin as the man speaks. "Thank you, cousin." He says, nodding. Obviously he is concerned about the silver merchant continuing his dark comments, because his expression doesn't ease. "I will see if I can speak with Braldor." He says, looking to Thari now with a steady gaze, then turns and heads out the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Thank you," Thari says in a soft voice to Ranol. She bows to her cousin as he leaves. The door falls shut again. She looks up and over at Frarin. There is tiredness in her eyes and longing. Her lips part as if to speak, but she says nothing.
[Frarin(#31050)] A rough hand scrubs through Frarin's long hair as the silversmith sighs again, other hand on his hip. "By the Maker," he breaths, shaking his head. "By the Maker." And to himself, he begins speaking very quietly. "By the Maker, Frarin Forli's son. Well done on alienating the only two people who don't think of you entirely as a curmudgeon. Bloody brilliant, you are. Yes, well done indeed."
He looks up and gives Thari a sad, apologetic half-smile. "I...should be going. Not running away, just...going." And with an effort at pitiful humour, he adds, "We're alone after all. What would the Thane Braldor say?"
[Thari(#31038)]
"You're not going to let him frighten you into not seeing me, are you?" Thari suddenly becomes animated again, her bloodshot eyes worried. She seems tense, her words entirely at odds with her voice. "Don't go, or if you want some time alone, kiss me first? I want to know how you want me, you lovely rotten old dwarf."
Once he's out the door, Ranol will pull it closed solidly and begin to walk down the hall. He stops some distance from the room and runs his heavy hand through his short black hair again, pausing at a window. Hearing Frarin insult Braldor again like that, outside of the heat of the moment, cut away some of the admiration he's built up for the older dwarf and while his brain is telling him to be sensible and admit that all dwarves have their faults.. another part of him is sorely disappointed.
It's easy for Ranol to be disgusted with his father after everything the man has done, but for some reason it bothers him that he feels any negativity towards Frarin. His blue eyes drift through the trees outside, looking at nothing in particular. To brush of the insult feels as disloyalty to Braldor, but Ranol deeply wants to stick to his promise to Thari as well.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin is still blinking faster than usual as he looks back to Thari, his lips barely parting. He looks miserable as he shakes his head in disbelief. "I acted inexcusably, Thari. How can you still want me after that? How can you not give me the cold shoulder?" His tone as good as says 'That is what I would do'. But his expression softens some into a sort of sad, grateful smile, and he does not move towards the door.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I have no pride when it comes to you, dear," Thari says. Her own voice is sad in this admission and she leans against the bedpost, looking away. "I love you for your temper. I can't seem to help myself. You would do the same for me," she adds, but it is a wistful statement, as if she plainly does not believe the truth of it.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin frowns and his gaze drops to the floor, that guilty look returning briefly. "No," he says after a time, voice cracking with ashamed honesty. "No, I wouldn't have. Not until today, not until I realised that I took you granted." That brings his eyes up and he moves suddenly towards Thari, a hand on each cheek as he leans in to kiss her. And this time it is with such feeling as he has not kissed before, not with the physical longing of before, but rather with all the passion of a man who knows at last just how lucky he is and how close he has come to losing that he holds most dear.
Ranol sighs softly, dropping his hand to his side. For the hundredth time he wishes he had his blade and feels helpless without the weapon hanging at his hip. He tries to look at the situation from Frarin's point of view so that he can better understand the silversmith's behavior.
The huskarl tries to imagine how he might feel if it were him and that does ease some of his disappointment. It's difficult for Ranol to completely understand. He's never felt that kind of love for anyone, but some of his anxiety ebbs as he reasons out that Frarin probably is only deeply frustrated and seeking to vent his anger.
Then, all at once, Ranol feels guilty for thinking badly of Frarin. The dwarf was only trying to defend his love and care for Thari. He walks back to the bedroom door and knocks upon it again, intending to apologize without considering that they might want more privacy.
[Thari(#31038)]
Sweet and tender is Thari's kiss, a slight tremble beneath Frarin's hands and lips. Her eyes are closed, her hand is set upon his chest. "You won't anymore," she sighs when it is done, only a slight question in her voice. A knock is heard at the door, and Thari's fingers slowly tangle in Frarin's beard as she looks up at him, clearly a bit reluctant to answer, but at last she looks over the silversmith's shoulder. "Yes?"
[Frarin(#31050)] "No!" The word is not shouted, but a quick whisper as Frarin exhales, shaking his head and raising his brows all at once. "No. Never." He turns slightly, glancing over his shoulder at the door. He gives Thari's hand upon his chest a squeeze, then steps back from her and towards the door, smoothing his tunic before opens the door a wary crack.
"Ranol again.." He announces just as the dwarf opens the door. He takes a breath, "Frarin.. I'm sorry about how I behaved. You apologized and I shouldn't have taken your words so personally.. and.. ahh.. " The huskarl licks his lips after looking at Frarin's face and it dawns on him that the merchant likely doesn't care at all about how he feels just now. "I'm going to really go this time.. " He says in a sudden decisive tone, his cheeks flushing in mild embarrassment.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes linger on Frarin as he goes, both intense and somehow-- withdrawn a little. She nods for Ranol but paces across the room toward the table again.
[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin stares at Ranol as the huskarl explains the reason for his return. His expression is not wary or angry or kind or amused. It is merely attentive, the older dwarf watching Ranol with head tipped very slightly forward. His eyes drop briefly as Ranol finishes, though he does not otherwise move. After a moment, he nods once. "You had a right. To behave that way, I mean. I accept your apology, though I do not think you need to give one. You were being loyal, and that is commendable."
He looks back towards Thari, his gaze still somewhat questioning, hesitant. "I am going to go," he states, with a touch of a question in it. He does, however, add, "But I will not let him scare me off." There is just a hint of humour as Frarin makes reference to Thari's comment about Braldor from a few minutes ago. Perhaps he is suggesting he will return? Perhaps so, but for now he is leaving. "Ranol," he nods politely to the huskarl. Then the silver merchant is gone. Somewhere outside Thari's window, a bird twitters as if nothing was wrong with the world at all.
Players: Braldor, Thari, Frarin, Ranol
Located in: Erebor
