Meeting at Drover\'s Arms

Minas Tirith: Maiden Street: Tunnel Through the Embrasure

Here the embrasure looms large, and the tunnel cut through its protective spur is both wide and high. Arches carved from the mountain\'s very stone soar above the street, a great vaulted ceiling giving the tunnel an air of elegance and spaciousness. The outer curve of the tunnel is carved in relief depicting the fall of Osgiliath.

The inner wall is something else entirely. A tavern, the Drovers\' Arms, has been cut into the mountain, its facade sculpted into the face of any inn. Windows look onto the street, glowing with lamplight day and night, and the sounds of merriment often spill out its stout wooden door. From above, the ever downward flowing water supply pours directly into a well, about which are set benches and potted plants. From the bottom of the well, a channel opens and flows around the side of the Drovers\' Arms and down through the lower end of the tunnel, like a stream laid into the flags of the road.

�

Day or night makes little difference in this wide and curving tunnel, save for the brilliant glare of daylight pouring in from either end.

September is swiftly passing by, the month already half over. And already, there are hints that summer, too, is passing: Today, as dusk falls, a rainy mist covers the city, the temperatures on the chill side, causing the residents to hurry about their business.

Coming down the roadway from the path that leads up is one Master Scout of Ithilien, the hood of his wool cloak up and over his head, the only protection from the mist.

Equally protected by a hooded cloak is one Menawa, wearing a red dress the scout has seen once before, though it would be a miracle if he remembers it. She sweeps along with those small steps of hers, seemingly taught to every Lady from birth. She has a light coating of the mist on her cloak and face, showing she\'s been walking for a little while. She\'s got the cloak closed in the front, keeping just the bottom part of her dress visable.

\"Menawa.\" Ceredir may not recognize the dress per se, but the scout does recognize the woman. And now his voice calls across the road to her, loud enough to be heard, yet subdued in its tone. He walks toward the healer.

Menawa stops so quickly her dress and cloak go forward for a moment without her, the material swaying against her legs, then back into place. She turns to face him. Once he is closer, she will dip her head once to him, \"Master Scout.\"

\"I have not seen you since that brief meeting with Lord Curugil,\" Ceredir answers. \"How have you adjusted to our return here?\" He stops, frowning, biting his lower lip. \"You are angry with me.\"

Menawa blinks a few times at his words, giving herself a moment to try to decide what part to focus on, then sighs. \"A little.\" She says, opting for thier friendship, \"But no more than I would be at my blood brothers, so rest assured, it has not detered me in my loyalty to you.\" Her hands move under her cloak subtly, likely smoothing from her waist to her hips and then folding again.

�\"My adjustment to being home again has gone.. slowly. The studies help. When will you return?\"

\"Explain to me why? I ...I did what I had to do. They..I knew they were having difficulty believing us, contemplating hanging the men and selling the women into slavery. And Nella...\" Just that name makes Ceredir\'s face darken. \"Explain to me.\"

\"I do not yet know when I will return. We need infomrmation on the sword of Anarion and it will be difficult to get.\"

Menawa looks around subtly as he talks, unable to /not/ look around, even if they are home and \'safe\'.. then focuses on him. \"Please rest your heart, Ceredir. I know you did what you felt you had to do. It is my own feelings I must deal with.\" She lifts her chin a touch,

\"It is hard knowing there is nothing I can do to help you in this time of trial for you and yours.\"

\"She is a fool, Menawa!\" Ceredir suddenly spits angrily. \"A naive, sheltered fool who believes in things she should not, has dreams she should not have, does not see reality the way she should! I cannot control her and look...look what happened! Stowing away on a ship and now hostage! And..worse...she -wishes-, she -wants- to be a Corsair!!\" The Scout\'s frustration is evident, bursting through, vehemence in his words and tone. But he stops short and sighs.

\"I should not burden you. There is nothing to be done.\"

Menawa shudders as his words begin, closing her eyes as his anger and frustration washes over her. When he\'s done, she lifts her lashes and focuses on him, then her coak parts. Her arm extends and her hand reaches out to allow her fingertips to light upon his arm. Her words, when spoken, are whisper soft.

�\"I feel the same as you do, Ceredir, but was afraid to say as much that you would be angry with me for saying such things about her.\"

\"Of course, of course you do,\" Ceredir says, placated some, though the frustration lingers in his voice. \"And I would have been angry with you, even though you would have been speaking the truth. And now...I have to talk to her brother. Her brother! He...he is likely to murder me.\"

Ceredir shakes his head and adjusts the hood of his cloak. \"We should go inside the tavern, where it is warm. Rather than standing in the rain.\"

Menawa motions him off, \"Go get a table. I will give you a few moments to consider allowing me to tell him in your stead. He will not beat a Lady.\"

Once the Master Scout has ducked inside the tavern, Mena lowers her head, the hood of her cloak keeping her countenance momentarily in shadow. Soon after, she lifts it again and allows the misty rain to touch her upturned face, eyes closed, her form mostly hiden by the length of the outer garment that protects her dress from the weather.

The Figure of Gaeras appears from down maiden street, his steps carry him forward as if for no particular reason, his eyes scanning the edges of the tunnel and the mist settles gently upon his uncloaked face. Torchlight seems little help to pull this man from the shadows, his clothes, a green cloak, brown breeches and a green breastplate inlaid with the White Tree of Gondor all pull him into the darkness, save but the tree. A sign of recognition comes upon his face as he nears Menawa and he slows his steps as he approaches her, changing his course ever so slightly and with a polite smile, \"Milady Menawa, it seems we keep running into one another...\" he shrugs slightly taking in his surroundings and eyeing people carefully as they enter the tavern, he seems one who is familiar to wariness.

Menawa is pulled from her moment of introspection by a greeting and quickly changes her expression to be one of polite warmth. She smiles softly for the gentleman, \"Ah, it would seem that we do. Are you finding your comfort in Minas Tirith?\"

\"Though it is a city of great beauty and magnificent ingenuity, it is not my home, marble halls and stone pillars pale in the comparison to the beauty of the Garden.\" he smiles at the last word as if speaking of some great love, it fades mostly as he continues, \"I am not being bothersome and keeping you from anything, am I?\" he inquires. His gaze seems to be one of perceiving, as does his demanour, always alert, always aware.

Menawa smiles just a tiny bit more. \"No, Sir. I will head inside the tavern in a few moments, for now I stay outside and enjoy the misty rain.\"

\"Milady, Gaeras will suffice, although it was rude of me to not give my full name at our last meeting. Gaeras Rovacil-Numenathfirith.\" he smiles and shrugs looking to the Tavern and then to the Mist, \"Ive always found the rain brings peace to even the nosiest of places, the clamour of the city gets lost in its embrace. While many shun its coming, I welcome it.\" he smiles as he speaks, \"Does your study of poisons range into those used by the Yrch menace that blights our land?\" he inquires wistfully.

Menawa smiles a little more as he speaks of the rain, but grows instantly somber when the subject of poison comes up. \"It is the very thing I wish to counter.. that which is used against our people.\" She frowns a tiny bit, \"I need an un-spoiled bit of it to try to fathom what goes into it. If we know what it /is/, then maybe we can fight it.\"

With a laugh Gaeras looks to his right arm and then back up to Menawa, \"Years ago, I took an arrow that was fouled with poison and by the Grace of the Valar I was spared death, and have seen many of my comrades fallen by worse concoctions that I was tainted with.\" he nods solemnly to himself, as if reliving those memories, \"Yours is a honorable pursuit... and if it comes within my power to grant your request, I will seize upon that opportunity so that others may be saved.\"

Menawa dips her hed slightly, \"But, please, not at a danger to your own life, Sir. Never at that.\"

\"My life is Gondor\'s and my Men\'s, not my own.\" he smiles at her concern however, \"I will not risk myself unduly, but if it is within my power to protect the soldiers of Gondor from the Yrch\'s foul ways, I will do anything to see such a thing come to pass.\" he looks to her and his smile widens, \"Though lets not speak of such depressing things... What thoughts did this old stranger interupt with his curiousity, as you seemed rather deep in thought... If I may ask.\"

Menawa sighs softly, \"Dear friends of mine.. and the trouble they find themselves in. There is precious little I can do for them.\" She shakes her head, then with a twitch of her hand, opens her cloak to alow the self same hand to exit and extend slightly towards him, palm down, as if ready to light upon something. \"Escort me inside? I dare say one of those friends is waiting and wondering if I didn\'t wash away in the rain.\"

\"It would be an Honor milady..\" Gaeras extends his left arm for her to take it with a smile, and he looks towards the door of the Tavern, still studying those who enters with cold precision. Through his mask of polite hapiness, there is an edge to this man, much like honed steel. His eyes confidently move from person to person and then back to Menawa, \"Shall we?\"

Menawa does not hurry him in even the most suble of ways, instead accepting that caution as \'due\'. When he declairs that it is good to enter, she dips her head to him and in they go.

You open the door and step into the famous Drover\'s Arms.

Minas Tirith: Drover\'s Arms

Laughter greets you as you duck through the low door. The mood here is light and jolity and levity rule! The barkeep dispenses his vintages with a cheery grin, while the waitresses glide easily through the tables and throngs of customers. Here all is merry, the cares of the world left at the door. Riders have no desire to speak of their hardships in the midst of a glass of Minas Tirith\'s finest! A heavily-lintelled fireplace stands against the far wall, crackling as it burns the day\'s logs and casting out its light and warmth over the room.

A lively crowd is already settling in to the tavern, but Ceredir has managed to secure a table near the fireplace, his wet cloak already hung on a nearby peg on the wall to drip dry. He has pulled the black gauntlet off of his right hand, and he uses this to wave toward the door when Menawa enters, trying to catch her attention. Then the left gauntlet is pulled off and set on the well-worn wooden table in front of him.

Menawa looks around when she enters on the arm of Gaeras, notices the wave, then gently presses her fingers to the gentleman\'s arm to get his attention, \"My friend is there, just there.\" She says, letting him see where she needs to go. Once the pair reach the table, she will make introductions, \"Sir, this is Ceredir, Master Scout. Ceredir, this is Gaeras Rovacil-Numenathfirith.\"

As they reach the table Gaeras unlatches his arm gracefully from Menawa\'s and moves to a chair, pulling it from its place. \"After you Milady\" nodding to the chair, when she finds her set he will eventually turn his attention to Ceredir, \"Master Scout, an honor to meet a fellow protector of the Garden.. I dont seem to recall you though, were have you been stationed as of late?\" he offers a Green Gauntleted hand to the man with a friendly smile.

While the men greet each other, Menawa will remove her cloak and hang it on a peg, then settle in the chair pulled out for her. She smooths her skirt into place, making sure her boots are properly covered.

\"Lady,\" Ceredir says, remembering his manners and standing until the woman is seated. \"Gaeras....\" he falters on the rest of the name, then smiles a little sheepishly. \"Pleasure to meet you, sir,\" he finishes.

\"Of late..?\" There is only a hint of a pause. \"After the campaign in the Poros, I had been gravely wounded and so was assigned all summer to light duty, guarding Lord Curugil Gildring, since there had been attacks against him. That duty took me to his fief in Lebennin.\"

Faramir has arrived.

Elissa courtsies gently and smiles girlishly at Faramir. \"M\'lord, you honor this humble establishment with your presence once again. Please let me know if there is anything you desire.\"

A chuckle comes out of Gaeras at the word Sir, \"Brave man, the fight at Poros was a difficult one... Im glad to see you have mended your wounds\" he looks around the tavern once and returns his gaze to Ceredir as he sits in a chair. \"How has the light duty been restful?, how are you finding Minas Tirith this time of year\"

Menawa sits straight in the chair that was chosen for her, hands folded demurely in her lap, a hint of wet sparkle on the hair around her face, that face still slightly moist from the misty rain outside. She looks between the two gentlemen at her table, listening to thier comfortable chatter and, for the nonce, offering nothing to help it along.

\"Restful only because it didn\'t involve warfare,\" Ceredir grins, \"but rather, chasing after foolish nobles...\" he glances at Menawa, \"and that in itself was tiring. Exhausting. I am glad to be back. And I here we are going to the Garden soon--south? But Lady Menawa came along with us to Lebennin, for her research.\"

Menawa dips her head slightly, \"That I did. Luckily, it wasn\'t necessary to chase after me.\" She lifts her chin just a touch and gives Ceredir such a look, like a sister daring a brother to say something. Anything.

\"Foolish Nobles...\" he chuckles a bit and nods, and then a smile, perhaps to himself or perhaps he was unaware of it, his eyes look to Menawa as she speaks, \"You werent giving this poor Master-Scout reason to chase after you in the woods I hope?\" he offers in a jesting tone. \"Did you find anything to assist you in your work?\" he continues with a more serious tone in his voice. Still all the while he is talking to them, his eyes scan the faces of those in the room, and every person who enters the door is given subtle, but due examination.

It is then that the Captain of the Company enters the Drover\'s Arms. Nothing heralds his arrival, he enters alone, his keen grey eyes piercing the atmosphere. Silently the son of Denethor makes his way further inwards, a smile or a pat on the shoulder offered to many a man and woman as he passes. It is then that notice is taken of two of the Company, and Faramir makes his way towards the table.

\"No, no,\" Ceredir says all too hastily, giving Menawa a sideways glance as the Ranger scans the room. \"Menawa was perfectly proper. Kept her wits about her while others...did not. You know how Lord Curugil can be, being from the High House of Lore and all. He gets strange ideas into his head, and then those of us assigned to him have to sit and listen to him go off about them all day. But...he is safe, so our duty is done.\"

Briefly does Ceredir glance to the arriving Faramir, nodding his greeting respectfully. The three sit at a table near the fire, cloaks on pegs on the wall, dripping from the mist that falls this early evening.

The door opens letting in the crisp air of evening once again as another cloakced figure steps through the low door into the common room of The Drover\'s Arms. Heavy breathing accompanies the young Scout Mennon as he pulls his cloak from his shoulders, pausing only for the briefest of moments as he sees other\'s of a kinned hue upon pegs as he sets his own down upon one.

Letting his eyes roam through the figures of the evening patronage, Mennon nods, more to himself, but an acceptable greeting to any who might catch him within their eye as he steadily moves his way towards the bar. \"something warm please.\" he calls for as he runs a hand through his damp hair idly, licking wet lips as he turns, his waist against the bar as he looks over towards the Hearth and other points of interest in silence, awaiting his beverage.

Gaeras immediately notices the entrance of his Captain, and his green eyes watches the man approach intently. \"Indeed, it can be a chore that one would rather not do, I commend you on doing your duty for a job which would not seem glorious to most.\" he chuckles once more and turns to Menawa, \"You speak to me of not risking my life, however you risk your own milady.\" another smile, \"I would say that you are indeed a healer in spirit.\"

Menawa lowers her gaze demurely at Gaeras\' praise, flushing subtly high on her cheeks, one errant lock of hair escaping her braid and brushing along that left, warmed cheek. \"Please, Sir, there is nothing worth speaking so highly of where I am concerned. I am only doing that which is necessary.\"

Moisture sparkles upon his clothes and brow, light dancing upon the droplets from the fireplace. Green gauntleted hands raise to unclasp the cloaks from about his shoulders, before draping it off a peg. Soft footfalls lead him onward, and Faramir smiles towards the trio. \"May I join you?\" he queries softly, nodding to each politely as he pauses before the table.

A \"hmm\" of agreement is all that Ceredir adds to Gaeras\'s remarks about duty and glory.

\"Lord Captain, of course,\" he replies to Faramir. \"If you don\'t mind being peppered with questions? Tuivegil had mentioned assigning me to go with him to the Garden...something south? I was wondering if you knew anything of that?\" He glances to Menawa and smiles.

Menawa lifts her gaze up to focus on Faramir, then motions to the empty seat, \"You would Honor us, Sir.\" She says in her soft, quiet voice, then folds her hands in her lap again, absently shifting just a little closer to the heat of the fire.

\"Captain, it is a pleasure to see you again.\" nods Gaeras, he stands and pushes out one of the empty chairs nearest to the Captain. \"Indeed Ceredir has been availing me with plenty of questions, that even I am curious for the answer to.\" he looks for a moment to Ceredir and then to Menawa, \"Im sure you know Master Scout Ceredir, and this is Novice Healer Menawa of the House Aedmithrusc.\"

Again, he nods to each in turn, a hand clasping upon Gaeras\' shoulder. \"Indeed I know the Master Scout. Lady,\" he states, turning his attention to Menawa. \"A pleasure.\" It is then that his attention falls upon Ceredir. \"There is a group heading to the south, yes.\" he states simply. \"However, I think it would be best to utilize yourself, as well as Tuivegil, in scouting further east. We need to know of movements of the Enemy in that area.\"

\"East?\" Ceredir coughs to clear his throat and likely also to hide the disappointment that was in his answer. \"Of course, sir,\" he covers. \"Whenever the orders are given I am ready to go. There is nothing keeps me here now save want of new orders. May I ask...the group heading south..why for?\"

\"And will there be healers?\" Comes Menawa\'s soft inquiry, tossed into the conversational fray.

Gaeras sits and simply waits quietly and listens to the exchange between the Lord Captain and the Master Scout.

\"No.\" states Faramir firmly in response to Menawa\'s query. \"No healers. We are headed \'neath the boughs of Ithilien. The group heading south,\" he continues, glancing towards Ceredir. \"Will be ensuring the outposts are properly provisioned. The need is great, and we must ensure we are prepared for anything.\"

\"Yes, sir, of course that makes sense. And just Tuivegil and I to scout the east, then? I assume we\'d want to do it without the enemy being aware of our movements. But..just how far east?\" Still full of questions, thoguh Ceredir does look to Gaeras as if to include him in this assignment.

Menawa doesn\'t lower her head when Faramir tells her that healers will not be going, but her shoulders do droop just the smallest bit.

It is just then that a Scout hurries into the Drover\'s Arms, pausing briefly to look about, before he heads swiftly towards the Lord Captain and those with him. \"Captain Faramir. There is some concern about provisions within the Card Failin.\" A nod is given the Scout, before he looks towards the others. \"Pardon me, but it appears I am needed. Lady. Ceredir.\" Rising, he retrieves his cloak from the peg, ere stating, \"Gaeras. With me.\" Then, Faramir turns, making his way out of the establishment.

With a curt nod to the captain after the Scout delivers the news Gaeras stands at the table, \"It was a pleasure to meet you Ceredir, I look forward to one day fighting beside you.\" a smile towards Menawa, \"Again as always a pleasure milady, have a wonderful evening.\" with that he turns and follows quickly on the heels of Faramir.

Menawa dips her head to the departing men, watching them go, then focuses on Ceredir. She blinks slightly.

\"Captain, Ranger,\" Ceredir says, standing as the officers take their leave. And then...he sits, slowly letting out a long breath, as if he had been holding his breath all this time. He looks to Menawa, holding her gaze a moment if she lets, then looks toward the door.

Menawa grins crookedly, \"Such auspicious company we\'ve kept today.\" She tells her friend.

\"It is...business as usual in the barracks,\" Ceredir shakes his head at Menawa. \"The Captain does not hold himself aloof from the men...and for that reason, he is well loved. And yet...\" he pauses again, thoughtful, lookign to the door and then to the healer.

\"You must not ever lie to him. He can tell. It is uncanny--they say he can see into the hearts of men, and I believe it. Yet at the same time, though we did what we did for Gondor--to see her stronger--he must not ever know what we did. Not a hint of it. If he ever finds out, we are all dead. Even you, my lady, will be branded a traitor.\"

Menawa dips her head gently, \"I know this, Ceredir, but thank you for reminding me. It is something none of us should ever forget.\"

\"I am sorry to lecture you, of course,\" Ceredir smiles. \"It is out of concern for you, nothing else.\" He sighs. \"I need to go south, but instead I am assigned east. Curugil will hve to arrange it himself, then. Perhaps I can take the old man with me next time....\"

\"As for Nelladel\'s brother...I thank you, but I think it is something I have to face myself.\"

.........