The Pretender Chronicles - Riddles, Rhymes, Names, and Wives

Minas Tirith: Stonewright Street -- Court of Varda

This small square is surrounded by residential houses which rise tall on its edges. Water flows from the gate wall into a series of basins down the center of the square, the last emptying into a channel crossed by a wide bridge, broad enough for a dozen men to walk abreast. The greatest basin, the last, is surmounted by a statue of the Vala Varda, her upheld hand bearing in a star wrought of crystal.

The gate itself is topped by another such star, the shape of which is echoed in the iron of the gate. The wall is topped with numerous towers, and the marching feet of the watchmen is heard often, for this wall is heavily defended. A short alley leads to the facade of the Baths of Mardil, the common bath-house.

Torches line the court, set in prettily-wrought sconces of iron. Night seems far away with light spilling cheerily from the homes onto the waters.

Contents:

Ceredir

Obvious exits:

Gate to the Fourth Tier leads to Minas Tirith: Way of Kings -- Command Common.

Northeast leads to Minas Tirith: Stonewright Street: Garden of Finduilas.

Baths of Mardil

Night seems far away with light spilling cheerily from the homes onto the waters. Fewer bodies than normal move to and fro at this time of day. Among them is one Menawa. She steps out of the bath house, her cheeks pink from a good scrubbing, her hair piled on her head, moist tendrils drooping from the messy bun here and there. She brings with her that clean \'scent\' of one that has just washed away the dirt and grime one might collect from day to day.

Noticably, she does not have an escort this time.

Faint footsteps are heard approaching in the darkness, and yet noone can be seen. This is Minas Tirith, after all, the White City, and no evil lurks within her walls. And yet...there is someone here, though it might be hard to discern them.

Menawa tugs her vest a little to make sure it\'s seated correctly, then smooths her hands over her hips before looking around. Footsteps, hmm? She tilts her head slightly, a faint frown tugging at her lips and putting tiny lines between her brows. She\'s in the White City. Why does this worry her?

Still the footsteps approach, and yet they are quiet. And now there is another sound with them--the soft sound of cloth and leather moving with the walker. It is only a moment of this before Ceredir emerges out of the darkness, not even noticing yet the lady.

Menawa relaxes minutely, her shoulders easing from the tension that had gripped them, her held breath leaving her lungs. She then smiles faintly and, once he is closer, sends her quiet voice through the night to him. \"Good evening, Master Scout.\"

\"Lady Menawa,\" Ceredir says, smiling on recognizing the healer. \"But...\" he frowns, coming closer...\"Are you all right? You seem rather pale....if wet..\" That last is with a quick grin, replaced rapidly by his concern.

Menawa laughs very, very softly, \"I just got in one last, good bath, fearing that it will be a long time before I can have a proper one again.\"

\"One last bath? Yet we have much time before we leave...so it seems like an excuse to enjoy this pleasure, it seems,\" Ceredir answers, concern easing as the lady gives her reply. \"Yet...after 6 months at war, with every drop of water and food counted, it seems a little luxury is in order.\"

\"Tell me..\" he drops his voice. \"How are you? Is your mind still set?\"

Menawa lowers her chin a little, then looks up at him, her lips quirked into the softest of smiles. \"I am.. nearvous and a little frightened, but very much set in my decision.\" She pauses before asking with a curious lilt to her tone, \"Does this bother you?\"

\"Yes...and no.\" Ceredir frowns. \"I would be worried if you were not nervous. And if you were not frightened. And yet...your decision is made, so I will not try to convince you otherwise.\"

Menawa smiles a little more for him, \"For which I thank you.\" She lifts her chin now, just a touch, her eyes brightening more. \"Tell me.. will.. Squire Telpekhor be joining us?\"

\"Arashen Telpekhor?\" Ceredir asks, eyes widening a bit. \"No, no, and I pray you, do not mention it to him at all. Do not breathe a word to him about anything unless you wish our deaths!\"

Menawa blinks and pales, then looks a little offended. She lifts her chin a touch more. \"I am surprised you would trust me with even the smallest of sensative information if you believe in my integrity and honor so little, Sir.\" She turns slightly to the right and sets her small feet in motion. \"Good evening, Master Scout.\"

\"Menawa! Wait!\" Ceredir says, taking a few hurried steps forward to catch up with the woman. \"It is just...it has nothing to do with your integrity. I just thought that given the members of our party who are going, you might assume that Arashen,too, would be a part of it. When he is not.\"

Menawa sighs oh so softly, \"Which is why I asked. I do not know how many of those faces I am familiar with are going.\" She stops walking and turns to face him, then asks even quieter, \"Why would our lives be forfeit if he knows?\"

\"Lord Gildring said myself, you, a Knight of Dol Amorth, a member of Lord Gildring\'s household...and a ...a guide. That I have procurred for our safe conduct into the land,\" Cerdir says.

\"As for the peril to our lives...I...I am not certain. Lord Curugil explained it to me...but now that I think on it, I am not certain. Just that...\" He glances around, voice exceedingly quiet. \"Our actions are for the good of Gondor, for surely she is dying. See her empty streets? Her young men who perish under the enemy\'s blades faster than new men can be born? The waning of the lives of the men of Numenor? Their fall from grace--do you think for an instant that even bastard-born as I am, that in Numenor\'s heyday, men would have suffered to have let my father throw me away as soemthing shameful?\"

\"No...Gondor is dying, and drastic action must be taken. And yet...the Steward, jealous of his rulership of this land, opposes any efforts to ...to find appropriate weapons to turn away the enemy. He thinks, perhaps, that this will mean the return of the King of Gondor and the end of his reign as Steward. Or that the Enemy will taint our search for this weapon.\"

Menawa listens to those words that come from the Master Scout before her, chin dropping to her chest as the mind within her head works over what he has said. Finally, after many a moment has passed, she nods slightly and lifts her head to look at him. \"I think I understand.\"

\"Do you, Menawa?\" Ceredir asks, his words accompanied by a weary sigh. \"Can you explain it to me, then? My head spins....I am hopeful and I am ashamed to admit that I am also afraid. I told Nella of my plans this morning...she...I thought she would faint...I may go to my death and my poor wife...she suffers here alone, shunned by her family.\"

Menawa looks sad now, oh so gently sad. \"And I leave mine behind willingly. What does that say of me?\" She shakes her head a little, \"No, I don\'t understand everything.. but I do understand why I need to keep this information to myself.\"

\"Do not mistake me,\" Ceredir says, his tone now turning sad as hers had. \"Arashen Telpekhor...he is a good man. A fine soldier. He will make a fine Knight one day, I am certain of it. And he is, above all else, my friend...despite that I keep Nella a secret from him and his family and despite that I should hate him and all Telpekhors for what they did to Nelladel.\"

\"I cannot. He is my friend.\"

\"Yet...nor can I share this with him. He would not understand. And he does not understand why Nella left her family to be with me and why it is wrong for them to shun her.\"

\"Pride and vanity...it caused our fall once. It is still acting on us all.\"

Menawa looks a tiny bit pained, then whispers, \"If it were within my power, I would swear to you that your Lady would be cared for in your absence.\"

Ceredir sighs once more. \"My half brother Thingalad would care for her, I know it. Yet...I cannot reveal aught of this to him, either. So many secrets, Menawa...it makes me uneasy. And the worst of it is secrets I must keep from my brothers of Ithilien, who have become my family. How will I face Captain Faramir?\"

Menawa chews on the inside of her lower lip, then steps a touch closer. \"Do you feel we are working for Gondor, and not against her?\" She whispers.

\"Yes...yes...are we not? Why else to do this but to save Gondor?\" Ceredir answers urgently. He frowns nonetheless. \"Do you feel otherwise?\"

Menawa smiles very warmly. \"I seek to further my education on how to save the lives of our people. If I have to save them one by one, then so be it. I do feel that this may be a way to help.. perhaps on a bigger scale.\"

Curugil comes down Stonewright Street.

Curugil has arrived.

The Master Scout breathes a low sigh of relief. \"I am glad to hear that from you....I wonder...I wonder about things, since it is all moving fast...and I have my doubts. But...if the people I trust beleive it too, then it must be right.\"

Menawa folds her hands together before herself and nods slowly, \"If we have the best intentions in our hearts.. how can it be wrong?\"

A messenger slowly makes his way up the streets. He seems to be looking for somebody...

\"Exactly,\" Ceredir says, leanign forward with some sudden eagerness. \"And what if I told you that the man who is...\" With a small cough into his hand, Ceredir stops and looks toward the messenger.

The messenger approaches and says, \"Good! This saves me work. The Lord Curugil woud like to see you and the Lady Menawa when you have the opportunity.\"

\"Now?\" Ceredir shrugs. \"I am free...\" He turns to Menawa, waiting for her reply.

Menawa dips her head to the messenger, then reaches out to let her fingertips alight upon Ceredir\'s forearm, as if he is her guide or, more to the fact, her guardian. \"My time is my own this evening.\"

(they move to The High House of Lore, meditation chambers.)

This room is a contrast to the noisome office of the Master. Here, we have a bare room decorated in simple colors of brown and green. A fireplace lays in the north wall of the room and the walls are panelled in wood. Comfortable chairs line the walls but the centerpiece of the room is a small alterpiece with a small statue of a hooded and cloaked figure. Beneath the statuette engraved in marble is a name: Namo Mandos.

Menawa arives before Ceredir, her fingers absently lifted to brush back still moist curls.

Sitting nigh the statuette of Namo Mandos is Curugil Gildring. At the entry of Menawa he looks back and smiles pleasantly.

\"Good,\" says Curugil. \"I believe Ceredir shall be arriving soon. Tell me Lady, do you ever make study of the Valar?\"

Menawa folds her hands before her, watching the male of note. \"I fear you have caught me at a dissadvantage. Please, elaborate.\"

\"You know,\" says Curugil motioning to the statuette. \"The Valar. The Powers that move the world. For example, this is a representation of Mandos.\"

Menawa shakes her head slightly, \"It is not something I know deeply of. Will you share that knowledge?\"

\"Well Mandos is the Valar of the Fates,\" says Curugil. \"He knows almost all that will be, and forgets nothing. Yet one notable thing escapes his sight. Do you know what that is Lady?\"

Menawa tilts her head slightly, eyes sparkling with intrigue, \"No.. but I fair burst with curiosity.\"

\"The Doom of Men,\" sighs Curugil. \"The Gift of the One. We are not bound by fate but are free to choose are course as we see fit. He is probably the Vala I most admire. Him and Aule, the Maker.\"

Menawa looks to the statuete, then back to the flesh and blood male. \"I believe I prefer having choices.\"

Curugil nods, \"As do I. In any event. Let us talk about Umbar.\"

\"According to my research,\" Curugil continues, \"there is a treatise located in...\"

He reaches for a scroll and reads it to himself for a moment, \"...yes... in the Farside Tower. Or it should be there. Much has changed in war, but it is worth the risk. It is a copy of a scroll penned by Zimadun, who was an engineer for the Numenorean King, Tar Minastir.\"

Menawa listens with rapt attention, drinking in the details he gives. \"A treatise for what, My Lord?\"

\"It is quite a technical treatise,\" says Curugil. \"In it, there should be details concerning the construction of what can be translated as Numenorean Fire Arrows. I have half of what I need here. The other half is indicated to be there.\"

\"That is what you are looking for,\" he continues. \"But under no circumstances are you to tell the authorities there what you are exactly looking for... so perhaps we may think of a diversionary item that you would be seeking... what can you think of?\"

Menawa says easily, \"Something of the healing arts. It is my life\'s purpose to learn all that I can to help heal broken bodies.\"

\"Well said Menawa,\" says Curugil. \"Yet it would have to be a potent poultice in order to risk your life coming to Umbar. Perhaps we are looking for a cure to a disease. A disease inflicted upon the Lord Bragollach perhaps?\"

Menawa dips her head slightly, \"An illness that we would very much like a cure to. Tis sure a Novice would be expendable.\"

\"Perhaps even a plague of sorts that now Lord Bor has,\" says Curugil rubbing his chin. \"I suppose you know most incidious kinds of diseases... perhaps bulbuous warts on the ... *ahem* nether regions... or something like that?\"

Menawa tilts her head oh so slightly to the left now, \"Why not keep as close to the truth as possible, so as not to slip up? My greatest desire, at this point, is to find something to combat the terrible poison that is used on arrows against our men. If I am vague on /who/ may need the healing, will not those who want to know likely think the very name of someone /they/ feel would be important enough for me to venture so far from home?\"

\"Too true, too true,\" says Curugil. \"Very well, let it be so. Also, we should give other thought -- perhaps you should take a travelling name.\"

Menawa blinks and looks a little surprised, then thoughtfull even more. \"A travelling name? It would have to be something that could be used repeatedly along the way.. so that I would remember.\"

\"It should be something of your choosing as well,\" says Curugil. \"So that you may best remember it. We are not going to deny we are of Gondor, but I think it might be best that you do not give your right name.\"

Menawa mmms, \"I will give it some thought. Perhaps we could pick a name before I leave.\"

Curugil nods, \"Very well then. We must give it some thought. There is still time while preparations are made. Are you familiar with Umbar at all?\"

Menawa shakes her head slightly, \"No. I will need as much information as I can get.\"

Curugil nods, \"Aside from the lore we have here that you may read, you should know that Umbar was once a part of Gondor during its high days, but it has not been so for many years. Currently, it is ruled by Tower Lords, or an Emperor. I do not know which since the situations seems fluid. They are proud and rapacious, so I suggest you do not wander about the city alone.\"

A soft knock is heard at the door here, as Ceredir finally arrives.

Menawa shakes her head, \"I will not, My Lord. I do not relish the thought that I might die, but worse, that I might let you down.\"

The door swings open, seemingly of its own accord and Curugil says, \"Come in Ceredir.\"

\"I have complete confidence in your abilities Menawa,\" says Curugil. \"That is why I asked you to go.\"

\"My apologies for the delay,\" Ceredir says, stepping in and looking between the pair talking here. \"How may I be of assistance, my lord?\"

\"Ceredir,\" says Curugil. \"I wish to meet your man. The contact who will gain you entrance to Umbar.\"

Menawa steps back a little so that the two men are easily seen by her, her expression a little pensive.

\"Baiz.\" Ceredir frowns and presses his lips together. \"I do not know he will agree to meet you. It is...delicate.\"

\"Ceredir,\" says Curugil. \"Do what you must, but send him to me. It is too important.\"

Curugil says this with an air of finality as if the matter was closed.

\"Now,\" he continues. \"Menawa and I have worked up a cover story for what information you are looking for...\"

Menawa smiles very softly, \"And we need to give me a name for this trip. Have you any ideas?\"

\"Then tell me what you wish to speak with him about, so that I may better persuade him,\" the Master Scout says, insistent. \"There are many things at risk here, not the least of which is our mission. I would not have him turned from it by something unexpected on your part.\"

\"Cover story yes...but a name? Why?\"

Curugil sighs and says, \"I want to meet him because I am outfitting this expedition and I want to make sure there are no foul ups. I am meeting with every person going to see what type of person they are to to be clear about our goals. There is no need to be clandestine about this. Everybody\'s neck is being stuck out.\"

\"As to a name,\" says Curugil. \"If word gets back that Ceredir the Master Scout was in Umbar bargaining with a Corsair Lord, I do not know how your social standing would remain the same.\"

Menawa looks intrigued by that thought. What could be going through the young woman\'s mind. Then she shakes her head slightly, \"And I would not disgrace my family so. Not if it is within me to keep that from happening.\"

\"All right. I will ensure Baiz meets with you, but it will be done most quietly.\" Ceredir shakes his head. \"Find me a name, then. And these clothes...they will not suit. But ...\" he pulls off his left gauntlet and holds up his hand, \"my missing finger marks me. There are not many in Gondor with such.\"

His left ring finger is missing, wedding band worn on the third finger instead.

\"Lord Curugil...you need to explain to Lady Menawa why...why this is being kept from most in Gondor, even from the Steward. I could not give the explanation well.\"

\"That is fair enough since she is willingly entering the danger,\" says Curugil.

\"Lady Menawa,\" says Curugil. \"We go to seek this weapon so as to win the war against our Enemy. This is plain enough. But we also hold that the authorities in power would restrain our actions, fearing that such a weapon would be used to rebel against their authority. Therefore, this duty must be done secrectly.\"

\"Then I did have it right...\" Ceredir says quietly. \"But it is for the love of Gondor we do this, make no mistake.\"

Menawa frowns very deeply now, her young brow wrinkled with the depth of her thoughts and worry over such. \"It is disheartening to think that those we seek to protect fear we seek to usurp them.\" She sighs, then lifts her chin, \"But we know why we act. We act /for/ Gondor. Not against her.\"

Curugil looks steadily at Ceredir for a moment and there is a meaningful look in his eyes, \"Of course we act *for* Gondor. We act to win the war despite the best efforts of our Lord Denethor.\"

Yet Curugil\'s look only seems to confuse the Master Scout, who tilts his head slightly to one side, blinking. \"Sir...it is just that I have heard it said otherwise, and I wished to assure Menawa on it. Lest she run into the Lord Arathis, who accuses you of the Enemy\'s sorcery.\"

Menawa presses her lips together and smooths her hands from her waist to her hips, as if makeing sure her apron (the one she is not wearing right now) is straight, then folds her hands primly together once more.

Curugil looks to Menawa and says, \"I am sure the Lady Menawa has heard of the false rumours about me. Who hasn\'t?\" Curugil rises and says, \"Come. Menawa, think more of the cover story. What are the symptoms? The deadliness... you may consult the library of course. But if you would allow me to speak to Ceredir for a moment, on a private matter, I would appreciate it.\"

Menawa dips her head to the gentlemen, \"I itch to get my fingers on that library. I will joyfully depart from this room to do so.\" Then with a soft little smile, she exits out the door.

(later...)

The Seven Stars: Common Room

The Inn of the Seven Stars boasts one of the liveliest common rooms in Minas Tirith. The double doors open out to a long, rectangular room a stage sits against one of the walls, and appears as if it is used for announcements, readings and performances. A plaque decorates the wall behind the stage.

The opposite side of the room is heavily occupied by the bar a high and long oak bench from which serving men and women scurry to the many tables, chairs and benches that are squeezed into the common room. Softer couches also offer comfort, congregated nearer to the stage. At the rear of the spacious entertaining area is a winding staircase, leading up to the guest rooms and offices above.

It is a pary night here in the Common Room of the Seven Stars. Music is going and there are many about. Among them, in fact, is Curugil Gildring.

He is seated at a table pondering the music over amazingly enough, ale.

Menawa has only recently arrived and is moving slowly into the playfull \'insanity\' that is the party atmosphere here in the Seven Stars. She looks a tiny bit lost, but there\'s also a playfull little smile on her lips, as if this pleases her.

A thin man now rises and says, \"Tis time for the riddling! A free drink for those who can solve my riddles! Who shall play Lamic\'s game?\"

Somewhere behind Menawa lurks Ceredir, or at least the Master Scout is trying to weave his way through the crowd inconspicuously. He stops behind the woman. \"Riddles you should be good at.\"

Menawa jumps and whirls a little, her skirt brushing Ceredir\'s shins. She blushes a delicate pink, her right hand on her chest. \"You startled me!\" She says, as if he wouldn\'t already know this.

A man calls out, \"Alright Lamic... tell us a riddle>\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

While on my way to St. Ives

I saw a man with 7 wives

Each wife had 7 sacks

Each sack had 7 cats

Each cat had 7 kittens

Kitten, cats, sacks, wives

How many were going to St. Ives?

Curugil rubs his chin and notices Menawa and Ceredir. He motions them over to join him saying, \"I was never that good at riddles!\"

Curugil says, \"Perhaps 29?\"

Curugil says, \"29\"

Curugil hits his head, \"Of course!\"

Curugil says, \"one\"

Lamic smiles a toothy grin and says, \"Very good Curugil.\"

Curugil laughs, \"No wonder... it was only the man going to thither.\"

\"Of course...\" Ceredir grins happily at having startled the woman. \"Lord Curugil beckons. We should join him,\" he says, heading that way. \"Why 29? Seven women and seven sacks is 49 alone\"

A drink is served up to Curugil and he takes it, \"Why this reminds me of when I was young!\"

Curugil turns to Lamic and says, \"Well my man. I seem to have defeated you. Why not another riddle>?\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

Each morning I appear

To lie at your feet

All day I follow

No matter how fast you run,

Yet I nearly perish

In the midday sun.

What am I?

Menawa settles down, absently listening to the riddle. She perks, \"Oh that\'s your shadow.\" She whispers to Curugil, her eyes sparkling as she waits for someone to shout out the answer.

Lamic smiles a toothy grin and says, \"Very good Menawa.\"

Curugil laughs and says as a drink is served to Menawa, \"I think Lamic heard you.\"

Menawa places her hand over her mouth and looks startled and pink cheeked as she gets her drink.

Lamic barks, \"Good ears I have!\"

Curugil says, \"Give us another riddle> Lamic! You seem endless!\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

You must keep it after giving it.

What am I?

Curugil rubs his chin, \"This one sounds familiar to me...\"

Ceredir frowns. \"Your word.\"

Lamic smiles a toothy grin and says, \"Very good Ceredir.\"

Thus does Ceredir earn a drink.

Curugil smiles, \"We seem to be doing very well. The High House of Lore is representing.\"

Menawa smiles bright and warm to the men, then squirms in her seat. \"Another riddle.. oh another riddle.\" She does seem to like them.

Curugil says, \"Come Lamic... we are only getting your easy ones. Tell us another riddle>.\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

Each morning I appear

To lie at your feet

All day I follow

No matter how fast you run,

Yet I nearly perish

In the midday sun.

What am I?

Curugil says, \"I know this one.\"

Curugil says, \"would either of you guess?\"

\"You\'re getting old,\" Ceredir laughs. \"Menawa already answered this one--he repeats himself. Your shadow.\"

Lamic grins and says, \"That is correct Ceredir.\"

Menawa lifts the flaggon of ale that was set before her and delicately sips at it, eyes sparkling like gemstones.

Curugil rolls his eyes, \"I think he is just making fun. Another riddle> Lamic!\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

I can be touched

But I hurt those who touch me

I move swiftly through a dry forest

But die in a mountain stream

Where I pass I leave a black shroud.

What am I?

Curugil shakes his head, \"Fire Lamic.\"

Lamic grins and says, \"That is correct Curugil.\"

As the game progresses, a pyramid of ale appears on the table before them... some wine as well.

\"Is this how the denizens of the House of High Lore spend their time?\" Ceredir asks, adding with a wink, \"honing their knowledge with drinking games?\"

\"Tis a pasttime from my younger days to be sure,\" says Curugil. \"Many an hour did I spend riddling. It keeps the mind sharp.\"

Curugil drinks some ale and burps silently, \"Oh my...\"

\"Then ask for another and perhaps it will be new?\" Ceredir says.

Menawa licks foam off her upper lip, smileing with flushed cheeks, looking about as happy as she was during the dance, pre burning body.

Curugil calls to Lamic and says, \"A riddle>\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

If a man carried my burden,

He would break his back.

I am not rich,

But leave silver in my track.

Curugil looks to both Menawa and Ceredir \"Any ideas?\"

Menawa looks thoughtfull, then shakes her head, \"My guess is much too silly.\"

Curugil looks at Menawa and says, \"Sometimes, that is the answer though.\"

Ceredir repeats the words, stumped. \"Leaves silver...a river? a rock? A snail? That carries its house on its back?\"

Lamic smiles a toothy grin and says, \"Very good Ceredir.\"

Menawa crinkles her nose a tiny bit, hides behind the mug of ale, then lowers it and grins at Ceredir. \"I thought it was a snail, too!\"

Curugil nods, \"It truly is burdonsome... but we have more than enough drinks for all of us. Another riddle> Lamic!\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

What can run but never walks,

has a mouth but never talks,

has a bed but never sleeps?

Menawa calls out, \"A river!\"

Lamic grins and says, \"That is correct Menawa.\"

Menawa bounces a little in her seat and laughs with joy, then smiles bright as the sun to those that are with her.

Curugil says, \"He seems to be asking riddles in a similar vein.\"

Curugil call out, \"Another riddle> good Lamic!\"

Lamic turns and says, \"You want a riddle eh? Well here is one:

I never was, am always to be,

None ever saw me, nor ever will,

And yet I am the confidence of all

Who live and breathe on this terrestrial ball.

Menawa crinkles her brow and murmurs to her seat mates, \"Tomorrow?\"

Lamic smiles a toothy grin and says, \"Very good Menawa.\"

Ceredir laughs and reaches for ale. \"I\'ll let you answer these, then, Menawa. You have a talent for it.\'

Curugil smiles and says, \"The Lady Menawa is the Riddle Master.\"

Menawa blushes delicately, but loses none of the sparkle in her eyes. \"I wonder why he did not give the leg riddle.\"

\"The leg riddle?\" asks Curugil.

\"If you have one to add, then tell it. Otherwise we might hear Lamic repeat himself,\" Ceredir grins.

Menawa takes another sip, then nods as she quickly swallows. She grins big at Ceredir, then clears her throat and speaks clearly to the two men.

\"Two legs sits on three legs holding one leg. Four legs takes one leg, two legs throws three legs, four legs drops one leg. What happened?\"

\"Something about babies, horses and men?\" Ceredir offers. \"It\'s familiar..\"

Curugil laughs, \"A man eating a drumstick sitting on a stool... A cat steals the other... the man, angry throws the stool at the cat who drops the drumstick?\"

Menawa sets her mug down and claps happily for Curugil. \"Do I owe you a drink now?\"

Curugil motions to the pile in front of him, \"I believe I will allow your debt to me to pass.\"

\"Come, Lord Gildring, drink to the lady, Master of the Riddles.\" Ceredir raises his glass, drinks it, and takes another. \"Now..names? Something suitable for the Lady?\"

Curugil raises his glass and says, \"For a riddle master a riddling name no doubt. What might be suitable for that?\"

\"Something in Sindarin...riddle or puzzle...?\" Ceredir shrugs.

Curugil rubs his chin considering.

\"Hethu, for foggy, perhaps?\" the Master Scout offers. \"Hethutin for quiet fog?\" He smiles.

Curugil says, \"Well I will say my mind is cloudy now with all this ale!\"

Menawa mmms softly, \"Hethutin. Quiet fog.\" She finishes off the ale in the mug, then crinkles her nose, \"Not sure if I will remember that.\" She looks to Ceredir, \"Are you saying I\'m quiet?\"

Curugil says, \"Perhaps clarity would be better than fog since she knows the answers?\"

\"Perhaps...and if any know Sindarin, it might be too obvious,\" Ceredir says, looking into his ale for answers. \"Let me think.\"

Curugil says, \"Names in the common speech might do well.\"

Menawa sets her mug aside and reaches for another, sipping at the ale within and hiccuping gently, cheeks still flushed.

Curugil smiles, his own cheeks quite red, he says, \"Careful now...\"

\"Ah. Well, perhaps the name of a flower, then? Surely you must have some ideas, Menawa. Women know these things!\" Ceredir says, stifling a laugh at the woman\'s hiccups. \"And a name for me...and backgrounds? Why are we there and who are we?\"

Curugil says, \"Well, as to the why... Menawa can tell you all about the disease we are looking for a cure for... as to who...\"

Curugil laughs.

Curugil says, \"Maybe we should name you Quizzical.\"

Menawa sets her mug down with a gentle \'thunk\' on the bartop. \"I want to dance.\" She looks to Ceredir, \"Will you dance with me, b-brother?\" No, she doesn\'t hiccup, but keeping herself from doing so made her stutter just a touch.

Curugil smiles and says, \"Enjoy yourselves. I must return to my home.\"

\"Quizzical?\" Ceredir sounds offended...and on the edge of tipsy. \"Tell me about the diseae, Menawa,and no thank you, I do not dance.\"

Menawa aws and looks to Curugil, then sighs, \"Twas a pleasure to see you again, Sir. Untill next time.\"

Menawa hiccups after watching Curugil leave, then turns back to Ceredir. \"Well, it def\'nately can not be something very deadly, for then they would fear us bringing it with us. P\'haps something just very hard t\' get rid of.\"

\"Well..\" Ceredir sets his tankard down, arms folded across his chest as he studies the woman. \"First, you had better have some water or tea and not more ale or wine. And second, you had better come up with something more plausible than that. Why would we go to Umbar for it?\"

Menawa waves her hand, \"Why would we be forthcoming with potential sensative information? Surely an illness that could kill is a good reason to search their library for a possible cure.\" She frowns deeply, \"Not to mention that, given a chance, I /will/ search the files and scrolls for a possible cure to that d-damnable poison that eats a man from the inside out.\"

Nelladel enters the Seven Stars alone, a book under her arm. Sharp grey eyes look around for Ceredir, but immediately she notices the many tankards- and female company- at his table. Her lips purse, and she raises a curious brow. The young woman approaches the table and stands near her husband. \"Who is your company?\" Nella asks, intelligent gaze on Menawa.

Hopping to his feet--if unsteadily so--Ceredir greets Nella by reaching to give her hand a quick squeeze, and then looking around the inn nervously. \"Nel, this is Menawa, sister to the Squire Agladar. Menawa, this is Nelladel...\" and then lower, \"my wife.\" He grins stupidly and sits again--clumsily--trying to tug Nella into the seat next to him.

Menawa gives Nelladel a look that is part curious, part quelling. That is, untill Ceredir introduces her by name. The second that name comes from his lips, her face lights up with joy and surprise, like the sun bursting out suddenly at midnight. (Which would be a surprise, no?) Notably, she doesn\'t have to hear the \'my wife\' part to be happy. She stands almost as unsteadily as Ceredir, then dips a curtsy to the other woman. \"I am honored.\" Then she stands there and beams that bright smile on the other woman.

Nella makes a startled noise as she\'s tugged into a seat rather clumsily. Yet she settles herself in the chair, close beside Ceredir, and grins back at him. Grey eyes dart around the room- it is safe- and she gives a quick kiss to the master scout\'s cheek. Then she looks at Menawa, surprised by the very welcoming expression on the woman\'s face. \"Menawa,\" Nelladel repeats, her tone warm. \"I am likewise honored,\" she says. \"Please call me Nella.\" She begins to smile- she meets so few other women while in the city, keeping mostly to herself.

\"Menawa is a ...apprentice? healer,\" Ceredir says, the question in the statement. He snakes one arm around Nella\'s back and quite openly--and probably drunkenly--leans his head on her shoulder. \"She was with us for all those months and saw some of the horrible wou...\" He hiccups, breaks off, puts up a hand to the two women, then continues.

\"She wants to dance.\"

\"And she has never been kissed.\"

Hiccup.

Menawa sits a little heavily and picks up her tankard, then lifts a hand towards Nelladel, \"N\' fear. I am not gonna move on your Gentleman there. He\'s like another one of m\' brothers! Only.. not as annoyin\'.\" She nods sagely, then leans forward and widens her eyes, \"You are more beautifull\'n I thought you\'d be.. \'course, I knew you would be. He\'s got good taste.\" She sits back and nods again, then tips her tankard to drain off more ale.

\"And I suppose you think -you- should be the one to kiss her? Else that was a very unnecessary thing to say!\" Nella exclaims, rising to what Ceredir has just said, and perhaps irritated with his intoxicated state. Her pale cheeks become slightly flushed. She gives Menawa an appreciative, warm smile again. \"Thank you for your kind words..and for knowing your manners more than my husband here.\" She grins at the woman, and the compliments. \"But lady, you are likewise lovely. I\'m sure you have your choice of suitors here- when the men are in the white city at all. Seems like that\'s a very rare occasion, nowadays.\"

\"Oh, Nella, love,\" Ceredir says, reaching for another of the tankards of ale, \"I could never kiss a woman I see as my sister!\" Oblivious to his wife\'s reaction, he continues, making speedy work, first, of the ale. \"It\'s just that she is to research things in Umbar for us and if she dies...well, she has never been kissed. That..it\'s terrible, no?\"

Oh yes, quite drunk.

Menawa sighs softly, her cheeks nice and pink from her own happily inhebriated state. \"But at least I\'ll die free\'n fightin\' f\' Gondor.\" She salutes the room at large, then finishes off the ale in the tankard. As she sets it down, she hiccups three times in a row, then giggles. Her hand slaps over her mouth fast as she makes that annoyingly perky sound.

\"Oh, yes, absolutely terrible. It\'s much worse than being disowned by one\'s family...much worse than oh, say, foresaking your fancy, pampered life to live like a rat in the dark, hidden from everyone and not speaking, all for the love of a drunken sot who wants to kiss another woman!\" Nella\'s cheeks are very flushed now, and as she speaks, her words rise in a crescendo until she is shouting to the entire room. Thankfully, the babble of other conversations covers most of her shouted words. She stands up, one hand coming down hard on the table, punching the wood (and thus sparing Ceredir\'s face a similar fate). \"Excuse me,\" Nella says very apologetically to Menawa, as she prepares to leave. She lingers for a moment, catching her breath and trying to regain her dignity.

\"Nella! Wait!\" Ceredir jumps to his feet, the chair falling behind him as he tries to lunge for his wife\'s wrist.

\"Of course I don\'t want to kiss her!\" He stares briefly at Menawa, as his words coincide with hers.

\"I..love, it\'s just that we have each other and we are so lucky to have just that, despite all the other terrible things. And more so, we are lucky we feel this way about each other, when most just marry to breed children for their noble house. Please, Nella...\"

Drunk or not, Ceredir looks with pleading eyes full of hurt at his wife.

Menawa watches Nelladel with a look of stunned disbelief for a moment, then is on her feet at the same time as Ceredir, saying, \"He doesn\'t want to kiss me!\" At the same time that he denies it. She looks horrified at the prospect and even backs up a pace, stumbling over the chair and turning around to right herself, her back to the pair now.

\"You don\'t? Then why is that all you can speak of?\" Nella snaps, irritated that Ceredir has grabbed his wrist while she\'s angry. And in fact, it\'s the first time she\'s really been so angry at him. When that thought sets in, she takes another breath and is startled by it so much that she calms. \"I need some ale,\" she announces, \"since everyone else here is so intoxicated.\" She looks to Menawa as she says this, then snatches up someone\'s half-empty tankard from the table with her free hand. After drinking some of it, she shakes her head and looks at Ceredir again. \"I\'m sorry I said those things,\" she says very quietly. \"I just thought..\" Again, her grey gaze lies on the other woman. \"Menawa,\" Nella pleads, her tone one of lament, \"Please, don\'t be embarassed- please, do sit down again.\"

\"I...I cannot say what led me to say it, other than I felt sorry for her,\" Ceredir says. \"Knowing how much I missed you all those months and thinking about how terrible it was...but even so, we still had each other, and no matter what happened...and many things did...I always could think of you.\"

\"And I did.\"

Ceredir seems suddenly sober, setting his mug down and pushing it away.

Menawa stands up straight and smooths her shakeing hands from her waist down the front of her skirt just a bit, as if trying to rid that small patch of fabric of wrinkles. She sniffs once, then turns to look at them both, \"Yes, well..\" she clears her throat a little, cheeks a touch redder than the alcohol can explain. \"Don\'t feel sorry for me, Master Scout. I have chosen this path.\" Then she gives a cheeky little grin, picks up empties and walks a little unsteadily towards the bar to get rid of them.

\"And now you\'re going away again,\" Nelladel says rather hollowly. The ale hasn\'t had much effect on her, the little that she drank. She moves closer to Ceredir, and despite the public setting, puts both her arms around him. She rests her head against his chest for a moment. \"I actually shouted at you..\" Nella says, mulling that very strange occurence over. \"Promise you\'ll forget what I said?\" But as she speaks, she watches Menawa gathering all the empty mugs and walking toward the bar. \"What do you mean?\" Nella calls after her before she goes too far. \"You have chosen a loveless life?\"

\"She throws her life away for Gondor, I think,\" Ceredir says quietly, looking after Menawa. \"And...I promise you that, yes. And I promise to return from Umbar. You know the circumstances under which we go there, under which I go.\"

Rather forlornly, Ceredir looks to the mugs of remaining ale. \"If I drink more now, then duty tomorrow before dawn will be painful...\"

Menawa does not answer Nelladel. Perhaps she did not hear. She thunks the empties on the bartop and dips her head to the tender behind it, giving the couple some time alone..for she does not return imediately.

\"And if you drink more,\" Nella adds, \"One of us may something else we regret.\" She shakes her head at him, but keeps her arms around him. \"Let\'s go home,\" she says longingly. Yet Nella affords one more glance to Menawa, full of concern. \"I hope I haven\'t offended her. Having my family cursing my name is enough, no?\" This muttered as they get ready to depart.

\"Goodnight then...Lilly...\" Ceredir calls toward Menawa as he stands, readying to leave. He grins, whether or not the healer sees it. \"Duty calls me once more.\" Hiccup. Or a hangover.

Menawa turns to look to the couple, then dips her head to them, her smile a little crooked. Lilly. Too bad she\'ll be alone with all that alcohol left at the table.

\"Lilly? Her name was Menawa. You even have a special name for her?\" Nella\'s tone, once they have left the healer behind, is extremely cross, and there\'s a storm in her eyes. Perhaps apologies have not smoothed this over entirely. It\'s a very cold girl who walks stiffly beside Ceredir tonight as they leave the inn.

\"A false name for Umbar, Nella. Nothing more. She needs to go by a different name, as do I. A common name. Help me think of one.\" Ceredir sighs and tries to put an arm on his wife\'s shoulder, though he may not succeed. And in the darkness, he rolls his eyes.

(end)