(Archive) The Strange Adventures of Numandil, Naerdil, and Huan 10

Elendor - Tuesday, April 18, 2000, 9:35 PM

Tavern

The common room is a circular room with a large radius. Located in the center of the wooden circle is a large fire pit, burning and spitting up smoke and ashes of wood. Directly above the fire is a large smoke hole to which the rest of the ceiling slopes towards. The wood around the smoke hole is blacked with the smoke. The stout tables stand ready to hold the repast of large men, for large are the Northmen who live in this village the stools and long benches are constructed of thick hardwood, and can hold even the largest of their number aright.

The common room is populated with men and women taking a few moments off their feet during the day light floods in through the open windows of the common room, warming everything in a bright basking glow.

Contents:

Sloane

Pyralis

Numandil aka Indilzar

Naerdil aka Aearwen

Silas

Solo

Acorn

Woody

Obvious exits:

Dining Room leads to Dining Room.

Out leads to Great Bear Inn - Entrance Hall.

Solo takes the filled tankard of the ale he finds so dear and drinks it, calmly and sedated for a man just cursing throughout the inn for more. Sitting near to the fire, he notices Acorn. \"Hello. How are you?\" He says this before continuing his drink.

Acorn looks up from her slouch to Solo and nods. \"Fine. ANd yeself?\" She finds her hairs dry and sits up, reaching for her boots. There\'s a bit of a show as she tugs them back on with grunting and some effort. She seems to have forgotten leather shrinks when dried too quickly.

Naerdil strides into the common room of the tavern and glances at those gathered. A sociable nod of his head is given to those he has seen before, silvery grey orbs warm and friendly. Walking to the center of the room he holds out his hands to the head coming from the fire and speaks aloud, to no one in particular, \"A cold day for sure.\"

[Sloane(#27017)] Chuckling softly, Sloane takes another sip of ale, draining the rest of the tankard. \"Ah, well... perhaps you need to find better bait for the fish, than the point of a spear,\" he grins. \"I will return in a moment,\" he adds, walking towards the open and already definitely well-drawn barrel, filling himself a tankard. Turning back towards his companion, he pauses, and then gets another tankard for the fisherman, filling it. Turning back towards the table, he hears the door opening and sees a semi-familiar face. \"Ah, the Gondorian traveller,\" he muses. Walking back towards the table he recently vacated, he sets the tankard down before the fisherman, then waves to the visitor. \"Good morning to you, friend,\" he calls to Naerdil.

Silas looks from the tankard up to Sloane and nods, \"My thanks, friend.\" The fisherman raises the mug up and takes a long sip, letting the liquid slowly trickle down his throat. As he sets the container down Silas licks his lips and heaves a sigh. \"Good stuff... good stuff indeed.\"

Solo looks to the new arrival. He nods and waves at him warmly, with a slightly lazy nature and drinks a bit more ale. \"I\'m fine but...dear me! Look at the time! I must be off...\" And with that, he hastily says his goodbyes, leaves a tip for Woody, and leaves.

Turning to warm his cold posterior at the fire, Naerdil tips his head in greeting to Sloane, \"Good morning to you. How fare thee today, except as cold as the snow that rests on yon Misty Mountains?\" Glancing to the man seated at the table he inquires, \"Care you to have a visitor from the South join you in a tankard?\" A few steps are taken and he draws his own tankard of ale, a nice head of foam slithering down the side as he finishes.

Acorn sits up straighter as her meal finally arrives. It brings a delighted grin to her face and she dives in. The speed at which she eats is impressive, even more so that she doesn\'t seem to injure herself or bite through the spoon. She pauses to take a sip of her tea then dives into the gruel again.

[Sloane(#27017)] Laughing, Sloane pulls a chair out for the traveller, turning again as yet another visitor enters, a figure whom he doesn\'t recognize. Shrugging softly, he turns back towards the Gondorian visitor. \"Seat yourself down,\" he says. \"You have yet to tell us of the lands you have visited and tales of your journeys from... Gondor? to our lands here.\" He smiles warmly.

Curnen, abnormally subdued, quietly makes his way into the Great Bear. Hands tucked into his pockets, he quickly starts towards the fire, quiet, head looking down, though even then, a scowl settles on his visage. Ignoring those about him, upon reaching the fire, he thrusts his cold hands out towards it, content to just warm them for now.

Silas finishes off what remains of his drink and gets to his feet, shouldering his pack and slinging his bow as he rises. \"My time here\'s come to an end there\'s fish out there getting lonely without me. My thanks again for the drink, comrade.\"

The long legs of Naerdil cover the distance to the table in but a few steps and he joins the men. The mug of ale is set upon the table and he holds out his massive hand to the man across from him, \"Naerdil, from Gondor, pleased to me you.\" A smile is given to Sloane, a flash of pearly white teeth as he says, \"Tis a long tale that I am not sure I can do justice to in just one sitting. Many are the miles between our lands.\" Taking a drink of the ale he wipes the foam from his lips with the back of his hand and grins mischeviously, \"But I could be persuaded to try if you will tell me about that giant bear statue and of your land in return.\" Looking to Silas as he stands to leave, Naerdil says, \"Namarie\"

Acorn mumbles something to Curnen, but exactly what is lost as clarity would involve her pausing in eating. She grins to Pyralis and puases in her chewing to hold out a honeycake. Why he must be a friend for her to offering some of her precious meal.

Pyralis accepts the honeycake calmly. He smiles across at Acorn as he takes a bite. \"Thanks. This is rather good.\" He smacks his lips contentedly.

[Sloane(#27017)] As Silas rises, Sloane rises and holds out his hand. \"Good morning to you, friend fisherman, and hope your catch is bountiful,\" he grins. \"Good luck spearing the fish.\" He turns to the traveller from Gondor. \"Ah, time for long stories we have on this chilly morning,\" he notes. \"As long as the ale does not run dry, for then I will have to leave and get more of it.\" He takes another long drink from the tankard.

A chuckle sounds deep from within Naerdil as he nods his head in agreement, \"Tis the kind of day for sitting around the fire, drinking and the telling of tales.\" Serious do his eyes grow for a moment as he inquires, \"How far from your land have you travelled? This quest is my first venture from Gondor and many things have my eyes seen since Numandil and I left some two months past\'

Silas accepts Sloane\'s hand and gives it a firm shake. \"May the bottom of your mug never show.\" Releasing the hand, Silas brings up two fingers in a minor wave toward Naerdil and looks puzzled at his word. With a shrug, Silas turns and walks for the door.

[Curnen(#25675)] For the moment, Curnen ignores the mumbling Acorn and continues to hold his hands over the fire. After a minute or two, they\'re sufficiently warm and he crosses the distance back to her table. Hesitantly, as if mustering up the courage to speak, he grumbles out, \"What was they yer sayin?\"

Acorn nods, no about to waste precious time speaking. She grins to Pyralis, bits of honeycake in her teeth, then scoops the last of the gurel, smothered in honey, into her mouth. She swallows and finally says. \"good day Pyralis. How ye?\"

Pyralis shifts around in his chair. \"Oh not so bad. Still nice and quiet around in blacksmith land.\"

Acorn chuckles. \"You have it so hard, you do.\" She sips her tea and sits back with her last honeycake. She scowls a bit and wiggles her foot then settles again.

[Sloane(#27017)] \"Travelled,\" Sloane muses. \"I have not been beyond the mountains in the east, nor the darkwood in the west,\" he finally replies, after a long pause. \"Nor have I gone far to the north, nor the south.\" A far-away look settles in his eyes, as he absently gazes at the journeying Gondorian. \"Let us drink.. to great distances and long travels,\" he adds, just as absently picking up his tankard and sipping from it slowly.

Pyralis grins casually. He leans back in the chair a bit, finding a comfortable spot finally. \"Hard enough.\" He stays silent for a moment, \"And you? Are you as busy as you seem from the haste with which you eat?\"

The tankard of ale is brought to the lips of the young man from House Nimothan and a drink of the cool brew slips down his throat, all the while his eyes rest on his friend in this new land. One finger skims the rim of the tankard as it now rests upon the table and Naerdil says, softly, almost to himself, \"The darkwood to the west.\" Sighing deeply he raises questioning eyes and inquires, \"You speak of Mirkwood, correct? My uncle and I wish to hire two guides to lead us through that dark forest.\" Leaning back in his chair, one long leg crossing over the over, a shiny booted foot seen as his hand rests casually upon it.

[Acorn(#20166)] The forester has the decency to blush at least. She shrugs however, showing she\'s not an admonished as she should be. \"I was hungry.\" It\'s a lame excuse, but Acorn seems to find it good enough. She sips her tea and sighs. \'Not nearly as much to do in the winter with most of the forest in slumber in the cold.\"

Curnen shrugs as his question goes unanswered. Tucking his hands back into his pockets, he leaves Acorn and Pyralis to their chat, moving off towards the bar. As he walks towards it, he announces to Woody, \"I want a bowl of mead. Make it warm. Stew if you\'ve got it.\"

Pyralis grins lazily back. \"Yes,\" he nods. \"The winter months are trying for all. The snow is all that there is that makes it pleasant. Few are the joys greater than stomping about in that wonderful white stuff.\"

[Tinidril(#27663)] Framed in the doorway is the slight figure of Tinidril. She smiles broadly as she recognizes a few familiar faces.

[Sloane(#27017)] \"A guide? Well, guides there are aplenty here,\" Sloane smiles in responce. Under his breath, he adds, \"I wish I could go as well.\" He smiles softly. \"You should be able to find a guide to lead you here, in the tavern,\" he says out loud to Naerdil. \"Here, or in the other tavern,\" he notes.

\"Sloane,\" calls a loud voice from the bar, and turning, Sloane sees Woody calling him. Nodding to the Gondorian, he rises and makes his way towards the bar. \"Yes?\" he asks the bartender. The latter, grinning, points at the empty barrel in the corner.Chukling softly, Sloane nods, \"A good batch, it seems. I shall have to get another, I see.\"

Making his way back to the table he had just left, he smiles at Naerdil. \"I must apologize, but again I am called away by duty. I bid you well, friend, and good luck in your journey through the Mirkwood, should I not see you ere you go.\" He holds out his hand to the Gondorian.

[Geoff(#29825)] Geoff, seeing Tinidril standing in the doorway, he motions his had as for her to sit by him at the bar. While he waits for her to approach, he asks woody for a glass of liqure. His eyes observe Woody take a small glass and poor effortlessly the drink. He thin draws his attention back to Tinidril.

Tinidril decisively crosses the floor to the bar to get herself some water. On the way, she flashes Naerdil a brilliant smile. She looks at Geoff, who is also at the bar. \"Gooday, sir!\" she call out cheerily.

[Antaur(#10108)] The doors to the tavern are thrust open and in strides the white clad Numandil. The son of Nodroth paces in, his sea-grey eyes searching.

Tinidril looks up and recognizes Naerdil\'s uncle. Her eyes sparkle. More story-telling, perhaps!

The booted feet of Naerdil hit the floor soundly as he rises quickly to bid farewell to Sloane. One long hand is held out and firmly grasps the man\'s hand as he says, \"Thank you for your well wishes. Perhaps we shall get that conversation in before I yet leave.\" A warm smile flashes across the stern face of the Gondorian as he holds up his tankard and says, \"A few more rounds shall keep me here for several hours.\"

[Tinidril(#27663)] Seeing that Geoff seems to want to talk, Tinidril turns her face to him.

Numandil looks over to the table and seeing his nephew he smiles lightly and approaches, \"How goes it my brother\'s son? You seem the most popular man in town?\"

[Geoff(#29825)] As the light casts odd shadows over his face, Geoff and says in a somehwat gruff voice, \"How be ye, miss\" Geoff has a small hin of red in his cheaks as the words escape his throut. His eyes dont lay apon the face of Tinidril, rather they flow with intrest about the room.

[Tinidril(#27663)] A little put out at Geoff\'s seeming impoliteness, Tinidril\'s indignancy is quelled quickly by one thought: he\'s probably just shy.Tinidril says, \"I am very well, thank you, sir,\" she quickly responds.\"

Musing through his journal as he sips a few drinks of the cool ale in the tankard, Naerdil looks up in surprise as his uncle speaks his name, \"Uncle!\" Rising from his seat he reaches his hand out and waves to the seat across from him with a smile, \"Come join me in some of the best ale this side of the Misties\" Smiling at those gathered he says, \"Now -this- is the true story teller from Gondor. His stories are so carefully woven and intricately drawn out, they always keep you on the edge of your chair. Woody! A round for the house. Please\"

[Geoff(#29825)] As Geoffs eyes land apon the face of Tinidril and her voice is heard, he talks a little less gruff as he had done befor, \" That be well, that be well, und I me\'self be very good es\'well\" Now Geoffs hand slips down to his glass sitting on the bar befor him. He pics it up, turning his sight completely awat from Tinidril. He seems to ignor her as he finds bliss in the somewhat bitter drink he allows to pass through his lips and down his throat.

[Numandil(#10108)] Those sea-grey eyes are set upon Naerdil and he says, \"I greet you. I see you are making friends, and this is well. Have you seen to the task I set you?\"

Tinidril accepts a mug from Woody after Naerdil\'s generous outburst, and sips it tentatively. A strange look crosses her face and she swallows with some difficulty. Leaving the mug on the bar, she casts one last glance at the man beside her, and crosses the room to sit at a table near Naerdil\'s. She smiles at him as she sits.

[<#18658>] Woody +whispers to Tinidril, \"... ... ... I ... ... ... ...: ... ale ... very .... ... ... it ... ....\"

[Geoff(#29825)] Geoff looks on as the lady leaves, \'How rude\' he thinks to himself. But soon a good friend enters and sits on the stool that had been previously occupied by Tinidril. Geoff and this man go into deep conversation about past events. Drink is ordered and they both laugh as talk passes about times old.

A flush brightens Naerdil\'s cheeks, be it the drinks consumed or the realization that Tinidril has moved closer to the table. Cutting his eyes in her direction a flash of pearly white teeth are seen as he gives her a quick smile and then turns his attention back to his uncle. Nodding his head, one hand motions to those gathered in the tavern and he says, \"The task of finding two men to guide us through Mirkwood should not be a problem. Both the Chieftain and Sloane have indicated there are many capable of such a journey.\" Pausing for effect he raises his voice a bit, \"Not to mention the 1.5 gold florins they would earn for such a service.

Tinidril realizes she has forgotten her water at the bar. She decides she doesn\'t really need it. Her face lights up as Naerdil returns her smile.

[<#18658>] Woody +whispers to Tinidril, \"... last message I ... remember ... ...: \"

Numandil nods and then says to Naerdil, \"Good. Carry on.\" He then says clearly, \"Though as for the money, it is well that Huan keeps track of that.\" He smiles lightly, but his eyes flash in warning to Naerdil, \"I must now leave you for a while.\" He then looks to Tinidril, \"Keep well my nephew, Lady.\"

[Tinidril(#27663)] A little disappointed that no stories are forthcoming, Tinidril now turns her attention back to Naerdil. \"How do you fare, sir?\" she inquires pleasantly.

A furrow of black brows mars the forehead of Naerdil as he looks at the departing figure of his uncle. Long moments does he sit there in silent contemplation and then rises, a few coins are drawn from his pocket and placed upon the table. Turning to the fare maid Tinidril he bows gallantly and says, \"I fare well M\'Lady. And how fare thee tonight?\" Drawing his journal to his chest he walks the distance to where the woman sits and stands beside her chair.

An air of distraction is obvious as Naerdil clicks his heels together and bows to the woman. \"Please forgive me for being consumed with thoughts of our quest. There are details that I must see to before we leave. I bid you goodnight M\'Lady.\" Raising one delicate hand to his lips, he brushes it with a soft kiss and then with a smile turns to leave. The click of his booted feet sound as his steps are quick to exit the room, a swirl of sable cloak the last thing seen as he disappears from view.

[Tinidril(#27663)] Very disappointed at the turn of events, a disconcerted Tinidril rises and exits the scene while whispering under her breath about foolish maidens getting their hopes up.