Of Kings and Kingliness

The High House of Lore

This ancient building, stands as an adjutant of the Academy of Ostoher. This main entrance hall, is a large, pillared affair rising to a lofty ceiling. From this main hall there are several small halls leading to places of study, but of chief dominance is a set of spiral staircases that circle upward.

This large chamber is evidently used as a place of lecture and gathering. On the walls, there are several frescoes, the chief of which depicts the first ruling Queen of Numenor, Tar Ancalime, yet of chief interest are the sculptures, two of which stand most prominently by the staircase. These two statues are both of Numenorean kings, and beneath the one on the right is inscribed the name: Vardamir Nolimon. Beneath the other, Tar-Elendil Parmaite.

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Weather:            Clear

Time:               Early Afternoon <14>

Season:             Spring

Date:               Oraearon - May 19, 3046

Real Time:          Sun Mar 08 18:38:18 2009

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It is a beautiful spring afternoon, the sky clear and blue, the weather just warm enough to be comfortable, yet not so hot to be sticky. The trees are green, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing...and here, in the cold high halls of the High House of Lore, it is dead silent. For, of course, everyone is outside, not in the seemingly perpetually cold echoing rooms of this place, which speak not of spring, rebirth, and growth.

The moments crawl by slowly, especially for one of the guards stationed here: Ceredir is at his post, which is not so much a particular spot in the house as constantly wandering through it and quietly so, as scouts of Ithilien are trained to do. At the moment, his quiet footfalls might be heard coming into the main entrance hall--his steps slightly louder so as to give warning to Bor\'s guards here that he is approaching. And that he is not an assasin.

[Bor(#30834)]

But it is not the Bragollach guards that hear his approach, but their Lord himself. He stands in front of the statue of Tar-Elendil wordlessly, seeming to be lost in a reverie that encompasses both himself and the King before him.

\"What is it that makes this man kingly, Master Scout, and I not?\" he asks, not looking to Ceredir but noticing him all the same. He stands riveted.

[Midhwen(#29054)] The silence is broken by the sound of another\'s footsteps, heralding Midhwen entrance into the Hall. The young healer has obviously been enjoying the beauty of the day, if the flowers woven into her hair and the serene smile on her face are any indication. However, the notebook she carries is an indication that she is on her way to study and the time for merry-making is over for now.

\"What makes him different!?\" Ceredir sputters his words in astonishment, though there is no scorn in his tone. \"You..I mean..he...he was only the fourth king of Numenor and his blood line was unquestionably pure and it was before the slow decline and then the fall of our line....\"

\"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but surely the Bragollach house has no claim to the throne? For if they have, why have they not claimed it before now?\"

Ceredir has crossed the room to stand next to Bor, and as Midhwen enters the hall, he clearly looks relieved. \"My lady. Good afternoon. Are you studying again? Or another one of the women of Minas Tirith working for Lord Gildring?\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"So it is that we are merely a product of our blood, predetermined without hope to cower before the greatness of our ancestors?\" asks Bor of Ceredir.

\"I make no claim to the Kingship. I only ask what makes a King.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Good afternoon Master Scout, Knight Captain.\" Making her way over to the two men, Midhwen looks up at the statue in question. \"Studying, again. I thought it wise to go over what I remember of my Adunaic before beginning lessons.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

A tall man emerges from the shadows of one of the smaller halls. His boots resound throughout the greater hall, though he appears not to tread particularly hard. His gray eyes fall immediately upon the small group gathered there, then travel the direction their own gazes indicate - the statue of Tar-Elendil, he who saw the first of the Numenoreans to return to Middle Earth.

\"Direct lineage from Elros, Tar-Minaytur and consent from the council of the lords of the Edain. All Kings rule with the consent of the people or else they are tyrants, sir\" answers Arashen. Evidently he heard the original question.

\"I have not lived under a king,\" Ceredir says, with a nod to Midhwen as she comes to join them. \"For that matter, nor have any of us, so how should we or could we know. But...I imagine a king should be a leader of men--a man who inspires a country and inspires them in a just cause. A man who is fair and sees that justice is done...even if that justice happens to be ..inconvenient to ...some.\"

The Master Scout here pauses, breaking off his thoughts at the entrance of Arashen. \"Yes..heritage, too, and not tyranny. But more than that. A king must be just and righteous.\"

\"What do you think, my lady?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"A king...\" Nodding to the newly arrived Squire, Midhwen turns back to the statue with a contemplative look on her face. \"Strictly speaking, I suppose, what makes a king is his lineage. His actions will dictate whether is he is a good king or not.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

Bor does not spare a glance for the new arrivals, but his speech is louder nonetheless. \"But what if the people are wrong? What, then, is the duty of the King? Is he to consent to their ignorance or is he to follow his own path?\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"The people do not rule a King,\" Arashen replies, \"They allow him to -rule- with the good will of the people, he must use his own judgment. The people will not rebel unless the circumstances are dire.\"

\"Sometimes not even then, if you consider the last dark years of Numenor.\"

The Squire turns his attention to others. \"Ceredir, Lady Midhwen, good day to you both.\"

\"Agreed. The king must hold his course, even if the people are wrong.\"

\"But how can one tell when the people are wrong?\" Ceredir says quietly, his focus only on Bor, despite a nod given to Arashen\'s greeting.

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Good day to you Squire, are you here to study also?\" While she greets the Squire, her attention is focussed on the discussion again. \"Perhaps this is why a king does not ever rule alone. A council or a group of advisers is an important resource for a ruler.\"

The guard assigned to duty with Ceredir now comes partially down one of the stairs and motions to him.

\"Excuse me,\" Ceredir says, heading that way, though there seems to be no emergency, from the other guard\'s expression.

\"But there are many things that may turn the will of the people against a ruler: despair, fear, cowardice to name but a few. These are emotions that may lead a majority into ignorance. What, then, of our King? Does he persevere?\"

Bor turns at last, and there is naught but intensity in his eyes.

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"Those same emotions can lead a King astray, sir\" answers Arashen to his Knight. He shrugs. \"There is no good answer that fits all circumstances. There will be times when a good King must persevere and others when he should not try the support of his lords and subjects. A King is a commander and a commander must choose his battles -- if he can.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"If the circumstances force him down a road not of his choosing...\" Trailing off, Midhwen shakes her head. \"I am afraid I am not qualified to answer these questions, but what Arashen says makes sense. A king strives for the the good of his people, sometimes that means what they consider good for themselves, no?\"

\"The question is,\" Ceredir says, coming back to the group now, \"What makes you ask, sir?\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"For a king to despair, to fear, to fall into cowardice, he is no longer a king,\" says the Knight-Captain. \"He is then but one of many, a product and symptom of his own hysteria.\" Bor then looks to Ceredir, and he answers.

\"Idle thought, I suppose. I have no battles to fight, so I must invent them.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"I now fight with this bloodline,\" the Lord Bragollach continues, pointing at the statues, \"For it says that I was never meant to be the better of this man.\"

\"And I have no say in the matter.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

Arashen cants his head, considering this and glances up at the stony countenance towering above all three. \"He is of a different time, sir. Your paths will never cross no man will ever compare you to him nor he to you.\"

He smiles at Midhwen, \"Do we bore you, my lady?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Not at all, I find the discussion fascinating.\" She laughs, looking away from the statue with a shrug. \"Then again, I have never been faced with the burden of leadership, so I feel I am ill-qualified to comment on such a subject.\"

\"And that is important to you?\" Ceredir says now with some scorn. \"Being the better of the Kings of old? Even now that you are the lord of your House?\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"Nay, do not esteem yourself so lowly, my lady,\" Arashen replies, maintaining his smile. \"You have tasted command in the healer\'s pavilion - even at your rank, you have the command of men sorely wounded. This power and responsibility will only grow as you advance through your education in the healing arts.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"Yes,\" answers Bor to Ceredir, simply.

\"It is.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] Taken aback by Ceredir\'s response to the Lord Bragollach, Midhwen\'s answer to Arashen\'s comment is delayed slightly. \"Yes, that is true. On the other hand, my responsibilities have usually been limited to one man, or on some occasions, a few men. It is hard enough to hold one man\'s life in your hands, I cannot imagine having control over a greater number.\"

Ceredir\'s first response is to laugh, though it is with good humor and not derisively.

\"I think, sir, that being at the helm of your House has changed you, or at least it seems that way to me in the two brief conversations we have had.\" The Master Scout falls quite serious as his smile now fades, and his question is given in that tone.

\"Tell me how you would accomplish this or strive toward it, I suppose, is the better query.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"In time, you will be responsible for more lives,\" Arashen answers Midhwen, offering the apprentice healer a sympathetic look. \"But I have noticed that my responsibilities have grown a pace with my skills - and my confidence along with both. I deem it will be the same with you, my lady.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"I am who I must be,\" answers the Lord Bragollach.

\"But let me then ask you what worth is striving for anything if it is not the highest or best?\" he says, \"Why must I not be the equal of this man? Who says?\"

\"And why should I listen?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I hope it may be so, for the patients\' sake if not my own.\" Half an ear still on the conversation between Ceredir and Bor, Midhwen chases a lighter topic. \"Speaking of healing, how does your lady mother fare?\"

[Thingalad(#32030)]

This May afternoon is quite nice and many are out and about in the City enjoying it. Two of those out strolling are Thingalad and Morwen, taking a break from what has become their usual meeting place in the Court of Varda.

The master scout has led the young lady down here to the lower circles of Minas Tirith and they have popped into the House of High Lore... \"Over there, my lady, is where the stranger came to rest after my brother threw a dagger that pierced his heart...\"

\"I did not question whether or not you should or could,\" Ceredir shakes his head. \"I asked how only. In what ways would you emulate the man and those who were like them? How do you even begin to go about doing such a thing?\"

Midhwen\'s question does at last draw his attention if even briefly, and Ceredir tilts his head slightly to hear the answer. A brief, sharp glance is also given to the arrival of newcomers, though Ceredir relaxes as he recognizes the pair.

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"My lady mother is doing well,\" Arashen replies, inclining his brow. \"As well as my new sister. Thank you for enquiring, I shall be sure to mention it to her in my next letter.\"

His eyes travel from Midhwen\'s face to the flowers in her hair. \"I see you have been enjoying the spring day, properly.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"For every book that this man has read, I will read two. For every orc he felled, I shall fell five. For every building he built, I shall build ten. Higher, bigger, better. Too often in our youth, and even now, we are told that Man is a glimmer of his old self.\"

\"Those men are wrong,\" concludes the Knight-Captain evenly. \"And I will show them.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I am glad to hear it, she was kind to me and a good teacher. Please, send her my regards when you next write.\" The entrance of her cousin does not go unnoticed, but Midhwen is diverted by the Squire\'s comment, a hand automatically going to check on the blossoms in her hair. \"\'Tis a beautiful day, it would have been a shame to spend the whole of it inside, studying.\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

Morwen, face flushed with the sun\'s kiss, looks in that direction. \"Funny how there is nothing left to betray it,\" she observes, moving over to the spot and looking down at the floor. \"A good man with a blade, your brother.\"

She spies her cousin then, and gives a soft greeting that carries across the hall, waving her hand and smiling. Her gaze moves over the others--and lights for a moment on Bor, where her smile falters.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"You can keep your Tulkas, your Ulmo, your Turin, your Numenor. I have no need of them. I have no need of any of them, nor do I need their deeds.\"

\"I need only Bor,\" says Bor.

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad spies familiar faces as well, Ceredir in particular. The Man is trailing behind Morwen and as she speaks, he nods slowly. \"There was fire as well. The people of this house probably cleaned up as quick as they could to put out any lingering embers... Do you wish to stay or shall we move on?\" He too has noted the knight-captain\'s presence.

[Arashen(#24692)]

Arashen too, catches sight of the young Mormegil girl and smiles at her, nodding his head in greeting. Her faltering smile does not go unnoticed and his gaze follows hers to its source: His Knight. He frowns slightly, then turns his attention back to Midhwen. \"As I have stayed indoors all day?\" he laughs. \"I accept your chastisement with good-humor perhaps next time you can show me the proper way to spend a sunny spring day.\"

\"Slaying the enemy is a worthy cause, certainly, but it is not a body count alone, nor numbers of books read, nor numbers of buildings erected that made them great,\" Ceredir answers Bor. \"Pride,\" he says, lips pursing briefly at Bor\'s further comments, \"is what brought them down. Too much pride.\"

\"Morwen, Thingalad,\" he greets those two, looking between Morwen and Bor now. \"Is something wrong?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] Midhwen returns her cousin\'s greeting, but does not call her and Thingalad over, perhaps in reaction to the expression on Morwen\'s face when her eyes alight on the Knight-Captain.

\"No chastisement, believe me, I would not criticise anyone able to resist the allure of such a day as this. However, if next time you wish to spend some time enjoying the day, I would be glad to help in the endeavour.\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"Nothing at all,\" Morwen says, turning her smile back to Ceredir and making him a curtsy. \"Midhwen, dearest, you look so pretty with flowers in your hair. Did you save any at all for me?\" And the moment has passed Morwen is herself again, smiling and happy.

[Bor(#30834)]

If Bor looks at Morwen at all, it is but a brief glance. He betrays nothing in his face, nor does his posture change in the least. He stands straight.

\"The idiocy of Ar-Pharazon was the downfall of Numenor.\"

\"Not pride for that, Master Scout, is the chief glory of Man.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"I will look forward to it,\" says Arashen. He shifts his gaze to Morwen, \"Good day to you, lady. Have you been enjoying this lovely day as well?\"

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad clears his throat at this sentiment shared by Bor. \"The Elder Days are replete with tales of the pride of Men leading to the slaying of themselves and all their kin by their enemies. Turambar was no stranger to allowing his pride come before sound counsel and so fell Nargothrond.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Unfortunately not cousin, but in exchange for such a compliment I suppose I could spare some.\" Taking out several of the still fresh flowers from her hair, Midhwen hands them to Morwen as the smile on her face belies the grudging tone of voice.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"No, speak none of this, cousin, all hail Bor of Bragollach, whose sword is swifter than tongue and whose pride is only measurable by accomplishments!\"

The words are spoken by the newest arrival of this House of High Lore. Gurtir of Carmayar, who approaches the gathering of people there with a frown, a hand seeking Bor\'s shoulder for a pat, nods greeting the others, yet gaze falling solely upon Midhwen.

\"Yes, Lord of the Bragollachs.\" Ceredir somewhat repeats Gurtir\'s words, though his tone is more dry. \"Sudden flame fueled by pride and by naming themselves above the Valar? Or do I misinterpret?\" he asks Bor.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"The Valar be damned,\" says Bor.

\"It is I who now fights the battles that they have sown upon this land.\"

[<#24368>]

Morwen takes the flowers with a smile, then reaches out to secure one that has half fallen from her cousin\'s hair. \"... must ... ... ... ...,\" she murmurs in Midhwen\'s ear as she lifts her hands. \'There. That one nearly fell out. Now do mine?\' She holds the flowers back to the other young woman and bends her dark head.

It snaps up again at the exchange between Gurtir and Bor.

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"Good day to you, Captain,\" Arashen says to Gurutir. Then to the ladies, he inclines his brow once more. \"My ladies, this wonderful day withstanding - I must return to my study of trolls a subject far less interesting than your company, I assure you.\"

He smiles at Midhwen and Morwen, then turns to his Knight. \"Sir, if I might be excused, there is more I would study before this day afternoon is spent.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"All you do is fight, mindlessly so, Bor of Bragollach. Do not damn the Valar, for if it was not their battles to be fought, what would it be of you?\", the Seven Stones Captain speaks on the wake of Bor\'s words, withdrawing his hand. He turns to Arashen, \"Wise. Farewell.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"A wise choice, Squire,\" nods Bor in reply to Arashen.

\"Dismissed.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Of course, I am at your disposal.\" Her voice low, she angles her cousin\'s head so that she can weave the bright flowers into her dark hair. The Carmayari Captain\'s greeting is returned in the same fashion, although her gaze swiftly returns to her cousin\'s coiffure. \"There, now you embody the spirit of this day.\"

Paling a little at the Lord\'s words, Midhwen still manages to send the Squire off with a smile. \"Good day to you Squire and good luck with your studies.\"

\"Valar be damned now, yet when you need them, you freely pray for them I venture,\" Ceredir says. \"Pray instead that you never need them, I should think. And still, I hold that pride and considering that they knew better than the Valar themselves led to Numenor\'s fall. Yet...if you wish to repeat these faults, then you do not emulaute that man there.\" He nods toward the statue.

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad smiles all through these exchanges. He turns to look at Morwen and admires the flowers in her hair. \"Very nice. The dark here is not suiting me given the spring afternoon that awaits outside. Perhaps you\'d care to venture back out, my lady? Your cousin is welcome to join us, of course.\" He turns to Midhwen and nods his head to her with deference.

[Morwenn(#24368)]

Her twined hair adorned now with flowers, Morwen gives her cousin\'s hand a squeeze. \"Thank you,\" she says, bending her head again, then turning back to Thingalad. \"But the statues,\" she protests. \"We have not seen them yet. I did want to see Ancalime...\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

Sparing a wink for Ceredir, Arashen bows to all then turns on his heels to disappear into one of the smaller halls.

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I thank you for the offer Lieutenant, but I must do some studying of my own today.\" Although Midhwen gestures towards the notebook she holds, she makes no move to detach herself from the group.

[Bor(#30834)]

Bor laughs.

\"I am who I must be, and I do what I must do,\" answers the Lord Bragollach to Gurtir. \"It is needless to speculate upon what is not to be, but I will anyways.\"

\"Were there no evil, then perhaps I would be a man of the arts.\"

\"But even then, you would never find me bowed before any deity in prayer.\"

And Ceredir laughs once more, though it is a mixture of amusement and disbelief now. But again, no scorn. Then he gives Gurtir a questioning look of sorts and leaves it at that.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

But a shrug Gurtir gives to Bor, his attention caught by the others of the group, \"What is it that you are studying, Midhwen?\", he asks the healer, but a light frown offered in reply to Ceredir...

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad nods at Morwen, leaving such discussions of history and the angelic orders to others for the moment. \"Tar-Ancalime,\" he pronounces the Quenya with a slight accent, \"Do we know this is her likeness or is it the interpretation of an artist?\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"I would assume,\" Morwen says, allowing herself to be diverted by Thingalad and turning from the discussion, \"that it is but an interpretation. All such true likenesses must have drowned with Numenor.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

The Swansman stares at Morwen for a long moment, his lips curled into an arrogant smirk. And then, wordlessly, the Tempest storms out of the hall.

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I hope to take some lessons to improve my knowledge of Adunaic, Captain.\" A self-deprecating laugh escapes her and Midhwen shrugs, a faint flush on her face. \"Before I do, however, I feel I should polish what scant skill I have with the tongue.\"

\"Sir, I have stayed too long talking to the Knight about his lofty ambitions and need to finish my circuit of the house, since I am on patrol. Would you like to join me?\" Ceredir asks Gurtir as Bor storms out. \"Though why the Bragollach should scowl at Lady Morwen is beyond me.\"

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad looks over from his appreciation of Tar-Ancalime to watch Bor go and then he replies to Morwen, \"You are right, though it\'s possible this fresco could have been done by an artist who survived the downfall and knew of primary sources? We shall have to ask the lord of this house.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Smiling in reply to Midhwen, the Seven Stones Captain nods. \"I am a poor teacher, but I have a very good grasp of the language. If you ever need any help, I can perhaps give you some advice.\"

Then he turns to Ceredir, his frown renewed, \"What? He was frowning at Lady Morwen? What for?\", his eyes dart to the mentioned lass questioningly.

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"It might be, yes,\" Morwen replies, but she is clearly flustered by Bor\'s expression. \"But was this place built quickly enough for the man to have recalled it so clearly and done such exquisite work? Ancient these halls may be, but I must confess doubt.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Thank you Captain, I will be sure to seek you out if I need help.\" Following his gaze, Midhwen watches her cousin and sighs. \"Who knows? Perhaps he still holds a grudge over the incident in the camp?\"

\"I cannot say,\" Ceredir shrugs. \"Ask the Lady Morwen? She did not seem to be too happy to see Sir Bor, in return. Perhaps there is a marriage planned between them?\" he speculates.

\"Midhwen, I had thought Lord Gildring\'s sister was to teach you?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I have not had a chance to arrange a meeting with the lady yet, she may not have the time to teach me.\" Midhwen looks towards one of the quiet study rooms. \"It may be all for the best that I have not managed to reach her yet, considering how long it has been since I practised.\"

[<#32030>]

Thingalad leans down to whisper a comment to Morwen as he points up at a specific point of Tar-Ancalime, \"Does the Lord ... ... cause you ...?\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"What?\" Morwen asks, taken off guard by Thingalad\'s comment. \"No, no, not at all. I expect he is only cross to see us all here, behaving as if we enjoy life. He is rather a hard man, do you not think?\"

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad smirks. \"I don\'t think that\'s the half of it, though it\'s a beginning.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Do you know anything of marriage, Midhwen?\", Gurtir asks the healer about Ceredir\'s guess, yet another wondering glance cast at his cousin, though he shrugs, \"it does not matter. You wish to do what, Ceredir? I believe I have some time... will you join us, Midhwen?\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I will, but I am afraid I will be forced to abandon you once we happen upon a free room.\" Walking alongside the two men, she takes one last look at Morwen. \"She still too young for her parents to do much more than discuss possibilities, I would think.\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"I think it very sad, to be so unhappy,\" Morwen says, then turns and laughs toward her kinsmen. \"Marriage?\" she calls. \"Did I hear you speak of marriage? The Mormegil keep the old ways, and I will not be wed before I am five and twenty.\" She sounds very merry as she says it, indicating with a tilt of her head that they will join the others now.

\"Just a brief chat, sir and my lady,\" Ceredir smiles to Midhwen. \"I am on duty. Lord Gildring took me on as a guard part time, and Captain Faramir agreed to it...so I am here on the little free time that I have. But I have stayed too long in this hall, and Sir Bor\'s men guard it in any case.\"

[Thingalad(#32030)]

Thingalad notes the passage of time and then says to Morwen, \"My lady, I hope to see you this evening in our usual meeting place. I have thought of an opening move that should cause much puzzlement. But for now, I will leave you.\" He bows low.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"I shall hope there is no free room then.\", Gurtir comments to Midhwen with a smile, though soon he turns to Ceredir, \"Oh? They believe then that the attack was meant against the Lord Gildring?\"

Looking at Morwen then, \"Yes, we were engaged in shameful gossiping regarding to what is afoot between Hir Bor and yourself... goodbye, Thingalad.\"

[Midhwen(#29054)] Bright red and the corners of her mouth curling up into a smile, Midhwen pauses to give Morwen a chance to catch up with them. \"I said while your parents may be considering suitable matches, you were too young for anything to be decided yet.\"

[Morwenn(#24368)]

\"There has been an inquiry, yes, but not from Lord Bragollach,\" Morwen says after she bids Thingalad farewell. Then she nods discreetly in his direction as he departs. \"I assure you, Bor Bragollach would no sooner ask for my hand than I would accept it.\"

\"Well, something certainly made him smirk every time he looked at you tonight,\" Ceredir shrugs. \"As for the attacks, yes, Gurtir, that is the theory exactly. Or at least Sir Bor expounds that theory.\"

Ceredir pauses and looks up the steps. \"You\'ll forgive me, but I need to finish my business here. Gurtir..may we speak tomorrow?\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Yes, we may, Ceredir. Seek me out.\", the Seven Stones Captain tells the Master Scout as he briefly drags his attention from the conversation on-going between the young ladies.

\"Or than your father would grant it.\"

Ceredir gives a quick nod to the women and the Captain and then bounds up the stairs two at a time.