(Archive) Menelmar

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Weather: Rainy Time: Midnight

Season: Winter Date: Sterday - January 8, 3019

Real Time: Thu Dec 09 20:22:39 1999

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Menelmar(#26583Rn) The oaken doors give way to the main foyer of this two story mansion, cool marble floor as you step inside. From this hallway, rests the spiraling staircase leading to the second floor of the white walled building. The remainder of the floor is dark hard wood, with a plush blue rug running down the exact center, only to end at the base of the stairway. The upstairs contains the many bedrooms of this home. The wide opening to the left leads to the sitting room.The mantle above the large fireplace has two brass candlebras on either side of the pair of swords hanging on the wall. Shiny and gleaming, ornate blades skillfully engraved with flames and dragons, the hilt bearing the sigil of the Ethring-Bragollach, an azure flame on a field of argent. Framed by rich, blue tapestry drapes are the many large glass paned windows that offer a breathtaking view of the Bay of Belfalas. An assortment of comfortable chairs and couches fill the room, embroidered and tapestry pillows artfully arranged for comfort and beauty. Several scented burning candles, along with golden vases and trinkets decorate the dark tables that accent the room, all blending together to give an air of richness, warm and inviting.

Contents:

Adramir

Gweneth

Borgilas

Obvious exits: Entrance

A cold rainy day continues well into the night, the wind whipping from off the Bay of Belfalas whistles around the corner of the house with its fierceness. The rain drops pelt the glass windows in a steady staccato of noise. Burning brightly in the heart is a blazing fire, the snapping and cracking of the logs as they shift and burn, the aroma of cherry wood wafting sweetly through the room.

Curled on the fireplace, gazing into the fire is Lady Aearwen, cupped in her hand is a mug of hot cider which she idly stirs with a cinnamon stick as she sits quietly. Upstairs she has quests in several of the bedrooms as they all make their way to Linhir for the Bragollach family meeting. Drawing in a deep breath as she rearranges the pillows behind her back, tucking her feet up under the edge of her dress.

[Gweneth(#17847)] There is a loud rapping at the door, and one of the man servants quickly moves to it opening it swiftly. A woman walks in wearing an ornate midnight blue gown, her parasol, over her head, keeping drops of rain off it with her quick dash from the coach sitting outside the door. A pair of knights follow her in, brushing their boots off. The woman is light of hair, the color of dark sand, curled and cut at her shoulders. She looks around and calls out, in a familar voice to any who would be sitting, stiring drinks with cinnamon sticks, as her cousin, though her features deny such a corrolation.

[Adramir(#16822)] Perhaps five minutes after the entrance of the lady there comes another knock at the door, a loud, deliberate thumping. The doorman looks to the lady of the house first and then moves to the door and opens it slowly. As the door opens the wind sweeps in with glee before it is shut out once more with a sudden *boom*. In the entryway stands a lone figure in shabby looking cloak which is drenched from the cold, driving winds off the bay. He looks like a soaked rat, and indeed he may be from the reaction of the doorman. No formal greeting is this man afforded, only a cold stare.

Startled by the knock on the door, Aearwen rises from her position of leisure and goes to greet the new arrival. A look of shock covers her face as she gazes at Gweneth and before thinking, \"Gweneth! Your hair!\" One hand goes up to touch the shorter, lighter hair of her cousin as she grins, cocking her head first one way and then the other, \"It looks good on you, I must say.\" Hugging the woman she motions for the servants to take their wet cloaks.

In the midst of directing whom should be placed in what bedroom, the doorman opens the door once again to reveal the face of a stranger. Puzzled by the man\'s appearance at this late hour, Aearwen walks closer to the man and inquires, \"May I help you?\"

Gweneth smiles warmly, kissing Aearwen on the cheek as they hug, \"Thank you, milady,\" she says sarcastically, \"From our last talk, I decided for a change.\" She tilts her head slightly, her face in disbelief, \"You would never believe how many lemo...\" she is interrupted by the second knock. As the door open, at once a deep frown curls on her lips. She crosses her arms,watching the man intently, but saying nothing.

[Adramir(#16822)] The man looks to the doorman and smiles a wolf\'s grin before turning to the ladies. \"I was told that the Lord Erinhalas Bragollach might be found within here, and had hoped to find him ere the night was out,\" he says simply, though as he speaks the unmistakeable smell of cheap wine rolls off his tongue faster than his words. Not drunk, but obviously not sober either is this man.

Borgilas(#22134)] From the door comes a loud rapping--no knuckles could make such a clamor!

Recoiling from the smell of cheap wine pours from the man as he speaks, the revulsion on Aearwen\'s face is undeniable. Guarded at the words she speaks to the obviously lower class man, \"Nay, Lord Erinhalas Bragollach cannot be found at this house, you are mistaken\" A frown furrows her brow, her eyes level and steady as they look at the man, utter disgust clearly curving her normally sweet smiling lips.

Almost forgetting about her other guests she motions for the maid to take Gweneth\'s things to the rose bedroom. Not moving from her stance in the hallway, she waits for the stranger to depart her home or have him thrown out, as the case may be.

Gweneth tilts her head slightly at yet another knock, \"It seems the wind is calling you to leave,\" she intones icily, \"Perhaps you should answer it\'s call and return to whatever grovel you came from Adramir.\" She turns away from the man, sniffy in disguest, and says the servant as she takes her things, \"Draw me up a bath as well,\" her voice polite, though she shoots a sharp look at the man, hinting that he may wish to partake in one sometime as well.

[Adramir(#16822)] \"Pity that, and I left the pub on his word that he would be within,\" laments the man with a bitter undertone. He grins once again and does indeed move, but further into the room rather than from it. He turns to Gweneth and smiles, \"A pleasure to see you as well, cousin,\" he retorts snidely. \"I can see that the family has changed little since I last was within your presence. We were always the most hospitable of folk.\"

The expression on Aearwen\'s face is increduculous, \"He...he HE is a Bragollach?\", each word rising in volume as she looks from Gweneth and then back to the stranger. \"Pray tell, do tell me what branch of the family this one crawled out from under. And to think the Ethring\'s are put down for being less than pure blooded?\" A sarcastic laugh slips out as her auburn curls dance over her bosom, \"Do you have clean clothes with you Adramir? I cannot abide by an unclean body, and frankly, your stench repulses me\"

Gweneth does not turn to face the man, but replies to his words, \"I am quite friendly towards folk, but slime on the other hand...\" She trails off, walking towards the fire. At Aearwen\'s surprise she adds to the lady, \"Do not be mistaken, dear Wen. He is no family of mine.\" She finds a seat and slowly lowers herself down, glances at Aearwen\'s drink, and asks another servant to bring her one as well, with a shot of brandy added.

[Adramir(#16822)] \"I am sorry to offend your sensibilities, madam, but I fear I have not the luxury of servants and perfumes afforded to me that you do. However, my manners escape me,\" returns the man in a snide fashion. He bows at the waist, a passable bow for a nobleman though unkempt, just as the man is, \"I am known as Adramir, though perhaps better as \'slime\' or \'that god-awful thing\', and, my favorite, \'the lechorous, murderous snake\'.\" It almost seems as though he is enjoying this conversation, as awkward as it may seem.

The words of the man do strike the unusual humour of Aearwen, trying to stifle a laugh at his words, she fails miserably. Turning around to asses him clearly she states, \"Frankly, you do offend my sensibilities and my dainty nose. There are clothes of my fathers in one of the bedrooms, before I have you sitting on my fine furniture, I will insist that you bathe and put on clean clothes.\" Turning to look at Gweneth with a mischevious expression she says, \"Then, we shall all sit down and have a lovely family reunion. I shall so enjoy getting to hear of another Bragollach\"

Gweneth flinches, not facing either of the two, but says nothing, remaining seated, quite ladylike, waiting for her drink.

Adramir looks to Gweneth and then back to Aearwen with a wolflike smile on his face, \"Oh, I could not think of imposing on your house, madam. The Bragollach made it quite clear to me that they would rather not tolerate my presence after the... incident,\" he says simply. A curious eye looks to Gweneth and he arches an eyebrow, \"Though I do relish in watching my dear cousin squirm. I am surprised you\'ve not heard of my infamy though. It was quite the piece of gossip for quite some time.\"

[Borgilas(#22134)] The doors open and in strides Borgilas, looking as though he is in his usually foul mood. No longer the Red-Knight by garb, though, for now he is dressed in robes of state and carries a tall lebethron staff in place of his cane. \"Forgive the lateness of my call,\" he says loudly, not at all apologetic, \"But it seemeth that those inside failed to answer a knock...\"

Gweneth looks over her shoulder, her face dropping a bit. She rises from her seat, taking the cup offered to her by the servant. She glides slowly towards the men, sipping from her cup, \"Hello, Borgilas,\" she says, paiting a smile on her face, \"Look who has come to join and be with our family once more.\" She motions towards Adramir, her smile breaking slightly.

Busy in her instructions to the servants Aearwen is turned away from the doorway and is unaware of the entrance of Borgilas until she hears his voice. Sighing deeply she turns to greet the man, nodding her head with a civil smile, \"Welcome to my home Borgilas, the hour is of no matter.\", waving a hand at the other visitors gathered in the main rooms she says, \"Tis beginning to look like a Bragollach reunion before we even get to Linhir\"

Turning back to Adramir she scoffs, \"Nonsense, you are a Bragollach and welcome in my home. Once you get your body and clothes cleansed, that is, I cannot abide by the smell of you at present. Please follow my maid and she will show you where everything is to attend to your cleansing, then, we shall all gather for conversation around the fire.\" A sarcastic laugh slips out, \"Just like a normal loving family, correct Gweneth?\"

[Adramir(#16822)] \"I\'m sorry, but I couldn\'t possibly impose on you when your guests are so repulsed by my presence,\" responds the drunkard to the lady Aearwen. \"Besides, it is bad fortune to have a murderer within your house, let alone unwise.\" With that he flashes a grin in the direction of Borgilas and nods his head slightly to him. \"I only ask that you inform my father Lord Erinhalas that his son was by to see him. Little surprise he was not here to greet me.\"

[Borgilas(#22134)] Borgilas wrinkles his nose slightly--not at the smell, but at the sight of the man. \"Hold, wineskin,\" he says, barring the man\'s exit with his ornately-topped staff. \"What bringeth the son of Erinhalas back after so much time abroad? Art thou, like some nameless Girithlin, come back from the dead to haunt us?\" He does not seem to notice the two women as they welcome him--not out of slight, but out of acute interest to the foul man.

Gweneth shrugs, setting her cup down on a random table, \"It matters not to me, Adramir. I am going to take my bath now.\" She smiles and gives a mocking curtsey. She turns to look at Aearwen, \"If you wish to talk later, stop by my room. I am probably going to be doing some reading.\" She turns to move up the stairs. She takes a few steps, pausing and looks to Borgilas and smiles, \"And congratulations, Borgilas. I suppose I will have the fortune to see you more often now.\" She smirks and continues up the stairs.

Borgilas turns at the lady\'s last, and inclines his head in its new cap to her, smilng slightly himself. As he bows, the great chain and cross upon it move on his chest and sparkle in the lamplight.

Smiling at Gweneth, the lady of the house speaks soft words meant only for her cousin\'s ears, \"We shall talk later Gwen, words need to be said after our conversation in your office a few days past.\" Focusing her attention back to Adramir Aearwen studies him for a long time, cool blue eyes probing his as she considers her next words, \"Perhaps it is bad fortune to have a murderer within my house, but I will not turn away a family member into the cold rainy night, when I could have offered a safe haven. Now come, let me not hear another protest.\" Looking over to Borgilas she smiles briefly, \"Shall we sit by the fire and enjoy a warm cider?\"

Adramir stops short in his steps at the words of Borgilas and the cane which is before him. \"Wineskin? That\'s new even to me,\" he snorts to the man, and then turns back to Gweneth and bows slightly to her as she leaves. \"I\'m glad you have found it within your heart to tolerate me, cousin,\" he sneers before turning back to Borgilas. \"As for me, I\'ve been here all the time, though you certainly never made any effort to find me. Not that I\'d expect a man of such upstanding honor as yourself to do so anyway.\"

Borgilas arches an eyebrow, not taking his gaze from the shriveled man before him. \"Cider, my dear kinswoman? Nay, make it mulled wine for our friend here, lest he flee from us to seek it elsewhere.\" The staff moves back to his side with a faint \'thunk\', and the blue-clad Borgilas addresses Adramir directly now: \"Seek thee? Thy head is swollen with more than the nectar of grape or corn now, kinsman. I gave the summons for the Bragollachs to meet--thou camest not. Am I to seek every reticent member of the House if he doth not wish to bear his responbilities?\"

Fighting to keep the revulsion from showing on her face, Aearwen daintily pulls a scented hankerchief from her pocket and holds it near her nose. Inhaling deeply of the jasmine scent that she uses on her person she once again speaks to the men, \"Nay, I will serve no wine to Adramir, his person is rank enough now without adding to the stench.\" Shooting Borgilas a look of incredulous disbelief at his suggestion.

Walking back to the hearth Aearwen recovers her own glass of cider and thoughtfully stirs it with the cinnamon stick as she watches the two Bragollach men. Nothing could be a sharper contrast as to the manner of dress and actions of the two and curiosity forces her to question, \"Pray tell, what lead you to such a low state Adramir?\"

Adramir flashes Borgilas a look of pure contempt at his words to Aearwen and holds his hand up. \"Lady, do not bother with the wine. I shall not remain within these halls long enough to taste it. Still, I thank you for your hospitality all the same.\" Even as he speaks to her though, his attention is focused on the gentleman before him though, and his face no longer contains a grin. \"Apparently your \'summons\' did not reach the gutter, where you left me last, Lord. If you\'ll remember, I no longer bear those responsibilities you speak of. However, if it is my presence at the meeting of house Bragollach you desire, then you shall have it.\"

Borgilas says, \"Indeed, kinsman. I urge all Bragollachs--high and low--\" this last he follows with a glance towards Adramir, and a curl of a lip, \"to attend, for matters of great import are to be decided.\"\"

Holding her hands up as if calling down children, the voice of Aearwen rises a notch, \"Please, gentlemen. If I may call you both such, after your actions here in the hallway of my home.\" Calling a servant to her with a crisp snap of her fingers, Aearwen looks over to Borgilas with an inquiring glance, \"Shall you be spending the night M\'Lord?\" And another glance does she gives Adramir, \"And you, can you find the respect within yourself to pull the nobility from the depths of wherever it has gone and join us in civility?\"

Adramir\'s attention turns to the lady Aearwen for a moment and he smiles once more a toothy grin to her, saying, \"I\'d not sully your house with the tale of my ignominy, lady. Let it be enough for you to know that this man and his ever noble prince doubted the veracity of my words and my honor itself, and as a result I no longer bear any title or position within your respected house.\"

Aside to Borgilas he says slowly, with a voice filled with nothing less than contempt, \"How generous of you to reach out to those below your station. You are indeed a merciful man to embrace your own family members in such a way.\" His face is wrinkled with disgust as he turns back to the lady once more as she speaks and replies, \"There is no nobility left within me, lady. It died with that cretin that night in the bar.\"

Borgilas says, \"If such is thy reaction to dire straits, then it may be that there was never nobility in thee to begin with, Adramir, for it is more than titles or station--it is blood. But I do now welcome thee back into the brood, for Bragollach thou art.\" This last pronouncement is made with something of a sour face--it is not a truth pleasing to the lord. \"Come to the Council to prove thy faith in the blood, and I shall prove mine in thee afterward.\"

Borgilas turns to Aearwen. \"As to staying the night, kinsman...\" he quirks a smile. \"It may be that I shall, though I must confess to surprise at the offer. I had thought to press on to Tirith Cobas, but the night and chill are deep.\"

Anger flushes the cheeks of Aearwen as she hisses out, \"Do not speak ill of our liege Prince in my home Adramir. You will feel the cold of the driving rain and wind on this ill gotten night. I care not what misadventure took you to such sad affairs. And truthfully, my heart is saddened to hear you of having no nobility left within you. That alone touches something inside of me, to know that a Bragollach, be he a murderer of no, is still welcome in my home as family. Blood will not be denied Adramir.\" And the unusual sense of humour of the lady strikes as she grins and shoots a look to Borgias, \"That I know from experience\"

[Adramir(#16822)] \"I apologize for offending your sensibilities once again, my lady,\" responds the dishonoured Knight with a curled upper lip. \"But it appears that I am truly not one of you, even as my cousin Gweneth first insinuated. My honor and nobility are dead, trampled by a system that is more careful about its own image than the truth, or the honor of its members. However, as you both have said, I am still a Bragollach, and as a result, I shall attend the meeting. I look forward to seeing you there.\" With that he turns and grabs his cloak

Soft pink lips open to protest the leaving of Adramir, then Aearwen obviously considers her actions as her lips close tightly together. Watching the man place the sodden cloak around his shoulders the look in her eyes is sad. Finally she says to him as he prepares to go, \"My sensibilities and constitution are a lot stronger than that of most noble women. I will make no more protestations to your leaving, that alone allows you to retain some sense of dignity. And as stated, you are a Bragollach and I shall look forward to seeing you at the meeting and getting to know, yet another member of our unusual family.\"

A soft hand she places on his arm as she inquires softly, \"Is there anything I can offer you as you head into the cold rainy night? A warm cloak, an umbrella?\", her words trail off as she realizes she is insulting the man\'s dignity. Straightening her shoulders she says simply, \"A good night to you then Adramir\"

Adramir nods his head curtly to the lady as he heads for the door, and makes no response to her offers of shielding from the rain. As he reaches the door he glares at the doorman and forcefully grabs the handle, pulling it open. \"Good night, sir and madam. May you find it well.\" With that he leaves, and the doors boom shut behind him, once more locking out the driving wind and rain. The smell of alcohol leaves mostly with him, though a slight lingering remains.

Borgilas deflates slightly after the man leaves, and he reaches up to remove his felt cap. He turns to Aearwen, and a faintly uncomfortable silence ensues. \"I believe that my lady had talked about a bed for the evening? The night\'s chill has frozen these bones...\"

Aearwen stands looking at the closed door until Borgilas intrudes upon her thoughtful contemplation. Flushing slightly in embarassment, \"Pardon me Borgilas, my thoughts were many miles away. \" A warm smile curves her lips as she inquires, \"Shall we sit by the fire to warm the chill from us both before we repair for the night?\" Dropping her head to try and disguise the broad smile as it spreads her lips she finally chuckles outloud and looks up at Borgilas with twinkling blue eyes, \"If one had told me that we would be in this position a month ago, I would have called them a fool.\"

[Borgilas(#22134)] The removal of the cap has left Borgilas\' hair an unruly mess...coupled with the new robes he wears and the staff he carries, the effect makes him seem almost one of the Wise out of old. \"The fire,\" he says after a moment, eyeing the decorations above it--the Ethring-Bragollach flame of azure, so different from his own of crimson, as well as the dragon-swords. \"I think...that I have had enough of fire for the nonce. There is flame enough for me when the tongues of Bragollachs wag at one another.\" He smiles faintly, but his face is wan, his eyes dark and hooded. \"I think it best if I seek sleep.\" Staggering suddenly, he catches himself with his staff.

Stepping forward quickly as the man staggers, Aearwen refrains from touching him as he catches himself on his staff. Concern fills her eyes as she calls a servant over, \"Please see M\'Lord to the second bedroom on the left. I want warm stones placed in the foot of his bed with some extra blankets. \" Turning back to the servant, \"Also, make sure there are extra towels. \" Softly inquiring of Borgilas, \"Is there anything else I can see to M\'Lord? It has been a wearisome night. There is a bell on the table beside your bed, if you should require anything, please ring it and one of my servants will see to your needs immediately.\"

[Borgilas(#22134)] Still ashen faced, Borgilas does not fall--the staff, it seems, has already proven its worth beyond mere vanity of new rank. \"I am well,\" he snaps, irritably waving the woman\'s concern away. \"I simply need sleep,\" he mutters--quite unconvincingly, and moves slowly toward the stair and bed.

Aearwen walks to the bottom of the staircase, watching the slow ascent of the man until he disappears around the corner at the top. Slowing she shrugs her shoulders, rotating them, neck turning from side to side as she works out the tension. Picking up her long forgotten glass of cider, she sips another sip before heading up the stairway to bed.

wen walks to the bottom of the staircase, watching the slow ascent of the man until he disappears around the corner at the top. Slowing she shrugs her shoulders, rotating them, neck turning from side to side as she works out the tension. Picking up her long forgotten glass of cider, she sips another sip before heading up the stairway to bed.