Between Knight and Ranger (Three Horses and an Ass TP)
A tale freshly told of the Gondorian
The Ranger Lominhur visits the Knight Arathis in his room much riddling ensues.
Third Floor Hallway: South Wing
This wing appears to be a little bit nicer, perhaps a little bit better kept than the one directly below additionally, whereas the wing below hosts no guest rooms, this one appears to have several, situated on both sides of the hall. Wandering down the hall, on wooden floors which are not very scuffed and are kept nicely polished, reveals doors bearing numbers 28 through 33. One door on the north side, just before the large window that looks down on the innyard, bears no numbers. At the far west end of the south wing, another connecting hallway adjoins. Sconces set into the wall at both ends and the middle of the hallway have been lit to allow passersby plenty of light during the night.
Contents:
Lominhur
Arathis
Obvious exits:
Connecting Hallway and Downstairs
[Arathis]
A queer night, overdark and still, has settled above the township of Bree. Winter storms descend from the eastern hills, quieting the forests about the township, and bedding its denizens between barstools and bunks.
So the wings of the Prancing Pony are in large untroubled and silent, save the heavy breathe and wheeze of its more fatigued inhabitants. Only one room matches the light of the hallway with its own, seen flickering at the shut door\'s border: number 29.
[Lominhur(#19466)]
Soft footfalls slip over the floorboards of the corridor -- careful yet not stealthy -- and from the hallway to the other wing comes a tall, cloaked figure. His cowl at least is drawn back to reveal raven locks and a sea-grey gaze that twinkles in the meagre light of the candles, and as he arrives before the backlit door he raises a rough hand to knock quietly.
[Arathis]
The port opens to a man, tall and leonine of face. His wear is simple: a traveled tunic of begrimed ilk, and an azure robe of finer and more kempt quality. Visible behind him, laid with some care to rest upon his bed, are armors and blade a high-helm, winged and of peculiar silver, catches the candlelight kindly, passing it to a shield marked with a silver ship and swan, as below a crescent moon and a many-rayed star.
Spry eyes settle upon the visitor, assessing him coldly. A temper likewise underlies his speech, tried first atop the lilt of the elven tongue: “
[Lominhur(#19466)]
Though his words earn a strange quirk of the other man\'s brow, his head tilting to one side. \"You have fair speech, sir,\" says he, \"but it is not one known to the folk of Bree. Is that the language of Gondor, then?\"
[Arathis]
The features of the Isilrim lord go unchanged a reply flies thus freely and plain from him, “Yet you are not one of them.” The Westron is hard, albeit yet accented by the man’s apparent mother tongue. Raising a hand in gesture for the visitor’s face, he tokens the man’s features with a pointed finger, ere adding: “For even they name you ‘Ranger’.”
Retreating a step then, so as to allow for the visitor’s passage, he continues: “But if you would ask questions, I would have you ask them directly and then, should you prove agreeable, I shall do the same.”
[Lominhur(#19466)]
This seems to meet with the Ranger\'s approval, for after meeting Arathis\' gaze with the sea-grey depths of his own he nods and steps forth into the room. Lominhur glances about, taking in the bright battle gear of the Gondorian Knight, ere he moves to one side of the room and turns to leans his back against the wall.
\"That title means different things to different people,\" he observes, his own lips more used to the Common Tongue it would seem. \"What does the word mean to you?\"
[Arathis]
“It is used too in my homeland,” begins the knight, standing yet broadly, “to name those who have lost lands in the Garden, Ithilien, and are sworn yet to defend them. They stalk those lands in ambush, lest the Enemy would further defile what is theirs.
“But I have requested that you speak directly.”
[Lominhur(#19466)]
\"Have I not?\" replies the Ranger, his arms folding across his chest. \"But it seems to me that if Rangers are not unknown to you, then one should make few demands when in their company, on their land. You hail from Gondor, that much is plain. What is your purpose here? For you bring blades and armour the likes of which not a man or women in Bree will ever chance to see again.\"
[Arathis]
A nod first, betraying no more than a pulpous and wry understanding, prefaces the knight’s speech: “I know little of any Ranger beyond the bounds of Ithilien and am certain so none of his purpose. Suffice then, that we of the South have come, so that we may prove the last that the folk of Bree may see, requiring such wear of war.”
Pausing, the knight considers again the visitor, ere retrieving and laying a silken map for travel atop a desk in the room. Positioning himself not far from the door, so as to bar any escape, he asks flatly, “Of what worth would this be to your Ranger kind?”
There, marked in Sindarin script, are pictured the borders of Arnor past: Annuminas of the Kings, Fornost of Arthedain, the ruined keeps of Cardolan, and the treachery of Rhudaur so too, but a few fingers to the northeast, their Bane in Angmar. A slight ink blob, perhaps no more than a stain, mars the mountains far to the east of Bree.
[Lominhur(#19466)]
Lominhur sniffs for a moment ere he stirs from the wall, crossing leisurely the floor to glance down upon the map. \"It is fair to look upon, true enough. The fingers that drew these lines have an artist\'s touch. As such, it would likely fetch a decent price in some parts of the land.\"
He looks then back to Arathis. \"Is this your business then? You come to trade fineries? Gwendion spoke of tales to share and news to spread, and Menelglir hinted at duty and honour. The Rohirrim bard claims to be here at his King\'s suggestion, and now I am shown delicate maps and gleaming wargear. Each of you makes a new claim -- which am I to believe?\"
[Arathis]
The knight falls silent for some moments. He then folds the map intently, and returns it to the folds of his robe.
“My companions have all spoken truly, mayhap against their better wit. For myself, I have said nothing of trade. Mayhap the worth of a Ranger is in coin, and you have assumed my words astray. Mayhap then the one of your kind who attempted before to keep this finery from me was no more than a thief and peddler.
“Very good,” he utters suddenly, motioning to the door and indeed opening it, “You may believe what you will, and I shall do the same. Back to the forests and the wolves, Hare.”
[Lominhur(#19466)]
But the one known as Hare does not move instead his grey eyes find the Gondorian\'s own, and there they stay. \"It is a marvel to me that you have travelled through their midst, and yet seen little of the perils that lurk thither. Few could make such a boast, even so armed as you and your companions may be. And even now, as you requested direct speech, you balk when it is given. What is your purpose in these lands, man of Gondor? What does your better wit keep hidden? Answer me that, and perhaps you shall come to know what worth a Ranger might truly have.\"
[Arathis]
The door is returned shut, mastered to a quiet close. Some displeasure takes to the Isilrim lord, albeit smoothed in his speech: \"We have faced little peril hitherto, save a hard winter and barks from the dogs of Dunland. But I was told before departure by my Lord Prince, whose ally I am to seek, to be wary in travel between Bree and the Bruinen.
\"I would tell you more of my purpose only if you would aid it and if you would aid it in truth, then I have already said enough.\"
[Lominhur(#19466)]
A laugh then leaves the lips of the other, though it is wry and not unkind as he folds his arms anew. \"Is that so? Tell me, Knight of Gondor, were a man to enter the lands of your Prince, asking for aid but revealing little of his purpose, and still less as proof of his intentions, would you offer him the wealth of your knowledge?\"
The Hare shakes his head then, and sobers once more. \"It is said that the folk of Gondor guard their borders fiercely, and so I can hardly believe that you would. You were told to be wary, and that advice at least you seem to have taken to heart. But wary also are thieves, or brigands escaping punishment, or indeed any man who is unsure whether he may yet fool the other man before him. Many men pass through these lands, and few of them have nobler a purpose than mischeif and loot. We of the Rangers are not fond of such folk -- how can I know you are better than they?\"
[Arathis]
“
“It is a saying of my folk,” says Arathis then in Westron, nodding singularly as if to reaffirm the words. Without offering translation, he asserts in a stoic manner, “Now, I have told you much too have I shown my heart. If you have seen it, then we shall speak again before our departure.
“If you have not, then it seems I must meet your guard in travel.”
Again, the door is opened, and a palm raised in a guiding gesture.
[Lominhur(#19466)]
A long pause follows this, ere the Hare stridess to the door evenly, his eyes lit with interest by the Gondorian\'s manner. But again if he understands the saying he shows it not, merely turning once he has passed the threshold to regard Arathis once more. \"Ever you lay the duty of trust upon me, sir Knight, yet any man can speak foreign words and claim they mean well. Your business you may keep to yourself, and you have done so well, for indeed you have told me nothing I did not know ere I knocked on your door. You speak the language of the South, and bear a map which you will not explain. There is little heart in that, and I have seen many a trickster offer better.\"
He chuckles then, and his eyes turn kind once more. \"You do not have the feel of a trickster, but one cannot be too careful. And perhaps like your own companions I have given promises against which my lips are sealed, and have better wit or a more careful tongue, forked or otherwise.\"
As yet, he does not leave, perhaps waiting to see if any more is forthcoming.
[Arathis]
“I must travel across the Bruinen to find an ally of my Lord Prince, so that Bree may be free of armors and blade,” says the knight to the man before him, offering no chuckle in return.
“There is much in those words, Ranger, for those fit to hear them.
“The Valar be with you.”
With this, the door is shut, though candlelight does not disappear from under it.
[Lominhur(#19466)]
\"