A Meeting with the Knight-Herald

[Minas Tirith City ZMO(#81)->Menelglir]

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Weather:            Clear

Time:               Nighttime <00>

Season:             Autumn

Date:               Oraearon - October 7, 3047

Real Time:          Mon Aug 24 14:45:22 2009

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It\'s late on this clear and crisp October night, probably too late for a Squire to be out, if anyone cares. Except that the White Squire Menelglir now comes staggering back into the Chapterhouse, the flickering torchlight revealing his none too steady steps.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

At least one familiar face is there to greet him, though none comes from the knight Gwendion. He sits, alone from the others, sipping at his cup and staring out into nothing but his own thoughts.

[Arathis(#30050)]

What evening quiet sits within the Chapterhouse serves first to louden all disturbances. So it is that a thick cadence passes through the doors of Ulmo, in evident pace about the room and that it momentarily stops at the entrance of another into the Chapterhouse, ere resuming.

Some Swansmen stand silent outside the doors, exchanging only faces with one another.

Taking a few steps forward, Menelglir stumbles, then catches his balance, moving again, having turned toward Gwendion. \"Sir...\" He draws closer to the Knight, and there is a distinctive smell about the White Squire...of horses. He stops and turns back to the door at the sound of the arrival of another, putting a hand up to cover a yawn as he looks toward Arathis.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

Snapping out of his reverie, Gwendion looks up first to the young squire, the barest of smiles hinted at before he follows Menelglir\'s eyes behind him towards Arathis. He frowns at the new arrival and the attention it receives.

[Arathis(#30050)]

As the cadence halts again, the men about the doors of Ulmo retreat a step opened, the port gives way to Arathis, Herald to the Prince, newly arrived in the White City. His features are low, hung with weariness, though the bass that follows would not admit it.

A thick snort, then, rife with accusation: \"You smell of horse and ale, Squire.\"

A scouting glance regards the room, pausing on Gwendion, before returning to the addressed.

\"No sir,\" Menelglir reponds, with a quick pleading glance to Gwendion. \"Just horses, sir,\" he says, drawing himself up despite a very evident weariness in his face. \"I wish it had been ale as well, but I\'ve been tending to horses half the day and all evening.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

With the squire\'s pleading look, all Gwendion can offer in return is a slight shrug and nod towards Arathis and his apparent station.

The distinct smell of horses wafts off of the Squire, but that is apparently all.

[Arathis(#30050)]

Distaste widens the nose of the former infantry captain, which then trumpets the Squire\'s smell. With this, Arathis proceeds to crisply box the boy\'s ears, before explaining flatly: \"It is below the ritual of our Order to regard an Officer with the wish for drink, Squire.\"

Turning to the Knight, he continues, \"See to it, if you would spare it, brother, that this boy returns to the horses to guard their sleep.

A pause is however again taken, lingering upon Gwendion. \"Though you are unfamiliar to me. Alas, come see me on the morrow: let it be known to all Swansmen that our liege has been recovered and this his heirs have been not.\"

His chin lowers, and he retraces his steps to the Hall of Ulmo.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

Dumbfounded, Gwendion watches Arathis take his leave. He cannot help but chuckle, catching a few looks, as he rises and meets Menelglir. He reaches out to ruffle the squire\'s hair, \"It could be worse. You could have a meeting with him tomorrow,\" he jests.

\"But...\" Menelglir starts to protest, stops himself and just cringes as Arthis boxes his ears. \"Yes, sir,\" he replies dully, waiting until that Knight has left the room before he dares look at Gwendion--and even then, he bites his lips to stop himself from laughing at Gwendion\'s comment.

\"But..what did hemean? I was in the stables all day, I swear it. Well, most of the day and night, after I finished my other duties. I know I smell, but it cannot be helped.\"

\"And the Prince has been found?\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"Lad, it is a lesson you should well learn,\" Gwendion says, escorting him towards the door, \"No matter your best or the circumstance, some men and many women will think false of you and find in you some fault. You cannot please everyone and sometimes, your ears are boxed for it.\"

\"You\'re really going to make me sleep in the stables, aren\'t you?\" Menelglir stares up in disbelief as he is definitively escorted out. \"I didn\'t do anything...he wanted ale or did not like what I said about wanting ale, and now I have to sleep in the stables because he was in an arbitrarily bad mood?\" Apparently the lesson has not sunk in.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"I know not the man, but I know the rank of Knight-Herald and I suspect as do you. What would you have me do?\" He shrugs again, helpless in the situation, \"But, I think you are bright enough to figure out the solution to this situation on your own.\"

\"Sleep in the stables, keep my mouth shut,\" Menelglir mutters angrily. \"Try not to be stumbling tired around him...and get a bath.\" He looks up. \"Good luck with your meeting tomorrow. Wonder what he has in mind.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

But his escort does not end at the door, as Gwendion does as he was told and escorts the boy all the way to the stables proper in silence. There he speaks his words, \"All I can say, lad, is I have done what was ordered of me. You are free to do what was ordered of you.\"

\"It\'s not right. I didn\'t do anything wrong.\" The protest is given quietly while the Squire tugs at the stable doors. He looks inside glumly, then back to Gwendion. A shake of his head, angrily, and he walks inside.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

But Gwendion does not leave. In fact, he too appears to get angry, his hands balled into fists resting on his hips, \"Squire, are you that daft? Think, fool boy! I have given you many clues to your solution, but all I hear is whining and all I see is moping.\"

\"I\'m supposed to guard the horses for the night,\" Menelglir replies, the sudden show of anger snapping out of his mopey mood. He takes a step backwards, too, looking to the Knight in sudden alarm. \"I assume that means -in- the stables. Can\'t see what\'s happening in here if I stay outside..?\" he offers tentatively.

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"So you were told to guard the horses?\" the knight replies, crossing his arms.

Menelglir nods. \"Guard their sleep, yes sir.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"Your memory is foggy, squire. Those words were spoken to me. I was to see that you were returned to the horses so that you could guard their sleep. Do you understand now?\"

\"Yes, I understood that part, sir.\" Menelglir gives a little frown, clearly confused. \"And you said you had done your duty--which was to bring me back here. And I am here, and have no intention of leaving until the mornign, which is what I assume will end the duration of the order. So...I\'m confused as to why there\'s a problem.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"What orders were given to you!\" he points an imposing finger at the boy, he voice raising in frustration, \"Specifically!\"

\"Specifically to me?\" Menelglir now jerks back at the finger and the tone of Gwendion\'s voice. \"To me specifically, nothing, but they were implied. And...well, as you said, he is a Knight-Herald, and I am just a White Squire...I\'ll take the implications of his words to you as an order to me.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

He calms quickly, nodding, \"Then you are a better squire than I was.\" Gwendion ruffles his hair once more, \"I\'ll have someone send down some food and ale then.\"

A slow breath of relief is let out. \"Thank you, sir,\" Menelglir says, then grins widely. \"I\'ll guard their sleep...but it doesn\'t mean I have to be awake when I\'m doing it.\"

[Gwendion(#24427)]

\"Heh,\" he gruffly laughs, then turns, leaving the squire with his steeds.