@Lantaelen
"Lord Ansellidus"
In the upper row of the box
It took a bit of effort to keep the annoyance from being visible on his face, but Mar managed to maintain a calm, neutral expression throughout the
lecturing/scolding of the elder lord. He had thought it was obvious, by what he said, that there must be some reason and explanation about to come forth, and yet the old guy had to go on his rant. Fortunately, Mar had some practice in this area.
He did not want anything to go amiss here, and so he made himself dip his head slightly in acknowledgement of the man's words. Yet inwardly, he was thinking dark thoughts. "Yes, indeed, lord Dimaethor. I agree wholeheartedly." He answered with a tone of regret, to the man's statement that he ought to have been here. But he'd had more important things to do at the time.. not that he was telling Dimaethor
that. "In fact, I very much would have preferred to be here at the start of this thrilling event, but alas.. some things are beyond even
my control." He said with an almost hint of wryness, wishing that were not the case.
He refrained from sighing as Dimaethor asked whether he was ill, but in such a way that it was almost.. mocking. Mar certainly recognized that sort of tone, as he did it often to his enemies. But they were supposed to be equals, and he did not like it at all. "Nay, sir, I am not ill, but
injured." He tried not to lose his patience. It was very difficult. "The explanation for my lateness, as well as my injuries, go hand in hand, however.. if you will pardon that slight pun." He said with a faint smile, and continued on before there was a chance to interrupt him.
"You see, I sent my people here, a day or two ahead of me, to procure my lodgings and take care of all those details here. However.. as I was preparing to leave, myself.. I was on my way through the halls to go to my carriage when I encountered..
an intruder. Right in my own home!" He explained, widening his eyes slightly, as if he could still hardly believe it. "Apparently, this thief must have seen so many of my people leaving on a journey, and thought the place was less defended. Unfortunately, it was, in fact. Still, I was able to subdue this intruder, but not before he wounded my arm with his blade." He lifted his right arm slightly to indicate the wounded one. "It has been seen by a healer," he then added, as if seeking to assure Dimaethor and ease his mind on the matter.
"That, however, was not even the worst of it." He frowned as he continued his tale, twisted somewhat from the actual truth, but with enough grains of truth to make it believable. "This thief, for some reason, had brought a dog along with him. It seemed to be part wolf, and although it was a small sort, it was extremely vicious. It attacked my left arm while I was fighting with the intruder." He frowned and tugged up his sleeve enough to show the bandages and prove that he had, indeed, seen a healer by now. "So, if you feel that your healers could provide better treatment than those I have already seen, then please, by all means," He agreed to the man's apparent intention to take him to a healer, himself. If it was a bluff, then Mar had called it... now, would Dimaethor
really go looking for a healer?
"Anyway," He went on, in conclusion, "what with having to deal with this would-be thief or whatever his intentions were.. then having to find a healer, and then having to ensure that my wife would be safe in my absence... for she is in no condition to travel, alas..." He sighed in a sorrowful manner. "
That is why I was delayed, and I do apologize for any inconvenience that it may have caused you, but I would not leave my wife unguarded after that ordeal, and it did take some time to locate a suitable number of additional staff to ensure that the castle was well guarded." He concluded, hoping the elder lord would now feel guilty for having spoken to him in such a way. It would be pleasing, even if it was not adequate compensation for having to hear the irritating, scolding words.
Emeredir's response about archery had surprised Dina, and she had not really been sure how to reply. She had nodded, thoughtful, and went quiet on the subject. It seemed somehow unfitting to explain that the girls of this particular group were so intrigued because they had been denied learning such things. She really didn't understand why, but it was somewhat frustrating.
The picnic eventually wrapped up, and the group of young folks returned to the stands, in the same sort of procession as they had left them. Caeleb had enjoyed being able to sit on the blanket, at the edge of the grass, and pretend, for a time, that he was the same as the others. But soon, he had to go back into his chair as they returned to the stands. At least he was still able to enjoy the company of Iuldir, Toby, and Merry, without his sister taking over Merry's attention.
Dulinneth, Meressel, and Dina each curtsied to the young gentlemen. "Thank you, it was a pleasure to have you for an escort, m'lord." Meressel replied with a smile. "I do hope to make a visit to the gallery, when we've returned to the city." She added, before making her way back to her previous seat with Dina in tow.
"Thank you for telling us about the gallery! I also hope to have a chance to see it, someday soon. I'll ask my parents if we might make a trip to Dol Amroth before the end of the year." Dulinneth added, smiling as she also curtsied properly to the young lord. Her hopes were not all in seeing the gallery, but also in having some of her paintings there.
After helping Gaer collect the baskets from the others, Dulinneth followed Gaer, glad for a chance to speak with her alone at last. Even if it was just for a few moments. She lightly swung one of the baskets containing empty plates as she walked along, listening as Gaer explained about Trevadir. "Ooh, pretty feathers," She smiled. "We could use them for other things too, like.. I don't know, put them in our hair." She giggled softly at the idea, and grinned when Gaer suggested saving some room for another picnic. She laughed lightly. "
Now you tell me!" She was interested at the thought of another picnic, though. "Maybe that could be for another day?" She suggested hopefully.
After they had gotten rid of the baskets and things, and were on their way back, she paused and took Gaer's arm lightly. "I needed to ask you something," She lowered her voice a bit. "About that ring?" She reminded her friend of the fact she had wanted to speak to her privately about that. "I.. well I want to know, did your brother say where he found it?" She asked, trying not to look too anxious, but she was eager to know the answer to that.
|
Trevadir |
Toggornir
As everyone arrived back at the stands, Trev nodded his head slightly in answer to the young lady's expressed gratitude. He wasn't really sure why she felt the need to thank him for joining them, as he hadn't really contributed much, and in fact, he had felt rather out of place among them all. But whatever. "Thank
you, for hosting the picnic, m'lady." He answered as politely as he could think of to say. In fact, it had saved him from having to buy food for everyone around Toby, as he'd made his offer to get food for the others a little bit too open without meaning to.
As she claimed the basket back from him, he gave it up willingly. He had no desire to carry it around all day, after all. Especially since they were done with it now. In fact, if he had realized that she planned on taking it back to the vendors, he would have suggested that they drop them off when they passed by that way, before getting this far. But he hadn't known.
"Farewell. Perhaps I will see you at the falconry tent, later." He smiled faintly before stepping aside, to let her go off with her young friend. Not knowing what her plans were for the baskets, he was a little puzzled to see her heading back the way they had come, but he shrugged to himself. He glanced toward Toby and let out a slow breath of relief that the picnic thing had gone well enough. He had worried a lot about it, though Toby didn't seem to be aware of any reason to be nervous. "I'll see you later, Toby." Trev waved to his brother, but since Toby and his friends were already starting to chat among themselves about the upcoming joust match, the younger Thormaetha only spared a moment to wave at his brother before returning to what he was saying to Iuldir, speaking excitedly about what they hoped from this match.
Trev wasn't terribly bothered, however. Toby hardly ever got to visit with his friends, so he didn't begrudge him that. He took a moment to think, glancing around as he debated what to do now. After a moment, he turned and set out for where he had begun; Macardil's station. But, along the way, he decided that he would go by the vendor stalls to get some drinks to bring back with him. He wasn't sure whether Ruthor had any water on hand.. most likely, but it wouldn't hurt to have extra drinks available. It seemed to be getting hotter, after all, and it never hurt to stay plenty hydrated. He could only imagine how hot it must be in that suit of armor.
He was nearly to the vendor where they had gotten their drinks, when a regretfully familiar face suddenly blocked his path, and practically pushed him into the space between two tents selling food. Tensing, Trev frowned and eyed the young Talven fellow warily, unsure of what he had in mind, but preparing himself for just about anything.
"What do you think you're doing?" Toggornir demanded, scowling at Trev, keeping his voice down a bit.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Trev shifted his weight slightly, subtly preparing for a potential fight. It seemed he was not going to be permitted to go on his way unchallenged. "I could ask
you the same," He remarked pointedly, with a quick glance about their surroundings.
"No, I mean.. what are you doing with the young ladies you were with a moment ago." Togg huffed, annoyed at having to explain his meaning more fully. "Miss Dimaethor, in
particular." He added suspiciously.
"I'm quite sure that's none of your business." Trevadir replied coolly.
"It
is my business," Togg disagreed, his frown deepening. "I saw you just now, walking arm and arm with her. Tagging along with her and the others.. acting as if you think you're one of us? And now.. what, you're following her?" He stepped nearer, eyes narrowing. "Consider this a warning; stay away from her."
Trev folded his arms, giving Togg the most unimpressed expression he could muster. In fact, he had not really thought of himself as 'following' them at all, but merely going in the same direction, and he had set out plenty of time after them that he couldn't even see them through the crowd. "If you must know, she invited me to join them.. for a picnic." He rolled his eyes. "I don't see why that's any of your business, though. Or... wait, are you jealous she didn't invite you?" As hard as he tried not to, he couldn't help a little smirk at that.
Togg clenched his jaw a little and poked Trev in the chest. "Just keep away from her. There's a lot of nasty rumors that could start to circulate around here, and
you could end up looking pretty bad." He warned. "I'm quite sure her father would not like it if he heard that some..
peasant was making unwelcome and inappropriate advances toward his daughter, for example.."
Trev frowned in annoyance at being called a peasant, but stood unmoving, appearing unaffected by the jab to the chest. He almost couldn't believe this guy actually had the audacity to try and threaten him, and found his choice of threat very irritating. Because of course.. who would believe Trev over this guy? "Is that all?" He asked, in a tone usually reserved for his father.
"No.. actually, while we're discussing this," Togg took a glance around briefly before looking back at Trev. "I would also advise you not to breathe a word about..
last night."
Trev huffed with incredulity at this. "
Really?" He asked, a little amazed that the guy seriously just brought that up. As if Trev were the one he needed to worry about talking about that? He was hoping no one would mention it, himself, but he wasn't going to tell him that.
"I
mean it," Togg insisted. "Keep your mouth shut about that, alright?"
"Are you afraid someone will find out you were slandering one of your
betters?" Trev asked with a tiny smile, pointedly using the term 'betters'. "Or.. perhaps you're more concerned about someone finding out you got beaten in a fight.. again." He suggested, fighting a grin. He somehow managed to keep it to only a small smile.
Togg took a slow breath in, fighting to keep his temper under control. "I was
drunk, then." He retorted. "You won't find me so easy to defeat again, I can promise you that." He warned.
"Sure." Trev's tone easily suggested he found that highly doubtful but was only humoring the other guy. This did not improve Togg's mood.
"I mean it.. keep quiet about that entire incident, or you'll find things can get
very unpleasant for you, otherwise."
"I've got some news for you," Trev imparted with mock regret. "There was an entire bar full of witnesses... so, if you don't want the tale getting out, then you'd better hope none of those people decides to tell the story." He shrugged in mock apology. "As for me, I've got nothing to gain from that story getting out, so you didn't even have to worry about that.." He narrowed his eyes. "Although, I will mention that asking nicely usually works a
lot better with me than making demands and threatening me... Just saying." He said with a shrug, then unfolded his arms and glared at Togg, stepping just a bit closer with his hands closing into fists down by his sides. Togg was a bit taller, but Trev had no doubt that he was stronger, faster, and tougher. "Now that we've got all that settled... I recommend that you get out of my way, before I introduce your face to the
ground."
Togg hesitated, aware that, while they were between a couple of tents and partially out of view of the general public, it wouldn't take much to bring them back into full view of the people passing through on their way to and from the vendor stalls. He recalled enough from the previous evening to know this guy was capable of doing exactly what he said, and he did not want to be thrown to the ground in front of all those people, especially if Azrain might be somewhere nearby. And yet, he didn't want to back down too easily, either. He eyed the other young man for a moment before giving him another reminder of the warning. "Just remember.. stay away from Azraindil, and keep quiet about the tavern." He repeated, and reluctantly stepped off to the side to let him by.
Trev smiled slowly. "Oh, I'll remember. You can be
sure of that." He assured him, but with such a tone that would make Togg unsure if that was such a good thing after all. He moved past the other young man, while turning himself to keep facing him for a moment until he was out of reach.. just as a precaution. He kept that little smile on his face as he gave a brief nod in parting, as if to say 'see you around', then he slipped into the crowd. To be honest, Trevadir was anxious to get away from the other guy, and get lost in the midst of the crowd for a while. He really had not intended to make an enemy here, but it seemed that he had managed to do just that. Still, he wasn't about to let that guy intimidate him, though it made him angry to hear the sort of threats he was suggesting.
Feeling somewhat troubled, Trev was lost in thought as he pondered what to do about this situation which he had inadvertently found himself in. He was frowning slightly as he pushed his hat down further on his head, and continued on his way toward one of the vendors to get a pitcher of nice, cool lemonade to bring back.