Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

@Rillewen
"Gladly," he responded while putting his own glass down and leading her onto the dance floor right when the notes of a not as slow song started making their way through the tavern. "Let's give them more reasons than our good looks to be jealous," he smirked, before starting them off on a more complicated dance. A bit more slowly, at first, to see whether Ava had learned this one, as well. As soon as Tercen realized that she was in fact quite aware of the steps, he grinned and started them off in earnest. "What a wonder you are," he rumbled close to her ear, as they came close together during one of the moves, and before they stepped farther away again and turned around each other smoothly. "You do not like to do things half-way, do you, Temptress?"

The dance was over far too soon to his liking, but the next song was something more upbeat, and they sailed through that one just as easily, making Tercen's eyes twinkle with mirth as they danced together. He was quite enjoying the usual male role of showing off the lady, and when the music slowed down again after that, he pulled Ava close against him, causing more than a few pairs of eyes to linger upon them. He didn't care.

---

@Rillewen
"He is," she agreed about Trastion being a nice guy. "He has incredible potential."

The conversation between them died a little, then, leaving them both alone with their thoughts, but still holding onto each other in the dance. The limited twirling suited Arnyn much more than Gladhron could realize, given her unsteady head and feet, and allowed her to pretend she was perfectly fine. By the time the music picked up, she had almost forgotten about her disposition, and grinned when Gladhron twirled her several times, realizing how badly she was feeling only the the end of the last one. He caught her perfectly, however, and she managed not to stumble - and then he immediately led her into a dance she'd had no idea of expectation for him to know about.

He didn't catch her as unaware, this time, because it was a dance that mostly required for her to follow the lead without having to know things like that she was supposed toraise her arms out of the blue, for instance. And once she recognized it, she easily fell into its pattern. Just how much, though, had Gladhron been practicing? And was it really all for the enjoyment of learning how to dance? Or had he wanted to learn several things before coming out here, tonight? Arnyn remembered him being very self-conscious about not knowing much, at the masquerade, and not wanting to bother any ladies when he didn't know much beyond the basic slow steps and twirl. Yet he seemed to have somehow solved that problem, in the span of little more than a week. He should even have no trouble dancing with anyone else, like this! Just how much had Tercen managed to teach him?

A little speechless, Arnyn just focused on the dancing, which proved far more difficult than she would like. Her face clearly showed her surprise, however, when Gladhron managed to lead her through a less complicated version of what Tercen was doing with Ava. For not one, but two melodies, even. When the music slowed next, and he led her into a slow dance, a respectful distance between them, Arnyn stared at Gladhron in disbelief. "Well. So much for not knowing how to dance," she said quietly. Now finally being offered a reprieve from the faster and more energy-consuming dances, she was leaning onto him more heavily than was to be expected without her realizing she was doing so.

@Arnyn
He was feeling quite grateful to Tercen for having spent so much time helping him out, and made a mental note to find some way to repay his friend, later, for that favor. In the meanwhile, Gladhron was pleased when she seemed surprised by his knowledge of a certain dance. He had practiced as much as he was able, prior to this evening, all that Tercen had taught him. And now, it was pleasing to see that it paid off.

As the song shifted back into a slower one, he gave a little grin at her comment. "Well.. I didn't want you to be bored with my lower skill level," he admitted. "I owe Tercen some sort of thanks, but I'm not sure how to repay him for his help." He shrugged slightly while still smiling. Despite feeling pleased to have surprised her so well, he noticed she was leaning on him a bit more than he had expected. Wondering a bit what it might mean, he held her and let her lean on him as much as she needed without comment.

---

Ava grinned with amusement at his words, and suggestion that they give people more reasons to be jealous. "Gladly." She agreed, copying his own response, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

When they began dancing, she was pleased to recognize one of the dances that she had learned before coming here, and yet had not had a chance to use at the masquerade. She smiled, following his lead and keeping up, and gave a little laugh at the comment about her not doing things halfway. "Certainly not," She agreed, grinning.

Although she enjoyed the faster-paced dancing, it was a nice reprieve when the music slowed again, and she was smiling happily as she leaned against him contentedly, letting her breathing slow again to normal. This was definitely a much more enjoyable life than back home, and Ava was not really looking forward to returning to all of that. So, she was glad to put 'all of that' from her mind for the time being, and simply enjoy this evening as much as possible.

@Rillewen
She was definitely feeling off center again by now, but at least Gladhron didn't seem to notice. Or... if he did... at least he wasn't showing it. Whichever it was, it came in handy, because Arnyn had little inclination to look for excuses at the moment, and she really wanted to dance with Tercen for at least one more time before she had to throw in the proverbial towel for the night.

"You didn't want me to be bored?" she asked, incredulous. "I thought the whole point of being able to dance with me rather than anyone else was so that you could take it easy, maybe practice a little or learn something new while you're here, but most of all so you wouldn't have to worry about any ladies thinking your skills weren't good enough! And now you show up this evening and you've learned not one but two whole new dances already?" Granted, not at the level Tercen or she could dance it together, but still. "No wonder you've been busy," she added, still surprised. "But - surely you didn't learn all of this just so I would not be bored?"

---

@Rillewen
He was more than content in their little cocoon, but when the slow song drew to an end, Tercen pressed a soft kiss against Ava's temple. "Would you mind terribly, Temptress... if I sought out Arnyn for another dance? This will probably be the last time I get to dance with my sister until I come back for her birthday in half a year or so." Between the two of them, they jokingly called it Survival Day, but he did not add in that bit.

"Come," he whispered, not wanting to leave Ava standing alone. With her on hiw arm, Tercen approached Gladhron and Arnyn. He cleared his throat to draw their attention. "Excuse me," he said, intentionally affecting a 'hellooooo?' kind of tone, "The purpose of the evening initially was for me to take my sister dancing, you know," he feigned to complain. "So, if you two can pull away from each other for a minute or two, would you mind if I cut in?" He grinned broadly at Arnyn and winked at Gladhron. "If you would not mind escorting Ava back to the table? Or perhaps..." He gestured at the dance floor, and gave a little shrug, to indicate to his friend that he wouldn't mind.

---

@Rillewen
Arnyn rolled her eyes at Tercen. "And then you brought Ava," she countered pointedly, foregoing to add that even if he hadn't actually brought anyone, he'd have been dancing with more than a few ladies besides herself. He probably wouldn't want Ava to hear that. "And the two of you have been wrapped up in each other more than once," she added soberly. "I think half the tavern wants to be you two, and the other half hates you."

Tercen's grin grew. "And which category do you belong to, sweet sister?"

Arnyn sighed, though she was smiling a little. "I'm the exception to the rule." She slowly let go of Gladhron, making sure she didn't give up her support too fast. "But I wouldn't mind sharing another dance," she agreed, but she first waited a moment to see what Ava and Gladhron might do.

@Rillewen

When Trevadir explained how the reunion with Airelen had happened, Anardil widened his grey eyes just a moment. She had apparently come running over .. to tell them she was hiding. The furthest opposite to how ‘hiding’ was supposed to go, but as it turned out that was no bad thing. For her parent had been only two stops short of arranging a search party for the child.

“I can not tell you how grateful I am, that it was you, she came across,” the man admitted, entirely honest in the admission. And restrained himself only briefly before offering a firm handshake toward Trevadir.

“See her pretty mermaid hair !” Airelen leaned in easily against Claery, as Renia joined them. “Like the princess,” the girl beamed, in some awe.

“We have been learning of the White Lady of Rohan,” the maid explained. “The new Princess, .. of Ithilien ..” Accepting Renia’s hand, the young woman shook it keenly. “I am pleased to meet you both,” she smiled. Jostling the tiny squirming bundle to a more comfortable position in her arms, she moved to shake the young man’s hand as well. Only for Airelen to leap to her liberty and pump both her small arms in eagerness to propel her back toward the play apparatus.


“Your servant,” Anardil knew better than to shake a lady’s hand, and duly bowed some small way as a gesture of good will instead. “Trevadir here has a knack for forging notable acquaintances. I look forward to hearing how the two of you became acquainted.”

“Indeed,” Gael interjected at that point, although seemingly in response to Trev’s own enquiry. As to his apparent ‘doing’. “Unless our daughter dreamed this place quite into being, she must have discovered it’s charms with thanks to you.” Releasing Gil’s arm from it’s hovering support, the lady gestured with her now freed hand toward the playground. “You shall have to educate us,” she invited Renia. “The sorts of games I know do not seem to be represented here.”


Veiled brown eyes cast a wider glimpse of the area, where the small girl was now doing her best to climb up the ‘slide’, rather than ascend the steps that would have led her to it’s top. Determined tiny fingers clasped both edges of the icy slope as Airelen’s shoes squeaked against the surface she could not gain proper purchase on. Claery hid her smile, not so very well, behind a belatedly risen hand.

“What do you call this, for instance ?” the mother tried to pace her pursuit toward the slide. “It looks to neither spin nor swing.”


As their womenfolk gathered up the attention of the young couple to hand, the squire had wound his path around toward the valet. “May I ask after the outcome ?” he wondered, in a quiet tone between the two of them aside. “Do you still have thoughts toward coming back with us, or has the indecision passed ?”

“I ..” the younger man began and then dropped his face downcast as he caught what he imagined to be a look from Trevadir. He knew this one. Or at least, he had seen him before. “Your wife has offered counsel that I shall of course consider,” Gil allowed, at least that much. Given their company. And the subject, for that matter. Letting both hands fall behind his back, the younger man clasped them tightly together there. Beside him, his friend nodded, understanding. They would speak upon the subject later. “The ice can be treacherous,” Gil mentioned, as though observing the child’s struggle had seen the thought occur to him suddenly. “The lady almost stumbled,” he did his best to clandestinely console Anardil as to how he must have noticed them arrive. Her hand so close with the younger man’s arm.

“Ladies do not stumble,” he was advised. “And ..”


“I am not a lady !” Airelen declared, boldly as she clambered the last few inches upon two hard-worked knees to reach the top of the slide. And her father shot Claery a definite ‘look’ for choosing to try to school the young charge on such a war cry. She clearly had not quite gotten it correct ... But to perhaps prove one claim and disprove another, the child then slipped, and slid down the slide on her stomach. Coming to meet her mother, feet first, she nearly bowled Gael over as the one caught the other, at the slide’s conclusion. As both of the gentlemen from Belfalas glanced over and made their way to assist, the mother-daughter team collapsed in laughter at each other, on the ground at the foot of the slide.

Claery got there before any other, and helped Gael up to her feet. But that gave Airelen the opportunity to duck out of the ‘knot’ and run toward her new friends. “Your turn !” she prompted, skidding to a halt, as she reached out an open hand for Trev and Renia each.

@Rillewen

Whatever the young Gondorian’s enmity was based on, there seemed to be no limit or concern over what vengeance be delivered. What a stroke of fortune indeed for Pharak to have come across a local man with a mutual dislike of the same family ! It was moments like this when the Umbarian felt a renewed strength in the power of his Lord. Sauron was mighty indeed, and his works had brought two who might best serve him .. together.

It was true that the Burned Man could have possibly managed to learn Addhor’s address from any other drunk still in the tavern. And thus ‘ensure that the intoxicated man got home' .. in one ruined piece. But who could really count on any other Drunkard in the tavern to give him accurate information, let alone recall him with any sort of certainty after the fact ? Both these aspects of the plan were important. And the chances of getting lost, late at night with the burden of a non-weight-bearing lump .. did not exactly appeal. Meanwhile, this odd young fellow who had wandered into the scene, and stayed … for all the wrong reasons .. was exactly the right man to help. He could easily prepare the ‘visitor’ for what he could expect to find .. at that family home .. Would he be here .. Domanol himself ? When had he last been in touch with his kin ? How many of them even were there here ? And did the family know where he was or how to get in contact with him, if they had a need to … ? Because Pharak was going to hand them the very most effective need to, that he ever possibly could. And destroy all the others remaining in grief and blame, just in case his own ‘greatest enemy’ ever did come back here ..,


There was of course still the possibility that this young interference was lying to him. But there was an easy way to put that to the test. And it wasn’t as though Pharak did not want the credit for all that he would leave here in his wake. If that involved one more death .. he would leave it in the hands of his Lord. Faith had brought him further than most, by this point. And if that faith was disappointed, well there was an easy solution at hand for that matter. Sitting confident about that private security, the Umbarian decided to trust this youth, and see what came of it. If his betrayal, if his end, his death was all a part of the grand scheme .. then so be it. Who was he to argue with a deity who had already handed him back many countless years that he had not expected to see ?

“I think it is about time that we walked our unfortunate ‘friend’ here to his home,” he agreed. “If there are no more of your ‘greatest enemies’ within the tavern that you have a want to dispatch with first ?” The remark was astoundingly not dripping in sarcasm. In fact the Umbarian seemed almost willing to wait for his new ally to finish any other ‘business’ he had, before they left. It would certainly be easier supporting the subconscious man down the dark street, with a second pair of hands, and strength.


“I am sure that any witnesses shall note and recognise me, far more easily than you,” he assured the vindictive Gondorian. As though doing the youth this kindness had not been his plan all along, regardless. “This city is your own however, and a strange place to me,” he made clear, in beginning to drag up the Drunk off the floor, “You shall have to lead, by way of whatever ‘safe places’ you know for our route. Though I shall of course manage any questions that are put our way during the journey.”

With a pointed glance, Pharak looked past the young man at the door which kept them from all they were yet to undertake. The intoxicated man between them did not have to be brought directly to his house. There was sure to be some more private cloister that his 'helpful hands' could take a rest at, during the span of the labour.

@Arnyn
Gladhron hesitated at her response. Maybe he shouldn't have said that, either. "Well, I.." He cleared his throat. "I don't want you to be bored of me," He corrected, a little quietly. He looked at her with a little smile, unsure how to reply to that last bit. About how he surely didn't learn all of that, just for her. Because he did not want to lie to her and say that he didn't. And at the same time, he felt self-conscious admitting that he had. What would she think of that? Would she realize his feelings too quickly, and back off? He didn't want that. "I wanted us to have a fun time," He shrugged, settling for that after a moment.

Dancing with Tercen, Ava was rather enjoying the moment, his arms around her. When the song drew to a close, she smiled softly at the kiss on her temple, and listened to his words. She tilted her head, smiling faintly with amusement at him. "I may have a few selfish tendencies still, but that would not be one of them, Sunshine." She replied, amused. "Of course, I understand." She was the one 'intruding' on their sibling ritual, if anything. She held onto his arm, maintaining a soft smile as he addressed the other couple.

Gladhron was spared from having to think of anything else to say, however, when Tercen appeared and tapped his shoulder, asking to dance with his sister. In a teasing manner, he hinted that Gladhron and Arnyn may not be able to 'pull away from each other', and Gladhron grinned, as if it was a joke. "Of course." He stepped back to allow Tercen to claim his place with Arnyn, although he was mildly surprised at the vague suggestion that he could dance with Ava. He gave a little nod to acknowledge both of the suggested options, turning to her with a little smile. "Well.. what would you prefer?" He asked, leaving that up to her.

Ava grinned with amusement at the light banter that passed between them, then turned to Gladhron, still smiling. "I would not mind continuing to dance." She decided, while recalling Tercen's reminder that the guy was only a beginner. Still, she didn't feel like sitting down to wait at the table. Besides, it might be amusing to see how both halves of the tavern reacted to see her dancing with another fellow for one dance. Would they be amazed? Or would any of the other gentlemen grow bold enough to think that meant she might dance with them?

With a little nod, he offered his hand and led her to an open space on the dance floor. While dancing with her, he was careful to maintain a respectful distance. Being a bit nervous about saying anything else that he shouldn't, he found that he could think of very little to say, and so they did not talk very much throughout their dance together.

---

@Ercassie
"Well.." Trev had noticed the brief widening of eyes, and noted possible alarm in the father, "I think she only ran up to us because she recognized me," He sought to reassure him on that account. But he accepted the handshake, deciding to simply let the matter drop and be glad that Nardy seemed willing to forget the more unfavorable times he had encountered Trev. Like the time he'd aided in throwing spikey tree nuts at him...

Airelen's comment brought forth a quizzical look from Renia. The princess? What princess? She had first disregarded the girl's words about how she had 'princess hair', but now, she was realizing there was more to that comment than she had first thought. However, Claery soon explained, and Renia's expression changed to one of understanding. "Aha, well then, it must be a thing. Mermaid princess, Ithilien princess.. same hair? Coincidence? Maaaybe." She shrugged, but was clearly joking.

She smiled at the handshake from Claery, although she merely tilted her head at the rather different response from the man. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity at the comment that 'Trevadir has a knack for forging notable acquaintances', but her expression soon changed to a grin when he said he was looking forward to hearing how they had met, and she glanced questioningly toward Trev, wondering whether he intended to tell them that tale.

"Um, sorry," Trev misinterpreted her glance, and realized he would probably have to do the introductions after all, since.. Nardy didn't. "This is.." Not Nardy. He carefully refrained from using the nickname that Nal had always used for his cousin, which Trev had, therefore, also always used for him. He cast a quick glance to the man. "Forgive me if I get anything wrong," He added in a mutter before continuing, "Squire Anardil Thavren, and his wife, Lady Gaelanna," He indicated the lady in the veil, for Renia's benefit. "And their daughter, Airelen, you already met." He added with a little grin, even as the little girl was already rushing off toward the playground. "And.. Claery," He continued. He had only moments ago met her, but Renia had been over there on the roundabout with Airelen at the time she gave her name. He glanced then to the young guy with the black eye. "Sorry, that's all I know." He concluded apologetically.

Smiling at the lady's jest about Airelen dreaming this place up, Trev shook his head slightly as if to say that the place had not been dreamed up, but had little chance to say much before she had invited Renia to 'educate them' about the sort of games here. And, watching Airelen struggle to climb up the slide, he smiled with remembering how he and his friends had once did some of those very same things. Recalling that he was far more familiar with this place than Renia was, he trailed along, absently fingering his flute as he briefly glanced back, trying to figure out why that guy with the black eye looked sort of familiar, like he had seen him before.

Somewhat surprised to be asked to help in educating them about this playground, Renia went along with the other lady, toward the object her daughter was climbing. What did she call it? "Hmmm," She considered the device with overexaggerated thoughtfulness, one hand tapping lightly against her chin, the other holding the elbow of that arm. "I think I shall call it.. the Triangle Thingy!" She declared with a nod of finality. Yes. That seemed like a fun enough name. Opening her hand so that it halfway cupped around her mouth, she leaned toward Gaelanna, lowering her tone to a whisper. "I have no idea what it is." She admitted with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Never been here before." Smiling slightly, she glanced back toward Trev while Airelen was struggling to make it up the slide.

While the ladies were trying to figure out the slide, Trev gave a little laugh at Renia's words, which he had also caught. "It's a slide," He informed them, smiling. "You're supposed to go up the ladder and then slide down." He explained, amused. "Although it is definitely a fun challenge to go at it that way, too." He nodded at how Airelen was attempting it.

Just then, she reached the top, and Renia laughed at the 'battle cry' that burst out of the child. Then, she watched with amusement while the mother and daughter fell over together at the bottom. Despite her smile, she felt a twinge of sadness, but quickly pushed it back down. Meanwhile, Claery had come to help the lady up before either she or Trev could make a move to do so.

When Airelen came running over declaring that it was 'their turn' now, Renia grinned and happily took her hand. "Ohhh, I get a turn? She asked, excitedly. "Alright! Watch and see how it's done!" She suggested with a wink as she skipped over to the slide as eagerly as if she were a child as well. And proceeded to take off her boots and socks, and stepped up onto the bottom of the very cold slide. It was rather cold, actually, but she couldn't resist the chance to show off a bit, without thinking whether it was a good or bad example to the girl. Her feet were moist enough from having been in her boots that her skin stuck to the metal easily enough, and she flashed a little grin down at Airelen before racing up to the top of the slide. "Tada!" She declared happily.. quite glad it had, in fact, worked like she'd hoped. But she'd probably only get that to work once, before her feet lost their stickiness and were too cold.

Laughing at the fun of that, she sat down and then slid back down to the bottom. "But it's REALLY COLD!" She added, hastily grabbing her footwear to put back on again as soon as she was within reach of it. "I don't recommend trying that... in the winter." She offered an apologetic glance to the mother then, belatedly realizing that maybe that hadn't been the best idea, at least not for the comfort of her feet, and that maybe the girl might try to copy her.

"Now it's Trev's turn!" Renia declared, hopping up once she's stuck her re-socked feet back into her boots. "Go on, show us how you do it!"

With a little grin, Trev shook his head slightly, unsure quite how he'd gotten into this situation. If it were only himself and Renia, he would probably have attempted to slide down while standing up, like he used to do often. But, with a brief glance at the child, and then very aware that Nardy was there, he decided that they would probably not thank him for introducing yet more dangerous antics to the girl's repertoire, and therefore, he decided it might be best not to expose her to any of the crazy stuff he used to do. "Like I said," he declared as he came forward. "You're supposed to go up the ladder." He demonstrated by doing just that, and found that the slide was not quite as big as his memory would have him believe. He soon arrived at the bottom as well, and stepped out of the way of whoever would like to go next, smiling still.

@Rillewen
Her eyebrows went up minutely at Gladhron's reply. He didn't want her to be bored of him, and he wanted them to have a good time. That made her mirror his little smile, but she said nothing as she considered his words a second time.

Once it became clear that Gladhron and Ava would also dance together, Tercen took his sister in his arms and smiled at her. "How are you doing?" he asked her, using a tone Arnyn had only ever known him to use with her, when they spoke privately. She shrugged, and cast a thoughtful glance at Gladhron and Ava. "I'm not sure," she said slowly, frowning a little.

Tercen looked sympathetic. "We agreed not to talk about it tonight," he reminded her.

"I don't mean that." Arnyn looked at her brother, then, and smiled. "Never mind. Are you having a good time?"

"Yes," he replied easily, with a little shrug to indicate the small problem at the table was not included in his assessment of the evening. "I always have a good time when we go out."

"And tonight, especially, I'm sure," Arnyn teased, wriggling her eyebrows.

That made him laugh. "You are right. As usual." He brushed some of her hair back, his eyes lingering on the scar at the base of her neck. "I'm surprised you didn't hide that from me." He briefly touched the skin, before replacing his hand at her waist.

Arnyn nodded with a small smile. "I forgot, actually."

He laughed again and twirled her around, starting them off in a serious of dancing movements they both knew well. When the tune had almost finished, Tercen was starting to look a bit worried. The dance was almost over, and the motions were slowing down. "You have that look in your eyes, you know," he informed her quietly.

"What look?" she asked, sounding a little distracted.

"The one you get when you're pretend you're fine, but when you're really not. Is the day catching up to you?" She had already told him she wasn't feeling well, earlier, after all. Odds are that wouldn't improve as the evening progressed. She probably needed to sleep. "You're also... leaning."

Arnyn looked at her brother as she debated trying to deny it. "I guess so," she finally allowed.

"Do you want me to take you home?" he asked, his offer sincere. "Maybe some tea? Bed?"

She smiled, and glanced back toward where Ava and Gladhron were dancing. "No," she replied more quietly. "You should enjoy the rest of the evening." With Ava. In case the meeting at headquarters will go completely sideways. Arnyn became all too aware of her dull headache then. "I can get myself home."

Tercen seemed to consider that for a moment. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I'm sure."

When the tune ended, Tercen and Arnyn returned to the table. Tercen helped her into her chair and then reclaimed his own seat, and they spoke of what else Tercen was planning of doing in the city before his return to Ithilien.

@Arnyn
Ava refrained from asking any questions, partly because she felt that the ranger would probably not be willing to divulge anything further, but also because she remembered that she had agreed not to discuss this matter. There were other people around, after all, and she didn't want to risk being overheard. So, she ended up asking him how he and Tercen met, and listened with a little smile to find out that it had been at the masquerade, as well. It seemed Tercen made friends rather easily, for she would have guessed they had been friends for a longer period of time than that.

After the song was over, Gladhron did a polite bow and offered his arm to escort the lady back to her seat. They arrived shortly after Tercen and Arnyn, and heard some talk about Ithilien as they approached and reclaimed their seats. "When do you plan to leave Minas Tirith, by the way?" Ava wondered, curious how long he planned to stay in town.

---

@Ercassie
Mar gave the man a curious look when he asked if there were any other enemies he wanted to deal with before he left. That 'offer' had not sounded sarcastic, but rather.. genuine. Had any of his other enemies been present in the tavern, he might have decided to see whether the man actually would be interested in helping to deal with them. But alas, none of them tended to frequent such establishments, and he gave an almost remorseful shake of his head. "No, I only know of him to be present here tonight." He nodded to the crumpled mess on the floor. "I can certainly take you to where he lives, if you mean to return him there." He offered, though somewhat puzzled. "But how would that help in making the family suffer?" He questioned, as he reached to grab one limp arm and try to haul the one-legged man upright. "Having people return him to his home is pretty much an 'every night' occurrence to that family. They would think nothing of that." He pointed out.

Once the drunk was situated in such a way that transport was possible, without it looking suspicious, the nefarious pair emerged from the washroom, with Mar keeping at least half of his face hidden against the side of the unconscious man. Mar was young, and slight of build, but he had spent the latest couple of years of his life in Pelargir, going through intense training for the guard... which he had then dropped out of. He had, furthermore, spent the first sixteen of his years toiling on his father's failure of a farm. Therefore, Mar was stronger than he looked, and well capable of hauling heavy things around.

The drunk, meanwhile, had spent about that same number of years wasting his life away in a bottle and doing nothing to retain whatever strength he had once possessed.

As they passed through the tavern with this burden, Mar practically held his breath, waiting, listening, and expecting someone to try and stop the pair from their plan. But all went well. They got outside without a problem, and he breathed easier then, relieved that no one had stopped them.

"He lives that way, with an old lady and an annoyance." Mar indicated the direction with a nod of his head, to let the man know which direction they ought to set off in. "And, just a warning, next door is another annoyance. If either of them should see me with you, they're likely to become suspicious of us both, immediately." He thought it might be useful to warn the guy of that. "I wouldn't do anything to help them unless it has some benefit for me, and they surely know it."

@Rillewen
Tercen smiled at Ava. "Well, the plan was to return early January, so, in a few days. Two or three days from now, perhaps. But you were coming, right?"

Arnyn watched them, wondering if any of their plans would be ruined because of Gladhron's slip up. She turned her head to look at him. "Listen... I think it might be best if I go home," she told him more quietly, not wanting to interrupt Ava and Tercen's talk about Ithilien. "While I don't want to leave you to be the third wheel to their little show," she added with a sympathetic smile and a nod at the other two, "I haven't really been feeling great all evening, and I'm kind of exhausted. I'm sorry," she said genuinely. "But rest assured that I had a great time dancing with you," she made sure to say, her faint smile growing a little. "Especially with all those new moves you've learned."
She glanced at Tercen then, who also 'happened' to glance at Gladhron when he heard her say that, and grinned broadly at his friend, thinking of how exactly Gladhron learned it all.

@Arnyn
Ava nodded with a little smile. "That is the plan, yes." She agreed. She had nothing really keeping her here now, except for him, now that she had an idea of where would be best to put a safehouse. And, now that she had an estimate of when they would be leaving for Ithilien, she decided she ought to send someone to Pelargir to seek out any potential options for that, so that hopefully, by the time she and Tercen were ready to go through there, they could avoid the house hunting part of that and skip straight to choosing an option.

While Ava and Tercen were talking about their plans, Gladhron was mildly surprised to hear Arnyn saying she hadn't been feeling well. He hadn't realized that, and he hoped it wasn't due to him spinning her around so much, feeling just a bit guilty for not having realized it. And then, she said she was ready to go. Struggling not to feel disappointed, he gave a little nod of understanding, and smiled a bit when she assured him that she'd had a great time. "I'm glad to hear it." He grinned, truly glad.

And no, he wasn't really enthused about sticking around while the other two remained, and he also didn't exactly want to dance with anyone else. But what reason could he give for leaving, now? He smiled reassuringly when she apologized. "No, it's fine," He assured her, shaking his head. "In fact, I was thinking I might ought to leave soon, myself, but I didn't want to leave you as the third wheel," He added with a little amusement in his tone, as if it was a sort of funny coincidence that they would both think of leaving, at around the same time.

Then he thought hastily for some reason to give for why he was thinking of leaving. "Since I've only just come to stay at Lady Isys' house this very day.. well, I don't know if it would be polite to come dragging in sometime in the early hours of the morning," He shrugged with a little laugh. "So, I figured I ought to leave while it was still a reasonable hour, just in case." He had no idea whether that was even a problem for the lady, but it seemed like a reasonable thing to say, and it was something that Gwestion would probably have mentioned. "I might as well go now, as ten or twenty minutes from now, I guess. This way, we can walk together as far as your house." He suggested. Especially, if she wasn't feeling well.

@Rillewen
She hadn't expected him to actually want to leave already, especially not since he had proven he could dance now! Nothing should be stopping him from dancing with other ladies, right? His reasoning made sense, however. "How very considerate of you," she said with a smile, and she really did think it was considerate. She didn't suppose they had all been given keys, after all, so she was sure that at least Isys' staff would appreciate not having to let in someone in the very late hours of the night. "Well, then..."

Arnyn turned to Ava and Tercen. "This was nice. I hope you two will enjoy the rest of the evening. And I will see you tomorrow." She leaned onto the tabletop as she rose to her feet, pausing for a moment as her vision momentarily went white by getting up too quickly. Tercen quickly got up from his seat and came to give his sister a quick hug. Arnyn returned it with a smile, and brushed some of his stray hair from his face with a little wink. "Bye, brother." He grinned at her. "Bye, sis." Looking over her shoulder, he eyed Gladhron. "You're walking her home, right?"

Once they had all said their goodbyes, Arnyn intended to retrieve her cloak and then head outside. With Gladhron, apparently. Maybe he would think it was funny to present her with his arm again. That would really come in handy just about now..

@Arnyn
"Of course," Gladhron answered Tercen with a little grin, as he also stood up and grabbed his cloak that had been on the back of his chair. Then, he took up Arnyn's cloak from where it hung on the back of her chair, waiting with it while brother and sister hugged in parting. "It was nice to meet you, lady Ava." He added with a polite nod while they were doing that, then held the cloak for Arnyn so she could more easily put it on, before offering his arm to her with a smile. "Shall we, my lady?" He asked. He gave a wave goodbye to Tercen and Ava, then walked with Arnyn to the door.

After they had all said their goodbyes, Ava couldn't help a little smile after they had gone. "Well, I see what you mean," She grinned. "He is so into her. Do you think she has any idea?" She wondered, a bit curious how she could not realize the guy liked her, with how he had acted around her and all.

@Rillewen
After saying a polite goodbye to Ava, she paused when she saw Gladhron holding her cloak for her. She let him help, despite feeling a bit self conscious about it (because how much help did someone need with a cloak?!). And even though she was kind of relieved he was indeed offering her his arm, there was something nagging at her in the back of her mind. She couldn't quite put a finger on why or what. Was it something about the accompanying question? Was it something about the smile? Was it that he had just helped with her cloak? Something else?

"Yes..." She accepted his arm, unaware of how much more she was using it to steady herself than on the way over here at the start of the evening. Once they stepped outside, the cold swept over them along with a sharp winter wind. It gave Arnyn a renewed sense of alertness, however, and therefore it relaxed her a little. "Oh, that's better." Contently, she breathed in the cold air, filling her lungs up as much as she could. Enjoying the cold - which was very unusual for her - after the almost stifling warmth of the tavern, Arnyn was quite happy to walk in silence almost all the way to the gate from the third to the fourth circle.

"Are you sure you're not disappointed by leaving this early?" she asked her friend, her hand still around his arm, though she was leaning on him less at the moment. She smiled a little. "Though I'm sure Tercen and Ava won't mind having some time alone, now." A brief pause. "Tercen might be teasing you some more about dancing with me, later," she added, thinking about several comments her brother had made throughout the evening. She also hadn't missed the way Tercen had asked Gladhron if he would 'be walking her home, right?'. As if he hadn't thought she could get herself home just because she was feeling a bit worse for wear!

---

@Rillewen
Tercen let out a low laugh at Ava's words. He sat back down in his chair, and pulled Ava down with him, to sit on his lap. "Probably not," he said, amused. "It's uncanny. The woman can spot some lies from miles away, notices the smallest things... but when it comes to a guy being interested in her, she may as well be deaf and blind." Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and shrugged. "But it seems to me like this was an excellent occasion for Gladhron to drop a whole bunch of hints and clues that might allow her to put it together. Or at least make her aware of the posssibility he might be interested... so she'll pay closer attention in the future. In the end, I don't know what tonight did or did not do for her awareness. Especially since she isn't feeling well."

"So.. what do you make of him, though? He seems like a nice guy, to me. But sometimes women pick up on these things better." He searched her expression, curious, and smiled amusedly. "Any alarm bells when you spoke or danced with him?"

@Arnyn
Gladhron couldn't help but notice how much she was using his arm for support, and wondered a bit about it. But he didn't comment, and smiled slightly at her as they stepped outside. "Too hot in there?" He asked, hearing what she'd said when they stepped out. "Or, crowded?" He made a guess. It had begun to get slightly crowded, he had to admit. And he knew Gwestion would not have enjoyed that, so it made sense that maybe Arnyn would not, either.

After they had walked for a while in silence, he was a bit surprised when she spoke up to ask if he wasn't disappointed. He shrugged slightly. "Well, it isn't like I couldn't go back another time if I wanted to," He mentioned, making light of it. "Besides, I said I was planning to leave about this time anyway." He reminded her, hoping she wouldn't feel as if he'd only decided to leave because she was leaving. Which... well, yes, that was exactly why. But she didn't have to know that.

When she warned him that Tercen would probably tease him, Gladhron laughed lightly and shrugged, unconcernedly. "I can take a bit of teasing, don't worry." he grinned. "If I couldn't, do you think I would do as much teasing as I do? 'Don't dish it out if you can't take it', my father used to say." He mentioned. "Although he was usually referring to fighting," He added, then shrugged, stopping as they arrived at her door. "I'm glad you had a nice time." He added, smiling, then hesitated. "And, I'm sorry for..." Clearing his throat, he left off from that. She'd know what he meant. "Anyway... um, so.. are we alright? I mean.. I wouldn't blame you if you're mad at me..."

---

Ava laughed lightly as he pulled her into his lap, without caring how many people saw, or how they might look at them. One arm looped around his shoulders as she listened to him speak of how his sister could spot lies and notice tiny things, except when it came to matters of romance. "It was an excellent occasion," She agreed, wondering whether the woman would actually pick up on any of the hints her friend had displayed during the evening.

When he asked her what she thought of his friend, Ava tilted her head and leaned against him comfortable. "I thought he seemed nice." She shrugged, smiling a bit. "I noticed no 'alarm bells'." She paused, lowering her tone. "Although he did catch me off guard when he recognized my accent," she admitted. "I hadn't even noticed I had slipped back into it," She sighed. "I was.. not as careful as I ought to have been." She considered that briefly, letting her fingers trace along the gold trimmings on his jacket. "Do you think I need to worry that he would tell anyone where I am from?" She wondered, frowning a bit in concern. "He said he would not judge me by the actions of my countrymen, but... it also seems that maybe he has difficulty keeping his mouth closed about certain things..."

@Rillewen
"No, not too crowded. It was just getting a bit warm, yes. Maybe I should have chosen a different dress," she said with a shrug. "Warmth usually doesn't bother me - I am worse with cold than heat in fact, but... well. Don't people say something about the exception confirming the rule?"

When Gladhron pointed out he could always go back to the tavern sometime, she nodded. That was true. But his reminder that he had been planning on leaving around this time anyway... While considerate, it just didn't seem like a thing that would be foremost on his mind. Arnyn didn't want to point that out and possibly offend Gladhron, however, and she really could be wrong about it too, so she merely nodded again.

"Don't dish it out if you can't take it - is a good rule to go by, for teasing, too," she agreed with approval. She hated it when people did things themselves and thought nothing of it, but when someone else did it to them, they got upset.

They slowed when they reached her house, but Gladhron even went so far as to walk up the steps to her door. There, she let go of his arm and had to look for her key in her coin purse - which was still hidden in her dress. "You did too, right?" She asked when Gladhron said he was glad she'd had a nice time. While it was in a way debatable whether she had, she had still enjoyed parts of the evening to varying degrees, and if she had to do it again she would choose to step out of her door once more rather than spend the evening indoors - so Arnyn thought that counted well enough.

When he apologized again, her smile faded. "While it is nice of you to apologize to me yet again this evening, you should keep your apologies for tomorrow," she pointed out, referring to her request to come to headquarters. At his questions, she sighed. That was definitely what she would want to change, if she were able to start the evening over. "I know you did not mean any harm," she told him slowly. "And intent matters, too. But you know now not to speak of it to anyone who I haven't told you is directly involved, right? That includes discussing where Ava is from, for the record." She sighed. "I am definitely not happy about it. But you and Gwestion shouldn't have been able to even guess at Umbar. So it's on me, too." She shook her head. "We should leave it for tomorrow. Not end on a bad note, right?" She opened the purse to take out her key before closing it again. "I think I will follow my brother's suggestion: some tea, first, then sleep." Arnyn turned to her door and unlocked it, stepping half inside and turning in the doorway to look at her friend. "Thanks for walking with me. Night, Gladhron," she bid him with a faint smile.

---

@Rillewen
He did love it when she was decidedly un-prudelike and let him do things like pull her onto his lap in public without protest. "You cannot be perfect all the time, my lady," he teased her lightly, with a soft smile. "Just goes to show that you are not an actual spy, doesn't it?" he said quietly. At her question Tercen frowned. "I.. have no idea, come to think of it. I don't really know him well enough to say one way or the other. I would think he figured it out by now, though, if he has half a brain." Tercen's frown faded. "At least we will see him soon. You can ask him to keep it quiet then, just to make sure." He smiled. "At least he wasn't judgmental toward you, then."

@Arnyn
"Well, at least it looked very nice on you." Gladhron replied when she mentioned that she might ought to have chosen another dress. He smiled a bit when she agreed that the saying was a good one. He wasn't sure why he was pleased that she seemed to approve of the words, but perhaps it was because it had been something his father had used to say.

"Oh, I had a great time." He smiled, waiting while she got out her key. "Thank you for suggesting I come. It was really nice." His smile faded a little again when she said that he should save his apologies for tomorrow. He nodded, listening as she said she knew he hadn't meant any harm. "Yes, I know, now." He assured her. He could have said more, but when she went on to say they should leave it for tomorrow, he nodded. "Right." He smiled, agreeing that they should end the evening on a good note. "Tea and then sleep sounds like a good plan. I hope you feel better soon. Good night, Celume." He smiled as he waved to her, before she went inside. He stuck his hands in his pockets and set off on his way toward the gate.

---

Ava tilted her head and gave him a slightly teasing smile. "What? You don't think I'm perfect?" She asked, with mock offense. Though she wondered at the spy comment, and leaned in closer to speak softly in his ear. "Did you think I was a spy?" She asked, curious if he had really thought that.

She settled back a bit as he answered that he didn't know whether his friend would say anything, but that he hoped he would have figured it out. She thought for a moment. "I suspect, after this evening, he realized he had spoken too freely about the one matter, anyway." She mentioned. But that did not mean that he wouldn't go home telling everyone he saw that there was a lady from Umbar here in the city. She hoped he wouldn't. Maybe she should've asked him to keep it quiet, while they were dancing.

"Yes, I suppose we will see him tomorrow." She agreed. There should be an opportunity then, but what about in the meanwhile? She drew in a slow breath, and let it out with a little smile. "But it is no good worrying about that now." She declared. "Let's enjoy the rest of the evening. Do you want to dance again?" She asked, smiling.

@Rillewen
When she closed the door, Arnyn frowned. Had she mentioned to him she wasn't feeling well? She hadn't thought so. Wondering if she had been so obvious, she frowned as she lit some candles and oil lamps, in the hallway and then the living room. She didn't like a dark house while she was still up and moving about. It didn't take long before she went into the kitchen to put on the kettle.

After selecting a tea blend and while waiting for the water to heat up further, she lit a small fire in the fireplace. Just a few small logs. Even if the cold had been nice upon leaving the tavern, she wasn't crazy about it indoors. At least, not this cold.

With the little fire lit, she rose reluctantly to pour her tea and add in a very small amount of belladonna.
Soon, Arnyn got comfortable on the sofa, underneath the softest and biggest blanket, thoughtfully staring at the cup on her coffee table. She went over the events of the evening as the tea cooled enough for her to drink, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling. It had been sort of a strange outing.

Arnyn picked up the cup and sipped it. It tasted like the blend she had selected, the belladonna's taste hidden among the other flavors. It didn't take her long to finish her cup. For she was tired. She took out the pins holding up some of her hair and put them on the coffee table. She rose to fold the blanket and put it back in its place, then took the cup back to the kitchen and immediately washed it. Upon returning to the living room, it seemed a little wasteful to have the fire lit, no matter how small it was, without her present. But she was tired, and her vision was starting to go a little as she noticed the - by now - almost familiar effects of the poison kicking in. She scooped cool ash onto the fire until it went out again, saving most of the logs for the next day.

By the time she was going around the living room to put out the candles and lamps, Arnyn had to really focus. She could not bump into anything now. With the small flames, that was much too dangerous. But being careful was costing her a great amount of energy, and that wasn't doing much good. Especially not on a basically empty stomach, which had been going on for 2 full days now. She could hardly feel what she was doing anymore as she put out one of the lamps. On her way over to the other side of the room, her toes snagged on the side of a rug, and she stumbled, lost to gravity, and fell.

On her way down, she grabbed onto a side table - without a candle or lamp on it. Rather than have it help her, however, it came crashing down with her.

Groaning, splayed out on the floor, Arnyn used the last of her energy to check whether she had taken any nearby candles down with her. No. Thankfully not. Exhausted, her head lowered to the rug. Blackness took her.

@Rillewen
"Perfect where it counts," he replied smoothly, without a flicker of thought or hesitation. When she whispered into his ear, he grinned. "No," he murmured, having to fight the now very strong urge to kiss her. It distracted him from her concerns over Gladhron, and when she asked him if he wanted to dance again, he was eager to offer a nod. "Most definitely, Temptress." Soon enough, the two of them found themselves on the dance floor once more.

@Arnyn
Gladhron hardly thought about having said anything about her not feeling well, and once she had gone inside, he set off for the gate. He smiled and greeted the guards at the gate. He paused for a moment to chat, after one of the guards spoke to him, and ended up talking for a few minutes. He might have gone on talking for a while, but one of the guys commented on his clothes, and how he looked sort of dressed up. And then, suddenly, he remembered. The tie. He had left it with Arnyn.

After realizing this, Gladhron took a moment to decide. Should he just wait and get it tomorrow, or should he go back? She had seemed like she was tired and ready to go straight to bed, but he hadn't spent all that much time talking, right?

After a few seconds of indecision, Gladhron hurried back down the street. Reaching Arnyn's house, he was glad to see that there were still lights on. He knocked on the door, hoping she wouldn't be annoyed at him for disturbing her. It wasn't like the tie was that important, of course, but he didn't exactly like the idea of having to return to the house without the whole outfit that he had left in, since it was borrowed.

---

Tercen's reply brought a grin to her face. An excellent answer, of course. Not that she'd expected anything less, but she was pleased. She was also pleased that he did not think she had been a spy. Of course, if she was, that meant she would have done an excellent job at hiding it, but she was really just glad that he did not seem to have been suspicious of her.

She got up from his lap, smiling as he led her to the dance floor. "This is a wonderful evening." She informed him, smiling softly. "Are you disappointed though, that your sister left already?" She wondered, tilting her head at him as they danced. "I know it was initially meant to be a night for you and her."

@Rillewen
The knock on the door to Arnyn's house was met with nothing more than silence. No sound or movement seemed to come from within the house, despite the lights coming through the windows to the hallway and the living room.

@Rillewen
He smiled at Ava's question as he led her across the dance floor, one arm around her waist, the other holding her hand close to them, since there was little space to speak of between them. "I would have preferred for her to feel better, which would have meant she'd stayed longer," he agreed. "But disappointed? Almost every downside has an upside, Temptress," he added. "Now I don't have to split my attention. And I am all yours."

He decided then, that decorum could go take up residence in the chasm of Mount Doom. Tercen angled his head down and brushed his lips against Ava's. His arm tightened around her and he deepened the kiss, taking his own sweet time with it. If people had been jealous before...

@Arnyn
Gladhron waited a little bit, debating whether it was silly to have even bothered going back for the tie. But, considering all the other rules and expectations that had been mentioned to him before this evening, he thought there was no telling what sort of 'rules of polite society' he might have broken simply by removing the tie. Apparently even unbuttoning his collar a bit could imply something or other, and he had no idea what the valet might say if he came back without the tie he had been wearing when he left. Especially if the guy heard that he'd left it in Arnyn's possession. Who knows what sort of inappropriate, hidden messages that might imply!

While he didn't really mind too much however it might reflect toward himself, he didn't want to give any sort of poor reflection toward her, in anyone's eyes. So, here he stood and waited, in the cold. Waiting, in hopes that she would come and answer the door. He frowned after waiting a little while, however. The lights were on, so he knew she must still be awake. But this seemed like a long time to wait. She had heard the door, right? She must have. He hadn't been all that quiet about knocking. And he had also not taken all that much time before returning. He guessed no more than fifteen or twenty minutes had passed since he said goodnight.

After a reasonable time had passed, he knocked again. And waited. Then, sighing, he paced up and down the porch, debating. Was it really worth bothering her about it? She had not seemed to be feeling well, he remembered, and had also seemed anxious to get to bed and sleep. Passing by a window that was next to the door, he glanced in, some part of him thinking maybe he could see if maybe she might be coming for the door. Or was she ignoring the knocking on the door?

However, when he glanced in while passing the window, Gladhron blinked and looked again, doing a double-take, eyes widening in alarm when he caught sight of not only Arnyn, lying on the floor, but some little table turned on its side, the contents sprawled on the floor along with her. As if she had fallen into it or something! "Celume?" He called, knocking on the window urgently to try and get her attention and rouse her. He got no response from her, however. "Celume? Arnyn!" He knocked louder, but still no response. This was bad. Why was she on the floor? Was she alright? What happened? Had there been an intruder lurking in her house? Had she been attacked?! Or.. was this something to do with her not feeling well? He realized after the initial thought, that the latter seemed more probably.

"Arnyn!" He called again, then took a glance around, wondering what to do. He didn't know anything about her neighbors, or whether they were the sort of people that he could ask for help. And he didn't know if she would want him to go waking her neighbors or anything, anyway. But he assumed she might need some help. People didn't just fall over and lay unresponsive on their floors, unless there was some bad cause for it. Should he hurry back to the tavern and get Tercen? But that was a ways down the street, and she could potentially be in need of urgent help. What if she was in serious trouble?

After taking a quick moment to check under the doormat, around the doorframe, and a few other places he thought people might hide a spare key, he decided to try seeing if he could force the door open. How did people do that, anyway? He'd never tried it before, but he assumed that it involved the knob somehow. However, when he put his hand on the knob and prepared to try turning the knob that he assumed would be locked, figuring he'd use his shoulder to push the door open... he was surprised and confused to discover that the door was not even locked. What? How..?

Whatever. Without wasting time to question it, Gladhron hurried over to Arnyn's side, first checking that she was actually alive, for he had feared the worst when he saw her lying there, not moving. To his great relief, she was alive, but he had no idea why she was unconscious. "Celume?" He was starting to wish he knew more about first aid, like Gwestion, but at least he did know enough to drag over a footstool or chair, or whatever was closest, and prop her feet up onto it so that her feet were elevated. He grabbed a pillow off of a nearby chair and tucked it gently under her head, and after a second's thought, he then took off his cloak and spread it over her. "Arnyn, can you hear me? Wake up.. please be alright, please.. wake up..." He muttered as he tried to check if she had hit her head on anything, but he could see no bump or anything. "Celume?"

---

Ava smiled in amusement as he pointed out that 'every downside has an upside' and that he now did not have to split his attention. Which meant he could give all of his attention to her. She certainly didn't mind that, and grinned up at him as he said this. "Mm, how can I argue against that logic?" She asked, pleased to have the rest of the evening just with him.

When he leaned down and kissed her, she hummed softly in happiness and slid her arms around his shoulders, welcoming the kiss without protest. She didn't even care if they were breaking any sort of etiquette rules or not. If he didn't care, then why should she? If they were asked to leave, well, it might be a bit disappointing but there was a nice house up on the fifth level waiting for their return. And it wasn't as if they actually had to be in a tavern with musicians and such, just to dance together. If they were asked to leave, and still wanted to dance, there were plenty of nice, open spaces at her house that would work just as well for dancing.

@Rillewen
She could hear something. Could she? Yes. And she was moving. No, it wasn't her - she was being moved. The darkness tried to keep its grip on her. It was so easy. She had been asleep. Why was someone trying to wake her? Wasn't it night?

And why was it taking so long for her to wake up? Her head felt like it was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She was probably still dreaming.

In her dream, someone was talking to her. Someone was touching her head. Yet she felt no panic. She heard her name, then. 'Celume?'

Oh. That's why she wasn't panicking. Arnyn's head turned slightly toward the voice. "Gladh," she mumbled, her head still swimming. "Cares enough to notice." Her head turned away. Her hand lifted, brushing against him and then moving back, as if she hadn't expected to find anyone there. She felt a sudden need to open her eyes, finally getting the sense she was waking up. She forced herself, and saw her ceiling. This is no dream at all. What am I doing on the floor?

@Arnyn
For a moment, his concern grew. She wasn't waking up! What should he do? He struggled not to panic, to try and remain calm. That's what Gwestion always said to do. Stay calm, try to think clearly. Should he take her to the healers? If she didn't wake up in the next few minutes, he made up his mind that he would. Because it shouldn't be this difficult to wake her. Something was wrong, and...

And that was his name! He caught his breath, relief flooding through him as he heard her mumble his name. She was waking. Thank the Valar. He breathed out a sigh as she stirred. He.. cares enough to notice? Notice what? Whatever that meant, he didn't know, but he was just glad to hear her speak, and to see her move. Whatever had happened, she was coming around at last.

As her hand lifted and brushed him, he gently took hold of it and held her hand and continued to hold it as she finally opened her eyes. "Celume," He sounded relieved. "Are you hurt?" He asked softly, the worry plain on his face. And what happened? He wanted to ask, but decided not to overwhelm her with questions right off. She was probably still a little disoriented, maybe trying to remember what happened, herself. Meanwhile, as she got her bearings, he was trying to get a look at her eyes and see whether he could tell if anything was noticeably wrong with her, that he could see, like any sign of concussion or anything of the sort.

@Rillewen

Pharak saw the make of the younger man’s face, when he but suggested they had time for any of the rogue citizen’s own errands. It would not have hurt, to learn more about what mattered to the youth after all, or perhaps to see a demonstration of the potential which the oddity seemed to be exuding. “You are used to having to take care of things by yourself,” the Burn Man quietly observed. For surely there had been an element of surprise that he spied, in the reaction to his offer. And the tone that he now offered to Ademar was almost sympathetic, as though a stranger from some far off place could ever really understand. The Umbarian set his gaze deep within a scrutiny of his unlooked for ally.

“Another time, perhaps,” he suggested. And it sounded like a promise, maybe to one who would hope it was. “We will start there,” was all he gave up to the youngster’s confused questioning. For as the Gondorian had said, it was best they were already about it. That ‘smile’ again …


The now-priest had not spent years physically urging foodstuffs out of the sheer earth. Still he had lived through what would have killed a lesser man. And through sheer commitment to his convictions, he would have hauled the dead weight of a drunk man through the streets of the First Circle singlehanded if he had to. He was however, glad he would not actually have to.

A few faces glanced over from their tavern’s carouse, but to observe Addhor being assisted without any personal involvement out of the establishment, and .. presumably .. toward his home .. must have truly been a scene as common as the youth had reported. There was no concern, nor explanations required. The Umbarian was close to disappointed at the anticlimax, and came nigh to declaring their alibi al the same, to have sure that it was noted. But instead he worked the door to allow their departure, with his accomplice less visible beneath the oblivious lump that they bore. Given the nature of their slowed, haphazard departure, there was no chance to even throw a backward glance at what they left behind them.


In no time at all, his ‘tour guide’ gave up some useful information. Not only of which direction they ought head, but also the make up of the household they would thereby come to. The drunk, an old lady, and ‘an annoyance’. Given the earlier admission that Addhor was the father of a certain ‘greatest enemy’, that would suggest that the third family member was the drunkard’s son. So unlikely then, by age, to be the Umbarian’s own nemesis. Warning made of a further ‘annoyance’ next door, and the likelihood that Pharak would be distrusted if seen with the fellow from the pub, supposed that a further of the numerous ‘greatest enemies’ resided there. The Priest was unconcerned.

The streets were barren of people, littered by the usual things that people dropped, and flavoured by the occasional distant screech of a house cat. The lamps were blazing but silent sentinels, and nobody so much as peered out of their shuttered windows. Still the trudge of their journey was wearisome enough that when the young Gondorian pointed out a stable squatting unassumingly upon their route, they decided to rest a short time there. It might be prudent after all to share at least what the Burned Man expected of his unforeseen ally. Convinced that such a stop was a place few would frequent at such a late hour, Pharak assented and they laid down their load, by the water trough, and took a short seat not too far away to make with urgent whispers.


“You said, his family will ‘think nothing’ of his having to be brought home in such a state from the tavern,” he reminded his young friend, because it would be time well spent to keep the Gondorian engaged in their errand. Curiosity and concern for his own motives would have likely kept such an assistant to task until now. It was time for a further bite of the bait. “They will not suspect even a stranger then, who has performed the service. That gets me inside the house, it hands me their trust,” he explained.

Pausing to check that their ‘alibi’ had neither woken, died, or wandered off in the meantime, Pharak took his attention then back to Ademar. “I came here to put right what I allowed to go wrong years ago. I let a man live, a man who cost me all that I had worked for, who would have seen me from this world. So before I take him apart piece by piece, I will see his life turned to such anguish as he will beg me to end him.” There was no real need to mention that his current appearance was due to this unhappy encounter .. and with hope any who might by the slightest chance at all have overheard any of this, could not come away from the sound, believing that the man about his hunt was not in fact owed his revenge on the one he sought.


The Umbarian placed both of his hands upon his lap. One hand stretched too white of skin that it resembled an all encompassing blister. The other ravaged by the coiled welt of an uneven purple tumour that might be some part of his insides that had reared up in great pain and became caught there at the surface, ever frozen after in the visible reaction to hurt done. “His name is Raxelilta,” The confession accompanied a sharp glance back over toward their unconscious third wheel. “Not that one,” he shut down any misconception on his audience’s part.

“Though he seems near of an age to the man whom I hunt. I believe they must share blood. There is a likeness. My quarry would have been abroad outside of Gondor, many years ago. I do not know if he returned here since or no. But I shall find him. Or provide him the incentive to find me.” Pharak paused to lick what might pass for lips upon his ruined visage. “So now I must ask you. Do you know of any information to bring either one or both of these conclusions to being ?”

@Ercassie
“You are used to having to take care of things by yourself,”

To this observation, Mar shrugged. "Well, sure. Who else is going to do it?" He pointed out. Not his weak brother, who always used to come home on the verge of tears, rather than deciding to make those others suffer for treating him that way, like Mar did. The fact that Mar was the cause for the other kid's actions was a fact Mar chose to ignore. But when the scarred man suggested 'another time, perhaps', Mar gave him a rather curious look. Who was this guy, and where had he come from? He had mentioned traveling from a long way, and yet his accent sounded not much different from some Gondorian's he'd heard. Belfalas, if he wasn't wrong. That wasn't exactly 'far', but whatever.

The thought that this stranger was even taking an interest in Mar's own personal vendettas against the Five.. made him curious. Was he actually suggesting that he might aid him in this thing? That was... odd. Most people, he had noticed, tended to frown on the sort of attitude that Mar had toward his former schoolmates. If they ever found out. Which, well, alright, no one ever had. But that's because he knew without having to tell any of them that they would frown and disapprove and tell him stupid things like 'let it go' and 'forgive' and 'you're crazy'. Or some other nonsense like that. Because they weren't the ones who had been wronged. As he saw it.

Dragging the invalid down the street wasn't exactly the most enjoyable task, but the hope of what would come from it gave Mar enough intrigue to see this thing through, in the hope that he could see the end result. Yet, though the man wasn't too heavy for him to manage, he was glad for a chance to put him down and rest.

Mar stretched his arms as he joined the other man on the bench after depositing their burden by the trough. Turning as his new ally reminded him of his words in the tavern, Mar nodded to show he recalled what he had said, and that this was accurate. "Right. He's been a drunk as long as I can remember." He shrugged. "Far as I know, it's a routine thing for him to be brought home by someone, too drunk to stand on his own." He explained. Mar had used that very fact to taunt the man's son, on plenty of occasions.

The man's plan was interesting, or as much as Mar was told of it. He nodded slowly with understanding, as well as approval as he realized how very smart that was. "Ah.. good thinking," He agreed softly, with a slow smile. But what then, he wondered? Murder them all, and then leave the drunk to find the bodies? Perhaps make it seem that he had done it!? Mar was on the verge of suggesting just such a thing, when the man began to speak again.

Curiosity stayed him from speaking, then. So, another Raxelilta had become a nuisance... What else was new? Mar gave a thoughtful little nod as the man went on to speak about how he wanted this man to endure such anguish that he would beg to be ended. That sounded reasonable to him. The description of this other Raxelilta, however, piqued his curiosity. When he ended by asking if Mar had any information about these people, the young man leaned forward on the bench, his hands curled around the front edge of the bench, on either side of him. He let out a low, quiet laugh, finding it extremely funny how he and this man had just happened to run into each other. Such an interesting coincidence!

After a moment when he managed to get his amusement stifled a bit, he straightened again and turned back to him. This was great. He leaned in a little closer, eyes shining with eagerness to finally put his 'vast' knowledge to some 'good' use. "I've spent years gathering information so that I might someday use it against them." He explained, quite pleased with himself to have finally located another who shared his hunger for revenge... and against the same family!

"As for this fellow costing you all you had ever worked for... it does seem to be a common trait of that family, to do that sort of thing." Mar commented with a note of bitterness. "I've had to work hard for years to keep the youngest one, and his friends, from costing me the one thing I ever cared about." He offered no further explanation to that, however, and instead began to offer up what the man had asked for.

"So, anyway," Mar nodded toward the lump over by the trough, "That one's name is Addhor. I call him 'the Cripple' or 'the Invalid', to myself." He explained, then tilted his head thoughtfully. "Though, it sounds like the one you want is his brother. That one is called Domanol," he shared, while keeping his tone hushed. It would be no good to have his voice echoing all down the street, after all. "He went off years ago, same day as the Cripple's wife, in fact." Mar smirked. "I always liked to taunt Anal-mess with that, saying his uncle and mother ran off together and are somewhere far away, happily making babies together." He smirked, but went on. "From what I've heard, they both took off when Anal-mess was about two or three, and hasn't been seen since. He's just a bit younger than I am, by the way." He paused, thinking as something else occurred to him. "Although, everyone figures the uncle got himself killed in some sort of ranger mission or something that went wrong. That whole ranger unit was reported to have been wiped out." he recalled, frowning a bit. "Maybe he isn't your guy after all."

@Rillewen
Someone repeated her name. Arnyn blinked and turned her head. Oh. Gladhron was actually here. Wait, what? He left! How was he suddenly back here? To find me... unconscious. On the floor. The realization of the state she had just been in, of the state she was still in now, of what he had walked into... Embarrassment coursed through her and she flushed from the neck up. A big part of her wanted to snap at him and send him out. Just so she wouldn't have to figure out how to react to this. To him seeing her like this.

But she couldn't simply do that. Arnyn drew in a deep breath and removed her feet from the footstool. It was only when she thought about touching her head that she became aware of the fact he was holding her hand. With a slight frown, she looked at her hand in his. My thinking. It's so... slow. Her dark eyes flicked to his. She was trying to think, to assess what she might have to say - but the wheels of her mind weren't quite turning like she wanted them to.

"I don't think so," she replied at long last to his question, her cheeks still red while she was trying to sit up. "Didn't you leave?" she asked, frowning and wondering if she remembered it wrongly.

---

@Rillewen
Seven Stars. That little sound she made. Tercen still kept them dancing - though that was an exaggerated way of described how he kept them swaying and moving in a slow rotation as they kissed.

They definitely got some looks. But he didn't notice. And no one asked them to leave.

He came to his senses before he could lose himself. He pulled back, breaking the contact between their lips and looking her in the eyes. And he felt that strange feeling again - the one that seemed to well up from his chest, and which made him want to tell her... things. Such dangerous things.

Don't go.

Stay with me.

Don't leave me.

He tore his eyes away from her, to survey the part of the room that he could see. He could say none of those things, he told himself firmly. He'd known what he'd been signing up for.

Except, of course, that he hadn't had a darned clue.

@Arnyn
When she turned her head and looked at him, recognizing that he was there, Gladhron silently breathed out a sigh, feeling relieved that she was apparently returning to alertness. Belatedly, he realized he was still holding her hand. She seemed to be trying to sit up now, so he used that as an excuse for continuing to hold onto her hand for a moment longer, as he aided her as much as she might need. Since she began trying to stand almost right away, he frowned slightly in concern, unsure if she ought to be standing this soon, but he helped her up nonetheless, one hand gripping her hand so that she had a strong support, and the other hand lightly at her back when he noticed how unsteady she seemed. "Here, maybe you should sit down," He urged, moving slightly to her side as he guided her toward the nearest chair, one of the armchairs in the living room. Idly, he thought that in a way, with one hand at her back, the other holding her hand, it was almost as if they were dancing. Except that this was not dancing.

"Ummm," He felt his own face growing a little warm as he addressed her question, 'didn't you leave?'. "Yes, I did." He answered. "I came back because.." He paused. "well, it sounds kinda stupid, I guess, but i remembered you still had that tie," He admitted, a little embarrassed by how ridiculous it sounded. "I know it could've waited, but since I hadn't passed through to the next level yet, I thought I'd come back and at least see if you were still awake." He explained. "Your lights were on, and then when I glanced in the window I saw you there on the floor, with all that stuff knocked over," He hoped she wouldn't be upset at him for his reaction. "Your door was unlocked." He added, pulling up another chair so that he could sit across from her.

He still wore a very worried expression. "You scared me, Celume." He admitted softly. "I thought.. I don't know what. But I was worried. If you hadn't woken up soon, I was wondering if I might need to run you up to the healers on the sixth or something," He admitted, realizing he didn't know if there was any other place to find healers in the city. "What happened, anyway? Are you alright?" He frowned. "I could tell you weren't feeling too well, but I didn't realize it was anything serious..." Her eyes looked rather large, he observed, now that he'd been looking at them more carefully. Come to think of it, they'd looked about like that all evening, hadn't they? Was that normal? He wondered about that, but he was not really a healer, and didn't know what to make of it. "Did you hit your head on anything?" He glanced toward the table and its contents, strewn onto the floor.

---

She was glad that no one came and asked them to leave. This was nice, and she did not want it to end. Ava smiled up at him once he had pulled away and looked into her eyes, until he looked away. She rested her head against his shoulder, content to continue dancing that way until the end of that slow song. She wanted to enjoy every moment with him.

Because all too soon, she would be going back into the danger she had wrapped herself up in. It would be all too easy to stay here and enjoy this time with Tercen, but she could not forget the people left behind at her estate, and her responsibilities to them, as their lady and protector. She would have to return at some point, or she would be abandoning all of those people to whatever fate might befall them. And it would not be pretty. But she did not want to think about any of that right now. For tonight, she wanted to enjoy this evening, this moment, with Tercen.

Eventually, the slower song came to an end. She looked up at him with a content little sigh, smiling softly. Would the next song be slow, as well? Or a faster one, to get people moving around again? She wouldn't really mind either.

@Rillewen
He helped her sit and stand up. She didn't let her pride get in the way and refuse the help, because her instinct told her that trying it on her own would probably end up in her making a complete fool of herself. So Arnyn leaned on his hand and even held onto his other arm with her other hand when she got up to her feet. Her legs were wobbly. So was her head. When Gladhron suggested she sit, and started leading her toward an armchair, she scowled. She had just managed to get up. Now he wanted her to sit?

Well. At least it was in a chair. Not on the floor.

She listened to him explaining that yes, he had left, but that he had also returned. Because of the tie. Which was still in the pocket of her cloak. "You came back because of the tie," she repeated slowly, though her tone didn't convey any doubt or mockery. It just sounded like a statement. She avoided his gaze when he went on to say he had seen her lying on the floor through the window, and how her door had been unlocked. All things that could be blamed on the effects of the poison. All things that might also be explained by her saying she wasn't feeling well, she supposed.

It became difficult to avoid looking at him when he pulled up a chair to sit opposite from her. As he explained how he had not just been worried, but scared. She held back a sigh as she reluctantly raised her gaze to him again. She didn't want to look like she was trying to hide anything, after all. "I haven't been feeling well for a few days, now. I haven't eaten much. I haven't been sleeping much. It's taking a toll." None of these were lies. "I don't think I hit my head," she added. "If I can get some food and some sleep, I should feel better. You shouldn't worry too much." A risky statement, she supposed, after what he had just walked into. "I suppose I was too tired to remember to lock the door. I'm sorry for giving you a scare."

@Arnyn
He offered a little shrug and a sheepish smile when she repeated back his reason for returning. "I know.. it's ridiculous," he acknowledged. "It's just that it was borrowed, and.. I don't know." He felt a bit silly admitting the reason he had come back. It definitely sounded absurd, but at the time it had seemed a little more important, somehow. But at least she wasn't ridiculing him about it.

When she explained that she hadn't been feeling well, and that she hadn't eaten or slept much in two days, Gladhron sat back slightly, a little stunned. Two days? He gave a slow nod to this information, wondering what sort of sickness she was dealing with.He was glad to hear she hadn't hit her head, at least. "No need for you to apologize," He assured her with a little smile. "I only hope you aren't upset with me for coming in and all," he added. "I just didn't know what else to do, seeing you collapsed on the floor like that.. after it had been evident that you weren't feeling too well."

"Um, would you like me to see if I can find you something to eat?" He offered, concerned and hoping to be of some help here. "I'm not a cook or anything, but I can probably manage to forage something from your pantry, if you want?" He didn't think it would be good for her to try getting up and walking around too soon, after all. She'd seemed awfully unsteady, while he was helping her to the chair, and he didn't want her falling and passing out again or something.

@Rillewen
Her explanation seemed to satisfy him. Thankfully. Even if he did look taken aback at her not having eaten or slept much. It had only been two days. It wasn't that bad. Arnyn breathed out a little laugh at his response. "Honestly I'd take more offense if you'd seen me lying on the floor and wouldn't even have tried the door," she told him. "What kind of friend would that make you?" she pointed out. "Besides, I hadn't realized I hadn't locked the door. At least now I can still do that."

His offer of finding her something to eat, made her lean her head back against the armchair and look up at the ceiling. "Clearly, you don't know how empty my pantry tends to be," she mocked herself, whilst she wondered whether or not to agree to his suggestion. Would she be able to keep it down? She couldn't really be sure. But she had to give it another try sometime. As long as he'd be gone by the time she might hurl it back up - it shouldn't really be a problem. She needed to check whether she could keep something down, anyway. "Alright," she said tentatively, looking back at Gladhron. "But - good luck. You won't find much. That being said, feel free to take something for yourself as well." Her lips curled up. "As long as you don't mind the very limited and rather uninspired selection," she half-teased. It might be good to draw some attention away from how he had found her.

---

@Rillewen
They danced. Again and again. To slow songs. To more active tunes. Tercen enjoyed them all. Time seemed to slip away, like grains of sand through their fingers, because before they knew it, midnight had come and gone. With a low mumble in Ava's ear, Tercen suggested they return to her house. They only needed to be at headquarters shortly before lunchtime, the next morning. That should give them another hour or two before they really needed to sleep - and he intended to make the very best use of that time. At the very least, he wanted her to remember what it had been like to spend time with him.

@Arnyn
Gladhron relaxed and smiled faintly at her reply about the door, and him coming in. "Yeah, well, you never know how people are about that sort of thing, from one place to another." He shrugged slightly and sat up, feeling glad she wasn't upset.

The fact that her pantry was mostly empty brought a little smile. "Clearly you don't know how good I am at locating things to eat," He joked, standing up. "I'll see what I can find." He smiled. Before he went to the kitchen, he stepped into the hallway and righted the little table that had gotten knocked over, then put the things back on top of it. Perhaps not the way she'd had them, but at least they weren't on the floor. Then he went to the kitchen.

He returned with some bread and cheese, a couple of apples, and crackers, arranged on a plate which he set down on the coffee table. "You're right, there wasn't much, but hopefully this'll be enough." He smiled. "Did you ever get that tea you mentioned having? I could heat water for you?" He offered, unsure whether she might want something to drink along with the bread and crackers and stuff.

@Rillewen
Arnyn smiled faintly at Gladhron's response. "Clearly," she repeated quietly, waiting for him to step out of her line of sight before she dropped her head back against the armchair again, trying to both rally herself and assess whether she'd be able to keep anything down that he might bring her. Mentally, she scowled.

When Gladhron returned and set down a plate, she eyed it thoughtfully, before looking over at him. "More than enough," she agreed, knowing she should definitely take it easy. "I had tea, yes. I don't need more. Feel free to have some tea or food, yourself, though. If you intend on staying until you have actually seen me eat," she remarked, raising an eyebrow. She had a feeling Gladhron wouldn't leave until he was either certain she had eaten enough not to black out again, or until she demanded that he left.

As if to prove a point, she picked up a cracker and took a small bite. At least she didn't want to gag. Slowly, she finished it. "Happy?" she asked, half in jest. "If it appeases you, I can sleep on the couch." Then she wouldn't have to climb the stairs. "Somehow, I think I might actually sleep halfway decently tonight." She was just... so exhausted. She'd have to be able to sleep tonight, because of that reason alone, right?

"The tie," she continued, "is still in my cloak pocket. In the hallway, on one of the wall pegs," she told him. "Feel free to take it, yourself."

@Arnyn
Gladhron raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to actually stick around and witness you eating?" He asked, in a teasing tone. Though, he did take her up on the offer, and chose a slice of bread with a slice of cheese. There was plenty more left for her. And it did give him a little excuse to make sure she had eaten a little. He was still concerned, after all. Observing as she took a bite from a cracker, he smiled when she asked if he was happy. No, he wasn't really. Because she was feeling so ill that she had not eaten for two days. Because she'd passed out. Because she had not said anything about how bad she was feeling, and he had twirled her so much tonight, and maybe made her feel worse, before he began to realize that she wasn't feeling well. But he didn't say all of what he was thinking, and just gave a little nod. "Better." He agreed.

He was chewing a mouthful of his little snack when she mentioned that she could sleep on the couch. He took a look at the couch in question, wondering if she'd be comfortable enough there. When he had swallowed, he shrugged. "You know better than I do, whether you will feel steady enough for stairs." He mentioned. "But if you do decide to sleep on the couch to avoid the stairs, if you'd like me to, I could grab a few things for you? A blanket, pillow, whatever you say." He offered. "Or even an arm to lean on if you don't want to stay on the couch, but don't feel like you could make it up the stairs?" He offered.

Then she reminded him of the tie, which he had come back for. It would definitely be frustrating to have forgotten it again! Not to mention ridiculous. "Oh, right. I better grab that right now, or I might forget again." He laughed, getting up, and went to grab it. He was trying to fix it back around his neck as he returned to his chair. "I'd be pretty annoyed at myself if I went back to get this, then left again without remembering to get it." He grinned in amusement. That would be just like him, he figured.

@Rillewen

Of all the reactions that he might have met, given what he had just shared, the young man’s laughter was .. interesting. Pharak was not a man, after all, who tended to inspire .. laughter. But for all that, the mirth did not have the taste of mockery about it. The enthusiasm too, .. might have simply been an indication of the stranger’s youth. But .. no. The Umbarian felt as though this was more than merely that. The local had not walked away. He had not even registered surprise at the Burned Man’s admission. Of course, the Gondorian had made his own admissions this eve .. Including that the drunkard had ‘seen something’ that clearly this young man did not want revealed, especially to the people who he held in enmity. But to be ready to commit or even simply assist in a murder .. in order to cover up this secret ? That must be some secret !

The Burned Man regarded the other again now, retracing his earlier intrigue, of a soul so tender in years who had not one but multiple ‘great enemies’. Apparently these were ‘the youngest one and his friends’ .. Childish grudge then ? Any notion that this claim was simply dramatic exaggeration .. died in the moment that Ademar disclosed that he had ‘spent years gathering information’, that simply ‘might be used against them’. What sort of a man did that ? A patient man .. a vindictive man. A man with his own version of ‘the one thing’ that he’d ever cared about .. Pharak’s tale citing a want for vengeance, .. had been the right choice to share, clearly. Because honestly the Umbarian had a job to do. More than that, a calling, a duty .. and the personal satisfaction he would get out of it, was a delightful bonus. But divulging his true devotion and cause … here .. now ? Such things were ‘foreign’ and strange for the people here. At least for now. Small steps .. take a person into where they never imagined to go, and never even realised they were already there, until they dared to look about them. The Shadow had guided him toward this youth, but for mere information, or something more .. he did not yet know. He would never have expected to find such a one .. here ..


“Domanol ..,” the name seethed out like smoke through Pharak’s teeth, and his eyes fell under a half lidded shade as he turned over the memory in his mind. The intel was accurate then, for he had not fed that particular name to his informant. He was getting the truth. And the drunk was apparently his quarry’s brother. Which would make the young ‘annoyance’ .. yes, his target’s nephew. And the old woman ? Since the wife and mother figure had apparently left them, the obvious conclusion was that the mother of the two brothers was the one still at home. And the youngest was .. a few years younger than the generous speaker here.

The name which Ademar used for this ‘annoyance’ made the Umbarian raise his one remaining eyebrow in surprise to hear on it’s first outing. What manner of names these people give to their children ?! The stranger might have shook his head. But then he recalled how the same vindictive young man had said he refers to Addhor in less than glowing terms also. A moniker then. As well as an insult. Who could say how the ‘annoyance’ had earned such a one though ! It was the Priest’s turn to stifle his amusement.


“The whole ranger unit save for Domanol was wiped out,” he corrected the younger man’s grasp of the situation. “I dislike loose ends .. ” One withered hand dismissed the rest of what he might have mentioned. The implication was not subtle. The laughter, timed with hearing about an entire Ranger platoon being decimated .. only further betrayed the Umbarian’s opinion about that loss. An accomplishment it had been, in fact, almost. “But he has not been back here since he left,” Pharak surmised. And if the family had even entertained the rumour that the man had run off with his sister-by-law .. it did not sound like they’d heard from him since. Though they might have kept that quiet, given what else had happened in Harondor.

“The wife who left is insignificant to my ambition,” the Burned Man leaned back and admitted. “She does not bear the same blood. And the brother ..” A weary glance back toward the unconscious drunkard rallied a slow sigh. Would have been the closest match. Alas .. “He is already .. broken. So it comes to either the mother or else the nephew of my errant prize who must pay what is owed.” He paused so that his eager young friend might have chance to correct him, if it was not in fact the ‘mother’ at the home as he suspected. “Old women serve some use to relay a distressing message and fall apart with failing health and little challenge,” he continued then, “more so than young men who might be prone to think on trialling revenge for their own sake. And the odds of our fallen friend here speeding up the demise he seems to be managing in slow time would be vastly increased if we rob him of what he brought into the world.” The Umbarian pondered, with a disdainful sniff back in the drunken man’s direction. The promise of robbing the clan of their youngest, their future … it did appeal .. “It is decided. See me and my key here to the door of your enemy. When we are close enough, you ought remove yourself, as you say. In case you are seen by .. ”


A sound, a step, more than one step heralded a new arrival heading toward the stable. And this one sounded neither staggering or senseless. Pharak raised his hand to order the silence, he had just put on himself. “Have him out of sight,” he whispered to his willing confidante, with a tilt of his head toward the drunk still stored by the water trough. “I will not have some other rob us of this now !”

And so saying, the Umbarian then headed toward the stable door. But who he found there, it was tempting to turn back, to learn .. how had this been managed ? The young man he found before him near the entrance was .. the very same one as he had only now left behind him ?

@Ercassie
It seemed the name Domanol was indeed the one his new friend was seeking. Mar's interest was piqued. So, the uncle had lived? He wondered how that had come about, but he gave an understanding nod when the man said he disliked loose ends. "Same," He muttered, with a glance cast toward the cripple lying on the ground near the horse trough.

He looked again at this unlooked for friend, when he began going through the reasons why the runaway wife was no use, that the cripple was 'broken' and the mother too old and such. Which left Unalmis. Mar smiled at that. Decided, indeed. He had no idea what the guy meant to do, but he hoped it was truly horrible and that his long-time nemesis would suffer tremendously.

He was nodding to agree to the plan of getting away before he was seen, when the sound of approaching footsteps alarmed him. Mar's gaze snapped toward the door. That sounded like the tread of a guard, if he was not mistaken... but what guard? His heart skipped a little as he worried that his own brother might see him here. If he did, and then something awful befell the Raxeliltas, as he and his friend were plotting.. Ric would surely make some connections. But if it were not his brother, and some other guard saw him here, then Ric could easily fall under suspicion, himself! Unless... they could do away with whoever it was. If it wasn't Ric...

The older accomplice suggested he get their 'key' out of sight, which was a good idea. Mar leaped up from the bench and grabbed the drunk, dragging one limp arm around his shoulders as he tried to haul him up a bit. But there was not much time in which to accomplish any of this, and he didn't have time to get him out of sight. The quickest solution he could think of, was to drag him toward an empty stall and lean so that it would appear, at a glance, that someone was being sick over here. And that someone else was there to help, to support the sick one.

Meanwhile, his heart was pounding. And when he heard the voice the spoke, he cringed. Of course, it would have to be him. There went the idea of getting rid of the guard, for he would not have his brother harmed. Yet, he could also not let his brother see him here. So, he made sure to keep his face carefully concealed by ducking his head down, and waited, tense and anxious about what the scarred man might do or say.

---

Patrolling the streets at night was often a rather boring job, Ric had found. The most interesting thing to happen all week was some commotion in one of the taverns, where some drunks got into a fight. So, when he had thought he saw two.. or was it three? figures slip into the stable down the street, the young guard paused to consider what to do. Had he imagined it? Was it the shadows playing tricks on his eyes, making him see things that weren't so? Or was someone actually sneaking around? Was there a horse thief? He shook his head slightly, trying not to get carried away with imagined excitement. Best to go and check it out, he realized.

So here he was, checking it out. And when a man met him at the door as he was opening it, Ric was a bit startled. Not just because of the fact that someone was, in fact, there, but.. well to be honest, his face was a bit startling. Especially in the dim light, with shadows cast over, somewhat distorting the already distorted face.

Immediately, Ric felt bad for reacting with a start. "My apologies, sir," He hoped the fellow hadn't noticed, or that he did not attribute the young guard's reaction as being in relation to the scars covering his face. "I hope I'm not disturbing you and your companions," His gaze strayed past, to where another man appeared to be doubled over, with a younger supporting him. Sick? Or injured? Ric couldn't quite tell. "I thought I saw someone come in here, and.." And obviously, he was right. Ric offered a little smile. At least his uniform would be easy to distinguish, making it clear that he was an official guard of Minas Tirith, on duty. "I was only checking that all was well. May I be of assistance?" He asked, with a little nod to the other two. "Is everything alright with your companion over there?"

@Rillewen

Gael had smiled to hear Renia’s ‘secret’, even as Airelen clapped her hands together when Trev let them all in on the wonder of the slide, and how it was supposed to work. The little girl was certainly no worse for wear though from her own attempt, for she had literally sprang up from her mother’s lap and ran over to cheer the ‘Princess’ on her own turn.

The veiled lady had almost cringed then, as the younger woman removed both her socks and her shoes. Feeding her hands into her cloak pocket as though she somehow felt the cold that Renia must feel, simply by observing her bare feet against the cold slide. But they waited at the bottom, with the mother seizing her daughter around the waist from behind, and walking her slightly more back out of the way, so that nobody got bowled over .. this time.


“Ta da !” the little girl giggled as she copied at least only that much of the older girl’s example. “But you have to go up the adder. Silly Princess !” she remembered the news, and wagged a tiny finger even as she smiled, unbothered really.

As the ladies then observed Trevadir begin his own example, thankfully Airelen had sat down beside her mother, to watch, where she could not be in the way. Where she was in fact beginning to try and unlace her shoes .. until Claery came over to shake her dark head at the child.

“No no no, ..” the maid bade their mischievous charge. “Mermaids don’t feel the cold as much as we do. Because they’re part fish.” She winked, and spurred on a back and forth winking, blinking, crazy eye twitching contest between them.


With a nod Anardil marked the young Thormaetha’s attempts to keep things .. safe. He had certainly not forgotten all that the pranks and teasing and play he had endured from his cousin and Trev over the years, but that was in the past now. He was able to respect the younger man’s newer maturity. Well .. maybe maturity was not the correct word, he was forced to concede, as the young adults indulged in play with the small child. Who, having managed to release her foot from one shoe, shook her head at Claery and then threw the freed shoe out across the playground where it struck the wooden horse.

“Bad horse !” Airelen pouted almost immediately, and pointed out the culprit as though the inanimate object had somehow managed to ‘steal’ her shoe. Shaking his head, Gildolen had managed to subtlely remove himself of Anardil’s hushed counsel, and intervened to retrieve the tiny piece of footwear, dropping to his knees to offer it back to Airelen as though she was a queen. A tiny socked foot was duly extended and waved in his general direction, so that the valet struggled to secure the shoe back in place. And then hasten after her, as the girl ran off, before he could finish lacing it up. Every few steps, the child stopped, squatted almost in wait and then took off anew when the young man nearly had reached her, laughing her small head off the whole time.

As Claery took up the chase, pursuing the smaller girl in overly clumpy steps while they both screamed, running all around and round the horse, Gil gave up and Anardil came in close to his wife. The squire smiled as she leaned her head back against his shoulder, although that was the whole of their contact. The man moved more than once as though to wrap his arms around the lady, but in the end, did not seem to dare until she grasped them for herself, and locked them in her own. The valet meanwhile got back to his own feet, shaking his head as he watched Claery catch, pick up, and then hold the smallest of them upside down. Both the child’s parents hastened to her rescue, which judging from the laughter that the small girl was erupting, was not a priority, at least not to her.


“His name is Gildolen Lhacrist,” Claery had managed to extradite herself from the knot of people, and came over to stand between Trevadir and the valet. “You didn’t know .. before ..” she pointed out, that she had overheard the rest of the introductions. “He’s Trevadir” she glanced over to let Gil know. As though he did not already.

“I know,” he told her back. As Gael wrapped her daughter in a hug so that Anardil could finish lacing the deviant shoe meanwhile.

“You weren't the one who hit him in the face, were you ?” the maid enquired then of Trev. “He won't tell me who it was, But he's clearly avoiding you,” the observant young woman shrugged.

Gil sighed, and wished that the sea would rise and wash him right away, like Numenor. Or .. maybe just wash her away, come to think of it.

@Rillewen

For the first time since they had met, Pharak had noted a sense of apprehension in the young Gondorian’s eyes. And now .. he knew why ? No. He knew exactly nothing in the exact moment that the Guard entered the stable. Glancing behind him to check that he was not drunk himself .. the Umbarian watched his young ally ‘helping’ his intoxicated countryman, over to one of the stalls. Unfortunately the Guard had come in with time enough to see it too. Though the assistant’s face could not be observed from their angle.

The man who had just entered had an expression of some shock that almost equalled the Burned Man’s own surprise. He clearly was not what the Guard had expected to find, and the feeling was definitely mutual. Any concern that they might be in trouble though was not .. immediately apparent. The intruder was all politeness but had clearly observed that they had entered the stable, so knew they had not just brought horses in .. and he had thought this might require his involvement … Did he believe them to be thieving horses ? Had he seen his lookalike and been similarly intrigued enough to come and investigate ?


“Good evening, officer,” Pharak recalled his untrue accent easily, and yet refrained from smiling .. That would have been .. quite premature. “What an unlooked for .. intervention ..” he remarked then, honestly. And took a moment to recover himself somewhat. This went far beyond a racist assumption of ‘all Gondorians looking alike’. The face which had just come upon him was quite literally identical to the one he’d been conversing with the last hour or so. Yet the dress was not. There were undoubtedly two of them.

“I am afraid I could not rightly say that all is .. ‘well’ .. exactly,” the Umbarian admitted, awash from the surreal situation. Few things shocked him in this world, but this ? !! This ?!! This was beyond all of the outrageous things he had seen in his life. “My new friend here has found himself a little worse for wear, after an evening at the inn. And I was just helping his son, .. ” he glanced in the direction of the crowded stall, “to get him safely back home. He vomited I’m sorry to say, all over himself. The father, that is, not his son. So we stopped to wash him off before facing his mother. As I am sure you understand. I am sorry if we are trespassing or something but ..” he stopped just short of claiming that they meant no harm. “It is Addhor Raxelilta ..” he paused and watched to see whether the name meant as much to the Guard as it had to his double. If the drunk was as frequent a stumbler home as had been implied. And whether the drunkard’s son was as much of a detested foe to this mirror image as well. Hopefully, if so, it would discourage the Guard from insisting on providing assistance.

Because by now surely the young man who’d been so obliging thus far could not have missed hearing his own voice .. just feet away. And there was come no call yet from him for the Burned Man to not know panic at this strange turn of events. Oddly cooperative Gondorians did not quite extend to cooperative Guards .. it seemed. Still there was nothing that was not odd about all of this. Was this .. something to do with the young man’s treasured ‘secret’ ?

He could only wait to see if anything became more apparent.

@Rillewen
She rolled her eyes when he asked if he 'had' to watch whether she ate. "No," she said pointedly. "You do not need to. I will eat whatever I want, and not eat whatever I want, regardless of your presence or absence." Even so, she decided to take another cracker and put a slice of cheese on it, this time. Gladhron would probably not accept her only eating a single cracker... Besides, if she was starting to be able to keep food down again, she should have some more anyway. Especially if she was planning to train Taras in the morning.

His comment about the stairs made her frown a little. "I never said I couldn't make it up the stairs," she grumbled. "Only that I could sleep down here if it would make you feel better about leaving me here. Because I'd understand if you would want to exclude... that... from happening a second time as a possibility," she explained slowly, choosing not to put words to how she had fallen and passed out. "Before I actually got some sleep." She shrugged.

It was better to hear him laughing, than to hear talk of how he could help her in her weakened state. Arnyn was not used to finding herself in such a position, and she could feel the very core of her being protesting against letting anyone in Minas Tirith seeing her like this. But Gladhron, just like his brother, was not in her unit, nor even a citizen of the city, she reminded herself firmly. She didn't need the high walls with him. And he had always given her the impression that she was enough, just the way she was, beneath it all. So he could see her like this without her needing to panic over it, right?

The thought of him forgetting the tie again, after having specifically returned here for it, made her smile while he went to retrieve it from her cloak. Arnyn watched his fumbling with some amusement as she took another bite of the cracker with cheese, then shook her head while she chewed and swallowed. "You are making a mess of it," she told him, smiling, as he reclaimed his seat opposite from her. Arnyn put down the cracker and leaned forward, beckoning him with a hand to do the same. "Come on," she suggested. "I'll help you with that." It was the least she could do, after he had helped her just now.

@Arnyn
"Kinda figured that." Gladhron answered with a slight smile when she answered about the eating/not eating. The fact that she was starting to eat a little bit was reassuring, however. He wished he'd found a bit more from her pantry, but at least there was that much.

As for her getting up or down the stairs, he frowned slightly. "I'd feel better.. if I knew you were going to get proper night's rest, and that I need not be worried you might fall down the stairs." He shrugged. "But I never said you couldn't make it." He pointed out. "I said, 'if you feel like you can't make it'." He wasn't about to try telling her what she should or shouldn't do concerning that. She'd probably only do what she wanted to do, anyway. After all, it had become known that she and Gwestion were very similar, and he could just imagine his brother being that stubborn.

After retrieving his tie, he sighed when she told him he was making a mess of it. "I can't see what I'm doing," He replied. And he had never tried wearing one of these before. When she offered to help him, he briefly considered saying that he could handle it, but then he relented, knowing that he probably would not manage. Pulling his chair closer, he let his hands rest on his knees so not to be in the way, and held still to let her take over. "Thanks." He said quietly, grateful to her for the help.

---

@Ercassie
The stranger's admission that all was not well brought a bit of concern for Ric. Was there in fact some sort of trouble that he could aid these people with? He would almost welcome something to break up the monotony of the shift, but really he wanted to be able to be of help, if needed. That was part of his job, too, after all. He was just about to ask what the trouble was, when the man continued, explaining the situation without Ric having to ask.

As he heard the explanation, Ric nodded slowly. In fact, those involved sounded an awful lot like... even as he was thinking it, the name was dropped. Addhor Raxelilta. And his son. Ric felt his shoulders tense up slightly at that news, and his gaze inevitably flicked toward the young man in question. There was just enough light from the street lamps shining in through the open door that he could see, now that he was looking, that the man was indeed missing one leg. That verified it well enough for him to not doubt the stranger's claim. And there was no reason he knew of that he should lie about who the young man was, so although he could not see any of his features, he had no cause to suspect it was not Unalmis. Almost without realizing it, Ric took a slow step backward, unsure whether to expect hostile words. Or, more likely, given which of the Five it was, he might threaten to do some sort of mean prank on Ric at a time when he least expected it. And he had been on the receiving end of such pranks often enough in the past, that he did not want to instigate anything of the sort.

"Ah.. I see." He answered hesitantly. Was it too late to withdraw his offer to help? Swiftly, he thought for the best way to politely and tactfully get out of this. He forced a little smile at the man in the doorway. "In that case, I'm sure Unalmis is better skilled at this task than I am." He let his voice lower slightly. "I doubt he would thank me for interferring, and so I shall not intrude upon you any further." He dipped his head slightly as he took another small step back. "Good evening, sir, and good luck." Realizing that might sound a little vague, he added as an explanation for it, "with the mother, I mean." He did not know what the woman might be like, but he knew what his own mother was like, and luck would certainly be needed if he had come home in such a condition.

With that, he cast another glance back toward the pair in the stall before nodding in farewell to the other man. Then he set off down the street to continue his patrol... and put some distance between himself and Unalmis... just in case the latter was getting any ideas.

---

Mar held his breath throughout the exchange, partly because he was anxious about how this might turn out.. but also, the cripple had been lying in the washroom floor. And although he hadn't really vomited on himself, he did smell. Maybe the horse stall they were in was partly to blame, but whatever. He waited, listening carefully to all that was said. It was smart of the guy to claim that Mar was the cripple's son, he noted with some approval. And although he couldn't have known the effect it would have upon Ric, Mar did. He gave a tiny smile to himself as he heard the subtle change in his brother's voice. 'Ah, I see'. He was going to flee. Mar could tell right then, he wouldn't persist in his offer to help.

And sure enough, he soon produced an excuse to get away and leave them to it. As soon as it was clear, Mar shoved the cripple off of himself and let him fall where he was, sighing in relief as he turned back to face his unexpected ally. And looked warily at him. What now? "He won't be back," He assured him, wondering whether this was going to be a problem, too. Now, not one, but two people had seen them both! Somehow, though, Mar felt as if this guy was.. different. And he had said he came from far away, so.. it wasn't like the guy was likely to start going around Minas Tirith blabbing to all that he had a twin, right? "It's good that you didn't let him know that I was here," Mar continued, stepping closer. "My brother may look like me, but he is.. quite different in his thinking. It's best that he doesn't know the truth." He explained, folding his arms, wondering what to expect now.

---

@Ercassie
"Ohhh, sorry, I guess I did it wrong." Renia shrugged apologetically, but didn't stop smiling. The kid was super cute, and she was having a lot of fun. Although she did feel a bit bad when she saw the girl trying to copy her by taking her shoes off! "That's right!" She agreed quickly with Claery. "Especially us Northern Mermaids." She added. "You know, not far from where I grew up, the whole sea turns to ice in the winter! Trev can tell you all about that, he once got stuck in the ice there." She added.

At the mention of that, Trev cringed a little. "Not something I'd like to talk about," He muttered, and hoped very much that no one would ask him to tell too much about that. It was not a good memory for him. It was a little startling then, when Airelen threw her shoe at the little play horse and declared it to be 'bad'. Trev couldn't help wondering if that was some lingering effect of having been nearly trampled by one, but he didn't comment. Instead, he claimed one of the swings with a little smile as he watched the scene play out.

While Renia tested whether it would be just as much fun to go down the slide by climbing the ladder first, Trev glanced up when Claery came over and offered belated introductions between him and the fellow with the black eye. Trev nodded, acknowledging this. "Good to meet you.." Trev answered, though he got the feeling that the other young man did not agree. And Trev could not think of what he might have done to inspire such dislike toward himself. Unless... could it be that this guy knew who Trev's father was? Did he think that he might be like Dev?

He was pondering about that when the maid asked if he had been the one to hit Gildolen. Trev blinked. "Me?" He glanced at Gil, then back at Claery. "No... why?" He looked again at Gil, a little curious if there was some reason why Claery would think he was the one who'd hit him. Then it dawned on him. "Ohhh. Wait.." Trev straightened up a bit in the swing. "Are you the guy who was following my sister around? Staring at her all the time and stuff?" Trev asked, frowning a bit as he grew suspicious. "She said her friend had ended up hitting the guy, and gave him a black eye..." He added, to explain what had made him think there was a connection there.

@Rillewen
She raised an eyebrow at him. "And I never said you said I couldn't make it. But you did make it sound like I was thinking I couldn't make it. Which I am not," she clarified, half amused at whatever this need was to keep correcting each other - apparently. She did not comment on the proper night's rest, however. How could she make any promises on that? The night would be what it would be - the poison ship had sailed, so to speak. She could only ride the waves, now.

Humour flickered in her expression when he said he couldn't see what he was doing - as if that would be the only problem. "Did you tie it yourself, the first time?" she asked innocently while he pulled his chair closer so she'd be able to reach the tie without having to stretch her arms too much. Arnyn slanted her head as she undid the atrocity he'd been creating, and his quiet 'thanks' made her smile a little. "If so, there is a mirror in the hallway..." she said more quietly as well, her tone casual, though if he'd look at her he'd see she was teasing - and obviously figured he had not tied it himself earlier. She also didn't stop what she was doing to wait for a reply, though her fingers did pause momentarily to remember what the fancy thing had looked like before and in which style it had been tied. She gave it a first attempt, frowned slightly and undid her own attempt, to try again. She slanted her head the other way as she judged her efforts. "That looks about right, I think."

@Rillewen

The Northern seas had claimed more than one victim, so that Trev had no need to fear of any of the small crowd loitering about that subject. The death of Arvedui, last king of Arthedain in Arnor was a well recorded incident. Still rather less known but still significant to the Belfalasian family at hand was the apparent sinking of the ‘Serendipity’, which had lost them Lord Edhelmir Azrubel and many of his crew off the coast of the Wethrin Isles. It might not be so far north as Forochel, but it was North enough for the Southerners to shy away from asking on the young man’s exploits in those climes.

Thankfully Airelen was engaging both her parents’ attention, as she made an attempt to run back to the ‘spinnner’ and they were forced to give chase.


“She’s your .. sister,” the valet’s surprise was steeped more in relief than disbelief. So that was why this young man resided with the two young women. Gildolen was glad to hear it, though he could not have made himself explain why. Not here. They would laugh at him, here. For thinking overmuch upon such things. And as Trev realised what else might explain a good deal of the recent goings on … the Belfalasian lost the small smile her had found. Now they would definitely laugh at him, for caring about decency. When he had been ..

“It was never my intent to trouble her with my fascination,” he began, and then frowned even to hear the try at an excuse. And as he prepared to drop down onto the swing beside the other young man, of course Claery got there first. Her eyes intent upon the back and forth, as though she craved the gossip as any other soul craved air to breathe. The valet awkwardly avoided the maid’s pilgrim swings, until he sidestepped to where she could not collide with him.


“Though please don’t think I’m trying to make out that what I did was any kind of accident,” he admitted then, both hands burning from contact to the cold pole which supported the hanging seats. The accent and way of speech betraying him with every word more he spoke. But that ought be no surprise. Given which household employed him. It was only Claery who had been brought in .. off the street. Literally .. “I did as you say. I will not lie,” Gil persevered, “I often found myself upon the same paths that she took, or loitered where I had last observed her,” he allowed, and brown eyes flickered at the ground before he confessed. “Neither can I regret a solitary moment spent in such recreation.”

“Gracious !” Claery spilled the word in wonder beside him. “Do you want to hit him now ?” she asked Trev, with a slow shake of her head. “That’s his sister, you fool !” she reminded her colleague and suddenly threw her head back, as she swung meanwhile, amused by the show.


“Not a solitary moment lest it be the unhappy conclusion,” the lovelorn young man admitted, as he recalled that although Iole had not hit him herself, neither had she stopped or even berated her friend for having done so on her behalf. “Have no fear. It is over," he sighed, and pushed his grip off the swing supports. "I won’t do it again.” he promised, and prepared to walk away.

@Rillewen

The Umbarian watched, he waited. As the city Guard reacted to the tale he’d been told. The Drunkard’s mere name gave up alibi enough for the rest of the account. But the response .... The intruder had all but backstepped. Was that on Pharak’s account ? His one brown eye narrowed and the scarred face tilted aside, that he might better angle his sights of this .. familiar face. The light was more begrudging here than it had been even in the dingy tavern wash room. For who would wish to study much of what would be found there ?! Naught to be found there, that might be so astounding as this. The waiting gaze met Ric when he turned back from his distant inspection of the stall. It watched. It waited. It wondered …

That eye had observed many examples of discomfort, in the last score or so of years. The awkward want to flee from close proximity. The regret for ever having come upon such a … sight. It was all here, and he recognised each drop of the Guard’s abash. But he knew as well, that it was not for his sake. Well, at least not all of it.


Then stammering excuses were hurled like ammunition. A false smile faltered over the young trespasser’s face, as though it did not quite fit. Because it was not the smile that Pharak had already grown to expect from that face. It was a cuckoo, hatched into some other mother’s nest. The Umbarian followed Ric’s line of vision, to behind him, to the stall, and back. A polite little dip of the head was offered before the Guard fumbled through his want to escape. But he left something behind him.

Unalmis, the man had spoke. That was a new name. And accompanied by an inflection … For the young intervention did ‘doubt HE would thank me for interfering … ‘ Pharak turned back as though expecting to see some proper explanation, for this sudden want to go, this urgent retraction of a kind offer to help .. He’d been right then. This one had history too, with his double’s ‘greatest enemy’. The Umbarian sucked on his lower lip, until it threatened to prune. The Guard made short work of his exit in the meantime. And the Burned Man calmly went over and watched the departure some more, before he closed the stable door.


‘He won’t be back ..’ the other claimed. The first face. Together the thrown conspirators began to feel their way blindly about the surprise that had just struck them both. Pharak blinked slowly, and let the Gondorian speak, even as his own mind conjured up answers, and considered .. Unalmis ... the Guard had assumed. Was that this strange new cohort’s name ? No, he shook the possibility away, as fast as it had formed. For had the youth not swiftly confirmed that the Guard had not recognised him. The would have thought that the second figure about the stall .. was the Drunkard’s son … Of course. Unalmis .. ‘Anal-mess’. A smile could not help but twist the Umbarian’s jaw in a base amusement at the word play. His young friend here had wit … He also had … a brother.

“I had a brother once,” Pharak gave up the information, nonchalant, as though his late sibling was a phase he had grown out of, long ago. “Yours … is a Guard ..” he stepped, still slow but sure to cover the vacuum of curiosity they had been circling around. One hand raked sharp nails along the underside of the scarred jaw, thoughtfully. “He may think more differently to you than he looks. But he has no more love than you do for your foe. He had no want to help … Anal-mess.” The Umbarian froze then, as though the moonlight, which funnelled in from a high loft window caught him directly in it’s path. Painting the man’s unusual visage in a more eerie light than before.


“I bet you have to do all of the things he wishes he dared to want for himself.” Pharak supposed. And as he dropped his hand, he chuckled to himself, shaking the scant hair on his own, very unique, head. As he found himself come back close to the face who had no fear .. the Umbarian stopped short in his chortles. “Tell me I’m wrong ..”

@Arnyn
"Umm, no. I did not." Gladhron admitted, grinning slightly as she teased him a bit. "I didn't know you had tie-tying skills." He commented, slightly surprised, but then recalled that she had a brother. "Did you practice on Tercen, or something?" He wondered, genuinely curious. He rested his elbows on his knees while leaning forward so she could work on the tie. It might seem a bit awkward, but at least that way she didn't have to get up. He had no idea if she was still feeling shaky or not, and didn't really want to risk it.

While she worked, he couldn't help but look at her face. She really did have such pretty eyes, he thought, smiling ever so slightly at the thought. When she finished, he sat back and touched the knot with one hand, as if he could judge how it looked from touch. "Well, let's see then." He declared, getting up. "I'll see if that mirror in the hall actually works." He grinned and went over to the hall to take a look. "Perfect!" He declared, smiling as he returned. "Thank you."

---

@Arnyn
A part of him had been very pleased to find that he had today off from training. Not that he would have objected if he had been scheduled for it, but since he was not, he was pleased. That gave him the entire day to... well, celebrate, in a way. In his own way, the best that he could. For today was both sad, and yet also one that he would always commemorate in some way. Aearonor's birthday.

He hadn't quite made up his mind what he was going to do for the whole day, yet, but he did know that a trip to the bakery was definitely in store. And this. He took a deep breath of the crisp, pre-dawn air as he reached the top of the wall and looked out over the still-dark scene below.

"You're back again?" Galudor asked incredulously.

"What? I have a day off every week, you know that by now." Trastion rolled his eyes, but smirked.

"Yeah. Day off." The other emphasized. "That means you're supposed to sleep late and enjoy the relaxation, not do extra, unnecessary training stuff."

"Well, call me ambitious." Trastion shrugged, pulling on his gloves. "I haven't found any proper climbing places around, so this'll have to do."

"Yeah, and what'll you do when the workers finish the wall and take down the scaffolding?" Galudor asked, shaking his head a little.

Trastion frowned. "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." He smiled. "Besides, I've got a few months before they'll even get back to it, right? Then however long before they actually finish." He shrugged, then climbed over the wall and onto the scaffold's surface, where the workers would stand to conduct the repairs to the wall. From there, he climbed down to the support, underneath, to begin his extra-curricular training exercises,

Meanwhile, Galudor shook his head in nervous wonderment. "Man, you're crazy." He declared under his breath, practically holding his breath as Trastion began his pull-up routine. "Isn't that support thing a bit cold? There was a heavy frost last night, you know..."

"Why do you think I'm wearing gloves?" Trastion grinned in amusement. The frost wasn't bothering him, nor impeding with his grip.

Galudor folded his arms and leaned them on the top of the wall, peering over the edge as he nervously watched the ranger trainee. "I'm telling you, one of these days..." He muttered, very uncomfortable with the height, though he was safely behind the wall. He was so focused on the young man hanging from underneath the scaffold, he was really not paying much attention to anything else. Nothing else ever happened around this time of the morning, anyway, so he was a little glad for some break to the monotony, even if it did make him anxious. But so very few people were ever up and about at this time of the morning, he saw no reason why he shouldn't at least keep an eye on the guy. As if there was even anything he could do, if something went wrong...

---

@Ercassie
“I had a brother once,”

The comment caused Mar to tilt his head in curiosity, thinking over this bit of information. "Did Raxelilta take him from you?" he wondered. Could this be why he was so bent on revenge against the man? Not that the reason mattered much to Mar, but he could not help some curiosity. "That is what the nephew tried to do, to me." He added quietly, in further explanation. Although, his idea of 'taking away' might differ vastly from the other's, he did not elaborate on that. It was enough that it had happened, once upon a time, and he was not one to forgive. Ever.

He did, however, let out a little sigh. "Yes, mine is a guard." He agreed, folding his arms as he listened to the rest of what the man said. A little smile tugged at his face when he heard his ally speaking the name that Mar had assigned to his enemy. Looking at him in the moonlight, Mar took a moment to consider how much, if anything, he wanted to reveal of their situation, to this stranger. He did not feel intimidated, though many probably would have. Rather, his intrigue was only intensified by how the light gave him an eerie look. Even his chuckling had an eerie intrigue to it. There was something about the guy that fascinated him. He felt somewhat drawn to him, even. As if he could trust this guy with secrets he'd never told even his brother. Could, not would. He still kept up his guard.

But he let out a little sigh before going back to that bench. "Yes, I've had to manage things, for both of us." He confessed. "To protect him, partly, though he may not agree. He would not think my actions aligned with his wants at all. My brother has never dreamed of harming anyone, no matter how much they deserve it." He grumbled, shaking his head. "He backed off because... he thought Anal-mess would be annoyed at him for intruding. And my pacifist twin would rather apologize to a bully for getting beat up by them, than do something to retaliate and teach them not to mess with him." Mar scowled. "I've had to instill that fear into them, on his behalf." He paused, then sighed as he looked up at the man. "And, if you were entertaining any thoughts of inviting him to aid us in this plan, you'd best forget it. He's sincere about the guard thing, unfortunately."

---

@Ercassie
"Want me to spin it?" Renia asked Airelen, skipping over to join her at the spinner device when she saw her heading that way. The blond 'mermaid' wore a bright smile as she stepped onto it with one foot. "Let's see if we can get it going as fast as Trev, shall we?" She offered, thinking it might occupy the girl for a few moments and give her parents a moment to catch their breaths.


Trev took the guy's response as a 'yes', then. "Same as, yes." He answered with a little nod. "And I'm very protective of both my sisters, I should add." He mentioned, with slightly narrowed eyes. The guy seemed nervous, insisting that it was not his intention to trouble her. With his.. fascination? That raised an eyebrow slightly as Trev wondered what exactly he was getting at. Especially when he said he didn't want him thinking it was an accident that he'd been scaring at Iole. "Yeah, we kinda figured you weren't 'accidentally' stalking her..." Trev answered, folding his arms as he looked back at the guy with a small frown. "So, you admit it, then?"

It was hard not to smile, honestly. It was not hard for Trev to read between the lines of the other guy's poetic speech and realize that the guy was smitten. Trev, though, wanted to know if the guy could take a bit of pressure. And maybe he wanted to make him sweat a little. Find out his intentions, just like he'd done with Mourgan. Though Cali was a strong minded young woman and well capable of making her own choices in such matters, he had still felt a level of protectiveness, and wanted to be satisfied for himself that the guy was good for her. And Trev felt that Iole needed that sort of protection from her brothers far more than Cali did.

Claery's intervention made it all the harder for Trev not to grin in amusement. He forced a scowl onto his face; something he was pretty good at, though usually it was in place of another sort of emotion. But now the guy was starting to walk away! "Gildolen," He called after him, standing up from his swing. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't?" He challenged him. Inwardly, Trev was hoping, that if he cared for her as he seemed to be claiming, that he wouldn't give up so easily. Iole deserved someone who would not give up on her... and Trev had a suspicion that if anything was going to come out of this... it was going to take a lot of patience, determination, and perseverance on the part of the fellow who was interested in her.

@Rillewen
She had to smile when he asked if she'd practiced on Tercen. "No, this isn't really his kind of thing. But perhaps you can imagine what it's like if you're a ranger living in the barracks and are suddenly expected to dress up for some military ball. I learned in the Hyandaner common room," she told him. "Where all the fellows went who couldn't quite figure it out amongst themselves and their roommates." Her smile grew a bit at the recollection. "It's been a while, however," she added.

When he leaned back, so did she. A little grin worked its way up to her face when he got up to take a look in the hallway mirror. He seemed pleased with the results. "Looks like I've still got the magic touch," she grinned, picking up the cracker with cheese again. "Glad to help." Contemplating whether or not to sleep upstairs, and what each option entailed, she took a bite. After swallowing, she smiled at Gladhron. "Well. You have your tie," she stated. "Don't feel like you have to stay. You didn't want to return too late, after all," she reminded him.

Figuring she had best lock the door this time, Arnyn put the cracker down again to press down on the chair's armrests, so she would partially push herself to her feet. Standing seemed to go alright. Not wasting much time, she started off toward Gladhron and the hallway, but staggered briefly as she passed him. Without thinking, she grabbed Gladhron's arm. She managed to steady herself quickly enough, and gave him an apologetic look. "I was just going to get the key," she explained. Looking at his face, she frowned slightly. "I don't have to tell you... not to mention anything about this to anyone? Do I?"

@Arnyn
Gladhron smiled slightly at her talk of the barracks and such. "Must have been interesting," He said, thinking how he probably would have been one of those fellows. And also how interesting it would've been to live in such a place. He found it somewhat hard to imagine, really, but he tried.

Soon though, she pointed out that he had his tie. And therefore, no further reason to stay. And she reminded him how late it was. "Ah... right." He nodded, not wishing to overstay his welcome. "Thanks again." He said, in reference to the tie. Then when she started to pass him, he was a bit alarmed when she staggered and caught herself on his arm. He immediately reached out to help steady her, if needed, but she seemed to recover quickly. His concern remained, however. And he wanted to ask if she was sure she wanted him to go. Yet, at the same time, he didn't think she would accept anyway. Besides, he didn't want any sort of rumors to start up about her.

The matter of whether to mention this to anyone was, honestly, the furthest thought from his mind at the moment. He blinked when she mentioned it, dragging his thoughts away from his concern over her and worrying that she might end up tumbling down the stairs, to instead consider what she'd just asked him. And then he hesitated. "Not even Gwestion?" he asked with a small frown. He was also her friend, after all. "I mean, of course I won't mention it if you don't want me to, I just.. usually we talk about almost everything." He explained, wanting to make sure on this point.

@Rillewen
She could see his hesitation. Not even Gwestion? She knew Gwestion could keep his mouth shut - and even that felt like an understatement. And perhaps it was not very kind of her to request him hiding this from his brother. But still... "While I am certain Gwestion would not speak of it to anyone, even if you did not request him to do so, I would rather not have anyone else worrying about me," she answered Gladhron, speaking more quietly and slowly. Her gaze was difficult to decipher as she assessed his facial expression. "You are not exactly masking your concern, Gladhron," she added. "Yours is more than enough, and, unfortunately, inevitable given what you walked in on. So - yes... I am asking you not to mention anything about this - not even to Gwestion."

"Please, Gladhron," she added after a moment. "This is my personal business." She was still holding his arm, only intending to let go once he had definitively agreed.

---

@Rillewen
On most of her mornings off, Arnyn went to watch the sunrise somewhere. While she usually went up to the Sixth, which gave better views, today she had not wished to venture so far at such an early time. Even though the effects of the poison were letting up, even though her physical reaction was visibly imporving... she still felt tired. No longer utterly exhausted, as she had before - but tired. In fact, she had intended to sleep in. But her body had not received the message. And Arnyn had awoken by no accord other than some kind of internal clock that clearly did not wish to see her fully rested.

It was in somewhat of a mood that she was trailing the wall along the Fourth Circle, waiting for the sunrise. Hoping that would cheer her. For she found there were very few other reasons to bring a smile to her face, or peace to her mind.

A ways ahead, she saw a guard resting his arms on the wall. As she approached, she noticed he seemed to be looking at something below. Still several yards away, Arnyn curiously peered over the wall. To see...

She blinked. It was still dark, but... that was clearly a young man, hanging from that scaffolding, performing pull ups. A young man that looked suspiciously like... Taras? Her heart beat faster and her eyes widened as she took in the scene.

After a moment, the Lieutenant narrowed her eyes. Thinking. Clearly it would not be prudent to startle either of them. Doing pull ups one hundred feet away from the ground beneath your feet was dangerous enough as it was. She would bide her time. She would wait. And if the guardsman should see her, she would come closer and put a finger on her lips to indicate he should not say anything to indicate her presence.

@Arnyn
Gladhron gave a little nod. "Alright. Not even Gwestion, then." He agreed quietly. He had a suspicion that if Gwestion heard later and knew that Gladhron had not told him, he'd be annoyed. At least, until Gladhron told him that she'd made him promise. "I won't say a word about it to anyone." He promised.

He smiled slightly. "I hope you feel better soon, Celume." He also really hoped she wouldn't pass out again, or worse, fall down the stairs. "See you tomorrow." He figured she probably wanted him to go, so she could get some sleep, and so he wouldn't delay any further, and once she had said anything else she wanted to say to him, he would leave.

---

@Arnyn
"I still don't know what thrill you get out of this," Galudor shook his head, observing the young ranger as he went through one one-armed pull up, then switch to the other arm.

"I still say you should try it," Trastion teased, hooking his legs around the support now.

"No way man, I'm not crazy enough for that." Galudor shook his head. "Besides, I do more than enough working out in the training area. I don't feel any sort of need to go looking for other places to do it. Especially on my days off!"

Trastion grinned and began sit-ups of a sort. "I guess.. I'm just more.. motivated." He said in between each sit up.

Galudor was about to reply, when he became aware of another person nearby. He turned, slightly startled, then recognized the lieutenant. But, seeing that she held a finger to her lips, he nodded and said nothing.

Trastion finished his routine and paused, briefly. Then, he did one more situp. In honor of his brother. Then he climbed back onto the scaffold surface, but stopped when he went to climb over the wall, seeing that Galudor was no longer alone. After a brief pause, he brought a fist to his heart in salute, then came over the wall to stand with them. "Lieutenant. Good morning." He smiled, trying to get some sort of idea what sort of mood she might be in...

@Rillewen
She let out a breath of relief when he promised not to tell anyone. "Thank you," she whispered as she let go of his arm. His words made her smile. "I hope so, too," she agreed. With only a nod at his statement he would see her tomorrow - for she was not looking forward to those headquarters meetings - she turned to find her key.

Once she did, she walked to the door - more slowly this time, and thankfully she did not falter this time. She was still glad to have the doorknob as an anchor as she opened it for him. "Thank you, Gladhron," she told him as he passed her by. Not for blabbing earlier, of course. Maybe... she should specify. "For helping, here. You're a good friend." Honestly, if the Umbar topic hadn't dropped at all, it would have been a really nice evening. Even with her blacking out and Gladhron finding her. Though that had also been far from ideal, she found she didn't mind as much as she'd thought she would.

He'd better really not tell anyone.

---

@Rillewen
She'd approached the guardsman while Trastion was doing the upside down sit ups, hanging from the scaffolding by his legs. And nothing else. She was sure of the latter now, closely surveying the scene. Arnyn watched Trastion climb up onto the work platform of the scaffolding, and neutrally looked down at her trainee when he spotted her and paused briefly.

In reply to his greeting, Arnyn did not nod. "Morning, Tras." She turned her head slightly to the guard beside her and offered him a nod. Her attention soon returned to the trainee who was now standing on her other side. She took a few steps back, so she might easily look at both men at once. "So, what is this?" she inquired, her tone giving away nothing.

@Arnyn
He nodded in answer to her thanks, and smiled when she elaborated. "Well, I try to be, anyway." He answered with a little grin. He gave her another little nod and smile before stepping out. After waiting a moment to make sure he heard the door lock behind him, he set off once again up toward the next level gate.

Hopefully, he'd be able to find the correct house in the dark, and not wander around the streets for a while searching for it. He also sort of hoped that most of the others would be in bed, so he wouldn't have to face too many questions...

(end)

---

@Arnyn
Galudor had saluted the lieutenant when she approached, but he remained silent, as she indicated. He waited, unsure whether he might be in any sort of trouble for allowing this to happen. Hopefully not.

Trastion, on the other hand, had to resist the urge to reply in a joking manner 'this is the wall'. He was tempted. If it had been most other people, he would have. But not Arnyn. He had too much respect for her to give such a sarcastic response to her inquiry, and he doubted it would go over well if he had, given the neutral look on her face and the way her tone was not giving away anything. That led him to suspect that she may not be amused, and therefore, would not be amused at any attempt at humor or sarcasm.

"Getting in a little extra training, that's all." He answered. "I haven't found anywhere to do any climbing around here. And, this isn't the same, but.." He shrugged and left the rest of the sentence to the imagination.

"I made sure he wasn't breaking any rules, lieutenant." Galudor put in, anxious to make sure it was known that he had not allowed any rule-breaking to occur. "I mean, I think it's nuts he'd want to do it, but it's not against the rules or anything. At least, none that I could find..."

"This is Galudor," Trastion explained, in case Arnyn did not know this guard. He was a few years older than Trastion, and he always worked the wall top post here, through the night, so it was unlikely that many people would have met him.

@Rillewen
"A little extra training," she repeated. Slowly. Thoughtfully. "A hundred feet above the ground," she added, her tone still sounding pensive.

Her gaze flicked to the guard - Galudor - when he proclaimed he had made sure Trastion was not breaking any rules. Arnyn gave him a nod. "Well, I appreciate that," she told him. "Very dutiful of you to check the rules. Galudor." That name... why did that name sound familiar? She was sure she did not know him, despite him obviously recognizing her.

The Lieutenant picked what seemed to be an invisible speck of dirt off her shoulder, atop the burgundy cloak she'd donned. Whilst she was looking at her fingers performing this action, she sounded distracted. "Do you know what happens to the human body when it drops from a hundred feet to hit rock-hard stone?" With whatever had been on her shoulder being gone, she lazily turned her attention back to both of the men. Her eyes rested on Galudor a little longer. "Were you here?" she asked him. "For the last few years?" If he had, he would know what she was referring to.

Arnyn's focus returned to Trastion. "I know you were not, so I will tell you. Plenty of people fell, during the Enemy's final move. And after the fighting was over, there were some who jumped, too. Children who had lost both parents, who, once they returned from the evacuation, were told they would be sent to the orphanage. Which was operating at double capacity already. Parents, who had lost their children. Others, who were left with no one and nothing." Arnyn gestured toward the wall, her gaze lingering on it as she continued. "Some people think you splatter apart, but -" she shook her head, "that is not true. A lot of bones break, yes. Sometimes the body ruptures. I saw some cracked skulls, but also ruptures in the abdomen, for example. It's still pretty clean, generally. Very little blood. I saw a small piece of intestine poking out of one of those ruptures, once."

"It is one of the cleanest ways to end things, I'll admit. And it does work - every time. No one survives a fall like that. Like this." Arnyn turned her contemplative, dark eyes back on Trastion now.
"Do you find it thrilling, or fun, to risk your life, and furthermore everything that depends on you remaining alive?" The Lieutenant slanted her head. Surely, she did not need to spell out for him that if he slipped doing this, then his stepfather would have almost everything he wanted. And the only option for him to then face the consequences of his crimes would be if Arnyn found a way to hold him accountable, without Trastion. If he died falling from this piece of scaffolding, would that benefit his sister's fate? Would it benefit the young lady Tras had been betrothed to? Would it benefit his mother? Surely - he would realize what she was hinting at, without giving anything away to the guard, here. "Not to mention... you are the first person - ever - whom I've chosen to teach my sword style to. How do you think I would feel about my apprentice choosing to risk throwing his life away just for the sake of a thrill?" And while her questions almost sounded academic, and hardly emotional, they still made her point as firmly as the stone on which Trastion'd body would break against, should he ever fall.

She did not wait for a reply, because the questions were mostly rhetorical anyway. "I won't forbid a grown man from his sport," she stated, looking at one of her fingernails before lifting her gaze back to him. "However. If you wish to stay on as my apprentice, Trastion, you will at the very least use a properly tied safety rope. If that is unacceptable, then you need not show for training tomorrow morning. I will know enough. The choice is yours."

@Arnyn
Galudor nodded when the lieutenant commented that it was dutiful of him to check the rules, and thought that she seemed to be rather relaxed about this whole thing, to his surprise. Though he had never met the woman, he knew she was the ranger lieutenant mostly by reputation, and because he had seen her around enough times to recognize her. Not to mention Trastion had just called her' lieutenant'.

While Galudor was thinking how chill she seemed to be about this, Trastion could tell by her mannerisms that she was most definitely not pleased. "I miss climbing.." He began, but then fell silent as she began to ask Galudor if he had been here during the war. Trastion was a bit confused, glancing at the guard.

Galudor gave a little nod at her question to him, and remained quiet while she spoke to Trastion.

As Arnyn began explaining what happens to a person when they fall from such a height, Trastion blinked and remained quiet while she talked. He knew how his mother would have reacted if she had been the one to catch him doing something like this.. she would have freaked out and gotten bossy and told him not to do this sort of thing, which naturally, would make him want to rebel. Maybe to prove that he could make his own choices, or something like that. Since he had never been told the exact nature of how his father died, he did not know why his mother was so opposed to his interest in climbing.

Arnyn's reaction hit very differently, however. Hearing about people deliberately jumping off of a height like this made him blink, a bit stunned to hear it. And slightly chilled too, at the thought of so many falling from such a height, while trying to fight. That was pretty horrible.

After Arnyn explaining to him what one could expect from such a fall, Trastion shifted his feet slightly. She made some excellent points which he had not considered. And while he wanted to argue that he was fine, that he was careful not to overdo it, and that he trusted his grip and that he wasn't going to fall, he couldn't seem to find a way to make those arguments without it sounding.. as ridiculous and arrogant as it probably was. He remained quiet, instead, and looked down as she continued. He felt another little chill at the thought of how his brother would have felt, if something like that happened to him. Especially today. And all because he was trying to... what? Trastion couldn't quite decide if he'd been trying to prove something or just trying to be a daredevil, or what. But he also realized how careless he'd been. He didn't know if Torthon and the rest of the family were still in town from the masquerade or not, but it occurred to him that if Arnyn had seen him, maybe others could have, too.

The additional bit of fact that she brought up made him feel guilty, even. That she'd never chosen to teach anyone else her style of sword fighting. He hadn't really thought about it like that, how something like this might affect her. He hadn't mentioned it before, because he figured it was unnecessary to worry her. But... well, he realized suddenly that she was right. Having a safety line wouldn't really change the level of challenge in the workout, and he did have a harness and rope and things that he'd brought with him from home, and had carried for miles, and for years, because he couldn't part with it.

"I'll be there, tomorrow." He assured her in a quiet voice, looking up again. He should have trusted her enough to tell her what he was doing, so she could talk sense into him sooner, he realized. "Sorry.. for being so stupid sometimes." He managed a faint smile, quite grateful that he had someone to point out when he was being stupid, and to force him to take a look at his actions from another viewpoint. He sighed quietly. "I know I don't always think things through like I should... but I'm working on it."