Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, December 31

There was no more tea left in Pele's cup to hide behind, so she ended up sitting thoughtfully and looking at Arnyn until she said the words that sounded so true. She ended up with an escaped quiet laugh, and then explained: "That is so uncannily true. Each taking on mountains of responsibility while, yes, telling the other they carry too much. Ironic indeed. But it seems normal to carry that responsibility, doesn't it?"

The Captain took a deep breath. "Yes, Abrazimir should definitely know, though we might have to figure out how to keep him from the said chewing. If the endeavour has to be a coordinated effort, everyone with any decision-making capacity should be on the same page. Though now I suppose everything depends on what the King says." She straightened her back against the back-rest of the chair. "Figure we better make an appointment unless he calls for us first. Too much is at stake, and if it is not even clear if we may even proceed..."

@Pele Alarion
A half smile tugged at her mouth when Pele agreed to the irony of how they thought of their own workload as compared to that of the other. "It does seem normal. Suppose it's a pitfall for the both of us," Arnyn admitted. It was almost easy, with Pele, to admit to such things. In that respect, they were one and the same - both recognizing themselves in the other.

"Well, if you have ideas which may help prevent the Swan Knight from throwing a - no doubt very manly- fit, I am all ears," Arnyn began - but if she had been planning on saying more, she was interrupted by a brief but loud knock upon the door to the office.

"Message from the King!" came the muted words through the thick wooden door. The messenger must have boomed the words on the other side, for the Captain and the Lieutenant to be able to hear them as clearly as they did.

"Guess an appointment will not be necessary," Arnyn muttered, sitting up a little straightr in the chair before rising to her feet and brushing at her black clothes. After a glance at Pele, the Lieutenant moved to the door.

The messenger, once revealed, snapped to attention upon seeing the Lieutenant. "Lieutenant Dealedwen," he said formally, recognizing her immediately. "You are summoned to the Citadel, forthwith." His eyes spotted Pele. "Captain Alarion, you have been invited to join as well, if you are not otherwise engaged."

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, December 31

Pele would have wanted to spout out some silly suggestions on how to avert Abrazimir's fury, but that was not to be since even Arnyn could not finish what she had started saying.

"M'yeah..." she muttered back to her friend after they had been given fair warning of the messenger's presence on the other side of the door. But perhaps it was better that the summons had come now rather than wait longer, though she had fully intended to request audience with the King as soon as possible if there was no summons.

She stood and informed the messenger: "I will join, if that is indeed allowed." In her thoughts she mulled over the difference between Arnyn being summoned, at once, and her being invited, if not busy. It contradicted her understanding of responsibility, but she said nothing of it.

"Shall we then," she only added, stepping out the door.

A PRIVATE and probably very quick flashback RP with @Arnyn


Unalmis was still glancing warily toward the door of the Barracks Masters Office, as he approached the Command office door. He stopped just short of walking into his destination - literally - as though he knew the distance without properly needing to look. No bark of summons or otherwise complaint seemed to erupt from the other direction, so he chanced a short but sharp knock, hoping to be permitted entry before he was observed there. Lieutenant Brian having first made a recent and of course riotous return to work, during the group bonding ‘exercise’ in the North Wing, had even more recently found an altercation with Trastion that saw the latter thrust out of the Barracks, for some unconfirmed amount of time. To say that Nal was not above getting up the official’s nose, without even trying really, was an understatement of course. But he was not looking for that sort of entertainment this day. Not that he would have much say in the matter, if the Barracks Master even noted him lately.

Very freshly washed then with clean clothes, the young Ranger had clearly done with his stables duty for the time being and taken a chance that he could manage this delicate but small task, while the Lieutenant was most likely to be found alone. The Captain was currently away in Belfalas of course. As were Trev and Isys and a good many others. The latter of these named absentees had entrusted Unalmis with the main cause for his visit this day, to prove that he could be responsible enough to not forget, before the Ehtyar returned. More honestly because she had forgotten to manage it herself, in all the surprise of leaving Minas Tirith early. But Nal had his own reason as well, for hoping to find Arnyn without any greater audience. And that reason was in the concealing leather bag he had brought with him. The last time he had come here to see the officer in question, she had returned to him all the things which the Barracks Master had confiscated. Today, he had something of her’s to return in kind. In and out, he told himself. It would be done and dealt with in no time at all.

@Ercassie
Rostering. It was not an activity she hated. In fact, it could sometimes prove a welcome break from... other, much more worrisome matters. And thus the task came in handy at the moment, as the Lieutenant sought to distract herself. At least the duty schedules were simple. Not that it was easy to make sure everyone had varying duties and assignments. Yet it still remained a matter of pure logistics. Not of abductions or human sacrifice. Not of life and death.

Thus, the knock on the office door was a distraction from her current distraction. Arnyn frowned slightly as she put the quill aside, ran a hand through her - at present - unbound hair and checked whether anything sensitive was out in the open upon the desk. It was not. She rose from her seat, although she remained standing behind the desk. "Come on in," she called out, toward whoever was on the other side of the door.

@Arnyn

An invitation answered his knock, and so the young man entered, striking the bottom of the door quite casually with one heel as he did, so that it closed behind him. “Lieutenant,” Unalmis remembered his manners, though the respect which was conveyed through them these days was far more genuine than duty. And therefore less rigid, more natural. He could not rightly offer the typical hand to heart salute however, not before laying the flat brown leather bag across the table between them. And just in case there were any suspicion that he was littering her workspace now with his luggage, Nal then removed a book which Arnyn would hopefully recognise, out of the bag. Only then did he give up the customary gesture, letting the now seemingly redundant bag drop down to the floor. Since the officer was standing, he remained so as well, and retrieved some other smaller item out of a pocket, mere moments after. This small folded piece of parchment he extended in one hand, toward the Second-in-Command.


“Ehtyar Azrubel told me to hand this in, before she returns to the city,” the explanation was not much of one, but the design of the official travel request would be easily familiar. The several times crumpled parchment might betray that it had sat in pockets on days before this one, without ever being handed over. “She wants to try and drown me at Cair Andros I believe,” he remarked, with a little scoff of amusement. “Whenever you think it might be convenient of course.” Isys had thus far made good use of their training exchange over the last four months; camping in Ithilien and riding about the Pelennor rather than restricting themselves to the actual Training Grounds. But clearly she had something requiring a further locale in mind for their next excursion. And that sort of jurisdiction required permissions. Rangers could not simply be wandering off too far whenever they felt like it. Not when there were rotas and responsibilities to consider. Nal had been reminded of this lesson rather lately, when he’d left his shift at the armoury to join an urgent search for a friend in need.

“I thought since I was coming here anyway .. that, if it wouldn’t disturb you, you might probably be wanting that one back,” he explained. Brown eyes indicating the book he’d returned. “In case you were missing it. And I didn’t want you to think I’d gone and lost it or something.” A smile was attempted but fell kind of more quiet between them. “Thank you for letting me see it.” he let the words fall slowly, not with anticipation, but simply with more weight than his usual light hearted nonsense.

@Ercassie
Upon seeing Unalmis, Arnyn smiled in greeting. "Ranger Unalmis," she returned his hello with a nod. Her fingertips grazed the desk. "What has brough you here, today?" she inquired, and indeed the officer did not have to wait long at all to receive at least part of the answer. For the book the ranger placed upon her desk was, of course, very familiar to her. Cherished, even. Her smile deepened a moment as her brown eyes took it in, then momentarily faded to something whistful, tinged with sadness, before she seemed to shake it off and raised her gaze back to the young man in front of her. Who then saluted, which made Arnyn respond in kind.

The offered piece of parchment seemed to be the second reason Unalmis found himself in the command office. Arnyn slanted her head minutely as she reached out to it and accepted it. She wasted no time in reading it, and thus her eyes took in the written words even as Unalmis gave up his verbal summary of the written request. The right corner of her mouth lifted at the contrast between the two very different types of wording. "Do you wish to attempt to be drowned there?" Arnyn asked him, one set of brown eyes assessing another. "Or would you prefer a different location?"

"I will take a look at the timing for you," she said. When he spoke of the book she had loaned to him, it was not difficult to sense the mood behind his words. The Lieutenant gave a small smile. She had been missing it. Not having it in her possession, had made her realize how frequently she reached for it. Probably more than she should. Not that she was likely to admit any of that outright. What she would say, however...
"I would not have loaned it to you if I had thought you were likely to lose it. Thank you for returning it to me." A moment passed, while she deliberated. "If I may." The delivery was quiet. "What did you make of it?"

@Arnyn

There was a reason that the young man had elected to manage both tasks, on a single trip. And as much as convenience was definitely counted amongst those reasons, so also was the risk. That the Lieutenant would venture words about the more delicate .. well, no. If he really put thought to the matter, either of the causes which he’d come here to conclude might lead to an uncomfortable confession. If the Rangers were both of a mind. Which, honestly, he had hedged bets they would not be.

“I suppose there’d be less witnesses,” Nal shrugged off any more heartfelt opinion on Arnyn’s first question. “Which is well, better for each of us, I’d imagine. Better than a trip to somewhere like Harlond might turn out,” the Ranger did add however. There was little need for him to explain that opinion, not to Arnyn. She knew what had happened in Harlond all too lately. She knew .. an awful lot. Still, his smile declared relief when the officer agreed to look at when their request might work with her duty schedule.


But with that business accomplished, there remained only .. the other thing. And while the admission of trust that he could prove responsible, did make brown eyes rise slightly in surprise, to hear it said, he hid the pride she had just handed him just as swiftly. It was not merely kind words. The truth of the woman’s statement was rather inescapable. He was honestly still astounded she had ever trusted him with her book at all. He found that he was even more astounded now .. to be asked of his opinion on it.

Like a student asked to explain homework, Nal required a moment to gather himself from the shock of the asking. But as many teachers had found, he was not short of answers for very long. “Well, I always say a book is all the better for including illustrations,” he started off with a lighthearted ease he knew he would not be able to keep up. “Though I doubt you expected to hear someone say that they enjoyed it,” he admitted then. “Given, well, what it is, the entire reason it exists. Some people would say that it’s a sad thing.”


His eyes he averted toward the book itself, rather than set the Ranger Lieutenant under great scrutiny. It was no easy thing, to give an opinion of what evidently mattered so much to a person he knew so little. “But you can’t be sad about what’s been lost unless those lost things first made you the very opposite of sad,” he reasoned slowly. “I ... haven’t been to Ryndir’s grave.” The confession came out of nowhere perhaps. Most of Nal’s truths tended to be thrown out in the midst of greater nonsense. Blatantly honest but blink and you'll miss it. And afterwards perhaps even doubt you heard him say such a thing at all. But he was not done. Not this time. “As far as I’m concerned, that mound of earth isn't where my brother is, that’s not how I want to remember him. A block of stone, or carven wood. A sign post, one among so so many more. Whatever is left that lies beneath the grass. It tells you nothing more than well, ‘he’s dead’. And he was more than that. So much more. Bones and bodies is just how the enemy remember those of us they've killed. I don't want to remember him as not being here any more. I want to remember that he was .. you know. He was here. How that was. Before.”

As though he only then remembered where he was, and who he was speaking to, Unalmis raised his brown eyes up meet the officer’s. “So. What you have there, Lieutenant. What you’ve made, I guess,” he gestured toward the tome which lay between them, like an exposed truth. “I think your book remembers that those people lived. How they lived. Who they were. Why they mattered. it shares that with anyone who you allow to see it. You've showed me strangers that I could recognise. People I never got the chance to know, you've introduced me to. So I can’t really be sad about that. If I may,” the smile was small but not an insignificant gesture. “I feel honoured that you let me get to know them." He paused, did not say aloud how unreal it felt, to have been allowed to get to know her too. "Even just a little bit.” The shrug failed to dilute the remark this time. At least as far as he was concerned.


He turned for the door, eyes closing briefly in amazement that he'd just .. And then, more slowly, he turned back, recalling he had not yet been dismissed. The nervous laugh was a release of embarrassment. Maybe an indication that he’d said more than he’d meant to. But then, he’d never expected for Arnyn to ask his opinion. On anything really. He’d certainly never expected to find that they had even this in common. Something that all soldiers, all sailors, all guards, all Rangers. Everyone in Gondor really, given all that the war had cost them. They were all accustomed to loss. He'd just never seen it in a way that he personally also felt it. From a person who was so very unlike him.

“Um. Sorry. So, I mean. Permission to leave ? Lieutenant ?”

@Ercassie
The heavier breath she let out, along with the brief upward trajectory of her eyes, at Unalmis' mentioning Harlond... said it all, really. Additional words were quite unnecessary.

She noted his pause, at her question. And hoped he had in turn taken note of the fact she had not let him get away with his self-depricating comment just before. Ever since she had spoken to Duinion, Isys and Unalmis this past summer... the feeling within the Lieutenant lingered that Unalmis did not acknowledge his own worth, or that he had grown accustomed to others not recognizing what he had to offer. Or a combination of both. Arnyn was not willing to strengthen either.

At his answer, then, it was Arnyn's turn to pause.

Not because she did not know what to say. But because she knew precisely what not to say. There were answers that would have been... too much. Admissions that did not belong to a Lieutenant standing behind a desk, duty rosters half-finished beneath her fingers.

Her gaze rested on the book where Unalmis had left it. She had not moved to take it yet. As though doing so too quickly might break a thread that was carefully being spun between them. When she looked up again, it was not with the guarded distance she often wore.

“You understood it,” she acknowledged, quietly. The hint of something... approval, perhaps, or shared ground.... touched her expression. The reason why he had not gone to Ryndir's grave, was the same reason as why she had filled the pages of that book. “I did not make this for them to be mourned,” Arnyn confirmed, just on the off chance they were not hearing one another already. For she thought they were. But if she was not going to venture the words out loud to him now, odds were she never would. “They have enough of that already. Graves and stones and names spoken in the past tense.” Her jaw set, just a fraction. “I made it... so they would not be reduced to what took them from us.” Death. She inhaled, in that measured way she had.

At his awkward half-turn, his belated recall of protocol, the corner of Arnyn’s mouth twitched despite herself. “Yes,” she said. “Permission to leave. But Unalmis --" A pause, once more. As if she was debating its necessity. And then decided: yes. "This --" Her eyes grazed the book, as if there could be any confusion. "As you probably figured, is personal. No one else in our unit has seen this. Not Trastion. Not Pele." She attempted a vague gesture, but her hand hardly moved. "She knows I have it, but she has not seen it." She tilted her chin a fraction. "This is between you and me. For now."

If silence were to settle again, this time it would not be empty.

@Arnyn

Her confirmation had convinced him that he had understood her meaning with the book. Well enough, if not exactly. Even before the Lieutenant went on to explain it rightly in her own words as well. It was not the sort of admission which invited further discussion on the matter of course. And when she called him to a halt at the last moment, Unalmis nodded steadily. “I understand,” he gave Arnyn his word. Because while she had trusted him to keep her property safe, she seemed not quite so sure now whether she could trust him to also keep it secret. That was not a surprise. She had stipulated the very same reminder when she had loaned him the kind opportunity in the first place. And for all that he had learnt about the officer, nothing had shaken the impression that she was a highly private person. Still it was progress. Of a sort.

One hand hung on the door handle as he took his turn to clarify. “Trevadir has never asked about it,” he tried to reassure the woman, for of course his friend had been with them, when the loan had actually been initiated. “And I didn’t look it through until I was alone. Didn’t even risk keeping it at the barracks. Just in case. I’ll leave you in peace now. Thankyou Lieutenant.”

With a final salute, the young Ranger departed, almost before the last syllable had escaped his lips. Arnyn had her book back without incident so they could both relax now on that score. And maybe the subject would never be raised between them ever again. But the Lieutenant could rest assured that it would not be spoke of by Unalmis to anybody else either.

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Pele had not had many words to share with Arnyn as they returned from the Guard Headquarters, but then again the words were not always necessary. There seemed to be mutual understanding forged through long-standing friendship, a wordless companionship as they had gone back up through the city circles. While Arnyn returned home, Pele had her duties at the headquarters to tend to. She would have preferred to lock the office and disappear into the gardens of the Houses of Healing but she made do with a few moments of looking out the window to collect her thoughts and fetching a cup of hot tea.

The meeting with Ostoher had left Pele feeling dry as a desert; the new official seemed to be set in his opinions as the will of the kings, and no gentle approach had made the negotiations any easier. Currently she was not sure which way the long-term cooperation would turn. But anything long-term started with taking the necessary small steps at present, and that is what the Captain did.

Being aware that Karis already wanted to report, she sent the return word by messenger setting the meeting time for the afternoon; and that done she sat down at the desk jotting down a few thoughts. The few initial lines of notes were only supplemented by a few more sentences as she busied herself around the office with other things, ordering and reordering items on shelves as the work her hands did helped her mind process the recent events. Only the arrival of Arnyn in the afternoon caused Pele to set down the dust cloth eventually, once she had taken care of a few more hard to reach places - to return at the desk and the notes.

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
She'd managed to make herself presentable, just as she had at the crack of dawn that morning. The cloak and armour of duty had always come easy to her, and it was no different today. It was why Arnyn could be as she was.

When did a mask stop being exactly that? she wondered vaguely while crossing the threshold to Ranger Headquarters. Het tall black boots quietly carrried her across the floor, toward the command office. Toward Pele, and the conversation with Karis.

The Lieutenant had arrived before the Cúner, and Arnyn did not yet claim a seat as her dark eyes flicked around the office briefly. "Do you have anything to drink?" she asked Pele quietly, as they waited for the third person to arrive.

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Captains Office After Sea Training
@Pele Alarion

It took him a little bit to find his way to the Captains office to report after their sea training. Mostly because he had to find his land legs again. He couldn't imagine making it a permanent life style. It wasn't for him he decided.

Approaching the door to the office he stopped and rapped three times, nothing hard but just to get someone's attention. He waited for an answer.

@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen @Isolde Alarion
Once Isys had left, they'd been left with a moment. To stretch her legs, Arnyn poured everyone some water. She'd just about finished her glass when another knock sounded upon the door. "Sounds like the next one has arrived," she said quietly, and somewhat needlessly. For all three of them knew what they were here for. "

Come in," the Lieutenant called out, her gaze flicking past Pele and Abrazimir before reclaiming her seat amongst them.

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command - late January
Concerning: To the Belegaer & Back Again

He didn't have long to wait to be summoned to enter. Upon entering he noticed the Lieutenant and the Captain and lastly Abrazimir. He offered a nod of recognition to the latter before he came to stand before them and offered a salute to his two superiors.

"Sirs, I came to report in as instructed. I apologize for not coming sooner. I suppose you could say I had a slight case of land sickness." He was a little embarrassed to admit it but no sense in hiding it.

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Pele looked up from her notes when Arnyn entered and offered her a faint smile along with a searching gaze - which had become second nature to her. To evaluate the wellbeing of others at a glance. Especially so if those were people she deeply cared for.

"There's some peppermint tea, or water, if you would prefer, Nyn," she said, motioning to the jugs and cups on the windowsill where she had left them and had forgotten to bring them over to the desk. "But the tea might no longer be hot, perhaps barely lukewarm."

---

@Isolde Alarion , @Arnyn , @Lantaelen

Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command after sea training - late January

Pele thought the short lull between the reports was quite welcome and she used that moment to stretch, even though she remained seated - just enough to release the slight tension in her back and shoulders from sitting in one position for quite a while. "Thank you," she responded to the topping up of water by Arnyn.

It then appeared that Mourgan had arrived next.

"Take a seat, Mourgan," she invited the Ranger having returned his salute in kind. "What do you think is worse - land sickness or sea sickness?" Her blue eyes glinted with some amusement before she said on a more serious note: "But the previous question aside, we would like to hear what insights have you gained from the sea training? Anything that you'd like to share."

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
She noticed the look Pele gave her. Of course she did. Arnyn met Pele's eyes without hesitation as her friend answered, and after a nod Arnyn turned toward the window, poured herself a cup of water, drained it, and then proceeded to refill it. The Lieutenant took that cup with her, to one of the waiting chairs on the opposite side of the desk where Pele was sitting.

Arnyn was tired. So tired. But she had slept in between the meeting with Ostoher and had only risen from bed in time to come here, now. It had helped, and she looked nowhere near as tired as she felt. Her assessment therefore, was that neither Pele nor Karis would actually notice anything was wrong. At the most, they might get the sense something was off. Because of little things, like the fact that Arnyn hadn't walked into the command office as early as she usually had. S But the blonde ranger was determined to focus, and as long as this meeting would not take hours, she thought she could do it.

Since Arnyn had arrived just in time, it shouldn't take long before Karis made an appearance.

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command after sea training - late January
@Pele Alarion

He relaxed his stance and went to take the closest chair to himself. He was then asked what he thought was worse, land or sea sickness? Seating himself he didn't answer right away. Both where equally miserable.
Thankfully he didn't have to answer that as the Captain presented another subject, sea training.

Anything he'd like to share?

He thought a moment. He'd certainly learned some new and interesting things while aboard. Some fit for mixed company and some things, well, those he would keep to himself.

"Well Sir..I have to say I have a new found respect for those that call the sea their home. I don't see myself as one that will be taking up that trade anytime soon but I now have a better understanding of the workings of a ship and the group effort it takes to sail one efficiently. I suppose anyone can putter around on the water but they would most likely end up washed ashore or put into the rocks. " He offered a small grimace,

"I've also learned another valuable lesson Sir, always keep the cook happy. Doesn't matter if his morning oats are over cooked, keep eating and nodding with a smile or you'll be getting scraps for lunch." A half grin crossed his features, he learned that the first morning aboard.

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
The relatively brief walk up to headquarters had been slowed by Ziran’s need to loosen her muscles gradually after the days of unaccustomed riding, and she physically felt better by the time she swung open the door to the warm halls of the headquarters building. It also gave her some time to reflect on the fact that it had only been a week since she had gone to Pele for permission to go on their excursion under the guise of a honeymoon and sidetrip to visit a close family friend that had devolved much more than she had anticipated even with their prior concerns.


Pausing to straighten her uniform with a few sharp tugs, Ziran tilted her chin up briefly before letting her shoulders settle with a slight sigh as her identity as a ranger shifted more fully to the foreground. The hours between sending her message from the market last night requesting a meeting and receiving a delayed response today in return to set the time for this afternoon had not served to give her any hints at what to expect, but it was more than likely they had heard from Captain Ostoher by now. There had been the dance of settling a guest into their home and making him comfortable, and all the small tasks of putting things to rights after being gone. Donning her more formal uniform rather than training gear for reporting to debrief was an intentional move on her part.


Lifting her hand to give a sharp two raps on the door to announce her presence, the archer entered the office and closed the door behind her, noting Arnyn already present with a drink in hand and Pele behind her desk. It was good to see the both of them, but she reminded herself this was a meeting to share her findings rather than a more social gathering. Straightening to attention with a business-like salute, her voice was a murmur with her acknowledgement. “Captain Pele, Lieutenant Arnyn.”

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Observe as much as she could – without an attempt at being inconspicuous – Pele did not find anything that would give cause for additional concern towards Arnyn, so she said nothing about her observations, nor did she make small talk, opting for a companionable silence. There was not much sense in starting to talk business for the time until the set meeting time was in short supply.

And so it was that soon the knock on the door alerted them to the arrival of the third party to the meeting.

“Cúner Karis,” Pele returned with the same courtesy. “Come, take a seat. Would you like some tea or water?” she offered as she stood with her own emptied cup in hand intending to fill it. “The tea is no longer hot though.”

“I gathered from the note that you have matters to report,” she added, having walked to the jugs and pouring some of the mentioned cold tea into her cup and then raising the jug questioningly towards Karis.

---

@Isolde Alarion , @Arnyn , @Lantaelen

Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command after sea training - late January

Pele listened carefully to what Mourgan had to say and allowed herself freedom of a quiet laugh at his experience with the cook. “Well, yes… it is probably good not to annoy the cook. Might be harmful for your health if the cook is particularly nasty.” She did wonder though if their own Pete at the barracks tended to employ such tactics of teaching manners. At any rate, she had never been on the receiving end of such. But then again, she had not complained of the food quality as much as she could remember.

“Say, Mourgan,” she said, having regained seriousness. “Have you learned enough sea skills to do what needs to be done effectively if the duties need to be done onboard a ship? I would be able to trust you with my back, even if you were on sea legs, right?”

She then glanced towards Arnyn and Abrazimir to see if they had any questions and comments since she did not want to take up all the time and leave them none.

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
Relaxing into an easy stance at Pele’s greeting, Ziran nodded her thanks at the offer of a seat before moving forward. Glancing over to the beverages as Pele waited for her answer, she debated with herself for a moment. Fighting the immediate instinct to decline, she knew the walk had made her slightly thirsty, and much talking could lead to further need for hydration. “Thank you. I would like some tea, even if it has cooled.” Diverting briefly from taking a seat, she instead retrieved a cup and accepted a fill of the beverage before answering the other statement as she returned to take the other chair with another murmur of thanks.


“Yes.” It came out with a thoughtful air and a slight frown. “Matters at Castle Ansellidus were much graver than we had even anticipated, and although good has come out of the excursion it has revealed even more questions that remain to be answered.” Taking a sip, she rested the cup on her knee before looking at Pele again directly. “I know I shared some of my concerns with you before requesting leave, but it unfortunately turned into a Ranger matter rather than being a visit of nobility. To give you the highlights up front before going into detail, Alyssa has been missing for several months, the man styling himself Lord Ansellidus is the false twin of a former guard of the citadel, is also missing, and is complicit in many crimes including possible collusion with Umbar, hiring of mercenaries from there, murder, imprisonment of Alyssa’s father for years, and severe mistreatment of the Ansellidus workers within the domain. I used my authority as a Ranger to assume control of the castle with Macardil’s help as well as that of a recently escaped Aderic Androllius, enlisted the cooperation of the steward, and employed the assistance of the local guards in Imloth Melui to maintain order and continue the investigation until further plans could be made.”


She took a breath before continuing steadily. “We also reported in to the Tower Guard on our return yesterday afternoon before coming up here in the hopes of receiving parole for Aderic, or at least giving a positive statement on his behalf. It did not proceed as hoped despite hours of interrogation, and I assume the Captain has been in contact with you in the intervening hours.” Ziran was fully prepared to go on with her report by sharing the full tale of their encounter and discoveries, but would see if either of the officers had questions or a direction they wanted her to go first. If they had met with Ostoher, they would have formed their impressions of him and the encounter without her input.

@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen @Isolde Alarion
Arnyn was watching Mourgan carefully as he answered the Captain's questions. They had already seen what everyone had learned - they already knew that those who had gone on the training exercise had learned much and passed whatever needed passing. But morale was a big player, as well. "You seemed to find your feet well enough, regardless of your trouble with the cook, at first," the Lieutenant commented more quietly, in turn. She had no doubt Mourgan would do what he must in order to be able to watch Pele's back, when they set out to target the pirates cooperating with Umbar, and then when they'd set out to Umbar proper.

"What is the most important thing you've learned from the storm we were caught in?" Arnyn ventured, slanting her head slightly as she posed the question.

---

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
When the knock came, Arnyn's eyes found Pele's, in a moment of silent mutual understanding - and support. Only after the door to the office had opened and closed, and once Pele's gaze had already been averted, did Arnyn turn body and eyes toward the newly arrived ranger. Since Pele was the one to more quickly offer verbal greetings, Arnyn's own hello to Karis was a more subdued nod and a quick, faint smile. Karis accepted Pele's offer of a drink, and soon all three of them were seated around the desk - Pele on one side, Arnyn and Karis at the other.

Arnyn downed more of her own second glass of water while her friend and comrade in arms, now seated beside her, answered Pele's prompt.
With everything Arnyn had known beforehand, through various sources, and with what had been shared and discussed between Ostoher and Pele and herself, most of what Karis was laying out was no longer a surprise. The Lieutenant did frown, however, when Karis seemed to refer to Aderic Androllius as a former guard of the citadel, as her tired and poisoned state led Arnyn to wonder if she was remembering it wrong or if she'd been operating on a wrong assumption all along. Surely, she couldn't have been so distracted, that she had missed Androllius not merely being part of the Tower Guard, but being a part of the Guard of the Citadel on the Seventh? As if summoned, a dull ache started harrassing the sides of her head.

"Captain Ostoher did inform us," Arnyn said with a nod. "About what transpired at the castle at the Ansellidus estate, and whom you have brought back with you. One of the twins. Lord Veranis." A small pause, while Arnyn decided not to venture more personal questions, such as how Lord Veranis was faring, and how Macardil was doing with the unexpected return of his old friend. Instead, the Lieutenant proceeded to ask a number of questions about how exactly the takeover of the castle had been managed, as well as how Aderic Androllius had presented himself to them from the first to the last. Karis answered in a straightforward manner, as the two officers were used to her doing, also sharing how matters were left upon their departure. Nothing about Ostoher's account and Karis' account concerning the castle, diverged from one another, really. The main difference was that Karis was providing them with much more detail than Ostoher had been able to - which was only logical, for the Tower Guard Captain had not been present. Karis had.

Arnyn did not immediately offer a 'next steps' scenario. Whether or not any more intelligence on what would happen next was to be shared with Karis, was up to Pele's discretion as Ranger Captain. A case could be made for it, given Karis' role in the first phase of reclaiming the castle. But a very different case could also be made against it, given the second reason why this meeting was taking place. For Pele and Arnyn did not only need Karis' report about what had happened in Lossarnach. They also needed Karis' report on what in the world had transpired inside that Tower Guard office.

"You say your report to the Tower Guard did not proceed as hoped," Arnyn repeated Karis' own words. "I am sure you understand..." The dark-eyed blonde's gaze did not falter as she met Karis'. "... we will need much more than that. We have heard one side of it, from Captain Ostoher, this morning," the Lieutenant continued, seemingly unruffled. "We very much wish to hear yours, now."

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

As Karis gave the first listing of major points and then filled in more details, with some questions in between from Arnyn, Pele mostly listened and occasionally filled in the rough sketch of a mindmap she had first put up in her notes. She mostly added a nod and a 'mhm' or two here and there as she worked on improving the picture of the events that she had formed this far.

"I must say, Karis, that you have done an excellent job of handling that situation, covering all necessities," the Captain admitted, though she knew that nothing less could be expected from Ziran with all of her experience and knowledge. "But I would like to clarify this one point - nothing is known of the circumstances of Alyssa's disappearance - whether she was taken by the evil twin or if those are two different events of disappearance rather than one joint? And I gather the trail is cold and there are no clues to start going after either of them? Did the local people consider organising a search party?"

She paused and then agreed with Arnyn's request for more details on that Tower Guard matter: "And yes, please do explain what your hopes where as you went in with your report to the Tower Guard - what were you expecting and how come it turned out as it did."

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
Ziran took a long sip of tea as Arnyn echoed back her words from earlier, nodded slightly in acknowledgement that she had indeed said that, and tipped her head in thought as Arnyn continued by first confirming that they had already talked with Captain Ostoher and his opinions that morning before asking for her account. Her eyes lifted to Pele as she brought up the subject of Alyssa’s disappearance for clarification before also returning to the events at the Guard headquarters.

The slight frown of thought crossed her brow a moment as she tried to recall the exact circumstances she had heard before addressing Pele’s question first. “As far as I could gather between the accounts of her maid and the steward, Alyssa disappeared in the company of Ademar shortly after Aderic arrived and was imprisoned. The locals were apparently too afraid or had not connected the disappearances with their lord’s work. It has been many months, and the trail is likely cold, but the addition of an apparent connection to Umbar was concerning to me.”

“As to what I had hoped to accomplish at the Tower Guard headquarters…” She breathed out a quiet sigh and shifted slightly. “I had initially only hoped to make a brief appearance and give evidence on behalf of Aderic so that there was a chance he would be given parole and have some freedom of movement if we vouched for his actions and character. Also to make them aware of Lord Veranis and his concerns so that he could give his evidence against Aderic’s twin as a murderer, particularly in the matter of his son who had been considered missing. Other than that I had hoped to conclude our business there in a speedy fashion so that I could proceed up here to report in before the end of the day. That this was not possible due to a long wait, interrogation and further waiting, did not lend to my equanimity when we were finally summoned for the Captain’s judgement as he wanted to speak with us. Aderic had been kept separate for the duration of our time there, and we did not see him again. Upon entering the Captain’s office he gave brief thanks, sharing that we had been successful in clearing Aderic’s name, but that he would not be free to move about, but rather stay as a guest of the guard so that they could put about the word that they had imprisoned his brother instead. He continued by stating that the Androllius estate would be put under watch of the Tower Guard in cooperation with the locals. Furthermore he stated that we had only two choices, that of staying silent and swearing an oath of secrecy, or additionally cooperating fully in perpetuating the falsehood that they had Ademar and not Aderic in custody.” She paused briefly and rubbed her thumb along the side of the cup she held before clearing her throat slightly and continuing. “I admit I did not react well to those demands, although I attempted to speak matter-of-factly. Macardil and Lord Veranis both spoke eloquently to the fact that they would not swear full secrecy but would give their word not to speak about it beyond the bounds of those in the room or yourselves as the Ranger Command, although Veranis challenged that a bit more for varied reasons, including the potential risk to Aderic’s life, and corrected the title to the Ansellidus estate. None of those things seemed to bother the Captain, but I did speak up as well to point out that the estate was beyond the purview of his role in Minas Tirith, and that it was for the King to decide along with the Rangers, as I had acted under my authority as a Ranger. I believe the words I used that most angered him was saying that it was not within his jurisdiction to command me. I also declined to swear or speak falsehoods, particularly because I am under the Ranger command, not the Tower Guard, and needed the freedom to report fully and honestly here and now. As he had only given those two options and no other, stating that we could go once we had given our oaths, I asked if we were still free to leave if I declined to swear as he wished.” She couldn’t help the silent sigh after that.

“As you probably gathered from your meeting today, that did not go over well at all. Macardil attempted to assuage the less decorous manner of my words by pointing out that we had all essentially stated the same thing and would not speak to anyone who did not need to know, and that it did not mean we weren’t completely cooperating. Yet the Captain was obviously furious, rolling his eye at my words, stating that he was the the one who would speak to the King about the wardenship of the estate, that I had no authority at all within the city, and my lack of cooperation and insubordination meant that I would have no further dealings with the case and that there would be consequences. He followed up by saying that our priorities were clearly not for law and order, and that I had caused a rift by my hysterical lack of tact and respect before demanding we be gone. He concluded by dismissing the gentlemen and gesturing for us to leave. Halberion, Lord Veranis, apologized profusely, but after those words and manner of dismissal, I thought it was better not to reply before leaving, particularly because it wouldn’t have helped to defend my words despite their truth, and rewording did not seem to help since he had completely dismissed my husband’s much more eloquent and placating words.”

That had been a long recounting, and she turned her head to look at Arnyn, since she had been the one to mention that they wanted to hear her side. “While I regret that my words were more curt than was usual for me, I stand by the truth of my statements, as my duty and honor precluded my swearing the oaths that were demanded. I am sorry that you had to deal with the aftermath.”

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
When Pele complimented Karis on her handling of the situation at Castle Ansellidus, Arnyn inclined her head just enough to show her agreement. There was perhaps one thing, one little loose end, that Arnyn would have handled differently - but of course she had more information, such as the fact that a certain other Ansellidus prisoner's name and profession fit with the ones named by a certain Umbarian who was currently present at the White City. Arnyn had made Ava repeat the name 'Taendis', when meeting her that first night. She had not forgotten it. It was too bad that Taendis had not joined Karis' group back to Minas Tirith, but it was not as if anyone could have forced the seamstress to do so, not even if they'd known of Arnyn's interest to talk to the woman.

The Lieutenant's eyes remained fixed on a point of the desk while she listened to what her fellow ranger and friend shared about what had transpired at Guard Headquarters in the Second Circle. Whatever thoughts or feelings Arnyn had were impossible to tell, even though there were many bubbling up beneath the surface. Not the least of which was the sinking feeling that took hold of her when Karis mentioned things such as 'did not lend to my equanimity', and ''I did not react well to those demands'.

A few questions burned on her lips, for such delicate matters as this one often revolved around perceptions and specific wordings, but she held them back. For one, specific wordings were always difficult to recall, and personal sentiment did tend to warp one's perception - which had most likely also happened in this particular situation, with both Ostoher and Karis. But there was another reason still that Arnyn appeared so stoic. And she found it a very good one. For she was not the commander here. Pele was. And even though Pele and Arnyn were in sync with one another on most things, it was not the Lieutenant's place to take a leading role at present.

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Pele jotted down information on Ademar and Alyssa and looked thoughtfully towards Arnyn wondering if those two could be found there during the initial intel phase. Or perhaps only one would be found - it was known that not all victims survived long. She underlined the names in her notes as a matter to be looked into in more detail.

The matter with the Tower Guard though... Pele listened carefully to the way Ziran explained the situation, and she could see how the weariness of having dealt with the trouble at the estate, the travel, and then a long wait and interrogation instead of a quick drop-by could disappoint. And Ostoher did not seem to be an easy-going person, more like a grumpy old crab. The faintest hint of a smile visited Pele's features as she thought this. He made her think of Amathen, and she hoped that he will have someone like Macardil near him to smooth out the sharpest edges. But old crab or not, the man seemed capable to sort out the Tower Guard, get the job done.

And even though Pele could understand the weariness, the disappointment, and having to face a grumpy official in charge could all sum up, she still thought it insufficient grounds for a situation to spiral downwards. She looked at Karis, her blue gaze reflecting thoughtfulness, and some of the unease she felt in having to talk to Ziran more as a Captain to a Ranger rather than a conversation between friends.

"Look, Karis," she eventually broke the moment of silence that had settled between the three of them. "I can understand that you were tired, the waiting was long, and the welcome was not all flowers and cakes. However..." she considered briefly on how to proceed. "This was no good; while I can commend you on your tackling of the manor, I cannot say that much about the Tower Guard situation. I have no intention to doubt your honour or truthfulness, far be it from me. But I am sure that you could have been more tactful and respectful - would Captain Ostoher not have accepted an oath of secrecy with an exception of reporting to your command?"

Pele took a small sip from the cooled but yet fragrant tea and shot a quick glance towards Arnyn before she focused back on Karis.

"While he may not be in right to order you around, Ostoher had the right to request secrecy since the case of Ademar and Aderic concerns the Tower Guard directly and is under investigation, - not meant for the general public," she stated her opinion, and then expanded it further: "But yes, the case is very complicated and reaches beyond Tower Guard into matters concerning us. Collaboration here is key, and there will likely be many more cases to come that will require that. It is not helpful to start building collaboration with this Captain by burning down the very first board, Karis."

Now it was her turn to sigh quietly. "I know you are truthful and honourable, and I trust you, but I also expect you not to act with someone of a higher rank, even if it is no Ranger rank, so... dismissively? Condescendingly?," Pele tried to find the correct term to express her thoughts and then decided against trying to fit into one word. "From what I hear it appears to me that you took upon yourself to tell Captain Ostoher how he should be doing his job. That is certainly not within your authority. You know... If a guard I had never seen before came here and told me what I should and shouldn't be doing, I am not sure if my patience would remain completely unshaken. Do you see what I'm saying?"

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
Surprisingly Arnyn didn’t have any questions immediately, turning her attention to Pele, so Ziran did the same as a brief quiet descended on the trio. She had not been a stranger to an interrogation or reprimand in her early years or under the service of the steward, but it was uncommon since she had left the military after the war.
Ziran’s gaze hooded slightly and her face turned stoic as Pele turned to using terms that seemed much more heavily influenced by Ostoher’s perceptions rather than her own account of the situation. Expecting cakes and flowers? She never expected such. A modicum of acknowledgement for the work that had been done? Yes. Burning down the first board? Dismissive? Condescending? She herself would attribute those to Captain Ostoher rather than her words, which had been stated without his gestures and sneers at her character. To state a belief in her truthfulness and honor and then counter it in the next breath? She also saw it as a false equivalence to equate herself with a guard that Pele hadn’t seen before, as Ostoher would have seen her for years prior as the Captain of the Minas Tirith Garrison even as a Fountain Guard, although at present she did not hold any such rank. Unlike the perpetually masked Guards, she had not been anonymous, even if some only looked at the outer trappings and not the person behind them. If he had not known who she was and her background that gave credence to her words he either wasn’t observant or was being deliberately obtuse and felt threatened in his current role by her presence and pointing out his overstep. His slanderous accusations in return had gone far beyond her actual statements, and Pele’s agreement with his terminology carried a surprising sting despite knowing that Ostoher had had plenty of time to fully give his opinions. Pele also tended to have seemingly infinite patience with all those who came to her door, and was not as given to snapping at people as Ostoher.


Ziran let the silence hang a moment as she tamped down her emotions and gathered her thoughts, managing to force back the words that first sprung to her lips in response to Pele’s question. “No.” She finally replied quietly. “I can’t say that I fully do.” She lifted her eyes up to look at Pele directly. “If a random unknown guard were to tell you your job you would merely ignore them, not take it as a reason for a fight or some form of rift with the rest of the organization. If he believed me to have no authority to advise or correct, why not treat it as such?” She believed enough in the training and steadiness that each of the leadership team had for that to be true of both of them. “Even if by “telling him how he should do his job” you mean pointing out my perception of his overstep, I believe that would still be true. Yet he took it as a threat to his authority instead of dismissing the words. He also did not deign to share any information including that there was any such case within Minas Tirith or beyond, or that he had been granted any form of jurisdiction outside the city, let alone sole investigative powers that should cut out the Rangers, if that is indeed the situation here, until after I had spoken. Neither did he make a request but a demand. And while I had hoped he would accept our promises to secrecy beyond sharing with Ranger Command and the King, he most decidedly rejected that and spoke of it as an affront, slandering my character and honor most decidedly despite earlier offering obsequious words about valor and service. So I cannot assume any tone beyond groveling apology in a request for rewording would have been acceptable from the outset since he then chose to ignore the simple meaning of the promises spoken.”

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
Arnyn's eyes had been fixed upon the desk, and they remained there until Pele spoke. It was as though her friend's voice gave Arnyn something steady to follow, and her gaze lifted with it, drawn to Pele’s face. Arnyn studied her quietly, recognizing the tightrope Pele was walking there. How difficult it was for her even have this conversation at all. How unhappy Pele was that there was a need for any of this at all.

Arnyn recognized the weight of having to stand where Pele now stood. Knew how deeply Pele disliked this sort of moment. She shared the sentiment. But where Pele felt it, Arnyn contained it. Or tried to.

Rather than reflect inwardly on that, Arnyn deliberately turned her mind back to the matter at hand. She was here as the Ranger's Second. That mattered more than any discomfort or unwillingness to be here. More than the fact that this meeting was proof of why there were so few facets of Command which Arnyn Dealedwen enjoyed. Regardless, Arnyn listened - first to Pele, then to Karis.

The Captain was most definitely not hiding behind vague words. And when Pele made eye contact, however brief it was, Arnyn gave her friend the smallest of nods - barely perceptible, but there. Other than that, the Lieutenant was sitting very still. Her fingers were lightly curved around her glass, but she hadn't taken a sip in some time.

Both Karis and Ostoher had now told Pele and Arnyn that the Guard Captain had offered the Cúner a choice between two options: secrecy, or partaking in the ruse he wished to present to the world.
The question Pele was asking of Karis was a logical one. Would Captain Ostoher not have accepted Karis' oath of secrecy with the exception of her commanding officers and the King?
According to the man, he would have. But he had also claimed that Karis had outright rejected to swear anything at all.
And according to Karis' words so far, she had rejected the option of partaking in the ruse; and since she needed the freedom to report, she had then asked if she and her companions would be free to leave guard headquarters if she declined to swear as he wished.

So... Pele's question was fair, and as it was posed, Arnyn's gaze slid over to Karis. Curious. Naturally it would be impossible for her to swear not speaking to her own commanders on the matter. So then, why had Karis not sought the common ground? Why had she not sworn what she could? Why had she not sworn secrecy excepting the King and the Ranger Officers? Had Karis not just said that was what both Macardil and Halberion Veranis had also sworn? Why had Karis not simply followed their example? The solution seemed so simple, especially since it had also been handed to her in the moment by the men in her company.

As it was, Pele first explained her thoughts on the situation, and the Lieutenant's attention returned to the Captain. Arnyn understood the need Pele felt to differentiate between where she deemed Ostoher had been within his rights and where he hadn't been. But, even so, Arnyn shifted in her seat. Her fingers tightened around the glass she was holding. Could they be certain that Ostoher had in fact ordered, or had meant to order, Karis around? According to Karis, he had demanded it. But Ostoher had not stated to Pele and Arnyn that he had. According to the Guard Captain, he had requested cooperation, and Karis had denied him any form of it. And even though personal bias would have Arnyn believing Karis over Ostoher, he had also been chosen by Aragorn to take up the mantle of Captain of the Tower Guard. That had to mean something, too.

So one account contradicted the other - and both keepers of those accounts had proven themselves in the eyes of king and country... and neither Pele or Arnyn had been present to witness any of it.

After the meeting Pele and Arnyn had had with Ostoher, Arnyn could definitely understand how the man's words could take on a very authoritative tone very quickly. Thus turning what Ostoher perceived as a request into what others perceived as demands or orders. Pele probably recognized the same, which was also probably why Pele was going along with Karis' opinion that Ostoher had tried to order one of her rangers around.
Nevertheless, it was dangerous territory. They were wading into the quagmire of 'he said' and 'she said'. And in this case... both people involved were probably convinced they were in the right.

Arnyn held back a sigh. Communication was a nuanced game, and one surprisingly few people knew how to play well.

Pele's emphasis on the importance of collaboration was therefore a very welcome one to Arnyn. And a hint of a smile came to the Lieutenant's lips when their Captain once again stressed her belief in Karis' truthfulness and honour, as well as highlighting the trust she placed in the Cúner. Their friend. Then Pele returned to the crux of the matter, and made a bid for alignment.

In the silence that fell after Pele asked that question, Arnyn's attention once again shifted from one friend, sitting on the other side of the desk, to the friend that was sitting beside her. That Karis then replied by saying she did not understand, was... a surprise. Thus, the Lieutenant waited, needing to hear why this was the case. And blinked twice at the theoretical stuation that followed, as she wondered at its relevance.
Pele had done the same, of course, presenting a different situation in the hopes that it would help Karis understand why Ostoher had reacted... less than ideally... to her words. But Arnyn felt that continuing along the vein of theoretically similar situations was getting them off track. Into yet another quagmire that would not help any of the women in this room.
For they were not talking about other situations, which had not even happened. They were talking about a very specific one, which - unfortunately - had happened.

When Karis said Ostoher had seen her pointing out how he had been overstepping as a threat to his authority, Arnyn tilted her head slightly to the side. Indeed, he had told Pele and Arnyn as much. Both accounts certainly aligned there.

That Karis had hoped the Tower Guard Captain would accept their promises of secrecy with the exception of Ranger Command and the King, made Arnyn's eyes flick to Pele's briefly.
Did Karis then mean she had promised such a thing to Ostoher, and she'd simply forgotten to state so earlier? Had the Captain lied to them?
After the momentary surge of her heartbeat in her chest, Arnyn talked herself down. More likely than not, moods had heated quickly during the exchange at Guard Headquarters. And as Arnyn had plenty of experience with how the sender of a message could intend one thing, while the receiver heard another - the Lieutenant was now only strengthened in her belief that at least either Ostoher or Karis, or even the both of them, had fallen prey to exactly that.


Therefore, it was time to focus on what did align. It was time to focus on what was indisputable. Or what seemed indisputable, so far, at least.

"I am not about to argue - not with you, nor with Captain Ostoher," Arnyn said at last, her voice low and steady, "about tone, or intent, or on whose understanding of either is the more accurate." She paused, looking for which thoughts carried the most relevance in the whirlwind inside of her head. "We were not there. And so we cannot determine who is in the right on statements where the two involved parties are in disagreement about what was said and how." Simple. Final.

A slow, small nod, as her gaze flicked between the two other women briefly. "Not everything is in dispute, however. There are things we have now heard from both of you." A brief pause.
"Namely, that you told him he could not act beyond Minas Tirith."
"That you told him that the Rangers would be deciding what happens next regarding castle Ansellidus."
"That you told him that he could not command you."

One set of dark brown eyes searched another.

"You were a captain," Arnyn offered up, "some years ago." The words held no specific emphasis. It was simply fact. And then she did finally put her glass on the desk, and for a moment, some feeling crossed her expression. It was gone just as swiftly as it had appeared, however, and more likely than not, neither Pele nor Karis would have spotted it, let alone recognized it for what it was.

"Beyond Pele and myself, you are the one person among the Rangers who is acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with high command." Her hand moved through the air briefly
"The one ranger most acquainted with the intricacies of different yet overlapping jurisdictions."
"The one ranger with the personal experience with the necessity of cooperation between branches. Knowing that these exist to serve the common goal we all share in protecting people."

"And yet," the Lieutenant's voice did not change, but she felt something settle, deep inside her stomach, "you chose to speak as though you are... not."

"You spoke as a Cúner ranger," Arnyn continued, "who does not know the bounds of that rank." The Lieutenant inclined her head slightly toward Pele, but her eyes remained on Karis. "Instead, you spoke as if you held your Captain's authority." Her elbows rested on the arms of the chair, the fingers of one hand entwining with the other, hovering just above her lap.

"You set limits on one of Aragorn's Captains. As if you still were one yourself, with little need to care about cooperation. In that captain's own headquarters. In that captain's own command office. In front of his subordinate, and others." Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Two.

"In doing so, you did not simple point something out to him," the Lieutenant said, making a point of her own. "You positioned yourself against him. You positioned all of the rangers against him." Arnyn breathed, ignoring the feeling that she was short on air. Willing herself to go on.

"When you did that," Arnyn continued, finally uttering a single question as she held Karis' gaze, "what outcome did you expect?"

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command after sea training - late January
@Pele Alarion @Arnyn

His expression was light as the Captain agreed with his thoughts on the cook, he offered the Lieutenant a small smile in regards to her quiet comment. Soon the Captains expression changed to one of more seriousness , his turned to match hers. Her next words causing a furrow in his dark brow to deepen as her question was put before him.

The part about his sea skills he answered rightly. "I believe I can Sir." He didn't answer the second part immediately. Was she questioning his loyalty? He could only think of one thing that might be the cause for such a question. His hesitation when initially asked for volunteers to take on this mission. It had taken him some time to come forward. He'd had to put his personal feelings and thoughts aside when he agreed to go.

"Absolutely Sir." It was said with such conviction it left no room for doubt.

He waited for her to ask him something else but the Lieutenant spoke up next causing his brown gaze to focus on her. What had he learned during the storm? He could spout the standard procedures but he felt they weren't after that.

"Sir, teamwork." He elaborated. "The storm is like any other advisary. It will do it's best to drag you beneath the waves, sink you. Eliminate you. You're only fighting chance is to work as a team to prevent that. Every person doing their part whether that is the Captain seeing what needs to be done or those working the ropes or pulling the oar till your hands blister. Every person is as vital as the next. If one slacks it causes a ripple that can have serious and even lethal results. The lives of your shipmates are literally in your hands. "

He stopped, looked forward and waited to see if there were anymore questions.

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
As Arnyn began to speak, Ziran turned her head to listen more directly and watch her friend’s expressions. She listened calmly to the statements that were made as she waited to see where they were leading. She had spoken as herself, claiming the knowledge, yes, not higher rank. Yet she could see that the perception of it seemed to be the sticking point with Ostoher and now also with Pele and Arnyn. Setting aside that the Rangers were the chosen elite of the kingdom, where that simple title was a rank of its own that superseded that of local guards when it involved matters of the kingdom, the point had to be made that in order to foster relations, since she had no officer rank she should not have spoken at all in the face of his dignity. Although how as a mere Ranger she could somehow place all the rangers in opposition to the guard by standing up for something already done under the Crown's authority given to Rangers, not city guards, was still a stretch by her thinking. But then again, she’d always kept her cooperation with the guards to incidents within the city or coordinating defense, not external investigations. The upheaval after the war seemed to have thrown off that previously established relationship, and showed great problems within the guard as a whole, not just in their treatment of prisoners and inability to keep track of them. Perhaps it would have been better if she had not returned from her departure after the King’s wedding, although she did not regret most of the past year.

Yet she did not let those thoughts flicker across her face, keeping silence in both features and speech until Arnyn finally asked a question. Twisting her lips slightly, Ziran tried to answer honestly without that honesty seeming flippant, and she began slowly. “I did not have any expectations other than it would show his character, however he responded. A testing the waters, if you will…” She made herself continue and admit the rest of the impetus that she had not acknowledged the previous night but had considered since. She had felt the Captain’s words of praise were hollow when he immediately claimed authority over all their hard-earned accomplishments while demanding secrecy. “..,while defending that which is the purview of the Rangers according to the order established previously by the King, a success that had occurred despite my being a mere Ranger along with a veteran and a disgraced guard. So yes, I did push back, although perhaps, as you say, he might have taken it better from you than from me.” She glanced to Pele and back to Arnyn. “And he erupted. The King must have seen something in him to appoint him beyond his temper, but it does not rebuild my trust, even as he did not proffer any. My opinion may not matter, but there was no word of any cooperation with the Rangers until after he claimed I broke it. I can see he would not have felt he needed to give me any information, but it appeared to only be a one way street for cooperation and orders.” But all that was past. She finally asked her own question after a brief pause. “He said I had to pay for insubordination despite not being my commander. Has he demanded any punishment?” Unspoken was the followup question, and will you grant his demand?

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
Karis’ words settled into the room. "Permission to respond, Captain?" the Lieutenant very quietly requested, with a brief look to Pele. When the Captain acquiesced, a slow breath filled Arnyn's lungs, and when the Lieutenant spoke again, for the first time her disbelief audibly seeped into her voice.

“You were testing him? Deliberately?”

Her fingers shifted, her hands almost loosening, then they stilled again. “You wished to see his character, to see how he would respond...” Arnyn said, as if trying to wrap her head around it.

Arnyn shook her head. “Karis, you were not there to assess him. You were there to speak on Aderic Androllius' behalf, and to report the events at the Ansellidus estate, given Aderic's' close involvement and his ties to the Tower Guard. And instead,” she went on, “you decided to introduce a challenge where there did not need to be one.” Her gaze held steady. Arnyn did not understand how Karis could not see that.

“In a way that left Ostoher with three choices. Yield, explain himself or push back. And you are experienced enough to know most commanders do not yield." Whether or not Pele and Arnyn themselves would have, was besides the point. "You are also experienced enough to know commanders are not required to explain themselves to someone who is not in command."

That, more than anything, seemed to draw a line through the center of Karis’ reasoning. “You speak of Captain Ostoher stepping beyond his purview,” the Lieutenant said. “Of what falls to the Rangers - to the Guard, and what does not." Arnyn resisted the urge to stand, to have some kind of outlet for the energy that was building and needed to escape. But she clamped down on it, shoving it deeper into some bottomless pit she seemed to keep finding within herself. "And I speak of you doing the same. Testing the Captain of the Tower Guard is not within your purview as a ranger. Nor is it within mine, or even Pele's." Only the King's.


Only then did she address the last question Karis had asked. “He has." A pause. "He demanded a formal apology from you. And a demotion." Arnyn's hands finally broke apart, and she crossed her arms. "But he does not dictate how we deal out discipline within our ranks." And Arnyn was in a position to say that, here and now. “How that happens,” the Lieutenant continued, “is our purview," Arnyn indicated Pele and herself.

*the permission granted to Arnyn was agreed upon OOC with Pele Alarion

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Pele shook her head slightly seeing that her comparisons did not reach the intended point. For a briefest moment she wondered whether she would indeed ignore a guard who'd come telling her what she could and could not do. Perhaps she would, but more likely she would not - while she would not cause a scene, she was also not used to paying no attention to people of any standing, even if she could find grounds to dismiss their words. But it was true - a situation was hypothetical, and so many aspects could come into play and affect it one way or another.

A couple lines of care appeared on her forehead and a brief glint of exasperation showed in her eyes for a few moments as she listened to further exchange between Karis and Arnyn. The nearly emptied cup was forgotten on the desk before her.

"I am not sure I understand why you would even think of testing Ostoher, Karis," Pele eventually said. "I might not doubt that your statements held facts and he was overstepping, yet - why did you think it was a good idea to bring it up right there and then, right into his face? If you had concerns about it you could have easily brought it up with us when reporting."

She held back a sigh before continuing, "Having heard both Captain Ostoher and you, I cannot dismiss the whole situation without any consequences." The morning's negotiations with the said Captain had been far from easy, and she had half a mind to say as much since that had also been a part of consequences; however, she kept to the started line of thought: "I do not think asking you to go and apologise would do any good seeing the mutual dislike, Karis, so to keep it from escalating any further you will not be involved in any matters that requires working with the Tower Guard."

Pele paused a while, considering further words.

"Furthermore," she returned to the matter of consequences, her voice even, though her blue eyes reflected a hint of sadness. "You will not be joining the sea training or Umbar mission and instead undertake additional duties around the Ranger compound for the duration of six weeks. You can do the tasks of your choosing - report to Lieutenant Brian and see whether he needs any practical assistance at the barracks, or help at the kitchen, the stables, or elsewhere..."

"Any further questions about the matter, comments, objections? Perhaps some other matter that still needs to be discussed?" she then addressed both Karis and Arnyn and reached for the cup of tea though she did not lift it to her lips regardless of the dryness that had seemed to settle into her throat.

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
Arnyn watched Pele as the Captain picked up where the Lieutenant had left off, displaying the ease with which the ranger command worked together. Even in a situation such as this, which neither of them wanted to be in.

Arnyn didn't have to closely watch or assess Pele to know what lay beneath. The two of them knew each other too well, both from the time they ahd served together before any of this, and their time serving together now. And in matters such as these, it was not only Pele who was an open book to Arnyn. The reverse was also true. Arnyn had hidden nothing from Pele when it came to what she thought or felt about the whole thing. Neither of them had wanted to have this conversation. Neither of them had wanted to deliver any punishment to a friend. But both of them knew they had to. Both of them knew... that the responsibility of their rank had to supercede their emotional wish to avoid this confrontation. With a friend, with a fellow woman in arms, who had shared many of Pele's and Arnyn's own hardships. There was no satisfaction in this whatsoever. Only duty.

Arnyn’s gaze softened, just a fraction. At Pele's question, she remained silent, turning her attention back to Karis. But the Cúner seemed to take longer to reply this time. Perhaps Karis was sorting through her own emotions before replying. Arnyn could not in any way blame her friend for that. In fact, it was one of the biggest points about this whole thing, wasn't it?

Stars, she was tired. And ill.

“Karis," Arnyn began, unable to restrain herself and not to fill the awkward silence. “You asked whether Captain Ostoher demanded punishment. As you just heard, you have received none of what he asked for. What you've received is... measured." She paused, and even though it would be hard to tell, the cause of the pause was not for oratory effect, but rather hesitation. "Not because this is a small matter. But because Pele fought to keep it from becoming any larger." Arnyn wanted Karis to realize that. To know that. How much effort it had required, how much energy it had taken. This had been no easy compromise. And the road ahead, between the Rangers and the Tower Guard, had not been made any easier for any of this.

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn
Testing deliberately? No. Ziran shook her head slightly as she listened to Arnyn. It had been purely instinctive that she only fully thought through later, yet rather than speaking up, she listened. Trying to explain herself had apparently made their opinions worse rather than clearing things up as they took her words far past any intention on her part, and she was frustrated at her own lack of clear communication with those who knew her better than most, but clearly not as well as she thought. Her gaze focused on each speaker in turn as she processed their interpretations and rebukes. She understood their points even if she didn’t agree with their conclusions. It was better to not respond verbally at this time, so while she listened intently, she gave space for their words to settle.

When Pele finally pronounced their judgement, she lifted an eyebrow in surprise but gave a slow nod to indicate she had heard. It had not at all surprised her to hear that Ostoher had demanded her demotion and further punishment besides a formal apology, and mentally acknowledged her internal impulse to resign rather than give him that satisfaction even though her sense of duty was stronger than that impulse. She was grateful to hear that they chose not to require such of her despite his demands. Additional duties were to be expected as usual punishment, but did they not know that it was no punishment to deny her access to the training and mission to Umbar or further involvement with the Tower Guard? She had wrestled with her desire to never return to that land and having to leave Macardil before weighing it against her duty to her fellow Rangers to go along and give them what aid and support she could from her knowledge and experience in addition to her sword and bow. There was barely the hint of a sting to be de-volunteered from the secret mission, and she eyed Pele thoughtfully before Arnyn added the emphasis that this was a compromise that they had intentionally made lighter than the matter deserved. Did the acting captain of the Tower Guard now know of the mission that was such a secret that they couldn’t tell their loved ones, or just that she was not to go on their next excursion? That question would likely come across as impertinent at this time after such a clear emphasis on her speaking beyond her rank, so she swallowed it despite Pele’s question as to whether she had further questions or comments. Being honest and candid bore more of a cost of censure than being cryptic, and it was the loss of their good opinions that hurt more than the mentioned consequences.

It took her a few moments to speak because she was still conflicted about how she felt and what to say. Her words were simply stated once they emerged. “I understand and accept your determination, and appreciate your equanimity in choosing the consequences.”

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

There was silence for a while after Pele had asked if there were questions or comments, and she did not hurry to interrupt it, allowing for ample time for thought. When she found Ziran looking at her, a shadow of a smile visited her face, mainly staying in her eyes, even though the topic was by no means light. When Arnyn spoke, Pele looked towards her for a while and then returned her gaze towards Karis, and when the Cúner spoke, she tried to read beyond the words and guess if Karis thought the assigned consequences proportionate - or unjustified. She was about to ask something in that regard but reconsidered at the last moment.

"It would be good if you kept an experienced eye out on things during those six weeks of extra duties, Karis," she said instead. "Say, if you notice there are things which might need improvement sooner rather than later for everyone's benefit." *

* [OOC: As the practical part of the consequences to reflect Ziran performing the extra duties/tasks we would like to see 3 IC posts as a way to show that she accepted the consequences: approximately 1 post per 2 weeks or so, i.e., 2 posts in May and 1 in the first half of June (RL months), but you can also write the posts sooner if you prefer.]

@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen @Isolde Alarion
"That," the Lieutenant agreed with Mourgan, "is a very astute takeaway." She glanced at Abrazimir, to verify whether the sea-captain agreed. "The sea will require teamwork. Like on any mission. The upcoming missions will both be very unlike any other we've undertaken, and yet very similar, all at once."

Arnyn tapped her notes with her pinky and ring fingers. "I have all I need," she then declared simply, with a glance at Pele, before returning her dark gaze to Mourgan. "For now." There were still concerns about how he would fare in Umbar, given that Pele was his aunt. And Pele had yet to make a decision on whether she would keep Mourgan close, or rather assign him elsewhere.

There was plenty of time for that, though. Mourgan had pulled his weight during the sea training exercise. He had performed well. He understood the assignment. What more could she ask for?

---

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
Arnyn's nearly black eyes rested on Karis a moment after she responded verbally to the chosen consequences for her behaviour in the Tower Guard Captain's office. Formal. Because this was a reprimand? Or because Karis was keeping in words that might otherwise escape her?

The Lieutenant's attention shifted back to the Captain. As she spoke in a way that Arnyn recognized as Pele seeking some kind of rapport. Highlighting once more that Pele recognized Karis' experience, and that she was free to offer input on how things could be improved upon.

It was an unnecessary addition, of course; any ranger was free to offer such input, at any time, as long as it was done politely. And Arnyn would not have been one to add it in, here. But she and Pele were very different creatures, despite their shared love for many of the same things. Another thing which Arnyn did not choose to add, just like Pele was choosing not to, was that a failure to perform the additional duties would result in a suspension without pay. But Karis would know that was a real possibility, even if such punishment was not quickly reached for.

Arnyn could no longer fight the urge to rise from her seat, and she ventured as far as the window, leaning against the wall there, looking at the desk where Pele and Karis were still sitting. "Once," she said, no louder than needed for the other two women in the office to hear. "But not twice. I take it you understand why." She could have been referring to what had happened at TG headquarters. Or she could have been referring to their hard work at reducing the demanded punishment. She could have been talking about both.

@Arnyn @Pele Alarion @Isolde Alarion
The next to enter was Mourgan, a nephew of Pele’s, who entered and saluted them, Abrazimir returning the nod. He let Pele and Arnyn conduct the interview while he mostly listened. Mourgan stated his respect for the mariners and sailors of their shared kingdom, though he was glad to stick to land. I suppose anyone can putter around on the water but they would most likely end up washed ashore or put into the rocks. ”Well you can at least consider yourself no longer one of those, eh?” Abrazimir jested, hoping Mourgan learned enough. Not one of those who would be flailing about the rocks but with enough knowledge to survive in the deep blue waters of the world.

And yes, never mess with the cooks. That was a common lesson whether on the high seas or on land. Always a mark of wisdom.

Now was the primary lesson. Could Mourgan still fight and hold his own in a battle even with sea sickness or unsteady legs? The other man seemed confident enough. Twice over, he confirmed. Well, enthusiasm was better than nothing. Showed a willingness to keep an open mind. The storm too had been quite a learning lesson for all involved. ”Part of the crew, part of the ship, we say sometimes. We must move with one mind, one heart, in these sorts of things. You exemplified that thinking expertly with your answer, Ranger Alarion.” He said in agreement with Arnyn, nodding his acceptance.

”I reckon you’re a good shot as well. I mean, all you Rangers generally are. Think you can keep that precise aim even as the ship rises and dips, sways on the water, or shakes in a storm or under fire from an enemy vessel?” Abrazimir inquired, before he would pass on the final say to Pele.

(Solo post)


Just as Eryn predicted, Trastion was very sore in the morning. His neck was tight, and so was the muscle in one calf. The one he'd used to try and hook over Narsule's back, trying to cling on. His back, shoulder, and hip also felt a little bruised, which was not surprising. He did not want to get out of bed, to be honest. But he did. He tried stretching his leg to try and coax the muscle into relaxing, but nothing seemed to help. Despite the lack of success there, he also tried various neck stretches, with the same result.

After he'd dressed, and checked on his equine charges, Trastion made his way into the armory, carrying the broken strap which had caused his misfortune. The familiar sounds of hammering guided him straight into the forge, where Cali was.. crafting something. He could not tell what it was, yet. It looked like a hunk of hot metal, to him. "Morning." He greeted, with less enthusiasm than usual.

"Morning," She replied, almost with a sigh in her voice.

Trastion didn't have to ask what was wrong. Both her brother and her beau were off at sea, and he knew she was probably worried about them. "I'm sure they'll be fine." He tried to assure her.

Cali didn't comment on that. Nor on the fact that she was a bit more worried about Nal's mental state, rather than physical state. Trastion didn't know the history there, with the last time he'd been on a ship. He didn't know about all the things Trev had told them all. And she wasn't going to fill him in so that he'd understand her concerns. "What do you need, Trastion?" She set her project aside for the moment, once she reached a point where she could do so.

"Oh.. I just need a new billet strap." He answered.

Cali blinked. "A billet strap?" She repeated, surprised.

"Yeah, it goes on the off-side of a saddle, holds the-"

"I know what it is," Cali informed him. "I've just never had anyone require a replacement before."

"Oh. Well, first time for everything, I guess." He shrugged, then wished he hadn't. Wincing slightly, he was glad that Cali had turned away to scan the shelves.

She stared off at the shelves in thought, trying to recall if she even had any of those in stock, or if she'd have to make one. After a moment, she went over to check among the saddle supplies, because she figured, if the previous armorer had any of those in stock, they'd probably be with that stuff. After a few minutes searching through the supplies, she shook her head slightly, going instead to the supply of leather she kept on hand. "I'll have to make a new one," She informed him, then selected a piece of leather that should work. "This'll only take a minute." She promised, moving over to the workbench. She selected the necessary tools, then turned to Trastion. "Do you have the old one?"

"Yeah, here." He offered the two pieces to her.

Cali took a look at it, then took it from his hands and studied it with a frown. "Goodness, Trastion... what'd you do, saw at it with a rasp?"

"Of course, I thought it'd be fun to have it break while I was riding." He replied, rolling his eyes. "I guess it just got worn through. I should have checked it more often, I guess."

Cali frowned slightly. "Whose saddle did this come off of, anyway? One of the ones everyone uses?" She guessed, as she stretched the strap out along the edge of her new piece, and began tracing along the edges of both pieces.

"No, Arnyn's." Trastion answered. "I was on Narsule.. fortunately, he's very well-trained and well behaved, or it could've been a lot worse." He said, lightly rubbing his shoulder with a little wince.

"Hmm. Odd, indeed." Cali remarked. After marking down everything she needed, she handed the pieces back to Trastion and grabbed her knife, carefully cutting out the new strap. Then she ran the beveler along all the edges, then took a few minutes to burnish them as well.

Trastion stood by, watching while she dampened and rubbed the edges of the new strap so that it wasn't a raw cut edge. He'd never seen one of these things being made before, and it was interesting.

Next, she punched all of the holes necessary, and lastly, she pulled out a strip of leather lacing, cut a piece, and laced it through the two holes so that the strap could be tied onto the saddle. "How's that?" She asked. "It doesn't need any tooling or anything?" She checked. That would take significantly longer.

"No, nothing like that." He assured her. "Thanks, this is perfect." He smiled. "I'll try not to add any more work to your load, now." he added jokingly.

"You might want to check that saddle and see what it was that rubbed through the strap like that." She suggested. "I mean, that is.. odd. I'm not really much of a rider, but I can't even imagine how that could've happened."

"I will. I was thinking that, too." He admitted. "I hope there's nothing weird going on with the saddle." He mentioned, concerned that if something was rubbing the strap, it might have also been rubbing Narsule's side and it would have been uncomfortable for him. "Thanks Cali. Uh.. what should I do with this?" He asked, realizing he was still holding the old strap.

"Give it here," She held out her hand. "I'll take care of it."

He handed it over and took the new strap in its place. "See you around." He said, waving as he left. Time to go and put this on the saddle, and he would inspect the saddle very carefully while doing so.

Cali took another look at the broken strap, thoughtfully studying the place that had broken. Then, she set it aside in a drawer of her workbench, where it would be kept safe and out of the way. That was indeed curious, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about it. She couldn't quite explain it, but some instinct told her not to toss it away just yet.

@Arnyn @Pele Alarion
Given the tone of previous statements, it was a sea-change for Pele to suddenly state that it would be good if she kept an eye on things and shared any suggestions. Was that supposed to take the sting out of the strong reminder that she no longer held any rank? Quite likely. The question lit Ziran’s eyes as she studied Pele’s expression for a moment before nodding once in mute acknowledgement.

Arnyn’s abrupt rising and pacing to the window caught her attention, and she turned slightly to see Arnyn lean against the wall before giving that quietly worded…reminder, warning? Ziran drew a slow breath and firmed her jaw against the twist of emotion that caught at her in response. Clearing her throat slightly, she nodded once again. She was thankful for their measured response, even if they still didn’t see eye-to-eye on the matter. It seemed the words were a dismissal, so she rose, carefully placing the mug she held on the side bar and straightened to face Pele with a slight angling of her body to include Arnyn. “Thank you for taking my report and for your judgment in these matters.” She lifted her hand in crisp salute while inclining her head slightly. “Captain. Lieutenant." If no further words were forthcoming she would take her leave. There was much to think on, and she knew Lieutenant Brian would be thrilled to find she needed to fill her hours while the rest were at sea.

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Headquarters- late January
@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen

Mourgan waited at attention as the Lieutenant came to the conclusion she had all she needed, for now. He turned his attention to Lord Abrazimir as he gave his assumption of Mourgans fitness for the mission.
When asked if he could keep precise aim as the ship went through all it's paces he answered. "I believe so Sir. My life and the lives of the others will depend upon it."

He lightly glanced at the Captain. He knew she had the final say when it came to where he stood with the mission. He waited patiently for any other questions or concerns from Lord Abrazimir.

@Pele Alarion @Karis Ziranphel
Arnyn nodded when Karis thanked them for hearing her report and for their judgment. It was a measured and respectful response, and Arnyn was grateful for that. Only the Valar knew how she might have dealt with anything else, at the moment. She returned Karis' salute, but left the words to Pele. For Arnyn was more focused now on keeping up the facade of merely a very busy officer who had not wanted to have this conversation. Not that any of that was a lie. She was very busy, with preparing for sea training and her part in a number of active investigations. And she most definitely had not wanted to have this conversation, either. But it took a lot of energy to hide her exhaustion. It took a lot of energy to hide the lingering effects on yesterday's dose of poison, given the lack of time to sleep it off. The matter of her brother's new girlfriend was concerning to say the least. Adding to all of that this situation with the Tower Guard...

Once the door had closed behind Karis, Arnyn allowed herself to sigh in Pele's presence. "I hope we never have to repeat anything like that, ever again," she mumbled, albeit loudly enough for Pele to hear. "Do we have any other business, Captain? If not, I would like to return to what was supposed to be my day off." If she was to have any chance of keeping her word concerning her evening plans with Tercen and Gladhron, she needed as much sleep as she could still get...

---

FYI @Rillewen @Karis Ziranphel
It was a very particular kind of silence that reigned the office. Both individuals present were sitting at opposite sides of the desk, as per usual for meetings held here between either the captain or lieutenant and other parties, but today at least one of those parties assumed that the opposition would extend beyond the material nature of the wooden piece of furniture.

"I assume," Macardil ventured, "that you have been informed about the events that occurred in Lossarnach." It was delivered as a statement, in that calm tone he so often employed, but the question was self evident.

"I have," Arnyn agreed, effortlessly mirroring that same colouring in her voice, her expression giving away nothing of the worries and fears that lay beneath. Despite this successful masking of her tone and face, however, the Lieutenant could not quite control the tightness in her body language. She was on edge. And to someone like Macardil, that was notable.

It surprised him that the blonde would be so affected by his presence. Little did he know, of course, that her reasons extended far beyond what would be their topic of conversation. Macardil frowned when Arnyn left her reply at those two tiny words. And he waited.

For a long moment, neither of them picked up the thread. Both of them were testing the waters by withholding speech, and the silence was almost treading into stand-off territory, when finally Arnyn seemingly decided it was not worth it. "By both Karis and the Tower Guard Captain. Which is why you requested to see me?"

Macardil's lower jaw shifted to the right as his gaze darted around the office, escaping eye contact with the steady-eyed Lieutenant. She might be on edge, but she was unfazed. He had not yet decided how he felt about that. It would surely have been more satisfactory if his presence had pulled forth more of a reaction. Then again, with what he knew about Arnyn, that rigid set of her shoulders and the tension in her hands was more than she regularly gave away.
"It is related to the matter," he replied. His own arms were loose as they lay upon the chair's arm rests. A sharp contrast to the woman who was eying him like a hawk. "Yesterday, I had an unexpected visit from Erynneth Raedor."

Arnyn forced herself to lean back against her own chair, seeking to display the same feigned comfort as the lieutenant she had once served. "Who came to your house, seeking help to acquire the Veranis signet ring and Ryndir Dringolben's dagger from a pawn shop at the marketplace."

That made Macardil pause in surprise, before his chin tilted minutely. "Your trainee?"

Arnyn could not resist the mild smile that claimed her lips. "My trainee," she confirmed. "I'd imagine you'd realize he would have reported to me by now."

"Well, it has not even been a full day," Macardil countered, yet he filed away the subtext carefully. Arnyn was stating - or claiming - that Trastion did not hold back anything from her. "Besides, I would imagine that, if you already knew, you would not have agreed to this unexpected meeting. Given that you are a busy woman."

The blonde let out a brief hum. "Therefore it would be a rational conclusion that I prioritized this meeting for a different reason than learning about the ring and the dagger."

Silence.

His eyes narrowed. "Even now, I am undecided whether or not to broach that particular topic of conversation," he admitted.

"Understandable," Arnyn allowed with a nod. "I will not advise you one way or the other." The choice was his. "The ring was definitely Reilly Veranis'?"

Macardil nodded. "Halberion confirmed it. Whether the dagger was truly Ryndir's, you could have confirmed by your smith." He noted Arnyn's small wave, which indicated she was well aware of that. Or perhaps that she had even already verified it? Whichever was the case, the important part was that she knew, he supposed.
"Should I then also assume that your trainee made mention of who sold the items to the pawn shop?"

"Who allegedly sold it," she added in. "Guard Lieutenant Feirion." She slanted her head, the wordless question right there on her face. Anything else?

If he had been a swearing man, he might have done so. Why had he even requested this meeting, if Trastion had already so fully informed her? Merely for the confirmation she could have, and probably would have, retrieved from Halberion himself, if Macardil had not presented himself to the office so readily? And the other matter... He still could not say whether Ziran would kiss or kick him for broaching it at all.

Yet, being who he was... how could he not?

"She spent years commanding soldiers under Denethor." He resisted the urge to pick at the edge of his arm rest, instead meeting Arnyn's eyes with his own. Unusual blues meeting unusually black ones. "Trained to recognize overreach the moment it reared its head. That habit has deep roots.”

The slightest, sad smile appeared. They had always needed to push back early, under Denethor. Their orders had been never to surrender ground once claimed. Arnyn knew that. She had lived it, too. Orders had their effects. "I understand."

For the second time, Macardil did not quite know what to say. He had expected Arnyn to push back on his words. Because she had not mentioned understanding to Ziranphel, had she? If she had, Ziran had not spoken of it to him. Not in a way he had picked up on, at least.
"I tried to defuse the situation."

Now it was Arnyn's turn to take a moment while she searched his expression carefully. For that one sentence told her more than simply the words at surface level. And then she took a gamble. As she was wont to do, from time to time. "You should not feel guilty about the escalation."

He startled. Visibly. For that was exactly how he felt, and he felt uncomfortable at the way Arnyn had just laid that bare. It was an unusual experience for him. This woman... She was younger than he was. Yet he could not say that it showed. "Do you think this will mend?" he simply asked. Not between Ostoher and Ziran, for that ship had probably sailed, he knew.

"It can," Arnyn said. "If she decides understanding matters more than being technically correct."

Macardil's expression was as undecipherable as Arnyn's as they regarded one another in silence. The awkwardness that had held the room at the start of their conversation had dissipated, in favor of something else that was difficult to define. "I think she understands more than you believe."

Arnyn nodded. Between them, anything that may need 'mending' interpersonally, would mend. Whether the relationship between the Rangers and the Tower Guard would mend, however, was still very much up in the air. Was Macardil asking about that, as well? "Ostoher is more difficult to gauge," she added, to make that clear.

Macardil grunted his own understanding, for there was a reason he had chosen to come here, rather than Guard Headquarters. And from the way Arnyn was looking at him, he dared say she was probably aware of that, too. He decided it was time for him to take his leave. Before this woman could discern even more about his inner workings than she already had.

He rose from his seat. "Your trainee," he said. "Trastion."

"Yes?"

"You gave him permission to train with me, if I agreed."

The Lieutenant raised her eyebrows. "And?"

"He seemed to be under the impression you would be asking me, but since he came along with Eryn..."

She smiled faintly. "So I've heard."

"You did not ask me. And you do not strike me as the kind of person to postpone such a thing. Nor did you ask any of the other available Pelecconner."

"If you were to take on an mentee, Macardil, would you limit your instruction to weapons and forestry skills?" she inquired, almost innocently.

Macardil could not help a fleeting smile at that. "No," he agreed to the distinction between being a trainer and a mentor. "I would not."

Arnyn rose as well, slightly spreading out her arms. "Well. There you go, then."

Soon enough, the door closed between the current and former Lieutenant, and both of them went about their business.

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel


Captain Pele Alarion
Headquarters, Command Office,
Afternoon of December 29

Pele considered for a while if there was anything else she could say, but she found herself lacking in words. She hated the whole situation for she thrived on harmony and cooperation, and she felt like this balance was endangered – and she felt torn by having to give some sort of consequences to Ziran and her wish to smooth everything over just to feel that balance had returned. She knew that there were no such words that could achieve much this very moment, so she rose and returned Karis’ salute.

“Take care, Karis, and bring my greetings to Macardil,” she did say eventually, though it seemed to her that the words were not the best that could have been said, though she did mean them.

When the Cúner had left, Pele turned towards Arnyn and sighed as well. “I totally hate this,” she admitted quietly, and then shook her head. “I don’t think there is anything else pressing, Nyn. Go on, grab a hold of the day while you can. Hopefully nothing will happen to make me go in search of you urgently. We’ve already had a barracks fire not that long ago, so… I’d hope for nothing of the sort.”

---

@Isolde Alarion , @Arnyn , @Lantaelen

Captain Pele Alarion and also Recruit Cadil
Headquarters - Rangers reporting to the Command after sea training - late January

A slight grin tugged at the corner of Pele’s lips when she saw determination in Mourgan’s stance and his confident answer to her question. While she had supposed he would have her back at any time, it was good to see his confidence and readiness for teamwork as well.

She did not take that many notes and instead simply listened while Arnyn and Abrazimir asked their own questions of Mourgan, and she found herself being proud of him, quietly though.

“You’ve done very well, Mourgan, and it is great to hear of the new things you have added to your experience,” Pele said, her blue eyes smiling. “So I…”

At that moment, there was a loud knock at the door, and before any of them could answer, Cadil nearly barged in. He had not forgotten his manners, but he was very anxious indeed. It was one thing to see any one of these important folks separately, even when they all were cooped up on one ship, but having to face all three of them at once certainly had turned him into a bundle of nerves – and he had acted before he realised what he had done.

When he saw that Mourgan was also there, he realised his mistake, his brown eyes grew big, and a deep blush crept up his cheeks.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, backing his way out the door again.

“Wait, Cadil,” Pele called at him barely holding back laughter at his fluster. “Come on in, I was just about to dismiss Mourgan and wish him a nice day, so you might as well stay.” She did think of sending him back out and telling him to knock again and wait until he is called in but decided against it.

“Right,” she turned her attention back to Mourgan. “Since there are no more questions, you are indeed free to leave. And yes. Have a nice day.”

“And you, Recruit,” she turned to Cadil again. “Get out of that doorway and come take a seat.”

Still blushing and feeling as if he might turn into a puddle of sweat, the young man snapped off a quick salute - at least he tried to get something right in this official setting - and sat stiffly into the indicated chair, glancing at all the 'examination board members' in turn.

@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen @Isolde Alarion
Arnyn blinked at the door which opened abruptly after the loud knock, interrupting Pele in the middle of her sentence. When Cadil grew about as red as a beet, Arnyn held back some amusement at watching him backing out of the door. Pele, however, kept him from going far. Mourgan was dismissed, and Cadil was ordered inside. Arnyn gave a little nod to Mourgan on his way out.

She glanced sideways at Pele when the Captain did not really ask Cadil anything, and then refocused upon the young man as he sat there. Looking very uncomfortable. The Lieutenant drew in a breath.

"Hello, Cadil. If you're trying to make an impression, bursting into the Captain's office is certainly one way to do it." She wasn't mocking him, but only meant to use just enough humor so that someone might chuckle and Cadil realized he wasn't about to have arrows shot at him. Then she moved straight into business.

"Now that you've survived that ordeal, I'm curious." She knew Cadil the least of everyone who had sailed with them, after all. "What mistake taught you the most?"

"And what frightened you the most, and how did you push through that fear?"

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Headquarters- late January
@Pele Alarion @Arnyn @Lantaelen

Mourgans attention was focused on the Captain as she spoke to him but then they were all distracted by the sudden knock on the door and the sudden appearance of Cadil. He briefly looked at him before returning his attention to the Captain since technically he was still at attention.
Cadil apologized and was about to leave when the Captain stopped him. When he was addressed again and dismissed, he gave her a salute. "Thank you Captain, good day to you as well." He then turned from her and gave Lieutenant Arnyn a salute as well and a respectful nod to Lord Abrazimir as he made his way to the exit, passing Cadil as he was told get out of the doorway. "Recruit." He offered along with a small hint of a grin as he exited the office.

FYI @Rillewen

Her reunion with Nársulë at Harlond had been the best part of her return, so far. The momentary peace the stallion offered her, by his mere reaction to seeing her. When she''d rested her head against his neck.

The ride back had been filled with conversation. Picker and Calan had told her everything about their little expedition. And she had told them all about the weeks at sea. And after that... they had discussed future plans. The three of them. For it would be the three of them who'd be undertaking a very specific and very dangerous venture, not too long from now.

The Lieutenant had dismounted close to headquarters, and the other two had taken Nársulë back to the stables with their own mounts, but not before Arnyn had given Calan orders to find one of the rangers who'd been sent on one particular assignment during her absence, and the same with Picker to find one of the rangers who'd been sent on another assignment. With orders for them to report to her at once. Arnyn was set on gathering all information as quickly as possible - for the days she was to have in the city were few. There was not an hour of daylight to waste.

The command office was quiet as she entered. Arnyn closed the door behind her.

She crossed to the desk, pulled out the files she would need once the rangers arrived she'd sent for, and stood for a moment looking at the papers in front of her. Work was always waiting. But, for now... her hand reached into cloak, and the letter emerged.

Arnyn took a seat. Calmly. As though she had all the time in the world.

The wax broke beneath her thumb. She unfolded the page slowly, but that was all the restraint she could muster, for her dark eyes flew across the lines at breakneck speed, her thoughts racing alone with them.

Westu hal.

Rohirric. Good.

We've had a long journey, but we made it here at last.

A quiet breath left her.

You'd like it here.

Her eyes lingered on the sentence a fraction of a second longer than the others, before she devoured the rest of the letter so fast that her mental voice only repeated part of the words. They assembled themselves into a picture.

The coded phrasings revealed that they had been treated well. That they hadn't seen or uncovered anything that contradicted what Ava had claimed.

The knot in Arnyn's stomach did not loosen, however. Because relief felt suspicious these days. And because she felt as if... she was overlooking something in between the lines of the coded letter. As if she were failing to ask the right questions. Failing to spot any hints at danger. Her gaze drifted back to the beginning of the letter.

Her fingers tapped against the edge of the letter as her eyes returned to a specific phrase.

We've spent most of our time, so far, exploring and learning where everything is.

That sounded exactly like what they should be doing. It sounded like... the mission moving forward. Her gaze rested upon another specific phrase.

This place is as beautiful as described...

'As described.' They had not uncovered any lies. In whatever brief timespan they'd had at Ava's estate, before sending this out to her.

The thought should have comforted her, but instead it produced something very close to exhaustion. For it was not the removal of an uncertainty. It was a continuation of the status quo.

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen read the letter again. More slowly. Now, she was looking for strain, warning - something, anything that may seem forced. But she found nothing. Instead, she found the code they'd agreed upon, the discussed and unremarkable words they had agreed the brothers would put in to make sure she would know the letter was written without coercion.

That did not reassure her nearly as much as she would have liked.

Arnyn stared at that final line.

... we can't wait to tell you all about it when we see you again.

When we see you again. Not if. When.

Arnyn sighed. Two weeks. The letter was two weeks old. Two weeks ago, they had been alive. Sitting somewhere in Umbar, writing this, expecting they would see her again.

Her hand rose to the small stone at her neck, cool against her fingertips. She held it for a moment as she read the letter yet again, from beginning to end. The kind of letter written by people who had arrived safely and did not want her worrying more than absolutely necessary. Which, unfortunately, meant it accomplished almost the exact opposite.

Arnyn folded the page neatly, the names they'd agreed the brothers would be using still tumbling through her head. Dracawine and Arodearh. She hoped they were being careful about using them correctly; not just in this letter to her, but also when interacting with everyone over there. She'd gotten the sense Gladhron had not seen the point of implementing that additional layer of safety, even though he had agreed after Arnyn had offered up several arguments as to why it would be safer. Gwestion, of course, had needed no convincing. Tercen had point blank refused, with that infuriating shrug and an argument she couldn't really debunk. But Gladhron and Gwestion had more ties, to people who would not be going to Umbar at all.

Arnyn stared at the wall. She wasn't there. She had no idea of what they were doing. She trusted they would do the best they could. But would that be enough? Had she sent two way too inexperienced people into a quagmire, trusting they'd navigate it correctly by... what, exactly?

The Lieutenant closed her eyes, even as her mind whispered: 'yes, you did'. Her stomach twisted, but there was no point to this. It was too late. Her friends were already there. Her brother was already there. All she could do now was hope. Hope that Ava was not a liar. Hope that they would be cautious and meticulous. Hope that they wouldn't forget about having their own backs over there, too.

It would not be long now, before she left. Just a handful of days. It was a careful mantra, one she could repeat to herself over and over, in an attempt to stay calm and collected. For she needed to keep her wits about her. A lot was riding on her doing just that.

Finally, she rose from the chair and took off her cloak, hanging it onto one of the pegs by the door. She returned the letter to one of its pockets, before returning to the files upon the desk, and opening them to read through. To refresh her memory of everything, before the others arrived.

@Arnyn
She'd been trying to watch for the lieutenant's return for the past five days or so. And so, after hearing some horses in the stable yard, she looked out and saw Arnyn and a couple other rangers taking their horses into the stable, so she figured that meant everyone had returned at last. Cali figured, however, that both the captain and lieutenant would have a few things to take care of before they would be available, so she didn't drop what she was doing to rush over there. Instead, she made herself exercise a little patience, and finished what she was currently working on. Once she set the helmet aside to cool, then she locked her billows into the closed position, took off her apron and gloves, laying those aside.

From the drawer in her workbench, she took two pieces of leather that once were one whole piece, wrapped in a cloth, and left her domain. If she hadn't felt it was an important matter, of course she would have waited. For most matters, she would have just maybe sent a note with something like, 'hey when you get a minute, could I talk to you?' or even just asked one of the rangers to mention it if they saw her. But this... Cali did not feel that it could wait. Not any longer than she must.

So, she knocked on the door of the command office, hoping to find Arnyn inside. She was really hoping that her concerns were all merely in vain, but a glance down at the small bundle in her hands reminded her of why she felt that it was not. No, she decided that she was probably making the right call in coming to talk to her right away. She just hoped that the lieutenant wasn't too busy to hear her concerns.

@Rillewen

When the knock on the door sounded, Arnyn didn't so much as glance up from her papers, before shoving one set back into the first file, and the other set back into the second one. She'd learned from that mistake with Gladhron. No information was leaking out today unless she verbally mentioned it.

"Come in," the Lieutenant invited whoever was on the other side of the door. Of course, she was expecting one of the summoned rangers. When the ranger smith entered, instead, Arnyn did not fully hide her surprise. "Cali," she greeted the young woman, as she rose from her seat. "What brings you here, today?" It was perhaps not the most welcoming greeting, but Arnyn's mind was fully on her endless to do list. "If you're looking for the Captain, she's with the other rangers, still heading back to the City from Harlond."

@Arnyn
She was glad to hear Arnyn's voice inviting her in, since that was who she'd come to talk to. She stepped inside, and it was clear that the lieutenant was surprised to see her. "Hello, Arnyn. I hope your trip went well," She began, trying not to just jump right in with what she had to say.

As Arnyn suggested that she might have come for the captain, Cali shook her head slightly and closer. "I was hoping to find you, actually." She informed her. She hesitated, a little unsure how to begin now that she was here. She cleared her throat. "I need to talk to you, and I feel that it's important, or I wouldn't bother you when I know you're probably busy." She explained, a little apologetic.

@Rillewen

Her lips parted and her eyebrows lifted a little when Cali politely said she hoped the trip went well. "You could say that," was the reply the Lieutenant offered, before almost laughing at Cali's next words. "Probably," she agreed. "Well, now is as good as time as any. I should warn you, though - I don't have long. I am expecting people." Arnyn gestured at Cali to go ahead. There was no time to sugarcoat things.

@Arnyn
"Ah... well, then I'll try not to take too much time." Cali answered, then came to sit in one of the chairs across from Arnyn. She hesitated, very briefly. "Alright, I know this might sound a little... out there, but I'm starting to worry that someone might be trying to kill you." She said quietly, with a concerned look on her face. "Please hear me out..." She hastily added, without giving her a chance to protest. "Remember, about a month ago, when you were.. not feeling well?" She began, tentative. Because that had been a rather unusual circumstance, and it had made Cali quite concerned at the time, it had stuck with her a bit. "You know... when you ended up laying on the ground in the cold, after Trastion left from your training session?" She asked this rhetorically, as a way to bring them both onto the same page here.

"I know, you said you were fine, and that you were just a little under the weather, but... I don't know, I just couldn't help but feel that something was off," She frowned. "At the time, I tried to let it go, but.." She paused, trying to find the words to explain her feelings. "I noticed, after that point, that you continued to seem just a little.. Well, the more I think about it, the more I've started wondering, thinking back about how you looked that day, and how you acted.. compared to some stuff I've been asking my mother about, and..." She shook her head, clasping her hands together in her lap. "The point is, I think that someone might have tried to poison you, and that's why you got sick." She cut right to the point, rather than trying to beat around the bush.


(referencing this RP)