Minas Tirith Marketplace II – Free RP

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn , @Rillewen
Near leatherworker's shop

It only took a few moments after her initial spill of annoyance at the merchant for Pele to collect herself, though anger continued to seethe beneath the surface and would not be quenched so easily. While she was usually slow to anger and patient, there were certain things that just seemed to get to her.

She had responded to Kaylin's question about whether she knew the young girl with a slow and barely noticeable shake of her head; if anything, the presence of a stranger, and a young one at that, had made her reign in her outburst quite quickly, and for that she was grateful. Kaylin had not taken long to make proper introductions, and Pele returned Eryn's handshake, as a small smile mastered her features.

"Ah, nice to meet you, Erynneth. And thank you," she said. "Don't worry. Your father was right on time, but I sent him to make sure our horses were ready for travel while I went hunting for that missing merchant."

Turning back to Kaylin, she looked at her Ranger friend thoughtfully, considering the answer. "Well, it is just some git who doesn't know to appreciate favours. Firdaus is his name, trading in fabric and such," she dropped some bits of information. "Some investigation is required. Reports have come in. It might be just a walk in the park, but then again it might end up being much more than that." Pele tilted her head at Kaylin with a small grin. "Might be something to add to your shopping list? Hmm?"

[Arnyn]

Open RP
@Rillewen
@Pele Alarion


Outside the Leatherworker's

So Pele was going to escort this merchant, and at least one other person was going with her: Erynneth's father. Duinion, rather, Kaylin mentally corrected herself. It wouldn't do to start thinking of the man purely in terms of him being Erynneth's dad, she supposed.

She tried to look only mildly interested under Pele's pensive regard, but probably wasn't putting enough effort into it to make it look convincing. Firdaus. Fabrics. If her ears could have moved back and forth, they would have at the sound of 'investigation is required'. And at Pele's question, a slow grin blossomed on the redhead's face. "Well." Her hands went up into a questioning gesture. "When the Captain asks, what's a girl supposed to do?" Taking a beat to think on it, her expression grew thoughtful. "Perhaps the Captain could bring someone else along. Not another Ranger, but perhaps... a messenger for some important family? Depending on where this merchant is going, of course? And this non-Ranger could try and keep a closer eye on master Firdaus. My, a smart businessman would even seek out such a person if their family was wealthy enough to prove excellent customers." After all, she did have just under an hour to prepare...

[Moriel]

Nevertheless
TA 2976
(Private)

It was a fine spring morning in Minas Tirith, early enough that the glittering golden light of sunrise still lingered on the white stones, and the smells of baking bread and candlewax wafted from many corners in the Second Circle. The day was just beginning, an hour when many sixteen year old lads would be expected to still be lying abed, or groaning at the prospect of the work ahead. But Kamion was returning already from the first task of his day, a predawn run that had seen him range far afield in Pelennor. He was no ordinary sixteen year old lad, in nature or in stature: standing some four inches above six feet, he towered above most, and a lingering gangliness caused is father to shake his head and declare that his son had not yet finished growing. Kamion was long of leg and broad of shoulder, and though his breadth had not yet grown quite into his height, the lean muscle of a youthful soldier clothed him. Above the open neck of his damp shirt, a handsome face smiled. He wasn’t what to nobility might consider beautiful: his nose wasn’t quite straight, his lips a bit too full, his chin a bit too strong, and his brow a little too heavy for that. But the startling cobalt eyes that danced beneath his sweat-straggled shock of black hair radiated his heart’s joy, and that was enough to capture the attention of plenty of his peers.

But today, Kamion had no such thoughts in his head. This morning, he had thoughts only for the trip to the blacksmith he and his father were to make later that day. At last, at last, his father had judged him master of the sword! And today, they would order his own, hopefully a blade that would serve him for the rest of his life. He had been thinking about it for years of course, then over the last few months when his father had begun to suggest that the time might be drawing near his obsession deepened, and last night he had not slept at all. His excitement was such that he had left the house even earlier than usual to run his tireless miles. His heart sang, and so did he, arms swinging as he strode through the marketplace, unable to contain himself.

“When lanes were blossom-scented, and linnet songs were new,
And the skylark teeming rapture down the sunny blue,
I felt the restless longing, the call of the trail,
That grows ever fairer on the hills of Longdendale!”

In Rhudaur, where both Kamion and his father had been born, there was an area known as Longdendale. A place of wild moors, sprawling hills, tracks known only to the deer and the rangers, secret pools and magic glades, it was precious to their kin, and the song was in his bones. Kamion’s memories of the place were few, but he treasured them all. His voice had begun to settle towards baritone, but still carried the tenor stridence of his youth, and rang out in the empty street.

”Out in the bracing freshness of the blowing moorland air,
Out where the dawn comes singing now to see herself so far,
There is no room for sorrow, all life is shouting hale,
In plover fields a-roaming on the hills of Longdendale!”

From a shop up ahead a woman emerged. In her middle forties, she was plump and pleasant-faced, with the ruddy cheeks of one who stood close to an oven for long stretches of time.

“I thought I heard you coming!” she laughed, shaking her head. “Do you never lie abed?” Kamion grinned.

“Not often, miz Greta.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. Kamion was a frequent visitor to the marketplace and a familiar sight passing through in the early morning, and he had made many acquaintances among the shopkeepers. Greta was extra special, being the mother of one of his friends- she had long ago forbidden greater formality, and he could never quite bring himself to call her by just her name, and so they had reached a compromise against which she still protested at every turn. “If only you could teach my son your ways. I fear he’ll never make a soldier with his love of sleep.” It was Kamion’s turn to laugh.

“Ulath’ll come around! He likes to fight too much.”

“Speaking of which,” Greta said with a hint of slyness, “he tells me you’re getting your sword today.” Kamion’s grin grew, if that were possible, even broader, and he practically vibrated with glee.

“Yes! Well, father and I are going to order it today, I’m sure it’ll be a good while before I get it, but-“

“But it’ll be that much better for the wait, aye, aye, I know.” Greta withdrew her hands from her apron pocket and lobbed an object at him. “Take that with you, lords know you boys forget to eat when you’re excited about something!” Kamion snatched the raisin bun out of the air easily, and ducked his head to Greta.

“Thank you miz!” With a flap of the hands she dismissed him, and Kamion turned back along his way. He strode out all the more briskly, snatching bites from the bun as he went, his singing somewhat muffled by pastry, and interrupted by waves and greetings exchanged with other stallholders and shopkeepers beginning their days. He had nearly reached the end of both marketplace and bun, approaching the gate to the third circle, by the time the song drew to a close.

”And who ever made this hilltops so spacious and so free,
I know not why or wherefore, but it’s all enough for me;
I will not seek nor question, I’ll neither mock nor rail,
As I go happy roaming on the hills of Londendale,”

Kamion crammed the last bite of sweet bun into his mouth and chewed vociferously, but only half-swallowed before drawing another deep breath and crowing the final line to the sky, arms and head thrown back as it came out in a spray of crumbs.

”As I go happy roaming on the hills of Longdendale!”

A muffled laugh caught his attention, and he jerked around in the direction it had come, even as his cheek bulged with unswallowed pastry and the crumbs pattered down about his feet and into his hair. Through a glass window to his left, a pair of large, violet eyes assailed him, turned up at the corners in mirth, and framed by impossibly thick eyelashes. Almost as soon as his locked with them, Kamion realized that they were set into the face of a girl, framed by dark hair that was long, thick, and waving, with just a hint of chestnut. She moved away from the window and, struck utterly dumb, Kamion tracked her automatically, eyes and body rotating to meet her as she emerged from a door next to the window, over which hung a painted sign reading Brown’s. She was not nearly so tall as he, but not small either, and she was still giggling as she leaned against the doorframe, clasping her hands before her with a smile.

“Good morning!”

(song adapted from The Hills of Longdendale, English trad.)

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Erynneth Raedor
Streets outside the Leatherworker's shop

Eryn relaxed somewhat after hearing Pele's reply. "Oh, good." For a moment, she had worried, though she wasn't completely sure what she had been worried about. It was even better to hear that he had been sent on ahead. Less chances of him spotting her with the boots, then. Trying to cover up the fact she had felt any worry at all, she mentioned, "I'm here shopping for a birthday present for him, is all. I thought he would have been gone off with you and that merchant by now, so.." She glanced around. "I feared he would be right behind you." Grinning, she held up the bag as evidence. "You won't tell him you saw me, will you?" She added, a little concerned for a number of reasons.

Listening to the exchange between the two rangers, Eryn had a suspicion that Kaylin was indeed planning to tag along, and felt quite envious about the fact. She knew she could never get away with sneaking along, of course. Her father would catch her out right away, and send her right back home and that would be the end of it. No, she was better off staying here in town for now and continuing with her other plans, but she couldn't help feeling a bit jealous, anyway. Trying to think as a ranger might, for practice, Eryn tried to pick apart what Kaylin had suggested. "You mean, so you can find out if he's up to something?" The girl wondered, tilting her head at the red-haired woman she was already thinking of as a friend. "So... you could be sort of under cover, right? And maybe see if you can find out if he's got any secret motives?" She inquired further, becoming a little excited at the thought of what an adventure that might be. It was with further disappointment, therefore, that she reminded herself that she wouldn't be able to join in what could very well be an exciting adventure.

[Pele Alarion]

Outside the Leatherworker's Shop
@Rillewen , @Arnyn

"Well... a girl could simply continue enjoying her shopping," Pele shrugged with a grin still lingering on her lips, though she knew that Kaylin was not likely to give up on opportunity to join in on the task if she could. "It was an invitation, not a command, and yet I would be grateful for your expertise and keen eye for what might not be obvious. A messenger would do if you see it fit!" Pele was rather unsure of the extent of possible threat to be investigated, or if there even was any actual threat, yet having an extra set of watchful eyes and masterful hands could be a good thing.

Pele cast a quick glance at the bag Eryn held, and then assured her: "No worries, I won't tell him anything." It seemed though that the short exchange between the Rangers had caught the girl's interest, and now it was Pele's turn to ask for some secrecy: "Erynneth, what you have heard here is not exactly common knowledge, so please don't share it with anyone. While the merchant might already be aware that I do not have a high opinion of him, it would not do to mar his reputation on the basis of hearsay. Yes?"

Wondering whether her visit had spurred Firdaus into some more hearty action, the Captain turned to look back in the direction of the shop, yet it was difficult to judge the increase of activity since the street was busy and the view was not clear. In part, she wished that the merchant would miss the deadline and she could go back to everyday duties instead of spending many a day in the company of a guy who was so puffed up and self-important.

[Arnyn]

Open RP
@Rillewen
@Pele Alarion


Outside the Leatherworker's

Her eyes sparkled as Eryn deduced what she really meant, and Kaylin gave her a nod. Granted, her words had been terribly veiled, but it still bode well that Erynneth understood what she'd been getting at. She had a curious mind - something Kaylin greatly appreciated. And, was that interest she saw? Perhaps, in a few years, Kaylin would have someone to teach a bit of this undercover stuff to...

Pele's words about enjoying shopping made her snort. Kaylin didn't even try to hold it back. "Continue," she said, her eyes rolling. "Although, meeting Erynneth was definitely an unexpected and happy consequence." She shot a genuine smile at the girl, who was honestly rather interesting, with a definite independent streak. Which Kaylin could only applaud.

"Nay, not an order," she granted, returning to Pele's words. "But I will gladly take you up on the invitation. Any specifics on the destination? I could use any and all information you have for my to build my... character." Enough detail, not necessarily shared with Firdaus, but available to her, would solidify her cover substantially. Otherwise, it could prove to easy to burst the bubble.

"I'm sorry, but this will cut our meeting a bit short," she thought to say to Erynneth.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion @Arnyn

Erynneth Raedor
Streets outside the Leatherworker's shop

Eryn was quite pleased to know that she had guessed correctly, and hoped that was a good sign that she'd make a good ranger. Eighteen seemed like ages away though, but her father would say it was far too close. Strange how older folks had such different opinions on things like that than young folks. She looked again at Pele as the woman spoke to her, asking her not to tell of what she heard. "Oh, yes ma'am." She answered seriously. "I'll not say a word. What merchant?" She added with a slight smile. "I didn't hear anything." She assured the ranger captain.

And then it sounded like they were moving on to business things that didn't include Eryn, and soon they would probably be going on their way. She figured it was probably about time she moved on anyway, because she certainly wasn't going to be allowed to join them. "Yes, that's alright," she answered Kaylin. "It was very nice meeting you, Captain Alarion, and you too, Ranger Kaylin." She smiled at them both. "I've got some errands to finish, myself. Be safe, and good luck with the merchant..whoever it is." She grinned and waved before heading off down the street. Now, to find the carpenter shop, she thought with a glance down at the stool. It must be around here somewhere.

Wood Works carpentry
@Ercassie

It wasn't so hard to find after all, and Erynneth was glad to see a sign in the window that read 'open'. The girl had never been to this shop before, having never really had any needs for carpentry or anything wood-related. She wasn't sure what to expect in here, but she'd met Addhor before when he began to come to visit her father and practice horse riding, and then she got to come along on a trip with him and her father to Rohan, and thought he was very nice. Stepping into the shop, the smell of woodsy things greeted her. Much as to be expected, being a carpenter's shop, of course. It was a nice smell. Setting the sack of boots by the door, out of the way, she glanced down at the stool and ventured forward, glancing around curiously. In all honesty, she could have repaired the stool easily enough on her own, as it only needed one of the legs nailed back on, but then she would have had no proper excuse for coming here. There were so many various things here, it was fascinating. And then there were some big tools at the back of the room which were surely for some interesting purpose, but she couldn't quite imagine what that might be. She couldn't help wondering what they were all for, not that she had any particular interest in taking up carpentry work. There were other things she had more interest in, and hoped that the man might help in that regard.

[Pele Alarion]

Outside Leatherworker's Shop

"Excellent! Mutual keeping of secrets," Pele laughed softly when Eryn promised not to speak of the merchant. "I hope your errands will be successful! Till the next meeting, perhaps." Now that she was able to make connections between Erynneth and Duinion, she was sure that she would recognise the girl and talk with her rather than pass by her as a stranger, which Pele wondered might have been the case at some point or other.

When Eryn had gone on to deal with her shopping, Pele turned attention back to their own business, looking thoughtfully at Kaylin. "Firdaus had mentioned some village or other in South Ithilien, which would be Prince Faramir's domain by rights, but I doubt that he would care to travel to some insignificant almost unknown place when he seems to make himself out to be such an important man," she said in a rather quiet voice so that passing people would not overhear the conversation. "The rumour has reached my ears that he might be aiming for Tir Ethraid by the River Poros, though that is not a major location either. This leaves me somewhat puzzled, to be honest. There is definitely something he doesn't say. Though... even if it was some matter of smuggling things - I am not sure it would be a matter requiring our involvement."

Frowning at the lack of sufficient detail to satisfy her, and she was sure Kaylin as well, Pele turned to head away from the market. "Perhaps something is brewing near Harondor; else why get involved in dealing with petty cheats," she said even quieter, and then added: "Meeting up outside the Gate. Leaving it up to you whether you'd like to bring a horse or get Firdaus to give you a place in his wagon - or wagons if he has several."

[Arnyn]

Open RP
@Rillewen
@Pele Alarion



"Bye!" she called after Erynneth, before glancing back at Pele.
Kaylin soaked up the intelligence the Captain gave her, although it wasn't much. Once Pele had mentioned they were meeting up outside the great gate, Kaylin's mind was racing off in ten different directions at once. She gave Pele a distracted nod. "Alright," she drawled. The wheels were turning.

A messenger, she had first thought, but that would not do. If this Firdaus thought of himself as such a big shot, the only messengers he would care for were those delivering messages for him. No. Not a servant. He had plenty of those. He was a man of means. Of money. She tried to imagine she was a wealthy merchant. What would she want? More money, of course. How would she get it? Costumers, one would assume. Well paying customers.... noble customers.

A plan was starting to form.

"If my plan works out, I'll be with Firdaus, when he joins you and Duinion," she told Pele, deciding on her course of action even as she spoke. "No tile to waste, though." Kaylin didn't even wave before she turned and walked away, her walk soon evolving into a leisurely jog.

She needed Zahara, one of the soldiers she used to board with at the army barracks. She had gone to her for clothes in the past. Zahara would have just the thing. As well as black hair dye. And she would need some of that if she was going to pass for a Dol Amrothian. She just hoped there was enough time. And that her old friend would be at home - as luck would have it, Zahara had reshaped her career into that of a shop owner, and she lived in the same building above her store.

***

Firdaus' shop

She assumed not a haughty, but an unequivocally important air about her before she came into view of the shop. Right outside of the establishment, sercants were loading what seemed like final items into one of two wagons. One looked to be mainly merchandise. The other a coach of sorts. Kaylin checked her now black hair. Part of it was pinned back in an Elven fashion rope braid, revealing an exquisite set of white gold earrings. The rest of her long locks tumbled down her back. She'd known she would have to wear a dress, of course, but the muted azure with cream white gown Zahara had told her was 100% in Dol Amroth fashion, was a far cry from anything in her own closet back home.

"Where can I find Master Firdaus?" She asked upon entering the shop and throwing back a velvet cloak lined with satin, in a tone of voice that said she was used to people dropping everything to accommodate her at her whim. She played with a white golden ring she was wearing over her satin cream gloves; the ring held a large, expensive looking sapphire.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Firdaus' Shop

The preparations had been sped up somewhat - by the servants apparently, since Firdaus remained in his seat and once again had put up his feet and was enjoying his pipe. He was not keen on losing the escort if he ended up arriving late at the Gate, so now and again he urged his servants to move faster.

The woman minding things in the front of the shop would not be going along, so she met Kaylin, and feeling rather impressed responded: "Oh, just a moment!"

"Mr Firdaus, there's a visitor," she called, heading to the back.

"If it is those Rangers again, just tell them to wait, I still have time," he responded impatiently and waved his pipe in the air with some flair.

"No, not Rangers, sir, a lady..."

"Huh?" the merchant huffed and somewhat reluctantly left his seat, and his pipe, as curiosity won over and he hastened to see the visitor he had not been expecting. He was a big man - sideways, his girth rather disproportionate to his height (which was not too great), and even in his haste he was rather slow. He stood but a moment as if to orient himself, ran his hand over his greying beard, and then walked over to meet the visitor, confident that his silky robes were as perfect as always, and he still hadn't moved enough today to add the unwanted body aroma to it.

As soon as he stepped out from behind the curtain, his grey eyes alighted on Kaylin, taking in the detail of her intricate garb, sparkly ornaments, her poise. He came further forward with a smile bowing slightly for her. "How can I help you, my lady?" his voice seemed to be dripping with sweetness. "I am about to leave the shop for travel, but perhaps there is still some service I can do for you?" While he was aware of the time constraints, Firdaus was not about to let a potential customer slip through his fingers. For why else would the visitor seek him if not for some of the fabrics he had at his disposal?

[Arnyn]

Open RP
@Pele Alarion


Kaylin - in disguise as Hirilfael of House Luinamath

She waited as the moment headed to the back, and took a slightly bored, deep breath as her blue-grey eyes flicked over some of the fabrics on display. When a man approached and addressed her, Kaylin wondered if this was Firdaus - but as she had assumed a different personality, the question was only at the very back of her mind. She found it worked best to almost become the person she was playing. Yet, she imagined that her persona would care.

"I take it you are Master Firdaus? The owner?" She modelled the cadence and pronunciation of her words after that of Isys. The Ehtyar was from Dol Amroth, after all. Accents were something Kaylin had learned to practice, and she had tried to imitate this particular way of speach frequently.

When he mentioned he was about to leave for travel, she sighed. A mixture of mild disappointment but most of all displeasure came over her expression. "Unfortunate," she stated. "Do you know of any other dealers in fabrics who would be able to indulge in the demands of becoming the exclusive supplier to the House of Luinamath?" She clasped her gloved hands together in front of her as she spoke.

"We are relocating from Dol Amroth to Minas Tirith in a few weeks. Our devastation at our personal supplier's refusal to make such a move with us, was absolute." The words tumbled from her lips as if it was the most normal thing in the world to expect their fabric supplier to move across the country with them. "As you can imagine."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Firdaus' Shop

"Oh yes, yes, I am Firdaus, and this is my shop," he asserted, bowing slightly once again, as he continued to observe the visitor inconspicuously. While he could not boast being the most travelled man there was, he became certain that he was talking with someone come from Dol Amroth if he could trust his understanding of clothing and speech at all. And he thought he was quite good at guessing where people came from.

"House Luinamath!" Firdaus exclaimed, his eyes widening almost to the point of popping out of their sockets, and beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead when he imagined that he might lose a steady flow of profit which would certainly be ensured if he managed to convince this wealthy family that his fabrics were the most suited for them. "I can surely imagine the trouble and inconvenience of such a happenstance, miss...?" he looked humbly at the potential long-term customer, wondering how he should address her.

He turned half-way to make a wide gesture at the available wares, and hastened to make clear that he did not mean to forsake his business. "I am not at all confident that other traders could offer you such a selection of fine fabrics, my lady!" he claimed. "And I assure you that the trip is purely for business purposes, and I am but going to meet my suppliers to receive a new shipment of exquisite fabrics which might not be available elsewhere on the market. Perhaps I could interest you in waiting a little to see those? Fresh batches of silks, satins and other fabrics, and even luxurious types of furs to decorate winter cloaks."

Firdaus stopped himself from praising his merchandise too much so that he would not scare the prospective customer away with his pushiness; yet, every cook praises his own broth, and he was all but ready to provide the best samples for inspection even if just a word was said about it.

[Arnyn]

Open RP
@Pele Alarion


Kaylin - in disguise as Hirilfael of House Luinamath

She looked at the rather satisfying droplets of sweat that seemed to appear on Firdaus' already shiny forehead. It looked like she was selling her persona convincingly enough.

"Lady Hirilfael," she corrected him, although it sounded like she was bored to do so. She gave him a thoughtful look as he claimed his superiority over others in his trade, and arched an eyebrow when he suggested that she wait. "Waiting a little?" A faint smile played about her lips, and she shook her head. "Apologies, Master Firdaus. House Luinamath does not wait for those we employ - or seek to employ. Rather, it is they who wait for us."

Her gaze traveled to the wagons outside of the shop, she seemed to consider something. "My lord Father has given me the task to find the best fabrics dealer available in the White City." A pause. "It would not do to enlist a second tier supplier."

"However, time is precious. I cannot and will not wait for your return, perchance only to find out that these exquisite and luxurious fabrics you speak of, prove sub par." She nodded, slowly, as if making up her mind on something. Outside, Zahara's apprentice was just wheeling in a chest, which was supposed to be some of Hirilfael's luggage.

"If I were to contract your services, I would need to ascertain myself of your business acumen as well as the quality of your goods," she informed Firdaus. "It would not do if we were forced to seek another supplier ere long." With flourish of her hand, she indicated the chest outside, and the apprentice next to it. "One of my servants, with some of my essentials. We have just arrived, after all, and I could not yet part with the case containing my favorite and most precious items."
She turned her blue-grey eyes on the merchant. "If you want a chance at our business, you will invite me along on your trip. It will provide me with the perfect opportunity to evaluate your... suitability."

[Pele Alarion]

Firdaus' Shop
@Arnyn

Soon it became more than clear to Firdaus that he could not just outtalk this lady and gain her favour by extra measure of politeness and a fair bit of boasting. Such an approach worked on most wealthy customers, at least those from the White City; and he was not interested at all in any common folks as they usually were too poor to pay the price he asked. Hirilfael's relentlessness exasperated him - usually he would not mind at all to discuss the terms of business at length, haggling back and forth, but at the moment there was not much time, and this lady did not seem intent on much discussion and clearly set out her own terms in a manner that would not tolerate any objections.

When she all but demanded to be taken along, Firdaus took out a handkerchief and ran it across his forehead, before putting it back in his pocket. No one had ever made such requests of him before, and for a moment he just looked out at the man stood there with the lady's belongings. What was he even to do? He did not fear that his goods would be found lacking in quality for he personally made sure to acquire all the best to keep up his reputation, so he would proudly show everything he had to Hirilfael. However... should she come with him, she might find that his strategy for obtaining his precious fabrics was not all that transparent. The profit from establishing this business relationship though might balance out the risks.

"It would add a fair bit to your travel time, Lady Hirilfael," he said eventually, maintaining the agreeable tone of voice. "But if you do not mind that at all, you are most welcome to join me and see for yourself that my goods are of the best quality." He figured that since the travel would take some time he would be able to learn the lady's ways of doing business and whether she would mind terribly that he used all the means available to him to ensure he got his hands on the best materials. Perhaps some compromise could be discussed, or he would find some other way of mitigating the risk of losing the possible good relations.

"I will have to warn you though that we might end up having slightly less comfortable accommodation conditions for a night or two, but in all other ways I will make sure that the travel is pleasant for you," Firdaus said. "Seeing that your servant has already brought your items, we could as well set off, yes?" he wanted to know, when he saw that the wagons were finally loaded and ready.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion


Kaylin - in disguise as Hirilfael of House Luinamath

Mentally, she swore at the hole in her story. If there was no time to wait for his return, why would she have the time to travel with him? Luckily, he didn't seem smart enough to pick up on it, and her disguise remained intact. Kaylin supposed that she could have always played the "nobles think differently"-card. Another little something she could probably pull off if she based part of her reactions on her experiences with Isys.

She nodded at the merchant. "While it is true that I am accustomed to appropriate accommodations, Master Firdaus, I assure you I am quite willing to briefly suffer less than adequate conditions if it yields a proper return." When he suggested that they get going, Kaylin realized she would be expected to go first. "Of course," she said, fighting the urge to say goodbye to the woman who would be minding the shop in Firdaus' absence and who had called him from the back earlier. She stepped outside, not looking back at the merchant, instead seemingly evaluating his wagons.

As if it was an afterthought, she acknowledged Zahara's apprentice. "Store this where Master Firdaus instructs you to," she ordered as if she did little else all day. "Then you may return to the inn and manage my other affairs." She raised a finger at the young man. "And make sure no one forgets their duties while I am not there to remind them. My absence will not excuse any delays on the other arrangements which need to be made."

Part of her wondered whether it would be believable that she was joining Firdaus on our own.

"If I am to join you on this little expedition, my servants will need to stay in the White City to make sure I do not fall behind on the schedule." She sighed with a measures amount of exaspiration. "You should deem yourself lucky that your reputation preceedes you."

Her blue grey eyes focused on the wagons rather than the merchant, as she waited for him to approach the right one and offer her a hand to step inside.

[Pele Alarion]

Firdaus' Shop

"I will want the report of all the goods you have sold," Firdaus told his shop assistant just to ensure she would run things smoothly while he was away, "You know, don't let the price down unnecessarily, and write down everything in detail. The books are under the counter as usual. Well, you know how things are done." While he did travel quite often to establish new contacts and locations for trade, he found that it was necessary to remind his workers that he would require detailed accounts of all shop activities upon his return. He had had to replace some workers and servants who failed to meet his expectations not that long ago, so he hoped to find no disappointments this time.

He followed his new travel companion out of the shop and after a brief glance at his stocked wagons, pointed to a free spot in one of those. "You can place that chest right there," he told the young man attending to the lady. "I am sure there would be enough space for it, and it will be well protected from dust of the road and other undue damages."

Turning his attention back to Hirilfael, Firdaus pursed his lips when he found that she seemingly trusted him enough to travel without any of her servants. "My lady," he said stepping over to the first wagon and extending his hand towards her with another small bow of his head. "I will have three of my own people coming with me, and I can ensure that they serve you as well with utmost care. Though you might have to excuse their lack of all the proper etiquette - they mostly just work at the shop. But I hope that you will not be disappointed otherwise, at least not in the services I could provide you with."

He made sure that Hirilfael was settled comfortably enough before heading around the wagon to find his own seat from the other side. "We should be able to cover quite a distance today yet," he noted when they finally started their slow travel through the marketplace streets. He supposed that getting through the crowd of shoppers and merchants with loaded wagons would make them miss the set deadline, but he thought the Rangers would still be waiting for him since he had promised a good payment for services.

[Winddancer]

Amlaith’s Clay Pipes

Flower motifs were not exactly the most sought after amongst the pipe designs. Even so they had 3 designs. Roses, daffodils and simbelmynë (the latter made by speciel request and the mould kept just in case) though not nightshade. Asta's brows furrowed, trying to picture what a nightshade looked like, had she even seen one? She was sure she recalled the name, though never in regards to someone's favourite flower. Mother had a book of all the flowers in it, perhaps she could get it when she was resting. A small wince crossed her face, forcing away the thought of her mother. This was not the time, she admonished herself and returned her attention to the new customer.

Asta gave a smile at the mention of being too good for a pub, albeit a sad one. She had only ever gone to pubs, they had never afforded to go to the more pricey bistro's, even when her father's business was doing better. In fact it had been years since they had gone, the last time a while before the War and before her mother had taken "ill". They could not go now, as they could not leave her mother on her own, nor did they want to go alone.

A confused expression passed her youthful features, blinking rapidly as she tried to figure out why this woman would want the pipe more for it's image rather than to be used. Did she mean so that she could be pretending to smoke? Who would do that? A thought struck her, her eyes momentarily widening as she imagined it could be a prop for a painting. Now that would make sense.

"The Honeycombe?" Uh.. no.. can't say that I have." Asta fiddled with a pipe that was shaped like a dragon's claw holding an egg, flicking it between long slender fingers. At the introduction, her thoughtful and slightly embarrased look was immediately replaced with a huge genuine smile.

"Pleased to meet you Lômibêth. I am Asta.. oh haha I already said that though, didn't I?" Turning to place the pipe back in it's holder, she hoped to hide her face as her cheeks flushed to a faint pink.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen
Considering ‘Needful Things’
** Set after the events of the Carpe Diem Rp

Iole could not have said why the marketplace demanded her presence this day. It was as though some force greater than gravity was towing the young woman. It might have been but boredom, or even the prospect of such a blight. Still she had not descended further than the Sixth Circle for some days now. As though all might be waiting to pass judgement on her, for being so fool in recent times. More likely they knew nothing of her troubles, but a person never can believe their lives so unimportant to the eyes of others, even though they expect to be ridiculed. Every set of eyes that glanced at her passing tore a strip of confidence, though no jibes were hurled, no whispers drew the heads of passersby to exploit their tongues. So she held her chin as high as she might muster, counting as though her group of here absent friends were flocked about her.

She had dressed as she had ever, the nondescript gloom that hung about her slight frame in gentle layers. Having graduated to her mother’s actual fitted wardrobe by now, Iole felt at last that she had grown into herself. Or the person she meant to be. At least her clothes looked as though she knew what she was about these days. Her expression was still unsure. Her dark skirt rippled as she made her way, the dark hair sweeping in a heavy sashay across her back. The store looked unlike many others, from the outside. Save that they were all so clearly woken, and the one she all but tumbled over the front step to, seemed still undisturbed. The chance stumble however was not chance, but rather an inexplicably raised cobblestone that inspired injury.

“You have come here for a reason,”

The voice which stole her attention was nothing compared to the sight which then refused to relinquish it any time soon. Iole had been raised to know her manners, and never to judge .. but still she could not help but stare. And eventually nod.

“I don’t know .. why,” she really did not. “Nor what I ought to do with myself. But I think .. I think I may need answers,” Iole glanced from the taller woman’s unblinking expression to away, and lasted a whole half minute before she could not help but to look back.

“Answers are harlequins. All dressed up until the curtain rises and then they have no voice.” Ilisys sighed, and then beat a half-cross countenance off her porcelain complexion, as though it were an irksome wasp.

“Oh,” the Undertaker’s daughter began, with trepidation weighing in more every moment. “I don’t ..”

“But you might,” the Belfalasian supposed, noncommittal. With a shrug. “Do,” she added, after a slight pause. “May be I am the one with a need for you.”

Iole had not known what she expected of the day but it was not this. Recent experience railed against curiosity a short while, before she remembered that this rather eccentric woman was a Ranger, and a Swan Knight before that. So whatever her methods, her loyalties were clear. Isys thus met no further protest as she slipped back behind the door, extended a hand that wiggled invitingly, and lured the younger Gondorian in her wake. The shop was not yet ready to open. Though there was no telling quite who would think themselves ready for such a shop when that day came.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
At the park adjacent to the Marketplace - meeting with Captain Pele Alarion

He'd been here since the previous bell, about an hour early. Ever since being released from his cell, Macardil had been soaking up as much sunshine and moonlight as he could. Being outdoors simply felt better, he had found. Unless he had a proper distraction, of course.

On the stone table in front of him lay an opened, heavy book. He was dressed appropriately for early spring, and given that the sun was out today, it was agreeable to him to sit outside. He had taken up position on the end of the bench, near the edge of the table, which was bathed in sunlight as opposed to the rest of the area, which was shaded. The tome dealt with Elven history, which he had been meaning to brush up on. Since he now had more time on his hands than he'd had in many, many years, there was no reason to postpone the effort.

He had just gotten to the part where Fëanor draws his blade against Fingolfin, his half-brother. Macardil sighed. Emotion ran great in the Elves, as well - in some more than others. He lifted his face to the sun and closed his eyes. He wondered what Pele wanted to talk to him about. Perhaps it was related to the conversation they'd had in private at the fort? He would not have to wait long, now. She would soon be here.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

The park adjacent to the Marketplace

Pele had finished much of the day's work and had decided that on the way to the agreed meeting spot she might just as well acquire something that would do for a small snack before a more hearty evening meal. Carrying a small box of about six cinnamon rolls, fresh and still warm though no longer hot, she headed for the park and spotted Macardil sitting at the designated spot, with a book. She was not aware of being overly late, if at all, so she assumed that it meant that he was simply enjoying the spot for reading purposes.

"Greetings, Macardil," she said lightly, taking a seat on the bench opposite to him, and placing the box of rolls in the middle of the table, mindful of the book. "I hope I am not late? Treat yourself to a snack, if you like," she added and promptly took one of the cinnamon rolls to nibble on as she considered the ways of directing the conversation. Even though she meant for the topic of their conversation to be serious, she had found their correspondence to be rather amusing. Mostly because she had given herself up to writing in increasingly informal style in response to Macardil's strictly business-like approach. As she thought of this, her blue eyes lit with quiet merriment.

Yet, when she decided to speak of one of the reasons for wanting to see Macardil, her tone was both warm and serious, without any hint of silly fun. "Perhaps you wonder why I wanted to see you," she went straight to the business at hand, though considering her words with care. "Well... First of all, because of the quick succession of events I did not have the opportunity to thank you properly for your understanding during that mission. It meant a lot to be understood and permitted to stay with my unit, and I still appreciate it. So yes... thank you." Her hand reached up to brush a crumb off of her otherwise immaculate uniform, while she looked at Macardil to see what he would make of her statements.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

He'd spotted Pele's approach and watched as she covered the last yards to the stone seating area. "Greetings, Pele," he returned her first words. "No, you are not late at all," he reassured her as she took one of the rolls she had brought. "Thank you," he nodded in response to her offer, but he did not yet reach for one of the rolls. Instead, he closed the heavy book and slowly pushed it to the side a bit, into the shade.

The sparkle in her eyes made him curious as to what she was thinking while she was eating the roll, but he knew better than to ask. She had been the one to request this meeting, so by all means she was the one expected to properly open up the conversation.

He nodded slowly when she said he might wonder why she wanted to speak with him. That was correct. As it turned out, he was right that at least one of the things Pele wanted to discuss involved their conversation at the fort. But where he hadn't been sure what she would have to say about it to him now, it appeared that she wanted to thank him.
Macardil nodded again, this time with a slight smile. "You are very welcome, Pele. To be honest, it seemed like the best choice at the time, and you handled yourself well during the mission." The smile grew somewhat. "As well as after, I would presume. I've gathered congratulations are in order. Well done, Captain!"

He gave both her words and his a moment to sink in; time to give them the value they deserved. Then he folded his hands on the stone table in front of him. "Yet I suspect that my decision at the fort is not the reason why we are here." It was not a question, so much as a statement. His blue eyes patiently regarded her own.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

The park adjacent to the Marketplace

"Well, yes..." Pele shrugged lightly at congratulations, though the smile remained. "The rank definitely comes with a set of challenges, but then again what doesn't." She appeared to make little of the rank, though it meant a whole lot to her; and yet she suspected that Macardil could see right through her words either way.

"Your decision was a major reason why I wanted to see you, as I am not sure where else I would be without it, perhaps stuck in some bottomless pit," she emphasised, and then went on: "The other can be seen as both related and not." Pele paused, as her gaze roamed towards the busy marketplace in thought. She was not completely sure how to formulate the question she had wanted to ask.

Her hand nearly reached for another of the fresh rolls, and yet she held it back and instead placed one arm on top of the other on the table, shifting some of her weight forward to lean on them. "I was just wondering whether there was something I could do for you. In terms of your future occupation, that is." Pele felt awkward and uncomfortable talking about this, very well aware that losing the career with the Rangers must be painful. She would definitely feel lost - and she had been for a good long while until she had been able to wield any sort of weapon again after her captivity. And yet, she wondered whether there was something she could do in support of him, without any pity party. Somehow she found she was lost for words of how to express it properly the way she meant it.

Pele's blue eyes studied Macardil's seriously and thoughtfully, and she said nothing more for the moment, searching for the right words and ways to express them. She opened her mouth slightly as if to say something, and yet again closed it. She had not formulated any proper words yet, so best not start a sentence and leave it hanging unfinished.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

What doesn't come with its own challenges, indeed.

He listened to Pele carefully as she spoke. Macardil didn't think he had been that pivotal in her successful return; Pele was strong of character and he gave her more credit than she seemed to give herself. When she stated her reason for asking to meet him, he kept his face neutral, but his blue eyes betrayed some of what was happening beneath the calm facade.
It was a kind thought, but what could she do? The idea that there was really nothing she could do for him, only made her question as painful as the situation he was in. She clearly meant well, however, and he appreciated she wanted to help him. Noticing she had some difficulty elaborating on her last statement, Macardil tried to work out a response. Not that it was exactly easy for him, either.

"Protecting Gondor from those who would do it harm has always been my calling," he said slowly. "Yet the King made it very clear to me that there is no place left for me within his Rangers." He might have considered leaving the White City for Ithilien perhaps, to request a position with Faramir - but he hadn't been eager to do that in the first place, and had only grown less inclined to do so in the days since his liberation. His expression remained poised. "If I understand correctly, we are here because you feel indebted to me. However, given the situation I am afraid there is nothing much that you can do, Captain."

It was a difficult situation, feeling beholden to someone you could not help. He decided the new Captain did not need such a burden op top of her personal concerns as well as now her professional ones. His next words came more quietly, but his eyes were serious. "If it makes a difference, Pele, I release you from your debt."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

Pele watched Macardil closely, trying to pick up something beyond the words spoken. While she was already aware of what the King had said of the former Lieutenant's place with the Rangers, she had still hoped that there would be a way to do something, even a little bit for him. But perhaps there really wasn't as he had pointed out. She could very well imagine the emptiness after realising that there was no way to continue the duties that had formed your whole life. She listened to the last sentence he said and considered it in silence for a few moments.

"It would make a difference," Pele eventually agreed, a touch of smile appearing on her face, as she maintained the same quiet tones. "However... it would do my heart good to know that you will do everything you can to find happiness in your life. And if you ever do happen to need some thing or other - do feel free to find me." She was aware that making such demands might be quite in vain as well; asking someone to look for happiness in difficult moments might not be the best advice, or request.

She shook her head slightly, and looked just a little bit apologetic. However, she did not revoke what she had said.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

He nodded, and although it was probably polite to thank her for the sentiment alone, he found the situation too sharp. "I will," he said. "I have no intention of wasting away or falling prey to some illness of the mind or soul." Intention and reality were two different matters, of course, but the former did help with the latter.

The Captain was armed; it hadn't been difficult to spot her visible weapons. Here she was; an important individual, the new commander of the King's Rangers, just a tabletop removed. He could lunge over the table and grab her by the throat - he could pretend to walk away, pass her by and grab one of her weapons. Yet he felt zero inclination to do so. He finally let relief wash over him. He had figured this would be a great test. The King had indeed removed his barriers and any and all grip this Poisonous Tongue had had over him. He could trust himself fully again. A strangely happy, albeit subdued, smile mastered his facial expression.
It lasted but for a moment, before a more serious look took over again.

"Come to think of it, Captain, there is one thing." He paused, trying to gauge beforehand if she would allow it. "The training grounds are usually reserved for the Rangers. Yet I would ask your permission to continue to use them, if I may. Access to the archery range, if nothing else, would allow me the continued joy of the full range of my bow, without having to go on an out-of-the-city excursion every time. I can guarantee I am no danger to any of the Rangers, as I hope the King would have told you as well. If you agree, and you would grant me some kind of pass or token I might show to any guards, you can consider any debt you still feel towards me paid in full."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

Sitting back, as comfortably as could be on a stone seat, Pele observed Macardil closely when he stated that he did not intend to give up on life in one way or another. He seemed calm and confident, as much as she could detect - the way she had come to know him, and she was satisfied with that. She let go of the concern for his wellbeing, hoping that if he needed any sort of support he would find it. He had to have friends, after all. People whom he could trust.

"I believe the King's words, and I trust you, else I wouldn't have asked to see you," she said quietly, a small smile touching her lips. There was the matter of her every step now being watched over, but it did not in any way affect how she saw him and her own safety in his presence.

At the question about availability of the training grounds, Pele tilted her head a little. "Hmmm," was her first thoughtful response. While she was not overly concerned that Macardil would endanger any of the Rangers, there was the opposite direction to think of as well. There may be Rangers who might hold a grudge against their former Lieutenant and perhaps trouble him, if not directly attack him.

"I might allow that," she eventually said. "But since I have nothing on me that would fit for a token you'd have to come to the headquarters, and then I could give you a signed permit to use training grounds. Also, I'd have to inform Rangers so that it would not enter into their minds to bother you when they see you there. Not all might have the confidence in you that I have. Would such arrangements satisfy you?" Her blue eyes smiled at him as she played with one of the bread rolls she had taken, her fingers tracing the texture of the well baked deliciousness.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

He realized she may very well deny him, as was her right. It was a very particular request, and as far as he knew there hadn't been any exceptions to the rule before. She might say no simply in order not to set precedent.

Surprise welled up when she said she might allow it, though he showed little of it outwardly, maintaining his calm demeanor. He gave a slow nod as she spoke of the proceedings aloud. A signed permit made sense. It was most likely to grant him access, should his presence be questioned. The added thought that she would have to inform the Rangers so they would not bother him, wrenched at him. Macardil dropped his gaze to the stone table for a moment before focusing back on the Captain at her question.

"Yes, they would, Captain. Very much so. You have my gratitude."

He thought of Karis, and their agreement to meet at the training grounds today, if Pele would allow it. He'd thought it might not be practically possible for things to be arranged all that quickly, and was above all grateful Pele had not denied his request fortright.

"When would you deem it opportune for me to come and retrieve the permit? I imagine you would not prefer me at Headquarters either before you have informed your Rangers."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

The park adjacent to the Marketplace

For a few moments Pele wondered how exactly she would explain to other Rangers the whole situation with Macardil, though she trusted in King's decision and any healing from the dark influences he had done. And she did not see a reason why she should not let him use the training grounds, even though he was no longer one of the Rangers - technically. She bit off some of the bread roll and chewed on it slowly, while she thought of this, and his next question.

"Well," she said, having finished the morsel. "It depends on how soon you want to get the permit. I will be going back after this, so you might come with me, if you like. It seems to me that there would be no great cause to worry even if you did enter the Headquarters." Pele's eyes sought out the guard standing out of way rather discreetly. She supposed people might be suspicious, yet she doubted that any real conflict would arise, even if some hotheads happened to be there.

"Alternately, you could wait outside a moment - it would not take me long to write a few words," she offered as another option to let Macardil choose whichever time and way he preferred. "Unless it is not at all a matter of urgency and you would rather wait for days - or weeks?" Pele's eyes gained a glint of amusement, since she assumed that perhaps a long wait was not what he had in mind when he asked for access to the training grounds.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Macardil
The park adjacent to the Marketplace

As opposed to just a moment before, now the surprise was obvious in his expression. He could come with her right away, and she would issue the permission slip to him as early as today? It took him a few moments to organize his thoughts in response to that statement, though her question filled up most of the time he needed.

Macardil resisted the urge to wet his lips and shook his head at her question. "Nay, Captain, I would not rather wait. I should like to thank you and take you up on the offer to accompany you back to Headquarters today. I doubt anyone would give me trouble in your presence. And even if they did, I do not fear their reactions." He simply deeply regretted having been put into a position that the Rangers would think so badly of him, and would prefer not to be part of a scene. Macardil was not one for dramatics.

He watched Pele as she sat across the table from him. "Do you think it would be problematic for me to enter the grounds with your written permission later today, Pele? I would not be alone for long; Cúner Ziranphel is at the range this afternoon and she holds no grudges against me."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

The park adjacent to the Marketplace

It seemed to Pele that she could detect some measure of surprise on Macardil's face, yet she thought she had not done anything out of ordinary. Well, perhaps a little, permitting a non-Ranger on the grounds, but she saw no harm in letting him practice there.

"That is settled then," she said with determination. "If anyone says something, I'm sure I'll find words to quiet them, but I doubt there'd be a need." While she did not say anything out loud, Pele found herself admiring Macardil's ability to handle the situation in a calm and professional manner, quite in line with how she had come to know him. When she tried to put herself in his shoes she found that perhaps she would not be able to handle it this well.

She smiled and gave a slight shrug of shoulders in return to his question. "It should work out - the permit will become effective as soon as it is signed," she added words to the non-verbal expressions. "And I am quite sure that Cúner Ziranphel does not have grudges - was it not her who was the first to make sure you were treated fairly? I think the permit should do, but if you are met with doubts and questions at the entrance, perhaps she can assist, confirm the validity of papers, and get you in."

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta and Narradir Korsey
at Wood Works, a carpentry shop.
Readying a delivery outside for Nelladel/Nell’s Bakery, and finding Erynneth .. inside
@Rillewen

The two men could not both enter at once, and so the larger of the two fell back and gestured for his friend to lead them inside. Addhor was thus spared from the more exaggerated eye rolling that Narradir performed behind him.

“I mean, completely out of nowhere !” the forester was exclaiming, apparently astounded and offended all at once. “What’s wrong with doing as she’s done this long, that’s what I’d like to know. And of all things .. the city Guard ??!!”

The tirade concluded as the second man followed the first’s surprised stare.

“Eryn,” Addhor noted, once he’d folded away the surprise to find the girl here, and alone. Quietly he scrutinised her expression for any dread or emergency that might have brought her here. Her father was not with her, but that was not too unusual. He knew that the girl made dairy deliveries into the market some days. But she had none to hand and he had not ordered any. The only evidence, a small wooden stool in her hands .. gave as many questions as answers.

“Eryn ?” Narradir repeated, clearly requiring some more than that for explanation. Then realisation hit. “Oh Duinion’s ..yes. And hello !” An enormous hand was held out toward the young girl. Before the massive man just as hastily retracted the offer, rubbed his limb heartily against his sweat-stained shirt as though that might improve the scruff of it somehow, then rubbed his twice broken nose before extending the shimmering hand a second time. “Narradir” he introduced himself. Oblivious to how the sweat he’d previously streaked through his short hair, had swept it up stiff like oiled blades of grass.

“Forgive me, if you have been kept waiting for long,” Addhor remarked, against the backdrop of the street outside. The still open door did not keep any of the volume from invading inside.

“We weren’t outside so long you needed to bring up a chair,” his friend grinned, jerking his head toward the stool that he had also identified.

[Rillewen]

Private with @Ercassie

Erynneth
Wood Works carpentry shop

Looking around, Eryn was somewhat puzzled to find the owner of the shop was nowhere to be seen in the shop. Where could he be? Perhaps he'd gone to get lunch... but why would he leave the shop open? He must have gone elsewhere, she reasoned, but surely he would return presently. So she spent the few moments looking around the shop, at various carved trinkets, some she figured were for decoration, others for sale.

Loud voices.. or rather, just one loud voice, drew her attention toward the door. That was a voice she didn't know. She didn't think Addhor ever spoke that loudly, either... at least she was pretty sure she'd never heard him talk that loud. Yet it was he who entered first... although any surprise he may have shown at finding her there, she didn't notice as her attention was caught by the very large man who came in behind him. He had to be the source of the excited yelling.. something about the city guard, but she wasn't sure what that was about, but he sounded upset about whatever it was. Eryn was slightly startled, mostly by how big and tall the guy was. He looked a bit intimidating, to say the least.

Hearing her name drew her attention back to the man she had actually come to see, and remembered the stool in her hand. The stranger, hearing Addhor speak her name, first seemed confused, but then quickly connected her with her father. That surprised her quite a bit. Eryn tilted her head, looking up at the big, towering stranger. "Umm, yes..." She answered, puzzled how this man knew that her father was Duinion, until his eager introduction explained all. Narradir! She had heard a great many stories involving him, from back in the 'Old times'... back when her father was a much younger ranger. "Oh!" Any nervousness she had felt quickly dissolved, and a small giggle slipped out, watching him stick out his hand and then decide to wipe it off first. The girl offered out her own hand with a friendly smile, hoping he wouldn't crush it. "I've heard a lot about you, sir," She grinned, recalling at least one tale her dad had told about when Narradir had actually picked him up and held him up off the ground like he was nothing. "It's nice to finally meet you." She offered a genuine smile, pleased to meet an old friend of her father's.

“Forgive me, if you have been kept waiting for long,"

Addhor's remark reminded her, yet again, that she had come here for a particular reason. "Oh, not at all-" She started saying, but laughed lightly at Narradir's joke about the stool, shaking her head slightly in amusement. "Actually, I hoped you might be able to help me," She said to Addhor, holding up the milking stool as evidence, the one broken-off leg held out in her other hand. "One of the cows sort of had a tantrum, and... well, I know how good you are with all this carpentry stuff... maybe one of the best in Gondor... so I was hoping, maybe you'd be able to fix it?" She asked with a hopeful smile. "I thought if anyone could fix it up right, it would have to be you, sir."

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta and Narradir Korsey
entertaining Erynneth before a delivery to be made.
@Rillewen

“A fine pleasure to be meeting you as well, Eryn. Your father’s a good man and a fortunate one,” Narradir declared, amiably, before finally releasing the young girl’s hand after a vigorous and rather prolonged shake to cement their new friendship. “I bet you never have him tearing out his hair with crazed schemes like my lot do for me !” The forester pulled up a safe stool for their young guest to sit on, gesturing like an oversized steward for her to make herself comfortable. He might have resumed his tirade then, about how his foolish, eldest daughter had only gone and enlisted in the city guard, and didn’t she know it was dangerous, nor care if she might get hurt … but then Duinion’s daughter said her own piece, which stopped Narradir in his tracks.

He unloosed a long descending whistle from between his teeth, as Eryn gave up what might have been a well rehearsed speech, clearly designed to flatter above all else. Exchanging a knowing glance with his friend, the taller man nodded once with the sort of unspoken understanding that only mutual fatherhood could breed. The girl must have known her family friend would scarcely refuse her request. Did she presume he might demand some extortionate fee, that she would employ so hopeful and earnest an expression ?

“Have you walked this stool all the way up from the farm ?” Addhor wondered aloud, choosing to divert from the rather elaborate compliment whilst he switched places with his friend. The girl must have known that he would have saved her the bother and come to fix it down at the farm if she had asked him. He certainly had not seen her dairy cart anywhere outside today .. where they had just been … And to have hauled the stool all this way on foot would .. well, make it that much harder for him to deny her. She had put some thought into this. But she was holding back something, or his instincts were more dulled by time than he would like to accept.

“Sir … ?” Narradir chortled meanwhile, unable to help himself. Catching the quiet calm about his friend’s expression, the forester raised both eyebrows unrepentant.“I shall just go on and load up that delivery then” he declared, and chose that moment to flex his biceps unashamedly.

“ .. Carefully ..” Addhor added in a sudden break from focus,, to convey a needless concern for the delicate item in question. “I will be with you directly.” he assured his friend.

“Fret not. After all, I AM awful good at all that ‘carrying’ stuff," the other beamed, with a jaunty “I could deliver it right over to the bakery for you as well.” The expectation on Narradir’s face proved that he already knew the answer to that not quite a question. “If you are busy now I mean ..”

“I’ll be along,” Addhor assured him, prompting more amusement for the forester and a long pause as that larger fellow went about the heavy lifting and left the customer to his friend’s attention. Which was their usual practice.

“I think perhaps you came to speak with me about more than just a stool,” The presumption was admitted, as soon as they were left a chance to speak more privately. “Your father’s birthday draws nigh,” Addhor's point was made more clear. And a quick glance to the window brought brown eyes back, reassured, afterward. “If Narradir finds out, it will be as rowdy affair as he can manage and I doubt your father would relish that sort of attention,” the carpenter warned Eryn clandestinely.

[Rillewen]

Private with @Ercassie

Erynneth
Wood Works carpentry shop

"Yes, he is," Eryn agreed wholeheartedly with Narradir, concerning her father being a good, and fortunate, man. Though he may disagree about the fortunate part, considering the losses he had endured, but still. The following statement brought a grin to her face. "Oh, of course not," She assured him, while trying her best not to start giggling, considering the fact her father didn't know she was here, and might be upset if he learned her reasons for coming. Both men's reactions to her words left her wondering whether she ought to have toned down the complimentary words a little more. Slightly fidgeting, she took a seat on the stool that Narradir had placed for her, with a small smile of thanks.

Her attention was returned to Addhor as he asked about her bringing the stool. "Yes, but it's not all that heavy," She assured him. Eryn watched in momentary silence as the two had a discussion about some delivery, which explained why no one had been in the shop when she entered. She hadn't meant to interrupt something of seeming importance, and hoped that it wouldn't be a problem. "It was nice meeting you, Narradir," She called after the tall man as he exited, with a cheerful wave.

“I think perhaps you came to speak with me about more than just a stool,” Addhor revealed, the moment his friend had gone.

Eryn's eyes widened slightly in amazement at these words. Could he already have guessed what she meant to ask him? Marveling at the former ranger's ability to know what she had thought she alone knew, Eryn was therefore a little caught by surprise when he continued to mention her father's birthday. Oh! Yes, she hadn't realized he would have known, or remembered, that. So maybe he hadn't guessed, after all, what favor she hoped to ask. "Oh, I see," She nodded, glad, then, that she had not mentioned his birthday in Narradir's hearing. "Yes, I'm sure he would not enjoy that," She agreed.

"I came into town, actually, to get him a present." She hesitated slightly, and admitted, "The stool was partly to serve as an excuse for coming to town, in case he saw me..." Now that she was here, and talking with Addhor, she felt a little hesitant to actually ask what she had come to ask. She hadn't figured out exactly how to ask. So instead, she continued in the same line as before, "I got him some new boots," She added, with a grin. "See," Hopping down from the stool, she retrieved the bag from where she had put it, and pulled the new boots out to show to Addhor. "There's hidden pockets and things, and the leather is waxed, to keep out water, and they're lightweight.. I think he'll like them.. what do you think?" As a former ranger, she figured Addhor ought to know better than she what sort of things a ranger would look for in boots. All the while, she was trying to think of the right words to bring up what she really came here for.

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta, at ‘Wood Works’
with Erynneth Raedor @Rillewen

The thought which Eryn explained for her alibi lit a swift look from Addhor, although if he was impressed by her smart thinking, he concealed it well. If her father had been any other man, Addhor might have remarked that such an ‘excuse’ might have inspired them to insist on coming into town with her, ruining her plans, for the sake of carrying her stool for her. But they both knew Duinion would not venture into the marketplace, much less engage in shopping, unless he really had to. She knew what she was doing.

As Eryn rooted about her things for what she wanted to show him next, the carpenter considered the little milking stool that she had first put down. Raising it up to the sturdy counter, he set it down and glanced it over, as well as it’s severed leg he’d took up in his other hand. Glancing a closer eye about where it had been detached, he set both pieces down on the worktop unconcerned. “This can be repaired easily enough,” he confirmed, turning back just as the young woman retrieved her boots from a bag she had left by the door. Eryn’s proud grin met him in that moment, so Addhor was glad to see that the footwear did very much seem of a fair quality and doubtless would prove useful to the intended recipient.

“It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your choice,” he noted, with a tone that suggested that fact alone would mean enough to Duinion. So he added, “And your attentions to the detail do you credit. Your father will surely be very pleased with these.”

Eryn was looking to him expectantly still, and so he cleared his throat and handed back the boots she’d given him to inspect. “I have something for him myself. I was intending to come down and drop it in, on the actual day,” Addhor let her know. “I can fetch it down along with the stool at the same time, if you like.” The offer suggested a time frame for the stool job, as well as served a heads up, should there be any private family celebration around Duinion’s birthday, probably Aggie would have something suitable planned, that would not warrant interruptions.

[Winddancer]

Dina

The market place was alive with various sounds and noises. Wooden cart wheels noisily rolling over the flagstones like a growing thunderstorm, sellers selling their wares with Liriel being the loudest one of them all. Women washing their clothes in the fountain and gossiping about this and that while kids of various ages ran around squealing, laughing and yelling. At the moment the loudest of the children were Liriel's two sons as they squabbled over who had won the fight, drowning out even their mother as she called out her wares, which was a feat of its own. Then there was Berrick's laughter followed by the boys laughter as he chased them away with his broom.

Dina saw it all, heard it all from her spot on the top stair into the grocer's shop. It had only been a few weeks since Liriel had "hired" Berrick and her and despite her young age she still knew a charitable deed when she saw one. Not that she was complaining, no. Hugging the doll closer to her chest, a small smile played at the corner of her mouth as she watched Liriel's boys tease Berrick and make him bellow while chasing them around. While he pretended to be angry, everyone including the boys, knew he was feigning it and they laughed even more.

Liriel had stopped calling out her wares and was thoughtfully eyeing her. She knew the woman would soon ask her to go join the children, to go and play. It wasn't long before the familiar suggestion came, and yet again Dina merely squeezed her doll closer and stayed where she was. Thankfully Liriel was not one to keep pushing, instead letting out the familiar sigh before returning to calling out how fresh her apples were.

She had missed Berrick ending his pursuit of the boys, flinching slightly as he suddenly flopped down next to her on the stair while gasping for breath.

"They will be the death of me!" he exclaimed, though his eyes were dancing with mirth. He knew better than to suggest she go play. No amount of coaxing from Liriel and the boys had worked before, yet he somehow knew to let her be, understanding that she was not quite ready yet.

He gasped dramatically again "Gaaah, I am parched!"

Another micro flickering of a smile tweaked the corner of her mouth as she watched how Berrick dramaticlly seemed to be "dying" of thirst. Watching his antics for a moment longer, she quietly rose and went into the store, returning to the stair a few moments later with a lemonade in a huge cup. She had walked especially slow, determined not to spill anything this time, her tiny hands dwarfed by how big it was. Dolly under one arm, she proudly handed it to him, this time a genuine smile on her face as she managed to hand it over without having spilt any of it.

"Oh you are a true lifesaver!" he exclaimed happily unaware of how the word lifesaver would affect her. Her rare smile faded, eyes glistening with sudden tears as she turned on her heals and ran, leaving Berrick behind on the stair with his cup still raised and the look of surprise on his face.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen, with Sorrela Korsey and Dessy Aldis
‘Needful Things’

The sign said ‘open’, and the shop door most assuredly had done so. But still the shelves were empty, the walls were bare, and the single young woman stood behind the bare counter almost begged the question to be asked. When her first and solitary customer stared, silent, Iole was forced to start things off herself.

“Can I help you ?”

Her effort was to appear friendly but the uncertainty thwarted them both. It being her first day actually working in the store itself, rather than running some rather unusual errands for her new employer, Iole was hoping to satisfy the customer and so in turn herself. But neither of them seemed yet very sure of what their role was in this impromptu set up.

For her part Sorrela was feeling rather usually uncomfortable. As a City Guard, albeit perhaps the newest of their number, the very tall woman took up more space in an empty shop than she knew what to do with. It was absolutely impossible to be inconspicuous. She suited the imposing expectations of her new vocation perfectly. At least physically.

“You were here before,” Iole mentioned, helpfully. “You knocked on the door and the owner let you know we were not yet open. Then. We are now.”

Sorrela cleared her throat. She had on the occasion just alluded to, been sent to ask after the light that sometimes shone from the upstairs window of the shop. As it had been then not yet open, there had been concerns put out that there were squatters. But the owner had assured her, sometimes she or one of her staff worked late. Even before they were ready to open their doors. That had explained away any concerns.

Iole had by contrast found that she had more rather than less questions when she had heard that account. For she had not known that Ilisys had any other staff besides her. For the shop at least. She’d never seen anyone else. And the door that led to the stairs was always kept locked. Hopefully the Guard did not want to investigate up there now, because Ilisys had declared there were ‘things’ .. presumably that the lady required to take care of elsewhere than there. And Iole had been left in charge.

“I can’t see what I was looking for,” Sorrela admitted, cautiously, because answers were at the top of her wish list. “Maybe you can help me,” she considered.

Iole blinked, smoothed down her skirt and waited. “You want to know how it works,” she assumed eventually.


A third woman stumbled in through the front door at that point, met both of the startled glances which met her arrival and straightened her stance. With a nod toward Sorrela, she stepped with purpose toward Iole, noting them each as she drew close. “Sorrela” she ducked her chin before the City Guard. “Iole” she found the shop assistant at the counter. “Sorry, were you here first ?” she checked with the tall Guard. Who shook her head determinedly until she bred some doubt.

“I mean I was here first, in the shop. But it’s fine. You go right ahead. We’ve not started really.”

Dessy glanced to Iole who smiled, agreeably.

“Well it was just that you left your lunch in the kitchen,” the younger woman explained, handing over a small leather bag to the now blushing assistant. “I was on an errand hereabouts anyway, and thought I’d drop it in,” she smiled.

Iole accepted the offering, and smiled, gratefully. She had not even realised until that point she’d forgotten. But she would have missed it later. They both glanced, not simultaneously, toward Sorrela, who smiled in response for no reason she could think of, save being polite.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Dessy declared, and made a neat departure toward the exit.

They both offered a meek variant of farewell as the door swung shut behind her.

“You were going to explain,” Sorrela reminded Iole.

“Yes. Well. What it is, is that this is a place called ‘Needful Things’,” she began, with her audience watched on intently for the punchline. As much as had been explained so far, she had already known for herself. “So when you need something, something that you can not obtain somewhere else, you come here.”

Sorrela gave it a moment but no more was immediately forthcoming. She crinkled her brow, tried to channel her most inquisitive mode of inspection, and started afresh.

“But you do not seem to have anything here,” she pointed out. “The shelves …”

“The shelves were here when the shop was purchased,” Iole explained. “They came with the shop. We do not sell shelves,”

“So if I needed shelves …, that would not be a thing that I could obtain here ?” the Guard assumed. “Just as an example,”

“No, you could obtain shelves here,” Iole smiled. “We just don’t sell them here.”

“Well okay, now I am a little confused,” Sorrela admitted. “If I needed shelves I could obtain shelves from here even though you do not sell shelves here ?”

“I am not explaining it very well am I ?” the new assistant frowned. The customer shook her head, and mouthed ‘at all’. Iole blushed.

“Well using shelves as an example. Say you need shelves but you can not buy shelves. Because if you could, you’d go to the shop which sells shelves, yes ? And you can’t steal shelves because that would be well, against the law,” Another blush in recognition of the City Guard and the furrowed brow she was wearing with her uniform.

“I’m sorry .. you have lost me ..”

“Let me try that again, I’m sorry. It seemed to make sense when she explained it to me.” Iole blushed.

“This is Lady Azrubêl’s idea” Sorrela deduced, starting to get a better grip on why it was so difficult to make sense of. Iole nodded, the first real clue which her customer could use.

“If you can not obtain something you need, because you have no coin and you do not wish to break the law, then you come here. And we arrange for somebody to make sure you get the shelves .. or the whatever thing it is that you need.”

“So this is like a charity thing ?” the Guard made a bold guess. And shook her head when she saw the shop assistant shake her head, a no.

“Let me put this another way,” Iole tried. “What is something that you can do, that somebody might need ? Like say, you are very tall. Maybe you can reach things that other people can’t reach. So then somebody else needs to get their cat out of a tree. They come here because that’s what they need. We get you to reach the cat and they get what they need.”

“And .. why am I helping somebody to get a cat out of their tree now ?” Sorrela tried to sound as gracious as she could, when pressing further into the matter. “Because honestly, the person who has a cat up a tree could just find me or some other tall person person out in the street, and ask me to help.”

“But you might say no,” Iole put in.

“And why would I not say no, if you asked me to do what this other person needs, any different than if they’d asked me themselves ?”

“Well, because we can get someone to do something that you need, in return,” Iole took a deep breath and tried to recall exactly how lisys had explained it to her. “Everyone who comes here in need of something is able to do something that somebody else can not. So when somebody needs something done and they don’t have the coin or a kind neighbour or some other way of obtaining it, we can get someone else to do it for them, in return for our finding that someone else what they need .. and so on. We sort of match up skills and needs with one another. It’s a service.”

“Its not like any service I’ve ever heard of before,” the tall Guard puzzled over her understanding. “And this works, does it ? You finding people with somebody else to do what they need, because you found somebody to so something that they needed before that ?”

“Apparently it has worked out very well in Lond Côl” Iole shrugged. “I thought it sounded like a nice sort of service to provide anyway.”

“But how does any of this pay for the shop or the staff ?” Sorrela pondered, the practicalities refusing to be quelled by the idealism.


“Oh I do all of that,” Ilisys answered, slipping out from behind a curtain behind the counter, and smiled. There was a decidedness about the statement which not even common sense could argue with. Sorrela had heard that the Belfalasian was somewhat unusual. But still she had not expected this. “Its helpful to know who can do what and who will do what, do you not think ?” The point was not easy to argue with. Still the City Guard could not quite see the point of it all.

“So can we help you ?” Iole tried anew, especially now her employer was arrived and watching.

“I do not know what I would offer for you in return,” the Guard confessed.

“You know what nobody else knows yet,” Isys mentioned, friendly. “You can tell anybody who asks, or who may seem like they need something. Where they can go, if they can not obtain it.”

“I’ll think some on it,” Sorrela supposed, making a rather conspicuous move toward the door.

“Come again !” Iole called out after her. Ilisys nodded her head, approvingly. And was gone again, out of the front door, before Iole could begin to realise that was the second time she’d seen the Ehtyar leave that way, and she had no clue how she had come back in through a locked door that led to the attic ..

There had already been enough questions and so she began to clean the counter, for the fiftieth time since they had opened, an hour earlier.



**(Disclaimer ! The concept of 'Needful Things' was adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name. As I openly admitted was the intention, in the Marketplace OOC thread some months ago.)

[Rillewen]

Private with @Ercassie

Erynneth
Wood Works carpentry shop
With Addhor

Eryn was quite pleased to hear that her choice was a good one. She knew that her father would never have rejected something she gave him, even if he didn't like it he would pretend to, so not to hurt her. But it was reassuring to hear Addhor's words. He would know, as a former ranger, and as a close friend of her father's, whether the boots were well-chosen. Stowing the boots back in the sack, she left that where it was, and returned to the counter. It had occurred to her, after arriving in the market, that she might have been better off to wait until one of her milk delivery days, but then she would've had all her deliveries to make first, starting up at the fifth, and by the time she finished all of that, there was no guarantee that Addhor's shop would still be open. Stopping at all those houses, on each level, took time, after all.

She wasn't very surprised at all to learn that the stool could be fixed with no trouble. But she nodded, trying to act as if she was glad to hear it. "Yes, that would work just fine," Eryn nodded eagerly in reply to his suggestion. Bringing the stool back would make a perfect 'excuse' to show up and celebrate her dad's birthday. "I'm sure he would be quite happy to see you, and Aunt Aggie wouldn't mind at all." She assured the carpenter. "My father considers you family, you know." She divulged, somewhat uncertain whether he actually did know that. Of course, the matter was a little tricky for Eryn, considering how she felt about Addhor's son. Her father may think of Addhor like a brother, but Eryn found it very difficult to think of Unalmis like a cousin. And didn't want to, at that.

With a slight hesitation, she paused as she tried to push those thoughts aside, and find the right way to bring up the other thought, her main reason for coming. Best to go on and ask, rather than put it off, she decided. Surely, the worst he could do was say no, right? "I, um, I was wondering." She began, then took a breath and plunged onward. "Do you recall my saying, before, that I'd like to be a ranger, like my father?" She glanced up at Addhor, and continued. "I spoke to my father about it more, later, and.. he's agreed not to protest my joining the rangers, but I must wait a few more years." She explained, certain that Addhor could not have forgotten that discussion, during one of the evenings spent camping along the way to Rohan. "In the meanwhile, I hoped I might learn some of the necessary skills in advance. For when I do get to enlist. So that I'll be better prepared when that time comes." She clarified, trying to fight the feeling of nervousness as she built up to asking what was on her mind.

Clearing her throat, the girl proceeded after a brief pause to gather her thoughts, "So... I asked Daddy if he'd teach me about doing traps and things like that, but he's away so often on missions and things," She explained. "He's off on a mission right now, in fact, and I'm not sure when he'll be back... but he said how you're so good at all of that sort of thing, and you taught him all of that stuff when he was..younger than I am... well, I know you're busy with your work here, but you don't have to go off on missions for days at a time like he does, so I thought maybe.. if you have some time.." She glanced up hopefully. "Could you, perhaps, teach me some of those things? Please?"

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta, at ‘Wood Works’
with Erynneth Raedor @Rillewen

He did not miss the way that she packed away the boots, ready to carry, and yet returned the bag to the floor without any urgency to go. Neither did it pass his attention that she mentioned their familial attachment, on the very heels of recent flattery. Addhor did not ask if there was any more that Eryn required to tell him about the stool. Given that it was the item most tied to his vocation, the most obvious cause for conversation where they stood, and still the item that the customer had spent the least amount of her visit speaking about ... : he had discerned by this point that this was clearly more of a social call.

“Family is important to your father,” he mentioned, assuredly and to remind himself also. “Making sure that he has an enjoyable birthday is also important,” he smiled, quite aware of the tradition where it came to the other man’s birthday. A very young Duinion and Domanol had eaten some freshly baked cake that was not meant for them, but because they were hungry small children, and in facing his mother’s wrath, had declared that it was to celebrate Duinion’s birthday. Which the orphanage did not ever bother with, or so went Domanol’s spur-of-the-moment story. Addhor had shook his head in some amazement at the time, unsure whether to be impressed or outraged that the young pair had gotten away with it. Maybe they had seen it, because they made very sure to insist he shared the ‘birthday’ cake with them. His mother had insisted on going all out for the young orphan’s ‘Birthday’ every year since as a point, until the day she'd died.


The memory faded as Eryn looked for his attention anew, and once more naught to do with his craft. Or so he thought at first. Did Addhor recall her mentioning, she asked, that she wanted to join the Rangers ? He fought to keep a straight face. Maybe just once or twenty times, that he could recall. The carpenter had to hide a smile, for he did not want the girl to think that he was laughing at her. The subject had certainly been raised though, inescapably, while they were all travelling together on a Rohan holiday, and Eryn had probably recalled the veteran Ranger’s own opinion on the matter. Which was why she no doubt felt fairly comfortable to broach it now, armed with that foreknowledge of his approval.

Addhor did almost lose his composure though, when Eryn reported that Duinion had decided she must wait a few years. Ah the irony. The former Ranger turned away and made as though he was inspecting the stool for his own alibi now. He did not want to be the one to remind the girl that her father had run off and enlisted when aged barely fourteen. It was very fortunate for the now Tirdinen that the orphanage were not so ordered in keeping their documents straight back then, and also that they were keen for the young man to move out and on with his life, so that they had more room for the endless new arrivals. Generations of war in Gondor had ensured that there was always a job in the military, but also that there was no shortage of orphans in the thereafter.


“He did,” Addhor managed agreeably, returning to behold the earnest face of the young woman. “And I am sure he is very proud of the very enterprising attitude you have adopted on the matter,” he remarked, as Eryn outlined her plan. It also sounded a little like impatience on her part. As well as enthusiasm and also determination. But most importantly, she was choosing to respect her father’s wishes, as far as she could manage to, as much as she might disagree with them. Which was a fine start for anyone who’d have to learn to obey orders.

He was starting to recognise the road that this conversation was now taking, as the hesitations grew more frequent. Still Eryn did not let that stop her. So neither did he, stop her. Expecting that this would be some take on his supporting her ambitions, he watched on, rather at peace with the matter of her visit now he better understood it. Moments later it was Addhor who held a lid over what private joy she had just delivered unto him, merely by imagining aloud the possibility that he could help her in such a regard.


It took a moment before he could shape his thoughts into a proper response. Swallowing the truth of his now having no chance to go off on such adventures as her father did, and as she undoubtedly would as well one day .. there was still a silver lining where all of his own training and learning, and love for that aspect of his life that he now had little use for, might still come to some use again after all.

He cleared his throat, as she had not so long before, and tried to keep his tone steady, outlining a reply. “Did you break the stool yourself ?” was his first question, the same brown eyes as his son, firmly set upon the girl for her response though there was no angry undercurrent to his voice, merely suspicion. He had once been her age himself, after all. Raising a son did tend to remind him of that fact more often than he would admit, if only to surprise him over how different and alike they could be both at once.


“You have asked very nicely, Eryn. So I hope you will humour me, for I have two questions of my own to put to you. If you are serious about this ..." Addhor watched her carefully, before proceeding. "The first is, does your father know that you are making this request ? Because you say he is away at the moment ..” he did not let either of them forget. “And I would not wish to go behind his back,” the former Ranger made clear, albeit quietly. “Neither would I wish to rob him of an opportunity to teach you himself, which was what you originally asked of him. He might after all be looking forward to returning home, and sharing his skills with his daughter.”

The carpenter did not imagine that Eryn was the type of young person who would immediately find someone else to ask, if her first choice refused her, or even merely postponed on her. But it did not hurt to check. As a parent he thought largely along what he would have expected, or hoped anyway, from somebody who his son might ask for help. It would be a miracle after all, if Unalmis ever willingly came to him for anything. He was far more of the type to try and figure things out by himself. Or perhaps it was only his father who the young man was hesitant about coming to for help.

“My other question is, when you speak of trapping,” Addhor commenced with his second, before the girl had a chance to answer his first question; “are you thinking of snares and fishing, or are you asking more about the sorts of concealed measures which can utterly halt or even debilitate an entire unit of the enemy who try to infiltrate your territory, with potentially fatal consequences … for them ? That type of education which you should most certainly not be employing around your auntie’s farm, or anywhere for that matter, around unsuspecting civilians .. “


A hand turned palm up in her direction, indicating that the floor once more belonged to the young woman. But a voice entered the door quite irregardless of it’s speaker. “Did she tell you yet why she’s really come all the way here with a stool the farmer could have fixed hisself ?” Subtlety and timing were not among Narradir’s many talents. Addhor calmly walked over and closed the door which his business partner had left open. Of course. He nodded for Eryn to answer, even as the forester called out a second time, through the window this time, clearly not to be outdone, “Its only because at this rate, that baker will have closed up shop before we ever get this delivery over there ..” the prompt was laid out.

The carpenter closed his eyes momentarily, and then closed the window, although he could not fight off a smile as he nodded a second time, in Eryn’s direction. “Pay no heed to him. We will not be too late,” he assured his ‘customer’. After all, the way that Addhor was figuring it, this little diversion was ensuring that they would make their delivery now after the most busy point of the day, rather than during. And that meant that he could conduct his business with the baker with more time allowed to them, and fewer interruptions.

[Rillewen]

Private with @Ercassie

Erynneth
Wood Works carpentry shop
With Addhor

Eryn didn't have to be informed of how important Family was to her father. She was well aware of that fact... it was, in fact, the main reason why he was against her joining the rangers. She merely nodded slightly in reply to her father's friend as he mentioned this. Then, blinked in surprise as he asked if she had broken the stool herself. "No, of course not!" She assured him, feeling a little surprised he would even think she would do a thing like that. In truth, she had scrounged up the broken item out of a storage room, where it had been collecting dust for quite a few years, as no one at the farm had wanted to bother fixing one old wobbly stool when there were plenty of others in better shape. But Addhor needn't know about that, and she had enough coin left to pay him for the work. Whether it had really gotten broken by a cow throwing a tantrum, she couldn't be certain, as it had happened sometime before she ever came to live there. Not that any of those details were important.

To her relief, the answer seemed satisfactory, and she listened eagerly as he asked to humor him, as he asked her a couple of questions. Could it be, then, that he might agree to help her? She held her breath as she waited to hear these questions, giving a small but firm nod to answer that yes, she was serious about this. And then, as it turned out, the worst he could say was not 'no', Eryn discovered. She had not quite expected the first question that Addhor put to her, and she hesitated for a long moment, unsure quite how to reply to it. He was not finished, either, so she didn't try to form a reply just yet, though her expression grew thoughtful as she turned her gaze downward. The second question was even less expected, and distracted her briefly from the first as she glanced up again.

Before she could begin to give any reply to the former ranger, Narradir's voice broke into the conversation. Eryn glanced toward the door, a little startled, and watched Addhor move to close it, and shut out his intrusive friend. She gave a tiny smile in amusement, though she was thinking very hard on both of those questions. It had not really occurred to her, until now, that he might insist on keeping her father informed in such a matter. And even Narradir had apparently guessed, at only a glance, that the stool was not that badly broken as to require being brought here.. even he had guessed that there was some other purpose to Eryn's coming here. It was as if these fathers all had some sort of pact to prevent the children from pulling schemes such as this... then again, she considered, these fathers had once served together, and had grown up together, and...yeah, they must be fairly well in-tune with things of this sort. Not to mention that this particular man had Unalmis for a son. Eryn knew this plan would not work, therefore, and suddenly she felt guilty for having even tried it. She realized, further, that she had attempted to deceive both her father, and Addhor, a close friend. That wasn't the right way to go about this, and she was glad for the momentary distraction Narradir had provided. It gave her a moment to think... without the former ranger's keen eyes staring her down with that knowing look that all fathers seemed to have mastered.

A deep breath served to delay another second or two, trying to find the best way to give answers to both questions, and decided it would be best to answer the second, first. She looked up at last, as Addhor assured her that there was no hurry. Still, she didn't want to delay him too much. "I didn't mean to come at an inopportune time for you," She mentioned, hesitant, though looking inquisitive at the idea of so many kinds of traps. "As for the second question," She tilted her head. "I...didn't really think about all those possibilities. I didn't even know the latter was even..well, you see... I don't know anything about any of it." She explained, eyes widening with intrigue at the idea of such an impressive thing being possible, before returning her attention to giving an actual answer. "So.. I suppose what I had in mind was more.. the former. Fishing and snares and things like that." Not to say she wouldn't enjoy learning to do other things, of course...

That being said, she thought back on Addhor's first question, "But, um... concerning my father... well, he doesn't know that I'm here," She admitted. "I came to the market with as much secrecy as I could manage, so he would not see what I picked out for his birthday present." She reminded him, and hesitated before adding, "I..did not mention to him that I had any thoughts of asking you about any of this... but neither did he say that I could not..." After a moment's pondering, she suggested more quietly, "Perhaps I should ask him, again, to find the time..." More like, ask him to change his mind about withholding his knowledge until he deemed the time 'right' for her to learn. "I suppose I'll have to wait until he returns, then." She added, with a barely held back sigh.

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta with Erynneth Raedor
at ‘Wood Works’. @Rillewen

“Enthusiasm is a two edged sword, maybe” Addhor allowed, as Eryn reflected over her choices. He was both a little disappointed and largely impressed that the young woman had chosen to wait for her father to fulfil his promise to her, but it was certainly the right thing to do even if it was not the most satisfying in the short term. Want tempered by wisdom, as the saying went. “But you have come upon the right decision, I think,” he agreed, and indeed it was the better thing for the daughter and the father in the long term.

“I do apologise for asking if you broke the stool on purpose,” he allowed then, with a slow rise of his head. “It would seem that young women have their own ways and wiles, wide apart from young men I have known. Unalmis would have definitely broken it on purpose,” he allowed, with a sigh that bordered on amusement. But his expression was sincere when he asked her “Will you forgive me ?”


As the young woman tentatively unwrapped her confession about the truth of how things stood with her father, Addhor was not surprised. Except perhaps with where his mind had led him in response. For he proceeded his way around the sturdy shop counter, opened up a drawer on the hidden side that customers were not privy to, and retrieved an old and rather well-worn leather book, which he gently brushed the dust off with one hand before he turned the small tome over in a secure but quite wary grasp with both.

“This book was written by old Rosdolad,” he answered, apparently, to her sigh on having to wait now and merely hope Duinion relented sooner than later. “He was the Ranger who was Captain to your father and myself, and the others of our unit, back in the day” Addhor let Eryn know, gazing down upon the rope-bound journal as though it were a jewel of their land. “He gave this book to me before he passed on. I suppose he felt that I might find some comfort in it, like an old friend, when I became .. perplexed with my lot. It has helped me to feel .. better .. often … since. Suppose you borrow it for a time, if you would like,” he glanced up as he made the offer, “to pass the time until your father returns home. Mind you must promise though to tell him that I have lent it to you. At your earliest convenience,” brown eyes impressed the less obvious reason for this upon her, in a weight of silent pause.

“It is a very good if basic introduction for you to read at the art of trapping, starting with some simple snares and fishing techniques. But there are many clear illustrations that our teacher personally included in these pages, that he drew, of scenes he had seen with his own eyes. The places he took us, and the things he showed us. The stories he shared with us. You might find anecdotes and images in this handwritten old thing that strike you as they could refer to your father in fact.” Addhor found Eryn’s face as a matter of necessity, when he concluded, calmly, “I think he might very much enjoy reading it with you, when he comes home, if you find the right moment to mention it to him”


The veteran let the words and their potential hang in the air, so that Eryn might retrieve them in her own time. He could not see Duinion begrudging her a book, particularly one which inspired her to ask questions of her father, out of everyone, to personally share with her. Addhor had seen firsthand how close the two of them were after all. The situations accounted of in those yellowing pages might even soften the Tirdinen’s resolve about speaking more openly with his daughter about his own Ranger training. And that was how you edged a door open, without beating it down.

“As to the other, ” the carpenter slid the book across the counter toward Eryn, drawing back the stool to him, which she had brought in exchange; “well, when the time comes that your father agrees you are ready, I will be honoured to help him show you how to master the more .. involved .. elements of trapping,” he promised. Her as much as himself. Leaving the ‘when’ for that matter entirely within her father’s hands. “You can put the book in the sack with your father’s boots, since you won’t have to carry the stool on your way home,” he closed the drawer. "Unless there is anything else you think I might be able to help you with ?"

[Rillewen]

Private with @Ercassie

Erynneth
Wood Works carpentry shop
With Addhor

Eryn tilted her head curiously, unsure what he meant by the two edged sword thing. This had nothing to do with swords. She was quite sure that if her dad didn't want to let her learn to make simple snares, then he would certainly not agree to let her learn to use blades. Yet. One day, perhaps. She didn't quite understand Addhor's metaphorical words, but he concluded the thought by saying she had made a right decision. It didn't really help her in her quest to obtain ranger skills, but at least she was now aware that it wasn't exactly right, the way she had tried to go about it. Maybe, now, she could come up with a less... deceitful manner in which to acquire the knowledge she sought.

Glancing up at him again, Eryn smiled slightly to hear him apologize. She could easily understand, after what he said about Unalmis, why he might have suspected she would have resorted to such means. And laughed lightly, imagining her friend doing such a thing. "It's alright," She assured him. "Of course I forgive you." How could she not, when in reality she had reason to be asking his forgiveness. Though she had managed not to admit to her earlier intended deception, and so hoped he would not be aware of it. "I am sorry for taking up your time," She added as an afterthought, realizing she had indeed delayed him about his work. Even if he had assured her that he wouldn't be late for that delivery.

She had thought, then, that it was time to take her leave, and let him get on with his work. For a second, it seemed as if he had then silently dismissed her, as she watched him go, without a word, behind the counter. But she remembered that he was intending to leave the shop for a short while, rather than waiting around for customers or working on projects. So perhaps there was some purpose in mind, yet. As she stood slightly uncertain, she watched with great curiosity as he brushed off a book, as if it held some revered secret within its pages. Drawn to stand closer to the counter, Eryn rested her hands on the edge as she listened to her father's friend explain about the book. Hazel eyes slowly widened as she began to understand the implication behind this thing, and what he was saying. That she could take it home, and study it, learn something of the things within... the very sort of things she had come to ask Addhor to teach her!

Tearing her gaze up from the book Addhor held, Eryn looked at him in wonder, and barely contained excitement. Little did she know how she resembled her father in that moment, at a time when he was learning such things with a similar enthusiasm. Eryn unknowingly matched the same wonder and eagerness Duinion had once displayed, at her age, and even younger, when he used to beg for stories of the ranger's adventures. "I will," She promised, more eager than ever now, for her father to be home. "As soon as he returns, I'll tell him about it." An eager smile lit her face at the anticipation of reading things about her daddy in those pages, and showing it to him when he returned from escorting that merchant somewhere.

Addhor's suggestion that she could put the book in with the boots, brought a shake of her head, smiling as she held it close to her chest. "I'd rather carry it, separately." She declared. She had never really held much enthusiasm for books and reading, unlike her father when he was young, but she intended to treasure this one, and be extra careful. Especially since it was only a loan. Putting it with a pair of boots didn't seem like a good idea, she thought. Besides, how could she begin reading it if it was in the sack, out of sight?

Grinning, she hugged the book to her chest. "Thank you, Addhor," She meant that wholeheartedly. "No, I can't think of anything," She added. There seemed little reason to linger, when the men were waiting to be off on that delivery, so it seemed time to take her leave. "I shall see you then, in a few days..." She nearly said 'for daddy's birthday', but recalled Narradir had been near the window. She remembered Addhor mentioning what sort of "festivities" the other former ranger would likely have in mind for an old friend's birthday, and didn't want to risk him overhearing. "Thank you!" With a joyful wave of farewell with one hand, she set off eagerly to return home and get started exploring the pages of this book. No sooner had she stepped outside than she turned back again, long enough to grab up the sack which she had nearly forgotten in her excitement, and then hurried back out again, with a little laugh at herself for forgetting it.

[Ercassie]

Addhor Raxëlilta and Narradir Korsey
Heading out from ‘Wood Works’ for a delivery.

As Eryn seemed so taken with the book that she wouldn’t let it out of her hands, even to carry it in her bag, Addhor knew he would not regret this judgement call. There was nothing overly dangerous or extreme in the Captain’s journal, but there was enough inspiration there to help the aspiring young Ranger start to properly imagine how the principles of trapping would actually work. So it would make that much more sense, swifter too, whenever Duinion would later show her how to put the theory into practice. The Veteran had proven useful, the aspirant was satisfied, and her oblivious father would not miss out on the experience of sharing his skills with his daughter. The customer left the shop more than contented, and that meant that the carpenter could as well.

“You were eaves dropping,” he alleged, finding Narradir outside. The recent commentary which Eryn had assumed meant that the larger man was a psychic, had in fact been more due to the large labourer’s training in both stealth and scrutiny within the Rangers years ago. No small feat for a man of his intimidating stature.

“Well, you left me all alone, and at a loss, and .. well, unsupervised,” the forester laughed, as though he were still six years old. Addhor had already locked the window when he had closed it against Narradir’s interruptions before. Now he watched quietly after Eryn as she set off on her way, and then he locked the shop door behind them as well.


“She’s like him,” the more massive man decided. “Not to look at, obviously,” the opinion persevered. “Thankfully. I mean, Dui .. has that beard .. Still. I just found myself taken back twenty odd years. You too ?”

“Some,” the carpenter allowed upon reflection, always more careful than his openly honest friend. Inquisitive hands made their inspection of quite how well the delivery had been tethered to it’s transport. And were smacked away by the larger hands of the other man, with all the concern of a mother chiding her child for licking the spoon during an afternoon of baking together.


“I’d have agreed to show her some snares at least, if she’d asked me,” Narradir sniffed suddenly, a mock injured air, as he lounged against the wagon. “Just saying ..”

“Then I’m glad she did not put you in that position, where you have to choose between disappointing someone who is asking you for help, or disappointing someone else, who is rather more fitting to be the one that helps them,” Addhor sighed. Though it was not a lecture, but an understanding of the rather delicate balance of relations involved. “She said she had asked Duinion to show her,” he tried to explain his reasoning, to the human puppy of a man beside him; “so she must go to him first, in the end, as it should be.”


“This is casting back to when I showed your boy how to chop down a tree, isn’t it ?” the forester supposed, casting a long look over at his friend, suspiciously. For the impromptu move had been managed without pre-approval or permission from the youth’s parent.

“Not so much,” Addhor decided, although he took his time over admitting it. Then he shook his head and let show a small smile. “For truly I am glad to have been stood far and safe away when that happened,” he teased.


“Yes, well you’ve probably scared that girl right off any more asking now,” Narradir shook his head slowly as he revisited his friend’s response to Eryn. “All that dire talk about debilitating enemies and death and ..” he released another drawn out whistle, as he had earlier in the day.

“You do remember what we did, out there ?” Addhor felt compelled to enquire. Sometimes it seemed as though ‘out there’ had all been just a game to the forester. It had been different then, of course, before the war was won. It had been more desperate. More dangerous. At least they could rest easier for both the likes of Unalmis and Erynneth, as the younger generation set out now on a very altered expectation, albeit in the exact same career. Of course, evil could never be wholly eradicated … “If I’m honest, I rather think she was more interested than I’d hoped she would be, on that score. But at least her father won’t come home now to walk headlong into some terrible trap she’s been practicing in the fields. That is the important thing.”


“Hah ! And to that I should say that our friend should be trained well enough by now to recognise the signs of danger,” put in Narradir, highly amused, “and furthermore see himself safely through a mere novice’s best attempts. Which reminds me, when is this party we are throwing for our mutual friend ?” a confused expression met his question, and the forester tried again, to confirm he had not misheard, when he ought not to have heard at all. “Duinion’s birthday ?” he prompted, one eyebrow raised like a startled caterpillar.

Addhor gave Narradir an entirely unheeding expression, and consciously climbed into the wagon which his friend regarded quietly. The former then glanced with purpose straight ahead, and did not meet the other man’s expectant expression. “You said something about being in a hurry,” the carpenter remarked only, diverting the conversation, albeit to one who all too well recognised the art.


“Should have left you to drag this fool thing through the streets all on your lonesome,” Narradir threw back, with a mischievous glance about his eyes. “Haven’t even said a thank you ..”

“Thankyou Narry” Addhor admitted sincerely, though he smiled into his seat, as his friend leapt up beside him.

“Yes, right. Thank the stars and stones for Narry” the forester grinned. “Whatever would you do without me, hmm ?”


It was something that Addhor hoped he would never have to find out. The long war had lost them the other two friends in their close group of boys from school. And if Denethor hadn’t needed the mighty strength of Narradir to help rebuild the Rammas wall in preparation for the siege, then the steward may not have thought upon releasing the man from his gaol. The new king had decided after all was said and done, that the eager forester had served far long enough for the unfortunate misunderstanding which had cost him his military career. And the former ranger had swiftly shown that he might as well have been frozen in time for all his sentence. For Narradir was not that changed in character since the days of before his incarceration.

There was nothing more to say, but to merely enjoy even the short distance that their journey took them. It was far easier with the wagon, than trying to manoeuvre the furniture through the streets on foot, being jostled and jockeyed about through a crowd, would have proven. And the carpenter was that concerned that his creation might be damaged before it could ever be presented to the intended recipient. He had made promises. But he had also fallen prey to a want that it should be, must be, worth her wait. And that could not be rushed. Addhor was not someone who went about his life in any sort of rush.

Arrival at ‘Nells Bread and Pastries’
@Isolde Alarion

Narradir waved his friend off any notion of helping to unload the delivery, and so, Addhor resolved not to be observed arguing over so silly a matter of pride. He was close to as tall as his titan acquaintance, though rather less pronounced in the physical presence that he might muster. Instead the carpenter found his nerve and also the familiar door, of his favourite shop in all the marketplace, including maybe even his own. He’d put a lot of thought into the timing, so that he ought not be in the way, or else interrupting the baker, when they arrived at what should be a lull in the usual proceedings of her business. There was a habit of reconnaissance after all, and there was a necessary reserve to pause, to breathe, halt all of his excitement behind a calm sense of order. You had to be calm, in the forest. You had to take the time. And he would have time now. Where he might wish to spend all of his time. In her company.

But there, the baker was full of surprises. She kept him on his toes in the delightful little way that saw his heart forego all order. She might have decided to take the day off and visit friends. She might have even forgotten that he’d said he would accomplish this little project for her. For it had been rather a time ago now when he had offered. And he might manage to therefore talk himself out of entering, for embarrassment, if it had been at all possible to turn and walk away, when he knew that she might be .. waiting.

So swallowing, he knocked once out of habit at Nell’s shop door, and then entered. Raising his brown eyes up after a moment, to find if she were present, before Narradir burst in upon them. If Nell were not around, then surely their salient errand would all be over relatively quickly. But he dearly hoped that was not the case.

[Isolde Alarion]

Nells Breads & Pastries
Nelladel receiving a much anticipated arrival
@Ercassie

Nell stood in the back of the bakery, behind the curtain that separated the bakery and the shop where she conducted her business. With hands on her hips she looked around at what supplies were left after the morning rush of those wanting the freshest loaves and pastries she had to offer. She took a quick stock of what she had to restock the shelves with. Most of the bread she'd made was now gone but she always kept some in reserve for anyone that needed something on the way home. Same for the pastries.

She was just starting to fill a basket for display when she heard a single knock at the shop door. Her hands stopped loading the pastries and a pleased smile slipped over her lips. She recognized the knock and knew of only one person who actually knocked before entering the shop. Addhor. Not wanting to keep him waiting her hands went to making sure her dark hair was in order then they fluttered down to straighten out her apron, brushing at any crumbs or stray flour as she went. She heard the small tinkling of the bell and knew he'd entered which caused her hands to wring together. "I'll be right there!" She called out lightly and had to take a deep breath to calm the sudden tide of excitement that had rushed through her. She didn't want to seem a silly school girl after all. She was a grown woman who could control her emotions for Bemas sake! That's what she told herself anyways. She just had a harder time doing it when it came to him. With a small controlled exhale she pulled back the curtain and stepped into the shop.

Seeing him standing there she couldn't have stopped her smile from reaching her green eyes if she tried. "Addhor! Such a pleasant surprise!" The happiness in her voice rang like a bell and she didn't hesitate to narrow the distance between them before taking his hands in her smaller ones and gently squeezing them in welcome she continued. " What can I help you with today?" She asked as she looked up at him. She caught a glimpse of a wagon and something loaded in it behind him outside. She leaned aside to have a better look then looked back at him with a quizzical brow. " Is that the new rack?" She searched his brown eyes for the answer, she was practically on her tip toes with anticipation.

[Rillewen]

Liriel and Eradan's Grocery
@Winddancer

Ric couldn't remember ever actually buying any sort of groceries before. He was sure he had never been to this shop before. With his parents growing their own crops and insisting they live off of what they had grown, there had been no need, or spare money, to buy anything from the stores when he was growing up. And since he'd been living on his own, the young man had eaten out for all his meals. At least, ever since his friend and roommate had disappeared. Reilly used to cook, but Ric never had given much thought about such things. Until a recent acquaintance had suggested that he ought to cook at home, rather than eating out all the time. It would supposedly save money to buy groceries and make his food at his home. Besides which, the young man realized, it would make it much easier to enjoy his meals in peace. So he thought he'd give it a try.

The young guard was not in uniform today, a somewhat rare occurrence. He did get days off once in a while, and today was one of them. Usually he stayed home, or went for a ride, to visit the only person in the world that didn't seem to hate him. But since there was not enough time to travel that far and be back in time for his shift tomorrow, Ric was here instead, trying to find something that he could cook for supper. Despite being unsure exactly what sort of things there were to buy, nor how exactly to assemble them into a meal. As he stepped inside, a bit tentative, he glanced around curiously to observe the interior of the grocery shop before venturing further in. His steps drew him to check out some dry goods nearby, flour and corn meal, and other things of that sort.

[Winddancer]

Gellir pushed past the customer with a muttered 'sorry', leaving his mother and/or Berrik to deal with the gentleman as he flew out the door, making Liriel pause with the broom in half a sweep. "What the.." she muttered to herself, then looked in the direction her oldest was going and seeing Dina's tiny little figure running down the street. Liriel sighed, her heart aching for the little girl. It was not the first time the girl had run and she doubted it was the last. She could only hope that Dina would run to the same place they had found her the last two times and not somewhere where they couldn't find her.

She did not have to tell Berrik to go after the two youngsters to make sure they did not get hurt. The young lad had already set his cup aside and was now in pursuit of Gellir. Distracted and concerned, Liriel realised that there were customers to tend to and set her broom aside as she stepped into the small shop with a worried glance back over her shoulder.

She had not seen this young man here before, though it was by far uncommon for new arrivals to come to the city, most in need of supplies.

"Alright there, luv?" she asked cheerfully, masking her worry. "Can I help you find something?" She wondered for a brief moment if he was a baker, given how he was eyeing the flour. "The flour is freshly milled. Brought in from the mill just this morning, it was."

[Rillewen]

Liriel and Eradan's Grocery
@Winddancer

Ric hastily stepped aside to avoid the boy who had chosen that moment to rush outside. His gaze briefly followed the young man in some curiosity, but shrugged and turned his attention back to the inside of the shop. Probably, the boy was in a hurry to deliver a message, or play with a friend, or some other sort of "important" thing. It wasn't any of Ric's concern however, but he did observe another young man follow. He couldn't help taking notice of certain things; it must be the guard training. But he turned his focus back to his own business.

As he was investigating the flour, and trying to decide if he even remembered how his mother had made.. well, anything.. with the stuff, he was confronted with the lady asking if he needed any help. Looking up, Ric hesitated slightly, and gave a polite nod to the lady he assumed must be the proprietress. "Good afternoon. I.. um," He glanced at the flour. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do with it, but it's good to know that it is fresh." He offered with a small smile. "Perhaps you can help. I hoped I might find something that wouldn't be very difficult to cook, but I don't really know where to begin. I'm told that it is more cost efficient to cook one's own meals, than eating at an establishment for every meal... "

[Winddancer]

Berrik

Berrik sighed with relief when he finally caught up to Dina and Gellir. Sat with their backs to him, they had not yet noticed his arrival and he paused. This was now the third time that he had found Dina here and he still did not know why she seemed to gravitate towards this area. Catching his breath, he looked around to see if anything stood out. It was definitely someone's "garden", though it was horribly overgrown and clearly forgotten about. Down an alley that ran off of the square that housed the library it had not been a place he and Dina had frequented before. In fact he did not even know it existed, thankful that Gellir had found her here.

Not getting the answer he was hoping to find, his sad eyes returned to the two sat on the low wall. Dina was crying, though it seemed she was coming to the end if it, the telltale hiccuped breaths and sniffles slowing. Gellir sat quietly next to her, as close as he could without touching her. Even as Berrik watched with a heavy heart, Dina's sniffles came to a halt and she wiped away her tears with the back of one hand. Oh what he would give to be able to hug her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. That she was safe. But he couldn't, she would never let him. And he also did not know if she was upset with him, still wondering about what he had said that had upset her this much.

So he waited. Waited for the two to be ready to go home, allowing them a moment to just sit there and be together.

Liriel with Ric

Liriel's eyebrows shot up expectantly at the query for help, though it somewhat surprised her to learn what he needed help with. "Well.. I mean I can give you recipes? As long as you can read.." she eyed him for a moment to see if he was going to say he couldn't, before continuing.

"As for saving money, well I guess so. Though I would think that you would have to make a big portion and eat it over several days to make it worthwhile, if it is just for you I mean. Are you cooking for just yourself? Or a family?"

She was not one to discourage people from purchasing her wares, but she was also not one for selling food to people who did not need it. She knew well the value of money and just how tight it was for many after the War.

[Rillewen]

Liriel and Eradan's Grocery
@Winddancer

Nodding, Ric offered a faint smile. "Yes, I can read," He assured the lady. "Though, I certainly would not mean to be an imposition to you, ma'am." He added, unsure whether his request would cause any trouble for her. There must be some memories of watching his mother cook their meals, from which he could come up with some sort of meal. Then, there were surely things he could find somewhere, in the library perhaps. If he looked hard enough, he would surely find something. If not, well, he supposed he could always throw things together and hope for the best, but..that might not go so well.

Hearing the mention about how it might only be cost efficient if he made a lot to last several days, Ric frowned thoughtfully to consider that. "It is only myself," He confirmed, quietly. He suddenly felt a little silly, coming in to buy things without even knowing what he wanted. That was probably not the way most folks went about it, he realized. And he wasn't even completely certain about what sort of dishes and cooking gear he owned, now that he thought about it. Although he knew that there were some things, Ric hadn't actually used any of them himself, aside from a kettle to heat water for tea. "Perhaps I ought to first learn what I need, and then return?" He suggested with slight hesitance.

[Winddancer]

Liriel

The very last thing Liriel wanted to do was discourage someone from trying something new. If this young man wanted to learn how to cook, good for him. And for any future wife she thought with a smile. Shaking her head and waving her hand at his concern of being an imposition, she turned on her heels and headed off to the back of the room where Gellir's little cupboard/office was and rifled through the top shelves.

Narrowly avoiding an avalanche of scrolls, papers and books, she returned triumphantly with a small book in her hands. Face slightly flushed, she splayed it open, quickly flicking through the pages until she got to the one she was after.

"This one is perfect for starting out.." she said as she showed him the page that read Beef and onion stew. This one is so easy that anyone, who can read, can make. Giving him the slightest of winks she did add "All you need is a pot. Do you have at least that? Wait, I know, hold that thought.."

She shoved the book into his hands and headed over towards the back again. Loud clanging of pots and pans were heard as she dug through her stash, pulling out one that seemed a sufficient size. Then she went about the store, placing the ingredients of the dish into the pot. Potato, onion, celery, some of the flour he had been eyeing, some butter and then began dispensing small amounts of herbs and spices into little envelopes. She also added a small jar of beef broth, careful not to spill the contents.

"Ok, that's all the ingredients that you will need to make that recipe. I have written the name of the herbs and spices on the envelopes. When it says it needs a pinch, you really do just take a pinch." She smiled knowingly as if that was something she had had to learn once.

"When you are more versed in cooking, you can always add more, or less for that matter. Make it taste how you like it. If there are any ingredients that you do not like, feel free to return them. I would rather they get eaten than thrown away. As for the pot, well if you have one, bring this back. Otherwise we can settle the amount next time you come in."

She gave him the price of the goods, which was more than clear that she was on the lower side of what she would have charged anyone else and added "Oh if you want to make that stew more tasty and hardy, add some good dark ale. The better the ale, the better the taste." She nodded enthusiastically from experience.

"Beef you can get at a decent price at the butcher, tell them I sent you and they won't charge you an arm and a leg.." She couldn't help the smirk.