Quote from: tomcat on Jan 28, 2019, 04:38 PM"T'would seem our new queen has the right of it that these folk should be shown our hospitality, if naught else. They have traveled far and are hungry...surely we can determine if they are Dunlanding spies after they eat and are made warm?"

"Man of the plains ! This is your King you're speaking to, not some commoner ! Show some respect and introduce yourself properly." Growls Heáfod, captain of the King's guard and Doorwarden of Meduseld, a fierce warrior in his 50's. "And as for you, Eghili, Remember your place. Being Gondorian doesn't grant you the right to give an appreciation of how the King would act."

your speech rings true in the ears of Thengel though, even if he doesn't show it.

Raghnall was moved to speak. He was shorter than these horselords and more brown than fair. While not fat his lent him to be more roundish and solid.

"Master, I am Raghnall Stoneturner from away north and east. A small town named Bree. We have no king, nor any hall like this one. Though we too build of stone and timber. I have come with these folk to Edoras in accordance with your law and I though am not numbered among them and seek no permenant home here I ask for your leave to see your realm and learn of its people. My desires are borne out of a desire to see this wide world of ours and to know something other than the stone and stream of where I was born."

 
Courtesy

  seems like that would be close, but I'll tap my trait of fair spoken for the encounter as well.

"Forgive me, Lord, but as you say - I am a man of the field and so am unaccustomed to the ways of gilded halls and kings." There was an edge on Gárulf voice that was dangerous for him, but he continued, "I only know the cold and struggle of field and stream, as we hunt ranging bands of orc in the east emnet. Thus do I sympathize with the lady's plight - no matter who or what she be."

The faces of the court changed to shock at how the Rohir addressed the king's door ward. He smiled apologetically, "Forgive my manners, but I am Gárulf."

Thankfully, Raghnall interrupted with his own request.

---

I have to bring in Gárulf's jadedness and his reckless nature. He is not one for court and custom and he kind of is appalled at the splendor, and that this man on a hill can dictate the lives of others. Maybe it is because all he has known of kings is Fengel, and so thinks them all the same.

That said, he is no fool and knows that he is in a dangerous place.

He nods his head to the kings guard. "I apologise if I over stepped my mark or that you've misconstrued my intention."

His attention is taken by the man of Bree. He'd heard the name in the history books but had never heard much or met anyone from there, only knowing it sat in what once was the lands of Arnor.

He then looks back at the Rohir who had spoke. Garulf, a man of the people it seems from the tone that had been taken. He then looks to the king for his reaction and his input.

Thengel finally speaks. « I, Thengel, have made my decision. I will not let people starve upon my land, no matter where they hail from. The plains of Rohan are bountiful and there's plenty of space for good willed settlers. Young woman I grant you leave to remain in the Wold with your people. You are hereby allowed to hunt and plant and pasture your herds. »

The smile of relief upon Edelyn's face is short live though. « Yet since you have not made your bloodline claim proven beyond doubt, and considering Dundelings have long been assailing our realm by any mean, I shall decide by the end of spring whether you're allowed to remain for unlimited time or not. Cenric, Éogar, you will both send me men to accompany Edelyn back to her people, they will take will them two carts of provisions. I expect they report back to me in three months. Egihlir, you will go with them and be my ears and eyes. Also make sure they have a bedding and food for tonight. »

The King then turns to the Bree lander. « Raghnall, these are unusual circumstances. I understand you made the journey with these people and I assume you will return with them. I'd like very much to hear about Bree and Eriador, however, and I wish you will come back to Edoras and tell us more about the north. In the meantime I give you leave to travel freely in Rohan. »

And finally to the Rohir outlaw whose identity he perhaps chose to ignore on purpose. « Gárulf, your apologizes are accepted for you spoke out of concern for these people. Risking the ire of your sovereign for the safekeeping of foreigners is a noble endeavor. I hope such attitude will spread to make Rohan once more a welcoming realm. Let it not be forgotten that we've all have been foreigners here. »

Most people get the point of the King and look down. « Now let us resume. I think I heard there would be a tale about the reclaiming of Erebor. » 

In Edoras, there are few places for travellers. Guests of the King have their own house, but it will probably be used by the dwarves. The only option is Cépia's house, the inn of the city. Some denizens may also rent a spot in their house or stables.

He bows his head as the King makes his request of him. "As you wish Thengel King." He looks to the girl and fetches his spear which was resting against the table and heads towards her.

"I'm Egilhir of Gondor." He says warmly to her. "I'll see how many rooms I can arrange in the Inn for the weakest of your people and will try and get some food from the halls here to share amongst them. It seems I'm to stay with you and your people while you reside in Rohan. I'm keen to learn about your homeland. Perhaps you can indulge me as we set about tending to your kin?"

He'll lead Edelyn out of the halls to take her to arrange for food and bedding for the night, as much as he can aquire either through word or coin.

Roderic looks at Goldred with a certain degree of bewilderment. 'A most strange turn of events, don't you think master?' he says to Goldred. Goldred slaps him on the back and laughs. 'Very strange indeed, I am sure this Great Hall has never seen the like before. I am not sure I have ever seen a King addressed as such. Perhaps it is time for you to seek out Cuthred and see if this might be what my Lord Cenric has in mind for you? Remember Roderic, information and knowledge is power, and I expect you to keep me informed at all times, if you should indeed travel with Egilhir and Edelyn'.

Hearing that Edelyn and her people were secure and that Raghnall had permission of the king to roam Rohan, Gárulf turned to the Bree-man and spoke softly.

"I think it is time we take our leave here. We have come to do what we promised. The woman and her clan are safe, now let us go assuage your desires to see these wonderful lands of my home." There was an edge of sarcasm to the Rohir's words.

Gárulf pressed himself forward into the throng, so that he might gain the attention once more of the King's steward. When the man finally addressed him, the rogue asked, "Lord, my companion and I have done our business here, bringing the woman Edelyn. We request leave from our king, so that we might return to the fields."

Raghnall was at Gárulf's elbow and moved through the crowd with him.

He mumbled to his friend, "i may have a coin or two to get us a drink..."

Edelyn is a little disconcerted by the decision of the king and it takes her a few seconds to realize she's being dismissed with only half a solution to the problem of her folk. She sighs, fights back her tears and bows. « I thank you, my Lord, we won't disappoint your trust. » Then she follows Egilhir, her two henchmen at her side. She stops by Gárulf and Raghnall « You brought us safely here, you have my thanks. We owe a debt to you. You will always be welcome by my people »

Egilhir knows that the inn always keeps rooms for unexpected guests, available only by word of the King or some other authority, so he takes Edelyn and her two henchmen to Cépia's house, chatting along the way. As for the food he knows arrangements will be made and by morning the two carts will be ready to leave, packed with salted meat, dried fruits, and enough flour to bake breads for two months. Enough, he hopes, for a fresh start. 

Back in the Golden Hall, conversations and feasting have resumed. The two Marshalls quickly gave their instructions, both seem pretty unhappy with the situation but none shared their feelings with the king. Thengel would probably have given them few care anyway. Morween was most pleased and gifted her husband with many smiles and tender gestures. Dori the envoy from Erebor visibly approved as well.

Cuthred walks again to Roderic and pats him on the shoulder. « Here comes your first assignment ! You will go with Kendrick accompany these refugees back to the Wold, stay with them and learn what you can learn. You're not Rohir, they may be more eager to reveal their true selves to you... Consider yourself lucky, it will probably prove more exciting than standing guard in a watchtower. »

As Gárulf asks Heáfod about leaving, the old soldier sadly shakes his head. « Ah, I fear there is something else we must discuss, boy. That sword of yours is not a farmer stick, nor a practice sword for a squire. That is the sword of a Rider if I'm mistaken. So we have a problem here. Either you stole it from a dead Eorling of the King - and that's a crime we don't take lightly - , either there's more to you than what you told us... So, what will it be ? »

Raghnall looked at the door warden and cocked an eye, "and who would walk lightly armed upon the marches of any realm? Orcs and Brigands abound! Why, I myself was an unhappy guest among the Hillmen for a time. Would you travel a two days march from here without a blade or a bow?"

"The sword is mine, given to me by my father, as it was given to him by his father before," said Gárulf, trying to maintain a semblance of calm. The Rohir had been concerned of being accused of theft for the occasional lamb or chickens that they had taken, but not his own property. "It was bestowed upon me after my eighteenth summer, by my father, Gármot, who sits lame upon his bed in our family home." The ire was rising. "Master Heáfod, I do not take lightly to being called a thief and I assure you it was not pried from some dead, wealthy man's hand! It has been wielded by my family and used in the hunting of orc raiders that still plague the East Emnet...while you sit here in this... gilded hall!"

Raghnall recognized the sound of his friend's voice - Gárulf was ready to demand a challenge.

---

Probably unwise, but he is reckless and so he will puff up his chest with this awe roll. I look forward to the results.
TN -- awe 2d

1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 3, total 4

"Doorwarden, or whatever your proper title is. We have cone long and far. The abundance of food and drink here has highlighted our own hungriness. Please excuse us if we are rough and irritable."

Courtesy

I will include a if it is necessary, or will help.