The rest of the stay in Bree had been short. The Company did not wait for the weather to change, all of them being too excited to get back to their homes, or to create new ones. There was still three days of travel and so they pressed on with the morning light.
It was a sad departure, for Edrahil said his goodbyes. "I cannot say when you shall see me again, but look for my arrival in Fornost."
The companions made some final salutations and the Elf spurred his horse west, disappearing soon over the contours of the land. The others turned north and began the last leg of the journey home.
On 30th of October, the battlements of Fornost could be seen, sitting as the castle did upon a small hill. With eagerness building, they spurred their mounts forward, following the road that now wound through farmlands and small villages, on its way to the King's city.
[OOC:] I would like you guys to tell me where your first destination would be please.
Durgil's family (now owned by Durgil) has a small apartment in the city. The barony lies to the north (see maps). Fengel and Dirnhael, though landholders, do not yet have any home established/built.
OOC: Durgil will go straight home and will offer accomodations to the party as his guests. EDIT: Following a brief warm welcome, he will go to the court of the king and discuss the adventures had since last leaving Fornost.
OOC: Will report immediately to the King to disclose the successful nature of his mission and the return of the company to Arthedain.
OOC: Fengel will take Durgil's offer and make sure that he and his sister are comfortable.
The clatter of the horses' hooves echoed through the city. The return of the heroes was not like the reception received months past. The weather had the town subdued and only an occassional passerby was seen, running from one location of cover to another, usually with a cloak draped over their heads.
Finally, the apartment that was owned by Durgil's father - now owned by Durgil himself - was seen. The Company rode their horses into an adjoining stabling yard and were greeted by a young lad of fifteen years. "Good morrow, Lords," he said as he took hold of Durgil's horse's bridle. "I am sorry, the Lady of the house is not here... nor her brother. If you'd like to leave word, I can see that the Masters receive it."
Durgil chuckled, "You must be new, son, or I look much different than when I left. I am Durgil, your distant-travelled lord, so no word need be left. My companions are to be guests of the house -- give them every courtesy and honor all their requests as if I had so directed. Now, pray tell me where the Lady is? It has been some time since I saw her last with much to catch up on and I dare say that there is likely business to dealt with, too."
"Pardon, m'lord," answered the boy, a little embarrassed. "The Lady of the house has gone... she returned home to Dorthad some three weeks past."
That was all the small boy had to offer, as he led the now laden-free Rochithuin into the stable. Durgil knew the name well, of his family home. The barony was some twenty-eight leagues to the north of Fornost, though Ioreth had always enjoyed more of the life of court. The amenities of home were often too primitive for her tastes, and so she had had her father purchase this apartment in the city years past. It actually proved a wise investment, for it allowed Gelmir to also remain near the throne - and so influence the politics of his country.
The boy came back out to attend the next horse. "Aye, she has spent little time here in the last month or so... not since her engagement. She should be quite happy to hear that you are home, sir!"
Oblivious to the impact of his words, the stableboy ended his statement with a cheery note, and then took Dirnhael's horse into the stable.
Durgil looked at Dirnhael, their faces a mirror of astonishment and bewilderment. "Hold there, son... Engagement? To whom and when did this come about?"
The boy stopped at the noble's inquiry, "Why to the Baron Methilir, m'lord. By order of the king some two months ago. The Lady has requested a spring wedding and so preparations are being made."
Dirnhael was thunderstruck.
There were fewer words that could have been strung together that he would have expected less, and confusion set in before the pain.
He gripped the sword Ioreth had given him gently - had it been so long ago that he had left? Did he assume too much? Or did the noble woman come to realize that such was ever her path?
He stared, mouth agape at Durgil, knowing not what to say, and fearing to speak lest his heart gain control of his mouth instead of his head.
"Where is this... place," he finally croaked. "I would like to visit and offer my... congratulations."
He gently climbed off of his horse... before he fell off of it.
"It is a distant stretch from here, some 30 leagues, maybe less. I shall seek an audience with the king as soon as I may to see if clarity can be brought to this. After that we can make preparations to go to the manor." Durgil put his hand to his friend's shoulder to offer him some strength just as he not but a few days prior. "Until then, my home is yours," he says to all. "Come."
The boy came back from the stables to fetch another horse, hearing Durgil as he did, "King's gone m'lord. He and his family have left the city to go to one of their private estates to winter."
Durgil knew what the boy meant. King Argeleb had a few private homes in the country, both west and south, and at times, he would leave the stress of court. Only a few knew to which estate they would go. It was a measure to protect the king from harm, and to relieve him from the ongoing tasks of being a king... at least for a short time. The affairs of the kingdom were left in the hands of the Steward, lest there be a major issue, then, of course, the king would be summoned. But for now, Argeleb could be considered out of reach, at least until spring.
Fengel's horse was the last to be drawn into the stable and out of the weather. The Company now stood about, in the rain, looking at each other. The lad squinted from the cold, wet drips from his hair, "I'll be in momentarily with your bags, sir."
Durgil deflated a bit. "I guess the Steward will do for now. Let us get inside where it is dry and warm. Then I can take you on the whirlwind tour of our place."
The Company entered the apartment and Durgil's house staff, consisting of a husband and wife (along with their son who tended the stable), quickly came to assist the travelers. Recognition filled their eyes for the return of the new master of the house.
The man's name was Geoffrey and he tended to the gear that Fengel and Dirnhael had dragged inside, while his wife, Myrna, saw to their damp cloaks. "Oh, you are all soaked to the bone!" she said. "Give me those damp cloaks and then Geoff can show you to the rooms where you can doff the cold clothes. If it is okay with you master Durgil, I will fetch dry wear from both yours, your sister's, and your father's closets?"
A nod from Durgil and off she went, leaving Geoff to guide the companions up a set of stairs to a hall that gave entrance to four rooms. Durgil went to his own with no escort, while the Geoff led Gléowyn to a private room and then gestured to Dirnhael and Fengel. "S'pose the two of you can bunk in that guest room there. You'll see that the room will accomodate four."
Fengel saw upon entrance that the 'guest room' was more spartan in its decor than the other three that they had passed, and it had two sets of bunks. The Éothraim shrugged his shoulders. The rooms looked more comfortable than what they had dealt with over the last few weeks.
A distance from the small apartment, Gloraglil rode into the royal yards of the king's court. He slid from his mount as a guard took the reins. Recognizing the royal sigil on the messenger's tabard, the guards made only a cursory inquiry, as Gloraglil entered the halls of the king.
After he'd settled in a bit, Durgil went off to find Geoffrey. "My man, I know its been awhile since I've been back but I am glad to see everything in good order, thank you. I don't know if all my guests will follow but I intend to go out to the manor soon to see my sister. Take what allowance there is and see about fixing up the place a bit; if there is a problem with funds, let me know. As a personal request, I would like fresh flowers for Lady Gleowyn's room everyday. As for the guests, treat any request of their's as if it were from myself, give them anything they need. Lastly, was there any business left for me by my father? Any papers?"
"It will be as you request, sir," answered Geoffrey to Durgil's requests. "As far as your father's affairs, your sister had all the papers secured in a small chest and moved out to the manor. It seems her fiance, Lord Methilir, was taking quite an interest in the estate. She felt it better that it be secured until after her wedding. Methilir, at least then, would have a legal right to peruse it."
Dirnhael glumly plopped himself down on one of the bunks, not certain if he wanted either Fengel or Edrahil to talk to him.
Certainly, he was hurt, and wanted to know what had happened, but at the moment, all he needed was... away.
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, just so you know, Edrahil is gone. It's just the four of you - Durgil, Fengel, Gloraglil, and Dirnhael. Depending on how much Calvingian is going to be posting, I may be bringing his PC to a close... we shall see.
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 05, 2008, 09:46 AM
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, just so you know, Edrahil is gone. It's just the four of you - Durgil, Fengel, Gloraglil, and Dirnhael. Depending on how much the player for Gloraglil is going to be posting, I may be bringing his PC to a close... we shall see.
OOC: How did I miss that? Geez.
[OOC:] You missed it entirely that he was leaving the Company for a bit? Or you just missed when it happened? He went his way when you guys left Bree - he went west, you guys north.
As stated in SW, I will be playing Matt's character for the week so we can keep moving.
"Hmm... all the more reason to get to the manor soon," mused Durgil. "If this Methilir or any connected to him should return here while we are away, reinforce my return to them; it should give their master pause. Thank you, Geoffrey, you've done well."
Fengel saw Dirnhael's pain in his face, and felt empathy for his friend. He went and sat next to his friend, "Don't give up hope so early my brother, I doubt that the love that was kindled in both of your hearts could have failed so easily."
With a pat on Dirnhael's shoulder Fengel went to his own bunk.
Geoffrey smiled at Durgil, "Thank you, m'lord. It will be a pleasure to let Methilir know that the master of this house has returned. Besides, now the Lady Ioreth may have a way from her plight... err... pardon, sir, I speak out of place."
"It is quite alright, Geoffrey. I have a feeling I will be needing the confidence of you and your family now and in the years to come... speaking plainly comes with the territory."
Worn out from the road, and mentally dismayed from the news at their homecoming, the companions decided to take it easy for the rest of the evening. A fire was set to blaze in the living room and Fengel and his sister warmed themselves by its side. Durgil moved about the house tending to business, as well as his friends. Finally, he too came to sit down and relax. Only Dirnhael made himself scarce... and his friends talked quietly about the situation.
Tomorrow would bring a new day, and with it, fresh minds to figure out what had gone wrong while they were away.
[OOC:] Add more dialogue here as you'd like, but include in it what you guys want to do with the new day, so I can start a new thread.
Durgil busied himself with inane things about the house so as to give Gleowyn her space. She couldn't bear to look at him for long and it saddened him but he would respect her feelings. Finally when he did sit down with the others, he broached what the others wished to do. "There are things to do here, places to see. I am going to the Steward to formally announce our return and see if I can find anymore news about what's been going here in our absence. If any of you would like to join me, you're more than welcome. Other than that, travel-worn though I am, I believe that at least Dirnhael and I will go out to my family's holdings to see Ioreth. I would wish that you could come with me, but if you feel that you'd rather stay here, this apartment is available for you to do as you please."
Dirnhael wanted to see Ioreth, wanted to find out what had happened while he was away, but a part of him wished to stay in the apartment, sullen with grief, and sleep the world away.
But what had he to lose? He said nothing and dragged his feet while he gathered his things and prepared to ride out. Dirnhael thought that even riding into battle was less difficult - at least there, he knew what he would face.