Rangers: Headquarters & Armoury

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion and Cadil the wanna-be Ranger
Command Office, end of November

"Rather nervous, Lieutenant," Cadil confessed with a sheepish grin and glanced sideways at Arnyn. He had thought it would be easier this time since it was not his first coming here, nor the second with the same purpose, yet it was still difficult, and he fidgeted by the door when Arnyn made sure their entrance was to be legal.

Pele was brought out of her wandering thoughts by the knock and Arnyn's voice, and she quickly emptied the remaining tea and deposited now empty cup onto the nearest shelf as she turned around to face the door.

"Come on in, both of you," she invited, a merry spark touching her eyes for a moment before it led to an easy smile. "You can grab a seat - to actually sit down on it, I mean, not to stand guard over it. Or do stand if you so prefer. So..." she drew out as if waiting for either Cadil or Arnyn to continue the sentence.

"Reporting as requested, Captain?" Cadil said, his intonation questioning as he fidgeted near the door.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion @Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

Arnyn didn't finish Pele's sentence, instead giving her friend and captain a small, knowing smile before looking over to Cadil. She expected him to go in, as he had been told, but to her surprise Cadil just moved the minimal amount and seemed a bit stuck near the door. He had not lied about being nervous, and it was written all over him.

It was a toss up, then, between putting a hand on the young man's back and guiding him further into the room, and between modelling the expected behaviour for him. After a moment, the Lieutenant decided on the option that was least likely to make him more nervous than he already was. She nodded her thanks to Pele and walked further into the office. "I'll sit, then" she offered, claiming one of the seats in front of the desk. "Do I need to turn the chair around, or...?" Arnyn asked, looking at the other two over her shoulder.

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Behind the Armoury - Pre-dawn training session

Her lips quirked into a smile. "Is your mother more stubborn than I am?" she inquired, actually curious as to the answer, even though she'd asked primarily because it might lighten the tone of the conversation just a little. That it would be strange not to announce it, once the arrangements were agreed upon, made her frown a little. It was clear Trastion was having difficulties with this, but whether he only had trouble accepting it, or also still had trouble believing it, was difficult to say.

Arnyn also knew that Abrazimir Dimaethor would be standing in her office later today. Right there. If she could find a way to have him talk about his sister's engagement, she might be able to take the last of Tras' doubts away. She wanted to do that for him. Help in whatever small way she could. But would it even be possible to get someone like Abrazimir to talk to her about anything of the sort? She had found him very businesslike on their first meeting, aboard his warship. It was only natural, of course. She had been the same. It would be very strange for her to start in on a subject that did not pertain to the upcoming mission. Mentally, Arnyn sighed. And if it did not look natural, Abrazimir might end up asking himself some questions. Which might be bad for Trastion. Above all, she wanted to protect his real identity and his cover here in Minas Tirith. Sometimes, obtaining answers simply... had to wait.

She would not be able to make any promises. Until the actual conversation between Abrazimir and her was taking place, Arnyn had no way of knowing whether she could fit anything in regarding this whole matter, without it looking out of place. It would be best then, not to mention anything to Trastion, until after that particular meeting.

A laugh from Trastion made her look back at her trainee. He had stopped his forms, she only now noticed, having been distracted by her own thoughts herself. The Lieutenant gave him a half smile as he continued, and when he laughed a little harder, she couldn't resist a soft laugh herself. It was nice to hear him laughing, instead of worrying himself over things he would not be able to change unless... until...

Soon, though, she could not help her own frown. "If your stepbrother is truly awful... and if they are now indeed betrothed... then we wish to keep Abrazimir's sister from marrying him... because once they are married..." Arnyn did not finish the sentence, but they both knew that once the vows were said, it would be too late, right? She tilted her head. "We do want to keep that from happening, yes?" she checked, curious to see Trastion's instinct and reasoning on that front. Arnyn thought it was his responsibility, but did he think the same?

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion and Cadil the wanna-be Ranger
Command Office, end of November

"I think we can settle so that you don't have to turn this way and that with the chair, Lieutenant," Pele said lightly as she moved away from the window. She patted the back of the other chair as she walked by it and encouraged Cadil: "Come on then, there's no need to stand ready to escape now that you have come in." With that the young man finally left his spot in favour of sitting down in the appointed chair. Meanwhile Pele closed the door on the way to her own chair.

"Cadil has been serving with the army before, and he came a while back now to ask if he could be let into the Rangers," she gave her friend a quick update. "I put him through an impromptu test and asked him to return with an answer if he still wanted to be a Ranger or not. Right?" she looked towards Cadil now with a slight tilt of her head.

Cadil cleared his throat and managed: "I still want to, Captain. If you would have me?" He glanced at Arnyn wondering how much the Lieutenant knew of his former military life and the said impromptu test and if she considered him unfit for the purpose.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion @Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

"Marvellous," Arnyn responded drily when Pele said she wouldn't have to pull any tricks with her chair. Soon thereafter, both Cadil and Pele sat down, and Arnyn settled more comfortably into her own chair. When she heard Cadil had served with the army, she nodded pensively. If she had ever heard anyone say anything about Cadil being a former soldier, or about him being in training to become one, she had quite forgotten. What she did remember, however, was that Cadil had joined Warder and Abrazimir to go looking for Pele in Umbar. And that he'd had something to do with Cali and Iole's rescue from Devedir. Both spoke to his credit,in her opinion.

As Pele told her a bit more about what Cadil had come in to ask Pele about, and the test she'd put him through, Arnyn smiled faintly, keeping her eyes on Pele. But the captain was not giving much, if any, of her own thoughts away. Pele had tested Cadil, she said, and had asked him to think about whether he still wanted to be a ranger.

Which, he did. According to his words just now.

"What kind of test was this?" Arnyn inquired of Pele. And, with a glance at Cadil: "And how did you do?' the lieutenant asked him, instead of the captain.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trainee Trastion Leithor
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Pre-dawn training session - behind the Armory

The laughter died away as Trastion heard the lieutenant's question, which sobered him somewhat from his previous amusement. He frowned thoughtfully. "Yes. Right," He agreed quietly. "I mean.. I don't know what she might want, or who she would want to marry, but I agree. Marrying him? I wouldn't wish that on any girl." He sighed and shook his head, frowning. "Even if she doesn't want to marry me, I wouldn't want her to end up with him. He's.." He hesitated, unsure how to word this. "Well... I don't think he'd be a very good guy for her, or for anyone, really.

Of course, Trastion realized that he couldn't really say what the guy was like now, since he had only known what he was like back before Trastion left home. That had been nearly four years now, and he knew it was possible that a person could change. But, given the fact that Arnyn had just told him how the guy had talked to her at the masquerade, he suspected that his stepbrother had only gotten worse since he left home.

After a moment, he recalled that Arnyn had asked him something, and he paused to seriously consider the question of which woman was more stubborn; his mother, or his mentor. He tilted his head thoughtfully. "It's hard to say," He admitted. "As for which of you is more stubborn.." He hesitated and glanced at Arnyn. "Maybe her..? but in a different way." He shrugged. "Like. She likes to control.. everything." He made a face. "Even how I wore my hair." He ran a hand through it, glancing at Arnyn. "Which is why I cut it first chance I got. But it was like.. things like that, she wants things her way, and she wants everyone to do as she says, and so on." He sighed. "Like I mentioned before.. we often didn't get along. We argued a lot." He shrugged and looked down, then started over on the form he had been working on, trying to stay more focused.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion and Cadil the wanna-be Ranger
Command Office, end of November

"Ah, the difficulty of the test was partly of Cadil's own making," Pele said, merriment returning to her blue gaze. "I intended to see how far he could run with a pack containing supplies for three days. He turned up with a bag the size of a huge boulder as if he intended to live off it for a month. Now, running with that on his back..." She shook her head and looked towards Cadil.

"There's no knowing of what might come in handy, three days or no," the young man replied defensively and then sighed, "Don't think I passed this one."

While Pele still looked amused, her words held a gentle note when she addressed him: "You did not manage too far back and forth on the training grounds trails, that is true. But I saw grit and unwillingness to give up, and it matters. You do understand that you would need to keep those up if you joined our ranks, to improve your fitness, yes?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Cadil's eyes as he looked from the Captain to Lieutenant and back again.

"I'd say he has what it takes if he puts his mind and effort into it," Pele said again, "What do you think, Lieutenant? There is some foundation to build on at least."

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

She raised an eyebrow when Pele spoke of how large Cadil's pack had been, carrying supplies for three days. The Lieutenant then gave a pensive nod, listening to his reasoning. If Pele had said nothing about where they would be going, it would have been rather difficult to decide on what to bring. Then again, if he had army experience, shouldn't he be able to make these sorts of decisions? Perhaps the young man had simply been too nervous, and had wanted to be prepared for everything.

Arnyn smiled once Pele had given her assessment. Then asked for hers. "The Captain's assessment alone is enough for me to agree. But if you are both curious... I believe the body can be trained. So can the mind - to an extent. The soul, however, is a different matter. That seems to be what it is, no matter how much you try and change it." The Lieutenant tilted her head. "When Pele went missing. You set out for her, Cadil." Another nod. "That tells me you're cut from the right cloth." The heart was there. And the heart was the most important thing, when trying to fight any kind of shadow.

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Behind the Armoury - Pre-dawn training session

She thought about what Tras said about his mother. That confirmed and explained a few things, such as why Tras liked training under her. While she was demanding, she was not a micromanager the way it sounded Tras' mother was built.

Yet it was what Trastion said about Toggornir that caused her the most concern. However would they manage to stop such a wedding, if neither of them was in Belfalas? If they could not let anyone know that Anurion was still alive, somewhere? Or could they? Arnyn watched her trainee, who had resumed his forms. Could they, without jeapordizing his safety? For that was the absolute last thing she wanted to do. "How long do betrothals generally take?" she asked him, not even knowing if he had any idea. Odds were, it varied, anyway. Which meant they couldn't really assume this marriage wouldn't be taking place soon. "If you return after they are married, he damage is done, I assume." It was confrontational to speak aloud, of course. She knew that. But reality could not be bargained with.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trainee Trastion Leithor
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Pre-dawn training session - behind the Armory

Trastion paused, considering that question. He frowned as he continued to think about it while he finished the form that he was working on, and finally turned to face Arnyn. "Depends." He shrugged. "I mean.." He paused. "My brother and her were betrothed when they were both still very young. He was.. well, I remember I was about twelve when we went to the betrothal dinner to sorta.. make it official, you know?" He thought about that. "And she's the same age as me. He was.. about fifteen then," He looked down and studied his sword handle. "It was mostly up to her parents, I think. He was meant to inherit everything when he became twenty-one, which my mother felt was an appropriate age. But that doesn't mean that her parents would have felt she was old enough yet, you know?" He shrugged.

"Then.. when he died.." He cleared his throat. "and it all fell on me, the same twenty-one thing applied there. And since she and I are the same age, I wouldn't be surprised if her family would have expected us to marry about that time. But then again, maybe they would've wanted to wait." He really had no idea about that, as he hadn't stuck around to find out any particulars. "Togg.. he's about a year older than me." He added. "So, he'll be twenty-one in a couple of months." He paused, glancing up from his sword to find Arnyn's gaze. "Do you really think there's a risk that they might have her marry him? And soon?" He asked, frowning a bit in concern. "I wonder if Linn would know.." He wished there was some way he could ask his sister, but of course.. that would endanger his own safety. He sighed. "There must be some way of finding out."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Behind the Armoury - Pre-dawn training session

"Right," she mused out loud, not hiding that she needed time to think. In fact, she was about to say just that. "I definitely think it is a risk," she nodded. "Because from what I am hearing, it all depends on the involved parents, at least once Togg turns twenty-one. And nothing else."

She reminded herself she could not mention Abrazimir's presence at headquarters, later today. She couldn't guarantee anything, otherwise... she might have. "I will think on it," she told Trastion. "I suggest you do the same. We have a few months at least, if Togg still has to turn twenty-one."

"For now, let us focus on your training. Because as you know, I am sensitive on time, today," she reminded him. "And I will need my head in the game," she muttered. Kaylin was no easy opponent.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trainee Trastion Leithor
Dec 23 - Two days after Midwinter
Pre-dawn training session - behind the Armory

Trastion couldn't quite explain why it bothered him so much to even think of Togg marrying her. He told himself it was probably just because of the fact that his stepbrother was always trying to take things that belonged to Trastion.. not that she was any sort of object to claim as 'his', but still.. last he'd heard, she was meant to become his wife. And while he didn't really like the idea of having to marry someone he didn't even know, he even more disliked the idea of Togg marrying her, instead.

When Arnyn suggested that he think on it, he nodded slightly. He took a slow breath in, then let it out. "Yeah." He agreed. He had sort of forgotten about her sparring match, later on. "Good luck with that," He added, careful not to let on that he had every intention of sneaking out to observe said match. He tried his best to keep his focus on training from that point onward, and soon managed to put those thoughts aside.. mostly, at least.

Once their training session had ended, Trastion waved to Arnyn as they parted ways, then he hurried to get cleaned up and changed so he could go and meet Gladhron and Tercen. He didn't want to end up sitting in the woods for however long the sparring match lasted, still sweaty, and not moving around enough to keep himself warm. That would likely get him sick, so he wanted to make sure he wasn't wearing damp clothes. Then, he could enjoy watching the match without concern about the weather.

---

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

The building looked a bit different than he had expected. Not that he'd really known exactly what he expected, but whatever. He took a slow breath and adjusted his grip on the basket he carried. He hoped she wouldn't tell him that she was too busy. Really, who was too busy for lunch, anyway? He still could hardly believe Tercen's claims that his sister would actually skip meals. Who did that? Well, sure, there were times when they were out doing the ranger thing and maybe they were low on supplies, or were in a hurry to try and find something, and then they might not stop for a meal. But to be here in the city, with all these food places around.. even a mess hall right across from her, and still not go get lunch? He shook his head slightly.

Then he hoped that she hadn't already gone and eaten something, actually. That would make his trip up here a bit void.. although he had made sure to come a tiny bit earlier than the average people might have lunch. Hopefully, he had timed it just right. He also hoped that the schedules hadn't changed or something, and that she would actually be in the office, and not whoever her captain was.

Entering the building, Gladhron hesitated as he approached the office, then he set the basket down off to one side of the door before knocking. Hopefully, she was in there. And hopefully, she wasn't too busy to actually accept what he'd brought her. Also, what if she didn't want him to stick around and eat with him? He didn't think she'd do that, though. Not Celume. Arnyn.. whatever.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion and Cadil the wanna-be Ranger
Command Office, end of November

A big sigh of relief escaped Cadil and he then spoke eagerly: "There were traces to follow, though not easily found, and I am not sure why others did not. Besides, I would do the same thing all over again, but perhaps with more care. I swear to serve as best as I can, and obey, and train, and everything. If only you would have me?" His brown eyes turned pleading as he looked from one officer to the other and back again.

"I take this is your oath of fealty?" Pele made sure, since the wording Cadil had given it was not the traditional solemn one.

"I do!" he insisted.

"Well then, since the Lieutenant does not seem to object, I would call the matter settled," the Captain concluded, "As I said before though, you have to start afresh as a Recruit, so go and get yourself equipped. I would also recommend moving into the barracks. I will get back to you with training plans and other details later today, so make sure to communicate your whereabouts if you leave."

"Yes, Captain!" the young man replied excitedly and barely contained himself from jumping up and down on his chair. Having received permission to leave, he then stood and snapped off a hearty salute. "Captain! Lieutenant!" he bowed for the good measure before running out the door.

"Might be a handful this one, but perhaps worth the trouble," Pele said to Arnyn once Cadil had left.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

He wasn't sure why others had not... Arnyn bit the inside of her lip and her eyes flicked to Pele. Would that trouble her friend?

Thankfully, it did not seem to. Arnyn watched the proceedings with one of her trademark faint smiles. When Pele mentioned 'the Lieutenant did not seem to object", Arnyn nodded her agreement. The resulting excitement made her smile grow, and she was all but grinning by the time Cadil saluted and bowed to them. He ran out of the door, leaving it open. Arnyn did not move to close it, but rather remained seated in the chair in front of the desk.

"A handful?" she repeated, seemingly not too sure of that. More so than Taras? Why did that seem so doubtful to her? But even if that were the case... "Those who are a handful are sometimes the ones who are worth it the most," she stated confidently. Her expression, then, turned unreadable. "If Brian is distracted enough to put him in with Trastion and Unalmis, however, he just might croak."

Arnyn then drew a deep breath. "How do you reckon that went, in there?" she asked, nodding toward the now open door. "Do you believe enough will commit to the mission for us to go?" The King had said they would need enough rangers to volunteer before he would sign off on it.

---

@Lantaelen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 23rd, Afternoon

Tolerable. That was not very positive. When he added a bit about coming to Minas Tirith with his family, she wondered if their presence had made the voyage more challenging than it would have otherwise been for Abrazimir. His family... part of her mind returned to the conversation she'd had that morning with Taras. But it would be impossible to fit any of that in, now.

When Abrazimir spoke of what timing would work for him, Arnyn looked thoughtful. "In your experience, what sort of time frame would be most advantageous?" she inquired of him. "One week? Two weeks? To cover all areas I mentioned earlier?" For that would impact when they could actually undertake the training, as well.

As for the layout of the corsair vessels... "Indeed," Arnyn agreed. "And Thormaetha's ship is supposedly a captured Swan ship, is it not?" So once they knew the typical layout, that ship at least should not bear too many surprises as to what would be found where.

She did not mind what she heard about handling conduct with the enemy on a case to case basis, although she still felt certain agreements would need to be made between all those involved on their side of the undertaking. Her gaze had sharpened at the words 'should be handled with extreme prejudice', however. Arnyn chose to answer his question about the officers, first, however. "Captain Alarion and myself, yes," she confirmed. "As for our conduct with the enemy..."

"As I mentioned when we last met, a specific few of the Umbarians involved have been approved to be dealt with in a swift and merciless manner." At her own behest. And to the Captain's and the King's surprise. "Do I need to reiterate, however, that when the matter is not a case of life and death for our own, that we are to capture and not kill unless our hand is forced?" That look she saw in his eyes was perhaps the very reason she wanted to go over a few example situations with everyone... For even if she had surprised Pele and Aragorn with her request for those kill orders, Arnyn still refused to let the shadow creep into her mind. Nor would she want it to creep into the minds of any of the rangers or Abrazimir's crew. They should not mirror the behaviour of the cruel, simply to stand a chance. Otherwise, one cruel group would only be replaced by another, would it not?

"Last time we spoke," she continued after a brief pause, "you spoke of an idea you had. About precious cargo," she added, remembering his exact words. "You wanted to verify a few things, if I recall. Might you elaborate on that, now?" she requested.

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Arnyn rested the side of her face onto the palm of her hand, elbow propped up onto the desk as she read a report she wished she hadn't laid eyes on. Part of her suspected Pele might actually leave Lieutenant Brian's greatest little jewels, just for her. While she couldn't deny he fulfilled the role of barracks master rather expertly, she also thought he was an enormous stick in the mud. Yet, it worked wonders to foster camaraderie. She wondered if the rangers living in the barracks even realized that was a really big part of why they still had someone like Lieutenant Brian running the joint...

Regardless. That didn't make dealing with the barracks master - or his reports - any easier. She turned her face into the palm of her hand, closing her eyes and trying to think of how a balanced and neutral second in command might react to the request for an almost absurd level of punishment for Brian's latest eyesore.

The knock almost made her jump in her chair. Blinking, she looked up from the neatly written report, toward the door. With a little sigh, Arnyn rose from her seat and absent-mindedly straightened the top of the black uniform as she strode to the door. The Lieutenant rolled her shoulders as her hand reached for the doorknob. By the time she opened the door, her face was unreadable, her posture impeccable.

Whom she found on the other side, however, was entirely unexpected. "Gladhron?" she asked, thus betraying her surprise. Even if he was a ranger, he was not a ranger of this unit, and therefore it wasn't easy to imagine what he might be here for. "What can I do for you?" she asked him, before realizing that when people who weren't in the unit ended up here, it mostly spelled trouble. "Is something the matter?" Had something happened?

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

As the door opened, Gladhron was inwardly relieved to see that it was her. Celume. Or, to the people who knew her here, Arnyn. Whatever the case, he subtly breathed out in relief to see that she was there. And that she didn't have company. He had worried she might be in the middle of some important.. thing. Whatever lieutenants might do. He had no idea, actually, now that he thought about it.

Before he could offer a smile or anything to greet her, she began to worry that something was wrong. Gladhron blinked, then maintained a rather serious expression. "Yes, something is wrong." He informed her solemnly, then reached down to pick up the basket from where he had set it. He hadn't wanted to have it in sight yet, just in case there was someone else in the office, but now it seemed time to bring it out.

With a sigh, he looked at her. "It's well past noon, and based on a few things I've heard about a certain ranger lieutenant that I know.. then there is a very good chance that she hasn't been eating like she ought to. I wouldn't be surprised if she had every intention of skipping lunch again today, in fact." He informed her, raising an eyebrow as he offered the basket, then succumbed to a playful little smile. "Or am I wrong?"

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Her mood fell a bit further when he confirmed something was wrong, and Arnyn braced herself for what would come next. Had something happened to Gwestion, Seri, Brooke or Aislin? They'd just gotten here...

The appearance of the basket was puzzling. How did that factor into whatever was wrong? As Gladhron lifted it, a faint food smell reached her by the time the man sighed and looked back at her. Talking about the time, and about her not eating as she should. As she should? Was he berating her? She parted her lips as she drew in a breath, ready to protest, but the claim that she probably intended to skip lunch today as well, made her close her mouth again just as promptly. While he raised his eyebrow and lifted the basket toward her, she slowly let out the air through her nose.

The way he smiled, though. It made her want to narrow her eyes and shake her head at him. So she did, though she was clearly holding back a smile of her own. It immediately served as an answer to his question. Or am I wrong? A moment from a few nights prior flashed through her head. A challenge uttered so similarly, with that same blend of smugness and congeniality. Arnyn watched him with narrowed, thoughtful eyes a moment longer, before averting her gaze and sighing loudly as she stepped back. "Fiiiiine. You're not wrong," she said, rolling her eyes as she made room for him to enter, if that was indeed the plan.

"So you figured... what, exactly?" she asked, lingering by the door, casting a quick look out into headquarters before returning her attention to Gladhron. He'd shown up at the command office with a basket that seemed to at least hold some food. That was evidenced by what he'd said as well as her nose. But... surely he couldn't simply be bringing her food, just because? Surely, he needed something from her as well?

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

For a moment, he thought she was annoyed, perhaps she might even tell him to go away or something. But it seemed that the smell of the food from inside the basket may have softened her reaction a bit, and soon he could tell she was holding back a smile. His own smile widened as she declared that he was not wrong. Not in triumph or smugness, but rather in amusement that she admitted to the fact.

Stepping inside, Gladhron took a look around, curious about the office she apparently did her work from. He set the basket down on one of the empty chairs, and turned to her. "Well, I figured you might be hungry, even if you were unwilling to take a break from whatever you're working on. So, I thought I'd bring you something." He hesitated. "I mean.. if you're too busy for a short visit, I can leave.. but, I did bring enough for us both," He mentioned with a little glance toward the basket. He didn't really want to leave, but he'd respect the request if she made it.

"I wasn't sure what you would like.. or what you might be in the mood for," He went on, opening the basket's lid. "But, there was this place that had some fresh meat pastries for sale, hot out of the oven, and I thought they smelled too delicious to pass up." They were still nice and hot despite the walk up through the levels, in the cold. The basket, and a woolen blanket he had sort of wrapped around the food, had helped tremendously in keeping the heat from escaping too quickly. As he offered her a flaky, golden-brown pastry, a delicious savory smell permeated the office. "They said it's got beef and gravy, inside."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Still standing by the door, one hand on the doorknob, while Gladhron had already waltzed in and put the basket on one of the chairs in front of the desk, Arnyn watched the northern ranger as he explained what he was doing here. He'd figured she might be hungry. He'd figured if she wouldn't take a break, he would just bring her something to eat instead. That if she was too busy, he could leave, but he'd brought enough for two.

What...? Slowly, she closed the door. Had anyone ever even brought her food before this? She couldn't recall an occasion. Why would they, after all? She was an adult, who could take care of herself. What she didn't eat now, she'd make up for later. Did Gladhron think she might faint at her desk or something?
Arnyn frowned slightly as she approached the desk area of the office. Meanwhile Gladhron was going on about meat pastries. While she had to agree that they did smell amazing, she still had trouble believing that he was really only here to... make sure she ate?!

So she ended up looking rather doubtful as she almost automatically reached out to accept the offered pastry. "Okay," she drawled, trying to assess Gladhron's expression. "And... the only reason you are here is that you thought I should eat?" Arnyn tilted her head, putting her free hand on her hip. "Don't tell me you're already bored with the city in your first week?" Somehow, that seemed far more likely.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

"Bored?" Gladhron repeated, surprised to hear her say that. "Not at all. I've hardly finished exploring, even." He assured her. "And I spent a good part of the day with Tercen, yesterday. That was fun. And then, of course, tomorrow, we'll be watching the sunrise with you, and all that." He shrugged. Plus, he intended to join her in the training grounds later that same day.

"No, I'm definitely not bored." He assured her. "I just.. I was passing by this bakery, and they were pulling these out of the oven, and they smelled so good." He paused before continuing. "I was pretty hungry, and they said these're like a beef stew wrapped in a delicious pastry crust." He shrugged, smiling a little as she took it from him. "Anyway, that made me think about you, and I remembered you saying you were scheduled to work here this afternoon, and remembering how packed your schedule was..." he cleared his throat. "Tercen may have mentioned something about how you tend to skip a meal now and then when you're really focused on something.. and I figured the odds were pretty high that you might have skipped lunch today." He admitted.

"Anyway, I know when I get hungry, I can't think of much else besides when I'm going to eat again, so I thought.. unless you're really, really busy and just can't take the time for a short visit.. you might be able to take a little break to eat with me.. maybe it'll even be good to take a few minutes away from your work?" He wasn't exactly sure, but it seemed like a valid argument, at least.

Taking a thermos out of the basket with one hand, and a couple of tin mugs with the other, he smiled at her as he hoped to convince her to agree to this surprise lunch break. "I also brought hot chocolate."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

Pele shook her head slightly as she looked at the door which Cadil had left through in such exuberance that it was a wonder that he did not slam it in his wake.

"The lad does seem to have the right heart," she said in agreement and then laughed softly. "Though I might have to see if I can train him to think before he acts else he might save some and yet endanger others with his thoughtless actions. Unless he has changed some over the years I was away. Except gaining quite a belly, that is. Also... I think it might not be that bad if Brian put the bunch of our younger folks together, even if it caused an increase in the stack of complaints from him."

She then rubbed her chin thoughtfully, while glancing again at the door and then back at Arnyn. "I figure that even if we do not have all of our Rangers lining up for a visit to Umbar, there might be enough responding for us to form a reasonable force to be reckoned with," Pele expressed her thoughts. "Perhaps to form a couple smaller teams for quick in-and-out infiltration tasks if we find enough cracks in Umbar's defenses."

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

"The belly might cushion a blow," Arnyn said, and her tone would leave Pele guessing as to her degree of seriousness. "I would prefer not to take anyone with us to Umbar who might endanger others with thoughtless action," she admitted. "But I trust your judgment in that, Captain... I assume if you deem that to be too large a risk by the time we are to set out, you will deny his wish to join us for the mission." There would be more than enough danger as it was. And more than enough question marks regarding other, more seasoned rangers, and whether or not they would keep their heads cool.

"If you advise Brian to put them all together, I'm deferring all related reports to you," she stated, though she knew she would never do such a thing and take her fair share of the barracks master's complaining.

"Smaller teams are probably the right course of action," she agreed, having thought of those details for much longer than perhaps was wise to maintain her sanity. "The question is whether we have enough of the right people to spearhead the different teams." She'd like to hit a few places at the same time, if possible, for example. "I'd like to hear your suggestions on which rangers you'd deem fit for such a task."

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

The note of surprise in his voice was too genuine to be false. Not bored, then. Arnyn almost groaned when he said he'd spent a good part of the day before with Tercen. "You were the second mug on the coffee table," she noted, though she did not sound chiding or reproachful.

Gladhron explained how not at all bored he was, but how he had been passing by a bakery... The way he spoke, it seemed like bringing those pastries up here, to her, had been a spontaneous decision. Yet the presence of the basket and the blanket told a different story. Arnyn put the pastry down on an empty space of the desk and started moving papers aside, first neatly ordering them on one side of the desk, then putting all the stacks into one of the desk drawers - in a staggered fashion, so she would easily be able to discern them later - to make room for both Gladhron and herself to use the desk as a table.

Sitting down on her side of the desk, she moved the chair closer to the now mostly empty desk and rested her forearms on it. One hand retrieved the pastry again, and she eyed it as she realized he apparently linked beef stew to her, and just how closely he'd been paying attention to what she had said at the Wayfarer Inn. And, apparently, to what Tercen had told him about her eating habits. The little rat. However, Gladhron was not the only one between the two of them who paid attention to things.

"You planned this," she pointed out after he took out the hot chocolate and offered it to her, along with a smile. She was trying to gauge whether she had merely misunderstood the way he had framed this visit, or whether he'd really wanted to portray it as a spontaneous decision and she had caught him in a fib. It had to be one of the two options- because the pastry had not yet cooled down when he had handed it to her. Not even after walking all the way up here. There was no way Gladhron could have passed by the bakery first, that he'd heard about the pastries, and that he had only then had gone to retrieve the blanket and the basket somewhere, before coming up here. If that had been the case, they wouldn't have still been warm. No, Gladhron would have needed to wrap them up properly shortly after they'd come out of the oven. So he must have brought both the basket and the blanket with him to the bakery from the start. Adding to that the presence of the hot chocolate and the tin mugs? Yeah. This had definitely been premeditated.

Not that that was an issue. She knew Gladhron as very sociable, so it shouldn't really be such a surprise to her that he'd want to take a few chances to spend time with a friend. She also remembered him being very fond of good food in general. It all fit together, really. No matter how unusual of an experience that it was on her end. One corner of her mouth lifted, resulting in a half-smile as she watched him standing there, thermos in one hand, the mugs in the other. Arnyn nodded and used her free hand to gesture he could sit. "I can take a break," she agreed, before her half-smile grew into a broader, smooth smile. "As long as you don't mind me taking the opportunity to bring up how observant you apparently are, even though you try to hide it," she added.

"Will you tell me what the deal is with that, now?" She took a bite from the pastry, making sure to eat above the desk, so no crumbs or flakes would fall to the floor.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

The mention of a 'second mug' made him blink. "No, I'm a person." He informed her, teasing. "Not a mug. Never have been one, either." He assured her, somewhat amused. He watched as she started rearranging all of the papers. Straightening up? He wondered what it was all about, and as she moved a few things, he couldn't help taking a subtle glance at whatever he could see of the papers. Not that he was intentionally snooping, but he couldn't help being curious.

His attention was drawn back up to Arnyn as she mentioned that he'd planned this. Planned.. what? He wanted to ask. But he guessed that she meant 'bringing her lunch', not 'interrupting her work'. At least, he hoped that's what she meant. Her smile, however, told him she was not upset, at least. "Did I?" He questioned, half-hiding a smile as he set the thermos and mugs down on the desk. "What makes you think so?" He wondered, curious how she had arrived at that decision.

He dragged the empty chair up closer to the desk, so that he could also make use of it as a table, then took the other pastry out of the basket. Her question made him pause as he was taking a seat. He glanced at her, then sank the rest of the way onto the chair. "That's the price for you taking a few minutes' break, hm?" He asked with a light laugh. He considered that for a moment as he leaned forward to pour the two tin mugs full of the delicious, creamy chocolate. "Normally, I don't let on how much I notice." He agreed quietly. "You sorta.. forced my hand, a bit, the other night." He explained with a small half-smile. Sitting back with his mug, he rested it on the arm of the chair, with one hand holding onto the handle, and took a bite of his pastry in the other.

"Surprised you didn't notice that, yourself, actually." He mentioned, after taking a moment to enjoy the deliciousness of the pastry. "I seem to recall you were awake when I was having a quiet little chat with that bandit woman.. although that was several years ago, so I suppose you could have forgotten." He shrugged. "Anyway." He brought his mug up and blew carefully on the surface of his chocolate. "Not letting on how much I notice... it comes in handy at times, like that." He smiled faintly before taking a little sip.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Did I?

Not a misunderstanding then. She raised an eyebrow as she gave him a thoughtful smile. "Do I really need to explain?" she asked, but then went on to do exactly that. "These are still warm. If you had only thought about bringing me lunch after you saw these coming out of the over, they wouldn't have been. Not anymore. You would have needed time to gather..." She nodded at the hot chocolate, the basket, everything. "All of this. They would have cooled down." She tilted her head. "Am I wrong?" she asked, amused to be able to mimic his earlier question.

She smiled when he mentioned spilling the beans on his level of perception was her price for the break. "I guess it is," she confirmed, before taking another bite. It really was good. Wondering why he didn't want people to know how observant he was, she considered his words. "Am I forcing your hand, again, then? And if so, will you avoid me for it later?" she asked him, frowning slightly as she tried to piece it together. The frown stayed when he stated his surprise at her not noticing that, and blinked when he revealed he'd noticed her being awake when he had spoken to the bandit woman at their camp, years ago. When she had been restrained, Gwes had been working on food, or so she thought she remembered, and she'd been pretending to be asleep... especially because Gwestion had been having a bit of trouble not getting emotional.

"There's a difference between noticing things and what you did when you spoke to her," Arnyn observed. "You used your wits to get her to reveal information... Or at least, that's what I recall." Slowly, she reached out to pull one of the small mugs closer to her. "This is good," she commented all of a sudden, with a glance at the pastry. Honestly, she hadn't realized quite how hungry she had been.
"I had no idea you knew I was awake." Narrowing her eyes a little, though amused by the intrigue, Arnyn smiled - albeit a bit hesitantly. "But you seem to hide it from everyone? Or do you and Gwestion have some sort of agreement that, when it is not just the two of you, that is what you do?" Is that why it had looked like he had been hiding it from his own brother? When in reality he had only been hiding it from everyone else?

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Gladhron raised an eyebrow, listening as she explained how she had arrived at that conclusion. He took another bite of his pastry while he listened. "Hmm," He made a thoughtful noise, then swallowed and leaned forward a little. "Or," he proposed another theory, " maybe, I happened by the bakery, had the blanket around my shoulders for a cape.." It did happen to be one that he already owned, after all, "Then saw the pastries coming out of the oven, and decided I wanted to bring one to you." He shrugged. "I could have purchased the basket from the lady at the bakery, wrapped them in the blanket, and stopped along the way at the inn to grab a couple of mugs from my pack, and get the hot chocolate. Or, maybe my blanket just kept the heat in that well." He offered another possibility with a little shrug.

He paused, waited a moment, then continued, "But yes, I have to admit.. you're not entirely wrong." He grinned. "As it happened, I did think of you before I left the room at the inn." He found that he actually did want her to know that, rather than to have her think it was all coincidence and spur of the moment. "I already had the mugs and thermos of hot chocolate when I walked by the bakery. I actually went in to get some sweets, and I smelled something amazing baking. Something that was not sweets. So, I asked the lady, and she told me that they weren't done yet," he indicated the beef stew pastries they were eating. "So, I got to thinking I was going to end up with more than I could carry, so then I went to another nearby shop and got the basket. By the time I returned, she was taking them out of the oven. So, I wrapped them up in my blanket to ensure they'd stay nice and warm during the walk up here." He explained with a little shrug.

Sitting back, he watched her curiously to see how she might respond. The question about her forcing his hand made him give a quiet laugh. "Maybe?" He grinned, then looked at her with a little surprise. "Avoid you? Of course not." He assured her, wondering why she would think that. He sipped his chocolate thoughtfully as she went on about the incident he had spoken of, which was the one real occasion he could think of when she might have observed anything about his observations. Thinking back to that day, years ago, it took him a moment to even remember what had made him suspect that Celume was not asleep, as she would have had them believe. "Maybe," He shrugged, as she mentioned that the two things were different. "But, I also paid attention to the things she said about her fellow bandits, and learned some things about them." He pointed out. "Figured out a little bit, anyway. Not enough." He looked down at his mug for a moment, holding back a sigh.

Gladhron brought his gaze back up and smiled as she commented on the food being good. "Isn't it?" He agreed, quite pleased that he had chosen well. "As for that.." He shrugged. "I just remember glancing toward Gwestion one or twice while I was talking with her, and I could've sworn I saw you move a little, or something like that. His back was to me, but you were sorta facing him, as I recall." He mentioned. "I was never entirely sure," He admitted with a little smile. "But now I am."

As for whether he hid it from everyone.. he tilted his head as he considered that. "That is.. difficult to say." He answered thoughtfully. "I mean, I'd say he's convinced I'm an idiot or something." He said with a little laugh. "And I'm not saying I don't ever do anything dumb, but.. I don't know." He shrugged. "Sometimes.. it can be useful to have people underestimate you." Strange.. that actually sounded like something Gwestion might say, he realized. Whatever. "Like you.. when you were going to duel that bandit," He grinned. "Remember.. 'the pointy end goes away from you'," He couldn't help recalling that humorous moment, as it had been one of the first impressions she had given them both.. considering it was the day that they had met her. "Anyway," He smiled slightly in amusement. "Sometimes, paying attention to and remembering little details like that can make a good story into a great one."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

She was watching him with slightly narrowed eyes, thoughtful when he offered a different theory. She supposed it was possible. But if he had gone back to the inn first, and if they'd still had to make the hot chocolate - that still seemed like plenty of extra time... But then he admitted she hadn't been entirely wrong, and a satisfied smile made its way to her face. It was always nice to know her logic wasn't off. Or at least, not entirely.
So he'd been planning on visiting her with hot chocolate and something sweet from the bakery. Arnyn continued to eat as she listened to how Gladhron had ended up here with everything, watching Gladhron more than the pastry. When he sat back, it was her turn to lean forward a little more.
"We had a similar thought. I'd been thinking I could bring hot chocolate for everyone, tomorrow morning. I know you northerners are better equipped to deal with the cold, but I thought it might be nice to have something warm to drink while we're standing outside. I could make it at home, and bring enough cups for everyone. Do you think that's a good idea?" Seri had seemed to like it at the masquerade, and she'd said something about how Aislin and Brooke would like it, too. And she already knew Gwestion and Gladhron drank it. "It won't be a surprise for you anymore, now, though," she added, somewhat apologetic. "But maybe you'd like something different, since you're already having some now?" she realized, speaking her thoughts out loud.

Glad to hear that he wouldn't go avoiding her, Arnyn had to grin back at him. She sipped from the hot chocolate. "You look surprised, but people don't always like it when someone forces their hand. Which I have to do sometimes, given..." she gestured vaguely, indicating the office, thus referring to her position as second in command. "But I'm also a curious woman," she admitted with a little laugh, "Lieutenant or not. Anyway, I'm glad talking about this won't want to make you take some distance," she said, keeping her eyes on him to make sure there was no doubt or reservation in his expression or body language to indicate otherwise.

The talking about all those years ago, made her smile. "It all seems so long ago," she mused. "But then, also not that long ago at all." That made no sense, but that is what it felt like. She didn't really want to delve into the topic of her being awake, that one time, because while at first she'd pretended to be asleep not to mess up the conversation Gladhron had been having with the bandit, it had soon become more important that he wouldn't know she'd seen how sad talking about their sister had made him. The first reason was safe enough to discuss, but that didn't explain why she would have hidden being awake from the brothers, afterward. Would it better to ask Gladhron not to mention it to Gwestion? Or would it be better not to say anything at all?

"I don't mind you knowing I was awake," she began, still smiling, though only faintly now, looking down at the desk. "I simply did not want to interrupt your conversation with that woman. And you were talking about your sister..." Her eyes flicked back up, to him, to gauge whether he would know enough with what she was about to tell him. "And I could see your brother's face. Maybe it would be better if you did not mention to him that you know I was no longer asleep."

Even though Gladhron laughed when he said he thought Gwestion was convinced he was an idiot, it made Arnyn frown. "Does that mean he doesn't know, either? You hide it from Gwestion, too?" Had she understood that right? That seemed so unlikely! "Why would you want Gwestion to underestimate you?" She smoothed out her expression. Or why would he want her to underestimate him? "Or any of your friends, even?" Strangers were one thing, and of course she understood the use of that when it came to enemies. But family? Friends?

She snickered when Gladhron mentioned the situation with dueling the bandit, the day they'd met. "That was fun," she said, with an understated smile on her face. "He just had no idea." She grinned. "But I guess, neither did you or Gwes."

[Lantaelen]

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
Afternoon, Dec. 23rd
Rangers Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor

”Two weeks.” Abrazimir answered in regards to the training time frame. More would be better, to maximise the advantage, but he understood he couldn’t bereft the eastern frontier of Rangers to take them out for sea for very long. Two weeks were hardly sufficient but it would have to do, on an accelerated timetable. ”One week to teach and demonstrate, the second week to leave them to it on their own. Sink or swim, as we say.”

To the query of the Thormaetha pirate vessel being a Swan-ship of Dol Amroth, he had to give a begrudging nod. That fact was a stain on his people’s honour and dignity, that so fair and mighty a vessel be used for faithless purposes. If it could not be reclaimed it ought to go to the bottom of the sea. And the Valar knew how hard Abrazimir had tried.

Captain Alarion would be joining them. To that news, he did perk up a little, content to have a veteran and fellow visitor of Umbar on the mission. All that experience was pertinent and important. There were few others who could boast a visit and return from the city. Few were unscathed visits. But Lieutenant Dealedwen wanted to touch back on the topic of their conduct towards the enemy. It was clearly an important topic and he paid her due diligence but sitting forward in his seat, giving apt attention to try and understand the deeper meaning of her words.

Some were declared no better than orcs. Abrazimir would be too happy to expand that label to fit not a few of their ilk. But the Lieutenant perceived capture might be preferable and Abrazimir quirked an eyebrow for a moment, before nodding his head in assent with a stolid expression quickly resuming over his features. ”Capture would be wise, as it presents a chance for sources of information regarding the enemy’s movement and numbers and such. I will endeavour to keep that in mind.” He said in agreement.

Now, a new point of her own, concerning a tidbit they discussed previously at Harlond. He just held up his hand and shook his head. "That proved to be a dead end. For now, we will make due with what we have." He explained curtly. They had the banner, the armour, the weapons, that would suffice for their operation. Of the latter two, more could always be acquired as well.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Hearing that she had plans to bring hot chocolate tomorrow, his smile brightened a bit. "That's an excellent idea!" He declared genuinely. "As far as I know, we all enjoy it. It's a bit more of a rarity to find any chocolate, out north," He added sadly. "I've heard a few rumors about merchant's ships being intercepted by pirates, so.. things that have to be imported from other places don't tend to make it as far as Bree, for instance." He explained. "But I know the ladies like chocolate, and Gwestion and I definitely do, too." He grinned. "I drank at least two mugfulls, the other night at the dance. So, I don't mind having it two days in a row, either." He assured her, then leaned in slightly and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I can pretend to be surprised, if you like."

He hadn't quite thought about the fact that her duties as a lieutenant might make her have to force hands, but now that she mentioned it, he could see it being a thing. He nodded thoughtfully. "That's a shame, if they hold grudges about it." He answered sympathetically. "I really just.. I don't know, I get into the habit of it." he shrugged, trying for a moment to think of how to actually explain. Thankfully, she moved on to another topic, for now.

"Oh, I know what you mean!" He agreed with the 'feels like a long time, yet doesn't' statement. He took a bite of his pastry, nodding slightly as she went on to say that she didn't mind him knowing. He was, in a way, glad to have that confirmed. Because he'd wondered for a while now, whether he had only imagined it or if she really had been awake and listening. As she spoke of the fact she could see Gwestion's face during that conversation, Gladhron's chewing slowed for a moment, wondering a little about that. Gwestion had told him he was fine. Had she seen something to indicate otherwise?

Swallowing, he gave a little nod in reply to her suggestion. "Yeah.. I agree." He didn't think Gwestion needed to know that she had been awake. He noticed her frown as his comment, and he gave a little laugh. "Oh.. well," He smiled a bit sheepishly. "I meant, more like.. I've been known to do some stupid stuff at times," He admitted. "Or say stuff I probably shouldn't, sometimes. You know how he is.." He shrugged. "Can't even say hello to a fellow traveler without him thinking I'm revealing our whole family history and such." He rolled his eyes in amusement. "And.. well, I do admit, I'm not always paying attention to stuff." He looked down at his hot chocolate, thinking. "I pay most attention to the things I care about. But I have been trying to be more.. observant, I guess. In the past few years."

He shrugged, then looked up at her a bit more solemnly. "I uh.. regret not paying more attention to things my father taught me, for instance." He said quietly. "I just.. well, back then, it seemed like there'd always be plenty of time. That.. you know, he'd always be around if I needed him." He smiled sadly. "Then, when.. it was just us, there was so much that I should have been able to pass on to him, but.. I couldn't remember half of what Father had taught me about certain things, and then Gwestion got annoyed at me for it, and..." He sighed. "Anyway. So, yeah. He's.. I dunno. I was mostly joking when I said that," he smiled faintly. "But, sometimes he does get annoyed at me, and I guess he figures I act too silly most of the time, and that I should take things more seriously, like he does." He rolled his eyes. "That's all I meant."

He grinned as she spoke of the bandit thing being fun. "Yes, the look on his face when he realized you were better than him? Priceless." He couldn't help a little laugh. "I admit, I didn't realize you'd be that good. Gwestion though.." He shrugged. "He claims that he could tell you'd be an excellent swordsperson. But he was off in the woods, so who knows if he might have been just as surprised as the bandit?" He smirked. "I think he was, at least a little. But I can't prove it."

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 23rd, Afternoon

"Two weeks," she repeated thoughtfully, followed by a slow nod as Abrazimir explained how he saw the first week versus the second. It had been more or less what she had had in mind, since their meeting in Harlond, and what she had already conferred about with the Captain as well. Two weeks out at sea... meant a slightly longer time away from the city. But it would be nothing, shorter even than the fall mission into the mountains. And itwould likely be shorter than their upcoming expedition to neutralize Thormaetha's ship and deal the heaviest blow to the slave trade that Umbar had seen to date. "Two weeks," came the Lieutenant's repetition once more, this time decided - to convey her agreement.

This was turning out to be a productive and rather agreeable meeting. Especially once it became clear that Abrazimir voiced his agreement to Pele and Arnyn's preference not to kill needlessly.

Her calm and balanced expression, however, betrayed mild surprise when Abrazimir claimed his previous idea was a dead end. "Well..." she offered, thoughtfully, "Your presence might be enough, if the pirate is looking to get on a certain Halsad's good side. Not to mention..." The Lieutenant held back a sigh. "As recent as today, I learned that Devedir Thormaetha is in need of a kidney, and he has it in his head that his son could provide that for him. He's tried to get his hands on Trev more than once, to that end," she admitted, choosing to trust the naval captain as a partner in this endeavour. "Devedir has even planted at least one note here, in the city, trying to lure out his son to the harbour with lies about his girlfriend being in danger. We could easily turn that into a reason Trevadir is supposedly on your ship. Or... we don't use it at all, and focus on your presence. Possibly some kind of valuable goods you'd be transporting, for someone. We have more than a few options at our disposal for making the bait one that is impossible for the pirate to pass up on."

"Also..." she smiled grimly, thinking about the log bookin her desk drawer. "I have information that will allow us to time it just around when Thormaetha is supposed to sail along our shores."

If anything, it was the first part of the endeavour she felt most confident in. With everything she had learned. All the possibilities available to them. Nothing more to take into account than their ship, and that of the pirate. Or so one would hope.
"Thank you for coming, Lord Abrazimir," Arnyn said genuinely. "I look forward to the training you will submit us to."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Gladhron's enthusiasm over the idea to bring hot chocolate the next morning, made Arnyn feel instantly better about the idea. She'd started to doubt its merits, thinking it didn't feel as creative as it had at first. Gladhron's genuine response, though, made those doubts fade away and brought a smile back to her face. She shook her head at his suggestion. "No need to act surprised, Gladhron... Stop pretending like you don't know things," she said, almost teasing him, and amused how that unexpectedly connected into the other matter they were discussing. "Habit, indeed..."

As she finished her pastry, she was relieved to hear he agreed not to tell Gwestion about her being awake, that time in the woods near Bree, and smiled faintly in understanding when he spoke of what Gwestion could be like. She wanted to say something about that, but Gladhron continued before she could. With a statement that he paid the most attention to what he cared about. Her expression looked thoughtful, but what exactly was going through her mind, was impossible to tell. It was also difficult to gauge his expression the way she would have liked, since he was looking down. His shrug made her frown slightly. She'd known him to do that when he was trying to make matters seem unimportant - for whatever reason. What was that all about? It was a good thing he'd been trying to pay more attention, right?

Part of the answer came, perhaps, in what he went on to explain about the situation with his father. Arnyn nodded with a sad kind of understanding. "I can relate. Losing a parent felt like a shock to me, both times," she admitted. "I just... it felt as if they would always be there, somehow. Because they always were, before," she said quietly. "But then, suddenly..." She didn't finish the sentence, nor did she try and soften his regrets. Instead, she left room for silence to fill the office as she quietly regarded her friend before looking at one of the bookshelves in the office and then her mug as she took another sip. What sad thoughts often required the most, after all, was company.

After a while, however, she did feel like saying something more about Gwestion and the way Gwestion and Gladhron didn't always see eye to eye. "I know what Gwestion can be like, yes," she said, her voice still quiet given the previous topic. He'd been very recalcitrant to trust her, at first, after all. "You and your brother are..." Arnyn paused, thinking about how to phrase it. "You're almost on opposite ends of the spectrum of how you see the world around you." She smiled faintly. "It does seem like... Gwestion mostly seems to operate from the idea the world is out there to do him and anyone he cares about harm. Thinking about things as if the worst will happen, or at least fearing it will," she offered. "Whereas you mostly seem to operate from the idea the world is out there to do you and yours good. Thinking about things as if the best possible thing will happen, or at least hoping it will." Unsure whether Gladhron might get offended at her observations, she lowered her gaze to the thin mug as she wrapped both her hands around it. While also reflecting on where she fit on that particular scale, herself.

"I understand why Gwestion thinks the way he does. Considering all that he has been through." Gwestion also considered all possibilities, which her realistic side really appreciated. Hesitantly, she lifted her gaze back to Gladhron. "But I admire the way you think," she told him genuinely. "Especially considering all that you have been through." Gladhron didn't give up on seeing the good in the world, or in people. And that spoke to her idealism. Hope was so important.

Of course, the brothers didn't always follow their preferred outlook, so to speak. When it came to their sister, for example, it was Gladhron who had given up, and Gwestion who continued to hope for the best. But that also tied into how Gwestion was letting that situation keep him from joy and happiness, whereas Gladhron was choosing not to let that happen.

"So... you being observant is a selective thing, then?" she inquired, wanting to make sure she was drawing the correct conclusions. "And you hide it when you are because... on the one hand it can come in handy in certain situations that people underestimate you? And because on the other hand, it doesn't create any expectations for when you happen not to be paying as much attention?" she guessed, before taking another sip. "Sorry," she smiled apologetically. "I'm just curious to figure you out a bit. Since I apparently didn't manage to do it right, the first time."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

"Belly might also cushion a fall," Pele added to Arnyn's statement on advantages of having such a feature. "I intend to oversee some of Cadil's training myself to properly evaluate how he has changed over this time and where he stands in other matters besides that same belly. Definitely will make it clear to him that he will be allowed to join only if he can show improvements and actual readiness rather than enthusiasm alone," she explained where she stood in terms of allowing the newly accepted recruit to come along on Umbar mission.

She made no comments on having to tackle Brian's complaints, only shrugged one shoulder and offered a lopsided grin. Yet, when the discussion returned to the upcoming mission, the grin disappeared, and Pele looked at the desk for a few thoughtful moments.

"You know, Arnyn," she eventually said. "I suspect we will be able to field three or four solid teams at best, so not that many targets to strike either, I suppose, unless one team takes several successively. As for the leaders... Depending on who else chooses to come along. Kaylin and Thullir are good options in my mind, though Kaylin may be explosive which might not be a good thing even though her skillset is excellent. Yet, if her husband balances her out a bit... Karis is capable. Duinion perhaps. I would not place Mourgan in charge though, if he came. Too involved..." Her head tilted slightly, she studied her friend. "What do you think?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

With a little grin, he nodded. "Alright, I won't act surprised, then." he agreed, a bit amused. He smiled as she added 'stop pretending not to know things'. "What? You said you wanted to surprise us." He laughed. He sipped his hot chocolate, thinking already about how nice it would be in the cold morning, outside, watching the sunrise. Yeah.. that would definitely be nice.

As she spoke of relating to the way he felt, concerning his father, he gave a small nod and smiled sympathetically back at her. For a moment, there was silence. Gladhron quietly ate the last few bites of his pastry, then rested his now-free hand on his knee, the other still holding the mug. A part of him was curious, wanting to ask more about that, but at the same time, he figured she would not want to bring up the topic of her parents' deaths. He couldn't blame her for that, so he didn't.

Lifting his grey-blue eyes up again as she spoke again, Gladhron smiled faintly as she confirmed that she did know what his brother could be like. Not that he had any doubts, of course. He was curious, however, as she described how they differed in their views of the world. He pondered the part she said about Gwestion, and debated about whether to mention something or not. Upon her added comment that she understood his brother, considering all that Gwestion had been through, Gladhron tilted his head slightly. As far as he knew, she did not even know all that his brother had been through.. and while Gladhron did, even he didn't fully understand him. Still, he felt sure that Gwestion would not have brought up some of the things he'd been through to her, and Gladhron had not mentioned it, either. So how could she know? But then... how could she know about that scene that she drew, either? Remembering that was a bit jarring, and he suddenly felt very curious to know just how much she did know about that.

For now, though, he made no response to any of that. Instead, he gave a little smile when she said that she admired the way that Gladhron thought, especially after all that he had been through. But before he could think of how to reply to that, she switched the topic back to his 'observational skills'. He gave a small, amused laugh at the rest of her question. "Well, I guess that fits pretty well, yeah." He acknowledged, amused. Yes.. keeping expectations low was definitely a plus, as far as he was concerned.

"The question I have is," He leaned forward in his chair slightly, smiling faintly. "Now that you know that I might be paying attention to things.. are you going to be hiding from me?" He wondered, really hoping she would say no. He didn't actually mean physically hiding.. but rather, actively keeping him from being able to notice little things, like her expression, which she was already so good at keeping blank, and things of that nature. He could technically claim that as another reason for keeping quiet about his observations, after all. Because it did make it easier to study people when they didn't know he was paying attention and all that.

Realizing they had finished the main part of lunch, Gladhron set his mug down on the desk and pulled the basket closer. "I got some sweet pastries, too," He informed her, pulling out the small box. "But, I wasn't sure what you'd want. So, I just got a selection." He set the box down and opened it to reveal some various types of pastry, to allow her a selection. He pushed it toward her so she could take the first pick. "When you said.. 'all that he and I have been through'," He spoke a little tentatively, looking at her curiously. "I'm not entirely sure what you mean.. are you referring to.. our loss?" He asked hesitantly. "Or, something else? Gwestion's injuries, maybe?" He frowned a bit in uncertainty.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

Gladhron's little laugh at her checking her conclusions, made her narrow her eyes at him a little. But as he claimed it fit pretty well, Arnyn looked mostly thoughtful, while Gladhron looked mostly amused. When he asked her if she would be hiding from him, now, his amusement carried over to her. The right corner of her mouth lifted into a half-smile. "You're worried?" she asked, before the half-smile grew into a grin. She shook her head briefly. "No, I don't think so. Or at least - no more than before. Does that sound fair?" she asked, entertained by the idea. "Unless you are telling me you want to sharpen your skills and I can serve as practice?"

Arnyn raised her eyebrows at his newest revelation. Dessert, as well? "Wow. You really went all out," she said, sounding surprised as he revealed he'd brought a selection. She was blinking at the box as he moved it over to her. Letting her choose before he took anything. "Don't you have any favorites?" she asked quietly, giving him a curious look. "Or something you're not familiar with and really want to try? You're the visitor - you should have the first choice." Slowly, she pushed the box back toward him, just enough to make her point, "I am happy with any of these, really," she assured him.

The inquiry that followed, though, made Arnyn shrug, as her gaze fell back down to the box filled with sweet pastries. "Well. You've mentioned your father in the past. But now... it's just you and Gwestion. No home to return to. That is saying something." She paused briefly, to think a moment. "What happened to your sister. How the Greylakes treated you. The incident where Gwestion got injured. Everything with... Amber. The bandits." Arnyn tilted her head. "I did say 'all', right? So, yes, everything. That I know of."

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Thûllir Bregedŷr & Karis Ziranphel
Headquarters - End of November

There is no wrong answer, only that which is the right one for you. The permission in those words was welcome, even though it didn’t speed up Ziran’s decision. Arnyn’s words reinforced that the mission was voluntary, and Ziran would have to weigh her desire to be of service with her previous intent to never go back to Umbar. “Thank you.”
Arnyn would know some of her reasons for the latter, even though it was never something Ziran talked about much with anyone. Nodding in acknowledgement of Arnyn’s parting words, she breathed out again in a silent sight and then turned to the door. If she only had a double handful of days to decide, she needed space to think and get Macardil’s response. She would see them all again quite soon. It was time for her to go home.

Thûllir lifted an eyebrow at Duinion’s welcome to the club, but nodded anyway in thanks. Had no one ever told the man about the previous history of the name? He supposed those elsewhere in Ithilien might not have heard of the training opportunities in years past since it had been kept quieter, and there was no need to rock the boat so to speak. “I’m glad to have earned it once again.” The badge was a little more overt than the small one he used to bear inside his cloak for identification.

Listening with a slight smile as they discussed Eryn and plans for visits and possibly a sleepover, Thûllir met Kaylin’s look with a slight sideways tilt of his head that was his equivalent of a shrug. If she wanted company while he was away on duty, he wasn’t opposed.

When Duinion shifted the conversation to commenting on how good it likely was to get back from their extended travels, Thûllir was half expecting Kaylin to answer again, but she just nodded with a smile and then looked over at him in a telling fashion. His lips twitched slightly in amusement as he returned her look and then turned his face towards Duinion once more. “Aye, it is good to be home after such an unexpectedly long journey. It didn’t end up being as restful as we had hoped, but that is the way of it sometimes.” A small nod followed his words, and Thûllir smiled wryly. “While it did need some cleaning once we got home, it wasn’t any worse than other occasions we have been gone several weeks, as my mother lives not far and aired the place for us a couple times when we were gone. It was a mere skirmish with the dust bunnies rather than a full battle. It honestly took longer doing the shopping to restock our larder. I appreciated having the mess available for supplementary meals while we were getting back in the rhythm of things.” Raising his eyebrow, he continued. “Do you eat there often or just occasionally?” Knowing that Kaylin had likely come straight from duty meant she hadn’t had the time today to stop for a meal either at home or at the mess, and that would be the next item of business before sleep.

[Arnyn]

Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr
Headquarters - End of November

When Thûllir lifted an eyebrow and said he was glad to have earned it 'once again', Kaylin frowned slightly. It was unlike Thûllir to forget that his former training had been undertaken in secret, and it was even now not common knowledge among the rangers. Even Arnyn had told her she had only found out about it after being promoted to Lieutenant... and Arnyn had that uncanny way of hearing about almost everything. So, Kaylin offered Duinion a casual shrug, along with a smile. "Well, we all held different ranks in some kind of military branch, before we joined the King's Rangers," she explained her husband's words smoothly. "Obviously this is the first time you've been granted a specialization rank based on your scouting and tracking abilities, herven," she added with a smile at Thûllir before turning to Duinion, and her smile grew into a grin. "Thûllir's an absolute ace at both," she declared proudly.

Thullir's silent agreement at her suggestion that Eryn could sleep over some night, made Kaylin smile with satisfaction. She'd expected it to be no different, but it was still nice to have it confirmed without much ado. That Thûllir also took her hint and carried on the conversation with Duinion, made Kaylin want to find a comfy chair and a snack, and look on in contentment at the results of her silence. Her lips quirked up into a brief grin again when Thûllir spoke of a skirmish rather than a battle with the dust bunnies. A glimpse at how he could joke around - that was good.

At the question Thûllir posed to Duinion, Kaylin found herself looking curiously at Eryn's father. "Just occasionally, right?" she supplied, based on everything she knew (and had heard).

---

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

"Three or four might be enough," Arnyn stated, not taken aback by the Captain's statement. "There are a few places I was thinking we should move on simultaneously, if further investigation proves it possible," she explained. "As to minimize the chances of the enemy to manage an escape." Listening to what Pele said about Kaylin, Arnyn hummed thoughtfully. "When necessary to put anyone in charge aside from us, I would definitely prefer to delegate the responsibility to rangers who are able to stay level-headed." There seemed to be enough options in that regard, at least. "I think our assessments match for the most part," Arnyn stated. Yet she knew she would like to get a bit of a better feel for Kaylin, regardless oft the mission really, and made a mental note to find a way to spend more time with the Hyandaner, to find out more about what she was like.

"Would you like to keep Mourgan close to you?" Arnyn wondered aloud. "During the mission? If he goes?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor

"Of course," Duinion nodded in answer to Kaylin asking if Eryn could come over sometime. "I'm sure she'd be happy to join you." He smiled, knowing she had been looking forward to seeing Kaylin again. And having seen Kaylin in action a couple of times now, he knew his daughter would be safe with her. So, he had no problem agreeing to that.

For a moment, Thullir's reply seemed a bit puzzling. Again? Wasn't this sort of a new thing? If it wasn't, he sure hadn't heard of it until they bestowed the rank on him, months ago. But Kaylin's following comment cleared up the puzzlement. They had all held ranks of some sort.. before. Not me, Duinion mentally disagreed with that comment, but he chose not to linger on the matter. Perhaps she had meant 'the two of them' or 'everyone she had known back then'. He didn't know. And he didn't really want to explore it. Instead, he smiled at Kaylin's comment of praise about her husband's skill. "So, I've heard," Duinion replied, smiling lightly.

He nodded when Thullir spoke of their trip not being as restful as they had hoped. "I heard about that, too. Sorry to hear that, but perhaps you'll get to take another trip that will be more relaxing." Duinion had not been asked into that mission, and he was rather glad for it, too. In fact, he wondered if the lieutenant had simply chosen not to ask him due to the things that had happened so soon before that. Duinion had been fairly occupied during that time, keeping a close eye on the dairy farm, his family, the old cabin, and checking on the trap in the chandlery.. while he would have gone if he had been requested to join the mission, Duinion would have been very reluctant to have to leave for such a lengthy period, not knowing if or when that guy would return, or what he would do if he did.

He had to smile at the words about the dust bunny skirmish, rather than a full battle. "That's a relief." He said with mild amusement. "Although, if it had come to a full-blown battle, at least you are reasonably close to the barracks, to call in reinforcements." He smiled, joking back a bit. He also thought it was nice that Thullir's mother had been able to come and tidy up for them in their absence. When the question about the mess hall came up, Duinion paused, then nodded in agreement with Kaylin's answer. "Yes, just occasionally," He answered with a little shrug. 'Mostly only when the lieutenant makes me...' He added mentally, but he left that part unspoken. He gave a little smile and continued, "I generally prefer to eat with my family, at home. My sister is an excellent cook, and it's nice to gather together as a family, at mealtimes." He explained. "Although, yes, at times I do have a meal here." He paused, then added a bit more quietly, "It was far more difficult to do anything of the sort, while my foot was injured. But thankfully, it's much better now."

---

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Gladhron was a bit glad to see her smile. "Worried?" He paused and tilted his head, almost as if making a show of having to think about it. "Should I be?" He asked, flashing her a grin, then nodded when she asked if that sounded fair. "Fair enough, I suppose." He smiled, inwardly glad to hear that she didn't plan to 'hide' any more than she already did. Which.. actually, that made him question how much hiding she might already do? With a little laugh at her unexpected question, he shook his head. "No, no.." He assured her with a grin. "Besides, I don't think I need any more practice." He added with a teasing smirk. "I found you at the masquerade, didn't I?"

As she pushed the box of pastries back to him, Gladhron was a little surprised, even if she did insist that he's the visitor. "But.. no, ladies first." He pointed out, trying to be the gentleman here. "Honestly, I thought they all looked delicious." He laughed softly. "I'm not picky with food, you should know that by now." He added, amused. "What if we cut two different flavors in half and split them?" He suggested, figuring that'd be a way they could both try different flavors of the sweets.

As she explained her comment, he gave a slow nod, thoughtful. Thinking, mostly, about that picture she had drawn. After a moment, he cleared his throat softly. "Did uh, Bel tell you anything about that?" He wondered. "I mean..." He glanced up. "About Gwestion's injuries. Just, curious. I know it came up, a little, while we traveled together. And I told you he'd had some injuries. But, I know Gwestion liked to downplay it and make it sound like it wasn't much, but..." He explained, or tried to, his reason for asking. "I just wondered if Bel had mentioned anything further about it." He shrugged. She had spoken of it as if it had been a huge ordeal. As it had been. "She was the one who patched him up, before Seri got there." He added in a softer tone, to explain why he figured she might have said anything.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

"You did, at that," she agreed about the masquerade, amused he would bring that up. It also enabled her, however, to more easily draw a connection that might have taken more time to make otherwise. She was still mulling that over when he insisted ladies should go first, which distracted her and made her roll her eyes. "They do all look delicious. I'm not that picky either, really," she offered back in stubborn protest. At his suggestion of cutting two different flavors in half, Arnyn slanted her head thoughtfully. "Alright. That could work. Maybe we could even slice up more than two," she suggested with a brief laugh, glancing at the box as she moved to pull a knife from her boot. "It's clean," she told him, holding the knife out to him, handle toward him, holding it by the tip of the blade. "You can do the honours, if you insist on being the gentleman," she clarified with a little grin. "I'd really like to try that one."

Surprised that Gladhron was still asking about her earlier comment, she noticed he seemed a little uncomfortable talking about it. Regardless, he still chose to ask... And that wasn't something she had come to expect from Gladhron. Arnyn took a slow sip of the hot chocolate as her gaze dropped to the desk, thus giving herself some time to think about her answer.

Should she tell Gladhron about the things Bel had told her? Would Bell not like it, if she did? Would Gladhron not like it, that Bel had told her? Would he mind that Arnyn knew more than he had chosen to reveal, himself? And once Gladhron knew, how long would it take before Gwestion knew? Would Gwestion not appreciate it? Had Gwestion already mentioned something to his brother about how she had returned to the north, relatively shortly after leaving? And if not... would it be better not to tell Gladhron about it? At the library, it had escaped her before she'd well and good realized. At present, she was quite aware of what she would and would not say...

Trouble was - Gladhron had asked directly. So directly, she either had to lie or come forward with something, at the least. And Bel hadn't said anything about that story needing to stay between them. While she had said that about something else. So that part should not be a problem, at least. The issue would lie more in Gladhron possibly not wanting her to know at all... And in Arnyn being uncertain of whether she wanted Gladhron to know about her brief return north, only to promptly leave again after speaking with Bel. Because Gwestion was the sort of person to let go when he realized someone didn't want to talk about something. But would Gladhron pick up on it? He had proven he could pay attention when he wanted to, but... if he was too curious for answers...

"We did talk, a bit," Arnyn finally admitted, looking back up at Gladhron as she spoke. "And she did tell me a bit more about... the whole situation." She hesitated. "I hope you don't mind..."

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn
Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

"Yes," Pele said thoughtfully with regard to the plans. "Escape routes should certainly be cut off. Else, if we do not achieve anything and only scare them away in all directions, they'll just come back with a vengeance." She was still not very keen on going to Umbar and unsure of any lasting effect, but then again the plan was set in motion, and she felt it was her duty to do what she could so others would be spared from a horrible fate.

"I'm sure we'll be able to coordinate smaller teams when people give us their decisions and we see how many there are," she stated the obvious, "And any training we have before the mission would surely also provide insight into how people function in somewhat unusual environments. Have you already some initial team set ups in mind, or not yet?"

The Captain then sighed, thinking of Mourgan, and looked towards the door briefly as if she could see him there before turning her gaze back to Arnyn.

"He certainly seemed undecided, Mourgan, I mean. Perhaps I should speak with him," she thought out aloud. "I am not sure yet what would be better if he came. If he was with me, I might be able to keep an eye on him. Then again, there's no knowing what he'd do if I happened to be in any sort of added danger. He'd aim to reduce all Umbar to rubble in that case, no doubt."

[Arnyn]

Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr
Headquarters - End of November

"Eeeexcellent!" Kaylin stated with no small amount of satisfaction, when Duinion agreed with Eryn coming over to the house sometime. It was good to see that the man hadn't fallen prey to some annoying level of overprotectiveness since the events of a few months ago. Of course..maybe he had, for a while. But if so, then he'd relaxed in the meantime, it seemed. Kaylin would have to talk to Eryn about it to get the whole picture.

The talk of the barracks, made Kaylin think of an idea. "You should let us know when you're in for one of your occasional visits to the mess. We could come and join you, sometime. I can definitely understand what you mean about eating at home, with your family..." Kaylin shrugged. "People at the mess can be a different kind of connection. I think it'd be nice if we got better acquainted." She glanced at Thûllir. Right?

---

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

"No team setups in mind yet, no, "Arnyn told the Captain. "Figured it would be most efficient to wait on what people decide. Before taking the time to work out the teams," she explained that decision.

"If you happen to be in any sort of 'added danger'," the Lieutenant said thoughtfullyy, "I imagine any and all of the rangers might do crazy things to keep you safe. We like you, Captain," she told Pele with an open smile. "That probably doesn't alleviate your concerns..." Arnyn's smile grew. "But it's the truth."

"But as for Mourgan... Well, you know him better. What would make it the easiest on him? How would he be the least distracted?" Because absolutely none of them would be able to afford any distractions. "On your team, so he knows where you are and how you are faring - be that good or bad? Or on a different team, so he is left guessing as to your safety?"

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Thûllir Bregedŷr
Headquarters - End of November

Kaylin had answered first for Duinion, prompting the man’s response of agreement that stopping by the mess was just an occasional occurrence for him. His addition that he preferred eating with his family made sense, but they lived a good distance from the headquarters, and Thûllir would have thought that it would frequently be convenient to catch a mid-shift meal there, but if he didn’t frequent this level unless required it would explain why they didn’t encounter one another often besides the practice grounds. Reference to the injury being much better did have Thûllir’s eyebrow quirking slightly in thought.

Thûllir nodded in agreement to Kaylin’s invitation, although he felt more than saw her glance. He knew little of the man before him other than what he had observed himself and heard from others, and although today was not the day to do so, he knew it was valuable to build some rapport with the fellow ranger. “Yes, let us know or find us there sometime.” Tilting his chin in query, he asked the question that was bugging him. “Does your leg still give you trouble? You say it is much better, but it has also been close to a year. Is it not fully healed?”

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn
Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

Pele all but stared at her friend for a few moments as she thought of the aspect of the relationships she usually did not consider and then laughed lightly.

"No, it certainly does not make things any easier for me," she said and shook her head, and then looked at the topic from a slightly different angle, "Though it does my heart good that perhaps I am liked more than Brian; though I would surely not go and tell this to his face. I doubt encouragement towards being more liked by the rangers is something he would take even from me."

"Come to think of it," she returned to the topic of Mourgan's placement should he decide in favour of coming for the mission. "Perhaps it would be better to have Mourgan with me, then he could keep his eye on my wellbeing all he wants and be less distracted in his tasks. I am not sure though if I should interfere with his decision-making process; but then again it might help. Ah, decisions, decisions."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor

Kaylin's suggestion was a bit of a surprise, and when her husband seconded the idea, Duinion gave a little nod and smiled. "Sure. That sounds good." He agreed, although he wasn't actually sure when he would be in the mess hall, next. Aside from that one time that Arnyn had sat with him, the only other person he had joined there for a meal was Unalmis, usually at breakfast, when the other only had a cup of coffee before hurrying off to his duties and training. It could be a nice change.

When Thullir asked about his injury, Duinion regretted having brought it up, as that was not something he liked to talk about. But it was too late, now. He smiled reassuringly and shook his head in answer to the question. "When I said 'it's much better now' I meant, mostly, that it's fine now." He explained. "Although.. it was closer to half a year. Just a bit over, in fact." He realized, after doing a quick mental count of the months from March until November. "The healers said it is about as healed as it's likely to be. I'm just glad it wasn't a permanent condition." He truly meant that, as he couldn't help but think of others who were less fortunate.

"But, I didn't want to detain you two from whatever plans you may have." he added, realizing he had taken a bit more of their time than he'd meant to. Surely, they were going to celebrate in some way, after this promotion. He remembered that he had been very excited to get home and tell his family, when it was him. "Congratulations, Thullir. It was nice talking with you both," he added with a friendly smile to the couple. "I'll see you sometime at the mess hall, then?"

---

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Gladhron grinned as he took the knife offered. "Good to know." He answered, then smiled when she pointed out a certain one she wanted to try. He started to pick up that one. Then, considering her suggestion of cutting up more than two, he nodded and opened up the little papery box that the pastries were in, so that he could get to them all. Then he proceeded to carefully cut all of the pastries in half, which would enable them to try all of the different ones.

While he was cutting the pastries, he noticed that it took Celume a moment to think about how to answer his question. He wondered what might be going through her mind, but he didn't pressure her to answer, and just let her take her time. At last, she replied. Gladhron nodded slightly as he finished cutting the last pastry, and offered her back the knife. "I don't mind." He assured her with a little smile. "Though, I think I will refrain from mentioning it to Gwestion." He shrugged and offered her the half of the pastry she had specifically asked to try, then smiled.

"I do wonder what she told you," He had to admit, sitting back with his own half of the pastry. He cleared his throat, hesitating long enough to take a bite of his pastry while he thought about how to make his admission without possibly upsetting her. But he felt she should know why he was asking. And then, maybe, he could ask more about the drawing itself. After washing down the bite of pastry with a swallow of hot chocolate, he lowered his pastry on one knee, and the mug onto the other. "I guess I better explain why I asked." He paused to figure out the best way to start.

"I did spend the afternoon with Tercen yesterday, like you guessed." He began. "And when we got cold from being out and about, we went to the house.. your house.. to have some coffee." He paused and looked at her as he watched for her reaction. "I went looking for the washroom while he was making coffee, and.. instead I found the room with your drawings. I have to say.. your drawings are amazing." He explained quietly. "But.. one, in particular, uh.. roused my curiosity, I guess you could say." He drew a slow breath. "I couldn't think how you could've drawn that scene, and the only way possible that I could come up with.. was if Bel told you about.. that scene. Because she's really the only one who could've. So.. that's why I asked."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen @Karis Ziranphel

Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr
Headquarters - End of November

"Okay, good," Kaylin smiled, pleased with the way the conversation was turning out. Sometimes, Thûllir just needed a little coaxing. And from what she had gathered, Duinion really wasn't much better. Those two could probably spend the day together and still not say more than three sentences each to one another.

"As for our plans - I really just want to eat something and then crash," Kaylin admitted to Duinion. "We should probably agree on a day," she said, half in good humor, half knowing it might otherwise never happen, "but honestly I'm too tired right now. Just don't think either of you will be getting out of the arrangement," she mumbled, distracted already by the prospect of food and sleep. "See you around, Duinion..." Kaylin turned her head to look at Thûllir even as she slipped her arm around his. "Let's go," she suggested. "I promise we can celebrate properly, later."

---

@Pele Alarion

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

Arnyn half-snorted at Pele's mention of Brian, then cleared her throat and resumed her professional appearance. She gave Pele a thoughtful look when her friend continued to speak of Mourgan, in seeming indecision. "Talking to him doesn't mean you are interfering with the process," she offered gently. "You wouldn't need to offer him any reasons to go or reasons to stay. You could simply be there for him, if he wants someone there." She shrugged. "Maybe he won't need you at all. Then you'll know soon enough. But maybe he will appreciate you not hiding from him. Especially after you hid so much, for so long," she added more quietly.

Rising to her feet, Arnyn offered Pele a small smile. "Anyway. I'll leave you to your decisions, then, Captain." She knew that was no easy task. "Unless there is something I can assist with, at present?"

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

She frowned at him when he said he didn't mind and offered her knife back to her. Reaching out to take it from him, she simply put it down on the desk. She could clean it, later. "You don't mind?" she repeated while he offered her half of what she'd picked out earlier. With the same hand as the one she'd used to accept the knife back, she accepted her half of the pastry.

Arnyn had been meaning to continue along that thought, when Gladhron asked just what Bel had told her, and then continued again before she could answer. With an explanation of why he asked. Curious, yet also curious about the pastry, she took a bite as she listened. But after swallowing, as it became evident Gladhron had seen a certain room... with all of her drawings... she froze momentarily. He'd seen that? Hadn't she closed the door? Her eyes trailed around the office as she frowned faintly, trying to recall if she had - however pointless that was. For regardless of whether the door had been closed or not - he had seen it.

"You..." she began, before halting in doubt, and feeling rather awkward that Gladhron had clearly seen plenty of her work while visiting her house with Tercen. It had already taken a lot of convincing herself to give him that one piece, for his birthday, years ago. It had not been her intention that he would see... well, more. Beyond hardly anyone knowing that she could draw at all - some of those drawings were not meant for anyone's eyes but her own. She knew Tercen wasn't really interested in them, so there was generally no need to hide them away behind lock and key. But she hadn't realized visitors could just... wander in. Of course it had to be Gladhron, pulling off something like that.

"No one knows about that, really," she tried again, after recollecting herself, still avoiding eye contact. "That I draw, I mean. Tercen knows, obviously. My trainee, Trastion knows, but only becasue he had to spend a while at the Houses of Healing and I brought him stuff to keep busy," she mumbled, though audibly enough. "And you. With that drawing I did for your birthday. But no one else." She did look at him next. "Everyone has their secrets," she said quietly. "Evidently." Like he preferred people not knowing he noticed things. "And I'm going to have to ask you to keep some of mine. The drawing. The wasp business. The, um... singing." She lowered the hot chocolate. "Can you do that? It's just that... if someone like Kaylin were to find out, it would probably only take a day or two before the whole ranger unit here knows. I don't need anyone... making jokes about the tall blonde officer who's frightened by a tiny insect and who should just go draw something somewhere to feel better. You know?" It was much more than lifting just the tip of the veil on her insecurities, and even though she didn't like doing it, Arnyn did find it was surprisingly... easy.

She took a deep breath. "As for the drawing you are so curious about..." It didn't take a genius to figure out which one he meant. "Well, Bel was telling me about how infrequently, really, she'd seen the two of you, in the time she'd known you. And that time came up, too. She didn't describe it at length." Arnyn shook her head, slowly. "So I am certain I got plenty of the scene wrong..." Obviously, she hadn't been there herself. "I was surprised when she said you were also badly injured. Somehow, that never seemed to have come up, when the situation was referenced while we were traveling together." Still trying to get over the fact he'd seen her drawings, Arnyn swallowed before looking at him.

"You never breathed so much as a word of how you were injured yourself. Nor of how Gaeroch had ran off. Or that you managed to get Gwestion to safety, regardless." A brief pause. "Even though what Bel could tell me sounded like it would have made for a great story. One where you could be the hero." She slanted her head. "Yet - you didn't say anything about it at all. Only vague mentions of how the two of you had gotten into a fight with orcs, and how Gwestion had been severely injured. But nothing about your own injury. Nothing about how you got him back to the Forsaken Inn." She hadn't exactly pegged him as someone who'd be too humble to share a tale as good as that one almost had to be! Surely, he should have been able to spin an epic tale of the events... She definitely believed he was capable of that. "So... I figured, when I thought about it later... you must have some reason not to want people hearing about the fact you got hurt yourself. Or about how you brought Gwestion back to the inn, the way you did." Arnyn smiled a little, shrugging one shoulder. "Which explains my question whether you minded me hearing about it. It's alright, though, if you don't want to talk about it. Or if you don't want me to talk to anyone else about it- which I wasn't planning on doing, anyway. Like I said. Everyone has their secrets."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Gladhron wasn't quite sure why she found it surprising that he said he didn't mind Bel telling her a little about the incident. He also wasn't sure quite how to explain about it. It wasn't really that he wanted to keep it all secret.. after all, he had been the one to speak up and let her know about Gwestion's injuries. And, if he'd wanted to keep it totally secret, he wouldn't have brought it up at all, just now. Except, he was intrigued to know why she would have drawn that image.

Soon, it became evident that Celume/Arnyn was not very happy to know that he had seen her room full of drawings. He didn't really understand why.. they were excellent drawings, after all. And it wasn't like he had meant to be snooping.. he'd just wandered in by accident. He was starting to think it might have been better if he hadn't told her, but then... if she found out later, and he hadn't told her, she might be all the more upset. Right? So.. hopefully, he'd chosen the right thing to do here. "I didn't mean to," He assured her, frowning slightly in confusion.

As she mentioned how few people knew that she drew, Gladhron felt even more puzzled as he nodded slowly, trying to understand. She was such an excellent artist, he couldn't fully understand why she would want to keep it so secretive. And then she actually asked him to not tell anyone. He took a sip of his hot chocolate as she explained about Kaylin and not wanting the whole ranger unit to know. Was there some sort of shame in being an artist, here in the city? As she spoke of people making jokes about her, he found that even more puzzling. He couldn't make sense of her reasoning, but he gave a little nod. Maybe there were people here who would tease her in a mean way? He inwardly frowned at that thought. "I won't tell." He promised softly. "I never told Gwestion about the drawing you did for me." He mentioned. "Which.. by the way, I always wanted to get a chance to tell you how much I loved it." He added with a little smile, which faded a little. "Why would someone make fun of you though?" He added, frowning. "You draw so well. It's.. I've never seen anyone draw like that." Not that he had a lot of experience with people drawing, but still. "I would imagine just about everyone would be impressed, not.. making jokes." He said, confused.

As she went into explaining about the drawing he'd asked about, Gladhron sat back and took a bite of his pastry, listening. At the mention of getting the scene wrong, he made no comment. There had been details off, at least, from what he knew. But that hadn't really been the important factor. As she spoke of Bel mentioning that Gladhron had been badly injured, his gaze drifted down to the desk as he chewed his bite of pastry, feeling a little uncomfortable. What had Bel told her? He barely remembered that moment, himself, and had no idea what he might have said to her. Would she have repeated any of that?

As Arnyn when on to express how strange she found it that Gladhron had not mentioned that tale, he shifted in his chair and took another sip of hot chocolate. At last, he lifted his gaze back up to hers, once she had said she had no plans to repeat it. He did believe that, and in fact, he figured she was probably better at keeping secrets than he was, himself. He gave her a little smile. "There's a couple of reasons I didn't tell that story," He said with a little shrug. "And... yes, I would rather it was not spread around." He paused. "One of the reasons is that.. that was one of the worst days of my life."

Taking a slow breath, he set his mug down on the desk's edge, and leaned forward so he could speak in a lower voice without risking anyone overhearing, should anyone come to the door. "I guess, since I saw your drawings, it's only fair that I tell you." He said with a faintly amused smile, though he was reluctant to delve into this. He let out a little sigh. "So.. another reason that I don't really tell that story.. is.. well, it's a little embarrassing, actually." he admitted. "See.. the whole thing was sort of my fault. Not only was it my idea to take a shortcut through there, but I was also um.. teasing Gwestion. Rather relentlessly, I suppose." He cleared his throat and looked down a bit. "I was trying to talk him into taking a detour to the Forsaken Inn, to see Bel." he gave a little laugh at the irony. "In fact, that was sort of an ulterior motive for taking that shortcut.. because I knew that would put us passing closer to it than the other route we would have taken."

"So.." He went on, "Not only was it my fault we were in the wrong place at the wrong time in the first place.. but I was being rather noisy and pestering him to the point that neither of us were really being all that watchful." He fixed his gaze on a potted plant off in one corner as he continued. "And, honestly.. as much as I like to come out sounding like a hero," He gave a little smile there, "I can't really take any credit for that, in this case." He shrugged and picked up his mug, focusing on its contents, instead. It was nearly empty. "After the fighting was over, I um.. I was fine. A few scratches and bruises, but nothing serious. But I.. couldn't find Gwestion. It was... scary." He drew a slow breath. "Terrifying, actually.. and that isn't something I like to admit. And.. when I found his tracks, mingled with the tracks of the orc he'd been fighting last.. going over the edge of a cliff..." He paused and swallowed. "That was.. not a good moment." He drained the last of his mug and got out the thermos, checking how much was left. It looked like enough for another cup, each.

"I didn't see Gaeroch anywhere around.. she'd gotten spooked and run off when the orcs attacked, but I didn't bother looking for her. I had to find Gwestion. And I couldn't climb down in the same place where he'd fallen, so I had to find another way down." He explained. "I.. don't even fully know how long that took, but it was too long." He refilled his cup and offered the thermos to Arnyn, frowning as he tried to put together a basic timeline from his memory. "It was dusk when the fighting happened.. I remember dawn coming about the time I was finally down in the bottom of the ravine.." He frowned. "Then, I had to backtrack and try to find the place where he'd fallen.. but it was difficult, and.. I ended up passing it up and had to turn back and look more carefully.. I think it was Mael who actually found him, at last.." He frowned. "It was nearing dusk again, by then, I think.." So, almost twenty-four hours, he realized.

"When I finally located him.." He stared down into the chocolatey depths of his drink, unable to look at her as he spoke of this. "I thought sure he was.." the last word didn't manage to make it out of his throat. He swallowed. "It was.. a horrible moment. Not one that I ever want to face again." He sighed and took a small sip. "He was far more impressive than I was, that day.. believe me." He looked at her again at last. "The fact that he survived the fall at all... and then, that he managed to stay conscious long enough to kill the orc before it could finish him off, despite how much pain he must've been in.." Gladhron looked a bit wide-eyed. "That.. is impressive." He informed her.

He shrugged slightly. "I used what I had available to get him out of that ravine. I couldn't put him on the horse... his leg was broken severely.. I mean, you could see the bone, and it had been trapped under some big rocks. Besides that, I was afraid he might have some damage inside, too," he indicated his torso. "Which, he did, actually; some broken ribs, and.." he hesitated. "Some sort of damage to his back, as well. So, I was afraid I'd hurt him worse if I moved him, but.. I couldn't leave him there." He frowned. "So, I just had to fix up a thing to put him on that wouldn't jar him around too badly.. and then me and Mael hauled him out of there." He paused to eat the last bite of his pastry half.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn
Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

Pele couldn't resist a sigh; apparently she would still have to handle the consequences of all that misadventure and the long struggle afterwards for a while, but at least it was no longer an acute issue and it seemed to her that she would be able to consider matters much more clearly.

"Well, I might just look for him at some point and see how things stand. I doubt I'll be any wiser if I don't," she said eventually with a small smile.

"You've already done a lot, so... better go and make use of the time away from the papers," Pele chuckled softly when Arnyn offered assistance even as she made to leave. "I'm sure you'll get your fair share of it when it is your turn to sit here. Unless... you manage to grab some leisurely ranger to send here with snacks. I think my secret stash has almost run out."

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - End of November

"I'll see what I can do," Arnyn said, smiling at Pele's last suggestion. "Secret stash indeed... I didn't know about it." She made a face. "Is it ALL honey cakes, Pele?" she asked, half serious, half teasing as she started to move to the door. "Not sure if I'll be able to send someone in with those," she chuckled. "I think you have emptied the supply throughout the next 4 circles..."

After a last smile and a quiet touch of her hand to her heart, Arnyn opened the door. "See you on the other side of that stack of papers, Captain." With that, she left the office. And intended to make her way out of headquarters, as well.

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

It did surprise her that he had not told Gwestion about the drawing at some point over the years. The question 'really?' was quite evident in her eyes as she regarded him. She'd never said anything about her not wanting him to talk about it. Of course, she'd never said anything about it at all. And she had given him the drawing without anyone seeing - including Gladhron himself. So... he had put two and two together. But even when he must have thought he'd never see her again... he had never spoken of it to his brother. His brother. Knowing that settled her, for it added a lot of credibility to his promise that he would not tell anyone.

His next words, which spoke of his appreciation, made her look away. They also made her smile, however, even if it was accompanied by a slow shake of her head. "I don't know if anyone would be impressed, but I'm glad you really did like it, as a gift," she said. "Especially after the great gifts Gwestion had made for you, I felt like my present was... well. Inadequate. And obviously not very useful," she admitted quietly. "As for why people might make fun of me, for it..." Arnyn paused briefly, toying with the mug on the desk. "I guess... I'm in a position of authority here. Not everyone deals with that easily. Joking about someone who gives you orders, can be an outlet. I just don't feel like giving people easy ammunition. Maybe it's a habit I still carry from when I became a Lieutenant the first time. I was younger then, and several of the older rangers questioned my promotion - even if only one person ever challenged me upfront about it. It might be less of a problem, these days... But why risk it? The way I've built my reputation seems to do the job. Why break something that works?" she explained, resisting the urge to shrug.

When Gladhron said it was only fair for him to tell her more about what had happened before their arrival at the Forsaken Inn, Arnyn wanted to say he didn't have to if he didn't want to - but before she could get herself to tell him that, he continued... and her curiosity about hearing more won out. Wait, what? He was calling the story embarrassing? How was that even an option? Arnyn tilted her head thoughtfully as the story started to unfold. It had been his idea to take a specific shortcut. He had been teasing his brother - noisily. Resulting in neither of them keeping an eye out for any trouble. A slight frown settled over her face, but she said nothing. She let him talk, watching as he stared at a plant in the office - probably without really seeing it.

She could understand how it must have been frightening. Gladhron and Gwestion might not always see eye to eye or feel the same way about things, but they only really had each other left. Their parents were gone. Their sister was gone. For Gladhron... Gwestion was it. Gwestion was all he had. Not knowing what had happened to him after a fight... not being about to find him... and then seeing his tracks going over the edge of that cliff... Arnyn's eyes widened slightly with sympathy, despite the way he was trying to cover up how difficult it was to dredge this all back up by checking that thermos. When he offered it to her, she nodded as she accepted it, and she refilled her own cup as she listened. And almost couldn't believe her ears.

She stared at him as he continued to spead of how he had found his way down the ridge in the dark, how he'd found Mael, how he'd looked for Gwestion all night, how he figured he had to turn back at some point, while dealing with all that fear and exhaustion and insecurity. She stared as he spoke of how horrible it had been to think his brother was dead, once he'd finally laid eyes on him. Stared while he sung Gwestion's praises. And downplayed absolutely everything he had managed to do himself.

When Gladhron paused to finish his half of the first pastry, Arnyn blinked, but she couldn't turn her eyes away. The thermos and the cup were standing idly on the desk, her hands laying still nearby.

"So... you changed your course in an attempt to help Gwestion see it's alright for him to have some happiness..." she began quietly, offering him the way she had heard what he had just told her, rather than the way he apparently viewed the events himself. "I don't see what's wrong with that, Gladhron. To the contrary. You want your brother to heal, and you saw an opportunity to maybe help with that process. Even if just a little. So you took it." She offered him a slight smile. "As for neither of you being very watchful at the time..." She waved a hand at the office, looking around it as she did so before returning her gaze to Gladhron. "Your situation is very different from the one us rangers have here. When we are on a patrol, a mission, a campaign - we strive for constant vigilance, yes. But we succeed, for the most part, because first of all we have the numbers to share the task, and second of all because, when we return to our homes, we get to relax. We get to stop being hypervigilant. You and your brother..." Arnyn sighed, shaking her head. "You do not have that luxury." She remembered how sad she'd felt once she'd realized they didn't really have a home anymore. "And it is just you and him. Just the two of you. It's humanly impossible to be watchful every moment of every day, when you only have two people to do it."

Lowering her eyes to the desk for a moment, she considered whether or not to go on. But after hearing what she had just heard... "I do not doubt Gwestion's efforts were impressive. They had to be, for him to manage what he did. For him to survive." Arnyn drew in a slow breath. "But what I am also hearing is... that even though you were scared out of your mind... you kept calm enough to determine your priorities." Fighting the urge to fidget with her fingernails, she raised her eyes back up to her visitor instead. "You kept your head steady enough to realize you had to find a better place to climb down that ridge, or you'd be no use to him. You realized you had to backtrack when you did. And when you finally found him, for a moment you thought he hadn't made it, before you realized he was still alive, but there was no telling how long he would be able to hold on. Your brother, Gladhron... Do you know how hard it is to keep your head clear enough to function properly, when all those emotions are running wild and panic is trying to override everything? Not to mention after you spent the whole night getting down that ridge and looking for Gwestion in the dark? Do you know just how few people can keep their head on their shoulders in a situation like that? But you did." It was clear from her tone that she wasn't saying any of this because she felt bad he felt guilty, or because she just wanted to offer his some comfort. She genuinely believed every word. "Somehow, you kept it together. You found a way to tap into your resourcefulness, to find a way to get him out of there. Do you not realize how much all of this is saying about you? About your character? About your willpower?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

Her response left him a little stunned. He glanced at her as she spoke. Was she serious? She found it.. impressive? The more she went on about how she perceived the tale, about what he'd accomplished, the less uncomfortable he felt about the fact he had shared it with her. And the more he appreciated her, and the fact that she would offer such kind words, and not simply for the purpose of making him feel better about what he'd told her. She seemed like she truly meant it.

Gladhron looked down at his cup as he considered her words. "Thank you." He said quietly, then smiled faintly as he glanced up again. "I uh... hadn't thought about it, really. I mean, I felt... like I should've found him quicker, like I should've done more, or.. something. There were so many things where I felt like.. I shouldn't have done this, should have done that.. that sort of thing, you know.. thinking back." He shrugged slightly. He had no idea whether Gwestion would agree with Arnyn on this, or not. They hadn't really talked about that stuff, and had mostly only shared a brief summary of what happened with each other. Gwestion hadn't said anything to criticize Gladhron's actions, but he felt, somehow, as if his father would have.

"Of course.." He offered a faint smile. "You haven't heard the worst." He set his cup down and cleared his throat quietly, scooting his chair a bit nearer. "This.. is the part that made the whole thing embarrassing," He paused, glancing at her for a moment to see how she might react. "So.. I told myself I'd never tell anyone this, but.. I trust you not to breathe a word about it.. ever. And.. maybe not make fun of me too hard," He added with a slightly awkward laugh. "Anyway, so.. you might recall that I hadn't really been injured during the fight..." And if he knew her as well as he thought, she would have already been wondering how it was that he'd been injured when he arrived at the Forsaken Inn.

"After all that, I still had to find a way to climb back out of that ravine, this time with Gwestion.." He paused as he caught something. "Wait. I got something wrong." He frowned. "There wasn't any trees or branches or anything down in that ravine, so I couldn't make a.. whatever you call it." He remembered. "That's right. I did have to put him on Mael, and I remember being really worried about causing him damage, but there wasn't anything else to do." He shook his head. "Sorry. I did make the thing, but that was after getting back up to the top of it. But, anyway.. so we got near the top, and Mael was doing really well with climbing up without jostling him too much. And then.. I got in too big a hurry to get up top, and I forgot now what happened exactly, but.. I slipped. And.. ended up falling down the slope, myself."

He drew in a slow breath, then sighed it back out. "Mael managed to get up the rest of the way without me, thankfully. But I went tumbling back down a ways, and slammed my head into this big boulder.. it stopped me from going all the way to the bottom, at least, but... it sure didn't feel good." He frowned at the memory as one hand lightly came up to touch the place where he'd struck his head, then let his gaze settle on the remaining pastries. He absently took one of the halves he'd already cut, but didn't bite into it yet. "The rest is... really blurry. I have only.. vague memories of lashing together a thing to put Gwestion on, and then dragging myself onto Mael. She brought us to the inn, without any help from me, and I have no recollection of the trip, except.. feeling really sick and trying my best not to fall off the horse. Bel though... I do remember how panicked she looked when she saw us," He added quietly. "I remember assuring her that he wasn't dead when I saw her look over at Gwestion. Because.. that was my first thought when I laid eyes on him, and I didn't want her to.. think that." Shrugging, he nibbled at the pastry absently. "I don't even remember how we got Gwestion into the inn. If I helped, I don't remember it." He took another small nibble on the corner of the pastry, frowning slightly at the memories.

"I dimly remember her talking about getting a healer, and we had an argument about how it was too dangerous for her to go to Bree by herself, because.. I mean, we'd literally just run into a bunch of orcs, and I knew there were also bandits and such in some places, and the road was also pretty rough in spots... but she was really worried about him, and she didn't know what to do for his leg and the worst injuries. I remember making her promise she'd just give me a little time to sleep, and then I'd go with her. Because I was too exhausted to try and go anywhere, right then, as much as I wanted to." He cleared his throat. "Anyway.. next thing I knew, I woke up and found that she'd left me a note saying something about going for a healer because she couldn't wake me and couldn't wait any longer." He sighed. "So, I went after her, because.. like I said.. it was dangerous." He smiled wryly. "And.. while Bel ran into a few bandits, I ran into another one of those dangerous persons I had been so worried about."

Noticing a little glob of filling that was trying to ooze out of the pastry, he turned it so that the open end faced up to the ceiling. "It turns out, Ms Seri said I had a severe concussion and shouldn't have even been sitting up in bed, let alone trying to ride a horse." He fidgeted slightly. "I don't really remember a lot about that, either. I must've fallen off because I woke up on the ground, and this woman was there," He frowned. "She seemed.. nice. Helpful. She was foreign, but I couldn't say where she might be from. Anyway.. she gave me something to help my head, and it worked, for a while. Stopped me from feeling so dizzy. I was able to sit up without feeling sick.." He shrugged. "I remember her asking me a bit about who I was and where I had come from, what I was doing out here, how I got injured, and all that. The sort of things you might ask when you're trying to figure out where to take this injured person you've just come across, you know? Except.." he frowned. "After she asked me a few questions, she suddenly attacked me and tried to kill me. And.. uh, that was when I realized that.. not only did I not have any armor on, but I also did not have any of my weapons on me.. because Bel had taken them off me, trying to be nice.. so I could sleep more comfortably."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 25th, Midday

She considered his words about how he felt about it, looking back. After a moment, she said: "It's easy to think of what you could have done better, when it is all said and done. Hindsight is always easier than the dreadful moments that require swift decisions." She was no stranger to the pitfalls of hindsight herself. "I didn't know you'd be so tough on yourself. Maybe you, Gwestion and I have more in common than I thought."

Frowning a little when he told her she hadn't heard the worst, she returned to her quiet mode, so she could listen. Reactions could come later. So all he got from her when he glanced at her for her reaction, was an open, curious expression. What could have happened next, that he found so embarrassing?
When he reiterated his wish that she not tell anyone about this, ever, she nodded while briefly touching one hand to her heart to convey the promise in silence. At his laugh, as he tried to lighten the mood, she only offered a slight smile.

Arnyn decided she might as well try and eat her half of that first pastry now, while she listened. And yes, she had noted how he had claimed to have sustained no serious injuries during the fight with the orcs. So, something embarrassing had gotten him his head wound, then? Was that it? For all her curiosity, she did not ask. She just ate, and listened. It seemed like he'd tell her soon enough, anyway. Interrupting might make him change his mind. It was probably best to let him speak at his own pace. Frowning slightly as he admitted to getting something wrong, she swallowed her current mouthful and bit her lip with after-the-fact concern as Gladhron spoke of getting Gwestion up on Mael, with the injuries he had born. What an impossible situation. Her eyes widened when he said he'd slipped, to fall down the slope. And hit his head against rock. How much worse was this story going to get? No wonder he didn't talk about it. It must have been almost the toughest night and day of his life! Leaning back in her chair, she crossed one arm in front of her and leaned her right elbow on her left hand, to touch a loosely shaped fist to her lips while she processed the tale anew, this time with information from Gladhron's side of the events.

Now being able to piece it together with Bel's side of what had happened, she felt like she had the full story. Arnyn also didn't fail to notice how Gladhron had told Bel he'd gotten hurt fighting the orcs, while he was now admitting to her that he had slipped. And she also noted how Gladhron was telling her honestly that what had happened with the woman who'd waylaid him when he'd gone after Bel. He didn't try to sell her some story about orcs or bandits. He was readily admitting to going after Bel without armour and weapons, and only realizing it when it was way too late. Gladhron was trusting her with the truth. All of it. Even after reconnecting for just a few days now, after spending years not knowing a thing about each other. He trusted her with things. Just like he'd trusted her with things, back then.

Part of her wanted to go over to the other side of the desk, to reach out in a different way than with just words, because it seemed like Gladhron could use it. But another part of her was glad for the obstacle the desk provided. It seemed easier. And so she stayed put. Arnyn's eyes lowered to the desk as the hand near her face lowered as well, thinking about where to start for a moment.

"You hurried because you wanted to save your brother's life. And you were physically and emotionally spent. Slipping isn't embarrassing in those conditions," she said quietly. "It's just not. I would never make fun of you for that," she added, shaking her head slowly. "To think you made that stretcher after hitting your head..." Varda's stars... Gwestion had been incredibly lucky Gladhron had been able to do all that he had done... Both of them had been.

"Bel told me... she'd never forget how you arrived at the Inn. How you were half falling off Mael, with blood pouring down one side of your face. With Mael pulling that makeshift stretcher that was carrying Gwestion." She looked back up at her friend. "Bel said she was frightened for you both. But you saved her an even worse fright by telling her that Gwestion was not dead at the very moment you arrived," she told him, feeling like he should know that it had been good that he had told her. Despite his concussion, he'd been right to tell her that. "She said she'd never forget the sight of your arrival at the inn, that day. And the image, even if only shaped by what Bel told me, sort of stuck for me, too, I guess." Even when described in just one or two sentences, it was such a powerful image...

"As for how you and Gwestion made it inside - Bel said that she and the stablehand had to carry both you and Gwestion in," she said more quietly, trying to help Gladhron fill in some of his own blanks. "You really worried her, too, when she could not manage to wake you. Which is when she left to find a healer." Arnyn leaned forward, resting both forearms on the desk and clasping her hands together, looking at them as she continued. "She also might have mentioned... how you couldn't even stand when you weren't holding onto something. But you still managed to get to Mael and go after her." A pause. "Clearly, you were right about it being too dangerous for Bel to be out there alone. I remember thinking, when Bel told me... I'd have done the same as you. As long as I could find some way to get on that horse." It didn't seem like Gladhron was questioning that particular decision, like he had been unhappy with his decisions about the shortcut and at the ridge, but... if he was trusting her, if he was being open and honest, it was only fair to take the risk and return the favour, wasn't it?

[Lantaelen]

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
Afternoon, Dec. 23rd
Rangers Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor

Two weeks at sea was agreed upon. He wondered if the land roving Rangers would even be able to walk on their legs once they got back on ground again. But that was apart of the training. To be at sea for many days and weeks to reach Umbar and still be able to land and fight steadily after such a voyage was the aim. Certain exercises, diets, and frame of minds would be necessary. Two weeks should prepare them. Truthfully, he would have suggested many such lessons over a wider time frame but that was not going to happen. Two weeks was what they agreed upon.

It was difficult not to show delight in the pirate’s health problems. How does the Lieutenant know he needs a kidney? That’s a very precise and specific piece of information. But no doubt she wasn’t going to give up her sources. He wouldn’t either. He knew all about Trevadir, his family and so forth. Uirchanar said something about the boy and his brother as well. But their family seemed to have no interest in serving in the local Levy. Perhaps a deception might be played out where it was claimed that Trevadir was serving abroad Abrazimir’s vessel, as all young men of Lond Côl might do. Not everyone wanted to get involved in this dangerous business though. He had to respect their wishes.

They would catch the pirate some other way. The honest way.

He rose to his feet as the conversation came to a close. ”My people and I will play our theatrics, for any hungry eyes or ears. Gemstones and other such baubles seem to be the delight of pirates, maybe we can tempt them with a small treasure.” He surmised, before extending his hand out for a farewell shake, adjoining it with a respectful nod. ”Until next time, Lieutenant. I so enjoy our schemes. I look forward to your note on when your people will be ready for their sea-training. Berio i refn-en-alph len.”

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Headquarters - Dec 23rd, Afternoon

"Le fael," the Lieutenant told him, extending her hand in return and shaking it firmly. (Thank you/You are generous.) His parting words brought a faint smile to her expression.

"I do hope you and your family enjoy what the city has to offer," she said, only slightly more casual now, as she walked to the door. "If time allows, of course, before you must all depart. Is your family traveling by yourselves? Or is it a joint venture with the family of your sister's betrothed, perhaps?"

After his reply, whatever it might be, Arnyn opened the door for the knight. "Na lû e-govaned vîn, Abrazimir Dimaethor." (Until our next meeting.) "It will not be long, this time, ere that time comes."

[Lantaelen]

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
Afternoon, Dec. 23rd
Rangers Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor

The serious business was over and after the shake of their hands and a few parting words, Abrazimir rose and moved towards the door. The Lieutenant did follow up with some casual talk, though the mention of his sister's betrothed gave him momentary pause. What would you know about that? It was rather common knowledge of their families alliance and impending nuptials. In Belfalas. For an officer in Minas Tirith to know about it was...unique. But not unwelcome. "We arrived together by ship, though there might be talk of my sister and the young Lady Talven going back together by land, rather than by sea. Another jaunt through the countryside, I suppose." Abrazimir just shrugged and smiled casually. He of course would be made to be their chaperone and escort but he didn't mind a trek through the mountain valleys of Gondor to come first to the Taurhebor estate, then by river down to his own home.

And with that said, time to leave. "Namárië." He beckoned in the elvish tradition and with a final nod, stepped out the door and departed.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron (Northern Ranger, visiting)
Dec 25th - HQ Office

As she mentioned her surprise that he was being so tough on himself, Gladhron gave a small shrug. "I think it's.. more like.. my father being tough on me, I guess," He mumbled, but offered a tiny smile. "Or, well.. I mean.. there's sometimes that I feel like I can hear exactly what he'd say if he was here." He explained. "And uh, he could be pretty tough on us." He shrugged again. "Gwestion is a lot like him in a lot of ways." He added thoughtfully, frowning slightly. "He was always.. patient, but I know I annoyed him way more than Gwestion ever did," He gave a little laugh at the memory. "Always expected us to put our best efforts into something, you know? Not just.. halfway do a thing." He looked down at his hot chocolate. "And look after each other. He was always getting onto me for not thinking things through, or for not paying attention to stuff, or acting.. foolishly." He smiled a little wryly. "Admittedly.. I did do that. A lot. And, well.. I still do, I guess." He grinned a little.

Her words, however, concerning what he'd told her about that awful day, did make him feel a bit better. Gladhron sipped his hot chocolate as she told him about what Bel had said, and nodded slowly as he looked at her. Well, that mystery was solved, anyway. Not that he'd lost much sleep over it. But, it was a comfort to hear that she would have done the same. He smiled faintly. Again.. it was like she knew just how to make a person feel better. And she always had something nice to say. What lovely qualities, he thought. "Thanks." He said softly, genuinely meaning it.

After a little pause, he added, "I didn't mean to drag the conversation down a solemn path. I just.. couldn't help being curious," He explained. "And, I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy, looking into that room. It really wasn't on purpose." He hesitated. "But.. I also think you shouldn't be ashamed of your drawing skills. Nor, of the fact that you have an interest in it." He mentioned with a slight frown. "I mean... why should you care what someone else may think about it, if you have the skills to put them in their place?" He asked, hoping to make her see that it wasn't really necessary to keep it such a secret. "I mean.. I'm sorry, I just don't quite get it. That doesn't quite... match up with the woman I know you to be." He shrugged. "Lieutenants are allowed to have hobbies and do things they enjoy... aren't they?"

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Captain Pele Alarion
Command Office, end of November

"There might still be interesting things to discover in this office, Nyn," she laughed softly. "Honey cakes or otherwise."

She then returned the Lieutenant's salute, and after a few moments of sitting and letting her mind wander she decided that the mentioned stack of papers would not remove itself from the desk on its own. And now she also had to add to it by making a file for Cadil. While she could add in it some things from previous experiences in the army that were not exactly flattering, she thought that it would be best to let the young man start anew, in hopes that he would do better this time.

With a quiet sigh at the prospect of spending quite a few hours cooped up in the office she set about the inevitable work, first glancing through the stack she moved closer to herself to see what it contained. A few complaints among it from the Barracks Master, no doubt.