Scarburg Meadhall - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Folwren · 11-07-2010, 10:58 PM

“I thought you could probably come if you wished, to help with the horses and preparations of meals and things of that sort,” Thornden said. “I think you could be of service, and I imagine you would enjoy yourself riding out with the rest of us as opposed to staying here.” He ensured that the reins were secure over the saddle and gave his horse a last, affectionate pat on the shoulder. “Come if you like, Leof. I need to go and see the other arrangements are being taken care of.”

He turned and went out, and as soon as the conversation with Leof was out of his mind, his thoughts flew back to what he had overheard Hilderinc say.

He was crossing the yard when a rider came trotting down the road towards the hall. Thornden saw him as he drew near the out buildings and turned to meet him.

“Hail,” he said as the stranger drew rein.

“Hail,” replied the rider. “I bear a letter from lord Randvér to his daughter Ginna.”

Thornden smiled, thinking the letter bore glad tidings for Ginna and would give her father’s well wishes for her match with Harreld. “I will see that it is taken to her,” he said. “I am the steward of the hall.”

The messenger nodded and reached beneath his cloak for the letter. “We have not yet broken our fast,” Thornden said as he took the missive. “Come, dismount and rest your horse while you eat with us.”

The messenger accepted his offer and dismounted. Thornden directed him to where he could take his horse. As he went towards the trough to water his mount, Thornden turned towards the kitchen.

“Thornden!”

Thornden turned to look, and there came Harreld running up. "Will the Eorl let the messengers go to Garreth?"

“Aye, they did,” Thornden answered. “They will see him after they have audience with the king. Here, speaking of messengers, one just rode in a moment ago, from Ginna’s father.” Harreld’s expression became attentive. Thornden smiled broadly. “Here is the letter. It is for Ginna, and I trust you shall get it to her.” He clapped Harreld on the shoulder and passed him, leaving him standing in the yard with the letter held in his hand.

Mnemosyne · 11-08-2010, 08:39 PM

He had left her to sleep in. Again. "New hall; new habits," Wynflaed had warned him, but Athanar did not seem to want to change this one. Judging from the sun in the sky, a third of the morning had wasted away, and if today was to be the day that the men rode out, they had left the Meadhall long since.

Sighing, she called for Lilige, dressed, and considered what would be the best use of the day with the menfolk gone.

It would be good to get a better feel for the workings of the hall, but there was much else to be done. She decided for the moment to continue the inventory that had been interrupted the previous day, and walked into the main hall. The lady Saeryn came towards her and said, “Lady Wynflaed, I thought that today we might go about the house and I show you everything that is done here, as you suggested a couple days ago. With the men gone, things should be quieter than yesterday.”

"Thank you, Lady Saeryn," said Wynflaed. "I was considering asking your help in that very thing. I should very much like to see the way the Hall has operated on a normal day, and, barring a fire, I doubt to-day will reach yesterday's level of... unrest." She smiled. "And, if you do not mind, I should like to hear a little of yourself, since we shall be working so closely, and since my husband and I are to be adopting you."

Firefoot · 11-09-2010, 09:36 AM

Come if you like. Léof worked that over in his mind for a couple moments as Thornden left the stables, trying to figure out if that really was all there was to it. Finally Léof decided that Thornden usually said pretty much what he meant, but that if Thornden had made the assumption that he was coming along in the first place, maybe he ought to go.

Then he needed to hurry. Several soldiers had already led their horses out of the stables. He knew better than to run in the stables but he strode as quickly as he could down to the tack room where he fetched his saddle and bridle. He returned to the stall, nearly colliding with one of the soldiers as he rounded the corner, and in almost no time at all had Æthel tacked up. He looked her over with a critical eye and decided that she, at least, looked more than presentable.

“Come on, then,” he said to her, and led her out into the courtyard where the soldiers were gathering, half-wondering what he was getting into.

littlemanpoet · 11-09-2010, 10:56 AM

“Here is the letter. It is for Ginna, and I trust you shall get it to her.” And Thornden was gone. Harreld stared at the small paper in his hand. He had never seen a letter before, much less handled one. He had come across scrolls and such, but not this new fangled Holbytlan thing. It had candle wax sealing it shut. He wondered what that was for. Was it supposed to be unseen by some folk?

Harreld new his letters. To be good in the business of smithying, he had to be. He read the outside of the paper. It was from Randvér, Ginna's father. Harreld caught his breath. This could be his word giving his yes to their betrothal. He started walking, aimless of his direction, and not thinking a sealed envelope indicated privacy, he opened it eagerly, and read.

My daughter, greetings. I hope you are well. You are missed here at home, but I am well.

I hope you do not take my silence over the past moons to mean that I have forgotten you. In truth, all this time I have been giving careful thought to your wellbeing, but with Eodwine's illness I felt I could delay this letter no longer.

I had little doubt you would find a good man in Eodwine's household for it would be unlike my friend to have ruffianly men in his charge. Take his right-hand man, Thornden, for example. He is hardworking, loyal to his lord, and good to his lord's folk. From the first I took a liking to him in the former mead hall. Had it crossed his mind to win your hand I would have granted him his wish. I think it likely he will not stay unwed for long, and seek the hand of Lady Saeryn. They are both young, both love their lord, and nothing could be better for the folk of Scarburg - though I'm unsure I could say the same for you.

Do not mistake me, I know what you see in the smith Harreld. He is a man of gentle manners and careful speech, and he treats you with the honor meet to a woman of your lineage. You are of the right age to choose for yourself, but know, my daughter, that in all of this I seek only the best for you, and should you entrust to me your future this is how I would have it.

Harreld stopped in his tracks and looked ahead vacantly, crestfallen. Ginna's father wanted Thornden for son-in-law, not himself. This was something he never should have read! Maybe that was why it had been sealed. His hands shook. He would reseal it and give to Ginna. No, there was no way he could be the one to give this to her. She might think he had read it! He would give it to one of the women and act as if he had never seen the contents.

Nogrod · 11-09-2010, 01:39 PM

Lord Athanar had slept well despite the not so happy conditions at the Mead Hall. That was one of his advantages: while some totally lost control of their rhythm and sleep when under pressure, lord Athanar had always had a gift for sleeping soundly. He woke up early and got himself prepared both mentally and physically - finally getting into full gear before coming to the hall.

So he came downstairs a bit later than most others. He enjoyed a slow and full breakfast watching the slowly dying hussle and buzzle in the hall as the men went out to prepare their gear for the ride. He was ready.

Seeing that the last of the riders had left the hall he slowly rose up after wiping his mouth and beard clean with a cloth. Off we go then...

He went outside and looked for a while the gathering of men and the last minute preparations being underway. And he smiled. This was something he truly enjoyed; the concentration and the busyness of the men preparing to go, the feeling of tension before an errand... He draw a deep breath of the fresh and cool autumn air and felt it filling his lungs with its' scent. It was clearly different from Edoras; crispier, but damper at the same time, a bit sweet... He closed his eyes just to preserve the moment.

11-07-2010, 10:58 PM	#1
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	“I thought you could probably come if you wished, to help with the horses and preparations of meals and things of that sort,” Thornden said. “I think you could be of service, and I imagine you would enjoy yourself riding out with the rest of us as opposed to staying here.” He ensured that the reins were secure over the saddle and gave his horse a last, affectionate pat on the shoulder. “Come if you like, Leof. I need to go and see the other arrangements are being taken care of.” He turned and went out, and as soon as the conversation with Leof was out of his mind, his thoughts flew back to what he had overheard Hilderinc say. He was crossing the yard when a rider came trotting down the road towards the hall. Thornden saw him as he drew near the out buildings and turned to meet him. “Hail,” he said as the stranger drew rein. “Hail,” replied the rider. “I bear a letter from lord Randvér to his daughter Ginna.” Thornden smiled, thinking the letter bore glad tidings for Ginna and would give her father’s well wishes for her match with Harreld. “I will see that it is taken to her,” he said. “I am the steward of the hall.” The messenger nodded and reached beneath his cloak for the letter. “We have not yet broken our fast,” Thornden said as he took the missive. “Come, dismount and rest your horse while you eat with us.” The messenger accepted his offer and dismounted. Thornden directed him to where he could take his horse. As he went towards the trough to water his mount, Thornden turned towards the kitchen. “Thornden!” Thornden turned to look, and there came Harreld running up. "Will the Eorl let the messengers go to Garreth?" “Aye, they did,” Thornden answered. “They will see him after they have audience with the king. Here, speaking of messengers, one just rode in a moment ago, from Ginna’s father.” Harreld’s expression became attentive. Thornden smiled broadly. “Here is the letter. It is for Ginna, and I trust you shall get it to her.” He clapped Harreld on the shoulder and passed him, leaving him standing in the yard with the letter held in his hand. Last edited by Folwren; 11-08-2010 at 10:46 AM.

11-09-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Harreld “Here is the letter. It is for Ginna, and I trust you shall get it to her.” And Thornden was gone. Harreld stared at the small paper in his hand. He had never seen a letter before, much less handled one. He had come across scrolls and such, but not this new fangled Holbytlan thing. It had candle wax sealing it shut. He wondered what that was for. Was it supposed to be unseen by some folk? Harreld new his letters. To be good in the business of smithying, he had to be. He read the outside of the paper. It was from Randvér, Ginna's father. Harreld caught his breath. This could be his word giving his yes to their betrothal. He started walking, aimless of his direction, and not thinking a sealed envelope indicated privacy, he opened it eagerly, and read. My daughter, greetings. I hope you are well. You are missed here at home, but I am well. I hope you do not take my silence over the past moons to mean that I have forgotten you. In truth, all this time I have been giving careful thought to your wellbeing, but with Eodwine's illness I felt I could delay this letter no longer. I had little doubt you would find a good man in Eodwine's household for it would be unlike my friend to have ruffianly men in his charge. Take his right-hand man, Thornden, for example. He is hardworking, loyal to his lord, and good to his lord's folk. From the first I took a liking to him in the former mead hall. Had it crossed his mind to win your hand I would have granted him his wish. I think it likely he will not stay unwed for long, and seek the hand of Lady Saeryn. They are both young, both love their lord, and nothing could be better for the folk of Scarburg - though I'm unsure I could say the same for you. Do not mistake me, I know what you see in the smith Harreld. He is a man of gentle manners and careful speech, and he treats you with the honor meet to a woman of your lineage. You are of the right age to choose for yourself, but know, my daughter, that in all of this I seek only the best for you, and should you entrust to me your future this is how I would have it. Harreld stopped in his tracks and looked ahead vacantly, crestfallen. Ginna's father wanted Thornden for son-in-law, not himself. This was something he never should have read! Maybe that was why it had been sealed. His hands shook. He would reseal it and give to Ginna. No, there was no way he could be the one to give this to her. She might think he had read it! He would give it to one of the women and act as if he had never seen the contents. Last edited by littlemanpoet; 11-09-2010 at 06:42 PM.

11-08-2010, 08:39 PM	#2
Mnemosyne Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between the past and the future Posts: 1,159	He had left her to sleep in. Again. "New hall; new habits," Wynflaed had warned him, but Athanar did not seem to want to change this one. Judging from the sun in the sky, a third of the morning had wasted away, and if today was to be the day that the men rode out, they had left the Meadhall long since. Sighing, she called for Lilige, dressed, and considered what would be the best use of the day with the menfolk gone. It would be good to get a better feel for the workings of the hall, but there was much else to be done. She decided for the moment to continue the inventory that had been interrupted the previous day, and walked into the main hall. The lady Saeryn came towards her and said, “Lady Wynflaed, I thought that today we might go about the house and I show you everything that is done here, as you suggested a couple days ago. With the men gone, things should be quieter than yesterday.” "Thank you, Lady Saeryn," said Wynflaed. "I was considering asking your help in that very thing. I should very much like to see the way the Hall has operated on a normal day, and, barring a fire, I doubt to-day will reach yesterday's level of... unrest." She smiled. "And, if you do not mind, I should like to hear a little of yourself, since we shall be working so closely, and since my husband and I are to be adopting you."

11-09-2010, 09:36 AM	#3
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Come if you like. Léof worked that over in his mind for a couple moments as Thornden left the stables, trying to figure out if that really was all there was to it. Finally Léof decided that Thornden usually said pretty much what he meant, but that if Thornden had made the assumption that he was coming along in the first place, maybe he ought to go. Then he needed to hurry. Several soldiers had already led their horses out of the stables. He knew better than to run in the stables but he strode as quickly as he could down to the tack room where he fetched his saddle and bridle. He returned to the stall, nearly colliding with one of the soldiers as he rounded the corner, and in almost no time at all had Æthel tacked up. He looked her over with a critical eye and decided that she, at least, looked more than presentable. “Come on, then,” he said to her, and led her out into the courtyard where the soldiers were gathering, half-wondering what he was getting into.

11-09-2010, 01:39 PM	#5
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	Lord Athanar had slept well despite the not so happy conditions at the Mead Hall. That was one of his advantages: while some totally lost control of their rhythm and sleep when under pressure, lord Athanar had always had a gift for sleeping soundly. He woke up early and got himself prepared both mentally and physically - finally getting into full gear before coming to the hall. So he came downstairs a bit later than most others. He enjoyed a slow and full breakfast watching the slowly dying hussle and buzzle in the hall as the men went out to prepare their gear for the ride. He was ready. Seeing that the last of the riders had left the hall he slowly rose up after wiping his mouth and beard clean with a cloth. Off we go then... He went outside and looked for a while the gathering of men and the last minute preparations being underway. And he smiled. This was something he truly enjoyed; the concentration and the busyness of the men preparing to go, the feeling of tension before an errand... He draw a deep breath of the fresh and cool autumn air and felt it filling his lungs with its' scent. It was clearly different from Edoras; crispier, but damper at the same time, a bit sweet... He closed his eyes just to preserve the moment.