Eorling Mead Hall - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Formendacil · 08-10-2006, 11:23 PM

"My thanks, Kara," said Náin, accepting the roll. Now that he had someone to talk to, he showed no signs of departing immediately, but appeared in a mood to chat, if not to be shiningly cheerful. Over the course of two months, he'd grown familiar enough with Kara not to get too flustered in her presence, and he enjoyed the company of Frodides, whose no-nonsense and authoritarian approach to running the kitchen appealed to him.

"I envy you," Náin told Kara, taking the roll. "Able to work at your craft every day, producing these things of beauty- doing something useful and praiseworthy. I chafe at the delay between projects to occupy me, and Garstan is a worthy mason who needs little in the way of assistance."

"It's hardly all fun and games feeding the Mead Hall," said Kara, working at doing just that, flitting around at various tasks while talking. "People never stop being hungry, you know."

"I do not know how it is for Men," said Náin, "but Dwarves, for the most part, would rather put their hands to steady labour that taxes them, even taxes them overmuch, than to sit idle day in and day out. We need things to occupy our hands and our minds."

"Surely not only work can do that," said Kara, pausing after wiping off a counter. "Surely you can occupy your hands and minds just as easily at work as at play."

"Under normal circumstances, yes," agreed Náin. "But I have had more play and less work than usual, and I prefer to be productive. And there is only so much in the way of play to occupy a strange Dwarf in this city. Even after two months, I'm still a stranger to most of the city and lands outside this Mead Hall. The people and places that would entertain a local such as yourself are unknowable to me- at least without a guide. And, it irks me to say, most of those around me are better occupied with work than I am."

"Well, I would envy you rather than pity you," said Kara. "You're willing to help bake and cook, as far as I'm concerned- though you'd have to do exactly as Frodides told you, lest you find yourself boiling with the vegetables."

"No fear there!" Náin held up his roll-filled hand. "I have no talent in the culinary arts. Merely a great appreciation and taste for the craft." He bit into the roll as a demonstration.

"And this, I might add," he continued, "is most definitely beyond my abilities."

Folwren · 08-11-2006, 09:03 AM

Garmund seemed to struggle inside himself for a moment after Thornden asked his question. A clear expression of anger passed over his face for a moment. His little jaw tightened and relaxed and his eyes darted away briefly. But then he looked back at Thornden and asked a question the man was not at all expecting.

“Do you have a sister?”

“Well, yes, I do actually,” Thornden said, smiling a little. “Three, in fact. You have one, too. . .” Garmund nodded shortly. “Has she been causing you trouble?” Thornden asked. He kept his face carefully straight, not allowing any of his amusement to show. Siblings’ quarrels were not uncommon, as he well knew, but he figured it would be easily sorted out.

Kath · 08-11-2006, 11:26 AM

Kara had wondered whether Náin would be willing to talk, but once he'd settled himself onto a stool he had opened up. He spoke of his troubles finding something worthwhile to do, especially since his true skill was not much called upon here. In fact, for all intents and purposes, the Dwarf was bored.

Smiling in delight at the compliment he gave her, Kara dropped another roll onto his plate in thanks.

"Frodides is a good teacher, if you did turn your mind to becoming a cook I'm sure she would be able to whip you into shape soon enough. But lack of material or opportunity shouldn't cause you to turn away from the craft you excel at."

Náin nodded in agreement, mouth full of roll, and then swallowed to reply.

"Yet what is there for me to do?"

"Maybe you just need to find some inspiration. You say you want to explore this place, but you need a guide. Well, I can offer myself if you will have me. Frodides is back to full strength now, and the Hall is not so busy at the moment. All the building work has people looking for simpler meals, so I think my dear mentor could spare me a few hours of the week. What do you think?"

Formendacil · 08-12-2006, 07:30 PM

"What do you think?"

Náin had little hesitation in responding. If someone was willing to occupy his mind during his doldrums, he'd not be the one complaining. It was an unexpected gesture, from the Dwarf's point of view, though.

"I would gladly have your company and assistance in seeing and exploring Edoras and the close countryside," replied Náin, "provided that Frodides is as agreeable as you say. I would not upset so fine a cook! Nor would I wish to face the men of this hall were I to do so!"

Kara laughed. If anyone in the Hall knew Frodides well, it was her.

"Don't worry," she told him. "I'm equally willing to let Frodides get the same rests on the days when I'm working. And when there's not enough work to satisfy two cooks, things can get tense."

"In that case then," said Náin, with a grand bow, "I accept your offer with a good will. But I would be sure that you are as willing as you say! Surely, there are other things you could be doing in your spare time. Any family? Or interests other than the cooking which occupies you? Or a perhaps a young man? I would not have you spend your time on me if there are others with a better claim."

Kath · 08-12-2006, 07:57 PM

Blushing Kara shook her head. It seemed Náin truly had become comfortable around her. A month ago he'd barely have looked at her, and now he was asking for intimate details. She was glad though, awkward silences were not something she was overly fond of.

"I am as willing as I say, for if I were not willing I would not say it. I have no demands but this Hall to claim my time. My family is too far away for a single days travel and I enjoy walking and talking, both of which we would be doing. As to a young man, well, I believe potential suitors would be hard put to impress Frodides, who has appointed herself my local guardian."

"Perhaps she simply wishes not to lose you? After all, such a friend would take up much of your time." Náin spoke steadily and there was no trace of a smile upon his face, but Kara was sure she could hear amusement in his voice. She flicked her cloth at him in a manner she had unconsciously picked up from Frodides and turned his comment back on him, wondering if his natural inclination to shyness would come out again.

"Well then, with all the time we will be spending together she won't be taking to you much these next few weeks."

Celuien · 08-13-2006, 07:50 AM

Garmund took a moment to think before answering Thornden's question. Looking back, there was nothing he could remember that had caused him trouble. It was Lèoðern's spending so much time with Cnebba which irked him.

"Well, no. She's not causing trouble. But she's with Cnebba so much now. It used to be that just the two of us played together. And now they're always playing games and...and"

You're out. Lèoðern's words returned to him, and his voice trailed off. That was just it. Garmund thought that he was always left out.

"Yes, my lad?" Thornden broke in, encouraging Garmund to continue.

"And it's like they don't want me around anymore." Annoyance and frustration rang clearly in Garmund's voice. "Lèoðern was my sister before Cnebba ever came here. Now it's almost as if he was her brother and I'm not. Why can't it be the way it was before?"

littlemanpoet · 08-14-2006, 06:45 PM

Falco passed into the kitchen and snitched a roll on is way through, his quiet feet almost escaping the notice of the cooks before he was through the door. "Rascal!" Frodides cried at his fleeing back. But before him were other words in a different tone.

"Why can't it be the way it was before?" It was young Garmund.

"Why can't what be?" Falco interrupted, as if the conversation was his by right to intervene into. Lucky for him he was a hobbit, for Garmund seemed to find it easy enough to talk to someone of his own height, even if he was an adult. Besides, he had already been out with it once, or so it seemed, so Falco was all ears as he made quick work of his snitched roll.

"My sis used to play with me. Now she always plays with Cnebba instead."

Falco knew what was up right away. Such things were not reserved for children; they happened among full growns as well, at least back in the Shire they did as much as not, and probably more than most places as far as he could tell.

"Tell you what," he said conspiratorially to both Garmund and Thornden as he lit up his pipe. "Why don't we have our own fun, us three? We can have so much fun they'll want to stop what they're doing and join in on ours! What do you think about that?"

Formendacil · 08-15-2006, 03:52 PM

"Well then, with all the time we will be spending together she won't be taking to you much these next few weeks."

The thought had not occured to Náin yet, but it did so now with aclarity: if he was to go spending a good deal of time in Kara's company- during her hours of leisure, at that- then who knew what tongues might set about awaggling. He was single, she was single. And his being a Dwarf, rather than serving to insulate them from any nasty rumours, would most likely aggravate them and add to the scandal.

Náin could feel his cheeks turning red hot. This is nonsense! he told himself. You're predicting scandal long before there is any. And it's not as if you were planning to be acting any way less than perfectly decorously. She's not even a Dwarf, after all! Besides, you've already accepted her offer.

Náin looked up, and saw Kara looking at him queerly. Did his face show his thoughts so transparently?

"That, er, really um... grieves me," said Náin, stumbling over his words, something he hadn't done in front of Kara in weeks. "I'd much rather remain in Frodides good cooks- books! Not cooks, books!"

Hands clenched firmly behind his back, where they wouldn't fidget or shake, Náin attempted to master his stammering speech.

"Well, if you are willing as you say, I shall be pleased to accept. When do you anticipate having a day to take off?"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-10-2006, 11:23 PM	#1
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	"My thanks, Kara," said Náin, accepting the roll. Now that he had someone to talk to, he showed no signs of departing immediately, but appeared in a mood to chat, if not to be shiningly cheerful. Over the course of two months, he'd grown familiar enough with Kara not to get too flustered in her presence, and he enjoyed the company of Frodides, whose no-nonsense and authoritarian approach to running the kitchen appealed to him. "I envy you," Náin told Kara, taking the roll. "Able to work at your craft every day, producing these things of beauty- doing something useful and praiseworthy. I chafe at the delay between projects to occupy me, and Garstan is a worthy mason who needs little in the way of assistance." "It's hardly all fun and games feeding the Mead Hall," said Kara, working at doing just that, flitting around at various tasks while talking. "People never stop being hungry, you know." "I do not know how it is for Men," said Náin, "but Dwarves, for the most part, would rather put their hands to steady labour that taxes them, even taxes them overmuch, than to sit idle day in and day out. We need things to occupy our hands and our minds." "Surely not only work can do that," said Kara, pausing after wiping off a counter. "Surely you can occupy your hands and minds just as easily at work as at play." "Under normal circumstances, yes," agreed Náin. "But I have had more play and less work than usual, and I prefer to be productive. And there is only so much in the way of play to occupy a strange Dwarf in this city. Even after two months, I'm still a stranger to most of the city and lands outside this Mead Hall. The people and places that would entertain a local such as yourself are unknowable to me- at least without a guide. And, it irks me to say, most of those around me are better occupied with work than I am." "Well, I would envy you rather than pity you," said Kara. "You're willing to help bake and cook, as far as I'm concerned- though you'd have to do exactly as Frodides told you, lest you find yourself boiling with the vegetables." "No fear there!" Náin held up his roll-filled hand. "I have no talent in the culinary arts. Merely a great appreciation and taste for the craft." He bit into the roll as a demonstration. "And this, I might add," he continued, "is most definitely beyond my abilities."

08-11-2006, 09:03 AM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Garmund seemed to struggle inside himself for a moment after Thornden asked his question. A clear expression of anger passed over his face for a moment. His little jaw tightened and relaxed and his eyes darted away briefly. But then he looked back at Thornden and asked a question the man was not at all expecting. “Do you have a sister?” “Well, yes, I do actually,” Thornden said, smiling a little. “Three, in fact. You have one, too. . .” Garmund nodded shortly. “Has she been causing you trouble?” Thornden asked. He kept his face carefully straight, not allowing any of his amusement to show. Siblings’ quarrels were not uncommon, as he well knew, but he figured it would be easily sorted out.

08-11-2006, 11:26 AM	#3
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Kara had wondered whether Náin would be willing to talk, but once he'd settled himself onto a stool he had opened up. He spoke of his troubles finding something worthwhile to do, especially since his true skill was not much called upon here. In fact, for all intents and purposes, the Dwarf was bored. Smiling in delight at the compliment he gave her, Kara dropped another roll onto his plate in thanks. "Frodides is a good teacher, if you did turn your mind to becoming a cook I'm sure she would be able to whip you into shape soon enough. But lack of material or opportunity shouldn't cause you to turn away from the craft you excel at." Náin nodded in agreement, mouth full of roll, and then swallowed to reply. "Yet what is there for me to do?" "Maybe you just need to find some inspiration. You say you want to explore this place, but you need a guide. Well, I can offer myself if you will have me. Frodides is back to full strength now, and the Hall is not so busy at the moment. All the building work has people looking for simpler meals, so I think my dear mentor could spare me a few hours of the week. What do you think?"

08-12-2006, 07:30 PM	#4
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	"What do you think?" Náin had little hesitation in responding. If someone was willing to occupy his mind during his doldrums, he'd not be the one complaining. It was an unexpected gesture, from the Dwarf's point of view, though. "I would gladly have your company and assistance in seeing and exploring Edoras and the close countryside," replied Náin, "provided that Frodides is as agreeable as you say. I would not upset so fine a cook! Nor would I wish to face the men of this hall were I to do so!" Kara laughed. If anyone in the Hall knew Frodides well, it was her. "Don't worry," she told him. "I'm equally willing to let Frodides get the same rests on the days when I'm working. And when there's not enough work to satisfy two cooks, things can get tense." "In that case then," said Náin, with a grand bow, "I accept your offer with a good will. But I would be sure that you are as willing as you say! Surely, there are other things you could be doing in your spare time. Any family? Or interests other than the cooking which occupies you? Or a perhaps a young man? I would not have you spend your time on me if there are others with a better claim."

08-12-2006, 07:57 PM	#5
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Blushing Kara shook her head. It seemed Náin truly had become comfortable around her. A month ago he'd barely have looked at her, and now he was asking for intimate details. She was glad though, awkward silences were not something she was overly fond of. "I am as willing as I say, for if I were not willing I would not say it. I have no demands but this Hall to claim my time. My family is too far away for a single days travel and I enjoy walking and talking, both of which we would be doing. As to a young man, well, I believe potential suitors would be hard put to impress Frodides, who has appointed herself my local guardian." "Perhaps she simply wishes not to lose you? After all, such a friend would take up much of your time." Náin spoke steadily and there was no trace of a smile upon his face, but Kara was sure she could hear amusement in his voice. She flicked her cloth at him in a manner she had unconsciously picked up from Frodides and turned his comment back on him, wondering if his natural inclination to shyness would come out again. "Well then, with all the time we will be spending together she won't be taking to you much these next few weeks."

08-13-2006, 07:50 AM	#6
Celuien Riveting Ribbiter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Assigned to Mordor Posts: 1,767	Garmund took a moment to think before answering Thornden's question. Looking back, there was nothing he could remember that had caused him trouble. It was Lèoðern's spending so much time with Cnebba which irked him. "Well, no. She's not causing trouble. But she's with Cnebba so much now. It used to be that just the two of us played together. And now they're always playing games and...and" You're out. Lèoðern's words returned to him, and his voice trailed off. That was just it. Garmund thought that he was always left out. "Yes, my lad?" Thornden broke in, encouraging Garmund to continue. "And it's like they don't want me around anymore." Annoyance and frustration rang clearly in Garmund's voice. "Lèoðern was my sister before Cnebba ever came here. Now it's almost as if he was her brother and I'm not. Why can't it be the way it was before?"

08-14-2006, 06:45 PM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Falco passed into the kitchen and snitched a roll on is way through, his quiet feet almost escaping the notice of the cooks before he was through the door. "Rascal!" Frodides cried at his fleeing back. But before him were other words in a different tone. "Why can't it be the way it was before?" It was young Garmund. "Why can't what be?" Falco interrupted, as if the conversation was his by right to intervene into. Lucky for him he was a hobbit, for Garmund seemed to find it easy enough to talk to someone of his own height, even if he was an adult. Besides, he had already been out with it once, or so it seemed, so Falco was all ears as he made quick work of his snitched roll. "My sis used to play with me. Now she always plays with Cnebba instead." Falco knew what was up right away. Such things were not reserved for children; they happened among full growns as well, at least back in the Shire they did as much as not, and probably more than most places as far as he could tell. "Tell you what," he said conspiratorially to both Garmund and Thornden as he lit up his pipe. "Why don't we have our own fun, us three? We can have so much fun they'll want to stop what they're doing and join in on ours! What do you think about that?"

08-15-2006, 03:52 PM	#8
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	"Well then, with all the time we will be spending together she won't be taking to you much these next few weeks." The thought had not occured to Náin yet, but it did so now with aclarity: if he was to go spending a good deal of time in Kara's company- during her hours of leisure, at that- then who knew what tongues might set about awaggling. He was single, she was single. And his being a Dwarf, rather than serving to insulate them from any nasty rumours, would most likely aggravate them and add to the scandal. Náin could feel his cheeks turning red hot. This is nonsense! he told himself. You're predicting scandal long before there is any. And it's not as if you were planning to be acting any way less than perfectly decorously. She's not even a Dwarf, after all! Besides, you've already accepted her offer. Náin looked up, and saw Kara looking at him queerly. Did his face show his thoughts so transparently? "That, er, really um... grieves me," said Náin, stumbling over his words, something he hadn't done in front of Kara in weeks. "I'd much rather remain in Frodides good cooks- books! Not cooks, books!" Hands clenched firmly behind his back, where they wouldn't fidget or shake, Náin attempted to master his stammering speech. "Well, if you are willing as you say, I shall be pleased to accept. When do you anticipate having a day to take off?"