Chapter I: Blood on the Snow - February 25th, 2960

[Wbweather]

The servant answers Éodir, "There reeve will meet with you this evening. You have several hours to prepare. There are others who are yet to arrive, so take your time, rest here or if you prefer, feel free to walk around town."

As he finishes, an attendant enters the room to tell Istril that her bath is drawn and offers to take escort her there if she is ready.

[Othniel]

The Gondorian woman claps her hands together. "Oh, thank you! That is very kind of you, yes." Before turning to follow the attended, she flashes a smile at the others. "I shall speak with the rest of you fine folks again soon, but I simply must wash away the dust of the road."

[HunterGreen]

"Quite the luxury, to have a bath drawn," Sangric observes to no one in particular, "but I suppose a lady requires such things, and one from a foreign land all the more. For my part, a river will do, and in the winter one simply has cause to be quicker about it. And to value the fire all the more on return!" He rises and ambles towards the bunk he claimed, next to the fire, but only to set his harp down. "In the season we can expect more bitter winds than today brings, so if the sun has long left to sink before our business is at hand, I will use the time to see more of Edoras than I have before." He's speaking as if everyone is listening to him, whether they are or not. "I have heard tales of the fountains of Edoras. I think I shall seek to see them." He pauses in the doorway in case anyone chooses to join him, but only a moment before he sets out to meander the streets of the King's city and see what sights there are to behold.

[Blubbo_Baggins]

Torwin had received the summons two weeks ago. He rode from the east of Rohan and today the clouds had finally given in to the weather they'd been threatening for days. The cold, driving rain was just a step from snow, and soon Torwin and Remn were soaked to the bone.

Entering the city, the weather reflected his mood. He would be glad to go and visit his sisters and relatives, but for the most part Edoras was a place of sad memories.

As he approaches the lodgings where a guard directed him he hears voices. A woman talked about a bath, and someone else about fountains.

"Or you could both simply step outside and get your wish," says a tall man who enters into the room. He is dressed in mostly black, his shoulder-length hair is wet, as most of his clothes drip with what appears to be rain. "It seems the heavens have heard your desires for bath and fountains." He had no beard, but neither had he shaved in a few days.

It is hard to tell whether he is frustrated by the weather, or trying to laugh at it by making a joke, neither his face nor tone of voice betray much emotion.

"In truth, I do not recommend going out, unless you desire to be cold and wet." He finds a bunk and sets his things down.

[HunterGreen]

Drawn up short in the doorway, Sangric is forced to step back to make room for the sopping-wet fellow. His customary smile is strained, but he still offers it to the new arrival. "It was pleasant enough an hour ago," he observes. "But I suppose the air itself may change if the whim takes it. A pity, as I had hoped to see the city, as poor weather and too much to do kept me from seeing it when last I was here. Misfortune indeed that the weather should follow you to our lodgings. There is a fire yonder," he gestures to a place not far from the bunk he already set his things on, "if you might care for some warmth." With that, and a glance out at the surly weather, he returns to his bunk, his cheer slightly deflated.

[Blubbo_Baggins]

Torwin nods at Sangric's words and moves to sit near the fire. He begins laying his wet clothes to dry near it and changes. "I am sure that now I am indoors, the weather will clear up shortly," he replies. Again, one cannot tell if he is joking, or melancholy. If the latter at least there seems to be a sense of humor about the situation.

[geomtje]

“What a shame..” Éodir sighs to himself wearing a frown on his face, which matches that of a tragedy mask. “I would have loved to explore Edoras.” He continues whilst looking down. “If only I wasn’t to rushed to take in the scenery.”

He then looks up at Sangric with his frown lifted up, displaying his bright and eager blue eyes. “Sir, you mentioned that you have been here before; in the city. What is it like? Is it as beautiful as they say it is?”

[HunterGreen]

"I can tell you all about the Golden Hall itself, at least its inside," Sangric says, his voice shifting at once into that of the teller of tales, his eyes warm and his expression eager. "The tapestries telling tales as grand as the history of the Mark itself, each one as tall as a tower, faded perhaps and musty with smoke, but intricate and beautiful like a song -- nay, like the song of an entire consort singing and playing together, rife with the tiny flourishes, notes you do not know you hear, unless you listen for them one by one, but which the song would be diminished without. The space so vast that a voice might carry and vanish, as it might in the open lands of Westfold, only to come back from an unexpected direction long after. The mighty and gleaming rising steps to the throne of the King, and the array of benches before on either side, at which a hundred hungry men might dine together, with room for shield-maidens and hangers-on too. And this just the mead-hall itself! Beyond many chambers, armories, closets, council-rooms, and many things besides, of which I saw but very little. One could spend days exploring Meduseld just to admire the heart-wood's grain of its timbers.

"But of the city itself? I saw scarcely anything more than I did this day, and the walk from here to the Golden Hall as well. Should the weather remain as it is until we are called to the Reeve, and thence depart, I will see no more of Edoras than I did last time. Let us hope that the sun returns before the cold makes such explorations untenable."

[geomtje]

Éodir’s eyes widen as Sangric tells about the golden hall and all its majesty. “I still cannot believe that I am invited to go there; it is such an honour!” He says with glee while standing up in a swift motion; having to control himself not to parade up there this very instant.

[Blubbo_Baggins]

Torwin raises an eyebrow at the kid's innocent exuberance. But then, he could not remember being that way, since such days ended for him years ago. At the same time, it reminded him of his sisters. Someone closely observing him might see the corner of his mouth turned in what might be described as a smile as he turns back again to the fire.

"Before all is said and done, I think you may grow used to seeing that hall," he replies.