Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 23, 2009 12:51:20 GMT -5
The Stable Master had arrived the usual hour, broad morning light shining through the open doors of the Steward’s grand stable. Faeldor had been accustomed to mornings such as these; the past weeks he had risen early to collect his lady from the third tier, and walk her to the foresteps of the Tower Hall. Then, with the air still dim and dark, Faeldor would wander alone near the Court of the Fountain. His only companions the men that steadfast stood their ground on four sides to watch over the east, west, north, and south.
Faeldor would take his time to walk along the white cobbles all the way to the very edge of the outcropping of the city; the battlement. From here the Pelennor spread before, and he could see the great gate of the first tier. Indeed, the city was majestic.
As the first rays of sun could be seen coming up over the black mountains of the east, the Stable Master would turn and descend past the seven towers to the sixth tier where his stable lay. Now, morning was rising, and the cavaliers were coming to ready their mounts for the day of training ahead. Most had been out late the night before, due to the ball in the palace, and thus a feeling of lethargy filled the air while the men moved slowly. Faeldor, however, was quite awake, alert, and himself, and he hummed a tune between sending the stable hands on their orders, then he sang softly as he walked past each stall, checking each individual horse for signs of distress or content. Such were his duties.
“How plain and height With dewdrops are bright! How pearls have crown'd The plants all around! How sighs the breeze Thro' thicket and trees! How loudly in the sun's clear rays The sweet birds carol forth their lays!
But, ah! above, Where saw I my love, Within her room, Small, mantled in gloom, Enclosed around, Where sunlight was drown'd, How little there was earth to me, With all its beauteous majesty!”
As he moved on, the Stable Master caught a glimpse of a certain cavalier, of whom he indeed needed to have words with. It was Durion, of course, the man who seemed to find all kinds of trouble to insidiously cause. It seemed that he had almost made a game of bringing this distress upon Faeldor and his own loved ones, not to mention the poor horses of which he worked with. Just a few weeks past he had demanded a new mount once more, and as the man worked under the Captains, he was obliged to find a new horse. Though, Faeldor doubted that Durion would treat the horse with proper care and respect, and it was likely he would soon demand another. As always.
“Durion,” Faeldor said gruffly, all light from his voice had been lost as he approached the stall. As usual, he did not address the man with anything but his name, for in Faeldor’s mind, he deserved no title. He tried to keep the tenseness of his muscles at bay, for the man had after all done nothing to offend him this very moment, other than exist. Though, what he had done the day prior was enough to warrant Faeldor’s previous anger to return to him. He did not wait to listen for the man’s velvety and mocking response, which was sure to be coming soon, and so he continued, standing tall in the gateway of the stall, and he crossed his arms in front of him. “You have highly offended three ladies of whom I care for.” He lowered his voice, cutting right to the point, for he was in no mood to humor the foul man. “I cannot expect that you will right any of the things you have done or said on your own, so perhaps you will have me right them for you,” he threatened, as he visibly clenched his fists.
If it would resort to such a threat being carried out, the Stable Master would be quite glad to do so. After all, he had not laid a hand on the man since they were teenagers, though it seemed that the way Durion was lately treating his family; a beating was in short order.
In Summer- Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
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Durion
Man
Gondorian Calvary
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 72
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Post by Durion on Sept 23, 2009 13:22:07 GMT -5
Durion had awoken with a great feeling of bitterness. It was not uncommon, perhaps, for the man to feel such hatred and loathing for life itself, but most days he had some game to play and soothe him. Last night had not offered him the slightest bit of satiation; women had been evasive to his ploys, Rosiel had been at his arm near the whole evening and Miriel had not given him the reaction he had desired. The only thing that had truly amused him any was the brief dance where he had swept up the wretched servant girl and danced with her. In truth, he would have been quite willing to bring the lady home with him that very evening—all others had seemed to turn him down readily. But that had not been what he had offered her.
No, the man was far too cunning and manipulative to be so outward about it. So, when Faeldor had been quite occupied, he had made his move. There, as he readied himself for a long day of training—oh, he hated his position!—he pictured the horrified but pensive look upon Gilwen’s face. Oh, she had detested his very offer, but in the same moment. Her eyes. He had seen the desire to provide for her family. He grinned maliciously and proudly to himself as me moved out the door.
The sun was starting to rise when he found himself in the stables. It was a horrendous place; so many beasts, with foul smells. All the men seemed just as loathe to be there that day as he. Though, for Durion, it was everyday that he did not wish to serve the Steward in such a way. He looked over the men.
Did they not see that Gondor would fall?
Could they fool themselves that well?
He found his stall, now filled with a new creature. A beauty he was, though Durion could not have cared. It stomped its hooves and snorted upon seeing him, and already its ears were laying back against his skull. Durion glared at it sharply and began to move to tack it. He was above this. Shouldn’t the stable lads prepare the horses for the cavalry?
His grumbling thoughts continued, and the horse continued to be trouble and nervous. Durion was well near losing it. Could not a single horse this stable had be decent? And then, he heard it. “Durion.”
Instantly the charade was on, and the man turned to smile to the stable master; though, the master hardly was smiling in return. There was nothing in the world that could have cheered him better than seeing the man so upset. “Master Faeldor.” He did not have time to get farther with questions or otherwise, for the man began to speak again.
“You have highly offended three ladies of whom I care for.”
One was Gilwen. That was obvious. The other two must have been his sisters, Durion imagined, though such a thought seized his heart tightly. Had Miriel told him? The coward in him began to step back away from the man slyly, though the façade needed to be kept. “Offended your ladies? I do not believe I understand,” the man flashed a velveteen smile. “Right it for me? Faeldor,” he offered a light laugh and upped his gentlemanly tone, though his eyes were a bit sharp and perhaps inwardly he was a bit fearful of such a threat. “I did think you matured. Clearly I was wrong,” he finished.
The horse backed away from Durion, though did approach Faeldor, extending his nose in such a way as to beg to be let go. Durion grumbled inwardly. Worthless beasts.
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 24, 2009 10:55:57 GMT -5
“Barad…” Faeldor said imperturbably as he reached up to stroke the stallion’s black nose. The poor creature was in obvious state of distress, and all Durion had so far done was begin to tack him. To think that the unfortunate thing must be subject to that man atop it the entire day. Faeldor patted the horse, inwardly willing him to throw the man during the daily training sessions.
He ignored for some moments the comment of ‘maturing’, though the man deeming to ‘not understand’ the offensive things he had done was quite disquieting. “Must I directly tell you then, that you shall not use my sister Miriel, by any means for your own pleasure? It is apparent that you shall never mature. Though, I doubt hearing such will make you any more likely, you will have ” The rising tone of the Stable Master’s voice was kept at bay, for the sake of the already troubled horse which was nuzzling him still.
He should have beat the man long ago; it very well should have been done the first moment he had known that Miriel was seeing to him. Miriel had not known what she was doing to herself. Despite her adult behavior; her mind not twisted as Durion’s, and her actions were only her way of looking for comfort. Durion did not provide comfort for women though. He took his own comfort from them, and then cast them out when he grew tired of it. The Stable Master could not bring himself to call his sister a sleeper for her own right, for the way that Durion had manipulated her; despite his displeasure at MIriel’s actions.
“Gilwen will never set foot to work in your household. Whatever work it is that you would have her do. She is not the harlot that you have made her out to be. Do not lay a hand, nor even an eye on her again,” Faeldor instructed gruffly; to think that the man had danced with her the night previous!
“And it would be in your best interest to leave my other sister alone as well. Pity the man who angers her when she is not in the company of the Captains of Gondor. You are well lucky that she only went after your foot yesterday,” he said, a slight smile drawn over his lips at the thought. Beleth had done what Faeldor should have. His own pride had kept him from such though; for he did not wish to fall to Miriel’s level of indiscriminant beatings. Though; if it were for true protection of the ladies, he would return to his youthful ways.
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Durion
Man
Gondorian Calvary
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 72
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Post by Durion on Sept 24, 2009 15:04:01 GMT -5
It was actually a good thing that Faeldor had come to him; the horse had been stilled and quelled just well enough for Durion to finish his tacking. Blasted thing. Useless, all of the horses of this stable.
The only tenseness he had left in his chest over the matter of Miriel faded as he approached the subject again. At least for now no true harm would come of him. Certainly the very Stable Master could not strike him in the very center of the stables! Such a show of dishonor that would be to his family.
Instead Durion listened and finally laughed, “Used your sister for pleasure?” His lilt sounded only faintly genuine. Indeed, he had used Miriel for physical pleasure. But most of it he derived from Faeldor himself—his life was quite fun to mess with.
Then, the subject continued to flow to the topic of Gilwen. Oh, the wretch he had just brought his own thoughts to. He looked curious indeed upon him and then continued in mock confusion. “Whatever would you like her to do, then? I was merely trying to lighten her load. It is not fair for a lady to work so hard. Her family could surely use the extra wages. And,” he paused a moment as he grinned slightly. “The work is well suited for her area of…expertise.” Whether he was speaking of the scrubbing, or taking a blow to her supposed reputation was unclear. Though, whichever it was brought him immense pleasure. “I do believe she was interested in it; you do care for her, do you not? Would you not like to see her not work herself to death? I thought I was being a gentleman.” He grinned inwardly.
Then Faeldor continued with the subject of Beleth. That sister was quite a bit more troublesome than any of the others. And a woman to cause him such grief! Faeldor he was frightened of; his strength alone outdid Durion in all ways. But his sister. She was quite frightening as well. Indeed, she seemed much bolder. Though, Faeldor had been when they were younger, too.
“Perhaps your sister would do well to learn etiquette.” He glowered dangerously. “Lest she lets her impulses carry her to trouble, too.” Faeldor, Miriel, Beleth…they all were so the same. Faeldor had always been brash; abrasive in force and a bit of a sweet-talker with the ladies. Miriel had relinquished herself on the very first night of true company with Durion, and Beleth…well, she was a wild one. Her actions at the ball that night previous certainly attested to that.
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 26, 2009 13:48:04 GMT -5
“Used your sister for pleasure?” The tone of that statement had not pleased the Stable Master; he only found himself more enraged at it, and he entered the stall, moving past the horse this time and toward the man that seemed to be staying away from his reach. If anyone should chose to harass his family, Durion had done so in the worst possible way. Faeldor had been so angry with Miriel, that he had ignored her for the past two months now, and as he realized this, he also realized how defenseless his sister had been. Perhaps his anger surged more at this thought than anything else.
Gilwen’s words coursed through the Stable Master’s mind. “Do make sure it stays at words.” Faeldor did well to contain himself. His lady had been quite right; and though she was certainly more likely to wish that Faeldor not bloody himself over the matter; the Stable Master was more concerned that he keep his actions appropriate for the work place. After all, he was setting the example here; any number of stable hands or cavaliers would see if he took his aggression to physical terms.
Faeldor was certain that should he see the man anywhere but here at his work, he would not be able to restrain himself. Durion acted as if he did not know what he had done, yet his attitude was so mocking that Faeldor was assured the man knew quite well of his actions.
He felt the fury bubbling up in the pit of his stomach as Durion continued to speak. “I thought I was being a gentleman.” “I will show you how a gentleman acts when his lady and sisters are threatened,” Faeldor almost growled, his grey eyes seeming to bore through the man before him. He stepped forward and grabbed the man by the arm roughly, pushing him back heavily against the wall of the stall. “Do not dare to touch them, nor will you make them any more offers. And I should warn you not to come within my presence if we are outside these stables.” As he finished his sentence, he stepped back, giving the man a heated glare, and walked out of the stall.
Learn etiquette! Should Durion speak of learning proper etiquette? Narbeleth was the least likely of her family to find herself in trouble, it was certain. The girl had a bright mind on her, and a quick defense, should she need it. She had proven herself of that the night before. Certainly Durion’s wiles could not get through to her. At least not without him losing his limbs. He almost smiled at the thought of it.
Then the man stopped, and turned once more. “Though, I do thank you for taking Rosiel off my hands for the evening,” he said. Perhaps it was the most appreciative thing that Faeldor had ever said to Durion in all of their lifetimes. He was quite glad that Rosiel had been occupied with Durion the whole night. She had only attempted to dance with him once. “In fact, you looked quite nice together,” he smirked malevolently.
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Durion
Man
Gondorian Calvary
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 72
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Post by Durion on Sept 26, 2009 15:00:55 GMT -5
Faeldor was certainly fuming. The dangerous fire glinting in his grey eyes bore into Durion as if they were swords and daggers. But still, Durion was not willing to truly show how much he was intimidated. Instead, he kept his face stoic and calm. His own hatred flared, though. He detested Faeldor more than any other being on the face of the planet.
The only man who truly bothered to physically confront him. His blood ran cold as the stable master thrust him up against the wall, though a slight bit of fear only showed for the first seconds of it. Once he was sure that Faeldor was not going to continue, though, Durion allowed himself a flash of smile. “Now, now, Master Faeldor. Watch your temper.”
“I will show you how a gentleman acts when his lady and sisters are threatened.”
Faeldor was clearly furious. “Is this the way a gentleman asks?” Durion asked ostentatiously. Faeldor’s threats, though, did ice Durion’s inner core. If he was this angry now, and knew nothing of Miriel’s condition—well, Durion was certain that everything would be much more heated then. He would certainly be beaten then.
“Though, I do thank you for taking Rosiel off my hands for the evening.”
Durion growled himself. “I would not thank me,” he said finally. “I do believe she is still quite devoted to you.” The cavalier snapped. It was the truth. The only reason Rosiel had stayed so close to him was because, he believed, she wished for Faeldor to come rescue her as well.
He stared after him, finally gripping the reins of Barad tightly in his hands. “Do have a nice day, Faeldor.” He spat in velvet tone. “I hope work is not too hard on you.” Actually, he hoped it was horrendous. But that was not something his facade would let him utter.
The horse struggled, but indeed the man got it out of the stall. Blast, this day was horrible already.
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 26, 2009 16:26:10 GMT -5
The way a gentleman must act; yes indeed. This was the way a gentleman acted when those he cared for were insulted and used. Faeldor almost smiled at the look of fear in Durion’s eyes. True, the man was just as tall as the Stable Master, yet he cared not for his training, and thus his weakness showed through quite well in a time like this.
How he would love to bloody that malicious face! Well, the time would come. Not while he was on duty, afterall! And Gilwen had made him promise to restrain himself today. Today was just one day though; and he need to tell her of his future plans against the man. Even gentle Gilwen could not still the hatred that he felt for Durion.
“Pity, I am quite busy and do not have the time for her,” Faeldor muttered, walking away and ignoring Durion’s sentiment on having a fine day. He would not do that cavalier the honor of wishing him likewise. Though, he would not say such out loud, should Durion convict him of giving him an unruly horse once more; he did certainly wish that Barad would throw him! Break his neck, and rid us of his futility. He urged inwardly.
He did not look back; glad to hear once more when the man continued his struggle with the horse. He hoped that his day was long and tedious, and that Barad offered him no compliance. Poor horse. Though he would do quite well when passed on to one of the newer members of the Calvary, it was positive. Faeldor would see to giving him a better placement the next time around.
Faeldor was glad to have taken care of his matter of words with Durion, but now as he continued on, passing by the stalls where some of the stable hands were readying certain horses, he came to one stall. Within was a tall and bright young man, and Faeldor made cause to stop, once more leaning over the manger. Indeed, he was the second man of whom the Stable Master needed words with. Though, with this one the terms should not be so unkind.
“Good morning, Calon,” he announced the man’s name, his voice feeling a bit cheerier now after having thrust Durion against the wall, and relieved a bit of his anger at the man. Calon was pleasantry to handle after having dealt with Durion beforehand. Aside from that, the young stablehand always seemed in a fine mood. He seemed to be just as bright eyed this morning as any, Faeldor mused, and though he thought to keep himself away from such thoughts; he was pleased. The first thought which had come to mind upon seeing the man’s own joy and energy, was that his little sister needed someone of just the type.
Faeldor did not let himself think on the matter for more than the briefest second though, and instead he returned his thoughts to those of an older brother and guardian. Though Calon’s infringement on his household had not been undesirable or in a negative manner, and was in fact requested by the Stable Master himself, the brother was still quite protective of his little sister; however much pleasure she seemed to have gained from the night before. It was Faeldor’s responsibility, or at least he thought so, to see to it that Beleth had been finely cared for, and that Calon here had not overstepped his boundaries.
“I am in need to thank you; for looking after my Narbeleth last evening. I should have warned you beforehand, she is quite the lively one. Though, I am sure you have noticed.” He paused, smiling now cheerfully. He would at least properly greet the man before delving into the fact that though he had returned his sister safe and sound; he had returned her at an hour entirely late. And indeed, hours after they had left the ball.
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Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Sept 26, 2009 16:56:26 GMT -5
It was a bright and sunny morning. Calon was overjoyed, in truth. Even the normally cheery man was more so today. His night previous had been beyond all hopes of perfection, in his opinion. The blue eyes were sparkling, and inwardly he hummed a song from the night before. Just a few hours of work; that was all he needed to stay focused for. And how much unlike work it felt today!
He was in a horse’s stall, a gentle and smart stallion, giving the horse a good brushing. Grooming was not something he normally handled, but he desired to leave the mucking until after lunch. That way, when Beleth came to the stables that afternoon, he would not smell so foully.
He heard his name.
He knew the voice.
Instantly the man turned to see Faeldor leaning over the manger. “Master Faeldor,” the man chimed brightly in response. He was unsure of what to make of it. It was not often that the stable hand was approached by the Head of Stables; not unless there was work he needed to be doing elsewhere or something had not been done properly. The latter was rarely an occurrence. Calon knew his horses. Indeed, the day had just started!
Was he perhaps here for last night? Faeldor had beaten he and Beleth to her home. Still, the bright man did not let any hesitation show upon his face. Even as the man began to speak. “Though, I am sure you have noticed.”
This made Calon grin widely. “I certainly have. I have not met anyone quite like her,” Calon offered further, still moving the course brush in circles down the horse’s side. “It was not a problem for me to take her, though.” He paused a moment and flashed eyes upward to the man. He was certainly smiling, probably in fine spirits by the look of things.
He decided to test the waters a bit. If he was in a fine mood, perhaps he could inquire as to archery lessons for Beleth. How nice it would be to be able to tell her of the news when she came! “She is quite the talker. But it kept me from being bored.”
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 26, 2009 19:16:54 GMT -5
“Good, I am glad you had no trouble taking her. It appeared that you needed some encouragement to make it there yourself, at any rate,” he said knowingly. The man had after all been lanking about the stables the night previous, and asking for work to do.
“And I saw she did offer her support in the dancing as well?” The Stable Master looked on proudly as the young man curried the horse. The stallion was behaving quite nicely, and the calm and careful way the stablehand worked with him was quite the opposite of the way Durion had previously been handling his horse. Calon was quite lucky to be spoken to at this very moment by the Stable Master, for Faeldor surely would have been harder on him had he not had Miriel’s Durion to compare him to.
“She is quite the talker. But it kept me from being bored.” The Stable Master smiled. What the lovely inlet Calon had offered for Faeldor’s own questioning. Of course, he was in no foul mood anymore, after having startled Durion out of his mind, he would merely interrogate him a bit.
“No, of course you have never met another like her. Our Beleth is well cherished for the liveliness and joy she brings our family.” Young Calon would know very well how cherished his younger sister was to the House of Faelon.
“Indeed. She kept you from being bored for quite a time, I imagine. You made it back reasonably late, if I remember correctly. Although, I wonder at the fact that you left the ball so many hours before I did; yet you still did not return my sister home until after I had already made my way there. Albeit, you kept her quite entertained for those hours, I have heard.”
Indeed, Faeldor had risen this morning to his little sister already cooking breakfast for him. Usually, Faeldor was the first one up now with his morning walks to collect Gilwen at the fourth tier. But Beleth had found the need this morning to be up and awake for him; for she had wished to ask him of his night, as well as to tell him of her own. She knew very well the mind of the Stable Master and the questions that he would ask, so she had been quite prepared.
He had heard quite well of the night previous now, and Beleth had said in every way but outright that she was entirely taken by the man that he had sent her with. Of course, she had not mentioned the way that they had climbed a forbidden tower, and how she had shed of her dancing gown, and danced before this young stablehand in only her undergarments and his own tunic. Of course Narbeleth was more intelligent than to admit such to her brother. But, Faeldor had seen her eyes, and he knew what eyes of the sort meant.
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Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Sept 26, 2009 21:42:25 GMT -5
“Yes, I suppose I did need encouragement.” Balls were so frilly. He still wished to organize that hunt he had thought fondly of the night previous. “Perhaps there should be a large hunt; that would be more of use for the men.” He grinned playfully as he turned his attentions back to the horse, switching brushes to begin to work with his mane.
Yes, Beleth had even encouraged him to dance. “A feat that not many can say they witnessed. And even fewer can say they spurred.” Despite Calon’s manly exterior, and what he believed was an interior as well, Beleth had already quite infatuated him. She was so different—there was nobody that he could ever meet that would ever compare to her. Lovely of face, yes. But lovely of spirit and soul!
Cherished. A pointed word choice. Calon seemed to feel that this conversation could be turning slightly to disapproval, though the smiling man did not falter in glittering eye or easy expression. He and Beleth had done nothing wrong.
Well, they had done many things that were perhaps forbidden…but nothing was morally wrong. They had simply enjoyed their time with one another. It had been a wonderful evening indeed. Faeldor continued to speak, and Calon’s heart began to tighten a slight.
“Although, I wonder at the fact that you left the ball so many hours before I did; yet you still did not return my sister home until after I had already made my way there.”
Calon smiled easily, though and looked up to him to see if he was upset. Indeed, his grey eyes still seemed light, and he did not hold a frown. “We did leave—such gatherings were a bit too stifling.” He immediately regretted his word choice, though did not let it show outwardly and instead continued to explain. “Most of the men and women were there to impress one another. Fine clothes and dancing are not what suit me best,” he laughed slightly. “I do believe Bel agreed.” He looked back down to the horse a moment and tried to speak quickly enough so as to force the nickname he had just uttered from Faeldor’s mind.
“We favored a bit of fresh air.” Calon looked up for a moment and said, rather seriously for the jubilant soul he was, “I did not take advantage of her.” Had he thought he was so quick to use a lady? Did he jump to such a conclusion because she had come home late? How was he ever going to get permission to take her for an archery lesson?
His mind was whirring at a high speed, though he diligently and happily resumed his work. He disliked idle hands; though, he felt the draw of the Firien Woods upon him with such frantic thoughts. He needed something to still himself. Or, something to give him a window to ask about taking Beleth out again.
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 27, 2009 13:28:16 GMT -5
Faeldor nodded as Calon spoke. It was understandable that his sister would not have wished to stay for hours in such an atmosphere, and also true it seemed that Calon had not wished to attend the ball in the first place. Faeldor did not take offense at that. Indeed, he had enjoyed the ball, for he did love to mingle with the crowds, and both he and Gilwen loved to dance. It went without saying that he had given Gilwen one of the loveliest dresses of anyone in attendance, and he did wish for people to see her. Rumors had cast an unpleasant glow upon her, and he did wish that all would see her true loveliness.
“I do believe Bel agreed.” Faeldor held his expression steady, as if not to notice the gentle slip which Calon had allowed to pass his lips, though he was amused with the way he tried to cover it up. Bel was it? Sweet Narbeleth had made the same error of speech this morning when she had referred to the man he was now speaking to as Cal. However, when she had said it, she had covered her mouth and then he thought he had seen his confident sister blush. They were on friendly terms already weren’t they?
“I did not take advantage of her.” “No, of course you did not. Else you would have lost your position here at the stables; it is certain,” Faeldor noted. His voice was still friendly, though the warning was now laid out. Certainly young Calon already knew such though, for he had been quick to divulge the information that no such thing had happened. It was certain Faeldor would not have taken such news well.
“You are interested in seeing her again?” Faeldor questioned lightly, leaning against the frame of the stall. “She did hint to me something this morning of borrowing one of my horses for an excursion…” Faeldor started. Of course, Narbeleth had elaborated, more than hinted; and spoken of riding, archery lessons, and a grand hunt. Then again, if Faeldor spoke too much on what his sister had said, he would not hear the very word’s he wished from Calon. What had the man in mind for Narbeleth?
Faeldor was a sensible man. He would not wish for his sister’s unhappiness, after all, especially with his own circumstances. He could not. Yet, it was within his brotherly duty to not trust Calon immediately.
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Calon
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Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Sept 27, 2009 14:28:13 GMT -5
“No, of course you did not. Else you would have lost your position here at the stables; it is certain.”
Well, Calon had guessed at such things the evening before. Beleth had, after all, spoken on how protective her Faeldor was. Part of his tendencies at taking such care were evident in the way he ran the stables, now that Calon had thought on it. Moreover, he never would have dreamt of doing something so foul to so fair a lady; but hearing Faeldor’s threat! Even spoken with such lightness unnerved him. Perhaps today was not the right time to ask to take Beleth out another time.
But it seemed Faeldor was going to work his way into knowing such things anyway. Calon’s bright smile did not falter, though. “She did hint to me something this morning of borrowing one of my horses for an excursion…” The man was a master at keeping his emotions at bay. “Oh, did she?” He seemed a bit surprised, though faintly, that she had already broached the subject to him, though. She had told him last night it could take some time to convince her brother that he was a decent man enough to take young Beleth out.
He grinned up at Faeldor in a pleasant manner and dropped the brush back into it’s place among the hanging tacks of the stall. “Well, she expressed great interest when she learned I am an avid hunter.” He pat the horse’s neck a moment to thank it for being so calm and docile and stepped around it as he continued. “Narbeleth did seem to speak on interests that were a bit different from other ladies, so I thought perhaps she might enjoy a good hunt.” His heart was a bit raised in rate, for Faeldor was standing over the manger in such a way that it seemed to block the young man inside.
He did not know what else to say. Perhaps something that made him sound more trustworthy? “I would not take her into the woods, of course, without your permission. So I made sure she knew to ask for your permission first. Though, I will do the same. I also would not have her go not knowing the slightest thing in archery. I would not have her go helpless, though I would not leave her alone to danger.”
The blood was rushing within him. This was, by far, one of the most frightening adventures Calon had ever stumbled upon! Prayers that Faeldor agreed!
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Faeldor
Man
Head Stablemaster
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?[Mo0:1]
Posts: 556
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Post by Faeldor on Sept 27, 2009 15:28:00 GMT -5
“You wish to take her out to the Wood hunting then?” Faeldor repeated, drawing out the sentence. The Stable Master was quite uncertain that he should have “Just the two of you?” Faeldor would certainly not go on a hunting trip. As much as he enjoyed the forest, he was more keen on walking through it, and watching the animals, rather than killing them. If he ever would have shot a deer, he would not know what to do with it; for the thought of hanging one up for skinning, and managing all the blood and entrails were not Faeldor’s idea of a pleasant afternoon.
Faeldor did not wish to take his sister away from something she truly wished to do, but if Calon was truly interested in spending time with the woman, was it not a bit too soon to be taking her out of the city? Perhaps a supervised outing would be a much better idea, or even staying in the city. After all, Narbeleth hardly knew Calon! How could she be so certain of his intentions? “Well… I do not think—“
It appeared that yet again the Valar were looking after young Calon and Beleth, for almost as soon as Faeldor had started to speak, one of the stable lads came rushing up behind Faeldor, looking a bit nervous.
“Master Faeldor,” a young lad interrupted, peering over the manger to see who the Stable Master was speaking with. It was Bregor, one of the stable lads, and he looked a bit nervous.
“Yes, Bregor?” Faeldor turned, smiling still.
“You sent me to get the linens from your quarters but…” Bregor paused for a moment, eyeing Calon. Would he be in trouble for speaking so in front of another stablehand? It was quite the important question. He would not displease the man, afterall. Faeldor waited patiently, his eyes urging the boy to continue.
“Well I went to gather the towels, but there are some… lady’s things in the room. A dress, and some… uhm… undergarments,” Bregor stated quietly, his face reddening slightly at having had to speak of such a thing to the Stable Master! “Would you have me send those with the rest of the linens?” he asked nervously.
Faeldor’s face became drawn, recalling that the night before he had, in fact, left Gilwen’s clothing in his room. They had not stopped to collect it after the festivities of the ball; and now this appeared compromising. He glanced to Calon for a moment, and then back to the boy. “No… set those upon my stool, and I will have them returned,” he instructed. “Do not send them out with the laundry. Gilwen was merely changing in the room, and we did not return to get her things after the ball last night.” He felt the need to explain, that Bregor should not pass on word of women’s things in the Stable Masters quarters to the other stable lads.
Oh, what a time for Bregor to interrupt! The young lad nodded. “Thank you, sir,” he said shortly, giving him a nod, before lighting off down the hall to do as he was told. Faeldor turned back to Calon, a little more stiffly this time. Of course, Calon had been present the night before at least, and knew that Gilwen had simply used his quarters as a changing room. He should not need to explain further, or bring up the topic again.
“Ah… where were we…” he started, fumbling over his words. “Hm… well, of course you would not leave her in danger. And my sister is not entirely defenseless, after all. You saw her with Durion last night,” he chuckled slightly, trying to find something to laugh about to ease his embarrassment, and return to the previous topic.
“It would do her well to release some of that energy in a constructive way, I suppose,” he said briefly. “And I am glad that you have asked permission first instead of simply taking her out.” Gilwen was still on his mind, and he did recall the very first day he had met his lady; and had without her father’s permission ushered her from the city. He had seen to her repeated times afterwards without so much as a thought of speaking with the man first. At least Calon was taking the right course of action.
He knew, if Beleth wished it, she would simply see the man without his permission, as Faeldor did with Gilwen. He had not quite set the appropriate example for her there. And with that, he decided to relent and allow it. Calon would do nothing with his sister outside of his permission, for he did not wish to lose his job.
“But pay it in your best mind to not let her out of your sight. And… do not take advantage of her impulsiveness,” he said firmly, his eyes set on the young stablehand’s.
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Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Sept 27, 2009 15:53:15 GMT -5
It had seemed that Faeldor was not going to allow him permission. Calon’s heart and face immediately fell. Once denied, Calon would not know if it would be right to persist. Would that not simply wear the stable master’s nerves thin? Could he not lose his job for being a bit pesky?
Was it a good time to interject that he was welcome to come along?
It seemed Calon did not have to worry on it. Indeed a young boy, Bregor, had come just in time. Though, the topic that seemed to be broached to the stable master immediately set him ill at ease. Calon, though, was actually quite amused by the conversation.
At the word “undergarments”, Faeldor’s expression tightened in embarrassment. Indeed, the little boy blushed at the mention of the word as well. Did a pinkness come to Faeldor’s tanned face as well? The young stablehand thought of laughing at the very change in demeanor, especially the way Faeldor began to explain to the child why they were there.
The boy seemed to take it well enough, though Faeldor did not recover quite as quickly or as well. Indeed he brought up the topic of Narbeleth once more and Durion, and seemed to laugh over the matter. Still, Calon was not sure whether or not it was for nerves or because he truly enjoyed it so well.
“Yes, she did give him well what he deserved. Actually, he deserves much more.” Calon’s words were light, though impulsive. If there was someone he had grown to hate in his few short months there in the city, it was Durion. The man was not governed by any sort of brain—and he was driven by the wrong male-urges.
Then, Faeldor consented. Calon beamed in a friendly manner. “Yes, she does have quite the amount of energy. I will keep an eye on her, though. I assure you.” He looked back to the horse and gave it another firm pat before approaching the stall manger.
“I will not allow her to injure herself, and I certainly will not take advantage of her impulses.” He was somewhat offended by the statement, though simply cleared his face of his smile as he caught his eye. He was serious, and he wished Faeldor to know this.
“I, after all, do still need my job.” He returned to his light hearted talk immediately, working the manger open and stepping out. “Of course if I idle, I shall lose it, too. Do excuse me.” He had a few more horses to groom, and to feed. By the afternoon he will have mucked many stalls as well. It was best to get to work; his heart was light with the permission he had received from the stable master.
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