Post by Tallaith on Feb 1, 2009 13:24:53 GMT -5
Maeywnne meets Ealdread at the Bree-Town Hunter's lodge to speak about some important business.
Maewynne makes her way to the Lodge, her eyes trained on her boots. She sighs to herself and looks for a secluded place to sit.
Ealdread says, 'So, gehola, what is on your mind?'
Maewynne clenches her hands in her lap, staring at them as she speaks quietly, seeming to force herself to talk. 'I told Ciaphias the truth. I'm afraid he needed to know... I felt that I was lying to him by keeping it to myself. He told me that Men are rotten at heart, all of them, and that I was a traitor and a liar. That I shouldn't have told him at all.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns slightly. "Perhaps that was best. Needless to say, I do not trust the motives of this fellow of whom you speak."
Maewynne says, 'He ran away again, leaving me to look after Coltsfoot again. Someday she'll not wait for him any more.'
Ealdread says, 'These things were most assuredly said in the heat of anger. I do not think he truly means what he said.'
Maewynne takes a breath to speak further but thinks twice about her words, falling silent for a long moment. "He still hasn't forgiven me. And I spoke to Madzir as well and he..." She bites her lip hard. 'He said I was no better than the one who poisoned Coltsfoot for drinking wine with the one who employs the one who tortured her.'
Ealdread nods, and is silent for some time, his brow knotted in thought. "I do not think you a traitor, nor as bad as the dog who has done this to the two of them. But, if I may speak freely with you?"
Maewynne nods, closing her eyes. "The truth would be no worse than the words I've already recieved. I've never heen hated or had anyone angry with me before. I'm without friends, I think sometimes." She stares harder at her hands in her lap, twisting them together in frustration. She nods. "Aye, I am a fool. I can't trust my own judgement now. I always thought I made the best choices for the good of most, whether it was good for me or not...I'm afraid I *am* just a simple lass. I'm too young for this...' She closes her eyes and falls silent, waiting for Ealdread to condemn her.
Ealdread smiles warmly, and lays a hand palm-up on the table. "We cannot always be right, nor wise. You have friends, still, and that is always better than being individually wise."
Maewynne peeks at his hand for a moment and shakes her head, casting her eyes down once more. "I've hurt two dear friends. I haven't forgiven myself and I won't until they do the same for me. And... I've made another mistake, perhaps. But I'm not sure."
Ealdread keeps his hand on the table, and his smile broadens. "Come now, eie faemne. We cannot expect perfection of ourselves, nor should those around us. I do not condemn you, nor do I hate you. Take my hand, and know this. And speak to me of this other mistake, if you would. I want no secrets harbored here.'
Maewynne hesitates as she lifts her hand to place it in his, then lets it rest there lightly. She looks as if she's trying very hard not to cry, looking only at their hands together on the table.
Ealdread squeezes her hand firmly, and lays his other over the top of hers.
Maewynne says, 'I've started to doubt that Cavanaugh made a bad choice in his actions. He's... been very kind to me. I mended him when Ciaphias crushed his ribs the night I told him about all this... And he's shown me nothing but kindness and courtesy.' She sighs sadly, pulling her hand away from his and tucking it back in her lap.
Ealdread nods, smile unwavering, and looks into her eyes. "A long while back, a man came to the court of my father - he was all decency and grace, and moved like a cat. We were all taken by him, all of us enrapt by his guile and charm. He was a man of Gondor, tall and fair, and with dark hair and eyes. Never before then had I met a man of the south, nor a man so cultured and graceful as he. I was young, not even past my twelfth summer, the age at which boys in Rohan are trained with the weapons of war.'
Maewynne nods slowly, almost opening her mouth to speak but silencing herself.
Ealdread 's smile begins, ever so slowly, to give way to a frown. "This man of Gondor took to me, and offered to train me in the ways of the Southern court, should I ever have need to travel to thouse southerly halls. He was kind, at first, and taught me much. Yet, there was always a darkness behind his words and actions, hard to see while I was studying with him, but easily seen now that I am no longer in his prescence. Steadily, he began speaking ill of Rohan, of my father, of Theoden King. It was subtle, slow - like the smoke of a fire not yet quenched. He convinced me, over time, that I was worthy of more, worthy to be with the true kings of Men, as he called them. Worthy, indeed, to kill my father and inherit his demesne.'
Maewynne looks up from beneath her eyelashes, her gaze dark.
Ealdread says, 'Then, only then, did I know his true intent. He would have me dead, once the deed was done, and take our familial lands for his own. He was no noble, nor was he a graceful man - he was a schemer, one who works for his own benefit, thinking not of others. Beware this man, Cavanaugh. I have seen his eyes, and heard the icy chill on his voice - it is not unlike that man whom I knew so long ago.'
Maewynne sighs softly. 'I'm... not sure what to think right now. It's just... He was so kind, and always is, no matter what foolish thing I've done. When all others turned from me... But he's done some things that trouble me too!'
Ealdread nods. "Even the words of the snake can be dripping with honey - know that the honey is venomous as its bite. What has he done that troubles you, aside from hiring that dog assasin to try and kill our friends?'
Maewynne colors lightly, her eyes almost black now as she considers this. 'He tends to be about at... Convenient times, perhaps? The other night... I fell asleep in my little study at the Kin house. I was so sad about Ciaphias and Madzir, and Cavanaugh gave me wine, costly stuff from his homeland, earlier in the evening.' She blushes even more deeply. "I have no head for it, sir, and a little bit made me so sleepy! I didn't hear him come in and I fell asleep in my chair looking over old poems. I started to fall to the floor and there he was to catch me!"
Ealdread nods knowingly. "Those that work for their own benefit are always about at times that are of good opportunity for them. I trust this man no more than I trust that snake of which I spoke before. I do not think you should, either."
Maewynne shakes her head, speaking almost in a whisper. "I didn't know it was him for a few minutes. He held me until I woke up enough to push him away. And... gave me more wine. Then there was a fight, he and Ciaphias..." She trails off, staring at her lap. 'I know I shouldn't trust him at all. But he speaks of kindness and concern that I've only heard one other speak of so often before...'
Ealdread says, 'Gehola - hear my words, and know them to be true and steady: I beseech you, keep your distance from this man. From whom have you recieved such kindness, aside from he?'
Maewynne says, 'He offers things that I never dreamed of. And is such a gentleman... I'll try to, if you think that's best. But he's always running into me. I don't seek him out.'
Ealdread nods. "I do think it best. And if it is he who seeks you out, then you must not let him close to you, if at all possible. He would as quickly put a knife in your ribs as keep you from falling."
Maewynne takes a deep breath and looks up from her lap, where she trains her focus in any hard situation, for only a flash of an instant. "That would be you, sir. Do you think so, truly? He seems... fond of me.'
Ealdread nods, and offers her a warm smile and a steady glance. "Eie'rn erfaest, gehola." Smiling still, he nods, but his brow knots a bit. "You are easy to grow fond of, gehola. But I do not think his affections are genuine. His voice rings like a hammer on steel - there is no love there, only harndness and cruelty.'
Maewynne nods, looking crushed for a moment. "Aye, I think you may be right. I just... wish it were so easy. Life would be easier with that type of luxury at my disposal, of course. And... He is very kind. Too much, perhaps." She exhales slowly, her shoulders relaxing visibly as she intertwines her fingers in her lap. She frowns at the tiny crescents her fingernails left in her palms from her worried grip. "Sense tells me that you're right, of course."
Ealdread smiles at her, eyes alight and mirthful, and gazes into her eyes for a long while. Unspeaking, he once more lays his hand on the tabletop, palm up, and grins wider still.
Maewynne tries a small smile and lays her hand in his. "My thanks for your kindness. Always. I'm... still not sure what to do about my friends I've hurt. Madzir seems to be acting out of love for Coltsfoot by even speaking to me again. He... His eyes were so full of hate when he told me I was no better than the one who tortured his little sister. And Ciaphias, I'm afraid, may be lost to me always. He's never been overly-fond of me. Just friendly enough to be married to my foster-sister, I suppose.'
Ealdread says, 'Time, kindness, and understanding are the only things you can offer to them now. You have done wrong by them, yes, but all things can be mended with time.' He squeezes her hand firmly, and smiles.
Maewynne looks at their hands, her smile faltering a bit. "I don't understand how the truth wronged them. Ciaphias didn't even know I was begining to speak with Cavanaugh. He runs from all things that threaten or frighten him. Madzir, I can forgive him for his very nature as a Dwarf. He looked as if he would strike me, told me he would if I wasn't a lass. And I welcomed it. I feel as if I did betray Coltsfoot, drinking with that Man.'
Ealdread says, 'Some times, people feel wronged by the truth itself. I am not saying you have done wrong by them by your intent - only, that they feel wronged by your having spoken such.'
Maeywnne says, 'I'm a bad liar, sir. And mistruths harm folks more than they help. I hate it more than you can ever know that I found this knowledge. It may ruin my friendships. I don't know if Coltsfoot should ever know. What do you think?'
Ealdread says, 'Needless to say, it would please me greatly if you were to keep a safe distance from this Cavanaugh fellow. Take comfort in me, and know that I am here for you always.'
Maewynne smiles faintly, but at least it is a genuine sign of pleasure. "I thank you again. And I can say the same, though my services may not be what you look for after a mistake this bad."
Ealdread says, 'As for telling Coltsfoot.... I am unsure. My tradition and honor tells me to tell her - yet, I feel as though it may harm her more than the good of knowing the truth would necessitate.'
Maewynne says, 'She only barely trusts folks now. I'm scared she'd be ruined by this, especially with her husband traveling so far and for so long away from her. But I can't imagine living knowing I lie to her.'
Ealdread raises her hand to his lips, and lightly brushes it with a small kiss. "Your offer is most graciously appreciated, and accepted." He lowers her hand again, and smiles warmly.
Maewynne says, 'She's still afraid of folks in hooded cloaks. It could become an obessession for her to find the one who poisoned her.' She smiles wider now, her face tinged with color. "You can give my offer back at any time. I don't want to disappoint you."
Ealdread frowns. "This is a tough, ruinous time for us, especially in light of the joy of Ciaphias' freedom. Let us think, and not act impulsively. I would never return your favor, eie faemne. Your kindess is a most welcome respite.'
Maewynne nods. "Aye. My judgement seems flawed now. I can't trust people the way I thought I could. And perhaps my sense of light in people is failing me now as well."
Ealdread pounds the table with his free hand, and squeezes her hand tightly. "No, gehola! Your abilities do not fail, and you can place your trust in people still! Do NOT let hope and decency give way to despair! You CANNOT!" He knots his brow, frowning, gaze roiling with intensity.
Maewynne sits back a bit, surprised by this. "I cannot help but doubt my choices now. I'm young, some folks forget."
Ealdread says, 'Not all things we do, or think, will be right. You must come to this knowledge, lest most things you do will lead to your ruin and despair!'
Maewynne says, 'Aye. Wise words. I need counsel at times since all things don't end happily, as I wish them. I'm not even twenty yet but in many ways I'm so much older! I'm young in that I've not failed often. When I do, though, I fail completely. Totally. And harm the ones I cannot serve better badly.'
Ealdread says, 'And let it be so, then! Do all things with the assumption that you will succeed, and let not your failures lead to your doubt!'
Maewynne laughs now. "Aye, I live in hope myself. I see the light in everyone I meet and only compare this with the darkness when I'm betrayed. It's only happened a few times."
Ealdread says, 'Do not let it happen, then, with this Cavanaugh fellow. Please - I know he may come off as being a charming, decent fellow, but I feel this to be untrue. Please, have caution.'
Maewynne nods. "Aye, I will. I don't wish to part company with him in ill will. With the Man at his disposal that hurt Coltsfoot he's a danger indeed. To all of us."
Ealdread says, 'Keep him close, then. You are wise to think as such. Be wary of him, though, and do not drink with him any longer. He may be drugging you when you share wine with him - I would not be surprised.'
Maewynne gasps softly. "I never thought of that..."
Ealdread says, 'It could explain why the wine 'went to your head' so easily.' He nods, folding his arms across his chest.
Maewynne looks embarrassed. "I can't believe I didn't think of that. He says he never authorized the Man he hired to use poison so I don't know if he has access to such things. And he drinks from the same bottle I do every time." She shakes her head, amazed.
Ealdread says, 'A man of my country, named Iarweyn, was fond of using poisons on his arrows in war-time. He took the better part of his life building up resistances to them, in the case the barb or blade of an arrow thusly dipped pierced his own skin. Lo, this saved his life on many an occasion, for the small cuts one gets from drawing and loosing a bow can often come in contact with the poisoned arrowhead, and cause death.'
Maewynne begins to draw little curls and hearts on her leg with a fingertip. She nods. "Aye, sensible. I can see that. I just wish that all he's hinted at were true. A life of freedom and comfort for my friends and I. That's quite something, for someone to do that to themselves! Do you think Cavanaugh is that cunning?'
Ealdread says, 'I do think so, aye. Only a man of great cunning and wicked spirit would come to the conclusions he did concerning Coltsfoot and Ciaphias. Think of it.'
Maewynne ponders this for a long moment, a frown creeping over her features again. "I was starting to trust that his actions were indeed for the best, sir. I'm proven wrong again."
Ealdread says, 'I am glad I could be here for your, eie faemne. I am sorry I was off for so long.'
Maewynne smiles faintly. "No worries, sir. You're here now and with kindness in your heart. True kindness, I hope!"
Ealdread takes her hand in his once more, and smiles. "True as the light on the water, as the cloudless sky. True, as the gold of Meduseld, and of the breeze in the grass."
Maewynne begins to trace intertwined script letters on her thigh now. She looks up to Ealdread, tilting her head to the side. "I don't know if I have it in me to tell Coltsfoot, if I need to. I've betrayed her once and damaged her so much I thought she was beyond saving.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns. He rubs his hands together slowly, the callues on his palms raspily whispering amid the crackle of the fire, and the bustle of the Lodge. 'If you see it fit for her to know, I will tell her, if it pleases you.'
Maewynne nods slowly. "I'm afraid she won't take it well. But she should know the truth so she won't be afraid of every Man in a hood or that she's eating and drinking poison all the time. She's always starving since she can't cook at all. Now she eats only food I've made her. And keeps it for ages when I have to be away. This is... bothersome to me, to have to check on her so much.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns further still. "This is unwelcome news. Despite her uncaring nature, I have grown fond of her in my time with you all. I shall tell her, and bear the weight of the consequences."
Maewynne stretches both her hands across the table to Ealdread and smiles bashfully. "I thank you for your time. And your counsel. And your forgiveness, sir. Your company is always a bright fire to light my way."
Ealdread takes her hands in his, smiles, and nods. "You have no need to thank me - the pleasure is completely mine. Ai scinan alls'aer hulle oir meduseld, eie faemne.
Maewynne arches an eyebrow and silently mouths the words, mangling them beyond salvation. "I'm sorry?"
Ealdread grins. "I really must teach you my - our - language some time. It means, 'you shine like the gold of Meduseld, my lady."
Maewynne laughs brightly. "Aye, that's a lesson I'd love to learn. And I'll teach you to play different instruments in return." She squeezes Ealdread's hands a fraction and releases them. "I have matters to tend to. Auctions and the like. Coltsfoot will likely be through here later for something to eat. She trusts the cooks here enough not to starve to death."
Ealdread says, 'Then I shall wait here for her. I hope to see you soon, eie faemne.'
Maewynne gathers up her little bag and hides her blush beneath her hair.
Ealdread smiles, and nods. "Be well, eie faemne. Brem holca."
Maewynne makes her way to the Lodge, her eyes trained on her boots. She sighs to herself and looks for a secluded place to sit.
Ealdread says, 'So, gehola, what is on your mind?'
Maewynne clenches her hands in her lap, staring at them as she speaks quietly, seeming to force herself to talk. 'I told Ciaphias the truth. I'm afraid he needed to know... I felt that I was lying to him by keeping it to myself. He told me that Men are rotten at heart, all of them, and that I was a traitor and a liar. That I shouldn't have told him at all.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns slightly. "Perhaps that was best. Needless to say, I do not trust the motives of this fellow of whom you speak."
Maewynne says, 'He ran away again, leaving me to look after Coltsfoot again. Someday she'll not wait for him any more.'
Ealdread says, 'These things were most assuredly said in the heat of anger. I do not think he truly means what he said.'
Maewynne takes a breath to speak further but thinks twice about her words, falling silent for a long moment. "He still hasn't forgiven me. And I spoke to Madzir as well and he..." She bites her lip hard. 'He said I was no better than the one who poisoned Coltsfoot for drinking wine with the one who employs the one who tortured her.'
Ealdread nods, and is silent for some time, his brow knotted in thought. "I do not think you a traitor, nor as bad as the dog who has done this to the two of them. But, if I may speak freely with you?"
Maewynne nods, closing her eyes. "The truth would be no worse than the words I've already recieved. I've never heen hated or had anyone angry with me before. I'm without friends, I think sometimes." She stares harder at her hands in her lap, twisting them together in frustration. She nods. "Aye, I am a fool. I can't trust my own judgement now. I always thought I made the best choices for the good of most, whether it was good for me or not...I'm afraid I *am* just a simple lass. I'm too young for this...' She closes her eyes and falls silent, waiting for Ealdread to condemn her.
Ealdread smiles warmly, and lays a hand palm-up on the table. "We cannot always be right, nor wise. You have friends, still, and that is always better than being individually wise."
Maewynne peeks at his hand for a moment and shakes her head, casting her eyes down once more. "I've hurt two dear friends. I haven't forgiven myself and I won't until they do the same for me. And... I've made another mistake, perhaps. But I'm not sure."
Ealdread keeps his hand on the table, and his smile broadens. "Come now, eie faemne. We cannot expect perfection of ourselves, nor should those around us. I do not condemn you, nor do I hate you. Take my hand, and know this. And speak to me of this other mistake, if you would. I want no secrets harbored here.'
Maewynne hesitates as she lifts her hand to place it in his, then lets it rest there lightly. She looks as if she's trying very hard not to cry, looking only at their hands together on the table.
Ealdread squeezes her hand firmly, and lays his other over the top of hers.
Maewynne says, 'I've started to doubt that Cavanaugh made a bad choice in his actions. He's... been very kind to me. I mended him when Ciaphias crushed his ribs the night I told him about all this... And he's shown me nothing but kindness and courtesy.' She sighs sadly, pulling her hand away from his and tucking it back in her lap.
Ealdread nods, smile unwavering, and looks into her eyes. "A long while back, a man came to the court of my father - he was all decency and grace, and moved like a cat. We were all taken by him, all of us enrapt by his guile and charm. He was a man of Gondor, tall and fair, and with dark hair and eyes. Never before then had I met a man of the south, nor a man so cultured and graceful as he. I was young, not even past my twelfth summer, the age at which boys in Rohan are trained with the weapons of war.'
Maewynne nods slowly, almost opening her mouth to speak but silencing herself.
Ealdread 's smile begins, ever so slowly, to give way to a frown. "This man of Gondor took to me, and offered to train me in the ways of the Southern court, should I ever have need to travel to thouse southerly halls. He was kind, at first, and taught me much. Yet, there was always a darkness behind his words and actions, hard to see while I was studying with him, but easily seen now that I am no longer in his prescence. Steadily, he began speaking ill of Rohan, of my father, of Theoden King. It was subtle, slow - like the smoke of a fire not yet quenched. He convinced me, over time, that I was worthy of more, worthy to be with the true kings of Men, as he called them. Worthy, indeed, to kill my father and inherit his demesne.'
Maewynne looks up from beneath her eyelashes, her gaze dark.
Ealdread says, 'Then, only then, did I know his true intent. He would have me dead, once the deed was done, and take our familial lands for his own. He was no noble, nor was he a graceful man - he was a schemer, one who works for his own benefit, thinking not of others. Beware this man, Cavanaugh. I have seen his eyes, and heard the icy chill on his voice - it is not unlike that man whom I knew so long ago.'
Maewynne sighs softly. 'I'm... not sure what to think right now. It's just... He was so kind, and always is, no matter what foolish thing I've done. When all others turned from me... But he's done some things that trouble me too!'
Ealdread nods. "Even the words of the snake can be dripping with honey - know that the honey is venomous as its bite. What has he done that troubles you, aside from hiring that dog assasin to try and kill our friends?'
Maewynne colors lightly, her eyes almost black now as she considers this. 'He tends to be about at... Convenient times, perhaps? The other night... I fell asleep in my little study at the Kin house. I was so sad about Ciaphias and Madzir, and Cavanaugh gave me wine, costly stuff from his homeland, earlier in the evening.' She blushes even more deeply. "I have no head for it, sir, and a little bit made me so sleepy! I didn't hear him come in and I fell asleep in my chair looking over old poems. I started to fall to the floor and there he was to catch me!"
Ealdread nods knowingly. "Those that work for their own benefit are always about at times that are of good opportunity for them. I trust this man no more than I trust that snake of which I spoke before. I do not think you should, either."
Maewynne shakes her head, speaking almost in a whisper. "I didn't know it was him for a few minutes. He held me until I woke up enough to push him away. And... gave me more wine. Then there was a fight, he and Ciaphias..." She trails off, staring at her lap. 'I know I shouldn't trust him at all. But he speaks of kindness and concern that I've only heard one other speak of so often before...'
Ealdread says, 'Gehola - hear my words, and know them to be true and steady: I beseech you, keep your distance from this man. From whom have you recieved such kindness, aside from he?'
Maewynne says, 'He offers things that I never dreamed of. And is such a gentleman... I'll try to, if you think that's best. But he's always running into me. I don't seek him out.'
Ealdread nods. "I do think it best. And if it is he who seeks you out, then you must not let him close to you, if at all possible. He would as quickly put a knife in your ribs as keep you from falling."
Maewynne takes a deep breath and looks up from her lap, where she trains her focus in any hard situation, for only a flash of an instant. "That would be you, sir. Do you think so, truly? He seems... fond of me.'
Ealdread nods, and offers her a warm smile and a steady glance. "Eie'rn erfaest, gehola." Smiling still, he nods, but his brow knots a bit. "You are easy to grow fond of, gehola. But I do not think his affections are genuine. His voice rings like a hammer on steel - there is no love there, only harndness and cruelty.'
Maewynne nods, looking crushed for a moment. "Aye, I think you may be right. I just... wish it were so easy. Life would be easier with that type of luxury at my disposal, of course. And... He is very kind. Too much, perhaps." She exhales slowly, her shoulders relaxing visibly as she intertwines her fingers in her lap. She frowns at the tiny crescents her fingernails left in her palms from her worried grip. "Sense tells me that you're right, of course."
Ealdread smiles at her, eyes alight and mirthful, and gazes into her eyes for a long while. Unspeaking, he once more lays his hand on the tabletop, palm up, and grins wider still.
Maewynne tries a small smile and lays her hand in his. "My thanks for your kindness. Always. I'm... still not sure what to do about my friends I've hurt. Madzir seems to be acting out of love for Coltsfoot by even speaking to me again. He... His eyes were so full of hate when he told me I was no better than the one who tortured his little sister. And Ciaphias, I'm afraid, may be lost to me always. He's never been overly-fond of me. Just friendly enough to be married to my foster-sister, I suppose.'
Ealdread says, 'Time, kindness, and understanding are the only things you can offer to them now. You have done wrong by them, yes, but all things can be mended with time.' He squeezes her hand firmly, and smiles.
Maewynne looks at their hands, her smile faltering a bit. "I don't understand how the truth wronged them. Ciaphias didn't even know I was begining to speak with Cavanaugh. He runs from all things that threaten or frighten him. Madzir, I can forgive him for his very nature as a Dwarf. He looked as if he would strike me, told me he would if I wasn't a lass. And I welcomed it. I feel as if I did betray Coltsfoot, drinking with that Man.'
Ealdread says, 'Some times, people feel wronged by the truth itself. I am not saying you have done wrong by them by your intent - only, that they feel wronged by your having spoken such.'
Maeywnne says, 'I'm a bad liar, sir. And mistruths harm folks more than they help. I hate it more than you can ever know that I found this knowledge. It may ruin my friendships. I don't know if Coltsfoot should ever know. What do you think?'
Ealdread says, 'Needless to say, it would please me greatly if you were to keep a safe distance from this Cavanaugh fellow. Take comfort in me, and know that I am here for you always.'
Maewynne smiles faintly, but at least it is a genuine sign of pleasure. "I thank you again. And I can say the same, though my services may not be what you look for after a mistake this bad."
Ealdread says, 'As for telling Coltsfoot.... I am unsure. My tradition and honor tells me to tell her - yet, I feel as though it may harm her more than the good of knowing the truth would necessitate.'
Maewynne says, 'She only barely trusts folks now. I'm scared she'd be ruined by this, especially with her husband traveling so far and for so long away from her. But I can't imagine living knowing I lie to her.'
Ealdread raises her hand to his lips, and lightly brushes it with a small kiss. "Your offer is most graciously appreciated, and accepted." He lowers her hand again, and smiles warmly.
Maewynne says, 'She's still afraid of folks in hooded cloaks. It could become an obessession for her to find the one who poisoned her.' She smiles wider now, her face tinged with color. "You can give my offer back at any time. I don't want to disappoint you."
Ealdread frowns. "This is a tough, ruinous time for us, especially in light of the joy of Ciaphias' freedom. Let us think, and not act impulsively. I would never return your favor, eie faemne. Your kindess is a most welcome respite.'
Maewynne nods. "Aye. My judgement seems flawed now. I can't trust people the way I thought I could. And perhaps my sense of light in people is failing me now as well."
Ealdread pounds the table with his free hand, and squeezes her hand tightly. "No, gehola! Your abilities do not fail, and you can place your trust in people still! Do NOT let hope and decency give way to despair! You CANNOT!" He knots his brow, frowning, gaze roiling with intensity.
Maewynne sits back a bit, surprised by this. "I cannot help but doubt my choices now. I'm young, some folks forget."
Ealdread says, 'Not all things we do, or think, will be right. You must come to this knowledge, lest most things you do will lead to your ruin and despair!'
Maewynne says, 'Aye. Wise words. I need counsel at times since all things don't end happily, as I wish them. I'm not even twenty yet but in many ways I'm so much older! I'm young in that I've not failed often. When I do, though, I fail completely. Totally. And harm the ones I cannot serve better badly.'
Ealdread says, 'And let it be so, then! Do all things with the assumption that you will succeed, and let not your failures lead to your doubt!'
Maewynne laughs now. "Aye, I live in hope myself. I see the light in everyone I meet and only compare this with the darkness when I'm betrayed. It's only happened a few times."
Ealdread says, 'Do not let it happen, then, with this Cavanaugh fellow. Please - I know he may come off as being a charming, decent fellow, but I feel this to be untrue. Please, have caution.'
Maewynne nods. "Aye, I will. I don't wish to part company with him in ill will. With the Man at his disposal that hurt Coltsfoot he's a danger indeed. To all of us."
Ealdread says, 'Keep him close, then. You are wise to think as such. Be wary of him, though, and do not drink with him any longer. He may be drugging you when you share wine with him - I would not be surprised.'
Maewynne gasps softly. "I never thought of that..."
Ealdread says, 'It could explain why the wine 'went to your head' so easily.' He nods, folding his arms across his chest.
Maewynne looks embarrassed. "I can't believe I didn't think of that. He says he never authorized the Man he hired to use poison so I don't know if he has access to such things. And he drinks from the same bottle I do every time." She shakes her head, amazed.
Ealdread says, 'A man of my country, named Iarweyn, was fond of using poisons on his arrows in war-time. He took the better part of his life building up resistances to them, in the case the barb or blade of an arrow thusly dipped pierced his own skin. Lo, this saved his life on many an occasion, for the small cuts one gets from drawing and loosing a bow can often come in contact with the poisoned arrowhead, and cause death.'
Maewynne begins to draw little curls and hearts on her leg with a fingertip. She nods. "Aye, sensible. I can see that. I just wish that all he's hinted at were true. A life of freedom and comfort for my friends and I. That's quite something, for someone to do that to themselves! Do you think Cavanaugh is that cunning?'
Ealdread says, 'I do think so, aye. Only a man of great cunning and wicked spirit would come to the conclusions he did concerning Coltsfoot and Ciaphias. Think of it.'
Maewynne ponders this for a long moment, a frown creeping over her features again. "I was starting to trust that his actions were indeed for the best, sir. I'm proven wrong again."
Ealdread says, 'I am glad I could be here for your, eie faemne. I am sorry I was off for so long.'
Maewynne smiles faintly. "No worries, sir. You're here now and with kindness in your heart. True kindness, I hope!"
Ealdread takes her hand in his once more, and smiles. "True as the light on the water, as the cloudless sky. True, as the gold of Meduseld, and of the breeze in the grass."
Maewynne begins to trace intertwined script letters on her thigh now. She looks up to Ealdread, tilting her head to the side. "I don't know if I have it in me to tell Coltsfoot, if I need to. I've betrayed her once and damaged her so much I thought she was beyond saving.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns. He rubs his hands together slowly, the callues on his palms raspily whispering amid the crackle of the fire, and the bustle of the Lodge. 'If you see it fit for her to know, I will tell her, if it pleases you.'
Maewynne nods slowly. "I'm afraid she won't take it well. But she should know the truth so she won't be afraid of every Man in a hood or that she's eating and drinking poison all the time. She's always starving since she can't cook at all. Now she eats only food I've made her. And keeps it for ages when I have to be away. This is... bothersome to me, to have to check on her so much.'
Ealdread nods, and frowns further still. "This is unwelcome news. Despite her uncaring nature, I have grown fond of her in my time with you all. I shall tell her, and bear the weight of the consequences."
Maewynne stretches both her hands across the table to Ealdread and smiles bashfully. "I thank you for your time. And your counsel. And your forgiveness, sir. Your company is always a bright fire to light my way."
Ealdread takes her hands in his, smiles, and nods. "You have no need to thank me - the pleasure is completely mine. Ai scinan alls'aer hulle oir meduseld, eie faemne.
Maewynne arches an eyebrow and silently mouths the words, mangling them beyond salvation. "I'm sorry?"
Ealdread grins. "I really must teach you my - our - language some time. It means, 'you shine like the gold of Meduseld, my lady."
Maewynne laughs brightly. "Aye, that's a lesson I'd love to learn. And I'll teach you to play different instruments in return." She squeezes Ealdread's hands a fraction and releases them. "I have matters to tend to. Auctions and the like. Coltsfoot will likely be through here later for something to eat. She trusts the cooks here enough not to starve to death."
Ealdread says, 'Then I shall wait here for her. I hope to see you soon, eie faemne.'
Maewynne gathers up her little bag and hides her blush beneath her hair.
Ealdread smiles, and nods. "Be well, eie faemne. Brem holca."