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A collaboration with @Rillewen
His thumb lightly stroked circles on one of her hands as he thought about that. “I cannot be sure,” he said slowly, not because he wanted to avoid answering, but because he was really thinking about how his father would have reacted. Might have…. reacted. “I think he would have been concerned, for me, until he had made up his own mind about whether or not you were truthful. If trusting you didn’t feel right, he wouldn’t have approved. If he did decide to trust you, though, where you were from wouldn’t have mattered two figs to him.”

Ava smiled slightly to hear that. While it was not something that either of them would ever truly know - if the other’s parents would have approved - it was still a nice thought to think that they would have, or might have. She had no doubt that her mother would have liked Tercen for Ava. As for her father.. Well, she was having a harder time deciding about him. Because he’d had other plans for her. Yet, she also liked to think he would have wanted her to be happy, if she could be. “I believe you would have been well-liked by my parents.” She told him after taking a moment to think about it. Because she did think her father would have liked him, at least.

“Of course they would have liked me,” he said easily, though not arrogantly. “Parents tend to like me. Not that I tend to meet them,” he added, rolling his eyes a little. “I mean - I’ve met a lot of parents, from friends -” Realizing he was talking himself into a bit of a hole, he offered her a feigned innocent smile, his eyes twinkling. “Anyway…”

Ava grinned in amusement at that. Then she leaned a little closer, smiling faintly. “Anyway… for the record,” She added, changing the topic slightly. “What a couple of guards think about you doesn’t really matter that much,” She raised an eyebrow. “Does it? It doesn’t matter to me what they think. I know how hard it was for you to leave me in a dangerous situation. I know that you would have fought him if you felt it would protect me,” She smiled faintly. “And I also assume that you remembered me telling you that I am well-trained.” She added in a quiet voice. The ranger would have to have almost superhuman hearing to overhear that. “My mother taught me how to fight very well. Her people were exceptional warriors, and she insisted that it was a tradition for those skills to be passed on from mother to daughter.” She couldn’t recall for certain, but she thought she might have implied something of that sort during one of their dances at the masquerade.

Tercen was still smiling as he looked at her, thinking about what kind of training she might have received, then. Exceptional warriors, huh? He was tempted to make a comment. Or two. But somehow, he held back. They probably needed to get through the serious part first. Even if it was… less fun. It was another thing his father had taught him: in relationships, communication is key. And so…

“I don’t really care what the guards think,” he agreed with her. “I don’t care what that Domanol fellow thinks of me, either.” He still felt very much the same about the man, as he had when he’d told him off.

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh. But you care what he thinks of me?” She teased softly, smiling a little.

Tercen raised an eyebrow. “There is a line,” he said slowly. “Which he crossed.” It was really as simple as that. “I don’t care he didn’t have all the info, or whatever - at the time. He should have gone about it differently.”

“He was trying to anger you,” Ava pointed out patiently, wondering if he realized that.

“He succeeded,” Tercen smirked. “I’ll give the man credit for that much.”

A collaboration with @Arnyn
“So I noticed.” Ava tilted her head slightly, thinking before she spoke. “People make mistakes when they get angry. They can’t think as well. If he had really been… what I thought him to be…” She hesitated as her gaze flicked briefly to the ranger and back to Tercen, unsure how much she wanted to talk about this with him around. But, apparently, he would be around for the rest of her time in Gondor, so she may as well try to ignore him. Still… now that they were moving toward what she had been thinking about all evening, she felt reluctant to go on. But she knew that she needed to.

She took a slow breath in, then let it slip out again, slowly. “I have been wanting to ask you something, Tercen.” She looked seriously at him, wanting to make sure that he was paying attention.

His eyebrows lifted. “Okaaay,” he drawled, waiting for her to continue.

Focusing her gaze on her and Tercen’s hands, Ava mentally pushed herself to continue, trying to ignore the ranger, but also keeping her voice low, as she did not know whether the ranger knew anything about the situation. “After what happened last night, when we both thought,” She frowned and hesitated, but she went on, softly. “When we thought that Halsad’s agent had come for me… when we were both so frightened that something terrible would happen,” They both knew what she meant by that.

She lifted her dark eyes up to meet his. “I just have to ask; are you sure that you still wish to come with me?” She asked softly. “That is only a small sample of what we might encounter, there. For me, the most frightening thing about it was that I thought I might lose you,” She informed him, her frown deepening slightly. “And, since I believed him to be an assassin for a while there… I was unsure whether my skills could match his. And that meant that I had no idea whether I could keep you safe, if he meant to kill us both. Or, if he meant to kill.. you.” She looked at him with worry in her eyes. “I don’t know what I would do, if anything happened to you, Sunshine.” She added softly, her hands gently squeezing his again.

His expression softened. “If anything, I can understand that very well,” he said quietly. “That feeling. I had the exact same one, Ava.” And he was nowhere near as trained in combat as she was. “In fact… I assumed whatever skills I can remember wouldn’t be a match for him. I assumed I would not be able to do much. At the most, distract him to give you an opening, perhaps? Or distract him long enough for you to disappear into the crowd.” A half smile. “Not that I thought you would agree to the latter.” Tercen lightly squeezed her hand. “And - I don’t know, either. What I would do. If anything happened to you. Even if we haven’t known one another very long at all.” He didn’t shy away from her gaze. If her feelings in that situation had mirrored his so much, then… then perhaps she did love him. Perhaps she just didn’t know what to call it. He couldn’t help his half smile morphing into something fuller, as he considered that. “So, yes, I am still sure I want to come with you. If anything, more sure.” That did not sound like a correct use of Westron, exactly, but it served to convey the sentiment, didn’t it?

Ava gave him a tiny smile as he explained what sort of thoughts had been going through his head. What he had considered as a plan, what hopes he had had of distracting the ‘assassin’. A wry little laugh slipped out, as he mentioned the vain hope of giving her a chance to slip off and disappear into the crowd. “And there I was, hoping you would hurry off, so that if it came to a fight, you would be safe.” She told him. “And I.. I was worried about the safety of the others. The ladies, back in the box. Seri and her nieces… even Arnyn. I was also, at least slightly, worried about the innocent people in the crowd.” She admitted, lowering her gaze. “I would not have wanted to endanger anyone else by drawing him toward others. But I also wanted you to be a safe distance from it all.”

She sighed as he declared that not only did he still wish to come, but he wanted more than ever to come along. She bit her lip lightly as she thought about his words. Considering them. Pondering her own thoughts and feelings. She did not want him to be where there was danger. And, while last night’s excitement had turned out to be a false alarm… she couldn’t help wondering now whether she had been so distracted worrying about a spy who wasn’t a spy, that she could have overlooked a real one? And if last night’s fiasco had done anything, it would most likely have drawn any unwanted attention right toward her. And toward Tercen. And if any of Halsad’s people were observing her for real, then they must have concluded by now that she and Tercen were… together.

The thought of what this could mean sent chills racing down her spine. She swallowed, then took a slow breath in, trying to calm herself. “Are you really sure, Tercen?” She asked quietly.. as if she hoped for him to change his mind. “Last night was alarming, but it was… very mild compared to what could happen.” She warned him softly. “I mean, you've read a little bit about.. certain matters, but... reading about something is nothing compared to actually experiencing it." She pointed out, feeling torn in her heart about this. Of course, she wanted to be able to show him around her estate, and enjoy time with him there. But she was also terrified that she might be inadvertently leading him to a terrible death.

She drew a slow breath. "I would do anything in my power to protect you, but..” She hesitated. “I don’t have a great deal of influence there, really. Not nearly as much as some of the others there.” She refrained from mentioning that she would give her life to keep him safe, if necessary. Of course, she also didn’t bring up the fact that there was an equal possibility that anyone who wanted to really get to her, they might also go after him at his home in Ithilien. So, he may not be any safer going home than he would be going with her…

A collaboration with @Rillewen
He looked down at the table, a bit embarrassed he had not really been thinking about anyone else’s safety, at the time, while Ava clearly had. Perhaps he was still underestimating how crazy Umbarian spies or assassins might be, because it seemed ridiculous to him that anyone would target innocent bystanders, simply in the hopes of getting to the real target. He frowned a little at the reminder that his thought process was so vastly different, it seemed, from the people Ava was used to. The people she had grown up around. So different from her own thought process.

“I’m sure,” he said finally firmly, looking into her eyes. He really hoped this wouldn’t be turning into another version of the conversation they’d had only yesterday. “I’m also not planning to attend any social functions over there,” he added, avoiding to mention ‘Umbar’ more than he really had to in the ranger's presence, while he lifted an eyebrow, trying to make the conversation a bit lighter. “Other than whatever you have going on at your own home.” He chanced a smile.

With his words, Ava felt a sense of finality settle in her heart. He would definitely be going. No matter what anyone said, nor how much anyone tried to talk him out of it, he would insist on going with her. She swallowed, squeezing his hands lightly. Somewhere in her mind, a thought struck her; that he was so very fortunate that she was not simply playing around and leading him along with lies. She was aware that some… probably many… of her countrywomen would be likely to do such a thing. And she couldn’t really blame Arnyn if she was concerned about that. Personally, Ava was very glad for Tercen’s sake that he had not fallen for one of them. And for her sake, of course, that he had fallen for her. A tiny smile returned his own. “Shall I host a ball at my estate, to welcome the Gondorian guests?” She asked teasingly, the tiny smile growing into a small grin. “Somehow, I think that might be the opposite of the secrecy and subtlety that your sister is hoping for.”

She didn’t exactly look happy. More like… concerned. He couldn’t really blame her for that, though. It wasn’t as if he was thinking about going to Umbar with her as a vacation. In fact, Tercen was nervous to go - uneasy, too, possibly scared even - but he was trying very hard not to dwell on such feelings or even to show them at all. Ava did not need any more reasons to change her mind. She did not need any more reasons to reject his presence. So, instead, he was trying to focus on all the positives, so he’d exude some kind of calm, some kind of confidence, about the whole enterprise.

At least she was smiling back, however small the smile was. And she had ventured a joke. “Very funny,” he claimed, a lazy smile on his face. “But if you wanted to dance, Temptress, all you had to do was ask.” He rose from his seat, keeping one of her hands in his, and gently pulling her to her feet as well as he helped move her chair for her. He was planning on taking Ava into his arms and slowly turning them around the room. “Let me show you how little I care what guards or rangers think about me,” he murmured into her ear. If the ranger inside the house found them strange or was uncomfortable with what they were doing, that was his problem. Not Tercen's or Ava's. “If you could get some music, we could have a private dance at your place. Just you and me, in one of your fancy halls or rooms.” Resisting the urge to kiss the spot beneath her ear, he drew back a little so he could look her in the eyes. “I don’t think Gwestion or Gladhron would be inclined to join us, anyway,” he added with a little shrug. “From what I’ve heard from Gladhron, his brother isn’t much of a socialite. And Gladhron himself would probably only be interested if Arnyn was already there, and she won’t be,” Tercen added, rolling his eyes before they dropped to the floor somewhere. He hoped his sister would be doing better - that she’d be… back to her usual self - once she’d arrive in Umbar. If that was still even the plan.

Ava wasn’t expecting for him to suggest they dance right now, but when he did, her smile widened a little as she let out a soft laugh, pleasantly surprised when he made it clear that he didn’t care about their ‘audience’. She rose with him, smiling as he led her away from the table. “Music can certainly be arranged,” She assured him with a soft smile, letting her arms slip around his shoulders as he whispered into her ear. She smiled up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. “But not every time, perhaps. There are a few places where no one else will be invited to be, except for you, Sunshine.” She told him softly, thinking of a few places at the estate where they could have absolute privacy. Her private sunning balcony, for instance. Or the room with her favorite pool, and her bedroom, of course…

“Is that right?” he asked, immensely pleased by those words. Because it wasn’t at all clear to him what she had been thinking about his role or presence at her estate. They had talked about possibilities, and he knew she was afraid of being too openly ‘with’ him, in case some kind of spy would manage to infiltrate. “Have you given any further thought, then, to what we could, and should not, do at your estate, Temptress?” Tercen dipped his head again, to brush his nose and lips against the skin of her neck. Still not caring about their ‘chaperone’. Perhaps even enjoying that what he and Ava were doing, might make the man uncomfortable. “What part am I allowed to play, there?”

A collaboration with @Arnyn
Ava smiled faintly, equally uncaring about what the ranger might think of them dancing. She was only concerned about not being overheard talking about topics she didn’t want to be heard by anyone else. Otherwise, she was quite accustomed to having servants and guards around. In fact, it was almost too easy for her to ignore them as if they were part of the background. “Indeed,” She confirmed, when he asked ‘is that right’. She was still nervous about bringing him along, of course, but at the same time, a part of her was also excited about showing him her home. Just as she figured he must have been feeling about showing her his cabin. She was still disappointed that that wouldn’t be possible. But perhaps someday. She hoped so, anyway.

As he dipped his head toward her neck, she smiled softly, letting her eyes close as she tilted her head to let him do that. “Mm, I have thought about it, some.” She answered his question in a quiet murmur. “Perhaps that is something we should talk about, also.” She realized, though she was reluctant to end this spur-of-the-moment dance to discuss such weighty matters.

“So,” he said, not stopping their dance or anything else he was doing, “What have you been thinking?” He smiled against her neck. “Will you let me do this, when we’re there?” He wondered, mumbling against her skin.

Ava smiled, her hand lightly toying with his hair as they danced. “When we are in private rooms? I hope you will.” She answered with a little teasing in her tone. She was enjoying this very much. “Mm, I did consider maybe saying that you have been hired to do some building project,” She murmured, smiling softly as she felt his lips against her skin. “A new gazebo, or some sort of remodeling project. I can always think of something that you could work on, which falls in line with your usual work. Besides, I might consider doing a few renovations to my bedroom, too.” She added, glancing at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. “For extra security, you know?”

He was immensely relieved that Ava had not reconsidered their agreement, and was not backing out of letting him accompany her to her home in Umbar. Now his concern and fear about that could fall away, he was still curious as to how exactly she saw it, but was also very willing to lay down the charm. So to speak.

He grinned when she said she hoped he would, when they were alone. And even though they were not alone, now, Tercen kissed her neck slowly, without even a hint of shyness or restraint. He hummed, before lifting his lips just enough to speak, and he glanced at the ranger behind Ava, who had risen from his chair and had half turned away from them, scratching his neck. Tercen grinned broadly, still brushing against Ava's skin. “I’ll be a very industrious employee,” he promised.

She grinned slowly as he assured her that he would be an industrious employee. “I’m sure you will,” She answered, amused. She really didn’t have much doubt about that. “I will give you a tour when you arrive, do not worry.” She promised, smiling. Because she knew of all the secret ways to go from one area to another. Routes which she certainly planned to show him. A few which had already existed from before she was ever born, and others which had been added, after she took over the running of the estate. Although, her purpose for showing him these secret ways had more to do with her wanting to make sure he knew places to hide, or how to escape, in case of an attack or something. Still, it would also be useful to know, in case he wanted to find a way to get to her privately.

“Am I to call you Lady Ava outside of your private rooms?” he teased.

“That is what most of my employees call me, yes.” She answered, smiling at his question.

“Am I to sneak over to your private rooms after dusk?” He guided her easily as they continued through the steps of the dance, his hand moving in lazy, small circles at the small of her back. “No showing you all the comforts of the new gazebo, after I build it for you?” he teased quietly. “No continuing my very hard work in your bedroom into the late hours of the night?”

She laughed softly at his teasing questions. “I definitely expect you to show me all the comforts of the new gazebo,” She declared, grinning, amused at his questions. “I am sure some of the rest could be arranged.” She answered, although she found it hard to be sure of what to expect, once they got there, so she didn’t want to promise too much.

At that thought, the grin faded a bit, and she was quiet as she let him lead her around the floor for a moment. Her expression grew more thoughtful before she spoke again. “I do worry, though.” She admitted. “I have not been nearly as careful here, as I meant to be. I am afraid that word may have reached home. People there may know that I am here. I am anxious to see what the state of things may be, there.” She couldn’t exactly blame him for that, but she had noticed that her own wariness had dropped considerably ever since meeting him. And that still concerned her, as far as the thought of bringing him along. But she also knew that he was adamant, and that he did at least have an idea of what he would be going into. She still could hardly believe that he had actually researched that stuff…

He pulled back a little when she spoke of her worries, his light brown eyes searching hers. “I’m sorry, Temptress,” he offered genuinely. “I know I have not exactly been helping, in that regard,” he said quietly. “I think… Minas Tirith has always been…” Tercen frowned a little, his eyes straying. His hand on her back stilled. “You know I grew up partially in Ithilien, and partially here. Back then, Ithilien could be a dangerous place. Much more so than it is these days, now that the war has ended. There, my parents were always on guard - and I grew up always being on alert, amidst the trees. But when we were here - Minas Tirith was…” He shrugged. “As safe as safe could be. Walls, gates - guards stationed at every level. It was the one place that was never yielded. That never fell. And now the war is over, and the walls are still here, the guards are still here. I suppose it just… I still get that feeling of safety. Whenever I am here.” He reached up to lightly touch her face. “It will be different,” he whispered. “In Umbar.” He would be different. He would be more cautious. It was a promise to both himself and to her.

Ava considered his words, her dark gaze meeting his lighter one while he spoke. As he spoke of how Minas Tirith’s walls and guards had made him feel safe, she gave a small nod, her eyes drifting away, and down to the floor. “I suppose I felt the same,” She admitted with a tiny smile. After all, she had let her own guard drop while she was here. Of course, it had more to do with the company she was in, rather than the place they were in. But it had been because he made her feel safe enough to do so. She should have known better…

“I can also understand your feelings about it.” She said, looking up at him again. “I used to feel like that about my home. As a girl, my family’s home seemed like a safe island in the midst of shark-infested water.” She told him quietly, then sighed as she looked off at the distant wall. “It is easy to think of a place as being safe… until it is not.”

Swallowing, she managed a little smile as she brought her gaze back to Tercen’s. “But not to worry. I have had some remodeling done to the estate since then.” She assured him. “Added secret places, tunnels, things like that. I have also added much more security.” She said softly. “I cannot boast of having Minas Tirith’s walls, but I have at least as many guards,” She joked. He would be as safe there as Ava would be, anyway. If that said anything.

He wondered about what she meant exactly. What had happened to her home that had made her feel less safe there? Her mother? Or maybe her father? Maybe both? It had been a long day. Mentally, he sighed. Outwardly, he touched his cheek against hers, and chuckled quietly when she made claims about her high number of guards. But other thoughts kept him from continuing her little jest.

“Also… if you are so worried - did you and Arnyn discuss it more? At headquarters?” Could Arnyn have even discussed it, being as weary and drained as she’d been? Could they have discussed it in the limited time Ava and Arnyn had been in that room together? “Or is talking about that… still in the plans? For the days to come? Surely there must be a way to… assuage your concerns?” He wasn’t sure at all, actually. But it seemed like there could be some way. Right?

She was trying to think of how much more she wanted to tell him concerning her estate, when he asked whether she and Arnyn had discussed anything at headquarters. She paused, then shook her head. “We didn’t discuss anything. She told me that I would be spending the night here, and that you were welcome to join me. I told her that was agreeable, and we left.” She explained. She spared a brief glance at the ranger before looking back at Tercen, leaning closer so she could speak with him more privately “Is she alright? She didn’t look too well.” She asked softly, her arms around his shoulders.

A collaboration with @Rillewen
He was not immediately sure what to say in reply to Ava's question about Arnyn. “You saw that?” He asked quietly.

Ava angled her head slightly so she could look at his face. “How could I not?” She asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

He sighed, not minding that Ava would feel the movement of his chest or his breath against her skin. “I am worried,” he admitted, his words hardly above a whisper, for he definitely did not want the ranger overhearing them talking about Arnyn. “I have never seen her like that. And she flatly refused my attempts to ask her about it. I hated letting her leave like that but… what could I do? She didn’t want to talk to me.” He sighed again, and tightened his arm around Ava. “I guess it wasn’t the right time,” he said slowly. He really hoped that had been all it was. Not the right time. Instead of his sister wanting to block herself off from him completely.

Ava nodded slowly, listening. She had her own concerns about Arnyn’s condition, but nothing to back them up with. She decided not to add to his worry by making unfounded guesses and speculation about what she was wondering. “I’m sure that’s all it was.” She murmured, hoping to comfort him somewhat, since neither of them had any answers. She sighed. “I hope she’ll look better, the next time we see her.”

Tercen was not at all sure that the timing had been the full reason why Arnyn hadn't confided in him. Nor could he really blame her… he hadn’t exactly been… He was not sure how to finish that thought. But here he was, even now, telling Ava he was worried about the Ranger Lieutenant who was making plans to… to what? Help Ava? Help Gondor?

There were just so many unknowns. And while such things had rarely bothered him before, Tercen realized it bothered him this time.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, when Ava expressed her hope Arnyn would look better next time. He hoped his sister would just feel better. And that they would be able to tell she was. But that was what Ava meant too, he figured.

Ava could tell he was really worried. And she felt bad for him, wishing she knew how to help him feel better, and worry less about his sister. She also realized that a lot of it was probably her fault, for coming here, for making herself known to the lieutenant. Yet another reason to question whether it had been the best choice, but it was too late now.

She didn’t know what else to say, and gently rubbed his shoulders. “In the meanwhile, since we cannot do anything about it, perhaps we should dance while we can?” She suggested softly, thinking a distraction might be in order. She smiled a bit mischievously. “Think he knows how to play any music?” She asked softly, with a nod toward their ‘chaperone’.

He smiled a bit sadly when she suggested they just danced, now. But at her little joke, he couldn’t help the laughter that spilled from his lips. Perhaps it was mostly a release of tension. Perhaps he was really amused. Perhaps it was both. Tercen couldn’t even tell, himself.

“You could ask him,” he smiled, more genuinely now, “Maybe he has a flute hidden somewhere in those leathers…” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Dare I dare you to ask him?”

Tercen’s dare made her laugh, a grin spreading on her face. “You should know by now that a little dare like that does not frighten me.” She told him, before stepping back from him slightly, still looking amused as she turned toward the ranger. “Excuse me, you would not happen to have some sort of instrument on you, which you could play music with? Do you?” She asked sweetly, in a hopeful tone. “Or perhaps… you can sing?” She smiled hopefully at him. It wasn’t like she could order him, after all.

While Tercen was trying to hide his amusement, the ranger turned more fully toward them at Ava's suddenly loud enough question, which had alerted him she would be talking to him. A short silence fell after Ava's question, as he processed the strangeness of the question. “No,” came the dry reply. “And my job here is not to entertain you,” he added.

Tercen slipped his arms around Ava, stepping close behind her. “Thankfully,” he noted. “And I don’t think we should entertain you any longer, either,” he told the ranger, humor lacing his tone. “Let’s take this to the bedroom,” he whispered into Ava’s ear. “Even though he might otherwise learn a thing or two… I’d rather it was just the two of us - for what I have in mind.”

While Ava was trying not to laugh at the guy’s response, and debating whether to offer him some money if he’d sing, Tercen’s suggestion seemed rather more appealing. She laughed, then grinned at him. “An excellent idea, if our chaperone here will allow it,”She whispered back with amusement, grinning as she laughed softly. “Lead the way, Sunshine.” She agreed, taking his hand. She was tired of the silent ranger’s company, anyway.

Tercen’s hand closed around Ava’s, and he raised an eyebrow at the ranger. “I am assuming the bedroom is secure?” he asked, very seriously.

The ranger frowned. “Of course it is,” he mumbled. He had checked all rooms before anyone had even entered. And there was no way out of the room, either, except through the door.

Tercen started walking Ava toward the door. “Do your duties require you… to watch?” he asked, still using his serious voice.

Ava bit her lip to keep from laughing at that question.

Vorondil narrowed his eyes. “No,” he said emphatically. “As long as you go in there with her, willingly. Apparently, it’s your call to make.”

Tercen chuckled, opening the door to the bedroom and holding it open for Ava while grinning at the ranger.

Ava struggled not to laugh, trying very hard to keep a serious face as she looked at Tercen. “Am I holding you against your will?” She asked him with feigned surprise and concern, somehow keeping a straight face.

“Oh - I’m quite willing,” he reassured both Ava and the ranger. Once Ava had stepped into the room, he followed, looking out the door at the ranger as he held the knob with one hand, the other against the doorframe. “Don’t be alarmed if you hear anything,” he told the man. “It’s kind of the point.” Not caring what the man would think of him in the least, Tercen actually winked at him before closing the door.

Vorondil made a face at the muted laughter that came from the room after the door had closed. That was Arnyn’s brother? The ranger rubbed a hand across his face. He was not looking forward to the next… Yavanna’s bark. How long would it take?! Grunting quietly, he lowered himself back into a chair.

Gwestion's frown grew as it quickly became clear that Dom was actually serious. He raised up in his chair, one elbow propped on the arm of it, listening more intently to what his friend had said. He thought about that for a minute before speaking. Though he couldn't see the face Dom had made, he could guess at what he was getting at. It was true, he had to admit. Arnyn was acting unlike herself. She even looked unlike herself, tonight. She had looked very... what was it Tercen had said? Like a shell of herself. Gwestion recalled their conversation on that very topic, and how concerned her brother had been about her.

"I.. have been wondering about her condition tonight." He admitted softly, as he continued frowning. "Tercen and I were commenting on it earlier, in fact. That she looks... more than simply ill. He even said she looks like 'a shell of herself' or something along those lines..." He stared off in the direction of Dom, unable to see him except his general outline.

"But..." Gwestion added, a moment later, "she didn't look like that until after Ava was being held in guard headquarters..." He recalled. "So, how could she be responsible for whatever is ailing her?" He raised an eyebrow as he put this question to Dom. As if Dom could see his expression, any better than Gwestion could see his.

While the fact that the two men seemed to finally agree on something, did not make the matter itself any less concerning. "She fell asleep at the theatre before that," Domanol recalled, almost sullen, when Gwes shared his own observations. Of the Ranger Lieutenant's recent .. whatever it was.

"Which would mean that perhaps whatever was done to her has simply grown worse over time." Dom thumped his head onto a soft background of pillow, as though it might cushion his any thought. Instead it seemed to only stir a new and far more troubling consideration.

Gwestion remained quiet, thinking about that. It was true... Arnyn had fallen asleep. In public. And it was extremely unlike her to do that, as far as he could tell. He had simply thought she was tired, before. Or that there was more going on between she and Gladhron than he had realized, for her to feel comfortable enough to doze off on his shoulder. Now... he wasn't so sure.

“I can’t think that any of what I’ve seen tonight is like her at all,” Domanol further pondered, his earlier notions that the Lieutenant had been poisoned, or even some remnant of the infamous Relic she had told him about herself .. “I mean, .. to fall asleep in a public setting ? And with a potential danger unexpectedly at hand as well ?”

Even if there had been Rangers 'watching' .. would Arnyn really have been so blase about sleeping on Gladhron's shoulder for all to see ? He frowned, so that the expression could almost be heard in his tone of voice. Was it so implausible then, that the Umbarian Ava could have enchanted the Gondorian Lieutenant ? It certainly would not be the first time .. The Blonde’s predecessor in fact had been spelled to murder his commander, after all. Should they forget that now .. ought they overlook the possibility ?

“There was a shape-shifting enchantress before now, come from Umbar,” he mentioned idly to the ceiling before turning brown eyes into the gloom where Gwestion was. Half hoping that the typically reasonable man would manage to convince him he was wrong.

"No.. it isn't like her." Gwestion agreed, out loud this time. He returned his back to rest against the chair's cushion, growing more thoughtful as Dom mentioned a sorceress from Umbar. He nodded slightly. "I heard about the shapeshifting ordeal.." He admitted, managing not to shudder at the thought of an enormous wolf. "but, I was under the impression it was only a one-time thing?" He glanced at him. "That the sorceress was rather... unique? And that she had been defeated..." He paused, blinking. "By Arnyn." He wondered if there could be any sort of connection there. He knew very little about sorcerers, though...

He could not see his friend nod, but the shift in the mood of their exchange was easily observed all the same. As much as Gwestion was pointing out the flaws in such a theory, he had also just referenced a very significant detail. If there was another shapeshifter, maybe she’d come after Dealedwen for revenge ? But Gwestion wished him to accept that there could not be another ..

“Noone knew there even was such a thing at all before they met that one, so how can they know there are not more of them ?” the Gondorian turned over and failed to find any more comfort in that position either. “And where did this known sorceress come from ? Umbar, that’s where.” he could not help but mention. Was the only reason why Arnyn would act this way of late, because she was not Arnyn at all ? The Umbarian had taken her form after all, she’d told him so. Then the Lieutenant had killed the sorceress. But what if it had been the other way around ? And people had simply confused which was the witch ?

“If there are known to be sorceresses who have struck at Gondor’s ranger officers before now, come from Umbar .. then it makes sense to me that Ava could be so. That she may have done something to Arnyn,” he threw now more strength behind the argument. “A spell or .. something .. It was a lieutenant the last time too, who was targeted, spelled ..”

Hearing this, Gwestion frowned and looked over at Dom. "Wait, what?" He asked confused as well as curious. "Spelled? Another lieutenant?" He wondered. This story was completely new to him, as well as a bit of cause for concern. After all, if it could happen to another lieutenant... was Arnyn actually safe from such things?

Domanol did not need any encouragement to explore wild theories based on circumstantial evidence. He had seen things that most men had not and he had survived enough to assume circumstances which others would laugh at. Things that he would never have believed himself, if he had NOT seen them with his own eyes. Still the fact that both men seemed more keen to assume the Lieutenant was spelled, rather than simply having a bad night .. might have said more about their want to explain otherwise frankly odd behaviour. When Gwestion sought for more details however, the Gondorian did not have much beyond the basic facts to go on.

“I don't know exactly,” he admitted. “It was months back, maybe a year. A Ranger Lieutenant turned on his own captain and stabbed him in the back. The man was in the dungeons for a time before the King was made aware what had really happened. I don't know if the sorcerer behind that was an Umbarian. But if that is possible ...”

He didn’t need to finish that sentence. But his next brought it unto relevance. “Why is noone else tying this Ava suddenly turning up here and Arnyn suddenly being odd .. as two events which are very possibly linked ?”

"I have noted the coincidence of that timing," Gwestion assured him softly. "But..." He hesitated, reluctant to jump to wild conclusions, yet also reluctant to dismiss the possibility. What if there was actually something to it? "Do you have any ideas of how to prove this theory, or.. disprove it?" He wondered, hoping for something that could help them ascertain the truth.

“If I could prove it, I wouldn't be sitting here talking about it,” Dom rolled his eyes. “But whatever is going on, something is. There is a change in her, and I don’t think that it is all an unexpected infatuation with your brother. But it’s allowing for all of this .. mess. So given all that’s come before, and all that might occur now .. I am going to speak with the king. He knows all about all of that other business, and will be far more qualified to judge if this could be more of the same.”

Gwestion was quiet for a while, trying to sort through all of this information, theories, and worries. There were far too many questions racing through his head, and he wasn't even quite sure what Dom was trying to suggest was the case with Arnyn. "So.. do you think Arnyn has been replaced?" He asked, trying to get clarification. "Or.. that she's being controlled somehow?" He frowned at that idea, trying to decide whether there was a way to verify either of these theories.

A yawn betrayed Domanol physical need to rest, even as his mind persevered with the conundrum the two men had tripped into. “I think that Ava did something to her. Somehow,” he reiterated, unable to clarify it any better than that at such an hour, and with so much yet unknown. His head was literally still spinning with all that he had been told in the last few hours. Let alone try to come to terms with it or make any kind of sense out of it.

“Either she's been replaced, or good old fashioned placed under a spell. Both situations have a precedent in the last twelve months. Regardless, something is definitely 'wrong'.” he diagnosed.

“You know her. Better than me,” Dom could not help recalling, or mentioning once he had. “You can't tell me this sort of madness is normal for her.” He scarcely allowed for the challenge to be considered as a question, before it’s speaker threw more fuel upon the fire. “And if this Umbarian can affect the Lieutenant, I definitely don't want her to be allowed anywhere near Seri." the concerned Ranger rounded back to his priority.

Gwestion nodded slowly. "I do know her... although it had been years since I last saw her, we worked closely together for several weeks. We became good friends, the three of us." He mentioned. "And I ran into her at the library, the day after the masquerade. She was definitely herself then... I'm sure of that." Unless a replacement had been able to gain Arnyn's memories as well, there was no way that had not been Arnyn, who recognized both Gwestion and Brooke, and whom Chewy had been friendly with... who had remembered details about their time together in the North. He thought back further. "She was also herself when we met for dinner a couple of days later, and then also when we met to view the sunrise.. on the 26th, I think that was." He paused, thinking. "Oh, and there's no mistake that it was her at the training grounds later that same day." He felt certain of that.

But then he frowned, thinking of when he had first noticed anything off about her. "This morning, she seemed.. weary, but otherwise fine..." He added, thinking back. "But tonight, when I went to her house to retrieve her... when she came down the stairs... Tercen and I were both shocked by how she looked." He admitted, recalling how alarming her appearance had been.

“So just this week then ?” Domanol concluded. And how long had she been associating with the latest Umbarian in town ? Four days ..

“Was she alone with Ava at any point today, at the Ranger Headquarters ?” he put the query to one who would know. “She told me that she has questioned this woman now extensively.” The timing was difficult to ignore. The accessibility certainly tied in to the hypothesis.

Gwestion took a long moment before answering that, thinking hard to make sure he remembered correctly. At last, he shook his head slightly. "No. Ava, Arnyn, and captain Alarion were alone for a short time, to discuss something in private.." He frowned at that. "I don't know the captain aside from having met her. I would not know if she was.. altered, or replaced." He wasn't sure how to be sure that anyone was who they should be, now. Except for those who were undoubtedly themselves, of course. "Arnyn seemed very much herself, during the remainder of the meeting..." He recalled. "Just... weary. It was a very long meeting.." He sighed. "We spent hours... talking about this whole thing. Explaining what the situation was. What the risks are, and so forth." He ran a hand over his face. "We got done with it, with only just enough time to return to the house and get dressed for the theater..."

Mention of the theatre threatened to spill Domanol’s mind back into the recesses of frustration and disbelief. Deep breaths, eyes closed, think hard … “She did propose that if Ava wanted to kill her, or Tercen, she could have poisoned either one or both, when they had dinner at ‘her house’”

The Gondorian gestured with an aggressive set of inverted commas, which were entirely lost in the darkness. “Sounds like she has done so on more than one occasion. But there are many types of poison and some are slow acting. Or an enchantment .. that could maybe require rest overnight to replenish for the next time she was seen. And you woke her up prematurely ..”

Suddenly, Gwestion caught his breath as he recalled another part of the conversation during that lengthy meeting. He sat up slowly, rapidly going over it in his mind again. "They were not alone at headquarters today," He repeated slowly, "But they were alone at Ava's house, a few days ago." He said softly. He turned to Domanol. "The day after that dinner, when she met Ava. She invited Arnyn to come to her home, and that is when Arnyn questioned her further." He explained, finding that thought a little troubling, now, given the other things Domanol had just brought up.

Gwestion stared at Dom as these thoughts raced through his mind as a little chill began to creep down the back of his neck. "This is... concerning." He admitted softly. He had no idea how much time Arnyn had spent alone with Ava, before that meeting. And... did Ava know where Arnyn lived? He hadn't thought of asking anyone that. But there was another concern growing on his mind, now.

"In fact.. come to think of it, Gladhron seemed a bit... odd. Tonight." He mentioned, his throat suddenly feeling a little dry. "He went to Arnyn's house while the rest of us were being escorted to the guard headquarters," He explained. "He slept there for a short time, apparently, until I came to get her. And he remained there after we left." He continued, while striving (and failing), to keep the concern out of his voice. "Either he was still half asleep from being woken suddenly, and he couldn't think properly, or.. there was another reason why he couldn't seem to think clearly." He was really starting to get worried now. "And.. honestly, I can't actually think of a good reason why he would have been so tired, tonight.. now that I think of it. Not like that." He frowned as these worries began to crowd into his mind.

“He was asleep at the theatre too,” Domanol failed to argue away Gwestion’s new concerns for his brother. “But then he was also sleepy at the inn the other day. So I didn't think that odd,” he confesed. “Maybe I should have. He has spent more time with the Umbarian than you have ..."

"Yes," Gwestion answered slowly as he nodded slightly. "That was normal enough, as far as I could tell. He is usually able to drop off to sleep regardless of where he is, without really having to try," He rolled his eyes, feeling quite jealous of that ability, right about now. "The other day, he'd stayed up all night so he could beat me and the others to where we'd agreed to meet Arnyn for watching the sunrise," He rolled his eyes. "Then he went riding with her afterward... and yet, later that evening, he was still able to play a card game with you and the others, and tell a story.." He paused. "Not his best work, but..." He shrugged slightly in dismissiveness at that.

"But tonight.." He went on, his frown deepening as he tried to think back to how Gladhron had been. "He was.. well, at the time it seemed comical," He admitted, almost ashamed to think that he had found it so funny. "He was giving the most absurd answers to the things Tercen and I asked, and it was like it didn't register that what he was saying, sounded like... something else... like he was confused or.. I don't know." He shook his head slightly. "I assumed he was still half asleep and not properly thinking about what he was saying.. because.. well. It's him." He didn't venture into the tales of some of his brother's sillier antics, some of which Dom had heard about, or had even witnessed himself. "but now? I wonder..."

“Whether she has done something to the both of them ?” Domanol supposed to finish up his friend’s suspicion, since he had also started it off. In the first place.

Gwestion felt rather inclined to agree that there was definitely something not right, but he had no way of knowing what it was, exactly. Still... he was suddenly very concerned about his brother. "There’s no way I'll be able to sleep now..." He admitted, sitting up fully. "I think I need to check on Gladhron." He wondered what time it was by now, and how far off the dawn was...

@Rillewen
The key would not turn. Arnyn pressed her forehead against the cool wood of the front door, fingers trembling against the stubborn lock. For an instant she thought she had misjudged her own senses, and she could not figure out what the problem was.

Arnyn felt tears stinging in front of her eyes. Could nothing go right? She held the treacherous drops of salty water back by drawing a slow, painful breath. She forced her body to obey, steeling herself – promising herself it would be the last time she’d need to do so, that night – and made her way around the side of the house to the garden and the back door.

Her hands fumbled with the lock. At last it gave, and she slipped inside to the dark hush of her kitchen.

Inside. She was inside. Finally. Alone. She turned, her fingers trying to get the key into the lock from the inside, but she couldn’t do it. Not anymore. She had crossed the threshold, and her body knew it was safe and refused its former level of cooperation. Her hands were shaking with the effort it had taken for her to keep herself together and composed in front of everyone else.

The latch, then. It still took more effort than it should have, but Arnyn managed.

It took all of her remaining strength not to sag down with her back against the door. Not to just give up, right there.

Her hands wouldn’t still, but she succeeded in pulling off her gloves. Her joints ached. Her heartbeat felt... wrong. Too fast and too hard, pounding somewhere in her throat. Her knees didn’t want to hold her weight, but she made them. She could barely breathe without it catching in her chest.

Still. Somehow, she kept standing. For now. Somehow, she kept breathing. For now.

The sound of light snoring came in from the doorway to the living room. Arnyn’s eyes flew open, her thoughts racing. Who—

It hit her the next second.

Gladhron?

She had not expected him to be here anymore. He had not gone with the rest of them to the guard headquarters, after all. Even though he had been awake when they’d all left.

She leaned against the counter. The key dropped onto it. It slid across the surface, thudding against the wall. Her eyes closed, every fiber of her seeming to stretch. The mask was gone now. No more measured words, no more calm command. Only the shaking. Only the poison gnawing through her veins, as if it were eating her instead of her energy. Of which she had none left. She should be asleep. She should be sleeping through the worst of it. Not dealing with… everything she had been dealing with, tonight.

Her breathing sped up as she started doubting everything all over again. Domanol's words pounded through her head, again and again. And Arnyn was in no condition to fight them. She was in no condition to mount a defense.

She raised her hands, looking at her fingers with blurring eyes. She could not keep them from trembling. Her body was bluntly refusing to pull it back together, within the perceived safety of her own house.

No. No. No. She had to get herself upstairs first. She had to–

She registered the drying rack, visible through her trembling fingers. It had been empty, before. Now it was full. She blinked. A few drops fell onto the countertop of her kitchen.

She forced herself toward the living room. In the dim glow of the lit lamps, she could see Gladhron sprawled out on the couch, his head tipped back, his hair mussed, his long frame bent into the cushions. He had fallen back asleep.

If she had been feeling better, Arnyn might have rolled her eyes. Might have felt a little pang of disappointment, or hurt, that he clearly hadn’t been as concerned as he had claimed to be, earlier.

But it was all she could do to stay standing. To keep herself from losing any more tears. She was still shaking, and she… couldn’t stop. Her own breathing became louder, as she felt her self-doubt transforming into panic inside her chest. Thank the Valar he’s still asleep. All I need to do, is get myself up the stairs.

Up the stairs, where she was alone. Up the stairs, where she could collapse. Up the stairs, where she could break.

Arnyn gritted her teeth. She could do it. She could do it. She. Could. Do. It.

She was in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. She had to make it through the living room, to the hallway, the entry. Up the stairs and to her room. It was not that far.

It seemed impossible.

With one hand braced against the wall, she started on her way. One shaky step at a time.

@Arnyn

The sound of a door closing somewhere nudged his brain toward wakefulness, but he didn't want to wake up yet. He didn't want to leave the cozy realm of sleep when he felt like he’d only just arrived. He still didn’t feel very good, and the memory of how awful he’d felt stuck with him even in this light stage of sleep. It didn’t take much before he had drifted back to sleep, but even more lightly than before. He was even aware of his own snoring, which really didn't help his throat.

But as the minutes passed, and his ears inevitably picked up a few faint noises from the other room, he became increasingly more aware that someone was there. It was becoming more and more impossible to ignore his dry, parched throat. It soon became evident that it wasn't willing to let him ignore his thirst. After he had lay for a moment trying to coax his mind back into sleep, he found that he could also not ignore the sense that someone was there with him.

With those things combined, Gladhron finally began to wake more fully, almost against his will. As he began to return to consciousness, the prevalent thought in his mind was to ask whoever was there.. whether it was Arnyn or Tercen.. where he could get some water to drink. Even before he had opened his eyes, the question was burning in his mind, as intensely as the dryness burned in his throat.

With a groan, he began pushing himself up on his elbows as the first stage of sitting up. It was then that his elbow slipped off the edge of the couch, unbalancing him abruptly while he had still yet to get his bearings. As a result, he ended up tumbling off the coach and onto the floor before he even knew what happened. “Oww.” He mumbled a complaint despite having no actual injuries.

It didn’t take but a second or two to determine that his knees were fine, and he had missed hitting his head on the coffee table. Rubbing his eyes, he looked up and squinted through the dim light. Through sleepy eyes, he saw a figure moving toward the stairs, tiptoeing as if to avoid waking him. Too late, that ship had sailed. “Celume?” He asked, his voice audibly parched. It had to be her, right?

@Rillewen
Arnyn’s slow steps halted at the sound of something - someone - falling. And uttering a sound of complaint.

Gladhron was awake.

Arnyn did not turn around, and did not approach her friend. Instead, she grimaced. Squeezed her eyes shut, looking for that calm center within herself, that center where she could usually find her resolve, her peace.

If he would even want to be her friend, anymore. After… well. After everything she had done wrong, and how she had risked endangering his other friends. How she was risking endangering them. People who had started to feel like family to him and Gwestion. That was what Gladhron had said, a few days ago at ranger headquarters. Family. Something twisted in her chest, and she pressed against it with her other hand. Would Gwestion even still speak to her, come the morrow? Would Gladhron, once he knew?

Maybe, just maybe, they would no longer want to help her. Maybe they would no longer wish to go to Umbar. At least one good thing would come of this whole mess, then. Though it would leave her with an altogether different problem, logistically - at least they would not be risking their lives anymore, just to help her. At least they would not be risking their sanity anymore, just to—

She stared ahead, toward the hallway. Maybe she could still make it upstairs. Maybe she could crumble there, where no one could see her.

And then he said her name.

She tried to control her shaking legs, her trembling hands. She didn’t want them to betray her. Varda’s stars. She really didn’t. Didn’t want to be this vulnerable. Let alone look it. Especially not in front of someone who, soon enough, might be so disappointed in her he wouldn’t want to call her ‘friend’ anymore. Arnyn hoped for dear life that Gladhron had not yet already spotted how unsteady she was.

But she was trembling. From the cold. From the belladonna. From too many nights without any rest worth speaking of. From a lack of sustenance.
And now this deeper, crueler tremor beneath it all. Stifling as doubt. Thick as poison. Hot as shame. Sharp as fear.

The effort of trying to keep it together, as little and as much as she could, only made her register his gravelly voice after a moment. That did not sound like Gladhron. Maybe it was just him being half asleep. Instinctively, Arnyn peered over her shoulder.

She wanted to say something. Anything. But no words came out. Because he would see something was wrong soon enough. And what could she even say that would not be the wrong thing?

She could not possibly tell him she was overworked, or that she was poisoning herself, and especially not about what Domanol’s words had done to her. Not merely because it would make her look weak. It was part of it, sure. But she also did not want to risk Gladhron thinking worse of his other friend for it. On the small chance it even would, she supposed. Because the only one who deserved to be thought worse of here, was her.

But not saying anything might also backfire. Not saying anything could make Gladhron take offense in a different way, later. That she hadn’t trusted him enough to talk to him. Or… Arnyn’s chin lowered slightly. What in Orodruin did she even know? She knew now that she couldn’t trust her own mind anymore.

The word she finally settled on, the word she finally managed, did not hold much meaning.

“Yes,” she half-spoke, half-breathed, through the worrisome shortness of breath and the chills she was desperately trying to hide.

@Arnyn
Whoever had entered the house, whoever had come through the living room, whoever was now standing on the bottom of the stairs… they stopped the moment he fell off the couch. It was obviously a woman, but was it Celume? She remained silent, as if hoping he wouldn’t notice that she was there or something. He couldn't see her face, but he was beginning to question if some stranger had broken into the lieutenant’s house! Maybe she hadn’t expected there to be anyone else here? Maybe she was keeping still in the hopes that he’d think he imagined her? But the intruder would be wrong. He knew she was there, and if she was not meant to be here… then he'd caught her. With that thought in mind, he struggled to bring himself to a more alert state, in case this was an actual intruder.

When she did finally answer him, Gladhron was relieved to hear her voice, however brief. However soft and whispery her voice was, he knew that was Celume. His shoulders relaxed. Nothing to be alarmed about, then. One hand rubbed over his face as if that would help him to wake up. Slowly, he got up as far as his knees so he could at least see over the couch, while holding onto the arm of the couch with his other hand.

He refrained from standing the rest of the way, just yet. He still felt a bit unsteady, like the room was trying to swirl around him. Like the floor would be too far away if he went any higher. He felt too hot, despite the room being cold. His head still had a dull throbbing going on, but at least his eyes had lost most of the blurriness by now. He blinked a few times as he focused on the pale figure standing on the steps. The room was too dark to see much. He thought something didn't seem right about her, but he couldn't place it. Maybe it was only a trick of the dim lighting? Perhaps he still wasn’t seeing properly, after all. Then again, maybe something had happened while she had been gone?

Gwestion and Tercen showing up seemed almost like a distant dream by this point, but he remembered it happening. And he remembered that whatever Gwestion had thought was so important had been the cause for her having to leave. And that she'd been gone for a while. She must be exhausted, he realized. He shouldn't hold her up from her rest. Still, his throat was so dry. He needed a drink. Of course, he also wanted to check if she was alright, first and foremost.

He started to speak, then had to pause and clear his throat first. “Is.. everything alright?” He asked, though he felt like his tongue was too thick and dry to work properly, and the words felt difficult to get out. His speech seemed slow and awkward, for some reason. He swallowed as well as he could, leaning his head on his palm, as if that might make his head stop hurting. His head felt hot, but he wasn't sure why. “What was so important they couldn’t wait til morning, anyway?” He managed to get another question out, though his tongue felt clumsy and the words seemed difficult to form. He assumed it was due to the dryness. He'd ask about water, just as soon as he'd made sure that things were alright with her...

A collaboration with @Rillewen
He moved very slowly. But Arnyn had known him to take his time waking up in the North, as well. What was strange was that he did not get up any further than his knees. She turned slightly toward him instead of just looking over her shoulder. And then he voiced the exact same question which she wanted to ask him.

For a moment, she was torn between silence and hollow laughter. Was everything alright? No. No, it most certainly was not. But the way he’d spoken the words sounded all wrong, and that left her trying to figure out what was going on with him. Because something was off, wasn’t it? He was still sitting on his knees. He was talking like he was still learning the language… He was leaning onto the couch - his head against his hand...

His next question only served to strengthen her instincts. His speech was… slurring? Arnyn hid her free hand behind her back, her other hand still touching the wall. Because she needed the support to stay upright. What was she even supposed to say in response to that question, without having to explain the whole damn thing?


“It’s a long story,” she said quietly. “But what is wrong with you?”

Gladhron hesitated at her question. What was wrong with him? He didn’t even know. He had no good answer for her question, and that was the thing he found most worrisome about his sudden illness. He debated, briefly, telling her that he was fine. But he also had a feeling that Celume would never buy that. She was too much like Gwestion in that regard, right? She’d know right away he was fibbing.

Instead, he slowly shook his head slightly against his hand. “I..I’m not sure,” He admitted softly, swallowing as well as he could. His throat felt like it was about to crack open or something. “I’m so thirsty.” He mumbled, almost embarrassed to speak of his own discomfort. He suddenly felt a little hesitant to ask her where to find water, when she obviously wanted to go to sleep, but he realized he probably should. “Didn’t want to go wandering around in your back yard, looking for a well,” He admitted after a moment, trying to think of how to explain his problem, without sounding… well, helpless.

And that was only one of the symptoms he was experiencing. “I’m.. really not feeling so good.” He told her, reluctant to have to admit it, but he also wasn’t going to lie about it.


He was feeling unwell. That would explain it, then. Even though he had been fine, earlier - at the theatre. He’d just been tired, that was all. Just like… just like she’d been tired. He probably just needed to drink some water and sleep. His night had now been interrupted several times already, and he had claimed he’d hardly slept the night before.

Arnyn tried to take a deeper breath, fighting her need for quick, shallow breaths, trying to slow her racing pulse. Her head hurt so badly. She just needed sleep. Odds were Gladhron needed the same, right? Even though he had already gotten much more than she had.

His words about a well, made her shake her head. She regretted it instantly. “A well?” she repeated, blinking against the white stars dotting her vision for a moment. “Just - use the tap in the kitchen,” she managed, and turned more fully toward the living room, staggering forward a step and then suddenly halting again as she noticed her own incapacity to move normally. Mentally, she swore. Maybe he was too tired to notice. That was possible. Maybe she’d get just a little lucky.

But she did regret turning. Because it meant she had to turn once again. Her head felt so murky. She needed to get away from Gladhron. So she could be alone. Right. Now. If that meant being a bad host, that was a pity, but it was more acceptable than the alternative.

“You can manage?” she asked, forcing herself not to sound breathless. "Remember you can stay in the guestroom," she also reminded him. "Once you've had a drink, you can go sleep there. That hasn't changed."

@Arnyn
Gladhron blinked as he watched her take a staggering step toward him. As she moved with a strange choppiness. That didn’t seem like her. He raised his head slightly from his palm, trying to make sense of what was off about her.

At the same time, he was trying to process what she said about a tap. A… tap? He was not from this city. He had aided in the battle and all, but he hadn’t spent time in any of the houses, nor had there been any occasions where he had needed to get water, until today. And since arriving here more recently, he had first stayed in the inn, where he only had to go to the common room to get a drink. And after that, he had only been in the house of Lady Azrubel for.. Was it two nights? He’d lost track by now. But.. there, if he wanted a drink, he had only to ask one of the servants for something. As for Arnyn’s house, well… when he had been here before with Tercen, the other guy had gotten their coffee and brought everything into the living room. Earlier, Tercen had sent Gladhron back into the living room while he got the water. And so, with all of those instances combined, he had never actually seen where the water came from. Nor had he ever heard of a dish or vessel called a tap. Gladhron tried to imagine what in Arda she was talking about.

Then she asked if he could manage, and reminded him that he was welcome to use the guestroom. Still, something about the way she sounded… the way she looked, made him decide not to admit that he had no idea what a ‘tap’ might be. He forced a little smile as he gave a little nod. His head did not like that too well. “Yeah, of course.” He assured her, his mouth still so dry he felt like his tongue had lost mobility. “Thanks. Sorry to hold you up.” He swallowed dryly as he waved a hand toward the stairs. “You go get some sleep.” He knew she must be exhausted, and he did not want to be the one to keep her from it. Now, he had to figure out what a tap might be.

Slowly, he rose off the floor, trying to brace himself for the inevitable dizziness that came as a result, but instead, he ended up easing himself to sit on the couch to wait for it to pass, rather than standing all the way right off. His head, again, rested in his hand, elbow propped on the arm of the couch now, while he waited a moment to see if the dizziness would pass soon. He assumed Celume would turn and go upstairs now that he had assured her he no longer needed her. She definitely needed it. She was so weary, she had even stumbled a bit. That must be all it was, he told himself.

He was trying to be reassuring with his choice of words, but his voice did not sound it. So there was more than only the need to rally herself before turning back around, that made Arnyn linger. She wanted to assess her friend.

And so she watched Gladhron as he tried to stand. As he… failed… to stand. Wait. He failed?

She observed him moving onto the couch instead of standing, his head in his hand. What was going on with him? It made no sense to her. He’d been fine earlier. Then now, this? He looked downright ill! But what kind of illness would strike so suddenly, so heavily?

Something tugged at the edges of her mind, but it didn’t manage to push through. “Did you get a fever or something?” she asked, concerned but not moving from her spot by the wall, frozen in place by her wish not to give herself away.

Celume’s question surprised him. He should have waited before starting to get up. Gladhron had thought she would already be going upstairs, but instead… she had lingered. And she was asking if he had a fever? He lifted his head and half-twisted his torso to better face her, since his new position had put him facing away from her. “How… how’d you know that?” He wondered, frowning as he tried to recall if he’d said anything to indicate feeling too warm. Maybe it was the head in his hand? He managed a weak smile. “Just a little bit. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I’ve had fevers before,” He let her know. If he could just go get some water, he’d be fine, surely. The water would bring down the fever, right? He took a slow breath in, as if to brace himself for it. He would just have to get up and go get it.

Somewhere in his mind, through the fog in his head, it hit him that Celume hadn’t been feeling well the other night. Nor earlier today, if he remembered right. She had even dozed off at the theater. He’d assumed it was because she was sick. Now… he was also sick. It began to register. The likelihood that he had caught whatever bug she had, well… it made sense. Trying to swallow past his parched throat, he finally forced himself to get up from the couch, partially leaning his hand on the arm for support. If he was feeling like this, in what was most likely the beginning stages of this illness, then she must be feeling much worse. “I’ll… get us both some water.” He offered, feeling like his speech still felt slow, due to his dry mouth.

Moving a little so that he now held onto the back of the couch rather than the arm, he straightened his posture and managed to keep from swaying even though it felt like he was on a ship in a storm, for a moment. Not that he’d ever been on a ship, much less during a storm, but he’d heard tales. He could imagine it felt just like this.

Her frown deepened when he asked how she knew that he had a fever. A fever could really mess with you, she knew that from her own recent experience. But… “Is anyone at Isys’ ill?” she asked him next, as she watched how faint his smile was. How slowly he rose to his feet. How he was still holding onto the couch even as he stood upright.

“No,” Gladhron answered slowly, stopping himself from shaking his head. He hesitated. Should he mention that she was the only one he’d been around who had been feeling ill? He decided not to, lest it make her feel bad. “I think… I just need some water, and rest.” He mumbled. He tried not to use the furniture for support as much. “I’m already feeling better than I was earlier.” He added, trying to convince her not to worry. “I’m just.. really thirsty.” And headachy, and dizzy, and feverish… but he didn’t add the rest out loud.

@Rillewen
His ‘no’ made her feel a bit panicky - a different kind of panic than the one which was already trying to rip through her. But why was that? Arnyn drew in a breath, trying to draw it in deep, trying to get more air into her body, trying to get her brain to catch up to that gut instinct, through the exhaustion and the poison that was still –

Her breath caught. No. That was impossible. But…

“You’re thirsty.” Just like she was. “Your balance is clearly off.” Judging from the way he was holding onto that couch like it was a lifeline. Just like she was holding onto the wall. “You got dizzy, just from trying to stand.” Just like she’d gotten dizzy by turning around too fast, by shaking her head…

But… That couldn’t be it, though.

Could it?

“You have a fever,” Arnyn continued, just loud enough for him to hear. He’d admitted to that.

No one around him was ill. And what Arnyn had was not exactly contagious. It was… he’d… he’d had tea, but she had been very careful. Hadn’t she? A ragged breath escaped her lips.

“You had your own cup,” she argued, seemingly out of nowhere. But she was trying to eliminate the possibility through reason and memory. “Your own dispenser.” Yes - she had used different dispensers and different mugs, she was sure of it. There had been no chance whatsoever that she had mixed anything up. “Mine had the little leaves on it,” she recalled, standing firm in her denial. It was the only dispenser she had with that pattern etched into it. His dispenser had not had any pattern whatsoever.

Yes – she had been careful. She had to have been.

It had been safe. It had to have been.

Collaboration with @Arnyn
It was evident, from hearing her words, that she had drawn the same conclusion that Gladhron had. That he had caught whatever sickness she had. He hoped she wouldn’t feel bad about it, but it did seem like the only logical explanation. And it wasn’t like it was her fault or anything, since she couldn’t have prevented it, right?

He was a bit confused, though, when she started talking about their cups. And the tea things. What did any of that have to do with him being sick? Then it dawned on him, albeit a little slowly. She must be trying to make sense of how she had passed along this bug, or whatever it was. He didn’t know all the details about how viruses and diseases worked, but he knew it was possible to get sick from someone, just by being near them, or from drinking from the same cup, or whatever. And they had been spending a lot of time together.

“It’s not your fault,” He tried to assure her, but he was really too thirsty to keep standing here without getting a drink. He managed a little smile, hoping to reassure her he was alright, as he made himself let go of the couch. He’d be fine. He had managed earlier when his head had been pounding more than this, and when his dizziness had been far worse. “I didn’t drink after you, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He added, as he couldn’t think of any other reason she’d be worried about him having his own cup, after all.

“I’ll be alright. I’ve been sick before.” Gladhron insisted softly. “These things happen.” He offered a weak smile at her, trying to convince her he was fine. “Besides, it’s not like anyone can do much about it, can they?” He added, shrugging. He started toward the hallway that led into the kitchen. Slowly, making sure not to move too quickly, but steadily. His throat was demanding moisture of some sort.

Arnyn bit her bottom lip as her heart raced harder, as her chest tightened, as she kept telling herself she was not to blame.

She couldn’t be blamed. She just couldn’t be. She had been careful. Maybe he had really just caught something, somewhere. Maybe it was a complete coincidence that they had the same symptoms.

And yet. She’d always been sceptical about coincidences. And Domanol’s tirade had left a bad imprint - his words were still stubbornly echoing through her thoughts.

“How is your stomach?” A surge of adrenaline broke her immobility, and she took a shaky step forward along the wall. She had to make sure it was just a bug. Absolutely sure. Then she could sleep.

Gladhron paused in the hallway at her question. He slowly turned his head to look back at her as one hand reached out to the nearest wall, as if to brace himself against it. “It feels.. sorta funny,” he admitted, still not liking how weird his speech sounded. “I ate a few crackers earlier, but… it didn’t like them.” He swallowed again, dryly. “And they made my mouth drier,” He added with a wry little smile.

Her own stomach seemed to flip over at his reply. “Vision?” she pressed, taking a second step forward. “Any blurriness?” Please, she pleaded mentally. Please say no.

Gladhron’s smile faded a bit as he gave a very small nod, despite his headache. “Not as much now, but earlier…” He hesitated. “Earlier it was… really bad.” He paused, reluctant to say more, but he figured it might be better to just tell her. “That was part of why I didn’t go along with you and the others. That, and I felt too dizzy to stand,” He admitted. “I was afraid I’d slow you all down… and I didn’t even know what was going on or where you were going. So, I thought I’d only be in the way.” He gave a small apologetic shrug.

@Rillewen
No. No, no, no!

She pushed off against the wall with her hand, to make her way over to him. She had to get a look at his eyes. If his pupils were dilated, that would confirm it.

If not - if not, then she could breathe. Then it was all just the most bizarre coincidence she’d encountered in a good, long while. But then, at least - at least what Domanol had said, or implied, about her being a danger to people around her, wouldn’t be true. Then, it had just been one situation, just one—

Her steps were hurried. Unstable. But they still got her there. One hand grabbed his upper arm, the other his shoulder. “Look at me,” Arnyn demanded. Pleaded. Hoped. Feared.

He was caught by surprise when she hastened over to him, grabbing him. Her voice sounded almost desperate. Puzzled, he looked back at her questioningly. Why couldn’t she just let him go get a glass of water? “Celume, it’s fine, it’s not the end of the world.” He tried to reassure her, wondering why she seemed almost panicked, suddenly. His hand pressed against the wall in an effort to keep him from swaying. What was her problem? Why did she want him to look at her? How long was this going to take?

Panic ripped through her when she saw so little of the grey-blue in his eyes. His pupils were blown wide. Her lips parted, but no words came out. It was impossible. It – Was –

“How?” she breathed, shaking her head, getting more unbalanced, gripping onto him tightly - both out of disbelief and to stay upright. “I kept it separate,” she insisted, her eyes wide as she kept staring at his. “This isn’t possible!”

Even more confused than before, Gladhron couldn’t help but ask, “What isn’t possible?” He was staring at her in bafflement. Even with his slightly blurred vision, even with the dim lights in the room, he could tell that there was something different about her. Why did she look so much worse than he recalled her looking when they walked to her house earlier? He frowned, trying to make sense of multiple things at once. “Kept what separate?”

“The tea,” Arnyn insisted, still hoping it wasn’t the poison, even though she could see the evidence right there in his eyes - that it was.

She hadn’t kept it separate. Even though she’d been convinced she had. Somehow… she had not been careful enough. Once again.

The last of her denial was mercilessly smashed into pieces. The truth was unmistakable.

It hit her like a hammer on the side of the head.

“The… tea?” Gladhron repeated, feeling as if her explanation did not explain anything. If anything, it only created more bafflement. He stared at her, trying to make sense of it, but it didn’t work. He was missing something. He had to be, right? Blinking slowly, he sought to bring her into clearer focus. “Celume… What are you talking about?” He asked finally, sighing at the fact that he was not understanding what she was so upset about.

He didn’t understand, but of course he didn’t. How could he? Who in their right mind would think their friend had accidentally poisoned them, after all? Who in their right mind would think their friend was poisoning themselves?

Arnyn tried to focus, through the panic, through the disappointment in herself, through the fear that - that Domanol had been right in even more ways than she had so far thought. That ‘her best’ was nowhere near good enough. And not just in one situation. That, even when she thought she was being careful, she was still endangering people’s lives.

“Did you vomit?” she asked suddenly. Not waiting for an answer, she already grabbed Gladhron’s free hand and tried to feel his pulse. How fast was it going? Faster than was normal. But not… not so fast that it felt—
Okay. Next. “Did you see anything weird?” she demanded. “Any shaking?” She had to ask, even if it would draw attention to her own trembling. “Any hallucinations?”

He continued to stare at her, trying to make sense of this through his dull headache. His mind still felt foggy, and he felt… slow minded, at the moment. It wasn’t a feeling he liked. As she asked several questions about his symptoms, he blinked, watching her grab his wrist and check his pulse. He offered a faint, teasing smile. “I didn’t realize you’d become a healer.” He attempted a slight joke. “Um… yes,” He added, in answer to her question. “That’s what I meant when I said my stomach didn’t like the crackers.”

Her next questions made him grow more serious. Hallucinations? Shaking? He felt a bit weak and unsteady, but… nothing like that. He frowned and tried to think about why she would be asking him these questions. Those… did not sound like normal sickness symptoms. Right? But then, he really wasn’t sure. There were sicknesses he was unfamiliar with, after all.

He gave a slow, careful shake of his head. “The only weird thing I’ve seen lately is my friend suddenly acting unusually panicked because I got a bit sick,” He told her slowly, getting a little worried about her. “Can we sit down?” He asked, taking a closer look at her, noticing how she was trembling. He could feel her hand shaking a bit even as she checked his pulse. She definitely seemed like she needed to sit down, and personally, he would feel better sitting down, too. But… water first. “Let me get a couple glasses of water.” He suggested, thinking they could talk after they each had a drink to sip on.

She wanted to curl up onto the floor. She wanted to drop straight through. Arnyn had no idea how, but she’d poisoned her friend. And not even knowing how it had happened somehow made the failure even worse.

She wanted to refuse sitting down. “Just…” Her hands let go of him, to fumble with a small pouch at her belt. She swayed on her feet. Her hair fell in front of her face. Her fingers couldn’t find the hole to push the button through, and she couldn’t see it. Her breaths came quick, shallow, and one hand wiped the hair from her face, pushing it behind an ear - her right knee buckled–

Gladhron reached out and put his arms around her when it looked like she was about to fall. His memory flashed back to the other night when he had found her passed out on her floor, and he feared she was going to faint again. A worried expression took over his face. “Celume, what’s wrong?” He asked softly, puzzled and concerned by her strange behavior.

He caught her right before she fell. It allowed her to save face, but she was about to throw that away with her next words anyway, so what did it matter if she let him hold her up?

“I poisoned you,” she half-said, half-whispered, her voice thin. “I’m so sorry, Gladhron– I didn’t mean to. So stupid. Stupid, stupid woman...” Arnyn was still trying to open the pouch, though it was more difficult now he was steadying her. The fear, frustration and disappointment made her eyes sting with held-back tears. “I’m sorry,” she managed, a second time, before pressing her lips together, her head still lowered. “But I have something for it, I just–” Stubbornly, she kept pushing and plucking at the stupid pouch. It had never been this hard to open before! And even though she realized her panic was messing with her coordination, she had lost her calm. And couldn’t get it back.

Collaboration with @Arnyn
Arnyn’s words took a moment to settle in his fog-filled mind. Gladhron blinked slowly as he watched her frantically trying to open a pouch at her side, but his mind was focused on what she had said, rather than what she was doing. Poisoned him? As the words sunk in, and as she began to deride herself for this mistake, and then apologize repeatedly for it, Gladhron simply stood in stunned silence, his arms still around her. She clearly needed some support to remain standing, and he wasn’t about to let her fall.

Still, he didn’t know what to think. Or what to make of this unexpected information. His brain felt too muddled. It was like trying to wade through a swamp of thick mud. This was confusing. How could she have poisoned him? Why would she even have-

Dimly, he remembered when he had been looking for crackers earlier. When he had found a container of some sort of leaves. He hadn’t recognized them, but it had seemed to be some sort of herb. He hadn’t had a clue what it was doing tucked away in the back of a cabinet like that, as if it had been forgotten. Or hidden. Now the image of it came dragging back into his mind. He hadn’t thought too much about it then. His head had been hurting too much to give it any thought. But now…

Gladhron swallowed, his throat feeling drier than ever, as his pulse sped up a little with alarm. She must be mistaken, right? She wouldn’t have poisoned him. She couldn’t have, could she? What was she even talking about? He drew a slow breath into his lungs as she explained that she had ‘something for it’. Then he let the breath out, reminding himself that he felt better now than he had a little while ago. So even if he had been poisoned, he must already be over the worst of it, right? “Hold on… what do you mean, you poisoned me?” He had to ask, still a bit stunned. Perhaps in denial.

“It was only meant for me,” she told him. As if that even mattered anymore. Despite her intentions, she had failed miserably. Again. “I never meant for anyone else to take it - I promised the Captain I would never give it to anyone without their consent—” She was rambling, now.

All the while he was trying to come to terms with what she was telling him, she continued to grow more agitated and frantic with her efforts to open that pouch. Gladhron looked down, angling his head slightly to see what she was trying to do. His vision was still a little blurry, but not so much that he couldn’t see that she was trying to undo a button on the pouch. And that she was failing due to her panic. Whatever it was, he concluded it must be important to her. “Here, let me.” He said softly, though he was still trying to make sense of this. With one arm still around her, supporting her, he reached his other hand down to help her with that stubborn button.

With his help, the pouch finally got open, and she tried to keep her hand steady enough to fish out some of the contents. “I made the tea for me, but I must have— I really was convinced I’d given you the fruit blend.” She was crying by now, the silent tears falling down on their hands.

Gladhron stared at her as he listened to her frantic words. As she explained what was going on, he didn’t really want to believe it, but he also knew she wouldn’t make up something like this. Besides… She was actually crying, and clearly distraught about this whole thing. There was no way that was part of a joke. She wasn't the type to pull a prank like this, anyway. Which meant...

Despite the heat throughout his body, a chill somehow still managed to work its way into his veins. She was taking poison? Deliberately? Of all the things his mind had begun to work into possible explanations, that was certainly not one of them. She really had poisoned him? But not deliberately, he firmly reminded himself. Not like Amber had done. Or that other woman…

He closed his eyes in a long blink, forcing himself to take another slow breath even as he felt his pulse race faster. This was clearly an accident. And she obviously felt terrible about it. And he was fine. Even though he still felt some of the symptoms, they weren’t as strong, now. That must be a good thing, right? That must mean he was getting over it, or something. That he would be alright. He felt a bit dazed, but he tried to focus on what she was doing. “What.. what is that?” He asked quietly, his gaze going to the pouch she’d been so desperate to get open.

Arnyn lifted her hand, opening it to reveal the black beans. “Khyar beans,” she told him, her words quick, rushed. “One should be enough, according to my assessment of your symptoms,” she started, then grimaced. “But then, it’s been made abundantly clear to me tonight that my assessment is shire.”

He stared at Celume mutely as she went on about some sort of beans. Telling him to take one. Wait, so… was that some sort of antidote? Was that what she was telling him? He looked down at the beans in her hand, and back up at her tear-streaked face. And all he could think of was the fact that she apparently had something that would cure her of these miserable symptoms she was obviously experiencing, and she hadn’t taken it?

“So maybe two,” she pressed on. “Or all three, to be safe. But three could be too much, could–” She broke off, her breath ragged. “I don’t know anymore. I don’t know if I still trust myself. So, maybe, the median– maybe, two.”

Gladhron stared at her a little while longer, trying to work out any possible reason for why Arnyn would be taking poison. Was it some sort of treatment, for some sort of ailment? He knew that healers would often use herbs that might be poisonous to treat things. That, in small enough doses, even poison could have good uses, if one knows how to use them properly. So, was this poison a cure for some sort of disease she had developed since they last saw her, years ago? Was there another reason for it? He felt very confused about the whole thing. But it was clear that some sort of reaction, a response, was needed here.

Quietly, he put his hand over hers, gently closing her hands over the beans as he looked closely at her, a worried expression having crept onto his features by now. “These are… a cure?” He guessed. “For what sort of poison, exactly?” He asked softly, still feeling a bit chilled by the thought of her taking poison.

“Belladonna,” she answered him quickly. “Would you - please - just–” She lifted her hand a bit higher.

Belladonna… Gladhron blinked again, his mind trying to recall whatever he knew about that plant. Which was… not much. Wasn’t it also called Nightshade? And some other names that he couldn’t recall. His head was still hurting. He still felt a little dizzy, and he wasn’t sure if it was from the poison or the learning about the poison. It was honestly a bit terrifying to think that not only was Celume consuming poison, but that somehow, he had managed to get poisoned as well. And he still didn’t know how. But neither did she. It was definitely not intentional. She’d made a mistake, right? And he couldn’t really be upset about that. Especially not after his own idiotic mistake the other night.

As she practically begged him to take the beans, Gladhron looked into her eyes, seeing the desperation there. As well as the way her eyes looked. The way her face was so pale. The way she trembled. She looked far worse than he felt, and yet she was only worried about him? He moved his hand, thinking back to what she had said about these bean antidote things. One should be enough, she’d said. A tiny part of his mind tried to tell him that there was something to take note of about how she’d then added that he might need two or even three. But for now, he dismissed it.

One then, because that was what she’d said first. And because he felt like he was probably alright even without it. He chose one of the beans from her hand, but looked at her with a serious expression. “Only if you eat one as well.” He told her, in a tone that he hoped she would realize meant that he would not take any arguments.

Her surprise at the condition he was setting made her tilt her head up at him, revealing her wet cheeks. “It wasn’t meant for you,” she repeated. “But it was meant for me.”

Whatever her reasons, Gladhron felt uneasy about what she’d just said. Was she trying to kill herself? He definitely hoped not! But he also acknowledged that he was not in any condition to be trying to delve into deep matters like that. In fact, he still felt like he’d get dizzy if he tried to walk or turn too quickly. But his thirst still existed as strong as ever, and he knew there was no way he’d be able to take this antidote bean with his throat this dry. So, he’d need to get to the kitchen to get some water. Furthermore, if he was this thirsty… she must be as well.

“Doesn’t matter,” He answered her, slowly shaking his head, despite it making the room swirl uncomfortably around him. “You look worse than I feel, Celume, and if you think I need this, then you clearly do, as well.” He hoped his voice sounded firm. He didn’t feel like it did. In fact, he felt a bit weak and unsteady, but at least he wasn’t trembling. At least he was still able to support her, holding her almost as if they were hugging.

Quietly, with the bean held in one palm, he used the back of his hand to gently brush at the wetness on her face. It felt so unnatural to see her with tears running down her face, and he wished he was in a better state to be able to comfort her. To be able to dry her tears and make her feel better. At least, maybe, there was one thing he could do right now that might help them both. “Let’s get some water, and we’ll both have one of these things.” He suggested softly, hopeful. Please. Please, let him get some water already…

@Rillewen

The darkness hung heavy over the entire room, as though a vast blanket that would succumb all beneath to slumber. And yet somehow his company for the evening seemed suddenly more animated than ever. In the same time that Domanol was slowly slackening, allowing his physical self to rest, and be ready, for the moment when he could sneak out ... Gwestion seemed to be awakening to the very serious consequences of what had failed to register before now. That the danger did not start when Ava and her optimistic escort docked in Umbar itself. The danger was already amongst them. Dom might have been glad to observe the penny drop, if he had not been so utterly disheartened by the truth of what they were in fact up against. If their ever more inventive theories were to be believed, then things were far worse than they had even dared to imagine. And the fact that the Northerner was worried about Gladhron in a way that he had not seemed even remotely as concerned about Seri, moments earlier, threatened to unravel Domanol.

In silence he heard the younger man catch up to his own concerns. And any hope that the usually more rational of their duo would manage to dismiss all that the evidence suggested ‘might’ be true .. failed to present. The elder’s intention to seek out an audience with the King upon the morrow, did not even have the same staying power to calm Gwestion, as it had apparently, been accepted by the Lieutenant.


The notion that perhaps Arnyn had simply spent too much time with Gladhron so that the latter had rubbed off on the former, was a consideration that Dom did not bother to broach aloud. Because Gwes was right. It would have seemed almost comical, if not for the undeniable aspect which had turned all things more precarious. The stranger amongst them, posing as a friend. There was simply not a single explanation that Dom could conceive, why someone like Pharak Halsad could not know about the daughter of two heretics whom he had murdered himself. Even if Ava wasn’t knowingly leading them all into a trap, did not mean she was not still leading them all, herself included, into a trap. And some of the keenest minds he had ever encountered had sleepwalked them all into such a state of things. No, being right, or even convincing somebody else that he might be, was no satisfaction this night. Domanol did not want to be right about any of this.

He could have asked Gwestion what good he thought that ‘checking’ on Gladhron would be, if the man’s brother was as influenced by fell theories as the Lieutenant apparently was. He could have pointed out that if the Gate Guards were not willing to let Domanol speak to Seri or the girls, before they’d handed in their testimonies, then they would not let Gwestion seek out Gladhron this night either, until he too had fulfilled that very same requirement. He might have raised the problem that the two of them could not resolve the situation really at all, for so long as they remained uncertain of what the situation actually involved. But the want, the need, to see a now imperilled loved one for himself, that much Dom could comprehend well enough. And perhaps Gwestion could prove as ally now .. rather than the obstinate obstacle he had posed as for most of the evening else.



By the time that Addhor had acknowledged that the persistent mutters from his living space were finally quietened, and realised that this was very unlikely due to his brother having settled down for the night .. by the time that he had accepted that even words he could only half hear and could not rightly comprehend were still unwilling to let him sleep, … and by the time he recalled the events which had followed the last similarly unsettled night that his brother had spent with a friend, cloistered in half-silenced secrets .. by the time he had decided to check for himself, .. that elder brother found his younger sibling gone. And their guest also. And while it has to be said that a momentary sigh escaped the former Ranger, at the fact that he was in no fair state these days to chase them down, wherever they might have gone now .. there was also a guilty relief to be found in the very same realisation.

---

The Guard recruit assigned to the Third Gate was not so fortunate that she could refrain from involvement. Not even scheduled to stand sentry this night, she had been called away from her relentless paperwork to help close down the circle gates. This was a rare occurrence and one which most folk even resident in the city did not realise occurred at all. But when the Guard were short staffed, and/or when the need arose, the gates between the circles were physically closed. And though a Guard was allotted to hold each outpost, and be on hand in the case of fire or some other need which would call for the portals to be reopened .. the young woman was left stamping her boots against the frigid hour, and bemoaning all she could be doing back at her warm desk. And that was even before the two men turned up with a clear ambition to find their way past her outpost.


“Halt” A clear voice was propelled out of her throat, belying her age and gender both. The impressive frame she had inherited from her father was particularly advantageous when visibility was compromised. As it currently was. “The hour is late and it must be an urgent cause indeed to see you seek out passage between the circles,” she pointed out her take on the situation. And then recognised her father’s friend amongst the two men. And quietened, to see how he might play this.

“Sorrela” Dom acknowledged the young woman, before muttering back a half stifled “Narradir’s eldest,” as explanation to keep Gwestion informed.

“I had understood that you were staying with your brother, on the Second Circle,” she returned her own inside knowledge in turn. Dark eyes flicked between the two men though the rest of her stood still, poised, and ready as a cat to pounce if provoked. “Are you in need of assistance ?” There were certainly several known foes which the Guard recruit could name which might have inspired this sort of untimely action. But few which would have led the former Guard to seek out entry to a higher circle, rather than to the Guard Headquarters which was on the tier he currently possessed. “I do not know your friend,” she mentioned, when the men were forced to spend a moment considering their next move.


“This is Gwestion, a fellow Ranger of the Northern kingdom,”Domanol relented, eventually. "And .. this is new .." he remarked, of the restriction. A frown met their delay, and idly glanced up the height of the wall as one hand stroked the man's recent-groomed chin.

“You were away from the city for a long time. Many things are likely not as you remember them,” Sorrel inched her fingers on the staff she had to hand. Not cleared yet of a rank to allow a bladed weapon, she was nonetheless more than capable from experience in her father’s forestry team, to make a significant impact with the blunt tool. “My sentry partner is stationed on the other side of the gate. It will take the both of us to agree whether to and to manage to open it,” she told him, what she imagined that he was asking, without speaking the exact words. “He can pass word to the next gate if it is a message you require to get through.”


Hearing this, Domanol turned to Gwestion and readied himself for another round of Rohirrim speech, for which he was not entirely wakened enough to anticipate at the moment. The Guards were either responding to their own diminished numbers, or some warning had already gone out. No doubt from the Lieutenant herself. An impressive series of expletives was unleashed against the wall that the man turned away to behold. And still that barrier of stone stood as unyielding as the young Guard was likely to prove.

With a resigned sigh, Dom gestured to Gwestion to try his luck, if he should be of the mood. But the outcome of their efforts would prove all the same regardless. The gate was closed. And whether the two exhausted but adrenaline-fuelled Rangers of the North elected to remain and argue the point until dawn leant a new turn on their circumstances, or if they pressed too far and ended up awaiting in a Guarded cell until their kin had finished making report to the Guards, it was all the same. There would be no passing through to the upper circles this night. Even if Sorrela had been of a disposition to aide their goal, her unidentified partner on the other side of the gate would be less easily persuaded. The Tower Guard had undergone such a state of affairs of late, that nobody was willing to be lenient in the face of the sorts of perils even peace could fling at the stalwart city of stone.

The way was shut. They could not pass. All that remained was to hope that the morrow would propose some more pleasing outcome for all whom the long night had troubled.

@Rillewen
Trembling with exhaustion, panic and poison, Arnyn stared at him. She hadn’t expected him to set any kind of condition. Who in their right mind would set a condition on taking an antidote when someone told them they’d been poisoned? He was being impossible.

Her panic over realizing she’d accidentally poisoned him warred with her stubborn decision to experiment with the belladonna. She didn’t want to… undo… any progress. But she didn’t want him to suffer the symptoms from the poison for a single moment longer, either.

She wanted to grit her teeth, fight him on it, just shove the bloody beans down his throat already.

But then his hand brushed at her cheek, distracting her just enough to focus back on what he was saying. Water, he said.

“I don’t know if I can—” Arnyn didn’t want to finish the sentence. Didn’t fully want to admit to her incompetence. She didn’t want to have to hold on to him on the way to the kitchen, either, or needing him to support her. It was bad enough he was holding her up as it was, mostly with one arm. While he was poisoned, himself.

By the Tree. She was a terrible friend. First, she’d left them to solve the bandit problem in the North all by themselves. Then it had taken her all of a day to give up on finding them again, when she’d gone back. And, years later, after the sheer luck of meeting them again in Minas Tirith, here she was, days later - introducing them to a possibly treacherous Umbarian who could mean the death of them. That is, if she didn’t poison them to death any sooner.

Her eyes looked away from his. “Fine,” she whispered. “Water.” That much, she could agree with, at least. They could start there. Maybe he would finally take the antidote after drinking some water.

Her admission, that she didn’t know if she could, concerned him. Gladhron didn’t know what it was that she didn’t think she could do, but it was unlike her to admit to not being able to do something. So, he was concerned.

Without a word, he adjusted his hold on her, holding her against his side with an arm around her waist as he began guiding her toward the kitchen, holding the bean in his hand. His other hand rested against the wall for support, until they reached the kitchen. “Now… where is this tap thing? Some sort of special pitcher?” He asked, while helping her to one of the chairs at the table. His pride about not knowing something as simple as this was gone for the moment. Her condition (and his own) scared him enough to put that aside for now. He just needed water. And for her to be alright.

“Sink,” she supplied curtly. Her embarrassment at needing his support was muted into nothingness, in the face of her guilt, in the face of her desperation for him to just take the antidote already. He had only taken one. Whether that meant he was only planning to eat one, as well, she had no way of knowing, but it worried her. Her head was still saying one would be sufficient, but her head hadn’t exactly had the best track record, lately.

Doubt gnawed at her. Maybe she was underestimating his situation. Maybe she couldn’t even assess his situation properly - maybe he was pretending to be doing better than he really was. Because… because she was such a mess. She’d done that. She’d pretended to be fine to help carry someone else. And he was doing just that, now. He was literally holding her upright.
How could she possibly be sure one bean was enough for him?

After making sure that she made it safely into a chair, Gladhron turned, slowly, to take a look at the sink where he had previously washed dishes. The dishwater was still there, since he hadn’t emptied it. He knew she did not mean for them to drink that, so there must be something he was missing. But the basin was empty, except for the water. So, his eyes went to the drying rack, where he had put all of the dishes he’d washed.

He had to look for a long moment before it dawned on him that she meant, not something that was in the sink, but that knob thing that operated something there. He hadn’t noticed it before, due to his blurred vision, but now he realized that it must be some sort of water source. He couldn’t help feeling a bit silly and dumb for not having realized that on his own before now, but then he hadn’t expected the water source to be inside the house, either. He said nothing though, and went over to it. Leaning his closed hand on the edge of the sink, he steadied himself while his other hand selected a glass from the drying rack. He fumbled with the knob briefly before water began to come out of it. Any other time he would be very impressed by the ingenuity of the people of this city, to harness the water that must be flowing from the top of the mountain, and make it come right into their homes, for their own convenience. At the moment, he only felt relieved that clean, refreshing water was coming out. He put the glass under it and held it there until it was full.

As much as he wanted to drink the glass down right away, he didn’t. Instead, he turned off the water source before making his way back to the table, careful not to lose his grip on the glass or spill any of the contents or lose his balance from dizziness. Upon reaching the table, he set the glass down in front of Arnyn. Then he returned to the sink to grab a second glass for himself and filled it. As the basin was already nearly full, he turned the knob to the off position while he drank his glass of water.

Arnyn wanted to tell him to drink first, just so he would take the antidote faster, just so she could make sure he would be alright - but he had already stepped away before she could say anything. With trepidation, she watched him return to the sink, while her own quivering fingers curled around the glass he had placed in front of her.

The glass was drained in one very long gulp. He got rid of the sink water before doing anything else, then refilled his glass, and placed the pitcher under the flow of water so it could be filling up while he drank the second glass more slowly. His throat finally feeling satisfied, he opened his hand to look at the bean. “Are you supposed to swallow it, or chew it up?” He asked, already feeling a little bit better as far as his thirst went. His speech still wasn’t quite… normal, but at least he didn’t feel like his throat was cracking apart anymore.

She was drinking more slowly than he was, trying not to spill the water with her hands still refusing to stay still, when he asked about the beans. “Chew,” she urged him. “Then swallow.”

Nodding, Gladhron put it in his mouth, hoping that it at least wouldn’t taste bad. It was dry, which was a big part of why he made sure to get water first, aside from the fact he was so excessively thirsty. Because either way, whether swallowing it whole like a pill, or chewing it up, he knew even with his currently impaired thinking that there was no way he would have been able to manage it with his throat and mouth as dry as it had been. Chewing it up would turn it to paste. He knew that much from experience, having tried eating uncooked beans once before as a kid. And he could guess that trying to swallow it whole would get it stuck in his throat.

As he began to crunch it up with his back teeth, Gladhron watched her, waiting for her to eat hers as well, because she was really scaring him about this whole thing.

She sagged with relief when she watched him put the bean in his mouth and he started chewing. Arnyn leaned back in the chair as she sent up a thank you to whichever Valar was most appropriate.

After a moment, she realized he was watching her with expectancy. She opened her other hand and stared at the two beans she was still holding. “I’ve been taking nightshade,” she said, more slowly now, “in small increments. To try and build up a tolerance.”

Gladhron let out a tiny breath of relief when he saw her open her hand, as if she was going to eat one of the beans. But then she didn’t. Instead, she began to answer the question that was next in his mind to address; why in Arda she would be doing such a thing as consuming poison. But her explanation only gave him a lot more questions he wanted to ask, and yet, he wasn’t sure how much to ask now, or wait for later.

Hearing the water beginning to overflow from the pitcher, Gladhron hastily turned off the water and then carefully poured some of the water from the pitcher into his glass, before carefully lifting the pitcher. It was heavy, and he couldn’t quite carry it and his glass together, so he left the glass in the sink for the moment while he brought the pitcher to the table, still frowning about what she had just told him. Trying to understand why she would be doing such a thing.

She wasn’t sure why she was even explaining anything. Hardly anyone understood her when it came to things like these. Things too closely tied to her character, her inner workings. What made her tick. These days – except maybe for Pele – people didn’t understand her. Not really. Not anymore. Those days were gone.

She wasn’t sure why she even bothered. Why she even tried to get people to see things tied to her idealism, her hopes, her way. It was useless. Most people got stuck seeing the situation solely from their own perspective, and almost blatantly refused to even try and open their minds to consider she might have a valid point too. The whole point of it was that, though, that usually everyone was right in one way or the other. Arnyn wasn’t sure why she had to feel so alone in seeing that. Usually, when she tried to explain one of her more unusual stances, when she tried to explain a more or less controversial decision, when she tried to find a connection with someone - the attempt just ricocheted and tended to hit back at her. Was it her own fault? Was she just… too demanding? Or too unclear? Or too crazy? It was more likely for her to be the one who was off, wasn’t it?

Collaboration with @Arnyn
After retrieving his glass, Gladhron sat across from her. Still thinking about what she had said. Taking it in small increments? To build up a tolerance? His frown deepened slightly as he tried to understand what could possibly drive her to want to build up such a tolerance. There must be something he was missing, right? He took a slow sip of water before speaking again. “Why?” He asked, at last, frowning in a mix of confusion and concern.

Her eyes were still on the beans, avoiding his. He wasn’t shutting her down yet, but it was only a matter of time. Maybe all he was waiting for to leave, now, was for her to take the antidote as well. So he could be sure he wasn’t leaving her to die or something. He was a decent man. Even if he was upset with her, he’d want to make sure her life wasn’t in danger before he left. And it wasn’t as if Arnyn could claim she was doing ‘fine’.

“One of the Umbarian slavers, the one who came here last summer - she and her.. those who work for her - were known to use deadly nightshade to incapacitate their enemies. So… after…” Her eyes closed briefly, recalling the words that had been said at guard headquarters concerning that day, too.

“I read about mithridatism,” she continued, still speaking slowly. As if she expected him to interrupt her at any given moment. “It has had me wondering. For a while now. And then, a few days ago, after meeting Ava, and hearing her speak of others using poison in Umbar as well…”

He stared at her without interrupting as he listened, mentally urging her to eat one of those beans in her hand. Maybe both of them, even. But she didn’t. And he was getting worried. But, he tried to focus on what she was saying. Her reasons. And… as much as he wanted to understand, and tried to understand, he did not really understand. Myth-what-ism? He blinked as she dropped a word he’d never heard of before. But he didn’t ask out loud, not wanting to interrupt her. Yet, his mind began trying to work out its meaning from the context of her words.

Arnyn fell silent for a moment, her eyes unmoving from the black beans in the palm of her hand. “Belladonna is just one specific type of poison, of course,” she admitted with a small shrug. “If anyone were to use any other kind, it wouldn’t change anything. Unless they used this, I imagine,” she said, with another small shrug, nodding at the beans. For they were another poison, in and by themselves. She’d done her research once Kaylin had suggested them. It was why she had said three might be too much, earlier.

Arnyn fell silent again, convinced that continuing would be useless. It wasn’t like she’d be able to change his mind, if he thought the risk and the trouble wasn’t worth it. He hadn’t understood what she’d been trying to tell him about her drawing, either.

The understanding began to dawn on him the more she spoke about it. Gladhron frowned thoughtfully as she spoke about people in Umbar using poison, and how it wouldn’t help matters if someone used a different kind of poison. “You’re… trying to become… immune?” He guessed, speaking slowly as he tried to check that he had understood correctly.

“Yeah.” She frowned, and her fingers twitched. “Nightshade is a suitable poison for mithridatism,” she added in a whisper. “I did my research. Because not all poisons work that way.”

“It was really bad, the first few nights,” she admitted. “Which is why I’m so tired. I hardly slept then. And I could hardly eat the days that followed. But… it’s getting better.”

“That's why you passed out...” The realization made him interrupt before he could stop himself.

She nodded. Certainly, that would be enough for him to demand she take the beans, or both, and stop her experiment immediately.

But their conversation was keeping him here, for now – and it was important that she could make sure that when he left her house, the antidote was working. She had to be absolutely certain that one of the beans had been enough. She had to fix her mistake. He only had to keep from storming off long enough for her to see that he would be alright. Once he was safe, he could get as angry with her as he liked.

So, Arnyn went on. Hoping it would keep him there just long enough. And if the bean didn’t help soon, she’d force him to take more. She also had charcoal - she could use that, too, if need be.

“I think…it was a turning point, maybe. Because I held down those crackers you watched me eat. I also managed to eat a few things today, without them coming back up. And… it was easy to fall asleep this evening.” First, on his shoulder, though that had been before today’s dose. Then, in her bed. That had been after today’s dose.

So her reaction was definitely improving in some ways, at least. The main problem was, however, that fate had decided to deprive her of rest, which her body desperately needed in order to combat and neutralize the poison.

Or— no, not fate. Her own incompetence. Arnyn chewed the inside of her cheek. Had the belladonna all been a huge mistake, as well? Tonight, it was sure starting to feel like it.

She pressed her empty hand onto her forehead, elbow leaning on the table. And something, something deep, cracked. “I could have killed you,” she whispered. “Because I was naive enough to think I could experiment with poison and no one but I would suffer the side effects.” Her head was pounding less after drinking the water, and her legs were no longer shaking now she was sitting down. But her hands still trembled, and she closed her fingers around the beans to keep them from slipping out of her palm.

While he listened to her explain, Gladhron closed his eyes for a moment while resting his head between both hands, wondering how long it would take for the bean cure to take effect. His head was still throbbing slightly, and he still felt like his brain was trying to operate through mud. But he began to piece things together, even if it felt like it was coming together slowly. The room was feeling less stifling, which meant he was feeling a little chilled instead of too hot. But his stomach was finally feeling normal.

“So… the tea you had last night.. earlier tonight, whatever it was by now..” He raised his eyes to look at her, still with his forehead supported by his hands, elbows propped on the table. She no longer appeared blurry, now, but that only made him all the more aware of how terribly ill she looked. Which he should have noticed before. “That was nightshade?” He felt another chill sweep through his heart as he came to this realization. That she had been drinking poison right there in front of him, and he hadn't even realized it. She could have died in her room while he was sleeping in the room down the hall, and…

His mouth felt dry again, although he wasn’t sure if it was from the poison symptoms, or from this revelation. He picked up his glass and took another long drink before setting it down again. Then he stared at the table for a long moment, trying to sift through all of things that she'd said.

“Yes. My fourth dose.” She removed her hand from her face, her head down. Just try and keep him here long enough. I just need to see the symptoms go away. That thought made her glance back up at him. But there was no visible change, yet. Kaylin had said it would act fast. But - what was fast? How long should it take?

Her fourth dose. Fourth?! Only the fourth? Gladhron was shocked by that. Considering how potent that dose seemed to have been. His gaze strayed toward the sink, toward the tea dispenser that still hung on the edge. He blinked, staring for a few seconds as his mind went back to last night. A breath, like a humorless laugh, escaped him as it suddenly hit him what he had done. His brain finally made the connection, now that he had all the facts. Such an idiot. He turned to look back at Celume. “I know how this happened, now..” He muttered, almost unable to believe his own idiocy. He reached across the table to take her hands in his. “Celume.. this wasn't your fault. It was mine.” He informed her gently.

@Rillewen
She frowned at his strange laugh, then at their hands. “No,” she disagreed quietly, drawing out the word hesitantly. “I was the one who made the tea. I must have messed up, somehow. It must be affecting me more than I realized.”

Gladhron shook his head, absently noting that it no longer made him feel sick with dizziness to do so. But that was hardly important at the moment. “No.” He insisted. “You may have made the tea, but I'm the idiot who grabbed your tea thingy by mistake,” He explained, sighing. “I didn't realize it at the time.. it was dark, and... I didn't know it even mattered…”

She did look up at him then, confused. What? Her ‘tea thingy’? Her dispenser? Why would he… A mistake?

Arnyn’s eyes widened. “I didn’t see you do that,” she said, stunned. “Or I would have stopped you. Thrown it out.” Or something.

“It was when you went to show me to the guestroom,” He interjected softly, not to interrupt, just to give her an explanation. “I thought my tea seemed just a bit weak, so.. I thought I’d put the thing back in and let it steep a little more…” He gave a small, sheepish smile. “I didn’t even notice I’d grabbed the wrong one, because you’d already started upstairs with the light.” He added quietly.

“I definitely would not have let you drink it-”

“I know-” He sought to assure her, but stopped when she continued.

“But even so… Gladhron, I– I still exposed you to it through what I was doing. You taking the wrong dispenser would not have mattered, if it had been just tea.”

Gladhron shook his head again. “Celume-”

She shook her head right back at him, but slowly, to avoid messing up her head any further.
“If I hadn’t drank it in your presence– if I had been more careful– if I had waited until I was completely alone, when you were already asleep– or if I had immediately emptied the dispenser into the trash– “

“There were so many things I could have done differently, to be more careful,” she told him, as she now realized just that. After the fact. It was much too similar to the Ava situation. How could she not have seen the gaps? She lowered her eyes to the table again.

“You shouldn’t have even had the opportunity to make the mistake in the first place.” It sounded a lot like something someone else had told her, that night. And it was entirely on her. Both matters were.

“I didn’t even think anything could still go wrong, after I was so careful with preparing the tea and using different looking dispensers and differently coloured cups,” she whispered. “After I immediately rinsed my cup.” So incredibly, unbelievably, stupid. “I can’t believe I completely forgot about the dispenser.”

Her voice sounded hollow as she put it together now, as well. “You took it from the tray.”

He gave a tiny nod in reply to that, but said nothing, as he was trying to think of how to make her feel better about this.

Stupid. She was so stupid. Her body ached. Her breath felt too shallow. The pressure in her skull hadn’t gone, and the trembling had only worsened. It was spreading to her arms. Her shoulders. And it had nothing to do with the poison.

“I’m making one bad call after another, Gladhron.” There was more that part of her wanted to say. But she watched her hands shaking in his, on the solid table between them. And wondered what good it would do to speak of it. For nothing more than either painful confirmation, and for being pressed down into the mud like at headquarters? Or perhaps for well-meant but empty reassurance? If Gladhron was even still willing to offer her that much, after this.

Besides, she should not tell him. Odds were he would be much less interested in being her friend, very soon. If not after this conversation, then at least after the one he was likely to have with Domanol, at some point.

He frowned slightly, giving her shaking hand a light squeeze. “Well… to be fair, what do you expect when you’re being poisoned?” He asked gently. “Of course your judgement is off…”

Part of her wanted to rise up against his statement that ‘of course her judgment was off’. But a bigger part just let the words hit her. It was far from the worst thing that had been hurled at her, tonight.

“If the way I felt a few hours ago is anything to go by… I’m amazed you’ve even managed to drag yourself out of bed these past few days.” He pointed out, unaware of how his statement might have caused her more upset. “If someone else had been poisoning you, you’d probably have assumed you’d gotten sick and gone to a healer for a check up, wouldn’t you?” He actually had no idea what she would have done, but it seemed like a reasonable thing to do, considering they had such easy access to the healers, here. “If you’d been that sick, without knowing why, wouldn’t you take some time off to try and get over it?” Of course, he realized belatedly that it might be a bit hypocritical of him to say this, considering his own history of persisting to do things despite being injured and in no condition to be doing such things…

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, apologising a third time, only half hearing his words about how she’d usually take time off work when sick. “I didn’t want to hurt you.” But she had. At least her dose had already been measured. Small. And Gladhron had only ingested whatever diluted dose of that, which had remained in the dispenser once she’d been done with it. She shivered, feeling cold despite the sheen of sweat on her forehead. She opened the hand holding the beans again, making his hand move. Offering it to him. “Even though I think one should be enough…” her dark eyes were filled with doubt as she chanced meeting his eyes, “I probably shouldn’t be making that decision right now.”

Because, well, she was compromised, wasn’t she? It had already been proven, by her not being cautious enough with Ava, and then now with the poison and Gladhron’s presence. She hadn’t been careful enough around him, before, either: when she’d let him walk into the office at headquarters, while the desk was still riddled with documents and maps. Which also proved that it wasn’t the poison. Her heart sank further. She had messed up with Gladhron at headquarters days before she’d started taking nightshade. She hadn’t been careful enough with Ava from the very beginning, also before she had started taking the small doses.

No. It wasn’t the poison.

It was her.

They had scarcely spoke a word to one another, all their journey down from Iole's house, to where she worked. Admittedly the path from Third Circle to Second was not very substantial. Still the anticipatory air had made for a somewhat ìntense atmosphere. So the young woman was glad when they arrived. Calmly she let them both within, and lit up the lamps, her friend watching the other ways, out through the window, where other shopfolk were readying for whatever the day ahead may bring.

Opening the heavy ledger on her counter, Iole ran a finger down the page, idly, as though checking for something important. She made to dip her quill into the ink but there was nothing yet to report. And so she laid it carefully poised it above the inkwell and then safely set it, dry upon the page instead. All the while, blue eyes were set upon her non-customer. Eventually she put away the feathered tool, closed up the tome and laid aside any further ruse of distraction.

"So. Trev .. .."

Her friend glanced around as though to spot the other, as though she was calling his attention to their friend in person.
He looked disappointed. " I need to let him know, about the .. brother thing," Nal recollected aloud. Because it was easier than admitting what else he had to speak to his 'brother'.

"He's the last," Iole agreed. She had of course told Sorrel, what Unalmis himself had told her, weeks back. Only to find out that the other Guard, Thorley, had already shared the news with his work colleague. Cali had told her mother .. everything she needed to. And Eryn had told the Ranger Lieutenant. "Unless you haven't yet told Isys .." she glanced up in time to witness the man's nod.

"She found me at the stables, told me she'd brought Trev and Tobe both safely home again." And he'd wanted to run straight there and then to see his friend. After she'd heard his news and given up her own. "Guess who showed up at the Joust ?" he pulled a face to narrow down his 'sister's options.

"Which one ?" the young woman was still left with too many choices. She turned, unsure which answer would be more preferable. But the one she got was of course the worst, or next to worst she could have expected.

"Both," Unalmis sighed, running a finger along an empty shelf as though the cleanliness of the shop held any intrigue for him at all. "The eel got away, after failing to steal Toby, but the Umbarian is finally at The Prince's pleasure. They dropped him off to that cell that's been awaiting him in Dol Amroth, before they headed here."

"Both of them," Iole sank softly into the seat behind her counter. "At least 'Rip' didn't show up there as well !"



Quite why their enemy might find motive to head out towards Belfalas, Unalmis did not wish to converse on. "So he didn't let you know he would be staying at GrammyU's last night ?" he asked instead. And then added a pointed "Trevadir," when the young woman didn't immediately follow his shift in subject.

"I'm sure they just talked late. You remember how it was when we found him again ?" She supposed. And he did .. remember. It had been a night noone had slept.

"Toby is alright though ?" the shop assistant enquired, concerned. "I guess Trev was right, about the Captain helping Lowendir escape."

"He's not really Lowendir" her friend reminded her calmly. And ignored the pointed matter of their brother having been correct .. Seems that paranoia can be correct sometimes. Though he really hoped his Uncle's anxieties did not start to come to pass as well. Failing to answer either of her questions, the woman pursued her lips impatiently.

"Did Lady Isys tell you what happened at Lond Col ? Exactly ?" she put to her informant, keen.

"Of course she did. She told me every detail and outlined it all in the most straightforward way so that I could not help but understand. Then we brushed our hair and talked about boys ..." He waited for the sarcasm to be acknowledged.

"Well then you'll have to do that with Trev today," she teased with an innocent smile that suggested she knew not what she'd just said. "I'm sure he'll be along in any minute," she added, reassuringly.

Her friends enthusiasm, for all of his expressed intention of seeing Trev ... suddenly seemed to have waned. As if apologising was not going to be hard enough, without explaining why. He'd never thought he'd need to explain. Not to Trev. But there had been a lot of years between the before and the after. And Trev had been forced to explain his side of things already.

Collaboration with @Arnyn
Gladhron frowned as she tried to push the antidote beans at him. She needed them more than he did! Wishing she would just take hers already, he shook his head slowly. His headache had subsided by now, thankfully. He felt certain that he would be fine. “It’s not the first time I’ve been poisoned, Celume,” He told her with a half-amused little smile. “Nor even the second.” He added with a slightly embarrassed note to his voice, before trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Really, I’m already feeling better.” He shrugged.

Leaning forward a little, he added with a half-smile, “And besides, if I can make the stupid sort of mistake that I made yesternight, and you can forgive me… what sort of friend would I be, not to also forgive you for an accident that was mostly my own fault?” He pointed out with a raised eyebrow questioningly. Perhaps even challengingly.

Arnyn’s eyes were dull as she listened to his words. Not the first time? Not even the second? If she had been feeling more like herself, she would have asked. She looked away from Gladhron, her hand sliding back an inch.

Gladhron’s expression grew more concerned as she pulled her hand away from him slightly. “Honestly, it’s you I’m worried about, Celume.” He told her as he continued leaning toward her, while his hand gently followed hers, moving to close her hand over the remaining beans. Trying to convince her that he didn’t need them, and that she might.

Even though she had pulled back just an inch toward her side of the small kitchen table, he had followed - and carefully closed her hand around the beans with his own. He wasn’t going to take another.

The rest of what he'd said a moment ago, finally seeped in. He was already feeling better. A sigh of relief, as her shoulders sagged. He wouldn’t lie to her about feeling better. He would be fine. Really and truly fine. The tightness in her chest eased. If only to be replaced by more guilt over having put him in danger in the first place.

She guessed they had now come to the point where he would tell her or - at the very least - ask her to stop. The point where he would tell her she was being dangerous and that her experiment, on the off chance someone might use belladonna against her, was not worth it. Maybe even dumb. The point where he would tell her that she needed to be on top of her game right now, not weakened by poison. Where he would tell her all the other reasons one part of her mind had been whispering to her the countless times she’d considered to give up this ridiculous project, over the past four days.

In preparation, Arnyn withdrew yet another inch or two, sitting up straight instead of leaning forward as she had been, earlier. At least she already knew the antidote was working. Gladhron would be alright. If he wanted to get mad at her and leave the house, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about his health. Not that it would make much of a difference if things went deadly wrong in Umbar. Well. If they were still even going.

As she withdrew slightly more, Gladhron gave a soft sigh and sat back, respecting her obvious wish for distance. “I understand what you’re trying to do..” He began, tentatively. “And your reason for it. I get that. It’s… impressive, even…” He hesitated as he tried to find the right words to continue.

Arnyn's eyes flew back to his face. Her lips parted. What? No condemnation? No chiding? No plea? Instead, he was calling it… what? She could hardly believe she had heard it right.

He wasn’t even angry at her for bringing him into contact with the poison? He wasn’t even upset over what had happened to him!? Instead, he was worried, about her? Saying he understood what she was trying to do, and why? Calling it… impressive?!?

Gladhron cleared his throat. “The thing, I guess, that really concerns me.. no, what scares me, is that you’ve apparently only been doing this for four days.” He said, looking at her for a moment, very serious. “Four days, Celume, and yet, your dosage is that strong? So strong you feared that a diluted portion of it would kill me?” He took a breath, trying not to seem like he was scolding her, but… this was her life she was risking!

She blinked. Well, no, she hadn’t thought… Her dose had been nowhere near a killing dose, obviously. She wasn’t taking large doses, because she was nowhere near the point where that would be safe. She didn’t want to kill herself, so it wasn’t as if she had gone in blind.

She’d just… Her face flushed. But who wouldn’t panic after hearing they’d accidentally poisoned someone? She hadn’t been able to figure out how it had even happened, at first, and… Well, thinking about it now, it did make sense for it to have involved her dose. But she hadn’t known. For all she knew, he could have found the leaves she’d hidden, he could have made his own tea - or…

Arnyn blinked, realizing – now that she was calmer – that the symptoms she’d been able to derive hadn’t warranted a large dose of the antidote. It only really got dangerous when you started experiencing convulsions and hallucinations. She frowned. So part of her should have figured out right away the dose wasn’t lethal. She’d - quite simply - panicked.

Trying to figure out how to tell him that without making a complete fool of herself, she was still thinking about how to answer his questions when he continued.

Gladhron shifted slightly in his seat, then wrapped his hands around his glass. It was almost empty by now. “I… realize you said that you’ve researched all of this..” He acknowledged hesitantly, but he went on, hoping she wouldn’t be upset at him for questioning it. “and I… I don’t pretend to know much about poison or any of that. I mean, I know how to recognize dangerous plants and things, in the wild, you know. But as far as…” He waved a hand vaguely. “All this sort of thing? I’ve never studied any of that, myself. But… well, my mother did.” He informed her. “She was an herbalist, and she did know a lot about that type of thing.” He paused, briefly wondering if Arnyn had known that. Probably not, as he didn’t recall it ever coming up between them, in the time they’d spent with her up North.

Arnyn tilted her chin, some spark of defiance wanting to well up at the way he was setting up whatever he wanted to point out to her. But it drowned in the maelstrom of guilt and doubt that she was fighting even as it was threatening to unravel her. So her chin merely lowered again.

“I did learn a little bit about that type of stuff, from her. Not as much as I could have, of course, but I have also picked up a bit from Seri, and also Gwestion.” He added more softly, regretful now. He sighed as he tried not to get off topic. “What I’m trying to say is… from what little I do know about this, I’m pretty sure that if a person is building up a resistance to a poison, then they should start with the smallest, weakest dose possible. Weaker, more diluted even than what I got tonight. So weak that you only just feel the effects.. slightly. Of course, I think it’s usually done when they’re using a poison to treat another malady, but the goal is the same; to gradually, slowly introduce this poison into your body at such low doses, that your body can easily fight it off. And then keep the dose at that same level for a good while.. Maybe weeks? Until it’s clear that their body has basically decided it isn’t anything to worry about. Then you’d increase it just a bit… just enough to make your system go ‘wait, that is a concern after all, let’s reinforce the walls again’,” He paused to check if she was following. “So, gradually, over the course of months, even years… you build up the level of your dose until you can take an amount that would be fatal to anyone else, and not even be phased by it.” He paused, swallowing. He hoped she wasn't going to be annoyed at him for expressing his worries.

She knew all of this. Not about what Gladhron did or did not know - but about how the least disruptive way was to handle it exactly as he was now describing. Arnyn just let the words wash over her.

“But… if the dose I got tonight was only a weak, diluted version of your dose… as awful as I felt, and as worried as you were that I might die from it…?” He let out a shaky breath and shook his head slightly in disbelief at this. “I mean, if you’d said you’d been doing this for four months, that would be different… I’d assume you had built up to that level over all that time. But days?” He stared incredulously at her, and let out a slow breath.

So, this would be the point, then, where he’d finally call it what it probably was. Risky. Stupid. Madness.

“Forgive me if I’m being overly concerned here, but I’m worried that you’re taking too much at this point in your.. journey.” He looked down at the table.”I… don’t mean to… tell you what to do or anything. I’m just worried about you.” He said softly, feeling a knot tighten up in his stomach.

How… was he seriously now talking about the strength of her dosage? And then even half-apologizing for bringing it up?

“There’s a big difference - with a fine line - between building up an immunity, and slowly poisoning yourself to death." He held up a hand slightly in defense before she might protest, "I’m sure you know all of that, but..” He hesitated before looking up into her eyes. Her eyes were so big and dark… from being dilated. He felt terrible for not realizing before. “If you were that worried about me, I think I have every right to be twice as worried about you.”

He paused for a moment, hoping that would sink in, before he spoke again. ”Please, Celume... Arnyn… Please, just be careful with this.. experiment of yours. There is only one of you, and those of us who care about you, we don’t want to lose you.” He paused and swallowed before adding softly, "I don't want to lose you."

@Rillewen
She was not sure what to say.
Honestly, Arnyn was still trying to come to grips with the fact he didn’t even look upset with her for leaving poison lying around, by which he had then been accidentally dosed!
Let alone that she could accept the earnestness in his voice when he spoke of his concern, for her.
Let alone, how, despite his concern, he did not even try and convince her to stop. How he was merely… suggesting she lower her dose.

Gladhron’s reaction went against all of her expectations. She was left speechless as she stared at him.

“Why—” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she were frightened the question might change his mind and push him toward telling her she was mad and needed to stop what she was doing. As if she were afraid he might realize just how badly she had messed up, and did end up getting angry with her.
“Why did you only take one bean, earlier? Instead of two?”

Her question caught him by surprise. It was very unexpected after his recent speech about dosage and how he hoped she’d be careful. Gladhron blinked, having to take a moment to think back to that moment, so he could properly answer it. He wasn’t even sure why she was asking that. He let his gaze drift down to her hand, which was holding the remaining two beans. Thinking.

“Well… a couple of reasons, I guess,” He answered at last, slowly. His forehead creased slightly in thought. “First, because you told me that you thought one should be enough. Well, before you started second-guessing yourself, anyway,” He added, raising his eyes up to meet hers. “Besides, I was already starting to feel better by then, so I figured you must be right about only needing one.” He shrugged as he rested his back against the chair. He reflected back on that moment, trying to remember all that had been going through his mind then. It seemed like a while ago now. Maybe an hour? It was hard to tell. He offered a faint smile. “Maybe I didn’t even need it. I’m not sure.” He added. “But you felt like I did, so… I took it. Because you probably know better than I do about this.” He frowned. “And you still haven’t taken yours, by the way.” he added, making sure she knew that he had definitely noticed, and had not forgotten.

He had taken her assessment and he had believed it. He’d taken only one, because she’d said he probably needed to take only one. He’d trusted her to know more about it than he did.

“Trusting me is…” She looked away again. “At least you were also already feeling better than before, so…” He had based his choice off more than just her assessment. That was good.

When he circled back to his condition, that she would take a bean as well, she sat back in her chair. Seeking the distance she was surely going to create with her next words. “Technically, I only agreed to water,” she said quietly.

Technicalities. Gladhron rolled his eyes and held back a sigh. Just like Gwestion, he thought with a little headshake, half amused, half annoyed. He shook his head. “Technically,” He corrected her, “I told you that I would only take one if you did. So I ate mine, on faith that you would do the same. Now, it’s your turn.” He pointed out, raising an eyebrow as he waited.

She did not immediately protest. Finally, she said quietly: “Faith can be misplaced.” She'd had misplaced faith in herself, after all. “Maybe yours was, too.” She opened her hand, tired of having it out on the table and trembling. She let the two black beans slide onto the table between them and dropped her hands to her legs.

Gladhron almost smiled at her words about faith being misplaced. That was something Gwestion was always griping at him about, wasn’t it? He recalled that day by the stream when they first met Celume, and how his brother’s wariness had nearly caused her to keep going. And the next night, when he’d fallen for the bandit woman’s tricks. He tried to remember what it was she had said to him about that. “It all comes down to trust and instinct, doesn’t it?” He asked softly, trying to repeat the same sort of words he had heard her say once before. “When it comes down to seeing the light or seeing the darkness in people, I prefer to see the light.”

He hoped she would recall that moment, so long ago, when she had said something similar to him, when he was feeling a bit down about himself. It had meant a lot to him, hearing her say those words to him. It had definitely stuck with him, even if he couldn’t remember the exact wording. Those little moments like that… that was one of the things that he liked so much about her.

Arnyn’s eyes widened a little at his words. That… he couldn’t possibly remember that. She wasn’t even sure if she was remembering it correctly.

And yet, after all these words… she still wasn’t taking her antidote. It was like she was afraid to. Or, opposed to it… but why? He tilted his head, trying to make sense of this. “I know you must be feeling twice as awful as I was, earlier,” He told her, frowning. “Why would you want to continue feeling miserable?” He wondered, puzzled as he tried to think of some sort of reason he might not be able to think of.

“If the poison was the only reason I felt miserable–” she started mumbling, before stopping herself. “I don’t know if it would ruin any of the headway I have made.”

Gladhron tilted his head in thought. He caught a part of her mumbled words, but he didn’t really know what she meant. As she went on, Gladhron chose to focus on what she’d said about the antidote ruining her progress, instead. He was preparing to respond to that, when she added something else.

A pause. “But. I heard you.” She swallowed. Pressed her hands down hard onto her legs under the table. “About the dosage. I can lower it.”

He was immensely relieved to hear that she had heard his concerns about the dosage. He nodded slightly. “Good.” He whispered, his expression showing the relief in his face. “It probably also wouldn’t be a bad idea to consult with a knowledgeable healer about what dosage is safe. Because, if you’re going to insist on doing this, then it’d be better to have someone who is aware of what you’re doing, in case of an.. accident. Someone who knows more about this than I do… who can monitor your progress, keep an eye on how you’re doing, that sort of thing. Right?”

A slight frown formed on her face as she watched him. He was trying to.. think… with her? Confused, she reached for the water to refill her glass. She hardly spilled, and considered it a relative success.

Since she didn’t reply right away, Gladhron went back to what she'd said. “How would the antidote ruin your progress, though?” He wondered, curious. “Like I said, I’m no expert, but… I don’t see how it would? I mean, the poison is still in your system, isn’t it? I thought the antidote would only… you know, stop it from killing you, in case you took too much?” He asked, confused.

“The studies I have read are not certain of how antidotes work exactly. There seem to be a few hypotheses. One is that they neutralize the poison, which would likely mean that there is nothing left for the body to… fight against, or learn to cope with.”

Listening while she explained about her research, and what she knew of the antidotes, Gladhron frowned down at the table, questioning whether or not to insist that she take the antidote after all. Apparently, it might actually neutralize the poison. Or, it might not. She didn’t know. But there was a chance that it would. With that knowledge in mind now, he could understand her concerns about taking the antidote. Why she would not want to risk clearing all the poison from her system, when she’d suffered through this many days, for the sole purpose of introducing it to her system. And how that would make the misery of the past few days become pointless. Because then she’d have to start all over, wouldn’t she? Or else give it up entirely.

Her frown deepened. “I’m no expert either, but it isn’t like I started this on a whim, without…” She bit down on her own teeth, resisting a sigh. “I’ve read several texts about belladonna, and several books on the practice of ingesting poison to build immunity. There have been a few people, throughout Gondor’s history, who were rather interested in the practice. And left thorough documentation. The dosage I’ve been using is based on their own experiments and results. I didn’t choose the lowest dosages, because they claimed higher dosages yielded faster results. But I did not choose the most dangerous ones,” she added, figuring that wouldn’t reassure him much after having found her on the floor of her house the night before.

Gladhron nodded slowly, showing he was still listening. So, she’d done plenty of research. But what if she’d taken too high a dose, already? What if she was on the verge of dying or something? She said she didn’t choose the lowest, because she wanted faster results? That troubled him, because this didn’t seem like the sort of thing that ought to be rushed. Despite being the type of person to normally rush headlong into stuff, when it came to a matter like this… when it was someone he cared about whose life was at stake…

The point she did not want to make, however, was that what had hurt her the most, tonight, was not the poison. But she couldn’t tell Gladhron what had.

How much of her trembling was the belladonna? And how much of it was the inner turmoil she felt, drowning her heart and lungs, pushing down on them every few seconds?

If she took one of the beans, she could find out. But what if it wasn’t the belladonna? What if it was truly only herself? What if she was really crumbling, independently of the poison? Would it be better to know that she was?

Arnyn drained her glass and rubbed a hand over her face, going back and forth on the matter from one second to the next. Doubt was clawing its way into everything. Into every decision, made and yet to be made, now it had been revealed she did not, in fact, see things as clearly as she had once thought she did.

He tried to take into account what she’d said about other people’s research, how others had taken similar doses, and so on. He frowned thoughtfully, considering something. “Do those texts also contain information about the person who took those doses?” He wondered. “Was it a man or woman? Were they large or small? Things like that?” He tilted his head as he looked at her. “Those things make a difference, you know.” She must know that, right? “A child is far more likely to die from a level of poison that an adult man might survive, for instance..” He shrugged “A man of Narradir’s size and build, for instance, would have a better chance of surviving a dose of poison that might kill a man of, say, Tra-”

“Gladhron,” she interrupted, more firmly now, before sighing.

"Sorry." He apologized a little sheepishly, cutting off what he had been going to say.

She placed her hands flat on the table, pushing up to help herself stand, and swaying before she found her balance, still using the table for support. She couldn’t blame Gladhron for asking these questions. It was tiring, but he was only concerned. Bizarre as that was.

Because she had never expected him not to be upset with her for endangering him. Not to try and shut her little experiment down immediately. Not to judge her for trying her hand at this.
All he was showing… was concern. While his questions could be seen as ways to convince her to stop, or at least to be more careful, they could also be seen as simply a way for him to alleviate his concern into something… manageable. Arnyn wasn’t sure which of these options was true. Not yet. But she was choosing to see… the best one.

“Come,” she breathed, once she was upright. “I’ll show you something.” She moved one hand from the table to the top of the chair, then the other. Her legs were wobbly but they held. Better than before. “If you want.”

He was expecting her to get upset at him for trying to explain. Watching her stand, supported by the table, looking so shaky she might fall over any moment… Gladhron held his breath as he waited for her to storm out of the kitchen or something. He felt bad, as if he may have annoyed her, or offended her. And that was the last thing he wanted to do. He had only been trying to get to a point, where he was planning to ask her something else. But he held off, watching with anxiety gnawing at his stomach, worried that she would be upset with him now, that she would withdraw from him entirely, and disregard his concerns.

Instead, she told him to come. That she would show him something. Gladhron blinked in surprise. He felt the muscles in his chest relax a little, and only then realized that he had tensed up a bit with the anxiety. He stood slowly, and he was relieved that he no longer felt a wave of dizziness come over him when he stood. “Of course.” He answered, reaching a hand out to her in the hope that she would not reject it. To offer support, if she would accept it. She clearly needed it… but he had no idea if her pride would flare up and get in the way.

Of course, he said. Like it was a normal thing to say. After she had inadvertently poisoned him.

Seriously, this man.

It wasn’t even just that he agreed to let her show him something without wanting to know what it was, first. It was the hand, as well, held out to her. Offered to her. Arnyn looked at it, wondering why in Middle-Earth he thought she deserved it.

Still, she reached for it, as if to check whether it was really there, and whether she had not truly taxed herself too much and the whole thing was a hallucination.

But his hand was solid when hers connected with it. Arnyn paused, then slowly let go of the chair. “The guest room,” she told him, so he would know where she was planning to go. “With the drawings.”

Collaboration with @Arnyn
For a moment, he thought she was going to refuse. That she would tell him she was fine, even though she clearly wasn’t. Even though he now knew what sort of symptoms she was going through, which were obviously far worse than his own had been. He still held his hand out, hoping that she would realize he was only trying to help her. It was only the two of them here. He already knew how shaky she must be feeling, how horribly dizzy, how her vision was blurred, and so forth. There wasn’t anyone else around to put on a strong front for. Just him, and he’d already seen her passed out on her floor.

When she did take his hand, he offered her a tiny smile, feeling relieved. Not only did she not reject his aid, but it seemed like a sign that she trusted him enough to accept his help. To be ‘weak’ in front of him. To let him be her pillar of support, in a way.

When she revealed that they were going to the room with the drawings, Gladhron was surprised, but he simply gave a small nod. Intriguing. She was letting him go in there, to see something? What would she have drawn that would be relevant to this? His curiosity intensified as he walked alongside her, his arm steady and strong, available for her to lean on as much or little as she needed. Or chose to. He was just glad that he was feeling much better by now, himself, so that he could offer that support to her.

She tried to use him for support as little as she could, on the way there. But it was a difficult task. She was just so… exhausted. Drained. Hurt. Unsure about… too many things. Her foundations were wobbling, so of course her legs were, too, she thought ironically.

Once they had entered the room, she pushed some drawings aside so she could put her hands on top of the desk, and leaned low to open one of the drawers. She took out a small stack of drawings first. She was unsure how she felt about taking him in here, but she remembered he’d been in there before, with Tercen. And it was easier for him to just go with her, instead of her having to retrieve what she wanted to show him and bring it back to the kitchen.

When they stepped into the room and she let go of him, Gladhron lowered his arm and watched while she went over to a desk. Wondering what sort of drawing she wanted to show him, he waited.

She took out a booklet next, which she opened on the desk with one hand, while leaning on it heavily with the other. Arnyn drew as deep a breath as she could before leafing forward a few pages. Until she reached the first notes she was looking for. Where she had drawn tables, and had filled them up with numbers. Numbers for weight. Numbers for dosage. A calculation to the dosage per pound of their weight. There were several such entries. She pointed them out.

He was confused when it became clear that she was looking, not for a single drawing, but a book of some sort, which he assumed would be filled with drawings. He hesitated as she flipped through pages, and then he couldn’t resist stepping a little closer to look at the book as she was searching through it. Since she’d said she wanted to show it to him, he didn’t figure she’d mind him coming up beside her to see. What he did see was not drawings, however. The page she stopped on at last, was filled with tables and charts and numbers and graphs. It looked like some sort of math lesson too advanced for him to follow. Puzzled, Gladhron looked at her for an explanation.

“The researchers' information,” she said. “Lowest doses, higher doses… these are from one source.” She leaned onto the next page. “Another.” She went to the next page. “Another.” Another breath. “They were all men,” she admitted. “But there is a reason I stayed away from their high doses.” She went to the next page. “This is where I compared all of their midrange ones. Per pound of their weight, I mean. And calculated the median.”

Arnyn looked up from the booklet, glancing at Gladhron. “This was not…” Manwë’s breath. I’m so tired. “... a guess.”

As she began to explain, the pages started making more sense. He was rather astonished by the number of pages she had filled with this research. Nodding slowly, Gladhron stared at the pages as she pointed out all of the data she had gathered. “Right,” He murmured, his eyes scanning the pages that she was showing him. So, she had done a lot of math.

Still, the way this thing was affecting her.. the way it had affected him, it was scary. He took a deep breath to try and calm his anxiety. “I get the idea.” He assured her after a moment, looking up at her, rather than the book. But she was more than just a test subject in some sort of experiment, even of her own doing. He turned toward her and tentatively put a hand on her shoulder. “Celume,” He hesitated, momentarily unsure how to pose this request without upsetting her.

She looked at him, her expression calm. She may be exhausted, but this, she knew. This, she had picked apart. Sufficiently. Right? With how miserable she was feeling, though, it was still remarkably easy for doubt to start nibbling at the edges of this, as well.

He took a slow breath. “Just… please tell me you know how to recognize if and when the symptoms get bad enough to use the antidote for yourself?” He asked softly. “And promise me, please, that if you start to think you are at that point, you won’t hesitate to take at least one?” He practically begged her.

Despite the doubt, she could hear herself saying: “When the worst of the symptoms show themselves, I will know. And then I will need to take two. Or three,” she informed him, her voice quiet but steady. “And if that should happen, I will take them. I promise.”

Gladhron listened to her answer, looking into her eyes as she spoke. He relaxed somewhat once she had given her promise. He nodded in satisfaction. “Good.” He managed a small smile, while trying not to look so worried.

This was… incredible. Wasn’t it? It was unbelievable. The reason Arnyn had told no one, not even Pele - until her friend had coaxed it out of her, that is - was because she had figured everyone else would just demand she quit or at the very least call her nuts.
Then again, Arnyn had figured Pele would have asked her, or even ordered her, to quit as well. And that had also not been the case. Pele had trusted her with this. And now… Gladhron was doing the same?

“Will you believe me,” she dared start the question, and then changed her mind about what she was asking. ”No— Do you think I can handle this?” Rather than asking him to trust her, she was asking what he thought she was capable of. Based on his own assessment.

Surprised by that question, Gladhron paused, tilting his head slightly in consideration as he tried to gauge what she was actually trying to ask him. As well as what he actually did think about that. She had frightened him a couple of times, for sure. And now, knowing what was actually going on with her, he wasn’t sure he was any less worried about her, but at least he knew why she was so “ill”, and certain other things made more sense now, too. As for whether she could handle it?

He glanced back down at the pages in the book. “Well… it’s obvious you’ve done your research,” He answered slowly, his tone thoughtful. “And you’ve managed to survive the first four doses… which I imagine were the worst.” He guessed, glancing at her. “And… yet you’re still managing to take care of all your usual responsibilities, plus all the extra things you’ve had to do because of Tercen and me and Gwestion showing up… somehow, you’ve managed to continue about your usual life as if you weren’t suffering from all those awful symptoms.” He couldn’t help but find that impressive, and the look in his eyes might reflect that..

He hardly allowed a pause to pass before he added, “I’m still worried, of course.” He gave her a tiny smile. “But I can’t help that. I’d be worried if any of my friends were doing something dangerous, even if they had good reasons, even if they say they have it all under control.” He shrugged and looked again at the pages she had shown him. He took a slow breath in and decided not to go on any more about how much this ‘project’ of hers worried him.

“So, yes,” He gave her a more definite answer at last. “I think that you know more about what you’re doing than I do. I’d say… if anyone can handle it, it’d be you.” He told her quietly, with no trace of doubt in his tone. “Even if I do hope you’ll weaken your doses from now on…” He glanced at her with a hopeful look in his eyes. “And,” He added, with a little motion toward her pouch which she’d been so unable to open earlier. “Maybe… put the antidote into something easier to access, in case of an emergency?” He suggested, raising an eyebrow slightly with a small, hopeful smile. He’d hate to think that she might end up needing those beans swiftly, and be unable to get to her own antidote. At the same time, he was also trying to make it sound a bit joking, in hopes of making her smile.. even just a little.

@Rillewen
Arnyn watched his expression carefully when he thought about her question. When he answered, and gave his reasons for his answer, she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

He thought she was still taking care of all her regular responsibilities. Of course, he did not know about her cancelling on Taras, a few days ago. He didn’t know about how she had been derelict in her duties when it came to Ava. Of course, she’d concluded herself that her mistakes with Ava had nothing to do with the poison and everything to do with faults in her thinking - poison or no poison. And she was nowhere near convinced that her actions tonight had been… the wisest. She wanted to look away, but his eyes held hers as he continued to say he was still worried. As he would be for any of his friends. Arnyn smiled faintly.

And then he said ‘yes’. He thought that if anyone could handle it, it would be her. He seemed so sure of it, too. But he didn’t know the full story. He was just buying into the illusion. Even after her inattention had poisoned him, he still wasn’t doubting her.

She was about to answer him about the dosage, but then he surprised her with the suggestion of finding a different place to put the beans. She blinked. Once. Twice. Her eyebrows lifted in disbelief as a laugh escaped on her breath. It was quiet, short - but still.

She laughed, so that was a good sign. Right? Gladhron's smile grew just a little as he heard it. Hopefully, there was more where that came from. But what would she say about his request?

“I can agree to those terms,” she said with a little smile. She could hardly believe his response. This couldn’t be real? Where was the expected ricochet? Where was his disappointment at her choices, the outrage at her actions, the lack of understanding, the gap in his trust?

A warning bell rung deep in her stomach. Could she trust him not to suddenly fling all the above at her, in an hour? In a day?

Moreover, it would hurt the first time Gladhron and she would speak again, after he’d heard all of his other friend’s… observations.

“Good.” He said softly, very relieved to hear that. He sighed, glancing again at all the pages and pages of math she’d done about this. Then he looked back at her, reminded of how short a rest she'd had, as he saw the weariness etched onto her face. “Well, now that that's all settled, you should get some sleep.” He declared. He wasn't going to let anything else interrupt her rest if he could help it, either. But then another thought dragged up his fears for her once more, and the words slipped out before he could stop them. “...assuming there's no danger of you.. not waking up, that is?” He added, unable to help that concern as it suddenly hit him. “Do I need to check on you every half hour?” He added, trying to make it sound like a joke, even if he was truly worried about that possibility.

Her expression changed, her smile fading at his so-called jest. Did he need to check on her every half hour? So he could make sure she would still wake up in the morning?

“Funny,” she mumbled, turning away from him to put the booklet away again.

He could see in the way her smile faded that he’d just made an ‘oops’. But he had no idea how to fix it. “Sorry..” He inwardly cringed. “I just… can’t help being worried still.” As he had told her a minute ago.

Arnyn had found more than enough justification to pull her walls up high. Suddenly, she didn’t know what to think about his earlier words. On the one hand, it seemed like he trusted her and was concerned. On the other, he said things like that? Would anyone who was really concerned make light of the situation like that? Then how concerned could he be? She was also starting to think he either trusted her and wouldn’t be so terribly concerned, or would be concerned and not really trust she had this handled. Her thoughts seemed to be swimming through each other. They both did, and did not, make sense anymore.

“If you are truly concerned,” she mumbled while closing the drawer, “then checking in once every half an hour would hardly do much good.” She leaned on the desk, then used the wall for support as she turned away from him and started out of the room.

Her words stung a little. If he was truly concerned? Momentarily rendered speechless, Gladhron felt bad for having let those words slip out just now, but shouldn’t that make her realize that he did care? That he was truly scared that tonight’s dose might have been too strong? Didn’t she know him enough by now to know he was always making jokes to try and lighten the situation? Wasn’t her own brother the same way? He briefly closed his eyes as he drew in a slow breath, trying not to take that comment too personally. Honestly, he wasn’t sure how she could possibly not know how he actually felt about her, by now.

At least she had convinced him to let her continue her experiment. At least everything she had pushed through these last four days, hadn’t been pointless.
Not that she was sure of much else anymore.

Arnyn swallowed. She had endangered more than one person, today. What if something worse had happened?

What if she had found Gladhron on the couch in the morning, not moving because he had somehow ingested too much of the poison she had brought into this house? She hadn’t even locked it away.
What if Ava had slit their throats on her way out of the theatre box, while she had been asleep?
What if Ava was planning on incarcerating and torturing both Gladhron and Gwestion the moment they set foot on Umbarian soil? What if they’d never walk out of there again?

What if every gamble she was taking, was not a calculated risk but a gigantic mistake?

A violent shiver ran down her spine and she had to remind herself to breathe. “You should never have come with me,” she mumbled, words Gladhron might not even hear, since she had turned away from him and had spoken them so quietly. Domanol was not the first to call out her reckless behaviour, after all. Her own brother had done the same in the past. They could not both be wrong.

Gladhron’s eyes opened again as he stared at her, further stunned by what else she'd said. He had only just caught it, but it stung just the same. Like a little dagger, stabbing at the same spot in his heart, a second time. She didn’t think he cared about her? She thought he shouldn’t have come here? As far as he was concerned, his being here tonight and discovering all of this had been the best thing that could have happened. Otherwise, he’d still be baffled about what was going on with her, worrying sick about her, possibly even trying to get Seri to check on her or something. At least now, he didn’t think she’d come down with some sort of mysterious sickness. At least now, he’d be worried, but he’d know what was going on. And how to help her if it came to it. And, at least now, she had agreed to lower her dose.

Maybe she should never have travelled with them in the North, either. If they hadn’t become friends then, she wouldn’t have endangered Gladhron tonight. She wouldn’t be endangering both brothers when they went to Umbar, either.

The panic, which had temporarily been pushed backward while she was trying to make sure Gladhron would be alright, was now cruelly reminding her it had not truly gone anywhere at all. It reminded her with a vengeance.

One hand against the wall, she pressed the other against her chest as she stubbornly continued on her way.
At least Gladhron would think it was all just the poison. If he knew what was really going on with her, then he would have more cause for ‘concern’, she thought, her inner voice sarcastic.

Collaboration with @Arnyn
As she began walking away from him, Gladhron watched with feelings of confusion and dismay. He'd just had to open his mouth again, and say something dumb. He was always saying dumb things, at the wrong times, it seemed like. It seemed to be ‘part of the Gladhron experience’, he thought, with a bit of self-mocking. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he did. No, he wasn't going to just leave it at that. He couldn't leave her thinking he wasn't ‘truly concerned’. How could she not see how terribly worried he was?! Was it not obvious? 

He fought back his frustration and followed after her, frowning. It wasn't difficult to catch up, as she made slow progress going down the hall. “Celume, I came with you because..” He began, then swiftly caught himself and changed what he had been about to say, because telling her ‘because I'm in love with you’ didn't seem likely to have the desired result, at this time. Somehow, he suspected this was definitely not the time to drop that on her. “...because you're my friend. And I was extremely worried about you, even before I knew about the poison.” He reminded her. “I came along because I care a great deal about you, and I wanted to do anything I could to make sure you were alright.” He explained, unwilling to let it go. Even though she should have already known that, shouldn't she? Hadn't he told her almost that exact thing when they left the theater last night? Or earlier tonight, whatever it was by now. 

He paused for a breath before adding more softly, “and regardless of how that turned out, I don't regret it at all, Celume.” He stopped short of saying the rest of what he’d like to say, figuring it would be a bit too much to tell her that he would suffer through that poison multiple times again, if it meant doing so could help her somehow. That, if it could prevent her from accidentally overdosing, he’d go through it as many times as necessary.

“Being my friend and caring about me is not working out well for you,” she stated simply, looking down at the floor as she walked - which had the benefit of hiding her face from him for the most part. She frowned at his last sentence, not sure what to do with that. At least he could not refute what she had just said.

What? “What is that even supposed to mean?” Gladhron asked with a frown, noticing the way she seemed to be looking down. But maybe it was more about trying to focus on her path, rather than hiding her face or something. He hastened to catch up with her and continued walking alongside her, but since he didn’t know what she meant, he wasn’t quite sure how he should respond to her comment.

“I exposed you to someone I shouldn’t have. You got poisoned. And you’re not even in Umbar yet.” Her chest ached, and Arnyn gritted her teeth. “One bad decision after another,” she added in a whisper, more to herself. Having made it to the entry, she realized she had left the two beans in the kitchen. Ugh. She couldn’t keep her promise if she left those downstairs. She only had one more bean left in that pouch. If things went south, one would not do.

Gladhron frowned as he followed her, unsure what she meant about the first thing. But as she spoke of bad decisions, he almost couldn't believe what he heard. As if he hadn't made his share of bad decisions? Some of them not even decisions, exactly, but rather spur of the moment actions that ended up having consequences he hadn't even thought to consider. But that wasn't the topic here.

She turned, realizing the shortest way was not by skirting the wall at all. So she let go of her anchor, trying to use the calm she'd had a moment before to help her. But that small vestige of calm drowned in the rest of her feelings, which she could not keep at bay. Not within the safety of her own house - not as spent as she was.

It all caught up with her as she was passing the dining table. Thankfully, she had already been lightly supporting herself against it with one hand, while the same knee as before gave out. Arnyn swore mentally as she caught herself on the table with the hand that was already there and partially folded around it, hitting the side of her ribs on it painfully. She forced herself up, by sheer will.

“Very impressive,” she mocked herself as well as the specific word Gladhron had now used more than once in the past few days to describe how he thought about some of the things she did. The words cracked, both brittle and sharp.

Seeing that it looked like she was about to collapse against the table, Gladhron hastened forward, catching her in his arms. He was just a moment too late to stop her hitting her ribs, but he pulled her close to himself, holding her, and supporting her so she didn't crumble to the floor. “Celume,” He tried to speak gently, suddenly unsure about what was going on inside those walls of hers, besides the poison. Obviously, there was something, but what was it?

Before she well and good realized what was happening, he’d caught up with her and was holding her up in his arms. Perhaps it shouldn’t have surprised her as much as it did, not after he’d put his arms around her before, to keep her from falling down. Not after all the times he’d offered her his arm. His hand. 

Letting out a small, sighing breath, he readjusted to his hold so that it was more of a hug than a hasty catch-hold. Then he gently moved a little piece of her hair out of her face as he gazed down at her. “Last time I checked, being a friend to someone wasn't about how it can benefit you, or what you can get from the friendship.” He told her softly. “It's about being there for them when they need it, whether times are good or bad. No matter what.” The words didn't sound as eloquent as he would have liked, but he hoped the intent was clear. 

“Besides,” He looked at her with a faint smile. “If a little danger was going to scare me away from being around someone, I'd shut myself away from the world and never talk to anyone..” He paused, and refrained from making a joking comment about Gwestion. Instead, he focused on the point he was trying to make here. “I mean, as often as I've had my attempts at being friendly end up backfiring on me?” He shook his head slightly. “It's not like you deliberately poisoned me or something. Like I told you…that was my fault. You can't blame yourself for what someone else does, Celume.”

Her lips parted as he spoke, not because she wanted to interrupt him, but because she could hardly believe her ears. Many of his words resonated with her, but…

“You don’t understand,” she whispered, sadly. 

He frowned slightly, puzzled. “No..I don't understand-” 

“I’m supposed to be someone careful. Someone who thinks of everything. Contingencies, patterns, angles no one else bothers to consider. That’s who I was. The one who could be trusted to see what others might have missed. That’s—” Arnyn stopped, swallowed. Tried again. “That’s who I thought I was. But now it turns out I’ve been blind. Reckless.” 

Her hands shook harder, and she pressed them down on his arms, as if it would allow her to still them. The picture she’d painted of herself – sharp-eyed, analytical, reliable – fell apart like ashes in her grasp.

Gladhron’s frown deepened as he began to wonder where all this was coming from. He had never known of her to talk of herself like this…

“And you–” She slowly shook her head, just once. “You suffer the direct consequences of my failures, and you still call what I do ‘impressive’? As if…” Her eyes widened just a tad more, her voice going more quiet. “As if I’ve earned such a thing. As if I’m not just a fraud who has managed to convince even herself of a fiction.” Her words fell to a whisper. “I’m sorry, Gladhron. It looks like you’ve just fallen into another trap. Believing there was someone here worth trusting.”

Refusing to accept that, Gladhron shook his head slowly as he wrapped his arms around her, as if his hug would calm her shaking. His heart ached a little at those last words. Though he had no idea where this sudden doubt in herself had come from, he nevertheless wanted to send it far away. “No, Celume.” He insisted. “I've never known of you to be reckless or unreliable.” He might have added ‘or blind’ but considering how she seemed oblivious to his interest in her, he didn’t think that’d be entirely truthful. 

“What I have always seen you as, is someone who can analyze seemingly impossible situations and still come up with the perfect strategy to win, no matter how imposing the odds are against you,” He couldn’t help a little smile as he recalled how they had whittled down the numbers of those bandits so long ago. “Someone who fights for the innocent regardless of the risk to herself,” He went on. “Someone with a sense of humor that can make even Gwestion smile.. Even if he tries to hide it,” He smiled faintly at that. “And someone who can be trusted with any secret… who cares more about other people than even herself.. someone with such kindness that.. it almost seems unbelievable.” His voice dwindled to almost a whisper by that point. He drew a deep breath, and sighed softly. “And yet in spite of all your strength, intelligence, and kindness... you are still only human, Celume.” He pointed out, now in a whisper to match her own. “If you think you're supposed to be above ever making mistakes…” He hesitated, unsure where to go with that statement. 

He decided on a different conclusion instead. “My father would say, mistakes are a part of life. No matter how hard you try not to, you’re going to make them. The important thing is what you do about them.” He shrugged slightly and leaned his head back so he could look at her better. “He used to say that, if a person never made any mistakes, they'd never learn much from life.” He had a sad little smile on his face as he quoted some of his father’s words, which he had heard plenty of times growing up, since he’d been a bit more prone to mistakes than either of his siblings. Apparently, she was being way too hard on herself for the mistake about the poison, he guessed. But it seemed like there was more there, too. He offered a small smile to her. “I don't know what brought all this on,” He continued softly, “but as a friend of Celume's, I'd like to ask Lieutenant Dealedwen to please show her some mercy, and compassion. She deserves at least as much as she's shown me.”

@Rillewen
Arnyn tensed as his words reached her, each one a gentle hammer against the walls she had built around herself. She was caught between instinctive resistance against the much too pretty picture he was painting, and a need for the comfort he was offering.

The instinctive part of her wanted to argue, to insist she was a fraud, that his faith in whom she was, was misplaced. But the words stuck in her throat, stifled by the weight of sincerity in his gaze. His eyes held hers, steady and unflinching. She wasn’t sure what exactly she was reading there—concern, perhaps, or the compassion he’d named—but she was sure of a few things. There was no distrust in his face. No flicker of disappointment. Not the faintest hint of disgust. Only conviction. He truly believed every word he was saying.

She wanted to ask two strongly divergent things of him. The first: Please take a minute to see how wrong you are about me. But just beneath, there was a second, much quieter plea: Please don’t stop seeing me this way.

His request tugged at her. But granting herself mercy and compassion for her mistakes felt like pretending the damage she’d done wasn’t even there.

He made her sound like someone worth defending. That was what he believed.

Maybe it was nothing more than her exhaustion when the second part of her won out. When she decided to stop pretending she could carry her weariness and emotions alone. When she leaned into him to rest her head against his shoulder, looking for refuge in his steadiness. When the tremor in her hands eased, but her fingers didn't release him, as though to reassure herself that he was real, that she had not imagined someone seeing she was still worth something.

With his arms around her, Gladhron could feel her tense even if it wasn’t much. For a moment, he feared that she was going to pull away and get upset again. He had no idea how his words may have affected her. Instead she did the opposite of what he was half-expecting her to do. She relaxed. She rested her head against his shoulder.

Relieved that she wasn’t resisting his efforts to comfort her, Gladhron wrapped his arms around her and held her, one hand gently stroking her hair. Even though he definitely did not see her like a sister of any sort, he did have plenty of experience being a big brother, even if this particular type of situation hadn’t come up much in their childhood. Oddly enough, his own sister had been rather like Arnyn in some ways; strong-willed, determined not to show any weakness, unwilling to let anyone see her cry or upset. He remembered very few times having to actually comfort Gwil, but this… sort of reminded him of those few times. He focused on this moment, however, rather than letting his mind wander down old memories. Celume was the one who needed comforting, this time.

Her heart pounded—not from poison, or fear, or panic anymore. But from the intensity of being seen through a looking glass that softened the rigid lines of self-reproach she had carried. From the huge risk of what she had just done: she had left him a door. A crack in her walls wide enough that, if he chose, he could step straight through them.

She closed her eyes, letting the cadence of his words fill the spaces where doubt had taken root. A shiver ran down her spine, and her voice came in a whisper, almost too soft to hear. Unguarded. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” He murmured back. He would hold her for as long as she wished for him to. And while he was still very troubled about whatever had made her begin to doubt herself to this extent, he didn’t ask. If she wanted to tell him, he was there. He’d listen. But he wasn’t going to pry and risk upsetting her further.

When he wrapped his arms around her, the trembling that had wracked her body ebbed little by little. The tension eased from her muscles, each breath slower, more measured, as though her body had been waiting for this single point of contact to remember what it meant to simply exist without constantly being on guard. The wild beat in her chest slowed as she listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing, the quiet weight of his presence anchoring her. Her panic receded, from a dangerous storm to a restless breeze.

And then came the weariness. A deep, almost shocking exhaustion that settled into her bones. It wasn’t just fatigue from lack of sleep or poison—it was the soul-tugging weight of carrying all the careful masks, the defenses. She let them slip. They didn’t need to hold the world up right now. Her body felt ready to sink into that quiet surrender, almost asking for it, as if each heartbeat against his chest whispered: you can rest.

But even as she felt that surrender, a flicker of unease nudged at her. What would happen when he let go? Would the calm dissipate? Would the storm return with double force? She wondered if she could ever carry even a fraction of this peace back out into the world, or if it was a fragile oasis, here and gone the moment she stepped away? The thought made her chest tighten again, a tiny knot of anxiety beneath the larger wave of calm, reminding her that even comfort carried risk.

As she seemed to calm, Gladhron felt glad to note the trembling fade, and her breathing seemed to steady a bit. Even her pulse was beginning to go down to normal. He hadn’t even realized, until he began to hold her like this, how fast it had been going. Since he didn’t know all of the symptoms to watch for with this poison, he hoped that wasn’t some indication of too high of a dose. But since it was slowing down now, he hoped that was a good thing.

Just one more word. Maybe that would be all that was needed. “Sleep,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

After holding her for a minute, he heard her wearily murmur a single word; sleep. Right. Of course. She still hadn’t slept. Now, he had to make a decision. She’d probably be better rested in her own bed, of course. But he would feel better if he could keep an eye on her while she slept, just to make sure that the poison didn’t overcome her during… what was left of the night, anyway. And he figured she wouldn’t be comfortable with the idea of him sleeping in her room, even if he would have set up blankets on the floor or something. So that left one really viable option. The living room.

While he briefly considered carrying her there, he decided that that, also, would probably make her uncomfortable. And he didn’t want to do anything that might turn the rest of this moment awkward. So, he reached his decision after a brief moment.

“Come on,” He said quietly, changing his hold on her carefully, to make sure she wasn’t going to crumble to the floor if he stopped holding her with both arms. With one arm wrapped around her to offer support, he guided her toward the living room. “Here. You can sleep here. It’s fairly comfortable,” He added with an amused smile. Having been sleeping on the couch not long ago, he could speak from experience, at least.

It was almost laughable how little she was actually walking. Gladhron’s steady arms held the majority of her weight, and yet he let her move, let her pretend. That courtesy felt like a kindness she hadn’t expected. She didn’t say anything; she merely allowed herself to trust that he would keep her upright.

The couch was perfectly fine with her. Now she knew he would be alright, all she wanted to do was sleep. “I know,” she told him, with a little smile. It was her couch. She had slept on it before.
Arnyn sat, leaning back against the cushions, slanting to the side a little but refusing to lay down as of yet. She did not yet surrender fully to sleep, because part of her still needed to gauge him, to see how he would respond. Would he leave or stay?

Her mind flicked over practicalities as always, almost compulsively: even though he had been planning to stay over before, it would be quite fair of him to conclude that sleeping at her house was not actually resulting in much sleep at all, for him. It wouldn’t be strange for him to assume he would make the most of what was left of the night by going back to sleep at Isys’.

Not that it would be any guarantee that he’d get much rest, there. Because of her actions, or because of the lack thereof, Gwestion would have news to share. And that was the best case scenario, too. If Domanol had also returned there, that could make things even more unpredictable.

Collaboration with @Arnyn
“There,” Gladhron said softly, once she was safely resting on the couch. Now he didn’t have to worry about her falling down, anyway. Now, he could do something else he’d thought of doing. “I’ll be right back.” He promised before hurrying back to the kitchen to get the pitcher of water and glasses. That was when he noticed the beans that she’d left on the table. He grabbed those as well, then set everything on a tray before taking it all back into the living room. As he set the tray down on the coffee table, he glanced over at her to see if she was still awake, or if she had already dozed off.

Her eyelids were heavy, but she watched as he said he’d be right back. When he returned with the pitcher, glasses, and even the beans she had left on the table, she barely raised her head. “What are you doing?” she murmured, her voice sleepy.

It was a surprise to find that she was still awake, but then he hadn’t taken long. He offered a little smile at her question. The glass she had been using, he placed nearest to where she was sitting, still on the tray. “Thought you might get thirsty, so..” He shrugged, letting her fill in the rest through her own observation. “And,” He placed the beans down on the table’s edge, near her. “Just in case.” He left the explanation unsaid, since she surely knew what he meant about that.

Then he selected the chair nearest to where he’d set the tray, across from the couch. “I just hope I don’t snore and keep you awake,” He mentioned, a bit concerned about that, but also half-joking. “But I should be fine over here.” Then he paused, glancing at her. “I mean… if the invitation to sleep here is still valid?”

She stared at him. “You,” she began, slowly, “want to stay?”

“Is that a problem?” He asked back, uncertain. She had seemed annoyed when he suggested checking on her every so often, but he would feel better if he could keep an eye on her somewhat. That was why he had come here in the first place, wasn’t it? Even though he hadn’t known, when they left the theater, that her condition was due to poison, it didn’t change his intention to do whatever he could to take care of her.

She was too tired to try and explain to anyone why she had asked or why she thought his preference might have changed.

“No.” She let the word drift, letting it settle into the space between them. Her eyes closed briefly. “If you want, you can stay,” she mumbled, her head tilting to the side a little further. She shivered and tried to pull her cloak around her a little more, but the attempt was pretty pointless.

Gladhron gave a small nod. Honestly, he was glad she wasn’t telling him he needed to leave. Even if there hadn’t been a situation that made him worry about her, he wouldn’t have liked to have to travel up another level of the city, at this hour. Not that he even knew what the hour was anymore. But it was either very, very late in the night, or very, very early in the morning. And it was cold outside. Not as cold as it would be back home in the North, but still. He’d rather not have to go walking up a level to get ‘home’. Little did he know, but he probably would have been turned away at the gate even if he’d tried. And then he would have had no place to spend the rest of the night except in the cold street! So, yes. It was even more fortunate for him than he realized, that she did not tell him he had to leave.

Seeing her shiver and start halfheartedly trying to pull her cloak around herself better, Gladhron’s gaze searched for the blanket which had been brought downstairs earlier. Once he’d located it, wedged partially down between the seat cushions and the arm of the couch, he quietly got up and retrieved it from the far end of the couch, shook it out slightly, then spread it over her. “Sleep well, Celume.” He whispered softly. She was still sitting up, though. Wouldn’t she be more comfortable if she lay down? She looked like she might fall over, too. Gladhron hesitated, debating whether to ease her down on the couch, or simply retreat back to his chair and let her fall over onto the cushions, on her own.

She felt the warmth of the blanket settle, and her body instinctively relaxed just a fraction more. Her eyes half-opened and saw him standing there as if… what? A flicker of awareness ran through her. Without thinking, she shifted one arm from under the blanket. Her hand lifted, hesitated midair, then returned to the warmth of the blanket. “Thanks,” she mumbled. A pause. “You should know, the armchair is not as comfortable,” she informed him with a small, tired smile.

Gladhron hadn’t expected her to still be even the slightest bit awake, to be honest. How was she not fast asleep by now? But her words made him smile slightly as he nodded. “Thanks for the headsup,” He answered quietly. Then he paused, wondering whether that was meant as a warning of what to expect, or an invitation to sit with her? He didn’t want to presume, however. He moved back a step. “Don’t worry about me. I’m used to sleeping on the ground, remember?” He grinned. “Maybe the floor would be more familiar,” He debated about whether it’d be more comfortable for him if he pulled the cushions off the chairs and formed a sort of mattress. That’d be better than sleeping scrunched up in the chair, right?

“You don’t even have a blanket,” she murmured sleepily. “You'll be cold. You'll soon regret this whole watching over me thing you are trying to do.”

He started to point out that he could go upstairs and grab a blanket, or more, if either one of them needed it. Or that he’d be fine without one. But somehow, something about how she’d said that, stopped him. He closed his mouth, then gave a tiny shake of his head. “I’d never regret that.” He assured her softly. “But if you’re so worried about me being comfortable,” He paused, thinking for a second before making a choice. Hoping this wasn’t the wrong choice, he slid into the seat next to her, between her and the end of the couch, and held out his arm as an invitation for her to lean against his side. “How about I keep you warm, and… that way I can tell more readily if you.. I dunno, stop breathing or something.” He suggested, trying to sound like he was only being a bit silly, even if the idea of that happening really did terrify him. And then he waited to see what she would say to that.

She didn’t lean in, but she didn’t move away either. Her thoughts were sluggish, and she was too worn to summon the usual protests. Logic whispered that it would be warmer for both of them, and if the poison caused trouble, he would know faster. The decision felt natural, unspoken, mutual.

Left still waiting, Gladhron started trying to decide if the cushions from both armchairs would be enough to form a mattress long enough for him. He was beginning to feel a little awkward now, and decided to offer an alternative option. “Otherwise… if you'd prefer, I can sleep on the floor?” He suggested, in case she did not want him to sit here.

“That makes sense,” she said finally, shifting her side to lean gently against him.

At first, when she replied, he thought she was saying it made sense for him to sleep on the floor. But before he could move off of the couch, she shifted to lean against him. Gladhron looked at her with surprise. But he wasn’t going to protest this rather unusual occurrence. Without another word, he gave a tiny nod and wrapped his arm around her. His other hand adjusted the blanket so that it would keep her warm, and then he leaned his back against the sofa, so he could sleep sitting up, with her resting against his side.

For a fleeting moment, her lips twitched up in a little smile. “Tomorrow, you should tell Gwes you and I slept together on my couch,” she mumbled. “Would be hilarious.”

Gladhron looked down at her tired, pale face, resting just below his shoulder, and blinked at her suggestion. He smiled faintly at the joke, but he didn’t offer a reply since he didn’t want his voice to draw her back toward wakefulness, when she clearly needed sleep above all else. As for her suggestion, he wasn’t sure he’d want to do that, but he had plenty of time to think about that before he saw Gwestion again.

The warmth of his arm, the steady pressure against her side, it gave her something. Permission to exist, flawed and human, without pretending she could carry everything alone. To be seen, while not being corrected, nor judged.

Her eyelids drifted heavier and her thoughts softened, fragmented between gratitude, fatigue, and the faint, unspoken tension that came from being close to someone who cared for her without conditions. This is temporary, she reminded herself. This is for now. It will all vanish sooner or later.

Yet even knowing it would, her breathing evened, and she felt a curious steadiness begin to seep into her limbs. And though she couldn’t say it aloud, she wanted him to know she appreciated him. Not in words. Just in the way she relaxed, just in the quiet acceptance of his care. A silent acknowledgment that, for a few moments, she wasn’t alone.

It seemed like she’d hardly let her head rest against him before her breathing deepened, and he could tell she was fast asleep. This had to be a dream, right? There was no way this was actually real. But it was real. Very real. He swallowed uncomfortably as he reminded himself that it wasn’t because she returned his feelings. It was simply the fact that she was probably only feeling so vulnerable and exhausted… and whatever else... because of the poison she was taking. Trying not to let that bother him too much, Gladhron made a slight adjustment to his position so his head would rest more comfortably on the back cushion of the couch, so he could remain sitting up even as his own weariness took over. Then he let out a soft sigh as he let his own eyes close, falling into a somewhat lighter sleep than was normal for him.

@Arnyn
Gladhron didn’t know how long he slept. Dozed, more like it. He hardly felt like he’d even fallen asleep, but some time must have passed, because there was sunlight starting to peek through the windows when he heard a noise that jarred him out of it. Gladhron’s eyes came open with a start. He hastily looked down to check on Celume, unsure quite what had awakened him just yet. It may have been his imagination, but it seemed like her breathing seemed just a bit more steady, and less worrisome. She didn’t look quite as pale, and her heart rate seemed a bit more regular. He let out a little breath of relief.

The noise repeated, and Gladhron realized that it was a knock at the door that had awakened him. And he would need to do something about it if he wanted to keep it from waking her, too. Gently, he eased her away from his side and against the back of the couch, as gently as he could. He made sure she was balanced well enough that she wouldn’t tip over the moment he left her side, then he very carefully eased himself off the couch and looked at her a moment. A breath of relief escaped him when he saw that she was not waking, nor was she falling over.

Then he made his way to the door, trying to move quickly before the intrusion decided to knock a third time. He fumbled with the key a bit before getting the door open, trying to prepare himself for a blast of cold air that would inevitably come barging in with the door’s opening.

Then he blinked as he recognized the very surprised-looking young man on the other side. “Hey, Trastion.” He greeted him quietly, just as surprised to see him, although it slipped his mind that the trainee didn't know that Arnyn was the person he knew as Celume.

“Um.. hi.” Trastion was not expecting Gladhron to open Arnyn’s door, especially not this early in the morning. Especially since, last he’d heard, Gladhron did not know Arnyn. He ran a hand through his hair, somewhat confused, and unsure what to think about this. He glanced around to make sure he hadn’t gotten the wrong house, but nope, it was the right one. He looked back at Gladhron. “I was uh, looking for Arnyn.” He explained, wondering about this… but also trying hard not to pry or be nosy about it.

“Right,” Gladhron blinked as he realized how this must look. But also how this could disrupt Arnyn’s rest, which she needed so much. He glanced back into the house, then decided to keep the door closed while he talked to Trastion. He stepped out on the porch, ignoring the cold as he pulled the door almost closed, just enough so no more cold air would invade the house. “You and her were supposed to have early training today, weren’t you?” He realized. That must be why he was here, right? He remembered someone mentioning that he and Arnyn trained early in the mornings.

“Yeah…” Trastion nodded. “She uh.. never showed up.” He watched the northerner with confusion on his face.

“Yeah, sorry about that. She’s..” Gladhron paused, trying to think of the best way to go about this, then sighed. “She isn’t feeling well,” He explained.

Trastion’s confusion changed to concern. “I wondered about that.” He admitted. “Is she alright? Does she need a healer or something?”

“No,” Gladhron was keeping his tone to a whisper. “She’ll be fine, I think. She just needs to get enough sleep.” He explained.

“Oh. Well… I get that.” Trastion nodded, though he was still concerned. “Is she very sick? I mean…” He frowned. “She did seem rather sick the other day… and then she cancelled the next day…” He still had not asked the other question on his mind, and hadn’t decided whether he should.

“Yeah, she’s sick,” Gladhron confirmed. “But it’s nothing you need to worry about.” He smiled reassuringly. “I’m making sure she’s taken care of, don’t worry. She only just got to sleep after being up most of the night, so I didn’t want her to wake up and then feel bad about missing your training.” He sighed. “Although, if I’d remembered about it, and had been thinking, I’d have tried to get a message or something to you. Sorry about that.”

“Yeah.. that’s alright.” Trastion assured him, though still confused. He paused, tempted to ask, but he decided against it. “Well, when she wakes up, you can let her know that I went through my training routine, as well as I could on my own. And that I’m going to spend some time at the training grounds.” He said. “Tell her I’ll do some more sword practice if I can find someone to spar with. So, she can just rest up and recover and not worry about me.”

“Alright, yeah. I’ll let her know.” Gladhron assured him with a nod.

“Are you sure she doesn’t need a healer to check on her?” Trastion asked. “I mean, I could go by the houses of healing and find someone willing to make a house call?”

Gladhron hesitated. That would be his preference, but… he shook his head. “No, I don’t think she’d care for that too much.” He decided, sighing. “But don’t worry. I can manage… and if she gets worse and she does seem like she needs a healer, I can get one then. I know where to find them.”

“Alright, if you’re sure.” Trastion answered slowly. That did sound right, anyway. He remembered how she’d insisted she was fine the other day, too. “Well. Tell her I hope she gets better soon.” Trastion’s smile still held a hint of concern, but he tried to let it go. He started to go, then paused as he thought of something else. “And, since she's not feeling well, let her know that I'll make sure Narsulë gets some exercise and a good brushing, and a carrot or something.”

“I'm sure she'll appreciate that.” Gladhron smiled.

“Right, see you around.” Trastion waved, still looking slightly confused as he set off toward the next level, on his way to the training grounds.

“Same,” Gladhron waved and then slipped back inside, making sure to lock the door back after Trastion had gone. Then, after a moment’s pause, he went around the living room and pulled the curtains closed as much as he could, to shut out as much sunlight as possible.

After that, he decided he’d better make a brief stop in the washroom, because he’d drunk two glasses of water rather close together, and it had been a while now. When he returned to the couch, he was glad to find Celume still as he had left her. Still breathing, still sitting up with her head resting back on the cushion, still wrapped in the blanket with her cloak underneath.

Careful not to wake her, Gladhron returned to his previous spot and eased her back against his side. But he figured a more reclined position would be more restful for them both, so he shifted his position so that he could rest his head on the padded arm of the couch, and so that she could rest curled up at his side rather than them both trying to sleep sitting upright. For a little while, he monitored her breathing, but there was no shakiness, nor any indication that anything was wrong, and her pulse seemed steady. She seemed to be alright, as far as he could tell..

Slowly, feeling reassured by this, Gladhron let himself drift off, one arm lightly around her back so he could both keep her warm, and so that if there was a change in her breathing, he’d be more likely to notice.

@Lantaelen
It was difficult to look at the wall rather than at him. Because the wall was not interesting in the least. But the man by her side... now he was a different story. She had set all this up for him, too. The business space, downstairs. The appartment, up here. She bit her lip when his smokey eyes connected with hers, and shook her head with a little smile when he kissed the back of her hand. Manners he had learnt? Honest courtship? Both?

Not that there was much courting left to be done, she thought with a private smirk, as they sat down. Torniel waited for him to try the food, first, as per his request. And laughed lightly at his words. She tried it herself, and smiled genuinely. Her closest hand to him reached out to brush his arm. "Trust me, Dauntless. I've had to eat much, much worse. This will make for a good meal. Thank you."

At his question, she tilted her head, and she waited for both of their cups to be filled before replying. "Oh, I don't know," she said, her tone lightly teasing. "It varies. Sometimes, I am with my uncle. Sometimes, with clients. When I have my evenings to myself? I might go out. I might read. I might pamper myself." Her fingers curled around her cup as she lifted it slightly toward him, for a quiet toast as they spoke of other things. "So far, I find you preferable to all the rest." Her lips tilted into a smirk. "Abrazimir."

She enjoyed their meal together, talking only of positives. Focusing on what they liked and enjoyed, even as they enjoyed the food and each other's company. Subject matter was kept mostly light, but they were getting to know each other, and that made every little thing that was shared exciting. Torniel told him about the books she liked to read - both non-fiction, as the tomes downstairs correctly suggested - and fiction. "I like family and relationship drama," she told him with a confident smirk. "Makes me feel better about mine," she added.

When they'd finished the meal, she rose to clear the table. The first flagon was empty, the second one well underway. But Torniel did not sway or hesitate as she cleared their plates and utensils. When she returned to the table, she topped off their cups again. As if it were an afterthought, she looked at him, flagon still in hand. "Or, well, I assumed...?" she half-said, half-asked.

---

@Rillewen
@Eldrith
It had been... a weird morning. First of all, after meeting with Arnyn yesterday, Kaylin hadn't been too sure how to feel. Second of all, she'd gotten a letter - if you could even call it that - which... Kaylin pursed her lips as she walked, her blue-grey eyes casting a dark look at the light grey cobblestones.

Thûllir had brought it on on the 29th already, but it had been addressed to her, and she'd left it lying there for a day. It didn't look official, nor was the handwriting that spelled her name her father's or mother's. It had been able to wait. Until late last evening, when she'd decided to open it up and finally read it.

Not that there had been much to read. 'Stay out of things.' The Hyandaner rolled her eyes. Stay out of things? Stay out of what? Out of what Arnyn had asked her to do? Hardly anyone else knew about that, as of yet, the Lieutenant had said. If it was related, Kaylin would need to tell Arnyn that someone didn't want her doing this. Then again, the odds of it being related were rather small. For the letter had arrived before Arnyn had spoken to her. Unless they already knew Arnyn would be talking to her.

Of course, while lying in bed, Kaylin had also considered another option. The letter - or note - reminded her of certain other messages she had received. In the past. She'd figured that was behind her, now. After that merchant mission, and after taking in those agents of the Hand, without anything of note happening afterward. After over half a year of absolute silence, since then. She had encountered nothing that even concerned them, since then. Why would they send this, now? Were they planning something, and were they dumb enough to send a warning shot? Were they simply bored?

She'd awoken early, and had had the idea of stepping out and wandering around randomly, to verify whether she had anyone following her. That would set her mind at ease, perhaps.

That was what brought Kaylin to the Fourth Circle at this early hour, despite not going or returning from any duties. She was armoured, but only in leathers, and they were hidden underneath winter clothes. She was armed, but not visibly so. And she'd been striding around the city for almost an hour, without getting so much as a sense that she was being followed. Which meant that if anyone was on her tail, they were better than she was.

Then she spotted Trastion heading toward a house on the main street. Arnyn's house. Curious, and kind of glad for the distraction, Kaylin headed the same way. Tras was way ahead of her, though. She would need to knock again, herself, once he was already ins--

Kaylin slowed to a halt when the figure who opened the door, and stepped outside, was not Arnyn. It was not Arnyn at all. It was... Gladhron? What the..? What was he doing at Arnyn's at not even eight in the morning? Her brows lifted, and she stepped to the side, preferring to watch for now, instead of being seen. Kaylin's surprise deepened when the northerner stepped back inside, leaving Trastion outside. There had been no sign of Arnyn at all.

Trastion headed away from the door. Roughly heading Kaylin's way. The redhead took a moment to think. Then lingered until Trastion was close enough so she could almost simply fall into step beside him. "Morning," she greeted him, forgoing her usual smile. Kaylin didn't bother trying to hide her curiosity and confusion. "What was all that about?" she asked him right away. "I saw you over there," she tried to fill in the blanks, gesturing backward in the rough direction of Arnyn's house. "Why was he there? Where's Arnyn?"

@Arnyn
Trastion still wore a puzzled expression when Kaylin suddenly appeared next to him. "Morning," He returned the greeting. Her question made him glance at her, but he hardly needed an explanation to realize she'd seen. Gladhron answering Arnyn's door. "To be honest, I have no idea." He answered with a frown.

"I came to find out if she was alright, because she missed our training this morning," He explained, putting his hands in his pockets as he walked. "She wasn't feeling too well a few days ago, but I thought she would be better by now. Gladhron just told me she'd been feeling sick all night, and that he'd stayed there to take care of her." He paused, glancing over at Kaylin. "I don't get it though. I mean, I thought he said he didn't know Arnyn? But..." He shook his head, trying to make sense of this. "It's strange, isn't it?"

@Rillewen
He had no idea? But it didn't stop there! "Arnyn missed training?" she repeated in surprise. When Trastion continued, she could hardly believe her ears.

"So, what you're telling me," she said a bit more slowly, as if thinking it over, and she started counting on her fingers. "Is that, one, Arnyn missed training and left no word I'm assuming, so you came to check on her." That was nice of him, and it was clear that Kaylin approved of that. Arnyn had become her friend, too, after all. And standing someone up for training was not at all like the blonde.

"Two, some guy you've seen all of two times answered her door," she continued, lifting her eyebrows. "Three - we are talking about a guy who told you, in person, one of those two times that you've met, that he did not even know Arnyn..." Kaylin tapped the side of Trastion's head, then continued counting on her fingers. "And four, he told you Arnyn had been sick all night and he had stayed there to take care of her." That made Kaylin draw to a halt. "Trastion," she said, her tone less incredulous now, and more as if she were trying to get something through his thick skull.

"Does your darling mentor strike you as the kind of person who would let a stranger take care of her all night? Mordor's pits, does she strike you as someone who would let a friend take care of her all night?"

@Arnyn
He frowned as Kaylin made her points. "I know," He answered at last, sighing. "Which is why I'm very puzzled. I'm not really sure what to think about it. Or if I should be more worried or not." He frowned, recalling how Gladhron had rejected the idea of sending a healer. "What do you think, Kaylin?" He asked, turning to her.

"I mean.. Arnyn was sick, so I found that part pretty easy to believe. She missed almost all of our training session just a few days ago. Cali can tell you, she looked awful when she did show up. And then the next day, she cancelled. But she was there yesterday, and she looked better, but... then maybe she just did a better job hiding it." He frowned. "So, when she wasn't on time today, I figured maybe she was going to show up sooner or later... but she never did. So, I came here.." He trailed off, thinking. Frowning. "I mean, if she is sick, I wouldn't want to disrupt her rest, but..." He sighed, clearly at a loss for what to do here.

@Rillewen
Kaylin gave Trastion a long look, then shook her head. "Puzzled, he says," she mumbled, rolling her eyes. "You came to check on her. And you didn't see her. You just bought the word of some guy you don't know, who isn't even supposed to know her," she chided him.

Not one to let others marinate too long, however, Kaylin clapped her hand on Tras' shoulder. "However -" she went on, "I happen to know a few things that you do not. Which is why I'm not turning us around immediately to demand to see our lieutenant. Because, even though I've seen the guy only twice, as well," Kaylin told the young man, "at least I've pried a little. And I've met his brother. And--" she added, emphasizing the word heavily, raising a finger into the air, "with what I know, I do buy Gladhron's story enough not to barge right through that door. Just yet. I'm still on the fence."

"But before I go on to explain - was that all he said?" she wondered, narrowing her eyes a little on Tras. "Because I saw Arnyn yesterday. I'll admit, the woman looked tired. But she seemed very much like herself. Even though what she asked me, sounded pretty bonkers."

@Arnyn
He frowned as she mentioned the problems with the picture here. "Yeah. That's why I'm asking you what you think..." Trastion pointed out, before Kaylin continued.

She had pried.. and knew things he didn't... somehow, neither of those things surprised him one bit. But as she mentioned having met the brother, he was curious. But she had no more to say about that. Only that she believed the story. She did? Trastion looked curiously at Kaylin, waiting for her to share whatever inside information she had obtained. But it was clearly not going to happen. At least, not yet.

Unsurprisingly, Kaylin had questions of her own that wanted answering, first. "Yeah?" He shrugged and glanced back over his shoulder at the house he'd left a short time ago, but nothing could be seen to explain why Kaylin would have asked that. "Well, I mean, he apologized for not sending a message to let me know she was too sick to come to training. He said she'd been sick all night and only just got to sleep, so he didn't want to wake her so soon." He looked at Kaylin questioningly. "Why? What did she ask you that was so.. bonkers?" He wondered, curious if she would tell him or not.

The way was shut. They could not pass. And therefore, his hopes of reassuring his and Domanol's worries about possible bewitchings would have to wait until morning. Gwestion could think of no argument compelling enough, nor convincing enough, to present to the young guard woman blocking their path. Because, well. Let's face it. Telling her 'we believe the ranger lieutenant has been put under an evil spell, and my brother might be suffering second-hand effects of the same bewitchment' would have sounded pretty absurd to most people. It would have sounded pretty absurd to Gwestion, if not for having heard the other instances that Dom had brought up.

But it didn't matter how worried they might both be. The guards seemed determined not to let them converse with any member of the group who had shared that theater box. First, they'd been denied access to the fifth, for fear that they might speak to Seri or the girls and 'taint' their testimony. Now, the way was barred from speaking to Arnyn and Gladhron as well. That must be it. Gwestion sighed in frustration, trying to convince himself that there wasn't much they could have done about it tonight anyway, even if they did find some proof of bewitchment. He frowned as he went through all the possibilities he could think of. But there didn't seem to be very much that would convince the devoted guard to let them pass through this gate.

As his friend turned to rant against the wall, Gwestion let out a sigh of defeat. "Come on, Dom," He tried to convince his friend as he turned to return back the way they had come. "We may as well go back and try to get some sl-" He broke off from finishing that sentence, and the last word was replaced with a yelp of pain. The cobblestones were not quite as smooth as they had once been, the grooves between them worn from the heavy traffic in this area, leaving some uneven ridges where some stones rose up slightly higher than others. Gwestion's boot seemed to catch on the edge of a stone, and he went tumbling down just before finishing his sentence, one palm audibly slapping the cold cobbles quite hard. He groaned in pain as he slowly rolled to a sitting position, grimacing. "Oww, oww!" he gasped, inhaling sharply between his teeth. Ignoring the presence of the guard, he carefully pulled his right foot closer, then reached down to gingerly feel of his ankle, only to wince sharply at his own touch. "I.. think it's sprained," He reported his tentative diagnosis, before wincing again as he tried to move his foot just slightly. "Or.. possibly worse," He added with a little gasp, as if even that tiny movement had caused sharp pains in the offending limb.

Though the guards were skeptical of his 'convenient injury' at first, they at last agreed to escort Gwestion to the sixth level for treatment, since his ankle seemed to be in such intense pain. But not before he was thoroughly searched and made to give up his knife.. again. Dom, however, was not permitted to accompany him, even when Gwestion asked for his friend to lend his shoulder for support. It seemed that this Sorrela was far too suspicious of Dom to allow it. A passing patrol was called upon to manage in Dom's place. Gwestion briefly cast an apologetic glance toward his friend, followed by a brief comment in Rohirric. "I'll try to check that the ladies are safe." He promised, though he did not really understand why his friend seemed so panic-stricken about their safety. Since Dom could not come with him, Gwestion hoped to at least put his mind at ease on that matter.

Having been helped up to his one foot, and holding the other up off the ground so that he did not even put a little weight on it, Gwestion and his escort set off through the gate into the third level. Then the fourth. While traveling through the fourth circle, Gwestion kept an eye out for the house belonging to Arnyn. He had not thought to look for the house number before, as he'd been preoccupied and it hadn't seemed all that important, so it was more a matter of finding other things he recognized. He paused for a rest when he located the house he and Tercen had approached earlier. "Sir, could I perhaps speak to my brother, and let him know I've been injured?" He asked. "He's staying in that house. I could lean on his shoulder, instead of yours?" He suggested. "I'm not asking you to stop escorting me." He added.

"Sorry sir, that would not be acceptable." The patrolman replied, shaking his head. "It's not yet a respectable hour to be knocking on people's doors. And this is hardly a matter of life and death that would warrant doing so. You can send a message to him if you like, once the healers are done with you. Come on now." They could only move at the limping pace that Gwestion could manage, but the guard did not allow for any further stops for the rest of the way to the next gate. He was grimacing by then, hardly even putting any weight on his foot, leaning much of his weight on the guard. He was worried about the fifth gate guard, since he thought Thorley might deny them entry. But it was the other guard now, which meant Thorley would be on patrol by now.

Unfortunately, Gwestion did not manage to slip away from the guard escort, even when he begged for a rest because his ankle was hurting too much to go on. (as it happened, he managed this break right in front of the house where he was staying). He got a brief rest, but there was no way for him to get away from his escort, short of knocking him out. And he was definitely not willing to resort to such tactics and get himself in trouble for assaulting a guard. Besides that, he suspected he saw Thorley approaching, so, they continued and did not stop until the houses of healing. There, the guard turned him over to the custody of the nurse on duty at the time. But if Gwestion had any hopes of slipping away once the guard had left him here, any such hopes were quickly dashed...


(continued in HoH thread, here)

@Rillewen
Kaylin looked thoughtfully at Trastion. What could she tell him? That his mentor asked her to tag along to Umbar early and stay at some Umbarian's estate to make sure said Umbarian doesn't tattle, either voluntarily or involuntarily? In other words - that the Lieutenant was sending two of her friends into a death trap, and was planning on following them soon? That Kaylin had absolutely no intentions of joining in on that madness? Because, if the Umbarian proved false, surely everyone there would be dead meat? Should she tell Trastion it was a shame that Arnyn was ill, because these might be the last days he'd be able to have with his mentor? If Arnyn was really gonna go through with this??

"It's safe to say, I think, that you'll have figured out by now that Arnyn is a bit of a conundrum. She seems so logical and analytical one moment, and the next she throws herself at the jaws of a giant wolf - stuff like that. It seems to me like she's now planning to do something eerily similar." Kaylin shrugged."The details are for her to explain, though. Whenever she sees fit." Even if Kaylin liked to talk... she was still a soldier at heart. Not a ranger. And if there was one thing that was drilled into soldiers, it was to take orders. And - to not overtly question those orders, or those who gave them.

"Anyway," she went on seemlessly, "do you remember Gladhron talking about this Celume woman? Or was that before you came in, at the inn?" She didn't quite remember.

@Rillewen


Though there were disadvantages to her ungainly height and boyish frame, Sorrela was forced to admit that there were also times, such as now, for instance, that she felt genuinely relieved that she could exude a ‘substantial presence’. People glanced her way and measured up their chances, and they tended toward withdrawing. Which was not exactly pleasant when you were the only girl in school still waiting for some boy to knuckle up the courage and extend an invite to some date or dance. Nor was it particularly graceful, to attempt a date or dance .. when too long limbs at every level had endowed the young woman with all the clumsy energy of a colt on ice.

But in this sort of moment, in the dead of night, stood alone in the face of holding her post, this was when the Guard recruit could rally all of the form she had inherited, and narrow her eyes, appearing as a force to be reckoned with. She drummed her fingers along the length of the staff she held now in both hands. She watched the two men contemplate their next move.


For all that Domanol, ’Uncle Dom’ who she vaguely recalled from infancy .. did not demand or even ask to be allowed past her gate, into the Third Circle, .. the reaction to that portal being reportedly closed for the night spoke all that the man did not. She did not know the full story of what had called for extra vigilance and she had not known the gates to properly close like this, since before the war. Still, when the other man, who her family friend named ‘Gwestion’, looked to lead the two of them back the way that they had come, Sorrel did slowly begin to thaw the frozen breath which was lodged in her throat. Possible crisis .. averted .. without her even requiring to ..
And then the stranger fell.


The eldest of five sisters, this Guard Recruit knew a little something about a playact when she saw it. Though she did have to admit the cobbles were rimed with ice, in this wintry cold hour. So it was not entirely implausible that the man might have really slipped. A ranger though .. they were more hardy than to fuss on such a slip. She did not rush to his aid thus. She simply cast a gaze to first Domanol and then back to his friend again. If this was a distraction ..

“Can you stand ?” she pondered aloud, humouring the performance even as her sentry partner opened the sliding peephole in their barricade. It was not a large opening, and was crisscrossed by a horizontal cross of iron bar. But it was enough that she heard the other Guard whisper, nodded her head once in understanding. Before either of the men in front of her could ask what they were speaking on, the second circle patrol emerged out of the gloom in an equally ‘timely’ intervention, and Sorrela raised a single arm to summon their attention.


In moments, Gwestion had looked not only for assistance through their gate, due to his ‘injury’, but also for his accomplice in who knew what .. to accompany him also. The fact that this timely cause would allow for both the men to thus gain exactly what they had clearly come here for, to pass beyond the gate, rang all of the alarm bells in the young woman’s head. In the end, the guards determined that only the apparently injured man would be permitted to pass. And he would have a committed escort ensure that he went direct to the Houses of Healing. What manner of reception he would likely get there if he faced the healers without an authentic cause .. would be worth the Guard’s seeming generosity.

As for Domanol, he had breathed in a little too much cold air, in expelling his frustration, and Gwestion’s medical emergency took him as much by surprise as it had the Guards. Hanging his head offside to the scene, he concealed the amusement he could not completely stifle in that moment. His friend’s knife was then confiscated, for the second time this evening, ensuring that the Northerner would have to return to Guard HQ after his ‘treatment’ on the Sixth circle. And as Dom moved to ‘help’ his friend, and was denied the opportunity, he caught instead the look in the younger man’s eye. And the Rohirric vow. One he might have shrugged off as an idle effort to try and keep the elder man from doing something equally risky. If it had not come from Gwestion himself, who took the types of thing such as vows and promises more seriously than most. That was two friends now who had sworn to him that they would see Seri and the girls safe this night. But neither Gwes or Thorley had any real comprehension of what peril the women might actually be in. There was no time for Dom even to respond before the Northerner disappeared through the gate, and that obstacle was closed anew. Sorrela relaxed her grip on her blunt weapon, as the ancient locks fell back into place. And then silence reigned between the two for a time.


“You must be cold,” she offered first, rather than outright invite the man to depart.

“There is no cold in the South, after you have slept outside in the Northlands,” Dom almost smiled. “I lost my coat,” he then explained, half sheepish. Until he recognised the potential in such a circumstance. “It was my brother’s coat in fact. He is not best pleased with me on that count. Kicked me out into the streets ..” A booted foot kicked at nothing and Dom sighed, unnecessarily forlorn. Perhaps at this blatent lie. He shivered too, for good measure, despite his recent claim.

The Guard recruit might have remarked that his brother surely would let him back in, on so cold a night. But knowing as she did the two brothers in question, Sorrel realised the real possibility that Addhor might have tired of his younger sibling’s thoughtlessness. She had siblings herself. She had refused at least one of them, on more than one occasion, from entering her home. Sometimes hard love was the only way ..

“I expect Isys would allow me to kip down on her pantry floor, if I asked ..?” Dom then considered, seemingly to himself, until a final small cock of his head turned the thought into a request for permission. To go through the gate …

“I do believe I saw your brother’s coat at Guard Headquarters,” Sorrel ventured, quietly. “There are many beds there too where you could stay until dawn. It might take you that long to complete the necessary form for recovering goods. Your brother will thank you for it, and your bones would too I wager. Not to mention that you will be there already waiting for Seri and the girls to meet you there later.”

She .. knew. Not everything, probably, but still enough. Domanol shook his head slowly side to side in a bitter laugh. “You are your mother’s daughter, I shall give you that one,” he informed her. “You mean that there are beds in the jail there. For the drunks .. the breakers of the peace .. ”

“I would never judge a man who had spent even one night in a cell,” the Guard recruit let him know. Rather than outright declare him as either such type of deviant. And as their eyes met, at the implied reference to her former convict father .. Domanol tapped his nose.


“Go on then, I know when I am beat,” he sighed, he lied. And began toward the direction of the Guard Headquarters. There were still some fallen walls which had not been properly rebuilt yet on the far edge of the circle. There might yet be means to forge a clandestine way through to the next level, or the one beyond that ..

“I will find you there then, when my relief shows here,” Sorrel smiled. “Make sure you found enough ink ..”

Her mother’s daughter alright. Though he swallowed down another curse, it was a smile that showed on Domanol’s face. Friends. They were as bad as family. Clearly. He was going to have to trust in both tonight. Hope was all he had left, and it was a fragile thing. To press now to the extremes it would clearly take to accomplish his goal .. might very well see him arrested and unable to protect his loved ones after an initial and potentially not long enough reunion. Let alone be taken seriously by the King after that. But that stronger type of hope, their King, he would seek out come the morrow proper. After he assured himself at the Guard HQ, that Seri and the girls were unharmed, and safe, .. then he could go and make sure that the King was aware. Of matters concerning 'safety', amidst other things.

@Arnyn
Trastion thought about what Kaylin said, trying to make sense of what she wasn't telling him. But he agreed, anyway. It was for Arnyn to tell, if she would. He gave a slow nod, and tried to not let himself worry too much about it.

"I think I heard something about that," He answered her other question. "Why? What's that got to do with anything?" He asked, curiously glancing over at her as they walked. "Also, where are you heading? I'm going to the training ground. If you aren't busy, I could use a sparring partner?" He suggested, even though this wasn't their usual day to spar together.

---

@Ercassie
The note was rather cryptic. Seri stared at it for a long while, puzzled. This was meant for her? She'd even double-checked with Lotte, when the housekeeper gave it to her, but that was indeed what the messenger had said. But it was in a language that Seri could not read. And Gwestion knew she could not. So why..?

After hastily getting dressed, the healer made her way into the library of the house, where she knew she'd find Brooke. Just as she expected, there was Brooke, curled up with a book, Chewy sprawled cozily on the floor beside her chair.

Seri took a seat across from her. "I thought we agreed that you wouldn't stay up all night reading anymore?" She interrupted the girl's solitude, with a raised eyebrow.

Startled, Brooke looked up from the page and blinked as she glanced at the window. "All night? Did I really?" She said, surprised to realize there was light beginning to peek through the window. "Has it really gone by that quick?"

Seri folded her arms, sighing. "It's morning, now." She informed her niece. "And you never even went to bed to try to sleep."

"Well.. I meant to," Brooke bit her lip, hesitating as she dropped her gaze down to the book. "I was only going to get to the end of that chapter..."

Seri turned her head sideways to see the cover of the book, then glanced at the side table next to the chair. "Wasn't that the book you were on, when the rest of us went to bed?" She asked, pointing to one in the stack. Obviously, a stack of 'finished' books.

"Um..." Brooke glanced at it, then thought back. "It might have been? I'm sorry," She meekly placed a bookmark into the one in her lap, and gently closed it. "They're all such good books, though. It's hard to put them down." She explained quietly, apologetic.

Seri shook her head slightly, a bit amused even if it did concern her to see the girl regularly skipping nights of sleep. "Well, anyway," She changed topics. "That isn't why I'm here." She assured her. Pulling out the note, Seri offered it to her. "I just got this message.. from Gwestion." She frowned. "He knows I can't read in Sindarin, though. So, could you please tell me what it says?"

Intrigued, Brooke took the note and frowned at it. "Strange," She muttered, looking closer to study it better. "That's.. not even regular Sindarin. It's Ancient. No one uses that anymore. Why would he write it in that form?" She glanced at Seri, puzzled.

"Can you understand it?" Seri wondered, surprised to know that it was the ancient form, not the 'current' form that was more widely used.

"I think so," Brooke nodded slowly. "We worked together on translating some of this before." She read it a couple of times again to make sure she was understanding it correctly, before looking up at Seri. "He says he needs to talk to you, urgent." She revealed. "That's all it says." Brooke frowned. "Is he still at the guard headquarters?"

"No," Seri shook her head. "The messenger came from the houses of healing. I hope he's alright." She stood up, still feeling puzzled. "Thank you, Brooke. I'd better go see what this is all about. I'll be back soon, so please be ready to go."

Brooke nodded reluctantly. After Seri left the room, she opened her book again and resumed the exciting tale she had been immersed in, before the interruption.

@Rillewen
Kaylin snickered when Tras asked what that Celume woman had to do with anything. "Well, mister Gladhron, as I would have you know, had all sorts of stories to tell about her. And it was rather evident he was quite infatuated with this Celumë, even if he never admitted to it directly. Then, as it so happened, I met his brother at the training grounds. And his brother was meeting with Arnyn," Kaylin told Trastion, rather pleased with herself for knowing all of these little tidbits and being able to tie it together over the course of the last week or so. Without hardly even trying!

"I wasn't heading anywhere," she replied to his question, interrupting her little debrief. "I can go with you, I guess. But hold on a minute," she requested, putting a hand on his arm and stopping them a second time. "We still have to decide if we're going back there. I think we won't have to. But I need another moment to think about it and make sure," she mumbled thoughtfully. "So --" she declared, more loudly, returning to the previous topic. "When Arnyn showed up at the grounds, as it turns out -- this Celumë was Arnyn. And Arnyn is Celumë."

Kaylin raised a finger into the air between her and Trastion. "Which means , little bro, that Gladhron does know our Lieutenant. They became friends years ago, when she was off doing whatever in the North, and Gladhron, his brother and Arnyn apparently played detective together, and went bandit hunting in the northern woods and everything." A slow grin spread across her face. "And, apparently, your mentor can sing." The redhead waited, to see how Trastion would react to all of this.

@Arnyn
Kaylin seemed to be almost bursting to tell whatever it was that she knew, so Trastion listened without interrupting, as she explained about Gladhron telling stories. He remembered him talking about Celume. Even if he had missed any of what he'd said at the inn the other day, Trastion and Gladhron had also walked together to the training grounds, so there had been some talk between them, then.

But, as far as Trastion could recall, he had not yet met the guy's brother. He'd heard plenty about him, but all he knew of the guy was that he was way too serious and didn't enjoy doing anything fun, apparently. Hearing that he had been meeting with Arnyn, Trastion tilted his head. He thought about that for a moment. That didn't seem too strange, since perhaps the northern ranger had simply wanted to meet the lieutenant of the Gondor rangers. Or maybe she had wanted to meet him, since he had gained permission to use the training grounds.

Trastion considered that as Kaylin agreed to going with him to the training grounds, now. But he was surprised when she asked to wait, and decide if they were going back to Arnyn's house. He glanced at her questioningly. Hadn't she just said a minute ago that she didn't think it was necessary?

Finally, she told him the 'big reveal' to her story. That Arnyn and Celume were one and the same. Trastion glanced at her in surprise. "Wait, really?" He was curious about that, and thought back to all that Gladhron had said about 'Celume' with a fresh view. "Interesting." But just when he thought that was all, she mentioned Arnyn singing. Trastion paused, glancing at her then. "Can't everyone sing?" He asked. "Well.. I mean, I guess some people do it better than others," He acknowledged. His own skills in any musical area were seriously lacking, but he figured most people could sing if they felt like it... so he wasn't sure why she thought this was such big news.

---

@Ercassie @Pele Alarion
Seri hadn't planned to go to the houses of healing quite as early as she did, but she had hastened there in answer to Gwestion's strange note. Only to find him sound asleep in the treatment room. She had spoken with the nurse to find out as much as she could. Hearing that Maeth had forgotten to mention that the pain relief tea would also make him drowsy, well... Seri wasn't going to lie, she was mildly amused by that. Remembering how adamantly Gwestion had refused any sort of sedation even when he had been far more severely injured than a mere sprained ankle, she thought it would certainly do him some good to have a good night's rest. Even if it was morning now, rather than night.

So, she'd told Maeth to let him sleep and that Seri would be back later to check on him. And with that, she returned to the house to eat breakfast with everyone else. Afterward, she rounded up her nieces, and they set off for the lower levels, accompanied by Gil. And Chewy.

---

Once they had arrived at the guard's headquarters, Seri explained to the guard on duty who they were, and why they were there. They were expected, apparently. While she still did not really understand why they needed to come, she assumed that it wouldn't take long, and then they could go on about their day.

"Thank you for coming in, ma'am. Please have a seat, and someone will be right with you." The guy asked, then went to tell someone they were there. Seri nodded and led the way to the seats indicated to them, and tried to smile reassuringly at the girls. She could see that Brooke, at least, seemed a bit nervous. "There's nothing to worry about." She assured her. "They just want to ask us a few questions, apparently." She said, as that was all she knew.

After a moment, the guard on desk duty came back to meet them. "My colleague will be with you shortly. We'd like to ask a few questions about an incident that occurred last night." He explained. "We'll need to interview each of you separately, but we'll try not to keep you from your day too long." He then paused as he looked at the dog. "Uh, I'm not sure if dogs-"

"He is here as a medical aid to my niece," Seri explained quickly. "He goes wherever she goes, in case she has a breathing issue. He can alert us to it in enough time to get her medicine." She explained, leaving out any additional details that weren't quite necessary.

"Alright." The guard nodded slowly, though slightly puzzled as he'd never heard of such a thing. He shrugged. "Well, if you'll all please follow me?" He led the way to some rooms down a hallway. He indicated for Seri to wait in the first questioning room, Aislin in the second, and Brooke in a third. With her dog. Then he went to get the guard who would be conducting the questioning. Since Seri had a shift at the houses of healing to get to later, they would begin with her. And, since the guards were busier now in the daytime, there was only one guard available to conduct the questioning, so they would have to do it one at a time.


Seri had no idea it could take so long just to tell the guards how little she knew about 'whatever happened' at the theater last night. In fact, Seri felt like she had far more questions about it than the guards had, although she wasn't the one doing the asking, here. The entire thing was quite mysterious and puzzling. And then, to her surprise, she also had to fill out the longest form she'd ever seen in her life, just to say that she didn't know anything!

Needless to say, Seri had not been prepared to deal with all of this so early in the morning. Once the guards were satisfied with her statement, Seri returned to the waiting area with a sigh, bringing her form along with her to fill out while she waited on the girls to be released as well.

@Rillewen
While Trastion was clearly surprised to find out Celumë and Arnyn were the same woman, he did not seem all too interested in the knowledge that his mentor could sing. Kaylin blinked at the trainee. Her disbelief at his lack of intrige was all too evident.

"How are you not --" Kaylin raised a hand. "Look. In case you hadn't noticed, Arnyn is a rather private person. Finding out that she can actually carry a tune entertainingly enough to make a deal in some inn - stars, finding out that she is actually the type to make any kind of deal in an inn - is extremely interesting. This is our Lieutenant, Trastion!" He was being very thick today, she found. "So me telling you that, not to mention me spelling it out for you that you might have just caught her one-time boyfriend opening the door to her house at the early hours of the morning - that kind of information is gold, okay?"

Kaylin crossed her arms. "Cause if she and Gladhron never hooked up, then maybe we do need to go back there. Tras - just how ill has she been, the past few days? You think she could still hold her own?" Kaylin inquired. "If need be?"

@Arnyn
"I have noticed, actually." Trastion assured Kaylin, in regard to Arnyn being a private person. "Which is exactly why I don't think she'd appreciate anyone discussing her personal life and gossiping about her." He shrugged. "Whether she and Gladhron are friends, or more than htat, it's really none of our business. And I really don't feel comfortable talking about it." He pointed out. "And now that you've told me what you know, it's clear that they do know each other, which explains a lot." He glanced at Kaylin with an eyebrow raised. "And, if you really thought she was in any danger, I don't think you'd have wasted all the time it took to tell me that Arnyn can sing." He added.

Shrugging, Trastion folded his arms challengingly as he faced her. "Speaking of, what difference does it make if she can sing well? If she doesn't want to sing, she won't. Or, given what else I've heard about Gladhron, that could've been a completely made up part of the story." He pointed out.

"As for her being sick," He sighed. "The other day, she was clearly not feeling well," He admitted, thinking back to the other day. "She wasn't fighting quite like she usually does, in sparring." He considered that for a moment. "I mean, she still kept me working really hard, but she was slower than usual. She was doing more blocking than striking," He frowned. "And I offered to get a healer then, too, but she refused and said that if she was sick enough to have to stay in bed, then she'd stay in bed. It sort of seems like maybe she did get that sick after all." Unless Kaylin's concerns were valid, but Trastion sort of thought it seemed unlikely, and more than likely, she was only trying to get him worked up with worry.

He glanced at her. "The question is, do you think she's in any danger? I mean, you've met Gladhron. You think there's any reason to be concerned?" He asked. "Because, no offense, but you seem like you're more curious than concerned, to me." It was pretty clear that she was dying to find out more about this situation, but he would rather let Arnyn's business remain just that. Unless there really was reason to be concerned, of course.

@Rillewen , @Ercassie
Aislin
Off to the Guard HQ with Seri and Brooke, and faithful Chewy

Aislin was not sure what they were wanted for, but if they were summoned so they apparently had to visit the Guard Headquarters. She walked along rather carelessly and observed everything with a bit of interest since she had not come this way before.

Whoever would end up interviewing her would find that the girl had next to no useful information on the case at hand though she always was eager to share about her impressions on the play, on the exciting plot of the storyline, the excellent garb of the actors, and the way they spoke with so much expression. She was ready to account for every detail of the play if only there was someone to listen to it. The completion of any forms though... the girl certainly knew her letters, but it might take her ages to write, most likely with many an addition about the play if not watched over by Seri to keep her on track.

@Rillewen
She all but ignored Tras' claim about the singing maybe being entirely made up by Gladhron. "If the Lieutenant can sing, she could regale us with a song or two when we camp for a mission, or when we're gathering in the barracks common room, or something," Kaylin countered Tras' words. "Some of the others do. She never does. What about morale, hmmm, Taras? That kind of stuff does wonders for morale." The redhead tapped her lips with her index finger, pondering whether that argument might actually work on Arnyn. Given the right timing, it just might. It did play into the blonde's workaholic tendencies, didn't it? Putting the unit ahead of her own needs and wants?

Trastion gave her some more background information on Arnyn not feeling well for the past couple of days. Kaylin thought back - when she had seen Arnyn last, at least, the time before last, then nothing had been bothering her, as of yet. Or that is how it had seemed, at least. And then the last time, yesterday, Arnyn had not seemed ill but simply... exhausted. And their conversation had, of course, revealed a very good reason for why the Lieutenant was probably experiencing severe downs throughout the past few days. Kaylin chewed her bottom lip lightly, thinking about the trainee's questions.
Did Kaylin think Arnyn was in any danger? Did Kaylin think there was any reason to be concerned?

Kaylin could not breathe a word of any of that to Tras. First of all, Arnyn had never actually confirmed anything. But there was not much doubt in Kaylin's mind. Not anymore.

When Trastion pegged her as more curious than concerned, Kaylin made a face at him. She crossed her arms as her eyes narrowed upon her 'little brother'. "Arnyn's freaking apprentice, alright," she mumbled, unhappily. He was being way too astute to her liking. "Fiiiiiiiine!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms in a gesture of resignation. "We'll go to the training grounds." Kaylin clearly wasn't too excited about skipping a trip to Arnyn's, first. It simply would have been so interesting to see Gladhron trying to take care of the Lieutenant. And even more interesting to see Arnyn actually letting him do so.

"I figure they at least shared a kiss or two behind some tree," Kaylin mused, starting to move along the street again. "It would explain why Gladhron is so infatuated with her," she judged. Already having gotten the feeling Trastion was not one for gossip, Kaylin grinned broadly as she glanced aside at him. "Come on, lil' brother. Lighten up a little?"

@Arnyn
Trust me, Dauntless. I’ve had to eat much, much worse. ”I hear you.” Abrazimir smiled, his own arm extending a bit further to make it easier for Torniel to caress his toned, scarred forearm across the table. He recalled with unhappy detail some of the rudimentary meals he had on campaign or on the march. Thank the Valar those days were behind him. Hopefully. He hoped that days and meals ahead were like this moment here. Pleasant conversation, pleasant smiles. And a beautiful face to share it with.

As they supped, she regaled him with her usual smalldoings when not entertaining company. Business with her Uncle, or business alone. Sometimes out on the town or enjoying a good book. His eyebrows piqued when she mentioned pampering herself. Like what, getting her nails done, her hair stylized, other manners of…grooming? He would not mind giving her a helping hand with that. Two of them, in fact. She called him most preferable of all, to which he returned the smirk. And as the meal wound down to it’s final stages, she talked of the books she read and what she enjoyed. Drama. Mostly family. He laughed boisterously more than once. ”My own could be a mess, too. Domineering and traditional father, independent minded sisters.” He teased lightly.

She cleared the table and he assisted by stacking bowls and utensils and polishing off the rest of his drink, though he hardly had the last gulp in his mouth before she was back at his side, refilling it. ”You assumed right.” Abrazimir affirmed her actions and when she finished, he took the flagon from her and put it on the table, before he rose with cup in hand and indicated for her to do the same. ”Shall we get comfortable as the evening winds down?” Before the night begins in earnest.

Cup in one hand, he took her free hand with the other and led her from the half-walled kitchen area back to the seating area, it’s furniture of brown and white hues. He put his cup down and then, strangely, took her cup from her hand and put it down on the side table as well. Without warning or permission, he grabbed her sides and when he sat down in the corner of one couch…he dragged her down onto her lap as well.

Sideways to him, his arm supported her back as he leaned her side against his chest, her legs to spread over the remainder of the couch, his other arm lazily draped over them. Both hands linked at the far side of her hip and he held her like that, smiling into her face. Dauntless, indeed.

”You’ve taken such good care of me today. Thank you.” He complimented her, using his embrace of her to give her a singular shake. ”Whatever you might think or say about your life and upbringing here, I still marvel at it. You are a trailblazer. I’m starting to believe had you chosen a more marital vocation, the forces of…yonder land,” he jerked his head eastwards, refusing to say the name of that realm out of superstition, even if it was fallen and defeated, ”would have thought twice about meandering across the Great River.” He smiled at her, not knowing her very hands were indeed that skilled in such arts. And more deviously.

But for now, it was not her hands he thought of, but her lips, his eyes darting at them more than once, openly, in full view of her sight given their closeness.

@Rillewen
Hours later, Arnyn shifted as she drifted away from sleep and back toward consciousness. Her body felt heavy, her head sluggish - but no longer dulled by the fog of the night before. A clear weariness, deliberate and grounded, replaced the haze, allowing her thoughts to return with a much more familiar feel. Surprisingly, the first realization did not concern the night before or the chill brushing her cheek—it was the sheer comfort of the moment, the rare feeling of being entirely unrushed. She wanted to stretch, to turn over, but movement was restrained—blocked by—

Her eyes opened wide as awareness dawned. The calm rise and fall beneath her head. The subtle scent of pine trees. The steady warmth of the arm curled around her. The reassuring rhythm of someone else’s heartbeat. She was looking at Tercen’s clothes. But it had not been her brother, on whom she’d fallen asleep.
Memories of the previous night pushed to the front of her mind: still finding Gladhron at her house, the dizzying fog of the belladonna, the raw, unguarded truths she had shared with him. She had told him - by the Valar, she had told him... shown him… so much. Too much. Vulnerability, self-doubt, fear of judgment…
And then, somehow, she had let herself fall asleep here, against him. Again. She had fallen asleep on him again!? First at the theatre, now here. Twice in a matter of days. Twice in one day, even!

Her first impulse was to retreat, to put distance between them, to reclaim the careful composure she always demanded of herself. Yet his arm and his warmth argued otherwise. Slowly, carefully, Arnyn shifted her head - to test if he still slept. She traced his face with her eyes, searching for any sign of wakefulness, any twitch of recognition that might betray her presence. Her mind raced, strategizing her next movements. The arm across her back was a tether she couldn’t simply push up without disrupting him. How could she have let it come to this? Her head on his shoulder was one thing, but this— this was a precarious intimacy she never permitted.

Gladhron had begun to snore softly by this point, having finally relaxed enough to slip into a slightly deeper sleep. His arm was curled around her protectively, as if that would help him monitor her condition while he slept.

Arnyn made a face as she watched him snoring. Alright. At least he was still asleep. The wheels in her mind turned, looking for a plan. The arm was a problem. She also couldn’t push herself up, because there was simply… no room. How in Middle-Earth had they ended up like this, anyway? Her head resting on his shoulder was one thing, but this… She held back a sigh of exasperation.

Instead - slowly, carefully - she lifted herself up a little. His arm slid away, and she glanced at his face to see if that might pull him from sleep. How was she even going to react if he woke up now? If she managed to get away from her current position first, she might be able to play it off like it hadn’t even happened. But if he woke up before she managed that, such a thing would prove infinitely more difficult.

As she began to move, Gladhron shifted his head a little bit in his sleep. Then, as if his subconscious mind alerted him to the fact that his arm had fallen, he brought it back up to rest around her again.

She stopped moving entirely when his head shifted, hoping he would not wake up if she just remained still. Then his arm came back up, and Arnyn raised her eyes to the ceiling in a quiet, private ‘are you kidding me’. She moved a cushion to tuck it under Gladhron's arm.

As his arm dropped back down, it rested onto the cushion. He mumbled something illegible in his sleep, then went quiet as he relaxed again, still caught up in his dreams.

The next moment, his arm slipped back down, this time onto the cushion, and Arnyn realized she needed to get out of there immediately if she were to have any shot at… At not having him look at her while she was still half curled up against him. After taking a quiet, deep breath, she twisted enough so she could try and scoot away from him. Which was not easy, since she didn’t have any anchor points for her hands to help her. At least, not unless she wanted to push him aside.

Gladhron shifted slightly, missing the feel of her breathing, resting on his chest. With a little flicker of panic stirring somewhere in his subconscious, he stirred and made a little noise as if having a bad dream. Some part of him wanted to stay asleep, while another part told him to wake up and check on her. The two parts warred within him for a while, but for the moment, he remained asleep, believing that she was still resting against his side.

He was waking up. Her eyes darted around, but there was nothing to help her. Sitting up fully now, she continued to scoot along the back cushions of the couch, trying to get out of the crook made up by the back cushions and his torso. Every movement was quiet, careful, measured. As though she was disentangling herself from danger rather than safety.

@Arnyn

It took a moment, and the continued absence of her breathing and heartbeat, but the latter half began to win in the end. His eyes began to move behind his eyelids, as he tried to convince them to open.

She’d made it - into sitting next to him instead of… lying against him. Instead of partially on him. Arnyn glanced aside.

“Celume..?” Gladhron mumbled, then the alarm took hold of his mind as he realized that what was resting against him was not breathing. He finally opened his eyes, raising up slightly in search of her, half-panicked at the thought that she needed reviving.

“You can relax,” she said quickly, a little off-handedly, while one hand gathered her hair to pull it forward over one shoulder. The other pulled at her uniform, straightening it a little. Meaningless adjustments, as if to erase the evidence of what she’d allowed herself.

Blinking, Gladhron focused his sleepy eyes on her, then he relaxed back against the sofa with a little sigh, once he saw that she was sitting up, and that she seemed fine. “Scared me,” He admitted, in a half-asleep mumble.

“No need,” she said, choosing to cut short any possible additions he may have, rather than apologising for whatever scare he was referencing. If it was about her simply moving away from him - well, she definitely wasn’t going to offer an apology for that. If it was about the whole… scene… the night before - well, that would be even worse. Because she definitely had no wish to revisit any of that, either.
“I slept it off.” It was true. Her vision was clear, and her fingers did not tremble. There did not seem to be any trace of the symptoms associated with nightshade anymore, other than her eyes. The leftover heaviness in her head and limbs could be solely chalked up to lingering tiredness - although she felt much more awake now. She felt… rested. Not fully, but more so than she had felt in days.

“Good,” He murmured sleepily with a soft sigh of relief, pleased to hear that. Having rested back down on the couch already, now he was tempted to let his eyes close and drift off again. He could do it easily, now that he knew she was alright. The room was quite dim, satisfactorily dark for sleeping, despite whatever time it might be outside.

Arnyn glanced back at him, almost bracing herself - even now - for some echo of anger, condemnation or judgment. By rights, he should be angry with her, for her little experiment, and how it had affected him. Even if it had been accidental. He had come face to face with one of her mistakes - leaving out the dispenser - and then she had let him see her weakness, her doubts.

Maybe she had caught him by surprise at first. By now, however, he’d had some time to think. To process. But… Gladhron did not look upset with her. In fact, as he eased back down, he looked… entirely untroubled. At ease.

After a brief pause, something suddenly returned to his mind, something he was supposed to tell her. “Oh.. by the way,” He opened his eyes again as he remembered, and raised up partway, resting on his elbows to look at her better.

In an invisible knee-jerk reaction, she pulled up her defenses. Expecting that whatever would come next, would not be good. Arnyn shifted forward on the couch, to sit at its very edge. Her feet planted firmly on the floor, her spine straight. Ready to flee and make it look normal.

“Trastion came by earlier,” He continued, informing her of the message he had promised to deliver. He was completely unaware of her fears, and went on to tell her the rest. “He was concerned about you, but I told him you were ill, and that you were sorry you missed training. He said he understood, and offered to get a healer to come check on you. But I told him that wouldn't be necessary.” He paused, hoping she wouldn't be upset about any of that so far.

Her mouth opened. Taras? Training. Her gaze flew to the windows, though she couldn’t tell much with the curtains still drawn, other than that it was indeed light outside. She had missed training. Trastion had come looking for her. Some part of her appreciated that he’d done so, but she frowned as she returned her attention to Gladhron. Who… had answered the door. And had spoken to Taras… Gladhron, who had refused Trastion’s offer to send a healer over.
Silence hung between them for a moment.

He continued when she didn't seem to have anything to say to that. “He also said to tell you that he hopes you feel better soon, and..” He thought for a second to remember the rest. “That he'd done his training routine as well as he could, by himself, and that he'd try to find a sparring partner at the training grounds.” He frowned as he tried to remember the rest. There was something else he’d promised to pass on, but his brain was still waking up so he needed a minute to think.

Arnyn lowered her head a little, but she kept her face blank despite the sinking of her heart. Trastion had been waiting for her, and she had not shown. Yet another way she had failed in her duties. Add it to the list. She used her thumbnail to clean non-existent dirt from beneath a fingernail of her other hand. “Great,” she said quietly, with a much more layered meaning behind it than one might assume. Swallowing down her disappointment in herself, or at least trying, she rose and walked to the windows. To open the curtains. And hopefully get a sense of how late it was.

Gladhron couldn't tell whether she meant that genuinely or sarcastically. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as she got up. The other thing came back to him. “He also said that you needn't worry about Narsulë, today. That, since you're sick, he said he'd make sure he got exercised and groomed, and all that.” He had no sooner finished speaking, than Arnyn pulled open the curtains to let the light stream in. With a little groan of protest, Gladhron swiftly covered his eyes against the invading light that came rushing in to blind him. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it over his head to hide from it.

@Rillewen
That did make her smile more genuinely, even as she squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden light that half blinded her after opening the curtains. Every so often, when it mattered, Trastion proved her instincts right about her offering to teach him more closely than she’d ever done with anyone. He had not taken it for granted for so much as a minute, so far. He was taking it seriously. He was putting in the work. And he was genuinely a kind and polite young man. With the potential of becoming a man any mentor would be proud of.

Arnyn turned around, her back toward the windows, mildly amused at the groan coming from the couch, and more so when she saw Gladhron pulling the blanket over his head. On impulse, she walked back over to the couch, on the side where his head was leaning against the arm cushion, and she leaned forward to yank the blanket away from him. “Now, now,” she chided, “enough escaping.” But her words reminded her of all the things she couldn’t escape from, either. She, too, would soon have to carry herself back into the world - with all its expectations.

“Hey..!” He protested, but he couldn't help feeling a bit glad to see that she seemed more like herself again. Like the Celume in the north, who used to sometimes pull his blanket away when he’d tried to hide from the morning.. something he did tend to do often. With a pretend pout, he sighed over-dramatically as he finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Fiiine.” He was actually quite hungry, now that he was awake enough to realize it. “I guess we should have some breakfast.” He mentioned, even as his stomach quietly agreed.

His reaction brought about a tilt at one corner of her mouth. “It’s funny how you think I have much of anything left that could serve for breakfast,” she said drily. It seemed that, every time he was at her house, he assumed there would be food, and she had to tell him he’d be hard pressed to find much of anything. “If you think I’ve had time to go grocery shopping, you’re sorely mistaken,” she added, raising an eyebrow. “The pantry, unfortunately, does not magically refill itself.”

Gladhron rolled his eyes a bit at her teasing, but he smiled at it, too. That was a good sign that she was feeling better, right? “What, you mean the pantry fairies don’t visit your house?” He asked in mock astonishment, then he shook his head with a faint smile. “No, I was actually kind of thinking we might go get some breakfast, somewhere.” He explained, since he did remember that her pantry was extremely barren.

Arnyn wasn’t sure whether that was a good suggestion, so she didn’t respond to it right away. “Well, judging from what I could tell by looking out of the window, it’d be more like a late lunch.” Folding up the blanket, she smiled faintly. “But if you’re already thinking about food, at least—” It was a risk, mentioning the nightshade. Because it might open the door to mentioning everything else. She altered the course of the sentence, mid-way through. “—that hasn’t changed much over the years.” Arnyn dropped the folded blanket over the couch’s arm cushion, where Gladhron’s head had been resting just a moment ago. “I’m going to wash up a little,” she declared.

Gladhron held back a yawn. “Lunch, breakfast.. whatever you want to call it. I'm just hungry.” He shook his head slightly in amazement at the thought of her pantry being so empty. “I don't know how you manage. We keep more food in our saddlebags than you do in your pantry.” He commented with a little laugh as he watched her go off to get cleaned up.

She rolled her eyes, looking over her shoulder. “Go get something from your saddlebags, then,” she threw back at him, but there was a half smile that betrayed her amusement at his quip.
In truth, she was immensely relieved he had not immediately brought up anything that had been discussed or visible during the night. The belladonna. The panic. The self-doubt. The shaking. The tears. The door she had given him. The way she’d leaned on him.

So, Arnyn controlled her pace on her way to the washroom, so she wouldn’t visibly rush. Once the door closed behind her, she leaned her back against it. Closed her eyes. Breathed out. As her now much clearer mind worked through it.

She had told him about the poison. So he’d know why he’d been feeling so terrible. She’d told him about why she was taking it. How much of it. For how long. And he hadn’t answered with anger. Not even once.

Instead, he had only shown concern. Concern for her. He had brushed aside the insult of having been poisoned — not even seeing it as her fault — and he’d focused only on whether she’d been all right. He had not ridiculed her experiment. He had called it… ‘impressive’, in a way. Dangerous, yes, but impressive.

As for the other things - he had not lashed out at her for her self-doubt, nor tried to argue her out of it with empty platitudes. He’d only told her what he saw.

He had listened to her. He had sought to understand her.

And then, almost unbelievably, he had said he did understand. Or at least, he had tried to?

He had respected her wishes. Trusted her word. Trusted her.

That meant more than she could admit. Professional trust was one thing - personal trust was another. And now she had spent more of it in one night than she had in years. And Gladhron had not made her regret it. If anything, he had quietly returned it.

The realization left her unsettled. She had shown him too much, leaned on him too literally and too figuratively, and he had held it all without dropping any piece of it. Without dropping her.

Could she say nothing, when she walked back out there? Could she pretend she hadn’t given him that level of trust? That she hadn’t accepted his warmth?

Arnyn told herself she could. It had been a single night. An accident of exhaustion. A slip of a tongue dulled by poison. Forgettable. Excusable. She could dismiss it, if he mentioned anything. He would believe her, too - people expected her to be practical, didn’t they? They expected her to be distant, didn’t they?

But the thoughts tasted bitter. And so she decided to take it one step at a time.

@Arnyn

While Arnyn was gone, Gladhron stretched his arms up over his head, then out to the sides before standing up. He hadn't slept in the most comfortable position, but he'd be alright. He looked around and saw that the tray, pitcher, and glasses were still as he had left them on the tray. And so were those beans. He gave a tiny nod at seeing that, glad to know that she hadn’t needed to use them. Dragging himself up off the couch, he grabbed the tray and took it into the kitchen. Although he was tempted to leave it on the table, he figured she might prefer that he put things away. So he picked up the pitcher and glanced around, then divided whatever water was left in it between any plants he found in the room.

Now.. did the pitcher actually need to be washed? He considered that, and decided it didn't. It had only held water, after all, and no one had drunk straight from it or anything. He turned it upside down before setting it on the drying rack. Then he turned his attention to the glasses. If he'd been at camp with his own stuff, he would've just rinsed them and put them back in the bags, but.. this was a bit different. This was Arnyn’s house. And he remembered her complaining about her brother always leaving a mess everywhere. And he also wanted to leave a better impression on her than Tercen would have. So he washed them and put them on the drying rack as well. Because he didn't want her to have to do any more work than she already had to deal with, being poisoned and all.

Poisoned… by her own doing. Gladhron shook his head slightly at that thought, trying to remember back to their conversation last night. Did he actually encourage her to continue taking poison? No, he reminded himself. He'd encouraged her to be careful if she was going to do it, and to lower her dosage. Maybe it was because he figured trying to talk her out of doing it entirely would be a waste of breath. Or maybe he feared she would only be upset at him if he tried. Or, maybe a part of him could see why she'd think this could be worthwhile. If she didn't end up killing herself, it'd make it harder for someone else to kill her, right? He hoped so.

When she emerged from the washroom, Arnyn was dressed in black - not her uniform, but clothes cut in the same stark simplicity. A fitted sweater, plain trousers, boots polished enough to catch the light. There was no insignia, no rank, nothing to mark her authority. Just - black - as if to strip herself down to something neutral. Unmarked. Her braid was still wet. She looked neat, practical. Ready for the day. And for what would be thrown at her after whatever tirade would soon be thrown at the King - if it had not been, already.

Her face was no longer as pale, the shadows under her eyes were much lighter, almost nothing compared to what they had been. There was still more black than dark brown in her eyes, but that was to be expected for a good while yet - until her resistance to the poison would grow strong enough.

The living room was empty, but she heard muted sounds coming from the direction of the kitchen, so that’s where she headed. Seeing Gladhron washing a glass and putting it in the drying rack, made her notice - for the second time since returning home - that the drying rack was full. She blinked. Surely, this wasn’t some kind of hallucination?

“You’re… doing dishes?” It must be said that she sounded somewhat confused.

Gladhron was just finishing the second glass when he heard her voice. He turned and gave her a little smile. “Yeah?” He shrugged and found a spot for the glass on the rack, then turned back to her, noticing the confused look on her face. “What? It’s only two glasses. Now we can go get something to eat, right?” He guessed, anyway, that she wouldn’t want to leave the house with dishes lying around needing to be washed.[/color]

“Right,” she drawled. “No - wait,” she frowned, gesturing at the rack. “That is full. Which one of you did that?” She raised an eyebrow. She’d say it’d had been Gwestion, but she didn’t think that he’d really had the time? Had he? She remembered everything being left on the coffee table in the living room, when she’d left the house for guard headquarters. And Gwestion had been right behind her. And so had Tercen. But that made no sense. Because that would mean… Her dark eyes slowly moved from the drying rack, to Gladhron. No way.

Gladhron looked at the rack when she gestured at it, then looked back at her. He was a bit surprised that she’d even have to ask. She was usually so observant about everything. She usually put things together far more quickly than this. How much was the poison affecting her, he wondered? But he said nothing of that thought, and gave a little smiling shrug. “The dish fairy,” He laughed, stepping away from the sink. “She came by while you and the others were off.. Doing whatever was so important last night, and asked if she could help with anything while you were gone.” He joked. Surely, she’d know he was being silly and teasing her slightly.

Arnyn scowled. “You hate dishes,” she stated simply.

“True…” He answered with a slow nod.

“And did them anyway,” she added.

He shrugged, watching her as he waited to see what she might say next.

“While poisoned,” she continued. She didn’t even care she was bringing it up. This was just too weird for him.

“Well.. at the time I just thought I’d come down with something,” He pointed out, shrugging slightly, then paused. “I didn’t contaminate them or anything,” He assured her. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

Arnyn narrowed her eyes at him. “From what I remember, you used to jump at any excuse to avoid dishes. And this one was actually true,” she countered. She also knew very well what the effects of nightshade felt like. Even if he’d gotten a smaller dose, it had been his very first. It would have been very unpleasant. Not exactly the best condition to do housework in!

Gladhron simply shrugged and couldn’t help wondering how much more it would take for her to put everything together. “Maybe.. I just need to have the right reasons to do it.” He suggested, inwardly willing her to catch on. But of course, she might interpret that in other ways than he had hoped, he realized.