Sergeant Elbarad's Office
A small windowless room deep within the heart of the gatehouse. The space is mostly taken up by a large oaken desk which is piled high with papers and scrolls. Most deal with matters concerning the City Guard but even though it is partially buried you do see a well worn copy of "A Brief History of the Stewards of Gondor". One item of note on the desk is a small frame that holds a water color painting of a young women. Suspended from the ceiling is a wheel shaped candle holder that can be lowered by the light chain that is tied off onto a hook in the wall. These candles are lit at all times since even at noon it is dark inside the room. A large and surprisingly comfortable looking chair has it's back to the wall, facing the door. Behind the chair and hang from the wall is a large banner bearing the symbol of the city. It is pierced with many holes, tattered and partially burnt. For all of this it is still proudly displayed. Across the desk is a rather utilitarian chair that matches two more along the left wall. Nearby the door is a row of hooks hanging from the wall. Under these hooks is a small locked chest that possibly holds items confiscated at the gates by the ever vigilent guards.
 

Elbarad is sitting at his desk, his dog curled at his side on the floor. Spread over his desk are numerous papers, scrolls and
ledgers. An ink pot is by his elbow and a quill in his hand. Weighing down a scroll to keep it from rolling back up on itself is
a cup of dark liquid that steam is slowly rising from. He glances up and with haggered eyes looks at who is disturbing him.
"What do you need Analdin?" he asks tiredly, and a touch abruptly.

Analdin steps inside the office, looking about him, eyes darting around. A small bit of white shows out from under his
helmet, a piece of white cloth used only for bandages. He blinks, and seems to wake up slightly, and gives a quick salute,
though rather sloppy. "Back in Osgiliath, sir, one evening, you came out while some of us were talking...." he trails off,
looking at you, seeming to determine whether you remember or not.

Elbarad sighs heavily, too tired to show his normal patience. He closes one of the books that he had been writting in and
slides it under another scroll. Wordlessly he indicates that Analdin should have a seat. Taking his coffee cup in hand and
leaning back in his chair he waits for him to sit and says, "I remember Corporal....what about it?"

Analdin nods, and, after glancing about to locate the nearest chair, sits down on the edge. Taking a moment to think before
answering, he says slowly, "Well, you mentioned something about leave, and I was wondering..." he breaks off, and looks
from Elbarad's face to the cup of steaming liquid and back again, "But if I'm disturbing something, I can wait until later."

Elbarad hmphs once then sets down his mug, "So you want some leave eh? Fair enough...you've earned it I'd warrent. How long and where are you going?"

Analdin looks down, and again thinks for a moment. "I was thinking perhaps three or four days, if that is not too much.
And I was hoping to go back home, a day's hard ride north and west of here." Looking back up, he searches for any sign of disaproval, his insubordinate mood of some weeks ago seeming to have disapeared.

Elbarad shakes his head, "No....I don't think that will be alright frankly. I'll have to insist that you take at least a week's
leave."

Analdin blinks, the last sentance still registering in his mind. "A week?" he manages to get out, as if it were beyond his
hopes.

Elbarad nods, "At least a week. From your own mouth you said it's a hard day's ride each way. If your leave was only 3
days that wouldn't be much of a rest. Make it at least a week....or even 10 days if you'd prefer." Leaning forward he
smiles, "Like I told you before Corporal, everyone needs a leave sometime. If you need to take one now I trust your
judgement. If I can trust you with the lives of my men the least I can do is trust you to decide when you need a leave. I just want to make sure that when you return you're not more worn out then when you left. Just make sure you arrive back in the city one day before your leave expires so you'll be well rested when it's time to go back to duty."

Analdin nods, a slight grin touching his face, "A week should be... plenty... sir." He sits for a moment, rather still, as though pondering something. But after a few seconds, he remembers where he is and brings his attention back to reality, "When
should I leave? I mean," he adds quickly, "When is the best time for me to leave?" The twinkle in his eye, which has been
quite absent in the past few weeks since Osgiliath, has returned.

Elbarad purses his lips in thought as he reaches for the parchments that holds the roster list. He studies it for a minute
before shrugging, "Well.... let's see... from the way I read this it would seem you could be most easily spared if you left the day after tomorrow. Corporal Hargon should be fit for duty, recovered enough from his wounds by then for desk work
anyway. Would that suit you?"

Analdin hesitates not a second before nodding, "That would suit me fine, sir. Then again, any time almost would suit me."
A grin pulls at the corners of his mouth, but he does not let it take over, his face remaining straight. He scoots to the very
edge of the seat, and waits for a desmissal before he jumps out of it.

Elbarad smiles faintly and raises his hand his face and rubs his eyes, when his hand lowers the smile is gone, "Was there
anything else you needed Corporal? If not I'd appreciate it if you'd let me finish this work. I'd like to get back home and get some sleep before dawn." Puddles yawns loudly as if to emphasis her master's point.

Analdin quickly stands, "No, sir. Sorry if I bothered you. And thank you very much." he saultes, and opens the door
quietly, slipping out.

Elbarad returns the salute a bit sloppily, "It was no bother Corporal. I want you to come to me when you need something.
Have a nice trip home son."