End of Stonewright's Street -- The Barracks
The end of Stonewright's Street runs right up against the side of the mountain here at this sheltered location. The long low buildings of the garrison stationed here take up most of the available space around this square, with the soldiers' quarters to the outer edge, sheltering the officers' houses from the brisk winds. The sounds of drilling and sword practice drift up from behind one of the myriad building - the commanders' voices yelling above the noise of the trampling feet. Now and again, some soldier or another dashes across the cobbled square on errand to or from the Citadel and the higher officers stationed there.
 

Rhiforath sits out front of the barracks and is finishing repolishing his second boot to try and remove the recent scuff marks. His hair has fallen into his face to partly conceal it as he works. He is now dressed in a newer tabbard to replace the one he lost. Sometimes he pauses, side aching to lean to his left.

Elbarad steps out of the barracks, a small hammer in his left hand. A chorus of boos mixed with a few cheers drift from the barracks doors as men read their duty assignments just now posted to the wall.

The young man sitting just outside of the Barracks pulls on his freshly polished boot and carefully wipes each one just one more time with a clean cloth. He sighs, sitting back up and wincing as his ribs pain him. Rhiforath scrapes a polish stained hand through his hair and glances up at who comes out. Seeing it's the Commander, He hurries to his feet and limps slightly, giving the man a salute, "Sir."

Elbarad returns the salute, "Good day lad. How are things in the guard?"

Rhiforath blinks at Elbarad's reply as it wasn't quite what he expected. He tries to smile but stops when it pulls on his busted lip, "Ehm, well..." Embarassed, the young man just shrugs, "Not always so good, Elba- sir." he corrects himself. Rhif tucks his hands behind his back to try and hide the polish stains he hasn't washed off yet.

Elbarad only now notices the condition of the youth in front of him, scowling he asks, "Now....what in the world has happened to you. Have you been brawling/"

Opening his mouth, Rhif hesitates and then nods, "Yes Sir. Didn't start it though. They -" he stops again, "I'm ok. I got another uniform and tried to explain to Lynn. She was mighty sore."

Elbarad folds his arms in front of him, "Perhaps you'd best explain what happened then. "

Rhiforath grimaces and looks away, "I don't think I'd like to really talk about it, El." The young man takes a breath, "I just got upset about something and some of the guys saw it. Some of them don't like me to well, is all. It's noth'n." Looking uncomfortable he changes the subject, "When I get my sword, can you show ... will you have time to show me a few things?"

Elbarad's face tightens as the young guard addresses him so informally, with a glance to assure no one else has heard it he lets it pass, "Of course....it's something I've been looking forward to since you joined the guard. Ravenwyr used to take great pleasure 'showing' me the tricks of the trade."

Rhiforath quickly adds, "Sir."

Wincing at his slip at being informal with someone he's known all his life as almost family, Rhif sucks on his lower lip, "Sorry. Yeah, I had a chance a few times to see some of his .. 'tricks'." He grins a moment, "I hope you won't be so nasty. I had a sword but I lost it in Rohan, and Lieutenant Analdin has another for me but I haven't gotten it yet."

His words somewhat hesitant, Rhiforath glances at Elbarad beneath his overhang of loose hair, "I don't want to be any bother..."

Elbarad nods sagely, "Well...Lt Analdin will give one when he deems you've earned it. I can't believe that brawling will be high on his list of activities that get you back in his good graces though...."

Kydner walks up the street, eyes wide as this is the first time he has been so far in side the city...He notices folks about, and looking notices on, but as he stares at the LT. he bumps into a merchant that is heading down the street "Ahhh...Lad get out ta way eh!" He side steps the man and looks about to make sure he is not in the way of others.

Rhiforath again opens his mouth to make reply, possibly a tart one, but shuts it and just nods. He leans slightly to his left and favors his right leg some. The bits and pieces of his previous boot polishing still lay on the ground where he had been sitting. Cloth, small ceramic jar of blackened wax, a brush... a fwe other things.

Elbarad straightens as another makes his way up the street, "Well...just remember that the job of a guard in Minas Tirith isn't to get into brawls but to prevent them. We've enough problems without adding that to them."

Rhiforath looks not ashamed of what -he- did but rather indignat. The young man grinds his teeth and tips his chin down so that his hair falls partly over his shiner that darkens his left eye. Sullen, he is silent and says nothing in his own defence. He does not repeat that he didn't begin

Pale eyes flicker between Kydner and Elbarad as Rhif pauses and looks uncertain. An unreadable expression is upon his face a breath as he decides to back off further and pick up the things he left lying by the step before the barracks. He watches Kydner get to his feet, chin scuffed.

(Logger's Note: I got booted about here, and when I finally reconnected, Kydner had approached the group, apparently fallen on his face, and had a bloody chin.)

Kydner clutches his chin, blood slowely seeps from between his fingers as he looks about, red faced. "I am .... well..." he attempts a chuckle but stops as the pain rips across his face. Struggling one handed to his feet he does force a smile "I am looking for it now M'Lord?" He takes his hand away from his chin and looks at the fresh blood there, but then puts it to his chin again.

Elbarad reaches into the belt pouch always on his hip and produces a clean cloth. He hands it to Kydner, "Here, press this to it and the bleeding will soon stop. It does not look deep but your face will bear the mark for a few days like young Rhiforath here."

Rhiforath glances back as he hears his name mentioned and looks quickly away to try and hide his black eye. He has picked up the polish, cloth, brush, etc and puts them back into his kit-bag to return to his trunk later. He looks at the scuffs on his boots he was unable to work out and sighs. They had been new... and even now are still stiff fitting.

Garen steps out of the coach and raises his eyebrow questioningly as he sees the Private and Elbarad, "Evening gentleman." He turns back to the coach and tips the coach driver.

Kydner takes the cloth offered, though he attempts a smile the red face shows his embassement as falling infront of the men "My Thanks M'Lord" He nods to Rhiforath. with the cloth held to his chin "I ... I was on my way to the healers, now..." He pulls the red staind cloth from his chin "Perhaps for other reasons now."

Garen carefully looks over the red cloth being held at Kydner's chin and steps up to the three men and down at Rhifaroth, "What seems to be going on?"

Elbarad chuckles and says, "I don't know that that wound requires a healer lad but perhaps you can use it to get in the door to ask your real question." He turns to Garen, "This man just stumbled on a loose cobble stone, it doens't look too grave."

The evening air slowly cools as the sun has slipped behind the mount that rises above them to the west. The evening promises to be warm and pleasant after a moderately hot day. Sounds of the day's last practices comes from the training grounds and muffled laughing from men finishing mess in the barracks.

Rhiforath stands back up straight with care and turns to see who has come now. He slips the draw string on his kit tight and leans against the barrack's stone wall, wishing to be ignored. One hand edges up to touch lightly at his busted lip but leaves a small smudge of boot polish on his chin. It just looks like another bruise though.

Garen notices Elbarad when he turns and snaps him a crisp salute, "Sir."

Analdin steps out from the officer's quarters, squinting slightly as the evening sunlight flashes across his face. Holding his left arm by his side, as though it were injured, he strides from the door, only stopping just outside to look about himself.

Kydner turns to the man that has asked the question, the cloth now held to his chin closer "M'Lord, I...well...I tripped it seems. And the men here have helped me....I am sorry if...." He stops speaking, as again red faced he looks at Garen and lowers his eyes.

Elbarad returns the salute automatically, then seeing Analdin step from his office waves him over, "Lt! Come here a moment, I'd like to have a word with you."

Rhiforath involentarily stiffens where he stands as his own Officer comes out of Quarters and is hailed by the Commander. Rhif turns his face away and looks off down the street for an excuse not to salute or draw attention to himself. Indeed, for a moment he looks at the door to the barracks so close.

Blinking a few times as a voice calls to some lieutenant, he turns, searching for the owner of said voice. Catching sight of Elbarad waving him over, a look of suprise touches his face as it dawns on him that he is the one being called. As he strides quickly towards the commander, his arm still hangs uncomfortably by his side. Upon reaching the small group of men, he salutes Elbarad with his good hand, greating the rest with a nod and a slight smile. His eyes, however, seem to skip over the form of Rhiforath, perhaps because of the darkening sky.

Garen looks at Rhif's face closely and then down at his nuckles then at Kydner's knuckles with curiosity.

Elbarad sighs as he returns Analdin's salute, "Perhaps you can tell me what exactly you know of young Rhifaroth's wounds...has there been a battle with the Enemy that I did not know of? " He chuckles, makeing a lie of his words but still awaits an answer.

Rhiforath glances up again just as he was about to slip off into the barracks but hadn't even moved yet when his name is used. He freezes and winces and then holds still incase he wasn't spotted by Analdin yet. The young man draws a breath carefully so not to hurt his ribs again and risks lingering to listen.

With his hand still holding the cloth to his chin, Kydner looks at Garen "Really sir, I fell..." then as the one he knows as Analdin comes up, a slight smile comes to him, his eyes shine again.

Garen bends down to get a closer look at Rhiforath's bruises, "A couple days old if my guess is correct."

Analdin folds his arms over his chest, looking away for a few moments before replying to the commander. "Rhiforath's wouds? What do I know of them?" He seems a bit hesitant, casting his gaze about quickly, eyes sparkling brightly as he finally notices Rhiforath, face turning down a little in a frown. "Well, they, ah, he seems to have fought well for them, if I may say so."

When the Lieutenant Garen moves closer to him and then speaks to him, Rhif's hopes of being overlooked are given up. He shrugs but arrests the movement stiffly as he forces a sheepish grin, "Yeah, well, I was abed a few days until I could get back on my feet. I'm ok." Rhif's hands, however, bear no marks to indicate he had a chance to defend himself. His right eye is quite blackened but the swelling has gone, "I don't intend to allow it to happen again, Sir." he replies to Garen.

Garen puts his hands behind his back and stands stiffly straight, "Aye, I can believe that. But I believe the Captain wanted to know why they were so hard fought for and what exactly he did to achieve such a status symbol.

Kydner takes a step backwards, the cloth now just patting the slight splitt on his chin, the bleeding all but stopped. He watches the men, taking in all thier words as he seems to melt back in the few shadows that are present.

Elbarad nods, "That is exactly my question, I asked the Private myself and he was mostly vague...."

After casting Garen a silent glare, Analdin looks once more over at the young, somewhat battered guardsman, looking him over for a second before adding to his explination. "What he did to achieve such a status symbol, Lieutenant? I would think that's obvious... He fought." Having stated this, he pauses once more before speaking again. "And they were so hard fought because he was attacked. Something must be said for defence..." He trails off there.

Garen takes a deep sigh as if he is bored and unsatisfied with such questions but, defers to his superior.

Elbarad hurmps, "Well...if that's the case then I want the full story even more so. I don't want my men being attacked in the streets. Perhaps a written report would be in order....."

Kydner lowers the cloth from his chin, a drop of blood falls and then it totaly stops. If any one looked, there would be noticed a keen look in his eyes, as he watches and listens to those about him. But this look, the one of sizing up the situation in the way a Lad would no normaly do, is quickly replaced by the familar look of a scared youth.

Garen nods his head in agreement, "Seems like a reasonable idea to me, sir. I personally find it very odd that the circumstances surrounding this incident are being so avoided."

Analdin nods slowly, letting out a light sigh, "A written report, sir?" he adresses Elbarad with a question, "From me, sir?" He does not seem keen on the idea, but, dropping his arms and clasping his hands behind him, almost nervously, he nods once more.

Elbarad lets his lips part in a slight smile, "Or....or perhaps you'll be willing to tell me the tale now in full....and perhaps, perhaps we can do without a written report."

A slight smug grins deepens ever so slightly as he looks at Analdin's arm, "It might be interesting to know if the Lt's arm was in any way involved in the Private's injuries."

Keeping his head up straight, Analdin shakes his head slowly, "Right now? I'll get you that written report, sir, tommorow." At Garen's smug grin and statement, he once again glares slightly at the other Lieutenant. "My own injury has absolutly nothing to do with the Private's."

Kydner glances at Analdins arm, then alowing his eyes to travel upwards meets the LT.s eyes. He offers a smile then as he lowers his eyes they fall to Garen again. He is about to offer the blood stained cloth back but stips as Analdin speaks.

Garen gives a minor tilt to his head and a shrug, "It just seems odd that the two of you would be injured at relatively the same time."

Elbarad frowns, "Well then...since you won't speak of Rhi's injuries perhaps you'll describe how you recieved your own then...unless you fancy another report...in triplicate."

Analdin glances down at his own left arm, stiff as it is, and holds it up a little. Ignoring Garen's comment, he takes a quick breath, looking Elbarad square in the eye, "I was working the other day, in the, ah, forges. Taking a slamm break from a number of things. A small piece of metal glanced off what I was striking, and made its way into my arm. Quite simple." He shrugs lightly.

Elbarad clear his throat, "Oh...so you've taken up smithing as a way to relieve stress eh? Well...can't say I blame you, been times I wanted to take a hammer to the heads of some of the men under my command..."

Kydner raises his hand slowely "Err M'Lords!!! I" he looks to all those gathered "I do not wish to interfere my self in problems, be they real or percieved, but only think that ll of ye have been so kind to me, and as a man of Gondor, I am confused here, are ye acussing Lt. Analdin of something, and Sir Rif' and ye sir Garen my thanks for the cloth, and I shall wash it out. But perhaps my ignorace shows, is there a problem here?

Garen looks over at Ravenwyr, "When are your duties for the day over?"

Analdin nods quietly, seeming to be a little more relaxed once on a different topic, "I was a smith before joining up with the guard, sir. Figure it can't hurt to help the boys in the forges out every so often. Keeps me in the practice." Allowing his shoulders to slump only slightly, he turns to Kydner, giving him a slight smile at his question, but not answering, seeming to defer to the others around.

Garen turns his head slowly at Kydner with a haughty look on his face and looks down his nose at the young man, "And you are familiar enough with the men and the guard to understand what is going on here?"

Rhiforath comes back to himself as Lt. Garen addresses him again, blinking to recall what was said. He stammers something unlclear and scrapes a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention. I'm off duty, yes."

Elbarad runs a hand over the stubble on his chin, clearly wondering whether to pursue this matter further. Instead he says, "Well then, I think I'd best make my way to see to my own duties, Analdin, I'll await your report."

Kydner's eyes narrow a bit as he looks at Garen "Nay M'Lord, that I do not, twas but a question, but as I strive to heal perhaps there is more than fresh bleading wonds to be heald, ones that are of words and such M'Lord" Then after speaking does the look of the young farmer boy come back to him.

With a quick nod, Analdin salutes once more as Elbarad prepares to head on, "It will be ready for you tommorow, sir," he says quickly, though confidence about it in his eyes does not look very bright.

Garen gives Elbarad a quick salute, "Aye sir."

You paged Rhiforath with 'And guess who's going to report to my office at first light to tell me what to write. :P'.

Rhiforath hastily sketches a salute as well, mindful of his eye, as Elbarad announces departure.

Elbarad raises a hand to his forehead in a loose approximation of a salute and says, "See that it is Analdin. Good day men." He makes his way down the street towards the main gates.

Elbarad has left.

Garen smiles at Rhiforath and Kydner and gives a slight bow, "Would the two of you want to accompany me to the White Tree for a drink, on me?" He then looks at Analdin as if an add-on, "And you as well."

Rhiforath almost immeadiately agrees but stops himself to look around and reconsider. He hugs his sore ribs and is suddenly wary or distrustful. So... instead he is silent and looks to see if any of the others wil go as well to better judge if he's really welcome or if it's another trap. Pale eyes narrow, glancing from one man to the other and back.

Analdin watches the retreating Elbarad a moment before Garen's question startles him from his thought. "No, thank you, Lieutenant," he says quietly, a frown beginning to touch on his face. "I have, ah, something of a report I should be working on. And, Rhiforath," he addresses the youth, "I'd like to see you in my office tommorow morning - at first light, perhaps." With that, he turns back towards the officers' quarters.

Kydner stammers as he looks at his friend Analdin, then back to Garen "Aye, I would, perhaps one. but still am I confused, but" he laughs "tis not different of me to be so."

The young man nods to his Lieutenant and mutters, "Yes sir." after Analdin issues his orders reguarding Rhiforath.

Garen sends a runner boy to fetch the coach, "Come along Rhiforath, I'd like to buy the two of you a drink."

With a reluctant nod, Rhiforath agrees to join them. He glances back at Analdin's retreating back but says nothing. Instead he drops his polishing kit and uses his boot toe to tuck it just beneath the wooden steps leading up into the barracks.