Jarnsalr. The Mead Hall of Tyrgrim, Hofding of the Companions and... also a great brute in her opinion. He had opened the door to each of them much like his welcoming arms, each hand holding a horn of mead to share. She had felt at ease in that Hall and so it was no surprise that she found herself there quite often.
She looks at the High Chair now, a hazy image of the old Beorning mead cask still lingering atop the wooden seat and she is reminded of the feast...
Tyrgrim says, 'Do not dare taste it early!'
Vallen smiles over at him and then lifts her mug for a swig. 'I will not taste it, Tyrgrim... I have given my share to the companions who saved me from the clutches of Giants.'
'It is strange seeing it here though...' Vallen looks back to the cask on the Chair.
Tyrgrim says, 'Bah, speak no such foolish words! Of course you will taste it!'
Vallen shakes her head. 'I have already decided!'
Tyrgrim snorts. 'Will I have to force it down your throat? By Vetharr, I will, if I must!'
Vallen widens her eyes before narrowing them at the Hofding. 'I would like to see you try!'
Tyrgrim takes another swig from his horn and steps closer, with slow, heavy steps, almost seeming to grow heavier and taller with each. 'Do you really?'
'I am much faster than you, brute.'
Tyrgrim has a dangerous air about him, but on closer inspection, would have a teasing, humorous glint in his eyes.
Vallen crosses her arms and does not move otherwise, her chin still lifted proudly to meet with his gaze.
Tyrgrim grins at her. 'I am a good hunter. And a good thrower. You would not escape me.' He now grins widely.
Vallen smirks up at him and slowly shakes her head again to emphasize her point. 'You may have my share, Hofding, for it is your Hall and you may have what you wish.' She adds quickly: 'Except for me to drink the sweet mead.'
Tyrgrim would grin, and get that odd look in his eyes, a forewarning of something to come, if one knows what to look for. He would then lunge forward with surprising speed, low, attempting to put his shoulder in Vallen's midsection, and an arm about her, to hoist her up on his shoulder.
'Why do you stare like tha-' Vallen widens her eyes as she is quickly hoisted, her hair now dangling over the Hofding's back as she wriggles.
Tyrgrim says, 'Ha!'
Tyrgrim laughs loudly and triumphantly.
Tyrgrim says, 'No challenge!'
She runs her hand along the arm of the High Chair as she thinks back to the first time they were alone together. Her fingers clench in embarrassment and some residual anger.
Vallen rubs her arms and dips her head back to get her hair wet. She runs her hands through the strands and floats around for a moment.
Tyrgrim walks slowly closer, but makes no effort to sneak or hide. He gives her plenty of time to notice him.
Vallen hears the scuffling of boots against dirt and rocks and she turns quickly, not expecting to see anyone, maybe only her horse.
Tyrgrim slowly walks a little closer. Not shy or embarrassed, just... taking his time, and giving her time to shout out or do whatever.
Vallen recognizes the Man as Tyrgrim as the shadows eventually reveal his face. She moves her arm to hide herself as she floats on the spot.
Tyrgrim scratches his beard slightly and slowly walks to the tree, again giving her plenty time to shout for him to go away.
'What are you doing?' Her clothes were draped over the large trunk of the willow tree, her shoes kicked off upon the sand.
Tyrgrim seems to not care for her attire at all, merely using the tree to lean a shoulder against, with his arms folded.
But they were not alone... not for long.
Alfknutr falters. 'For Béma's sakes!' He closes his eyes and stares up at the heavens for strength.
Vallen says, 'I was... in the water... I wanted to swim...'
Tyrgrim says, 'Ja. I would say you may go to the icy hells, but it may be too late either way.'
Skjalddis says, 'And the Hofding wanted to make you acquainted with his 'water-man'?'
Skjalddis laughed bellowing.
Vallen furrowed her brow and swam a little closer, or tried to, as it was somewhat difficult with her arm covering certain parts.
Alfknutr forgets his manners and stares, only to realise. He turns away and gives Skjalddis a near unmanned look from before.
Alfknutr says, 'Long lake...'
Alfknutr says, 'Long lake...'
Alfknutr paces off muttering these two words like a talisman.
Alfknutr says, 'Long lake...'
Skjalddis laughed again, this time at Alfknutr.
'If you would be kind enough to avert your eyes... I would like to get my clothes now...' Vallen speaks loudly enough for all to hear.
Tyrgrim looks at Vallen again, then chuckles and turns around.
Alfknutr glances at Tyrgrim.
Tyrgrim looks at Knutr, murder in his eyes.
With grace, she falls back into the High Chair and looks over the furs while her mind takes her back to another memory...
'Have you a bedroll?' Vallen frowns and flattens hers out.
Tyrgrim shakes his head.'Nei. But I can get comfortable without.'
'Take mine... if you are in pain, you could use any comfort you could get.' Vallen nods.
Tyrgrim raises his eyebrows ever so slightly in surprise at the offer. He slowly shakes his head, then cannot help but smile mischievously.
'You are no good to the company if you wince every time you raise your sword arm.' She points out.
Tyrgrim says, 'I would only agree to your bedroll if you came with it. If not, I will make my own place of sleep from what there is.'
Vallen scoffs loudly at that and gives him an incredulous look. After a moment of gaping like a fish, she responds with a lifted chin. 'Very well then... for the better of the company...'
Vallen wrinkles her nose slightly and moves to lay down again but this time on the far edge of the bedroll.
Tyrgrim cannot do else than stare at her with his lips slightly parted. 'Vallen... There is no need for you...'
'It is big enough to share... do not stand there like a virginal boy.'
Tyrgrim stares at her in disbelief for a moment, then throws his head back with a laugh, though restrained as to not let it travel too far. He then grins and shrugs, and any uncertainty has vanished from his manners. He removes his weapons and lay them next to the bedroll within easy reach, then removes his cloak and furs to use them as blanket. Then he lies down on the bedroll, groaning slightly at the discomfort the wound causes, but lets out a relieved sigh once he's flat on his back.
Vallen stares up at the sky and can barely hear the conversation behind them, moreso the fire crackling and the snoring of Therwen. 'If I were you... I would mind my hands.'
Vallen smiles a little at the look he gave her then, and she quickly shakes her head free of the thought. He would give her that same mischievous grin once more, this time long after the quest had been over...
'You should also know... that I allowed you to handle me that way at the feast. I did not want to make you look bad in front of your guests.' Vallen lifts her chin up proudly, a smirk growing behind another drink of wine.
Tyrgrim throws his head back with a resounding, mirthful bark.
Tyrgrim says, 'HA!'
Tyrgrim says, 'Ja, ja, if that makes you sleep easier.'
'You may thank me now, for my consideration.' She grins.
Tyrgrim says, 'And how should I show my gratitude? Grovel and kiss your feet?'
'Go on then.' Vallen nudges her boot forward.
Tyrgrim snorts into his drink as he takes another swig, showing just how likely it is THAT will happen.
Vallen raises her brow and continues to stare, her expression serious. 'To your knees, Hofding!'
Tyrgrim lowers his tankard and looks at her, maybe perplexed by the tone. He looks down at her boot. Then back to her face. He holds out his tankard in front of him, looking at her, then, not looking from her eyes, slowly starts tipping the tankard. Slowly, slowly it tilts, and in a few moments it would spill on her boot.
Vallen holds her boot still, her eyes widening and daring him to continue.
Tyrgrim tips the tankard further, and in another few blinks of an eye it would start spilling. At this point, he would get that spark in his eyes again, if one had seen it in the past.
Vallen allows the faintest of smirks to pass before stepping forward and holding her own glass out, high, and pouring it forth onto his head.
Tyrgrim snorts and bellows out curses in his mother tongue.
Vallen grins and goes to step back as the glass is emptied. 'I accept your gratitude.'
Tyrgrim snorts, still cursing, and shakes his blonde mane vigorously, probably spattering most everyone with wine.
Vallen holds a hand up to her face to block the path of the wine and she gives an apologetic look to the barmaid.
Tyrgrim finally regains his composure, and his cursing stops. He glares darkly at the woman and looks at the unspilled drink in his hand. He downs it angrily. He looks at the barmaid, then Vallen. Then his anger suddenly gives way to pure mirth, and he throws his head back with a booming laugh.
'Wine suits you, Hofding.'
Tyrgrim sets his empty tankard on the shelf and turns to Vallen, talking slow strides towards her. 'Bah. I do *not* like wine.'
'Oh, but I do. I say... it makes you smell better.' She offers a friendly tease.
Tyrgrim says, 'Ah! Good.'
Vallen backs towards the door slowly, her smile wide.
Tyrgrim gets that spark in his eyes again, and in a few quick strides he would be right in front of her, and would attempt to slap a wine-covered kiss on her lips.
Vallen widens her eyes as she is kissed and her feet fall still in her shock.
Tyrgrim lets the kiss linger slightly, then tries to grab her by the shoulders and pull himself upright again, grinning widely at her. '*That* was what I was going to do! Bah! Bloody.... *wine*...!'
Her lips purse before she lets out a long exhale, his words ringing in her ears...
Vallen narrows her eyes slightly and goes to sit on the High Seat again. She tilts her head back and closes her eyes.
Tyrgrim tilts his head as he regards her in silence. Then barks a short laugh. 'Like a bloody Queen!'
'What a compliment from a brute!'
She stands abruptly and straightens her clothing, a habit she doesn't bother breaking whenever she gets nervous or upset. In just a few short strides she is out of the Hall and wandering the garden, feeling the presence of Delling alongside the wind.
