Hawke rolled his eyes and did elbow the Elleth this time despite the risk. The armor made a thump noise but the Banshee didn't seem to notice as she looked back at Hawke "Is this one coming to Imladris too?"
Hawke shook his head emphatically, '"NO...I mean, well....not with us...I guess?"
Finchley smiled. "Someday. Miss Cesistya said I should have a guide or such to lead me there at some point since it's a bit hidden."
Xandilif nodded, putting one boot up on the frozen fountain. "You just TRY to walk there on your own, Sweetmeat, you'll end up wolf snack...or an orc's new pet...a giant's squeeky toy...or filled with hatching bug larvae...or..."
Hawke coughed meaningfully. "Uh....Lif..."
The Elleth shrugged. "Yeah, sorry. The wise and good Lord Elrond the Bastard decided that in order to protect the valley, he would fill the wilderness around it with every running, flying or crawling nasty he could think of.
Finchley looked nonplussed, still smiling.'"Eh, I'm for the lands in the west afore anything else. Either way, those sorts of things don't really frighten me so much anymore."
Xandilif smiled.."Yeah?
Leaning closer to the Elleth, Hawke whispered '"Don't take that as a challenge, ye goblin.'"
Finchley continued, not appearing to notice Hawke's distress, '"I spend a lot of time on the road and such when it's not winter. I'll only be here in Bree 'til spring. After that, first the Shire when all the flowers are blooming. Then back here for a weddin. I've met the bride once before. It's her husband-to-be that I know better. He's a kindly chap. Knows lots about horses and such. And he's teachin' me how to speak like the horse lords out in Rohan do."
Xandilif spat. "Lords, more and more of the Mark is movin' out here...you'd think they would want to stay home to put out the damn fire. The Shieldstrumpet...that girly yesterday tried to pass herself off as a Bree lass....'
Finchley tilted her head to the side a bit. "Are they havin' much trouble there? Mister Leoffrith said somethin' or another but didn't elaborate."
Xandilif raised both eyebrows again and remembered what Rian had told her about Breelanders the first time she met her out here. "They live in a bubble...they don't know and don't care to know of anything too far away or too frightening, they just grow angry if you try and say you are lying." Therefore she answered carefully. "Depends where ya go....some places, things go on just like they always did...other places, nothing but fire and bodies and howlin' orcs for miles."
Finchley frowned a little. "Well, I told Mister Leoffrith that if and when I get there someday, I'll try to help the folk that need it. I can't solve their problems but maybe I can make 'em a little less burdensome with the skills I do have."
Xandilif smirked and asked "And what skills are those, Sweetmeat?" while Hawke groaned to himself again.
Finchley thought for a moment. "Oh, I can forage, fish, do lots of manual labor and such. I'm also not completely helpless with farmwork. I can't solve any problems with such things as orcs and goblins. But I can help folks get through long enough until someone better'n I am solves those problems themselves."
"Sometimes it's the smallest things that mean the most." Hawke nodded supportively.
Xandilif slapped her knee. "'If that is true, good thing for you, Hamster!" She laughed and laughed as Hawke gestured rudely at her behind Finchley's back.
Finchley whispered to the young man "At least 'hamster' is cute. Sweetmeat sounds like she wants to eat me." Hawke muttered back, "She probably does."
Finchley laughed. " 'S not like there'd be much of me to eat anyway."'
Hawke just grinned and tried very hard not to let his eyes drop from her face. Finchley didn't notice, but Xandilif did and punched Hawke in the shoulder again. Hawke wobbled, and this time rubbed his arm.
"Yer a fuckin' aurochs, Lif." the man hissed.
Finchley continued on, blissfully unaware. '"I know I'm perfectly average in height but the both of you make me feel rather tiny. Specially Miss Xandilif with all the armor. How much does all that weigh?"'
The champion paused to think about it. 'You got a grandmother, Sweetmeat?'
Finchley frowned a little but quickly turned it into a smile as she nods. "Aye, I did. She wasn't my real grandmother by blood. But she took care of me like one and once I started callin' her that it stuck."
Xandilif nodded. "Yeah well I been wearin' this or something like it since before she was born...so I got no idea how much it weighs no more...it just is."
Her mouth dropeds open a bit as she looked at Xandilif but the smile remained. "Always blows my mind whenever elvish folk remind me how old a lot of 'em are."
Xandilif spat..."Old? I'm a youngster. Elves like tha fecking sourberry in the Pony before, he is OLD and expects everyone to bend a knee and kiss their ageless arse over it."
Finchley burst out laughing and looked at Hawke. "The *what* in the Pony?"
Leaving the Pony, Addie stopped dead in her tracks hearing the laughter and looked to the group at the fountain for a moment
Xandilif kicked the edge of the fountain, shattering some of the ice. "Never mind...Lateborn assume we are all holding hands and singin' all the time. Fact is the elder folk and the feckin Noldor give me a swift pain....if I could load em all on the boats myself today I would"
Finchley caught a glimpse of Addie out of the corner of her eye and turned to her with a smile and a wave. The Elleth followed her gaze. "Oi..Thats the Horse girl I told ya about.'
Addie approached to greet Fin, but did not look happy to see the elf. "Hello, Miss Fin.. Are you all right?" She nodded to Hawke politely but stared hard at Xandilif.
Xandilif just smiled. "Awww..Horsegirl still got her knickers twisted?'
Finchley smiled, '"Hello, Miss Addie! I'm quite well, only I can't feel my toes in my shoes from the cold. How're you, hmm?"'
Addie nodded to Fin, "Aye, I am well.. thank you." She looked to the elf with a sickeningly sweet smile. "And how are you? It looks are though you have found place here in Bree.. I do hope that things continue to go well while you tarry near a fountain."
Hawke actually chuckled at that, figuring it was high time someone gave Lif a taste of her own medicine, but Xandilif just laughed. "Where yer little friend?
Addie continues her sweet smile. "He had to retire for the night.. And where is your sister? Oh wait.." Addiela did not want to bring any stress on Fin tonight, so she was content to stop there.
Unsure, Hawke puts himself between Addie and Lif but the Elleth was putting her hands up in a conciliatory gesture. "Calm yourself Horsegirl...I have spoken with Rian, and the Shieldstrumpet both....Ain't you got any sisters, ya fussbudget?'
Hawke moved over to Finchley, speaking in low tones. ''ey, clever Finch, might wanna 'ead in afore yer toes freeze off.'
The girl felt a little dumb for not knowing what was going on and looked at Hawke a little lose. "Oh... aye, I might. Um..." She glanced between Addie and Xan again nervously.
Hawke shrugged, 'It's just a hissin' match, the cats are just playin'. You get used ta this around the sisters."
Hearing that, Addie laughed a bit harshly, "Worry not, I am calm... Now that you have spoken with her, I do hope that things are settled... And aye, in the true sense of the term, I have a sister... one by blood."
Xandilif nodded, satisfied "There..I'll buy Horsegirl a drink, I'll buy ya all a drink. All better, Sweetmeat?'
Finchley still looked nervous, '"Oh. Um, alright, I'll go but I think it best that you all didn't fight with words or otherwise. I'm no fan of havin' friends feel badly over such things."'
Xandilif stared then looked at Hawke..."How old is this one, again?
Hawke sighed as he held the door of the Pony open for Finchley. "Shut it already, goblin.'
Finchley looked at Xandilif in surprise as she followed, only Addie lingering behind. "Oh, is the uh... hissy fight done or...?"
Xandilif shrugged. "Fah..the Horsegirl got bent out of shape yesterday over a simple question...she's fine...I think..."
Finchley winced, '... Exactly what was she asked? I hope it wasn't somethin' really bad because she's already been feelin' bad over other things lately. I still have to figure out how to properly apologize to her for the events of a few nights ago. Hawke said I shouldn't worry about it... Ah, well, I think I did hear your sister say to someone or another that she um... thought that you might be lookin' for her and didn't want anyone to tell you where she was."
"Just cause my sister tends to want everything to be sunshine, don't mean she should be allowed to do stupid things..." Xandilif spat into the fire.
The girl looked uncomfortable but pressed on.'"Oh, I don't think she does stupid things. Maybe she just thinks differently. She does try her best I think. That's all anyone can ask for."'
The Champion turned to answer her just as Hawke and Addie finally stepped in. "There ya are..figured you run off somewhere....Grog all around?"
Addie sniffed, still not at ease. "Nay.. I do not run.. nor do I drink.. but I do thank you for the offer"
Xandilif shrugged and walked to the bar, 'Fine, I'll drink yours, Horsegirl'
Addie called after her, 'Though I assure you that that term is not seen as an insult, you may call me Addie."
After a moment, Xandilif brought back four mugs of something black and thick and passed them around. 'If I was insulting ya, Horsegirl..you'd know'
Addie nodded, "Then you would also know that I have thick skin.. since you are so aware of my origins'
"Silly little chit...you didn't get those thighs farmin' Only a fool wouldn't notice." Xandilif held up her mug. "Victory!"
Finchley smiled, avoiding her mug for the moment. '"Oh, Miss Addie, I didn't know you were from Rohan... I'm sorry I didn't even think to ask you before. My mouth does seem to run on and on that I forget things like that."'
Addiela sighed, "It is not something I mention.. I would rather be thought of as a local."
The Elleth snorted and took a long pull from her mug."Yeah, me too Horsegirl. She drained the mug and belched. Hawke just looked down and shook his head.
Finchley took a sip of the contents of her mug and her face went through a series of expressions, not all of them unpleasant. The thick, oily drink tasted like a mix of molasses and kerosene. She was focusing on the molasses-y parts and trying to be gracious.
Xandilif took her second mug, or Addie's mug technically. "Ah well, it used ta be in Bree you spat in the Pony and you hit a runaway Gondorian fop or a mysterious Dunedain pretending to be a bad'un. Now, it is all gentleman farmers and fecking woodsmen and amateur cutpurses and vegetable traders."
Finchley gazed into the mug, still trying to lick the sticky, rancid feeling off her lips. '"Sometimes I wonder where Old Barly gets stuff like this from."'
Hawke sniffed his. 'I think it's gone bad and he forgot.'
The Elleth snorted and took another long pull. "BAD? Nah, it is just too fresh...needs to sit in a hole for a few decades to have that proper kick that makes yer backside sweat. Grog, the brew that made Barad Dur famous!"
Addie glared at Xandilif, never one to let anything go. "And what exactly do you have against farmers?"
Hawke answered for Lif, in deadpan. "They don't put up a good enough fight." Another shoulder punch as Hake grabbed his arm this time. "Cut it out ya goblin...I mean it!"
Finchley looked seriously at Xandilif. "Haven't seen too many of the cutpurses about. But maybe that's just because I'm always runnin' here and there. All folk in need have to do is ask and I can part with some of my coin. I don't need much of it anyway."
The Banshee laughed. "Elbereth's dainties...Rian sure as hell better take you to Imladris with her, Sweetmeat, or something here is gonna rip you apart one a these days.'
Hawke bristled again in Finchley's defense, 'Sip yer grog and shove it, Lif.'
Xandilif smiled as she took another drink. "You keep that up Hamster, I might start not minding you so much'
Finchley was warming to her point. '"Eh, Bree's not so bad. Could be worse. But it's winter so maybe everyone's too cold to go out cutting purses and such."'
Xandilif smirked."Whadda you say, Hamster, Bree just full of happy farmers and noble fecking merchants?
Hawke shook his head slowly, 'That would be the ideal, but....no.'
"MMmhmmm...Scratch a noble merchant you get a miserly skinflint that will pay good money to do bad...every damn time" the Banshee drained her second mug for emphasis.
Finchley felt a little embarrassed. "I... didn't mean everyone is happy and such. Every place has it's darker sides. Even the place I grew up in did. I just... I prefer to look at the best in people since everyone else always seems to look for the worst. Not that I pretend the bad bits aren't there but they aren't all a person is."
Hawke smiled at her reassuringly, 'Nah...that's a good way a seein' things, Finch.'
Xandilif just smirked and got a third mug. "Trust me Sweetmeat, a lot of the time that is all a person is, the bad bits..and if you look for their best side they will show it to ya, and shove it between your ribs. Awww...now ya look like you are gonna feckin cry. Look Sweetmeat. That's why Iluvatar wasted time making horror shows like me and Rian...to look after folk like you..whether you know it or not.'
Finchley was no longer smiling, "I don't believe everyone's like that. If there's no good side then I simply leave them alone and don't point out all the bad things."
Addie suddenly removed her right mitten and held her hand out toward the elf, "I have not asked your proper name and would know it before asking you this next question."
Xandilif tilted her head quizzically at Addie.
Addie shrugged, 'Well, I shall not call you Banshee or whatever other titles you yelled out in here the other night.. So.. What is it?'
The Champion put her mug down. ignoring the outstretched hand. "Alright...Xandilif, Champion of Dol Amroth, Warden of the Planes of Golgoroth, Last Sentry of Caerfella Redoubt, Silverwand's Slut and knight extraordinary to Princess Lothiriel of the Azure Sea...."
Hawke muttered under his breath "Ye forgot one. Gawad."
Xandilif glared directly at Hawke for a moment, and if looks could kill they would have been cleaning bits of him up from Bree to the Lost Lands, then she looked back to Addie. "and you, Horsegirl?'
Addie pulled her hand back, since it was not taken, and offed a polite dip of the head instead. "Addie, or Addiela if you wish to speak the full of it. Might I ask, Xandilif.. How do you make your decision when in battle?"
The Banshee raised an eyebrow. "Which decision is that?'
"You spoke to needing a discussion with your sister regarding the matters Cyndwin spoke of.. I assume there is some reasoning that goes into that.. You seek answers? Further information? Why did you not just strike on your instinct or your first thought?"' Addie waited, smiling, for an answer she was half sure wouldn't come.
Xandilif tilted her head and looked back at Addiela....eyes softening a bit. "Because there were too many parts that didn't make sense, and before I took high justice in my hands again I had to be sure...Beyond that...the last time a serious love of Rian's died....it was bad for a long time, and before I opened up that shitestorm I had to be sure we had been betrayed. She stated her case, and I am satisfied."
Addie nodded with a twinkle in her eyes. "I see.. It is wise to be sure before acting, is it not? To know that your judgment is sound and geared toward each specific instance?"
Xandilif started on yet another mug. "You tell me, Horsegirl...
Addiela nodded, "If it shall be spoken, then, so be it.. Each situation is different and should be judged accordingly based on information gathered, as you have confirmed. So it is with people.. To make a generalization about all based on even experience with many is folly, for each should be judged as unique.. as each battle scenario should.
Xandilif tilted her head again..."Yer half right Horsegirl. Judgment requires certainty, but if ya don't go in with a viewpoint to either confirm, or toss out, justice takes too long. Ya gotta be open, but ya gotta come in with a stance. I came in with an accusation, the Shieldstrumpet made her point and proved why I was wrong...That is Justice, not just happy foolishness'
Addiela winked "As long as you're open... even to /farmers/"
Xandilif rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like nobody could ever guess you were a girl of the Mark, silly chit."
Hawke watched the two come to a sort of peace...and shook his head. Would wonders never cease?
