Axe 02 - Video- Open to Both

[gloinul]

[He really doesn't like using this thing for anything more than responding to others but. Well.

Gimli starts the feed up and he has three of his five axes out in front of him, sharpening a fourth.]

Thought I might as well let the world at large know that if you are at all interesting in helping to rebuild the gates of the Cothromach, I'm the Dwarf you should speak to. I'm fairly certain anyone interested is already here, but. [And he shrugs] I hope you have people to vouch for you if you're interested. I do not tolerate slackers or liars on my jobs, nor do I tolerate saboteurs.

[Well, that explains the show of axes.

And he is done with this very painful task. The feed just cuts out]

Comments

[gloinul]

I do not know how it works here, but the Dwarves of Middle-earth do have a different system of government compared to Men and our royals are not so...obviously royal to outsiders, at least in my opinion.

[steeledskin]

-- A different system, Master Gimli?

[gloinul]

Aye, and to explain it would require a history lesson I have neither the time or permission to give you.

[Really, it's probably not that different but. Well. Dwarves.]

[steeledskin]

Permission! Are the dwarves of your lands so secretive?

[ she's a respectful lady; she will not press. ]

[gloinul]

Aye, we are. No one outside of our people can speak our language. Most do not even know we have one.

[steeledskin]

I imagine I can appreciate such discretion in a whole people. I pray such a policy has done well by you and yours.

[gloinul]

So far! Others may disagree, but us Dwarves are quite content.

[steeledskin]

I feel some kinship to this sentiment, Master Gimli. My people are not always well understood outside their own lands -- a fact I did not know until I travelled South myself.

[gloinul]

Your people?

[steeledskin]

Northerners. In the North of Westeros, we claim kinship not with the same Andal bloodlines in the south -- but we descend from the First Men. We keep different gods and we keep different ways, few of which exist at all in the South.

[gloinul]

Ah. I imagine these Southerners do not like your claims of being descended from these first men.

[steeledskin]

I assure you, Master Gimli: that the blood of the First Men flow in our veins is undeniable, even to Southrons. Though there are token gestures of respect for the old ways even below the Neck. Many Southron cities have a godswood within their borders, though none with proper heart trees and none go to pray there any longer.

[gloinul]

I am afraid all of that means very little to me, my lady, except that the old ways are out of fashion.

[steeledskin]

Beg pardon. I did not mean to speak so obscurely. [ her laugh is slow and sad, but it speaks to how her own deep familiarity with her world's problems makes it difficult for her to adequately explain them to someone who might not know westeros so well. she tries again: ] It is less a matter of fashion and more one of faith. We keep two different religions -- us Northerners and the Southrons. We worship the Old Gods. And they worship the New.

[gloinul]

Ah. Sounds messy, if you want an honest opinion. But that is no longer a problem here, I imagine.

[steeledskin]

Faith remains a tricky thing when there are no godswoods in these lands. [ after a moment, she supplies an explanation: ] The Old Gods are given their due in such groves. They are sacred.

[gloinul]

[He can understand that. There's nothing sacred to Dwarves here, beyond the rock and metal and earth that was never made by their Maker. Still, he's making do]

Perhaps you could ask the queen for saplings. She seems inclined to grant favors to people if they do something for her.

[steeledskin]

I confess I do so rarely earn such gifts. [ a mild smile. she knows her weaknesses. ] I am not the sort to take up arms and win her boons.

[gloinul]

Then perhaps someone will do so for you. You mentioned siblings, yes? Surely they would like to pay homage to their gods.

[steeledskin]

Jon, mayhaps. My sister is too young and my other brother...[ she frowns. ] Little Bran has no use of his legs, Master Gimli. And I fear the hardships these lands might cause him.

[gloinul]

[Oh, poor child. But that reminds Gimli of something and he pauses, thinking]

Has he no wheeled chair? Your brother, I mean.

[steeledskin]

He depends upon the goodwill of friends and family to see him about the keep. And trusted guards as well.

[ so...no. ]

[gloinul]

Hm, a shame I never saw the chair they were designing for Bombur...ah, oh well. Is he in the city?

[steeledskin]

He is. He has rooms of his own in the keep -- and friends by way of our loyal bannermen: the Reeds. Lady Meera and Lord Jojen. If you meet them, know that they are good Northern folk.

[gloinul]

[You're assuming he'll know them on sight, but at least he'll have an idea of who they are]

At least he--and you--are not alone. Thank you for inviting me, Lady Stark.