Rhocanth had opened his mouth to speak in response, but he closed it slowly. He could not hold back a flash of an anxious grin. It had been so long since anyone had called him "Lord Rhocanth" that, even though he had heard it his entire life, it was strange now. Strange, and beautiful. It was his name, and he had not even heard it in weeks. How long had it been now? More than a month?
He brushed aside the chilly reminder with a slight shake of his head and reanimated. His smile smoothed out until it was more confident, meeting Bethen's face with an amiable gaze. "Yes, that is me," he agreed. "Have you really heard of me? However it may be, the pleasure in meeting you is mine, Miss Bethen." Gently, he took her hand and turned it in his, his hand being short and wide and perhaps a little thick, but tellingly smooth and unworked. He bowed toward it, lifting it up but not quite touching it to his lips. He gave it back to her before then, straightening back up.
Now that proper introductions had been taken care of, his mind could return to the task at hand. He shifted to stare with determination at the tree, taking note of the place Bethen pointed out at the tree's hardy base. There was, in fact, a notch that he could fit his foot into. But climb? Climbing sounded so... well, it sounded downright dangerous, nevermind that the height could very possibly make him lose his breakfast. That would be even more disgraceful than looking like a fool in front of a girl: looking like a right coward. Rhocanth steeled his spine, pressing his knuckles into his hips squarely.
"I see what you mean," he said. "It hadn't occurred to me, but I will do my best."
A deep breath rushed into his chest, puffing it out an inch or two. The young dwarf hesitated only a moment as he looked at the tree's rough bark, then launched himself forward. He rushed it, jabbing his toe into the notch, and used the leverage to jump as hard as he could. His fingertips caught the branch, feet scratching against the trunk, arms straining to pull his entire weight up and over. At last he succeeded, perched on the branch on heels and palms both... and looked down. Ohhh, Ancestors. It took all of his strength not to waver.
"N-now what should I do?" he called down. His thighs were shaking, the whites of his eyes probably blazingly visible.