Family
Author's note: The characters of Eledrin (who has nearly but not completely come of age yet) and Anié belong to me. All the other characters, locations and names belong to J. R. R. Tolkien. We know this already, but I just thought I'd mention it.
Just so's you know, this story is set in the forest of Mirkwood (Legolas' home) before the War of the Ring and the Fellowship quest. Also, Anié is not a Mary-Sue – there is a lot of history and background to her, it is just not documented in this story.
This story takes place in roughly 48 hours.
With concentration and determination blended into one strong emotion, Eledrin had one sole goal and he focused his mind totally upon it. His concentration fell on four things: the two shining blades in the hands in front of him and the shining blades in his own. The warrior before Eledrin was also concentrated and waited for Eledrin's move.
Suddenly, almost without warning, Eledrin struck. He moved quickly and his blade lunged out, but his opponent was even quicker and before Eledrin realised it, his opponent had blocked his move and already moved to attack Eledrin. Eledrin had to think on his feet – he didn't have time to do that – and defend himself from what could be a lethal attack. Eledrin defended himself until once again, he had a split-second opportunity to attack his opponent again, which he took with lightening speed.
This went on for some time: attack, defend, defend, attack, defend, attack. Their hands moved with exceptional precision and their feet were never out of place. It was like watching ballet, only with weapons. Eventually, their blades met in mid-air and all movement stopped. Eledrin did not know if he had won or not, but he was grateful that he had a moment to breathe.
"Good" said Legolas, complimenting his son on his work.
The blades were lowered and Eledrin smiled, glad that his father recognised his efforts.
"Very good"
Eledrin nodded his head briefly in recognition and gratitude as his arms relaxed for the first time in what felt like hours, but was in fact only a moment or two. He chuckled a little to himself – that was a good training session. He turned away from his father for a moment, retrieving his breath and wiping his brow. He walked over to the wall, picked up a small goblet of cool, clean water and began to drink from it – fighting with a warrior as experienced as Legolas was hard work.
He almost choked on his mouthful as he suddenly realised he was in pain. As he swallowed, he felt a metal prick in his spine. He placed down his goblet and reached his hand back to discover what it was. A familiar cold, metal sensation met his hand. As he realised what had happened, he heard his father's voice drift slowly into his ears:
"Never loose your guard"
The blade was removed and Eledrin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Point taken" he said, a hint of intimidation in his voice, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
A large smile appeared on the Prince's face as he placed his blades back in their scabbards.
"You are a good student, Eledrin" complimented Legolas.
"You still have much work to do, but you will become a great warrior one day".
Eledrin placed his blades in his scabbards and nodded, though he was not smiling. He was so desperate to fight alongside his father – what glories would await him! He was so impressed by the skill of his father's warriors and to earn the merit and respect of his grandfather, the King Thranduil, would be a dream for him. He knew his parents wanted to protect him, but the battlefield was a field of opportunities for him, one he couldn't wait to experience.
"Just like his father" said a feminine voice from the stairway.
Eledrin turned his head immediately to where the voice had come from, as it sounded familiar, plus it had taken him by surprise. Legolas had no need to turn around – he knew perfectly well who it was. Anié leant against the wall, her beautiful eyes moving from her dearest (and only) son and her beloved husband. She had been watching them for some time, though they had not noticed. She smiled as she came down the stairway towards them.
"So … who wants to give me a go?" she asked.
"You?" said Eledrin, almost incredulously.
"Since when could you fight?"
Anié's eyebrows rose. She forgot that Eledrin had never seen her fight.
"Anié is one of the finest warriors Mirkwood has ever seen" Legolas commented, turning to face the pair. Anié smiled in gratitude for such complimentary comments.
"Mother? A warrior?!" exclaimed Eledrin.
"I'd love to see that!"
Legolas was very tempted to scold his son for such words, but Anié gave him a look which stopped him, a look that said 'no need'.
"Draw your sword" Anié commanded plainly, turning around to tie her elegant chocolate-brown hair back.
Eledrin, chuckling at the prospect of fighting his own mother, draw his two blades in an aggressive manner, spinning them in his hands as he did so.
"Not you" came his mother's retort, causing Eledrin's face to temporarily fall as he replaced his blades back in their homes.
Her eyes met Legolas' and they lingered there for a moment whilst Legolas, his face still and never changing, decided what course of action to take. As Legolas drew his blades, Anié knew he had accepted her challenge and she smiled. Legolas and Anié were a pair that suited each other perfectly – they were both of extraordinary beauty, they were loyal and they were both so strong, of body, mind and spirit. All rejoiced in their love.
Eledrin went to give her his sword, but was once again put down when she drew her own, her eyes fixed on her son's with a look of 'do not underestimate me'. She walked over to the small 'arena' and stood in position, her blades placed ready. Eledrin stood back and watched from a safe distance, eager to see how this would play out.
"Ladies first" Legolas said.
"Always the gentleman" replied Anié with mock politesse.
Once again, concentration and determination bound the two fighters into silence. Soon, the fighting began as Legolas defended Anié's first blow. When training Eledrin, Legolas fought considerably slower than he normally would; when with Anié, he only held back in the sense that he did not wish to kill his wife, but the speed and astonishing agility in the two elves was certainly present. Eledrin watched in amazement, mouth agape, as his mother and father battled it out, each of them showing great skill and spectacular moves of both defence and attack.
As Eledrin watched them, it seemed as though it would never end – they both seemed equally skilled – but suddenly, Legolas moved his blade in a slicing motion towards Anié and she screamed, her hair and her hand covering one side of her face. Eledrin gasped in shock and Legolas' face turned from one of complete stillness and concentration to one of great concern. He called her name and moved over to her, immediately putting down his blade.
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked as Anié gasped in pain, refusing to remove her hand from her face.
"Forgive me, Anié, I didn't mean to, it was an accident, I promise. Let me help you, Anié, let me see … I'm so sorry, my love, I …"
He suddenly stopped as Anié, in one swift movement, placed both her blades deep against his throat, her face unblemished and her keen eyes fixed on his.
"Never loose your guard" she said, slowly and with emphasis.
A small smile came across Legolas' face, knowing he had been tricked in the most wicked of fashions. A smile came across her face too as she released her husband from her grasp, their eyes never leaving each other. Eledrin applauded her.
"Mother … that was … incredible!!"
Anié bowed her head in gratitude.
"Thank you, my darling".
She was just about to walk away when she felt Legolas move behind her. She turned around in the blink of an eye and defended herself against Legolas' blow. The fighting began once more with the same extraordinary speed and precision. This, once again, went on for some time, though now the fighting was more aggressive, both of them determined not to make a mistake. They were so swift, so confident, so perfect. Eledrin knew that one of them would have to stop or falter somehow, otherwise they would be fighting here forever.
Eventually, as Legolas went to attack and Anié spun round suddenly to either block or attack (Eledrin was not sure), their blades met in mid-air and stayed there, both pressed against each other. Legolas and Anié's eyes were fixed on each other, wondering if the other one was going to move to attack. But neither of them did – neither wanted to attack the other. A different kind of force came over them both, though it was just as strong (if not stronger) than the force they had been using just previously.
Their faces moved forwards and met underneath their blades, as if under a bridge. They kissed passionately, their tongues entwining, both Elves thoroughly enjoying the sensation. Their arms slowly fell down by their sides, their hands still clutching their blades and when their lips parted for air, their foreheads rested against each other, their noses tenderly touching.
"Urgh, I hope you don't do that in battle!" said Eledrin with an almost disgusted expression on his face.
Anié smiled and held back a laugh. Legolas placed his hand on Anié's thigh and caressed it gently with his palm. He lifted her leg a little as their bodies began to move a little closer together…
"I think that's enough for today, Eledrin" Legolas stated to his son, his eyes never leaving Anié's face.
Eledrin nodded, a little disappointed that the session was over (he thoroughly enjoyed practising his sword-work with his father) but glad to leave his (what he deemed to be) rather-too-overtly-in-love parents.
"You have worked well today, Eledrin. I am very pleased with you" his father complimented him, looking up to his son and away from his wife for the first time.
Eledrin nodded and thanked his father as he quickly made his way up the stairs and towards his own chambers. After a short private talk alone, Anié and Legolas left also towards their chambers…