Chapter 55: Taking Aim
Grace strode toward the archery targets with Thorin trailing far behind. He promised that he would not give her away, but he insisted he keep his eyes on her, remembering all the trouble she had with men before. Thorin stood next to Kili, who nodded at his uncle and took aim. After he completed his round and advanced, he stepped out and shadowed Grace to be of help if needed.
She wore her elvish cloak and as she passed by Bard, his lip curled even as he let his arrow go to where it struck dead center of the target. He looked up to raise a brow at Thorin. He frowned, and Bard jerked his chin to where Legolas was standing ten yards beyond him with his bow. Legolas looked up and smiled slightly as he saw Grace coming toward him with her hood over her head. He too caught Thorin's eyes and nodded. They would all keep watch over her while she competed.
Flags flew above archers from all around Middle-earth who stood in rows facing their targets. Elves wearing brown and green stood shoulder to shoulder with the few dwarves who entered and with men from Dale, Lake-town, parts south, and areas unknown. All archers needed to hit the inner two rings of the target with five arrows out of seven to advance to individual events. Grace took an open spot next to the young ranger and shot three of her arrows. The other two rangers watched quietly from a grove of trees some distance away.
"You are determined to seek us out, your majesty," the ranger said in a low, husky voice.
Grace smiled in her hood.
"How do you know who I am?" she asked quietly.
The ranger picked up the bow and hit the bull's eye. "I watched your form yesterday. No one else has such fluidity, not even the elves. What do you want with us?"
Grace shot her other two arrows and then stepped closer.
"You are a woman in disguise, and I want to know why," she said calmly. "I will not give you away, but there is no need to hide here."
The ranger stepped back in surprise and looked at her companions. At her glance, they started toward them.
"How did you discover me?" she asked in a guarded tone. She looked around nervously.
Grace laughed quietly.
"You were going to curtsey when you saw me before you caught yourself," she said. Then she grew concerned. "Is there a reason you are concealing yourself? Are you in trouble? Do you need help?"
The hood lifted slightly and Grace saw a strong chin and flashing smile. She was a head taller than Grace, slim, and a born archer. She shot the rest of her arrows without deliberation, and all landed in the center.
"I can take care of myself as you see, your majesty," she said firmly. "I'm not in any trouble."
By now the rangers surrounded Grace, and Thorin grew alarmed and walked toward her. Legolas and Bard shot their arrows quickly and and waited for Thorin to signal them. Kili moved closer.
Grace grew puzzled.
"Then why are you hiding?" she asked. "Dwarves and elves have women competing openly."
The ranger snorted in disgust.
"Aye, but do you see any human women competing, your majesty?" she asked. Grace looked around and noticed that indeed no human woman was anywhere in the area.
"Men think that women have no place in battle or sports, or in anything that takes place outside the house or workshop," she said angrily. "I will win to show them differently."
Grace smiled widely.
"I look forward to that," she said. "What is your name?"
The ranger fell silent and glanced at the tallest one who nodded. She turned back to Grace and squared her shoulders.
"My name is Aurelan," she said proudly, "and these are my brothers, Orel and Tyree. It is our great pleasure to meet you properly, your majesty."
The rangers stepped forward, bowed, and the one that Grace met yesterday took Aurelan's arm.
"We're attracting too much attention, Aurie," he said quickly. "Finish up here. We'll wait for you at the distance shoot." Then they melted into the crowd.
"Ah," Grace said, "you'll be competing against Lord Bard then. I wish you well. He is one of the finest archers I've ever seen."
Aurelan smiled thinly, and Grace caught a flash of large, brown eyes.
"That's high praise coming from you, your majesty," she said, "but if you are competing the contest is already over."
Grace shook her head.
"No," she said warmly. "I came down here to meet you. You piqued my curiosity, and I wanted to be sure."
Aurelan adopted a skeptical stance, and Grace could hear it in her voice.
"Do you take such an interest in all women, your majesty?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm. "Surely, you have too many duties to take much interest in those beyond your borders."
Grace took off her hood so Aurelan could see her face clearly. Those around Grace gasped and bowed low, and Thorin saw that it was time to leave.
"I have no borders, Aurelan," she said seriously. "As you may have heard, I am a Therian, and I will help all who need it."
Aurelan's eyes widened, and she scrutinized Grace's face. The two women stood toe to toe and took each other's measure.
"She has great spirit," Grace thought. "I hope she does well for her sake."
Finally, Aurelan stepped back and dipped her head.
"I apologize for my tone, your majesty," she said softly. "I see you mean what you say. I've heard stories about your abilities and generosity. I saw your ability this morning, and now I see that the stories about your kindness are true as well. Forgive me for doubting your sincerity, but I don't come across it often."
Thorin came up and took Grace's arm, and Aurelan bowed formally.
"My lord," she said. "I thank you for the opportunity to prove my skill." Thorin inclined his head graciously.
"Best of luck to you, archer," he said, and then he turned to Grace and stroked her arm and hand. Aurelan could not miss the look of love and pride he gave his wife. She remembered a similar look, one on the face of her father when he looked at her mother, and it stirred happier memories, memories of laughter and love before they were all swept away by fire and terror.
"Thank you, my lord," she said fiercely, "but I will win because I am the best, and luck has nothing to do with it." With that, she turned on her heel and swept through the crowd.
"She has cheek, I'll say that for her," Thorin said impressed.
Then Bard and Legolas walked up.
"What are you doing here, my lady?" Bard asked with good humor. "Are you competing after all?" He looked around and saw a number of downcast faces. "You are discouraging the competitors."
She laughed.
"No, Bard," she said cheerfully, "I just wanted to enjoy myself for a while." Then she nodded to an attendant who approached with the bow given to her by Legolas. "And I wanted to test out my gift since I did not have opportunity until now." The other archers stopped to watch, and she quickly shot a succession of jeweled arrows at the target, and all landed precisely in the center in a tight knot.
"Wonderful, Legolas!" she said happily, "so smooth and easy to handle. It is a pleasure to use. Thank you again." Then she tilted her head and looked speculatively at her tall, blond friend. "Perhaps you can teach Saraya when she is old enough. My kin gave her a bow and arrow set, and I think you'd like to see it."
Legolas smiled at the thought of teaching Grace's daughter.
"I would be honored, my lady," he said, "but if she is anything like her mother, she will outclass me before too long. You would be the better teacher."
"Perhaps," she said looking at Bard and Legolas, "but we would like both of you to know our children. Theran would do well to have many role models as well as friends when he assumes his duties as prince."
"Aye," Thorin said seriously, "this is not the place to talk about it, but we would be honored for both of you to help teach and guide our children." He sighed, and Grace took his hand. "It is hard to stand alone. I'm grateful to do so no longer, and I would not wish my son to have that experience."
Bard and Legolas both stepped up and put their hands on Thorin's shoulders.
"They will never be friendless as long as we live," Legolas said. "Never," Bard added. "And they will never be without family," Kili said stoutly as he walked up. Thorin smiled, touched by their unqualified support.
They all had quite forgotten the tournament until a call rang out for all qualifiers to head to their individual events.
Thorin patted her arm.
"We must leave them to the tournament, Grace," he said quietly, "and you need to change into more appropriate attire."
She nodded and hugged Bard, Legolas, and Kili. Thorin clapped them on the back.
"We wish you all well," he said, and they watched them leave.
"Now," she said eagerly, "let's see the list," and she called to see the list of archers who advanced. Her eyes scanned the names, and she frowned at first and then smiled broadly. There in bold letters was the name "Aurelan of Dale."
"This is going to be even more interesting than I thought," she said, and she motioned for Thorin to see.
His eyes widened.
"Were you right, my heart?" he asked. He looked over and saw Aurelan in the distance with her brothers in the shadows behind her.
"Yes," she said, "and the other two are her brothers. A family of rangers is unusual, isn't it, Thorin?"
He looked up surprised.
"Aye," he said. "I've never heard of it before, although there are no rules against it, but …," and he read the name again. "All the rangers I know of are men of the north and most of them Dunedain. I've never heard of a woman ranger before and certainly not one from Dale. This is very odd."
Grace grinned.
"And very mysterious," she said as Thorin led her back to Erebor. "The next few days are going to be very interesting indeed."
Aurelan is Au-REE-lan. Please review!
