The next morning I was woken up by Aredhel walking into my room, the sun barley up.
"Five more minutes," I said groaning and pulling my blanket over my head.
"No my lady. The fellowship is waiting for you at the training field." She said.
Remembering what was decided yesterday I reluctantly got up from the comfortable and warm bed.
Aredhel, satisfied, walked out of the room to give me privacy to change into the clothes I borrowed from her last night.
The tunic and leggings like the dresses were too long and tight over my chest and hips. Looking for my other clothes I had arrived in and expecting them to lie where I left them on the floor, but not seeing any signs of them. Only my sneakers were left for me to put on.
Asking Aredhel when she came back where they were she said they had been brought out to be washed. Thanking her I followed her towards the training field.
Arriving I saw the others except for Gandalf standing on one side of the field looking well rested. Not at all what she felt like. Not being a morning person I knew that being around Boromir was going to be a challenge if he strated again a stupid argument about her beeing a woman.
Walking closer I saw him standing little further from the group not paying her any mind, which suited her just fine.
On the training field I could see several elves training with swords, bows and knives. Seeing mystery guy who found me and Shay in the woods who Elrond had called Earendil being one of them as well as Legolas.
Bringing my attention back from the elves and their obvious fighting skills I heard Aragorn stepping closer. "What is your weapon of choice my lady? Aragorn asked motioning behind him.
"Hmm.." Looking behind him I saw that on a bench different weapons had been laid out. The hobbits had already chosen different kinds of long knives and started talking excitedly to Boromir.
Knowing that I had next to no knowledge of sword fighting or any of the weapons there on display I looked at Aragorn. "Do you have a spear or a staff?" I asked, deciding to try what I hoped to be a different kind of fighting then they were used to.
"Ha! A staff the lass asks for, no, what you need is an axe." The dwarf called Gimli told me.
"I highly doubt that I could even lift one," I answer with a laugh. Looking at his big axe at his side that looked to weigh a ton "I will stick to what I know." I said
Gimli made a sound of disapproval but didn't say anything else.
"So when do we start?" I asked nervously, clapping my hands together.
"Whenever you like, my lady," Aragorn said, handing me a wooden staff.
"Okay I think I am ready." I said following Aragorn to an empty place on the training field.
Feeling my hands get used to the weight of the staff I turned it around and swung it up and down to stretch my arms and shoulders.
Looking back at Aragorn as he unsheltered his sword at his hip I took my position with the staff in front of me.
Aragorn looked intrigued by my stance but said nothing as he himself took his position.
"The rules are simple, the first to draw blood is the winner." Aragorn said and launched forward.
Surprises by his quick attack I jumped out of the way at the last second. Not waiting for the second attack from Aragorn I swung my staff at his legs. Hoping to trip him, but Aragorn was surprisingly limber for a big guy and moved quickly out of range of my attack.
He soon was on me again delivering blow after blow with a strength I knew I nor the wooden staff could hold up against for much longer.
Jumping out of the way from one of his attacks towards my head I crunched down swinging my staff once again at his feet. Aragorn jumped out of the way but as he came down I was already swinging my staff towards his middle. Taken by surprise Aragorn was not able to block my attack and fell backwards a few steps leaving me more room.
Gathering all of my strength I pushed one side of the staff to the ground and pushed my body upward to deliver a kick to his head. Making contact I rolled out of the way low on the ground.
Taking my defence stance again, I looked at Aragorn who to my surprise had blood dripping from his nose.
"It seems that you won, my lady. I am impressed. I have never seen this kind of fighting before." Aragorn confessed, wiping the blood off with his sleeve.
Being pleased with myself I thanked Aragorn. "The fighting style is called BÅjutsu, which I learned from the academy," I explained while catching my breath, feeling sweat dripping along my back.
"But I'm afraid that the staff while a good defence weapon will not be able to kill your enemy with the speed you need to. The Orcs' armor are much too hard and would most likely break your staff in half on impact."
At hearing this I frown at him. I knew he was right of course. I would have to learn to wield another weapon or two before going on this journey. But this would not be easy as we were leaving in about three weeks time as I had gathered from Gandalf.
"Yes I suppose you are right," I said with a sigh looking out at the field seeing Legolas approach us.
"You did well," Legolas said to me when he was only a few feet away from us. "But I agree with Aragorn that you need another weapon."
"You heard us?" I asked, surprised as he was standing across the field at the time.
"Yes, elves have superior hearing compared to men...or dwarfs for that matter,'' he added looking down at Gimli in contempt.
At this statement Gimli puffed out his chest and stood tall as his face got deep red in anger. "You elves and your arrogance. You will see lass who is the superior race on this journey and it is not going to be a pretty little elf!" he spit out.
Legolas snorted and turned his back towards Gimli in response, making Gimli seeth in anger and walk away.
Not understanding the dynamic between the elf and the dwarf I turned to Aragorn.
"Then what weapon do you suggest?" I asked, eying the other weapons on the bench.
"Because of your height I suggest a long knife or a short sword, the same for the hobbits." Aragorn said turning to Boromir and the hobbits who now occupy the space me and Aragorn had fought only minutes ago.
"I also suggest that you learn the basic skill in archery. " Aragorn continued.
"Who is to teach me?" I asked, looking between them.
"I will," Legolas offered looking into my eyes. "I am more than adept at archery and fighting with swords."
"Yes teachin lady Selena archery is an excellent idea Legolas, but I believe that Boromir is better suited to teach her swordsmanship as he is the captain of the guard in Gondor and has trained many others." Aragorn said.
Feeling my gut drop at hearing this I looked at Aragorn "Why can't you train me?" I asked Aragorn, pleading with my eyes to not let Boromir train me. I could only imagine the comments at every mistake I made.
"I have other duties and will be out on the borders making sure the enemy is well gone before we leave." Aragorn answers apologetically, understanding my hesitation.
"I believe this could be a good way for you to get to know eachother better," Aragorn said looking between me and Boromir.
Boromir on hearing this scowled at us but did not argue.
"Everyday from now until we leave we will meet here at first light to train." Boromir said to me and the hobbits.
"But what about breakfast? How can we train with an empty stomach?" Merry asked as the others nodded in agreement.
"We will have breakfast after the training,'' Boromir said as if it was obvious.
"But what about second breakfast? It will be too close to luncheon by then." Pippin said disappointed.
I could not stop the smile appearing on my lips when I saw Pippin's face.
"I am sure we can instead have a really big first breakfast," I suggested to the hobbits.
Somewhat happy with that idea the hobbits started getting ready to leave for the dining hall for their first breakfast of the day.
Not feeling like eating among a large group of people in my state I walked towards my room in hopes of being able to ask for a bath.
Before I could leave Legolas took hold of my arm.
"Shall we meet at the archery field today after we have broken fast?" He asked looking into my eyes making my breath hitch. What was it with this guy and his long lasting stares? It almost felt like he could see right through me and into my soul.
Shaking out of it I agreed and turned to return to my room. Once in my room I was met with Aredhel already standing ready with a large sheet and a bar of soap.
"Follow me, I will take you to the bath house my lady." She said to me.
After taking with me a change of clothes, I walked with Aredhel on the path to the bath house.
"It is very brave what you are doing, lady Selena,'' she said to me.
"I am not brave. I just need to do this. To right a wrong." I answered looking down at my feet.
"But are you not afraid?" She asked, slowing down to look at me.
"Yes, of course I am," I said with a pressure appearing in my chest in anxiety.
"Then you are brave," she said.
At this statement I was shown into the bathing house. Seeing large pools being filled up by a river below the house with fresh water. I turned to Aredhel being nervous to take off my clothes in front of others.
"Is it somewhere I could have some privacy?" I asked
Understanding my predicament she showed me to a smaller pool behind a wall divider, blocking the view from others.
Thanking her I took off my clothes and put my toes in, testing the water. Surprised by the warmth I hurrendly stepped into the pool. Closing my eyes in bliss I leaned my head back, letting my sore body relax in the water.
I sure was out of practice if only one training session reddered me to this. I thought bitterly to myself.
Not being allowed to partake in the missions the academy took on I rarely needed to fight, but being associated with the academy I was still in risk of being exposed to danger. So that was why I had always at least been allowed to train self defense with my brothers and sister.
After the bath I changed into a new beautiful light green dress with long sleeves and walked towards the dining hall.
Hearing the loud sound of the hobbits talking I walked in and saw the hobbit still seated at the end of a large table.
Seeing me Sam waved me over. "Here lady Selena, sit down with us. There's still some bread and cheese left for you," he said kindly to me.
"I thank you kind sir." I teased, smiling at Sams blush on his cheeks at being called sir.
"But please just call me Selena, I'm no lady." I said to them.
"And Sam is not a sir, he is a gardener," Pippin spoke up and threw a grape at Sam.
"Is that so?" I said as Sam nodded. "And what about you others?" I asked curiously.
This was all they needed as they launched themselves into describing life in a place called the shire.
After being told many stories about the shire and their life there my stomach was hurting from laughing too much.
"I'm sorry but I have to go and see how my brother is doing. But thank you so much for saving me some food and your company." I said after eating up the rest of the bread.
"Anytime" Frodo smiled shyly before I got up and left for the healing house.