Lord of the Rings: Men of the Desert
Chapter 5: When Swords Cross
Morning has come and the first light shined through the window of my chamber. The day of my test is upon me. I put on my robes, and armor piece by piece. I wrapped my turban and face cover as I was taught by my mother. My bazu band have three blades on each piece shaped like the thorns of a rose, and are used for both attack and defense.
Armed and ready, I rode out on Harba to a field outside of Edoras where I met my opponent. Eowyn was in full armor and weapons as well as I dismounted my stallion to meet her. To my knowledge, she is what is known as a 'shieldmaiden' in the ancient traditions of Rohan. The King was also present as is the one named Éomer mounted on horseback
"You came"
"I would have expected differently from one who hides their face behind a mask" said Eowyn, I said nothing, and I kept myself composed and ready. Eowyn looked at me, and I to her. Her sword was sheathed. She had a round shield painted green like the very trees of Fangorn and decorated with two white galloping stallions, and had a helmet cradled.
King Theoden outlined the challenge "This challenge of man and horse is divided into two events, the first will be a race around Edoras to which there will be targets to test your skill in archery, finally there is a combat challenge, should the two combatants be unhorsed, it shall continue on foot until a victor is proclaimed" he explained "take your places"
"I will enjoy this" said Eowyn
I held out my hand to be shaken. Eowyn ignored it, and put on her helmet and prepared her bow. I pulled my hand back, and made my preparations as well. Many merchants from Gondor say our horsemanship is equal to that of the Rohirrim, and I will show proof for such spoken words. King Theoden raised a clinched fist, and the competition began.
With horse's breath and the hooves pounding the earth like thunder, we rode off with great speed to the cheers of the crowds. Harba was keeping up with Eowyn's stallion as I came up to the first target. With an arrow nocked and bow drawn, I fired and hit the target which is a good 30m away. Eowyn was keeping pace with me, and also hit the target.
We both followed the route dictated by the small green flags, and none of us were being overtaken by the other. We both readied our bows, and hit the second target in the very center. We passed each target, and hit each target until we both reached the finish at the same time. As we let our horses rest, Éomer rode the route to inspect all of the targets
"The match is a draw!"
Eowyn looked at me, seemingly offended by the result of the first challenge "Do not think of yourself as an equal, you are not" she added as I put my composite bow back in the saddle sheath. With our stallions ready, it was time for the next challenge. I looked to see Eowyn on the other end of the field with her sword unsheathed. I too readied a sword.
"Chah!" I said with a whip of the reins as we charged the field. Harba galloped at full speed, and my sword met Eowyn's but neither of us were unhorsed. We both turned our horses, and charged again. This time around, Eowyn used her shield to unhorse me. As I fell to the ground, I got back on my feet as this is a pain I have grown accustomed to.
Eowyn galloped in to make the finishing blow, but I used my sword to slash her shield and unhorse her as well. She rolled off the back of her horse, and down to the ground. She readied her shield with her sword, and I can see the fire in her eyes. I touched the blade of my sword to my bazu band, and made a bow as a warrior of my kin would in sparring
"Yield to your better, Mai!"
"Prove yourself the better," I replied
She tapped the blade of her sword against her shield, inviting me to a challenge. I touched the flat blade of my sword against my forearm, holding my forearm as if a shield were in front of me and the tip facing my opponent. Eowyn yelled a battle-cry, and attacked to the cheers of her people circled around us. As I parried her blade, our last match began
I weaved the relentless slashes of the sword blade as it cut through the cold air, and the sounds of crossing blades rang throughout Edoras. I held my ground, and went on the attack, and managed to move inside her guard, and I got her with a leg sweep. I dared not attack her when she was vulnerable, and waited for her to recover herself and attack.
"Getting winded?"
"Not a chance" I smirked back
Our swords crossed at the same time, and our fight swayed back and forth with the two of us locked in combat, and exchanging being on the attack and being on the defense. I spun around her back, and she around mine and our blades met at the sides of our necks. Any more force, and we would both de dead. I pulled back my sword, and made a nod
I sheathed my sword "Forgive me for any offenses I made toward you, from what I have seen from you in combat, I can admit now that you are my equal" she said, and placed a hand on my armored shoulder. I smiled warmly beneath my face covering, and placed my hand on her shoulder. I forgive her, and among the Rohirrim, I found a sister-in-arms