Chapter Ten—The Bow and the Knife

Morning came to the land of Gondor. The sun came over the mountains of Ash and spilled over the White City. It shone through the windows of the castle, proclaiming that a new day had begun its course. Some people accepted the proclamation; others did not. Rowena was one of those others.

The sun in all its glory assaulted Rowena's senses, but she wanted no part of it. Without opening her eyes, she turned her head away from the light toward the inside of the room, a childlike groan escaping her lips. When she did open her eyes, she was face to face with Legolas, who was awake himself. "Good morning. Trying to fight the dawn?"

"Indeed I am. The morning came far too soon for my taste. Is there anyway to combat it?"

"I'm afraid there isn't little one." Legolas gave Rowena a feather-light kiss on her lips. "If it's any consolation, I do not want the dawn to come either. I would much rather stay here with you."

"Why can't we?"

"Because you have a schedule to keep. Today is my day with you, and as much as I would love to stay here in bed, you have new skills you need to learn."

"It's a shame, because I believe I would learn more here than on the archery field."

Legolas couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. "You are a little sprite, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't say that…but you can if you want to."

"I will. Unfortunately melamin, the day as begun and so must we. Go and get yourself ready and I'll meet you downstairs. I think it's time that you spend more time with others besides myself."

Legolas threw off the blankets and jumped out of the bed. Rowena soon followed suit. She raced upstairs to her own room for fear she would be seen in nothing but her nightgown. She changed quickly and arranged her hair in simple braids, like she had seen in the paintings throughout the palace. She dressed in an outfit suited for the training she would receive: a dark red tunic held together with a cream-colored belt and leggings of the same color.

As he had promised, Legolas was waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase. He escorted her to the smaller dining hall closer to the kitchen, where Aragorn, Arwen, and Gandalf were already eating. All three smiled when the two elves entered the room. Rowena took her place by Arwen while Legolas sat down next to Gandalf. Morning pleasantries were passed around the table as more food was brought out for the late arrivals. "I noticed that neither of you were here for supper last night," Arwen remarked. "I was looking forward to your company Rowena. What kept you last night?"

"Legolas and I went riding yesterday afternoon and were late in returning home." Rowena then looked across the table at Legolas. "See, I told you someone would worry about us."

"Indeed you were correct," Legolas said. "My apologies Arwen for keeping Eararma out so late. I promise it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," Aragorn added. "Even though you have your head about you Rowena, I did promise Imrahil I would look after you. I cannot do that when you are traipsing across the countryside without leaving word where you are going."

"Your point is well taken Elessar. I will remember not to let fancy take me every which way. I will keep my head above my shoulders."

Aragorn smiled back at Rowena. "Good. So Legolas, what do you have planned for your student today?"

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf started to discuss the proper training techniques that would most benefit the elf maiden, while Arwen and Rowena whispered softly to themselves. "Legolas and I heard you last night," Rowena began. "He commented on what a beautiful voice you have."

"Thank you," Arwen answered. "You do as well. Do you know any elven songs?"

"Not as much as I should, but I do know one or two."

"Well I know what we're doing tomorrow," Arwen said with a smile.

"Sounds wonderful."

Rowena looked up to see Legolas smiling at her. "Are you ready to go down to the archery fields?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Soon Legolas and Rowena were walking out of the dining hall and found themselves in the meeting hall. "I have a present for you," Legolas said as he wrapped an arm around Rowena and pulled her in close.

"Oh really? Can I ask what it is?"

"Not yet melamin, it's supposed to be a surprise." He let go of her and started up the staircase. "Wait right there; I won't be long." With that he raced up the stairs.

"All right," Rowena called after him, but he was out of sight before she could say anything.

Legolas was good on his word, because Rowena didn't wait long at all before she saw him coming down the stairs. He smiled as he reached her. "Close your eyes."

She obeyed. "Whatever it is it better be good."

"It is, believe me." Legolas took both of her hands and placed his burden in them. "You can open your eyes now."

Rowena gasped. Legolas had given her a bow, a Greenwood bow. It was made with cherry-wood and had leaves carved all over it. "Legolas, this is beautiful."

"When Aragorn wrote and said he needed my services as an archer, I had it commissioned. The bow makers took great care with it. With proper care, it should last you a lifetime."

"You won't have to worry about that. This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever been given. I'll treasure it always. Thank you."

"Your quiver and arrows are already at the archery grounds. Why don't we go match them together and start practice?"

"I'd be delighted." Rowena held her bow in her right hand and Legolas' hand in the other. The two walked to the sixth circle and found the archery field ready for them. The attendant had Rowena's quiver in hand and walked up to her. "I believe this is yours milady."

"Thank you for taking care of it." She took it out of the soldier's hand and placed it over her shoulder. She turned to Legolas. "Did I do it right?"

"Almost." Legolas fiddled with the straps and made sure they were lying in the proper place. When he had tightened them to where he was satisfied, he stepped back. "There; that's how it should be."

Rowena examined herself and saw what Legolas had done. "Excellent. What's next?"

"Tell me, which hand is your dominant hand?"

"I write with my right hand."

"Even better, makes it easier for me. Do you know how to properly pull an arrow from your quiver?"

Rowena reached behind her back with her right hand and pulled an arrow from her cache. "Like this?"

"Perfect."

Rowena and Legolas did this form of call and response for the next few minutes, Legolas giving Rowena an order and Rowena doing it to the best of her ability, with help from her teacher when she needed it. It wasn't long before Legolas was teaching her the proper stance to shoot her arrow.

Legolas enjoyed this part more than he probably should, because to show the proper technique to his student, he had to spoon himself next to her. As he had experienced the night before, her body fit perfectly against his own. It was almost as if they were cut from the same piece of cloth. It helped him to some extent with Rowena's training because he didn't need to strain himself to get his lessons across.

Sooner than Legolas expected, Rowena had the basics of archery stored in her mind. She was able to take a few shots, but they weren't reaching the target yet. That skill would come with more practice. "You've done quite well with your bow today little one. Do you mind if I show you how to use your long knifes next?"

"Go right ahead, I don't have any problems with that."

Legolas went back to the storage locker and retrieved Rowena's long knifes. He went around her back and placed them in her quiver. "I believe that Aragorn forgot that elves make places for their other weapons. You won't need those scabbards he is having made for those."

"Oh I'm sure I'll find a use for them. Now what do you want me to do?"

"Let me give you this scenario first. You're in the middle of the forest and an Orc comes out from behind a tree. He's too close to use your bow, so you reach for your knives. How to you pull them out without harming yourself?"

Again Rowena reached behind her and pulled the knives out of their sheath. "Like this?"

"Excellent."

The call and response began again and Legolas spent some time showing Rowena the different positions and tricks that make knife play easier. When he believed that Rowena had the basics down, he chose to spar with her and make her put her newly learned skills to use. Since it was her first time, he went easy with her, keeping a steady rhythm with his pupil.

Strength was no issue with Rowena Legolas soon found out. He knew that elves always possessed a natural ability for combat, but Rowena was exceptionally fit for spending nearly 200 years locked up in a castle. She was able to keep up with her teacher and apply the necessary force when needed. He was incredibly proud of her.

It was past midday when Legolas decided it was time to stop for the day. "Put away your knives little one, we're finished."

Rowena smiled and sheathed her weapons. "All right. Did I tire you out?"

Legolas responded with mock disgust. "Of course not! You should know elves don't fatigue that easily."

"I do, I was just teasing you melamin."

"I know you were. Now I want you to take your equipment back with you so you can practice. I don't want your new skills to rust over."

"Believe me they won't." Rowena picked up her things and started for the Citadel, with Legolas by her side. "I enjoyed myself today. Thank you for being such a good teacher."

"You are most welcome. Personally, I didn't think I would be very good at it. I've never had to do this before."

Rowena put her arm around Legolas' waist. "You did a fine job. I wouldn't want anyone else to be my teacher."

"That's a very comforting thought. Thank you."

"You're welcome melamin. Is there anything that you would like to do once we reach the palace?"

"I've heard so much about Faramir from Imrahil but I've never had the pleasure of meeting him. Is there anyway we can stop by his office?"

"I don't see why that would be a problem. He did say yesterday he was heading back to Ithilien, he may not be there. We can always try though."

"That sounds like a good course of action. Lead the way Legolas."

Legolas and Rowena entered the Citadel and headed toward the wing that Rowena hadn't set foot in yet, the administration wing. Here were the offices of Elessar's advisors, including the Steward of Gondor. It wasn't long before the two elves were standing in front of a door. Legolas knocked on the door and heard a response from the other side. "Who is it?"

"It's Legolas. May I enter?"

Soon the door opened and the Steward was standing before them. "Of course! Please, come in." Faramir gave Legolas a friendly smile and then turned to Rowena. "Tell me Legolas, who is your companion?"

"This is Rowena Eararma of Dol Amroth. This was the one that Aragorn's been talking about. She wanted to meet you."

Rowena put her hand to her heart and nodded. "It's an honor to meet you. Imrahil has spoke your praises for the past 30 years or so, saying how wonderful a leader you are."

Rowena almost thought she saw Faramir blush. "Imrahil is a very kind man. I just wish that I was more able to be in his company the last time he was in the White City."

"I'm sure he would have enjoyed it." She turned to look at Legolas. "Do you think Elessar and Arwen would mind if I invited Faramir to join us tonight for supper?"

"I don't see why not, we'll just need to let the kitchen staff to set another place for him." He turned to Faramir. "Would you like to join us?"

"It would be a pleasure." Faramir turned to Rowena and smiled. "Thank you."

"Excellent. We'll see you tonight. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Rowena."

Legolas escorted Rowena out of Faramir's office and out into the courtyard. "It's like I said earlier, you have a way to touch the hearts of the Men around here. You are a very beautiful person, both inside and out," he said to Rowena.

"I'm just being myself. I'm sure it's not just me, it also comes from upbringing."

"Well then I thank Imrahil and his father for honing such wonderful characteristics in you sweet one."

All Rowena could do in response was flash her bright smile. "I think you may have gone too far on that Legolas. Let's go find Arwen and tell her of our new dinner guest."

~*~

Finally! I finished this chapter! Geez…that took forever. *sigh* Hope you haven't forgotten about me. One thing that's very important...please send all sorts of prayers, well wishes, and good vibes to my beta Evon. She's been battling cancer for quite a while and it's taken a turn for the worse. It would make me and other people close to Evon feel better if she had all the support that was humanly possible. Thanks!