~The Meal~
I joined Master Elrond at the table and nodded to me as I sat down. Lunch was to be served in ten more minutes and that was when this meeting was set. I had known that my godfather would be early and I had made it my own habit to always arrive early as well.
He watched me for a while and I had the feeling he saw me differently. My feelings proved correct.
"Lilana, you've changed. It's been so long since I last saw you in a gown. Yours is beautiful, by the way, but isn't it somewhat short?"
I smile slightly to him and I nodded. "Yes, it is. I haven't worn these dresses for a while and so never had new ones made."
He, too, nodded. "Shall I arrange for new ones to be made then?"
This made me suspicious. "But I don't wear gowns all that often."
Then he smiled at me. "My dear, you're almost sixteen, aren't you? Don't you have any young men that have caught your fancy?"
Tilting my head, my smile never wavering, I said, "There aren't many men here, Elrond, you know that."
He gave a brief laugh and stated, "Alright, I'll tell you this, there are a few leaders whose eyes have taken a fancy to you. If there is no one here that you admire, I would like to ask if you'd like to know who your future suitors are."
My eyebrow lifted in question, it became a habit now. "I never said there was no one here that I didn't fancy, now did I?"
We exchanged grins and then the meal was served. I ate in silence, as did he. Most likely he, like I, was too deep into our own thoughts.
About five minutes later, while I was taking a drink of cool water, the door opened.
I nearly choked and I hurriedly swallowed.
Prince Legolas walked in.
He nodded to Master Elrond and gave me a slight bow, more like a deep nod of the head, but I'm not complaining.
"My sincere apologies that I couldn't make it earlier."
I was so glad that I had already swallowed the mouthful of water else I would've suffocated and drowned myself. Earlier? He was invited? What? I didn't understand.
Even though my brain had totally blanked out, I managed a sweet smile and inclined my head. He was directed a seat, sat down, and was served.
"I am sorry that we didn't wait for you," my godfather shot me a bemused look.
By this time my thoughts had already begun to reassemble in a sort of orderly manner. I glanced up at the clock. In fifteen minutes I would properly excuse myself, walk out the door, and run for sanity's sake. No earlier.
So then we started dining again when I just happened to be spoken to by Elrond.
"My dear, weren't you speaking about a new dress?"
My head snapped up and I figure he saw my eyes glitter in irritation. He looked as if he wanted to laugh.
"No," I replied, shrugging, and then lowered my head and continued eating.
Although I wasn't looking at the Prince, I felt his eyes on me. I frowned and glanced up at him. His eyes were shining with amusement. It took a lot of self-control, but I managed to restrain a growl. It wouldn't be proper, nor ladylike.
At that moment a lock of my hair fell forward and I brushed it back behind my ear.
Oops, that wasn't well done. I glanced up and saw the Prince eyeing my ear. I looked over at Elrond who was busy trying to pick the peaches out of the fruit salad we were eating. I cleared my throat and tried not to feel uncomfortable.
The clock, which wasn't being my friend, didn't move a bit. Still fifteen minutes to go, well, fourteen and a half maybe.
Master Elrond, satisfied that he took out all the peaches, looked up at us. I wonder why he only picked out the peaches. I find that odd.
"So, Legolas, what occupied you before?" Elrond sat back and permitted his near untouched fruit salad to be taken away.
The Prince was silent for a moment, chewing thoughtfully.
I sighed tiredly and took another bite of the sweet salad, not really tasting it, and then sat back, having it removed.
When he swallowed, he answered, "Earlier today, for the first time in years, I had, err...over rested. You see my bed was extremely neat and comfortable last night. Magical hands must have set it yesterday," he winked at me and I felt myself flushing as red as the apple in the basket of fruits on the table, "And I was a bit late to a thee-hour training lesson with your master archer."
So I asked him, "But you're already so good with your bow and arrow skills, why would you need training lessons still?" I bit my tongue the moment what I said registered in my head. I hope he didn't hear what I said about his skills earlier.
"Well," he looked at me directly, "It doesn't really matter how good you are at a skill. You can always get better. He was teaching me of special moves and tricks that I never knew about."
I nodded and then glanced at Master Elrond who was giving me a particularly odd look. I ignored him.
Legolas sat back and allowed his own fruit salad to be taken away and then the next dish was sat down. It looked like dessert, but I couldn't tell. I haven't eaten fancy meals at the table recently.
I picked at it, very uninterested in doing any more eating. Glancing up, I saw that both Elrond and Legolas were both enjoying it heartily.
As I glimpsed at the time, I noticed another twelve minutes had gone by. Another two and a half and I would be able to excuse myself and attempt to regain my sanity.
Master Elrond was looking at me. I quickly took a bite of the dessert. It was somewhat sweet, but not so that it was overwhelming. Just two more minutes!
Toying with the rest of the dessert so I wouldn't look too eager to leave, I watched the time out of the corner of my eye.
One more and I'll be off to freedom!
When I prepared to excuse myself, Elrond spoke up.
"Lilana, would you like to join us for a little competition?" He and the Prince exchanged glances. I turned my gaze to Legolas and he nodded, smiling just slightly.
"What kind of...competition?" I asked suspiciously.
"Archery, my dear. Nothing you haven't done before," Elrond gave me a challenging look and I accepted that challenge without hesitation.
"If you would like, of course I will." My tone was defensive, as well as challenging. "Then the decision is made," he nodded, "Let us adjourn to the practice field." The man looked pleased.
Then I knew I'd somehow regret my choice.
~The Tournament Begins~
As a human, my eyesight was never good. I had spent too much time reading by candlelight when it was dark. It was a bad idea and my vision had deteriorated rather quickly.
I spent most of my archery time relying on my feelings rather than my ability to see and most of the time it had come out rather nicely, but now I felt uncertain. I'd be going against both Master Elrond and the Prince of Mirkwood, the best archer within the Rivendell borders. I lifted my head and took a deep breath. It was just a little competition, a very little one.
I changed into more proper archery clothes and my personal bow and arrows were brought to me by Miralda, one of the older elf women who I had always trusted. I swung the quiver over my shoulder and slipped an arrow out of it, locking it into place.
I haven't held a bow and arrow in my hands for the longest of times, for almost four years now that I think about it, and I was a little unused to it. I looked up at Elrond.
He was talking to the Prince so I turned around, took hold of the bow and arrow, holding it like I was taught. I explored with the different ways of holding it and various manners of tilting it for each distinct shooting style.
In the process of trying to remember, I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see the Prince looking down at me with a question in his eyes.
I frowned, "It's been a while."
He nodded and led me back to Master Elrond.
My godfather commented, "It's been what, nearly five years since you last practiced?"
"Four," I corrected.
He shrugged and continued, "So you'd be rather rusty with it, eh? Especially with your eyesight and all."
It took quite an effort on my part to maintain a calm façade, but I was still close to snarling.
"I'll try," I said, "I need the practice anyway."
Both of them exchanged glances, once again, and fitted their bow and arrows. I sighed and toyed with mine.
First they shot at an unmoving target ninety feet away. Both of them hit the target right at point center. It was my turn.
Bloody hell, I couldn't even see the target.
Well, so I stood where I was supposed to and gave Elrond an uncertain look. He returned one of encouragement to me and I glanced at Legolas. He was staring at the target, or so I thought.
I gripped my bow and arrow and took aim. Taking deep breaths as to not to panic, I closed my eyes just slightly. I knew I couldn't totally rely on my vision now so I relaxed as much as I could.
Four seconds later I dispatched the arrow.
I didn't know what I was aiming at, but when we walked to the target I found out it was of a rabbit.
Both Elrond and Legolas' arrows hit dead center of its stomach. Mine wasn't so close to its center, but it wasn't bad.
Mine was dead center of the neck.
I grinned sheepishly and looked up at both of them, who were staring at me. They looked expectant so I just shrugged.
~The Next Challenge~
The next target was a wooden ball dangling off of a tree limb. Three of them had been set up, all at the same level above ground. This, too, was at ninety feet away.
Legolas went and shot the wooden ball off so fast the arrow embedded itself on the rise of the ground behind it.
Master Elrond concentrated and dispatched his arrow, hitting the ball and doing the same thing that the Prince's arrow did, except it was embedded a little lower than his.
Now it was my turn again.
Elrond directed me as to where to stand and I looked over. I saw the tree. I couldn't see the target.
Concentrating, I made out a small blurry object. Legolas stood beside me and I looked up at him. He glanced down at me and grinned. "Can't see?"
I stuck out my tongue at him, a very childish response, but it got a quiet chuckle out of him. Lightly biting down on my lower lip, I looked over at Elrond who was watching me. I stuck out my tongue at him too and he frowned. I gave him the biggest, sweetest grin I could muster at the moment and turned back to where the target should have been. I still couldn't see it.
Reaching back, I pulled out an arrow and swung it and my bow into place. I nudged Legolas' waist with my elbow and he took a step back. I couldn't aim at this little thing I couldn't see so I studied the area it should be and closed my eyes. I pulled back the string and concentrated. The arrow left my hands and two seconds later I opened now my eyes.
As I stared at the target and it came into focus, I saw it was still on the tree. My shoulders slumped and then we all walked ninety feet over to the area. I looked up at the wooden ball in surprise.
There was a hole right in the middle of it where my arrow has passed through. It was embedded right above Legolas' arrow. I had hit the target. I didn't miss. My arrow was just thin enough to not even disturb the ball itself and just pass right dead center of it at full speed and embed itself into the ground. I jumped in joy.
That was when I remembered that I had handmade my own arrows so long ago. They were custom made...by me. I was so proud of myself when I fashioned my own arrow and Elrond had inspected it, approving. So then I made over a hundred and fifty within the next four days, all of them identical to each other. If they weren't, I fixed them or replaced them with new ones. My personal arrows were different from everyone else's. Mine were whiter, made of lighter wood, and only twice as thin as the other arrows.
Leaning over, I pulled my arrow from the ground and gently brushed off the dirt and grass. Legolas' arrow was still in the ground so I pulled it out too, but it required a bit more effort on my part. I looked up at both Legolas and Elrond who were quietly talking amongst themselves and so I compared my arrow to his.
His was made of darker wood, I guess it's for the fact that, when in use, it's harder to spot, especially within the forests. Although ours was about the same length, his was just a bit longer, his arrowhead somewhat larger. At that moment a thought went through my head.
"Legolas?" I asked.
They stopped their conversation and both of them walked over to me. I was still sitting, so they tilted their head down more than usual.
"I was just wondering, about the arrowheads..." I pouted, not knowing how to explain what I was thinking. Legolas suddenly sat down beside me, nearly startling me out of my wits, but I didn't jump, and I don't think he knew he startled me, thank goodness.
I saw Elrond glance around before looking back down at me saying only, "Continue, Lilana."
"You know how some of them have ridges along the side?" My head turned toward him as he took out another arrow from his quiver. He nodded. "What do they do?"
He spoke without even thinking about it first, "They help embed themselves into the enemy's body." "But do they do much harm on initial impact?"
Thinking for a second, he shook his head no.
"If the arrowhead is enlarged, then the balance of the front and the back is broken, so the arrow won't exactly hit where it was directed in the first place unless with extra force..." The wheels in my brain were working slowly...very slowly. "Hmm...Okay, never mind. I lost my thought." I smiled slightly and handed back his arrow to him.
He nodded once, took the arrow, and then stood up, extending a hand for me. This surprised me because, although I've seen other people do this for each other, never once have I been the receiver of a hand. I took his hand and he gently pulled me up.
I was looking up at him, and he down at me, yet I was lost in his deep blue eyes for just a second before he simply raised a brow slightly and I released his hand and stepped back. My heart was pounding.
Master Elrond sent me a rather odd, thoughtful look and then he continued to the next object.
~A Single Challenge~
Before us was a vast green field as far as my eyes could see, but I had bad eyes so I didn't now what the elves could see. I looked up at them.
Legolas went first, as was the order, and I stood just a bit behind him and watched him. He was relaxed and concentrating, then, just as I moved my eyes to the field, he released his arrow and it flew through the air. He stepped back and let Elrond go.
I looked up at him and frowned, "What are we trying to shoot at?"
Elrond dispatched his arrow and turned to look at me. I repeated my question to him.
He and Legolas exchanged glances and then the prince started laughing. Ignoring him, I turned to look at Elrond. "Well?"
Sighing, he turned patient eyes to me, "It's a moving target, about a hundred and fifty feet into the field. You can see it if you...concentrate."
I frowned at him and responded with, "You're an elf, for goodness sake and I'm a mere human whose eyesight has been deteriorating for the past two years! I could barely see the first target, I couldn't see the second one, and now you expect me to hit this moving, invisible target that more or less nonexistent?"
It was his turn to frown, but his eyes were laughing, "No one ever said anything about expecting you to hit it."
I gave him a glare that could've sent him writhing in agony if looks could've killed.
Snorting, I turned my glare to Legolas who immediately stopped his deep chuckles.
Okay, at least I'll give it a try.
Unfortunately, my point still remained firm. I'm blind, I'm human, and I haven't hit anything remotely close to moving for the past four years.
Studying the vast field, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing...so why am I still trying here?
I frowned and my frowned deepened. I wanted to give up. I'd more or less end up shooting my arrow a million miles away.
When I was about to turn around, I felt Legolas come up beside me and look at me. I looked up at him.
"Can I help?" I suppose he knew that if he asked if I needed his help I would decline, but since he didn't ask like that, I nodded, looking completely indifferent.
He nodded and came around from behind me.
I shrugged off my quiver of arrows and then I felt his strong arms come around me.
Even though I knew I shouldn't, I looked over at Elrond. He was looking at us with utmost disapproval.
Oh well, too bad for him.
Personally, this was rather comforting.
"Do you see it?" his breath was warm and softly spoken against my ear. I bit down rather hard on my lower lip to restrain a giggle and then shook my head. It was true. I couldn't see it.
All I saw was a field of green. That was it!
I felt his cheek against my temple and his even breathing tickled my neck, but I had no complaints.
Nope...none at all.
"Concentrate, but don't strain your eyes, just look and sense for movement. Never close your eyes."
I attempted not to melt into his embrace and not to get lost in his voice either, so I listened to him and followed his instructions, although I tried it before.
"Relax, Lily, relax." I did and a few seconds later I saw movement. "There," he continued, "keep your eyes on it, even if you can't see it. You know where it's going."
I didn't, I really didn't, but I believed him anyway, as difficult as that may sound.
"Keep your arrow ready. Steady now, get a good clean shot," he was concentrating too. I could feel it.
His hands tightened around mine and he pulled back the bowstring a bit more. By this time my arm was already tiring, but I held it there.
I saw it again; my target, and I loosened my hold on my arrow. Just a bit more...
I released it and leaned back, just a bit, only a bit, and flexed my arms. I looked up at Legolas. He looked down at me.
"You didn't need my help, not really. All you needed was to remember to relax and keep both eyes open, even if you are relying on mainly your senses, it helps to see something," he smiled and slowly stepped back, his hands on my shoulders so I couldn't fall backwards.
Looking over at Elrond, I saw his frown. "What is it, Elrond? You always look so...upset. You got this permanent frown-"
"Lilana," he said in a stern voice, "Don't start that with me again. I know what you're going to say, you've said it over and over again, in the same words too. You hit the target alright, but you may want to think about where you hit it."
So with that, we walked over to our targets. The three of us walked over to the Prince's first and the woodworking of the deer had an arrow protruding from its neck.
Elrond's deer had the arrow at the base of its skull.
Mine...well...mine surprised me and it started Legolas laughing again. I knew he already knew where my arrow was. He was probably laughing at my reaction.
My arrow was embedded deep in its rear end.
Poor thing, I thought, if it was a real life creature it'd be in great pain.
For me, both targets afterwards needed the assistance of Legolas in order for me to hit anything.
The fourth target was a saucer shaped wooden disk that is thrown into the air. At any given time it was to be shot down.
I didn't need much of any help, but my arms weren't strong enough to pull back the bowstring to the required length.
That's where Legolas came in.
~Working Together~
And the last activity was for us in a group. There would be twenty wooden or clay critters and we were supposed to shoot all of them in twenty seconds. Easier said than done? Not really.
Even though I am not Elvish, I still had enough skill to shoot quickly and efficiently.
Legolas claimed the targets in the air, Elrond that farther distance on the ground, and I for the closer creatures.
The targets on the closer ground moved about twice as fast as the others so mine wasn't exactly the easiest.
Elrond's targets weren't that much faster, but some went as far back as nearly two hundred feet, or so I think.
Then for the Prince's targets, they went high up, and I mean really high up.
There was once or twice I saw him out of the corner of my eye shooting nearly directly upwards. That might've been somewhat hard because the two suns were directly above us.
We ended up hitting every single one of our shots with only one arrow for each. I'm sure I surprised Legolas a bit when he quickly glanced toward my quiver that I laid down and the other arrows that projected from my targets. I didn't miss any shots. For that I was proud of myself.
All of Legolas' targets had an arrow hanging out from one sort of deadly and extremely sensitive area or another.
All of Elrond's arrows had gone into the target's heads.
And all of my arrows, well, they were good enough. Most were around the middle and one or two were in the target's wooden necks.
I got a rough pat on the back from my godfather and a "you did well" smile and nod from Legolas.
So I didn't regret my decision. It was fun and rather...exciting.
I joined Master Elrond at the table and nodded to me as I sat down. Lunch was to be served in ten more minutes and that was when this meeting was set. I had known that my godfather would be early and I had made it my own habit to always arrive early as well.
He watched me for a while and I had the feeling he saw me differently. My feelings proved correct.
"Lilana, you've changed. It's been so long since I last saw you in a gown. Yours is beautiful, by the way, but isn't it somewhat short?"
I smile slightly to him and I nodded. "Yes, it is. I haven't worn these dresses for a while and so never had new ones made."
He, too, nodded. "Shall I arrange for new ones to be made then?"
This made me suspicious. "But I don't wear gowns all that often."
Then he smiled at me. "My dear, you're almost sixteen, aren't you? Don't you have any young men that have caught your fancy?"
Tilting my head, my smile never wavering, I said, "There aren't many men here, Elrond, you know that."
He gave a brief laugh and stated, "Alright, I'll tell you this, there are a few leaders whose eyes have taken a fancy to you. If there is no one here that you admire, I would like to ask if you'd like to know who your future suitors are."
My eyebrow lifted in question, it became a habit now. "I never said there was no one here that I didn't fancy, now did I?"
We exchanged grins and then the meal was served. I ate in silence, as did he. Most likely he, like I, was too deep into our own thoughts.
About five minutes later, while I was taking a drink of cool water, the door opened.
I nearly choked and I hurriedly swallowed.
Prince Legolas walked in.
He nodded to Master Elrond and gave me a slight bow, more like a deep nod of the head, but I'm not complaining.
"My sincere apologies that I couldn't make it earlier."
I was so glad that I had already swallowed the mouthful of water else I would've suffocated and drowned myself. Earlier? He was invited? What? I didn't understand.
Even though my brain had totally blanked out, I managed a sweet smile and inclined my head. He was directed a seat, sat down, and was served.
"I am sorry that we didn't wait for you," my godfather shot me a bemused look.
By this time my thoughts had already begun to reassemble in a sort of orderly manner. I glanced up at the clock. In fifteen minutes I would properly excuse myself, walk out the door, and run for sanity's sake. No earlier.
So then we started dining again when I just happened to be spoken to by Elrond.
"My dear, weren't you speaking about a new dress?"
My head snapped up and I figure he saw my eyes glitter in irritation. He looked as if he wanted to laugh.
"No," I replied, shrugging, and then lowered my head and continued eating.
Although I wasn't looking at the Prince, I felt his eyes on me. I frowned and glanced up at him. His eyes were shining with amusement. It took a lot of self-control, but I managed to restrain a growl. It wouldn't be proper, nor ladylike.
At that moment a lock of my hair fell forward and I brushed it back behind my ear.
Oops, that wasn't well done. I glanced up and saw the Prince eyeing my ear. I looked over at Elrond who was busy trying to pick the peaches out of the fruit salad we were eating. I cleared my throat and tried not to feel uncomfortable.
The clock, which wasn't being my friend, didn't move a bit. Still fifteen minutes to go, well, fourteen and a half maybe.
Master Elrond, satisfied that he took out all the peaches, looked up at us. I wonder why he only picked out the peaches. I find that odd.
"So, Legolas, what occupied you before?" Elrond sat back and permitted his near untouched fruit salad to be taken away.
The Prince was silent for a moment, chewing thoughtfully.
I sighed tiredly and took another bite of the sweet salad, not really tasting it, and then sat back, having it removed.
When he swallowed, he answered, "Earlier today, for the first time in years, I had, err...over rested. You see my bed was extremely neat and comfortable last night. Magical hands must have set it yesterday," he winked at me and I felt myself flushing as red as the apple in the basket of fruits on the table, "And I was a bit late to a thee-hour training lesson with your master archer."
So I asked him, "But you're already so good with your bow and arrow skills, why would you need training lessons still?" I bit my tongue the moment what I said registered in my head. I hope he didn't hear what I said about his skills earlier.
"Well," he looked at me directly, "It doesn't really matter how good you are at a skill. You can always get better. He was teaching me of special moves and tricks that I never knew about."
I nodded and then glanced at Master Elrond who was giving me a particularly odd look. I ignored him.
Legolas sat back and allowed his own fruit salad to be taken away and then the next dish was sat down. It looked like dessert, but I couldn't tell. I haven't eaten fancy meals at the table recently.
I picked at it, very uninterested in doing any more eating. Glancing up, I saw that both Elrond and Legolas were both enjoying it heartily.
As I glimpsed at the time, I noticed another twelve minutes had gone by. Another two and a half and I would be able to excuse myself and attempt to regain my sanity.
Master Elrond was looking at me. I quickly took a bite of the dessert. It was somewhat sweet, but not so that it was overwhelming. Just two more minutes!
Toying with the rest of the dessert so I wouldn't look too eager to leave, I watched the time out of the corner of my eye.
One more and I'll be off to freedom!
When I prepared to excuse myself, Elrond spoke up.
"Lilana, would you like to join us for a little competition?" He and the Prince exchanged glances. I turned my gaze to Legolas and he nodded, smiling just slightly.
"What kind of...competition?" I asked suspiciously.
"Archery, my dear. Nothing you haven't done before," Elrond gave me a challenging look and I accepted that challenge without hesitation.
"If you would like, of course I will." My tone was defensive, as well as challenging. "Then the decision is made," he nodded, "Let us adjourn to the practice field." The man looked pleased.
Then I knew I'd somehow regret my choice.
~The Tournament Begins~
As a human, my eyesight was never good. I had spent too much time reading by candlelight when it was dark. It was a bad idea and my vision had deteriorated rather quickly.
I spent most of my archery time relying on my feelings rather than my ability to see and most of the time it had come out rather nicely, but now I felt uncertain. I'd be going against both Master Elrond and the Prince of Mirkwood, the best archer within the Rivendell borders. I lifted my head and took a deep breath. It was just a little competition, a very little one.
I changed into more proper archery clothes and my personal bow and arrows were brought to me by Miralda, one of the older elf women who I had always trusted. I swung the quiver over my shoulder and slipped an arrow out of it, locking it into place.
I haven't held a bow and arrow in my hands for the longest of times, for almost four years now that I think about it, and I was a little unused to it. I looked up at Elrond.
He was talking to the Prince so I turned around, took hold of the bow and arrow, holding it like I was taught. I explored with the different ways of holding it and various manners of tilting it for each distinct shooting style.
In the process of trying to remember, I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see the Prince looking down at me with a question in his eyes.
I frowned, "It's been a while."
He nodded and led me back to Master Elrond.
My godfather commented, "It's been what, nearly five years since you last practiced?"
"Four," I corrected.
He shrugged and continued, "So you'd be rather rusty with it, eh? Especially with your eyesight and all."
It took quite an effort on my part to maintain a calm façade, but I was still close to snarling.
"I'll try," I said, "I need the practice anyway."
Both of them exchanged glances, once again, and fitted their bow and arrows. I sighed and toyed with mine.
First they shot at an unmoving target ninety feet away. Both of them hit the target right at point center. It was my turn.
Bloody hell, I couldn't even see the target.
Well, so I stood where I was supposed to and gave Elrond an uncertain look. He returned one of encouragement to me and I glanced at Legolas. He was staring at the target, or so I thought.
I gripped my bow and arrow and took aim. Taking deep breaths as to not to panic, I closed my eyes just slightly. I knew I couldn't totally rely on my vision now so I relaxed as much as I could.
Four seconds later I dispatched the arrow.
I didn't know what I was aiming at, but when we walked to the target I found out it was of a rabbit.
Both Elrond and Legolas' arrows hit dead center of its stomach. Mine wasn't so close to its center, but it wasn't bad.
Mine was dead center of the neck.
I grinned sheepishly and looked up at both of them, who were staring at me. They looked expectant so I just shrugged.
~The Next Challenge~
The next target was a wooden ball dangling off of a tree limb. Three of them had been set up, all at the same level above ground. This, too, was at ninety feet away.
Legolas went and shot the wooden ball off so fast the arrow embedded itself on the rise of the ground behind it.
Master Elrond concentrated and dispatched his arrow, hitting the ball and doing the same thing that the Prince's arrow did, except it was embedded a little lower than his.
Now it was my turn again.
Elrond directed me as to where to stand and I looked over. I saw the tree. I couldn't see the target.
Concentrating, I made out a small blurry object. Legolas stood beside me and I looked up at him. He glanced down at me and grinned. "Can't see?"
I stuck out my tongue at him, a very childish response, but it got a quiet chuckle out of him. Lightly biting down on my lower lip, I looked over at Elrond who was watching me. I stuck out my tongue at him too and he frowned. I gave him the biggest, sweetest grin I could muster at the moment and turned back to where the target should have been. I still couldn't see it.
Reaching back, I pulled out an arrow and swung it and my bow into place. I nudged Legolas' waist with my elbow and he took a step back. I couldn't aim at this little thing I couldn't see so I studied the area it should be and closed my eyes. I pulled back the string and concentrated. The arrow left my hands and two seconds later I opened now my eyes.
As I stared at the target and it came into focus, I saw it was still on the tree. My shoulders slumped and then we all walked ninety feet over to the area. I looked up at the wooden ball in surprise.
There was a hole right in the middle of it where my arrow has passed through. It was embedded right above Legolas' arrow. I had hit the target. I didn't miss. My arrow was just thin enough to not even disturb the ball itself and just pass right dead center of it at full speed and embed itself into the ground. I jumped in joy.
That was when I remembered that I had handmade my own arrows so long ago. They were custom made...by me. I was so proud of myself when I fashioned my own arrow and Elrond had inspected it, approving. So then I made over a hundred and fifty within the next four days, all of them identical to each other. If they weren't, I fixed them or replaced them with new ones. My personal arrows were different from everyone else's. Mine were whiter, made of lighter wood, and only twice as thin as the other arrows.
Leaning over, I pulled my arrow from the ground and gently brushed off the dirt and grass. Legolas' arrow was still in the ground so I pulled it out too, but it required a bit more effort on my part. I looked up at both Legolas and Elrond who were quietly talking amongst themselves and so I compared my arrow to his.
His was made of darker wood, I guess it's for the fact that, when in use, it's harder to spot, especially within the forests. Although ours was about the same length, his was just a bit longer, his arrowhead somewhat larger. At that moment a thought went through my head.
"Legolas?" I asked.
They stopped their conversation and both of them walked over to me. I was still sitting, so they tilted their head down more than usual.
"I was just wondering, about the arrowheads..." I pouted, not knowing how to explain what I was thinking. Legolas suddenly sat down beside me, nearly startling me out of my wits, but I didn't jump, and I don't think he knew he startled me, thank goodness.
I saw Elrond glance around before looking back down at me saying only, "Continue, Lilana."
"You know how some of them have ridges along the side?" My head turned toward him as he took out another arrow from his quiver. He nodded. "What do they do?"
He spoke without even thinking about it first, "They help embed themselves into the enemy's body." "But do they do much harm on initial impact?"
Thinking for a second, he shook his head no.
"If the arrowhead is enlarged, then the balance of the front and the back is broken, so the arrow won't exactly hit where it was directed in the first place unless with extra force..." The wheels in my brain were working slowly...very slowly. "Hmm...Okay, never mind. I lost my thought." I smiled slightly and handed back his arrow to him.
He nodded once, took the arrow, and then stood up, extending a hand for me. This surprised me because, although I've seen other people do this for each other, never once have I been the receiver of a hand. I took his hand and he gently pulled me up.
I was looking up at him, and he down at me, yet I was lost in his deep blue eyes for just a second before he simply raised a brow slightly and I released his hand and stepped back. My heart was pounding.
Master Elrond sent me a rather odd, thoughtful look and then he continued to the next object.
~A Single Challenge~
Before us was a vast green field as far as my eyes could see, but I had bad eyes so I didn't now what the elves could see. I looked up at them.
Legolas went first, as was the order, and I stood just a bit behind him and watched him. He was relaxed and concentrating, then, just as I moved my eyes to the field, he released his arrow and it flew through the air. He stepped back and let Elrond go.
I looked up at him and frowned, "What are we trying to shoot at?"
Elrond dispatched his arrow and turned to look at me. I repeated my question to him.
He and Legolas exchanged glances and then the prince started laughing. Ignoring him, I turned to look at Elrond. "Well?"
Sighing, he turned patient eyes to me, "It's a moving target, about a hundred and fifty feet into the field. You can see it if you...concentrate."
I frowned at him and responded with, "You're an elf, for goodness sake and I'm a mere human whose eyesight has been deteriorating for the past two years! I could barely see the first target, I couldn't see the second one, and now you expect me to hit this moving, invisible target that more or less nonexistent?"
It was his turn to frown, but his eyes were laughing, "No one ever said anything about expecting you to hit it."
I gave him a glare that could've sent him writhing in agony if looks could've killed.
Snorting, I turned my glare to Legolas who immediately stopped his deep chuckles.
Okay, at least I'll give it a try.
Unfortunately, my point still remained firm. I'm blind, I'm human, and I haven't hit anything remotely close to moving for the past four years.
Studying the vast field, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing...so why am I still trying here?
I frowned and my frowned deepened. I wanted to give up. I'd more or less end up shooting my arrow a million miles away.
When I was about to turn around, I felt Legolas come up beside me and look at me. I looked up at him.
"Can I help?" I suppose he knew that if he asked if I needed his help I would decline, but since he didn't ask like that, I nodded, looking completely indifferent.
He nodded and came around from behind me.
I shrugged off my quiver of arrows and then I felt his strong arms come around me.
Even though I knew I shouldn't, I looked over at Elrond. He was looking at us with utmost disapproval.
Oh well, too bad for him.
Personally, this was rather comforting.
"Do you see it?" his breath was warm and softly spoken against my ear. I bit down rather hard on my lower lip to restrain a giggle and then shook my head. It was true. I couldn't see it.
All I saw was a field of green. That was it!
I felt his cheek against my temple and his even breathing tickled my neck, but I had no complaints.
Nope...none at all.
"Concentrate, but don't strain your eyes, just look and sense for movement. Never close your eyes."
I attempted not to melt into his embrace and not to get lost in his voice either, so I listened to him and followed his instructions, although I tried it before.
"Relax, Lily, relax." I did and a few seconds later I saw movement. "There," he continued, "keep your eyes on it, even if you can't see it. You know where it's going."
I didn't, I really didn't, but I believed him anyway, as difficult as that may sound.
"Keep your arrow ready. Steady now, get a good clean shot," he was concentrating too. I could feel it.
His hands tightened around mine and he pulled back the bowstring a bit more. By this time my arm was already tiring, but I held it there.
I saw it again; my target, and I loosened my hold on my arrow. Just a bit more...
I released it and leaned back, just a bit, only a bit, and flexed my arms. I looked up at Legolas. He looked down at me.
"You didn't need my help, not really. All you needed was to remember to relax and keep both eyes open, even if you are relying on mainly your senses, it helps to see something," he smiled and slowly stepped back, his hands on my shoulders so I couldn't fall backwards.
Looking over at Elrond, I saw his frown. "What is it, Elrond? You always look so...upset. You got this permanent frown-"
"Lilana," he said in a stern voice, "Don't start that with me again. I know what you're going to say, you've said it over and over again, in the same words too. You hit the target alright, but you may want to think about where you hit it."
So with that, we walked over to our targets. The three of us walked over to the Prince's first and the woodworking of the deer had an arrow protruding from its neck.
Elrond's deer had the arrow at the base of its skull.
Mine...well...mine surprised me and it started Legolas laughing again. I knew he already knew where my arrow was. He was probably laughing at my reaction.
My arrow was embedded deep in its rear end.
Poor thing, I thought, if it was a real life creature it'd be in great pain.
For me, both targets afterwards needed the assistance of Legolas in order for me to hit anything.
The fourth target was a saucer shaped wooden disk that is thrown into the air. At any given time it was to be shot down.
I didn't need much of any help, but my arms weren't strong enough to pull back the bowstring to the required length.
That's where Legolas came in.
~Working Together~
And the last activity was for us in a group. There would be twenty wooden or clay critters and we were supposed to shoot all of them in twenty seconds. Easier said than done? Not really.
Even though I am not Elvish, I still had enough skill to shoot quickly and efficiently.
Legolas claimed the targets in the air, Elrond that farther distance on the ground, and I for the closer creatures.
The targets on the closer ground moved about twice as fast as the others so mine wasn't exactly the easiest.
Elrond's targets weren't that much faster, but some went as far back as nearly two hundred feet, or so I think.
Then for the Prince's targets, they went high up, and I mean really high up.
There was once or twice I saw him out of the corner of my eye shooting nearly directly upwards. That might've been somewhat hard because the two suns were directly above us.
We ended up hitting every single one of our shots with only one arrow for each. I'm sure I surprised Legolas a bit when he quickly glanced toward my quiver that I laid down and the other arrows that projected from my targets. I didn't miss any shots. For that I was proud of myself.
All of Legolas' targets had an arrow hanging out from one sort of deadly and extremely sensitive area or another.
All of Elrond's arrows had gone into the target's heads.
And all of my arrows, well, they were good enough. Most were around the middle and one or two were in the target's wooden necks.
I got a rough pat on the back from my godfather and a "you did well" smile and nod from Legolas.
So I didn't regret my decision. It was fun and rather...exciting.