Chapter Two

Alfirin turn towards Eldarion, they had just gotten back from touring the castle and city. "Thank you," she said sweetly.

"Do you like Gondor?" Eldarion asked. After spending a day with Alfirin, it was hard not to fall in love with her. The maid was entirely innocent and sweet. She did know some amount of archery and sword fighting, or so she said. With elves it was hard to tell if average meant average for a Man or average for an elf, which was very good for a man. Eldarion found Alfirin intoxicatingly beautiful.

"It isn't as beautiful as Eryn Lasgalen or as graceful as Rivendell, but it is magnificent," Alfirin replied. "I think I will stay here for a time, Mother will not object. I could learn much here."

"I would like it if you would stay," Eldarion told her.

"You would?" she inquired, looking up at him.

"Yes. You'd be welcome here," Eldarion said. "Here are your rooms, good night."

"Good night," Alfirin agreed. She thought for a second and then stood on tiptoes, to kiss Eldarion's cheek. She turned away and walked into her room, closing the door behind her.

***

"You can't be serious," Faramir protested. "A lady? In the practice courts? She'll get hurt!"

"I guess you don't know Alfirin. She's a very good swordsman, well, lady, and an even better archer," Elmoth said lazily, "it won't hurt."

"Yes but she's a lady!" Faramir exclaimed.

"She may be a lady, but Rhiadrieal is one too and she manages to beat the best on her good days. You really shouldn't hold that against Alfirin," Eldarion replied. "Just give her a chance."

"Fine, but I refuse to compete against her," Faramir replied.

"Good," Eldarion knocked on Alfirin's door.

"Hello, ready?" Alfirin asked cheerfully. She wore leggings and a tunic, similar to the ones that Elmoth wore. Her long hair was pulled back in a braid. She smiled.

Elmoth nodded and the four started to walk towards the courts. Alfirin listened most of the time, learning about Gondor and the people. "Here we are at the courts," Faramir said.

Alfirin peered into the huge hall. It was larger than any of the practice courts she had been in. She smiled at the size, it was magnificent. "It is not fair that you have such courts," Alfirin protested. Faramir rolled his eyes.

"Elmoth, Alfirin, I need to speak to you," a voice behind them said.

'Mother, can it wait?' Alfirin asked.

'No. You can practice later,' Rhiadrieal replied.

"Alfirin, don't argue, let's go," Elmoth said.

***

'I leave with Arwen to Lothlorien in one day,' Rhiadrieal announced, once they reached her rooms. 'I will be leaving Alfirin here.'

'That is fine with me Mother,' Alfirin replied.

'I will be back in about a year. Alfirin, your brother and I need to speak privately,' Rhiadrieal said.

'Yes Mother,' Alfirin replied, smiling and then walking out the door.

Once she was gone, Rhiadrieal turned to Elmoth. "I'd like to look after Alfirin, she hasn't been here long enough to know Men that well. Someone may take advantage of that."

"I will Mother, don't worry," Elmoth replied. "Be careful, I've heard rumors of bandits and raiders."

"I will," Rhiadrieal responded. "You may go back to the courts with your friends now. Make sure Alfirin doesn't get into too much trouble and don't get into trouble yourself."

"I won't," Elmoth said, going to the door.

***

"Um, so, we need partners," Faramir commented.

"Any ideas for pairing people off?" Elmoth asked.

"I don't really care," Eldarion mentioned. "Why not Elmoth and Faramir and Alfirin and me?"

"I don't mind," Alfirin said quietly, studying the floor intently.

"Well then…" Elmoth said and trailed off, dragging Faramir away by his arm.

"Are we doing fencing?" Alfirin asked sweetly.

"If you want to," Eldarion answered. He couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful she was. She's your cousin, he told himself and blushed a dull red, causing Alfirin to look at him curiously.

"Are we going to use real swords?" Alfirin wondered.

"I guess," Eldarion muttered.

"Don't you have your own opinions?" Alfirin asked pleasantly.

"Yes," he said, staring at her. "Do you have a sword?"

"Of course," Alfirin replied cheerfully. When the ring they were waiting for was cleared, they climbed in. Eldarion drew his broadsword and then studied Alfirin's. It was thin, too thin to be a broadsword, much too thin. It looked extraordinarily light and fast, much like its owner.

"Ready when you are," he called over the noise.

"Ready," Alfirin confirmed. She waited, from what she knew of men, they seemed to be impatient and make the first move. Eldarion rushed her, his sword upraised. He brought the sword down in a sweeping blow that would have, if Alfirin had not blocked it, cut her from right shoulder to left waist. Alfirin quickly flicked her sword between Eldarion's defenses and aimed a slash at his chest. Eldarion stepped back, taken back by how quickly Alfirin moved, and made Alfirin go off balance. They exchanged blow for blow, continuing for some time until Eldarion found an opening.

He darted in and twisted his sword around Alfirin's. Before the maiden could react, he twisted it out of her grasp; it landed a few feet away. Eldarion had not won, yet, due to the fact that they were using the rule of "first blood." The first to draw blood wins. Eldarion flitted in, aiming to draw first blood and was given a surprise when Alfirin easily stepped to the side and slid her foot out, tripping him. While Eldarion got to his feet, Alfirin rushed over to her sword. She bent to pick it up, but then heard Eldarion's breathing behind her. She flicked her braid over her shoulder with a toss of her head, hitting Eldarion in the face with it.

"Ow!" he exclaimed and clutched his eyes. Alfirin took advantage of his distraction and made a light cut on his arm, just deep enough to draw blood.

"Ha!" Alfirin heard Elmoth say triumphantly. "You owe me two silver pieces Faramir."

Alfirin turned. "You were betting?" she asked, an eyebrow raised.

"We always do," Eldarion said, coming to stand beside her. "The hitting someone in the face with your hair was ingenious."

"Thank you, I needed to improvise," Alfirin said. "Anyone up to archery?"