Disclaimer: Tolkien owns LOTR and all things Middle Earth, blah blah blah…
Chapter 17 – Training The Mind As Well As The Body
Alania watched as Georn, Teleris and Elladan put Roxy through her paces. Both women had progressed in their training in the last few weeks by leaps and bounds due to the variety of trainers. Roxy had discovered her talent for fighting with a sword in one hand and dagger in the other. It was something to watch as she defended herself against her three 'attackers'. When they had first started practicing, Roxy had spent most of the time on her back and rubbing her backside. Determined to avoid constantly being upended, Roxy practiced in private with Georn until she was able to take on all three at once. Roxy had turned out to be an adept fighter.
Alania's strength lay not in the ability to yield a weapon, rather in the tactics of a fight and defense. Her instincts about her opponent were always on the mark, and thus she was able to maintain a defense until she deduced what her opponent's weakness was and then went for the kill. Because of this latent talent, Teleris had taken it upon himself to help her increase the her natural ability. After their morning training sessions, he and Alania would find a secluded spot and practice. Practice essentially consisted of her being blindfolded and Teleris attacking her. They had started with long sticks and Teleris had purposefully made as much noise as possible for an elf. Before long, he was attacking her with stealth. She had taken to it extremely well and was continually calling Teleris "Jedi Master" or "Obi Wan" and calling her talent "using the force", though he had no idea what that was.
As the battle with Roxy was winding down, Alania began to get her things ready for her training with Teleris. She had settled into a comfortable routine since arriving in Middle Earth, and was much more at ease with the surroundings and people. Legolas had reluctantly resumed his duties with the council after their first morning together, but managed to find a few hours for her every evening. It had been in her hands to fill her days, and it was Georn's suggestion that the two women continue their training. During the first few days in Rivendell, Alania spent the mornings with Georn and Roxy practicing and the afternoons sometimes wandering in thought, but more often in the library reading about the people and history.
A few weeks earlier Alania had found herself in the library one afternoon reading up on the rise and fall of Sauron. With many unanswered questions, she had sought out Elladan, then Teleris and finally Gandalf for more information. Her keen interest had piqued the curiosity of the elves about her, and when they discovered her practice sessions they joined her one morning. It had quickly become a regular schedule for them all. Shortly thereafter, Teleris offered his services as instructor and Alania's early afternoons were filled as well. The late afternoons were still spent at the library, but lately she found herself in the company of Gandalf. It seemed he always knew where she would be and asked to join her.
They talked of many things, philosophy and ethics, magic and technology, the inhabitants of Middle Earth and their legends. Sometimes they didn't talk at all, but found themselves in the Great Hall playing Middle Earth's version of chess for long hours. Much to Gandalf's surprise, Alania won about half of the games they had played. There were not many who could beat him once, and she had defeated him several times.
As she and Teleris walked to their spot, Teleris asked "Does Legolas know that you are training with me?"
"I haven't said anything about it, but then again he hasn't really asked what I do during the day. He's been very preoccupied. I think he is getting news that isn't good, but he doesn't speak of it with me. Why should it concern him that I'm training with you? I would imagine he'd be pleased at my initiative" replied Alania.
"Yes, perhaps you right. Though it worries me what he might say if another maliciously told him of the time you and I spend alone. There are those who do not like the idea of the two of you." Seeing Alania's questioning glance, he continued "I know that you and he have not declared yourselves vocally, but even a child can see the way the two of you look at each other. And it is certainly no secret that he does not rest in his room."
"Are you trying to warn me about something, Teleris? If you are, I would appreciate it if you weren't so cryptic."
"Legolas and I do not get along Alania. And he has been known to occasionally have a very short temper. It may be best if you spoke with him of your days before he discovers it from someone else and jumps to conclusions."
Frowning, Alania asked "And why do not get along?"
"Sometimes people just do not get along. Tell me that is not the way of it in your world. I only seek to save you some potential problems. Come, let us begin." Without further discussion, the two spent the next hour fencing with Alania blindfolded. Teleris believed she would be ready to start with a rapier within a few days.
It was in the Great Hall that afternoon, that saw Gandalf and Alania playing a game they had started several days earlier. It looked as though Gandalf would emerge the victor this time, though Alania had enough pieces to win if the wizard was not careful. They had been silent throughout, sipping on mead and nibbling from a tray of food. It was Alania's turn, and Gandalf watched her as she concentrated on the board in front of her. He could see her calculating all the possible future attacks and counter attacks for each option she had. He knew it would take her some time before she moved, as she was aware that he had the advantage. Alania did not like to lose.
Gandalf reached into his cloak and fished out his pipe. Filling it and igniting it, he puffed on the pipe and blew out purposefully distracting smoke figures. Alania raised her eyes from the board to watch as he blew a smoky eagle whose wings actually flapped slowly. Impressed and irritated at the same time, she wryly asked "Is it customary for wizards to cheat by distracting their opponents?"
"I am sure that you understand that cheating is inherit in any battle where the stakes are high, Alania" he replied with a wise smile.
"Why is it that whenever we play I get the feeling that you're trying to teach me something?"
Gandalf said nothing, instead looked at her intently. She met his gaze and held it. When she lowered her eyes back to focus on the game, he said "There is something you have been wanting to discuss. Now is as good a time as any."
Taking a sharp breath at this comment, Alania fought to maintain a cool demeanor. He had caught Alania by surprise. She had meant to speak with him a while back about the manuscripts but had not figured a way to broach the topic. She wasn't sure if it would have been acceptable for her to have handled them and she didn't want any trouble for Legolas. It amazed and unnerved her that Gandalf seemed to know these things, but she refused to let him see how it affected her. He seemed to fluster her on purpose as a test, for what she couldn't say, but she did her best to keep her 'poker face' in front of him. She pretended to think about the game as she figured out what to say.
He had heard her intake of breath and noted that she fought to maintain an aloof stance. With a little more practice she would be able to keep her composure in any situation. It was one of the things he was most impressed with, her quick ability to adapt and learn what was expected in front of others without compromising herself. He waited to see if she would take the bait or not.
Finally she answered, "I do not want to discuss something and perhaps be the cause of trouble to someone who was trusted."
"Perhaps they were trusted not only with task, but with judgment as well."
"And if their judgment was found faulty?"
"Then the trouble would lie with the person who assigned the task rather than the one it was assigned to. Besides, Legolas has already told me you and Roxy had my manuscripts for a short time" he finished with a smile.
Pursing her lips, Alania shook her head disgusted that she had even assumed that she knew something Gandalf did not. She should have learned by now that there was nothing you could get past him. "Then why haven't you asked me what I did with them yet?" she asked.
"I have my reasons" he answered cryptically. "It is good to know that you can hold a secret. I will not ask you what you did with them because Legolas has not. His trust is not easily acquired. If he entrusted them to you then I will trust my judgment in him."
"You are a very confusing fellow, you know that?"
"Only to some. Now perhaps you ought to focus on your queen before I take it" he said as they resumed their game.
Several hours later, Alania lay in bed fighting to keep her eyes open. She had been waiting for Legolas to join her for some time, but her exhaustion overcame her. Unable to stay awake any longer she dozed off feeling disappointed and little concerned.
Sometime in the night she awoke when she felt the bed depress and his arm wrap around her. Snuggling closer to his warmth, she sleepily asked "I missed you. Is everything alright?"
Legolas pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. The news they had been getting at council was not good. Orc armies had been spotted moving north towards Mirkwood. It was believed that somehow Malficent had discovered the it was Legolas who had been given the honor of protecting the manuscripts and thought that the elf was in Mirkwood with them. A debate had sprung up as to their next course of action. Not wanting to concern Alania, he responded "Everything is fine melamin. I am sorry I was not here sooner. I lost track of time. Go back to sleep."
Alania heard the tension in his response. He was not telling her the truth and she wondered why. Thinking about it briefly, she decided that she would broach the topic again another time. Rolling to face him, she smiled a sleepy smile and said "I can't go back to sleep now. It's very distracting to have my elf so close to me in bed. Maybe you should tuck me in properly?"
And so he did.
Chapter 17 – Training The Mind As Well As The Body
Alania watched as Georn, Teleris and Elladan put Roxy through her paces. Both women had progressed in their training in the last few weeks by leaps and bounds due to the variety of trainers. Roxy had discovered her talent for fighting with a sword in one hand and dagger in the other. It was something to watch as she defended herself against her three 'attackers'. When they had first started practicing, Roxy had spent most of the time on her back and rubbing her backside. Determined to avoid constantly being upended, Roxy practiced in private with Georn until she was able to take on all three at once. Roxy had turned out to be an adept fighter.
Alania's strength lay not in the ability to yield a weapon, rather in the tactics of a fight and defense. Her instincts about her opponent were always on the mark, and thus she was able to maintain a defense until she deduced what her opponent's weakness was and then went for the kill. Because of this latent talent, Teleris had taken it upon himself to help her increase the her natural ability. After their morning training sessions, he and Alania would find a secluded spot and practice. Practice essentially consisted of her being blindfolded and Teleris attacking her. They had started with long sticks and Teleris had purposefully made as much noise as possible for an elf. Before long, he was attacking her with stealth. She had taken to it extremely well and was continually calling Teleris "Jedi Master" or "Obi Wan" and calling her talent "using the force", though he had no idea what that was.
As the battle with Roxy was winding down, Alania began to get her things ready for her training with Teleris. She had settled into a comfortable routine since arriving in Middle Earth, and was much more at ease with the surroundings and people. Legolas had reluctantly resumed his duties with the council after their first morning together, but managed to find a few hours for her every evening. It had been in her hands to fill her days, and it was Georn's suggestion that the two women continue their training. During the first few days in Rivendell, Alania spent the mornings with Georn and Roxy practicing and the afternoons sometimes wandering in thought, but more often in the library reading about the people and history.
A few weeks earlier Alania had found herself in the library one afternoon reading up on the rise and fall of Sauron. With many unanswered questions, she had sought out Elladan, then Teleris and finally Gandalf for more information. Her keen interest had piqued the curiosity of the elves about her, and when they discovered her practice sessions they joined her one morning. It had quickly become a regular schedule for them all. Shortly thereafter, Teleris offered his services as instructor and Alania's early afternoons were filled as well. The late afternoons were still spent at the library, but lately she found herself in the company of Gandalf. It seemed he always knew where she would be and asked to join her.
They talked of many things, philosophy and ethics, magic and technology, the inhabitants of Middle Earth and their legends. Sometimes they didn't talk at all, but found themselves in the Great Hall playing Middle Earth's version of chess for long hours. Much to Gandalf's surprise, Alania won about half of the games they had played. There were not many who could beat him once, and she had defeated him several times.
As she and Teleris walked to their spot, Teleris asked "Does Legolas know that you are training with me?"
"I haven't said anything about it, but then again he hasn't really asked what I do during the day. He's been very preoccupied. I think he is getting news that isn't good, but he doesn't speak of it with me. Why should it concern him that I'm training with you? I would imagine he'd be pleased at my initiative" replied Alania.
"Yes, perhaps you right. Though it worries me what he might say if another maliciously told him of the time you and I spend alone. There are those who do not like the idea of the two of you." Seeing Alania's questioning glance, he continued "I know that you and he have not declared yourselves vocally, but even a child can see the way the two of you look at each other. And it is certainly no secret that he does not rest in his room."
"Are you trying to warn me about something, Teleris? If you are, I would appreciate it if you weren't so cryptic."
"Legolas and I do not get along Alania. And he has been known to occasionally have a very short temper. It may be best if you spoke with him of your days before he discovers it from someone else and jumps to conclusions."
Frowning, Alania asked "And why do not get along?"
"Sometimes people just do not get along. Tell me that is not the way of it in your world. I only seek to save you some potential problems. Come, let us begin." Without further discussion, the two spent the next hour fencing with Alania blindfolded. Teleris believed she would be ready to start with a rapier within a few days.
It was in the Great Hall that afternoon, that saw Gandalf and Alania playing a game they had started several days earlier. It looked as though Gandalf would emerge the victor this time, though Alania had enough pieces to win if the wizard was not careful. They had been silent throughout, sipping on mead and nibbling from a tray of food. It was Alania's turn, and Gandalf watched her as she concentrated on the board in front of her. He could see her calculating all the possible future attacks and counter attacks for each option she had. He knew it would take her some time before she moved, as she was aware that he had the advantage. Alania did not like to lose.
Gandalf reached into his cloak and fished out his pipe. Filling it and igniting it, he puffed on the pipe and blew out purposefully distracting smoke figures. Alania raised her eyes from the board to watch as he blew a smoky eagle whose wings actually flapped slowly. Impressed and irritated at the same time, she wryly asked "Is it customary for wizards to cheat by distracting their opponents?"
"I am sure that you understand that cheating is inherit in any battle where the stakes are high, Alania" he replied with a wise smile.
"Why is it that whenever we play I get the feeling that you're trying to teach me something?"
Gandalf said nothing, instead looked at her intently. She met his gaze and held it. When she lowered her eyes back to focus on the game, he said "There is something you have been wanting to discuss. Now is as good a time as any."
Taking a sharp breath at this comment, Alania fought to maintain a cool demeanor. He had caught Alania by surprise. She had meant to speak with him a while back about the manuscripts but had not figured a way to broach the topic. She wasn't sure if it would have been acceptable for her to have handled them and she didn't want any trouble for Legolas. It amazed and unnerved her that Gandalf seemed to know these things, but she refused to let him see how it affected her. He seemed to fluster her on purpose as a test, for what she couldn't say, but she did her best to keep her 'poker face' in front of him. She pretended to think about the game as she figured out what to say.
He had heard her intake of breath and noted that she fought to maintain an aloof stance. With a little more practice she would be able to keep her composure in any situation. It was one of the things he was most impressed with, her quick ability to adapt and learn what was expected in front of others without compromising herself. He waited to see if she would take the bait or not.
Finally she answered, "I do not want to discuss something and perhaps be the cause of trouble to someone who was trusted."
"Perhaps they were trusted not only with task, but with judgment as well."
"And if their judgment was found faulty?"
"Then the trouble would lie with the person who assigned the task rather than the one it was assigned to. Besides, Legolas has already told me you and Roxy had my manuscripts for a short time" he finished with a smile.
Pursing her lips, Alania shook her head disgusted that she had even assumed that she knew something Gandalf did not. She should have learned by now that there was nothing you could get past him. "Then why haven't you asked me what I did with them yet?" she asked.
"I have my reasons" he answered cryptically. "It is good to know that you can hold a secret. I will not ask you what you did with them because Legolas has not. His trust is not easily acquired. If he entrusted them to you then I will trust my judgment in him."
"You are a very confusing fellow, you know that?"
"Only to some. Now perhaps you ought to focus on your queen before I take it" he said as they resumed their game.
Several hours later, Alania lay in bed fighting to keep her eyes open. She had been waiting for Legolas to join her for some time, but her exhaustion overcame her. Unable to stay awake any longer she dozed off feeling disappointed and little concerned.
Sometime in the night she awoke when she felt the bed depress and his arm wrap around her. Snuggling closer to his warmth, she sleepily asked "I missed you. Is everything alright?"
Legolas pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. The news they had been getting at council was not good. Orc armies had been spotted moving north towards Mirkwood. It was believed that somehow Malficent had discovered the it was Legolas who had been given the honor of protecting the manuscripts and thought that the elf was in Mirkwood with them. A debate had sprung up as to their next course of action. Not wanting to concern Alania, he responded "Everything is fine melamin. I am sorry I was not here sooner. I lost track of time. Go back to sleep."
Alania heard the tension in his response. He was not telling her the truth and she wondered why. Thinking about it briefly, she decided that she would broach the topic again another time. Rolling to face him, she smiled a sleepy smile and said "I can't go back to sleep now. It's very distracting to have my elf so close to me in bed. Maybe you should tuck me in properly?"
And so he did.