Thanks to those who have been reviewing the story -- I really appreciate it. (Offers reviewers Mushrooms and Lembas in thanks.)

I'm sorry it's taken a while to update -- my computer decided to crash on me, so I'm having to rely on any spare time at school to write these chapters (at least until I can afford to get my computer fixed).

The usual disclaimer about not owning the characters (except for Alex and Sarah) or their home (Middle Earth) applies. This story is not being written for profit, so please don't sue!

Chapter 7: The Training Begins!

I looked over at Alex only to see him smiling. 'Typical,' I thought, 'we'll probably get ourselves killed, and all Alex can do is stand there with a big goofy grin on his face. He probably wasn't even listening to Galadriel. He was probably just enamored with her beauty, like he was with all those female elves at dinner last night.'

Alex turned his head and noticed me looking at him. "Doesn't the idea of this mission thrill you with a sense of adventure?"

"Not really," I admitted. "It's actually starting to fill me with a sense of dread. What if you or I get killed. Heck, what if we both get killed... We'd never get back home..."

Home... It seemed like we had been gone for much longer than a day, so much had happened... Yet, the whole 'Middle Earth' experience still felt really new -- I still felt like I didn't totally fit in, the way I did back in Canada.

"So?" he answered. "I thought you didn't want to move halfway around the world. In fact, I seem to remember you screaming that you were adamantly against the idea more than once. If we were to go back, we'd still have to move back to England rather than stay with our friends. Either way, life is changing, Sarah. I just figure we might as well enjoy it while we've got it, and this sounds like an exciting adventure that I, for one, plan to enjoy."

I could feel my blood starting to boil once again as I listened to him. I *knew* life was changing around me whether I liked the idea or not, but I'd rather have been able to enjoy life in peaceful Lothlorien -- the idea of sleeping on the cold ground or against a knobly tree trunk, relying on a stream or lake when wanting to wash, eating rations, and the possibility of being speared by arrows, swords, or whatever other weapons they had, didn't sound very enticing. I glared at him, preparing to speak.

"War isn't all fun and games, even if you may have pretended to be some gallant knight in the backyard when we were little, with a stick as your sword... People *die* on the battlefield, Alex, and they can be slow and bloody deaths."

"I'm aware of that, Sarah, but Lady Galadriel seems to think we can do it, and I'm inclined to place some faith in her belief. You saw the battle scene, just as I did. We're key figures in this, Sarah, we *can't* let them down..."

I hated it when Alex had a point. "I know... I just think we should be prepared for anything, that's all, and *that* means being aware of what we're getting ourselves into."

Alex smiled down at me and held out a hand. "Deal," he said as we shook hands.

"I guess that means you should start your training," an unknown voice from off to our right said. Alex and I both turned in the direction of the voice and noticed another blond-haired elf leaning against one of the nearby tree trunks. "I am Ilrandir," he said, bowing stiffly. Alex bowed back, and I did my best impression of a curtsey (which almost had me tripping over my own feet). "I have been asked by Galadriel to teach you the basics of sword fighting. Haldir will be teaching you how to use a bow and arrow later. Come, we must begin your training."

We followed Ilrandir to another clearing nearby. After showing us some basic blocks and thrusts, Ilrandir decided to give us each some practice. I went first, and Alex leaned up against a tree to watch. When I first picked up the sword, I was amazed at how light it felt -- even after having read about how light the Elvish metallic weapons were in the Lord of the Rings series, it still amazed me that something so big could be so light. I didn't have much time to think about it though, as Ilrandir came up and prepared to strike. My sword flew out of my hand and imbedded itself in a nearby tree.

Alex burst into laughter. Turning towards him, I saw him rolling around on the ground clutching his sides tightly as if he would literally burst from all the laughing. Soon, tears were streaming down his face. I did my best to look annoyed, but soon I was chuckling too, realizing the hilarity of the situation.

Ilrandir, however, didn't even crack a smile. He just moved towards the tree and pulled out the blade from where it had struck. "Don't let that happen again, Sarah. It would not be good to let yourself be vulnerable to attack."

"Sorry," I muttered. I turned to Alex and whispered, "Geez, what's up with him? It's not like I've ever done sword-fighting before -- it's like he expects us to be experts at it already."

Alex nodded slightly and moved to get up. Taking the sword from where Ilrandir stood, he swung it around for a few seconds, getting the feel of it, before Ilrandir moved in to strike a blow. Luckily for Alex, the sword didn't go flying through the air this time, and he actually managed to make a few more blocks before Ilrandir stopped. "Good!" Ilrandir praised. "Your turn again, Sarah..."

The lesson continued for the next couple of hours, until each of us gradually got the hang of blocking and striking with the sword. By the end of the lesson, Ilrandir had us practicing our fighting skills on each other, with him offering advice on how we could improve our techniques.

By the time we were finished, both Alex and I were covered in dirt and sweat, and I was really looking forward to a hot bath when I got back to my room, along with a long drink of water. Ilrandir placed a hand on my shoulder as I turned to leave however. Alex went on ahead, unaware that I wasn't following.

"I am sorry if I seemed harsh to begin with," the elf said in a serious tone. "My wife, Elissiel, was taken by Orcs while on guard duty a few years ago. I am working you and Alex hard to prevent a similar fate from befalling you -- you need to know how to protect yourselves from danger."

I felt really bad now, and I could feel my face redden in shame. "I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't know..." He smiled, but I could see the sorrow that still filled his eyes. "I'll be careful, I promise."



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