Chapter 5 : A Test
Without pausing to think of what they were doing, Vywien and Zayn grabbed their weapons, and lunged at the two newcomers that had just appeared. Vywien had grabbed her bow and arrows, and jumped at the tall blonde elf directly in front of her. She held the bow with the string out, and grabbed an arrow from the pack, and lunged at the elf's throat. The lithe elf stepped to the side, and grabbed the wrist that was holding onto to the arrow. Vywien reeled around with her other arm, and using the bow, she slipped it over the tall elf's head, and started using the string to choke him...finally realizing what this weapon was for...but wondering what to do with the arrows. Vywien was behind the blonde elf now, pulling back hard on the bow. He had released her wrist while he frantically tried to get a breath of air. In a last attempt, he swung around with his left arm. His arm went clear around her, to her other side, grabbed her right shoulder and yanked her in front of him. Vywien dropped her bow in the struggle, and the blonde elf managed to free himself of it, and get some fresh air, it fell to the ground and he kicked it away. He now stood behind Vywien, holding both of her arms in a bear hug...all without breaking a sweat.
While Vywien was waging war with the blonde elf, Zayn was having her own troubles with the dark haired human. Instantly when she had seen him, she had grabbed her sword. She knew about weapons, but had never had the time, or money, to learn about the use of them herself. She grasped the hilt in both hands, raised the sword above her head, and lunged at the dark stranger, sword aimed at his heart. This plan would have worked perfectly if not for the fact that the dark stranger was adept at war and battle strategies. At the last second he stepped to the side, and drew his own sword from the scabbard at his side. Zayn's eyes went wide at the site, and started swinging blindly at the 'enemy' in front of her. He parried her blows with no effort on his part, then finally with a harsh thrust of his own sword, he knocks her sword from her hands. She spots her dagger on the ground toward her feet, and stoops down to pick it up. Unfortunately this was what her adversary was expecting her to do. He kicked the dagger many feet away, then did a sweep with his leg, causing her to lose her balance. Zayn tumbled to the forest ground, and when she moved to stand up, he helped her by grabbing her shoulders, yanking her up, and using his right arm to put her in a headlock.
Gandalf had watched all of this with fascination and mischief in his eyes. He was amazed at the will of these fighters he had chosen to save Middle Earth. No greater heroes could be found then the ones that had been chosen for him. Slowly, with his staff in his right hand, he smiled at the four of them. "Bravo." Then he clapped his hands together, signifying he was impressed.
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The two elves and humans looked toward Gandalf with a questioning glance. Legolas's eyebrows furrowed as Aragorn spoke to Gandalf, "You planned this." Not a question but a statement, those who have traveled with the old wizard knew better than to try to figure out what he was up to.
"Well. Both yes and no. They," he motions toward the two captured women "are the ones chosen to save the world. Though they don't know how or why yet. I was merely assessing there capabilities as fighters." Legolas looked down at the fair elf and released her hands. Vywien turned and looked at the elf unsure about what to say or do. "I am sorry for the offense. Those who draw weapons automatically receive the same in return. Though, I am not often the last to draw a weapon." Legolas looked at her curiously, for an elf of unknown origin she had quick reflexes. Aragorn in turn released the girl who'd swung at him. "I am sorry. I hadn't known this was a test, otherwise I wouldn't have gone so hard." Zayn shrugs, "I am used to fighting, though not with weapons. I have lived where ever I choose for some many years."
Gandalf watched them converse, then coughed politely. "I believe there should be more than you two on your journey here. Pray, did the two young hobbits become hungry?" A slight smile spread across his face, but was quickly replaced with a astonished look as the two hobbits in question came walking through the grass followed by a dwarf. "Ah, I see we are now all gathered. Introductions I assume are in order. Everyone this is Zayn, she hasn't had a home like you have all had in a while, so don't take offense of her being skittish," he waves his hand at the golden haired woman standing opposite Aragorn. Zayn bows as her name is being spoken and looks at the company. Gandalf then motions to the elf with braided auburn hair standing next to Legolas, "This is Vywien from the forest of Fangorn. Treebeard has kept her a secret for sometime, and so she hasn't had much if any contact with the outside world." Not knowing what to do she bows as well and smiles weakly.
He looks at the two girls and smiles, "Don't be afraid, these are great friends of mine. They saved Middle Earth the last time it came in great jeopardy. Here, I'll introduce you." He walks over to Aragorn, "This is Aragorn, the king of Gondor. While in the wilderness he goes by the name of Strider, a ranger." Aragorn steps down on one knee, bows his head to the two girls and stands up. Gandalf then walks to Legolas, "This is Legolas, the prince of Mirkwood." The two girls smile at each person in turn as Gandalf explains each member. "Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck are both hobbits. They are a happy folk who wish to stay in the shire living comfortably." "Gimli son of Gloin, who's Legolas's best friend and a dwarf." Gimli then speaks up proudly, "We dwarves are great miners, once we made great caves."
Gandalf having introduced everyone, gets and evil twinkle in his eye. Calmly he sits on a rock, and looks at the two girls. "Starting tomorrow, Zayn and Vywien, we'll be starting your training. Aragorn will teach you, Zayn, how to use both your sword These two hobbits will show you how to use your dagger.' the old wizard chuckles lightly as he sees both the weapons on the ground, 'Taking care of your weapons will also be a priority." Zayn picks up both weapons, swiftly wipes them off, and re-sheathes them. Legolas hands Vywien's bow to her, "This is a finely crafted bow, you must take great care of it as well." Gandalf looks at Vywien, "I have never seen such a way to use a bow, and I have been around a long time. Legolas will teach you how to shoot your arrows with your bow. After mastering the bow and arrow, he will teach you how to maneuver your sword." Everyone one nods in acceptance, but Gimli, who looks at Gandalf. "How shall I help them?"
Legolas looks over at his friend and smiles teasingly, "You can help me teach Vywien how to shoot her arrow." Gimli looks astonished, "No thank you, I wish to live. No offense lady, but I have much to live for yet." Vywien laughs at the dwarf, "I cannot blame you for not wanting to die, I have never shot a bow and arrow before."
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That night everyone sleeps huddled around the campfire. Zayn, curled up on a leather cloth, murmurs in her sleep shifting closer to the fire. Vywien sits next to her, auburn hair cascading down her back, stares into the fire, noticing Aragorn and the two hobbits sleeping across the fire, also occupying several leather cloths. Aragorn sleeps next to his sword, which is clutched in his right hand. Gandalf sits on a large rock several feet in front of the fire with his eyes closed, though not making any sounds it is hard to tell if he's sleeping or not. Gimli and Legolas sit closer to the wooded area, the dwarf like the rest is fast asleep occasionally mumbling about mines and an elf named Galadriel. Legolas sits next to his friend staring into the night, though he appears to be awake he's sleeping as only elves do.
"Where am I from? What kind of elf am I?" Vywien frowns watching the fire crackle in the night air. Legolas's ears shift at the sound of someone speaking, he slowly opens his eyes and looks to the saddened elf. "I know not whom your parents are.." Vywien gasps at being heard and turns to him. "Only Gandalf or Treebeard would be able to tell you. I know only this, you are not a half elf. They have dark hair and brown or black eyes." Vywien looks back into the fire pondering what the elf had told her, she then looks over at the elf and smiles, "Thank you." Legolas smiles, "Your welcome."