Acilies had been only a few weeks in Lorien and already his mind was becoming restless. He had nothing to occupy his time. Haldir had said that he was sending someone to Acilies to teach him once more how to use a bow. As Acilies waited patiently, he looked out the window with a sense of restlessness about him. He thought long on his life thusfar and slowly, the death of his sister was dimming. The Elf from Mirkwood sighed and turned about then blinked. In his doorway stood a tall and beautiful female elf. She had two bows in her hands and smiled.

"Hello. I'm Phlyn. You must be Acilies right?" she strode forward and extended her delicate hand. Acilies took it and noted how oft her hand was.

"Aye, I am Acilies. Haldir must have sent you correct?"

"Yes he did. He said that I should help you learn to use a bow again. Mind you, I am a tough teacher" she smiled brightly and tugged him from the room.

"How long have you been here Acilies?" she asked as they walked down the stairway and onto the ground below.

"I have been here maybe three weeks or more. Hardly long enough to know much on the Golden Wood" replied Acilies as he walked at her side. Phlyn cast a glance to him and patted his shoulder.

"You'll find your feet here and I'm willing to help you"

"You are very kind"

"Comes with the territory" she winked and jogged ahead. Acilies shook his head and went after her. Phlyn lead them to a wide-open meadow area with trees on either side and flowers to match. She stopped and waited for Acilies to join her towards the middle. Her student arrived a moment later.

"Amazing. Everything is so pure here" he commented looking about. With a smile, Phlyn took Acilies's chin in her hand.

"I brought you here to learn. Sight-seeing comes later" he smiled in return and she handed him a bow.

"Ok. I want you to shoot for that tree over there" she pointed ahead to maybe 50 feet. Nothing hard for an Elf. Acilies rose the bow and took aim. He loosed the arrow and it just missed the tree though it did shave off some bark.

"Pretty close." Phyln stepped behind Acilies and placed her hands on his. "Now pull it back. That's right. See the arrow's point and the tree's trunk" her student did as he was told, silently happy that she was his teacher even though they had just met. Slowly but surely as the afternoon wore on and evening drew near, Acilies had gained enough knowledge to once more reach near his target.

"You have learned quickly. I have only see one other who could learn as fast as you." Said Phlyn as she collected the spent arrows.

"Who was that?" asked Acilies as he assisted her.

"Haldir"

"He is the best scout here right?"

"Yes and his brothers are as well. I think that was what the Lord and Lady wished for you to become." Phlyn knelt and collected the arrows. Acilies paused and looked at her a moment.

"I don't think I can do that Phlyn," he said at length.

"Why not? You have natural talent with a bow" she looked puzzled

"Long story"

"I'm a good listener Acilies."

"Maybe some other time…" he handed her the arrows he had collected and headed back. Phlyn sighed, jamming the arrows into the quiver and raced after him.

TBC…