Disclaimer-Refer to Chapter One
A/N- Well my readers, I am back at college now, so the uploads will not be as frequent as they once were. My goal is to get a chapter out every other day but I do not know if that is realistic with my schedule, so no promises.
The First Day of the Tournament
Valia made a hasty retreat away from Prince Legolas before he had time to catch her. She sighed with relief and made her way towards the raised platform in front of the archery field. Only Elrond and Celebrian were given the honor of sitting there, along with their particular guests, chief advisors and their family members.
She mused about the events that had taken place over the last few days. Why did Prince Legolas appear everywhere she was? He was like an annoying fly that would not leave, no matter how many times you flicked it away with your hand.
Now before the platform, Lady Valia walked up the steps to stand before two chairs in which Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian sat in repose. The couple reminded her of the great kings and queens of old, so regal and dignified were they. She curtsied to them. 'Lord Elrond. Lady Celebrian.'
'Valia, allow me to escort you to your chair' Elrond said while standing up. He walked over to her and took her arm, gently guiding her to her seat with her family. 'You look as if you had an adventure this morning,' Elrond commented softly with a glance at her damp clothes.
'Yes, my brother thought I needed to cool off by taking a swim in our pond right before the tournament. I am afraid I did not have time to change.'
'Ah, the love between siblings. I remember such youthful pranks when I was a child.'
'Yes, perhaps, but I am afraid my brother is far from being a child anymore, so he cannot use that excuse.'
'Nor can you, Valia,' Elrond said with an amused smile as the two came to her seat. 'I hope you have a wonderful time today and tomorrow. The tournament should be especially interesting for you this year with such a fine display of archery on the part of Prince Legolas.'
There was his name again. Valia could not escape the elf!
'I hope it is, Lord Elrond. I thank you.' Elrond returned to his seat and Valia settled into her own. The soft cushions and high backs made the chairs exceedingly comfortable. Looking out over the archery field, Valia could not have hoped for a more perfect view. Being on the platform, she was able to see all the competitors as they shot arrows at practice targets to prepare for the tournament that would start in moments.
Earuviel, who was seated on Valia's left, leaned over and whispered in her sister's ear. 'I cannot believe you did not change Valia. Do you not realize that everyone in the kingdom can see you?'
'Earuviel, I do not care if the whole kingdom can see me or not as long as I am decently dressed, which I happen to be.'
'Never mind, let us not quarrel. I wished to speak to you about another matter. I have heard that you met Prince Legolas.'
'Yes, several times now, unfortunately.'
'Unfortunately?' Earuviel said with a sharp laugh. 'Sister, any elf maiden in the kingdom would willingly give her right arm for a meeting with the prince. He is quite handsome, do you not think?' Earuviel asked, gesturing to Legolas who was now on the archery field.
'Good looks are not everything, Earuviel,' Valia cautioned as she watched the prince. He was slowly firing arrows at a target a little ways off from the rest of the competitors. Every arrow seemed to hit the mark perfectly, and Valia felt a twinge of envy in her heart.
Earuviel claimed Valia's attention again with her next comment. 'He is rumored to be the winner of the tournament on both days, having such excellent skills with the bow. Though, it is not his fine archery that interests me,' Earuviel said with meaning. 'I wonder at who he will pick to be the Lady of the Stars though. He is not acquainted with any maidens here well enough to make his choice certain. I suppose he will simply choose a lady at random from he crowd.'
'If he wins at all.' Valia corrected and saw Silia wave to her a few seats down. She smiled at the maiden. Perhaps Legolas will pick her if he wins, Valia thought. He has made her acquaintance already, though Isondil seems to have taken a liking to her.
Her deliberation was interrupted when Lord Elrond stood. All the competitors were standing before the platform now and bowed to Elrond and Celebrian. Then Elrond spoke. 'Good elves of my kingdom. Honored guests. Competitors. It is with great joy that I welcome you all to the annual archery tournament. Today's winner will have the honor of choosing a she- elf of to be the Lady of the Stars. Competitors, I wish you all the best of luck today. Let the tournament begin,' Elrond declared.
An enormous cheer resounded from the crowd of spectators who stood along the edges of the shooting field. Targets with bright painted markers had been set up on a long field. Some of Lord Elrond's servants had been appointed to organize the competition, and they now announced the first group of archers. Only two hundred competitors were allowed in the tournament each year, assuring that the competition would not extend more than two days.
Groups of twenty archers were called up at a time and the best ten went on to compete again. Valia marveled at the great skill in the archers. Even the worst of them seemed to posses a great mastery of the bow.
Once the first round was completed and one hundred archers remained, Silia came to sit on Valia's right, exchanging places with Narawen.
The elf maiden leaned over to speak softly with Valia. 'What do you think of the fine skills of the archers?'
'They are very impressive,' said Valia, not taking her eyes off the competition field. 'All of them seem to be quite excellent.'
'But you cannot deny that there is one who stands out amidst all the rest can you?'
'I have noticed several who have an amazing ability,' Valia retorted defiantly. She knew who her friend was referring to, but would not give her the pleasure of acknowledging his existence.
'Several!' cried Silia. She lowered her voice again and moved even closer to Valia. 'Come, Valia. Admit it. Prince Legolas is splendid. I do not know why you have taken such a dislike to him.' The comment was rewarded with a shocked expression upon Valia's face.
'Valia, he is a wonderful elf, with good looks and excellent manners.' This time Valia let out a cough as she tried to hold back her immediate reaction to the mention of Legolas' manners. 'Besides,' Silia continued, ignoring her friend, 'he is a prince. What more could any elf maiden wish for in a partner?'
'What more indeed,' Valia mumbled darkly. 'Silia, I do not need you to throw his good points in my face. Do not tell me you exchanged places with my mother only to discuss the fine qualities of Prince Legolas to me, for if you have, your words are lost on deaf ears.'
'Ha,' triumphed Silia with a smug grin of satisfaction on her face. 'You openly admit that he has fine qualities then?'
'You know what I meant.'
'I simply do not see why you throw away the prince's attentions to you with disdain. From what I have heard, you are the only she-elf he has willingly struck up a conversation with. If you would but encourage him a little, you might easily win a husband.'
Valia gripped the armrests of her chair. 'You should not listen to idle gossip, my dear Silia. I do not wish for a husband, especially Prince Legolas,' hissed Valia.
'But he has shown you more attention than any other.'
'It means nothing,' Valia snapped back. 'Lord Elrond requested that I help Prince Legolas with research that his father, King Thranduil, sent him here for. He talks to me because of the work, not because he wishes to.'
'Do not tell me it means nothing. If it meant nothing you would not be reacting the way you are now.'
It took all of Valia's strength to not explode. In a deadly calm voice, she addressed her friend through clenched teeth. 'I do not accept his attentions, nor any others, because of what happened on the journey. I cannot accept anyone's attentions, I will not.'
'Valia,' Silia said with an edge of authority in her voice, 'I give you a cautious warning. We have been friends for many years now. I call on that friendship of old and ask that you will heed my words. Do not be stubborn and hardhearted. What Prince Legolas offers to you should not be regarded lightly, nor thrown away without great thought and contemplation.'
'Enough!' exclaimed Valia. She had been staring out over the archery field and noticed Isondil step forward. 'I appreciate your concerns for me, for I know they come from a sincere heart and a readiness to help those you love, but they would be better spoken at another time. Look, I see Isondil has stepped up for his turn at the target. You will not want to miss seeing his performance.'
It was with great relief that Valia saw Silia quickly turn to her attentions upon the field, and away from her friend. Valia became consumed with her own thoughts, thereby becoming unaware of the tournament as it proceeded.
Was she really hardhearted? True, there had been a time when Valia had wished to fall in love and marry. She had never openly went out in search of a husband as most other maidens had done, but the desire had still been there, buried deep within her heart. She felt certain that the right elf would find her eventually, without her having to go in search of him. She would wait.
And wait was what she did. There had been several who had expressed an interest in her over the years, but she had never felt a deep connection of the heart. So she had gone about her daily life, filled with work at Lord Elrond's library, chores at home, and friends and family.
Then it had happened.
Valia's friends and family had noticed a change in the girl after the event. They knew it was to be expected, but when weeks stretched into months and months into years with no change in her, they had worried. She declared a resolute decision never to marry and had stuck to her choice. Everyone had given up on changing Valia's mind when they saw she was content with her work and daily life.
A hard nudge jolted Valia into the present, forcing her to leave her contemplations for the moment. 'Valia, the twenty-five have just released their arrows. You have not been paying attention.'
Valia glanced at Silia. 'Thank you. I was lost in thought and did not realize the competition had progressed so far.' With a quick sweep of the field with her eyes, Valia noticed that several elves were standing near the targets, judging which three elves would be chosen for the final round that day.
One elf ran away from the targets and towards the platform. Bowing before Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian, he gracefully ascended the stairs and whispered something in Elrond's ear. The elven lord nodded his head and stood.
The twenty-five remaining competitors had assembled in a row before Lord Elrond, and he gazed at each of them, one by one. 'Each of you has demonstrated an excellent skill with the bow, but alas, only three may move on to compete for the prize of naming the Lady of the Stars. Lord Garand, Lord Isondil, Prince Legolas, please step forward.'
The three of them took a step forward and polite applause came from the crowd. 'You have earned the right to compete for the naming of the Lady of the Stars.' An elf came to stand at Elrond's side with three arrows in his hand. Taking them, Elrond walked down the steps and stood before the victors.
He positioned himself before each competitor, looking the elf deep in the eyes and handing him an arrow. When all three were in the hands of the archers, Elrond stepped back and spoke. 'Each of you have proven your skill and gained the respect of all here present. However, only one of you shall receive the honor of choosing the Lady. May whoever proves the most worthy win.'
All three archers placed their hands over their hearts and bowed their heads in deference to Lord Elrond. Then, each took one of their own arrows and shot it at a target to see in what order they would go.
Lord Isondil would shoot first, followed by Lord Garand and then Prince Legolas. Before they began, the target was moved back fifty yards to prepare for the final round. Only the best of archers would be able to hit the center of the mark at such a distance.
Silia involuntarily latched onto Valia's arm when Isondil prepared his bow to shoot. There was a thick tension in the air and everyone was silent, expectantly leaning forward to see the shot.
Notching the arrow Elrond had given him to his bow, Isondil took careful aim. A crisp twang broke the silence as the arrow shot from the bow, followed moments later by a resounding thump. Cheers came from the crowd near the end of the shooting range, seeing that the arrow had nearly hit the center.
Lord Garand came next and proved himself an expert marksman, just like Isondil. His arrow, though a bit farther than Isondil's, had landed close to the center as well.
An excited flush came to Silia's face. 'Do you think Isondil will win?'
Valia looked at her friend with a bemused expression. 'For someone who advocated the exceptional archery skills of Prince Legolas so vehemently to me earlier, you seem to have little faith in your words.'
'You are right. I was being too hopeful. Look at me, I am acting like a silly young maiden.'
'You are a young maiden,' Valia quipped.
'Five thousand years is hardly young.'
'No, perhaps not, but does age matter with our race? You appear to care little that Lord Isondil is older than you.'
'Let us speak no more of this,' said Silia, flustered by the talk of Isondil. 'Prince Legolas is preparing to shoot, and I know you will not wish to miss such an excellent display of archery, even if you will give him no more credit than that.'
Valia and Silia turned their attention back to the field. Legolas had taken up his bow and was testing the resistance of the string. Valia leaned forward and placed her elbows on the railing in front of her, holding her head in her hands. She had heard of Prince Legolas' bow before.
It was a gift from Lady Galadriel, once of Lothlorien. It had accompanied Legolas on the quest to destroy the ring of power and with it, Legolas had slain the steed of one of the flying Nazgul.
The prince now put Elrond's arrow to his bow and pulled the string taunt, taking aim. Quick as lightening, the arrow whizzed through the air when Legolas released it.
There was a collective intake of breath from the spectators and everyone stilled to see where the arrow would hit. It sank into the target with a resounding thump and Valia strained her neck to see if she could tell where the arrow had landed.
Please forgive any spelling errors or grammatical problems. I am trying to write these chapters as fast as possible since everyone is requesting me to get them out so quickly. I use spell check, but I can't catch everything. Sorry!
Did you like it? Did you not? If you review and leave me your email address I can send you a thank you.
Please Review
A/N- Well my readers, I am back at college now, so the uploads will not be as frequent as they once were. My goal is to get a chapter out every other day but I do not know if that is realistic with my schedule, so no promises.
The First Day of the Tournament
Valia made a hasty retreat away from Prince Legolas before he had time to catch her. She sighed with relief and made her way towards the raised platform in front of the archery field. Only Elrond and Celebrian were given the honor of sitting there, along with their particular guests, chief advisors and their family members.
She mused about the events that had taken place over the last few days. Why did Prince Legolas appear everywhere she was? He was like an annoying fly that would not leave, no matter how many times you flicked it away with your hand.
Now before the platform, Lady Valia walked up the steps to stand before two chairs in which Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian sat in repose. The couple reminded her of the great kings and queens of old, so regal and dignified were they. She curtsied to them. 'Lord Elrond. Lady Celebrian.'
'Valia, allow me to escort you to your chair' Elrond said while standing up. He walked over to her and took her arm, gently guiding her to her seat with her family. 'You look as if you had an adventure this morning,' Elrond commented softly with a glance at her damp clothes.
'Yes, my brother thought I needed to cool off by taking a swim in our pond right before the tournament. I am afraid I did not have time to change.'
'Ah, the love between siblings. I remember such youthful pranks when I was a child.'
'Yes, perhaps, but I am afraid my brother is far from being a child anymore, so he cannot use that excuse.'
'Nor can you, Valia,' Elrond said with an amused smile as the two came to her seat. 'I hope you have a wonderful time today and tomorrow. The tournament should be especially interesting for you this year with such a fine display of archery on the part of Prince Legolas.'
There was his name again. Valia could not escape the elf!
'I hope it is, Lord Elrond. I thank you.' Elrond returned to his seat and Valia settled into her own. The soft cushions and high backs made the chairs exceedingly comfortable. Looking out over the archery field, Valia could not have hoped for a more perfect view. Being on the platform, she was able to see all the competitors as they shot arrows at practice targets to prepare for the tournament that would start in moments.
Earuviel, who was seated on Valia's left, leaned over and whispered in her sister's ear. 'I cannot believe you did not change Valia. Do you not realize that everyone in the kingdom can see you?'
'Earuviel, I do not care if the whole kingdom can see me or not as long as I am decently dressed, which I happen to be.'
'Never mind, let us not quarrel. I wished to speak to you about another matter. I have heard that you met Prince Legolas.'
'Yes, several times now, unfortunately.'
'Unfortunately?' Earuviel said with a sharp laugh. 'Sister, any elf maiden in the kingdom would willingly give her right arm for a meeting with the prince. He is quite handsome, do you not think?' Earuviel asked, gesturing to Legolas who was now on the archery field.
'Good looks are not everything, Earuviel,' Valia cautioned as she watched the prince. He was slowly firing arrows at a target a little ways off from the rest of the competitors. Every arrow seemed to hit the mark perfectly, and Valia felt a twinge of envy in her heart.
Earuviel claimed Valia's attention again with her next comment. 'He is rumored to be the winner of the tournament on both days, having such excellent skills with the bow. Though, it is not his fine archery that interests me,' Earuviel said with meaning. 'I wonder at who he will pick to be the Lady of the Stars though. He is not acquainted with any maidens here well enough to make his choice certain. I suppose he will simply choose a lady at random from he crowd.'
'If he wins at all.' Valia corrected and saw Silia wave to her a few seats down. She smiled at the maiden. Perhaps Legolas will pick her if he wins, Valia thought. He has made her acquaintance already, though Isondil seems to have taken a liking to her.
Her deliberation was interrupted when Lord Elrond stood. All the competitors were standing before the platform now and bowed to Elrond and Celebrian. Then Elrond spoke. 'Good elves of my kingdom. Honored guests. Competitors. It is with great joy that I welcome you all to the annual archery tournament. Today's winner will have the honor of choosing a she- elf of to be the Lady of the Stars. Competitors, I wish you all the best of luck today. Let the tournament begin,' Elrond declared.
An enormous cheer resounded from the crowd of spectators who stood along the edges of the shooting field. Targets with bright painted markers had been set up on a long field. Some of Lord Elrond's servants had been appointed to organize the competition, and they now announced the first group of archers. Only two hundred competitors were allowed in the tournament each year, assuring that the competition would not extend more than two days.
Groups of twenty archers were called up at a time and the best ten went on to compete again. Valia marveled at the great skill in the archers. Even the worst of them seemed to posses a great mastery of the bow.
Once the first round was completed and one hundred archers remained, Silia came to sit on Valia's right, exchanging places with Narawen.
The elf maiden leaned over to speak softly with Valia. 'What do you think of the fine skills of the archers?'
'They are very impressive,' said Valia, not taking her eyes off the competition field. 'All of them seem to be quite excellent.'
'But you cannot deny that there is one who stands out amidst all the rest can you?'
'I have noticed several who have an amazing ability,' Valia retorted defiantly. She knew who her friend was referring to, but would not give her the pleasure of acknowledging his existence.
'Several!' cried Silia. She lowered her voice again and moved even closer to Valia. 'Come, Valia. Admit it. Prince Legolas is splendid. I do not know why you have taken such a dislike to him.' The comment was rewarded with a shocked expression upon Valia's face.
'Valia, he is a wonderful elf, with good looks and excellent manners.' This time Valia let out a cough as she tried to hold back her immediate reaction to the mention of Legolas' manners. 'Besides,' Silia continued, ignoring her friend, 'he is a prince. What more could any elf maiden wish for in a partner?'
'What more indeed,' Valia mumbled darkly. 'Silia, I do not need you to throw his good points in my face. Do not tell me you exchanged places with my mother only to discuss the fine qualities of Prince Legolas to me, for if you have, your words are lost on deaf ears.'
'Ha,' triumphed Silia with a smug grin of satisfaction on her face. 'You openly admit that he has fine qualities then?'
'You know what I meant.'
'I simply do not see why you throw away the prince's attentions to you with disdain. From what I have heard, you are the only she-elf he has willingly struck up a conversation with. If you would but encourage him a little, you might easily win a husband.'
Valia gripped the armrests of her chair. 'You should not listen to idle gossip, my dear Silia. I do not wish for a husband, especially Prince Legolas,' hissed Valia.
'But he has shown you more attention than any other.'
'It means nothing,' Valia snapped back. 'Lord Elrond requested that I help Prince Legolas with research that his father, King Thranduil, sent him here for. He talks to me because of the work, not because he wishes to.'
'Do not tell me it means nothing. If it meant nothing you would not be reacting the way you are now.'
It took all of Valia's strength to not explode. In a deadly calm voice, she addressed her friend through clenched teeth. 'I do not accept his attentions, nor any others, because of what happened on the journey. I cannot accept anyone's attentions, I will not.'
'Valia,' Silia said with an edge of authority in her voice, 'I give you a cautious warning. We have been friends for many years now. I call on that friendship of old and ask that you will heed my words. Do not be stubborn and hardhearted. What Prince Legolas offers to you should not be regarded lightly, nor thrown away without great thought and contemplation.'
'Enough!' exclaimed Valia. She had been staring out over the archery field and noticed Isondil step forward. 'I appreciate your concerns for me, for I know they come from a sincere heart and a readiness to help those you love, but they would be better spoken at another time. Look, I see Isondil has stepped up for his turn at the target. You will not want to miss seeing his performance.'
It was with great relief that Valia saw Silia quickly turn to her attentions upon the field, and away from her friend. Valia became consumed with her own thoughts, thereby becoming unaware of the tournament as it proceeded.
Was she really hardhearted? True, there had been a time when Valia had wished to fall in love and marry. She had never openly went out in search of a husband as most other maidens had done, but the desire had still been there, buried deep within her heart. She felt certain that the right elf would find her eventually, without her having to go in search of him. She would wait.
And wait was what she did. There had been several who had expressed an interest in her over the years, but she had never felt a deep connection of the heart. So she had gone about her daily life, filled with work at Lord Elrond's library, chores at home, and friends and family.
Then it had happened.
Valia's friends and family had noticed a change in the girl after the event. They knew it was to be expected, but when weeks stretched into months and months into years with no change in her, they had worried. She declared a resolute decision never to marry and had stuck to her choice. Everyone had given up on changing Valia's mind when they saw she was content with her work and daily life.
A hard nudge jolted Valia into the present, forcing her to leave her contemplations for the moment. 'Valia, the twenty-five have just released their arrows. You have not been paying attention.'
Valia glanced at Silia. 'Thank you. I was lost in thought and did not realize the competition had progressed so far.' With a quick sweep of the field with her eyes, Valia noticed that several elves were standing near the targets, judging which three elves would be chosen for the final round that day.
One elf ran away from the targets and towards the platform. Bowing before Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian, he gracefully ascended the stairs and whispered something in Elrond's ear. The elven lord nodded his head and stood.
The twenty-five remaining competitors had assembled in a row before Lord Elrond, and he gazed at each of them, one by one. 'Each of you has demonstrated an excellent skill with the bow, but alas, only three may move on to compete for the prize of naming the Lady of the Stars. Lord Garand, Lord Isondil, Prince Legolas, please step forward.'
The three of them took a step forward and polite applause came from the crowd. 'You have earned the right to compete for the naming of the Lady of the Stars.' An elf came to stand at Elrond's side with three arrows in his hand. Taking them, Elrond walked down the steps and stood before the victors.
He positioned himself before each competitor, looking the elf deep in the eyes and handing him an arrow. When all three were in the hands of the archers, Elrond stepped back and spoke. 'Each of you have proven your skill and gained the respect of all here present. However, only one of you shall receive the honor of choosing the Lady. May whoever proves the most worthy win.'
All three archers placed their hands over their hearts and bowed their heads in deference to Lord Elrond. Then, each took one of their own arrows and shot it at a target to see in what order they would go.
Lord Isondil would shoot first, followed by Lord Garand and then Prince Legolas. Before they began, the target was moved back fifty yards to prepare for the final round. Only the best of archers would be able to hit the center of the mark at such a distance.
Silia involuntarily latched onto Valia's arm when Isondil prepared his bow to shoot. There was a thick tension in the air and everyone was silent, expectantly leaning forward to see the shot.
Notching the arrow Elrond had given him to his bow, Isondil took careful aim. A crisp twang broke the silence as the arrow shot from the bow, followed moments later by a resounding thump. Cheers came from the crowd near the end of the shooting range, seeing that the arrow had nearly hit the center.
Lord Garand came next and proved himself an expert marksman, just like Isondil. His arrow, though a bit farther than Isondil's, had landed close to the center as well.
An excited flush came to Silia's face. 'Do you think Isondil will win?'
Valia looked at her friend with a bemused expression. 'For someone who advocated the exceptional archery skills of Prince Legolas so vehemently to me earlier, you seem to have little faith in your words.'
'You are right. I was being too hopeful. Look at me, I am acting like a silly young maiden.'
'You are a young maiden,' Valia quipped.
'Five thousand years is hardly young.'
'No, perhaps not, but does age matter with our race? You appear to care little that Lord Isondil is older than you.'
'Let us speak no more of this,' said Silia, flustered by the talk of Isondil. 'Prince Legolas is preparing to shoot, and I know you will not wish to miss such an excellent display of archery, even if you will give him no more credit than that.'
Valia and Silia turned their attention back to the field. Legolas had taken up his bow and was testing the resistance of the string. Valia leaned forward and placed her elbows on the railing in front of her, holding her head in her hands. She had heard of Prince Legolas' bow before.
It was a gift from Lady Galadriel, once of Lothlorien. It had accompanied Legolas on the quest to destroy the ring of power and with it, Legolas had slain the steed of one of the flying Nazgul.
The prince now put Elrond's arrow to his bow and pulled the string taunt, taking aim. Quick as lightening, the arrow whizzed through the air when Legolas released it.
There was a collective intake of breath from the spectators and everyone stilled to see where the arrow would hit. It sank into the target with a resounding thump and Valia strained her neck to see if she could tell where the arrow had landed.
Please forgive any spelling errors or grammatical problems. I am trying to write these chapters as fast as possible since everyone is requesting me to get them out so quickly. I use spell check, but I can't catch everything. Sorry!
Did you like it? Did you not? If you review and leave me your email address I can send you a thank you.
Please Review