Chapter 25: Showing off
Seven walked over to the archery practice, Legolas following. "That was a good shot." The arrow was only a few centimeters from the center of the target. If Legolas weren't there, she might have said something about the shot being more accident than skill, but she did not want to criticize in front of someone the boys would consider a role model. While his aim was better than most of the boys, he did not practice sufficiently to aim well.
"You know me, Lady Seven! If anyone can do it, I can!" The boy was practically beaming with the attention.
Seven leaned close to Legolas and whispered to him, "I think he requires some humbling. They compete for each other's chores. In his state of mind, he will probably insist on a week's worth of chores from his companions."
Legolas grinned at that. "Might I do the honors?"
Seven nodded, then turned back to the boy. "Can you make the shot again?" She knew full well the first had been an isolated event.
The boy nodded, still cocky, and fitted an arrow to the string. Taking careful aim, he shot, but the arrow fell low and to the side of the target. There were three concentric rings on the target, and his landed near the outside of the second rather than the small center ring. He lowered his bow, frustrated. He would not have cared if Legolas had not been there, but his aim had failed when he tried to show off.
"Might I have a chance?" Legolas asked.
The boy nodded, in awe of the Elf. He moved away so Legolas could approach the line in the dirt that the boys used to gauge their distance. Legolas pulled from his shoulder the bow he'd received from Galadriel in the war. Without stepping closer, Legolas drew an arrow and fired in a smooth motion. He was nearly twice as far away from the target as the boys usually stood. Before the boys realized he had hit nearly dead center, he fired another arrow, which landed just above the center of the target. He fired a third arrow that went a centimeter low.
"Perhaps I might have a shot?" Seven asked.
"Lady Seven?" The children all looked at her, confused. She never practiced in their presence. She did not want to encourage the girls to follow her example. She did not disapprove of them practicing, but their parents would, and it would cause dissention in their families. The boys would also give the girls a very difficult time if they tried to learn.
"May I borrow a bow?" The boys hesitated, then one started to hand he his, but Legolas stopped him with a raised hand and handed her the Lothlórien bow.
Seven bent the bow experimentally. It was extremely well made and much more powerful than the practice bows the boys were using. She would have to be careful not to overpower her shot. Legolas handed her an arrow. She took just a moment to aim, then hit the exact center of the target. She held out her hand for another arrow, and Legolas handed one to her. Taking just a moment to aim, she fired. The arrow split the arrow the boy had shot into the second circle earlier. She handed the bow back to Legolas as the children gaped.
Seven heard clapping from behind her. She turned to see Éowyn and Faramir watching. Éowyn walked to Seven. "It's about time someone showed them up. They've been getting entirely too cocky."
A girl, about ten years old, walked over. "Lady Seven, can I ask something?" Seven nodded. "When did you learn to shoot? I didn't think girls ever got to learn to shoot."
Seven smiled slightly. A year ago, the smile would have been awkward, but now it came almost naturally. "I fought in the war. It was not common for women to fight, but not unheard of. Now I practice just to show up cocky boys." She raised her voice on the last sentence and the boys dropped their heads in a show of partially false humility.
The girl scampered off and Faramir greeted Legolas. "It's good to see you again, Legolas."
"And you, too, Lord Faramir."
"Would you like to share a—" Faramir trailed off, smiling down at the girl, who had retrieved Legolas' arrows.
Éowyn smiled. "I think you have an admirer, my lord." The girl handed Legolas the arrows, almost petrified looking up at the Elf. He replaced them in his quiver, but the child continued to stare at him. Chuckling, he turned back to the target and fired a single arrow. It landed exactly in the center of the target, quivering with the force of the shot. He lowered the bow and she scampered over to retrieve the arrow, but it was too deeply embedded for her small hands to pull out. Legolas walked over and pulled it out and replaced it in his quiver, then patted her shoulder before walking back to the others.
"They haven't been as excited since the last time Gandalf was here," Éowyn said. "He put on a fireworks show for them. The boys are getting a little better at their archery, but they don't take it seriously enough. Good shots like the one you saw are more accident than the result of effective practice. Perhaps this will encourage them to try harder. Shall we share a welcome cup?"
Seven glanced down at herself, remembering that she was still dressed for gardening. "Perhaps you would excuse me. I would like to change my clothes before lunch. I will join you shortly."
"Of course, Seven," Éowyn laughed. "I'm sorry. Please, go ahead."
The others agreed, and Seven slipped off to clean up. She got back just in time for lunch and sat beside Legolas for the meal. Legolas divided his attention between Seven and Faramir, but he spent much of the meal discussing plans for the Elven community with Faramir. Seven listened attentively, making a list in her mind of what would need to be done. She would have time alone with Legolas later.
Seven was concentrating on the planning, so she was surprised when Faramir asked Legolas, "And when should we plan a wedding?" Legolas looked over at her, realizing she had been caught off guard. He watched her, waiting for a signal from her.
Faramir spoke, "I see you haven't had a chance to discuss it yourselves. When you decide, let me know." Seven nodded, glad to not have to come up with an answer just then. The question had surprised her. Everyone realized Seven had been caught off guard, so they kept the conversation light for the rest of the meal..