Author's Note: Hi everyone & thanks for reading! I wanted to let you know the inspiration for this chapter. I was influenced by the great fight scene in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' between Michelle Yeoh & Ziyi Zhang where they fight with swords (mainly) and any other available weapons within a large, flagstone-floored training room.

I hope you enjoy it. Please drop me a line when you finish. I absolutely LOVE receiving reviews!

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Chapter 15 – SYNERGY

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Taelyra sat with her legs folded beneath her, palms pressed against one another in front of her chest, fingers pointed upwards at her chin. She had a remarkably calm expression. Her breathing was deep and even, she radiated tranquility.

Gracefully she stood, unfolding herself in one fluid movement. Taelyra looked across the fighting area at Kieran who stood in full armour with his sword in hand. Placing the helmet on her head, she pulled her sword from its scabbard. Both Elves looked to their father who stood with Rumil on the dais, watching.

Daintáro nodded to them. "Begin."

Taelyra strode towards her brother, who raised his sword in readiness. She swung fully at him; Artanis humming as it cut through the air ringing out loudly as it met Kieran's sword. He blocked the blow but had to take a step back from the impact.

Haldir and the other Elves heard the ringing of the steel from across the brook. They all turned their heads simultaneously towards the sound and then turned to look at each other questioningly. Hearing the subsequent clashing, they could not contain their curiousity and ran across the bridge, following the sounds of fighting to the wide, flag-stoned courtyard.

Haldir and his comrades stopped at the edge of the stone floor, watching the two Elves parry with lightning quick speed.

Taelyra was aggressively pushing Kieran back with her thrusts and blows. Kieran was inching backwards slowly while blocking her strikes. She brought a two-handed slice around but he deflected it. The metal clanged as he ran his sword down the length of hers, spinning Taelyra away. He took advantage of the moment and began his offensive.

Kieran struck swiftly and Taelyra was forced to defend. Stepping back and losing ground as Kieran drove her back towards the dais. She stumbled as her foot hit the small step and she fell upon the platform. Haldir reflexively took a step forward onto the floor, ready to cross it and help Taelyra up. Rumil saw Haldir's movement and raised his hand, signalling him to wait.

Kieran had practised too long with his sister to think that the fight was over. Taelyra lay upon the steps but brought Artanis up swiftly to block his strike at her head. He had all the momentum and leverage over her as she lay beneath him, but she held strong. Kieran pressed harder but she held him off. Slowly, subtly, everyone in the courtyard felt a low hum that seemed to be emanating from Taelyra's sword. She had closed her eyes, the tranquil look returning to her features. Sweat began to bead on Kieran's brow.

No one was sure if there was an actual clap of thunder or if they just imagined it but suddenly Kieran was flying back through the air. He landed hard on the floor and rolled up onto one knee. He still held his sword but he was breathing hard as he rose slowly to his feet.

Taelyra sprang back upright from the dais and walked as gracefully and powerfully as a large cat towards him. Artanis hummed with energy and seemed to have assumed a will of its own.

Daintáro smiled subtly and nodded approvingly. Rumil grinned with delight. The Lorien Elves all shook their heads slightly, trying to understand what they had seen.

Kieran and Taelyra began circling each other, preparing to clash again. Kieran appeared slightly winded while Taelyra looked coiled and ready to pounce, like a panther on its prey. Kieran struck first. He used both hands to strike powerfully driving his sister towards the corner where Haldir and his Guards stood watching. Taelyra was blocking strongly but she was being forced back and Haldir fought the impulse to take the floor again to help her. In his heart he believed in her abilities and his innate elvish curiousity wanted to see what she was capable of.

Kieran forced Taelyra back further. She staggered slightly. Kieran took a broad, powerful swing at her and she arched backwards, to avoid his blow. His sword passed over her; she could feel the breeze pass across her face from its momentum. As she straightened, she pushed the helmet off her head and it clanged to the floor. She wanted to be free of the weight of it and her vision completely unobstructed.

She made a thrust that he deflected. She spun around and struck a powerful blow at him. She continued spinning, raining strikes down on Kieran. The observers blinked, as they thought they saw sparks fly off the clashing swords.

Taelyra made one final spin. Her momentum was so great that as she whirled towards Kieran she became air borne. She grasped Artanis with both hands and brought down a blow so powerful Kieran could only brace himself for the impact. Artanis sliced Kieran's sword clean through. The point of the blade careened across the stone floor, clattering to a halt at the feet of the Lorien audience. Taelyra landed gracefully to face Kieran who stood with the broken weapon in his hand.

His face broke into a grin. "Well done," he laughed and nodded respectfully to his younger sister, his mighty opponent.

Taelyra bowed, accepting his capitulation with inner delight. She could sense Artanis' energy coursing up her arm, making her shoulder tingle as its power flowed through her. The sword's vitality went as far as her heart, making her feel indomitable.

Daintáro strode down from the platform, clapping. "Well fought!" he declared, "Both of you. Very well played."

Haldir crossed the courtyard to join them. He, nor any of the Lorien spectators, could disguise their amazement at Taelyra's skills.

"Nicely done, Taelyra."

Taelyra beamed at him. Her eyes darted over to the Elves that had joined him. She had not realized there was an audience. Smiling modestly she told them, "Our fighting style must seem most strange to you."

"Strange but not unwelcome," a voice called out from the nearby trees.

The Lord Celeborn stepped forward onto the courtyard floor.

"Now I understand completely what you were trying to tell me, Taelyra," he continued. "Artanis has a will of its own and in melding with your own energies and skills you combine to become one weapon. A powerful one."

Haldir frowned slightly, he was not sure he liked hearing Taelyra referred to as 'a weapon'.

Taelyra smiled at the compliment and bowed her head respectfully to Celeborn. "Your Lordship, fate has deemed that I should be Artanis' Wielder. It is at this dark time that Artanis has risen again to help our peoples unite and overcome the approaching Evil. We will fight this menace and lead our people to a great victory. We will protect the freedom of Middle Earth."

A strange, cold feeling suddenly encircled Haldir's heart. It was foreign and unpleasant, although he had a vague memory of having felt this way long ago. Was this fear? He hadn't felt it since he was very young. As a child facing the impending loss of his beloved mother.

How could he have been so blind? Fallen in love so impetuously. With the woman who would lead the Teleri forces against the Dark Army of Mordor. Were they both doomed in this battle for Middle Earth?

Taelyra was looking up at him questioningly. To her, it seemed as if a dark cloud had passed across his features shrouding him in doubt and pessimism.

He tried to compose himself and smiled at her reassuringly. She was the most incredible elf. She was unconvinced by his smile. A sad look passed over her face briefly as the group broke up.

The Lorien Elves were talking excitedly with Kieran and Rumil; they were planning to spar together. Celeborn and Daintáro strolled off down a wooded path, deep in conversation. Taelyra walked off alone into the woods. Haldir watched her go from the courtyard floor.