*Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or any of the characters therein. LOTR and subsequent people and places belong to god (aka J.R.R Tolkien). I simply screw around with his creations because I have an overactive imagination and lots of free time. I do however, own the characters of Amariell, Pellen, Thaleon, and Cä owen. So don't use those guys….or do and just ask me first. Okay, hope you enjoy chapt. 2!!
A chance meeting: 18 years later
Amariell adjusted the position of the bow she held in her hand and drew an arrow from the quiver at her back. She notched the arrow and pulled back, her right hand lightly brushing her cheek, just as she had seen him do so many times before. Keeping her eye focused solely on the target ahead of her, Amariell let the arrow go. It whizzed through the air and landed dead center on the target. With a small smile of satisfaction, Amariell notched another arrow and prepared to shoot again. Just as she brought the bow next to her face, she froze in place as her keen hearing picked up the sound of voices in the woods behind her. Amariell's heart skipped two beats as she realized that the voices were heading her way. Oh no, it can't be them, they don't practice today, Amariell thought to herself. She knew that if she tried to hide now they would hear her for sure. So, she tightened her grip on her bow and turned to face the group of elves she knew would emerge from the woods at any moment. When they did emerged, Amariell drew a deep breath and held it.
Like she expected, each one of the four elves in the group stopped dead in his tracks, drew his bow and notched an arrow with lightening quick speed. All talking amongst the group ceased as they pointing their bows directly at her. Amariell's bow was level with her waist and that is where it stayed, for she did not want to give any of these expert archers a reason to shoot her. She looked over at them, standing no more than ten feet away, and said nothing. She knew she would be asked to state her identity in a second or two.
As if on cue, the fair haired archer in the front of the group spoke. His voice was not angered, rather he spoke with curiosity. "Speak your name, elleth* and tell me what it is that brings you to our secret spot in the woods."
Amariell smiled in spite of herself as she regarded the fair haired elf in front of her. Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood, and ring leader of the group stared back at her in confusion.
"Forgive me, my lord. My name is Amariell and I was just practicing my archery. I did not think that you and your company would be practicing today as well. I did not mean to startle you."
Another fair haired elf, whom Amariell recognized as one of the elves that lived in her vicinity, regarded her with exasperation. "You did not startle us, firieth*. You are not supposed to be here. This is the Prince's private archery spot, off limits to all but whom you see before you."
At the word firieth, Amariell's jaw set hard and she stared at the other elf. She could feel the anger rising in her throat and her grip on her bow tightened.
"Firieth? Pellen, why do you address the lady as such?" Legolas spoke, but his companion did not answer. He simply stared at Amariell.
"Because it is what I am, my lord." Amariell sighed and un-notched her arrow, thinking better of shooting Pellen. The band of archers relaxed their bows as well, at the command of their prince.
"So, you are the mortal who was found along the outskirts of Mirkwood a few years back?" Legolas regarded her with a new wonder and stepped closer to her. "I have always desired to meet the mortal who was raised by elves."
Amariell, taken aback by his statement, said nothing at first. After a moment or so of an uncomfortable silence and the glares from the other elves, Amariell laughed. "A few years, no my lord. I have been here for the whole of my eighteen years. Never once have I seen outside the beauty that is Mirkwood, my home."
At that, Pellen scoffed and replaced his arrow to his quiver. "This is not your home, firieth. You are not an elf, you are a mortal. Mirkwood is not your home."
Legolas shot Pellen a sidelong glance. A hint of annoyance was in his voice as he spoke. "If Mirkwood is all she knows, Pellen, then it is her home. Besides," He turned around and smiled brightly at Amariell. "I believe that Mirkwood is big enough to house both this lovely young maiden and your ego, meldir nin*."
Amariell blushed slightly at her prince's response. Pellen pressed his lips together, but said nothing, continuing to look extremely irritated. Legolas closed the gap between Amariell and himself in one stride. He smiled as he looked her over, his gaze stopping at her intense blue eyes. "Amariell, it is right?" She nodded, holding his blue eyes with her own. "Earth Daughter. It's a very beautiful name. How did your father come upon it, my lady?"
"It seemed the only appropriate name for a baby who was left in the woods. My father said it was almost as if the Earth herself gave me birth and deposited me at the base of the tathar tree for him to find."
"And who is your father, Amariell?"
"His name is Arcollo, my lord. He crafts bows and arrows for a living. He is a simple elf, but he is the only family I have."
Legolas continued to address Amariell. "Well, that would explain how you acquired such a beautifully crafted bow. Your father has true skill, Amariell. It is a rare talent, even amongst the elves, to be able to create such beauty out of wood." He regarded her with puzzlement. "But for a young maiden such as yourself to be interested in archery is also a rare thing. Tell me, does your father approve of you learning this difficult craft?"
Amariell nodded, happy to discuss her passion with an elf she knew appreciated archery as much as she did. "Yes, my lord. In fact, my father encourages it." She shot an angered look at Pellen, who had come now to stand behind his prince. "Most of my peers have been quite inhospitable toward me after they have discovered my identity as that of a firieth," Amariell put emphasis on the Sindarin word, just as Pellen had when he first spoke to her. He glanced at her now, from behind Legolas, and then looked quickly away, his flawless complexion suddenly becoming red at his cheeks. In her mind Amariell smiled triumphantly, but her outward countenance remained unchanged.
She spoke again to Legolas, whom she noticed was smiling slightly at her bold verbal remark to Pellen. "My father believes that if I try and pick up some of the skills of an elf, I may become more accept by my peers. Also, I find archery to be quite a challenge and there is nothing I love more than a challenge, my lord. Keeps the mind sharp."
Legolas nodded approvingly. "That it does, Amariell." He looked over her shoulder to the target leaning up against a tree some distance away, her arrow stuck in the center of it. He let out a laugh and returned his gaze to her. "And I see that you are having no trouble overcoming this challenge. Please, my I see you shoot?"
Amariell's jaw dropped slightly and behind Legolas, Pellen let out an exasperated sigh. "But Legolas, we came here to practice. Your father wants you back at the palace before nightfall. We have wasted too much time as it is with this-"
Legolas turned to his friend and regarded him sternly, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Her name is Amariell, but you will address her in the proper manner as my lady." Pellen swallowed hard and dared not interrupt his prince. Legolas continued. "Furthermore, I do not feel that I am wasting my time here. I came to practice and I will. Amariell, if she so chooses, may stay and practice with us as well. If you do not like these arrangements, Pellen, you may return to the palace and find something else to occupy your precious time."
Pellen nodded curtly and turned to face Amariell. His tone was civil, but his look was not. "Forgive me, my lady." Amariell nodded. Pellen then smirked. "It will be interesting to see how well you do against some of the finest archers in Mirkwood."
Amariell smiled at Pellen confidently. "Are you challenging me, Master Pellen? Do you wish to see how years of practice and observation have paid off for this mortal woman? Or do you believe that archery can only truly be mastered by the elves alone?"
He didn't answer her, instead he reached behind him and pulled an arrow from his quiver. Notching it he turned to Legolas and spoke to him. "If you would be so kind as to step out of the way, my lord. I would very much like to teach Amariell that archery is not just a skill, but a way of life for the elves. A way of life that she could not possibly understand because she isn't one."
Legolas's face tightened slightly in anger and he was about to chastise his friend when Amariell held up her hand and waved him off. Legolas looked at her, a bit surprised that she would so boldly silence him like that. But it was her boldness that intrigued him. He listened intently as she spoke, a smile spreading across his face. "Please, my lord. Let him endeavor to teach me his lessons. Pellen will be most surprised to find that he will be eating his words in a few moments."
At that Pellen scoffed and waited for Amariell to notch her own arrow and stand beside him. "So, Master Pellen, how do you wish to be beaten? Shall I let you go first or shall we shoot at the same time?"
"Your confidence in your skill is impressive, my lady. We shall shoot at the same time." Amariell nodded and positioned her body. She planted her feet apart, her left foot slightly in front of her right, and drew back her right hand so that it lightly brushed her cheek.
"On three." She waited for Legolas to begin the count, her eyes fixed on the target in front of her. After three, Amariell let the arrow go. It whizzed through the air, with not a sound and landed expertly in the middle of the target, splitting her other arrow down the center. There was a soft murmur from the rest of the elves as they viewed the results. Amariell let her breath out, realizing that she had been holding it the whole time. She turned on her heels and gazed at Legolas, taking a huge comfort in the fact that he was beaming brightly.
"Most impressive, Amariell. And you as well, Pellen. You both have found your targets." Legolas nodded past her to the two targets leaning against the trees in the distance. Amariell spun around and looked at Pellen's target, his arrow sticking out from the center as well. She let out an exasperated groan and turned to face Pellen.
He looked at her, smirked, and inclined his head. "Well done, my lady. I must admit that I, too, am quite impressed with your skills. Alas, it appears that we both hit the center of the target. Would you care for a rematch? Perhaps something a bit harder?"
Amariell narrowed her eyes at him. "Like what?"
"A moving target perhaps? Say, a piece of fruit from my sack tossed up into the air by one of my companions? You do know how to hit a moving target do you not, my lady?"
Amariell did not answer him. Instead she bit her lower lip and wrung her bow with her hands nervously. Pellen nodded happily and turned to his prince, who was looking at Amariell, his brow furrowed. "Yes, well, as I thought." Pellen remarked, sarcastically.
Legolas ignored his friend and placed his hand lightly upon Amariell's shoulder. He noticed, with interest, how she stiffened slightly at the contact. "If you do not know how to shoot at a moving target, I will be more than happy to teach you, my lady. Despite what you may have heard, even I was not born knowing how to shoot a bow and arrow. It takes a lot of practice and you will learn, but only eventually."
Amariell looked deep into Legolas's blue eyes and found that she wanted nothing more than to leap into his strong arms and for him to hold her forever. She had been watching Prince Legolas, Mirkwood's finest archer, come to this spot for almost a year now. Each time promising herself that the next time she came out here, she would introduce herself to this elf, the only elf she had ever found attractive. Legolas was unlike any elf Amariell had ever encountered. Even watching him from a distance, crouched behind a tree or rock, she could feel his energy. He was a strong elf, a kind elf, and also, Amariell thought, the most beautiful creature she had ever laid eyes upon. Now he offered to teach her his skills, the only other thing she wanted from him besides his loving embrace. One thing at a time Amariell, she thought to herself.
"I would be honored if you would teach me what you know, my lord. I can think of nothing else that would bring me greater pleasure than to be your pupil." Amariell replied, bowing slightly.
Legolas beamed at her. "And I can think of nothing I would rather do, Amariell, than teach you what I know. But it will not be easy because I will require a lot from you. Everyday we will meet and practice, not just archery, but meditations that go hand in hand with archery. Are you willing to stick with this until I feel that you are ready to go off on your own?" He sounds like my father, Amariell thought. Her father had taught her as much as he knew about archery, but it was limited. Although he was a crafter of bows and arrows, he was not very skilled in their use.
Amariell's eyes sparkled with joy as she nodded. "I promise to devote every waking hour to learning archery, my lord. I will do whatever it is that you ask of me."
Legolas nodded approvingly. "Good. Than your first lesson will start right now." He turned to Pellen, who watched the exchange between his prince and Amariell without so much as a word. "Pellen, I believe you offered a piece of fruit from your sack. Kindly take it out and toss it into the air so that I may begin Amariell's first lesson."
Pellen nodded and walked over to his sack, which he had tossed to the ground upon seeing Amariell. He reached inside and took out a bright red piece of fruit. He called to his two companions who, until then, had watched the situation unfold silently.
"Take out the fruit that you brought. We're going to need a lot more than what I have." The two elves complied and handed over all the fruit that they had brought with them to Pellen.
Pellen then walked back to Legolas and Amariell. The two elves followed him and removed their bows from their backs. Legolas took an arrow from his quiver and prepared to notch it. Looking over at Amariell, he indicated his companions. "Forgive me for not introducing you to my friends, Amariell." He held his bow and arrow in one hand, using the other to indicate the other elves.
He pointed first to an elf that was not as tall as the others, but whose eyes were as green as the grass beneath their feet. His long, golden tresses were in tiny braids at his temples, and his features were chiseled. He was not as beautiful as Legolas, Amariell concluded, but he was good looking in the way that all elves were. "This is Thaleon. He is very skilled with a bow and arrow, but his true passion lies in his daggers."
Thaleon laughed at that and inclined his head. "Lady Amariell."
Amariell bowed in response and then shifted her gaze to the elf standing next to Thaleon. Unlike the others, this one had hair as brown as Amariell's. He did not have it tied back in any way, rather it spilled like a waterfall over his slender shoulders. His eyes were a deep brown, with flecks of gold, and they sparkled when he moved his head.
Legolas motioned to his companion. "This is Cä owen. He does not like weapons of any kind, yet he accompanies us to the archery range day in and day out."
Cä owen laughed. "I accompany you, Legolas, because I have nothing else better to do." He turned his sparkling gaze on Amariell and bowed slightly. "My Lady."
Legolas brow furrowed. "And here I am thinking it's because of the company." The elves laughed lightly, while Amariell just looked on and smiled.
Finally, Legolas suggested they get on with Amariell's first lesson. He turned toward Pellen and indicated the piece of fruit he held in his hand. "On my signal, Pellen." He said.
Pellen nodded and cocked back his arm. He looked over to his prince, who was in his archery stance and waited for Legolas to give the go ahead. When Legolas nodded, Pellen threw the piece of fruit as high into the air as his skill would allow. He then turned to Legolas, whom, at that exact moment, let his arrow go. The company watched in silence as the arrow sliced through the air, met the piece of fruit and perforated it. The pierced fruit feel toward the ground, landing on the other side of the large clearing, lost amongst the trees.
The company burst out in cheers, congratulating their prince on his skill. Legolas nodded at them, having done this so many times before. He knew how they would react, but he wanted to see the reaction from the newest member of their company. He turned to where Amariell stood, agape, her eyes still searching for the piece of fruit. Legolas beamed and Amariell turned to face him.
"That was perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever seen, my lord. How….?" She couldn't even finish the sentence she was so amazed. Legolas and the rest of his companions just laughed.
"I have been doing this for millennia, Amariell. And please, call me Legolas. I will teach you what I know and with any luck, you will become as good as I."
"I do not know if that is possible, Legolas." The name sounded foreign on her tongue, even though she had been repeating his name over and over in her mind for almost a year. Saying his name out loud made it even more beautiful.
He smiled at her and took the other piece of fruit from Pellen's hand. "Now it's your turn."
The company practiced their archery for a few more hours and as the day grew into night, Legolas regarded Amariell. "I would be honored if you would join me in the palace tonight for supper."
Amariell, who was just about to shoot her arrow, started and the arrow shot from her hand, landing only a few hundred feet in front of her. She whirled on him and cursed in Elvish. "You of all elves should know its most impolite to talk while one is endeavoring to take a shot."
Legolas tilted his head at her and Amariell could make out the beginnings of a smile playing on the corners of his lips. "So, is that a yes or a no?"
Amariell regained her composure and smiled. "I would be honored to sit at your table for supper tonight, Legolas."
He nodded, swung his bow over his shoulder and picked up his pack. "Excellent, I will pick you up at your home an hour after we return to the palace."
Amariell sputtered. "An…an hour? Legolas, it is quite obvious you have not had many dealings with the opposite gender." At this, Legolas regarded her, dumbfounded. The others in the company, who had been gathering their things as well, stopped and also regarded Amariell with surprise. No one dared say anything. Amariell continued on as if she didn't notice their looks. "I will require at least two hours to ready myself."
All Legolas could do was nod. She was unlike anything he had ever encountered. She was brass, yet beautiful and Legolas found himself wanting nothing more than to spend as much time with her as was possible. Amariell smiled at his nod and started off in the direction of her home.
"I will see you in a couple of hours then." She threw over he shoulder as she walked away.
The company of elves stared at her back in silence as she departed.
*elleth: Sindarin for maiden
*firieth: Sindarin for mortal woman; derogatory
*meldir nin: Sindarin for my (nin) friend (meldir; masculine form)
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