"Are you planning on staying here or going back?"
Sydney turned to look at Evanithan as they walked through the market. He had been only a young Elfling at about seventy when Sydney had left but had been close to each other. She was amazed that the young, gangly, awkward elf-boy that she had left behind was now a mature, lithe, powerful elf-man.
"I do not really know. It is kind of up in the air right now. My parents are planning to travel to Valinor and once they are gone I do not have anything to keep me here," she said as she looked at some fruit.
Picking out a few things, she paid the vendor before slipping the fruit into her basket. Evanithan and she continued to walk and joke through the market enjoying each other's company as a servant moved through the crowd towards Sydney.
"Lady Sydney?"
"Yes? I am Lady Sydney," she replied as she looked to the servant.
"Mithrandir would like to speak with you in the library. He requests that you come immediately."
"Thank you," she replied before the servant turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"If you will please pardon me Evanithan, Mithrandir has requested to speak with me," she said with a small curtsy.
He bowed and Sydney turned away and walked towards the palace. For some odd reason that she wouldn't even try to decipher, she had decided to wear a dress that day. It was about as dressed up as she would ever get voluntarily. It was a dark red dress, almost to the color of magenta but one of her favorites. She started to curse her decision when she tried to lengthen her stride to hurry but found unable to because of the dress. With a sigh of frustration, she pulled up the edge of the dress and quickly climbed the stairs to the main building. Entering the building through one of the many entrances, she walked towards the library where the servant said that Gandalf was waiting. Seeing the door partially open, she knocked and pushed the door open to walk in.
"Ah Sydney! Just the Elf I wanted to see," Gandalf said as he picked up his travel bag.
"You wished to see me Gandalf?" she asked looking between Gandalf and Elrond.
"Yes I did Sydney. An emergency council has been called by the Istari and I will be gone for a week or two. If you still wish to train then Elrond will be able to assist you," he said as he walked out the library and Sydney followed.
"Of course Gandalf," she said as she followed him through the corridors.
Sydney stood on top of the steps beside Elrond as they both watched Gandalf mount a horse and ride away.
"You do realize the risk you are taking by saying you will help train me," she said without looking over at him.
"Yes but Mithrandir has assured me that you are in much better control than before. I shall hold that to you and trust his words," he replied and turned to walk into the palace. "When you wish to train do not hesitate to find me."
Sydney turned to watch him leave as she sighed deeply. She knew that the Elf-lord still did not fully trust her and she understood why. Elves could be very private and protective of their past and memories and Sydney had inadvertently barged into them without knowing. Long after Elrond forgave her, if he ever fully did, she would never forgive herself for her actions. She had seen one of his most guarded memories meant for only him and one other long gone to know. She struggled to remember a saying she had heard while she was Charleston.
"What was it...Ah yes…'Three can keep a secret if two are dead'," she snorted to herself as she turned to walk into the palace.
Sydney started to walk towards Elrond's library that was one of the best and most extensive in Middle-Earth. She smiled to herself just imagining the multitudes of books she could read. Maybe she could find a good biography on Isildur, or maybe a history of the dwarves.
"Sydney!"
Or maybe she should find a book written by Bilbo Baggins, or even better, a book on dragons.
"Sydney!"
A hand on her arm jerked her from her thoughts, causing her head to snap up and look at her captive.
"What in the hell do you want Elrohir?" she asked, peeved that he interrupted her thoughts about books.
"Do you always show such rudeness to a member of the royal family?" he asked amused.
"It's in my blood, I can't help it. Now what can I do for you; seeing how you have stopped me on my way to the library," she said, looking down at his hand on her arm.
"Come with me. I need your help on a small matter."
"And what would this small matter include?" she asked following him down the hall.
"Keeping a certain patient in bed so he can heal," he said as they both stopped in a doorway.
Sydney looked in to see an obstinate Legolas practically being held down in bed. Elladan looked more frustrated than Sydney ever thought he could be. She held back a snort of laughter as she watched the battle of wills between the two warriors. The two gazes turned to her and she almost jumped at the intensity.
"Is this why you drug me here? To watch two males go at it in a battle of wills. I have better things to do with my time."
"Sydney please lend your aid. Legolas' leg is not fully healed and yet he still wishes to leave his bed," Elladan said as Legolas rolled his eyes.
"Elladan I am fine and perfectly well enough to walk. I do not need to remain any longer in bed," he said impatiently as Elladan turned to look at Elrohir and Sydney pleadingly.
"Sydney, do something please," Elrohir said exasperatedly.
"And what would you have me do?"
"I do not know. Something, anything! I am growing tired of his whining," Elladan said in annoyance.
Sydney watched Elladan amused, knowing how rare it was that he ever got frustrated or annoyed. Looking at Legolas who looked defiantly at all of them she sighed almost painfully and wished she was anywhere but there.
"Both of you owe me after this," she muttered as she walked past the twins to stand next to the bed.
Looking down at the elf on the bed, her eyes narrowed slightly at the haughty look in his eyes. It was the same in Charleston as it was here, she got pissed off when someone underestimated her and didn't show at least a little respect to her. And he was doing both.
"Will you stay in bed and rest, or will I have to force you physically?" she asked offering him a choice.
"I would never disobey a lady's word but I am intent on leaving this bed, one way or the other."
"Then it shall be the other. Your pride leads you into trouble young one. Yet the strongest and wisest warrior understands when he must submit and heal from wounds," she said wisely as she gently rested her hand on his shoulder. "And this is what you should and shall do."
Legolas realized what she intended to do at the last moment and tried to pull away suddenly. Sydney tightened her grip and dug her thumb into the pressure point causing him to slump back onto the bed. Pulling the sheet over him she turned away and moved past Elladan and Elrohir.
"There, I have solved your problem for you."
Not waiting for any reply, Sydney left the room and started towards the library once more. Reaching the massive doors she grasped the door handle and started to pull it open before stopping herself. She knew very well that she couldn't go into the library in the mood she was in. Reading would be nearly impossible seeing how her concentration was jumping in every possible direction. Muttering curses to herself, she pulled away and walked towards her home. She knew exactly how to relieve this stress that built up inside her.
Lord Elrond strolled down the halls of Imladris and nodded greetings to other elves. For once he had no urgent business to see to, no ambassadors from distant lands to entertain, and no one in need of a healer. He smiled to himself before his pace slowed as his ears picked up a distinct sound. Curious, he followed the sounds and eventually came to the training rooms which were rarely if ever used anymore. Finding the room that the noise came from, he pressed his palm against the door and slowly pushed it open. Standing in the doorway he watched the figure twirl the slim wooden pole around the small and lithe body. Stepping past the doorway he allowed the door to swing shut behind him, alerting his presence to the person. The person spun to face the intruder and Elrond was only slightly shocked to see Sydney.
"My lord," she said as she bowed slightly to him.
"You look quite different Lady Sydney," he commented as Sydney looked down at her attire.
Sydney was wearing a pair of black leggings and a gray sports bra. Her hair was pulled back in a small stubby ponytail which was failing in its purpose. Several strands were plastered to her flushed face from practicing for several hours. Personally, she was mortified that the lord had found her like this but she sucked up her pride and forced it into a corner.
"Yes well, I can only train when I am comfortable and this is comfortable for me," she motioned towards her clothes that she brought from Charleston.
"Train? There is no one here for you to train with," Elrond replied glancing around the large spacious room.
"Pardon my bluntness lord but I dislike having to pull my blows for someone not experienced in fighting. And I also hate someone pulling their blows for me assuming that I can not handle them," she said honestly.
"Then my next question would be: would you like a sparring partner?"
Totally un-elf like and un-lady like, Sydney's jaw dropped in shock. "Pardon?"
Elrond chuckled at her response and was even slightly shocked at his own offer. It had been ages since he had sparred with anyone and the thought was somewhat enticing.
"Would you like a sparring partner?"
"Surely you are not serious my lord," Sydney stammered, shocked that the elf-lord actually asked.
"Are you scared?"
Elrond knew exactly what kind of reaction his question would evoke. Sydney's eyes hardened slightly as she held the elf-lord's gaze.
"Not unless you are my lord," she answered coolly, seeing him smirk at her comment.
"I shall return then in a moment."
He turned and left the training room leaving Sydney with the sudden urge to slam her head against the wall. She could not believe that she was about to spar with the elf-lord and was starting to seriously consider herself to be quite mad. Moving to the side of the room, she poured herself a goblet of water and drank a bit to sooth her throat. Replacing the goblet next to the pitcher, she attempted to pull her hair back once more into a ponytail. Disgusted with her hair and its incompliancy she turned her attention back to her simple weapon and moved to the center of the room. If she was going to spar with the elf-lord then she needed all her concentration focused for she knew that it was not going to be easy. After only a few minutes Sydney heard the door open again and she opened her eyes to watch Elrond. He hand changed into a pair of simple leggings and a sleeveless tunic and his hair had the warrior braids at his temples. Sydney showed no reaction as he set his blades upon the table but on the inside she was starting to doubt her choice.
Elrond picked up one of the spare sparring poles and easily twirled it around him as he loosened his wrists. Walking towards her, Elrond watched Sydney and noted her calm face. Sydney, however, feared that she may well just go ahead and kill herself to get it over with. She no longer saw the healer, father, foster-father, and an aged and wise elf-lord but now the only thing before her was a warrior. A very well-trained, experienced and deadly elf warrior.
"Ready?" he asked as he stood a few feet from her.
'NO!' her mind screamed. "Bring it on," she verbally replied.
Sydney barely saw the lord's move towards her and barely had enough time to block his blow. Only one conscious fact ran through her mind as they battled. And that was she was in way over her pointed little ears.
Elladan ran through the halls of Imladris as he sprinted towards Legolas' room. Almost knocked the door off its hinges he stared at Elrohir.
"Elrohir, you have to come quick!"
Elrohir looked at his twin brother amused as he sat back in his chair. He had been reading as he watched over Legolas to make sure he didn't wake and attempt to get out of bed.
"Can you not see I am keeping watch over Legolas?"
"He will not go anywhere and this is far more important!"
"And what is that my dear brother?"
"Ada is fighting Sydney!"
Elrohir knocked over his chair in his scramble to follow his brother's retreating back. The twins raced down the hallway shocking the other elves that strolled through the halls. Elrohir was pressed to keep up with his twin and keep him in sight.
"What do you mean by Ada is fighting Sydney?" he yelled trying to grasp the meaning of Elladan's words.
"I mean what my words mean!"
Elrohir rounded the corner and almost crashed into his brother. Elladan slowly opened the door and stuck his head slowly between the doors. Elrohir thumped his brother on the head and pushed him down a bit to lean over his brother to look over him. The sharp crack was almost painful to elven ears as the twins watched the battle of skills.
Both Elrond and Sydney glistened with sweat as they performed the intricate dance with the strong but slim poles. The poles were almost a blur but the sound of them connecting was very clear and distinct. The edge of Elrond's pole swept down towards Sydney's feet in one fluid motion intending to trip her. Sydney leapt up and almost seemed to float over Elrond's head to land softly behind him. Elrond's arm swept out as he spun using the pole as an extension of his arm and almost caught Sydney across the face. She bent backwards at an amazing angle to escape the pole and forced herself onto a compromising position. She couldn't save her balance and footing and fell flat on her back. Grabbing Elrond's pole with one hand she yanked him towards her and planted her feet into his stomach. She launched him over her as she held on tightly to the pole and jerked it towards her. Continuing to role over her shoulder, she straddled Elrond's stomach resting on her knees as she pressed her pole under his jaw and against his throat to tip his head back.
"Lle lava?" she panted and flicked her hair away from her eyes.
"Amin lava," he replied, feeling out of breath himself.
Releasing the pressure on the lord's throat, she stood up and offered her hand to help him from the ground. They had been sparring nonstop for some time and both had acquired several bruises as proof. Sydney had a nasty bruise on her lower back and upper arm from Elrond's pole when she didn't move quickly enough to avoid his blows. Elrond wore a bruise along the left side of his jaw when Sydney had caught him off guard and punched him. Sydney braced her hands on her knees and glanced over towards the door.
"Both of you may come in if you wish. No need to lurk by the door."
Elrond chuckled as the two dark haired heads peeked around the corner. The door opened further and allowed the twins entrance as they slowly walked in. Sydney looked at Elrond as she straightened up.
"They are your sons. You deal with them for spying," she said and walked to the side to get a drink.
"What do you two need my sons?" he asked, leaning against his pole.
"Nothing Ada, we wish to watch though," Elladan said and Elrohir nodded his agreement.
"It is fine by me. Lady Sydney?" Elrond asked as he turned to look at Sydney.
"It is of no concern to me just as they remain out of the way, she replied as she leaned her pole against the wall.
"You may rest assured Sydney, we have no desire to be caught in the middle of you and father."
The twins looked at each other and moved to sit next to the table by the wall. Both were eager to watch their father spar, seeing how neither had actually ever seen him battle or spar for that matter. Glorfindel was the one that was responsible for training the twins when they were younger and they sparred with each other when they grew older. This would be an enlightening experience for them, especially when they saw their father pull out his blades.
"Sydney," Elrond called as he slowly walked to the center of the room.
She turned and saw his pair of blades in his hands as her face fell to a stony mask. With a slight twitch at the corner of her eye, Sydney reached her hand out and grasped her blades from the table. As she held his gaze, she walked towards him slowly and grasped her blades comfortably. Stopping a few feet away from Elrond, she crossed her blades in front of her chest as did Elrond. Holding their positions for a moment's breath, they lowered their blades and prepared to battle. Sydney lunged at Elrond and thrust with one blade as he blocked it and moved with his other blade. Blocking it, Sydney's head snapped forward and slammed against Elrond's to knock him away from her. Just as he stumbled back a few steps, she spun and struck out with her foot to kick him at the center of his chest. As he stumbled back, one of his arms reached out and dragged the edge of his blade down Sydney's outstretched thigh and sliced though the leggings to the flesh. Her small cry was the only sound she made as she pressed her fist against the slash and stepped away from Elrond. Gritting her teeth, Sydney straightened and warily eyed the elf-lord as she waited for his next move. He thrust a blade towards her and she spun tightly to the side aligning herself to his side. Wrapping her leg around his, she offset his balance and let him fall to the floor. Just as he fell, she ran her blade along his side to leave a slash under his rubs. Surprising her, he brought up his other arm and struck the backside of her knee to bring her to her to the knee that he struck. Sydney rolled to the side and spun as she stepped up to one knee as Elrond advanced on her. She crossed her blades above her head and caught his one blade before pushing him away with a slight grunt of effort. Stepping up to one foot, her other came up and kicked the blade out of Elrond's right hand. Taking a few steps back, she caught it before throwing it towards the wall to bury it in a few feet above the twin's head. Turning back to Elrond, she couldn't avoid the neat slash across her stomach as he sliced just enough for it to bleed slightly and run down her stomach.
Elladan looked from the blade above his head and then to his twin. Both of their eyes were wide as they looked again to the quivering blade before looking back to the two on the floor. They were brushing against the line of fatal injury and occasionally stepped on it with the injuries being given and received. If more force had been put behind the blades then it would have been fatal, but both were pulling their blows just enough to refrain from permanent damage.
As Elrond thrust forward, Sydney side stepped as she blocked his blade and pulled her other blade across his shoulder blades just before his elbow dug into her side. Gasping in surprise and partial pain, she staggered forward a step just as a blade scraped along her lower back. A foot struck behind her knee, causing it to give and put her onto her knees and a sudden push forced her flat on the ground before she could save herself. A foot pressed on her wrist slightly as another rested on her back. From the corner of her eye, Sydney saw Elrond looking down at her as his blade rested just under her jaw.
"What in Valar is going on in here?" a shocked voice asked from the doorway.
~~~~
Lle lava?-Do you yield?
Amin lava. - I yield.
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Hey everyone, here is the new chapter. Hope everyone likes it. I thought it was cool because I've never read a story that has Elrond battling someone, or sparring in this case. I mean come on; he has to train at least a little bit. So everyone please review for me and I'll give you a shot out like I do others. Peace.
Blahblah-Gah I still love your name! It's so unique, yet not. But oh well, anyway. Yeah I always wanted a laptop too and then I got it when I went off to college. Sometimes it can be a severe pain in the *** but I smack it a few times and it gets to working again. And thank you so much about checking my story everyday but I'll give you a little hint: I usually always update this story at the end of every week, usually around Friday or Saturday. So start checking about Friday and it should be close to being updated. Take care.
Melanie-Thank you so much for the compliment! *giddily bouncing in chair*. Gah I love getting nice reviews from nice reviewers. You guys just make my day! I'll keep working on it until it's done.
Tara-I will continue working as much as I can. Yesterday was the last day of classes so I'm completely free to do what ever I want until the 13th or 14th. That's when I have to head into London before my flight leaves on the 15th so I'll be incommunicado for those days. I think the 13th is actually on a Saturday or Sunday so I'll try to have the chapter posted before I leave. Peace.
