Title: Pseudonym
Author: Lauren
Editor: Ed the Editor (whom really exists)
(for disclaimer and summary see chapter 1)
To my reviewers:
Lady Idhril - Ah, my ever faithful reviewer (for 2 chapters anyway.) All I have to say to you is that it gets better...
Innocent Immortal - I fixed all my typos and everything else, have no fear.
Jess - Even though you already know most of what is going to happen, it's still fun to read it now that I have changed a few things.
Daft Mut - Thanks, I update every Friday.
To my readers: My computer is now up and running (how else would I be posting this chapter?), however it will still need service at the nearest computer service place. I will still be updating my story, but it will be from my editor's house, so never fear.
A/N: Guess what!! Ed the editor and I saw Spy Kids 3-D and it has Elijah Wood in it!! Did anyone know that? It was strange, Elijah Wood in one movie while in the one next door, Orlando Bloom was probably flashing across the screen. He he. On with the chapter!
~*Chapter 5: Swordplay*~
Duriel stood next to Prince Elenion and Adrian next to her, all three stood facing King Telnarion and Prince Endmacar. The king wore a slight frown and was contemplating the newly arrived elves. Endmacar's face was unreadable; he was lost in his own thoughts. The four elves stood in a heavy silence.
Telnarion did not like the look of the elves before him. The female's, Elerana's, eyes carried a heavy look in them. She looked as though she hadn't properly seen the sun in a hundred years. The male, Deacon, didn't even look whole elf. He had something else in his blood. Not to mention he had and evil air about him.
Elenion let out a small inaudible sigh and glanced at Elerana. Her beauty made his heart skip a beat. He smiled at her, but his smile quickly faded as he met his father's gaze. It was time to do something about this situation.
"Adar! {Father} There is no harm in letting them rest here for awhile."
Telnarion knew he could not just turn down a visitor. "They may stay. Endmacar would you escort them to the guestrooms?" Endmacar snapped out his thoughts and nodded. Telnarion then turned
his attention to Duriel and Adrian. "I'll except you both to be on your best behavior while staying here." She nodded and followed Endmacar out of the room. Elenion turned to follow, but was stopped by his father.
"Elenion, I have two things to speak with you about. First of all, I would like you to watch over this Deacon. I do not yet trust him, no matter what you or Elerana say." Elenion looked as though he were about to say something, but decided it was better not to.
Instead he nodded and mumbled his reply, "Uma, adar." {Yes, father.}
"Second, I would like you to know, the better you behave the shorter time you will have guards following you around." The king raised his eyebrows in question at Elenion.
Elenion smiled mischievously. "I'll try my best." With that said he walked toward the doors. As he laid his hand on the knob, the door swung open, revealing Endmacar. He held it for Elenion, quickly shut it behind him, and walked over to his father.
"That Deacon is more trouble then he is worth, he insisted on having a room facing the south, but one close to Elerana. I had to go back and move her to a room next to his just to satisfy his wishes. I do not like either one."
"I do not either, son. I fear that your brother is falling in love with her. I would like you to keep a close eye on both of them."
"I will father."
~**~
Elenion paused one second to take a breath, but that was all Duriel needed. She brought her dagger up to his throat. "End." She sheathed her dagger and took a drink from the water skin on the ground. "You really need to work on your technique. Never pause, even for a moment. Don't let your opponent know you are tiring. You're getting better though. Almost had me that time." She smiled at him, causing him to blush and smile shyly back.
"I bet I could beat my brother now."
"Would you like to try?" Endmacar stepped out from behind a nearby tree. His father had
removed Endmacar's guards so he could follow Duriel and Adrian around more easily.
"He is tired from our last combat. You should wait until he is rested or it won't be fair."
"And you think you could fight after a contest like that?" Endmacar shot back.
"I believe I could beat you."
Adrian waked out of the shadows of the trees. Endmacar repressed a shudder. He was confused by how he couldn't detect the elf when he approached.
"My dear, Elerana, you are tired also, I can see it in your eyes. Maybe I should fight for you."
She narrowed her eyes at him and he smiled wickedly at her. She stepped back, "Be my guest, Deacon."
"Fine with me." Endmacar took up a defensive stance, dagger in hand. Adrian already had his dagger out. They bowed to each other, as was the formal fashion of Anbrethil, but they never took their eyes off of each other.
For a moment they circled each other warily. Adrian attacked first with all the speed and agility of the elves. Endmacar was just as swift, and if possible, swifter. He countered all of Adrian's jabs and returned with his own blows that were just as easily evaded. The two elves turned and spun almost faster than sight.
Endmacar grabbed his arm and tried to spin the elf next to the point of his blade, but Adrian twisted his wrist and threw his body to the side, flipping Endmacar over his back. He landed with the grace of the elves and lashed out with a series of rapid slashes, driving Adrian against a tree. Faster than the human eye could follow, Endmacar flipped backwards and quickly threw his dagger. It pinned Adrian's sleeve efficiently to the tree.
"End." Endmacar smiled smugly at the death glare Deacon gave him. He sheathed his dagger and pulled Endmacar's out of the tree, freeing himself.
Adrian walked over to Endmacar and handed him his dagger. "You fight well," he said stiffly.
"You were a worthy opponent." He smiled once more and turned to Elenion and Duriel, who were looking up at the sky. During the fight, the weather had changed rapidly. Billowing storm clouds were moving across the sky and thunder could be heard in the distance.
"I think we should probably head back now. I feel rain in the near future," Elenion said turning to the two elves behind him. He motioned his guards, whom his father had yet to release him of, to follow him and they set off towards Anbrethil as a light rain began to fall.
~**~
A/N: A nice peaceful ending, but will it stay that way? Find out in the next chapter. You read, you like, you review.
