~"That was quite impressive,"~ Legolas noted as they returned to the palace
grounds. ~"Liniaur is a skilled warrior."~
~"He knows how to fight, yes,"~ Aragorn agreed. ~"He underestimated me, and that was his undoing. It seems that the pride of the elves is a common trait."~ Legolas chuckled.
~"When you have lived for one thousand years you begin to think yourself superior to those who cannot,"~ he answered. Aragorn opened his mouth to say something, but Legolas continued. ~"After two thousand years you begin to understand."~
~"And after three thousand?"~ Aragorn asked curiously. Legolas frowned.
~"I feel content,"~ he answered. Then he grinned again. ~"However,"~ he added, ~"I do wonder if I could stand any chance against the Blade-master. I challenge you to a duel, Aragorn."~
~"Surely not now,"~ Aragorn protested, his hand nonetheless moving to the hilt of his sword. Legolas threw up his hands.
~"Valar forbid,"~ he answered. ~"I doubt I could hold a bow, much less defend myself against anyone. No, I will wait until we are both restored. Then we shall see."~
~
Night in Areska Lasgalen was no less magical than it had been in the woods, and Aragorn found that he could not sleep. Quietly he rose from his bed and donned the clothes that he found in the wardrobe, soft, delicate garments of silver and black that seemed made for him. He left his room and made his way down the halls of the palace, caught up in the silence. Slowly, he descended the stairs and left the palace, wandering aimlessly through the silvery woods until he saw a flash of light in the darkness.
There, illuminated by the moonlight, stood an Elf. He was not close enough for Aragorn to make out his features, but Aragorn could not mistake the flash of silvery hair, now bound by a simple leather thong, and falling down his back.
The archer had no quiver; instead at least twenty arrows were driven into the ground around him. He paused for a moment, then pulled one from the earth, nocked it, and shot in one motion. He continued to pull and shoot fluidly until there was a cluster of ten arrows in the target in front of him. He disappeared out of sight for a moment, then returned with his darts, driving them into the earth once more.
He reached for an arrow, then paused. Aragorn stepped back silently, to be rewarded by the sound of rich laughter.
~"I beg of you, make your move one way or the other,"~ Legolas called out. ~"I cannot shoot with my watcher hidden. Show yourself, son of Arathorn, or leave me be."~
Aragorn sighed and stepped out of the woods into the clearing.
~"I thought my skills had improved more than that,"~ he complained mildly, and Legolas smiled encouraging.
~"Improved though your skills may be,"~ he replied, finally drawing his arrow from the ground and nocking it, ~"on a silent eve when my senses are tuned few things can escape my notice. Do not consider it an indication of your ability in the woods."~ He turned away from Aragorn and without appearing to pause to aim released the arrow. For the first time Aragorn fully examined the distance between the archer and his goal.
"Legolas," he said calmly, "you aim for a target that is over three hundred yards from where you stand." The Elf looked at him, nodding.
"Do you think to surprise me with this information?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. "This distance, while challenging, is well within my range. I did not come tonight with the intention of training." He caught the look on the ranger's face and ducked his head. "I do not mean to boast of my skills," he added. Aragorn laughed.
"Watching someone with such skill is compensation enough for the knowledge that my skill can not begin to compare," he replied. "However, in case you thought to rescind your challenge of a duel, I meet it."
~"I believe I am up for such sport,"~ Legolas smiled. ~"If you will allow me to clear the battleground I will take up your offer here and now. If, that is, you are prepared?"~
Aragorn laughed. ~"I am always open for a challenge,"~ he replied. ~"However, I do not have my sword with me."~ Legolas turned.
~"But I am also without my daggers,"~ he countered. ~"Let us keep this match fair, or as fair as it can be."~ Aragorn nodded. ~"You will be able to find a suitable blade there."~ Legolas gestured behind him to a small building that Aragorn hadn't noticed. He went over to it and opened the door, blinking when he saw what was inside.
The interior of the deceptively small-looking building was lined with any type of weapon that could be imagined, from blunt practice swords to the viciously sharp double-bladed glaives wielded by the most skilled Elven blade-masters. He walked slowly down the single aisle, his hand resting on one sword after another. Slowly he lifted one from its place, testing its weight and balance. He replaced it as he heard Legolas enter, setting the arrows into a carved box and replacing the lid.
The next sword he came to gleamed pale in the moonlight that streamed in though the open door. As he touched it something seemed to settle, and when he hefted the blade he was not surprised to find it of perfect weight and balance, the edge razor-sharp. The actual blade was slightly shorter than he was used to, but he expected to have no difficulties.
He turned to see Legolas almost directly beside him, looking at the twin daggers that were displayed. His hand hovered over one knife, and then withdrew, and he picked up instead a pair of weapons that seemed to be made of mÃthril. The Elf turned to the Ranger and nodded, leaving the building in silence.
When the two warriors reached the centre of the fighting area they faced each other and bowed. ~"Fight until probable defeat?"~ Aragorn suggested. Legolas grinned and nodded.
~"Agreed." ~
They once more, and then without warning Aragorn's sword rose in an aggressive thrust. Legolas parried the blow and ducked under, driving upwards only to find his blades meeting steel. He pulled back, spinning out of the way as the Ranger slashed down. He lunged back, parrying the inevitable attack, then dropped back.
Aragorn frowned, unconvinced. When the archer pulled away he cut a testing swipe with his sword. The Elf ducked under the blade once more and brought his twin daggers up. Aragorn sidestepped quickly and suddenly found himself faced with an attacker from behind. Cursing Elven agility he did the only thing that came to his mind; he stepped into the attack, throwing the Elf off guard. Then, in the moment of Legolas lost his stability he grabbed his elbow and used momentum to power the lighter being over his back, pinning him to the ground and positioning the tip of his sword at the hollow of his throat.
The Elf chuckled.
~"If another speaks to you about mortal limitations you must challenge him to a duel,"~ he laughed. ~"I do not lie when I say that there are few who can best me with daggers. Against a sword-fighter, or a blade-master, you might find a different tale, but what you have done tonight is more than enough to make any of my kindred eat their arrogant words."~ He reached up and took the Ranger's hand as it was offered, coming lightly to his feet.
"I'm glad there is at least one thing I can best you in," Aragorn replied with a grin. Legolas smiled, returning to the weapon-store to replace his daggers.
~"You still underestimate yourself,"~ he commented over his shoulder, turning the conversation back to the Sindarin tongue.
~"Perhaps,"~ Aragorn agreed. ~"But I will never be cocky."~
~"Truly,"~ Legolas nodded. ~"But for me, I will be unable to fend against anything if I do not rest. My feet will only hold me for so long."~
Aragorn chuckled. ~"Try not to land on me when you fall,"~ he requested, earning himself a glare. They walked back to the palace in silence, climbing up the sweeping stairs and making their way down the halls towards Aragorn's room.
~"Sleep will be welcome for me as well,"~ he noted.
~"I fear that is not to be,"~ a voice interrupted apologetically, and an Elf appeared from around a bend in the corridor. ~"There is someone here who has grave need to speak with you, Elessar."~
~"With me?"~ Aragorn demanded incredulously. ~"Who knows that I am here? I have been here for less than a day."~
~"Very persistent young creatures,"~ the Elf shrugged. ~"Though I have been told that it is the same of all the Periannath."~
~"A hobbit?"~ Aragorn asked. ~"A hobbit seeks me here?"~
~"Indeed, not one but two,"~ the Elf replied. ~"They wait in the council chamber. If you will follow me?"~
He led them down the corridors until they came to a double set of great doors that arched to the ceiling. The left door was open, and Aragorn could see two heads of curly hair facing away from him.
~"I will leave you to your visitors,"~ the Elf who had led them said, turning and retreating down the corridor. The two hobbits turned at the sound, and Aragorn smiled when he recognised the faces.
"Merry?" Legolas asked beside him. "And Pippin. I did not think I would see you again for a long time."
~
Okay, a very short chapter here, but since it was initially supposed to be part of chapter ONE I think it's okay. Next chapter will be longer, if I get any reviews.
For the people who already know this, bear with me or skip it. Otherwise, I think this is everything that came either from the appendices or my knowledge/finding abilities of the Elven language.
Periannath - Elven word for hobbits
~"He knows how to fight, yes,"~ Aragorn agreed. ~"He underestimated me, and that was his undoing. It seems that the pride of the elves is a common trait."~ Legolas chuckled.
~"When you have lived for one thousand years you begin to think yourself superior to those who cannot,"~ he answered. Aragorn opened his mouth to say something, but Legolas continued. ~"After two thousand years you begin to understand."~
~"And after three thousand?"~ Aragorn asked curiously. Legolas frowned.
~"I feel content,"~ he answered. Then he grinned again. ~"However,"~ he added, ~"I do wonder if I could stand any chance against the Blade-master. I challenge you to a duel, Aragorn."~
~"Surely not now,"~ Aragorn protested, his hand nonetheless moving to the hilt of his sword. Legolas threw up his hands.
~"Valar forbid,"~ he answered. ~"I doubt I could hold a bow, much less defend myself against anyone. No, I will wait until we are both restored. Then we shall see."~
~
Night in Areska Lasgalen was no less magical than it had been in the woods, and Aragorn found that he could not sleep. Quietly he rose from his bed and donned the clothes that he found in the wardrobe, soft, delicate garments of silver and black that seemed made for him. He left his room and made his way down the halls of the palace, caught up in the silence. Slowly, he descended the stairs and left the palace, wandering aimlessly through the silvery woods until he saw a flash of light in the darkness.
There, illuminated by the moonlight, stood an Elf. He was not close enough for Aragorn to make out his features, but Aragorn could not mistake the flash of silvery hair, now bound by a simple leather thong, and falling down his back.
The archer had no quiver; instead at least twenty arrows were driven into the ground around him. He paused for a moment, then pulled one from the earth, nocked it, and shot in one motion. He continued to pull and shoot fluidly until there was a cluster of ten arrows in the target in front of him. He disappeared out of sight for a moment, then returned with his darts, driving them into the earth once more.
He reached for an arrow, then paused. Aragorn stepped back silently, to be rewarded by the sound of rich laughter.
~"I beg of you, make your move one way or the other,"~ Legolas called out. ~"I cannot shoot with my watcher hidden. Show yourself, son of Arathorn, or leave me be."~
Aragorn sighed and stepped out of the woods into the clearing.
~"I thought my skills had improved more than that,"~ he complained mildly, and Legolas smiled encouraging.
~"Improved though your skills may be,"~ he replied, finally drawing his arrow from the ground and nocking it, ~"on a silent eve when my senses are tuned few things can escape my notice. Do not consider it an indication of your ability in the woods."~ He turned away from Aragorn and without appearing to pause to aim released the arrow. For the first time Aragorn fully examined the distance between the archer and his goal.
"Legolas," he said calmly, "you aim for a target that is over three hundred yards from where you stand." The Elf looked at him, nodding.
"Do you think to surprise me with this information?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. "This distance, while challenging, is well within my range. I did not come tonight with the intention of training." He caught the look on the ranger's face and ducked his head. "I do not mean to boast of my skills," he added. Aragorn laughed.
"Watching someone with such skill is compensation enough for the knowledge that my skill can not begin to compare," he replied. "However, in case you thought to rescind your challenge of a duel, I meet it."
~"I believe I am up for such sport,"~ Legolas smiled. ~"If you will allow me to clear the battleground I will take up your offer here and now. If, that is, you are prepared?"~
Aragorn laughed. ~"I am always open for a challenge,"~ he replied. ~"However, I do not have my sword with me."~ Legolas turned.
~"But I am also without my daggers,"~ he countered. ~"Let us keep this match fair, or as fair as it can be."~ Aragorn nodded. ~"You will be able to find a suitable blade there."~ Legolas gestured behind him to a small building that Aragorn hadn't noticed. He went over to it and opened the door, blinking when he saw what was inside.
The interior of the deceptively small-looking building was lined with any type of weapon that could be imagined, from blunt practice swords to the viciously sharp double-bladed glaives wielded by the most skilled Elven blade-masters. He walked slowly down the single aisle, his hand resting on one sword after another. Slowly he lifted one from its place, testing its weight and balance. He replaced it as he heard Legolas enter, setting the arrows into a carved box and replacing the lid.
The next sword he came to gleamed pale in the moonlight that streamed in though the open door. As he touched it something seemed to settle, and when he hefted the blade he was not surprised to find it of perfect weight and balance, the edge razor-sharp. The actual blade was slightly shorter than he was used to, but he expected to have no difficulties.
He turned to see Legolas almost directly beside him, looking at the twin daggers that were displayed. His hand hovered over one knife, and then withdrew, and he picked up instead a pair of weapons that seemed to be made of mÃthril. The Elf turned to the Ranger and nodded, leaving the building in silence.
When the two warriors reached the centre of the fighting area they faced each other and bowed. ~"Fight until probable defeat?"~ Aragorn suggested. Legolas grinned and nodded.
~"Agreed." ~
They once more, and then without warning Aragorn's sword rose in an aggressive thrust. Legolas parried the blow and ducked under, driving upwards only to find his blades meeting steel. He pulled back, spinning out of the way as the Ranger slashed down. He lunged back, parrying the inevitable attack, then dropped back.
Aragorn frowned, unconvinced. When the archer pulled away he cut a testing swipe with his sword. The Elf ducked under the blade once more and brought his twin daggers up. Aragorn sidestepped quickly and suddenly found himself faced with an attacker from behind. Cursing Elven agility he did the only thing that came to his mind; he stepped into the attack, throwing the Elf off guard. Then, in the moment of Legolas lost his stability he grabbed his elbow and used momentum to power the lighter being over his back, pinning him to the ground and positioning the tip of his sword at the hollow of his throat.
The Elf chuckled.
~"If another speaks to you about mortal limitations you must challenge him to a duel,"~ he laughed. ~"I do not lie when I say that there are few who can best me with daggers. Against a sword-fighter, or a blade-master, you might find a different tale, but what you have done tonight is more than enough to make any of my kindred eat their arrogant words."~ He reached up and took the Ranger's hand as it was offered, coming lightly to his feet.
"I'm glad there is at least one thing I can best you in," Aragorn replied with a grin. Legolas smiled, returning to the weapon-store to replace his daggers.
~"You still underestimate yourself,"~ he commented over his shoulder, turning the conversation back to the Sindarin tongue.
~"Perhaps,"~ Aragorn agreed. ~"But I will never be cocky."~
~"Truly,"~ Legolas nodded. ~"But for me, I will be unable to fend against anything if I do not rest. My feet will only hold me for so long."~
Aragorn chuckled. ~"Try not to land on me when you fall,"~ he requested, earning himself a glare. They walked back to the palace in silence, climbing up the sweeping stairs and making their way down the halls towards Aragorn's room.
~"Sleep will be welcome for me as well,"~ he noted.
~"I fear that is not to be,"~ a voice interrupted apologetically, and an Elf appeared from around a bend in the corridor. ~"There is someone here who has grave need to speak with you, Elessar."~
~"With me?"~ Aragorn demanded incredulously. ~"Who knows that I am here? I have been here for less than a day."~
~"Very persistent young creatures,"~ the Elf shrugged. ~"Though I have been told that it is the same of all the Periannath."~
~"A hobbit?"~ Aragorn asked. ~"A hobbit seeks me here?"~
~"Indeed, not one but two,"~ the Elf replied. ~"They wait in the council chamber. If you will follow me?"~
He led them down the corridors until they came to a double set of great doors that arched to the ceiling. The left door was open, and Aragorn could see two heads of curly hair facing away from him.
~"I will leave you to your visitors,"~ the Elf who had led them said, turning and retreating down the corridor. The two hobbits turned at the sound, and Aragorn smiled when he recognised the faces.
"Merry?" Legolas asked beside him. "And Pippin. I did not think I would see you again for a long time."
~
Okay, a very short chapter here, but since it was initially supposed to be part of chapter ONE I think it's okay. Next chapter will be longer, if I get any reviews.
For the people who already know this, bear with me or skip it. Otherwise, I think this is everything that came either from the appendices or my knowledge/finding abilities of the Elven language.
Periannath - Elven word for hobbits