Hi! I know it's been awhile. I've been busy with school and such. BUT! I've gotten back into the swing of things… back into the LoTR faze since TTT:EE DVD came out, and RoTK is less than a month away! ^_^
And since many of you asked how old Annungil is… she's a little less than 50 years old. Elves "come-of-age" and marry soon after hitting 50. Oh, and both Berensil and Celebithil have passed 50. Celebithil is looking for a wife, but Berensil is engaged. Elves basically are engaged for 1 year before they get married.
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Tolkien, except the names Celebithil, Berensil, and Annungil. But I made those names up using Tolkien's language, so… everything belongs to him anyway. ^_^;
Chapter 5
Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, stood looking bored during the first archery lesson with his age-mates' new teacher. He ignored the icy stares his teacher, Haldir of Lorien, was shooting him. Glares that would have stopped avalanches in their tracks. The prince continued to stare off into the forest, wondering when the class would be over so that he could go play with his friends. "And maybe," thought Legolas, "maybe we can entice Annungil into making mischief with us…"
Haldir was smoldering under his mask devoid of emotion. He had chosen his daughter, who was more experienced than her age-mates, to demonstrate for the class the beginners' stances. He noticed that the prince, who needed (in his opinion) the most help, was laughing amongst his friends, and not paying attention. Haldir made up his mind, and spoke, "Legolas, would you like to demonstrate beginning stance 1?"
Legolas flushed as he stood up and picked up his bow. And to Haldir's surprise, the prince demonstrated it perfectly. Haldir raised and eyebrow and said, "And stance 2?"
Again, Legolas demonstrated without flaw.
"Not bad," acquiesced Haldir. "Sit down." And he thought to himself, "He may be a brat, but he is not stupid… and he has some natural talent."
As Legolas sat down, he smirked at Annungil. She stared back coolly and whispered, "Father, it appears that everyone here can demonstrate the stances adequately. Perhaps we should move on to shooting."
Haldir nodded, understanding what his daughter was implying. "Class, Annungil will now demonstrate how to shoot from a standing position. If you demonstrate that adequately, we may move onto how to shoot while moving."
Legolas sighed a classic spoiled-prince "This is boring" sigh. Legolas mechanically strung his bow, aimed at the target and shot. And again, and again. The prince was now royally bored. His father had already taught him beginning archery, as well as swordsmanship. But the prince could not understand why archery was so boring while wielding swords was so much more exciting.
Legolas stopped firing and said, "Haldir, why are we still doing beginner's archery? All of us have already been taught this."
"It is not your place to question the teacher, Prince Legolas," replied Haldir coolly.
Then Annungil spoke, "He is only making sure you know the beginning stances. The beginning sets a foundation for the advanced."
The class sullenly went back to shooting the stationary targets. Annungil eyed Legolas, and Haldir eyed the sky.
"It seems that we are out of time for today," stated Haldir. "Annungil, show them an advanced move to give them a taste of what is to come."
Annungil smiled. "I saw my brother do this when we encountered orcs on the road to Mirkwood." She whipped 2 arrows from her quiver, set them on her bow and released them. A second later, 2 arrows were quivering in the centers of 2 different targets.
Legolas' age-mates stared in awe, and left the training grounds chattering amongst themselves about the next day's lesson, and when they would be learning those moves.
Legolas stayed behind. He watched as Annungil told her father that she would stay and practice a little longer. When Haldir had left, the prince approached her and said, "Greetings. May I practice with you?"
She looked at him, and to his amazement, she smiled. "Of course," she replied.
Her response seemed to break the ice between them. "I really like how you shot with 2 arrows," said the prince enthusiastically. "Can you teach me how?"
Haldir watched the pair chat amiably and start to practice. When Legolas asked Haldir's daughter if she'd play with him and his friends later, she accepted. Having seen enough, the elf from Lorien smiled to himself, and walked off to find King Thranduil.
Whew. Done. I'm sorry if this chapter was kind of boring, but I put it in to show the transformation of Legolas' emotions. From being bored of archery and fond of swords, to willing to practice archery, when before he would not sit still and learn. Hope you enjoyed! I'll be updating sooner than you'd think! =)