Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter One

Title: The Heart's True Home

Author: Silmarien

Rating: PG

A/N- I don't think Tolkien ever mentioned fencing in any of his books, but I assume that it would be a practiced sport like many others that correspond to those in our world. And since it is not a sport that is about strength as much as it is about technique and speed, I also assume that it would not be an entirely uncommon practice for ladies of higher breeding to indulge in the art for exercise and amusement.

Special thanks go to Spades this chapter, who suggested this idea long ago. Let me assure everyone that I did do my fencing research for this chapter so most of the names given should be correct. But I make the disclaimer that I have no experience with the sport, so there will most definitely be errors.

As always, thanks are given to my wonderful beta Davan.

-~~*~~-

Dwarvish Tactics

-~~*~~-

            'You seem restless, Valia.'

            Glorfindel's observation was a blatant one, made from his current position in a comfortable chair in the library's sitting area. Valia was pacing slowly in front of him, a book in her hands, though she hardly turned nearly as many pages as Glorfindel had with his own.

            'You are going to wear a hole through the rug if you continue to pace back and forth like that,' Glorfindel teased. 'Not to mention you are irritating my nerves. What is the matter, eleninya?'

            'I think I shall go mad if I do nothing but attend meals, walk through gardens, and read books all day for the rest of the time we are here,' Valia burst out in uncharacteristic agitation. She snapped her neglected book closed, dropping into a chair beside Glorfindel in displeasure. 'Are all events like this one this monotonous? I thought there would have been more activities we were required to attend then what we have.'

            Glorfindel's lips twitched with the desire to smile in amusement at her abnormal lack of patience. 'Did Elrond not tell you that we were staying here longer than most other parties are?'

            Valia fought the urge to narrow her eyes at him. 'No. He seems to have been rather uninformative about this entire trip.'

            'Ah, well, you shall simply have to forgive him then. He must have been preoccupied with the additions being made to his home.'

            The snort from the lady beside him told Glorfindel that she did not believe a word of what he said. 'Yet I do not think he was too preoccupied to keep you well informed,' Valia stated, her words tempered by a smile that declared she was no longer put out by the whole affair. 'Very well, then. Perhaps you would be so kind as to tell me any little details that Elrond seemed to have forgotten to inform me of, in his extreme amount of preoccupation with other things.'

            'That is privileged information, my dear,' Glorfindel told her, wagging a finger at her. 'It shall cost you if you wish to be privy to it.'

            'I do believe that you pawned off a heard of little elflings on me nearly a week ago at the betrothal feast, Glorfindel. Surely that is worth something, especially when I saw you later that evening with a content smile on your face after dancing the night away with your lady.'

            Glorfindel shut his book, placing the leather bound volume in his lap to rest amidst the generous folds in his robe. 'Have it your way then, though I think you will not be pleased to hear what I have to say.' His brow rose in warning before he proceeded to tell her anything more. 'This is obviously an atypical betrothal celebration. It is so long to make certain that as many of those who were invited could attend if they wished. Almost none of the other parties invited are staying here as long as we are.'

            'And why are we staying here longer than everyone else?'

            One of Glorfindel's golden brows rose over his blue eyes. 'If you cannot figure that out for yourself, I fear that all that book reading of yours has done you absolutely no good, Valia.'

            Contrary to what he said, Valia was fairly certain that she had figured out the true cause for their lengthy stay several days ago. She had merely wished that there was a more plausible reason that would explain away her sinking suspicion that she was being manipulated. What scared her most was that with her new repertoire with Legolas, it seemed as if the scheming was beginning to work.

            'What are we to do with our free time then?' questioned Valia, setting her book gently down on a side table. 'I will be the first to admit that I love to read, but I can only handle so much of it before I must do something else or grow restless. Silia sent me a note this morning saying that she is busy till the end of the week and is postponing our outing to find her a costume for the masquerade.'

            'So you know about the masquerade then? Have you found your outfit yet? Elrond refused to tell me what he was having made for you.'

            'Well at least someone besides me has had information withheld from them,' Valia retorted with a satisfied smile. Her laughter tumbled from her mouth in silver notes when Glorfindel scowled back at her. 'I looked for my outfit the day I found out there was to be a costumed dance, but I think I shall make you wait to find out what I am going as. I do believe the rules are that we are not supposed to tell what we are wearing so that no one knows who anyone else is.'

            'Now that is where you are wrong, my dear lady,' Glorfindel informed her. 'Everyone knows that you can cheat by wearing something in particular that will reveal your identity to those whom you wish to be known by. That is part of the whole fun of the evening, selecting something that someone special will recognize you by.'

            'Well I am afraid that I have no other 'special someone' who will be looking for me so that we may dance away the evening together,' replied Valia.

            'Do you mean to tell me that I count as no one?' Glorfindel questioned playfully. He sighed wistfully, placing a hand over his heart as a schooled look of dejection crossed his features. 'And I was hoping to be one of the privileged few who could boast of having the honor to have danced with the charming lady from the Earsilme party.'

            'Flattery shall get you nowhere,' Valia shot back with a sweet smile. 'And do not think that I am the only one others are talking about. I have had too many she-elves come up to me lately, asking after you. What should I tell the next one who wishes to know who that 'attractive golden haired elf' is that I arrived with? Shall I tell them that you are already taken? I do not think Cithien would appreciate all the interest you have inspired.'

            'And I think that all this time that you have had is not good for you,' Glorfindel abruptly responded. He stood, depositing his book on top of Valia's before he helped her out of her seat. 'Thranduil was telling me that there is a practice room in the palace that we are welcome to use during our stay. He said that it is already equipped with any weapons we would want to use.'

            'That sounds absolutely perfect after lulling around for three days, waiting for the healers to tell me when I could fully use my ankle again. A bit of sword practice is just the thing I need, and it has been too long since I have attempted it. Will you join me?' she asked Glorfindel while they walked out of the library, abandoning the monotony of books behind them as they headed towards their rooms.

            'I would love to, Valia, but I have already promised Cithien that I would help her gather wildflowers for her mother.'

            The straight face with which the admission was delivered drove Valia to the point of girlish giggling. 'Gather wildflowers, Glorfindel?' she questioned, lacing her tone with just the right amount of disbelief and teasing to send a hint of red climbing up the elf Lord's face. 'My, my but she has domesticated you already. What happened to the mighty Balrog slayer that I knew so well?'

            'Alas, I fear that even Balrog slayers must rely on more than their strength to win the fair maiden.'

            'Rightly spoken,' Valia agreed, patting Glorfindel's arm where one of her hands rested in the crook of his elbow. 'Though I think that you have already won the battle for your lady's heart. She turns smitten whenever you walk into the same room as she.'

            The rosy hue that tinted Glorfindel's skin rose higher, delighting Valia even more.

            'And what of you? Is there no one among all the elves who have introduced themselves to you who has been able to excite your fancy?' asked Glorfindel, adeptly shifting the attention away from himself.

            'None,' was her candid reply. 'How do you expect me to find a suitable husband after centuries of living in close proximity with Elladan, Elrohir, and you? Between the three of you, everyone else seems to fall short.' Valia made light of his question, pushing away the twinge of pain that pricked at her heart. It was better to not think of her situation when everyone else around her seemed to be so happy with their own. Such thoughts could only produce self pity, and Valia flatly refused to feel sorry for herself.

            'Do not worry yourself,' Glorfindel assured her when the familiar mask of indifference covered her face. He had always hated the way she always hoped for the best for those around her, but never afforded herself the same luxury. 'I think that your Prince is much closer than you think, Valia. Some day soon you shall find yourself happily married, wondering how it all happened so quickly.'

            A dark brow rose, clearly questioning the validity of the insinuation he made. 'My Prince?' It did not take Valia long to catch the double meaning to his words. And yet, she found that the problem was not the fact that her 'Prince' was already promised to another, but that she wished that he was not. Four hundred years had passed, and many centuries before that, and Valia had finally realized that no matter what her circumstances were, she did want to be married. Children or no children. Next to the dull ache that had been her constant companion since she had first discovered that she would never likely be called naneth by a tiny elfling of her own, the comparable joy she might gain from allowing herself to love and be loved by another suddenly seemed of greater importance to her.

            The revelation came to her with no great rush of emotions or burst of blinding light. Rather, it was something tranquil, a serene calm that made her think of a blossom opening its silky petals to the golden rays of Anor. It was something that was inevitable, that would have happened eventually no matter how fiercely she fought against its coming. Yet for her, it seemed that it came too late, and by her own stubbornness no less. What was the use in knowing that she wished to share her life with another, if the elf she wanted to spend all the ages of Arda with was marrying another?

            'Are you alright, Valia?' Glorfindel asked in concern, noticing the way she grew extremely quiet. Her eyes had grown glassy, glistening with the light of unshed tears. 'Forgive me if I have hurt you. I did not mean to stir unpleasant memories or reminders.'

            'No,' Valia was quick to correct him, gently squeezing his arm. 'You have not hurt me at all. I simply…' Her words tapered off like the slow stilling of a calm breeze. 'I just realized something that I have struggled with for far too long a time.'

            Glorfindel cast a sharp glance at her, his keen eyes roaming her calm face. He found nothing worrisome in her features however. Rather, she wore a tranquil expression that had remained missing from her face for far too long. There were times in the past that Glorfindel had seen a faint reflection of it, when Valia was curled up in a library chair with a book long after the doors had closed to others, but it never lasted long enough to keep him from being concerned for her. But it was on her face now, no dim illusion either, and Glorfindel sighed softly to himself in satisfaction at seeing the glimpse of her old self once again.

            'And do you find peace now?' he asked her, trying to stop himself from anxiously holding his breath while he waited for an answer.

            'Perhaps not peace, but acceptance.' Her words made his brow dip in displeasure, not being the response he had wished to hear from her, but the sharp valley cleared from his forehead with her next words.

            'It is time that I move on Glorfindel. I shall never be able to alter my past. It will always be a part of me, but I do not wish it to control my future either.' Valia's forehead wrinkled into numerous lines of frustration at her attempted explanation. 'I am afraid that I make little sense,' she admitted with an amused laugh.

            'No, you make perfect sense, eleninya. And may I say that your words bring me great joy? I am happy that you have finally found peace after so long. You deserve to rest in the bliss of Aman as the rest of us do.'

            Valia dashed away the tears from her eyes before they fell upon her ivory skin in glistening rivers. 'You shall reduce me to a weeping she-elf if you do not stop, Glorfindel,' she replied, though she sent him a thankful smile that softly lit her features.

            Glorfindel chose to simply smile back, and they both made their way to their rooms in quiet companionship, both with lightened hearts beating in their breasts. The journey to their rooms did not take much longer, and they were soon standing in the middle of a corridor, one of their doors on both sides of the hallway. Giving Valia an unexpected hug, followed by instructions on how to make her way to the practice room, Glorfindel left her to change out of his robes and into something more comfortable and less restrictive before he met Cithien.

            Deciding that it would be best to practice sooner so that she could bathe well before the dinner hour, Valia quickly entered her room and struggled out of her dress, taking longer than she would have liked to coax the fastenings undone. Once she was safely out of her dress and had hung it up in her wardrobe to avoid the inevitable wrinkles that would occur otherwise, she donned the one set of leggings and tunic that Elrond had provided her with. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, pausing in front of a large mirror before she left. The downward slant of her lips could not be helped as she observed that even this outfit was designed with a feminine touch, tailored edges showing off her curves to such a degree that she was half tempted to put a dress back on. At least her dresses had covered the lower half of her body behind their yards of fabric.

            She knew that no matter what she did, the outfit that she wore was the most sensible one for practicing with a weapon. So she merely gave a final tug to the bottom of her tunic, making sure it was straight before she squared her shoulders and headed down the twisting curves of the palace's hallways in search of the practice room.

            Thanks to Glorfindel's excellent directions, she found the room with little incident. She poked her head through the doorway, glad she had done that instead of walking directly in when she discovered, much to her dislike, that the room was already occupied.  

            And by Hadrielia and Legolas, no less!

            Standing in the center of the room, Hadrielia held a fencing sword in her hand, her other arm extended to Legolas who was fastening a wrist guard onto her for protection. Hadrielia was already clad with other safety gear, as well as Legolas, who has his own set of protective equipment on that was embossed with gold leaves appearing bright against the dark leather.

Valia mentally weighed the advantages of simply turning around and going for a ride on Aglar instead. At least then she would not have to deal with the biting comments of Legolas' betrothed and his unnerving presence in the room. But her eyes narrowed at the idea of letting Hadrielia have any influence over her plans, and just as quickly as the idea had sprung into her mind, it vanished.

Straightening her back and raising her head, Valia walked into the room and made a direct line for the neatly organized store of weapons she had spied from the doorway, studiously ignoring the way Legolas' hands instantly stilled and Hadrielia's lips thinned into a tight line. The thunderous silence that seemed to only diminish with the noise Valia was making as she made her way to the corner of weaponry nearly sent her scurrying back through the doors.

'Did you need something, my lady?' The polite question directed at her back paused Valia's hand in its reach for one of the lighter looking swords resting on a shelf.

-~~*~~-

            Contrary to what many thought was the case, Legolas did spend time with Hadrielia. At least, as much as his patience would allow. It was quickly becoming clear to him that despite what his preconceptions about their future life together had been when he first agreed to the marriage, Hadrielia was not going to be content to be left overlooked by him for long periods of time after their bond was made complete. The idea left him at somewhat of an impasse.

In the first place, Hadrielia seemed to lack a certain quality that enabled most other ladies her age to be content on their own for most of the day, busying themselves with home, children, and favorite hobbies. Legolas hated to call that missing quality in her a lack of maturity on her part, not necessarily because it was the truth, but because no matter what, she was his betrothed and would therefore be his wife one day. It was a disconcerting idea to know that he would willingly bind himself to her, knowing that she far too clingy by nature to suit his own disposition. But what was worse than her discontented temperament, was that he did not feel the love for Hadrielia that would have softened the differences between them. He married her because it seemed the best thing to do, not because it was what he wanted to do. The elves of Laiquarille wished to see him happily wed and settled, his parents wished it, and he himself felt a longing to share his life with another. So he would wed, and hope that some compromise of sort could be made between Hadrielia and him, for the Firstborn never entered into a betrothal lightly, nor were they broken as easily or as common as those of the Edain, the race of men, were.

It was largely due to his extended absence to spend time in the house of the Lady Galadriel that Legolas had agreed so willingly to a fencing match with Hadrielia when she asked him to accompany her the night before. He had been absent from her for nearly a month, and felt that the least he could do was spare her an afternoon of his time at her request. Never mind that he was still displeased with her unceasing flirtatious behavior with other elves, or the way she had so rudely treated Valia a few days ago. It was better not to dwell on such thoughts for too long.

Yet as Legolas helped Hadrielia fasten a leather guard around her arm, he wondered if it was wrong of him to wish that he were anywhere but there, and more dreadful than that thought even, that he had never agreed to plight his troth to Hadrielia in the first place. After his talk with Valia in the garden, he had not had much opportunity to speak with her, or even be alone in the same room with her. Much to his frustration, though he would never dare to openly admit such a thing, Valia did not go unnoticed by many elves present for the betrothal celebration. Though she was more reserved than many of the other maidens, her new wardrobe and hairstyles did not hid her beauty the way she had done so in the past. Legolas had managed to speak with her on a few occasions, however, or had found himself sitting in the same circle of elves as she was at different times. He suspected that her reoccurring presence was principally because she seemed to not be avoiding him after she had tried to give back her hairpin to him. He welcomed the change for it gave him a strange sense of satisfaction that she did not avoid him like she had in the times past.

One of the consequences of her repeated presence, however, was that he found it spurred comparisons between her and Hadrielia. He knew it was not fair of him to do such a thing, but for some reason, he could not help becoming perturbed by many of Hadrielia's characteristics when Valia was in the same company as him, not displaying the same self-indulgence that Hadrielia was.

'Is something wrong, Legolas?' Hadrielia's honeyed voice broke through the veil of Legolas' musings.

'No, why do you ask?' He returned his attention to her wrist guard with a renewed zeal, deftly lacing the leather strings and pulling at them to close the guard snuggly around Hadrielia's arm.

'You seem unusually quiet,' Hadrielia told him, bracing her fencing sword against her leg to reach up and brush a stray lock of Legolas' golden hair back over his shoulder.

While his face did not reveal any of his inward thoughts, Legolas could not help the way his body involuntarily drew away from her touch. Hadrielia was not nearly as adept at concealing her emotions in the same way as he was, and let a look of annoyance pass over her features before she dropped her hand back to her sword.

Legolas would not allow her to make him feel guilty, though. He was not comfortable with her open display of physical affection. It was not the lack of love between them that made the contact unwelcome to him, but that she seemed to make claim to him with her touch, her hands resting against him as if she already had the right to touch him however she wished.

'I was merely thinking,' Legolas explained to her, waiting as she switched the sword in her hand so that he could begin lacing her other wrist guard around her arm.

'Of what?' asked Hadrielia, giving him her other arm which he quickly encased in leather. She had been watchful of him after she had stumbled upon him and Valia together in the private garden of Laiquarille. While his subtly shown interest in Valia might have bothered anyone else who was betrothed to him, the implications of his awareness to Valia's presence did not trouble her too terribly. She, Hadrielia, was his betrothed, not Valia, and it mattered little to Hadrielia if Legolas loved her or not. What need did she have of love as long as he bound himself to her in the end? There was always time for love afterwards.

'Nothing you should worry about.' His response was purposefully vague, and Hadrielia took his hint, letting the subject drop.

Not that she had time to press him further for a more suitable answer, because the doors to the practice room opened just then, and shortly afterwards, Hadrielia espied the Valia enter the room. She crossed the wooden floor quickly, her movements the only sound that broke the heavy silence that had instantly fallen.

After Legolas realized just who it was who was now sharing the room with Hadrielia and him, his hands stilled briefly in their studious work, only to be renewed quickly as he swiftly tied the leather chords together in a final knot.

'Did you need something, my lady?' He turned his back to Hadrielia as he spoke, pleasantly surprised at Valia's boldness to enter the room when Hadrielia and he were the only other occupants. He watched as her hand drew back in its reach for a sword, coming to rest against her side.

'No, I am simply here to brush up on my sword practice. Your father was gracious enough to offer Glorfindel and me use of this room.' All this was explained without turning to face him. Reaching again for the sword she had her eye on, she took it up in her hands, examining the length of the elven blade and acquainting herself with its feel in her hand. She was pleased to find that it fit snuggly, the grip just the right length to accommodate her slender hands.

'Perhaps you are up for a little fencing then?' Hadrielia's question was voiced, surprising both Legolas and Valia by its amiable nature. Then again, both were aware that Hadrielia could be deceivingly agreeable when she chose to be. 'My skills are nowhere near the level of my betrothed and would rather fence with someone who was closer to my abilities.'

Valia turned then, sword in hand, ignoring the hidden warning with which Hadrielia had named Legolas. 'I am afraid that I have brought no protective clothing with me for fencing. No doubt you would not wish to fence with me anyway, though, since it has been several decades since I last sparred with anyone.'

 'You may have use of my mother's gear if you wish to fence with Hadrielia,' Legolas suggested. 'You are about the same size as she is, so it should fit you well.' Abandoning his place beside Hadrielia, Legolas made his way towards Valia. He silently cursed the cut of her outfit, for while it was quite sensible for any sword play, it also lent itself to showing off the lines of her body. Despite everything he could try to convince himself of, he could not deny the way he reacted to her.

Valia saw nothing of her effect on him as he approached her, however. It was impossible to see the way his heart sped up from its steady pace as his eyes took in her curved form, and he hid his irregular breathing far too well for her to notice any outward change in him. He remained as he normally appeared, a cool and collected Prince who walked toward her with a familiar controlled grace in his step, hair shining golden against the rich green of his tunic.

She could not stop the small parting of her lips, or the soft intake of breath, as he paused close before her, taking her sword from her hands after a wordless gesture of question.

'Tis a good sword,' he told her after passing the blade from one hand to the other.

'I should expect no less from the stores of King Thranduil,' she replied, her response more breathy than she would have liked. Surely it was not wise to be having such a reaction to someone that was betrothed to another elleth. But he was standing so close before her, and she was not sure that anyone would have been left unaffected by the heat that burned her when he pressed the blade back into her hand.

'This blade was made for Oropher's wife when Greenwood the Great was still secure against the dangers of the Dark Lord's shadow. It has long rested in the keeping of my father.  My mother used it often when her steps still lingered in Middle-Earth. This sword has seen many ages come and go.'

'Perhaps I should use a different one.' The statement was made in a quiet whisper as Valia glanced down at the gleaming metal in her hand.

'No. It shall serve you well,' Legolas assured her, wrapping her fingers around the blade's handle with his hand.

Both pulled away from the touch when Hadrielia asserted her disregarded presence. 'Well, I am glad that it is settled, than' she interrupted, stepping between them before she looped her arm through Legolas'. She turned a sweet smile on Legolas, only after which did she look at Valia. A clear warning sparked from her blue eyes, though the smile never altered on her full lips. 'Will you need to go back to your room to change into your protective gear?'

'I do not think that will be necessary,' Legolas intervened, having caught the gleam in Hadrielia's eyes. He was not entirely sure whether a duel between Hadrielia and Valia was entirely wise, whether in the guise of practice or not. He was confident in Valia's ability to restrain her dislike during their parrying, but he did not have such confidence in Hadrielia. Should the duel becoming too heated, he would have to be ready to intervene. After fighting with Valia while in Earsilme, he was sure that she could hold her own against Hadrielia with ease, yet when it came to the blazing emotions that might quickly fan into cunning maneuvers; even the most seasoned warriors could be caught unawares.

'You can put the required gear on in here,' continued Legolas. 'Queen Elowen's outfit is stored in this room.'

After Valia had given a nod of agreement, Legolas deftly disengaged himself from Hadrielia and moved to a sturdy looking wardrobe that stood in the far corner of the room next to the weaponry. Opening the wooden doors, he quickly brought out a set of protective garments fashioned in a mixture of leather and padded material. From her spot several paces away, Valia was still able to see that the material used in the outfit was expensive. The gold imprints of leaves were sparkling bright against the richer texture of the leather and sunlight that streamed in from the high windows warmed the leather a pleasing shade of brown.

If Valia had thought to protest to the idea of putting on the garments, Legolas was quick to make sure that she did no such thing. He was beside her before she had time to voice any objection, helping her don the equipment which fit flawlessly against her body, showing off the feminine lines of her body even more, which was something she had thought to be impossible. To her astonishment, Hadrielia did not try to intervene in Legolas' aid, though Valia had a suspicion that it was because Hadrielia knew it would only manage to kindle Legolas' anger. Being manipulative did not make Hadrielia stupid.

Legolas was able to swiftly fasten the garments around Valia's legs and arms. It was only when he came to the large padded jacket that went over Valia's upper body that he found his fingers would not cooperate with him. They itched to brush against Valia's form instead of focusing on their task to lace the strings of the jacket together. He was relieved to find that Valia did not react in any visible fashion when his hands turned suddenly unskilled and it took him several attempts before he had properly laced the back of her jacket together.

'All you need now is your face guard, Valia,' he told her after he had tied the leather strings together. Bending, he picked up the metal helmet that had been designed in such a way that it was obvious only the skill of elven smiths could have made it. Though made of metal, it was light, crafted so that it was not cumbersome, allowing the wearer a wide range of sight and motion while still providing the needed protection that it was designed for. After straightening, he placed the mask in her hands, not able to resist brushing his fingers against the smooth flesh of her wrist before he drew away to a safe distance where he could observe the duel, but step in swiftly if the need arose.

'Are you ready then?' Hadrielia asked, adjusting her own mask over her face.

Valia slipped her mask over her head, taking a moment to become used to the feel of it before she gripped her fencing sword firmly in her hand. Moving to the center of the practice area, where the floor had been sanded down to a smooth finish to prevent accidental slips, Valia took up a starting position in front of Hadrielia.

'I am ready to begin whenever you are,' she told Legolas' betrothed, saluting the she-elf before the duel could begin. Valia knew that she would have to be cautious while she fought, not only concerning herself with the offensive and defensive maneuvers she had not executed for several decades, but with any tricks Hadrielia might try. It was easy to get hurt in duel, even when all the possible protective garments were on. The animosity that Valia discerned in Hadrielia made her wish that she had settled on a ride through Laiquarille instead. Fortunately, she had not been without practice in sword play for decades, and felt certain that she would be able to defend herself while she grew accustomed to fencing tactics again while she fought.

The only thing that brought her doubt about her ability to concentrate was Legolas' gaze that she felt fixed on her, slipping past her protective leather and padding that was useless to combat his attack.

After the first few meetings of swords, however, Valia was able to push his presence aside as she focused her attention on the duel. Hadrielia proved to have far more skill at the sport than she had made it appear by her previous words, effectively keeping Valia in a constant mode of defense before she was comfortable enough to attempt any offensive maneuvers at all.

Once she was confident enough in her remembered skills, Valia became bolder in her strokes than her first tentative ones.

'You have learned this sport well,' Hadrielia commented when they drew away from their meeting of swords, circling each other slowly, with graceful movements that made them look to be in an intricate dance. Hadrielia was beginning to breathe faster at Valia's swiftly improving thrusts and parries. 'And you say that you have not practiced in decades?'

'Not fencing,' Valia told her, advancing suddenly on Hadrielia, who parried the blow before counterattacking. 'I have not been idle these past decades, even if I did not pick up a fencing blade.' Valia made a quick pass, turning swiftly around to block Hadrielia's blade.

Instead of disengaging like Valia had thought she would, Hadrielia lunged towards her, making Valia block with her fencing blade as if it were a real sword. 'Stay away from him,' Hadrielia hissed out quietly, casting aside any attempts at preamble.

'I was not aware that I was seeking him out,' Valia countered. 'If it appears to be so, then it is not I who am at fault. Perhaps this is a discussion you should take up with your betrothed, instead.' Valia tried to push Hadrielia back from her, but did not have the strength in her blade that she needed to accomplish the feat.

'Do not put the blame on him,' warned Hadrielia, pressing closer to Valia. 'If you were not so indulgent in his attentions to you, he would not be making them.'

'Why the sudden concern, Hadrielia? I thought you had made it quite clear when I first came here that he had entirely forgotten my existence.' She was taunting, she knew, but Valia was well past the point of her delicate dealings with Hadrielia. Valia refused to be pushed out of the way anymore.

'It is hard to forget a fly when it continual buzzes about your head, even after it has been waved away several times.' There was no pretense of goodwill in the smile that Hadrielia bestowed upon Valia.

'Something you should be well versed in,' Valia managed to retort before stepping back and removing her blade contact with Hadrielia's.

Legolas stepped between the two just then, before there was chance for any further altercation between them. Hardly any time had passed since they had first saluted each other, but the duel had turned intense so quickly that the lack of time did not matter as attacks had fallen on each other as swift and hard as winter storm clouds unleashing rain upon the ground. With an open glance toward the windows where shadows outside were beginning to grow along the grass from the descending sun, Legolas touched Hadrielia's arm. 'Were you not supposed to meet with my father and mother for a late lunch today?'

Hadrielia followed his gaze, taking in the dark shadows that the tall trees were casting against the rich green of the palace lawn. 'I had forgotten. I need to run back to my room to change before I meet them.' She began unlacing the cords at her arms. 'Another time, perhaps?' she directed towards Valia after her face mask was yanked off. 'It seems that I am past due for an engagement.'

'Perhaps,' Valia returned, pulling her mask up over her head. The cool air that hit her hot cheeks and neck, normally delighting her after a duel was over and she took her head gear off, went unnoticed by Valia when she saw Hadrielia rise upward to press her lips against Legolas'. The she-elf merged her body to Legolas as she curled her free hand around his neck.

Valia turned quickly, walking several paces away from the two and towards the weapons in the corner of the room. The heating of her blood, which could most certainly be attributed to jealousy, could not be denied as Valia tugged at the strings on her arm guards. But when had that emotion occurred in her before? It was something she should not have felt. Legolas was not hers.

Whispered words were spoken behind her, but Valia could make out nothing that was said. Instead, she worked swiftly to free herself from her own protective gear, setting her face, arm, and leg guards on a table. She had just returned her fencing blade to the spot she had first discovered it in and was working to try and loose the cords fastened at her back when she heard Hadrielia leave the room, shutting the door behind her.

Continuing to work at the knot at her back, which stubbornly refused to come undone, Valia was too occupied to hear the faint tread of soft footsteps approach her.

'Do you need help with that?' Legolas' voice was soft as his breath teased the flesh of her ear. Before she had anymore time to react then to tense her muscles in surprise, Legolas' hands covered her own, gently pushing them away after a moment as he slowly started to coax the cords loose.

'Is there somewhere that you need to be soon?' he asked, as he gained a mastery over the leather strings.

Valia cleared her throat before answering. 'No. I think I shall stay here a bit longer for more practice.' She played with the embroidered edging on her tunic as Legolas loosed the strings from her back. His nearness was starting to unsettle her, whether from nervousness or the feelings he invoked she was not absolutely sure.

'Do you wish to practice with me then?' he questioned, helping her out of the padded jacket. 'I was already going to stay for a while longer, but had no one to spar with.' He gathered his mother's protective gear, placing all of it in a basket that would go to the wash room for cleaning before he turned around to look at Valia.

'That is fine, though I will have to borrow another sword,' replied Valia, already moving towards the piles of weaponry.

Legolas intercepted her approach, however, twining her arm around his as he guided her towards the wardrobe. He dropped her hand once they stood in front of the wooden doors, swinging them open and pulling out a sword Valia recognized from her practices with Legolas in Earsilme centuries before.

'I am sure you would prefer to use a familiar weapon,' he explained, offering the hilt of his mother's sword to Valia who took it from him, remembering the feel of the elvish blade once it was in her hands.

In hardly the time she wished she could have had to prepare, Valia found herself once again standing in the center of the floor, sword in hand as she faced Legolas. She only hoped that all the training and practice she had went through under the guidance of Elrond, Glorfindel, and even Legolas and Isondil was not forgotten. She had picked up a sword for amusement and exercise far more than she had a fencing blade over the time she had been apart from Legolas.

The first few meetings of their swords were nothing more than short caresses of metal against metal, ringing sharply against the surrounding quiet as Legolas and Valia grew accustomed to their fighting techniques once again. It did not take long for the battle to grow intense and Valia soon found that she was entirely outmatched in her choice of partner.

Still, Legolas had to work hard enough to keep up with Valia, even in spite of her injured ankle which had healed only a few days ago. He had to accommodate her newly healed injury and her strength that did not come close to matching his own, yet also found that her speed made up for whatever handicaps she had.

'Forfeit now and I shall be lenient with you,' Legolas teased after Valia began to give ground to him.

'Lenient?' she gasped in incredulity. With a quick downward motion, Valia forced Legolas to move backwards to block her swing.

'Yes, despite all the rumors you may have heard of me, I am quite generous with those I defeat in battle.' Legolas could not help but smile at the unladylike snort Valia admitted while she swiftly brought her sword up to block one of his blows.

She grunted with the weight it took to halt his sword from moving further and opted to twist away from him instead of trying to push his weight back from her. 'I think I prefer to take my chance,' Valia returned, her breathing increased in its rapidly gaining pace by the glint in Legolas' eyes that sent a shudder down the length of her spine.

A predatory smile curved onto his thin lips as he caught the expression in her own eyes. 'I do not bite, my lady. You need not fear that.'

'It is not biting that I worry about,' she retorted just before jumping away from the dangerous arc that his swinging sword created.

'Is that so?' Legolas asked in feigned surprise, bring his sword up to block her attack. 'Then may one ask what it is that worries you?' He pushed her away from him, and he had to swiftly move his sword to block the downward cut her own sword made.

'One may surely ask, but the answer may not be so readily forthcoming,' replied Valia.

They fought on in silence after that, Legolas marveling at Valia's ability to use speed and complicated moves to make up for her lack of strength. He could not recall the last time he had ever enjoyed a practice fight so much in the centuries that had passed since he had left Earsilme. Having her spinning and circling around him, sometimes far enough away that their swords could not even touch and other times so close that he caught her scent lingering in the air between them, all helped to produce the soft smile that adorned his lips. As the fighting wore on, he could tell that his blows were beginning to wear her down. He needed to use far less energy, since he could fight her with his muscle, than she had to use to combat him by performing complex thrusts and jumps away from him.

'It is only a matter of time before she will become too weary to defend herself any longer,' he thought with satisfaction. Not that he was still left unaffected by the increasing length of the fight. Her cunning moves were forcing him to move around more than he usual had to with elves of the same strength, which put her at almost an equal advantage.

Valia was not sure how long she could continue to dodge Legolas' blows, though. She was pleased that she had been able to defend herself against him for so long. Even after having fought with him almost daily in Earsilme, she was not under any illusions, however, as he held the better skills by far. But that was at it should have been, and no surprise to Valia, since he was male and had served as a warrior in Mirkwood's army for so long before even becoming one of the Nine Walkers. His movements were like those of a forest cat, gracefully smooth so that it looked as if he exerted no effort in defending himself against her. She was sure that he could see her effort, however, and the way she was beginning to tire from his relentless attack on her.

If it were not for the unexpected opening of the doors, which caused Legolas a moment of uncharacteristic distraction, Valia was sure that she would have been unhanded not long after. But as it was, Legolas turned his head towards the doorway scarcely long enough for Valia to make her move before he returned his attention back to the fight once more. Yet it was all the time she needed for a quick flick of her wrist that sent his sword clattering to the ground a few paces from their feet.

Whoever was at the door must have decided not to enter the room when they heard the sound of ringing metal meeting metal. It was the sudden absence of his sword in his hand that caused Legolas to turn back to Valia, finding that she held the tip of her blade against his chest.

'It appears that I have won,' she stated, the shadow of a smile resting on the corners of her lips.

'So it would,' was Legolas' reply, as he frowned down at the sword resting over his heart. A small amount of irritation welled up inside him that he had been bested through his own mistake, a mistake that he should not have made after the centuries of training he had undergone. The annoyance faded, however, with one glance at Valia's eyes that were round pools of laughter tinted in shades of blue and silver. Did she have any idea the way she stole his breath away just by looking at him that way?

'I shall have to think of something good now, for I do not wish to waste this opportunity,' she told him, throwing Legolas into utter confusion. He had no idea what she was speaking of.

'Pardon me?' he questioned, reaching up to push her blade aside, but she would not have it and cast his hand away with the flat of her sword, bringing the tip back over his heart when she was done.

'I am reminded of another battle several centuries ago in which I fought with an elven prince. This Prince won our fight, and he told me after he had defeated me, with his sword pressed against me, of a certain dwarvish custom.' Valia paused for effect, waiting until she saw a tinge of understanding light Legolas' face before continuing. 'You are familiar with this custom, are you not?'

'Vaguely,' Legolas admitted, becoming aware of exactly what she now intended.

'Very good. Then we do not have to argue over the fact that you are now mine and I may do what I wish with you.' There was something almost scandalous about voicing such a claim on Legolas, but Valia was getting too much satisfaction out of the whole affair to care at the moment.

Her words gave Legolas pause, before a sly smile crept onto his face. Two could play at this game, which he was enjoying more than he should have been. 'I do believe that I said that it only applied when someone is captured in battle by fair means. You can hardly call unhanding my sword when I was distracted 'fair means.'

'On the contrary, I think it quite fair,' Valia assured. 'Why should I not be able to win because of your distraction? You are a seasoned warrior, therefore you should know better than to let the opening of a door become a distraction during a fight. I simply took advantage of your weakness like anyone would have.' A triumphant smile bloomed on Valia's features at nearly the same rate a scowl appeared, albeit a suspiciously fake looking one, grew on Legolas' face. 

'I beg to differ,' he objected, crossing his arms in front of him and taking up a regal stance.

'I do not think you are in any position to disagree.' Valia tapped the flat of her blade against his shoulder for emphasis. 'Now,' she declared, 'I have only to decide what I shall do with you.'

The endless possibilities to that statement sent Legolas' eyebrows upwards. 'Do with me?' he asked in such a way that it caused a stain of red to grace Valia's battle flushed features. 'Need I be worried?'

'Hardly,' Valia replied scathingly, embarrassed by the suggestive question he had asked. 'I simply do not know what I should ask you to do for I do not have a cloak that needs any mending.'

'Your memory is remarkable,' Legolas replied dryly. He wondered if he should be pleased that she had remembered that event, it being so long ago, or if he should rather be irritated with himself for ever performing it on her because he was now getting his just reward.

'Thank you.' Valia gave him a small incline of the head in acknowledgment before she became silent in thought. Just what was she going to do with him?  The worst thing about the whole situation was that she was now able to take her revenge on him for the stunt he pulled on her so many centuries ago, yet she had no idea what to ask of him.

'May I make a suggestion?' inquired Legolas when she began to nibble on her bottom lip, turning his thoughts down a path they should not have gone. Valia nodded. 'If you cannot think of anything suitable at present, let us end this battle for right now and you remove your sword from me. At a later time, if you think of something you would like me to do for you, I will happily oblige you.'

Valia's eyes narrowed in disbelief, though she did lower her blade to her side. 'And how do I know that you will be true to your word?'

'By the fact that I have been true in all my other words,' he told her, his voice softened into a serious whisper as he reached out and grazed his fingers gently along her cheek, touching the silky skin with a light caress that Valia almost did not feel. It was like butterfly wings against her face, making her breath catch in her throat at its tenderness.

The smooth plain of Valia's brow wrinkled into a deep valley as Legolas drew away from her. If he continued to insist on touching her like that, she was not entirely sure if she would be able to keep her already budding emotions from bursting forth.

Legolas noted the way she seemed to physically draw away from him, and not wanting to end his time with her just yet, he made a suggestion. 'You have succeeded in making me exert myself enough that I think a walk is in order before I change for dinner this evening. Would you care to join me for a tour of one of my favorite garden areas? We will have just enough time to go there before we have to bathe and change for dinner.'

The idea sounded wonderful to Valia, no matter what the implications of accepting such an offer were. She was mildly surprised that she did not seem to be bothered by the attention Legolas had been bestowing upon her lately. She tried to justify it to herself, saying that it did not really matter since he would be marrying Hadrielia soon. What did strolls through favorite gardens and caresses of her cheek matter when he was betrothed to someone else? It eased the pain if she simply told herself that he was being friendly because of their past. Never mind if such a theory was true or not.

'I would love to go with you,' Valia accepted. They both returned their swords to their proper places, Valia putting hers back in the wardrobe, and Legolas going to retrieve his sword, slipping it into his sheath before he unfastened his belt and placed the weaponry in the wardrobe as well.

He silently extended his arm to her, waiting as she moved quietly to his side and circled her hand around his arm. It rested comfortably on him, a familiar weight pressing the fabric of his tunic against his arm, bringing a smile to his face. For a short time, he would allow himself to forget the fact that he was betrothed to someone else and Valia should not be accompanying him through the forests of Laiquarille alone.

Under the winter sunlight, he would strip himself of titles and duty, and simply enjoy his time with Valia who willingly went with him. He could ask for no more.

'Shall we?' he questioned, bestowing an affectionate smile upon her that instantly created a mirrored reaction on her own face. They both exited the room with unusually bright smiles on their faces, speaking to each other in hushed tones that only the tapestry covered walls along the hallways were witness to.

-~~*~~-

eleninya- my star

Arda- All of the world, includes both Valinor and Middle-Earth

Aman- another name for Valinor

Edain- the plural for men (Sindarin)

elleth- she-elf, elf-maiden (literally)