Disclaimer: do not own LotR or Orlando Bloom (wish I did, ho baby is he
hot!!)
**************************************************************************** **
By the time Sabriel had reached the castle entrance, the courtyard was buzzing with lords and ladies preparing to ride out to the forest. There was a large clearing that was perfect for large gatherings, and it was there that Lord Elrond had decided to hold the competition. Footmen were leading out horses from the stables and helping the ladies into their sidesaddles. The head footman led a roan stallion to Sabriel. (roan = red- brown color)
"Thank you, Iomann." Sabriel accepted the reins from his hands. She patted her horse's neck as he detachedly looked out towards the forest. He shifted restlessly and snorted gently.
With a smile, Iomann said, "He is ready to ride."
"Indeed, he is." Sabriel smiled back at Iomann. She double-checked the girdle and reins, making sure they would not slip off accidentally. Then she gently pulled the horse's head down so their eyes were level. "Sindumiel, are you ready to go?" The beautiful horse neighed impatiently while throwing up his head and smacking his front hooves on the ground. With a delightful laugh, Sabriel said, "I'll take that as a yes."
After checking to see if her quiver and bow were secure, Sabriel mounted Sindumiel gracefully. He shifted restlessly again, but Sabriel calmed him with a soothing pat on the neck. Sabriel was concentrating so intently on controlling her spirited horse that she didn't hear a rider pull up to her side until he spoke up.
"He is a beautiful horse." Sabriel looked up in surprise, only to lock her brown eyes with crystal clear blue ones.
Sabriel smiled amiably and commented, "Sindumiel is very beautiful, and very swift. But he can also be a handful sometimes." She patted his neck again before going on, "He loves to run, and all this excitement has gotten him eager to go."
"Yes, it is also the same is with my horse. Rusellamin has been terrorizing the stable boys all morning, and it got to the point where I had to come and sit with her." Sabriel laughed again, brining a pleased smile to Legolas's face. He admired her thrown back head, her enjoyment exposing a long, elegant neck that just begged to be kissed. However, Legolas was aware of the many spectators and so wisely chose not to indulge his urge.
The company was finally ready, the trumpeters riding out first to alert all that a great festival was about to begin. Sabriel and Legolas rode to the clearing in a companionable silence, each lost in admiring the peaceful trees surrounding them. When they reached the large meadow they could see that the long grass had been recently cut and there were various events marked off.
The first was obviously the sword fighting - a wide circle was created by various wooden poles in the ground and a thin red string connecting them. The second event was the dagger-throwing contest, as some long wooden boards erected in the ground created a semicircle for the contestants. The third event was archery. Various targets hung from the branches of trees, each target was of a different size and was hung at a different height. Set to one side of the clearing was a table loaded with snacks and sweet delicacies for the audience to enjoy. Large buckets of cool, clean water were drawn from a nearby stream and sat ready for the contestants to use later.
Legolas and Sabriel both dismounted before removing the saddles and reins from their horses. They both understood that the horses needed to run off some energy. Once the horses cooled down, they would find their own way back to the clearing. Many other lords were removing the saddles from the other horses, letting them run free as a herd for now. The freed animals sped off after Sindumiel and Rusellamin, clearly the head stallion and mare.
The lords spread large blankets on the ground as the ladies moved to pick food first from the diverse luncheon. The contestants walked over to the dueling ring and sat down around it as Lord Elrond stood in the middle. He spoke of playing with fairness and sportsmanship, but he also told the men not to underestimate his daughter. Several good-natured hoots of laughter came from the men as they loudly assured Lord Elrond that they would not play easy. However, Sabriel knew that most of them were secretly planning to go easy on her. It was not their faults, as she knew they were just acting out of a kind heart and respect for helpless ladies. Yet, she felt the adrenaline kick up a notch in her body as she mentally prepared herself to duel well.
Sword fighting was not Sabriel's specialty, as some parts of it required for a brute strength that she, as a woman, was not born with. However, her archery and dagger throwing were up to par and she was confident of winning both matches.
The first two contestants rose as their names were called. They brushed their bottoms off before stepping into the ring. Drawing swords, both men shifted to find the best stance. Then they practiced a few swings to prepare their muscles, and finally stilled, ready to start. The crowd hushed as the men eyed each other, finding weaknesses and vulnerable points. Then, one of the men made the first pass and the crowd sent up a cheer, encouraging both men on.
Both men danced around the circle warily, throwing in a few swings and blocking others. When they were finally both soaked with sweat from their heavy armor, they galvanized into a true swordfight, each man determined to win. The older man finally fell to his knees, blood seeping from a shallow prick on his shoulder. The rule was to stop when the first elf drew blood. The crowd both cheered for the winner and congratulated the loser for a great effort. The man climbed out of the ring and jogged over to the water. After a long drink, he settled down next to his lady wife and ate some food, waiting for the next event.
The winner was allowed twenty minutes to rest before the next match, and he gamely strode over to the remaining contestants and they clasped each other's shoulders in warm greetings.
Sabriel stood in the middle of the dagger-throwing ring as she practiced some thrusts and parries with her sword, preparing to fight. Legolas walked over and the two put on a mock duel, with simple strokes and blocks to warm up. The crowd gathered around them to watch the easy-going match as both opponents nimbly avoided injury. Finally, both called a truce and spent the second ten minutes cooling down.
Lord Elrond stood in the middle of the ring and announced solemnly, "The next two contestants are Malgin and Legolas." Both men entered the ring and unsheathed their swords. The unmarried ladies gathered around half the ring, albeit at a distance. However, they enthusiastically cheered for their favorite dashing prince. The remaining fighters sat around the other half of the ring to watch the duel.
An ear-splitting shriek filled the air as the swords clashed together. Legolas charged right in, barely giving his opponent time to block the swing. Both men thrust and parried fiercely, filling the clearing with the shrill sounds of metal on metal.
**************************************************************************** **
We will come back to Legolas's duel next week. ooh aren't I so evil for such a nasty cliffhanger?! Yep, I know I am, sorry guys. :0(
Review, review, review please. Especially if you want the next chapter ASAP! Plus you know I love it when you review!!! So click that little button and help me reach the big five-oh (50)!
**************************************************************************** **
By the time Sabriel had reached the castle entrance, the courtyard was buzzing with lords and ladies preparing to ride out to the forest. There was a large clearing that was perfect for large gatherings, and it was there that Lord Elrond had decided to hold the competition. Footmen were leading out horses from the stables and helping the ladies into their sidesaddles. The head footman led a roan stallion to Sabriel. (roan = red- brown color)
"Thank you, Iomann." Sabriel accepted the reins from his hands. She patted her horse's neck as he detachedly looked out towards the forest. He shifted restlessly and snorted gently.
With a smile, Iomann said, "He is ready to ride."
"Indeed, he is." Sabriel smiled back at Iomann. She double-checked the girdle and reins, making sure they would not slip off accidentally. Then she gently pulled the horse's head down so their eyes were level. "Sindumiel, are you ready to go?" The beautiful horse neighed impatiently while throwing up his head and smacking his front hooves on the ground. With a delightful laugh, Sabriel said, "I'll take that as a yes."
After checking to see if her quiver and bow were secure, Sabriel mounted Sindumiel gracefully. He shifted restlessly again, but Sabriel calmed him with a soothing pat on the neck. Sabriel was concentrating so intently on controlling her spirited horse that she didn't hear a rider pull up to her side until he spoke up.
"He is a beautiful horse." Sabriel looked up in surprise, only to lock her brown eyes with crystal clear blue ones.
Sabriel smiled amiably and commented, "Sindumiel is very beautiful, and very swift. But he can also be a handful sometimes." She patted his neck again before going on, "He loves to run, and all this excitement has gotten him eager to go."
"Yes, it is also the same is with my horse. Rusellamin has been terrorizing the stable boys all morning, and it got to the point where I had to come and sit with her." Sabriel laughed again, brining a pleased smile to Legolas's face. He admired her thrown back head, her enjoyment exposing a long, elegant neck that just begged to be kissed. However, Legolas was aware of the many spectators and so wisely chose not to indulge his urge.
The company was finally ready, the trumpeters riding out first to alert all that a great festival was about to begin. Sabriel and Legolas rode to the clearing in a companionable silence, each lost in admiring the peaceful trees surrounding them. When they reached the large meadow they could see that the long grass had been recently cut and there were various events marked off.
The first was obviously the sword fighting - a wide circle was created by various wooden poles in the ground and a thin red string connecting them. The second event was the dagger-throwing contest, as some long wooden boards erected in the ground created a semicircle for the contestants. The third event was archery. Various targets hung from the branches of trees, each target was of a different size and was hung at a different height. Set to one side of the clearing was a table loaded with snacks and sweet delicacies for the audience to enjoy. Large buckets of cool, clean water were drawn from a nearby stream and sat ready for the contestants to use later.
Legolas and Sabriel both dismounted before removing the saddles and reins from their horses. They both understood that the horses needed to run off some energy. Once the horses cooled down, they would find their own way back to the clearing. Many other lords were removing the saddles from the other horses, letting them run free as a herd for now. The freed animals sped off after Sindumiel and Rusellamin, clearly the head stallion and mare.
The lords spread large blankets on the ground as the ladies moved to pick food first from the diverse luncheon. The contestants walked over to the dueling ring and sat down around it as Lord Elrond stood in the middle. He spoke of playing with fairness and sportsmanship, but he also told the men not to underestimate his daughter. Several good-natured hoots of laughter came from the men as they loudly assured Lord Elrond that they would not play easy. However, Sabriel knew that most of them were secretly planning to go easy on her. It was not their faults, as she knew they were just acting out of a kind heart and respect for helpless ladies. Yet, she felt the adrenaline kick up a notch in her body as she mentally prepared herself to duel well.
Sword fighting was not Sabriel's specialty, as some parts of it required for a brute strength that she, as a woman, was not born with. However, her archery and dagger throwing were up to par and she was confident of winning both matches.
The first two contestants rose as their names were called. They brushed their bottoms off before stepping into the ring. Drawing swords, both men shifted to find the best stance. Then they practiced a few swings to prepare their muscles, and finally stilled, ready to start. The crowd hushed as the men eyed each other, finding weaknesses and vulnerable points. Then, one of the men made the first pass and the crowd sent up a cheer, encouraging both men on.
Both men danced around the circle warily, throwing in a few swings and blocking others. When they were finally both soaked with sweat from their heavy armor, they galvanized into a true swordfight, each man determined to win. The older man finally fell to his knees, blood seeping from a shallow prick on his shoulder. The rule was to stop when the first elf drew blood. The crowd both cheered for the winner and congratulated the loser for a great effort. The man climbed out of the ring and jogged over to the water. After a long drink, he settled down next to his lady wife and ate some food, waiting for the next event.
The winner was allowed twenty minutes to rest before the next match, and he gamely strode over to the remaining contestants and they clasped each other's shoulders in warm greetings.
Sabriel stood in the middle of the dagger-throwing ring as she practiced some thrusts and parries with her sword, preparing to fight. Legolas walked over and the two put on a mock duel, with simple strokes and blocks to warm up. The crowd gathered around them to watch the easy-going match as both opponents nimbly avoided injury. Finally, both called a truce and spent the second ten minutes cooling down.
Lord Elrond stood in the middle of the ring and announced solemnly, "The next two contestants are Malgin and Legolas." Both men entered the ring and unsheathed their swords. The unmarried ladies gathered around half the ring, albeit at a distance. However, they enthusiastically cheered for their favorite dashing prince. The remaining fighters sat around the other half of the ring to watch the duel.
An ear-splitting shriek filled the air as the swords clashed together. Legolas charged right in, barely giving his opponent time to block the swing. Both men thrust and parried fiercely, filling the clearing with the shrill sounds of metal on metal.
**************************************************************************** **
We will come back to Legolas's duel next week. ooh aren't I so evil for such a nasty cliffhanger?! Yep, I know I am, sorry guys. :0(
Review, review, review please. Especially if you want the next chapter ASAP! Plus you know I love it when you review!!! So click that little button and help me reach the big five-oh (50)!