Disclaimer: not trying to steal anything. I don't own any of this stuff.
Chapter: 9
Feeling smug with herself, Melayren watched the archers standing in line before her. She made a mental note of the angles that seemed to allow each arrow to strike the center target. She imagined herself at the front of the line and wondered if she would hold the arrow a little higher or lower.
Melayren chanced a look at Legolas and saw that he was inspecting his bow and completely at ease and unconcerned about how he was going to handle this five part target ring. It was unnerving to Melayren how he appeared so calm.
Legolas looked up from his bow to notice that the contestant line had grown shorter. Arwen was reading her bow and taking aim. Legolas turned his light eyes to Melayren and saw that her face showed some anxiety. He smiled at her as if attempting to hide a secret. A wave of iniquity washed over him and he couldn't resist making her feel edgy. Her stance became more rigid and she moved forward in a chilly manner.
Melayren turned back to face him and opened her mouth inquisitively but then closed it again. Unwilling to show any sign of doubt that she was suddenly feeling, she turned her back to him and studied Arwen's stance.
Legolas smiled, surprised how enjoyable the day had become. He was going to hear her sing, one way or another.
Melayren drew in a deep breath and thoroughly released it. She closed her eyes and tried to mentally visualize the target in front of her. She slowly allowed her eyes to reopen, her pupils adjusting to the bright sunlight. She was aware of only the target…and the closeness of Legolas. Even as much as she tried, she could not tune out or ignore his presence so close behind her. She could hear his faint humming and she was sure that he wanted her to know he was close. He was a distraction that constantly turned her blood to liquid fire.
Melayren released her first arrow and it hit home, causing her unease to subside. She hit the remaining targets situated around the larger main target. She drew the last arrow and notched it. She watched closely as the center target spun on an axis. She counted the numbers between each spin and then released the arrow.
The scorekeeper slowed the spinning target until it came to a stop. He studied the arrow and its position. Turning to face the crowd, he called out to Melayren, "It is in the 20 point spot, plus you receive the additional 4 points on the smaller targets. Nice job."
Melayren smiled in satisfaction and moved over to the side to watch Legolas ready for the call to begin his turn.
Legolas studied the targets. He was aware Melayren had chosen to start with the smaller targets, because if she had missed any of the smaller targets, she would not receive any points at all even if she had hit the large target dead center. Perhaps she'd been afraid to become over confident in going for the large on first.
The only way Legolas' confidence and calm nerve could be shattered was to look into Melayren's radiant eyes. He refused to do so even though this particular target would put them both at tied points.
Legolas' first arrow hit dead center of the 20 points ring. He instantly drew and let three more arrows fly before most of the spectators could blink an eye. The arrows struck three of the four small targets. Notching his final arrow, he drew his bowstring back and prepared to release the grip of his long fingers. He sighted the arrow perfectly and loosened his hold. Just before he uncurled his fingers, he felt a slight stir of breeze below his left ear, on that breeze was carried a scent of white lilies. His elf ears picked up the sound of a faint breathy sigh. His hand had released the arrow and he turned to inspect what had broken his concentration. His eyes instantly settled on Melayren, who was standing just behind him. She looked innocently, beyond Legolas, at the target that was situated 80 yards in front of Legolas. Legolas watched as her right brow arched and she opened her mouth and then quickly closed it. She tilted her head in examination while chewing the left side of her lower lip. She looked into Legolas' eyes apologetically.
For a better assessment of her reaction, Legolas turned forward and with his exceptional vision, he saw that his arrow had struck the ground, just a fraction away from the winning point.
Legolas felt a slow smile tug at the corner of his mouth. He could sense that Melayren was slowly backing away from him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Melayren attempting to sneak away to join Arwen. He watched her back and gave in to the smile. "If that is the way you'd like to play…then we shall play," Legolas thought to himself.
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Gimli waited his turn in the steadily shrinking line. He shifted his weight from one foot to another. Even though he had been placed in a group of youngsters, he was enjoying himself. He had reached the finalist competition and that was a great accomplishment for him, being that he had no bow practice. There were only three more targets to complete for the champion position, for his group. From time to time, he nervously glanced around to see that Legolas was nowhere in sight and he couldn't see where Gimli had been placed. Gimli wished he could have been placed in a group of youngsters over the age of thirteen moons, but everyone was courteous and friendly.
Gimli had not received full points on any of the targets so he was thankful to have made it as far as he had. He realized, during this tournament, just how much skill and practice was needed for accuracy.
He was handed his 'Finalist' token and the scorekeeper pointed in the direction Gimli needed to go.
"Gimli!" came an excited greeting. "How wonderful you've made a finalist." Pippin was beside Gimli in a flash and walked alone side of the surprised Dwarf.
"Uh…oh…err…where are the others?" Gimli asked hurriedly.
Pippin laughed and pointed to the pastry vendor across the crowded street. "The food is wonderful, but we are saving room for the banquet. I think it will be over in about another hour. I saw King Aragorn and Lady Arwen a moment ago over by the trees, sharing refreshments. They didn't receive finalist tokens though. Well, good luck. I'm going back for Mead…would you like a refreshment?"
Gimli smiled and held up his hand, "No thank you, lad. I am well." Pippin was off in a flash and Gimli continued on to the final target.
He approached an open area in the vast trees and was introduced to the other three finalists; two boys and a young girl with fine blond curls on top of her head.
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Legolas observed a nervous tension increase within Melayren. He could see the determined set of her smooth and shapely shoulders, her lips were pursed and firm, and her eyes were very alert. Legolas smiled, thinking of how the rivalry had almost turned to a childish behavior. The lengths gone to for distracting one another had almost gotten both of them disqualified completely.
After Melayren's first disturbing incident, Legolas had taken action on the following target when Melayren stepped away for a drink of water. Legolas had placed two rocks under the base plank where she would stand to fire at the target. She had shifted her weight at the last moment before letting the arrow free, the plank teetered and she was completely thrown off balance. Melayren's total score for the rolling wine barrel totaled five points; which ensured Legolas a song at the evening meal.
Standing at the last target before the finalists would be announced, Legolas offered Melayren a truce. He touched Melayren's and stepped closer to her. In his other hand, he held a delicate flower. Melayren looked into his eyes and any tension she felt, melted away. He lifted the flower and Melayren smiled tenderly at the scarlet colored Trillium.
Legolas searched Melayren's face, "I concede. We are both obligated to perform a task for one another. No more tricks?"
Melayren accepted the flower and placed it behind her right ear. "The win is drawing near, it has been a great day, and I have enjoyed the company of you." Melayren laughed, "But don't assume I have softened, I would like my massage near the courtyard fountain."
Legolas laughed and watched Melayren complete the last shot.
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Gimli watched as the two young lads took their shots at the swinging target. The target's center was fifty points and that was what Gimli was aiming for. One of the boys before him wedged his arrow half between the thirty-point ring and the forty-point ring. The other boy only received thirty points for his try. Gimli was convinced that the pretty little lass wouldn't be able to hit the fifty points. She had been complaining about how tired and sore her arms felt and how she just wanted to eat.
Gimli squinted his left eye shut, pulled the bowstring back and took aim when it became his turn. His left arm twitched at the intensity of continual use in a manner he was not accustomed to. He held his breath and released his short fingers as his arrow took flight toward victory.
The scorekeeper stopped the target from the pendulum swing and announced, "Forty points."
Gimli smiled and puffed out his chest as the crowd cheered and clapped their hands. He stepped to the side to allow the young girl at her turn.
The girl stood, like the other three finalists, 115 feet from the target as it began to swing once more. Her arms remained at her sides and she watched the multi-colored circle as if in a daze. Sighing, she half-heartedly brought the bow at an angle before her. She notched her arrow and casually pointed it in front and let it go.
Gimli's smile widened, for he believed that the prize was his. The wee young thing was too tired and obviously ready to quit. Gimli's smile slowly faded for he didn't need the scorekeeper to stop the target to see that her arrow had hit the fifty-point ring, dead center. Disbelief ruled Gimli's face, and then a frown found its place under Gimli's beard while a disgruntled crease divided his brows.
The girl turned and looked at her mother standing close, "Mother, is it time to eat now?"
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King Aragorn held a scroll and announced the names of the finalists, "The highest scores are awarded to three of our best archers present. They are as follows: Elrohir, son of Elrond, Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil, and the Lady Queen Galadriel. This concluding feat will be judged on speed, distance, and accuracy. Each of the three will draw and release three arrows continuously or, if desired, simultaneously. A solid golden arrow will be awarded to our champion. I bid each of you good luck and begin at the sound of the horn."
Great crowds surrounded the archery field and a hush fell over everyone about the three regal finalists. Excitement was lit upon everyone's face.
Melayren was delighted and yet torn between whom she wanted to win. She had admiration for her cousin Elrohir, for his tenderness and compassion to accept her more as a sister than a cousin. He had already grown, 121 in years, when Melayren was born.
Melayren had the respect for her loving grandmother, Lady Galadriel. Galadriel always welcomed Melayren with open arms, even though blood of a dark elf flowed through her veins.
Yet, the Prince of Mirkwood had her heart in the palm of his slender, strong hand. Whoever the winner would be, Melayren would be happy.