A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating. I have been busy with holiday madness… :-)

It was several hours later and Linnah was now sitting quietly on the ground. She pretended to be interested in the long grass she was toying with in front of her crossed legs as she tried to hear what was being said about her. She cautiously lifted her head to look up at the prince and the ranger, who were standing some ways away from her. Unfortunately, they were speaking too quietly for her to understand what was being spoken.

Linnah had suffered her way through most of the training and her shoulders ached from holding and manipulating her sword. Though she was given ample breaks to rest and Aragorn had great patience in repeating his instructions several times before actually acting out a particular move, more often then not, she failed to defend herself properly.

Legolas looked worried. He spoke softly to the ranger, so as to keep his words from Linnah's ears. "I fear she will not be able to defend herself at all. What will happen if you are attacked and can not protect her?"

"Legolas, you must not worry. This is but her first day of training. Besides, you have yet to teach her the bow. She may take better to that then a sword. It should be more natural for her. I'll step aside and let you try that for a while, and then I think she has had enough for today. Agreed?"

"Agreed," said Legolas with a sigh.

Aragorn walked over to Linnah and squatted beside her. "Linnah, if you are up to it, Legolas is going to take over for a while."

Linnah nodded her head and said, "Alright, if he feels it is worth the time."

"I heard that Linnah," said Legolas still standing about 20 yards away from her. He began to walk towards her and smiled as he approached. "Don't be so hard on yourself. The sword is not easily mastered by elves. I think the bow may suit you better." He extended his hand to her and helped her to her feet.

Aragorn watched them walk towards the other side of the clearing and thought to himself, "I too am worried, Prince of Mirkwood. Two weeks may not be enough time."

Legolas took his bow in hand and stood next to Linnah. "I do not expect your draw to extend as far as mine, Linnah, but I will show you the proper stance and then I want you to mimic my posture."

Legolas gripped the center of the bow with his left hand, extending his arm straight out from the shoulder. With his right hand, he drew back the string as far as he could. His right arm was perpendicular to his face and the thumb of his right hand rested gently against his right cheek. "Do you see how I am standing Linnah?"

"Yes, I see."

Legolas dropped his arms and handing the bow to Linnah said, "Now you try."

Linnah tentatively took the bow in her hands. It seemed to reverberate with his energy. She placed her left hand in the center of the bow as he had done. Gripping it tightly, she held it out from her body at arms distance. She reached up with her right hand and wrapped her fingers around the string.

"No Linnah, that's not quite right," said Legolas kindly, slightly adjusting her fingers. "You should only have three fingers on the string." He fixed her grip. "There, that's it. Now draw back the string, but do not move your left arm."

Linnah pulled back on the string, but could only draw it back a few inches. "This is harder then it looks," said Linnah softly.

Legolas stepped behind her and placing his hands over hers, helped her to draw the string farther back. She managed to get her right hand near her mouth, but no farther. "Legolas, I don't think I can hold this position much longer," she said worriedly.

"Linnah, you have to concentrate. Pull harder. I know you can do it."

She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to block out the pain she was now feeling in her right shoulder and fingers. Drawing energy from the warmth of his touch, she forced the string back, until her right thumb rested against her cheek. Legolas let go of the bow and stepped back to admire her stance.

"Very good Linnah!" he said excitedly. "That's exactly right."

Linnah lowered her arms with a loud sigh. She placed the bow on the ground next to her and rubbed her right shoulder saying, "I think I injured my shoulder."

Legolas smiled at her and walked over to rub her shoulder for her. "You'll get used to it. Now let's try it with an arrow."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

Legolas laughed merrily and pulled an arrow from his quiver, motioning for Linnah to pick up the bow. He stood behind her again and helped her to place the arrow between her first and second fingers on her right hand. The head of the arrow rested on top of her left hand.

Across the clearing, Aragorn was packing up their weapons and supplies to take back to the castle, but then stopped to watch how Linnah would do.

Legolas helped her to once again draw back the string and was pleased that she was still holding the arrow in its proper place. "Linnah I want you to focus on that dead tree over there. See the one with the low branches, directly ahead and little to your right?"

"Yes. I see it."

"There is a large knot, a little left of center on its trunk. That is what I want you to aim for, understand?"

"I understand."

"Alright. I am going to let go and I want you to release the arrow, but only when you think you have it aimed exactly."

Linnah nodded her head slightly and Legolas let go and stepped back from her. To his amazement, Linnah kept her arms in the perfect position, though he could see her right arm starting to strain from the weight of the pull. Linnah narrowed her eyes and ignoring the pain in her shoulder, concentrated on the knot in the tree. She held her breath and let the arrow fly.

Aragorn hurriedly stood up to watch the arrow wiz through the air towards the tree. Both he and Legolas had the same look on their faces as the arrow pierced the center of the knot on the tree: utter shock, their jaws hanging slack.

Linnah was no exception and had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. She turned to face the prince and the ranger and feigning confidence asked, "Archery has been mastered, so what's next?"

Aragorn picked up his pack and walked over to Legolas. They just looked at each other, still stunned and then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Was it something I said?" asked Linnah innocently, trying to keep her face serious.

Legolas and Aragorn continued to laugh and ignored her question, moving to ready the horses. Legolas just shook his head and offered his hand to assist Linnah back on the horse. All the way back to the castle, as soon as the prince and the ranger seemed to stop laughing, one would glance at the other and that got them started all over again.

"What is so funny, may I ask?" asked Linnah, now starting to become slightly irritated and misunderstanding their humor.

Legolas leaned in close to her ear and kissed her cheek gently. "We are relieved Linnah, that is all. My heart is filled with hope. Can you not tell? Your skill with the bow will continue to improve and I am sure you will have the opportunity to amaze us yet again."

For some reason, that thought worried Linnah.