I hope you will like and I'm starting to mess with elven language, so if I messed up any words/phrases, please let me know. Please review and let me know if I should continue this or not.
Also, please note that English is not my first language, so if I screwed up in any way, let me know and I will fix it.
Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize from Lord
of the Rings belongs to Tolkien. If you don't is mine.
Vanim Ar' Tel'Uuvanimo
(Beauty and the Beast)
Ch. 8 Kallasilad Curuio (Polishing Skills)
The kwentra returned to her usual spot. Many of her friends had gone after the council scouting for information, but no one could tell her exactly what. Looking at the group of hobbits that were approaching, the kwentra smiled at all of them.
"I hope you are looking forward to my story, master Baggins."
Frodo and Bilbo looked at each other and smiled. Bilbo took the kwentra's hand. "We are delighted with your story, my dear. Please continue."
Nodding, the kwentra closed her eyes. Her voice once more enveloping their senses, as if transporting them to another time and place.
"Vanim opened her eyes. Her sleep had been fretful, her thoughts ever present in her sleep.
She tried to appear normal during breakfast, but Lord Feuyaer brought the subject.
"What is wrong Vanim? You seem distracted this morning."
She smiled at him, as a reassurance. "It is nothing, milord. I did not sleep well. Nightmares."
Lord Feuyaer nodded, accepting her answer. He suddenly lunched forward. "How much training you have had in weapons or fighting?"
The question opened her curiosity. "I know how to handle the bow somewhat, but I have no fighting skills. I was trained as a healer, milord."
"Then you will start training soon. Orcs may attack any day now, and I would feel much better if you can defend yourself, not just help those who were wounded."
Vanim lowered her head "yes, milord. As you wish."
"Vanim, I want you to consider me your friend, not your master. I expect great things from you Vanim. Remember, you are not my servant, but my assistant."
Vanim's face broke in a smile that illuminated her face. "I only hope I don't disappoint you, milord."
So a new routine was established. After her morning chores, Vanim went to where the guards practiced their daily training exercises, learning weapon yielding and self-defense.
After two months of training, Vanim felt confident that she could defend herself after an Orc attack. One day in the middle of training, Lord Feuyaer stopped by to see her progress.
Without saying a word, he walked towards Vanim. Unsheathing his sword, he immediately swung it in her direction. Vanim turned and blocked his blow, the clang of metal against metal resounding loudly in the air.
Lord Feuyaer continued his attack, in which Vanim blocked him with her sword. She felt that she could not hold his onslaught for much longer, and still something told her he was holding his full strength from her.
He delivered a final blow that took her sword from her hand, but before he could point his sword towards her she quickly withdrew a dagger hidden within her robes, holding it between her fingers, ready to be thrown.
"This is where I throw this to your heart and kill you, milord."
Silence swept through the training grounds, until a heart felt laughter broke the stillness. Vanim looked twice when she realized the laughter came from lord Feuyaer himself.
"Well done, Vanim. Always be alert and keep your mind sharp. You never know when quick thinking will be the difference between life and death."
Offering his gloved hand, Vanim took it, gasping as his hand closed on hers. He went closer to her, whispering so only she could hear, making her blush even more. "You make me proud, Vanim."
He separated from her. "In fact, I think you deserve a reward. Would you like to accompany me for a ride outside the fortress?"
Vanim could feel her stomach tighten and her heart do a half flip at the sound of the invitation, making herself question the reason for her reaction. She was glad that her voice came out calm, not at all like she was feeling at the moment.
"I would love to, milord."
Lord Feuyaer offered his arm, and taking it between hers, they started walking towards the stables.
"Have you had any progress with the maps?"
She was taken aback by his question. "My maps?"
"Yes, you told me you were trying to locate your friend using some maps. Any luck?"
Vanim sighed. "Not really. With the descriptions I have, is not much. I hope I can hear from my friend soon."
As they reached the stables, Lord Feuyaer turned to the elf tending the horses and asked for both Sultariel and Morkarythar*.
Sultariel whinnied happily as she saw Vanim, looking forward for a ride. As Lord Feuyaer went atop his majestic black mount, Vanim climbed atop her mare.
She followed him out of the fortress in silence, nodding with a smile to those who would greet her in passing. As they rode through the fortress entrance, Lord Feuyaer slowed his mount so he could ride to her side.
"I see you are well liked here in Ereb Nost."
Vanim could feel her face and ears getting warm at his words.
"Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming, my lord."
"Still, you have achieved something in a few weeks that takes many to obtain in years. You will do well."
Silently, she nodded in acceptance, the ends of her mouth curving up in a shy smile.
They kept riding through a narrow path that crossed the forest surrounding the fortress, making sure they had the fortress within eyesight at all times.
A sudden rustle in the trees made them put up their guard. Finally, Vanim saw movement between the trees, her eyes widening in recognition.
"Yrch!*""
The kwentra silenced at that moment, as story telling time had drawn
to an end for the day, giving way to song and dance.
*Mor Karythar = Black Crusader
*Yrch = Orcs
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A/N: Pleeeeeeeeeeease..... I'm craving for
reviews. Is what keeps me writing, so I would love to hear from you, be
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