Chapter 15
OVER the city of Gondor doubt and great dread had hung. Their lord was dead and burned, dead lay the King of Rohan in their citadel, and the new king that had come to them in the night was gone again to a war with powers too dark and terrible for any might or valour to conquer. And no news came.
When the captains were but two days gone, the Lady Eowyn bade the women who tended her to bring her raiment, and she would not be gainsaid, but rose; and she went to the Warden of the Houses of Healing.
"Sir," she said. "I am in great unrest. Is there no deed to do? Who commands in this city?"
"I do not rightly know," he answered. "Such things are not my care. The Lord Faramir is by right the Steward of the City."
"Where can I find him?"
"In this house, Lady. He was sorely hurt, but is now set again on the way to health. But I do not know—"
"Will you not bring me to him? Then you will know."
The Lord Faramir was walking alone in the garden of the Houses of Healing, and the sunlight warmed him; but his heart was heavy. And coming, the warden spoke his name, and he turned and saw the Lady Eowyn of Rohan; and he was moved with pity, for he saw that she was hurt, and his clear sight perceived her sorrow and unrest.
"My lord," said the Warden, "here is the Lady Eowyn. She was sorely hurt, and dwells now in my keeping. But she is not content."
"Do not misunderstand him, lord," said Eowyn. "It is not lack of care that grieves me. I looked for death in battle. But I have not died, and battle still goes on."
"What would you have me do, lady?" said Faramir. "I also am a prisoner of the healers." He looked at her, and being a man whom pity deeply stirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart. And she looked at him and saw the grave tenderness in his eyes, and knew that here was one whom no Rider of the Mark would outmatch in battle.
"I would have you command this Warden, and bid him let me go," she said.
"I myself am in the Warden's keeping," answered Faramir. "Nor have I yet taken up my authority in the City. But had I done so, I should still not cross his will in matters of his craft, unless in some great need."
"But I do not desire healing," she said. "I wish to ride to war like Theoden the king, for he died and has both honor and peace."
"It is too late, lady, to follow the Captains, even if you had the strength," said Faramir. "You and I, we must endure with patience the hours of waiting."
She did not answer, but as he looked at her it seemed to him that something in her softened, as though a bitter frost were yielding at the first faint presage of Spring. Her proud head drooped a little. "But the healers would have me lie abed seven days yet," she said. "And my window does not look eastward."
Faramir smiled. "If you will stay in this house in our care, lady, and take your rest, then you shall walk in this garden in the sun, and you shall look east. And here you will find me, walking and waiting. It would ease my care if you would speak to me, or walk at whiles with me."
"How should I ease your care, my lord?" she said.
"In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It would ease my heart, if while the sun yet shines, I could see you still."
And she did him a courtesy and walked back to the house. But Faramir for a long while walked alone in the garden, and his glance now strayed rather to the house than the eastward walls.
-Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
TWO WEEKS later, Erin strolled beneath the proud trees of Ithilien. A fleet of ships had arrived several days before, bringing supplies and fresh men to help crush the remnants of Sauron's army. Aragorn had ordered the camp moved several miles south into the reclaimed land of Ithilien to meet the ships.
Erin fully approved of the change. The land of Ithilien was truly breathtaking, from the smallest flower hidden in the lush undergrowth to the cathedral-like groves that arched toward the cloudless skies. She could spend hours here—and indeed she had, since she had recovered enough of her strength to leave her bed.
She breathed the cool April air deeply, letting the wind play with her cloak behind her. Within the ships had been extra clothes for the men who had ruined them in battle, and she had managed to find a few garments that fit her decently. Thus she was clothed in a black tunic and dark green leggings, though she went barefoot upon the ground. The weather was not too cold, and the grass was delightfully soft against the soles of her feet.
Suddenly the narrow path ahead of her disappeared, as the avenue between the trees widened into a sunlit grove. Erin glanced briefly at her watch, noting that it was ten minutes before noon. Good—she was early.
She sank down among the ankle-length grasses, savoring the sweet scent as it drifted up around her. The warm rays of the sun caressed her hair, lulling her towards a peaceful doze.
She was nearly asleep when she became aware of approaching footsteps along the path. A few moments later Adrienne stepped into the clearing, a covered basket at her side. Erin smiled at her as she joined Erin upon the ground. "It's a beautiful day," Adrienne commented.
Erin nodded. "Not a cloud in the sky." Indeed they had been gifted with beautiful weather since Sauron's fall—perfect for Erin and Adrienne's plans. They sat in silence for many minutes, listening as a joyous birdsong rose all about them.
A low, grumbling noise broke the dreamlike quiet. The girls looked at each other and laughed. "It was your stomach!" Erin giggled.
"No, it was yours!" Adrienne retorted. The growling came again, and this time there was no mistaking its source. Erin grinned. "I confess. Now what've you got in that basket?"
"You'll see," Adrienne replied. "I'll set it out when everyone gets here."
"I told them noon," Erin grumbled, looking at her watch again. "They're late."
Adrienne and Erin, now almost healed, had invited their companions to a picnic lunch to thank them for their help in restoring the two friends to health. Erin had been in charge of contacting everyone and finding a location; Adrienne had brought food and drink. The delicious aromas of the food were escaping despite the cover, though Erin couldn't be sure what she smelled.
Laughter and voices along the path alerted the two girls to the arrival of their friends. Soon Kavila and Megan strolled into the clearing, followed by Kalva and Sarah, with Lindir a few paces behind. Kalva's arm was still in a sling, and would be for some weeks. However neither Adrienne nor Erin bore any sign of their injuries besides the scars; Adrienne had disposed of her cane yesterday, her crutch having gone long before.
Once everyone had settled into place, Adrienne reached beneath the cloth and drew out a waterskin, which she held up as if calling for silence. She soon received it, as the others turned from their conversations to regard her expectantly. Adrienne grinned. "Before we eat, I want to announce the purpose behind this picnic."
"Who said you needed a purpose for a picnic?" Megan called.
"Especially on a day as lovely as this," Lindir added.
Adrienne gave them both stern looks. "As I was saying, this picnic has a purpose that does not involve the weather," she continued. "Erin and I, and I'm sure Kalva will join us in this, want to thank all of you for helping set us on the road to recovery." A chorus of cheers and protests followed that statement, but Adrienne shushed them with an upraised hand.
"However much or little you did, it helped. We just wanted to say thank you." Adrienne finished, and Erin and Kalva nodded their agreement.
"You guys don't need to thank us!" Kavila said, laughing.
"Take nothing for granted," Erin commented sagely.
"Including food!" Megan burst out. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving here!" The others added their agreement, and Adrienne drew back the cover on her basket to reveal fresh-baked bread, a large hunk of cheese, and a pile of apples. For several minutes silence reigned supreme as everyone busied themselves with devouring the simple but utterly delicious spread.
"Anybody got a drink?" Sarah asked finally. Adrienne started.
"Oh! I forgot! Yes, I brought fresh spring water," she said, handing out several waterskins. "Sorry Kalva and Lindir, no beer. It's only noon, after all."
Lindir looked scandalized. "I do not drink that foul brew," he retorted indignantly. Kalva didn't say anything.
"Not even when you were younger?" Adrienne teased.
Lindir smiled faintly. "I was young and somewhat less than intelligent."
Adrienne pounced on his comment. "But you did drink it!"
"Yes, I did," Lindir sighed. "But as I said, I was not particularly bright." Everyone shared a laugh.
Finally Megan spoke up. "So where did you get all of this?" Megan asked.
Adrienne chuckled. "The cook gave it to me in exchange for a new recipe."
"What was the recipe?" Erin asked suspiciously.
"Hamburgers." Adrienne replied, grinning. "I told him about some of the different toppings, like lettuce and bacon."
Erin rolled her eyes. "Great. Get them going on fast food."
"Hey!" Adrienne retorted. "It's not like I introduced them to French fries!"
"And what, pray tell, are hamburgers and French fries?" Lindir asked, sending all five girls into gales of laughter. Before any of them could reply, the lighthearted scene was interrupted.
"Legolas?" Kavila exclaimed from her seat facing the path, her laughter forgotten.
Indeed, the elven prince leaned casually against a tree, smiling indulgently. They had never even heard him approach.
"Healer Lindir, Kalva, ladies," he greeted, "I was sent to bring you to the gathering that has assembled."
"Gathering?" Erin asked, racking her brain. Just as Legolas began to reply, she remembered the scene from the book.
"The hobbits Frodo and Samwise have awakened, and will come forth to dine with the King," Legolas answered. Adrienne squealed and looked at Erin, beaming. Erin returned the exuberant smile; neither had yet seen the two famous Halflings, and had been looking forward to this day.
Erin was on her feet in moments, and Adrienne was right behind her. The others rose more slowly, Lindir grimacing as his aging body protested. Erin was smiling so much her face hurt as she spoke to Legolas. "Lead the way, my lord!"
WHEN they were washed and clad, and had eaten a light meal, Frodo and Sam followed Gandalf. They stepped out of the beech-grove in which they had lain, and passed on to a long green lawn, glowing in sunshine, bordered by stately dark-leaved trees laden with scarlet blossom.
So they came to a wide green land, and beyond it was a broad river in a silver haze, out of which rose a long wooded isle, and many ships lay by its shores. But on the field where they now stood a great host was drawn up, in ranks and companies glittering in the sun. And as the Hobbits approached swords were unsheathed, and spears were shaken, and horns and trumpets sang, and men cried in many tongues.
And so the red blood blushing in their faces and their eyes shining with wonder, Frodo and Sam went forward and saw that amidst the clamorous host were set three high-seats. On the throne sat a mail-clad man, a great sword was laid across his knees, but he wore no helm. As they drew near he rose. And then they knew him, so high and glad of face, kingly, lord of Men, dark-haired with eyes of grey.
Frodo ran to meet him, and Sam followed close behind. "Well, if this isn't the crown of all!" he said. "Strider, or I'm still asleep!"
"Yes, Sam, Strider," said Aragorn. "It is a long way, is it not, from Bree, where you did not like the look of me?" And then to Sam's surprise and utter confusion he bowed before them; and taking them by the hand, he led them to the throne, and setting them upon it, he turned to the men and captains who stood by and spoke, crying:
"Praise them with great praise!"
And when the glad shout had swelled up and died away again, to Sam's final and complete satisfaction, a minstrel of Gondor stood forth, and knelt. And behold! he said:
"Lo! lords and knights and men of valour unashamed, kings and princes, and all free folk of the West, now listen to my lay. For I will sing to you of Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doom."
And when Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: "O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!" And then he wept.
And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.
-Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
KAVILA watched, grinning, as Frodo and Sam dug into their food at the head of the table, where they sat in places of honor next to Aragorn. Not that she blamed them, of course; they more than deserved the feast. She also caught sight of Merry and Pippin, each dressed in their respective livery, jokingly playing servant to Frodo and Sam before they sat down to eat themselves. As Gandalf had told them, "You too are heroes in your own right, and this feast honors you as well."
Gandalf sat with the hobbits and the sons of Elrond at the head of the table. There also sat Legolas, with Gimli at his side. In the center of the table were the girls, arranged among the lesser lords. Conversation flowed as freely as wine (or, in Kavila and Adrienne's case, tea). Kavila had adamantly refused the wine; she was too afraid she would say something that she would regret later, particularly about a certain golden-haired elf.
Legolas however, as Kavila had observed this evening, was showing no such restraint. He had consumed three glasses of wine and was starting on his fourth, laughing and conversing with Aragorn and Elrond's sons.
Kavila wrenched her gaze away before he noticed her staring, turning her attention to her friends. Erin and Eomer were engaged in a spirited discussion about the history of the Rohirrim, while one of the Rangers, she thought his name was Drugger or something, lectured Adrienne in tracking. Megan was busy relentlessly teasing Sarah and Kalva, who wore identical blushes, though Kalva's might have been partly from the drink. Kavila turned to her own dinner partner, Imrahil, whom she was sure she had badly neglected this eve. Imrahil smiled at her, saying, "So, my lady Kavila, where do your interests lie? In weapons and battle, as your friends?" His smirk said more clearly than words that he knew exactly where her interests had been so far this night.
Kavila spluttered for a moment. "No!" she burst out finally. "No way! I mean, um, not at all, my lord. If I see an Orc, I run! A troll? I shall be long gone!" She cringed at the way her normal manner of speaking clashed with the smooth, practiced tone she was attempting to imitate.
"Not quite, Kavila!" Erin called from down the table, laughing. "You fought in that one skirmish!"
Kavila whirled to face Erin, glaring. "Only because that retarded Hervan dragged me into it!" she exclaimed. "And I did not fight!"
"Whatever," Erin chuckled, turning her attention back to Eomer. Kavila glared. "Shut up, Warford!" she retorted finally, composing herself before turning to face Imrahil.
"Modesty often hides great valor," he commented.
Kavila shook her head. "Not here, my lord. I am suited more to the healer's life than the soldier's."
Imrahil quickly sobered. "I share your distaste for war," he said finally. "I would wield the pen rather than the sword, and engage in matches of diplomacy rather than battle. But I am of the line of the lords of Dol Amroth, captains of men, and so was my destiny in these dark times."
Kavila was silent; there wasn't really much she could say to that. She was pleased that there was someone who understood her sentiments on war, but she pitied Imrahil as well; unlike women, he had no choice but to go to war.
The somber mood was shattered by a sudden call. "Cake!" Erin exclaimed.
Kavila whirled around. "Cake? Whose birthday?" she said without thinking.
"It doesn't have to be someone's birthday to have cake!" Megan said. "Cake is good anytime!"
Erin was grinning. "Well, it's my birthday we missed, so it can be my cake."
"When's your birthday, Warford?" Kavila asked.
"March 21st," Erin declared proudly. "The second day of spring!"
"Mine was March 6," Megan added.
"Hey, mine's in two weeks!" Adrienne exclaimed. "April 14—the day the Titanic sank!"
"That's right!" Erin said. "With all this stuff happening, I'd forgotten! Hm…I wonder what I'll do for presents?" Kavila could almost see the wheels turning in her mind.
Adrienne turned to Kavila, pointedly ignoring Erin. "When's yours?"
"It's not till May," Kavila replied, shrugging.
"May what?" Adrienne pressed. Kavila caught sight of Legolas, his head slightly tilted her way, and decided she wasn't going to reply. Surely elven hearing could reach this far down the table, and she didn't want Legolas to know. Why would he care? she thought suddenly. It's not like he likes me that way. He wouldn't actually buy me anything!
"May 11th!" Erin said loudly. Kavila cringed.
"Is it your custom then, to give gifts on birthing-days?" Eomer asked. He was met with a laughing affirmative from all five girls.
Before the discussion could go further, Pippin and Merry leaped up on the table, displaying surprising balance and agility despite the copious alcohol they had consumed. "And now, a good ol' Shire song for cousin Frodo and dear Sam!" Merry announced, slurring the words slightly. The proposal was met with laughter and faint applause. The two young hobbits began a simple jig upon the table that prompted many to rescue their drinks from beneath the leaping hobbits.
Oh, sweets taste mighty good at times,
And meat hot from the fire can be filling,
But neither's good as a pint o' beer,
Nor half as sorrow-killing.
Oh, gold's a great treasure for some,
An' fills many a dragon's hoard,
But the best thing gold is good for,
Is buying plenty more kegs o' rum.
Oh, much's the good in a fair-faced lass,
Tho' sometimes 'tis sense they lack,
Yet drinks don't stay with you past morning,
An' pint cups don't talk back!
At the last line all the men broke out in peals of laughter, though there was some good-natured grumbling from the girls. Pippin and Merry were helped from the table, and then Pippin called, "Come, Frodo, give us a song!"
Frodo stared into his cup. "No, I don't think I shall." Aragorn gave him a knowing look, and then turned and called to the servants. "We've minstrels who are talented enough! Come, my friend, play us some dancing music!"
The minstrel obliged, and since the girls were the only females at the table, they were in high demand as dancing partners. Kalva whirled Sarah around with the music, Eomer drew Erin onto the dance floor, and Aragorn asked Adrienne for a dance. Megan disappeared into the crowd with that Ranger guy, and Kavila was left sitting at the table with Imrahil. Personally, she was just as happy sitting—she didn't want to attempt that twirling dance her friends were engaged in. With her luck, she'd fall flat on her face.
Suddenly Imrahil cleared his throat. Kavila turned back to look at him, and he half rose, when his gaze suddenly flicked behind her. Kavila looked up into Legolas's angelic face. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed when she saw him standing right behind her. "I so did not hear you! Don't do that to me! I hate it when people sneak up on me! I hate it!" Legolas seemed mildly repentant.
"My apologies, lady Kavila. I would ask you for a dance, but it seems Lord Imrahil has already asked you," he said.
Kavila was about to say that yes, Imrahil had asked her, when Imrahil himself spoiled the entire plan. "I had no such designs, my lord Legolas. She is all yours," he said, bowing. "Perhaps another dance, hm?" Kavila could have sworn he winked at Legolas. Then he was gone, moving towards Elrond's sons. She glared at his back.
Legolas drew her attention by clearing his throat. He offered her his arm. "Would you dance with me?" he asked, smiling in that absolutely innocent, charming way that she loved—no, no, she did not like it when he smiled at her, she did not! That was the part of her brain that was still deluded into thinking she was infatuated with him. She would not get caught in that mess!
Still, she couldn't decline Legolas's offer, not after Imrahil had made such a big show of leaving her to him. "Certainly, my lord," she replied, and Legolas led her onto the dance floor.
Then Kavila lost herself in the dance, the intricate motions requiring all her concentration. As she always did when dancing, she worked to maintain the grace and poise that her dance teacher back on Earth had instilled in her. She threw herself into the movements, focusing on matching Legolas step for step. After a few minutes of fumbling she began to understand the patterns of the steps, and long before the end of the song she was moving in tandem with Legolas, exhibiting every bit as much elven grace as her partner. Despite herself, she found herself laughing with pure joy.
When the dance was finished, Legolas drew her back to the table for a moment of rest. "Do you have that dance in your world, lady Kavila?" he asked her after they had caught their breath.
"No," she answered, shaking her head slowly. "Why?"
"You are very quick, then," Legolas said, smiling. "That is a difficult step, and you danced it well."
Kavila returned his smile in spite of herself. "I did have dance classes back on Earth, but they weren't that kind of dancing."
Legolas seemed interested. "What kind of dance did you learn?"
"Bharatnatyam," she replied, then realized she had spoken in Hindi. "I mean, that's what it's called in my language. It's a special type of dance in my culture."
"You are…of a different people than your friends?" Legolas asked, brows creasing as he attempted to understand.
Great Kavi, she chided herself. Make him see how different you are. "Yeah. My people are from a land called India. We're called Indians."
"Then how have you come to know your friends so well, if you live in different lands?" Legolas asked.
Kavila sighed. Explaining modern Earth culture could get rather complicated. "Well, I don't live in India, it's just where my family is from. But I live in another country, called America. There are people there from lots of different cultures and lands, all living together. My friends and I all live near each other and go to the same school, so we met each other and became friends."
"Ah," Legolas nodded. "And this dance you spoke of—" he paused for a moment, "—Bharatnatyam, how is it special?"
Kavila was surprised and vaguely pleased at how well Legolas picked up on the pronunciation of the Hindi word. "Well, it's special because it's not, like, dancing for fun. When you do Bharatnatyam, you kind of act out a story."
"Your dance tells a story?" Legolas clarified. Kavila nodded, and he continued. "What stories do you dance?"
Kavila chuckled. "Stories from my religion, from the myths of my people."
Legolas nodded. "I should like to see some of this Bharatnatyam, perhaps when we return to Minas Tirith?" He turned the statement into a question.
Kavila shrugged, trying to keep from committing to a performance. She absolutely did not want to end up dancing for Legolas, if it was at all possible to avoid it. "I don't know…maybe. I might be busy."
"With what?" Legolas asked.
Kavila shrugged again. "I don't know. They might need help in the Houses of Healing or something."
Legolas smiled. "Then I shall visit you in the Houses of Healing."
"O-okay," Kavila said slowly, trying to hide her nervousness at the prospect. She glanced futilely around. Okay, Warford, this is about the time you should show up and start teasing me about something, Kavila thought, wishing she were telepathic. Tease me about Legolas, I don't care, as long as he doesn't have an opportunity to say anything else like that.
Just then Imrahil strolled towards them from the other end of the table. "Would my lady Kavila grace me with her presence for a dance?" he asked, bowing. Kavila laughed in spite of her discomfort. "Sure," she said. Anything to get away from Legolas, she added to herself. Legolas looked faintly annoyed, but Kavila wasn't about to stay a moment longer. Imrahil led her onto the dance floor, and she did not see Legolas again that evening.
THE NEXT morning Adrienne strolled through the camp towards the tent she and Erin shared, hoping to find her friend there. So far this morning Adrienne had been unable to track down any of her friends; it was as if they had all disappeared.
Suddenly Erin came racing around the corner behind Adrienne, nearly bowling Adrienne over in her haste. Adrienne called out a greeting.
Erin looked up, breathing hard. "There you are!" she exclaimed. "I've been looking for you!"
Adrienne laughed. "So have I. Where have you been all morning?"
But Erin was shaking her head. "Come on, come on! Aragorn and Legolas are having a competition!" Erin took off at a run back the way she had come, dragging Adrienne behind her.
Adrienne freed herself from Erin's grasp and caught up to her friend. "What kind of competition? Why?"
Erin shrugged mid-stride. "Don't know why. Don't know what kind of contest either. I just came to find you. Probably not archery."
Adrienne chuckled. "Aragorn knows he'd get his butt kicked."
Soon their questions were answered as they approached a large crowd gathered in a clearing and heard the sound of metal ringing. Adrienne and Erin exchanged wide grins. "Sparring!" Erin whispered gleefully. Adrienne returned the sentiment wholeheartedly as they pushed through the ring of watchers to the front row. Aragorn was the best swordsman in Middle Earth, and Legolas was quite a warrior himself. This would be good.
Once they reached the inner circle of spectators, Erin and Adrienne were met with a glorious sight. Legolas, blond hair dancing on his deep green tunic, whirled to block a blow from Aragorn's broadsword with his long elven knife. The two blades met with a great clang, and then Aragorn leaped back to avoid a slash at his midsection from Legolas's second blade. Their faces a mask of concentration, the combatants circled, eyeing each other fiercely. Aragorn's maroon tunic was stained with sweat; neither he nor Legolas wore any armor.
Adrienne saw Elrond's sons cheering from across the clearing, one for Legolas and one for Aragorn, calling out criticisms and comments—often at the worst times. Adrienne found this quite amusing; after all, the twins had probably taught Aragorn swordplay.
Legolas moved in for an attack, feinting a stab at Aragorn's stomach before leaping to the left and slashing at Aragorn's unprotected right side. Aragorn twisted sharply, barely avoiding the blade. He let the momentum of the twist carry him around, bringing Anduril around in a vicious cut at Legolas's chest. Legolas jumped nimbly back, but he misjudged the length of Aragorn's sword, the tip of which opened a foot-long slash in his tunic.
From somewhere on the other side of the clearing there came a scream. Adrienne craned her neck and saw Kavila, an expression of abject horror on her face as she watched the match. It was quickly replaced with a look of intense relief as she realized that Legolas was unhurt.
The twins, standing nearby, noticed her behavior and shared a grin. As Legolas and Aragorn circled one of them called out, "Come Legolas, you must not lose, or you shall disgrace yourself in front of your lady-love."
Kavila sputtered but didn't retort, still too awed by the high elven lords to actually contradict them. Adrienne chuckled to herself. After the dance last night, it was a wonder the entire camp wasn't congratulating them on finding love. Though neither had realized it, the entire party had come to a standstill towards the end of their dance last night, as everyone watched the couple performing the steps with such breathtaking grace.
Aragorn, taking advantage of Legolas's momentary distraction, swung at Legolas's right arm. The elf barely got his blades up in time, turning to face the oncoming blade and bringing his knives to bear in an "X" shape. Twisting the blades around in a maneuver too fast for Adrienne to follow, Legolas managed to trap Anduril between his knives. Before Aragorn could withdraw the blade Legolas wrenched Anduril from the King's grasp, sending it flying through the air to land several feet away.
Aragorn didn't miss a beat. Backing away to give himself time, he drew the elven knife given to him by the Lady Galadriel. Adrienne drew in her breath sharply. They must not be ending at disarmament, or Legolas would have won. Now it was down to one knife against two.
Legolas attacked, a jab to Aragorn's right side just under the rib. Aragorn knocked it away, moving his knife in a downward arc from left to right, and letting the momentum of the swing turn his body to the right. Then he kicked out with his left foot, connecting with the underside of Legolas's right wrist as the elf attempted a second strike. Legolas's mouth tightened at the pain of the blow, and he dropped his knife.
Legolas switched his last knife to his right hand, even as Aragorn turned once more to face him. Aragorn feinted to the right and darted in for a strike at Legolas's chest, but Legolas anticipated this and dropped instead to the ground. Swinging his leg in a powerful arc, the elf slammed it into Aragorn's legs, and Aragorn fell with a shout. Legolas rolled forward and brought his knife to Aragorn's throat, pinning the king's knife-arm with his left hand.
One elven eyebrow raised delicately in a silent question.
Aragorn groaned. "I surrender." Legolas rose gracefully and retrieved his second knife, slipping them both into the sheath at his back. He offered a hand to Aragorn, who took it gratefully. The two friends shared a brief smile as the spectators burst into cheers and clapping, and Aragorn went to recover Anduril.
Erin leaned close to Adrienne's ear. "I bet that brought back some memories," she said softly. Adrienne chuckled and nodded. Aragorn and Legolas had been friends long before the Quest began.
Suddenly Adrienne turned at the sound of her name. Gandalf made his way through the crowd towards them, Frodo and Sam at his side. Adrienne could not restrain a squeal of delight; though the two hobbits had been present at the dinner last night, they had disappeared before Adrienne had a chance to meet them.
By the time the three men neared, Erin had noticed their approach as well. Adrienne introduced them, and together the two friends bowed to the hobbits. "I am Adrienne, and this is Erin."
"Gandalf has indeed spoken of you," Frodo said. "But you did not say, Adrienne and Erin of where?" Adrienne winced inwardly. Erin glanced at Gandalf, who nodded slightly.
"That is actually a rather long tale," Erin said, motioning for the hobbits to precede her out of the crowd. "It would be better told sitting down, I think." She grabbed Adrienne's arm, pulling Adrienne after her as they followed the hobbits towards an unoccupied spot of shaded ground. "You've got to help me explain."
Adrienne chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't miss this for the world."
MEGAN watched her companions with open amusement as the fight was ended. Sarah and Kalva didn't seem to realize it had finished; they were discussing something very quietly, exchanging little smiles at intervals.
On the other hand, Kavila's relief was obvious. She had watched the match with barely concealed worry, no doubt fearing that one of the combatants would be hurt. Megan thought it rather silly; both men were very experienced with their weapons, and even if something happened, Aragorn was a talented healer.
But the true cause of her amusement was the fact that Kavila continued to stare at Legolas as he spoke with Aragorn and gathered his weapons. Megan hid a smile and reached over to tap Kavila on the shoulder.
Kavila jumped and whirled to face Megan, eyes wide. "What?" she asked, her voice slightly higher than usual.
Megan grinned. "You were staring."
Kavila glared. "Was not." Megan just rolled her eyes and laughed.
Kavila turned her attention back to the clearing briefly, feeling someone's gaze on her. Legolas met her eyes and then, smiling softly, he winked. He, a dignified, godlike elven prince, winked. It was so…presumptuous! Kavila suppressed a desire to slap him. If this was about what that stupid elf-lord-twin-guy had said…
Megan called her name, bringing Kavila out of her angry thoughts. "What?" she asked a second time, her exasperation clear in her voice.
Megan chuckled. "We have to go," she said. "We've only got ten minutes before we're due back at the armory."
"Armory?" Kavila said without thinking, and Megan laughed harder.
Beside her, Sarah gasped. "That's right! We've got to get back!" Megan glanced around the crowd, searching for her other two friends. There they were, seated off to the side with Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf. Yes, they would be quite occupied for awhile. Erin had kept to her promise. Megan smiled again and motioned for Sarah and Kavila to follow her. In moments they were lost in the crowd.
A WEEK later, Adrienne was becoming used to waking up alone. For the past few days Erin had left their tent before dawn—or at least, that was what Adrienne thought. She never actually saw her friend leave. But Adrienne had awakened at dawn yesterday, and Erin had still been absent.
Adrienne had also become accustomed to wandering alone until about noon, at which time Erin would usually join her, excusing her morning absence by saying she had been talking with Gandalf, or practicing swordwork with Kalva, or any number of other things. Adrienne had become very suspicious, although she had found that Erin's stories were always true. She had asked the various people whom Erin had claimed to be spending the morning with, and had received only confirmations. Nonetheless, it left Adrienne with an uneasy feeling.
This morning, however, Adrienne wasn't particularly worried by Erin's absence. She had more important things to think about—namely, the sword-practice she had scheduled with Dregor for mid-morning. She quickly readied herself, dressing and eating a hasty but decent breakfast in the mess hall, and left for the meeting place she and Dregor had agreed on.
As she neared the clearing, Adrienne tried to dispel the butterflies that had taken up residence within her stomach. After all, Dregor knew she didn't have much experience, and Vilad had taught her well. She chuckled softly to herself; she had faced a troll, and now she was nervous about sparring a ranger?
But she knew the reason for it. She respected Dregor greatly, for his intelligence and his skills as a ranger and warrior. She did not want to disappoint him.
Then Adrienne reached the shade of the trees that enclosed the clearing and stopped short, her anxiety replaced with awe. Within the clearing, Dregor was practicing. The graceful arcs and staccato stabs of his sword seemed to sketch a picture upon the cool morning air, his body moving with a practiced fluidity that rivaled elven grace. The new light of the morning sun glinted off his blade and lit a red aura about his brown hair, giving him the appearance of one of the great warriors of old. Adrienne took a deep breath as her nervousness returned full-force and stepped into the clearing.
Dregor whirled immediately to face her, smiling encouragingly when he saw her. "You are early," he remarked, though he did not sheathe his sword.
Adrienne took the hint and drew her own, bowing her head briefly. "I am eager to begin."
"Then we shall begin immediately," Dregor laughed, motioning for her to come into the center of the clearing. "You said that you had some previous instruction?"
Adrienne nodded. "Vilad of Minas Tirith. He was wounded in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields."
Dregor grimaced. "Many were lost or wounded upon those fields. But come now, were you taught the basic blocks and attacks?"
Adrienne nodded again, thus beginning an hour of drills in the basic moves of swordfighting. Dregor was a demanding and exact teacher, she found. Once he corrected a stance or grip, he expected Adrienne to remember the correction the next time he ordered her into the position. He gave nothing freely except criticism, making his praise a coveted thing.
When he finally allowed her to rest and drink, she sank onto the ground with a weary sigh. Though she had not exerted herself a great deal, holding the positions for long minutes while Dregor scrutinized her stance and the angle of her arms had tired her muscles more than she had expected.
But Dregor's next words brought a glow of energy to her once more. "Give my respect to Vilad of Minas Tirith. He taught you well." The ranger took a quick drink from his own waterskin and then looked back at Adrienne. "Do you think you are ready to spar?"
Adrienne scrambled to her feet. "Of course!"
Dregor chuckled. "On your guard, then." Adrienne hastened to get into position, feeling a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. She had managed well enough with the basic moves, but could she gain the ranger's respect in a real sparring match?
Dregor attacked, and Adrienne pushed her emotions to the back of her mind. He started with a sharp cut at her right side, which she easily blocked. He disengaged and swung at her other side, but higher; the blow came near her neck. Adrienne leaped back and parried, keeping her sword in front of her. Dregor matched her step, closing the distance between them even as he responded with a stab at her abdomen. Adrienne evaded to the left, bringing her sword down in an arc to block the blow. Continuing the swing back upward, she struck at Dregor's neck. He leaped to the right, blocking the strike easily.
Suddenly Dregor froze, holding up a hand in a silent command for Adrienne to stop. When she did, Adrienne heard someone crashing through the forest towards them. Moments later Megan's tanned face appeared as she dashed down the path toward Adrienne and Dregor. She came to a sudden stop when she reached the clearing.
"Adrienne! Something's happened! Hurry, follow me!" she panted before turning back the way she had come. Adrienne was close on her heels.
"What's happened?" Adrienne managed as she struggled to keep up with Megan. Damn cross-country runner, she ranted mentally.
"No time!" was Megan's hasty reply, as the girl sprinted down the paths. Adrienne shook her head in frustration and gave up, concentrating on following Megan and hoping her bad knee didn't decide to act up.
After many frenzied minutes of running, Megan came to a sudden halt in a small grove. Adrienne peered around the girl's slight form, seeing nothing in the clearing. Megan walked forward until she was in the middle of the grove, turning to face Adrienne. She was grinning from ear to ear.
"Happy Birthday!" Megan shouted, even as people burst from behind trees and bushes into the small grove. "Happy Birthday!" the call resounded throughout the clearing.
Adrienne stood absolutely still for several moments before she realized her mouth was wide open. She shut it forcibly, wide eyes scanning the gathering of friends. There were Erin, Kavila, and Sarah, as well as Kalva and Lindir and Gandalf and the hobbits—all four of them!—and the Three Hunters. Last, looking slightly winded, was…Dregor! Adrienne's mouth fell open again. "How…how did you beat us here!" she demanded.
Dregor chuckled. "A shortcut."
Adrienne glared, turning her attention back to Megan. "So there wasn't anything wrong?" she asked somewhat indignantly.
Megan laughed. "Nope. Everything is perfectly fine…which is a miracle after all we've gone through to get this ready without you knowing."
Erin stepped up. "Now, now. Before we start bragging about all the work we've put into this, Adrienne needs to make a choice. Cake or presents first?"
"Presents!" Adrienne exclaimed. "But how…" None of them had any money to buy presents!
Erin interrupted her. "We'll tell you that after we've given them to you. Do you want the presents first, then?" Adrienne could only nod dumbly.
Erin turned and took a plain wooden box from Sarah, coming forward until she stood before Adrienne. Beaming, Erin sank to one knee before her, holding the box up as if in offering. "My lady Adrienne. For you, from your friends." she murmured.
Adrienne giggled at Erin's display, but took the box. It was about a foot and a half long and perhaps six inches wide. Though there were no designs on the front, the wood was beautifully polished.
Adrienne carefully undid the clasp on the box, completely baffled as to what she might find inside. When she finally lifted the top up and saw the box's contents, she nearly dropped it.
Inside, nestled in black fabric, lay a pair of long knives in a sheath. The hilts were slightly curved to fit the hand, wrapped in dark brown leather, with rounded ends gleaming silver. The sheath was supple leather, slightly reddish-brown, with silver buckles.
Adrienne looked up, too stunned to smile. "Oh my god…you guys…this is beautiful…"
Erin was beaming. "Take them out of the sheath."
She held the box as Adrienne lifted the sheathed blades out, pulling one free of its sheath. Adrienne held her breath as she turned the foot-long blade slowly, marveling at the way it reflected the sunlight. Suddenly she held it close to her eyes, attempting to make out the runes engraved on the blade. "What…"
Erin moved to look over her shoulder. "I think they're Adunaic—the old speech of men. I'm not sure. But the blacksmith told me they're runes of protection." She held the sheath as Adrienne withdrew the second knife, stepping back and replacing the sheath in the box.
Adrienne gripped the knives, performing a couple of quick, experimental moves with them. She could not keep an ecstatic smile from her face as she turned to Erin. "Erin…" she began, tears of joy in her eyes. Erin presented the open box, and Adrienne put the blades away. Placing the box carefully aside, she enveloped Erin in a hug. "Thank you so incredibly much…"
"I'm not the only one you should be thanking." Erin said. "That present is from Kavila, Sarah, and Megan, too. We've all been doing shifts at the armory, working off the cost of the knives. Even Kavila—she made arrows."
Adrienne couldn't keep the tears back. "Oh my god…I love you guys…" she said, hugging each in turn. As she stepped back, she saw Erin motioning out of the corner of her eye.
Legolas moved forward, bowing slightly. "Happy Birthday, Lady Adrienne. As a present, I would offer you lessons with your new knives."
Adrienne stood speechless for several moments. "You…teach me?" she said slowly. Legolas nodded, smiling. In answer, Adrienne threw her arms around him. "Of course!" she answered with a beaming smile. "Refuse weapons lessons from an elf? I couldn't even if I wanted to!"
Next the hobbits stepped forward, carrying a many-layered cake between them. "Here's our present!" they called as they placed the cake on the ground.
"Although," Pippin added. "it seems rather strange to give presents to the birthday-lass."
Everyone laughed heartily. "A most fitting present from hobbits!" Gandalf commented with a chuckle as everyone gathered round to feast on the delicious-looking cake.
"Knife, anyone?" Erin called, her gaze falling on the box containing Adrienne's present. Adrienne clutched her new knives closer as Erin eyed them. "Not for cutting cake!" she warned. Erin laughed and turned to Dregor, who was offering his own knife for the honorable use of cake-cutting.
Merry pulled out his pocket-watch as he sat down to eat. "As I thought!" he commented. "It's just time for elevensies!"
"We're back in decent lands, Mr. Frodo!" Sam said. "A hobbit can get his proper six meals here!"
Erin, seated next to Adrienne, draped an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Happy seventeenth birthday, Adrienne," she said softly.
Happy birthday indeed, Adrienne thought to herself as she swept her eyes over her friends, sharing laughter and food. She didn't think she'd ever been happier.