Author's Note: Here is my sixth chapter. Thanks again to all my wonderful reviewers! I cannot tell you how much you have encouraged me to continue writing. I would like to say a special thanks to my beta Dragonfly32 for her great help with this chapter. Thanks again! I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 6 Weariness

            I looked down at my hands, hands that had at one time been soft and gentle, now calloused and hard. Dirt had embedded itself under my nails and no matter how hard I scrubbed it would not come free. My face was a deep shade of pink, having been burned by the summer sun's strong rays. My hair had grown duller and my features were slightly drawn. I frowned; making the reflection in the mirror look even wearier, if that was possible. My appearance did not resemble that of an elleth at all. I suppose that was the price I paid for being stubborn. My mind and body were screaming at me to quit. You are being foolish Elenwen, if you quit now perhaps you can still hold on to some of your dignity. The March Warden will understand. I shook my head, no he wouldn't. I should have kept walking that day, pulled free of the hand he had laid on my shoulder. I was not fit for the life of the guard. Three weeks had passed and still my skills lacked greatly. I could see the Captain's face harden a little, every time my arrow fell short of its mark. I could see his body stiffen when I struck out with my sword, almost decapitating him by accident, or when I dropped my weapon out of fear when he fought more aggressively. I was a nuisance to him, he knew, I knew. Then why, oh why, did he continue to train me? Did he find amusement in my poor talents? It was not that he found me pretty, for such an ellon as him could never find an elleth like me attractive.

            I sighed and turned from the mirror, leaving my bedroom behind. It was times like these that I almost wished for my parents return, almost. Even though my Naneth would be critical, she would certainly have found a way to free me from this disaster. Mayhap I should wait another week and if by then I did not improve, I would resign. But yet, something tugged at my heart. I really did not wish to disappoint Haldir, in any way. He had been so patient, so helpful, would it be cruel now to give up? I felt overcome by weariness, struggling with my thoughts and fears. The first soft rays of sunlight were floating over the horizon and the sweet scent of flowers filtered through the air. Well, it was too late now, I would have to be off.

            The training grounds were near empty when I arrived. A few scattered elves were standing about, fiddling with their weapons and chatting lightly. I fetched my small bow from the armory and a quiver of arrows. It would do me good to practice a little before the March Warden came. I released an arrow or two, telling myself that I had improved since my training had begun, even though they fell shy from their target. The chatter had ceased in the corner and I could feel the eyes of the ellyn staring at me. My face grew flushed and I tried to appear unruffled by their sudden attention.

            "She's gotten better," one whispered quietly, I thought I recognized the voice.

            "Has Haldir mentioned anything?" another asked.

            "Very little," the first replied, I now realized that it was one of the Captain's brothers who spoke. The other sighed and I could hear him moving restlessly. They remained silent for a moment until the other spoke up once more.

            "Let us hope that he takes our advice to heart then brother," he mumbled.

            "Aye," his counterpart answered. I nocked another arrow, my mind pondering over what advice Haldir could have possibly received from his brothers regarding me. I did not have much time to think this over however, for the March Warden himself had entered the field.

            "Mae govannen," he waved to the ellyn standing behind me. They responded in turn as he drew closer. "Mae govannen," he smiled down at me. I grinned weakly at him, feeling shy in his powerful presence. "I see you have started already, good," his eyes moved to the target and I saw them tighten as he perceived my arrows laying a few feet away. "You are improving," Haldir assured me. "Your form and speed have gotten much better, now we shall just have to work on your aim."

            "Yes sir," these two words made up the majority of my vocabulary when we were together. .

            "But today I thought we might try something a little different," the commander continued. At once I felt fear cloak me, the thought of him introducing new ways to embarrass myself and display my lack of fighting skills made me nauseous. My emotions must have shown upon my face, for his tone became softer when he next spoke. "Do not fear," he said. "We shall still practice fencing like we normally would, but this time I have considered pairing you with another member of the guard, for everyone fights in a different manner. You must learn to adapt to diverse styles. It will prepare you for duty on the borders." My mouth grew dry and I broke out into a cold sweat. I could barely keep hold of my sword when the March Warden trained with me. How did he expect me to even compete with a guard member who would not go easy, but fight even more fiercely?

"Come," he motioned for me to follow him. My feet would barely move as I trudged along. The other guards had begun to arrive and now many of them filled the area. Haldir led me over to a young ellon with light hair who was about my age, who stood resting upon the hilt of a beautiful elvish blade. The soldier straightened up immediately at the sight of his commander and stood, awaiting orders. I did not hear the Captain as he introduced us or when he bade us to move away from the crowds to fence. I saw the ellon standing before me, holding his sword tightly within his grasp. I swallowed hard and felt my hands slipping upon the hilt. Suddenly he struck out and I managed to parry his blow somehow, but was left off balance. He struck out again and this time hit his mark. Of course he only knocked me lightly with the broad edge of his blade, but that was enough to send me reeling backwards. I suppose if I hadn't been so exhausted, I might have taken the hit better. I tried to catch myself, but it was too late. My head made contact with something hard and all fell into darkness