A/N: First, I was not expecting so many reviews! It made me fuzzy and happy inside. Thank you so much and keep them coming! I'm not completely happy with this chapter but I wanted to post the next chapter ASAP! Anyways I hope you enjoy this next installment.
P.S. I responded to the comments below
Secrets of a Raven Beauty
Chapter 7
Training
Time moved unbearably slow.
Calaerien grew tired of anxiously crossing and uncrossing her legs while fleetingly working at her loom. She barely exceeded a foot in length since she began weaving. At this pace, the sheet of fabric would take days to complete. A deep sigh signified the strain of being patient when all Calaerien wanted to do was meet Legolas in the garden. The bright moon, in its unbearably slow pace, inched closer to its peak in the clear sky. She was gripped by a mixture of anticipation and excitement when she finally broke into a wide smile of triumph.
It was difficult for Calaerien not to squeal in delight when she leaped to her feet and rushed out of the chamber with her deep blue dress billowing around her ankles. The lighthearted sensation lured her out to only collide with her mother.
Erweth gasped when Calaerien stumbled swiftly into her and almost collided with her nose. The older elf steadied her daughter by her shoulders while she blinked her soft blue eyes in surprise and flabbergast by Calaerien's thoughtless impact.
She inquired, her voice carried a reprimanded tone, "Why are you in such a rush, Calaerien?"
A deep hue flushed across Calaerien's cheeks out of embarrassment. How could she not hear her mother's light step toward the door through her jumbled thoughts of tonight?
Calaerien felt the knots forming in her throat, completely humiliated by her lack of observation skills on this night. For a moment, she couldn't decide if she should impart on her plan with her mother but thought better of it. She'll earn more than a frown from her mother. Calaerien stammered unconfidently, "Forgive me, mother, I… I need to go for a walk. A break from my work."
Erweth heard the trembling that was masked by the coy tone in her voice. There was also the fact that Calaerien failed to keep her eyes focused. Whenever Erweth has faced with ocean blue eyes, they swiftly darted away. An unready behavior to acknowledge whatever truth Calaerien held. Most queer.
A sardonic expression formed on Erweth's fair face and spoke only when the opportunity occurred to question in disbelief, "A midnight stroll? Alone?"
"…Yes, mother." Calaerien retorted slowly, guilt clenched at her heart. When she cleared her throat, Calaerien twiddled her thumbs and her dreary monotone in which she spoke quickened slightly under the suppressed excitement, "Elves still do that."
Erweth cocked an incredulous eyebrow at Calaerien's poor attempt which led her daughter to chuckle nervously. Most queer. She kept her face neutral while she crossed her arms over her chest and implied vaguely. "I see… Well, I won't want to be in the way of your…. stroll."
Erweth smiled knowingly before stepped out of Calaerien's way while her daughter, in question, coyly walked away. There was a peculiar step in Calaerien's walk, like a beat in rhythm from an upbeat song. Bewilderment clouded Erweth until the corners of her lips curved upward proudly. Calaerien's fea radiated brightly due to an unspoken joy. First, it was the change in her fea, then dancing and now sneaking out in the dead of the night. Something truly gripped her daughter with an unbreakable clench.
At first, Calaerien moved slowly, fearful to suggest anything is amiss until she rounded the corner and rapidly picked up her pace.
Erweth stood in the threshold, listened to her daughter's scuffled footsteps as she continued to increase the distance between them. The older elf chuckled internally and entered the chamber. A full moon cast a moonlight through the gasp in the cavern walls. The light has given Erweth time to scrutinize in silent torment.
The eerie silence gripped at Erweth's heart. The empty chamber caused her heart to throb and reflected the surprise emotions that threaten to crumble. The days rolled one after another until it was nothing more than a blur, or blink of an eye. In such time, it surprised Erweth to experience a sudden qualm of deep and genuine loneliness. A tidal wave suppressed after many years, and released with a haunting air of unspeakable yearn for her departed mate. The aged elleth racked her fingers through her golden locks and groomed around her roots to distract herself.
She made her way deeper into the chamber and noted the rolls of fabric weaved by her daughter along with several baskets of wool material. Their chamber became Calaerien's workspace. A thought which only bred a weak but proud smile. Then a bitter frown developed on her face and sympathized with her brethren who were left behind, much like the king.
There wasn't the slightest indication that Erweth didn't count her blessings. She had a beloved daughter and niece, all of which, both carved their own path in life. Erweth sat on Calaerien's stool, submerged by the desponded ache in her soul. As she brought a delicate hand to rub her temple, Erweth was shocked to find her flesh was cold.
Erweth investigated her fingers that trembled and had a wisp of a wintry touch. For more than five hundred years, Erweth walked the world alone without the comfort or connection from Romonil and at times, it made Erweth, the sweet and loving elf, want to fade.
"One day, my love, we shall be reunited…." Erweth promised in the empty air and sighed deeply.
When Calaerien reached the archway to the garden, her heart clenched with anticipation. She was welcomed by a cold but pleasant breeze. The clear sky was laden with twinkling starlight and a large full-moon. Under the cover of darkness, her hands will finally grasp the concept and skill to wield a bow. Calaerien crossed the short bridge, her eyes searched feverishly while her ears listened. As she inched forward, her eyes narrowed at a shadowy figure who leaned nonchalantly against her favorite tree.
Her heart jumped when Legolas smiled kindly. His arms crossed comfortably over his chest, his gaze deep but open. The prince clad himself in his green hunting armor, equipped with a pair of knives, a satchel and a quiver of arrows and a bow. The archer appeared to be ready for a battle and whether or not Calaerien should accept that as a vote of confidence, it certainly made her inferior in her gown.
She cast a scrutinized glance at her light blue gown with long billowing sleeves, which served as evidence that she did not possess any armor or traveling attire. If she did, it would definitely incur her mother's wrath. It made her feel slightly awkward to attend archery training in a full-length gown. It almost deterred her but suppressed that feeling and pressed forward.
Calaerien folded her hands behind her back, walked with a joyful sway in her step as she approached the prince. She came under the canopy of leaves, barely two feet away. The proximity lured Calaerien to coyly tuck a loose strand behind her ear.
"I hope you weren't waiting too long?" Calaerien asked bashfully, twirling the fabric of her bell sleeve.
"Only for the last fifty-nine minutes."
Calaerien's face fell, guilt swathed her but eased when Legolas chuckled lightheartedly, amused by her expression, "I jest, Calaerien. I arrived only minutes before you did. Come. I know a place where we can be lost in the shadows."
Legolas thrust himself away from the tree, waved his hand in a gesture for Calaerien to follow. Out from beneath the tree, they basked in the moonlight. When Calaerien fell in step with the prince, shoulder to shoulder, she grinned coyly. She cast a nervously look, "I fear I do not own a bow."
Legolas smirked knowingly, as he eyed her in good humor, "I suspected as much. I doubt your mother would be pleased if you owned a weapon. Worry not, you'll use my bow."
Even if Calaerien could try, she could suppress the pleased smile on her lips. In every direction, his level of kindness and in every measure of compassion made him the richest and sincere elloth she had the pleasure of meeting. She briefly remembered the night when she delivered him his evening meal and request to refrain her hands from touching his weapon. Now under the moonlight, Legolas appeared to trust her with items he possessively clenched closely.
Legolas guided Calaerien to a crook, perched on the side of the mountain. A place with overgrown of shrubs, bushes and tree vines. Calaerien thought it of no more than the edge of the garden, but when Legolas pulled back the thickets of vines, there behold a concealed entranceway. A secret doorway that was long since forgotten or abandoned.
Legolas glanced at Calaerien, obviously waited for her to pass through first, but found the elleth stunned to the private entryway. When he cocked a curious eyebrow, it lured Calaerien to confess.
"I did not know there was something beyond the garden."
Calaerien stepped over a path packed with mud and oozes from moss. She pushed strands of vines out of her way and was stun to find an eerie and soundless yard. The tantalizing thought of a forsaken place persuaded her to stroll deeper into the unfamiliar location. Trees littered sporadically across the tall grass terrain. The yard hasn't been attended to in a good amount of years, therefore the shrubs grew out of control, twisting across the ground. It was a disarray of natural.
Calaerien loved it.
"I have not ventured to this place in several centuries." Legolas came to her side, his eyes swept the area with a haunted glint in his eyes. The prince felt her curious eyes and when he connected their gaze, he explained forlornly, "It was the first archery yard many years ago."
She blinked when she made the connection. In the distance, surrounded by vines and shrubs were three stakes, barely survived the weather and the unruly nature. If there have been more, they were nowhere to be seen.
Legolas gently placed his hand on the lower part of Calaerien's back to usher her toward the center where an ancient and old tree had deeply embedded its roots. It appeared to be sculpted with muscular branches and a wide trunk. They sat against the trunk on top of twigs and leaves, surrounded by a dense amount of tall grass that formed a barrier around their forms. Legolas placed his quiver beside a thick root and rest back comfortably on the ground with his hands behind his head and peered at the night sky through the shrubby branches. Contrary to her own belief, when Calaerien rested beside Legolas with her hands gingerly on her stomach, she found herself at peace beneath the starlight.
"My mother trained here." Legolas voice was neutral but Calaerien detected the mixture of sadness and yearning in his voice.
Calaerien looked to Legolas in surprise, and wished nothing more but to comfort him but knew it probably wouldn't be welcomed. The late queen rarely wisps about amongst the elves. She was the forbidden fruit to never be mentioned, not even by the king. What Calaerien gathered of the late queen was she possessed a fierce-loving heart, cheerful and skilled sword-wielding elleth that was sorely missed by all who knew her.
"After she died…" Legolas hesitantly began, unsure if he should continue. "My father ordered a new yard to be built on the north wing nearby the barracks. This place…. was forgotten and lost in the years since."
Calaerien shifted lay to her side and faced him. She tucked one arm to cradle her head and didn't care if dirt or leaves was collected in her hair. The prince who burdened the weight of his kingdom and ached for his mother, as she did for her father. A familiar feeling that only fueled her sinking heart for him.
Calaerien stated in a whisper, "This place is important to you."
A faint ghost of a sad smile grazed his face and kept his eyes firmly on the sky, "Aye, though I haven't visited it in a great long time. The trees will be pleased off our arrival."
Calaerien smiled widely to the thought and didn't know why she didn't think of it before. She leaned up for a good opportunity to converse with a new tree as the dried leaves beneath her crunched. The elleth placed a firm hand on the sturdy bark, savored the smell of the tree. The tree in question had an ancient aura that vibrant upon contact and sent a pleasant shiver down Calaerien's spine.
'Oh bless my bark! This old tree can see thee. A lovely elf has made herself known to me…'
Calaerien released a breathless chuckle, pleased to have met a new friend and her heart swelled to the joy this tree gave her. 'The pleasure is all mine.'
'Alas, this old tree hasn't conversed with the child of Ilúvatar since the days of the Greenwood. A time of sorrow. A time of loss. The walls beyond closed me all. Forsake such thoughts! A new lovely elf will know me!'
Calaerien was lost in confusion which only fermented when the tree whispered, 'A new lovely elf'. Which only suggested the elf before she was the reason this place was abandoned. The late queen's death buried deep sorrow in the soil and even as the years past, it was as heavy now as it was then. When Calaerien glanced at Legolas, she knew he listened but kept his eyes averted.
Calaerien looked away from Legolas in forlorn when she heard,
'Do not grief, lovely one. Sorrow weighs more than loneliness. Do not burden thee, heart.'
Legolas instantly curved his attention to Calaerien and caught her eyes within his stare. For but a moment, they shared a gaze that was laden with a deeper understanding of what burdened their hearts.
Legolas broke their connection when he remembered why they came to this place. He smoothly rose to his feet, untainted by dirt or leaves when he glanced down at Calaerien. Who in her humble demeanor was covered with smudges of dirt on her gown. Leaves and twigs entangled in her raven. However, this shy elleth, gave little thought to her messy appearance but embraced the disarray.
The corner of his lip curved into a half-smile and he thrust out his hand toward her, "Come, we have little time before dawn breaks. You may speak to your new friend later."
Calaerien's brightened face momentarily fell in disappointment but quickly recovered to the thought about archery. When she took his preferred hand, the familiar connection from their touch, shuttered her fea. He easily lifted her without slight difficulty.
Legolas collected the satchel from the ground and pulled forth two forearm-length gauntlets made of leather stitched with green velvet fabric. He handed them to her and implied, "I hope these fit. You'll regret no wearing them."
Calaerien wiggled her small hand in each gauntlet, that fitted her almost perfectly. Before she could lace the sides, Legolas already lured her hand toward him to lace the gauntlet. He attentively tightened them before he released her and took a step back. Calaerien stood coyly in a mudded gown, disarray of leaves and twigs alike and gauntlets.
The appearance caused Legolas to smile impishly, his eyes danced with mirth when he jest, "You look ready for battle."
Calaerien flushed a rosy hue at her disarray appearance before she laughed heartily and completely outright with a wisp of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. All while Legolas watched in a amusement. In all honest, Calaerien didn't understand why she laughed but a weight had been lifted and replaced with the familiar deep love and appreciation.
"Point me in the right direction." Calaerien retorted nonchalantly.
"First and foremost, your stance." Legolas started by ushering Calaerien to be in line with the middle stake. His deft hands went to her shoulders and guided her to the correct position, "Be in line with your target."
Calaerien stood in an angle toward her target with her left shoulder in a leading the direction. She felt Legolas's boots nudged her ankles apart, he explained, "Keep equal space and balance between your feet."
Legolas moved away for his quiver and made Calaerien already miss his proximity but eased when he returned with his bow and arrow. When Calaerien took the preferred bow, a shot of excitement erupted in her. Legolas's bow was a beautiful piece of art. The smooth wooden curved with etches of elven designs. It was heavier than she would expect but felt perfect in her small.
"My bow is large for your frame but it'll do just the same," Legolas observed his bow in her hand.
Calaerien clenched the bow to her chest as Legolas circled her like a predator, his eyes roamed her stance to spot out any defects. The sharp eyes of the prince roamed her stance in a calculative way, and Calaerien had to suppress the urge to shiver under those stormy eyes. When he stood in front of her, Legolas gently put his hands on her shoulders to roll them back and straightened her spine.
"A weak form is a weak archer," Legolas explained, his eyes penetrated into her. The archer took a step back and continued to educate, "Archery requires patience and technique. You'll need to search for your primal instinct when aiming. When you are comfortable enough, we'll move to the next level."
"Which is?" Calaerien inquired.
The corner of Legolas's move curved in an impish half-smile to her eagerness, "We'll approach it when you're ready."
Calaerien drooped her shoulders and Legolas, once again rolled her shoulders back.
Legolas came behind her, which prickled the skin behind Calaerien's neck. His warmth radiated through her gown and made the elleth bit her lower lip nervously. The prince gently guided the left hand to the appropriate position on the shaft of the bow. Calaerien instinctively tightened her hand in an iron grip. She felt a chuckle from behind followed by Legolas's lighthearted tone, "Do not choke the bow. Keep your hand firm but not tight."
Calaerien relaxed her hand until it the bow fit comfortably in her hand. Then Legolas used his other hand to guide her right as she notched an arrow. In unison, the arrow was pulled back and firmed against the resistance. Calaerien held her position, struggled with the resistance when Legolas stepped back.
"Remember, breathe and trust your instincts." Calaerien listened, her eyes narrowed on the target. She breathed deeply and when she exhaled, she released the arrow. Which curved over the target and out of range.
"Don't be disappointed, it takes practice." Legolas chuckled when Calaerien flashed him a disappointed expression, "Again."
The hours spent training under the careful eye of the prince led them to find rest against the tree again. Under the cover of darkness, in a place of secret and peace, Calaerien sighed contentedly. The moon inched closer to the edge of the tree line, indicating dawn would soon break over the horizon. But until such time, Legolas spoke of his time training in his youth while Calaerien explained the art of weaving fabric for gown designs. Questions and answers were swapped back and forth in friendly chatter.
"How did you become an archer? Did you not enjoy sword fighting?" Calaerien inquired softly, sprawled on her side to face the prince and circled a daisy head with her finger. Raven hair draped over her shoulder and drenched in the soft dirt below.
Legolas smiled kindly to the question and retorted, his eyes directed at the sky. "I do have a love for wielding swords, but there's an art to archery. It sharpened the mind and demands accuracy. There's a simplicity with the bow and arrow. It beckons me to pull the string as your weaving does for you."
Her smile radiated the gentle expression of her eyes. She retorted knowingly, "It doesn't require complication or words. Just the muscle memory etching for the next step."
Legolas blinked and he curved his attention to the raven beauty beside who met his eyes. There was an expression in which Calaerien couldn't decipher but it appeared to be mixed with surprise and acknowledgment.
"Aye." He agreed softly.
Their eyes lingered until the morning dew from the morning mist invaded Calaerien's nostrils. A smell she adored since she was an elfling. However, much to her dismay, dawn revealed itself over the horizon. Calaerien frowned at the sky that bright radiated deep hue of orange and pink. If only she could stay in the moment a little longer with Legolas. Its the longest they have been in each other's company.
"Dawn is here, Calaerien," Legolas announced as he rose up in one smooth movement and when he turned to Calaerien, she leaned on her elbows.
He offered a hand that she gratefully took and pulled Calaerien to her feet. Calaerien stood but a foot away from him, smelt his scent of cinnamon and dew and her expression sobered. His eyes had bewitched her, entranced her in a way that Calaerien could not tear her eyes away.
"I must greet my father this morn and you no doubt have work to do." Legolas murmured before he moved away to their proximity and collected his effect from the most ground.
"Of course." Calaerien attempted to be lighthearted but her voice trembled in disappointment. "We meet here again? Tonight?"
When Legolas secured the quiver and satchel over his chest, he turned to her, his eyes twinkled mysteriously. Almost amusement by her eagerness for archery, "I have given you my word to train you while I reside in my father's hall, have I not."
Calaerien smiled bashfully, "Yes, you kindly did so."
"Then I will meet you here tonight." Legolas affirmed, his smile deepened to reveal his dimples, "Come, I'll escort you back to the Halls."
To be continued...
Responses to comments
City-of-dimes: Thank you! I am sorry about that, I didn't realize how long its been since I've updated. If literally feels like yesterday.
Daughterofthechief: Thank you for your kind words. One thing I do enjoy about writing is character development. It makes me happy that I wrote it properly for you. I hope this next chapter doesn't disappoint you!
OneWhoReadsTooMuch: Thank you, I am glad you like the pace and that Calaerien's shyness didn't put you off too! It's great you can relate in some way. It makes it easier to enjoy the story more. As for Calaerien's shyness, she is still elleth in the making, (Not that I would break her character) but she is still growing. Thanks again!
MidnightSummer89: I appreciate the time you took to review the chapters. It was very kind of you. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Ply-mouth: Thank you! I am glad your enjoy their relationship.
Makanie: Thank you!
Lady Love: Thank you. I hope the reread was as enjoyable as it was the first time!
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