Archery Lessons

Varien, Morawen and the rest of the elf-maidens were jealous of Legolas and Reylien's friendship. They were envious of her because she was able to capture the elf-prince's attention without even really trying.

They didn't dare come close to Legolas after the threat that Morawen passed along. Many wondered what the elf-maiden possessed that they didn't. The glare Reylien received in court made her rarely visit unless she was with her father. The female elf didn't feel the need to defend herself or subject herself to their condescending tones and harsh words. Having her father around kept them all quiet.

The prince was always on her mind—day and night. She couldn't wait until she saw him when he came to visit or when she happened to see him with his mother in her garden. Even in court when he made his rare appearances, even from afar, she couldn't help but blush in his presence.

It was also hard to tell what he was thinking at times. Reylien would sometimes be lucky enough to stare at him without him noticing, usually when the prince's mind was far away from the world. Whenever she asked what was on his mind, he would just smile and say it was nothing.

Just like every other female elf in Mirkwood, she hoped that Legolas would give his affections to her. From the amount of time they spent together, she assumed it was headed in that direction. She just had to be patient. Legolas never talked about Le'ariel and she felt like she was intruding into his private life so she never asked about the chambermaid.

The elf-maiden also wasn't the type to bring up sensitive subjects. The times Legolas locked himself away in his thoughts, Reylien hoped he was thinking about her. She also had no doubts that Le'ariel wasn't on his mind as much as she used to be. If Le'ariel was, then why was the elf-prince spending so much time with her?

The one thing Reylien was disappointed in was that Legolas never attempted to try any of his charms on her again. This only came in the fashion of when he politely kissed her hand to say hello or goodbye along with that irresistible smile of his. He never touched her in any way to show proof that he was falling for her or that she had won his affections.

And, after the incident at the fountain, he never held her hand again. Reylien wasn't as bold as some of the other elf-maidens as to even consider making advances toward him. The thought alone made her cheeks burn and her hands fidget in front of her.

She waited for Legolas to arrive again this afternoon. Reylien asked what was on the agenda for today but he only smiled and told her to be ready when he arrived. The mystery of this day made her anxious because she was in the dark. The last time he acted this way, he presented her with one of his carvings as a gift on one of their walks. It was a small replica of the fountain in the middle of the maze. It was perfect with all the intricate details of the Valar. Reylien kept it by her bedside where she could always see it.

"It is open."

She stood and walked over to the door when she heard the light knock. "The prince is here, milady," her servant smiled.

"Thank you," she smiled back. Reylien headed downstairs to meet him by the door. He was standing there looking up at her with his perfect smile. She also smiled at him. "Hello, Legolas."

"Good afternoon, milady," he kissed her hand. "Are you ready?" Reylien nodded. Legolas told her servant to let her father know that he would have her back in time for supper.

"So...will you tell me what we are finally doing today?" she asked once outside.

Legolas shrugged. "I thought today we could do the usual…a walk in the market then maybe to the forest. We have not been there in a while. And, if you are up for it, perhaps I can teach you some archery?"

"Archery? Really?" Reylien didn't think they were going to do an actual activity today. The elf-maiden had never used or held any type of weaponry before, primarily because of her father wouldn't allow her to. He believed that an elf-maiden shouldn't get involved in such things and that it was up to him as her father to protect her until she found a husband. The only problem with that was her father was always busy with his duties and, of course, she had no husband. "Are...you sure?"

"If you would like to try?"

She started to fidget with her hands again. "Well...umm...all right."

"We will take it slow," he assured her. He sensed her nervousness. Legolas had never attempted to teach archery to an elf-maiden before but he figured it couldn't be harder than teaching the elven-children. Reylien was as graceful as any elf except she had a tendency to get nervous when she wasn't familiar with something and for that, she appeared to be clumsy at times. Legolas only hoped she didn't shoot any part of him by accident.

He hid his bow and quiver full of arrows in a hollow of a tree and took them out of their hiding place when they arrive. They walked further out to a safe distance away from any elves that might be in harm's way of Reylien's arrow. Legolas made small talk as she blankly listened, the thought of accidentally hurting an elf or even an animal occupying her mind the entire time.

"Are you all right, Reylien?"

"What? Oh, yes," she half-smiled.

"You look...worried. We do not have to try this today or ever if you prefer. I am not requiring it of you," he lightly chuckled. "But, really, there is no need to be anxious."

"I...just do not want to hurt anyone."

"We are a good ways away from anyone passing by this area. And the only elf you can potentially hurt is me. Well, and you, of course." He jokingly pointed out. "I promise to try and do my best to keep us both intact." Legolas grinned widely and took her hand.

The shock of his touch sent a jolt all over her body. She forgot what his touch felt like. It was warm on her fair skin, making her even more nervous. How could she say no now? She walked in silence next to him, her focus directly in front of her. It was a favorite activity of the prince and to make him happy, Reylien would do it. If she were lucky, she might even end up impressing him in the process. That, however, was sketchy.

"This seems like a good place." Legolas looked around for targets that Reylien could try to aim at. He put down his quiver and took out an arrow. He turned to her and smiled. "If it will make you feel more comfortable, I can go first so you can see how it is done."

"Yes, please."

Legolas walked next to her and picked a target a front of them. "You see that tree over there in the clearing?" Reylien nodded again. There were other trees and branches around but the one he picked stood perfectly still out in the open. "Now, watch my posture."

Reylien watched him get into position, his arms balanced perfectly in length like an arrow themselves. Not a second passed when he released the sharp object into the forest. It made a whizzing sound in the crisp air before hitting its mark dead in its center.

"That was amazing!" Reylien exclaimed, clearly impressed. "Now I see why you are one of our greatest archers."

"It takes many, many years of practice," he said with modesty. "Trust me, you should have seen me when I was an elfling. I was not the safest elf to be around when I had an arrow in my hand." Reylien laughed and tried to picture the prince wreaking havoc with his arrows. "Now, it is your turn." He went back to his quiver and produced another arrow. He held up the arrow to her with one hand and his bow in the other and smiled. After the presentation, Legolas handed them over to Reylien.

The elf-maiden hesitantly took them from him and examined each one. Legolas tried to hide his smile. She was looking at his weapons as if he had told her to make shelter from the pieces of string and wood. She looked at him and smiled nervously. "It is just the two of us out here, correct?"

"Yes, milady, just you and me. I promise no one will get hurt." His words made her blush...just the two of them. Reylien cleared her throat to get rid of the next thoughts floating around in her mind. Legolas gave a small, concerned look but shrugged it off.

"Looks simple enough," she said with a nervous undertone. Reylien firmly grabbed the bow with her left hand and took the arrow in her right.

"Before you start..." Legolas took off his arm guard and placed it on the arm she decided to use to hold the bow. "This is to avoid getting slapped by the bowstring. It is a little loose on you but it should do its job, nonetheless."

"Thank you."

He stood behind her. "First, place your feet shoulder-width apart so that your two feet form a straight line pointing toward the target. Your body should be perpendicular to the target and the shooting line." She looked at her feet as best as she could under her dress and did as he instructed. Legolas forgot to mention for her to dress more appropriately for their outing. "Second, point the bow toward the ground and place the shaft of the arrow on the arrow rest then attach the back of the arrow to the bow string with the nock."

"What is a…nock?"

The prince softly laughed at himself for also forgetting she didn't know the terms they used for archery and reached over from behind and pointed to the small groove in the bow. His closeness made her cheeks pink again but he didn't notice. "Since the arrow has three fletching feathers, orient the arrow so that a single vane is pointing away from the bow. Please let me know if I am going to fast or if my explanations are not clear to you."

"Like this?" Reylien looked at him for approval.

"Yes, that is correct," the elf-prince smiled. "Now use three fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. And now, raise and draw your bow and hold your bow arm outwards toward the target." He reached over again and adjusted her inner elbow to make it parallel to the ground. Her cheeks turned another shade of pink. "Remember the bow should always stay vertical," Legolas said close to her ear. "Now...when you ready, release the arrow by relaxing the fingers of your string hand."

It all so happened quickly, like a blur in time. It was hard to concentrate with Legolas so close behind her and trying not to accidentally shoot at something she wasn't supposed to. Reylien released the arrow sooner than she was ready to let go of it and instead of shooting it straight, it went up in a crooked line toward the treetops. She dropped his weapons and cowered in his arms. Legolas suppressed a smile as he held the terrified elf-maiden.

"Are you all right?" he finally asked when he was able to regain his cool. He started rubbing her back for comfort.

Reylien slowly looked up like a scared little Hobbit in his arms. "I am really sorry!"

Legolas chuckled. "For what?"

She finally moved away from his arms and straightened her dress. "That was terrible. And look...I broke your bowstring..." she frowned.

"That can easily be replaced. And look on the bright side, we are both still alive," he chuckled. The elf-maiden placed her hands on her hips at his joke, giving him a stern look. She suddenly couldn't keep the smile off her face and broke out into a small laughter. Soon, they were both laughing whole-heartedly.

When their laughter died down, Legolas and Reylien found themselves staring at each other intently. Reylien was the first to look away from the prince's piercing blue eyes and when she did, so did he. Both nervously laughed at the uncomfortable scene.

"I think I should get you home now. I promised I would have you back before supper," he quietly said. The prince picked up his bow with the broken string and gathered the rest of his belongings. Reylien slightly curtseyed, placing her hands in front of her, and agreed. The two elves walked back to her home in silence. He stopped at her door and smiled at her. "Did you enjoy yourself today?"

"Yes, very much. Thank you for the lesson," Reylien smiled appreciatively. "Again, I apologize for your broken string."

He shook his head at her apology. "It is nothing, really. I can repair that tonight. I would let you break a dozen more as long as I know you are enjoying yourself."

"You are very sweet. Thank you." Then she did something she didn't think she had in her. She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Legolas was also stunned by her actions but smiled nonetheless. He took her hand as he always did and kissed it. "No, milady...thank you." He looked her in the eyes as if more words were swimming inside his mind.

Just then, the door opened and out stepped Lord Yulor. "I thought I heard voices out here. You are right on time for supper. Prince Legolas, would you like to join us?"

"Thank you, Lord Yulor, but I believe my parents are expecting me to dine with them this evening. I also caught wind that Dalorien was making my favorite dessert tonight," he smiled politely. "Perhaps another time."

"Yes, of course. You are always welcomed here," he bowed. He turned to his daughter. "Reylien, dear, please go on ahead inside and get ready for supper."

"Yes, father." She bid the prince good night and walked inside quietly.

Lord Yulor closed the door behind her and stood in front of Legolas. "If I could just have a few words with you, Prince Legolas. I promise I will not keep you long."

"Of course."

"Your father briefly spoke with me earlier today and I must say…I was a bit skeptical."

"Yes, I believe we all were, to be honest. I only ask is that there be no interference in this matter."

"You have my word."

"Thank you. I will be in touch shortly. Good night..." Legolas bowed his head and so did Lord Yulor before he left. Reylien's father allowed a small smile to himself before walking back inside.