Chapter 11 The Quest Begins

They set out from Rivendell that day. Mariell was very aware of the others reaction to her joining them. Frodo had been very happy that

Mariell had decided to come along. The other hobbits had been equally glad. Aragorn, made it quite clear he didn't want her with them,

and kept silent and aloof. Gimli, the dwarf seemed indifferent and spoke to her as little as possible it seemed. Legolas was pleasant

enough and if he thought it a bad idea for her to join them he kept it to himself. The other man, Boromir he was called, seemed to like the

idea of her joining them a little too much. The way he looked at her was making her very uncomfortable and she tried to put as much

distance as possible between her and the man. As the fellowship made its way out of Rivendell she kept herself between Gandalf and the

hobbits. She chatted with Sam as they followed Gandalf's lead. Occasionally Frodo joined them. As they made their way along the plains
and cliffs Mariell was always on alert, from dangers outside the fellowship as well as within. At all times she was aware of Boromir's eyes
on her back. She was also aware of Aragorn watching her as if waiting for her to stumble so he could rush to her aid. Well, she was not a
helpless female and she was not going to show weakness. After many hours they stopped to rest. Mariell sat on a rock watching Boromir
teach Merry and Pippin how to fight with their swords. Behind her she heard Gimli talking to Gandalf and Aragorn speaking to Legolas.

Frodo and Sam were busy cooking. She started as a hand closed on her shoulder. It was Aragorn.

"Come with me," he said. She did not question him as he pulled her to her feet and led her to a secluded patch of rock a short distance

away from the others. "I think we should practice your sword fighting. It could be important." She nodded and drew Navia from its

sheath at her waist. Aragorn drew his own sword and touch it to hers.

"I'm going to attack you. Defend yourself." He swung his sword and she blocked him. He swung again and she blocked him again. He

moved forward and she moved back. Then she switched to attack and advanced on him. Their steps quickened as their swords clashed.

"Widen your stance," he told her, "move your feet." She did not question him. He advanced on her faster and she blocked him.

"You do well," he said driving her backwards. "When you are against one opponent. But that will not always be the case." From behind

her she heard a light footstep and without taking her blade from Aragorn's she shifted her weight and kicked her left leg out knocking

down Legolas who had been sneaking up behind her his blades drawn. "Oof," the elf grunted. "You have good ears"

"Elvish hearing," Aragorn remarked. "Only an elf could hear another elf creeping up on them." Mariell frowned. More evidence of her

heritage was showing up. She shook her head and pulled her sword back from where it still blocked Aragorn's swing. She noticed that

the others had joined them. Frodo was staring at her in awe. Feeling a bit mischievous she decided to give these males just a little crow to
eat.

"Well, you wanted to see if I could defend myself against multiple opponents." Both Aragorn and Legolas nodded and attacked her. She

blocked their swings bringing her sword around faster and faster. She knocked Aragorn down leaving only Legolas to fight her while

Aragorn got up. She backed away from them drawing them closer and closer. As they swung at her she jumped up, pushed off of a rock

flipped over their heads, landed softly on both feet and thrust her sword up stopping an inch from Aragorn's throat. Out of the corner of

her eye she saw Legolas advancing and keeping one hand on her sword, she pulled a dagger hidden in her belt out and flung it toward the
elf. Legolas stopped short as the dagger embedded itself in a tree just inches from his face. The entire group was stunned none more than

Mariell herself. Gingerly, Aragorn reached up and lowered the tip of her sword from his throat. Gandalf strode over to the tree and pulled
the dagger loose.

"The dagger of Gradthaw," he said. "Where did you get this?" Mariell felt her face grow hot.

"Lord Elrond gave it to me before we left Rivendell," Mariell said sheathing her sword. "That dagger is truly priceless," Legolas said in

awe, "it hits exactly where it is desired to go, no matter the skill of the one who throws it"

"Good thing her intent was not to hit you, Legolas," Aragorn said. Mariell was staring at the dagger. She had been puzzled as to why

Elrond had given it to her. Extra protection she had thought, or as a gift to Lindela's daughter, since obviously he had known her mother.

But she's had no idea that the dagger was so valuable. "I think that's enough teaching for the day," Aragorn said. Mariell nodded and

took the dagger that Gandalf handed back to her.

"Keep this close," Gandalf told her.