Hey everyone, I hope you liked the previous chapter I must admit I'm sort of in a jam at the moment. I really want to write more and post more chapters for those who read this, but I simply don't have as much time as I wish I did. The chapters to come will have a larger gap in posting time because I've been so busy lately. Non the less I hope you keep on reading and enjoying what I love to share with all of you. Thank you and enjoy.
"Faith is not contrary to the usual ideas, something that turns out to be right or wrong, like a gambler's bet: it's an act, an intention, a project, something that makes you, in leaping into the future, go so far, far, far ahead that you shoot clean out of time and right into Eternity, which is not the end of time or a whole lot of time or unending time, but timelessness, the old Eternal Now."
–Joanna Russ.
Chapter 6. Faith and a New Beginning
The day after I spoke with Legolas, the 21st to be exact, I found myself longing to train with my weapons as I had back home. I'd had a routine back home of waking before the dawn of the morning sun and practicing my swords, daggers and bow. I'd found peace in my actions and in a way my freedom. I'd always felt some what trapped back home, trapped by my sex and society. My training was the only time that I was the weapon, it was the only time that I became something that couldn't be judged by its sex. I became one with my weapons and in them I found my peace. I longed for that peace again. The sense of being apart of something outside your own being. It was an amazing feeling that always left me feeling centered and calm.
I wanted to feel that way again but, the only way I was going to feel that way was when I finally got myself out of bed. So with that thought I opened my eyes and greeted the new world that had become my home. I sat up in bed, pulling the covers from my body as I did so. Standing beside my bed, I stretched out my soar limbs, and made my way to the clothing chest at the foot of my bed. Shuffling quickly through the clothing, I pulled on a tight fitting tunic and pair of breeches. The tunic was a light green with black ties and the breeches were simply black. I pulled on a pair of soft hide boots and laced them up. They hugged my calf and fell just below my knee. I looked down at them in approval before I grabbed my weapons up from the corner. I strapped my twin swords to my back and over them I placed my quiver. I noticed that I was almost out of arrows. I would have to fleche some this afternoon. I walked over to the mirror and quickly ran a small comb through my hair, I noticed that the bruises on my face had turned a lovely shade of purple and yellow. I braided my dark locks and tied it off with a strip of leather I'd found in the chest the day before. I threw my bow over my shoulder before finally leaving my room to go in search of a place to practice.
It was barely dawn when I stepped foot outside. The sun had just started to show its rays through the dense foliage. It filtered down between the branches of trees, as I walked through a rather large line of trees, creating little spots of light and darkness. My quiet foot falls and the occasional call of a bird were the only noises that filled the woods. I breathed in the invigorating fresh morning air. I could almost taste its sweetness on my lips. My relaxation was interrupted when I stepped through the last line of trees.
I came up on what looked to be a small training field. There were painted targets at one end and small fenced in sand arena. I walked toward it and discarded my weapons beside the fence before I preceded to sit down on the ground next to them. I began to slowly stretch out my sore muscles. I winced as my back cracked loudly in numerous places. I took a deep breath before finally standing up and grabbing my long bow. I grabbed my quiver with the few arrows that were left. I lined my self up with the middle target and loaded an arrow in my bow. I took a deep breath, my arms shaking with effort, as I pulled the string back until it brushed my check. I stared down the arrow of the shaft, aiming it just above the center ring. I exhaled as I let the arrow go and the string snap back into place. Instead of following the arrow to the target, I winced as a mild twinge of pain shot into my shoulder. I rolled it and rubbed it with the palm of my hand before I began to use my bow again. I repeated my process some 15 times before I finally ran out of arrows. I sighed happily as I looked at the target and saw that my arrows had filled the center quite nicely. I was even happier with the pleasant ache that now filled my shoulder muscles.
I walked over to the target and pulled out the arrows. I looked each of them over as I put them back making sure each one was still in suitable condition. I would defiantly have to fleche more soon and repair a majority of them. I continued my process until every last one was back in place. I swung my bow over my shoulder and made my way back to the fence where I'd lain my swords and daggers down. I put both quiver and bow onto the ground before strapping my swords and daggers to my body. Making sure they were secure before I hopped over the fence and into the sandy arena. I kicked the sand once, it was quite deep, it would defiantly be quite the work out. I pulled out both my swords simultaneously, I smiled as their metal ringing was the only thing to be heard on such a quiet morning. I set myself through my paces until I was ringing with sweat. My shirt clung to every part of my body, making its baggy wet weight, cumbersome. It's added weight making it all the more difficult to move in the deep sand. I stabbed my swords into the ground and quickly undid the ties of my tunic. I tossed it over the fence and continued my work out in just leggings and what I'd wrapped my breasts with earlier that morning. Sweat dripped from my forehead and down my tanned body. My shoulders were beginning to ache in pain and as much as I tried to ignore it my stitches were beginning to tare. But I couldn't stop, I didn't want to stop. I'd missed the simple pleasure of this for so long, that I couldn't help but continue.
My lungs heaved with the effort of pumping air into my body; my muscles clenched with exertion, until I stopped. I simply stopped. I stood their heaving for breath, my body shaking. I sheathed my swords and looked down at my shoulders. The arrow wounds had stayed stitched but the right one was seeping out blood. I looked down at it with displeasure and proceeded to hop back over the fence. While grabbing the tunic I'd worn off the ground and holding it to my shoulder, I failed to notice that the sun had fully risen and it was well-passed nine. I'd also failed to notice the small group of males that had gathered at the opposite end of the training field.
After wiping away the blood I proceeded to wipe my body clean of sweat. I ran it over my rippled stomach, avoiding the bruises that still lingered there. I left my shirt off and grabbed my weapons up from the ground. I turned to leave; it was then that I finally noticed my company. I looked at the small group of 10 with a raised eyebrow.
" If you gentlemen will excuse me . . . " I said as I walked quickly past them. I stopped as someone grabbed my arm as I passed. I looked up into the face of Legolas. He smiled at me.
" Having a small lovely morning work out?" He asked. I laughed at the word small.
" I've been here sense before sun rise, but yes it was lovely, it's been quite some time sense I've been able to pick up a sword."
" I did not know you could wield a sword with such skill." I looked down at my battered body, covered in bruises and scares. I became self conscious.
" I've been wielding a sword sense I was six, My brother gave me these . . . " I pulled my twin swords from their sheathes and handed them to Legolas, " . . . before he left. My father taught me to use them. He also gave me my dagger . . . I made my own bow." I smiled as he examined them thoroughly. He paused at the hilt and looked at the designs that wound themselves around it.
" That . . . " I said pointing the carving. " ...Is a white stag. It's the symbol of my people . . . and the symbols around it represent oneness. My father told me that it meant I was one with my people and weapon, and with it I could protect them from anything . . . " tears blurred my vision at the memory of the father and the people I hadn't saved. A people that I hadn't been able to protect from such an over whelming foe.
Legolas placed a hand on my bare shoulder in a gesture of comfort. " You will see them again." His voice was so soft and gentle that I almost lost control of myself. He handed me my swords back and I tried desperately to hold back my tears. Here he was just trying to comfort me but all he was doing was making it worse. I knew I'd never see them again, they were gone, all of them were gone, this was my new home. He simply didn't understand or did he. In a way I guess I would see them again. I silently looked forward to the day I would be reunited with them. Unable to find my voice I simply shook my head. I looked up at him and into his compassion filled eyes. I put on a small smile.
" One day I will see them again . . . of that I have no question. I will see my family again and walk across the plains of my home land once more." He smiled gently at me. In the end I guess we would all meet again. He cleared his throat and grinned down at me.
" You should go have yourself tended too . . . and maybe put on a tunic." I couldn't help but blush at his statement. I hadn't meant for anyone to see me like this. I had just been really hot. I voiced this as well as the problems I'd had with its added weight in the deep sand. He laughed merrily and I suddenly found my mood lightened. Elves seem to have that affect on people it seemed. Whenever I was in ones presence my mood seemed to lift and I felt warm. Elves were simply amazing creatures and I soon found myself laughing with this elf. Our laughter quieted shortly after it began and Legolas spoke.
" Many ellons find themselves tunic less as well. It just so happens that women don't usually wield swords so your situation is quite unusual." I laughed lightly.
" Good day Legolas. Have a nice little work out." I said as I walked slowly away from him. This time leaving him in the company of his fellow warriors.
As I walked back to my room, I put my tunic back on but I left it unbuttoned and rolled the sleeves until they were just below my elbows. I decided to tie up the bottom of the tunic just below my breasts. At least they would be covered this way and I wouldn't be so damn hot.
I walked around the last corner, which led to the hallway where my room was located. When I ran smack dab into someone, so hard that I fell to the ground, taking the poor person with me. I yelped as I hit the ground, and groaned as person fell on top of me. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before open them to look at the poor person I'd knocked down.
My eyes met a pair of blue grey ones surrounded by dark lashes and tanned yet fair skin. I was surprised at the mischief that sparkled in their depths. His blonde hair curtained around my head and tickled my neck. I smiled up at the man, who smiled back.
" Hi." I whispered softly.
" Hi." He said equally as soft back. It wasn't until he spoke that I realized that his hand was on my bare waist. I quirked an eyebrow at him. I was throughly surprised when a slight blush tipped his pointed ears. He was a very handsome elf, like all the elves I'd met; however, he was . . . different. His eyes held a deep wisdom, laughter, and an almost invisible sadness. I realized I'd been staring into them for some time in silence. He cleared his throat, and attempted to get. But as he went to stand his tunic throng had some how become tangled with one that I hadn't tied. He stopped as he realized what had happened. I laughed and reached up to try and untie it at the same moment he had. It was his turn to laugh. I pulled my hands back and laughed lightly as he attempted to sort out our little predicament. I noticed that the blush on the tips of his ears had turned a bit more red.
I finally broke the silence, " Well I must say out of all the matters of meeting people, this is by far the most awkward . . . "
He laughed deeply, his warm breath tickling my neck along with his soft golden locks.
" I'd have to agree. This is quite . . . interesting to say the least." He was quiet for a second, "Ah ha, I seem to have gotten it." He stood all the way up, offering me a hand as he went. He pulled me up next to him, my head falling just below his chin. I looked up at him as I began to speak.
" My names Adriana, and what would yours be my kind elf?"
" Glorfindel, my name is, Glorfindel." His voice was deep and musical, just the sound of it made goose bumps rise on my flesh. My eyes moved to his full lips, to his nose, than back to his eyes.
" Glorfindel it is then, it's a pleasure to have met you my lord, but I must say as much as I've enjoyed our little predicament, I need to get to my room to change." I said softly. He grinned down at me as I turned around. He grabbed my arm gently, just enough to stop me from walking further away. I turned back round to face him.
" Would you consider joining me for lunch later, Lord Elrond has told me about you and if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with you?" Again his voice sent a shiver down my spine and I couldn't help but grin.
" I'd love too. Where shall I meet you My Lord Glorfindel?" I asked quietly as the feeling of his warm hand on my skin made me want to shiver.
" Here, In 2 hours time." I nodded in response as I didn't trust my voice to speak to him at the moment.
" I'll see you then My Lady Adriana." With that said he kissed the back of my hand and left me standing in the hall way, right in front of my bed room door.
well that the end of that chapter. I know it's really short and I'm sorry for that but I've had a hard time trying to find time to write. So I hope all of you continue to be patient with me and I'd like to say thanks to those of you that sent me reviews I'll mention all of you at the start of the next chapter.