Phew, I just realized about 5 minutes that I forgot the disclaimer last chapter. Luckily I didn't receive any calls from a lawyer (but I turned off my phone just in case). Today I shall write it in bold capitals just to put at ease.

DISCALIMER: I OWN NOT ONE PART OF LORD OF THE RINGS! NOT FOR A MILISENCOND! YOU CAN EVEN TIME ME!

Okay, I think you all get the point. Gunward hoe to the chapter! And no, I have no idea what that means. Looks funny, though.

Chapter 7 Recap:

Abigail chuckled, "It makes for and interesting loaf of bread!"

Merilien gave a light laugh this time.

"Where are your children now. Rodwen and Authion, did you say?"

"Yes. Rodwen is visiting a relative on the west side, and Authion is practicing archery."

"Archery sounds interesting," Abigail said as she cut an apple.

'Yes,' Merilien, thought. 'A perfect fit for a lonely captain.'

Chapter 8

Rodwen walked silently through the wind, like any elf would do. If fact, it was so quiet that when she was still ten feet away from her door, she heard voices. One was her mother, she knew that well enough, but one she did not recognize. She opened the door and the first person she met was Arphenon, her father.

"Evening, Áda," she greeted. "I did not know we were expecting company."

"We weren't. You mother was dropped with a unexpected, but still welcome task."

Rodwen skillfully raised an eyebrow.

"See for yourself." He smiled. "I'm going to cut of Authion and ruin the surprise for him. Tell you mother I will be back in a moment."

She gave a nod, but was already walking towards the kitchen.

"Don't forget to cut the holes, dear, we don't want it to burst," she heard her mother say.

"Hello?" Rodwen ventured.

Merilien gave a warm smile.

"Hello, how is Aunt Larien?"

"Fine. Still convinced that it's the squirrel's stealing her potatoes, though."

Merilien gave a soft sigh.

"She'll never learn."

Merilien noticed quizzical looks on both girls' faces.

"How rude, I losing my head today. Abigail this is my daughter, Rodwen. Rodwen, this is Haldir's, umm-"

"Little pain in the neck," Abigail said.

"How about ward?"

Abigail just nodded, observing the new character. She had almost platinum blonde hair, with a slight wave in it. Her eyes were a bright gray, and her height was about the same as Merilien's. She gave a small curtsy to Rodwen.

"Pleased to meet you."

Rodwen gave her a small smile, still slightly confused. Her manners kicked in and she replied.

"It is nice to meet you to."

Merilien said to her daughter, in elvish,

"This is the girl that Arphenon saved with Haldir on that watch. Remember with the n-"

"Oh yes, of course." She said, not needing to hear the rest. She looked at the child in a different light. Such a sad story, yet here she was with the most innocent grin on her face.

Abigail muttered

"I really need to learn elvish as well. How am I suppose to tell in someone is insulting me?"

"Oh, we would never do that," Rodwen said. "At least I only do it to stupid rangers. It is funny to just watch them nod and smile."

Merilien chuckled,

"You are awful, Rodwen."

"Father went out to meet Authion. Just to give him a bit of a warning, you know how he reacts to surprises.'

"Indeed," the mother said, wiping her hand on the apron. "Well, I think the cobbler is ready to go in the fire. Go ahead Abigail."

The child, handling it like glass, did as she said.

A noise came through the front door.

"I swear father, the Valar enjoy seeing me suffer."

"Goodness gracious, Authion, 2nd place in a bulls-eye contest is not suffering."

He only replied with a 'humph'.

Both men walked into the kitchen. The one standing next to Arphenon was just slightly taller than him. His hair was a bit more of a sandy blonde, with green-gray eyes (she assumed this was Authion).

"Who's the cutie?" he said with a mischievous smile.

"Be quiet, brother, she's only about 12."

"Peace, I was only jesting." Then he mumbled, "For now."

Rodwen smacked him in the arm.

'There they go again,' Abby thought.

Arphenon started the introductions this time.

"Abigail this is Authion, my somewhat idiotic son."

"I resent that." Authion interrupted.

"Son, this is Abigail. Remember?"

"So, this is Haldir's new pet. Is he feeding and grooming you enough?"

Abigail blushed.

"Shush now. Don't mind him, Abigail, he just likes to get a good laugh."

"Don't worry. I never take idiots seriously."

"Oh yes, I like her." Rodwen said.

"I am starting to not like that title." Authion pouted. He turned back to Abigail. "So, will you be here often?"

"On Captain Haldir's long watches, yes." She said.

"But she's welcome anytime," Merilien added.

"Thank you, very much," said Abigail.

"Splendid. I can show you Swifter, tomorrow then."

"Swifter?" she questioned.

"His horse," explained Rodwen. "Of course, my horse Dagor, is much better."

"Is not!" exclaimed Authion.

"Is too!"

Abigail smiled. She had been doing a lot of that, ever since she came to Lorien. It felt like a nice change.

'Is it so strange to feel welcome? To feel happy.' Her mood sobered for a moment. This was common when she struggled with her own past and personality. Turning back to the bickering siblings, though, she cheered up again.

'Does mean I've gone from no families to two? I hope so.'

Fast Forward to Tomorrow

Abigail wasn't able to see Swifter, today, but she still had the promise of seeing him soon. But now a promise was going to be fulfilled. Haldir was taking her back to his private archer's target area, not far from his own house.

"Can I use this often?" she asked.

"When you are ready to shoot without a supervisor. But for while, I am going to ask you not to come down here alone. I can't have you shooting anyone, can I?" his lips curved into a small grin.

"Well, that will be the purpose in the end."

I suppose that is true. I told you, though, I do not think I will ever see you or let you use a weapon for a battle."

"Yes, sir."

'I can let him think that for now.' She thought.

"How do you feel about yesterday's meeting?" said Haldir.

"They are very open and kind for letting stay with them." She thought of Authion. "And they are funny.'

"I assumed it was a good idea. I'm glad you approve. A long time ago, a search mission needed to be done and Arphenon was my partner." He was lost in thought for a moment. "He saved my life on that trip, and we have been good friends ever since. The whole family is filled with gentle souls."

Abby listened silently. She loved it when Haldir shared stories about himself, but than she felt guilty that she had nothing to share with him

Moments later, they finally reached the shooting range.

"Okay, here is your weapon." He handed he a small object.

"A rock? You want me to hit the target…with a rock?"

"Let us see how your natural aim is."

She gave a sigh, but threw the rock at the target. She barely clipped the outside ring.

"Well, at least I hit it," she ventured.

"Try thinking that when you aim for a goblins heart, and then just graze his leg."

"I thought I was not going to fight?" she said with a smirk.

"Just visualization, my dear." He picked up another rock. Try throwing it harder. The faster it goes, the straighter path it will take to the target."

She did as he said, and this time she was able to hit a few inches up into the board.

"Better," he said simply. "If you want to aim better, use you left hand as a guide. If the rock is an arrow, be the bow."

She took a moment to place her arm, and than gave the rock a steady heave. She hit one of the inner rings.

"Yes!" she exclaimed.

"Not bad, let's see you do it again." He dared.

They tried this training for a good 30 minutes. He continued to give advice, and occasionally they switched from a rock to an apple or nut, while also changing the target range. The last few times, she was able to hit the bulls-eye almost perfectly.

"Very good," Haldir complemented.

"Thanks, can I use a real bow and arrow now?"

"First, I want to see if you can climb the rope over there?"

"What? Why!"

"I need to test your arm strength," he said. "You are most likely not able to pull to bow back even a few inches."

"That explains the change of wardrobe."

For the first time in almost a week, Abigail was able to wear pants, or breeches as they might say. They were dark green in color, while she wore a more woman's fitting tunic in top. The tunic was gray and a brown belt connected in all.

"Indeed," he smiled. "Now go."

Muttering who know what under her breath, she marched slowly to the rope. Giving one last evil glare to her mentor, she began to climb. Sadly, she only made it a few feet, before she slid back down and the earth met her butt.

"Ow!" she said.

"Not so easy is it?"

"Tree's are easier. They have grips and steps."

"Yes, but you can do so much more if you know you can support your own body wait." He helped her off the ground.

"Do not be too dismayed, it took a good while of conditioning for me to be ready?"

"You mean there is more? I think I want to go back to Merilien and do more sewing and baking."

"Too late," he said with is own evil grin. "Your choice, do this or you can take 50 laps around the arena."

Muttering yet more curses, much more than a child should know, she started to climb the rope.

Yea, longer chapter today! I got a break today from sports. Hopefully, when thanksgiving break starts next week I can get in some chapters, but you might not hear from me in a while. I have lots of tests and a concert to get ready for. I haven't heard much feedback in a while. Even if you write absolute nonsense, it would at least let me know if anyone is reading. I would rather have thoughtful reviews as well, though. Can't have it all I suppose.

Still, thanks to reviewers:

Tickin' Time bomb

And to faerie-goddess1012: Aragorn will be in the story, and any romance I have will be will him. That won't really happen until the fellowship gang comes in. Which will hopefully be in like 5-10 chapters. I still need some dedication to "golden wood" time. I warned you this would be a very long fic.

So, maybe not quite the lesson you were expecting, but I might need to do research before I work on swordplay. I don't even know how she should hold the bloody thing.

I hope you have a more relaxing week than I will!

-MN9