Hello, did you miss me? I have a lovely 5-day weekend, and I am pumped to write. Hope you all enjoy it as well. Let's begin!

Disclaimer: Names, places, languages, creatures, plot points, etc. all belong to J.R.R. Tolkien or Peter Jackson. Except for Abby and some of the elves, of course.

Chapter 8 Recap:

"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.

Chapter 9

Slowly and surely, with the help of a couple weeks of running, climbing, jumping and lifting, Abigail was able to gain a lot of strength. This also was able to change her physical appearance as well. He figure thinned out and became leaner. Her hair was finally reaching past her shoulders, and the sun and fresh air made her complexion more rosy, but still fair.

This change came to her when she was changing into her training outfit (breeches and a long tunic). Like any girl would do, she looked at herself in the mirror for a moment.

'Wow, I've only been here for two months, and I'm already such a different person,' she thought. She gave herself a small grin.

'At least I'll always have my freckles. That will keep me from turning into an elf.'

(A/N –Since elves don't get sick, I'm assuming they stay away from skin problems due to the sun i.e. sunburn or freckles. How I envy them!)

She began to walk down towards the arena, expecting Haldir to be there in a few minutes.

She still had not met many elves, save for Arphenon's family. Abigail didn't really mind though, she was still shy around Haldir sometimes. Life remained simple, as she continued to find a sense of self. Lorien was beginning to feel more like home, which was a big thing for her. And archery was going well. Haldir had found a beginners bow, which was mush easier to hold and pull back, so she was finally able to shoot. His lesson on aim had worked, for on her first shot to was fairly close to the bulls-eye.

Stepping through the brush, she was surprised to see Haldir already there.

"How was the scout?" Abigail asked.

"A dead end," Haldir said. "It was just a jumpy huntsman's hallucination, just as I assumed. Highly doubtful we were going to find an Oliphaunt by the mountains."

"What did you do at Lady Merilien's?" he said.

"She and Rodwen attempted to teach me to learn some writing, but the symbols are much to foreign. They would be even without memory loss."

"Well, there is plenty of time to learn. I can help as well with my spare time," he offerned.

"What spare time?" Abigail joked. "You already have missions and training, not to mention sleeping."

"There is always time for you," he said simply.

Abigail tried to hide her blush.

'Everyday she is becoming more like a daughter to me. And it has only been two months,' he thought.

"Anyway," he said, gaining back his focus. "I thought we would start something new today. Sword fighting."

'Yes!'

"First, a quick oral presentation. There are 6 main components to swordplay. Number one, conditioning-"

"No!" Abigail screamed in mock terror. "If I have to climb one more rope, I swear my hands will fall off!"

How he enjoyed making her sweat.

(A/N Bwa ha ha!)

"If you would let me finish, I think you have done enough of that. We can skip the first step for now."

'Praise be to the Valar,' she thought.

"Second step, " he continued, "is balance. A weapon will, of course, add extra weight to your momentum. He you can not balance you swing, you will make a fool of yourself and fall."

"Thanks for the confidence."

"Third step, timing. You need to be patients and wait for the right opportunity. No self control can lead to a disaster."

"So patience is a virtue," Abigail mumbled.

"Number four is breathing. Try to keep it steady and deep. This will help you not to panic, you won't get tired as easily and you will overall have better concentration."

"Well, I'm glad you told me that because I really planned on holding my breath during a fight," she said, with much sarcasm

He gave a mock sigh. "Must you always comment?"

"I am just so clever that way," she smiled.

"Going on to number five, you must keep you mental game. Pay attention to your opponent's style of fighting and find weaknesses. He may also try to distract you be taunting or yelling and you must ignore it. Nazgûl often use such a tactic."

Out of curiosity he asked, "Do you remember anything about you encounter.

"Not really. If it wasn't for the scar on my side, I don't think I would of even believed what you told me," said Abigail.

"Perhaps all for the better," Haldir concluded. "Not a pleasant memory it would be. Nightmares and frightening hallucination often are side effects to those who can recall the attacks."

'That's comforting,' she thought.

"Anyway, our final step (number six) is your equipment."

He leaded her over to a bench that was currently covered with a sheet.

"You aren't proposing I attack with a blanket, I assume?"

He took off the blanket, to (dramatically) reveal 3 sets of weapons.

He picked up the first sword. It was short and wide.

"This is a "bunch sword". It's a bit thicker and can pierce thinker objects, but not with a very clean cut. It's best used for close combat."

(A/N – I don't really know swords and/or their names. Please just bear with me.)

Abigail grasped it. "It's hard to balance with, I thinks it's the weight."

"This is probably the least used sword type, because of that reason. This is better for killing animal, not people."

He went to grab the second sword.

"You can call this a "slit sword". It is longer and sharper than the first, and it can vary in width. It is smarter to get it wider, for you can get better power against your opponent that way. Some prefer thin, though, because it's lighter, you can maker quicker moves, and it is possibly to hold it with only one hand."

He gave it to her to test. It was about a medium size, and a little blunt, but

"I like this one better. I definitely have a better handle on it, and it is easier to strike with."

She gave a quick swipe, and cut off a chunk of a bush.

"Hmm, not a bad cut you had there," Haldir commented.

"The last set here" he went on, " is popular among elves. The "long daggers."

He demonstrated a few moves, one dagger in each hand.

"Sharp as a swords, but small enough to be called a dagger. Have two weapons at once can give and advantage on offense and defense."

"Why do elves like this?"

"When you are already harnessing a bow and quiver, a smaller second weapon is nice. Many still carry all three: sword, dagger and bow. For regular scouts, I will take only the daggers, but if I plan to fight I often strap a sword in."

She carefully took the dagger from him. They were about 2 feet long she guessed, and about and inch wide.

"I like these the best," she decided. And that was all she needed to say.

"I can train you in all three styles." He offered. "But we can always focus on one."

"Let's start with the long daggers," she suggested.

"Very well. In general, try to keep the attacks high. At the right moment, it can give you a good attack at the rest of his body.

"Doesn't the same go for you, won't you be exposed."

"Not if you play your cards right. Just don't do that when you are on a horse, and your opponent is on the ground.

Haldir grabbed the slit sword.

"When I come at you, try to block with one dagger, and right away attack with your other. If you can't hold me, use both."

"Should a block with me right or left arm."

"If you can try to do it with the left, because you can get s stronger cut with your right and it's likely the right side will be the most exposed side."

"After I block."

"Be creative," he shrugged. "Let's see how well you think on your feet."

"Okay," she said, making fighting stance. "I'm ready."

Haldir ran at a slower charge, and they danced a small duel.

Well, I finally got to the fighting, but I'm not the best at action sequences. I will have some, but for know you can use your imagination. It'll be good for your mind. :)

Next chapter I'll start some of the timeline hopping, just skipping a couple years ahead most likely. Again, if there is a demand I can later on write a sub-story about life in Lorien.

Thanks to http/ for the notes of sword fighting.

I plan to write another chapter ASAP. For now, happy holidays!

-MysticNight9