10 years later Eighteen years old Year 61 f.a

Eldarion was in a large courtyard in the centre of the palace. His dark shoulder length hair blowing with the breeze, his grey eyes focused on his blade. He was alone in his thoughts.

I'm good I've got this.

He took a deep breath grasped the hilt of his sword tighter and spun through the courtyard. Eldarion's blade reflected the sun as he twirled his sword through the air and slashed at imaginary opponents with precise accuracy. An unknown blade met his and a dual broke out. Eldarion kept at his opponents pace remaining on the defence as his blows were parried with ease. After ten minutes his hair clung to his forehead that was covered with a thin layer of sweat, his breathing heavy as he stood alone once more, the adrenaline leaving his system.

"What do you want?" Eldarion grumbled realising the king happened to be the unexpected opponent

"You have the speed, your offence is week and your movements are not as flowing as they should be." His father replied.

Lately the king didn't give his son as much fatherly love that he used to. No more public displayed of affection or the easy smiles. He seemed to become more stern and increasingly distant. The advice he gave becoming less sugar coated and the happy father showing emotion a rare phenomenon.

"Dad?" Eldarion inquired "can't you show me how to improve my offence? Show me how to make my movements flow. You are the one that trained with elves since you could grab a hilt. Besides the last time I came first was before I was eight and my sisters borne."

"Fine."

The king unsheathed his sword and went about showing his son how to improve his flowing movements. Moving through sword motions that were like second nature to him because of his practice over time. Eldarion watched in awe as he absorbed all of his fathers technique and put in a mental note to try some of the new things he saw. He had no idea his father was this good.

"At it again," the king said advancing on his son with little warning, "you should always be ready."

The sparing match continued this time Eldarion able to gain a few strikes in offence and his defence more built up after watching his father. After another twenty minutes of the match the movement came to a halt. The king was able to place the tip of his sword on his sons chest signifying the defeat.

"You opened yourself to early. An orc wouldn't notice but be careful, ion nin."

Eldarion gazed at his father as if he wanted to say something. The king inclined his head and watched his son closely.

"Adar," Eldarion said shifting from foot to foot "I would like to join the Rangers."

The Kings expression hardened. He knew this day was coming, but this soon? His son was not ready.

He will go insane locked in the kingdom. His defence is not strong enough for battle. He has to learn somewhere. The Kings face was as expressionless as stone as he debated the matter in his head.

Eldarions grey eyes were full of hope. The same hope his father had had asking the same question to his father. It felt like an age had passed when Eldarion broke the silence that had formed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. The idea was folly."

"And why do you say that?"

"Well I'm a prince. Also you and Naneth have got my three younger sisters to look after and I'm their primary care taker when I'm not in my lessons. But the thing is Asher was my age when he became a ranger apprentice, yours might I add and a full ranger when I was nine. He saved my life when I was eight, I want to save others as well. He agreed to mentor me and that I could find him in the wilds when he was next out."

"You should go." The king replied his expression becoming softer as he re-sheathed his sword.

"You mean it. No your not ready or no it's to dangerous for young mortals." Eldarion said brimming with excitement.

"Now you sound like 'Dan, 'Ro, Glorfindel and Adar. You should go." Was the only reply.

Eldarion launched himself forward. He took his father into a tight embrace unable to contain his excitement. The king momentarily froze. The last time he embraced his son like this was when he was a mere child having a nightmare. He returned the embrace after a slight hesitation and remembered just how much he didn't want his son to go into the wilds. How was he going to tell the queen.

Elvish used

Ion nin - my son

adar - father

naneth - mum/mummy