Livewire[LOTR]

Chapter eight- Gender Games

A hand grabbed the helmet on my face holding it still so I could not look away. “Who is this whelp, I have not seen you before.” I coughed and lowered my voice. “I am Iviaan Rath, sir. An eagle rider from the south.” The king continued to look skeptical. “A man who looks me in my eye- I shall be watching you.” He spat. I winced as he shoved me back slightly. As the princess pasted me she made eye contact and offered a smile as to say ‘hes not always this bad.’ Her brother ignored me. Eventually the king finished up. “All of you, start training. My general will be in charge of you.” A man with brown hair stood next to him.  I felt giddiness rise in my stomach. Finally, time to show them what I was worth.

The recruits split off into different places, using swords against dummies- archery against hay bales. I snatched my bow from my back and an arrow. I fired at one of the bales, hitting it square on the mark then started to walk to the right snatching an arrow for every bale. Hitting them in the center, other arrows from other trainees where already there at some times my arrows would knock them out other times my arrow would split the wooden ones in half. I was starting to draw attention, but I kept going. I decided to try a running shot. I backed up a little then took a slow breath, without a second more I launched myself forward and jumped into the air shooting the arrow while dodging the other trainees. I was about to shoot another arrow when something blocked my vision. I skidded to a stop almost colliding with the shape.

Before me stood the prince- Thranduil. He was holding my firing hand with his armored one. “We don’t need show offs here Mr.Rath.” he snarled. “We need fighters, not dancers.” I saw his sister watching from the palaces steps. “Of course, my prince.” I snarled. I hated men like that, they thought themselves better then everyone else because of a status or being told they were attractive all there lives. “Watch your tone.” He snarled his face barely inches from mine. “Why don’t you make me.” I taunted. I saw his hand go to the sword on his hip. “Glad-“ he was cut off by a hand on his shoulder. His sister had rushed over. “Enough brother, stop. He was simply doing what he was told. You don’t need to get aggressive.” She said quietly. I narrowed my eyes as the prince sheathed his sword. “Watch yourself.” The prince warned as I was left with his sister.

“Sorry about him.” She said, smiling at me. I shrugged. “No problem.” She studied me for a second. “You’re an Eagle rider?” She asked. I nodded curtly as I loaded another arrow into the bowstring. “That’s cool, I've heard of you riders but never met one.” She smiled politely then walked off after her brother into the stone and wooden palace. I reached for another arrow as I felt a chuckle on the left of me. I glanced over quietly to see the large human man- Fehanaro. Again. Damn, that guy was starting to get on my nerves .”Nice job Rath piss off the prince and almost get your head ripped off, then the beautiful princess comes to your defense. You must be popular with the ladies in your village, eh?” I grunted quietly in reply- clearly showing no interest in speaking to him but he continued to ramble. “You’re an eagle rider to, eh? I'm from a little village on the west side of the misty mountains.” I could feel my irritation levels rising. As he blabbered on about the village. “Look, I need to focus- if you don’t mind.” I snarled at him in the middle of his sentence about the villages amazing “herbal pie” he nodded curtly. “Ah, sorry. I'm a tad forgetful at times.” Then he sauntered off without a word.

I breathed a sigh of relief. As I continued to fire the arrows into the target. Eventually we where called to a meal around the fire, provided by the armies chief. Nothing special- just some basic herbs. Science, elves and being vegetarians. I would have to hunt for myself if I wanted a proper meal. I finished the greens then snuck away from the camp as the sun went down. Naia greeted me at the forest edge. “C'mon girl, lets go hunt.” I whispered. She clacked her beak in agreement. We wandered threw the thick forest for a while, I stayed low while Naia stalked threw the trees. I decieded to take my helemet off five minutes into the treck- the stupid thing made lots of noise on my head. I stashed it in a cubby hole in one of the trees- made by an owl or something. That felt better, without the stuffy metal around my face I could see better and my face finally didn’t feel like it was going to melt straight off.

Naia dropped a pinecone on my head and I glanced up at her quickly, she angled her face slightly beyond me. I moved silently, poking my head into the thick bushes. Quiet voices where now audible as I listened threw the greenery. I moved closer, as silent as a mouse. The hunters trade, patience and silence.  I eventually got a view of what I was listening to. It was that bastard prince again, talking to…? A fox? A small silver fox sat on a stump that he walked around. “All I'm saying is, that she has no right to shove her blood aside for some random backwash rider from a dirty village!” he snarled at the creature, who seemed to be listening. “My sister is an idiot, she'll do anything to undermine me. Thank the gods I'm the one becoming the king and not her.” He ranted, pacing around the stump as the foxes head followed him. He walked past my bush and the scent of huckleberry and honey rolled into my nose. What an odd scent for a man.

“I could have cut that riders throat out in one swing, but nooo brother we must set an example. I could have set an example with that mans head.” It quickly dawned on me that he was ranting about me. Hah, well. I was obviously doing a good job of this “pretending to be a guy” business. I was almost tempted to launch an arrow into his armor to prove a point- From where I was hunkered I could see a weakpoint in its silver lining. If I could just slip an arrow in ther- My thoughts where sliced in half as Naia screeched from above me. I shot my head up to look at her. Along with the prince and the fox.  The fox snarled and got to its feet. Its shape flickered and suddenly in its place stood a woman. Long flowing hair and rounded ears. Eyes the shape of two blue moons. The prince stared at the bird, who glared back. She jumped down and landed on the stump, she was to big for it so from where I was I could see her slipping off the mossy surface. Fool bird I thought. I could have easily taken out that prince from where I was, no problem.

“Whats this.” Said fox-woman.  “One of the riders eagles,  Tove.” He said. Tove? What an interesting name- for a human.  I watched as Naia peered at me. I knew she was trying to get me out there, but I could not let them see me without my helmet on. I still looked feminine without it on- so for safety’s sake I would make sure I left it on when around others.  Suddenly Tove spun as I began to back out of my hiding place. “Whos there.” Growled the fox-woman.