Livewire[LOTR]

Chapter twelve- Sword to the chest

Chapter twelve

I rolled off my bed cot and sighed, rubbing my head. My hair did not great my fingers the way it used to, I almost missed running my hands threw its soft auburn follicles. I glanced around, noticing I was alone. I stumbled out of the ten and into the dawn, to my surprise. Recruits where doing training, I must have slept through the wakeup. I rushed to a open place in a line of men ready to attempt a climbing exercise. Elves where nimble, humans- not so much. So they had to practice it. I was... alright. In the climbing area, up trees no problem. Up walls. That was an issue. They wanted us to attempt to scale the palace walls. I eyed it, my keen green eyes picking out any weakness in the rocks. The two in front of me failed, they got about halfway up then had to come down because they could not find a way to continue up.

I jumped forward when it was my turn, digging my hands into the stone and marble. Launching my armored body up the side of  the palace, passing windows. I used there frames as footholds and the cracks in the ancient marble as finger holds. I got to the place where the other two had been unable to continued and paused, I knew I was high up by the breeze that brushed against my back. I spotted a window not far from my reach and ran my tongue over my lips. Determination sparked in my heart. I leapt for it my feet finding not footing but the sleek palace side, my fingers found the metal frame of the window and I yanked myself up. I peered in the window, not on purpose- my face just came close to it. The prince sat on the other side, his eyes widened in surprise then quickly went to anger. I waved sheepishly as he raced to the window, shoving it open as I leapt away before he could grab me. I heard a frustrated snarl then the sound of metal and fabric scraping on the stone. I glanced down to see him out on the window side, looking up at me. "Yo" I chuckled.

He scowled. He was much faster than I was so he caught up with me in a few seconds. "Worthless. Even as a spy you fail." He snarled. Blonde hair falling into his eyes, I frowned at him. "I bet I could beat you to the top." I bet him. His scowl deepened. Then he took off, like a god damn spider up the side of the palace. Shit I thought. Jumping after him, using the footholds and cracks the best I could but the prince was beating me by a mile a minute. He stopped halfway up and frowned down at me. I sighed loudly, then spotted something to my right. There was a large window about halfway up. If I could make the jump it would earn me a good few feet on him. I licked my lips then prepared to jump. My hands caught onto it and I saw the prince staring in surprise as I scampered past him. He blinked, clearly confused as I raced up the side of the marble. I reached the top a few seconds before he did, launching myself into the air and landing on the top of the tiled roof. I stopped, gasping as I stared into the forest and rivers beyond. The massive ocean was just visible from where I stood. The sun reflected against the land, painting it different colors. The prince jumped up beside me, he blinked. Staring at the same place I was. Our hair whipped in the wind as we glared into the horizon. "Damn" I muttered.

He glanced over at me. "You ride an eagle, don't you see this all the time." I shrugged slightly. "No, not really. I'm to busy focusing on where Im going rather then where I am." I said quietly, realizing the truth hand depth behind that statement I coughed and moved around him, peering down at the trainees that where attempting to climb up the wall the same way I did. I chuckled watching them fail time after time. "C'mon guys!" I yelled down at the ground. I saw someone throw something on the ground and spit in anger. The prince was still staring at the horizon. "The pure vastness takes me by surprise sometimes." He muttered. I shrugged at him, preparing to find a way down. "Well, don't fall off." I muttered, preparing to jump down went I felt a hand on my wrist. I turned quickly, surprised. He wasn't frowning, just looking. "What the hell are you doing." I growled. "Tova said something... intriguing... the other day." His voice lowered, almost so that I couldn't hear it above the wind. He moved closer to me. "She told me you where a woman dressed as a man." My heart stopped and I forgot how to breathe. "What makes you think that." I said in my gruffest voice I could muster. I pushed me away slightly, causing me to teeter on the edge of the roof. The wind howled in my ears. "Just... a suspicion." His scowl returned as he leapt away from me climbing down the side of the palace without another word. I felt a cold shiver run up my spine. I scampered down after him, landing on my feet next to the trainees. One of the supervisors clapped me on the shoulder. "Nice work soldier" I dipped my head in respect and wandered away from the group.

As I went to get a drink of water I heard a slam of metal and oak, a yelp and something hitting the dirt. I glanced back to see the prince, sitting in the dirt his father standing over him. "Son, I told you never again." His voice dropped and gained an angry snarl. "Ivian Rath." The king yelled. "Come and face your challenger, if he so demands it." I blinked, straightening my shoulders and stalking threw the gathering crowd. I stopped, standing in front of father and son. Thranduil looked embarrassed, and angry. "Fine, father. I'll prove you wrong and put this beast in its place." His blue eyes blazed. I gritted my teeth. "I don't want to hurt you, princeling." Without warning he launched himself at me, his sword swinging across my arm. Cutting into the exposed skin. I refused to cry in pain, instead I swung my foot forward kicking him in the chest. He didn't budge and advanced, pushing his sword closer to me. I ducked and stepped sideways, upper cutting him in the jaw. He yelped and lost his footing backing up a few steps. I took my chance and dove towards him. Punching his arm that was holding the sword, I snatched it from him and twisted around. Ready to cut him into little pieces.

The prince rubbed his chin then rushed me, I square punch to the nose. I felt blood explode from my face as I grunted in pain. Grabbing his hair. Yes! Perfect! Long hair! Hahah I thought, pulling it and yanking him off his feet again. The elven prince grabbed my hand with his free one, causing or arms to become tangled. I snarled and lurched my head forward biting his fingers. A dirty trick I'd learned as kid when my brothers got to violent. He yelped in pain and staggered away. I took my opening and grabbed his face with my hand, shoving as hard as I could downward. He didn't budge, and his left hand swept forward. Snatching mine, his eyes glowed between my fingers as I felt his grip tighten. His right hand swept up and grabbed mine which was still firmly planted on his face. He ripped it away and held it. Then he began to twist, he twisted my arms and I screamed. The pain of ripping muscle and cracking bone echoed into my voice. He forced my body to twist around and I had my back facing him. He kicked me down and placed his armored foot on my head letting my arms go.

I whimpered. As he laughed above me. I knew I had a broken bone and a torn ligament, somewhere. "I wont, be- felled by the- likes of... you!" I roared between mouthfuls of mud. Pushing up against his leg as he gasped in surprise. I grabbed his sword which had been knocked to the ground, and without hesitating- Pushed upward.

Blood splattered onto my face, filled with rage- I didn't realize. It was like looking threw the eyes of another, I could see our two bodies. Him leaning slightly, my body twisted. Right foot up against his chest, hands gripping the sword firmly as it cut into his lower chest. He stared at me, surprise and horror filling his eyes. There was silence in the cheering crowd. I heard the king scream, something. I couldn't hear anymore. Someone pulled me away and pushed the prince onto his back. There yelling was loud, I think... his name. Everything was a blur. Had I just killed my first man? Someone grabbed me and yanked me back. We started running, then I felt something hit my leg and I went down. Then darkness.