The Power Within (On hold)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

          Elenora flopped down onto the bed. “I don’t know, Mary. I’m just not suited to rule!” She cried despairingly. “I would make such a mess of it!”

          Mary sat down next to her and stroked her hair. “Now miss, don’t say that! I think you would be a good queen! You’re not spoiled or anything!” She said.

         Elenora smiled. “Thanks for the support Mary.” She said gratefully, but inside her doubts still raged.

         “Come, let’s go get some breakfast!” Mary said cheerfully.

          Elenora allowed herself to be fed fruit and oatmeal, not tasting any of it through her despairing thoughts. Elenora stared wordlessly into her porridge.

         “Miss, would you like to learn how to swordfight? It would keep your mind off of ruling.” Mary said.

        Elenora looked up, saw Mary smiling hopefully at her, and smiled.

           “Sure, Mary, thanks.” She said. They headed up to the training room she had seen from the spiraling staircase.

         It was a massive room, with a gym on one side and weapons training on the other. Many of the elves looked up and stared as she entered; Elenora blushed at the sight of sweaty but handsome men training. She took a deep breath, wincing at the smell, and ignored them, striding past all of the eyes to the person that seemed to be in charge of the weapons training.

         He was a huge man that perfectly suited the huge war hammer he held in his hands. He unashamedly looked her over, his black hair falling into his face. He was older then her, but not yet in his middle ages. Expressionless black eyes measured her in calculating looks.

         “Sir, are you in charge of the weapons here?” She asked.

          “Yep.”

          “I’m looking for a sword. Not too big please, I’m just starting out.”

          He grunted and led her to the weapons rack.  He turned back to her.

         “Hands.” He grunted.

         Elenora stared at him. “What?”

         He rolled his eyes. “I said, hands.”

          Mary took Elenora’s hands and extended them. “Like this.” She said in Elenora’s ear.

          The man took them and examined them carefully, even running a finger over a callus.

          He grunted again and released her, then began browsing over the sword selection.

          Elenora turned bewildered eyes to Mary. She smiled and explained.

           “Stephen has this crazy ability where he can look at a person’s hands, and automatically know what weapon would fit them best.” She said.

            “Oh.” Elenora muttered, thinking to herself of course he has an ability to read palms, I’m so stupid. People were astounding here! And she loved it.

           Stephen picked out a slender standard sword and handed it to her before walking away and resuming his post.

            “Well isn’t he the conversationalist.” She whispered to Mary. Both girls giggled. Stephen glared.