We walked in silence. His long-legged stride ate up the distance, but I had to struggle behind to keep up with my much shorter legs. I took the opportunity to observe him. His hair, which at first I thought was black, was actually a very dark and rich brown. The braid was so long it brushed his tailbone. I was never one to find long hair attractive on a man, but for some reason I found it very attractive on him. Of course, everyone I had seen so far in this place has been maddeningly attractive, but something about him... well, I had no place going there.
We made our way into a large clearing. One area held straw targets, and the rest was kept open and clear to allow men to fight. Before we even entered the clearing, I could hear the male grunts and the metallic ring of weapons striking together. A line of men stood about fifty yards from the straw targets. Each held long bows in hand and were firing with quick and sure precision. My eyes were drawn to the groups in fighting positions. I had seen people spar two-on-two, but here they seemed to take it to another level entirely. Not only were there two fighting each other in groups, but I also saw groups of three or four males sparring each other!
We slowed to a halt on the edge of the grounds, surveying the training men. I was not surprised to see they used primitive weaponry instead of guns. I had seen enough of their daily lifestyles to see that they had no technology as advanced as modern technology.
I took a peek at the stoic captain. He stood stiffly, as usual, with one hand resting comfortably on his sword and the other behind his back. He watched them with a calculating expression. Something that honestly, scared me a little. His face allowed no emotion to show. I could easily see him to be a fierce opponent in battle.
"In that far corner, there," I jumped when he spoke and looked towards the area he had indicated with a tilt of his head.
A group of three elves fought hard and swiftly against each other. Two of them were dark haired, while the third was golden. They seemed to dance among each other. Parrying, blocking, and dodging with such grace that it would make dancers jealous.I watched in awe as the golden haired one knocked a sword out of one of the brother's hands, and turned as quick as a wink to swipe the other's feet out from under him. His sword back around to land gently under the chin of the brother left standing, who raised his hands slowly in a sign of surrender. The other lay on the ground, panting from exertion. He raised up, groaning slightly and wincing. I rushed towards him, skirting the edges of the clearing. I reached them just as he was being helped up.
"Are you alright?" I asked breathlessly.
He looked at me, startled to see me standing in the training grounds no doubt, and smiled slightly. "Yes, pen tithen. Just a few bruises, nothing more."
I nodded, embarrassed I had reacted so vehemently to no injury. I could feel another blush rising into my cheeks and inwardly cursed my fair skin and shyness.
"What are you doing here, Esther? I would have thought Mother and Arwen would have had you knee deep in gowns by now."
The other brother, I was not sure which was which they were so alike, stepped forward and stood next to his brother. He looked behind me and nodded in greeting, raising one hand.
"Suilad, Captain! I see you have met our Esther!"
I turned my head and saw that the captain had walked up behind me, looking not at all pleased I had taken off the way I had. He nodded stiffly. "Lady Arwen asked me to escort Lady Esther to watch you train."
I think that's the most I've ever heard him say!
"Well then! May Elladan and I present our most esteemed teacher, Lord Glorfindel, of the house of the Golden Flower!"
YOU ARE READING
Her Resurrection
Fanfiction"My life had changed, and not solely for the better. At least, it did not seem that way at the time." A young woman goes missing in a small southern town. What the residents do not know is that she has not only gone missing from their town...
