To Tame A Fire

6. Training at Sunrise

The lengthy journey back to King Thranduil's fortress was gratefully uneventful. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, Legolas didn't know. The forest was quiet, too quiet save for the trees whispering of great a darkness rising.

Throughout the whole journey, Rhaveniel avoided all contact with Legolas. She couldn't stop thinking about that kiss... How she felt so free and full of hope. Did Legolas give her that? She knew she didn't love him, of course not, and she couldn't. She couldn't love anyone. She was too afraid to love for fear of loss.

She needed to hate him to save herself.

~*~*~*~*~

Walking through the gates, Legolas shuddered at the memory of the forests and was grateful to be home. His patrol left to the barracks where the novices would resume their training. He glanced back at Rhaveniel. They hadn't spoken since that 'incident', and Legolas cringed at the look of resentment she shot him. He straightened himself and lifted his nose.

Walking over to her, he looked as regal as his father. They held eye contact for a moment, neither wishing to back down. It was Legolas who spoke.

"Tomorrow, at sunrise on the training fields," Legolas said with a challenge gleaming in his bright eyes. It was time to change the tactic. He knew she couldn't back down from a challenge.

Rhavaniel lifted her nose and inclined her head. "I will be there," she said simply before walking away, leaving a smirking Legolas.

~*~*~

The next morning, Legolas was not at all surprised to see Rhavaniel enter the training grounds. He took a moment to observe her. She wore a tight black leather jerkin, black leggings, and matching boots. Her raven hair was tied into a high plait much like his. In her hands, two short swords. Her face was screwed in her normal scowl that only seemed to get bigger when she spotted Legolas.

Rhaveniel stood in front of Legolas and took in his appearance. The first thing she noticed was Legolas' jerkin. Its craftmanship showed he was of royal blood, but the most surprising thing was that half his chest was exposed down to his rib. She roamed her eyes over his skin unashamed then moved lower. His leggings were dark, and his boots the color of midnight with specks of gold from the buckles. His hair was tied into a high plait that cascaded down his strong back.

"Satisfied?" Teased Legolas when he noticed her scrutinizing him.

Rhavaniel met his eyes and tilted her head.

"One lap," Legolas commanded.

"What?"

"Run, a lap." Legolas motioned around the training field.

Rhavaniel shot him a glare before sprinting off. In no time she was back beside Legolas.

"Again," he commanded casually.

She muttered something under her breath and once again sprinted a lap around the field. Once again she returned and was sent back again and again and again.

Once Legolas was satisfied, he allowed her a chance to catch her breath.

"You do well with the short swords, but not good enough-"

"-not good enough?" Rhavaniel was obviously offended by this.

"Silence," Legolas hissed. "Your skill with the swords needs honing. You also must learn the bow. You always aim to kill, you cannot afford to lose an arrow. This you know."

Rhavaniel cringed. She knew too well. That day with the orcs she had missed, and it nearly costed her life. Of course, she wouldn't admit that though.