Chapter XX: FAMILY REUNION
Aella was still standing in Legolas and Gimli's tent as Cyrene left to meet her mother. She looked curiously towards the guests, who were setting the saddlebags on the ground. She had already arranged for a new pallet to be brought to the tent for Cyrene, as well as her saddlebags.
Neither of the strangers seemed interested in resting, and they were pacing the tent under Aella's close scrutiny.
"May I enquire if you are going to rest or not?" she said.
Legolas turned to her surprised. This woman had a forward manner to address strangers. He wondered if Cyrene had ever been like Aella. He looked inquiringly over to Gimli, who shook his head in denial to Aella's question.
Before Legolas could answer, though, Aella continued. " You might enjoy joining our practice. We are always honing our warfare skills.".
Legolas picked up his bow and was reaching for his quiver under Gimli's gaze. The elf was eager to see the Amazons practice before they went into battle together, even if Gimli wasn't.
Gimli looked at Aella, and saw a glimpse of defiance in her eyes. The chit was looking forward to see the stranger's skills. So be it.
They followed Aella to an open field were the amazons were practicing archery as well as combat skills with their traditional battle-axes.
Some of the warriors engaged in practice looked over to the foreigners, but did not interrupt their activities.
Gimli was bristling as he followed the Amazon. She irritated him greatly, and he was not entirely sure why. There was something in the way she approached him and looked at him that made him uneasy. He had glimpsed the appreciation in her eyes, and yet he wasn't used to this kind of forward attentions. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it, and then focused his attention in the practice field. He could not help but admire the Amazons' skills.
They approached the area where the amazons were engaged in close combat with their short axes. Aella picked one of the double-bladed axes, a labryss, and expertly swung it around with a twist of her wrist.
She looked at Legolas, who was standing next to her leaning on his bow, watching the practice. "I prefer the labryss over any other weapon. Master Legolas, are you acquainted with the use of the battle axe?"
Legolas watched her wield the weapon and smiled in admiration.
"I have used one before, Aella, but I prefer the bow. Master Gimli's preferred weapon, however, is the axe."
He smiled at the grimace on Gimli's face, and realized just how precarious his friend's position was. It was painfully obvious to him that the petite Amazon was taken with Gimli.
Aella turned to Gimli. "So, Master Dwarf, you are the one who will teach us new moves with the axe? Would you show us your skills, confronting maybe, one of our warriors?" she said, a red brow raised as if daring him to refuse.
Gimli barely kept the scowl from his face. "I would be happy to, Amazon. Show me to the warrior and I would be honored to face her."
Aella's grin widened as she began to shed her outer garments while saying, "I suppose that only one of our best axe wielders will do. I am ready, Master Gimli"
And flipping the labryss again from her right to her left hand and back, she entered the circle where the other warriors were practicing.
Gimli could not stop the rise of his eyebrow as she had removed her outer garments in preparation to fight. He took out his axe and followed her into the circle. He was only vaguely aware of the other warriors backing away and turning to watch the newcomer wield his weapon against Aella. He bowed to her, and then readied himself to spar.
He assumed a defensive stance. Both warriors started to move carefully, measuring the other, no one ready to make the first strike, until Aella made a fast turn and aimed a blow to Gimli's head. The dwarf easily deflected it with his heavier weapon.
In return he tried a weak blow towards Aella's side, but she turned and evaded the blow. They stood again, watching the other, waiting for the next move.
Gimli could not decide between showing the wench a lesson or holding back in fear of hurting her.
Aella saw the indecision in the dwarf and attacked, with fast blows directed to his armor, twirling around him. Gimli heard Legolas chuckle behind him and saw the other warriors standing around them cheering on Aella.
Gimli realized his mistake immediately. He had allowed his worry over hurting the Amazon and his weariness towards her weaken his fighting. He steadied himself and forced his attention on her movements. He calculated her next move and stepped forward to counter it, taking her by surprise. He switched the axe to his opposite hand and took advantage of a weak spot in her stance. He smiled in satisfaction ; this was a challenge, and he would not underestimate her again.
She countered quickly, twirling the axe, and he forced himself to be patient and wait for her to actually move. She swung the axe and he managed to counter her, though just barely. She was very good. He shifted his weight to his left leg, and swung the axe towards her side. She almost missed his movement, but somehow managed to block him. He continued the movement, each time meeting the hard steel of her blade. He changed the angle of his blows, trying to break her defense.
Aella felt sweat dripping down her neck, and her admiration for the Dwarf grew with every thrust of his axe. He seemed never to grow tired, and he was the first real competition she had faced in a long time. She countered every stroke, studying his stance and his technique. He leaned forward and she smiled as she quickly twirled and made contact with his armor. He recovered quickly and she found herself once again at an impasse with the skilled warrior.
Gimli growled his displeasure as she made contact with his armor. Anger and pride spurred him on and he renewed his attack. She met him thrust for thrust, and his doubts toward her fade into admiration. It had been many years since he had faced so fierce a competitor. She twirled again; he blocked her and then took his advantage to make contact with her armor as he smiled .
"You are fierce in battle Mistress Aella," Gimli shouted as she came at him with a fresh round of glancing blows. He parried, then stroked at her, only missing her because she sidestepped and twirled in return. He swung the axe, off balance, but managed to block her attack and recover his feet before she could thrust again.
"And you are a worthy opponent Master Gimli," she said as she continued her strokes, knowing that for the first time in her life she was evenly matched by this Dwarf Warrior.
Gimli blocked her newest attack, realizing as well that they were equal opponents. He had not been evenly matched in battle since he was a young Dwarf, and suddenly he felt his interest for this flaming-haired Amazon rise.
At that moment he also understood why he had been so uneasy with her.
She had awoke in him longing and desire, even if she wasn't a dwarf.
Enraged by having recognized the effect Aella was having on him, Gimli held out for a powerful blow that brought the Amazon off balance. Aella rolled on the ground and aimed at Gimli's legs with the broadside of her axe, bringing him down as well.
"Enough!" toned a hard voice from behind Legolas and the other warriors watching the sparing. Legolas recognized the voice. Princess Alkaia had reached the practice grounds.
"Aella, there is no need to tire our guests in practice." Alkaia said, a smirk on her face.
Aella jumped to her feet, offering Gimli her hand to help him get up, but the dwarf got up on his own. Aella stood in the same spot, her head bent, her fist closed over her heart.
"Practice is good, Your Highness, especially before a battle. My people, the dwarves, never tire," said Gimli.
Legolas was amazed at the resemblance between Alkaia and Cyrene. The long black hair, the strong features, the honey-colored skin. But when Alkaia looked at him, he saw the main difference. The eyes.
While Cyrene's eyes showed the depths of her soul, Alkaia's were devoid of emotion as she observed him, sizing him up.
"We have seen the Dwarf Warrior skills with the axe. Do you care to show us your prowess with the bow now, Master Elf?" said Alkaia.
Legolas nodded., "As you wish, Mistress. I know that the only archers that might compare to the elves are undoubtedly the Amazons."
Alkaia smiled to the elf and for a moment Legolas thought he could see Cyrene in her sister's features.
"Then, as I am renowned as one of the best archers among my people, we might compete as well, Master Elf," she said, and turned to instruct the warriors to prepare targets for the competition.
While the targets were being set, the Amazons that had watched Aella and Gimli spar stood now surrounding the archers. Legolas looked around and saw Gimli standing behind him. The dwarf was not amused, and neither was Legolas. He could not beat the princess in front of her warriors, could he? But then, he had to show his prowess to earn the Amazons' respect. From the corner of his eye he saw Aella leave the field.
Alkaia strung her bow, and aimed for the first target. She shot the arrow inside the bull's eye. Legolas shot his arrow so that it hit the side of Alkaia's arrow.
The next target was set fifty paces farther away. Alkaia's shot hit the center of the target again, as did Legolas' arrow. There was a murmur of approval in the crowd of Amazons surrounding them.
The next target was set at one hundred paces. Alkaia's arrow hit a palm away from the center. Legolas sighed, as his shot hit straight the center of the target.
Alkaia laughed. "At least I injured the enemy badly this time. Maybe all I need is some tutoring with my aiming ... would you care to help me, Master Elf?"
She stepped closer to the elf, looking up to him, giving him her bow.
"You will help me, will you not, Legolas?" she continued. Legolas stood behind her and brought his arms around Alkaia to help her with her aim.
It was strange for him, having Cyrene's twin in his arms. She looked like her, but she wasn't her. He felt a chill run up his spine as Alkaia purred, only for him to hear, "You feel good, Legolas. I am most certain that we would enjoy a marvelous mating if you find your way to my tent tonight..."
Legolas stiffened, choosing to ignore Alkaia's invitation.
"Mistress, you have to concentrate on your aim," and he lead her hand while she strung her bow and shot. The arrow went straight to the target, hitting next to Legolas' last shot.
"I mean it, elf, I might show you the pleasure you can only find with a real woman," Alkaia whispered, turning to Legolas.
The sound of an arrow's flight next to their heads called their attention. The arrow hit the last target they were shooting at, splitting the last shot arrow cleanly in two.
"I gather you have not been practicing much lately, Alkaia, for such a poor display with the bow," a serene voice said from behind them.
Alkaia's eyes narrowed and her face contorted in hatred as she stepped out of Legolas' arms to face Cyrene.
"After you left, sister, I had no need for practice, for I am the best archer among our people," she said.
"Too bad, Alkaia, that you need competition to improve and can not achieve this on your own. You should be aware of your duties towards your position, sister," Cyrene said.
Her eyes were set on Legolas, as she had seen her sister in his arms moments before.
"As YOU did, Cyrene? Cowardly running away from the Island in the middle of the night? Were you afraid that I might prove that I am the best of us both?" said Alkaia sweetly.
Ominous silence settled over the Amazons. Cowardice was the worst insult that could be dealt to a warrior. Cyrene could not take it without reaction. She had to challenge her sister and defend her honor, or the warriors were never to respect her again. And she had to lead warriors to Pelargir the following morning.
She sighed loudly, stepped in front of Alkaia and said, her deep voice laced with anger and sadness. " You are still a spoiled child, Alkaia, and I hope that you grow up to be worthy of leading our people. But first, you should learn not to speak without thinking. I should have done this a long time ago," holding out, Cyrene gave her sister a backhanded blow to the face.
"I will see you at dusk, Alkaia, here," she said, and then turned on her heel to leave the field, followed by Aella, who hadn't moved from her side after going to fetch her when Alkaia had joined the practice.
Alkaia looked over to Legolas and gave him a bitter smile. She said enticingly to him, "It seems that you will see a real fight even before the battle, Master Elf. But my offer still stands. I will wait for you after I have shown my sister who is the best of us," and saying this she left the place as well.
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