chapter 2

Elrandir rise as the messenger of the High King dismounts near the fire. "M'lord" He says after bowing as deep as he may, as he tries not to burn himself on the fire, which he stands near, and then he awaits for the other to speak...

Rilania looks up at the messenger, then returns to sipping her tea.

"Elrandir of Mithrim, the High King and Prince bid you and your party to return at once to Menelmacar for guard service during their voyage to Himring in the east. We must ride at once and without delay." He says this all in Sindarin, nodding to the humans, but seeming in a great hurry.

Elrandir nods quickly "Then, may I first bid these my two friends farewell?" He asks, in the same language, with a brief wave at Aragant and Acalewin...

The messenger nods, but looks impatient nonetheless. He looks back at the riders while Elrandir says his good-byes.

Aragant Draws Courage our from her scabbard now and backs up a little," You may start Acalewin, when you are ready." Aragant takes a defensive stance, but as he does he frowns as he sees Elrandir waves from the fire...but he thinks he's only returning his wave and now looks back to Acalewin and takes a defensive stance

Elrandir walks with haste to the clearing where Acalewin and Aragant stand.... Upon getting there he says "I, and many others of the Mithrim will leave now..." He says only, careful not to get in the way of their swords....

Aragant drops his sword for a moment, nodding to Acalewin..and walk over to Elrandir," What?....is the whole Mithrim party leaving then?" He looks to the person with Rilania.

Acalewin lowers the blade of his sword briefly to turn to Elrandir and returns the wave. Hearing Aragant, the hunter turns back and smiles, "If you wish." He retakes his stance and circles the scout to the right slowly while taking a few deep breaths. As the elf approaches them the once again lowers his blade to face him. "Fare well, Elrandir. May you have a safe journey."

Elrandir raise his both hands "I know not, but I believe so... Well, I have not time for long fare wells...." He says, the last words followed by a sigh "May we meet again, my friend" he says only reaching out his hand to Aragant and after that to Acalewin...

Aragant takes the hand and shakes it," I am not surprised at this...take care and fare you well wherever you travel..." then he stops and looks at Elrandir, I suppose then there will be no one to greet us in Mithrim when we get there then?"

Taking the offered hand, Acalewin shakes it and bows politely to the elf. "I shall hope that we meet again as well."

"I know not my friend" He says now and then he looks over his shoulder at the messenger... "Fare well." He says "And now, duty calls..." He say and starts walking towards the messenger...

The messenger turns and mounts his horse, riding toward the western bridge to join the others.

As Elrandir walks back to the messenger," Give Moradan my best" he looks to Acalewin and nods back to the center of the area....upon arriving there he looks to Acalewin," Go ahead and start Acalewin"...and he takes up the stance again. Elrandir follows the mounted messenger, walking towards the western bridge as well... "I will, and... give my best to all the others..." he says loudly, not turning....

Rilania watches the match between the two humans.

Acalewin watches the elf leave and shakes his head slightly before turning back to his 'opponent.' "As you wish." he says and raises his sword again. He resumes his slow circling to the right and takes a few deep breaths before he attacks. He swings his sword from right to left, aiming the flat part of the blade at the scouts left hip.

You attack Aragant with your Longsword...he blocks your blow with his shield!

Anna sits sewing and watching the comings and goings. She sips her tea and enjoys this small bit of summer before the snows set in. She nods to both the messenger and Elrandir but is intent upon her sewing.

As soon as Elrandir mounts a horse waiting for him there, the whole group rides of for the mountain pass, The beat of many hooves sounding for quite a while until the cloud of dust that appeared no longer can be seen. And so they are gone, to whatever duties they have to attend to....

Aragant watches as the Hunter moves to his left, never taking his eyes off the others blade..and as the hunter strikes Aragant raises his shield to block the blow, a loud thwop is heard as it contacts Aragant's shield. Not waiting for Acalewin to step back and his feet planted firmly on the ground Aragant Lashes out, with the flat of the blade to strike the hunters right thigh.

The impact of the sword and shield jars the hunter's arm and not being able the move the sword fast enough he watches as the sword flies underneath his sword arm and connects with his thigh. He grunts with surprise and slight bit of pain as he takes a small step back. He shakes his head slightly and looks back at the scout. Suddenly he steps forward and throws a slash upwards at the scout's chest, turning the blade in mid-swing so that only the flat part would connect if it hits.

Aragant steps back as the blade, in its upswing, just misses by an inch, and he raises his eyebrows as he tries to take advantage of the fact that Acalewin's blade is now up. He sides steps to the left, as if dancing now, and swings a backhand blow at his temporarily exposed right side.

Acalewin curses under his breath as his blade contacts nothing but air. He turns to the right and tries to bring his sword around and is surprised by the sudden thud against his shield. He stops for a moment and grins. Between breaths his says softly, "That was unlooked for luck." and then retakes his stance and starts to move to the left. He aims his next attack low and for the scouts right thigh, once again with the flat of his blade.

Anna looks up from her embroidery and watches as the spar progresses. She shakes her head at the thought of cuts to look at and mending to do. Smiling to herself she returns to her sewing.

As the hunter turns Aragant's blade finds the shield rather than the hunters side. He continues to move to his left and as he does Acalewin's blade misses his thigh by less than an inch," That was close my friend...." but he moves a half step, plants his right foot behind him now and thrusts towards Acalewin's sword arm shoulder.

Acalewin frowns as the tip of his blade finds the soft dirt instead of the scout's leg. He smiles and says, "Yes, I suppose that was close." just before the sword tip grazes his right shoulder and just barely scores the skin. He looks at the wound and chuckles, "I guess I will have to do some sewing when we are done." Lifting his blade from the ground he brings the sword towards the scout's right calf in a backhand motion.

Aragant squats now halfway down and spins to block Acalewin's attack, and just barely gets his shield down in time to do so. He gathers his strength now and springs up, Courage whistles through the air, but Aragant flips his wrist down as he attempts to bring Courage down on Acalewin's left shoulder.

"Interesting." is what comes out of Acalewin's mouth as his sword is blocked by the shield. He yelps slightly in surprise as the scout's sword connects with his shoulder and the backs away. "I think I have taken enough of a beating for now. Thank you very much for the lesson and for the sword." He smiles as he picks up the sheath to the sword and buckles it around his waist opposite where his quiver is normally. "I think tea is in order while I fix my shirt. Do you want any?"

Anna smiles at Acalewin, "Did he draw blood?" as the man approaches she puts her embroidery back into the basket. "Aragant, do I need to mend you tunic this time?'

Aragant removes his armor..."I don't think so, Hydia has it..she's trying to get Malis's blood out of it...I threw it at her for twisting our ears after we got back."

Acalewin looks at the scratch on his upper right arm. "He barely broke the skin. It is nothing to worry about. The shirt is injured more then I am." He sheaths his sword and looks at Aragant, "Good spar, Aragant. We will have to do it again sometime." He pours himself a cup of tea and removes his armor.

Anna laughs, "Well if Hydia is washing it, you can figure to need a new one. She does have a way with ears though" she grins at Acalewin, "then I shall not worry about you. I do have salve if you should need it."

Aragant looks to Acalewin, "Aye a quick cup would be fine...I want to go for a walk soon."

Acalewin hands Aragant the cup of tea he was holding and then pours one for himself, "Where are you planning on going?" He turns to Anna, "No I think it will heal fine without having to use up your stores."

Anna stands, and nods, "Let me know if you change your mind. Well I do have dinner to start, I shall see you both later" and moves back to the wagon and climbs aboard.

"Thank you Acalewin..." as he takes the tea," yes we shall spar again soon...your footwork needs some work...but you look ok for now...and your attacks that hit my shield...they were pretty powerful..I am impressed..." He looks around before answering his other question, "I think I'd like to have a look to the northeast."

"Do you want me to accompany you? Or do you prefer to go alone?" Acalewin asks after he takes a sip from his tea. The hunter says nothing about the comment about the hits and simply smiles while nodding.

Aragant looks to Acalewin and grins..."I think I would appreciate the company my friend...if you don't mind." He sips his tea and turns to look at the late afternoon sun.

Acalewin takes the last sip from his cup of tea and picks up his cloak, bow, and quiver. "When do you want to leave? I am ready to go whenever you wish to." He smiles and attaches his quiver opposite where his sword is worn. He then sheaths his sword and holds his bow.

Aragant finishes his tea and sets the cup down. He looks to the hunter as he adjusts his gear, "Ready?...let's go" he says after checking to see that his pouches are full. Then he walks with Acalewin northeast out of the camp. Aragant takes the northeastern road that leads towards Barad Eithel. Aragant has left. >p> Continued in Chapter 3....