Lady of Battle

Bad Student:

‘ ‘ thoughts


"They're improving,” said the tall elleth standing next to Brenauth. The Lady Seneschal stood still and glanced slightly in the elleth's direction. The young one had long golden hair which she had braided and tied back in the traditional training style. She was an impressive elleth having been one of Brenauth's favorite students.

"Ai, Rhokrist. You have done well," replied Brenauth.

Brenauth stood at the far side of the sparring field and, with pride; she watched over the activities today. It was a good way to get her mind off of the recent subject that had left her in complete disorder. She stood tall and wore her usual regal robe, worn while doing her daily clerical duties.

She walked slowly along the sidelines, appraising the young student warriors. All heads would turn as she walked but would quickly snap back to the task at hand. Even here, it was obvious that she alarmed the other elves. Behind her walked Rhokrist. The tall elleth watched her carefully and nervously waited for whatever critiques Brenauth might offer.

The training field was very impressive and had been sectioned off into different areas; archery, hand to hand, swordplay, knives, and so on. Brenauth hadn't seen it necessary to separate the students by their ages, having felt that the sooner they were trained with the more advanced, the faster they could improve and catch up. This was proven easily when any elf witnessed Rhokrist show her skills.

Rhokrist had been an eager student and had bested some of the most advanced warriors in just a short time; indeed it had surprised many who had witnessed it. Even Brenauth had laughed to herself in her private quarters. And her skill had earned her the new name, Rhokrist, for it did indeed seem like her swords rained down upon her opponents and few could catch every blow since her speed and agility were quite unmatched, with the exception of a few of course.

Brenauth had become extremely fond of the young elleth and quiet enjoyed the talks that they had. Since the death of Rhokrist's parents, the young one had seen it fit to seek counsel from her mentor and Brenauth felt it her duty to see to this young one for reasons she barely understood herself.

Brenauth had paused to watch a pair of young elves dulling in the sword area and stood closely studying their movements. Although it would've been impressive to any mortal's eye, she could see many flaws in their techniques and would patiently wait until they broke for rest to give instruction. The sound of steel was clanging in the area and Brenauth could feel herself getting excited. She loved that sound; had since she had begun her own training a millennia ago.

She was quite content at the moment and had forgotten her troubles until she noticed Rhokrist was fidgeting next to her and Brenauth glanced in the young elleth's direction. Rhokrist looked at her and confusion showed in her eyes. She had something to say and this was not like her. She was a very brazen elf and never held back; even earning some chastising from Brenauth about knowing the proper time to speak.

Brenauth turned her attention back to watching the young elves' swordplay. She wondered what could have her young friend acting so out of character. She smiled inside and decided that it was probably something very small as it was not unusual for Rhokrist to overreact. She was a very passionate personality and it reminded Brenauth of someone she had known long ago.

"What troubles you?" Brenauth decided to break the topic.

Rhokrist turned snappily, obviously surprised by the seneschal's question. It had never stopped surprising her how intuitive her silver-eyed mentor could be. She stood in shock for a few moments and then turned back to watch the sparring realizing that it was a waste of time to try and discern what Brenauth could be thinking as it could not be done.

"There is a rumor my lady," she said.

"Oh?...and pray tell its nature," answered Brenauth. She felt a little nervous inside since this conversation didn't seem to be heading toward what she had guessed.

Again deciding that being direct was the best option for broaching the subject, Rhokrist continued.

"A rumor, that you have been offered courtship, my Lady," she said as soft and calm as she could, the word courtship barely audible through the chuckle that accompanied it, a series of snorts and giggles followed as Rhokrist tried to muffle them.

Brenauth was silent, keeping her eyes forward and remained calm as she realized that her young friend had touched a sensitive subject and Elvin ears were hard to fool. The two young males had stopped their duel and watched anxiously, as all the others standing did as well. Elves were whispering to each other and soon most of the field had stopped and waited for an answer.

Brenauth was angered. Was this a subject appropriate for a young one to ask? Where was the discipline on this field? She paused gathering her thoughts.

Meanwhile, the whispers had reached the archery field, and most of the students had paused there as well; whispers reaching a certain elf's ears. He immediately ordered his students back to work; striding stubbornly along the line of release to reach the other side in order to observe the scene unfolding. His stare glared in Brenauth's direction.

A powerful vibe reached Brenauth as she glanced up in order to see who this vibe belonged to. Her silver eyes searching the crowd she found him and immediately recognized him. He had been the guard outside her rooms that night. A heat swelled up inside her and, after a moment, she realized it was embarrassment; a long time since she had felt it.

But, as quickly as she found him she turned her glance back toward her young friend and stared her through with a fury to make any enemy cower. She then spoke,

“Yes, I have - Something that might happen to you when you see fit to bathe once in a while.”

Brenauth had jested with her in this manner at times, but something caught Rhokrist’s eye as her Seneschal walked away. The lady turned and gave her a look of sorrow:

‘You go too far.’

Rhokrist physically jerked and startled so, that she stumbled back a step. She had heard rumors of the Lady of Light having this ability, but had never been witness to it. And not only had she heard the words but she had felt the controlled rage and disappointment that had been conveyed in the glowering stare.

Rhokrist immediately let her eyes fall to the ground and her head dropped in a manner to let Brenauth know she would accept her punishment.

Brenauth then turned her attention to the two sword fighters and let her robe fall to the ground to reveal her sparring clothes underneath. She stepped determinedly to them and asked one for his sword. They stepped back and she began to move in slow rhythmic movements to replay incorrect actions that the students had demonstrated. The dance was spectacular.

The archer still stood at the edge of his area watching, and couldn't seem to move. Brenauth was extravagant. Her long raven black hair flowed freely down past her hips and hung loose since she did not braid it. She hadn't done so in centuries. Most of her duties revolved around a desk and she had no need to. Her stance was impressive and he felt his heart race; a most unusual occurrence. She raised her sword above her head and brought it down slowly as if she was in meditation and her form was perfection for she had had ages to practice it.

She then turned toward his direction, sword pointing straight out toward him, her other arm above her head and in a defensive stance she froze. Her eyes showed pure fury and concentration, revealing a scar just above her left eye that he had never noticed before. He had seen her in battle from afar during the last raid at the borders and it never ceased to amaze him how powerful, graceful, and beautiful she was. Her eyes burned from within the most perfect and beautiful face he had ever beheld. He lost all sense of his surroundings. All he saw was her.

In her concentration, she was completely oblivious of him. She was lost in her routine and was slowly calming herself with every move. Although anger had fed her life force and insured her survival in the ages long ago, she had claimed control over them in the last centuries. But her fury still presented an aura that most of the elves of Caras Galadhon had never seen. But it was magnificent just the same.

He stood still, mesmerized. His body motionless, his eyes fixed. He knew nothing else and had no idea what to do. His face was expressionless, but every muscle in his body flexed. He had no idea how much time passed before he heard his brother's voice.

"Haldir?" spoke Orophin.

Haldir snapped back and looked at his brother. He had a numb expression but still hadn't answered his brother. He had no idea what his brother had said.

"Are we done for the day, brother?" Orophin asked again.

Haldir looked at his brother and Orophin in turn looked at their younger brother Rumil. Rumil lifted his brow in confusion at Orophin and they gave each other a look of concern for their older brother.

Haldir gathered himself mentally and spoke.

"Ai, we are." He answered and walked through them and headed for the students in order to dismiss them....TBC

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*For the name Rhokrist, I combined the Sindarin terms for rain-rhoss, and sword- krist. The name is in my story is to mean raining sword.*