Chapter XXI

                                    

                                          
Legolas pov
                          
I felt much better in the morning, and rose up with energy I had lacked for the past few days. I got changed into my usual adventurers attire, and strapped my bow to my back. I was about to leave my room when I hear a knock at the door.
                          
"Please come in." I say as I grab my canteen. Cindor walks in, bowing as he always does.
                          
"Legolas, how do you feel today?" He stands straight, looking at me with concern.
                          
I shrug, putting the canteen on my belt. "I am alright. How is the training going?" 
                          
Cindor nods. "They began yesterday and it is going normally. The new recruits aren't up to par yet..."
                          
"I wouldn't expect them to be."
                          
"Me neither, and I have checked the walls, it appears that the guard amount doubled."
                          
I nod in approval. "Glad to hear, and I think the orcs weren't too hard. There was just a lot of them suddenly."
                          
Cindor nods in agreement. "Serion was saying the same thing."
                          
I finish packing walking towards the door.
                          
"Wait Legolas." I pause as Cindor talks. "Your father has true concerns about you, as do the rest of us. Please take it easy."
                          
I nod, sighing in frustration. Cindor was one of the elves I trusted the most, and I trusted his judgement, even if I hated it.
                          
I walk out the door, Cindor following behind me. 
                          
"I am going to work with the trainees." I say. "I figure that will help keep me occupied."
                          
"I agree." Cindor says. "I am going to speak with Lord Thranduil and ask about this journey we are going to take."
                          
I nod. "Tell me the details."
                          
Cindor stops following me, walking down another hall. 
                          
I don't change my direction and speed. I felt prompted to get to the training grounds as soon as I could. 
                          
—
                          
I reached the grounds as one of my trainers notices me. He bows addressing me.
                          
"Prince Legolas we are glad to see you have recovered." He says to me.
                          
I nod. "How is the training going?"
                          
The elf straightens his stance. "I am pleased to see progress, but I am afraid it isn't fast enough of progress."
                          
I look at the group, they did seem more skilled then I had seen them yesterday, but I still saw some flaws with their fighting technique. Their stances were too open, allowing for an easy attack on the sides.
                          
"May I work with them for a little?" I ask, even though I knew I didn't need to ask.
                          
"Of course." The elf says, bowing his head. He walks away, relief showing on his face.
                          
I walk over to the group of elves. As I approach them they all bow at me. I wasn't used to the respect, for I didn't receive bows at Rivendell unless Elrond was with me at the time. 
                          
"I am going to be your teacher for a little." I announce, making some of the elves share odd glances with each other. 
                          
"I want to start with the stance." I pull out my sword and stand in my firm stance. "You have to balance your weight between the two legs, and make sure your legs aren't spread out beyond your shoulder length..."
                          
I continue to teach the group of elves, teaching them the proper ways to swing without losing their defense. The elves were catching onto the lesson quickly, which makes me feel successful. 
                          
It was about an hour when I decide to call out a break. Many of the elves seem grateful as they gather into groups to eat the meals provided by the castle staff.
                          
I wasn't hungry, so I decided to hold off on the food. I instead head over to the archery range, which was next to the training grounds. I pull out my bow and aim an arrow at the target. I don't hold the position long before releasing the arrow. It hit dead in the center. 
                          
I pull out another arrow, firing it at the same target. It hits next to the first arrow, cutting off a few of the feathers.
                          
I continue to fire arrows until the entire center circle of the board was covered with arrows. I let my bow relax and just stare at the target. My mind starts to wander as I continue to relax.
                          
I had to venture to my least favorite place in Middle Earth to cure myself of a curse I am still uncertain how I received it. I had to not kill anything along the way, and I knew it was basically impossible to do that.
                          
It was that or I could never fight again. I would stay inside the Mirkwood walls forever. 
                          
Nope, not happening.
                          
I grip my bow tighter as I try to gather the strength inside me. I feel lost, but more than that I was upset. I knew that somehow, my trip would change me, if it didn't kill me.
                          
I snap into motion, pulling out another arrow and aiming it right at the center. I release it as soon as it was ready, and I watch as it pierced through the middle arrow, cutting it in half.
                          
I felt satisfaction. I was an adventurer, and I wasn't about to let a curse stop me from doing what I loved.