Chapter Fourteen: Crimes of Passion

*The dim room had finally been lit. In front of them stood fifty men and boys, and even a few of the young elfin women. Legolas and Serein had placed themselves up on the alter of the throne chairs so they could see out over the entire crowd.

“How do we begin?” She whispered to him.

“Well. We should take those who already have some basic skill and separate them from those who have never handled a weapon before.”

“Good idea. I knew I kept you around for a reason.” She smirked. He smiled back at her, spirits high. “Alright.” She spoke out over the crowd. “We need to begin by separating you according to your skill level. If you consider yourself to be fairly well skilled with any weapon at all, please step to the left of the room. If you have never had any experience, please step to the right, and if you know only a few of the very basics, please stay in the middle.” There was a mad scramble as people moved to their designated areas.

“Well. We look to have a slight problem. More people have never used a weapon than those who have and those who only know a little combined.” Legolas murmured.

“I never said this was going to be easy.”

“If it were easy, we would not be worried as we are.”

“Would you care to begin with those who have used weapons before? I’ll take those who haven’t, and half way through the day, we can trade off.” She suggested.

“That sounds like a good plan.” He agreed. “But what of those with limited skill?”

“Put them in the with the skilled. Hopefully they will pick things up faster. And that group is smaller.”

“Then shall we begin?” He smiled.

“Of course. Waste no time.” She smiled back. “Alright. Those on the right side of the room, meet me in the courtyard.” She called out.

“And the rest of you stay here.” Their groups broke. As Serein led her group to the courtyard, she noticed how disturbing this was. How long had her people been unable to defend themselves? How long had they lived in fear because of their lack of strength? Well, they would not suffer any longer.

“Alright. I would like you all to pick a sword.”

“How do we know which to choose?” A voice from the crowd called out. She smiled. At least they were willing.

“You do not as of yet. Just choose whichever one you can lift.” A few people laughed, and they stepped forward to choose their weapons.

“Now then, everyone will learn both the bow and sword, but you will begin today with the sword, then the bow, and after we break for a mid-day break, Legolas will teach you more of the finer points regarding your specific weapon.”

“We will break for mid-day?” Someone asked from the crowd. She mentally blinked. Then she remembered. She too had not been used to stopping for a break mid-day, but with the Fellowship and the hobbits, she had learned to get used to it. Funny how living with people one picked up habits.

“Yes. But believe me, by mid-day, you will be glad for the break. I will not lie to you; this will not be easy. But it will be gratifying in the end when you feel confident to defend yourselves, I guarantee. Now let’s begin. With a sword, the first thing you need to remember is that the blade is long and sharp.” A few laughs were heard. “Truly.” She insisted. “If you forget what the sword is, you will have no hopes to tame the power it can give you. Think of your sword as an extension to your arm. It does what your arm can do, only it inflicts more damage.”

“Do you have a lighter sword?” Some one called out.

“If you are not comfortable with your sword, please feel free to change it for another at any time. Now then. We will try the simple basic swing to get used to the weight of the blade. Just ‘swish’ your arm from left to right and then back. Make sure you have enough room around you that you don’t hurt anyone, and make sure you have a firm grip on the sword. It would be tragic for it to fly out of your hand and hurt someone.” More laughter.

“Now that you have the feel for the weight, try lifting it up and down.” She walked around as the elves did so, correcting their mistakes, showing them how to get a better grip, straightening an elbow here and there. “That’s good. For now, don’t think about why you are learning the weapon, just handle it lightly.”

>>>)(<<<

“As most of you know, I am Legolas. Your queen, being the headstrong woman she is, has asked me to teach you more of you skill.” He smiled good-naturedly. He received a few laughs, and Lakner, who stood beside him with Lathner, clapped his shoulder. “But I am not from here and do not know you each as well as you know each other. I do however have friends who know your skill level, and who will help me to teach you.”

“Do you know both the sword and bow?” A question rang out.

“I do. I am most versed in archery, however I would not have survived the Second War of the Ring without my knowledge of swords and ability to wield them. But it is difficult to teach both archery and swords at once, so I will split the morning in half, one half for each weapon.”

“Is this only a morning training camp?”

“No. After a mid-day break, Serein will be here to continue where I leave off, and I will be in her place.”

“Is she as talented as you?” An older elf was trying to cause trouble, Legolas saw.

“She is perhaps more so. Do not judge upon appearance, for that is often the mistake of many skilled fighters, and they have not lived to correct it.

I am merely here to teach you more of your skill, just as she. Yet I do not know how much skill each of you has. Therefore, I would like you to pair off. Each of you must know at least some of the basics with swords. Begin with them. Just lightly duel, try not to exert too much force.” He instructed them.

“That old elf is Garfnel. He often stirs up trouble, pay him no mind.” Lakner explained to Legolas.

“I could tell he did not like the thought of Serein teaching him. Does he believe women to be weak?”

“Yes. He is an old man who likes to live in the past. Not many listen to him any more though, and they all know Serein is only trying to help.”

“I hope so. I believe that is Serein’s greatest fear; that no one will listen to her when she is only trying to save her dying kingdom.”

“Are we truly a dying kingdom?” Lathner joined them.

“As much as I wish I could tell you you were not, I would be lying if I did. To the other elfin cities, you are mere legends. I didn’t even believe Serein when she said she was from here. I though she might be ill with hallucinations, but now that I see this place, I know better. Still, that is how I thought when I first heard she believed she was from this place.”

“Then we truly have fallen from the grace of Valor.” Lathner shook his head depressed.

“You have not. Serein does not believe that. She has not given up hope on you; therefore do not give up hope upon yourselves. I once told her I could not fight an army.”

“And she said?”

“With her I could.” He smirked at the memory. Then he turned his attention to work. Correcting a few stances and postures, he mostly supervised as the elves refreshed their skills.

>>>)(<<<

Mid-day came and went quickly to those elves that did not enjoy learning the arts of weaponry. But for all those who did enjoy the physical push, the release of energy, and the true skill it took to wield a weapon, mid-day went by too slowly, and the rest of the day passed by too quickly. The elves were given an hour at mid-day and told they could do whatever they wished with the time, as long as they were back where they were supposed to be after the hour was over. And after mid-day, Serein and Legolas had switched groups to be pleasantly surprised with what the other had accomplished.

But now night had nearly fallen, and it was twilight in the darkening hall. Serein, Legolas, Lakner, Lathner and Minder all sat upon the steps to the throne, content to be lazy now after a long and hard day of work.

“What happened to our father?” Lathner finally asked. It was true- no one had seen Nero in almost a full day.

“I do not know. He is most likely trying to raise trouble for us somewhere. But pay him no heed. He only wished power, nothing more.” Serein waved the question off.

“Is it possible for him to overthrow you again Aunt Serein?” Lakner asked.

“Anything is possible. But it is most improbable.” She answered cryptically. Legolas laughed and expanded upon her answer.

“What you dear old Aunt Serein means is that he could overthrow her, or at least try to. But not many would help him, let alone let him. Most of them, it seems, are fed up with his poor ruling.”

“Or lack thereof.” Serein snorted. “And I am not old, Legolas.” She huffed.

“Of course not.” His grin still held.

“I’m going to ignore you for that.” She threatened.

“Be my guest.” He challenged.

“Oh!” She stood flustered. “That is it. I cannot bare this any longer. I am going for a walk. Perhaps I will find some remnants of the haze to comfort me. Though I doubt it.” She turned on her heel and stomped off.

“Serein!” Legolas called after her. But it was too late for his words to have much effect upon the flustered elfin maiden as she walked away. Legolas hung his head and hid his face in his hands. “Not again.”

“Again?” Minder asked.

“I have a knack for getting on the wrong end of her temper. It usually ends with her mad at me like this.” He explained.

“Perhaps you should go speak to her?” Lathner asked.

“And risk getting his head bitten off? No, he’s smart to stay put.” Lakner disagreed.

“No, maybe he should go after her…” Minder added.

“Maybe I’ll take a walk myself.” Legolas told himself, for the others were too busy arguing to listen to him. He quietly slipped away from their merciless banter and into the forest.

Not knowing where she was going, Serein randomly chose a path through the woods and began walking it. Why had she even gotten so upset over Legolas? He had done nothing wrong but try to cheer her up, she knew. Still, he had pushed her to her limit. Again. Darn that foolish elf. She could never figure out why she had such a reaction as she did to him. And the worst part was she always felt guilty afterwards.

Why? Because Legolas was such a truehearted elf. He really did care for things as he claimed to. He was unselfish, forgiving, handsome, kind, fair… why had handsome slipped in there? There went her thoughts again. It seemed as though every time she got them focused, he invaded them and polluted them. But she liked it. It was like getting drunk. She felt lightheaded and good, but the after effects, she knew without experience, would be tasteless.

Coming upon an apple tree in the moonlight, she looked up and decided an apple would not be a bad idea. Perhaps it would rid her of her troubling thoughts. Grabbing a limb of the tree, she carefully used it to walk up the trunk and climb into the branches. Soon she had reached the top branches of the tree, and the apples were looking very inviting. As she reached out for one, she slipped on an unstable branch. As she fell, she knew it was going to hurt to land, if not break something.

Legolas was wandering the path aimlessly. He wished he could have seen the forest with the haze that had once characterized it so much. It was the haze that Serein loved about the forest so much. But if she liked the haze, then would she not like Mirkwood? His home certainly was on the darker side in his opinion. Still, this was her home, and he could see why she was so determined to save it. She loved it so much.

He kept replaying in his mind over and over when he had asked her if any other place could ever be considered home to her. She had never answered; only he had caught a slight blush and then her cold hard glare. She seemed to try to hide beneath layers of ice. But he knew he was chipping away at those layers. It was just taking so long, and he wanted her to realize it now… but he would wait as long as need be for her. Until she gave him no hope, he would continue to harbor silent feelings for her, feelings which even he did not fully understand.

Suddenly from above was a slight cracking noise, and then a short scream. He looked up to see that falling through the branches of the apple tree above him was Serein. He smiled slightly, and stood right below where she was going to fall. As she neared, he saw she had her eyes closed and was holding her breath in expectance of the hard landing. He caught her with little effort.

Slowly Serein realized she had not fallen to the hard earthen floor, but was instead cradled in someone’s strong and warm arms. Someone’s very familiar arms. Opening her eyes just a crack; she nearly burst with gratitude to Legolas for catching her from a horrible fall.

“Are you alright?” he asked concerned.

“Yes.” She answered, slightly out of breath. “Thank you. How did you know I needed help?”

“I was just walking through and I heard you scream from above. You’re sure you’re not hurt?”

“Yes.” She nodded thoroughly. “You can out me down now.”

“Oh, my apologies.” He said quickly, not realizing he had still been holding her in his arms. She was incredibly light, even for an elf.

“No, there’s nothing to apologize about, I just… Legolas.” Her voice made him look at her. Something was bothering her. “I’m sorry for earlier. I should not have lost my temper with you as I did. It was completely rude and you did not deserve it.”

“I did indeed. I teased you, and you punished me.” He breathed. So close… She pulled him in for a hug. Then, whispering gently in his ear, she continued her apology.

“You did not deserve a punishment.” Her breath on his sensitive ear ate away at his sanity faster than any force he had ever reckoned with. Two could play at this game. He would simply pour his charms upon her. Pulling away, he led her to sit on the ground beneath and apple tree. When she let her guard down, he settled her on his lap and pulled her in close so their foreheads rested against each other’s.

“Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I did not deserve a punishment. And how will you make up for it?” She stayed still for a moment; not believing it was the same Legolas she had known. He suddenly seemed older, wiser, and yet at the same time, his proximity to her was driving her to feel things she had never before experienced. She could barely raise her voice to more than a whisper to answer. He was so close, and her mind was so muddled.

“I do not know. What would you have me do Prince of Mirkwood?”

“I have not decided yet. Perhaps the maiden queen would like to explain why she was in the tree that could have been her end had she fallen and I not caught her?”

“I was only going to pick an apple. It just happened that the branch beneath me gave way and I slipped.”

“It should be considered a crime to allow maidens such as yourself to pick apples. It is too dangerous.” He joked. She squirmed, very uncomfortable with his closeness at this point. She liked it, but was afraid. His eyes sparkled with a knowing gleam, and it seemed as if they held more than his usual mirth and tenderness as he watched her.

“I believe you have forgotten I am not a maiden. I am a warrior, just like yourself.”

“You are a maiden, and a beautiful one. Do not deny what you are. That too, should be considered a crime.”

“Then it would be a crime of passion, for I truly believe in what I speak.”

“A crime of passion? To forget who you are for the mock front of a person that is not you?”

“A crime of passion to protect myself from people such as yourself.” She tried harder to get away, but he would have none of it.

“Why would you wish to do that? Think of how much you miss. You are allowed to be more than one thing. I see nothing wrong with a maiden who loves to fight and seeks adventure.”

“But I will still get hurt.” She whispered, giving up her futile attempts to pull away. She had never had a chance… not when she had never wanted to truly leave him in the first place.

“Serein. Stop playing games. I would never hurt you. You know that.” His voice caught in his throat.

“I know.” She choked back on her own words. “But I fear you all the same.”

“Tell me, fair warrior maiden. Would it be a crime to steal a kiss?” She gasped. This was her friend… but didn’t she herself feel much the same way?

“Perhaps. It would most certainly be a crime of passion.” She could hardly breath.

“Then I shall be accused of the crime, and plead guilty.” With his last sentence still hanging heavily in the air, he bent forward and lightly grazed her lips in a tender kiss. *