milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

glorfindel,
legolas

(no subject)

There's an elf in the bar - a very well-armed elf, with a war bow that has seen witch-kings and orc armies alike. But he was heading to the archery ranges before finding himself in a bar, and doesn't see any reason why this plan should change. There's a range here, after all.

So that'd be why the archery ranges are now featuring an elf with a heavy bow, who is currently decorating the center ring of his chosen target with thick-shafted arrows.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Legolas has been assigned a clerk's position for several wise reasons by a wise father, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been itching to get out for awhile. That's why there's another Elf watching, lighter bow stowed on his back, as Glorfindel kills his target.

He claps, loud enough to register amusement, when the ~~scarier~~ ~~more dangerous~~ older Elf is finished.

Glorfindel freezes, and thinks - there are are a few people here who might be behind the mocking salute, though fewer than there used to be. Not Puppy, he'd be commenting by now. Elrond would have no call to be quite so flippant, which leaves two possible suspects.

He turns, and raises an eyebrow.

It helps to hide the 'oh, this won't be good' feeling quite well, he's fairly sure. Thranduil's folk have come by their reputation of excellence in archery honestly.

He's now wishing, quite fervently, he had been heading to the pells prior to finding the bar.

"I am honored you find my marksmanship praiseworthy."

"Glorfindel," Legolas says, seriously (though he's smiling). "I have been here much of today, out of curiousity," as the Great Forest does not have archery ranges in the way the ocean does not have swimming lanes. "Your marksmanship comes as a relief."

He shouldn't ask. He shouldn't. It would be like asking Feanor to give his honest opinion on a child's mud pies.

...

"A relief, Legolas Thranduilion?" He can't help it. Cats come only second in the competition of most curious creature in Arda.

Welllll, there's a troublesome thing. Honesty could get him in a tight spot, next time Glorfindel and he are in the same place at the same time (the only thing Legolas knows he bests Glorfindel at is archery). But it would be funny.

Legolas is, at heart, a Wood Elf.

He extends a long fingered hand and says, earnestly, "It at least was something I would find at home. Perchance from a skilled child not yet half bow-height, but 'twas a marked improvement."

Now both eyebrows are raised at this - it has been a long, long time since anyone has given him trouble over anything pertaining to the art of war.

"Perhaps," He replies, with an earnest air that he may be copying from a certain pair of Peredhil twins, "You would be so kind as to show me the error of my ways, so I may improve?"

Legolas is filled with the sudden nervous feeling that someday soon when he leasts expects it he is going to die. (It's the double eyebrow treatment.) Still, totally worth it, right?

His nervousness and amusement drop into calm confidence, and he tilts his head at Glorfindel. "Should you wish I show you specific errors, or would you rather observe?"

It's an honest question.

"Please, be as specific as you can - I can only be as good as my weakest skill, and it would be a waste to shun good advice." While a part of him is still shocked at Legolas' cheerful insults, and amused by the prince's expression of horror, he's still foremost the protector of the Peredhil line... and he's fairly sure neither one of his charges are planning on sailing any time soon.

Legolas relaxes onto his back foot and explains small errors that Glorfindel showed repeatedly -- tiny things in his stance and set of his bow. Legolas removes and strings his bow in a fluid motion, setting an arrow to demonstrate the faults and show the corrections.

It doesn't take long; they are both Elves, with the memories that entails, and Glorfindel is an experienced bowman.

There is quite a lot of difference between recognizing your errors and being able to correct them - he has millenia of muscle memory built up, and it will be a long, long time before he can hope to improve enough to not make the same errors unconsciously when he isn't actively thinking about it.

...

There's a reason he prefers to charge in with his sword.

"Perhaps, young princeling, one day I may be able to help your swordsmanship as well?"

"Lord Glorfindel," Legolas answers, brightly amused as he stores his gear, "first I should need a sword, for you to help me, and the most basic of lessons."

He knows Glorfindel knows this; he knows he is mocking him in return for Legolas's insult. It is better to acknowledge it here than pretend it would not be an embarrassment, he figures.

"The pointy end," Glorfindel informs the prince with an almost impressive air of gravity, "Goes into the other person."

Legolas stares at him for a half moment of surprise, before bursting into peals of helpless laughter.

That's better - he'll have to ask Thranduil exactly what sort of stories he's telling his son. Surely he's not that scary.

"Perhaps when you have mastered that concept, we may advance to other things." He continues archly, rolling his eyes at the young prince.

When Legolas finishes giggling, he says "I should not carry both sword and bow to battle, lest you want me to equip myself with merely a tiny hunting-thing like the Dunedain."

"And you have never had to scavange for weapons on the battlefield? Lucky elfling." Glorfindel snorts, reaching out a hand to muss Legolas' braids.

"You know the Greenwood has not fought a true battle in my lifetime." Legolas ducks away from Glorfindel's hand, a little bemused.

Is this a time thing? Please have this not be a time thing. He does not want these threats that face his home to come to open war; his kin are fierce, but unprepared for open battle.

"I know what has happened in Ages past - to ignore the past is to invite trouble in the future." Glorfindel retorts, pointedly. Legolas' grandfather was slaughtered in battle, and his father lead the armies of the Greenwood for decades before the seige ended. Legolas comes from a line of fierce warriors, so he has no excuse in Glorfindel's eyes.

Legolas's expression goes coldly neutral (though there's a flare of anger in his eyes that, while it fades, does not quite go away), and he says, politely, "It is kind of you to be concerned."

Glorfindel laughs. To be fair, he's laughed at elves more fell and more fiesty than Legolas Thranduilion.

"Oh elfling - do you think I mean that only to apply to you?"

The laughter, bizarrely, takes out the brunt of Legolas's ire. He is still confused, and upset, but he is used to being laughed at -- and not with such a dire insult as the one he read into Glorfindel's words, so he assumes the insult was less.

"I do not know what you mean," Legolas admits.

"Arda has not been peaceful since before I was born - there is no reason it should be now!" He notes, still chuckling. He has never known Arda under peace, except in the last half an age. It is still utterly bizarre to him.

"Has anyone told you," Legolas asks, "that you are very strange?"

He pulls off his archery gear with a few quick motions (unbuckling something one has been wearing the same design of most of your life is very easy), and sitting in the grass.

Glorfindel raises his eyebrow at the blatantness, but grins anyway.

"Many elves, for many centuries, princeling." He assures Legolas, without even attempting to sound contrite.

Legolas says, "I am but a clerk," rolling his eyes, "beneath the master of shipments."

Look, he had a reason for taking off his gear; in one pocket, there's a package of peanutbutter and crackers that the Bar made up for him when he asked for a snack. Taking out one of the tiny sandwiches, Legolas tosses it to Glorfindel, before taking another.

He finds peanutbutter strange, but not bad. And he was not going to take the Bar to task, as he hadn't specified.

Join us in the newest social network
http://Keepcloser.com
It's time to keep closer

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

keepcloser.com