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The Gift	By : mirasaui Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 9163 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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The Gift
by Mirasaui

Part 8: On Your Mark
Archery was Haldir's passion and his skill with the bow was renowned. He had trained with the best, for his father before him was a champion archer, and it was his father's hands that had guided his first arrow to the bowstring. To test Lindir, Haldir simply used the same that his father used so long ago with him and Orophin. Haldir and Lindir would be allowed twelve shots in three rounds at a stationary target, then six shots in two rounds at a moving target. Lindir had chosen the long stick on the draw and would go first.
Haldir did not pay much attention as Lindir worked with his equipment, until he saw Lindir strap a glove onto his left hand. So the minstrel was left-handed, he mused, surprised. Left-handedness was rare among elves but greatly respected. He wondered why he had not noticed it before. After all, they had competed against each other just last year. Not that it would give Lindir an advantage, it was just unusual.
An archer's glove is not just decoration. Leather covered only the tips of the first three fingers of the hand, leaving the palm of the hand bared. It was designed to protect only the part of the fingers that actually touched the bowstring. In addition to a glove, an archer wore a leather band or guard on the other arm that held the bow. This protected the inside of the arm from the twang of the string, which could cause a quite painful bruise.
Haldir watched Lindir string his bow. The elf removed a long length of twisted hair from his quiver, placing the loops on each end over the ends of the bow, settling the one at the bottom into a grooved notch. Resting that same end of the bow on the outside of his left foot, he stepped over the bow and under the string with his right. Then pressing the back of the bow gently with the flat of his hand he caused it to flex against his right thigh just enough so that he could slide the other loop on the string into a similar groove at the top of the carved weapon. The curved wood now pulled the bowstring taut. To ensure that it would not slip, he drew on it gently a few times. Not all the way, for that was not good practice, just enough to ensure that it would stay in place.
Unlike the famed archers of Mirkwood, the guardians of Lothlórien and Imladris did not carry longbows. They preferred the shorter and more graceful recurve. The arguments as to which was best had gone on since the beginning of time. To Haldir, who could shoot each with accuracy, the point was moot. The main difference between a longbow and a recurve, in spite of what most thought, was not so much that the longbow was "longer", but that the limbs of the bow did not touch the string when the bow was strung. In the longbow's favour, it was lightweight, could be shot accurately held at almost any angle-even horizontal-and it was very quiet. However, it had more vibration, was not as fast and due to its length, was harder to manoeuvre in a tight spot than a recurve.
The tips of a recurve bow curved away from the string. It was this curve that gave the bow its beautiful look. But that was not why it was favoured. Although not as accurate when held at an angle, it was very fast and less prone to hand shock. And because a recurve was shorter than a longbow, it was easier to handle when firing, useful when perched in a tree. The main disadvantage of the recurve was its weight. It was much heavier to pack and carry around. Haldir grinned. There was good reason for his muscular build! But, there would be no debate today, for they were not of Mirkwood, and although somewhat different in look, both bows in use today were recurves.
Lindir had finished preparing his bow and now began to check the arrows in his quivers. They were already separated by the size of the fletching. Smaller feathers were used for longer distance and faster flight, larger for shorter range and stability. Since the stationary target was to be set at quite a distance, he picked up the quiver containing the arrows with the small fletching and strapped it to his back. He would change his bowstring when he switched quivers, as the number of strands had control over how his arrows would fly.
These were some of the reasons why most archers made their own bowstrings and their own arrows. The arrows of the Lórien guards, including Haldir's were fletched all in white, with just a trace of black edging the tip of one feather. Imladris guardians used a combination of colour, red, for the cock or hen feather-the one facing 90 degrees to the nock-and brown for the others. Cresting, decorative markings along the arrow shaft, was to individual taste and helped distinguish ownership. Lindir had a distinct pattern of rings repeating the Imladris colours on his, while Haldir's were more elaborate, depicting a stylized vine of green and gold leaves.
Approaching the shooting line, Lindir aligned his right shoulder with the target and stood with his feet shoulder length apart, knees slightly flexed. Holding his bow horizontally across his body, the bowstring resting against the inside of his right arm, he pulled an arrow from his quiver with his left hand, brought it across his bow and nocked it on the centre of the bowstring. Raising the bow up to a vertical position he used just the tips of his first three fingers to draw the bowstring back until his left hand touched his chin. Sighting down the arrow to the target he found his mark, aiming slightly higher to account for the arrow's drop in flight. He took a deep breath, let it out halfway, steadying his movements and relaxing his body, then gently opened his fingers and released the bowstring. With a satisfying thud, the tapered tip of the arrow sank deep into the centre circle of the target. However, the impact was high and to the left of dead centre. Adjusting his aim continuously until he found a true mark, he fired his remaining practice arrows. When finished, he walked over to the target to retrieve them.
Haldir stepped up next for his practice round. When he had finished and retrieved his arrows, Lindir stepped up to the line and the competition began. At the end of three stationary rounds, both had not once missed the centre ring of the target. Each had a perfect score and the competition stood at a tie. The next stage would be much harder.
A rope was tied at a great height between two trees. Another rope was tied perpendicular to the center and the target was attached to the bottom of the vertical rope at an appropriate shooting height. The rope was then twisted a certain number of turns so that when released, the target would spin, faster at the beginning of the release, slower with each revolution. The idea was to hold off shooting during the fast revolution, releasing the majority of shots at a rapid fire pace during the later stage, but not waiting too long, for the competition was timed. Any arrow that hit the front of the target scored. It was rare to score all six.
The last phase of a tournament competition involved a hanging target that swung from side to side, entailing the archer to move his bow with the swing, timing the placement of the arrow, taking into account the travel time through the air. Haldir and Lindir had agreed to skip this phase only because of the difficulty of setting up the target. It usually required help, and for their purposes, was just not worth the effort.
Haldir went first this time. At the end of the first round, he had managed to fire four of his six arrows into the front of the target, most landing close to the centre ring, one at dead centre.
Lindir waited patiently for his turn. When it came, he had an arrow nocked and ready. He watched as the target was released, waiting for the perfect moment to fire. As the revolutions slowed, he released all six arrows, one right after the other in a steady stream. He came very close to matching Haldir. Three arrows hit the front of the target dead centre. A fourth hit, but did not have enough force behind it to stick, bouncing off and falling to the ground. Each archer would have one more round to try to best the other.
Haldir readied himself for the last round. At the release of the target, he fired his six arrows so rapidly that his movements were a blur. When the target had slowed to almost a stop, all six of his shots had landed, none outside of the third ring. It was an amazing show of skill, and the Marchwarden could not help but grin at his results.
Lindir was determined to make a good showing. As Haldir, he waited for what he deemed the perfect moment to fire, and then released his six arrows with almost as much speed as the Marchwarden had done before him. He tried his best, but only five of the six arrows hit the target. However, like Haldir, all five were within the first three rings.
Lindir approached his friend, complimented him on his fine shooting and conceded to his loss. But he was not ashamed of his effort. Haldir had a talent with the bow that was almost unmatched, so he was quite proud to have stood up so well against him.
The two elves put away their equipment while Glorfindel took down the target then headed for the storage shed to put it away.
The Marchwarden had already told Lindir that he had decided to waive the match with knives, so Lindir was ready to hear Haldir's evaluation by the time Glorfindel returned. Walking over to the two elves the seneschal stood silently while Haldir pronounced his judgment.
"I told you earlier, Lindir, there was nothing wrong with your form. You are better with the bow than the sword, but we all have our favourites. There was nothing in your performance today that was lacking. You did exceptionally well Lindir, with both weapons. But I expected that you would. I trust you will take what I have said to heart and that this will ease your doubts."
"Thank you, Haldir. I told you I would stand by your decision and I respect your judgment. I would be glad to serve under you if an opportunity arises. I appreciate the time you have taken to work with me today. I will make it up to you soon. If you ever need a favour, do not hesitate to call on me."
"Be careful what you offer, mellonen (1), I may take you up on it!" Haldir said with a laugh. He reached over and gave Lindir a hug. "I suggest we put our equipment away quickly and head to the baths. All three of us definitely need one!"
"Wait, Lindir," Glorfindel put out his hand and gently grasped Lindir's wrist. "I want to second Haldir's opinion. I have never doubted your abilities, Lindir. Perhaps, I should have told you so more often, but your actions have always spoken for themselves. I accept no slackers in my ranks. If you could not perform what I asked of you, I would have released you from duty a long time ago. I have long been impressed with your skill with the bow, but you did surprise me today with your swordsmanship. Either you have been holding back with Tebring, or you found some inner strength today you did not know you had. I felled you once, but I was more rested. You did not make the same mistake again, although I tried to trick you into it. Do not ever doubt yourself again, Lindir."
Lindir gave a curt nod to his lord and was about to walk away when Glorfindel stopped him once more. "I have not yet finished what I wish to say to you. Lindir. I owe you an apology for this morning. Haldir told me that you two are only friends. I was too quick to jump to conclusions, and I resent now the words I spoke. Your private life is not my concern. I sometimes open my mouth before I think. If I offended you in any way, and obviously I did, then I am truly sorry.
And while it is true, Lindir, that I once discouraged you from joining the guard, I had good reason. And it was not your lack of skill. I did turn you down the first time you asked, for to be honest, you would never have made it through training. I think you know that now. But the second time, after you had worked so hard on your own, I would have accepted you. But it was not up to me Lindir. Elrond and Findal did not want to expose you to injury. I was bound by Lord Elrond's decision and he left it to me to turn you down. It was not an easy thing for me to do, for I know how hard you worked and how badly you wanted my approval. And I say again, I would have given it gladly, Lindir, but it was not my decision to make.
If Lady Galadriel had not spoken for you and convinced both Lord Elrond and Lord Findal to grant your wishes, you would never have been allowed entrance, no matter my opinion. I am sorry that I let you think differently all these years. Again, I hope you can accept my apology and forgive my lack of forethought. And I have never hated you, Lindir. I count you as my friend, and hope that one-day you will feel the same. You are as much like family to me as Erestor. I will excuse your behaviour this morning, as I think I gave you more than enough cause to lash out. I am willing to forgive and forget if you are."
"No, my lord, it is I who should apologize," Lindir spoke candidly. "There was no excuse for my behaviour, and I regretted it as soon as I left your presence. I am glad you told me the truth about your decision long ago, for I did hold that against you. And I regret also my behaviour back then, for I acted selfishly and was foolish to run away and hide. That I was rescued by your forces at the time, only served to fuel my anger. If youth is an excuse, then I will take it, for I can only say that I sorely wronged you that day. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, it would mean the world to me. I value your friendship. I have ever looked up to you and Erestor and to you, Haldir. To count you as my friends means a lot."
Glorfindel breathed a sigh of relief. "Apology accepted. Let us wash off this dirt and sweat and I will retrieve that second bottle of wine from the kitchen. I think we could all do with a drink. Come, my friends, let us not tarry. Between the three of us we smell worse than Orcs!"
Glad to have things settled between them, the three companions headed back towards the Last Homely House, looking forward to the relaxing waters of the baths, and a chance to rest before meeting once again in the dining hall for supper.

Notes:
1. mellonen - my friend
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The Gift