Rowen gave a small gasp as Radiel just barely caught the blade. Completely ignored by Airain, she caught her friend's glance as she looked quickly over her shoulder.
If this was what all Elves were like...then Rowen had been sadly mistaken in her daydreams. It was hard to think of the tall, serene beings as being ferocious fighters! But of course, Rowen had read the histories. They were strong and dexterous in battle.
But I wonder why she's teaching Radiel to fight? Undoubtedly Radiel had, in her thirst for adventure, asked to be taught. Rowen would certainly expect it of her.
Returning her attention to the lesson before her, Rowen began to pay attention just in time to see Airain place her blade at Radiel's throat.
Pretty vigorous for first lessons, Rowen thought drily.

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I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Airain and Radiel continued on, going back and forth as each one of them advanced on each other. Radiel was doing very well, for now. Airain decided to change things up a bit so she took a sidestep and gently swung down her blade on Radiel's shoulder. That had caught her off guard.

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Radiel was taken off guard by the sudden change. Airain's swift move and the gentle hit on her shoulder clearly confused her, and so it caused her to stumble across her own feet. She caught herself from falling, however, and she soon regained her composure. Panting, she questioned Airain with her gaze.

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^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

"Your enemy is not going to simply fight back and forth with you. Everyone fights dirty, and you have to expect your enemy to try to catch you off guard, just like I just did. Don't expect them to play fair. Always stay quick on your feet." Airain said with a wink.
"Again?" Airain asked, wondering if the girl would like to take a break.

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Radiel coughed lightly as she caught her breath. She nodded and handed the sword back to Airain.
"I could use a re-load of energy." she replied and went over by a table, sitting next to her friend. A mug of clear water was waiting for her, which she quickly emptied.

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^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

(Post made by Nie and I. No, I am NOT Powerplaying her Mire haha. She wrote her half. Even though you already know that..just had to tell you again though. )

Airain sheathed her knives back in their place and almost began to walk off before she noticed Radiel's friend, Rowen, again.
"Rowen, come here." Airain said as she unsheathed the knives again. Rowen automatically knew what Airain was trying to get her to do so she quickly began trying to make excuses.
"No...really...I'd really rather just watch..." Rowen trailed off, but Airain quickly tossed one of the knives to Rowen.

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Much to Radiel's shock, she caught the blade with both hands. Her arms dropped with the unaccustomed weight. Looking up at Airain, she stared at the Elf incredulously.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

"Don't just sit there, girl. On your feet, now." Airain said, smirking as she whirled the blade around. She was rather surprised Rowen had caught the blade so quickly, she seemed to have good reflexes, so Airain decided she was going to try to test those reflexes.

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Rowen staggered to her feet, trying to balance herself. How did I get into this? she asked herself despairingly as she clutched the sword tightly, her knuckles white.
She tried to put up a brave front. Standing as firmly as she could, she faced the Elf.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Airain was able to hide the smile that was forcefully trying to form on her lips very well as she looked at the girl. She really had no idea what she was doing. Then again, neither did Radiel when she first started. Airain lowered her sword and walked toward Rowen, who still held up her brave front.
"Calm down, I'm not going to kill you." Airain said as she took the girls hands rather gently and moved them in a different grip around the blade.
"You grip the sword like this, remember that. Now, I want you to take a swing at me with the sword." At this, Rowen looked at Airain like she was crazy.
"No, really. Just do it. Take a swing at me with the sword." Airain said, as she backed up a bit.

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Rowen thought she must be going mad.
In Edoras being taught to sword fight by an Elf...
Attempting to hold the sword as Airain had instructed, she took a meek swing.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Airain didn't exactly have to dodge the swing, since it fell no where near her and since it wasn't exactly a swing..Rowen had sort of slashed the sword across right to left in midair. Perhaps Rowen was worried that she was going to hit her. When Radiel had first started she had a good sense of how to swing a sword, Airain suspected she had watched as many swordfights as she possibly could have. But, everyone had different qualities and Airain just had to find out Rowen's, maybe her reflexes were good but she couldn't be sure of that now.
"Right...Rowen, observe." Airain said as she lifted up her own sword and swung the sword from above her down, then from downwards she swung the sword upwards in one smooth motion.
"What you just did was a slash, from right to left. That's good though, that's just a different technique." Airain said.
"Would you like to continue?" Airain asked, since it seemed like the girl was scared out of her wits.

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Rowen did not by any means wish to continue. Radiel liked this sort of thing, not she. But she was proud and could not bear to back down, not when there were people watching. At least if she kept trying, she would be an honorable fool and not a shamed one. She nodded, and gripped the sword tighter.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

"Now, try to mimick what I just did." Airain said, looking at Rowen.
"Do you need me to redo it?" she asked.

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Rowen nodded again. She felt quite foolish; her hair was tangled from hours of running and pushing through crowds, her face was still slightly sooty from her makeshift bed by the fire, and above all, a young Gondorian girl holding a sword was not exactly a common sight.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Airain showed Rowen again what she had just done, and Rowen began to try to mimick her. Airain could tell Rowen was rather tired, and her appearance above all showed it. She must have really wanted to find Radiel, for a friend to embark on such a journey showed much loyalty. After a while Airain decided to begin fencing with Rowen.
"Stop. Here, let's do a bit of fencing. We'll see how you do." Airain said as her and Rowen began to start fencing with one another. It probably wasn't a very wise desicion on Airain's part to be using these swords, since Rowen had no previous knowledge of how to fight, so it probably would have been better to do this with wooden swords but they had already started and Airain didn't want to stop her.
"Were you afraid for Radiel when she disappeared?" Airain asked Rowen as they gently parried off each other, going very slowly.

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