Title & Chapter Number: Contest of Skills 1/1
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings and all its characters are owned by Tolkien's estate. The story itself is owned by the author. No copyright infringement intended.
Warnings: Mushy Wardens, Romance
Betas: None
Cast: Orophin/OC
Timeline: Third Age?
Spoilers: None
Summary: Entry in Haldir Lovers "Win a Date" contest
Notes: None
Contest Of Skills - Orophin's Wager
Quickly and with accuracy, he put an arrow into his target and drew another from his quiver. With a broad grin at his brother, Orophin nocked the arrow, pulling string of the long curved Lothlórien bow back with ease. One more shot for this first series of challenges and Haldir would take his turn. Orophin sighted down the line of the arrow, the bow string held loosely in the balls of his fingers. With a slight movement he eased the pressure, letting the string roll off his fingers and let loose the arrow. The string sang as it launched the arrow through the air, arcing swiftly into the target. Dead center again.
Haldir cocked a long elegant eyebrow. Orophin had been practicing again. He smiled slightly, and moved into position. His bow creaked softly as he pulled back the string, the bow nearly as tall as the elf who held it. Haldir tilted his head slightly, pulling the string back to his cheek. With a soft twang the arrow shot out, speeding rapidly toward the target. Haldir glanced at Orophin to see him scowl and grinned. His arrow had landed directly in between Orophin's first shots. Haldir pulled another arrow from his quiver, and nocked the bow.
"Shall I let you win this time, brother?" Haldir asked, grinning.
"I shall beat you fairly or not at all, Haldir. This you should know." Orophin growled, leaning on the tall bow.
Haldir lifted the bow to aim, but lowered the arrow back to the ground. "Perhaps a small wager, then?"
Orophin looked at his older brother in surprise. Rare was the moment Haldir considered any wager. "A wager? Now that is an odd request coming from you. With Rúmil I would expect it. What draws your interest today for such a diversion?"
Haldir removed the arrow for a moment, using it to point into the crowd of onlookers, mostly elven maidens. They giggled when they realized they were the subject of the warden's conversation. "I propose if I place my arrow directly between yours once again, you shall have to go and speak to yon young elven maiden by the name of Kia."
Orophin's eyes narrowed. He'd had his eye on Kia for sometime, but the maiden was extremely shy. That she was here at all had surprised him. How would Haldir know of his interest? He had only spoken to her once.
Orophin smiled. "But Haldir, that is not a problem. Kia is a very pretty elf."
Haldir chuckled. He'd seen Orophin's interest, and his concern that for the young maiden. Perhaps a push was needed. "Ah, but not just to speak. I fear you must find some way to sweep the fair maid off her feet."
Orophin grinned. "Ah, an interesting wager. All the good for me, of course, for you shall win. But in the off chance the that the Valar have taken pity on me, I propose that if you do not place your arrow directly between the others, you shall have to sweep Kia's sister Anya, off her lithesome feet."
Haldir laughed. "You put on too much pressure for me to win, Orophin. You know the elf despises me. She has not forgiven me for the dance last spring when I spilled the wine down her dress."
Orophin smiled cockily. "Aye, and my fault it was too, but you honorable brother, took the blame." He chuckled, remembering the dance. The three of them had too much wine, Haldir included. And Anya had thought only to entice one of them to dance. He had tripped over the train of her dress, and fell against Haldir, knocking his wine into Anya. He could still hear her screeching.
"Well, it must be time to make amends... if you do not win." Orophin said firmly.
Haldir smiled and nodded agreement, nocking the arrow once again. He lifted the bow, a slight smile twitching the corners of his lips and pulled back the string.
"Are you sure it's Kia you want me to entice?" Orophin asked innocently, his brows rising when Haldir lowered the bow to look at him.
"Aye, Kia." Haldir lifted the bow again.
"And how am I to sweep her off her feet?" Orophin rubbed his chin, leaning on the bow once more. Orophin's blue eyes met the stormy grey of Haldir's.
"I'll leave that to you to decide, Orophin."
Orophin nodded, watching Haldir raise the bow and aim once again, the string pulled taut to his cheek. He grinned when Haldir sighed, lowering the bow again.
"What?"
"I said nothing, Haldir." Orophin said smoothly.
Haldir glared, aware fully of Orophin's attempt at distraction. He raised the bow again, ignoring the soft laughs from the crowd of onlookers. He pulled back the bow, easing the string into the familiar stance, and released the arrow. It hurtled toward the target, and the onlookers leaned forward in that brief second of time.
Orophin sighed when the arrow landed squarely between the other arrows. He'd had no doubt of Haldir's skill, a shot he could have made without thinking. But each time they challenged each other Orophin's shots became closer to the skill of the March Warden. In another century perhaps he might equal Haldir's skill.
Haldir stood the bow on end, leaning on it casually, brows rising as he stared at his younger brother. "I expect you to be honorable and keep the lady's reputation intact."
Orophin scowled, handing his bow to Haldir. "As if I would think otherwise."
Haldir grinned, accepting the bow and quiver. Orophin shrugged and loped across the field, the group of maidens drawing quiet as he approached. The tall elf bowed low before them with a broad grin.
"Alas fair maidens, we have used you unjustly in wager, and I as usual, have lost. But it is to my advantage for I secretly crave the attention of one of you, and feared to reveal it for she might reject my advances."
The maidens tittered, laughing quietly at the thought that anyone would say nay to such attentions from any of the three Lorien brothers. One maiden stood up bravely, eyeing the tall silver-haired elf with an assessing look.
"And who, handsome warden, might be the object of your affections?"
Orophin put his hands behind his back, leaning on his toes for a moment. "Ah, the fair lass hides herself from me, I cannot see her."
The maidens giggled, turning to each other and finally to the one who had slid to the back of the group, for indeed at Orophin's approach she had hidden herself from the warden. The maidens parted quickly when Orophin leaped over the low fence of the training ground. He smiled, and bowed low before Kia.
"My Lady, a token of your affections to ease the pain of my heart!" Orophin whispered loudly to the amusement and jealousy of the other maidens. Kia blushed furiously.
"Orophin, I fear you must have me confused with someone else." She whispered, her eyes wide with nervousness, backing up when Orophin advanced closer.
"But Kia, dear one, I seek only you. Would you dare deny me at least a small token? The day is long yet, and perhaps a walk with me in the wood would cure your shyness?" Orophin said sweetly, his eyes twinkling in merriment.
Kia swallowed. How she had longed to do just that. But he only jested, she had seen the two wardens conversing. "A wager only that you lost, Orophin. I will not be the prize."
Orophin smiled faded slowly. He frowned, and scuffed his feet for a moment. The onlookers froze, waiting for his answer. "Aye, tis true. But a wager I gladly lost, fair maid. I know I cannot best Haldir. He knows my heart too well. Would you deny me, in all honesty, a moment of your time?"
The onlookers murmured, staring at Kia. She frowned, lifting her chin. "Perhaps a small moment, then, Orophin," she said quietly, but was unprepared for his whoop of laughter or his arms as they captured her, lifting her off her feet. She squealed in surprise to the amusement of the onlookers. Orophin spun around and leaped over the railing, striding gracefully toward Haldir as Kia wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt his lips brush her ear, and shivered.
Orophin stopped in front of Haldir, who still stood leaning against his bow.
"A wager won, and done with. Have I not done as you requested and swept the fair maiden off her feet? See, even now she embraces me with love, having given her heart to me." Orophin grinned, wincing when Kia slapped the side of his head.
Haldir laughed. "I see you still have some way to go for that sentiment, dear brother. But I agree. The wager has been met. Now it is fair Kia's turn to win, or lose."
Kia looked at Haldir in confusion, her eyes narrowed. "You jest at my expense, March Warden. As I said, I will not be the prize. Orophin with his smooth words had swayed my better judgment."
Orophin frowned. "You wound me with your words fair lass, for I spoke only truth."
Kia scowled, "how am I to believe you?"
Orophin adjusted his grip on her, and she pushed against his chest warily. "Must I repeat my words on bended knee, fair lass. Or would you have me shout them from the highest talan?"
Haldir grinned, "You might have to get permission from the lady for that."
Kia snorted in annoyance, blushing once more. "Nay, Orophin, you only wish to embarrass me."
Orophin set her gently on her feet, and bowed slightly. "I give you my word as warden, Kia. Long have I watched you, and made no attempt to seek you out, for fear your heart was given to another. Would you wound me with your refusal now to at least allow me a short walk with you?"
Kia sniffed, eyeing the tall warrior warily. How smoothly the words flowed from his lips, yet she had seen his glances, but had been to shy to return them. Now was her chance, would she brush it aside for sake of pride? "Nay, I will not deny you, but a walk is all you get." She turned away, scowling at Haldir who only smiled. Orophin grinned, striding quickly to catch up and they disappeared beneath the velvet canopy of leaves into the forest.
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