Nevertheless, I will not quit this journey. I will see it through. But with danger so very near at hand, I once again regret the involvement of my two companions. Granted, Lanthir has proved to me his ability to care for himself, but he is the Lady�s son and I would bear no end of guilt if any harm were to befall him. As for Priscilla, she has also tried to show her resolve to protect herself without my help, but even if I saw Priscilla fight off a dozen trolls on her own, I would never be able to set aside my compulsion to protect her. I care too deeply for her to trust her bow arm alone.
It was early this morning when we left the Dolenwaith, sailing northwards up the Brandywine. My eyes were fixed on the Lady Sirithiel until we had rowed so far that I could see her no longer. I wondered at Lanthir who was sitting in the back of the boat, guiding it up the river. He did not even glance back at his mother. Why he did not do so puzzled me. I thought he should love the Lady even more than I. But his face was the same solemn gaze, his eyes only darting here and there to gage the river�s movements. When I turned my face around to gaze up the river, I saw Priscilla, who was sitting in front of me, with her hands firmly attached to the side of the boat. Her fear was unmistakable and, guiltily, I realized it was also understandable. It had been I who had forced her into an Elvish boat two mornings ago, which because of my lack of skill had turned over and almost drowned her. Although, I was aware that she seemed less nervous this time around glancing back often to see if Lanthir was still with us. I could see that she trusted this Elf much more than me.
I leaned forward and whispered to Priscilla, �He�s coming with us on this journey as our guide.�
Priscilla, even through her fear, managed to glare at me. �I already know. Sirviriel told me. I see that you have no problem if an Elf comes with you, but your own kind has less consideration.� She sniffed and turned back around, sitting up straighter and staring ahead with unmoving eyes. I sighed. No, I wasn�t forgiven yet for my telling her to stay behind. I was reminded of a phrase Hobbit lads used in the Shire when describing their women: a Hobbit lass is worth more than the whole of the Shire, but her scorn is felt by all in Middle-earth. I knew Priscilla would calm as the day wore on, but I was tired of fighting her stubbornness. I lapsed into silence and for the remainder of our voyage up the river, no words were spoken. I must admit that I felt much safer with Lanthir behind my back, but I was still getting used to this new presence. With Priscilla, I had felt free to speak my thoughts openly, but now the constant stern eyes gazing over my shoulder intimidated me into a severe stillness.
I had watched a number of trees go by and the shore change from sand to rock and had found my eyelids drooping into sleep when a sudden jar in the boat shook me into alertness. Lanthir had run the Elvish boat aground and had jumped out of it to drag it closer to the shore.
�It is time to disembark.� He spoke curtly, and reaching in, took both our packs in his arms, transferring them to the shore. It was then that I noticed his sword. His bow and quiver were resting on his back, but I suddenly became aware of a sword as he lifted it out of the boat. It was long and if I had stood right next to it, it would have been as tall as I was. For some reason, I found the sword alluring and kept staring at it, until I heard Priscilla cry out.
�Lanthir! The boat!� Turning back around, I saw that the Elvish boat had slipped back into the Brandywine and was now being rushed back down the river by its strong currents. Lanthir glanced up from buckling his sword to his waist and for a moment I saw his eyes soften. He spoke quietly.
�There is no need to fear. It will find its way back to my people.� He stood only one more moment watching the boat float away and then he turned to us with serious eyes once again. �We must continue our journey, but danger is in the air and I feel we must be ready to meet whatever comes our way.� I admire Lanthir�s bravery, but he has such a way of talking that even when I am in no danger at all I feel as if it is right around the corner. I gulped as he spoke.
�Where are we?� Priscilla didn�t seem to be in the least bothered by his speech. She was looking at him in curiosity.
�The northeast edge of the Brandywine. From here, we continue that direction into darker lands. That is why your training must begin.�
I started at his words. �Our training?�
I was surprised when he smiled wryly. �Of course.� He spoke as if I was dim-witted not to have thought of something he had already concluded. �I assume you want to know how to use those?� He was pointing to the bow and quiver I had strapped to my back. I had forgotten all about them.
I sheepishly nodded. �I suppose we should.�
�Then let�s get started. Have either of you ever used a bow?�
I shook my head. Hobbits had used bow and arrows before; some of the Sheriffs still carried them. But I was just a common farmer and knew nothing about weapons. In the security of the Shire, there was no reason for me to be skilled in protecting myself.
�I used one once, but that was a very long time ago.� I stared with wide eyes at Priscilla. She had used one before? When? I wanted to hear the story behind her words, but Lanthir was pushing forwards with his �training.�
�The technique is quite simple. I will show you how to hold your bow and draw your arrows.�
We must have spent at least half an hour with Lanthir positioning our hands, correcting our grips on the bows and practicing drawing arrows out of our quivers until we were fast enough for our strict tutor. By the time Lanthir had at last determined we could try and shoot, I was quite warn out with his constant insistence on perfection. It was not that I did not want to know how to shoot with my bow, I certainly did, but it always seemed like nothing was good enough for our Elvish guide. However, he finally gave us permission to practice hitting some trees not far away.
Priscilla was the first to try her hand at shooting her arrow. I watched her carefully as she rapidly pulled an arrow out of her quiver, fitted it to the bow and let it fly. Flawlessly, the streamlined arrow glided through the air and hit her target on the first try. She smiled broadly and jumped up and down slightly. Lanthir was nodding and smiling in satisfaction.
�I can�t believe it, can you, Pady? I haven�t done that in years and I hit it on my first try!�
I nodded and tried to look as excited as she, but now I was all the more nervous about my turn. Priscilla�s perfect shot had given me an impossibility to live up to. As Lanthir turned to me, I looked steadily into the distance at the tree I was aiming for. I was trying as hard as I could to ignore Lanthir�s serious gaze. Quickly I pulled an arrow out of my quiver and just as quickly fitted it to my bow. I pulled back on the bowstring, narrowed my eyes to view the target and let it go.