Erolamir and Gwenryn: Chapter 3

After riding for what seemed like a couple of hours, Erolamir had Avalohin stop. He looked around, his keen eyes studying the land around them. He and Gwenryn were situated in a small woodland area. Erolamir dismounted, offering his hand to Gwenryn to help her off. "M'lady. Next time we ride, please be sure to give me enough room to breathe! You took up far too much of the saddle.", Erolamir said, his eyes on her with annoyance. Gwenryn looked at him with disbelief. She could not believe how rude he was being. She refused to take his hand. She dismounted the horse herself. "Erolamir, I find you most uncouth. Have you no manners? Who were you raised by? A pack of wargs?". Gwenryn looked at him dead in the eyes, visibly irritated. Erolamir upon hearing the words looked away. He looked down. "My parents are dead. I have lived alone since I was a child. I have lived with my friend's family, but most of the time it has just been me to fend for myself." Gwenryn suddenly felt awful. "Oh Erola... oh I am so sorry! I did not know." It was now her turn to look away, feeling ashamed at being so insensitive. "How horrid for you, to lose your parents at such a young age." Erolamir looked up at her. The sadness in her eyes making him uncomfortable. He noted that even in sadness, this young woman was very beautiful. He approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder gently. Gwenryn looked up suddenly, her bright eyes meeting his. "Worry not, Gwenryn. The past is the past. I must look to the future now. Let us not dwell in such sorrow. We have work to do." he said, in his usual firm tone yet with softness this time. Gwenryn nodded. Erolamir gestured for her to follow him. He took her a couple of metres away from a large tree. He reached behind his back to take his bow. "This is your first lesson in your training. It is no use having you try and hunt if you have not mastered the basics of using a bow. It is important to concentrate on your target and to keep very still. Now, watch me." The young man reached behind his back, producing an arrow from his quiver. He set up the arrow ready and held up the bow. He concentrated on the target, which was to be the tree. Gwenryn watched him intently as the arrow was drawn back and released. The arrow shot into the tree rapidly. Gwenryn was impressed. She was worried about whether she could do this. She did not want to make an error. "Now m'lady, you try." Erolamir handed her the bow. He reached for an arrow and handed it to her. Gwenryn simply nodded, nerves settling in. She fumbled around setting up the arrow. Erolamir watched her keenly, he rolled his eyes at the amount of time it was taking her to prepare. Eventually she was ready. She held up the bow, drawing the arrow back. She quickly released it, not concentrating enough as she needed to. The arrow missed the tree completely, falling to the ground unceremoniously. "You were not concentrating! You just let it fly without no thought! Concentration is the key, Gwenryn.", Erolamir stated. The young lady flushed, her attempt was feeble. Erolamir handed her another arrow. Gwenryn was to try again. This time she concentrated and took her time. "Look down the arrow, look at your target." Erolamir instructed. She released the arrow when it felt right. It hit the tree, not in the speed Erolamir's attempt did, but it still hit the target. Gwenryn smiled. "There you go. You have hit your first target!", Erolamir looked at her and smiled. Gwenryn noticed how nice he appeared when he looked happy. Erolamir's deep blue eyes were brighter than usual. Erolamir coached Gwenryn for a few hours, not stopping until she could fire an arrow properly. Once he felt happy she grasped the basics of using a bow, he took her to hunt for something to eat. That day Gwenryn managed to kill a coney successfully by using the skills she gained earlier. She was very proud of herself, though Erolamir did not let on his feelings about the matter. She was enjoying her training so far, enjoying the nature around her. She felt so free. For once in a long time, she felt happiness.