The Sixth Trial of Single Combat

[Envin]

~ The Sixth Trial of Single Combat ~

Upon a plain of the Pelennor, south of the White City, a large space of grass had been plowed under into a rectangle of soft, brown sand. About this sand was set a fence of white wood, and flags and streamers ran from the poles of the fence. Pavilions and tents clustered round the field, and within the high pavilion at the center of the field's side sat the Lord Aragorn, here to moderate this the first event of the Trial of Lords. At his right hand sat his bride, the Fair Arwen Evenstar, come hither to observe the match, to have a glass of winel with her husband, and to offer advice should the match prove difficult to judge. This is the sixth of the trials in single combat, and the contestants of this event are to be the Lord of Ithilien, keen-eyed Legolas, and the enigmatic Ilius, of whom no man knows.. Even now they enter the field at opposing ends, and now the crowds assembled cheer for them. Bowing to one another at distance, they make their way to the Pavilion of Lords to take the Cup of Tournament, and to pay homage to the Lord of the Trials ere the event begins. Aragorn rises, and all follow his lead as the contestants draw nigh. Aragorn proffers them the Cup, they drink, and bow to all assembled, and then walk to their places at opposite ends of the field.

Aragorn drops his hand and sits, and the Sixth Trial is begun.

[Alcorad]

As the people cheered, Doren stepped out onto the Pelennor. His Dunedain garbs were dyed black and made into a hooded cape. Beneath it he wore light mithril mail with a sword sheathed at his side and a dagger cleverly hidden on his leg beneath leather straps. He wore a decorated mask on his face decorated with painted stripes and feathers, it was shaped like a Mumakil face as Niraskhi tribe invisioned it. Beneath the eye holes of the mask he glanced around at the gathered spectators somehow confident with himself now that his identity was concealed.

[Legolas]

Legolas stepped into the open grounds, walking towards the center of the ring. His choice weapons are all that he wears. Two long knives, glimmering in the bright light and his long bow, tested by time, and perfected in the hands of its owner.

Approaching the challenger, Legolas draws his blades, clashing them together, letting the ringing steel echo through the gathering. Each blade comes to life in the flames surrounding, and they sit tightly in Legolas' hands. He now waits for the mysterious challenger to come forward, before they begin.

[Alcorad]

Doren smiled with the mask, a twinkle glinting in his eyes. He took the hilt of his Western Sword and unsheathed it. The sword caught the sun's rays as it was pulled into the air and raised in a defensive position. His eyes silently scanned Legolas for weak points, and already Doren could tell that the man was an acceptional fighter. He smiled silently to Legolas and gestured for him to come forward. He wished to observe the way Legolas moved with a blade before he approached him.

[Legolas]

Legolas nodded in silent approval, circling the warrior in the manner of the wolf... He had learned much from the animals; from their slow and steady approach, and their nature to spring out without any sign of doing such. So was the manner of Legolas' attack...

After moving around Doren several times he rushed forward, stopping short and moving back once more. So he continued on several times...dashing in, and rushing out without a blow... But the fourth time of such a maneuver, he lunged farther, swinging both blades in wide motions, attempting to cross up Doren's only blade...

[Alcorad]

Doren watched his feet carefully and senced a slight pause in his steps before the true attack was excecuted. He leaped backwards to evade the attack from the twin elven blades and delivered one large blow to one of the smaller swords, positioning his feet for a quick retreat to a safe distance.

During his visits the Haradrim lands he remembered the tricks he had learned from the natives. At his side a saw a small blow dart and due to Legolas' lack of protection a quick maneauver that would give him ample time to excecute his attack could give him the victory.

[Legolas]

Legolas watched Doren leap back out of reach.

Immediately his blades crossed again in defense, and he shifted his weight forward in order to keep his size from becoming a hindrance should his opponent choose to rush at him.

After a slight pause, Legolas rushed forward again, his eyes watching Doren's sword, ready to parry any move that would ensue...

[Alcorad]

Doren felt the wind rush past him and every split second he took notice of the elve's movement. It was if time had slowed it for the two as their battle raged on physically and mentally.

Doren's mind was racing as Legolas approached him with swords outstretched, and he quickly leaped forward, his glimmering sword pressed against the wind. He slammed it between the two Elven blades and delivered a kick to Legolas' shin to divert his attention.

(I'm glad i have an opponent who won't go strait for my head lol)

[Legolas]

(Of course I would never do that! How uncivilized.... I can't imagine anyone who would ever be so incredibly stupid as to do that.)

Legolas watched Doren's blade fall forward, ringing with the clash of steel. But in the moments before the blow, Legolas suddenly felt a strong kick fall against his leg, sending him crashing downward.

As soon as he hit the ground, face first, he threw out his arm in a motion, bringing himself into a quick roll. Once his back was faced torwards the opponent, he shot upwards, in a brief spin, landing on both feet, with his face towards Doren.

The dirt from the soft, soaked earth was scattered across part of his face.

Both of his blades shot upward, parrying against the strong stroke of Doren's sword.

[Alcorad]

Doren flailed backwards at the quick recovery from his opponent but gracefully turned and regained his posture. He ran forward and jumped into he air, moving both of his legs forward in a difficult manner while holding his sword in a defensive position. His plan was to kick his feet into Legolas stomach while keeping his weight on him for the duration of the fall.

[Legolas]

Legolas' lighter build allowed him great agility under pressure, and as he watched Doren flying towards him, blade forward, legs spralling, he dove downward. As he fell towards the ground, Doren's foot caught hold of his shoulder, sending him flying down at an increased speed.

Legolas shot upright after hitting the dirt, blade spinning rapidly as he stood to face Doren.

[Alcorad]

Doren looked towards him. His constant actions were making him a bit more tired than the elf, though Legolas' body was weaker than his own. He paused and decided to retain a defensive stance while awaiting Legolas to make the next move.

"You have some skill there. I don't think I've ever gotten in a fight with an elf but I don't think I'll do it again unless it's in this tournament."

[Legolas]

Legolas grinned at what he perceived as a compliment...

"And I have yet to see a better fighter than yourself friend, if not visible in the lord of the Citadel alone, you show great strength with the blade..."

Legolas inched forward, his stance lower than before... He held his blades midway between his chest and legs, ready to spring when the time presented itself.

Without show, he dashed forward, lifting one blade up, bringing it down with a slashing motion towards Doren's head, while the other came across towards Doren's right side.

[Alcorad]

Doren leaped back and swiped his sword downward and managed to knock away the upper slash but did not completely manage to clear away the lower slash in time. He looked breifly to his side and noticed a trickle of blood fall from the graze that the elven blade had left him. He then smiled and leaped forward but quickly crouched on the ground upon his descent and swiped has sword at Legolas' feet while preparing to leap back if the need arose.

[Legolas]

Legolas watched Doren's huge sword being swung towards his legs. With a tremendous leap, Legolas soared over the blade, falling back upon his feet a yard behind Doren. Legolas lifted his blades in a defensive position, waiting for Doren's next move.