The Glorious and Majestic Citadel of Guard

[Faron]

"Ah, and thus we come to the heart of the issue. The tales say that Aragorn, the Savior of Middle-Earth, and the King of Gondor did all these things. However, before he took the Throne of Gondor, very little is known about him. I simply wish to see him display the courage and prowess that he is said to have, and not simply the word of a barman who has dipped into his own ale a bit too often, for as I have said, it is clear to me that the future of all the realms rests most heavily upon the shoulders of the so-called Greatest Man in the Age of Men."

[Anwyn]

Anwyn thought on Aragorns words, they were ones of wisdom that should not be easily dimissed for she could not think of one enemy of Rohan, but many that would see her cities fall. Two men were lead into the hall, one smaller in sature and the other...was not even a man at all. Anwyn blinked and tried to appear as though she was not starring but found this most curios indeed for she had only heard of the Elves in stories.

Quite surprised at the Elves brashness towards the King, she found herself biting her tongue for it was not her place to point out that while in the Kings hall he was a guest and it was most dispectful to speak in such a way. Alas she was a guest as well, and elected to remain silent for the time being.

[Orrë the Wise]

Orre looked up at the Elf in dismay. "I concur with the Lord of Arnor. This is not the time, Masta Elf." The Dwarf-Lord pulled a map out of his back pocket and unrolled it onto a table found in the room. He gruffly pointed to the realm of Angmar. "Darkness stirrs in the north. Morsereg prepares his armies whilst we turn a blind eye! Alcorad," He pointed to Mordor, "Has indeed taken the chasms of Moria and now controls the center of Middle-Earth. Cile Dindaedel, son of Morsereg has been destroyed. The Valar are outraged, and this must stop imediately! This is NOT the time for silly duels, Elf. King Elessar has proved he is a fit ruler. How dare you assume not. Let us discuss battling the enemy, not eachother!"

[Envin]

Aragorn was at full recline in his seat, stretched at length, and listened to the words of all three, and though he agreed with both Arathorn and Orre, perhaps to convince this Elf with a large mutt in tow might assure Gondor another ally. He yawned and glanced with one eye at Ashuron.

"Have I e'er agreed or proclaimed the tales from innkeepers huddled about the fire to be sooth? Nay, I have not, good Elf. Do not blame me for the words men share in their cups. But I have attained my destiny and reclaimed the throne of my fathers, and that cannot have done without much prowess, would thou not agree? Regardless, this is not the time for such displays of skill which is doubtless greater than thine - and besides, I have no sword here with me. Take me on faith if thou wouldst wish to aid thy people."

He sighed, and turned back to Anwyn to continue the conversation, but suddenly like a snake striking swiftly, from laying at his full length, he leapt into the air, and in one smooth motion threw the plate of raw beef at the wolf, and before Ashuron caught his breath, he was on his back on the ground, Aragorn atop of his chest pinning his arms, and a gleaming knife pricking his throat. No one breathed, and all that could be heard was the sound of Arken munching contentedly upon the meat several feet away.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn sensed Aragorns attention turn to her, and she was about to speak but before a sound had passed her lips he had sprung forward with almost un-natural grace and now had the rather outspoken Elf on his back, she blinked as though perhaps she had imagined such a thing. A small smile grew at the side of her lips as she saw that the good King of Gondor was merely proving a point.

[Orrë the Wise]

"It is clear then that we are all here for the same reason." The Dwarf looked around at them and then turned back to the map. "It is high time that we do something, Aragorn! I was sent here to do so, and by thr gods, do something I shall! What are your thoughts on the situation?" He arched a bushy eyebrow at the King of Gondor, awaiting a reply.

[Faron]

"The meat was unneeded. Arken would not interupt when I told him not to." And then suddenly, the elf lord, with an act of barbaric nature unnatural to his race, spat into the King's eye, taking that moment to roll his body over to throw his assailant off of him. "I believe your other guests would like a word with you," Ashuron said with a sarcastic laugh. "Perhaps if you were to send for your sword we could have a truly honorable duel."

[Anwyn]

Anwyn was to her feet at once, outraged at such an act directed towards the king, though she had fought to keep silent the Elf had simply gone too far "It would appear that the grace and beauty of the elves had been greatly excerated" she said sharply "For you are little more than a wild boar parading in fine clothing and walking upon two feet"

Men of Rohan had often joked among themselves that they would rather encounter a pack of rabid wolves then have the fury of a Rohirrim women wreaked upon them. Anwyn appeared no exception, as she stood body ridgid and pale eyes casting out an unspoken challenge as she wondered how long it would be before the King cast such a being from his halls.

[Orrë the Wise]

Orre growled, red faced with anger. The Maiar pointed his heavy War Hammer at the Elf dangerously. "That was most uncivil! Never before have I seen such actions in the King's own Throne Halls." He turned to Aragorn. "Unless you care to discuss the threats in Middle-Earth now, which is why most of us," Ashuron was given a filthy look, "are here, then I will be leaving. I have more urgent and damanding matters to attend to if all the King of Gondor and an Elf of Lorien will be doing is wrestling on the Citadel Hall floor!"

[Envin]

Aragorn rose to his feet in one fluid motion, his eyes dancing with amusement at Ashuron's audacity. He wiped the spit from his eyes and his face, and signed to a servant who stood nigh in attendance. Turning to Orre, he proclaimed this:

"Good my friend Orre, please be not overrash in departing Minas Tirith. Fell things array themselves against us, and if we are to stand firm against them, we must stand firm united. It is no chance of luck which brought all of ye here to speak with me this day. A sign a take this to be, that we shall be as one, or we shall fall. The more realms which we may add to our combined strength will only spell a greater challenge for the hosts of darkness. I would that thou and Aragorn and Anwyn should remain, that we may discuss the future of the Free Peoples. If Lord Ashuron's worldview is so confined to contests of arms, then think not that he is closed-minded. Think rather what an asset his forces should be in battle, were it to come to that. If he will be satisfied by naught save a trial of his skill, then I shall consider it, for his counsel and wisdom would benefit us. But do not leave so soon, I beg of thee. Thou shalt only dissappoint the people of Erebor shouldst thou go. Master Elf, will naught else than a duel slake thy curiousity? For we must ere long give thought to the situation in the world, and the patience of these others wears thin. I shall fight thee if need be, for I would have Lorien as my comrade. But do not leave, friends, should he choose to fight. 'Tis only the hardiness of Elves and the stubbornness of the Golden Wood. What say ye?"

[Orrë the Wise]

Grumbling something terrible, the Dwarf shook his head. "Should he choose to fight in this time of darkness and misery, then he is blind Aragorn! You keep these little challenges a secret, not barge into a meeting when the King and his loyals are discussing the needs of Middle-Earth and demand a fight! It isn't right."

He sat roughly in a chair beside his unfurlled map and the wooden table. Elves! "Humph." No manners anymore. Had the Dwarves become more polite than the graceful Elves? What was going on with Arda noadays? Insane!

[Faron]

"It is my wish to fight with you, Aragorn, King of Gondor although your speech supplies my inquisitive mind with information of your honest nature. Now, do me the favor of seeing if honesty will supply strength. Although my barbaric tactics may show otherwise, I am not one to enjoy an unequal contest of skills. First, you must have your proper sword with you, for I would love to test my swords against the legendary Anduril, and a simple knife such as the one that you hold now would prove no hinderance to my blades. Second, I wish for you, the challenged one, to select both the time and place for our duel. And pray, do not judge my people by my actions, for if the Elves were Middle-Earth, I would be the barren wastelands and my fellow elves would be the majestic forest of Lothlorien herself, for it is across these wastes that I have traveled alone."

[Envin]

Aragorn bowed with ceremony to this most courteous speech, and declared this:

"Smooth as the petals of niphrodel are thy words, good Elf, and I welcome them to mine ears. I have passed many days of my life in the company of thy fair folk, and I know them to be a goodly people, and thou merely the sour apple in a case of the good." His eyes twinkled, and he smiled. "I would have Lorien join this alliance against the darkness, and if a contest of arms is all that shall suit thee, then such it shall be. And it shall be here and now, for once it is concluded, I would that thou shouldst take seat among us, and we shall share counsels."

His servant arrived just then, a long, immense sword in a sheath, with a belt wrapped about it. Aragorn took the weapon, and gestured the handle at Ashuron.

"Anduril is naught to 'test thy swords against.' He is a tool to be estimated quite clearly, for he is not forgiving. And he is mine!"

He withdrew the great pale blade with a smile and a loving glance, and set the sheath hard by upon his chair. Then he removed his cloak and adjusted his belt, and with heavy tread of his boots, he strode into the open area of the Hall, and beckoned to Ashuron. He took his high guard with the shining sword high above his head, and awaited the movement of the Elf.

[Faron]

Ashuron followed the King, with Arken the wolf following him. The wolf stood on an edge of the room, content to watch the match and not to interfer. With elvish swiftness, Ashuron drew both of his blades from their sheaths in one fluid motion, took a moment to spin the swords around in the air checking their balance, and leaped forward. As he charged, the Elf Lord pointed both blades forward, and then upon reaching near to his opponent, feinted to the right, doubled back, spun around, and proceeded to slash in what appeared to be a mad array of unconnected strokes, but in fact was a set pattern of one stroke aimed to miss, followed by one strike aimed to hit, and repeating. Ashuron said nothing.

[Envin]

Aragorn had taken a pair of gloves from out his pocket and had placed them upon his hands, and Ashuron had thought naught of it - gloves. Nothing to concen himself with. But the instant Aragorn discerned Ashuron's style of attack, great and speedy flurries of blows, he caught the blade of Anduril in his left hand, and Ashuron saw that the gloves were lined with mail. If Ashuron's speed was that of a cat, then Aragorn moved with the swiftness of a mongoose, using his sword almost as would a yeoman employ a quarterstaff, blocking nearly every blow that Ashuron spat at him, and though he was soon able to recognize the pattern in the strikes, he still blocked all of them just to prove that he could. He remained on the defensive, prepared to outlast Ashuron as long as he would like to attack, and then with strength foreign to an Elf hammer down the King of Lorien's defenses.