Chapter 8 ~ Underestimated

Chapter 8

Underestimated

“Shall I show you around the arena?” Gesturing toward the arena. He nodded, I walked around the outside of the Arena with Legolas trailing close behind. We got to one of the two giant archways and stopped. 

The archways were elaborately carved from marble. The floor of the arena was a large-scale compass covered with gravel, and there were only the two exits. One of archways faced north and the other south. We walked in through the north end. When you walked without lifting your feet up it made a puff of smoke. There were giant steps that went up the outside of the arena that served as seating. 

We walked down the slanted walkway and onto the floor of the arena. Off to the side there were some targets and dummies that someone had carelessly left outside after they had practiced. 

“Do you want to practice combat?” I asked him, curious to see his reaction.

“Sure, I’ll go easy on you.” He said cockily.

“I thought I should let you know I won’t be going easy on you.” I smirked. All guys underestimated me. “Here are the rules, don’t lop off any vitals, no stabbing or killing. Got it?” I asked. He nodded so I continued, “ You start from the South Entrance, and I’ll start from the North Entrance.” I turned and walked to where I would begin.

“On your count?” I shouted. He nodded. 

“One! Two! Three!” On three we both sprinted at each other. 

He swung at my left arm and I blocked the blow and parried him. Using his power I pushed his sword off mine, unbalancing him. I pushed him in the chest and he stumbled, realizing I was better than he thought. I swung the sword at his feet and he jumped. He swung his sword at my head and I ducked, attempting to jab his stomach. He blocked the jab and backed up. 

I swung at him but missed, he used it to his advantage and swung at my feet from the behind. I flipped backwards and landed gracefully on my feet crouching. He swung again and I rolled backwards over my shoulder. I felt the gravel graze my arm and sprung up. I swung at his arm, he blocked my sword and swung his own at my side. I knew I couldn’t block it with my sword so I tried to dodge it. The tip of his sword grazed my side, I winced but I didn’t stop. 

I spun around him and launched myself on his back. He flailed and tried to throw me off his back, managing it. I landed on the gravel and rolled over wincing as gravel got into my cut. 

I stood up. He swung at me but I blocked him, I kicked him in the chest making him topple over. I saw his arm holding the sword scrape the ground, making him wince. I took this opportunity and I disarmed him. I held my sword up to his neck and put both over my knees on his arms, sitting on him in victory. 

We were both breathing hard. He looked at me as if trying to decipher something. He didn’t say anything. I realized our position and stood up quickly. I offered my hand out to him and he took it and hauled himself up. I didn’t let go of his hand; instead I turned it over to inspect damage. He had a scrape on the outside of his wrist that was about three inches long. It wasn’t deep and would heal in no time.

“Do you practice combat a lot?” He asked. I smiled; I could talk all day about warfare and weaponry. 

“Everyday, as often as I can.” I said. I led him to the steps not letting go of his hand. I don’t think he minded. When we reached the steps I let go of his hand, his face fell for a millisecond. I pushed on his shoulders and he sat on the steps. I sat down next to him. I opened a pocket on my calf and pulled out a small piece of cloth. 

“You scraped this on the gravel, am I right. It’s shallow but wide so it will heal in no time.” I wiped the scrape with the cloth cleaning out the gravel that had gotten in it. 

“Thank you, you’re really good at fighting you know.” I smiled and blushed.

“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.” I smirked. I took my sword from where it was lying beside me and sheathed it. When I looked back and Legolas, he was staring at my side. I looked down. 

My entire left side was soaked in blood. There was a slice in the fabric where his sword had caught me. It was a good five inches long. I hoped he hadn’t noticed. He had, unfortunately. I grabbed my stomach and my back so I couldn’t move. 

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