Tarawen's arrows flew truer this time. One landed in the center of the target; the other two hit the black ring. In her panic over the dove's well-being, she had utterly neglected to check her score from the last round. She now saw that she was trailing well behind most of the pack, but not in last place. All things considered, she couldn't be upset by these standings. She glanced toward the elleth (Bainiel) whose arrow had hit the Rohirric woman's (Taethowen) target. Tara was selfishly a bit happy not to be the only one who'd had a disastrous round in this tournament.
As she walked to her target to fetch her arrows, she glanced toward Almarëa and Lord Elrond. It appeared the lord of the valley had taken over dove ministrations. With his care, it'd be flying home soon enough. A bit of tension melted off her shoulders at the sight of the elven lord caring for the poor thing. Tara pulled her arrows from the target and marched back to the line.
Before Tarawen could take her shots, Alma called out to the group that this would be the last round of the tournament. The chest sitting on a table sparkled tantalizingly in the sunlight. Tara sighed; simply not finishing last would be quite the accomplishment. She'd have to look on with wonder as the winner opened up the prize. She inhaled deeply, and with a huge exhale attempted to sigh out the remaining stress of the contest. She picked up her bow and repeated the familiar routine - three arrows, three shots . . .
Seasonal Archery Tournament I (Summer)
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Ilmarë
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Thain of The Mark
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The first arrow hit centre with a satisfying thunk, but just as Taeth aimed, drew, and released her second shot, a gust of wind picked up and all of a sudden there was an extra arrow embedded in the edge of her target--presumably from Bainiel--and... Bema's horn her own arrow had not stayed true to aim, hitting the second ring rather than center. And then... the third shot. She just didn't want to think about it, and instead tucked the broken nock into her skirt pocket and traipsed back into the bushes to retrieve the arrow.
When she returned, Taeth did her best to simply ignore the rest of the competition. She checked her stance one final time, and when she heard Almarëa announce the final round, she tried once more not to overthink her motions, and fired her final three arrows in quick succession.
When she returned, Taeth did her best to simply ignore the rest of the competition. She checked her stance one final time, and when she heard Almarëa announce the final round, she tried once more not to overthink her motions, and fired her final three arrows in quick succession.
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Ducky watched his arrows sail--no, that wasn't the word, more like slouch-- through the air and attach themselves to the target. Ugh. He lifted both his hands and placed them around his own throat, closed his eyes, and began making hacking sounds.
He would have continued to do that for several minutes, but he had to stop to go get his arrows and move down the line after about twenty seconds. Still, the symbolism of the act was hopefully clear.
"Can't spell choking without king(oduckingham)" he muttered under his breath.
He had one more chance. He made a promise to himself that if things went poorly, he would just bolt. He scanned the horizon in circles, checking possible escape routes out of Rivendell in case he needed to flee humiliation. If things went well, though, he thought, he could still win. So there was no need to be too hasty. He just had to calm down, stop overthinking, and let beginner's luck do its work. The problem was he had been saying that exact thing, but thinking it for too long was exactly the opposite of its own advice. Bit of a nasty circle, that.
He took out his last arrows. They looked unimpressive. He could fix that, though. He prestidigitated and turned them black to hide the dirt and stains they had on them.
"Arrows," said the wizard, " Black arrows! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me (because I have never shot you before) and always, uh, WILL I recover you, assuming I never use you again after this. I had you from my shopkeeper out in Archet, and he from old (I assume, since the price was so low). If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, or even if not, go now and speed well!"
He would have continued to do that for several minutes, but he had to stop to go get his arrows and move down the line after about twenty seconds. Still, the symbolism of the act was hopefully clear.
"Can't spell choking without king(oduckingham)" he muttered under his breath.
He had one more chance. He made a promise to himself that if things went poorly, he would just bolt. He scanned the horizon in circles, checking possible escape routes out of Rivendell in case he needed to flee humiliation. If things went well, though, he thought, he could still win. So there was no need to be too hasty. He just had to calm down, stop overthinking, and let beginner's luck do its work. The problem was he had been saying that exact thing, but thinking it for too long was exactly the opposite of its own advice. Bit of a nasty circle, that.
He took out his last arrows. They looked unimpressive. He could fix that, though. He prestidigitated and turned them black to hide the dirt and stains they had on them.
"Arrows," said the wizard, " Black arrows! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me (because I have never shot you before) and always, uh, WILL I recover you, assuming I never use you again after this. I had you from my shopkeeper out in Archet, and he from old (I assume, since the price was so low). If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, or even if not, go now and speed well!"
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Doorwarden of The Mark
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Bainiel
To call it a bad round would possibly be an understatement. All Bainiel could do was stare, mouth agape, at how terribly she had done. The first arrow had flown true until the last moment when a gust of wind had picked it up and sent it soaring off course. Not just off course, it had hit Taethowen's target instead. She had glanced a little to the left when it had happened, but had tried to remain focused in the hopes the woman wouldn't be too angry with her. The next arrow hadn't reached any target, this time blowing off and smashing into a rock on the ground. The last arrow had somehow hit the target near the middle, though she wasn't sure at all how.
Putting down the bow, she sighed a deep sigh and began to walk towards the target. First she pulled out the single arrow sticking out of her target, before she reached across and tried to quickly grab the arrow stuck in her competitors target. Then she had to find the arrow that had hit the ground. Thankfully, it wasn't far from her target. That was all there was to be thankful about though, as she picked it up and realised the tip had broken off. This was less than ideal. When she had first found the bow and quiver hidden in the house, there had been 10 arrows. She had lost 2 early on in the valley when she had first been practicing with the bow. She had broken one in half once when she had been waving it around as she ranted to Idhion, flexing it between her hands, until finally it had snapped. Now that was another arrow gone leaving her with only 6. At some point she was going to have to try and find some more arrows, though that might involve admitting to her mother that she had the bow.
Head down, feeling a little dejected at this point, she shuffled back to the line. She tried to smile at Taethowen, "I'm terribly sorry about that, I am getting tired now and the wind caught it as well." She could only hope the woman wasn't too upset. Looking down at her quiver, she checked over her 6 remaining arrows and tried to center herself again. This was the last round, she had to make it count for something. Trying to find whatever strength she had left, she reached for her bow and fired off her final 3 arrows.
To call it a bad round would possibly be an understatement. All Bainiel could do was stare, mouth agape, at how terribly she had done. The first arrow had flown true until the last moment when a gust of wind had picked it up and sent it soaring off course. Not just off course, it had hit Taethowen's target instead. She had glanced a little to the left when it had happened, but had tried to remain focused in the hopes the woman wouldn't be too angry with her. The next arrow hadn't reached any target, this time blowing off and smashing into a rock on the ground. The last arrow had somehow hit the target near the middle, though she wasn't sure at all how.
Putting down the bow, she sighed a deep sigh and began to walk towards the target. First she pulled out the single arrow sticking out of her target, before she reached across and tried to quickly grab the arrow stuck in her competitors target. Then she had to find the arrow that had hit the ground. Thankfully, it wasn't far from her target. That was all there was to be thankful about though, as she picked it up and realised the tip had broken off. This was less than ideal. When she had first found the bow and quiver hidden in the house, there had been 10 arrows. She had lost 2 early on in the valley when she had first been practicing with the bow. She had broken one in half once when she had been waving it around as she ranted to Idhion, flexing it between her hands, until finally it had snapped. Now that was another arrow gone leaving her with only 6. At some point she was going to have to try and find some more arrows, though that might involve admitting to her mother that she had the bow.
Head down, feeling a little dejected at this point, she shuffled back to the line. She tried to smile at Taethowen, "I'm terribly sorry about that, I am getting tired now and the wind caught it as well." She could only hope the woman wasn't too upset. Looking down at her quiver, she checked over her 6 remaining arrows and tried to center herself again. This was the last round, she had to make it count for something. Trying to find whatever strength she had left, she reached for her bow and fired off her final 3 arrows.
Last edited by Aethelu on Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Guardian of Imladris
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Rîn
Final Round
Two fair shots followed by a bulls-eye gave Rîn a pleasant tingle of accomplishment spreading throughout her entire body. That felt like a much more balanced round than some of the extreme successes and failures she had seen so far during this tournament. She had no idea how to take the temperature of the rest of the competition, so she wasn’t sure where she stood in the rankings - but it felt like she was doing well, at least by her standards. She couldn’t wait to tell Caranfindel how well she’d shot today, no matter the outcome overall. She glanced around, grinning, as though looking for him, but of course there was no one paying especial attention to her. In fact, it looked like one of the other archers had accidentally shot a dove out of the sky, which reassured Rîn of her own capability. Almarëa announced that the next round would be the final one, which actually made the red-haired elleth’s stomach sink in mild disappointment. This contest had been a lot more fun than she’d expected. She brightened as she readied her shots. If nothing else, it had been a boost of confidence!
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New Soul
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Round 6:
1. Tarawen - you rolled 3 (third ring/blue), 6 (centre), and 4 (second ring/red). Your score for the round is 29 points. Your total score: 29 + 18 + 14 + 12 + 20 + 24 = 117 points.
2. Artanis - you rolled 3 (third ring/blue), 2 (fourth ring/black), and 4 (second ring/red). Your score for the round is 18 points. Your total score: 18 + 24 + 24 + 14 + 38 + 14 = 132 points.
3. Ducky - you rolled 5 (inner ring/yellow), 4 (second ring/red), and 4 (second ring/red). Your score for the round is 26 points. Your total score: 26 + 16 + 22 + 12 + 29 + 28 = 133 points.
4. Taethowen - you rolled 6 (centre), 3 (third ring/blue), and 5 (inner ring/yellow). Your score for the round is 31 points. Your total score: 31 + 23 + 21 + 32 + 16 + 12 = 135 points.
5. Bainiel - you rolled 3 (third ring/blue), 1, and 5 (inner ring/yellow). Your second arrow is so close - just outside the white ring, stuck in the straw that the target is pinned to. But unfortunately it's not quite within the ring. Your score for the round is 16 points. Your total score: 16 + 10 + 22 + 25 + 10 + 18 = 101 points.
6. Rîn - you rolled 1, 4 (second ring/red), and 1 (outer ring/white). The first arrow just barely misses the target and actually sticks into the ground next to the target. The last arrow, however, does make it into the outermost ring of the target. Your score for the round is 10 points. Your total score: 10 + 27 + 30 + 8 + 31 + 33 = 139 points.
7. Durien - You rolled 2 (fourth ring/black), 5 (inner ring/yellow), and 3 (third ring/blue). Your score for the round is 20 points. Your total score: 20 + 29 + 27 + 14 + 20 + 14 = 124 points.
***
"Congratulations on your last round! Please feel free to get some refreshments while we tabulate the scores - there is wine, and cakes, and many other treats besides, and you certainly all deserve it after all of your hard work!"
As Almarëa went to score the final set of targets, she was relieved to see that after some mid-competition nerves, everyone seemed to have gotten back on track. She added up the scores carefully, and then had to double- and triple-check them, because it was very close indeed at the top. Finally she passed the list over to the Lord Elrond, for his approval. Then she called all of the contestants together again.
"First of all, thank you so much to everyone for participating - we've seen some wonderful shooting today from all of you. And in case anyone was wondering, the dove is receiving the best of care and I'm sure it will be flying again soon." She smiled ruefully. That had been an ... unexpected... problem. "We have some standings to announce, but before I actually announce them, I'd like to take a moment to thank Lord Elrond, who has kindly donated the prize for this year's winner."
"In third place, by a single point - that's how close it came - we have Ducky!"(@KingODuckingham) "Congratulations."
"In second place, we have @Taethowen! Very well done indeed - congratulations."
"And finally, in first place, we have Rîn!" (@Quill) "Rîn, you are our champion this year - please come up to the front, as we have a gift for you. My lord, if you would?" She gestured to the Lord Elrond, who picked up the chest that had been sitting on a nearby table throughout the competition. And with that, Almarëa stepped back quietly - her task was done.
Elrond opened the chest as Rîn approached. "Your skills are a great credit to you and to your people, Rîn, and so it is my honour to give these to you. May they be of service." Inside the chest lay a matching set of silver bracers, embedded with delicate white and blue gems. They were not purely ornamental; although they might be a bit reflective in the sunlight, they would be strong and durable, and were made by Rivendell's finest.
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Istari Sage
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"Ahhhh" Ducky panicked shouted as the last arrows hit the targets. His eyes roved over and over, back and forth, trying to calculate the final scores. But it turned out he would have to wait until the official tally, because he kept second-guessing himself about the correct total. When it came in, he squealed.
"Eeeeeeeee! I did it, I actually did it! I placed! Are you watching Mom? This one is for you! I beat players that have been doing this for years, so many years! And I've barely even strung a bow before!" He looked to his fellow competitors. "It was close, everyone, but I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles!" He tipped his pointy hat to them, gathered up his arrows, and looked to see if there was a place the winners were supposed to stand for medals or pictures or anything.
The medals were incredible, truly the skill of the Elves. When he received his, he bowed low in thanks, momentarily serious. He congratulated the top two. Then, when the ceremony was over, he skipped off into the heart of Rivendell, anxious to show off his new shiny to Elves that he knew would not care and would laugh at him. That was just their way.
"Eeeeeeeee! I did it, I actually did it! I placed! Are you watching Mom? This one is for you! I beat players that have been doing this for years, so many years! And I've barely even strung a bow before!" He looked to his fellow competitors. "It was close, everyone, but I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles!" He tipped his pointy hat to them, gathered up his arrows, and looked to see if there was a place the winners were supposed to stand for medals or pictures or anything.
The medals were incredible, truly the skill of the Elves. When he received his, he bowed low in thanks, momentarily serious. He congratulated the top two. Then, when the ceremony was over, he skipped off into the heart of Rivendell, anxious to show off his new shiny to Elves that he knew would not care and would laugh at him. That was just their way.
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Ilmarë
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Tarawen let her bow fall to her side with relief once she'd shot her final three arrows without incident. (As she did so, the doves of Rivendell issued a collective sigh of relief.) It was over! She hadn't - somehow! - finished in last place! This was about as good a final round as she could have hoped for.
The ranger slung her quiver across her back and walked to where the competitors had gathered for the unveiling of the prize for the victor (Rîn). She spared the wizard (Ducky) a look of concern before oooing and ahhhing with the rest as the silver and gemstones caught the sunlight. "Congratulations to the winner, and thank you, Almarëa for running this contest!" she said before turning to Lord Elrond and continuing quietly, "And thank you, my lord, for helping the dove."
She thought suddenly of her wolf friend from the maze (he really needed a name . . . ) and wondered what he was up to - hopefully nothing too destructive. With a wave to the group, Tara began the trek back to her rooms to check in on the wolf.
The ranger slung her quiver across her back and walked to where the competitors had gathered for the unveiling of the prize for the victor (Rîn). She spared the wizard (Ducky) a look of concern before oooing and ahhhing with the rest as the silver and gemstones caught the sunlight. "Congratulations to the winner, and thank you, Almarëa for running this contest!" she said before turning to Lord Elrond and continuing quietly, "And thank you, my lord, for helping the dove."
She thought suddenly of her wolf friend from the maze (he really needed a name . . . ) and wondered what he was up to - hopefully nothing too destructive. With a wave to the group, Tara began the trek back to her rooms to check in on the wolf.
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Thain of The Mark
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Taethowen, human, she/her
Taeth grinned as her final set of arrows hit her target in quite a satisfying arrangement. As she waited for Almarëa to tally up the final scores, Taeth turned to Bainiel.
"Please, don't worry about the mishap. At least no one was hurt, and it didn't seem to have affected my shooting too terribly," Taeth smiled. "Just keep practicing. You'll improve as long as you don't give up."
Taeth retrieved her arrows from the target, then went to have some refreshments as she waited for the scores to be announced. She greeted fellow contestants she ran into, but didn't do much more than make small talk. Imladris had been a detour on her journey, anyway. She'd be leaving once she knew her final placement.
It was a short while before Almarëa finally called all the contestants to gather. Taeth chuckled quietly at the mention of the dove, relieved that it was being cared for and not allowed to suffer. And then, it was time for the placings.
Taeth smiled but rolled her eyes when the wizard Ducky was announced as the third place winner. Her smile widened when her own name was announced in second place. It had been an interesting experience today, that was for sure, but she was glad her skills had held her through at the end of it all.
Rîn came in first, and though Taeth hadn't really seen what her shooting was like, Taeth was certain it was deserved. When she spotted the incredibly gaudy gauntlets, though, she was rather relieved that she hadn't won. You could take a girl out of the Cavalry, it seemed, but not quite take the pæthfindian out of the girl.
And so, while Lord Elrond presented the prize to Rîn, Taeth turned and slowly slipped away. It had been fun, but there were other tasks she must move onto now.
Taeth grinned as her final set of arrows hit her target in quite a satisfying arrangement. As she waited for Almarëa to tally up the final scores, Taeth turned to Bainiel.
"Please, don't worry about the mishap. At least no one was hurt, and it didn't seem to have affected my shooting too terribly," Taeth smiled. "Just keep practicing. You'll improve as long as you don't give up."
Taeth retrieved her arrows from the target, then went to have some refreshments as she waited for the scores to be announced. She greeted fellow contestants she ran into, but didn't do much more than make small talk. Imladris had been a detour on her journey, anyway. She'd be leaving once she knew her final placement.
It was a short while before Almarëa finally called all the contestants to gather. Taeth chuckled quietly at the mention of the dove, relieved that it was being cared for and not allowed to suffer. And then, it was time for the placings.
Taeth smiled but rolled her eyes when the wizard Ducky was announced as the third place winner. Her smile widened when her own name was announced in second place. It had been an interesting experience today, that was for sure, but she was glad her skills had held her through at the end of it all.
Rîn came in first, and though Taeth hadn't really seen what her shooting was like, Taeth was certain it was deserved. When she spotted the incredibly gaudy gauntlets, though, she was rather relieved that she hadn't won. You could take a girl out of the Cavalry, it seemed, but not quite take the pæthfindian out of the girl.
And so, while Lord Elrond presented the prize to Rîn, Taeth turned and slowly slipped away. It had been fun, but there were other tasks she must move onto now.
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Elven Enchanter
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Artanis let out a long sigh and slowly lowered her bow when she saw where her final arrows landed. She had done well overall, and had ended in fourth place, (not to mention having the best scoring single round) which wasn't a horrible place to end, except for the fact that that wizard Ducky had beaten her by a single point! It simply didn't make sense for a completely incompetent wizard to beat a proficient elf at their sport.
She sighed, congratulated the winners, (Rîn,Taethowen, Ducky) thanked Alma and Lord Elrond, and then made her way to the kitchens to prepare for the next event.
She sighed, congratulated the winners, (Rîn,Taethowen, Ducky) thanked Alma and Lord Elrond, and then made her way to the kitchens to prepare for the next event.
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Doorwarden of The Mark
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Bainiel
Her final round was another mixture of good and bad. Another near the center, but one arrow had struck straw rather than the target. Bainiel could only sigh, and sighed even louder when the final result was announced. She had come last. Her skills needed much more practice it seemed.
She shuffled over to watch as the winners were presented with their prizes, clapping politely and smiling as best she could. When it was over, she thought about staying for a while to relax and enjoy some refreshments, but she didn't really feel like it. She began to slink away towards the valley already debating if she should go and practice more. Her arms ached though and she could feel a headache brewing. Perhaps it would be best to just go home and rest.
"You did well," came a voice beside her. Spinning round she found her brother Idhion walking next to her, smiling.
"No, I came last," she muttered, not wanting to look at him.
"True, but you competed against those much older and more experienced than you. There weren't that many points between you all." He always knew what to say to cheer her up, how could he be so wise and be younger than her. "Give me the bow and quiver, I'll put them back safely. You should rest, you look terrible."
"Oh thank you brother dear," she laughed, giving him a punch on the arm. He pulled the bow and quiver from her hands and ran off laughing. She didn't deserve him. He was right though, she had held her own against her fellow competitors and for that she should be proud. Now she needed to sleep for at least a week though as she stumbled her way home and to bed.
Her final round was another mixture of good and bad. Another near the center, but one arrow had struck straw rather than the target. Bainiel could only sigh, and sighed even louder when the final result was announced. She had come last. Her skills needed much more practice it seemed.
She shuffled over to watch as the winners were presented with their prizes, clapping politely and smiling as best she could. When it was over, she thought about staying for a while to relax and enjoy some refreshments, but she didn't really feel like it. She began to slink away towards the valley already debating if she should go and practice more. Her arms ached though and she could feel a headache brewing. Perhaps it would be best to just go home and rest.
"You did well," came a voice beside her. Spinning round she found her brother Idhion walking next to her, smiling.
"No, I came last," she muttered, not wanting to look at him.
"True, but you competed against those much older and more experienced than you. There weren't that many points between you all." He always knew what to say to cheer her up, how could he be so wise and be younger than her. "Give me the bow and quiver, I'll put them back safely. You should rest, you look terrible."
"Oh thank you brother dear," she laughed, giving him a punch on the arm. He pulled the bow and quiver from her hands and ran off laughing. She didn't deserve him. He was right though, she had held her own against her fellow competitors and for that she should be proud. Now she needed to sleep for at least a week though as she stumbled her way home and to bed.
