My Little Greenleaf ~ Little Legolas - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

As Legolas ran out of the throne room and into the hall, he smiled. His ada loved his story! The little elfling beamed inside and out. Then, he headed back to his room to play.
When he entered, he noticed that the curtains on his window were still closed. Wanting more light, he yanked on the curtains. Light poured into the room as he slowly moved the long drapes.
Legolas walked around his room while deciding what to do. In his room, he had a small desk, a soft and intricately shaped bed, and a closet stuffed full of play weapons, his clothes, and other things. Beside the bed rested a tiny basket without handles. In this basket was a blanket, a carrot, and a rabbit. Legolas' bunny. The walls were a pale green with grayish brown as the edge. The door was a dark wood that was smooth to touch. Across from the door was a large window and another door that opened to reveal a small balcony. The room was very cozy and just the perfect size for the little elfling.
Finally, Legolas decided that there wasn't anything entertaining to pass the time with in his room. He walked back out in the hall and decided to once again go see his ada.
As he walked through the halls, he started imagining things playfully. He began racing through the narrow corridors pretending that he was being chased by a spider.
He ran and ran until suddenly, he bumped into something hard. Popping out of his imagination of spiders and bad guys, he looked up. It was Melhonin!
Legolas smiled when he realized who it was, "Melhonin! It's you!" Legolas wrapped his arms around Melhonin.
"Hello, Prince Legolas!" The older elf smiled and returned the hug.
"What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since I..." Legolas trailed off.
"Yes, about that, I meant to come visit you but I have been very busy. I'm sorry."
"Oh that's okay!"
"But, the real reason that I am here is because your father wants me to do something." Melhonin smiled mischievously.
The little prince's eyes widened. "What? What is it?"
"Well, the king wants me to give you an archery lesson."
"Wait," Legolas scrunched up his face in confusion. "What? I already know how to shoot a bow!"
"He just wants me to help you practice more."
Legolas relaxed his face, "Oh...! Okay! Sounds good! Let's go!"
Melhonin laughed, "Woah! Slow down, Prince Legolas! Why are you suddenly in such a hurry?"
"Cause I want to go do it! I was really bored until you came!"
"You didn't look very bored." Melhonin pointed out.
"I really was, but I like to pretend that I am being chased by giant spiders when I am bored. It helps pass the time."
"Ah...I see."
Suddenly, Legolas jumped in the air, "Oh, Melhonin! I just remembered something! I just wrote my ada a story and he said it was the bestest story ever! He really liked it! He told me so himself!" Legolas grinned.
"Wow! That is very cool! I am sure it was very good!"
"You think so too?"
"Tancave! (Yes) For sure!"
Legolas looked away from Melhonin and stared into the distance. "Wow..."
"Well should we go do your lesson now?" Melhonin stood up. Legolas nodded his head. He followed Melhonin away from their meeting place and towards the archery range.
As the two elves walked into the room, Melhonin quickly walked over to the extra sets of bows. After measuring its size, he brought it over to Legolas.
"Here you go! This should be about your size."
"But Melhonin, I already have a bow! It's in my room!" Legolas explained.
"I know." Melhonin answered calmly. "I would like you to practice with a different bow today. Okay?"
"Okay."
After Melhonin grabbed several arrows, they found themselves a couple of yards away from a target. Melhonin lowered most of the arrows to the ground except for a couple.
He handed Legolas an arrow, "All right, I would like you to start out by just trying to hit the center of the target."
"Okay..." Legolas smiled up at him before turning to the target. He turned his body and tried to lift his arm properly. At first, he struggled to pull the new and unusual bow in his hands back, but he managed and was soon aiming at the target. Melhonin watched quietly while observing Legolas' stance.
When the arrow whizzed to the target, both elves looked to find where it landed. The arrow had pierced the target just outside the smallest circle. An excellent shot.
"Hmm..." Melhonin said nothing as he stood.
"Was that okay?" Legolas searched Melhonin's face for approval.
"Good job...now I would like you to try and shoot as far away from that arrow without missing the target."
"Wha...?" Legolas asked, confused.
Melhonin bent down to Legolas' height. "I want you to hit the target as far away from the arrow already there. Okay?" He patiently pointed to the target as he explained.
"Oh...okay." Legolas once again lifted the small bow in his hands.
After the arrow had left Legolas' hands, they peered at the target. The arrow had missed! It was now on the ground slightly beside the target.
"Oh man!" The little elfling grumbled.
"It's fine, Legolas. I will help you work on it." Melhonin encouraged. "When I asked you to shoot in the middle of the target, you did much better for several reasons. One, trying to hit the middle of the target is easier than trying to hit the very edge because you have room for mistakes. Two, you have practiced shooting the middle many times, whereas you have probably never tried shooting to the edge.-"
"I have never." Legolas corrected.
"Because of this," Melhonin ignored the interruption, "it was more difficult for you to do the second request. So, think of it this way, if you are trying to hit the edge of something or something that is very small, you need to know your moving or changing rate. These rates happen because no one can hold perfectly still while aiming, and the bow can never be perfect. When someone knows their changing rate and uses it to help them shoot accurately, they shoot much better. It's like this, the changing or moving rate is where someone doesn't shoot exactly where they are aiming because of those reasons I told you. Then, they might might what they are aiming for. Do you understand?
"Um...I think so."
"Okay, now we are going to figure out the moving rate for you with this bow. Remember, every bow is different so every bow will change the way you shoot." Melhonin instructed. Legolas nodded his head as he tried to understand everything. "Just wait a moment while I go set up something for your next shot."
Without waiting for a reply, Melhonin walked over to the target and pulled out two bright yellow pieces of fabric. He carefully attached them five inches apart on the target.
When he had walked back, Melhonin explained the strange pieces of cloth. "I would like you to try and shoot your arrow in between the two pieces. Do your best and then, we will know your moving rate."
Legolas did as Melhonin asked and then waited as the older elf walked back to the target to check. After a while, they settled into a routine. Legolas shot an arrow into the space between the fabric, Melhonin checked the target, and then Melhonin would move the pieces of cloth a little closer. Finally, they had discovered the way Legolas shot. Melhonin's mission was complete.
"That's it, Legolas. Your lesson is over." Melhonin walked over to the rack of equipment and stored the bow and arrows. "You did really well! I think you will an awesome archer one day."
"Do you really think so?" Legolas followed behind Melhonin as he cleaned up.
"Yes, I am sure of it. Just continue to practice and then you will be an excellent archer."
Both friends parted ways that afternoon joyful and content. It had been an exciting day.