[Mithadan]

Mithadan strapped on his vambrace and unsheathed his sword. He saluted Piosenniel and took a half step back, holding the pommel of his blade with both hands. The tip pointed upward and was canted slightly to the right, pointing at Pio's left ear with an edge facing the Elf.

She bore a shorter sword which she held at a sharper angle, with its tip directed at a point several inches to the left of Mith's shoulder. Taking short, light steps and keeping both feet planted as often as possible, they began to circle one another moving clockwise.

Pio made an exploratory feint which Mith met by simply dropping the point of his blade, directing the Elf's sword away to the side. Then he took a short step back. As Pio followed, he took an angular swipe at her shoulder which she avoided by skittering back herself.

Again and again, their blades clashed as they moved about the deck. She was graceful, her movements almost catlike. He was more powerful and capable of great bursts of speed. They appeared evenly matched. For nearly 4 minutes they fought until the Elf leaped aside, avoiding a slashing cut. She slipped her sword under his and swiped toward his midsection. Pirouetting on one foot, he barely evaded the attack and continued his spin, bringing the flat of his blade across her back. At nearly the same instant, Pio, though a bit off balance, nonetheless landed a hard blow to his shoulder with the flat of her blade.

They stepped back and regarded each other with slight smiles. Piosenniel nodded while he rubbed his shoulder. "Not bad for a mere child," she said.

Mithadan shook his head. "I would have thought that with 6000 years of practice you might have been better," he retorted.

"Nearly 7000 years," she replied with arched eyebrows. "Excuse me," he responded with a chuckle. Then the two turned to speak with the Hobbits about the proper manner to lift a blade.