FicWad

Chapter Five: The End of a Night

The recognizable sounds of metal clanging against metal rang out and echoed in the grand stone hall and were accompanied by shouts of exertion and the shuffling of feet across the floor. Dax took to using her bat'leth in her practice with Glorfindel while he borrowed her tajtIq, a shorter Klingon sword most similar to what he was used to using. His typical sword would have been difficult to use and since Worf had shown Glorfindel years before how to use his own Klingon weapons, Glorfindel had some basic knowledge in using the weapon.

Dax was especially surprised by how well Glorfindel had learned to use the Klingon short sword but she supposed it was because he was over ten thousand years old and was a weapons expert to some degree. Being a captain and steward to large armies at times in the past could give one plenty of experience. She had learned more about his life, particularly the details of his profession and loyalty to lords and kings during a conversation before they started. The details were incredibly interesting to Dax but also a little disconcerting that she now faced him sparring.

Another trait Dax picked up on was that Glorfindel was much stronger than he looked and probably even matched or surpassed Worf's strength. His movements were fluid and smooth much unlike the Klingon rough style while also using his full strength but not quite wanting to push either of them too far to end the sparring right away so that they could continue the competition. If Dax were an observer, she would have loved to watch him in the process but she did not have that opportunity at the moment. She was also aware how Glorfindel was completely attuned to all going on around him and how he anticipated her attacks but also being able to turn a defensive movement into an offensive with barely a moment's hesitation. Keeping up with each aggressive onslaught was tiring but Dax was feeling a thrill nonetheless at having a new opponent with a change of pace.

"You stay with me well," Glorfindel commented, without seeming to be out of breath at all. "Or should I say I am to you?

Dax grinned as she brought down her bat'leth from above and he threw off her blade after blocking it.

"I think Worf would be impressed," she said, her breath short. "With both of us."

Glorfindel nodded in appreciation before bringing an unexpected move that caught Dax off balance, causing her to drop it to the floor. Without missing a beat, she rolled using her momentum from the fall and met Glorfindel's blade again as she got to a kneeling position. Making a last attempt, Dax used her bat'leth to take his legs out from under him. Glorfindel similarly recovered fast and brought his knee down on her blade so that she could not get it up from the ground. In response, she threw herself at him and pinned his arms to the ground. However, he threw his own countermeasure and managed to use her own force to continue the movement, thus having them switch positions.

"That was quite unexpected," he said looking down at her.

"It was supposed to be," she answered breathing hard.

"Would you like to get up or shall we remain here?" he teased with a smirk.

Dax raised an eyebrow, "I will have to think about that."

He chuckled as he leaned in closer to her, "As a rule to remember, one of the first things I teach my soldiers is to expect the unexpected at all times."

"Definitely a good thought to keep in mind," she said in response, though a little quieter than before as she studied his face just above hers.

"Come, we should get a drink now," he said as he helped her up and broke the awkward silence that had developed. "We both deserve one after this wonderful match."

Dax followed him out and ended the program in the holosuite as they exited.

"A very amazing contraption that room is," Glorfindel commented as they left. "An illusion to the eyes of another place but yet you never go elsewhere."

"It is," Dax agreed. "Some of our everyday items and surroundings may seem very strange to you even with some of the technology you possess."

"Yes, they do," he said as they managed to find an empty table for two at the second level of Quark's.

A waiter approached them at the table and gave the special drinks for the night. One caught Glorfindel's ear.

"Where did your barkeep get the wine?" he asked.

The waiter pointed to the first level where they espied Rúmil and Orophin playing away at the dabo tables. Glorfindel shook his head with a short laugh and ordered the drink for both himself and Dax. She tried to protest but he held up his hand.

"Try part of my culture tonight," he offered.

Glorfindel felt the need to unravel that night since it had been rather tense the past forty-eight hours. Dax had been very helpful in keeping his mind off of things until their ship was ready or a rescue plan detailed. He only wanted to further relax himself with a familiar drink, which arrived just as quiet reigned below and the two curiously looked to see who had gathered the attention of everyone.

"Aiya, I see Bilbo has had much to drink," Glorfindel chuckled. "It is good to see his spirits up."

"Another of your fellow travelers?" Dax asked.

"Yes, the hobbits are exciting little people and Bilbo has seen and been through so much," Glorfindel said, becoming quiet and a faraway veil came to his eyes before disappearing moments later. "I raise my glass to you, mellon nin."

Glorfindel saluted the hobbit with his glass, unknown to the little man down below who had just broken into song about the Green Dragon. Dax noticed the elf's change in demeanor but said nothing, it was not her business to get into it but it was also her fashion to get involved.

"What is the matter?" she asked before taking a draught with Glorfindel from their glasses.

He looked to her with surprise but a slight sadness to his gaze before he dropped his eyes to his glass.

"It is nothing that I should burden you with, it is difficult to understand," he said then raised the rim to his mouth, pausing and muttering just above a whisper. "No one does."

Dax did not wish to push him too quickly since they barely knew each other so she decided to change the subject.

"Perhaps I can show you how to write a holo-program so you can have your own to practice with when you leave," she offered.

"That is kind of you," he replied. "Though, I don't know if it will be of use to me where I am going."

Dax was about to continue further and ask why he thought that but their attention was drawn again to the bar. The joyousness had stopped and a familiar elf was below in not too happy a mood.

"Why does Haldir not leave enough alone," sighed Glorfindel.

"It is odd he even came here, I would think," Dax added but was surprised when Haldir began to get physical with his brothers.

She did not even notice how swiftly Glorfindel had moved to step between the elves until she saw him approach them. Dax watched as Haldir attempted to stare down the golden lord but flinched eventually under his powerful eyes, dropping his gaze as he turned away.

Dax followed Glorfindel to the bottom floor; seeing that Glorfindel was watching Haldir to make sure he was leaving. O'Brien tried to lighten the mood and broke into song as Dax came up to Glorfindel's side, touching his arm to let him know she was there. The distant, listless look had come back to his eyes making her frown.

"Do you want to stay?" she asked.

"No, let us go somewhere else," he said as she led him away, their Klingon weapons in hand.

*
"Thank you for your hospitality tonight," Erestor told O'Brien. "The hobbits seem to have had a wonderful time. A repartee of songs was good to ease their souls. The game of darts with you was enjoyable as well."

"I'm glad to hear it," and inebriated O'Brien replied with a hard clap on Erestor's shoulder that made the elf glare slightly; though, he understood the man in front of him was not completely in the proper state of mind.

"Mayhap we will join you again if given the chance and time from now and ere our departure for Valinor," Erestor said.

"You're always welcome here, laddie," the Irishman replied.

"Come now, Frodo and Bilbo. We should get some rest tonight," Erestor ushered the hobbits back to their quarters.

"Take my arm, Uncle," Frodo offered to his unsteady relative.

"Good boy, Frodo. I know I can always count on you," Bilbo said dazedly.

Bashir looked to his friend and chuckled, "Will I have to lead you home too or let you go on your way?"

"I've been worse," O'Brien grumbled at his friend. "Though I hope Keiko won't be too upset for being in so late."

"Maybe I should come with you then," Bashir laughed, feeling lightheaded but not near as drunk as the Chief. "I might be of some use if she is angry."

"She might not believe me either when I tell her I've been drinking with men who look like leprechauns.'

"Indeed not," Bashir said as they went on.