Once Liesl and Rowan separated, he led them to the swords and then reached down to pick up one from where it rested. It looked to be a standard broadsword with a hilt big enough for one hand, but it was still smaller than the Master Sword overall. “Here,” he said before turning it in his hands and bringing it up so the hilt was facing her. Liesl’s eyes dropped from him to the blade before her hand rose from her side. However, it paused soon after, hovering in the air just above the hilt.

Rowan’s head tilted to the side in curiosity before letting the sword drop a little in the air. “Is…everything alright?”

No, it wasn’t. But that wasn’t why she hesitated. This was a powerful moment, right? Because if she took hold of that hilt and lifted that blade away, her life would be forever changed. Training, fighting, and Goddesses knew what else. Liesl’s life would be filled with violence. But it had already changed, hadn’t it? By grabbing a very different hilt. And if she did it once more, then maybe she could protect Zelda from all those horrible things that were no doubt in her future. Whether she did this or not. That alone would be worth it, even if Liesl had to fall deeper. 

So, she didn’t answer and hesitantly reached out to grab hold. Determination burned in her eyes as she lifted the weapon, but her expression quickly changed to shock once she had a proper feel. “It’s so heavy! Even more than the Master Sword.”

At first, Rowan only chuckled and used one of his now free hands to point back at the blade. “Well, I can’t speak to the comparison obviously, but yes. It is heavier than swords meant for fighting.”

Liesl only grimaced at the admission and began moving it back and forth with the tip pointed toward the ceiling. “Why would you do such a thing? Isn’t that more dangerous?”

“Possibly,” Rowan answered with a shrug. “If you can’t control it, I suppose. And I do want you to think of this as dangerous, even if it’s as dull as a lump of iron.” Just to make his point clear, he reached up and grabbed the sword by the tip and removed his hand to show it was fine, only a little indented. “The real reason it’s so heavy is to train your muscles. Hopefully, when the time comes to wield the Master Sword, it will feel lighter in comparison and you’ll be better able to control it.”

Well, that made sense. It would be just like training her other muscles, right? At least she hoped so because this damn thing was already starting to feel too heavy to hold up. “Okay,” Liesl replied before bringing her eyes back to him. “So…do I try and hit you now, or what?”

“Hit me?” He said with amusement lacing his words. “And you say you aren’t still mad at me…”

“I’m not!” Liesl protested. “I just…don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Well, let’s start with how to hold that weapon correctly. The way you’re holding it now is going to shatter your wrist in a fight. Here, let go…”

Liesl could feel her cheeks heat at his insistence, and suddenly she felt even luckier she’d managed what she had in the temple without hurting herself or anyone other than the monster. So, she nodded and let go a moment later, letting him take the blade back.

At her confirmation, he took the sword and held it in his right hand, fingers loose, thumb pointed in the direction of the blade. “There are numerous ways to hold a sword, but only two that I want you to focus on right now,” he started before raising the blade so she could get a better look. “This is called the ‘handshake grip,’ and it allows for a better range of motion.” Then he shifted his hand on the grip, one that saw his fingers wrap around the hilt almost like a fist. “This is the ‘hammer grip,’ and it can be used when the blade is in close for a more powerful chop.”

He switched back and forth between the two, swinging and thrusting it a few times to show the difference. “See how the range of motion changes between the two? What the benefits and drawbacks could be? We’ll talk through each in the future, but for now, I don’t want you having to unlearn a bad habit.”

Once he was done with his explanation, Rowan transferred the sword over to his left hand and extended the now empty one towards her. “Here, let’s shake. Then we’ll pause, and I’ll put the hilt back in your hand so you can feel it.”

Liesl only paused long enough to look down before doing as he instructed and slipping her fingers into his. While it wasn’t the first time, she was beginning to develop a whole new appreciation for the calluses on his fingers and the sureness of his grip.

“Good. Now, you hold that pose…” As Rowan spoke, he let his hand drop away and moved to replace it with the sword. With it back in her grasp, he stepped to the side to give Liesl the space required to practice. After examining how she held it, naturally. “Excellent. Give that a few swings and see how it feels.”

She nodded her understanding and then focused on the space in front of her. That hand came up and then brought the sword down in a chop that nearly had the tip crashing into the floor. Liesl only saved it at the last second, and the momentum of the swing had her taking a step forward as she recovered and pulled it back up. But hey, at least it didn’t hurt her wrist when she swung it!

Rowan let out a laugh at the sight of it, but nodded and crossed his arms where he stood. “A swordswoman isn’t made in a day. Try again.”

Ugh, she probably wasn’t made in a week or a month either and the sinking feeling in Liesl’s chest made it feel like that was all she had. If that. But she swallowed that feeling for now, took a deep breath, and tried again. This time, the blade swung from right to left, and though it still felt (and probably looked) awkward, at least she didn’t lose control. Again and again, she repeated the maneuver until the muscles of her arm protested from the effort and a grimace betrayed her struggle.

“Alright, alright,” Rowan started before letting his arms fall and placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll work on proper technique later. For now, let’s start on what you do know.”

Something she already knew? That assertion caused Liesl’s face to scrunch in confusion because she didn’t know the first damn thing about all this! I mean, she hadn’t known how to even properly wield a sword until a few minutes ago.

“Something I already know?”

“Footwork,” he answered before upturning a hand to indicate her feet.

“Footwork…”

“Don’t sound so surprised. It’s hard to fight your enemy if you’re flat on your ass, you know. I’ve seen many a rock snatch away a good swordsman’s victory and deliver him to defeat.”

All sorts of horrible scenarios sprang up in her mind, but Liesl did her very best to push them away lest she become too engrossed and distracted. “Alright, footwork,” she confirmed with a nod and a tone that was far more appreciative the second time around. “But I don’t understand. You said this was something I knew?”

“Well, why do you think I made you play all those damn games? Just to keep you fit?”

Honestly, Liesl nodded because that was exactly what she figured. It would’ve been easy for Liesl to grow up anything but lithe; however, Rowan’s “games” kept her moving a good chunk of the afternoon. They developed strong muscles in her legs and…something in her arms. Muscles she wished were a lot more robust than they were now.

“Well, that was part of it, but no. They made you quick, nimble. Especially tag, which is why we’re going to start there.” Following his assertion, Rowan made his way back to the middle and then beckoned for Liesl to follow.

Tag? Okay, Liesl was coming to realize she knew less than she thought and maybe shouldn’t jump to conclusions…but a child’s game, really? And even more confusing, Rowan’s hands were still empty! “You aren’t going to bring your sword?” She asked after glancing back toward the second blade where it leaned against a crate. Nevertheless, she followed even before receiving an answer.

“I don’t need it,” Rowan countered with a smile. “And if I did, I’d just take yours.”

“Take mine? As if I would let you.” I mean, she was armed! Why would she let him take it?

A snort of amusement was all that preceded Rowan stepping toward her, inside the arc of the blade before her mind told her hands she should try to bring it around in some kind of defensive motion. What she did manage was clumsy, and the big man grabbed her wrist and wrenched . Pain shot up her arm, and she instinctively let the hilt go. Which was all he needed to snatch the thing away.

Liesl sucked in a breath at the discomfort and brought her injured wrist in close to her chest to rub it tenderly. She didn’t complain, if only because shame choked off her words. In addition to making her cheeks turn red in embarrassment. “Alright,” she said with a sigh. “Point taken.”

“Good,” Rowan said with a nod before turning the blade over and pushing the hilt toward her.

This time, Liesl didn’t hesitate to take it; however, the weight pulling her wrist down caused her to scowl and then fix him with a stare. Which he met by raising his hands in a placating motion.

“Sorry, but pain is the best teacher, and we’re short on time.”

“We are,” she said in agreement before forcing her features to relax. “So, don’t take it easy on me. I need to learn. Quickly .”

“Atta girl. Now, come on. Let’s get started.” Rowan continued moving to the center and then brought up both hands before gesturing for her to come closer. “Alright, sword up.” 

Of course, she did what she was told and came to stand a few feet out, blade held between them in the first grip he’d shown her (or as close as she could get).

“Now, I’m going to try to tag you, and I want you to move away and keep the sword between us. Don’t hit me, just keep it up and in the middle.”

Liesl’s fingers relaxed and flexed around the hilt as she nodded her understanding. It was just like tag, nothing to be nervous about. “Alright, ready…”

Again, Rowan didn’t announce the start of his movement, and she briefly wondered if that was because her enemies wouldn’t either. However, she didn’t have long to ponder because the older man immediately shot to her left side. Liesl had to pivot her foot back to turn and keep the sword between them, but then a step forward sent her backward still. Then he was dashing around to the right, all while facing her.

At first, she kept up, matching his movements while bringing the sword around to keep it between her body and his. Alright, so perhaps she started to understand why he had done the things he’d done. Why he focused on her speed and nimbleness throughout all those years. And, if this had simply been an exercise about matching his movement or staying away, she might’ve had more success. Unfortunately, the blade was heavy, and the awkwardness from holding it made her sluggish.

“Too slow,” he said before reaching out and slapping one shoulder. “Your blade is too close. Get it out…” Of course, the correction (or warning) came only after another slap to the opposite shoulder.

“It’s heavy,” Liesl protested through gritted teeth, and while she turned to face him properly.

“I’ll be sure to tell your enemies.” 

Liesl only grunted her frustration as she tried to extend her arm and hold the sword further from her body. But even in these few minutes, she could feel her muscles starting to burn once more. Performing her duties, exploring, and playing their games. It had kept her in somewhat good shape; however, she was quickly realizing just how far the gap was between her and the proper soldiers. Calla must have had some serious muscle underneath that uniform. Still, that didn’t mean she was going to give up, even if that meant she struggled the whole way.

Unfortunately, despite what she wanted, Liesl’s sure-footed steps eventually failed her. A shuffle to the side from Rowan ended up being a feint and though she tried to correct, her foot slipped on the dirt of the storeroom floor. Not completely unsurprising given the environment, but Liesl’s aching muscles meant her legs gave out in protest instead of providing the quick burst of speed she needed to correct. In the end, she went rushing toward the ground where she was able to break her fall with the palm of her free hand.

“Damnit!” She hissed as she turned it and saw the bloodied streaks while she sat in the dirt.

“Well, bad news is you’re dead,” Rowan said as he stepped up and offered her a hand. “Good news is you managed to die with your sword in your hand.”

“Small victories,” Liesl said in a huff before shifting her sword to the injured hand and reaching up to take his with the clean one.

He pulled her up with what felt like very little effort, but before he could come in closer to inspect the wound, she’d already gripped the hilt again and brought the sword back up between them.

“What–”

“Oh no, you don’t!” Liesl interrupted before narrowing her eyes. A smile even curled at the edge of her lips, but she took a step back and did her best to hold the sword up straight despite the shakiness in her arm.

“Don’t you want me to look at your hand?”

“Would you stop to look at my hand if we were in the middle of a fight?” Liesl’s eyebrow rose, and she even tilted her head a little in question. “Besides, that’s just what you want, isn’t it? To get in close and enact your dastardly plan.”

“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “I would keep going until one of us won.” Then he jolted to the side, and their dance began again.

In the end, and to no one’s surprise, Rowan “won” time and time again while Liesl accumulated an impressive collection of scrapes and bruises. By the time they were finished, she couldn’t even lift the sword point from the stone before he reached over and took it so he could put it away. This time, there was no protest, amused or otherwise, and she finally lifted her arms to inspect the damage. At which point Rowan grimaced. “Oh, Zelda is going to have my head.”

“It’s fine,” Liesl said, shaking hers. “She’ll understand. Besides, she can always heal them.”

“Oh, that’s right!” The revelation seemed to perk Rowan up a little, and he nodded his head in agreement while a free hand came up to stroke his chin. “Yes, which will mean we can push a little harder in your training…”

Oh joy!

“Yes,” he muttered with another decisive head nod. “We’re losing time, so I’m going to push you, Liesl. Really push you.” But the serious look on his face soon faded to something warmer as if to soften that assertion. “However, I know you can handle it. You both can handle it.” Once he put the sword down, he walked back toward her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, ushering Liesl toward the door. “If only because you have each other.”

“Because I have you both,” Liesl corrected before smiling and taking slow steps. “Really, Rowan. Thank you for doing this.” Even if he took his sweet damn time coming around to the idea!

“Of course,” he said before reaching out and grabbing the handle. “Now, let’s get you back before the Princess starts to wonder where you are.”