Vena was also surprised that she had some serious competition. She was used to outstripping everyone, so hearing the chatter about another excellent archer was both refreshing and intriguing.

And if she showed off just a little in her next round in hopes of catching the other archer's attention, well, nobody had to know.

Off in the knife-throwers area, someone else was already out and warming up. They weren't the axes he remembered from a lifetime ago, but Gimli was content to be satisfied with knives for the time being.

Legolas did indeed meander over to find out about the competition. His eyebrows shot up when he saw some of the shots she was hitting. No human could have gotten those, not while actively showing off. Hmm. Curious indeed. He smiled to himself and hung back to watch the last round.

Rory glanced at the other person over there warming up and gave him a nod, picking a spot a few spaces away to start warming up. Something about him seemed familiar, and she found herself glancing over at him more than once as she warmed up.

Vena finished her trick shooting and went to get another set of arrows. When she turned around, and caught sight of Legolas in the crowd. Raising an eyebrow, she went over to him.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised to see you here," she said, nodding to the regulation bow he was carrying. It wasn't the gorgeous pale wood she'd seen him carrying a few days ago, so she knew it had to be something specifically for competing.

Gimli glanced over at the newcomer. Something about her was familiar in a Middle Earth sort of way, and he was kind of curious to figure her out.

Legolas grinned at her. "Yes, well, these competitions are fun," he agreed. "You are quite good."

Rory ignored the red head as she warmed up and worked, settling into her routine easily enough.

"Thanks," Vena said, grinning a bit. "I get the feeling you're not half bad yourself." She nodded to his bow.

Gimli just watched her for a moment, and then settled into his own routine as well. It was sort of comforting, hearing the sounds of someone else throwing knives with similar skill to his own.

Legolas grinned at her. "We shall see," he agreed. "I do believe we will be the two finalists."

Rory snuck a fee glances his way because, well, she was a warm blooded female after all. But once it was about time for her round to start she gathered up her things.

"I look forward to the challenge," Vena said, grinning a bit in return.

Gimli noticed when she started to gather her things.

"You're up, I take it?" he asked as he picked up his own things. "Good luck, then."

"As do I," Legolas told her. "It should be quite interesting."

Rory looked over at him and smiled a bit. "Thank you," she murmured. "You as well. Maybe I'll see you later." She nodded to him.

A few hours later, Vena was waiting to start her final round. This round would determine the competition champion, and she could feel the pressure as her moment creeped closer. She listened to music as she waited, so as not to hear the crowds or anything else. Finally, she was sent out to the field with a fresh quiver of arrows, her bow over her shoulder.

Legolas was also a finalist, and he stood off to the side. She would go first, and then him. His eyes were bright and intent as he watched her.

Vena took a deep breath to center herself, and then drew her first arrow. There was no trick shooting this time; just clean, precise shots. Low, high, it didn't matter, she hit every one of them beautifully.

Legolas felt his eyebrows lift. Oh yes, she was good. Very good. Briefly, he had an of urge to take her though one of his running courses to see how she'd do, and then he shook it off. Later, later.

Vena took a steadying breath once she'd hit all the targets. They had given her exactly as many arrows as she could need for the targets, and each one was an exquisite shot. All but the last one, which was just slightly off-center. She made a bit of a face when she saw that, and her heart sank a little. She wasn't going to win with that shot.

Legolas noted the shot as well. Still a good shot, especially by human standards. He waited for her scores to be noted and then stepped up when he was called, taking a moment to note all the targets before he started.

Vena settled back to watch. Now that her scores were in and there was nothing more she could do, she was interested to see how he did.

Legolas drew in a breath and started shooting. His shots were precise and efficient, not a movement wasted. He was even pleasantly surprised to note that the only reason he won was her slight mistake, which was nigh on unheard of for him.

Vena gave a bit of a frustrated sigh when she saw that. Yeah, she expected that one. With as good as she'd suspected he was, of course it would be her own mistake that cost her the victory. Even still, she put on a smile and went to congratulate him on his win.

Legolas, however, wasn't as interested in his victory. He'd won before, and he'd probably win again. No, this time he had a much more interesting former-elf occupying his attention.

"You're quite good," he told her.

"Not as good as you," Vena replied. "That was impressive."

Legolas inclined his head. "I've had many years of practice," he murmured. "I was wondering, however, if you've ever run a course."

Vena blinked and tilted her head a little.

"Run a course?" she asked. "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

Legolas hummed. "Running a course. It's a course set up that you have to physically run through, there is no exact place to stop and shoot."

"You do such things?" Vena asked, looking at him. "I mean, I just shoot competitively, I've never done that before."

"It can be quite fun, and therapeutic," Legolas told her with a little grin. "Certainly more challenging than these targets."

"Is that so," Vena said. She eyed his regulation bow. "I'm guessing you don't use that dinky thing any more than you have to, hm?"