I was kind of more thinking that maybe the humans are at war with something else and your guy got lost in the elf's territory when his party was killed separated from him. when the elf saw him he attacked and beat him telling him to go back to his own lands. when your guy got back to his kingdome he asked his king to ask for him to lean the elven art of fighting. then once your human takes the message to the elven king he orders my elf to take your guy and teach him. much to his reluctance.