[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

This goes back to my original point, that the revised Arwen character was awkwardly done. The very fact we have to streeeeeeetch to come up with plausible reasons (maybe she snuck out, maybe she was only partially trained..) for her implausible and inconcruous actions demonstrates that the script writers just didn't do a good job. <P>I'd welcome a believable warrior-princess, or a good reason an untutored swordswoman would be blundering about in the woods pointing sharp objects at her friends. <BR>Trust me, that demonstrates she is untutored. <P>I've had one fencing lesson from my friend Anna. <BR>Lesson 1: do not point the epee at people unless you're actually fencing. The point is angled towards the ground when not fighting.<P>I beat 250 girls in an archery contest.<BR>Lesson 1: do not point nocked arrows at anything other than your target. Until ready to fire, the arrows are angled towards the ground.<P>I was taught to use a firearm when I was 12 (what can I say, I'm from Michigan, home of the Michigan Militia).<BR>Lesson 1: do not point the barrel of a gun (loaded or unloaded) at anything other than your intended target. Do not draw a gun unless you intend to use it. Until ready to fire, the barrel is pointed away from you, at the ground.<P>Notice a pattern emerging? It even goes back to your mom yelling "Don't you point that stick at your brother, not even if you're playing!" If Arwen had even one lesson with a sword, this would be it. If you watch Aragorn and Boromir fight, before the fight, the swords are lowered, and when the fight's over the swords are lowered again. That's not tiredness, that's training.<P>Interesting point, Aragorn is a particularly aggressive swordsman, very dangerous to both himself and others. He almost has no defensive moves, every defense is an attack, he relys mostly on point action, which extends your reach to the maximum length of the sword plus your arm length, but can leave you really vulnerable. You'd better be winning if you fight like that. Boromir's more traditional, he'll do two defensive moves, then a lot of cross-action cuts, and wear down his opposition. Call it Bash and Slash. Slower, the opposition gets closer, but more steady. He never leaves an opening. Arrows and overwhelming force would be the only way to get him. <P>Anyways, if you really love the romance, and like Arwen, Lush, you incurable romantic, no doubt you're willing to overlook such details.<p>[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]