Of Bows and Crossbows

Something happened yesterday that brought something I was aware of in a distant way to the fore. I was at the bowyers' shop yestermorn and chatting with the young man there; I was leaving a bow to be tuned and adjusted. Naturally the chatter was about archery and bows and the various draw weights being used. The talk turned to crossbows.

I haven't thought much about crossbows; Rangers generally do not use them much. However, lurking underneath it all was the distant awareness that someday, if I wished to continue going on scout and hunting, I would have to use one. This might seem odd..after all, if I cannot draw a bow what would I be doing out in the wild anyway; the first thought would be that I was too old. That isn't it.

There was the fight with the dragon some years ago. The injuries have healed, yes, but the scars are still there and the damage that could not be completely repaired still affects what I do. The misalignment of my shoulder and the displacement of my collarbone are of particular note as they are directly involved in drawing the bow. Over the past couple of years I have noticed it has gotten more difficult to draw the heavier weights and holding them has become a real challenge.

In time I will be forced to take up the crossbow. I am not certain how I feel about that. Certainly for hunting it is no problem, although in these lands the decree is such that one must prove impediment to the self bow before being granted the right to use the crossbow. The crossbow is a feared weapon; it does not take the same skill to use as our longbows do, hence anyone can pick them up and shoot them in a short period of time.

I cannot see myself calmly sitting down and letting the lands go to seed because I have to use a crossbow. That is not me. So when the time does come and I am forced into is use in general, I will do so...as a Ranger, as a Huntress. I will do so boldly and damn those who look askance.

Because I know this of myself, I am turning my mind to bolts, bolt making, belt quivers for bolts, belt hooks and whatnot. Sooner is better than later in most things, this no less. I shall make my own crossbows for this purpose, perhaps purchase one for other pursuits, but in the main, I wish to build my own no less than I strive to build self bows now. It will take some study I deem; if I am to use steel prods then I must suss out the proper temper pattern for the steel for maximum life, safety, and efficiency.

When it comes to the art of the Smith, I can tell you straight forward that it is best to have a Master or Mistress...no two people see color exactly the same and learning the subtle gradations of hot metal are vital to proper Smithwork...never more so than in tempering where different parts of the metal must be tempered to different strengths for best results.

Today I will most probably remove the cherry furniture from Gûdagnir and prepare her for her new grips. While I am about that, I will turn my mind to the various needs of the crossbow. Looking into the future is a habit I have.

Nai i-Valar tiralyë

Eledhwen