Ok, You know what I don't own.

After a short time had passed, the dwarf returned with his companion. It was an odd pairing, but they seemed to agree with one another. The dwarf headed for the elf with raven hair and his companion kneeled down to pick up the one with brown hair. The walk to camp was a short one and the dwarf could contain his anticipation no longer. He laid the elf that he carried onto the ground. The face was only slightly revealed, and he would have to get near to truly see. As he kneeled down, he noticed the elf's chest. This was a female, he was sure. Those were the curves of breasts. He slowly put a finger under her chin to reveal her face. Not only was she a female, she was a beautiful female. He guessed her eyes were blue, but couldn't be sure as they were closed. His companion laid the other beside her, and turned to the dwarf. It seemed that just as he had opened his mouth to speak, one of the female elves, moved. The two men waited for more movement, but the reaction they got was quite unexpected.

Dazed and disoriented, Kalen looked around wildy. Where was she, who were these strange people, and where was Nevaria?

"What am I.. Who are you"? She didn't know what to ask first and her words seemed to jumble. At that point she pulled her swords and had them pointed towards the men. In her confusion, she did not notice that the taller of the men already had an arrow pointed in her direction.

"Who are WE"? We are the ones who found you and your companion at the river's bank. Look, you are weak and have not regained your balance. Come, sit, and you may regain it. I am Gimli, and this, is Legolas" the dwarf pointed to his companion and turned to Kalen.

Rolling her eyes, Kalen muttered under her breath.

"Of all things, a dwarf. I would have been better off in the mud".

"You would do well to show some gratitude, and you would also do well to put your weapons away".

Legolas spoke, eyeing the swords that Kalen held in her hands.

All the commotion had stirred Nevaria into consciousness. She opened her eyes to see Kalen, swords drawn, standing with two men in front of her. She stood up and pulled her own bow to try covering one of the men. Her eyes surveyed both of them, and rested on the taller one. He was an elf, like them, and an archer, same as she. He had blond hair and eyes of azure. She scanned his fair face and noticed the color of his brow was darker than that of his hair.

"What is going on here"? The confusion mixed with fear was causing Nevaria's voice to waver and she looked to these strangers for her answer.

"Your friend thinks we wish you harm" the dwarf said as if he did not understand their hesitant manner.

Not knowing whether to chuckle or snap, Nevaria replied in a cool manner.

" She is no friend of mine, though we travel together". She looked to Legolas, curious about his choice of companions. "Speaking of friends, you keep strange company, Sir elf".

Legolas smiled and looked at Kalen.

"Gimli is a truer friend than any other. Now, let us decide if our weapons are really necessary. We only brought you here out of kindness, nothing more. When you are ready, you are free to leave".

Was this male elf speaking to her? Kalen felt his gaze and the warmth of his smile. Only moments ago, he had spoken to her as if she were a child, and now he smiled and spoke like she was a helpless maiden. She glared at him. Whatever his intent was, they were going to know they were not dealing with 'helpless maidens'.

"We will accept your offer, but once we are dry, we must be on our way. Know this, we will not hesitate to kill you if your intentions towards us turn ill".

Did this female think she was threatening him? She obviously did not know that she was dealing with an experienced and much older elf.

"Lady, of that I have no doubt". Legolas smiled in amusement, he would play her game.

At that, everyone put their weapons away. The two females headed to one side of the fire and the men to the other.

" Our feelings for each other are our own business. These strangers need not know that a weakness exists in our alliance" Kalen said with the same angry tone she had become accustomed to using when speaking to Nevaria.

Nevaria nodded.

"I agree. I will watch what I say from here on out, though, I sense they are true to their words and mean us no harm. The elf has an air of honor about him".

"He also travels with a dwarf, he cannot be right in that blonde head of his". Kalen rolled her eyes and smirked.

Nevaria returned her smirk.

"So you noticed him? Why does that not surprise me"?

She knew she didn't have to give any explanations, but decided to humor Nevaria anyway. She grabbed a strand of her own hair and held it out.

"Yes, I did notice him, but not for the reasons you probably think. It is not hard to notice something so different from your own. Besides, this is my first sighting of a male elf. Have you ever seen one"? Kalen knew Nevaria had the blonde elf on her mind and wanted to turn the conversation to something a little less specific.

"Not in flesh, and none so fair as this". There was a twinkle in her blue eyes and a smile formed on her lips.

The women were so busied in their conversation that they did not notice the men in conversation of their own.

" Legolas, have you ever seen such color of hair or eyes"? The dwarf's question was full of wonder.

"Yes, very few times, but I have seen it". Legolas' mind turned to other things, and he spoke aloud to himself. " I wonder what they are off to do? Two women alone in strange areas, something is not right about that".

Gimli chuckled and thought on the females drawing their weapons.

"Still, they do seem to have a mastery of their weapons. And you, Elf, appear to have a mastery of women. I think the one with light hair fancies you a bit".

"I know nothing of that, but it would seem the other is in charge, and none too fond of either of us".

Legolas knew Gimli enjoyed teasing him about women. Wherever they went, it seemed that maidens were enamoured with him. He did not try, it just happened. He would never understand the fuss. He furrowed his brow and frowned. He was no different than any other male elf, but at the moment, the dark elf was treating him as if he had the looks of a troll.

"Does that shock or disappoint you" Gimli questioned, noticing the elf's expression.

Legolas snorted.

"I care not if any maiden favors me. I am favored by nature and the Earth. That is enough for me".

"True, but can the Earth lay a kiss on your brow to reassure you that all will be well, even when you feel that all has been lost"?

How could Gimli be thinking of kisses when she had made her feelings perfectly clear with those swords?

"A kiss? And you think this one would lay that kiss on me so eagerly? She would sooner see those swords in my gut or even still, slid across my neck.

Gimli smiled. He had caught the elf off his guard and decided to take his chance to tease him.

"Ah, so you wish this kiss to come from the dark maiden? I do not recall suggesting that this kiss come from her". A chuckle escaped behind the words.

Legolas rolled his eyes.

"YOU are an instigator. You have put words in my mouth".

Seeing his chance again, Gimli seized his moment. " Perhaps it is not words from MY mouth that you wish, but the words from those soft lips over there".

Gimli pointed to Kalen, and with an angry huff, the male elf walked off. Gimli knew he had struck a chord with his friend. Legolas would have argued his way did Gimli speak of things he disagreed with. The dwarf began thinking and decided that whatever came of things, these two were going to need a push in the right direction. Even dwarves knew what it was to feel the love of a woman, surely the elves could be no different when it came to love. He sighed. It was a feeling he sometimes longed for and one that he wished his friend to know. A mischievious smile formed on his face as he thought. Yes, and if he had his way, Legolas soon would.