As previously stated, I do not own LOTR or any character from that series. Kalen, Nevaria, Calanagariel, Niphredia, etc. are mine.

The fire had begun to die down and Legolas had returned from his "walk", carrying dead foliage for the fire. He looked at Kalen and Nevaria. It was apparent that they were not fond of one another, so why did they travel together? Legolas' mind began to wander off into thought. He was quite curious to know the answer to that and many other things, but he would have to ask the ones who truly held the answers.

"I believe that Gimli and I have given our names, but I do not recall hearing either of yours".

Kalen looked at Nevaria, hoping she would keep their identities secret. These strangers had no need of their names. All hopes faded when Nevaria, in an attempt for attention, anxiously revealed their identities.

"I am Nevaria, and that is Kalen".

Kalen's cheeks flushed and her ears were heated. Damn her! Why would she not make up false identities or simply refuse to answer? That is what she would have done, but Nevaria was nothing like her. The attention of this male elf seemed more important to Nevaria than secrecy or honor. As long as this Legolas did not question them further, there was still hope they could retain some amount of secrecy.

"And tell me, how was it the two of you ended up in the river? You seem to be out of your homelands".

Obviously he was not going to make things any easier for her. She shifted her bottom and looked at Nevaria once more. There would be no way to keep her from revealing further information but to speak before she did.

"I believe we have become as dry as is possible. We should be on our way lest we lose any more valuable time". Kalen wasn't so much speaking to Legolas or Gimli as she was to Nevaria.

Gimli glanced at Legolas. He could see the elf still held a curiosity that would cause him to press further for answers, even as the dark elf tried to escape without giving them.

"What direction do you travel from here"? Legolas looked to Nevaria, knowing she would be the one to give the answers he so desperately sought.

"Please, do not mistake gratitude for something else. There is no desire to converse with you on the direction of the wind or to exchange happy tales of our lives. We simply need to be on our way."

Kalen glared at him for trying to undermine her authority. She could see how true the teachings in Taureliloomis had been. A male will try to use your emotions against you to achieve his goals. In this case, Legolas happened to be using Nevaria's obvious infatuation to attain information. Kalen huffed inwardly. Even the dwarf, who had not the fair looks of Legolas, had been polite enough not to press for information he knew did not belong to him.

"He only asks because we may be headed the same way and could offer company by traveling together. Perhaps we could even offer up our arms, should your need arise". Gimli cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that hung in the air.

"I thank you Sir Dwarf for your courteous offer, but we must travel alone from here". Kalen nodded her head towards Gimli. This was something she had not heard of Dwarves, but she knew he was offering out of kindness and courtesy.

Nevaria looked at Kalen. How did the council ever decide on making her the Captain of Guards? There were fell beasts that still roamed Middle Earth, the Uruk-Hai at the bridge was proof. When the dark Lord had been defeated, his horrid creations remained, though he did not. These two males could come in very handy if there was an attack.

"Four are better than two, Kalen. If the Elf and his dwarf wish to travel with us, maybe we should consider it. It wouldn't hurt to have such strong, skillful males as our allies". Nevaria looked at Legolas and though speaking to Kalen, directed her gaze toward the male elf. "Besides, I would much rather have faces, other than yours, to look upon for a little while longer".

"Then it is decided? If we travel the same direction, we will travel together. If not, then we say our farewells here". Gimli smiled, hoping the mouthy elf with light hair would speak up first. He would not have long to wait, as Nevaria blurted out their direction in a rushed tone.

"We travel into the West".

Kalen shot an angry look at Nevaria. These "allies" would do nothing but distract Nevaria and slow their misson. It was painfully obvious that her authority meant nothing to the insubordinate scout. Sure, she might have lost the moment, but she would regain some sort of control in her favor.

"Fine, but at the point of MY choosing, we will part company. Agreed"?

Gimli's heart fluttered with excitement. Nevaria had just bought him a little more time to work his magic on Kalen and Legolas.

"Yes, if that is what you wish".

After a few moments of silence, the four gathered their things and were once again on their way. Legolas kept his distance from Kalen by walking slower than was natural for an elf, Nevaria followed close to Legolas and Gimli struggled to keep up with the long strides of Kalen. He had to admit that he, himself, found this she-elf intriguing. He wanted to know her likings, and hear tales of adventure. It would satisfy his hunger for knowledge, but it would also help in his matchmaking scheme. He asked questions and she answered them, curt and without any elaboration. Getting answers from her was proving to be as difficult as dancing a waltz with a balrog. Still, he inquired tirelessly.

Though he did not ask anything that might endanger the mission, Kalen began growing tired of his endless questions. She began to wonder if all dwarves were as curious as Gimli, or if it was just the male gender in general that had this nosy quality. Even still, there was something about him that made her wonder if the teaching of Taureliloomis applied to every male of if some few were exceptions.

"Dwarf, I am finding it hard to be distasteful to you. You are quite agreeable in temperment, and though I wish to know things of you, I am finding it hard to see past the fact that you are not only a dwarf, but also a male".

Gimli laughed and teased her in the manner that had become 'Gimli'. "Do not tell me you are one who fancies females".

Kalen laughed. He probably had been unaware that such a place as Taurliloomis even existed, and so, would probably not understand that it was possible to exist without giving in to the desires of the flesh. That was another thing she had been taught. The sole purpose for the male existence was fornication.

"No, I do not, but I have only known females during my lifetime and have been taught that men are not to be trusted. You and your elf are the first males I have had contact with in all of my long years".

"Ah! Dear lady, Legolas and I have overcome prejudices of our own. We are now the greatest of friends. Give it time, and you may yet overcome many things as well.

Kalen looked back at Nevaria and Legolas. It was clear that Nevaria was having no trouble in "overcoming". True, he was very pleasing to the eye, but not pleasing enough to forget the teachings of the council. Kalen could tell that he was much older, and the air about him spoke of experience. Much might be learned from him if she dared let her guard down long enough. A feeling inside her at that moment told her that getting too close could prove disasterous. It would be in her best interest to keep a safe distance. Besides, it would not be easy gaining knowledge with Nevaria hanging on to his every word as if it contained all the secrets of the universe. A strange sensation twinged in her. Was she actually jealous? She had felt mild envy before, but never this feeling of wanting to attack and mame. 'Attack and mame'? Kalen giggled, not realizing it was out loud.

"You have found something that amuses you"? Gimli looked at her with a smile.

"Yes, just a thought. A ridiculous thought at that.

Still, it had brought her a brief moment of joy, and Gimli could sense that she, although it seemed to be the elves way, kept her emotions bottle inside as if she were afraid to show that she had any.

"Forgive my boldness, but joy, no matter how brief, is something to be cherished. I sense that you have denied yourself that right for a long time".

Kalen smiled. "Gimli, I have felt joy. Maybe not for the things you might find joy in, but I have felt it, and cherished it. It is a luxury I will have little time to indulge in now, but I will still have memories that linger in my mind".

Legolas and Nevaria walked further behind and Nevaria did questioning of her own.

"You are an archer like me. I should like to see your 'technique' sometime. Tell me, where is your home, and how did you come to travel with this dwarf"?

Legolas sighed. Long had it been since he had set foot on the soil of his father's kingdom.

"I hail from Mirkwood. As for Gimli, we traveled together as part of a fellowship of nine. Ah, that was many years ago, but our friendship has remained true. Now you must satisfy a curiosity of mine. Where is it that you and your companion come from"?

"We are from the forest of Taureliloomis. Have you heard of it"?

Suddenly Legolas understood. He had heard his father speak of the females of this forest. Not only were they fierce warriors, but had a disliking of men that rivaled their ferocity in battle. So, this was the source of Kalen's unpleasant attitude towards him.

"Yes, I have heard of your home and your people. I have never been, but know I would not be welcome".

The stars were once again in Nevaria's eyes, and she could not help but flatter him with words.

"Perhaps, but had you been, the Eldars would surely begin rethinking their views on males".

Legolas knew she was flirting, but remained uninterested. She was one who was easily swayed with sweet words and fair faces. These were not qualities he favored in a female. Still, she offered some form of pleasant company. He looked ahead to Kalen. Her long, black hair hung up on the hood of her cloak, and her long legs were clad in brown leggings. The black boots she wore were spattered with mud from the river that she had washed up on. She seemed more concerned with her journey and less with her appearance. She had no idea that this was a small source for the mysterious attraction the male elf felt towards her.

There it was, he had finally thought it to himself. He was attracted to her. Acting on that attraction would prove no easy task, though, not impossible. She could, however, call for the parting of ways at any time. It seemed to be a battle he was unable to begin, much less hope to win. He would let fate decide what road he was to travel down, and would not make any rash decisions until he was shown a sign.