You know the disclaimer drill. I own what does not belong to Tolkien. Just wanted to say a special thanks to Ana and Stephanie and the rest of you guys leaving reviews. It makes me so happy to know that there are people who actually enjoy reading this story. I only hope I do not disappoint anyone. Lots of Love to you all.

"Is that a smile on your face, Legolas"?

Gimli chuckled with mirth as he approached the beaming Legolas. It had been long years since he had seen a smile so luminous grace the fair face of his closest friend.

"Smile? Oh, I was merely thinking how refreshing that warm water will feel on my tired limbs".

The towering elf glanced down at the smirking dwarf as he crossed his arms across his chest. It was clear that Gimli was well aware of his ruse.

"I may be small in stature, but I am not small of brain. I know you have finished your talk with Kalen. Must I implore you for details"?

"We have decided that she will be nicer to me, and she begged my forgiveness for her earlier rudeness, saying she would do whatever I wished to regain my good favor".

There was a brief silence, followed by a burst of robust laughter as the dwarf bent over, the look on his face one of pained hilarity. Legolas raised his brow and displayed a look of utter disbelief at his friend's reaction, quietly allowing Gimli a few seconds to expel his amusement.

"Well, if you are going to tell tales, you might as well make them believable, Elf".

Legolas grinned and then broke into soft laughter.

"You know me too well, Master Dwarf. I could not help myself". His smile then began to fade and he sighed with disappointment. "We have only agreed to disagree".

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Kalen, still enthralled with the whole conversation at the spring, walked to where Nevaria now sat, drying herself by the fire.

"So, what did the two of you discuss"? Nevaria attempted to retain an uncaring tone as she gently combed her fingers through her dampened locks.

Kalen opened her mouth to answer, but patience had escaped Nevaria's grasp.

"Did he speak of me"?

Why had she not thought of this before? These strange feelings had been weighing heavily on her mind, no solution to dissolve them had been found, and yet here it now sat before her. If she could bring Nevaria and Legolas together, the feelings she had would be forgotten, and she could still learn from him. Kalen giggled inside. 'I am so clever' she thought and then spoke aloud.

"Yes, he did speak of you".

"Really"?

Nevaria eyed her cautiously and Kalen could sense the doubt behind her question. It would not take much to convince her, though, for she had made her intentions clear from that first meeting. A few carefully spoken words and Nevaria would be a willing accomplice to Kalen's plans.

"Yes, he did. You say you have read about the union of man and woman, now is your chance to do it. You should persue him".

Perhaps it would be harder than she had initially thought. Kalen could feel Nevaria's doubt building as she readied for the oncoming questions that would surely be asked.

"Why are you suddenly being so nice to me"?

"I have never wished this rift between us. Let us call a truce. I shall even help you win your fair Legolas, even if it is only for one romp in the bush".

Nevaria smiled widely. Her selfish desires would take precedence over any dislike she felt for Kalen, and she held her hand out to her.

"Yes, that would be worth much. Fine, we shall have a truce. Now, let us go and spy on the men. I would like to get a glimpse of what I am to strive for, and I can bet that Gimli will be unclothed as well".

A look of disgust covered the face of the dark tressed elf and her confusion grew. What had given Nevaria the idea that she had ever wished to see Gimli nude? Perhaps in dwarven lands he was considered to be handsome, but the beauty the female elf saw in him was not of the physical kind.

"I notice the two of you have gotten very close in such a short amount of time. If you have a fancy for the dwarf, it is beyond me to stand in the way of true love".

"Gimli is teaching me much of the outside world and I am enjoying my time with him, but I do not have feelings of fancy for the dwarf. You go ahead, but I would be careful to watch my step. You know Legolas will probably sense you near, no matter how light of foot you are".

A devilish grin graced her face and Nevaria turned her head toward the direction of the spring.

"Perhaps you are right, besides, it will be a much sweeter surprise if I wait".

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When everyone was dried and rested, the four resumed their travel. Kalen knew this would probably be their last day together and there were still so many questions she longed to have answered. Perhaps after the mission had been completed, she and Nevaria could meet the dwarf and his elf to finish the "education" she longed to complete.

The thought had given Kalen something to look forward to, but she began to feel an uneasiness grow in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head and looked into the trees that surrounded them. The uneasiness could be explained as anticipation of what was waiting ahead, couldn't it? She was letting personal things overshadow the mission and a sigh escaped her. She was anxious about what was ahead, but she knew the uneasiness lied in parting from Legolas and Gimli.

Gimli had won Kalen's respect in three short days. Beneath the gruff exterior, there was a heart filled with friendship, loyalty, and love. He was indeed a true friend as Legolas had claimed at their first meeting at the river.

Legolas. Her thoughts drifted to him like a piece of wood in a stream, floating aimlessly and without ceasing. Although she felt safe with Gimli around, she could not shake the sense of complete safety that was felt when Legolas was near. She had felt it envelope her when they spoke at the spring.

Something beyond his words had spoken to her, reassuring her that he would fight to his death, if need be, to protect Gimli, Nevaria, and even herself. Those bright blue eyes had offered a glimpse into his soul, but she could not look into them long enough to see it all.

Kalen sighed. Perhaps she was not fit to be the leader of her people's army. She could barely keep her thoughts on this mission. Thinking back to the life she knew only days ago made her head ache and the endless questioning caused her temples to throb. She had been so confident the night she and Nevaria had set out, but now self-doubt was creeping in. Kalen furrowed her brow. Each step plunged her deeper into her own thoughts.

Legolas could see that Kalen was troubled, and a voice from within warned him that it would be on this night that she called for their parting. The talk at the spring had only bought him a few extra hours and he could feel his heart sinking with sorrow. It was this selfish sorrow that sent him into the depths of his own thoughts to devise a plan that would buy him even more time with his new found desire. He knew Gimli would agree to follow behind the women when they set off alone. Kalen and Nevaria could handle much, but when two were found against two-hundred, that would be beyond the skills of either of them.

"Nevaria, I must speak with you".

Kalen had broken the silence that had been hanging thickly in the air, and she did so without turning head, nor eye to Nevaria. Nevaria nodded and walked near her. The two elves stepped up their pace, and when she thought Legolas could not hear, she spoke quietly.

"I know you have your plans for Legolas, but we have our mission, and that comes first. I have thought of something that might please you, though".

The plan to meet up with the men upon completion of the mission was laid out before the saddened Nevaria. She could not deny that her heart had hoped to see the mission completed with the help of the fair elf and his loyal friend, but duty bid her to put such fantastic notions behind her. The mission should, and would come first and did not concern any other but she and Kalen. The thought of seeing her golden haired elf again allowed her to cheer up a bit and she nodded her head, signaling to her superior that she agreed with her suggestion.

Gimli had slowed his pace, not only to allow the females a moment of privacy, but also to allow a quick word with Legolas. It was during that moment that the elf and the dwarf concocted certain plans of their own.

"She is going to ask for our parting tonight, Gimli. I can feel it".

"Well, we cannot allow them to go on without us. There is much danger ahead and there are fell beasts that still roam about".

Legolas brought a hand to his chin in thought as the other crossed his belly to support the weight of his arm underneath.

"Yes, we are coming upon darker forests. Perhaps we could trail behind, just to keep an eye out".

Gimli nodded his head in agreement as he looked up to Legolas. The male elf continued to stare ahead to Kalen and Nevaria and made no attempt to see if his companion agreed with the suggestion that was offered. The dwarf smiled and knew he would only reach Legolas if he spoke with words the elf's heart would wish to hear.

"An excellent idea. So, we are now down to our final day together. Will you use that time fending off the advances of Nevaria, or spending what time is left with Kalen"?

Upon hearing Kalen's name, Legolas turned and glanced down at Gimli. There was a saddened look in his deep blue eyes that caused them to appear darker and he sighed deeply.

"I am afraid that she prefers your company to mine. Besides, I would wish her to enjoy what time she has left with us and she already bears much on her mind".

If ever he had been determined to see something to fruition, the dwarf knew it had never been more so than at that moment. The elves were a stubborn sort and it would take the cunning wiles of a dwarf to move things along. Gimli began to walk at a faster pace and the two males had soon caught up to Kalen and Nevaria.

"Nevaria, I wish to speak with you about something. Kalen, can you suffer with the company of Legolas for a moment"?

Kalen smiled and turned back to Gimli. She still could not bring herself to confront her feelings and so, did not look to Legolas. Her only hope would be to agree, continue to look at the path that lay before her, and try to fill her mind with plans for the mission.

"For a moment, but please, Master Gimli, do not be too long. You still have many lessons to teach me.

Gimli chuckled to himself. He was trying to teach her one now, though she did not know it. Legolas smiled and shook his head. He knew what Gimli was up to. Still, he was not about to complain and walked nearer to Kalen.