A/N: By now, you guys know I love you all. =-) I hope you are all enjoying the mush, lol. I had to put a bit of it in here. Sorry that the chapters are short, but the next will be longer. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

At the window the three of them stood, peering out like nosy children; Elrond, Calanagariel, and Gimli. Gimli, who was growing impatient with his lack of elvish hearing, hopped about, grunting and then finally requesting help from the two keen eared elves. They had heard the entire conversation, and were about to explain to Gimli what had happened when they suddenly fell silent.

"Well, what has happened? You know I cannot hear that far!"

Legolas entered the room with a quick paced stride that spoke of an urgent need to escape the confines of Rivendell.

"Come, Gimli. We should be on our way."

Gimli gave a confused shrug before pressing his friend for answers to the many questions that began to flood his mind.

"On our way?" Where are we off to now? I'm afraid, my friend, that I'm terribly confused."

"Forgive me, Gimli. Our destination matters not, I only know I cannot endure another moment in Rivendell."

The dwarf stared at Legolas, a look of dismay showing in the bushy, brown eyebrows.

"I do not understand, Legolas. What has happened, and what of Kalen?"

"I do not wish to discuss this further, Gimli. Stay if you wish, but I am leaving with or without you, my friend."

With a slight bow, and an abrupt turn, the forlorn elf exited the room. Gimli shrugged his shoulders, and followed behind him. Elrond looked at Calanagariel, his gray eyes filled with as much confusion as the dwarf had revealed in his questions.

"Did you have any sense of this?"

"I'm afraid, my Lord, I did not. I know there is no truth in her words, of that I am sure. I will get to the bottom of this, but I fear my stay will now have to meet the end it has delayed for far too long."

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Kalen had been sitting in silent reflection, thinking of the events that had transpired. She could hear the heavy footsteps as Gimli approached, and put a false smile on her face. She knew he would want answers, and at that moment, her heart did not seem to want to reveal them.

"Gimli, I am pleased to see you."

The dwarf frowned and took a seat beside Kalen.

"What has happened? This morning, Legolas could not be made to leave your side, and now he seems to be running from it."

"I have only told him my feelings. I suppose he did not like what he heard."

"Kalen, I wish to know what has distressed him. The elf has a mastery of his emotions, and to see him this way, I fear he may be losing that authority."

With a loud sigh, Kalen lowered her head and closed her eyes. The silent tears running down her cheek spoke more loudly than any word could. She trusted Gimli with the truth, and she would give him nothing less. He had a sense of honor that made her aware that he would carry any secret she presented, to his grave.

"He has told me that he loves me," she paused, "and I have told him that I do not return his love."

"But that is not so, I can see that clearly by the tears in your eyes. Why have you done this?"

She stood, towering over the dwarf, and then glanced upward toward the sky.

"It was the only way. It is not within me to be bound to anyone but to my people. The both of you have many adventures that await you, but I'm afraid my adventures lie within the city of Taureliloomis. He would not have understood that. It is far easier to get over something that angers you, as opposed to something that grieves you."

"You must stop him before he leaves, and tell him that you have lied!"

Kalen quickly turned her gaze to Gimli and then kneeled in front of him. The flowing burgundy material gathering beneath her knees.

"I will not, and neither will you. The tears you see in my eyes are a waste of time, and will dissipate. I have turned him away, and must see that decision through. If you care anything for me, and more so for him, you will keep this secret."

"If that is what you wish, though, I think it a mistake." Gimli sighed, the forceful rush of wind puffing his cheeks and puckering his lips. "Goodbye, Kalen."

"Goodbye, my dear, Gimli".

He kissed her hand and turned toward the stairs that led into the courtyard. Kalen could hear the sound of horses, and rose to her feet, her attention drawn to the sound of hooves on the stoned ground. A slight gasp escaped her when she saw Legolas seated atop one of the horses. Silently, she cursed herself for betraying her heart, but deep down, she knew that she had no room for him. Her mind had to be dedicated to the recovery of the cup, and would have room for nothing more until that time. Kalen broke the stare and turned her back toward him. Her eyes would betray her, as they had with Gimli, and she would not allow it to happen again. Legolas snorted, and when Gimli had mounted his horse, the elf nudged his mount onward, the second horse following its lead. He was a strong warrior elf, and he would eventually heal his heart and forget her. She, on the other hand, would be slow to heal. She had been so deep in her thoughts, that she had not heard the approach of her mentor.

"Come, it is time we return home. There is much to be done if we are to recover our cup. Lord Elrond has been good enough to give you more suitable clothing for the journey. You will find them in your room." Calanagariel paused and began to walk inside. "There is something I wish to tell you, but that can be done on the way to Taureliloomis. You may wish you could change today's events, once you have heard my tale."