Author Note:

For all who skipped the dirty lil chapter, this plainly tells you what you missed). Chimera tries to seduce Legolas and almost succeeds. Not giving into her he pushes her into the stream, flatly rejecting her advances. Chimera is rather angered by Legolas a.k.a. "Salogel". She storms off into the forest to be alone. Legolas commands his hawk, Julian, to follow her and keeps a watchful eye out for the Princess. Legolas, thinking what to do next, ends up leaving his house, (and Chimera) and heads towards the East. Chimera hearing a noise scurries up a tree. She meets a stranger who swings his ax at Julian, missing him, but hits the ground. This causes Chimera to fall from the tree. She lands into the strangers arms (of course she is a bit frightened).... and that pretty much summarizes chapter 9. =)

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The stranger, a bit unnerved, stumbles trying to regain his footing as the wind dislodges itself from his portly chest. "OOMPH! Well now, what do we have here?" He eyes Chimera lightheartedly, "It is not everyday beautiful maidens fall from the sky! I should hit the ground with my ax more often." He lets Chimera slide down from his arms, and he strains his neck as he looks up at her, "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Milady. Gimli is the name."



Chimera scrambles up to get a good look at this Gimli character. She looks him over seeing that he does not seem to be a threat. She wipes the dirt from her dress. "How do you do, Gimli? Smiling awkwardly she reaches down to pick up the picture, and dusts it off. "I must say I was startled that anyone would be in this forest... Is it your home, or are you a wanderer?"

"Nope, Milady. I am a dwarf as you can see. This is really not my neck of the woods.... though come to think of it, I don't really have much of a neck at all." Laughter exudes from him. Chimera arches an eyebrow at his outburst. "I was sent here, Milady. A hawk called forth to me... A favor from uhhhh mmmm.. uhhhhh," he uses his ax to scratch his head, "well to put it simply I was sent to help the Kingdom of Aqualonde.... I was told a Princess, was to be here.... Chimera is her name ...you wouldn't happen to be her now would you?"

Furry rages inside Chimera as she thinks, Of all things! He was never going to take me to Legolas! Instead he has the audacity to throw this damn dwarf at me to save my Kingdom! Her expressions grow cold as her face turns stony. Chimera looks down at the dwarf. She tries to compose herself thinking, Maybe I should be the one pretending not to be me! "Who did you say sent you?"

Gimli clutches his ax to his chest as he takes a few steps away from Chimera. "Milady, you seem very upset. Maybe you should sit down, eh? Do you know this Chimera? Are you friends with her?" Not getting a response from the she-elf, he continues, "Who sent me, eh? Julian," he positions his hands out in front of him, "he is yay high, a feathery creature. How about him? Have you seen any sort of creature like that?"

Chimera eyes the dwarf skeptically while thinking, I am not sure if it is wise to give him much information. "Perhaps we should go find Julian's owner, and he can explain what is going on." Chimera returns the picture back into her magic sack.

Gimli raises an eyebrow at her comment as he looks up at her, "Julian's owner? You mean Lego...uhhh Salogel? So, I have been traveling in the right direction. You do realize, Milady, that you seem to be rude?" Chimera, suddenly incensed by his words, allows her face to soften. Looking around Gimli thinks, Where is that ol' pointy ears? His head cranes even higher up as he looks into the sky. He sees the brown hawk, "Aye, there's that damn hawk that nearly trimmed my beard that I have been trying to grow since I was a few months old..."

Chimera looks to Gimli, "Forgive me master Gimli, but you must understand my horrible predicament. Here I am wondering around looking for this elf." she retracts the picture from her pouch, bends down, and hands it to Gimli, "I have been pursuing him for the last two to three years. Instead I find," she lets out a sigh as her eyes begin to water, "t-this vile elf that insists his name is Salogel!" She starts crying as she continues, "He was so mean to me!" She pauses while trying to regain composure.

"My Kingdom was taken over, and I have been searching... And he said the only way he would take me to Legolas is to.. to.. take him to my Kingdom... Which of course I did, and yet he still does not take me to Legolas... Instead he sends me you!" She looks down at the ground realizing she should not have spoken that last comment. "I am sure you would make an excellent helper... But like I said,... I have been searching for Legolas all this time. If anything, I am very infuriated with that horrid elf! Oh the things I am going to turn him into after what he did to me in the lake!" She stops aware that she said that part out loud. Chimera clears her throat, "Ahem. I am sorry. How very rude of me. Yes, I am Chimera. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Gimli." Chimera nods to him respectfully.

Gimli's eyes widen at her revelations. He turns from her as he asks, "Princess Chimera, if you don't mind me saying, how do you know this vile elf, isn't already in the process of seeking out Legolas? Of what I know of him, he is very resourceful. If you took him to your Kingdom he must have summoned me for a good reason. Perhaps, he himself knew that it would take more than Legolas to help you. I am sorry that he has been... harsh, Milady. It's no excuse, but men don't become civilized people when they are stuck out in the wilderness by themselves. I should know, I'm an expert."



A loud gaseous uproar escapes from within the dwarf, unnerving Chimera. The foul smell slithers into her nostrils causing her to gag on the wretched odor. "I lived in the wilderness quite some time." Gimli reaches for chimera's hand as he kneels before her, "I will do everything in my power to save your Kingdom, Milady. Let's go find that vile elf!"

The two companions journey from the depth of the forest and reach the quaint home. They reach the door of the house and notice a piece of parchment stationed within the crack of the doorway. "Chimera, its a note, it must be from Salogel!" Chimera removes the parchment and begins to read the letter inscribed in Elvish lettering out loud:



"Nailye, Gimli, chebhíril -o amarth

Anann cuio le, mellon, Gimli!"

Chimera tries to smile sweetly down at Gimli while she tears the parchment greedily within the confines of her delicate fingers. Gimli raises an eyebrow to the spectacle before him. She thinks to herself, That piece of err! How dare that elf leave me here with him! Turning to Gimli she states, "Well, this is all too much for me to absorb, and I am feeling very tired. I hope you do not find it ill of me to rest for ... Awhile." Gimli shrugs his shoulders and turns away from her. She quickly grabs the magic within her pouch, and blows it towards his direction chanting, "Alonga, Beoth, Tiwanna." The dwarf collapses onto the ground, suddenly, in a deep sleep.

Chimera slams open the door, causing it to crash against the wall. Her eyes scurry greedily, scanning the room. In the distance, lodged between two corners she sees a staff. She quickly strides over to it, and grips it into her hand while angrily stating, "Ready or not my dear... Friend... Here I come!" With that she takes up the magic dust chanting, "Lanna, Viota, Poli, Rifata." She transports herself to the location of the owner whose item she holds in her hand.

Perched at the top of a tree, Julian studies Chimera. He wonders how she appeared next to him. Surprised to be face-to-face with Julian and not Salogel, Chimera looks down at the item in her hand. Julian speaks to her in Elvish, "Mani marte*?" He looks at the object in her hand and thinks to himself, Is that my old staff?

Her eyes widen at Julian's knowledge of the Elvish language. She places the staff next to him as she responds, "You know the native tongue of the gray elves do you? It is very strange that an animal would know how to speak any other language than its own."

Her eyes look him over carefully. "Magic is how I was placed up here." She warily sits down on the branch. Her head is cradled against the bark of the tree. "If only magic did not use up so much of my strength I would be telling off that elf friend of yours. However, I prefer your company rather than Salogel's. I cannot imagine how a magnificent creature as yourself chooses to hang around that elf!" She looks sharply at Julian, "It was not nice throwing that squid on me. Especially since the poor creature was dead and spewing blood! But, pay it no heed. You cannot help it that he who feeds you is a ringedhel* (cold elf). Perhaps you should live with me once my Kingdom is restored. If it ever happens, that is." Chimera lets out a sigh. "I can teach you manners. Speaking of lack of manners, can you believe that dwarf? Very uncouth! However, he is not as uncouth as your master." Chimera begins to grumble, "Legolas, er Salogel, and his low-life-lake-escapades!"

Julian, remembering her in the lake, shakes his head of the memory, "Princess, I am not supposed to say much to you, but be aware that Salogel knows what he does. As we speak he is heading to the East to speak with the King. Would you like to see where he is right now?

Chimera looks questionably at Julian, "Obviously you cannot take me to him. I am too big for you to carry... unless... Are you planning to fly over where he is and I can see him through your eyes?" Her eyes regain a childlike sparkle.

"I could fly to him, but I am tired. Just grab my wing. It is similar to your spells of transportation, but we do not move. This will be fun. The offbeat things people do when they think they are by themselves!" Julian begins to laugh as he remembers what Legolas was doing the when he spied on him before, "Last time he was picking his nose!"

Chimera smiles sweetly at Julian as she thinks, I bet if I turn that elf into a field mouse Julian would eat him up. She laughs along with Julian, but at her own thought instead of his. She grabs a hold of his wing as he extends it to her. "This should be interesting."

Julian's eyes become clear as day. Suddenly their apparitions soar over the fields.

The wind whips through Chimera's hair and dress. She closes her eyes, "Mmmm, Julian, this is wonderful... so lucky you are to be able to do this whenever you please... sure beats walking."

Julian's eyes advert below them, "There he is, Princess."

Legolas lies next to a tree, basking in its shade. He is eating a loaf of bread while reading a scroll. The scroll is very similar to the one Chimera has, yet she and Julian are not close enough to read what it says. "I should have stolen some of that magic pixie powder from Chimera. I could have been at Aramon's hours ago." Legolas states. He finishes off the bread, folds the scroll, and places it beneath his tunic. He stands up, and adjust himself, "I have to stop jumping into the stream with these undergarments on! They always end up shrinking!"

Chimera looks down to see Legolas adjusting himself. She rolls her eyes thinking, Do boys ever grow out of their vulgar disposition? Her attention shifts to his buttocks region, Oh yes, I still do fondly remember that! She shakes her head trying to remove the image from her mind. Looking to Julian she asks, "How much farther are we to follow him?"

"As far as you would like, Milady." He notices Legolas has dropped the scroll. Compromising his position Julian communicates telepathically to Legolas, showing him the scroll through his eyes.

Legolas sees through Julian's eyes. He stops and turns his head from side-to-side. Whispering he asks, "Where are you Julian? I told you to watch over Chimera. I know she is capable of caring for herself, but she still needs a friend! Something I cannot be at the moment. Go Back, Julian!!!" Legolas returns to the tree, and picks up the scroll he had dropped. He quickly continues on his mission heading towards the East.

Julian, ignoring what Legolas has told him, asks Chimera, "What will it be, Milady?"

Chimera Gazes down at the handsome elf longingly. She shakes her head negatively thinking to herself, Snap out of it Chimera! No time to chase this elf! You need Legolas to save your kingdom! Sighing she remarks to Julian, "Perhaps it is best if we return."

"It shall be done." Julian states. His wings flap one last stroke as they immediately return to the tree. They stand on its branch watching the sun's departure from the sky. The setting sun paints an elaborate design of colors on the dusky sky. Bright magenta followed by subtle blues and purples dance harmoniously in its tapestry. "As long as I have lived I never tire of watching the sun rest." Turning to Chimera Julian adds, "Perhaps you should wake Gimli? I hear he makes fantastic fish kabobs."

Chimera refrains from arguing with Julian over waking up the sleeping dwarf. She sighs in defeat, "Very well, my friend, I will wake the dwarf." She removes the staff from its placement next to the tree, securely perched upon the branch. She climbs down the tree, with one hand holding the staff, and the other for support while climbing.

Julian follows behind Chimera, flying slowly behind her as they withdraw from the forest. They head towards the house where they find Gimli outstretched and frozen on the ground a few feet from the door. Chimera removes her magic pouch from her side, and looks to Julian, "Are you sure you want me to break the spell? He does makes a racket when he sleeps, do you not think so?" The outside of where Julian's beak meets with his face curls up to form a smile. Sighing, Chimera chants magic words that end the spell, and awaken the dwarf.

Chimera directs her attention to the groggy dwarf innocently she replies, "My you are a sound sleeper! Why it is already past sunset!" Gimli shakes his head in confusion as to how he overslept. His mouth begins to open in protest, but before words can fall out, Chimera quickly continues, "My friend and I," she notions to Julian, "we are quite famished. Julian tells me you are a superb fish kabob maker. But I told him that a dwarf is of no comparison in fish kabob making than an elf." She looks to Julian and winks as she continues, "Is that not true Julian? Why I even caught a few fish so that, if you were not intimidated by the challenge, could try to prove me wrong." Chimera's hands reach around her waist to her back. She snaps her fingers and two catfish magically appear. She brings the fish in front of her and shows them to Gilmi. "What do you think Master, dwarf?"

Julian looks at the delicious catfish laying in Chimera's palms. He thinks to himself, They best leave me some, or I will peck their faces in before they wake up in the morning!

Gimli studies the presented fish, "Fish Kabobs eh? No elf can outdo a dwarf! I accept your challenge." Chimera hands Gimli the fish which he quickly receives. He studies the fine specimens. "How does a Princess catch such fine catfish? Mmmmmm, Y'know Princess, I'm a big eater! If it's not too much of a burden, could ya go back into the lake and catch about ten more? What a fine lady you'd be! Make a fine wife one day, eh?" He throws the two catfish in the air, and with his ax he chops both of their heads off. He catches their scaly slippery bodies as the heads plummet to the ground. "There you go, Julian, I wouldn't forget you now would I? All right then, lets get to work.! Milady, I hope you don't mind a few hairs in your kabob- my beard y'know its always getting in the way." He turns away as Chimera cringes at the thought of pieces of his bristly hair accompanying their dinner.

Chimera heads towards the lake as Gimli enters the house. Julian follows close behind the she-elf. She sits at edge of the lake reminiscing about the events that happened earlier with herself and Salogel. She snaps her fingers and suddenly fifteen fish appear next to her on the grass. Looking to Julian she speaks, "Now there is plenty for you to consume, my friend. I may join you out in the forest tonight, it will be impossible to get any sleep with him snoring! His stifled breathing alone is unlike any I have ever heard. It sounds as though a herd of wargs is breathing at my neck! Do you agree?"

Julian's eyes widen as they soak up the tempting mountain of fish, He succumbs to his stomachs demand and devours them mercilessly. Eyeing Chimera he replies, "Can't talk. Too busy eating." He thinks to himself, I am going to sleep in my hollow tree, I do not think she can fit in there..... though.... hmmmmm..? I could turn her into a ......naaahhhhh.... oh ya fish!

Chimera's eyes widen in bewilderment to Julian's enormous appetite. "Will you have room for the fish kabobs?" She thinks to herself, I suppose I should acquire more fish. She snaps her fingers and twenty fish appear huddled in a pile next to them. "Perhaps I will not sleep in the forest tonight. Instead, I may send Gilmi out there. You two can keep each other company!" Laughter escapes her at the premonition. Julian's head pops up and eyes her menacingly. She kneels down next to the pile, and places the fish in the confines of her skirt, using it to transport them. Once all the catfish are loaded, she stands up with the ends of her skirt gripped securely in her fingertips. She walks towards the house.

Gimli searches around the house as he thinks to himself, I wonder where the skewers are. Hmmm... maybe I could use daggers. He opens the door and yells, "Princess! More fish less talk...." His eyes adjust to the darkness, and realizes that Chimera is standing in front of him. Her delicate facial features scrunch as she winces from the earful of Gimli's boisterous voice. He meekly replies, "Uhhhh sorry, Milady. A hungry dwarf is a feisty dwarf...my apologies."

Chimera feigns a smile as she grits her teeth. She remarks, "You are the chef, Master dwarf." She unhands the ends of her skirt as it drops the fish inside the house next to the hearth. Julian flies inside and perches himself at the top of the chair. She goes outside and breaks a few strong thin branches from a nearby tree and returns inside the house. She hands them to Gilmi. "These should work well as skewers for the catfish." Chimera's eyes run across the room and stop at the dead pit. She snaps her fingers and suddenly a fire crackles inside it as it illuminates the house. "Please continue, I am also quite famished."

Gimli jumps as fire emerges from the pit. "How did you do that? Julian did you do something to her because if you did.... just wait till your elf owner comes back!" Chimera's hand darts to her mouth as she works to contain the bubble of laughter rising from her throat. Julian looks to her as their eyes exchange amused glances.

Chimera turns to the baffled Gimli, "Tell me, Gilmi, it is rather strange for a dwarf and an elf to befriend each other... us being enemies and such. How is it you and Salogel became.... friends?"

"Aye, 'tis true, Milady. Dwarves and elves are enemies and have been for some time. Me and uhh Saglolel...Salogel...ya we became friends long ago." Gimli stares into the fire-licked hearth as he rotates the fish. He clears his husky throat in order to change the subject, "Do you like them bloody, Milady, or cooked to the bone?"

Chimera's mind reels as she is reminded of the bloody squid oozing on her head. She cringes as the gruesome thought, "Not bloody. Cooked, but not burned, thank you. So you have been friends for quite some time. What about Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood? Are you friends with him also?"

"Ahhhhh, the Prince of Mirkwood....what a fine specimen of elf, eh?" He turns to give Chimera a knowing wink, in which she blushes demurely. "Legolas actually introduced me to Saloge." He thinks to himself, I hope I have my facts straight. "He even showed me a few tricks with the bow, but with my stubby arms, I can't really pull back on it to let out a deadly arrow."

Intrigued Chimera responds, "Tell me more... about Legolas of course... everything you can... we are betrothed to each other.... apparently... and I am quite curious to know all I can about him."



Gimli takes in a heavy breath at Chimera's inquisitively. He turns his attention to the fish, "AHH! The fish! I got carried away thinking about Legolas!" He quickly removes the skewered fish from the hearth. He hands Chimera the small fish kabob. "Bon Appetite, as they say from the far east."

Chimera arches an eyebrow, "In Rhûn*?"

Gimli turns to look at her, "Ibun*?"

"What?" Chimera looks at him daftly. She shakes her head, "Never mind." Chimera and Gimli sit down at the table. She takes the slightly burnt fish and examines it closely. Gimli picks up his fish,, and stuffs it in his mouth, stick and all. He happily chomps away. "Ahh! Good sticks you picked there, Princess, gives it a nice piney taste!"

Chimera picks up the fish kabob and nibbles on it delicately, "Mmm, I do believe I was wrong... you are far superior to elves when it comes to fish kabobs, Master Gilmi."

"Betrothed?" He mumbles to himself, "Last time Legolas spoke of her she was my height... my how she's grown."

Chimera's ears perk up, "What was that you said.? You knew about this arrangement, did you?"



Julian's head cranes to Chimera and Gimli's conversation. He swoops down and lands on Chimera's shoulders. He turns to Gimli speaking Dwarvish, "Hush, Gimli!" His attention returns to Chimera and speaks to her in Elvish, "Are you tired Chimera?"

Chimera's eyes fill with annoyance as she ignores Julian's question. She flashes Gimli a dazzling white smile and pats his knee, "Please, continue with your thought."

Gimli's eyes widen as his face floods with constipation, "I uhhhh...mmmmm Princess, I'm gonna try and be polite. I need to excuse myself to let out some waste." He pushes himself away from the tables proximity and runs out of the house as fast as his stout legs would allow.

Julian abandons Chimera's shoulder as he perches on the unoccupied chair's back rest. "Are you tired Chimera?" Julian asks.

Looking at him curiously Chimera replies, "Why do you concern yourself with such things?"



"Well I was curious to know if you wanted to go to his house...." Julian looks at her with his cocked feathered head.

Chimera's mouth gapes open as she asks, "Whose? Legolas's?"

Elvish Translations:

"Nailye, Gimli, chebhíril -o amarth Anann cuio le, mellon, Gimli: May it be thou, Gimli, to keep the lady away from doom. long live, thee, friend, Gimli!)

Mani marte: What happened

ringedhel: Cold elf

Ibun: A son of Mîm, the Petty Dwarf

Rhûn: "East." The Eastern lands.