Gimli's worried expression lifts as relief washes over him. "You had me worried, lass. Where have you been?" He scorns her. His attention abruptly turns to Julian, "Well, now that we've found her, I am going to jump in the lake."
They both watch Gimli scuttles away as able as his stout legs would allow. Julian diverts his attention to Chimera, "Gimli woke me up. I had to pretend I did not know where you were, and he made such a fuss that I suggest we search for you." He perches upon a lowly tree next to Salogel's house. His eyes bore into Chimera's eyes, "How was your stay?"
Chimera intently eyes Julian as she boldly confronts him, "Julian, I have a question for you. And I tire of receiving the run-around whenever I ask something. I need a complete answer, if you please."
Julian surprised by her question teases her, "Run around, Chimera? Run around with whom?" Chimera's eyes radiate a seriousness that offers no condolence for the lightness Julian offers. Seeing her burning eyes, he clears his throat, "I will do my best to answer it for you. That is if I know the answer." He closes his eyes as his mind reels and he thinks to himself, For the love of Ilúvatar do not let it be a question regarding Legolas! Who am I kidding? Of course it is a Legolas question! He clears his mind as he tries to communicate with Legolas, LEGOLAS HURRY BACK!!!
Legolas faintly hears Julian's plea, yet can not make out the words. "I better hurry, seems like Julian has had it with Chimera. She can be such a hên*!"
Chimera sits upon the fresh blades of crisp green grass between Salogel's home, and the stream. Julian removes himself from the tree's branch and swoops down next to her. She pauses before speaking, "You know I have never heard of an animal that could speak languages other than its own. Why you even speak Elvish, and Khuzdul*! Long ago I had met Salogel. He was involved in magic, and I was very intrigued with him and the tricks he could execute. I was taught magic because of my interest." She sighs as she openly asks Julian, "Did he turn you into the creature you are? Did he put some type of curse on you to be a hawk?"
Julian stifles the laughter that threatens to erupt from his small frame. He feigns curiosity as he looks at the she-elf before responding, "It is no curse. I chose to become a hawk. If it were a curse I exude enough power to reverse it." Julian thinks to himself, How in Middle earth does she remember me? I completely remember the time we met too ....but..... how is it she remembers?
Julian closes his eyes. He remembers the young Princess Chimera, and her brilliant stone necklace that cured Legolas. Although elves do not become ill, Legolas was afflicted with a curse that made him deathly ill. The day Chimera placed her necklace around his neck broke the spell, but with a heavy penalty. Chimera and Legolas, both of whom had grown affectionately fond of each other, had both been struck with an absence of the memories of their time spent with each other once the necklace was placed around his neck.
It was Meliana who asked for Salogel's help- Meliana. Julian stops in mid-thought at the resurrected memory of Meliana. Salogel went in search for a cure because she asked it of him. He returned with a phial containing a potion sure to break the spell. This potion contained a minor setback. Although both Chimera and Legolas's memory was lost the second the necklace touched his neck, Legolas's memory would be restored within one ennin*. However, because of the phial's potion, Chimera's memory of Legolas would be lost indefinitely. Every memory she acquired in the past few months would vanish with little hope of ever returning to her. When she had awakened, Legolas and Salogel stood at her bedside. Julian slowly opens his eyes.
Chimera raises her eyebrows in wonder, as she pries for more information from Julian, "You chose to be a hawk? What were you before you were turned into one?"
Julian, bemused by her minor interrogation replies, "How do you think I know Elvish? Nan, edhel*."
Chimera in disbelief asks, "You chose to appear as a creature, and not an elf?" She pauses before continuing, "Perhaps you are mistaken. I think Salogel turned you into a hawk, and put a spell over your memory as well!" Her voice is filled with pity, "He has turned into a horrid elf." She shakes her head sorrowfully, "Salogel was a nice elf... the elf I know now is so different from the one I remember from my youth."
Julian defensively replies, "I have always been a nice elf!" Realizing he said that out loud, and to his relief, Chimera had paid no attention to his hasty reply. He clears his throat before continuing, "I mean he has always been a nice elf. He is a little rough around the edges."
Chimera eyes him suspiciously, as her eyebrow raises.
Julian, feeling that he is getting nowhere, tries to change the subject, "Princess, you know what I think he needs? How do I put this without being blunt? Hmmm." Julian exhales deeply before continuing. "He needs the company of a she-elf. Perhaps you could be that she-elf?" Julian gives her an innocent but seductive wink.
Appalled, Chimera's eyes widen in disgust, "Well he certainly does not know what to do with a lady when given the... opportunity!" She thinks to herself, How could I throw myself at some elf that was not even Leg- Oh never mind!
"Poor Legolas, he does not know what to do with a lady." Julian tsk's at the predicament Legolas had ventured into. His voice lowers as he continues, "Can you keep a secret, Princess?"
Chimera thinks to herself, Even if I cannot keep a secret, who would I tell? " Of course." Her eyes gaze with anticipation at what Julian is about to disclose.
Julian clears his throat before replying, "Well princess, He is a little over 3,000 years of age, and has never been with the fairer sex- if you know what I refer to. He has been saving himself for that special someone. In my opinion, one to overlook his flaws. I know she-elves, especially those of royal blood, do not throw themselves at one, offering their bodies shamelessly. You are young, and desperate to save your Kingdom, which are valid reasons for you acting the way you have been. You are a lady at heart, so try to look past his putrid displays- and perhaps something will happen? But, then again, what do I know? After all you are also betrothed to Legolas."
Chimera eyes Julian as though he is insane, "Me? With that elf? I think not! Legolas is my lost love." She reaches for the silver chain around her neck and pulls out the stone attached to it hidden underneath the top section of her tunic. She looks at it while addressing Julian, "Do you know what this is?" Julian remains stone-faced as she continues her justified rant. Of course he remembers the necklace. It was the key in saving the life of his cousin. Chimera's arms begin to flail as she exclaims dramatically, "It is a legendary stone. The melded heart of two superior beings that were meant to be together, but were never allowed. It has magical powers, but only if it is given to a person by their own true love. That is what Legolas is... My true love." Her eyes rolls in frustration before she finishes her thought, "And Sologel will just have to find his own...female.. to take out his 3,000 years of tension on!"
Julian turns his head away from Chimera's and looks towards the stream to the dwarf bathing. He thinks to himself, She took the necklace! Legolas will pick every feather off my body, until I look like a ready-to-boil-chicken! His head clears of the thought as he notices
dead fish floating around Gimli and bubbles shooting up. He shakes his head in disbelief, and wonders if the stream will ever be safe enough to drink from again. He shifts his attention to Chimera, "Princess, where did you get that necklace?"
Chimera's eye dance playfully while she flashes Julian a wry grin. "Now, that is my secret." She looks curiously at Julian, "Is flying the reason you became a hawk? The feel of the wind throughout your body?" Her face contorts in a frown as sadness dims within her eyes, "And yet... and yet I wonder. Why do you choose to be confined here with Salogel? Is there not a special someone, somewhere whom your heart yearns for?"
Julian's stone-faced composure weakens under Chimera's sensitive question. There was a girl whom he loved- who he still loves. But it was out of love that he left her, or at least that is what he told himself every second of every passing day.
Gimli trudges out from the stream. He is only clothed in undershorts which are soaked and weigh heavily upon his waist. He notices Chimera and Julian in the distance, and bellows, "HEY YOU GUUUUYS!!!" His chubby arms wave about dislodging droplets of water from them. He gathers his scattered clothes from off the shore, and begins to walk along the edge of the stream, as dried dirt unhinges itself and clings to his wet, bare feet. After only a few minutes he plants himself down upon the grass and allows the sun to dry him.
Julian, with his beak clenched, mumbles in sheer irritation, "Could he yell any louder? The dwarf has bigger lungs than his head!" He looks to Chimera, "Princess, you ask quite a bit of questions, and I have been only answering. Where is the fairness in that?"
Chimera smiles demurely at Julian, "You refuse to answer my question?" She begins to tease the hawk, "So there is a girl whom your heart longs for is there?" Chimera sighs dramatically as she continues, "Very well, Julian, what is it you ask of me?"
"Where did you get the necklace? Did Legolas give it to you, or did you give it to him?" Julian looks intently into her eyes, for he can tell if she lies or not.
Chimera looks at Julian and thinks, Perhaps I should not tell him. He may take it away from me if I tell him the truth, and also be very upset. Her mind shifts. Oh, I wish Meliana was here! I would tell her what a vile elf Salogel turned out to be!! But- if she found out about Salogel and I in the lake together, she would be highly angered with me. After all, he was her first love. But then again... I thought that was Legolas. Oh! And I could tell her I found that old necklace I gave Legolas! How is it possible that I had forgotten such wonderful memories? She answers Julian, "I found it in Legolas's home."
Julian's eyes remove themselves from Chimera's and looks down. "Why did you take it from his home?"
Chimera laughs, "No, Julian. I answered your question. Now I get one answered!" She looks at Julian intently, "Tell me something about Legolas... What is he like?"
Julian, caught off guard by her question, cocks his head, "What do you mean what is he like? Well... Hmmm? He is very intelligent, witty, and an excellent marksman, hunter, but not cook- although, please refrain from telling him I said that. He prides himself on cooking, yet it still baffles me why. Is there anything in particular?"
Chimera begins to blush as her eyes sparkle, "What is he like with the ladies?" She removes her wrinkled picture of Legolas from her pouch and stares at it in awe. "I am sure anyone who possess not only beauty, but bravery and legendary status is sure to claim the hearts of many fair she-elves."
Julian laughs inwardly as he thinks of Chimera's innocence in her bold questions. "And being a Prince does not hinder his remarkable attributes. Well he certainly claims the attention of any lady he comes across. How they stare in awe of him! We would travel into a town, and every woman that was out-and-about would be eye-locked on Legolas! I can tell you this though, he never cared for any girl like he did for this one young elf Princess he met ages ago." Julian gives Chimera a knowing wink.
Chimera's eyes grow dreamy as she realizes that Julian is referring to her. Bursting with exuberance Chimera blurts out, "Oh, I cannot wait to tell Meliana! Why I have not spoken with her..." Her voice trails off as she continues saddened and distraught, "since I left my Kingdom." She looks to Julian tears forming in her eyes, "Thank you for being my friend. I would rather be stuck here with that dwarf, than with Salogel! In fact, I prefer the company of Gilmi over Salogel!" She thinks to herself, Well, that is not entirely true. Chimera mumbles, "That wretched elf." She clears her throat, "You were asking about the necklace? I took it because with it I feel complete. Not entirely complete, but I feel closer to Legolas." She removes the necklace from around her swanlike ivory neck and begins to stroke it as it lays securely within the palm of her hand. "Besides, once I held it memories I once had of Legolas and the time he visited my Kingdom returned to me."
Julian's eyes begin to twinkle once Chimera mentions Meliana. He thinks to himself, Vanimelda*. Julian's mind soars with thoughts of Meliana as he speaks to Chimera, "Chimera, I know you feel saddened over the travesty that befell you and your Kingdom. Please have some trust in Salogel. He wants to help your people as well as you. I think it will be at least another day before he returns. I have been thinking- how about you take Gimli and I to your Kingdom? Perhaps we could free some of your people? I know we cannot overthrow whomever has stolen your Kingdom, but we could do something before he returns. What do you think, Chimera? With our knowledge of magic, and Gimli's strength we may be able to make a difference."
Chimera's jaw drops at Julian's statement. She removes herself from the grass as though she was being singed with burning coals. Her hands place them self threateningly at her hips as she responds, "Trust in him? Just like Meliana did and he left her? Not a day goes by that she does not surrender to the memories of him that invade her mind and heart! The only thing that elf is good at is leaving!"
Chimera begins to wring her dress nervously, "Julian, although you have a great idea, we are no match for the evil being that is behind this! He is far too superior in magic." She turns around not willing to face him anymore. Moments pass before Chimera changes the subject, "I bet the dwarf is hungry. I know I am! Are you hungry Julian? I was thinking of something light though. I have had my fill of fish! I think perhaps berries and that stale bread that Salogel left would do nicely. Hopefully Gimli did not gobble it up for a snack."
The sun's intense heat rays soak up the stray drops of water from Gimli. He basks in the delight of its warmth.
Julian pays no attention to Chimera's sudden change of subject, "Like I said previously, Chimera, I do not wish to overthrow your Kingdom by ourselves. By chance, rescue a few of your people that would serve as aids to us when we return. If we depart around sunset it will be easier to liberate those that we can." His eyes dart up to Chimera who had slowly turned around to face him. "We could rescue Meliana."
"Meliana?" Chimera tosses Julian's idea around in her head. Reluctantly, she surrenders to his ideas. "If we go I only wish to return with Meliana. To arise any suspicion would be folly. I will show you her, so that you may know her face if anything should happen to me on this mission."
Chimera opens up her magic sack and pulls out a very small pouch. Inside lies ten smooth, miniature, white rocks with gold decorating their tips. Chimera pours the rocks into her palm. The stones turn to liquid and begin merging together. As they meld, their formation begins to levitate into the air. Shapes begin to settle until they form into a globe. Chimera closes her eyes and chants over and over these words; "Asierra, Forlorn, Chyn, Otchioro, Meliana!" Wind, out of nowhere, begins to pick up and blow around them. Suddenly, Chimera opens her eyes. Their color is no longer the sparkling green like that of fresh spring, but of a malevolent and eerie shade of bright red.
A figure appears on the globe. It is a female. She is young, but older than Chimera. Perhaps a few thousand years old. She is sitting in a stone dungeon along with an older female. Their blood is not that of the elves, but that of Pixies. Other prisoners inhabit the cramped stone imprisonment. They are male and appear to be elves. Darkness overtakes the globe. Meliana's figure begins to appear closer and clearer within the globe as it pans to her. Her long, silky, ebony, straight hair hangs limply down her body, the ends resting on the musky concrete floor. She wears a tattered, plain, gray dress. Hopelessness is etched on her face, and sorrow plagues her eyes. Her head turns to the side as she looks lovingly towards an elf with long brown hair that sits with the other males. She turns away and looks down. The globe begins to shake heavily. Chimera's eyes shift from red back to their natural greenish color. Instantly the globe falls to the ground. It shatters, and its remnants are the ten small white stones.
Chimera, languidly, falls to the ground weeping while gathering up the fallen rocks. Her eyes meet Julian's eyes as tears uncontrollably mar her face. "It is settled. Tonight we rescue Meliana." She places the rocks safely into the smaller pouch, and that pouch into her magic sack. She thinks to herself, He will not harm him if he does not suspect that I save Meliana. Besides he does not care about his niece. I know what he desires. And he knows that only I can give it to him!
Julian's feathers and body begin to alter into different colors and shapes. All of which he had never experienced prior. The cause for his uncontrollable mutation was rage that began to claim him the instant he saw the preposterous living condition Meliana was forced to obtain. He resembles an ancient phoenix with wings incinerated with flames. "I am not certain that I can wait that long." His eyes glow the same red that had possessed Chimera, "We must think of a plan to persuade Gimli to join us!"
Elvish Translations:
hên: Child
Khuzdul: Dwarvish
ennin: 144 years
Nan, edhel: I am an elf
Vanimelda: Fair-love
They both watch Gimli scuttles away as able as his stout legs would allow. Julian diverts his attention to Chimera, "Gimli woke me up. I had to pretend I did not know where you were, and he made such a fuss that I suggest we search for you." He perches upon a lowly tree next to Salogel's house. His eyes bore into Chimera's eyes, "How was your stay?"
Chimera intently eyes Julian as she boldly confronts him, "Julian, I have a question for you. And I tire of receiving the run-around whenever I ask something. I need a complete answer, if you please."
Julian surprised by her question teases her, "Run around, Chimera? Run around with whom?" Chimera's eyes radiate a seriousness that offers no condolence for the lightness Julian offers. Seeing her burning eyes, he clears his throat, "I will do my best to answer it for you. That is if I know the answer." He closes his eyes as his mind reels and he thinks to himself, For the love of Ilúvatar do not let it be a question regarding Legolas! Who am I kidding? Of course it is a Legolas question! He clears his mind as he tries to communicate with Legolas, LEGOLAS HURRY BACK!!!
Legolas faintly hears Julian's plea, yet can not make out the words. "I better hurry, seems like Julian has had it with Chimera. She can be such a hên*!"
Chimera sits upon the fresh blades of crisp green grass between Salogel's home, and the stream. Julian removes himself from the tree's branch and swoops down next to her. She pauses before speaking, "You know I have never heard of an animal that could speak languages other than its own. Why you even speak Elvish, and Khuzdul*! Long ago I had met Salogel. He was involved in magic, and I was very intrigued with him and the tricks he could execute. I was taught magic because of my interest." She sighs as she openly asks Julian, "Did he turn you into the creature you are? Did he put some type of curse on you to be a hawk?"
Julian stifles the laughter that threatens to erupt from his small frame. He feigns curiosity as he looks at the she-elf before responding, "It is no curse. I chose to become a hawk. If it were a curse I exude enough power to reverse it." Julian thinks to himself, How in Middle earth does she remember me? I completely remember the time we met too ....but..... how is it she remembers?
Julian closes his eyes. He remembers the young Princess Chimera, and her brilliant stone necklace that cured Legolas. Although elves do not become ill, Legolas was afflicted with a curse that made him deathly ill. The day Chimera placed her necklace around his neck broke the spell, but with a heavy penalty. Chimera and Legolas, both of whom had grown affectionately fond of each other, had both been struck with an absence of the memories of their time spent with each other once the necklace was placed around his neck.
It was Meliana who asked for Salogel's help- Meliana. Julian stops in mid-thought at the resurrected memory of Meliana. Salogel went in search for a cure because she asked it of him. He returned with a phial containing a potion sure to break the spell. This potion contained a minor setback. Although both Chimera and Legolas's memory was lost the second the necklace touched his neck, Legolas's memory would be restored within one ennin*. However, because of the phial's potion, Chimera's memory of Legolas would be lost indefinitely. Every memory she acquired in the past few months would vanish with little hope of ever returning to her. When she had awakened, Legolas and Salogel stood at her bedside. Julian slowly opens his eyes.
Chimera raises her eyebrows in wonder, as she pries for more information from Julian, "You chose to be a hawk? What were you before you were turned into one?"
Julian, bemused by her minor interrogation replies, "How do you think I know Elvish? Nan, edhel*."
Chimera in disbelief asks, "You chose to appear as a creature, and not an elf?" She pauses before continuing, "Perhaps you are mistaken. I think Salogel turned you into a hawk, and put a spell over your memory as well!" Her voice is filled with pity, "He has turned into a horrid elf." She shakes her head sorrowfully, "Salogel was a nice elf... the elf I know now is so different from the one I remember from my youth."
Julian defensively replies, "I have always been a nice elf!" Realizing he said that out loud, and to his relief, Chimera had paid no attention to his hasty reply. He clears his throat before continuing, "I mean he has always been a nice elf. He is a little rough around the edges."
Chimera eyes him suspiciously, as her eyebrow raises.
Julian, feeling that he is getting nowhere, tries to change the subject, "Princess, you know what I think he needs? How do I put this without being blunt? Hmmm." Julian exhales deeply before continuing. "He needs the company of a she-elf. Perhaps you could be that she-elf?" Julian gives her an innocent but seductive wink.
Appalled, Chimera's eyes widen in disgust, "Well he certainly does not know what to do with a lady when given the... opportunity!" She thinks to herself, How could I throw myself at some elf that was not even Leg- Oh never mind!
"Poor Legolas, he does not know what to do with a lady." Julian tsk's at the predicament Legolas had ventured into. His voice lowers as he continues, "Can you keep a secret, Princess?"
Chimera thinks to herself, Even if I cannot keep a secret, who would I tell? " Of course." Her eyes gaze with anticipation at what Julian is about to disclose.
Julian clears his throat before replying, "Well princess, He is a little over 3,000 years of age, and has never been with the fairer sex- if you know what I refer to. He has been saving himself for that special someone. In my opinion, one to overlook his flaws. I know she-elves, especially those of royal blood, do not throw themselves at one, offering their bodies shamelessly. You are young, and desperate to save your Kingdom, which are valid reasons for you acting the way you have been. You are a lady at heart, so try to look past his putrid displays- and perhaps something will happen? But, then again, what do I know? After all you are also betrothed to Legolas."
Chimera eyes Julian as though he is insane, "Me? With that elf? I think not! Legolas is my lost love." She reaches for the silver chain around her neck and pulls out the stone attached to it hidden underneath the top section of her tunic. She looks at it while addressing Julian, "Do you know what this is?" Julian remains stone-faced as she continues her justified rant. Of course he remembers the necklace. It was the key in saving the life of his cousin. Chimera's arms begin to flail as she exclaims dramatically, "It is a legendary stone. The melded heart of two superior beings that were meant to be together, but were never allowed. It has magical powers, but only if it is given to a person by their own true love. That is what Legolas is... My true love." Her eyes rolls in frustration before she finishes her thought, "And Sologel will just have to find his own...female.. to take out his 3,000 years of tension on!"
Julian turns his head away from Chimera's and looks towards the stream to the dwarf bathing. He thinks to himself, She took the necklace! Legolas will pick every feather off my body, until I look like a ready-to-boil-chicken! His head clears of the thought as he notices
dead fish floating around Gimli and bubbles shooting up. He shakes his head in disbelief, and wonders if the stream will ever be safe enough to drink from again. He shifts his attention to Chimera, "Princess, where did you get that necklace?"
Chimera's eye dance playfully while she flashes Julian a wry grin. "Now, that is my secret." She looks curiously at Julian, "Is flying the reason you became a hawk? The feel of the wind throughout your body?" Her face contorts in a frown as sadness dims within her eyes, "And yet... and yet I wonder. Why do you choose to be confined here with Salogel? Is there not a special someone, somewhere whom your heart yearns for?"
Julian's stone-faced composure weakens under Chimera's sensitive question. There was a girl whom he loved- who he still loves. But it was out of love that he left her, or at least that is what he told himself every second of every passing day.
Gimli trudges out from the stream. He is only clothed in undershorts which are soaked and weigh heavily upon his waist. He notices Chimera and Julian in the distance, and bellows, "HEY YOU GUUUUYS!!!" His chubby arms wave about dislodging droplets of water from them. He gathers his scattered clothes from off the shore, and begins to walk along the edge of the stream, as dried dirt unhinges itself and clings to his wet, bare feet. After only a few minutes he plants himself down upon the grass and allows the sun to dry him.
Julian, with his beak clenched, mumbles in sheer irritation, "Could he yell any louder? The dwarf has bigger lungs than his head!" He looks to Chimera, "Princess, you ask quite a bit of questions, and I have been only answering. Where is the fairness in that?"
Chimera smiles demurely at Julian, "You refuse to answer my question?" She begins to tease the hawk, "So there is a girl whom your heart longs for is there?" Chimera sighs dramatically as she continues, "Very well, Julian, what is it you ask of me?"
"Where did you get the necklace? Did Legolas give it to you, or did you give it to him?" Julian looks intently into her eyes, for he can tell if she lies or not.
Chimera looks at Julian and thinks, Perhaps I should not tell him. He may take it away from me if I tell him the truth, and also be very upset. Her mind shifts. Oh, I wish Meliana was here! I would tell her what a vile elf Salogel turned out to be!! But- if she found out about Salogel and I in the lake together, she would be highly angered with me. After all, he was her first love. But then again... I thought that was Legolas. Oh! And I could tell her I found that old necklace I gave Legolas! How is it possible that I had forgotten such wonderful memories? She answers Julian, "I found it in Legolas's home."
Julian's eyes remove themselves from Chimera's and looks down. "Why did you take it from his home?"
Chimera laughs, "No, Julian. I answered your question. Now I get one answered!" She looks at Julian intently, "Tell me something about Legolas... What is he like?"
Julian, caught off guard by her question, cocks his head, "What do you mean what is he like? Well... Hmmm? He is very intelligent, witty, and an excellent marksman, hunter, but not cook- although, please refrain from telling him I said that. He prides himself on cooking, yet it still baffles me why. Is there anything in particular?"
Chimera begins to blush as her eyes sparkle, "What is he like with the ladies?" She removes her wrinkled picture of Legolas from her pouch and stares at it in awe. "I am sure anyone who possess not only beauty, but bravery and legendary status is sure to claim the hearts of many fair she-elves."
Julian laughs inwardly as he thinks of Chimera's innocence in her bold questions. "And being a Prince does not hinder his remarkable attributes. Well he certainly claims the attention of any lady he comes across. How they stare in awe of him! We would travel into a town, and every woman that was out-and-about would be eye-locked on Legolas! I can tell you this though, he never cared for any girl like he did for this one young elf Princess he met ages ago." Julian gives Chimera a knowing wink.
Chimera's eyes grow dreamy as she realizes that Julian is referring to her. Bursting with exuberance Chimera blurts out, "Oh, I cannot wait to tell Meliana! Why I have not spoken with her..." Her voice trails off as she continues saddened and distraught, "since I left my Kingdom." She looks to Julian tears forming in her eyes, "Thank you for being my friend. I would rather be stuck here with that dwarf, than with Salogel! In fact, I prefer the company of Gilmi over Salogel!" She thinks to herself, Well, that is not entirely true. Chimera mumbles, "That wretched elf." She clears her throat, "You were asking about the necklace? I took it because with it I feel complete. Not entirely complete, but I feel closer to Legolas." She removes the necklace from around her swanlike ivory neck and begins to stroke it as it lays securely within the palm of her hand. "Besides, once I held it memories I once had of Legolas and the time he visited my Kingdom returned to me."
Julian's eyes begin to twinkle once Chimera mentions Meliana. He thinks to himself, Vanimelda*. Julian's mind soars with thoughts of Meliana as he speaks to Chimera, "Chimera, I know you feel saddened over the travesty that befell you and your Kingdom. Please have some trust in Salogel. He wants to help your people as well as you. I think it will be at least another day before he returns. I have been thinking- how about you take Gimli and I to your Kingdom? Perhaps we could free some of your people? I know we cannot overthrow whomever has stolen your Kingdom, but we could do something before he returns. What do you think, Chimera? With our knowledge of magic, and Gimli's strength we may be able to make a difference."
Chimera's jaw drops at Julian's statement. She removes herself from the grass as though she was being singed with burning coals. Her hands place them self threateningly at her hips as she responds, "Trust in him? Just like Meliana did and he left her? Not a day goes by that she does not surrender to the memories of him that invade her mind and heart! The only thing that elf is good at is leaving!"
Chimera begins to wring her dress nervously, "Julian, although you have a great idea, we are no match for the evil being that is behind this! He is far too superior in magic." She turns around not willing to face him anymore. Moments pass before Chimera changes the subject, "I bet the dwarf is hungry. I know I am! Are you hungry Julian? I was thinking of something light though. I have had my fill of fish! I think perhaps berries and that stale bread that Salogel left would do nicely. Hopefully Gimli did not gobble it up for a snack."
The sun's intense heat rays soak up the stray drops of water from Gimli. He basks in the delight of its warmth.
Julian pays no attention to Chimera's sudden change of subject, "Like I said previously, Chimera, I do not wish to overthrow your Kingdom by ourselves. By chance, rescue a few of your people that would serve as aids to us when we return. If we depart around sunset it will be easier to liberate those that we can." His eyes dart up to Chimera who had slowly turned around to face him. "We could rescue Meliana."
"Meliana?" Chimera tosses Julian's idea around in her head. Reluctantly, she surrenders to his ideas. "If we go I only wish to return with Meliana. To arise any suspicion would be folly. I will show you her, so that you may know her face if anything should happen to me on this mission."
Chimera opens up her magic sack and pulls out a very small pouch. Inside lies ten smooth, miniature, white rocks with gold decorating their tips. Chimera pours the rocks into her palm. The stones turn to liquid and begin merging together. As they meld, their formation begins to levitate into the air. Shapes begin to settle until they form into a globe. Chimera closes her eyes and chants over and over these words; "Asierra, Forlorn, Chyn, Otchioro, Meliana!" Wind, out of nowhere, begins to pick up and blow around them. Suddenly, Chimera opens her eyes. Their color is no longer the sparkling green like that of fresh spring, but of a malevolent and eerie shade of bright red.
A figure appears on the globe. It is a female. She is young, but older than Chimera. Perhaps a few thousand years old. She is sitting in a stone dungeon along with an older female. Their blood is not that of the elves, but that of Pixies. Other prisoners inhabit the cramped stone imprisonment. They are male and appear to be elves. Darkness overtakes the globe. Meliana's figure begins to appear closer and clearer within the globe as it pans to her. Her long, silky, ebony, straight hair hangs limply down her body, the ends resting on the musky concrete floor. She wears a tattered, plain, gray dress. Hopelessness is etched on her face, and sorrow plagues her eyes. Her head turns to the side as she looks lovingly towards an elf with long brown hair that sits with the other males. She turns away and looks down. The globe begins to shake heavily. Chimera's eyes shift from red back to their natural greenish color. Instantly the globe falls to the ground. It shatters, and its remnants are the ten small white stones.
Chimera, languidly, falls to the ground weeping while gathering up the fallen rocks. Her eyes meet Julian's eyes as tears uncontrollably mar her face. "It is settled. Tonight we rescue Meliana." She places the rocks safely into the smaller pouch, and that pouch into her magic sack. She thinks to herself, He will not harm him if he does not suspect that I save Meliana. Besides he does not care about his niece. I know what he desires. And he knows that only I can give it to him!
Julian's feathers and body begin to alter into different colors and shapes. All of which he had never experienced prior. The cause for his uncontrollable mutation was rage that began to claim him the instant he saw the preposterous living condition Meliana was forced to obtain. He resembles an ancient phoenix with wings incinerated with flames. "I am not certain that I can wait that long." His eyes glow the same red that had possessed Chimera, "We must think of a plan to persuade Gimli to join us!"
Elvish Translations:
hên: Child
Khuzdul: Dwarvish
ennin: 144 years
Nan, edhel: I am an elf
Vanimelda: Fair-love
