Chimera's eyes expand at the sudden change in Julian's demeanor. Gently she coaxes the hawk to pacify him. "Please be calm, Julian. My anger threatens to bubble over, but how are we to save Meliana when it is our anger that rules us? Perhaps it is better if we do not involve Gimli. It is unnecessary for his strength to assist us if we are not seeking battle." Her eyes reach to the blue sky mixed with white sheeted cirrus clouds that resemble ghosts and meet with the bright sun situated halfway in it. "I must prepare for tonight. There are only a few hours before sunset."

"I believe Gimli would serve as a much needed benefit if he were to accompany us. Perchance if something were to go wrong, we have his strength as well as our magic to protect us." Julian's blazing red wings begin to return to their subtle brown coloring as he calms himself. "I do understand that Gimli would only slow us down. Perhaps there is a spell where we can summon Gimli if we were to need him."

Gimli leaves the comfort of the fresh grass, and stands up, stretching his plump arms towards the sky. He dons his clothes he wore earlier and heads to the house. His path takes him towards Chimera and Julian.

Chimera tilts her head, and her red tresses bounce as they shine within the radiance of the sun., "There is a spell that would work nicely! Gimli could hold onto a feather of yours and transport. Instead of him speaking the words, either you or myself would have to speak the magic words out loud. Only, we would have to carry an item of his; such as a lock of his hair... or even one of his braids would do!" Chimera's eyes look towards the stream, "I trust your will if he should stay or not."

Gimli stands a few feet away from them. He sends a lopsided smile to Chimera and Julian. Chimera stands up and returns Gimli a sincere smile of her own. She addresses both males, "I believe I too am in need of a refreshing swim in the stream." She leaves them as she walks towards the stream; her first chance of privacy since she arrived upon the outskirts of Mirkwood.

Julian and Gimli silently watch Chimera's womanly form walk away. Julian turns to the dwarf, his eyes are grave as his voice reeks with seriousness. "Gimli, I need to speak with you... inside the house."

Gimli's bristly eyebrow furrow in wonderment towards Julian. He nods in compliance and the two head inside the house.

Chimera turns her head as her eyes face the house. She scans its surroundings to confirm her solitude. Content with not finding them within her keen eyesight, she begins to remove the pants and tunic from her body. Only the necklace remains to cover her bare flesh. The five-sided clear stone shines brilliantly in the sun. Chimera's toes dip within the sober water. Her dainty feet cut into its invigorating coolness. Once the water encompasses her lower calves and knees she dives into it. Although the water is chilled, her body quickly adapts to the temperature.

Chimera floats on her back in the water. Her thoughts remain on Meliana. Mixed emotions consume her. Although she cannot wait until she rescues her dear friend, she is unsure of the consequences that may result in the outcome. It is Meliana's uncle who is the culprit behind locking up her people and overthrowing the Kingdom. She thinks to herself, What a horrid man to lock up his sister and niece within that stone deathtrap!

Chimera's thoughts shift to that of Legolas. I wonder if Salogel will keep his word and return, she thinks, although why should he keep his word to me? He did not keep the oath he made unto Meliana, and to her he swore true love! I wonder how Salogel and Meliana will react to each when they reunite. What a horrid elf Salogel has become after only a few hundred years. Sorrow begins to stir inside her as she weeps for the love Meliana has held onto, and the disappointment sure to ensue. Chimera sinks into the water, allowing it to flow over her head. She emerges from underneath it, breathing in the fresh air. She removes herself from the water and heads to the grassy shore. She lies down on the soft blades, and places her hand over the clear stone dangling from her neck. Her eyes close in concentration as she begins to chant magical Pixie words over and over, "Aflina, Corina, Mati." Her hand slips from the stone, and she is consumed within a deep sleep.



Gimli's tone is low, filled with curiosity and worry, as he addresses Julian, "What is the matter?" He takes a seat at the table and Julian stands at the doorway.

"Gimli, do you remember when you told us that story of when you went to visit your uncle in Khazad-dûm*, and you had met a beautiful female dwarf whom you fell in love with? You had to part from her side and you never saw her again? I do not mean to burden you with sorrowful memories of the past, but my situation is uncannily similar. Meliana is being held captive in a rancid dungeon, and Chimera and I plan to retrieve Meliana tonight from Alqualondë We need your help. I have to save her, Gimli!"

Gimli hangs his head in sorrow as the brim of his eyes redden and tears that threaten to spill from within. He regrettably remembers his lost love, and the fact that he will never see her again. "Meliana? I remember you speaking of her before, Salogel."

Julian's wings spread, as the albino color begins to fill them. A bright radiation illuminates Julian's form as he transcends into his true self. "Be still, Gimli. I do not wish for Chimera to find out my true identity. Legolas, and I have made a pact. I know I do not have to fill you in about what happened between Legolas and Chimera, and Meliana and myself those few hundred years ago. Gimli, the girls were too young, and we could not embark them in a destiny we were uncertain of. That is why it remained while we left. Those were hard times for us, but now it is different. We no longer have to hide from its power. Also, Legolas's father, King Thranduil, who is also my uncle, had passed away. Then Chimera had lost her memory. I convinced Legolas that we needed to leave. It was the most toilsome decision I had ever made, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Gimli, I ask of you to stay here in case Legolas returns."

Gimli slowly brings his head up. Apprehension mars his rough features as he absorbs what Salogel is telling him. "Salogel, my honor is to Legolas as well as you, but I cannot permit you and Chimera to go off by yourselves."

Salogel kneels next to Gimli so that they are eye-to-eye with each other. "You know my powers have grown, and that I am extremely powerful. However, I believe that if something were to happen and I was not capable of handling it, I would need you by my side. There is a spell where I can summon you. I would snap my fingers... well technically my wings since I will be transformed into Julian by then, and you would be at my side in an instant."

Gimli sighs defeatedly, "I will agree, Salogel. But if Legolas does return before you do from this escapade I will not be the one to tell him where you are at!"

Salogel smiles at Gimli. The elf's eyes begin to glaze over in a glossy white film, and instantly he transforms back into his hawk form, Julian.

**********************************

A few hours pass as the sun rejuvenates Chimera and gives her clarity as well as strength. She thinks to herself, Pixies are wise with their knowledge of nature. Although, it is odd how this necklace gives me such strength and liveliness that I have never endured before. She sits up, and notices the sun's departure from the sky. Chimera sighs at the beautiful sight. She reaches for Legolas's clothes she stripped from her body, and stands up and slips on the pants and tunic. She heads to the house and goes inside. She snaps her fingers and a gray sack appears next to her belongings with cheese and bread filled inside. Chimera dumps the food contents onto the table and looks to Gimli and Julian. "Eat up," she instructs. Gimli's greedy hand reaches for a loaf and a log of cheese. Speaking Elvish, she addresses Julian, "Will Gimli be joining us?"

Gimli grumbles underneath his breath while his teeth rend a section of the loaf of bread. "It is rude to speak to someone in another language when someone else in that room does not know it." He states as particles of bread crumbs hurl into the air.

Julian addresses Gimli in Dwarvish, "Do not fret, Gimli. Apparently the Princess does not know how to dress herself! She has her clothes on inside-out!" Julian and Gimli look Chimera up and down as they begin to chuckle at Chimera's hastiness.

Teasingly, Julian remarks to her, "Princess, when was the last time you dressed yourself? It appears that your magic is a bit rusty. Or perhaps you need lessons on how to put on pants!" Both Gimli and Julian laugh with hysteria. Julian tries to conduct himself, "Sorry, Princess. Just a little humor to ease the tension in the room."

Chimera's eyes dart to the inside-out clothing. Her face flushes as she partakes in laughter with Gimli and Julian. "Excuse me." She goes outside and removes the tunic. She is careful to make sure that she dons them on correctly this time. She reenters the home, "You two may eat, but not all of it. I need some to feed my people as well as Meliana." Chimera's eyes search the small house while thinking, Well it is a more suitable place for Meliana than that cold cramped enclosure.

Chimera heads outside. She looks down at her small bare feet. She thinks to herself, I cannot go barefoot. I need some boots, as well as a cloak. The she-elf snaps her fingers and tall black boots that stretch halfway to her calves are placed on her feet. A dark brown cloak appears on her back. It is fastened with a black-jeweled broach.

She heads to the stream. Her hands are placed upon her hips as she stares out into its peacefulness. She thinks to herself, I cannot use too much of my magic on trifle things, and steps out a few feet into it. The water is only high enough to wet her boots, but not her pants.

She hunches over as she sees a fish whose scales are a deep plum color with yellow stripes. Her hands delve into the brisk coolness and grip the slippery creature. She treads out of the water and the fish jumps from her palms into the cool grass kissed by the night air. The fish struggles for breath as it hops around hopelessly. Its movements lessen as death settles in until it is completely still.

She returns to the stream to catch a few more fish. A few hours pass until exhausted, Chimera heads back. She carries twelve fish with her and places them on the table. The salty fish smell weighs heavy within the small house. She crosses to the cabinet to retrieve a plate. She brings it to the table as she holds up two of the fresh fish. Her eyes sear Julian and Gimli, "These two are for Meliana when we bring her back." She reaches for the sack the bread and cheese, she magically summoned, dwelt in. She reloads the bag with the bread, the cheese, and the remaining fish. She ties the sack securely with a tiny, leather-braided rope, and she places it near to the door.

Gimli plucks a strand of his hair from his beard. The sudden pain causes him to wince as tears threaten to water his eyes.

Julian extends his wing and Gimli places his hair within the folds of it. "Do not worry, Gimli. We will return before you know it."

Gimli feigns a smile at Julian's comment. "Be careful you two."

Chimera looks at the concern plaguing Gimli's face "Thank you, Gimli." She approaches him and places a feathered kiss on his forehead.

Julian looks to Chimera, "It will be best to transport us to that tree you took Lego.. er... Salogel to. Shall I sit on your shoulders?"

"Hop on," Chimera indicates to Julian with her head to get on her shoulders. She picks up the food sack and stands it up against her slender legs. She reaches her hand in the pouch clinging to her side. She scoops up a handful of the lavender magic dust and holds it out in front of her. Her arm contracts as the dust soars into the air above them, and floats down upon their heads. She begins to chant the transportation spell; "Plagoris, Milakis, Filanto, Diginte, Pinato."

The two are transported to the small island. They stand next to the same tree she had transported herself and Legolas to. Chimera, feeling a tad weak, grips the stone necklace in her hand. Strength quickly returns to her as it rushes through her veins. Her eyes look to the Alqualondë Kingdom ten leagues away from the island they stand on. "Any suggestions for getting across?"

Julian's coat of feathers turn jet black to match the darken night sky. "Let me scour the land ahead of us. It would be wise not to transport anymore than we need to. We know nothing about who took control of your Kingdom. They may have mystical powers where they can sense magic." Julian flies into the air, and looks in every direction. He notices a small rowboat. He returns to Chimera, landing on her right shoulder. "I found a small boat, less than a league up ahead. By its designs and carvings, it appears to be an Elvish boat. Perhaps someone has escaped?"

Dwarvish Translation:

Khazad-dûm: "Dwerrowdelf." The mansions of the Dwarves'. Moria.