Chimera looks down momentarily before continuing. Her tone lowers as she speaks Elvish in whispered tones, "I met someone."

A sly smile begins to appear on Meliana's face, "Ah, Legolas," she states knowingly.

Chimera swallows down the lump that chokes with regret, "No.... Salogel."

Meliana's eyes widen at Chimera's revelation. She feels as though the wind had been knocked out of her as her breath lodges itself in her throat. She is silent momentarily. Meliana's eyes hesitantly look from Chimera towards Laurëan. They stay fixated on him until she forces them to look back at Chimera. Slowly she asks, "How is he?"

Chimera remembers how exquisite Salogel was when they were in the stream. "Well," she begins to blush as she continues, "I can see why you were so fond of him. But... he is.... the most insufferable elf I have ever had the displeasure to come across!"

Meliana's eyes begin to cloud with doubt, "Are you sure?"

Chimera, feeling a tangent of regret for being so broad with her dearest friend, solemnly replies, "Yes, most assuredly." She pauses, and then adds, "I thought he was Legolas."

Meliana gasps. She is taken aback as a stern look begins to mar her beautiful features, "You were trying to find Legolas because of what he said! Because he is after Legolas, and sent you to find him!"

Chimera's heart begins to ache as tears stream her porcelain skin, "Yes, I know I realize that, Mel. It tears me apart knowing how careless I would be with the life of Legolas." She pulls the necklace from out of the tunic, exposing it to Meliana. "I found it at Legolas's home. He had it."

Meliana stares at the necklace Chimera holds delicately strewn between her fingers. She smiles reassuringly at Chimera, "What happened when you put it on, Chai?"

Chimera's eyes light up as the tears halt, "I could remember things I had forgotten."

Meliana wraps her dear friend into a tight embrace, "Oh, Chai, I am so very happy your memory finally came back to you!" Meliana holds Chimera out at arms length, "You must rest now before we transport, little elf." The two females head back to where Laurëan and Julian are underneath the tree.



Meliana sits down next to Laurëan who lies his head on her lap. Julian sits perched on a branch to her right. She looks up at the hawk, "You are a creature of immeasurable beauty. Of all the creatures that share life with us, it is the ones with feathers that are most fascinating to me. How is it you are gifted with such magical ability?"

The hawk surpresses the lump that begins to form in his throat. There is momentary silence.

Chimera, sensing Julian's odd shyness, speaks up, "He is an elf who was turned into the hawk you see before you, Mel."



Meliana quietly studies the hawk. She observes his eyes quite closely while commenting, "Well then, my friend, did you turn yourself into a hawk, or was it Sulgul who turned you into one?"

Julian's heart softens at the melodic words that form from her lips pouring out his true name, Sulgul. He shows no emotions through his eyes, in order to conceal his true identity.

Instead of answering Meliana, he brings his attention to the she-elf sitting next to her. "Chimera, two transports in such a short period of time will take a lot of you, regardless of the power the stone relinquishes. After you rest a bit I think it would be wise if I transported you, and Meliana and Laurëan could handle their own transportation."

Chimera looks up at Julian who is obviously uncomfortable with Meliana's questions, "Yes, of course. Give Meliana a feather of yours, so that she may transport."

Meliana takes her curious gaze off of Julian and looks to Chimera. She speaks to her in Pixie, "Give me some dust also, Chai. All of my magic potions and dust were removed once... the invasion occurred."

Chimera digs through her magic pouch and pulls out the small pouch that contains the white rocks, "Here, hold out your hand." Meliana places her hand out in front of Chimera. Chimera dumps the rocks into Meliana's palm and puts some lavender pixie dust into the small pouch that housed the white rocks. She hands the tiny pouch to her, "Here you are, my friend."

Meliana looks at Laurëan who has fallen asleep on her lap. She begins to stroke Laurëan's hair while addressing Chimera in Pixie, "I cannot wait to see Sulgul again."

Chimera stares transfixed on Meliana. She modestly replies, "I am sure he will treat you better than he did me." Her eyes begin to burn as she thinks, He better treat her better! That vile elf! She struggles to produce a reassuring smile, "Just do not be too hopeful. Two hundred years have passed since you saw him last. He is not the same elf you fell in love with."

Julian stifles a smile as the two females converse in Meliana's native tongue. Although he is an elf, he knows the language they speak.

Meliana's tone is soft, but serious, "Yes, well he has a right to know of Laurëan."

Chimera sighs defeatedly, "You are right. Have you told Laurëan yet?"

Meliana is slow to answer, "About Sulgul?"

"Yes, of course." Chimera replies.

Meliana looks at Julian skeptically, "Is it wise to disclose information in front of him?"

A small giggle erupts from Chimera. "He is very loyal to Salogel, but there is no way he would know Pixie language."

Meliana hesitates before answering, "Yes, I suppose you are right."

Chimera repeats her former question, "Does Laurëan know of Salogel?"

"He knows only what I told him. Sulgul is an Elven Prince that I was... involved with." Meliana sighs.

Chimera looks to Meliana unclearly, "But he does not know of Sologel's name?"

Moments pass before Meliana speaks again. "No. I did not think it wise to reveal to Laurëan his father's name."

Chimera bobs her head up and down in approval. "When the time comes you will be ready. Her gaze shifts to Julian, who for the first time has allowed emotion to enter his eyes. Julian is stunned as his eyes are wide and glazed over. Chimera, with concern in her voice, asks the hawk, "Julian? Are you fairing all right? The sun will rise soon, it is best to transport now."

Meliana looks to Julian with her eyes slightly slanted trying to understand Julian's sudden change of emotion. She sits there curiously, as her mind drifts, trying to figure the hawk out. She captures a lock of her dark hair, and neatly tucks it behind her long sleek ear. Her bruised cheek is revealed to Julian's sight.

Julian is mesmerized as thoughts flow throughout him. Tears begin to fall. His heart melts knowing that he has a new love, an offspring. Suddenly, uncontrollable, random emotions flow within him; happiness, rage, anger, as well as many others. The color in his eyes begins to change from black to white, to blue to green, to brown to hazel. His feathers also change their colors uncontrollably. Suddenly Julian begins to change his form, from snakes, to owls, to insects to other wild animals. As he undergoes these changes an ice cold flame burns inside his inner being with raw abandonment. Julian opens his beak as a forceful "CAW," escapes from him. The loud cry that Julian produces unnerves Chimera and Meliana, and causes Laurëan to wake up startled. The three gaze at Julian in suspended awe and apprehension.

The cry awakens the sky causing a colossal beam of light to escape from the clouds above. Light shines upon Julian lifting him from the ground and absorbing him within itself. It completely absorbs all his energy. Moments pass achingly slow as Chimera, Meliana, and Laurëan gaze dumbstruck at the occurrence. Without warning the beam vanishes, casting Julian to the ground. He drops to his knees in his true elf form. The three gaping witnesses are incapable of seeing Salogel, only a black shadowed outline settles in their eyes. At that moment different lights glow directly above the Alqualondë Kingdom. The beams rip from the sky, and are hurled down into the Kindgom, as though they are comets hitting the castle. The intense energy of all the beams produce one monumental beam of light which suddenly vanishes.

Julian slowly ascends into the air. His eyes begin to glow a dark and enchanting shade of gold. They stare at the distant Kingdom. The beam that had shot itself from the sky was only an aide marking every creature in the Kingdom who had harmed his Meliana, and son Laurëan. Julian's eyes begin to see through the thick walls of the Kingdom, and views every figure marred with the mark of the great beam. Julian, still floating in the sky, looks up towards the clouds with his glowing eyes. The sky darkens, as clouds begin to hover menacingly close to the castle.

Julian shouts out mystical words into the sky. Suddenly bolts of lighting flash before their eyes, and begin striking down into the Kingdom, killing all who bare the mark. Again time passes achingly slow as Chimera, Meliana, and Laurëan stare off towards the Kingdom in disbelief. Chimera gasps and places her delicate paled hand over her mouth. She mutters to herself, "What is happening?" Meliana closes her eyes while shaking her head solemnly back and forth. Laurëan gapes at the light display in awe and admiration. Suddenly the lightning halts. Julian turns back into his hawk form. He loses consciousness, and slowly floats back to the ground.

Meliana is quick to react to Julian's predicament. Quickly, she picks herself up off the grass and sprinkles the bit of lavender dust on the ground. A bed of moss and wildflowers quickly spring forth, cradling Julian as he falls into the foliage.

Laurëan looks to Meliana with questioning eyes.

"Our guide seems to be consumed with much power." Meliana states and looks sternly at Laurëan, "Now you understand how dangerous magic truly is." Meliana studies the peaceful hawk lying upon the ground. She thinks to herself, What set him off to act so careless with magic? She approaches the unconscience creature, and strokes his cheek. Meliana looks to Chimera, "Chai, take my son with you. I will transport shortly. I am going stay with Julian."

"What of the castle? Should we not check on my Kingdom?" Chimera asks full of trepidation.

Meliana calmly soothes the she-elf, "No matter the level of power Julian is equipped with, he is no match for my uncle." She sighs as she continues, "My uncle is not himself. I am sure you know it. It is as though he is under a curse. He needs a cure. However, he is too powerful to be stopped by this magic. If anything it harmed only the humans and creatures that he brought with him when he took over your father's throne."

Pain etches Chimera's voice as she asks, "What of Asari?"

Again, the soothing tone of Meliana comforts Chimera, "Do not fret, Chimera. She will be fine. Now please, take Laurëan and go".

Feeling defeated Chimera reluctantly agrees to Meliana's wishes, "Yes, Meliana." She sighs as she heads towards Laurëan. She extends her hand to him, "Come along, Erneth*, I am to take you to your... Er.... New home for the time." Chimera smiles down at him, "You will be able to receive a decent meal and a good nights sleep." She thinks to herself, Unless Gimli keeps you up with his horrendous snoring.

Laurëan reaches for her hand as she pulls him up towards her. She holds his hand as she recites her transportation spell; "Plagoris, Milakis, Filanto, Diginte, Pinato." She reaches inside the pouch for her lavender Pixie dust. Grabbing a handful she quickly tosses it into the air as it cascades over herself and Laurëan. The two are transported to the outside of Salogel's home. Chimera stumbles, due to exhaustion, but Laurëan grabs her quickly. She leans onto him for support. Weakly, Chimera grabs the stone hanging delicately from her slender swanlike neck. She holds it and closes her eyes, feeling rejuvenated by its power. She releases her hold from Laurëan and opens the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elvish Translations:

Erneth: young one