A/N: Sorry this took a while! But RL's been quite hard work recently. My lecturers have decided to give me lots of lovely assignments to keep me busy (joy.). So updates might become a bit less frequent, as my time will be consumed with striving for academic excellence!

And Dilse has returned, but next chapter will be the last we see of her. (. Hey! This might not transfer onto ff.net, but Word just transformed my : - ( into a real smilie, with a head and everything! Very excited.

And I know, I said I'd put what Legolas had done with the box in this chapter. Unfortunately, there's been a change in plans. You're not going to find out for a bit yet. However, if you're incredibly desperate to know, e- mail me and I'll tell you. I feel kind of bad, because I did promise I'd say, but if you write you'll know how the characters can just sort of take control of your fic, until you can do nothing but obey.

Thank you very much to Kukabura for the chapter title!

* * * * *

The room was dimly lit with a flickering light from cheap torches mounted high on the walls. The healers had most likely thought that an Elf didn't deserve the more expensive lanterns. Once I would have agreed, but now I felt differently.

I didn't want to examine the changes within me too closely. In the not too distant past I firmly believed that Elves were no-good, flighty creatures who couldn't be trusted. That they never had a decent, honest thought in their thick heads, and that they would kill you as soon as look at you. That was what I had been brought up believing, what all my comrades believed.

But how many of them had ever known an Elf like I did? And I didn't even know him properly - I was sure that as he revealed more of himself to me I would grow to like him more. Or maybe like was the wrong word. I wasn't sure I liked him at the minute. Maybe I cared for him, but that was wrong too. I would have said I pitied him, but he seemed too strong for my pity. Some part of me, deep inside, respected him. He had done what I would've done: waited 'till the best possible moment, then attacked. Maybe I didn't like him for what he had done, but I couldn't deny that a part of me respected him for it.

My feelings for the Elf lying before me were as mysterious as the creature himself.

He stirred as I stepped closer to him, dirty blond hair lying mussed on his sleep-mat. He rolled his head towards me, revealing blue open eyes, and I found myself the victim of an icy stare.

"If you've come for an apology, I have none to give." His voice was blankly unemotional, but he held his chin up with strong pride.

"I was not looking for an apology. I came to give one. Elf, I was wrong to attack you over the matter of my box." The words came out stiff and formal. "I hope you will forgive me for this regrettable deed."

"Is that a regulation reply? Because it sounds like it was first said several centuries ago."

Well, it was, but still.The Elf could be a little more gracious! "Elf, if you do not wish to accept my apology."

"I do." He interrupted softly, but his voice still cut through my rant. "Thank you for your apology Master Dwarf." He covered his mouth with a slender hand, but only half-concealed a yawn.

"You are tired Elf. I will leave you to your rest."

"I am not tired!" He scowled petulantly. "The healers gave me something." He paused, tired eyes thoughtful. "Why did you apologise."

"I talked to the Elf in the healer's ward. He told me a few things, made me realise."

The Elf interrupted me for a second time. "You took advice off an Elf?!" The incredulous tone in his voice put me on the defensive.

"I was not taking advice, I would not have even listened to him if he was not just confirming what I already thought, and just because your hurt does not mean that you have a right to speak to me however you."

"Why can't I speak to you however I want? You are not my better, you do not."

"Elf, in case you had forgotten." This time, it was not the Elf that cut off my angry bellow, but one of the healers.

"Master Gimli, with all due respect, the Elf needs rest. I do not want to have to spend anymore time tending it than absolutely necessary!"

His callous words further ignited my already burning temper. "Do not speak as if he were some loathsome creature with an infectious disease, and do not call him it! His name is Legolas!"

Looking round at the shocked and distrustful expressions on the healer's faces, it began to dawn on me that I might have made a slight mistake.

* * * * *

That feeling grew stronger the following day. Everywhere I went, the forges, the bath-houses, the mess-rooms, I was followed by unfriendly stares and whispers. Apart from being extremely uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing, it was worrying. I knew what the consequences could be if someone was labelled a sympathiser.

Exile, or in the worst cases, death.

And a part of me was afraid that this would be one of the worst cases. I had never kept my thoughts on the stupidity of joining the war a secret.

Of course, a larger part of me knew I was over-reacting. It would most likely die down after a few days, and all I had done was verbally defend the Elf. The only complication was that Tharg, the healer I had shouted at, hated the Elves with a passion. He also held grudges. If any problem arose over this, it would be because of him.

And he was more popular than I. He had more support. Yes, I was the son of Lord Gloin, but many owed Tharg and his team life debts.

I wasn't sure what I should do.

Luckily, it was decided for me.

* * * * *

Dilse burst into my chambers, face red with exertion.

"Master Gimli! Oh, I'm so glad to have found you. You must leave, and take the Elf with you. There's no time to lose, quick!"

"Dilse, calm down, for Aule's sake. What are you fussing about!"

"It's Tharg. He says you're a sympathiser, and with your father not here, and Norin sayin' he'll not do nothing." She shook her head, hands twisted in her apron. "You must leave! I over 'eard them talkin'. They'll come arrest you, early tomorrow." Her panic rushed her speech, making it sound common and rough.

"Dilse, calm yourself. If they're planning to arrest me, I'll go tonight. They wouldn't let me leave if they knew I was going to, would they? Tonight, I'll be able to sneak out, and no one I'll be the wiser 'till it's to late."

"But Master Gimli!"

"Calm." She breathed, then nodded. "Females. Over-emotional, all of them."

"I resent that. Can you blame me for being upset? Tharg wants you dead, Gimli, and he won't be happy 'till you are."

"You must help me pack. Bring me food for the journey."

"You'll need something for the Elf as well, but that's no problem. I'll get you food, don't you worry. As if I could let you go with nothing to eat. The thought of it!"

That was Dilse. Glad she was feeling somewhat better, or at least acting it, I went to tell the Elf.

* * * * *

After receiving so many wonderful reviews, I realised it would be very difficult to answer them all. So I'm very sorry, but I'm only going to answer those with questions. But please don't stop reviewing, because I still love you all! And I have over 100 reviews! Yay! I thought that only happened to other authors.

pilot3001 - They might not have big parts, but I am also a fan of the twins, so I promise they'll be there. And the angst levels will be getting less for a few chapters, at least.

acadian angel -thank you! But I'm ok being up at nights; it's mornings I hate. My ambition is to become rich enough to become nocturnal.

Erhothwen - I was going to put what Legolas had done with the box in this chapter, but then decided it was going to work out differently. But, like I said, if you're incredibly desperate to know, e-mail me.

Goma-Ryo - The nasty Noldor Elf was just a random Elf, and the Elf that talked to Gimli was an old friend of Legolas'. Not sure which one you meant!

Diggey - Gimli was in a weird mood, or he would have yelled at the Elf. And the Elf was an old friend of Legolas'.

Nina - I'm glad you like and think it's good, even with no slash. Thank you!

EMQU - you're a wonderful reviewer! Don't apologise for missing a chapter! And I'm glad you're a Dilse fan. I was a bit worried about putting in an OC, but people seem to like her.

Elwing - Wow! Elvish. Colour me impressed. And yes, I'm sure Legolas would be very happy with you to nurse him back to health.

brazos - Yeah, I wasn't sure about how Gimli would react to the Elf. I think he was in a weird mood though, and feeling a tad guilty about Legolas. And I can just picture Gimli doing that! ( I'm very glad you like Dilse.

MoonFire - Trying to avoid giving the whole ending away here. I think I'll just say that I'm a sucker for "and they all lived happily ever after..." no matter how fairytale that may be.

Cassandra - I'm glad you liked Dilse, the Elf was an old friend of Legolas, and I'm very, very sorry about not telling you about what happened to the box!

Please keep reviewing! It makes me so happy, my house-mates think I've had a personality transplant. And I'm sorry I couldn't reply to you all.