A/N: I'm so sorry! I've got no idea why it took this long to get this out, it just did. I have had a lot of uni work recently, so I suppose that's why. Anyway; here you are: chapter ten.

Thank you very much to Kukabura for the chapter title!

* * * * *

It vaguely reminded me of enemy camps: on one side, Legolas and I, on the other, Strider. The campfire, in between, was the centre of the battlefield. Still, I thought we were making progress.

It was now early dusk, approximately an hour after finding Strider. I was feeling rather pleased with myself - I had fully convinced Legolas that no, Strider was not about to leap up and attack us, and had half convinced Strider that Legolas was a) not mad, b) not normally that bloodthirsty, and c) not about to leap up and attack him. It had not been an easy task.

I had also told Strider more about us - why we were here, what our plans were, why we were together. He, in return, had told us that he was travelling north, to meet someone called 'Gandalf.' Apparently he'd been visiting his parents in Gondor, but lived with the other 'Rangers.' I would never admit this to the Elf, but a lot of what he had said had been over my head. He obviously wasn't one to explain what he meant or what he was on about, and as a result I was hopelessly confused.

Legolas didn't seem to have the same problem, but then, he didn't seem to have been listening. Personally, I was enjoying what was making Strider so uncomfortable - for once, Legolas was glaring at him.

Not me.

* * * * *

"Man." Startled, I jerked round. So far, conversation had been limited to phrases like 'are you sure no Noldor patrols come this way?' "Tell me what you know of the Elven prisoners in Rivendell."

I watched Strider, wondering how he was going to react to Legolas at his most imperious.

Predictably, he did not react well.

"Why should I tell you? For all I know, you are planning to help in an escape attempt." He paused, considering. "Any attempt at escape would be extremely foolish, I hope you realise. Rivendell is very well defended, by some of the most skilled fighters on Middle-Earth."

"I think you are confusing 'skilled' with cruel. Any skills the Noldor may have with weapons have been gained through attacking and massacring my people. And besides, I merely wish for information. I am not planning anything." He rounded on me. "Tell him, Gimli."

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. I could go along with the Elf and say that he wasn't planning anything, but would Strider believe me? I wasn't sure I believed Legolas - to me, it seemed extremely unlikely that he was planning nothing. Silently, I cursed Legolas for dragging me into this. Watching the Elf and man argue was so much fun.

"Well.I think." Legolas was now glaring at me a lot more fiercely than Strider. "The Elf has never said anything about any plans."

Strider shrugged. "That is not a real answer. And anyway, I have not been to Rivendell for many years now. I long to return, but other matters have kept me busy. I know nothing of any prisoners taken since the wars end."

With that, he walked on, leaving me with a fuming Legolas.

"Why didn't he just say that in the first place? Don't you think it would have saved time if he had?"

Finally. I knew what to say. "He should have, Legolas. Much time was wasted because of his refusal to answer." Legolas shot me an approving look, before following Strider and leaving me to scramble after the both of them.

Curse them and their long legs. Unnatural.

* * * * *

It was at camp that night when I finally got a chance to speak to Strider. He had taken first watch, and I was sure Legolas was asleep. For all that I liked the man; I had many questions I still wanted to ask him before I would feel ready to watch him.

"Strider?"

"Yes, Gimli? Why are you not asleep?"

"I want to ask you something."

A sigh, and the sound of someone shifting their weight. "Go ahead. Can I question you in return?"

"I suppose it's only fair." I gathered scattered thoughts. "What side of the war were you on?" Maybe it seemed like an obvious question, but to me the answer was unclear. I sometimes caught him watching Legolas, but not with hatred or fear, as I would expect. Instead, it was something much more harmless. Curiosity.

"I'm not really on a side. I know I grew up in Rivendell, but even there people wanted the war to end. But the raids on Rivendell never stopped, and I know the Noldor weren't totally guilt-free either. My foster-father's greatest wish was for peace. He always said their was so much we could learn from each other. He's a lore-master, you see. What side were you on?"

"I fought for the Noldor, but grudgingly. I thought the dwarves should never have gotten involved. I used to hate all Elves, regardless of what sort they were."

"What happened?"

"I met Legolas. And as much as I would like to deny it, I always felt connected to him. Like we were destined to become friends, close friends." I snorted. "The Valar must have been involved - otherwise it's too unlikely. An Elf and a dwarf, friends?"

"I'd like to get to know him better, but I'm not sure how." He sighed, slow and deep. "I wish there was a way for peace, real peace, to come about. I just don't see how."

"No, my friend. Neither do I."

* * * * *

As Gimli's soft snores grew, Legolas blinked in the dark, still brooding over what he had heard.

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Again, I'm apologising. Because of lack of time, and because there are so many of you ( ( ) there are no reviewer responses. Please forgive me!

Anyway, I've tried to answer some questions:

If the dwarves followed, they've now given up. Thranduil is in Rivendell. Think Aragorn's just scared of Legolas. (joke) I love being made to ponder. Yes, Aragorn's older (to human standards) than Legolas is (to Elf standards.) Aragorn's senses are very alert etc, but I figured that Legolas, being an Elf, could have snuck up on him. Aragorn's parents (Gilraen and Arathorn) are currently King and Queen of Gondor, but Aragorn grew up in Rivendell where he was tutored by Elrond. Think boarding school, but with Elves. Aragorn is, at the minute, learning woodcraft etc off the rangers.

And to everyone - thank you very, very much for reviewing!