Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, Dragonlance, or Raistlin. Oh, fine. I don't own Dalamar either. Pouts The second segment of this chapter is dedicated to Childlike Empress for her idea.

Green With Envy

"Maeg? What's up?" Jess picked up her cell phone, speaking quietly so that her parents wouldn't hear her conversation as they drove home. "Interims came? Oh, that's cool. She did what!?" Jess practically yelled that last part as she heard about Takhisis failing all of them. She apologized to her parents before continuing in her previous hushed tone.

As Maeg related the rest of the afternoon and evening's events, Jess felt the jealousy growing within her. Though she truly was glad for her best friend, she couldn't help feel envious that the elven mage had asked Maeg out, while her chances of dating Raistlin were none and less than none. She hated herself for that jealousy, yet could help it less than she could help having glasses or not being tall. She tried to hide it from Maeg, though, knowing how much it would hurt the other girl. By the time she got home, she still had not decided what to do about it.

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The next day, the Lord of the Rings festival continued with the third movie. Since the movies were so long, Maeg and the mages had only been able to watch the first two. Therefore, both Earthlings met the mages the next morning after breakfast.

Raistlin, of course, was as caustic as always. While Dalamar was attempting to get the DVD player ready, Raistlin was criticizing the movies. "That Gandalf wizard seemed rather oblivious for one of his power. I can't believe he actually trusted Saruman! If anyone were anywhere near my ability level, I wouldn't trust them."

At this obvious slight, Dalamar winced. Seeing him, Maeg had to retort. "Gandalf is powerful enough that he can afford to trust people! For goodness' sake, he's a demigod! Anyway, he just pretends to be oblivious. He really does know more than he lets on." After the words left her mouth, Maeg realized her mistake. She'd likely just reinforced, if not given Raistlin, the idea that he needed to become a god.

"Any wizard worth his mettle could have prevented himself from falling off of the bridge with the Balrog." Raistlin was now muttering more than complaining, but his voice was still clearly audible. "That Sauron doesn't seem overly smart either. Evil has to gain more than those who are more beast than man on their side to win. Also, it is an incredibly idiotic thing to do to concentrate your power in one little piece of jewelry, to the point where you will be defeated if you lose it."

"That's true." Even Maeg had to concede that one.

"Were it me, I would have had the world in my grip within a couple of years."

Jess nodded in agreement. "Sauron is also a demigod, but admittedly, a rather stupid and weak one."

Finally, Dalamar had gotten the DVD in and started. Maeg would have helped him, but it seemed to her as though any piece of technology more advanced than a radio malfunctioned or broke upon her touch. With a satisfied smile, the elf started the movie and sat down on the couch. Jess was seated across the room from Raistlin, in another chair.

Despite Jess' unusual surliness that morning, in unspoken agreement, she and Maeg drove both mages up the wall by reciting lines along with the cast of the movie. Naturally, at Eowyn's slaying of the Witchking, both stood up, and pantomimed the scene, with an especially vehement "I am no man!"

During one of the drawn out battle scenes, Maeg snuggled closer to Dalamar and whispered to him. "How are we going to get Jess and Raistlin together?" Dalamar looked absolutely flabbergasted at the thought. "What? If there's ever been a person who needs a date, it's your Shalafi! And, I for one, know no one more qualified for that dubious pleasure than Jess."

Dalamar grinned at that. "True. You do have a point there. Perhaps I can say something to him." He grimaced slightly at the thought of talking about women and love with his formidable Shalafi.

Maeg grinned up at him. "You would? That's great. That would be so wonderful for Jess. I'll see if I can do anything slightly more subtle and quiet." They resumed watching the movie.

Finally, the movie ended. As always, Maeg was teary-eyed, because she always felt that the elves leaving that world was a horrible event, leaving the world bereft. Surprising, or perhaps not, Dalamar too was bright-eyed. Despite his emotionless façade, he still felt the loss of his homeland acutely, and the movie upset that old wound.

Seeing these displays of emotion made Raistlin roll his eyes visibly as they got up. Though Jess usually sympathized with her short friend, this time, she rolled her eyes as well. Maeg caught her eye, and her face showed hurt confusion. Jess pretended not to notice, so Maeg thought she might have just imagined it.

After she'd gotten her emotions under control, Maeg rushed to catch up with Raistlin and Jess in the kitchen. They were standing facing each other, and as Maeg rounded the corner, an idea was forming in her head. She took a step back to gain a bit more impulsion, and rushed just slightly to the right of Jess. As she passed, she made sure to shove Jess forward, pretending to have misjudged the distance between them.

As she'd known he would, Raistlin reached out so as not to let the other girl fall. "I'm so sorry!" Maeg's apology sounded a bit hollow, even to her, but she did manage to contain a grin at the sight of her friend in Raistlin's arms, both red as fire hydrants. "I guess I shouldn't race around when there are others around. Oops!" She smiled slightly, and saw Dalamar out of the corner of her eye, smirking from across the room where he'd just entered.

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After the girls had left for the day, Dalamar steeled himself and turned to his Shalafi. "For a human, Jess is rather attractive, is she not?" As he said it, Dalamar realized his mistake. Too late, however.

"How should I know? To me, all of them look like skeletons." Raistlin's voice was acidic, and Dalamar got the uncomfortable feeling that though he pretended confusion, his Shalafi knew exactly what he was trying to do. "Besides which, aren't you attached to that infuriating Maeg?"

Dalamar tried to figure out the best way to proceed. "I am." He hesitated, his second mistake.

"So now you're interested in my sister, Maeg, Jess, and anyone else?"

Dalamar blushed slightly. "No, Shalafi. Maeg is the only one on my mind right now. I thought perhaps…" He trailed off again, not wanting to upset the volatile Raistlin.

"So you do think." Now, Dalamar was quite sure that Raistlin was toying with him. "But I agree, Jess is rather intelligent for someone from this world. Are you suggesting that I initiate a romantic interlude with her, Apprentice?"

Dalamar's faint blush darkened. "I just… I…" Dalamar was stuttering with discomfort. "She'd say yes." Dalamar glanced once more at Raistlin before fleeing to his room in shame.

A/N: Well, I know it wasn't the longest of chapters, but it had to be in there. Hopefully the next will be longer. Review people, so I don't think you died!

Jade Limill: Glad you don't want to lock me up! I did mention that both girls own all of the books, however, at this point, Raistlin is only beginning to develop the idea of world domination through time travel. Because of this, neither mage wants to mess around with time, because they know that it would be complete chaos.

Elven-girl 10: Glad you enjoyed.

Ahn-Li: I'm happy you enjoyed my little tribute to your presence at the end. And after this chapter, I somehow doubt Raistlin will be wanting to teach me much of anything!

Guan: Ouch, that's not fair of your teacher! Once, an English teacher of mine lowered my grade just to show me I had room to improve. :-p I'm glad you like the first bits of romance.

Childlike Empress: Sorry, no killing. :-p And, I hope you don't mind me putting in a bit of LOTR bashing from Gandalf at your suggestion! And yeah, I never did think much of Boromir… Kind of like Sturm – he had to be dead for you to appreciate him! I did have a reason apart from this chapter for Jess not being there, so I'm glad you asked. As Jess is Maeg's best friend, she would have been the one to comfort her had she been present. Dalamar would have had no excuse whatsoever to trap her in a tiny half-bathroom.

The Scarletclad Mage: Well, if we band dorks (yes, I am also a band geek) have an elevated status in your school, I'd like to go there! No problem about reviewing your stories – they're very good! And I can definitely sympathize with loving reviews. I'm a total review (and mail in general) hog!

Alien21xx: I'll just write one note for 14 and 15, okay? So, on comments about 14: I'm your favorite? Thanks so much! Glad you understand my sometimes odd sense of humor! Sorry about the abruptness, I'll try to work on that. I agree, it should have been done with less 'scene-painting!' 15: Oh, no worries about laughing. I was chuckling myself as I imagined that line, as long as I was picturing it from the outside, not actually as my character! And I'm SO glad you liked my little romancy scene so much. I hoped that it would give Maeg the needed humanity. Thanks for all of your wonderful comments, suggestions, and praise!