A/N: Oh look, an update. :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own crack-tastic ideas.

Also, thank you all for your support.

"What's he doing?" Pippin stared at the bald kid with the weird blue arrow thingy. Merry shrugged, he was too busy staring at he meager offerings of food. There has been very little prey this far north. "Dunno."

The bald kid sat on a rock, just sitting there and not making any sound. It was like he was sleeping while sitting up. At least the girl didn't look worried. Then again, with the way her eyes were, it was really hard to tell what she was thinking. It also didn't help that they couldn't understand a thing either person says. It was a game of charades that did not have an instant gratification moment.

"Don't bother them." The red haired hobbit looked up, taking a moment to stop staring at his cooking. "It's not their fault they can't understand us." He had two pots on the fire, one with rabbit meat and other that was potatoes. Yes, potatoes. While it was true that two extra mouths to feed was straining what little supplies they had, it was also good manners to share whatever he had.

"They look so different though." Merry pipped up, staring at the girl's long hair fringe. "And their clothes! I've never seen anything like it."

Meanwhile, Gandalf was mumbling to himself, and poking at the stones on the earth. In this brief moment of peace, he was contemplating their most recent decision. Dragging along two children was not a choice he made lightly. Rarely does he second guess himself, but this was an extremely rare incident. In all his years, he could not recall meeting anyone who resembled either two children, although the blue arrows, there was something that he felt he should know. And then there was the fire, the blaze that had separated them from the wolves.

The language barrier was something they could cross, it would require time, and they had no time. They must get across the mountains before the pass is blocked off. They could not detour anywhere to take the children, they could not just let them go. It was on their behest, and their responsibility to ensure the safety of those two children.

"What a strange age we live in today." He remarked to himself. "In the crux of change, there are always new things to learn about. New and exciting things." Gandalf spotted Aragon, looking at him with a small smile. He smiled in turn. "Don't mind the ramblings of an old man, be off with you."

The ranger looked far too amused to obey, but he did, nodding his head and doing a little bow before running off to his duties.

A while later, Legolas approached the two newest editions. "It is time to go." The others were packing up, getting ready to trek once more. He faced the young girl, making sure to speak in a soft and firm tone. She was blind, and he did not wish to startle her, but despite his efforts, he noticed a rapid jump in her heartbeat.

She nodded and he departed to his duty at the head of the group.

Toph looked at Aang, before shaking her head. "Great time to go the spirit world." She started to pick him up, to basically carry him until he woke up. He told her before that as long as his body was unharmed, he should be able to come back. She was greatly tempted to draw on his face, but lacked any sort of marking tool so that was a loss.

"Allow me." Toph heard him first, his steady heart beat, the way his footfalls were silent but still, easily discernible. "You should not carry such a heavy burden." Even if she couldn't understand him, she had this inexplicable feeling to trust him. She listened to him chatter, his words were just sounds, meaningless to her brain.

"Your friend, he seems to sleep a lot."

"Yeah, I guess so." A pause. A long pause. "...Did I just say that?"

There was a low and warm chuckle. "It seems so. To me..you have spoken in common, it is a pleasure to be able to converse with you, my lady."

The warm bundle that was Aang stirred, eyelids fluttering open. "Got it." He wiggled his way out of Aragon's arms, like a snake would slither out of a tight grip. His grin covered most of his face. "Mission accomplished!"

Unlike Aang, who was celebrating loudly by running around and introducing himself, Toph was more subdued. That was far too easy. Something was wrong, something had to be wrong. It's never this easy. Even Aang wasn't a miracle worker.

"I am Aragon. And you are?" Polite, this guy was a gentlemen no doubt.

"Toph." She started for Aang, honing on his loud voice.

"Well met, Toph." He follows her, the way he walks wired in her brain. "May I ask, is your friend always this loud?"

"Yep."

The home of the Elrond was a magnificent place. It was shiny and pretty and Katara had never seen anything like it before. It was a wonderful place, full of wonderfully beautiful people. I mean look at those ears and those hands and that waist! Course, Katara usually grabs her brother by his ear and drags him off before he further embarrasses them.

She looks to Iroh as he speaks to the 'elf lord'. "Thank you for your hospitality, but we must depart." A day ago, they could barely communicate, working through symbols and pictures. But today, in the morning, they suddenly gained the ability to understand. One shouldn't look such a fortunate event in the mouth, but it just made them look even more suspicious.

The water bender sighed, feeling as if she was in the way and useless, just staying here in this haven. She knew Zuko felt the same. In the morning, she would always see him practicing his firebending. It took a fireball to encourage the elf people here to let him fight them for practice. They taught Zuko a few things about swords, and sword skill.

"It would not be safe to leave this place, especially since you are all strangers in these lands." The elf guy's voice was melodious, enchanting on some level. There was power behind it and age. He was old, even older than the avatar maybe.

"We're looking for our friends." She could no longer keep her silence. "We have to find them! We ha-"

His fierce gaze made her reconsider any further words, and made her step back and look away.

"She is right." Iroh looked at the elf lord, his mug of tea sitting before him, cooling. "We sympathize and understand that you are in war but we cannot stay here. I am sure you understand. The Avatar can tip the balance in this world, whether or not he belongs here. You have felt it already, and you have seen it. We do not belong here."

Elrond knew this. Their abilities were strange, much like the wizards of old. Fire bending, water bending...even more of this strange fighting style. And an Avatar who can bend all of them. If Sauron got influence over such a being...he could see it now, as the earth caves in and as armies fell into deep chasms.

"Your friends..." He began slowly, thinking as he spoke. "I know where they are going. It will take a few days, even if you flew and..." He waved a hand. "Your mount is rather, unique. It will draw much attention."

Appa, who was just outside the window, chewed on his food. The flying bison was blissfully unaware.

"Ah yes." Iroh nodded in agreement. "I do believe you had the strangest look on your face when you first laid eyes on it." There was a smile in his eyes.

"Yes." The elf lord brought a hand to his chin, as he thought. "Stay for a few more days, while I ready your party with supplies and directions. Going by air is far different than by land, the terrain is far more harder to navigate. It is best to go prepared."

"Thank you." Katara spoke, after she was sure he was done. She elbowed Zuko in the side. "Thanks."

Even if they were together now, it didn't mean they were allies. But at least they weren't enemies.