Yay! New chapter! This took forever and it's sooo much shorter than all my other ones. It sucks. It really does. But, it's the chapter, and I can't help it.

Okay, so this story is not turning out remotely like I had planned. I mean, last chapter was a complete surprise even to me, and I'm writing it. I had thought for a happy reunion, but that was not the case. But in some ways, I feel that reunion made it more... realistic, I suppose would be the right word. Because honestly, after spending over a week with these people, getting to know them, coming to like them and trust them, you would begin to take their side and then when you meet back up with people who had spent time with a different group of people with different views, there's bound to be some conflict. So even though it wasn't planned, I feel this makes the story better. But then again, I'm me. :P But anyway, I'm rambling and you guys are here for the chapter. Please review, because that makes me very happy and would hopefully try to make me more motivated. :)

"Elvish" 'Thoughts' 'Mental conversation'

Chapter 5

"What is wrong with you?!" Suva demanded in a slightly raised voice as she paced the floor to the room we were in. It looked uninhabited, so I'm gonna take a wild guess and say this is the room I'll be staying in. I could be wrong, however, so don't hold me to that.

After dragging us through the Last Homely House more or less by our ears and then almost literally tossing us into the room, yelling at us seemed the next logical step in this plan. I was leaning, arms crossed over my chest, against the wall beside the window, Rata still sitting on my shoulder. Across the room, Kijo sat in a wooden chair with one of her legs draped over the other, Tezo lying with his head on his paws at her feet. The four of us were all staring at the pacing Suva, highly aware of the bobcat and her twitching ears as she scanned the room, ready to jump at the first sign of that any of us would begin attacking the other.

"In my defense, she started it." Kijo began, pointing at me. My eyes narrowed. "If she hadn't threatened the guards we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Me?" I questioned. "What about you? If you hadn't attacked me, then Gimli and the others wouldn't have come to my defense." Though I was still speaking like I was from earth, my accent was more or less under control now.

"I told you I only wanted a hug!" Kijo shouted.

"A little warning would have been great! Even if you would have just yelled my name three seconds before you actually tried, it would have been better than nothing!" I growled right back.

"Would that have stopped your friends from attacking me?" She emphasized the word friends and I knew what she was implying.

"It would have told them that you knew who I was and they wouldn't have drawn their weapons! It may not have stopped them from pulling you off of me, but it would've prevented the threats." I snarled back, completely unhappy about her tone and implications. She sneered at me.

"How can you be so sure?! Huh? They're dwarves. They've done unspeakable things to the elves! Who's to say they wouldn't have attacked anyway?" Kijo snarled. I could see Tezo tense up at the tone of her voice. I stiffened myself, my jaw locking into place as my nostrils flared out.

"What they did to the elves is nothing compared to what the elves did to them! The only reason they act like they do towards the elves is because of what the elves did to them!" I growled. "If anyone's at fault here, it's the damn elves."

Immediately Kijo and Tezo were on their feet. I tensed up but didn't push myself away from the wall. I didn't want to fight with Kijo, but she needed to get it through her head that it wasn't the dwarves' fault at least not entirely. Yes, they could act better towards the elves, but the elves weren't perfect. They were as much at fault as the dwarves.

"Stop it, both of you! What is wrong with you guys?! You've been best friends for the past three years and now you're suddenly at each other's throats because of this. This is ridiculous!" Suva exclaimed, she and Kixi getting between us. My temper flared.

I was pissed, plain and simple. For the past week I had stayed with the dwarves in Erebor wondering what the hell had happened and guessing that my two best friends were dead. For the past week I had become attached, maybe too attached, to the dwarves who had taken me in. They were my family now and I was protective and defensive of them. These elves treated them like shit, and I had witnessed it firsthand. And now my one of my best friends was telling me that I was bat shit crazy because I believed what the dwarves said about the elves while the other tried to keep us from fighting while thinking the same damn thing. Yes, Suva believed the elves. For some reason, it wasn't a surprise.

"Like it even matters to you!" I shouted, throwing an arm out towards her and Kijo. "You both think like the elves! They ain't perfect! They're just as much at fault as the dwarves, if not more so!" Suva was staring at me with wide eyes. She was surprised that I looped her in with Kijo in thinking the dwarves were at fault.

"Divan, I don't…"

"Like hell you don't! I can tell Suva! You fuckin' agree with her! I can see it in yer eyes, ya think it's their fault. Maybe it is, but it's not all their fault." I snapped. Suva deflated a little at knowing that I knew. My subconscious was screaming at me, telling me that this was not what I needed to be doing. I was driving a wedge between us, all three of us. I needed to get my temper under control now before I really did our friendship in.

Taking a deep breath, my hand raised to pinch the bridge of my nose. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally, and all I wanted was a hot bath and sleep. Was that too much to ask?

"Is this my room?" I questioned with a controlled voice, my accent under wraps again. I could see Suva and Kijo both examining me warily now, but Suva nodded nonetheless. "Then leave." They jolted in surprise.

"What?" Suva asked incredulously. I let my hand fall as I glared at her.

"You heard me. Leave. I want to be alone." I stated monotonously. The shock on Kijo's face quickly turned to anger and Suva had a look that just screamed that she was worried. I didn't care. I wanted to be alone.

"Divan wha–" Kijo started, no doubt about to start yelling at me again. I held up a hand, silencing her.

"I'm not gonna argue. I'm done. Just get out. I want to be alone." I stated. Kijo looked like she was about to argue again when Suva set a hand on her shoulder.

"Just come on, Ki. There's no point to this." Suva muttered. Kijo's jaw clenched but she relented, following Suva to the door. Suva shot me a worried, defeated look while Kijo glared as they left. I held my head up, meeting their eyes in a show of strength, even though I felt anything but strong. I was exhausted, hurt, worried, and pissed. The last two weeks had taken everything I had. I was stuck in a world I didn't know, surrounded by people that didn't know anything about me, arguing with my best friends about something that was so ridiculous we should have been slapped. I was pissed because I was hurt, because we were fighting over something so trivial. I was worried that I'd just ruined the friendship we'd developed, and I was worried about how I was going to deal if I had just lost my last piece of home. They were my best friends, and they were home. I'd already lost my family, I didn't want to lose them too.

In a sudden bout of anger I slammed my fist into the nearest wall. I was faintly aware of Rata flying over to the bedpost, but I was more aware of the blinding pain in my hand. Despite the agonizing pain, I knew I deserved it. The pain was nothing compared to the pain I knew I would feel if I lost my two best friends because of my own stupidity. Growling to myself, I used my uninjured hand to swipe furiously at the tears beginning to cloud my vision. I wouldn't cry. I hadn't cried in years.

Growling again, I stormed to the bed where I had thrown my bag. Almost snarling, I rummaged through my things, looking for the one thing that it seemed I hadn't packed. Bandages. Snarling to myself, I threw the bag back onto the bed, ignoring Rata's concern. I began pacing, something I did often when I was upset.

I didn't notice the knock on the door or hear the concerned voice of Gimli call my name. I didn't see Rata fly over to the door handle and didn't hear her tell Gimli to come in. I didn't hear the door open and I didn't see Gimli until he was standing right in front of me, his hands on my shoulders in a vice like grip as he glared at me. Surprised though I was, I glared right back.

"What is wrong with ye lassie?" Gimli asked. I shook off his hold and stepped back.

"Nothing. I am fine." I grumbled. I knew Gimli didn't believe me. Bringing my hand up, I went to run my hand through my hair which had, by then, fallen out of the braid I'd put it in, only to hiss in pain when I flexed my hurt hand. Gimli immediately zeroed in on my injured hand, his eyes widening before he looked over to Rata.

"What did she do?" Gimli asked. I scowled at him, irritated that he hadn't just asked me, but knowing full well that even if he had I probably wouldn't have told him.

"She hit the wall. Hard." Rata answered. I turned my scowl on her.

"I said I am fine." I gritted out between my teeth. It was Gimli's turn to scowl as he grabbed my wrist and brought my hand up, causing me to hiss again.

"This is not fine, lassie. Why would ye do such a thing?" Gimli asked. I yanked my hand free, cradling it to my chest.

"I was angry." I stated bluntly and simply. I wasn't about to elaborate.

"Angry? Angry, lassie, ye were angry? That is no excuse to abuse yer poor hand! Come, we must find one of these blasted elves that can look at this." Gimli grumbled, grabbing my uninjured arm and tugging me toward the door. I struggled, not wanting to have any more contact with any elves. I'd had my fill of elves for one day. Gimli was persistent though, and far stronger than I was at the moment, so he easily managed to drag me into the hall, pausing long enough to let Rata fly through the door before he shut it.

Ten minutes and a lot of direction asking later, we were finally climbing the steps to the healing houses of Rivendell. I grumbled under my breath the entire time, completely unhappy with the turn of events. Why couldn't life ever be simple?

Then again, I was in Middle Earth. I don't think normal even applied anymore.

The healing halls were surprisingly silent. It seemed almost deserted as we made our way deeper into the building. My spine was ram rod straight and my eyes flitted everywhere. This silence unnerved me. Damned elves.

"To what do the healing halls of Rivendell deserve this… pleasure?" A melodic female voice asked. Gimli spun on his heal, surprised by the sudden voice. I turned much slower, both because I wasn't surprised and because I didn't need Rata flying off of my shoulder.

Gimli cleared his throat. He was trying not to glare at the elf. "The lass needs to see a healer. M'afraid she broke 'er hand." Gimli explained. The dark haired elf eyed me for a moment, taking into account my injured hand. I felt my nose twitch in irritation but I remained quiet. I think I'd caused enough problems for today.

"Follow me." the woman directed coolly. She promptly walked forward and past Gimli and I, heading down the hall. I glared at her back, but began after her. Gimli's shuffling gait soon followed.

A series of winding hallways later, the elf gestured toward a room. "If you'll wait here for a few moments." She stated. I nodded, stepping into the room. Simply put, it was elegant. Just like every other damn room in Rivendell.

There were three chairs in the room. I plopped myself down into the nearest one. Cradling my hand to my chest, I crossed my right leg over my left and settled down. Even though she'd said it would only be a moment, I had a feeling we'd be here a lot longer than that. With a sigh, Gimli seated himself in the chair beside me.

"Fat lot a good beatin' up yer poor hand did, lassie." He started. I rolled my eyes but remained quiet. "After all, look at where we are! Stuck in this blasted elven hall! Hmph!"

"Forgive me for expressing my distaste of my current situation by venting my frustration on the nearest object that I was sure would not break." I grumbled. Gimli shot me a look.

"Ye should have come to find me. Elves though they may be, they do have grounds for training. A hearty duel is always good for frustration, lassie." Gimli said. I sighed.

"I should have. Had my mind been clear I would have, but my anger was strong." I replied. "I am not always good with my anger, though normally it is words, not fists, that I deal in." I chuckled to myself. Gimli shook his head but I could see his smile.

"Perhaps words would have been more appropriate this time around." He laughed. I smirked.

"Indeed they would have been."

"But if I may, lassie, what had you so worked up?" Gimli asked. My smirk fell, replaced by a scowl.

"This whole situation." I grunted. "I find my two best friends alive and well, but instead of the happy reunion I had hoped for, I get an angry confrontation instead. My two best friends have turned on me because they have been brainwashed by these damned elves."

"I doubt that, lassie." Gimli started. I shook my head.

"You did not hear what they had to say. They agree with these elves, that you are volatile and aggressive and down-right dangerous. They believe the dwarves are solely to blame and are the ones who have done all the wrong. They see only the side of the elves. It is disgusting." I snarled. Gimli nodded sadly.

"Then they have seen what most see when they look at the dwarves. Most believe us to be a greedy, violent race. They do not see what you have seen. Perhaps we are greedy, perhaps we are violent and aggressive, but we have heart too." Gimli murmured. "That is what nobody sees." I looked over to my friend, the dwarf that was more a brother now, than a friend. My shoulders slumped as I sighed again.

"That is what frustrates me. They do not see everything. They see only what they want to." I whispered. Gimli looked up at me with a small smile. I smiled back. Before our conversation could continue, however, the dark haired elf returned. She had an armload of supplies with her, including what might have been a stint. I glared irritably at the equipment.

She set the supplies down before coming over to me. She ran through several questions, asking me to perform specific tasks, which included flexing my fingers. It hurt like the dickens, but I could move my fingers and swivel my wrist. She picked up my hand, prodding around with her fingers, causing me to hiss in pain, before she let go.

"You have not broken it. There will likely be some bruising and you have busted your knuckles, but it is not broken. Some salve and bandages should suffice." She relayed. My lips pursed and I nodded. Gimli sighed in relief.

She went back to her supplies, retrieving some bandages and some sickly green looking paste. I wanted to groan at the look of it. She carefully, albeit painfully, cleaned away all the blood before setting to work rubbing on the paste. Once she was finished, she tightly wrapped my hand.

"It will need to be changed at least twice a day, perhaps more. I will have bandages delivered to your room." she clipped out. I resisted the urge to scowl. This is why I disliked the elves, and before I'd ended up in Middle Earth, they were my favorite race.

After asking if there was anything else we required, and our answer was no, she left. I knew she wasn't coming back, so with little effort I got Gimli to leave. He wanted out of there as much as I did.

"Well, now what?" I asked once we were outside once again. Gimli stopped, contemplating for a moment before a huge grin split his face.

"We must find the others and then food!" Gimli exclaimed. I laughed, rolling my eyes playfully.

"Do you think of nothing but food, Gimli?" I teased. The dwarf glared half-heartedly at me.

"Occasionally." He replied. I burst out laughing.

"Is the other thought about a good battle?" Rata asked. Gimli scowled playfully again.

"Aye, shut up. Now come! We must find the others!" Gimli shouted. Laughing, Rata and I followed after him.

We ended up in the mess hall. The other four dwarves were seated around a table, laughing heartedly. I smiled at the sight, ignoring the elves in the hall that were glaring. Gimli and I made our way over, but as we did, we passed a table and from that table a familiar growled resonated.

My eyes shot sideways as I caught sight of black and white. My eyes slid up to find the glaring eyes of Kijo and the hopeful eyes of Suva. My chin tilted up as we passed, my eyes narrowing ever so slightly. By then Gimli and the others had taken notice, as had everyone else in the hall, and were now watching with what could have been dread. We got to the table without interruption though, and I slid into a chair. Rata moved to the wooden back, her feathers fluffing out before settling. Though she appeared to be content, I knew she was watching Kijo, Tezo, Suva and Kixi.

A mug was slid across the table to me. I looked up to meet the eyes of Gloín. "Cheer up, lassie. T'is not all bad." Gloín said. "After all, you have showed these elves who the real warrior here is!" I smirked, taking up the mug.

"Perhaps next time they will think twice about challenging a woman." I replied. Hearty cheers erupted from the group, laughter echoing off the walls. The sound of screeching wood reached my ears over the uproar and my gaze cut over to where Kijo was now storming from the hall, Tezo on her heels. Suva got to her feet, looking to follow but she paused, turning back in my direction. I kept my gaze unreadable as I sipped from my mug, and I saw Suva's shoulders slump. She headed for the door. Kixi spared us one last glance before bounding after her. I sighed, my eyes looking down into my mug. A hand rested on my shoulder.

"If they are true friends, then they will come 'round, Divan. Do not doubt that." Gloín murmured. I looked up to him before glancing around the table. All my dwarven companions were watching me.

"T'is not that. I fear if they will forgive me, for I have been harsh with my words." I mumbled, swirling the liquid around in the mug.

"They will understand. If not, they never would." One of the other dwarves answered. I looked up, the right side of my mouth tilting upward.

"Thank you," I smiled. "for everything. All of you." There were smiles all around.

"I do have one question, though." One of the younger dwarves asked. I raised an eyebrow, silently telling him to continue.

"What is wrong with that woman's hair?" he asked. I burst out laughing, doubling over. Looks like they'd noticed Kijo's purple dyed hair after all.

"Oh it is a long, long story." I laughed. "Quite the tale, too, might I add."