Once Upon a Time in Hollin
Author's Note
This is a sequel to whatever I will call the rewrite of Elrond's Council, which is a sequel to "In the Hall of the Wood Elf King". Knowing that then, you know this is an AU to "An Orc in Rivendell", so forget the Council of Elrond in that one when reading this story. Thank you. You will have to allow me to stretch time here a bit! Thank you! Also I am having a bit of a struggle with writers' block on "In the Hall." so this is a little something to tide you over until that muse decides to play nice again!
This is Kerttu's Plot Bunny! Or Plot Hare, as Kerttu calls it!
Thoughts are in
Chapter 1 - Arrival at Hollin
The Company of the Ring was two weeks out of Rivendell when the weather changed. Going had been hard, the weather grey and cold, a chill wind blowing off the mountains in the east. Even Legolas was beginning to feel the cold that ate through any number of garments layered on the body, biting at fingers, noses, and Hobbit toes unmercifully. But then after a long, torturous night-march a clear, chill dawn rose. The wind switched to a more southerly direction, blowing through the ancient holly trees that crowned a low ridge, their glossy green leaves and crimson berries shining in the early sunlight.
Distant mountains rose in the south, directly in their path and Pippin suppressed a sigh, glancing at Merry. He could tell that his cousin, for all his weariness, was enjoying this adventure. Many times during the last few days Pippin had thought about the sack that he had declared he would have to be tied and sent home in to keep him from following the Fellowship.
" At least it would be warm," he said miserably to himself. "Warm, and it would be rather nice to be carried. My feet are hurting like never before."
But Merry seemed to thrive on the hardship. His cheeks were rosy with exertion and cold, his eyes bright and cheerful. Never before was Pippin so aware of just how different he and his cousin were. While Pippin had lazed about Rivendell, listening to the Elvish songs and tales or eating to his heart's content, Merry had been with Strider and Gandalf studying maps of the lands they would have to traverse.
Gandalf seemed pleased with their progress, his blue eyes twinkling merrily for the first time in days. He had agreed it was time to make camp. More beautiful words Pippin had never heard. The young Hobbit smiled, not seeing the Wizard watching him with a smile on his own lips.
Gandalf wasn't the only one who was pleased. Gimli moved to stand beside Legolas. He told them of the mountains before them, three great peaks capped in snow: Baraz, Zirak, Shathur. Then he spoke of Khazad-dum, the great Dwarven kingdom that lay beneath them.
"Moria. Moria," his father Gloin had declared at the Council of Elrond. "The wonder of the Northern world."
The same fervent joy exhibited by the elder Dwarf now shone in Gimli's eyes.
"Ah, to see Khazad-dum," he whispered as they moved into a deep protected hollow amongst stands of holly. "To see all the wonders wrought there by my kin so long ago. To stand in Durin's Hall will be the fulfillment of a dream."
As the Dwarf spoke on of the wonders of his kin's 'delving and digging', as Pippin had come to think of it, the others began to make camp.
Gimli spoke on at some length until soon the others weren't really listening to him, except for perhaps Merry. But Gimli wasn't truly thinking of the wonders that waited beneath the mountains. His eyes slid every so often to the Elf who was helping Sam unload the packs from Bill the pony. Perhaps the time was right. Gimli had knowledge of certain things that he knew would embarrass his companion if they were to come to light before the Company. His father had blurted it all out one night before the Company had set out. He had been highly embarrassed, fondling the long golden braid that he had carried with him for so many years. Gimli had nodded in disbelief and astonishment, but he had found it highly amusing and knew that this was a wonderful way to get through the Elf's superior attitude. Gimli smiled. Perhaps the time was right. He moved to help Frodo gather dead twigs and branches for kindling as Gandalf was allowing them a fire for the first time in many days.
"I yearn to see Balin, Oin, Ori and my kin once more." Gimli continued, noting that Legolas had stiffened slightly at their names, just as the Dwarf hoped he would. "You have met them, have you not, Master Elf," he said, more a statement of fact than a question. "Balin, Ori, and Oin I mean."
Legolas felt his face redden slightly.
"Yes, I met them when I met your father," he answered evenly, suddenly engrossed in the contents of one of the packs. Please, Elbereth, he prayed silently. Please. Gloin cannot have told him everything!
Gimli grinned knowing that at anytime he chose he could have the Elf stewing in embarrassment and humiliation.
"We must speak of them sometime, Master Elf," Gimli said, stressing the word 'Master' slightly. "It has been many years since I have seen them."
"And many more since I have seen them," Legolas answered, not meeting his gaze. "I hardly saw them when they were.were at Mirkwood. I am sorry, but I can think of nothing to tell you about them. It has been a long time."
Gandalf raised his bushy eyebrows and turned to study the two. He smiled faintly and bent to the task of starting the fire.
"I thought you Elves had long memories. I am sure there is some tale to tell," Gimli persisted, taking off his helm to allow the soft breeze to ruffle through his hair.
Pippin had been studying the two as he snuck an apple from a pack. There was more going on than a discussion of Gimli's friends and kin in Moria. He knew that Legolas and Gimli didn't care for one another very much so this sudden interest that the Dwarf exhibited in the Elf was somewhat unexpected. He glanced at Frodo, who was trying to suppress a smile and his blue eyes sparkled with amusement. He noted that Merry obviously knew what was going on as well. Sam merely shook his head as he began to prepare their supper-breakfast over the small cheery fire, but the gardener's eyes also seemed to be full of laughter. Pippin frowned, knowing that there was something that he was missing.
"I can't think when I am hungry," he said quietly, taking a bite from the apple.
Aragorn and Boromir exchanged glances, they had no idea what was going on either, though it seemed that they and Pippin were the only ones who didn't. Boromir shook his head and dug out the plates and cups. Whatever it was he suspected they would all know soon enough. Once Gimli and Legolas got started on one another there was no stopping them. He wondered if Elves and Dwarves always behaved in the manner of these two.
Gimli decided that he wouldn't say anything else for a time, let the Elf worry over it a bit. He would enjoy that as well. He moved past Legolas and seemed to stare at his hair.
"You have rather pretty hair, Master Elf," he commented innocently. "Rather like spun gold. Those are Warrior Braids, aren't they?"
Legolas' blue eyes widened, his cheeks flushing and he felt an overwhelming urge to touch his left braid. He had managed to mostly forget what had happened when his father had imprisoned Thorin and Company all those years ago, or so he had told himself. But seeing Gloin again had brought it all back, every detail etched perfectly in his memory.
Gimli chuckled and moved to perch on a rock, laying his helm to one side.
"A real breakfast at last," he said, taking his plate from Boromir. "It has been some time since we have eaten anything hot."
"I have been thinking of hot things for days now," Pippin commented, taking his own plate. "Wool blankets, hot food, fire in the hearth, hot tea, hot food -"
"You sounded like Bilbo just then, Pip," Merry said with a laugh as he seated himself by his cousin. "You remember how he told us about his food lists when he went on his own adventure with Thorin and Company."
Aragorn turned to look at Legolas who had made a rather unusual noise for an Elf. It had sounded almost as though he were being strangled.
"Legolas, are you alright?' He asked, staring at his friend in concern.
"I am well, Aragorn. 'Tis nothing."
Aragorn's gaze shifted to Gandalf who merely smiled at him and seated himself in the circle with the others as they awaited Sam's bacon and fried tomatoes. Only Legolas stood apart from them, stroking and patting Bill. The Ranger sighed, running a hand over his face, feeling the scratchy beard that grew there. The nigh constant bickering that existed between Legolas and Gimli was wearing and he feared that what had come before would be nothing to rival what was coming. He stifled a moan and took a seat near Boromir.
As Sam dished out his food, he looked to the Elf who seemed overly concerned with stroking the pony. Bill merely wanted to eat as well, not be lavished with attention.
"Master Legolas," the Hobbit called, still holding his pan over the fire. "Aren't you hungry?"
Legolas straightened, watching as Bill moved away from him. He seemed to take a deep breath before he turned to face them.
I will not be defeated so easily, he thought sternly. Most assuredly not by a Dwarf! He probably knows nothing about it. Gloin would be too discomfited to tell him.
"I am coming, Sam." He moved gracefully across the space that separated him from the others, pointedly not looking at Gimli, who smirked happily.
After everyone had eaten, which was done in complete silence except for the smacking, happy noises of the Hobbits, Merry leaned back against his pack contentedly.
"Won't you give us a story, Gandalf?" he asked, stretching his feet out before him and pulling his cloak more tightly about himself. His eyes went to Frodo who shook his head, but his eyes glittered with amusement and his lips twitched into a smile. Merry grinned. "Why not tell us a tale of Bilbo's adventures? I mean we have all heard Bilbo's version of the story, but it might be amusing to hear it from another point of view."
Frodo hurried to help Sam clear away the dirty plates and cups, hoping to control his laughter that threatened to spill over his lips at any second. Pippin frowned at him, seeing he and Sam exchange glances and giggles.
"Is it true that Dragons breathe fire and smoke?" Merry continued, winking at his cousin. "Or just bubbles?"
Legolas' head swung to the Hobbit, his eyes filled with horror. The Hobbits knew as well! He felt his lungs constrict and he couldn't breathe. He knew that Aragorn and Boromir were staring at him in confusion and concern, but he couldn't move or acknowledge them.
Gandalf gazed serenely at the Elf, blue eyes twinkling. Suddenly Pippin gasped, his eyes brightening.
"Oh! I can ask him now! Right, Merry? Because I still don't believe it." He turned to the Elf. "Legolas is it true -"
But the Wizard hastily interrupted him, pretending that he hadn't heard Pippin's words.
"I will not tell you any tales until the dishes are done and everything set in order. When I do tell you a tale it will be one of my choosing, Meriadoc Brandybuck," he answered, reaching into his voluminous grey robes and pulled out his pipe. An after breakfast smoke seemed just the thing. Then he saw the look on the Prince of Mirkwood's face and thought better of it.
"Oh, bother," he muttered, tucking the pipe away once more. "This is going to grow rather tiresome indeed."
Author's Note
This is a sequel to whatever I will call the rewrite of Elrond's Council, which is a sequel to "In the Hall of the Wood Elf King". Knowing that then, you know this is an AU to "An Orc in Rivendell", so forget the Council of Elrond in that one when reading this story. Thank you. You will have to allow me to stretch time here a bit! Thank you! Also I am having a bit of a struggle with writers' block on "In the Hall." so this is a little something to tide you over until that muse decides to play nice again!
This is Kerttu's Plot Bunny! Or Plot Hare, as Kerttu calls it!
Thoughts are in
Chapter 1 - Arrival at Hollin
The Company of the Ring was two weeks out of Rivendell when the weather changed. Going had been hard, the weather grey and cold, a chill wind blowing off the mountains in the east. Even Legolas was beginning to feel the cold that ate through any number of garments layered on the body, biting at fingers, noses, and Hobbit toes unmercifully. But then after a long, torturous night-march a clear, chill dawn rose. The wind switched to a more southerly direction, blowing through the ancient holly trees that crowned a low ridge, their glossy green leaves and crimson berries shining in the early sunlight.
Distant mountains rose in the south, directly in their path and Pippin suppressed a sigh, glancing at Merry. He could tell that his cousin, for all his weariness, was enjoying this adventure. Many times during the last few days Pippin had thought about the sack that he had declared he would have to be tied and sent home in to keep him from following the Fellowship.
" At least it would be warm," he said miserably to himself. "Warm, and it would be rather nice to be carried. My feet are hurting like never before."
But Merry seemed to thrive on the hardship. His cheeks were rosy with exertion and cold, his eyes bright and cheerful. Never before was Pippin so aware of just how different he and his cousin were. While Pippin had lazed about Rivendell, listening to the Elvish songs and tales or eating to his heart's content, Merry had been with Strider and Gandalf studying maps of the lands they would have to traverse.
Gandalf seemed pleased with their progress, his blue eyes twinkling merrily for the first time in days. He had agreed it was time to make camp. More beautiful words Pippin had never heard. The young Hobbit smiled, not seeing the Wizard watching him with a smile on his own lips.
Gandalf wasn't the only one who was pleased. Gimli moved to stand beside Legolas. He told them of the mountains before them, three great peaks capped in snow: Baraz, Zirak, Shathur. Then he spoke of Khazad-dum, the great Dwarven kingdom that lay beneath them.
"Moria. Moria," his father Gloin had declared at the Council of Elrond. "The wonder of the Northern world."
The same fervent joy exhibited by the elder Dwarf now shone in Gimli's eyes.
"Ah, to see Khazad-dum," he whispered as they moved into a deep protected hollow amongst stands of holly. "To see all the wonders wrought there by my kin so long ago. To stand in Durin's Hall will be the fulfillment of a dream."
As the Dwarf spoke on of the wonders of his kin's 'delving and digging', as Pippin had come to think of it, the others began to make camp.
Gimli spoke on at some length until soon the others weren't really listening to him, except for perhaps Merry. But Gimli wasn't truly thinking of the wonders that waited beneath the mountains. His eyes slid every so often to the Elf who was helping Sam unload the packs from Bill the pony. Perhaps the time was right. Gimli had knowledge of certain things that he knew would embarrass his companion if they were to come to light before the Company. His father had blurted it all out one night before the Company had set out. He had been highly embarrassed, fondling the long golden braid that he had carried with him for so many years. Gimli had nodded in disbelief and astonishment, but he had found it highly amusing and knew that this was a wonderful way to get through the Elf's superior attitude. Gimli smiled. Perhaps the time was right. He moved to help Frodo gather dead twigs and branches for kindling as Gandalf was allowing them a fire for the first time in many days.
"I yearn to see Balin, Oin, Ori and my kin once more." Gimli continued, noting that Legolas had stiffened slightly at their names, just as the Dwarf hoped he would. "You have met them, have you not, Master Elf," he said, more a statement of fact than a question. "Balin, Ori, and Oin I mean."
Legolas felt his face redden slightly.
"Yes, I met them when I met your father," he answered evenly, suddenly engrossed in the contents of one of the packs. Please, Elbereth, he prayed silently. Please. Gloin cannot have told him everything!
Gimli grinned knowing that at anytime he chose he could have the Elf stewing in embarrassment and humiliation.
"We must speak of them sometime, Master Elf," Gimli said, stressing the word 'Master' slightly. "It has been many years since I have seen them."
"And many more since I have seen them," Legolas answered, not meeting his gaze. "I hardly saw them when they were.were at Mirkwood. I am sorry, but I can think of nothing to tell you about them. It has been a long time."
Gandalf raised his bushy eyebrows and turned to study the two. He smiled faintly and bent to the task of starting the fire.
"I thought you Elves had long memories. I am sure there is some tale to tell," Gimli persisted, taking off his helm to allow the soft breeze to ruffle through his hair.
Pippin had been studying the two as he snuck an apple from a pack. There was more going on than a discussion of Gimli's friends and kin in Moria. He knew that Legolas and Gimli didn't care for one another very much so this sudden interest that the Dwarf exhibited in the Elf was somewhat unexpected. He glanced at Frodo, who was trying to suppress a smile and his blue eyes sparkled with amusement. He noted that Merry obviously knew what was going on as well. Sam merely shook his head as he began to prepare their supper-breakfast over the small cheery fire, but the gardener's eyes also seemed to be full of laughter. Pippin frowned, knowing that there was something that he was missing.
"I can't think when I am hungry," he said quietly, taking a bite from the apple.
Aragorn and Boromir exchanged glances, they had no idea what was going on either, though it seemed that they and Pippin were the only ones who didn't. Boromir shook his head and dug out the plates and cups. Whatever it was he suspected they would all know soon enough. Once Gimli and Legolas got started on one another there was no stopping them. He wondered if Elves and Dwarves always behaved in the manner of these two.
Gimli decided that he wouldn't say anything else for a time, let the Elf worry over it a bit. He would enjoy that as well. He moved past Legolas and seemed to stare at his hair.
"You have rather pretty hair, Master Elf," he commented innocently. "Rather like spun gold. Those are Warrior Braids, aren't they?"
Legolas' blue eyes widened, his cheeks flushing and he felt an overwhelming urge to touch his left braid. He had managed to mostly forget what had happened when his father had imprisoned Thorin and Company all those years ago, or so he had told himself. But seeing Gloin again had brought it all back, every detail etched perfectly in his memory.
Gimli chuckled and moved to perch on a rock, laying his helm to one side.
"A real breakfast at last," he said, taking his plate from Boromir. "It has been some time since we have eaten anything hot."
"I have been thinking of hot things for days now," Pippin commented, taking his own plate. "Wool blankets, hot food, fire in the hearth, hot tea, hot food -"
"You sounded like Bilbo just then, Pip," Merry said with a laugh as he seated himself by his cousin. "You remember how he told us about his food lists when he went on his own adventure with Thorin and Company."
Aragorn turned to look at Legolas who had made a rather unusual noise for an Elf. It had sounded almost as though he were being strangled.
"Legolas, are you alright?' He asked, staring at his friend in concern.
"I am well, Aragorn. 'Tis nothing."
Aragorn's gaze shifted to Gandalf who merely smiled at him and seated himself in the circle with the others as they awaited Sam's bacon and fried tomatoes. Only Legolas stood apart from them, stroking and patting Bill. The Ranger sighed, running a hand over his face, feeling the scratchy beard that grew there. The nigh constant bickering that existed between Legolas and Gimli was wearing and he feared that what had come before would be nothing to rival what was coming. He stifled a moan and took a seat near Boromir.
As Sam dished out his food, he looked to the Elf who seemed overly concerned with stroking the pony. Bill merely wanted to eat as well, not be lavished with attention.
"Master Legolas," the Hobbit called, still holding his pan over the fire. "Aren't you hungry?"
Legolas straightened, watching as Bill moved away from him. He seemed to take a deep breath before he turned to face them.
I will not be defeated so easily, he thought sternly. Most assuredly not by a Dwarf! He probably knows nothing about it. Gloin would be too discomfited to tell him.
"I am coming, Sam." He moved gracefully across the space that separated him from the others, pointedly not looking at Gimli, who smirked happily.
After everyone had eaten, which was done in complete silence except for the smacking, happy noises of the Hobbits, Merry leaned back against his pack contentedly.
"Won't you give us a story, Gandalf?" he asked, stretching his feet out before him and pulling his cloak more tightly about himself. His eyes went to Frodo who shook his head, but his eyes glittered with amusement and his lips twitched into a smile. Merry grinned. "Why not tell us a tale of Bilbo's adventures? I mean we have all heard Bilbo's version of the story, but it might be amusing to hear it from another point of view."
Frodo hurried to help Sam clear away the dirty plates and cups, hoping to control his laughter that threatened to spill over his lips at any second. Pippin frowned at him, seeing he and Sam exchange glances and giggles.
"Is it true that Dragons breathe fire and smoke?" Merry continued, winking at his cousin. "Or just bubbles?"
Legolas' head swung to the Hobbit, his eyes filled with horror. The Hobbits knew as well! He felt his lungs constrict and he couldn't breathe. He knew that Aragorn and Boromir were staring at him in confusion and concern, but he couldn't move or acknowledge them.
Gandalf gazed serenely at the Elf, blue eyes twinkling. Suddenly Pippin gasped, his eyes brightening.
"Oh! I can ask him now! Right, Merry? Because I still don't believe it." He turned to the Elf. "Legolas is it true -"
But the Wizard hastily interrupted him, pretending that he hadn't heard Pippin's words.
"I will not tell you any tales until the dishes are done and everything set in order. When I do tell you a tale it will be one of my choosing, Meriadoc Brandybuck," he answered, reaching into his voluminous grey robes and pulled out his pipe. An after breakfast smoke seemed just the thing. Then he saw the look on the Prince of Mirkwood's face and thought better of it.
"Oh, bother," he muttered, tucking the pipe away once more. "This is going to grow rather tiresome indeed."