Tired of the Mountains
The blond prince in front slowly turned around and motioned for the guard to be quiet. The alarm had sounded and they all had had to drop everything and rush towards the source of danger. They crept forward towards the clearing in the forest, making no sound. His shoulders relaxed and he straightened his back when he saw that the source of danger wasn't anything to attack, but to welcome.
"Gimli, you should have warned us you were coming, someone might have shot you" he said as he strode out into the clearing, his hair glistening in the sun. The dwarf stood before him gave a deep laugh.
"Your arrows are no match for me laddie" Gimli replied.
"That may be so, but I doubt you would have survived my arrows as well" a girl said as she stepped out into the clearing to join her leader.
"Who's this laddie?" Gimli asked, raising an eyebrow.
"This is Ithil" he replied.
"I am a good friend of Legolas" she said indicating to the elf beside her.
"Well, laddie why didn't you speak of her before, she's beautiful" Gimli complimented.
"Why did you come to Mirkwood?" Legolas asked, changing the subject.
"I got bored and tired of the mountains" the dwarf shrugged.
"Well this isn't heard of! A dwarf getting tired of the mountains!" Legolas exclaimed cheerfully.
"Aye, well I fancied an adventure" Gimli replied, as the rest of the elves on guard with Ithil and Legolas, came out from their hiding places.
"Of course" Legolas said, not completely convinced of Gimli's reply.
"I would appreciate it if you lowered your bows" Gimli said to the elves surrounding him. None of the elves moved. Legolas motioned for them to do as the dwarf had asked.
Legolas took Gimli through the forests of Mirkwood to reach where Mirkwood, turned to Greenwood. There were many elves playing, laughing and singing.
"I do like elves" Gimli sighed as he took in the sights. Legolas then told the rest of the guard to go, except for Ithil who remained by the elf prince's side.
Legolas and Ithil escorted Gimli to the throne room, where the King sat.
"Ada" Legolas said bowing deeply. Ithil also bowed but she had to nudge Gimli before he followed suit.
"I see a dwarf has entered our kingdom" Thranduil said indicating for them to stand up straight again.
"This is Gimli ada" Legolas introduced Gimli to his father.
"The dwarf that journeyed with you" Thranduil stated rather than asked.
"Yes" Legolas answered.
"Then he must stay" Thranduil said smiling.
That night the elves of Greenwood offered Gimli a wonderful feast accompanied by the most beautiful music Gimli had ever heard. They ate, they drank, they sang, and Gimli felt that this single night offered him the break from the mountains that he had been looking for.
The next day offered many more pleasures to Gimli, as did the day after, and the day after that; all of Gimli's days proved to him that his decision to leave the mountains had been the right one.
Gimli stayed in Mirkwood with Legolas and Thranduil for some months. The elves were very gracious and acted as brilliant hosts for the dwarf. Gimli didn't want to leave this place of tranquillity and fortunately, he didn't have a reason to go.
Gimli stayed with his friends for many years and grew old in Greenwood. He had been, and remained, extremely content and at peace there, but one day Legolas and his father made the decision to sail to the havens. Gimli was sad at the prospect of losing the people he had grown to love as brothers, for over the many years he had been there, the elves of Greenwood had become family to him. Legolas was also sad at the thought of leaving his dear friend and no one could convince him to let go; not even Ithil, his oldest and most trusted friend. Eventually it was down to Thranduil to provide the solution.
"Legolas, there is one remaining space on the ship. Gimli may come with us, if he so chooses" Thranduil told Legolas. Gimli chose to sail with the elves. He was prepared to leave Middle Earth, prepared to leave his kin behind for good, for friendship and his new family, and that's what he did.
