Disclaimer: Character names taken from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
- Gimli son of Glóin
The Return of the King: Many Partings
'Many a sleepless night have I spent worrisome due to those accursed hobbits,' Gimli muttered into the darkness, rubbing his hands together for warmth. 'And tonight is no exception.' He looked round him; in the waning-moonlight he could just barely discern the forms of Aragorn and Legolas lying on the ground beside him.
'Legolas,' he whispered to the nearer of the shapes.
'What is it, friend Gimli?' asked Legolas, emerging from his Elvish state of semi-sleep.
'I... hmm...; I cannot sleep tonight,' Gimli answered gruffly.
'You are worried about Merry and Pippin.'
'You perceive much, Master Elf,' Gimli replied, somewhat surprised.
'I have also heard much of your musings for the past half-hour, Master Dwarf,' said Legolas with a slight grin.
'Oh.'
Legolas gazed up at the thin silver sliver that was the moon. 'I worry also, but not for their safety. They may not possess the Ring, but that is not known yet to Saruman. They will be kept alive, at any rate, until the Wizard discovers an error has been made. But they are young yet, as indeed most are to the Elves; but even the younger one has not yet come of age according to the standards of his own people. Such innocence as theirs will not last I fear, from the dangers they are now facing. That is why I worry.'
'Elves perceive much; much more than Dwarves it seems, anyway,' Gimli said, after pondering Legolas's words for a few silent moments. 'However, all this talk has made me rather tired. If you'll pardon me, Master Legolas, I think I shall go to sleep.'
'Good night, Gimli friend.'
Faint snores were soon heard from the Dwarf. Legolas smiled and returned his gaze upward to the moon. And the rest of the night he remained thus, thinking, of the hobbits and the day to come.
