It had been a month since Frodo Baggins sailed away from the harbour to the Grey Havens with Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel. Aragorn and Arwen ruled in Gondor, and Eomer had inherited his uncle's throne in Rohan. The dark lord Sauron was dead, and the One ring was destroyed forever.
Despite all this, Legolas still remembered his promise to Gimli- they would go travelling together to see Fangorn forest and the caves of Helms Deep, and other places in Middle-earth.
Currently, Legolas sat high up in a tree surveying the community of the elves of Mirkwood. Then his gaze shifted across the trees in the direction of Erabor, the Lonely Mountain. The following morning, he would journey the small distance to visit Gimli, and together they would set off to travel Middle-earth again.
When morning dawned, Legolas had been up for an hour already. He had packed everything he needed into a small pack that he could carry easily through any terrain of Middle-earth without it getting too heavy.
Erabor loomed up in the distance. Legolas felt a little nervous going to the place of the dwarves. After all, they had been unofficial enemies since king Thranduil ignored the dwarves' cries for help when they're homeland was taken by Smaug the dragon.
Legolas came first to the city of Dale. He had heard that Smaug had done considerable damage to the city all those years ago, and was surprised to see that the men had rebuilt. The lonely mountain loomed up behind the city. As he approached, the doors swung open, and Legolas found himself being welcomed by two dwarves he didn't know.
"Welcome to Erabor, Master Elf," one of them said. "My son tells me you are have proven that elves can be trusted. Therefore, on his word, we have chosen to welcome you into our home."
"Thank you," The elf replied inclining his head Gloin.
Inside the Lonely Mountain was far more beautiful than Legolas had imagined it would be. He had imagined dark caverns with damp grey walls. What he saw instead were well lit corridors of stone shimmering with many precious and semi-precious stones embedded in the walls.
Gloin and his companion led Legolas into a large hall with long wooden tables running the length of the room. At the front of the room was another, shorter table. Dwarves sat at each of the tables eating and talking merrily. At the head table sat a dark haired dwarf who could only be King Thorin Oakenshield.
As Legolas approached, Thorin stood up. Immediately, the other dwarves ceased their talking and faced the head table out of respect and curiosity.
"Welcome, Legolas of Mirkwood," Thorin said. "Please sit and enjoy a meal with us." He indicated a chair a few seats away, next to Gimli who was grinning mischievously at his friend.
Gimli woke the morning Legolas was supposed to arrive. He took out small bag that he could wear on his back and packed a few small things to take along, including his elven cloak given to him from Lady Galadriel.
As Gimli placed the last item in his bag, his friend Gombur came in.
"What kind of prank are we going to play on the elf?" Gombur asked.
Gimli thought for a moment. "I was thinking of putting spiders in his soup."
"Isn't he from Mirkwood? Don't you think they breed spiders? They are elves after all."
"Hmm, I don't think they breed spiders, but good point. He's probably used to them." The two dwarves put their heads together for a good half hour before they came up with the perfect welcoming prank for Prince Legolas.
As Legolas took a seat next to Gimli in the banquets hall, Gimli looked up at his friend, trying not to smile. He failed, and a wide grin spread across his face. Legolas looked briefly confused, but his expression quickly changed when the food was served.
The table in front of them was rapidly filled with roast chicken, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, a collection of vegetables, and many other things the elf did not recognize.
After a rather enjoyable meal, Gimli and friend Gombur (who had insisted on coming) showed Legolas to his room. They led him down a maze of corridors, that the elf was sure he would never find his way out of again. Eventually, they came to a red stone door.
"Have a good sleep," Gimli said.
"Thank you ,Gimli," Legolas said. As he walked into the room, the two dwarves heard him gasp before the door swung shut behind him and began laughing uncontrollably.