This story is part 6 of the Legendary Friendship series written by co authors Minnie and Beth. Thank so much to everyone who has been following our stories and commenting so far. For this story to make sense it will help if you've read at least the first one of the series called Legendary Friendship. It will also help to read the following stories, but it is not entirely necessary. In our alternate universe elves come of age at age 1,000. Legolas is around 800 or so at this time and Gimli has been appointed to act as his guardian when he is away from home. We do know what Professor Tolkien says about the age of consent for elves, but we've decided to respectfully ignore this. This series was written originally for discipline fic group so they contain Consensual (tacit agreement) non sexual spanking. If this offends please do not read.

As ever we'd love to hear your (polite) comments.

Beth for Minnie and Beth

Gimli's pov (reading a letter)

From the pen of Thranduil Oropherion Lord of Eryn Lasgalen,

Gimli Elvellon

I write to beseech you to once again take up the mantle of care for my only child Legolas Thranduilion heir to the throne of Eryn Lasgalen, the Wood of Green Leaves.

You proved yourself adept in deciphering the needs of my son and in dealing with those particular needs in your own unique but highly efficacious fashion during the Fellowship and its aftermath as you brought him safe home to me.

I cannot ever find the words to express my gratitude for all that you did to ensure that he came back to those who loved him. Please do not think that I do not acknowledge the role you played in that return or that I do not value the love you expended upon him. I know and can never be sufficiently grateful for that care and while Legolas may demur as to the need for your concern I know better.

Knowing the love you have for my son I make bold as to ask once again for your help, Legolas is determined to travel south to Gondor to mark the first anniversary of the relief of Minas Tirith. I freely admit to being in something of a quandary as to why a one-year anniversary is so important. Legolas tells me it is something to do with mortality and I have decided to take him at his word.

I have reluctantly given him my blessing for his travel to Minas Tirith, for he made certain promises to Estel Elrondion about helping to beautify the White City if and when the war was won. I would not have him be seen to break his word even though I am reluctant to let him from my side so soon after his return. It has only been a few months, the tiniest fraction of time as far as we of the Eldar reckon it. Yet given his propensity to live with mortal kind I have to accept that, that is long enough for many changes to have taken place in their lives and I am concerned he may find some of those changes very difficult to accept.

What I am saying in my rather long-winded fashion is that I need someone he loves and cares for to keep an 'eye" on him. I will not seek to hide from you that he has found the winter he has spent at home difficult. Mayhap I expected too much from him, or he had changed so much that the normal restrictions that would be expected of a prince of our realm chafed on him. He wanted freedom, he objected to the boundaries that were set for him and constantly tested them, it has made for a difficult Rhiw and I fear you may find that he has become even more 'flighty' than you remember.

What I would ask of you Elvellon is that you do not relent in your vigilance towards my son nor do you lessen in your determination to 'deal' with him as his needs dictate. He will continue to have need of your firm hand and your unfailing love in the months ahead and I beg, something that I rarely do, that you do not fail him in that need.

I ask that you keep me appraised on how my son comports himself in the city of stone and remind him that a letter home to his parent would be very much welcomed and is not as difficult thing to achieve as he appears to believe.

I place all my trust in you Gimli son of Gloin and offer you my profound gratitude for all you have done or may do for my son

Thranduil Oropherion

I fold the parchment and put it back in my pocket. I have read this letter many times since receiving it over two months ago before I left my new home in Algarond to travel to Minas Tirith. I had been pleased to receive the news that Legolas had managed to gain permission to return to the White City, for I had been afraid that his father would be loathe to let him go so soon. I have sorely missed him and so quickly sent a reply telling of my willingness to continue to take charge of the lad. It is something I am happy to do and would have done anyway, even with out this special request. I believe I will always think of him as my charge, no matter how mature he may become in the coming years. My job will be made somewhat easier, though, now that I have the King's backing, for I am certain Legolas has been instructed as to what is expected of him and was likely made to promise to heed me before he was allowed one step away from the stronghold in Eryn Lasgalen.

I am not surprised to hear that he has found the winter at home difficult. His absence during the war was without permission and many of his actions after it proved that he still does not always make the best or most sensible choices. In fact I would say it is a rare event indeed when he does bother to think through the repercussions of his actions. It is no wonder his father had him under close watch since his return. Who could blame him? He has been given ample reason to be concerned.

Legolas has at times admitted to the wisdom of having been placed in the care of a guardian. We became very close during out year together and I think he appreciated my care and attention, but he often felt that I, like his minders at home, was overprotective and far too watchful. He felt he was perfectly capable of making his own decisions regarding what was acceptable for him to do, something that often had us at odds.

No, it is not surprising or unusual that he has been kept on such a short leash or that this has him cross and chafing under the scrutiny. My work is cut out for me it seems, especially after considering some of the more recent developments here in the city that I have recently been made aware of. I laugh wryly thinking about my first meeting with the King and Queen of Gondor, when I arrived here several days ago. Legolas is not the only one who is tired of being watched.

Upon my arrival, I was first escorted to a very comfortable apartment of rooms within the citadel, where I can stay together with the elfling. Perhaps Aragorn has received a letter from King Thranduil as well stating the necessity of this, or maybe he has used his own discernment considering the climate in the city. I do not know, but as soon as I had made myself presentable, I was taken to meet King Elessar, not in the formal receiving hall, but in his private chambers. He apologized for greeting me in such a casual fashion, but stated that after months of sleeping on the ground back to back with someone, it is hard to be concerned over etiquette and besides that he didn't feel like dressing up. I heartily agreed and we were enjoying a companionable conversation and a smoke, when I enquired of the Queen.

It was then that he told me of the rumors of a small group of insurgents who are unhappy with his choice of Queen. They object to the fact that she is not fully human and would like to keep the White City free of any elvish influence for fear the human population will lose their control of the city. Tales of whispered threats managed to reach the King's ears, and he now feels it necessary to keep his Queen guarded night and day, something the Lady has objected strongly to evidently.

"You will soon see what I mean, Friend Gimli," Aragorn told me, "It is not the way I had hoped to begin our marriage."

And it was only minutes after that that I did see what he meant. A light but swift step could be heard coming toward the King's chamber, quickly followed by the heavy thud of many pairs of boots. Next I heard a feminine voice muttering under her breath and then, "I have had quite enough of this constant harassment. NO, I do not want to hear again what the King says; there are some things that are meant to be private. DO NOT FOLLOW ME!"

The door opened just enough to permit her slight form to enter and then was slammed soundly behind her. Leaning with her back against the door, she immediately lit into her husband.

"Estel this has gotten entirely out of hand. I cannot say hello to the chambermaid without half a dozen men drawing swords and rifling through her cleaning supplies. Every staff member walks a wide path around me to avoid being harassed by my protectors and all because of some unproven bit of gossip. Furthermore, I cannot even take a proper pee without getting stage fright from the guards listening at the door! You must put a stop to this or I will be tempted to turn in my resignation as Queen!"

Such language for a Lady!

Aragorn turned helplessly to me, "See what I mean?"

"Lord Gimli!" The Queen flushed brightly noticing me for the first time. "I did not realize you were here already. I hope you have found your accommodations to your liking."

"Indeed they are more than suitable, My Lady." I said, "I am certain we will be quite comfortable there."

"We?" The Lady looked puzzled. "Oh yes, Legolas is staying with you isn't he? It is well that you will be here to watch out for him, especially considering the rum…" She frowned suddenly and swallowed her words.

"What is that you were saying, Arwen?" Aragorn was quick to jump on her error. "Especially considering the rumors going around the city. Is that it?"

"That is not what I was going to say!"

"I suppose you think that these rumors bode ill for all but you. Legolas needs to be protected, but you don't, is that what you meant?" He turned to me for support, "That sounds very like a double standard, wouldn't you agree Gimli?"

Before I had decided how to answer that delicate question, the Queen's face grew extraordinarily dark indeed. Her fists and teeth clenched, she replied, "No it is not! It is a totally different situation. That crazy, flighty elfling has such a propensity for trouble that he should be surrounded by a contingent of specially trained guards at all times. I on the other hand can take care of myself! Now if you will excuse me, I came in here for a reason" With that she stomped off to attend to her private business, leaving Aragorn and I cringing and hurrying to change the subject.

Since then the Queen has continued to be trailed by guards, but I had not thought any further about the reasons for this until today. The patrol guarding the city has sent word to me that Legolas and his escort have been spotted and should be arriving shortly. In light of the rumors I have come to collect him at the gate, just to be on the safe side. I admit to having trepidations as to how he will view this precaution, especially after reading the King's letter and after seeing Lady Arwen's reaction to being so closely watched. Of course I will do what I have to do to keep my word to his father, but I would rather we at least start out with a pleasant reunion and not an argument. I am resigned to the possibility that we may have some wrinkles to iron out before we settle into a peaceful arrangement that we can both live with, though I am convinced it will be worth the effort.

Legolas' pov:

My journey south has been tedious, my escort taking my father's final admonition to keep me under close watch until I was in sight of the White City very seriously indeed.

Yet even with that too close surveillance it has been a relief to be free from the confinement I have felt in Eryn Lasgalen. I know I sound as if nothing satisfies me, but I have been so stifled at home. My family and the members of my Adar's court mean well, but they still see me as little more than a child, at least emotionally. When I returned from Erebor I had high hopes that the success of my visit to the dwarven realm under the mountain would weigh in my favor with my father. It turned out to be anything but, King Thorin's missive to my Adar rather than reassuring him, or making him proud of me seemed only to confirm his fears that I had once again managed to get myself into a scrape that was both dangerous and highly imprudent given my precarious position at the time. I am still not certain if he was referring to my rope walk or Lady Vonild's initial disapproval of me.

Either way I spent the whole of the winter being regaled with my Ada's views on my conduct while in Erebor and very unpleasant it was too!

I suppose I had expected too much. My time away with the Fellowship and then my success in Erebor had awoken in me a conviction that I was finally about to be accepted as an adult by my kin.

This belief was very soon dashed. It being my Ada's view that my having been absent for a year it was time I applied myself to my princely duties. Including in which he pronounced was a furthering of my education, which according to my Adar had been shown to be sadly lacking.

For a long time I feared I would not be given leave to travel south to Gondor to visit Aragorn and Arwen, but a letter from Gimli seemed to reassure my parent that whatever plans I might have on 'enjoying' myself would be properly squashed by my dwarven guardian's presence.

"I place great faith in the strong hand of Gimli Gloinson" my father told me, "and you may be sure that I have written to him to tell him that he has my full support in any efforts of his to ensure you keep in line when you go to keep your promise to Estel."

I knew it was useless to argue with him for he had that look about him that I was far too familiar with. I could only place my hopes in being able to persuade Gimli that there was no need to follow to the letter my father's strictures.

My dwarven friend is very fond of me I know, and I had sufficient confidence in my ability to persuade him that I began to feel quite confident that my sojourn in the White City might not be as uncomfortable as my father might wish!

I had kept this thought foremost in my mind on my journey south and when I finally came in sight of Minas Tirith and I saw the stocky shape of Gimli Gloinson standing beside the still broken gates leaning on his walking axe, his hirsute face wreathed in smiles at my arrival I felt a great release of the tension and knew that things were going to be better from then on.

I spurred Arod forward ignoring the protests of my escorts who made an abortive lunge at my cape. Leaping from Arod's back to the ground just as Gimli hurried forward,

I fell to my knees and was instantly encompassed in a hearty embrace, which I hurried to reciprocate.

"Gimli, how I have missed you," I cried realizing how true my words were. Only half a year away from him seemed like a lifetime to me now. "Are you well?"

I was happy to see that my happiness was equally returned for Gimli hugged me close and growled "Laddie, Laddie, it's good to see you and aye I am very well." He looked behind me to where my minders were riding forward their faces redolent of their disapproval of my precipitant actions. "Here now, you had better see to your escort lad."

It was my own opinion that my 'escort' could go to Mordor, since they had kept me tied by the heels for the whole journey, but I could see that such opinions would not go down well with Gimli, so I docilely agreed to his suggestion that they be housed in the barracks on the sixth level of the city while their horses were given an opportunity to rest.

"I am sure Aragorn will have letters to send to your father, and you may also wish to write to the king and reassure him that you are safe in my care."

While I by no means approved the words 'safe in my care' I was not such an idiot as to voice my objections and Gimli was already placing my escort into the care of an escort of their own. I wondered at this but since it was of little interest to me I was happy to see them being led away and was more than content to follow Gimli into the city through the shattered main gates.

When he then pronounced that he was happy to ride up to the Citadel behind me on Arod, I began to wonder if something was amiss a belief that was reinforced when six of the Citadel Guard formed up around us and seemed determined to escort the pair of us all the way to the seventh level and a reunion with Aragorn and Arwen.

Still, I was so happy to be reunited with Gimli that I did not argue for we had so much news to exchange and I wanted to hear if his family were well, especially Lady Vonild and Greirr. I was also keen to know of how far he had got in organizing a move of some of his kin to Rohan.

In no time at all we were clattering through the tunnel and coming out at the steps before the newly restored King's House.

Aragorn and Arwen are both waiting for us, and like Gimli before them their faces are wreathed in smiles.

Aragorn hurries forward to help Gimli down and then all but drags me from Arod's back so happy is he it seems to have me back in Gondor. We exchange warrior handclasps and then be pulls me into a fraternal hug.

"It is good to have you here with us again" he laughs, "I thought Thranduil might refuse to let you come."

"So did I," I retort moving over to Arwen who is still standing on the steps with both arms open. "You are more beautiful than ever," I tell her as I kiss her hand.

"And so are you. Your winter at home has done you good it seems. How is your father?"

"He is very well, and very busy trying to bring our forests back to good health. It has not stopped him from spending the whole of the season in scolding and lecturing me on my various failings. Still, he sends his best wishes to you, hopes you are happy in your new life and said I was to tell you that if there is anything he can do for you he will be glad to do so."

Arwen beams at me "Dear Lord Thranduil, he is so kind. I shall write to him today. But come in come in, your baggage arrived a few days ago. You will be pleased to know that I have had your trunks unpacked."

The four of us go into the hall and up the stone staircase to the King's private apartments; Arwen has tucked her hand in mine and is chattering away as we walk. I keep one ear on her words and allow most of my attention to take in the changes that have been made in this austere building since last year. There are signs of elven influence everywhere. Rich hangings, filmy drapes at the windows, statuary and pieces of art work on elegant tables and most importantly to me at least bowls of fresh flowers and leaves.

We reach the second floor and I look back to where Aragorn and Gimli are following. They are talking quietly to each other and I hear Aragorn asking if anything unusual occurred on our journey up through the city.

"No, and I made sure the escort sent by King Thranduil are safely housed in the barracks on the sixth level and that should they wish to go out into the city they will be accompanied."

A frown creases my brow and I see that Arwen is also listening to her husband and Gimli and that she is scowling, I am about to ask what is amiss when she shakes her head and indicates we will speak later. I have to be satisfied with that since we have reached my temporary quarters.

I am surprised to find that I am to be sharing my rooms with Gimli. Not that I have any great objection to the arrangement save that my bedchamber windows look out over an inner courtyard rather than the city itself. I look down at the sheer walls beneath and above me; it occurs to me that I have been placed here to make it difficult for me to 'escape'.

Such a thought is unworthy of me I tell myself yet I cannot rid myself of the idea that I am being kept safe from something or someone and I do not like it at all.

I am not a child and I do not appreciate being treated as if I am one. I have promised myself that this visit will be the one where I get to do as I wish rather than what others decide for me.

I intend to explore the city and its surroundings and I promised Greirr that I would make drawings of all the things of interest and make notes for him on all the things I see. I read also during the long winter months that in the spring it has been the tradition for the youth of Minas Tirith to indulge in horse racing around the streets of the city itself and I am determined that should it be run during my stay I am going to take part.

For now I smile and nod as Aragorn and Arwen ask Gimli and myself to join them for dinner. We are the first of the guests invited for the one-year anniversary celebrations to arrive in Minas Tirith and as Arwen says we have much to catch up on. Not least just what is going on between Aragorn and Gimli?