Hello, laceefun here! I'm back with a brand new story. I've missed writing so much and I was so happy when I finally got a writable idea :D
To clear any possible confusions, this story will not have any connections to my previous story 'The Siege of Mirkwood.' So basically, Legolas and Gimli never went to Mirkwood, but were at Minas Tirith with Aragorn. It's much less confusing that way to readers that have not read my other story. Unless I state that it's a sequel or something, most of my stories probably won't be connected to each other.
Well, you've probably noticed, but this time it's not a Thranduil story, but a Legolas and Gimli story! I've always wanted to explore their friendship, and I kind of did a little in 'The Siege of Mirkwood,' but not in great detail. This will hopefully go more in depth. The story will most likely be a short one too. I'm expecting no more than five chapters, but then again, you never know.
Summary: While traveling in Fangorn Forest, Gimli and Legolas get separated. To make things worse, they encounter familiar enemies and suspicious men that claim to be lost.
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of The Rings
Maybe rated T for minor violence.
"You move me, Gimli," said Legolas, "I have never heard you speak like this before. Almost you make me regret that I have not seen these caves. Come! Let us make this bargain – if we both return safe out of the perils that await us, we will journey for a while together. You shall visit Fangorn with me, and then I will come with you to see Helm's Deep."
"That would not be the way of return that I should choose," said Gimli. "But I will endure Fangorn, if you promise to come back to the caves and share their wonder with me."
"You have my promise," said Legolas.
- The Two Towers
Chapter 1 – Meetings in Fangorn
Why was he here? Here amongst animated trees and deadly Orcs? It was the last place Gimli would have found himself after the War of the Ring. Yet, here he was, holding his axe up high and trying to deflect Orc swords and tree branches. Tree branches of
all things. Here and there, the sounds of cracking trunks and whipping branches assaulted Gimli's ears as trees thrashed about like a child on a tantrum. Most of the Orcs have already fled the scene, and the remaining one in front of him appeared
panicky as every exit became blocked by flailing trees. Another Orc lay crushed beneath a fallen trunk – the first victim.
As Gimli inched backwards to find a way out of this tree hell, he tripped on a raised root and landed flat on his back, his weapon flying out of his hand. The tree responsible suddenly let out a great groan, and leaned toward the Dwarf. Eyes popping out
and mouth shaped in a silent 'O', Gimli gave no second thought as he rolled and rolled away from the falling tree. There was an earsplitting crack like lightning and a boom like thunder as the tree became completely uprooted and fell just short of
Gimli's head. He became buried in the leaves and boughs of his assailant. With his hands protectively held over his head and eyes squeezed shut, he lay still for a moment listening to the chaos outside. He heard shuffling feet, a dull thud, and the
squeal of an Orc. Well, there goes that one. Thinking it was safer inside where he was, Gimli decided to lay low until the trees calmed down. He never thought that branches and leaves dancing in the wind could sound so deadly.
When he stayed long enough to think that the continuing rustle of leaves was due to the wind, Gimli untangled his arms and carefully lifted his head. His body felt stiff from being so tense for so long. When he was sure he would not be assaulted by any
more trees or Orcs, he shifted his way out of his hiding place and looked around at the messy scene. Branches and green leaves littered the forest floor, and the foot of the unfortunate Orc could be seen peeking out from a bed of foliage. But what
really made Gimli's blood cold was the massive number of fallen tree trunks. He almost got killed by a tree! He laughed out loud at the ridiculous notion. Once he got over his brief hysteria, the matter of Orcs alerted his mind.
'Orcs in Fangorn! I should warn Legolas and Treebeard,' he thought.
Spotting his axe near the roots a few feet from where he was, Gimli waded out of the leaves and reached for his weapon. As soon as he grabbed it though, he heard something slice the air with a dull whoosh. On instinct, he whipped around only to meet his
head with an incoming branch as thick as a troll's arm. Only one thought consumed Gimli as the darkness enveloped him.
'Curse that Elf and his wretched love for these accursed trees.'
"Hoom. Here we are, young ones. The great forest of Fangorn as you like to call it."
Treebeard, the great Ent, stood tall and proud before the edge of Fangorn Forest, seeming to expand as he took in the greatness of his home. He had left Isengard a few hours ago after meeting Gandalf, Celeborn, Galadriel, and other old friends. Beside
him stood an Elf and a Dwarf. A curious duo, but the two did not seem to mind being with each other. On the contrary, the Elf had a hand on the Dwarf's shoulder and was talking excitedly to his unusual companion in a friendly manner.
"Look Gimli, we have made it! Do not look so grim, my friend. Remember that you have stepped foot in the forest of Fangorn before. Except this time, we have Master Fangorn, or Treebeard if you prefer, to guide us."
The Elf, Legolas, attempted to poke fun at his Dwarf friend, Gimli, who appeared to be bitterly reluctant to be reentering the ancient forest once more. Being surrounded by normal trees – that, Gimli did not mind. But he was not going to be surrounded
by normal trees in there. These trees would be old and nearly alive. He had gotten that into his mind when he, Legolas, and Aragorn had tracked the Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, into the forest. His friend had been immediately captured by the forest's
magic, but Gimli's skin had crawled with the unnaturalness of it all. Talking and thinking trees – absurd! But, he had made a deal with his friend, and Legolas had kept his side of the bargain by exploring the Glittering Caves with him, so Gimli knew
that he had no choice but to keep his word as well. At least they both made it out of the war and were able to explore this land. That was enough to be grateful for, Gimli bargained.
"Treebeard, I thank you once more for your invitation into the forest," said Legolas. "It was great fortune that we met in Isengard, although it is a most unusual place to be looking for fortune!"
Treebeard smiled, reminding Gimli of his grandfather, and replied, "Hroom. It is my pleasure, young master Elf. It always delights me to talk to creatures of this earth, especially Elves. They are, after all, the ones who taught us how to speak."
He spoke slowly as if he had all the time in the world, which he probably did.
"Well, what are we waiting for? If I am to bear the company of these trees once more, then I would like to get it over with as quickly as possible," grumbled Gimli.
"Ah yes, yes. I can stand here and talk to you about how the first trees were able to talk, but I remember that you folk are hasty. I will attempt to match your standards and show more than tell," groaned Treebeard. "You will be under my protection, but
still, take care you do notswing your, hoom¸ swords and axes. The trees have become sensitive ever since the war. Nobody can blame them though…." He shook his head sadly and showered Gimli and Legolas with stray twigs and leaves.
However, Treebeard quickly abandoned his promise to do less telling, much to Gimli's impatience. As they passed the first trees, Treebeard continued to talk about the evil of Orcs and Saruman, and how they cut the forest down and burned many acres of
land. Then he talked about some history, about the forest's original form, about the Entwives and what happened to them, and about Entings. If Merry and Pippin were here, they would be subject to listening to the same stories they have heard before.
Legolas followed Treebeard's wide, leisurely steps with eyes sparkling with wonder and thirst as he lapped up every word the ancient being squeezed out. Gimli, meanwhile, had to struggle to not appear bored. It was bad enough that he was not as interested
in the subject as much as his Elvish friend was, and Treebeard's lazy voice did not help in the slightest. Had he not been paying attention, he would have thought that the Ent's words were the sounds of great trees creaking in the wind. Treebeard's
voice sounded like nature itself. He knew the Elves were old beings, but Legolas looked quite childlike compared to Treebeard, who was as old as the forest itself.
Treebeard would occasionally point out individual trees – the ones he felt closest to – and introduced them. They came across beech trees, oak trees, birch trees…. Although, to Gimli they appeared simply as 'trees.' Then they came across a tree quite
smaller than the ones they have passed so far. It had a thin trunk and leaves in different shades of green. Gimli noticed petite, yellow and pink flowers scattered across its crown like colorful confetti.
"And here we see little, hoom, Tenderblossom, I believe in your words. She bears lovely flowers in the spring. She is still young, you know. Can barely talk!" Treebeard said. Gimli thought he winked at them.
Legolas placed a hand on Tenderblossom's trunk and smiled as he gave a hearty, "Hello, Tenderblossom!" as if to greet a new friend. Treebeard seemed very content at Legolas's treatment of the tree.
To Gimli, however, Tenderblossom looked like any other tree.
"If Tenderblossom was an Entwife, I may have introduced her to Quickbeam, our youngest Ent," he added as he gave Legolas and Gimli a mischievous eye. Then he looked away shyly as if the very thought embarrassed him. Gimli restrained himself from rolling
his eyes. Romance between trees… his people would never believe it.
"What about food?" Gimli blurted, "I am so famished that I would be content to taste any fruit this forest has to offer – no matter how evil it may be."
"We do not bear evil fruit, young master Dwarf," reassured Treebeard. "Well, at least not all of them are."
Legolas gave a merry laugh. "How can food be in your mind when all you have all this greatness about you, Gimli?"
"Well, one great thing about this forest is the lack of Elves compared to the number of trees. I shudder to think how it would have been otherwise. One tree-loving Elf is enough for me!"
Gimli shuddered theatrically and Legolas shoved him playfully.
"Hoom, hoom. Tree-loving indeed. You do have a point though, Gimli, son of Gloin. I think I will go fetch some food for you young ones," said Treebeard. "Back when Elves roamed these forests, they would often receive fruit given to them by grateful
trees. Trees such as Tenderblossom here. She sometimes bears peaches. A fitting fruit for her lovely self, do you not agree? And then there was the time that-"
"I-If you forgive me, O Treebeard," stammered Gimli before Treebeard could talk away, "I think we can search for our own food. You need not worry yourself over our empty stomachs." In truth, he was quite worried that they would not get their food by sundown
if Treebeard prepared it – if he ever got to preparing it before he stopped talking that is.
"I do not mind, Master Gimli. Actually, it is better this way because some of the berries and fruits may be, as you have said before, evil," the old Ent added with a lift of his bushy eyebrows. His eyes grew as Dwarvish parents' do when they scare their
children with stories. Laughter bubbled deep in his throat as he delighted in Gimli's dumbfounded expression. Then he turned to Legolas and asked, "Would you like to see deeper into the forest, little Elf?"
Legolas looked absolutely delighted, like a young Elfling who had just received a present from his nana and ada.
"May I?" he exclaimed.
"Of course! You are free to explore these woods as you wish, little one. Just make sure Master Gimli does not swing his axe too high. Take all the time you need. I will be here with Tenderblossom and your food."
"I shall! Thank you, Treebeard! Come Gimli, I smell a different air in that direction."
Without waiting for Gimli, Legolas bounded away from Treebeard with his golden hair waving like sunlight. Eager to be stretching his legs and getting away from their host's insistent chattering, Gimli followed after his excited friend. But following an
Elf through a forest did not turn out to be as simple as he had thought: Legolas zigzagged through trees and disappeared into bushes, only to reappear someplace Gimli did not expect. He seemed so much at ease in this environment, much as a squirrel
or a raccoon would be, and Gimli was as comfortable as a rabbit would be floating in the ocean. The trees seemed to loom over him, just daring him to slip and make a mistake.
"What is in this direction?" asked Gimli, more to hear himself speak than from actual curiosity.
"I do not know! I hope to find out!" was Legolas's only reply.
Gimli found that he could hear his friend, but could not locate him with his eyes.
"Legolas? Legolas!" he called.
"I am here, Gimli!" Legolas replied from… above him? Gimli looked up to find Legolas waving cheerfully at him.
"The view is breathtaking from up here, my friend. You should come join me."
"I think I will pass."
"That is a shame!"
"Legolas, how long do you plan on staying here?"
But Legolas had already left, a flash of blond darting into a nearby tree. Grumbling under his breath, Gimli attempted to follow. He was trying his best to satisfy Legolas's needs in this forest, but traipsing around forests was not in his nature, and
so the strain of his efforts were starting to get to him.
He could not locate his friend by sight, so he had to rely on his ears to follow. Gimli heard another rustle to his right and mindlessly changed direction. But the rustling soon became confined to one bush, and out popped not an Elf, but a squirrel. Startled,
Gimli intuitively lifted his axe, but the instant groaning of trees nearby prompted him to slowly lower it once more.
"Wha- where is that damned Elf?" he growled. "Legolas!"
But all that answered were the low hums of trees and twittering of critters and birds.
"LEGOLAS!" he tried once more only to be slapped in the face with silence. "Did this Elf fall off a tree?"
"Not yet my dear friend."
Gimli nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden appearance of Legolas behind him.
"Durin's beard, Legolas! Do you mind shouting out a warning next time you decide to do that?"
Legolas cocked his head in mock innocence.
"Do you not think it strange that I shout out warnings before I intend to surprise?"
Gimli swiped at Legolas's tunic, but the Elf, laughing, nimbly jumped back to avoid it.
"How did you find me?" Gimli asked, "I thought I had wandered quite far from where we were. Did I leave too obvious a trail? Or do you keep a map somewhere in that long hair of yours?"
Legolas grinned widely, eager to satisfy what was perhaps Gimli's first real curiosity toward the forest.
"Do you really want to know, dear Gimli?"
Gimli shot Legolas an impatient look that clearly said, 'Well, get on with it while I am still interested.' Legolas looked above and around him, prompting Gimli to do the same.
"The trees told me."
"The trees."
Gimli repeated the words with barely a hint of skepticism. First there were walking and talking trees, and now there was an Elf that claimed he could actually converse with them. Was there no end to the day's surprises? Legolas caught Gimli's tone and
chuckled good-heartedly.
"Yes Gimli, the trees. They have voices of their own as Treebeard has explained. You can always hear them, but to really understand them, one must listen closely." And Legolas gently pressed his ear (almost lovingly, Gimli noted) onto a nearby trunk as
a man would onto his pregnant wife's belly. Perhaps it was the sincere way Legolas explained it, or Gimli's intent to humor his friend; whatever it was, Gimli found himself leaning into the same tree and straining his ears to listen for a sound. But
even after minutes of awkward listening, he heard nothing. Feeling ridiculous, he tore away from the tree as if it insulted him with its silence.
"Well, I hear nothing. Perhaps you are only hearing voices in your head, Legolas."
Instead of a clever remark as Gimli had expected, Legolas smiled somewhat sadly.
"It is a pity you do not share this wonderful experience," he sighed.
At his friend's dejected remark, Gimli was almost tempted to put his ear to the trunk again. However, he was stopped by a low creaking of that very tree to which Legolas frowned.
"What is it?" Gimli asked.
"It is unnerved. Something makes it unhappy."
"Well, I hope it is not I who makes it uncomfortable."
"I do not think you are the cause," assured Legolas, his expression smoothing out. "It is probably nothing. Treebeard has told us that the trees have been restless ever since the war, after all."
Gimli nodded in agreement. "Shall we go back to Treebeard, then?" he asked hopefully.
"Just one more stop and then I will join you!" Legolas exclaimed, spirits high once more. With an ambiguous wave of his hand which Gimli did not know whether to decipher as a wave of goodbye or a sign to follow, Legolas was already running to another
part of the forest.
Gimli did not bother to hide his grumpiness as he debated for a moment whether to follow or to stay and wait for him to come back. He thought of his friend's enthusiasm to explore the deep parts of the forest and judged that it was very unlikely he come
back to look for him anytime soon. Well, Gimli could always go back to Treebeard alone, given that he could find his way back in this labyrinth of a forest. He let out a great sigh at that thought; anything was better than enduring Treebeard's history
lessons. Deciding to try his luck at surviving the forest alone, Gimli trudged through the thick foliage, careful not to lift his axe too high. He hated this, hated how he had to be wary of the trees' emotions. For the love of Durin, they weren't
even alive! Oh, but he would tolerate Fangorn only because he knew Legolas would do the same for him. 'Think positive, Gimli,' he told himself. He would think of Lothlorien. Yes, he would think of Lady Galadriel. At least her forest was blessed with
her beauty.
A tiny, genuine smile crept into Gimli's beard as he dreamt of the beautiful Elf and her golden hair. Golden was an insufficient word to describe her luscious locks. There were no words in any language of the world to describe how stunning she
was. Even sunlight itself could not match her hair.
A dangerous groaning of the trees jolted Gimli out of his happy thoughts. He averted his attention to his axe, but found that it was safely snuggled on his shoulder.
"Oh what bothers you now you damned trees?" The groans continued. "I- I mean, wonderful, beautiful, lovely trees."
That was it. He had lost it. He was talking to trees! Flattering them! What would his people think of him now? But despite Gimli's efforts, the compliments did not seem to reach them. In fact, the sounds intensified which honestly were starting to frighten
Gimli. He shook his head to clear his emotions. They were trees. What could they do to him? A sudden great boom made Gimli drop his axe and raise his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Alright, alright! I am not here to do you any harm, see?"
The trees were now moving, swaying and twisting lethargically against the wind as if stretching after a long night's sleep. Gimli was really starting to lose his patience now. He had humored these trees long enough.
"I honestly do not know what is upsetting you. It would greatly help if you could tell me instead of pouting like children. And it would help even more if you could show up anytime now, Legolas!"
Miraculously enough, Gimli heard footsteps behind him and he sighed heavily in relief. But almost immediately, he realized that the footsteps were too heavy to be Legolas, and they were many. He mechanically turned around and was amazed to find five Orcs
looking as surprised as he was to have stumbled across another living being. The trees around them were now visibly angry – Gimli did not have to be an Elf to see that. They were shaking and flailing their branches dangerously close to the Orcs and
Gimli as if to shoo them away. A few Orcs swatted at the branches annoyingly, growling in protest whenever one managed to snag itself onto his skin. They all had their weapons raised, which Gimli figured was why the trees were so upset before. The
biggest Orc at the front – probably the leader of the pack – ignored the distractions and fixed his leer onto Gimli. There was no need to question each other on why they were in the forest. They have come upon enemies, and that was all that mattered.
He pointed his sword at Gimli and growled something in the black speech. Preparing himself for a fight, Gimli picked up his own axe and went into a defensive stance. The forest sprang into offense.
The old trees of Fangorn murmured amongst themselves as the stranger sprinted through the forest. Light feet stirred the crispy leaves and fingers brushed against bark. Fangorn forest was not fond of visitors, but it had not had an Elvish one for quite
some time now. The older trees had not forgotten the gifts they had brought them, so they left this stranger to do as he wished under their watchful eyes.
Legolas stopped where a patch of sunlight was splashed across the floor, painting the grass gold enough to make his father jealous. He breathed in the moist air and exhaled happily. He must be close to the heart of the forest by now for the air felt cooler
as he got deeper inside. On a whim, Legolas climbed the closest tree and sat on the sturdiest branch as he gazed out into what has become one of his favorite views. If the daytime view was this breathtaking, he could hardly wait to get a view of the
old forest under a starry night. Fangorn had a time-worn appeal to it that was different from Mirkwood. It was almost as if time had approached the place, but instead of passing by, had decided to settle in it. Legolas played with the leaves drooping
over his head and smiled. How long has it been since he enjoyed such leisure? He swung his dangling legs back and forth like he used to do back when he was home in Mirkwood. Dear Gimli would probably make fun if he were to find him doing this. 'You
may be old in age, but you are as every bit childish as a new born babe!' he would say. Legolas smirked as he imagined the banter. He should go back and find Gimli; he would not like it if he were to tarry too long.
He raised one knee and then the other, and slowly got up, all the while eyes glued to the distracting, magnificent sight ahead. Perhaps that was what caused Legolas to drop his guard, but he was caught unaware by the unfamiliar voice that called out to
him as he prepared to climb down.
"Hello there!" a deep voice called.
Immediately snapping to attention with a sharp intake, Legolas tore his gaze away from the nature and fixed it on the ground where five men had approached the tree he had been in. How long they had been there and whether they had been watching him, he
could not know. Without returning an answer, Legolas's eyes quickly went from one man to the next, scrutinizing each of them. They all had dark skin in various tones and sharp facial features. This he could tell by their eyes despite the cloth they
all had over their faces. Their weapons and their armor suggested that they were men of Harad; the same men he had fought at Pelennor Fields. They had spread out around the tree, which was part of what made Legolas's hair stand on end. They were making
him feel uncomfortably cornered, and he was glad that the shadow of the tree concealed him somewhat.
The man that spoke lowered his ragged scarf and stepped forward with hands raised halfway in what was probably meant to be a peaceful gesture. It reminded Legolas of the way Aragorn acted when they came across Eomer and the exiled Rohirrim for the first
time. But it did not have the same reassuring feel to it, and Legolas had to dig his feet into the branch he was on to keep from climbing higher.
"Kind Sir, please do not be so suspicious. We come in peace. Do you speak Westron?" the man accentuated, the thick accent betraying his unfamiliarity of the language.
Legolas did not answer. Men were normally wary of Fangorn Forest and tended to steer clear of the place, so these strange people invited caution rather than welcome in Legolas.
When the man, apparently the leader of the group, realized that he would not be getting a greeting from Legolas, he took another step toward the tree and spoke again.
"If it would make you less suspicious, I will tell you my name. I am Haashim. Would the kind Sir be willing to tell us his name?
"You should not be here," Legolas said at last, ignoring Haashim's question. "The forest does not take kindly to strangers. Leave while you still can."
Haashim dropped his hands and tightened his lips just a fraction; a smile immediately took its place, though. If he was faking it, he was very good at it, Legolas had to admit.
"Believe me, we would very much love to. You see, we are not suspicious people, but lost men in a forest trying to get back home," said Haashim, "But alas, these woods do not yield the exit to us."
Legolas stared at him, apprehensive of what he was going to say next.
"My men and I were wondering… if the kind, nameless Sir could show us the way out. If he only did that, we would gladly be on our way."
"Is it the exit you want?" Without moving from his position, Legolas pointed toward the east. "Continue in that direction, and you will find it."
"We have already tried that direction. And the west. And the south. And the north. But no matter how much we walk, we always end up in the same place. Dear Sir, this is the first time we met another man in these woods. I am very reluctant to let this
chance to pass by. Will you not come down and lead us out?"
Legolas shook his head disbelievingly at this man, Haashim's, bold words.
"I am afraid I cannot do that. I see that you are men of Harad, men that chose to fight for the wrong side during the war. I am not one to mix with such men so easily," he said.
A ripple of quiet, worried murmurs erupted amongst the men. Some of them narrowed their eyes almost hostilely at Legolas. Haashim looked equally uncomfortable and notched up his tone.
"Have mercy! We did not all choose to be in that war. It was either war or death for us and our families. You do not know the terror of the Dark Lord and what he can unleash on those that disobey. We fled from the battle against Gondor once it was clear
that we have lost, and we have been wandering in this forest for at least two days with very little food and water since. And the trees here are haunting, almost as if they are possessed! Please, kind Forest Dweller, all we want is to go home to our
wife and children," Haashim pleaded.
Legolas recoiled at the desperate way he said it. Haashim's eyes did not lie, nor did his cheekbones: they were prominent from the lack of food. Perhaps these men were truthful and simply lost. He had known in his heart that many of the men of Harad were
probably brought here to fight for Sauron against their will. For all he knew, even some Gondorions might have felt the same. There were, after all, good and bad men in all corners of the world, as it was with all people. After debating with himself
in the tense silence of the men, Legolas sighed as he came to a conclusion. Gimli will not like this.
"Alright… I will come down and help you," he resigned.
Haashim and the men visibly looked relieved. Legolas did not descend, but jumped nimbly to the nearest tree (eliciting gasps from the men below) to climb down instead. He did not want to land in the middle of so many unfamiliar men.
Once Legolas stepped out of the shadows to reveal himself in front of the men, there was another collective gasp as they took in the blond hair, tall form, proud stance, and especially the pointed ears. They were laying their eyes on an Elf for the first
time of their lives. All the men whispered excitedly in their own language except for Haashim, who stood gazing silently at Legolas with surprise and wonder.
"I must admit, I did not expect to see a Vyari* in my lifetime. I did not believe they were real," murmured Haashim.
"A Vyari?" repeated Legolas.
"It is what we call creatures like you: tall, fair, and pointed ears."
"Ah, I see…." Legolas answered, frowning at the word creature. "Follow me. It should only take about a couple of hours at a decent pace."
Not eager to converse with these men too much, Legolas walked past them and started toward where the edge of the forest awaited. Haashim stretched his lips tight, but said no more as he silently indicated with his head for the rest of the men to follow.
It would have been a quiet trek across the forest had Haashim not bombarded Legolas with questions and small talk. As his men followed wordlessly behind, Haashim walked alongside Legolas and asked about his home, his race, his culture, his choice of weapons,
his fighting style, his strengths, his weaknesses…. Becoming increasingly uncomfortable with each question, Legolas answered only a handful and deflected the rest with silence. This did not deter Haashim, though, as it only seemed to increase his
curiosity of this mythical creature. But questions were not the only thing Haashim asked. He provided information about himself and his men as well.
"My men are the most loyal ones a man could ask for," he chattered. "The one closest to us is Umar, a close friend of mine. The big man with the big sword next to Umar is Bakar. Then behind them is Jibran. And last we have Tyr, the youngest of us. Youngest,
but not weakest," he added with a glint in his eye.
Legolas looked at Haashim at last with confusion more than suspicion in his eyes.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.
Haashim smiled. "To know a man's name, one must speak his first. I would love to know your name, kind Sir. Please understand, we do not have Vyari, or Elves as you have said, back home."
Legolas looked straight ahead as he considered Haashim's words. He seemed honestly curious, and he had to admit that these men have not done anything to deserve the scorn he had directed toward them so far. He allowed himself a small smirk as he thought
how his father would have been proud had he seen the coldness of his son. But he was not his father. He had seen goodness in Dwarves through Gimli; perhaps he could see goodness in these men as well.
After a long silence, Legolas opened his mouth and hesitated just a second longer before finally saying:
"My name is Legolas."
Wahoo! What a long chapter. I'm not sure if the rest of the chapters will be as long, though. I'm going to try to make them as long though. But that would mean that it would take me longer to write each chapter, especially with the semester starting soon. Be patient with me please :)
*Vyari is a made up Haradrim word. I don't know what language the Haradrim use, and I don't think Tolkien really worked on it, but I really wanted Haashim to use his own language for the word 'Elf' to show how foreign Legolas is to them. That's why I just kind of made up a word… I hope there are no misunderstandings! And technically, Vyari doesn't translate directly to Elf. It's more like a fairy tale-like mythical being to them.