'They had to be alive', that was the thought running in Aragorn, Legolas and Gimlis' minds when the rider tracked the hobbits footprints into the forest. Legolas was looking around the greenery in awe. There were strong trees here that survived the test of time. It was a beautiful sight to behold. There were thick roots that looked like braided hair that were digging deep into the grounds below. The trees were tall and mighty. Some of the trees even looked as though they were gesturing movement.
Then the forest groaned a bit and Legolas looked over to his stout and strong companion, Gimli. "I would advise you friend to lower your axe, we're in a living forest, home of the Ents" His elf eyes scanned quickly around the forest but saw no trace of the hobbits. He kept reminding himself that the hobbits were most certainly still a few days journey ahead of them.
"What are you say'n lad, you think a bunch of twigs can take on a sturdy dwarf like me," Gimli heard the trees cries grow louder and he lowered his axe, "I meant lovely trees, its quite pretty in here." He put his axe on its holster as he hoped he was getting on the trees good side. Wait good side of a tree, now he definitely was spending too much time with the elf. Soon he would be hugging the trees like him too. His warm brown rested on the elf and he couldn't help but smile. Who would have ever guessed that a dwarf and an elf could have such a well-built bond of friendship? He admired his companion's skills and beauty. Truly, Legolas was a very handsome elf; he shook his head. Maybe the forest air was making him think too much.
Aragon looked over at Gimli with a chuckle, "You chose wisely friend, the forest spared you a beaten" He kept ahead as they continued their search for Merry and Pippin. He stays a bit further ahead then the elf and dwarf but he keeps noticing the two sneaking glances at each other. A smirk on his face as he thought of the two being together, he did find them to be a fitting pair. He never saw an elf and dwarf be so merry together. It reminded him of stories when the elves and dwarves were good friends long ago. Yet now he was seeing a change in the present that delighted him. It would be a miracle those two would catch on. The dwarf was quite stubborn and prideful to admit such perfumed words and the elf was too sheltering of his own heart. The ranger couldn't imagine either one confessing first especially not the dwarf.
After a couple of hours of traveling, Legolas catches sight of a tree bearing fruit. It was such a pleasant and bountiful sight. Usually he wasn't so forward about taking food from a strange forest but he would make an exception for today. They had been traveling for days without food or rest so he decided he should gather some fruit for them. He looked over at Gimli, "Think you can catch the fruit if I toss it down?" Then he placed one foot on the base of the tall tree. His hand gently rested on the grayish brown bark.
"I can catch anything an elf can toss" Gimli smirked and cracked his knuckles. He squinted his eyes and was watched the elf scurry up the tree like a squirrel. It amazed him how connected the elf folk were with the trees. He could hear the elf speaking to the tree in his native tongue. He only could understand a bit of Elvish but it amused him. He would act similar with his own element, the rocks. He could understand the dark mines all to well. Both of them connected with the earth in their own ways.
"I didn't think Dwarves knew how to fetch fruit" Legolas playfully teased his friend while he was already high on one of the many tree branches. He gently plucked a few fruits from the tree and tossed them down one at a time. Then he observed the dwarf ready to catch them; he smiled brightly down at him.
Gimli watched as the fruit fell and he caught every single one of them, "How do you like that tree hugger?" He smirked as he had a nice pile of fruit beside him. "Lucky, we weren't having a contest or wager." He stroked his fiery beard, "You would have to rewarded me handsomely." Then he looked at Legolas, "I think we have enough."
"I'll be coming down" He smiled and was about to climb down when he suddenly lost his footing! Without time to react, he was only trying not to hurt himself on the way down. It happened so fast that he couldn't concentrate at getting out of the situation.
"I got ya" The dwarf shouted with his arms open wide to catch his falling friend. The elf might be tall as a tree but he was rather light. To the elf's amazement, the dwarf actually was able to catch him. He was much stronger than his lack of height shown, "You okay, Legolas?" His dark eyes were concerned as they looked at Legolas.
Legolas looked over at Gimli with awe and amazement, "Thank you friend, I suppose my mind was elsewhere." His bright eyes gazed into the eyes of the rescuer dwarf. He hadn't look so deeply into his eyes before. Gimli was rather attractive for a dwarf. He was so muscular and tough with surprising strength. He was like a sturdy boulder. His heart was a bit fluttery but was it was fall or for his friend. "I'm quite fine, now let's not let that fruit gone to waste." He hopped out of his friend's arms. Then he went over to the pile of freshly picked fruit.
"Aye, I hope that fruit was worth the trouble." He tried to brush off the thoughts he had when his eyes met the elf's. He almost felt like he would have kissed him. That was just him being relieved he was okay. Surely, a dwarf and elf couldn't be together. However, it would seem that he hoped for a chance. He wanted to kiss the elf's not no not just any elf, he wanted to kiss Legolas' forever youthful lips. His rough hand reached for one of the fruit and brushed against the elf's smooth hand. He avoided eye contact to the beautiful elf and found a different fruit. He firmly grabbed the fruit and bit into it with a loud crunch.
Aragorn was coming back from around the corner and catch sight of the two friends gazing into each other's eyes. He was surprised that nothing more sparked the moment. It would seem the ranger had a second task to his forest quest: to get the two together.
The companions ravenously devoured the juicy fresh fruit. When Legolas finished eating, he collected the seeds. He put some of the seeds into the soil. "This is to thank the tree for the meal" He smiled and looked at the other seeds, "And these I wish to plant in the next place I venture." He slipped them into a pouch and stood up.
