Of Promises, Trees and Caves: the Unfinished Tale of Legolas and Gimli
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's creations such as Legolas, Gimli, Treebeard, Quickbeam, and other characters mentioned. I might make mention of trees that you might not recognize, but I will specify if they are my own in the disclaimer above the specific chapter. I also do not own some of the dialogue.
Warnings: I recommend that the reader have read the Lord of the Rings trilogy and finished it before reading this or it will spoil the ending at a drastic measure. I did not change the ending, and I actually start the introduction with an actual quote from the book. I do not approve of any unclean language or improper content and the only reason I would rate a fic T would be because of action. This is rated K.
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Chapter 1: The West Winds' Call
The company disappeared form sight, the sound of hoof beats lost in the dense woods. Not even the farsighted Elf could see them any longer. A fat dwarf, with a long, bushy beard and narrowed eyes stood next to him. Treebeard bent (as much as an Ent can) lightly forward in a bow and welcomed the companions to Fangorn Forest. "Welcome….." he said slowly. "You may walk about in my forest to your pleasure, but I ask that you do not draw your bow, master Elf, nor your ax, master dwarf."
"I vow that my arrows shall not touch the string." promised the Elf. He was tall and fiar, a handsome prince of Mirkwood. His eye was keen and posture erect, he looked young and yet wise from many years of breath.
"My ax shall not swing on branch or bough" the dwarf said. He was broad and short of stature, but strength was in his hand, might was in his arm, courage was in his heart and fire was in his eyes. The only thing similar about these two unlikely companions was that they both wore grey elven cloaks, attached by a small pin alike to that of a leaf. It's pure beauty glistened in the afternoon sun.
"Thank you," Treebeard replied. "You are free to go about in my forest as you wish, and will you not drink a draught with me before I leave you?" the old Ent asked. "I'd be delighted!" The Elf exclaimed. "To taste the draught of a tree-herder would be of greater honor to me than many. Come, Gimli, drink with me." But the dwarf was somewhat reluctant to drink it. After some consideration, however, he tasted it just the same. The sweetness of the earth was captivated in the beverage, and he quickly drained his bowl.
"Well, Legolas," he said finally, his voice cheerful and yet slightly gruff. "Shall we journey through Fangorn and beyond?" "And beyond!" the Elf replied. He thanked Treebeard and then sprinted towards the trees calling "Come on, master dwarf! While we're still young!"
So Gimli took off after him, huffing and puffing all the way. "I'm dangerous over short distances," he reminded his friend. "But if we are to enjoy the scenery, perhaps we should slow down?" Legolas stopped, still several yards ahead of Gimli.
"Alright, so be it, Gimli, son of Gloin. I shall walk with thee. Perchance we shall better enjoy Fangorn is we tread under its fair branches at a slower pace."
So the dwarf caught up to him and they walked along the rich soil, Gimli crunching the leaves beneath his heavy boots, and Legolas silently treading along the soft earth, hardly leaving the sound of a footfall. A fair wind from the West blew across their faces, its warm breath caressing the trees' branches and leaves with an air of beauty.
Unconsciously, Gimli grasped the handle of his ax. He turned around suddenly to look behind him. "Come friend," Legolas said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Pay no heed to the West Winds' call." "What is to the West that should have reason to beckon me?" Gimli replied rather defensively. He turned to his companion, noticing that he had stopped walking and he had closed his eyes.
"Well?" the dwarf asked. "What is it?"
But the Elf remained standing. After a pause he whispered "The Sea."