I don't own any recognizable character, Tolkien does. All hail Tolkien.

*Indicated thoughts*

Gimli was met with the greetings of the Dwarves of his sovereignty: smiles and hearty slaps on the back, all voicing their congratulations at the upcoming wedding of his sister. The Great Hall, a formal gathering area with huge arching ceilings was full of milling Dwarves, welcoming their leader home and preparing for the approaching ceremonies. Torches lined the walls, burning without much smoke or scent, keeping the air of the massive cavern clean. Some openings in the ceilings allowed some natural illumination into the Hall which reflected off the sparkling walls, leaving nothing of the cave dark or dreary. After greeting friends and kinsman, Gimli took a moment to look about for Legolas.

He spotted the Elf, speaking with Gaila and Dolin. *Assessing the groom to be, I'm sure*, thought Gimli to himself with a smile. Dolin was an honorable Dwarf, a skilled craftsman and treated Gaila like a queen. Gimli would have accepted no less in a suitor for his sister. He wondered if any suitor, short of Valar-made-flesh, would be good enough in Legolas' eyes. The Elf had come to love Gaila as much as Gimli did and was just as fiercely protective. Gimli's smile died on his lips as he made his way to the trio. Gaila and Legolas had been close from very nearly the day they had met, sharing a sense of humor and a love of tormenting Gimli. He hoped Legolas was not disappointed Gaila was marrying.

*What would he do? Marry her himself? Does their love run that deep?* Gimli had carefully avoided just these thoughts for many years. It was too strange an idea, his best friend and his beloved sister wedding.

Recent events had pushed these thoughts into the open; there was no choice now, but to examine them.

Dolin looked up at Gimli's approach and quickly bowed low to his lord, his words holding barely concealed nervousness that always seemed to appear when Dolin spoke to Gimli. Gimli rubbed his beard to cover his smile. He was perfectly fine with Dolin being a bit frightened of him. It would keep him in line.

"Lord Gimli, I am glad to see you have returned safely and in time for tomorrow's events."

"No force in Middle Earth could have kept me from it, Dolin," said Gimli.

"Of course. Gaila, Lord Gimli if you would excuse me, I have matters to attend to. Master Legolas, it was an honor to finally meet you." Dolin bowed to each in turn and hurried off, doing a remarkably good job of not looking like he was hurrying. Legolas watched the dwarf depart with sharp, gray eyes that revealed nothing.

"I believe I would like to retire to my quarters until the feast tonight. I will see you both then." Legolas turned on his heel and walked toward his permanent guest quarters, not far from Gimli's own. Gimli and Gaila watched him go, slightly surprised at the Elf's departure.

"Come, Gimli. Your wedding attire has been prepared, but I want to see it on you before tomorrow, to make sure you have not gained too much weight from those Elven sweets you cannot keep your hands off of," said Gaila with a bright smile, leading Gimli toward his quarters. The torches were lit and the rooms had been freshly cleaned Gimli noted as he and Gaila entered. His sister moved to the bed and began to unfold many new garments. Gimli sat down on a carved bench that lined one of the walls of his bedchamber and gazed at the floor, his mind working.

"Gaila, for many years have I watched and said nothing, but before you wed Dolin..." Gimli swallowed and looked at his sister. "Do you love Legolas?"

"Of course I do," said Gaila briskly, "He is my brother."

"Sister," said Gimli, an iron thread tightening in his voice," do not play words with me." The Dwarf maiden stopped laying out clothes, her back to Gimli.

"I love Dolin. I would not marry him if I did not wish to," said Gaila firmly. Gimli fell quiet and Gaila went back to the wedding garments.

"If this is truly what you want, you know I will not stand in your way," said Gimli after a time.

"You could not, even if you wished to. Marriage is the choice of the maiden and you know it. Your opinion means very little in the grand scheme of things, Gimli." Gimli bristled at her words. He knew the truth of what Gaila said, even as her brother and closest living relative, he had no dominion over the nuptials of a Dwarven maid. Gaila turned to toward him and looked at him intently. "It is not that I do not value your considerations, Gimli, but this is my choice." Gimli nodded, and felt a slight smile turn up his lips. *As if my "considerations" have ever managed to sway her before.* Gaila sat down next to Gimli and leaned against his shoulder.

"What is it Father used to say? Take what you want..."

"And then pay for it," finished Gimli. Gaila nodded wordlessly and they sat like that for a moment, in quiet closeness and then Gaila smiled. "Now, try these on so that I may see they are proper." She tugged on Gimli's beard and then stood. "Do not frown so, Brother. Tomorrow is my wedding, a joyous thing. It is what I want," she said as she walked from the room. Gimli did not stop frowning as he fingered the clothes laid out for him.

/It is what I want./ Gimli sighed. *And what will you pay for it?*