Author's Note: I know, I know, bad author with bad updating, I apologize.
But on the plus side, there's a new chapter now, no need for a mob or
anything. Umm, not much else to say except I'm still not Tolkien.
Chapter Six
Light suddenly blazed in Legolas' face. Legolas reeled back, covering his sensitive eyes with his hand.
When his eyes adjusted to the intrusion of light Legolas dropped his hand and saw three dwarves standing in a rough semi-circle in front of him. One held a lantern while the other two had long spears pointed at Legolas.
"Who are you?" demanded the one holding the lantern.
Legolas bypassed the question. "My friend, Gimli, he needs help."
The dwarves looked down at the figure lying on the floor. "Gimli? Son of Gloin?"
"Yes," Legolas answered quickly, "he's not breathing."
The dwarf hastily set down the lantern and crouched down next to Gimli. He took off a thick glove and held his hand under Gimli's nose.
He turned to his companions. "You, run for the healer and tell them Gloin's son has returned. You, keep your eye on him."
Legolas was not listening and looked up when he saw one of the dwarves turn and take off down the tunnel. The other dwarf shoved his spear closer to the elf's face. "Get up," he said, "but don't try anything."
Legolas slowly stood, hesitant to leave his friend's side, but he got to his feet and took a few steps back. The dwarf with the spear did not lower his weapon but Legolas only had eyes for the dwarf who was busily attending to Gimli.
The dwarf removed Gimli's helmet and armor that he had on his chest. He placed his palms over Gimli's chest and began to push down and then up in quick intervals.
Legolas watched with worry. The dwarf was not being particularly careful and Legolas thought that it would not be long before Gimli's bones splintered under such harsh treatment.
When he was unable to restrain his worry any longer, Legolas took a step forward.
He was immediately brought up short by the spear being thrust towards him. "I said stay back," ordered the dwarf with a scowl.
Legolas took the step back, but continued to keep his eyes trained on his friend and the one kneeling over him pushing against his chest.
'Ai Elbereth, please, do not let Gimli pass now.'
Just when Legolas was contemplating another move, there was no way his friend's chest could handle all that pressure, Gimli took in a large gulp of air. His body convulsed and his mouth fell open as his body tried to bring in the necessary oxygen.
Legolas stepped forward again, and this time the dwarf with the spear was too distracted to order him back. Gimli was still unconscious, but now his labored breathing was easily heard by all.
Legolas sagged in relief. Gimli was still alive, that was good enough for now.
Since Gimli was past immediate danger, the dwarf kneeling next to him peered up at Legolas. "Who are you and what did you do to Gloin's son?"
Legolas looked at him. "I am Legolas of Mirkwood, a friend and traveling companion of Gimli's. We were leaving my homeland to come here when we were attacked by spiders. Gimli was stung on the neck."
At that bit of information the dwarf pushed Gimli's beard away from where it was spilling over his neck and inspected the skin there. It was as the elf had said, there were two livid puncture wounds there, swollen and discolored.
"But spider bites are hardly fatal to dwarves," said the one with the spear.
The dwarf continued to look thoughtfully at Gimli's neck. "Indeed," he said. Then he stood swiftly. "He has been drugged as well, no mere spider would do this to a dwarf."
Legolas felt his mouth drop open and he quickly shut it. "No, I assure you he has come to no other harm in my presence. We were attacked by spiders."
"The spiders of Mirkwood are not strange to us," the dwarf interrupted Legolas. "We have encountered them before." He paused and seemed to size up Legolas, his face revealing his growing distaste. "It was the fault of the elves before that such things happened."
Legolas felt his anger start to grow, but before he could say anything he heard the sounds of more dwarves coming down through the caverns. Lights preceded them and it was not long before five more dwarves stood in front of him.
Two were holding a crudely constructed stretcher and they immediately went to work at hoisting Gimli onto it. An older dwarf, whom Legolas guessed was the healer, was rapidly inspecting Gimli as they moved him. The first dwarf leaned close to the healer and whispered something to him. Legolas knew they were trying to keep him from knowing of what they said, but of course he heard it anyway. They had yet to learn of the keen hearing of the elves.
The first dwarf told the healer that Gimli was suffering from a spider-bite and supposed poisoning. And when he mentioned the poisoning he glanced over at Legolas.
Legolas felt his ire bridling again, but he held it in check. Now was most definitely not the time to do anything to anger the dwarves. He did not want to be thrown out before knowing the fate of his friend.
"Come," said the first dwarf, "let us hurry to the main chambers, and then we will decide what is to be done." He cast a meaningful look at Legolas and it was no surprise when Legolas was suddenly surrounded by two more dwarves with spears.
"You will come too," the dwarf said.
"I would come to know the fate of my friend anyway," Legolas said.
The dwarf raised a brow and muttered something in dwarvish before turning to lead the way down the tunnels.
Legolas followed quietly, mindful of the spears surrounding him. He knew it would take little to give them reason to stick him with them. And it would also take little for him to quietly and quickly grab and break each of the spears. But again, he had to check himself and suffer the embarrassment of such treatment. No matter what happened, he would stay by his friend's side.
It was not long before the tunnel turned to the side and then abruptly stopped. Apparently Legolas had not been too far off the mark of finding the dwarves. A huge cavern spread out before them, ablaze with torches set on the pillars and walls. Doorways circling the main cavern testified to the many rooms and tunnels that ran throughout the mountain.
Legolas might have taken a moment to marvel at the structure and see all the detailing that had gone into it, but he was distracted by a large group of dwarves quickly surging up to meet them at the door. The older dwarf leading the group looked familiar.
"What has happened?" Gloin demanded when they reached his fallen son.
"Gimli has suffered an attack from the Mirkwood spiders and poisoning," answered the healer.
Legolas found himself taking a step forward. "That is not the truth."
Gloin looked up and focused on Legolas for the first time. His bushy brows furrowed as he evidently tried to place Legolas' face. And then his expression cleared with understanding, only to be replaced by immediate suspicion.
"Is there little wonder about what has happened when my son is attacked by the spiders of the realm you reside over?" he said.
The dwarf that had first taken charge upon discovering Legolas and Gimli looked up at Gloin's words and fixed Legolas with a haughty glare. "He lied and did not tell us he was Thranduil," he said.
"No Thror," Gloin said, "he is not Thranduil, rather his son, the prince of Mirkwood. I recognize him from the Council of Elrond, and if he lies about that then we know what kind of elf we are dealing with."
"Why did you say nothing of this before?" Thror said.
Legolas drew in a breath, forcing his anger to not show itself. "There was no reason to announce my title," he said. "But if you must know I am Legolas Thranduilion and Gimli was in Mirkwood when we were both attacked by spiders. But I assure you that is all that happened, there was no poisoning. I brought him to you as fast as I could because I do not know of the affects the spider-bite would have on him."
"It would never have this kind of effect on a dwarf," Gloin said, "you can know that if you must. In this case there has to be some other ill deed at play."
Legolas floundered. He did not know what to say to throw their suspicions. He would have no defense for himself until Gimli woke up and told them the entire tale.
"Come now," the healer said, "we will deal with this matter later. Right now we have to see to Gimli."
Gloin hastily nodded. "Agreed, let them through."
A small path in the group of dwarves materialized and the healer led the way followed by those carrying the stretcher. Legolas stepped forward to follow only to have his path cut off by Gloin stepping in front of him.
"You cannot follow, you have done enough harm to him for now."
Legolas eyed Gloin. "He is my friend, I must see that he is well."
"We will let you know if he is well," Gloin said, "and if he does not become well you will definitely know of that too. Now if I were as polite as your kind I would force you to await your news in chains, but since we have no jails, I will simply have to see that you have two guards on you at all times."
Once again Legolas felt his anger rising, and once again he had to swallow it. He had cursed the stiff necks of dwarves many times before, and it seemed he would still have to do so. He had forgotten their true nature since being with Gimli.
"I would suggest not trying any fancy elvish tricks you may have," Gloin continued after a moment. "For if you escape we will hunt you down. If Gimli dies there will be a hefty price to pay."
Legolas could not keep his tongue in check any longer. "If you were actually concerned over your son that you have not seen in over a year you would be at his bedside rather than threatening his best friend who would be there."
Gloin looked as if he had been struck across the face and he slowly drew himself up to his full height. "My concern for my son does not make me blind to what almost cost his life. I will see to him as soon as you are taken care of."
Gloin glanced at the two dwarves with spears who were still flanking Legolas. "No tricks," he said before slowly turning and disappearing in the doorway Gimli had been taken in.
Author's Note Part Deux: Before I get any angry letters on anything, I have no intention of making this an Evil!Gloin fic. We'll just chalk his anger up to grief for now, okay? I swear all will turn out okay! But as for poor Legolas..
Chapter Six
Light suddenly blazed in Legolas' face. Legolas reeled back, covering his sensitive eyes with his hand.
When his eyes adjusted to the intrusion of light Legolas dropped his hand and saw three dwarves standing in a rough semi-circle in front of him. One held a lantern while the other two had long spears pointed at Legolas.
"Who are you?" demanded the one holding the lantern.
Legolas bypassed the question. "My friend, Gimli, he needs help."
The dwarves looked down at the figure lying on the floor. "Gimli? Son of Gloin?"
"Yes," Legolas answered quickly, "he's not breathing."
The dwarf hastily set down the lantern and crouched down next to Gimli. He took off a thick glove and held his hand under Gimli's nose.
He turned to his companions. "You, run for the healer and tell them Gloin's son has returned. You, keep your eye on him."
Legolas was not listening and looked up when he saw one of the dwarves turn and take off down the tunnel. The other dwarf shoved his spear closer to the elf's face. "Get up," he said, "but don't try anything."
Legolas slowly stood, hesitant to leave his friend's side, but he got to his feet and took a few steps back. The dwarf with the spear did not lower his weapon but Legolas only had eyes for the dwarf who was busily attending to Gimli.
The dwarf removed Gimli's helmet and armor that he had on his chest. He placed his palms over Gimli's chest and began to push down and then up in quick intervals.
Legolas watched with worry. The dwarf was not being particularly careful and Legolas thought that it would not be long before Gimli's bones splintered under such harsh treatment.
When he was unable to restrain his worry any longer, Legolas took a step forward.
He was immediately brought up short by the spear being thrust towards him. "I said stay back," ordered the dwarf with a scowl.
Legolas took the step back, but continued to keep his eyes trained on his friend and the one kneeling over him pushing against his chest.
'Ai Elbereth, please, do not let Gimli pass now.'
Just when Legolas was contemplating another move, there was no way his friend's chest could handle all that pressure, Gimli took in a large gulp of air. His body convulsed and his mouth fell open as his body tried to bring in the necessary oxygen.
Legolas stepped forward again, and this time the dwarf with the spear was too distracted to order him back. Gimli was still unconscious, but now his labored breathing was easily heard by all.
Legolas sagged in relief. Gimli was still alive, that was good enough for now.
Since Gimli was past immediate danger, the dwarf kneeling next to him peered up at Legolas. "Who are you and what did you do to Gloin's son?"
Legolas looked at him. "I am Legolas of Mirkwood, a friend and traveling companion of Gimli's. We were leaving my homeland to come here when we were attacked by spiders. Gimli was stung on the neck."
At that bit of information the dwarf pushed Gimli's beard away from where it was spilling over his neck and inspected the skin there. It was as the elf had said, there were two livid puncture wounds there, swollen and discolored.
"But spider bites are hardly fatal to dwarves," said the one with the spear.
The dwarf continued to look thoughtfully at Gimli's neck. "Indeed," he said. Then he stood swiftly. "He has been drugged as well, no mere spider would do this to a dwarf."
Legolas felt his mouth drop open and he quickly shut it. "No, I assure you he has come to no other harm in my presence. We were attacked by spiders."
"The spiders of Mirkwood are not strange to us," the dwarf interrupted Legolas. "We have encountered them before." He paused and seemed to size up Legolas, his face revealing his growing distaste. "It was the fault of the elves before that such things happened."
Legolas felt his anger start to grow, but before he could say anything he heard the sounds of more dwarves coming down through the caverns. Lights preceded them and it was not long before five more dwarves stood in front of him.
Two were holding a crudely constructed stretcher and they immediately went to work at hoisting Gimli onto it. An older dwarf, whom Legolas guessed was the healer, was rapidly inspecting Gimli as they moved him. The first dwarf leaned close to the healer and whispered something to him. Legolas knew they were trying to keep him from knowing of what they said, but of course he heard it anyway. They had yet to learn of the keen hearing of the elves.
The first dwarf told the healer that Gimli was suffering from a spider-bite and supposed poisoning. And when he mentioned the poisoning he glanced over at Legolas.
Legolas felt his ire bridling again, but he held it in check. Now was most definitely not the time to do anything to anger the dwarves. He did not want to be thrown out before knowing the fate of his friend.
"Come," said the first dwarf, "let us hurry to the main chambers, and then we will decide what is to be done." He cast a meaningful look at Legolas and it was no surprise when Legolas was suddenly surrounded by two more dwarves with spears.
"You will come too," the dwarf said.
"I would come to know the fate of my friend anyway," Legolas said.
The dwarf raised a brow and muttered something in dwarvish before turning to lead the way down the tunnels.
Legolas followed quietly, mindful of the spears surrounding him. He knew it would take little to give them reason to stick him with them. And it would also take little for him to quietly and quickly grab and break each of the spears. But again, he had to check himself and suffer the embarrassment of such treatment. No matter what happened, he would stay by his friend's side.
It was not long before the tunnel turned to the side and then abruptly stopped. Apparently Legolas had not been too far off the mark of finding the dwarves. A huge cavern spread out before them, ablaze with torches set on the pillars and walls. Doorways circling the main cavern testified to the many rooms and tunnels that ran throughout the mountain.
Legolas might have taken a moment to marvel at the structure and see all the detailing that had gone into it, but he was distracted by a large group of dwarves quickly surging up to meet them at the door. The older dwarf leading the group looked familiar.
"What has happened?" Gloin demanded when they reached his fallen son.
"Gimli has suffered an attack from the Mirkwood spiders and poisoning," answered the healer.
Legolas found himself taking a step forward. "That is not the truth."
Gloin looked up and focused on Legolas for the first time. His bushy brows furrowed as he evidently tried to place Legolas' face. And then his expression cleared with understanding, only to be replaced by immediate suspicion.
"Is there little wonder about what has happened when my son is attacked by the spiders of the realm you reside over?" he said.
The dwarf that had first taken charge upon discovering Legolas and Gimli looked up at Gloin's words and fixed Legolas with a haughty glare. "He lied and did not tell us he was Thranduil," he said.
"No Thror," Gloin said, "he is not Thranduil, rather his son, the prince of Mirkwood. I recognize him from the Council of Elrond, and if he lies about that then we know what kind of elf we are dealing with."
"Why did you say nothing of this before?" Thror said.
Legolas drew in a breath, forcing his anger to not show itself. "There was no reason to announce my title," he said. "But if you must know I am Legolas Thranduilion and Gimli was in Mirkwood when we were both attacked by spiders. But I assure you that is all that happened, there was no poisoning. I brought him to you as fast as I could because I do not know of the affects the spider-bite would have on him."
"It would never have this kind of effect on a dwarf," Gloin said, "you can know that if you must. In this case there has to be some other ill deed at play."
Legolas floundered. He did not know what to say to throw their suspicions. He would have no defense for himself until Gimli woke up and told them the entire tale.
"Come now," the healer said, "we will deal with this matter later. Right now we have to see to Gimli."
Gloin hastily nodded. "Agreed, let them through."
A small path in the group of dwarves materialized and the healer led the way followed by those carrying the stretcher. Legolas stepped forward to follow only to have his path cut off by Gloin stepping in front of him.
"You cannot follow, you have done enough harm to him for now."
Legolas eyed Gloin. "He is my friend, I must see that he is well."
"We will let you know if he is well," Gloin said, "and if he does not become well you will definitely know of that too. Now if I were as polite as your kind I would force you to await your news in chains, but since we have no jails, I will simply have to see that you have two guards on you at all times."
Once again Legolas felt his anger rising, and once again he had to swallow it. He had cursed the stiff necks of dwarves many times before, and it seemed he would still have to do so. He had forgotten their true nature since being with Gimli.
"I would suggest not trying any fancy elvish tricks you may have," Gloin continued after a moment. "For if you escape we will hunt you down. If Gimli dies there will be a hefty price to pay."
Legolas could not keep his tongue in check any longer. "If you were actually concerned over your son that you have not seen in over a year you would be at his bedside rather than threatening his best friend who would be there."
Gloin looked as if he had been struck across the face and he slowly drew himself up to his full height. "My concern for my son does not make me blind to what almost cost his life. I will see to him as soon as you are taken care of."
Gloin glanced at the two dwarves with spears who were still flanking Legolas. "No tricks," he said before slowly turning and disappearing in the doorway Gimli had been taken in.
Author's Note Part Deux: Before I get any angry letters on anything, I have no intention of making this an Evil!Gloin fic. We'll just chalk his anger up to grief for now, okay? I swear all will turn out okay! But as for poor Legolas..