Lothlórien is meant to be a place of calm and peace. Even so, Gimli cannot find rest here, cannot feel safe.
He doesn't like Haldir. Legolas seems to, but Gimli doesn't. He doesn't like how dismissive the elf is, he doesn't like the way that he and Legolas speak to each other in quiet Sindarin, he doesn't like how Legolas's cheeks flushed pink at Haldir's whisper when he tightened the blindfold, he doesn't like how Haldir's brothers are eerily silent except for their footsteps, and he definitely doesn't like being blindfolded and led by a rope.
Lothlórien is meant to be a place of beauty, but if there is any beauty here, Gimli cannot see it, and he hates the place.
/
When the blindfolds are taken off, Gimli can see the beauty if the Golden Wood, and he knows instantly why Legolas wanted to journey here.
He turns to share his joy with Legolas, but the elf is gone, along with one of Haldir's silent brothers. Gimli isn't sure why he's so crestfallen.
Legolas isn't his.
He isn't.
And Gimli has no right to be disappointed that he'd rather spend time with his own friends.
