AN: THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE! I hope someone reads this, oh my gosh. It just sort of unfolded as I was writing it and I'm very proud of it (except for the fact that I am currently neglecting my homework because of it). Anyways, I said fluff was forthcoming, right? ;)

"Lord Gimli! Lord Gimli!"

Faerdhinen came running headlong through the great hall the next evening at dinner. All heads turned and stared at him wonderingly. The elf-boy covered the last stretch of stone floor in leaps and bounds, and landed lightly on his feet at the head of the table beside Gimli's chair. Breathlessly he exclaimed, "Lord Gimli, it's Legolas! He… he…" Faerdhinen was panting heavily, and couldn't get the words out.

Gimli stood up quickly, eyes wide. "Is he okay? Is he hurt? What's happened, lad?"

Faerdhinen held out the letter and bent over to regain his breath. "Did the child run all the way here?" Bjorr wondered aloud.

Gimli tore open the seal and began scanning the letter. Fear was in his eyes, and his mind was racing. All kinds of gruesome possibilities flashed through his head. But he quickly saw that Legolas' letter did not have a tone of tragedy, but one of… joy.

"You had me worried sick, you did!" he cried, glaring at Faerdhinen. But he was too happy to keep the angry expression on his face.

"What does it say?" Finna asked eagerly. "What news from Mirkwood?"

"As you know, Legolas' father, the Elvenking, had arranged a betrothal between him and Niniel, daughter of one of his chief advisers," Gimli reiterated, speaking mostly to Finna but summarizing the situation for the benefit of his other listeners. "Niniel and Legolas were both opposed to the match. It seems that Niniel's father has bargained on her behalf and has offered to pay a hefty ransom for her release from captivity and her release from the engagement. Thranduil has accepted."

"So does this mean that Legolas and Niniel are both allowed to marry for love?" Finna asked.

"Legolas wrote that his father is working out the nuances of a new amendment to the law against marriage between royalty and commoners," Gimli explained. "It's the perfect solution: the law is not being changed or abolished, simply amended. So Thranduil's pride remains intact. And he actually ended up profiting from the whole thing!"

"Well, you've got to admire his way of turning a situation," Finna stated wryly. "What's the amendment?"

Gimli scanned the letter and read aloud, "'If a royal wishes to marry a commoner, that commoner must hold a position in Mirkwood's central government…' Looks like they're going to find a way to get Elen onto the council."

Finna smiled. "I'm glad it's all going to work out for Legolas. He deserves it."

"Doesn't he?" Faerdhinen jumped in. "Well, are you going to come to his wedding?"

Gimli and Finna looked at each other. "...If we're invited," said Gimli, surprised.

"If we're welcome," she added.

"I hope you do come," Faerdhinen said shyly. "I mean, some elves still don't like dwarves much… but I think things are a bit different now. It's a new age. I… I like dwarves." He blushed and ducked his head.

"We like you too, Faerdhinen," Finna said honestly, only causing his blush to deepen.

After dinner Finna asked Gimli, "Do you think we'll really be invited to Legolas' wedding? To see elves?"

Gimli shrugged. "If it's up to Legolas' father, then I highly doubt it. But Legolas seems keen on having me there."

"Did he… say anything about me?" she asked hopefully.

Gimli reddened slightly. "He told me to bring you with me."

Finna grinned. "I hope we get to go then!" she cried. "I've never seen Mirkwood."

"I thought you'd be sad," Gimli mused, looking at her a bit strangely.

She frowned. "What? Really? Why?"

"Well, I thought you… er… well, you seemed to… uh… have feelings for Legolas?"

Finna laughed. "I did, or at least I thought I did for a brief while. But I realized that was because of the way he acted towards me. He treats me like a person, Gimli. Dwarrowmaids are so often considered to be things. Precious things, mind you, but still things, incapable of acting or speaking for themselves. So... I was surprised and flattered at first by the way he spoke to me. Now, I realize that I deserve that kind of treatment from everyone." She stroked her beard idly and finished, "I'm happy for Legolas. Perhaps someday, I'll find someone else who sees me for who I am."

Gimli murmured something inaudible, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

"Sorry, what was that?" she asked.

"I said, how do I compare?" he repeated very quietly.

Finna looked startled. She mused for a moment, and then said, "Quite fairly, I think. At least, you're coming along well. At the beginning I thought you were horrid but I think I've had an effect on you. There's still room for improvement, but…" She trailed off. "I don't know, what do you think?"

She tried to make eye contact with Gimli but he didn't look up. "I think it's time for a mug of ale," he said gruffly, getting up from the table. But the trace of a blush on his cheeks spoke louder than a thousand words.