Gimili (52)

Gimili's eyes betrayed him. Tears pulled at his eyes, but weren't able to spring loose yet.

Arwen was beautiful and strong, sitting even though she clearly wanted to lay.

Gimili just barely met her eyes whilst she was sitting down.

She smiled at the sight of him.

"My dear Gimili."

"My dear Queen Arwen." He responded, kissing her hand. She blushed, and kissed his cheek. It was his turn to blush.

"You fared well whilst flying. Elves rather enjoy seeing wonders, while I know dwarves like to stick close to the ground."

"Yes. Even riding a horse sparingly startled me for the longest time. Horses are better than legs in need of haste."

"Eagles, perhaps even better so." Arwen teased.

Gimili laughed nervously, and shifted, embarrassed. It was clear the lady could tell, for she patted him on the head.

"You were a kind friend, Gimili. Wise and loyal. Elves say dwarves are pests, destroying nature instead of caring for it. Whilst the latter may be true, Gimili Gloin's son, the former is not.

"You have fought valiantly, and saved Aragorn and even Legolas many times.

"I must ask you to save my friends once more. They still have a war to win, Gimili. Aragorn will forget. You must remind him, for if he does not fight, the elves will not be the only people who fall.

"I told Lindir to watch out for my son. If you would be so kind to do so, but not so much you can't look after Lindir himself.

"He is too loyal at times, and will stand vigil too long. He must rest, even whence I do. Remind him to live his life."

"I will." Gimili nearly chocked. Sadness filled him.

Arwen was so calm. She knew she was going to die soon hereafter for a long time. She just had to make sure everyone else was taken

care of.

"Good." Arwen kissed the top of his head. Before sending him off, she made him pledge one more thing.

"Erebor must never become the Lonely Mountain again, Gimili. If your people do not fight alongst side Thranduil's then surely the mountain will fall again. You must not let that happen, for if it does the best makers will die out when Middle Earth needs them most."

"I'll make sure to sprint to battle myself, should the need arise most dearly, Queen Arwen."

Gimili was forced to make his leave, and resolved to look after Lindir and Aragorn and her child.

He found Lindir whispering over and over again in elvish, in vigil, towards Arwen's door. One of the few words he'd picked up from Legolas. "Farewell, Arwen Evenstar."

Gimili turned himself, to pay last respects. He stood straight at the stones in Erebor.

In dwarvish, Gimili said the last thing he'd ever say to Arwen, and she wouldn't even hear it.

"Sleep well, my queen."