Grave news
The mood between the two friends cooled down noticeably over the next few days. Gimli still resented Legolas for being so mean to Earenis, even though he couldn't really understand the reason for it. He himself had nothing against the girl. She seemed a bit grumpy and closed, but basically she seemed to be quite all right. And for what had happened to her mother, she really could do nothing! Legolas could hardly blame her.
Since Aragorn had also noticed that the atmosphere between his friends was not the best, he had caught Gimli a few days later. Now they were sitting in a quiet corner of Rivendell, smoking a pipe (Bilbo had given them Longbottom Leaf) and enjoying their simple existence. After all, one did not have to be King Elessar all the time, especially not here at home.
"So, you had a disagreement with Legolas?", Aragorn wanted to know at some point out into the silence.
"You might say so," Gimli agreed, puffing a ring of smoke into the air. "He did not behave very nicely towards Earenis."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow questioningly. "What happened?"
"Admittedly she was not too lovely either," the dwarf admitted. "They got quite angry with each other, probably because of what happened to her mother. Although I simply can't understand it! She is not to blame in this respect."
Aragorn sighed. "Of course you're right. But you can't blame Legolas either - not really anyway. He's a wood elf, and you know what these people are like. Legolas is, to a certain extent, an exception."
"It's still not nice what he did," Gimli said.
"No, by no means," the king agreed. "But perhaps don't hold it against him too long."
The dwarf remained silent for a while, puffing away at his pipe. Finally, he nodded. "You'll be right," he growled into his beard.
Aragorn put one hand on his shoulder. "Just give him a little time, you've become friends after all."
Gimli smiled as he thought back to the beginning. "I think he had already objected, purely on principle, because I was in favor of going through Moria!"
The king laughed. "You see! Just give Legolas a little time to get used to the idea, he'll be fine. After all, even I find it a little disconcerting - especially considering how ad... I mean, Lord Elrond was involved." He leaned back. "Well, yes. But I think that's probably the least of our worries right now."
"You mean about the theft?" Gimli asked.
"Also," Aragorn agreed. "But more importantly, I received word today that a large Orcish force has been sighted in the Northern Kingdom. Apparently, it is heading towards Fornost."
"Oh..." Gimli said. "What do you intend to do?
"I will move on to Fornost, though not originally planned," said Aragorn. "Arwen will stay here. Lord Elrond has offered his help and will support me with his soldiers. And perhaps you and Legolas will join us."
"I certainly wouldn't mind, and Legolas probably wouldn't either," the dwarf was sure. "But do you think it has anything to do with this new Lord of Orcs? What did Earenis call him?"
"Ghâshburz", replied Aragorn. "It is Black Speak and means Dark Fire. And no, I don't know if there is a connection, but I hope not. If there is, it would be truly evil news."
"Have you ever heard that name before?" Gimli wanted to know. "After all, you have travelled quite a bit."
Aragorn had to deny that too. "All we know is what Earenis could tell us. And that is practically nothing. The orcs have a new master, yes, but how far does that go? Is it just individual tribes or... more?"
They didn't want to think about the latter in the first place.
"When will you go?" Gimli asked.
"As soon as possible, as soon as everything is ready."