___
*** BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: ***
Little My has decided to stop abusing brick walls and instead offered to beta my stories...
A huge thank you to her !!!
So this is a repost of the original chapter 13... the betaed version...
___
Seems ff.net is having some troubles again... posting yesterday was not an easy task... I thought it would never show up...
Still I received some reviews and so I guess I need to keep posting... :-)
Thanks to all of you...
So people can stop bouncing from walls and looking for brick walls... at least for today, ok?
So enjoy, and I hope for reviews as always...
___
Aragorn remained silent when Gandalf did not answer his question. He could see the
wizard's attention focused on Gimli and his eyes wandered to study the dwarf's face more
closely. He could see the lines there, carved by worry and fear. But there was something
else, Aragorn noticed. Grief, but that was to be expected, as well as the glimmer of
another emotion. And with a pang of surprise he realized it was guilt that darkened Gimli's
eyes.
For a moment Gimli was tempted to simply say nothing more. To keep quiet about what
had happened between the elf and him. But neither pride nor worry would allow him to act
this way. He had never been one to back down from facing the consequences of his
actions and there remained a small flicker of hope in the back of his mind. Hope that with
knowing all that had happened, Gandalf would know what to do. That maybe something
could be done to aid the elf.
And so he spoke.
'If emotional pain has been what has drawn the creature to Legolas, then I fear that I am
to blame.'
Gimli kept his eyes on Gandalf, avoiding looking at Aragorn. Something in the way
Gandalf looked at him gave him the distinct feeling that the wizard knew. He could read
nothing from the dark eyes as he continued to speak.
'I lost someone dear to me last night and fear and pain clouded my mind. I blamed
Legolas for her death, although he did nothing to deserve this. I know I hurt him but we did
not have time to talk to each other again until it was too late.'
Surprise at his words washed through Aragorn for he would never have expected to hear
anything like this. Of all the people he knew, he had hardly ever seen a friendship as
strong as these two shared. Gimli's words had been reluctant and kept few but they told
enough. If Gimli feared he had caused Legolas emotional pain strong enough to draw the
creature to him, then something more than just a few ill aimed words had fallen. His gaze
returned to Legolas' still form and a sudden suspicion started to form. His eyes jerked
back to Gimli who still refused to look anywhere but at Gandalf.
The dwarf did look crestfallen after his confession but something inside of Aragorn refused
to feel any compassion for him.
'Tell me Gimli,' he spoke, his words sharp. 'Was it only emotional pain you did inflict? Or
would you have an explanation for the wound Legolas carries?'
Part of him had not really believed it, but when Gimli's eyes turned on him he could read
the truth written in them. Shock and anger overcame him and he rose to his feet in one
angry motion.
'So it is true. It was you, his most trusted friend, who hurt him in such a manner? What has
come over you, Gimli?'
A strong grip on his arm stopped him ere he could speak further but he kept an accusing
glare directed at the dwarf.
'Do not be so quick to cast judgment, Aragorn.' Gandalf's calm voice warned him.
He could feel the rare flash of anger subside but confusion remained. How could friends
so close could become engaged in a fight that would cause such serious injury to one of
them
But then a stray thought entered his mind, of Arwen and the pain it would cause him
should he come to lose her. He knew not whom Gimli had lost, but if she had been as
dear to the dwarf as Arwen was to himself then he could only imagine the depth of pain
and sorrow Gimli had endured. And he knew well how much strong emotions could
influence the actions of even the calmest being.
Guilt showed clearly on Gimli's face now and there seemed to be no need to further
aggravate it. Aragorn knew the dwarf cared deeply for Legolas and to see him like this had
to be worse for him than any harsh words of reprimand spoken could ever be.
'Ill timing it was.' Gandalf spoke but his voice was free of accusation. 'But what has been
done is done. You could not know the consequences this would have and Legolas did
underestimate the power of this creature. There is no use in dwelling on this.'
With a sigh of defeat Gimli's head dropped. To know for sure now that his careless
cruelness had been cause of what had befallen Legolas lay heavy on his heart.
'He needs your strength now, my friend, not your guilt.' Gandalf's soft voice reached him
once more and he raised his head to look at him.
'What is there I can do for him?' he cried. 'You said it yourself, there is naught we can do.'
'He still lives and that is a good sign. If his mind has not shattered then he is still caught
somewhere in his own mind and he will find his way back.' Although the Istari kept his
doubt out of his voice, Gimli could still feel he did not hold much hope for this option. 'I
thought him too weak for traveling but it seems he is stable for now.'
A questioning glance at Aragorn was answered with a reluctant nod from the man that
acknowledged the Istari's words. He knew not what Gandalf was thinking but if it could
heighten Legolas' chances of survival he would not hinder it. The elf's signs of life were
weak and he was not entirely sure if traveling would not be too much of a strain on him,
but he held no doubt that Gandalf would not take such a risk without good reason.
Gandalf spoke no more but stood silently as if listening to the sounds of the night. Soft
snoring could be heard from the fireplace indicating that the men had fallen asleep at last,
but apart from that the night was quiet and peaceful.
'You should find some rest,' the Istari said and Aragorn knew he would speak no further.
Although a part of him would have wished to stay awake and watch over his friend he
knew Gandalf was right. The ride here had been hard and he could feel the strain of the
last days. So he moved to retrieve his blankets and laid them out on the ground.
Gimli stared at Gandalf for long moments as if waiting for him to finish his earlier thoughts.
He felt unease at not knowing what the Istari might be planning but knew from experience
that there was no use in asking. He would not tell more than he already
had. So reluctantly he followed Aragorn's example, reassured to know Gandalf would
keep watch over the elf. Still he stayed close to his friend as he settled down to sleep.
Only the soft crackling of the wood and the sound of Gandalf's whiffing at his pipe could
be heard. But his mind and heart were in turmoil and he found himself staring up at the
dark outlines of the tree barely visible in the dim light of the fire, unable to fall asleep for a
long time.
@@@
He must have fallen asleep despite his warring emotions and thoughts, for he was
awakened by loud voices. He struggled into a sitting position, his mind still foggy with
sleep, and looked to the direction he could hear the arguing coming from.
To his surprise he could see a man wearing the colors of Gondor, obviously one of
Aragorn's guard. He had not seen him the night before and wondered where he had
stayed. He was talking to Aragorn who was standing with his back towards Gimli, but it
was the figure next to the King that caused his heart to jump in sudden joy. He was clad in
the green and brown of Mirkwood and golden hair fell over his shoulders. But then he
moved and Gimli could see his profile and all hopes were quickly crushed. For it was not
Legolas. A quick glance showed that the elf still rested close to him, no change of his
condition to be noticed. His hand had slipped from the root Gimli had laid it upon or maybe
someone had moved it. A spot of sunlight shone on his golden hair and he looked
peaceful, as if merely asleep if not for his closed eyes.
The voices raised in anger regained his attention and he decided to join them, curious as
to how a Mirkwood elf had come to be here. As he made his way over to them he noticed
the elf's tight stance, his hands clutching his bow and his eyes flashing.
*** BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: ***
Little My has decided to stop abusing brick walls and instead offered to beta my stories...
A huge thank you to her !!!
So this is a repost of the original chapter 13... the betaed version...
___
Seems ff.net is having some troubles again... posting yesterday was not an easy task... I thought it would never show up...
Still I received some reviews and so I guess I need to keep posting... :-)
Thanks to all of you...
So people can stop bouncing from walls and looking for brick walls... at least for today, ok?
So enjoy, and I hope for reviews as always...
___
Aragorn remained silent when Gandalf did not answer his question. He could see the
wizard's attention focused on Gimli and his eyes wandered to study the dwarf's face more
closely. He could see the lines there, carved by worry and fear. But there was something
else, Aragorn noticed. Grief, but that was to be expected, as well as the glimmer of
another emotion. And with a pang of surprise he realized it was guilt that darkened Gimli's
eyes.
For a moment Gimli was tempted to simply say nothing more. To keep quiet about what
had happened between the elf and him. But neither pride nor worry would allow him to act
this way. He had never been one to back down from facing the consequences of his
actions and there remained a small flicker of hope in the back of his mind. Hope that with
knowing all that had happened, Gandalf would know what to do. That maybe something
could be done to aid the elf.
And so he spoke.
'If emotional pain has been what has drawn the creature to Legolas, then I fear that I am
to blame.'
Gimli kept his eyes on Gandalf, avoiding looking at Aragorn. Something in the way
Gandalf looked at him gave him the distinct feeling that the wizard knew. He could read
nothing from the dark eyes as he continued to speak.
'I lost someone dear to me last night and fear and pain clouded my mind. I blamed
Legolas for her death, although he did nothing to deserve this. I know I hurt him but we did
not have time to talk to each other again until it was too late.'
Surprise at his words washed through Aragorn for he would never have expected to hear
anything like this. Of all the people he knew, he had hardly ever seen a friendship as
strong as these two shared. Gimli's words had been reluctant and kept few but they told
enough. If Gimli feared he had caused Legolas emotional pain strong enough to draw the
creature to him, then something more than just a few ill aimed words had fallen. His gaze
returned to Legolas' still form and a sudden suspicion started to form. His eyes jerked
back to Gimli who still refused to look anywhere but at Gandalf.
The dwarf did look crestfallen after his confession but something inside of Aragorn refused
to feel any compassion for him.
'Tell me Gimli,' he spoke, his words sharp. 'Was it only emotional pain you did inflict? Or
would you have an explanation for the wound Legolas carries?'
Part of him had not really believed it, but when Gimli's eyes turned on him he could read
the truth written in them. Shock and anger overcame him and he rose to his feet in one
angry motion.
'So it is true. It was you, his most trusted friend, who hurt him in such a manner? What has
come over you, Gimli?'
A strong grip on his arm stopped him ere he could speak further but he kept an accusing
glare directed at the dwarf.
'Do not be so quick to cast judgment, Aragorn.' Gandalf's calm voice warned him.
He could feel the rare flash of anger subside but confusion remained. How could friends
so close could become engaged in a fight that would cause such serious injury to one of
them
But then a stray thought entered his mind, of Arwen and the pain it would cause him
should he come to lose her. He knew not whom Gimli had lost, but if she had been as
dear to the dwarf as Arwen was to himself then he could only imagine the depth of pain
and sorrow Gimli had endured. And he knew well how much strong emotions could
influence the actions of even the calmest being.
Guilt showed clearly on Gimli's face now and there seemed to be no need to further
aggravate it. Aragorn knew the dwarf cared deeply for Legolas and to see him like this had
to be worse for him than any harsh words of reprimand spoken could ever be.
'Ill timing it was.' Gandalf spoke but his voice was free of accusation. 'But what has been
done is done. You could not know the consequences this would have and Legolas did
underestimate the power of this creature. There is no use in dwelling on this.'
With a sigh of defeat Gimli's head dropped. To know for sure now that his careless
cruelness had been cause of what had befallen Legolas lay heavy on his heart.
'He needs your strength now, my friend, not your guilt.' Gandalf's soft voice reached him
once more and he raised his head to look at him.
'What is there I can do for him?' he cried. 'You said it yourself, there is naught we can do.'
'He still lives and that is a good sign. If his mind has not shattered then he is still caught
somewhere in his own mind and he will find his way back.' Although the Istari kept his
doubt out of his voice, Gimli could still feel he did not hold much hope for this option. 'I
thought him too weak for traveling but it seems he is stable for now.'
A questioning glance at Aragorn was answered with a reluctant nod from the man that
acknowledged the Istari's words. He knew not what Gandalf was thinking but if it could
heighten Legolas' chances of survival he would not hinder it. The elf's signs of life were
weak and he was not entirely sure if traveling would not be too much of a strain on him,
but he held no doubt that Gandalf would not take such a risk without good reason.
Gandalf spoke no more but stood silently as if listening to the sounds of the night. Soft
snoring could be heard from the fireplace indicating that the men had fallen asleep at last,
but apart from that the night was quiet and peaceful.
'You should find some rest,' the Istari said and Aragorn knew he would speak no further.
Although a part of him would have wished to stay awake and watch over his friend he
knew Gandalf was right. The ride here had been hard and he could feel the strain of the
last days. So he moved to retrieve his blankets and laid them out on the ground.
Gimli stared at Gandalf for long moments as if waiting for him to finish his earlier thoughts.
He felt unease at not knowing what the Istari might be planning but knew from experience
that there was no use in asking. He would not tell more than he already
had. So reluctantly he followed Aragorn's example, reassured to know Gandalf would
keep watch over the elf. Still he stayed close to his friend as he settled down to sleep.
Only the soft crackling of the wood and the sound of Gandalf's whiffing at his pipe could
be heard. But his mind and heart were in turmoil and he found himself staring up at the
dark outlines of the tree barely visible in the dim light of the fire, unable to fall asleep for a
long time.
@@@
He must have fallen asleep despite his warring emotions and thoughts, for he was
awakened by loud voices. He struggled into a sitting position, his mind still foggy with
sleep, and looked to the direction he could hear the arguing coming from.
To his surprise he could see a man wearing the colors of Gondor, obviously one of
Aragorn's guard. He had not seen him the night before and wondered where he had
stayed. He was talking to Aragorn who was standing with his back towards Gimli, but it
was the figure next to the King that caused his heart to jump in sudden joy. He was clad in
the green and brown of Mirkwood and golden hair fell over his shoulders. But then he
moved and Gimli could see his profile and all hopes were quickly crushed. For it was not
Legolas. A quick glance showed that the elf still rested close to him, no change of his
condition to be noticed. His hand had slipped from the root Gimli had laid it upon or maybe
someone had moved it. A spot of sunlight shone on his golden hair and he looked
peaceful, as if merely asleep if not for his closed eyes.
The voices raised in anger regained his attention and he decided to join them, curious as
to how a Mirkwood elf had come to be here. As he made his way over to them he noticed
the elf's tight stance, his hands clutching his bow and his eyes flashing.