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Everlasting Road: ch. 4
The trio spent the rest of the day in Legolas' clearing. They would leave in the morning and venture onwards to Gimli's choice of caves. Legolas and Gimli spent most of the time alone, as Liria was off by herself enjoying nature solitarily as she always had. She was astounded that she had missed something like this, no matter how short her time in the forest had been. Usually, she was the one drawn to these places. Throughout the day, she would steal glances at Legolas and see him sharing the wonder with Gimli. Sometimes, he would glance up and meet her gaze, but it never held for long. Usually, she was the one to look away. His fair face was unreadable.
Night fell once again and they made camp in Legolas' clearing. They would leave in the morning and set out for Gimli's destination. Legolas and Gimli made their beds on one side of the fire while Liria made hers on the other side. As they lay down to sleep, Gimli noted something rather odd, but beautiful. The tall trees that had blocked the harshness of the sun let the stars filter through. It was as if they were sleeping under an open sky, yet the trees were still visible as well. Another marvel of Fangorn.
Morning came, and Gimli awoke more fresh than ever. As much as Fangorn had awed him, he was eager to get out of it and into some mountains. Gimli sat up and looked around. Legolas was already gone, light-footed elf that he is, he had not awakened Gimli when he left. Gimli glanced around and saw that Legolas was near the stream, refilling water bottles. Then Gimli glanced for her, the other elf, and saw that she was nowhere in the clearing. Perhaps she had already left them, Gimli hoped so.
Liria had been gone even before Legolas woke up. This time, he did not worry about it, willing to trust her after the last time. She would show up eventually, and he would welcome her. Legolas glanced at his friend Gimli, he clearly sensed hostilities between Gimli and Liria, from both sides. He just hoped they would soon get over it and enjoy being in one another's company. For they would not be able to enjoy anything if they could not get along.
Legolas finished filling the water bottles and strode back to Gimli who was distributing out Lembas for them to eat for breakfast. It would give them more energy throughout the day, and Gimli figured that more energy meant faster time out of Fangorn. Legolas guessed at his eagerness for the elf food, but accepted it with a half-hidden smile all the same. After eating, they left the clearing. Gimli did not bother to ask about Liria and Legolas did not bring her up.
They had come out of Legolas' clearing and were perhaps no more than forty feet away when Legolas stiffened and halted. Gimli, noticing his friend, halted immediately as well, glancing around uneasily. Before Legolas could decide what the matter was, a great figure leaped down on him from atop a tree. Legolas was able to sidestep it however, and it crashed to the ground. Legolas smiled, for he knew who had attacked them. Liria rolled onto her back and groaned, looking at Legolas with a look of defeat. He reached his hand down to help her up.
"Why is it," he began as he pulled her up, "that you always insist on meeting me on the ground?"
Liria brushed herself off and tried to look dignified before answering, "I was simply testing your senses, and at our first meeting, I was not put on the ground by choice."
Legolas could not help smiling, "Then perhaps it is your senses that need the training, and not mine."
Gimli stared at the pair mutely, not becoming involved in the conversation. He wanted to start walking again, not be held up by a comedic elf. Much to his relief, Legolas pressed on, Gimli following close behind him and Liria following at a distance, gazing at everything as she went by. Sometimes she would stop to examine a particular plant, and Gimli would hope that she would stay behind. But then her gait would become imperceptibly quicker and she would be close behind them again.
Legolas himself did not glance backwards, at either Gimli or Liria. His gaze stayed forward and he hummed softly under his breath. His ears were always strained, however, for the chance of meeting more orcs. He felt that they would not be troubled any longer in the forest, but it did not hurt to be prepared.
By the end of the day, the trio was out of Fangorn. When they reached the edge, Legolas and Liria stopped and turned to look back on it. Gimli turned as well, but he looked more to the side, towards the mountains, he was pretty sure he would never come back here to Fangorn. After a few moments of silence, they all continued on.
"Now you will see my wonders, Master Elf," informed Gimli as his step suddenly became lighter and Legolas' heavier. Gimli glanced at Liria, "And perhaps you will see them as well, My Lady." Liria favored Gimli with a glance of dark blue eyes, but said nothing. She still had yet to decide if she would actually go into the caves, she doubted it. Maybe she would return to Fangorn and then come back when they were done with the underground. Yes, that seemed like the best solution. She would tell Legolas of it when they reached the cave. She suspected that the dwarf would like it better without her, anyway.
Night came again, and this time they camped in an open clearing between the forest and the mountains. It was only half a day's more journey until the mountain, and then Legolas would have to keep his promise. He swallowed the twinge of apprehension that slid over him and insisted that he would trust Gimli blindly. Still, he could not push all bad thoughts away, and found himself hoping that Liria would come with them, though he did not believe she would. He glanced over to her bed, and found that she was already gone. He wondered if she even bothered to sleep anymore before drifting into his own sleep.
Liria wandered about restlessly by herself. She was not able to lay down and go to sleep, apprehension had consumed everything. She knew that something terrible would happen in the caves, and that she nor Legolas, even the dwarf, should dare to venture inside. But there was no way she could convince Legolas to remain out of them. Whether he felt the same thing or not, his love for the dwarf would make him ignore it. Maybe if she could convince the dwarf, yes, that would be the only way to keep them all safe. But how do you convince a dwarf to stay out of a cave? No matter how dangerous it seemed, it would seem more like home than the outside of it.
Liria stopped walking. She had unknowingly gone far enough to be able to see Fangorn again. It beckoned to her, to simply forget the worries of the caves and go back to the forest. But she could not leave Legolas, he would not have a chance if her feelings proved to be true. Then again, there might not be any danger. Perhaps it was simply her hatred of the caves that gave her this feeling. The forest seemed to agree with this logic, calling to her to come back and all would be well. No caves, no worries, that's what they promised. All she had to do was protect the forest until the end of her day, which would be a sufficient amount of time since she was an elf. Liria actually took a few steps towards the forest, but then ripped herself away and turned. She could not abandon Legolas. She also could not go into the caves. A paradox, but she would worry about the outcome later when they finally approached the caves.
Legolas stirred out of his light sleep and heard Liria's steps approaching. He guessed the time was a few hours before sunrise, she had been gone a long time. He closed his eyes, but continued to listen as she strode towards them and then sat down on the other side of the clearing, as was her custom. Was she really always that eager to be as far away from him as possible? Legolas sighed inwardly and decided no to bother over it any longer. She was still a friend, and he had come to learn the great value of friends. Legolas drifted into his light sleep again.
When Legolas awoke again, it was morning. He started to reach over to wake Gimli, only to find him already awake. Gimli was eager to reach the caves, and show Legolas that trees were not the only things good in the world. They all ate a quick breakfast and then packed up and started out. Gimli practically ran on ahead, he was that eager. He called back to Legolas who lagged behind, "Soon Master Elf, you will see the beauty that I promise you and you will be amazed. I might even go so far as to daresay that you will not think of your beloved trees." Gimli grinned and looked back as he talked. Legolas was behind him, but his step was heavy. And Liria was even further behind, looking around her with distaste as if they had already reached the caves.
When they were almost to the caves, only about three more miles, Legolas finally spoke up. His apprehension had been building, and he was not one to ignore his instincts. He felt that maybe Gimli was not aware of the danger he was leading them into. "Are you sure that these caves will prove to be safe? Do your people still live within them?"
Gimli stopped and turned to look at Legolas with an indiscernible expression. "The caves have been vacant for about fifty years now, my people moved onto bigger and better things, but I assure you they are still quite beautiful. Though maybe considered quaint now, it has always been one of my favorite places. Come, you will see wondrous riches, both natural and man-made, and great architecture fit for even the greatest of your kings." Gimli smiled encouragingly.
Gimli's answer did little to ease Legolas, plus he had not answered the whole question. "Pardon me dear friend for asking, but is it safe? I will still go with you, for I have promised you that I would and I would follow you anywhere, yet I simply want to know what we are getting into, if you follow me."
Gimli seemed to weigh his answer before giving it. "It is a cave, Master Elf, and caves are expected to draw goblins and orcs. But I am sure it will be nothing that we cannot handle. We have passed through the heart of the dragon, we will not be smited now by mere lizards. Forget the goblins, concentrate on the wonders that will be revealed to you."
Gimli turned to continue, not waiting for Legolas' response. His foreboding grew at Gimli's words, and he glanced back at Liria. Liria had listened to their conversation, and she stood still with a face of stone. Yet she could not control emotion through her eyes, and her eyes were black right now, ringed with ice blue. She was afraid. To her, Gimli might as well have said that if you enter the caves, you have signed your death warrant. It made the same difference to her. And her former hopes of persuading Gimli to not enter the caves were now shattered. The fool seemed intent on leading them into danger and death. Liria felt as Legolas did, only even more so, for she had no trust to counter the feeling. And Liria trusted her feelings as well, she would not go into the caves, but Legolas must not either.
Eventually, the trio approached the narrow entrance to a cave. It was a cave that led to others, into a seemingly endless labyrinth. It was also the sight of their great battle with the army of Sauron, Helm's Deep. This was where Gimli and Legolas had made their promise to each other, and it had been these caves that Gimli had meant to show Legolas. In fact, Gimli and Eomer and a few others had even used these caves as a refuge during the great battle until the army of orcs had thinned and they could once again come out to fight.
Legolas and Gimli remembered the battle well, it had been hard and intense. All had thought it was hopeless, yet stood their ground anyway. The thought of entering caves was bad enough, but the caves that stood underneath such great suffering seemed impossible to enter. Legolas stared at the narrow entrance with wave after wave of apprehension coursing through. He did not want to go in, but if Gimli went, he must go as well.
Gimli stepped up to the entrance and stopped. He hesitated, then glanced back at Legolas. Without a word, Gimli stepped through the entrance and disappeared. Legolas closed his eyes briefly and took a step forward. Liria grabbed his arm. He turned to look at her.
"Don't go," she told him, her face was set, but the chill in her ice blue eyes betrayed the fear that she felt. "You don't have to go."
Legolas gently lifted her hand from his arm, "I have to go. But you can remain right out here, we will be back tomorrow morning, you won't even notice we were gone. I am sure it will just be a quick tour, nothing too deep to be concerned about." Legolas tried to placate her as well as himself. He nodded and said again, "We will be right back."
"No you won't," Liria said softly as Legolas stepped forward. Legolas heard her of course, but pretended not to. He walked quickly inside the entrance and disappeared from Liria's sight.
Gimli stood at the end of a short hallway, waiting for Legolas. When he approached, he asked, "The lady does not wish to come?" Legolas shook his head mutely, not allowing himself to speak. Gimli smiled to himself and turned to lead the way, he had not wanted Liria to come anyway.
Gimli started to lead Legolas down a chasm. It was endless, and very dark. Legolas could still see, but not well and he doubted Gimli could see much at all. Yet Gimli trotted along unerringly, going along a corridor he must have gone through a million times before. He made a turn to the left and Legolas followed, and that was when he first smelt it. Goblins, or orcs, it didn't matter which one. The scent was there, he just could not tell how recent it was, whether the goblins were still in the cave. Likely, they had run off when the battle of Helm's Deep had started, Legolas told himself. Still, he strained his other senses, not wanting to be caught off guard. Legolas' unease had not grown any less, but Gimli trotted on even faster, eager to get to the true beauty of the caves.
After a while, Legolas was not sure of the passage of time as there was no sun to inform them, Gimli made a sharp turn to the right. Legolas followed, and immediately grew brighter. The smell of goblin had grown very faint and had almost vanished. The paths they were going on were obviously not used by the goblins. They had no need for beauty, so perhaps they had never come here and never would. Legolas felt his apprehension drop for the first time.
Legolas now strained his eyes to see the chasm in the unending dark. Some things looked interesting, but Gimli was not being a proper tour guide and his mouth stayed shut. Secretly, he did not want to waste breath and energy on talking, the faster they got to his spot, the faster Legolas would be amazed. So they continued on in silence.
Legolas was now becoming very bored. He was through with straining his eyes and now everything was the same shadowy hue of blue-grey. Also, he was beginning to feel suffocated. The air was thin and old, as if a living creature had not entered these chasms since chiseling into them. He was beginning to long for the outdoors and fresh air, and the longing grew with every footstep. He did not care about the threat of goblins any longer, all he wanted was to get outside, under the sun and fresh air.
Just as Legolas was about to turn and start to go back on his own, promise or no, Gimli made a sharp turn to the left. Legolas stopped in surprise, then frowned in distaste. He could see the small door Gimli had gone through, a door meant for a dwarf. Legolas would have to practically get down on his hands and knees to go through it. Slowly, Legolas maneuvered his way inside the small door. When he was through and could finally stand upright again, Legolas stilled every muscle and even halted breathing. He could see absolutely nothing. For the first time in his long life, he felt truly blind. He could not even make out his hand at his side, and Gimli seemed to have disappeared.
Legolas strained his other senses to give clues to where he was. He could faintly hear Gimli breathing, so he knew that he had to be somewhere nearby. Also, he felt that he was on the edge of a very wide, very open space. Legolas immediately felt vulnerable, another feeling not often known by him. Unconsciously, Legolas fitted an arrow to his bow. He stood tensely, expecting something terrible to come screaming at them from the deep darkness.
Suddenly, Legolas heard the harsh grating of rocks against each other. The noise was so loud and unexpected that Legolas immediately whipped his bow up to position, ready to send death to anything on the speed of an arrow. What he saw next caused Legolas to lower the bow. Gimli stood off to his right, next to some kind of lever he had pulled, causing a hole to be revealed in the ceiling of a very large chamber. The hole allowed a small shaft of sunlight through that was immediately reflected on a mirror strategically placed beneath it. The light from the mirror was then thrown and reflected off of mirrors placed all throughout the room, causing the entire place to be full of light. The mirrors were different colors, until Legolas realized that they were not mirrors at all but gems and precious stones ingrained all over the walls. There were large pillars that stood all throughout the huge chamber, much like the ones in Moria, except these were carved and also inlaid with glittering stones. The large floor they stood upon was also carved and streams of gold and bright silver made intricate patterns across it. Some of the patterns led to the entranceways of many doors in the chamber, telling of the fact that this room was meant to be a central meeting room for a great nation. Finally, Legolas saw that a pool sat in the middle of the room, softly churning from an underground current, fresh water.
Legolas allowed himself to step forward to take more in. He noticed that statues and other seemingly priceless heirlooms and artwork were placed about the room, but carefully and not in a haphazard manner. Vibrations of the smallest sound rang throughout the room, but not enough to make it seem harsh and maddening, only musical. Legolas found himself in the center of the room, near the pool, and he could not quite remember how he had gotten there. He was now staring up at the ceiling, into the hole that let the sun through, and discovered that the hole itself was wreathed in mithrail.
Legolas turned and looked at Gimli where he still stood. They said nothing, but Gimli could tell what Legolas thought of the wondrous chamber, and was satisfied. Gimli nodded to himself before stepping out to join Legolas.
Night fell and found the pair still in the great room. They were both in a delightful mood and were preparing a mini-feast, it seemed appropriate in this room that was obviously meant for great kings. Legolas had prepared a small fire to make up for the sun that had gone down, and Gimli cooked meat on it that he had been saving for this occasion. Legolas brought out bread he had saved, and they both drank directly from the fresh pool that they both agreed contained the best of water.
When they were done feasting, they lay companionably side by side. Legolas lay on his back, his hands folded under his head. He gazed all about the multi-colored room, seeming to be a soft red now that the sun was gone. He let his head roll to one side and looked at Gimli who was sitting up to tend to the fire. Legolas spoke, "I am glad my friend that you desired to share this with me. It has passed any expectations that I had, truthfully because I had none. You have corrected my faith in you dwarves, and it will be long before I dare to doubt you again."
Gimli was touched by his response. "Perhaps you and I should remain down here to live, we could bring other friends and start a new nation with elves and dwarves alike." He seemed to be excited over the possibility of such a great nation.
Legolas smiled gently, not wanting to hurt his friend's feelings, "I do not believe that any elf would want to live here. It is a very nice place to visit, but one still out of our realm. As much as you loved Fangorn, you would never desire to live there, and the same could be said for me. Do not let that lower your enthusiasm, for you know I speak the truth. Still, I wish every elf could at least venture inside this place." As he said this, he thought that he somehow had to convince Liria to come inside and see it for herself, no description would be able to justify it.
Gimli was slightly put out by his answer, but indeed knew it for the truth. As beautiful as Fangorn was, he or any dwarf would never choose to dwell within it. No, they were meant for the mountains and the solid strength of rock while elves were meant for the forests and gentle massiveness of the trees. They had their different worlds, but as Legolas had said, there was no reason they all could not enjoy the same world.
Everlasting Road: ch. 4
The trio spent the rest of the day in Legolas' clearing. They would leave in the morning and venture onwards to Gimli's choice of caves. Legolas and Gimli spent most of the time alone, as Liria was off by herself enjoying nature solitarily as she always had. She was astounded that she had missed something like this, no matter how short her time in the forest had been. Usually, she was the one drawn to these places. Throughout the day, she would steal glances at Legolas and see him sharing the wonder with Gimli. Sometimes, he would glance up and meet her gaze, but it never held for long. Usually, she was the one to look away. His fair face was unreadable.
Night fell once again and they made camp in Legolas' clearing. They would leave in the morning and set out for Gimli's destination. Legolas and Gimli made their beds on one side of the fire while Liria made hers on the other side. As they lay down to sleep, Gimli noted something rather odd, but beautiful. The tall trees that had blocked the harshness of the sun let the stars filter through. It was as if they were sleeping under an open sky, yet the trees were still visible as well. Another marvel of Fangorn.
Morning came, and Gimli awoke more fresh than ever. As much as Fangorn had awed him, he was eager to get out of it and into some mountains. Gimli sat up and looked around. Legolas was already gone, light-footed elf that he is, he had not awakened Gimli when he left. Gimli glanced around and saw that Legolas was near the stream, refilling water bottles. Then Gimli glanced for her, the other elf, and saw that she was nowhere in the clearing. Perhaps she had already left them, Gimli hoped so.
Liria had been gone even before Legolas woke up. This time, he did not worry about it, willing to trust her after the last time. She would show up eventually, and he would welcome her. Legolas glanced at his friend Gimli, he clearly sensed hostilities between Gimli and Liria, from both sides. He just hoped they would soon get over it and enjoy being in one another's company. For they would not be able to enjoy anything if they could not get along.
Legolas finished filling the water bottles and strode back to Gimli who was distributing out Lembas for them to eat for breakfast. It would give them more energy throughout the day, and Gimli figured that more energy meant faster time out of Fangorn. Legolas guessed at his eagerness for the elf food, but accepted it with a half-hidden smile all the same. After eating, they left the clearing. Gimli did not bother to ask about Liria and Legolas did not bring her up.
They had come out of Legolas' clearing and were perhaps no more than forty feet away when Legolas stiffened and halted. Gimli, noticing his friend, halted immediately as well, glancing around uneasily. Before Legolas could decide what the matter was, a great figure leaped down on him from atop a tree. Legolas was able to sidestep it however, and it crashed to the ground. Legolas smiled, for he knew who had attacked them. Liria rolled onto her back and groaned, looking at Legolas with a look of defeat. He reached his hand down to help her up.
"Why is it," he began as he pulled her up, "that you always insist on meeting me on the ground?"
Liria brushed herself off and tried to look dignified before answering, "I was simply testing your senses, and at our first meeting, I was not put on the ground by choice."
Legolas could not help smiling, "Then perhaps it is your senses that need the training, and not mine."
Gimli stared at the pair mutely, not becoming involved in the conversation. He wanted to start walking again, not be held up by a comedic elf. Much to his relief, Legolas pressed on, Gimli following close behind him and Liria following at a distance, gazing at everything as she went by. Sometimes she would stop to examine a particular plant, and Gimli would hope that she would stay behind. But then her gait would become imperceptibly quicker and she would be close behind them again.
Legolas himself did not glance backwards, at either Gimli or Liria. His gaze stayed forward and he hummed softly under his breath. His ears were always strained, however, for the chance of meeting more orcs. He felt that they would not be troubled any longer in the forest, but it did not hurt to be prepared.
By the end of the day, the trio was out of Fangorn. When they reached the edge, Legolas and Liria stopped and turned to look back on it. Gimli turned as well, but he looked more to the side, towards the mountains, he was pretty sure he would never come back here to Fangorn. After a few moments of silence, they all continued on.
"Now you will see my wonders, Master Elf," informed Gimli as his step suddenly became lighter and Legolas' heavier. Gimli glanced at Liria, "And perhaps you will see them as well, My Lady." Liria favored Gimli with a glance of dark blue eyes, but said nothing. She still had yet to decide if she would actually go into the caves, she doubted it. Maybe she would return to Fangorn and then come back when they were done with the underground. Yes, that seemed like the best solution. She would tell Legolas of it when they reached the cave. She suspected that the dwarf would like it better without her, anyway.
Night came again, and this time they camped in an open clearing between the forest and the mountains. It was only half a day's more journey until the mountain, and then Legolas would have to keep his promise. He swallowed the twinge of apprehension that slid over him and insisted that he would trust Gimli blindly. Still, he could not push all bad thoughts away, and found himself hoping that Liria would come with them, though he did not believe she would. He glanced over to her bed, and found that she was already gone. He wondered if she even bothered to sleep anymore before drifting into his own sleep.
Liria wandered about restlessly by herself. She was not able to lay down and go to sleep, apprehension had consumed everything. She knew that something terrible would happen in the caves, and that she nor Legolas, even the dwarf, should dare to venture inside. But there was no way she could convince Legolas to remain out of them. Whether he felt the same thing or not, his love for the dwarf would make him ignore it. Maybe if she could convince the dwarf, yes, that would be the only way to keep them all safe. But how do you convince a dwarf to stay out of a cave? No matter how dangerous it seemed, it would seem more like home than the outside of it.
Liria stopped walking. She had unknowingly gone far enough to be able to see Fangorn again. It beckoned to her, to simply forget the worries of the caves and go back to the forest. But she could not leave Legolas, he would not have a chance if her feelings proved to be true. Then again, there might not be any danger. Perhaps it was simply her hatred of the caves that gave her this feeling. The forest seemed to agree with this logic, calling to her to come back and all would be well. No caves, no worries, that's what they promised. All she had to do was protect the forest until the end of her day, which would be a sufficient amount of time since she was an elf. Liria actually took a few steps towards the forest, but then ripped herself away and turned. She could not abandon Legolas. She also could not go into the caves. A paradox, but she would worry about the outcome later when they finally approached the caves.
Legolas stirred out of his light sleep and heard Liria's steps approaching. He guessed the time was a few hours before sunrise, she had been gone a long time. He closed his eyes, but continued to listen as she strode towards them and then sat down on the other side of the clearing, as was her custom. Was she really always that eager to be as far away from him as possible? Legolas sighed inwardly and decided no to bother over it any longer. She was still a friend, and he had come to learn the great value of friends. Legolas drifted into his light sleep again.
When Legolas awoke again, it was morning. He started to reach over to wake Gimli, only to find him already awake. Gimli was eager to reach the caves, and show Legolas that trees were not the only things good in the world. They all ate a quick breakfast and then packed up and started out. Gimli practically ran on ahead, he was that eager. He called back to Legolas who lagged behind, "Soon Master Elf, you will see the beauty that I promise you and you will be amazed. I might even go so far as to daresay that you will not think of your beloved trees." Gimli grinned and looked back as he talked. Legolas was behind him, but his step was heavy. And Liria was even further behind, looking around her with distaste as if they had already reached the caves.
When they were almost to the caves, only about three more miles, Legolas finally spoke up. His apprehension had been building, and he was not one to ignore his instincts. He felt that maybe Gimli was not aware of the danger he was leading them into. "Are you sure that these caves will prove to be safe? Do your people still live within them?"
Gimli stopped and turned to look at Legolas with an indiscernible expression. "The caves have been vacant for about fifty years now, my people moved onto bigger and better things, but I assure you they are still quite beautiful. Though maybe considered quaint now, it has always been one of my favorite places. Come, you will see wondrous riches, both natural and man-made, and great architecture fit for even the greatest of your kings." Gimli smiled encouragingly.
Gimli's answer did little to ease Legolas, plus he had not answered the whole question. "Pardon me dear friend for asking, but is it safe? I will still go with you, for I have promised you that I would and I would follow you anywhere, yet I simply want to know what we are getting into, if you follow me."
Gimli seemed to weigh his answer before giving it. "It is a cave, Master Elf, and caves are expected to draw goblins and orcs. But I am sure it will be nothing that we cannot handle. We have passed through the heart of the dragon, we will not be smited now by mere lizards. Forget the goblins, concentrate on the wonders that will be revealed to you."
Gimli turned to continue, not waiting for Legolas' response. His foreboding grew at Gimli's words, and he glanced back at Liria. Liria had listened to their conversation, and she stood still with a face of stone. Yet she could not control emotion through her eyes, and her eyes were black right now, ringed with ice blue. She was afraid. To her, Gimli might as well have said that if you enter the caves, you have signed your death warrant. It made the same difference to her. And her former hopes of persuading Gimli to not enter the caves were now shattered. The fool seemed intent on leading them into danger and death. Liria felt as Legolas did, only even more so, for she had no trust to counter the feeling. And Liria trusted her feelings as well, she would not go into the caves, but Legolas must not either.
Eventually, the trio approached the narrow entrance to a cave. It was a cave that led to others, into a seemingly endless labyrinth. It was also the sight of their great battle with the army of Sauron, Helm's Deep. This was where Gimli and Legolas had made their promise to each other, and it had been these caves that Gimli had meant to show Legolas. In fact, Gimli and Eomer and a few others had even used these caves as a refuge during the great battle until the army of orcs had thinned and they could once again come out to fight.
Legolas and Gimli remembered the battle well, it had been hard and intense. All had thought it was hopeless, yet stood their ground anyway. The thought of entering caves was bad enough, but the caves that stood underneath such great suffering seemed impossible to enter. Legolas stared at the narrow entrance with wave after wave of apprehension coursing through. He did not want to go in, but if Gimli went, he must go as well.
Gimli stepped up to the entrance and stopped. He hesitated, then glanced back at Legolas. Without a word, Gimli stepped through the entrance and disappeared. Legolas closed his eyes briefly and took a step forward. Liria grabbed his arm. He turned to look at her.
"Don't go," she told him, her face was set, but the chill in her ice blue eyes betrayed the fear that she felt. "You don't have to go."
Legolas gently lifted her hand from his arm, "I have to go. But you can remain right out here, we will be back tomorrow morning, you won't even notice we were gone. I am sure it will just be a quick tour, nothing too deep to be concerned about." Legolas tried to placate her as well as himself. He nodded and said again, "We will be right back."
"No you won't," Liria said softly as Legolas stepped forward. Legolas heard her of course, but pretended not to. He walked quickly inside the entrance and disappeared from Liria's sight.
Gimli stood at the end of a short hallway, waiting for Legolas. When he approached, he asked, "The lady does not wish to come?" Legolas shook his head mutely, not allowing himself to speak. Gimli smiled to himself and turned to lead the way, he had not wanted Liria to come anyway.
Gimli started to lead Legolas down a chasm. It was endless, and very dark. Legolas could still see, but not well and he doubted Gimli could see much at all. Yet Gimli trotted along unerringly, going along a corridor he must have gone through a million times before. He made a turn to the left and Legolas followed, and that was when he first smelt it. Goblins, or orcs, it didn't matter which one. The scent was there, he just could not tell how recent it was, whether the goblins were still in the cave. Likely, they had run off when the battle of Helm's Deep had started, Legolas told himself. Still, he strained his other senses, not wanting to be caught off guard. Legolas' unease had not grown any less, but Gimli trotted on even faster, eager to get to the true beauty of the caves.
After a while, Legolas was not sure of the passage of time as there was no sun to inform them, Gimli made a sharp turn to the right. Legolas followed, and immediately grew brighter. The smell of goblin had grown very faint and had almost vanished. The paths they were going on were obviously not used by the goblins. They had no need for beauty, so perhaps they had never come here and never would. Legolas felt his apprehension drop for the first time.
Legolas now strained his eyes to see the chasm in the unending dark. Some things looked interesting, but Gimli was not being a proper tour guide and his mouth stayed shut. Secretly, he did not want to waste breath and energy on talking, the faster they got to his spot, the faster Legolas would be amazed. So they continued on in silence.
Legolas was now becoming very bored. He was through with straining his eyes and now everything was the same shadowy hue of blue-grey. Also, he was beginning to feel suffocated. The air was thin and old, as if a living creature had not entered these chasms since chiseling into them. He was beginning to long for the outdoors and fresh air, and the longing grew with every footstep. He did not care about the threat of goblins any longer, all he wanted was to get outside, under the sun and fresh air.
Just as Legolas was about to turn and start to go back on his own, promise or no, Gimli made a sharp turn to the left. Legolas stopped in surprise, then frowned in distaste. He could see the small door Gimli had gone through, a door meant for a dwarf. Legolas would have to practically get down on his hands and knees to go through it. Slowly, Legolas maneuvered his way inside the small door. When he was through and could finally stand upright again, Legolas stilled every muscle and even halted breathing. He could see absolutely nothing. For the first time in his long life, he felt truly blind. He could not even make out his hand at his side, and Gimli seemed to have disappeared.
Legolas strained his other senses to give clues to where he was. He could faintly hear Gimli breathing, so he knew that he had to be somewhere nearby. Also, he felt that he was on the edge of a very wide, very open space. Legolas immediately felt vulnerable, another feeling not often known by him. Unconsciously, Legolas fitted an arrow to his bow. He stood tensely, expecting something terrible to come screaming at them from the deep darkness.
Suddenly, Legolas heard the harsh grating of rocks against each other. The noise was so loud and unexpected that Legolas immediately whipped his bow up to position, ready to send death to anything on the speed of an arrow. What he saw next caused Legolas to lower the bow. Gimli stood off to his right, next to some kind of lever he had pulled, causing a hole to be revealed in the ceiling of a very large chamber. The hole allowed a small shaft of sunlight through that was immediately reflected on a mirror strategically placed beneath it. The light from the mirror was then thrown and reflected off of mirrors placed all throughout the room, causing the entire place to be full of light. The mirrors were different colors, until Legolas realized that they were not mirrors at all but gems and precious stones ingrained all over the walls. There were large pillars that stood all throughout the huge chamber, much like the ones in Moria, except these were carved and also inlaid with glittering stones. The large floor they stood upon was also carved and streams of gold and bright silver made intricate patterns across it. Some of the patterns led to the entranceways of many doors in the chamber, telling of the fact that this room was meant to be a central meeting room for a great nation. Finally, Legolas saw that a pool sat in the middle of the room, softly churning from an underground current, fresh water.
Legolas allowed himself to step forward to take more in. He noticed that statues and other seemingly priceless heirlooms and artwork were placed about the room, but carefully and not in a haphazard manner. Vibrations of the smallest sound rang throughout the room, but not enough to make it seem harsh and maddening, only musical. Legolas found himself in the center of the room, near the pool, and he could not quite remember how he had gotten there. He was now staring up at the ceiling, into the hole that let the sun through, and discovered that the hole itself was wreathed in mithrail.
Legolas turned and looked at Gimli where he still stood. They said nothing, but Gimli could tell what Legolas thought of the wondrous chamber, and was satisfied. Gimli nodded to himself before stepping out to join Legolas.
Night fell and found the pair still in the great room. They were both in a delightful mood and were preparing a mini-feast, it seemed appropriate in this room that was obviously meant for great kings. Legolas had prepared a small fire to make up for the sun that had gone down, and Gimli cooked meat on it that he had been saving for this occasion. Legolas brought out bread he had saved, and they both drank directly from the fresh pool that they both agreed contained the best of water.
When they were done feasting, they lay companionably side by side. Legolas lay on his back, his hands folded under his head. He gazed all about the multi-colored room, seeming to be a soft red now that the sun was gone. He let his head roll to one side and looked at Gimli who was sitting up to tend to the fire. Legolas spoke, "I am glad my friend that you desired to share this with me. It has passed any expectations that I had, truthfully because I had none. You have corrected my faith in you dwarves, and it will be long before I dare to doubt you again."
Gimli was touched by his response. "Perhaps you and I should remain down here to live, we could bring other friends and start a new nation with elves and dwarves alike." He seemed to be excited over the possibility of such a great nation.
Legolas smiled gently, not wanting to hurt his friend's feelings, "I do not believe that any elf would want to live here. It is a very nice place to visit, but one still out of our realm. As much as you loved Fangorn, you would never desire to live there, and the same could be said for me. Do not let that lower your enthusiasm, for you know I speak the truth. Still, I wish every elf could at least venture inside this place." As he said this, he thought that he somehow had to convince Liria to come inside and see it for herself, no description would be able to justify it.
Gimli was slightly put out by his answer, but indeed knew it for the truth. As beautiful as Fangorn was, he or any dwarf would never choose to dwell within it. No, they were meant for the mountains and the solid strength of rock while elves were meant for the forests and gentle massiveness of the trees. They had their different worlds, but as Legolas had said, there was no reason they all could not enjoy the same world.