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Everlasting Road ch. 16
Gimli paced about the room in the healing house restlessly. He did not like it in here, but where could he possibly go? Outside to revel in the trees and elves? He did not think so. But he only had to last for one more night, then he could leave and return home. Gimli tried not to think of the lonely journey that would take place before reaching his home, and instead concentrated on just the thought of being home.
Gimli suddenly heard steps approaching and he stopped his pacing. He looked to the door expectantly and saw Legolas enter. Gimli was very much surprised to see it was Legolas, he had never been able to hear his footsteps before. Gimli wondered at this, but not for too long.
"My friend," Legolas began slowly, "I wish to speak with you."
Gimli nodded shortly, "Of course. I think we are still able to speak to one another."
Legolas stared at the floor before answering back. He finally looked up at Gimli, his eyes dulled and shadowed, "I know you have a desire to return home, as I once did as well. But I have found that I am no longer needed here, and I know that you are battling with feelings of belonging as well. So I have a proposal for you. Wait here for one more week, so that I can have proper time to make amends with my father, for I imagine he will not be pleased with my decision to leave, and then I will travel with you. We can visit your home and you can be hailed on your return, and then we could perhaps find a place where we will both be useful."
Gimli looked at Legolas in surprise. He had not expected his friend's displeasure with his home. "Do you know of a place where we will both be needed?"
"I have considered returning to aid Aragorn in his new kingdom. No doubt we will be welcome and there will be plenty to occupy us both," Legolas answered back.
Gimli's face lit up with sudden joy. It seemed like a very good idea to him, and then he would be reunited with another of his dear friends. "It can be just like old times, without the perils added to it. This pleases me, I think that I will agree to it," Gimli's voice rose with his mounting excitement, and he fairly jumped about, eager to start on their new life. Suddenly, Gimli stilled and fell silent. A new thought occurred to him. "And what of the lady?" he asked quietly.
Legolas closed his eyes briefly before answering back, "The lady will do what she pleases. She can choose as she sees fit, I have naught to say for her own desires."
Gimli looked suspiciously at Legolas. There was something he was not telling him. Gimli took in Legolas' withered stance and recalled the heavy steps from before. He was grieved, and no doubt over the lady. Why else would he be volunteering to leave with Gimli? Gimli had a sudden thought, perhaps they had broken up. Gimli felt a moment's joy at this thought, then immediately felt ashamed. Even if he did not care for Liria at all, it was obvious Legolas did, and this was tearing his friend apart. Gimli had a small twinge of sympathy for his friend, but quickly quelled it. He was much better off without her. Before she had showed up, Legolas had been continuously light-hearted and strong.
Gimli spoke up, "I will give you the week you ask for, and then we will go. We will be hailed as heroes in my homeland, and then we will be well-received by Aragorn. But your celebration feast is tonight, so let us think not of the promising future but of the present and prepare for the festivities. I must confess that I look towards it with a better light now that I know I do not have to leave immediately after it by myself."
Legolas nodded, and found he could not match Gimli's enthusiasm. So without bothering to say anything else, he turned and walked out of the room. And Gimli could hear his steps receding all the way out of the house.
Evening arrived in Mirkwood, and the entire nation was gathered in the Great Hall. News of Legolas' homecoming feast had spread to every ear and everyone had come, whether they particularly wanted to or not. Thranduil sat at the head of a great table, and he rose when Legolas finally entered the room. Every elf rose to their feet, and there was much applause and cheering. Legolas looked like the proud prince he was, he had been clothed in an immaculate all white tunic and his hair had been carefully brushed until it shone. The small dwarf who walked beside him proudly, though he had been given new clothes as well, was a sharp contrast.
Legolas made his way towards his father and he and Gimli took their places beside him. Thranduil met Legolas with a hug and Gimli with a firm handshake. That being done, they all sat down and food and drink was brought out by many fair servants.
Legolas felt like he was walking in a disembodied state. On the outside, he looked like a mighty prince reveling in the pleasures of his kingdom. He talked animatedly with those who spoke to him and answered all of their questions. He even toasted whenever one was made, and there were many. But on the inside, his gaze searched constantly for one face in particular. And he grieved when he could not find it. Liria had not come to the banquet.
After all of the food and drink, many minstrels came forth, and Legolas was surprised when they started into songs about the War of the Ring. Legolas had thought that this information had not reached Mirkwood yet. He saw the faces of the elves change and they glanced at him and Gimli as the horrible adventure unfolded in song. When the final song was sung, that of Nine-fingered Frodo and the return from Mount Doom, applause erupted like nothing before. They all knew now, and they all knew the heroism of their great prince, along with his strange companion. More drink was brought out, and more toasts were created, all to the health and good fortune of Legolas and Gimli.
Liria stood by herself in the great forest, underneath a full moon. She had changed into new clothes, but they were still the traveling clothes of her people. She was a good distance from the Great Hall, but could hear whenever there were explosions of cheer. So Legolas was being heralded, as he should be. She was happy for him, but there was another person she felt did not deserve to be there. The dwarf. He had no valor with which to be praised, why could not the others see this? Was she the only elf who still remembered dwarves for what they really were? Scavengers and destroyers of the earth, that was all they were. They cared nothing for the plight of others. Gimli had only been forced to go along the quest as a representative, not because he had actual contributions.
Liria prowled silently amongst the trees. She still had no idea what she was to do. She could not let Legolas go off with Gimli. She was sure Legolas would quickly forget about the troublesome dwarf and settle down happily to a life with her. He just had to get out of his recent grief, then he would be able to see clearly. Liria had a sudden thought of what to do. It seemed perfect, it would take away Legolas' grief and make the dwarf seem insignificant at the same time. Liria ran off, towards her own house that she had only visited once since returning. She would have to wait until the feast was over and she could find Legolas alone. Then all would be well.
Everlasting Road ch. 16
Gimli paced about the room in the healing house restlessly. He did not like it in here, but where could he possibly go? Outside to revel in the trees and elves? He did not think so. But he only had to last for one more night, then he could leave and return home. Gimli tried not to think of the lonely journey that would take place before reaching his home, and instead concentrated on just the thought of being home.
Gimli suddenly heard steps approaching and he stopped his pacing. He looked to the door expectantly and saw Legolas enter. Gimli was very much surprised to see it was Legolas, he had never been able to hear his footsteps before. Gimli wondered at this, but not for too long.
"My friend," Legolas began slowly, "I wish to speak with you."
Gimli nodded shortly, "Of course. I think we are still able to speak to one another."
Legolas stared at the floor before answering back. He finally looked up at Gimli, his eyes dulled and shadowed, "I know you have a desire to return home, as I once did as well. But I have found that I am no longer needed here, and I know that you are battling with feelings of belonging as well. So I have a proposal for you. Wait here for one more week, so that I can have proper time to make amends with my father, for I imagine he will not be pleased with my decision to leave, and then I will travel with you. We can visit your home and you can be hailed on your return, and then we could perhaps find a place where we will both be useful."
Gimli looked at Legolas in surprise. He had not expected his friend's displeasure with his home. "Do you know of a place where we will both be needed?"
"I have considered returning to aid Aragorn in his new kingdom. No doubt we will be welcome and there will be plenty to occupy us both," Legolas answered back.
Gimli's face lit up with sudden joy. It seemed like a very good idea to him, and then he would be reunited with another of his dear friends. "It can be just like old times, without the perils added to it. This pleases me, I think that I will agree to it," Gimli's voice rose with his mounting excitement, and he fairly jumped about, eager to start on their new life. Suddenly, Gimli stilled and fell silent. A new thought occurred to him. "And what of the lady?" he asked quietly.
Legolas closed his eyes briefly before answering back, "The lady will do what she pleases. She can choose as she sees fit, I have naught to say for her own desires."
Gimli looked suspiciously at Legolas. There was something he was not telling him. Gimli took in Legolas' withered stance and recalled the heavy steps from before. He was grieved, and no doubt over the lady. Why else would he be volunteering to leave with Gimli? Gimli had a sudden thought, perhaps they had broken up. Gimli felt a moment's joy at this thought, then immediately felt ashamed. Even if he did not care for Liria at all, it was obvious Legolas did, and this was tearing his friend apart. Gimli had a small twinge of sympathy for his friend, but quickly quelled it. He was much better off without her. Before she had showed up, Legolas had been continuously light-hearted and strong.
Gimli spoke up, "I will give you the week you ask for, and then we will go. We will be hailed as heroes in my homeland, and then we will be well-received by Aragorn. But your celebration feast is tonight, so let us think not of the promising future but of the present and prepare for the festivities. I must confess that I look towards it with a better light now that I know I do not have to leave immediately after it by myself."
Legolas nodded, and found he could not match Gimli's enthusiasm. So without bothering to say anything else, he turned and walked out of the room. And Gimli could hear his steps receding all the way out of the house.
Evening arrived in Mirkwood, and the entire nation was gathered in the Great Hall. News of Legolas' homecoming feast had spread to every ear and everyone had come, whether they particularly wanted to or not. Thranduil sat at the head of a great table, and he rose when Legolas finally entered the room. Every elf rose to their feet, and there was much applause and cheering. Legolas looked like the proud prince he was, he had been clothed in an immaculate all white tunic and his hair had been carefully brushed until it shone. The small dwarf who walked beside him proudly, though he had been given new clothes as well, was a sharp contrast.
Legolas made his way towards his father and he and Gimli took their places beside him. Thranduil met Legolas with a hug and Gimli with a firm handshake. That being done, they all sat down and food and drink was brought out by many fair servants.
Legolas felt like he was walking in a disembodied state. On the outside, he looked like a mighty prince reveling in the pleasures of his kingdom. He talked animatedly with those who spoke to him and answered all of their questions. He even toasted whenever one was made, and there were many. But on the inside, his gaze searched constantly for one face in particular. And he grieved when he could not find it. Liria had not come to the banquet.
After all of the food and drink, many minstrels came forth, and Legolas was surprised when they started into songs about the War of the Ring. Legolas had thought that this information had not reached Mirkwood yet. He saw the faces of the elves change and they glanced at him and Gimli as the horrible adventure unfolded in song. When the final song was sung, that of Nine-fingered Frodo and the return from Mount Doom, applause erupted like nothing before. They all knew now, and they all knew the heroism of their great prince, along with his strange companion. More drink was brought out, and more toasts were created, all to the health and good fortune of Legolas and Gimli.
Liria stood by herself in the great forest, underneath a full moon. She had changed into new clothes, but they were still the traveling clothes of her people. She was a good distance from the Great Hall, but could hear whenever there were explosions of cheer. So Legolas was being heralded, as he should be. She was happy for him, but there was another person she felt did not deserve to be there. The dwarf. He had no valor with which to be praised, why could not the others see this? Was she the only elf who still remembered dwarves for what they really were? Scavengers and destroyers of the earth, that was all they were. They cared nothing for the plight of others. Gimli had only been forced to go along the quest as a representative, not because he had actual contributions.
Liria prowled silently amongst the trees. She still had no idea what she was to do. She could not let Legolas go off with Gimli. She was sure Legolas would quickly forget about the troublesome dwarf and settle down happily to a life with her. He just had to get out of his recent grief, then he would be able to see clearly. Liria had a sudden thought of what to do. It seemed perfect, it would take away Legolas' grief and make the dwarf seem insignificant at the same time. Liria ran off, towards her own house that she had only visited once since returning. She would have to wait until the feast was over and she could find Legolas alone. Then all would be well.