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Everlasting Road ch. 24
Day was dawning when Gimli and Legolas finally returned to the city. The same elf-guard saw them and immediately went to alert Thranduil, rather than risk confronting Legolas again. Legolas knew that he and Gimli only had a few more moments alone together before they were again bombarded by people. Legolas decided know was the time to ask a question that had been burning at him.
"As well met as you were my friend," Legolas began, "why were you out looking for me? And how did you find me? I know of your dislike for forests."
Gimli stopped and Legolas did likewise. They stood facing each other. "There had been reports of wargs roaming about and it was also said that you were roaming about with no weapons. Normally I would harbor no fear for you, but since you were weaponless, I decided that you might need some assistance."
Legolas smiled, "Spoken like a true friend. But you have not completed your answers."
Gimli shifted uncomfortably, "I only followed a straight path, thinking you would have done likewise. It is mainly by luck that I found you when I did."
Legolas nodded and continued on, deciding not to press the matter any further. Gimli was holding something back, but at the moment it did not seem to matter.
Gimli trudged on behind Legolas. For some reason, his tongue had held back telling anything of Liria. It would seem logical that he should tell Legolas that they had initially set out together, but then he would want to know why they had split up. Gimli's arm burned at the remembrance of the cut. He had intended to tell Legolas of it, but now he could not. It seemed like it would only complicate matters further.
A short time later, Legolas and Gimli stood in a hall in front of Thranduil. Thranduil met them warmly. "My son has returned again. Though I am puzzled by his sudden departure. You can speak of it if you wish, though it is not necessary."
"There were some personal conflicts," was all Legolas disclosed.
Thranduil nodded shortly and turned to Gimli. "I assume that you were the one to find him. My favor stands with you for that, though I have to ask after the Lady. Why does she not accompany you two on your return?"
Legolas' waning attentions were suddenly caught. "What lady?"
"The Lady Liria of course," Thranduil replied, "she was not with Gimli when you reunited?"
Legolas glanced at Gimli before answering. Gimli was staring at the floor. "I have not seen the Lady since I left. Gimli alone found me, and this is the first I have heard of Liria setting out as well."
"No worry lies for her, I presume," Thranduil said in a light tone, "she was never one to leave a forest. Likely she will show up in due time. For now, it would please me if you took some rest, my son, as you have not had one since you came home."
"Yes," Legolas replied in a wooden tone, "I will go rest." With that, Legolas turned on his heel and walked out of the great room, towards his own. Gimli watched after him, but Legolas did not even glance back at him to encourage him to follow. His shoulders were rigid, and his step was fast. Gimli had the feeling that him not telling Legolas of Liria first had caused a new rift.
Gimli sighed and set out towards his own room. Just when he thought things were settling down and he and Legolas were going to depart, something new came up. And it was always with the she-elf. Gimli had a sudden hope that Liria would not even come back. After all, there were other foul beasts besides wargs prowling through the dark parts of Mirkwood.
Gimli entered his room, only to find Legolas already there. He stood when Gimli came in, and placed himself directly in front of him. "Why did you not tell me that Liria accompanied you? And what happened to her?"
"It did not seem like an important matter," Gimli replied, drawing himself up with dignity. "I saw no reason to bring it up."
"You have made a habit of not answering all of my questions," Legolas replied, as edge in his voice.
"I do not know what has happened to the lady. All I know is that we parted ways early in our expedition."
Legolas closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "And why did you two part ways?"
Gimli flared suddenly, "Because she cut my flesh!" For proof, Gimli raised the covering on his arm and showed the deep cut. "She was proving an impossible companion as it was, but I cannot endure one who wields a dagger so loosely. Especially when it is a female and I cannot permit myself to fight back."
Legolas stepped forward and looked at Gimli's arm more closely. "Has it gone this far?" he whispered to himself. Legolas stepped to the side and walked out of the room. When he reached the door he paused, and without bothering to look back said, "We will leave tomorrow at noon."
Gimli watched Legolas go. He was not quite sure over what had just happened, but at least they would be leaving tomorrow. Then things had to get better.
Everlasting Road ch. 24
Day was dawning when Gimli and Legolas finally returned to the city. The same elf-guard saw them and immediately went to alert Thranduil, rather than risk confronting Legolas again. Legolas knew that he and Gimli only had a few more moments alone together before they were again bombarded by people. Legolas decided know was the time to ask a question that had been burning at him.
"As well met as you were my friend," Legolas began, "why were you out looking for me? And how did you find me? I know of your dislike for forests."
Gimli stopped and Legolas did likewise. They stood facing each other. "There had been reports of wargs roaming about and it was also said that you were roaming about with no weapons. Normally I would harbor no fear for you, but since you were weaponless, I decided that you might need some assistance."
Legolas smiled, "Spoken like a true friend. But you have not completed your answers."
Gimli shifted uncomfortably, "I only followed a straight path, thinking you would have done likewise. It is mainly by luck that I found you when I did."
Legolas nodded and continued on, deciding not to press the matter any further. Gimli was holding something back, but at the moment it did not seem to matter.
Gimli trudged on behind Legolas. For some reason, his tongue had held back telling anything of Liria. It would seem logical that he should tell Legolas that they had initially set out together, but then he would want to know why they had split up. Gimli's arm burned at the remembrance of the cut. He had intended to tell Legolas of it, but now he could not. It seemed like it would only complicate matters further.
A short time later, Legolas and Gimli stood in a hall in front of Thranduil. Thranduil met them warmly. "My son has returned again. Though I am puzzled by his sudden departure. You can speak of it if you wish, though it is not necessary."
"There were some personal conflicts," was all Legolas disclosed.
Thranduil nodded shortly and turned to Gimli. "I assume that you were the one to find him. My favor stands with you for that, though I have to ask after the Lady. Why does she not accompany you two on your return?"
Legolas' waning attentions were suddenly caught. "What lady?"
"The Lady Liria of course," Thranduil replied, "she was not with Gimli when you reunited?"
Legolas glanced at Gimli before answering. Gimli was staring at the floor. "I have not seen the Lady since I left. Gimli alone found me, and this is the first I have heard of Liria setting out as well."
"No worry lies for her, I presume," Thranduil said in a light tone, "she was never one to leave a forest. Likely she will show up in due time. For now, it would please me if you took some rest, my son, as you have not had one since you came home."
"Yes," Legolas replied in a wooden tone, "I will go rest." With that, Legolas turned on his heel and walked out of the great room, towards his own. Gimli watched after him, but Legolas did not even glance back at him to encourage him to follow. His shoulders were rigid, and his step was fast. Gimli had the feeling that him not telling Legolas of Liria first had caused a new rift.
Gimli sighed and set out towards his own room. Just when he thought things were settling down and he and Legolas were going to depart, something new came up. And it was always with the she-elf. Gimli had a sudden hope that Liria would not even come back. After all, there were other foul beasts besides wargs prowling through the dark parts of Mirkwood.
Gimli entered his room, only to find Legolas already there. He stood when Gimli came in, and placed himself directly in front of him. "Why did you not tell me that Liria accompanied you? And what happened to her?"
"It did not seem like an important matter," Gimli replied, drawing himself up with dignity. "I saw no reason to bring it up."
"You have made a habit of not answering all of my questions," Legolas replied, as edge in his voice.
"I do not know what has happened to the lady. All I know is that we parted ways early in our expedition."
Legolas closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "And why did you two part ways?"
Gimli flared suddenly, "Because she cut my flesh!" For proof, Gimli raised the covering on his arm and showed the deep cut. "She was proving an impossible companion as it was, but I cannot endure one who wields a dagger so loosely. Especially when it is a female and I cannot permit myself to fight back."
Legolas stepped forward and looked at Gimli's arm more closely. "Has it gone this far?" he whispered to himself. Legolas stepped to the side and walked out of the room. When he reached the door he paused, and without bothering to look back said, "We will leave tomorrow at noon."
Gimli watched Legolas go. He was not quite sure over what had just happened, but at least they would be leaving tomorrow. Then things had to get better.