Legolas took his time, working a little each day, so that by the time they reached Lorien, only half of Gimli' beard had been braided. They had 
stole away to work on it when Legolas noticed Gimli scratching at his beard. "Something troubling you?"

"Aye," the dwarf grunted. "Seems to be something in here," His fingers wiggle in his beard, pushing little braids aside as if seeking for something.

"Let me," Legolas knelt and began to stroke the long red beard, feeling what was definitely something wiggling. He very carefully parted the 
bushy hair and spied something clinging to one of the tiny braids. With Elven speed, he grabbed the creature, hearing it squeak. "What is this?" he 
held the thing up, which curled around his finger with all six tiny legs.

"Oh no ... It's a beardbug. I thought I was rid of them when we left Rivendell. I must have picked it up in Moria." Gimli reached for Legolas' hand, 
but the Elf pulled away, looking closely at the creature. 

Moving lightly, the strange looking insect crawled up Legolas' finger, causing the young elf to laugh. "It tickles. What is it?"

"I told you, it's a beardbug, they're an annoying creature that live in hair and lay their eggs in the rocks." He gives Legolas a suspicious look. 
"Some say they were bred by Elves as revenge on us for having beards."

Legolas was still studying the creature, letting it crawl up his arm, then onto his other hand, apparently engrossed in it's antics. It was clearly 
trying to climb up his arm in the direction of his hair.

"We generally kill them, though when a nest is found, they can plague a mine for years." He watched Legolas, a strange resignation coming over 
him as he witnessed the obvious delight Legolas was taking in the creature. "Of course, there are some young dwarves who like keeping them as 
pets," he said darkly, regretting it even as he said it. "Let me take it now, I'll get rid of it,"

"No!" Legolas pulled his hand away, cradling the little bug from Gimli's hands. "I like it." He looked fondly at his hand, one finger playing with the 
creature. "It's amusing to watch."

Gimli gave a growling sigh. "Fine, but he's sleeping in your hair."