_____
Well, well… great feedback here!!!!
Never received so many reviews in one day!
Like it very much ! :-)
As you all begged so nicely … here is the next part…
______
Morning finally dawned and Gimli gave up on his trying to sleep. Too many questions kept running through his mind and the only one to answer them was deeply asleep.
He silently left the room making his way to the room where they took their meals in. A young woman was already preparing breakfast, looking in surprise at the early riser. The only one who ever came in so early was usually the elf.
Gimli hardly noticed her, sitting down at the large table. She quickly put a plate in front of him, filled with fresh bread, sausages and bacon, knowing by now what he liked to eat.
For a moment he stared at the plate then gave her a friendly smile.
As soon as Gimli had finished his breakfast he grew restless, feeling the need to check up on Legolas again. He waited until the young women left the room to get fresh water before he grabbed the plate filled with fruits and berries waiting for the elf and quietly left the room again.
Legolas was still asleep and he put the plate next to the lamp on the small table between their beds. Settling down on his own again he resigned himself to wait.
Slowly life began to stir outside as well as inside the house. He could hear the soft step of hobbit feet making their way towards breakfast.
Laughter echoed through the house but did not help to lift the dwarf's dark mood. Finally he could hear the soft sound of stirring from the other bed and sat up straighter, watching intently as Legolas started to move.
The elf slowly struggled into a sitting position, a wince of pain crossing his face. The bruise on his face had slightly faded to a bluish color. Their eyes met and Legolas smiled softly at his friend.
'How do you fare, my friend?' Gimli asked, concern barley concealed in his voice.
'Better, Gimli, much better.' The elf answered.
'I will check your back once more, to make sure it is healing properly.' The dwarf announced and his tone did not allow any contradiction. And Legolas stayed still as strong fingers undid the bandages covering his torso.
Last night Gimli's main concern had been focused on his friend's back but now in the light of day he noticed the bruises covering Legolas' stomach and chest. For a short moment an expression of utter rage crossed his face and he looked up at Legolas who met his eyes with his usual calmness. Nothing betrayed the elf's emotions and Gimli turned his eyes back to his task.
Once more he was astonished at the healing abilities of the elves. The wounds inflicted on Legolas' back that would have caused a mortal to be bedridden for days had already started to heal nicely. But it still looked painful and sudden movement might rip it open again.
Gimli stepped back, his eyes roaming over his friend's body.
'You look great.' He sighed, shaking his head. 'I would really like to know who managed to do this to you.'
Sudden anger flared in Legolas' eyes.
'I told you it was no fair fight! I was taken unaware and by more than one!'
He got to his feet angrily, the sudden movement bringing on a sudden wave of nausea. A strong grip on his arm forced him down to sit on the bed and he looked up into dark eyes, burning with anger and concern.
'Crazy elf, do you think I do not know this? I merely wish to know who. And why this was done to you.'
A bitter smile played around the elf's lip.
'Why? Do you wish to know why? Because I am an elf, that is why. Because some men wished to show me their superior strength. Because they wished to prove they can best an elf.'
His words shocked Gimli beyond belief. He stared at his friend not sure he had heard correctly.
With a sigh Legolas let go of his anger, closing his eyes for a moment. His back hurt as well as the bruises covering his torso.
'I promised you to tell you the story and I will. But I wish to clean myself up first.'
Gimli nodded in understanding, his mind still reeling. He told his friend to wait and went to get warm water once more.
While Legolas washed with slow, painful movements Gimli sat on his bed, watching quietly. He noticed the elf slightly swaying on his feet still weakened by loss of blood and pain. Finally he broke the silence, his need to know winning over his restraint.
'Who, Legolas?'
For a moment the elf froze before he answered without tuning.
'Do you not already know?'
And a suspicion that had been there at the back of his mind became certainty as he watched his friend gingerly move back to his bed and sit down again, pain evident on his fair face. And the dwarf made a silent vow that the one responsible for this would not get away with it as he walked over to his friend to wrap him in bandages once more.
* two days earlier *
The wedding had been beautiful and would be remembered for years to come. The union between the King of Gondor and the daughter of the Lord of Rivendell was welcomed by many but not all. Elves were looked at with wonder and adoration for they were fair beyond the measurement of men. They were immortal and therefore older and wiser than any man could ever hope to become. But this also evoked the bitter feeling of resentment in some, for they had what a mere man could never reach. That one of them should forsake her immortality to be bound to a mortal filled most with awe at the deep love this showed. But some were filled with distrust and anger that the King of Gondor would not choose a mortal to share his life but an elf. As if mortals were not good enough.
And so it came that among the soldiers of Gondor some expressed their deep aversion against the firstborn even as the whole city was alive with celebrating at the night of the wedding. They stood outside a tavern, beer mugs in their hands and not quite sober anymore.
'They did not aid us in our fight against the dark Lord but stood by and watched as our men were killed and our lands destroyed!'
The man who spoke with deep hatred in his eyes was tall and dark, a warrior since he had been a boy. Bethrol was his name and he had seen many men die in his life and it had hardened him.
'Yet they are welcomed and celebrated as if they themselves had defeated Sauron. Only three of them did ever join our forces and I for myself have not seen them fight.' He continued and the men around him nodded their agreement.
'An elven witch she is, our new Queen and bewitched is our King.' He spat not noticing the sudden silence that had settled over his companions. But the sudden feeling of cold steel against his neck made him freeze and his breath suddenly caught in his throat.
'Do you care to repeat this?' a soft voice spoke in his ear. He did not dare to move any part of his body but his eyes and they met blazing dark ones in a pale face framed by golden hair.
The steel of the blade was pressed a little bit harder against his neck.
'No one speaks of Queen Arwen like this.' Legolas hissed. 'I wish for you to apologize.'
Casting a quick glance around he noticed the dwarf standing there watching his companions, his axe ready. No help from this side was to be expected from the group of half drunk men.
The fact that it was an elf holding him captive like this caused a flare of anger and clouded his mind. He whirled around, somehow managing to duck away from the long knife and flung himself at Legolas. But the elf easily sidestepped him and using his advantage of speed he got a good grip on the man and slammed him into the wall face first. Holding him there he pressed the knife at his throat again.
'Your apology?'
'What for? She is a witch…' his voice broke in a gasp of pain as his arm was wrenched behind his back. For some moments pride fought with reason but then the latter won out. The pain became unbearable and he could feel the determination radiating from his opponent. Fear of what the elf was capable to do to him forced the words over his lips as his cheeks started to burn with humiliation.
'I… apologize for my rude words.' He hissed.
The knife vanished and the hard grip left him. Turning around he met Legolas' eyes once more, not trying to hide the hate burning in his own.
'You will be sorry for that.' He hissed.
With a mocking laugh the elf stepped away, returning his knife to the sheath on his belt.
'I doubt this, man.' He answered, contempt in his voice. 'Defending the Queens honor is nothing to ever be sorry of.'
And with that he was gone and the dwarf with him.
Behind he left a warrior humiliated in front of his comrades and seething in rage.
Well, well… great feedback here!!!!
Never received so many reviews in one day!
Like it very much ! :-)
As you all begged so nicely … here is the next part…
______
Morning finally dawned and Gimli gave up on his trying to sleep. Too many questions kept running through his mind and the only one to answer them was deeply asleep.
He silently left the room making his way to the room where they took their meals in. A young woman was already preparing breakfast, looking in surprise at the early riser. The only one who ever came in so early was usually the elf.
Gimli hardly noticed her, sitting down at the large table. She quickly put a plate in front of him, filled with fresh bread, sausages and bacon, knowing by now what he liked to eat.
For a moment he stared at the plate then gave her a friendly smile.
As soon as Gimli had finished his breakfast he grew restless, feeling the need to check up on Legolas again. He waited until the young women left the room to get fresh water before he grabbed the plate filled with fruits and berries waiting for the elf and quietly left the room again.
Legolas was still asleep and he put the plate next to the lamp on the small table between their beds. Settling down on his own again he resigned himself to wait.
Slowly life began to stir outside as well as inside the house. He could hear the soft step of hobbit feet making their way towards breakfast.
Laughter echoed through the house but did not help to lift the dwarf's dark mood. Finally he could hear the soft sound of stirring from the other bed and sat up straighter, watching intently as Legolas started to move.
The elf slowly struggled into a sitting position, a wince of pain crossing his face. The bruise on his face had slightly faded to a bluish color. Their eyes met and Legolas smiled softly at his friend.
'How do you fare, my friend?' Gimli asked, concern barley concealed in his voice.
'Better, Gimli, much better.' The elf answered.
'I will check your back once more, to make sure it is healing properly.' The dwarf announced and his tone did not allow any contradiction. And Legolas stayed still as strong fingers undid the bandages covering his torso.
Last night Gimli's main concern had been focused on his friend's back but now in the light of day he noticed the bruises covering Legolas' stomach and chest. For a short moment an expression of utter rage crossed his face and he looked up at Legolas who met his eyes with his usual calmness. Nothing betrayed the elf's emotions and Gimli turned his eyes back to his task.
Once more he was astonished at the healing abilities of the elves. The wounds inflicted on Legolas' back that would have caused a mortal to be bedridden for days had already started to heal nicely. But it still looked painful and sudden movement might rip it open again.
Gimli stepped back, his eyes roaming over his friend's body.
'You look great.' He sighed, shaking his head. 'I would really like to know who managed to do this to you.'
Sudden anger flared in Legolas' eyes.
'I told you it was no fair fight! I was taken unaware and by more than one!'
He got to his feet angrily, the sudden movement bringing on a sudden wave of nausea. A strong grip on his arm forced him down to sit on the bed and he looked up into dark eyes, burning with anger and concern.
'Crazy elf, do you think I do not know this? I merely wish to know who. And why this was done to you.'
A bitter smile played around the elf's lip.
'Why? Do you wish to know why? Because I am an elf, that is why. Because some men wished to show me their superior strength. Because they wished to prove they can best an elf.'
His words shocked Gimli beyond belief. He stared at his friend not sure he had heard correctly.
With a sigh Legolas let go of his anger, closing his eyes for a moment. His back hurt as well as the bruises covering his torso.
'I promised you to tell you the story and I will. But I wish to clean myself up first.'
Gimli nodded in understanding, his mind still reeling. He told his friend to wait and went to get warm water once more.
While Legolas washed with slow, painful movements Gimli sat on his bed, watching quietly. He noticed the elf slightly swaying on his feet still weakened by loss of blood and pain. Finally he broke the silence, his need to know winning over his restraint.
'Who, Legolas?'
For a moment the elf froze before he answered without tuning.
'Do you not already know?'
And a suspicion that had been there at the back of his mind became certainty as he watched his friend gingerly move back to his bed and sit down again, pain evident on his fair face. And the dwarf made a silent vow that the one responsible for this would not get away with it as he walked over to his friend to wrap him in bandages once more.
* two days earlier *
The wedding had been beautiful and would be remembered for years to come. The union between the King of Gondor and the daughter of the Lord of Rivendell was welcomed by many but not all. Elves were looked at with wonder and adoration for they were fair beyond the measurement of men. They were immortal and therefore older and wiser than any man could ever hope to become. But this also evoked the bitter feeling of resentment in some, for they had what a mere man could never reach. That one of them should forsake her immortality to be bound to a mortal filled most with awe at the deep love this showed. But some were filled with distrust and anger that the King of Gondor would not choose a mortal to share his life but an elf. As if mortals were not good enough.
And so it came that among the soldiers of Gondor some expressed their deep aversion against the firstborn even as the whole city was alive with celebrating at the night of the wedding. They stood outside a tavern, beer mugs in their hands and not quite sober anymore.
'They did not aid us in our fight against the dark Lord but stood by and watched as our men were killed and our lands destroyed!'
The man who spoke with deep hatred in his eyes was tall and dark, a warrior since he had been a boy. Bethrol was his name and he had seen many men die in his life and it had hardened him.
'Yet they are welcomed and celebrated as if they themselves had defeated Sauron. Only three of them did ever join our forces and I for myself have not seen them fight.' He continued and the men around him nodded their agreement.
'An elven witch she is, our new Queen and bewitched is our King.' He spat not noticing the sudden silence that had settled over his companions. But the sudden feeling of cold steel against his neck made him freeze and his breath suddenly caught in his throat.
'Do you care to repeat this?' a soft voice spoke in his ear. He did not dare to move any part of his body but his eyes and they met blazing dark ones in a pale face framed by golden hair.
The steel of the blade was pressed a little bit harder against his neck.
'No one speaks of Queen Arwen like this.' Legolas hissed. 'I wish for you to apologize.'
Casting a quick glance around he noticed the dwarf standing there watching his companions, his axe ready. No help from this side was to be expected from the group of half drunk men.
The fact that it was an elf holding him captive like this caused a flare of anger and clouded his mind. He whirled around, somehow managing to duck away from the long knife and flung himself at Legolas. But the elf easily sidestepped him and using his advantage of speed he got a good grip on the man and slammed him into the wall face first. Holding him there he pressed the knife at his throat again.
'Your apology?'
'What for? She is a witch…' his voice broke in a gasp of pain as his arm was wrenched behind his back. For some moments pride fought with reason but then the latter won out. The pain became unbearable and he could feel the determination radiating from his opponent. Fear of what the elf was capable to do to him forced the words over his lips as his cheeks started to burn with humiliation.
'I… apologize for my rude words.' He hissed.
The knife vanished and the hard grip left him. Turning around he met Legolas' eyes once more, not trying to hide the hate burning in his own.
'You will be sorry for that.' He hissed.
With a mocking laugh the elf stepped away, returning his knife to the sheath on his belt.
'I doubt this, man.' He answered, contempt in his voice. 'Defending the Queens honor is nothing to ever be sorry of.'
And with that he was gone and the dwarf with him.
Behind he left a warrior humiliated in front of his comrades and seething in rage.