The healer worked heavily with his mind, willing the prince to heal. With the herbs in place of the prince's wounds he would soon pull through, it was only a matter of time. The healer would've had a look of relief upon his face if Legolas weren't unconscious. It would still be a while before the prince would be fully recovered. The gentle hands of Mirkwood's healer were placed in the air, slightly over where the arrow had been. He could feel Legolas subconsciously healing the wound as well.
All the sudden, the Healer felt a voice enter his mind, not a strange thing among elves, but there was not another conscious elf among him. Master Healer, it called. The voice could be easily recognized as Legolas. The voice sounded strong, but distant. Master Healer, you must make sure that Gimli is all right.
The healer focused his mind on telepathically communicating back, Sire, you mustn't do this, it will only prolong your healing.
Promise me, Master Healer, that you will make my father see that Gimli is to be treated not as a dwarf, but as a friend of mine.
I will do as you wish Legolas, but only if you focus on your healing and try to fight the unconsciousness that has claimed you. As the healer felt the agreement in Legolas he discontinued his healing and made for the King's chambers.
Gimli sat in the corner of a dark underground room. Some dungeon this is...the only thing they succeeded in making me feel is home sick. Then Gimli peered around him. No sign of his father, that was good. The dwarf took that to mean the battle was over. Gimli still felt as if his lungs were being squeezed between the hands of a troll. It was hard to breathe when he remembered Legolas getting shot. Gimli didn't even care that he was probably going to have to stay in the dungeon for the rest of his life, all he wanted was for Legolas to become well.
Gimli tried to get situated in his shackles so this he could sit comfortably. Of course the shackles would not allow this. The dwarf heaved a sigh before the dungeon doors were pushed open and a large group of elves entered, two approached him with another set of shackles. Gimli decided not to put up a fight and let them shackle his arms behind his back. Gimli then found himself at the edge of the Mirkwood Forest surrounded by elves walked gracefully all around him.
The Dwarf tried to think positive thoughts, but somehow he just didn't think that they were escorting him home.
The Door were moderately cast open as Mirkwood's healer walked into the King's chambers. The King watched as he approached with an urgent look on his face. The King's first thoughts were of Legolas.
"How does my son fare?" The King asked with a voice filled with concern and authority.
"The prince fares well. He is even strong enough to communicate telepathically in his unconsciousness. But that is not the matter at hand sire."
"What matter can be more important than my son, and why pray tell have you left his side?"
"It is a matter sire that your son has sent me to discuss."
Thranduil nodded, "proceed."
"Thank you sire, the Prince Legolas was very heavy with worry about a certain dwarf by the name of Gimli. He was very concerned that if he is in Mirkwood he is treated as a friend of his, not a dwarf."
"The dwarf has been sentenced to death. He has already been taken to the prisoner tree. I do not wish a friend of Legolas' to die, but if word gets out among my Kingdom that a dwarf that had murdered one of our warriors was let loose, then I fear that their will be much trouble."
"What am I to tell Legolas?"
"Nothing."
The Healer walked back silently to his healing chambers just outside the castle. Noticing that the guards to the entrance of his chambers were still alert, he walked into the ever dimly lit room. The body of Legolas was gone, and so was his quiver of arrows.
Legolas walked quietly towards the dungeon, his wish was to go unnoticed. The prince didn't even need to ask where Gimli was, he knew his friend would've been taken to the dungeon for killing Oloen. Legolas also knew that there was another punishment when a life was taken. he only hoped that his father was merciful or heeded Legolas' plea. Legolas was at the dungeon door when he heard a guard come up behind him. Legolas, not surprised or shocked looked at the guard.
"You did not see me. Understood?"
The guard nodded. "Yes your highness."
"What has been done with the dwarf?"
"He has been taken to the Prisoner's Tree for the death of Oloen."
Fear clouded Legolas' eyes, but the elf didn't seem to notice. Legolas simply nodded in appreciation and walked away quickly. There was no doubt in Legolas' mind of where he had to go. The Prisoner's Tree.
Gimli and the elves around him reached a clearing where the only thing that stood was a short flimsy looking tree with barley any branches or leaves. Gimli was startled to find that they began to tie him to the tree.
"Are you elves telling a tale? I am to be left here, tied to this tree?" Gimli couldn't help but laugh in shock. I could uproot this tree with my bare hands."
One of the elves that were tying him to the tree looked into the eyes of the Gimli. "Dwarfs, always thinking of destroying something."
The other elf finished up the tying and looked at Gimli as well. "And will the dwarfs ever learn that size is not important? Not one hundred of your kind could pull this tree from its earth."
With nothing to say, Gimli watched as the group of elves left him. All Gimli could do was watch the sunset. Gimli figured that someone would find him soon because he was finding that it was terribly hard to move. But someone didn't come, and something did.