Author's note: thank you so much to everyone who replied!!! N/e waize, yeah I decided to continue the story…fair warning though, I've got tons of schoolwork and I'm on the golf team (yeah I'm a nerd) AND I'm in newspaper and I take dance classes (wow, I like to make myself seem busy!) so I don't know if I'm going to be updating very often…luckily, vacation is in like three weeks for meeh so I'll hopefully start "mass" updating then… thanks again to everyone who's reading… *^^*

Chapter 1: A Dwarf's Resolution

As the morning sun peeked out over the horizon, Aragorn opened his eyes. He looked around and saw that Legolas was not around; the only thing visible was the huddled form of Gimli a few feet away.

"Gimli," Aragorn called. The huddled form gave no response. It just went on snoring loudly. "Gimli!"

Gimli gave a start and snorted. He looked over sleepily at the Man. "What?"

"The sun is up. We should go. Where is Legolas?"

Gimli looked around dazed at their camp. He saw no sign of the dainty Elf. "I don't know."

Just then, water skins came flying into the middle of the two. They jumped and looked around. They whirled their heads around when they heard a light giggle. Legolas stood to the side of the trees, smiling amusedly at their surprised reaction.

"I went to replenish our water skins. Come, we must go on." He walked over to his own pack, which was already packed. He handed both Aragorn and Gimli a lemba each. "Perhaps a whole one apiece would do us good." He commented. "We shall be walking many leagues today."

As he handed Aragorn the lemba, his hand brushed against the Man's hand. His own skin was unbelievably soft; the Man's was unbelievably calloused. Even so, he did not feel unpleasant touching the Man's hand. It felt trusting and comforting… Legolas flushed slightly at these thoughts and took his hand away. He turned away from Aragorn and went back to his pack.

Aragorn watched as Legolas went away. He felt regret that Legolas' hand had not lingered on his own longer. It was pure bliss feeling the Elf's delicate hand. He was amazed that even after so many years of archery, Legolas' hands still retained their softness. Surely not even Arwen's hands were so soft, leaving the feeling of silk caressing one's skin? Aragorn continued to watch as Legolas picked up his small bag and joked quietly with Gimli. Did the Elf not realize the enchantment that surrounded him? The effect he was leaving upon Aragorn? The longing Aragorn held in his eyes every time he watched the Elf? Aragorn longed to be the one to inform Legolas of his beauty for he seemed appallingly unaware of it. How could one so fair be so blind to his splendor? Aragorn knew many Elves as well as Mortal women who were well aware of their beauty and showed their consciousness. Even Arwen who was a great deal more humble than others seemed proud of her fair looks and did not try to hide it though she did not flaunt it, for which Aragorn was grateful. But she was slowly fading away and Aragorn was caring less and less what she did or for what reason she did anything. The realization horrified Aragorn but he was not surprised. She was gradually being removed from his heart by a certain blonde-haired Elf.

Aragorn had to force himself to pry his eyes away from Legolas. It would not do for the Elf to glance at him and see such emotions written clearly on his face. Especially since Legolas and Arwen were good friends. Legolas was also a close friend of Aragorn's and the Man did not wish to risk what friendship they had if there was no chance for anything more. But maybe someday…just someday he could work up the courage to confess what was on his mind and heart… Aragorn smiled to himself. Yes, he would keep hope. No matter how dim the hope grew, he would always keep a small portion of his heart open.

Gimli watched in hilarity at the flustered look on Legolas' face and the yearning on Aragorn's. He had just begun to realize the feelings the two had for each other. He was beginning to realize the Lady Galadriel's words.

*Flashback*

Gimli stood before the Lady Galadriel, gazing upon her beauty in awe. The golden-haired Elf smiled as she looked down at him.

"Lady," he said, his voice shaking, "what did you wish to speak of to me?"

She continued to smile. "Gimli, son of Gloin," she said in her silky voice, "long have you journeyed with your members of the Fellowship. Is there not anything you notice among them?"

Gimli was puzzled. "What do you mean, Lady?"

"Is there nothing in them that you detect that may change what relationship they have?"

Gimli looked down at the ground. "Do you mean, is anyone affected by the Ring so much he would show malice towards another in our Company?"

Galadriel shrugged. "Perhaps. Is there such a member?"

Gimli shook his head. "All of our Company is loyal to our cause. I have seen no reason to distrust any of them."

Galadriel nodded. Gimli thought he could detect deep sorrow in her eyes but the look passed too quickly for him to confirm his thinking. Merriment danced in her eyes again. "Then perhaps you notice two becoming closer and closer?"

Gimli searched for what seemed to be the best answer. "Legolas and I have made amends despite the riffs between our two peoples. I have learned that the prejudices my people hold against Elves are now wrong, seeing Legolas' justness and your beauty and compassion, Lady."

Galadriel laughed joyously. Her laugh was like the sound of water gently spilling over a tiny waterfall. "Indeed, Master Gimli! I thank you for the praise but I am afraid perhaps they are too much."

Gimli frowned. "What answer then did you wish of me, Lady?"

"There is no answer I wished of, Master Gimli. I only wished to see how the Company was faring on an emotional aspect. But Master Gimli, now I must ask a favor of you."

"Anything, my Lady." He bowed his head in respect.

"There are two in the Fellowship who may need your help in understanding their relationship. They long for one another though they dare not tell each other. I have noticed the mutual feeling between the two and though it is not my place to match two lovers up, I feel that perhaps these two can make the best of what they have. Their love for one another is genuine."

Gimli stared at the Elf in front of him, gaping. "Lady, I do not understand. All of our Company is…"

"…male?" Galadriel finished. "In the Elven world, such differences matter not. To these two indeed, the same applies."

Gimli nodded slowly. "But how would I help them if I do not even know who the two lovers are?"

Galadriel smiled. "Thou art an intelligent being with deep seeing. You will know when the time comes."

*End of flashback*

Gimli snorted softly to himself. Looking at the Man and Elf now, their feelings for each other were so obvious. How could he not have seen it before? Gimli almost hit himself on the head for his stupidity.

"Dwarf, what are you doing?"

Gimli looked up and saw Legolas staring at him strangely. Gimli looked back down at his hand and saw that it had been in preparation to hit him. He grinned brightly at Legolas.

"'Tis nothing, Elf. Mind your own business and let me attend to mine."

Legolas rolled his eyes and turned away. Gimli stared at the Elf's back for a moment as he stared into the woods. Then he glanced over at Aragorn and saw that the Man had turned his eyes onto Legolas again.

Gimli chuckled softly.

Yes, he would help them. Perhaps he did not know how at this moment, the answer would come to him. If the Lady Galadriel had trusted enough in him to assign him this task, he had the ability to accomplish it.