Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Homecoming
Chapter 3
"Crazy Elf, I suppose he is going to stand there until he can no longer see me," Gimli muttered to himself as he caught a glimpse of Legolas standing at the edge of the forest, still looking in his direction. "Surely he knows by now that I do not need to be watched over, I am quite capable of protecting myself." However, he could not help but feel pleased at this demonstration of friendship, for he knew how eager Legolas was to return home.
Gimli could not deny the he was also eager to complete his journey, all the more so as he passed through the parts of Eryn Lasgalen that had been ravaged by fires during the battle with the fell creatures from the North. The sight of the charred plants and blackened trees filled him with sorrow for the destruction that had been wrought and with concern for Legolas, for he knew how sad the Elf would feel at seeing the damage to his home. Gimli also feared that when he reached the kingdom under the Mountain, he would find his home in a similar state.
What Gimli found on reaching Erebor was that though the kingdom had suffered much damage it was quickly being repaired. Not so the broken hearts of those who had lost loved ones, for there were many friends and relatives that he would never see again. That evening, at the banquet Thorin Stonehelm ordered in Gimli's honour, many tankards of mead were drunk, and many tales told of the battles fought in Erebor and the surrounding lands. The Dwarf was filled with pride with the story of the courage shown by Dain II as he and King Brand of Dale gave their lives defending the gates of Erebor from Sauron's minions.
Thorin listened intently as Gimli told of the destruction of Moria, and the loss of the Dwarves who had gone there with Balin. "It is sad news you bring us of Moria and Balin," Thorin said as they listened to a group of their friends singing a very rowdy song, " We have heard much of your deeds of bravery in the War of the Ring, Gimli, but is there any truth to the story that you have befriended an Elf! The son of Thranduil, no less!" Gimli looked slightly embarrassed as the others stopped singing and laughed at the outrageous suggestion, but he would not dishonour his friendship with Legolas by denying it.
"Yes, I have become a close friend of Prince Legolas, we fought many battles together and have great respect for one another. We did not start out as friends," Gimli explained, smiling at the memory, "but after you have been forced to share a horse with an Elf, you cannot help but develop a bond, particularly when he rides without a saddle and can speak to the animal."
There was some amused laughter at that comment, but noting the incredulous looks on the faces around him, Gimli decided he might as well make a full confession. He removed the small locket containing Galadriel's hair and held it aloft, "Legolas is not the only Elf I have befriended, for behold the golden hair of the Lady of the Wood."
"You have been bewitched by the Elf Witch as well?" Thorin asked as he looked in astonishment at the strands of hair.
"I am considered an elf-friend," Gimli replied trying to keep the anger from his voice. "The Lady Galadriel is not a witch, but the fairest lady in Middle Earth!"
"Well, these are certainly strange times." Thorin said, "Who would have thought that Elf and Dwarf would once again be friends."
"The times may be stranger than you know." Gimli said. "I have a request to make. I wish to take some of our people back to Gondor to help restore the White City. The stonework was crafted by our forefathers and King Elessar has requested that Dwarves help in the rebuilding."
"Do so, by all means. It would be wise for us to re-establish relations with the King of Gondor." Thorin replied, looking at his friend and seeing a further question in his eyes. "I see you have something else on your mind, what is it?"
"Once we have completed the work in Minis Tirith, I wish to remain and build a settlement in Aglarond, for I have become fascinated with the beauty of the Glittering Caves."
"I can well understand your fascination, for I have heard of these caves. I have no objections to your request, however, there is plenty of time to make plans for the future." He said, pouring himself another tankard of mead. Someone began another rousing song and both Thorin and Gimli added their deep voices to the chorus. Gimli was glad to back among his kin, but he found himself missing the Elf, and he wondered how Legolas was faring.
EPILOGUE
It had been many months since Legolas and Gimli had returned to Minis Tirith. The restoration work on the city was progressing well, and the two friends were standing on the roof of one of the towers surveying their handiwork. Legolas was looking at the mithril gates, which shone brightly in the morning sun,
"I must admit, friend Gimli, that Dwarves certainly do know how to combine good craftsmanship with beauty, although there is far too much stonework in this city for my liking."
"And I fail to see the need for trees and flowers at every turn, surely the garden you built for the Queen has more than enough greenery and colour to satisfy the whole city!"
Legolas looked at his friend and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Then I take it that you do not intend to come to Ithilien for the Midsummer festival. There are far more flowers in my forest, and they are all in bloom."
"Not to mention the fact that all you Elves will be doing is singing to them," he replied with mock disgust. "However, since you managed to overcome your discomfort at being underground last time you visited Algarlond, I suppose I have no choice. I will be there."
"That is well," replied Legolas with a mischievous smile, "perhaps I shall make a song about the Glittering Caves and their new Lord."
"Don't you dare!"
Homecoming
Chapter 3
"Crazy Elf, I suppose he is going to stand there until he can no longer see me," Gimli muttered to himself as he caught a glimpse of Legolas standing at the edge of the forest, still looking in his direction. "Surely he knows by now that I do not need to be watched over, I am quite capable of protecting myself." However, he could not help but feel pleased at this demonstration of friendship, for he knew how eager Legolas was to return home.
Gimli could not deny the he was also eager to complete his journey, all the more so as he passed through the parts of Eryn Lasgalen that had been ravaged by fires during the battle with the fell creatures from the North. The sight of the charred plants and blackened trees filled him with sorrow for the destruction that had been wrought and with concern for Legolas, for he knew how sad the Elf would feel at seeing the damage to his home. Gimli also feared that when he reached the kingdom under the Mountain, he would find his home in a similar state.
What Gimli found on reaching Erebor was that though the kingdom had suffered much damage it was quickly being repaired. Not so the broken hearts of those who had lost loved ones, for there were many friends and relatives that he would never see again. That evening, at the banquet Thorin Stonehelm ordered in Gimli's honour, many tankards of mead were drunk, and many tales told of the battles fought in Erebor and the surrounding lands. The Dwarf was filled with pride with the story of the courage shown by Dain II as he and King Brand of Dale gave their lives defending the gates of Erebor from Sauron's minions.
Thorin listened intently as Gimli told of the destruction of Moria, and the loss of the Dwarves who had gone there with Balin. "It is sad news you bring us of Moria and Balin," Thorin said as they listened to a group of their friends singing a very rowdy song, " We have heard much of your deeds of bravery in the War of the Ring, Gimli, but is there any truth to the story that you have befriended an Elf! The son of Thranduil, no less!" Gimli looked slightly embarrassed as the others stopped singing and laughed at the outrageous suggestion, but he would not dishonour his friendship with Legolas by denying it.
"Yes, I have become a close friend of Prince Legolas, we fought many battles together and have great respect for one another. We did not start out as friends," Gimli explained, smiling at the memory, "but after you have been forced to share a horse with an Elf, you cannot help but develop a bond, particularly when he rides without a saddle and can speak to the animal."
There was some amused laughter at that comment, but noting the incredulous looks on the faces around him, Gimli decided he might as well make a full confession. He removed the small locket containing Galadriel's hair and held it aloft, "Legolas is not the only Elf I have befriended, for behold the golden hair of the Lady of the Wood."
"You have been bewitched by the Elf Witch as well?" Thorin asked as he looked in astonishment at the strands of hair.
"I am considered an elf-friend," Gimli replied trying to keep the anger from his voice. "The Lady Galadriel is not a witch, but the fairest lady in Middle Earth!"
"Well, these are certainly strange times." Thorin said, "Who would have thought that Elf and Dwarf would once again be friends."
"The times may be stranger than you know." Gimli said. "I have a request to make. I wish to take some of our people back to Gondor to help restore the White City. The stonework was crafted by our forefathers and King Elessar has requested that Dwarves help in the rebuilding."
"Do so, by all means. It would be wise for us to re-establish relations with the King of Gondor." Thorin replied, looking at his friend and seeing a further question in his eyes. "I see you have something else on your mind, what is it?"
"Once we have completed the work in Minis Tirith, I wish to remain and build a settlement in Aglarond, for I have become fascinated with the beauty of the Glittering Caves."
"I can well understand your fascination, for I have heard of these caves. I have no objections to your request, however, there is plenty of time to make plans for the future." He said, pouring himself another tankard of mead. Someone began another rousing song and both Thorin and Gimli added their deep voices to the chorus. Gimli was glad to back among his kin, but he found himself missing the Elf, and he wondered how Legolas was faring.
EPILOGUE
It had been many months since Legolas and Gimli had returned to Minis Tirith. The restoration work on the city was progressing well, and the two friends were standing on the roof of one of the towers surveying their handiwork. Legolas was looking at the mithril gates, which shone brightly in the morning sun,
"I must admit, friend Gimli, that Dwarves certainly do know how to combine good craftsmanship with beauty, although there is far too much stonework in this city for my liking."
"And I fail to see the need for trees and flowers at every turn, surely the garden you built for the Queen has more than enough greenery and colour to satisfy the whole city!"
Legolas looked at his friend and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Then I take it that you do not intend to come to Ithilien for the Midsummer festival. There are far more flowers in my forest, and they are all in bloom."
"Not to mention the fact that all you Elves will be doing is singing to them," he replied with mock disgust. "However, since you managed to overcome your discomfort at being underground last time you visited Algarlond, I suppose I have no choice. I will be there."
"That is well," replied Legolas with a mischievous smile, "perhaps I shall make a song about the Glittering Caves and their new Lord."
"Don't you dare!"