For a long while the friends sat in companionable silence watching the
storm roar a few feet from them. At last Gimli turned to his long time
friend. "Are you not tired then master elf?" Gimli knew just as well as
Legolas that elves needed almost no sleep and could easily go days without
sleeping.
Legolas continued to watch the rain outside as he answered, "Sleep eludes me this night Gimli." Turning to look straight at his companion he continued, "and it seems to elude you also, or you would be peacefully snoring while I watched." Legolas didn't need to bring up the fact that he always took first watch because weariness rarely affected him just his silence made Gimli aware of the elf's perception.
After a few moments of trying to come up with something to say all poor Gimli managed was, "I do not snore!" Legolas just absentmindedly nodded.
"What occupies your mind master elf?" Legolas looked up at his comment, "Nurhyandoien occupies my heart always Gimli." Gimli sat back at this comment and regarded Legolas with interest, "I know this my friend, was I not there at the wedding? But it is your mind that is occupied at this moment is it not?" Legolas nodded almost. . . . sheepishly! "Both are occupied, for I wonder about this new dwarf that seems to have been sent to Mirkwood." Legolas turned toward Gimli, "I know of only one other dwarf within fifty miles of Mirkwood. She claims to have only recently become a dwarf, if this is true she'll need some help adjusting." With one sidelong glance Legolas sighed, obviously subtle hints don't go very far with dwarves. Gimli grunted, "How can one just become a dwarf? Think what you will, but I say Tarin has simply become confused. She will have no need of help, and I wouldn't be able to give it to her, for I don't know where you are leading us." A pointed look was cast at Legolas who chose to ignore it and watch as the storm outside became increasingly violent.
With one last grunt Gimli went inside the cave and sat against a wall close to the fire. He sat there for a time polishing his ax and watching Helena sleep. As the thunder became more pronounced Helena became more restless in her sleep moaning words foreign to the dwarf. As he listened however his face became graver and graver. Finally, when the storm had passed Gimli too fell into an uneasy sleep, dreaming strangely enough about one particularly beautiful dwarf he met, and the words he heard her say.
Watching the two dwarves asleep, Legolas smiled to himself. His friend had fallen asleep and was softly snoring, still clutching his ax and the young girl had fallen asleep clutching a bit of his beard. Memories of his beloved wife filled his time as Legolas waited for the dawn.
Legolas continued to watch the rain outside as he answered, "Sleep eludes me this night Gimli." Turning to look straight at his companion he continued, "and it seems to elude you also, or you would be peacefully snoring while I watched." Legolas didn't need to bring up the fact that he always took first watch because weariness rarely affected him just his silence made Gimli aware of the elf's perception.
After a few moments of trying to come up with something to say all poor Gimli managed was, "I do not snore!" Legolas just absentmindedly nodded.
"What occupies your mind master elf?" Legolas looked up at his comment, "Nurhyandoien occupies my heart always Gimli." Gimli sat back at this comment and regarded Legolas with interest, "I know this my friend, was I not there at the wedding? But it is your mind that is occupied at this moment is it not?" Legolas nodded almost. . . . sheepishly! "Both are occupied, for I wonder about this new dwarf that seems to have been sent to Mirkwood." Legolas turned toward Gimli, "I know of only one other dwarf within fifty miles of Mirkwood. She claims to have only recently become a dwarf, if this is true she'll need some help adjusting." With one sidelong glance Legolas sighed, obviously subtle hints don't go very far with dwarves. Gimli grunted, "How can one just become a dwarf? Think what you will, but I say Tarin has simply become confused. She will have no need of help, and I wouldn't be able to give it to her, for I don't know where you are leading us." A pointed look was cast at Legolas who chose to ignore it and watch as the storm outside became increasingly violent.
With one last grunt Gimli went inside the cave and sat against a wall close to the fire. He sat there for a time polishing his ax and watching Helena sleep. As the thunder became more pronounced Helena became more restless in her sleep moaning words foreign to the dwarf. As he listened however his face became graver and graver. Finally, when the storm had passed Gimli too fell into an uneasy sleep, dreaming strangely enough about one particularly beautiful dwarf he met, and the words he heard her say.
Watching the two dwarves asleep, Legolas smiled to himself. His friend had fallen asleep and was softly snoring, still clutching his ax and the young girl had fallen asleep clutching a bit of his beard. Memories of his beloved wife filled his time as Legolas waited for the dawn.