Chapter 19 Gimli followed Nalin through the halls toward the great hall of his father. Nalin studied her cousin's gaunt face with concern. He was still thin and underneath the flush of the furnaces his face was frighteningly pale. Quietly resolving to talk to Mundin about it as soon as she left him she led him to the doors. Rather than going in with him like he expected Nalin stepped aside and allowed him to enter alone. Gimli looked questioningly at his cousin but she just smiled inwardly knowing that Gandalf wanted to privately speak with him. Gimli stepped into the hall, shutting the great door behind him. "Gimli" Gimli swiveled around and turned to face the calm figure sitting at his leisure near the door. Gandalf was smiling at him as Gimli approached and in the dwarven tradition bowed to show his respect for the great wizard. Gandalf rose, kneeled down and clasped his friend by the shoulders in a warm welcome. Then both wizard and dwarf sat down. Gandalf was the first to break the silence studying him with concern, "Gimli it has been a long time my friend, and I fear your road may have not been as easy as others since last we parted." Gimli poured himself a cup of wine and drank before saying, "Gandalf, you I have no doubt know of my troubles. Little escapes you whether we wish you to know or not." Gandalf silently regarded him, if Gimli had not taken another sip of wine he may have caught a glimmer of amusement in the old wizards eyes, but when Gimli looked up Gandalf's face was once again serious. Gimli poured Gandalf some fine wine and stated, "but tell me Gandalf how fairs the rest of the one time fellowship? I have seen Legolas but it has been many years since I saw Aragorn or any of the hobbits, how do they fair?" Gandalf's face broke into a smile, "and people say dwarves are dense! That is precisely what I wished to speak to you about, you and your father." Gandalf indicated with his head at the opening doors, Glön marched proudly through them, bowed to Gandalf, solemnly embraced him and sat down. Gandalf continued as if no one had come in at all once everyone was seated and had a good cup of wine in their hands, "All of the hobbits fair very well indeed, Peregrin and Meriadoc are very happy in their services to Gondor and Rohan. They have finished driving out the rest of the villains from the Shire and are restoring order in their country. Frodo is living quietly at Bag End. Sam is restoring the Shire to its former glory with the help of Galadriel's present. But Aragorn has grown restless. He will always feel the need to travel and so he has decided to make a tour of Middle Earth, restoring peace and driving out the last remaining minions of Sauron. He is traveling now and ought to be in the Shire by now. Soon he will come back and unless I am much mistaken he will wish to visit you." Gimli smiled, "indeed I have missed Aragorn and wish to see him!" Glön nodded solemnly, "King Estel of Gondor will be most welcome in my hall. When will he come?" The great wizard smiled, "In a week." Gandalf made as if to speak more but stopped when he looked at his friend, "Gimli, perhaps we should continue this another time." Gimli was adamant, "No! Let us settle this business now!" He stood up to show his fitness. . . the last thing that he remembered was Nalin standing in a corner watching him as he collapsed in a faint.

Mundin had been worried about his friend for a long while before his friend collapsed. Now sitting by his bedside taking his pulse he chided himself harshly for not being more forceful in telling him to take nourishment. What was beyond Mundin's knowledge was that the sleeping form of Gimli had been forcing himself to be active. Ever since the announcement of the upcoming journey Gimli had forced himself to carve, meld, invent, he would have even taken up basket weaving if it would keep his body and mind occupied. Gimli feared idleness for every time he paused his mind would drift back to his time with Tarin, her fears, her joys and her temper. Yes, he had accepted long ago that he loved her and now he was doing everything in his power to forget her. He had almost spent two days in the forge when Nalin had interrupted him there. Now while Gimli slept he dreamed of her with more clarity than normally possible. So hard were the memories repressed that once Gimli fell into unconsciousness they all came flooding his brain at once. It was only Gandalf working his magic that kept the poor dwarf from going insane with grief and longing.

Five days later Gimli, his body fully rested, woke up. Merin was there and Gimli was grateful for the company. When he first opened his eyes his younger brother was immediately at his side asking if he required anything. "No Merin, thank you." Merin sat back on his stool and looked long and hard at his older brother, "you love her Gimli and it is killing you." Gimli lay in bed in shocked silence when did his little brother become so grown? At last Gimli closed his eyes and stated, "Yes." Merin nodded as if he already knew this and wanted his brother to accept it, "Gimli there is a way out." Gimli looked over at Merin, "no there isn't Merin." His gaze returned to the ceiling where Tarin danced before his eyes. Merin shook him, "yes there is Gimli! You can forget her!" Gimli looked at his brother with rage, "do you not think I have been trying Merin??? I can not stop thinking about her and when I don't think about her I dream about her!" Merin gazed at his brother, "Gandalf could do it! I'm sure of it! He has the great ring Narya, he could erase your memory of her!" Gimli closed his eyes again, "Merin I can't forget her. Ever, no magic could stop me from loving her." Merin stood up, "nevertheless I shall ask him to save you. For you can not do this alone." Without a backward glance Gimli's well meaning brother left the room in search of Gandalf the white.