All right, Dreamingfifi, another chapter for you!!! Welcome to my new reviewer--LegolasGirl666!!!

Chapter 16--No Longer Home

Gimli looked around his home and nodded grimly. Everything was packed for his journey, but there was one last thing he had to do. He headed for the castle, determinedly.

A guard eyed him. "What is your business here?" he demanded.

"I want to see Queen Arwen and my business is private," Gimli growled.

The guard frowned then nodded. "You may enter," he said.

Arwen looked up startled as Gimli walked into the audience chamber unannounced and walked right up to the throne. "Gimli, what is it?" she asked.

Gimli didn't bow. "I am leaving to return to the Glittering caves--today," he said.

"Why? I thought you were happy here," Arwen asked.

"WHY?! Because when I tried to see Legolas before he was executed I was denied. I was refused an audience with you then locked up when I protested!!! By the time I was released he had all ready been taken to the gallows!! I had to watch my friend, my brother die a slow, ugly death in front of a jeering mob. Worse the orders came from someone I thought I could trust--" Gimli roared. "--Someone Legolas thought he could trust!!"

"He killed Elessar, Gimli, he had to be punished," Arwen protested.

"If Legolas killed Aragorn I will kiss an orc! The elf might have been crazy, but he was no murderer!! Of course it is a little late for that. You hanged him without even an investigation or a decent trial!!" Gimli returned.

"I am Queen, I have responsibilities," Arwen said. "I had--"

"Damn your responsibilities!! I hope they will cover your guilt, you murdered Legolas and I hope his face haunts you the rest of your days!!" Gimli snapped. He turned and stomped out of the audience chamber without waiting for a response.

Cade was outside the door. "I should arrest you for such disrespect to my Queen," he said. "But I will not. I too felt Legolas' execution was unjust."

"But you did nothing to stop it so that was no help was it?" Gimli snorted. He stormed past and left the castle. He returned to his former home and checked to make sure everything he owned was packed. He discovered a cloth wrapped bundle hidden in a chest. He unwrapped it to reveal a circlet made of mithril with three emeralds cut into the shape of leaves embedded in it. Grief filled him. The circlet had been meant as a gift to Legolas and now he would never receive it. Gently, Gimli rewrapped it and put it in his pack. He left the city without a backwards glance.

Gimli had traveled for an hour when he got a surprise. "Jaisia! I thought you had returned to your tribe with Lilith!!" he said.

Jaisia shook her head. "We were forcibly escorted out. I need you to come with me, Gimli, please," she said.

"I prefer to return home to grieve for my brother," Gimli said.

With those words Jaisia saw how hard Legolas' death had hurt Gimli. He had never said such a thing. "Gimli, please come with me, please trust me," she pleaded softly. "We must do something about Arwen."

New strength leaped into Gimli's eyes. "You are right, something must be done," he said. He mounted and Jaisia galloped off. He wondered what the Centaur planned to do about Arwen, but he knew he would help no matter what her plans were. I swear on my axe, you will be avenged, Legolas, he vowed to himself.

After two hours Jaisia came to a ramshackle old barn. "Here we are, we will go inside," she said. "it is safe here," she said.

Gimli shrugged, dismounted and went inside with Jaisia right behind him. He was met with a shock. He stared--to dumbfounded to speak……

And the plot still thickens!! I'm sorry for not doing Jaisia's feelings but there is a reason why I couldn't.

R/R please!!