Authors Note: Before anyone asks just what I think I'm doing, let's just say that I have absolutely no idea. Anyway, this story is set a couple of years after the War of the Ring, and is set in Rohan. So, I'm not going to beg for reviews in any way. If you like my story, I hope that you will review, and leave constructive comments which I trust that you will have. If you detest my story and wish that I would go to hell and burn slowly and painfully, then please don't tell me so. I believe that that will happen anyway without you wishing it upon me also.

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, Gimli, Legolas, Éomer, Rohan, or anything else recognisable from Tolkien's work. They all belong to him. He is God. I do, however, own Torfi, which is an old Norse name, and since the Rohirrim are rather Nordic people, and so are Dwarves, I thought the name would be good for that character, who I am rather fond of.

Thankyou for my reviews!

Dot: Wow, you ARE an insightful reader! You've picked up on a lot of things, like Torfi reflecting Gimli's 'inner' character. Well done!

The kid mmd: If it were a book? Alas, I can only dream! But thanks for the compliments- you guys are great!

Moonbeam: How it ends? I don't know yet! Wait and see!

Laurelin: I'm actually surprised at how fast the chapters are coming. But I have a new horse arriving next week so I might not have much time to write. Keep reading though!

Dragon-of-the-North: I am awed by your compliments, seriously. Especially what you say about my portrayal of Legolas. I thank you!

Nimue: Wow. I bow-down to thee, who converted me to slashdom! Thankyou very much for reviewing my work. I have still not decided whether to let Gimli fall... yet! I am still uncertain as to how far I will take this.

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The sight of that pony did something to me I've never quite been able to explain. He was more than tremendous strength and speed and beauty of motion. He set me dreaming...

~Walt Morey~

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Legolas watched Gimli closely, making sure he was not still frightened. So far, everything was going smoothly. The Dwarf was being quiet, but neither Legolas nor Éomer were worried about that; best to let him concentrate and conquer his fear alone. He was doing very well at the moment, and had gradually relaxed. Legolas noted with surprise Gimli's naturally gentle hands; once he became more confident he had the makings of a very sensitive horseman.

"We will make a rider of you yet!" The Elf's own words came back to him then, and he remembered that they had been spoken in jest, and most probably taken in jest, to make the best of a bad situation.

"It does not seem that I shall have the chance." That had been Gimli's reply. But maybe it had been more than jest. Now Legolas thought back to that night under the trees of Fangorn, the small fire burning down to glowing embers, listening to the faint receeding sounds of their horses hooves, he recalled the strange fire in the Dwarf's eyes. He had noticed it then, but had thought little of it, too troubled by their plight, and had assumed that it was just the reflection of the dying flames.

But it had been something else, he realised now. That same fire had been in Gimli's large almond shaped eyes another time also; when he had spoken of the Glittering Caves. Legolas had recognised the look, but had been unable to place it. Now the two moments clicked together, and Legolas knew what it was. Longing. With a jolt he realised that, all along, Gimli had longed to ride, had longed to be rid of his fear.

With that new realisation, Legolas looked at his dear friend with renewed amazement, and saw that he was now riding with only one hand on the reins, and the other was absent-mindedly caressing Torfi's broad shoulder. That was very good, and a huge step.

Diverting his attention from Gimli for the first time since they had set out about an hour ago, Legolas gazed at the country around him; rolling green hills of lush grass swaying in the cool breeze, the warm sun shining cheerfully in the blue sky above them, the sounds of the horses feet swishing through the grass and the rich smell of their coats. The feeling of the powerful horse beneath him completed heaven for the Elf, but he felt strangely alone without Gimli's strong arms wrapped around his waist and reassuring presence at his back. Legolas realised how much he valued Gimli's being there. He pushed down the feeling, telling himself he was being selfish. He should not, in any way, deprive Gimli of finding his confidence.

"Legolas? Legolas!"

"Wha- what? Oh, Éomer! I'm sorry. I was not paying attention."

"Do not fret," Éomer grinned. "You can admire my beautiful land later. I was asking if you would mind trotting?"

Legolas barely kept his surprise concealed. He looked down at Gimli, and saw that the Dwarf was smiling. A little nervously, true, but he was still smiling. "Trotting?" the Elf asked.

"If you're up to it." Gimli chuckled. Torfi tossed his head with a snort, and Gimli's smile broadened.

Legolas rose to the challenge. "My dear Dwarf, it would be a pleasure to trot without you bouncing around at my back!"

"If I bounce around so much, Master Elf, then I do not think Éomer would allow me to ride one of his steeds alone."

"Gimli, it is common knowledge that Éomer is a little loose in the head, and may be forgiven for allowing poor Torfi to come into your possession."

"Torfi does not seem to agree with you on that point, Legolas." This was true. Torfi was very taken with Gimli, and was positively glaring up at Legolas as though he knew that the Elf had insulted his Master. Legolas could find no comeback.

"I think I won that." Gimli announced, patting Torfi happily.

"If," Éomer began impatiently. "You have both finished your bickering, could we commence the proposed trot, please?"

Legolas sniffed, turning up his nose with mocking pride. "Of course, Éomer King. That is, if Gimli is prepared to cease being as insufferably rude as to answer back to myself as such." He flashed the Dwarf a sparkling grin, to show that no offense was meant. Gimli harrumphed impatiently, though his eyes twinkled.

Éomer rolled his eyes at their familiar antics before urging Firefoot forward. The skittish stallion performed a quick skip and buck, with a 'look at me!' swish of his tail, before settling into the rythm of his trot. Éomer sat the horse's prance easily, with a firm and silent correction as he capered. Legolas would normally have laughed at this, and teased Éomer for being unable to control his horses, but this time he did not. The worry he carried which had eased during his quick arguement with Gimli had returned, and he looked down at the Dwarf. He looked slightly paler than usual, despite his natural tan, but there was hard determination in his eyes.

Legolas murmured softly to Arod, persuading him to keep back so Legolas could keep an eye on Gimli. A part of the Elf told him he was being over- protective, and coddling the Dwarf far too much, but another part said that Gimli was insecure and if anything happened he would blame himself for not keeping a close enough watch on him. Ignoring the conflicting sides of his conscience, Legolas watched as Gimli nudged Torfi into a trot. The little pony had a smooth, bumbling pace, that seemed very comfortable. Legolas allowed himself to breath.

Oddly enough, Gimli seemed more at ease than Legolas would have believed. Urging Arod to trot beside Torfi, Legolas saw that the grit determination had not left Gimli's face, and he had his hands wrapped tightly in Torfi's mane. Legolas felt nothing but warm admiration for his friend just then.

Looking up, Legolas tossed aside the curtain of brown hair that had fallen into his eyes, and called ahead to Éomer to slow down. The Horse-Lord only laughed, and carried on at his own pace, after looking behind to make sure his companions were all right.

"How pleasant." Gimli snorted. Despite the tenseness in his voice, the Dwarf sounded quite himself. He looked up and met Legolas's startled gaze then, just as the Elf realised what he meant to do and had given a rather inelegant exclamation, his friend turned back to Torfi, and urged him forward into a rolling excuse for a canter.

Legolas had barely enough time to collect his wits, and bring his jaw back up to it's proper position before Arod had taken off after Torfi, an expression of deep annoyance that the short, hairy creature was now in front of him. Legolas laughed and warned Arod not to show off, telling him he had to need to display his superior speed and strength, since it was known already.

All the way, Gimli's sudden laughter echoed in Legolas's ears.

************* I know I could have made this chapter a lot more interesting but I couldn't bear to be nasty to Gimli! Anyway, I finished this today, and my new charge arrived. He's young and nervous, and needs breaking in so I won't have that much time. However, I hope to make this more dramatic.

Anyway, thankyou for reading and I hope you're still enjoying my story and that you are inspired to review.