Author: Arinya
Rating:R
Summary: Sam is forced to retell all the things that happened after the Fellowship had succeeded in destroying the Ring. All the members of the Fellowship have their own problems. Darkness returns, and Love struggles to conquer all. But as the problems mount up to a peak, can they survive? And can Sam bear telling his audience the true story?
Chapter Four: An Unexpected Visit
The furnaces roared with heat and flame and Gimli nodded, satisfied.
"This is good. Good!" he shouted gruffly, furiously proud of his realm.
Ever since Gloin, his father had passed away, he had been the new Lord of the Dwarves. He was inspecting the mining with his advisor. They went even deeper underground and the air began to get colder. But Gimli was not bothered, his furs and armor kept him covered enough to feel right at home, which he was. He ran his short, calloused fingers over a recently finished blade. The dwarf who had made it watched apprehensively, but proudly.
"It is Venvir, bane of all those who oppose the dwarves" offered the dwarf.
Gimli nodded, approving of the name.
"'Tis a beautiful and powerful blade Jonig"
He tested the weight and stabbed forward.
"You do not think it is odd Lord Gimli?" asked the dwarf.
Gimli laughed so hard that his beard shook.
"No! No! It's is wonderful! Blades are as good as axes! The workmanship is worthy to be called a dwarve's!"
The creator took back the blade graciously and set it aside before starting to make another one. Gimli tested the sharpness and designs of many other axes and throwing knives. He was proud. He loved the mines, they were his home. And these mines gave him wealth, but also beauty. Beauty came in many different forms. The beauty of the dwarves lie in their sweat and time to create their silver axes and elaborate arches. It showed extravagantly in their home, the stone columns and jewelled walls. He sighed very matter-of-factly, and was disturbed by a messenger.
"Lord Gimli!" saluted the dwarf.
"What is it Rinol?"
"An injured elf has come to the Palace ontop. He claims to be a close friend of yours."
Gimli snapped into business mode, worried, anticipating the events to come.
"What was his name? Is he injured badly?"
The messenger, who was slightly disconcerted by the sudden firey air of his master answered slowly.
"His name was Legolas, My Lord"
Gimli ran. He ran back up the way he came, not caring about the brief looks he earned with the flight of his small feet. His advisor trailed behind, not being able to carry on at the same furious speed that Gimli was attaining. Minutes later, he had reached fresh air and climbed the winding stone steps into his on ground palace. He barked at his guards to open the huge doors faster and within seconds, the doors were opened. Gimli almost broke down. It was truly him, his old friend, Legolas.
"Gimli..." said Legolas, relieved.
His bloodied and bruised face cracked a small smile, and before Gimli could ask Legolas anything, the elf collapsed.
Gimli picked up his friend with some difficulty, for the elf was much taller than him. The slender limbs threatened to get him tangled in their limp embrace. He called for the guards to help him, never mind the doors. The three dwarves carried Legolas to the healer and put him on a too small bed. Gimli cursed openly and told his men to move the sheets to the floor so they could lay him there. As Gimli helped put his friend down, he noticed his right arm was hanging at an odd angle. He felt a little sick as he realized that the arm was broken. The way it hung there was nauseating to look at. The position was unnatural and he sent the guards away while the healer took a look at the unconscious elf.
A few hours later, Gimli paced in the small room.
"How is he? How quickly will he get better?"
The healer was a male dwarf who was getting very annoyed with his Lord's actions. He needed to concentrate. He did not need his Lord to be rambling questions to him continuously. He looked up exasperated.
"My Lord, please. You must relax"
That brought an explosion.
"RELAX?! Are you mad dwarf? My friend looks ready to depart to the undying lands, and you are telling me to relax!?"
The healer winced.
"I apologize My Lord, it was simply a suggestion"
But Gimli had realized that he had scared the healer and was doing nothing to make his friend's situation better.
"I will be back later" he said hoarsly and left.