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 Six: Departure
yrch- orc
Namarie Gimli beleg- Farwell mighty Gimli
Four days later, Legolas had awoken. Dwarf medicines took much longer than elven, and it was not as effective, Legolas had his arm in a sturdy splint and all the physical abrasions on his face had gone. The healer nodded approvingly.
"You're mending quite well Master elf"
Legolas smiled a little, "Master elf" had reminded him of Gimli's old sentiment towards him, which reminded him of...
"I came for the aid of Lord Gimli"
The healer nodded.
"Yes, he has been worried sick over you. I sent a messenger to him, he should be here shortly"
Shortly was an understatement, as soon as the words were out of the dwarf's mouth, Gimli had exploded into the room.
"Legolas! You are well!"
Legolas broke into a smile.
"Gimli! I had never hoped to see you again! It is a joy"
Gimli embraced his comrade, being careful to avoid the splint.
"What happened to you old friend?"
Legolas averted his gaze to the floor.
"It is a private matter Gimli...I would like it if-"
But the healer was already gone, with no trace, and the door closed.
"Considerate thing he is" said Gimli gruffly.
"I cannot return to Mirkwood" said Legolas first.
"Why not Legolas? It is your home" said Gimli, thinking of how his mines were his home.
"No. It is not my home, it never was. It was my prison...I wish to never go there again."
"Legolas, calm down" said Gimli, alarmed by the elf's furiosity in his voice.
"Tell me what happened" said Gimli.
"It was painful" mumbled Legolas, feeling reluctant.
"Who did this to you?" asked Gimli.
"You need not to know Gimli, it would only add to the burden you have on your shoulders"
"I have no burden my friend! As long as the furnaces burn brightly through the day and night, I am content. I would be glad to help you carry yours"
"Stay joyful Gimli...it is a gift from the Valar" said Legolas quietly.
"I cannot be joyful, nor satisfied until I hear who did this to you" said Gimli adamantly.
"..."
Legolas mumbled something incomprehensible. Gimli listened intently.
"It was my father...he punished me for not choosing a bride" repeated Legolas
And that was it. Gimli jumped up.
"Your own father? How could he? That yrch!
He shouted, making use of the short list of elven vocabulary he had.
"I could not agree more" said Legolas sadly.
"I shall kill him! His own son, how could he have done this to his own son?" muttered Gimli fevently as if Legolas was not in the same room as him.
A clap of a slender, but strong hand on his shoulder stopped his from running to retrieve his battle axe.
"Be still Gimli...do not hold malice against my father. It could turn into something more, it could taint the world we fought so hard to attain"
Gimli deflated under the elf's words and grasp.
"You're right Master elf, as always"
Legolas and Gimli ate together after a caretaker came to deliver a meal.
"Will you stay here Legolas?" asked Gimli.
"I do not know...The mines are no doubt beautiful from the description you gave me long ago at Helm's Deep, but I will always yearn for the sun and the wind. Even your on ground palace cannot supply that my friend"
Gimli nodded.
"I see your point. But then where will you go?"
Legolas saw chewing, and thinking.
"Perhaps to Lothlorien. Lady Galadriel would give me a place to stay, if not for a little while."
Gimli grew worried from this spoken thought.
"What is it Gimli?" asked Legolas.
"I could be wrong Legolas, but there have been no envoys from Lothlorien, nor sight of any of their elves. The trees of the Golden Wood seem darker...taller. The Lady herself has been silent for such a long time, I am fearful of what sorcery she might be brewing"
"The Lady Galadriel is wise as she is beautiful and powerful. I do not think that she would have given in to the darkness"
"Still...if you are to truly go, I would be much happier if you would take weapons with you"
Legolas spread his hands sadly.
"I have no weapons, I fled from Mirkwood with only my body"
Gimli smiled.
"Don't you worry Master elf...I have many weapons. In fact, I have a very fine blade for you"
Legolas looked up, considerably brightened.
"Thank you Gimli"
Gimli took the elf's hands in his.
"Be careful Legolas, that is all I ask"
An hour later, the two were at the doors of the palace. Gimli had bestowed upon Legolas a dwarven made blade, and sheath. Legolas ran his hand over the hammered flat.
"It's name is Venvir"
"'Tis a great sword Gimli, who made it?"
"Jonig, a new dwarf who came to the Mines about three years ago."
"I did not know dwarves made swords"
"Neither did I, until Jonig came along"
"I'm sorry friend, dwarven clothes are much too small for your stature, and the armor is very heavy, the best for you I though were these..."
Gimli produced two strap-on, metal plated gauntlets.
"Thank you...I shall use them well" said Legolas and strapped them onto his wrists.
"May the ground rise beneath your feet Legolas, and move you to your destination quicker" said Gimli, uttering a dwarvish farewell phrase.
"Namarie Gimli beleg" said Legolas softly and left Dwarfdom for Lothlorien.