Ch 5

It took Gimli a little longer than six days to make the journey north, but not by much. The realm of Mirkwood stood before him at lunch time on his seventh day out from the white city.

He travelled carefully through the woods towards the palace and the place of the elves in the North-East corner. It was much like Lothlorien except that there was no large hill in the middle, but large trees arranged in a circle with the palace built into its branches. Talons were built onto every tree surrounding it and wooden bridges ran from tree to tree. It was basically a city in the air.

Although he had been given a royal pardon to visit the City as he wished, there were still elves that did not trust the Dwarf and so, Gimli travelled warily and was on the look out for any elves that wished him harm.

He managed to get to the city gates without incident and the guard who was a friend of Legolas' offered to escort him to the palace. Gimli accepted graciously and bowed in respect of the Elf.

"So Larendil how is the wood fairing since my last visit?"

"It is well Master Dwarf."

"I hear that the king will soon be departing for the west."

Larendil bowed his head in sadness and respect.

"Yes he is leaving, in a few weeks actually. He and a few of the older elves are leaving for Valinor as well as a few from Imladris, Lothlorien and…"

Larendil snuck a quick glance at Gimli and narrowed his eyes. Gimli laughed.

"Yes I do know about the Lady Arwen. She told Aragorn and he told me."

"How did King Elessar take the news?"

"Quite well actually. He is not too saddened by her leaving. They have known each other more that a life time in human years and just as your time in Middle-Earth is ending, so is theirs."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, Larendil could tell there was something plaguing the Dwarf yet he did not pry, all would be revealed in time for there were not many secrets among the elves.

They were almost upon the palace when Gimli stopped.

"How is Legolas? Is he well?"

"The prince is fine. We do not see him as often as we are used to. He spends all his time in the library or his chambers. He is to become the King of Mirkwood when his father leaves. In fact, his nurse sees him more than I do."

"What about Melancier?"

"They still talk, but Legolas seems to be distancing himself from everyone, he is not himself."

Gimli nodded and his mind began to work overtime. No one in Mirkwood knew what was going on.

They arrived at the palace where Gimli was announced formally before the king. Thranduil graciously accepted the Dwarf into the halls and sat him down.

"Gimli, I had not expected you so soon. Legolas has just sent word that he is not to be disturbed for the remainder of the day. I am sorry."

"That is fine, I can see him tomorrow. There is something I wish to announce though. It gives me great honour to bring you the news that King Elessar of Gondor and the Lady Arwen have given birth to the Heir of Gondor, Prince Eldarion."

Thranduil clapped his hands in delight and rang for a maid.

"With tidings such as these, a great feast shall be held in honour of the King and Queen and the new heir of men. But master dwarf, I do not think that this is the reason you came so speedily from Minias Tirith."

"Actually there is some things I would like to discuss with you sire if it would not be too much trouble."

Thranduil observed the Dwarf for a few moments before smiling again.

"You have become a dear friend to my son; I will talk with you about anything you desire."

"I wish to talk about Elves in general."

"That is a strange topic of discussion, especially for a dwarf. What bought this on?"

"I was reading something while in the White City and it brought a few things to mind that I had not thought of before."

"And what questions did this literature raise?"

"Well to be specific, I would like to know about an Elf's death."

"That is a very disturbing topic to be raised. But I will answer your questions."

"I know that an Elf can be killed in battle, I have seen it. But there is another way an elf can die, a more painful way."

"You are talking of grief." Thranduil asked slowly. Upon seeing Gimli's nod he sighed. "Few elves have ever died of grief but those who have, it is said to have been the most painful experience of their lives. An elf lives in perfect harmony with the world. They are the balance that exists to counteract evil. To die of grief basically means that they have given over to the evil that has befallen on them. The balance has shifted within them and they were not made for that, so their bodies give way on them and they die."

"What can cause such a terrible disturbance?"

"The death of a loved one. An elf can usually live past that but there has been one case of it."

"What else?"

"It is unknown what can cause such grief in an Elf. In the few that have died, it has been unclear what has caused the grief. You don't have to tell me but I would be intrigued if you could show me what you read that has brought up these questions."

Gimli sighed and weighed the decision in his mind.

"My Lord, I do not wish to show you the exact book but if you can give me an hour in my room, I can bring you a copy of what it said."

"That would please me just as much."

Gimli nodded and Thranduil called Larendil to show him to a room. On the way through the halls, they passed Legolas' chambers. Gimli thought he could hear someone inside but to keep with the Princes' wishes, Gimli did not disturb him.

It took Gimli less than an hour to transcribe what was written in Aragorn's book. While he waited to go and talk again with the King, Gimli went in search of Melancier.

He found her in the courtyard, talking to Larendil. Upon seeing the dwarf, she jumped up and gave him a hug.

"Gimli. I was told you were here."

"Melancier, How are you?"

"I am well."

"That is good."

"Have you seen Legolas? I know he does not wish to be disturbed but I am sure he will come out to see you."

"No I haven't seen him. And do not bother to disturb him now, I have to go and talk with the king soon. I shall see him at supper. How is he?"

Melancier and Larendil looked at each other.

"He isn't well Gimli. We have told king Thranduil our concerns but he thinks nothing of it. We are very worried for him."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He has been keeping to himself a lot more than is really necessary. He is beginning to feel the elements, especially cold. He is sleeping a lot more. Elves can survive on an hours sleep; Legolas is sleeping up to eight and nine hours every day. He has even given up archery practice.

"Perhaps he is sick." Gimli suggested hopefully.

"Elves do not become sick Gimli."

Gimli held Melanciers hand and made her bend down to look in his eyes.

"Do not worry Melancier. I am sure that time will uncover what is wrong with him. For now, just be happy."

Melancier nodded and smiled down at the Dwarf. Gimli smiled back and then went to find the King.

The two of them sat down together and Thranduil looked over the paper.

"Would you mind if I speak aloud my thought while reading this? It would give me a clearer understanding for what I am reading?"

"Go ahead." Gimli replied.

"It has a verse of the song of Barahir and Lúthien. Then there is some things written. Like the persons thoughts upon reading the verse.

"Long was the way that fate them bore,

O'er stony mountains cold and grey

Through halls of iron and darkling door

And woods of night shade morrowless

The sundering seas between them lay

And yet at last they met once more

And long ago they passed away

In the forest singing sorrowless"

"Long have we known each other. Long have our paths been intertwined. Together we have faced the many foes and dangers of this world. We have been all over the land together yet he does not heed my words that I do not wish this danger on him. He is the embodiment of power and danger yet as fragile and delicate as a wisp of cloud. I know that I can never be with him for how could the Jewel of the world ever care for a speck of dirt. I know that he will never be mine and it tears my heart inside at the thought that he may leave me to the despair of the world. We will always remain friends because that is how he sees me. And we may meet again but he will never know how I feel. He can never know. As much as it pains me, my grief is nothing compared to the pain that will come if he even gave a glimmer of love for me. I will pass from this would and take my love for him with me. And when I have passed, he will remain, a life that the world can rejoice in. may he always be a light for those in the dark, his memory will always be a light for me."

Thranduil let the page flutter to the ground and he closed his eyes.

"I can see why you would be wondering such things about elves Gimli. What I have just read saddens me and I know neither who wrote it nor who the man is that it is speaking."

"I was surprised myself that such emotions could be portrayed in writing."

"And you will not tell me whose book this is from?"

"I'm sorry, but can not betray that. In fact, the person who wrote this does not even know I have the book it came from."

"These feelings would undoubtedly kill an elf. Especially if they carried these feelings every day. I tell you, if a person with these feelings had even a drop of Elvish blood in their veins, the Elvish part of them would take over and they would die of grief. They would die more slowly than a pure blood elf, but eventually grief would take them.

Thranduil then got up and left Gimli to his thoughts, not really knowing the accuracy of his words.

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Thankyou to these people who reviewed Ch. 4

- Legolas19: Thankyou :-)

- Silverhope2001: Gimli is smarter than he looks :-)

- Jadesaber: I'm glad U liked the flashback. I was seriously debating whether to put it in or not.

- Shinigami061: I am glad that you are enjoying it :-)

- Silvertoekee: Yea I would be frightened if I found my friend like that. And uh no, it isn't good. Not good at all.

- Goldmund: Now u know what's wrong. I'm glad you're intrigued by it. That's what I intended, keeps you all on your toes :P

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