Author's Note: Hello again! Okay, so ff.net appears to be operating
normally again, good thing. And once again I was dreadful with the update,
but let's just hope the writer's block goes away and my schedule calms
down. So I will thank you all once more for actually sticking with me with
my horrible updates and all. And, no still receive no money for writing,
but hopefully that'll change, ha!
Chapter 7
Legolas sighed and watched the dwarves disappear within the chasms. He wanted to follow Gimli, wanted to watch over him and be by his side when he awoke, but apparently that was going to be denied him.
Legolas glanced down at the two sturdy beings with their spears leveled at him. Legolas briefly wondered how long it would take before their arms tired and they were forced to lower their spears, but then he remembered what species he was dealing with. They would hold their spears on him even if the entire mountain was attacked by a dragon right now.
Was the hatred between them so much? Legolas had forgotten much of his previous judgements held for dwarves after Gimli, but they were quickly returning to his consciousness. Legolas tried to attribute their suspicion to the fact that he had been found lurking about their tunnels with a half- dead Gimli. In fact, he was quite sure his father would have been less kind were the situations reversed. He supposed he should be thankful Gloin had not ordered him to be imprisoned somehow, though the elf did not count that to mere graciousness. Gloin seemed to be settling an old score here, and he was trying to appear to be the better person.
Of course Legolas knew all about what had happened to Gloin, Bilbo, and his companions when they had happened into Mirkwood. He had even been there, though not one of the ones on hand to see to the dwarves imprisonment. He had however been the head of the group to hunt for them when they were discovered missing, and it was only news of the Battle of the Five Fingers that made them stop the search.
But that was all in the past, though he should know better than to expect a dwarf to be so kind in their forgiveness. Something inside of Legolas kept trying to tell him that he would act the same way himself, but the elf squashed that thought down. This was an unnecessary and indignant way to treat the elf.
Legolas glanced at the dwarves at his sides again and watched them slightly shift when he fixed his gaze on them. They were highly suspicious, that much was painfully obvious. And though Legolas entertained the thought of disarming them and brushing them aside so he could see what was happening to Gimli, he knew it was likely not a good idea. Watching Gimli in battle had taught him that dwarves were not quite the slow and clumsy beings he had always imagined. It might be difficult for him to handle two dwarves and come away unscathed. And then he would have to explain why he had tried one of his 'fancy elf tricks'.
Legolas resigned himself to his momentary fate and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. The dwarves appeared alarmed at the movement and raised their spears even more, but when they saw that Legolas was not preparing himself for an attack they slightly relaxed.
Foolish, Legolas thought to himself before turning his eyes back to where Gimli and the other dwarves had disappeared. He found his worry over Gimli returning. He would not have thought that a full-grown dwarf would react that way to the spider-bite, and according to the other dwarves it was not a normal reaction at all. Maybe something was truly wrong with his friend, perhaps he had sustained some other injury during the brief fight that Legolas had not seen.
And what if Gimli died?
The thought was a horrible one, and Legolas tried to shake it off. But an even more horrible thought came to him. If Gimli died, then what of himself? Would the other dwarves want to execute him as a murderer? And if Legolas had been inadvertently responsible for the dwarf's death, would he allow himself to be executed in compensation?
Legolas shook his head.
No need to think such things, Gimli would wake up. He had to.
The sound of heavy footsteps coming their way snapped Legolas out of his revelry. Legolas along with his two guards looked to see who was coming. Legolas recognized Thror striding quickly towards them.
"Gimli is awake," he said.
Legolas felt his heart immediately lighten and his eyes brightened. "Already? What was it, what made him react that way?"
Thror ignored his questions. "Gloin requests your presence so we can begin the questioning. We will find out precisely what happened."
Legolas was already trying to move forward. "Yes, I will come."
The two dwarfs reluctantly fell back to let Legolas passed and Legolas followed Thror into a side tunnel. His guards followed, but Legolas did not care. Gimli was awake, all would be well now.
Thror led them into a large room that opened off to the right of the tunnel. There were many lamps and torches in the room providing plenty of light and Legolas' eyes immediately went to a small stone table in the center of the room that Gimli was laid out on. The dwarf was awake.
"Gimli," Legolas said and surged forward. A sudden crack to Legolas' mid-section checked his movements and Legolas doubled over, surprised at the unexpected pain. One of the guards that had followed him moved quickly around until he was standing in front of the elf, his spear that he had used to hit Legolas even with the elf's face as he tried to catch his breath.
"You will stay back until told to come closer," he said.
Legolas drew himself up, subduing the pain he felt. The other dwarf circled around until he too was in front of Legolas and things might have gone ill if Gloin had not spoken up.
"Let him pass, he may come close to the table. But still watch him."
Legolas looked over and noticed for the first time that Gimli's table was surrounded by all the dwarves that had previously come into the room. The joy at seeing his friend awake had blinded Legolas to that fact.
The dwarves withdrew and Legolas stepped past them to the head of the table. He looked down at his friend. "Gimli," he said.
Gimli looked straight up at him and Legolas smiled. Yes, all would be well now.
But then confusion filtered into the dwarf's eyes. "Legolas? What are you doing here?"
Legolas felt his mouth drop open.
"I knew it!" Thror declared, moving so that he was close to Legolas. "He's been lying the whole time!"
"Hold your tongue," Legolas snapped. His voice was so harsh that Thror actually did stop speaking for a moment.
"Gimli," Legolas said ignoring the others around him, "what do you remember?"
Gimli looked around some more, seemingly surprised at the number of those who were standing around him, and then tried to sit up. The old healer put an arm out and stilled Gimli's movements.
"Stay still, son," he said.
Gimli lay back down, his eyes once again returning to Legolas'.
"I remember Aragorn's coronation, and then all of us leaving, and we went to see Fangorn to keep up my end of the bargain and you asked me if I wanted to go back to the Golden Wood."
"Does he need to say anymore?" Thror interrupted. "The elf has dragged him from one evil forest to another. Likely the waters there poisoned him."
Legolas was trying to keep his tongue in check, but Gimli thankfully answered. "No, the Golden Wood is not evil. Nor is Fangorn. They are well enough, as far as trees go."
Thror looked disappointed.
"And then what happened?" Gloin spoke up.
Gimli looked over at his voice and saw him for the first time. "Father," Gimli said. He faltered for a moment, then, "It has been so long."
Legolas watched Gloin carefully. The old dwarf seemed to soften at his son's words and a small smile came to his lips. "Yes, but do not worry, you are home now, and no harm will ever come to you again." He looked pointedly at Legolas as he said that, and all thoughts of peace Legolas was having was shattered.
"Just finish your story," Gloin turned back to Gimli.
Gimli furrowed his brows and thought for a few moments. "We made it to Mirkwood, only it was not the same, and then we came here?"
Legolas sighed and placed a hand on Gimli's forehead. "You are right, Mirkwood was not the same, but we stayed there for almost a week. And then we left to come visit your home, but we were attacked by spiders."
Gimli's mouth opened. "Spiders? I thought they did not live there anymore."
"Nor did I," Legolas answered. "You were bitten on the neck and had a violent reaction. You have been in and out of consciousness for two days now."
Gimli shook his head, and Legolas easily read his old stubborn streak coming through. "Impossible, a dwarf does not react that badly to a spider bite. We can handle anything they have for us."
Despite the severity of the situation, Legolas could not help but smile. His friend would be just fine and back to his old self in no time.
"Which is why you need to remember what happened," Gloin said. "You have to tell us of any strange foods or drinks that the elves forced you to eat."
"We did not force anything," Legolas said. "And he ate the same things we did. There was no poisoning involved."
"Wait."
Legolas looked down in surprise at Gimli's word. Gimli was thinking hard again. "I remember, something. Something that you wanted me to drink, that you said I had to drink."
"Gimli," Legolas said, "you are not suggesting that I knowingly poisoned you?"
Gimli shook his head. "No, but, maybe you did not know either."
"There was foul play!" Thror said. He turned to Gloin. "What is the punishment for attempted murder?"
Gloin held a hand up to stave off Thror's excitement. "Now, we do not know anything for certain. Gimli is still not well. We do not judge those without knowing the full story first." Legolas was not sure, but he felt that was another jab at the way Thranduil had treated the dwarves.
"Come now, we must let Gimli rest," Gloin continued. "When he has remembered everything and is well, we will continue our questioning."
"But what of the elf?" asked one of Legolas' previous guards.
"See to it that he is made most comfortable," Gloin said.
The dwarf nodded. "We shall give him the best room."
Gloin smiled. "See that you do."
Chapter 7
Legolas sighed and watched the dwarves disappear within the chasms. He wanted to follow Gimli, wanted to watch over him and be by his side when he awoke, but apparently that was going to be denied him.
Legolas glanced down at the two sturdy beings with their spears leveled at him. Legolas briefly wondered how long it would take before their arms tired and they were forced to lower their spears, but then he remembered what species he was dealing with. They would hold their spears on him even if the entire mountain was attacked by a dragon right now.
Was the hatred between them so much? Legolas had forgotten much of his previous judgements held for dwarves after Gimli, but they were quickly returning to his consciousness. Legolas tried to attribute their suspicion to the fact that he had been found lurking about their tunnels with a half- dead Gimli. In fact, he was quite sure his father would have been less kind were the situations reversed. He supposed he should be thankful Gloin had not ordered him to be imprisoned somehow, though the elf did not count that to mere graciousness. Gloin seemed to be settling an old score here, and he was trying to appear to be the better person.
Of course Legolas knew all about what had happened to Gloin, Bilbo, and his companions when they had happened into Mirkwood. He had even been there, though not one of the ones on hand to see to the dwarves imprisonment. He had however been the head of the group to hunt for them when they were discovered missing, and it was only news of the Battle of the Five Fingers that made them stop the search.
But that was all in the past, though he should know better than to expect a dwarf to be so kind in their forgiveness. Something inside of Legolas kept trying to tell him that he would act the same way himself, but the elf squashed that thought down. This was an unnecessary and indignant way to treat the elf.
Legolas glanced at the dwarves at his sides again and watched them slightly shift when he fixed his gaze on them. They were highly suspicious, that much was painfully obvious. And though Legolas entertained the thought of disarming them and brushing them aside so he could see what was happening to Gimli, he knew it was likely not a good idea. Watching Gimli in battle had taught him that dwarves were not quite the slow and clumsy beings he had always imagined. It might be difficult for him to handle two dwarves and come away unscathed. And then he would have to explain why he had tried one of his 'fancy elf tricks'.
Legolas resigned himself to his momentary fate and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. The dwarves appeared alarmed at the movement and raised their spears even more, but when they saw that Legolas was not preparing himself for an attack they slightly relaxed.
Foolish, Legolas thought to himself before turning his eyes back to where Gimli and the other dwarves had disappeared. He found his worry over Gimli returning. He would not have thought that a full-grown dwarf would react that way to the spider-bite, and according to the other dwarves it was not a normal reaction at all. Maybe something was truly wrong with his friend, perhaps he had sustained some other injury during the brief fight that Legolas had not seen.
And what if Gimli died?
The thought was a horrible one, and Legolas tried to shake it off. But an even more horrible thought came to him. If Gimli died, then what of himself? Would the other dwarves want to execute him as a murderer? And if Legolas had been inadvertently responsible for the dwarf's death, would he allow himself to be executed in compensation?
Legolas shook his head.
No need to think such things, Gimli would wake up. He had to.
The sound of heavy footsteps coming their way snapped Legolas out of his revelry. Legolas along with his two guards looked to see who was coming. Legolas recognized Thror striding quickly towards them.
"Gimli is awake," he said.
Legolas felt his heart immediately lighten and his eyes brightened. "Already? What was it, what made him react that way?"
Thror ignored his questions. "Gloin requests your presence so we can begin the questioning. We will find out precisely what happened."
Legolas was already trying to move forward. "Yes, I will come."
The two dwarfs reluctantly fell back to let Legolas passed and Legolas followed Thror into a side tunnel. His guards followed, but Legolas did not care. Gimli was awake, all would be well now.
Thror led them into a large room that opened off to the right of the tunnel. There were many lamps and torches in the room providing plenty of light and Legolas' eyes immediately went to a small stone table in the center of the room that Gimli was laid out on. The dwarf was awake.
"Gimli," Legolas said and surged forward. A sudden crack to Legolas' mid-section checked his movements and Legolas doubled over, surprised at the unexpected pain. One of the guards that had followed him moved quickly around until he was standing in front of the elf, his spear that he had used to hit Legolas even with the elf's face as he tried to catch his breath.
"You will stay back until told to come closer," he said.
Legolas drew himself up, subduing the pain he felt. The other dwarf circled around until he too was in front of Legolas and things might have gone ill if Gloin had not spoken up.
"Let him pass, he may come close to the table. But still watch him."
Legolas looked over and noticed for the first time that Gimli's table was surrounded by all the dwarves that had previously come into the room. The joy at seeing his friend awake had blinded Legolas to that fact.
The dwarves withdrew and Legolas stepped past them to the head of the table. He looked down at his friend. "Gimli," he said.
Gimli looked straight up at him and Legolas smiled. Yes, all would be well now.
But then confusion filtered into the dwarf's eyes. "Legolas? What are you doing here?"
Legolas felt his mouth drop open.
"I knew it!" Thror declared, moving so that he was close to Legolas. "He's been lying the whole time!"
"Hold your tongue," Legolas snapped. His voice was so harsh that Thror actually did stop speaking for a moment.
"Gimli," Legolas said ignoring the others around him, "what do you remember?"
Gimli looked around some more, seemingly surprised at the number of those who were standing around him, and then tried to sit up. The old healer put an arm out and stilled Gimli's movements.
"Stay still, son," he said.
Gimli lay back down, his eyes once again returning to Legolas'.
"I remember Aragorn's coronation, and then all of us leaving, and we went to see Fangorn to keep up my end of the bargain and you asked me if I wanted to go back to the Golden Wood."
"Does he need to say anymore?" Thror interrupted. "The elf has dragged him from one evil forest to another. Likely the waters there poisoned him."
Legolas was trying to keep his tongue in check, but Gimli thankfully answered. "No, the Golden Wood is not evil. Nor is Fangorn. They are well enough, as far as trees go."
Thror looked disappointed.
"And then what happened?" Gloin spoke up.
Gimli looked over at his voice and saw him for the first time. "Father," Gimli said. He faltered for a moment, then, "It has been so long."
Legolas watched Gloin carefully. The old dwarf seemed to soften at his son's words and a small smile came to his lips. "Yes, but do not worry, you are home now, and no harm will ever come to you again." He looked pointedly at Legolas as he said that, and all thoughts of peace Legolas was having was shattered.
"Just finish your story," Gloin turned back to Gimli.
Gimli furrowed his brows and thought for a few moments. "We made it to Mirkwood, only it was not the same, and then we came here?"
Legolas sighed and placed a hand on Gimli's forehead. "You are right, Mirkwood was not the same, but we stayed there for almost a week. And then we left to come visit your home, but we were attacked by spiders."
Gimli's mouth opened. "Spiders? I thought they did not live there anymore."
"Nor did I," Legolas answered. "You were bitten on the neck and had a violent reaction. You have been in and out of consciousness for two days now."
Gimli shook his head, and Legolas easily read his old stubborn streak coming through. "Impossible, a dwarf does not react that badly to a spider bite. We can handle anything they have for us."
Despite the severity of the situation, Legolas could not help but smile. His friend would be just fine and back to his old self in no time.
"Which is why you need to remember what happened," Gloin said. "You have to tell us of any strange foods or drinks that the elves forced you to eat."
"We did not force anything," Legolas said. "And he ate the same things we did. There was no poisoning involved."
"Wait."
Legolas looked down in surprise at Gimli's word. Gimli was thinking hard again. "I remember, something. Something that you wanted me to drink, that you said I had to drink."
"Gimli," Legolas said, "you are not suggesting that I knowingly poisoned you?"
Gimli shook his head. "No, but, maybe you did not know either."
"There was foul play!" Thror said. He turned to Gloin. "What is the punishment for attempted murder?"
Gloin held a hand up to stave off Thror's excitement. "Now, we do not know anything for certain. Gimli is still not well. We do not judge those without knowing the full story first." Legolas was not sure, but he felt that was another jab at the way Thranduil had treated the dwarves.
"Come now, we must let Gimli rest," Gloin continued. "When he has remembered everything and is well, we will continue our questioning."
"But what of the elf?" asked one of Legolas' previous guards.
"See to it that he is made most comfortable," Gloin said.
The dwarf nodded. "We shall give him the best room."
Gloin smiled. "See that you do."