Author's Note: See? I haven't died, just been without internet for a
month, that was maddening I'll tell you that. But fear not, I have
returned, and if anybody is still sticking with me I thank you mucho!
Chapter 13
Hours passed until the night sky began to color with the first signs of light. It was almost morning and the dwarf and elf had just now managed to circle most of Erebor until they were once again on a right-away path towards Mirkwood. Gimli walked slowly, surveying the area around them. If it was already discovered the Legolas was gone than this would be the first place the other dwarves would start their search, on the paths to Mirkwood.
Gimli did not walk to any of the main paths and instead chose to skirt through the brush and have them make their way there. Legolas was following quietly, not questioning any of Gimli's decision making. This was an odd thing for the dwarf, as he was used to having every traveling decision made on his behalf be ridiculed and often dismissed. The elf liked leading the way, always confident that he was choosing the right and easiest path.
"We are on our way back to Mirkwood now," Gimli finally offered. "But I don't think we should use the main paths, we can't have anybody discovering us now."
Gimli looked back and saw Legolas nod, but that was all. Not even a rebuke on how it would not matter if they were on the most secret of paths because Gimli's heavy tread would give them away anyway. Gimli quickly grew frustrated.
He stopped. "I will not go a step further until you say something. If you do not want to go this way then tell me, tell me what you're thinking, tell me anything."
Legolas paused, his eyes flickering for a moment before becoming veiled again. "I was merely wondering if you should be with me."
The elf's response was not what Gimli had expected. The dwarf's hot retort he had ready on his tongue died and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
"What do you mean?" he finally said.
Legolas looked around before bringing his gaze back to the dwarf. "I mean that you will not be safe within my borders. If scouts have already been sent to the mountain then that means there will be others along the way." He shrugged, "Our people might think they are at a war already."
Gimli's mouth dropped. "Surely not, surely once we explain everything everybody will see it has all been a misunderstanding."
"Just as your father often believes my explanations," Legolas snapped, his tone harsher than it had been moments before.
Gimli floundered. "It was not his fault, he did not know what to do seeing our kinsman injured by the hands of yours."
"So you believe that it was the fault of the elves as well?" Legolas said.
Gimli stopped again, but this time he was feeling his own ire well up against Legolas. "Certainly it was not my kinsman who walked to Mirkwood to start a war."
"Then I suppose I am the spy that brought them here," Legolas answered.
"I did not say that," Gimli said, "but it is a rather odd coincidence. Your father knew you were coming here of your own volition, where they would suddenly get the idea you were kidnapped is beyond my reasoning."
"Beyond all simple reasoning, you mean," Legolas answered.
Gimli felt his blood begin to churn and his hand instinctively went for his axe, as it always did when he became extremely upset. Legolas was acting just as he had when they had first met, as a much higher being that could not be bothered with 'lowly mortals'.
"Perhaps it would be best for you to continue on your own," Gimli said, almost choking on the words as he strained to remain calm.
Legolas was silent a moment before nodding. "You are not well enough to travel anyhow," he said.
Gimli swallowed, not sure whether that was a direct jab at his pride or actual concern.
"I will send word when I choose to return to Gondor," Legolas said as he turned on his heel and began to walk away.
Gimli watched the back of his friend retreat, his body quivering with unreleased emotions. He wanted to yell in anger and cry out in frustration and weep in despair all at the same time. But since he was not sure which was the stronger, he did the next best thing he could.
He did nothing, and only watched his friend walk away.
When the elf had faded from his sight, Gimli turned and began to make his way back to the lonely mountain. He pondered over whether he should just go back to his chambers and act surprised when he heard of Legolas' escape or just tell his father right away.
It turned out that Gimli did not need to do either of those things.
Just as Gimli was reaching the front gate, the doors flew open and a group of dwarves came spilling out, all of them in full battle gear and being led by Thror.
"Gimli!" Thror said as soon as he saw him.
Gimli stopped, confused as to what was going on.
Thror motioned to the dwarves behind them and Gimli recognized the sign for them to span out behind Thror, forming a protective semi-circle.
"Gimli," Thror called out again, not coming any closer to him, "did the enemy follow you?"
Gimli stared at Thror. "What are you talking about?"
Thror took a few steps closer, his axe held at a ready in his hands. "We know the elf has escaped, and we assumed you went to find him. I thought we would find you dead with the elvish arrows in you. Have you seen any of the elven warriors, have they followed you here?"
"Well they would certainly have no need to follow me here," Gimli said, "they know already where we live."
Thror was silenced for a few moments before shrugging the fact aside. "Have you seen any enemies? And did you find the renegade elf?"
Gimli meant to tell them he had set Legolas free. He meant to tell them that Legolas was on his way home to sort everything out and soon this whole situation would be put behind him. But his anger at the hurt he felt from his friend was still strong and served to momentarily cloud his judgement.
"I did not find the renegade," Gimli said, "and I have not seen any other elves. But you have to be wary when dealing with them. Kind acts on their part mean they will only turn on you the next day."
Thror nodded. "Right, let's move back inside. We will regroup and decide what to do."
He motioned for Gimli to come towards him and as he did the other dwarves closed around them before they all went back into the mountain.
"They may have had a spy within our walls," Thror said once they were all safely back inside. "But it takes more than a few days to learn all that there is to know about a dwarf's home. I do not fear defeat from them."
Again, Gimli had the strong urge to say that there was no need to fear any sort of attack from the elves, that Legolas was no spy. But instead he heard himself say, "Neither do I."
Legolas continued towards Mirkwood, his speed considerably faster now that he was rid of the dwarf. His anger towards his friend continued to grow within his chest. It was not bad enough to only allow him to be imprisoned in such a hell like that, but to then suspect him of being a part of what had happened, it was too much. He had risked his own life to bring Gimli back here to save his, and this was the gratitude he received. Harsh treatment and suspicion of conspiracy.
How he had ever thought a dwarf to be a true friend was becoming a mystery to him. He should have known, and did know, that nothing good would come of it. And now here he was, skirting his way back home as if he were a true criminal, beaten and mentally tortured.
The dwarves would not get away with this.
It was not even so much of what Gimli himself had done, but now he was remembering all that the other dwarves had done. The immediate dislike from Gloin, the blows courtesy of Thror, he had been treated poorly the minute he had treaded upon their territory. And it had all been for the sake of his friend, his friend who had let him be treated thusly and then imprisoned.
He should have never thought traveling with a dwarf would be a good idea.
Legolas lost himself in his thoughts, his anger growing more and more. He had never been treated like that in his long life, and he was not going to let this be an admissible occurrence.
"My son!" Gloin ran to Gimli as soon as the whole group had reached the main hall. "As soon as I heard the spy had escaped and you had gone after him, I was sure they'd find you dead. Did you see any elves scouting the area, waiting to pick us off?"
Gimli mechanically returned the embrace his father gave him as he was talking and now looked into his father's earnest eyes. "No," he said truthfully, "I did not see any."
"Well we cannot sit around and wait for them to come get us," Gloin said. "We will be ready for them. I always knew something like this would happen, we've always lived too close to the elves for comfort."
Gimli's tongue continued to lie still and he could not bring himself to say anything to dissuade the opinion of the others.
They wouldn't believe me anyway, Gimli thought to himself, knowing that he was just making up a flimsy excuse for his actions. Besides, nothing would come of it. When the elves never showed up again, and Gimli was almost sure of that, Legolas included, the dwarves would forget all about it and just go back to their continuous tunneling. And Gimli would go back to it as well, forgetting all about returning to Gondor and helping Aragorn fortify his walls with their dwarvish talent. If his and Legolas' bond could not last outside of the Fellowship, how long would it be before Aragorn tired of him as well? No, the only way the peoples of Middle-earth could survive now was separate from each other.
Two days passed and Legolas was entering the borders of Mirkwood. He had made decent time, but was more than ready to be at home and seeking proper rest. His body was weary from its abuse and he needed to regain mental clarity. Only then would he be able to shake the last horrid remnants from his brief stay in the mountain.
Legolas stopped.
He knew that he was not alone, and his body tensed, anticipating some kind of foe, whether it be dwarves or more spiders.
Legolas stood still, stretching out his senses to catch what was out there.
"Legolas?" came a voice above and to the left of him.
Legolas looked up, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. Within moments he picked out the elf that was camouflaged within it and he nodded.
There was a flurry of movement and Legolas found himself surrounded by three elves. "Thank Elbereth," said the one on his right, "we thought for sure the dwarves were going to keep you locked away in their filthy mines."
Legolas looked at him. "I escaped," was all he said.
The elves regarded his appearance, he still had not had a chance to clean himself up. "And not a moment too soon," the elf said.
Before another word was said, the elf turned. "Come, your father is waiting for word on you, he has been most upset by your absence. He will be happy to see you have returned."
Legolas wanted to ask why his father was worried, as he knew that Legolas was supposed to be visiting Erebor, but he kept quiet. He would save his questions for his father later.
The three elves and Legolas came to a small clearing and Legolas saw that there were horses standing ready there. He was silently grateful as he realized that he was indeed very tired and suffering from aches and pains that refused to go away. The horses would bear them swiftly home.
"Worry not," the elf on his right echoed Legolas' thoughts, "these horses are well rested, you will be home before nightfall."
Legolas nodded but said nothing. The elf waited to speak again until they had all mounted and set their horses at a swift canter.
"And I am sure your father will be most glad to see you. You can tell him all that happened and exactly what the dwarves did to you."
Another nod.
"Then your father can go ahead with his plans. Now that you have been found, there will be no more use for the scouting parties, though I imagine they have reached the mountain by now."
Legolas finally felt these words go through him and shock him awake. He looked at the elf. "Who has reached the mountain?"
The other elf did not even pause. "The search party your father sent out. It is much larger than the last one since the dwarves proved hostile and attacked them as soon as they reached their territory. But they have learned from the others' mistakes and will not be taken by surprise this time."
Legolas felt a feeling of unease thread through his stomach, but he did not say anything, only faced forward and watched the trees pass swiftly by. There was no immediate danger, he told himself, the elves would return as soon as they found out Legolas was no longer there. And then he would talk to his father himself, and likely the whole thing would pass. There would be no friendship with the dwarves, but that was hardly a travesty.
Gimli would be fine; Legolas thought to himself and shoved the worry that started to grow out of his mind.
Chapter 13
Hours passed until the night sky began to color with the first signs of light. It was almost morning and the dwarf and elf had just now managed to circle most of Erebor until they were once again on a right-away path towards Mirkwood. Gimli walked slowly, surveying the area around them. If it was already discovered the Legolas was gone than this would be the first place the other dwarves would start their search, on the paths to Mirkwood.
Gimli did not walk to any of the main paths and instead chose to skirt through the brush and have them make their way there. Legolas was following quietly, not questioning any of Gimli's decision making. This was an odd thing for the dwarf, as he was used to having every traveling decision made on his behalf be ridiculed and often dismissed. The elf liked leading the way, always confident that he was choosing the right and easiest path.
"We are on our way back to Mirkwood now," Gimli finally offered. "But I don't think we should use the main paths, we can't have anybody discovering us now."
Gimli looked back and saw Legolas nod, but that was all. Not even a rebuke on how it would not matter if they were on the most secret of paths because Gimli's heavy tread would give them away anyway. Gimli quickly grew frustrated.
He stopped. "I will not go a step further until you say something. If you do not want to go this way then tell me, tell me what you're thinking, tell me anything."
Legolas paused, his eyes flickering for a moment before becoming veiled again. "I was merely wondering if you should be with me."
The elf's response was not what Gimli had expected. The dwarf's hot retort he had ready on his tongue died and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
"What do you mean?" he finally said.
Legolas looked around before bringing his gaze back to the dwarf. "I mean that you will not be safe within my borders. If scouts have already been sent to the mountain then that means there will be others along the way." He shrugged, "Our people might think they are at a war already."
Gimli's mouth dropped. "Surely not, surely once we explain everything everybody will see it has all been a misunderstanding."
"Just as your father often believes my explanations," Legolas snapped, his tone harsher than it had been moments before.
Gimli floundered. "It was not his fault, he did not know what to do seeing our kinsman injured by the hands of yours."
"So you believe that it was the fault of the elves as well?" Legolas said.
Gimli stopped again, but this time he was feeling his own ire well up against Legolas. "Certainly it was not my kinsman who walked to Mirkwood to start a war."
"Then I suppose I am the spy that brought them here," Legolas answered.
"I did not say that," Gimli said, "but it is a rather odd coincidence. Your father knew you were coming here of your own volition, where they would suddenly get the idea you were kidnapped is beyond my reasoning."
"Beyond all simple reasoning, you mean," Legolas answered.
Gimli felt his blood begin to churn and his hand instinctively went for his axe, as it always did when he became extremely upset. Legolas was acting just as he had when they had first met, as a much higher being that could not be bothered with 'lowly mortals'.
"Perhaps it would be best for you to continue on your own," Gimli said, almost choking on the words as he strained to remain calm.
Legolas was silent a moment before nodding. "You are not well enough to travel anyhow," he said.
Gimli swallowed, not sure whether that was a direct jab at his pride or actual concern.
"I will send word when I choose to return to Gondor," Legolas said as he turned on his heel and began to walk away.
Gimli watched the back of his friend retreat, his body quivering with unreleased emotions. He wanted to yell in anger and cry out in frustration and weep in despair all at the same time. But since he was not sure which was the stronger, he did the next best thing he could.
He did nothing, and only watched his friend walk away.
When the elf had faded from his sight, Gimli turned and began to make his way back to the lonely mountain. He pondered over whether he should just go back to his chambers and act surprised when he heard of Legolas' escape or just tell his father right away.
It turned out that Gimli did not need to do either of those things.
Just as Gimli was reaching the front gate, the doors flew open and a group of dwarves came spilling out, all of them in full battle gear and being led by Thror.
"Gimli!" Thror said as soon as he saw him.
Gimli stopped, confused as to what was going on.
Thror motioned to the dwarves behind them and Gimli recognized the sign for them to span out behind Thror, forming a protective semi-circle.
"Gimli," Thror called out again, not coming any closer to him, "did the enemy follow you?"
Gimli stared at Thror. "What are you talking about?"
Thror took a few steps closer, his axe held at a ready in his hands. "We know the elf has escaped, and we assumed you went to find him. I thought we would find you dead with the elvish arrows in you. Have you seen any of the elven warriors, have they followed you here?"
"Well they would certainly have no need to follow me here," Gimli said, "they know already where we live."
Thror was silenced for a few moments before shrugging the fact aside. "Have you seen any enemies? And did you find the renegade elf?"
Gimli meant to tell them he had set Legolas free. He meant to tell them that Legolas was on his way home to sort everything out and soon this whole situation would be put behind him. But his anger at the hurt he felt from his friend was still strong and served to momentarily cloud his judgement.
"I did not find the renegade," Gimli said, "and I have not seen any other elves. But you have to be wary when dealing with them. Kind acts on their part mean they will only turn on you the next day."
Thror nodded. "Right, let's move back inside. We will regroup and decide what to do."
He motioned for Gimli to come towards him and as he did the other dwarves closed around them before they all went back into the mountain.
"They may have had a spy within our walls," Thror said once they were all safely back inside. "But it takes more than a few days to learn all that there is to know about a dwarf's home. I do not fear defeat from them."
Again, Gimli had the strong urge to say that there was no need to fear any sort of attack from the elves, that Legolas was no spy. But instead he heard himself say, "Neither do I."
Legolas continued towards Mirkwood, his speed considerably faster now that he was rid of the dwarf. His anger towards his friend continued to grow within his chest. It was not bad enough to only allow him to be imprisoned in such a hell like that, but to then suspect him of being a part of what had happened, it was too much. He had risked his own life to bring Gimli back here to save his, and this was the gratitude he received. Harsh treatment and suspicion of conspiracy.
How he had ever thought a dwarf to be a true friend was becoming a mystery to him. He should have known, and did know, that nothing good would come of it. And now here he was, skirting his way back home as if he were a true criminal, beaten and mentally tortured.
The dwarves would not get away with this.
It was not even so much of what Gimli himself had done, but now he was remembering all that the other dwarves had done. The immediate dislike from Gloin, the blows courtesy of Thror, he had been treated poorly the minute he had treaded upon their territory. And it had all been for the sake of his friend, his friend who had let him be treated thusly and then imprisoned.
He should have never thought traveling with a dwarf would be a good idea.
Legolas lost himself in his thoughts, his anger growing more and more. He had never been treated like that in his long life, and he was not going to let this be an admissible occurrence.
"My son!" Gloin ran to Gimli as soon as the whole group had reached the main hall. "As soon as I heard the spy had escaped and you had gone after him, I was sure they'd find you dead. Did you see any elves scouting the area, waiting to pick us off?"
Gimli mechanically returned the embrace his father gave him as he was talking and now looked into his father's earnest eyes. "No," he said truthfully, "I did not see any."
"Well we cannot sit around and wait for them to come get us," Gloin said. "We will be ready for them. I always knew something like this would happen, we've always lived too close to the elves for comfort."
Gimli's tongue continued to lie still and he could not bring himself to say anything to dissuade the opinion of the others.
They wouldn't believe me anyway, Gimli thought to himself, knowing that he was just making up a flimsy excuse for his actions. Besides, nothing would come of it. When the elves never showed up again, and Gimli was almost sure of that, Legolas included, the dwarves would forget all about it and just go back to their continuous tunneling. And Gimli would go back to it as well, forgetting all about returning to Gondor and helping Aragorn fortify his walls with their dwarvish talent. If his and Legolas' bond could not last outside of the Fellowship, how long would it be before Aragorn tired of him as well? No, the only way the peoples of Middle-earth could survive now was separate from each other.
Two days passed and Legolas was entering the borders of Mirkwood. He had made decent time, but was more than ready to be at home and seeking proper rest. His body was weary from its abuse and he needed to regain mental clarity. Only then would he be able to shake the last horrid remnants from his brief stay in the mountain.
Legolas stopped.
He knew that he was not alone, and his body tensed, anticipating some kind of foe, whether it be dwarves or more spiders.
Legolas stood still, stretching out his senses to catch what was out there.
"Legolas?" came a voice above and to the left of him.
Legolas looked up, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. Within moments he picked out the elf that was camouflaged within it and he nodded.
There was a flurry of movement and Legolas found himself surrounded by three elves. "Thank Elbereth," said the one on his right, "we thought for sure the dwarves were going to keep you locked away in their filthy mines."
Legolas looked at him. "I escaped," was all he said.
The elves regarded his appearance, he still had not had a chance to clean himself up. "And not a moment too soon," the elf said.
Before another word was said, the elf turned. "Come, your father is waiting for word on you, he has been most upset by your absence. He will be happy to see you have returned."
Legolas wanted to ask why his father was worried, as he knew that Legolas was supposed to be visiting Erebor, but he kept quiet. He would save his questions for his father later.
The three elves and Legolas came to a small clearing and Legolas saw that there were horses standing ready there. He was silently grateful as he realized that he was indeed very tired and suffering from aches and pains that refused to go away. The horses would bear them swiftly home.
"Worry not," the elf on his right echoed Legolas' thoughts, "these horses are well rested, you will be home before nightfall."
Legolas nodded but said nothing. The elf waited to speak again until they had all mounted and set their horses at a swift canter.
"And I am sure your father will be most glad to see you. You can tell him all that happened and exactly what the dwarves did to you."
Another nod.
"Then your father can go ahead with his plans. Now that you have been found, there will be no more use for the scouting parties, though I imagine they have reached the mountain by now."
Legolas finally felt these words go through him and shock him awake. He looked at the elf. "Who has reached the mountain?"
The other elf did not even pause. "The search party your father sent out. It is much larger than the last one since the dwarves proved hostile and attacked them as soon as they reached their territory. But they have learned from the others' mistakes and will not be taken by surprise this time."
Legolas felt a feeling of unease thread through his stomach, but he did not say anything, only faced forward and watched the trees pass swiftly by. There was no immediate danger, he told himself, the elves would return as soon as they found out Legolas was no longer there. And then he would talk to his father himself, and likely the whole thing would pass. There would be no friendship with the dwarves, but that was hardly a travesty.
Gimli would be fine; Legolas thought to himself and shoved the worry that started to grow out of his mind.