Well, this was originally going to be a one-shot, but it got such good reviews, I figured what the hey. Also, I'm not trying to be mean to anyone in this fic...actions and words will be explained later.
Strange Gesture, Chapter two
Gimli got up when dawn finally broke, though he had slept little. Sluggishly, he set about washing, dressing, combing, and plaiting. He grumbled grouchily about not being able to see the back of his head, knowing his braid was sloppily lopsided. Finally dressed and ready, he sought out a morning meal. When we wondering into the room where the last night's dining had taken place, the sons of Elrond were chatting mirthfully with Legolas, who averted his eyes when he saw Gimli.
"So the wench touched your ear?" Elladan asked with amused disbelief.
"Really brother, wench?" Elrohir chided his twin. "I'm sure it's just a cultural misunderstanding. She simply didn't know."
"If I were you," Elladan said to Legolas in a slyly conspiratorial voice, "I would invite her for a little 'cultural exchange'."
"Thranduil's son is a gentleman," Elrohir said pointedly, "unlike Elrond's."
Affecting a wide-eyed shock, Elladan replied, "Elrond's son? Elrohir, are you saying that you've been wenching?"
The other Elves groaned, Elrohir muttering something about 'if Mother could hear you...'
Gimli sat listening quietly, not quite understanding. His sleepless night left him ill-disposed to riddling through the conversation, and even less disposed to dealing with the more energetic of Elrond's sons. Perhaps Elladan noticed this, for turning from the others, he called, "So, Master Dwarf, what is your kin's opinion of wenching?"
"I'm sure their opinion mirrors that of respectable Elves," Elrohir answered.
Gimli was ready to catch some jest, wary of many years of patronizing Elves. He took some comfort that Legolas was glaring angrily at Elladan. "My people do not wench."
"Dwarves, at least, have some self-respect," Elrohir supplied.
"Don't wench? At all?" Elladan prodded.
"We take but one mate. To do otherwise is to dishonor oneself, one's clan, one's mate and even love itself."
"Not even if the wench stroked your ear?"
"Elladan, kindly behave," his brother scolded.
Gimli paused for a moment, looking curiously at Legolas. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
Legolas stood up quickly and left. Neither of the twins seemed eager to explain, Elladan realizing somewhat belatedly that he had overstepped some boundary. Gimli took only a moment to look each in the eye before standing and following after Legolas.