AN: Sorry I have not posted for a while guys but my home life has been in a bit of an upheaval lately. Last night also got word that my cousin was in an accident so if you all could say a prayer for him I would most appreciate it. I miss chatting with you all and hopefully I will be able to pop on more this week. This story has about four more chapters before it's finally wrapped up. I have also put First Meetings on hold until my beta is finished with it and I work out the kink in the end that just won't go away. There is also the matter of a certain plot bunny someone sent my way that has been gnawing at my ankles - I am not going to name any names - but Thranduil is going to have his hands full in Gondor. Saikagrl, Kit, Jebb, Mirfaen, Little One, Moro, Karine, Puxinette, Figgy, Dwim, and everyone else that has stuck with me on this here's to all of you! Hugs and Kisses from the Fellowship!
Chapter 11
Elven Magic
Gimli watched Legolas as they headed towards their unknown destination. Looking at his friend he realized how often he gave the elf human traits, very often ignoring the pointy ears that marked his race. The natural glow that normally surrounded the elf seemed unnaturally vibrant. There was also a strangeness to the elf tonight, more of a feeling than anything tangible. It was moments like these that reminded Gimli just how inhuman the elf was.
"Look Ada!" Eldarion suddenly cried out. "In the trees!"
Gimli looked over his eyes coming upon a glowing circle of light. It was a steady light neither faltering nor flickering.
"Mer, we're in the party field." Pippin murmured to his cousin.
As they made their way closer Gimli could see the mallorn tree in the center of the circle of light. Gandalf was also waiting for them sitting beside a blazing fire and smoking his pipe. He seemed to take no notice of the group, pouring himself another drink. The whole thing seemed surreal to Gimli who well remembered his father's stories about Mirkwood.
At the outside of the circle Legolas brought everyone to a stop. "I need everyone to hold hands as we enter. You must keep your hands linked until you're inside the circle."
Quickly Legolas made sure everyone was holding hands before he took Arwen and Rose's hands and lead everyone into the light. A strange tingle passed through Gimli as he entered. Beside him little Ruby squealed in delight and surprise. Looking down Gimli was surprised to see the child's clothes had changed. No longer did the little girl wear her nightdress but a fine dress of silk and satin. Looking around he found all of their clothes had changed. He found himself wearing a rich burgundy tunic embroidered in gold. He was also barefooted. He turned and scowled at Legolas. "Dwarves do NOT go barefooted!"
Legolas raised a dark brow a smile playing around his mouth. He looked resplendent in a dark green jerkin with the same gold embroidery and a simple circlet made of wood and leaves. "This night friend dwarf, you will."
"Legolas this is beautiful." Arwen murmured kissing the other elf on the cheek. She herself wore a pale green gown with silver leaves wove into her dark hair.
"It is just beginning." Legolas clapped once raising his hands to gather everyone's attention. "There is only one rule for tonight you must not leave the circle of light. I have a simple feast set up on the table and under the mallorn I have presents for all of you. I only ask that you enjoy yourselves tonight and do not fear for no harm can come to you in here."
~*~*~*~
Aragorn nodded to Gimli and Gandalf as he joined them by the fire for a smoke. The King reached into his silver and blue tunic for the pipe that he had been given. The men folk had found new pipes under the tree for themselves, a gift from Legolas. Gimli let out a breath contentedly his eyes wondering over to where Legolas was playing with the children.
"He has outdone himself tonight." Gandalf chuckled gesturing at the elf. The overzealous children were tackling Legolas to the ground.
Gimli stroked his beard thoughtfully before turning curiously to the wizard. "Did you help him with this?"
Gandalf snorted. "You underestimate him Gimli this is all his own doing."
"He is a Sindar Prince from an old line Gimli." Aragorn added. "And elves have powers that are as old and mystifying as they are."
Legolas had recovered from his assault by the children and was now spinning Diamond around in a simple but lively dance.
"Strange creatures elves are." Gimli said fondly.
~*~*~*~
Time seemed to stand still within the cocoon of elven magic. Outside it was still dark with the stars shinning brightly, yet inside it seemed like they had been there for an eternity. Gimli remembered a similar feeling when the Fellowship had stayed in Lorien.
In the center of the gathering Legolas clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "I have one last gift for the night. Sam, come here please, this gift is mainly for you."
Sam blushed to the tips of his ears as he moved to stand beside the elf. Legolas took the hobbit's hand leading him to the base of the mallorn. Legolas knelt down whispering softly to Sam as he placed both their hands on the trunk. Sam's face was a mask of concentration then suddenly a look of wonder and surprise took over. When he finally moved his hand away there were tears in the hobbit's eyes as he looked at the others gathered around.
"What is it Sam?" Pippin asked quivering with curiosity.
"The tree," Sam replied. "It's singing."
"Everyone hold hands and just be still." Legolas murmured.
Everyone quickly gathered around joining hands. At first Gimli didn't hear anything then he became aware of a deep throbbing rhythm, like a heart beat. Suddenly song burst forth but song unlike anything he had ever heard before. It seemed to swirl around him and through him like a living thing. The words seemed to blend into images.
The tree spoke of its ancestors and how it was planted with care by a hobbit gardener. It told of summers with children playing around its trunks and falls with children playing in piles of leaves. It mourned the passing of time and the joy of spring. Of renewal and rebirth. It spoke on and on in sounds and images so strong even the youngest hobbit child could understand. Finally the song sounded fainter and fainter then faded all together.
Chapter 11
Elven Magic
Gimli watched Legolas as they headed towards their unknown destination. Looking at his friend he realized how often he gave the elf human traits, very often ignoring the pointy ears that marked his race. The natural glow that normally surrounded the elf seemed unnaturally vibrant. There was also a strangeness to the elf tonight, more of a feeling than anything tangible. It was moments like these that reminded Gimli just how inhuman the elf was.
"Look Ada!" Eldarion suddenly cried out. "In the trees!"
Gimli looked over his eyes coming upon a glowing circle of light. It was a steady light neither faltering nor flickering.
"Mer, we're in the party field." Pippin murmured to his cousin.
As they made their way closer Gimli could see the mallorn tree in the center of the circle of light. Gandalf was also waiting for them sitting beside a blazing fire and smoking his pipe. He seemed to take no notice of the group, pouring himself another drink. The whole thing seemed surreal to Gimli who well remembered his father's stories about Mirkwood.
At the outside of the circle Legolas brought everyone to a stop. "I need everyone to hold hands as we enter. You must keep your hands linked until you're inside the circle."
Quickly Legolas made sure everyone was holding hands before he took Arwen and Rose's hands and lead everyone into the light. A strange tingle passed through Gimli as he entered. Beside him little Ruby squealed in delight and surprise. Looking down Gimli was surprised to see the child's clothes had changed. No longer did the little girl wear her nightdress but a fine dress of silk and satin. Looking around he found all of their clothes had changed. He found himself wearing a rich burgundy tunic embroidered in gold. He was also barefooted. He turned and scowled at Legolas. "Dwarves do NOT go barefooted!"
Legolas raised a dark brow a smile playing around his mouth. He looked resplendent in a dark green jerkin with the same gold embroidery and a simple circlet made of wood and leaves. "This night friend dwarf, you will."
"Legolas this is beautiful." Arwen murmured kissing the other elf on the cheek. She herself wore a pale green gown with silver leaves wove into her dark hair.
"It is just beginning." Legolas clapped once raising his hands to gather everyone's attention. "There is only one rule for tonight you must not leave the circle of light. I have a simple feast set up on the table and under the mallorn I have presents for all of you. I only ask that you enjoy yourselves tonight and do not fear for no harm can come to you in here."
~*~*~*~
Aragorn nodded to Gimli and Gandalf as he joined them by the fire for a smoke. The King reached into his silver and blue tunic for the pipe that he had been given. The men folk had found new pipes under the tree for themselves, a gift from Legolas. Gimli let out a breath contentedly his eyes wondering over to where Legolas was playing with the children.
"He has outdone himself tonight." Gandalf chuckled gesturing at the elf. The overzealous children were tackling Legolas to the ground.
Gimli stroked his beard thoughtfully before turning curiously to the wizard. "Did you help him with this?"
Gandalf snorted. "You underestimate him Gimli this is all his own doing."
"He is a Sindar Prince from an old line Gimli." Aragorn added. "And elves have powers that are as old and mystifying as they are."
Legolas had recovered from his assault by the children and was now spinning Diamond around in a simple but lively dance.
"Strange creatures elves are." Gimli said fondly.
~*~*~*~
Time seemed to stand still within the cocoon of elven magic. Outside it was still dark with the stars shinning brightly, yet inside it seemed like they had been there for an eternity. Gimli remembered a similar feeling when the Fellowship had stayed in Lorien.
In the center of the gathering Legolas clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "I have one last gift for the night. Sam, come here please, this gift is mainly for you."
Sam blushed to the tips of his ears as he moved to stand beside the elf. Legolas took the hobbit's hand leading him to the base of the mallorn. Legolas knelt down whispering softly to Sam as he placed both their hands on the trunk. Sam's face was a mask of concentration then suddenly a look of wonder and surprise took over. When he finally moved his hand away there were tears in the hobbit's eyes as he looked at the others gathered around.
"What is it Sam?" Pippin asked quivering with curiosity.
"The tree," Sam replied. "It's singing."
"Everyone hold hands and just be still." Legolas murmured.
Everyone quickly gathered around joining hands. At first Gimli didn't hear anything then he became aware of a deep throbbing rhythm, like a heart beat. Suddenly song burst forth but song unlike anything he had ever heard before. It seemed to swirl around him and through him like a living thing. The words seemed to blend into images.
The tree spoke of its ancestors and how it was planted with care by a hobbit gardener. It told of summers with children playing around its trunks and falls with children playing in piles of leaves. It mourned the passing of time and the joy of spring. Of renewal and rebirth. It spoke on and on in sounds and images so strong even the youngest hobbit child could understand. Finally the song sounded fainter and fainter then faded all together.