A/N: Sorry about the short chapter, this one is really just a segway into
the next one. Still, I hope you enjoy!
As the Leaves of Lorien Fall, Chapter 5
The late afternoon sun was pouring into the pavilion by the time Gimli had a chance to look at the new book that Galadriel had given him. He had spent most of the day walking around Caras Galadhon with Galadriel, and, despite being annoyed at the surprised looks that many of the city's residents were shooting them, had thoroughly enjoyed himself. The elf had arrived partway through the afternoon. It seemed strange, it suddenly occurred to him, that he still called Legolas "the elf" as if he were the only one, as if he wasn't in a city full of them; but that was simply how he thought of him, as the elf. He wasn't quite sure what that might mean, and he didn't really want to think about it.
Galadriel had invited the elf to walk with them, and the three of them saw the rest of the city together before she bowed off, having some business to attend to. Gimli had expected the elf to leave again, to flit off with some of his kindred, but he didn't instead he continued to walk with Gimli back to the pavilion, talking of the quest, and of the beauty of Lothlorien. Gimli was rather amazed that they had managed to go all afternoon without a single argument about the elves and the dwarves; Legolas suddenly seemed keen to avoid inflammatory subjects, and Gimli did the same. He was startled to find that, when they weren't fighting, the elf was quite easy to talk to. He knew the geography of Gimli's homeland better than any other member of the fellowship, except perhaps for Aragorn; in fact, he knew the lands around the River Running a lot better than Gimli, having lived there for thousands of years, rather than a mere eighty.
They had had supper with the rest of the Fellowship, which resulted in Gimli having to sit through several more surprised looks from them, having walked into the pavilion laughing and talking with the elf about Rollings, a fat merchant from Esgaroth well-known in the area for his comedic mishaps. There had even been an annoyingly superior, "knowing" look from Aragorn... but what he thought he knew Gimli had no idea. After supper, the hobbits asked Legolas to show them some of the city. Legolas seemed to not want to leave the pavilion and suggested that they ask Aragorn, as he was the one who had been in the city before, but they insisted, Sam even saying, irrelevantly, "... and I'm thinking, Master Legolas, that Master Gimli will be wanting the evening to look at his new books." Silly think for the hobbit to say, really, it wasn't as if the elf wanted to stay at the pavilion for his sake, he was probably just tired from walking all afternoon. But the elf had shot Gimli a very strange look before leaving with the hobbits; one that gave Gimli the confusing feeling that perhaps Sam's thought wasn't quite so silly as he'd thought. Which was silly too: he and Legolas could barely stand each other; the elf did not want to be with him! That fact comfortably settled, Gimli sat down to read Narvi's diary.
The first few entries were very interesting, all about the early construction of Khazad-dum, and the city as it had been under King Durin. It was primarily a journal of his craft, which, since Narvi was the greatest stonemason the city had produced, was stupendous. It didn't have much in the way of information on the political developments of the city: after all, Narvi was a stonemason, not a diplomat. That is, until the treaty with the elves of Hollin. Gimli tried to remember what Aragorn had said about the elves of Hollin; but all he could remember were Gandalf's words outside the Gate, about how the dwarves of Khazad-dum and the Elves of Hollin had been great friends...
It was with these entries that Narvi's construction journal became more of a diary. Where before it had been largely notes on his building projects, now Narvi included his thoughts, and feelings, and impressions, as well as a highly detailed account of events. It was so detailed, in fact, that Gimli felt as if he could see it happening right before his eyes...
Narvi looked up from his work-table as Celebrimbor entered the room. The elf-lord seemed to make the room glow, somehow. He hadn't noticed that the previous night, at the feast, but then, there were so many lights there that an elf-lord's glow might easily be missed. He grinned at his new friend and partner, and took out the drawings that he'd been working on.
"I've incorporated all the details from our talk last night," he informed Celebrimbor, once all the initial pleasantries had been dealt with. He showed the elf-lord his plans, and grinned in delight at the elf's pleased expression. They were going to be beautiful, indeed.
"These are wonderful, Narvi. I was thinking, though, that the designs upon them should be made of ithildin. That is the most beautiful of our tools for metal work. It can only be made in our forges in Ost-in-Edhil, our principal city. It would add greatly to their beauty and power. If you would, when the construction on the doors is complete, you shall come with me, and I will show you my city."
Narvi was quite excited. The dwarves were great craftsmen, and the dwarves of Khazad-dum were the best of the dwarves, but the elves' of Hollin had studied under Mahal, and had developed their skill over centuries. To study with them would be a joy any dwarf should dream of. He bowed low.
"That would be a great honour. Come, let us get started on the building, so that I may see your fair city the sooner!" He reached out to clasp Celebrimbor's arm in friendship, and felt a slight jolt go through him that he did not understand, perhaps it was something strange about elves?, and the two left together to find some workers for their gates...
Gimli quickly turned the pages. No wonder Narvi had given it to Galadriel, instead of leaving the book in the library of Khazad-dum, it contained information on the elves of Hollin as well. Perhaps he would share this book with Lord Elrond, as well. He would find it interesting, or perhaps Legolas... He turned the pages quickly eager to learn more of the story....
As the Leaves of Lorien Fall, Chapter 5
The late afternoon sun was pouring into the pavilion by the time Gimli had a chance to look at the new book that Galadriel had given him. He had spent most of the day walking around Caras Galadhon with Galadriel, and, despite being annoyed at the surprised looks that many of the city's residents were shooting them, had thoroughly enjoyed himself. The elf had arrived partway through the afternoon. It seemed strange, it suddenly occurred to him, that he still called Legolas "the elf" as if he were the only one, as if he wasn't in a city full of them; but that was simply how he thought of him, as the elf. He wasn't quite sure what that might mean, and he didn't really want to think about it.
Galadriel had invited the elf to walk with them, and the three of them saw the rest of the city together before she bowed off, having some business to attend to. Gimli had expected the elf to leave again, to flit off with some of his kindred, but he didn't instead he continued to walk with Gimli back to the pavilion, talking of the quest, and of the beauty of Lothlorien. Gimli was rather amazed that they had managed to go all afternoon without a single argument about the elves and the dwarves; Legolas suddenly seemed keen to avoid inflammatory subjects, and Gimli did the same. He was startled to find that, when they weren't fighting, the elf was quite easy to talk to. He knew the geography of Gimli's homeland better than any other member of the fellowship, except perhaps for Aragorn; in fact, he knew the lands around the River Running a lot better than Gimli, having lived there for thousands of years, rather than a mere eighty.
They had had supper with the rest of the Fellowship, which resulted in Gimli having to sit through several more surprised looks from them, having walked into the pavilion laughing and talking with the elf about Rollings, a fat merchant from Esgaroth well-known in the area for his comedic mishaps. There had even been an annoyingly superior, "knowing" look from Aragorn... but what he thought he knew Gimli had no idea. After supper, the hobbits asked Legolas to show them some of the city. Legolas seemed to not want to leave the pavilion and suggested that they ask Aragorn, as he was the one who had been in the city before, but they insisted, Sam even saying, irrelevantly, "... and I'm thinking, Master Legolas, that Master Gimli will be wanting the evening to look at his new books." Silly think for the hobbit to say, really, it wasn't as if the elf wanted to stay at the pavilion for his sake, he was probably just tired from walking all afternoon. But the elf had shot Gimli a very strange look before leaving with the hobbits; one that gave Gimli the confusing feeling that perhaps Sam's thought wasn't quite so silly as he'd thought. Which was silly too: he and Legolas could barely stand each other; the elf did not want to be with him! That fact comfortably settled, Gimli sat down to read Narvi's diary.
The first few entries were very interesting, all about the early construction of Khazad-dum, and the city as it had been under King Durin. It was primarily a journal of his craft, which, since Narvi was the greatest stonemason the city had produced, was stupendous. It didn't have much in the way of information on the political developments of the city: after all, Narvi was a stonemason, not a diplomat. That is, until the treaty with the elves of Hollin. Gimli tried to remember what Aragorn had said about the elves of Hollin; but all he could remember were Gandalf's words outside the Gate, about how the dwarves of Khazad-dum and the Elves of Hollin had been great friends...
It was with these entries that Narvi's construction journal became more of a diary. Where before it had been largely notes on his building projects, now Narvi included his thoughts, and feelings, and impressions, as well as a highly detailed account of events. It was so detailed, in fact, that Gimli felt as if he could see it happening right before his eyes...
Narvi looked up from his work-table as Celebrimbor entered the room. The elf-lord seemed to make the room glow, somehow. He hadn't noticed that the previous night, at the feast, but then, there were so many lights there that an elf-lord's glow might easily be missed. He grinned at his new friend and partner, and took out the drawings that he'd been working on.
"I've incorporated all the details from our talk last night," he informed Celebrimbor, once all the initial pleasantries had been dealt with. He showed the elf-lord his plans, and grinned in delight at the elf's pleased expression. They were going to be beautiful, indeed.
"These are wonderful, Narvi. I was thinking, though, that the designs upon them should be made of ithildin. That is the most beautiful of our tools for metal work. It can only be made in our forges in Ost-in-Edhil, our principal city. It would add greatly to their beauty and power. If you would, when the construction on the doors is complete, you shall come with me, and I will show you my city."
Narvi was quite excited. The dwarves were great craftsmen, and the dwarves of Khazad-dum were the best of the dwarves, but the elves' of Hollin had studied under Mahal, and had developed their skill over centuries. To study with them would be a joy any dwarf should dream of. He bowed low.
"That would be a great honour. Come, let us get started on the building, so that I may see your fair city the sooner!" He reached out to clasp Celebrimbor's arm in friendship, and felt a slight jolt go through him that he did not understand, perhaps it was something strange about elves?, and the two left together to find some workers for their gates...
Gimli quickly turned the pages. No wonder Narvi had given it to Galadriel, instead of leaving the book in the library of Khazad-dum, it contained information on the elves of Hollin as well. Perhaps he would share this book with Lord Elrond, as well. He would find it interesting, or perhaps Legolas... He turned the pages quickly eager to learn more of the story....