Chapter Twenty-one: Many Surprises
Síriel allowed herself to be pulled along behind her husband. She wondered who had arrived that he was extremely excited about. Many ideas went through her mind, but she could not settle her mind on any one in particular. At last, they reached the room. She let out a cry.
"Aiya!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands to her cheeks.
Legolas beamed at her impishly.
"It cannot be!" she whispered softly.
"And why cannot it be?" Gimli said, grinning widely at her.
The two embraced warmly.
"Did you come alone?" Legolas asked him.
The Dwarf shook his head.
"My father and some of my people are with me. At the moment they are surveying an area that Prince Imrahil would like us to work on." he said. "It worked out perfectly: we both arriving together."
"Indeed it did." Síriel said, though she suspected something else.
The trio of friends emerged from the room, conversing with each other. Gimli told them of all the news from the Glittering Caves, where he was now Lord. Legolas and Síriel listened with great interest as their Dwarf friend spoke. Prince Imrahil caught up to them and the foursome went to a great sitting hall. There they found Gil-celeb and Thranduil. The Elvenking's expression turned cold as he saw Gimli.
'Valar, help us!' Síriel thought to herself.
She detected a slight tension in Legolas and Gimli, and ever her sire seemed somewhat anxious in anticipation of what was to happen.
"Sire, Gil-celeb, this is Gimli, my friend from the Quest." Legolas said evenly, looking Thranduil full in the face.
Gimli bowed to Legolas' sire politely, and did not seem deterred.
"Greetings, King of Mirkwood. I have heard many pleasant things about you from your son. It is such an honor to meet you at last. Please, accept this small gift from me as a token of our meeting." the Dwarf said.
Thranduil's eyes narrowed. Most likely the Dwarf would pull out some small dagger of sorts and attempt to stab him with it. Why would no one believe him when he said that Dwarves are not to be trusted? The Elvenking placed his hand over the sheath of his dagger, ready in case the Dwarf was attempting to attack him.
But when Gimli withdrew his hand from his pocket, it was not a dagger that he held but a small pouch, which he handed to Thranduil. The Elvenking snatched it quickly from the Dwarf and opened it slowly. Then he let out a cry of surprise. Gimli winked at Legolas. For within the pouch were many jewels, green and white in color, all cut precisely and with great skill. Thranduil removed one and held it up to the sunlight, and it shined brilliantly, blinding all within the hall with its flame.
"How beautiful…" Thranduil whispered.
Gimli smiled.
"I had hoped they would please you, my lord. They are from the Glittering Caves, where I reside now." he said.
"He is its Lord, sire." Legolas added.
Thranduil looked from the jewels that he held in his hand to Gimli. He studied him carefully for some time, scrutinizing every detail. The Dwarf looked back at him evenly, but without any rudeness. He was showing the King that he was not afraid of him, but that he respected him greatly. Legolas and Síriel stood with bated breaths, uttering prayers constantly to the Valar. Gil-celeb stood passively beside Thranduil, showing nothing of what he felt on his face. It seemed that they stood there for ages before Thranduil finally spoke.
"It is well known of the long feud between both of our people, the Elves and the Dwarves." Thranduil began slowly, fingering the gems as he spoke. "There has never been great love between us, and even when we were coexisting peacefully, it never lasted long. Only your friendship with my son seems to be the only known friendship between an Elf and a Dwarf. Given our long bitter history, I wish to apologize for my improper behavior just now. And know that you are welcome henceforth into my kingdom, including your sire, who was once my prisoner."
Síriel stared blankly at Thranduil, not willing herself to believe what she had just heard. Legolas looked equally stunned, as did Gil-celeb. Thranduil looked at them with a sheepish smile. It had taken him great effort to say what he just told Gimli. Only Gimli appeared not to be surprised as he bowed again to the Elvenking.
"Truly, your kindness is very great." Gimli said.
Thranduil and Gil-celeb left the hall shortly afterwards. It was empty except for Gimli, Legolas, and Síriel. After making sure that they were truly alone, Legolas turned to Gimli.
"I cannot believe what happened just now." he said.
Síriel shook her head in disbelief.
"I knew that if I was to come here and not cause any strife between myself and your father, then I would have to do something. Long I thought about it until I came upon this solution: give him gems. Dwarves do not easily share their gems with others, Elves especially. And given the feud between us, as your father kindly reminded me, it would appear as a doomed mission from the beginning. I think that is how I managed to succeed. Oh, I had my misgivings about it as well." Gimli said.
Legolas smiled.
"Ah, I see. Truly you are brilliant. I would never have thought of something such as that." the elven Prince told his friend.
"Did you do it just for the sake of having a peaceful visit here?" Síriel asked. "Or is there another reason?"
It was Gimli's turn to smile.
"Good questions, my lady. The answer to your questions is for
both. I did not wish to fight with Thranduil, and I also want to end the long feud between us. And what better way for the son of one of his former prisoners, a Dwarf, to gift him jewels! He will think now, "Ah, a Dwarf has gifted me, an Elf, jewels, despite the fact that I imprisoned his father and the age long feud between us. My doing has many meanings and messages, and all are well meant, I assure you." Gimli answered her.
Legolas chuckled.
"Of course your intentions are pure; we know this." he said.
Gimli grunted at them in between bites. There was still plenty of food left from the feast, and the Dwarf was making sure he tested everything. Legolas poured for himself and his wife cordial. Then the trio began to visit peacefully, sharing each other's news.
"It seems your father is Thranduil's advisor." Gimli said.
Síriel laughed.
"Oh, no, he is not! They have grown close together as friends since Legolas and I left Eryn Lasgalen. Though, Thranduil has made my sire head trader for the kingdom." the half-elf said with pride.
"Ah, quite a change for him—meaning your father!" Gimli said.
Síriel nodded her head.
"Indeed, it is." she affirmed. "Tell me, is your coming here by mere chance, or was it planned?"
Gimli choked on his drink.
"Nothing escapes you, my dear!" Legolas laughed. "It was planned; I informed him that we are coming here and asked him to come as well."
"It was all his fault, nothing of my doing!" Gimli teased.
Síriel laughed. It was then that Celebrindal entered the hall.
"Pardon me, but the girls need their late afternoon meal." she said.
Síriel nodded, and hurried after her. Legolas watched her leave.
"Now I have seen your love for her." Gimli stated.
Legolas turned to him.
"Words cannot express my love for her." he said.
"Very strong it is, then, if words are not suitable, given that you are an Elf, and that Elves are very skilled with words." Gimli said.
When Gimli finished eating, the two friends left the hall. They found the others gathered in the drawing room and joined them. There they remained for the remainder of the day until it was night. Prince Imrahil ordered music to be played and danced with Celebrindal. When they finished, everyone went to rest in their rooms.