The Tree and the Dwarf: Chapter 2
The next morning Treebeard escorted Gimli back to his companions before they had awoken. It pained him to know the dwarf was ashamed of their relationship, it was… a little different he knew. Even more strange than a dwarf and an elf becoming involved. (Which had never happened, either.) Gimli stood approximately 4 and one half feet in height, while Treebeard towered above all other living beings, his head rivalling some of the tops on the mightiest trees. Gimli being a dwarf, was not at all fond of being in high places, and would in face be very happy to live out the rest of his days underground. Treebeard could not even begin to imagine entering a mine, tunnel or anything else where the sun would not shine on his limbs, and the pure waters of the Fangorn flow through his body giving him ever sustaining life. Treebeard was saddened that they could never be that close, and he knew the relationship could never last, not in his wildest dreams would it be possible. Soon the Fellowship would move on, and Gimli would go with them of course. The two lovers would probably never see one another again. Gimli would go on to fight in battles, victorious over his foes he would return to his homeland at last, a hero amongst his kin. He would have his choice over any dwarf woman, and soon his "fling" with Treebeard in the woods would be forgotten with a new lover and the children that surely would follow. A family, something Treebeard with all his long years on Middle Earth, will never be able to possess. With the loss of the Entwives Treebeard could never hope to find another "suitable" partner. But as different as they may be, Gimli was always so sweet to him that did it really matter?
Treebeard could hear the company from his place in the woods. Legolas and Gimli were teasing one another again. He gave a long sigh, his jealousy towards the elf was obvious, no matter how he tried to hide it. Gimli would stroke his mossy beard and tell him not to worry, there was nothing between him and Legolas, only friendship. It wasn't fair though, why should he get all Gimli's attention? They can stroll in the sun together, have conversations (Treebeard's speech being a little too slow for much talking to get done), and even look at one another's face without having to use a ladder. All he and Gimli could do was gaze at one another in passionate longing, and share affections tinged with bitter remorse until the night's end.
Later he went back to his tree to wait for Gimli's return. The sun was setting now, and the forest calm. Suddenly his thoughts were distracted by footsteps. "What is it you want Master Elf?"
Legolas stood before Treebeard looking stern, arms crossed. "I don't suppose you're out for an evening stroll to converse with the forest tonight, are you Legolas?" He waited a moment before responding.
"I'm warning you now, tree. Stay away from Gimli or I'll have the forest burnt down. He's mine, got it? Oh don't look so surprised! It's obvious what's going on between the two of you. He's never in his bed at night, I found that out the hard way…" Legolas thought back to their first night in Fangorn when the darkness and frightening sounds of the forest had given him the perfect excuse to slip into Gimli's cot, which he soon found barren, cold and lonely. The previous offers of comfort and love had been washed away and replaced with bitter confusion. How could he choose Treebeard over him? It was just… unnatural. Well, so would be their relationship, but Legolas's passions were blinding him to that fact for the time being.