The feast was wonderful. Of course, after 30 years of visits, you'd think the feasts would grow less in splendor. But no, they only increased.
No longer were Thranduil and the Elves curious about the relationship between the two unlikeliest of companions. There were some unfriendly reactions and snide comments, but no one would dare insult Princ Legolas Greenleaf. At least not out loud.
The Elven Prince stood silently, watching the sun rise. It rose like a drop of honey, dropping from a bottle, slowly but surely.
Gimli walked up behind the Prince, stepping as lightly as was the Elf's wont. His efforts, though, were in vain.
"I could hear you from the time you stepped over the threshold of your room." Legolas chided. "Try not to step on any twigs, next time."
"An' I tried so hard." Gimli shrugged. "Maybe I'll get it nex' time."
Legolas smiled. "I strongly doubt that."
...
Elves watched the pair as they strode through the forest. They should have gotten used to it by now, seeing the two together, but the sight of a Dwarf and an Elf chatting amiably was still far too uncommon.
They continued chatting as they exited Mirkwood. Greenwood now, Gimli reminded himself. Over the years, he had gotten used to his father calling it Mirkwood, and bad reports of Mirkwood. Now, though, it was green and beautiful, with little beams of golden sunlight seeping through the branches.
"So, ta Erebor we go." Gimli sighed with relief. Elves were nice, and all, but they were just too polite. It was unnatural, how polite they were. At least Dwarrows weren't afraid to speak their minds. Elves, well, they could hold a grudge and never let the slightest hint of it escape. Drowned in their bloody politeness.
Sunbeams danced across their path, striping them with beams of light.
"I believe so, my young friend." Legolas smiled down at his companion.
"Well, my tall friend, I think I may be a bi' more mature than ya. After all, I am consider an adul'."
Legolas smirked. "Well, my short friend, I don't really think you are more mature than me. After all, I have centries of experiences, opposed to your measly hundred and fifty years."
A sigh escaped from Gimli. "I suppose, bu' I can still best ya in a sword fight."
"I doubt that."
...
The great mountain loomed through gaps in the trees. They still had a ways to go, but Gimli was glad to see the end of the trees. It meant no more Elves watching them and inwardly critizing Legolas's choice of traveling companions.
There was nothing the pair couldn't face together, not orcs, not a dragon, not stares.
"I hope there're some orcs on the way. I feel the need ta hew some necks after all the time in tha' forest o' yours." Gimli smiled at the thought. "The Elves were too bloody polite and they stared afta us." He wasn't afraid to say things about the Elvish nature in front of Legolas. The Elf Prince understood it all too well.
"That would be nice. They are far too polite, but underneath their façade, they were simmering with discontent. Why? I know our friendship is odd, but they should have gotten used to it by now. It makes no sense."
Gimli sighed. "It doesn'. Bu' when do Elves ever make sense?"
There was no answer to that. It was rhetorical.
"Now, if some orcs will stick their ugly heads out of the ground, I would enjoy separating their ugly heads from their ugly necks." Legolas looked around. "I imagine, if they ever do, I would get more than you."
The Dwarf shook his head. "And I doubt that strongly."
Please review! They honestly do make me write faster. I'd also greatly appreciate ideas for the next chapters, as my plot bunny was eaten by my cat. Gandalf is still in my closet, and he's getting very bored. After all, I only have over two hundred books in there. Thank you for your reviews. If you have a question, ask away and I'll try to answer it. Oh yes, I'm trying to write longer things, but the words just aren't flowing. Thank you, Goldie! If you think there's anything romantic between Legolas and Gimli, you need to get your mind out of the gutter! I know I'm writing it as if it is that way, but it isn't. I promise.
Long author's note, sorry. The repetitive endings are on purpose. This only took me four days, but spread out...