Legolas' pov

I hurry to stand and fetch the ale for Mam and Gimli, not only because I know it is traditional for the youngest family member to do so but mainly so that I can have time to compose myself. I lean for a moment or two against the kitchen table and attempt to bring my thoughts into some sort of order.

Gimli has revealed the reason for his absences over the last few evenings and it was all in an attempt to show the depth of his commitment to me and my future. How can I be so deserving of such devotion so and much love?

When Gimli accepted Adar's request to take me into his care, when we were both away from Eryn Lasgalen I knew already that he cared for me, and over the years he has shown the level of that care on many occasions, even having me adopted into his own family so that I might take a full part in dwarven life, but this, this is something beyond what I have any right to expect. Gimli has taken the ultimate step and done something that only a dwarven father can do to show their love and commitment for their child and I am the child who has been so gifted by this incredible offering.

Dwarven inking is not just a tradition. It is something much more than that and as an outsider I never even considered I might be honored in such a fashion. I have known for a long time how fortunate I was to have the support and care of my dwarf but this, this is something quite beyond what I had any right to expect.

This shows a level of love and acceptance for me that I find overwhelming. To hear Gimli explain each of the elements of the design was humbling. He has put great thought into it and how it will be perceived by others of his kin. It is his statement of intent and shows the depth of his obligation to the pledge he made to both Adar and me.

I am quite dazed and not sure how to respond but a growl from the main room reminds me that I am supposed to be fetching ale and I hurry to comply

Mam's simple toast, "To family" brings more tears to my eyes and sums up my feelings perfectly. I brush the tears away and do my best to lighten the atmosphere with a jest, over the amount of ale I am drinking, but when Gimli asks for further explanation I choose not to bring up the business of Greirr being overprotective. I do not wish to spoil our evening by complaining.

It is Mam who, perhaps seeing that I am still struggling to come to terms with what Gimli has given me, suggests that if we are to work on the locks tomorrow as Gimli has suggested then we should have an early night. Thinking about all the discomfort Gimli has gone through I am eager to see that he gets a good night's sleep so agree readily with the idea for it will also allow me time to compose myself.

I pick up the original design that Gimli used for his inking and ask if I may keep it, and having been given permission I go to my own bedchamber to prepare for bed.

Once I am alone I continue to stare down at the drawing, taking in the intricacies of the design and each of the wonderful elements that symbolize so much. My fingers trace the leaf at the top. The beauty and sophistication of the whole thing causing my breath to catch in my throat.

I would dearly love to reciprocate to show Gimli that his commitment to me is returned in full measure but how? We elves have nothing like this. I know of no elven tradition which comes even close to such a statement nothing even that marks family in such a way.

It is then that the obvious answer comes to me. I bare my right arm and stare at the pale smooth skin, then back at the drawing. Of course I know it is usual for an inking for Gimli's family is for it to be on the back, but I want it to be where I can see it and be reminded of Gimli's great love for the son of his heart and I do not think that he will mind if I alter the tradition just a little so that it suits me better.

Of course such a statement would be difficult to hide and there is also my own Adar to consider, and this gives me a little pause. What will Ada have to say should I have a tattoo inked onto my arm? But by the time he finds out it will be too late and I trust that my explanation of the necessity of it will be sufficient to dampen his disapproval if disapproval there be. Of course, perhaps Gimli will not approve either for I am not of age, but then it is possible that I will not come to adulthood until Gimli has gone to his long rest and the point of my having the inking would be wasted.

My mind having been made up I realize that I will have to find out not just how but who does the inking here in Aglarond for I know enough about it to realize that it is a specialized craft and not done by just anyone. But if I ask Gimli too many questions he might become suspicious of my motives and if he were to divine what I intent he would undoubtedly veto my plans.

I must have been sitting thinking about how I can avoid this for quite some time for there is a rap on my door and Mam enters wanting to know why I am not yet in bed and asleep.

I give a rather shaky laugh, telling her that I am still thinking about the events of the evening and she comes to sit beside me on the bed.

"Aye it is quite a thing my lad has done, but then he loves ye very much lambkin and this is his way of showing it. I am proud of him for making this choice, aye, and I am proud of my grandson too." She pulls down my head so she can kiss my brow, "Now it is time ye are in bed."

Instead of complying I ask a question.

"Is inking very painful?"

"Nay, the inker uses a slight anesthetic on the skin first. It is uncomfortable rather than painful and then from what I understand it itches until the scab dry and come off. It is probably very tender now but dwarven skin is tough and it will soon heal. The inking is done over several sessions though to help prevent any infection setting in and to ensure that the design has taken properly."

"Could it be done in one session?"

"I suppose it could if necessary. Why do ye wish to know?" she narrows her eyes a little at my questioning.

"Oh I am just curious. I suppose the person who does the work is highly skilled."

"That they are. It is a craft that is as highly revered amongst our folk and it takes many years to become proficient in it. Master Magen is training Thorûr to take his place eventually and I suspect he will prove to be very good at it."

"Magen is the tattooist?"

That is bad news for me for Thorûr's Adar is no friend of mine and is unlikely to even countenance my asking to be marked. He has little time for outworlders, as he calls those of us who live above ground, and even less time for me because I have been adopted by Gimli and can now attend dwarven ceremonies which he thinks is sacrilegious.

"Aye, although there are others who practice the art, but they are not as skilled or as careful as Magen, so sensible dwarves would rather wait and get his services than risk pain and infection. Now enough talking. If ye are to help Gimli in the morning ye must get your rest. Goodnight sweetling, may your dream path be a happy one."

I say my goodnights in return and do slip in between the sheets, but it is a while before I sleep, for I am determined that I will find a way to honor Gimli by having a tattoo done no matter how difficult it turns out to be.

And difficult it is proving to be …

Of course I did not expect to be able to find out how and where to get a tattoo straight away. My days are full for I have been working with Gimli to train the horses and mules to pull the rafts along the canal. That was not so difficult a task, since all elves have an affinity with good beasts, and the animals were quick to learn what was required of them. My biggest challenge has been getting the dwarves who will be in charge of the rafts to understand this new way of transporting goods and their responsibilities towards the animals they are making use of but I finally I think we are making headway and today the first loaded rafts made their way towards Edoras. Gimli is in council with Erkenbrand over the schedule for rafts and also over a new idea of his which features flat-bottomed barges, which would carry even more cargo and protect it more effectively from the elements. Gimli has taken his drawings and plans for these new barges and I suspect we will not see him again until very late tonight so I am going to take the opportunity to go and speak with Greirr.

I have need to take someone into my confidence, because there is no other way of finding someone in Aglarond other than Master Magen who is capable of working on a tattoo on my arm. I know there is no point in approaching Magen. He resents me and always has, ever since I was invited to attend Dorbryn and Thorûr's wedding.

Magen would undoubtedly run straight to Gimli to tell tales of me and delight in that fact should I request him to ink me. The same is true of Thorûr. Not that he would welcome my disgrace, but rather his care for me would send him to Gimli to warn him of my choices. Either way I would be denied the opportunity to honor Gimli as I wish so both scenarios are best avoided.

I arrange to meet Greirr at our favorite spot on the walls of the Keep and I take the precaution of asking for his oath to keep quiet over what I am about to tell him before I explain what it is I am planning. While he gives me a thoughtful look for this requirement he gives his word to keep any revelations on my part private.

I know when a dwarf gives such an undertaking that whatever I say will be kept confidential and not to be repeated to anyone else in this case in particular Gimli.

Having promised to keep my secrets Greirr can do no more than make plain to me how much he dislikes my plans and this he does with some gusto. Words such as foolish and downright stupid seem to fall from his lips with little effort. It is plain he disapproves and would like to put a stop to it if he could. Having given his word he is trapped by his oath, though this does not prevent him from making his views very plain.

"Legolas, you cannot be seriously contemplating such a thing," he scolds, "minors are not allowed to be marked in any way never mind a full tattoo such as you describe."
"If I wait until I come of age by elven standards there will be no point in doing it at all" I snap, "and anyway I am not a minor. I am over eight hundred years old."

Greirr is unimpressed by this logic, "I do not think Uncle Gimli will think that to be a reasoned argument, Las. He knows better than most the difference between age and maturity especially where you are concerned."

He looks at me in a way that makes me feel like the veriest elfling, and then he adds sententiously. "Nor do I believe he will ever forgive me if I aid you in this endeavor. What is more Grandfather Magen certainly will not agree to the inking."

Greirr seems to think this argument is unanswerable but I already have an answer to that particular claim.

"I know that, but there are others who might. Mam mentioned them last night. All I need you to do is point out the dwarves to me I will do the rest, that way you will not be blamed at all, so there is no need to look so worried."

"I am not worried Las. I am terrified because I am bound to be implicated. Everyone will know who has aided you and then my rear end will be tattooed in its own right. Don't do it Legolas please. Not just to save my backside but because it could be dangerous."

"Nonsense," I reply sharply, rather disappointed by Greirr's lack of enthusiasm for my plans. "All will be well and what is more, you might recall that when you decided to go rafting I did not try and talk you out of it."

Greirr seems not to approve of my reminding him of this but fair is fair after all and it does stop him making further objections.

I ignore his snort and instead ask him who he might know who might be able to do the service I require for the sooner it is done the better and the less likely it is that I will be found out before it is too late to put a stop to it.

With Greirr's reluctant cooperation assured I spend the next day happily helping out with whatever Gimli needs, but I can hardly wait for the evening and an opportunity to meet up with the dwarven miners who Greirr tells me are the ones who can and do occasionally tattoo themselves and who might be persuaded with the right remuneration to consider inking me.

When Greirr points them out to me in the main hall I begin to have doubts over my plans. They are laughing and drinking and do not seem aware of the disapproving looks their raucous behavior is causing. Once again Greirr does his best to dissuade me from approaching them but I have come too far not to follow through so I step up to their table and offer them a polite bow.

"Good evening," Their conversation stops and they look up at me and then at each other,

"We have no love for your kind elf" one begins, but the other puts a hand on the first one's arm whispering urgently, "mind your mouth Dorin. This is Lord Gimli's companion from the quest, and his honored guest. Without his help Aglarond itself might have been lost to us aye and maybe the whole of Middle Earth as well. Ye are welcome Prince Legolas. Sit ye down and share a flagon of ale with us."

"Thank you" I settle into an empty seat and take the tankard that is offered to me before signaling for another jug of ale to be brought to the table. I wait until we have all drained the first tankard, before I bring up the reason I am there by admiring a tattoo that one of the miners is sporting on the back of his hands. I ask about the meanings behind them and as the beer goes down so the miners become more loquacious and they are keen to boast about their handiwork. One shows me a tattoo of Smaug. The dragon's tail is wrapped about his wrist while the body and head go up his arm. I say all that I think is proper about the design, dropping in the fact that I saw Smaug attack Lake town and helped in rescuing the folk there."

"Your designs are very different from the ones I have observed on Gimli. Were they done here or Erebor?"

"This one was done under the mountain," the dwarf called Floin says revealing a rather unpleasant tattoo of an Orc head.

"Did Master Magen work on them?"

I know the answer to that of course but it provides me an opening for my real reason for being here.

"Old Magen" Dorin snorts, "not likely. He only ever works on traditional designs. No we did these ourselves."

Once again I admire their handiwork and then casually ask if they are open to the idea of tattooing someone else.

"Aye if the coinage is right." Floin answers "Mind we have to be careful for there are many elders who do not approve of our more modern designs. Consider it sacrilege if ye would believe it, old fools!"

I take the paper design that contains Gimli's pattern from my tunic and lay it on the table, "could you, for instance, do something such as this?"

Floin and Dorin scrutinize it closely "Aye it would be a challenge but I think it could be done" Dorin lifts a bushy eyebrow, "are ye thinking of having this done?"

"I am" I nod, "I wish to honor Lord Gimli, but Master Magen would not entertain the notion."

I hope that by adding this the miners will be more sympathetic towards my request and it seems to work for they exchange looks then nod.

"Well we are not so full of starch as Magen. I reckon we can do it, if ye are sure."

"I am and I am happy to pay whatever price you deem appropriate. I would only ask that it is done as swiftly as possible and that you mention it to no one until it is complete. It is to be a surprise." I hurry to add when they begin to look a little dubious at my stipulations.

"Then we had better settle on a price." Floin announces, "for a proper contract must be made between us. Ye are happy for it to be a verbal one?"

Once again I nod and negotiations begin, for dwarves like nothing more than to haggle over contract arrangements. Another flagon of ale disappears before we have come to an agreement over payment. Once we have all shaken hands I ask when it can be done.

Dorin drains his mug and slams it down on the table.

"No time like the present to begin it," he pronounces and lurches to his feet, "come along, lad, let us get this surprise of yours underway."

"Now?"

"Aye, why not? We can ink out an outline tonight and work on the main design tomorrow. Ye do want it done?"

"Of course," I answer although I am beginning to have second thoughts, but stubbornness is not just a dwarven characteristic and I will not allow myself to back out now and look foolish. "You are quite right. The sooner it is begun the sooner it will be done."

I follow them out into the hallway waving to Greirr who all the time I have been talking has been hovering at the edge of the room He hurries to my side taking my arm and begging me to think again.

"It is not too late."

I pull my arm away, "You will not dissuade me Greirr, and really there is no need for this concern. I am only going to look at some more of their work." This is a lie but I can see he is genuinely alarmed, and I do not want him running to Gimli with the tale. "I will not be long."

"Then I will come with you."
"No, that is not necessary. You ought to stay out of this. It is not your concern and I do not wish you to be blamed for what is my decision. I will see you later."

I hurry off after the miners and do not look back to see what Greirr is going to do.

Dorin's quarters are quite a long way back in the cave system. Their rooms when they usher me in, are cluttered and none too clean. The smell is almost over powering but I force myself to step inside. Another flagon of ale appears then Floin clears the table by the simple expedient of sweeping an arm across it knocking everything to the floor. Then he pulls out a leather box from which he draws needles and pots of inks.

"Sit ye down, lad, and bare that arm of yours."

He waves me to a seat and I sink down into it, removing my tunic and pushing up my shirt sleeve.

"I have never seen skin so smooth," he brushes a calloused finger over my forearm. "Ye are certain this will not do ye any harm?"

I am not at all certain now it comes to it, but I swallow and say, "elves heal very swiftly and have a high pain threshold."

"That is good. Here have a swallow of this," he offers me a flask which smells of very strong liquor, "it will take the edge off."

He pulls my arm towards him. I do my best to relax my muscles as Floin waves a needle just above my skin and he discusses with his brother where they should start. Floin and Dorin continue to converse, each discussing the elements of the design. I am beginning to regret my hasty decision to agree to start the inking tonight, for it is plain my would be tattooists are drunk and the disorder and the dirt all around me is causing me to wonder about how likely it is that the needle that Floin is holding is clean.

A hammering on the outer door makes all of us jump Floin drops the needle and Dorin knocks over one of the ink bottles over my arm I am cleaning it off when a very familiar and very angry voice demands entry. I roll down my sleeve and push my arm into my tunic just as Floin opens the door.

"Lord Gimli welcome," he stutters, as the irate Lord of Aglarond, storms past him into the cramped room. He looks from me to the others and then down at the disordered table.

"What in Mahal's name?" he thunders as he sees the sketch of his design amongst the debris and picks it up. His eyes flash as he looks at the dwarves and I know I have to speak up before he takes his ire out on them so I rush into speech.

"This is entirely my doing Gimli. Master Floin and Master Dorin are not to blame for any of this. I asked them to work a tattoo for me. They were not to know you would disapprove."

"Disapprove? Ye thought I might disapprove?" Gimli's voice is now deceptively quiet which often presages an explosion, so I hurry on.

"It was my wish to honor you by having a tattoo like the one you had. It was to be a surprise."

"Is what Prince Legolas says true?" he growls at the others.

"It is Lord Gimli. We would not have done anything otherwise."

"Did ye know he is underage?"

Floin blanches at this news but I step in once again.

"I gave them the impression that I was old enough to have the tattoo done." I see this admission has done nothing to appease Gimli but I feel that it is necessary to say it.

"Get yourself home now."

"I … Gimli … saes."

"I will be there shortly. Do as ye are bid."

He turns me easily and pushes me towards the doorway and seeing the expression in his eyes I decide that it will be wiser to leave now before his hold on his temper slips.

I find Greirr waiting for me and I give him a scathing look, for it is plain that he was the one who told Gimli what was happening. He merely shrugs and follows me back up through the caves. He does not even attempt to defend himself when I demand to know why he broke his word to me.

I push into the main room and go straight on past Mam who is looking concerned, closing the door to my room with rather more force than is necessary.

I rub at my arm which is itching, and when I raise my shirt sleeve. I see that where the ink covered my arm that blisters are beginning to form, I wring out a cloth in water and dab at it, easing it a little. I wonder just what Gimli will have to say when he returns but I am determined on one thing. I will not apologize for wanting to honor my beloved guardian no matter the consequences.