Autumn and spring in love!

Author's Note: Legolas/Gimli, the only slash pairing I read (no that's a lie, I read Lindir and Elrohir, but that's it!) I am not quite sure where I'm going with this fic, but hey! Things shall come to me as time progresses. Inspired by advice from Alma's Muse and The Axe and Bow: drabble collection. (Well some parts of the drabble collection!) Enjoy!

I have come up with a compromise in this story. I have always imagined Legolas with golden hair, but he had GREEN eyes. So in this fic his hair is silken, spun gold. And his eyes deep, forest, emerald green.

Fair?

Pairing: Legolas/Gimli and implied Lindir/Elrohir…

This story contains slight… SLIGHT! SO SLIGHT IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY! DO NOT BE PUT OFF! VERY, VERY, VERY! SLIGHT! ... L/A

Warnings: Slash for certain! Oh yes!

Rating: M

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JRR Tolkien. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended. And I did not write the first little bit. That is 'Hallucination' by Cheysuli from the Axe and Bow drabble collection. No money made, no harm intended.

Chapter two- Fears and confessions

Hallucination

Aragorn stared at the scene in front of him.

He was obviously hallucinating, how else could he explain it? It wasn't real.

He blinked.

Nope. Still there.

He closed his eyes and turned away, leaning against a tree. He was exhausted, that was it. He was going mad from the lack of rest. Or maybe he was dehydrated. He was feeling a bit thirsty.

He banged his head against the tree, trying to knock some sense back into him, before turning around to face the hallucination.

Lying there, sound asleep, was a dwarf and an elf.

And they were cuddling.

By Cheysuil


Gimli clutched tightly onto Legolas. The horses ran swiftly, it seemed to the dwarf that they would never reach the speed Gandalf wished them to. The journey was rough and uncomfortable for the dwarf clinging helplessly to an elf, riding on a white horse named Arod.

Gimli raised his arms slightly to feel the steady beat of an immortal heart. Legolas smiled at this. He wished to take the hands, but he feared of slowing down. Instead, he sent a stream of golden locks over the dwarfs face as he tossed his hair back.

Gimli nuzzled into the golden silk. The dwarf hesitated a moment, then he gently blessed the long elf hair with a light kiss.

They halted outside Edoras and Legolas clasped a dwarvern hand in his. Gimli squeezed the elf's hand, and let his other hand gently rest on Legolas's thigh. The young Prince smiled and felt glad to have this brief tender moment. And in this moment, Legolas felt a spark of hope that Maybe, just maybe! Gimli might return his feelings.

They entered the village of Edoras and Gimli loosened his grip on Legolas's body. Legolas sighed silently, in his head he began planning what he would say to Gimli later. Talk the dwarf into more; tell Gimli that last night he was not just looking for a goodnight kiss. The elf wanted a mate, someone who would love him and care for him. A person who was dearer than a brother to him, a companion for his life. And a companion for his bed.


Legolas entered his provided room and looked around. It was comfy certainly, and after days of running after the party of Uruks followed by only a few hours of rest after Mithrandirs' return to them, the elf would have gladly slept on the cold stone steps outside the halls.

Legolas sat on the bed and smiled. Despite being an elf, he felt drowsy and was about to lie down, when he saw something that to him was most terrifying! He screamed loudly and jumped on top of his bed. His scream was one obviously male, deep and such, but still piercing and worrying when heard.

Aragorn and Gimli burst through the door. Legolas blushed with humiliation when he saw that Aragorn had drawn his sword and Gimli had his axe ready.

"Legolas! What happened? Are you alright?" Aragorn asked, his eyes flicking around the room for danger but failing to see any.

Legolas shut his eyes and tilted his head back in humiliation as Aragorn and Gimli followed the path of his eyes and discovered what had made the elf screech. The dwarf chuckled loudly. Aragorn grinned cheekily and sheathed his sword whilst Gimli propped his axe agenised the wall.

"So Master elf." Gimli began, grinning at the humiliated elf. "You have faced multiple orcs and Uruk-kai, a cave troll and even a Balrog since the start of this quest! And this is what sets you screaming!" Gimli and Aragorn eyed the reasonably large house spider that was sitting calmly on the floor. Aragorn had always known Legolas was arachnophobic, and continued to laugh at the elf that was glaring at him.

"No." Legolas replied. "A strange bird flew past the window!" Legolas was still determined to prove Gimli wrong, as was the elf and dwarfs constant game.

"Indeed." Gimli smirked. "In that case you can come down now, the bird has departed. I also want to see you hold this creature." He nodded towards the spider.

"Yes of course!" Legolas spluttered nervously. He edged along the wall to the edge of the bed. He swallowed as he tried to get himself to jump of the bed, not knowing he was shaking with nerves.

The spider suddenly crawled, rather quickly, a foot or two closer to the bed! This caused Legolas to shriek again and jump back the steps he had taken across the bed.

"Be silent!" He yelled at the man and dwarf in hysterics. "Stop it! It is NOT funny! Stop it!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes and shook his head at Legolas. He casually walked over and let the spider crawl into his hands. Smiling at Legolas, he jolted his cupped hands towards the elf making him jump back… of the bed!

Legolas smacked his head agenised the wall and groaned lightly in pain.

"Are you alright my friend?" Aragorn asked, still being silly with the spider but concerned for his friend.

"That depends." Legolas replied, not moving from his position.

"On what?" Aragorn asked.

"On whether the creature has gone!"

Aragorn and Gimli laughed again, making Legolas cringe with humiliation.

Aragorn sighed with a grin still on his face, and carried the spider in his hands out of the elf's room.

"It's gone Legolas!" Gimli said calmly to Legolas, who was huddled in a ball, his eyes and ears covered, on the floor. Gimli chuckled one last time and offered a hand to help his friend up.

Legolas sat up and looked at Gimli, who was grinning wildly. Legolas smiled weakly and took his friends hand. The dwarf hauled Legolas to his feet.

Legolas rubbed the back of his neck, which was still aching for his fall. "Thank-you Gimli." He whispered. He began clinging to the dwarf for support, his nerves wrecked with fear. Then Legolas finally collapsed on the bed, not releasing Gimli as he did so.

Aragorn re-entered after disposing of the spider out a window, he laughed again as he saw a shaky Legolas, crushing a poor and uncomfortable dwarf!

"It is gone Legolas." Aragorn said calmly. He grinned at Legolas. "It is safely outside."

"You can let go of me now!" Gimli grumbled. Legolas shook his head.

"Not yet." The elf replied. He sat up slightly and braided a few small braids in Gimlis' beard in an attempt to calm himself. Gimli did not protest surprisingly, but was obviously annoyed and uncomfortable.

"A bit of an overreaction I must say my friend." Aragorn said to the elf, who bit his bottom lip in embarrassment. "Spiders can be very small creatures, completely harmless!"

"Can be Aragorn, can be." Legolas replied in a stubborn fashion. He shuddered when he remembered being bitten by a Mirkwood spider when Larien had convinced him to confront his fear. Luckily Larien had killed the spider and dragged Legolas back to his father.

"There are creatures that are terrifying, and fearful." Strider continued. "Some of which you have confronted many times."

"Orcs are not as…" Legolas tried to think of a way to put it. "As… creepy!"

"Creepy!" Gimli echoed. "To you, a tiny harmless insect is creepy! To you a tiny harmless insect is terrifying and worth jumping up and screaming in fear over." Gimli shook his head. "Elves!" He muttered. Legolas scowled and tugged on the dwarf's beard in response.

Aragorn chuckled. He sighed and made the decision to leave the elf and dwarf alone. As he walked down the hall, he pondered over what he had seen this morning. It was not a hallucination! It was a real sight. What he had seen just now confirmed that Legolas indeed felt comfort in being near the dwarf.

Aragorn had known, shortly after meeting Legolas, that the elf felt nothing in the fairer sex. The man knew nothing about Gimlis sexual preferences, only that he had felt something for the Lady Galadriel and what he had seen this morning. And of course what Mithrandir had told him.

The man decided to make nothing of it himself, but to let the elf and the dwarf decide things amongst themselves. If they did find love in one another, so be it. If Legolas was rejected and Gimli hated him for the rest of his life and left Legolas broken and weeping…

Well maybe he should get involved then.

If Legolas revealed his feelings, then what was left of the fellowship could either be stronger than ever imagined, or break again causing tears and pain.

Well after what had happened between him and Legolas years ago, their friendship had not weakened. Strider when through his head over what had happened between him and the elf…

Sixty years ago…

Legolas had come to Rivendale with his adopted daughter Larien, to simply get away from his brothers and Father. Legolas knew that in Rivendale almost everyone knew who he really was and he rather wanted to seek pleasure in a lover without having to sneak around and hide from his family.

Strider had met Legolas before this occasion and had gotten to know the young Prince as a friend. But Aragorn knew that this elf had light feelings for him. Light feelings beyond friendship.

But Aragorn also knew that Legolas knew that Aragorn found pleasure in the fairer sex, so the blond Prince left him be.

During this particular visit of Legolas and Larien, came an evening when Aragorn was silently sitting down with his wine, watching the dancers dance. Legolas was watching and laughing near by, as his daughter was dancing with Elladan son of Elrond.

Larien was blushing and shy as the elf-lord spun her and danced with her.

Legolas, Elrohir and Aragorn cheered at the end of the dance, when Elladan leaned in and lightly kissed the young Mirkwood Princess. Larien giggled and blushed furiously.

The musicians had decided to take a break, so Larien went back to her father. They started whispering and giggling together.

Elrohirs' lover Lindir snuck up behind him and wrapped his arms around Elrohir's waist. He propped his head on Elrohir's shoulder and nuzzled into his neck.

"Sorry I'm late." Lindir whispered into the leaf of his lover's ear. He thought he had gotten away with licking the ear lightly, but he did not and Estel and the Prince and Princess laughed lightly.

"I would rather you be late, then be on time but in the band." Elrohir replied. He turned around to kiss Lindir. "I'm glad to see you got out it."

"I have been working all day all over the house of Elrond just to get out of it." Lindir said. "Random tasks that I have only just finished."

"You are here now." Said Elrohir and kissed his lover more deeply than before.

The musicians resumed their posts and the dancers returned to the dance floor. Lindir dragged Elrohir and Elladan yet again asked Lady Larien to dance. The young elf-girl was to shy and sweet to refuse.

Legolas watched his friends and his adopted child go on to the dance floor. He smiled to himself and held out his hand to Aragorn. Aragorn looked up at the Prince. He did not want to hurt the elf's feelings by refusing; besides this elf was his friend and it did not have to come to anything. So he took Legolas's hand.

One dance lead to another, glasses of wine and pints of ale in-between.

Aragorn awoke the next morning with a pounding headache and a blond elf in his bed.

Legolas had understood that this was a drunken mistake, but he was still hurt by it.


Now…

Gimli stared at the beauty of the elf lying next to him, fingering the elf's silky hair as he gazed into the sparkling eyes. Legolas sighed.

"I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now Gimli." He said.

"What about?" The dwarf replied. A spark of hope sparked in his head, but it quickly faded as he realised the spark was but a dream.

"I do not know where to begin." Legolas continued. "I know what I wish to say, but I feel unable to say it." He shut his eyes as tears welled up in them. "Since Lórien everything has changed so much! But not so much the fellowship or the world, but my life and my hearts direction. I doubt you will like to hear what wells up in my heart, what I must try and cast out in my voice."

Gimli took the elf's hands, so soft and white, and kissed them lightly.

"I will listen to every woe or trouble you have my friend." He said. "I have grown fond of you, I enjoy your company and the sound of your voice eases me. There is nothing you can say that will change that."

Legolas smiled weakly, but tears continued to fall from his eyes. He took a deep breath and continued.

"I have never hated you Gimli, we have never been enemies in true sense of word. At first we disliked each other, warped by the rumors and stories told to us by those we trust and love. But now… after all we have been through… I believe I could truly call you my dear friend."

"You could." Gimli whispered. Legolas smiled.

"And for that my heart feels glad." Legolas continued. "But I have never known another like you Gimli. I have known other dwarves. When your father was imprisoned in my father's dungeons, I and Larien watched from a distance. Larien was curious of your father. And once or twice I heard her whisper your name. I took this as a warning, and became cautious of you. But now I realise, that Larien had foreseen truly the opposite of hate."

"And what is it you mean by that elf?" Gimli asked.

Legolas's cute nose wrinkled.

"Please do not spoil what I am saying by insisting on calling me that!" He said. "You know I have a name, I would appreciate it if you used it."

Gimli nodded.

"My nightmare Gimli." Legolas continued, he swallowed and tears shone in his eyes. "You were hurt, dead if not close to it. I cannot bare the thought of you hurt. Your mortality troubles me, that any day you may be stolen away by cold arms. The idea of the death of Aragorn, or the hobbits, or even myself. Nothing troubles me as much as the death of you my dear friend."

Gimli blinked. He lay there motionless, unable to move or speak. He eventually managed to choke out one word. "Why?"

Legolas was unable to look into the dwarf's eyes. But eventually the sparkling green eyes looked at the dwarf. "I care for you more than I should. Last night I kissed you, for that very reason. I… I have… I have fallen in love with you!"

Legolas shut his eyes and turned the other way. Gimli stared at the elf's back and he sighed. He sat up and laid his hand gently on Legolas's hip.

"Dear Legolas." He whispered. "Dear, dear Legolas. An elf, a male elf at that. Tall and slim, long golden hair, those… elf-like green-eyes. You are beautiful in every way. More so than the lady. Our races hate each other! And more than that our families in particular hate each other! And that's why it came as such a shock to me when I realised… that I love you!"

Legolas opened his eyes.

"I love you too Legolas." Gimli said again. "I love you… I love you…"

Legolas turned around and sat up. He gazed into Gimli's eyes smiling. "Such a very elf-like speech, I am impressed my friend." He replied. "You are not like the stories Neldorion and My father tell me. You are the opposite in fact. You are not so very different to an elf in the way you think and act, assuming that does not offend you."

"I does not my friend." Gimli whispered, he took Legolas's hands. "For you are not so very different to a dwarf in some ways. The tales I have been told, they all disappear before my eyes… when I see you."

Legolas could think of no response other than to kiss the dwarf soundly on the mouth. Gimli returned the kiss, a little nervous but with affection. The kiss deepened and Gimli buried his hand in the elf's hair.

When Legolas broke the kiss, he looked at the dwarf in a serious manner.

"There is Gimli… one rumor I am concerned about." He said. "Neldorion told me and Larien strange tales about… dwarvern… love!"

Gimli looked at the elf strangely, his eyes demanding he go on.

Legolas continued. "Neldorion says that… that dwarves do not take pleasure in the touch of hands, the heat of a bed or nights of passion. Even an elf like me will admit that such practices are found to continue a race. My brother tells me that your kind carve your children out of stone thus continuing your race. That your kind holds no such creatures as females. And yet I now know that you are capable of love. Gimli my love, what do you make of these tales?"

Gimli blushed and chuckled loudly. "Where do elves hear such things?!" He exclaimed. He sighed at Legolas and looked into his eyes. "That is not true! My race has females, of course we do! But… I suppose I best admit that we do only love once in our lives. My race will not just sleep with someone for their beauty, or for just any love. It is only practical for a dwarf, to only share a luxurious bed, with a partner in his or her marital bond." Gimli sighed. "Here, I make an exception. But I am telling you this so you will realise that I will never leave you, and if for any reason I am without you… I will not take another lover."

Legolas closed his eyes for a second, letting the information sink it. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Gimli with a gleam. "I will happily give you a taste of this night." Legolas whispered. "If you are willing to sacrifice yourself to me, then let us christen this bed."

Gimli blushed. His throat caught causing him to clear it. Legolas cupped Gimli's face and forced Gimli to look at him.

"I understand if you are nervous my friend, my love." The elf whispered. "We are all born with the joy and shame of a white robe. Some of us die wearing it. But once it is cast aside you feel no depression. Once it is cast aside… your love for your lover delves deeper." Legolas lightly kissed Gimli. "If you wish I shall be gentle."

Gimli ran his hand through Legolas's hair and nodded.

They kissed for minutes on the clock. Not even stopping to draw breath. Just being this close made Gimli gasp.

Gimli felt a rush of nerves through his body as Legolas untied the fastenings on his shirt. The dwarf had removed his amour, before rushing to the elf's aid to save him from the perilous spider. Gimli almost laughed when he remembered the reason why he came to Legolas's room in the first place. But he could not laugh, not while a sweet pale hand was caressing, and so close to, his skin.

"These tend to get in the way." Legolas whispered, referring to their clothes. He sat back and pulled his own shirt over his head.

Gimli gazed at the elf's smooth, hairless chest. His eyes drinking in the sight. Legolas was beautiful, pale and muscular. Gimli saw a gleam in Legolas's eyes. One he had not seen before. It shone, displaying hunger and need, passion and fire and always grace and beauty. His smile was sweet, a secret look kept only for the one who truly deserved his heart. Gimli.

Legolas pulled Gimli close and whispered into his ear. "Now, are you happy with what you see?" Gimli nodded. Legolas continued. "If I am moving to fast for you, then let me know. But…" Legolas tugged at Gimli's clothing.

Gimli lay back and let Legolas remove his jerkin and shirt. He became very nervous. What if Legolas could not love a body do different to his own? Would an elf enjoy the sight and feel of body hair and such a different form?

"Oh Gimli." Legolas whispered. "You are beautiful."

Those words set Gimlis' mind at rest for a bit.

When Legolas began stroking from his chin to his chest and down the narrowing stripe of hair on his belly to his waist. All thought of explanation fled, leaving nothing but a desire to curl around Legolas and beg for more. Legolas repeated the stroke, seemingly fascinated by the texture and feel. Gimli laid his hand on Legolas's chest in turn, earning a smile from the elf, though he did not seem to find it as overwhelming as Gimli did.

Gimli copied Legolas's stroke, shivering as he felt the smooth skin of the elf's chest, all hair fine and invisible. He brought his hand up to feel the beat of an immortal heart. At this thought tears came to his eyes, but Legolas eased them away with a light kiss.

The dwarf let his hand stray down from flesh to cloth and over Legolas's groin. Legolas moaned and Gimli snatched his hand back as if it burned.

"I am sorry! Did I hurt you? Legolas--." Tears came to his eyes.

Legolas laid a finger on his lips to silence him. "I am not hurt, my friend. My love. That was pleasure, not pain." Gimli dared to look up and meet his eyes. There was no doubt in his eyes, only love and concern and a light that could only be desire. Gimli sighed.

"I do not know what to do!" He admitted. "All I know is what I see is beauty and I wish to caress it. But I know not how to."

Legolas laid a finger on Gimlis' lips to silence him. "Shall I show you?"

"Tell me what to do," Gimli said smiling. "In this I am your apprentice."

The elf nuzzled deep into Gimli's beard, biting and sucking at a nipple. Gimli gasped as the elf's mouth moved downwards leaving a trail of fiery kisses and licks.

Legolas's wandering hands paused at the fasteners of Gimli's breeches. He flicked his eyes up to Gimlis' and waited motionless. Finally Gimli nodded. Perhaps Legolas was right to do this quickly. The elf was still waiting, watching his face. Only after Gimli smiled and nodded again more firmly did Legolas unfasten his breeches and help him wiggle out of the rest of his clothing.

"Oh my dwarf, my love." Legolas said slowly, drinking in the sight. Beautiful to his eyes was the stout body and thick hair. "I half fear to bare myself, with the comparisons that will doubtless come!" He smiled a little, wanting to put Gimli at ease.

Gimli grinned and ran his hands through his lover's hair, unable to think of a response. Legolas crawled back up and swarmed Gimli, kissing his lover passionately. Gimli gasped at the sensation of flesh against flesh, flesh against cloth. His breathing quickened and he moaned deeply with pleasure.

Legolas smiled and his teasing hand yet again wondered down below the dwarf's waist, wrapping long fingers around his organ. He stroked down the shaft from crown to root and then back up to run his thumb over the tip. It felt so good and the dwarf cried out. Legolas continued stroking, a slow, steady movement. Legolas was watching his face with an avid, almost hungry look. "Legolas!" Gimli cried. "Please!"

With a gentle smile on his face, Legolas kissed his way down Gimli's chest. Tasting the flesh and now sweat of the dwarf.

Gimli gasped. He was not expecting a long pink tongue to dart out and lick him.

Legolas kissed and licked, he swirled his tongue round the sensitive head of the dwarf's shaft. Legolas drew the dwarf into the back of his throat tasting the flesh of his lover.

Gimli called out, remembering where they were he attempted to stifle his cries but found himself unable to. Legolas released him and laid a finger on his lovers' lips to silence him, the elf laughed at Gimlis' expression.

"My darling." He whispered. "Shall I show you what generally comes next? Or do you feel yourself un-ready and wish to continue this touching for now?"

Gimli looked a little confused. "To be honest I am unsure what more there could be than this. What else can there be?"

"As I have asked already." Legolas replied. "Shall I show you? Any discomfort will be obvious for me to feel…"

After a moments thought, Gimli nodded. "Show me, do not wait for discomfort. Just show me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Then my dwarf, I shall show you."

Legolas lay there for a while playing with Gimli's nipple and swirling his finger round the sensitive flesh the surrounded it. He stretched his head up to kiss Gimli, and his wondering hand yet again wandered down to the dwarf's genitals. Already, Gimli was use to the pleasurable hand and loved its touch. The dwarf then dared to reach his own hand and touch Legolas. He could see the pleasured sparkle in the elf's eye as he stroked him. It made him feel peaceful and loved, and the elf the same.

But Gimli stiffened again briefly, as Legolas's fingers slipped back and one of them wriggled into his most private entrance. What males could do with each other, flooded into his mind.

Legolas looked into his eyes. He whispered into Gimlis' ear. "Are you alright my love?" He asked. Gimli nodded. "You will like this, I promise." The elf whispered. Gimli smiled and kissed Legolas.

Gimli let the elf roll him onto his stomach, he felt Legolas lay kisses along his spine and a cute nose nuzzle in-between his cheeks. Gimli felt a pink pointy tongue circle around his entrance, it felt strange and he instinctively wanted to move away. But he did not; as the sensation was not one he wished to give up.

Legolas ran his tongue down the deep separation and lingered slightly over the entrance he sought. He smiled as he felt Gimli clench and then relax. He waited a few more seconds, and then began licking deeper in, probing the dwarf's entrance. Gimli shifted up, trying to get the feeling deeper within. There was gentleness in Legolas's probing tongue, but also strength. Gimli let that strength hold him now, as he collapsed within sensation.

Legolas reached his tongue inside the dwarf's body, circling inside the passage. The elf pulled away, not wanting to scare the dwarf. But he would teach more of this another night.

He placed his hands under Gimlis' ribs and pulled him up. Legolas wetted a finger in his mouth and sought Gimli's entrance. One finger was followed by two, shortly three.

"Gimli, are you ready for me?" He whispered.

"I am fine elf, I mean Legolas!" Remembering he had had enough reminders to call Legolas by his name. "I am ready my love, more than ready. I wait, I ache, I will be begging for you to proceed."

Legolas leaned over and kissed the back of Gimlis' neck, a gesture to show that he was touched by the words.

"Be still Gimli, and tell me if it hurts." He warned.

Legolas pried Gimli's legs apart and removed his fingers. He sought the dwarvern entrance with his tool, pressing himself deep inside his lover.

Gimli froze; the slow, careful movements pushed a moan out his lips. Legolas's first thrusts were gentle, graceful in a way. The elf was very dedicated in insuring his mate was comfortable, that he felt no pain or pressure.

Legolas leaned over and whispered an elvish love poem in his lovers' ear:

Elen sila lumen omentielvo

Melamin, Meleth, Aratoamin.

Cormamin lindua ele lle

Cormamin glina till

Lasto hûn-nin

Amin mela lle.

Melamin

Amin khiluva lle a'gurtha ar'thar

Amin harmuva onalle e'cormamia

Cormamin niuve tenna'ta Elea lle au

Melamin, Meleth, Aratoamin.

Lle naa vanima,

Oio naa elealla alasse

Vanimelda, Namárië

Amin mela lle.

Although Gimli did not know the words, he was touched by them; he let his hair fall over his face to cover his tears. But he felt the wet, gentle splashes of elven tears upon his bed. The signal that Legolas was crying himself. The elf thrust gently into him and wrapped his arms around Gimlis' waist as if to embrace him.

With one hand Gimli steadied himself on the headboard, and with the other he reached for Legolas's hand. In this tender moment, the mortal and immortal felt absolute peace and love. The feeling that they were meant to be, admitted or denied. Despite what they had been told by their fathers and friends, an elf and dwarf had fallen in love and felt such a peaceful feeling in the tender embrace.

An eternal flame burning within the elf and dwarf. Despite whatever death or sorrow would bring, that flame would forever be burning.

With a final thrust, Legolas spilled himself into the dwarf's bowels.

"Gimli… Gimli-nin… Gimli-meleth!" The elf gasped. He reached down and cupped the head of the dwarf's shaft in time to catch Gimlis' release.

Legolas slid out of Gimli and lay besides him. The dwarf took his hand and stroked it lovingly. He brought the elven hand to his mouth and kissed it. Legolas leaned in and kissed his dwarf lovingly, passionately.

When he let go, his lover was asleep. His eyes filled with tears yet again. The thought of Gimli never opening his eyes was frightening. A soul who he wanted to spend eternity with and a soul who would not live forever. But he could not deny how much he loved Gimli; no-one could deny it. He had fallen in love with a mortal!

He felt Gimli wrap his arms around him and Legolas pressed his lover agenized him. Stroking the coarse hair, he scolded himself for being so weak. But a part of him felt no regret, no sorrow. Only happiness and love.

The Lacuna side of him.

End of Chapter two.