Home Sweet Home

A/N: Sorry about how long I took to update, my computer crashed and we only just got it fixed :) (Which is a good thing because I was seriously grouchy after going so long without my internet fix.)

Part Five

"Hello again."

Gimli cringed. He had not heard the Elf come in, and the voice had startled him. The Dwarf had been alone since their discussion the previous day, and had now gone two days without food and drink. He was loosing strength rapidly - almost as rapidly as his faith in Legolas. Terrible though it sounded, he couldn't believe that Legolas still had not found him.

"What do you want?" Gimli demanded aggressively.

"I came to see how my guest is." The captor sounded offended. "I recently met with a little...hitch in my plan, but not to worry. It's all sorted now. Legolas, by the way, sends his regards."

There was a lump in Gimli's throat. "You haven't spoken to him." Gimli tried to sound confident.

"Haven't I?" The captor was keeping to the shadows, and out of the Dwarf's rather limited view. Gimli couldn't even tell where the Elf was standing. "I'm afraid to say that I'll be leaving for a while, so you'll be alone for a few days. I won't be long, though."

"You can't mean to leave me here for days with no food or water!" Gimli exploded.

"Actually," The attacker said casually. "There is a jug of water and plate of bread slightly to your left. Only an arms length away."

"But I can't reach that! I am tied up!" Gimli insisted. The Elf was insane, he decided.

"Well, you'll just have to try a little harder, won't you?" The Elf smirked. "I'll be seeing you soon." This time, he didn't wait for Gimli to reply. Seconds later, the Dwarf heard the soft click of a door shutting and he was left alone in the darkness once more. He wondered vaguely how long it would be until he began straining to reach the water jug - if it was even there. It appeared to be out of his line of vision.

Maegóre stood in the stables, stroking his horse's neck. The stables were busy that morning; a foot patrol was being dispatched and another patrol with horses was just returning. The stable-hands were all preparing for their return, and paid little attention to Maegóre. He often came to sit with his horse and take her for a ride.

He inspected the patrol with a scowl. It was mostly just Legolas's friends leaving. Amateurs, Maegóre thought. It had been a long time since he had gone on patrol himself, but he felt a strange sense of jealousy as he watched the group, which included Kemen, Hathel and the rest of his brother's friends. Maegóre quickly pulled himself out of that line of thought, knowing that he himself should be leaving.

Moments later, he had mounted his horse and ridden out of the palace. He rode hard and fast; he definitely didn't want to enter a stronghold of Dwarves looking for his idiot brother, and he didn't know how far Legolas had gone.

The sun was already setting by the time Legolas arrived at Esgaroth. Although the Laketown was not his final destination, he had been riding hard and fast ever since he had left the patrol. It was not the worst journey he had ever made, it was true, but worry about where the Dwarf may have got to and fear for what may have become of him was stopping him from thinking straight. It was best that he rest before continuing to the mountain, considering it was full of Dwarves who hated him, with the possible exception of Gimli.

Legolas planned to ask the men of the town, who knew him, about his friend. He was sure that they couldn't miss a Dwarf riding to the mountain, especially as Gimli had most probably stopped off at Esgaroth too. It was likely that he was still there, of course. It was this thought that made Legolas continue until he reached the guard hut on the outskirts of the town.

Legolas dismounted his horse and approached the hut quietly. He could see that there were three guards, seated by a fire, laughing and talking merrily inside. He didn't want to disturb them, but he had no choice. He was hoping to have the whole business sorted out and be headed back to the forest by sunrise.

He announced his presence by knocking on the door and waited until one of the guards opened it. He looked at the Elf suspiciously, with one hand on his sword-hilt. He relaxed when he saw it was an Elf, and Legolas quickly introduced himself.

"Prince Legolas," The guard exclaimed. "I hope all is well?"

"Yes. Well - no. I wondered if you had seen a Dwarf riding through these parts. It would have been sometime during the day."

The three guards looked at each other, then all shook their heads. "No one has been this way recently." One admitted.

Legolas had an unpleasant sinking feeling in his stomach. He had been planning on visiting the mountain, but with Gimli and certainly not under these circumstances. Of course, there was just as much chance of the Dwarf being lost in the forest, and Legolas didn't know which scenario made him feel worse.

"Will you be staying in the town?" One of the guards asked, bringing Legolas out of his thoughts.

"No," Legolas assured him. "I will rest by the trees for some time though, and be off before sunrise."

Turning Galadae loose for the night, Legolas leapt into some trees and tried to sleep. He was only partially successful, and was somewhat relieved when he realized it was time to continue his journey. His only comfort was that it wasn't far to the mountain now. Legolas was already feeling a little lonely.

Legolas had barely mounted his horse the following morning before he heard his name being called out behind him. Immediately pulling Galadae to a stand-still, he glanced behind him. The guards hut was still in sight, and just behind that was a figure that Legolas recognized, although he did wonder if his mind was playing tricks on him.

"Maegóre?" He demanded when the figure reached him. "What are you doing?"

Maegóre didn't try to hide the scowl on his face. "I was sent to look for you. Isn't it obvious? Come on, we're going home. Adar is not pleased."

Legolas scowled. He certainly wasn't going home without having spoken to Gimli. "I am not going home. You are in no position to tell me to do anything, considering this whole thing is your fault."

Maegóre snorted. "How in Arda is this my fault? Because I don't like the Naugrim?" Before Legolas could interrupt, he quickly continued. "Yet you take his side over mine. A Dwarf's side over your own brother. Now you tell me it's my fault. Just come home with me. Adar has missed you awfully, you know. It isn't helping matters by running off after a missing Dwarf."

Just like how it had been intended, Legolas immediately felt guilty. "I'm not taking anyone's side, Ray, but he hasn't done anything wrong, and I'm worried about where he is. Surely you can understand that? I hardly meant to make Ada upset, but-"

"I know." Maegóre interrupted. He bit his lip. He studied the mountain in the distance and wondered if he was insane. After deciding he must be, looked directly at Legolas. "If you agree to go home I will carry on to the mountain, and if he is not there then I will search the forest until he is found."

Legolas blinked. That he had not expected. He considered the offer for a moment before and unwelcome thought crossed his mind. "You do not mean to go to the mountain." He accused. "You will just say you have."

"I will go to the Dwarves, Legolas. Trust me. I may not like it, but I'll do it. Do we have a deal?" Maegóre didn't expect his brother to agree right away, but eventually, he would accept. He wasn't disappointed.

"I should be the one to speak to Gimli, not you." However, it sounded more like he was trying to persuade himself, not his brother.

"It will mean more coming from me. After all, it looks like I am the reason he has gone." Maegóre insisted. "I'm not standing around here all day. Turn around, go home. I will follow afterwards and I might even bring the Dwarf with me."

That decided it for Legolas. Nodding, he smiled at the other Elf. Strangely, he was sure - almost completely certain, anyway - that Maegóre would go the Erebor. There was absolutly no reason to believe this. In fact, there was every reason to believe the opposite. Yet he was still going to trust him, and return home.

"Thank-you, Maegóre." Legolas said. Maegóre stayed silent and smiled uncomfortably while Legolas turned and settled into an unrushed journey home. He would certainly pick up to pace when he was out of Maegóre's line of sight. He was going to search the forest for his friend just in case, and he would need time to do that. He did not want Gimli to starve in the forest, or worse.

Maegóre watched the outline of his younger brother disappear into the trees. Then he turned to look up at the foreboding figure of the Lonely mountain. He would rather face a hundred cave trolls than go and visit the Naugrim. But however many bad habits he had, he was also fiercely loyal (and protective) to Legolas. Therefore, his only choice was to carry out his promise. Resentfully, he began making his way to the mountain. He had decided that the quicker he got it over and done with the better.

Maegóre swallowed. He was generally not a person who got nervous. He hadn't been nervous at the Battle of Five Armies, or at Dol Guldor. He wasn't nervous when he had accidentally shot his brother when learning archery, and then had to face his father, or at his coming-of-age celebration, where he was required to give a speech. Standing at the foot of the mountain, however, proved to give him the most acute nervousness he had ever experienced before in his life.

He was about to move towards the front Gate, when a voice stopped him. Looking down, Maegóre saw the source of the voice.

"Halt!" A dark haired dwarf, no more than three feet, stood by the horse, glaring angrily up at him. "Who are you, and what are you doing on our lands?"

He started at this. Realizing how he deep in thought he had been to be taken by surprise - by a Dwarf, no less. A quick glance on his other side revealed that there was another dark haired Dwarf on his right. They were both glowering at him and they both carried rather pointy sticks in their hands, perfect for causing pain and defending themselves if it turned out that they couldn't get to the two or three axes they also carried in time. Maegóre reminded himself that her would never get anywhere unless he was polite before replying to the Dwarf who had spoken.

"I am Maegóre Thranduilion , of Eryn Lasgalen. I come his as a messenger for...for my brother, Legolas. I mean to speak to...er..." Maegóre desperately searched for the name of Gimli's father. He knew it, of course, but had forgotten it at the most inconvenient moment. "Gimli's father." He finally said, rather lamely. Brightening somewhat, he then continued. "Glóin! Gimli's father Glóin!"

"You are Thranduil's son?" One of the Dwarves demanded aggressively.

"That's what I said, isn't it?" Maegóre snapped, then berated himself straight after. He knew from the angry expressions on the Dwarves face that he had made a mistake.

"Get off of your horse." The second Dwarf growled. He moved the pointed stick he held threateningly.

With great effort, Maegóre slid off of the horse onto the ground and tried to look agreeable.

"Leave it here." The other Dwarf instructed. When Maegóre looked liable to argue he opened his mouth, but the Elf consented, although reluctantly, and after he whispered something in the horses ear, it trotted several metres away. "You came alone?" The Dwarf asked sceptically. He didn't think Thranduil's son would be traveling alone, but Maegóre's nod surprised him.

"Follow us." The second Dwarf said, but this was difficult to do, because they both walked behind Maegóre, ensuring that they didn't get stabbed in the back. They directed him to the Gate, muttering in their own language to each other.

It didn't take long to reach the Gate on foot, and Maegóre waited patiently while the Dwarves opened it. They then ushered him through, until he was waiting in a great hall of stone.

The Elf was extremely surprised. The crafted stone was not rough and ugly as he had expected. There were no careworn chips or deformed carvings. He couldn't see any grotesque shapes, and this wasn't because it was far to dark in there either. The Entrance Hall was brightened by candlesticks and lanterns supported by the walls, lighting up the whole chamber. Not a single corner was left to rot. Then you came to the walls themselves. Clearly, they had been carefully carved years ago and were still cared for now. Maegóre would not have believe that Dwarves could create anything so beautiful as this Hall. The fact that they had managed to create such beauty out of stone, of all things, made him both uncomfortable and awed. The stone walls were shaped delicately, and smoothly. There was not a single blotch or mistake: this hall had clearly taken a great deal of time to finish, but he could see that everyone who had worked on this room had put in their every effort. The walls were decorated with gems, not so many that it was an eye-sore but enough to add colour and texture, set in patterns depicting various accounts of Dwarven history. Maegóre knew next to nothing about each subject, but the murals were finely made and clear to look at.

He spent a long time inspecting the cavern, waiting to be told what to do by the Dwarves who had accompanied him. Oblivious to what was going on in the room, he concentrated admiring the works or art, for that was what they were. Without realizing, he soon began to approach the walls, walking along them and trailing a hand along, feeling the smoothness of stone and glossiness of gem. It was disconcerting for him to be doing this, and he got the strangest feeling when he looked upon it all. It was not what he had expected in the least.

He began to wonder if he had been wrong about the naugrim...Dwarf. Legolas's friend. Maegóre quickly pushed this thought out of his mind. Ridiculous.

"They are masterful, aren't they?"

Maegóre almost jumped. What on Arda was happening to him? Dwarves seemed to be creeping up on him a lot lately. He tried to fix a bored look on his face.

"I suppose so." He replied dully. He immediately felt rude and only partly reluctantly corrected himself. "They are clever. I have never seen anything like it before." Not even his own home was as good as this (not that he would ever admit this to anyone, least of all a Dwarf.) and he was beginning to wish it was.

"Indeed. You are a messenger from King Thranduil?" The Dwarf had bushy grey-white hair and was looking at Maegóre with a raised eyebrow.

"No, my brother. Legolas." He replied. "I wish to speak with...Master Glóin. As well as Master Gimli."

"You're speaking to him." The Dwarf said. "Glóin, son of Gróin."

Maegóre blinked, before realizing that the Dwarf must have been fetched while he was admiring the chamber.

"My son is not here, though." Glóin continued. "I was actually under the impression, from a letter he sent me, that he was visiting your...forest." The made the word forest sound like a swear word. The tone of underlying disgust while he said this last sentence was unmistakable. Clearly this Dwarf believed, like Maegóre, that Elves and Dwarves should stay well away from each other. "Why? Has a problem occurred?" This was more like a statement then a question. Also like Maegóre, Glóin had clearly known that the pointless friendship between Legolas and Gimli was bound to cause trouble.

"Not at all." Maegóre assured him through gritted teeth. He searched for an excuse as to his visit. "Just...Gimli had finished visiting Lasgalen and decided to return here, while Legolas still had some things to take care of at home. However, Legolas received an urgent message from Minas Tirith shortly after Gimli had left. They are both required there as soon as possible, so Legolas asked me to inform Gimli, while he finished his business, before riding on to the City." It was not a very good excuse, he knew, but it was believable.

"I see."

"I must have passed Gimli on my way here." Maegóre continued. "Thank you for your help. I will give Gimli your greetings when I meet him, as I'm sure I just passed him on the road."

"I'm sure. Are you sure you would not like to rest here?" As he said this, he was already moving towards the door, to let Maegóre out. Briefly, Maegóre wondered if it would be worth accepting this offer just to see the look of horror upon Glóins face. He wanted to return home quickly, however, so he allowed the Dwarf to let him out of the mountain. After exchanging goodbyes, and thanking the Dwarves for their hospitality. Maegóre made his way back down to his horse, no doubt carefully watched by Dwarves in the undergrowth or mountain, but he carefully ignored this.

As he whistled for his horse, he thought how he regretted not being able to see some more of the beautiful mountain. Realizing what he had just thought, he hurried to his his horse and distracted himself in every way he could.

Thanks for reading! Feedback and constructive criticism would be very appreciated, it's great to know what you think and how I could improve etc :) :) :)

Martiny the one and only still - If you still want to kill Maegóre by the end then you -and Gollum!- are welcome to him! I don't need this version of him again, hopefully, so it won't matter, but you'd be surprised ;) Your impersonation was great. I feel the same way about my computer. It's certainly my 'precious'! I'd be an idiot if I killed off Gimli, wouldn't I? No, I'm sure he won't die, so don't panic...yet. Thanks for reviewing!

So now they have the Inbox/Outbox program up, that's how I'm gonna reply to any reviews I get :) The reason I didn't do that before is because the PM'S and review replies and stuff stopped coming in on my e-mail a while ago (not too sure why though) so I didn't know if it was a system error and had happened to more than just me. So I did it at the end of each chapter so that people wouldn't think me ungrateful and rude by ignoring their reviews, which I really appreciate. :) :) :)

So if you love seeing Inbox: 1 when you log in...you know what to do :)