Post by Admin on Jan 9, 2021 2:09:33 GMT
Author: Erulisse (one L)
Summary: While sailing to Elvenhome Legolas things back on his friendship with Gimli.
Characters/Pairing: Legolas, Gimli
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Tolkien built the sand box; I only play with the bucket and shovel that he left for me. No money, profit or non, is made from the publication of this story.
Glancing behind him he saw a nimbus of light around the white hair and closed eyes of his companion. Slumber had taken his friend into her welcome arms, leaving him alone with his thoughts and memories. He smiled and turned away, facing the unknown sea ahead of them. Who would have foreseen this ending?
-0-0-0-
Their eyes had first met across the small paved courtyard. The conference was fraught with tension and underlying terror of what might be, and their intersecting glances were filled with venom.
Choices were made and nine were chosen. He felt that others would have been better suited for the Quest than one of the Dwarven race. To have to rely on this gruff and plain-spoken dwarf as one of the Nine Walkers, possibly placing his own survival into those stubby and calloused hands? It seemed like a tortuous sentence handed down by a vindictive judge. But, to be truthful, at that time it seemed unlikely that any of them would survive past the next few months.
Small inroads were made while walking together. They slowly tried to overcome their long and mutual history of deeds of treachery and crimes long remembered by both sides. But as they journeyed across Eregion, their mutual dislike flavored each meal with the putrid spice of discontent. Then outside forces began to temper the raw metal of the Companions into a fine-edged weapon and things changed.
The pass across Caradhras was blocked by sorcery requiring an alternative path through the dark passages of Moria. Only the dwarf was pleased with this choice. The return to his ancestral halls and promise of meeting with his kinsman gave unexpected wings to his words, his normal one and two word responses expanded, becoming poetic phrases. Gimli painted a picture of vaulted ceilings with directed light and deep delvings utilizing cunning designs and equipment.
Legolas found entering the mine to be unexpectedly difficult. He was comfortable and happy beneath the open skies sharing the wind, rain and stars. Walking beneath the spine of the mountains surrounded by solid rock he was uneasy, nervous, and on-edge.
The first bridge between them came at the side of Balin's tomb. Gimli expressed deep and sincere grief for the loss of his cousin, friend and leader. During the subsequent fierce battle Legolas gained respect for the dwarf's martial skills. He began to realize that the stubbornness of the dwarven race that he had been disparaging was also a source of their strength. Gimli was not just bluster but could wield his weaponry effectively and fearlessly and held deep feelings, even love, for his family. Suddenly the differences between dwarf and elf seemed lessened.
The bridge grew broader and stronger when the grief-stricken companions arrived at Lothlórien, the hidden refuge of the Lady. Grief for their fallen companion could finally be acknowledged and Legolas spoke in depth with the dwarf, the first steps on a long road.
START HERE
True mutual respect followed by trust and friendship came during three horrific days as they ran through Rohan. Throuigh their attempt to find and rescue the hobbits the three companions ran and ran and ran some more. Despite Gimli’s weighty chain mail and shorter legs, he spoke no complaints and did not slow them down. Instead he encouraged them all to run faster and catch up with the orcs who had kidnapped their friends.
Unexpected events then brought them to Theodan's throne as representatives of their peoples and supporters of Aragorn. As sorcery was cast out and realities of battle and defense were faced, decisions were made and a journey to a fortress was undertaken. Legolas had never expected to survive the night's battle when he looked out from the high walls onto an ocean of the enemy.
Dawn broke and despite the odds, once again they gathered together. Legolas and Gimli looked at each other and nodded, satisfied that each had survived after having passed through the harshest battle thus far. Legolas allowed himself to hear their first conversation after they had been rejoined.
“Forty-two, Master Legolas!” he cried.
“You have passed my score by one,” answered Legolas.
Then, surprising even himself, he continued. “But I do not grudge you the game, so glad am I to see you on your legs!”
From that point on they were linked together as if they were brothers. Others smiled to see the tall, golden-haired elf walking next to the short and sturdy, russet-haired dwarf. Legolas’ sunny disposition was tempered by the dwarf’s crusty manner. Gimli’s sour viewpoints were sweetened by the elf’s laughter. Over both time and distance they grew to understand each other and to rely upon each other's viewpoints and advice.
When the War had finally ended and victory had been achieved, they visited each other's homes. Thranduil had the opportunity to greet Gloin's son and the folk of the Lonely Mountain were startled to see a Woodland elf walking through their halls.
In later years they moved near Gondor, Gimli in the Glittering Caves and Legolas in Ithilien. They went back and forth between their two lands and often went together to speak with Aragorn and Arwen. Their once-fragile friendship had turned into the bedrock of their lives.
-0-0-0-
Now, at near the end of Gimli's life, when his hair was white and Legolas was leaving Middle-earth forever, an invitation for a final adventure had been extended. Legolas was going to sail to Elvenhome and one final invitation had been offered. Gruff as ever, Gimli accepted the challenge and the opportunity and it was decided. Two dissimilar brothers who shared the same soul would sail and set foot upon that fabled island together.
Legolas glanced back once more at Gimli sleeping on the decking behind him. He turned to face the waters ahead of him, adjusted the broad sail, and stared into the western waters with a wide smile gracing his fair face.
Summary: While sailing to Elvenhome Legolas things back on his friendship with Gimli.
Characters/Pairing: Legolas, Gimli
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Tolkien built the sand box; I only play with the bucket and shovel that he left for me. No money, profit or non, is made from the publication of this story.
Glancing behind him he saw a nimbus of light around the white hair and closed eyes of his companion. Slumber had taken his friend into her welcome arms, leaving him alone with his thoughts and memories. He smiled and turned away, facing the unknown sea ahead of them. Who would have foreseen this ending?
-0-0-0-
Their eyes had first met across the small paved courtyard. The conference was fraught with tension and underlying terror of what might be, and their intersecting glances were filled with venom.
Choices were made and nine were chosen. He felt that others would have been better suited for the Quest than one of the Dwarven race. To have to rely on this gruff and plain-spoken dwarf as one of the Nine Walkers, possibly placing his own survival into those stubby and calloused hands? It seemed like a tortuous sentence handed down by a vindictive judge. But, to be truthful, at that time it seemed unlikely that any of them would survive past the next few months.
Small inroads were made while walking together. They slowly tried to overcome their long and mutual history of deeds of treachery and crimes long remembered by both sides. But as they journeyed across Eregion, their mutual dislike flavored each meal with the putrid spice of discontent. Then outside forces began to temper the raw metal of the Companions into a fine-edged weapon and things changed.
The pass across Caradhras was blocked by sorcery requiring an alternative path through the dark passages of Moria. Only the dwarf was pleased with this choice. The return to his ancestral halls and promise of meeting with his kinsman gave unexpected wings to his words, his normal one and two word responses expanded, becoming poetic phrases. Gimli painted a picture of vaulted ceilings with directed light and deep delvings utilizing cunning designs and equipment.
Legolas found entering the mine to be unexpectedly difficult. He was comfortable and happy beneath the open skies sharing the wind, rain and stars. Walking beneath the spine of the mountains surrounded by solid rock he was uneasy, nervous, and on-edge.
The first bridge between them came at the side of Balin's tomb. Gimli expressed deep and sincere grief for the loss of his cousin, friend and leader. During the subsequent fierce battle Legolas gained respect for the dwarf's martial skills. He began to realize that the stubbornness of the dwarven race that he had been disparaging was also a source of their strength. Gimli was not just bluster but could wield his weaponry effectively and fearlessly and held deep feelings, even love, for his family. Suddenly the differences between dwarf and elf seemed lessened.
The bridge grew broader and stronger when the grief-stricken companions arrived at Lothlórien, the hidden refuge of the Lady. Grief for their fallen companion could finally be acknowledged and Legolas spoke in depth with the dwarf, the first steps on a long road.
START HERE
True mutual respect followed by trust and friendship came during three horrific days as they ran through Rohan. Throuigh their attempt to find and rescue the hobbits the three companions ran and ran and ran some more. Despite Gimli’s weighty chain mail and shorter legs, he spoke no complaints and did not slow them down. Instead he encouraged them all to run faster and catch up with the orcs who had kidnapped their friends.
Unexpected events then brought them to Theodan's throne as representatives of their peoples and supporters of Aragorn. As sorcery was cast out and realities of battle and defense were faced, decisions were made and a journey to a fortress was undertaken. Legolas had never expected to survive the night's battle when he looked out from the high walls onto an ocean of the enemy.
Dawn broke and despite the odds, once again they gathered together. Legolas and Gimli looked at each other and nodded, satisfied that each had survived after having passed through the harshest battle thus far. Legolas allowed himself to hear their first conversation after they had been rejoined.
“Forty-two, Master Legolas!” he cried.
“You have passed my score by one,” answered Legolas.
Then, surprising even himself, he continued. “But I do not grudge you the game, so glad am I to see you on your legs!”
From that point on they were linked together as if they were brothers. Others smiled to see the tall, golden-haired elf walking next to the short and sturdy, russet-haired dwarf. Legolas’ sunny disposition was tempered by the dwarf’s crusty manner. Gimli’s sour viewpoints were sweetened by the elf’s laughter. Over both time and distance they grew to understand each other and to rely upon each other's viewpoints and advice.
When the War had finally ended and victory had been achieved, they visited each other's homes. Thranduil had the opportunity to greet Gloin's son and the folk of the Lonely Mountain were startled to see a Woodland elf walking through their halls.
In later years they moved near Gondor, Gimli in the Glittering Caves and Legolas in Ithilien. They went back and forth between their two lands and often went together to speak with Aragorn and Arwen. Their once-fragile friendship had turned into the bedrock of their lives.
-0-0-0-
Now, at near the end of Gimli's life, when his hair was white and Legolas was leaving Middle-earth forever, an invitation for a final adventure had been extended. Legolas was going to sail to Elvenhome and one final invitation had been offered. Gruff as ever, Gimli accepted the challenge and the opportunity and it was decided. Two dissimilar brothers who shared the same soul would sail and set foot upon that fabled island together.
Legolas glanced back once more at Gimli sleeping on the decking behind him. He turned to face the waters ahead of him, adjusted the broad sail, and stared into the western waters with a wide smile gracing his fair face.