The old ways

‘This is the end my friends….’
Sadly this is the last chapter of “The old ways”. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. But please don’t fret. So many have asked my for a sequel and I already have one or two or maybe even more in mind, that I am already writing it. So I sincerely hope to see you all again when you see the first chapter of “Of sands and time” and live through the adventures of our favourite elves.
Love you all Britta (aka Karla)

Gimli toyed lazily with the braids in his beard, for the umpteenth time cursing the many grey streaks in it and watched the two young elves sticking their heads together, whispering and giggling. Without a doubt they were up to something. Smiling, Gimli watched them and decided not to interfere. Since they hardly played any tricks on him, he obviously had too much of an authoritative manner about him and from the earliest age Thaurdae and Amanhír had obeyed him without questioning, he thought it best to let them be and enjoy, with whatever they would come up with from the distance.

It was amazing just how much the twins came after their fathers. Thaurdae still played the more quiet and analytic part of them, whilst Amanhír put most of their mischievous plans into action. But when it came to the training of weapons and art, again they were the direct opposites of each other. While one would expect Amanhír to be the one best with the bow or sword, it was his brother, Thaurdae the quiet one, who wielded his sword with a deadly precision and whose arrows hardly mist their target. Granted it would take many more years of practise be become as good as his father Legolas, but he would one day match him.

Amanhír proved his talent for song and music. Faster then anybody had ever guessed he mastered he first steps in the art of the harp, flute and wrote his own compositions. It seemed to be the only time he would sit quietly and absorbed, his gestures sedate and careful. Haldir of course was thrilled to have a musician in the family and he had immediately ordered the fines instruments for his son, as soon as the talent showed.

The dwarf grunted a little when he rearranged his sore bones once again on the small bench, Legolas had built for him and watched the setting sun bathing the atrium in a warm golden light. Wondering just how many years he would have left in this marvellous place, he suddenly felt the cold hand of fear gripping his aging heart. Fear being alone, fear of being old and forgotten. Already he had taken the friendship with Legolas and his family for granted for so many years, that it was beyond him to count them. Just how much longer would they want to put up with him?

With a sad smile he remembered seeing the twins growing up, hearing their first words being uttered. To their parents disappointment it had not been ‘ada’ or Haldir, no it had been ‘imi’ and a bit later ‘imli’. He had seen them take their first steps, their tears of anger and frustration when they had gotten into trouble with one of their fathers and he had taught them dwarvish and the dwarven culture just as Haldir, Legolas and Thranduil had taught them about the elves.

It was he who had dried Legolas’ tears in secret, when his father Thranduil had left for the undying lands, because his elven friend was too proud to show his sorrow before his husband. The dwarf never told the blond prince, that Haldir had stood in one of the archways watching them with a smile. He remembered only to well the argument of the two fathers, when Legolas had told Haldir that he would keep his promise to Gimli and visit the glittering caves with him and Haldir’s annoyed face when he told his husband that if that would be the case, they would all go. The look on the prince’s face had been priceless.

After visiting the caves and the awfully dark forest of Fangorn, Gimli had stayed in the mountains at the Hornburg and had crafted the glittering caves into one big shining jewel. Right afterwards he had then helped the dwarves in the halls of Khazad Dum to restore its old glory. But soon after about five to six years, Gimli could not stand it any longer and had taken to the road south, back to Ithilien.

All in all Gimli always had been part of the elves he loved so much and it grieved him to no end knowing that one day they would leave. And considering Elessar’s dwindling health it would be soon. Legolas had promised his life long friend Aragorn to stay until the end. And know the end was near.

It was another sad memory the dwarf suddenly clung to, remembering the joyous announcement that the Queen was with child. The birth of Eldarion and the always ongoing, joyful competition between the elves and the abo about their children. Gimli had witnessed Eldarion’s coming of age, his amorous adventures, then falling in love with a simple woman from the city of Minas Tirith and their wedding. By now he himself was the father of two beautiful and healthy sons and wished for nothing more than to have a daughter.

Aragorn’s poor health weighed heavily on everybody and presently Legolas and Haldir were in Minas Tirith, to be at Aragorn’s side. Gimli expected them only to return when the King had indeed died. And what would happen then? Surely Legolas and Haldir would want to leave to Aman with their children and at last have the peaceful life they so much wished for. At last to be free of the quarrels of man, free of the fate of Middle earth. And they had earned it. Maybe he could go back to his clan, back in the lonely mountain. See if there were any close relatives left. With a pang of regret Gimli thought of the one time he had ventured back to his home in the company of Legolas and his family. Gimli’s father had been outraged, most of his other relatives, had turned away form the member of the fellowship and with tears stinging his eyes Gimli had, head held high, turned and left, never to return.

Legolas and Haldir had pleaded with him to try again, to bring his clan to its sense, but he had only shook his head and barked at them to leave him alone. Amanhír and Thaurdae both had been to young to understand, they had never experienced the hatred between elves and dwarves themselves, but seeing their beloved ‘imli’ in such a distress and their fathers in an uproar, made them stay quiet and in the background.

So that wasn’t really a choice then. Maybe he could stay here in Ithilien, where with Legolas’ help a kind of refuge had been born for all of the free people of Middle earth. There were dwarves, elves, hobbits, man and half-breeds all living together in harmony and understanding. Even though all of the elves had left for the undying lands by now, surely he could stay in this house and then he wouldn’t be so alone.


The sounding of rustling leaves and the quiet whisper of clothes made the dwarf look up and he found Legolas’ sad face hovering above him. His eyes were still slightly swollen and ever so bloodshot.

“It is over.” He said quietly “He went quickly. I am sure he didn’t suffer. Eldarion was crowned King only a day later and we left right after the ceremony. It is a sad time.” Legolas’ last words were but a whisper and Gimli had to strain to hear them.

“Oh.” Was all that the dwarf could utter as he took the elf’s hands into his and ran his thumbs over Legolas’ knuckles.

“Come let’s inside.” The blond elf helped Gimli up the together they went inside.

The next few days were spent in near silence and even the twins had taken their mind off any kind of mischief. Gimli watched the elves carefully, the plans they made, what they talked about and how they behaved. Only a week later Legolas left the house, large saddle bags hanging at the side of his horse and made his way south. He hadn’t told Gimli where he would go, but the dwarf could guess. As far as he knew, there were no ships left to bear Legolas, Haldir and the twins to Valinor, but as Thranduil had always put it so nicely ‘Legolas, never forget, you are a Telleri descendant.’. Gimli had once asked his friend what was so important about that fact and Legolas had then explained to him, that only elves of that line could built the grey ships. So Gimli was somehow sure that Legolas was somewhere near the coast or the river Anduin to built a ship. A ship that would take them away from him.

The dwarf’s heart sank even deeper when he noticed the twins and Haldir packing things, sorting different items out, that were obviously not needed and bundling clothes, linens and tapestries up so that they could be transported.

He house had grown emptier over the many years, after first the hobbits and then the King of Mirkwood left. But now it felt like a ruin to Gimli. Often he would just sit outside in the garden and look up at the trees. Especially the two large Mallorn trees that had been planted when the twins had been born. It was unbelievable just how tall they had grown. To him the days that passed seemed endless, and yet again time was fleeting. Maybe it had something to with age. Gimli felt that the older he got the more precious time became and the quicker it went by.

So without wanting the elves to notice, Gimli packed his belongings in secrecy, hiding the bundles and bags under his bed. He would not show his best friend his grief, he would smile at him and wish him farewell. Then he would leave himself. After having considered the possibility to stay here in this house, he had decided that it would hurt too much. Too many memories were bound to this place.

Sooner than expected the day came, that Gimli saw Haldir and the twins race to the front door, welcoming their husband and father home. It was hard for Gimli to join the happy laughter and loving embraces but he tried his best. As soon as Legolas and Haldir retired to their bedroom Gimli once more ventured out into the garden and sat with a heavy sigh on his personal bench. No longer was he able to hold back the tears that had been stinging his eyes for the last hours, no longer did he want to hold back the feeling of utter loneliness that already crept up his body. Letting out a heart breaking wail the sturdy figure of the dwarf slumped down and cried.

Legolas sat bolt upright in his bed and listened. Only Haldir’s deep and regular breathing could be heard, the comfortable and satisfied deepness that only appeared after lovemaking and a long cuddling afterwards. But something had disturbed the prince and he got up quietly, quickly fetched his robe and tiptoed outside.

First he turned his attention to the end of the corridor where the rooms of Amanhír and Thaurdae lay, but no sounds were coming out of them. Legolas stopped and listened again. Nothing. Maybe he had been wrong. Maybe it had been nothing at all, but something inside of him told him that something was amiss. With a look of determination he walked to Gimli’s room, only to find it empty. That was odd. The dwarf never was a night person. In the corner of the room Legolas could see neatly packed bundles and bags, no doubt Gimli’s most prized possessions. Though it hurt Legolas to leave this wonderful house, he was more than anxious to sail to the undying lands. He had been overly thrilled that the building of the ship had gone well, without any trouble or accidents and that they were all ready to go soon.

But first he had to find his friend. Maybe he had gone into the kitchen for a midnight snack. It was the only logical reason for the dwarf to leave his at nat night. With a smile Legolas made his way to the kitchen, when he suddenly heard a sort of sobbing sound coming frhe ghe garden. He stopped dead in his tracks and listened. Yes, somebody was definitely out there, and obviously in great distress.

With the easy moves that only an elf could possess Legolas moved soundlessly through the darkness until he found the source of the disturbing sound. When the slumped form of the dwarf came into view and the elf got aware of the shaking o the shoulders, he quickly knelt down before his dear friend and took the rough and short finger in his hands.

With a fright Gimli’s head shot up and he stared startled into Legolas’ deep blue eyes.

“Gimli, dearest what ails you? What has happened? Please tell me!” Legolas tried desperately to hide his own emotions but failed miserably.

“Nothing. It’s nothing really. Old fool of a dwarf I am, nothing more. Maybe it’s just the weather that got to me.” Gimli roughly pulled his hands free and tried to wipe the tears from his face.

“Gimli, the weather was and still is wonderful and you are not an old fool. So tell me what brings you to tears? Did you receive any news from your kin? Bad news?” It didn’t make any sense to the prince what possibly could have upset his friend like this.

“I am and OLD fool. Let me tell you.” Gimli managed a hearty laugh “But what you youngster know about that then, ey? Oh, I think it’s just the thought of leaving this place and moving somewhere else. Than again, I might see the glittering caves again and even maybe some of my family, but that somehow seems unlikely.”

“The glittering caves? Your family? Gimli? But I thought…. “ Legolas felt himself go pale and he sat back on his heels staring at the dwarf.

“What? That I would stay here? In this huge house? All alone? Nah, I wouldn’t like that.” Gimli shook his head.

“Why should I think that you would stay here alone?” Legolas tried to comprehend. “I thought you were coming with us! But if you rather be with you kin, I understand…”

“What? Come with you?” the eyes of the old dwarf suddenly lit up with an inner fire “but I thought…., I don’t think….., with you really? But how?”

“Did you really believe we would just leave you here? Gimli, how could we? You mean so much to me, to Haldir and to our children. And what if I become pregnant again? I would never find such a perfect nurse again!”

“Legolas, I thought you would leave me and…., ah never mind my blabbering. It would be wonderful to see everybody again and meet the Lady of the wood once more. But as to being your nurse again, I seriously doubt that I will manage that. Or you will have to be pretty quick about it. I am not growing any younger you now?” once more a happy smile graced the dwarven features and he rested his hands on Legolas’ shoulders.

“Gimli!” Legolas’ silver laugh echoed through the garden. “But you will live to see my next child or children! The undying lands don’t have their name for nothing. If you will be allowed to enter into the sacred realm you can only do so as an elf, ring bearer or as an invited one. But as soon as you touch the grounds of Valinor, you will be immortal. You might even feel a bit younger after a while.”

“Can’t we take Arwen with us then? She still is an elf, isn’t she? I hate to see her suffer like this.” Gimli looked questioningly at Legolas.

“Sadly no.” the blond head dropped a little “She has chosen this path and it is irreversible. The Valar make their choice only once.”


So when a few days later the last grey ship sailed into the setting sun, facing away from Middle earth and all its people, among the four tall and elegant silhouettes stood one far smaller and broader one, his face beaming with pride and joy, looking forward to being with his friends for just a little while longer.

The end! (I still don’t believe it :-()