Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return to Mirkwood
Chapter Eleven.
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: PG this chapter.
Disclaimer: I love them and thank Tolkien for them. They are not mine. The Legolas and Gimli I write belong solely to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters. I claim the original ideas and characters.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please. saraharizonaanne@hotpop.com
Author notes: I titled this story Return to Mirkwood because that is the name Legolas' home is most known by. I will gradually be phasing that name out of the story itself in favour of the names it was changed to: Eryn Lasgalen or Greenwood. Thank you to erobey for the loyal support and aid. Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. The encouragement helps me very much. Thank you to Marigold for the super beta work and for telling me I should write this story. Her touch is greatly appreciated. Any mistakes left are mine.


Legolas told Gimli about elven bonds on the journey back. Gimli paid close attention and silently committed the information to heart. He learned that Legolas only knew well three couples besides Tasar and Lisse that had an extremely powerful bond. They could even sense each other's thoughts and communicate without words in times of closeness.


When Legolas divulged to Gimli that both Tasar and Lisse had a habit of referring to themselves as we even when I would be the correct term, the dwarf tried to imagine how his own people would react if he followed suit. He had trouble grasping how two spirits could be united and yet each remain an individual. Gimli didn't fear it, though. It didn't seem to be something they would achieve for many years yet and it was after all what he wanted. He was already longing to join not just his body but his spirit, too, with his elf.

Gimli was more apprehensive about Legolas' joyful assertions that one day, they'd be able to feel the other's pleasure. They were often overcome with the heat between them already. *Any more might kill us both.* Gimli thought.

Legolas made a brief stop at the kitchens to find out where everyone was dining that evening. Gimli found the kitchens very interesting. They were incredibly clean and there were paintings of fruit in various places. Pots of good smelling herbs were suspended from the ceiling in each corner. The table, where several elves were preparing food, had a big vase of pink flowers in the middle and several trays of freshly baked bread. A bowl of wild onions sat on one side of the table beside a container of currants. One corner of the room held a large tin tub filled with water in which live fish were swimming.

They were greeted warmly and were informed that dinner was to be in the family's main dining room. Noticing Gimli's longing glance at the bread, one of the servants cut a huge slice and pointing toward a small table in the corner, said "Butter and honey. Saes, help yourself. You will find bread and fruit in your chambers, as well." He had an accent and Gimli realized that the common speech did not come so easily for this elf, and he thanked him courteously, appreciative of both the bread and honey, and the effort to make him feel welcome.

When they arrived back at their chambers, Gimli saw that their rooms had been cleaned and decorated. Pine cones had been hung in corners, garlands of green and yellow leaves and small white flowers outlined the doors and ran around the tops of the walls. The place smelled of spices and autumn days. A crystal bowl of berries and apricots was on the table along with a pitcher of water, a covered bread dish and a pot of honey. Legolas headed toward the table and Gimli grinned. His elf had spied his favourite food.

Gimli, however, went straight to the mirror. He was standing there lost in thought when Legolas laid a hand on his shoulder. "Is there something wrong, meleth?"

Gimli frowned at the mirror. "Dark brown eyes. Same as many dwarves. Nothing special about them. I see no bond," he said sadly.


Legolas sat down and pulled Gimli close. "Look at me."

Gimli favoured Legolas with a mournful regard as the elf continued. "They are special. Your eyes show me an honest, caring, reliable being. You have a good heart, too. Not to mention that they are beautiful eyes. These things take time, Gimli, but let me try something."

He leaned forward and placed his lips against Gimli's. The touch was teasing at first with light kisses. He tasted of apricots and Gimli chuckled against his lover's attentions, only to be surprised by Legolas suddenly deepening the kiss and fiercely demanding a response. Gimli put his hand on the back of Legolas' head and thrust his tongue into the fiery, supplicating mouth. After several minutes Legolas whimpered and pulled back. Gasping he said, "Gimli, son of Gloin, do you love me?"

Gimli feeling confused said breathlessly, "Aye. You know I do."

"I love you completely, heart, spirit, mind, and body. Now, Elvellon, gaze into the mirror."

Gimli, suddenly understanding what Legolas was attempting, glanced over at the mirror. His breath caught this time as his eyes were shown back to him. They were the same dark brown he was familiar with but clearer than any drawing he could also observe the kiss they had just shared. It was as if the kiss continued on in his eyes the way it did in his heart.


Then the view changed and he saw the two of them under the stars becoming one. He knew where they were: Fangorn. Before he had time to dwell on this scene, an image formed of them laughing together in a room somewhere that Gimli did not recognize. Even as he stood transfixed by his own eyes and what they held, the images began to fade.

"Legolas..." Gimli whispered and then stopped. There were no words for what he had just experienced.

He felt elven fingers lightly touch him and heard happiness in the voice that said, "I take it I was successful?"

"Aye." His own voice sounded weak to his ears and he cleared his throat. He said, "My elf, I would never have dreamt all the wonders your love has given me. Legolas, that was... that was..." Gimli paused again.

How to describe it? It was like looking into a clear lake thinking one would see only their reflection and instead being given a view of love. A thought occurred to him and he frowned. "Legolas, can other elves see such intimate moments in my eyes?"


"Ah, so that is why there is distress on a face that held rapture before. They can tell we've been intimate, yes, because one way the bond grows strong enough to be seen is through our joinings but they cannot see the details as the bonded one can. They look in my eyes and observe not just their blueness but also a glimpse of you."

Gimli snuggled into Legolas' chest and said, "In time I will be able to see it without your assistance and not just briefly?" It was more of a question than a statement.

"I am confident that you will be able to. Firstly, you are a dwarf, so our bond is clearly very strong already for you to be able to see it at all. Plus, with the exception of Tasar and Lisse who have known each other all their lives, I've never heard of a bond this new being so potent. We've been lovers less than a year."


Gimli listened to his elf's heartbeat and considered the day's events. He hungered for their connection to be as close as was possible. Legolas' fingers were running affectionately through Gimli's hair. His touch felt good and reminded Gimli of something he needed to do. Resolved to explain his own people's customs and by doing so perhaps increase the bond's power even more, he could sense some of the reservations he had of expressing dwarven ways disappear. He touched Legolas' braids and said, "I am not sure I can do this but it's time to try."

"What are we to attempt?"

Gimli said, "I'll show you." He let the golden strands fall through his fingers. Gimli was too happy to feel sadness but what he was about to offer came with a sense of loss on his part.

"Gimli, what are you planning on doing here? You are behaving as if you're mourning over my hair. Do you know something I don't?"

"Always the same. Before my father's father was born it was done in this fashion." He reached for Legolas' braids again. "I am as proud of these, Legolas, son of Thranduil, as if I had earned them myself." Gimli began to undo the braids.

"All right, now I'm really concerned. Gimli, for the sake of the Valar, tell me, what is going on?"

Gimli noted with joyful satisfaction that while there was a small amount of anxiety in Legolas' voice his elf trusted him and was still under his touch. "I was very fond of those braids," he said. Legolas' hair was loose around his shoulders now.

"That does it. You will tell me immediately what you're planning on doing with my hair." Legolas replied. Now his voice held demand and concern.

Gimli said nothing but pointed to the mirror as he slowly weaved the start of a new braid in Legolas' hair. "This is the braid my people give at the coming of age ceremony. A three strand overbraid done in the back, leaving the rest of the hair pulled lightly around it." He crossed the outside strands over the centre length.

Fingers worked dexterously, finishing the one in the back and adding two at the side that were closer to his beloved's face using the same technique as before. "This is a warrior's right. Due to the war, more wear them now than when I was a youngling."

Again Gimli crafted and this time the braids in front become almost as interlocked as Legolas' own had been and a bit farther from the face. "These are the four strand braids, you are to receive as my one. The outside tresses are brought under two strands and back over one."

Gimli parted and sectioned Legolas' locks demonstrating each step to his elf. "Take your thumb and index finger, grasp the outside left strand from behind the two inside strands. Bring the left strand behind the two inside ones..." Gimli continued to instruct as his fingers went back over the inside right strand.

Soon the pattern was done and he held it for Legolas to see. "They are a little thicker and back from the face so that should you feel the desire to do so you can wear the jewels that I will also bestow on you. The gems would be threaded in at the end of the braid or weaved in between parts. As you are a warrior that is how they would be worn. If you were not one, the braids would be looser and a bit in front of the ears. I've noticed both males and females among your people wear jewellery in their hair. Our males usually only wear them on special occasions. It is however acceptable to do as one wishes in the matter. You could also fasten the two front ones together in the back and let the joined braids hang together. Our warriors usually wear the separate ones leaving the single braid in the back but it is a matter of choice."

Legolas stared at the mirror. He looked wistful and Gimli uncertain of why his elf might be so, said, "You aren't required to have them. I am only showing you."

"It is not that. Gimli, I saw similar braids in Targ's hair. I am aware that yours were warrior braids until I gave you elven ones. Targ's were like your first set but not quite the same. A warrior's braids and yet something else, also. I know, too, that Targ has a male lover for it was openly discussed. Naur's braids are the same and he told me he was married. You asked me not if I would like to observe your custom and I was left to my own conclusions. I decided that perhaps I might never be equal in the sight of your people as one of your own kind would be or maybe you felt most of them would not accept our bond. I did not understand why you did not inform me of this custom but I thought perhaps you were trying to spare me pain."

Gimli replied, "What I appear to have been doing is proving Naur right for he told me you might be hurt by this. I was being selfish, Legolas. It was not that I did not desire to share the customs of my people in this matter. I just did not want to alter your hair. It was so beautiful the way it was done and it has been that way forever."

"Not forever. I have not lived that long." There was laughter in Legolas' voice and Gimli was glad. Legolas had not been too hurt by his actions.

"Putting these in your hair is a reminder to me that you love a mortal and will pay the price for doing so, but that it seems I must accept. Somehow." Gimli hastened on before sorrow overwhelmed him again. "Will this interfere with your archery?"

"Nay."

Gimli asked, "Do you want me to finish them or take them out?"

Legolas looked at Gimli and touched his shoulder. "I've coveted Targ's since first I understood their significance. However, I understand your hesitation. If it hurts you and is only an unpleasant reminder of things you wish not to recall then I will not suffer for the lack of them. "

"You are fine with changing something that has been the same for millions of years?" Gimli teased.

Legolas laughed. "Aragorn warned me I was going to regret my statement about travelling with children. I've told you how old I am. Don't add so many millennia to my age, saes. If you can avoid saying millions, please do. I'm far, far from that. Yes, I'm fine with it. This is a matter you do not seem to appreciate fully about me. Gimli, I may have survived before you but that was all I was doing. When you touch me, I come alive and I am aware that I never really lived before. I was waiting for your caress."

Gimli stood scrutinizing his work and the elf he loved more than life itself. His elf who wanted his claim on Gimli known. His one love who was entitled to all the privileges along with the disadvantages. Gimli gazed at the new braids. There was a certain joy and pride that came with Legolas having dwarven braids. He should have done this long ago. It looked and felt right. This was what should be. Happiness replaced the small sense of sadness he had.

Gimli reached out, touching the braids lovingly, "Your tresses are beautiful. They bring to mind gold and sunshine. You should have these. They make it clear that you are my one and belong to me as my own elven braids tell of you. They look right." Gimli said.

"Yes, they do," and Legolas leaned forward for a kiss.

TBC