Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return to Mirkwood.
Chapter Eighteen.
Author: Sarah.
Pairing: Gimli/Legolas.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I love them and thank Tolkien for them. They are not mine. The Legolas and Gimli I write belong to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters. I claim the original characters and ideas.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please.
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. The encouragement helps me more than I can say. Thank you to Marigold for the super great beta work. I am glad for your touch on my work. Any mistakes left are mine.

The days waiting for the new moon were blissful ones with the exception of two events that Gimli considered ordeals. The first was penning a letter to his father.

Legolas offered to give Gimli privacy but the dwarf shook his head. "Rather have you here."

Gimli was at the desk in their study with the silver quill set in front of him. He stared silently at the quill. Minutes passed and still the task ahead of him did not seem possible.

His fingers itched and he stretched them, groaning as he did so. The missive was not a battle that could be ended with his axe.

Legolas left the lounge and came to stand beside him. His fingers touched Gimli's braids and he let strands of hair fall through his fingers. "You have beautiful hair, meleth nín. I don't know how I could aid you but...Do you want to talk about it? Is there any way I can help you with your chore?"

Gimli replied, "No. Wait. Aye, you can. You can be patient with me, my treasure. I have no idea of what to say to my father. If it does not come out sounding right, be assured that I do love you. I just do not wish to worry him."

"I don't require you to inform him of our bonding in a letter, melethron. I understand this is difficult for you."

"Aye." Gimli leaned into Legolas' touch. He had sent a note home with Naur but that had been easily done. He had written of many things: the wedding of the King and the Lady Arwen, his friends, Minas Tirith, and his own welfare. He had told of his desire to build the gates for the City and had mentioned that before he came home he would be travelling with Legolas. He had even added that he regarded Legolas to be his best friend and shield-brother.

Gimli had felt he was as honest as a dwarf could be in a letter. Writing from Eryn Lasgalen knowing he was planning on signing a contract that his father would not approve of and saying nothing of it smelled like deception to Gimli.

Gimli picked up the goose quill, dipped it in ink and began. He wrote that he was fine and hoped his father was well, also. He stated that he was with Legolas at Eryn Lasgalen. Gimli added that Eryn Lasgalen was the new name for Mirkwood. He would be heading home after the visit. He remarked that Legolas would be coming with him to Erebor. Then he paused.

Legolas had started to scratch Gimli's back and though the clothes prevented some of the feeling the contact was still extremely pleasurable. Gimli eased off a tunic and picked the quill up again. Legolas being at his side, somehow, made the work seem easier. The letter, as with every manuscript scribed by dwarves, was composed in the basic characters of common. Gimli did not care about Legolas reading it. His beloved gave him strength just by his presence.

This letter would not be pleasing to his father so he saw no point in avoiding anything. He wrote that he had been welcomed in the Greenwood and that he hoped his father would give Legolas the same acceptance "for he means more to me than I can say in a letter." He signed his name and started cleaning the quill.

Legolas had brought in an extra chair that he had pushed next to Gimli while the missive was being done. His hand slipped up Gimli's undershirt and he scratched lightly on Gimli's back.

"Love, your missive is very vague. There are sure to be rumours involving us. Will not your father view your message as confirmation of everything he's heard?"

"No. If I tell more, I'll feel dishonest not to reveal everything. Besides, it would never occur to him that we might be lovers. That feels good, Legolas."

"There is liable to be a great deal of talk. The elves my Lord is sending...will they be giving the letter to your father?"

"No. Dwarves are often at the market place in Dale. Dispatches go through the King's steward from the market place. Although you are right about the gossip. If my father is treated to sudden silence when he enters the pub, he will wish to understand why. None will even hint to his face of what I am doing. He would go to his good friend Hain. Hain will divulge the rumours to him. He will not go to Naur to see if the tales are true for he knows Naur would refuse him any information. Yet it would hurt him to have to do so. My father would not put him in such a position. He would visit Targ and Targ might delight in the telling."

"Wonderful. Will that make him easier or more difficult to deal with? Nothing personal Gimli but it is my opinion that angry dwarves are to be avoided." Legolas' head rested on Gimli's shoulder but his fingers continued at their task.

"A dwarf's wrath can burn slowly for a long time worsening by the day. On the other hand, maybe he will calm down." Gimli glanced at Legolas. "He will probably be furious over it. Learning of our relationship before we arrive in Erebor won't worsen his feelings but I doubt they will lessen them, either. He will have many reasons to be disturbed but I believe the one factor that will be most upsetting is that I didn't come home and marry as he judged I should. The line ends with me and that I suppose will be what causes the most trouble. Other objections may be brought up but it will be that one fact that will fuel it."

Gimli noticed Legolas' troubled eyes. "Legolas, I realise that you desire it to go well but you must be prepared for my father to reject me because of our love. I don't suspect he will officially disown me but it is very possible he will refuse to see or speak to me ever again."

He could sense Legolas' sorrow but he didn't know how to ease it.

Gimli reached for the quill. "I'd best write my sister again as she will worry should the news reach her."

His elf was not happy. Gimli could feel the tug in his own chest. He felt a huge sense of inadequacy. He was Legolas' shield brother but he could not fathom how to shield his one from these hurts.

Gimli told his sister that he missed her very much. He wrote that he was happy and she should not be concerned for his welfare. Gimli stopped writing and touched his lover's golden hair. He could not describe Legolas satisfactorily as his one was wonderful beyond mere words. Nor could he express how much his beloved was treasured. He endorsed the letter.

"It's interesting how you communicate with your sister. An elven woman would find it slightly demeaning and offensive. Myself, I think it sad that your race has had to be that protective of your females."

Gimli knew what Legolas referred to. Legolas had made several comments the last time he had wrote his sister. Gimli's note was addressed to his sister's husband and inside was no greeting. Just the abrupt beginning of a letter. Nowhere was Gimli's sister's name on the correspondence. "Dorin will realise it is meant for her. And she will perceive from my words that you are my one."

Legolas frowned. "I don't understand."

Gimli smiled. "I told her I was happy and she should not worry. She'll know. Besides..." he grinned, "I gave Naur permission to impart the tidings if she requested it. After this letter, I'm positive she will be paying him a visit."

Legolas' fingers had just the right pressure against Gimli's back. "Gimli, you said that no one would even hint to your father about us. Are we doing wrong in your race's view?"

Gimli moved in the chair and enclosed Legolas' chin with his hand. "It is considered improper to lay with one of another race. My people do not reckon that intimacy is to be given to those not of our kind."

Legolas looked down at the desk, letting his hair fall across his face. "Your people... they see the first time I enjoyed your bed as wicked?"

Insight flooded into Gimli's mind. *He hasn't said so and probably wouldn't but I'm sure there are elves that judge he has lowered himself to lay with a dwarf. Now he fears that my race deem he has debased himself, too. *

Gimli went to the lounge and settled himself there, opening his arms to the sad looking elf. "Come here, meleth." He waited until Legolas was sheltered in his arms before beginning, "Not wicked, love. Your words are too strong." Gimli searched his mind for a way to explain the concept.

"Legolas..." he let his finger follow the outline of an ear.”If we were not lovers, I would not be aware of how sensitive these are. It is the same with my race. You have knowledge about dwarves due to our love that none but our own have. It is that understanding my people would rather not be shared.

"However, my people value love. Now that this is already done, they will count on me to prove honourable in the matter and will behave so themselves. There will always be some who will dislike our union but that will be true among elves, too. If my people look down on anyone it will not be you. You aren't expected to comprehend the customs of dwarves. Most dwarves will not perceive us as shameful as long as our love remains true. As for my father, I meant, that no one would want to risk his ire."

Legolas leaned against him and covered Gimli's hand with his own, "I remember you were uncertain because you had this notion that I might be playing games but you didn't seem worried about being indecent when we became lovers.”

Gimli did not respond. His impulse was to reassure Legolas but something restrained him. A deeper wisdom that declared he needed to let Legolas decide. *Did his elf trust their love enough to know the answer to his own doubt?* It was, Gimli, realised the first test of their bond and Legolas' silence was not hopeful. *Amazing the amount of trouble one letter can cause.*

A new comprehension arrived. Gimli had assumed that Legolas had all those years to have lovers and experience pleasure. Gimli understood now that he had that span of time to be hurt and to learn not to trust, too. His family clearly cherished him so it would have been a lover who had taught him such a bitter lesson.

Perhaps, he should comfort Legolas, after all. Before the words could be spoken, Legolas said, "N'uma. I do not believe you viewed our love at Helm's Deep as disgraceful. Between us, it's always been about love."

His tone held confidence and Gimli released the breath he had not known he had been holding. Gimli was aware of a lightening in his heart even as Legolas talked.

Gimli nodded. "Legolas, I can't shield you from the painful judgments of others but as far as I'm concerned both races could reject and deny us and still our love would survive. And if anyone cannot recognize that and prefers to see what we've done as dishonourable then they don't know love when they see it. Their opinions on the matter don't change what is real. Anyone with half a mind to see the truth can tell there is only love betwixt us."

Gimli held Legolas' eyes. The bond showed plainly as he saw reflected back, the two of them on the bed at Helm's Deep. "My one, try to understand. I love Legolas Thranduilion first and foremost. The fact that you are an elf, despite its many wonderful benefits is very much secondary to that. Wherever we are, my eyes hunt for you and when they find you they behold the one I love. At Helm's Deep, I did not consider it wrong because I love you. I refuse to believe that love is wrong."

Legolas smiled. "Amin mela lle. Always. I have never deemed our love as wrong, either. I comprehend fully what you are saying. You are a dwarf and there is much I cherish about that but most importantly you are Gimli and that is what matters."

******************************************

The second event occurred a few days later.

They were in bed, in the middle of a long, leisurely kiss when Gimli paused. "My elf? Is someone at the door?"

"Of course not," and Legolas reached for Gimli again.

"Hold, lover. I'm sure I heard..."

The knocking was louder now and Legolas groaned, "You are not going to let me pretend I hear nothing are you? No one can be certain that we are here."

Gimli shook his head. "We haven't been disturbed before. The servants would have informed whoever it is that we are here. It could be important."

"All right." Legolas moved off Gimli.

Gimli watched as Legolas struggled with his leggings.

Legolas cast a glance at Gimli. "You should dress yourself, meleth nín. I see no reason to suffer alone." He grinned.

Gimli nodded and took the clothes Legolas offered.

As soon as Legolas had his leggings on, he went to the door of the bedchamber and yelled out, "A moment. Wait, saes."

They finished dressing and, shutting the door behind them, went to the outer room. Gimli got the wine and several glasses and then sat in one of the chairs by the table.

Legolas opened the door and ushered an elven female inside. "Gimli, this is Elind, my mother's mother's mother."

She was pretty and tall with long blond hair and a face that told clearly of kinship to Legolas.

Gimli rose and bowed, "Gimli, son of Gloin at your service."

"I seriously doubt that. Since when has a dwarf ever been at the service of an elf?"

This was so unexpected that Gimli sat back down instantly almost missing the chair.

"Can't answer that, can you? Because I'm right. I fail to comprehend why your people must persist in a greeting they don't have the slightest intention of actually obeying."

Legolas spoke up, "Gimli is polite."

"Implying I'm not? I changed your cloths when you were a baby and I shall not have disrespect from you now." She helped herself to a chair and stared at both of them.

Legolas had taken a seat. Gimli noticed his elf's tense body and anxious eyes. He was reminded of his father's mother. A very difficult person at times. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes, thank you."

Gimli poured the wine, feeling grateful that at least one statement hadn't caused trouble.

"I can't believe it." Elind stated.

Gimli decided not to ask. It was probably best to say as little as possible.

Legolas said, "It is nice of you to visit."

"I didn't leave my talan and come all the way to this cave your father calls a fortress to be social. I just can't believe it." She directed her stern focus on Gimli. "Do you love him?"

Gimli wanted to be sure everything was clear between them so he said, "Legolas? Aye."

"Of course I mean Legolas. I don't care who else you love as long they are of less importance than him. I just can't believe it."

Gimli sighed inwardly. *How many times will she say that?*

She took a long sip of her wine keeping her gaze on Gimli. "You love him?"

Gimli took a deep breath and reminding himself that she was very much his elder replied, "Aye, Lady."

"His father expects me to be at the bonding ceremony. Legolas' mother being gone and her mother left to the Undying Lands. So it's my place, he tells me. I asked him, 'Does this dwarf even love your son?' 'Yes', he replies." She eyed Gimli now as if she would not be surprised if he denied it. "Do you?"

Gimli began to feel irritated. *Why would I be in Eryn Lasgalen in the first place binding myself for eternity to Legolas if I didn't love the elf?*

"Uma. Aye." he said aloud, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice because Legolas looked as if he thought Gimli was going to start a quarrel. Legolas was pushing his hair on and off his ears. Gimli remembered well the last time he had seen such a reaction from Legolas. His elf was becoming agitated.

An alarming realisation came to Gimli: neither of them were wearing their braids. They had removed each other's, intending to bathe before the evening meal, and put them back after the bath. She had not commented on it. Yet.

Worse, his elf had put on only one tunic before leaving the bedroom. He was not clothed in the outer garment he usually had on. If Legolas did not quit pushing his hair back, the mark Gimli had just given him was bound to be noticed. In one sense, Gimli was proud of his claim on Legolas. Normally, he wouldn't have cared who saw it or what that person thought of it. However, it might lead to more questions and he was having a problem keeping his impatience in check as it was.

Gimli kicked Legolas under the table. Wide blue eyes met his but it was obvious Legolas had no idea of why Gimli had just kicked him. At least, Gimli noted, the hands had stilled.

"You understand that once the contract is done, you can't suddenly decide you don't like elves?"

"Aye." He reached for his own wine. He resisted the sudden urge to declare that he could dislike as many elves as he wished, it wouldn't stop him from loving Legolas. Instead, he took a big sip of the wine.

She glanced at Legolas and then back to Gimli. "Legolas thinks with his heart, I guess. How about you? Do you love him?"

Gimli had had enough. Elder or not, she was impossible. "Aye. Would I follow him into a forest and serve his people," Gimli put stress on the serve despite Legolas' flinch, "by going through a ceremony in front of every elf in the Greenwood if I did not? My own find my word sufficient and require not this proceeding."

"Gimli is right. I love you, Naneth, but you should not give Gimli so much difficulty. He..."

She fixed her gaze on Legolas. "You were never rude as a child. Speaking right up when no one asked your opinion."

"He's an adult now." Gimli began.

"Exactly. He should know better. I remember well our Lord once stating that dwarves do not take just one despite their saying they did and that they would forget your name in a week. I asked him, 'does he think you are any different?' “She looked at Gimli.”He tells me that perhaps he was mistaken or maybe you are an exception. In any case he has trust in the bond to assure that you do not forget so easily. I can discern the bond clearly in your eyes. Don't you think it odd that I can perceive a bond in your eyes?"

Gimli answered, "No. It would be strange if you did not as I am bonded to him."

She smiled, "I suppose that Thranduil..."

Legolas grimaced and Gimli realised that few people probably called the King by his name.

"is right. You do love him. I find it hard to believe but it seems obvious enough. Our King wants me to pronounce the part of the blessing Legolas' mother would do if she were alive. I suppose I will. The two of you are both a bit disrespectful and I've decided you deserve each other." She stood up. "Legolas, your mother would be very proud of your deeds. I'm pleased with them myself. Although I'm even happier that you've managed to come home safely."

Elind put her hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I love you no matter what you do. I'll be at the dinner tonight. Perhaps I'll get to see those new braids that everyone is gossiping about."

She went to the door. "Next time, Legolas, try to be more prompt about opening the door."

After she left, Legolas exchanged looks with Gimli. "I'm sorry, Gimli. She's not usually that way. I loved having her visit as an elfling because if I got into mischief and my father made any attempt at discipline, she'd tell him that being too strict with a child crushes the spirit."

Gimli grinned. "My father's mother is worse. It's normal for her."

"Worse? Am I to meet this person?"

"I imagine she'll ask to see us both as soon as someone informs her I'm home."

"I look forward to meeting her." Legolas said. He sighed heavily.

Tbc.