Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return To Mirkwood
Chapter Two 2/38
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: PG for this chapter. Later chapters will be NC-17.
Disclaimer: I love them and thank Tolkien for them. They are not mine. The Gimli and Legolas I write belong solely and completely to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters. I claim the original characters and ideas.
Archive: Axe and Bow. OEAM. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please.
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. Thank you to Marigold for the beta work and for telling me I should write this story. Any mistakes left are mine.
Thank you to erobey for the advice, support, and most of all the love.

The clanging of the doors behind them was the real start of the unease for Gimli. It wasn't so much King Thranduil's possible reactions. No, this feeling came from something else. Something that had started bothering Gimli when they had entered Mirkwood. Thoughts, emotions beneath the surface that were buried just beyond reach. The dwarf had done his best to ignore his disquietude and dismiss it as a dislike of the forest. His unease did not seem practical and now there was no time to puzzle it out.

They were ushered into a huge panelled room with three elves standing, waiting at the end. Gimli briefly noted the leather-bound books lining the wall, and several tables and comfortable looking chairs. Before Gimli could catch a breath they had crossed the room and began embracing Legolas.

Gimli knew instantly who Legolas' father was. He was the elf that was not talking so fast there was no chance for Legolas to answer. He had grabbed Legolas, holding him close, saying two words over and over in Sindarin. Gimli did not recognise the words but realised they probably were, "my son." Legolas was clearly loved.

The enthusiastic greetings gave Gimli time to look them all over. Legolas resembled his father. The other two must be the brothers Legolas had told him of. One's hair was a darker blonde than Legolas' but the other one's locks was almost the same shade. There was a clear resemblance in each of them to the elder elf who had just stepped back.

Sharp blue eyes so similar to Legolas' yet with a trace of cynicism that Legolas did not have. Eyes now focused on Gimli.

Gimli was aware of the proper greeting but the words did not want to come. What he suddenly felt surprised him.

Anger. He was furious.

He was tired and hungry.

The forest was a nasty place with thousands of eyes that watched a person at night. His own father had been even more hungry and exhausted when he had been in Mirkwood. His father hadn't had an elven lover to guide him. And this elf...this elf had treated his father like a common thief.

Silence had fallen in the room now and it seemed they were staring at him.

Through the haze of wrath, one concern was strong.

*Legolas. I must not disappoint Legolas.*

Taking a deep breath, Gimli managed, though the words still longed to stick in his throat, "Gimli, son of Gloin, at your service."

Gimli glanced up at the King his words were directed to in time to catch a flash of something-----surprise?---in those blue eyes that so reminded the dwarf of Legolas, and a rather stricken look on the elf's face. The Lord's next words surprised Gimli.

"King Thranduil at you and yours." The phrase was stated smoothly and while not said with warmth, it was pronounced with courtesy.

Gimli sensed shock run through his veins like ice water cooling his ire. Whatever he had anticipated it was not such a polite greeting from someone who was a king and a king famous for his pride at that.

Legolas appeared to think that he should do the rest of the introductions and do them quickly. He rather hastily presented both his brothers, Celduil and Tasar, hardly pausing before adding, "Gimli and I are tired and dusty from the journey, my Lord. May we go to my chambers before the evening meal?"

Gimli who was observing King Thranduil saw no sign of astonishment cross his face. *He did know,* Gimli thought.

"Very well. Food is served in an hour."

They walked down hallways to Legolas' chambers but there was no chance to talk. Every minute or so some elf would hail Legolas and introductions would commence. The feeling of discomfort started up again along with a tinge of the rage Gimli had perceived before. They had not been friendly to his father so why act graciously to him? It was only because of Legolas and Gimli hated the pretence. Worse, his own response to Mirkwood annoyed him by taking him by surprise. If they hadn't been concentrating on how Legolas' father might react perhaps the dwarf would have speculated about what his own responses to being in Mirkwood might be. Now he felt taken off his guard.

They arrived at a solid oak door. Gimli followed Legolas inside and glanced around the room. It was clear they had been expected. The room had been recently cleaned and prepared for their arrival.

As Legolas showed the dwarf around his rooms, Gimli was amazed at the luxury. Thick rugs on the floor, tapestries on the wall, a bookcase that went higher than Gimli could stretch and in the bedchamber a huge intricately carved bed and solid wood chest of drawers with a mirror and shelves that were, also, beyond Gimli's reach. He had known Legolas as a warrior but this room reminded him that Legolas was much more than just that. He was nobility.

The luxury in the rooms bought a new feeling to Gimli.

Guilt. His father had not been brought to such luxury.

Gimli told himself he had to stop all these feelings but the responses remained. He was unaccustomed to such fluctuating emotions and that caused another sentiment: aggravation at himself.

"Gimli?"

"What is it?" Gimli was aware he was speaking harshly but he hadn't meant to.

"I asked you a question." Legolas replied to him with love and patience in his voice giving Gimli a deeper conviction of guilt and disgust at himself.

"And the question was?" Gimli made sure his tone was even this time.

"I'm sure the servants have the water hot. I have my own private..."

Gimli shook his head. "I'll bathe after you do. We have time." He disliked doing his love this way but he felt a desperate need to think alone.

Legolas stood uncertain in the middle of the room. "Gimli, it's obvious he knows but the possibilities are still the same. And he doesn't appear to be angry. But you do my love. What are you upset about?"

Gimli shook his head. He felt more guilt than fury and he wasn't ready to share his opinions with his elf yet.

Legolas was still was unable to leave. "If he doesn't disown me...if it's the rooms that are causing you to scowl so, they are yours as long as they are mine. We can soon arrange things more to your liking."

"The chambers are fine, Legolas. Go bathe," Gimli said gently.

Legolas nodded. "All that I have is yours. Be at home."

While Legolas was gone, Gimli looked around again. He chuckled to himself, only half believing this was real. This was what he had got himself into, rugs so thick one could sink into them and so many things just out of his reach. For a moment he had some idea of how the hobbits must have felt away from their homeland. They had learned to adapt; surely he could too. His quarters at home had luxuries certainly, and things of beauty, many made with Gimli's own hands, but these chambers spoke so clearly that an elf and one of very high status indeed lived here!

Legolas had been accustomed to this way of life for a very long time so when they had their own place Gimli could foresee more of the same. Thoughts of his father came again but Gimli pushed them aside. He would have to deal with these issues soon but not now. He did not wish to add to the anxieties his elf already carried.

Gimli's musing went back to King Thranduil. Pride in every inch of the elf yet his reception spoke of an elegance and courtesy that went past even the pride.

Gimli remembered the rather shocked expression, too. What had that been about? Had the King hoped that the report about his son having a dwarf for a lover would not be true? Yet it had been this elf's decisions so many years ago that had caused all the trouble. A voice at the back of Gimli's mind was yelling that Oin had said Thorin was much to blame. "Couldn't be polite that one if it killed him and us, too. He was far too above himself, was Thorin."

Gimli was deep in thought when Legolas came back into the room.

"It's your turn. I've told the servants to give you complete privacy. If you need something, call for me and I will come."

Gimli studied Legolas, taking in the grace and beauty. Plenty of pride in his elf, too.

The evening meal was not, at first, the strained affair Gimli had imagined it would be. Legolas' brothers asked his elf so many questions that Gimli wondered if they understood that Legolas was hungry and needed to eat. Gimli himself was having difficulty enjoying his food. As much as he tried to ignore them, thoughts of his father's hunger when he was first here so many years ago plagued him.

And then there was King Thranduil gazing at him, sometimes, with a speculative air as if the dwarf was some kind of mystery that he wished to have solved immediately.

Gimli forced some food down and listened to the discussion around him. He noticed that so many of Legolas' sentences began with, "Gimli and I..."

Gimli scrutinised the dining room. It was small, not designed to seat more than ten. Everything spoke of elegance from the table made of dark wood to the crystal dining ware. There were so many torches around the walls that it was almost as light as day. A huge chandelier with glass streamers hung over the table. White flowers overflowed from a bowl in the centre of the table. The torches took most of the wall space but there was a mirror behind the King's chair and a painting of the trees by the river on a sunny day directly across from Gimli.

As the meal wound down and Legolas' brothers quieted briefly, King Thranduil spoke, "How does your father fare these days, Gimli?"

Legolas instantly slammed his fork down with a loud clatter.

The King paid him no attention at all but continued to gaze at Gimli.

Gimli bit back the first remark that came to mind which was that his father was well now he had plenty to eat and wasn't in someone's dungeon. He didn't see malice in King Thranduil's eyes: more an honest desire to know. So Gimli forced himself to reply politely, "He fares very well now."

The King inquired,” He is well and happy then?"

Gimli didn't understand this questioning and it made him very suspicious. *What was the King doing?* Beside him, Legolas had tensed up so much Gimli could discern it. "My father is both well and happy."

"I'm glad." His words seemed sincere but Legolas did not relax at all. Turning that piercing sight on his son, the King said, "Our people wish to celebrate your returning home tonight. I want to see you after the noon meal tomorrow in the family meeting room."

Legolas nodded but he made no real attempt to finish his meal. His brothers had fallen silent, too.

Gimli was relieved that the meal was soon over.

The celebration, Gimli soon realised, consisted of a party in a room so big that Gimli had a notion that it might be able to hold everyone in Mirkwood. Gimli found a chair in a corner and sat with his pipe. Wooden benches lined many of the walls. The chairs and the benches all had white fringe for decoration around them. A huge tapestry displaying different kind of leaves was close to Gimli. The long table that was in the middle of the chamber had been cleaned so well that the rich wood shone.

Many elves hugged Legolas in joyous greeting. Gimli kept a close eye on the welcomers.

The singing was lovely, though he understood little of it. He comprehended 'love' when it was mentioned and a few other words. Legolas was behaving like Gimli had imagined elves acting and had witnessed himself in Rivendell, singing and dancing, yet Gimli noted with satisfaction that he never left the range of the dwarf's eyesight. *Knows me well,* Gimli mused.

Gimli regarded King Thranduil for awhile. The Elven Lord seemed determined to talk to as many of his people as possible. He must have been acquainted with them personally as each one conversed easily with him. He was clearly loved by his people and was polite even to the servants. Gimli watched as a child was brought to the King.

The Lord both hugged and talked to the little one before the elfling was escorted to bed. It did not fit the image Gimli had of this King at all.

Throughout the party, Gimli was visited by many curious elves. He soon comprehended that he would have to guide the conversations. Legolas' people seem to fear that practically every subject might be off limits to a dwarf. They struggled to find a topic to discuss but many sought to speak with him and make him feel welcomed.

It did not help Gimli deal with his attitude. He was beginning to believe that most of what he had been taught was incorrect. Legolas had definitely rid him of many misconceptions and now these people were causing Gimli to be uncertain if anything he had been told held much truth. They were clearly making an effort to be friendly. It was not the pretence Gimli had reckoned it to be. Most of them seemed like Legolas, willing to be friends if given the chance. Still, he felt disloyal to his father.

The night wore on and Gimli had started to doze, listening to the soothing elven singing, when a voice said next him, "Never strays far does he?"

Gimli opened his eyes and considered the elf who had addressed him.

Celduil, he recalled the name to mind, Legolas' oldest brother and heir to the throne. "I've noticed he always stays in a certain area and never beyond. Can I assume that is your vision's range?"

"Aye."

Celduil pulled a chair close to the dwarf. Gimli wondered if Legolas' brother thought his eyesight so bad that he probably didn't hear well, either. "I'm a bit curious. Why would a dwarf love an elf?"

Gimli felt the question an odd one. Shouldn't Celduil be asking why Legolas loved a dwarf? "Legolas is my best friend."

"So you just concluded that because he's your best friend, he therefore must be your lover?"

Gimli frowned. "No. I grew to admire him and that admiration became love."

"Legolas is very protective of his heart. I would not have thought he'd give it away easily."

Gimli sighed. He did not want to discuss his own view of Legolas with someone who might become offended. "Your brother is the kindest person I know. He loves easily enough from what I've seen. He grieved over both Gandalf and Boromir. In fact, worry over his grief is what..."

Gimli stopped. He didn't want to share too much.

"You worried over an elf? How long had you been acquainted him then? Is that what caused you two become lovers? Was that what you were going to say?"

Gimli felt even more sympathy for Legolas. His brothers didn't give a body a chance to response before there was a new question. And he was uncomfortable answering anything of a private nature without Legolas around.

"Aye, I worried. We were in Lothlorien at the time. I was going to say we may have become friends faster because I was concerned."

"I cannot imagine any dwarf caring at all about an elf." It was stated as a question.

"Do you know much of dwarves?" Gimli already knew the answer but he felt the question begged to be asked.

"No. Only what I've heard." Celduil appeared to be thinking. After a moment, he said, "I guess most of that was wrong. I'd heard that dwarves are very possessive but you have not called Legolas back to you once tonight. Though he is certainty aware of you."

"Dwarves are possessive enough. Although, Legolas could perhaps match any dwarf."

"Legolas? Possessive? I would say not. He..."

Gimli could hear the bewilderment in the elf's voice. He grinned. Maybe Celduil had not noticed but Legolas was slowly making his way to both of them. The elf at his side was continuing on about how Legolas even as an elfling was never possessive. Gimli didn't reply. He just waited.

Moments later Legolas was at their side. In a rather icy tone he declared to Celduil, "Just a reminder that you are bonded and Gimli is my dwarf."

He was gone again as soon as the words were said leaving Gimli to struggle at holding back his laughter.

There was a look of complete amazement on Celduil’s face.

Gimli heard Celduil gasp and then say, "I would have never thought it! You appear to want to laugh. Aren't you awfully offended?"

"No. He was actually quite nice to you. I've seen worse."

"Worse?" The elf sounded slightly strangled. "He called you his dwarf and you aren't going to protest?"

Memories flooded Gimli of being deep inside his elf and Legolas' voice as elven arms wrapped around him, "I am yours." Legolas had said those words to him many times but how to explain that to the elf looking at him waiting for an answer?

"We belong to each other. I care not if he says so." *In truth,* Gimli thought, *I'm quite happy with it.*

For a minute or more the only sound was of elven talking and singing and then Celduil said softly,” You truly love him. I am glad."

Shortly after Celduil departed, Legolas came to Gimli's side carrying two plates of food and a bottle of wine. Gimli stood up to help him. When they had settled back into the chairs, Legolas said, "I assume Celduil thinks you are deaf and therefore he must sit closely to talk."

"I suspect he thought my vision to be poor and so my hearing most likely is too."

"Your vision is not so bad as long as one doesn't desire to see anything important with it." Legolas teased. "What did he want?"

"I believe he was attempting to judge whether or not I really love you. Elves, unfortunately, talk a great deal without getting to the point." Gimli cognisant of his elf's next question answered it before Legolas could ask, "I feel sure Celduil understands I truly love you now."

Legolas smiled. "I did find out a few things from Tasar, though he has made it clear that he doesn't like my actions. Not so much because you are a dwarf, I think, more that you are mortal. He did tell me that our King first heard of our being lovers from Lord Celeborn. Lord Celeborn only hinted at it but father agonised over it enough. That is why the representatives he sent to King Elessar were elves I did not know personally. They brought back a detailed report according to Tasar. I suppose I should have expected this but I really did not deem it was any of their concern."

Gimli remembered the discussion they had at the time. Legolas had reasoned that nothing would be said to his father because the elves would not desire to make an enemy of Legolas and because King Thranduil would not be likely to believe them anyway and it truly was not their concern.

Gimli paused in his eating. "Did Tasar say what was in this report?"

"Yes," said Legolas, "The report said we chose rooms together in the very back of the house we shared with the Fellowship. They informed our Lord that we did so because I have a habit of screaming at night and not from pain either."

Gimli stopped eating and closed his eyes at the horror of it. If someone told his own father such things, he'd be mortified. Gimli opened his eyes and peered over at his elf who was casually eating as if he had just said, “It will rain tonight,” instead of a highly intimate comment. Gimli shook his head. Elves were indeed odd.

"Did Tasar convey your Lord's plans involving us?"

"Only that he doesn't know. I did tell certain representatives of my Lord that you would be going back to Moria to clear the place of any remaining orcs." Legolas took another bite of food ignoring the expression on the dwarf's face.

Then he added, "Told them that seeing as they were so good at keeping our Lord informed, I would be requesting permission to take them with me. Because naturally I would be going with you."

Gimli stared at Legolas. He didn't know whether to laugh or admonish the elf for telling such tales. He decided to do neither. His eyes scanned the room trying to find the elves in question. He felt Legolas lean over, brush the hair from his ear, and whisper, "Look over there to your right. They are the ones standing against the wall looking anxious."

Gimli located them easily enough with Legolas' aid but looking anxious was not correct. They seemed terrified at the idea. "How long are you going to let them suffer?"

Legolas laughed quietly. "Oh, I don't know. Not long, I guess. They were only obeying orders."

A shadow crossed his face and he lowered his voice, leaning over to Gimli and putting his hand on his shoulder, he said, "I hate even mentioning the place but I have been asked several times tonight about it, and stupid questions at that. “How did I feel about our journey through the Mines” for instance. If it didn't hurt so much, I might say “wonderful” just to see their reactions. What do they think it felt like? And then there is “How many orcs did I kill in Moria?” I have an estimate but I don't recall counting at the time. If someone has the nerve to ask me if I was scared...." Legolas took a deep breath. "I felt like sharing the misery so I told them my little tale."

Legolas went back to mingle with the others after their shared meal. He appeared to be cheerful but Gimli knew his elf well enough to hear the faint trace of worry in Legolas' voice when he sang and the veiled anxiety in the eyes that otherwise looked happy.

Tbc