Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return To Mirkwood
Chapter Seven
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I love them and thank Tolkien for them. They are not mine. I claim only the original ideas and characters. The Legolas and Gimli I write belong completely and solely to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please. saraharizonaanne@hotpop.com
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. It helps a lot. I've needed the encouragement. Thank you to erobey for her unfailing patience and support. Thank you to Nef for some extra encouragement when I needed it so very much. Thank you to Marigold for the beta work, help with descriptions, the extra work due to my computer problems, and for telling me I should write this story. Any mistakes left are mine.

Thank you for the review Nina. Thank you to Brazgirl. I hope this chapter is interesting, too. Thank you Sivan for the review. erobey, thank you. I feel that was their private vows. I'm glad you liked it. One of the parts I enjoy, too. Thank you to Venus for the review. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.


As they walked through the corridors Legolas told Gimli that there were several dining halls. His tone was absentminded as if he was not really paying attention to what he was saying. He explained that meals were sometimes brought to private chambers and that his family actually had two private dining rooms for their own use, should they wish it.

It was obvious to Gimli that Legolas was very nervous about the upcoming meeting and Gimli only half noticed what was said. He was trying to remember everything Legolas had said to him about the Elven King. He had been told very little he realised. What he did know had made him think that King Thranduil was a good father. Legolas was very much on edge despite that.

Gimli could hear anxiety in the voice that was talking about a main dining room. It was as if while they were in their own chambers, Legolas could forget everything but the two of them but once the door shut behind them all the cares and worries he had fell upon him.

Legolas led him into what appeared to be a public dining room with many elves. Gimli had a vague notion that Legolas had given a reason for choosing this particular dining room but his thoughts had been elsewhere.

They took trays of food and Legolas led the way out of the room. Gimli trailed behind wishing he had paid better attention to what had been said earlier.

Legolas had not gone far when he turned into another room. Gimli knew at once why he had been brought here. The place looked similar to some chambers in Erebor. Legolas must have thought and rightly so that Gimli would like the place.

It was a quieter dining area and slightly below ground level. The tables and chairs were carved out of the rock wall and made into booths. Legolas picked one with no one close and sat down. Gimli could tell it had not the dwarven touch to it. He could see several places where the work could have been done more smoothly or in greater detail. They had carved etchings of trees into the back of the booths and while that was done well the animals around the trees could use a finer touch. Yet, it was a comfortable room and felt much like home to him.

"This is nice, Legolas."

"I thought you would like it."

They said nothing for a few minutes, both making an attempt to eat. Gimli was hungry but the upcoming meeting was stealing his appetite. He glanced at Legolas who looked as if eating was some chore he wished he could avoid.

Gimli regretted telling Legolas in Gondor that he could meet with King Thranduil alone. They were in this together. "I think, my elf, that I should go with you."

Troubled eyes met his own, "We agreed in Gondor that I would speak to my Lord alone."

"Aye, but now we are here, it no longer seems right to me."

"I'm not asking you to attend. I think it will be a family meeting. Celduil will be there and Tasar. Tasar's wife, Lisse, might be there if Tasar feels the need for support, which he most likely will."

Legolas looked down at his plate.

"That means you would wish me to be there or no?"

"I hate to ask you, Gimli. It might very well be unpleasant."

Gimli watched as Legolas' fingers shredded the pastry he was suppose to be eating. "You are not requesting this of me. I want to stand by your side."

"Are you sure?"

More shredding with the fingers on the poor pastry. "It is small enough to eat now, Legolas. Aye, I want to be with you."

Legolas looked at the sweetbread, without glancing up he said softly "Thank you, my love. I will accept your offer. If it is a family meeting, I fear it would not look good if you do not attend."

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

When they arrived at the door of the meeting place, Legolas drew Gimli to him and held him close. Knowing it would please Legolas, Gimli said, "Amin mela lle." He felt Legolas grip him tighter and
nod.

Gimli followed Legolas into a room with a long table that had several chairs around it. There was a fine painting on the wall depicting a hunting scene. Lamps stood in each corner. King Thranduil sat at one end of the table. He had a rolled parchment and a small bell in front of him.

Tasar sat to the King's left with a willowy dark haired elven woman at his side. The chair to the King's right was empty.

Legolas went and sat next to the empty chair, pulling the one by him out for Gimli. He introduced Gimli to Lisse and she smiled. "Tasar and I welcome you to Greenwood." She had a gentle voice and kindness in her eyes and Gimli had the impression that she was one of those beings that was not capable of meanness. Tasar nodded at her words. He looked, to Gimli, as if he had been crying.

The door opened and Celduil came in. He strode to the empty chair and sat down but as he passed Legolas, he patted his brother on the back in encouragement.

After Celduil sat down, King Thranduil said, "In case you are under the impression, Legolas, that we are here only to discuss your relationship with Gimli, I will tell you that is not the only matter I would speak of. First, son, I would like to know your reasoning for accompanying the Ringbearer on his Quest."

Legolas began to explain about Elrond's Council and his thoughts at the time.

The Elven Lord stopped Legolas to ask Gimli, "Your father was there?"

"Aye," the Dwarf replied, and the King motioned for Legolas to proceed.

Gimli wondered what the family thought. Legolas' main defence appeared to be that he had felt it right to be part of the Fellowship. He had been honoured to be chosen for such a great task.

Gimli looked at the elves around him. Celduil was serious faced and Tasar just seemed mournful. Lisse listened quietly. The King appeared to be weighing each of his son's words.

When Legolas finished, his father said, "I can not say I think this was the most intelligent of decisions you've ever made. Did you think of the worry it would cause at home?"

"I did consider my family and home many times, but this was something I had to do."

"Had to do!" Tasar exclaimed. "You leave us without our best archer while darkness falls all around. You go off and abandon your brothers to fight without you while you...you..." He looked tearfully at Gimli, "You had fun."

Normally, Gimli would have felt anger at these words. The words may have been harsh but the tone was of a brother who had always been loved and suddenly found himself hurt and betrayed. Tasar was holding back tears and Gimli could almost feel the elf's anguish. Lisse was gripping Tasar's hand.

Legolas, however, seemed not to see the tears that were threatening. He said irritably, "I hardly think most of the Quest would be called fun. Not by sane people, anyway."

Tasar said miserably, "Did the thought occur to you that you could come home to Mirkwood and find it in ruins and all of us dead?"

Gimli spoke up now. It did not seem to be his place to speak but he hoped giving Legolas time would help his elf see Tasar's distraught state. "Those of us in the Fellowship left our homes and kin because we knew the Quest to be a higher good. If the Ring Bearer had failed, darkness would now rule in Middle-earth and only elves could escape it."

"I see your logic but it does not touch my heart. Legolas is our best archer and a part of this kingdom's defence. Lord Elrond could have selected one of his own for this mission."

Gimli sighed inwardly. The heart held great importance to elves. Maybe he would sit here and grow old while they tried to get everyone's heart to agree. This was not how disagreements were settled among dwarves but he had to admit, it was quieter. He could adjust.

King Thranduil spoke, "Tell me, Tasar, would you have wanted Legolas to turn from his own heart's calling and come home instead?"

Tasar sat silently looking at the painting on the wall while holding onto Lisse's hand. "N'uma, Ada."

Ada? Gimli did not know what the word meant. He had never heard the King called that before.

Tasar met Legolas' eyes. "Nay, brother, I would not have you ignore your heart. Though I worried over your welfare until I thought I'd be sick with it."

Legolas held his brother's gaze, "Truly, I feel I was meant to be with the Fellowship. I believe it strongly. Lord Elrond chose a representative from each race."

Celduil asked, "Why you? He has enough elves if he wants to send one on a hopeless mission."

Legolas replied, "Lord Elrond believed that we were all summoned to Imladris for some higher purpose. Gimli and his people arrived there though they were not requested to come to a council. Boromir came for advice about a dream. The hobbits came seeking to keep the Ring from the clutches of evil. Other elves petitioned to be included among the Fellowship and it is to my honour that I was selected. Mithrandir had a part in my choosing and he must have thought my courage and skill to be equal to the task. I deem it high praise considering he could have given the place to another elf with greater skill."

King Thranduil said, "I hope, Tasar, when you hear more of your brother's story, you will see he is right. As much as I missed him, I think he was needed more elsewhere. Legolas, tell us what happened upon your journey."

Over the course of the relating of all that had happened during the Quest, Gimli learned much. He saw the adventure through Legolas' eyes and his belief in his elf's good heart was confirmed. Not one bad word about any of the Companions crossed Legolas' lips. When he told of Caradhras, he did not mention the others' irritation at him. He told only of his concern for the hobbits and how they suffered from the bitter cold.

Legolas' family listened intently to him.

When Legolas reached the part in the tale that told of Moria, Gimli laid his hand over Legolas' hand. He did not care if they all noticed, this was going to be hard for his elf to tell.

King Thranduil said, "Perhaps..." His eyes searched Legolas' eyes and then he said, "Nay, I think you should continue. It is early but I shall ask for wine."

He rang the small bell and almost instantly a servant opened the door, "Yes, my Lord?"

The commands were given and while they waited, the King told Legolas of the change of Mirkwood's name and the reasons for the new name.

A servant came in with a food cart and Gimli saw not only wine but biscuits, fruit, nuts, and a huge bowl with a steaming liquid. "It's a drink with apples, wine, and many spices, Gimli." Legolas said,
answering the question before it was asked.

"The biscuits are spicy, too." Tasar added.

The King said, "Now you can continue with your tale. Do you desire to leave Tasar?"

"Nay, Ada, if Legolas could actually make it through Moria then surely I can listen to it."

Gimli had hoped Legolas would be spared this part of the account but he soon saw the father's wisdom. Before, when Legolas talked the Elven Lord had listened silently but now as Legolas faltered occasionally, the King would speak up with questions on Legolas' thoughts and the way things were dealt with. At first, Gimli did not see any reason for prolonging the misery of the story but as the telling went on, he realised what King Thranduil was doing. He was drawing the poison out of his son, helping Legolas to let go of the nightmare and not be haunted by it. He had not let Legolas skip over it because he had, somehow, known that Legolas needed to deal with it
still.

What was also pleasing to Gimli was that King Thranduil seemed to sense when Legolas felt he had not been brave enough or when his elf had some doubt over his actions. The Lord instantly stepped in with why he thought the actions were well done and with praise for his son's courage.

Gimli could almost envy how well the King knew Legolas.

Celduil was so still throughout the story, he appeared to be frozen. Tasar had buried his head against Lisse's shoulder and they were holding each other closely.

Legolas came to the part about the Balrog and for a brief second, Gimli saw unease on the Elven Lord's face but he gave no other sign of distress. Gimli concluded that the determination and courage Legolas possessed came from this elf.

Celduil's hand was now on Legolas' shoulder squeezing tightly but Gimli could not discern if the purpose was to comfort Celduil himself or Legolas.

The telling stopped at the point where the Fellowship had halted on the other side of the abyss, the Balrog still in pursuit, as Tasar suddenly cried out in distress, the description overwhelming him.

The King's hand went to Tasar's arm.” Are you all right, son? You may leave if you wish."

"N'uma." Tasar straightened up and looked across at Legolas. "Truly, I will be fine. Go on." He took a sip of the wine in front of him. Lisse stroked Tasar's hair and seemed only aware of him and his distress.

They came to Gandalf's fall and Legolas focused on his father who held his gaze, steadying him and giving him strength.

Celduil sat quietly with tears running down his face. Tasar made no sound, he seemed lost in some memory, though his eyes stayed on Legolas. Lisse had moved as much as she could into his arms.

Gimli kept his hand across Legolas' hand and felt Legolas grip his fingers throughout the telling.

There was silence for a short time after the account of Moria then Tasar said, "You were indeed a useful companion to them, Legolas, and I will not grudge them my brother's services. Though I do feel it is a gift, if only a small one compared to those of the Fellowship, that I gave the loaning of my brother when I needed him the most."

Celduil wiped his face on one of the napkins, took a long drink of his wine, and said, "I do not know if I could have continued with the Quest after that."

King Thranduil said, "Yet to stay in Lothlorien after the Fellowship had lost Mithrandir would have been a faithless thing to do."

"Uma, but where you got the courage to go on Legolas, I know not."

The Elven Lord said, "Tell us of your time in Lothlorien, son."

Legolas' gaze went to Gimli as if seeking permission to go on. Gimli nodded. He trusted Legolas to make the right decisions on what to say or not.

Legolas told of his overwhelming sorrow. "I could not find comfort among those who are considered my own. My thoughts went to Gimli for he had naught of his kin and had to face not only the loss of Mithrandir but, also, of Balin and the dwarves of Moria."

Gimli felt his love grow for Legolas. He had often wondered as to Legolas' motives for befriending a dwarf.

Legolas continued, "I thought to bring some small comfort to him but instead I was the one who was consoled. I was sure I would never find joy again but Gimli made me smile and even laugh."

Gimli had in his mind that King Thranduil probably wished Legolas had a little less solace if that solace came at the price of loving a dwarf.

Yet, the Elven Lord said, "I thank you for bringing comfort to my son in his sorrow."

"Lisse and I thank you, too." Tasar said.

"I am also grateful." Celduil said. "We are close to Mithrandir. I would not desire to be away from the embrace of my family at the time of his fall."

The rest of the talk showed Gimli several things. Legolas told nothing about Boromir's attempt to take the Ring but freely complimented the Man's skill in battle and his sacrifice. Gimli was curious if the Lord knew the whole story. If he did, he did not mention it.

King Thranduil stopped Legolas a few times to praise a deed with a "That was well done" or some similar compliment.

Legolas slowed when he began to tell of Helm's Deep. They all sat silently as Legolas talked. Gimli's thoughts were on the question of how much his elf was going to reveal. When Legolas got to the part about Gimli's injury, he went on smoothly with it but the fact that the wound had got bigger yet again in the telling made it clear to Gimli that it still was not so easy for his elf to relate. No one said anything, and Legolas said, "I stayed with Gimli then out of worry and for love. I have not left his side since."

Gimli heard the implication and from the looks on the faces around him, the elves knew what Legolas was saying, too.

To Gimli's surprise none of them protested and Legolas went on with his story.

Any residual anger Gimli had left for the King melted when the dwarf noticed something else. Sometimes, the Elven Lord commended Legolas in a rather stern voice as a King to a subject and at other times in a softer tone as a father to a beloved son. At first, Gimli was puzzled by this but slowly he saw the meaning of it.

The elf was giving Legolas both praise from the father and approval from the King.

Sadness set in for Gimli. He could like Legolas' father solely on the basis of the love that was being shown his elf. The thought of the confrontation that was likely to happen soon grew more unpleasant by the minute. He did not want to quarrel with this elf and he did not desire for Legolas to have to turn away from the love he had here.

He was honoured that Legolas was willing to give everything up for him but he hoped with all his heart that Legolas would not have to. And somehow, he could no longer see King Thranduil disowning Legolas. His elf had considered it a possibility but the King obviously held such love for Legolas that it did not seem likely that his disapproval would result in something that drastic. Harsh words, perhaps, but Gimli could not imagine the King ever turning away from one of his sons.

As soon as Legolas finished, the Elven Lord said, "Your behaviour was exemplary, Legolas. You are an excellent representative of my kingdom and of your people. I am quite proud of you."

Celduil's comment was, "You did very well for a younger brother."

Tasar said, "They both did well for their people, and for all of Middle-earth. I am happy it is over."

Legolas' fingers gripped Gimli's hand and the dwarf knew the words meant much to his elf.


TBC.