Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return to Mirkwood
Chapter Eight.
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Gimli/Legolas
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I love them and thank Tolkien for them. They are not mine. The Gimli and Legolas I write belong solely to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters. I claim the original characters and ideas.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Cuddle slash. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please.
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. It helps a great deal. Thank you to Nef for encouragement and advice. Thank you to erobey for the love and support. Thank you to Marigold for the beta work, the lovely additions, and for telling me I should write this story. Any mistakes left are mine

King Thranduil said,” Now we will discuss other issues. When Lord Celeborn mentioned that the two of you might have become lovers, I thought it was some kind of mad joke on his part. Then my representatives confirmed what Lord Celeborn suggested. It was much discussed between Celduil, Tasar, and I. We came up with many wild theories as to how an elf and a dwarf could find common enough ground to discover love. I came to the conclusion that it was not an event that could ever occur and worried over the possible motives of both of you."

"Then Legolas returns home and I hold my son and I look in his eyes. I see shining there plainly for all to know, the bond between the two of you. Never have I seen a bond reflecting thus without love on both sides. I gaze into Gimli's eyes and view what I would have swore could not exist in a dwarf. I see an elven bond."

Celduil asked, "You noticed the bond with Gimli right away?"

"Yes, did you not?"

"Nay, my Lord. He just appeared angry to me but I think that is normal for dwarves. I observed the bond only after talking to Gimli for a time at the party."

Gimli did not understand all the talk about eyes but he was beginning to feel like cursing Thorin and himself, too. Celduil thought the average dwarf was angry. What kind of impression had Thorin given them? One he had only confirmed himself.

Legolas spoke up, "Most dwarves are not angry unless you make them so. Gimli is no easier to anger than the typical elf."

The King addressed Gimli, "The main problem I have with this union is not that you are a dwarf. It is that you are a mortal. I gaze into Legolas' eyes and perceive not just the bond but, also, loss for my family. His mother is no longer and I shall lose him too, my precious son."

Gimli heard the sorrow and felt his own grief. He answered, "Is it so determined? Could not Legolas survive? He has proven himself strong in many ways."

The Elven Lord replied, "The story he just told shows me that he loves several mortals, all of whom will die. How many deaths will he face before yours and yours the hardest of all for him to bear? The strongest of trees can not withstand continual storms. Finally a storm will come strong enough to fell it, and your death, Gimli, Legolas would not survive. Your bond is new and you are of a species not known for showing unions yet I believe everyone here sees it?"

Tasar and Lisse both nodded solemnly. Tasar said, "I shed my tears before the meeting but I am willing to accept your choice, Legolas. Lisse and I have spoken long on the matter. Better a mortal's life span filled with love than an eternity never knowing love. As Gimli's eyes reflect the bond clearly despite his being a dwarf we have no doubt the love is there."

Gimli had no idea what they were seeing. He had seen his eyes in the mirror before the noon meal and had discerned nothing unusual. He would ask Legolas privately.

"So though the bond is young it is already very strong. I have no hope that Legolas could outlive the breaking of such."

Gimli hesitated. King Thranduil had overcome his wife's death. He did not feel right in asking about it.

Celduil's next words were perhaps the answer, Gimli thought, as the elf said, "Much depends on the strength of the bond. I believe Lastand and I could survive the other's death but we are not close. Tasar, however..."

"I must have Lisse. Our spirits are joined."

"Which leaves me with a decision to make," the Elven Lord said, "I could say I've lost a son, ask you both to leave, ripping a part of my heart out or I can go on knowing the end is not yet. It is probable that I will be past the Havens when the bond is severed. Tasar and Lisse had already planned on leaving, taking each member of their family. They will be delaying that trip now as they wish not to leave a brother that will never be seen again. Celduil plans on staying with the last of our people for many years to come. Legolas, you do comprehend what you are facing when Gimli's life is over?"

"Yes. I do not fear death and what we share is worth dying for. It shall be hard indeed when the time comes but it is not my own death I am concerned with."

Gimli's heart was filled with sorrow. Legolas could say this was worth it but the price was far too high for Gimli's taste. It hurt and he hated even the idea that Legolas would pay in such a fashion. They were all taking it as a certainty and how could he deny what elves would understand best?

"I must then decide what comfort can be found here. I can find very little. I would wish for something tangible to show that the child I have lost was truly loved." The King looked at Gimli and said, "Shortly after Celduil came of age, he told me of his desire to bond with Lastand. I did not approve. I had a contract written out for the two of them to sign. Something I hoped would show the seriousness of a commitment that is to last for all time."

Celduil said, "It scared me but I believe it is the only reason Lastand and I have managed to get along, though there is little closeness between us now."

The Elven Lord went on, "It was different when Tasar came of age. Lisse and he had been holding hands since they were two and Lisse has always been as a daughter to me."

"Only I was still young and did not view it that way," Celduil said. "I told him. It is unfair to require of one son what is not asked of from the other."

Tasar smiled, the first time Gimli had seen him do so, and said, "Ada barely had time to think about it before I found him and wanted to know why Celduil's bonding had received the King's blessing and mine was not to."

Gimli had sympathy for the King and he could see where this was heading. Legolas appeared to, also, but for some reason he did not seem comfortable with it.

Lisse said, "If one has a contract, it is signed by seven witnesses and then by the King. I wanted that. I saw it as romantic and a way of showing that our bond was acknowledged by the King himself."

"Since Tasar and Lisse's contract I've signed almost two hundred more agreements. That brings me to you two and what I would request. I desire a contract."

The King was looking at Legolas now. Gimli could tell that Legolas was tense about something and clearly the Lord discerned it too. Gimli did not know what was causing Legolas' trouble.

"My copy will be my proof through the ages that Legolas did not perish for nothing. And I feel it will bring Legolas reassurance when he is the only elf among a people whose customs he can not always understand."

Gimli was prepared to agree when Legolas stood up and raising his voice said, "Nay."

TBC