Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE

Title: Return to Mirkwood
Chapter Nine.
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: G this chapter.
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 only the original ideas and characters.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Cuddle slash. Others please ask.
Feedback: please.
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who gave me fb. There are times when knowing someone might like me to continue is why I write on. Thank you to Nef. 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 her wise advice.
Thank you to Brazgirl for the reviews. I hope you like the discussion in this chapter. Thank you for making the effort to add a review and letting me know what you liked. I always appreciate knowing what someone liked.
Sivan and Erunyauve, thank you for the reviews. I am so glad to have them.

"N'uma. You will not take from the son what you could not get from the father."

Gimli stared at Legolas. He did not see this as related to what happened before with Gloin at all. From the look on the Elven Lord's face he, too, did not see the connection. Gimli asked, "Legolas?"

"I will not have you coerced into something you do not want."

Gimli frowned. He could not imagine how he had given Legolas the impression that he had an objection with what the King was asking.

King Thranduil said calmly to Gimli, "Family meetings have on occasion got emotional. The first door to your left outside this room has been set aside for private speech. If you like, you are welcome to use it."

Legolas looked as if he might refuse so Gimli stood up quickly, "We would appreciate that. Thank you."

He began to leave, hoping Legolas would follow. As he reached the door, Gimli heard Lisse say with confusion, "I thought of it as an honour."

The door to the left led to a small room with a lounge and a few chairs. Legolas started to pace back and forth as soon as the door was shut.

Gimli went and sat on the lounge and watched.*Beautiful, he is, but there is hardly space here for a hobbit to stride comfortably.* As he thought these words, Legolas kicked a chair out of the way to give himself more room.

Gimli said, "Whatever is the matter?"

"The matter! The matter with me?" Legolas took a breath but he continued trying to pace in a room too small for such a luxury. "An honour? They... I overheard a few things. He said it is an honour, yes, I had heard him say so but not one that goes both ways."

Gimli felt very confused. This made no sense. "Come here, elf." Legolas moved to his side. "What did you overhear?"

Legolas sat very stiffly. "I overheard Targ. They, your people, seem to think you've honoured me greatly. And I understand. I feel it myself; sometimes I can scarce believe that you have chosen to bond with me."

Gimli was starting to comprehend. "It does work both ways. Elves, in general, think dwarves ugly and I often find your love for me amazing. The honour is equal, as far as I'm concerned."

"Your people do not think so."

"Did Naur ever give you that indication?"

"Nay but Naur and I became friends."

"Aye. Yet Naur thinks as much like a dwarf as any of us. My point is that most dwarves are capable of seeing this as an honour both ways. Targ has his own opinions but they aren't necessarily those of all dwarves and Ner is barely of age. He proved himself in battle but he is not going to argue with any of us, no matter how much he disagrees, for we are his elders. I still don't understand why you became so upset back there."

"He wants to force you to..."

"No, Legolas. He did not say we had to. He said he was asking. I haven't seen this contract but it is probably something I can accept." Gimli reached out and brushed the hair off Legolas' ears. "You were not listening well enough, I deem." Gimli could feel his elf start to relax under his touch.

"Yes, but you can't Gimli. You just can't."

"Why not?"

"My Lord wants to make you agree with him as he tried with Thorin."

Gimli wrapped Legolas' hands in his and caressed a palm with his thumb.” It is not similar at all. When I became irritated about the past I caused you to feel injured on my part, didn't I?"

"If it hurts you then I feel it. No one can touch you without me experiencing it."

Gimli smiled.” I think the same way about you but Legolas, it is a very different situation to me. Thorin wanted to hide and protect a treasure but I have already claimed mine. Having a deed that says you belong to me and me alone rather pleases me." Gimli chuckled.

"Your father will never forgive it if you do."

Gimli traced the ear closest to him gently and said, "Is that your only other dissension?"

Legolas moved over and put his head against Gimli's shoulder, stretching his legs across the lounge. He was more at ease now. "Yes, I would not have you give up your family so I can retain mine."

Gimli put his arm around Legolas and said, "I need to tell you a few things. I find it difficult to talk about some of it but there is much you should know. For now, I'll tell what I must but later we will talk more of these matters. About my father. In Gondor, I naively thought he would accept us as mates as you are my one love. Since arriving in Mirkwood, I have come to the realisation that he will not. Partly due to this visit but, also, because he had hopes that I would continue the lineage when I got home."

"You mean marry and have children?" Legolas' fingers had begun to slide across Gimli's back.

"Aye. I believe he even had the female in question picked out and I simply did not pay attention to his hints but looking back at it, his intentions seem clear. So it is possible, he will find the contract another reason not to accept our love but that is what it will be, another excuse, not the only one. It is different with you. Your father has as good as said that he will give us his blessing because he loves you even though it costs him greatly. Your Lord wants it for reassurance but I suspect he also desires it as protection for you. Nothing wrong with that. You are clearly a treasure to him, too, yet he is willing to accept a union he fears will cost him that which he cherishes."

Legolas was rubbing Gimli's back and the dwarf leaned into the touch. "I haven't seen this contract but unless there is something I find objectionable, I'm inclined to want to agree to it. Your father loves you and I could like him for that cause alone. You really gave me the impression that he was liable to be very unreasonable. Is he usually?"

"Nay but look what happened with Thorin. I thought dwarves might be the one thing in all of Middle-earth that brought out who knows what in my Lord. You're not irrational so how do I know Thorin was not correct?"

"I imagine it's likely that they both helped the other in the 'I can be unreasonable' area. Though Thorin had a reputation among our folk for his temper. I've never liked the way Bilbo was treated by all accounts. If someone grabbed one of *our* hobbits and dangled them over a great height, I can promise you, I would not take it lightly, whether they were leader of my people, or not. Perhaps the event was exaggerated."

Legolas' fingers made smoothing patterns over Gimli's back. "I am sorry Gimli but I don't think that act of violence was exaggerated. I was not there but Celduil was shocked someone would pick a hobbit up like that, or indeed any living creature, and told me he saw it clearly. Out of everything that happened, Celduil was upset over that enough to make many comments on it."

Gimli sighed.” I do not understand it but as far as we go, I, at least have reason to sign the contract your King desires. Do you know what Naur does for a living?"

"He told me that he mines but he also helps solve disputes between people."

"Aye. He is good at it. He says despite the fact that you are an elf and therefore not mentioned in our laws, he is sure he can make a very good argument, for your right to be accepted into our house. As we are lovers, you already have a claim for protection of the house but you do not have the status Naur feels he can gain for you. He rarely loses, Legolas. You will have to think on this after I explain the consequences but a contract already between us approved by your kin would help as far as I understand it." Legolas was massaging his neck. Gimli wished he could melt into that touch and forget everything.

"I would be glad to have the agreement," Legolas admitted. "My Lord's blessing and love and yours, too, all in one form. However, are you positive you want to sign this? No issues with pride, guilt, disloyalty or some dwarven concept of things that I have not even considered?"

Gimli started to say no when a painful thought occurred to him. Two words. Words that never failed to bring fear, dread, and sorrow into Gimli's heart.

*Sea longing.*

Gimli discerned that Legolas was waiting for an answer and he leaned back into elven arms. He perceived that his beloved would understand his contemplation of just how to voice his concern and patiently let him ponder what direction to take.

Gimli's thoughts went to a memory: One of the nights shortly before the final parting with their companions. The hobbits, Gandalf, and Legolas had been sitting around the fire trading songs and stories. Gimli had found a log to sit on not far from the group and had quickly begun to sink into depression. He had felt her presence and her hand on his shoulder as soft words were spoken, "They are rejoicing in each other yet you are here in sorrow." It was a question as well as a statement.

Gimli had sadly let his eyes wander over the hobbits, Gandalf, then to Legolas, up to the Lady Galadriel, and back to linger on Legolas. "You will leave and I shall behold your beauty never again my Lady. Gandalf, too, will depart. The hobbits will go to their homes and loved ones as they should but how long will it be before the sea takes my love from me?"

Nothing was said in reply for a few minutes and Gimli after glancing back sorrowfully at her, gazed heart sick at Legolas. Her next words were quiet ones but they echoed in Gimli's heart, "Do you love him enough to follow him?"

"Aye that I do!" The words had been spoken in the passion of the moment but Gimli had meant them with his whole being.

"I have talked long with Mithrandir about this issue. He feels there is justice in allowing you this choice in reward for your deeds against the Enemy. His own words had a part in bringing about the friendship between you two. Should you arrive in the Undying Lands with Legolas, your love for each other will be a witness that even his smallest works had marvellous results. There will be friendship between elves and dwarves due to the love you share with Legolas. If you are willing to leave with him when the time finally arrives, you have my blessing to do so."

Gimli had firmly replied that he was willing, he loved Legolas a great deal more than any love; even that of Middle-earth.

Legolas would not leave because he was tired of Middle Earth and never because he no longer loved Gimli. His departure would have much more to do with a calling that refused to be denied forever.

Now as his head rested against Legolas' chest, he thought of that final farewell. Lady Galadriel had looked into his eyes and though the words were not spoken, Gimli had heard them clearly, "You have my blessing, Gimli, son of Gloin. When the day arrives, I will wait for you on the shore." Until this moment he had kept this knowledge to himself.

*It was time,* Gimli thought to discuss this as much as his heart dreaded it. "Legolas, what is promised between us now is private and can be changed if both agree however painful that would be, but a contract is not so negotiable." Before Legolas could misunderstand and be hurt, Gimli hastily added, "You did not mention the sea longing to your Lord so he knows not that he could be binding you away from what you must have. If the longing for the sea becomes unbearable, I would not wish you tied to a piece of parchment. Yet..." The dwarf hesitated and then said in a rush of words, "I would follow you anywhere should you so desire and the Lady has granted it."

He felt and heard Legolas' intake of breath.

"You would come with me? Gimli, I could not ask it of you. It would be cruel."

Gimli shifted up and he looked into Legolas' eyes, "Do you desire it?"

Legolas tried to glance away but Gimli reached for his chin. "It would be better far if you did not for in my going you would be taking your risk of death from grief across the sea but I must know your true feelings on this matter."

"I...I will not leave for many years. It is as I said before, I love the hobbits and Gondor's new King. I am bound to Middle-earth still and despite the depth of the call I have no wish to leave. When the time does arrive, yes, Gimli I would have you go. I am sorry. To ask this of a dwarf is not right but you wanted to know. Yes, I desire it." He spoke as if the words were torn from him and Gimli knew that the admission had come at a high price. He understood. He would not like to have to tell Legolas that he wanted him to pay such a sacrifice.

Legolas pulled away from Gimli as if ashamed of his selfishness and silence fell. Gimli comprehended that what happened next would determine much of what their love would become. The full impact of what he was offering overpowered him. To leave Middle-earth. To depart from everything his race had ever known throughout time, to leave the mountains he loved and go where no other of his kind resided. He had always counted it as a certainty that he would be buried in a stone tomb deep in a cavern somewhere as his fathers before him had been, to remain in Middle-earth for all eternity. It would be a farewell to all he ever known and held dear and true.

Legolas was no longer touching him and had moved slightly apart from him. His gaze was on the wall and his voice trembled as he said, "Gimli, you can not do this even for me. It is too much to request of any dwarf."

*Love* Gimli thought. *It is here in this precious being and body that belongs solely to me. My own spirit is entwined with this elf's spirit. It is not so much to give Legolas what he yearns for when I would gladly forfeit my life for this love and Legolas is willing to offer even his immortality up as a gift to our love. What did it matter where they were, just so long as they were together?*

Gimli moved to Legolas and sheltered him in his arms the best he could on a lounge not meant to hold a dwarf and an elf, and said, "You don't have to ask. I want to be at your side. I will go with you. To cross the sea with you is such a small thing if it means we can remain together even a short time longer."

Legolas' arms tightened around his beloved. His voice trembled again, this time with happiness as he said, "I love you so very much, Gimli. Elvellon, I thank you for this gift. You may do as you think best with the contract."

"Are you ready to go back to the meeting?"

Legolas nodded.

When they returned to the meeting room, Tasar and Celduil were playing a game involving a board and wooden pegs that they set aside when Legolas and Gimli came in. Gimli noticed that they had several different games and a few puzzles out as though they had expected the discussion to last much longer.

Legolas went to his father and hugged him. Gimli watched as the hug was welcomed and returned. "I am sorry, Ada. As Gimli has pointed out to me you are being quite gracious."

"It is all right, my son."

They sat down again and Legolas said, "May we see the contract?"

The King handed over the rolled parchment. "This is an idea of what I myself desire. You may, of course, add your own words and promises as you wish."

It was a relatively simple contract. It reminded the dwarf of some of the marriage vows common among his own people. There was nothing here that Legolas and he had not talked about since their arrival in Mirkwood. It was a fair contract addressing both Legolas and himself. There were two things that referred to them separately.

One was the bonding statement at the very top. It stated that Legolas had never bonded before and was at the time the joining took place with Gimli, free to bind himself to whom he wished. No other had claim on him. It, also, said that Gimli when signing the contract was avowing that he had no previous commitments.

The other part was addressed to his elf and mentioned that Legolas was a representative of his race in their union as well as an individual and should he violate the contract he would disgrace his people.

It was mostly a statement of love, a resolution declaring that they would stay at each other's side in friendship and love through good and bad until death parted them. It did not refer specially to Gimli's death which gave the dwarf a poignant reminder that while elves do not grow old they can die.

Gimli read it over several times with Legolas leaning over him, and laid it back on the table. He looked across at the King then said, "Do you want to make this legal with my people too?"

"Is there a way to do that?"

Gimli nodded. "You'll need to add a clause at the bottom that says neither of us signed under duress. I, personally, would like it to state that I am a representative of my race, also. My people will respect it."

"We can do both easily. It is signed in the Great Hall usually. Though Tasar and Lisse signed theirs outside beneath the trees and that is often done as well. I ask for a three day waiting time. I want the two of you to talk it over, decide if it states all you desire it to, and then come back to me to discuss the details. You'll actually sign several copies. I will want one and I imagine you will like one of your own. Will your King desire a copy, Gimli?"

Gimli nodded.” He will."

"Do you intend to stay in Eryn Lasgalen?"

"No." Gimli began to tell the Lord of their plans with Legolas occasionally adding a few comments. He watched King Thranduil closely for signs of what the elf thought of the matter but he saw very little emotion beyond a certain trace of sadness. He was interrupted when he mentioned going to Erebor.

"You're going to your kin?"

When Gimli affirmed this, King Thranduil said, with a hint of a smile, "Our sons have found their own way of making peace. Well, your father has my sympathy."


Gimli paused and regarded the King. When Legolas used that tone in speech, he was joking but surely the Elven Lord would not be so friendly as to banter with him. Gimli nodded and continued with their plans.

They discussed for awhile the trouble Mirkwood had faced during the war. There was excited talk of the changes that would take place in the Greenwood now the Shadow had been removed. Legolas was given news of his people from births to the deaths that had taken place during the battles. Gimli was surprised when Tasar who seemed a gentle elf said, "We washed the ground in their blood three times over for each death." Battles and tactics of war were gone over and gradually the meeting came to an end.

TBC