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Return to The Lonely Mountain	By : skon Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4042 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Title: Return to The Lonely Mountain
Chapter 2.
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: G this chapter.
Beta, helpful suggestions and wonderful encouragement: Vinni. Thank you! Any mistakes left are mine.
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns them. I make no money. The Legolas and Gimli I write belong to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please.

Thank you to Min and Takky for the reviews!

Winter was a month away from arriving at Erebor, but the November mornings were chilly. The cold did not bother Legolas, and today Gimli seemed oblivious to it. Gimli was happily singing and dancing across the frost-bitten grass. He was singing in Khuzdul, but Legolas understood most of the words. It was a song of welcome and greeting to the mountain.
Legolas sat on one of the packs and watched. He had seen this reaction from his dwarf only once before. That event had been at Fangorn when Gandalf had given Gimli the message from Lady Galadriel.
Legolas liked this occasion a great deal better, for their bond was bringing Gimli�s emotions back to him. He supposed that Gimli considered this path that led up into the mountain as a homecoming, and that was the explanation for his dwarf's actions.
Gimli pranced back to Legolas, and began placing warm, moist kisses across his lover�s face. "Thank you! You are a perfect being!" Gimli announced.
Legolas smiled and pulled Gimli into his arms before his dwarf could dance away. "For what am I being thanked?"
Gimli paused in his singing to rain more kisses on Legolas' upturned face. "Because of you, I can hear the song of my home! Loud and beautiful is the melody of the mountain!"
"I am hardly responsible for..." But it was of no use, for Gimli was gone once more. Legolas watched and rejoiced with Gimli, but his own heart felt a twinge of sadness that all dwarves could not hear the song of their home. He suspected that when the joy of discovery wore off, Gimli would think of this too, and he would have a very quiet dwarf for the rest of the day.
At first, as the two approached on horseback, the mountain's melody was slightly eerie to Legolas. It howled with the chilly wind and had a wild, untamed note quite unlike his forest's song. It had a tinge of loneliness, as if calling for something that could not be found. Shivering, Legolas had thought *Truly, it deserves its name.*
Then Gimli had dismounted from the horse and started to sing. The wild mood of the song remained, but the longing call had ceased. The song swirled around Gimli, blending with his voice and taking on a happier note.
After a while, Gimli returned to Legolas' arms. His singing ceased, and Legolas rubbed his back. Dark brown eyes sought Legolas', and noting the unhappiness within the dwarf's orbs, the elf answered, "I know, Gimli. I do not like it that your people cannot hear it, either.
�Did you perceive how the mountain itself acknowledged you? It likes dwarves, and is joyful when one is happy. I suspect that as we get closer to Erebor, the music will become contented and more cheerful."
Gimli smiled now. �Aye, I discerned the changes. My home welcomes me.�
The archer played with Gimli's braids, feeling the silky hair bound within them. "I realised in Minas Tirith that I was probably unique among elves. I would, because of our love, be set apart from my own." His fingers moved to Gimli's beard. "It is probable that none of my folk know the delight of this." His gaze held Gimli's. "Our love changes us, but it brings rewards that make the differences worth it. I think we are better for it. I learned that I could still belong among my people, too. I hope we will find the same holds true for you."
Gimli rested his head against Legolas� shoulder and nodded. "I would give up everything and count it as nothing to keep you at my side." Gimli's chin lifted. "I will not let my happiness of being able to hear the song be robbed from me."
"Good! Are you ready to journey on, my one?"
"Aye."

As Legolas had predicted the song of the Mountain became peaceful and joyful as they neared Gimli�s home. The river that ran by the road had its own wilder melody. Legolas� gaze followed the Running River to where it disappeared under the bulwark protecting the dwarves� abode.
Legolas had been able to perceive the wall and gates of Erebor for awhile, but they were not yet within Gimli�s vision. �You will be able to see the barricade soon, my one.�
A huge wall of stone seemed to encircle the mountain, for Legolas could not see the end of it. Its granite face gleamed in the morning sun. The wall rose from the ground much higher than any dwarf. It was clearly designed to keep out enemies, no matter how tall they were. Legolas was amazed at how the dwarves had managed to elevate and work on stones three times their height. Within this fortress, the people of Dale had found refuge with the dwarves during the war. It was at these gates that King Brand and King Dain had fallen.
Legolas� gaze swept the bulwarks, spying the guards at the top.
At that second, Gimli cried out, �Home!�
Riding closer to the massive walls, Legolas asked �Are we to call out or��
A whisper of wind brought Legolas� attention back to the massive gates. They were swinging open, almost silently, and Legolas halted the horse to watch the impressive sight.
Once the gates were open, Legolas urged the horse inside at a walk. The horse�s hooves clicked upon the pebbled courtyard. The paved approach to the doors of the city was a vast mosaic of many different lightly coloured stones and very clean. On each size of the city doors was a statue of a dwarf. They were life-like with the beards looking as if any wind would cause them to flutter in the breeze. Legolas hoped for a chance to study them one day, but for now there were other things to look upon.
In two places, the courtyard stones made a wide circle, leaving a tree growing within the ring. One was a beech, and the other an evergreen. They were not young trees, and Legolas realised that the dwarves had built around them. He smiled, pleased.
There was someone at the eastern end carrying a huge basket of rabbit furs. He glanced at Gimli and Legolas with curiosity and then continued on. Farther on, there were two people in earnest conversation who did not appear to notice the newcomers.
The courtyard was expansive, curving out beyond Legolas� vision to follow the walls on the left. The river flowed past the courtyard on its right side and out of sight through an arch in the outer wall. In various places there were oval archways carved into the mountain. A dwarf sat in a chair next to one of the archways, chiselling stone. He did not look up from his work.
A dwarf came toward them from a nearby opening. He was shorter than Gimli but of much heavier build. He had grey beard that reached his belt buckle. His eyes were dark brown, yet lighter than Gimli�s.
A broad smile lit his face and he said, �Gimli, �tis good to see you home and all in one piece, too! What gladness your family will have!� Looking up at Legolas, he said �Esgar, son of Dirill, at your service.�

�Legolas, son of Thranduil, at yours and your family�s.�
The rest of the conversation was strictly business. Esgar was a hostler and his job was taking care of visitors� horses and baggage. If he had any feelings about Legolas, he kept them to himself.
The sound of a door shutting somewhere warned Legolas that they might soon meet another inhabitant. Esgar had no sooner departed with their horse when Legolas� suspicions were confirmed.
Flying out of one the archways, a small figure approached them, chanting �Uncle Gimli!� as he threw himself into Gimli�s arms.
Legolas rejoiced that Gimli was given such a warm greeting. It was plain that this male was kin to Gimli for his hair had red glints that were just a shade paler than Legolas� lover.
When the hugging had ceased, the other dwarf peered up at Legolas and whispered �By Mahal, it *is* true! You have brought home an elf!�
Gimli frowned, and Legolas managed not to grin. It was not stated as an insult. It was declared as if Bimur thought Gimli was very brave in having done so.
Gimli cleared his throat.
Bimur glanced at Gimli and then back to Legolas. �Aye, and I am sorry!�
�Bimur, son of Norin, at your service.� His black eyes were friendly as he met Legolas� gaze, and he smiled.
�Legolas, son of Thranduil, at your service and your family�s.�
�Aye, I reckon you are stuck with us now.�
�Bimur!� Gimli exclaimed.
Legolas swallowed hard on the laughter bubbling inside him. Gimli looked mortified.
Bimur just grinned at Gimli. �I am so happy to see you!�
Gimli pulled him back into a hug. �Ah, my nephew, how glad I am to see you again and in good health! Even if your manners have not improved since I left.� he teased. �How are your mother and family?�
�They are well. Mother has been allowing me to come up here every day this week to watch for your arrival. Said if you did not come home soon, you would wish you had.�
Legolas did not try to prevent himself from grinning now. He imagined Gimli had been like this when he was the same age as Bimur. His dwarf still had a blunt tongue at times.
Bimur continued �I did promise her that I�d run ahead of you and let her know you were home.�
He bowed to Legolas and said, �Welcome to Erebor, Legolas, and my apologies for my lack of politeness. You are the first elf that I have ever seen. If all your race is so lovely then truly your people must be beautiful.�
Legolas laughed. *He is like Gimli in being charming, too.* �How could I not forgive any minor infraction after that compliment. Thank you!� Remembering what Gimli had taught him, Legolas bowed and said, �May your beard grow long!�
Bimir smiled up at him, �Thank you!�
With a final farewell and another embrace between the two dwarves, Bimur left, almost at a run.
Legolas put his hand on Gimli�s shoulder. �I like him. It is clear that your sister did realise you were stating that I am your one in your letter to her. I imagine Bimur saw my braids and understood that she is correct in her estimation. Or perhaps they found out from Naur. Either way, Bimur has acknowledged and accepted it.
�Yes; I like him so do not worry about the deviation from the usual politeness, Gimli. Bimur is your sister�s second child, and not of age; correct?�
�Aye, he is a good dwarf, just young. My sister�s only son.�
They began to walk toward the archway Bimur had just entered, passing the trees shading the area. �I am glad your people left the trees to grow.�
�Easier to work around than to chop.� Gimli mumbled. Then he smiled up at Legolas, �I am happy they were left, too. �
As they walked, a dwarf with a long white beard hurried by them pulling a covered cart. He peered over at them, but continued without a word. Legolas could smell the aroma of fresh bread as the cart passed them.
Legolas recalled Gimli telling him, �Most of my people will not pay us any mind, feeling it is a private family matter. Nor do I know every dwarf in Erebor, either.�
They entered the archway into a chamber that had been divided into halves by the corridor. On one side of the chamber there were five dwarves, all busily working on making a map. A huge scroll was spread across a wooden table.
On the other side, there was a desk with the smallest dwarf Legolas had ever seen perched on a chair behind it. He had a long black beard and black eyes.
Everyone stopped to stare, and the individual behind the desk scurried toward them. He had many keys attached to his belt and jingled as he walked. He stopped in front of Gimli, and said �It is a great joy to have you home!� To Legolas, he said �Mifur, son of Difur, Warden of the Doors of Erebor, at your service.�
�Legolas, son of Thranduil, at you and your family�s.�
Mifur nodded. �I will see to it that you get our best guest chambers.�
Gimli replied, �Thank you, but Legolas will be staying with me.�
Mifur frowned and with a furtive look at the dwarves in the opposite chamber, whispered, �You cannot do that, Gimli. The rumours are rampant as it is. If he stays with you, people will�� He paused and noticing Legolas� dwarven braids for the first time, gaped at them.
Gimli answered, �Aye, people will. And for once the gossip will be true. I do thank you for your offer of the best chambers, but it is not necessary.�
Mifur continued to gawk at Legolas� braids. He had become pale, and Legolas wondered if dwarves could faint. He was positive that Gimli would say no if asked. Gently, Legolas said to Mifur �I thank you for your offer.�
Mifur bowed and stepped aside.
Gimli continued down the hall and Legolas followed. He noted that the other dwarves were only pretending to be busy. He and Gimli had everyone�s focus. Legolas could hear the whispering and he caught �I am sure no one has ever��
They went down the corridor for a ways, passing three people. One ignored them, and another, Surin, paused for greetings. He was polite, but seemed frightened of Legolas. The last dwarf they walked by gawped at them, causing Gimli to scowl.
Legolas did not think he had seen any females yet, but he was unsure. Gimli had told him that they too, had beards.
The passage finally opened out into a wide landing with white stone steps curving downwards. Legolas could sense the change in the air, signifying that the stairs led to the caverns below.
There was a huge depiction of Mahal etched into the wall above the stairs: He was facing the balcony as if looking down upon his creations.
They were alone, so Legolas turned to study the carving. Gimli was still frowning. Placing a hand on his lover�s shoulder, Legolas said quietly. �Gimli, you realise that my Lord probably talked to my folk before I ever arrived in Eryn Lasgalen with you. Your people are just displaying more honest reactions.�
�For once I would wish for a little less honesty! I do not understand Surin at all! Stuttering whenever he had to talk to you and looking at you like he thought you were dangerous! What was he trying to prove? That he could be an utter fool��
Gimli�s voice had risen. Legolas leaned over and whispered in his ear, �There are some that would say I am dangerous, meleth!�
Gimli�s tirade ceased, and his eyes met Legolas�. He grinned, and then his rich deep laughter overflowed. After a moment he said �Aye, I suppose you could be described that way. Still, no reason for him to act like that.�
Legolas nodded. �It did seem odd.�
They started down the winding stairs that were hewn out of the cavern�s side. Every hundred steps there was a landing that curved around the side of the mountain�s wall. Each landing had its own art chiselled into the wall. Several of the landings had tunnels leading away from them into the mountain. They passed a few individuals, some of whom greeted them courteously and a few who ignored them.
After about an hour of descending the stairs, they reached a landing that was an open balcony with a railing. Gimli said �You can see the city below.�
Legolas leaned over the railing and gasped. Below them lay a crystal clear lake, and around three sides of it the dwarven city rested. On the fourth side, pouring down into the lake, was a huge waterfall. Legolas could perceive long piers that extended out over the lake. There were dwarves laying out vast nets along the bank. Legolas saw only three boats. He thought he could detect movements that would mean fish in the water.
The city was as bright as the day outside, and Legolas glanced upwards trying to find the source of the light. He could not discern a roof above the city.
Legolas� gaze went to the waterfall. He estimated it to be a one hundred foot fall, plummeting straight down into the lake below. Legolas fancied that he could hear the splash of water. He imagined that if he stood at the bank of the lake, he would be able to feel the mist. He sighed happily.
�It�s beautiful, Gimli!� Legolas had so many questions that his tongue seemed strangled with them. One was important and in a hushed tone, Legolas asked, �Where is your home, my love?�
�From the falls, go left. My home is the sixth abode away from the water. It�s built into the mountain. We are an hour and a half walk away from it.�
Legolas� gaze followed Gimli�s directions, and he thought he could see, far off, a stone wall with a round gate. A carved figure stood on each side of the gate, but Legolas could not make out what they were.
�What is the name of the waterfall?�
�Crystal Falls.� Gimli replied. Then he quietly told Legolas the name in his own tongue. �The water is called Forlorn Lake.� Again he said the words in Khuzdul.
�Forlorn Lake? That is not fitting, Gimli: It is lovely.�
�Forlorn because for many years it was lost to my folk due to the dragon. Would you call it Lovely Lake, my treasure?� Gimli teased.
�Lake of Beauty perhaps, or Homecoming Lake, or Lake of The Falls. Where does the light come from, Gimli?�
�Mirrors. We built shafts that lead into caves where the sun shines, and then reflect the light into the city.�
Legolas spent the time going down the remaining stairs by asking Gimli questions, quieting only when someone passed them. He remembered the Quest and Gimli�s initial opinion of him. �You chatter all the time.� He did not want the dwarves to think he was continually chattering.
At last they reached the bottom of the stairs, and came into the city. The city itself was a fascination for Legolas. It lay in an oval around the lake. The outer loops of residences were the homes of servants, according to Gimli. They passed a dwelling that had barrels stacked before it. The place smelled of brine. One abode had rows and rows of clothes drying on lines in an enclosure to the side. There was a building that had a garden of vegetables growing in the backyard. Into one courtyard, Gimli�s people had hauled a round black stone and three of them were chiselling on it.
Here and there were crystal-like formations, in a variety of colours, that rose from the ground in long spikes. Legolas knew from his visit to Aglarond that they were called cave flowers, and here in Erebor they earned their name, as they decorated the yards of many homes. The dwarves had clearly built around them, for in one place a road curved to avoid a patch, and one large rambling house was even constructed in a circle in order to preserve some of the flowers in an open middle space.
In places, natural columns of stone rose from the ground. A few rose so high in the air that Legolas could not discern the top of the pillar. These, too, the dwarves had built around.
Legolas said quietly, �I regret telling you that busy dwarves with hammer and chisel might mar the caves of Aglarond. I knew not of what I spoke.�
Gimli replied, �I often said things that I wish now I had kept quiet about. We have learned much. I love you, Legolas. Your knowledge of dwarves back then was as extensive as mine was of elves.�
They traded grins.
Several times, they crossed paths with someone pulling a long cart. Once they passed a dwarf carrying a string of fish, and another person went by hauling a basket of vegetables. Despite so much industry going on, the city was clean. The cobbled streets were kept swept.
Legolas noticed children playing in the house yards and streets. None of them were very big, and they were built more sturdily than elflings. Their hair was much thicker than any an elven child could claim, and they had tiny beards. Some of the beards were as thin as gossamer, others were very thick.

Legolas felt very sure that one he saw in a yard was a girl, as she was clutching a wooden doll. She had the blackest hair the elf had ever seen: almost blue, the shade was so dark. The tresses were pulled back with a white ribbon. She had a short, luxurious beard of the same shade as her glistening locks, and Legolas thought she was beautiful. She wore a shift with the representations of little rubies embroidered into the sleeves. The lass stopped playing when she perceived them and watched them go by.

Legolas recalled Gimli's instruction in Eryn Lasgalen. Gimli had stated that dwarves, both male and female, were born with beards. Sometimes it was no more than fuzz on the chin. Gimli had wanted to be sure that Legolas understood that having a beard was not an indication of maturity as it was with the race of Men. Legolas discerned the importance of this concept now as the little girl's dark eyes stared at them with innocence and curiosity.

Behind her in the yard, two adults sat in chairs, weaving baskets from reeds. Three completed baskets sat at their feet.

In a courtyard a few children were playing a game with a ball. A smaller child was spinning a top nearby. Their happy babble filled the air.
Legolas noted that the children were usually dressed in white, shades of green, and royal blue. Their clothes were often embroidered with types of gems, although birds were common also. The littlest children wore shifts, and the rest were in tunics and leggings. One child was clothed in a long dress of light blue. The same colours for clothing appeared to be popular with the adults too, with the addition of grey and brown.
A turn led them into the third circle of homes. The building on that corner was very big. Legolas noted that the houses were getting larger and more affluent.
Two dwarves sat in rocking chairs in the front courtyard. One dwarf cradled a baby wrapped in a soft brown blanket. A toddler was stacking blocks close by.
Legolas enjoyed every glimpse of Gimli�s city. He tried not to pause in looking at things. Gimli was already walking at a far slower pace than normal, and Legolas appreciated the kindness that allowed him longer views.

Many coloured rocks ingeniously carved into the shapes of flowers adorned the side of the roads and houses. Sometimes these works were interspersed with real flowers. Legolas recognised roses, marigolds, peonies, lobelias, and many others.
Most of the homes had statues sculpted from rock in front of the doors. There was a pair of grey frogs at one entrance, another door was guarded by two matching red foxes, and a brown bear was poised at the entry of one small home. Legolas noted the many different designs with delight.
Their walk had led them closer to the waterfall. They turned a corner and Gimli said, �I live on this avenue. My father�s mother lives in the house next to mine.�
Legolas asked, �This is the woman that is worse than Lady Elind?�
�Aye.�
Legolas resolved that even if it meant biting his tongue in half, he would stifle his screams during love-making.
�My sibling�s place is the second one after my grandmother�s. The lane is circular and Aalin lives at the beginning of the curve. My father�s home is right past hers at the end of the thoroughfare. Several of the King�s Council members live on this path. �
Legolas observed the quiet street. The houses here had gates opening into courtyards enclosed by stone fences a few feet high. Legolas could hear the distant roar of the waterfall. As they reached the fourth house, Gimli said, �Naur�s residence.�
Even as Gimli spoke, a dwarf opened the door and came rushing toward them. Legolas knew that he was beholding a female due to the long grey dress and the intricate braids similar to what Gimli had once drawn to show him what married women sometimes wore.
�Gimli!� She pulled Gimli into an embrace and held him tightly. After a moment, she held him at arms length, and said �We have been so worried!� As she spoke, Naur and their four sons joined them.
Naur turned from hugging Gimli to pat Legolas on the back, and say �Welcome to Erebor, my friend! Let me introduce you to my family.�
Naur�s wife, Fain, had grey eyes, very light blonde hair with a beard of the same colour, and their sons resembled her. She did not give Legolas the customary greeting, instead declaring softly �You have friends here and are welcome in our home.� Her compassionate eyes met Legolas�, and she smiled.
�Thank you, my Lady. Wherever I am, you and your family will be given a warm welcome.� Legolas bowed and smiled.
Naur nodded. �Fain speaks for our family.� He beckoned to a toddler standing in the doorway watching them. �Come, lass, and greet your cousin and his one. �
The little girl ran forward to her father�s arms. Naur scooped her up and ruffled her hair. �This is Nauan, my only daughter.�
Nauan looked like Naur with her brown locks, dark brown beard, and dark eyes. She stared at them shyly from her father�s arms.
They talked about Legolas and Gimli�s journey to Erebor for a short time, and then Naur said, �I guess you are eager to get home. Come by later and we will talk.�
When they passed the next house, Gimli said, �My mother�s mother and father lives there.�
Legolas nodded. He remembered Gimli telling him about this grandmother. Gimli called her �Mama� and spoke of her with great love. He had assured Legolas that, �She will see my devotion for you and love you, too. And then my grandfather will accept you, also.�
At last they reached a gate with an eagle sculpture on each side. The stone birds had life-like eyes, and their wings had ripples recalling real feathers.
The dwelling had a sheltered court. Inside the yard was an area of blue-green cave flowers. These sat in front of a bay window, beside a round brown door.
�Our home, mir n�n.� Gimli proudly stated.
Legolas understood now why Gimli did not see the need to warn him about Gloin�s mother living so close by. Between the two abodes were several natural stone columns rising from the ground. Though both domiciles were built back into the mountain, Gimli�s quarters did not share a wall with this grandmother.
Legolas tingled with anticipation. Soon now he would be in his dwarf�s home. Until this moment he had not realised just how much he wanted to see it. The willowy elf had to duck to get through the door, but once within the entry, the ceiling was high enough for Legolas to stand with ease. He could even stretch, although jumping would have been unwise.
Legolas� thoughts were not on this matter. Instead he felt wonder for where his fate had taken him and happiness for the love he had been granted.
Gimli reached for him, and Legolas moved into his lover�s arms.
�Welcome home!� Gimli announced.

Tbc
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