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Return to Mirkwood COMPLETE	By : skon Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 5463 -:- 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.

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Title: Return to Mirkwood
Chapter 33
Author: Sarah
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: PG this chapter.
Beta, helpful suggestions and wonderful encouragement: Vinni. Thank you! Any mistakes left are mine.
Author's notes: Thank you to those that have given me encouragement.
Thank you to erobey for all the support, guidance, and aid. Thank you Sivan for the review and the kind words. Thank you Brazgirl for both reviews. I'm glad you liked Renewal and the chapter. Sian, thank you. The love, to me, is the most important factor in the story.
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns them. I make no money. The Gimli and Legolas I write belong solely to Tolkien. They are not related to the movie characters.
Archive: Axe and Bow. Cuddle slash. Others please ask.
Feedback: Please.

Gimli made himself comfortable in the small field, using a beech tree for a back rest. He had moved to what he considered a safe distance away from any arrow that might stray too far from its target. The beech was singled out because Gimli liked the deep tone, speaking of peace, coming from the tree. It still seemed a bit strange to perceive a melody from a tree but Gimli knew he would not choose to be the way he was before the war.

Legolas had decided to join his brothers and a few others for an archery practice. Gimli recognised each of the elves. Besides Legolas' siblings, Celund and Orontem were there. Patyon, Celduil's shield-brother, and Mardon were there, too. Patyon's hair was so light that it was almost white. He was a quiet elf. Mardon was a friend of Tasar's and a cousin of Patyon, with hair only a little darker. Celduil arrived at the field late and Gimli chuckled to himself. At least, he and Legolas were no longer the only two that could not seem to be at events exactly on time.

The desire for an archery practice had come about during a conversation at an evening meal. The King had received a message during the middle of the meal and had left.

Then Tasar had declared to Legolas "We must tell Celduil and Lastand to be at the meals more often after we leave; otherwise Ada will be missing all his sons at the table."

The conversation had drifted to partings and Celund had mentioned that he would miss the archery drills. It was something that was done often before the war and the group had elected to get together again before Legolas left Greenwood.

Gimli and Legolas were planning to leave for Erebor two days hence. The farewell party would be held tonight in the very meadow that the bonding ceremony had been accomplished in.

The archers were talking and the soft mutter of elven voices was pleasing to the dwarf. The afternoon was sunny and beautiful. Leaves were falling from the trees, making lazy swirling paths to the ground. The breeze was warm and playful. The slow song of the woods was plain to his ears. Gimli could see a bird in the big oak at the end of the meadow. Sunlight filtered through the tree branches and caressed Gimli's face.

Gimli closed his eyes, letting memories of his time in the Greenwood with Legolas take over. There were several discussions about money. Gimli had been independent from his father for many years, whereas Legolas never had been. Gimli told Legolas, "Ithilien is yours and while I will help you in every way I can, the solutions must be yours. That includes money." Gimli spent hours going over the advantages and disadvantages of Legolas' options with him.
Finally, Legolas discovered a resolution that he liked. He would start by relying financially on his father as he always had, but he would craft out a plan so that over time Ithilien would need less and less aid and eventually support itself.
Gimli assisted him as they had sat at the desk in the study. "When your intentions are written out, the elves that go with you will understand what is expected of them in Ithilien."
They talked to many of the woodland people. Legolas made a list of the elves that wanted to go with him. They found the King in his study, the door slightly ajar. Legolas submitted the names and his strategy for the future to his father.
Thranduil looked over the plan and stated to Legolas "I like your ideas."
The Elven Lord was halfway through the document of names when a smile crossed his face. "My son, you have Caglor here." To Gimli, he said "Caglor is one of my counsellors."
Legolas nodded. "I appreciate that and if you wish to retain him, I understand."
"I wonder if you comprehend what you are getting. Rarely, do I make a decision that he has not presented me with a long parchment telling me why it is unwise. It took me five hundred years to make a remarkable discovery about him. I examined Caglor's report and agreed with him. Caglor promptly informed me that he was wrong and ten minutes later he returned with a list of reasons why he was in error.

"I can always tell Caglor that his services are too valuable for him to leave Eryn Lasgalen. Caglor does aid me. He ensures that I am aware of the possible problems that might arise in every project I undertake. He is very thorough in his reasons why something will not work. If you really desire to have him in Ithilien, however, I suppose I could endure his leaving."
Legolas smiled. "We can share. I will take Caglor with me for a few years. Later I will return him to you. Once he has been here awhile, you can send him to me."
"An excellent idea."
Gimli remembered the conversation he and Legolas had with Caglor. The elf voiced numerous flaws in Legolas' program for a colony. He even gladly shared his opinions. Gimli was proud that he and Legolas had already given consideration to the subjects that Caglor mentioned. Gimli's impression of Caglor was that the elf liked to get attention and to talk, and voicing objections brought him both. He was impressed with the elf's quick insight. Caglor could sum up a situation in a matter of minutes.
Still musing about his days in Greenwood, Gimli also recalled the day Legolas perched in a tree singing sadly about the sea until the dwarf felt his heart would break. He yelled up at Legolas. "Come down from there instantly and stop pretending to be a bird, my elf!" He perceived that his tone and words were too commanding and wasn't startled when Legolas landed almost on top of him wearing an angry expression.

Gimli lost no time in wrestling his elf to the ground and rolling him in the crisp autumn foliage that crunched under their activity. When he sensed resistance from the astonished elf, he picked up a bunch of brown and yellow leaves and dropped them on top of Legolas.
"What is the trouble with you today?" Legolas challenged from underneath him.

"I'm putting greenery in your hair so you can look like the other elves." He dumped more leaves over Legolas. "Only much more beautiful." He reached for another handful and felt Legolas' iron grip on his wrist.
"Nay that is not how one puts garlands in the hair, and you are cognisant of it. Cease and I will show you."
The sea was forgotten.
They went almost every day to see the seedling.
Two weeks from the evening of their ceremony, the King had a planting day. The bonded couples that were transplanting the new seedlings assembled. Legolas and Gimli watched as new trees were placed in the area with their own in the centre of it all. As the sun set that night and the stars began to come out Celduil and Lastand had stood by their little seedling and restated the vows they had given each other long ago.

Gimli went with Legolas, Tasar, and Lisse to decorate their talan that evening. Tasar said to Legolas, "We were too little to do so when they were bonded long ago, but now we have a chance."

Gimli was mindful that this was a private family matter and tried to give them an excuse to let him stay behind by saying "I do not wish to be climbing ladders."

Tasar replied "I could construct a ramp." He stated it with hope that this would solve the dilemma and Gimli would come with them.

Lisse said to Gimli "You are family now. We are not uncomfortable with your presence if you are at ease with us." Her dark eyes met Gimli's, her hand lightly resting on Tasar's arm and the dwarf felt that she understood his thoughts and was setting them to rest.

"I'll survive the ladder." Gimli answered.
The quiet communication between the elves in the archery field ceased and the silence caused Gimli to be drawn back to the present. The archery exercise had commenced. The elves were in a semi-circle around Celduil who was concentrating on the target.

Gimli closed his eyes to reminisce some more. Some of the more memorable events during Gimli's time in the Greenwood involved hunts. There had been a few during their visit in Eryn Lasgalen. The first was a raid on the spiders. Most of the creatures were slowly dying now the Shadow was gone but places of darkness still remained.

Gimli's initial remembrance of the pursuit for the spiders was not of the forays themselves, but instead was of an occurrence that had taken place the night before they had set out. Lady Elind was at the fortress sharing an evening meal with them. Gimli could not hear what she was saying to Thranduil in a very low voice, but the look on the Elven Lord's face was one of someone who would love to eat a delicious dinner but instead had an insect continually bother them and interrupt their enjoyment of the meal.
Elind was silent briefly and then she said to Legolas "I hope you do not imagine that I will go to Ithilien with you. I would never survive hearing thousands of dwarves notifying me that 'they are at my service' when they probably couldn't tell me apart from any other elven female two days afterwards."
The shocked countenances around him, and the look of patience born from a long suffering affliction on the King's face, stirred Gimli to counter with "You are quite right. We might not be able to." Gimli watched as Tasar choked on his wine at the dwarf's reply. Oire outright laughed.
Lady Elind glanced at her and then said "You have a very bizarre sense of humour. Gimli is an honest dwarf. You should not reward that with laughter. It should be encouraged. I do not like pretence."
Legolas said "There will probably not be more than ten dwarves at a time in Ithilien once we are settled. You are welcome to live there if you wish."
The next day, Legolas and Gimli went on one of the hunts with a group of elves. The company divided up into smaller formations during the day to scourge the forest for the last remaining strongholds of arachnids, and then they would meet at an agreed upon location at night.

Gimli recalled the nights of rest, or trying to rest, camped with a company of elves. The first night was the worst because Gimli expected some singing and then quiet as dwarves did following a battle. Elves, however, camped at dusk because the darkness hindered attacks, not because they required sleep. Gimli studied the actions of those around him that evening, separating them into normal ones and the not so easily fathomed.

Istor reclined by the camp fire trying to read a book in the dim light. Ohtaler narrated to the youngest member of the party battle stories from so long ago that Gimli yearned to ask the elf his age. He wasn't sure that it was a polite question, though. He asked Legolas whose response was "I do not know. Very old he is. My Lord's age I believe."
Nuserl sat singing to himself and weaving flowers into his dark hair. Faillon got up from his place by the fire three times, after what to Gimli was a satisfying evening meal, to rummage through his pack for fruit to eat. Gimli began to form the opinion that this elf ought to live with hobbits due to his love of food.

And then there was Vanon, who had dropped down onto a clump of moss not far from them, brushing his hair and endeavouring to gaze into a mirror despite the growing darkness. Mayhap, Gimli thought, Vanon had been splattered with the insides of a spider and was attempting to make sure his locks were clean.
Kenelm and Veracas kept up a continual argument over who was the bravest. Gimli had his own belief about this, too. It was plain the two liked each other and neither had the courage to confess it.
Gimli observed all this and wondered why he had ever called Legolas crazed. The behaviour he had deemed odd at the start of the quest seemed quite normal compared to some of these actions. Maybe, he reflected it was some malady that afflicted only the males. The two females of the party did nothing that Gimli considered strange. Salfalmer told Gimli that he had beautiful hair.

This statement came about because Gimli had managed to get some remains of spider in his hair. It had only been in a part of the braid, but he disliked the scent immensely. "Even orcs do not smell so bad. This stinks worse than horse..."

Legolas interrupted his grumbling with "There is a stream nearby where I will locate a secluded area so you can wash your hair. I could use some cleansing, too."

They returned to the camp as soon as Gimli finished because the dwarf was eager for the fish that he knew was cooking. Gimli planted himself next to the fire to brush his hair and let it dry.

Salfalmer studied him for a few minutes and then announced "What beautiful tresses you have, Gimli."

She earned herself a look from Legolas that was not entirely friendly, but the dwarf mused, at least his elf did not glare at her the way he had done a few people in Minas Tirith.

Salfalmer acknowledged Legolas' glance but misunderstood the reason for it. She said to Legolas "Your hair is beautiful, too. It is just that I have never seen anyone whose locks are the shade Gimli's are. Is that a common colour for dwarves?"
Gimli peered over at Legolas before answering. Spying no tension in the elven body, Gimli replied "It is among my mother's family. It is not seen often in the other tribes."
Gimli also discerned at the hunts, that he was not the only one to have to make adjustments. Celund and Orontem were clearly accustomed to standing one on the right, and the other to the left, of Legolas during any battle. At the first encounter with the spiders, there had been uncertainty as to their places, with Orontem moving next to Gimli after a few seconds.
Destroying spiders brought a certain sense of acceptance over the knowledge that Gloin would be disappointed in Gimli's choice of mates. The deeds were not related, but with each spider Gimli killed, he felt that he was achieving a long due victory for his father. He felt that he was giving one last thing to his parent as a sign of his love for Gloin, despite the rejection he most likely would experience from his father.
Gimli noted the sense of respect and increased approval granted to him by the warriors after seeing him in combat.

Legolas was teased. Roquender's statement of "Were you aware of Gimli's fighting skills before you approached him?"
And, "Perchance he was acquainted with Gimli's expertise. It is possible that Legolas believed that the orcs were not challenging enough and wanted to actually feel he was in danger for once."

Istor declared, "I am very relieved that Gimli is so adjusted to fighting alongside of elves. I greatly feared that I might have to spend the entire assault making sure I did not skewer a dwarf by accident."
His affirmation gave Gimli several things to dwell on. There was the sudden realisation that he was indeed very familiar with the elves' method of fighting, due to Legolas. The instant strain in Legolas' body at Istor's comment was anticipated, but the tension in Orontem who was standing close to the dwarf was surprising.
Istor responded "Nay. Do not glower at me like that, you two. I would never be so careless and Gimli does not need special attention on my part."

At the meal that evening, Orontem's grey eyes sought Gimli's. Orontem's orbs were darkened by insecurity like the sky on a stormy day. Seeing only friendship in the dwarf's gaze, the dark haired elf settled in on one side of the dwarf with Legolas on the other. Celund stayed on Legolas' right.
When they relaxed that night, Legolas moved in close and threw a leg across Gimli. Celund abided adjacent to Legolas with Orontem remaining on the other side of Gimli. Orontem placed his bed roll on the ground and laid down but Celund sat next to Legolas quietly.

Being surrounded by elves caused Gimli some deep pondering over his own place in Middle-earth. Maybe he was supposed to be with elves. It seemed eccentric indeed for such to be a dwarf's role in life, but there was no denying that Orontem wanted the right to stand as a shield-brother.

Legolas did not react at all to Orontem's actions, besides offering a welcoming smile when the other elf joined them by the fire for the evening meal. It was apparent to Gimli that Orontem was creating a new place for himself, now the dwarf had taken his position at Legolas' side. And if he was accepting enough of Legolas' relationship with Gimli to feel he could be at the dwarf's side, then it should be allowed. Gimli was glad that Legolas was displaying no jealousy over Orontem's friendship with his lover.
Gimli, however, experienced a few minutes with the emotion. He suspected that Orontem and Legolas had been intimate at one time. Neither gave the dwarf reason for such thoughts but some instinct told him strongly.
Still, it was Celund, Celduil's youngest son that remained near Legolas when Orontem migrated to Gimli's side. Gimli kenned that Legolas loved him, and there was nothing equal in his elf's experiences that was even close to the passion they shared. *I really ought to be grateful* Gimli reflected.

Gimli judged that Orontem was probably one of few, or maybe even the only, persons that Legolas had shared his body with after Haglun. Orontem might hurt someone accidentally, but he would never deliberately wound someone. His own arrogance would make him view causing distress on purpose as an act that was beneath him. Moreover, he cared for Legolas and did not have a cruel nature.
Despite these attempts at logical reasoning, the slight tinges of jealousy were there, for Gimli could not be easy with the idea of another being intimate with his one. He decided this was caused by the famed jealousy of dwarves, and ignored the emotion whenever it arose.
Gimli sat up the best he could with Legolas' leg over him and peered around the camp. He could hear the song of Arda mingling with the elves' singing. A few of the elves were resting as they were, but several were talking or wandering around the camp. Faillon was sitting with a piece of bread in one hand and a candle in the other. He was beside Istor who was struggling to read by candlelight. Sarodon was making his usual circle of the camp. Legolas informed Gimli that Sarodon was in repose as he made his continual walk around the camp.

Gimli inferred that he was going to have to accede that these were his people now too, even if some of them had curious habits. There would be those that would not accept him but the fact seemed obvious. This was part of who he was and he was no longer of one race. He laid back down, turning his face into Legolas' shoulder, and thought of the ceremony and the King proclaiming that they belonged to both races.
The King was right, but Gimli did not presume that most elves would agree with the sentiment. Yet it was feasible that he was judging too harshly. It was true that Legolas had shielded him from negative comments by avoiding anyone he knew would not respect their love, it was also a certainty that they had seen many elves and had encountered no hostility.

That night at the camp, Gimli glanced toward Orontem. If Gimli was correct about this elf being Legolas' lover at one time then Orontem had every reason to grudge the dwarf's presence. Gimli strongly suspected that this male could have loved his one deeply if Legolas had permitted it. As a result of Haglun's actions, Legolas did not allow anyone to get close; he had guarded his heart like a dwarf might guard a rich vein of gold. Although Orontem still acted as if Gimli was an impossible puzzle at times, and often spoke in a superior tone, he had never shown any resentment of the dwarf. Gimli was not sure that he would have been so generous.
Lying there thinking that night, Gimli speculated that neither Legolas nor Orontem heeded what was as evident as the trees around him were to Gimli. Celund loved Orontem. Celund had never bonded and Gimli understood why. Gimli hoped that now Legolas had found his love, the two of them would eventually discover more than the strong friendship they shared.
Orontem marked Gimli's glance his way and said "You are not asleep, Gimli. Tell me of the mountains. I have never seen them."
"Were you not at Erebor during the war of the Five Armies?"
"Nay. Celund and I left with Legolas when he took over Nelyahin's duties on patrol."
So Gimli talked to Orontem of his home, Erebor, with Legolas snuggled peacefully against him.
A raised voice from the archery practice made Gimli open his eyes. He smiled at the scene before him. Orontem was congratulating Celund for an exceptionally good shot done from a farther distance than ever before. Orontem had slung his arm around Celund and they were gazing happily into each other's eyes.
*Just a matter of time.* Gimli mused. He had descried small touches exchanged between the two since he had started paying attention to both of them.

Leaning against the beech, Gimli looked back on another hunt entirely. The wood elves were planning a hunt for deer and Gimli, having heard talk of the upcoming event, urged Legolas to go. Legolas had been reluctant to do so, but the dwarf pointed out that they would face separations later, and this would be a short one. Gimli desired Legolas to keep what he could of his life before the war.
Gimli assumed that he would be alone while Legolas was gone but Tasar enquired at the morning meal "Would you spend the day with Lisse and me? I have some things that we want to show you."
Gimli consented. What Tasar wanted him to see filled him with delight.

Tasar and Lisse brought him to a chamber next to the King's study. The room held a long brown table with drawers along each side. The candles in the chamber were grey and shaped like pinecones. There was a beige rug on the floor. A small fire crackled cheerfully in a big white stone hearth in the middle of the far wall.

Inside the room was a huge collection of what Tasar called his sketchbooks. Tasar started the albums when he was only twenty, and one of the earliest sketches was of Legolas as a ten year old. Gimli sat for awhile contemplating it. Legolas was wearing a long white tunic with blue leggings. His hair had been brushed back and tied with a velvety black ribbon. He was sitting on a log and smiling. It was a summer scene, for the grass was green under the bare feet of the elfling, and the sky a soft blue. And most important to Gimli, it was obvious that Legolas was happy.
Gimli was able to discern the difference in the beginning drawings from the last works, which showed a more experienced hand, but they were all good to him.

There was one of Legolas' mother that Gimli instantly loved. Gimli regretted never having met her. She had a smile and a kindness in her eyes that told the dwarf that she would not have disliked him.
Tasar took what appeared to be a very heavy black book from a shelf. Gimli watched with interest as the case was opened. There were a great many drawing pencils of different types and colours. The case also held a small bottle, a few brushes, and a little white object that Tasar told Gimli was used to remove minor mistakes. Lisse set a dark blue book next to Tasar.
Tasar elucidated "We just received this new album from the bindery. Let me know what you like from the other books and I will draw a copy in this one for you. We should have most of the day. I've drawn some sketches for you and Legolas in this book, and have room for more."
Picking artwork for the volume seemed almost an impossible task. There were so many of Legolas and his family.
Lisse sensed Gimli's difficulty for she touched Tasar's arm and her hand gently caressed her husband's face. Gimli had attended the exchange with fascination. It was plain that they were communicating through their bond without saying a word.

When their silent conversation was finished, Tasar turned to Gimli. "Select what you desire, Gimli. What is not done today, I can add later and give you the book when you leave."
Gimli replied, "You are most gracious, but I would not want to take advantage of that."
Tasar shook his head. "It is our way of sharing the years that you missed. We will enjoy doing the art and your having it."
The noon meal was brought to them and the day was spent in happiness. Gimli selected a few works. The one of Legolas at ten years was his first choice. When his copy was drawn into their book, Gimli realised that his art would be the better sketch because of Tasar's years of experience. He also decided upon one of Legolas at the party celebrating Celund's birth. He was holding a wineglass and had a garland of green leaves in his hair. There was a drawing of Legolas and Celduil together that Gimli fell in love with, and one of his elf standing with the wind playing in his hair.
Gimli slowly turned the pages of the book Tasar had presented to him. One of the drawings was of Legolas in his new braids and there was a sketch of Gimli. There were three of them together including one that was a replica of the drawing that had been sent to the hobbits.

There was also an etching of the two of them embracing. Gimli wondered momentarily where Tasar had seen them hold each other before comprehension had arrived. It had been at a party. Legolas had been sitting next to him. He had got up to get more biscuits and Legolas had swept him into a quick hug. Gimli studied the drawing. The love on their faces as they held each other's gaze caused his heart joy that soared higher than the mountain tops. "I cherish this and could never thank you enough. Is there naught you want in return?"
Tasar smiled and said "You love my brother and he is happy. I want no other gift."
"I shall always love Legolas. That was already bestowed."
"Forever if you had it?"
"Forever." Gimli asserted firmly.
Tasar commented "Then this is a small gift compared to yours."
Light laughter brought Gimli's concentration back to the present. There was some dissension over how close to the bull's eye an arrow was. Orontem was saying to Mardon "If it was an orc, you've have hit him...as long as the orc held perfectly still." More laughter greeted this remark. Orontem turned to Gimli and called "Have you ever seen an orc that doesn't move?"

Gimli answered "No, but I am willing to allow for the possibility."

Tasar laughed. "I am not sure Gimli was the right person to ask. Who has ever heard of a dwarf loving an elf? He's accepted that possibility too. A motionless orc is a minor thing compared." He leaned against Legolas as he spoke and smiled up at him.

Gimli beheld Tasar. Much like Legolas, he was a very giving person. Gimli regarded Celduil now. That one was more difficult, but he realised he loved them both and was happy they had welcomed him as a brother.

Gimli contemplated Legolas. Legolas' hair was stirred by the light breeze, he was smiling, and his eyes fairly shone. *He's similar to a well cared for gem that shines from polishing; he glows with joy. He's enjoying the practice and being with loved ones again. He was happy about the successful hunt too.* Gimli's mind went back to the events at the end of the deer hunt. Legolas returned to their chambers with Celund and Orontem. They were excited and happy. Orontem seated himself next to the dwarf. Gimli noted this and he observed how once in his excitement, Celund grasped Orontem's hands from across the table. Gimli noticed that Orontem cradled Celund's hands briefly before loosing them.

Gimli and Legolas had their next talk time succeeding the foray in front of the fireplace in the study. It was late at night. They sat on a soft blue blanket with goblets of wine, bread and cheese, and conversed. Legolas related to Gimli the details of the hunt. Gimli probed gently "Celund seems very fond of Orontem."

Legolas scrutinised Gimli for a minute. "He is. I did not realise it for a long while. I love all my nieces and nephews but Celund is more like a brother to me than a sibling's child. I thought of him that way and perhaps influenced Orontem's view of him. Once I perceived Celund's love for Orontem, I tried to be sure that nothing I did interfered with that love."

They also spent hours that night savouring the artwork Tasar had done. Legolas shared many memories with Gimli although he could barely recall the hours the drawing of him at ten was done. They delivered the album back the next day so additions could be made in it.
Greetings were being called in the glade and Gimli opened his eyes. Lisse and Lastand had arrived at the archery practice, and after greeting Gimli, seated themselves, one on each side of him. Lisse smiled and said "We will give you the sketchbook back tonight at the party."

Gimli nodded. "I do love the book and thank you both for it."

"It has been fun. We have enjoyed recalling the many memories."
Gimli's notice strayed to Legolas. His elf turned to him and smiled.

The sound of an arrow finding its target signalled that the exercise continued and Gimli's ponderings went to the evening before. They had partaken of a meal with Tasar and Lisse. The couple tried to share all the information they could on bonds so Legolas and Gimli could benefit from their knowledge, just as Gimli had also striven to teach Legolas a little more of Erebor during each of their discussion times. He deemed it would be easy to prepare Legolas for the dwarven community, as their two homes were vastly different. It had, in actuality, proven to be quite a task for just this reason. Gimli couldn't even decide where to begin. He felt as if he had been bequeathed a huge book in a complicated language and needed to translate it for his elf.
When he had brought this up to Legolas, his lover remarked "I am aware of some things, Gimli. I know that your people often distrust elves and I should not speak of bonding. You are my one. That is how I will talk."

"I realise, too, that touching your beard in public as I do here is probably not a good idea. I remember well the expressions on the dwarves' faces the night I did so in Gondor. Beard touching is only to be done in private. Slapping the back is fine, but most displays of love should not be done in company. No passionate kissing in front of anyone. I do not wish to kill a dwarf before their time due to shock.

"Changing the subject too fast in a conversation causes all mortals, including dwarves, to think you are easily distracted, worse than any flittering butterfly, and therefore not as intelligent as elves should be."
Gimli laughed. He followed Legolas' cue and started teaching Legolas etiquette.

The elven archers began to sing and Gimli's concentration on the past was broken. He glanced over at Lastand. She had a basket of gowns and sewing supplies. There was a little white gown in her lap, but her hands were still, and her eyes were on Celduil. Lisse was openly watching Tasar. Gimli chuckled. Staring was obviously permitted and his own focus went to Legolas.
Lastand said softly, her eyes never leaving her husband "Celduil and I shall miss you."
*Good,* Gimli thought, *they are indeed conversing. She can speak for both of them now.* Aloud he said "I have told our King that we will return to visit."
"I am glad." She glanced down at the gown and said, "I could never thank you enough Gimli, for what you have given, and wish I had something to give also."
Gimli replied "I rejoice in your happiness and require no more."
Lastand nodded but she continued to gaze at the tiny garment with a thoughtful expression.

Tbc
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