Chapter Text
Gimli threw his pack in the dust by the path and promptly sat next to it. He considered leaning against one of the trees of Mirkwood but at the thought of the spiders that might fall from it decided not to. He wasn't that tired. Legolas had assured him this particular path was safe but the tales Gimli had heard of this forest were not pleasant ones.
The crazed elf he had been following seemed to increase his pace with each mile and Gimli had had enough of keeping up with someone whose legs suddenly seemed twice as long as his own. The dwarf noted with satisfaction that his actions had stopped his elf instantly.
"Gimli? Is something wrong?"
"Aye, that there is. I realise you are eager to get home but I see no point in running there."
Legolas came and sat next to him. "I think I'm more eager to get it over with. The more I think on it the worse I anticipate my Lord's reactions will be. Perhaps we should just go back to Gondor?"
Gimli sighed. Going back to Gondor was a very attractive option but it seemed a cowardly one, too. "Are we to never go home and face our families? I feel this is right. I do not wish to live in furtive shame. Though you have to make the decision regarding your father and your people. Not me."
Legolas sighed so heavily that Gimli knew it was done for his benefit. "We should meet with guards at any time so it would be foolish to turn back now. Still..."
Legolas sighed again, softly this time. There was silence for awhile then the elf said, "Perhaps we should go over the possibilities one more time?"
Gimli looked over at Legolas. They had gone over King Thranduil's possible reactions so many times now that Gimli wearied of the subject. Did his elf really need to talk about it or was listing it so close to home only going to make Legolas more nervous? "If you believe that is best."
More silence.
"Nay. Are you ready to go on?"
Gimli got up.
They had barely walked for another quarter hour when Legolas stopped abruptly. He appeared to be listening. His eyes swept the trees.
The next thing Gimli knew, they were surrounded by archers with arrows all aimed at them. *This,* he thought, *must be a typical elven greeting despite the fact that Lord Elrond is friendly. But then Rivendell is a safer haven than Lothlorien or Mirkwood.*
Just as suddenly the threat changed to happiness as clear elven voices rejoiced at Legolas' arrival home.
Gimli listened as the elves around him talked. *I must be a very odd dwarf,* he thought, *to love elven voices so much. And even stranger that most of the Sindarin I know has to do with what one might say in the bed chambers.*
Legolas was saying something now and Gimli caught his name in the conversation. Legolas placed his hand on the dwarf's shoulder.
"We were told by our Lord that you would most likely have a dwarf with you." One of the elves said.
Gimli wondered if Legolas felt shaken by this news.
This was one possibility that they hadn't discussed: that King Thranduil would already know of their relationship.