Below the Golden Elves
by Peregrine
Legolas walked below the golden bows of Lothlorien. The leaves
shuddered in the slight breezes and the air was quiet but for the
silver-soft voices of his kin. He was alone in his thoughts, crossing a
small bridge that leapt over a narrow stream. He paused upon its
center, leaning against the white railing carved into the likliness of
many swans upon the water. Below him, he could see the smooth blue and
grey stones through the clear, shallow water of the murmering riverlet.
"Legolas?"
The Elven prince looked up and he looked upon the fair Elf-lady,
Galadriel herself. He had not seen her since the fellowship had been
presented to her and Lord Celeborn. That had been neigh unto three days
agone.
"My lady." Legolas smiled and bowed to the golden-haired Elfess, placing a hand over his heart.
"Legolas, I hath come to speak with thee." Galadriel said to him. Legolas straightened and looked upon her.
"About what, my lady?"
"About Gimli."
Legolas paused. While he was no longer against the Dwarf being a part
of the fellowship, he was still a Dwarf and hard to accept as anything
but. It made him wonder why the fair-skinned lady of the Golden Wood
would be thinking of him.
"Gimli, my lady? Why so?"
"Legolas, I would have ye speak to him."
"Me?" Legolas blinked in surprise. "But, my la--"
"Hear me out, Son of Thranduil." Galadriel spoke. She did not speak
sharply, but Legolas was silenced nonetheless. "I know, Legolas, that
thou were not overly pleased when Lord Elrond had Gimli son of Gloin
join the fellowship. But Gimli is not thy enemy. He is a simple
warrior, as thou thyself art."
"My lady?" Legolas frowned, fearing he had missed her point. Galadriel
took a step forward until she stood just before him upon the bridge. He
was not at all surprised that she stood slightly taller than himself.
"Legolas, I would have ye speak to him." She repeated. "He is alone and
without kin upon this journey. Aye, before ye do protest, I know that
thou travel without kin, as well. But here ye are now, in the Golden
Wood of the Elves, kindred to the woodelves of Mirkwood. But Gimli may
not visit any Dwarven halls and shall taste no Dwarven company for many
days to come, longer if thy path remains sure-footed. He has friends,
to be assured, and within the fellowship he does not lack them. Frodo,
certainly, finds his company most welcome. But Legolas, ye must not
ignore him. He hath done much for the fellowship, as have thyself. But
list to what I have to say: once ye leave the fair wood of Lorien, ye
shall have no kin beside thee. Gimli will not, either. So I say, be not
harsh to him. Ye may welcome a kindly word from one other than Man and
Hobbit ere thy journey is through."
"Let me understand this, my lady." Legolas frowned. "You simply wish me to befriend the Dwarf? To what purpose?"
Galadriel sighed and shook her head.
"Legolas, I do not ask ye to do aught that thy heart goes against. But
I see no harm in ye becoming more aquainted with thy companion. We have
welcomed him into the eves of Lothlorien--a land that has not been seen
by any Dwarf for a very long time. I suggest, Legolas of Mirkwood, that
thou should consider doing the same."
And without another word, Galadriel turned and left him once again
alone upon the white bridge. Legolas did not leave it for some time. He
leaned once again upon the carven railing and watched the stream giggle
passed. The lady asked him to do something so simple--to befriend a
Dwarf. Yes, a Dwarf that had done as much as anyone else to protect the
fellowship from harm, but still a Dwarf.
But something in the Lady's words caused him to pause and think upon
the wisdom hidden in such a move. It was the truth she spoke when she
told him that, once they left the golden eves of Lorien, he would be
surrounded no longer by his kin. Aragorn was a good friend, yes, and
the Hobbits were delightful company, but they were not Elves. Aragorn
and Boromir--if not of the same mind--were of the same nation. The
Hobbits all were kin, or close as kin. Gimli had no other Dwarves.
Legolas had no other Elves. They were bound together in that, at least.
Legolas laughed softly to himself and left the bridge. He truly saw
little point to becoming the stubborn Dwarf's friend. Even if he was in
awe of the beauty that was the Lady Galadriel and the Golden Wood. No.
No, indeed, he saw little point to it. But perhaps, just in the fair
trees of Lothlorien, he would try it. If just for the lady.
From that moment on, wherever he went, Gimli was ever at his side.
