A Little Help from my Friends

by Pippinmerry


Chapter Five: Gimli


Gimli grumbled as he walked through the streets of Gondor. He was so deep in thought that he failed to notice the small figure standing in the street until he had tripped over it. “What is this? Standing in the street? Why I...” He noticed who it was he had knocked over. “Master Took, whatever are you doing in the middle of the street?” he asked, hoisting the hobbit to his feet.

“Sorry, Gimli.” Pippin brushed the dust off his clothes.

“Quite alright, young master, but what are you doing out here alone? Where’s Merry?” He and Pippin moved off to the side to prevent any more collisions.

“Sleeping. I had a dream and couldn’t get back to sleep so I came out here.”

“Oh? A dream about what?”

“Oh, um, Boromir.” Pippin looked down at his feet.

“Ah, I see. Your hero. Great man he was and I don’t say that about just anyone, you know.”

Pippin smiled. Gimli was a bit of mystery to him but then again, most dwarfs where. “I miss him but, I know he’s looking out for me still.”

“Aye, that he is. I’ll you, I can’t wait to be back among other dwarves again. I’ve had just about enough of elves and men and...”

“And hobbits?”

Gimli laughed. “No, not hobbits. I would like to take one of you with me but I wager the others wouldn’t go for that.”

“No, no they wouldn’t.” Pippin looked over the city. “I wouldn’t want to go. Nothing against you, Gimli, but I do miss home.”

“I think we all do, Master Hobbit.”

“You can call me Pippin, Gimli.”

Gimli chuckled. “I guess I will then. You’ll be going home soon, my dear hobbit.”

Pippin looked back at the dwarf. “I do hope so. Gondor’s a wonderful place but, I miss the hills and the trees and the valleys of the Shire. I miss the Brandywine and trying to drown Merry in it. I miss my family too.”

“Yes, I can see how you would. Well, just think of all the stories you can tell!”

“I will have some interesting stories to tell won’t I?”

“Aye, stories that will rival anything we dwarves have.”

Pippin smiled at Gimli. “Gimli, you’re the only dwarf here. Don’t you miss your home and people?”

Gimli sighed. “Yes, yes I do. But I do have you young hobbits to keep me company. Hobbits are like dwarves you know?”

“What?” Pippin laughed out loud causing men and women to stop and stare at the pair.

“Oh, yes you are. Wether you like it or not.”

“And how are we like dwarves, may I ask?”

“Well, for one thing, you know the value of a good drink. Something these men and definitely not those elves know nothing about. And you’re the right height. Not this abnormal giantism of men and elves. Close to ground is how I like my friends.”

“Gimli, you’re amazing. I can say that things wouldn’t have been as interesting without you.”

“I can say the same about you, Pippin-lad. I think everyone should be in the company of a hobbit, even if it’s just for a little while.”

“Gandalf said something like to me. I feel the same way about dwarves.”

Gimli smiled and hugged Pippin. “Well, I’ll be off now. Oh, and don’t tell the elf I hugged you.” Gimli headed off away from Pippin.

Pippin shook his head and went back to wondering through Gondor, thinking of home.