Gigolas (Legolas/Gimli) One Shots Book

On the Cold Hill Side (Pt. 1)

Author: marycrawford
Summary: In the end, Gimli thinks, Legolas will steal his heart and sail away with it, and even the wonders of the Glittering Caves are not enough consolation for that loss. But when Aragorn calls for Gimli's help in dismantling the hidden traps of Orthanc, everything changes.

After the funeral feast of King Théoden, Aragorn left Edoras behind and rode for Helm's Deep. With him went his knights, and the people of Lórien and of Rivendell, and all the remaining eight of the Nine Walkers.

Frodo and Samwise rode at Aragorn's side, and Pippin and Mary rode beside Gandalf upon their stout ponies; and Legolas and Gimli as ever rode together upon Arod.

When the company came to Helm's Deep, they found the tables laid in the main hall of the Hornburg, and a great supper awaiting them. Even the hobbits were able to eat their fill, though the speed with which they emptied their plates made some of the men of Gondor widen their eyes.

"How long will we stay here?" asked Pippin, waving the leg of a honey-glazed fowl. His eyes were very bright, for the wine was excellent, and it did not come in hobbit-sized cups.

"Two days, to rest the horses," said Gandalf, "or until all the stores that have been laid up here in the course of years are gone." He shot Pippin a pointed look from beneath his bristling brows. "Which may well be sooner."

Gimli, upon hearing this, gave a rumbling sigh that only those sitting closest to him could hear.

"Two days," he said, staring into his wine with a frown. "Two days will not be enough for the caverns of Aglarond. I would not leave them so soon, but neither do I wish to part from my friends before I must."

Across the table, Pippin was busy forking a massive quantity of roast potatoes onto his plate, but he looked up again when he heard Gimli's words and the sigh that accompanied them. "Those caves must be a sight to see," he said. "Why should we stay in this dusty old fortress? Let's all go and--"

Here, Pippin's words broke off with a yelp.

Merry leaned back in his chair, his face the picture of innocence, while Pippin rubbed his calf and glared at him.

"It's a very fine old fortress," Merry said. He poured himself more wine, but pointedly ignored Pippin's cup. "And there are sights to see here, too: the Horn of Helm Hammerhand, all kinds of marvels. You won't be bored, Pip."

Pippin looked at him with a wounded air, then at Gimli, who was staring morosely at his plate, and finally at Legolas, who was sitting beside the dwarf and looking at him with a faintly wistful expression. "Oh, of course," Pippin said hastily. "Yes, I daresay you're right. Pass me the pigeon pie, would you, Merry?"

Meanwhile, Legolas bent closer to Gimli. "You will promise to let me out again, after those two days of wandering underground?" He laughed when Gimli turned his head and glared at him. "Peace, Master Dwarf! I will go with you and repay my promise, and you will teach me the error of my ways."

"Two days will not be enough for that, either," Gimli said, and he took a long swallow of wine.

~*~

The men of Gondor rose very early, but Gimli and Legolas rose earlier still, and they made their way down to the cave entrance unaccompanied, walking swift-footed down the long stairs to the Deeping Wall in the grey hour just before dawn, and carrying their well-worn packs upon their shoulders.

Gimli nodded to himself when he saw the work that had been done there in the Deep. There was no trace of orc-bodies or any of the usual debris left after battle, and repairs had begun on the Deeping Wall itself.