The quatro walked through the narrow cave tunnel, quickly making their way deeper into the cold mountain.
"What is it? What do you see?" Gimli asks Legolas who walks a bit ahead with Aragorn.
"I see shapes of men. And of horses." The blond elf says, blue eyes searching around the stone walls.
"Where?"
"Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The Dead are following. They have been summoned."
"The Dead? Summoned? I knew that." Gimli shrugs and Gilan resists snorting. The bard is very aware that the hearts of the other three were racing. Perhaps it was something they were seeing, but Gilan felt nothing. "Very good. Very good! Legolas!" Gimli whisper-yells and drags Gilan after the two. Gilan frowns when the three start shuffling around as if they were trying to chase away a bug. Gimli starts blowing at the air. Legolas suddenly pulls Gilan to him, sending a cold glare over his shoulder in the air. Gilan turns to ask the elf what is happening when he steps on something crunchy.
"Do not look down." Aragorn warns them and Gilan bites his lip in resistance to making a blind joke, he feels it might not be appreciated at the moment. Legolas grasps his hand and guides him further, not even noticing the action made the bard's cheeks and the pointy tips of his ears red.
"Who enters my domain?" Gilan startles and jolts when a voice without a body suddenly speaks.
"One who will have your allegiance."
"The Dead do not suffer the living to pass."
"You will suffer me." Aragorn growls and glares at the ghost that must stand before them. The ghost laughs and the three suddenly press closer together. Gilan takes the hint and pulls out his sword. Legolas' hand squeezes his before leaving the grasp in favor of notching an arrow into his bow.
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it."
"I'm guessing we're surrounded." States Gilan with furrowed eyebrows.
"The way is shut. Now you must die."
"Ah, yea, definitely surrounded." Legolas releases the arrow but it hits the far off wall. It had to pass through the dead.
"I summon you to fulfill your oath!" Aragorn raises his voice, looking around.
"None but the King of Gondor may command me." Aragorn lifts his newly reforged sword, Andúril, and deflects the attack from the ghost and presses the blade to the ghost's throat.
"That line was broken."
"It has been remade. Fight for us, and regain your honor. What say you?" The ghosts stay quiet. "What say you?"
"You waste your time, Aragorn! They had no honor in life, they have none now in death." Gimli grumbles.
"I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled! What say you?! You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death! What say you?!"
"Stand, you traitors!" Gimli shouts and Gilan suddenly feels the ground begin to shake. Then there is the sound of crumbling rocks and something that sounds like a thousand skulls rush towards them.
"Out!" Aragorn doesn't have to tell them twice. They try to get out as fast as they can but the skulls fall on them unmercifully.
"Legolas!" Aragorn shouts and Gilan is already reaching back and grasping Legolas' hand, saving the elven light body from being swept off the edge into the ravine of the cave. "Run!" They stumble out of the cave and Gilan sighs as he feels the outside air hit his face. The relief is, however, quickly replaced by dread as he smells smoke in the air and hears the cries coming from the burning villages by the river's shores. Aragorn falls to his knees and Legolas places a hand on his shoulder. Gilan turns his face to the ground, sheathing his sword in defeat. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli then turn back to the cave, their hearts speeding back up.
"We fight."
***
Wind runs through and riffles their hair as they stand, waiting on the shore for the boats full of Corsair pirates to be in a hearing distance.
"You may go no further. You will not enter Gondor." The pirates laugh at him.
"Who are you to deny us passage?" One of the men snickers.
"Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear." Whispers Aragorn.
"Mind your aim." Gimli grins and just as Legolas releases the arrow, the dwarf bumps the elf's bow with the handle of his battle ax. The arrow hits the man next to the captain. Gimli covers his mouth in horror and Legolas gapes at him. Gilan covers his mouth for an entirely different reason, not managing to cover up the snort that escapes him. Aragorn sends them an unimpressed look.
"That's it. Right. We warned you. Prepare to be boarded." Gimli recovers.
"Boarded? By you and whose army?"
"This army." Gilan is once again glad that he cannot see as he hears the Corsair men's terrified screams
***
"Late as usual, pirate scum! There's knife-work here that needs doing. Come on, ya sea rats! Get off your ships!" They hear an orc call to the ships and the four jump down onto the rocky beach.
"There's plenty for the both of us. May the best Dwarf win!" Gimli mutters to Legolas and they charge the orcs, the dead army behind them. The battle starts.
***
Gilan grins. He actually kind of enjoys this. With the army of dead, he doesn't have to keep track of anyone other than Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. It makes swinging his sword around much more enjoyable.
"15, 16..." He hears Legolas mumble and laughs.
"17..." Gimli raises his voice so the elf hears him. Gilan starts humming a new melody that suddenly pops up in his mind and lets it guide his body and sword. Legolas can't help but sneak a look, causing Gimli to get ahead. "...29..." They quickly make their way through and join the Rohirrim army. The ground shakes as a giant Oliphaunt makes its way through the army, killing multiple men with the spikes on its tusks.
"Legolas!" Aragorn yells and the elf sees the giant animal quickly approaching his and Gilan's position. The elf rolls his shoulders and before running off, he turns to Gilan. The bard, hearing his shift, turns to the blond elf with an adorably tilted head and a raised eyebrow. Legolas grasps the front of Gilan's tunic and pulls him in. The kiss surprises Gilan, leaving him stunned and frozen as the elf pulls away and runs to take the Oliphaunt down. Gilan's heart beats hard and fast in sync with the animal's approaching footsteps, but he can't bring himself to move. Partly because he's still processing the kiss and partly because he knows Legolas will not let him get crushed. The elf strings three arrows and shoots them into the beast's skull, bringing it down. Legolas slides off the trunk, landing safely on the ground in front of Gilan. The elven prince has an excited smile on his face. Gilan shakes his head with a chuckle and crosses the distance separating them, placing his hand onto Legolas' neck and pulling him into another kiss. Legolas contently sighs.
"That still only counts as one! Come on, then! Come on!" Gimli shouts at them after a moment, not being able to hide the glee in his voice. Gilan and Legolas laugh.
Shaking and crying rn
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind//Legolas
FanfictionOnce Gandalf offers him a seat among the Council of Imladris, Gilan joins the fellowship on its way to destroy the One Ring. He is, however, met with some prejudices, for he is just a bard. And blind, but that would have nothing to do with it, right...
