It Was Her

Epilogue

60 long years had been and gone and in that time Legolas had joined the Fellowship and traveled across Middle - Earth alongside Aragorn and Gimli. To be completely honest, Legolas could not look at Gimli without hatred and disdain. It was his kind that ultimately led to Tili's death all those years ago. If the greed of Thror had not been so great, then Smaug never would have taken Erebor, the dwarves would never had tried to reclaim Moria and Azog would never have sworn to wipe out her bloodline. But as his time on the journey passed, he grew closer to the dwarf realising that there was no reason to blame and entire race for the fault of one. Though he never spoke of his reasoning for his hatred of dwarves, those around him could not help but wonder; why? Many just blamed it on the feuding between their races, but those few in the Fellowship could tell it was something deeper.

So now here they were, at the end of everything. Aragorn had been crowned King of Gondor, and the woman he loved; Arwen by his side at last. Sauron and the One Ring would now be a distant memory across the lands and peace was prosperous. The time had come for each of the Fellowship to part and go their own ways. The four brave hobbits would return to the Shire, Aragorn would remain in Gondor as King, Legolas and Gimli planned to travel across Middle-Earth, and Gandalf, well who knows what that wizard had planned.

As each said their goodbyes, Pippin stopped in front of Legolas, plucking up the courage to ask the question that had been on all their minds for some time.

 "Mr Legolas, now may not be the best time but Merry and me"

"Leave me out of this Pip" Merry butted in.

"I have been wondering why you hate Mr Gimli so much, his race I mean? Well, what I mean to say why did you hate Mr Gimli and his race? Not that you seem to like Mr Gimli and his race for that matter, it is just that now you seem to hate him less." Pippin stuttered, trying to word his question the best he could.

Merry rolled his eyes and sighed, stepping in to help his friend.

"What Pip is trying to ask, is what did Mr Gimli do to deserve your hate? Was it Mr Gimli or was it Mr Gimli's Father? Not that we mean to pry mind you, we're just curious is all."

All eyes turned to Legolas. The elf in question swallowed, not once had he spoken of her since that fateful day all those years ago. Perhaps it was time to delve into his past.

"My father taught me that Dwarves were nothing but greed driven and selfish beings, and for much of my life I believed him. Until I met her. She was different, she was kind and selfless, and I loved her."

"What happened to her?" Sam asked.

"She died in battle, avenging her brothers. A battle that should never have happened."

Gimli bowed his head, knowing of which battle he spoke.

"If not for the greed of one dwarf, she might still be alive."