We Will Meet Again

'We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Gloin's son with him because of their great friendship , greater than any that has been between Elf and Dwarf. If that is true, then it is strange indeed: that a dwarf should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any love, or that the Eldar should receive him, or that the Lords of the West should permit it. But it is said that Gimli went also out of his desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel and it may be that she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for him. More cannot be said of this matter.' -Appendix A, The Lord of the Rings

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It was time.

Gimli could feel the life seeping from his weary body, a body that had carried him faithfully across Middle-earth, and eventually across the seas and to the Undying Lands.

He was ready to leave, to go to halls of his forefathers. His body was tired, weak, and weary. Life had been a long race, and he was now approaching the finish line. On the other side, Gimli hoped to find eternal rest.

But there was one last person with whom Gimli needed to speak before succumbing: Legolas Thranduilion, Gimli's dearest friend.

Legolas would not understand, Gimli knew. He had been with Legolas by Aragorn's bed when the King of Gondor had drawn his final breaths. As each of the members of the Fellowship had fallen, Legolas had tasted the bitterness of mortality, and slowly come to the unwanted realisation that each of his friends would be slayed by the unforgiving creature called Death.  And although Legolas had seen each of the other members of the Fellowship fall to the passage of time, it was Aragorn's death that had grieved the elf most.

For Legolas had not known any of the other members as he had known Aragorn. Indeed, he did not know even Gimli half as well as he had known the King. Legolas had known Aragorn since he was Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. The Dunadan and elf had shared many an adventure, and grown far closer than brothers.

And so, when Legolas had seen Aragorn's face first begin to age, the call of the sea increased.

And then, according to mortal time standards, many years went by.

However, to the elf, the years were but a drop of water in an endless ocean. To Legolas, it seemed Aragorn was the young boy known as Estel to a grey haired man in less than an instant.

Legolas could remember the day Aragorn could not swing his sword as he once was able. The call of the sea had worsened.

Although Legolas realized that Aragorn did not have much time left, he did not realise how short that time was. Only a few months later, the elf and dwarf had gathered by Aragorn's death bed.

"My friends," Aragorn's once mighty voice had whispered weakly, "thank you. You followed to the ends of Middle-earth."

"I would have followed you until Arda was naught." Legolas had sworn.

Aragorn's breath became laboured.

"I will not say farewell, for this is not the end. Until we meet again, Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas, son of Thranduil."

And Aragorn, son of Arathorn, King of Gondor, and Member of the Fellowship of the Ring had died.

The following day, Legolas had revealed to Gimli the ship he had been building to leave for the Grey Havens. The elf had sworn to not give in to the call of the sea while Aragorn still drew breath, and now, the promise had been kept, and Legolas had no ties to keep him in Middle-earth any longer.

Except one. And so, the dwarf and elf had set off for the Valinor together, on one last adventure.

And now, even this adventure was drawing to a close.

Legolas rapped quietly on the door to Gimli's chambers.

"Who is it?" The dwarf asked in his usual gruff manner.

"It is I." Legolas spoke the words, smiling. He heard the dwarf give an exasperated, albeit feeble, sigh.

"And pray tell, who is 'I'?"

Legolas ignored the question and swung the chamber door open.

Gimli flinched, startled. "Dratted elf." He muttered under his breath.

The insulted elf laughed softly, and came to sit beside the bed of the dwarf.

The pair of friends sat in silence, not needing words to express their friendship.

"I suppose this is it then." Gimli said suddenly.

Legolas refused to meet the dwarf's eyes, and instead looked down, tracing the seam of his tunic with his hands.

"I thank you, Gimli," He finally broke the silence. "For you have traveled across all of Middle-earth with me, and beyond. But, please, cannot you tarry even a month longer?" The elf pleaded. His eyes locked with Gimli's, full of anguish and despair gained from burying his friends one by one.

Gimli gently shook his head. Legolas would never truly grasp the concept of mortality. For while the members of the fellowship had slowly aged, Legolas remained much the same, as if frozen in time. Even now, he looked almost exactly as he did when the Fellowship had left Imladris, all those many years ago.

"I am ready, Legolas. I will go to the halls of all those who have come before me. Much like elves feel the sea longing, mortals feel the same wariness as they approach the finishing line."

Legolas tightly grasped Gimli's hand. "Then be at peace, Gimli Elvellon, for your race was well run."

Gimli felt his vision begin to dim, and could not find the strength to form words. He merely clasped the elf's hand tighter.

"I will not say farewell," Legolas echoed Aragorn's dying words. "for we will meet again."

--

When the cold of winter comes, starless nights will cover day.

In the veiling of the sun, we will walk in bitter rain.

But in dreams, I can hear your name.

And in dreams, we will meet again,

When the sea and mountains fall, and we come to end of days.

In the dark I hear a call, calling me there.

I will go there, and back again.

-In Dreams, lyrics by Fran Walsh

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Elvish Translations & Notes:

Arda: Middle-Earth

Elvellon: Elf-friend (term used by men and Dunedain)

Estel: (Another name for Aragorn, used when he was fostered by Lord Elrond) Hope

Of course, in this story I take the liberty of assuming that Gimli indeed did follow Legolas over the sea to the Valinor, and that Legolas knew Aragorn when Aragorn was known as Estel.