Bearded

Chapter 4

She liked to come up here to think, and she stood leaning against the parapet when the movement caught her eye. From the Raven Tower she could see them. Even without her darksight the Elf would have glowed in the starlight. He looked so strange, so thin and stretched out. To be able to see his chin was repulsive. She had never liked that about living among Men during the days of exile.

The rejection by Gimli had stung but was not unexpected. She would need to bide her time. He would be receiving many offers. When the first rush of people propositioning him wound down and when the Elf left and the ceremonial and diplomatic events were concluded, she would have more opportunity to approach him again. Dwarrowlings were a treasure and the more she had been thinking about it, the more her heart desired it.

If Gimli did not wish to set up a household with her to raise the young ones that would be unusual, but she could live with that. She already had her own place but perhaps her parents would want her to move in with them again or even Gimli's parents. No. She would not be the only one thinking this way. They would save their home for a dam of higher status. Though Nori and Dwalin were together Nori, a 'Hero of Erebor' had sired at least ten Dwarrowlings by seven different dams. His children all wore their hair in that ridiculous hairstyle. Gudrun had never been looking for romance and would not miss it. Children were so few that they would be loved by all.

She could not help looking down at them. She had, of course seen Elves before, but they were so strange. Then the Elf moved, he was pressing his face to Gimli's. What was he doing? Casting a spell? Then the movement became unmistakable. Kissing. Her stomach roiled. Surely not. She watched as Gimli's face went to the Elf's lap. From this distance she could not hear anything, but no one could mistake the motions for anything else. She could not draw her eyes away then she saw the Elf grit his teeth and throw his head back.

Gudrun felt her knees give way and she slid to the floor. The ravens were all roosting and did not make a sound, but the blood was pounding in her ears like a war drum. She had not really believed all the stories about a spell, but what else could it be? How could Gimli feel anything but disgust at that smooth face and pointed – pointed! ears. After a few moments she got up and ran quickly down the stairs and through the deserted streets and was back in her rooms before she knew it.

She removed the bodice; Trug would not be pleased if it were damaged, then fell onto her bed after removing her boots. She lay down and tried to think.

Sleep had evidently found her because the sounds of the carts below told her the early morning deliveries had started. She washed her face and undid the intricate braiding and put in simple work braids. She changed into her usual brown smock and grey skirt then when she had fastened her boots and belt she went to her desk and wrote two notes.

Trug was bleary-eyed as they opened the door and automatically reached out for the bodice Gudrun held out in her hand.

"Bloody time's this?" they muttered groggily.

"Please give the workshop this note, let them know I can't come in."

Trug took it with a grunt and slammed the door in her face.

She doubted many would put in an appearance today. Street parties had gone on well into the night and she would not be surprised if it would be as it had been the day after Durin's day, when the Master could not be roused to unlock the workshop and let them in.

At this early hour the streets were still deserted as she made her way to the grander district. She found the door she was looking for, slipped the note underneath then turned back, her boots booming and echoing in the quiet morning.

Legolas watched the dawn and looked to the direction of Eryn Lasgalen. If he lifted his head, he could see a glimpse of the distant forest. As the sun rose there was a gleam of yellow upon the forest's far roof as the light caught the first pale leaves. His family, his friends would be singing with the dawn chorus now. As he sang softly he looked at Gimli lying next to him with his head in Legolas' lap. He had thought to bring a light coverlet before leaving the house and no chill had reached him this night under the stars, above the gates of Erebor.

When the sun had climbed higher in the sky, he roused Gimli who grumbled then led them back to his home. It was clear Gloin and Mili had returned and Gimli tried to be as quiet as possible.

"What's this?" Legolas noticed a piece of parchment on the ground by the door. Legolas could make out the runes for Gimli's name on the outside. Gimli looked at it. After a few long moments he spoke.

"It's trouble."

Gimli held out his hand and Legolas held it, then Gimli read aloud. "Gimli, I was on the Raven tower last night and I saw. Meet me alone this morning. Gudrun." There was an address at the bottom.