Bearded

Chapter 5

As they had first approached Erebor together Gimli had pointed out the Raven tower and told the story of the generations of ravens which lived there. There had long been great friendship between them and the people of Erebor; and they often brought secret news and were rewarded with such bright things as they coveted to hide in their dwellings. "They live many a year, and their memories are long, and they hand on their wisdom to their children. I knew many among the ravens when I was a lad."

Legolas recalled that the tower clearly overlooked the walkway where they had spent the night. They had agreed to keep certain aspects of their relationship secret from the general public. They were to be known as 'friends' only first, to let people get used to the idea that such a friendship was possible. This was strange to him as Elves cannot be 'secretly married'. That their fea is now joined with another is clear to all.

But he understood. It had taken him months of living together with a Dwarf at close quarters; having his life saved by a Dwarf and going through lifechanging experiences to allow him his paradigm shift. An official statement by a faceless government officer would not have the same impact on the general populace in Erebor.

He had not even thought of stopping Gimli last night or given a care to who might see. His mouth, so hot and seeking had felt so right. Legolas had done the same and Gimli fell into the sleep of the sated while Legolas sat in reverie. He had been thinking of the stars and how making love under them was how it should always be. He had hoped they would shine their blessing down on them. He had not spared a thought to who else might be nearby.

"The same Gudrun from last night?"

"It's not a common name, so it would be a strange coincidence if it were not."

"I think you should go and meet with her."

________________

Gimli tugged at his beard as he walked down the narrow streets to the district where Gudrun lived. He had remembered her fondly when he saw her last night. She was so jolly and quick to laugh and spending time with her had been always been fun.

Dwalin had guided him through his weapons Mastery and Dwalin's philosophy was that any Weapons Master should have a secondary craft, to stop his heart from hardening and from becoming focused solely on the art of war. The workshop where Gudrun worked produced both fine jewellery and sturdier items and Gimli had spent several months there over the years. In fact, when he thought about how to cast the Lady's gift into crystal, he had been considering consulting Gudrun about the chain.

Now there was mischief afoot. She was no blackmailer. That much he knew. After their brief liaison had ended, he still saw her sporadically as was the way of these things. He had gone to her a few times to buy a gift for his Amad. They had laughed together when they found each other in the same alehouse but by unspoken agreement they had drawn a line under their trysts and carried on with their lives. They had shared a hot kafe one afternoon when they bumped into each other in Dale about a year before he had left for Rivendell and parted with no ill will between them.

He reached the address on the note. They had never actually been to the other's home before. Their liaisons had been in the empty rooms after a feast and once in the empty workshop after she had requested a key 'to work late'. He had trusted her enough to allow her to seat him on a chair and wrap thick chains about his arms so that he sat immobile as she worked her mouth on him.

This situation needed to be handled carefully and managed properly, he thought as he knocked on her door. She opened it and wordlessly let him in. Her rooms were small, and the door opened straight into the kitchen. She gestured to a seat, then was sitting with a cup of tea before her which looked cold and was still full. She gestured for him to take a seat.

"Can I make you some tea?"

"What's this about, Gudrun?"

She sighed. She went to stand beside him and took one of his hands in hers. "I want to help you, Gimli. I can see you have been bewitched."

He sighed and tugged on his beard.

Gudrun thought, perhaps she should not have been so direct. It was probably part of the enchantment that if you said you knew what was happening it would probably alert the Elf somehow. But he had come alone, maybe he was strong enough to break through. Maybe he was not fully in its power. She had not properly thought about what she would have done if the Elf had turned up at her doorstep.

"Gudrun, I'm not under an enchantment. I love him. He is good, and kind and brave. Much of what we have been told about Elves is untrue. Much of it is twisted. We have done them much wrong too."

Definitely under an enchantment. Usually a kiss helps these sorts of things. Normally she would not kiss someone without invitation, but he was in extremis. She was helping him and afterwards he would thank her.

She stood and leaned over where he now sat and pressed her mouth to his. Lighting fast he grabbed her wrists and pushed her back.

"By Yavanna's teats, what are you doing, lass! I told you yesterday I don't want that!"

"I'm helping you!"

"-You- What?"

Poor thing, he looked bewildered. It must be the enchantment.

"I'm trying to help break the enchantment before the Elf finds you."

Gimli put his face in his hands. "Valar."

Even the evidence of her own eyes had not been enough to convince her of Legolas' affection for him. After lovemaking Gimli enjoyed being petted and made much of. Even as he drifted away to sleep, he had felt Legolas' kisses in his hair, felt his hands stroking his back, his flanks and finally holding his hand until he fell asleep on the rampart. What kind of enchantment forces the enchanter to do so much work? Surely she had seen that as she had looked upon them.

"Gudrun, for your own safety speak of this to no one." Safety from Legolas but not in the way you think. There was nothing more to be done today. Gimli stood and took his leave.