Bearded

Chapter 26

Legolas held himself still as he watched Gimli prepare to speak. It took all his strength not to surge forward and gather Gimli up in his arms. He used all his courage to hold himself as one of the line of Oropher and not crumble in his father's arms. He shifted his weight between his feet and ignored the guards roughly pulling the chains manacled to his wrists. The chains were, in fact, designed for thick, sturdy Dwarrow wrists. There were no smaller sizes as a dwarf child would never be shackled thus. If he so desired, he could yank hard against them and slip free, but dwarven justice must be seen to be done.

There was enough light in this great hall for him to see Gimli clearly, skylights having been cut through the mountain with mirrors angled to bounce the light around. Gimli's proud face was focused, as if for battle. His marriage braid was not in his hair today. Even hidden beneath his warrior's braids as it usually was, he could normally spot it, but Legolas did not take it as an evil sign, that Gimli wavered in his steadfastness. He trusted there was a reason for this, and held steady.

Legolas wished Galadriel could be here to mediate. Oh, how he had burned with envy after Lothlorien. He was not supposed to be this drawn to one of the Stunted Ones, he had told himself then. Gimli's worshipful devotion towards the Lady of Lothlorien irked him and even after they were wed, sometimes Legolas would growl under his breath as Gimli rhapsodised about the gift he had been given and of how he would set it in crystal.

But Galadriel, in Gimli, had managed to cut through a lifetime's conditioning against Elvenkind. After settling in Erebor, almost daily had Thranduil's name been abused in Gimli's home by Gloin, yet still, Gimli had managed to open his heart to Thranduilion. She was skilled in diplomacy and even spoke Khudzul and could recount to the Dwarrow tales of the glory of Khazâd dum and of, if not harmony, tolerance between Elf and Dwarf. But she would not reach Erebor in time to mediate. And she was known as a witch and an enchantress in these lands, so would hardly set the mountain at ease. In fact she would strengthen the argument that Elves had the power to bewitch others. Without the power of the ring Nunya, he did not know if she could still share in the thoughts of others, but if so, that would not be a welcome form of communication here. Furthermore, if she tried speaking Khudzul before this gathering, those who believed it was a taboo for a stranger to understand a few signs of Inglishmek let alone to hear Khudzul spoken would surely tear their beards out in fury at what they would see as provocation.

Gimli began to speak. His eyes raised to the throne and his chin jutted up in defiance.

"I will vouch for Legolas before the throne of Stonehelm himself," said Gimli, his voice sharp and with a trace of bitterness. "And as for enchantment, you know not of what you speak. We have passed through more battles and perils together than most here have known; freely he came with me into this place to bear tidings of our friendship in the hope that accord between our peoples could grow. A great weariness is upon me and I struggle to wake, but I would speak."

Legolas saw Gimli brace himself as he fought the fatigue and gathered himself up to continue.

"Legolas. He is my dearest friend."

"Friend?" called one Dwarf dubiously; and the others grumbled.

Traitorously, Gimli's mind jumped to an image of him, salty and slick, the feel of him in his mouth, as he used all the skill of his tongue and lips on Legolas.

"Aye! Friend! First and foremost!" cried Gimli, now thoroughly roused in defiance. "Friend! Indeed, it is so. As to how I came to be wounded. We were riding in what was once the Desolation of Smaug. The Elf wanted to see the growing things and a lone Orc came upon us, having hidden among the trees. Legolas used my axe to slay it, but it had already done me harm."