Bearded

Chapter 29

Gimli snorted back his laugh when Bombur's youngest daughter came rushing in, out of breath. Bilbur was always late; no one was quite sure why. Even if you all made ready in the same place and departed at the same time, Bilbur would always be the last to reach the destination. Once, Gimli had tried to find out why this was so. Did she dawdle and daydream along the way? He had left weapons training with her, taken his usual route to the alehouse, walking with her at a normal pace, but when they arrived, everyone else had reached the place before them, the food was half-eaten and everyone had already begun drinking without them. But she was the most trustworthy Dwarf he knew. All knew that any secret shared with her was one dropped into a bottomless pit; it would never be revealed. He had thought of telling her of his marriage when he first returned to Erebor, but he had not wished to burden her with the knowledge. Now, she handed Gloin a bundle then stepped back.

Gloin shook out an intricately woven robe of deepest green. The gold thread embroidered in it caught the light and glinted like dewdrops in a field at dawn. It smelt slightly musty from all the years it had remained hidden. Gloin kissed Gimli's head as he helped him put the robe over the hospital robes he wore.

Although the arrow had not been poisoned, infection had ravaged the wound despite the healers' best efforts. Gimli had fought off the fever but was still feeling weak and as if his all bones were made of soft clay. Once again, the healers were holding Gimli up on the stool. One had given him a sip of water and the other had wiped his brow, where beads of sweat had begun to roll down his face. Gimli shook his head as he was offered a small vial of milk of the poppy, but his wan appearance spoke of the pain he was enduring.

Gloin slipped the green robe over Gimli's shoulders and nodded to Mili as she draped a cloak over Legolas' shoulders. She had recognised it as one Dori had embroidered many years ago and which Gloin had hidden in the stash of items he would give to Gimli when he was courting. As any parent would, they had been preparing for Gimli's courtship since he was young. Before reaching Erebor, they had not managed to do much, but slowly and steadily, over the years they had made preparations. They had commissioned a few pieces, and Gloin had collected gems, but the stash was largely of coin. The money was set aside for the purchase of essential items for when Gimli had actually begun to court and to pay for the feasts someone of Gloin's status would be expected to host. This cloak was to have been worn by Gimli at one of the betrothal ceremonies. It was grey, with the embroidery in silver thread creating an effect of water shimmering on the surface of a lake. Mili saw Bilbur hand Gloin a small wooden box. From it he took out two marriage beads of mithril inlaid with sapphires, and handed them to Gimli. The tears had not stopped flowing down Gloin's cheeks and with one hand Gimli wiped away the tears.

This day was rivalling any of the strange and fluid dreams he had had the last few nights as he had caught minutes of fitful sleep in chairs by Gimli's bedside or in a bed in his empty house. Gloin took a breath, then walked over to Thranduil. Despite his newfound generosity of spirit, his feet were slow to obey, perhaps being wary of the directions they had been given. Without ceremony, he handed the small case of jewels to the Elvenking with a curt nod. Thranduil's face did not change at all, the piercing eyes not even blinking. Gloin then planted his feet and stood next to Thranduil.

Gimli pitched his voice low, as if to himself, though he knew Legolas would be able to hear. "Lad, we do not need to do this part."

A part of Legolas wanted to agree. He wanted to protest loudly. To refuse to be exposed in such a way. Why should all these Dwarrow be allowed to see his hair unbound? He cringed at what his father would think. But it was that calm acceptance that broke him. Gimli's stoic resolution to continue and endure no matter what came, shattered him. "Ai, Gimli!" he called out under his breath. Here Legolas had the ability to spare Gimli pain and humiliation. Legolas' true mortification would be understood by only one other person in the room; Thranduil. Gimli on the other hand, would be humiliated before everyone he knew, before his whole nation if Legolas refused to braid. Legolas braced himself mentally.