Bearded

Chapter 30

The mountain loomed above them and a sturdy breeze buffeted them as they emerged from Erebor. Carved into the craggy sides of the mountain were stern figures, kings from ages past standing sentry. Gimli imagined their thoughts at the sight of an Elf coming from their mountain, half dressed in rags and half in courting finery.

Mili did not need to even use Inglishmek. At her speaking gaze, the litter was set down and the retinue stopped. Behind the crowd of their friends, other curious faces were trying to peer through but were prevented from trying to emerge. Even with most of his hair gone, and his beard white as snow, Dwalin still looked formidable. He crossed his arms to show off his muscles and Nori's grin was like razors as he casually flicked a knife. No one would dare press forward. Legolas walked out of the mountain, together with Gimli, though Legolas bore the bulk of his weight and Gloin followed slowly behind them. With slow and unsteady steps, they made their progress down the walkway. The feeling of relief was almost tangible.

The sun was now shining warm and bright and long, clear-cut shadows were cast westward. Behind them, the Lonely Mountain lifted its white helm and snowy cloak. The army of Elves without the gate stood as still as the statues carved in the mountainside, the only movement coming from their banners fluttering in the breeze.

Legolas threw his head back. It was not that the air in the mountain had been stagnant; far from it. Gimli had taken pride in explaining how air from various parts of the mountain was circulated. Excess heat from the forges could be sent to a room at the turn of a dial. Clean, fresh air meant that Erebor had not that feeling of a mausoleum which had pervaded Khazad-dûm. The air, however, had a mineral quality. One could almost taste it. That was strange, but not the main problem. The thing he felt most keenly, was that circulated air was not like the breeze. It did not carry messages from trees and plants and birds and beasts. The song of the stars could not reach his ears under the mountain. The cleverly bounced and reflected lamplight and even sunlight which was carefully directed into the mountain was nothing like the caress of direct sunlight on his face. Each moment he spent under the mountain felt as if someone was pressing down on him. At first it would be a light and gentle press, but after several hours it was almost a physical pressure.

Now, at last, he felt the warmth of the sun on his face after days and days of waiting as it seemed, when he was becoming choked and dazed for want of it and he had thought he could bear it no longer. Legolas whispered, with a strange hoarseness to his voice. "I felt that I would die without you beside me and without the wind on my face."

Gimli's eyes fluttered shut with a look of pain at those words. Legolas took Gimli in his arms and kissed him under that sunlit sky. They cared not that they stood in the sight of many. And many indeed saw them and the light that shone about them. He felt Gimli begin to swoon and Legolas teased at his being a blushing bride, but nevertheless, Legolas' face was creased in worry and without any words being exchanged, Gloin helped Legolas to slowly lower Gimli to a seated position on the ground with the stone at Legolas' back, letting Gimli sag into his lap.

Exhaustion was in Gimli's voice, but he spoke. Or tried to speak. There was so much unspoken between them, even now. His heart stirred with emotion at the thought of all that had transpired before the throne, at the knowledge of the fact that their relationship was no longer hidden. There was too much to unload, so he slipped into the teasing banter which had always been used as a vehicle for much deeper messages. He tried to keep his voice light, but a hint of genuine concern came through. "Are you angry with me, Legolas? he asked. "I laid bare all your faults before the assembled company. And said none of my own."

Legolas' hands were warm. Those long fingers held and caressed and held close with the message that he never wanted to have to let go. Instead of weeping, instead of laughing hysterically at the thought of what they could have lost, he focused on the joy of being reunited, and of being wed in the eyes of Gimli's people.