Chapter Text
“What on Yavanna’s green earth is that vile thing you have brought into the undying lands!?”
Thranduil’s voice rings out, loud and posh, just as Gimli remembered it.
“What do you mean? It’s just a boat. Why, does its construction not meet your standards?”, Legolas answers, in an equally posh and uptight (but clearly mocking) tone.
Gimli chuckles quietly. His husband never ceases to amuse him. A hundred and twenty years has done nothing to their love, as strong and fierce as ever.
Suddenly Gimli feels a presence, and a voice he never expected to hear again, not after she sailed over the sea so long ago, before the suggestion of Gimli going over ever crossed anyone’s mind.
“Thranduil, give your son a break, will you? He has only just arrived. Give him a moment to get his bearings before you interrogate him”.
And standing before Gimli was the full, unrivaled beauty of Lady Galadriel.
“M-My lady”. He bows awkwardly. Legolas smirks so loudly Gimli can hear it. Galadriel laughs quietly. Picking him up to his feet, she leans in to whisper in his ear.
“I haven’t told them all of your arrival yet. Some are… a bit old-fashioned, like Mr. still-thinks-he’s-the-king-of-Mirkwood over here.” Gimli can’t help a laugh. Thranduil glares at him, icy cold. Galadriel continues. “My point is, they may need some time to accept you. I’ll work on convincing them, but in the meanwhile you might have to lay low”.
Gimli sighs, but nods. He knew this would happen - when he chose to come with Legolas to Valinor it wasn’t an easy decision, and he knew it would be difficult to fit in. He didn’t think it would happen so quickly, however.
Galadriel leans back and starts whispering to Thranduil. The ex-king’s face goes through many emotions; betrayal, anger, confusion, and finally just annoyance. He grunts something and turns to leave, glaring again at Gimli as he leaves the beach. Gimli turns to his husband with a sigh.
“Looks like I’m not quite welcome here yet. I’ll… go get us materials for a house, I suppose. We need something to live in”. Legolas leans down and Gimli kisses his forehead, their own little tradition. Then Legolas spoke. “Galadriel, I could help you convince them. There are many elves from tales of old I would love to meet and speak with”.
Galadriel arched an eyebrow. “Alright, Legolas. Come along, but don’t forget your manners. I worry that over a hundred years around humans and dwarves has made you forget the old customs”.
“I’ll remember, I promise. No hugging”.
Gimli can’t stop himself from laughing as he recalls a time, long ago, when Legolas had bear-hugged Celeborn and the senior elf had frozen up for an entire day. Not just nonverbal, he refused to move and scratched anyone who tried to move him. Suffice it to say that Legolas was a bit more careful after that.
Legolas smirks at Gimli. He can tell what the dwarf is remembering.
“Goodbye, Gimli. I’ll be back soon, hopefully. Find us a good cave, will you?”
“Aye, lass. Have a good time out there”.