Chapter Text
Finally she managed to catch the dwarf alone.
Tauriel had only returned to Thranduil’s Halls the day before yesterday, having been on a mission to expel any lingering creatures of shadow from Mirkwood. Celeborn had visited after news had arrived of the final Defeat of Sauron, and together he and Thranduil had decided that after said mission, their forest would be renamed to Eryn Lasgalen, as it would be green and glad once more.
It however meant that she had missed Legolas’ long awaited homecoming.
Months prior he had sent a message from Gondor, informing them of all recent events leading up to and following the Defeat of Sauron. He would be staying in the city of Minas Tirith until the heir of Elendil was crowned King, and return home bringing a friend.
He hadn’t mentioned just what sort of friend.
When she arrived with her company, she was greeted by Legolas and his unexpectedly dwarven companion Gimli son of Glóin. Quite an uproar he had caused upon their arrival, she quickly gathered. She was however immediately taken when he mentioned having heard much about her from Legolas’ retellings.
Not entirely taken, though. She had little problems with dwarves, especially after what had happened a few decades prior, but Gimli and Legolas seemed closer than mere friends forged through hardship. If their bond was more serious, she needed to clarify some things.
Things she’d rather make plain without her brother around to hear.
Now that all evil had been banished from the woods, a grand celebration was held in honour of all recent events. The entire realm was present, and as everyone mingled, she found her moment.
“You love him,” she said casually. She had walked up to Gimli, wine glass in hand and gazing off towards Legolas telling a lively story to Galion and Thranduil.
In the corner of her eye she saw him glance up to her, before he too raised his glass.
“Aye, that I do.”
“Good,” she said. She unsheathed her dagger, twirling it around as she continued. “I need hardly say that any change in that sentiment handled tactlessly will be very unpleasant for you.”
At this Gimli actually chuckled.
“I am glad to see both the King and yourself hold Legolas so dearly that you would threaten me.”
Tauriel shifted her gaze to Thranduil. She had hardly found time to speak with him these past two days, so she hadn’t caught his opinion on the matter of Legolas’ friend, the dwarf. She had expected an amount of disdain, ending in his rejection. Gimli’s comment however implied at the very least begrudging acceptance. Thranduil’s worry for his son’s life this past year must have truly taken the wind out of his sails.
“He has already given me the talk,” Gimli continued, “and I shall say the same to you as I did to him. You need not worry, lass, it wouldn’t even cross my mind. I’d follow the silly elf to the ends of the Earth like a lost dog, and there is not much room for my rejection in that plan.”
Her lip curled up. She could see why Legolas liked him. He had sharp wit, and seemed to be loyal to a fault.
“I hope his silly Princeness does not cause you too much trouble?” she tried instead, hoping to either laugh with him as a new brother or expose him.
“Oh no,” laughed Gimli, “Quite lovely, he is. Although he does seem to suffer from the notion that he’s burdensome. I’ll have to drive that out of him. I expect you haven’t been fuelling that particular thought?”
Oh, she liked him. Legolas did a very good job indeed choosing this one.
“My friend, I’ve been attempting the same since he became my brother,” she said, sheathing her dagger and putting her hand on his shoulder. “He used to be significantly worse. I should like to think I helped him rid himself at least partially of that belief.”
“Then I shall be glad he has you as a sister.”
Tauriel regarded him, satisfied, and gave his shoulder a squeeze. Gimli inclined his head, and so did she. With a final pat she left his side to join Galion and Thranduil as Legolas’ audience.
Her brother’s eyes lit up, immediately roping her in. Not even half a minute later did Gimli also join them, much to Legolas’ joy.
He supported many of the events Legolas described, and Tauriel found her heart singing louder and louder the more she watched the two interact. Gimli never once made it seem like Legolas spoke too much or too animatedly. Instead of scorning the excited bouncing of his hands, and the way he rocked on the balls of his feet, Gimli just beheld him in adoration.
By the end of the feast, any and all of her worries had been completely resolved. In fact, Gimli had grown on her so much in those few hours she had spent with him, that she was nigh ready to fully accept him into the family. Tauriel knew they weren’t quite ready for any permanent arrangement, but she wouldn’t be surprised if she saw some dwarven betrothal beads in her brother’s hair sometime in the near future, and she would welcome their union with open arms.
For so long, she had been his shield, standing between Legolas and a world that did not understand him. Now, it seemed he had found his own world where he need not hide, and where he was loved wholly and unconditionally. While she would forever be his sister and fiercest defender, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She knew he would now have someone by his side who gave him all he deserved, and she could ease her worries.
Her brother was in good hands.