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“From stone we are hewn, and to stone we return. In between, cities rise and leaves turn. Within each Dwarf a fire is lit, and in few they will find others who may continually tend it,” Fíli’s voice rang out, clear and strong.
Gimli smiled with pride at his cousin before he turned to Legolas. Upon a dais, they all stood, with the King’s consort at his side.
At least, Ori was next to Fíli, until he stepped forward to witness the chopping of wood, alongside the family members bearing the ceremonial axes which would be used to make their marks, as tradition dictated. The scholarly Dwarf smiled at Gimli until those individuals stepped up with the fancy, polished weapons within their grasps.
Gimli’s Adad halted before him, firmly holding out what had been created specifically for Gimli and this moment. He nodded towards the elder Dwarf, accepting it, and what that meant. A relief swept over Gimli as the former stepped away to witness the tradition.
“On my mark, may you each take a swing,” Ori stated, his voice reaching far, given most were silent.
This was not only a momentous occasion for the kingdom, but for Arda overall. A Dwarf of Durin’s line, wedding the Crown Prince of Mirkwood. Such a union had not been heard of prior to now, and yet, here it was being initiated before the eyes of Erebor and its guests.
Gimli nodded towards Ori, then glanced at Legolas across from him, where Thranduil had moved away. His lips were tight, but still, he had made a show of his support, which they could only be grateful for.
“Three, two, one,” Ori stated in a clear voice, and then they swung.
Gimli’s axe met the wood first, whilst Legolas’ came swiftly after.
The logs were taken away, once Ori had nodded at their decisively clean cuts, smiling.
Next, Fíli’s voice rang out, “The exchanging of beads shall commence between the newlyweds.”
A chair and a stool were brought out, so that Legolas could be seated, and Gimli was capable of reaching the back of his hair without any further assistance. The height difference was stark, but that didn’t deter him. With practised fingers, Gimli wove Legolas’ marriage braid in, finishing it off with the bead he had hand crafted him.
After glancing over it, he was satisfied with his work and prepared to accept his own in return.
However, there was no need for a chair, in regard to Gimli. Instead, Legolas stood behind him, carefully creating the marriage braid for the first time. Tauriel had taught him how, Gimli had it on good authority. Soon, the weight of his marriage bead was felt, and then he turned to face Legolas once more.
A soft, loving smile was sent Gimli’s way.
"Now, in accordance with the tradition of Elves, there will be an exchange of rings," Ori said.
It was then that Kíli and Tauriel stepped forward; the former towards Gimli, while the latter went to Legolas. The jewelry was given to each of the new husbands, and Kíli smiled at Gimli, and said, "Go get him."
"I intend to," Gimli replied, once Tauriel's soft words in Sindarin were spoken.
Before everyone, Gimli sealed his fate to Legolas, without a drop of regret.
This Elf made his heart pound and his mind bend towards a happiness Gimli had never prepared for. Though their relationship was not perfect, he had found in the convergence of warmth between them, a fire of their own making to tend, as Fíli had said.