Work Text:
Gimli paced back and forth, his heavy footfalls dulled by the soft forest floor. Just days ago he had received a summons to the Greenwood by Legolas, and anxiety had been coursing through his veins since. What could be so important that he had to travel hours just to speak? It was not that he minded seeing Legolas, in fact it was the opposite. Gimli loved his friend dearly, despite their differences. Instead, it was the lack of context and hastily scribbled note that caused him worry.
He heaved a sigh and sat against a great tree. Pacing seemed to be doing nothing for his nerves. And yet, after sitting for mere moments he found that a state of inactivity was even worse. So, Gimli hoisted himself back to his feet and began pacing anew. As much as being away from the mountain unnerved him, there was something tranquil about the forest. Since the Battle of the Five Armies, or more likely since the Elvenking found love, the forest had transformed, as if brought back from the brink of death. By all accounts, the forest was an eerie place when the Company had been traveling through it. Even when traveling with the dwarves from the Blue Mountain some years ago, Gimli had found himself unnerved by the atmosphere, despite the healing that had already occurred in that short time. Now, however, the Greenwood had a new lease on life. The air grew less dense with each passing day, and the streams ran clear and free from enchantments. There were even fireflies and moths now, as well as a host of mammal and avian species that once again inhabited the forest. Even a young dwarf such as Gimli, who had not seen much of the world in his seventy-five years of life, could appreciate the natural beauty of the place.
Gimli had lost track of how long he'd been waiting. Because the Elvenking was unaware of their friendship, Gimli could not simply show up to Legolas' front door and expect a warm welcome. Despite their truce and allyship, Thranduil was still wary of the dwarrow that now inhabited Erebor. Gimli could hardly blame him, though he would never voice this to anyone other than Legolas and Bilbo. His kin were unlikely to understand his empathy towards other races, as they had proven time and again with their own less than cordial behavior.
Gimli jolted as a hand gripped his shoulder. Damned elves and their stealth. "By Mahal, you nearly scared me out of my wits. Give me a warning next time!"
He whirled around to face his friend, but found himself staring into the eyes of the Elvenking. He dropped to a knee on instinct. "Your Majesty, I apologize for my address. I was… expecting someone." Gimli floundered, searching for the right words to address the king.
Thranduil's lip curled, plainly illustrating his displeasure at the dwarf's presence. "I am aware, Gimli son of Glóin. You are here to see my son, are you not?" Gimli stared mute, unable to think of an adequate response. "I know all about your secret trysts and lover's notes being shared. I have eyes and ears throughout my dominion, dwarfling."
Gimli felt his blood boiling, not only at the accusations of impropriety but also at the thought of Legolas being watched in his own home. "Oh mighty Elvenking, spying on your own son is stooping very low indeed. Your spies have not conveyed the truth, however, as there are no lover's notes. Legolas is my friend." He watched as Thranduil's face contorted in fury, equally beautiful and frightening. He whistled a high-pitched tune, and a starling perched on his outstretched hand.
"You'll forgive me for calling you a liar, but I have heard my son's words and they are not those of a friend." Thranduil gestured for the bird to repeat what it had heard. The words that followed were almost as clear as if the owner of the voice was present. Gimli felt his face go up in flames. Listening to another's words without their knowledge felt wrong, especially when it came to matters of the heart.
Legolas, are you sure this is something you wish to pursue? The voice was Tauriel's. It will not be easy.
Nothing worth doing is ever easy, Tauriel. Legolas spoke, his voice hushed and urgent. I need this. I cannot sit back and do nothing when I have found my heart's desire. Thranduil's facade of forced tranquility flickered at his son's words. I will write to him and confess everything in person. I can no longer pretend that friendship is enough for me, not when I am plagued by my feelings for him with every breath I take.
"Have you heard enough?" Thranduil motioned for the starling to return to its nest. Gimli watched in disbelief as it flew off. "I do not understand what my son sees in you, to be quite blunt. You are unequally matched." It was not as if Thranduil was wrong. He was so young, and he knew that others could offer Legolas so much more. However, the implication that he was less than filled him with anger.
Gimli dared to meet the Elvenking's eyes. "As many say you and Bard Bowman are unequally matched? The Elvenking and the bargeman." Thranduil's mouth opened, but the words died on his tongue. "They say the same thing about Thorin and Bilbo, but I've never seen two people better suited to each other. You and Bard are the same, I imagine."
The Elvenking's expression softened almost imperceptibly as he considered the dwarf's words. "Do you… love my son?"
"I…" Gimli hesitated, thinking of all that had come to pass between them, his stomach turning at the realization. How had he missed it? "I think I do, Your Majesty. I think he is my One. I would do anything to bring him happiness."
Thranduil nodded and turned to leave, his robe billowing behind him. He threw a glance over his shoulder after mounting his great elk. "Gimli, I will not give you my blessing." The elf hesitated for a moment, and Gimli waited with bated breath. "But, I will not stop the two of you either. That is a great deal from me." Without waiting for acknowledgement, he left.
Gimli was left alone once again, his thoughts swirling uncontrollably. He loved Legolas, and Legolas seemingly loved him in return. Suddenly the silence of the forest was too much to bear. He needed to find Legolas. He whirled around to follow the Elvenking's retreating form in the direction of his Halls, instead running headlong into Legolas' chest instead and stumbling backwards onto the soft ground with a thud.
"You elves and your lightness of foot." Gimli grumbled as he got to his feet, brushing off his backside gingerly. "When did you arrive, my friend?"
Gimli glanced up at Legolas and was struck by his beauty. It was not as if he had not noticed before, but now it took his breath away. His platinum hair was perfectly combed and oiled, and his cheeks were flushed with heat. What struck him the most, however, was the shimmering of his eyes. Were those tears? "Legolas, are you quite alright?"
"Gimli, do you really love me?" The elf prince's eyes danced, and a small smile quivered on his lips. "If you were just saying so to upset my father, tell me now and I will make no mention of it again. But if you do truly love me…" Legolas trailed off, offering a hand to the dwarf.
Without a second thought, Gimli grabbed the elf's hand and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I was a fool to not realize it before, Legolas." He sighed in pure bliss as Legolas melted into his arms. "You are my One, Legolas. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
Legolas choked out a sob at his words and pulled away from his embrace. Tears streamed down his face, but his smile was wide and his eyes shone with joy. "You cannot begin to imagine how long I have waited to hear those words, meleth nîn." Legolas kissed Gimli without a moment's hesitation. It was a gentle kiss, but it had the young dwarf seeing stars. The feeling of soft lips pressed against his own and the weight of Legolas in his arms was overwhelming. He had never known such tenderness, and to think that he had found it with his best friend, an elf no less, was beyond comprehension. It felt right, though, as if Mahal himself had created them to complete and complement each other.
"Let's go back to Erebor, meleth nîn. I want to ask your parents to bless our union." Legolas murmured, his lips never leaving Gimli's.
Gimli pulled away, eyes wide. "Union? How long are elvish courtships, amrâlimê? I haven't even given you a courtship gift..."
Legolas giggled and pressed his forehead to Gimli's. "Our union is hardly traditional, darling."
Gimli felt himself reddening, suddenly bashful from the attention. "I suppose you're right. Perhaps, then, there is no reason for us to be bound by tradition. I still wish to give you a gift, however." From his pack he pulled a ring of silver, engraved with oak leaves. "I had made it as a token of our friendship, but there's nothing friendly about a ring, is there?" The elf gasped as the cold metal came into contact with his finger. It was a perfect fit.
Legolas held his hand out to admire the ring. "It is beautiful, Gimli. Thank you. I will wear it always." His eyes were dancing as he pulled his dwarf in for another kiss.
* * *
Chaos ensued upon their return. Glóin was convinced that Legolas had cast some sort of spell to seduce his son, and Thorin was convinced Thranduil had sent his spawn as a spy. Everyone else was confused and only slightly dubious of their companionship. It took a few uncomfortable displays of affection to convince everyone that they were, in fact, deeply in love. Once Glóin realized that it was Legolas that had fallen first, he puffed up with pride. "My son is just like I was at his age. Such a strapping young dwarf. It really is no wonder that he stole your heart." Legolas simply nodded sagely, wrapping his arms around his lover. Even Thorin eventually admitted to Bilbo that the two were well-matched, though he would never say so to Gimli and Legolas. (Bilbo relayed this to the couple as soon as Thorin was out of earshot. No secret was safe with him).