Work Text:
* * *
It wasn't every day that Legolas managed to take a step back from his responsibilities as Crown Prince, but today he was lucky enough to be free, just until the sun dipped below the horizon. Of course, it came at a cost. When he returned home, he would be reprimanded by his guard and his father for slipping out without so much as a note, but it was worth it to be completely and utterly alone in nature. (His guard, Tauriel, had no issues with him gallivanting in the woods — the scolding was all for show. In fact, she had helped plan his escape.)
From the kitchen he had taken a fresh loaf of bread and some cheese before sneaking through the servants' quarters to their exit. They were kind enough to not inform his father immediately, likely out of pity. It was ironic that a servant in his household had more freedom than he, a prince and future king, would ever have in his life.
Donning his cloak, Legolas hastened from the palace grounds and towards the tree line. He had to make good time if he wanted to reach his destination before midday.
The woods were dappled in soft light from the rising sun, and beads of dew still clung to the grass. Once he breached the tree line, Legolas made his way to the small vessel he had commissioned and later hidden with Tauriel's assistance. Despite the spiders that had made their home in his absence, the little boat was quite nice. He launched it into the river that bisected the woods and allowed himself to be ushered downstream by the rushing water.
It was a comfortable pace for someone who had not had much (any) experience on the water. That is, of course, until it wasn't. Legolas had hit a section of rapids he had not accounted for and found himself flying around the river bend at a frightening speed. His vessel was sturdy enough to not sustain any serious damage, but he lost an oar to the rocks as he used it to push away from a particularly sharp cluster along the bank. Trying not to let panic hijack him, Legolas guided himself down the cascades that opened into the lake. The remaining oar was wrenched from his grasp as his boat thumped down the rocky bed. A little worse for wear and shaken up, Legolas floated aimlessly in his little boat, unsure of how to proceed. Surely he would come across a kindly stranger before long, one who would be willing to help him reach the shore safely.
Legolas decided that this would be an opportune moment to break his fast, so he retrieved the bread and cheese from his pack and ate, drinking cold jasmine tea from his flask in between bites. Once he finished his meal, Legolas felt himself growing drowsy. He was just barely able to fit in the bottom of the boat, and he allowed the gentle motion of the water to lull him to sleep.
The sun was high in the sky when he woke up, but it was eclipsed by an object that he could not quite make out. Legolas blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, willing them to focus on his surroundings. When he opened them again, he found himself staring at a man with a mass of unruly red curls crowning his head. He sat up abruptly, accidentally knocking foreheads with the stranger.
The stranger groaned loudly and stumbled onto the floor of his own boat.
"Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry!" A self-conscious giggle escaped Legolas' lips as he spoke, earning a grumble of displeasure from the man he had just inadvertently headbutted.
"No, no. The fault is entirely my own. I should have known to let a sleeping man lie." The stranger rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I was hoping you were not a corpse, but it was difficult to tell on account of your breathing being so shallow. What in God's name are you doing out here with no oars, anyway?"
The concern in the stranger's brown eyes brought heat to Legolas' cheeks unbidden. "I was bested by the water as I traveled down the rapids. It took my oars from me."
The stranger sputtered in disbelief, pointing at the cascades. "You mean to tell me you went down those falls in that little boat? It's a miracle you still have breath in your body, lad."
Legolas felt his cheeks flush deeper. "I didn't realize there were rapids! This is my first time being so far from home, and I thought myself a more capable outdoorsman than this." He knew his petulance was unbecoming, but the young prince was embarrassed, lost, and cold. A warm hand gripped his shoulder, and the heat electrified his body.
"No need to sulk, lad. I am at your service…" The stranger trailed off.
"Legolas. And you are?" The prince reached out a hand in greeting.
The stranger grasped it firmly, his calloused hand completely enveloping Legolas' soft, dainty one. "Gimli, son of Glóin. At your service." He grinned cheekily at Legolas as he helped him into his boat. "Now, let's get you back home. No more accidents today, understood?"
Gimli's tone was teasing, but left no room for argument. Legolas dipped his head in acknowledgement as he settled into his seat, folding his hands primly in his lap. As much as he would have liked to help, he was more than content watching Gimli's strong arms at work, guiding them safely to shore. It was a shame his little boat had to be left behind, and he dreaded the thought of explaining the events of the morning to Tauriel when she inevitably asked of the boat's fate.
"So, Gimli. Where are you from?"
"Are we really going to engage in small talk, Legolas?"
Legolas sighed wistfully and looked out on to the water. "I suppose not, I just thought I should know something about my rescuer."
Gimli expelled a long-suffering sigh before he spoke. "I hail from the Blue Mountains to the south. I am here as an envoy to negotiate trade with the Greenwood Kingdom."
Legolas' eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, the Blue Mountains! What's it like there? I do wish to visit one day and see the caverns I've read so much about. Diamonds embedded in the rock and glittering like starlight..." Legolas felt his cheeks warm at his rambling. It was often a point of contention between himself and his tutors.
Gimli's expression, however, had grown soft. "I had not realized my home was so interesting to those outside its borders. It truly is a most beautiful place. It would steal the breath from your lungs."
Legolas smiled up at Gimli shyly. "Perhaps I will visit someday. You must act as my guide if I do."
Gimli let out a full-bellied laugh. "I suppose it would make it easier to rescue you if I were by your side."
Gimli's teasing made Legolas flush to the tips of his ears. He cleared his throat and turned back to the lake, admiring the glassy surface.
They sat in silence for some time, before finally reaching the lake's edge. Gimli dismounted first, offering a hand to Legolas. "I am relieved I could get you back to land in one piece, Legolas."
"I would expect no less from you, my rescuer." Legolas batted his eyelashes at Gimli before taking his hand. He found himself flooded with relief at the feeling of solid ground beneath him once more. "Thank you ever so much, Gimli. I would have been lost without you…" He looked around at his surroundings, unable to find any familiar landmark. "Speaking of lost…"
Gimli laughed in exasperation. "You really should get out of the palace more. Then perhaps you would not be such a bloody handful."
"'The palace...'" Legolas felt his jaw drop. "You knew?! For how long?"
"I am here as an envoy, your Highness. Do you think me a simpleton? To not do basic research before visiting a potential trade partner would be foolish indeed." Hurt flickered across Gimli's face, and Legolas felt his heart squeeze.
Legolas held up his hands to placate the man. "I meant nothing of the kind. I just… You made no indication that you knew who I was, not in your behavior nor address. It caught me by surprise. I suppose my disguise is not sufficient, then."
A guffaw escaped Gimli. "Disguise? Your Highness, a cape is not nearly enough to disguise your fine features." Legolas thought Gimli's cheeks flushed under his beard, but he could not be certain. He determined that the best course of action was to play a little game.
Legolas twirled his hair around his finger and smiled bashfully. "Do you truly think my features fine, Gimli?"
"I am not blind, Your Highness." The man cleared his throat in discomfort and busied himself with his pack. Legolas was not so easily deterred.
"That is very kind of you, Gimli." He trailed a finger down the other man's defined bicep, taking note of the way he froze at his touch. "You know, I always hoped I would grow up to be strong and rugged and capable like you. Fate saw fit to intervene and deny me my wish, so I inherited my father's build."
"Your Highness…" Gimli's breath hitched as Legolas laced their fingers together.
Legolas smiled innocently and dragged the other man in the direction he thought was north. "Come along, now. I believe you have a king to meet, and I am sure he will be most pleased to learn that the envoy from the Blue Mountains rescued his troublemaker son from certain danger."
Gimli did not reply, but Legolas felt the tentative squeeze of his hand and knew that this was the start of… something.
* * *