Chapter Text
[Gimli POV]
I sigh in relief when I finally see the hills of Helm’s Dike. Soon the great tower of the Hornburg will come into sight and then we will be almost home, though in this case I will bring my companions in through a back entrance rather than taking the long stairway down into the fortress itself as I normally would. The fewer outside folks who see us the better it will be.
It has been a long and frustrating journey, to say the least, for my traveling companions do not seem to feel the same urgency to get off the road as I do. All I want is to get the two of them out of harm’s way, but one thing after another has sought to prevent me from doing so. While I have done my best to keep focused on the goal of making haste, they have between them been determined to distract me. What with Legolas torturing himself and imagining reasons to be miserable and Faramir having strange premonitions and feeling the need to offer me unsolicited advice, I feel like I have spent more time soothing ruffled feathers and placating whims than anything else. A bunch of green human traders that should have known it was the wrong season to travel with such a heavily loaded wagon did not help the situation either. I am only grateful that I had the foresight to bring plenty of pipeweed for the journey, for without it I don’t know if I would have made it home with my senses still in tact.
Of course even as I think this, I know I do not really mean it. At least not entirely. The words I said to my lad a few days ago were harsh, and even though I meant them sincerely, I should have realized he would take them too much to heart. I only wanted him to heed the warning and think carefully in the future about keeping vital information to himself. I did not wish him to agonize and suffer over it. But like most adolescents he feels things more intensely than a more mature person would and his own self-doubt over his ability to lead his folk makes him even more sensitive still. I should have taken the time to explain myself better and prevented him so much worry.
As for Faramir, his elven ancestry means he really does have a little of the sight, though he cannot always explain it or understand it himself. It would have been foolish in the extreme to ignore his warning, and we very well might have regretted it had we done so. And his concern over Legolas was all with the best of intentions too. I can hardly fault him for trying to be a good friend to the lad, though I will admit to finding some amusement in Legolas’ teasing him. As long as it doesn’t go too far of course.
And I could no more leave those humans stuck in the mire than I could leave my own mother.
Still it has been trying few days and I am very pleased to see the back of them.
I am also pleased to see the back entrance of my caves, and Ari, the entrance guard who greets us warmly and takes charge of the horses and pony. He also says that he will see that my arrival is properly heralded, but I hold up a hand to prevent him from doing so. Part of my reason for entering through the back entrance was to give Legolas and Faramir time to adjust to being here before being gawked at and commented on by the general public. For tonight I do not wish to draw attention to my friends or myself. With that in mind, I hurry them along to my own private chambers, accompanied by guards who clear the corridors first so I will not be spotted.
Faramir seems to have let go of his earlier worries for the moment and just admires the natural beauty of the caves, for even these ordinary corridors are shaped and lit to display them in the best possible way. I can hardly wait to show him the main entrance and the public halls, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.
I sigh in relief when we make it to my door and then stand back so they can precede me inside, only to be stunned to find we are not alone. There is a fire in the fireplace and the distinct smell of baking bread, and I know right away who has come to call. I rush into the kitchen and she is there peeking into the oven. I hurry to lift her off her feet in a welcoming embrace.
“Mam, what brings ye here? I got no notice that ye were coming!”
“I wanted to surprise you for Durin’s Day,” she laughs, and then pretends to scold, “and after all my trouble I find you missing when I get here and now you are sneaking up on me like this. I did not hear the trumpets.”
“I did not wish to be announced,” I tell her. “I wanted a little time to myself first to get settled in again before having to deal with anything else.”
Here she frowns a little. “Dorbryn said you had to go take care of some problem in Ithilien. I hope all is well.”
“Indeed it is, or it soon will be,” I assure her. “It is nothing for ye to worry over. Aragorn is taking care of the problem, aye, and look, I brought the problem child home with me!”
I wink and then step back so that she can see my guests and she nearly squeals with joy, pulling Legolas into a strong embrace that ends with her kissing him firmly on both cheeks and then immediately begins fussing.
“Problem child or no, it is good to see you, sweetling, only are you sure you are well? You look shattered.”
“We rode fast and hard and the weather was abysmal at the end,” I explain, when Legolas flushes and hesitates to speak. “Of course he is tired. We all are. We could all do with a bath and a real bed I think. It has been a difficult week.”
“Then I shall have a meal on the table in no time,” she tells me. “You all go freshen up a bit first. You too Faramir, love.”
Faramir has been standing back a bit and watching this homey scene unfold, but she forces him to take part by taking him by the hand and then pulling him down where she can kiss his cheek as well.
“How wonderful to see you again, laddie,” she continues, making Faramir smile at her enthusiasm. “Once you have had time to get your breath, I’d love to hear about that sweet lady of yours and your dear little lad. He must be growing like a weed! But never mind that, go on with ye. Ye’ll find plenty of hot water in the bathing chamber for I have kept the reservoirs full in case ye should return soon.”
Rather than sending my guests into the one empty guest chamber, she sweeps them both toward my own personal chambers, even while taking my hand to keep me beside her for the moment.
“I must speak to ye before ye join the lads,” she tells me. “Your da’ could not come with me on the journey here and he did not wish me to travel alone for such a long distance, so he asked his kinsman to accompany me.”
I can see by her face that she is a bit hesitant to tell me who has come with her, which unsettles me more than a little. Mam is not one to skulk around an issue, so the fact that she does not wish to say tells me I will not like the answer at all.
“Which kinsman?” I ask, skeptically.
I find it hard to suppress a groan when she answers, “His cousin Dwalin.” Here she holds up a hand to stay any objections. “Now before ye say anything, keep in mind that he is close as a brother to your father since Oin died and Balin as well, and you know there aren’t many left who remember the quest to take back the Mountain. Not only that, but he is a warrior and an honored elder among our people, so you should show him due respect just for that. It is your duty to offer hospitality. He is kin after all. Besides, he is already set up in the other guest room.”
This time I really do groan, wondering if a second cousin once removed is close enough kin to qualify as someone who must be invited to stay in my rooms. Would not a guest suite suffice? And where am I going to put my real guests now that my distant cousin has already parked himself in my guest chambers? Before I have time to come up with an answer or say anything at all, the cranky old dwarf himself comes stalking out of the guest chambers.
“Ah! There ye are lad,” he bellows, pulling me into a crushing embrace and thumping me hard on the back before standing back to eye me critically. “Your Mam and me expected a proper dwarvish welcome only to find ye had gone off gallivanting to some elf settlement!”
“I did not know ye, were coming,” I ground out between clenched teeth. “and I was not gallivanting. I was dealing with a serious problem.”
He rolls his eyes and waves a dismissive hand in my direction. “Since when do the problems of elves become an issue to a dwarven lord especially with it being only two days until Durin’s Day? Next thing, ye’ll be forsaking these caves and take up living in the trees.”
“That is hardly likely, cousin,” I say. “And the Equinox celebration plans have been underway for weeks as ye can imagine, so there is nothing to worry about on that account either. I hope ye will find things to your satisfaction and that your accommodations here are comfortable.”
“They’ll do,” he growls, giving me a suspicious look. “Though I have no idea why ye find it necessary to have your guest chambers outfitted with furniture that will not fit any of your kin properly. It is a waste of space and good material to have such a long bed.”
“Cousin ye know very well that I have a frequent visitor who prefers the extra length. Ye’ve met Legolas and ye know of our friendship so why mention it? Whatever ye say won’t change the fact that the lad is like kin to me.”
“I have met him. Long before you did in fact. Why ye’d want to take up with a beardless, pointy eared…”
He cuts off his words when Faramir and Legolas choose this moment make an appearance, both with damp hair and looking much refreshed
“What in the name of Mahal…” Dwalin begins, but I loudly interrupt before he can say anything too offensive. . Right before my cousin’s shocked eyes, I place a protective hand on my elf’s shoulder and give it an affectionate squeeze.
“Legolas, lad! Why don’t ye take Faramir to greet Dorbyn,” I suggest as my cousin continues to splutter in outrage. “She’ll be wrath with me if I keep ye to myself tonight and Greirr will be thrilled to see ye. Ye have time enough before the evening meal is ready, isn’t that so Mam?”
“Yes indeed,” Mam says in attempt to help me save the situation. “Take your time lads.”
As soon as the door closes I turn toward my not so welcome guest who by now is practically incandescent with rage. I hurry to have the first word before he can explode.
“I realize ye are upset and angry but the fact is ye knew about my relationship with Legolas before ye chose to travel here. Everyone here knows it, aye, and all have agreed to accept or at the very least tolerate the fact that he will continue to be a frequent guest as long as I am lord here,” I say, “And just in case ye have forgotten, cousin, I am Lord here.”
“I did remind ye, Dwalin,” Mam speaks up to support me. “The lad has been named dwarf kin by our family, and even Gloin cares for him very dearly. It is time to let go of the past. As Gimli says, ye knew of it.”
“Aye, I knew of it,” Dwalin hisses, “Though I did not expect to have it flaunted in my face. It is unnatural and disgraceful, is what it is, and on Durin’s Day no less. Surely ye do not intend to allow them to attend the festivities?”
“Legolas is the same as a son to me and as dwarf kin has that right,” I say, almost enjoying the scandalized expression on my cousin’s face. “Faramir is also very dear, and was personally invited here by me.”
“Unlike me, ye mean!” his eyes narrow and his brows knit together ominously, something that would have made my heart race in fear as a child.
“That I did not say,” I remind him, though I admit if only to myself that I might have been thinking it. Still I do my best to soothe ruffled feathers. “I am in your debt for escorting Mam here, and as my own kin, ye are more than welcome. However, that does not change the facts. I will have them both take vows of secrecy if that will make it easier for ye to swallow, but they will both be present, so ye might as well accept it.”
“I suppose ye’ll have these outsiders sweeping the graves of our ancestors next and taking part in Zârgharâf!” He accuses me.
“There are no graves here yet to sweep,” I point out.
This is a new settlement, barely four years old. So far we have been fortunate enough not to have any deaths. Of course the time will come soon enough, and if I am buried here myself when the time comes, there is no one more qualified than my elfling to care for my final resting place, especially at Mabon when the balance between the darkness and the light is perfect. It is a fitting symbol for the perfect balance we’ve managed to achieve between us as fighting partners and as kin. Besides he is the only son I will ever have, so who else should care for my grave?
I do not say this however, but only remind Dwalin that there is no need to worry about Zârgharâf either.
“Faramir is like family to me, but has not yet been officially named dwarf kin, though considering his role in working with our folks in the removal of the evil in Minas Ithil, it could easily happen,” when I see my cousin roll his eyes at this I add, “Had he not taken the lead in doing so, that darkness could have become a real threat to the citizens of Aglarond in time. Still since there is no official recognition of kinship it might be upsetting to some for him to view the sacred Zârgharâf altar. I am certain he will understand.”
My kinsman continues to frown, but he nods and his features show the slightest sign of softening when he hears this news. Still his eyes become fierce again when he thinks of something else.
“But ye have named the other one dwarf kin. What of the elf?”
Being adopted into our clan gives my elfling the same rights as any other dwarven family member, though when it comes to these laws this is new ground so there is no precedent. As far as I know there has never been another elf, at least not in modern history, that has been given such a title. For now that does not matter though, since my lad does not qualify to attend that part of the celebrations for other reasons.
“Legolas will not be there either,” I say, “the lad is still underage.”
“Ah well! That is good then!” Finally his scowl is replaced with what almost passes as a pleasant expression. “In that case, it is good to see ye again cousin, and welcome home! However I will be finding somewhere else to stay. It is clear that there is not nearly enough room here for me and your guests! I may have to accept that they are here as ye say, but I will not live with out worlders! ”
Rather than arguing, I hurry to make other arrangements before he can change his mind. I am just summoning someone to help him out with his things when Legolas and Faramir return. Once the door has been closed behind him Legolas asks worriedly , “He isn’t leaving because of me is he?”
“The reason he is leaving isn’a important, Lamb,” I tell him adding under my breath, “the only thing that is important thing is that he is leaving.”
“Gimli!” Mam tries to scold, but she cannot hide her smile. “Ah well Dwalin is happier when he has something to growl over anyway,” she relents. “Here now sit down, all of ye and eat, before ye all fall asleep on your feet.”
But I am still covered in mud and road dust, so I join the others after finally having a chance to bathe and change to appropriate attire. By the time I join the others they are well into the meal, a very substantial one considering it was whipped together in the middle of the night. After raving over Mam’s cooking there is some discussion over sleeping arrangements. Since I had not known Mam would be here, things will have to be changed a bit. I had planned to give Legolas the room he always uses, that was designed with his taste and his taller height in mind and have Faramir use the room that Mam is now in. Of course now that is impossible. I turn toward Legolas first.
“Well laddie, looks like ye will just have to put up with my snoring,” I tell him, “ye have been here too many times to be considered a guest.”
Legolas shrugs, “It matters not. You snored last night as well, only then we were sleeping on the wet ground. At least tonight the snoring will be accompanied by a dry bed.”
“And no need to set up watches so we can sleep through the whole night,” Faramir points out.
“Aye ye both make good points,” I nod, “ Wherever we sleep will be more comfortable than last night in the rain. Faramir, lad, ye are our special guest here, so ye will have the guest chamber,” I indicate Legolas’ room that Dwalin has evacuated, knowing Mam has already made up the bed again. Faramir bows slightly in thanks, and I can see that he would like to go there right away, but is too polite to leaves us so soon. Mam must see it too for she encourages him to do so.
“There is no reason to stand on formalities here, my dear,” she tells him, shooing him toward the chamber. “Sleep well and we will see ye in the morning.”
We all go to our respective chambers, and I am almost asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, though I rouse a little when Legolas speaks to me.
“Gimli?”
“Mmm yes lamb? What is it?”
“I just wanted to say…well… that Faramir isn’t staying in the guest room, you know.”
“Isn’t he?” I ask, not exactly sure what he is getting at.
“No, he is not,” Legolas explains further, “I am letting him stay in my room. You designed it for me.”
I am not sure why it is so important, but he seems to want me to acknowledge the difference.
“I did indeed,” I say, “And I thank ye for letting him use it.”
“Of course,” he says, through a cavernous yawn. “Faramir is a good friend.”