Title: FOR CONTINUING STRANGE (24)
Author: Annie Harris
Email: annie_mouse2001@yahoo.co.uk
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Rating: R.
Summary: Legolas finds a gift for Gimli.
Disclaimer: The usual: No claims, no pack drill - and of course no
profit. Just living in the gaps and round the edges.
Warning: Bottles of gin!.
Archive: LoM, Axe & Bow Yahoogroup message archive. Anyone interested
just ask.

24

Once Gimli was engrossed in his work in Bergthor's attic, Legolas
talked to the old man for a while, and then went off about the city.
From the moment he had learned of the meaning of Gimli's name, a
memory of something seen in earlier explorations had been promising
to return, but was still eluding him: a memory of something in a
small dark shop as they searched the city for what had Gimli needed.
Something - where had it been? Something that had given back the
light of the sun like a star in darkness at the opening of a door - a
star of earth - but what had it been, and where?

He decided to see if he could find the Hobbits and Bergil to help him
retrace his steps for, rather to his dismay, he still tended to lose
himself in the city at times, especially in the broader parts of the
lower levels, which were a maze of courts and alleys running back off
the main streets. He found Merry, Pippin and Bergil sitting in the
sunshine in the inner court of the guest house, eating apples and
deciding what to do next. 

They were delighted to see him, and eager to help when he had shown
them the mallorn leaf pendant and tried to explain what it was that
he sought.

They set out promptly, but soon found that they could not agree on
their memories of where they had been, with or without Gimli, when
they had searched the markets and workshops for the tools and
materials he had wanted. In the end they let Bergil lead the way to
the most likely parts of the city, much as they had done before, but
it was late afternoon before they came at last to a hidden court in
the soth-east part of the third level, tucked away beyond a deep
narrow arch.

'I remember this place now; said Bergil; - We passed it several times
before we decided to look in. There's a big court in here, with
goldsmiths' shops.

They turned in under the shadowed entrance, and then Legolas too
recalled the place. He did not like it much, thinking the walls too
high and close, and yet he felt that at last they were on the right
path: and so it proved, for, as the little party crowded into a
small, dim-windowed shop displaying a few jewels on dusty velvet, the
sunlight woke a flash of fire on a shelf behind the counter, and
Legolas hoped he had found what he was seeking.

The merchant, or craftsman (perhaps he was both) recognised his
important visitors, which occasioned a formal exchange of courtesies
before Legolas embarked on the business of the visit and asked to see
the fiery gem on the shelf. The man lifted it down carefully and blew
some of the dust off the black velvet on which it rested in a small
wooden box.

'This is a fire opal, sir, cabochon-cut, unusual, a good size, and,
as you see, a very fine colour.'

When Legolas knew what the stone was, he was convinced it was the
right one for Gimli, and made little attempt at bargaining for it.
The dealer, however, had been wary in naming his price, not wishing
to gain a bad reputation with the King's friends, so the conclusion
was fair enough to both sides, and Legolas carried the stone off in
triumph.

Once he had parted, with many words of thanks, from the Hobbits and
Bergil, he returned to the house and put the stone in the top drawer
of the chest at his side of the bed before setting out around the
city to Bergthor's workshop. The old man was not at home, and Legolas
guessed he would be visiting his daughter. He ran lightly up the
stone stairs, carrying something else he had bought on his expedition
round the city: two stone bottles of gin, to answer the question that
the juniper bushes had prompted Gimli to ask.

Gimli greeted him warmly when he tapped on the workshop door and
showed his findings. Now the Elf would not be questioned further
about his day's doings and would not need to hide anything. Gimli
inspected the labels on the bottles with interest, and with Legolas'
help deciphered the Gondorian characters: 'Forester's Gin' and 'City
Distillers'.

'Well done, my friend. We'll see if this equals the work of our
northern Woodmen. But first, see the flowers I have worked for Arwen
- they are small and I must make more yet. The work is slow, but tell
me how you think it goes.'

Legolas came to the bench and looked carefully at the little glowing
flowers of translucent blue enamel. Some already had their centres
and leaves, and were mounted on wires of black-patinated silver,
ready to be added to the circlet. Legolas marvelled again at the
delicacy of the Dwarf's work, and could see in imagination the
blossoms glowing against Arwen's midnight tresses.

'This will be a rare gift indeed, Gimli. This craft will set your
name with the great ones of old, for in it I see both elvish and
dwarvish skills mingled. And you are not yet come into the realm of
Aglarond, where yet greater things surely await you.'

'Gracious Elf, to speak so kindly when the work is but half done. Yet
truly I have great hopes of it.'

Legolas watched him tidy the room and make sure no spark remained in
the little kiln where he fired his enamels. It could be dangerous if
neglected, and he had no wish to bring harm on the old craftsman
whose workshop was proving so valuable to him.

At last they locked the door and went home through the city which
still bustled with life in the early evening. Many folk now greeted
them with words and bows, friendly strangers, forerunners of the new
age, but Gimli thought he noticed some eyes following Legolas with
expressions he did not care for overmuch. Was it imagination, fired
by the words overheard earlier, was it dwarvish jealousy, or did he
truly glimpse orkish desires that covet beauty out of spite?

Legolas, however, seemed untroubled, and answered all who spoke or
bowed with simple elvish grace, and Gimli was glad to see him
honoured.

As they reached their gate, the music of the falling water welcomed
and gladdened them, and Legolas paused on the steps and stooped to
dip his fingers into the shallow cascade of cool water flowing down
over the stones, while Gimli looked again at the bright colours of
the forget-me-nots which he must try to capture for Galadriel as soon
as Arwen's speedwells were done. Eowyn's red hawthorn now resided
safely in the carved oak cupboard in the small room, but suitable
caskets would be needed for all the circlets: perhaps Legolas and the
Hobbits could help find such things in the city... Dwarves thrive on
work, but Gimli knew that there was not much time to spare, and the
court musicians still had tasks for him. Neither was he greatly
minded to work by night as well as by day, when the love of his Elf
awaited him in the dark-panelled quiet of their chamber.

When they had washed the grime of the day from their hands and faces,
they went to the kitchen to see what might make an evening meal, and
found mutton chops, potatoes and plenty of green leafy vegetables -
and of course there was the gin to be sampled while things cooked.
Legolas undid the wire that held the bottle stoppers as Gimli stirred
the fire and got pans and dishes ready, and poured out two small
glasses of gin, one from each bottle. It happened that he gave Gimli
the Foresters' and took the City brand himself. Gimli hung his nose
over the glass with a dwarvishly loud sniff that made Legolas laugh.

'Hmm! Smells good.'

Legolas sniffed at his, and wrinkled his nose with much less
enthusiasm while Gimli tried a sip.

'Aha! Excellent stuff. Clearly there is some skill in Gondor!' said
the Dwarf.

Legolas tried his.

'This is disgusting! I should think they do better in Dunland!'

'Really? Let me try.'

They exchanged glasses. Gimli sniffed and tutted. Legolas smiled at
the fresh wild fragrance of the Foresters' brew. Gimli tried a taste,
spluttered and spat.

'Who ever sold you this was a swindler!'

'It was a wine merchant on the Fourth Level; a large place with a
busy tavern next door.'

'They should be pilloried for this. I've a mind to go and tell them
what I think.'

'Very well, but not just now. Shouldn't you put the potatoes in the
pan?'

Gimli flung them in, and set about making a start on some gravy. Then
he tipped the remainder of the City stuff back into the bottle and
took a more generous tot from the Foresters'. They drank to each
other's health while Gimli rehearsed a few choice words for the City
Distillers.

And so it was that when Sam turned up to see if he could give a hand
with anything he found a pair of giggling incompetents and a dinner
in serious disarray, lamb chops still lying neglected on the board.
There was a strong scent of juniper in the air, and Sam was promptly
invited to join in the sampling. He soon reached the same verdict on
the merits of the drinks as the Elf and Dwarf, but was more concerned
about the meal, lifting the pan lid and prodding the potatoes with a
fork.

'What in the Shire is this? Crispy mash and slicing gravy, and the
meat not started!'

Legolas and Gimli shook with laughter, leaning against eachother on
the kitchen bench, faces creased with mirth so infectious that Sam
had to stop scolding and join in. He was delighted to see and hear
them like this, two so different and so united, the Dwarf's deep
rumbling laugh and the Elf's clear silvery ripple blending to fill
the kitchen with life and happiness bright as flame.

Sam dashed into action, grinning, trying to save the gravy with a
furious onslaught with the birch twig whisk, knowing how much Gimli
liked a rich gravy with his meat and potatoes.

'That stuff must be strong as well as tasty, to judge by the state of
you,' said Sam, once the rescue of the gravy seemed certain.
He did not get a very sensible answer: just more laughter and the
offer of another glass for himself.

'There's plenty left,' said Gimli, shaking the bottle to make an
estimate.

It seemed they had not drunk much at all, and were intoxicated as
much by laughter at Gimli's choice terms of abuse for the wine
merchant as by the gin, but Sam, thinking that they really were
drunk, tried the bottle himself, and tipped it to pour out another
taster, finding when he did so that there was more left than he had
expected.

'It must be VERY strong,' he laughed, glad for their gladness.
While Gimli and Legolas joked and chatted and leaned together on the
bench, Sam set about the chops, dropping some lard into a flat pan to
fry them. Then before the other two knew what he was doing, he had
sloshed a generous quantity of City gin into the pan and, juggling
the fire damper so that flames licked up when he shifted the
hotplate, he tilted the pan and the spirit caught fire, sending a
sheet of yellow flame up under the chimney hood with a loud 'whoosh'.

Legolas uttered a wordless exclamation and Gimli cried:
'Durin's beard!'

Legolas said:
'Even Durin's beard would not last long in that! And surely Sam has
no eyebrows left.'

'What sort of cooking is that, Master Samwise? I never heard that
there were volcanoes in the Shire for Hobbits to cook on - or do you
keep tame dragons now?'

Sam turned round with a broad smile, showing at the same time that
his eyebrows were perfectly safe.

'It's flame cooking. Good for sealing juicy meats like this.'

The two got up and stood beside him to observe this novel process, as
he flipped the chops over and the last of the spirit blazed up.

'There's plenty more in the jar,' he said; - 'You can try it
yourselves another day.'

'I'll leave all works of fire to Gimli,' said the Elf affectionately.

Sam added a few seasonings to the sauce, rinsed the greens, and set
them ready to cook as soon as the pan of water came to the boil.
Legolas stirred himself to set the table, and Sam saw how he would
touch Gimli's shoulder as he passed.

'Think you can boil the greens all right?' asked Sam, deciding that
he had a final errand to run for Frodo and could not stay to dinner
if invited..

'I'll leave the green stuff to Legolas,' said Gimli; 'I'd be sure to
boil it to death.'

'Don't you dare! Them's good greens.'

'I'll take care of them, Sam,' said Legolas, smiling, and Sam
wondered at how readily the Elf had adopted the ways of other
peoples, especially since they had been in the city. Maybe it was
just something Eves could do when they chose, and he would go back to
more elvish ways among his own kind.

Sam had heard from Merry and Pippin of the hunt for the fiery stone,
and concluded that it had not yet been presented, or it would surely
have been shown off by the Dwarf. He wondered if it was being kept as
a treat for after dinner, and smiled again as he hurried away,
leaving the pair to enjoy their meal together.

Gimli put the stopper firmly back in the bottle of City gin.

'Perhaps I should keep it for lighting fires!'

He sipped some more of the other drink appreciatively. Legolas also
took a little, and said:
'This captures the scent of juniper and herbs almost as well as the
Woodmen's brew, and I am content with the scent alone.'

He closed his eyes and was transported in memory back to the mountian
side where Gimli had noticed the juniper bush. Gimli put the two
bottles away in one of the rock-cut cupboards, and they finished
their meal and prepared for bed, Gimli emerging from the back kitchen
in his dull brown dwarvish robe which still made Legolas smile.
They crossed the courtyard in the fading light, and looked up at the
first stars together.

'You have shown me the beauty of stars in the sky,' said Gimli, -
'And soon I shall show you the stars beneath the earth in Aglarond.'

'Aha!' said the Elf, - 'Maybe I am learning of such things already!
Come now and see. I am no more idle than you.'

Gimli guessed that this was a reference to his secret making of the
mallorn leaf, and allowed Legolas to draw him quickly into the
bedroom.