CHAPTER 15: WITH FAITH

They left behind the dismal heart of the valley, abandoning the shadows of the mountains to weave their way back down the road, down the slope of the hills to the wide plains which opened before them. Merry rode with Gandalf and Pippin with Aragorn, and they went at their ease, letting the horses keep their own pace. The Sun was low in the western sky and the evening came upon them, as did fatigue, though it was a welcome sort of weariness which beckoned to them and they savoured it, looking forward to a safe camp and well-deserved rest.

Gimli sat behind Legolas, stifling yawns which became harder to stifle as the minutes passed, and making idle conversation to stave off sleep.

"You would go back on your word?" asked the Elf.

"Of course not! A Dwarf's word is as good as set in stone once he has uttered it. I said not so. I merely said that our journey should make more sense if we passed east along the White Mountains, through Edoras, visiting the Glittering Caves ere heading north to Fangorn once more."

"Count yourself lucky to be going to Fangorn with me at all, after the impression you made upon the Ents. If I bring you with me, you shall have to be bound and gagged. You were fortunate that Treebeard did not turn that axe of yours into fine kindling, my dear Dwarf, and you along with it!"

"...Mmm... yes. That sounds about right," murmured Gimli drowsily.

"How do you mean?"

"That would be a fitting fate for a Dwarf who ignores his common sense and insists upon keeping company with an Elf... crushed to death by a giant walking, talking tree. It would serve me right."

Gimli traded friendly insults with Legolas until they ran out of words and those who rode near them began to run out of patience. With a chuckle, Gimli fell silent and became lost in thought. He listened to the wind rustling in the grass, the dull thud of Arod's hooves upon soft ground, the snatches of hushed conversation continuing around them, the low buzz of insects in the night air. His eyes grew heavy and ere long he was resting against the Elf's back. Legolas smiled and held the arms that encircled his waist to keep the Dwarf from falling.

The Elf sang gently, his voice mingling with the light breeze, and he was content. Arod thrust his way through the tall grasses with pleasure, delighting in the feeling of the tickling foxtails about his fetlocks and the stiffer grass scratching across his belly. The horse picked his way easily over the gentle slope of the land and Legolas let him go as he would, allowing him to enjoy himself. Inevitably, Arod wandered his way closer to Shadowfax, and Legolas heard Gandalf and Merry speaking of Saruman, of tomorrow's plans, of the journey this night.

"... Peace, Meriadoc! A most unquenchable hobbit. All wizards should have a hobbit or two in their care - to teach them the meaning of the word, and to correct them. If it eases your mind, I have given thought even to these simple matters. We will ride for a few hours until we come to the end of the valley and then halt for the evening."

Gandalf cast a look of long-suffering at Legolas as he drew nigh. "You and Arod are at least blessed with a quiet companion," he said, nodding toward Gimli. "I should gladly trade you a curious hobbit, if you find yourself wanting for company."

Legolas laughed lightly. "Nay, Mithrandir! I thank you for the offer. Master Merry, I fear that you would find few answers from me to satisfy your curiosity. You must turn to a wizard if you want intelligence, for all the complaining he might do, and not a dull Elf."

Merry rolled his eyes. "I surrender. I should know better than to expect decent conversation from either one of you." He ignored the amused smile exchanged between Elf and wizard at his expense. He settled back against Gandalf, curled up in his cloak and closed his eyes.

Gandalf chuckled. After a moment he murmured to the Elf, "I forget sometimes what it means to be young, to be so full of wonder about the world. I had feared their days with the Orcs would have quelled the spirit in them, but I should know better by now than to underestimate them."

"If more could be as forgiving and gallant as the hobbits, or be granted hearts as large as those which belong to this smallest of races, we should find Middle-earth a haven. I wish that it were so," said Legolas.

Gandalf heard the sadness in the Elf's voice and he studied him. "It was a terrible thing to see," he said gently, "to witness one so mighty now fallen. I grieve that so much that was good has been lost, but you did all that you could, Legolas. Do not punish yourself for his decision. Saruman's corruption was too strong by the end, and there was nothing to be done for him. Put it from your mind, if you are able. It will not do to dwell upon it."

Legolas smiled and nodded. "Well do I know it, Mithrandir. And I thank you for your concern. But he was given a last choice and a fair one and I accept this." He fell silent for a moment, feeling the wind stir against his face, and then he looked upon Gandalf with thoughtful eyes.

"It seems to me that fate is coldest in this turn of things. For all Saruman wrought, for the deeds he has done and the sorrow he has awakened, much good has sprung from the evil of his designs. We ride with a king and his men who have had their courage stirred, who might not have found it otherwise. A battle was won as a distant result of the abduction of our young companions, and..." The Elf's voice faltered with sudden emotion as he twined his fingers with Gimli's, "... it is not easy that some must suffer so that others might find hope."

Merry remained very still, not quite yet asleep. He had heard Legolas's words and his throat tightened a little as he remembered Boromir. He swallowed his sadness and listened for Gandalf's comforting voice.

"Ever has it been so, Legolas," said Gandalf. "When darkness threatens that which we love most, some must give it up, some fall along the way so that others may keep it. Nay, it is not an easy thing to bear, but we must keep faith that there is meaning in all of it, though we may not see it. I wish with all my heart that we may see this all through to the end with as few sacrifices as can be." The wizard drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, and seemed to look far away.

Merry stirred and sighed, and Gandalf roused himself from contemplation to tuck the hobbit's cloak tighter about his shoulders. The wizard smiled. "We look too far ahead. There is another lesson in life we would do well to heed, Legolas, and that is to find happiness where and when we may. Darker days there shall be for us, and perhaps on the morrow, but this one night of respite we have earned. I shall sleep soundly, I think."

"May gentle dreams ease all tonight," said Legolas softly.

Merry clutched the leaf-brooch at his throat, safe with Gandalf upon Shadowfax. He settled to sleep and once more he wandered along white paths beneath the golden boughs of mallorn trees and he was at peace, for a little while.

END.

(Me: Thank you for reading, all. If you'd like to find an illustration or two for this story from talented fans, check out the fine Axe_Bow website. Type "Axe_Bow" into any search engine and you'll find it… links don't seem to work here. You'll also stumble across some more perfectly lovely stories of all sorts about Legolas and Gimli.

Just don't tell them I sent you, or they'll strip-search you at the door. ; )

Nimue)