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@gimlilockbearer

One of his brows quirked as he heard the Dwarf’s indignation rising in volume. “It is my understanding that stallions can cross farther than my Hall without wheezing, and last time…twelve axes netted twelve Dwarves for the Spiders. The odds may not be in your favour.” His voice was tinged with mirth, eyes gazing past Gimli.

It took all of his will not to scowl, but the fact that Thranduil would not even address him with his gaze irked Gimli beyond retention. Even through all of his effort, the dwarfs lips quirked into an ugly sneer.

"I'd say the odds of a dwarf befriending the elf king's son are just as low, yet here we are."

Gimli was quite proud of his retort, chest puffed like a chubby rooster.

@gimlilockbearer

His smile widened slightly. Legolas’s mischief was well documented in the history of Mirkwood. “My son departed early to aid the patrols that are clearing the remaining Giant Spiders.” He walked towards the Dwarf, staff tapping the ground to alternate between his steps. “Surely you wouldn’t want to join him? As I recall, your kin don’t have much luck with….webs.”

For a moment Gimli eyed the staff quizzically, but the effort of forcing back a sneer proved to be a larger point of interest, or at least concentration.

"I'll not be caught in any web. I'd dare any of those creatures to step a foot near my axe!" His tone rose, riled as he always got when provoked. If the elf king wished to test him, Gimli would not fail. "I've the speed of a stallion and the strength of ten men! I merely hadn't been told of any hunt!"

And, as per usual, Gimli's penchant for exaggeration was beginning to get the best of him.

Her smile nearly faltered as she thought of her own home, but she shoved it aside. The Glittering Caves had become her home, along with many of her kin who had long fled Orzammar and were members of her mercenary company and those who already inhabited it were welcoming - if not a little trepidatious. Her kin had a reputation for their cut-throat nature but when there was no need for it they were just as hospitable as any other Dwarrow.

Instinctively, she rested her hand atop of Gimli’s and her expression once again softened. "As am I. Now, how much ale will I have to convince you to buy me before you tell me about your journey?"

Gimli, for all the fluttering his heart was doing, burst into a short bout of laughter, the full sound echoing around them.

"Surprisingly little." He grinned, nudging Ora playfully, "Though I'm happy to do it." If anything, Gimli found himself parched, and the idea of a strong drink (or several) was all too enticing. "Come," he began, steering them into a walk, "Or has th' tavern moved since I last was home."

@gimlilockbearer

"Save for my son, it would seem you have no taste at all." He rose from the Woodland throne to greet his….guest. He had promised his son he would be civil, but badmouthing the wineries of Dorwinion was near criminal. His oaken staff tapped lightly to precede his steps down the stairs. He looked down in Gimli’s general direction, lips twitching with a stiff smile. "I am told you requested an audience, Gimli, Son of Gloin."

Gimli's lips tightened in irritation, not so much at the snide comment of the Elf King, but the promise he'd made to be reasonable in said king's presence.

"'Request' would not've been my choice of words, Elf King, but something t' that accord, aye." He forced a small nod of his head though his eyes remained fixed on Thranduil. "I did not think I'd be alone in this, either." The tones of irritation were more than obvious in Gimli's voice.

@gimlilockbearer

He had hoped that Legolas’s “companion” from the Fellowship had been part of an elaborate prank. But as soon as he heard the sound of heavy boots scuffling through the doors in double time to keep up with the pace of a guard, he knew it wasn’t so. The Dwarf’s grunting and muttered complaints echoed in the Hall, causing the Elvenking’s head to turn with radar precision.

Why Legolas had not met him at the gates was a genuine surprise to Gimli, and the husky dwarf had little issue in making his discomfort clear. An elf and a friend was one thing, but a chamber of them- never mind an entire kingdom, was quite far down the list of Gimli's favourite things. Meeting their king was even less desirable, but Gimli had promised, and Legolas had already gone through the motions with Gloin weeks ago.

Making as much noise as possible to counteract the graceful silence of the elvish guard, Gimli trudged into Thranduil's throne room, unaware of who awaited him despite his guesses that the elf king might possibly be blonde.

"An' I'll tell yeh another thing, I've no taste fer that wine..."

She nodded, giving him a small squeeze before indicating generally behind her. 

"Aglarond is a fine city, and there has been a surprising amount of work available. I have a small home here, and many of my company have their own or stay at a boarding house."

"I am pleased to hear," he nodded, doing his best to stave off his enthusiasm. He didn't want to look too giddy.

But everything about the city - his city - was invigorating. The smell of the air that was unique to those caves, the glint of gemstones lining the walls, and of course, the pleasure of Ora's presence in Gimli's own halls."I'll admit, there's nothing like home, 'specially when yeh've been far from it."

He moved closer to the she-dwarf, a thick hand moving to rest on Ora's shoulder. "I am glad."

The pinkness creeping into Gimli’s features did not go unnoticed by the she-Dwarf, and her smile only widened and softened. She had missed his warmth, his robust humour desperately and it pleased the mercenary to no end to see him again.

"It is very good to see you, Gimli, and I do not blame you for longing to see your home again," said Ora as she rested an affectionate hand on his shoulder. "It is a lovely place. I may have even taken up a slightly more permanent residence here."

The sweetness of Ora's smile was more welcome than Gimli could have asked for. She must have known that such a smile was as great a weapon as any steel she wielded, for it disarmed Gimli even now, after so long.

"Have yeh?" He inquired hopefully, perfectly in-adverse to the idea that he might be seeing more of the mercenary.

"Only because that beard of yours makes me feel like a maid again," she teased in return, delighted to see the nervousness that she’d seen tightening his features wash away with his smile. 

"How have you been?"

"Oh! Well, then I," he babbled, a blush creeping into his plump cheeks as he fought for composure. Ora certainly had a way...

"Well. I've been well. My travels've taken me far, but somehow I could not stay so far from home any longer." His reasoning was left unsaid, too flustered was Gimli to admit his longing.

Races of Middle-Earth ↠ (2/??)