Asleep or dead?

Written by: FrozenxWonder
You can read the original here:
All Credit goes to the original author

It was the first night the Fellowship of the Ring had set out from Rivendel. Worn from their long walk, the Men, Hobbits and Wizard were more then ready for rest. The only elf among them, Legolas of Mirkwood however, seemed content enough and perhaps able to travel further. Behind him as they looked for a place to camp, Legolas could hear Gimli son of Gloin grumbling about the endless energy of elves.

Smirking to himself, Legolas helped to gather firewood and sat with his back against a tree, absentmindedly stroking his bow which laid in his lap. Gimli and Gandalf sat smoking their pipes, weary to keep the wind blowing it away from the elf though Gandalf was the only one that knew why elves dispised pipeweed so much. Aragorn was to Legolas's left, huming an elvish song under his breath and staring up at the branches of the trees overhead. Huddled together the four Hobbits look remanicent of a litter of pups, speaking quietly to one another and occasionally giggling at strange little jokes. Boromir sat on Legolas's right, staring at the fire, hands occasionally twitching as if his thoughts were restless.

Gimli decided to take the first watch and despite Legolas's best attempts to take the watch the dwarf refused.

“A dwarf has eyes just as keen as an elf!” Gimli insisted stubbornly, knocking the flat of his ax blade against a tree trunk.

Wincing, Legolas frowned. “You seem unable to compreihend that I don't sleep as much as you dwarf. You'll be asleep and snoring before the hour is past!”

“Enough!” Gandalf barked, frowning at both the dwarf and prince. “Gimli shall take first watch, it is settled now let us get some rest.”

Shooting a meaningful look at Legolas, Gandalf settled himself comfortably and soon the wizard was asleep. One by one the rest of the Fellowship followed his lead starting with the Hobbits and then Boromir. For a while longer, Legolas and Aragorn sat awake, occasionally pointing out stars until Aragorn also dropped off to sleep. Glaring at the dwarf to pass the time, Legolas knew he should stay awake, certain the dwarf was going to fall asleep.

The quiet whispering of the trees however urged the prince to rest. They had watched the Fellowship toil and travel many miles and wished no harm to befall the prince of their kin to the north. Almost reluctantly the elf's eyes glazed and his head fell to one side, resting on Aragorn's shoulder, eyes staring blankly into the night.

---

Gimli jumped slightly as a loud snore from Pippin startled him to wakefulness. Blushing scarlet the dwarf realized he had fallen asleep. Glancing around the camp he found the wizard, Men and Hobbits still asleep. Hoping beyond hope the elf hadn't noticed, Gimli cast a weary glance toward the elf beside Aragorn. He did a doubletake so fast he felt his neck pop.

The elf was sitting up against a tree beside Aragorn, blond-haired head on Aragorn's shoulder. What startled Gimli was the elf's eyes. They were glazed and blank, staring at him across the camp but not seeing him. The embers of the fire threw eerie shadows over the elf's pale face, blowing dully in his blue eyes which seemed darkened to black.

“The elf is dead!” Gimli yelped, leaping to his feet and nearly kicking Boromir. Jerking awake the Man of Gondor sat bolt upright, unsettling the Hobbits. The yelps and noise thus woke Aragorn and Gandalf.

Aragorn sensing unease sprang to his feet and heard Legolas yelp which made them all start. Looking around, Aragorn found nothing out of place apart from the fact that it was past midnight, not dawn and he was awake. Gandalf was looking at Gimli, Boromir looking for danger, the Hobbits clustered together and Gimli staring at Legolas. Looking down, Aragorn saw Legolas push himself into a sitting position, having fallen over when Aragorn stood up. The prince looked confused and had a long knife in his hands, blue eyes slightly dazed.

“What happened?” Legolas asked as everyone shared confused looks.

“Gimli decided to get a start on the day” Boromir said, frowning at the dwarf and rubbing his back where he'd been kicked.

“I did not!” Gimli blustered, blushing as red as his beard.

“Then why pray tell are we all awake at this unholy hour?” Gandalf asked, looking expectantly down at the flustered dwarf.

“Him!” Gimli barked, jabbing a finger at Legolas.

Looking confused, Legolas raised a brow. “What?”

“He was dead!”

Aragorn couldn't hold back his laughter. The Man and elf both laughed, Gandalf joining in when he realized what Gimli had seen. Aragorn dropped to his knees beside Legolas, crying as he laughed and Legolas was holding his sides. Around them, Gimli looked fit to explode with rage while the Hobbits and Boromir looked thoroughly confused.

“Um, Strider, what's so funny about Legolas being dead sir?” Sam asked at last as Strider and Legolas quieted their laughter.

“Nothing Sam, nothing at all” Gandalf said, eyes bright with amusement. “Luckily however, Legolas is far from dead.”

“Aye, I am” Legolas agreed, wiping his eyes.

“He was dead I swear he was!” Gimli blustered furiously.

“He appeared so to your eyes Gimli, you are not used to elvish sleep” Aragorn said quickly, hoping to abate the dwarf's embarrassment. “Elves sleep with their eyes open and glazed for they do not truly sleep.”

“We wander through our memories and the world around us to rest and need not be still to do so” Legolas added.

“Really?” Merry asked. “So, you could sleep while riding a horse or walking?”

“Aye” Legolas confirmed, smiling. “We need not sleep as often as humans but it refreshes our souls and prepares us for the day if we do.”

Growling in dwarvish, Gimli frowned at the elf. “Don't do that again you bloody elf! I nearly had a heart attack!”

Shrugging, Legolas looked at Aragorn whom was once again sitting next to him. “It's not my watch yet, so I bid you all goodnight.” Nodding to the Hobbits, wizard, dwarf and Men, Legolas leaned back against the tree, staring at the sky.

Before the astounded Hobbits, Boromir and Gimli the elf's eyes glazed. Crystaal blue irises darkened to midnight blue and the pupils became unfocused. His breathing became shallower and there was a sense that the body was now empty but not as if in death, simply the spirit was wandering or had retreated. Gandalf settled himself down again and Aragorn did as well.

“Is he ok?” Pippin whispered to Merry.

Aragorn laughed softly. “Aye Merry, he is well.”

Glancing at his friend, Aragorn tilted the prince's head so it rested again on his shoulder. The last thing Legolas would need was getting a crick in his neck from sleeping with his head tilted back all night.

“I'll take the watch for now” Boromir volenteered, glancing at Gimli.

“Aye, you do that” Gimli growled, stomping over to a tree and leaning against the trunk with his ax close at hand.

As the group settled down again, Gimli glanced over at the elf and shuddered. No matter what the elf said or how many people knew it to be true, Gimli couldn't shake the feeling that the elf looked quite dead with his vacant eyes and lack of blinking. Grumbling unhappily the dwarf tried to find a comfortable way to fall asleep. He didn't see how Aragorn and Legolas could sleep against a tree all night. “Bloody elves” he grumbled. Out of the corner of his eye, Gimli could have swarn he saw Legolas's lips twitch in a smile.

The Mistletoe Encounter

Written By:Larien Geenleaf
You can read the original here:
All Credit goes to the original author

My apologies, but I do not know if the Rohirric people are homophobic or not, I just needed someone to be for this story, and since I’ve already borrowed Éomer for homophobic-humour in one of my other stories, I might as well just run with what I have already picked up. Besides, the Vikings were always up for making jokes about effeminate men, so it’s not totally non-Norse in terms of homophobia. Of course they were not as openly against M/M relationships as the Rohirrim are in this fic.

Light fingers caressing his thigh were unmistakeable. Gimli shot a glance at his wonderful elf, who was at that moment eyeing him, with his left eyebrow raised in a suggestive manner.

Legolas was randy. He had been for several days now. Legolas had always admitted to himself as being an effeminate and rather sensitive male and was a little hurt that Gimli had stopped showing his affection in public. The elf knew of course, that it was not because Gimli had stopped loving him, but simply because there was not that many (open) same-sex relationships in Rohan. They already knew, as they had been told by Aragorn, that the King Éomer did not look upon their bond with rampant enthusiasm to put it lightly.

When Legolas and Gimli had arrived in Rohan, with King Elessar, Faramir and Éowyn, for winter celebrations, Éomer had courteously asked the elf and dwarf to “keep their affairs private.” Later they found out that he had put his own effort in keeping them apart. The Rohirric King had placed them in rooms on opposite ends of the palace, sat them separately during meals, and when they “retired to bed” at the same time, someone would often follow Legolas or Gimli claiming they were ‘going the same way.’

Now that he was finally near his beloved, Legolas wanted, nay, *needed* to touch Gimli, despite the many eyes that surrounded them. He smiled knowingly, as the pale hand grew bolder, slowly moving up and down the strong thigh before slowly edging inwards…

Gimli grabbed the hand rather violently and threw it back at the elf.

“Legolas, this is neither the time nor place. Will you not wait?!” He whispered.

“Wait for how long?” Legolas asked, getting rather frustrated. “We have not made love once since we have been here.” Despite his own frustration at the same matter, Gimli laughed.

“Some times we are separated for months, whilst I work at Aglarond. That involves no sex for long periods of time,” he said. “How do you survive then?”

Sighing, Legolas took a sip of his wine and glared at Gimli with almost hatred.

“I get myself through it with a rather unhealthy balance of crying and my own hands if you really must know!” He snapped, still in a whisper but with frustration. “Besides, then I am not with you and know that I must get through the separation. But here I see you everyday, and to know that you are so close yet not in my arms is unbearable!”

“Aw, my poor elf,” Gimli said with sympathy, taking the elf’s hand and entwining their fingers. “You know I love you, lack of sex or not, although in all honesty I do prefer it when we are having sex.”

“In all honesty I think most couples do dear,” Legolas replied with a giggle. He sighed again. “I miss you Gimmers, my bed is so cold without you next to me and I truly feel alone.” The dwarf saw tears shimmer in the elf’s sweet eyes. Before Gimli could reply, Legolas stood. “Tis late my friends,” he spoke aloud to all, “I bid you farewell for the night.” He nodded to Gimli before releasing his hand and retreating swiftly from the Hall.

Gimli thought that he must have upset his elf, and got up to follow him. But he caught the eyes of the king and returned to his seat.

He sat there, depressed and lonely.

Around half an hour later, Gimli saw something very strange. Two men tried to pass through a large doorway, which for some reason provoked a lot of cheers and laughter. One of the men sighed, the other moaned, and they shared a chaste kiss, before walking off hurriedly. Gimli saw the face of one of the men, and it was bright red with embarrassment.

“It is a strange Rohirric custom,” Estel whispered to the confused dwarf. “You see that.” He pointed to a large plant that hung above the doorway. “It is mistletoe. If two people walk through the doorway, and are caught under the mistletoe, they must kiss.”

“Is it like a rule or something?” Gimli asked.

“Well, no, but it is tradition.”

“Gimli!” A familiar voice screeched. Legolas came storming through the doorway. The dwarf had the idea of going over to the doorway too, but Legolas was too quick. “There is a spider in my room, come get it for me!” There was laughter from the Rohirrim and the already flustered Legolas blushed even more.

“Now Gimli!” He demanded.

The dwarf rolled his eyes and followed Legolas to his room.

Entering the room before Legolas, he looked around the floor and under the bed, in an attempt to find the bold spider that had dared to enter the Mirk-elf’s room.

“Where did you see the spider last Legolas?” Gimli asked.

“What spider?”

Gimli turned around to see a familiar, raunchy smile. Before the dwarf could even breathe, he was on the floor, pinned down by a randy wood-elf, and shut-up by an elven tongue.

******

“We could surely use this tradition to our advantage Legolas; we would still not be out to the Rohirrim, therefore obeying the Kings wishes! Would you be satisfied with such a kiss my fair elf?”

“Ai, even such a kiss as that would put the king in his place! I would be honoured to kiss you in the doorway,” Legolas replied with a smirk, “But we still must pull it off in a way that the king does not think it planned.”

“Just a fortunate happening!”

They both laughed, before an awkward silence washed over them, which lasted several minutes.

“I love you Gimmers, and I’ve missed you so.”

“I love you too beloved.” Gimli smiled and kissed him lightly. “Now, how are we going to pull of this doorway encounter?”

*******

The dawn came all too quick, but Gimli made sure he got up early and made it back to his own room before sunrise.

When Legolas awoke and felt the empty space next to him, he felt lonely and melancholy once more. However, he did smile when he thought of the mistletoe and their plots against the intolerant members of the Rohirrim.

After dressing deliberately in pink robes, styling his hair and painting his lips a stunning red, Legolas sauntered into the hallway, near the entrance to the Hall staring at his dwarf with elven eye-sight.

Normally Gimli would not have seen his elf, lurking in the shadows like that, but there was no other male he knew in the whole of Edoras that wore bright pink robes. Allowing himself a second long smirk, he rose from his chair to ‘walk back to his room a moment.’ ‘Unfortunately’ he happened to meet up with a certain elf in the doorway.

Cheers and cat-calls were louder and more aggressive than for any other couple caught under the mistletoe.

“Now come friends,” said a man Legolas recognised as one of the men involved in Éomer’s ‘lets-separate-Legolas-and-Gimli-because-I-say-so-and-therefore-weaken-their-sex life’ plan. “It may be hard for someone of a different culture to understand our traditions. Let them walk past.”

Gimli thought they had failed, but Legolas spoke up. “No, no. It is quite alright friend. In my youth, we used your tradition one year at my father’s house, besides, I am in your culture now, I muse abide by your rules.” With that he, cupped Gimli’s face roughly and kissed him hard, smearing red, accidently of course, over the dwarf’s lips.

But Gimli did not seem to mind. He smiled into the passionate kiss, pushing his tongue through Legolas’s lips, his hand lost in sweet blond hair.

The Rohirrim could not take their eyes off them. Maybe because they were both male, maybe because it was an elf and dwarf… but most likely because the kiss lasted roughly half an hour!

THE END

A Moment s Respite

Written by: Firefly-Maj
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

A Moment´s Respite

--

Aragorn fell silent and did not speak anymore; he seemed weary beyond the physical exertion, weighed down with grief.

Slowly, Legolas approached him, taking in his friend´s bloodied face and the gash on his arm, and laid his hand on Aragorn´s shoulder.

To his surprise, the Ranger leaned into his grip for a moment, as if seeking support, before he straightened up again: “We cannot leave him lying here”, he murmured.

Legolas´ gaze dropped down on their fallen comrade; he was still bereft of words, and although he had not even been remotely close to Boromir, he felt the sadness which had been dwelling in his heart ever since Gandalf´s fall deepen considerably.

When the elf finally looked back at Aragorn, their gazes met; mutual understanding passed between them even though neither of them spoke.

Gimli now approached them as well, and with an awkward movement, knelt down next to Boromir´s body.

It seemed to Legolas as if the dwarf had broken a spell; the world around them suddenly had voices and smells again, and after taking a deep breath, Legolas knew what to do. “We cannot linger to bury him here”, he said, quietly. “More Orcs will come, and soon.”

Aragorn nodded; they did not have any time to spare, if they hoped to catch up with the hobbits at all.

Gimli looked at the dead warrior: “What will we do if we cannot bury him?”, he asked, his voice unusually quiet. “We cannot burn him either!” The elf and Ranger knew what he meant, since the smoke would give away their whereabouts too easily.

“What about the sea?”, Legolas inquired softly.

Aragorn looked up, his eyes curious, whereas Gimli showed surprise: “The sea? We are nowhere near it, laddie!”

Legolas smiled sadly: “Indeed we are not, master dwarf, but the Anduin flows into the sea. It would bear the body thither.”

“It seems to me that this is indeed a good solution under these circumstances, and worthy of a warrior such as Boromir”, Aragorn said.

Gimli nodded: “Aye”, he murmured, his gaze returning to the lifeless man.

Thus it was agreed; Aragorn removed the arrows which had claimed the Gondorian´s life, and, breaking them, tossed them on the ground.

They carried the body to the shore; they could see Frodo and Sam, struggling to cross the river in the too big boat, and knew they would have to make haste in order not to lose the hobbits.

Legolas was taking pity on them, thinking that they must have been severely frightened to flee across the water in such fashion; he was distracted from these thoughts by Aragorn, who pulled one of the boats further up on the shore and started to empty it of everything that had been left in it.

Quickly comprehending what the Ranger had in mind, Legolas and Gimli went to help him.

-

Half an hour later, the three remaining companions stood on the shore and looked after the boat which carried Boromir´s body until it vanished over the edge of the falls of Rauros.

All of them had a heavy heart, but time was pressing, and so Aragorn was the first to turn back to the shore in order to gather their belongings. He closed his eyes for a moment, as a dull, throbbing headache had set in a while ago, an ungentle reminder of the fight with the Uruk-Hai. He remembered the uncanny force behind the foul creature´s punches and involuntarily shivered; he had never met such unconditional evil, such a will to maim and kill.

The hobbits meanwhile had made good progress and were advancing the eastern shore, but the Ranger did not intend to follow them; he had realized that Frodo would have to face the task which lay ahead of him alone. Aragorn was not inclined to give up on Merry and Pippin, however, and thus had already decided to follow the Uruk-Hai which had captured them.

While Aragorn was looking about their former resting place in order to assess which of their supplies would have to be left behind, Legolas stepped up to his friend: “Aragorn”, he said. “I know we shall have to make haste, but before we go, let me see to your wounds.” Aragorn frowned: “´Tis nothing to worry about”, he said dismissively. The elf shook his head: “´Tis enough to make you look savage”, he replied, obviously amused. Aragorn hesitated: “We do not have the time”, he insisted. Legolas turned serious again, and his gaze was so stern now that the Ranger could not evade him. He knew the elf well enough to know that arguing would be pointless, as Legolas could be surprisingly persistent.

They stared at each other for a while longer, until, sighing, Aragorn shrugged: “Very well then, go ahead.”

Legolas´ face remained unmoved, but the Ranger thought he could see a glint of smugness in his eyes.

“Sit down”, he said, and Aragorn complied, while Legolas went to get a waterskin; he could feel every aching bone in his body, and desperately wished to rest, but knew it was impossible. He watched Legolas, who was ripping a piece of cloth apart to produce a bandage, and suddenly felt grateful to have the elf with him.

Legolas knelt down in front of his friend and started to carefully wash the blood off his face: “How did this happen?”, he asked, curiously. He had not seen Aragorn fighting Lurtz, and thus had no way of knowing how the Ranger had sustained a bloody nose and mouth.

The man did his best not to wince when the wet cloth touched the tender skin, even though Legolas´ ministrations were very gentle, and shortly recounted what had transpired. Both their minds wandered back to Boromir at this, and they fell silent again.

After Legolas had also cleaned and bound the cut on Aragorn´s upper arm, they looked at each other, painfully aware that the day was far from over yet. Legolas rested his hand on Aragorn´s knee for a few seconds, as if to reassure him, and got to his feet. The Ranger got up as well: “Thank you”, said, softly.

Legolas assessed him and nodded, knowing that the Ranger rather meant to thank him for being there than for seeing to the wounds.

“I had not expected I would need to help you wash your face ever again”, he then replied lightly, “not since you were grown-up, anyway.”

A smile spread on Aragorn´s tired face: “So now I am grown-up again?”, he teased. “I distinctly remember you calling me a child not so long ago.”

Legolas could not but chuckle: “I must have had a good reason for it”, he said.

Aragorn inclined his head good-naturedly: “Aye”, he said, equally amused.

-

Gimli, who had been gathering together the most necessary supplies he deemed they were to take with them while pursuing Frodo and Sam, looked at the two and smiled into his beard; whatever Legolas and Aragorn had been talking about, it seemed to have restored their spirits. The dwarf glanced over to the edge of the falls, where the boat with Boromir´s body had disappeared: he felt that this was only a beginning, and he was glad to have two such hardy companions, even if one of them was an elf.

Choose Your Battles Wisely

Written by: NiRi's Narrations
You can read the original post here:
All Credit goes to the Original Author

Legolas stood, soaking wet, his face blanked of expression. On the banks of a stream, the other members of the Fellowship all looked at him in shock, eyes wide, waiting for his reaction. A certain ranger had a poorly hidden smirk on his face, and Legolas realized he had two choices: He could be angry, say terrible things and storm off, assuring himself of being endlessly teased by Aragorn. Or, he could let his pride take a hit, and laugh at himself and join in the fun...and still be endlessly teased by his friend. Legolas chose the latter.

Remaining straight-faced, Legolas turned towards the dwarf who had pushed him into the river.

Gimli felt fear race through him as the elf turned to face him. He had taken this too far, Gimli realized. He and Legolas had been at each other since they had met in Rivendell. Neither he or the elf had made an attempt to befriend the other on their quest. Taunting words, ‘accidents’ and other misfortune had been ever present on their journey.

For the first time since their arrival, the whole of their company had allowed themselves the pleasure of some fun. The hobbits had started by splashing each other while washing, eventually pushing each other into the river. Boromir and Aragorn were soon dragged in, as well, despite the water‘s cold temperature. Legolas had stood there watching them play, a smug look on his face, and Gimli couldn’t resist. He had pushed the elf into the river with the others.

Now Gimli was going to get a full dose of the elf’s wrath. Eyes wide, he watched an impish grin spread across Legolas’s face. Then Gimli found himself getting hit with a large splash of water. Legolas then turned toward the others, and grinning widely begin to join the splashing, laughing brightly and calling out “WATER FIGHT!”

They separated into different teams strictly by chance. The four hobbits in the shallows stood together. Aragorn and Boromir stood side by side a bit further out in the stream, shivering, but laughing as they stood knee deep in the river. This left Legolas and Gimli to fend off the others, either on their own, or by teaming up.

They stared at each other a moment, each trying to decide whether they could put all that had gone before behind them. Legolas grinned and bowed, and Gimli could not resist the peace offering. He bowed back with a grin of his own and rushed to join his unlikely teammate, and together they rushed the others

: - :

Legolas sat beside the dwarf next to a roaring fire, enjoying the glares from the others. Over the course of the afternoon, much had changed. He cast a smug smile at Gimli, whose eyes twinkled merrily.

“I still say you cheated,” a hobbit mumbled.

“Nay, Pippin," Gimli replied. "You just learned a valuable lesson today. To face an elf, or a dwarf alone is difficult, but it is utter foolishness to attack them together!”

Legolas smiled at Gimli’s statement. It was true. Together, they had been undefeatable.

From that day on, an unspoken truce was made. During the rest of their stay, Legolas explored the woods, frequently taking Gimli with him. The other members of the Fellowship breathed in relief, thinking there would finally be peace.

But when the journey continued, their verbal sparring continued. It lacked the vehemence from prior to their stay in Lothlórien, but still, Legolas and Gimli enjoyed the battle of words. And as time passed, few would challenge the unlikely friends about the arguing. Any daring to do so found themselves suddenly confronting two strongly allied friends who would defend the other to the death, if need be.