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Gimli, son of Gloin, Lord of the Glittering Caves, member of the fellowship, one of the three hunters. Gimli was known by many names, all held in respect by the people around him.
He had many friends — dwarves, humans, hobbits and even elves — and some of great renown: King Elessar, King Eomer Eadig, the white lady of Ithilien, and many others besides. But most astounding of all were his friendship with Legolas Greenleaf and his great respect for the Lady and Lord of the Golden Forest.
As Lord of the Glittering Caves and one of the finest artisans in Middle Earth, Gimli was a rich dwarf. Yet, even surrounded by gold and treasures, they had no dominion over his heart. For Gimli’s soul was already filled with the purest of love, and no other could replace it.
For his ingenuity, he was much admired by his people, who wondered how he found such inspired ideas. Some had even dared to compare him to their eldest forefathers, for he had a fire in him when it came to shaping beauty. But what was the source of his passion?
When working, he would often be seen with his head bowed deep in thought, one hand on his chest. Few knew the source of his inspiration, and those who guessed never shared with the unworthy. But Gimli son of Gloin was searching for the perfect crystal to hold his most precious treasure, one he held against his very heart. One he would contemplate during times he missed her the most.
Still, he never went uninvited into the Golden Forest. He knew his love was meant to be from afar, like one who looks upon the sun and stars. His admiration was silent and never yearning, and he accepted gracefully what was freely given.
Each of her words he treated as precious and he remembered each of them, like pearls on a string that he would take out and hold to admire, late in the forge of his home. Lockbearer he had been called once, and it was a name he would cherish until his last days.
One day they met — Gimli and Legolas and the people of the Golden Forest — and in his heart, Gimli knew that it would be the last time. But he was not one to object, for there was no pain in the departure for the one he loved so dearly. Called she was, and towards a land of joy and peace she would sail. And what more could he wish for one so fair, one he loved so purely? They spoke for a time under the mallorn, and when she left, Legolas, his dearest friend, saw his eyes.
“Soon she will go to the sea.”
“Aye, as you will.”
“Indeed. But my time is not yet come. I will still stay and wander the woods of Middle Earth. But what about you, my friend?”
Gimli grumbled for a moment, and Legolas smiled fondly while they walked for a while. But in the end, the stout dwarf answered.
“My heart belongs below ground, with my people and the crystal of the earth.” The tone was final and so Legolas said nothing, for he knew his friend would not say more.
~~~
In later years, they heard about the departure of their good friends, Frodo and Gandalf and Bilbo, and also with them went Elrond and Galadriel. Those who were left behind came together in Gondor to meet with friends, to share old memories, and to drink in the name of all their many losses. Soon after, they went all back to their respective realms.
Years passed. The call of the sea was growing in Legolas’ heart. As for Gimli, gold and precious stones had lost their luster to his eyes. His great mind was burdened. But still, his face was kind, his smile full of love for his many friends. And for many years, he helped them with his creations and gifted to their children the most wondrous of toys.
Then the last of the ring bearers left for the Undying Lands, and not so long after, friends in Ithilien and Rohan also met their ends. Time is the one against none can win, not even the two valiant hobbits. Their losses were felt painfully by Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn. They met, the three hunters, and their memories were bittersweet. They stayed awake, long into the night.
Under the stars, Legolas was looking in the direction of the sea. Although it was too far for even his sight, he could sense it.
“Its call is stronger, eh?”
“Indeed. What about yours?”
“What nonsense is that, elf? The sea and the land beyond it do not call to me.”
Yet Gimli was looking in the same direction as Legolas, who smiled but stayed silent. He knew well enough the depth of his friend’s grieving, and still was amazed that Gimli would rather not burden him with it.
Time is the ultimate foe, and eventually it struck again, for it was time that finally vanquished King Elessar, whose passing greatly grieved those around him. But none was more afflicted than the Queen, who soon after left for the Golden Forest, even though none were left there and the trees were fading.
Gimli felt a kinship in sadness with her, for there was no hope left for the Evenstar nor for himself. He thought to join her in her exile, to live there where the light of his heart had been but was no more, and while he was preparing to leave to his own realm, he thought about the Golden Forest.
But on the morning Legolas and Gimli were both leaving the White City, his friend came to him with a peculiar light in his eyes. Gimli had not seen him thus for a long time and looked at him with wonder.
“The call of the sea has won, my friend. I am bound for the land that lies beyond it.”
“Aye.” Gimli felt the light in his heart go dark for with his friend’s departure, the last light of love would leave his life.
“Then it is time to say goodbye. I will miss you, my friend. My brother.”
Legolas smiled mysteriously in response, although Gimli’s last words had touched him more deeply than he could admit.
“The boat will be big. I’ll need someone to help me. First to build. Then to steer.”
“Ack! What nonsense is that? I cannot help you, foolish elf! I am like a stone in water.” Yet, there was a warmth now returned to his heart, even if there was no hope.
And so, after leaving the Glittering Caves to the next in line, Gimli, now old and tired, went for his last adventure. He joined Legolas in Ithilien, where they set to work building a boat. It was a wonder to see, and while he was a dwarf, with no knowledge of ship building, Gimli took great pleasure in this last creation of his life.
Then it was done, and, lo and behold, the ship was beautiful and seemed alive on the waters of the Anduin. And the old dwarf now looked upon his friend, still wondering at the wish of Legolas to bring him beyond the sea, but in the end, he followed his friend to the undying lands even if he did not quite know why.
“I am but a dwarf, and my people do not dwell there but in the Hall of Mahal.”
“But I would have you come with me, if only for a chance to see the light that lives there.”
Gimli nodded, for he was following a light indeed.
The journey was long but not fraught with dangers, to both their surprise. And so, after days at sea, they arrived in a place where the light was warm yet soft, where the air was fragrant and, to Gimli’s great pleasure, where the mountains were tall. There was a port, and they went there, finally arrived in the undying lands.
Elves had seen them approaching and had come to bid them welcome. Gimli was silent, as he had been since he had first seen the shape of the land from afar. Something in his heart was whispering in joy. And yet, for the first time in his life, he was afraid, fearful of what would become of him in this land truly unknown and strange.
Soon many others arrived to meet the newcomers and peer at them in curiosity, for the arrival of a dwarf by a sailing ship was unheard of. Then one elf came forward, and his face, although handsome, showed worry.
“Forgive me, cousin, but you have brought here one who is not allowed in this blessed land.”
Legolas smiled and bowed deeply, but when he straightened, his eyes were unyielding under the other’s gaze.
“He is a dear friend to me, a brother of heart and mind, and the lady of the Galadhrim, Galadriel herself, has blessed him.”
At those bold words, albeit gently said, the other elf frowned but added nothing. Yet Gimli shook his head, unwilling to cause trouble for Legolas.
“Nay. I will not bother you, my friend, nor our radiant lady. I have come here with no expectation, and my reward is already beyond imagination. I have been blessed to be allowed to see such splendor and to be granted one last adventure with you, my brother. Now that you have arrived safely, I will take my leave.”
“Gimli, my dear, you cannot go back alone on the wide sea! You would perish!”
“Bah! We could have perished on the way here. Besides, my life has been full. I will not end it by being a burden to my most beloved friends.”
Legolas winced as if in pain, but, seeing a commotion in the crowd, his smile came back.
“I would be unhappy to lose my friend. Besides, would you miss seeing your lady again? Look, she is coming at this moment to meet us!”
At those words, Gimli turned his head and went silent.
She was walking among the people, who all bowed to her. She looked like a young elf maiden, and yet the wisdom of ages covered her like a mantle. And even from this distance, Gimli could feel her eyes going through him. He bowed to her, for there was no greater lady, no greater light in his world. Her hair was like the soft light of the sun on a spring morning, and his heart felt at peace. He would not have her disturbed, and thus he spoke.
“That my eyes were able to lay upon the Lady of the Golden Forest one last time is a gift beyond measure. And so, I would beg of you to not bother yourself for someone like me. I would rather stay forever in this boat at sea than see you disturbed.”
At those words, Galadriel smiled kindly.
“I hear the good heart of my friend here, but it is nonsense, if kindly meant. It is a great surprise for this land to see one such as you, but not an unwelcome one. Besides, the father of your forefathers is eager to meet with you, Gimli son of Gloin, and I would be honored to be your guide and show the marvels of our world to you.”
Gimli felt as if lightning had struck him, and he said nothing afterward. But Legolas smiled softly at the rosy colors of his friend’s cheeks.
Thus Gimli was the first, and last, of his kind, to be welcomed alive in the land beyond the sea.
~~~
Later, he went to see Mahal, who was known as Aulë in this land of light. Of this, he shared nothing, though he came back thoughtful, and neither Legolas nor Galadriel asked anything of it. But this quiet thoughtfulness lasted a mere moment, for soon they went to meet old friends. They saw Frodo and Sam, and Elrond as well. They spoke of the departed and tears were shed. Then Elrond took leave of them and went walking alone to ponder the news about the King and Queen of Gondor.
To Gimli’s surprise and silent joy, Galadriel made good on her promise. Often she would come and walk with him and Legolas through the gardens and hills, under an infinite sky. They would talk, sometimes about the past but most of all about this world which was new for Gimli, and they would often spend moments in silence and peace, admiring the beauty. Celeborn came along at times, but often he would choose to stay with his kin.
And thus, time passed, as is its wont. And for those who were greatly blessed but were not of the elven kind, the end eventually came.
They said farewell to Frodo and, not so long after, to Sam, who always closely followed his master. Those two companions, having met once again under the light, had never separated after. Often, Gimli had seen them, holding hands under the stars, finally at peace with the world and themselves.
And then, the time of Gimli son of Gloin came as well.
He wasn’t saddened or bitter. He had lived far more than he had thought he would, seen wonders surpassing his wildest dreams. He had been given much, and he hadn’t even asked. Now, finally, he would take the last road, towards the Halls, to wait with his forefathers for the world to be rebuilt…
He hadn’t asked Mahal what lay beyond. He knew he would soon find out. And even if he were to go back to the stone, it would be without anger in his heart, for he had been able to stay by the side of his One. And even if she had only friendship for him, it had been a blessing surpassing all the treasures in the world.
And so, on a late afternoon, when the light became as coral and pearl, Gimli was ready to say his farewell, and his companion of old, his chosen brother, was there. Legolas felt the burden of the long life of the elves, for here was laying one he had dearly loved and cherished.
“Do not shed tears for me, for I have lived a full life and seen far more than I could have if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I will not shed tears, but I will walk under the moon and stars and sing about you.”
“Foolish elf.” But there was only love in his words, and Legolas knew it.
But then, a rustle of fabric broke the silence of this moment. Here, beside his bed, was the Lady Galadriel, with her hair unbound and her eyes full of stars, and Gimli felt blessed beyond measure.
“My lady, surely you have better things to do than stay by the side of a grumbling old dwarf.”
Galadriel of the fair hair smiled, but there was such sadness in her eyes that Gimli’s heart cried out in pain for her. In a rare gesture of boldness, he took her long fingers in his rough hand.
“Do not be sad for me, my lady of light, for you have given me more than I could ever have asked for, more even than I should have received. Every moment in your presence has been beyond my dreams, even the most foolish of them.”
She said nothing, but tears were like diamonds on her eyelashes and Gimli thought how beautiful she was.
“Please, my light, do not be saddened by the departure of this old dwarf, for there is so much beauty in this world and you belong here, as one of its brightest treasures.”
“But with whom shall I share those wonders if you are no longer my companion?” she replied, and to this Gimli found no answer.
“With you at my side, life has taken a shine like none before. Through your eyes, I rediscovered this world I thought I knew. Your love was like a warm embrace after a long day of winter. To whom shall I turn to hear songs of the past, soft words describing the beauty of the world? No, I say, with your departure, a part of my light will go.”
And for this, Gimli was saddened.
“It wasn’t my desire to bring you pain, my lady of light, and now I would regret coming, for I had only dreamt of bringing you joy.”
“And you did, for all those years when you were silent at my side, but sturdy like the roots of the world. For your everlasting love and the blessing of your companionship, my heart was full of joy. Do not be saddened, do not regret, for Gimli son of Gloin brought joy and love to the heart of the Lady of the Galadhrim.”
With those words, the lady bestowed upon him one last gift, for she leaned towards him and her lips brushed his.
And Gimli, blessed dwarf among his kin, knew his end was near, for the light of her hair now surrounded him. He smiled at her one last time, his hand finally daring to caress the cascade of that hair. And he closed his eyes, a smile upon his face.
Then Galadriel, powerful among the Children of Iluvatar, wept as mere mortals do when they lose one dear to their heart.
That evening, Legolas and Galadriel walked together under the setting sun and then the moon. He sang about his friend, his brother, his love, and she listened to the song of the loss they shared.