Avallone at night was a wonder to behold.  Lights were dancing and sparkling in the streets, and the many fountains seemed to spout gems rather than water.  Laughter and singing filled the streets.  And the trees laced the air with the sweet fragrances of their blossoms.

But in the Hall of Deliberation there was a bitter and palpable silence and tenseness.  Members of the council arrived talking and laughing, but a look at the distraught Elf in the centre seat of the Hall was enough to undo anyone's cheerfulness. 

Legolas felt lost without Gimli in the resplendent Hall.  There were many Elves around, but he felt alone.  But then Gandalf arrived, along with Elrond the Halfelven and some members of his house, including the lord Glorfindel.  Galadriel was there also, with Celeborn her husband, bringing Haldir and some Elves from Lothlorien.  An august-looking Elf arrived and everyone bowed slightly and took their seat. 

"We are gathered here tonight to discuss a matter of grave importance to us all," began the august-looking Elf.

"That is Finarfin," said Gandalf to Legolas in an undertone.  "Lord of the Elves of the Blessed Realm, father of Galadriel."

"A week ago a ship came to Alvallone bringing a grievously wounded Elf and his companion, a very distressed and sorrowful Dwarf.  The Elf is here with us now."

At a sign from him, Gandalf urged Legolas to stand.  He did so and felt every eye turned toward him, some questioningly, others pityingly and some accusingly. 

"Introduce yourself," said Finarfin. 

"I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, of the Wood-elf, or Grey-elf.  I used to dwell north of Greenwood, which of old was known as Mirkwood," he stopped and looked around.  Everyone was looking at him expectantly.  "Several hundreds years ago my father sent me to Imladris to tell the council of the escape of the creature Gollum.  There I was assigned to accompany the Ring-bearer in his quest to destroy The One Ring of Power, so that the Dark Lord Sauron could not get his hand on The Ring and thus regain his terrible control over Middle-earth."

Several heads turned and scattered whisperings occurred. 

"During the journey I fostered close friendship with the Dwarf Gimli son of Gloin.  After the Dark Lord was vanquished, our bond was strengthened and together we did many wondrous works in Gondor, the realm of mankind.  But I can not entirely free myself from The Call of the Undying Land; so after the death of King Elessar, Aragorn son of Arathorn, the heir of Isildur, I built myself a ship and planned to sail here.  I took Gimli with me, because he is very dear to me and I wish never to be separated from him.  Furthermore, he greatly desires to meet again the Lady Galadriel, whom he met in the woods of Lothlorien on our setting out in the journey to destroy The Ring of Power."

Several of the Elves looked at Galadriel who sat silently beside Celeborn. 

"We passed many great perils together," continued Legolas, his voice faltering.  "Storms, enchantments, monsters.  But Gimli stood by me and we fought alongside each other.  More than before I now consider him more than a friend, but kin."

Then he sat down.

Finarfin was silent for several moments.  Then he spoke, "That was the tale of Legolas Greenleaf, of whose companion was the Dwarf in question.  Now I want Eleinion, chief of havens of Alvallone, to tell his."

An elf in a sparkling white robe rose and addressed the council, "About a week ago my scout reported a ship coming out of the wall of mist to the east.  But it was in a dreadful condition, having been for the most part burned and leaking.  In it we found a dwarf in a pitiful condition. His mail shirt seemed to have been burned by something that rusted and crumbled the metal and his hair and beard was scorched.  He was also very distraught and kept urging us to make haste and help his friend.  We found Master Legolas Greenleaf in the ship, with injuries so grave that at first our hearts failed us and we thought that he had reached the Realm too late and his spirit had indeed gone to the Halls of Mandos.

"But as we moved him to our ship, the dwarf said to him, 'Behold, Legolas!  The fair city of Alavallone!  We have arrived!  Behold, Legolas!  Here are your kindred to help you!' and the Elf stirred and we were gladdened because we had not lost him yet.  We took him hastily here and Elrond the loremaster and chief healer took care of Master Legolas, and very soon we were rejoiced to hear that he was recuperating

"But we do not know yet what to do with the dwarf.  Of course we succoured him as best as we could, giving him food, beddings and medicines, and repaired the ship he came here in.  In my opinion he is most gracious and courteous and he is clearly worried about Master Legolas's condition.  But we are told not to let him into the city, awaiting the decision of this council."

The haven master concluded his explanation with a nod, and sat down.  Legolas was grateful to know that his friend was being well taken care of.  But he still felt that the council was groundless, because he felt that without a doubt Gimli richly deserved to be walking amongst the Elves.

An Elf with gloriously radiating face, a Vanyar of high rank, began to speak, "The ban against the Dwarf's arriving in the city is due to many reasons.  Firstly, it is a highly rare occasion that a mortal is allowed to walk among us.  For instance, we have permitted the Periannaths who had helped turn the course of history and made it possible for us to live in relative peace and prosperity.  But we can not simply thus allow anyone who helped in the journey to destroy Sauron to tarry among us.  Especially dwarves whom from bitter and painful experience, are to be trusted and befriended only with the highest degree of caution."

Another Elf spoke, "I agree.  We can not dismiss the Dwarves' treachery upon the Elves of Doriath."

Legolas stood up, "I am not in this council to ask for the acceptance of the whole race of Dwarves into the Blessed Realm.  I am merely speaking on behalf of Gimli, whom I considered to be brave and loyal and kind of heart."

"Of that I should agree," said Galadriel quietly.  "Gimli son of Gloin had changed my opinion of Dwarves long ago and he won my trust and friendship ever since."

"Yet we can not simply rule out the fact that dwarves are mortals and as such they do not belong among us," countered another Elf.  "We should not lightly forget those of mankind who were jealous of our immortality and rose in anger against us."

"They were under the influence of that sweet-talking Sauron then, and Sauron has vanished now," commented Gandalf.

"Nevertheless," argued the other Elf, "the possibility for such envy is ever present and we can not blind our eyes to it.  Much has happened that we sorely regret and lament because of our forgetfulness.  We must not fall to the  same pit twice."

On and on they argued.  Finally Legolas excused himself and left the council, wearied and despondent.  He returned to Gandalf's house but could not rest.  Instead he walked up to the upper story and stared into the waters beyond the haven, glinting the reflection of the stars. 

Under him, spread out to the horizons on all sides, Avallone and the rest of fair Tol Eressea lay half asleep in a soft and fragrant breeze.  Beautiful it was, and peaceful and Legolas loathed the thought of ever having to leave again.  But he braced himself and reminded himself of the promise he made to Gimli.

"If they turn you away, I shall leave them and go with you.  I shall not suffer you to be sundered from me."

It broke his heart to have come after so much hardship upon the land he dreamt of for many, many years.  But he valued more the bond of friendship he had with Gimli, and he knew his choice was made.

He knew not how long he stood gazing at the dark waters afar.  But presently he could hear footsteps coming into the house.  Reluctantly he went down and walked to the pearly hall.  He was sure the council had decided and Gandalf had come to give him the dreadful news.  He collected his bow and quiver and his twin Elven blades and strode with head bent to the front of the building.

Elven houses have no doors.  Someone was outside the opening, his shadow stretched and swayed as the candles outside danced in the wind.  Legolas was too troubled to care much about the strange shape of the shadow. 

He was wholly unprepared to see Gimli, standing by the door, wreathed in a smile and glowing eyes, beside Gandalf who also wore the same kind of mischievous, satisfied smile.

"Why…?" said Legolas, but he could speak no more.

"Yes, Master Elf," said Gimli.  "You still have a promise to keep and I am here to ask for it."

Then Legolas cried in joy and ran forward to hug Gimli, but the Dwarf stepped back in a mock exaggeration of dignity.

"Pray Master Legolas, this is a valuable beard I have here.  I do not wish it to be tangled."

They both laughed and the trees and flowers of Tol Eressea, fair, peaceful Tol Eressea wove the notes of their laughter into songs that lingered for eternity. 

The End