Gimli's Box

It was now past midnight. The sky was utterly dark, and the stillness of the heavy air foreboded storm. Suddenly the clouds were seared by a blinding flash. Branched lightning smote down upon the eastern hills. For a staring moment the watchers on the walls saw all the space between them lit with white light; it was crawling with black shapes. Hundred were pouring through the breach. The dark tide flowed up the walls from cliff to cliff. Thunder rolled in the valley. Rain came lashing down.

As the dark tide came closer individuals were more recognisable. 'Orcs. Everywhere,' spoke Legolas. He looked down at Gimli who was jumping up and down, trying to get a glimpse over the great wall.

'I-can't-see!' he cried imbetween jumps, nearly flinging his axe over the battlements. Gimli looked up at Legolas with almost a pleading look and a little smile.

This seemed to make Legolas frown. 'I'm not picking you up a again, never again. You're so heavy.' Legolas took an arrow out of his quiver and nocked it in his bow. Gimli was still looling up at him.

'Please! I want to see the enemy, so I now what I'm facing. Please please with cherries on top,' begged Gimli. Legolas's mouthed turned up at the corners in a discreet smile.

'Do you want me to describe it to you, or shall I get you a box?' chuckled Legolas. He looked dwon at Gimli with an enquiring look, and for a moment it looked like Gimli was about to hack him with his axe. Then his frown turned to a puzzled look.

Then he spoke, 'I think a box would be best thanks.' Gimli started to laugh, so loud that several of the other men preparing for battle raised their eyebrows and tutted, much like Old Farts do when you swear on a bus. Legolas looked taken aback then he too started to laugh along ith Gimli.

'For a moment there I thought you were serious!' Legolas bellowed. Then Gimli stopped guffawing.

'Um, I was.'

'Oh. Right. Where on Middle Earth am I going to get a box in Helm's Deep, especially with orc everywhere?' Legolas exclaimed.