Folk of Different Race: Alternate slash ending

***

As they walked back toward the pavilion, Gimli marveled at the changes of the span of just a few hours. The noiseless falls of the Elf�s footsteps were no longer an irritant; in fact, he felt the strangest sense of admiration at them. And when Legolas�s light hair caught an errant ray of moonlight through the trees, he no longer averted his eyes for the beauty did not seemed squandered. Indeed, he began to suspect that maybe it was modest for it seemed to him that, like all the finest treasures, the Elf�s beauty within was even more dazzling than his beauty without.

In this one night, Gimli had already shared with him thoughts he had not spoken to another � Elf or otherwise � but he felt no regret. He sensed that Legolas was one to be trusted with such secrets, even if he was an Elf. Deeper in his mind, unheard by him, a wondering voice whispered, �I never would have thought to look for him among the Elves,� already knowing that Legolas�s face was one he would happily gaze upon every day until he took his last breath.

They paused at the top of the stairs descending into the pavilion. Legolas glanced quickly about the clearing where the hobbits slept deeply, their arms about one another, and Aragorn and Boromir dozed nearby on their bedrolls. �I fear I have kept you from sleep, Gimli,� he apologized.

�My time was better spent without it � this time anyway,� Gimli replied with a wink.

A bright smile lit Legolas�s features and the sudden warmth of the expression made Gimli wonder how he had ever thought his handsomeness cold. �Now that I have your pardon, I long to claim the remainder of your moonlit hours for myself, but my kinsmen have requested I stay my nights with them during our time in Lothl�rien,� he explained, apology plain in his voice. �I would like you to join us, but ��

�They are not ready for a dwarf in their midst, I agree,� Gimli said. �We have made great lengths tonight, Master Elf, you need not push others on my behalf. Do not forget that we have done all we needed to do.� He smiled up at Legolas, hearing a chuckle resurface within him.

�Ai! Do not remind me,� the Elf said happily, his long hand pressed to his stomach. �I ache all over from laughing.�

Gimli chortled at his friend�s minor discomfort and was immediately reminded of his own as his lungs stung dully at the action. He could not remember the last time he had laughed so long and so heartily, but he could remember the last time his entire body had been sore. Pain from laughter was far preferable to pain from battle.

�Now that we have recovered our senses,� said Legolas, �we will have to recover from the recovery. It is good we are safe within the Golden Wood for if Orcs were to descend upon us at this moment, I do not know that I would be of much use.�

�Ah, then it is in the company�s favor that Orcs do not attack with humor,� Gimli declared. �They would learn very quickly to launch a volley of jokes at the Elf and we would all be greatly diminished!�

Legolas laughed again, a bright cheery sound, and rested a hand on Gimli�s shoulder for support. �Good night, Gimli,� he said. �I know when I am defeated. Now, I must recover my strength for the rematch.�

Gimli reached up and clamped his hand on the Elf�s forearm, unable to keep the smile from his face. �Though I am no doubt supporting an Elven misconception of Dwarves,� he said, �I must say that, if I could have imagined any satisfaction to be found in this night, I would have thought it to come from fulfilling one small wish of Gandalf�s. But it seems I am far more selfish than that. Happy though I am to honor to his wisdom, I find greater pleasure in knowing your mind better, Legolas.�

�Do not berate yourself,� Legolas replied. �I believe I am flawed with equal selfishness so I will never judge you for yours, my friend. May I come for you tomorrow when my kinsmen make my evening my own?�

�I hope that you will,� answered Gimli. �I feel there is much we still do not understand about one another and I suddenly find myself wishing to know.� Releasing his hold on the Elf�s arm, his hand slid down, brushing lightly over the smooth skin of Legolas�s hand.

�Then, I ask your pardon in advance,� the Elf said, a comely flush rising on his cheekbones, �for I may claim many of your evenings while we remain within the welcome confines of Caras Galadhon.�

�That is just as well. I would like to see more of the splendors of Galadriel�s realm, but if I were to wander about unescorted I would likely be taken for a Dwarven spy,� Gimli joked.

�Then, I consider it my duty to our hosts to be your guide for I would pity greatly the guard who approached you in haste. He would likely lose his legs to your axe before he realized you carried one.� The Elf looked down upon him with a tangible affection Gimli could feel in the air all around him and he gladly basked in the glow of another smile. When Legolas leaned over to press his lips lightly to Gimli�s, the Dwarf was certain he had never felt a touch of more purity; the Elf�s kiss was a treasure unrivaled. �Rest well, Gimli,� Legolas breathed.

Turning, Legolas journeyed back into the forest, seeking out his own place to rest, his steps lighter, though Gimli had not before noticed their being heavy. The Dwarf hopped down the stairs and quickly claimed a clear spot beneath the protective canopy spread above the sleeping travelers. The lament continued long into the night and as Gimli drifted into sleep, he heard a voice, nearer than the others and deeper, join in with the swelling notes of the lament.

He knew in an instant that it was Legolas.

***