Of Gimli and Legolas

Two of my favorite characters from the Fellowship of the Ring: Legolas and Gimli. Elves have always been my favorite of the Middle-earth races. They are just so ethereal and high; graceful and noble, wise and immortal. It saddens me that the Third Age is the twilight of the Eldar and their time to depart from Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is my favorite of Tolkien's works with its myths and legends of the First Age dominated by Elves. In light of all this I appreciate Legolas' part in the Tale. Dwarves are an peculiar race to me but Gimli seems different than his kin. He seems to have a profound respect for that which is beautiful rather than the desire to hoard what is valuable. I remember three instances during his walking with the Fellowship (a most intense time that does not naturally lend itself to the appreciation of beauty) where he pauses when he encounters beauty: pausing to view the beautiful Mirrormere, his encounter with Galadriel, and his discovery of the Glittering Caves. What most strikes me is that Gimli is appreciative of natural beauty--items not made by the hands of Dwarves or any mortal.

Here lies the exploits of Gimli and Legolas after the War of the Ring. Gimli became renowned for his role in the Quest as well as his peculiar friendship with Legoas. "He was named Elf-friend because of the great love that grew between him and Legolas, son of King Thranduil, and because of his reverence  for the Lady Galadriel. After the fall of Sauron, Gimli brought south a part of the Dwarf-folk of Erebor, and he became Lord of the Glittering Caves. He and his people did great works in Gondor and Rohan. For Minis Tirith they forged gates of mithril and steel to replace those broken by the Witch-king. Legolas his friend also brought south Elves out of Greenwood, and they dwelt in Ithilien, and it became once again the fairest country in all the westlands" (p. 361-362, The Return of the King). Long they lived in friendship but when Aragorn died Legolas departed from Middle-earth, following the desire in his heart for the Sea. This final note concerning Legolas and Gimli reads:

"We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Gloin's son with him because of their great friendship, greater than any that has ever been between Elf and Dwarf. If this is true, then it is strange indeed: that a Dwarf should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any love, or that the Eldar should receive him, or that the Lords of the West should permit it. But it is said that Gimli went also out of desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel; and it may be that she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for him" (p. 362, The Return of the King). What a great ending for their part in the tale!

Middle-earth timeline: Fourth Age, circa 120-125
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 361-362