Title: Snapshot

Author: Calenlass Greenleaf

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters. If I did, they would not be displayed for the world to see but would be hoarded, guarded, locked away in the depths of my closet.

Spoilers: Spoilers for LOTR in general, both books and movies.

Rating: PG or K

Genre: Friendship/Poetry

“What about side by side with a friend?”

“Aye. I could do that.”

—Gimli and Legolas, “The Black Gate Opens” in The Return of the King (movie)

Snapshot

Intro:

Some pictures are blurred,

Hard to see and hidden.

-

Others are sharp and clear,

Showing forth their quality.

-

Friendships are like this;

Sometimes marked and seen,

And other times rather vague and unnoticed.

-

I bring to light one of them,

One of those great, oft looked-over friendships…

--

There was a certain comradeship in Middle-Earth,

During a time of war and turmoil,

Of two beings that could have not been more different.

-

One, of the Eldar,

Fair, ageless, and graceful.

-

The other, a Child of Aulë,

Plain, evanescent, and rough.

-

But both were warriors,

Brave and unafraid in the face of death,

Courageous and selfless.

-

Their people were estranged;

Long did they hold their grudges,

And long were the friendships forgotten.

-

Yet this was changed when a Fellowship was formed,

A group of Nine Companions that left no room for animosity.

-

Indeed, there was conflict at first,

Aye, it was plain neither had great love for each other.

For could a Leaf stand in the presence of Stone?

-

But through the hardships they faced,

Through their one purpose,

Their one goal,

A bond was formed.

-

‘Twas a bond that few could comprehend,

They marveled that this turn of events,

And found it quite remarkable.

-

But it was true these two had made their peace.

In Middle-earth,

In Lórien,

They chose to cast away their differences,

To see each other in a new light.

-

The Elf taught the other the joys of a forest,

The Dwarf gave the former an appreciation for caves.

-

Their love lasted throughout the long years,

Carrying them far and beyond,

Even as far as the Undying Lands,

Where no mortal could ever go.

-

For the Dwarf was named elvellon,

Elf-friend,

The highest honor that could ever be bestowed upon him.

--

Finale:

I have said before,

“It is not similarities that make up a friendship,

Rather, differences molded over time to fit a single perfect pattern.”

-

What better example is there than this tale of an Elf and a Dwarf?

-

Legolas, son of Thranduil,

Gimli, son of Glóin.

Once enemies,

Now, friends.

The End

“We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Glóin's son with him because of their great friendship, greater than any that has 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. More cannot be said of this matter.”

—Appendix A, The Lord of the Rings