Title: A Brief Respite
Rating: PG
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Word count: 546
A small little thing to go with THIS drawing that I did for determamfidd and for Sansukh.
There was precious little space for bathing after the battle at Pelinnor Fields with so many wounded that needed tending, but orc blood was not something that should be left to fester on ones skin and as such some places in Minas Tirith were set aside for those uninjured enough to bathe themselves.
Gimli has just finished up, dressed back in his breechcloth, plaiting his traveling braids into his damp hair. He tenses when he hears the door open but a soft voice relaxes him again.
"It is only me, Meleth nin." Legolas says, already stripped to the waist in preparation for his own bath. He comes around to Gimli's front and watches with a look of complete fascination as finishes his beard.
"You've seen it before, laddie. Even done it yourself now..." Gimli adds quietly, his face flushing. Legolas smiles and reaches out toward him His fingers barely brushing coarse red hair. Gimli gives a silent nod giving in permission then Legolas twines his fingers around one braid. He just holds it, seeming to gain pleasure just from that.
"I have, but it is no less wonderful to watch you do it." Legolas tells him and bends his body toward him, pale blond hair falling over one shoulder. Gimli straightens himself up and tilts his head up toward the elf. "I am glad to see you so uninjured." Legolas goes on faintly, his free hand brushing over Gimli's arm, bruised but whole.
Gimli reaches up toward him, standing on his toes briefly to catch the back of Legolas's neck, pulling him down to him to press their foreheads together in the typical dwarven fashion, a bit abruptly if Legolas's startled noise is anything to go on. Gimli grumbles out an apology but doesn't release him, just closes his eyes and focuses on the point of contact.
"We've done this before. I was rather distressed then." He says then gracefully slides to his knees and presses their foreheads together once more. "That's better, Meleth nin." Legolas smiles at him brightly and relaxes into it. Gimli chuckles and hums under his breath, contented to be so near now that they had a few moments to spare.
"Aye, you gave me quite a fright then. Ale soaked and eyes filled with tears. "Gimli looks up at him again after a moment, leaning back slightly even though it causes Legolas to twist up his face into what can only be called a pout. "You always call me 'Meleth nin' what does it mean?" Gimli asks and Legolas smiles.
"'My love.’" He tells him and slides his hand absently over Gimli's braids.
"Ack! You were using it well before we came to any sort of terms, " Gimli says, teasingly reproving. "I should come up with something to call you, make us even, then never tell *you* the meaning." He huffs, then 'hms' quietly, clearly considering, "Idùzhib, sabannimi, or ghivashel... they don't seem enough." Gimli sighs finally, and Legolas just smiles at him, looks as though he rather doesn't mind never being told the meaning of such words.
"You show enough affection with just 'Laddie', Meleth nin." Legolas tells him honestly, pressing their heads together again.
"Aye, perhaps there is that, Âzyungeluh." Gimli says quietly and smiles at him.
