Gimli son of Glóin (one of the dwarves who helped reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug in “The Hobbit”), also called ‘Elf-friend’ and ‘Lockbearer’, was born in TA 2879, and became part of the Fellowship of the Ring after travelling to Rivendell with others of his race to participate in the Council of Elrond.
He travelled with the Fellowship through the dark of Moria, grieving greatly for the loss of Balin and the Dwarven colony of Khazad-dûm, and then into the light of Lothlórien, where, so taken by Galadriel’s beauty, he asked for a lock of her hair.
When the Fellowship was broken, he travelled across Rohan with Aragorn and Legolas, chasing Orcs. Gimli fought at the Battle of the Hornburg, where he proved the battle prowess of the dwarves, even having a private contest with Legolas, comparing who slew more enemies. Having to fight his way out of the caves, he eventually was able to pass Legolas’ score of 41 by one.
Gimli then accompanied Aragorn, Legolas and the Grey Company through the Paths of the Dead, and from there to the havens of Pelargir. He stayed at the front of the battles both on the Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate.
After the War of the Ring, Gimli and Legolas visited Fangorn Forest and then the Glittering Caves of Aglarond. He was so struck by their beauty that he decided to live there and brought some of his people south from Erebor to the Glittering Caves. While there, he and his people did much for Gondor and Rohan to help repair the damage and destruction caused by Sauron’s forces.
Gimli was strange among dwarves for his friendship with the elf Legolas, a friendship that started in Lothlórien and grew stronger through their travels together. It is said that Legolas took Gimli with him when he sailed to the Undying Lands.
If this is true, Gimli was thus the first and only dwarf ever to have made this journey. It is said he went not only to be with Legolas, but also to see again the beauty of Galadriel.
by atalante_star
