The Glittering Caves:

“And look there!”

Legolas turned in the direction in which the dwarf was pointing and was faced by an endless row of gold columns; pure shimmering gold as wide as three grown men.

Legolas laughed. “A marvel indeed!” He walked towards on of them and pointed. “Look here Master Dwarf, there is an engraving of birch leaves winding about it” This I did not expect form your kin.

But Gimli did not hear him. He was too busy marveling at the other treasures that awaited them.

The Glittering Caves were truly as grand as the dwarf had described them back in the forest.

There were pillars of great marble, swords and axes made of mithril and rusted chests of unmarred jewels and gold. There were domes so wide and high they would make your head spin. Everything shimmered and glowed with a soft light of its own.

As they entered the last of the halls, they froze and even Legolas was lost for words. The entire area seemed to be untouchable, made of all clear and glimmering white as translucent as the hands of the Lady Galadriel. It was as if they had entered a soft winterland without the bitter cold. Long they stood in wonder, marveling the beauty of their surrondings.

When they returned, it was all Gimli could speak of. “Well now Gimli, you must keep your promise and journey with me to Fangorn Forest as you promised, for never has a dwarf won a contest of words over an elf and we must set the record straight”, he said with a smile.

“Very well”, Gimli replied, grumbling. And so it was.