Gimli

2007-07-30T13:15:42Z

74.94.46.5: /* The Fellowship of the Ring */

{{youmay|Gimli Elf-friend|the uncanonical [[Gimli (Noldo)|Gimli the Noldo]] in the ''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]''}}
{{quote|Only Gimli lifted up his head; a smouldering fire was in his eyes. . .|Gimli's response to the mention of the [[Mines of Moria]]}}
{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Gimli 01.jpg|300px]]
| name=Gimli
| othernames=Elf-friend, Lockbearer, Lord of the Glittering Caves
| life=[[Third Age 2879]] - [[Fourth Age 120]]
| realm=[[Erebor]]
| parentage=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]
| lineage=[[Durin the Deathless]]/[[Borin]]
| robes=
| gender=Male
|}}
'''Gimli''' was a [[dwarf]] of [[Durin's Folk]], a direct descendant of [[Durin the Deathless]] through [[Náin II]]'s younger son [[Borin]], and in turn [[Farin]]'s younger son [[Gróin]], and his younger son [[Glóin]]. Despite being too young at the time of the [[Quest of Erebor]] (only 62), he became famous as the only Dwarven member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

==History==
Gimli was born in the [[Blue Mountains]] nine years after the tragic destruction of [[Dale]] and the wasting of [[Erebor]] by [[Smaug]] the Golden. Little is known about his early life (or the lives of young dwarves in general, as a matter of fact), but he was forbidden to join [[Thorin and Company]] because of his age: only 62 at the time, according to ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]''. Gimli was the only surviving member of Durin’s Folk not to go on the quest, save for his fairly distant relative [[Dís]], who was female.

Years later, in [[TA 3017|3017]], Gimli witnessed the tempting offers of the messenger of [[Sauron]] (presumed to be a [[Nazgûl]]) concerning the [[Ring of Power]], and accompanied his troubled father to [[Rivendell]] for the dual purpose of warning retired burglar (and old acquaintance) [[Bilbo Baggins]] and seeking the counsel of [[Elrond]] on such weighty matters. His purpose in going was unknown – he neither knew Bilbo, nor liked the [[Elves]] any more than any other Dwarf at that time. It is possible his father merely took him for the experience of being in [[Rivendell]]. Whatever the reason, he attended the [[Council of Elrond]] as a representative of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]].

===The Fellowship of the Ring===

Gimli, as the only young dwarf (so far as we know) at the council of Elrond, was appointed as a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. He alone of the company wore a mail-shirt, and carried a broad-bladed axe. He quickly distinguished himself in the company by declaring that he "needed no map" and naming the [[Misty Mountains]] individually by their [[Khuzdul]] names, inspiring the comment from [[Sam]]: "A fair jaw-cracker dwarf-language must be!"

Gimli, surprisingly, stood more than all the others with [[Gandalf]] on the matter of passing through [[Moria]]. This may be influenced by his curiosity about the fate of his second cousin [[Balin]], who went thither to refound the ancient kingdom of the [[Longbeards]], and also his vengeful nature. His first clash with [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] occurred before the [[Doors of Durin]], in a brief dispute over whose fault it was (the Elves’ or the Dwarves’) that the friendship between them waned. Gandalf quickly intervened, though it was not until [[Lothlórien]] that they would truly become friends.

[[Image:Aleksandr Kortich - 03.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''Moria'' by [[Aleksandr Kortich]]]]He was quite helpful to Gandalf in explaining the Doors to the other curious members of the fellowship. Gandalf showed his appreciation of Gimli’s skills by letting him walk up front through the dark tunnels beside himself, and taking brief counsels with him when the way is unsure. It is probable that here Gandalf is tapping into Dwarven inborn or developed skills rather than actual knowledge of Moria itself, as Gimli had never personally been there.

Gimli reacted most indignantly to Sam’s suggestion that Moria was but “holes”, going so far as to chant for him the ancient song ''[[The World was Young, the Mountains Green]]''. Gimli continued to be helpful to Gandalf on the rest of the dark passage, and boldly aided in the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], protecting Balin’s tomb. After Gandalf remained behind to halt the Balrog, Gimli led the others across the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

He again shows great emotion when they near [[Kheled-zâram]], taking [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] alone out of all the company with him to see it (though Sam follows as well). This hints at a degree of affection for Frodo, though it may merely be because he was the most important of the company. Despite his helpfulness, at [[Lothlórien]] he became the greatest hindrance to the Company, when he alone was required to be blindfolded and of all of them liked the idea the least (save for perhaps Legolas). The compromise was made that the entire company would go through the Golden Wood in this manner, that Gimli would not suffer alone.

Despite this early struggle, it is Gimli of all the company that is most remembered for his deeds in Lothlórien. For his heart softened towards [[Galadriel]] and as a result toward Elves in general when that great lady sympathized with his sorrows, using the traditional Khuzdul names. In return he attempted to compliment her, as he saw her love and understanding. Though slightly clumsy in his first attempt, he distinguished himself when, as Galadriel gave the Company [[Gifts of Galadriel|gifts]], he asked only for a single strand of her hair. This Galadriel graciously gave with a blessing, probably remembering when [[Fëanor]] had requested a similar gift several millennia ago. Henceforth Gimli was known as "[[Lockbearer]]". He wept openly at the departure from Lothlórien, calling the light more dangerous than the darkness he had feared.

After the departure from Lothlórien Gimli is relegated a fairly minor role. He had, however, become a fast friend of Legolas the Elf, a result of Galadriel’s kindness. This, too, made him famous among all the Dwarves of the [[Third Age]].

===The Three Hunters===

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Pursuit in Rohan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Pursuit in Rohan'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] After the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]], during which he and Legolas slew many [[orcs]], Gimli listened in silence as his only remaining comrades, [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] and Legolas, sang a lament for Boromir in the character of three of the Winds. Only the East Wind was left, and Gimli would not sing it, which Aragorn declared to be appropriate.

For most of the chase he served as a commentator, usually leaving the decisions to Aragorn. His reaction was quite hostile to the suspicious [[Rohirrim]], especially after [[Éomer]]’s rash comments about Galadriel. Little did either know that they would become close friends in the times to come as fiery words passed between them. After the [[Three Hunters]] were lent horses, Gimli and Éomer parted in peace, with promises to one another of reconciliation.

Of the Three Hunters, Gimli seemed the most shaken by [[Fangorn]] while they searched for traces of [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]]. Gimli felt no reluctance to shoot the “unarmed” old man whom they thought was [[Saruman]], unlike Aragorn and Legolas. After Gandalf was revealed to them, Gimli fell to his knees. Gandalf put his hand on Gimli’s head, and the dwarf laughed for the first time recorded during the [[Quest of the Ring]].

Gimli’s ire was raised again in King [[Théoden]]’s courts against [[Wormtongue]], who spoke slanderously of the Lady of the Golden Wood. Gandalf quickly calmed him. Gimli was delighted by the [[White Mountains]] and [[Helm’s Deep]], declaring “This country has tough bones”. He declared that if he had a hundred of his kin he could make the fortress invincible.

===War of the Ring===

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves of Aglarond.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''The Glittering Caves of Aglarond'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], Gimli saved Éomer’s life outside the gates. He came in, boasting of his first two orc-kills to his friend Legolas. Legolas estimated his slaughter to amount to twenty, starting the good-hearted orc-killing game that continued through the rest of the battle. Gimli was the first to the culvert when the orcs crept through, leaping heroically into their midst from the walls. He then proceeded to lead the blocking up of the culvert. During the course of the battle Gimli was one of those forced into the [[Glittering Caves]]. He was astonished to see the magnificence of these caverns, moving even Legolas with his glowing description of them. This one sight would change his life.

His final kill score number was forty-two in that battle, surpassing his friend the elf by one. Gimli shows a hint of humor and affection when he greets the two [[Hobbits]] Merry and Pippin comfortably situated among [[flotsam]] and [[jetsam]] in the ruin of [[Isengard]]. He declared himself deep in Pippin’s debt when the hobbit lent him his spare pipe.

As the fellowship of friends again began to break up – Gandalf and Pippin heading for [[Minas Tirith]], [[Théoden]] and his riders for [[Dunharrow]] – Gimli out of love and respect for Aragorn went with him, Legolas, the sons of Elrond, and the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers]] on the [[Paths of the Dead]]. He showed great reluctance before the [[Dark Door]], the final thought that drove him downward was the thought of being bested by an Elf underground.

[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - March.jpg|thumb|right|200px|By [[Luca Michelucci]]]]He participated in the epic [[Battle of Pelennor Fields]], returning with Aragorn and his other companions on the [[Black Ships]], and later recounted their journey to the fascinated Hobbits. He began to fear for Legolas, who seemed entranced by the Sea. His position on Elves completely changed, he remarked "If all the fair folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those who are doomed to stay". He was much more skeptical as to the overall end of [[Men]] than his comrade.

Gimli fought in the [[Battle of the Morannon]], passing through unscathed, and finding the alive but bruised Pippin among the dead lying on the hill. He returned to the [[Field of Cormallen]] to be reunited to his friends, and there displayed open affection for all of them, even his frequent rival Pippin ("If only because of the pains you have cost me, which I shall never forget").

===After the War of the Ring===

After the coronation of Aragorn, Gimli said farewell to his old friend Éomer, who begged for pardon as to his words on Galadriel, though he slyly added that he didn’t think she was the fairest in the world: adding that [[Arwen]] was only when Gimli began to threaten him. Gimli was content with that.

During the return journey he visited many places with Legolas, including Fangorn Forest and [[Aglarond]]. Eventually he returned to Erebor, to find it nearly devastated by war. [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] had died, and [[Thorin III Stonehelm]] was now King. Eventually, though, he returned to the Glittering Caves with a contingent of dwarves, becoming the “Lord of the Glittering Caves”. He rebuilt the gates of Minas Tirith with [[mithril]] and steel, and in both [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]] accomplished great works. In Aglarond, it is assumed, he lived on until he was old, and in [[FoA 120]] it is believed that he sailed with Legolas his friend across [[Belegaer]] to [[Valinor]]. There he presumably died in peace.

==Character==

Gimli throughout ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' showed perhaps the greatest open contempt for Sauron and his minions, save for perhaps [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]]. He was a grim character, for the most part, laughing only occasionally and, though in a few rare situations inspiring amusement, never joking. Due to his comments especially in the chapter ''[[The Ring goes South]]'', he may be called more superstitious than the others, acting very much as if Caradhras was an actual living being.

Gimli also carries the characteristic of smoldering vengeance against enemies found in many dwarves, such as when speaking of Moria. It may be that Gimli’s strongest show of sentiment was when speaking of Balin and Moria. He also is shown to have a steadfast nature to match, noticeable, for instance, when he plunges heedlessly across a stagnant creek in his eagerness to get to Moria. He also seems to have a love (or an interest, at least) in food, complementing the [[lembas]] of the Elves most highly.

==Portrayal in Adaptations==

Gimli was portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] as almost as tall as Legolas and Aragorn. He was voiced by [[David Buck]].

[[Image:Gimli son of Gloin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gimli as portrayed by [[John Rhys-Davies]]]]In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], he was played by [[John Rhys-Davies]], who also provided the voice for [[Treebeard]]. His character has been criticized by Tolkien fans because he acted as the Comedian for ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', whereas in the books he was a solid, serious character.

==See Also==
* [[:Category:Images of Gimli|Images of Gimli Elf-friend]]
{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=unknown
|list=[[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]<br><code>IV</code> ?? – 120
}}
{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]

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Gimli