He's one of the most famous dwarves of the Third Age. Known for his fighting, his ferocity, and most of all, his friendships. Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the life of Gimli. Gimli son of Gloin is born in 2879 TA
in the Blue Mountains west of the Shire. At this time, the dwarves have
lived in Thorin’s Halls for 77 years. Thorin, who takes over as king-in-exile in
2850, would rule throughout Gimli’s early life. In 2941, Gimli’s father Gloin would accompany
the king on the Quest of Erebor. As for Gimli, the 62-year old dwarf was considered too young
to join the company on this dangerous mission. Later that year, the Quest of Erebor is a success,
as the dwarves reclaim their home of Erebor with the death of Smaug. Sometime in the following
years, Gimli would travel east to live with his father in the Lonely Mountain. Now under
the rule of King Dain Ironfoot. In 2989, Gimli’s cousin Balin forms an expedition
to reclaim Moria. While Gimli once again remains at home, Balin is joined by many other
dwarves - including Ori, and Gilmi’s uncle Oin. Decades later, in 3017,
when Gimli is 138 years old, a messenger of Sauron comes to speak with King
Dain. This messenger, likely one of the Nazgul, comes to ask about Bilbo Baggins and the
Ring of Power, promising great reward in return - including the deliverance of the realm of
Moria. Dain sends the messenger off with no answer and decides to send messengers to Rivendell.
Gloin and Gimli embark on the journey, seeking the counsel of Elrond, and also to warn
Bilbo of the dangerous forces searching for him. They likely make their way via the High Pass, as
Gloin mentions the Beorning have kept the passage from Dale to Rivendell possible through their
valiant deeds against the forces of darkness. As chance would have it, the
dwarves arrive in Rivendell in time to take part in the council of Elrond,
where they relay the story of the messenger. As Gimli is the only young, fighting-age dwarf
at the council, he is selected to represent his race in the Fellowship of the Ring. The
Fellowship departs Rivendell on Dec 25, 3018, making their way along the western
side of the Misty Mountains. Along the way, Gimli shows the group his knowledge of the
mountain range, declaring he doesn’t need a map and proceeds to name each of the Mountains
individually by their Khuzdul (or dwarvish) names. After the failed attempt to cross Caradhras,
Gimli sides with Gandalf regarding whether the Fellowship should pass through Moria. He is no
doubt curious to learn what happened to Balin, as the dwarves of Erebor had not heard
from the colony in Moria in years. As the group comes to the Doors of Durin, Gimli
and Legolas get into an argument over whether it was the fault of the dwarves or the elves that
the friendship between the two races deteriorated. Gimli truly has a time to shine as the group
journeys the long dark of Moria. He walks at the front of the group with Gandalf, counseling
the wizard when their path is uncertain. Finally, on Jan 15, Gimli discovers the tragic
fate of his cousin Balin. The Fellowship comes to the Chamber of Mazarbul,
where they discover Balin's Tomb. Gimli fights fiercely in
the battle in the chamber, defending his cousin’s resting place from
being defiled by the orcs of Moria. Later, we see the most open expression of despair we
will ever see from Gimli. As the mysterious enemy is revealed to be a balrog, Gimli drops his
axe and puts his face in his hands - knowing this is surely Durin’s bane which had brought
an end to the once great dwarf kingdom. As Gandalf stays behind to face-off with the
balrog, Gimli once again takes the lead position, guiding the Fellowship over the Bridge of
Khazad-dum to safety. After Gandalf falls and the group makes their way out of the
mountain, they come near the Kheled-zaram (the Mirrormere). Gimli takes Frodo to this lake,
which is of great significance to the dwarves. According to legend, after the very
first dwarves awoke at Mount Gundabad, Durin the First (or Durin the Deathless) made
his way south and came to this very lake. As he looked in the lake, he saw reflected in the
water a crown of stars above his head. The amazing thing about this, is that it was during the day,
when the stars should not have been visible. Taking this as a sign, Durin proceeded to
found Khazad-dum in those very mountains. As Gimli and Frodo peer into the lake,
they see the very stars of Durin’s crown. The group proceeds to the realm of Lorien,
where, as we discussed in my video on Legolas, Gimli is told he must wear a blindfold. The dwarf
stubbornly refuses and says he will only do so if Legolas would be made to wear one as well.
After Aragorn declares the entire group will be blindfolded, they make their way to Calas
Galadhon - the main city of Lorien. (Jan 17, 3019) As the fellowship is greeted by Galadriel and
Celeborn, the Lady of Lorien sympathises with Gimli even as her husband rebukes him. 'Alas!'
said Celeborn. 'We long have feared that under Caradhras a terror slept. But had I known that the
Dwarves had stirred up this evil in Moria again, l would have forbidden you to pass the northern
borders, you and all that went with you. And if it were possible, one would say that at the
last Gandalf fell from wisdom into folly, going needlessly into the net of Moria.'
'He would be rash indeed that said that thing,' said Galadriel gravely. 'Needless were
none of the deeds of Gandalf in life.' She goes on to say “Dark is the water of
Kheled-Zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-Nala, and fair were the many-pillared halls
of Khazad-dum in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone.” And the Dwarf,
hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him
that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding. Wonder
came into his face, and then he smiled in answer. He rose clumsily and bowed in dwarf-fashion,
saying: ‘Yet more fair is the living land of Lorien, and the Lady Galadriel is above
all the jewels that lie beneath the earth!” There is silence among the group. We
should keep in mind it has likely been thousands of years since kind words were
exchanged between elves and dwarves. Celeborn apologizes to Gimli for his harsh words. After a month’s respite in Lorien, the
group makes ready to set off once again. As Galadriel gives gifts to
the Fellowship, she asks Gimli what a dwarf would ask of her. He requests
a single strand of Galadriel’s hair. Galadriel asks Gimli what he would do with
such a gift, to which the dwarf responds ‘Treasure it, Lady,’ he answered, ‘in memory of
your words to me at our first meeting. And if ever I return to the smithies of my home, it shall be
set in imperishable crystal to be an heirloom of my house, and a pledge of good will between the
Mountain and the Wood until the end of days.’ Unbeknownst to Gimli, this is actually
a significant request. If you’ve seen my Galadriel video, you know that it was the great
elf craftsman Feanor who requested three times that Galadriel give him a strand of her hair.
Galadriel, perceiving a darkness within the elf, refused him all three times. To Gimli, who had
requested a single strand, she gifts three. She goes one to say that while the future is
uncertain, she foretells that if good should prevail Gimli’s hands shall flow with gold,
and yet over him gold shall have no dominion. On February 16, as the Fellowship leaves Lorien, Gimli openly weeps at the parting. Saying
that the light was even more dangerous that the darkness he had originally feared. By the
time the group leaves Lorien, Gimli and Legolas have become unlikely friends, in large part
due to Galadriel’s kindness toward the dwarf and his courtesy toward her. Gimli would
later be known as elf-friend, a rare title given by the elves to those providing special
assistance or alliance toward to their kind. After the fellowship is broken at Amon Hen,
Gimli helps Aragorn and Legolas lay Boromir to rest in the Anduin. They then follow
the trail of the Uruks through the western portion of the Emyn Muil. They track the
orcs northwest through the lands of Rohan. On February 30, they meet Eomer and his
eored, who are on their way back to Edoras after killing the group of Uruks.
The Rider looked at them with renewed wonder, but his eyes hardened. ‘Then there is a Lady in
the Golden Wood, as old tales tell!’ he said. ‘Few escape her nets, they say. These are strange
days! But if you have her favour, then you also are net-weavers and sorcerers, maybe.’ He turned a
cold glance suddenly upon Legolas and Gimli. ‘Why do you not speak, silent ones?’ he demanded.
Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his
axe, and his dark eyes flashed. ‘Give me your name, horse-master, and I will
give you mind, and more besides,’ he said. ‘As for that,’ said the Rider, staring down at the
Dwarf, ‘the stranger should declare himself first. Yet I am named Éomer son of Éomund, and am
called the Third Marshal of Riddermark.’ ‘Then Éomer son of Éomund, Third Marshal of the
Riddermark, let Gimli the Dwarf Glóin’s son warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that
which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.’
Éomer’s eyes blazed, and the men of Rohan murmured angrily, and closed in, advancing
their spears. ‘I would cut off your head, beard and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood but
a little higher from the ground,’ said Éomer. ‘He stands not alone,’ said Legolas,
bending his bow and fitting an arrow with hands that moved quicker than sight.
‘You would die before your stroke fell.’ Luckily, Aragorn intervenes and helps all to
realize they should be allies, not enemies. Eomer gives them two horses and they proceed
to Fangorn to search for the missing hobbits. There, they would meet Gandalf,
who they believe to be Saruman. As with Legolas and Aragorn, Gimli
receives a message from Galadriel when Gandalf reveals himself - “To Gimli, son
of Gloin, give his Lady’s greeting. Lock-bearer, where thou goest my thought goes with thee. But
have a care to lay thine axe to the right tree.” Gimli is heartened by this message, singing
loudly in dwarf-tongue. “Come, come! He shouted, swinging his axe. “Since Gandalf’s head is now
sacred, let us find one that is right to cleave!” Later, when the group is in Edoras, Wormtongue
speaks ill of the Lady of the Golden Wood, once again pushing Gimli into a rage,
though he is quickly calmed by Gandalf. After Theoden is healed, Gimli would accompany
the group to Helm’s Deep, where during the ensuing battle he would save Eomer’s
life outside the gates and begin a contest with Legolas to see who would
reach a higher count of enemies slain. When the wall is breached, Gimli is the first
to come to the culvert, leaping off the wall and into the midst of the orcs of Isengard. As
the battle progresses, Gimli is among a group that is forced back into the Glittering Caves
behind the fortress. Overwhelmed by the beauty and magnificence of these caves, he makes a pact
after the battle with Legolas. Should they survive the battles to come, Legolas will accompany Gimli
to the Glittering Caves and Gimli will accompany Legolas to Fangorn Forest. Gimli also bests
his friend in their final tally - 42 to 41. As the victorious party rides to parlay with Saruman, Gimli is among those unmoved by the
magic of the voice of Saruman. While many of the Rohirrim are moved by his words, Gimli is
not - saying Saruman’s words cannot be trusted and that what Saruman calls help would truly
mean ruin. Saruman is angered enough by Gimli’s words that he loses his composure
for a moment, breaking his fair visage. After this parlay, Gimli accompanies Aragorn,
Legolas, and the Grey Company to the Paths of the Dead. As they come to the Gate of the Dead, or
the Dark Door, Gimli is very reluctant to proceed. However, the thought of a dwarf being bested
by an elf underground drives him to proceed. Gimli travels with Aragorn and the Army of
the Dead as they commandeer the ships from the Corsairs. As we learned in my video on
Legolas, it is here at Pelargir where Legolas hears the sound of gulls, leading his heart
to no longer belong to the woods, but the sea. It is stated that Gilmi fears for his friend,
stating “If all the fair folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those who
are doomed to stay.” He knows now that whether by battle or the call of the sea,
he will have to say goodbye to his friend. Making their way up the river, the group
comes to the Battle of Pelennor Fields, where Gimli would once again put his axe to use. After their victory, Aragorn assembles his
forces and they march to the Black Gate. Gimli fights alongside his friends in the
Battle of the Morannon and after the ring is destroyed and the day won, he is the one
to find Pippin, who is lay bruised but alive among a hill of the dead. Gimli joyfully meets
Sam, Frodo, and Pippin at the Field of Cormallen Like Legolas and the hobbits, Gimli stays in
Gondor for the coronation of King Elessar. Eomer, who Gimli had earlier pledged to fight if he
did not concede that Galadriel was the fairest in all the world, begs the dwarf’s pardon
for his earlier words. Though, he confesses that he cannot call Galadriel the fairest, as
he believes Queen Arwen to be the most fair. Gimli is content with this, and he
and Eomer remain friends ever after. As the group travels north, they stop at Edoras
for King Theoden’s funeral, then come to Helm’s Deep, where Legolas views the Glittering
Caves. The group then comes to Isengard, where the Fellowship would come to its end.
Gandalf and the hobbits ride north to Rivendell, Aragorn returns to his kingdom, and Gimli
accompanies Legolas to the forest of Fangorn. Eventually, Gimli returns to his home of
Erebor, which has been deeply affected by the northern war, in which Easterlings
had marched on Dale and the Lonely Mountain in the service of Sauron. While the
men and dwarves were victorious, King Dain Ironfoot had perished in the fight.
Thorin III Stonehelm is now King Under the Mountain. His father Gloin, however, is still
alive and well, no doubt learning of his son’s great deeds in the war of the ring. Gloin
would die in the year 15 of the Fourth Age. We don’t know when, but at some
point in the early Fourth Age, possibly after his father’s death, Gimli
leads a group of dwarves back to the south. They settle at the Glittering Caves,
which are also known by the name Aglarond or “Caves of Glory”. Gimli now leads
his people as the Lord of the Glittering Caves. In the year 20 FoA, Legolas and his group of
elves settle in Ithilien. Together, the elves of Ithilien and the dwarves of Aglarond help
rebuild the great city of Minas Tirith - Gimli’s people remaking the great gate using Mithril
and Steel. During this time in Minas Tirith, Gimli is reunited with Merry and Pippin - as the
hobbits were visiting the King. At this time, Gilmi tells the hobbits the history of his
people and lays out the genealogy of the Dwarves of Erebor. We can read these works, as they are
located in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings. Gimli spends his remaining days in Middle-earth
ruling the realm of Aglarond and while great riches would flow from his realm, these treasures
would have no sway over him. Above all others, he treasured only the locket containing the
3 strands of Galadriel’s hair. With Aragorn’s passing in 120 FoA, the time has come and Legolas
is called by the sea to sail west to Valinor. However, despite his fear from years before,
Gimli would not have to face a Middle-earth without the fair folk or his greatest
friend. For Legolas would bring Gimli, now 262 years old, with him on the voyage West.
There, Gimli, like Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam before him - would live out the remainder of
his mortal days in the Blessed Realm with his friend Legolas, and very likely
seeing the Lady Galadriel once again.
You do a really awesome job at narrating the story and the pronunciations of all the incredible languages of J.R.R. Tolkien is a pleasure.
I’ve got to ask, at 8:07 is a picture of Gimli getting the three strands of hair from collegial with an almost animated type of artwork, that artwork was posted on the sub Reddit in the last 30 days… Did you get permission to use that artwork?