Gimli was born in the
Ered Luin in the
Third Age, son of
Glóin. Gimli had wanted to accompany his father on the quest to reclaim
Erebor, but at age 62 he was deemed too young. He was a remote descendant of
Durin the Deathless, chief of the Seven
Fathers of the Dwarves and ancestor of the
Longbeards. Gimli was of the royal line, but not close to the succession; he was the third cousin once removed of
Dáin II Ironfoot. Gimli is first seen with Glóin at the
Council of Elrond; they tell the Council that the Dark Lord
Sauron is searching for Bilbo, and ask
Elrond's advice. They learn that
Frodo Baggins is now the bearer of the
One Ring. The Council decides to destroy it by casting it into
Mount Doom. Frodo volunteers for the task; Gimli is
among those chosen to help him. There is friction between Gimli and the
elf Legolas as their races bear an old grudge against each other. When the company is forced to enter the ancient underground Dwarf-realm, the Mines of Moria, Gimli is at first enthusiastic, hoping to find Balin there.
Aragorn leads the company to
Lothlórien, populated by Elves hostile to Dwarves. Gimli refuses to be blindfolded, risking a conflict, so Aragorn has the entire Fellowship blindfolded. Gimli's opinion of Elves changes when he meets
Galadriel, co-ruler of Lothlórien: her beauty, kindness, and understanding impress him so much that, when given the opportunity to ask for whatever he wishes, he responds that being able to see her and hear her gentle words is gift enough. When pressed, he admits that he desires a single strand of her golden hair, to be an heirloom of his house, but that he could not ask for such a gift. Galadriel is so moved by his bold yet courteous request that she gives him not one, but three of her hairs. Gimli's gesture of respect and humility towards Galadriel changes Legolas' opinion of him, and they become firm friends. At
Amon Hen, the company is divided, and Gimli joins Legolas and Aragorn in pursuing
Merry and
Pippin who have been captured by Orcs. After running many miles in a few days to the land of
Rohan, they meet
Éomer, nephew of Rohan's King
Théoden, with a troop of cavalry, which has killed all the Orcs. When Éomer speaks badly of the name Galadriel, Gimli responds harshly, but Aragorn prevents a fight. Gandalf leads them to Rohan's capital,
Edoras, where he rouses Théoden to war against
Saruman. Gimli proves his valour in combat in the
Battle of Helm's Deep. He and Legolas engage in an Orc-slaying contest (Gimli wins by one; he kills 42 to Legolas's 41). Gimli saves Éomer's life by killing two orcs and driving off two others. Later, Gimli's vivid description of the
Glittering Caves of Aglarond moves Legolas to promise to visit the caves when the
War is over; and eventually they make the visit together. After the battle, Gimli witnesses Gandalf casting Saruman out of the Order of Wizards; he sees through Saruman's lies with the words "This wizard's words stand on their heads". Gimli accompanies Aragorn on the
Paths of the Dead, and the battles at
Pelargir and the
Pelennor Fields. He takes part in the final battle against Sauron, the
Battle of the Morannon in front of the
Black Gate. There he recognizes Pippin Took's feet underneath a fallen troll, saving his life. After the destruction of the Ring, Gimli leads many Dwarves south to
Aglarond, becoming the first Lord of the Glittering Caves. They build "great works" in Rohan and Gondor, and replace the ruined gate of Minas Tirith with one made of
mithril and steel. After Aragorn's death, Gimli (then 262 years old) sails with Legolas into the West, becoming the first Dwarf in the
Undying Lands. == Family tree ==