Gimli - Lord of the Rings

Gimli son of Glóin accompanies his father to the Council of Elrond and is charged by him to be one of the Nine in the Fellowship, representing the Dwarven race. The plan was to travel quickly and lightly burdened, avoiding Sauron's eye, but "Gimli the dwarf alone wore openly a shirt of steel-rings, for dwaves make light of burdens; and in his belt was a broad-bladed axe."

From the natural mistrust between Elves and Dwarfs, there arose between Gimli and Legolas an abiding friendship, that would last beyond the bounds of time. Throughout their journey they discovered hidden strengths and weaknesses one within the other, and made vows to travel together once the threat of Mordor had passed - Legolas sharing the beauty of the woods and the sunlight, and Gimli sharing the Dwarf-crafted and natural wonders of the hidden worlds beneath the mountains.

When the Fellowship rests for a time in Loth Lórien, Gimli falls under the spell of Galadriel, and as a parting gift she presents him with strands of her hair - a precious treasure he will carry always. When asked what he would do with such a gift, Gimli responds "Treasure it, Lady, 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."

Then Galadriel blesses Gimli with the words "But if hope should not fail [referring to the perilous times ahead], then I say to you, Gimli son of Glóin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion." - from The Fellowship of the Ring.

Tolkien shares with us in Appendix A to The Lord of the Rings Gimli's fate following the War:

"Gimli Glóin's son is renowned, for he was one of the Nine Walkers that set out with the Ring; and he remained in the company of King Elessar [Aragorn] throughout the War. He was named Elf-friend because of the great love that grew between him and Legolas, son of King Thranduil, and because of his reverence for the Lady Galadriel.

"After the fall of Sauron, Gimli brought south a part of the Dwarf-folk of Erebor, and he became Lord of the Glittering Caves. He and his people did great works in Gondor and Rohan. For Minas Tirith they forged gates of mithril and steel to replace those broken by the Witch-king."

"We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Glóin's son with him [over the Sea] because of their great friendship, greater than any that has been between Elf and Dwarf. If this is true, then it is strange indeed: that a Dwarf should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any love, or that the Eldar should receive him, or that the Lords of the West should permit it. But it is said that Gimli went also out of desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel; and it may be that she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for him."

Gimli and Legolas were the last of the Fellowship to depart Middle-earth - the others having already taken ship or died.