Bear in mind what Galadriel said when Gimli asked her:
Quote:
For none have ever made to me a request so bold and yet so
courteous.
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In other words, his request was as bold as Feanor's, but he asked more nicely...
But seriously, I think it was much more than that. The significance of the request was certainly not lost on those present:
Quote:
The Elves stirred and murmured with astonishment, and Celeborn gazed
at the Dwarf in wonder,
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Galadriel knows it is time to end the ages-long feud between elves and dwarves. Her kindness and understanding of Gimli, and his rather touching devotion to her, is the first proper elf-dwarf exchange of warm feeling, and helps facilitate the subsequent friendship with Legolas. By her actions, Galadriel has strenghtened the bonds of the Fellowship which she has seen is in danger of foundering - and thus helped in the defeat of Sauron.