Gandalf the Gray stood before them, his once wild tangle of gray hair smooth and white. His long gray robes were clean, and his face carried its usual sense of knowledge and calmness. He embraced Aragorn, switching his wooden staff to his right hand.
Gimli blubbered something that sounded like joy through his tears, but Legolas didn't move, he was standing as if in a spell, staring at the black cloak that covered Savina's body.
Gandalf saw this all from under his bushy eyebrows, his eyes rested on the body beneath the cloak, "what goes on here?" he asked quietly.
Aragorn sighed heavily and bowed his head, "a companion, a young elfmaid, Savina Septulinar, was slain by Goblins."
Gandalf studied the Ranger thoughtfully, he had known Aragorn a great many years and saw that this wound went deep in the man's heart. "How long has she been gone?" he asked, striding over to the body and yanking off the cloak.
The Ranger glanced at the Dwarf uncertainly, "five minutes, no more." He stared at the wizard, "what are you doing?"
"In my recent," the wizard grimaced, "studies I have learned that death is not the end-"
Legolas drew his sword and stood over Savina's body, "necromancy!" he hissed, "I'll won't let you touch her!"
Gandalf gave Legolas a severe look, "how dare you suggest that I would even consider that," Legolas shrank away, Gandalf continued, "there is a short time, after death, when the person is not really dead, but in limbo. There is a door to real death, and a Darkangel to take you through the door, if," the wizard rested his hand on Savina's forehead, "if she has not gone through the door, we can bring her back."
Legolas snorted, his grief blinding him to the words of his old friend.
Gandalf shot him a look, then continued, "I can open a door to limbo, but it will cost me all my strength. I came here to join you on your quest to rescue Merry and Pippin, if I cast this spell and open this door, I will not be able to continue." He scratched his beard, "when I open the door, I need someone to go into limbo and get her…" his eyes looked past Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli, who stepped foreword at once, "someone who is pure of heart and loved this girl while she was alive," his eye rested on the little Kender.
Tas' tear streaked face widened in surprise, "me?"
"If you would be so kind, Master Burrfoot," Gandalf rose to his feet and held his staff ready.
Tas didn't even hesitate, "of course!"
Gandalf nodded and smiled, a weak, tired smile, then turned back to the companions, "there's no guarantee this will work, if she has already gone through the door she is gone forever."
Silence.
"When the door appears, Little Kender, open it and go through it, find Savina quickly and bring her back through the door," Gandalf said words that sounded like lightening and waves against rocks and a stone door appeared before him.
Tas yanked the door open, a strange, bright light shone from inside, and flung himself inside.