The eyes in the tree shone a great light as they gazed down at the figure.

"Why don't you come down now?"

A shake of the head was the silent reply.

"Why ever not, child?"

"I want my Ada." Came the whispered reply.

Mandos smiled at the elf child in the tree. It was sorrowful that one so young should have encountered death, that those that remained would have to grieve so soon, but at the same time Mandos welcomed the change of pace from warriors and unfortunate travelers.

"I know this all must be very scary." Mandos soothed to the child. "Please come down and we'll see about finding your father."

Legolas blinked in confusion. Hadn't his father said he was to come alone? His father had been very sad, wouldn't he come to find him if it was at all possible?

"Don't be upset, child. It seems that fate has made some poor decisions while my back was turned and I shall see about correcting them right away. Please come down."

Slowly, the elf child saw that this stranger meant to him no harm and began to descend from his tree.

Legolas extended his hand to the Valar and when they touched all in the child's vision turned to the brightest white light.

*****

Thranduil waited in the hall, wavering slightly as he watched Gandalf lean into the room to pull the door closed. There was a silence so thick that the King thought he had lost his hearing. Then a voice, quiet and loud together, came to them before the door was closed.

"Do not turn away from the child. Return now to his side and listen to my words." The words cut through the air like a knife.

There was not much in the lands that could shock a Wizard, but Gandalf had no reply to the call and only looked to Thranduil. The elf could only think of the meaning behind those words and not their source. He flew through the door in a flurry of long robes and rushed once more to Legolas' side, but his child still slept in the peaceful arms of death.

"What kind of game is this? Who is tormenting me!?" His limit had been reached and soon madness would set in if answers were not forthcoming.

"Do not panic, my child, I am here." The elf and wizard looked to the corner of Legolas' room and saw a form, but not a form like any they had ever seen before. This was an entity to be sure, but one made only of light. No substance could be seen except for a vague form that could be considered an elf.

"Who are you?" Gandalf asked.

"I am the doorman of the realm of the dead and forgive me for ignoring my duties."

"Lord Mandos?" Thranduil whispered in a voice of disbelief.

The form slowly glided and moved closer. "I have been called Mandos by some. One of the Valar instructed to care for those who are slain."

"You are caring for my son?"

The being laughed softly, "Ah, if only I could. Elven King I have met your son and such a pleasure he is. Alas, I cannot keep him yet."

Hope sprung into the elf; hope against that which is unstoppable, hope against death itself.

"What do you mean?"

"Your son died too soon. He is yet needed in Middle Earth for a great while to come. He must be returned to you in order to fulfill his destiny and the fate of all the lands."

Thranduil looked to Legolas' body, gray and cold upon the bed. "He has been lying here for so long, how can he just come back now?"

"It will be traumatic to say the least." Mandos came even closer to Legolas' father, but not close enough for any physical contact. "His body and soul will be in turmoil and confusion. His spirit will be upset by the images he will carry with him from my halls. Those I cannot erase, but will fade in time. He is yet young, but he will cry when I wake him. Hold him close to your heart always."

As quickly as the light had come, it was gone and Thranduil and Gandalf needed a moment for their eyes to adjust to the darkness. They were shaken from their trance by a small movement on the bed.

A gasp of air echoed loudly in the room followed by panicked coughing. Suddenly, Legolas began to cry loudly.

"Legolas!" Thranduil exclaimed the Wizard in the room rushing forward, "Oh my son! I thought I had lost you forever!" He held his son tight feeling his breathing, his movements; the life within him once more.

"He's in pain." Gandalf whispered when he watched Legolas wiggle and cry. When he touched the child, he found out why. "His body is unbelievable cold. We must warm him." His friend ran to feed the fire. "Little One," Gandalf cooed, "do not cry, you're safe with us."

Legolas' tears did not slow for quite some time. When they did he looked to his Ada with cloudy, confused eyes.

"There was a tree." Legolas whispered.

~Fin