"You have a most amazing habit of turning up in times of need," said Thranduil. "And now I think we need you more than ever before."

"Do any of you wish to take the Elfling, or shall we leave him dangling in the air? Not that I mind, of course," said Gandalf pleasantly. "I am quite content either way."

"Oh, I'll take him," said Airëlus, stepping forward to relieve the Istar of the squirming bundle. "Mithrandir, might I ask what you are doing here?"

"Of course you may," replied Gandalf. "I was actually passing through Laketown, and news reached my ears of the happenings in your Realm. When I heard, I left straight away, naturally."

"You heard," said Calaen quietly.

Gandalf nodded, and sat down in a chair at the side of the room. "Yes. Yes, I heard."

"Heard what?" asked Legolas.

Thranduil shook his head violently at the bemused Wizard. "Nothing, Greenleaf. Are you still hungry? Of course you are. Go down to the kitchens and see if the cooks have anything for you. Go on."

For the second time in only ten minutes, Legolas skipped from the room. Gandalf watched him leave, then turned penetrating eyes upon Thranduil. The Elven-king held the gaze for a moment before looking away, wondering vaguely at the fact that he was always made to feel like a mere child in the Wizard's presence.

"He does not know," said Gandalf quietly.

"No," was the even quieter response.

Gandalf was silent for a brief moment as he flicked his eyes across to Calaen and Airëlus. "I don't suppose you two could go and supervise your brother, could you? A kitchen is no place for a hungry Elfling."

"But-

"No, of course we will," said Airëlus, glancing sideways at Calaen.

Gandalf waited for a moment until the Princes had left, then went forwards and put a hand on Thranduil's shoulder. "It is very soon after your wife passed on, and I am sure that you are hurting, but...why does Legolas not know?"

"He witnessed her death," Thranduil sighed, "yet he acts as though nothing has happened. I expected him to be at least a little affected by what he saw, but he is not. He carries on as though everything is the same."

"It is not un-common for this to happen. Whenever a tragedy occurs, many forget it because they cannot bear to think of it," said Gandalf. "Yes, he saw what happened, and it remains at the very back of his mind, where it has been pushed by natural instincts. It is his way of protecting himself from the truth. But you must bring this knowledge forward. He cannot do it."

Thranduil nodded slowly, and his eyes were sad. "I know. We were going to go to the Houses of Mourning later. I was going to tell him whilst there."

"Is that a good idea?"

"Do you really think he would believe me at this stage?"

Gandalf was silent for a moment, but nodded eventually. "Maybe you make a fair point. He will not take the news well, Thranduil. You must help him as much as possible."

"What else would I do?"

"I mean, you must help him by making sure that you keep your temper in check, no matter how hard things get. It is not rare for you to lose it on occasions," said Gandalf sternly. "He will need as much love as you can give him."

"He will get it," said Thranduil quietly.

Gandalf nodded in satisfaction. "Good. And what of your other two?"

"Airëlus seems to have taken it upon himself to make sure that everyone else is well. It seems to serve as a distraction from the grief, but I fear he may neglect his own feelings," Thranduil sighed. "Calaen shed many tears last night, but he found comfort in Airëlus. The small age difference is good, as each know what the other feels."

"So long as you all hold together as a family, you will get through this," said Gandalf. "However, I will be staying for a while to help you, also."

............................................................................................................

That afternoon, the Royal Family of Mirkwood had changed into robes for a more sombre occasion. That is, all except Legolas, who wore his usual attire. Thranduil had asked him to wear something more suitable, but the Prince had only kicked up a fuss when no explanation had been given, so the matter had been left alone.

They now stood in the Houses of Mourning, waiting to go and look on Queen Findilan's body. They were all silent and waiting patiently – at least, as patiently as they could be, considering the circumstances – but Legolas was restless, claiming there was 'nothing to do' except blow out all the candles.

But then, Thranduil suddenly went forwards and swept the Elfling into his arms. Calaen and Airëlus glanced at each other nervously. This was it. They were going into the room which held their mother's body.

Thranduil's POV

There she is: my wife; the mother of my children; the one I am bound to; the one I gave my heart to. She still has it, even though she is no longer with me. She has always been beautiful, but how can I describe her now? Radiant? Ethereal? Breathtaking? No, there are no words worthy.

There are tears in my eyes, but no-one notices them. I will not let them fall. At least, not in front of the children. If they think that I am strong, maybe it will help them. It is better for them not to see, especially Legolas.

Ah, Legolas. He wants to get down and see his mother. Should I let him? No, I want to keep him here and protect him from what he will soon find out. As usual, though, he takes matters into his own hands, and jumps from my arms, down to the ground.

The questions come first. Nana, did you pick many flowers? Nana? Nana, talk to me. Ada, why won't she talk to me? Have I done something to upset her? Now he sees that her eyes are closed. The tears come. They are not only from him.

Airëlus' POV

I have only shed tears once so far, and that was in the forest. Maybe I should, but I just want to try and be strong for Ada and Calaen. Legolas will also need me soon enough. Now that I am here, though, looking at her, I want to cry for her.

I wonder what's happening now. I can see Calaen going forwards to Legolas, and Legolas looks stricken. I have ceased listening to them, though. I cannot bear to hear what words pass between them all. My youngest brother is now beginning to understand everything, and I don't want to witness that.

I stare straight ahead. Maybe it is better this way. Maybe it is better if I remain oblivious to all that is going on.

Calaen's POV

This is all so wrong. We should not be standing here, in the Houses of Mourning, and it should not be Naneth lying here in front of us. Why did this even happen to us? No, I know the answer to that: Legolas.

No! No, I don't mean that. Of course I don't. I have heard stories of death occurring because of one single Elf, and blame being placed on him by others. But, do I blame Legolas? He is so innocent, but...it is because of his childish wants that out mother has died.

Valar, why am I thinking like this? Of course Legolas is not to blame. I go forwards now and lift him into my arms, maybe just to give myself something to do, something to distract myself from these thoughts. Damn those eyes, so naïve and confused. How can I blame him? No, I merely had a moment of despair.

I will not think this way again. I love Legolas. Never will I try and place the blame on him again. Never.

Legolas' POV

Everyone is behaving so strangely: Ada, Airëlus, Cal. If Nana was here, she wouldn't be strange, I know. This place is also strange. I don't like it. I can't see very much, but that may be because I am blowing all the candles on the wall out. Oh. Ada stops me and he picks me up. Maybe we are leaving now! Oh. No, we're not.

We're in another room now, and its even darker than the last one. I can't see anything except...Nana! We have come to see Nana! I knew it would not be long before she came back. She looks very nice. But she hasn't got any flowers.

Oh. She...she isn't talking to me. I ask Ada if I have done something to upset her, but he says no. I didn't think I had done anything wrong. Maybe she is just asleep, then. But why would she want to sleep in here? I wouldn't.

Cal picks me up now, and he makes me look down at Nana. Her eyes are shut! They should not be shut. I don't like this. I just want to go home, and I want Nana to be with me, with her eyes open. I want to understand.

............................................................................................................

Legolas turned away from his mother's body, and threw his arms around Calaen's neck. "Why?" he whispered, burying his face in the elder Prince's hair. "Why are her eyes...?"

Calaen reached up with one hand to swipe away the tears rolling down his own cheeks, and looked helplessly at Thranduil. "Ada, I can't..."

"I'll take him," said the King gently, moving back and pulling Legolas into his own arms. "I will let you two have a moment alone with your mother. If you need me, I will be outside."

Resting his hand briefly first of all on Calaen's shoulder, and then Airëlus', Thranduil smiled gently and went over to the door. He thought that Legolas would protest, wanting to stay close to Queen Findilan, but the small boy was silent. Thranduil sighed, and quietly closed the door behind him.

"Legolas, do you understand now?" he asked gently. "Speak to me, and tell me what thoughts are in your mind."

"Her eyes. Closed," was the murmured reply.

"Yes. Yes, they are closed. But, do you know why her eyes are closed?" asked Thranduil, reaching down and lifting Legolas' chin. "No, look at me, Greenleaf, not away. Do you know?"

"I thought Nana was asleep," whispered the Elfling.

Thranduil bit down hard on his lip and slowly shook his head, pulling his son closer to him. "No, she is not asleep. Nana is...Valar help me...Legolas, Nana is...dead."

The young Prince stared up into his father's glistening eyes in shock. "Ada, don't say that. Nana isn't dead. She can't be."

"I am so sorry," breathed Thranduil. "I would not say this if it was not true. Nana is dead. But know that she is at peace. She is so happy where she has gone, believe me."

"No," said Legolas quietly. "No. You're a liar, Ada."

"Please-

"Put me down," snapped the Elfling, and his silver eyes shimmered with tears. "Put me down, Ada. You're a liar and you're lying about Nana. She isn't dead, she isn't, and you're horrible for saying that about her!"

Thranduil had to blink back his own tears as he lowered his son to the ground. "Please, just stay still and listen to me. I am not...Legolas, stay where you are. Don't-!"

Too late. The Elfling had already pulled away and darted around the corner, golden hair flying behind him. Thranduil cursed and made to go after him, but the sound of someone...no, two someone's sobbing came from the other room, and he shook his head in frustration as turned on his heel and pushed open the door to go into them. Legolas would return to the palace. His other sons needed comfort now.

............................................................................................................

Jedi Gollum: Wow, that shop sounds pretty cool! There's a shop where I live, and you can get LOTR candle holders, and Elvish necklaces and rings and bracelets and stuff, and that's pretty cool. I have three necklaces, but I don't have enough money to get some of the other stuff. I'm so deprived!

kathysidle: Don't worry: the mean-ness is on its way!

Legolas-gurl88: Oh, it will be very interesting to see the Aradan and Calaen drawing! In fact, it will be interesting to see anything that you do, cos, I know I've said this before, but you are a great artist!

Rachel13: Poor you, starting school today. I start college next Wednesday, after having eleven whole weeks of nothing-ness, so that was pretty cool. But soon, I have to start with the work again. How horrible!

Kelsey: Yeah, Calaen finds out a bit later on about who he is, and the mean-ness is coming soon. It's not immediate mean-ness, but it is definitely there! And there'll also be Legolas and Airëlus interaction!

Elensar32: Poor you, getting lost! If its any consolation, I spent five years of my life at a private school, where the total number of students was 260. Next Wednesday, I start college, where the total number of people is over 1500. Very scared!

The only reason I wrote part of this chapter as POV's, was because I had actually already done that scene in 'Jealousy', as a flashback, and I didn't want to have it again. Oh, I need your help, all of you. At the moment, I'm writing the chapters where Calaen finds out (I think you all know what I'm talking about?), and although I've already planned how those chapters are gonna be, would you like to see a flashback with Findilan and her man? Any other flashbacks you'd like to see set around that time? I'd be interested to hear your opinions on it.

Misto

x-x

PS: You can all have cyber cookies, even if you didn't guess right. I'll be kind. But, Jedi Gollum? Don't expect it all the time. The mean Misto only stays away for a certain amount of time.