Ok so I always hated the way Thranduil acts towards Legolas, and seeing that Gandalf knew him and cared about him just melted my heart and I thought how cute it would be for Gandalf to have been like a father to him at some point. So I wrote this.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT BOOK BASED! I APPARENTLY PISSED SOME PPL OFF WITH THE THING ABT THRANDUIL BUT I IN NO WAY TAKE IT FOR CANON ITS ONLY MY VIEW. yes I know Thranduil was merry or whatever in the books but PJ changed alot of things, like the fact that Legolas left Mirkwood. If ur offended then I'm sorry but just read something else I guess:) thank u

Also I hate how much sh*t everyone gives Legolas for 'looking like he didn't care' about Gandalf dying. Like, I don't wanna rant right now, but that's not at all how it looked. He looked confused like he didn't quite understand what had happened, which I give my reasons for in a bit. In fact when he was talking to Galadriel in the EE he sounded extremely caring and sad about it.

One more thing:

Hannon Le- Thank You

Ion na óre- Son at Heart

Adar na óre- Father at Heart

Ion nín- My son

The last time Gandalf the Grey saw Legolas Greenleaf for sixty years was after the Battle of the Five Armies. He had seen how lightly he was treated by Thranduil, as if he were no more than an extra soldier, and the anger had almost overwhelmed him. But he had kept it in check, choosing instead to counsel the old elf who he had once been close in friendship with.

'Those gems were not all your wife left you my friend. She left you a son. Tell me, which would she have you value more?'

The king looked pained, as if he had just been dealt a harsh blow, albeit a needed one. But more than that he looked regretful. Too many times had he brushed his son off when he had tried to talk to him, or ignored his feelings on certain matters, choosing instead to do what he thought best for his reputation. Always under the cover of the good of my kingdom.

And finally Legolas had broken. After Tauriel's rejection he could not handle it anymore, and bidding his father farewell he denied kinship and heirship of Thranduil Oropherion, going to seek out his own life in the wild, not knowing where he would end up or what he would do with his life, with which he had a long time to consider.

But he did not leave before seeking out one who he had always known to care, even if the occasions on which they met were rare.

"Gandalf." The voice was soft, coming from behind and startling the old man, but he turned with a smile.

"Legolas Greenleaf!" His eyes were kind, and it refreshed Legolas' heart to see someone who could look at him for just an elf. Not the son of the great King of the Woodland Realm, but a simple elf, with real troubles and real feelings. Desiring neither royalty nor regalty, only love and companionship.

"Why do you come?" Gandalf's voice broke into his thoughts, and he realized he was staring and, to his horror, he felt tears building up in his eyes. Quickly averting his gaze, he looked down at the ground and cleared his throat.

"I- I only come to-" He looked back up at Gandalf, his eyes so kindly and his smile so fond.

"To say goodbye." His eyes returned to the ground, and he sniffed.

Gandalf placed his hand on the young elf's shoulder. "Yet we will meet again." He said matter-of-factly, moving his hand under Legolas' chin and tilting his head up. "We will meet again ion-na-óre."

Legolas nodded slightly, gazing into the old blue eyes, fond memories of being watched and cared for by him while his father still grieved for his dead wife and could no more care for Legolas than an orc could have at the time.

Legolas ran past the old man with a squeal at the thrill of almost being caught. Gandalf was leaning heavily on his staff and breathing hard.

"Thranduilion you young rascal! Come here at once!" The command was stern, but the underlying tone in his voice was fond. Legolas relented, ending the chase with some remorse. He was still too young to understand the grief his father was going through, but he wisely stayed away from him, knowing at least that having a rambunctious child nearby only months after the tragedy would not ease Thranduil's pain, but only increase it. He also knew that his father converted his grief into anger, and usually directed it at those close to him.

Gandalf had visited the Woodland Realm for his friend, but had instead found a distraught mess who was unable to give his son the proper attention and love he needed and deserved.

He had therefore taken it upon himself to at least attempt to care for him for some time, until he was called away on some other urgent errand.

"Now, you cannot be behaving like that Greenleaf, what would your father think?" Gandalf said as the small elf ran over to him. He was still laughing quietly.

"I do not know hir-nín. He does not speak to me." He said it so simply that Gandalf gasped a bit, shocked that the young child would accept this as a part of his life.

Putting his arm around him, he playfully shook him, masking his concern for the child's lack of parental attention and love.

"Well I think he would be displeased to know that his prince was trying to kill an old man on a wild chase." His eyes glinted fondly and Legolas laughed.

"I shall not try it again hir-nín Gandalf. But my adar does not tell me if I should do something or not, so I cannot know till I try it."

"You should most certainly not try to kill an old man, which I am sure you knew already, had your father told you or not!" He said with a worried laugh before becoming serious again. "But your father grieves, Legolas, and soon he will talk with you again. Until he comes back to you though, I shall be your adar-na-óre."

Legolas looked up at him with a smile full of love and admiration. "And I shall be your íon-na-óre."

Not many weeks later, Gandalf was needed elsewhere, and he left a tearful Legolas behind, with promises to return, and that when he did, he would not need him as much because Thranduil would be there for him.

As the Watchful-Peace became ever more watchful than peaceful though, his visits decreased steadily, and Thranduil, though not totally ignorant of his son, was ignorant of his needs.

Legolas' once joyful and talkative spirit rapidly transitioned into a depressed and quiet elf, channeling all of his anger and sadness through his weapons training. Seeing Gandalf was a rarity, and their closeness was never as it once was.

Looking away from Gandalf once more, a tear slid down Legolas' cheek. "Hannon le, adar-na-óre"

Gandalf nodded and removed his hand. "Goodbye Legolas Greenleaf. May we see each other soon, and may the Valar protect you wherever your path leads. Always remember though, that your home is among the elves of Mirkwood."

As Legolas left, Gandalf sighed. He was burdened with sorrow, and it showed clearly through his face.

"May the Valar look after you." He said softly.

It was not until the day before the Council of Elrond that Gandalf saw Legolas again. As he gazed at him from far away, watching him talk with Aragorn, his heart lightened.

So he has found someone. He thought with a smile. While the sorrow of his father had never left him, he looked considerably happier. Less burdened, and more carefree.

As he should..

It was then that Legolas spied Gandalf, and he stopped talking, staring at him with equal parts shock and joy.

Nodding as Legolas walked slowly towards him, he soon found himself wrapped in a hug. "Adar-na-óre." he said, the tears brimming in his eyes.

"Yes, it is I íon-nín." He replied with a chuckle, tears pulling at the edges of his own eyes.

Aragorn looked on in wonder, having never known that the two were even acquainted.

As Legolas pulled away with the slightest of smiles on his face, Gandalf clasped his arm gently. "Did I not say we would meet again?"

Legolas nodded, not sure of what to say. At that moment, the two heard a voice from the balcony above.

"Mithrandir, the Lord Elrond wishes you to come and speak with him."

Gandalf shook his head a bit annoyedly and sighed exasperatedly. "You may tell him I shall be there in one moment, Lindír."

With a last smile at Legolas, he turned and walked away. Aragorn came and stood beside Legolas.

"I did not know you two knew each other." He said, amused.

"He looked after me when I was a child." Legolas said as he turned towards the man. "When my father- could not."

Aragorn nodded, looking somewhat confused, and noted with shock the shimmer in his friend's blue eyes. Grasping his hand, he sighed. "You must tell me all about this later. But I believe that Ada wishes me to spend more time with the twins as I have been absent for so long."

Legolas wiped at his eyes and turned towards the roaring falls of Imladris. "Of course Aragorn, they are your brothers, and you have been gone much."

Kissing Legolas' hand, he turned and made his way towards the Halls.

Weeks later, Gandalf died. The confusion and pain overwhelmed Legolas. The last time he had seen anyone die was hundreds of years ago, and a distant mother, who he had barely known. Death was not a normal occurrence around him.

The others took it harshly, the concept of death obviously very real and recognized. As he gazed around at his sobbing companions, he wondered if that was what he was supposed to do. Aragorn was the only one who did not shed tears, though the pain was obvious. But he stayed strong for his friends. He was now their leader.

"Legolas, Boromir, get them up." Aragorn said only moments after they had stumbled out of Moria.

Walking over to the two youngest hobbits, Legolas extended his hand, which was ignored.

"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" He heard Boromir yell from behind him.

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Legolas, Boromir. Gimli, get them up."

Legolas stood by while the others helped each other up, not sure what to do. Merry was looking at him like he couldn't believe he was not weeping.

He thinks I am cruel.

But he felt it more than any of them, even if he did not quite understand it yet. Turning away, he looked to Aragorn for their next moves.

"He was taken by both shadow and flame." The memory of terror and fear made its way into his words. "A Balrog of Morgoth."

His voice was soft, but filled with an anger and sadness for all to hear. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

And it was then that Legolas understood, or thought he understood.

Gandalf was dead. And he would not be seen again. And in the dead of night, in the solitude of his tent he sat and wept quietly, mourning the loss of his dear friend and father-at-heart.

But little did he know...

Ok anyways thank you so much for reading:))) Reviews would be appreciated greatly. Hope you enjoyed! xoxo

Also I would love to know if anyone would like a story about when Legolas and Aragorn meet after BOFA. Bc if so then I will def try and write it. I have lots of fic ideas tho loll