"No!"

The scream echoed through the corridors of Minas Tirith. Legolas was held back by his father, who had grabbed Legolas around the waist the moment the servant had mentioned King Elessars passing.

He had been in Gondor for a few weeks, following Aragorn's recovery. He had been old and sick, but everything looked fine one moment only for everything to crumble the next.

"No! Let me see him." Legolas said, weaker than intended.
"Please..."

Thranduil noticed all the looks from the people around them, but one stern look from the King of Mirkwood they all looked away. Eldarion bit his lip hard to fight tears, already losing the battle as they streamed down his red cheeks. (Aragorn and Arwén's son)

"He is not dead." Legolas said and blinked away the tears, trying to tell himself that.
"He is not dead..."

"Legolas..." Thranduil sighed and held his son tighter, a quiet way of promising he wouldn't leave.

He tried not to tell Legolas 'I told you so.' He needed to grief, and they would talk later. He wanted so badly to take his son's pain away, but was unable to.

Legolas bit his lip hard as he looked at the closed door in front of him. It was all that was between him, and his lover, dead and cold. The life had left him, which was very hard for Legolas to understand. He wasn't supposed to see or experience death, and the closest person he knew except his father had just died. Everything was cold.

"No..." He slowly shook his head as he broke away from his father to lean against the wall, slowly sliding down. He wrapped his arms around his knees, and no one had ever seen the elven prince so small, so fragile.

Thranduil hesitated before he sat down beside his son, laying a hand on his knee. Legolas looked at it, having a hard time through his tears, and a soft sob was heard from his throat.

"Legolas, I warned you." Thranduil said quietly until he realised it was the wrong thing to say.

Legolas sobbed again and lay his head on his father's shoulder. He almost expected him to flinch away, but instead the King lay his arms around his son, drawing him closer. As Legolas cried harder he rubbed his arm, whispering soft words in his ear or just embracing him.

Suddenly, so sudden it scared him, Legolas longed for the sea. The calming waves, the peace. He knew he promised his father to stay, he needed his only heir. Not only because he needed to take the throne, but also because he was his son. He loved him, even if he was too stubborn to say it.

All sounds slowly melted away, like under water, as he fell asleep, exhausted by grief.

When he woke up on his stomach the first thing he noticed was how cold it was. A cold breeze stroked his thin nightshirt, making him shudder a little. The blanket had fallen down as he had turned in his sleep, and lay now at his feet. It scared him, he wasn't supposed to feel cold.

He slowly opened his eyes to face the empty sheet beside him. It was Aragorn's bed, but no warm body to warm it up. He could smell the special scent of Minas Tirith in the pillow, and unconsciously turned his face down, drawing deep breaths. The smell always reminded him of Aragorn.

He suddenly frowned and leaned up on his elbows, looking around the small room. The curtains were opened, and a cold breeze blew in through the window. It gave some comfort as he suddenly remembered everything. He would never feel the warm presence in his bed again.

Tears began to form in his eyes again, and he swallowed hard. Rising from the bed he walked out on the balcony, wearing only his thin, silken night skirt. The only thing he missed was those arms around his waist as Aragorn kissed his neck. The breeze cradled his hair and shirt gently, like it was whispering soothing words in his ears. Why did everything suddenly felt so..cold?

He heard soft knocking, almost strained to hear, and hesitating called for the stranger to enter. It was Arwén.

Legolas could not believe his eyes.
"Arwén?"

"Yes Legolas, I came as soon as I got Eldarion to bed. He had a hard time relaxing, he wouldn't stop crying." The elven lady answered quietly, the grief obviously still haunting her.
"I thought you wanted company."

"What about your son?"

"Gandalf could cover for me a few minutes." The lady chuckled dryly.
"He also came as soon he got the news."

"I am so sorry." Legolas said and embraced her gently in comfort. He squeezed his eyes shut not to cry, but the tears found their way through.

"So am I Legolas..."

They embraced for a while, offering quiet comfort, before they leaned back.

"Legolas...I know." She said as she wiped his tears, and he felt himself stiff up.

"Know?"

"I know you loved him."

At Legolas almost frightened look she smiled.
"I know you gave up everything so he could live a normal life. Marry a women, create a heir, be the King everyone expected him to be. You saved his life."

Legolas knew Aragorn would have offered all of that for him, and more. He would never be ashamed of being with a man.

Arwén gripped his cold hands tightly, tears threatening to spill over her eyes.

"I also knew you did it so I could have him, and I thank you so much Legolas."

Their eyes met, and Legolas swallowed hard as he saw the thankfulness in her eyes. He had never felt so small, so vulnerable. He felt like a dust of wind could push him over.

"Do you feel tempted?" Legolas asked a bit unclear, but she understood.

Arwén nodded, the guilt still haunting her mind.
"It still surprise me I haven't even mentioned the sea longing to anyone."

"I haven't either, but it's there." Legolas said, meaning every word. He still felt so tempted to the sea, to escape the pain and just feel peace.

Arwén nodded, and held his gaze. Her long eyelashes were wet, and her eyes were slightly red from crying.
"Your father needs you here Legolas."

"I know."

The elven lady nodded and turned to leave. Before she reached the door she looked back, and met Legolas eyes.
"Would you like me to go get your father?"

"Yes please." Legolas said and fiddled with his hair nervously. He knew he needed to face him sooner or later.

She nodded and quietly left the room.

Legolas went back out on the balcony, and leaned against the realing. His hair gently blew behind him, as his mind remembered the night before. He was so grateful his father had let him come to Gondor to say his last goodbye.

"I will never really leave Legolas." A warm voice said, and the elf opened his eyes to meet his lover's.

Aragorn's hair and beard was grey, his face wrinkled, but his eyes still held the same warmth.
"I will always be here." He whispered and raised a shaky hand to put on Legolas heart.
"Please remember that."

Legolas nodded and hugged Aragorn's son against his side harder, at the same time holding Aragorn weak hand against his chest.
"Yes, I will." His voice sounded hoarse, and he swallowed hard, fighting tears.

Arwén sobbed quietly, before she gently combed through her son's hair.
"Eldarion, say your goodbye." She whispered as she stroked her husband's cold hand.

The boy smiled shakily and kissed his father's forehead, unfortunately not getting a response from the sick King. A small smile was all he managed, before his eyes closed in exhaustion.
"I love you Eldarion. Legolas and Arwén will always be with you...caring for you when I cannot..."

"Legolas?"

He startled turned around to see his father and Aragorn's son standing there, Thranduil holding the boy's hand in his, which actually surprised Legolas.

"Legolas..." Eldarion said and walked forward, blinking tears away. Legolas met him halfway and they embraced tightly. Legolas could feel his shoulders shake so he began to stroke his back soothingly. He couldn't bring himself to cry anymore, at least not in front of Aragorn's and Arwén's son. Not after the accident after Aragorn's death.

He squeezed his eyes shut tighter and stroked they boy's hair.
"He loved you."

He felt Eldarion nod against him.
"I know." He whispered and gently stroked Legolas back.

Eventually they leaned back, and Legolas faced his father. The King looked express less, but inside he was screaming. He just wished he could help his son.

"Ion." He sighed and held his arms out. Legolas immediately took the one time invitation and dived into his father's arms. They embraced tightly, but still lovingly for the first time since he was a child.
"He especially asked me to look after you." Thranduil whispered in his son's ear.
"And I will."

Legolas pressed his eyes shut and nodded, knowing his father would.
"Thank you for letting me say goodbye."

"How could I have done less?" Thranduil whispered and began to stroke his son's hair, something he was not used to do.

Gandalf stood a bit away, watching everything from the doorframe. As Legolas opened his eyes over Thranduil's shoulder they looked eyes, and shared a moment. Gandalf's lips curved in a small smile, which Legolas relieved returned before closing his eyes again, looking so relieved.

Gandalf knew about Aragorn and Legolas love, and how it ended. He had talked to Thranduil, begged him to look after the son his wife left him years ago. Thranduil obviously listened to him, and he felt great joy for both of them.

For Aragorn's sake he knew he would grief him, probably for a long time. He would watch Legolas care for Eldarion like his own son together with Arwén, until her mortal lifetime was also over. He would watch Eldarion grow old and continue the bloodline. It was a sad thought, knowing Legolas would soon lose everything that still reminded him of Aragorn.

When Legolas were on his way to the stables with his father Gandalf met them there, not wanting to tell his friend he had been there with them minutes ago. Thranduil smiled, his first real smile in a while. Legolas did the same, though it wasn't all real.

"How pleasurable it is to meet both of you, but may I speak with you please?" He asked and looked at the younger elf.

Legolas nodded and followed Gandalf out of hearing distance. Out of habit the old man gripped his staff tightly in front of him, a concerned look on his face.

"How are you feeling Legolas? Cold? Alone?"

Legolas swallowed before he looked up to meet his old friend's gaze.
"Cold yes, not alone. I have my father, Arwén and Eldarion."

"That you do. I just wished to know. Being cold is a sign you are drawn to the sea, am I correct?"

At the nod Gandalf smiled gently, doing a great job masking his fear.

"Why don't you take a short break Legolas, just be with your father and think? Try to forget everything, and just relax. It would do you good."

"I have a lot of work to do Gandalf." Legolas said a bit sternly and prepared to walk past him when Gandalf grabbed his arm tightly.

He winched, and the wizard immediately noticed. Fear dawned to his eyes as he gripped the elf's arm tighter.
"Are you in pain?"

Legolas hesitated, before he nodded.
Gandalf's eyes widened. Legolas fading was closed than he thought.
"Legolas, take a few days off and be alone with your father. You need to grief."

The blue eyes frowned, but nodded. Legolas knew it was true, and he knew how much the sea tempted him. He needed his father more than ever. And live his life, that was something Aragorn wanted him to do, and he promised him. Legolas had never broken a promise to Aragorn, and never would.

"Alright, I will."

Gandalf nodded and relaxed his grip, satisfied.
"Good."

They walked back to where Thranduil patiently waited. Gandalf smiled and patted Legolas shoulder gently.
"My friend, take a few days to be with your son. He needs you now, or else he will take the first ship to Valinor."

Fear crossed Thranduil's eyes and he locked eyes with his son, who nodded sadly. He knew it was true.

"Will you really sail?"

"No." Legolas said softly.
"As long as I have you I will stay."

"Good." Thranduil smiled sadly.
"Let's take a few days off and take a trip to the forest."

Legolas frowned deeply, and Thranduil knew he had hit a spot.

"Or let's do anything you would like."

Legolas nodded slowly, suddenly feeling so cold. Gandalf rubbed his arm gently, offering warmth and comfort.

"Yes a trip to the forest would be nice. I need to hear the trees."

Thranduil nodded and Legolas nodded back before he mounted a horse. He took a deep breath and threw his arms back, feeling his lungs fill with oxygen.
"I race you to that tree."

Gandalf and Thranduil shared a amused look before the King mounted his horse.
"Yes." He grinned and Legolas took off. He quickly rode after, hearing the guards following them close behind.

Legolas barely won, but took it great. He laughed as a wind blew his hair in his face, his first real smile in days. Thranduil was so relieved that he rode closed only to comb through Legolas soft hair. At the confused look he got he smiled, and stuffed the hair behind his pointy ear.

"I am so proud of you Legolas. At this moment after your mother's death I was so close to sailing. Gandalf saved me."

"Gandalf?" Legolas asked, amazed. He did not know that story.

"Yes, Gandalf saved me."

Legolas nodded, eyes lowered.
"It hurts Ada. It hurts so bad."

"And it will never stop hurting."

Legolas nodded again, locking eyes with his father. A smile spread on his lips, but even if it wasn't all real Thranduil was relieved.

Legolas gave the guards a quick glance, before he smiled.
"I really do love you Ada, I am sorry I haven't said it in a very long time."

"Legolas..." Thranduil sighed softly.
"I am sorry that we grew apart. I know now you still need me."

They locked eyes, and smiled.