"I saw her today near the Forest River," Legolas said with elation entering Gandalf's chambers. Gandalf sat across the room near the hearth smoking pipe weed, with an old tome strewn across his lap and a steaming teapot on a nearby small table. He watched Legolas with a thoughtful, assessing gaze.

"What do you mean, you saw her?" Gandalf asked sitting up. He placed the book on the table and leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees.

"I was walking through the woods when it happened. I was getting tired of the sympathetic gazes everyone has been throwing me of late, so I decided to spend some time alone. I was at the Forest River and was making my way back when I felt her. I felt Willow," Legolas' smile was full of tenderness as he continued.

"At first I thought her a mere hallucination. A vision triggered by my yearning but to my infinite pleasure, it was her. She was dressed in those horribly inappropriate clothes women wear on the other plane but she looked...she looked so beautiful. Her hair was longer, her breasts were fuller and she'd grown thicker in all the proper places," He added a hint of mischievousness to his speech.

"I tried to touch her but I couldn't. She was like a specter, only appearing for a moment then she was gone." His elation was replaced by a mournful, more somber look.

"That description was a bit more colorful than I would have liked but I digress. Legolas Greenleaf, it is important for you to remember that maiar exist in and out of time. So it is not outside the sphere of possibility that she reached across time and space to find you. Our kind was made before the birth of the world and we will exist after its destruction. What she did would take a considerable effort on her part. If the effort itself did not kill her," Gandalf reclined in his chair elegantly crossing his long legs.

"She's alive I am sure of it. How long Gandalf? How long before I can cross over?" Legolas asked advancing a little further into the room standing over Gandalf as if to impose on him the urgency of the issue.

"It is a tremendously arduous process, as I have told you more than once. I can not complete the task alone, Legolas. Your impatience be damned. You know very well that I will require the assistance of Radagast, Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond. It is also an issue of timing. We have to wait until the worlds are as closely aligned as possible. Which typically occurs during on a full moon once every year, on the summer solstice. The time will be upon us soon. It is a mere three months away. You have lived thousands of years, have you not the patience to wait a mere handful of weeks?" Gandalf pressed, giving Legolas a disappointed look.

"I can only maintain the portal for ten days before it closes again, just as before. If you have not reached this side of the veil by then, you, Urwendi and the child will be forced to wait out the year."

Legolas' eyes bore into Gandalf's. It would be better he thought to have a normal life with her than to return to this suffering. He turned his back to Gandalf suddenly, knowing that the truth of his intentions would be revealed against his will. "Do not linger in anguish should we not return. There will be no need to reopen the portal entrance either." He said in a dour tone.

"Do you mean to remain in the human world? You do, don't you?" Gandalf asked aghast at what Legolas' was implying.

"And if I did?" He asked his back still avoiding Gandalf's critical gaze. Gandalf stood and walked around Legolas so their eyes might meet again.

"This, you must not do. Although your father sits upon the throne, the elves, they follow you into death and danger. They believe in you and look with hope to the future of your reign. It is you who has led this Kingdom for years now. You must not abandon your people in their time of need."

"What about what I need?" Legolas raised his voice, a habit that was becoming much more frequent. Gandalf started in surprise.

"Legolas, lad, you know that a power far greater than either I nor Uriwendi possess took her away from this realm. It would defy their will to undo what has been done. Without the Valar on our side, we will lose the war against Morgoth. If you thought that facing Sauron was dangerous, imagine what facing Morgoth will be like." Gandalf returned with just as much zeal.

"I have already lost. They took everything from me, the woman I love and the child I have never known. I should have been there when she was born. I should have been the first to hold her. I should have been the first to kiss her brow. I should have been there to thank my wife for blessing me. All this they took this from me as well. They will take no more!" He pointed a reprehending finger at Gandalf.

"I beg you, Young Prince, you must not do this, it is folly. Trust that there is a reason for your separation. Make use of the time. As we speak, the enemy is regrouping his strength, preparing to strike at all Middle Earth with deadly resolve. When he is through do you believe he will be satisfied with this world alone? I will not keep you from your wife and child, but they have a part to play as well. Here," he said, turning to pour a cup of tea and presented it to Legolas. "This will soothe you. Return to your rooms and find rest. Take solace in the fact that they yet live."

"Thank you," Legolas returned, taking the steaming cup from his hand. He brought the cup to his lips letting the chamomile tea slide down his throat. In truth, his ire was somewhat soothed by brew. He placed the cup on the mantel above the hearth.

"I bid you good night, Mithrandir," He bowed and turned to walk away. While his anger was momentarily quieted, there was no hope of dampening his determination to win back his family.