[ A thought that has not once took shape in Legolas' mind, not even during the years he has been witnessing the work of time on friends dear to his heart beyond any measure. Greying hair, backs bending under the weight of age, hands that once firmly held a sword or an axe weakening. Watching Men and Dwarves great reach the ages of ruin wounded him deeply, and he did what was only in his power to make the most of the time they granted to spend together, but there was one thing he could not and would not do or consider: joining them in their mortality.

He was what he was and he learned ways to cope with all that went about him. ]

You ask so little, father. [ Legolas tilts his head back, to look directly up at Thranduil. ] I could do more than that and please say nothing of the prudency of it. I have been amiss to leave the way I did.