A/N: I'm sorry I have taken so long to update but life seems to be measured in mid-terms when you're in college. Go figure! Anyways, as I mentioned before, I'm going to be breezing through LOTR because 1) everyone knows the stories 2) I don't want to elaborate on them other than minute details. I know some of you have mixed feelings on the last chapter but trust me; it is very significant in that it establishes the background for my next plot. On a final note: believe me, if any situation *can* get worse, it shall;) Enjoy this chapter, my love to all.

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Lunch was short and pleasant despite the fact that Elrohir sat down next to Dileriyen (much to her disappointment and Arwen's pleasure) and she could feel him staring at her every two seconds. What a nuisance. She felt like she was being studied, a very frustrating and uncomfortable feeling. Elrond was going on and on about all that had been happening in Rivendell since Dileriyen's absence but soon got the feeling that everybody was caught up in his/her own thoughts and so, in order to get everyone's concentration back where it should be, he sprang a very surprise question on Dileriyen, also managing to shock the rest of the table. (A/N: Go Elrond!:)

"So Dileriyen, why is it that you have not yet wed my child? Is there no worthy young elf in all of Mirkwood to satisfy you?"

Elrohir practically started to choke on his food and Dileriyen could feel Arwen and Elladan tense up at his reaction. Proud that he had managed to get a bit of a rise out of the group, Elrond continued.

"What is wrong boy, control yourself! Have you not yet learned how to eat properly!" he said, rather vexed with his son's interruption of Dileriyen's answer. Nonetheless, it was amusing to have them all put on the spot in such a manner and it took a lot of self-control for Elrond to not burst out in laughter.



"Come Dileriyen do answer for we know nothing of what you have been up to lately. If Legolas has not yet proposed then surely I must have a talk with Thranduil!" said the Elven lord in his usual calm and mischievous way, putting on that almost unreadable expression where he merely cracks something that resembles a smile and it is very hard to tell whether he is joking or being serious.

Dileriyen was ready to burst into tears. She had no idea how she was to answer this question and even if she did answer, who was to say that her response would be correct? Elrohir, on the other hand, had turned completely red after hearing the words "Legolas" and "propose," uttered in the same sentence. This was all really too much but Dileriyen managed to keep her cool and form a squeak of an answer.

"Well...ah...technically speaking Uncle, no, he has not but what the future holds is not for me to say. My fate rests in the hands of Eru alone. If you'll excuse me now, I think I should like to take a little walk to refresh myself and clear my thoughts."

"Certainly. I shall send for you again in three hours' time Dileriyen and then we may have our little discussion. Run off then."

Dileriyen smiled softly and walked off on a beautiful path she had seen (of course all the paths are beautiful in their own way), secretly hoping to lose her way and just maybe that road would lead to a certain prince whom she would cross even the sands of time to see.

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Meanwhile, back at the table

"Elrohir, what is wrong with you, son? You seem to be turning every shade of the rainbow!"

But Elrohir had not the time to answer as Elladan stated the causative rather bluntly in order to clear the confusion that stirred in the air.

"It is nothing Father, really. My brother is just a little taken with Dileriyen at the moment but I am sure that it is merely an infatuation. I give it a week."

Elrond opened his mouth but was once again cut off, this time by his other son who now chose to speak and quite harshly, might I add.

"Infatuation indeed! You would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself Elladan for I heartily disagree with your perspective, especially since you know nothing of what you speak. Bestow your opinion on us when asked for!"



Elladan, now rather upset himself, prepared for another lengthy argument with his brother but had not the opportunity to continue as Arwen stepped in with an attempt to provoke peace and help navigate things in her own way. Elrond could do nothing but watch, amazed and utterly confused.



"Aye boys, settle down. Now I have no intention of betraying Dileriyen's trust but I will say that things seem to be in your favor Elrohir. That is all you shall get out of me!"



But that was all Elrohir needed to hear as a newfound energy swept through his body. He sprang to his feet and made a mad dash in search of Dileriyen before any could oppose or even attempt to restrain him.



"Well..." said Elrond, still completely confused but amused nonetheless. "Anything else you children would care to share with me?"



Elladan shook his head calmly from left to right and happily continued to eat whereas Arwen merely smiled and picked at her food, squirming and fidgeting every now and then.

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Dileriyen sat on the grass overlooking a small yet extremely beautiful waterfall. She felt relaxed as she watched the water trickle down, it's bluish tint being nothing compared to Legolas' eyes. *It is good to be away from home* she thought. *I could not stand being there without you*. But her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as her keen hearing picked up footsteps from behind. She turned around slowly to find Elrohir walking towards her. He smiled sweetly as he plopped down next to her, carelessly eyeing his surroundings, not concentrating on anything in particular. Dileriyen felt her comfort wash away once again. The situation was not right but she did not wish for him to sense her uneasiness and thus decided to engage in some friendly chitchat. Silence becomes all too unbearable as every second passes.

"So cousin, tell me what you have been up to all this long while...you have certainly changed much."

"Dileriyen why do you insist on calling me cousin? We are not really family, you know."

"Oh... I am sorry if I offend. What would you rather I call you?" she asked, knowing full well how ridiculous she sounded but not liking the direction the conversation was taking.

"How about my name?" he said very calmly and smiled a gorgeous smile that would have melted the heart of any unattached maiden. But Dileriyen was far from unattached and less than amused.

"A-alright...Elrohir, if that is your wish."

"You know naught of what I wish Dileriyen, but you shall. I do not know where to begin for I am ill experienced in matters of the heart. But please, I beg of you. Tell me that you will not cast aside the sentiments I harbor for you, which I have no doubt made quite obvious. I am aware that this is all so sudden but, please. All I ask is for a single chance..." and before Dileriyen could argue, he got caught in the moment and forced himself onto her lips, wrapping her tight in his embrace as she struggled to set herself free from a situation which made her feel so completely violated.

One good swing at his face was all it took to get him off of her (does this bring back memories?:) hence they stood up, glaring at each other, one shocked and wounded, the other one completely angered at being forced on.

"How dare you do such a thing? What in the world gives you the right to force yourself on me in such a manner!" she screamed, positively fuming with anger.



"You are very cruel Dileriyen. All I merely asked for was a chance and yet you kick me when I have my guard down completely. Have you no heart at all!" he screamed in return, his pride more wounded than his heart.



"Aye but I do Elrohir and it belongs to someone else! Had you let me express my feelings outright, we would not be in this mess and perhaps you could have been spared the now inevitable pain that I must bestow upon you. A chance is something I cannot give. There has been a misunderstanding. My heart is with Legolas, nothing will change that." she said gravely. She felt sorry for having to break his heart in such a manner but it was the truth that had to be spoken. Unfortunately, her words only managed to fuel his fire and escalate the argument.



"Humph! Just as I suspected! Milady you are wasting your time. I do not know where things stand between you and Legolas but I am sorry to say that there is little hope of the Fellowship's return. Everyone in the kingdom knows that they will not make it back from the quest alive. And even if they did, do you honestly think that Legolas will be waiting for you? He will probably be engaged to an elf from Lorien if and when he gets back. I suggest you go on with your life for you are merely wasting your years waiting for someone who will not come back to you. Face it Dileriyen, he is gone..."

His words pierced her heart like daggers for they held some truths that Dileriyen had been purposely avoiding. But these things she refused to accept and looked upon Elrohir as a snake would look upon its prey. He had struck her hard but it was now her turn to strike back.



"Your lack of faith in your friends disgusts me Elrohir. Be gone from my sight before I tear you to pieces and wither you return be either the brother I lost or maintain your distance and keep yourself as my enemy henceforth."

She snarled at him as would a wolf defending her territory and he turned away in shame and left her where she was. He was upset now but he would get over it. He was still young and had much to learn in the ways of the world. Alas, poor Dileriyen's thoughts were plagued once again by death and loss and all those things that had latched onto her since she was young and seemed to follow her wherever she went. She decided that she could not stay in Rivendell for matters were bound to get worse but she could not simply walk out the gates and leave. Besides, Elrond still wanted to have a talk with her and she needed information from him as to the Fellowship's whereabouts. There was really nothing left for her to do except wait and be called on by Elrond so she decided to occupy herself by writing a letter to Thranduil. As soon as she entered her room, she began to release her frustration and poured her heart out to her father. This is what the letter read:

My beloved Father, I have arrived safely in Rivendell only to find that circumstance prevents me from staying. The details I shall not provide now but know that leaving is the best solution. I cannot depart immediately, though, for there are matters that are yet to be settled. It breaks my heart to know that I cause pain wherever I go. I seem to be cursed and singled out for ruin. I came here only to find that Legolas had gone. He is now part of a Fellowship protecting the ringbearer. Father, they are on their way to Mordor. My heart aches to see Legolas and yet I seem to always be a step behind him; what am I to do? I am to have a little talk with my Uncle in an hour and I know that he shall try to detain me. It cannot be done. I am of no use to anyone here and seem to do more bad as opposed to good. I might as well carry my misfortunes elsewhere. I sat by a waterfall today and could only think of how things used to be. It seems so long ago and yet so close, rather like a dream. Oh but how I hate that accursed Ring. Will its fire never die out of our lives? All my love, your daughter,

Dileriyen Greenleaf

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A/N: Hint at next chapter: And yet it was of no use for Dileriyen could not leave and false word spread from mistaken mouths all the way from Rivendell to Mirkwood to Lothlorien of the upcoming marriage of the son of Elrond to the daughter of Thranduil... Didn't I say it would get worse?:)