**Chronicle of the Fourth Age, Part 3**
In 1441/21 Elladan and Elrohir traveled with Izabel's twins to Ithilien to visit Legolas and the elves who settled there after the War of the Ring. The twins, Dairwen and Izabel, were now twenty, being only a few months younger than Miiriel. On their journey, they spent a few days visiting Gimli in the Crystal Caves, located in the mountains behind Helm's Deep, where he settled with a number of his people after the war. Gimli showered Izabel's children with gifts, and gave Elladan a letter to give to Miranda upon their next meeting.
Their next stop was at Edoras, and they were warmly received. Ẻomer's children were still young, but immediately favored the young elves upon meeting. Elfwine was already training hard as a rider in his father's guard and was an accomplished archer. Gloorion was quiet and soft spoken, spending much of her time in the kitchen, or at a loom. They kept their visit brief, and after a couple of days, Elladan's family left Edoras to continue on to Ithilien.
*****
Meanwhile, in Minas Tirith, Aragorn had noticed Eldarion becoming quite dedicated to training. He had always been a good study in the fighting arts, but he seemed suddenly obsessed. He spent little time at court visiting with their guests and he was always volunteering to go out with the patrols and hunting parties. Aragorn called him into his study for a little father son chat.
"Son, it seems to me that you are in a hurry to grow up," Aragorn said. "What has lit a fire under you?"
"I merely wish to learn everything I can so that I may be worthy of my inherited obligations," Eldarion said.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at him and Eldarion cracked under his father's scrutiny.
"It is the Lady Miiriel," Eldarion finally admitted. "I am but a boy in her eyes, but I would have her see me as man worthy of her heart."
Aragron considered his words, and remembered a time when he would have done anything to impress Arwen and her father. He sat back in his chair and looked at his son with tenderness. He thought of the best way to help his son, and finally he said, "You would do well to train in Arnor under the care of my Kin. They can teach you the ways of the Rangers, and all the skills you could hope to learn. But it will take time for you to attain that which you desire. There is more to being a man than skill in battle or survival in the wilderness."
"I know, father," Eldarion said. "I will go to Arnor and learn all that they can teach."
So Aragorn sent Eldarion to Arnor with two knights. Arwen understood the wisdom of sending him away, but she knew she would miss him.
*****
Miranda's family remained in Gondor the next year, and then in the spring of 1442/22, Miranda and Haldir took their family to Ithilien to visit Ẻowyn. Their family was pleased with the visit for Ithilien was a beautiful land with forests and wood elves from the north. They were also happy to see Elladan and Elrohir again. They stayed with the elves rather than with Faramir and Ẻowyn, for they loved dwelling among the trees.
*****
Elladan delivered Gimli's letter to Miranda and Haldir, and after reading it, Miranda decided to go and visit him for a while. Haldir and Miranda went to the Crystal Caves, but gave their children the choice to stay in Ithilien or come along. Nárello, Miiriel, and Lalaith decided to stay, but Failon and the twins wanted to go and meet Gimli. They stopped in Edoras along the way but only stayed a few days.
At the crystal caves, Gimli greeted them warmly.
"Welcome, Miranda," he said. "I have missed you greatly these past years."
"Master Gimli, I am glad you sent for me, for I have missed you too," Miranda said.
Gimli looked Haldir over and then gave a snort. "Still hanging around this Elf, I see," he said humorously. "Who have you brought with you?"
"These are three of our sons," Haldir said proudly, "Failon, Alcon and Thelyn."
Gimli looked at them with a little scrutiny and then smiled. "Fine looking lads, all of them. Do come inside, we do not have horses here, but the garrison at the Keep will care for them. We have our own entrance just there." Gimli pointed past the Deeping wall to a passageway between the cliffs.
They grabbed their luggage, turned over their horses and followed Gimli through the passage to a great arched doorway. It was elaborately carved and there were great doors of Mithril that opened as he approached. Inside, there were great lamps that lit the cave and the light reflected off the walls that were nearly covered with some sort of reflective crystal. It was quite a sight, and even Haldir was impressed. He brought them through a main chamber that seemed to be a great hall for meetings and meals. There were a number of Dwarves gathered and Gimli brought his guests to the head of the table.
"We have guests of great renown," Gimli said. "The Hiri Nolwe, her husband, the Captain of Lorien, and three of their sons."
There was a cheer from the gathered Dwarves, and then everyone was seated for a meal. Miranda looked at Gimli curiously for a moment, and then finally decided to ask.
"What's wrong, Gimli?" she asked.
Gimli looked up from his leg of mutton and cocked a brow at her. "Nothing."
Miranda frowned. "I thought you needed me for some reason."
Gimli laughed, "If I'd needed you, you would have come on your own. But all is well here, so I knew we'd never see you if I didn't invite you."
Haldir laughed at the Dwarf's logic. It sounded strange, but was likely true. They stayed with Gimli for a month before returning to Ithilien. Gimli had gifts for her entire family and sent them away with more than enough supplies for their journey. Failon and the twins liked Gimli and were glad they went.
*****
Back in Ithilien, Dairwen discovered that Lalaith had grown up since last he saw her. He had always thought of her as a sister, for they grew up together as children, but now he saw her differently. When the kids were all together, he spoke to her little, but he found himself asking her to go for walks alone. On one such walk, he gathered his courage to stop treating her as a sister. They were walking by the stream in the cool of early evening and he could not take his eyes off of her.
"Lalaith, you are beautiful," he said in admiration.
Lalaith blushed, "I look the same as I always have."
Dairwen reached for her hand, and they sat on the grass by the water. "You are a woman grown, and I find myself wanting to be with you always. You are all I think about."
"When I look at you I still see the boy who used to pull my hair and put mud in my shoes," Lalaith said. "I see another brother."
"I was young, but I am not the boy you left in Rivendell, I am twenty-two and I have changed. When I look at you, I no longer see a sister, but a fair elf maid of gentle heart and graceful beauty," Dairwen said. "What better bride for Mirth than Laughter?"
Lalaith turned away so he would not see her blush. She had harbored secret feelings for him since childhood, but he had been too old to notice. Now she was afraid this was some prank, and she didn't want to admit her feelings. But Dairwen would not be denied, and he reached for her chin and gently turned her to face him. She looked into his blue eyes questioningly.
"I love you, Lalaith," he whispered and then bent down and kissed her. It was a gentle, questioning kiss, but soon it turned demanding. Lalaith whimpered softly and surrendered to his passion as he pulled her close and engulfed her in his strong arms. She plunged her fingers into his soft brown hair, but the kiss was quickly broken when they heard a rustle in the trees. The pair quickly stood and Lalaith smoothed out her gown just as Legolas, Elrohir and Nárello came into the clearing. It was obvious that these two had just kissed and Legolas and Elrohir smirked, but Nárello looked mad.
"Lalaith, return to our house," Nárello said gruffly.
Lalaith knew it would be best not to argue, so she quickly headed back to her parents house. Nárello glared at his best friend Dairwen with suspicion. Elrohir and Legolas decided to stay out of it and quickly left.
"What do you think you're doing with my baby sister?" Nárello asked angrily.
"Lalaith is no baby," Dairwen said. "I happen to love her."
"But you said nothing to me," Nárello said, sounding more hurt than angry now.
"Well, Nárello, tell me about your love life, and I'll tell you about mine," Dairwen said sarcastically.
"I'm serious, Dairwen, she's my sister, and you're my best friend!"
"That's just it, you're a very protective brother," Dairwen said.
Nárello frowned, "She is too young for a suitor; she's merely seventeen."
"I did not say we would wed tomorrow, only that I wish to court her," Dairwen said.
Nárello rolled his eyes and sighed. He could tolerate Dairwen for a brother-in-law, but he knew father would not hear of it before she was at least eighteen. He looked at his friend and said, "I will not oppose it, but I would not mention it to father before her next birthday."
*****
It was late fall when Miranda returned to Ithilien. It was obvious to her that Dairwen and Lalaith had become close during the time she was away. Haldir liked Dairwen, but was not ready to give up his daughter just yet. He and Elladan sat under a large oak tree and had a little talk about their children.
"So, your son likes my daughter," Haldir said casually.
"He is quite taken with her," Elladan said. "I recognize the look in his eyes."
"But is he ready to be a husband? He is very young," Haldir said.
"I do not know," Elladan admitted. "I am as old as the last age, but I did not feel ready. I only knew that I had met a woman I could not live without."
Haldir nodded, and then changed the subject. "And how are you faring now that she has gone?"
Elladan's expression sobered quickly. "I still miss her greatly, but I have our children, and my brother."
Haldir sighed and thought of Miranda. If there was anything he understood it was love. He gazed across the grassy clearing to where their children sat together talking and laughing. Dairwen sat with Lalaith and they were holding hands. Lalaith laughed brightly at something that was said and then looked at Dairwen with shining eyes. There was no other choice to make, for it was obvious that she loved him.
"He has my permission to court her, but they cannot be troth plighted until she is eighteen," Haldir finally said.
Elladan nodded, "Very reasonable, I agree."
Haldir and Miranda stayed with the elves in Ithilien for several years. Occasionally they would take a ship down to Gondor to visit Aragorn and Arwen, but for the most part, they kept to the forest. Dairwen and Lalaith were troth plighted in 1443/23, on her eighteenth birthday. During that year, Dairwen built Lalaith a house with the help of his father and uncle. It was a tree house that was cradled in the boughs of a great oak tree. Though not as grand as those in Lorien, it was an impressive house, quite unique in the wood.
*****
In the spring of 1445/25, Dairwen and Lalaith were wed in Ithilien. Aragorn and Arwen attended the feast along with Faramir and Ẻowyn, and Ẻomer and Lothiriel. After the feast, Dairwen carried his bride up the winding stair into their house for the first time.
"I still cannot believe you built me a tree house," Lalaith said. "These houses are unique to Lorien, and not a style used by your people."
"You are my people, Lalaith my bride," he said. "I wanted a home that you would feel was your own. I have seen you among the trees, my love, and this is the home for you."
"I love it," she said.
Dairwen looked at her teasingly and said, "Would you like to see the bedchamber?"
Lalaith blushed and he led her through a curtained doorway to their bedroom. There were flower garlands everywhere, and Lalaith just smiled shyly. Dairwen pulled the pins from her hair and it fell in a cascade to her waist. He loved her hair, lighter than any he'd seen, and soft. He combed his fingers through it and Lalaith sighed.
"You know we are quite young for Elves to be wed," Lalaith said. "Even men do not wed so young and they are mortal."
Dairwen turned her to face him and he gazed down at her with tenderness in his eyes. "The world is changing quickly, my love. Should we live a lifetime apart to please our parents? I have loved you from childhood," Dairwen said, "There is no reason to wait any longer."
He looked into her eyes hungrily as he unpinned his brooch and let his cloak fall from his shoulders. He took off his jacket and shirt and then reached out and loosened the ties on her bodice. Lalaith blushed, but removed her gown and chemise. Dairwen gazed at her in wonder. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lovingly. Then he picked her up and carried her to their bed. He laid her down and sat beside her to remove his boots and trousers.
"You know, I had loved you for a long time before you spoke of love to me by the stream," Lalaith said.
"Do you think that because I never spoke of love before that it was not in my heart?" Dairwen asked. "You were yet a child, and my best friend's youngest sister. I could not reveal my feelings for you then. In truth I should have waited until you came of age. But seeing you again was more than I could bear and I could not wait. Your father is very understanding to allow such an early betrothal and marriage."
"How old was I when you knew?" Lalaith asked.
"You were about ten the year that your family left Rivendell. I realized then how much it hurt to watch you go and I knew that I loved you," Dairwen said as he lay beside her. He propped himself up on an elbow and gazed into her beautiful green eyes. "And now you are mine, my sweet beloved."
"And you are mine," Lalaith said as she reached up and gently pulled him to her. They made love to each other with all the tenderness and joy that they had in their hearts. And with their first joining they were married.