Disclaimer: Go see another chapter

A/N: See, it is a little bit earlier than normal. Thanks again for all the reviews. This chapter is a little bit shorter than normal, but I have a few very long chapters coming up soon. So hopefully that will make up for it. Hope everyone continues to enjoy.

Chapter 4

Brotherly Love

Linriel looked around at her companions and smiled. They were on their way back to Mirkwood now and probably only an hour away. They had stayed the night in Lake-town, then departed sometime mid afternoon. King Bard had agreed that he and a few of the townspeople would leave in a couple days and be there for her wedding. Linriel was proud. She couldn't have asked for a more successful trip.

Though she couldn't say that it had been an easy trip. Humans had always made her uncomfortable and especially after recent experiences with them, she was more distrustful of them. She knew, however, that humans were not the only ones that made mistakes in life. Elves were not perfect either. And she wasn't about to turn her back on her own race, so she knew she couldn't turn her back on the human race just because of mistakes of two or three individuals. Humans, like elves, deserved a second or even a third chance. She only hoped that giving them this chance would not end up costing her or her family.

Linriel sighed as her eyes fell on Kalen. Not all the elves thought as she did. Even though she had been through many traumatic experiences in the past, her cheery fiery spirit always brought her through. Kalen, however, seemed to only get through by anger and a want for a revenge. He hated the whole human race and didn't wish to give them a second chance, much less a third chance. He believed they didn't deserve it. He was changing though. Linriel could see it. Despite his outward negativity and display of irritation, he was starting to think differently.

Linriel smiled inwardly. It was an odd effect that Estel seemed to have on people. He had had the same effect on her. Maybe soon even Kalen would get over his fear of humans. But that would probably take a miracle.

"The human town wasn't that bad, was it?"

Aragorn's voice cut into her thoughts. Kalen turned to look at the ranger. He gave the human a glare that made Linriel think that the elven warrior was about to jump off the horse and strangle the ranger.

"It was wonderful." Kalen's word dripped with sarcasm.

Linriel laughed. She saw Elladan lean close to Aragorn and whisper something to him. She couldn't make out the words, but she imagined it was something about being careful about what he said to the elf. Her suspicions were correct as she heard the human reply.

"I haven't spoken a word to him in two days. You would think he would be grateful."

Kalen glared back at the human. Aragorn just shrugged.

"You know, human, I'm just going to start ignoring you."

Elladan smirked. "You know, Estel, I think he is beginning to warm up to you."

Kalen turned his glare to the older twin. He sighed audibly, then turned his eyes ahead. A smile grew on his face.

Linriel turned her eyes ahead to see what he was looking at. With her keen eyesight she was able to see the town of Mirkwood up ahead. They would reach their home in a matter of minutes. Instead of smiling like Kalen did, Linriel only drew in a deep breath. She had so much work to do and the wedding was fast approaching. She hoped that Elwin had been keeping things in order and had accomplished much in the time she had been away. Now everything was going to be put back on her shoulders. No rest for the weary was definitely a true statement.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her own. She looked up to see Elrohir smiling at her. His eyes were gleaming and adoration beamed on his face.

"I love you, beautiful."

Linriel smiled. One look into his eyes and all her troubles seemed to die away. She loved this elf more than she could possibly say. With that thought in mind, she couldn't wait for the wedding. She hoped that it would hurry up and come so she could be married.

--- Later that day ---

Elrohir took a swig of the drink in front of him and sighed. It had been a busy day, but he couldn't help the feeling of excitement that was continuing to grow in his heart. After coming back from the trip to Lake-town and detailing the trip to King Thranduil and his father, he went to help Linriel continue preparations. Everything seemed to be falling into place and the more it did, the more his heart beat against his chest. It was hard to comprehend that he was actually helping set up for his own wedding. The very thought brought butterflies into his stomach. He drew in a deep breath and placed his cup back on the table. He looked at his companions who gathered around the table. Legolas, Aragorn, and Elladan had joined him at the table and they had spent the last hour talking and enjoying each other's company. Now however, he was ready to retire for the night.

Before he could even speak, however, Elladan rose from the table.

"You three may stay all night and talk if you want, but I am quite ready to return to my own bed. I'll see you all in the morning."

Elrohir smiled. Maybe he really could read his twin's mind. "I think you are right, El. Linriel wants me up early tomorrow to help her gather flowers for the wedding."

Everyone laughed. "Sounds like fun." Aragorn said with a mocking tone.

Elrohir ignored him. "Don't stay up too late. I'm sure my fiancé has many things in mind for you two as well."

Legolas smiled. "As long as I'm not the one arranging the flowers."

"I don't think Linriel would be foolish enough to give you that job." Elladan said with a smirk. "She wants the flowers to look nice."

"I thought you were leaving to get your beauty sleep." Legolas said with a playful glare.

Elrohir chuckled. "Goodnight, my friends. Sleep well."

Legolas and Aragorn nodded and bid them the same. Elrohir turned and followed his brother out of the room. Instead of retiring to his own chambers, however, he followed Elladan. His twin hardly seemed to notice and only busied himself with unloading his pack that he had from the trip.

"All right, brother. Tell me what troubles you." Elrohir said as he sat down on Elladan's bed.

Elladan looked at his twin. "What do you mean?"

"Something is troubling you and I want to know what it is. You are pretending to enjoy the preparation of the wedding and be happy for Linriel and I, but something is weighing heavily on your heart. I can feel it, so don't try to hide it."

Elladan looked away from his brother and stared at the wall. It angered him that his brother could read him so well. He wished to keep his emotions inside, not wanting to spoil his brother's happiness with his own selfishness. "It's not a big deal, El. Worry not for me. In three days you will have a wife to worry about. You don't need my troubles as well." Elladan said feigning a smile.

"El, I always have you to worry about." Elrohir joked. "So you have two choices. Either you tell me exactly what is bothering you or neither of us will get any sleep tonight because I will keep pestering you."

Elladan shoved his twin playfully. "You don't play fair."

Elrohir shrugged. "Too bad."

Elladan rolled his eyes and sighed. He sat down on the bed and smiled at his brother.

"Elrohir, I'm so happy for you and Linriel. You two have been waiting so long for this wedding and you make the sweetest couple. I want to see you both married and I want long years of happiness for you both." Elladan bit his lip, his eyes filled with shame. "But I'm scared, El."

Elrohir's eyes filled with sympathy, but he stayed silent.

"I'm afraid of what you marring Linriel will do to our relationship. I don't want to lose your friendship, Elrohir. I cannot. The children in Lake-town are right. We practically are inseparable. The longest we have ever been away from each other is five weeks and that was highly against our will."

Elrohir nodded, remembering the incident his brother referred to. They had been captured and separated. Elladan had been forced to stay in one cell while he was forced into another. Sometime later Elladan had been set free, but Elrohir had remained a prisoner.

"Besides that incident, the most has been a few weeks. We've always been there for each other; always supported each other." Elladan continued. "But now you will have a wife" He smiled slightly despite his fears. "And hopefully soon, elflings to care for. You'll have a life to be concerned with. It's not a bad thing and I'm happy for you, El. I really am. But I am going to miss all our time together."

Elrohir smiled sadly, placing a hand on Elladan's shoulders. "That is nothing to be ashamed about, Elladan. And you're not alone in your fears."

Elladan looked at him confused.

"Both Linriel and I have discussed the same thing. She fears losing her relationship with her brother and I fear losing my relationship with you as well."

Elladan eyes filled with relief. He was happy to know that he was not alone in his fears and that Elrohir understood completely.

"I'm also excited about the new journey ahead of me." Elrohir continued. "You and I will always have each other. Nothing can come between our friendship as brothers, El. Nothing ever will. And just because I'm married, don't think I won't be playing any more tricks on you or that I won't still blame things on you."

Elladan laughed. "Good, because I'll still be playing tricks on you too."

Elrohir smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I am scared about the new journey ahead of me and I know I am in for some big changes, but when have we ever backed down from a challenge."

Elladan smiled. "Never. We will make it through this like we have made it through everything else. If capture, torture, sickness, and arguments can't separate us, a wedding truly cannot."

Elrohir nodded. "Nope. You can't get rid of me that easily, gwador nin."

The older twin chuckled. "I should have known that making you two get married was too easy to get rid of you."

"Oh, so this was your idea?"

"Of course." Elladan said laughing.

Elrohir joined the laughter. He grasped his brother on the arm and squeezed gently. Elladan returned the affection, then pulled his brother in an embrace.