Irime had been sitting in her room, nibbling on fruit and wondering what Elrond had meant. Then there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"It is me, Arwen." The Evenstar said timidly.

Irime stood up and unlocked her door, "Come in." then she saw that Arwen's face was tear-streaked and her eyes were puffy. "What is the matter?"

Arwen held out a letter, it looked as though it had been scribbled in haste, on the run maybe even. It read:

Arwen, beloved, please forget me and love another. Though I know you will be stubborn, as always, about this, trust my judgement and find an Elf better suited for you. My heart tells me that now, after Gandalf's death, more evil is coming. I fear I will not return. Forget the memories and live on. Give your brothers my love.

Estel

"Arwen, I am so sorry." Irime said after a moment.

The Elf just shook her head, "No, there's one for you too." then she handed Irime another letter, on slightly finer parchment and it was written in a smoother hand.

Dearest Irime,

This quest, I know now, will claim my life. Move on without me and do not mourn my death, it is inevitable. Take care of my father, he will find my passing harsh, I am sure. If ever you need anything, Mirkwood is always welcoming you.

Legolas

Irime didn't know what to say or do, her heart was ripping. Irime hardly had the strength to stand, after a few seconds she collapsed on the bed, weeping. Arwen rubbed her back, both shared a common sadness, the loss of their loved one. The Eldar tended to be more straight forward in such matters, as Irime's letter clearly showed.

Irime stood up and fled from her room, tears streaming down her face. She needed to be alone. She raced down the hallway and dashed outside, ignoring any curious lookers. She ran and ran, unaware of where exactly her feet were taking her, she just ran away from everything.

Though soon she came to a familiar oak tree, its large branches had given her and the twins shelter from Erestor's wrath on more than one occasion. She knew she could find peace amongst its boughs.

The young Elf climbed as high as she possibly could in the tree and just sat there in the foliage, thinking things over. Legolas had told her to be unfaithful to him, had he somehow known of Elladan's feelings for her? No, she thought to herself, that is nigh impossible.

Then she heard a rustle in the leaves below her. "Milady, are you alright? I heard you crying." came a stern yet concerned voice. She peered down to see a familiar face.

"You knew! You knew that he was gone, and took advantage of the situation! Leave me, Elladan!" She growled at him.

The Elf on the ground smiled and shook his head. Then he jumped up into the tree and climbed up beside her. "May I ask why exactly you are so intent on making my life so miserable when we only first met?"

Irime looked at him quizzically. "Have you found your father's stow of pipeweed, Elladan?"

The Elf laughed, obviously enjoying their little argument. "I found that a long time ago, how did you know about it?"

Irime snorted, and smiled despite herself. "Your brother showed it to me."

The dark-haired Elf laughed again. "Did I now?" He only got another confused look from the ness. "Why, in the first place, Lady, did you confuse me with my older brother?"

"Elrohir?" she asked, unsure. She had always hated getting the two mixed up.

"Yes, now may I have the pleasure of your name?"

He had expected a different response, and the one he got shocked him. Irime threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. "Elrohir! You big orc, tis I, Irime!"

"Irime?"

"Yes! I cannot believe it is you!" She said, hugging him even harder.

Elrohir patted her back, obviously unaware of how he should react to such a sudden change in her personality. "The Elf can't breath Irime."

"Forgive me." She said, smiling even broader, if that was remotely possible. "It has been so long since I last saw you! I thought I would never see you again!" She said, resisting the urge to jump on him.

"Shall we talk on the ground?" He said before jumping down, with Irime at his heels.

"Do you have any spare time that maybe we could catch up on things?" She said cautiously, remembering what Elladan had told her.

Elrohir shook his head. "Irime, I am a warrior now, I do not have so much free time anymore to go on a rendezvous with someone who I have not seen in many years, and have nearly forgotten. The sky grows dark in the east again, things have changed." She was hurt beyond words by his cold and austere demeanor. "Namarie, Irime. It was a pleasant surprise, though I must be leaving." Then he turned and walked away.

"Why have you become so insensate?" she asked sadly.

He stopped, "Irime, war can change a person."

Suddenly they heard something behind them and they turned to see Elrond stepping through the woods. At first he did not take notice of Elrohir, for he had long since given up all hope for his return .

"Irime, Arwen told me about your letter from Legolas. I am terribly sorry."

"What is wrong with Legolas?" Elrohir asked, stepping forward.

Irime turned on him, "None of your concern, that is what it is! So just leave me alone!" She nearly screamed. Confusion misted his silver eyes, he did not understand.

"Wha-." he asked before she cut him off.

"Just drop it." she said venomously.

"Elrohir?" Elrond asked, finding his first time to speak.

The younger Elf bowed, his chocolate colored hair coming down, shadowing the sides of his face. "Father."

"Come here!" He said, walking up to his son and embracing the Half Elf. "I had begun to loose hope."

"So had I father, so had I."

"What is this between you two, you fight like Galadriel and Celeborn!" he asked, studying the facial expressions of the two.

'He . . .' 'She . . .' they both said in unison, pointing to the other. 'That unfeeling . . .' 'I cannot believe she . . .' 'What are you saying!' 'Never!' 'Just be silent, Elro- . . .'

All Elrond heard was a jumble of angry words spilling from both of their mouths. "Silence! One at a time! Please, spare my sanity!"

Irime took in a deep breath, "I was sitting up in that oak," she motioned to the tree, "And then suddenly he comes along and I tell him to leave me alone, but he continues to harass me!"

Elrohir looked at her in shock. "Me! What! You were angry at me because you thought that I was my brother, Valar have mercy on his soul if he ever sees you again! I try to ask you what is wrong, then you are all happy when you find out who I really am! Suddenly though she is all mad again!"

Elrond wanted to laugh, neither of them had changed much when it came down to it. "First I think I can clear some things up when I explain the hatred she has for Elladan."

"NO!" Irime yelled.

"Why are you mad at my brother what did he ever do to you?"

"Quiet." Elrond said. "I will tell you."