At dawn, two days later, thirty of Elrohir's kinsmen were assembled and ready to move out. They all sat upon magnificent grey steeds, wearing no token of their heritage save the many-rayed star brooch that clasped their cloaks at the left shoulder. They were grim of face, like worn stones, and their grey eyes were shielded by the shadow of their hoods.

Elrohir glanced around the growing crowd of Elves, who had come to see their Lord's son off to a battle which he may not return. Will not return. He reminded himself grimly, upon thinking of Erestor's prognostication. His eyes wandered over all of the faces, until his eyes locked with those of his brother. He was obviously concerned. The younger of the two forced himself to smile and gave a small shrug.

His eyes did not find what they sought, though. He knew that it was pointless, looking for her when he knew for certain she would not be there. She did not even know he was leaving.

"Men of the West!" The deep, thunderous voice filled the courtyard. Elladan stood high in his stirrups, holding his shining sword aloft. "We ride now to the aid of one who has oft come to ours! No oath binds you to go farther than you shall! We ride!" With a great flourish the thirty horsemen drew their swords.

"Elendil!" the cry rose as a great clamor, shaking the stones and reverberating until it faded away into the pale light of the morning.

The loud clatter of hooves followed as they raced from the gates of the ancient eldarin stronghold.

The road was long and hard, though after many days they overtook the Rohirrim in the night. Upon finding that they had, at long last, found who they sought, the Dunedain rejoiced. In their own way. The fact that their leader was still alive brought them hope beyond what they had imagined. The next day they arrived at Dunharrow.

The lines of people, poorly armed with wooden shields and homemade swords, stared openly at the Dunedain as they passed through the lines of tents. The likes of the Men of the West had not been seen for many years in that part of Middle Earth. They believed that an Elven host from the faraway land known as Rivendell had come to their aid, though they were only partially correct.

Elrohir and his brother pitched their own tent amongst their kin. Elrond's youngest son was glad that, at last, he might have the chance of a decent sleep. Though he was wrong. It seemed that he had just closed his eyes when one of the Rohirrim said that King Theoden wanted to see him.

Groaning, he went out and wandered around before finally coming to the King's pavilion. It was marked by many flags and banners depicting Eorl and his white steed. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Elrohir entered. The king was obviously surprised to see him in such a tired state.

Theoden bowed. "My lord."

Elrohir responded in kind. "You sent for me?"

"You have a visitor."

Elrohir must have looked terribly confused because Theoden laughed amiably. He stepped aside, and Elrohir was taken aback when he saw Irime standing inconspicuously behind him. She was wrapped in a faded grey cloak.

He scolded himself for looking like a fool when a large smile spread across his face. "Irime!"

She smiled and they embraced.

"What do I owe this . . . . visit?"

She smiled. "I heard that — perchance . . . . have you seen Legolas?"

Elrohir's heart hit bottom with a jarring thud so hard it hurt. "Follow me." He led her out into the twilight and to Legolas' tent.

The Prince came out after they announced themselves, and nearly tripped on his own feet upon seeing Irime. After a very brief, faltering greeting Legolas ended up glueing Irime to a tree upon a very passionate reacquainting session. Elrohir wanted to be sick. Not given much of a choice, he left after about five seconds.

He strode back to his tent before throwing himself down on his pallet and brooding. Elladan did not ask any questions, knowing well why his brother was so miserable.

"I told you she would only ever hurt you, ernil." Elladan said after a while.

Elrohir shifted and put his arms behind his head. "Perhaps you are right."

"Am I not always?"

"Avo bedo, narendur."

"I am aware of a fact that you might find interesting." Elladan persisted.

"Mana?"

"Oh, nothing of interest."

Elrohir snarled at his brother. "You just said that it was interesting."

"She cares for you."

"How would you know this?"

He smiled in the dark. "It is obvious to everyone but yourselves."

Elrohir snorted, "What is so obvious?"

"Even Thranduilion knows it. Did you wonder why he was so quick to remind her of his affections?"

The younger twin rolled his eyes. "Now that was obvious, but still, brother, why?"

"He fears that you could take her from him."

"That is ludicrous!"

"Not to him."

"Our friendship is nothing to be feared."

Elladan laughed. "Friendship? A rather odd name for a rather odd thing. She feels the same way for you as you do for her. I am aware of that much."

"I doubt your words."

"Her eyes betray her."

"You certainly have been watching her closely, have you not?" Elrohir sounded almost defensive.

"There are bigger fish in the sea, mellon nin."

The Dunedain were grateful for the night's rest, short though it was. Elrohir had gotten little sleep, if any at all. He hated that he was unsure about himself and Irime, almost as much as he detested Elladan for bringing up the subject. Though there was only one way to find out.

Elrond sat at his desk, his eyes far off and distant. So much depended on one hobbit, and the fate of the world rested with nine companions who he was unsure even lived. Though even as he sat there, staring out into the black of night that blanketed Imladris, his thoughts meandered to many years before.

"Elrond, why do you do this? Nothing good will ever come of it!" Erestor glared at his lord, furious. For the first time he had lived in Imladris, the advisor was truly testing his limits.

Elrond spun around. "I already have enough guilt! I do not need it from you as well!"

"Have you even considered —."

"It would never do!"

Erestor slammed his fist down on the desk, causing it to shudder. "So you do this instead?"

Elrond bent down and took the small baby in his arms. Though the embrace was brief, for he quickly shoved the child into Erestor's hands. "Do what you must, but, whatever the case, I do not want to know. I never want to hear of what happens. I want to be ignorant of the fact that this child even exists!"

"What can I do, lord?" Erestor pleaded.

Elrond shook his head. "I know not, but get the child out of Imladris!"

Elrond looked up to see his advisor leaning over him. "Master Elrond, are you unwell? You look ashen."

The Lord of Imladris shook his head slowly. "Just memories."

A flame of realization kindled in Erestor's eyes. "That you do not want to know of."

Elrond nodded. A sudden wave of conscience swept over him and he found it hard to speak. What had his faithful advisor done to the child that fateful night? Erestor would do anything he bid, without questions. Had his own fear caused the destruction of an innocent child? He swallowed, trying to get past the barrier that was between himself and his senses.

"Erestor, what happened? I need to know."

The advisor's green eyes studied him intently, but after a moment Erestor sat down and began the tale.

Elrohir had followed her away from the camp, unsure as to why she had left without alerting any one. He tread silently behind her, making sure she was unaware of his presence. When she finally stopped and sat down un a large boulder, overlooking the valley below them, Elrohir stayed in the shadows.

Irime wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed at the stars. Elrohir watched with interest as she twirled the silver band on her index finger, a testament of Legolas' love for her. Though something kept pulling her back. Like a tether as she leaned over an unending abyss. There was always the nagging feeling that she was doing something wrong, unjustly treating someone. Though she did not know who.

She started when the small sound of a snapping stick betrayed Elrohir's presence behind her. He smiled.

"What are you doing out so late?" He walked up and sat beside her.

"Thinking."

A shadow crossed his face, though it was gone before she was even sure it was there. "About Legolas."

"Aye, and everything."

"Do you love him?"

The question caught her off-guard. "I – of course I do."

Elrohir laughed. "No, do really love him?"

She looked at him suspiciously. "Where is this conversation going?"

"No where."

"So illusive." She murmured.

"As always."

It was as if someone had lit a candle for her, and all of the pieces that had been missing fell into place. "It is you, is it not?" by his clear look of confusion, Irime could tell he did not know of what she spoke. "The tether. The one thing that kept me from jumping into something that I would never escape. You always have been. Since before I can remember. You have always loved me."

Elrohir took a while to process all of the information. She had figured out more in thirty seconds than he had during his entire lifetime. "Aye, I have." He was on dangerous territory, and he knew it.

She cupped his face in her hand. "Elrohir, I," she sighed. "I love you."

Elrohir's kiss, when it finally came, was so different from Legolas', so full of doubt and uncertainty, like he expected her to pull away. It was soft and feather light, yet intoxicating. She entangled her fingers in his chocolate hair and pulled him closer. Everything had built up to this one moment. It was all or nothing. Right when reality was beginning to slip away, there was a call from far off.

"Irime?"

They jerked apart just as Legolas entered the small clearing. He smiled. "Irime, I was worried for you, for you did not alert me of your leaving."

She nodded dumbly, the taste of Elrohir's lips still lingering on her own. "Elrohir came and found me."

Anger swept over the prince's features, though it was soon gone. "All is well, then?" she nodded, "You had best come back to the camp, it is late and foul things wander under the light of the moon." He gave Elrohir a venomous glance and then he started walking back towards the lines of tents and pavilions behind the lines of trees.

She nodded once again and stood up to follow him back to the encampment, though Elrohir grabbed her hand. "Irime . . . ."

She smiled and stepped forward until only their fingertips still touched. "I had better go, Legolas will be wondering where I am." Then she vanished into the dark line of trees, leaving Elrohir alone with his thoughts.

Finally, he retired for the night, only to find Elladan no where to be found. The Rohirrim said that he had taken night watch. Elrond's youngest son ground his teeth, the one time he needed his brother's advice, the twit was no where to be found. Though just as he thought that, there was a flourish of canvas and his brother was inside, standing beside him. He was obviously pleased and had a devilish smirk on his face.

"What a lovely night, brother. A pity you have to spend it alone while the Prince gets the prize."

Elrohir wanted to punch him senseless, though he knew it would get him nowhere. "Leave me, Elladan, or be silent."

He received another smirk. What is he up to? Elrohir wondered. "Say it."

Elrohir looked at him with a confused expression on his face. "Say what brother?"

"Tell me I was right."

The younger twin smiled. "You were right."

"Thank you." he walked past his brother and ruffled his hair as he passed.

Please review! I know that a lot happened in this chapter. Tell me what you think!