Irime looked out across the field of devastation. The high room to which she had been taken after the battle, indeed, after the war for now Sauron had been defeated, had an open balcony from which she could see the Anduin. Bitter tears of grief, and anger, stung her eyes. She had not seen either of the twins for since their arrival, and their absence worried her. Pippin had been her constant companion since that time. His constant babble was better than the painful silence which otherwise ruled her existence. Merry was in the healing ward, along with Eowyn.

The sound of the door opening behind her made Irime turn. She threw herself into Elrohir's open arms, grasping his shirt as if he might suddenly vanish. Her tears of sorrow soon were replaced by those of joy.

"Irime, I return to Imladris tomorrow. I received a letter from my father saying he wishes that I leave immediately." He said softly.

"Then I shall go with you." She said, looking for some sign of emotion in his hard, grey eyes.

"He requested that I come alone." If he felt anything over the affair, he did not show it.

"Why? What is so important that you would have us separated?" She said, desperately searching for any sign of how he felt. "You cannot be angered at my infidelity should you leave me here, alone." She said defiantly.

"Irime," he said finally, "I want to leave no more than you want me to."

"Then let me come with you, Elrohir."

"It is not that simple."

She stalked away from him and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Nothing is ever as simple as it seems."

"Love, you must understand."

"What is there not to understand, Elrohir?" She growled at him, pulling away as he tried to embrace her. "I understand, perfectly well." She drew her knees up to her chest in a protective gesture. "I am sorry if I am not good enough for you." She spat.

"Are you mad?" He cried in disbelief. "I love you Irime. What more can you want?"

"Tell your atar that."

"Irime, what is this all about?"

"I saw the way he looked at me after you left. He could not stand the sight of me, he was disgraced that his son might have any feelings for someone of less than noble blood."

He grabbed her shoulders. "Irime, you cannot be serious! My father loves you like a daughter!"

"Even Erestor looked down on me."

"That is Erestor . . . he is always like that." He tried to make light of the situation, but it did not work.

"They only stand my presence because I was your friend as a child! They would never tolerate me knowing I was your lover!"

"By Iluvatar, then be my wife!"

"Do not jest about such things." She snarled at him. "I refuse to just be another part of one of your childish schemes."

The hurt in his eyes made her turn away uncomfortably. He could not have meant it, she told herself stubbornly.

"It was not a jest." He said quietly.

"Man pedelye?" (What did you say?)

"Le annon veleth nín. Irime. Aniren le. Nalye ore nin." (I love you, Irime. I desire you. You are my heart.)

"Then I say yes."

A bright smile spread across his face and he laughed. "Mel sui lotheg i edlothia an-uir." (Love is as a flower that blooms forever)

Irime took a hold of Elrohir's hand as they crossed the Baranduin and into the boundaries of Imladris. The trip had taken nearly four weeks, for they had been forced to travel slow and cautiously. Elladan had stayed behind, trying to pull Gondor back up on its feet and restore the broken city. The journey had allowed her to truly know the elf to whom she was now betrothed.

Her horse snorted as he realized where they were, and he tossed his head from side to side. The city was quiet, for most of the eldar who had been there when they left had long since sailed to Valinor. She never knew how much a few months could do to a place. What had once seemed to her as lively and real as her own self, now was distant and fading, like a memory from a dream. Even the golden leaves seemed to be frozen in their track from the boughs to the ground.

"Adar!" Elrohir called as they neared his home. After many tense moments the Elf Lord appeared. His face was haggard. He silently led them into the nearest building. The time-trapped leaves shifted uneasily on the broad stairs as they walked up.

Elrond motioned for Irime to stay by the door, and took Elrohir deep into the chamber. They soon took a turn and were lost from her sight. Irime paced nervously for a few fretful moments before seating herself on a small bench. The silence was unbearable. Each time a breeze blew through the room, she thought she heard the returning footsteps and would jump up in anticipation.

The sun, which had been high at their arrival, had sunk beyond the horizon when Elrohir returned. He was alone. Even in the darkness she could see the tears coursing down his face. She reached out to him, whispering his name. The Elf that turned to her was not Elrohir, but a stranger. His expression was so stricken that she stepped back. He shook his head, and gently stroked her hair.

"Farewell, sister." And then he was gone, the sound of his horse fading into the night.

Author's note: evil cackle