I still don't own LotR.

It was a given that Elrohir would go to see Mireth's burial. It would have been wrong for him not to. The young heir to Rivendell would have rather died than missed seeing her one last time. There was some closure that needed to be gained and a part of him hoped that his grandmother could help in healing from this. He didn't want to be stuck in the depression that plagued him forever, but without Mireth, there was no happiness to be had. So many people had come up to him and offered their condolences, but he was too bitter to accept them. He merely mumbled his thanks and continued along his way.

Elrohir, dressed in his finest silks and satins, rode into Lothlorien. He didn't even have the emotional energy to smile when Haldir and his soldiers dropped from the trees to greet them. The marchwarden, though cold to the world, was a very close friend of his, gave Elrohir that look that clearly said, "We'll talk." before giving them leave to move along to the house of the Lady of Light.

Estel, on the other hand, was enjoying this immensely, despite the circumstances. He had never visited Lorien before, though he had spent time with his grandparents, and now he was getting a chance to see the famed trees and see the mighty marchwardens. He would spend time under the trees and near the river that so many songs spoke of. He could identify several different flowers he saw growing in the ground. He wanted to take a couple as souvenirs, but thought that would be disrespectful.

Your brother loves you. He heard his grandmother's voice in his head. He was still surprised by it. He jumped, and one of the guards that had come with them from Rivendell grinned at him.

Elrohir resisted the urge to run his fingers through his beautifully done braids that Elladan had worked so hard on that morning. As brothers, they did each other's hair as a sign of their devotion and love, and it was an everyday routine for them, and it comforted him that they still had a shred of normality. He looked around at the trees, feeling an immense sense of loss. The only times he ever rode under these trees were with his family or with Mireth, visiting her parents. They had been quite excited about the fact he would be a Lord of Rivendell with Elladan when the time came, and the fact their daughter was courting him.

Oh, Mireth, how he missed her. He would have given up everything, his position, his forture, his very life, if he could hold her and kiss her for the last time. He thanked the Valar for his forwardness, having had kissed her before she had left. He didn't know what he would have done if he hadn't had that one experience that surpassed all others in the level of being cherished. His stomach turned and he was tempted to let go of his nonexistent breakfast. He still wasn't eating; he couldn't bear it. It was almost as if this was a punishment he was putting on himself, for not protecting her.

Elrohir glanced over his shoulder at Estel, whom was looking incredibly excited. He smiled at the teenager's obvious emotions. The one thing he loved about his brother was his childish excitement. Estel was never sad for long and could entertain him for hours. He wondered if his dear brother had actually said those things. His heart broke at the thought that there was a chance, but it seemed so out of character for him. He slowed his horse and let Dorian, his mare, walk in step with Estel's horse. The young human looked down as Elrohir tried to find words.

"I'm sorry." Elrohir whispered softly.

Estel looked up. "What?"

"I'm sorry for not believing you…" He had been about to continue as they entered the great house, greeted by many servants and some of the lesser nobility that lived in Lorien, and his voice was lost.

"Its okay. I forgive you." The two brothers embraced after they had dismounted, and Elladan, sensing this, walked over.

"Come along, you two, we're meeting grandfather and grandmother!"

Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel were led into a much less formal receiving chamber and sat at the cozy and intimate table that was in the middle of the room. Galadriel and Celeborn were already seated.

"Welcome!" Celeborn greeted them with a thin smile. "You have our sympathies." Galadriel nodded at this, her face grim as she looked upon Elrohir.

Her love remains with you through her death. Elrohir heard her voice in his head and he coughed to hide his want to simply break down right there.

Elrohir ran his hands over the table, nodding sadly. He didn't want to talk about it. He hadn't wanted to talk about it. He had only said anything to Elladan, who had comforted him immensely. But talking about it meant being vulnerable and he hated weakness. He couldn't have been more excited when their food arrived and Elrond engaged in conversation with Galadriel and Celeborn about border defenses.

"Ro?" Estel got his attention softly.

"Yes?" He turned his head as he chewed on a carrot.

"Are you okay?" The seventeen-year-old put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I will be." He replied, before turning his attention back to the conversation. There was nothing that interested him. He simply wanted to see Mireth again, before Galadrial let her body join her spirit as it went to Eru to join in his Music, until she was reborn. If she was reborn. It burned him with bitterness to entertain the idea she might not want to be reborn. The thought made him glad he had swallowed or he would have choked.

"Come, Elrohir." Elladan waited for his brother as they were escorted to their quarters.

Elrohir listened to the laments the elves sung for Mireth. It did him well that they spoke of her gentleness, her kindness and her faithfulness. He looked around the lavish room both he and Elladan always slept in during their stays and let out a long sigh. Elladan had left to meet up with a beautiful lady, one whom the elder twin always insisted that they were friends. Turning his attention back to the beautiful song, he leaned his head against the wall. He closed his gray eyes and played with the edges of his tunic. Mireth had loved the songs of Lorien, and often sang the ones she knew, especially the one about the Nimrodel. Hearing the familiar tune echo in his head, he wiped away a tear.

He clenched his hands, his breathing hitched. He would have traveled the world just to feel her touch one last time. Elrohir knew there were a million things, simple things, that he had wanted to do with her, that he would never get a chance to. Small things like waking up beside her, giving her a white rose, the symbol of pure love, singing to her of his love, reciting poetry to make her shy, feeling her hand in his. His world had revolved around her for the last fifty years, in Mortal terms. He would not have traded that time for anything.

But it had been tragically been cut short. Battle light shone in his stormy gray eyes and he made a vow to himself. He would kill every Orc and avenge her death. He would make them all pay a thousand times over what she had to pay for her innocence.

Elladan entered the room. He saw the look in his brother's eyes and sighed. "I will go with you, brother, wherever you lead us."

"No." Elrohir answered bluntly. "I go alone. She was my…" He trailed off. "I never got to tell her, 'Dan. I never got to tell her that I loved her."

Elladan sat down on the floor beside Elrohir. "She knew. She loved you too. I could tell. She always asked about you, and she was always trying to get me to steal a shirt from you so she could have it. She told me that the one thing she wanted most was to know you felt the same way, and a white rose wouldn't have hurt either, were her words." He smiled. "I gave her a few hints myself."

Elrohir smiled, a tear slipping down his face. "I'm glad, then. But I miss her so. I keep thinking one day a servant will tell me she asked me to meet her in the garden, or I will find a letter under the door or a small handkerchief of hers, soaked in jasmine, her favorite perfume." He laughed. "She was always trying to get me to let her put it on me, and I'd always say no. She would call me weak and then pretend to be aloof. I would kiss her and then she'd sneak the perfume on me anyway."

Elladan grinned. "That explains a couple things."

Elrohir laughed. "She was very excitable and childish, almost, and so caring. She wanted to help Erestor and teach children. I loved seeing her chasing the youngest ones around because I could imagine for a moment that… that…"

"That they were yours and you had married her?" Elladan supplied.

"Yes." Elrohir admitted. "My heart aches." He put a hand to his chest.

Elladan took his brother's hands. "Mine aches for you. Continue, tell me about Mireth. Take your mind from your pain or I shall douse you in jasmine."

Elrohir curled up beside his brother and told him many tales of his adventures with his love as the day turned into night. He yawned like a child and put his head on Elladan's chest.

"Goodnight, muindor." He whispered.

"Sleep."

Elladan waited until Elrohir was completely submerged in elven dreams and stood up, carrying his brother as one would a small child and deposited him onto his bed. Elladan then went to his own bed and fell into his own dreams.