Caras Galadhon, 29 Yavannië, 2860

My Dearest Sister,

Well, we have arrived safely in Lórien, and Grandmother and Grandfather send their love.   Our journey took us a little further south than usual – El and I really do not care to travel the Redhorn Pass now unless we must – so we came to Lórien through the Glanduin/Nimrodel pass, in the hope that we can use it as an alternative.  Unfortunately it is probably too steep and dangerous to use regularly,  but the view to the south as the mountains fall away to the plains of Rohan is spectacular.  Our journey was not quite without incident – there are always scavenging bands of orcs – and we were attacked as we descended to the source of the Nimrodel.

Do not fear, little sister!  We fought them off with no losses, though I took a slight cut to my arm.  As you know, the orcs tend to use poison on their blades, and the cut itches like fury – but you can assure Father that the antidote works, and it is healing well.  Even Elladan admits it!

Your friend Haldir is doing very well for himself.  He has been promoted to captain of the western marches, and defends the border between Lórien and the Mountains.  He still remembers you very fondly though, and asked after you constantly.  The poor fellow became quite tongue-tied when El offered to deliver a message to you – it is clear he still holds a great affection for you.  Are you ever going to put him out of his misery and agree to marry him?

As I say, Grandmother and Grandfather send their love, and ask that you come to stay with them soon.   Tell Father that we will be home before long, and if you wish we can escort you to Lórien in the spring.  Until then,

Your loving brother,

Elrohir

Caras Galadhon, 29 Yavannië, 2860

Greetings, Captain!

As you can see, we have arrived safely here in Lórien.   Elladan and I made the decision to take the Glanduin/Nimrodel pass, but I do not think it will serve as an alternative route to the east.  It is too steep and dangerous to use except in great need.   It is much higher than the Redhorn, and the air seems thin – at times it felt harder to breathe. 

Our hope that the route would prove safer was also futile – it too is infested with orcs, and we were attacked as we neared the Nimrodel.  We fought them off with no losses and only minor injuries, but we were very fortunate.  The orcs outnumbered us two to one, and their knives and arrows were poisoned.  Glorfindel, we must ensure that every warrior carries the antidotes we have developed at all times.  I took a slight cut on my arm, and without the remedy, may well have lost the use of it.  You can assure father that our antidote does indeed work, though I would have preferred not to experiment on myself!

The news from Lórien is grim – the border patrols have suffered many losses this year.   Last month Vandil was killed in a sudden attack, along with his entire patrol.  I know you will remember him well.  Their deaths are a tragic loss, and I have expressed our sorrow to Vandil’s wife.  I fear, though, that he will not be the last. 

Haldir now leads the western marches.  He is young, but has risen to the challenge well, and his brothers seem equally promising

My grandparents have asked Arwen to visit them soon.  Although it troubles me that she will be travelling through the mountain passes, I know she longs to see them.  But if she does come here, Elladan and I will escort her ourselves.   I know it is foolish, but we simply cannot entrust her safety to anyone else. 

Our work with the healers here will soon be done, as soon as I am sure they can prepare the antidote themselves.  And then we will be making our way home again, before the winter snows.

Keep Imladris safe for us.

Until then,

Elrohir

My Dearest Brother,

This – this is a letter which I pray to all the Valar that you never have to read.  If you do, then I am dead and you have survived whatever catastrophe befell me.   I have tried to imagine myself in the same situation – but cannot bear the grief and sorrow that even the mere thought brings.    I cannot imagine the anguish you must be enduring now, but you are strong, Elladan – far stronger than I am.  You can endure this.

I realise that it may be some time before you can bear to read this – years, even.   Perhaps you will never bring yourself to read it.  But if and when you do, remember the good times, not the end.  Remember the fun and laughter we shared, the constant companionship, the times when we tried to confuse Glorfindel or Erestor.  Remember as well all the times I drove you mad with my stubbornness – bloody mindedness, you called it – and the times we argued and fought as well.  Remember that I love you, and always will, even now.

Elladan, I believe that one day we will be reunited beyond the circles of the world, and we will be together again as we always were.

Until that time comes,

I am your loving brother, friend and twin,

Elrohir

Lothlórien, 2 Viressë, 140

Dear Elladan,

Daerada said I should write to you to tell you how much I’m enjoying my stay here in Lórien.  I wish I was – enjoying it, I mean – but I miss you too much.  I hate us being apart, even if it is supposed to be ‘for our own good’.  How do they know?  I thought Ada at least would understand, but he’s just as bad!

I suppose it’s not too bad here, and everyone is trying to be nice to me.  Haldir – one of the guards here – is very kind.  He says he knows how I feel, because he’s got two younger brothers and he misses them when he’s away on patrols.  But they’re just brothers – it’s not the same.  I know he’s trying to be kind, though.

You’d really like it here, El.  They don’t live in proper houses with rooms and stairs and hallways and windows.  They live in the trees – and you’ve never seen such wonderful trees!  They’re taller than any I’ve ever seen before, with silvery grey trunks and golden flowers, and platforms called talans built in the branches.  My bedroom – it’s not really a room, but you know what I mean – hasn’t got any walls, just some screens to block the wind, and a canopy of leaves for when it rains.    It’s really strange to go to bed in a tree, and listen to the wind in the branches and look up at the stars through the leaves, but I like it.   It took me ages to get to sleep the first night, but I think that was because I missed you.

One day Haldir took me and his brothers camping.  We stopped next to a river called Nimrodel, and Haldir told us a story about a lady who lived there long ago and sang sad songs.  Just before I went to sleep I could hear someone singing – it was very strange.  Haldir’s brothers said it was just the river, and they laughed at me, but I know I heard her.  I wish you’d heard it was well – I know you wouldn’t have laughed.  Haldir says he’s sometimes heard her too.  I told you he was nice.

There are lots of rivers and streams all around Lórien, but no bridges.  You have to cross by walking across a rope – Haldir’s been teaching me how.  It’s difficult to keep your balance, but at least I haven’t fallen in yet!  Haldir says that’s very good. 

There’s so much to see and do here, El – you’d love it.  At night I lie in bed and wish I could tell you all the things that have happened during the day.

You must write back, El, and tell me what you’ve been doing at home.   Nana sends her love, and says she misses Ada as well – but they’re just Nana and Ada.  I told her it’s not the same.

I can’t wait to come home and see you again.  It won’t be long now, and then I can tell you all about the other things I’ve done, and the day I helped to build a new talan and made one of the wind screens all by myself.  Haldir says it’s one of a kind!

With love,

Elrohir

Imladris, 5 Nénimë, 2989

Greetings, Ori son of Gorin!

Thank you for your last letter – I am delighted to see you still use the Elvish script, and write it so fluently! 

As you can see, I likewise practise the runes you taught me in exchange – it frustrates Elladan intensely, as he cannot read what I have written.  He is trying to read this now, peering over my shoulder, and grumbling and swearing about it.  I wish I had learned the Angerthas long ago, when we were children, for then I may have been able to keep a few secrets from him.

Your proposed re-colonisation of Moria is most interesting news.  I wish you every success there – may you find the mithril you seek!  My brothers and I ventured into Moria some years ago, which you may have heard about.  I am sure Farin and Bilbur will have told you of the Elven spies they encountered, in league with the witch of the Golden Wood!  Beware, though.   We encountered many orcs, and although most of them were slain, I am sure some remained.   They may still lurk there in the deep places, and there may be other dangers.  Beware, my friend.

I cannot blame you for wishing to dwell in Moria once more.  I could still glimpse the grandeur there even after centuries of emptiness.  When the debris and filth of the orcs has been cleared, and the halls and passages are lit again, and voices are heard once more, it will be a wonder to behold!  The caverns will ring with hammer blows and song, and all the splendour and majesty of Durin’s reign will be seen again.

I wish you luck in your quest, and hope you will find the ores of gold, mithril and iron, the veins of emeralds and rubies.   Write to me again, and tell me of your new home.

Your friend,

Elrohir Elrondion

Imladris, 15 Nárië, 2511

My Dearest Mother,

It has been a year now since you left us sailed, but the parting has not grown any easier with time.   We all miss you so very much.

We all deal with it in different ways.  Arwen cannot bear the air of sorrow and misery, and has fled to Lórien to escape the memories here.   Arwen has left us for a while to stay with Grandmother and Grandfather in Lórien, while Elladan and I  only seem able to vent our grief and rage through bloodshed.  We often ride with the Dúnedain, but no matter how many orcs we slaughter I know it cannot assuage the pain.   often ride on patrols with the Dúnedain.   Sometimes I am able to see past the red haze of battle fury, and know that you would hate what we have become   remember the old days, and the light and laughter you brought into our lives, and again miss you so much.

Father cannot cope with your absence at all.  He shuts himself up in his study, and sometimes we do not see him for days.   Father copes as well as he can, and has devoted himself to his books and studies.  He often seems to forget the passage of time, and has to be reminded to eat!

Imladris is a sorrowful, desolate place now, silent and grim.  The minstrels no longer sing, and the hall of fire is darkened.   seems a very different place now, and the evenings are quiet and peaceful.

I pray that you will find the healing you seek, but fear that we may never see you again  and that one day we will all be together once more.   Until that time comes,

I am your loving son,

Elrohir

Author Notes:  Elrohir agonises over the choice of the Peredhel between mortality and immortality - and finally makes his decision.

Imladris, 7 Ringarë, FA 20

Dear Elladan

It seems strange to be writing a letter to you when I bade you good night only moments ago – but you will not talk to me, brother!  When I try to speak of this, you change the subject or avoid me entirely.

I have given much thought lately to our choice, though I know you fear the consequences of that decision.   Do we take the path of the Edain and stay among the wonders of Arda that we love so well?  Or do we choose the life of the Eldar and sail for the unknown beauties of Valinor, to meet again with Mother and Father?

I have thought long and hard about this, my brother – afraid to make an irrevocable choice that could part us forever.  Yet it suddenly came to me tonight that it is not a hard choice at all – my path is now clear and I find my decision is already made.

I choose to stay with you, Elladan.  Although my heart yearns to sail, if you decide to stay here in Middle-Earth then I will stay with you, and we will watch the children of Arwen and Estel, and their children’s children, grow and flourish before we finally face old age and death together.

I realised that my greatest fear (indeed, my only fear) was to be parted from you.  I could not bear to be sundered as Father and Elros were – for what is the point of eternity if you are not by my side?

So, my brother, my heart is finally at peace.  My choice is simple, and already made.  Whether we sail or stay, I care not – as long as we are together.

Your brother, always

Elrohir

The Prancing Pony, Bree, 9 Narië 2929

Greetings, Arathorn my brother,

I was delighted to receive your last letter – it was waiting when Elladan and I returned through Bree after our last patrol.  It is wonderful to hear that Dírhael has at last given his consent for you to marry his daughter, and we were delighted by your request.   Never let it be said that we told you so, but just remember that your brothers always know best.  (Elladan wishes me to add that you will probably find this even more irritating than ‘we told you so’.)  All teasing aside, we are truly glad for you – and raised a cup or three of Butterbur’s best ale in celebration.

I had the strangest dream shortly after we last met you – a prophetic one I think; although such dreams and visions usually come to Elladan, and not to me.  I saw a young boy – no more than five summers old – playing in the gardens of Imladris, and laughing as he fought Elladan with a wooden sword.  He was the very image of you, my brother!  I have no doubt that he is – or will be – your son, for Gilraen was also there, watching him and laughing at his antics as he killed Elladan.

It was only a fleeting glimpse, but remains as vivid and clear as the day; and I have no doubt that it is a true dream.  One day you will have a fine son, and you will bring him to see us in Imladris.

Before that day comes, you must of course first marry Gilraen – and Elladan and I will be honoured to stand at your side as your supporters when that day comes.  We plan to return home to Imladris first to reassure Father that we still live, and will then make our way to Gilraen’s village in the autumn in time for your wedding.

Until then,

Your loving brother

Elrohir

Imladris, 10 Víressë, 2509

Dear Taniquel,

I was so sorry to miss you when I came to Lasgalen a few months ago.  It was only because of the chance of seeing you again that I agreed to deliver the message to Thranduil myself – but I found you gone on a long patrol.   Perhaps foolishly, I decided to return home immediately but ran into bad weather and even worse luck.

To cut a very long story short, I was lucky to escape with my life.  Poor Mornaur was killed, and it was fortunate that Elladan found me in time or I would have faced a similar fate.  Do not worry, Tani – I am well now and completely healed, though Elladan still fusses over me like an old mother hen – with the sole purpose of annoying me, I am sure.

Can you tell that he was reading that as I wrote?  He has gone now, muttering that next time he will leave me on the mountainside.  I know he worries, and I would have been equally concerned for him, but there are times when he goes too far!

However, now that I have recovered, I would love to be able to see you again.  I miss you, Tani, and I miss your friendship and laughter.  There are many maidens here who are paraded before me by ambitious mothers in the hope that they will catch my eye – but none of them are you.  They pretend polite interest in anything I say, agree with everything and laugh prettily – but none of them argue with me or laugh at me.  They are all far more interested in ‘Lord Elrond’s son’ than they are in me.  You have always accepted me for myself, Tani – not as Elrond’s son, or ‘one of the twins’, but just as me.  Perhaps it was because of our unconventional introduction – it must be hard to take seriously someone who has fallen into enchanted waters and nearly drowned before your eyes!  And no, I still do not recall the event myself – but Elladan delights in teasing me about it whenever I mention your name. 

These pretty, polite, painted maidens have made me realise something, and I want to see you again.  My duties here – delayed because of my injuries – will keep me busy for some time, and Elladan and I are to escort Mother to Lothlórien in the summer.  But after that I will be free to travel to Lasgalen again.  I will write to you again nearer the time, and I will also beg Thranduil not to send you off on patrol then.  There is a most important question I need to ask you.

With much love,

Elrohir

(Author Notes:  The events Elrohir describes at the beginning of the letter are in 'Night On A Bare Mountain', but it's not necessary to have read that.)