**Dreamer**
Clashing swords and flying arrows and spears were everywhere. It was a medieval battle, but it was so much more than that. Horrifying creatures with fangs and claws were attacking mercilessly. Some of the men were fighting very bravely, but the enemy was strong. The smell of blood turned her stomach, and then she heard the scream. It was an unearthly shriek like an evil banshee. The black hooded figure sat like the angel of death on the back of a dragon-like creature. But no one noticed the other creature until it was too late…
Miranda woke up in shock and drenched in sweat. Her nightmare was the worst one she'd had so far. It was like watching some medieval film, only there was a lot more blood, and really ugly creatures with sharp teeth. She also kept seeing a gold ring. It looked like an ordinary wedding band, but seemed to be on fire. Miranda shrugged off the sudden chill that crept up her spine and sat up.
Miranda was having dreams every night now, and there was nothing familiar about them except one thing, Gandalf. Her friend was always so dependable, visiting her by the pond every full moon since she was fourteen. He had been visiting her less frequently lately, and she was worried about him. She knew that there must be trouble for him at home, wherever that was for him. She had to talk to him and warn him about the things she saw in her dreams. She had to find out what she was actually seeing.
It was about one o'clock in the morning, and the moon was high. It wasn't quite full, but she hoped that maybe it wouldn't matter. She climbed out of her bed and went into her tiny bathroom to wash her face. She checked the mirror and noted the dark bags under her crisp green eyes. She quickly brushed her thick auburn hair and dressed in jeans, a white peasant blouse, flower print vest and suede boots. She had to laugh at herself for dressing up to see him. She figured it was because he was the closest thing to family she had and wanted to make him proud.
Gandalf was her only friend and he had to be kept a secret. After all, what could she say about him? 'Hey, I have a friend who's a magician from another world?' Not good dinner conversation at a catholic school. They still think the Salem Witch Trials were a good idea! She had to sneak out to see him whenever the moon was full. She loved his stories, and she missed his wise advice. He had always been the one to encourage her. His encouragement had prompted her to take Karate classes, and now she was a back belt. He had also suggested she join the archery club. And she had to admit, she loved it. Without his friendship, she would probably still be hiding in her room like she had her first few months at the school.
Miranda grabbed her long overcoat and slipped quietly from her room and down the drafty hallway. Old buildings like this were always drafty. She took the back stairs and slipped out through the kitchen window. The moon was bright in the clear sky and she followed the path through the formal garden to the woods that surrounded the grounds.
The trees were thick evergreens and cypress trees, and she loved walking among them. It wasn't far to the pond, and in no time, she found herself standing on the bank staring at the water. It was a still night and the pond was like glass, reflecting the night sky like a mirror. The moon was bright and she sighed and sat down to wait. She hugged her knees and rested her head on them. She was tired from too many dreams and too little sleep. She closed her eyes and fell asleep instantly.
*****
Miranda woke in the gray light of early morning before the sunrise. She heard the birds stirring and singing and she opened her eyes. She let out a gasp and quickly shut them tightly again. She thought she saw someone sitting there, but it must have been her imagination. There's no way possible that she could have seen a man with pointy ears. She convinced herself that it was just her imagination and opened her eyes. A tall man with long platinum blonde hair and pointed ears stood a few feet away from her. He looked very young, he had a very baby-face look, and was quite handsome. His attire made him look like a tall grey Robin Hood, complete with bow and quiver. He stood with his arms crossed and an eyebrow cocked giving her a suspicious look. She slowly sat up and realized she had no idea where she was. She was in a forest, but it was nothing like the one she was in last night. The ground was covered with orange and yellow leaves, suggesting it was fall here, but she had fallen asleep on a cool spring night, next to a pond surrounded by evergreens.
The blonde man turned to greet two more men that came out of the woods. They looked at her like she had horns or something. One of them had the long blonde hair and pointy ears look, even showing a certain facial resemblance to the first one. The pair was dressed similarly, and both had bows. The other man looked a lot rougher than his blonde companions. He had dark hair and a beard, and was dressed in earth tones in a style of clothing that reminded her of a knight from a King Arthur flick. She looked at him, and he seemed familiar. He looked like someone she'd seen in her dreams.
While the two blondes talked in some language she didn't understand, the rough looking man spoke to her.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Miranda …Randi," she said nervously. "How did I get here?"
"That was my next question," the man said.
Miranda looked around nervously. They were not yelling or attacking her, but they were angry. She was walking around in someone's back yard, she just knew it. "Look, I guess you think I'm trespassing, and I'm sorry for that. But I honestly don't know what happened. I was waiting for my friend by the pond, but he didn't come, so I must have fallen asleep." Oops! Too much information, shut up, Miranda, she thought.
"There is no pond near here," he said.
"I noticed that," she said dryly. Good, change of subject.
"Who is your friend?" one of the blonde men asked.
Darn! She wasn't sure she should tell them, but the stern expression on their faces convinced her to risk it. "Gandalf," she said hesitantly.
The three men turned away from her and all spoke in that other language. Miranda had listened to quite enough and got annoyed by that. She stood up, brushed herself off, and planted her hands firmly on her hips giving them a look of complete ire.
"Hey," Miranda said firmly enough to get their attention. "It's very rude to talk about someone right in front of them like that."
Three blank stares, that's just wonderful.
"Just where am I?" she demanded.
"Rivendell, my lady," the rough man said. "My name is Aragorn son of Arathorn. And here is Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Lord Elrond."
The odd trio were looking her over a little more closely now and that made her nervous. She unconsciously crossed her arms in front of herself, pulling her overcoat closed. It was a long familiar habit of the shy girl who first met Gandalf four years ago to try to hide that way. The men regarded her with blatant curiosity. It could have just been the way she was dressed, no doubt totally inappropriate here, but she still didn't like it. Growing up in a city makes you cautious, even downright suspicious of every little action.
"What are you going to do with me?" she asked a little more quietly. They were heavily armed, and she was in their forest.
"We will take you to our father's house to see your friend," Elladan said.
"Gandalf?"
"Yes, my lady," Elrohir affirmed. "He can confirm your story."
Of course, they think I'm lying, she thought.
They mounted their horses, and Elladan reached for her climb up to ride with him, but she backed away.
"Lady Miranda, do not be afraid, we will not harm you," Elladan said seriously. He held out his hand, and looked into her eyes with an unwavering expression.
Miranda eyed him suspiciously.
"Truly, my lady," Elladan said. "You will be safe, you have my word."
Miranda took his hand and climbed up behind him.
"Hold on," Elladan said and then he spoke softly to his horse. The trio took off at a light canter and Miranda gasped in surprise at the sudden movement and she tightened her grip around Elladan's waist. Elladan glanced over his shoulder and smiled to himself.
"First time on a horse, my lady?" he asked.
"How could you tell?" she asked sarcastically.
Elladan laughed. "It is a short ride," he said.
Miranda was very thankful it was a short ride. As they rode out of the trees, Miranda saw a city built into the mountainside, and it was a breathtaking sight. There were waterfalls and trees and buildings with intricate architectural details. It was a place like nothing she had ever seen before.
"It's beautiful," she whispered to herself, and Elladan smiled.
When they rode up to a large house, Miranda saw Gandalf on the balcony talking to a dark haired man with pointy ears. Gandalf saw her and recognized her immediately.
"Miranda?" he said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Aragorn helped her down from the horse, and she headed up the stairs to see Gandalf. The trio followed and watched the strange reunion expectantly.
"Gandalf! I have missed you. You haven't visited in so long," she began as she hugged him. "I was worried about you."
"Oh, Miranda, child, I have been overly busy of late. I have also missed our visits…" Gandalf said with a warm smile.
"Gandalf," Miranda said. "I really need to talk to you," she glanced around at the curious faces. "In private," she added quietly.
Elrond smirked and raised an eyebrow when he heard that.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly, blushing. "I didn't mean to be rude, it's nothing personal."
Gandalf laughed, "Lord Elrond, this is Miranda," he said.
"The child from…?"Elrond began.
"Yes," Gandalf said quickly, raising a hand to stop his question.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Miranda," Elrond said with a gracious smile.
"Thank you, sir," she said shyly. "You can call me Randi."
"Come along then," Gandalf said. "Let's have that talk."
They walked along the balcony enjoying the scenery. When Miranda thought they were out of earshot she just had to ask. "Gandalf, why do they have pointed ears?"
Gandalf laughed. "They're Elves," he said with a chuckle.
"How did I get here?" she asked. "Did you do it?"
"No," he said with a look of concern on his face. "I was not expecting you, especially not now."
"Gandalf, I've been having dreams. They aren't nice dreams. You are in some of them, and that guy Aragorn," she said, and then paused. "There were these other creatures, ugly horrible creatures, and a ring."
Gandalf eyed her with interest. "You came to tell me this? Why?"
"You're my friend, Gandalf, my only friend," she said seriously. "You are in the middle of something very important and dangerous. I want to help."
Gandalf considered that a moment. He hadn't thought she was ready for life in Middle Earth, but she was here, and it was not his doing. He wondered if someone else was responsible, or if she had made the journey herself. He needed time to ponder this new development. Perhaps the timing of her homecoming was a sign.
"Why don't you go with Elladan," he said, motioning the young Elf over. "And get some breakfast. I'll look for you later."
"All right, but this discussion is not over," Miranda said firmly. "You are keeping something from me and I expect an explanation of…all this," she said with a sweeping motion at the strange world around her.
Gandalf smiled as she was led off to breakfast.
"She doesn't know who she is?" Elrond asked accusingly.
"No," Gandalf said. "Nor does she need to, yet."
"You did not bring her here," Elrond said. "Could she have…?"
"I don't know what magic is in her, only that she was of interest to the enemy," Gandalf said.
"Yes. Your intervention was most timely. Perhaps her appearance is an omen," Elrond said. "She will attend the council."