**White Wizard**
"I have passed through fire and deep water," Gandalf said. "Much has transpired since our parting. Tell me of yourselves."
"What do you wish to know?" Aragorn asked. "So much has happened since the bridge, it would be a very long story. What about Merry and Pippin?"
Gandalf had everyone sit down, and then relayed that the two Hobbits were in the company of Treebeard, and therefore safe. He wanted to be brought up to date on the fellowship, so Aragorn started to relay the events. Legolas and Gimli added to the story as details came to mind. Gandalf just took in the events thoughtfully, no doubt weighing them against other events going on. Miranda kept quiet and listened, but Gandalf kept glancing at her as if expecting her to add to the story as well. When they finally relayed the story up to their meeting, Gandalf finally spoke.
"And what of you, Miranda?" Gandalf asked. "You, who were the only one to recognize me, have you nothing to say?"
Miranda gave Gandalf a hurt look. "You should have told me, Gandalf. I had to hear the story from Galadriel, but it should have come from you," Miranda said quietly.
"You are right," Gandalf sighed. "I waited too long to tell you. But tell me; for I can see it in your eyes, you can see much more than you could when last I saw you."
Miranda's eyes got huge. How did he know? Everyone looked at her expectantly. Legolas and Aragorn were very interested to hear about this. Miranda looked at all of their expectant faces and sighed.
"I've often thought you knew more of what was happening than you would say," Aragorn said. He wasn't quite annoyed with her silence, but he was puzzled by it. "Perhaps now is the time to talk about it."
"Yes, Miranda, Gandalf is here now and can help you understand," Legolas said, remembering her confusion at the edge of the woods.
They were right, of course, so Miranda relayed what she had seen.
"I wasn't sure, but I thought it would be you and not Saruman we would meet here. I couldn't believe it, though, because I thought…well, I saw you fall," she paused and then continued. "I had known for a while that Frodo was going to leave," Miranda said. "I also knew Boromir was struggling with the ring, though I thought he would beat it."
Miranda stopped for a moment and a sad look crossed her face. She thought of the mysterious boat she saw, it had turned out to be Boromir's funeral boat. She missed him. "I didn't know Boromir would…well, I don't see everything. Sometimes I can see things that will happen, but I don't know when or where. I usually just recognize my dreams when they happen…" Miranda said.
Miranda paused again, and a sudden sorrowful look crossed her face as she added in almost a whisper, "Like on the bridge."
"That could not have been prevented," Gandalf said tenderly. "No fault to anyone, least of all to you, who tried desperately to tell me."
Miranda opened her leather bag and offered some lembas bread to everyone. She hoped that the food would be an effective change of subject. She didn't want to be questioned anymore about her visions. Gandalf was too perceptive, and she didn't want to talk about visions in front of everyone. There were a few she wanted to keep to herself.
The food was a welcome sight, and Legolas smiled at her foresight in packing.
Gimli frowned. "You packed food, and this is the first time you thought to tell anyone?"
"No one was thinking about anything but orcs, including myself," Miranda said defensively.
Aragorn waved his hand as she offered him some and pulled a wafer from his tunic and smiled. "I forgot too," he admitted.
Gandalf laughed. "When we have eaten, we will journey to Edoras," he said. "The shadow of war hangs over Rohan, and Théoden is not well."
Legolas noticed Miranda lost in thought and smiling. "What are you thinking about?"
Miranda laughed. "You will think it is silly," she said.
"Not at all," Legolas said, now very curious.
"Well, it's just a poem I remember," she said. "The company and the food made me think of it."
"Let's hear it," Aragorn said. They could use a little distraction from the serious matters they had been discussing.
Miranda blushed, "No, really…"
"Oh, go on," Gimli said. "We could use a good song."
"It's just a short verse," Miranda said.
Gandalf smiled, "You're committed now."
"Very well…" she conceded.
"Come up here, O dusty feet!
Here is fairy bread to eat.
Here in my retiring room,
Children you may dine
On the golden smell of broom
And the shade of pine;
And when you have eaten well,
Fairy stories hear and tell."
{Robert Louis Stephenson}
"What's a fairy?" Gimli asked.
"They're magic people that live in stories where I am from. They're usually tiny, and have wings, and sometimes they don't have wings," Miranda explained. "It depends on the story."
Legolas smiled broadly, "Well, you'll have to tell a fairy story, so we know what they are like."
"Another time," Gandalf said. "We must get to Edoras." Gandalf wrapped a large grey cloak around himself, which almost made him look like his old grey self again, but the look in his eyes was different. Miranda could tell that he had been changed by his encounter in Moria.
They hiked back the way they had come, leading the horses through the dense forest. When they came to the edge of the wood, Gandalf whistled musically. The sound of it seemed to echo on the wind, and a few moments later, a magnificent white horse galloped across the plain to meet him. It was a beautiful stallion and everyone was impressed.
"Shadowfax," Gandalf said as he greeted his friend. "Chief among horses, he has been my friend through many dangers. He has come to carry me into battle, and to battle we will go."
Gandalf sprang onto Shadowfax with a light step. Gimli once again rode with Legolas. Aragorn mounted up and reached out a hand for Miranda. She climbed up behind him, and the company was off. Gandalf led them and set an urgent pace. The time was short. The enemy was moving swiftly now, and hours counted.
*****
Edoras was in sight, and it was a quiet looking hamlet, full of people who Miranda thought looked broken. War was looming over them, and it showed on all of their faces. She could see the King's hall at the top of a hill, and as they approached, Gandalf warned them to be cautious.
"Edoras," Gandalf said, "And the Golden hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."
As they rode through the village, Gimli grumbled, "You find more cheer in a graveyard."
At the entrance to the hall, a guard stopped them. "I am the door ward of Théoden, Háma is my name. I cannot allow you before King Théoden so armed, Gandalf Greyhame, by order of Grima Wormtongue."
Gandalf gave a curt nod. Everyone started removing weapons, and several guards stepped forward to receive them. Aragorn was reluctant to relinquish Andủril, but complied. Legolas was just as protective of his bow, and Gimli of his ax. Miranda's weapons were all gifts, and very special to her. She nearly cringed when she handed them over. The guards respectfully laid their weapons to the side of the large door and returned to their posts.
"Keep these well, Háma," Aragorn said sternly.
"No man shall touch them," Háma assured them and then looked at Gandalf. "Your staff."
"You would not part an old man from his walking stick?" Gandalf said innocently.
Hảma was no fool, and gave an annoyed look, but permitted Gandalf to keep his staff. Gandalf glanced at Aragorn and gave a quick wink as they were led into the hall. Miranda saw the wink and stifled a smile. When she looked across the hall to the King, she nearly lost her composure. The man seated there was surrounded by a dark cloud. He looked old and haggard, and his face was lost in shadow, though his eyes were bright with a surreal light. He looked evil. The man beside him was whispering to him and Miranda could see that he was evil as well. He looked more like an orc than a man.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf said.
The ugly man whispered to the King again.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Théoden asked in a broken voice.
"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear," Wormtongue said condescendingly. "Láthspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent!" Gandalf said. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy creed words with a witless worm." As Gandalf moved forward to confront the sickly looking man, Grima noticed his staff.
"The staff," Wormtongue said in surprise. He was angry and started whining loudly, "I told you to take the wizard's staff…"
Suddenly from out of a dark corner of the hall, five men in black ran toward Gandalf to try and take his staff. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli intervened quickly, and Miranda just stepped aside. The three warriors had no trouble dealing with the trouble makers, and Gandalf just ignored the fight. None of the King's guards interfered with the fight, or Gandalf. Háma held his men back, and they all waited to see what would happen.
Gandalf was marching toward the king with a determined expression. Miranda watched him in fascination. He was amazing. Even covered in a grey cloak, Miranda could see the light coming from him, now magnified by the contrast of the black cloud that was wrapped around the king.
"Théoden son of Thengel," Gandalf began. "Too long have you sat in the shadows."
Behind Gandalf, Wormtongue's men were defeated, and Gimli stood over Wormtongue who was struggling to get off his back. Gimli leaned over him and put a foot in his chest.
"I'd stay put if I were you," Gimli said.
King Théoden was turning away from Gandalf. There were no more defenses for the shadow hanging over the King, and Gandalf regained his attention.
"Harken to me!" Gandalf said. "I release you from the spell."
Théoden started laughing and grinned at Gandalf. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey," the King said in a strange voice.
Gandalf threw off his cloak, and a light shone from him onto the ailing king. "I withdraw you, Saruman, like poison is withdrawn from a wound!" Gandalf said and then raised his staff. The king seemed to be pinned against his throne. He was struggling, and tried to fight.
From a side door, a woman with long blonde hair entered the hall. When she saw Gandalf confronting the King she looked alarmed and was going to run to him. Miranda stepped in front of her and grabbed her arm.
"Just wait," Miranda said quietly. "Gandalf is helping him."
The woman barely glanced at Miranda, but stood still and watched. Everyone was watching the battle of unseen magical forces taking place on the dais. Gandalf thrust his staff toward the king who seemed to be hit with a blow, but the King growled and grit his teeth against Gandalf's power.
"If I go, Théoden dies," the king said.
"You did not kill me, you will not kill him," Gandalf said firmly as he cast another invisible magic blow with his staff.
"Rohan is mine!" the voice in the king said.
"Be Gone!" Gandalf ordered.
The King rose from his throne, but Gandalf struck him on the forehead with his staff, and he fell back against his throne. The blonde woman ran to him, and Miranda just watched in fascination. The instant that Gandalf had touched the king with his staff, the black cloud vanished. The king's appearance gradually changed as he grew younger right in front of them. Gandalf looked tired from his battle with the darkness, but remained in command of the situation.
Théoden looked confused for a moment, but recognized the woman, "Ẻowyn?" The king glanced around and saw Gandalf. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, my friend," Gandalf said to the king.
Théoden rose to his feet and looked around as if he was seeing the hall for the first time in years. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Dark have been my dreams of late," he said.
"Your fingers would remember their own strength better if they grasped your sword," Gandalf said.
Háma stepped up to the dais and held out the king's sword to him and he took it firmly. He held it up and looked at it with all the wonder and pride that warriors have for their prized weapons. Then a dark expression crossed his face and he turned to look at Wormtongue.
The guards gathered up the treasonous advisor and roughly escorted him from the hall. They tossed him unceremoniously down the front steps with the King stalking after him. Théoden was full of fury for the instrument of Saruman that kept him shrouded in that spell.
"I have only ever served you," Wormtongue gasped as he stroked his bruised arm. "Please do not send me from your side."
"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Théoden said angrily and raised his sword to kill him, but Aragorn stopped him.
"Enough blood has been spilt on his account," Aragorn said. "Let him go."
Wormtongue ran from the steps of the hall, took a horse and left the city. Aragorn looked out at the gathering crowd and cried out, "Hail Théoden, King."
The people dropped to one knee in respect for their king who had been hiding in the hall for a long time. Aragorn also turned and bowed to show his respect for the king. Théoden looked around at his guards and the servants of the hall and searched for the face that was missing.
"Where is Théodred?" he asked. "Where is my son?"
Miranda stood with Ẻowyn and watched everything that was happening with the newly awakened king. Ẻowyn looked sad when the King asked about his son.
"What's wrong?" Miranda asked.
"The King has been under a spell for so long," Ẻowyn said. "He does not know that his son was killed."
"I am sorry," Miranda said. "But I am glad to see that your king is well again. That evil cloud that hung over him frightened me."
Ẻowyn looked at Miranda with curiosity. "Who are you?"
"My name is Miranda," she began, and then told her the others' names as well. "The elf over there is Legolas, from the woodland realm. The dwarf is Gimli, son of Gloin, and there is Aragorn son of Arathorn." Miranda smiled as she mentioned each of her friends. She was proud to be traveling with them.
"Are you a wizard too?" Ẻowyn asked.
"What?" Miranda said, confused.
"The cloud you saw," she said. "I have cared for the king in his ailment for some time, and saw nothing."
"Oh," Miranda said quietly. "No, Lady Ẻowyn, I am no wizard."
"Miranda is a seer," Legolas said as he came up behind her. He gave Miranda a smile and added, "A very gifted one."
Miranda blushed, she didn't like attention, and the compliment was embarrassing.
Gandalf and the King returned to the hall, and everyone followed. Miranda thought the day had gone well. Gandalf returned from the dead. They watched him heal the King of Rohan, and Miranda finally met another woman to talk to. Well, other than Galadriel. All in all, it was a good day.