**Hard Decisions**

Ẻowyn turned to Miranda as they entered the hall and smiled.  "I will show you to a room where you can wash and rest," she said.

"Oh, thank you, Lady Ẻowyn," Miranda said appreciatively.  "There has been little time for such simple comforts on our journey."

The ladies left the hall together talking as though they were old friends.  Aragorn watched them leaving and caught Ẻowyn's eye.  She gave him a smile, but kept walking.  Miranda looked back as she exited the hall and saw Legolas talking to Gandalf.  Both men turned to look at her as she left, and their expressions were serious.  She didn't like that at all.

"Allow me to offer the hospitality of my house," Théoden said to Gandalf.  "You have been riding hard and could use rest and food."

Aragorn thanked the King for the hospitality, and the men left to wash off the grime of travel before the promised meal.  But Gandalf and Legolas found a private corner to talk.  Legolas had been meaning to speak to Gandalf for some time about Miranda, and they finally had a moment of privacy to spare.

"Gandalf, tell me about Miranda," Legolas said.  "She has constant fitful dreams, and I worry for her."

"Her eyes see the things that ours cannot," Gandalf said.  "Her sight surpasses mine in some things."

"Where do her visions come from?" Legolas asked.

"She inherited the gift from her father, Israfel the Wise," Gandalf said matter-of-factly. He smiled at Legolas' expression of recognition at that name.  "I see you have heard of him."

"She did not mention her heritage, and she is very unsure of her gift," Legolas said.

"Israfel has been gone for many years, and she never knew him.  Miranda was rescued as an infant and hidden from the enemy for her protection," Gandalf explained.  "She was never instructed in the use of her gift.

"That explains much," Legolas said ponderingly.  "She was very angry with you."

"Yes," Gandalf said sadly.  "I was a poor guardian, yet she has found her own strength, and her gift is teaching itself."

Legolas frowned.  He was thinking about her evasive answers to his questions about the future.  "Does she see future events?"

Gandalf looked at Legolas and wondered where his question was leading.  "Yes, Legolas, she sees much, but has no understanding of this world," Gandalf said with a heavy sigh.  "She was raised away from Middle Earth, and has a hard time deciphering her visions."

"I think you underestimate her, Gandalf," Legolas said thoughtfully. He was beginning to understand her now.  "She knows far too much, and she will not discuss it."

Gandalf turned aside for a moment, staring contemplatively at the distant wall as if remembering something important.  He should have taken more responsibility for raising the child.  "She has seen her path and it is dark," Gandalf said as he looked back at Legolas.  "Her own fate is not hers to see, and it frightens her."

"I understand," Legolas said quietly and then left the hall to wash up.  He wondered what would be worse: seeing everyone else's fate and not seeing your own; or seeing your own fate, and finding it unpleasant.  Perhaps her gift was more of a burden than he thought.

*****

"Tell me of your journey and your comrades," Ẻowyn said.

Miranda smiled as she poured the water in the basin to wash.  "We set out from Rivendell with Gandalf as our guide on an errand of great urgency.  Our path took us to a mountain pass, and through the mines of Moria, where we thought we had lost Gandalf," Miranda paused as she washed her face, and Miranda handed her a linen cloth to dry her face and hands. 

"So, from Moria, where did you go?" Ẻowyn asked.

"We went to the forest of Lothlorien where we were given refuge for a while by the Elves.  Lady Galadriel gave us provisions and gifts to aid us in our travels.  She is amazing, I think you would like her if you ever visited the golden wood," Miranda said with a smile.

"What gift did she give you?" Ẻowyn asked.

Miranda showed her the sword.  "This sword is called the Shadow Killer.  It is very light but strong and sharp.  Haldir, an elf captain, was teaching me its use while I was there, but I still have a lot to learn."

Ẻowyn smiled.  "Here in Rohan, women learn the use of a sword.  I will gladly continue your instruction while you are here," she offered.

Miranda gave her a bright smile.  "Oh, please.  I need all the help I can get traveling with these warriors," she said.

At mention of the others, Ẻowyn prompted Miranda to continue.  "Tell me of your companions," Ẻowyn said.

"Legolas, is an Elf prince from Mirkwood.  I've never seen anyone so fast and accurate with a bow!  He is a good friend," Miranda said with a smile.  "Gimli, son of Gloin, seems like a harsh fellow sometimes, but he's a very loyal friend, and very deadly with his ax."

Ẻowyn smiled at her descriptions of her friends.  "And Lord Aragorn, what is he like?"

Miranda gave her a knowing smile.  "Lord Aragorn is a strong leader, though that is not a surprise, he is descended from kings.  He is also…um, spoken for."

Ẻowyn gave her a surprised look.  "I wasn't asking about that…"

"No, of course not," Miranda said with a smile and a cocked eyebrow.  Aragorn was an easy man to like, but after one look at him and Arwen together, it's obvious his heart is taken.  Ẻowyn looked fairly interested, so Miranda just wanted to give her the heads up.  Miranda was curious about someone else.  "On our way here, we met some of your riders. Do you know Ẻomer?"

Ẻowyn smiled at that question.  "He's my brother," she said with an equally knowing smile.  "And he's not spoken for."

Miranda looked at Ẻowyn's broad smile and laughed.  "I didn't ask that."

"No, of course not," Ẻowyn said using Miranda's own words, and laughing in return. She looked the younger woman over, and decided she liked her.  "Come with me, Miranda, I have a gown that should fit you."

*****

Gandalf and Théoden were standing in front of Théodred's burial mound.  Théoden had been half sleeping in Saruman's control when his son was killed in battle.  The shock of loss was overwhelming. 

"Simbelmynë, ever has it grown on the tomb of my forbearers." Théoden said wistfully as he held up a delicate white flower.  He sighed and dropped it. "Now it shall cover the grave of my son.  Alas that these evil days should be mine.  The young perish and the old linger.  That I should live to see the last days of my house."

"Théodred's death was not of your making," Gandalf said, trying to comfort the grieving King.

 "No parent should have to bury their child," Théoden said sadly as he dropped to his knees and wept for his only son, cruelly taken from him.

"He was strong in life.  His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers," Gandalf said with compassion in his eyes. 

Gandalf turned to leave and give the king some privacy, but something on the horizon caught his eye.  A horse carrying two children was walking toward them.  Gandalf turned to get a better look, and saw one of the children fall from the saddle.  This was an ill omen, and Gandalf felt sympathy for Théoden.  He had to deal with the loss of his child, the ruin of his land, and the shadow of war that loomed ever closer all in one day.  It was more than most men could endure.

*****

"They had no warning, and they were unarmed," Ẻowyn said as she placed a blanket around the young girl who sat eating next to her brother.  Their village had been attacked, and their mother had sent them to Edoras to protect them from harm, and to warn the King.  "And now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go, rick, cot and tree."

"This is but a taste of the terror Saruman will unleash," Gandalf said to Théoden.  "Ride out and meet him head on."  Gandalf leaned a little closer to the King and added, "Draw him away from your women and children.  You must fight."

"You have two thousand men riding north as we speak," Aragorn said.  "Ẻomer is loyal to you.  His men will return and fight for their king."

Théoden frowned as he rose from his seat.  "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now."  He paused thoughtfully, and then ruled out that option.  "Ẻomer cannot help us."

Gandalf rose from his seat and walked toward Théoden preparing to speak, but the king interrupted his attempt to comment.

"I know what it is you want of me," Théoden said quickly.  "But I will not bring further death to my people.  I will not risk open war."

Aragorn, who had been quietly listening as he sat smoking a pipe, finally decided to add to the conversation.  "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."

"When last time I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn was king of Rohan," Théoden said sarcastically.

Gimli glanced at Legolas with a smirk, and Legolas returned it. 

"Then what is the king's decision?"  Gandalf asked impatiently.

"We will go to a more defensible place," Théoden said.  "We will take the people of Edoras to Helm's Deep."

Miranda, who had sat quietly eating and listening to the debate visibly winced when she heard the final decision.  Helm's Deep!  That is so not a good idea.  She had known that was going to be the decision, but the reality of hearing the King say it was harsh.  Miranda discreetly got up and exited the hall.  She needed some fresh air.

Legolas heard the arguments, but in the end, his own opinion would not matter, so he remained silent.  Théoden would do what he felt was right, and Legolas would go along with Gandalf and Aragorn.  He sighed at the decision, and then noticed Miranda leave the hall.  Legolas followed her out onto the terrace.

"You want to talk about it?" Legolas asked.

"Do I ever want to talk about it?" Miranda asked as she gave her friend a smile.

"Why do you run from your friends when they try to help you?  What do you see?" Legolas asked her seriously.

"I see lots of blood, Legolas," Miranda said sadly.  "But I see no way to stop it."

"You do not have to stay," Legolas said.  "You have no obligation to go to Helm's Deep."

"Yes I do," Miranda said firmly.  "Do you remember when we spoke in Moria and you said 'Who knows what part you have yet to play in this quest'?" Miranda asked.

"I remember," Legolas said.  "You have found your part?"

"Yes," Miranda said.  "And that means you are all stuck with me, to the very end."

Legolas gave her a tender smile, "You are a delightful lady to be… stuck with." Legolas said sincerely. "So, are you going to tell me about it?"

Miranda forced a smile and headed back into the hall.  She glanced over her shoulder at Legolas and said, "Nope."

Legolas frowned as he looked out over the horizon.  "I didn't think so," he said quietly to himself.

*****

Gandalf was annoyed by Théoden's rejection of his council.  His only course now was to find him some help, preferably Ẻomer and his men riding north.  Gandalf trudged down to the stables with Aragorn and Gimli following.  Legolas saw them from the steps of the hall and joined them.

"Helm's Deep!" Gimli exclaimed with irritation.  "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight.  Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn conceded.  "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

"There is no way out of that Ravine," Gandalf said in annoyance as he opened the door to the stable.  "Théoden is walking into a trap, when he thinks he's leading them to safety."  Gandalf paused as he greeted his horse Shadowfax.  "What they will get is a massacre." 

Gandalf looked back at Aragorn and continued.  "Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him.  I fear for the survival of Rohan." 

Gandalf leaned closer to Aragorn giving him a grave expression.  "He will need you before the end, Aragorn.  The people of Rohan will need you."  Gandalf led Shadowfax out of his stall.  "Their defenses have to hold."

"They will hold," Aragorn stated firmly as he stroked Shadowfax's strong neck.

Gandalf smirked at Aragorn's confidence.  The Ranger had grown into himself, and acted more and more like the king he was with each passing day.  Gandalf was quite pleased with Isildur's heir.

"The grey Pilgrim," Gandalf said thoughtfully.  "That's what they used to call me.  Three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth and now I have no time."  Gandalf mounted Shadowfax and looked down at Aragorn.  "With luck, my search will not be in vain.  Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day.  At dawn, look to the east."

Aragorn gave Gandalf a nod and simply said, "Go."  He gave Shadowfax a light swat on his flank and Gandalf was off.