**A Night at Dunharrow**
Aragorn was seated in the main hall of the Hornburg eating in the company of Legolas and Gimli. He was obviously weary from lack of sleep, and hard decisions.
"Last night I looked in the stone of Orthanc," Aragorn said.
"You looked into that accursed stone?" Gimli asked in surprise. "Even Gandalf feared the encounter."
"You forget to whom you are speaking," Aragorn said. "I am the lawful master of the stone, and possess the strength and will to use it, or so I judged. It was a long struggle, and the weariness is slow to pass, but I was able to sway the stone to my will."
"Yet the dark lord still holds dominion," Legolas said. "He will strike more quickly with the revelation of the heir of Isildur."
"But the hasty stroke often goes astray," Aragorn said. "I have seen an enemy unlooked for pressing in on Gondor from the south. If it is not countered swiftly, it will draw strength from the defense of Minas Tirith."
"Then the city will be lost," Gimli said. "For what help is there for them?"
"Since I have no help to send, I must go myself," Aragorn said. "There is one way to cross the mountains and reach the coastland before it is too late, and that is the Paths of the Dead."
Miranda, who had sought a little solitude after her farewell to the Riders of Rohan, had wandered into the hall as Aragorn was explaining the history of the Paths of the Dead. She listened unnoticed in the shadows as Aragorn told the story of the betrayal of Isildur by the Men of the mountains, who broke their oath to fight Mordor. Isildur cursed them and they wait without the peaceful rest of death until their oath be fulfilled.
Miranda closed her eyes as she felt the icy breath of the dead on her neck, and saw a gate guarded by a long dead silent sentry. Her eyes flew open again as she tried to push the vision from her mind. Her promise to Galadriel to face the dark enemy in her dreams forced her to remain close to Aragorn, and she would not shrink from her path now no matter how frightening it might be.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli were finishing up and preparing to leave, so Miranda slipped out of the hall and headed back down to the green to wait with the hooded Rangers. As she rode up to them, seated calmly and proudly on their horses in formation, she felt like an outsider in this world. The fellowship was broken and separated, and she felt like a stranger, just following on the heels of a King who had no need for her.
Halbarad watched the young woman ride down the ramp to a spot a few yards from the Rangers, and quietly wait for the rest of their party to arrive. She had her hood drawn up, and was surprisingly well armed for a woman. She did not look at them, but patted her horse on the neck and then sat motionless. Aragorn had not told him anything about her, and he was suddenly curious as to how she came to be involved in this war.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli walked down to the green where Halbarad had Aragorn's and Legolas' horses saddled and waiting. They mounted up, with Gimli riding behind Legolas, and took their places at the head of the formation. Aragorn glanced over at Miranda, and then motioned her over. She rode over to him and waited for him to speak.
"You are very quiet today," Aragorn said. "You seem troubled."
"No," Miranda said. "I am fine. Your men are waiting to depart."
Aragorn sighed at the obvious lie, but let it go. He gave the order, and one of the Rangers sounded the horn, and they were off. Aragorn rode at the head of the pack, with Halbarad, Legolas and Gimli, Haldir and the twins, with the Rangers following. Miranda rode apart from the main group and didn't speak to anyone, not even Haldir or the twins. She wrestled with her fears in silence, and showed only the quiet determined face she always used to mask her inner turmoil. The company rode hard out of the ravine, and the pounding of hooves echoed like thunder. While Théoden rode through the cover of the hills, the grey company rode fast over the plains.
*****
The next evening they came to Dunharrow as sunset fell, and were greeted by the Lady Ẻowyn, who was sent to govern the people in a safer location than Edoras. She was obviously delighted to see Aragorn again, and graciously offered the hospitality of the hall. The company had a fine supper, and Aragorn filled Ẻowyn in on all the details of Isengard, and what she had missed since their parting.
Miranda sat near the end of the table, and ate in silence. Haldir and the twins sat with her, but she barely spared them a smile. She scarcely listened to the conversation, but did notice the stars in Ẻowyn's eyes. She cringed at the thought that Ẻowyn was in for a rude awakening, Aragorn loved Arwen.
"My lords, you shall go to your beds with what comforts we can make in haste, but tomorrow…" Ẻowyn started to say but was interrupted.
"Please do not trouble over us," Aragorn said. "If we can rest here tonight, and break our fast in the morning, we will be most grateful. Our errand is urgent, and we must leave at first light."
"Then I thank you for riding so many miles out of your way to bring tidings to me here in my exile," Ẻowyn said.
"We didn't ride out of our way, for our road leads us past here," Aragorn said. "Though no visit to you would be wasted, our need for haste would not have permitted a visit unless we were already riding this way."
"But there is no road through the mountains beyond here," Ẻowyn said in confusion.
"Yes, lady, for we are bound for the Paths of the Dead," Aragorn said.
Miranda looked at Ẻowyn and saw the look of utter terror in her eyes. Miranda cringed and excused herself from the table. She couldn't listen to anymore about it. As she headed out of the hall, Haldir caught up to her.
"Miranda, wait," Haldir said.
"Sorry, Haldir, but I'm exhausted," she said and kept walking.
Haldir caught her arm to stop her and she turned to face him. "Please," Haldir said. "Talk to me."
"I'm sorry, I have a lot on my mind, and I'm not big on talking right now," Miranda said as she stared at the ground.
Haldir reached up and gently lifted her chin to look into her eyes. She was so beautiful, but her eyes were filled with worry, and she refused to take comfort from the company of her friends.
"Miranda, you are not alone," he said. "Don't push me away."
She tried to look away, but he wouldn't let her. "Lady, don't you know how I feel about you?" Haldir asked.
Miranda studied his eyes and simply asked, "Why me?"
Haldir bent down and gently kissed her on the lips. He released her and said, "Love is often mysterious, but this I understand," he began. "You give of yourself freely, without holding back, without fear, and without regret. You ask for nothing in return, and you keep your sorrows to yourself. Lady your innocent eyes haunt me."
"Haldir…" Miranda said breathlessly. "I don't know…"
"You don't know how you feel," he said sadly. "I know."
"You have to understand," she said. "I grew up alone, without a family. When I came here, the fellowship became my family. I love you all, I just …"
He sighed and pulled her into a hug. "I am first and always your friend," he said. "So as your friend, I ask you again; what's wrong?"
"The Paths of the Dead," Miranda said. "It's the first time I've really been scared since we started this journey. I can already hear them…"
"You don't have to go with us," Haldir said. "Stay here where you'll be safe."
Miranda pulled herself away from him and headed down the hall to her room. "No," she said. "I have to go. My time has nearly come, and I cannot leave the King." And with that, she closed the door without looking back.
Aragorn came out of the hall with the twins and Legolas and Gimli, and they nearly ran over Haldir.
"Why?" Haldir asked Aragorn harshly. "What allegiance does she owe you?"
Aragorn regarded him in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"Miranda," Legolas said flatly.
"She would follow you through her darkest nightmares, and refuses to stay behind," Haldir said bitterly. "Can't you see what this journey is doing to her?"
"She follows her own conscience, as do we all," Gimli said.
"No, she follows him," Haldir said firmly as he pointed at Aragorn. He frowned, gave a snort, and stormed away without another word.
"Two of them," Elladan said.
"Two of them what?" Aragorn asked.
"Two are in love with her," Elrohir said. "Ẻomer and Haldir."
Aragorn gave a nod, "I thought as much," he said. "But who does she favor?"
"Haldir thinks she favors you," Legolas said.
Aragorn gave a frown. "No, that is not it at all," he said. He looked at his long time friends and sighed. They didn't seem to be convinced, and suddenly neither was he. First Lady Ẻowyn, and now Miranda. His life was beginning to seem very complicated where women were concerned. "I'll go talk to her."
Legolas looked at Aragorn and smirked. "You go rest," he said. "I'll talk to her."
Aragorn smiled in relief and gave Legolas a nod. Everyone broke up to go rest, except Legolas, who knocked on Miranda's door.
"Go away," Miranda said.
Legolas just laughed and said, "It's not Haldir."
"Come in Legolas," Miranda said.
Legolas opened the door to the sight of Miranda sitting on the bed, still dressed except for her boots. She hugging her knees and stared at the wall. He could see that she was upset as he crossed the room and sat beside her.
"You know, Haldir is worried about you," he said.
"He wants me to stay behind," Miranda said softly. "But I can't."
"I know, but he doesn't understand," Legolas said. "He thinks you're in love with Aragorn."
Miranda looked at him in shock, "What?"
Legolas smiled, "You're not?"
"You have to ask?" she asked him with an eyebrow cocked.
"You don't share your thoughts," Legolas said flatly.
"I love him, but I'm not in love with him," she said. "I love all of you. You're the family I never had," she added softly as she turned back to the wall.
"And Ẻomer and Haldir?" Legolas asked.
"They know nothing about me, either of them," Miranda said. "They love who they think I am. That is all."
Legolas studied her for a while. Her face was set like stone, and her expression was proud, but empty. And then he finally understood the truth. The reason she held herself at a distance. The reason she withdrew when anyone showed her any sort of love.
"Someone hurt you," he said. "You don't trust anyone with your heart, do you?"
"I don't want to talk about this," Miranda said, but Legolas saw the silent tears, and just hugged her.
"Whatever it was that happened to you in that world of yours, it won't happen here," he said. "You know, we all love you too."
Miranda leaned against him and just sobbed. Years of denial couldn't hold back the tears anymore. The bruises that long ago faded from her skin had been carried in her heart. She was cocooned in a shell to guard herself from the pain of abuse from foster parents that should have loved her. She learned at an early age that she wasn't worthy of love. It was nearly impossible for her to understand when someone treated her with the tenderness and affection that Haldir and Ẻomer had.
"I am not used to being loved," Miranda said softly.
Legolas felt a stab of pain in his chest at those words. What kind of world had she come from? He held her tighter, and let her cry. When she had finally quieted down, he decided to ask, "What happened to you?" Legolas felt her tense in his arms, but then slowly she relaxed again.
"You don't need to hear the story, Legolas," she said softly. "It's not nearly as bad as you might think. Anyway, I'm tired, and tomorrow will be a long day."
Legolas sighed and released her. She was very stubborn, and he usually found it endearing, but not tonight. "You need to let go of it," he said firmly. "You'll never be free until you let it go."
"What do you know about it?" she asked harshly. "Elves are perfect."
"If I was perfect," Legolas said. "I could say a magic spell, and bring back your smile."
Miranda laughed at that.
"Was that a smile?" he asked.
"A small one," she said. "Quit worrying about me. I'm fine now."
Legolas stood up and looked down at her with his arms crossed. "So, if you're fine," he said, "then you will stop pushing your friends away?"
"I promise," she said giving him a genuine smile.
"Good," Legolas said as he gave her a mischievous smile. "Now tell me, which one of your admirers has caught your eye?"
Miranda looked at him in surprise and laughed as she blushed. "I don't know," she said. "I haven't given it much thought."
Legolas smiled as he headed for the door. "You might want to think about it, but be careful," he said at the door as he turned to look at her. "You don't want to break any hearts." He gave her one last smile, and left.
Miranda sighed as she flopped back on the bed. She closed her eyes and pictured Ẻomer sitting tall and proud on the back of his horse. She could see his smile, and remembered the feel of his hand brushing softly against her cheek as he comforted her after her battle with the stone. She smiled to herself at the memory. Then she thought of Haldir, and the overwhelming emotion that filled his eyes as he kissed her. She reached up and touched her lips. Feather soft the caress had been, yet the memory of it was burned on her lips. Warriors both, yet sweet and gentle they had been with her. She knew she loved them both, as she loved all her friends, but which one did she feel more strongly for?
Miranda suddenly thought of the monster that haunted her dreams, and what might happen when she would finally confront it. Her promise to protect the future had to come first. Her own feelings were confusing, and could cloud her judgment. If she lived through the last battle, then she would deal with her feelings for Ẻomer and Haldir. She would just have to try to avoid them until then. Miranda fluffed her pillow and settled in for sleep. It was a good plan, avoid them, and maybe they'll forget…
*****
It was a good hour before dawn when lady Ẻowyn came to wake Miranda. She brought her a change of riding clothes, and some water so she could wash.
"Good morning," Ẻowyn said. "Your own clothes have seen several battles, so I brought you some to replace them."
"Thank you," Miranda said. "It has been a long time since I have worn clean clothes."
Ẻowyn fidgeted slightly as she watched Miranda admire the gift, and lay out her weapons. She longed to ride with the company, but Aragorn had turned her down flat.
"Miranda, I wondered if you might speak to Aragorn for me," she said.
Miranda looked at her, and knew exactly what she had in mind. "He doesn't take advice from me, and he would say no," Miranda said. "Your obligation is here."
"But you ride with them, what is the difference?" Ẻowyn asked angrily.
"I have no family, no home and no allegiance," Miranda said calmly. "The only love I have ever known in my life is that I hold for those men out there. I will go where they go, and die in battle for their cause."
"The cause is mine as well," Ẻowyn said.
"You have a home to guard, and a great King who loves you very much," Miranda said. "If I were in your place, I would stay, but I am not. I must go."
Ẻowyn gave her a curt nod, and left her to dress. She closed the door and headed to her room. She knew that Miranda was right, but she didn't care.
*****
It was just before dawn when the company was ready to depart. Everyone was mounted and ready, and Aragorn was about to mount his horse when Ẻowyn came out of the hall, dressed for travel and armed with a sword and shield. Miranda hung her head.
"Let me ride with you," Ẻowyn asked Aragorn.
"I cannot take you with me without Théoden's permission," Aragorn said. "He has appointed you here, as guardian of his people while he is away. It is an honorable position."
Miranda tuned them out, and looked down the road they were about to take. Haldir rode over to her and Miranda forced a smile.
"You don't have to pretend with me, Miranda," Haldir said. "I know you're scared."
"Shhh!" Miranda said quickly as she looked around to see if anyone heard him. "I do not wear my fear for the entire world to see."
"Last night you let me see, and there is no shame in it," he said. "You are the bravest woman I know, and I will ride with you today."
Miranda looked at the Elf Captain and saw the sincere affection in his grey eyes. She smiled warmly, and simply said, "Thank you."
Haldir gave her a slight bow and said, "Your servant, my lady."
Miranda's breath caught in her throat. This was not part of the plan. She was supposed to avoid him, and discourage him, but she couldn't help it. Just having him near was comforting, and she couldn't bring herself to turn him away. But the look in his eyes still startled her.
Haldir noted her alarmed expression and was going to say something, but the Rangers sounded the horn, so he had to wait. He loved her. He knew that now, but she was not ready to love him back. He would have to be patient, and wait for her to discover her own feelings. Many years he had walked the forests of Lorien, and had not felt for any elf maid what he felt for this woman. She was barely more than a child in age, but her eyes held a mysterious discernment far beyond her years. She still held the innocence of her youth, but the courage of a seasoned soldier. She had been strong in battle, but compassionate and gentle with the wounded.
Haldir remembered the feel of her hands on his skin as she gently tended the gash in his side. Her hands were warm and soft, and she had been so at ease with him, checking every rib for a break. She had smiled freely, and even blushed. But now that he had declared himself, she was becoming more withdrawn, quiet and unsure of herself. He wondered if he had made a mistake last night. Perhaps he shouldn't have told her how he felt.