**Black Dawn**
Even as Aragorn and the Grey Company crossed the Ciril River, Théoden and his riders arrived at Dunharrow. The Muster of Rohan had been called to Edoras, but as the King rode up the narrow road, he found his men already waiting for him at the mountain fortress. Merry was in awe of the terrain and the sheer numbers of armed riders that were gathered. Someone blew a horn, and the call was returned many times over from all around them.
Ẻowyn came out to greet the King and the call could be heard through the hills, "Théoden King! The King of the Mark has returned!"
"Come inside, eat and rest," she said. "Your armies are already assembled, ready to ride at your command."
Théoden smiled at her and he and his guards went into the hall to eat while the other riders made camp. Théoden invited Merry to sit beside him so they could talk. For the King it was a treat to hear stories from a country that was once only legend in Rohan. For Merry, it was an honor to serve a great king who regarded him so highly.
Ẻomer greeted his sister, and Ẻowyn told them of Aragorn's visit on his way to the paths of the dead, and Ẻomer felt a knot in the pit of his stomach.
"The entire company rode with him?" Ẻomer asked carefully.
Ẻowyn looked at his dark expression and knew his veiled question immediately. "Yes, brother, Lady Miranda went with them also," Ẻowyn said to him quietly.
Ẻomer's expression was unreadable, but Ẻowyn knew he was upset. After the meal, Théoden met with his captains, but Ẻomer lingered to speak to Ẻowyn.
"Tell me," he said thoughtfully, "Did she seem well?"
"She seemed preoccupied, and spoke very little at the meal," Ẻowyn said. "But the Elf Captain from Lorien spoke to her, and she seemed better after that. She was quite determined to go with the riders."
Ẻomer frowned at the mention of the Elf, but nodded to her absently as he turned to go.
"There's more," she said, gaining his full attention again.
"I know it was wrong of me to eavesdrop, but I overheard them talking in the hallway," she began.
"And?" Ẻomer asked anxiously.
"The Elf tried to tell her that he loved her, but she put him off," Ẻowyn said with a smile. "Perhaps she was thinking of someone else?"
Ẻomer smiled at his sister and sighed. "Am I that obvious?" he asked as he hugged her.
Ẻowyn laughed, "Yes, brother. But that's alright, I like her too."
"We'll be leaving early, and I may not see you again before we leave," Ẻomer said. "Take care of yourself, sister."
Ẻowyn smiled at his farewell despite her desire to ride with them. If she was to go to war, it would have to be in secret. She bid him goodnight, and retired to her room.
*****
Early the next morning, Théoden and his Riders, now encompassing the full strength of his army, prepared to leave. It was near dawn, but the sky was black as pitch, and the air was bitterly cold.
"What evil is this that darkens the skies this morning?" Théoden asked Ẻomer.
"The darkness began late last night, flowing out of Mordor and eclipsing the moon," Ẻomer said.
"Then the war is truly upon us," Théoden said dejectedly. "Let us hope to arrive in time to help Gondor. I fear we are already too late."
"Where is Ẻowyn?" Ẻomer asked as he looked around for his sister. "I hoped to see her again before we left."
Théoden shook his head. "She is angry with me for making her stay behind. No doubt she doesn't want to see me."
"She'll get over her disappointment," Ẻomer said.
"I will miss her, and my hobbit Squire, Merry," Théoden said. "I have released him from my service, and asked that he stay here and help Ẻowyn. He did not want to stay behind."
"His short stature belies the great volume of his heart," Ẻomer said. "I will miss the little fellow."
Théoden smiled to himself a moment, and then quietly said to Ẻomer, "We ride to war then, my son, for that you are to me. You will be King after me should this war take me."
Ẻomer looked at his uncle with love and respect, and Théoden looked at Ẻomer with a warm smile. "Now sound the horn, and call the marshals," Théoden said. "This darkness aids our purpose. We will ride swiftly, out in the open on the shortest routes."
Ẻomer sounded the horn, and it was answered many times. Then he gave the order to depart, and Théoden rode down the mountain road from Dunharrow at the head of a great army. Once they had reached the foothills, the army galloped across the land toward Gondor, and the City of Minas Tirith. Sauron's army would already be attacking the city, but perhaps they would hold out long enough for Rohan to aid them.
Within the ranks was a young soldier named Dernhelm whose horse bore a stowaway Hobbit named Merry. The King's Squire would not be left behind, and Dernhelm agreed to keep Merry hidden until they were too far along to send him back.
*****
At the camp at Calembel, Miranda was dreaming about a new monster. She found herself walking down a narrow tunnel in utter darkness. Her nostrils were assaulted by a foul stench. Up ahead she heard muttering, and then suddenly, two huge glowing eyes turned to look at her. Miranda screamed at the recognition of the creature that had been following them from Lorien. She stopped in her tracks, and then she realized what was happening. Frodo and Sam were following the creature. Miranda wasn't really here; she was just seeing what was happening with Frodo. She followed a little further before she finally saw …a …really…BIG …
At the faintest sound from Miranda, Haldir woke suddenly. She was having a nightmare, thrashing about with a terrified expression on her face. As he sat up, he noticed Legolas and Gimli walking toward them closely followed by Elladan and Elrohir. The sky was black, but he knew it must be near dawn. He looked back at Miranda. She was still, but still dreaming.
"Miranda, melda," Haldir said softly. "Miranda, you're dreaming, wake up."
Miranda's eyes flew open and her body shuddered involuntarily. Haldir helped her sit up, and he put his arm around her.
"Was it bad?" he asked.
"I hate spiders!" Miranda said firmly.
Gimli and the other elves had arrived just in time to hear her declaration, and Gimli laughed.
"You dream a normal dream then," he said with a chuckle. "I don't care for the little creepy-crawlies either."
Haldir knew it was more than that. He was about to ask her about it when he heard someone say they would be leaving in ten minutes. Miranda got up and started packing without another word. She headed to where they kept the horses, leaving Haldir sitting there.
"It was her sight, wasn't it?" Legolas asked Haldir with concern.
"She will not say," Haldir said as he got up and packed his blanket. "She will drive me mad, I am certain of it," he added in frustration.
Elladan put a hand on Haldir's shoulder. "Elf maids are no easier to understand," he said. "It is the way of all females."
"She seems to be fond of you," Elrohir said.
"Yes," Legolas agreed, giving Haldir a smirk. "That's the closest she's ever slept to camp since I've known her. There was scarcely a foot between you."
"Three feet," Haldir corrected quickly and then left to get his horse.
Gimli, Legolas and the brothers just roared with laughter.
"The poor lad is smitten," Gimli said.
Legolas glanced across the camp to Miranda. She was lost in thought. "She loves him, but he has not caught her yet," Legolas said.
"Aye, lad," Gimli agreed. "And glad I am, too. It's good sport to watch the lad stumble around her so."
"Have a care for his feelings, master dwarf," Elladan warned. "Elves are very proud people with long standing traditions. It would not be readily accepted for him to pursue this lady, yet he does so openly. His love for her must be very great."
Gimli's expression sobered quickly. "He could find no better lady than Miranda, Elf or not," he said and stalked away.
"He meant no harm with the comment," Legolas said to the brothers. "He is just protective of her."
The brothers both nodded and the trio went to get their horses.
*****
Aragorn saw Miranda standing alone with Tempest, waiting to leave. She was obviously preoccupied, and didn't seem to notice when he approached her.
"Did you eat?" Aragorn asked.
"I am not hungry," Miranda said. "The meal your men made last night was very good, and Gimli kept telling me to have some more."
Aragorn laughed, and then he said, "You didn't sleep well."
"What do you want me to say?" Miranda asked.
"Spiders?" Aragorn asked.
"Haldir talks too much," Miranda said. "It is nothing to worry about, we'll never see it."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Then why did you see it?"
"Frodo," Miranda said softly.
Aragorn perked up immediately. "Yes, what about him? Is he well? Where is he?"
Miranda raised a hand to halt his questions. "He and Sam are well and still traveling."
"And your spiders?" Aragorn asked.
"Just one," Miranda said as her face suddenly went pale at the memory. "A very big one."
Aragorn nodded his understanding, and then offered a smile. "Well, little sister, it appears we are all assembled."
Miranda mounted up and took her place beside Haldir to wait for the order. He looked over at her with an unreadable expression.
Miranda gave him a warm smile, "Thanks for waking me," she said. "It was comforting to have you close."
Haldir returned her smile, but said nothing. Last night they had professed love for each other, but today she acted as though nothing had happened between them. She still kept some barrier around herself that he could not seem to break.
"Mordor throws its shadow over the land blocking out the sun," Aragorn said. "We must ride hard, for Gondor is in peril." Elrohir blew the horn, and the riders sped off with the dead army following.