**The Dark Day**
Miranda rode with the company, but scarcely saw the road. Her mind was racing with distant perils and dangers. Tempest followed the riders with little guidance as Miranda's eyes glazed and she saw a city surrounded by Nazgul on flying beasts. Four riders raced under the shadow of their enemies, and would have been lost but for the intervention of Gandalf.
Miranda's spirits lifted at the sight of Gandalf, and his display of authority and power against the black riders. She recognized the newly rescued captain as Boromir's brother. She felt a stab of pain at the memory of her fallen friend, but couldn't help smiling at the resemblance in his brother. She mentally shook herself from her vision as they neared a river and prepared to cross.
"Where are we?" she asked Haldir.
"This is the River Ringlo, and beyond it is the land of Lebennin," Haldir said. As Aragorn led the riders down the banks into the water, Haldir turned to Miranda. "Hold tight to his mane," he said. "This river is deeper than the Ciril."
Miranda gave him a nod, and looked at the river with a tinge of apprehension. Haldir waited for her to go first, and then followed. The crossing turned out to be a safe and uneventful one, thought everyone was now quite drenched.
Aragorn waited briefly for all the riders to reach dry ground, and then continued the urgent pace. Miranda's fatigue was making it difficult to focus, and she was thankful for Tempest's training that kept him on the road. Her thoughts drifted again to distant events, and the Riders of Rohan, also pushing speedily towards Gondor. Beside Théoden rode Ẻomer, his eyes shining brightly and his blonde hair flowing behind him from under his Helm. She remembered the way he spoke to her with unmasked desire in his eyes, and she missed him.
Her heart was torn, and she glanced ahead to where Haldir rode with all the grace and skill that she would expect from an Elf. And then he looked back at her, and his eyes were full of love. She smiled even as she felt a lump in her throat. He was just checking on her, and yet his eyes said volumes. No one had ever looked at her like that, and she knew in her heart that she loved him deeply. He was handsome, wise and graceful like all the elves she had met, but at times he seemed sad.
Miranda had liked him immediately, and admired him for his skill when he taught her swordsmanship in Lorien. When they parted, she thought of him as a good friend, and knew she'd miss him. The night he and his archers arrived at Helm's Deep and they hugged, it was like some revelation. Haldir could melt her heart with one look, and that terrified her more than the orcs. But now she knew she could not deny it, and she couldn't push him away anymore.
But how will she feel when she sees Ẻomer again? Haldir's eyes are warm and gentle, but Ẻomer's eyes are full of fire and passion. Both men affect her strongly, and she once again felt the pain of uncertainty.
She felt cold as though the breath of evil was upon her, and she closed her eyes and shuddered. The shadow from her dreams now invaded her thoughts during the day, and she knew that she would face it soon. She never saw the end of the encounter, only the meeting, and the feeling of dread. Her black nemesis brought her both fear and calm. The evil frightened her, but the sense of purpose calmed her. She was determined to conquer, even at the cost of her life. And then she could rest, for the future would be safe, and the shadow would no longer plague her dreams.
Yes, that day was coming soon, and she resigned herself to the inevitable outcome. Often she had seen the distant futures of the other members of the fellowship, full of happiness and honor. But her future was conspicuously missing, lost in shadow. She finally let herself admit the truth about her fate; she wouldn't have to choose between two loves. She would not see the fall of Sauron. She would not be able to make a home for herself in Gondor. But she would be able to serve the King she had followed across Middle Earth for one important moment. And then perhaps her name would be remembered with honor in some song, and she would have peace. For the short time she had been in Middle Earth she had been loved and she was never as happy as she was now.
Miranda pushed all thoughts of shadows and war and the future from her mind and relished the feel of the wind on her face. The freedom she felt seemed to strengthen her, and she urged Tempest on, passing Haldir and Legolas and Gimli. All noise seemed to fade away and she heard only the rhythm of Tempest's stride and her own heart as she followed Aragorn and the grey riders.
Haldir watched Miranda and was mesmerized by her wild beauty. Her braid had long since come undone and her fiery hair flowed gracefully behind her. It looked like the last rays of sunset that cling all too briefly to the sky holding back the night before fading. And she was as wild and as beautiful as any sunset. She was bright and colorful like the evening sky yet as mysterious as the shadows of the night. She was as innocent and fresh as the cool green leaves of early spring echoed in her shining eyes. Haldir urged his horse on and kept pace beside her. He saw her turn to him with a smile to melt any man's heart. He couldn't wait to make camp.
*****
When Aragorn finally halted to make camp, every rider felt as though they had ridden for days. They found a good location, half hidden by hills on one side and a small grove on the other. Aragorn decided they could risk a fire so they prepared a hot meal.
Miranda was more relaxed than she'd felt in a long time, and she sat by the fire and listened to the songs and stories with a smile and a light heart.
Haldir sat beside her and could see the change in her. It both delighted, and worried him. The Rangers seemed pleased to see her smiling, but Aragorn looked thoughtful.
"Lady Miranda," Halbarad said. "Perhaps you would favor us with a song before we take our rest."
Miranda's eyes were suddenly the size of saucers and she blushed. "I like you all too much to subject you to my singing," she said quietly with a shy smile.
"A story, then," Gimli said.
"Yes," Legolas said. "You promised us a Fairy Tale."
Miranda's blush darkened and she sighed. "Very well," she said, and paused to choose a story. She searched her memory for something interesting, and settled for a Disney classic. "I will tell you the story of the Sleeping Beauty."
"And are there fairies?" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Miranda said with a smile. "Good fairies and an evil fairy."
"And is there fighting?" Gimli asked.
"Let her tell it," Aragorn said with a chuckle.
Miranda started to tell the story as she remembered it from the Disney cartoon. It was one movie she'd seen several times, and she retold it in detail. She soon forgot her nerves and was so into the tale, that she hadn't noticed her audience grow to include everyone in their company.
She told them the tragic curse by Maleficent that forced the King and Queen to entrust their daughter to the care of the three Good Fairies. She remembered the humorous fight between Flora and Meriwether over the color of the dress, and the fateful day the Princess was tricked into touching the spindle.
Miranda was trying so hard to tell a good story, she hardly noticed when the Rangers booed at the parts about Maleficent taunting the Prince, and cheered when he escaped. Everyone was completely engrossed. Miranda tried to make the Philip's fight with the Dragon as exciting as possible. By the time she had finished, she had not only forgotten her nerves, but just enjoyed telling the story.
"…And they lived happily ever after," she finally said. "The end."
Everyone cheered, and Miranda blushed crimson. The voices died down, and Legolas smiled and spoke up.
"A very good tale," Legolas said.
"An exciting battle with a dragon," Gimli said.
"And a happy ending," Elladan said.
Miranda smiled as she stood and shyly said, "Well, morning comes early…"
The group broke up to sleep, and Miranda tried to sneak away, but Haldir caught her arm. "You tell an exciting story," he said as he walked her to where she left her bag.
She smiled, but didn't know what to say. She laid out her blanket, and Haldir turned her to face him.
"You are in good spirits," he said as he pulled her into his arms for a hug. "And your eyes were shining when you looked at me today."
Miranda could feel her cheeks blushing as he hugged her. He released her from the hug, and she shyly stared at the ground.
"Miranda," Haldir said softly.
She looked up into his eyes, and he smiled down at her. She was lost in his eyes, and she could not seem to look away when he stepped closer and bent down to kiss her. She closed her eyes as his lips gently captured hers. She surrendered to the moment and he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close. Miranda clung to him as his kiss grew more demanding and he laced his fingers in her hair. She never expected him to be so passionate, and she felt swept up in the heat of the moment, returning his kiss freely. At that moment she realized that there was no one else in her thoughts but Haldir.
Then Miranda felt him gently pull away, and she opened her eyes to look at him questioningly. Haldir's grey eyes were burning down at her, and his breathing seemed labored.
"My lady, forgive me," Haldir said in a husky voice. "I should not have taken such liberties." He forced himself to release her and turned away. He could not look into her eyes a moment longer and not kiss her again, and he needed to regain his composure.
Miranda could see how he wrestled with himself, and wanted to put his mind at ease. "There is nothing to forgive," she said softly.
"Oh, but there is," Haldir said. "I forget myself when I am with you. I do not wish to dishonor you."
Miranda didn't think a kiss would dishonor her, but he was so upset, she thought the customs on dating here must be very strict.
"Haldir," Miranda said, and waited for him to look at her. When he turned, she smiled. "I have never known love like you have shown me," she said seriously. "I could never be dishonored by that."
Haldir dropped to his knees and hugged her. "Miranda, I love you," he said.
She bent down and kissed the top of his head. "I love you too," she said firmly.
Haldir's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at her, and there was no hesitation in her eyes. She kneeled down in front of him, and he gently held her face in his hands and gave her another kiss. He released her again and very calmly stood.
"Get some sleep," Haldir said. "I will be near if you need me." He laid out his blanket, careful to leave space between them. When he lay down, he looked over at her, and she blushed as she smiled at him.
"Good night," Miranda said.
"Have good dreams," Haldir said with a smile. "I will be here when you wake."
Miranda felt butterflies in her stomach; so much for her great plan. She lost her heart to the Elf, and there was no turning back. She sighed as she pulled her blanket around herself. Miranda realized she didn't care about her plan anymore. She would let herself have a few more days of bliss.
Haldir stared at the black sky, and in his mind he could see the moon and stars, and the night was beautiful. Miranda was beautiful. There was no more doubt in her eyes. She loved him, and he loved her. In the middle of the darkest day, he had found happiness in the most unlikely place. He had lost his heart to a flame-haired girl, only barely come of age and gifted with an ancient and rare gift. He never thought love would so completely consume him, yet here he was. Tomorrow they would journey closer to war, but tonight he would dream of his own sleeping beauty resting only a few feet away.