**Road to Linhir**
Miranda woke early, though she could not tell the time by the sky in the persisting darkness. Haldir had already risen and packed his things, and was walking toward her with something in his hands. Miranda sat up and stretched, observing the riders preparations to leave.
"Your breakfast, my lady," Haldir said as he handed her an apple and a slice of bread.
"You're spoiling me," she said with a smile as she stood up and started putting on her weapons. Haldir folded her blanket for her, and when her things were packed, they sat back down to eat.
Haldir watched her thoughtfully for a moment and then gathered the courage to ask. "Did you sleep well?"
"Not a single dream, good or bad," Miranda said with a smile. "I feel as though I have slept for days."
"Glad to hear it," Haldir said with a smile. "You needed the rest."
"Everyone here could use more rest, but there is no time to spare," Miranda said. "I don't know where they find the strength to keep this pace for days on end."
"You have managed to keep up," Haldir commented. "How have you managed?"
"I don't know," she said quietly. "I just do the best I can and hope its enough."
Haldir gave her a warm smile and stood up. "You finish eating, and I'll get our horses ready."
"Thank you," she said as she watched him go.
*****
It was nearly time to go when Aragorn went looking for Miranda. She had just finished eating and was headed toward the horses when he found her.
"Miranda," Aragorn said.
"Good morning," she said with a smile. "I'm ready to leave."
Aragorn gave her a nod and then ventured his question, "Is there anything you can see that you can share?"
Miranda was surprised by the question, but realized the need for information. "Yesterday I saw the Riders of Rohan riding out of the mountains toward Gondor. Gandalf is in Minas Tirith where they are plagued by Nazgul on flying beasts, but are holding out," she added. "Gandalf saved Boromir's brother and three riders from a Nazgul that tried to kill them before they could get to the gate."
"And today?" Aragorn pressed.
Miranda furrowed her brow and tried to see across the distance. She had not tried to force her sight since the day she found Aragorn after the battle with the wolf riders.
Aragorn waited patiently, and noted how her eyes seemed to stare blankly. She drew in a sharp breath, and seemed to shudder involuntarily. Miranda suddenly looked frightened, and Aragorn silently cursed himself for pressing her, but then she spoke.
"There's a city or fort that sits on an island in the river…" she began, staring thoughtfully as though she was looking at it.
"Cair Andros," Aragorn said.
"It was taken yesterday, and the army that took it has crossed the river," Miranda said.
"Can you see anything else?" Aragorn asked.
After a few moments she sighed and said, "No."
Aragorn nodded absently, lost in thought. Miranda smiled weakly before she started to walk away, but Aragorn caught her wrist, and she turned back. He could see that it had been exhausting for her to use her sight and he felt awful for asking.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I did not realize what a strain it was..."
"Not at all," Miranda interrupted, forcing a smile. "It's no trouble. I know how hard it must be for you to carry so much responsibility without any word on what is happening."
Aragorn sighed and hung his head. He knew immediately that she had lied to make him feel better, and he loved her for it. She would be upset if he didn't let her think her lie had succeeded, so he looked up and smiled. "Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome," she said and left him standing there wallowing in guilt.
Haldir was waiting for her, and handed her Tempest's reigns. He could see that something had happened since he left her only moments ago. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Miranda shrugged and said, "Nothing." She mounted up and rode over to the formation.
Haldir frowned at the obvious brush off and followed her. When he took his place beside her he whispered, "You are too sweet to be a very good liar," he said. "You look worn out."
"My sight usually just happens on its own, but this morning I tried to see something, and it was more effort than I expected," Miranda said quietly so only Haldir could hear it. "But I'm fine."
Haldir watched Aragorn take his place at the head of the riders, and he knew she used her sight for him. Haldir had been friends with Aragorn for a long time, but he was annoyed. Aragorn seemed reckless with Miranda's gift, and it was starting to put a strain on their friendship. Haldir decided he would have to keep a closer eye on Miranda to prevent any future exploitation of her sight.
Elrohir sounded the horn, and Aragorn gave the order to leave. Haldir noticed Aragorn briefly glance back at Miranda with regret in his eyes. It was only a moment, but Haldir saw it and his annoyance fled. Aragorn hadn't known what it would do to her, and would likely never ask again.
The company rode hard under the ever oppressive darkness. Miranda pulled herself together and kept pace despite being tired. Haldir rode beside her, and they exchanged smiles often. She still could not believe he loved her, and the memory of his kiss made her feel giddy. She smiled to herself at how upset Haldir was after kissing her. One kiss was far from scandal, though she had to admit, it was definitely not innocent either. She hoped he would forget himself again when they made camp tonight. That kiss was definitely worth repeating.
*****
Late in the day, the grey company came to Linhir, a city that was nestled on the banks where the Gilrain River converged with the Serni River. As they approached, it was obvious that a battle was in progress. There were three distinct armies there, if their differing attire was any indication. Some looked like they were from the city defending it from two other groups.
"Who are they?" Miranda asked.
"They're from the south," Legolas said. "Allies of Sauron from Harad."
"The ones in black are Corsairs from Umbar," Haldir added.
"They're not orcs," Miranda said in surprise.
"No," Legolas said bitterly. "They are men."
The Dead army that had silently followed them suddenly surged forward. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly red fire, and it was obvious that it terrified the evil men before them.
"The King of the Dead is upon us!" they shouted as they turned and fled. None of them could endure the sight of the advancing specters.
But the men of Lamedon who had been defending the city stood firm. Aragorn led the grey company into the field where the battle had been taking place, and was greeted by the leader of the defending army. Aragorn dismounted to talk to him.
"I am Angbor, Lord of Lamedon," he said. "The King of the Dead brings us unexpected assistance."
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I ride now to the aid of Gondor at utmost speed," he said. "You and your men would be most welcome to join us in driving this scourge from our lands."
Miranda smiled when she saw the two shake hands. Angbor shouted an order to his men to prepare to leave, and Aragorn mounted up again. They exchanged a few more words, and then Aragorn gave Angbor a nod.
With a clear note on the horn from Elrohir Aragorn called the dead to fall back and the grey company continued their pursuit of the evil men. They crossed the Gilrain River, and drove the army across the plains of Lebennin.
*****
It was late when they stopped to rest, and Miranda did not stay to talk by the fire, but went right to sleep. Haldir took care of the horses, and then went to sit with the members of the fellowship.
"Where's Miranda?" Legolas asked Haldir.
"Already sleeping," he said. "She was exhausted."
"She seemed fine when I saw her," Gimli said. "Still smiling."
"The lady would not complain," Haldir said, glancing at Aragorn.
Aragorn sat quietly, and made no comment. There was silence around the campfire for a while as they ate. Aragorn kept looking at Haldir, and he finally decided to talk to him.
"What are your intentions with Miranda?" Aragorn asked.
Gimli's eyebrows shot up at the question, and Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir all looked at Haldir expectantly. Haldir shifted his position slightly and looked at the expectant faces around the fire.
"I have not made any plans," Haldir said carefully.
"But you are thinking about it," Elladan said.
Haldir glanced at Elladan and sighed as he dropped his head. "Often I have thought of it and everything it would mean," he admitted. He looked at Aragorn and continued, "But she is not ready to speak of…commitment."
Aragorn noted the Elf's nerves and pressed him further. "Miranda has no family of her own," he said. "So, the members of the Fellowship and I have all adopted her as our sister."
"That's right lad," Gimli agreed firmly.
Legolas nodded as well.
Haldir eyed Aragorn suspiciously. "What are you trying to say?"
"Legolas and Gimli will guard her at night from now on," Aragorn said with an eyebrow cocked. "A brother is more appropriate than a suitor for a guardian."
Haldir blushed slightly and nodded. He glanced around the fire once more, and then rose to his feet. With one last sigh, he turned back and said, "She would have been safe with me."
Aragorn rose and walked over to his long time friend. "I know you have treated her with only respect," Aragorn said. "But, Miranda is not a child, and..."
Haldir raised a hand to stop him. "So you are her guardian then?" he asked Aragorn.
"I am," Aragorn said.
Haldir looked across the camp to where Miranda was sleeping. He couldn't blame them for being protective of her reputation. He smiled and turned back to Aragorn.
"Then I hope I have your permission to formally court the lady," Haldir said.
"If you didn't, we'd have had this talk sooner," Aragorn said with a chuckle. "Besides, I have seen how she looks at you."
Haldir perked up at that comment, "And?"
"Relax, lad," Gimli said with a grin as he headed to get his blanket. "She loves you."
Aragorn put a hand on Haldir's shoulder, "She is young, give her time."
Haldir gave them a half hearted smile and left. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep, so he decided to take the first watch. He watched as Gimli laid out his blanket near Miranda's and went to sleep.
The three other elves in the camp sat alone by the fire and exchanged sympathetic looks.
"He will make the same choice as our sister," Elrohir said.
"He has already made his choice," Elladan said. "He would give his life for Miranda."
Legolas shook his head. "She is a very complex lady," Legolas said.
"But she loves him," Elrohir said.
"She loves all of us, too," Legolas said as he rose to leave. "But her heart is very closely guarded," he added sadly.
Legolas walked over to where Miranda and Gimli were sleeping, and laid out his blanket on the other side of Miranda. He looked at her pile of weapons beside her and smiled. He never would have thought she would be so brave. He lay down, and cringed at the sound of Gimli snoring. Miranda must be exhausted to sleep through that.
*****
In the early hours before dawn, Miranda's sleep was troubled. For the first time since she started having dreams, she didn't see a vision, but a nightmare. Somewhere in her memories was her time in the Carver house, and her ill treatment by the ever drunk Mr. Carver.
"Get these freeloading brats out of my sight!" he screamed to his wife. Miranda was trying to get little Kevin from behind the couch before the man hurt him, but she wasn't fast enough. Mr. Carver grabbed Kevin's arm and yanked him out of his hiding place, dislocating boy's shoulder.
Kevin wailed with pain and Miranda punched Mr. Carver in the stomach. When he dropped Kevin, Miranda grabbed the boy and carried him to his room.
"Lock your door, and don't come out no matter what you hear," she ordered as she pulled the door closed.
When she heard the lock of his door, she sighed, but the relief was short lived. From behind, a large hand grabbed a fist full of her hair and dragged her back down the hallway. She could hear Mrs. Carver screaming and police sirens in the distance. Mr. Carver was completely insane with drunken fury, but mercifully, the first blow had knocked her out…
Miranda was startled awake and gasped as she suddenly sat up. Her body was shaking at the memory of that horrific night. She had returned to consciousness to find herself in an ambulance speeding to the hospital. But she slowly opened her eyes and looked around and found herself in Middle Earth, with Legolas asleep a few short feet away on her left, and Gimli sleeping on her right. Seeing her friends close was comforting, but she couldn't seem to calm down. She didn't want to wake anyone, so she silently rose and went for a walk to clear her mind. The night watch was on the other end of camp, so she was able to slip away without being questioned.
She walked nearly fifty yards from the camp and found a small hill, with a dip on the far side. She sat down in the little hollow and looked up at the still dark sky. There was no cheerful moon or stars to look at so she closed her eyes and whispered, "Where is the soothing silver light of the moon?"
In her mind she could see the San Francisco Bay. She smiled at the Golden Gate Bridge and the bright lights of the night skyline. The full moon was reflected on the water, and somewhere she could hear music. She smiled as she finally relaxed. Not everything had been horrible there, and one good memory seemed to wash away the pain of a bad one, at least for tonight.
She lay back on the grass as she opened her eyes and stared at the sky. She wanted to see the moon in this sky. She wanted to look up and make a wish on a star, and that wish would be peace. It was a beautiful world full of good people, and they deserved peace. She closed her eyes and wished on all the stars she knew were there, though hidden. Soon she fell asleep again.