**The Voyage North**
During the night, Angbor of Lamedon had arrived with all the riders he could muster. There was also a great gathering of men from Lebennin and Ethir that came to join forces with Aragorn. The ships had been loaded with fighting men and horses, and what supplies that could be gathered in haste. With the strength of the newly freed men at the oars, the ships journeyed up the Andruin River toward the Landings at Harlond near Minas Tirith. It was slow going despite the labor of the oarsmen for there was no wind in the sails and they were rowing against the current.
Haldir stood alone on the bow of the ship lost in thought when he was approached by the brothers. They stood on either side of him leaning on the railing. They silently watched the shoreline passing slowly for a while before Haldir finally spoke.
"You wanted to talk to me?" Haldir asked.
"So you've decided to remain here with Miranda?" Elladan asked.
"Yes," Haldir said.
"Did Miranda give you an answer?" Elrohir asked.
Haldir sighed, "I did not ask for one."
"Did you think she would say no?" Elladan asked.
"No," Haldir said. "But I want her to be sure of her answer before I ask."
"You are waiting for her to see that Captain from Rohan again," Elrohir speculated.
Haldir turned to look at him with a hint of concern in his eyes, but he did not confirm or deny the statement. He didn't have to.
Elladan put a hand on Haldir's shoulder and said, "Don't worry about it."
"I am less worried about losing her to him than I am about losing her in this war," Haldir said sadly. "She has seen something terrifying but she refuses to talk about it."
"If you stay with her, you will watch her die eventually," Elrohir said quietly.
"I am aware of that," Haldir said seriously. "I would rather spend one lifetime with Miranda than live a thousand lifetimes alone." Haldir turned away from them and stared at the water. He was finished talking about it.
The brothers regarded him with sympathy, and left him to his thoughts. There was still work to be done on deck, and Haldir obviously wanted to be left alone.
*****
The comfort of a soft bed and the gentle rock of the ship were soothing and Miranda slept deeply. She dreamed many things about friends both near and far.
The siege of Minas Tirith had already begun. Théoden was being led around enemy blockades through a hidden road in the forest by wild men. Frodo was getting captured by Orcs, but Miranda already knew he would escape…
Miranda could clearly see the battle they would face when they reached their destination. Her heart raced as she felt the shadow from her dreams was already on the move. She knew that when they docked, it would already be there…waiting.
*****
It was late morning when Haldir finally saw Miranda venture out on the deck. She looked rested, but preoccupied. Even from across the ship he could tell she hadn't slept well, and the look in her eyes worried him. Haldir crossed the deck to meet her, and she greeted him with a nervous smile.
"Good morning," Miranda said as Haldir approached.
He stopped right in front of her and it took all his willpower to keep from kissing her. He smiled down at her and managed a cordial greeting, "I hope you slept well," he said. "How do you feel this morning?"
"Better," she said, and walked over to the rail to see where they were.
Haldir stood beside her and they quietly listened to the rhythm of the oars. He glanced over at her, and she instantly blushed. He chuckled to himself and leaned closer and whispered, "Do you have any idea what your blushes do to me?"
Miranda took in a sharp breath and looked at him. His eyes were looking at her intently, and he was smiling almost wickedly. When he saw her blush suddenly darken, he sighed with satisfaction and turned back to the water.
"I see you do," he said.
Miranda frowned and said, "I thought Elves were more reserved."
"You don't know very much about Elves," Haldir said with a smile.
"So tell me," Miranda ventured, "how old are you?"
The question caught him off guard, "I was born early in this age," he said. "I am a little younger than your friends, the sons of Elrond."
"That is not an answer," Miranda said.
"I was born in the year 142 of the third age," he said.
"What year is it now?" Miranda asked.
"3019," he said simply.
Miranda was silent, and Haldir was suddenly curious.
"How old are you?" he asked.
Miranda suddenly furrowed her brow lost in thought. She thought she was about eighteen when she came here, but now she wasn't sure. She was an abandoned child with no records, and her age had been a guess. She had no idea when she was born.
"Miranda?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "Only Gandalf knows for sure."
Haldir sighed, "Estimate."
"Eighteen or nineteen," she said nervously.
Haldir smiled and put his arm around her shoulders. "Good," he said.
"I don't understand, you're so…" Miranda started to say.
"I have walked the forests for many seasons, guarding the borders of my home. Never in my long years has my heart been stirred until I met you," he said. "Your youth pleases me for it means that we will have many years together, if you will accept me."
She leaned against him and laid her head on his chest. Haldir closed his eyes and relished the simple intimacy of her closeness. He felt her arms reach around his waist for a hug and he pulled her closer and hugged her tight.
"Yes," she said softly.
"Then we are pledged," Haldir said. "And when there is peace, we will wed and I will live in the land of your choosing." He gently lifted her chin to look into her eyes and he bent down and kissed her tenderly.
"AHEM," Gimli said from behind them. "Good morning."
The kiss was instantly broken and Miranda shyly stepped away from Haldir.
"Go get something to eat, Lass," Gimli said as he looked up at the Elf with a smirk.
"Go ahead, Melda," Haldir said. "I will see you later."
Miranda nodded and left, and Gimli chuckled. When Miranda was out of earshot he said, "She said yes, did she?"
Haldir didn't answer. He just smiled broadly and walked away leaving Gimli roaring with laughter.
*****
Late in the day, Miranda found Aragorn standing alone at the bow of the ship. He looked worried so she went to try and comfort him.
"We will be in time," she said.
"You would know better than I," Aragorn said.
"Yes, I would," she said firmly. "So listen up."
Aragorn looked surprised at her confident tone. "All right, Miranda, I'm listening," he said.
"Théoden has found a way around the Orc blockades and will be able to reach Minas Tirith in time," she said. "By the time we get there, the battle will be going badly, but we will be in time. You are going to do just fine."
Aragorn considered her words carefully. "Then we will save the city?" Aragorn asked.
"It will be a costly victory, but it will be a victory," Miranda said.
Aragorn looked to the north and pondered her use of the word costly. She offered no details, and he couldn't bring himself to ask. He had known there would be great losses and he didn't want to dwell on that. He hung his head and sighed. The responsibility of a King was heavy.
"You're going to be the greatest of all of them, you know," Miranda said softly.
Aragorn turned to look at her. "What?"
"The statues," she said. "Of the Argonath…You will be a greater king than all of the kings before you."
Aragorn stared at her in shock. Her expression was completely sincere, and she spoke with a confidence and authority he had not heard from her before. For that moment he could see in her eyes a wisdom that seemed ageless and he marveled.
"You honor me with this gift of your sight," he said formally. "You have given me back my hope."
Miranda smiled, and Aragorn saw the innocence of youth in her eyes again and he smiled back. Then Aragorn remembered what Gimli had told him only an hour earlier and he got a curious twinkle in his eye.
"So, you and Haldir are betrothed?" he asked.
Miranda's face went pale, and then she smiled. "Yes."
"He has found a treasure," Aragorn said.
"I feel guilty for saying yes," Miranda said as she stared down at the deck. "It seems selfish to let him give up his way of life for…"
"I felt that way at first," Aragorn admitted. "But you must remember that he knows well what he is giving up, and to him he is gaining far more than he is losing."
Miranda looked up at Aragorn and smiled. "So, do you approve?"
"Yes," he said with a smile.
Miranda was happier than she had ever been and she laughed.
"Have I missed a joke?" Legolas said as he joined them.
"Miranda and Haldir are betrothed," Aragorn said. "I approve, what say you?"
Legolas smiled, "Made your choice then?" he asked.
"There was no choice," Miranda said. "In my heart it was always Haldir."
"Then I also approve," he said, and gave her a hug. "No one deserves to be happy more than you," he added and then released her.
Miranda gave them one last shy smile and left. She was very happy, but all the attention was embarrassing.
"He's lucky to have her," Legolas said.
Aragorn eyed Legolas thoughtfully. "That means a lot coming from you," Aragorn said. "Only another Elf could fully appreciate such a choice."
Legolas laughed. "He may not give that much up for her," he said. "Israfel was older than I am when he was killed."
Aragorn looked at Legolas with a cocked brow, "Then her heritage is of the Elder Race?"
"That would be a question for Gandalf to answer," Legolas said.
"Indeed," Aragorn agreed, and turned back to the river.
Aragorn and Legolas stood quietly looking up river. Their friendship went back many years and neither felt the need to fill the silence with idle talk. Legolas knew Aragorn was worried, and Aragorn knew that Legolas was offering support. It didn't need to be spoken.
*****
As night was falling, Haldir found Miranda on deck and stopped to talk to her.
"Good evening, iirima melda," he said.
"What does that mean?" Miranda asked him.
Haldir took her hand and led her to the railing where they could talk more privately. It was cold, so he wrapped his cloak around her and pulled her close. "I call you iirima russë melda, which means beautiful flame-haired beloved," Haldir said.
"It sounds nicer in elvish," Miranda said.
Haldir laughed, "You're embarrassed."
"Yes," Miranda admitted. "You are only the second person in my life to call me beautiful."
"Who was the first?" Haldir asked.
"Boromir," she said sadly.
"You miss him, don't you?" Haldir asked with a subtle hint of jealousy in his tone.
"He was my friend," Miranda said. "He loved Gondor, and all he wanted to do was keep his home safe."
Haldir gave her a squeeze, but said nothing. He reminded himself of her innocence and just smiled. She had no idea that Boromir's feelings for her were more than friendship. Haldir could see it the first time he met the fellowship in the forest and heard Boromir call her 'Randi.' Haldir frowned at the memory. The casual shortening of her name was not only inappropriate, but unflattering. 'Miranda' may not be as elegant as an elvish name, but it was a nice name.
Haldir shook himself from his thoughts and looked down at Miranda. Her eyes were staring off into some unknown distance and he knew she was using her gift. Her expression was unreadable, but he knew whatever it was she saw was important.
"What do you see?" Haldir asked.
"Minas Tirith is on fire," Miranda said quietly. "But the wind is changing, and in the morning we will see the enemy driven back, and the city will be saved." Then she stopped suddenly and seemed to wake from a dream.
"Miranda?" Haldir asked.
"Sorry," she said. "I was lost in thought for a moment."
Haldir smiled to himself. She commanded the authority of a seer one moment and the next she was once again an innocent young woman. Haldir could see that she was on the verge of coming into the full power of her gift. He wondered just how powerful a gift she carried.
"You should get some sleep," Haldir finally said. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
"Longer than you know," Miranda said as she turned to look at him.
Haldir smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"I feel very short when you do that," Miranda said humorously.
"I like you short," Haldir said with a grin and put his arm around her shoulders. "See, you are a perfect fit."
Miranda blushed and Haldir laughed.
"I'll never get tired of that blush," Haldir said. "Now get to bed. I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Miranda said with a smile.
"Sleep well," Haldir said as he watched her go.
He sighed as he turned back to the quiet water. He hated being apart from her, but he knew she needed to rest. Tomorrow they would reach Minas Tirith, and he knew the battle would be terrible. Miranda seemed too calm, and Haldir had a feeling she knew something. He knew he should try to rest, but he wouldn't be able to sleep. He was worried about her.