**Healing Hands**

When Haldir entered Miranda's room he noticed a large bed pushed close to the roaring fire in the corner fireplace.  Miranda lay unconscious under a generous piling of blankets.  Her weapons were carefully placed at the foot of her bed along with her cloak and leather travel bag.  Haldir knelt by the bed and took her icy hand.  Her skin was pale blue, covered with a thin layer of frost and her shallow breaths were like wisps of icy mist. Only hours before she had run fearlessly into battle, but now she looked so small and frail as she lay there.

Haldir brushed a lock of deep red hair from her face.  She had known that something would happen to her, but had said nothing.  He knew all along she was guarding some secret and had feared this day for some time. He should have stopped her.  He should have saved her.

"Oh, Miranda, please don't leave me," Haldir said sadly.

Aragorn, Gandalf, Ẻomer and Prince Imrahil followed Haldir into Miranda's room to check on her condition.  Ẻomer saw Haldir hovering over her and frowned.  He didn't like the way the Elf was looking at her.  He stepped over to the end of the bed and stood with his arms crossed.  His blue eyes bored a hole into the Elf but he reigned in his anger.

"Gandalf, she is freezing," Haldir said when he heard them enter. "Can't you help her?"

Gandalf and Aragorn looked her over closely and Gandalf frowned.  "I have been busy dealing with grave matters and was not informed of the severity of her condition."

Prince Imrahil was amazed that not one but two women had sacrificed themselves on the field of battle for Gondor.

"Who is she?" Imrahil asked.

"Lady Miranda is a seer," Ẻomer said in admiration. "And the gentlest lady I have ever met.  Her fierceness in battle was a surprise to me."

Haldir looked at Ẻomer with fury in his eyes but said nothing.

Gandalf observed the rivalry and sighed heavily, "Miranda is the daughter of the Wandering Seer."

Eomer straightened up when he heard that.  Israfel was well known to Théoden and there was definite strife between them.  Miranda had strong ties to Rohan and didn't even know it.

"Israfel? I know of him, though I did not know he had any children," Imrahil said.  "It has been many years since he has been seen in Dol Amroth."

"Lord Elrond and I agreed to keep Miranda hidden for her own protection," Gandalf said.  "But she surprised us when she found her way back to Middle Earth. There is much more to Miranda than the gift of sight.  She should not be alive after such an encounter."

"What was it?" Aragorn asked quietly as he put a hand on her forehead.

"It was a rare creature of the ancient world," Gandalf said, "an ice demon that cloaks itself in shadow and cloud.  Only her sight allowed her to see it."

"Why would it attack Miranda?" Haldir asked.

"It didn't attack Miranda, it was sent for me and she stopped it," Aragorn stated angrily.  He thought of all the times he tried to get her to stay somewhere safe and she refused.  She had insisted she had an important purpose in the Fellowship, but he had no idea it was to save his life.  Aragorn found himself looking back over their journey and seeing her in a whole new light.  "It is all clear to me now," he added sadly. "She knew of this creature since the beginning and stayed with the Fellowship to save me from it."

"Miranda knew long before the day you found her in Rivendell," Gandalf confirmed.  "She never shared with me what would happen; only that she had seen you and had to come along."

"Miranda speaks of her visions to no one," Haldir said sadly.  "Not even to me."

"Why would Miranda speak to you of these things?" Ẻomer asked harshly.

"We are betrothed," Haldir answered quickly with unmasked anger in his voice as he rose to face the new King of Rohan.  "King or not, you would do well to remember that."

"But you are an elf!" Ẻomer retorted as he stepped closer to Haldir.  "This lady is not for you…"

"I am the Guardian of Lothlorien," Haldir said matter-of-factly as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.  "I was a warrior long before your great grandfather was born…"

"Peace, both of you!" Gandalf said in annoyance.  "Your bickering will not help her.  She needs rest."

Ẻomer stared at Haldir seethingly.  Aragorn rose from Miranda's bedside and stepped between his two friends.  "Now is not the time to be divided," Aragorn said quietly, "for any reason."  

Gandalf had not been told of the betrothal and looked at the Elf curiously.  He withheld any comment, choosing to change the subject instead.  "There are others that need attention, Aragorn," Gandalf said firmly.  "I will stay with Miranda for a while."

"Yes," Aragorn said.  "I will tend to them, but I fear Miranda is beyond my reach.  Only time will tell if she will recover." 

Everyone else left the room leaving Haldir and Gandalf to watch over Miranda.  Haldir sat down beside her and fought back the tears that threatened to drown his gray eyes.  He bent down and kissed her forehead.

Gandalf frowned briefly and then asked, "You asked for Miranda's hand?"

"Yes," he answered softly.

"And she accepted you?" Gandalf pressed.

"Yes."

Gandalf was lost in thought for a moment as he looked at Miranda's frosty face.  He silently raised his staff and muttered softly.  Gradually Miranda's complexion returned to normal and her body warmed. Then Gandalf lowered his staff and watched Haldir with interest.  The Elf was obviously distraught and Gandalf was touched by the deep love in his eyes.

"I have done what I can for her," Gandalf said softly.  "We will speak more of this later."  He was not sure why, but he was uneasy with Miranda and Haldir's relationship and needed time to think on it.  When Gandalf turned to go, Haldir stopped him with a question.

"You disapprove?" Haldir asked.

Gandalf paused by the door and considered his answer.  "Miranda is not the only one with foresight," he said. 

"And you do not see us together…" Haldir said dejectedly.

"The future is not yet written," Gandalf said noncommittally.

"You are not telling me everything," Haldir said suspiciously as he eyed the old wizard.

Gandalf met the Elf's gaze unwaveringly and simply said, "No."  He turned and left without another word.

When the door closed Haldir sighed.  Right now he did not want to think about the future, he just wanted to see Miranda recover.  "Come back to me, Miranda," he said softly.

*

Aragorn went from room to room, checking on the condition of the most critically wounded.  Faramir was in the direst need, closely followed by Ẻowyn and Merry.  Aragorn considered the condition of his friends for a moment and then said, "They are all near death, but Faramir is nearest.  Where is the warden of the house?"

"He is with other wounded," an old woman named Ioreth said.  "What do you require, lord?"

"Do you know the Athelas plant?" Aragorn asked.

"No, lord," Ioreth said.  "Perhaps the herb master will know what that is.  He is more familiar with some of the old names."

"It is also called Kingsfoil," Aragorn said.

"But kingsfoil is just a weed.  I never knew it had healing properties.  I will send to the herb kitchen immediately," Ioreth said.  "If there is any of that herb in the city, we will find it."

The herb master was found, and came straight away to the House of Healing with all the dried Athelas he had.  "I'm afraid there's little left," he said.  "The fires have destroyed much of my garden."

"This will be sufficient," Aragorn said.  He sent Ioreth to boil water, and went directly to Faramir's room. 

Taking a few leaves of the precious herb, Aragorn breathed on them, and then crushed them.  The room was filled with a delightful smell, and Aragorn put the crushed herb into the bowl of hot water.  He held the bowl near Faramir's face.  After a moment, Faramir opened his eyes and looked at Aragorn.

"I heard you calling me," Faramir said.  "I come.  What does the King command?"

"Rest a while and eat," Aragorn said.  "Be ready when I return."

"I will, lord," Faramir said.  "For who will lie idle when the King has returned?"

After Aragorn was satisfied that Faramir was on the mend, he went to Ẻowyn's room.  Ẻomer was sitting with her, and she was pale, unresponsive and her shield arm was broken.  Aragorn again used the leaves of the Athelas plant as he had in Faramir's room. 

After a moment he called to Ẻowyn, "Ẻowyn, the darkness has passed, awaken."

There was no response, and Aragorn turned to Ẻomer, "Call to her."

Ẻomer sat beside her and called to his ailing sister, "Ẻowyn, sister."

Ẻowyn opened her eyes and smiled at her brother, "Ẻomer," she said.

Ẻomer was overcome with relief, and Aragorn and Gandalf left the siblings to their reunion.  Merry was in the next room and was also in serious condition.  Pippin was sitting with his friend, and he smiled brightly when Aragorn came in.

"Strider!" he said.  "I'm so glad to see you, but Merry is not well."

"Don't worry," Aragorn said.  "We have come in time." 

Once again Aragorn used the soothing Athelas plant, and its scent filled the room and he laid his hand on the hobbit's forehead.

Suddenly Merry awoke, "I'm hungry.  What is the time?"

Gandalf and Aragorn laughed. 

"My but hobbits are hearty," Gandalf said. 

"Get some rest, Rider of Rohan," Aragorn said.  "I will visit you later, but now there is another who needs tending."

Aragorn and Gandalf went directly to Miranda's room, and her condition was the same.  Haldir stood when they entered to allow Aragorn room to work.  As the scent of Athelas filled the room, Aragorn sat beside her and held her hand.

"Miranda," Aragorn said.  "You have conquered the shadow, now awaken."

For a few moments there was no apparent change, but then she seemed to breathe more strongly so Aragorn called her again.

"Miranda, your brother and King commands you to return," he said firmly.  His brow furrowed with concern and he held his breath until Miranda stirred.  She opened her eyes and seemed disoriented but then she smiled at Aragorn.

"You're alright," she said softly.

Aragorn sighed with relief as he returned her smile, "Yes, Miranda, you saved me."

"Is everyone else okay? Where is Haldir?" Miranda asked anxiously.

Aragorn rose and stepped aside for the elf.

"I am here," Haldir said as he knelt beside her.  "I heard your screams, but I could not get to you in time.  I thought I had lost you."

Miranda's face went pale and she seemed to stare off into the distance. "You could not have helped me," she whispered. 

"You were lost in a great cloud," Aragorn said.  "What happened?"

Miranda looked at the King and frowned.  "It would not make a very interesting story," she said.  "I was lucky."

Gandalf raised an eyebrow at that comment.  "Yours is the most interesting story of the day.  The demon spoke to you," Gandalf said firmly. 

Miranda looked at Gandalf in surprise, "Yes."

Gandalf smiled, "You are stronger than you think.  Luck had nothing to do with it." 

"We saw a light," Haldir interrupted. 

"Yes, I remember the light, I thought I would go blind," she said as she focused on Haldir again.  "It was the light that destroyed the shadow."

"The clouds that blocked out the sky are gone as well," Gandalf said.

Miranda looked at Gandalf curiously and asked, "Did you send the light?"

"No Miranda," Gandalf said with a chuckle.  "You defeated your enemy all on your own."

"The light came from you," Aragorn said.  "It was the most amazing display of power I have ever seen.  Didn't you know that it was you that brought back the sunshine to this land?"

"Keeper of the light…" Miranda said thoughtfully. "I understand now. Then my task is done and very soon everything will be right in the world again."

Haldir's eyes filled with tears of relief and he whispered, "I love you iirima russe melda."  He lifted her hand to his lips to kiss it and Miranda smiled.

Gandalf cleared his throat loudly and Haldir turned to look at him.

"Clear the room," Gandalf said with authority.  "Miranda and I need to talk."

Aragorn headed for the door immediately but Haldir reluctantly stood and paused.

"Go and eat something," Miranda said.  "Get some rest."

Haldir gave Miranda a smile and left with Aragorn.  When the door closed, Gandalf sat down by Miranda and smiled.

"You have managed to surprise me once again," Gandalf said.  "Much has happened since the last time I was in your company."

"You mean me and Haldir," Miranda said.

"That is part of it," Gandalf said carefully. "I find myself wondering if you know what you are doing."

Miranda cringed and turned away from him.  "I don't," she admitted.  "But I love him."

"You love another as well," Gandalf said.  "Even now you question yourself."

Miranda looked into Gandalf's eyes at that comment but there was no anger there.  "I know Haldir," she said.  "I have hardly spoken to…how do you know?"

"It was clearly in your eyes at Helm's Deep," Gandalf said.

"I care for him the same as all of my friends," Miranda said noncommittally.

Gandalf smirked and raised an eyebrow at her.  "What do you see in your future, Miranda?" Gandalf asked.

"I see nothing about myself beyond my encounter with the shadow," Miranda admitted.

Gandalf considered that a moment and then said, "And what about Haldir and Ẻomer?"

Miranda bit her lip and looked away.  "There is one last battle coming," she said. "I can't see what will happen, only that they will both be there."

"You will not," Gandalf said as he rose.  "You will be here recovering, and that is an order from me and Aragorn."

Miranda tried to sit up but Gandalf crossed his arms and gave her a stern look so she lay back against her pillow.  "I will be fine tomorrow," she insisted.

"It took all your energy to defeat that shadow.  You need time to regain your strength," Gandalf said. "I will send someone with a tray.  Get some rest."

He paused at the door and looked back at her.  "What did it say to you?"

Miranda's face paled and she said, "I do not want to remember."

Gandalf nodded and left the room. Miranda stared at the fireplace. She did not like the thoughts he left her with. For the first time since she left San Francisco she was afraid of the future.