**Rest and Recuperation**

Legolas and Gimli returned to Aragorn's tent to get their blankets and found him in the middle of a conversation.  Halbarad, Gandalf and the brothers were discussing the events of the day.

"The watch has found a mace and chain on the hill the size of a large boulder," Halbarad said.

"Miranda's foe has left her a trophy," Elladan said with a chuckle.

Aragorn scowled at the thought of Miranda's battle with the demon.  "My life is her trophy," he said sadly.  "And her gift to me."

"Do not feel guilty over this, Aragorn," Gandalf said as he noted Aragorn's expression.  "She chose this from the beginning."

"She came here for you, not me," Aragorn said.  "You forget who found her."

"I found her," Elladan said.  "And as I recall, she recognized you right off."

"Yes," Aragorn said.  "She was afraid of me.  In Lorien she said she thought I didn't like her."

"Miranda knows better now," Legolas said.  "She knows how much you care."

"She should have told me," Aragorn insisted. 

"You never would have let her come if you knew," Gimli said. 

"No, I wouldn't have," Aragorn said angrily.  "She did not expect to live through that."

"But she did," Gandalf said.  "Now let it go, Aragorn.  You have other business to worry about."

Aragorn sighed and shrugged off Gandalf's comment.  He was well aware of his responsibilities, and would not forget them.  But the look in Miranda's eyes when he called her back was still fresh in his memory.  She was surprised to be alive, and it hurt.  The sight of her caught up in that evil cloud was one he wouldn't soon forget.

The tent cleared as everyone went to bed, but Legolas remained behind.  Aragorn didn't feel like talking, but Legolas would not be put off.

"Why is this bothering you so?" Legolas asked.

"She is no warrior," Aragorn said.  "She should not have been there.  I should not have allowed it."

"And if you had not, what then?" Legolas asked.  

Aragorn was silent so Legolas continued.

"It was her part in the fellowship," Legolas said.  "Do not belittle her valor with your guilt."

Aragorn's expression softened at Legolas' words and he hung his head.  "Her courage is not in question," he said.  "But yesterday she told me some things she'd seen.  Miranda has a great gift that I am only now beginning to understand.  I never realized how powerful she was until today."  Aragorn looked at Legolas soberly.  "She is the last Seer, Legolas.  I do not want to lose her."

Legolas understood Aragorn's concern.  "And you are the King she chose to follow.  She did not want to lose you."

"I'm going to bed," Aragorn said in frustration.  "It will be dawn in a couple of hours, and we'll meet with Gandalf and the commanders at first light."

"Rest well," Legolas said as he left.

Aragorn gave a grunt in acknowledgement, but didn't expect to sleep very well.  He had too many things on his mind.

*****

Miranda was standing alone on a beach looking at the sunset.  There was no sound of waves or sea gulls, only the empty picture of a memory.  She felt as though her sight had left her.  She felt deserted and alone.

"Why did I live?" she asked the silence.

"Because your journey is not over," a familiar voice said.

Suddenly the sounds of the ocean flooded her ears and she turned to face the King of the Oathbreakers.

"I thought I had finished my task," Miranda said.  "I have seen no visions beyond my battle today."

"Your path is not written, but it is there for you to choose," he said.  "Choose your path, and your sight will return."  The King bowed low and added, "I will not see you again for many years, for your life will be long…" 

With that he vanished, leaving Miranda to ponder his words.  She thought about what she wanted to do next, and realized she wanted her past more than her future.  As she thought of her mother, suddenly her surroundings changed.

Miranda found herself on a road in a thick forest.  It was dusk, and all was strangely still and quiet.  She started walking until the silence was broken by the piercing sound of a Nazgul shriek.  Miranda ran to see what was happening but stopped dead when she realized what she was seeing.  She watched in horror as the Nazgul stabbed a young pregnant blonde woman. 

"Mother!" Miranda shouted, and the Nazgul turned.

But it was Gandalf, not Miranda who had distracted him.  Gandalf raised his staff and spoke some spell, driving the black creature away.  Miranda moved closer as Gandalf knelt beside the dying woman.

"Théodrea, child," Gandalf said sadly.  "Where is your husband?"

"Israfel is dead," she said sadly.  "And now so am I."

"No, you will be fine, I will take you home," Gandalf lied.

"Gandalf, you are kind to lie to me, but Théoden will not be pleased to see me," she said sadly.  "Promise me you will save my baby.  Israfel's child must live."

"I will," Gandalf said with a lump in his throat.  "I will protect it."

"Her," Théodrea gasped.  "For she is a girl, and will be a great Seer, like her father."

"What name do you give her?" Gandalf asked.

"Miranda…" she gasped with her last breath.

Miranda stood dumbstruck, and the tears began.  Gandalf had lied to her about her mother.  Miranda had a family here…in Rohan.  She couldn't believe it.  That would make Ẻomer and Ẻowyn her… what?  Cousins?  Miranda watched Gandalf perform a rough cesarean right there on the road, and then he buried Théodrea under a tree.  Miranda couldn't bear to watch any more.  She woke screaming.

*****

Ioreth came to Miranda's room early to tend to her needs.  She had brought fresh clothes and a tray of food but was startled by Miranda's screams.

"My lady," she said soothingly.  "Everything is all right.  You were having a dream."

"Who are you?" Miranda asked.

"I am Ioreth, my lady," she said.  "I am a healer in this house and have come to see to your needs at the King's request."

"I need no help, thank you," Miranda said in annoyance as she got out of bed.  "I am quite able to take care of myself."

"I have my orders, lady," Ioreth said firmly.  "A bath has been prepared for you and I have several gowns here befitting a lady of your station."

Miranda looked at the fancy court gowns that Ioreth had draped over her arm and frowned.  "You are misinformed, Ioreth.  I have no station; I am just an ordinary girl… named Mirada.  So cut out that 'my lady' stuff."

"Lord Aragorn said that you are his sister, and a great hero of yesterday's battle," Ioreth said.  "Everyone is talking about it."

"I'm no hero," Miranda said softly.  "But a bath does sound nice…"

"It is waiting, Lady Miranda, just down the hall," Ioreth said.  "I'll show you the way and then take those men's clothes of yours to be cleaned and mended."

Miranda looked at her attire and agreed they could use a wash.  "What will I wear in the mean time?"

"This gown would be lovely on you," Ioreth said as she held out a rich hunter green gown.

Miranda sighed and said, "Very well, but only until you can find me something less formal."

"But this isn't a formal gown…" Ioreth protested until Miranda raised her hand to stop her argument.

"The bath?" Miranda said to change the subject.

Ioreth frowned and sighed, "Follow me, my lady…Miranda."

"Thank you."

*****

Aragorn and Gandalf were meeting with the commanders outside the city but Legolas and Gimli went to the House of healing to visit Merry and Miranda.  Miranda's room was vacant so they went to see Merry first.  He and Pippin were eating breakfast so Legolas and Gimli joined them.  The four friends ate and caught up on the events that occurred while they were separated. 

Haldir walked down the hall to Miranda's room, and finding it empty, went in search of her.  Ioreth stepped around the corner and was nearly run over by the Elf captain.

"Excuse me," Haldir said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Nay sir," Ioreth said.  "No harm done." 

She was carrying an armful of clothes that Haldir recognized as Miranda's so he stopped her with a question.  "Where is the lady who was wearing those?"

"She is bathing," Ioreth said.  "She will return shortly if you wish to wait."

"Where?" Haldir persisted.

"It matters little, Captain," Ioreth said with authority.  "I will not compromise her privacy."

Haldir raised an eyebrow and smirked at the woman's protectiveness of her charge.  "Miranda and I are betrothed," he said.  "I only wished to wait outside the room so I could escort her back to her room."

Ioreth looked surprised by the declaration but chose to believe him.  "That way," she said as she pointed down the hall, "last door on the left… just stay outside."

Haldir smiled with satisfaction as he followed her directions to Miranda.  He'd been awake all night thinking about that last kiss.  He needed to talk to her about her feelings.  He wanted to be sure she wasn't having second thoughts after seeing Ẻomer again.  He stood in front of her door and listened to an obvious argument from within.  Miranda didn't seem to like being waited on…

"I don't need help getting dressed," Miranda said firmly to the young woman.

"Ioreth has favored me with your care, my lady," the girl said.  "I am Izabel, your lady in waiting, and you do need help."

"What am I doing wrong?" Miranda asked in frustration.

"The laces on your bodice are wrong," Izabel said.  "Let me do it for you."

"I'd much rather have some riding clothes," Miranda grumbled.  "How will I fight in this dress?"

Izabel's eyes grew huge as she exclaimed, "No, my lady.  You are not to fight anymore."

"What?" Miranda asked in shock.

"You are to remain in the care of the healers until your brother returns," Izabel said.

Miranda made no reply.  She stood there silently seething as her new maid fixed her gown and hair.  It really was a pretty gown, green with small white flowers embroidered around the collar and cuffs.  Izabel was just doing her job and Miranda couldn't bring herself to be rude to the girl.  But she needed to set Aragorn straight about a few things.  And Gandalf was at the top of her list of people to talk to as well.

"A few weeks here should put a little weight back on you, my lady," Izabel said as she finished tying up Miranda's hair.  "You are so thin and frail."

Miranda sighed and just said, "I'm going back to my room."

"Yes, my lady," Izabel said. 

Miranda opened the door and ran right into Haldir.

His eyes doubled in size when he saw her.  "Miranda, you look…"

"Ridiculous," she finished for him.

"Beautiful," he corrected quickly.  He took her hand and led her into the hall, looking her over more closely.  She did look thin as the maid had said.  It didn't show as much in her riding clothes, but now with the gown on, it was quite plain.  "I'll walk you to your room."

Miranda fell into step beside him and they walked in silence until they reached the door to her room.  Miranda had a strange feeling that Haldir had something important to say and he confirmed it.

"We need to talk," he said as he opened the door for her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Haldir closed the door behind them and offered her a seat on the bed.  When Miranda sat down, he started pacing nervously.  "Miranda," he began.  "What are your feelings toward Ẻomer?"

"Friendship," Miranda answered.

Haldir looked t her and her expression was firm.  "He kissed you," Haldir said.

Miranda was surprised, but she didn't seem phased by the comment.  "He kissed me," she said.  "But I pushed him away.  It felt wrong.  I love you, not him."

Haldir started pacing again, so Miranda stood and walked over to him.  He stopped and looked at her.  "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you two fighting over me," she said.  "He knew when he left that he could not change my mind.  I didn't want to upset you."

Haldir's expression softened as he looked at her.  He took her hand and whispered, "Are you still sure about your feelings for me?"

"I love you," Miranda said as she looked in his eyes.  "I'm sorry for not telling you about…"

Haldir stopped her apology with a kiss as he pulled her into his arms and held her close.  He could feel her ribs through the fabric of her dress and it caught him off guard.  He released her and looked her over again with concern in his eyes.

"What?" Miranda asked.

"You're just skin and bones," he said.  "You've grown thin since our first meeting in Lorien."

"Why is that such an issue for everyone?" Miranda exclaimed.

"Because I love you," Haldir said.  "And you need rest and recuperation."

Miranda frowned, "I need to talk to Gandalf and Aragorn."

"No," Haldir said.  "This time you are going to do as you're told."

"But…" Miranda started to protest.

"You have done your part," Haldir said.  "Let others fight now.  A woman's place is not on the field of battle."

"I am a Seer," Miranda said with anger in her eyes.  "They need me, and I have unfinished business in this war."

Haldir could see the determination on her face and cringed.  He knew that look and it frightened him.  "What business?  What do you see?"

Miranda paused.  She was not ready to tell Haldir what she'd learned in her vision.  Besides, vengeance was not a noble cause.  And it was vengeance that she wanted.  She wanted to put fear into the heart of the enemy the way he put fear in Théodrea on that forest road. 

"For now, my business is my own," Miranda said softly.  "It still hurts too much to talk about it."

Haldir sighed and hugged her.  "Keep your secret if you must," he said sadly.  "But I will not be here to comfort you for long.  Even now Aragorn makes plans to march on the gates of Mordor."

"I know," Miranda said.  "I know."

Haldir had a feeling she did know.  He hated to leave her, but he had things to prepare for the coming offensive.  "I must leave you," Haldir said.

"Will you visit again before you leave?" Miranda asked.

"Yes," Haldir said.  "Now rest well, and I will see you later."

Miranda hugged him and then he left.

"Rest and recuperation," Miranda muttered to herself.  "Not if I can help it."