**The King Departs**
Elladan and Elrohir were busy taking stock of the available horses and supplies. Down by Harlond they directed the men who unloaded what was left of the provisions in the holds of the ships.
"That is the last of it," Elladan said as he came down the gang plank to the dock.
"This will help," Elrohir said. "I wish we had more horses though."
Elladan looked back toward the horses they had brought through the paths of the dead and his eyes came to rest on a grey Rohirrim steed named Tempest. Elrohir noticed where his brother was looking and he sighed.
"She will not be going," Elrohir said.
"I will miss her," Elladan said softly.
Elrohir walked over to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. "How long?"
Elladan turned to face his brother's knowing smile and confessed, "Since the moment I laid eyes on her."
Elrohir nodded and the pair turned back to the city. Elladan looked to one of the towers that stood near the House of healing. He wondered how she was recovering. Elrohir started walking back to camp and Elladan fell into step beside him.
"Why did you not tell her?" Elrohir asked.
"She gave her heart to another before I found the courage," Elladan admitted.
"Miranda's heart is big," Elrohir said. "She loves us all."
"Not like she loves him," Elladan said. "But I can't be jealous, he's our friend."
"True," Elrohir said lightly. "And they are good together."
Elladan frowned as he looked to the rising moon. It was late and there had been no sign of Haldir so he turned toward the gate. "The captains are gathering and no one has seen Haldir," he said. "I'm sure I know where to find him."
Elrohir watched his brother walk through the gate. He appeared to be lost and Elrohir thought it would break his heart. He'd known Elladan had a strong bond with Miranda since that first ride through the forest so long ago. They often talked of how fond they were of her, but he had never admitted to loving her before. He knew his brother did nothing halfway. If Elladan was in love with Miranda it was with all his heart. Love like that, unreturned, could break a man. Elrohir headed to camp in silence. After a brief visit with Aragorn as to the provisions and horses he sat by the fire, brooding.
*****
It was late evening and Aragorn was receiving steady reports from the various captains about their readiness to depart the next morning. Plans had been made to leave some men to rebuild the ruined gate and guard the city, but every available man was preparing to march with Aragorn. When he was satisfied that everyone had reported in, Aragorn left his tent and went to sit by the campfire. Legolas and Gimli were visiting with Elrohir and it was then that Aragorn realized who he hadn't seen yet.
"Where's Haldir?" Aragorn asked Legolas.
"Where do you think?" Legolas asked with a smirk.
Gimli laughed, Aragorn chuckled but Elrohir was conspicuously quiet.
"My brother has gone to fetch him," Elrohir said. "I think he hoped he would see Miranda before we left."
"You two have grown attached to her," Gimli commented with a smile. "The girl draws Elves wherever she goes."
Elrohir glared at Gimli briefly but made no comment. He abruptly said goodnight and left. After a few moments, Gimli looked at Legolas and asked, "Did I offend him?"
It was Aragorn who answered, "The twins and I are the ones who found Miranda. They are both protective of her."
Gimli just grunted, said goodnight and left. Legolas waited until he and Aragorn were alone before he said what was on his mind.
"Protective or more?" Legolas asked.
"I would not speculate on that," Aragorn said.
Legolas nodded quietly and stared into the fire. Miranda definitely had a way of drawing out the protective side of the men around her. Perhaps it was her quiet manner and delicate appearance. Legolas knew better than to judge her based on that. He could see her courage and determination. He'd liked her from the beginning. In his eyes she was the sister he'd adopted, but with Elladan and Elrohir he thought it had become more.
"Are you worried about it?" Aragorn asked, breaking into Legolas' thoughts.
"No," Legolas said. "I have just noticed it these past couple of days."
"She nearly died," Aragorn said. "Thinking we'd lost her made me realize how much I cared for her. No doubt it was the same for them."
"Yes," Legolas agreed. "That must be it."
The two said their goodnights and went to bed. Whatever the reason, Legolas would not lose any sleep over it. Tomorrow would come early.
*****
Elladan walked down the dimly lit hallway in the direction of Miranda's room. He'd expected to run into Haldir by now. It was a little late to call on a lady and it annoyed him that Haldir was still here. When he reached Miranda's room he found a young maid turning down the bed.
"Where is your lady?" Elladan asked.
Izabel looked at the second Elf she'd seen in the past five minutes and frowned. "She is in the garden with another Elf Captain," she said.
"Alone?" Elladan asked in surprise.
Before Izabel could answer, Elladan headed for the garden. He was irritated. Haldir would never do anything to jeopardize her reputation, but walking alone, at night, in a private garden was pushing it. He recognized the door to the garden and quietly slipped outside. He heard voices and silently went to investigate. Haldir and Miranda were standing in a small clearing surrounded by hedges. He found that they hadn't noticed him so he waited quietly. He didn't want to disturb their farewell.
Elladan watched Haldir embrace her tenderly and he could see that she was crying.
"You will be my wife," Haldir said firmly, "and I will guard you more closely than the forest of Lothlorien." Haldir kissed the top of her head.
Elladan felt a knot in his stomach. He knew they were betrothed, but the reality before him was almost more than he could bear.
"I love you so much," Miranda said softly.
Her sincere reply was like a stab in the heart. Elladan couldn't believe he was still standing here. Miranda was spoken for, and her betrothed was his friend. He knew he should just leave, but he couldn't tear himself away.
"You're the woman I love," Haldir said seriously. "No mere girl could have conquered my heart so completely."
"But I have done nothing." Miranda said in confusion.
"You never had to," Haldir said as he embraced her. "You are gentle hearted and soft spoken. You wield a sword with fierce confidence one moment, and then tend the wounded with grace and mercy the next. You're so innocent, but within you is the wisdom of the ages. You carry a great light inside you, my sweet little Seer. There are no words in any language to explain how much I love you, Miranda."
"And I love you," Miranda said as her eyes filled with tears.
Why was he torturing himself? Why was he listening to their private farewell? Elladan knew it was for Miranda, to see her and hear her voice. He closed his eyes and remembered the day he found her. She was asleep in the forest like some enchanted beauty. Her fiery hair spread around her seemed to mimic the autumn leaves she rested on. Her strange attire only piqued his curiosity. Then she awoke and looked up into his eyes and he was lost. That was the moment; she had taken his heart with those mysterious green eyes. He knew she was afraid, so he offered her his hand and shared his horse. When she saw his home, her fear quickly turned to wonder, and then she smiled, and that smile shined brighter than the sun! How could he have not known his feelings until now?
It was quiet, so he opened his eyes. They were caught up in a very passionate kiss, and Haldir's hands were far too familiar with her, betrothed or not. Elladan's heart was suddenly racing and he felt a lump form in his throat. He turned and silently fled the garden. He wished he'd left sooner.
*****
It was an hour before dawn and the men were all assembled and ready to leave. Aragorn gave a few orders to Halbarad and took his place at the head of the first group. In his company were the Rangers, Legolas and Gimli, the sons of Elrond, Ẻomer, Gandalf, Pippin and a few other captains. Haldir rode up and joined them.
"Everyone is ready," he said to Aragorn. "Every horse that could be found has a rider."
Aragorn gave him a nod and then noticed Haldir was riding Tempest. He looked at Haldir with a cocked brow and the Elf was quick to explain.
"She asked me to take him," he said. "She knew we needed horses and wanted to help the only way she could."
"Miranda is no doubt angry with me for leaving her behind," Aragorn said.
"She will get over it," Haldir reassured him. "I would not like to endure another battle watching her."
"Yes," Aragorn interrupted quickly. He didn't want to hear the rest. "I only hope she understands."
"Miranda is not one to carry a grudge," Haldir said seriously. "To her you are her brother and king and she loves you." Haldir gave him a smile and took his place in the Vanguard.
Aragorn gave a nod to the brothers and Elrohir sounded the horn. Halbarad shouted the order to ride and the army was off. Elladan rode beside his brother and avoided looking at Haldir. It would take some time to get over the sight of him kissing Miranda. Watching him ride Miranda's horse would not help.
*****
Miranda rose early and snuck into the garden. She found a small stairway that led up to the battlements where she could look down at the gathering army. She should be there with them and it frustrated her to just watch. She saw Aragorn seated regally on his sturdy northern horse. He wore the colors of his station now, the white tree on a black field under a string of stars. He looked like a king and she smiled proudly. She didn't blame Aragorn for ordering her to stay behind. He had never given her orders before, but now he was trying to protect her. It was the only way Aragorn could show he cared and she couldn't be angry for that.
Miranda searched for Haldir but didn't see him. Legolas and Gimli were once again sharing a horse and the brothers were beside them. Miranda thought of the first day she met them and the memory made her smile. Elladan and Elrohir were her first friends in Middle Earth. She watched Aragorn take his place in the formation and she finally saw Haldir. He was riding Tempest and he looked so handsome in his armor. She missed him already. Gandalf and Pippin were also there, ready to ride and Miranda smiled at the brave young Hobbit.
"Where do you keep so much courage in such a small fellow?" she asked quietly.
The horn sounded and Halbarad shouted for them to ride. As Miranda watched them ride away, she hoped they would all be safe.
When they were out of sight, Miranda quietly snuck back inside but was discovered before she could get to her room.
"So they have left," Faramir asked as she rounded the corner.
Miranda nearly jumped, but calmly answered, "Yes."
"Who were you watching for?" he asked knowingly.
Miranda was surprised and embarrassed by his question but chose to answer anyway. "They are all my friends," she said, "but I was looking for the Elf Captain, Haldir. We are betrothed."
Faramir raised an eyebrow at that revelation but wasn't too surprised. "Then it was he who ran from the garden last night."
Now it was Miranda's turn to raise an eyebrow. "No, he walked me to my room, and then quietly left so as not to disturb anyone."
Faramir frowned. He was sure he saw an elf run through the hall last night. Her confused expression convinced him to drop the subject. "Would you like to join me in the main hall for breakfast?" he asked, changing the subject.
Miranda quickly declined, "Thank you for the kind offer but I'm not very hungry and I just want to be alone for a while."
"I had hoped for the company of a lovely lady this morning," he said. "I have only recently gained the freedom to leave my room and there is still no one to talk to."
"Then my lord should call upon the lady Ẻowyn," Miranda suggested. "She is also recovering and her brother King Ẻomer has just left with Aragorn. I'm sure she'd like the company as well."
"Perhaps I will," Faramir said. "But what of you? Must you hide away alone, or will you take comfort in the company of friends?"
"Perhaps later," Miranda said with a smile. "For now I crave solitude. Good day, Lord Faramir." She gave him a nod, stepped past him and quietly walked to her room.
Faramir watched her retreat and found himself wondering what brought her to the House of Healing in the first place. She didn't seem to be hurt, but she always seemed to be preoccupied. He didn't think she would tell him if he asked her, so he decided that he would send for someone to give an account of her part in the battle. As he headed to the main hall, he remembered her suggestion to call on .Lady Ẻowyn? He decided he would have to inquire about her as well.