**Family Tree**

Aragorn led the great host of men eastward.  In his company were some seven thousands, mostly on foot due in part to lack of horses and also the state of the land they would travel through.  Those on horseback were the captains, and the Rangers and the various companions that had followed Aragorn from the beginning.  The army reached Osgiliath by noon, and every skilled craftsman that could be spared was busy with emergency repairs.  Some were strengthening the ferries and boat bridges the enemy had left behind.  Others crossed over to the eastern shore to build up the defenses.  Whatever stores and booty could be found were accounted for and dispersed according to need. 

The Vanguard passed Osgiliath, crossing the great river and making the journey up the long straight road. In fair days, long ago the road had been built to run between the tower of the sun and the tower of the moon, which was now Minas Morgul in its accursed vale.  Five miles beyond Osgiliath they halted the first day's march.

Aragorn and the horsemen pressed on until sunset, reaching the Crossroads and a great ring of trees.  It was eerily silent through the full day's march but they could feel the watchfulness of the enemy around them.  The oppressive darkness was gone and Aragorn looked to the sunset that painted a blush on the white peaks of the mountains above the vale of Anduin. 

Then Aragorn ordered trumpeters to blow a fanfare from each of the four roads that ran into the ring of trees. 

Then the Heralds cried out: 'The lords of Gondor have returned, and all this land that is theirs they take back.'

A statue of a king that had been broken and fouled by orcs was washed and repaired.  As camp was set up, there was a debate as to their next course of action.  Some argued that they should take Minas Morgul and attempt their assault that way rather than the gate.  But Gandalf knew that Frodo had attempted this way and he counseled against it.  He did not want to draw attention to anything that could jeopardize their mission. 

"Then it is decided," Aragorn and the captains agreed.  "The black gate is our destination for good or ill."

The hour was late and the watches were set.  Aragorn did not linger by the fire as was his custom but went to bed early.  Most of the others followed his example, but the elves remained and shared a quiet hour together.

Legolas was the first to speak, "Beautiful sunset this evening."

"A rare sight these past few days," Elrohir agreed.  "And the stars grace us with their light again as well."

 Elladan was quiet, lost in his thoughts, but Haldir just smiled.

Legolas looked at Haldir with a cocked brow and broke into his thoughts, "Yes?"

"Oh," Haldir said, "Just the sunset.  It makes me think of Miranda."

"Why," Elrohir asked.

Elladan, suddenly interested, looked at Haldir and quietly waited for him to continue.  Haldir looked away almost shyly and Legolas could swear he saw a blush.

"The colors, like flames in the sky, remind me of her hair, and the blush on the mountains," he paused and smiled.  "She is so shy, and."

"And it was she who drove back the darkness so we could see the sky again," Elladan interrupted. 

Haldir regarded Elladan thoughtfully for a moment and then smiled.  "Yes, it was she," he agreed.  "Though that day I thought I had lost her," he added sadly.  "I never want to feel like that again."  Haldir looked back at the fire and Elladan could see the pain cross his face as he relived the memory of that day.

"She is safe," Elrohir reassured him.

"I hope so," Haldir said. He was still thinking of their farewell.  It was only after he'd gotten back to camp that he realized what Miranda had said.  'I will not leave the city under my own power.'  Miranda's cryptic words unnerved him and he couldn't shake the thought that something horrible was going to happen.

"Don't worry," Legolas said.  "Miranda can take care of herself.  Anyway, we have more to worry about out here than she has back there."

Haldir gave a noncommittal nod and excused himself to go to bed.  Legolas and the twins remained in silence for a while until Elladan finally said, "He was right about one thing, Miranda is a sunset."

Legolas and Elrohir looked at him with surprised expressions so Elladan explained.  "If Lady Galadriel is like the golden dawn and our sister Arwen is the Evenstar, then Miranda is like the sunset, a great fiery display, ever changing but always beautiful."

Elrohir thought his brother may have said too much, and he glanced at Legolas.  But Legolas didn't seem phased by Elladan's praise.

"It is hard to walk the line of friendship with a lady you cannot help but admire," Legolas said quietly.  "But walk the line you must, for to cross it would not be wise."

Elladan rose abruptly to leave but his expression softened as he looked at Legolas.  "This line is finer than the edge of a blade," he said softly.  "Though my feet are bleeding, I remain.  There is naught else that I can do." 

He turned and went to take his rest without as much as a goodnight.  Elrohir sighed and looked at Legolas.

"How wide is your line?" Elrohir asked.

Legolas shook his head.  "For me the road was easier," he said.  "To me she is a sister, and I am content."  He looked at Elrohir and smiled.  "And you?"

"I am also content," he said.  "I only worry for my brother."

Legolas gave him an understanding nod.  "Who knows what the future yet has in store for any of us?"

"Miranda does," Elrohir said with a chuckle.

Legolas laughed and stood up.  "I bid you goodnight, for there is nothing to say to top that."

Elrohir smiled as he stood, "Rest well then."

As the moon climbed to its zenith all was quiet in the camp save the footsteps of the watch. 

*****

Faramir had sent for one of his men who had been chosen to remain and guard the city.  He had seen the entire battle and Faramir hoped he would be able to answer a few questions.  Faramir was finishing up his breakfast in the hall when the warden of the house entered with Faramir's guard in tow.

"Lord Faramir, you sent for me?" the young man asked.

"Yes, yes.  Sit and eat," Faramir said.  I have some questions for you."

The young soldier sat down with a nervous expression on his face.

Faramir laughed and reassured him.  "I only mean to learn about the battle I missed.  Just tell me what you can."

"Of course, sir," the lad said.

"Good." Faramir said with a smile.  Finally, a few answers.  "There is a woman in this house who arrived with Lord Aragorn and his men.  What do you know about her?"

"Only what I saw on the field, my lord," he answered.  "She fought some great shadow on the far hill, and it is said that she saved the Lord Aragorn's life."

Faramir was thoughtful for a moment and then he prompted him to continue, "Great shadow?"

"Yes," he affirmed. "An invisible beast.  It was said that only she could see it, for she is a great Seer."

"Go on," Faramir said.

"There was a great black cloud that covered the hill, and then a bright light, like the sun.  The beast was destroyed and the sky cleared up.  The woman was carried from the battlefield by two Elf Lords, they thought she was dead."

"The lady lives," Faramir assured the boy.

"There is a mace on the hill the size of a great boulder," the soldier continued.  "And several holes where it struck the ground before the beast met his end."

Faramir paused a moment and then asked another question, "And the Lady Ẻowyn, sister to King Ẻomer of Rohan, how came she to this house?"

"That I saw more clearly for it happened before the gate," he said.  "She slew the black winged creature that bore the Nazgul, and then she and the Perian squire of King Théoden killed the Nazgul as well."

"How came she to the battlefield?" Faramir asked in surprise.

"She disguised herself as a soldier," he said. 

Faramir was intrigued by both stories, but this Ẻowyn sounded interesting.  Why would she want to go to war?  Where did she find the courage to face a Nazgul and defeat it?  He would definitely have to meet her.

*****

Moping was getting her nowhere, and it was boring.  Miranda had quite enough of feeling sorry for herself so she headed out of her room and back to the garden.  In the sunshine, she could see it was a very nice garden.  She glanced toward the corner where she last met with Haldir and she felt tightness in her chest.  She closed her eyes and thought of him and suddenly she saw him.

He rode with Aragorn and his men and his face was somber, almost brooding.  Beside him were the fair sons of Lord Elrond, and her adopted brothers Legolas and Gimli.  Gandalf rode beside Aragorn, and the army was approaching some fort on a River.

She opened her eyes again and frowned.  She wished she had a map or something.  She was at a loss for a frame of reference.  She could name the capitals to all the fifty states but had no idea of the layout of Middle Earth.  After a few minutes of internal debate, she came to a decision, she needed a tutor.

*****

Ẻowyn was still hurting, but she could not lie in bed forever.  She called for her maid to help her dress, and after some argument, Ẻowyn got her way.  After dressing, her broken arm was carefully placed in a sling.

"I need something to do," she said.  "I cannot remain in this dark room."

"My lady must rest," the maid insisted.  "The Warden has said that you must remain in bed."

"Then I will talk to the Steward," she said.  "He can order the Warden to release me."

The maid looked at her in complete horror.  "I will find the warden for you, my lady."  She had no intention of disturbing Lord Faramir for any reason.  He was also recovering and only the warden could bring any matters before him until he was well.

When the maid left, Lady Ẻowyn decided she didn't want to wait.  She ventured into the hallway and could see the sun shining in from somewhere around the far corner.  She went to investigate and found the open door to the garden.  With freedom in sight, she ventured out.  The warmth of the sun wrapped around her like a blanket and she couldn't help but smile.  Across the lawn she saw another woman in a pale green gown seated under a tree.  She shielded her eyes and strained to see who was there, and then she recognized Miranda and she smiled broadly.  She walked over to her and Miranda looked up and smiled.

"Lady Ẻowyn, how good to see you!" Miranda said.  "Won't you sit here and rest?"

Ẻowyn accepted the offered seat and the pair leaned against the tree together in silence.

"My brother told me you are betrothed to an Elf," Ẻowyn said.

Miranda cringed at the sudden awkwardness the comment brought. "Haldir is the guardian of Lorien, a great Captain in his homeland," Miranda said.  "I am still fond of your brother, but as a friend."

"I know you never meant to hurt him," Ẻowyn said. 

"Is he still angry with me?" Miranda asked.

"He has other things to worry about now," Ẻowyn said.  "I don't think he was angry, just hurt."

Miranda made no comment.  The two sat quietly together for a while and then Miranda could no longer hold in the question that had been burning in her mind for days.

"Ẻowyn, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Ẻowyn said, "Anything."

"Who was Théodrea?"

Ẻowyn gasped at the name and then slowly turned to look at Miranda.  "Where did you hear that name?"

Miranda looked down at her lap and nervously fingered the hem of one of her sleeves.  "I only want to know who she was," Miranda said.  "I need to know who she was, please."

Ẻowyn could see that Miranda was carrying some deep pain within her, but the story of Théodrea was not a pleasant one.  "What you are asking is not a simple question."

"I know," Miranda said.

Ẻowyn was suspicious of Miranda's reason for the question, but kept it to herself.  The young woman beside her had proven to be a very kind and caring person.  Her brother would not have loved her otherwise.  "Very well, but I hope that you will not think less of anyone after I tell you this."

"I will not," Miranda said.

"Théoden's queen died in childbirth along with his second child.  He never remarried," Ẻowyn said.  "For a time, it is rumored that he took comfort in the arms of a young servant maid at Meduseld.  The maid died giving birth to a baby girl.  She named the child Théodrea but never named the father.  She never had to, for everyone at Meduseld knew."

Miranda closed her eyes and listened.

"Théoden would not allow the child to be sent away, but entrusted it to a nurse and said that she should remain there.  He grew very fond of her, but Théodred was jealous of her, so Théoden rejected her for his sake."

Miranda opened her eyes and prompted her to finish.  "Then what?"

Ẻowyn sighed.  "She grew up as a servant in the house until one day, Théoden received a guest at Meduseld.  His name was Israfel the Wise, and despite his great years he was still as young in appearance as Théoden.  He saw Théodrea and looked on her with favor.  She having been rejected by her father was bitter, and easily led.  She left with Israfel and was never seen again."

"How old was she?" Miranda asked.

"Sixteen," Ẻowyn said.  "Her life was a scandal from beginning to end."

Miranda was silent for a moment and then she sighed, "Thank you."

"Why?" Ẻowyn asked.

Miranda turned to Ẻowyn and spoke carefully and evenly, "I will not mention the story again ever.  That is my promise to you.  Please don't ask me why."

Ẻowyn studied the younger woman closely.  She looked at her as if for the first time and as early childhood memories once again burned in her thoughts she knew.  There was no mistaking the resemblance.  It made perfect sense, the age, the gift of sight, and the hair, flame red like Israfel's, but the face and eyes were that of Théodrea.

"Cousin," Ẻowyn whispered.

Miranda frowned and turned away, "You are mistaken," she said quickly as she stood to leave.

"No!" Ẻowyn said firmly.  "I am not, so sit yourself back down."

Miranda looked at her in surprise.

"Long has that memory bothered me, and now do I see a chance to heal the past," Ẻowyn said.  "Do not rob me of that, or of a lost kinswoman I already love."  Ẻowyn's eyes filled with tears and Miranda knelt beside her.

"I do not wish to hurt your family," Miranda said as she started to cry.  "You have been hurt enough already."

"It is your family too," Ẻowyn said.

Miranda would not meet Ẻowyn's eyes, she felt ashamed for bringing up an unpleasant part of their past.  "But your brother," she said.

"Already loves you," Ẻowyn said.  "Do you not think this will bring him joy?"

Miranda's emotions were confused, and she didn't know how she should feel.  "My lady, I need time to consider this," Miranda said.  "Please keep this as our secret.  I do not want to hurt anyone with this, as you said; I am the daughter of a scandal."  Miranda stood and turned to leave but Ẻowyn had one last thing to say.

"I will keep it for now, but do not expect me to keep this from Ẻomer," Ẻowyn said.  "He deserves to know the truth."

Miranda just kept walking.  She never should have brought it up, but now it was too late.  She wasn't mad at Ẻowyn, she was mad at Gandalf.  Why did he lie to her?  She went inside and saw Faramir coming down the hall toward her.

"We meet again," He said humorously.

"Yes," Miranda said with a forced smile.

"Must I then walk in the garden alone, or will you join me?" he asked.

"Lady Ẻowyn is in the garden," Miranda said.  "I think you would enjoy her company."

Faramir smiled, "Then perhaps another time."

"Perhaps," Miranda said with a knowing smile.

Faramir went to the garden and Miranda smiled to herself all the way back to her room.  Faramir would forget about her completely with one look at Ẻowyn, and that was just fine.  Miranda thought it was about time Ẻowyn had a chance for happiness.