**Mouth of Sauron**
Early the next morning, Aragorn and his army began the last leg of their long march to the black gates. They advanced slowly and cautiously now, expecting resistance at any moment. The scouts were all called in now, to keep the force together. It would be folly to send out small parties that could be ambushed and captured. As they continued their march, Haldir noticed the return of the Nazgul.
"They are back," he said quietly to Legolas and Gimli who rode beside him.
"Yes," Legolas said. "The eyes of Sauron are ever watchful."
Haldir gave a quiet grunt of agreement and kept his eye on their sky bound shadows. He despised them, and everything they represented. They had been Kings of old, men, greedy for power, now wraiths in the service of the dark lord. They reminded him of all the reasons he had distrusted mankind, or any outsiders for that matter. But now he had found new hope in the line of men who would hereafter lead the future. His longstanding friendship with Aragorn, the rightful King of Gondor, played a part in that new hope. But it was Miranda that had touched his heart and renewed his ability to believe in the good side of human nature again. Never had he seen a heart so pure or love so true among humans. She was the only future that concerned him now, for she was his future, his beautiful bride to be.
As the army continued in relative silence he gave Tempest a pat on the neck and smiled. In his mind he could see her standing in the garden under the moonlight. She was smiling, and her arms were stretched out ready to hold him. He closed his eyes and sighed. There was no place in all of Middle Earth he would rather be than in Miranda's arms.
That night, they made their last camp. The army passed the night in wakefulness, keeping constant watch. They kept the fires going, and were ever aware of dark creatures roaming the hills around them, half seen, lost in the shadows. Wolves were heard howling, and the wind died down, leaving the air still and quiet. Fumes and black smokes rose from the ground in the hills around them, and the moon was shrouded in the black mists of Mordor.
Faramir was not seen most of that day, so Ẻowyn went in search of Miranda. It was time she had another talk with her long lost cousin. She felt as though her family had wronged Miranda horribly, and her conscience would not allow Miranda to just walk away. Ẻowyn was determined to heal her family, and that meant Miranda needed to forgive and accept them.
Miranda's room was empty, and her maid was nowhere to be found, so Ẻowyn inquired about their absence to Ioreth.
"Has Lady Miranda been released?" Ẻowyn asked.
"Nay, my lady," Ioreth said. "She has disappeared. Izabel was quite upset last night when Miranda did not return."
"Disappeared where?" Ẻowyn demanded. "Who knows what happened?"
"Only Lord Faramir would know, my lady," Ioreth said. "One of the guards said that she was taken, but he is not allowed to speak more of it."
Ẻowyn was angry and immediately went in search of the Steward. She found him in his room, talking to a couple of his men. When he saw her, he dismissed them and escorted her to the garden where they could talk. As they walked on the grass, they neared the place where Miranda had last stood, and Faramir went pale and stopped in his tracks.
Ẻowyn stared at him and just said, "What has happened to Miranda?"
"She was taken by a Nazgul last night," he said quietly.
Ẻowyn cringed and closed her eyes, "No."
"Yes, my lady, it is true," he insisted. "And what is worse, I am responsible."
Ẻowyn looked at him in surprise but waited for his explanation.
"She told me of a vision that she would be at the battle in front of the black gates. She said that she would be summoned by the Nazgul and that she would help Aragorn. I believed her, and allowed it," he said bitterly. "Too late I came to my senses again for she was snatched from this very spot before I could prevent it."
Ẻowyn was silent for a long time before she finally asked, "Why did you allow it?"
Faramir paused to consider his motives. "Because I could see within her eyes some force that escapes my understanding," he said. "I believed her, and did not wish to stop whatever power it was that drove her to the garden last night."
Ẻowyn closed her eyes and her voice quivered as she said, "She is my kinswoman, though she would deny it. Now I may never heal the rift in my family."
Faramir's eyes were full of sadness and he put his arm around her. "I ask you for your forgiveness lady," he said softly. "But I believe with all my heart that you will see her again."
Ẻowyn leaned into his hug and said, "Miranda has a gift beyond my comprehension. I cannot judge you for your decision; you need ask no forgiveness from me."
Faramir was silent, grateful for her understanding. They remained in the garden and watched the sunset together. When he bid Ẻowyn goodnight outside her room she offered him words of comfort.
"Do not worry over your decision to let her go," she said. "I know her well enough to tell you if you had tried to stop her, she would have found another way."
"That may be true, but I allowed it full willing," he said bitterly. "If she is killed it will be on my hands, and now I find that I must answer to two kings for her loss."
"For me and my brother you are pardoned," she said. "Ẻomer does not even know who she is for I have only recently discovered it." She paused and sighed sadly. "Goodnight, Lord Faramir."
"Goodnight, Lady of Rohan," he said and lifted her hand to his lips.
She smiled shyly, blushing at his kiss, and closed her door. Faramir's heart was lightened by her response and he went to bed smiling despite his lingering guilt. He hoped that wherever Miranda was, she was alright.
Miranda watched the dreary sunrise in silence. She tried to remain quiet and inconspicuous to the men that guarded the entrance to her tiny prison. Late that morning, Deckion brought her a piece of bread and some water. He stood by and watched as she ate.
"How does one so tiny slay the frosty watch dog of the black tower?" Deckion asked.
"The what?" Miranda asked.
Deckion frowned; surprised that she was ignorant of so infamous a creature. "Gormash is the icy black creature that hides in the shadows beneath the black tower of Sauron, unseen and deadly. None have ever seen him but those Sauron gives to him for sport. Only the great mace was ever seen, right before it smashed his prey."
Miranda's shadow had a name, Gormash. She took another bite, but Deckion pressed her.
"How?" he asked again.
"I could see him," she said lightly.
Deckion's eyes grew big at her revelation. He stepped back and then said, "The black rider will be here soon. I will be glad to be rid of you, for you frighten me."
Miranda looked at Deckion with a smug expression. "You have nothing to fear from me, captain. I have come for your black rider, and I look forward to meeting him."
Deckion's face grew hard and angry, "Then you are doomed, for the Mouth of Sauron is a powerful sorcerer. He will devour you like a crust of bread."
Miranda just smiled with confidence and Deckion backed away nervously. Her eyes were glowing with a mysterious white light, and he was terrified. He returned to the fire and shivered involuntarily. He hoped they would come for her soon.
Hours passed slowly in her little niche by the campfire. She was wary all that day, for the men that guarded her were nothing like the company she had kept since she arrived in Middle Earth. These were evil men in the service of the dark lord of Mordor. Miranda tried to rest a little and her thoughts drifted to the Fellowship.
Aragorn was probably feeling the weight of his responsibility and she wished she was there to ease his mind. Legolas and Gimli would keep each other in light spirits so she didn't worry too much about them. The hobbits were scattered, Merry was in Minas Tirith, recovering. Pippin rode with the army under the watchful eye of Gandalf. And then she thought of Frodo and Sam. She was always aware of their secret part to play in this war. The last leg of their journey was at hand, and they had nothing left to fear but their twisted guide. The creature's feeble mind was bent on possessing the ring, and he would make a last play for it.
Other friends came to mind, like Ẻomer whom she now knew to be her cousin. He also bore the weight of his new office, and she hoped he wasn't angry with her. She also didn't want him to find out who she was; she didn't know how he would react. She had gone this long without a family; she figured it would be best to leave well enough alone. She hoped Ẻowyn would keep her secret.
The fair sons of Elrond, her first friends in this new land, would ride with Aragorn and the Rangers from the north. She missed their smiles and light hearted jokes. And even the rough Rangers of the north brought a smile to her face. Miranda hardly knew them, but they had accepted her without question and were protective of her from the start.
And then she thought of Haldir, her love. She still wondered how he stole her heart so quickly. During their journey, the Guardian of Lorien had become her protector as well. With patience, sweet words and tender kisses he had won her love and trust. She closed her eyes and pictured him, tall and handsome in his Elven armor and red cloak. He would be seated on Tempest and riding with the other captains at the head of the army. She hoped that he would be safe through the battle. Her visions were clouded and she could not see his fate.
As sunset faded into dusk, a messenger rode into the small camp and gave some urgent news to Deckion. Then the rider turned and sneered at Miranda and she instantly recognized Grolg. She shivered at his evil stare, but Deckion intervened with a smack on the back of his head.
"Get to your post," Deckion said, and then he turned and walked over to Miranda. "Your black Rider has come for you at last," he said menacingly. He laughed at her and walked away.
Miranda could hear the approaching hoof beats of a horse, and cringed. She held her breath as all sound seemed to fade except for the slowly approaching steps of the rider's horse. She heard the animal give a snort as he finally came into view. Its shape was reminiscent of a horse, but it was a hideous beast, black and grotesque. In its eye sockets burned a red flame, and flames were in its nostrils. There was a putrid stench of death in the air and Miranda desperately tried not to gag.
Then she saw the tall thin rider, cloaked and hooded in a heavy black robe. At first she thought it was another Nazgul, but then she realized he was a living man, or at least what was left of a man. She strained her eyes to see his face, but in the failing light he was shrouded in shadow. She had seen him in a dream but could not remember his features.
He laughed sneeringly, "I was told that they had captured the great Seer of Gondor, slayer of Gormash, but all I see is a cowering female."
Miranda was silent, and remained motionless, waiting for the right time to speak. This was a poker game, and she waited for her chance to make her big bluff.
"Speak wench," he said angrily, "Or has your voice fled in terror at the sight of the Great Mouth of Sauron?"
"I have nothing to say to one of Sauron's little lackeys," Miranda said smugly.
"It would be wise to show more respect to the one who holds your life within his hands," he said harshly. "If you tell me where the Ring is, I may show you mercy."
So that is what he is after, Miranda thought. Her strategy was suddenly very clear and she decided to play him.
"It does not belong to you," Miranda said. "I will not help you overthrow your master."
The rider sat back in the saddle, surprised by her perception of his motives. He would have to deal with this one carefully to get what he wanted. "You could be greatly rewarded for your aid to the future ruler of Mordor," he said calmly. "I can be equally benevolent as cruel."
"Those who sneak around behind their master's backs are never trustworthy," she said. She could see him restraining himself and knew he was desperate so she pushed him a little. "You will simply kill me when you get what you want. I am the only one who knows and I will not tell you, so just kill me now."
"In the Tower of Barad-Dur there are many methods of torture, and I have mastered them all," he said icily. "Before I have finished you will beg to tell me what I want to know."
Miranda turned and looked him in the eyes unwaveringly. Her expression was angry and unrelenting, and after a few moments, he looked away and growled.
"You have not mastered your gift yet, wench!" he sneered. "You are no match for me. Now where is the Ring?"
"Find it yourself," she said lightly and turned away.
His horse reared up and he roared with anger. "You will tell me," he said confidently. "On the morrow I will crush the rabble from the west, and then I can devote my time to …persuading you to answer my questions."
"Tomorrow your master will fall and you will die by my hand," she said.
"We shall see," he growled and rode away.
Miranda's body shuddered involuntarily when he was gone. She was grateful the encounter was over. The Mouth of Sauron was scarier than the Nazgul. They had been duped into service, but he chose it. The very thought turned her stomach. But then she smirked, "He swallowed it," she whispered to herself, "Hook, line and sinker…sucker."
Deckion returned to taunt her. "Tomorrow you will die," he said.
Miranda looked at him with pity, "And so will you," she said. "An axe will split your skull like a ripe melon. Sleep well, Deckion."
His face went pale and he turned and walked away calmly though his heart pounded in his chest. The woman frightened him as much as the Mouth of Sauron.
Miranda rolled over and went to sleep. She was confident that nothing would happen to her tonight, and she needed to be rested tomorrow.