**Awakenings**
Miranda woke early and found herself wrapped in three blankets and surrounded by Rangers. She tried to sit up, but felt a hand gently touch her arm.
"Don't try to sit up yet," a familiar voice said softly. She turned her head and saw Elladan and Legolas sitting beside her.
"Where…?"she started to ask hoarsely.
"Still in Mordor," Legolas said. "We found you late last night."
Miranda furrowed her brows and Elladan spoke up.
"Miranda, are you hurt?" he asked.
Miranda looked at Elladan and could see the overwhelming concern in his eyes. She gave him a weak smile, "I am uninjured."
"But did they… hurt you," he pressed.
"No," she said quietly. She looked around as the Rangers woke and sat up to check on her. She recognized them all. "You all came after me?"
"We didn't have anything better to do," Gimli said with a chuckle.
Miranda laughed, and then she saw Deckion and her face grew hard. Everyone noticed the sudden change, and Miranda sat up to face him.
"Forgive me, lady," he said quickly as he glanced around nervously.
"He surrendered at the gate," Gimli said. "Mumbling something about an axe in his skull…"
"He helped us find you," Legolas added.
"But we'll gladly kill him for you if you wish," Elladan said as he looked at Deckion with a fierce expression.
Miranda frowned, "No, let him go." She was more annoyed than anything; he was an unwanted reminder of her stay in Mordor.
They turned him loose, but kept the horse. Deckion wasted no time making himself scarce.
"Thirsty?" Elladan asked.
Miranda nodded and he gave her a canteen. They waited for her to collect herself and then finally Gimli asked, "So, the black messenger…?"
"I don't want to talk about it," she said. "I just want to get as far away from this accursed land as possible. How far to the gates?" She was trying to hold back the tears as the memory of the previous day flooded back. She refused to cry in front of these men.
"Less than an hour at a light pace," Legolas said.
"Good," she said. "Then help me up, I can't wait to get out of here!"
No one said a word, but they broke camp quickly and prepared to leave. Halbarad could see that she was holding back tears. They were all furious at her treatment, but there was no one left to punish for what happened to her. Elladan helped her to her feet and she mounted up. Her body was weak and everything was an effort, but she managed to keep herself in the saddle. When everyone was ready to leave, she looked at Elladan and asked the most important question.
"How is Haldir?" she asked with a crack in her voice. She closed her eyes, held her breath and waited.
"He lives," Elladan said quickly, "but he's hurt."
"Is it bad?" she asked.
"Aye lass, but he'll recover," Gimli said. "He'll be glad to see you."
Miranda was so relieved she suddenly smiled and a single tear fell from her eye. "Then let's go," she said, and then she paused to look at her rescuers. "Thank you for coming after me."
There was a unanimous murmur of 'any times', 'your servant my lady's' and 'our pleasure's'. And Miranda was sure she saw several of the gruff men blush. But Halbarad cleared his throat and said they should get going. He knew Aragorn would not camp too close to the gates, so he wanted to head back as soon as possible.
*****
Back at the camp, men were preparing the wounded to move out. Aragorn had split the force into two groups, one to deal with the remaining enemy that had scattered, and a small escort to take the injured back to Ithilien. Elrohir was packing up when Haldir woke up.
"We're leaving?" Haldir asked.
Elrohir turned and smiled. "You're awake! How do you feel?"
"Like an orc pincushion," Haldir said. "Where's Miranda?"
"It is early," Elrohir said. "They would have had to make their own camp last night."
Haldir's expression was unreadable, but Elrohir knew he was worried. "She's fine, I'm sure of it."
"What was she doing here?" Haldir asked angrily. "How did they get their hands on her?"
"I don't know," Elrohir said sadly.
Gandalf walked over to check on Haldir and smiled when he found him awake. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Mithrander," Haldir said. "Any news about Miranda?"
"Patience, Haldir," Gandalf said. "It takes time."
Haldir fell silent. There were no words of comfort that would calm his fears. He wanted to ride out to find her himself, but his wounds were throbbing. He knew he wouldn't get very far in his present condition.
"Do you think you could ride?" Elrohir asked.
"Where are we headed?" Haldir asked with a hint of annoyance.
"Aragorn is sending the wounded back to Ithilien," Elrohir said. "Messengers were sent to Minas Tirith to send supplies and healers to meet us there."
"I'd rather go find Miranda," Haldir said.
"You need rest," Gandalf said. "The riders will bring Miranda to meet you as soon as they find her."
Haldir was not happy with that answer, but he had no choice. He just hoped they found her and were on their way.
*****
When Miranda and the Rangers caught up with the vanguard, the army was already split up and on the move. Aragorn and Ẻomer led those that were set to the business of clearing the remaining enemy from the land. The remaining men brought the wounded back to Ithilien. The rescue party found Aragorn and his riders first.
"You have found her," Aragorn said happily as he rode over to meet them.
"Well look at the great victorious King of Gondor, all spiffy in that fancy armor," Miranda said with a smile.
"Are you all right?" Aragorn asked.
Ẻomer rode over as well just in time to hear that question, and his brow was furrowed with concern.
"I'm better than I look, I'm sure," Miranda said humorously. Then her face grew serious and she looked Aragorn in the eye, "You broke your promise to me, but I'll let it slide."
Aragorn looked at her closely, and she indeed looked terrible. She was covered with soot and ash, and her clothes were torn and ruined. She looked painfully thin and weaker than he'd ever seen her, and her eyes were full of grief. Her light was there, but the sweet innocence of youth was gone. She'd been touched by the darkness of Mordor, and it had left its mark.
"What promise have I broken to you," he asked.
"You said you'd never leave me behind," she said. "But since I made it anyway, I won't hold it against you."
"Miranda…" he started to say, but she interrupted.
"My fighting days are over now," she said. "I think I'll hang up my sword and settle down with this Elf I know, but I'll always be in the service of my King."
Aragorn could see a twinkle of humor in her eyes and her smile brought a glimpse of the carefree girl he remembered. "And this King will always be in your debt, Seer of Gondor."
Miranda went pale at the mention of the title she'd first heard from the Mouth of Sauron. "Please don't call me that," she whispered. "Call me any name you wish, but never again call me that." She turned back to the Rangers, "Thank you all for finding me."
"The wounded were sent ahead to Ithilien," Aragorn said. "Haldir is there."
"I'll take her," Elladan offered.
Aragorn nodded and then looked at Miranda again. "I'll see you in a few days; I want you to rest in the mean time."
Miranda smiled, "Of course."
Aragorn smirked, "I'll believe that when I see it." He and his men rode off to finish their patrol, with the Rangers and Legolas and Gimli riding with them. Ẻomer paused a moment to watch her ride off. She was too proud to show weakness, but he knew she'd been hurt greatly by her captivity, wounds or not.
As they rode towards Ithilien, Elladan turned to Miranda and said, "You want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"Why a title of honor offends you so?" he pressed.
"No," she said. "Please just take me to Haldir."
"It's all right, you know," Elladan said. "You can cry, I won't tell anyone."
Miranda looked at him, and for a moment he thought she would but then she said, "When I cry, it will be alone."
They rode in silence, and Elladan pondered all he knew about Miranda. Though it broke his heart to admit it, he needed to get her back to Haldir. She needed him as much as he needed her.
*****
By the time Elladan and Miranda reached the wounded and their escort, Miranda was nearly asleep in the saddle. It was sunset and the campfires were already burning. Elrohir was the first to see the riders approaching, and he ran to meet them.
"You found her!" Elrohir said. "My lady, there is someone anxious to see you."
Miranda slid off her horse and her knees nearly buckled, but Elrohir caught her. Elladan leapt off his horse and ran to her side.
"Oh, stop it, both of you," Miranda said. "I'm just a little tired."
Elladan ignored her and lifted her into his arms. "Lead the way, brother," he said. Miranda, exhausted and weak, quickly dozed.
They crossed the camp, and found Haldir resting by the fire. When he saw them he quickly sat up.
"Miranda!" he said.
Elrohir spread out a blanket beside Haldir and Elladan gently laid Miranda on it. She opened her eyes and smiled up at Haldir.
"Hi," she said.
Haldir laughed and bent down to kiss her. "Vanimle sita tiri, a'maelamin nalosaura!"
"I really need to learn to speak elvish," she said.
"Sindarin," Haldir said with a laugh. "I said that your beauty shines bright, my beloved sunset."
Miranda blushed darkly, and Haldir laughed again. "Oh, my lady, I love you!" He reached down and gently brushed the tears from her eyes and kissed her tenderly. "I feared the worst when I saw you at the gates," he said.
"I saw you fall, and I thought…" she stammered.
"No orc arrow could take me from you," Haldir said firmly. "Did they hurt you?"
"Not a scratch on me," she said vaguely.
Elrohir glanced at Elladan for confirmation, but Elladan's expression was dark.
"Would you tell me if I asked you what happened?" Haldir pressed.
"I'm not ready to talk about it yet," she said softly. "How's your arm?" she asked, pointing at the bandage.
"Better now that you're here," he said, and kissed her forehead.
Elrohir cleared his throat, "I'll get you something to eat, and let Gandalf know you're back."
Miranda quickly protested, "No, don't bother him."
"But he wanted to talk to you right away," Elrohir insisted.
Miranda frowned, but said nothing more. Gandalf was the last person she wanted to talk to. She and Haldir ate, and then they both fell asleep under the watchful eye of the twins. Gandalf came by to check on them, but they were already asleep.
"Where was she?" Gandalf asked Elladan.
"Hiding," he said. "She killed the Mouth of Sauron."
Gandalf nodded. "Was she wounded?"
"No," Elrohir said.
"She doesn't want to see you," Elladan said with a cocked brow. "I wonder why."
Gandalf frowned and looked at her again, sleeping peacefully beside her betrothed. There was a good two feet between them, but they were holding hands. He smirked at the way that Elves followed the strict rules of decorum. Despite what they had been through, Haldir maintained a modest distance to preserve her virtue. Gandalf sighed, and finally said, "I know why, but she'll get over it."
The brothers looked at him with interest, but didn't ask. There was a lot of history between Gandalf and Miranda, but few were privy to the full tale. It was unwise to ask either of them too many questions.
*****
The next day they continued their journey to their destination on the shores of the Great River Anduin in the fair land of Ithilien. They set up camp in the shelter of the forest, and ships from Minas Tirith were moored nearby with supplies and healers to tend the injured. Elladan and Elrohir rode out to join Aragorn, but Gandalf remained to take care of Frodo and Sam who had yet to wake. Miranda wanted to help tend Haldir and the other wounded, but she was still recovering and was forced to rest. As the days wore on, Miranda's and Haldir's strength returned and his wounds healed quickly. But Miranda became quiet and withdrawn from all except Haldir. She spoke very little of anything but the day to day goings on in the camp. Haldir noticed her avoiding Gandalf, and he finally confronted her.
"We need to talk," Haldir said.
Miranda smiled, "Of course."
Haldir took her hand and led her through the woods to a small stream, and they sat together on the banks. "You have returned to me in body, but your thoughts are distant, and you are obviously hiding from Gandalf."
Miranda cringed, "I'm not hiding," she lied.
"I have been patient, and waited for you talk to me in your own time," he said calmly, "But the time to speak has come, for I can't watch you grieving anymore."
"I don't want to remember it," Miranda protested as her eyes grew misty.
Haldir lifted her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. She felt so small cradled in his arms that way, but it was comforting, and she finally let herself cry. Haldir kissed the top of her head and whispered soothing words in Sindarin. After a few minutes, she quieted down and he whispered, "I'm waiting."
"Gandalf lied to me," she said. "He told me my father was dead, but he was alive. He was the black rider at the gates…"
Haldir opened his eyes, already knowing what was coming, but said nothing.
"I killed him," she stammered. "I can't believe I…Gandalf should have told me…"
"Shhhh, A'maelamin," Haldir said softly. "My Beloved, you had no choice. It is over, let it go."
Miranda cried again and Haldir just held her. She needed to let this out, and he was glad to be the one she confided in. He thought of Gandalf, and wondered why he would keep something like that from her. He did not want to be in the old wizard's shoes when Miranda finally got up the courage to confront him about it.