**Letters**
It had been ten days since the fall of Sauron, and Aragorn and his men rejoined those that waited for him at Ithilien. It was a beautiful location, called the Field of Cormallen, right beside the river. Tents had been set up, and the camp was well equipped to serve the needs of so many soldiers. Aragorn first met with Gandalf and they exchanged news. Then Aragorn went to tend to Frodo and Sam who, after many days, still had not awakened. After he was satisfied that all was being done to see to their recovery, he went in search of Miranda.
Over the past several days his thoughts had returned to her as rumors of her deeds in Mordor reached him through those captured and questioned. Halbarad and the sons of Elrond had relayed to him what they had seen in their search, and he was concerned. He found her and Haldir walking alone by a stream that ran into the Anduin. He smiled seeing them together in a peaceful place.
"The first I look for, and the last I find," Aragorn said. "How are you both?"
"My wounds are mending well," Haldir said. "And my lady is regaining her strength."
Aragorn looked at Miranda with a smile. She wore a lavender gown that was embroidered with ivy, and her cheeks were rosy again. "So you are hanging up your sword?"
"Yes," Haldir affirmed. "And it is about time."
Miranda laughed, and said, "The need for swords is over, and in your time on the throne you will see many years of peace and prosperity."
"So then, will you two remain in Gondor?" Aragorn asked.
Miranda's face grew thoughtful, and Haldir looked at her, waiting to hear what her choice would be, but she didn't answer so Aragorn looked at Haldir.
"The choice is hers, I will stay if it is her wish," he said.
"I will stay for a while and help you if I can, but I think that Lorien will be our home," she said. "I guess I've grown attached to the elves," she added with a smirk.
Haldir smiled broadly and hugged her. "I think that can be arranged," he said. "But we can visit Gondor whenever you wish."
"Good," Aragorn said, and then sighed. "I have urgent business to see to, but I hope to see you two later." He left them alone and Haldir turned back to Miranda.
"Are you sure that is what you want?" he asked.
"You have family there," she said and then paused, suddenly realizing her situation. "I hope they will accept a human into the family."
"My brothers will love you," he said firmly. "How could they not?"
"How many times have elves and humans wed?" Miranda asked.
"Few," he said truthfully. "But you are no ordinary woman, despite what you may think."
Miranda smiled, and they returned to camp. Miranda now had a small tent to herself while Haldir remained with the soldiers. After the evening meal he bid her goodnight and went to the fire to catch up with Legolas, Gimli and the twins. It was a happy reunion, and it was obvious to everyone that Haldir was a very happy elf.
*****
Ẻowyn and Faramir had been inseparable from the day that Miranda disappeared. They had spent all their waking hours in each other's company, and finally when the day of the battle at the gates had come, Faramir kissed Ẻowyn on the battlements.
They professed their love for each other and Faramir asked Ẻowyn to be his wife. At last, lady Ẻowyn set aside her grief and walked in the sunshine again, but in the days that followed she was troubled. Faramir, who had finally been released from the healers and took up his office, visited her and asked what was bothering her.
"The land is rejoicing, my love. Why are you so troubled?" Faramir asked.
"It is Miranda," she said.
"The Messenger has said that she is well," Faramir said.
"Yes, but she has asked that I keep her identity secret, and I find that I cannot," Ẻowyn said. "The time has come to heal the hurts of my family, and I must tell Ẻomer the truth."
"Then go to him, for he has often called for you to join the rejoicing in Ithilien," Faramir said.
"No, my lord, I would stay with you," she said.
"Then write a letter, and I will send it on the ship that is leaving this afternoon," he said. "That should put your mind at ease."
Ẻowyn smiled and hugged him, "I will write two."
Faramir nodded, "I'll hold the ship until you're finished."
*****
It was dusk of that day when the ship reached the camp. All messages were brought to Aragorn, and he stared at the two letters in his hand. He felt uneasy seeing two urgent messages from the lady Ẻowyn. Haldir and Ẻomer had made peace with each other, but Miranda was still a point of contention for them. Aragorn did not want to see them divided again. He sighed and delivered Ẻomer's letter first, and then went in search of Miranda.
"I'm afraid I must interrupt you," Aragorn said as he looked at Miranda, "A message has come for you from Minas Tirith," he said.
"For me?" Miranda asked. "Let's have it."
"I think you will want to read it in private," Aragorn said. "It's from Lady Ẻowyn, and she sent a message to her brother as well."
Miranda's face went pale and she said, "Yes, I'll go with you."
"Miranda, are you alright?" Haldir asked. "What is this about?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I just need to go for now, I'll be back," she said. She rose and followed Aragorn, and Haldir watched her retreat, suddenly suspicious. What message would she receive that concerned the king of Rohan?
*****
Of course it would be too much to ask that they wrote their words the same here. Miranda couldn't make heads or tales of the characters, so she finally broke down and handed it to Aragorn. "I feel like an ignorant fool, I can't read this writing," she said as she looked around to see if anyone was in earshot. "Would you please?"
"They write different where you are from?" he asked.
"The characters are completely different," she admitted. When Aragorn nodded and looked at the letter to start to read, she added, "Please, don't repeat any of it."
Aragorn looked at her in confusion, but finally said, "I promise."
Miranda sat down on the grass and listened as Aragorn read Ẻowyn's letter,
"Dearest cousin Miranda,
It feels good to use that title for you, now that I know the truth. At last I can see my family healed! I must tell you that I could not keep this from my brother, and have sent him a letter explaining who you are. Théodrea should have been accepted by her father Theoden, and his house. I hope that you can forgive him for his weakness in this matter. Remember his illness at the hands of Isengard, and do not judge him for it.
As for my brother, I cannot say how he will take this news. His love for you was not the sort he feels for kinsmen, but much more. He may need time to accept it.
But in my eyes you are my kinswoman and my friend. I look forward to your return and hope to greet you as my cousin, openly.
Your Kinswoman,
Ẻowyn
PS; Thank you for sending Lord Faramir to speak with me, we are now troth plighted, and plan to wed when the business of our houses is settled."
Aragorn paused and stared at the letter dumbfounded. He glanced at Miranda and she sat with her knees pulled up to her chest and her eyes closed, cringing. She wrapped her arms around her knees and hung her head.
"Oh, no," she said. "I need to get out of here before Ẻomer reads that letter."
Aragorn sat down beside her and said, "Why?"
"Do you have any idea who my mother was?" she asked him.
"Théoden's illegitimate daughter," Aragorn said. "There were rumors."
"I do not want to be… the daughter of a rumor," Miranda said. "It's worse than being a throw away child. I want the family that chose me, not the one I've found."
Aragorn put his arm around Miranda's shoulder. "You will always have us, but the house of Théngel is a noble one. You must come to terms with your past."
"No," Miranda said angrily as she stood. "You don't understand! It was all lies, from the start. Gandalf lied to me; there is nothing good or noble about me or my heritage. I should have died on the road along with my mother."
"Enough," Gandalf roared as he stepped out of the woods. "Aragorn, find something kingly to do, Miranda and I need to talk."
Aragorn cleared his throat as he stood, "Never argue with a wizard." He disappeared into the woods quickly and Miranda stood and faced down an angry Gandalf.
She was silent, still not feeling like talking to Gandalf, but her silence had been wearing his patience thin. He'd done battle with a Seer years ago, and he didn't really want to repeat that with Miranda. She had every right to be angry with him, but he would not let her brood over it any longer. He was going to get this matter in the open, whether she liked it or not.
"I never lied to you," he said. "I merely withheld the full truth."
"Israfel was a traitor," she said. "I had to… I …"
Gandalf's expression softened and he stepped forward and hugged her. "You killed him," he finished for her.
Miranda sobbed, "Why, Gandalf, why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it was your destiny to kill him, and you couldn't have done it if you'd known," Gandalf said.
"But at the end, he knew me, at least for a moment," she said. "I saw who he was before, and then…I did it anyway."
"To destroy evil," Gandalf reminded her. "It was the only way."
"But he was my father," she sobbed.
"And he is at peace now," Gandalf said tenderly. "Let go of this grief and rejoice with your friends and family, and your betrothed."
"I have no family," Miranda said bitterly. "I need no family."
Gandalf sighed, and looked toward the edge of the wood where another king stood, waiting to speak with Miranda. In his hand was a letter, and his expression was one of shock and bewilderment.
"Tell that to him," Gandalf said as he released her.
Miranda turned and saw Ẻomer walking towards her. She was stuck now, there was nowhere to run. She turned back to Gandalf, but he was already gone. For one moment she thought of running, but then she heard his voice behind her.
"Cousin," he said softly. She felt his hand on her shoulder, gently urging her to turn and face him. "I beg your forgiveness."
Miranda turned, "No, there is nothing to forgive."
Ẻomer grabbed her and hugged her. "Why would you not want to tell us? How long have you known?"
"I just wanted to find out who my mother was. It was Ẻowyn who figured it out," Miranda said. "It was just before the Nazgul took me."
"You have been in my company for two days," he said. "But I had to hear it in a letter from Ẻowyn."
"I didn't plan to tell anyone," Miranda said. "I'm sorry."
Ẻomer hugged her again and said, "You are my kinswoman, and will from this moment on be a known as the Light of Rohan. Twice I have seen your light, and it will be remembered in the songs and tales of Meduseld."
"I don't know what to say," she said nervously.
"Say that you will forgive the shortsightedness of my family, and will count Rohan as your home," he said as he finally released her.
Miranda blushed, "Cousin."
Ẻomer burst into laughter, and then he said, "And to think I kissed you."
Miranda quickly shushed him, "Shhh," she said, "That's still a touchy subject for Haldir."
"Oh, your Elf and I have made peace with each other, though I wonder how he will like having me as a kinsman."
"He could do a lot worse than a king for an in-law," Miranda said with a shy smile.
"Yes," Ẻomer said. "But you chose your own king a long time ago."
"I didn't know then what I know now," Miranda said quickly, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
"You needn't worry over that, for ultimately I would surrender my own sword in his service if he needed or asked for it," Ẻomer said. "I just hope that you will think of me as your kinsman."
"I will," she said.
"I'll walk you back to camp," he said. "Do you want to tell Haldir, or shall I?"
"Oh, you tell him," Miranda said with a chuckle. "I want to watch the look on his face when he finds out."