**Skinny Dipping**
The next couple of days were taken up with preparations for a great celebration. Gandalf and Aragorn were pleased with Frodo and Sam's recovery and expected them to wake any time. Miranda and Izabel spent a lot of time together avoiding the commotion in the camp as much as possible. Haldir volunteered to go out on one of the patrols with Ẻomer and a few riders, so Miranda was glad to have Izabel's company.
On April 8th, Miranda woke early. She'd had a dream that Frodo and Sam woke up and the celebration would be that night. Haldir and Ẻomer should be back in time for it, and Miranda was excited to see them both again.
"Miranda," Izabel said. "Should I fetch some water so you can wash?"
"I have a better idea," Miranda said. "I know a good place up the stream a little bit where we could take a bath."
Izabel's eyes got huge, "But with all the men around, how could we?"
"It's heavily wooded around it and it's far enough from camp," Miranda said. "I'm sure we'll be fine."
Izabel gave in, "I could really go for a real bath."
"It'll be cold," Miranda said. "No heated water."
"I don't care," Izzy said. "I'll get what we need." The pair searched through the trunk for some soap and linens for drying. Izabel pulled out a baby blue gown for Miranda, but Miranda turned it down.
"Not my color," she said. "You wear it Izzy, it'll look great on you."
"But I already have this on," Izzy said as she looked down at her drab tan gown and apron.
Miranda frowned, "Lose the apron, and bring the gown. I'll wear this green one, Haldir likes it."
"Very well," Izzy finally said, but a slight smile formed on her face. It was a pretty gown.
Miranda stuck her head out of the tent and looked around. It was only now starting to get light and no one was about. The conditions were perfect. She turned to Izabel and whispered, "Let's go."
They traipsed through the woods to the creek and then followed it upstream until they reached a small waterfall and a pool. It was shielded by rocks on one side and trees and thick bushes on the side toward the camp. The place looked undisturbed, and they both smiled at the prospect of a quiet bath.
"You were right, Randi," Izabel said. "It's perfect."
They found a grassy spot to lay out their clothes and undressed. Miranda went straight to the water and jumped in. A moment later she came to the surface and turned to Izzy. Her teeth were chattering and her face was flushed, "Come on in," she stuttered. "The water's great!"
Izabel laughed and jumped in. Swimming in icy water was a new experience for both of them, but it was fun. "You lied," Izzy said. "It's f-f-f-freezing!"
"Who cares," Miranda laughed.
Izzy laughed too, and they laughed and splashed and had a great time as they watched the sunrise from the little pool in the woods.
*****
The riders arrived in camp a few minutes after sunrise. Haldir was excited to meet Miranda for breakfast, but she was nowhere to be found. Ẻomer noticed his concerned expression and asked him what was wrong.
"Why are you scowling?" Ẻomer asked.
"Miranda is nowhere in camp, and neither is Izabel," Haldir said. "Where would they go?"
Elladan and Elrohir just happened to overhear the question and joined in the conversation. "Those two have been inseparable since you left," Elrohir said. "They probably went for a walk by the stream."
Haldir frowned, "They should not go walking alone out of the sight of the camp." He turned and headed in the direction of the stream.
"I'll go with you," Elladan said.
Elrohir and Ẻomer exchanged smirks as the two elves disappeared into the woods.
"Your brother seems to enjoy the young lady's company," Ẻomer said.
Elrohir sighed, "Father is going to just love that," he said sarcastically.
Ẻomer laughed, "And what about you, my friend, is there no lady to return to in Rivendell?"
"None that come to mind," Elrohir admitted. "Perhaps I shall meet one upon my return. And what of you, King?"
"I have been told that I will meet a lady," he said with a sigh.
"Ask your cousin if she has a sister," Elrohir said with a chuckle.
The two laughed and headed to breakfast.
*****
Haldir and Elladan headed to the stream, but there was no sign of them. Elladan glanced at the ground and saw an obvious trail of disturbed dew in the grass.
"They went upstream," Elladan said.
Haldir looked at the trail and agreed. They followed it for a while until they heard splashing and laughing. Both elves stopped dead and looked at each other.
"That sounds like them," Elladan whispered.
"They wouldn't," Haldir said softly. "The water would be freezing."
"Maybe we should look and make sure they're all right," Elladan suggested.
Haldir punched him in the arm, "Not a chance!" he whispered angrily.
Elladan blushed, "I didn't mean…"
"Oh, no, of course not," Haldir said. "It would just be wrong to want to sneak a look at Izabel bathing."
"And you aren't the least bit interested in seeing Miranda bathing," Elladan retorted. "In very cold water…"
Haldir closed his eyes and cringed. He shouldn't let himself think about Miranda disrobed, but he couldn't help it. He could hear the splashing, and could just imagine her drenched hair clinging to her delicate white skin. The water would be slowly dripping down her body, following the delicate curve of her soft breasts and then continue it's enviable journey to her navel and…
"You're imagining it aren't you?" Elladan said with a smirk.
Haldir opened his eyes quickly and rasped, "We should go."
"No, we should stay and make sure no one else stumbles upon them," Elladan said seriously.
Haldir hung his head and sighed. Elladan was right, they should stand guard. "All right, but we stay right here… no closer."
The two sat down to wait. Now that they'd finished talking they could hear the women's conversation…
"So, Randi, when are you and Haldir going to wed?" Izzy asked.
"When the final business of this war is settled," Miranda said.
"What business? It's over," Izzy said.
"After Aragorn officially takes his throne, and Théoden is laid to rest in Rohan," Miranda said. "Haldir said it would be proper if we wed in Rohan where I am from."
"Yes, that is important," Izzy agreed.
"What do you want to do after we return?" Miranda asked. "I don't see you returning to the house of healing."
"I thought I would stay with you," Izzy said. "You will need someone to tend you."
There was a pause in the conversation. Haldir and Elladan could hear the sound of the two stepping out of the water onto the shore. Haldir glanced at Elladan and just said, "Don't even think about it."
Elladan blushed but said nothing. Then the conversation resumed.
"Don't plan your life around me, Izzy," Miranda said. "I haven't figured out what's next for Haldir and me yet. I don't want the responsibility of planning for you too. Isn't there something you want to do?"
"I don't know," she said. "Until I met you, my life was planned for me. I was just a child when my parents were killed. I was raised to be a servant and a healer."
"But you also cook, sew, garden and weave," Miranda said. "Do you like any of those things?"
"All of them," Izzy admitted.
"And you like Elladan," Miranda ventured.
Elladan suddenly sat up straight with a very interested expression on his face. It was all Haldir could do to keep from laughing.
"Here, let me tie that for you," Izzy said. "We should pick some of those flowers to weave into your hair."
"You're changing the subject," Miranda said.
"He's very nice," Izzy said.
"But?" Miranda asked.
Silence.
"You should give him a chance," Miranda said.
"How do you do it?" Izzy said.
"What?"
"Get along with all those men," Izzy asked. "Don't they make you nervous?"
"No," Miranda said. "They've all been very nice to me. Why, has anyone…?"
"Oh, no," Izzy said. "I just don't do well in large groups of people, and soldiers make me nervous."
"What about Elves?" Miranda asked with a laugh.
Silence.
Miranda sighed. "Well, I think it's time you got over that," Miranda said. "Let's have breakfast with the Dunedain this morning. If you can feel comfortable around them, there's not a soldier alive that would scare you."
"But…" Izzy stammered.
"It's settled," Miranda said firmly. "They're very nice; they even rode into Mordor during the battle just to look for me."
"Yes, but you're…" Izzy started to say.
"Just a girl like you," Miranda said. "We have a lot more in common than you think. Now about those flowers…"
Haldir stood and Elladan just stared at the ground.
"Let's go, they'll be coming this way, and I don't want to embarrass them," Haldir said.
Elladan nodded and the pair quickly headed back to camp. Haldir glanced at Elladan and noted the almost sick expression on his face. "You want to talk about it?"
Elladan frowned, "What do you know about Izabel?"
"The same as you," Haldir said. "Miranda loves her like a sister."
Elladan just nodded.
"You know, I had a hard time getting used to my feelings for Miranda at first," Haldir said.
"That doesn't bother me," Elladan said. "Aragorn is like my brother, and he and my sister…"
"Then what is it? Is it her age?" Haldir asked.
"No, it's more complicated than that," Elladan said quietly. "I can't explain it to you." How could he tell Haldir that Izabel reminded him a little of Miranda, and he wanted to be sure he wasn't just looking for a substitute.
"Well, I'll be around if you want to talk later," Haldir said.
"I'm going to breakfast," Elladan said as he headed toward the campfire where the Dunedain gathered.
Haldir smiled, and waited by Miranda's tent. She'd be along shortly.
*****
"Find them?" Elrohir asked his brother when he saw him approaching.
"They were busy talking, so we decided not to interrupt," Elladan said softly as he sat down beside him.
A few minutes passed and then Miranda, Izabel and Haldir joined them. Everyone greeted them and Miranda managed to get Izabel to sit between her and Elladan.
"Good morning, my lady," Elladan said softly to her. She was absolutely beautiful in that blue gown, and Elladan couldn't take his eyes off of her. In fact, he noticed that a number of the Rangers were staring appreciatively at Izabel, and it annoyed him. He glanced at Miranda whose attention was solely on Haldir. Elladan smiled, that was as it should be, and he realized it no longer bothered him. He looked back at Izabel, and felt a sudden knot in his stomach. His attraction to her had nothing to do with Miranda or anyone else. One look into those blue eyes and he forgot everything and everyone else.
"Good morning," she said shyly.
The group quickly resumed their conversations, and Izabel was thankful to be able to just sit and listen. The Elf kept watching her, though, and she just knew she was blushing. It just wasn't fair that he made her so nervous! She forced herself to ignore him, and just listened to the story that one of the Rangers was telling. Miranda was right, they were rough looking, but they were nice. Izabel just wished she could get used to that elf.
*****
During the afternoon, Frodo and Sam awakened. Gandalf was watching over them, and brought them up to date on what had happened since their rescue at Mount Doom. Gandalf helped them dress and led them through the camp which was strangely empty. They passed through another grove of trees and came to a field by the river where many ships were moored. They were greeted by a number of knights in bright mail and as they continued, they saw a great host drawn up in ranks and companies.
As the Hobbits approached, swords were unsheathed and everyone cried out in many different languages,
"Long live the Halflings! Praise them with great praise!
Praise them with great praise, Frodo and Samwise!
Praise them Ring Bearers, Praise them!"
Frodo and Sam were led toward three high chairs. Over the one on the right was a green banner with a white horse on it, and on the left a blue banner with a silver swan. But in the center was a sable banner with a white flowering tree beneath a crown with seven stars. Seated on the center throne was a lordly man dressed in mail with a sword across his lap. As they drew near he stood and they finally recognized him and ran forward.
"Strider!" Frodo said, "Or I'm still asleep."
"Yes, Strider," Aragorn said with a smile. "It's a long way from Bree, is it not, where you did not like the look of me? A long way for all of us, but yours has been the darkest road." Aragorn dropped to his knee, and then he took them by the hand and led them to the throne. He set them both on it and turned and shouted, "Praise them with great praise!"
The crowd cheered again and Frodo and Sam were both blushing at all the attention. After the cheering finally died down, a minstrel came forward and announced to the crowd, "Lords and Knights, Men of Valor, Kings and Princes, Fair people of Gondor, Riders of Rohan, Sons of Elrond, Dunedain of the North, Elf and Dwarf and Light of Rohan, great hearts of the Shire and all free folk of the west, now listen to my lay. I will sing of Frodo of the nine fingers and the Ring of Doom."
Sam was overcome with joy when he heard that and he wept. Everyone present was moved by the emotion, and as the song of the minstrel rose, Miranda cried. She had known how difficult their journey had been and often woke from frightening dreams frustrated that she was unable to help them.
Then the minstrel had finished his song and bowed low to Frodo and Sam. Aragorn rose and sent up the call again, "Praise them with great praise!" Then the host passed through the trees to a pavilion that had been set up for everyone to gather and eat and drink and make merry while the day lasted.
And at the king's table Frodo and Sam sat and they looked around at the gathering and they rejoiced at the full reunion of the fellowship, save Boromir who was lost. Merry and Pippin sat with them, and with Frodo and Sam present, it was quite plain that these two had grown. Gandalf and Legolas and Gimli were also there and beside them was a vacant seat.
"We are shorted one fellowship member," Aragorn said.
Gandalf glanced across the room and saw Miranda speaking to Haldir. She looked up and Gandalf gave her a stern look, so she headed over. "She's coming," Gandalf said.
Miranda arrived and quietly took her seat. She ate in silence, content to listen to the others tell their tales of their various journeys that had finally led them to this reunion. Merry and Pippin explained their sudden growth spurt, at the drinking of Ent draughts. Legolas and Gimli told of Helm's Deep and the journey through the paths of the dead, and the stories and the day wore on. Finally Frodo looked at Miranda and asked, "What stories have you to tell?"
"You have heard all," Miranda said. "I stayed with Aragorn through his entire journey."
"No, Miranda," Aragorn said. "They have not heard all. What of your battle on the hill when you saved my life, or your captivity in Mordor?"
Miranda blushed, but said nothing.
"Now is the time to tell your tale," Gandalf said.
Legolas could see the panic on her face and mercifully gave her another choice. "Or your betrothal to Haldir," he said.
Frodo and Sam both looked at her in shock and Sam said, "Well now, there's a surprise."
Miranda started by telling them about her swordsmanship training in Lorien, and her reunion with Haldir at Helm's Deep. Without sharing details, she told them about how what began as friendship became more, and how happy she was.
After she'd finished, and the conversation turned to lighter tales, Frodo looked at Miranda with a thoughtful expression. He seemed to be studying her and looking for the right way to ask a question. "Miranda," he said quietly. "I remember seeing you in my dreams."
Miranda quickly glanced around but no one seemed to pick up on the question, so she answered. "I saw you as well, and remember how much I wished that I could help you."
Frodo glanced around, and then he quietly said, "I knew somehow that you could see us, and it was comforting."
Miranda looked at him for a moment and she finally said, "You're the bravest person I know, Frodo. This whole war is your victory."
Frodo blushed but made no reply. Their exchange had gone unnoticed by all except Aragorn, who merely smiled to himself and continued with his conversation.
At sunset, the celebration came to a close and the host broke up for the night. But the fellowship remained to continue with their stories and questions. Aragorn told Frodo and Sam about the fellowship's adoption of Miranda, and they were happy to have been included. An hour passed, and Haldir came to speak to Miranda.
"The hour is late," Haldir said quietly.
"Congratulations," Frodo said to Haldir.
"Thank you," Haldir said with a smile.
Miranda stood and excused herself, "I'll see you all tomorrow."
She and Haldir left, hand in hand, and Sam chuckled. "I never would have guessed at that."
*****
Elladan and Izabel were standing in front of her tent as Haldir and Miranda approached. Miranda stopped and she and Haldir waited. Elladan lifted Izabel's hand and kissed it and then he bowed and left. When Izabel went inside, Haldir walked Miranda to her tent.
"Goodnight, my love," he said softly.
"Quel esta," Miranda said with a smile.
Haldir hugged her, "Very good," he said. "Amin mela lle, I love you."
Miranda laughed, "Amin mela lle, too."
Haldir gave her a quick kiss and then bowed.
"I will dream of thee," he said, and then he left. As he headed to his corner of the camp, the events of the morning flooded back. He'd dream about her all right. He'd dream about her bathing in that pond. He felt a flutter in his stomach and he just cringed. The war was over. What were they waiting for?