**Return of the King**

The army of the west remained in Ithilien for the rest of the month of April.  Those who were hurt healed and the remaining enemies were cleared from the land.  As the month of May drew near, they prepared to return.  The army was loaded onto ships at Cair Andros and they sailed down the Anduin to Osgiliath where they remained for a day.  Aragorn spent the afternoon assessing the damage and subsequent repairs and that evening they rested.  The next morning, they continued the rest of the way to the Pelennor.  It was a day long awaited, and Miranda was excited for her friend and brother, Aragorn, King Elessar, rightful ruler of Gondor.

As the ships moored and the Captains off loaded their companies, Aragorn stood on the deck lost in thought.  The men set up their tents and pavilions and waited for the morning.  It was the eve of May, and the King would enter the city with the rising of the sun.

Haldir made sure that Miranda's things were set up in her tent, and as the sun set, they walked to the hill where he had nearly lost her.  They took no notice of anyone as they went, but many of the men who had been at the battle watched them.  The great Mace and chain still lay where its owner dropped it and Haldir put his arm around her and sighed.

"It still horrifies me when I see that," Haldir said softly.  "I thought I'd lost you that day."

"I'm still here," Miranda said.  "I had to, you know.  I was the only one who could fight it."

"I understand that, but you could have told me," Haldir said. 

"I'm sorry," Miranda said.  "I should have."

Haldir pulled her into a hug and just held her.  He never wanted to let go.  "No more secrets between us," he said softly.

"No more secrets," Miranda said.  "You have my word."

Haldir lifted her chin and kissed her, ignoring those in the camp that watched.  He didn't care, and neither did she.  Finally they returned to camp, and he bid her goodnight at her tent.  No one said a word to him as he crossed the camp alone, and he was glad.  He wasn't in the mood to talk. 

*****

Elladan and Izabel had become good friends over the last month, and were often found in each other's company.  Elladan was careful not to push their relationship too quickly, but he felt that it was time to tell her how he felt.  Soon he and his brother would have to leave for a while, and he wanted Izabel to be waiting for him when he returned.  That evening, they were walking along the shore near camp when Elladan decided it was time to talk.

"Izabel," he said. "I have something I must tell you."

Izabel looked up at his face, and could see that he looked nervous.  "Then tell me," she said, his expression was making her nervous, and she wanted to get it over with.

"Izabel, I love you," he said.  "Do I dare to hope that you could love me?"

Izabel blushed crimson and looked at the ground.  Miranda had hinted at Elladan's feelings for her, but now he stood here and openly proclaimed it.  She liked him, but love him?  Did she love him?

"I think you speak too soon of love," she said softly.  "We hardly know each other."

Elladan knelt before her and looked up into her eyes.  "Oh, I know you, my lady," he said.  "Your voice is like music, your eyes like the sea, and your heart full of kindness, yet I think that you are cruel."

"Cruel?" Izabel asked in surprise.

"You do hold my heart in your hands, and I fear that you will break it," he said seriously. 

Izabel's eyes filled with tears, "I could not be so cruel," she said. "I could never hurt you."

"Please, Izabel," he said.  "Tell me that there is a chance for us."

"Oh, Elladan," she said.  "I love you."

His face lit up with utter delight and he leapt to his feet and hugged her.  He laughed as he lifted her off the ground and twirled her around.  "Oh, my sweet!  You fill my heart with joy!"

Izabel giggled, and Elladan kissed her until they were both breathless.  When he finally released her she just looked at him with a deep blush and glazed eyes and said, "Oh, my!"

Elladan grinned and took her hand.  "I would have you as my wife, Izabel, please say yes."

Izabel looked at the ground shyly and just said, "But…I'm…"

"It doesn't matter to me, I hope it doesn't matter to you," he said seriously.

She looked at him and smiled, "Yes, I will marry you."

"Whose permission must I ask?" he said seriously.

Her brow furrowed in thought, and she finally said, "I don't know, I have no family."

"You are Miranda's lady in waiting," he said.  "It would be proper to ask her."

"Oh, well then, I'm sure she'll say yes," Izabel said with a smile.

Elladan grinned and led her back to camp.  "I know."

At her tent, he kissed her again, raising eyebrows all around.  Then he turned to the tent and said, "Miranda, are you within?"

Miranda stuck her head out, careful to keep the tent flaps in front of herself.  "I'm already changed for bed, what's up?"

Izabel was blushing, and Elladan was shifting from foot to foot.  Miranda just smiled and said, "Oh, well, it's okay with me if it's okay with her.  And what took you so long to ask her anyway?"

This time Elladan blushed, and then he said, "Goodnight, ladies."  Miranda disappeared again, and Elladan kissed Izabel's hand and whispered, "Until tomorrow, my love." 

Izabel went into her tent and Miranda was grinning.  "Told you."

"I never would have expected to fall in love with an Elf," Izabel said.

"You never expected it?" Miranda exclaimed.  "Where I was raised, there were no elves."

Izabel changed her clothes for bed and Miranda just had to ask, "Is he a good kisser?"

Izabel blushed, "Oh, yes."

The two giggled and Miranda said, "It must be a common Elf trait."

"How many elves have you kissed?" Izabel asked.

"Just Haldir," Miranda said and then added thoughtfully, "Perhaps it has nothing to do with him being and Elf at all.  It could just be that he loves me, and I love him."

"It's the love," Izabel agreed.  "It makes my stomach get all queasy when he's around."

"Yup," Miranda said.  "Ain't it great?"

The pair giggled again and then said goodnight.  Tomorrow would be a big day.

*****

The morning arrived and everyone made ready for Aragorn to enter the city.  The knights dressed in their fine armor, and Miranda and Izabel put on their nicest dresses.  Haldir and Elladan came to their tent early and escorted them to the procession.  Miranda glanced across the camp to Aragorn who stood alone, lost in thought. 

Miranda gave Haldir's hand a squeeze and then walked over to Aragorn.  "Nervous?" she asked.

Aragorn smiled, "Not really," he said.  "I've been preparing for this day my whole life."

Miranda nodded, "Yes, but now that your moment has finally arrived, you are apprehensive."

"Miranda, are you trying to make me nervous?" he asked.

"No, I'm trying to tell you to relax," she said with a laugh.  "You look positively ill."

Aragorn smiled and gave her a big hug.  "Well then, little sister, I will relax."  He released her and then studied her a moment.  "Why were you so upset when I called you the Seer of Gondor?"

Miranda's face sobered instantly, but she realized she owed him an explanation.  "That is what the black rider called me," she said softly. 

"What title should I give to you then?"  Aragorn asked.

"First Ẻomer, and now you… 'I will call you the Light of Rohan'…" she repeated Ẻomer's words humorously.  "Why do I need a fancy title?  Isn't Miranda enough of a name for you?" she asked with a chuckle. 

"It does not measure up to the great deeds you have done," Aragorn said seriously.  "If not for you, I would not be here today.  I will find a title that suits you."

"Oh, go claim your throne already," Miranda said with a smirk.  "I'll see you later."

Aragorn laughed as he watched her join Haldir.  Then Elrohir came over to talk to him.

"Ready for this?" Elrohir asked.

Aragorn glanced toward the citadel that rose like an ivory tower above the Pelennor.  He smiled and just said, "I am ready."

The companies lined up in a long procession of two columns all the way to the city gates.  Before the makeshift barrier they had set up stood Lord Faramir, the Warden of the Keys and other captains of Gondor along with Ẻowyn of Rohan.  A great throng of fair folk dressed in bright colors were pressed in on either side of the gate cheering. 

Then, the Dunedain dressed in silver and grey stepped out of the host and a hush fell over the crowd.  At the head of the Dunedain walked Lord Aragorn dressed in black mail girt with silver.  He wore a mantle of pure white pinned with a great jewel of green that glint in the sun.  With him was Ẻomer of Rohan, Prince Imrahil, Gandalf and four Hobbits. 

Faramir stepped forward to meet Aragorn and he knelt and said, "The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office."  He held up a white rod, but Aragorn took it and then gave it back.

"That office is not ended, and will be thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall last.  Do now thy office."

Then Faramir stood and said in a clear voice, "Men of Gondor, hear now the steward of the realm!  One has come to claim kingship at last!  Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dunedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, Bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the sword reforged, victorious in battle, whose hand brings healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son of Numeanor.  Shall he be king and enter into the city and dwell there?"

And everyone within the city and among the host cried out at once, "YEA!"

Miranda stood beside Haldir and Izabel with tears in her eyes.  She had waited a long time for this day.  She watched Faramir take the crown from the casket of he last king and present it to Aragorn.  Aragorn held it high and proclaimed to all, "Out of the Great Sea to Middle Earth I am come.  In this place I will abide, and my heirs, to the ending of the world."

Then he gave the crown back to Faramir and said that Frodo should carry the crown and Gandalf should place it on his head.  And it was done, and Gandalf crowned Aragorn before the gates saying, "Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!"

When Aragorn stood, the crowd was hushed, as they gazed on him as for the first time.  He was tall as the sea-kings of old, and old he seemed, yet in the prime of his manhood.  Wisdom was in his eyes and strength and healing in his hands.

Then Faramir shouted, "Behold the King!"

Everyone cheered, and the barrier was removed from the gates and Aragorn went up into the citadel.  The banner of the tree and stars was unfurled on the topmost tower marking the beginning of the reign of King Elessar.

*****

Miranda hugged Haldir and he kissed the top of her head.  "There goes your King," he said.  "Shall we follow and celebrate with him?"

"No, he will be busy." Miranda said.  "Let's go sit by the water where it's quiet."

"Do you not wish to greet your cousin?" he asked.

"Later," Miranda said.

Haldir smiled and led her to the shore for a few moments of quiet.  He was pleased that she chose his company over that of her friends, but it seemed like a bad time to leave.  They sat by the water and Miranda removed her shoes and cooled her feet.

Haldir raised and eyebrow, "You know, a lady does not go barefoot in public."

"Lady Galadriel did," Miranda said.

"She is an Elf, you are a lady of the courts of Gondor and of Rohan," Haldir said.

Miranda sighed, "How did I end up here?"

"What do you mean?"

"It is not the life I expected," Miranda said as she laid her head on his shoulder.  "Sometimes I just wonder how it all happened."

"I hope it is a life that pleases you," he said as he put his arm around her.

"I never knew it was possible to be this happy," she said.

"There remains one last thing," Haldir said.

"Our wedding," Miranda said.

"I know I said we should wed in Rohan, but I don't want to wait anymore," he said seriously.  "It breaks my heart every night when we must part."

"Me too," she admitted.  "I just don't want to offend anyone.  People can get so touchy about weddings."

Haldir laughed, "Yes, but I don't think you need to worry about that."

"Shouldn't your family be there?" she asked.

Haldir hadn't considered that.  His brothers should be there for such an important occasion.  But their duties might keep them in Lorien.  He frowned, but Miranda broke into his thoughts.

"I'll leave it up to you," Miranda said.  "I don't know what weddings are like here, or what is expected."

Haldir considered that and then he asked, "What are they like where you are from?"

"Oh, the bride wears a very fancy gown, white, for purity.  The groom wears a fancy suit, and they invite all their friends and family.  There is usually a maid of honor to stand with the bride and a best man to stand with the groom.  They exchange vows before a preacher…"

"Preacher?" Haldir asked.

"Hmmm… a holy man?  Wizard?" Miranda suggested the closest comparisons.

"Go on," Haldir said.  "Vows, what do they say?"

"They each promise to love, honor and cherish each other through sickness and health until death parts them," she said.  "Then they give each other a ring to wear… but I think we've had enough of rings, don't you?"

Haldir laughed, "Yes, we can skip that custom."

Miranda smiled, "What will our wedding be like?"

"Gandalf can be your…preacher," he said thoughtfully.  "A white gown would be nice, and I will dress in …fancy attire.  The vows are not unlike those you mentioned, and we can say what you will.  There is a gift, though not of a ring."

"What sort of gift?" Miranda asked.

"At our wedding I will present it to you," he said cryptically.

Miranda laughed, "A surprise?"

"For you, a surprise," Haldir said with a laugh.

"Does the bride give the groom a gift?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, "All her love."

"Then you already have it," Miranda said.

Haldir kissed her and then smiled, "And you have mine."