**Surprise Visit**
It was early October when Haldir and his brothers brought Miranda to the Old Forest on the banks of the Brandywine River and made a camp there. It was too late to continue on to Hobbiton until morning, and so they rested.
"I have never been this far west," Haldir said. "We are very near the sea here."
"I can almost smell the ocean," Orophin said.
Miranda was quiet and thoughtful as they spoke of the havens. She knew that she could not leave for some time, but her new brothers were already faced with the choice to depart. Haldir would miss them if they chose to go. She took Miiriel into the small tent they brought and went to bed. Tomorrow she would get to see the Shire for the first time, and visit some good friends.
"Miranda, we are ready to leave," Haldir said as he took Miiriel from her. "My brothers will stay with the camp."
They mounted up, and Haldir handed Miiriel back to Miranda. It was cold, so they were hooded and cloaked as they rode up river a short way to the Brandywine Bridge and crossed into the Shire. As they followed the road they drew many curious looks from the local Hobbits. When they approached the first town, two young Hobbits stepped into the road to address them.
"What is your business in the Shire?" he asked.
Miranda smiled for they had not recognized them in their elvish attire. She lowered her hood and smiled down at Merry and Pippin. "We have come to visit our friends in the Shire, but I fear they have already forgotten us."
"Miranda!" Pippin gasped.
"And Haldir and your new baby!" Merry added. "You are most welcome!"
Haldir smirked at the two Hobbits who stood head and shoulders above their countrymen. They were good hearted and friendly and he liked them.
"We were bound for Bag End," Haldir said, "If you could direct us."
"The road will lead you right to it," Merry said. "The last Hobbit Hole on the row."
Pippin walked over to Miranda and stood on his toes for a look at Miiriel. Miranda smiled and pulled the blanket back so he could see her. "Her name is Miiriel," Miranda said.
Merry followed for a look as well and they both smiled. "It will lighten Frodo's heart to see you," Pippin said. "We will come by Bag End this afternoon."
"I look forward to seeing you both again," Miranda said as Haldir led them into town. It was a short ride through town, and everyone stopped their comings and goings to gawk at the Elves that rode through. When they reached Bag End, Sam was pruning a hedge in the front yard when he saw them by the gate.
"Oh, bless me, visitors!" Sam said as he ran to open the gate. Haldir tied the horses by the fence and followed Miranda inside. Sam turned and called to the open window, "Rosie, tell Mr. Frodo we have guests!"
"You are looking well, Mr. Gamgee," Miranda said.
"Yes, quite well," he said quickly. "And I see that you and the Captain here have a little one with you."
"Miiriel," Miranda said. "Do you want to hold her? You could use a little practice before the spring."
Rosie stepped out the door, and it was obvious that she was just starting to show her own pregnancy. Sam looked at Miranda suspiciously and then smiled as he held out his hands to hold Miiriel.
"She's a beauty like her mother," he said and then walked over to Rosie. "How's Mr. Frodo?" he asked his wife softly.
"Quite pale and weak," she said.
Miranda did not need to overhear to know that Frodo was ill. She strode up to them and said, "I know he's ill, that is why I came. Where is he?"
Rosie smiled and led Miranda into Frodo's room. He was pale and his skin appeared clammy. He was staring strangely, and Miranda stepped into his line of sight. He didn't seem to notice her at first, and then he slowly smiled.
"Miranda," he said softly. "You came to visit."
"I thought you could use some company," she said brightly as she pulled up a short chair and sat by the bed. It broke her heart to see him this way, but there was little she could do but stay with him until the illness passed.
"You knew I was ill?" he asked in astonishment.
"I have known for some time," she said.
"But I only felt ill last night and this morning, how…?"
"This time perhaps," she said. "It will pass soon."
Frodo smiled and then said, "I heard you had a girl."
"She is here; do you want to see her?" Miranda asked.
Frodo sat up, and Miranda propped another pillow to make him more comfortable. She turned, and saw Haldir waiting in the doorway with Miiriel.
"Well, here she is now," Miranda said as she motioned her husband inside.
Haldir could understand his wife's urgency now, Frodo was worse off than he'd expected. It was no doubt the price he paid to carry that evil ring for so long. He set Miiriel in Frodo's lap and watched the smile it brought.
"She's getting big," Frodo said as he held her. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face and looked at Miranda. "Thank you for coming, Miranda."
Miranda smiled back at him, "What can I say, I missed you."
*****
Miranda and Haldir visited with the Hobbits for the rest of the day, and Frodo insisted they stay at Bag End. A guest room was quickly prepared, with a makeshift bed being set up on the floor to accommodate their tall guests. The next day, Frodo's health improved, and he was able to enjoy their visit. Word quickly spread throughout the Shire that the Hiri Nolwe had come to see Frodo. He had lots of unexpected visitors drop by from all over the Shire who came for the hope of a glimpse of Miranda and her family.
Wil Whitfoot, the Mayor of Hobbiton, suggested they have a party to welcome so prestigious a guest to the Shire, and Miranda reluctantly agreed. She could see how much it meant to her friends to do this for her so she didn't argue. The event was scheduled for the end of the week, so Haldir decided to ride back to tell his brothers of their plans. Before he could saddle his horse, they rode up to the gate to meet him.
"Haldir," Rûmil said in greeting. "How goes the visit?"
"Frodo is looking a little better today, but he will never be completely well again."
Orophin and Rûmil nodded soberly at the news, and then Orophin looked at Haldir nervously. Haldir knew they wanted to tell him something, so he crossed his arms and cocked a brow at them.
"Let's hear it," he said.
"We want to ride down to the havens," Rûmil said seriously. "I want to see the ocean."
"If you ride to the havens, you will not return," Haldir said. "One look at the sea and the ship, and you will want to go."
"Then we will wait for your visit to end, and you can come with us," Orophin said. "Our family can depart together."
Haldir's face grew sad and he hung his head and sighed. He didn't have to answer, Rûmil did it for him.
"Haldir must stay," Rûmil said. "The Hiri Nolwe cannot depart, so our family will be separated."
"How long?" Orophin asked.
"I do not know," Haldir said. "If you wish to go, I understand, but I cannot ride with you to the ship. I cannot gaze at the sea knowing I must stay."
His brothers nodded and then Rûmil asked, "Where will you go after this?"
Haldir glanced back at the house behind him and shook his head. "Wherever my lady feels led," he said with a smirk. "I knew it would be this way, and accepted it long ago."
His brothers laughed with him, though it wasn't truly very funny. Elves love their homeland and families very much. They do not often wander far unless in times of great need. Haldir loved Miranda very much to leave Lorien for her.
So Haldir's brothers returned to the forest and broke camp. They brought Haldir the pack horse and supplies, kissed Miranda and Miiriel, and then departed for the Havens.
*****
The party was a grand affair. Miranda and Haldir were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Hobbit folk. There was music and dancing, and lots of food. Several of the expectant mothers asked Miranda for predictions on whether they would have a boy or girl. It was rather cute, but Miranda was not a fortune teller. As the party wound down, Miranda had a frightening vision. She realized it was time to leave the Shire.
"Haldir, it is time to leave," she said. "Tomorrow I will make our farewells."
"What is wrong?" he asked, sensing she knew more than she was telling.
"If I stay, my presence will draw people here," she said. "That is the last thing they need in the Shire."
Haldir agreed. The Hobbits had lived here in peace for the past age in part because they were isolated. Miranda was wise to want to preserve that. He was sad to be leaving so soon, for he would miss the young hobbits of the fellowship.
The next day they rode out of Hobbiton and Haldir let Miranda lead the way. He had a feeling that she knew where they were going. Miranda headed north, and they passed through lands that seemed oddly familiar to her. On their third day of travel, they were met by several Dunedain Rangers, one of whom recognized them immediately. He dismounted and bowed in greeting.
"Hail, fair Lady Seer! Hail, good Captain of the Golden wood!" Halbarad said. "Your coming to us is most timely."
"It is good to see you again," Miranda said with a smile. "What makes our coming so timely?"
"Your brother the King is en route and will be most pleased to see you. He comes to see to business in the Northern realm," Halbarad said. "We ride to meet his party even now."
Miranda's expression was one of surprise. She had not realized why she rode this way, but now she understood. Haldir glanced at her and then looked back at Halbarad.
"How far is it?" Haldir asked.
"We will camp about an hour's ride east," he said. "We travel light, and can offer little comforts to the lady, but you are welcome to join us."
Haldir could see that Miranda wanted to go so he just nodded. They immediately rode to their appointed campsite and set up. Aragorn would not arrive until sometime tomorrow, so Miranda ate and took Miiriel into their tent to rest. Haldir sat by the fire with the Rangers and visited for a while.
"Your wife is very beautiful," one of the rangers said to Haldir.
"Yes, she is," Haldir agreed wistfully.
"Is it true that she slayed a demon and saved King Elessar?" another asked.
"I have told you that was true," Halbarad said quickly.
"Yes, but you exaggerate," the Ranger said with a chuckle. "I would hear the story from one more believable than you."
"The story is true," Haldir said. "Your captain did not exaggerate that tale."
They sat in silence for a while, and finally Haldir excused himself and went to bed. Miranda was waiting for him and he shed his cloak and boots and joined her under the blanket.
"Is she sleeping?" he asked.
"Yes," Miranda said.
"Did you know Aragorn was coming?" he asked.
"No, I only knew that I was supposed to come this way."
"What is next for us, my love?" Haldir asked her seriously. "Can you see what is to come?"
"We will wander," Miranda said sadly. "Though for a time we will settle in Rivendell, and then Rohan, and then Gondor, but we will not again have our own home."
Haldir pulled her close and kissed her. "We will always have a home together, wherever we lay our head to sleep."
"But…" Miranda started to say.
"It doesn't matter," Haldir interrupted. "I loved you from the start, and love you more each passing day. You cannot change who you are, Miranda, and I would not want you to. Someday we will depart over the sea and join my brothers, but only when you are ready."
Miranda sighed and cuddled close to her husband. Haldir always seemed to know what to say to put her mind at ease. They slept deeply and peacefully that night. They never heard the approaching riders or the voices by the campfire the next morning.
*****
Aragorn had been on a tour of his Kingdom to assess the needs in the various lands for himself. He'd been away from Arwen for a couple of months, but it was a necessary trip. He was looking forward to returning to Arnor and his Northern lands that he loved in his youth. He also hoped to visit Frodo and the Hobbits before returning to Gondor.
Halbarad had sent a messenger the previous night to set a meeting point, and he would no doubt be waiting. Aragorn woke in the early hours before dawn and decided that he and his knights would depart immediately. He should be able to reach Halbarad's camp by breakfast.
As they rode over the rolling hills still covered with the early morning mists, Aragorn thought of the members of the fellowship, and how he missed them. He had passed Lorien on the northern border, but did not have the time to visit Miranda and her new baby. At the time his journey was urgent, as he was investigating rumors of orcs holed up Moria causing trouble. But now he had more time, and he regretted not making the detour.
As the sun peeked over the mountains behind them, Aragorn saw Halbarad's camp. There was a fire going, and he could smell the breakfast cooking. Just beyond the fire was a tent… of Elvish design?
Aragorn and his men rode up and were greeted warmly by Halbarad and the Rangers.
"Welcome home, King Elessar," Halbarad said brightly. "I'd hoped you would be joining us for breakfast!"
Aragorn hugged Halbarad and they walked over to the fire. Aragorn nodded toward the tent. "Since when do you take a tent on patrols?"
"It is not ours," Halbarad said trying to hide his smile. "We ran into travelers last night and invited them to join us, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Aragorn said as he glanced at the tent again. "The tent is of Elvish kind, but I've rarely heard of Elves traveling this way."
"Well, you can ask them their business when they join us," Halbarad said cryptically.
One of the Rangers looked at Halbarad curiously and opened his mouth to speak, but Halbarad shot him a warning look, and then winked.
So they sat around the fire, and shared the news while they waited for their guests to rise. Their conversation halted suddenly as the sound of a baby crying came from the tent. Aragron's eyebrows raised and he looked to Halbarad.
"They travel with an infant… in winter?" he asked in surprise.
Halbarad just shrugged and waited. A moment later, Haldir emerged from the tent, barefoot and wearing a rumpled shirt. He looked sleepy, and seemed to ignore them as he went to his horse. He took a bundle out of his saddlebag and then headed back to the tent. He glanced at the fire, and paused when he saw Aragorn. He gave half a smile and bowed before disappearing into the tent again.
Aragorn sat there completely surprised, and then excited. He looked at Halbarad, who was trying not to laugh.
"You really enjoyed that, didn't you?" Aragorn asked Halbarad.
"You never asked who they were," he said defensively as the laughter finally hit.
Aragorn gave him a punch in the arm and then laughed with him. The mirth was contagious, but was quickly hushed when Haldir stepped out of the tent again, now fully dressed, and held the flap aside. Aragorn stood and stared, holding his breath. Miranda emerged carrying a beautiful child, and Aragorn smiled. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Her Elvish gown was a rich green, and her fiery hair fell in long ringlet curls to her waist. She smiled and walked toward him.
She knelt on one knee before him, and spoke formally. "Welcome, King Elessar."
Aragorn quickly bent down and caught her arm to help her to rise, "Do not bow to me, Lady," he said.
"But you are my King," she said, and then looked at Miiriel and smiled. "I bring you a new subject." She added as she showed her to Aragorn.
Aragorn reached for the child and Miranda handed her over. He smiled when he saw the little necklace that he and Arwen sent her. "News reached us of little Miiriel, but their description of her does not do her justice." Miiriel cooed in his arms then reached up and pulled his hair, which elicited laughs from the knights and Rangers.
"Well, it's comforting to know that babies everywhere are the same," Aragorn said as he handed Miiriel back to her mother. "I have not held one yet that did not pull my hair."
Miranda laughed and hugged him, "I have missed you."
Aragorn hugged her back, "And I missed you. Your surprise visit is a most welcome distraction from my duties. Won't you stay with me while I am here?"
Haldir joined them and stood by his wife. He put an arm around her and answered Aragorn's question, "I do believe that is why we came this way."