**Another Parting**

Miranda and Haldir stayed with Aragorn through January at the city of Fornost, the capitol of the Northern realm of Arnor.  They made several visits to the Shire, and as February approached, Miranda knew that Aragorn would be returning to Gondor soon.  Haldir was content to ride with the Rangers, and visit with good friends, but he missed his people, and so did Miranda.  Miiriel was starting to walk, and to speak a little, which was amusing to all.

In the main hall at Fornost one evening Miranda sat by the fire with Haldir and Aragorn while Miiriel played with a doll on a soft rug near the hearth.  She was a sweet baby, crying little and laughing and smiling a lot.  Miranda needed to return to Rivendell soon, but didn't know how to break it to Aragorn.  She sat staring at the fire thoughtfully while Aragorn puffed on a pipe.  He'd been watching her far away looks for days and he finally decided to ask her about it.

"What is it that you see, Miranda?" Aragorn asked.

Miranda looked at him with a knowing smile that reminded Aragorn of Gandalf.  He could see a grace and maturity in her that still amazed him.  "That would depend on where I am looking," she said.

Haldir chuckled at her sarcastic response, but Aragorn just leaned forward in his chair and said, "Minas Tirith?"

Miranda paused thoughtfully and then gave him a smile.  "The city is looking good, all the repairs are ahead of schedule and your tree is growing in the courtyard."

Aragorn frowned for that was not what he was interested in.  Miranda laughed at his obvious disappointment and just added, "She misses you very much."

Aragorn sighed and nodded.

Miiriel looked up at Miranda and said, "Fauka!"

Miranda smiled and picked her up, "Yes, fauka …thirsty, say thirsty."

"You will confuse her with all those languages at once," Aragorn said.

"Not at all," Miranda said as she looked at Miiriel and pointed to Aragorn, "Uncle… King."

Miiriel smiled and reached for him, so he set down his pipe and took her.  She hugged him and said, "A-gorn!"

"Close enough," Aragorn said with a laugh as he ruffled her hair.  "Come, Miiriel, let's get you that drink."

Miranda sat back down to talk to Haldir while Aragorn headed to the kitchen with Miiriel.  He already knew she had something important on her mind.

"What's wrong melamin?" Haldir asked.

"Nothing is wrong, I just miss the forest," she said.

"You want to go home for a while?" he asked.

"Soon," she said.  "When Aragorn returns we can travel with him part of the way."

Haldir nodded and then took her hand and kissed it.  "Have I told you today how much I love you?"

Miranda smiled, "At least twice that I recall."

"Hmmm," he said.  "That is not enough, let me say it again." He pulled her from her chair, set her in his lap and kissed her passionately.  She clung to him and he plunged his hand into her hair as he whispered in her ear, "Amin mela lle."

"Ahem," Aragorn said.

Miranda blushed as she turned to look at her king who stood smirking at her with Miiriel in his arms.  Haldir just smiled proudly, not embarrassed at all by the interruption.  She stood and straightened her gown and took Miiriel.

"Thanks for getting her that drink," she said.  "I think it is her bed time."

Aragorn gave Miiriel a kiss on the brow, "Sleep well, little one."

Miranda headed up the stairs with Miiriel, but Haldir stayed by the fire with Aragorn.  They had known each other for many years, but had not become close until after Haldir rode with the fellowship during the war.  Aragorn respected the Elf Captain, and always knew when he had something on his mind.

"You have been preoccupied these past days," Aragorn said as he took a puff on his pipe.  "You want to talk about it?"

Haldir stared into the fire as though he had not heard him, but then finally spoke.  "When will you return to Gondor?"

"Soon," he admitted.  "Passage over the Misty Mountains will be difficult before spring, but I wish to return to Arwen.  Miranda wants to leave, doesn't she?"

"With Miranda it is often a need more than a want," he said.

"It is hard for you, isn't it?" Aragorn asked.

Haldir looked at Aragorn who was being completely serious.  Haldir just shook his head, "Not really.  I only wish I could help her more, but her gift is hers to bear alone."

"You help her more than you know," Aragorn said.  "I don't know how she would handle being the Hiri Nolwe without you."

Haldir laughed, "She doesn't care for titles, Aragorn.  The only titles she likes are wife and mother." 

"Those she seems to wear quite well," Aragorn agreed.  "Does she still have frightening dreams?"

"Not often," Haldir said.  "But it is strange to mention a friend and have her tell you exactly where they are at that moment.  Yesterday I mentioned in passing that I missed Legolas and Gimli and she told that Legolas is at home with his father and Gimli was busy overseeing the crafting of Mithril gates for Minas Tirith."

Aragorn smiled, "Yes, he promised me such a gift before we parted." 

There was silence for a while, and finally Aragorn looked at Haldir again and said, "I am glad she has you to watch over her.  I hope that you will bring her to visit me again in Minas Tirith soon."

"I am certain that you will see us there one day, no doubt when you need it most and expect it least, for that is her way," Haldir said. "But for now we return to our people, for she misses them, and wants to see the Keepers before they depart."

Aragorn nodded, "I expected them to leave soon.  Their loss will be great."

Haldir rose and bowed.  "Miranda will stay, and I expect some of our people will also stay for her sake… and yours."

"It gives me comfort to know that she will remain in Middle Earth," Aragorn said.

They bid each other good night, and Haldir joined Miranda in their chamber.  Miiriel and Miranda were already sleeping, and Haldir was careful to be quiet as he crawled into bed.  She didn't wake, but rolled over and he pulled her close and kissed her.  She sighed in her sleep and whispered, "Love you."

Haldir felt butterflies in his stomach at the tenderness in her voice, even in sleep.  He would follow her anywhere without regret.

*****

Aragorn wanted to be back in Minas Tirith by March 25th, the anniversary of the fall of Sauron, for that would mark the beginning of the fourth Age.  He and his knights departed Fornost with Haldir and Miranda January 22nd.  They traveled quickly where the terrain was easy and Miranda loved it.  Aragorn worried for Miiriel, but she was a resilient girl who loved riding.  They neared the borders of Rivendell by March 5th, and made camp within sight of the forest.  Aragorn left alone before camp was set up, and did not return until well after dark.  The camp was quiet, and the watch stopped him before he got too close to camp.

"What is amiss?" Aragorn asked.

"Nothing, it is just the Lady," the knight said.  "She is singing, and we don't want her to stop."

Miranda was singing?  She never would have sung before.  He dismounted and walked into camp and he heard her voice coming from within the tent.  It was obviously a lullaby that she was singing to Miiriel, but he understood why the men didn't want to disturb her.

"When bright clouds that escort the moon on its flight

Light a pale golden sky as the dusk turns to night

You'll visit your dreamland of magic and grace

Where fairies brush stardust from your smiling face

So walk in your dreams in a star-scattered night

Surrounded by moonbeams you'll rest in the light

Of all those who love you, so blessed by your charms

As light as a feather you'll rest in their arms.

You'll rest in a forest, so silent and deep

Where velvet moss pillows a Unicorn's sleep

And bright fairy lanterns will shimmer and glow

Through the darkness to guide you wherever you go.

So walk in your dreams in a star-scattered night

Surrounded by moonbeams you'll rest in the light

Of all those who love you, so blessed by your charms

As light as a feather you'll rest in their arms."

Aragorn sat by the fire and smiled as he listened to the soft melodious quality of her voice.  He remembered a day on the trail when his men had begged her to sing, and she shyly declined.  She swore she had a terrible voice, but she lied.  She had a beautiful voice.  Her singing stopped, and after a few minutes, she came out to talk to him.

"You have lied to me, Miranda," he said.  "You can sing quite well."

Miranda smiled, but quickly turned serious as she changed the subject.  "You're not going to Rivendell with us tomorrow, are you?" Miranda asked.

"I spoke to Lord Elrond this evening, and I'll be continuing my journey east at first light," he said.  "I am anxious to get home."

"You will make it in time," Miranda said with confidence.  "Arwen should be about ready to deliver when you get there."

Aragorn looked at her in shock, and then narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.  "She is with child?"

Miranda feigned an innocent expression, "You have been gone for what, about seven months?"

Aragorn closed his eyes and cringed, "I never would have left if I'd known.  Why did you wait so long to tell me?"

"Because you needed to finish your business in Arnor, and you didn't need to be worrying about your wife the whole time.  Arwen would have agreed with me I assure you."

"So do I return to a son or a daughter?" he asked, knowing full well Miranda would know.

"A girl, this time," she said.  "But don't worry; there is a son in your future as well."

"You must come and visit me soon, then.  My daughter will need a playmate," Aragorn said with a smile.

"I will come when I can," Miranda said.  "But I would like to settle for a while and let Miiriel have a stable home.  She will have a little brother this fall, and I simply don't want to travel anymore for a while."

"You are certain?" he asked in excitement, and then rolled his eyes.  "Of course you are, how foolish of me to question it.  Have you told Haldir yet?"

"Yes, just a few minutes ago."  She sat pondering the fire a moment and then looked at Aragorn sadly.  "I wish we were going on so I did not have to say goodbye so soon.  I will miss you, Elessar, my King."

Aragorn walked over, sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.  "No titles between us, Miranda.  To you I will always be Aragorn, your friend and brother.  And to me you will always be the shy girl I found sleeping in the forest."

Miranda blushed and laughed.  "Yes, I am she."

"What wisdom have you for me before we part this time?" Aragorn asked.

"This time I will say this, rest when you can, because soon you will be awakened every two hours for diaper changes and feedings."

Aragorn laughed, and hugged her.  "Oh, go to bed, dear lady.  I will see you at breakfast."

*****

The next morning, Haldir watched as Miranda and Aragorn walked alone.  He knew this parting was difficult for both of them so he left them their privacy.  Finally Aragorn mounted up and his men followed suit.  He gave Haldir a respectful nod.

"Take good care of the Hiri Nolwe, my friend," he said.  "And when she feels inclined to travel again, bring her to Minas Tirith for a visit."

"I will," Haldir said. "May thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back, Elessar."

"Namaarie," Aragorn said, and then he looked at Miranda.  "Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet, my sister."  And with that he turned and rode away with his knights following. 

Miranda watched until he was out of sight, and then she went in her tent and cried.  Haldir and Miranda packed their things and rode into Rivendell by lunchtime where they were greeted warmly by the Elves that still dwelt in Imladris.  Lord Elrond made a place for them in his house, and they remained there through the spring and summer.