**Chronicle of the Fourth Age, Part 2**
1440 S.R. (20) - Back in the hall of Kings, Aragorn had a meal prepared and their horses and luggage taken care of. Miranda and her family gathered by a large table and the introductions were made.
"Your family has grown," Aragorn said with a smile and then looked at Miiriel, "But I remember this one."
Miiriel hugged him, "Hello again, Uncle."
"You have grown into a beauty," Aragorn said. "How old are you now?"
"Nineteen," Miiriel said with a smile.
Aragorn looked expectantly at the remaining members of the family, and Haldir named them.
"Our second child, Nárello, is now eighteen," Haldir said proudly.
Aragorn could see he was the image of his father with the eyes and hair of his mother. Nárello bowed respectfully and then stepped back.
"Our third child, Failon is now sixteen," Haldir continued. "Lalaith is our fourth daughter, now fourteen. And the twins, Alcor and Thelyn are thirteen."
"Welcome all," Aragorn said. "Please be seated."
The meal was brought, and Aragorn tried to keep the conversation light in front of Miranda's children. They caught up on the news, and Aragorn bragged a little on his own children. But Miranda knew that something was troubling him deeply and she confronted him on it.
"Where is your family, Aragorn?" Miranda asked bluntly.
Aragorn glanced around the table and then sighed and looked at Miranda seriously. "I sent them to visit Ithilien for a while, to keep them safe from our current scourge."
Miranda looked into his troubled eyes for a moment and then closed her eyes. She could see raids by orcs and trolls on several villages near the city, and an attempt to capture Aragorn's son right near the gates. She was horrified and opened her eyes.
"Orcs!" she hissed. "You have not found their lair?"
"No, they are clever," he said. "We have lost several families to them."
Miranda's face grew angry, for she hated orcs and trolls and had little patience for them. "Gather about twenty good fighting men," she said. "Tomorrow we are going hunting."
Miranda's children all looked at her in shock, but Haldir just gave her a nod. "I will join you," he said. "If she can lead us to them, we will slay every last one."
"I'm going too, father," Nárello said quickly.
"And me," Failon insisted.
"Us too," Alcon said.
Haldir frowned at the twins, "Not you two; you are not ready for trolls and orcs yet."
"But father…" Thelyn protested.
Miranda raised her hand to end the argument and there was silence. Aragorn agreed with Haldir, that the twins were too young, but he would stay out of the discussion. Miranda looked at them with a smile and said, "You two will remain here and look after your sisters, for that is an important responsibility."
They responded in unison, "Yes, mother." It was obvious that they were disappointed, but nothing further was said.
After the meal, they settled into their rooms. Miranda and Haldir stayed in the tower where they had after their wedding feast. It was like coming home for them. The kids were given 3 rooms next door to each other in the wing beneath the tower. Miiriel and Lalaith shared a room, Nárello and Failon shared a room and the twins shared a room.
Early the next morning, Nárello and Failon dressed, put on their swords and grabbed their bows and quivers. When they reached the hall, they found their mother and father already seated at the table with the King and his men. They were both surprised to see their mother dressed in riding clothes and armed.
Failon cocked a brow at his mother and asked, "Mother?"
"You are surprised to see your mother dressed for battle?" Aragorn asked with a smirk. "Did you not know that she is a seasoned warrior?"
"It is one thing to listen to stories," Nárello said, "It is quite another to see it." He looked at the weapons she wore and all the stories he had heard came back to him. He felt a new pride in his mother, so small and yet so strong.
"All is prepared," Aragorn's captain said.
"Very good, we depart immediately," Aragorn said. They headed out of the courtyard where their horses were waiting and mounted up. Aragorn looked at Miranda. "Which way my lady?"
"My favorite place for a quiet ride," she said with a smirk.
Aragorn and Haldir both laughed, and they headed into the hills. After a couple hours, Miranda halted them. "You have not found them, for they are underground. We will have to leave the horses."
Aragorn gave the order for them to secure the horses and then he and Haldir waited for Miranda to lead them. The ground was rocky, and there were no obvious trails to follow. Miranda quickly navigated through several well hidden, very small narrow passages. They came to a sheer wall, and Miranda just smiled.
"Here is the entrance," she said.
"I see nothing," the captain said to himself quietly, but he watched in amazement as Miranda pulled a bush aside to reveal an opening.
Aragorn looked at her with respect. "Welcome home, Miranda."
Miranda gave him a nod and then said, "They are arrogant and believe that they cannot be found, so there are no guards here."
Aragorn and Haldir led the way, followed by Miranda and her sons and then the knights. The passage was dark and narrow, but soon opened up, and they could see a dim light ahead. Haldir turned to Miranda and whispered, "How many?"
"Thirty and two large trolls," she said. "The passage ahead is guarded by…" she closed her eyes and then opened them, "Four orcs."
Aragorn's men were amazed by her, but Aragorn and Haldir just nodded and took her at her word. Aragorn looked at Haldir, "You and I will take out the guards, quietly."
Haldir nodded and they moved in silently. There was a quiet scuffle, and then Aragorn beckoned them forward. They were at a doorway that led into the orcs' lair. Below was a large cave with bones and rotting meat, stolen treasures and two sleeping trolls. Beyond the trolls was another passage.
Aragorn knew that trolls were not easy to kill. He looked at Haldir, "Any ideas?"
"Yeah, don't wake them," he said. "If we can get close enough, we can kill them in their sleep."
Miranda thought the idea sounded reasonable, but she paused thoughtfully. "What kind of trolls are they?"
"Does it matter?" Failon asked humorously.
Aragorn looked at her and realized she might have a plan. "Stone trolls, they cannot survive in sunlight, they turn to stone."
Miranda just smiled and said, "Perfect." She climbed out from behind the rocks and headed into the middle of the room without warning, and Haldir's eyes were suddenly huge.
"Miranda!" he whispered angrily.
She just ignored him and held her hands out wide as she closed her eyes. She started speaking in Sindarin without care to her volume.
"My name is Miranda and I am the Last Seer, Keeper of the Light of Illuin and Ormal, the Light of Rohan, and Slayer of Shadows. I am a Destroyer of Darkness and today I am a slayer of Trolls!"
The two trolls stirred and moved to grab their weapons, but it was too late, for suddenly the cave was flooded with a light that rivaled the sun and the trolls did not even have time to scream. Miranda dropped to her knees from the exertion but it was quickly over and her light faded.
Aragorn and Haldir were quickly at her side, but Nárello, Failon and the knights gaped in awe. Miranda waved them off in frustration and stood.
"You are on your own with the orcs," Miranda said breathlessly. "This is their only way out, so you will get them all."
Aragorn nodded and Haldir told Failon to stay with his mother. Everyone else went through the next passage, and the battle was on. From the troll chamber Miranda and Failon could hear the yelling of Men, screeching of orcs and clashing of swords. Failon stood between the passage entrance and Miranda in case any orcs should escape. Miranda just sighed.
"Sit down son, no orcs will get out alive," she said.
Failon sat with her and tried to sort through his thoughts. Miranda just put an arm around him and said, "It surprises you."
"Yes," he said. "I thought Elladan and Elrohir embellished the story a little to make it more exciting. Now I see that it was all true."
"I am still the same person I was a moment ago," Miranda said.
"No," Failon said firmly. "A moment ago you were just my mother. But now I see that you are much more, and I do not know what to say."
The noise in the passage died down, and Miranda just kissed his brow. "There is nothing to say, Failon."
"I love you, mother," he said softly.
*****
Several days after the destruction of the orcs, Aragorn sent a ship to Ithilien with news and a message that his family should return. Miranda's children went riding in the hills and were gone when Arwen and Aragorn's children arrived. Miranda was very excited to see Arwen again and meet Aragorn's children. Aragorn introduced them to Haldir and Miranda.
"This is our eldest daughter, Allassante who is now eighteen. Our youngest daughter is Anvanime, who just turned ten."
The girls curtseyed politely, and then a tall young man came forward, and Miranda could see Aragorn brimming with pride.
"And this is Eldarion, my son," Aragorn said proudly.
The young man was quite handsome, resembling his father but with his mother's dark hair and grey eyes. He bowed to Miranda and Haldir respectfully and greeted them.
"Welcome, Hiri Nolwe. My father speaks of you fondly and often, but I see his description of your beauty does not come close to the truth," Eldarion said.
Miranda cocked a brow at him and smiled. He was his father's son all right, charming… very charming. "How old are you?" she asked.
"Sixteen, my Lady," he said.
"I have a son your age," Miranda said. "But they have gone riding and will not return until late."
Haldir frowned, knowing all too well that his children were quite independent. "If they don't decide to camp in the forest…" he said under his breath.
Miranda elbowed him, but knew he was likely right.
"I could ride out to meet them," Eldarion offered. "If you are worried…"
"Thank you, but no," Haldir said. "Nárello would not keep the girls out without telling us first."
Miranda just bit her lip. Haldir seemed confident, but he hasn't been young for a very long time.
*****
That evening, the meal was served, but Haldir and Miranda's children had not returned. Haldir spoke privately with Miranda. There were lots of servants coming and going so he spoke in Sindarin.
"All right, you're the seer. Where are they?" he asked in annoyance.
"They decided to camp in the forest," she said. "The boys are taking care of Miiriel and Lalaith, so do not worry."
"I will worry until they return, and then I'm going to have a talk with Nárello. He knows better," Haldir said.
They went to dinner, and Eldarion stepped out of the shadows where he had overheard. He was curious about these missing children. It was sometimes hard to be the son of both an Elf and Man, especially if they happen to rule the country. Lady Miranda's children were raised in a similar family and perhaps they could relate. He ate his dinner quickly and excused himself early. Eldarion knew how to slip out of the gates without his father finding out, and that is what he did. As dusk fell, he was riding into the hills to find his father's wayward guests.
*****
"You know mother will understand our need for the forest, but father is going to be angry," Alcon warned.
"I am an adult now, and he knows I'm in charge," Nárello said confidently.
"Don't be arrogant, Nárello. If it was just you and the boys, he wouldn't care, but he is overprotective of Lalaith and me," Miiriel said.
Nárello frowned. "Well, it matters little now, for it is too late to go back tonight."
"Good!" Lalaith said. "I was getting tired of being told to stay put. I want to go swimming in the morning at that pool we found."
Failon rolled his eyes. "This isn't Lorien, Lalaith. It isn't remote enough to be private, and the water will be cold."
Miiriel just stuck up for her little sister. "I'll go with her. You boys can make us a nice breakfast while we're gone."
Nárello didn't like it. "You need someone to stand guard."
Miiriel had enough of his leadership and put him in his place, "I'm the oldest one here, and I want to go swimming without my brothers skulking around. Now, we're going to bed. End of discussion." Miiriel grabbed Lalaith's hand and led her to their place by the fire. They covered up in their cloaks and ignored their brothers.
Thelyn and Alcor just giggled. "She told you," Thelyn said.
Failon just looked at Nárello and said, "Ever notice how much Miiriel acts like mother?"
Nárello cringed and answered bitterly, "Yes."
Lalaith looked at her sister and just whispered, "I thought you didn't really like swimming."
"Nárello is getting to be full of himself," Miiriel said. "Tomorrow, I like swimming."
*****
Miiriel and Lalaith went to the pool early with a warning to their brothers about following. The sun had not quite risen, when they emerged from the woods into the clearing where the pool was. Miiriel knew immediately that something was wrong, and she pushed Lalaith behind her. She put a finger to her lips so Lalaith would be quiet, and she looked around. She didn't see anyone, and after a moment she thought she was imagining things. She sighed and relaxed and stepped into the open.
She heard a rustle in the bushes and turned to Lalaith and whispered, "Run." Lalaith ran back to camp, but Miiriel was too late to follow, for she had been seen.
"Stop!" a commanding male voice said from behind her. "I mean you no harm."
Miiriel slowly turned and faced the owner of the voice. He was tall and strong looking, but quite young. He had dark wavy hair and grey eyes, and he just stood motionless, staring at her. She pulled her cloak around herself and glared at him. He made no move, and said nothing, so she turned to go.
Suddenly he took several steps toward her and said, "Wait, please."
She turned back and he slowly walked toward her. She stood still and waited, unable to make herself leave or turn away. He stopped only a foot away and slowly reached for her hood. Miiriel looked at him questioningly as he gently pushed her hood back so he could see her better.
His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her hair was a blushing blonde, and her eyes were a rich wild green. She was an Elf, and Eldarion knew immediately that this was one of the Hiri Nolwe's children.
He gazed at her with intensity and whispered, "What is your name?"
"Miiriel," she said as she stepped back.
He caught her wrist to keep her from leaving, but said nothing.
"Release me, or when my brothers arrive it will not go well for you," she said.
He let her go, but before he could introduce himself, he was tackled from behind, and found himself on the ground, looking up at four angry young elves.
"Are you all right?" Nárello asked Miiriel. "Did he harm you?"
"I assure you I did not harm your sister," Eldarion said.
Failon, who stood over him with a foot on his chest, glared down at him. "You speak Sindarin?"
He didn't want them to know who he was just yet, so he answered, "That tongue is known here."
"Let him up, he did nothing," Miiriel said. "We merely stumbled upon each other; send him on his way in peace."
"No, ask him who he is first and what he was doing up here," Thelyn said angrily.
"Yeah," Alcon agreed.
"Silence both of you," Nárello said. "Release him, Failon." He looked the young man over a moment as he stood and faced him. "On your way, then," Nárello said in a voice that left no room for argument.
The young man bowed to him, and then backed away. He glanced at Miiriel once more before finally leaving.
Nárello turned to Miiriel with fire in his eyes and gasped, "Swimming!"
Miiriel bit her lip to keep from laughing and just followed her brothers back to their camp.
*****
Eldarion rode back to Minas Tirith lost in thought. Oh, sweet Miiriel! Fairest of jewels! He closed his eyes and pictured her again. She was so beautiful. He didn't know what to do next. When they returned to Minas Tirith, they would certainly be introduced. They would want to know why he did not tell them who he was. What would their parents think? What was his father going to say when he found out about this little outing? Eldarion cringed at the thought. He snuck back in and went to his room to brood.
Around noon, the six wayward elves returned to the citadel. They had agreed not to mention their encounter with the stranger. They knew they were going to be in enough trouble as it was. Haldir stood in the courtyard with his arms crossed as they strolled in.
Nárello closed his eyes and cringed. Haldir let the girls pass, and the twins, but stopped Nárello and Failon. Neither spoke, they just waited for the lecture.
"I understand you do not care for city dwellings," he began. "But you know better than to take your sisters into the wilderness without so much as a by-your-leave. What have you to say for yourselves?"
"It was my responsibility to bring them home, the fault is mine," Nárello said.
"We all begged him to let us stay out, father," Failon said in his brother's defense. "Do not be angry with him for indulging us."
Haldir rolled his eyes, "Go inside and eat."
At the noon meal, Miranda looked at her children suspiciously. She knew something had happened that they were not talking about, but she decided to let them think they had gotten by with it. Aragorn introduced them to his daughters who immediately hit it off with Miiriel and Lalaith. Aragorn looked around for Eldarion, and then asked Arwen where he was. She whispered something to him, and Aragorn frowned and sent for him.
Eldarion strode in and Miranda's four boys stood with their arms crossed as he approached.
Aragorn introduced him, and Eldarion gave them a bow and looked at them with a cocked brow.
Nárello quickly put him at ease, for he didn't want their incident getting out either. "Pleased to meet you," he said, and the rest of them played along.
When Eldarion got to Miiriel he bowed respectfully, "Welcome fair lady Miiriel."
Miiriel was speechless and merely curtseyed politely. All the kids quickly scattered, but soon the boys caught up with each other in the courtyard.
"Mother knows," Failon said to Nárello quietly.
"What do you want me to say?" Nárello asked in annoyance.
"Say nothing," Eldarion said as he joined them.
"Why didn't you just tell us who you were?" Failon asked.
"You seemed to be under the impression that I accosted your sister. You did not seem to care who I was," Eldarion said.
"Did you?" Nárello asked suspiciously.
Eldarion looked at him with fury for even suggesting such a thing. "What do you think?" he asked angrily.
The twins sat by the white tree and just watched the exchange. Failon backed away and left them to it.
"If I thought you had, I would have killed you, Prince of Gondor or not," Nárello said, and then stalked away.
Eldarion called after him, "I would have expected nothing less, for I would do the same for my sisters."
Nárello just gave a snort as he disappeared into the hall. Eldarion turned back to the other three brothers who all regarded him curiously.
"What?" he asked, now suddenly annoyed.
"You like our sister, don't you?" Alcon asked.
Eldarion said nothing, but suddenly blushed.
Failon just shook his head at him and made a 'Tsk, tsk' sound. "That's too bad. Father is very hard to please." And with that, the three elves left him alone with his thoughts.
Eldarion sat in the empty courtyard and stared at the white tree. He frowned, and then made a decision. "I will win the heart of Miiriel and marry her someday," he whispered. "And I will earn the respect of her father and brothers."