**Chronicle of the Fourth Age, Part 7**
Throughout the fall and winter of 1450/30, Eldarion spent most of his time in Ithilien courting Miiriel. He quickly became good friends with her brothers, especially the twins, Thelyn and Alcon. Often he would go with them when they scouted the borders of the wood, much as his father had with Elladan and Elrohir in Rivendell.
In the early spring of 1451/31, when the frosts of winter still lingered stubbornly in the early morning, Eldarion rode to Ithilien with several of Faramir's Rangers. There had been rumors from some of the smaller villages of stolen livestock and suspicious travelers. Many of the reports were near the wood, and Eldarion wanted to talk to the Elves that watched the borders. Not long into their ride, they met a party of Elves that greeted them.
"Well met, good Prince," their leader said.
"Hail guardians of the wood, we are searching for raiders who have plagued some of our villages. Have you seen anyone near your borders?" Eldarion asked.
"Three days ago we found tracks of a small party, no more than five, on the eastern edge of the wood," one of the other Elves said. "We have doubled the patrols, but no one has been seen."
Eldarion was concerned. The men of this country respected the boundary of the wood and did not cross it unless invited. If these raiders were venturing into the wood, they were either foolish, or hostile.
"If you have trouble, Lord Faramir needs to hear of it," Eldarion said. "With your leave, we will be scouting near your borders."
"I will pass the word," the leader said. "Have you any messages to Legolas or Haldir?"
"Yes, tell Lord Haldir to keep a close eye on his family. Their houses are isolated and near the border," Eldarion said.
The Elf nodded, and Eldarion and the Rangers continued their search. Word was sent to the settlement, and Haldir and Legolas increased the patrols.
*****
Several weeks passed, and with no further signs of trouble, the elves relaxed their guard, and Eldarion returned to Minas Tirith. Aragorn questioned him about his findings.
"There were signs of raiders, but all has been quiet for two weeks, and the thefts have stopped," Eldarion said. "I would feel better if we had caught them."
"As would I, but more likely than not, it was a small group of travelers that could not afford to buy what they needed," Aragorn said. "Do not lose sleep over it."
Eldarion gave his father a nod and went to his room to clean up and change. He had an uneasy feeling and could not help but think it was not over. Three days later, his worst fears were proven right.
*****
Miiriel was not content to sit around at home just because a farmer, miles away, lost a couple cows. Her father had practically ordered her to stay in the house like some child. She'd had enough, and when her father left to join the patrol, she put on a riding outfit and went to the stable to saddle a horse. She barely got the cinch tight when she heard her mother's voice behind her.
"Going somewhere?" Miranda asked.
Miiriel nearly jumped. "I …uh, well…" Miiriel stuttered.
"Relax, Miiriel," Miranda said as she stepped around the stall. She was wearing her riding outfit too. "I can't stand it any more either." She started saddling her horse, and Miiriel sighed in relief.
"I wanted to ride to the falls," Miiriel said. "There's a pool there, and it's remote enough for a little privacy."
"Swimming?" Miranda asked. "It's a little cold for that, don't you think?"
Miiriel smiled, "Perhaps I only want the solitude."
"Well, you're not going alone," Miranda said. "I packed a lunch; we'll make a day of it."
"Won't father wonder where we have gone?"
"I'll tell Silivren on the way," Miranda said. "If he returns before we do, he'll look there first."
They rode down the trail, with a brief stop at Failon's house. They took the less used trails, not wanting to run into anyone who would want to go along. Miranda understood the need for solitude, still bothered by dreams occasionally. She thought their day out would give them a chance to talk. Miiriel would marry soon, and leave their home to live in Minas Tirith. It was not far, but she would miss seeing her daughter everyday.
They halted when they came to the falls and let their horses graze. Miranda laid out a blanket and she and Miiriel sat and watched the water in silence for a while. The sun was climbing in the sky and peeking down through the canopy of oak trees. Miiriel sighed contentedly.
"Thank you, mother," she said.
"Well, you saw me in the stable, so I had to take you along," Miranda said humorously.
They ate their lunch, and then laid back on the soft grass for a quiet nap. The sounds of the waterfall were soothing and restful and soon they slept. Miranda had a nightmare about her captivity in Mordor and woke just in time to see a large blanket cover her. She tried to scream and warn her daughter, but the wind was knocked out of her as a large body sat on her.
"Ackt! Voo-man! Be silent or vee hurt joo!" an angry voice said.
He lifted her enough to wrap her in the blanket and tie her hands and feet. She could hear Miiriel gasp nearby and Miranda quickly thought of a way out of this.
"What do you want with us?" Miranda demanded.
Several voices conversed in a harsh sounding language and then she was shoved back on the ground.
"If you want a hostage, take me and let her go," Miranda begged. "I am the only hostage you will need."
She was kicked and then another voice, quite familiar, spoke to her. "Yes, you are more than enough, Seer of Gondor, but two is better than one, and this one has the favor of the Prince," he said pleasantly.
"Deckion?" Miranda gasped in surprise.
"I am pleased you remember," he said. Then she heard footsteps and voices again and she was roughly picked up and draped over a horse. Someone tied her down, and then she heard Deckion again.
"I'll take this one, you take the other," Deckion said. "If you two want to live, be absolutely silent."
Miranda heard splashing as several horses crossed the stream and then they took off at a gallop. For the first time in her life, Miranda was truly terrified. Not for herself, but her daughter.
*****
Aragorn was sitting in the main hall, dealing with minor matters of state, when the doors suddenly burst open. Eldarion and Thelyn ran in and Aragorn's heart stopped. From the look on their faces, something was terribly wrong.
"Speak," Aragorn said quickly.
"Two days ago, my mother and sister were abducted," Thelyn said. "Father asks for whatever aid you can give in finding them."
Aragorn looked at his son and didn't need to ask which sister. He called to one of his men to bring him a map of Ithilien and sat with them at the table. "How many?" he asked.
"There were five horses," Thelyn said.
A knight brought his map, and Aragorn unrolled the parchment and Thelyn pointed to the spot. It was remote, and very near the edge of the wood. The terrain turned rocky and mountainous just beyond, and they would be difficult to track.
"Where is your father now?" Aragorn asked.
"He and Legolas led a search party into the hills. Alcon was sent to Emyn Arnen to inform Lord Faramir, and I was sent here," Thelyn said.
"Eldarion, assemble thirty men. Fastred, see to the provisions. Gilrick, have two ships made ready to sail within the hour," Aragorn quickly ordered. He looked back at Thelyn who was obviously distraught. "Don't worry, your mother knows how to take care of herself."
Thelyn gave him a nod, and Aragorn disappeared to make ready to leave. Thelyn stared down at the map, lost in thought, but was interrupted by Arwen.
"Here, eat," she said. "There is little time before you leave again."
Thelyn stood and bowed, "Thank you, Queen Arwen."
She smiled at the young Elf and bade him take his seat. "Elessar will not rest until your family is safe again."
She departed again, and Thelyn ate quickly and joined the gathering soldiers at the stables. There were several older captains among them who greeted him.
"It is an outrage! Who would dare to harm Lady of the Light?"
"Lady of the light?" Thelyn said.
"Aye lad, Berstrad and I were at the Battle of the Pelennar and the Battle at the Gates," he said. "Your Lady Mother is well known and respected. Only an enemy would be so bold, and foolish."
Aragorn and Eldarion joined them, and they rode down to the moored ships at Harlond. The soldiers loaded their horses quickly and set sail less than an hour after Thelyn had arrived. He had expected help, but never expected them to move so quickly.
The sail up the river was the slowest part of the trip. Aragorn had the ship sail past the usual moorings to a place nearer the wood. They unloaded quickly and when they were assembled, Aragorn looked to Thelyn to lead them.
"It is your wood, which route do we take?" Aragorn asked.
"It would be faster to circle the wood in the open than to navigate the trails," Thelyn admitted. "My brother-in-law's house is not far, and I can get news there."
Aragorn nodded and told Berstrad to lead the riders around the wood while he, Eldarion and Thelyn rode through. They planned to meet near the northeast side where the women were abducted.
Thelyn led them through paths that Eldarion had never seen. He was amazed with the riding skills of the Elf and how quickly they emerged beneath Dairwen's house. Aragorn had never been there, and he was quite impressed. Lalaith heard them approach and quickly descended the stair to meet them.
Thelyn dismounted and hugged her. "What news?"
"A messenger came early this morning. He said they have not found them yet, but there are signs that large numbers of Easterlings have hidden themselves in the mountains," she said. "Lord Faramir has joined them and he expects trouble. Elladan and Elrohir have tripled the guard on the borders."
"It is no accident that they took Miranda," Eldarion said. "It is a challenge."
Aragorn's face turned dark. "The peace between the Easterlings and Gondor has been strained of late. Our land has seen peace for a time, but now I fear we face another war," he said, and then added bitterly, "This time there will be little mercy left in this King's heart if any harm comes to their hostages."
Thelyn mounted up and showed them the quickest route through the wood. He led them to the waterfall where Miranda and Miiriel were abducted, and then they followed the trail out of the wood where his men were waiting.
"What is your order, King?" Berstrad asked.
Aragorn turned to Thelyn. "Did any messengers go to Edoras?"
"No," Thelyn said.
Aragorn called a young soldier over. Fwendor was a fast rider and knew the country well. "Bring a message to King Ẻomer that Elessar has need of him. The Easterlings are massing in the mountains of Ithilien, and they have taken his cousin and her daughter hostage."
Fwendor gave Aragorn a nod and then turned and galloped off.
"We will join Faramir and the Elves," Aragorn told his men. "Let us hope fortune favors us, for our numbers are too small for a great battle, but there is no time to gather more men. The ladies have been in their captivity for five days now. Their rescue is our first priority."
They headed into the mountains and by nightfall, they had found Faramir's camp.
Aragorn addressed the first soldier he saw. "Where is Lord Faramir?"
"He and Lord Haldir are still out, your majesty. They led a tracking party around yonder cliff this morning and have not returned," he said.
Aragorn had his men make camp, and Thelyn joined the Elves on the other end of the camp. Tirno greeted him.
"I see you brought help," Tirno said. He frowned when he saw Eldarion. He had tried to gain Miiriel's affections, but lost her to that Prince.
"I see you found us," Legolas said to Thelyn. "Your brothers were with your father and Lord Faramir. They should be back soon."
Aragorn joined them, and Legolas greeted him warmly. "It has been too long," Legolas said with a smile. "But I am sorry for the circumstances of our meeting."
"Legolas, I fear your troubles are meant for Gondor," Aragorn said. "I am sorry."
"It matters little who was attacked first, either way we would be here with you," Legolas said. "Miranda is my sister too."
Haldir and Faramir returned, and they joined Legolas and Aragorn by the fire. Everyone else was unceremoniously dismissed so they could talk in private. They sat down and discussed the findings so far. The Easterlings were well acquainted with these mountains and knew all the hiding places. Legolas suspected they were hiding in caves. All the tracking parties agreed, they were dealing with a large force, and when they were ready, they would reveal themselves.
"I have tracked in these mountains for years, and have never seen so many tracks just end," Faramir said bitterly. "They are well dug in, and we have no idea what we are dealing with."
"This smells of revenge to me," Haldir said. "Miranda was in Mordor long enough to make enemies. I still cannot get her to talk about it."
"All who asked it were pardoned," Aragorn said and then turned to Legolas. "You found her, what do you think?"
"Everything about the place was offensive," Legolas said. "She could not leave fast enough, but she insisted they did not harm her."
Haldir gave a snort, but said nothing. She still woke with nightmares sometimes and all she would say was, just memories. After a while, he stopped asking, but he never stopped wondering, and it never stopped bothering him.
The camp bedded down for the night, but there was a generous watch posted. The King was now in charge, and they would be leaving well before dawn.
*****
Miranda and Miiriel sat huddled together in a dark, damp pit. The air was putrid and moldy. There was no way out save the trap door some fifteen feet above them.
"What are we going to do?" Miiriel asked softly.
"Wait for help," Miranda said.
"What if they can't find us? What if those men kill us?" Miiriel asked.
"They need us," Miranda said. "We are bait for someone else."
"Who?" Miiriel asked.
"The King and Eldarion," Miranda said.
"Why?" Miiriel asked, now even more worried.
"Because Deckion wants revenge for the death of his son," Miranda said.
"Did the King kill his son?" Miiriel asked.
Miranda shut her eyes and cringed at the memory of Grolg pawing her. "No, I did."
She had never realized it before, but after overhearing Deckion talking, it was suddenly clear. Deckion knew she had done it, but he didn't blame her, he blamed the king. He wanted to kill Eldarion in front of Aragorn. He'd found the perfect hostages to lure them both, and there was nothing she could do to warn them.