They had walked in the endless forest of Fangorn for what seemed like hours. Míriel was painfully reminded of Mirkwood as the trees there had been close to as dense as the ones in Fangorn, and no light managed to escape through the thick branches. It was spookily quiet and there wasn't a single animal as far as Míriel could see. If this was where Merry and Pippin were, Míriel feared that they would ever find them.

Gimli walked up to a bush which had a very suspicious looking black liquid all over it. He scooped some up on his finger, tasted it and spat it out as soon as it met his tongue.

"Orc blood," Gimli stated.

It meant that an Orc could have followed the Hobbits inside Fangorn, but hopefully they had managed to escape it. The four hunters continued through the forest, jumping over a stream and letting Aragorn lead them as he had the trail.

"These are strange tracks," Aragorn said as he bent down to the ground.

Míriel took a peak over his shoulder and thought to herself that the tracks were indeed huge and could not have come from a Hobbit. In fact, it did not look like any creature that Míriel had encountered before.

"The air is so close in here," Gimli said, and he was not wrong.

"This forest is old, very old," Legolas said as the trees began letting out what sounded like low wailings. "Full of memory. And anger." The trees began moaning loudly, their voices being carried from afar and Gimli raised his axe in fear.

"The trees are speaking to each other," Míriel said, amazed and turned to Gimli. They were angry at him for they probably did not have good experience with axes. Many of the trees had been cut down in the past.

"Gimli!" Aragorn hissed. "Lower your axe."

"Oh," Gimli said and did as his friend said.

Right as Gimli did so, the forest stopped complaining and grew quiet once more. It was incredible and Míriel had for the first time in her life been able to witness the live forest. She had heard stories, of course, of Onodrim, Ents; Shepherds of the trees who were created to protect the forest against evil.

"They have feelings, my friend," Legolas explained to Gimli. "The Elves began it... waking up the trees. Teaching them to speak."

"Talking trees," Gimli muttered. "What do trees have to talk about, huh? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings..."

Míriel rolled her eyes with a smile playing on her lips. They could always trust Gimli to degrade the Elves' work and never admitting when they had done something incredible. They soon forgot about the talking trees and continued walking until suddenly Legolas stopped.

"Aragorn, something is out there," Legolas said and hurried off in another direction.

Míriel stayed put with Gimli while Aragorn followed. For some reason Legolas had noticed something that she had not.

"What do you see?" Aragorn asked.

"The White Wizard approaches..." Legolas said quietly and nodded his head in the direction behind him.

Míriel and Gimli soon joined their two companions and realised that they would come face to face with Saruman at any moment. Éomer had been right to warn them that he was wandering through the forest and if he had hurt Merry and Pippin he would pay for it. Míriel put her hand on her sword, waiting for Aragorn to command them to do something.

"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us," Aragorn said through gritted teeth and drew his sword carefully. "We must be quick... Now!"

They turned quickly and a bright white light almost blinded Míriel as she saw absolutely nothing. She raised her sword, but Saruman soon disarmed them all with his staff. He made Míriel and Aragorn's sword burn and so they dropped them to the ground, Gimli's axe was soon on the ground as well and Legolas' arrows were all destroyed. They stood in front of Saruman defenceless, trying to see his face through the bright light.

Míriel squinted her eyes and could see the shapes of a man through the light, but not much else.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits," said Saruman, and his voice felt familiar in a way.

"Where are they?!" Aragorn demanded to know.

"They passed this way, the day before yesterday," answered the White Wizard. "They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"

"Who are you?" Aragorn asked, confused as to what was happening. "Show yourself!"

And so he did. The light dimmed away and there stood none other than Gandalf himself. Míriel could not believe her eyes but despite how many times she blinked her eyes showed her the same trick. It was Gandalf but he was different – he bore white garments and his hair was as white as his robes. It was his face though... their old friend had returned.

"It cannot be..." Aragorn whispered.

"Forgive me," Legolas said and fell to his knees. "I mistook you for Saruman."

Gimli bowed his head as well and Míriel felt unsure of what to do. She glanced at Gandalf again as her heart began swelling with affection for the Wizard. All Míriel could think of was what Galadriel had told them back in Lothlórien; that they had not known Gandalf's true purpose yet and that he was more than met the eye. This was proof that the Wizard was something more divine for he had risen from the dead.

"I am Saruman," said Gandalf. "Or rather Saruman as he should have been."

"You fell," Aragorn said, still unable to believe what he saw.

"Through fire and water," Gandalf said and nodded. "On the lowest dungeon on the highest peak, I fought the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth. But it was not the end... I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."

"Gandalf..." Míriel whispered.

"Gandalf?" he repeated as if the name was unfamiliar to him. "Yes... that's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey, that was my name."

"Gandalf," Gimli repeated, and it looked as if the Dwarf might cry.

"I am Gandalf the White," he said gently. "And I come back to you now, at the turn of the tide."

Gandalf told them more of his journey as they sat down, and he had wrapped his old grey cloak around himself again. He told them that he was found by the Lord of the Eagles who was sent by Galadriel. The eagle took him to Lothlórien where he healed and became who he was now, a White Wizard. He revealed that some, such as Galadriel, knew of his true power and that he was no simple Wizard. Gandalf had been sent back to Middle-earth by the Valar himself for he had been amongst them before.

Gandalf was one of the Maiar of Manwe and Varda, spirits that descended into Arda to help the Valar shape the world. His name was once Olórin and he was sent as an Istari, a Wizard, 2000 years ago to help the fight against Sauron. Five Maiar were sent as Wizards, and Gandalf and Saruman were two of them and disguised themselves as old men to hide their true form. When Gandalf arrived in Middle-earth, he received the Ring of Fire which made him a ring-bearer just as Galadriel were.

In Middle-earth, Olórin was renamed Gandalf and was considered the wisest of all the Wizards, but Saruman stepped up and became the leader of the newly formed White Council. Saruman might have been more powerful, but he was not as wise as Gandalf. Míriel thought that perhaps this was a reason for Saruman's betrayal for he may have felt threatened by Gandalf's wisdom. Saruman was apprehensive, afraid, and that was why he had always treated Gandalf as if he was unwise and reckless and as if Saruman was better than him. It was now proven wrong for Gandalf had risen again.

"I bring news," Gandalf said and glared specifically at Míriel. "As I came to Caras Galadhon I was given council by Lady Galadriel. Thence by strange roads I come and messages I bring to all of you. To Aragorn I was bidden to say this..."

Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar?

Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?

Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,

And the Grey Company ride from the North.

But dark is the path appointed for thee:

The Dead watch the road that leads to the Sea

They all glanced at each other and wondered what Galadriel could mean. She must have looked into her mirror and seen this in Aragorn's future. It was quite obvious that she wanted Aragorn's people, the Dúnedain, to step forward and specifically for Aragorn to take his place as King of Gondor. Galadriel had seen his path and Míriel hoped that the ranger would listen.

"To Legolas she sent this word," Gandalf continued.

Legolas Greenleaf long under tree

In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!

If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,

Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more!

"Dark are her words," Legolas said bitterly. "And little do they mean to those who receive them. She speaks openly about my death."

"It might not be about that," Míriel said quickly. Of course, Galadriel's words did seem quite bitter but there was no clear answer to what she meant.

"Did she say anything else, Gandalf?" Míriel asked, wondering if there was a message for her as well.

"Well yes," Gandalf said. "To Gimli son of Glóin give his Lady's greeting. Lockbearer, wherever thou goest my thought goes with thee. But have a care to lay thine aze to the right tree!"

"In happy hour you have returned to us, Gandalf!" said Gimli happily. Any message from Galadriel would have pleased the Dwarf for he was that infatuated with her.

"What about me?" Míriel asked and glanced into Gandalf's eyes impatiently. She felt as though Gandalf was getting somewhere important with her message.

Gandalf examined her gravely and seemed as though he wondered if he should tell her or not. This worried Míriel since Gandalf had not hesitated before telling the others their message.

"It wasn't as much words as a story," Gandalf began. "A story of an Elf-maiden over 2000 year ago, the daughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn themselves. One of the twins, Caladwen, wandered in the deep forests of Lórien. Married to a grand warrior she was but barren as she could not have any children. And so one day a bright light blinded her and descending from the sky came a star. As the star faded and the light disappeared, there laid a baby."

Míriel was barely breathing and the others were looking at her. This was a story about her own mother, but what Gandalf was saying made no sense at all. Who was this child who came to her mother from the stars?

"Continue," Míriel said and gulped.

"The baby looked just like an Elven child did and Caladwen thought that this was a miracle if any and that the Valar had rewarded her with a child," Gandalf told and his eyes were fixed upon Míriel. "Caladwen knew that five Maiar had been sent from the Undying Lands already to help fight the evil of the Maia Sauron. She knew that there are hundreds of Maiar in Valinor and that the baby she held in her hands was one as well."

"No," Míriel interrupted and now she could not stop her eyes from tearing up. She stood up from the ground and turned her back to Gandalf for what he was saying was nonsense. Whatever Galadriel had seen in her mirror must have been misinterpreted. "It's impossible."

"As the baby grew," Gandalf continued. "She showed extraordinary powers, far beyond any gift the Elves were blessed with. Caladwen, frightened of what her daughter's powers could do restricted them greatly, never allowing her to grow into her full potential."

"Stop," Míriel cried and shook her head. "It isn't true. I am an Elf, I am the biological daughter of Veryan and Caladwen. Galadriel and Celeborn are my grandparents, Arwen is my cousin and Elrond is the husband of my aunt Celebrían!"

"Míriel," Legolas said and stood up next to her, grabbing her arm. As Míriel glanced into his eyes she realised that he seemed thrilled, as though he could be bursting with excitement. "You are one of the Maia. It all makes sense, you arrived just after the other Maiars did." Míriel glanced at Gandalf who nodded slowly.

Míriel looked to Aragorn who had a solemn expression on his face. He did not seem surprised nor did he seem glad - he was probably too shocked to say anything at all. Either way, her companions took the news much better than Míriel for she felt as though her whole world had been turned upside down.

"Then who am I?" Míriel exclaimed. "Why can I not remember anything from the Undying Lands? All the memories I have are from Middle-earth. I have never been to Valinor."

"I have no answers to your questions, nor does Lady Galadriel," Gandalf answered sadly. "We do not know what happened, nor might we ever until the day you return to Valinor as all Elves must."

Míriel placed her face in her hands. She needed a moment, just a moment to think. The news Gandalf had brought changed her - Míriel was no longer the person she thought she were. All the times that she had asked her mother why she was so different, all the times she had to weep because she had hurt someone she loved. It all could have been prevented if her mother had only told her. Suddenly Míriel felt a rush of anger through her, if Caladwen had only told someone, anyone, Míriel could have learnt how to control her powers long ago. So much could have been different.

Míriel glanced down at her hands. This was not her true form; her Elven body was just a shell for what she truly was. Míriel was probably not even her name. There was another person inside her, someone that she did not know herself who had memories of their own, experiences and powers that Míriel could only dream of. Míriel was a Maia.

"Well I am no Elf, am I..." Míriel said slowly. "I only took the shape of an Elf when I arrived just as you took the shape of a man. It must have been an accident, something wrong must have occured. All this time I have been the sixth Istari on Middle-earth."

"You could be Míriel the Green," Gimli suggested with a beam. They all stared at him. "You know, because of your eyes."

Míriel let out a chuckle and nodded slowly. Even in situations like these, Gimli could always make her smile. She turned to Gandalf, now determined to not act as a child anymore.

"Even if I don't find out who I truly am, I am still the same Míriel," she said. "And I want to learn, Gandalf. I do not want to restrict my powers any longer. Will you continue teaching me, as you once tried to do?"

"I will," Gandalf said with a smile. "We are kin now, Míriel. I will teach you all I know."

*

"One stage of the journey is over, another begins," Gandalf spoke as they made their way through Fangorn. "We must travel to Edoras with all speed."

"Edoras?" Gimli repeated. "That is no short distance."

Indeed Edoras was far, yet Míriel had suspected their journey would take them there after the companions found Merry and Pippin. Well, they never did find the Hobbits but Gandalf had assured them that the Hobbits were well. He had explained all about their extraordinary journey.

"We hear of trouble in Rohan," Aragorn said. "It goes ill with the King."

Gandalf stopped and turned toward the four. "Yes, and it will not be easily cured."

"Then we have run all this way for nothing!" Gimli said. "Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested..." The forest began rumbling in a complaint to Gimli's words. "I mean, charming... quite charming forest."

Míriel chuckled at Gimli's nervous response. Gandalf turned to the Dwarf as well.

"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn," said Gandalf. "A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend," Aragorn said to Gandalf and smiled. "You still speak in riddles."

Gandalf laughed gently and glanced over the forest.

"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days," Gandalf said. "The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong."

"Strong?" Gimli said nervously. "Oh, that's good."

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf," Gandalf said. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be."

"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one," Gimli whispered to Míriel who shoved him in the side.

They finally broke free from the gloominess of Fangorn forest and Míriel felt the sunlight upon her skin again. She smiled widely and looked as Gandalf began whistling piercingly. It echoed off into the distance until a horses' neigh answered him. A magnificent white stallion galloped toward them over a nearby hill which made the Wizard smile.

Míriel noticed that their horses had returned as well, probably because of Gandalf's call. Míriel grabbed the reins of Windfola.

"That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas said in awe.

The horse galloped across the plain and came to a halt in front of Gandalf.

"Shadowfax," Gandalf said and patted the horse. "He is the lord of all horses... and has been my friend through many dangers. We ride now, my friends. To the Golden Halls of Meduseld."

And ride they did - they rode until the sun left the sky, forcing them to take a rest. The five riders stopped for the night to make a small camp. Aragorn made a fire and they ate a silent meal before retiring. But Míriel suspected that it was only Gimli who actually slept. Legolas was standing away from their camp, staring out into the night as usual while Gandalf was leaning against some rocks facing away from them all.

Míriel stood from the ground and stopped next to Legolas who smiled toward her faintly, but it was only half-heartedly.

"Are you still pondering about Galadriel's words?" Míriel asked him quietly, knowing that it was probably what was occupying his mind.

"Yes," he answered. "As an Elf one does not expect to die ever."

"You aren't going to die," Míriel insisted. Legolas was wise, yet he would not see what Galadriel was truly speaking of. "If you think of her words again you will see that Lady Galadriel speaks of your journey West. You will leave as all Elves will do when the time comes. You just have to look out for the gull."

Legolas chuckled and shook his head slowly.

"I never plan on leaving," he said. "I don't care about the Undying lands. Nothing can take me away from Middle-earth."

"We'll see how you feel about that when the time comes," Míriel said and chuckled sadly. "You truly are a Silvan Elf at heart, are you? Despite being Sindar."

"The Silvan Elves are the people I grew up with," Legolas said and shrugged. "I share their love for this earth. I expect you feel the same."

"I do..." Míriel said, but it was not quite the same, not anymore. She wasn't truly an Elf any longer and so she wondered what the pull would feel like to her.

"How do you feel now, Míriel the Maiar?" Legolas asked after moments of silence. "I cannot put my mind to it still, but at the same time it makes so much sense. It must feel like a relief to finally know who you truly are."

"I thought I knew who I was," Míriel mumbled. "For 2000 years I thought that the source of my powers came from my Elven blood but... I am not an Elf at all. I feel trapped in a way for I don't even know my true form. Do I really have dark hair? Are my eyes truly green? Am I taller in my true form or perhaps shorter?"

"We will figure out who you are, Míriel," Legolas said comfortingly. "And when we sail west, to the Undying lands, I believe that you will become who you should truly be."

"But do I want that?" Míriel questioned. "Do I want to just forget about the life that I've lived here? All the people that I have known, all the friendships and all the sorrow... it was never supposed to happen, Legolas. I was not supposed to have been reborn as a child."

"We can't know the will of the Valar," Legolas insisted. "Perhaps this was meant to happen, Míriel. You were supposed to be the one Maiar that did not know her true purpose until much later. Just because you will reunite with your old memories when you leave for Valinor, it doesn't mean that the memories you created here mean any less. You will always be Míriel."

Legolas' words touched her and Míriel allowed herself to smile as she gazed into his eyes. Her life had been a lie for so long, but Legolas was right; it did not make her life any less important. Míriel should rejoice that she had been given this chance to live as an Elf, for otherwise she would have never met him. She so wished that she could tell him that. In fact, Míriel wanted to tell him everything, the entire truth but she knew that he would hate her. They had only recently grown close in this way again and to strip that all away would be too painful.

One day she would have to come clean to Legolas, though, and hope that he could forgive her.