"You should leave soon," Aragorn told Miril the next morning as they sat around a fire with Halbarad, eating cooked pheasant and berries. "The Twins told us they would be back at Bree by sundown tonight."

"Indeed." She nodded, taking a bite of the bird's delicious meat.

Elladan and Elrohir had planned on contacting the elves of Hecilion's traveling group by sundown yesterday, and would be at Bree by tonight. At least, that had been the plan. From there, the Sons of Elrond and Miril would ride back to Rivendell, up through the treacherous High Pass, and down the Silverlode into Lothlorien. Meanwhile, Aragorn would remain with his Rangers and lead the party down south to Tharbad.

It was a good plan. A solid one. Miril was glad to be going with the twins; secretly she hoped to pick up Gollum's trail east of the mountains. No doubt he was sneaking around there somewhere. Probably just outside the High Pass. Maybe in Mirkwood.

When Elrond had initially told them their route, Miril had immediately asked why they didn't just go over the Path of Caradhras. After all, a quick trip there and down the Dimril Stair, and they'd be right outside Lothlorien. Elladan was quick to point out that it was almost November. It was winter. They would do well to steer clear of that savage mountain.

So down the Anduin, through the Gladden Fields it was. Miril did not mind this at all. Any chance to visit Lorien, no matter how hard the journey, was a good decision. Besides, it meant more time to spend with her good friends, Elladan and Elrohir.

"I had Gimlon pack up your gear while we ate." Halbarad pointed to the young boy who was attaching two packs to Daeroch. "We've restocked your food and arrows for your bow."

"Thank you." She nodded. "I should be on my way, then."

Halbarad looked at her sadly. He would miss her. It had been a ruthlessly short visit. It had been several months before since he'd seen his foster daughter and he did not know how long it would be until he'd see her again. Or even if he'd see her. Hers was a dangerous job.

Miril got up and hugged her father. She would miss him. It had been a terribly short visit. And she did not know when she would next see him. Or even if she'd see him. His was a dangerous job.

"Take care of yourself. Don't do anything stupid. Or anything I wouldn't do," he told her sternly, pulling away and holding her arms.

She smiled. "Do not ask that, father. You know I can't do that."

It was true, Halbarad supposed. Her propensity to rash action and stubbornness was something she had no doubt inherited from her forebearers, Haleth and Caranthir. What a pair. Haleth had been a headstrong leader of her people, unwilling to accept help from the elves. Caranthir had been prone to anger and rash action, often arrogant and self-absorbed. How they ever ended up bearing a child together, though raised solely within the House of Haleth, was beyond Halbarad.

"Farewell, Miril. Stay safe, and keep the twins out of trouble," Aragorn told her as she mounted Daeroch.

She laughed. "Indeed. Though it is a hard request, I will do my best to honor it! Farewell!"

She took off down the small, faint path that led back to the road. It was easy going from there on out, as there were very few travelers on the East-West road, even the section between the Shire and Bree. But she did encounter something very strange near the end of her journey.

"Tom Bombadil?!"

"Hey there, merry dol! I haven't seen you in some time, young lady!" said the man with the big hat. He was leading five ponies behind him while sat atop his own.

"I could say the same to you." Miril laughed. "What are you doing out of the Old Forest, my friend?"

"Well you see, I heard about the attack on Bree. Seems these ponies escaped and found my here Fatty Lumpkin! So I was just returning 'em to their proper fellows," he said.

Miril chuckled. "Very good! Mind if I accompany you the rest of the way!"

"Be my guest! This isn't land of mine. You can do as you please." Bombadil laughed back at her. "Though you might want to give that beast of yours a rest soon! That poor horse of yours seems to be getting mighty tired."

Miril agreed, but there was little she could do. She had to reach Bree town by nightfall, and it was already getting late. The sun would be setting soon. So they traveled by horse, or pony, all the way there while singing funny little jingles that Tom Bombadil seemed to make up on the spot. Miril found it very entertaining.

When they reached the gate, the gatekeeper was loathe to let them in, but finally allowed it. Miril showed Tom Bombadil where the Inn was, after which she went to stable her horse with Nob.

"Back so soon!" Barliman Butterbur asked her in surprise as she finished up her stabling and went inside the inn.

Tom Bombadil was just leaving, chuckling to himself. She caught something along the lines of "half-elves and halflings. What else is next?" He was gone soon though, returning swiftly to his land in the Old Forest.

"Indeed, Butterbur. Have my two elven companions returned yet?" she asked him.

"No." He shook his head. "You're welcome to wait in a room or in the tavern for 'em though. But I'll warn yah, Bill Ferny is in the tavern tonight."

"A room would be best, thank you."

"Suit yourself. Right down the hall, third on the left. Should be unlocked, Nob just cleaned it." Barliman Butterbur pointed down towards a partially opened door.

Miril thanked him again and picked up her saddle bags that sat on the floor beside her. She trudged down the dimly lit hall and said hello to a cat that passed by her feet. She smiled to herself as the tale of Queen Beruthiel's ten cats. Nine black to gather news, one white to keep track of the others.

She reached her room and opened the door. After she was inside and use some flint that sat on the table to light the fireplace, she closed and locked the door and lay down on her bed. She allowed her eyes to close for a little while. Again, she dreamed of red seas and skies, a bright jewel, and a shining ship. She was awoken from her nap by a rapping on the door.

"Yes?"

"May we enter, Lady Miril," Elrohir asked with a smirk from the other side of the door.

She rolled her eyes and got out of bed, unlocking the bolt and allowing the twins entry. They came in looking cheerful and not at all tired. Perks of having a lot of elvish blood, she supposed. She wasn't exhausted, but as she was just woken up from a nap, she was still slightly fatigued.

"I take it your trip was a success, then," Miril supposed.

"Indeed." Elladan nodded, taking a seat on the desk chair. Elrohir leaned against the door while Miril sat on her bed. "We found Hecilion quickly and told him what he needed to know. And yours? I assume you found your Ranger friends? Was Halbarad there?"

Miril nodded. "Yes, he was. Aragorn stayed behind of course to help search down to Tharbad. Messengers are also being sent north to Annuminas and Tinnudir."

"Excellent!" Elrohir smiled. "Then we shall return home tomorrow, pack for our voyage up to the High Pass and down the Anduin, perhaps join up with Glorfindel's group as they travel down to search the Gladden Fields."

"Where is Erestor's company going again," Miril asked the twins.

"Ettenmoors." Elladan smirked.

She shuddered. "I do not envy them! Trolls are a nasty business."

"Well I'd be slightly worried if you said you liked trolls," Elladan pointed out in amusement. "But you speak truly. Erestor has his work cut out for him."

After a while, Elladan stood up from where he'd been sitting and told Miril and his brother that he was going to the tavern for a drink. Surely the majority of the patrons would be gone by now? It was nearly one in the morning.

Elrohir took his spot in the chair. He observed Miril quietly. She sat in silence, her fingers tracing over the cut edges of her beryl, her eyes glazed as she was lost in thought. He gave a small smile.

"What are you thinking about, little one?"

That jerked her out of her dazed state as she rolled her eyes. "For the hundredth time, I am no longer little!"

Elrohir laughed, "You are compared to me."

She frowned slightly, looking away. He frowned in response.

"In all seriousness Miril, what is troubling you?"

She sighed. "I have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, Elrohir. A feeling that I cannot shake. Coupled with the dreams I've been having..."

"The ones about the gem and the ship?"

"Yes. I do not know what to do about it." Miril sighed.

Elrohir nodded silently. The dreams. He had spoken to his brother about them in passing, retelling how she had seen the white swan ship and the shining jewel. Elladan had suggested they bring it up with their father, but something had kept Elrohir from doing so. Some odd reservation. Perhaps he should speak to Mithrandir about it when they returned to Rivendell in a few days? Surely he would have guidance. And if not him, then surely the twin's grandmother! Galadriel would know what to do.

"I am afraid this is a demon I cannot help you face right now," Elrohir said sadly. "However, know you are not alone. I am sure it is nothing."

"Yeah." She chuckled. "It's probably nothing."