It took two days of boring travel to reach Rivendell again. Very little occurred on their journey, other than one minor problem when a fox scared the horses and caused Miril to almost fall off. She caught herself in time, but it looked less than graceful.

Other than that, it was uneventful, and soon they were riding down the path into the hidden valley of Imladris as the sun set behind the horizon. They immediately went to the Last Homely House and found Lord Elrond in his library doing some research into the Ring.

"Father." Elladan greeted him. "We have returned and shall leave for the High Pass tomorrow morning. Has Glorfindel's company already started on their way?"

"Nay." Elrond shook his head. "I had them stay and wait for you three. Did Aragorn contact his rangers then?"

"Yes," Miril told him. "We found Halbarad and they are sending companies north to Annuminas and Tinnudir, and south to Tharbad."

Elrond nodded. "Good. Good. Then get a night's rest and be ready to leave at sunrise with Glorfindel and his company. See me before you leave tomorrow, my sons. I have sent word ahead to the Beornings that you would be passing through the High Pass so do not worry over that."

The Beornings were the descendants and loyal followers of Beorn. Grimbeorn was their current leader and he and his fellow Beornings kept the High Pass clear of orcs.

"Of course, father." Elrohir nodded his head.

The three half-elves left Elrond's company and split to go to their quarters. Miril went her way along the path to the house adjacent to the main one. That was where her rooms were, along with a few other elves of Rivendell. When she got inside, she set down her packs. Before she went to bed, she wanted to bathe. Most elves used the stream below the waterfall as it was out of the way and not too deep. Getting a towel from her dresser and a bar of soap from her closet, she made her way by oil lamp down to the bottom of the waterfall. It was quite dark out, with only what little light filtered down from the houses above to light the path. When she reached the water's edge, she undressed and waded into the frigid water. It was terribly cold, but because of her elvish blood, it affected her less than a full man.

She cupped water into her hands and splashed her face as she waded chest deep. She used a small towel to wipe the dirt and grime from her body. She used the soap to clean her face, wiping off the dried blood, dirt, and mud from her fall at the Dunedain camp.

Miril allowed her fingers to travel up and down the healing cut from the Nazgul's blade that was present on her cheek. Thanks to Elrond's healing abilities, it hadn't become infected and was healing well. It was sewing itself shut day by day, leaving a nasty looking scar.

Once she was all finished she waded back out and wrapped her body in a large towel to dry off as much as she could before slipping into the clean clothes she had brought along down to the river. The lamp was running out of oil so she hurried back up the hill to her bedroom in the house. The lights were mostly out, as the elves who were not enjoying a night's rest were at the Hall of Fire drinking and singing.

Miril lit a candle on her bedside table and finished combing her hair and getting ready for bed. Unlike the elves, she needed to sleep often. Some elves just enjoyed the waking-dream state they entered, others only bothered with it once and a while.

She blew out her candle as she crawled beneath the covers. Tomorrow would be another long travel day.

Miril woke up the next morning to the sun beginning to peak over the horizon. That meant she had very little time to get ready. Thankfully she had repacked her bags last night! Changing into some ranger garb, she ran down the path towards the stables where the twins had planned to meet Glorfindel and his elven company after visiting with their father.

"Am I late, my Lord?" she panted as she reached the stables.

Glorfindel smiled and shook his head. "No you are not. Here come the sons of Elrond now."

"Are we ready to leave, Glorfindel?" Elrohir asked as he and his brother reached the small group of elves.

Glorfindel turned to look at his three elven companions. Miril and the twins knew them well. There was Garavon, Colldir, and Mirmegil. Garavon and Caladir were cousins, both men quite capable with swords and bows. Mirmegil, she was one of the best trackers in Rivendell who most often went out on hunting trips, but knew how to handle herself in battle well enough. Miril was on good terms with the two men, but Mirmegil was always alouf and never was willing to talk to the half-elf. Miril, when she was younger, had first met Mirmegil and had tried to tell her that since they had the same prefix, Mir, they must be destined to be best friends. Mirmegil had shut that down pretty quick.

Miril knew that Mirmegil was not the woman's father name, but was a name given to her by her peers. This was known as an Epesse, a professional name given because of something of significance. In Mirmegil's case, she received the name "Jewel Sword" because of a sword she pulled out of troll hoard when she was a young elf. It turned out to be a sword of dwarven and elf make, a sword of Nargothrond of old, according to Elrond and Glorfindel. She was allowed to keep it on the condition that she would use it only for the betterment of her people.

"Let us be off," said Glorfindel, pulling Miril out of her stupor.

The company mounted up on their horses and began riding up the northern path to the High Pass. It was already frigid by noon, when they reached the entrance to the mountains. They were met by one of the Beornings.

"Who passes this way." He demanded of them.

"Lords Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir, along with their companions. I believe the Lord Elrond sent word to Grimbeorn that we would be passing this way." Glorfindel dismounted and walked up to the Beorning.

The Beorning nodded. "Ah yes, Grimbeorn has told me of such. Very well, you may pass."

They nodded and Glorfindel leapt back up on his horse. He led them forward into the High Pass. Miril shivered slightly from the cold as snow fell around them. They continued to climb higher and higher into the mountains.

"We must seek for a Beorning outpost to rest the horses tonight," said Glorfindel. "Though I am sure the Beornings do a good job of keeping the Goblins at bay, we are less familiar with their hideouts than these good men."

"My father told us there was one on the path that we'd reach by today's end. He said Grimbeorn would be there," said Elladan.

"I thought as much." Glorfindel nodded. "Then come, let us carry on."

Indeed right before the sun set, they came upon a small enclosed village-like settlement in the High Pass. Great big rocks served as barriers along its edges, and a wooden gate was closed shut. Torches hung on either side of the gate. A Beorning gatekeeper was seen atop a watch tower above the gate.

"We come in peace." Glorfindel dismounted. "We are elves of Rivendell. Your leader knows of our travelling. We request entry."

The Beorning climbed down from his post and unlocked the doors, allowing the elves entry. All of the travelers dismounted like Glorfindel and led their horses after them into the large open space.

They were met by a particularly large fellow with a burly beard and dark, bushy eyebrows. He had a giant axe on his back and his clothes were fur-lined to keep in the warmth.

"Grimbeorn." Glorfindel bowed to the leader of the Beornings. "We thank you for your hospitality."

"Yes. Allow my people to take care of your horses and then come inside. Elrond was vague when it came to the nature of this trip. I desire to know more." His voice was rough and deep as he spoke. Miril was surprised to find he nearly reached up to the elves in height. Very few men could boast the six foot frame of even the shortest elves.

They handed over their horses to a few men who took them inside a stable to their right. Grimbeorn told them to follow him inside the Great House that was straight ahead.

It was warm inside the Great House. It was decorated in beams carved with stories of animals, totems sat on tables to decorate, and the wood gleamed with polish. A great fireplace spanned nearly the entire length of the House down the center while on either side sat long tables. Miril breathed in the scent of cooking meats and soups from an adjacent room. A large wolfhound dog sat at the foot of a wooden throne at the end of the Hall.

"This is beautiful," she said in amazement.

"Yes. Yes it is." Grimbeorn echoed her thoughts.