"By Elbereth," Miril muttered as they got out of earshot of the guard, "you'd think they'd be nicer."

Aragorn smirked. "Really? They were just recently attacked by Black Riders. Right after a Ranger showed up. Would you be happy to see us?"

"Suppose not."

They walked for some time before mounting up on their horses. They rode along the path towards the Shire, but turned before they reached Buckland, heading north instead. They traveled until almost three in the afternoon before they saw a deep dell that was lower and thick with trees than elsewhere in the surrounding areas. A stream flowed out of it and joined the Brandywine farther down along its course.

"They should be in here." Aragorn dismounted and Miril followed suit. Both drew their weapons, ready for anything. "Stay with the horses, Miril."

She objected, but Aragorn silenced her with a look. If things went wrong, one of them had to live long enough to report back to Elrond's sons. Miril wanted to point out that as hopefully future king of Gondor, she should go instead of him. But he wouldn't listen.

Aragorn crept forward, his sword at the ready. He made his way down the small hill into the dell and saw a small set of tents up ahead.

"State your purpose!" a loud voice sounded from above him.

"It is I, Aragorn."

"Aragorn!" yelped the voice from above, now sounding much less grownup, and much more like a child. "Halbarad! Aragorn is here!"

Halbarad had already come out of his tent and grinned. "Gimlon! I heard him the first time."

The child in the tree climbed down, eager to see Aragorn, his chieftain and king. The child was maybe thirteen years old, with brown hair and brown eyes. He looked in wonder upon Aragorn.

"You are a good guard, young man." Aragorn nodded, placing on hand on his shoulder. "Would you do me a favor?"

"Anything." Gimlon assured him.

Aragorn smiled. "Outside the trees is a friend of mine. Tell her to come in please."

Halbarad looked surprised then flashed him a knowing smile. "She's here, is she? Good. It's been too long since I saw my daughter."

A minute later and they heard someone crash through the trees. Aragorn and Halbarad broke off their gentle banter and turned to look in surprise. They found Miril flat on her face

"Sorry." Miril apologized as she picked herself up, insisting that Daeroch her horse had pushed her.

"Miril." Halbarad grinned, walking forward and embracing his foster-daughter.

Miril smiled too, closing her eyes as she inhaled the familiar scent of the only father she'd ever known. She hugged him back, before they broke apart and examined each other.

"You look well, father."

"As do you!"

Aragorn grinned, "Come, friends. We have much to discuss."

Gimlon, unsure of what to do, awkwardly shifted his feet. Halbarad turned to him before the three friends walked away.

"Well, back to your post!"

Gimlon nodded and shot up the tree like a squirrel.

Aragorn and Miril tied their horses up as a few other Dunedain appeared from their tents. They greeted Miril and Aragorn warmly before returning to their jobs. Halbarad explained that Falinor and Merther were out hunting, and that Arthea was busy collecting herbs. These three rangers had been companions of Miril's since she was younger, and were stout warriors of the Dunedain besides this fact.

"So, Aragorn, I assume you bring news of the hobbit?" Halbarad said as the three sat down on the grass inside his tent.

"Indeed. Much has transpired since I called you back here," Aragorn nodded. "We were able to get Frodo and his companions to Rivendell, but not before the Nazgul caught up with us. The Witch King got Frodo with a morgul blade. Fortunately, we reached Rivendell before he faded fully, but we were sent with the Sons of Elrond to contact you and the elves. Elrond spoke to me before we left. He is considering sending a company Eastward. He wants us to check down to Tharbad for news of the Enemy's movements. I will accompany you. Miril is going to return with the twins to Rivendell before heading on to Lothlorien to speak with the twins' grandparents."

Halbarad nodded, deep in thought. "The Tharbad expedition will take about two weeks, maybe three. But the twins will be much longer. How long is the Ring to remain in Rivendell?!"

"For months, perhaps." Aragorn sighed. "There is little we can do. We must be sure the road is not riddled with the enemy, whichever road is taken."

"Which road do you think they will send it?" Miril asked Aragorn quietly. She had been silent for a long while.

He refused to answer with more than a cryptic "whichever is the right way."

As the sun set, Aragorn stood and turned to Miril. "It is time for us to sleep. Go get our stuff from the horses, Miril."

She nodded and got up, leaving the two men alone at last.

"What news of the warg riders up north?" Aragorn quickly asked him.

Halbarad frowned. "They are spreading exponentially. And it is always the same. They "seek the daughter of the Spirit of Fire." Our kin in the ruins of Annuminas have faced many attacks as of recent. They fear they must leave the city soon or be eradicated by the Enemy."

Aragorn nodded sadly. "It is as I feared. However, it is good that we are keeping Miril out of their grasp. If they knew where she was."

Halbarad involuntarily shuddered. "I dread to think of it. If we thought the murder of Eldir was bad, how much worse would they treat a woman? Who knows what they'd do to her before killing her?"

"It is true." Aragorn agreed with him. "But perhaps the Enemy's focus will switch to the Ring now that it has been found and she can rest more easily. How is Tinnudir holding up? I assume Calenglad is doing his best to keep it safe?"

Halbarad nodded. "That settlement is doing well, though its resources are beginning to stretch thin."

Miril came back inside carrying two large packs. "Here!" She dropped them on the floor.

"Where should we sleep, Halbarad?" Aragorn asked his friend.

Halbarad considered this. "Miril, you can sleep with Althea in the tent over, Aragorn can sleep in here. That way we all have enough space."

It was also unspoken that the two men would have much to discuss concerning keeping Miril out of the hands of the Enemy. For the Enemy was ever searching for her.

Searching for the descendant of Haleth and Caranthir.

A/N: There we have it folks! Her ancestry is revealed! Of course, she doesn't know...