Disclaimer: For those of you who have forgotten the disclaimer see Of Hobbits, Parties and Rings to Caradhras.
Thank you all for your reviews:
To sorry :( : thank you for your input. No it did not sound like flame, though it gave me some perspective on my own character. I hope to be updating the entire story once I am finished. If you want to see a flame, look in my reviews for a Flame Rising, that will make your blood boil.
Just so anyone who is new to reading this:
- No flames.
- If you are going to flame, be constructive about it. (See sorry :(.)
- If anyone disregards the above and does flame without constructive criticism, I will report abuse.
Now that that has been sorted, I hope you enjoy this chappie! I think I spent three whole days of my free time to get this to all of you. Enjoy! LOL ;-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 20: Elessar
Jessica felt someone calling to her. She shied away. She wanted to rest, away from the pain in her limbs.
"Kuile, Jessica," a melodic voice spoke to her. "Arwenamin, kuile." (Awake Jessica. My Lady awake.)
Jessica recognised the voice. It was Legolas. He was the only one to use the familiar 'my lady'. She opened her eyes. She was right; Legolas was crouched next to her. She looked around as she sat up.
"How long have I been unconscious?" she asked him.
"Not long, Aragorn let you rest this long to recover your strength," Legolas explained as he handed her a fresh shirt.
Jessica looked down at her own shirt; it was coated in orc blood as well as some of the dragon's blood when she had cut him. She nodded and took the shirt. She watched as he turned his back.
Jessica silently laughed. She removed her shirt, revealing her under shirt that she always wore.
"Legolas, you need not be so prudent, I wear an undershirt," Jessica said, throwing her shirt at the Elf.
Legolas turned around and caught the discarded shirt. She pulled the fresh shirt on and winced slightly.
"Are you alright, melamin?" he asked.
Jessica nodded. "I may have pulled a muscle from my fight with that shifter," she said, getting out of the bed she sat on.
Legolas presented his arm. "May I lead you to the hall of Kings?" he asked her.
Jessica shook her head with silent laughter and took his offered arm. "I would enjoy that, my lord," she said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When she stepped into the Hall of Kings she saw Gandalf, Aragorn, Éomer and Gimli. She ran over to Gandalf and embraced him quickly.
"It is good to see you, Gandalf," she said, letting go of the wizard.
"It is good to see you as well little one," he said. He looked at her markings and looked curiously at them; they were pulsating. "What is wrong?"
Jessica laughed. "I'll explain later," she said. She looked about the room. Even though it was covered in white marble, the room seemed dark. She concentrated on a ball of light above their heads. She opened her eyes when she heard the others exclaim in shock.
"What is that?" Éomer asked, his hand on his sword.
"Don't worry, I've just given us a bit more light," Jessica explained.
"You do indeed have a lot to explain," Gandalf said quietly to her.
Jessica looked sheepishly at her feet. Gandalf looked up and into space. Waiting and searching for something.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight," he said after minutes of waiting. "The darkness is deepening.
"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn said.
"It's only a matter of time," Gandalf said, looking at the Ranger. "He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping."
Gimli breathed out a smoke ring from his pipe. "Let him stay there," he said. "Let him rot! Why should we care?"
"Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf replied. He sighed. "I've sent him to his death."
"No," Aragorn said quietly. "There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
"How?" Gimli asked.
"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."
Gimli coughed out smoke in surprise.
"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Éomer said.
"Not for ourselves," Aragorn said, turning to face the new king of Rohan. "But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Saurons eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves."
Legolas and Jessica nodded in understanding. "A diversion," Jessica said.
"Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Gimli asked sarcastically.
"Sauron will suspect a trap," Gandalf said aside to Aragorn. "He will not take the bait."
Jessica smiled when she heard Aragorns reply. "Oh, I think he will."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica walked towards Faramir. He turned around once he heard her.
Jessica curtsied. "I am sorry, My Lord Faramir," she said.
"You know of me, yet I know nothing of you," Faramir said, entranced by the lovely woman in front of him.
"My name is Jessica," Jessica replied. She looked closely at Faramir and saw the bandages that protected his wounds. Faramir nodded at her words. "I leave for war in a while."
Faramir looked at her, astounded. "War? Why, you are a woman?" he asked. Jessica saw that he was curious and could tell that he had not meant to be so insulting.
"We Elves are raised for war, both male and female," Jessica lied. "I heard what had happened to you. I am sorry that you had to go through that," she said.
Faramir shook his head. "Do not be, what has happened has happened," he said raising a hand.
Jessica smiled and laughed. "I am sorry to place so many melancholy thoughts on man like you," she said before she walked to the walls that over looked Minas Tirith. "The most beautiful sight anyone could imagine."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica sat on her own horse as Aragorn led the others and their armies towards the Black Gate. She looked to her left and saw Aragorn riding Brego; he wore the armour of the king, he was shaved and his hair was brushed back. She looked to her right and saw Legolas and Gimli riding Arod.
Jessica smiled as she remembered that the two horses had come to Gondor after the battle. She looked back to her left and passed Aragorn. She saw Gandalf, from what she had learned his staff had been destroyed by the Witch-King that Éowyn had killed, and in front of him sat Pippin. Further to her left was Éomer with Merry in front of him.
They stopped a hundred yards away from the Black Gate. They waited for a few minutes. Nothing happened. They waited a few more minutes. Still nothing happened. Jessica had the urge to sing and did so:
"When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me..."
The soldiers looked at her with awe as she watched Aragorn move Brego forwards towards the Black Gate. Jessica watched the others do the same and she followed them, moving her stallion forwards.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!" Aragorn yelled. "Let justice be done upon him!"
There was a pause before the Black Gate began to open and a rider upon a dark armoured horse approached them. His own face was covered up with a helmet, except for his mouth which seemed to be too large for his face.
"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome." He made a toothy grin but Aragorn returned a mocking look. "Is there any in this rout with authority to treat me?"
"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed," Gandalf said. "Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
The Mouth of Sauron sneered at Gandalf. "Old Greybeard. I have token I was bidden to show thee." He pulled out the Mithril coat the Frodo wore.
"Frodo," Jessica muttered.
The Mouth of Sauron threw the Mirthril coat to Gandalf. "Frodo!" Pippin said.
"Silence," Gandalf said to the Hobbit.
"No!" Merry said.
"Silence!"
"The Halfling was dear to thee, I see," The Mouth of Sauron said pleased. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf." The Mouth of Sauron looked at Jessica. "You still have time, shapeshifter, to ally yourself with My Master."
Jessica inwardly cringed; she knew what Sauron would do to her if she did ally herself with him. "I'd rather die at the hands of Sauron's pet shifter," she said. "Or is that too much to ask for?"
Aragorn approached the Mouth of Sauron. "And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade."
Aragorn took out his sword and cut the Mouth of Sauron's head off in one swing.
"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli said from behind Legolas.
"I do not believe it," Aragorn said. "I will not." He looked at Jessica who seemed upon the verge of tears.
They all looked back up at the Black Gates as they opened further. They watched as the orcs started marching towards them.
"Pull back!" Aragorn told the others. "Pull back!"
Everyone wheeled their mounts around and rode back to their army. Jessica and Aragorn noticed how down hearted the soldiers seemed to be.
"Tessa llie talar'!" Jessica yelled. "Tessa llie talar'!" (Hold you ground! Hold your ground!)
The soldiers looked at her with fear and uncertainty written on their faces. Jessica watched as Aragorn rode in front of the men.
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers," he cried out from atop of Brego. "I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down. But it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
Jessica heard the men draw their swords. Aragorn rode back to the others and they all dismounted from their steeds. Jessica looked closer at Merry and Pippin. Merry wore the clothing of Rohan and Pippin wore the clothing of Gondor. Jessica looked down at herself, she wore the armour of Gondor, the breastplate, the chain mail, the gloves, the arm and leg guards as well as the back plate.
She placed her hands in front of her and made a flicking motion with her left wrist while keeping in mind the sword she wanted. Within seconds she held her sword with a quiver on her back filled with arrows. Legolas, who stood next to her smiled at her choice.
"Not bad," he said with a smiled.
Jessica shook her head with silent laughter. "Only an Elf would say that," she said, watching as their foes circled them.
Gimli looked up at the Elf standing next to him. "Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf," he said ruefully.
"What about side by side with a friend?" Legolas asked the Dwarf.
"Aye," Gimli said smiling. "I could do that."
Jessica looked at Aragorn as the Eye of Sauron focused upon him. He stared off into the distance for a short while before turning to the army behind him. "For Frodo," she managed to hear him say.
Aragorn ran towards the on coming orcs with Merry and Pippin not too far behind him. Soon after the others, including the army overtook them. Jessica ran and swung her sword that was just a little bit too large for her and felt with satisfaction as the sword sliced the heads off of five orcs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica ducked a sword swing to her head and killed her opponent. She raised her arm to block a blow to her face. She screamed in agony as she felt the bone break. She brought her arm close to her body before she stabbed the offender.
It was then that the Dragon that had haunted her, landed ring tin front of her.
"You called?" he asked.
Jessica snorted and shifted to tiger. "How about we end this now?" she said. "You can leave Sauron and fight with me, not against me."
The dragon smiled. "If only you spoke the truth," he said before he dived at her.
Jessica fell to the floor, lying on her belly. The dragon missed her by inches as it turned around and landed gently on it's feet. Jessica silently groaned.
"If that's the way you want it," she said before she made a swipe at the shifter. Her claws missed the dragon by mere centimetres.
It continued like that for mere minutes, Jessica was forced to put weight onto her wound front leg whenever she made to swipe at her opponent. It was when an Eagle cry that broke the clamour of fighting that the dragon shifted his attention. It was enough from Jessica to jump him and get her jaws about his throat. She bit hard and shook. It took mere seconds before the dragon lay dead at her feet. She shifted to her Elven form, armour and all.
She looked up at the sky as she heard Pippin shouting out: "Eagles! The Eagles are coming!"
Jessica smiled with joy; the Eagles were giants in comparison to their smaller kindred. Jessica imagined another sword in her left hand and returned to her fight.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica looked up and watched as Barad-dûr fell and the Great Eye of Sauron disappeared. A great explosion blew out from the dying Eye. It destroyed the land between the remains of Barad-dûr and the Black Gate, killing the orcs there. The resulting shockwave hit the remaining orcs outside of Mordor.
Merry jumped for joy. "Frodo! Frodo!"
Jessica jumped as well before Mount Doom erupted. Everyone looked in horror as they realised that their friends were in the midst of the eruption. Jessica looked at Gandalf with shock written across her face. She wanted to fly and rescue her friends, but with her broken arm it was out of the question. She looked around for Legolas before she fell to her knees in exhaustion.
Legolas was at her side in a flash. "Are you alright?" he asked her.
Jessica nodded as he helped her up. She looked at the sword in her hand before she flicked her wrist, dismissing the sword. It vanished and Jessica held herself with more energy.
"Better?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I just realised how much energy it takes to keep a sword made of light in one shape," Jessica said, gesturing with her left hand while keeping her right up against her body.
Legolas noticed this. "What did you do?" he asked her.
"I blocked with my arm and the orc broke my arm in payment," Jessica replied as she watched Gandalf climb up onto one of the Eagles before they headed towards Mount Doom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica, Gimli and Legolas walked slowly up the stairs. Jessica's arm was in a sling even though Aragorn had healed her arm with athelas.
She wore a silver dress with a crown about her head. Legolas had proposed to her the day before. They heard laughing from the room that Frodo had been placed in to heal. Jessica, Gimli and Legolas rushed up the stairs. Gimli made it through the door before them. Jessica followed Legolas into the room and stood next to Aragorn and Legolas watching as Merry and Pippin climbed all over their cousin. Frodo appeared to look into the distance behind them before he smiled.
Jessica walked up to the Hobbits and gently ruffled Frodos hair. "Welcome back, mellonamin," she said sitting on the edge of the bed. (Welcome back, my friend.)
Frodo smiled before he launched himself at Jessica and enveloped her in a hug. Jessica returned the hug with her good arm.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica stood away from the crowds with Legolas. They both wore intricate silver crowns about their heads. Jessica wore pale red dress, her markings were also pale red against her black hair. Everyone heard what Gandalf said.
"Now come the days of the king."
There was a pause before Aragorn continued. "This day does not belong to one man but to all," he said. "Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."
Everyone cheered and applauded. Jessica watched as white petals fell to the ground. Aragorn stood tall before he began to sing.
"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta." Jessica smiled as she understood the song. (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)
Everyone cheered again. It was at that time that Jessica and Legolas led the party of Elves behind them towards King Elessar. When they met Legolas and Aragorn placed a hand on the other's shoulder in greeting.
"Hannon le," Aragorn said. (Thank you.)
Jessica and Legolas held back a small smile before they stepped to the side revealing Elrond with someone standing next to him, hidden by a green banner with the white tree of Gondor. The person stepped forwards and moved the banner to the side, revealing Arwen. She walked forwards and curtsied to Aragorn, the banner in her hands.
Aragorn looked upon her with disbelief. He stroked her face with a gentle touch. He took the banner from her hands before he passed it to one of the soldiers. Arwen took the initiative and embraced Aragorn before they kissed. The crowd applauded again as Aragorn and Arwen split apart.
Jessica followed Aragorn and Arwen as they walked away from the Hall. Aragorn stopped in front of them, apparently shocked.
"My friends," he said. "You bow to no one."
As Aragorn kneeled Jessica saw the four Hobbits. Everyone followed Aragorn and kneeled, bowing their heads to the Hobbits.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Song: Dante's Prayer By Loreena McKennitt. Go to youtube and type in Dante's prayer and go for the first legolas one and enjoy.
How was this Chappie? Please R&R!
7