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Chapter Twenty-Three
"It's Always Darkest"
The sun had barely begun its journey through the sky when the horn was sounded to begin the day's ride and they began to race across the open plain once more. As they rode Jesse found herself worried about what was happening throughout Middle Earth. Trusting Swiftwind to stay on course with the other riders, she allowed her mind to reach out to the Lady of Light.
As before Jesse found herself within the Lady's glade, standing before her mirror. "You are worried of what is happening elsewhere in our world," Galadriel said as she stepped forward holding a silver pitcher, "Would it give you comfort to know what it is I have seen?" "It would my Lady," Jesse said in a quiet voice, her eyes looking pleadingly into the Galadriel's ageless face, "I am so worried about my friends and I need to know if what I have done so far has not caused harm to the way things should happen," "All is as it should be," the Lady of Light assured, "Frodo has stayed his course and is still moving toward Mount Doom. The Lord Denethor has no knowledge of his eldest son's survival, and the Lady Èowyn has done as you asked of her and taken young Meriadoc with her on her journey to aid the White City. Young Peregrin has become member of the Citadel Guard."
Sighing with relief Jesse met the eyes of the Lady once more and asked, "Has the Golden Wood been attacked?" "Yes our wood as well as Imladris has been attacked by the enemy's forces. The wardens of this wood fought bravely and defended our home successfully, though the land and our people shall bare the scars of these attacks, time shall heal the wounds." "Are Rúmil and Orophin alright?" Jesse asked knowing that her husband would wish to know if his brothers had been hurt. "They are both of good health. Fear not child our family is still whole," Galadriel assured walking over to the younger elleth and gently brushing a lock of hair behind her pointed ear, "You have done well Jessica and because of you many lives have been saved and still many others shall be. Now you must go for Haldir has become concerned for you." "Thank you my Lady," Jesse said in gratitude before closing her eyes and pulling her mind back.
When she opened her eyes she was back with the Grey Company and Haldir was looking at her with concern. "Where were you that I could not reach you my love," he asked his voice laced with anxiety. Looking into his confused eyes Jesse said in a voice that only he could hear, "I needed to speak with the Lady. I will tell everyone what I found out when we camp but I just needed her wisdom to guide me. I am sorry I worried you. It still requires all of my concentration to establish the link with her mind over so great a distance." "It worried me when I could not feel you as strongly through our link," he said honestly his eyes noticing the slight fatigue in her green eyes, "The link was difficult to maintain was it not?" "Yes it was but at least Lady Galadriel was able to give me the council I needed to put my mind at ease," she replied with a weary smile. "Do you have any lembas bread, it will restore your strength until we are able to make camp?" he asked still worried about her well being. "No I ran out on our way to Helms Deep before we were reunited," she admitted bashfully, "We were forced to leave much behind when we set out after Merry and Pippin." Reaching into his saddle bags he withdrew a wafer of the elvin way bread and handing it to her, before he commanded, "Eat this it will help you to feel better." "Yes sir," she said with a playful smile as she dutifully ate the bread before taking a drink from her water skin, "That is better, thank you." "I know," Haldir replied with an arrogant smirk, causing her to laugh.
That night as they sat around the fire Jesse decided that she needed to tell Aragorn about the conversation she'd, had with the Lady Galadriel, so she silently moved from her seat between Haldir and Glorfindel to sit next to Aragorn. "I have to tell you something," she said as she watched the flames of the campfire. "I am listening," he replied as he glanced in her direction before taking a puff of his pipe. Deciding it was best to just tell everyone at the same time she cleared her throat loud enough to get everyone's attention. "Maybe it is best that I tell everyone at once," the elleth said calmly. "You have our attention Lass," Gimli said looking concerned from his place next to Legolas, "Go right ahead."
Taking a deep breath she started to speak, keeping her eyes focused on the fire, "Today I used my mind to talk to the Lady Galadriel. I know everyone is worried about what is going on with our friends and families, so I asked her for help. She has been keeping tabs on everyone through her mirror and was able to tell me quite a bit that eased my mind," she paused for a moment to gather her thoughts more, "She assured me that Frodo and Sam are still making their way towards their goal. Merry is fine and in the care of Èowyn. Pippin and Gandalf have reached the White City. King Théoden and his men are making their way toward the Minas Tirith. Boromir, Faramir and some of his rangers were under attack by a Nazgul but Gandalf chased it off so he is safe for now as well," she heard his deep sigh of relief before she began to speak again, "The borders of both Rivendell and Lothlórien have been attacked by the enemy but the wardens were able to drive them away. She said that the enemy has left scars in both forests but with time they will heal. I also asked her about Rúmil and Orophin because I knew they were going to guarding the borders and she said that they were both fine." She looked up and met the sad but relieved eyes of her husband and tried to assure him through their link. Glancing at the twins she noticed they were both leaning heavily on each other for support. "For now we at least know that the ones we care about are safe. We just have to keep that in mind and finish this," she added with conviction. "Jesse is right," Aragorn agreed, "We must take strength from her words and finish our task." There was a chorus of "Ayes" through out the camp.
The next morning as Jesse was just strapping on the last of her weapons, when she was approached by the future King of Gondor, "Thank you for your words last night. It helped to ease my mind a great deal," he said with a smile. "That was the whole reason I spoke with the Lady. We all needed to have a bit of reassurance. We were all worried but you and I, Aragorn have much more resting on our shoulders. We have to look out for everyone at the same time and it can get disheartening at times," she replied with a comforting smile, "Do you remember what I told you when we were still on the Anduin. We are going to have to work as a team if we want our peoples to truly flourish. We can't do it alone." "I remember well your words and I promise you will not have to do this alone," he vowed before giving Jesse a quick hug, "After all why would I abandon my sister." "It's nice to have family isn't it?" she said with a laugh, "Even if we do have the twins to contend with." Her words bringing a hearty laugh from the rangers mouth, "That it is. That it is."
With the sound of the horn, the Grey Company continued speeding toward Pelargir, running the horses to the point where they nearly stumbling with exhaustion. They made camp again well after the moon had risen near Lebennin and ate a quick meal before settling down for the night. Lying cuddled in her husband's protective embrace Jesse began to dream walk once again but this time it was much different. This was something that had happened long ago and it was not of her doing.
As the world came into focus around her, Jesse realized she was standing on an unnaturally dark battle field. Ahead of her she could see many humans and elves fighting for their lives against an army of dark creatures. One elf held Jesse's attention as he fought bravely against the orcs that came against him. She knew immediately that the elf was her father and tears flooded to her eyes as she realized what she was witnessing.
Her body trembling with anguish she watched as her father and a man faced off with a tall imposing figure. "No I don't want to see this!" she screamed out in anguish and pain, "I can't watch him fall," her voice now barely a whimper, "I can't. I can't." She watched helplessly as Sauron knocked Elendil aside as if he were nothing at all and he clasped a mighty hand around her father's neck. She could smell the scent of burning flesh as her father was literally burned to death from the inside. "Nooooo!" she screamed as she watched her his body fall to the ground lifeless and a cruel laughter rang out around her blocking out all other sound.
Suddenly the was a brilliant flash of light and the world around her shifted and she found herself unable to hold herself up, falling to her knees in aguish and disorientation. Gentle hands clasped her arms and helped her to stand and a gentle hand raised her chin. Standing before her was a beautiful elleth with long golden hair and eyes as blue as the sky. "The enemy can not reach your mind here. The power of the Valar will protect you," the elleth declared in a soft and calming voice, before looking skyward and asking, "Why must she face this alone?"
Soon another familiar figure appeared in the glade and he ran to Jesse's side and pulled her into his arms. Haldir looked down at his still trembling wife and asked, "Jesse what has happened? I felt your mind ripped from our link," turning his attention to the elleth he asked, "What has happened to her?" "The enemy was the cause of her anguish, Haldir of Lórien," the explained calmly, "He forced her to witness something that occurred long ago, the death of her father, my husband. The Valar were able to break the hold he had on her mind but not before she was forced to watch Ereinion's death at the hands of Sauron himself. She was brought here so that she and I could speak, and I asked them to bring you here. She needs the comfort of her husband, and though I am her mother, only you can give her that which she needs most."
Pulling her thoughts together Jesse spoke up in a soft voice, "All Sauron managed to do was make me want to see him fall even more. I'll be damned if I allow that monster to live to hurt anyone else I love." "You are most definitely you father's daughter. Such determination to protect those you love. Oh my beautiful daughter," the former Queen of Noldor said with a soft laugh that sounded like bells, "How I have longed to see your face. You have made your father and I so proud."
"I remember this glade," Jesse said softly, "This is where Ada and I talked on my first night in Rivendell. Oh Nana!" she cried as she stepped from her husband's protective arms and embraced her mother's form. Smiling happily Aredhel embraced her daughter as tears of joy ran down her face, "Oh my sweet daughter. You have made me so happy. So much has happened to you since you have returned to our world. Now married to the ellon you love and now a mother as well. I had lost hope of seeing my child again and now I have her in my arms," turning her attention to the ellon that had taken her daughter's heart she said, "You have come far from the young nervous ellon I met so long ago Haldir, and it pleases me that I can now welcome you into our family," she smiled as she looked upon Haldir's proud features, "Though Ereinion did do a bit of grumbling when we heard of your bonding. He believed he should have been there to intimidate you at least," she added with a playful look that was often found on her reborn-uncle's face. "Tell Ada that Gimli did that for him," Jesse supplied with a laugh, "I believe there was even a mention of cutting off body parts with an axe."
"I believe his words were something along the lines of ,'Elf you hurt the Lass and I shall hack off your bits with me axe.'" Haldir corrected causing both elleths to laugh with mirth. The sound of more laughter was heard from the edge of the clearing, causing all of them to turn and see Ereinion Gil-Galad making his way toward them. Seeing her father Jesse ran toward him and he wrapped her in his arms. "Oh daughter I so wish you had not been forced to witness that," he said as she cried into his chest. "It was horrible," she said in a teary voice, "I always knew what happened that day but knowing it and seeing it are so different. How is it possible that you can be so whole now after something so horrible?" "Time and love daughter can heal many wounds. Even ones as grievous as those," he replied stroking her hair lovingly, "Your mother was my saving grace. Her love is what truly healed me. As I believe you have witnessed with your own love, if I am not mistaken," he added locking gazes with Haldir. Noticing where her father's gaze had been drawn Jesse whispered, "Be nice Ada. He is my soul."
Walking with Jesse still held close to him the former High King looked the younger ellon over with a critical eye before slowly placing his daughter's hand into Haldir's. "You will have to do I suppose," Gil-Galad said with a suffering tone earning himself a smack on his right arm from his daughter and one on his left from his wife, "I do believe you were mistaken my beloved wife." "Why is that Ereinion?" she asked taking his arm with a smile. "I believe she is more your daughter. With a smack like that she takes after your mother. Though that elleth always seemed to aim for my head," he said with a laugh earning a whack on the back of his head from his wife.
Jesse looked at her mother and asked, "Nana is there a way for me to keep Sauron from being able to pull this stunt again?" "The Valar have awakened your ability to shield your mind from his tampering. He should not be able to do this to you again," her mother assured with a comforting smile, "It will be morning soon and the two of you will need to wake soon. I am so glad that we have been given the chance to speak. It gives me comfort to know that my daughter is alive and doing so well." "Will we ever be able to talk like this again?" Jesse asked almost pleadingly, "I don't want to loose you guys again." "Do not worry," her father assured taking her in his arms, before adding, "The Valar will allow us to speak with you again from time to time." After hugging her parents one last time Jesse took Haldir's hand and closed her eyes as the glade and her parents began to fade from her view.
Opening their eyes Jesse and Haldir found them selves surrounded by a company of concerned men, elves, and one dwarf, "It is about bloody time!" Gimli exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air, "You had us worried Lass." "I am sorry Gimli, I had no control over it," Jesse began knowing they all needed to know what had happened, "Sauron pulled my conscious mind from my body, and forced me to witness my father's death, but the Valar were able to break the hold he had on me and they brought me to my parents in the Undying Lands so that I could pull myself together." "They also brought me to Jesse using our link, so that I could comfort her," Haldir supplied looking toward his wife still concerned for her.
"Are you alright Jesse," Glorfindel asked in concern as he knelt down next to her. "I am fine, Glorfindel, I promise," she assured trying to reassure the Balrog Slayer, knowing well where his fear was coming from. Glorfindel had once told her that he felt that he was given a second chance at a real life because she had returned to their world. She was now the only true surviving family he had left. Reaching up she gave her great uncle a hug and whispered softly in his ear, "Your not going to loose me that easily, I promise," releasing him slowly she turned to the rest of the company and said in a strong voice, "I promise guys I am fine. I am pissed off and plan to pay that monster back for what he did to my father but I am fine. Now I don't know about the rest of you but there is no way I am going to be able to sleep anymore tonight, so how about some breakfast, so we can get a good start today."
Once the company had split off to go about getting a start on their day, Jesse looked up at the sky and felt like her blood had frozen in her veins, the stars were gone. "Aragorn!" she called in alarm standing up and running towards the ranger. "What is it Jesse? You're as pale as a ghost," he said with worry when she reached his side. "Look up at the sky and tell me what you see," she ordered sharing a worried glance with Haldir who had followed her over to Aragorn. "I don't see anything," he said not understanding her alarm. Locking her eyes with him she said, "That is precisely the point. The stars are gone, some darkness has covered them. Aragorn we need to ride and ride hard. If Mordor's darkness has come this far we are running out of time."
With a nod to the elleth in agreement, Aragorn began to shout out orders. It did not take long to get everyone ready to ride, taking Jesse's advise everyone was given a piece of lembas bread from the supply that Haldir and Glorfindel still had with them. It was not much but it would provide them with the energy to make it to their destination and soon the horn was blown signaling them to ride. The only time they slowed their pace was to allow the horses to rest, yet they did not stop and by the next morning they were able to see the signs of the destruction the Corsairs had reaped onto the city of Pelargir, the city was on fire.