Part Three:
Then all the Captains of the West cried aloud, for their hearts were filled with a new hope in the midst of darkness. Out from the beleaguered hills Knights of Gondor, Riders of Rohan, Dúnedain of the North, close-serried companies, drove against their wavering foes, piercing the press with the thrust of bitter spears. But Gandalf lifted up his arms and called once more in a clear voice: "Stand, Men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour of their doom!"
The battle of the Cormallen Fields, "The Return of the King"
*****
As she left her chamber early one morning, winding her way down the many stairs of Lothlórien to get to the very bottom of the city, Sam couldn't believe she had been in Lórien for almost two months. It seemed more like a lifetime. Two long months of settling into her new life away from home, away from her friends and family and away from Jack. She wondered if they were still searching for her, if they still thought she was alive somewhere, or if Hammond had been forced to declare her KIA.
In a way she hoped so. That way at least they could all get some closure until she found her own way home to them again.
With that depressing thought in mind, the woman made the last little jump off the last step of the staircase she was on onto the soft green grass beneath her bare feet. Like the elves she was living with, Sam had taken to wearing their clothing while in Lothlórien. She was now dressed in a long flowing white robe, which joined at the chest to make it into a gown like garment. Her feet were bare, something that Sam found she enjoyed more than she thought she ever would. But the grounds of Lórien were soft and warm, and she knew her feet wouldn't be damaged walking that way.
The past few months had been some of the strangest of Sam's life. She just wasn't used to having nothing to do all day. At first, she spent the majority of her time in the company of Gandalf or Galadriel, who for some peculiar Sam didn't want to mull over, had taken the young mortal under her wing and they would spent their days together, walking through Galadriel's gardens or just sitting in her apartments talking of the histories of Middle-Earth and trading legends of their different worlds. In Galadriel Sam realised she had found someone in whom she could tell all, and not have to feel guilty that she was giving away USAF secrets of some kind.
Galadriel had accepted this and understood Sam's need to talk to someone about everything that was plaguing her mind. She was one of the first people the Major had told about her pregnancy, only to find that the elf had known all along. Galadriel was looking forward to the birth of Sam's child, for reasons Sam didn't know, but suspected it had been many thousands of years since she had had a child to fuss over, if that was what elves did. Together, the companions would ponder over names for the infant, and it was here that Sam really started missing Janet. Here in Lothlórien, she had no way of knowing if her child was going to be a boy or a girl, no way of knowing if everything was progressing as smoothly as it should be, she just had to leave everything to the fates and luck.
Reaching down unconsciously, Sam rested her hand on the soft silk-like fabric covering her belly, trying to feel the child inside. She had started to gain a lot of weight recently, and it wouldn't be long before her pregnancy became very noticeable. Not that she had to worry about that, for all the elves here in Lothlórien seemed to know she was pregnant anyway. But deep in her heart, she wished Jack were here to see this. He would be devastated to know later in life that he hadn't been there as their baby grew, not to see how her body changed in shape as they child made itself comfortable as possible in its temporary home.
Having a sigh of regret, she turned around the trunk of an enormous tree and made her way further into the gardens of Lórien..only to find the spot she was heading for already taken by another.
So surprised was she at finding someone else in her private pondering spot, that Sam immediately froze, her hand reaching up to lean on the tree trunk. Her eyes wide, she gazed at the dark haired man who was idly walking around the garden, his head down, eyes glued to the grass, hands behind his back. He hadn't seemed to notice her, at least, and it was because of this that Sam silently began to turn around and leave, not wanting to disturb the young man, deep in thought in her garden.
"Stop!" an insistent voice said from behind her and Sam flinched, not used to being ordered around like that since she left the SGC. Not turning around, her hand still on the tree trunk, she just stood there, hearing the man come closer and closer, not knowing what she should do.
"I'm very sorry, my lady, if I disturbed you."
Frowning at the odd lit to his voice, not hearing the normal accent of the Lórien elves, Sam slowly began to turn around, her curiosity building about this dark haired man who looked to be so far away from home. But the figure she came face to face with wasn't quite what she had been expecting.
He was about the same age as her, but his face had been lined over the years by which Sam guessed was a mixture of responsibility and worry. He had longish, shaggy dark hair and a pair of the gentlest grey eyes Sam had ever seen. Dressed in worn, rugged brown leather, a long sharp sword strapped to his waist, Sam was stunned at how different he looked to the regal, graceful elves she was living with.
Stumped, she didn't have a clue what to say to this man standing before her, his hand out stretched. It was only then that Sam noticed a large ring on one of his fingers, sparkling in the light. As her eyes dropped to the ring to get a better look, he obviously saw what she was staring at for he quickly pulled his hand away and hid it in the folds of the black cloak he wore over his shoulders.
"I say again, my lady, I did not mean to disturb your walking. I thought none else knew about this garden, for if I did, I would never had thought to intrude."
Sam frowned. "Look, its fine. You were there first, I can go find somewhere else to sit, don't worry about it."
The young man tilted his head to the side and stared at her attentively as he heard her words. Suddenly he evidently came to some kind of conclusion for his eyes opened wide ever so slightly in surprise. "You are no elf," he murmured, seemingly to himself.
Sam kept on frowning. "No, I'm not." was all she said, not prepared to spill the beans on who she was until she knew a little more about this man.
The man looked to be as bewildered as she was and Sam suddenly found the situation slightly hilarious. Unable to stop the grin that turned her lips, she instead looked down, trying to hide the fact that she found him funny. But she was obviously too late, for she noticed instantly that he was laughing silently and quickly jerked her head up to stare at him in astonishment.
"It seems we have come to a stalemate, my lady," said the man. "Perhaps we could both share the garden. Would that satisfy?" He didn't wait for her answer, instead turning right around and going back to the hidden valley beneath the trees, obviously expecting her to follow him.
She did.
She found him sitting on a garden seat, running a stray leaf through his fingers as he waited for her. He looked up as she drew closer and she could see the confusion plainly in his eyes as to what one of his kind was doing in the Elvish city when she should be with her kin.
She hesitantly sat down next to him, not knowing what to say. "Who are you, my lady? What is your business in Lothlórien?"
Even though she found his opening slightly rude, Sam answered as vaguely as she could. "My name is Samantha and I am a guest in Lórien with the blessing of Galadriel. That is all you should want to know. Who are you?" The last part came out before she could stop it and she blinked at her own rudeness. But the man obviously didn't seem to mind for he grinned at her answer.
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I too, am a guest in this fair city, although I clearly come here more often than you for I have never set eyes on you before, and Lothlórien is almost my second home." He said it clearly, calmly and held no pretence to know that she would be shocked by his words.
She was, but tried to hide the fact. "You are well known in Lórien?" she asked, curious. In the two months she had been in Lothlórien she had seen or heard no humans save for Gandalf, if the old wizard could even be called that because of his great age, which made him very un-human to Sam.
Aragorn nodded his head. "That I am. In the Elvish tongue I am known as Estel, "Hope", and these great people have for long been my kin." Looking up, he scanned the woodland glen they were sitting in, and it was then that Sam saw his eyes grow soft, and a great love was seen there.
"Some say I am more Elf than Man, but I do not have much to say on that matter, for I fear that it is true." He stole a look at her out of the corner of his eye to gage her reaction, and was surprised to see her calm, composed and thoughtful, as if she was thinking this over in her head.
Aragorn was confused about the tall blonde woman at his side, wondering what the real reason was for her stay in Lothlórien and where she had come from. Her speech was unusual for that of Man, and he could positively say that in all his vast travels over the lands of Middle-Earth, he had never heard words spoken how she used them. Looking at her more closely, undetected, he took in the little details that made her who she was.
She was dressed in elvish fashion, this he noticed instantly, and wondered about its significance. It was not often that a mortal was seen in the Elven glens, whether that be Lothlórien or Rivendell, and they usually kept their own clothing, as he was now. Galadriel and Celeborn had long given up supplying him with clothing of their people, for they knew he would not take them, for he was more comfortable in the clothing of the Dúnedain, his people, the Rangers of the Northern lands.
Her short hair bemused him also, for he knew few women who would voluntarily where their hair that way. Instantly, his mind travelled to the woman who had long filled his thoughts. Her dark featured face swam into view so clearly that he squeezed his eyes closed briefly to clear the vision of the dark princess that ruled his heart.
"Arwen." he murmured absently, causing the blonde woman to turn around and glance at him inquisitively. Quickly, Aragorn shook his head to tell her not to pry.
"So why are you really in Lothlórien, my lady?" he asked, wondering if she was going to be honest with him.
Sam sighed. She was getting quite sick of explaining herself to all the people she had met in the last few months, and it seemed that she was going to be doing it again shortly. "I was brought here by Gandalf the Grey, although I don't remember it, for I was unconscious for the journey. He found me badly hurt and took me to Galadriel to see if she could help me. That was two months ago and I've been here ever since," she concluded honestly, not having the energy to lie to the man.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn explained in surprise, and he looked around the garden glen suddenly as if he expected to see the old wizard appear any second. "This is good tidings indeed, Samantha," he murmured. "For the Grey One is a very good friend of mine and I would very much like to see him again. It has truly been to long since our last meeting."
Sam was stunned and she stared at the man, abruptly realising that there was more to him than she first thought.
"You know Gandalf?" she asked, wondering if there was anyone that the old wizard didn't know. In the last two months, in which Sam had spent a great deal of time with her saviour, she had heard all the elves greet Gandalf by name and she got the impression that he came to Lothlórien often.
He would be leaving soon, of this Sam was sure. In the last few days he had become almost restless, eager to leave Lórien. Sam had a sneaking suspicion that the only reason he had lingered so long in the elvish city was because of her, that he had wanted to see how she feared in her recovery from her fall and how she found her new life away from home.
The thought of Gandalf leaving brought a great deal of sadness to her heart, for the woman and the old wizard had grown close in such a short time. She wondered where he would be going, what people he would be seeing in his travels through this mysterious land. She wished fervently that she could accompany him, but knew that it would be impossible in her condition. The wizard hadn't seemed surprised at her pregnancy, not asking any questions. But he had insisted that she stay in Lothlórien until the baby was born, so that it would have the blessing of Galadriel though its life.
Aragorn laughed heartedly. "I do indeed. For many, many years we have travelled together, the grey wizard and I."
Sam found herself drawn to the vibrant young man against her will. "Really? Is that why you are in Lothlórien now?" she asked, fascinated.
He shook his head. "No, it is not. I bring a message from Elrond, Master of Rivendell, to the Lady of the Wood." Then his face clouded, and he looked worried again, and very, very tired. "There are dark times coming, my lady. Dark times indeed. I feel that soon the world will never quite be the same again."
Startled by such a morbid speech coming from him, Sam stared at him for a second and was shocked to find the burden of responsibility laid heavily on his broad shoulders. It was then that she wondered if the land she had come to was as safe and peaceful as she had at first thought. For the last two months she had been tucked away safely in Lothlórien, hidden from the rest of this foreign world, and she had started to forget that it existed at all.
Abruptly Aragorn stood, causing Sam to crane her neck to look up at him. When she did she found that he was smiling down at her warmly and he extended his hand to help her up.
"The time for talking has past. I must see Gandalf." He looked at her keenly. "Will you take me to him?"
Sam nodded. "Of course." Then she faulted, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. She looked down at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. Finally, she snuck a peak at his face and the words came out softly, hesitantly, as if she expected him to rebuke her.
"Will I see you again?" His eyebrows shot up at her statement and she quickly tried again, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "Its just I don't know many people here in Lórien, except Gandalf and Galadriel and few others, and well, I get quite lonely, waiting for this one to appear." She put her hand on her tummy so he couldn't help but realise what she was talking about.
If he seemed surprised at her revelation he hid it well, and his eyes grew kind as he looked down at her. "If you seek my company during my stay in Lothlórien then I am honoured, Samantha, for I feel that we could be very good friends."
She looked up at him, touched by his words, and for the first time in two months the pain of loosing her family and friends.. and Jack, seemed to lessen a little bit.
Not much, but a bit.
And looking into Aragorn's deep, dark eyes, Sam realised that there was someone who he, also, wished to be with and could not, and she wondered if he sought this friendship as much as her, to lessen the pain of separation as much as possible until their hearts could find home.
In the very bottom of her heart, where her most passionate feelings lay..she hoped so, for she too, felt that they could become very close friends if they were able to. Something about this strong young man reminded her so much about Jack that it was startling.
And until she could find home, and until he was able to find his greatest love, they would help each other with the companionship and kindness that the greatest friendships could provide.
***
Then all the Captains of the West cried aloud, for their hearts were filled with a new hope in the midst of darkness. Out from the beleaguered hills Knights of Gondor, Riders of Rohan, Dúnedain of the North, close-serried companies, drove against their wavering foes, piercing the press with the thrust of bitter spears. But Gandalf lifted up his arms and called once more in a clear voice: "Stand, Men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour of their doom!"
The battle of the Cormallen Fields, "The Return of the King"
*****
As she left her chamber early one morning, winding her way down the many stairs of Lothlórien to get to the very bottom of the city, Sam couldn't believe she had been in Lórien for almost two months. It seemed more like a lifetime. Two long months of settling into her new life away from home, away from her friends and family and away from Jack. She wondered if they were still searching for her, if they still thought she was alive somewhere, or if Hammond had been forced to declare her KIA.
In a way she hoped so. That way at least they could all get some closure until she found her own way home to them again.
With that depressing thought in mind, the woman made the last little jump off the last step of the staircase she was on onto the soft green grass beneath her bare feet. Like the elves she was living with, Sam had taken to wearing their clothing while in Lothlórien. She was now dressed in a long flowing white robe, which joined at the chest to make it into a gown like garment. Her feet were bare, something that Sam found she enjoyed more than she thought she ever would. But the grounds of Lórien were soft and warm, and she knew her feet wouldn't be damaged walking that way.
The past few months had been some of the strangest of Sam's life. She just wasn't used to having nothing to do all day. At first, she spent the majority of her time in the company of Gandalf or Galadriel, who for some peculiar Sam didn't want to mull over, had taken the young mortal under her wing and they would spent their days together, walking through Galadriel's gardens or just sitting in her apartments talking of the histories of Middle-Earth and trading legends of their different worlds. In Galadriel Sam realised she had found someone in whom she could tell all, and not have to feel guilty that she was giving away USAF secrets of some kind.
Galadriel had accepted this and understood Sam's need to talk to someone about everything that was plaguing her mind. She was one of the first people the Major had told about her pregnancy, only to find that the elf had known all along. Galadriel was looking forward to the birth of Sam's child, for reasons Sam didn't know, but suspected it had been many thousands of years since she had had a child to fuss over, if that was what elves did. Together, the companions would ponder over names for the infant, and it was here that Sam really started missing Janet. Here in Lothlórien, she had no way of knowing if her child was going to be a boy or a girl, no way of knowing if everything was progressing as smoothly as it should be, she just had to leave everything to the fates and luck.
Reaching down unconsciously, Sam rested her hand on the soft silk-like fabric covering her belly, trying to feel the child inside. She had started to gain a lot of weight recently, and it wouldn't be long before her pregnancy became very noticeable. Not that she had to worry about that, for all the elves here in Lothlórien seemed to know she was pregnant anyway. But deep in her heart, she wished Jack were here to see this. He would be devastated to know later in life that he hadn't been there as their baby grew, not to see how her body changed in shape as they child made itself comfortable as possible in its temporary home.
Having a sigh of regret, she turned around the trunk of an enormous tree and made her way further into the gardens of Lórien..only to find the spot she was heading for already taken by another.
So surprised was she at finding someone else in her private pondering spot, that Sam immediately froze, her hand reaching up to lean on the tree trunk. Her eyes wide, she gazed at the dark haired man who was idly walking around the garden, his head down, eyes glued to the grass, hands behind his back. He hadn't seemed to notice her, at least, and it was because of this that Sam silently began to turn around and leave, not wanting to disturb the young man, deep in thought in her garden.
"Stop!" an insistent voice said from behind her and Sam flinched, not used to being ordered around like that since she left the SGC. Not turning around, her hand still on the tree trunk, she just stood there, hearing the man come closer and closer, not knowing what she should do.
"I'm very sorry, my lady, if I disturbed you."
Frowning at the odd lit to his voice, not hearing the normal accent of the Lórien elves, Sam slowly began to turn around, her curiosity building about this dark haired man who looked to be so far away from home. But the figure she came face to face with wasn't quite what she had been expecting.
He was about the same age as her, but his face had been lined over the years by which Sam guessed was a mixture of responsibility and worry. He had longish, shaggy dark hair and a pair of the gentlest grey eyes Sam had ever seen. Dressed in worn, rugged brown leather, a long sharp sword strapped to his waist, Sam was stunned at how different he looked to the regal, graceful elves she was living with.
Stumped, she didn't have a clue what to say to this man standing before her, his hand out stretched. It was only then that Sam noticed a large ring on one of his fingers, sparkling in the light. As her eyes dropped to the ring to get a better look, he obviously saw what she was staring at for he quickly pulled his hand away and hid it in the folds of the black cloak he wore over his shoulders.
"I say again, my lady, I did not mean to disturb your walking. I thought none else knew about this garden, for if I did, I would never had thought to intrude."
Sam frowned. "Look, its fine. You were there first, I can go find somewhere else to sit, don't worry about it."
The young man tilted his head to the side and stared at her attentively as he heard her words. Suddenly he evidently came to some kind of conclusion for his eyes opened wide ever so slightly in surprise. "You are no elf," he murmured, seemingly to himself.
Sam kept on frowning. "No, I'm not." was all she said, not prepared to spill the beans on who she was until she knew a little more about this man.
The man looked to be as bewildered as she was and Sam suddenly found the situation slightly hilarious. Unable to stop the grin that turned her lips, she instead looked down, trying to hide the fact that she found him funny. But she was obviously too late, for she noticed instantly that he was laughing silently and quickly jerked her head up to stare at him in astonishment.
"It seems we have come to a stalemate, my lady," said the man. "Perhaps we could both share the garden. Would that satisfy?" He didn't wait for her answer, instead turning right around and going back to the hidden valley beneath the trees, obviously expecting her to follow him.
She did.
She found him sitting on a garden seat, running a stray leaf through his fingers as he waited for her. He looked up as she drew closer and she could see the confusion plainly in his eyes as to what one of his kind was doing in the Elvish city when she should be with her kin.
She hesitantly sat down next to him, not knowing what to say. "Who are you, my lady? What is your business in Lothlórien?"
Even though she found his opening slightly rude, Sam answered as vaguely as she could. "My name is Samantha and I am a guest in Lórien with the blessing of Galadriel. That is all you should want to know. Who are you?" The last part came out before she could stop it and she blinked at her own rudeness. But the man obviously didn't seem to mind for he grinned at her answer.
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I too, am a guest in this fair city, although I clearly come here more often than you for I have never set eyes on you before, and Lothlórien is almost my second home." He said it clearly, calmly and held no pretence to know that she would be shocked by his words.
She was, but tried to hide the fact. "You are well known in Lórien?" she asked, curious. In the two months she had been in Lothlórien she had seen or heard no humans save for Gandalf, if the old wizard could even be called that because of his great age, which made him very un-human to Sam.
Aragorn nodded his head. "That I am. In the Elvish tongue I am known as Estel, "Hope", and these great people have for long been my kin." Looking up, he scanned the woodland glen they were sitting in, and it was then that Sam saw his eyes grow soft, and a great love was seen there.
"Some say I am more Elf than Man, but I do not have much to say on that matter, for I fear that it is true." He stole a look at her out of the corner of his eye to gage her reaction, and was surprised to see her calm, composed and thoughtful, as if she was thinking this over in her head.
Aragorn was confused about the tall blonde woman at his side, wondering what the real reason was for her stay in Lothlórien and where she had come from. Her speech was unusual for that of Man, and he could positively say that in all his vast travels over the lands of Middle-Earth, he had never heard words spoken how she used them. Looking at her more closely, undetected, he took in the little details that made her who she was.
She was dressed in elvish fashion, this he noticed instantly, and wondered about its significance. It was not often that a mortal was seen in the Elven glens, whether that be Lothlórien or Rivendell, and they usually kept their own clothing, as he was now. Galadriel and Celeborn had long given up supplying him with clothing of their people, for they knew he would not take them, for he was more comfortable in the clothing of the Dúnedain, his people, the Rangers of the Northern lands.
Her short hair bemused him also, for he knew few women who would voluntarily where their hair that way. Instantly, his mind travelled to the woman who had long filled his thoughts. Her dark featured face swam into view so clearly that he squeezed his eyes closed briefly to clear the vision of the dark princess that ruled his heart.
"Arwen." he murmured absently, causing the blonde woman to turn around and glance at him inquisitively. Quickly, Aragorn shook his head to tell her not to pry.
"So why are you really in Lothlórien, my lady?" he asked, wondering if she was going to be honest with him.
Sam sighed. She was getting quite sick of explaining herself to all the people she had met in the last few months, and it seemed that she was going to be doing it again shortly. "I was brought here by Gandalf the Grey, although I don't remember it, for I was unconscious for the journey. He found me badly hurt and took me to Galadriel to see if she could help me. That was two months ago and I've been here ever since," she concluded honestly, not having the energy to lie to the man.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn explained in surprise, and he looked around the garden glen suddenly as if he expected to see the old wizard appear any second. "This is good tidings indeed, Samantha," he murmured. "For the Grey One is a very good friend of mine and I would very much like to see him again. It has truly been to long since our last meeting."
Sam was stunned and she stared at the man, abruptly realising that there was more to him than she first thought.
"You know Gandalf?" she asked, wondering if there was anyone that the old wizard didn't know. In the last two months, in which Sam had spent a great deal of time with her saviour, she had heard all the elves greet Gandalf by name and she got the impression that he came to Lothlórien often.
He would be leaving soon, of this Sam was sure. In the last few days he had become almost restless, eager to leave Lórien. Sam had a sneaking suspicion that the only reason he had lingered so long in the elvish city was because of her, that he had wanted to see how she feared in her recovery from her fall and how she found her new life away from home.
The thought of Gandalf leaving brought a great deal of sadness to her heart, for the woman and the old wizard had grown close in such a short time. She wondered where he would be going, what people he would be seeing in his travels through this mysterious land. She wished fervently that she could accompany him, but knew that it would be impossible in her condition. The wizard hadn't seemed surprised at her pregnancy, not asking any questions. But he had insisted that she stay in Lothlórien until the baby was born, so that it would have the blessing of Galadriel though its life.
Aragorn laughed heartedly. "I do indeed. For many, many years we have travelled together, the grey wizard and I."
Sam found herself drawn to the vibrant young man against her will. "Really? Is that why you are in Lothlórien now?" she asked, fascinated.
He shook his head. "No, it is not. I bring a message from Elrond, Master of Rivendell, to the Lady of the Wood." Then his face clouded, and he looked worried again, and very, very tired. "There are dark times coming, my lady. Dark times indeed. I feel that soon the world will never quite be the same again."
Startled by such a morbid speech coming from him, Sam stared at him for a second and was shocked to find the burden of responsibility laid heavily on his broad shoulders. It was then that she wondered if the land she had come to was as safe and peaceful as she had at first thought. For the last two months she had been tucked away safely in Lothlórien, hidden from the rest of this foreign world, and she had started to forget that it existed at all.
Abruptly Aragorn stood, causing Sam to crane her neck to look up at him. When she did she found that he was smiling down at her warmly and he extended his hand to help her up.
"The time for talking has past. I must see Gandalf." He looked at her keenly. "Will you take me to him?"
Sam nodded. "Of course." Then she faulted, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. She looked down at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. Finally, she snuck a peak at his face and the words came out softly, hesitantly, as if she expected him to rebuke her.
"Will I see you again?" His eyebrows shot up at her statement and she quickly tried again, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "Its just I don't know many people here in Lórien, except Gandalf and Galadriel and few others, and well, I get quite lonely, waiting for this one to appear." She put her hand on her tummy so he couldn't help but realise what she was talking about.
If he seemed surprised at her revelation he hid it well, and his eyes grew kind as he looked down at her. "If you seek my company during my stay in Lothlórien then I am honoured, Samantha, for I feel that we could be very good friends."
She looked up at him, touched by his words, and for the first time in two months the pain of loosing her family and friends.. and Jack, seemed to lessen a little bit.
Not much, but a bit.
And looking into Aragorn's deep, dark eyes, Sam realised that there was someone who he, also, wished to be with and could not, and she wondered if he sought this friendship as much as her, to lessen the pain of separation as much as possible until their hearts could find home.
In the very bottom of her heart, where her most passionate feelings lay..she hoped so, for she too, felt that they could become very close friends if they were able to. Something about this strong young man reminded her so much about Jack that it was startling.
And until she could find home, and until he was able to find his greatest love, they would help each other with the companionship and kindness that the greatest friendships could provide.
***