Chapter Five
"An Elf, A Man, and A Dwarf; Walk Into A Dinning Hall"
A knock on the door to her room interrupted Jesse as she was telling Idril a story about how her sister Phoebe had been turned into a genie, as the elleth was putting the final touches on her hair. Upon answering the door, Idril found a very bashful dwarf and a handsome Captain of Gondor. "My companion and I are here to escort the Lady Jessica to the feast. By chance is she ready," Boromir asked sounding every ounce the Lord of Gondor he was, while a gentle smile played on his face. Smiling bashfully Idril stepped back to allow the pair to enter the sitting room, "The Lady will be out in just a moment. Please make yourselves comfortable."
Walking back into the bedchamber Idril paused just inside the door she had just closed. A blush quickly made its way from her cheeks all the way to the tip of her pointed ears. "Jesse, the Lords Boromir and Gimli are waiting just outside to escort you to the feast," she said trying to calm her nervous heart. "Idril, are you ok, you seem a bit flustered," Jesse asked noticing the blush on her friend's face. 'So someone has a fancy for a certain son of a steward,' Jesse thought with a knowing smile. "I am alright, Jesse. It is just… Well I never imagined the Lord Boromir would be so handsome," the maid replied somewhat breathlessly. "I must admit Idril you are correct in that description of the Lord Boromir," Jesse said with a knowing smile, "Would you like for me to introduce you to him?" "Oh, Jesse I could not, I would be too nervous," Idril, exclaimed as she looked into the smiling face of the Lady that had become her friend. "Nonsense you will do just fine. Just be yourself. Boromir is a wonderful guy and very easy to talk too," Jesse assured the nervous elleth, "I will make it easy for you. I will wait until we go to the Hall of Fire, that way it will be a bit more relaxed, and you won't feel quite so pressured. For now though I believe I had better get going, I don't want to keep them waiting."
Exiting her bedchamber, Jesse was greeted with quite the impressive site, sitting in a pair of chairs next to the small fireplace were Boromir, decked out in all the finery the of a Lord of Gondor, and Gimli, dressed in the finery of a dwarf lord of his standing. "My, don't you two look handsome," she said with a smile. Standing the two turned as one to look at the newest occupant of the room. "And of course you look lovely this evening as well," Boromir said with a smile and slight bow. "The lad's right you look lovely, Lass," Gimli offered bashfully.
As the trio made their way through the halls, Gimli just had to ask a question that had been on his mind since he and Boromir had arrived to escort Jesse to the feast, "Lass, was there something wrong with your maid. The poor lass looked very nervous?" "Oh, Gimli she was a bit flustered," she paused smiling down at her companion, "It seems she has fallen under a spell." "What manner of spell," Gimli asked in alarm. "Oh, Gimli it is not a spell to be concerned over I assure you. It seems my dear friend Idril, is somewhat taken with a certain Captain of Gondor," Jesse said with a smile and a wink at the dwarf next to her.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see a bit of a flush making its way to Boromir's cheeks. Suppressing a giggle, she looked to the Gondorian and smiled, adding, "You practically had her swooning, Boromir. Shame on you, you have ruined her for all the ellons in Middle Earth." Her words had the desired effect because the blush that stained Boromir's cheeks intensified instantly and the loud boisterous laughter of the dwarf in their company could be heard all the way in Mordor.
"I am only teasing, Boromir. Though I did promise Idril that I would properly introduce the two of you in the Hall of Fire tonight, she is really nervous so promise me you will go easy on her," Jesse said as they neared the doors of the dinning hall, "Her father was one of Lord Elrond's advisors and was killed in the orc attack that forced the Lady Celebrían to sail to the Undying Lands. Her mother faded from grief not long after." "I will do my best to make the Lady Idril feel at ease. I promise you," Boromir assured shyly. "You best do that Lad, it sounds as though the lass has been hurt enough," Gimli said with concern, "How old is the lass, Jesse?" "Oh, she is just a bit older than the Lady Arwen, Gimli," she replied as the trio walked through the doors.
You could have heard a pin drop as far away as Gondor when they walked in. The unlikely trio ignored the sudden silence and made their way to the dais, to join the rest of the Fellowship. As Boromir helped her into her chair, Jesse found she just had to comment, "I just love making an entrance." In response Gimli burst into laughter once again and said, "Well said Lass. Well said."
Once all were seated, Lord Elrond stood, and quiet once again descended,"Friends, we are gathered here tonight to acknowledge the forming of a fellowship. With the blessings of all here they shall depart from this valley on the twenty-fifth day of December, in a quest to destroy the One Ring. It is with great respect I present to you the Fellow of the Ring," with that the Fellowship stood from their seats, "May the blessings of Eru Ilúvatar and the Valar go with them."
As the meal was served, conversations began to start around the tables. Jesse noticed from the corner of her eye that Idril was seated at a table not far from the dais, and the elleth's gaze was often drifting toward Boromir. Nudging the dwarf next to her Jesse whispered, "It seems a certain Captain and my maid keep glancing at one another." "Aye, Lass," Gimli whispered back, "I have marked it as well," a knowing smile graced both their faces as they went back to their respective meals.
Jesse was delighted as time for the desert to be brought out revealed that chocolate existed in Middle Earth. As she ate her cake happily she thanked the Valar that she had not left all of the comforts of home behind, now all she needed was a good cup of coffee and the world would be right. She would have to describe it to Lord Elrond and find out if coffee was available here.
When everyone retired to the Hall of Fire that evening there was a very anxious ellon waiting for Jesse to arrive. Lindir looked as though he would jump out of his skin with excitement. The moment he saw Jesse walk into the room he whisked her away quickly. "My lady, it would be an honor if you would sing with us again this evening," he said with a smile. "I would love to Lindir," she said with a smile, "and I have the perfect song."
As she took her position in front of the musicians of Imladris, silence fell on the hall. Everyone was watching as she opened her mouth to begin her song.
"We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming what we'd have to go through
Now here we are
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart
When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This is the start
Life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
At the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
We were strangers
On a crazy adventure
Never dreaming how are dreams could come true
Now here we stand
Unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you
And life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
At the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
I knew there was somebody somewhere
Like me alone in the dark
Now I know my dream will live on
I've been waiting so long
Nothing's going to tear us apart
And life is a road and I want to going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
And life is a road, and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep going on
Starting out on a journey
Life is a road and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you"
(At The Beginning "Richard Marx And Donna Lewis")
The hall was silent as the last strains of music floated about the room. The appropriateness of the song she had chosen was not lost on anyone in the hall that night. The journey that the Fellowship of the Ring was to take was in the hearts and minds of everyone that night.
As she began to think she had chosen wrong, gentle clapping could be heard. When she turned her head she realized that it was Frodo clapping, a smile gracing his gentle face. Soon the entire hall erupted in applause. Smiling Jesse looked toward Lindir in a silent question. With a nod of his head she opened her mouth to sing another song.
"No one raised their hand that day,
When they asked for volunteers.
He got picked out by default
He was the only daddy there.
They said we know what you're thinking,
Choose someone else instead
But this league was built on coaches
Who stood right there and said
Not me, not me.
No way with this job of mine
I could never find the time.
Not me, not me,
The world becomes a better place
When someone stands and leads the way
Steps forward, when they'd rather say not me.
The judge says you're the oldest,
Makes you the legal guardian.
Sorry how you lost your folks
But there's no next of kin.
Two brothers and a sister
She know how hard that it would be
But she softly said 'I'll raise them'
While the voice inside her screamed.
Not me, not me
I can't believe what's happening
This isn't how it's supposed to be
Not me, not me
The world becomes a better place
When someone stands and leads the way
Steps forward, when they'd rather say not me.
A young captain at attention
A star pinned on his chest.
He recalls the battle
As the final roll call is read.
They were the finest soldiers
It was my privilege to lead,
And they deserve the medals
The ones who died, not me.
Not me, not me
I just did what I was called to do,
You'd do the same if it were you.
Not me, not me.
The world becomes a better place
When someone stands and leads the way
Steps forward, when they'd rather say not me.
Yeah.. Steps forward, when they'd rather say not me."
(Not Me "Keni Thomas")
This time as she finished her song the occupants of the hall immediately stood up and began to cheer. Smiling all she could do was take a small bow, when she straightened back up she saw Lord Elrond waiting for her. "That was most beautiful. Thank you. I must say that your choice of songs was more than appropriate for this evening and I enjoyed them immensely," he said as he walked her towards her friends who were waiting anxiously for her return.
"Oh, Miss Jesse," Sam exclaimed a big smile on his face, "That were really somethin'." "I must agree with Sam, those were amazing songs Jesse," Legolas added with a gentle smile. "Lass, you have a real talent there," Gimli exclaimed, from his seat next to her. "Thank you guys," Jesse replied shyly, "I was just hoping I had chosen the right songs. They seemed fitting to me but I wasn't sure how everyone else would feel about them." "They were perfect song choices, that you do not have to fear," Aragorn assured and everyone in the group nodded his or her head in agreement. The rest of their conversation was halted as a very nervous elleth walked up to the group.
"Idril, have a seat," Jesse said making room between her and Boromir, for the shy elleth, "Guys, this is my friend Idril. Idril this is Boromir, Merry, Pippin, Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and Arwen, who I am pretty sure you know already, Legolas, and Gimli." "It is nice to meet you," Idril replied shyly, gazing around the group, lingering longest on Boromir. "The pleasure is ours My Lady," Boromir said with a gentle smile. "Aye, Lass it is good to meet you," Gimli said trying to make the elleth more at ease. Jesse could tell by the looks on Aragorn and Arwen's faces they knew exactly what was going on and they approved.
As the group chatted happily the musicians began to play a lovely ballad, and Boromir finally worked up the courage to ask Idril to dance. "My Lady, would you like to join me in a dance," he asked looking shyly into Idril's smiling face. "I would be honored, My Lord Boromir," she said shyly taking his hand. Once the couple had made their way to the dance floor, all eyes turned to Jesse and Gimli.
"May I ask what exactly the two of you are up too," Aragorn asked looking every bit the king at that moment. "Well it is simple really, Aragorn," Jesse began, "Idril is a bit taken with a certain Captain of Gondor and that Captain of Gondor is taken with Idril. Gimli and I are just trying to make sure that their combined bashfulness doesn't get in the way." "Aye, Lad you should have seen the way those two were dancing around each other when the Lad and I went to get Jesse for dinner," Gimli supplied with a smile. "How can we be of assistance," Arwen asked with a knowing smile, "I for one would like to see Idril, happy for once. She has been so lost since loosing her family. Father and I had feared she would fade from the grief, after her mother faded. If you believe Lord Boromir can make her happy then I for one will help in any way I can." "Thank you, Arwen. I am not sure we will have to do very much," Jesse said looking at the dancing couple she turned back to the group and continued, "Look at them. I think they have it all worked out on their own. They just needed a bit of a nudge in the right direction." As a group they all turned to watch the happy couple, as they smiled and laughed around the dance floor.
As the night wore on the group saw little of Boromir and Idril as a new spark of romance was lit. On her way back to her room that night, Jesse caught a glimpse of them walking in one of the rose gardens. She knew that she still had a lot to do to keep Boromir safe through the war to come but she knew with the new love that was growing in his heart the Ring had lost most of it's power over him. Crawling into bed that night she said a silent prayer to the Valar that Boromir and Idril would have a love that would see them through the days to come. The dream she would have this night would give her answers and new questions.
It didn't take Jesse long to realize she was in another dream. She found herself in a forest similar to the one she had her conversation with her father, though this one seemed much younger somehow. Looking around she noticed a small spring bubbling from the base of a tree and in the center of the glade was a pedestal with a bowl atop it. She knew from first glance she was looking at the Mirror of Galadriel.
"Welcome home, Jessica," a beautiful voice called out to Jesse. Turning she saw a gorgeous elleth with golden hair that fell to her waist in waves. "My Lady Galadriel," Jesse said bowing to the elleth before her. The radiance of the ladies aura seemed to shine brighter than the sun. "You have seen much since you arrived in Middle Earth yet your journey has not even begun. Tell me daughter of Gil Galad, are you ready to face the tasks the Valar have given you," Galadriel asked walking towards Jesse, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I am My Lady. I know it will not be easy but, I know that I am the only one who can," Jesse answered with a nervous conviction.
"You have seen many things in dreams, which you did not understand. Tell me do they have merit now that you have seen where you belong," the Lady of the Wood asked sitting gracefully on a bench in one corner of the glade. "Some do, though I don't understand them completely. I am able to put them in a better context. I have seen images of battles that I know I will have to fight in, and," Jesse paused there to try and word her next phrase right, "And I have seen what I can only describe as a wedding. I know the elleth is me but I don't know who the ellon is. All I see is his back. I feel his love radiating through the dream into me." "You are seeing something that should have happened long ago. Though do not fear for it may still happen if you are able to successfully complete the tasks the Valar have given you," the lady said cryptically, "He will be your strength in the ages to come should you succeed."
"My lady," Jesse asked nervously, "Did I do the right thing for Boromir and Idril?" A laugh that sounded like music came from Galadriel, "Oh yes, Jessica, you have done the right thing. For now the Ring will have less power over your friend the Lord Boromir. His heart is now full of love and evil cannot live in the presence of so pure a love, as the one your friends now have for one another. His future is still clouded in shadow to me; there will still be things for you to fight, in order to save him. Your knowledge of what he will face in the days to come will be an asset to you," the lady said smiling at the young elleth sitting at her feet.
"Will I ever see my family again? I mean the one that raised me," Jesse asked nervously still missing her family terribly. "Though the future is clouded on this matter, I believe you will see them again. Stay on the path the Valar has set for you and I believe you will see them again," she assured Jesse gently.
"I know that there is something that has been plaguing your mind," the lady asked with a knowing smile. She had already spoken with Elrond on this matter and she knew that thoughts of this would be in the young elleths mind. "How is it possible that I have my father's twin knives? Lord Elrond said that they were lost after the battle that took my father's life. I don't understand how they ended up in the Magic School," Jesse asked, glad to finally ask the question that had been foremost in her thoughts since that afternoon in the training grounds. "The Elder you called Gideon, was in league with the enemy. He had them taken from your father's body soon after he fell. He hid them away in your Magic School with other items with the intention of erasing the existence of the elves from known knowledge. If he had not been defeated in your world, his crimes may have never come to light and the existence of the elves in this world would have been forgotten forever," Galadriel explained carefully.
"Anor will rise soon, so I must leave you," the lady said standing gracefully from her seat. Jesse stood from her spot on the ground, "Thank you, My Lady." "Do not fear child for you have the strength of your father within you and you will be strong enough to withstand the tasks you have ahead of you," the Lady of the Wood said as she placed both of her hands on either side of Jesse's face and kissed her gently on the forehead, "Namárië daughter of Gil Galad."
As she came into the waking world Jesse breathed in deeply to clear her mind of the last vestiges of sleep, the sound of the waterfalls and birds singing, greeting her with the new day. A gentle tap on her door got her attention, as she saw Idril making her way into the room.
"Good morning Jesse, did you sleep well," the smiling elleth asked as she walked toward the doors to the balcony and opened them to allow the morning air to flood the room. "I really did, Idril," Jesse said with a smile as she sat up in her bed and stretched a slight yawn coming from her lips, "How was your walk in the rose garden last night with a certain Gondorian Lord?" "How did you know," Idril asked in surprise as she pulled out a gown for Jesse to wear that day. "I saw you in the gardens on my way to my room last night and could you get me some cloths so that I can spar in later. Boromir, Aragorn and I want to start training the hobbits in the use of a sword. Now answer my question, how was your walk, I want all the details. Ihave no love of my own so I have to live vicariously through you and Arwen," Jesse said as she made her way to the bathing chamber to splash some cold water on her face.
Coming back into the room she looked up from the towel she was using to dry her face, "Well I am waiting," she said with a laugh, "Don't hold me in suspense." "It was wonderful," Idril, said a dreamy look coming over her face, "Boromir was so perfect." "Ah, so it is Boromir now. Hmmmm," Jesse said with a giggle sitting down on her bed with her hairbrush. As she began to run the brush through her hair, she saw the look of pure horror come over Idril's face, "Idril relax, you did nothing wrong. I am so not a person you have to worry about protocol with. I call him Boromir for goodness sake, and I am sure Boromir is ok with it. In fact I know he is, so don't worry," she said assuring her friend who at that moment looked whiter than the sheets on her bed. Blushing profusely Idril went on, "We talked about our families, he told me about his brother and his father, and I told him about my family. He walked me to my room and," she paused not knowing how to continue. "He what, don't leave me hanging here, Idril, spill," she said encouragingly. "And then he kissed me," Idril added blushing even more. "You go girl," Jesse said with an encouraging smile.
"Now down to business," Jesse announced finishing up her hair, "Let's see that gown you picked out for me. I need to get breakfast out of the way so that I can get down to the training fields." "If you would like I can arrange for lunch to be brought down to the training fields for everyone," Idril asked as she helped Jesse lace up her gown. "That sounds perfect but make sure you come down to watch us work. I know you are going to so love to see Boromir being all manly," Jesse said with a giggle at the dreamy look that reappeared on Idril's face, "Oh and don't forget we are feeding tired hobbits so we will need lots of food." They both shared a knowing laugh as they finished getting ready for the day.