Chapter Seven
"Love Blooms in Winter's Chill and the Departing of the Fellowship"
The coming of winter saw many things for the residence of Rivendell. The blooming of love between Idril, daughter of Haldamir, and Boromir, son of Denethor, was considered a reason to have hope in the future. For it brought the healing of the fragile elleth's spirit and the pair were often seen in the gardens of Imladris, sharing quiet walks and holding hands.
Sadly winter also brought darker things. Orcs had been seen entering the forests that surrounded the sheltered valley, their numbers growing daily. The time of the Fellowship's departure from the safety of the city was drawing nearer and more urgent. Fear was a common emotion that Jesse, sensed as the days went by. She could feel the enemy getting closer with every day that went by.
Finally the night of the twenty-fourth of December arrived, and there was to be a feast in honor of the Fellowships departure the following day, that night. Jesse had sequestered herself in her rooms all day, even having lunch brought to her, so she could finish her last minute preparations. In fine Halliwell fashion she was getting presents ready, for her favorite holiday of the year.
As she was putting the final touches on the last of the gifts when she heard Idril making her way into the room. "Idril, I need you to do me a huge favor," Jesse said not looking up from the bow she was tying on the gift in front of her. "Of course, you only have to ask," Idril said in confusion. "I need you to ask these people to come to my rooms before the feast," Jesse said as looked up finally and handed Idril a list of names. "I will," Idril said smiling as she left the room. She was one of the few people that knew what Jesse had been up to all day and to say she was excited would have been an understatement.
About an hour before the feast was to begin Jesse and Idril had just finished getting ready when people began to arrive. Soon, Jesse's sitting room was filled with the questioning faces of Lord Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Gandalf, Arwen, Aragorn, the twins, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Lindir, and the four hobbits. Looking around she saw the intrigue and questions on their faces as they took in the decorations covering the entire room in the spirit of Christmas.
"I guess you are all wondering why I asked you here," Jesse began nervously, "Well in the world that I grew up in we had a holiday that came on the twenty-fifth of December, it was called Christmas, and it was one of my favorites. It was a tradition in the family I was raised in that we either buy or make gifts for eachother and give them out on the night before Christmas. So in honor of my family's tradition I had gifts made for each of you, since you are my new family," she explained smiling. Walking to the tree, that Idril had helped her make out of a stick of wood draped heavily in fabrics of numerous colors and textures, she picked up some of the gifts and began to hand them out. Once everyone had their gifts she sat back and watched them open them.
For Lord Elrond she had a beautiful, leather bound book crafted, containing herb lore, and healing techniques from her world. For Glorfindel she had the sword smiths craft a pair of intricately designed throwing knives, much like her own. To Gandalf she gave a new pipe and pouch full of pipe weed from the Shire. For Erestor she translated a copy of Bulfinch's Mythology into Sindarin. To Lindir, she gave a book of songs from her world that she translated. For Aragorn, a belt crafted with an intricately carved buckle, which had a triquetra in the center. Boromir received small silver locket with the white tree of Gondor inlayed in the center, on the inside it held a small picture of Idril that Jesse had drawn. Idril and Arwen received similar lockets, though with a tiny picture of Boromir and Aragorn inside. For the twins Jesse had to think long and hard, but she finally found the perfect thing for them. She gave them matching knives, with their names engraved into the blades. For Legolas she had the jewelers of Imladris craft a necklace with the symbol of Mirkwood as its pendant. For Gimli she had a new throwing axe made, to match hers. The hobbits each received new sheaths for their swords. Every one loved their gifts and each hugged Jesse in return.
Once the others had left Jesse asked Arwen and Idril to join her in her bedchambers she still had a special gift for each of them. Walking to her dressing table she pulled out two small boxes and gave one to each of them. "It is another tradition in the Halliwell family to give one of these to each new female member of the family, and since the two of you are now like sisters to me, I thought you should have one," she said with a smile, as she watched each of them look at the simple silver triquetra charms inside the boxes, "The triquetra is a symbol of the Halliwell family and are blessed with a spell of protection," she added showing the other elleth's her matching necklace. "It is my hope that by wearing these you will be kept safe and the enemy's eye will never find you," Jesse said as she placed the necklaces around each of their necks.
"I do not know what to say," Idril said with a teary smile, "I could never repay you for all that you have done for me. Thank you." "Thank you, Jesse, I shall treasure this always and pass on the tradition to my daughters," Arwen said hugging Jesse. "As will I," Idril agreed as the three of them hugged eachother in a fit of teary giggles.
Making their way into the hall outside of Jesse's room a few minutes later, they found Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn waiting for them. Walking through the halls of the Last Homely House the small group chatted about their gifts and the elleth trio showed their matching pendants to their escorts. Aragorn was intrigued to find out that the symbol matched the one on his belt, and to hear the history of the symbol in relation to Jesse's family. He had to admit the idea of Sauron; not being able to see Arwen gave him a bit of comfort and he was sure Boromir felt the same way for Idril.
The dinning hall was a bustle of activity when they arrived, but it soon quieted down and everyone took their seats as Lord Elrond rose to say a few words. "My friends, on the morrow the Fellowship will set out on their quest to Mount Doom. Tonight we feast in their honor and celebrate the courage that they have shown in undertaking this task," he paused looking at each of the faces of the Fellowship members, "May the powers of Eru Ilúvatar and the Valar, guide you and bless you. To the Fellowship of the Ring," with that he raised his goblet in a toast that was echoed through out the hall.
Dinner was a somber affair, everyone was anxious about what was to come. No one knew what the out come would be. Even Jesse was on pins and needles about the journey and she knew for the most part what to expect though it did nothing to alleviate her anxiety. She watched the faces of her companions as they ate their last dinner in the safety of Imladris and she prayed that she would have the strength to keep all of them safe.
That night sleep was not an easy thing for her to find, and when she finally did, she was plagued with dreams of battles she knew she had to win. She dreamed of the battle she knew she would find on shores of the Anduin where she would have to save the life of her friend, and if she failed it could also mean the death of someone she thought of as a sister from the ravages of grief.
Then she saw the battle in the ancient fortress of Helms Deep where she knew she would have to save the life of the strong steadfast March Warden of Lothlórien. For some reason every time she thought of that elf dieing she felt as though a piece of her own soul was being ripped out. She wondered if he could be the elf she had seen in so many dreams as she was growing up. She never saw that elf's face and he was as much a mystery to her as Haldir's was. That night silent tears followed her through her dreams.
As the morning sun began its journey into the sky, Jesse rose from her bed and took what would probably be her last decent bath until they reached Lothlórien. She was dressed and combing her hair when there was a knock on her door, when she opened it she saw Lord Elrond, Glorfindel, and Erestor. Stepping back to allow them to enter she looked at Elrond as he was the first to speak, "You spoke of traditions last night, when you presented us with the gifts, and it is in the name of tradition that we have come here on the morning of your departure from us. In the traditions of our people, when an elf is to go to war, his or her father plats their hair in the traditional warrior braids." Glorfindel continued where Elrond left off, "In the absence of your father that duty falls to the three of us, his friends and companions until the end of his days." "We know that we will never be able to replace your father, and we will never try, but we could not let his daughter go off into a battle without giving her the blessings of a father to his child," Erestor finished.
"I don't know what to say," Jesse said tears streaming down her face, as she hugged each of the great elf lords in turn and they embraced her as if she was their own child. Drying her tears Glorfindel lead her into her bedchamber and helped her to sit down at the dressing table. Taking the brush from her hand, Erestor began to brush the dampness from her hair. Her hair now dry, Erestor and Glorfindel began to plat the sides of her hair, from her temples back behind her pointed ears, working small mithril and emerald beads. Elrond began to plat the back of her hair into an intricate herringbone pattern. When he was done with the braid on the right side of her head, Erestor kissed her temple then exited the bedchamber, returning moments later with her weapons.
Guiding her to a standing position after kissing her on the crown of the head Elrond led her to the center of the room where he helped her into a heavy leather outer shirt. Kissing her left temple Glorfindel began helping her into a pair of leather vambraces. They helped her to pull on her quiver and knifes, and to strap on the different sheaths for her daggers, Jesse soon found herself ready to go. "The rest of the Fellowship is waiting for you in the dinning hall," Elrond said with a gentle smile, "We will join you there shortly. Your pack will be brought down to the courtyard, with the others."
Walking through the corridors of the house Jesse, found she was memorizing each detail, every curve and every line, committed to memory. She knew that it would be sometime before she would ever walk these halls again and she didn't want to forget anything. The sound of the falls in the background, the breeze flowing through the open windows and archways, relaxed her fried emotions.
Nearing the doors to the dinning hall she could hear the voices of the hobbits nervously chatting with Gimli. The sound of their voices brought a happy smile to her face. It made her realize that no matter what she was leaving behind she would be taking a lot with her on the journey. Walking through the doors she was greeted with Pippin's smiling face. "We been waitin' on you Jesse," Merry said as he ran over to join her and Pippin. "Yes, I managed to save you some breakfast," Boromir added as he took her arm and guided her to the table that they were gathering around. Laughing they all quickly ate their breakfast and headed for the courtyard.
As the group gathered near the entrance of the courtyard, leading out of the city, "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you," Elrond said his gaze falling on each of the members one by one. "The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," Gandalf said standing back to allow Frodo to precede him through the gates of the city. "Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right," Frodo asked nervously. "Left," the wizard whispered kindly.Looking back one last time Jesse saw Arwen and Idril standing close to eachother. She spared them a smile and mouthed, "I will watch out for them."
The group made good headway on the first day of travel, "Jessica," Gandalf called when the group decided to stop for the night. "Yes, Gandalf," she replied walking over to the old wizard. "Are you able to use your powers to sense any of the enemy's agents near," he asked trying to keep his voice down. "No Gandalf I don't, and I asked several animals before we stopped for the night. They have not seen anything out of the ordinary in a couple of days," she replied knowing of the wizard's fears. "Very good," he said patting her on the shoulder. "We will be able to have a fire tonight to keep warm," Gandalf announced to the group, "Though I would caution that we keep it as small as possible."
"Jesse can you take first watch," Aragorn asked as the group was preparing to turn in for the night. "Sure, Aragorn, go ahead and get some sleep," she replied taking up position on a stump near the edge of the camp. As the quit of the night descended she could hear the thoughts of the animals that were guarding the small camp with her. The peace was interrupted by the distinct sound of snoring, dwarf snoring to be exact, forcing her to smother a giggle. The rest of her watch came without incident, when Boromir relieved her.
For the next few days it was much the same, the only thing that changed was the terrain in which they walked, when ever possible Jesse, Aragorn and Boromir worked with the hobbits to improve their sword skills. On the eighth day of their journey the fellowship came to a rocky out crop. Jesse knew what was going to happen so she kept her gaze searching the skies. She could hear the sounds of Boromir working with Merry and Pippin on their sword training, and Gimli arguing with Gandalf on their route, soon Legolas joined her and they both watched the skies. "Do you feel it too," she asked not even turning to look at the tall blond elf. "Yes evil is coming," Legolas, said solemnly. "What is that," Sam asked innocently pointing toward the sky they were watching. "Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli replied taking a puff of his pipe. Boromir commented his eyes watching the fuzzy black shape move, "Well, it's moving fast, and against the wind." "Crebain from Dunland," Jesse and Legolas exclaimed in unison. "Hide," Aragorn called as he helped Sam to put out the fire and gather their things, before he and the hobbit ran for cover.
As the groups made their way out of their hiding places after the birds had gone on, Gandalf announced, "Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." "That is so not going to be fun," Jesse commented dryly as she grabbed her things, as the group got ready to leave. "I must agree with you, the hobbits will not have an easy time of it. Even in summer I would not attempt that mountain," Boromir admitted as he and Jesse began to make their way up the hill.
The group made their way up the mountain of Caradhras; the snow began to get deeper. Walking to up the slope a little quicker than most of the group save Legolas, Jesse made her way to Frodo's side. "How are you holding up, Frodo," Jesse asked looking down at the small hobbit next to her. "I am alright, though I do wish the snow was not quite so deep," he said as he tried to make another step. "Here give me your hand and I will help you balance a bit better," Jesse offered, taking the hobbit's small hand in her own. "Thank you," he said as the pair made their way up the snow-covered mountain.
By the end of the day the Fellowship had made a small camp in a small cave. There wasn't much room but the cramped space kept body heat from escaping so easily. Opening her bag Jesse supplied some small pieces of dried wood that she managed to find on the way up the mountain. "Why did I not think of that," Aragorn said shaking his head. Jesse handed him a small amount of the wood to get the fire going. "I will transfigure the rest of these to give us a supply that will get us through the night," she said closing her eyes and concentrating on the sticks and twigs in her hands. Soon her hands were filled with a nice pile of small logs. "Now that could come in handy," Gandalf said with a knowing smile as he packed his pipe. "If we have to build anymore fires though, I will have to transfigure logs out of things we don't need in our packs," Jesse commented as she thought about their trip up the mountain. Soon a small fire was going and everyone snuggled close to it as Sam went about fixing a small dinner. Once their bellies were full, Jesse and Legolas offered to split up the watch into two shifts since neither of them needed as much sleep or warmth as the rest of the Fellowship.
Morning found the Fellowship battling a blizzard to get over the mountain. Through the howling wind, Jesse could hear the sound of a voice chanting, "Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse, nai yarvaxea rasselya!" "There is a fell voice on the air," Legolas shouted his voice not carrying so well in the wind. "It's Saruman," Gandalf exclaimed as a bolt of lightening struck the side of the mountain just above their heads, sending rocks and snow tumbling down the mountainside barely missing them.
"Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo nuitho i 'ruith," Gandalf chanted, loudly over the sound of the wind, trying in vain to quiet the mountain's wrath. The voice of Saruman continued to chant, "Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse, nai yarvaxea rasselya; talhira notto-carinnar!" Suddenly another avalanche begins just over the heads of the Fellowship burying everyone in a deep cold blanket of snow. Jesse was not sure if she or Legolas managed to break through the icy surface first but they quickly worked together to aid the others in digging out of the freezing blanket.
Jesse took a look at her companions Gandalf, was much heartier than he looked, she and Legolas did not feel the cold as mortals did, Gimli's body was better able to cope with the elements, Aragorn and Boromir both had heavy clothing that allowed them to deal with the weather better as well, but the poor little hobbits were practically blue from the cold, she knew they could not last much longer. "We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan," Boromir shouted holding tightly to the forms of a shivering Merry and Pippin. "The Gap of Rohan takes us to close to Isengard," Aragorn yelled as the wind began to get even worse, even with her superior hearing, Jesse barely heard him. "If we cannot go over the mountain, let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria," Gimli suggested. Even though she knew he would suggest Moria, she still could not help the shutter that went through her at the thought.
She only had to look at Gandalf to know he was thinking about what those poor dwarves had uncovered in those mines. "Let the Ring-bearer decide. Frodo," he said in a subdued voice already knowing what the hobbit's choice would be. He only glanced at Jesse briefly but he knew that was the route they were meant to take. "We will go through the mines," Frodo said from his place, held tightly in Aragorn's left arm, his cloak held tightly in his little hand to try and shield his face from the biting snow. "So be it," the wizard stated firmly, though Jesse could see hesitation in his eyes, she knew he would play his part in this leg of the journey.
Luckily for the tired and cold group the journey down the mountain was much easier. Once the snow was shallow enough the hobbits were able to walk on their own, with just the occasional assistants from the others in the group. By the time they reached the remains of the old road that led to the ancient city of the dwarves, night was quickly beginning to fall. They quickly found a place in which to make camp for the night and built a good fire to prepare a much-needed hot meal.
After dinner the group settled down for the night, with Jesse taking first watch. Not long after the others had went to sleep the sounds of howls began to pierce the cold night air. Quickly moving to Legolas's side, she woke him quickly and asked, "Legolas, there are howls surrounding us. Can you tell if they are wolves or wargs?" "Those are the howls of a warg," he said in disgust, "They are the servants of the enemy. Hurry build the fire up I shall wake the others," he added already making his way to Aragorn's side. Jesse quickly built the fire up so that it roared to life shedding a bright orange glow about the small clearing that they were camped in.
"Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, you guys stay close to the fire in the center of the camp and stay alert," Jesse ordered as she pulled an arrow and notched it as she walked to stand a few feet from Boromir. The twang of an arrow leaving the string was, quickly followed by the sound of a yelp as Legolas shot the first beast that came close enough. Being a wood-elf gave him an advantage even over Jesse, for she would not have even seen the warg from that far away in the dark.
She unfortunately got her chance to shoot the next one as they began to advance on the small group around the fire, more quickly. Their bows quickly became useless as the wargs were now surrounding the group in an ever-tightening circle. Shouldering her bow quickly she grabbed her father's twin fighting knives, spinning around and slicing through the first wargs throat that dared to get close enough to her. Ducking quickly she pulled one of her daggers from her boot and threw it at one of the creatures as it was coming up on Boromir's blind side. When she stood back up and turned back toward the direction she had been facing she saw Aragorn slice the head off of one of the foul beasts, and yet still more seemed to pour out of the forests around them.
"They are trying to hem us in like sheep," Jesse screamed, "Sam pour as much wood as we have on the fire and build it up as best you can and you guys stay close to that fire. They fear the flames," she added not even turning around as another warg had come up from her left side. She just had enough time to roll out of the way as it fell dead right where she had been the throwing axe she had given Gimli firmly planted between its eyes.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jesse saw Gandalf was holding his own quite well with Glamdring, tasting quite a bit of warg flesh. A flash of brown fur brought her attention to the right. A warg was stalking slowly toward the hobbit's position; having snuck through the tight formation the Fellowship had created, when Legolas and Aragorn were both busy killing two of its buddies. Spinning around, she called over her shoulder, "Boromir, watch my back there is one of them going for the hobbits." Using its hind quarters as a platform Jesse, jumped onto the back of the warg and used both of her knives to slice clean through its throat, felling it just inches from Pippin's unprotected left side. Just as she climbed off the back of the dead warg, the entire clearing burst with light as Gandalf cast a fire spell on the dead trees in the area, flooding the small clearing with light.
The sudden blast of flames sent the remaining wargs fleeing from the area; the only sound remaining was the sound of tired breathing and crackling flames. "I believe it would be best if we leave the area before they have the chance to regroup," Jesse suggested as the tired group began to congregate around the slowly dying fire. "A good suggestion, it will not take them long to regain their courage. We would be best served to use the light of the full moon to make for the Walls of Moria, with much hast," Gandalf agreed with a nod of his head.