Chapter Thirteen
"Leavin' On A Jet Plane Or Something Like That"
As Jesse walked out of the bedchamber strapping her sword onto her waist, a knock sounded on the door of the talan. Rúmil answered the door opening it wide to allow the person on the other side to enter the house; it was the metal smith that Jesse had talked to. "My Lady, I have the items you requested," he said holding out a intricately carved box. Opening the lid Jesse could not withhold the gasp that escaped her lips. "Oh.. They are so beautiful. Thank you so much for getting them made so quickly," she said with a smile as she looked at the matching pair of lockets. The designs were almost identical; the only difference being that on the locket that Jesse intended to carry the mellorn leaves were more prominent and on the one she was planning to leave with her husband the triquetra was more prominent.
Walking over to the table Jesse picked up her sketches and began to look through them. Finding the ones she needed she went to her pack and retrieved her first aid sissors, and carefully cut each tiny drawing to fit the lockets. She then affixed the pictures into their new homes with a tiny tube of glue that she carried in her pack for emergencies. Satisfied with her work she walked back into the bedchamber that she shared with Haldir.
As he stood in front of the mirror braiding his hair back in its usual braids she walked up behind him and placed the necklace she had had made for him around his neck and kissed his cheek. Looking down and touching the charm that now rested against his chest he asked, "What is this?" "It is called a locket. Inside is a picture of me that I asked Rúmil to draw. I have the mate to it and I drew a picture of you to carry inside," Jesse explained as she watched him open the locket and gaze at the picture it contained. "It is beautiful my love, I shall cherish it always," he said taking her into his arms and kissing her gently on the lips. "I am going to miss you so much," Jesse, said her eyes glassy with unshed tears as the kiss came to an end. "We shall see eachother soon my love," he assured in a solemn voice as he kissed the corner of her mouth softly, "And when this business of war is finished we shall never be parted again."
Making their way out of the talan Jesse and Haldir were soon joined by his brothers and Lórwyn and Ailinel and the quiet and solemn group made their way toward the Fellowship's pavilion. As they neared the pavilion they could hear the rest of the Fellowship making ready to leave. Gimli who had been assisting Merry and Pippin with their packs was the first to notice Jesse and her companions. He silently made his way over to Jesse and laid his gloved hand on her arm in a silent show of loyalty, that brought a sad smile to the elleth's face, before he walked over to his own pack.
When all was ready the group began to make their way toward the banks of the Anduin. As they arrived Jesse was the first to notice the presence of the Lady and Lord of the Wood. Making her way toward the Lady, she bent her head in silent greeting before being enveloped in a comforting embrace from the Lady of Light. Galadriel's comforting presence in her mind lent her a bit of strength to make it through what was to come.
The Fellowship lined up as the Lord Celeborn began to speak, "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people," as several elves draped beautiful elven cloaks on each member of the Fellowship, "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Jesse smiled up at Haldir as he pinned a cloak around her shoulders. Once he was finished he placed a chaste kiss upon her lips.
Now properly garbed by the elves of Lórien, the Lady of Light stepped forward and spoke to members of the Fellowship one by one and presented a gift to each of them. "My gift to you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin," she said as Legolas carefully received the bow and held it reverently. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war," she said turning her attention to Merry and Pippin, "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage," she added caressing the side of Pippin's face tenderly. "For you Boromir of Gondor, I give to you a belt worn by your ancestor during the Siege of Barad-dûr. May it give you strength when you are in the most need," she said presenting the Gondorian with an intricately carved belt made of mithril and gold. Jesse watched as Boromir's eyes took on a glazed look of awe. "For you Jessica, two gifts, for I see your great need of them," the Lady said as she smiled at the young elleth, "The first was given to my Lord husband after the death of your father, is a bow of the Galadhrim crafted for him by Celeborn himself," Galadriel paused as she saw the look of disbelief pass over Jesse's face as she lovingly held her father's bow in her trembling hands, "The second gift I give to you is this crystal, may it guide you in your time of most need," she added handing Jesse a crystal of the purest amethyst. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain," she said placing a coil of silver rope in the hands of the hobbit. "Thank you, my lady," Sam said appreciatively, then blushing he added, "Have you run out of those nice shiny daggers?" as he glanced at Merry and Pippin admiring their new daggers, causing the lady to smile. Next the Galadriel stepped up to Gimli and Jesse tried valiantly to hide the smile at the instant blush that crept into her dwarf friend's cheeks at the Lady's words, "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Even Jesse and Legolas had a hard time hearing what the dwarf's reply was but Jesse already knew the answer. When the Lady of Light stepped up to the future king of Gondor she spoke with great affection as she touched the Evenstar pendant that hung from his neck, "I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear," she paused for a moment then added solemnly "For her love. I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish." "I would have her leave these shores and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor," Aragorn said sadly at the loss of his love as the Lady gently caressed his cheek. "That choice is yet before her," Galadriel said in contemplation before adding, "You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the heights of all your fathers since the days of Elendil. Or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin. Namárië. There is much you have yet to do, Elessar." Finally the Lady of Light stepped before the Ring Bearer, "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out," she said as she handed the young hobbit a small crystal bottle.
As Jesse was helping to load supplies into the boats, she felt a hand on her arm, turning she came face to face with the Lord of the Golden Wood. "I would very much like to speak with you before the Fellowship departs," Lord Celeborn said as he led Jesse to a more secluded spot to talk. "Of course my Lord," Jesse said smiling. "I would first like to tell you that this morning I received word from scouts telling me that Lord Glorfindel's group had just passed through the Gap of Rohan and our now nearing our wood. Also as you suspected the creature Gollum is tracking you. I have already alerted Aragorn to this but felt you should know as well. Be safe my child, until next we meet," he paused kissing Jesse gently on the crown of her head, "Namárië." "Thank you my Lord. Namárië," she replied smiling up at the wise elf lord.
Walking back toward the boats Jesse spotted Haldir standing on a massive tree root that jetted out into the river, he was looking toward the south in the direction his wife was about to travel. "I will be okay Haldir," Jesse said as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I do not doubt that you are capable warrior, my love. I only wish that parting did not have to come," he said turning so that he could hold her close to him. Tilting her head up toward his, their lips met in a gentle caress that slowly built in intensity.
The gruff clearing of a throat brought them back into reality. Looking toward the disturbance Jesse came face to face with a pair of blushing faces. Thought for his part Legolas was trying to remain somewhat reserved. Gimli however was as red as his beard, causing both Jesse and Haldir to laugh quietly. "Lass, Aragorn asked that the elf and I tell you that we are ready to leave," the dwarf said sadly seeing the glassy look of Jesse's eyes. "Thank you Gimli, I will be right there," she replied her voice tight with emotion.
Turning her attention back to her husband Jesse's tear glazed eyes searched his face, taking in every little detail. "I guess…" Jesse began before being pulled tightly against Haldir's body. In silence the pair made their way toward the boats. It took every ounce of strength Jesse had in her to release her husband's hand after he helped climb into the board she was sharing with Legolas and Gimli. Her eyes never left his as their boat glided away from the shore and began to drift further and further away from the safety of Lothlórien. Tears fell freely from Jesse's eyes when even her elven sight was not sufficient enough to see Haldir.
"Lass, you going to be alright?" Gimli asked from his seat in the center of the boat. "Yeah, Gimli, I will be alright," she replied moving the ore she held in her trembling hands. Gimli laid a gloved hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze of silent support as the Fellowship steered their tiny elven boats into the main flow of the Anduin.
As the current began to push their boat forward Jesse allowed herself the time to relax and watch as the world went by. Closing her eyes she let her mind wander from the confines of her own body and reach out too Haldir. His calming presence in her mind gave her the strength she needed to get past the pain of their separation. The next time she would see him she knew that it would be with the treat of Isengard looming over them like a evil fog.
Just as the sun began to set in the west, the trio of boats made their way to the banks of the river for the night. Their evening meal was a quiet affair with everyone thinking back on what they had left behind in the Golden Wood. Feeling a nudge on her arm Jesse looked down and saw Pippin looking up at her with sad knowing eyes, "Ya, miss him already, don't ya?" "Yeah Pip, I do, but at least I can still feel him in my heart and for now that will have to be enough," she said with a reassuring smile as she allowed the hobbit to curl up next to her and use her arm for a pillow. Closing her eyes she allowed her heart to pour out a quiet song to give voice to her emotions.
"All my bags are packed,
I'm ready to go,
I'm standing here outside the door,
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.
But the dawn is breaking it's surely morn,
The taxi is waiting, he's blown his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die.
So kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you'll wait for me,
Hold me like you'll never let me go.
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh babe, I hate to go.
So many times I let you down,
So many times I played around,
And I tell you now, they don't mean a thing.
Every place I go I'll think of you,
Every song I sing I'll sing for you.
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring.
So kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you'll wait for me,
Hold me like you'll never let me go.
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh babe, I hate to go.
Now the time has come to leave you,
One more time let me kiss you,
Close your eyes, I'll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come,
When I wont have to leave alone
About the times, I wont have to say
Oh kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you'll wait for me,
Hold me like you'll never let me go.
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh babe, I hate to go."
(Leaving On A Jet Plane "John Denver")
Not saying a word Jesse got up carefully from her spot and gently laid the young hobbit down on her bedroll before making her way to the edge of the small camp to take up the first watch. Taking a seat on a fallen log she allowed the sounds of the night to give her the peace she needed. She could feel the malice of Saruman already bearing down upon them though there was no immediate threat she still kept her eyes pealed for any sign of danger. She also could feel rather than see the presence of Gollum, their silent stalker since the mines of Moria.
Around mid night she caught a glimpse of the creatures eyes just as Aragorn made his way up to her. "He has been tracking us since Moria," she commented her eyes locked with that of the creature. "Aye, he is too clever a water rat to be swayed by the river," he replied as he took a seat next to her.
They sat in silence for several minutes, just watching the refection of the moon on the waters of the great river, before Jesse worked up the courage to finally confront the reluctant king. "Aragorn, I need to speak to you about something," Jesse said deciding that she had waited long enough to confront the future King of Gondor. With a nod of his head he asked, "Of what is it you wish to speak?" "I know you are not going to like this but out of everyone you know I am probably the only one truly qualified to talk to you about this. We both have a future responsibility that neither of us wants but we have to face it for the good of all of Middle Earth. The elves that remain in Arda will look to me as their leader and the men of this world will look to you for that same leadership," she paused for a minute to think of what to say next, "I know you don't want the crown. Hell I don't want the one I am going to end up with, but for all that we hold dear we must bare the weight of the job or else everything we are fighting for now will be swept aside and our people lost. Aragorn I grew up in a world where elves did not exist. Where the trees have lost their voice. It is a future that I want to prevent from happening with everything that I have in me," she declared looking up at him with a determined gaze, "But to pull it off I am going to need the help of someone I trust. Elves and men will have to work together to make this work and I know only one person qualified to lead the world of men into something like this. You have it in you to be the greatest king Gondor has ever seen you just have to be willing to accept it, and you will not be alone I promise. You will have all of us to help you and you will have the love and strength of Arwen. She will not sail and leave you behind, you are the only true love she has ever known and you don't give that up without a fight."
She watched, as he seemed to absorb her words in utter silence before whispering quietly in a pleading voice, "Please don't make me have to face this alone." With that she got up from her seat and made her way back into the camp to get a little sleep and to allow Aragorn to think in peace. Closing her eyes as she laid down upon her bedroll she allowed her mind to seek out her love in her dreams.
Soon she found herself standing in the same courtyard where she and Haldir had bound to one another. Looking around she saw a tall blond figure standing near the edge of the pond watching as the water of the falls trickled down the carved stone, his back turned toward her. "Glorfindel will reach the city by morning," he said turning and opening his arms to pull her close to him, the feel of his arms around her brought a since of calm to her heart. "I know I felt him drawing near as we were leaving the wood," she replied as she looked up into his beautiful gray eyes.
Her heart began to pound as he bent his head towards hers and captured her lips in a heated kiss. Their lips never parted as he guided her to lie on a soft bed of moss and clover and began to remove the clothing that hid her body from his eyes. As his lips and tongue began to lavish attention to her breasts her breathing began to become come out in moans of anticipation and ecstasy. She wrapped her legs around his hips as their bodies became one and he began a slow torturous rhythm inside of her. The intensity of their mutual release was like the explosion of a star. With a trembling hand Jesse caressed the line of his jaw staring into his eyes with an unending love.
She found herself fighting to keep her eyes open as exhaustion began to take her. "Sleep my love this shall not be the last time we are able to meet like this," Haldir assured as he pulled her close to his body and kissed the crown of her head, "You will need your strength in the days to come." "I know you are right," she replied her eyes growing heavy and finally closing as she added, "I love you Haldir." "And I you my love, now sleep I shall guard your dreams," were the last words she heard as she slipped into a deep sleep, his arms still holding her tightly.
The warmth of the early morning sun brought Jesse into the waking world. Sitting up she allowed her eyes to take in the forms of her companions with a smile on her face. The hobbits were gathered around the campfire chatting quietly and they were the first to notice her awake. "Come on Miss Jesse, come get ya some warm breakfast before Pippin here eats it all," Sam said swatting the younger hobbit's hand away from the plate he had made for Jesse. Walking over and taking a seat next to Frodo, Jesse smiled down at the hobbit turned camp cook and said, "Thank you Sam, breakfast does sound really good right now." "Oh an here Boromir said you would probably be wantin' a cup of this elvish tea," Sam added handing her a metal cup of coffee. "It is called coffee in the world I grew up in Sam and thank you. I just don't get started right until I have a cup of this stuff," she said inhaling the comforting smell of the freshly made coffee, "You don't know how relieved I was when I found out that they had this in Middle Earth," she added before taking a sip and savoring the warming affects it had on her body. Soon the Fellowship was back in their boats and continuing down the river.
As the first few days on the river went by they found themselves back in their comfortable rhythm as a group. Jesse, Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir would paddle the boats during the day and when evening fell the group would gather around the fire and enjoy their dinner, before settling down for the night. They all felt the presence of the enemy barring down on them and knew they could not allow their guards to go down. Each night at the end of her watch Jesse would lay on her bedroll and allow her dreams to take her back into her love's arms.
On the fifth day on the river things began to change. At first it was small things like the sounds of wildlife changing in alarm. It was decided that it would be safer for them to continue during the nightly hours and hide themselves from the enemy's view by day. In the early hours of the of the tenth day on the river they came in site of a pair of tall statues carved right out of the cliff sides that made up the banks of the river. Jesse over heard Aragorn explain to Frodo and Sam that the two kings featured were his ancestors Isildur and Anárion, the Argonath. Jesse found herself in awe at what it must have taken to construct these massive statues. As the boat that she helped to pilot glided past the massive statues a huge lake came into her view, and she found herself swallowing back a lump that had formed in her throat at what she knew was to come.