"Warg Breath"
A small hand against the side of her cheek brought Jesse into the waking world. Looking up she saw Brigid looking down into her eyes with curiosity. "How did you sleep sweetheart?" she asked as she pulled herself up into a sitting position. A shy smile was her reply and she took it as a good sign, "I hope that means you slept well," she stated as she stood up and helped the little girl to join her. Looking around she saw the others gathered near the fire and took the small girl's hand in her own and led her over for breakfast, "What do you say we get over there and get breakfast before Boromir and Gimli eat it all?" Brigid laughed and nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Good morning Jesse and you as well Little One," Boromir said with a smile at the blushing child next to his friend. "Good morning guys, I do hope you saved us some breakfast," Jesse said with a smile as she sat down next to Gimli and smiled as the dwarf handed the appreciative little girl a big red apple. "Here you go Lass. I managed to save you one of these fine apples to go with your meal," Gimli said smiling at the glee that shown in the child's eyes.
As Gimli proceeded to entertain Brigid with his father's stories of adventures he had with Bilbo, Jesse took the opportunity to finish her breakfast quickly, she wanted to talk to Aragorn before they set out again. Once she was done she stood up looking down at the laughing toddler and said, "Brigid I am going to go find one of my friends. I will be back shortly ok." "You go right ahead Lass," Gimli said looking up at her, "The little Lass will be just fine with Boromir and me." "I won't be long I promise. I just need to talk to Aragorn a minute," she said as she waved by to her daughter with a happy smile.
She soon found the ranger talking to Legolas on the edge of the main camp. Aragorn looked up and smiled at her as she approached and asked, "How did little Brigid sleep last night?" "She did fine. Gimli is currently entertaining her with stories about Gloin and Bilbo," she said with a smile before adding in Sindarin, "I need to speak with you and Legolas for a bit." "What is it that has you worried?" Aragorn asked taking her lead and speaking in the language of the elves. "Are you able sense anything that I am not?" the elvin prince asked looking seriously at her and giving the elleth his complete attention. "I feel like something is going to happen today. I can't explain it any further than that but please be on your guard," Jesse said her voice quiet so only Legolas and Aragorn could hear her words. "I will take your words to heart for your gifts have never led us astray," Aragorn replied looking into Jesse's knowing eyes. "I am in agreement with Aragorn and I shall keep watch during our journey today," Legolas added sensing the relief from the elleth next to him. "I just think Saruman is planning something. Especially with Wormtongue now doubt at his side," Jesse said in disgust at the name of the wizard that had already caused so much grief. "You may be correct in this. I find am concerned what Saruman may have planned that he has not yet revealed," Aragorn agreed solemnly.
As she made her way back to the Fellowship's camp Jesse couldn't help but smile at the image before her. Boromir and Gimli were walking toward her and the Gondorian had Brigid perched upon his shoulders laughing happily. "You know Boromir, I may just have to tell Idril how good of a father you will make someday," Jesse said giving a wink to the now laughing dwarf in their company. "I packed up your things for you Lass," Gimli said handing Jesse her pack. "Thanks Gimli. I think the King Théoden will be ready to leave shortly," Jesse said as she shouldered her pack and joined her friends in walking to where their horses were grazing happily.
Seeing the joy in her daughter's eyes at the sight of Swiftwind, Jesse asked, "Are you ready to ride Brigid. I know Swiftwind can't wait to meet you. Would you like to meet him?" The child reached her arms toward Jesse, letting her know she wanted to get down and see the horses. Reaching up she plucked her daughter off of Boromir's shoulders and set her down gently on the ground. Walking hand in hand they made their way over to Swiftwind who had walked up to greet them. "Swiftwind my friend I would like you to meet Brigid," she said as she stroked the horse's muzzle with her free hand, "And Brigid this is Swiftwind. He is my very dear friend and will carry us on our journey today." They all watched as the horse gently nuzzled the child's outstretched hand before he gracefully lowered his head in silent reverence to the girl. "He says that he is honored to meet you," Jesse went on as she knelt down next to her daughter with a smile at the awe on the little girls face. "P-P-Pr-Pretty," Brigid said shakily as she looked at the beautiful horse before her. "Yes he is a very pretty horse isn't he," Jesse agreed, a silent tear slid down her cheek at the joy of hearing her daughter speak for the first time since her father's death. She looked up at her companions as they both smiled as well.
Soon Aragorn, Legolas, Èowyn and the king joined the group. Théoden looked to Boromir and quietly asked, "What has brought such joy to you?" "The little one has spoken," the Gondorian said not turning his attention from the child now talking quietly to horses. "Oh what a wondrous thing!" Èowyn cried as tears of joy slipped from her eyes unhindered. "That it is. That it is indeed," the king agreed with a smile as he walked over and knelt down next to the small child his knowing gaze locking with that of her new mother's.
It was not long before the orphaned little girl had wrapped the King of Rohan around her little pudgy finger and was quite content to ride with him upon his great horse Snowmane, while her mother was scouting ahead for danger. The unusual pair garnered a lot of attention by many of the king's loyal subjects. The smile that they saw on Théoden's face was one that they believed they would never again see and it brought joy and hope to many of their hearts.
Èowyn found her own heart lightened by the new found joy the little girl had brought to her grief stricken uncle and for once the smile she wore upon her face was a genuine one. Looking ahead she caught sight of the elleth responsible for helping to bring such relief to her family and one small child, she was scouting ahead with Háma and they were both looking in the direction of a ridgeline that ran along the banks of the small lake they were passing. Suddenly she saw her new friend visibly stiffen and draw her bow. It was then that she saw what had made the elleth react the way she had, a warg was bounding over the ridgeline heading straight toward Háma's unprotected left side. Before she had a chance to scream she witnessed Jesse shooting the foul creature then shoulder her bow and withdraw her knives. With a speed that she had never before seen she witnessed the elleth's skill as she quickly dispatched with the orc that had ridden upon the warg.
"What is it? What do you see?" Théoden asked as Aragorn ran toward him. "Wargs! We are under attack," Jesse said as she ran up as well and retrieved her daughter from Snowmane's back. "All riders to the head of the column," the king ordered quickly as he nodded to the elleth standing next to him in agreement before he rode over to his niece, "You must lead the people to Helm's Deep, and make haste." "But I can fight," she defended pleadingly. "No! You must do this... for me," he said as he looked down into her eyes.
"Èowyn, please I need you to take Brigid and get her to safety," Jesse said coming to the king's rescue, "My place is here with my friends but your people need you to lead them. I need to know she is safe Èowyn please," she begged locking her pleading gaze with that of the niece of the king. "Make for the lower ground," Èowyn announced to the refugees as she took a crying Brigid into her arms, "I will guard her with my life," she added looking at the tears that glistened in Jesse's eyes. "I know you will," the elleth replied smiling gratefully at her friend, she then kissed Brigid on the top of her head and whispered, "I will see you soon sweetie. Don't worry about me," looking back up to Èowyn she ordered, "Go.. Go.. Quickly." "Stay together," the shield maiden ordered as she carried her precious cargo toward the refugees.
"Come on Gimli," Jesse said as she sprang onto Swiftwind's back, "We can't let Legolas have all the fun." "Yes!" the dwarf yelled as the pair joined the rest of the riders. Legolas continued to fire into the on coming warg riders until Jesse and Gimli arrived and he jumped gracefully onto Arod's back in front of his dwarven friend. The pair of elves never stopped their firing as they cleared a path through the on rushing army, giving the men of Rohan a better advantage.
As the battle continued Jesse saw Gimli become pinned under a fallen warg and rider. From her position she was unable to help the dwarf as another warg began to advance on his trapped form, thinking quickly she shouted a warning to Aragorn who was much closer and the ranger dispatched the warg efficiently with a spear to its unguarded chest. Looking around as the numbers of the enemy began to dwindle her gaze fell on that of the king. He was doing will against an orc that had been knocked from its mount but this left him unguarded from the rear and the now rider less warg was preparing to launch itself at Théoden. Using the same move she had used during the warg attack near Moria, she launched herself onto the creatures back and severed the main arteries of its neck with her twin blades felling the beast less than a foot from the stunned king of Rohan. The pair locked eyes and with a quick nod they both rejoined the fight.
As the battle came to an end the survivors began the grim task of searching and tending to the wounded. At the sound of Legolas calling for Aragorn, Jesse looked up from the wounded man she had been tending to and looked around her. Reaching out with her mind she searched for the missing ranger and realized he had already been swept miles from them by the current of the river that ran swiftly below them at the base of the plateau. Her mind reached even further and she felt the now calm brush of Brego's thoughts in her mind. Once she was sure that the horse would go and aid her friend she walked to the edge of the cliff to join Boromir, Legolas and Gimli.
"Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead," the king ordered as he looked to his trusted guard Gamling, before he turned and looked at the shocked prince of Mirkwood adding sadly, "Come." "He is right Legolas we need to get the wounded to Helm's Deep," Jesse said as she looked up into her friend's eyes, "Keep this Aragorn will want it back when he returns. Because I know this will not be his end," she added closing his hand around the Evenstar pendant that had been ripped from their friend's neck. "She is right Lad," Gimli agreed taking comfort in Jesse's words. With one last look at the river below them the four of them turned and headed back to the king and his men.
After helping one of the injured men onto Swiftwind's back Jesse mounted and turned the horse to join Théoden, Gamling and Háma. Théoden looked turned his attention to her as she approached and silently nodded his head to her before he announced, "We ride." Jesse allowed Swiftwind to guide them over the rough terrain as she reached out her mind once more to check on her absent friend. What she found lightened her heart greatly. In his unconscious dreams Aragorn's mind had returned to his love. This simple fact brought a smile to the elleth's face as they made their way toward the stronghold of the Rohirrim.
As early afternoon approached the king got Jesse's attention, and he pointed toward the massive stone structure at the base of a deep ravine in front of them. Spurring their horses into a quick gallop they made their way toward the imposing structure and as the gates swung open to receive them Jesse let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as she looked down at the weakened man before her. Near the end of their ride to the king's stronghold, the man began to burn with fever and lost consciousness.
When they came to a stop Théoden dismounted speaking quickly to his niece, "Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives," he said as he helped Jesse with the injured man on her horse. "I am going to need to assist your healers with his wounds they are much to grave for the medicine of men," she said gravely locking her gaze with the king, "His fever burns much to high for the herbs your people use." "Your assistance is greatly appreciated in this matter dear Lady," the king said graciously as a stretcher arrived to bare away the injured man. "I will instruct the healers in the use of the few herbs that I have with me," Jesse said with a determined smile, "I only wish that we had more. I fear we will need them sooner rather than later," she added as she walked away with the men carrying the wounded man.
Once inside the caves Jesse quickly set to work having a few women set to work boiling water for various healing teas and having others preparing bandages for the wounded that were already there as well as the more she was sure would come far to soon. The healers of Rohan were very quick in learning the uses of the few herbs that she had with her as well as herbs in their own stores that were good for more than just seasoning their food.
It was late in the afternoon when she finally emerged from the caves certain that the man she had brought with her would survive and that the healers were prepared as much as possible for the coming battle. Walking along the battlements she allowed herself a chance to just breath the open air and look out over the surrounding country. Èowyn was watching over a sleeping Brigid and she needed a few moments to clear her mind for what was to come. It was there that Legolas found her a few minutes later. "Do not despair for him Legolas," she said as she turned to face the elf that had become her good friend, "He is on his way back to us as we speak," she added turning her attention back toward the direction she knew the ranger would come. "You are able to sense him?" Legolas asked hopefully, his face brightening with the prospect. "Yes, I am, and you listen up good. He will not only return to us but he will return with much needed information about the movements of the enemy," the elleth advised with a determined air. "I will hold to your council, my friend," he said with a soft smile then ruefully added, "With such council you shall make a great queen of our people." Looking up into his laughing eyes Jesse couldn't help but smile and say, "Don't go getting cocky my princeling friend. You will someday be finding yourself leading our people as well." Turning back toward the countryside below Jesse could see the form of a lone rider approaching at a great rate of speed. "Legolas, look," she said pointing toward the ranger as he sped toward them. "He has returned," the prince breathed as he ran down the stairs leading toward the gates with Jesse in tow.
"You're late. You look terrible," Legolas said as he took in Aragorn's weary form, causing both the ranger and Jesse to laugh. "State the obvious why don't you Legolas," she said as she hugged the tired ranger and added, "I see Brego found you like I asked him too." "Yes he found me, though I did not know you had sent him. Thank you," Aragorn said smiling appreciatively down at the smiling elleth. "Well if I had left it to you, you would still be walking. Now wouldn't you?" she said with a playful smile, "It is good to have you back Aragorn," she added as they began to walk toward the king's hall, where the king was going over the defense plans with Boromir, Gamling, and Háma.
As the group made their way into the king's chambers there was a collective gasp from everyone within upon sight of the ranger they all believed to be dead. "A great host you say?" Théoden asked looking up from his maps to Aragorn once the shock had worn off. "All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn supplied as he looked to the king. "How many?" Boromir asked looking toward his friend and future king. "Ten thousand at least," the future king answered, "It is an army bred for one purpose to destroy the world of men." "How long do we have before they arrive?" Jesse asked even though she already knew the answer. "They will be here by nightfall," Aragorn said turning his attention to the elleth. "Let them come," Théoden declared with conviction and determination.
Everyone made their way outside and began to walk along the battlements seeing to the preparations. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall," the king instructed as they walked, "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall, or set foot inside the Hornburg." "This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk Hai; their armor is thick and their shields broad," Gimli protested as he walked next to Boromir. "I have fought in many wars, master dwarf. I know how to defend my own Keep," Théoden defended looking down at the dwarf, "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hoards will pillage and burn; we've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown... homes, rebuilt. Within these walls, we will out last them," he said with conviction.
As they came to a stop, Jesse looked to the king, knowing where the conversation was heading and advised, "King Théoden there is one thing I do not believe you have taken into consideration. Grima knows about the defenses of this fortress and he will have told Saruman everything, I am sure of it. The culvert there along the wall is a weak point and Saruman will know how to breach it I am sure. I would advise not putting your men directly over that. If that section of the wall fails you could loose many good men. I won't even try to tell you how to run your kingdom but I do know what a wizard like Saruman is capable of." "I will take your suggestion thank you Lady Jessica, for I do see the wisdom in your words," the king answered graciously. "Now if you gentlemen will excuse me I need to make certain that Brigid is settled in the caves," she said as she walked away. She knew that they would most likely still argue and Théoden might not take her advice but at least she had tried and for now that was good enough. At least she could make sure that none of the elves that were coming would be placed there.
Making her way down the stairs and toward the entrance to the caves Jesse saw many of men and boys being sent to the armory. It nearly ripped her heart out watching the heart breaking scenes of sons being dragged from their desperate mothers. She couldn't hold back the tears that slipped from her eyes at the thought of so many not returning to their families. 'I just hope Théoden listens to me,' she thought as Èowyn approached her.
"I am to be sent into the caves," Èowyn stated in frustration. "I know it isn't what you want Èowyn but I think you are the best person to guard those people in there. If the battle goes bad, Uruks may get into the caves and the women will need someone to lead them in defense of their children," Jesse said looking into her friend's eyes. "But you are going to fight," Èowyn countered determined to get her way. "Yes but I am a powerful witch on top of being a skilled warrior. I may be able to use my magic to keep your people alive," the elleth replied, "Èowyn there is a battle for you to fight but it is not here. Your time will come and you will be able to fight the battle you so desperately are seeking. It just isn't here," seeing that her friend was about to argue with her more Jesse added, "Èowyn I have the gift of foresight and if I say something is going to happen I am usually never wrong. There will come a time when your uncle is going to need you and you have to be alive to help him. If you fight here tonight you will most likely fall and not be there when Théoden really needs you the most." "I," Èowyn started to say but was cut off. "Don't say anything, just go find your uncle and wish him well," Jesse said as she embraced the now solemn woman, "I am going to go and check on Brigid while I still have the time."
It did not take Jesse long to locate Brigid, she was sitting up on the bedroll that Jesse had laid out for her playing with a rough cloth doll that an older child had given her. "Hey now there is my little bit of sunshine," Jesse said walking over and picking the smiling child up in her arms and hugging her tight, "Oh my sweet little girl. I will be so happy when all of this business is over and your Ada and I can bring you home and let you grow up happy and safe." "M-M-M-M-Momma," Brigid said innocently looking up with happy eyes. "Oh little one," Jesse said with tears streaming from her eyes, "You sure know how to wrap me around your little finger don't you," she added as she tickled the little girl's side playfully.
The happy moment came to an end when Háma walked up and spoke quietly not wanting to interrupt thetender momentbetween mother and child, "My Lady, Lord Aragorn asked me to find you. There is something he wishes to speak with you about." "I will look after the little one for you my Lady," volunteered a woman sitting next to the little girl that had shown up in Edoras, Freda. "Thank you ahhh," Jesse said not knowing the woman's name. "Morwen, my Lady," the lady supplied with a gentle smile, "You were the one to help look after my little ones." "Thank you Morwen," Jesse said thankfully as she looked into the woman's kind but sad eyes. "I will look after Eothain, Morwen," Jesse said with determination, "I will make certain he is by my side." "Thank you my Lady," said the crying woman as she took Brigid into her arms. With one last kiss on her daughter's cheek Jesse whispered, "Momma loves you Brigid," before she followed Háma from the caves.