Sorry it took me so long to get this update guys. I had a bit of a run in with a bad case of writer's block. I promise I am going to try to get the updates going properly again. Thanks for sticking with me and giving me all of those great review. I love hearing what everyone thinks…
Chapter Nineteen
"The Dawn of a New Day"
As one they all charged out following the king of Rohan and Aragorn. The sound of an immense horn split the air startling the Uruks giving the riders the opportunity they needed to slash their way through the evil army and make their way down the causeway. The riders still found themselves vastly outnumbered by the enemy but as the sun began to crest over the ridge a lone white rider became visible. "Hot damn Gandalf's here!" Jesse exclaimed as she continued to fight the creatures that had not taken notice of the wizard who had now been joined by Éomer.
King Théoden turned his attention to the top of the ridge and as he laid eyes upon his nephew he announced thankfully, "Éomer!" Gandalf and Éomer led the charge of new riders down the steep embankment and as the sun came over the hill blinding the Uruks, another blast of the massive horn resonated through out the valley while the riders of Rohan charged down into the foul minions of Saruman.
"Stay out of the forest! Keep away from the trees!" Éomer shouted as his riders drove fleeing Uruks toward a dark and ominous forest that seemed to have sprung to life out of no where. Riding up to join Éomer, Théoden could not withhold his gasp of awe at the trees as they seemed to devour the Uruks that had run under their canopies, "What witchcraft is this?" "That good king is not witchcraft," Jesse answered as she gazed down at the trees in respect, "But a power much older and the answer to their presence here lie away from here." "The Lady Jessica speaks the truth," Gandalf agreed as his knowing gaze shifted from the trees to the smiling elleth on his right, "Our answers lie in Orthanc where I believe much has occurred since I was there last."
By mid-afternoon the survivors of the battle had already began to clean up the mess left behind the rampaging Uruk Kai. Men and elves worked together to tend to the bodies of their fallen kin, while the women and healers tended to the wounded left from the battle. Everywhere the sounds of distraught women and children could be heard as the bodies of their loved ones were discovered among the carnage. No one was left untouched by the battle or its aftermath.
Jesse found herself working in the caves alongside Aragorn and the healers treating the wounded. The only bright side she was able to find in the things she had seen was that the number of deaths had been much less than they would have been without her warnings and the arrival of the elves. The boys that had stood guard over the women and children were now assisting in carrying the linens, herbs and water for the healers. Jesse was pleased with how well the healers of Rohan were working with the elvin healers. It gave her hope for the success of uniting the two races when the war was finally over.
"Jesse," Èowyn said as she walked up to the elleth who was tending to a wounded boy, "Have you had anything to eat today?" "No I haven't Èowyn but I plan to as soon as I am done here. Haldir and I are going to try to spend a little time with Brigid before we have to leave," Jesse replied as she finished tying off a bandage she had wrapped around the boy's head. "If you would like I can have someone bring a small lunch to my chambers so that the three of you will not be disturbed," Èowyn suggested as Brigid came running up to them. "That would be lovely. Thank you," Jesse said as she bent down and picked up her excited daughter, "But I wouldn't want to put you out of your own room." "Nonsense!" Èowyn exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips, "Now I want the two of you to go find your husband and then meet me in the main hall." "Alright you win. We are going," the elleth said with a laugh before she turned and began to make her way out of the caves.
'My love where are you?' she asked reaching out to Haldir with her mind. 'Glorfindel and I are in the king's chamber speaking with Mithrandir and the king,' he replied, 'is there something that you need my love?' 'No, Brigid and I are under the strict orders of Èowyn to find you then meet her in the main hall,' she replied smiling to herself as she felt his amusement through their link, 'She is arranging for us to use her chambers so that we may be able to spend sometime with our daughter over a small lunch before we have to leave for Isengard.' 'We should be finished with the travel arrangements by the time you arrive,' Haldir said, the thought of his new family bringing a smile to his face.
The smile that had found its way to the normally stern face of Lothlórien's march warden did not pass the notice of a very amused white wizard, king, and Balrog Slayer. "If I may ask my friend what has brought this rare smile to your face," Glorfindel asked a twinkle of laughter ringing in his voice. Pausing to glare at the Golden elf-lord Haldir stated, "My beloved wife and daughter will be joining us shortly." "I have not yet had the privilege of meeting the newest addition to my family. Estel has told me she is a most beautiful child," Glorfindel said the smile still firmly in place. "She is a beautiful child and has done well since coming under the tender care of the Lady Jessica," Théoden said with a smile as well. "Lady Èowyn has arranged for Jesse and I to spend sometime alone with Brigid over lunch, before we depart for Isengard," Haldir said turning in the direction of the doors at the sound of a child's happy voice.
As Jesse stepped into the Théoden's chambers she set Brigid down on the floor but before she could take the child's hand, Brigid ran toward Haldir with a bright smile on her face. Kneeling down the smiling march warden opened his arms to the excited little girl and picked her up. "I hope we are not interrupting anything," Jesse said with a smile as she walked up to the smiling group. "Not at all Lady Jessica," King Théoden assured with a smile, "I am pleased that my niece has arranged for the three of you to have some time alone as a family before we are to depart." "Mama says we are gonna have lunch," Brigid said looking toward the king of Rohan with a smile. "Glorfindel you will be happy to know that Brigid helped me to patch up Eothain this morning and he was hoping to get the chance to speak with you before we are to leave," Jesse said as Haldir wrapped his free arm around her. "I am most pleased to hear that his injuries have been tended to and my thanks to you both," Glorfindel said with an appreciative smile to his niece, "I will make certain that I see him before we are to leave." "Might there be a budding healer in our midst?" Gandalf asked with a knowing smile and a glint of knowledge in his voice, as he looked at the smiling child in Haldir's arms. "Considering she will grow up surrounded by some of the best healers Middle Earth has to offer, I have no doubt that she may become a healer," Jesse replied matching the wizard's knowing gaze with one of her own. "Mithrandir I believe you have finally met your match in our dear Jessica," the Balrog Slayer commented with hint of laughter in his eyes. "For once I must agree with Glorfindel, though it aggrieves me to admit it," Haldir said with a pained expression, causing everyone in the room to laugh. "Now I believe on that note the three of us should go meet Èowyn," Jesse announced still laughing softly at the expression on her husband's face. "Go enjoy your meal with your daughter before we have to depart," Théoden said with an understanding and grateful smile, "You have both earned a brief rest and my people's sincere gratitude."
As promised Èowyn had a variable feast laid out for the new family in her private rooms and they wasted no time enjoying that simple comfort before the war would disrupt their lives once more. "Our healers will be remaining in Rohan after we depart for Isengard," Haldir said as he watched Jesse tuck their now sleeping daughter into Èowyn's large bed. "Yes the Lady told me as much when I spoke with her on our way to Helm's Deep. She said that Larien would be looking after Brigid while we are away and that when the time comes she would bring her to meet with us," Jesse said as she walked back over to her husband and sat down in his lap, his arms going around her slender, before she added, "I know the healers of Rohan will need their help to treat the wounded from the attacks and last night's battle." "We will not be separated from her long my love," Haldir said comfortingly as he saw his wife's gaze drift over the sleeping form of their new daughter, "And when this war is over we shall bring her home to Golden Wood." "I know," she said looking up into his gentle face, "You are right. I just don't like having to be parted from her now. I think I finally understand why it was so easy for Grams to take me in and love me like one of her own," she added caressing his cheek gently.
A knock on the door interrupted any further talking between the pair, "I guess it is time," Jesse said as she got up and walked over to answer the door. Opening the door she found a somewhat bashful Gimli and a smiling Legolas. "Lass, Aragorn sent us to let you know that it is about time for us to leave," the dwarf said softly noticing the sleeping child in the room. "Thank you Gimli," she said gratefully when she noticed where his gaze was resting, "Legolas would you please send for Larien? I don't want Brigid to wake up alone." "We saw her on our way here. I shall be right back," the Prince of Mirkwood said softly as he gave the elleth before him a gentle smile before turning and heading back down the corridor. "Has the little Lass been sleeping long?" Gimli asked his eyes not leaving the small form lying in the middle of the large bed. "No she just fell asleep a few minutes ago," Haldir answered as he put a comforting arm around his wife and pulling her closely to him. "She knows that Haldir and I have to leave and we have already said our goodbyes," Jesse said her voice tight with barely restrained emotion. "Awww, don't you worry Lass," the dwarf said laying a gloved hand on Jesse's arm, "She'll be just fine." "Gimli is right my love," Haldir agreed, "She will be well cared for while we are away."
Late evening found Jesse and her companions making their way through the mysterious forest that now blocked the end of the valley. Many of the company were unnerved by the presence of the ancient trees and the tension was thick in the air that surrounded them. "Éomer you can relax these trees will not harm us," Jesse assured as the anxious man rode up along side her and her husband. "How is it that you know this lady? We all stood witness to their actions against the Uruks," he said looking around nervously. "That is precisely my point. They were sent to aid us with our enemies and as long as we do not harm them they will allow us to pass unhindered," she assured with a comforting smile, "Don't worry you will get your answer once we reach Isengard." "I will trust your word Lady Jessica but I will feel much better once we are safely on the other side of this strange forest," he acknowledged.
The moon had already risen by the time they came out of the forest at the edge of the River Isen. A thick and oppressive fog surrounding the banks where they made camp for the night a feeling of unease settled over many in the group. Once the horses had been cared for and the group settled down anxiously around the camp fire. "Jessica perhaps now is the time for a song," Gandalf suggested as he puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. "I think I might have one that everyone will enjoy," she said as she sat with her back against Haldir's chest and his arms wrapped around her securely. Closing her eyes she allowed the melody to flow into her mind and she began to sing.
"My dad chased monsters from the dark
He checked underneath my bed
And he could lift me with one arm
Way up over top of his head
He could loosen rusty bolts
With a quick turn of his wrist
He pulled splinters from his hand
And never even flinched
In thirteen years I'd never seen him cry
But the day that grandpa died, I realized
Unsinkable ships sink
Unbreakable walls break
Sometimes the things you think could never happen
Happens just like that
Unbendable steel bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I've learned to never underestimate
The impossible
And then there was my junior year
Billy had a brand new car
It was late, the road was wet
I guess the curves was just too sharp
I walked away without a scratch
They brought the helicopter in
And Billy couldn't feel his legs
Said he'd never walk again
But Billy said he would and his mom and daddy prayed
And the day we graduated, he stood up to say:
Unsinkable ships sink
Unbreakable walls break
Sometimes the things you think could never happen
Happens just like that
Unbendable steel bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I've learned to never underestimate
The impossible
So don't tell me that it's over
Don't give up on you and me
'Cause there's no such thing as hopeless
If you believe:
Unsinkable ships sink
Unbreakable walls break
Sometimes the things you think could never happen
Happens just like that
Unbendable steel bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I've learned to never underestimate
The impossible."
(The Impossible "Joe Nichols")
"As always Jesse that was beautiful," Aragorn said with an approving smile as the song came to an end. "You have a wondrous talent Lady Jessica," Éomer agreed with a bow of his head toward Jesse. "Thank you," she said with a soft smile as she snuggled closer into her husband's loving embrace as a yawn made its way from her lips. "Now if you will excuse us I believe it is time for my beautiful wife to find her rest," Haldir said as he helped Jesse to stand up and they made their way toward their bed.
As she lay there in her husband's arms Jesse couldn't not hold back the tears of shear relief that fell from her eyes. He was alive and they were together again. Everything that they had been forced to go through finally seemed to have broken the dam that had been restraining her emotions for so long. Feeling the wetness of his wife's tears as they began to soak into his tunic he pulled her closer to him and with a soft and gentle voice asked, "What is it my love? What has caused your tears?" "I guess it has all just caught up with me, especially now that we are together again and you are safe. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you. You are everything to me now," she said in softly in emotionally strained voice. "Do not cry my love. We are both safe and together once more and I will be hard pressed to be separated from you ever again," he assured gently kissing the top of her head, "I know what it is you feared for I saw it in your mind but it has not come to pass and we are both safe. Now dry your tears." "I love you Haldir," Jesse said as she lifted her head from his chest and looked into his beautiful gray eyes. "And I love you my Jesse," he replied capturing her lips in a searing kiss.
With the dawn the company was once again riding toward Isengard, the oppressive fog that had blanketed the ground was beginning to lift and with it the spirits of the riders. Feeling the need to reconnect with her friends Jesse urged her horse forward so that she was riding between Aragorn and Boromir. "Fancy meeting you boys here," she said with a smile. "Good morning Jesse," Aragorn greeted with a smile at the joy radiating from the elleth next to him, "I do believe the sparkle has returned to your eyes." "Yes I must agree with you Aragorn," Boromir supplied sharing a knowing smile with his future king, "One must wonder what could have brought on such a change in our dear friend." Laughing at their antics Jesse just smiled and enjoyed the company of her good friends.
As nightfall neared they made their last camp before reaching Isengard. Jesse sat happily in her husband's arms as she listened to Gimli and Legolas argue over who had killed the most Uruks in the battle of Helm's Deep. The friendly rivalry that had grown between the Mirkwood Prince and dwarf brought a smile to her face and lightness to her heart. Looking around the campfire she watched as Boromir and Éomer talked quietly while eating their dinner and Aragorn would often add to the pair's conversation with his own thoughts as he puffed on his pipe. For now all of her friends were safe and for that she was immensely grateful. She knew that they would be soon tested once more but at least for now they were safe and soon they would see Merry and Pippin again. Suppressing a yawn she snuggled closer to Haldir's chest and allowed the sound of his heart beat lull her to sleep.