Thanks for the reviews. I just want to remind everyone that if it is in italics that means is being said in Sindarin.
Chapter Twenty-One
"How Does She Do That"
It was late into the evening when they made camp for the night and everyone began to relax around the fire to enjoy their dinner. It was then that Jesse found herself being questioned by her friends. "How'd you do that, Jesse?" Pippin asked still in awe of what he had seen her do in Isengard. "To be honest Pip, I don't really know how I did it. I have done that shield thing before but long ago and I have never been able to shield someone that I am not touching before. As for the bit with Saruman's staff I honestly don't know. That one is new," she said looking at her young hobbit friend.
"Jessica, how much do you know of your mother's family?" Gandalf asked calmly as he puffed on his pipe. "Well I know that she was Glorfindel's niece, but other than that I do not know very much," she replied looking down sadly. "It is quite alright my dear," the wizard assured her, "You have more than enough time to learn about your parents more. However I think I should be the one to tell you of this. You see your mother was the daughter of Glorfindel's sister Eáránë and Alatar the Blue. Your mother did not possess any of her father's abilities but I believe that you possess not only his ability to shield himself and to manipulate what you would call matter. I must say I was quite impressed with which you dealt with Saruman's staff not to mention the way you have used your transfiguration gift in your journeys with the Fellowship. Your grandfather will be very proud," he added taking a thoughtful puff of his pipe once more before speaking again, "Now as for being able to shield your husband that is in itself quite simple to explain. You merely used your bond with Haldir to protect him. By harming Haldir, Saruman would have been harming you and the shield was naturally triggered to protect you where most needed."
"Ummm... Wow," Jesse replied in awe, "I thought that Alatar and Pallando went to the east." "They did. They did. However I believe that we have not seen the last of that pair on this side of Middle Earth. Alatar was quite taken with the legends surrounding the Avari elves and Pallando would not see his dear friend journey so far alone in his grief over your grandmother and mother who he believed lost to him in the destruction of Gondolin. Of course we know she survived the city's destruction and traveled with other survivors to dwell in the Mouths of Sirion, where your mother met and fell in love with your father," Gandalf replied with a smile. "Wow! So my powers are more or less Istari powers then," Jesse said shaking her head in shock. "Yes they most definitely are though you also have gifts from your father's side of the family but that can wait for another time. It is late and we must be on the move again quite early on the morrow," the wizard advised, "I suggest we all take our rest."
As Jesse laid herself down in her husband's loving arms she tried to wrap her mind around all she had been told. It was very overwhelming. She did find it comforting to know that her shield would not only protect her but Haldir as well. She still couldn't believe that her grandfather was Alatar the Blue. 'Maybe that explains my love of the color blue,' she thought with a laugh.
"I must admit you do look quite fetching in that baby blue gown of yours," Haldir said with a quiet laugh, "I have heard rumors that Alatar possessed the purest green eyes anyone in our people had ever seen. It is of no doubt to me that you have inherited those from him as well. For your eyes are nothing like I have ever seen before and I find myself lost in their depths every time I look upon your lovely face," he added seriously as she turned to look up at him. "I love you so much Haldir," Jesse admitted in a soft whisper as their lips met in a soft but passionate caress. "And I love you my beautiful wife. Now rest you know what is to come this night and you shall need your strength to help those that need it," he advised as he pulled her closer to his body.
Near midnight shouts echoed across the camp waking everyone from their slumber. Jesse was on her feet and at Gandalf's side in an instant. "Oh Pip what you have done yourself now?" she asked as she looked down at the hobbit in concern. "Gandalf. Forgive me! Jesse!" Pippin cried with tears pouring from his eyes. "What did you see Pip," the elleth said as she placed his head in her lap. "I saw a tree. A white in a courtyard of stone, and it was dead. The city was burning," he cried still terrified from the experience. "What else did you see?" Jesse asked looking up at Gandalf. "I saw him. He asked me my name but I didn't answer. He hurt me," he sobbed. "Pip did you tell him anything about Frodo and the Ring?" Jesse asked as gently as she could, knowing what was worrying Gandalf. "No," the hobbit replied shaking his head from side to side. "Merry come look after Pip for me," Jesse called to the worried hobbit next to her husband.
Once she was sure that Merry was looking after Pippin, she motioned for the others to join her on the other side of the fire. "He is telling the truth Gandalf. The subtle shielding I have been using on the minds of the Fellowship kept him from looking to deeply into Pippin's mind. Sauron however believes that Pippin is the one that carries the Ring and will no doubt try to come after him. I would advise taking him to the White City. The rest of us need to move with all haste to Helm's Deep because I have a feeling something is coming," Jesse explained glancing quickly at her husband for support. "Gandalf you should be the one to bring Pip, because they are going to need you there before this is over." "You are correct Jessica I shall be the one to bring Pippin to Minas Tirith. We must leave with all haste," the wizard agreed looking with approval towards the elleth, "You have done well this night Jessica, I am proud of you." "Thank you Mithrandir, coming from you that means a great deal," Jesse replied with a soft smile and a bow of her head.
Turning to Aragorn, Gandalf spoke again, "Aragorn you must take the stone, and keep it safe. It may prove to be a dangerous charge but I am sure you can accomplish it. If need be ask Jessica for council upon its use, for it is only her council I would trust in this matter." "I will and I shall look to Jesse for council for I trust her judgment as well," the ranger said as he took the wrapped stone from the white wizard. "The time is short Aragorn but I have faith you will do well. You must look to the Paths of the Dead for aid and look for the black ships. Now I must make for Gondor with all haste. Jessica walk with me," Gandalf said as he began to make his way toward where Pippin was already waiting near Shadow Fax, "You have something you must tell for I see it in your eyes." "Yes. Gandalf I do. No matter what the enemy must not know that Boromir is alive. Unfortunately that means that Denethor and Faramir can not be told. Faramir would feel the need to tell his father and Denethor would unwittingly offer the information to the Dark Lord," she replied with a sad smile, "You will have to tell this to Pippin before you get there, so that he does not reveal too much. Oh and Gandalf him swearing himself to the service of Gondor is not a bad thing either."
Walking up to the trembling hobbit Jesse bent down and picked him up. "Now Pip, Gandalf will keep you safe and do me a favor and try to stay out of trouble," Jesse said with a kind smile as she kissed the top of his head giving him one final squeeze before handing him up to Gandalf, "Ride hard Gandalf and don't look back," she added meeting the eyes of the Istari as his horse bolted away and soon disappeared from site.
"Merry, I need your help," Jesse said as she walked over to the small disheartened hobbit. "What do you need Jesse?" he asked eager to help any way he could. "I need you to be ready to dowse the fire as soon as I tell you. We can't let what's coming see us but I am not sure we will be ready to ride out in time. Can you do that for me?" she said putting her hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him as best she could. "Yes Jesse I can do that, don't worry," he said with a tentative smile. "I knew I could count on you Merry," she said with a bright smile before she turned to help with the preparations, "Oh and Merry don't worry it will all work out in the end. I promise."
"Is he going to be alright?" King Théoden asked as he walked up to the elleth, concern for the young hobbit written on his noble features. "He will be," she replied turning her attention to the king, "He will be." "We are nearly finished with our preparations," Théoden assured as he watched the color drain from Jesse's face and her body tense up. "That is good to know good king because the enemy is nearly here," she replied turning her attention to everyone, "Everyone quiet now and dowse any torches," she ordered before turning to the hobbit waiting by the fire, "Merry quickly now dowse the fire. Then stay with King Théoden!" No sooner had all of the fires been extinguished and the camp smothered in an eerie quiet did a dark shadow cover the moon and the sounds of flapping wings could be heard, as the creature made its way toward Isengard.
"The fell-beasts of Mordor have crossed the river. Is this what you sensed coming upon us Jesse?" Aragorn asked in a shaky voice as he walked up to her alongside Haldir and Glorfindel. "I am afraid it was, Aragorn. I could sense the beast's mind," she replied walking quickly into her husband's open arms and giving a little shiver, "And I really don't want to do that ever again." "Will you be alright, Jesse? I had no idea it could affect you so," the ranger asked concerned at the paleness of her normally colorful features. "I will be Aragorn but anyway we do not have time for me to shake it off. We need to ride now as fast as we can from this place to the safety of the Hornburg," she said stepping away from Haldir and making her way toward Swiftwind, who was standing next to Snowmane.
Soon the entire company was racing across the open plains of the Riddermark making their way toward the safety of the Deeping Wall. Jesse found herself sandwiched between her very protective husband and equally protective great uncle. "I am fine you two. Swiftwind's calming thoughts have helped me rid myself of the effects of that creature's foul mind," she assured glancing between the two of them.
Suddenly Éomer's voice rang out in alarm, "My lord there is a company of riders heading our way! As if the dark-lord was driving them himself!" The company swiftly pulled to a halt and all waited tensely with the exception of Jesse and Haldir who knew the identity of the unknown riders.
"Halt!" Éomer called out as the riders came within his site, "Who rides in Rohan without the King of the Mark's leave?" "I am relieved to hear that we have finally made within' the King's realm. We have ridden in search of this realm. I am Halbarad Dủnadan, Ranger of the North, and my company is in search of Aragorn son of Arathorn. For he is one of our kin," the leader of the riders called out with relief in his voice.
"Halbarad, you are a most welcome if not somewhat unexpected sight," Aragorn greeted smiling broadly at his old friend, as he moved his horse around to look upon the company of riders. "All is well King Théoden; these are Aragorn's kin from the north," Jesse added riding up beside the shocked king, "And if my eyes are not deceiving me I believe the twin son's of Lord Elrond Peredhil, Elladan and Elrohir." "Then come forward and welcome!" Théoden declared with a pleased smile, "We make for the Hornburg and there you shall find rest from your travels and what feast can be prepared."
As the now larger company continued to ride toward the Keep, Jesse found herself suddenly surrounded by the twins' smiling faces. "I did not believe it when Ada told us but now I see he was not joking," Elladan began a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Yes it would seem our dear Jesse has bound herself to our good friend Haldir," Elrohir finished shaking his head in disbelief. "Tell us dear Jesse how is it possible that one of Haldir's personality could so attract your attention," they said as one bringing a laugh to all around them. "Well it is quite simple really," Jesse said laughing as she gave a quick wink to her husband who was scowling behind her in the direction of the twins. "Really do tell then for we long to hear the tale," Elrohir encouraged ginning madly. "Well my heart was no longer my own from the moment," she began taking her time to drag out the response, "He scowled at Gimli." Her words left the twins speechless and everyone else in the company laughing boisterously.
"Oh dear," Jesse laughed as she looked from twin to twin, "Aragorn I believe I have broken them again." "I believe you have and it is still a wonder to witness," he laughed smiling over his shoulder to the giggling elleth, "Not even the Lord Elrond could manage that task," he added turning his attention to a smiling King of Rohan, "Jesse has a most unique way of dealing with the twins. It brought many smiles and much mirth to Rivendell before we departed on our journey." "It is good to hear such laughter in these times for it warms my heart," the king replied turning to look ahead of himself once more. "Jesse is good at making people feel better and laugh," Merry said from his place behind Théoden, "She always knew how to keep us from feeling scared or to cheer us up when we felt bad, especially when we thought we had lost Gandalf." "I understand young hobbit for she has done much the same for me. I am still grieving my son but I am no longer lost in that grief," the king declared quietly but with conviction in his voice.
It was mid-morning when the tired group finally rode into the Keep, and exhausted company was finally able to let their guard down. Théoden quickly arranged to have a meal prepared and everyone quickly refreshed themselves before lunch. Jesse found Aragorn outside of the room that had been prepared for him and suggested, "If I were you Aragorn I would sit down and have lunch before you decide to look into that stone. You will need all of the strength you have to bend it to your will." "Your council is sound and I will listen," he said with a soft smile. "Good now escort me to lunch because I am starving and Merry just might eat everything if we don't hurry," she said with a laugh trying to lighten the burden that seemed to be weighing on the future king of Gondor. "But of course my lady," he said with a cocky grin as he bowed deeply and offered her his arm. "Oh just save it for Arwen," the laughing elleth said as she swatted him lightly on the back of the head before taking his arm, causing the ranger to burst with laughter.
Gimli looked up at the pair as they made their way into the king's hall and asked, "What has gotten the two of you laughing now?" "Oh I just sent him back to charm school is all Gimli," Jesse replied with a laugh as she took her seat next Haldir. "Well done Lass," he said raising his mug of ale in salute. "Arwen has her work cut out for her with that one I can tell you," she replied shaking her head sadly, "But then he did have the twins and Glorfindel as role models when he was growing up so what can you expect really," she added with a wink at the Balrog Slayer. Everyone around the table laughed with the exception of the twins. Glorfindel, who was laughing the loudest of them all, looked around shrugging his shoulders, "I shall not argue with my niece's logic for I am the first to admit that I am a bad influence."
A few hours later it was time for King Théoden and his men to set out for Edoras for the muster of the Rohirrim and Merry was going to go with them. Jesse knew what the hobbit was going to have to face before they would see one another again and though she knew he would survive the battle to come, she still felt great sorrow for the loss of even more of his innocence. The knowledge of what lay in store for Théoden though brought tears to her eyes and she watched as the King's company finally disappeared from site she buried her face in her husband's chest and sobbed. No one questioned her tears and for that she was immensely grateful.
"Something will happen to one of them will it not?" Glorfindel asked once everyone had made their way back inside leaving just the three of them. "Yes, Merry will be injured but survive," Haldir explained quietly so no one else could hear, "However King Théoden will not survive the next battle. The knowledge of that is what has caused her such distress. She respects the king a great deal but she knows that she can not interfere with his destiny. It is his time." "He is a good man he will be greatly missed. At least he still has Éomer as an heir. He will make a strong and wise king," the Balrog Slayer replied sadness tingeing his voice. "That is what I keep telling myself, but that doesn't mean I will miss him any less," Jesse said her voice still shaking from her tears as she tried to pull herself together. "Are you alright now my love?" Haldir asked as he gently wiped the last of her tears away, she nodded her head and he continued, "Then we should go back inside, the dwarf is pacing the battlements he is so worried."
No sooner had Jesse set foot back within the Deeping Wall then she was rushed by a very concerned dwarf. "Lass you alright?" Gimli asked looking up at the elleth with worry. "I will be just fine Gimli. I am going to miss Merry and Pippin is all," she said with a smile, "Now we best get ready to leave because Aragorn is going to want to head for Dunharrow soon."
"Jesse I have someone I would like you to meet," Aragorn said as he came up to Jesse as she was standing next to Swiftwind waiting to depart, a couple of hours later, "Halbarad my friend this is the Princess Jessica of the Noldorim." "Just call me Jesse. It is really nice to meet you Halbarad," Jesse said with a smile as Swiftwind gave her an indignant nudge, "And this ever patient horse is Swiftwind." "It is lovely to meet you Jesse and you as well Swiftwind," Halbarad said with a laugh as he gave Swiftwind a scratch between the ears. "Swiftwind says that he is happy to meet you as well," Jesse said with a laugh before turning to the horse in question and adding, "There I told him you can settle down now."
Soon the rest of the company was ready. "We make for Dunharrow," Aragorn called out as someone sounded a long note on a horn. They rode swiftly across the planes heading for the distant White Mountains and the path that would lead them down the Paths of the Dead. Jesse looked forward to being reunited with her daughter if only for one night. "Let's get to Dunharrow shall we," Jesse said looking toward her husband, "I want to hug my daughter." "Of course my love," he said with sharing a smile with Glorfindel at the light shining in Jesse's eyes.