I do believe I have solved my writer's block problem now. Let's just hope it stays that way. I have been thinking of this story so much lately that it has even invaded my dreams. I have even began making avatars for the characters, and you can find the link to them in my profile. Now on with the story. I do hope you enjoy and remember to please review.

Chapter Twenty-Two

"I See Dead People"

The sun had already set the following day when the company finally rode into Dunharrow. Èowyn was waiting for them as they dismounted from their horses and greeted, "Welcome my lords to Dunharrow. I shall have rooms prepared for you and you shall rest in comfort before you continue your journey." "Thank you my lady, for we are sorely in need of a bit of rest before we continue our journey in the morning, but please do not trouble yourself overly much," Aragorn said with a smile and a bow of his head. "It is no trouble I assure you my lord," Èowyn commented with a smile before turning her attention to the elleth standing next to the future king of Gondor, "My lady, your daughter will be most delighted to see you. She is in the hall under the care of the Lady Larien, if you will all follow me."

The group made their way into the hall and could hear the bright laughter of a small child, the sound bringing smiles to everyone's face. "Now that is a beautiful sound to be sure," Boromir said with a smile as he spied the source of the sound sitting at the table with her caretaker. "It is music to my ears my friend," Jesse said smiling broadly as she and Haldir began to make their way over to the laughing child. "To mine as well my love," Haldir said as he wrapped his arm around his wife, and led her toward their child.

"The lady has a child?" one of the younger rangers asked in astonishment. "Yes, she and Haldir adopted her shortly before the battle at the Hornburg," Aragorn replied as he smiled at the scene before him. "Yes the little one lost her father in the attack that took the life of King Théoden's son Theodred. Her mother was lost shortly after her birth. She had no one left and was under the care of the Lady Èowyn," Boromir supplied as he watched Brigid cuddled safely in her new father's arms. "Larien, a healer sent by the Lady Galadriel, has been watching over her while we journeyed to Isengard to confront Saruman, and will continue to look after her until we have finished our task," Legolas added with a gentle smile. "Aye, but it is good to see the little Lass again," Gimli agreed happily. "That it is my friend," Glorfindel said smiling, "That it is." "It would seem that she has stolen not only the hearts of her adopted parents but all of your hearts as well," Halbarad laughed softly. "That she has old friend, but it is a theft I shall not weep for," Aragorn agreed laughing, "Now let us not tarry here longer." "Aragorn is right what are we all standing here for lets go see the little Lass," Gimli said bring laughs form all of them, as they all began to make their way toward the small family.

Dinner in the hall that night was a somewhat boisterous affair. Stories shared among friends and for the entertainment of the young child in their company. "Lass give us a song," Gimli said as he watched Jesse cuddle her sleepy child, something for the little Lass." "Ok Gimli let me think of something," Jesse said as she felt Brigid nod her small head in agreement.

"You think you own whatever land you land on

Earth is just a dead thing you can claim

But I know every rock and tree and creature

Has a life, has a spirit, has a name

You think the only people who are people

Are the people who look and think like you

But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger

You learn things you never knew

You never knew

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?

Or ask the grinning bobcat why he grinned

Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest

Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth

Come roll in all the riches all around you

And for once never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers

And the heron and the otter are my friends

And we are all connected to each other

In a circle in a hoop that never ends

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?

Or let the eagle tell you where he's been

Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind

How high does the sycamore grow

If you cut it down, then you'll never know

And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon

For whether we are white or copper - skinned

We just sing with all the voices of the mountain

Need to paint with all the colors of the wind

You can own the earth and still

All you'll own is earth until

You can paint with all colors of the wind."

(Colors Of The Wind "Vanessa Williams")

"As always that was quiet beautiful Jesse," Aragorn said with a smile as he took a puff from his pipe and nodded his head in the direction of a now slumbering Brigid, "And I believe that Brigid has declared it time for bed." "Thank you Aragorn and you are most correct. It is time for this little one to be getting into bed," Jesse said quietly as she handed her sleeping daughter to her husband, "Good night everyone," she added in a whisper as the small family left the hall and made their way to the rooms that Èowyn had arranged for them.

After tucking their daughter into her bed in the room she shared with Larien, Jesse and Haldir made their way to their room across the hall. "How are you feeling my love," Haldir asked as he helped his wife with the ties of the simple gown that Èowyn had loaned her for dinner. "Much better now that I have been able to see Brigid again," she answered as she allowed him to slip the dress from her body, quickly followed by the simple shift she had warn underneath, before adding with a mischievous smile, "And now I get to enjoy another advantage to this small pit stop on our journey." "And what would that added advantage be, might I ask," he asked playfully as helped her to remove his tunic and she made quick work on the ties of his leggings. "That would be a night alone with my husband in the comfort of an actual bed instead of a bedroll in the middle of a crowded camp," she laughed softly as he began to nibble at her ear, before sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her the short distance to the bed, "And I plan to take full advantage of it," she added before her mouth was claimed in a heated kiss.

As he began to pepper her skin with small nibbling kisses and his hands began to explore the contours of her body, she felt as if her entire body was set on fire. "I love you so much," she whispered almost in a whimper as she wrapped her legs around his hips and their bodies finally joined. Lifting his head Haldir looked deeply into her eyes and whispered, "And I love you, my beautiful Jesse," before he claimed her lips once more.

It was in the early hours of the morning when Jesse and Haldir rose to prepare for the next leg of their journey. They were both eager too finish their tasks in time to be able to spend a bit of time with their daughter before they would have to set out. Putting the finishing touches on her braids, Jesse walked over to her and placed her arms around her husband's waist. "I will be so glad when this is all over and we can forget the armor and weapons and just raise are daughter in peace," she said with a sigh as she reached up and fastened the broach that held his cloak in place. "As do I my love," he agreed pulling her closer to his body and kissing her until they were both breathless.

As they stepped out of their room Jesse was nearly knocked to the ground by an enthusiastic three year old. "Momma! Papa! "she exclaimed happily as she was swung up into her father's arms. "How is my little one this morning?" Haldir asked as he kissed her fondly on the crown of her head. "Hungry!" she exclaimed drawing laughs from her parents as well as Larien. "Well then," Jesse began before her stomach grumbled loudly, causing everyone to laugh again, "Well then we had better find us both some food. I bet knowing your Uncle Gimli he has probably managed to find you an apple. He knows how much you love them." "Momma's tummy silly," the child laughed looking up at her laughing father. "Yes little one, that it is," he agreed with a smile as he pulled his wife to his side, wrapping his arm around her waist he added, "We best get to breakfast then."

As predicted when they arrived in the dinning hall Gimli was sitting at the table with a pair of bright shiny apples. Once the small family had taken their seats he said, "Aragorn tells me that King Théoden and his riders should be arriving sometime later this morning and I figured the little Lass here would want to give her Uncle Merry an apple too," as he handed the apples to the smiling toddler. "That is a wonderful idea Gimli," Jesse agreed with a smile as she watched her daughter tuck one of the apples into the small pocket of her little gown, before taking a hearty bite of the other. "The best way to a hobbit's heart, to be sure," Haldir said with a laugh as he took a sip from his cup of coffee.

Soon the hall was bustling with activity as the rest of the company made it to breakfast. Aragorn however did not look as rested as everyone else which concerned Jesse greatly. "Aragorn did you sleep last night?" Jesse asked in concern. "I did but this morning I looked into the stone," he said quietly so only she could hear. "What did you see?" she asked now understanding his fatigued state. "He now knows that you and I both live," he began taking a sip of his coffee, "However I know why it was that Gandalf said to take the Paths of the Dead. There is an enemy advancing on Gondor from the coast." "The Corsairs of Umbar," Jesse said calmly as she looked up at her concerned friend, "Don't worry Aragorn this will work. Besides worrying gives you wrinkles and you are already eighty-seven you don't need anymore." Laughing the ranger looked at the elleth's mischievous smirk, and said, "My lady I bow to your wisdom." "Oh go get ready to go already," she laughed swatting him on the arm.

While the rest of the company were preparing for the journey through the Paths of the Dead, and packing supplies Èowyn had supplied, Jesse went in search of the White Lady of Rohan herself. She found her in the dining hall directing the preparations for the Kings arrival. "Èowyn I need to talk to you for a minute," Jesse said as she stepped into the hall. "Of course Jesse what can I do for you?" Èowyn asked as she sent a maid on her way to the kitchens. "I told you last night of us finding our two missing friends, Merry and Pippin. Well while Pippin has gone to Minas Tirith with Gandalf but Merry will be arriving with your uncle as his new squire. What ever happens, Èowyn I need you to promise me that you will not leave Merry behind when you go? I know you plan to disguise yourself and ride with the King and you should, he will need you. You just have to bring Merry with you, because you will need his help to do what you need to do," Jesse said softly. "How is it that you know?" Èowyn asked in alarm. "I have the gift of foresight, Èowyn, and I am not about to tell anyone. You have to do this. Théoden is going to need you but you just have to promise to take Merry with you," the elleth assured laying a gentle calming hand on her friends shoulder. "I promise to bring him with me. You have my word," Èowyn replied solemnly.

Now satisfied that Èowyn would play her part in the battle to come, Jesse made her way outside where Brigid and Haldir were waiting for her. "Did you say what you needed to the Lady Èowyn?" Haldir asked as she came up to him and gave her a comforting hug, when he saw the sadness in her eyes. "Yes, I did. I just wish I could spare her the pain of what is to come," Jesse said softly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I know you do my love," he whispered softly into her hair as he kissed the top of her head gently.

Pulling herself together Jesse stepped back from the safety of her husband's arms and knelt down in front of her daughter and said, "Now my sweet little one, Momma and Papa have to go away for a little while but I promise you that Larien will bring you to us as soon as she can. Can you stay here with Larien for me Brigid, just for a little while longer?" Jesse asked hugging her daughter close to her body as she tired to fight her tears. "Otay Momma," the child sniffled softly, "I miss you." "Oh! Baby we miss you to when we are gone but I promise that as soon as we can we are going to be together again and we will take you to live with us and your uncles Rúmil and Orophin," Jesse said hugging her daughter even tighter as she was joined by her husband. "Your mother is correct little one," he said softly as he brushed some loose curls of her hair behind her tiny rounded ear, "You will live with us in our house in the trees." "Otay, Papa," the small girl said as she patted his cheek with her tiny hand.

As the company began their journey down the Dimholt Road, the twins rode up on either side of Jesse and Haldir. "Are you well Jesse," Elladan asked in concern when he saw the sadness in the elleth's eyes. "I just didn't like having to leave her behind again," Jesse said softly tears still shining in her eyes, "I will be alright soon." "That is good. For we do not like to see such sadness in your eyes, you are as dear to us as a sister," Elrohir replied smiling comfortingly, "Is she not brother?" he added looking toward his twin. "That she is brother," Elladan agreed before addressing his foster brother who rode at the head of the column of riders, "What say you Estel?" "I agree most heartily," Aragorn agreed turning his head to smile fondly back at the elleth. "What about us Lad?" Gimli cried out from his place behind Legolas, "The elf and I love her like a sister too." "That we do my friend," Legolas agreed smiling back at his dwarven friend, "What say you Boromir?" "Aye," the Gondorian responded smiling, "I always longed for a sister and now I shall have one." "Just great now I have a bunch of little brothers to look out for," Jesse cried out in a suffering tone, causing her friends to cry out indignantly, "Well I am older than all of you guys. As if I didn't have enough to do already," she added sharing a wink with her husband who was struggling to withhold his laughter, causing the rangers that rode in their company laugh loudly, before she added seriously, "But seriously guys thank you, and yes Elladan I do feel much better now. "Then we have fulfilled our duty as your brothers," he said with a smile as he reached over and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The Grey Company rode through the morning and as the sun had reached its highest point in the sky they reached the entrance to the Paths of the Dead. Jesse could feel the presence of the dead within the bowels of the mountain, their thoughts almost crowding her mind. 'I come with one who may free you from your torment, do not hinder us!' she commanded them using her mind, 'I am the daughter of Ereinion Gil Galad, High King of the Noldorim. We mean you no harm.' She could feel the presence of the King of the Dead reaching out to her mind, 'Welcome daughter of Gil Galad. Your father is known to us and was greatly respected. We shall allow your company to pass, however the Heir of Isildur must summon us himself.'

"Aragorn," Jesse called as she walked up to stand beside him, "They have agreed to allow us to pass unhindered but the only way they will help is if you summon them." "Are you certain of this?" he asked, then looking down into her smiling face he added, "Of course you are certain." "Answering your own questions now Aragorn. You do realize they say that is the first sign of senility," Jesse responded with a giggle.

As they began to enter the doorway they were forced to carry torches to light their path as the darkness practically began to swallow them up. Jesse was struggling to calm the frightened horses but eventually she was able to calm them. Everyone could feel the presence of the ghosts surrounding them but still the path ahead of them was left unhindered.

They walked for what seemed like forever, but finally the pathway ahead opened up into a great cavern with buildings carved into the walls that reminded Jesse of the ancient city of Petra in her old world, but she knew that this city was more of a Necropolis. This was a city of the dead and the dead were still there. Looking up she noticed a thrown on the other end of the large chamber. Still sitting in the thrown was the body of the once great king.

"Look! Aragorn over there," Jesse called out pointing in the direction of the thrown. The pair led the rest of the company to the body of the king, and Aragorn withdrew his sword. Holding it aloft, he cried out in a strong voice, "Hear Me! I am Elessar Heir of Isildur. I summon you to the Stone of Erech to fulfill your oath!"

Before their eyes a ghostly form of the king appeared before them. "We shall fulfill our oath, Heir of Isildur. Follow the path before you and it will lead you from this mountain," the voice of the ghostly king's voice echoed and an icy wind blew out their torches, "Go now we shall follow."

Following the instructions of the dead king, they soon found themselves free of the oppressive darkness and the light of day nearly blinded them. "Mount up we must ride for the Stone of Erech before we the end of this day and we still have many miles to travel before we reach it!" Aragorn called out and the company set off at a break neck pace across the countryside. Jesse noticed that as they passed the small villages that lined their path the residence would quickly lock themselves away in fear of the ghostly army.

Jesse found herself unable to withhold a laugh when she thought of something that Phoebe would have said had she been with them. "What has you so happy my dear?" Glorfindel asked from his place on Jesse's right side. "I was just thinking of something that my sister Phoebe would say if she was with us right now," she said with a smile as she allowed Swiftwind to speed across the open fields. "And what would that be?" he asked enjoying the elleth's mirth immensely. Laughing Jesse responded giving her head a little nod back to their ghostly companions, "I see dead people. It is a line from a movie she and I saw together."

It was late into the night by the time the Grey Company reached the Stone of Erech. The riders and horses were all exhausted but they still had much to do before they would be able to rest that night. Jesse watched with pride as Aragorn walked up to stand in front of the stone and unfurled the banner that she had seen Arwen working on in secret while they were still in Rivendell. "Here me Oath Breakers, I am Elessar, Isildur's heir of Gondor. My company rides for Pelargir, where the black ships of the Corsairs lay in birth ready to sail to aid the Dark Lord's army in its attack on Minas Tirith. Aid us and when the land is free of the enemy I shall hold your oaths fulfilled. What say you?" "We fight," the spirit army cried out as one.

"You spoke with the King of the Dead earlier didn't you?" Aragorn asked Jesse as they sat by the fire eating dinner. "Yes," she responded taking a drink from her coffee before she continued, "He said that he was honored to meet me for he knew of my father. He knew who you were but that you would actually have to summon them to fight." "You seemed to be the only one that is unaffected by our ghostly companions why is that?" he went on to question. "Oh that is very simple," she declared with a smile, "I am used to seeing the dead. Where I grew up I was taught at an early age spells that would allow me to summon the ancestors of the Halliwell family. After Grams died I used the spell quite often to get advice from her and Aunt Patty. I even summoned my sister Prue after she died," she paused as she cuddled up against her husband's side, and then continued, "I have been exposed to the presence of those that have past on since the day I was left on the doorsteps of the Manor. I even know how to vanquish evil spirits but let me just say that can be a nasty business. I did however discover something new today. I was able to hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of the ghosts today even before you summoned them and I have never been able to do that before." "That is a most impressive gift," the future king of Gondor commented before lighting his pipe.

"Give us a song, Jesse," Boromir suggested with a pleading smile. "Ok let me see but just one because we all need our rest for tomarrow," she said as she tried to think of a good song. Closing her eyes, she thought of a song that she had heard the day before she left for Middle Earth, and began to sing.

"She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
she was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh"

(Jesus Take the Wheel "Carrie Underwood")

"That was most beautiful my love," Haldir said with a smile and he held her close to his body. "I quite agree," Glorfindel agreed with a smile as he watched Jesse yawn, "I never tire of hearing you sing. It brings back memories of your father, for his voice like yours was most wondrous to hear." "Thank you," she said sleepily before adding, "I think my use of my powers today kind of drained me a bit, so I think I am going to turn in," and topping it off with another yawn.

After a course of good-nights from those around the fire Haldir led his wife to their bedrolls that were already prepared. Laying down she cuddled close to his body enjoying the warmth it provided her. Closing her eyes she fell into a deep and peaceful sleep, not even noticing the sounds of Gimli's snores that had taken over the night and robbed many of their slumber.