Sorry had to make a small change to the end of this chapter. It was missing something vital to the story...

I am sorry it has taken me so long to get this chapter done. For some reason writing the chapters about the battles seem to take me the longest. It is so hard to do them justice, especially after seeing them on the big screen. Thanks for your continued patience.

I do want to take the opportunity to answer a question that was posed to me about the way that Jesse aged while she was in the modern world. The way I see it she aged differently than elves normally would because she was taken to a world where they and their magic did not exist, and quite frankly I needed her to grow up with the Halliwell sisters for the story to work. While I try to stick with Tolkien as much as possible there are just some things you have to do to make the story flow right.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"That Only Counts As One"

Jesse awoke with a start early the next morning, and she could already hear the distant sound of the battle they were racing toward. She had dreamed of the battle the night before but was still at a loss as to how she was going to save Halbarad. She knew the basics of what was to happen but the books had never really touched on how he had been killed, so now she was at a loss. She sat up carefully and looked toward the now much brighter glow of the burning city. Though dawn had already come the sky was still covered in a hazy darkness that seemed to blanket the whole of the world. Closing her eyes she tried to focus her mind on the ranger she knew she had to save.

Suddenly she found herself standing amid the battle raging across the fields that surrounded the White City. Before her she could see Aragorn slashing his way through the enemy, the twins were fighting side by side just to her right, Glorfindel was coming to the rescue of a fallen rider of Rohan, and Legolas and Gimli were making an effective if not unusual team as they fought their way across the battle field. Turning around she saw her husband battling with large Orc and to his left was Halbarad battling for his life against a particularly large and vicious rider less warg. He was so intent on his opponent that he did not see the Easterling coming up behind him with spear. Just as the Easterling was about to launch his attack on the unsuspecting ranger, an arrow embedded itself in his eye, and he fell over dead.

With a jolt Jesse was pulled from the vision by the feel of Haldir's arms wrapped around her. "Do you now know what it is you must do?" he asked in a soft whisper as he placed a gentle kiss against her temple. Turning so that she could look at his face she replied, "I think I do, but I will still have to keep a close eye on him during the battle to make sure I am in the right place at the right time." "The enemy will have Mûmakil, perhaps you can use that to your advantage," he suggested with an almost sly smile, "The poor creatures were forced into their slavery to the Haradrim. They may be willing to listen to you, and they would surely make a formidable ally in the battle to come." Laughing Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck, "Oh my love, that is absolutely brilliant, and I have to say a bit sneaky as well. The twins would be so proud!"

"What exactly would we be proud of?" Elladan asked as he and his brother walked up to the pair. "Yes, please enlighten us?" Elrohir agreed with a smile as he and his twin crossed their arms over the chests and lifted enquiring eyebrows. Looking up at the identical mischievous elves Jesse could not withhold the laughter that escaped her lips. "We will tell you but first we need to gather the others because they need to know what we are going to try to do as well," the elleth declared once she was able to catch her breath.

It did not take long before everyone was gathered near the bow of the ship, ready to hear the plan that Jesse and Haldir had devised. "What is it Jesse?" Aragorn asked as she and Haldir joined the group. Looking around to make sure that everyone is listening Jesse began to explain, "I used my gift of foresight to see what we are going to face today and Haldir and I were able to come up with a plan to counter some of the stuff we are going to have to deal with," she paused for a second and met the gaze of future king of Gondor, then continued, "There are going to wargs, Haradrim, Orcs, Uruk-hai, and Mûmakil. Since I am able to speak with animals Haldir suggested that I use my gift to turn the Mûmakil against their slave masters and the other forces of Sauron. I think if we are able to offer the creatures the option of making a new home among us they will be willing to help us defeat the enemy." "They would make a formable ally, Estel," Glorfindel advised, "The animals did not ask for the slavery that was forced upon them by their masters. I am sure we could find a place that would allow them to live in peace." Aragorn looked around him, his mind going over the possibilities, then replied, "If the Mûmakil are willing to lend their aid I would be honored to find them a new home." Everyone laughed at the huge smile that lit up the face of the only elleth in their company.

Everyone was ready for battle when the ships finally reached the port of Harlond. Jesse felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest she was so anxious, her thoughts drifted to what she knew they were going to find once the battle was over and quickly wiped away a tear that came unbidden at the thought of the loss of the King of the Mark. Sensing his wife's thoughts Haldir quickly wrapped her in a comforting embrace. "I love you Haldir," she whispered softly as she looked up into his comforting gray eyes. Placing a gentle kiss upon her lips he replied just as quietly, "and I love you as well my beautiful Jesse." The couple's quiet moment came to an end as the ship slid against the dock with a soft bump. Jesse watched with pride as Halbarad unfurled Aragorn's banner, and with a sound of the horn the small army began their race toward the besieged city of Minas Tirith.

Before she even reached the actual battle field Jesse began to reach out her mind toward the Mûmakil. Finally after a small struggle to get past the anguish the creatures had suffered at the hands of the Haradrim, she was able to get her thoughts across to the animals and in a move that undoubtedly took many by surprise especially the Haradrim the animals began to turn against their former masters. Jesse used her mind to call out to the creature nearest to her and with a quick nod to her husband she began to scale her way up the side of the huge beast.

Once she had made her way onto the back of the Oliphaunt, she rapidly began rid the animal of its unwanted human riders. Finally taking out the man that was struggling to regain control of the animal, Jesse used her mind to guide the now willing Mûmakil toward the enemy that was causing the most trouble for the weary Rohirrim. Looking around Jesse's eyes fell upon the scene that she had witnessed in her vision earlier that morning. Pulling her bow from her back and notching an arrow, she took aim and waited for her shot. She could see Halbarad fighting the warg near her husband, just as the ranger dealt the killing blow to the warg, the Easterling that Jesse had been waiting for finally showed himself. Taking a deep breath the elleth released her arrow and it sailed down toward its waiting target. With a nod of her head to the thankful ranger Jesse asked the Oliphaunts to help finish off the remaining enemy.

With the aid of the Mûmakil on their side, the defenders of the White City began to rally and by late afternoon the enemy was either surrendering or on the run. Jesse used her mind to ask the animal that she was riding one last favor, taking a page from Peter Jackson's book she slid her way down the trunk of the massive creature, landing with a satisfied giggle in front of a scowling Gimli. "That only count's as one," he yelled with a glare before he joined the elleth in her laughter, "Well done Lass!"

All laughter died as Jesse's eyes fell upon the body of King Théoden, still pinned beneath his loyal horse, Snowmane. Walking slowly toward the fallen king Jesse took no notice of anything around her, not even noticing the presence of Legolas. She knelt down and smiled sadly at the look of peace on Théoden's face, as her tears began to flow. "May you find your rest in the Halls of your father's my friend," she whispered in Sindarin.

An anguished cry from across the battle field brought her out of her sad reverie. Looking up she saw the new King of Rohan cradling the seemingly lifeless body of his fallen sister. Standing up she began to make her way toward the distraught Éomer. Kneeling next to him she gently placed her hand against the throat of Èowyn, feeling a faint pulse she smiled sadly and looked up to meet the now hopeful gaze of young woman's brother. "She is still alive my friend," she whispered softly, "All is not lost yet. Take her to the Houses of Healing and I will take Háma with me to see to your Uncle." "Thank you dear lady," he replied with a gentle nod as he gathered his sister close to him and gently picked her up. For a moment she sat there and watched silently as Éomer slowly made his way toward the broken city gates. "Come my friend let us tend to your fallen king," the elleth said sadly as she stood up and began to make her way toward Théoden once more now with Háma by her side.

As the pair reached the body of the fallen king they were joined the members of the Fellowship as well as many of the members of the Gray Company. "The Lady Èowyn?" Aragorn asked as Jesse walked up stand in front of a tired Pippin. "She still lives," the elleth replied softly, "Éomer has taken her to the Houses of Healing," she added kneeling down before the youngest of her hobbit friends she spoke again, "Pippin I need you to search the field for Merry. He would not have let the Lady Èowyn come here alone. Ganis, would you please help him?" "Of course Lady Jesse," he replied with a quick nod before walking off with Pippin. "How can you be certain Merry rode with Rohirrim?" Boromir asked with worry. "Because my friend, had Merry not fought by Èowyn's side she would not have been able to defeat the foe she protected her dying Uncle from," Jesse replied gravely as she pointed to what was left of the Witch-king of Angmar, "Glorfindel you were correct in one thing you said about the Witch-king. No man could kill him; it took a Lady of Rohan and a hobbit of the Shire."

Once the shock of Jesse's declaration had lifted, the solemn group carefully lifted Snowmane's body from his fallen master. Jesse found two spears near the king's body and with Háma's donated cloak she fashioned a stretcher to allow them to carry Théoden into the city. Her task done Jesse turned her attention to Aragorn and Boromir and said, "Aragorn you and Boromir need to pull the hood of your cloaks up so that it will cover you faces. I know that you, Aragorn, do not want to enter the city until our battle with Sauron is over but there are many in the houses of healing that will need your skill. Most importantly Èowyn, Merry, and Faramir need you. Only you will be able to help free them from dark hold inflicted on them by the Witch-King. And Boromir, the enemy needs to still believe you died so we don't want anyone in the city to see you. We can tell your Uncle and Faramir in private but we must keep your survival a secret until all of this is truly over," turning her attention to Legolas and Gimli she asked, "Would you to please go with Halbarad to retrieve Vanora from the ship, just in case there is any trouble left." Finally the remaining group slowly made their way into the city carrying the body of the fallen King of Rohan.