Chapter Eleven Chapter Twenty-Eight
"A March Into Darkness"
At dawn, or what should have been, the Army of the West was beginning to gather outside the city. Jesse and Haldir finished strapping on their weapons and armor and made their way to where their horses were waiting. As they rode up to the head of the column, where their friends were waiting, Jesse noticed that Glorfindel was holding a standard and was whispering furiously with Legolas and the twins. She knew the color of the still bound banner looked familiar but she could not place it.
When they noticed the elleth and her husband Glorfindel acted as the spokes-elf for the group and said, "Before I left Imladris Lord Elrond gave me this to carry for you should the need present itself that we would want to draw the attention of the enemy," he paused and released the binding on the banner, "Personally I do not believe that anyone should bare this banner but you my beloved niece," suddenly the breeze picked up and the banner unfurled for the first time revealing a sight that brought tears to Jesse's eyes, "For only should the daughter of Gil Galad bare this banner into battle against the foe that slew her father." There fluttering in the breeze was the banner of the High King of Noldor, not since he fell in the Last Alliance had it been seen.
"Glorfindel," she said in a choked voice as she climbed from her horse and rushed to her uncle's side. Wrapping her arms around the golden elf lord in a strong embrace she choked out, "Thank you for bringing my father's banner for me."
They were soon joined by Aragorn, Gandalf, Boromir, Éomer, Pippin, and Imrahil. Aragorn's eyes lit up at the sight of Gil Galad's, Rohan's, the House of Stewards', and Dol Amroth's banners fling alongside his and he walked over to Jesse smiling. "It is a wonderful thing to see that banner out of storage and flying as it should," the ranger said as he put a comforting hand on the elleth's shoulder, "The army is ready so we should take our positions."
Once the leaders of the army had taken their positions at the head of the column Aragorn gave the signal and Elladan blew a long clear note on the horn signaling the army to move out. Those that watched from the city felt a surge of pride at the sight of the massive army on the move.
By mid morning the army had reached Osgiliath and crossed the floating bridge to the other side of the Anduin. They traveled through out the day eating their lunch on the move so they could cover as much ground as possible before nightfall and they would be forced to make camp.
By nightfall when the call was given to make camp Jesse recruited Pippin and Gimli to help her to get dinner going. While the friends ate their dinner they discussed what they would most likely face once they reached the Black Gate. Jesse warned them about the Mouth of Sauron and some of the things he may try to say. She warned Pippin that no matter what the Mouth said he needed to keep his head and let her, Aragorn, and Gandalf handle the guy. She cautioned them that the Mouth would say just about anything to get a rise out of them and that nothing he might say could be taken for truth no matter what evidence he might have with him.
After dinner the watches were assigned and everyone not on watch settled down in their bedrolls. The elves stayed around the fire talking after the others had retired and Elrohir asked Jesse how she knew about the Mouth of Sauron. She explained the books she read as a child and how the Mouth was described. She told them that some of what he might say was mentioned in the books and that she wanted them and especially Pippin, to be prepared for it. "For the most part his focus will be on me, Aragorn, Gandalf, and probably Boromir, since he will finally be able to stop hiding behind that hood," she told them as she took a sip of her coffee.
Later as she and Haldir lay in their bedroll he asked, "When are you going to talk to Aragorn and Boromir about your idea for uniting our people with the world of men?"
"I plan to talk with them tomarrow when we make camp. Boromir told me that he already told Faramir and Imrahil that he did not want to be named Steward. He wants to make his home with our people and marry Idril," she replied running her hand lightly over his chest eliciting a playful growl from her husband. She silenced him with a passionate kiss that left them both breathless and wishing they had a bit more privacy than a crowded camp.
At mid-morning on the next day's ride Jesse was beginning to feel uneasy. The woods they were traveling through were entirely too quiet and it seemed as though the very earth was holding its breath. She placed a restraining hand on Aragorn's arm and whispered, "There is a trap up ahead, about a dozen Easterlings."
Turning from the elleth he motioned Halbarad and eight of the Dúnedain rangers to gather around him. He told them what was going on and gave them their orders before sending them to circle behind the enemy. Before long the elves could hear the sounds of a scuffle. It did not last long and soon Halbarad and his men returned. Once the rangers were back Aragorn gave the order and they were on their way again.
When they made camp Jesse took Aragorn, Boromir, Gandalf, and Imrahil aside. "I have something that I need to talk with you about. Boromir and I have an idea of a way that we can better unite the worlds of men and elves. We need someone to act as a representative between the two races and I believe that Boromir should be that person," she explained, "I guess you could call him an ambassador."
"You have thought a great deal about this haven't you?" the future king asked as he puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. At Jesse's nod of agreement he turned to Boromir and asked, "Would you be willing to give up the Stewardship to take on this new office?"
Boromir smiled and answered sincerely, "I would if my king would allow it to be so." Even with the hood of his cloak obscuring his face, Jesse could still see his eyes sparkling with a new determined light.
"I believe that this would help the two races to learn how to work together," Gandalf contributed as he nodded in approval while packing his pipe. He locked gazes with the elleth and smiled happily.
"Well what do you say Aragorn?" Jesse asked as she bumped his shoulder with her own, "Who else would we choose then someone we already love and trust as a brother to act in this position?"
The ranger smiled, "I agree there truly is no one else that we could trust with this task than our brother. Once we have both been crowned we shall make the appointment official."
"Sounds like a plan to me," she agreed smiling happily, "We could always make it part of his wedding feast," she added winking playfully.
The Prince laughed, "I look forward to meeting the elleth that has managed what no woman in all of Gondor has been able to do. Now I must ask does this most wonderful lady have a sister for his brother."
A sly grin over took Jesse's face as she replied, "No I am afraid our dear Idril is an only child but," she paused dragging out the suspense, "Fortunately for us Éomer is not an only child. I asked Faramir to look in on the Lady Èowyn while we are gone."
Those around the elleth roared with laughter as the true meaning of her words sank in. "I bow to your genius my Lady, "Boromir announced with a laugh as he stood and gave her a low bow.
"You my Lady are a wonder, "Imrahil said smiling as he poured Jesse a fresh cup of coffee. "I look forward to introducing you to my dear wife and daughter," he said laughing.
As she cuddled next to her husbands body that night she told him of what was decided during her meeting with the others. He was highly entertained by her match-making efforts and her plans for the new king of Rohan. "Will my Lady wife be adding Match-Maker to her list of titles?" he asked with a playful glint in his eyes.
"I just might," she replied playfully giving him a jab in the ribs, "I am good at it and I do have the advantage of being able to see a person's soul and match it with its mate. Seriously though I just have always been able to feel when someone is lonely and I know how that feels. I used to be so lonely that I honestly think I may have been fading. Then I met you and I got my soul back," she finished in a voice tight with emotion as he pulled her tightly against his body as though he was shielding her from the world and kissing her lips with the utmost tenderness.
"I love you my beloved wife," he whispered softly in Sindarin, "You are my soul as well." Pulling their blanket more firmly around them he kissed her softly on the temple and encouraged her to go to sleep.
The next morning they were on the road again and by mid-day they had reached the remains of a settlement that had fallen under the armies of Sauron. The taint the very earth suffered under the foul creatures made all of the elves feel decidedly uncomfortable, especially Jesse who could see the souls of those that had died there trapped by the evil.
She looked toward Aragorn her face pale and advised, "Aragorn the earth is crying out in pain. We need to set the fields on fire to cleanse the land of this evil. The souls that died here can not rest until we do."
The future King of Gondor wasted no time in giving the order after seeing the anguish on Jesse's face, "You see the souls of the dead do you not?" he asked sadly, "Can you help them?"
Grabbing an arrow out of her quiver she snapped the shaft into six equal pieces, transfiguring them into white pillar candles and said, "I am going to perform a blessing. It will guide them to the other side." She dismounted from her horse, set up a circle out of the candles, and lit them after stepping into the circle. In a strong and musical voice she began to chant in Quenya,
"Victims of this evil blight,
Gather to this guiding light;
Hear these words and heed my calls,
Take your place in Mandos's Halls."
A breeze sprung up and circled the elleth as she repeated the blessing. It became a sort of whirlwind and began to rise upon the elleth finishing her third cycle of chanting. One by one each of the candles were blown out as the whirlwind rose skyward and disappeared. Jesse sighed tiredly as she waved her hand making the candles return to their previous form, and declared, "It is done."
Haldir and Aragorn rushed to the side of the now very exhausted elleth as she fell to her knees. "What do you need my love?" her husband asked worriedly.
"In my healing kit there is some medicinal chocolate I need a piece of that, some lembas and water," she replied shakily as Elrohir rushed to get what she asked for. She quickly ate the food, the color returning to her cheeks, before explaining, "I underestimated the number of souls trapped. It took more than I thought it would."
Kneeling in front of the elleth and assessing her condition for himself, Gandalf declared proudly, "You have displayed your true strength once again my dear. Those you have freed today have suffered for far to long. Now their souls will be able to move on to the next life and heal."
Once the fire had done its work they moved on again. When they made camp that night Jesse ate a large dinner with her friends each trying to get her to eat a bit more, then quietly retired for the night where she fell into a deep rejuvenating sleep.
For the next four days they traveled east, every step taking them closer to the final confrontation with Sauron. As they got closer the darkness that permeated the land began to affect the men, some of them loosing heart to the point they could go no further.
Aragorn told them that it was alright if they could go no further and they were given the task of retaking Cair Andros and holding it. Some of the men were speared on and decided to stay with the army but about two hundred men were eager to take on a job they knew they could accomplish and departed in the direction of their new assignment.
On the ninth day since they left the safety of Minas Tirith they made camp a short three hours march from the gate. The night watch was the largest it had ever been since leaving the White City. Jesse spent most of the evening giving Pippin some last minute advice on what the hobbit would face the next day. She explained the weak points on trolls, orcs, and Uruks. She even put a strengthening spell on his small sword. She also gave him two of her six small throwing knives and told him how to use them for close quarter combat.
Curling up next to her husband to get a couple of hours sleep Jesse thought of the last conversation she had had with her father and mother in her dreams. She thought of what the Dark Lord had forced her to witness and she vowed to herself that she would see him fall.