Chapter Thirty-One
Return of the KingOn the first day of May in the year 3019 of the third age, Aragorn approached the makeshift gates of Minas Tirith. He was flanked by Boromir and Gandalf and followed by the Fellowship and Captains. He was dressed regally with the white tree embossed upon his black leather breast plate and a white silk cape, that fluttered in the spring breeze.
Jesse found herself openly weeping with joy when Frodo, at Aragorn's insistence, presented the crown of the king to Gandalf and the old wizard placed it upon the new king's brow, with the declaration of, "And now come the days of the King. May they be blessed!"
A cheer rose up around them and was echoed through out the entire city. Many were surprised when the new king named Faramir as Steward instead of his older brother but the love the people had for the youngest son of Denethor allowed them to accept their King's decision. Trumpets sounded welcoming King Elessar as he entered the White City and as the King's precession slowly wound its way through the levels of the city Jesse found herself thinking back to the first time she had met Aragorn and he had helped her with an exhausted Frodo.
"What has captured your thoughts my love?" Haldir asked as he walked proudly at his wife's side. His elvin armor gleamed brilliantly in the early morning sun giving the people that surrounded them a rare glimpse of what a true elvin warrior really looked like.
Smiling serenely Jesse replied, "I was just remembering the first time I met Aragorn. He was still trying to fight his destiny back then but now he has finally become the King that he was always meant to be. He has come a long way from the ranger that helped me to tend to a tired hobbit all of those months ago in Imladris. Now all he needs is his queen but she will be here soon."
Upon reaching the seventh level of the city the precession made its way toward the King's Hall and Aragorn stepped up onto the top step. "Today is the day for which we have all fought and died for. Today we begin to reclaim what has been lost for much to long. Let us now look toward the future of all of the free peoples of Middle Earth and usher in a time of peace and rebuilding of friendships among the races," Boromir, Jesse, Éomer, Frodo, Gimli, and Gandalf joined Aragorn, Faramir, and Prince Imrahil upon the top step and he continued, "Today the free peoples of our world are united as one and are ready to begin the rebuilding of Middle Earth."
A shout of, "Long live King Elessar! Long live peace!" rose up through the masses of people crammed within the Courtyard of the King. From his perch on top of one of the high towers, Pyre let out a huge blast of his fire breath, his joy mirroring that of the people below. Far below in the field surrounding the White City the sound of joyous Oliphaunts rang out. The giant eagles did an aerial fly by that reminded Jesse of something she had once seen in an air show.
"Even the animals are blessing your reign my friend," the elleth shouted over the din to the newly crowned Aragorn, "You give them hope as much as you do the rest of us."
That day the entire city celebrated their new king. It was well past midnight when Jesse and Haldir were shown to the set of rooms that Faramir had arranged for them. The rooms located in the royal family's wing of the hall were quite literally built for a princess and left Jesse and Haldir both a bit shocked.
"I don't know about you but this may take a bit for me to get used to," she said with a laugh. She walked across the room and opened a door that led to another smaller bed chamber than the one she and Haldir had been given. A child's sized canopy bed was standing across from her drawing her thoughts to her daughter waiting in Dunharrow. Walking over to the bed she picked up a cloth doll that lay upon the pillows and hugged it to her chest.
Coming to his wife's side Haldir wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Soon my love. Very soon we will journey to Dunharrow and bring our little one to join us here." He pushed her hair to the side and placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck causing a shiver to travel through her body.
"Éowyn said that they plan to set out for Rohan in a couple of weeks. She and Éomer want to get things settled before they bring King Théoden home for burial. I want to travel with them as far as Dunharrow. It's over now and I want to hold my baby," she said with a wilted sigh as she leaned into his welcoming body.
"I will speak with Éomer in the morning to make arrangements for the journey. The twins have also mentioned traveling with the Rohirrim. They wish to join up with their sister's party," he replied as he gently steered his wife back into their bedchamber, "You will have our daughter in your arms soon my love."
The next morning a late breakfast was set up in the King's Hall for the King and his guests. Jesse and Haldir were some of the first to arrive as they joined Glorfindel, Legolas, Gandalf, and the twins at the table. They were discussing the couple's plans to travel to Dunharrow when Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam joined them with Faramir, Boromir, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli not far behind.
After breakfast Jesse, Gandalf, Boromir, and Faramir joined Aragorn in the King's study. The main topic of conversation was Boromir's role as an ambassador between the races of men and elves. Prince Imrahil soon joined them and it was decided that while in the world of men Boromir would maintain a residence in his beloved Osgiliath once the city had been rebuilt.
Jesse suggested that Aragorn consider allowing Legolas to set up a community for some of the elves that wished to remain in Middle Earth, in the forests of Ithilien. "I think that it would offer us yet another way in which we can foster cooperation between the races. Once Legolas's father leaves these shores to join his wife and mother in the Undying Lands many of the elves living in Mirkwood will not want to remain there," she said accepting a cup of coffee that Boromir offered her.
"I believe Jessica is correct. Many of the Mirkwood elves that remain on these shores will want to follow their Prince. Mirkwood I am afraid will take a great deal of time to heal from the darkness that has so long corrupted its roots. It will take time and its people will need a safe home," Gandalf agreed from his place near the large open window where he puffed thoughtfully on his pipe.
"Could the ents be of any help to Mirkwood?" Boromir asked taking a seat next to Jesse, "I know they are currently working to heal the damage done by Saruman to Fangorn."
"When next we see the ents we will have to ask," the elleth replied, "It may be something they can help with. They do understand trees far better than even elves."
"My lord what shall we do about the Oliphaunts that are still aiding in the cleanup and rebuilding effort?" the Prince asked looking toward Aragorn, "They have sacrificed much to aid us during and after the battle."
Sighing the newly crowned King of Gondor glanced first to Jesse then began to speak, "Jesse and I will talk with the creatures soon. We owe them a great deal. I would prefer to make them part of any decision we make regarding their welfare. I had however considered the land between the Morthond and Ciril Rivers. Only small villages exist there and I believe the people and Oliphaunts could work together to make their lives much easier."
"I believe that your plan will work out the best for all involved and I can see a great relationship building between the people of those villages and the Oliphaunts," Jesse agreed as she sipped her coffee, "Those grass lands are an ideal environment for such large creatures."
The group emerged from the study just in time for dinner and was unsurprisingly the last to arrive at the table. Dinner conversation centered around the imminent arrival of the Swan Prince's wife, daughter, and youngest son. Jesse found herself looking forward to meeting Lothíriel after hearing Boromir and Faramir's descriptions of their much beloved cousin.
After dinner Haldir and Jesse stepped out into one of the few small gardens that survived the attack on the city. With the fall of Sauron and the destruction of the ring the darkness that had enveloped the earth had finally lifted revealing a beautiful full moon and a sky full of stars. The couple walked casually along the small stone path that meandered through the multitude of colorful spring flowers that filled the small space, enjoying each others silent but comforting presence.
It was mid afternoon the following day when Halbarad knocked on the study door and alerted Aragorn and Imrahil to the arrival of the Prince's wife. The Dol Amroth party rode into the Citadel courtyard and was quickly presented to the King by a beaming Imrahil. Jesse and Éowyn quickly found themselves becoming fast friends with Lothíriel. The young princess having grown up surrounded by boys had much to her parents' despair had become as much a tom-boy as Jesse and Éowyn. To Jesse's immense glee Éomer became practically catatonic when he was introduced to the out going young woman, earning raised eyebrows from both the Prince and Aragorn.
At the conclusion of the day's meetings Jesse made her way up the set of steps leading to where Pyre had taken up temporary residence behind the King's Hall. She found her new dragon friend dozing in the warmth of the late afternoon sun. 'Hello my friend,' she greeted as she stepped up next to the massive dragon's head.
She told Pyre about what had been going on since they arrived in Minas Tirith. They talked about the plan to travel to Dunharrow to bring Brigid to the White City and the dragon informed the elleth that he would be going with them. 'I will be able to see any danger that may occur better from the air. With a small child to protect it will be a great advantage,' his voice rumbled through her mind.
'Your presence would be a welcome addition my friend,' she replied with a smile, 'I look forward to introducing you to my daughter.'
As the days passed Jesse noticed the attraction growing between Éomer and Lothíriel. The new King of Rohan could often be found escorting the young Swan Princess on evening walks around the citadel gardens, when he was not involved in the various meetings that were being held.
Jesse when she was not busy aiding Aragorn could often be found visiting with Frodo and continuing to treat his injuries from his quest to destroy the ring. She was confident that she would be able to give the hobbit a better chance at dealing with the damage that had been done to his small body. She knew that he would have to eventually go to the Undying Lands but she did her best to buy him more time.
On the morning of May twenty-fifth the Rohirrim departed from the White City. Joining them were Jesse, Haldir, Legolas, Gimli, Glorfindel, and the twins. Pyre soared overhead keeping watch for any signs of a threat.
They traveled for three days before they reached the refuge of Dunharrow. Riding up the narrow trail that led to the main hall, they were greeted by the sight of several small children playing in the small patch of grass near the doors of the hall under the watchful eyes of Larien and a few of the women of Rohan.
As the travelers came to a halt and Pyre landed the children ran forward to greet them. One small girl with a head full of golden ringlets ran toward Jesse and Haldir with a wide smile, "Momma! Pappa!" she screamed with delight as she ran into Jesse's waiting arms.
"Oh my darling girl how I have missed you," the elleth cried as she held the child close, "We have missed you so much." Mother and daughter were soon swept into Haldir's arms as the rest of the riders and Pyre looked on.
Looking toward the huge dragon that lay near by Brigid asked Haldir, "Pappa what tat?" As she pointed curiously toward Pyre.
"That little one is our friend Pyre. He is a lord of the dragons and is sworn to protect your mother," Haldir replied smiling down at the little girl still held in his wife's arms, "Would you like to meet him, little one?" He laughed happily at his daughter's enthusiastic nod, "Then let us go and greet him," he declared picking the girl up and escorting his small family to the dragon's side.
"Pyre I would like you to meet our daughter Brigid," Jesse said as they walked up the massive dragon lord. She laughed musically as Brigid bravely walked up to the massive reptile and placed her tiny hand against his large brow, earning a deep rumbling laugh within her mind from the dragon.
'You have a beautiful child Princess. She will grow to be a strong woman, I have no doubt,' Pyre declared in his deep growling voice within the elleth's mind.
They were all shocked with the small child announced, "I heaw dwagon Mamma," turning back to Pyre she declared proudly, "I be stwong like Mamma." She further surprised them by placing a wet kiss on Pyre's scaly brow.
"How is it possible?" Éomer asked in astonishment, "Did Gandalf not say that it was rare to hear the thoughts of dragons?" The new King of Rohan looked down at the small girl who was obliviously still chatting with the dragon completely unaware of the surprise of the adults around her.
Still shocked Jesse answered, "It is very rare for anyone without elvin blood to hear dragons. Éowyn told me that Brigid's birth mother was from Gondor. Perhaps there may be a chance that she is of Númenórean decent. That could explain how she can hear him. I honestly have no idea."
Háma cleared his throat and revealed, "Since the child came to live within the Golden Hall I have noticed that she seemed to have an effect on the animals around the Hall. I had thought it child's play but now I wonder if it was not more."
"I think that I am going to have to speak with the Lady Galadriel again," the Noldor Princess said with a laugh, "She might be able to shed some light on this." She walked over to her daughter, knelt down and asked, "Baby can you hear the horses too?" At the child's happy nod she suggested, "Well then it looks to me like you already are like me, because I can hear them too. What do you say we go and have some lunch and you can tell me and your Pappa what you have been doing while we were away?" With a goodbye to Pyre the group made their way into the hall for the mid-day meal.
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