Chapter Thirty-Two

Letter From Beyond

That night after dinner Éomer asked Jesse and Haldir to join him in the sitting room connected with his chambers. Once they were seated he began to speak, "Before we departed from Dunharrow my uncle wrote three letters. Éowyn and I each have one and the third belongs to you Jesse." He handed her a rolled parchment sealed with what the elleth had to assume was the seal of the late King of Rohan.

"Lady Jessica,

I feel that my time in this world is coming to an end. I have left letters for both Éowyn and Éomer should the battle I ride to go ill. I have faith that they both are more than prepared to lead my people.

I write this letter to you for I feel that I owe you my immense gratitude. You have made these last days bearable and have given my family great comfort. We could have easily fallen victim to our grief were it not for you and I thank you for what you have done.

It saddens me that your father never had the opportunity to witness what an amazing lady his daughter has become. I have no doubt that you would have made him very proud.

You and your precious daughter have brought a joy that has been absent from this family for many years. I have no doubt that she will have a wonderful life in the care of you and your husband. My court scribe has just completed the official declaration of adoption and it now bears my seal.

I shall close this letter to you now as we are to ride soon but before I do I feel I must say this. If I had been blessed with a daughter I would have wished her to be like you. You shall make a wonderful Queen to your people when the time comes for you to take on the task. Thank you dear lady for all that you have done for my family.

Theoden King"

Jesse could not withhold her tears as she read Théoden's final words to her. She could almost here his voice within the written words. Closing her eyes she said a silent prayer to the Valar for the fallen king.

"Uncle asked that I give you this," Éomer said handing the elleth a fine scroll bound in a brilliant forest green silk ribbon. Carefully opening the scroll she realized it was Brigid's adoption decree. "He has also left instructions that Swiftwind be officially gifted to you. He also left instructions that Brigid also receive Snowmane's son. He is a strong and even tempered colt and will someday be as magnificent as his sire. He will grow with the child and they will develop the strong bond that is well known here in Rohan. My sister has saw to obtaining a child's size saddle for her," he added with a smile.

That night as she snuggled against her husband's broad chest Jesse found herself dreaming of the future. She saw herself teaching children of all of the races, in a large ancient looking castle. She witnessed herself standing alongside Glorfindel, Erestor, and Lord Celeborn welcoming students of all ages. A tall handsome ellon who reminded her vaguely of Legolas seemed to be organizing the children into four separate groups. The entire vision gave her an immense sense of peace and hope.

As she came back to herself she found that the sun was just starting to turn the sky a blazing pink. Haldir was still sleeping peacefully, his handsome features relaxed in deep sleep. Carefully she reached up and began to trace his strong jaw with soft kisses, while running her hands softly across his bare chest.

"Good morning my love," he whispered with his voice still fogged by sleep as he ran his hands down his wife's body. Pulling her body flush with his, Haldir swept her up in a passionate kiss.

Their bond flared to life allowing them to feel each other's pleasure, making them both gasp at the sheer intensity of the extra stimulus. As they reached their mutual peak their combined auras glowed so brightly they were forced to close their eyes.

"That was new," she whispered tiredly as she lay with her body still held tightly against his, "A most pleasurable something new, I really must say." Her body was still thrumming in the aftermath of their love making.

The sky was a brilliant blue when the couple emerged from their room and enjoyed breakfast with their friends. The Rohirrim were due to depart for Edoras that day. Elrohir and Elladan would be traveling with them, as they traveled to rendezvous with Arwen and her escort. There was a great deal of activity through the main rooms of the hall as the people were getting the last minute supplies ready for the trip.

After breakfast Éomer led Jesse, Haldir, and Brigid to the stable yard. Standing proudly already saddled was a handsome cloud white colt. Háma's youngest son was holding onto the bridle and whispering softly into the young horse's ear and rubbing his neck soothingly.

Kneeling down in front of Brigid, Éomer began to speak, "My Uncle asked me to make certain that you had a horse of your own to carry you to your new home with the elves. Would you like to meet him?" At the child's excited nod he lifted her into his arms and carried her over to where the colt was waiting.

"He is absolutely gorgeous Éomer," Jesse sais as she walked up to the colt and ran her hand through his silky mane. She could easily see signs that he was descended from not only Snowmane but Shadowfax as well, "He is descended from Shadowfax's line isn't he?"

"Yes Shadowfax was Snowmane's sire. He has his grandfather's regal bearing does he not?" the Rohirrim King agreed, "He will be a most worthy companion for the little one. By the time they have both grown I have little doubt that they will be a wondrous pair."

Soon Brigid was sitting proudly in the saddle looking as though she was born on horse back. At Jesse's urging she was riding around the small paddock allowing herself to bond with her new horse. Glorfindel, Éowyn, and Háma soon joined them and they all watched as Brigid and the colt trotted around the enclosure.

"It is almost as though Thundercloud and the little miss were born for each other," Háma said in awe of what he was seeing, "They already move as one. Even for those from Rohan that normally takes years to accomplish."

"Aye," Glorfindel agreed resting his arms on the fence rail casually, "It is most amazing to see. The little one handles herself as though she has been riding for years. I have no doubt their bond will be very strong."

As the Rohirrim were preparing to leave Éowyn approached Jesse accompanied by a woman that the elleth had seen both in Dunharrow and Helms Deep. "Jesse I would like for you to meet Háma's wife Gwyneth. She has found a few of her daughter's old things for Brigid to use," the shield maiden said as she handed Jesse one the two satchels the women were carrying.

"My little Wyn has out grown a few of her dresses and toys. I thought the little lass could use them. There is also a riding outfit in there for your trip," Gwyneth added as she set the second satchel at Jesse's feet, "I wanted to find some way to thank you for savin' my Háma on the way to the Hornburg. I thought for sure that I had lost him when them wargs showed up. Thank you my lady. I would have been lost without my husband."

"I am just glad I was there to help him," the elleth replied honestly, "And thank you for the cloths and toys. I really appreciate them. Until we reach the White City I had no way of getting my daughter any cloths, and please thank your daughter for me as well."

Eowyn then gave her elvin friend a soft bundle of cloth with a smaller cloth wrapped package on top, "This is a traveling cloak that will keep Brigid warm while you are traveling. The little package is just a little something for her from my brother and I."

After saying goodbye to Éowyn, Éomer, and the twins the remaining group made their way back into the hall to finish their own travel preparations. Jesse found herself helping Legolas to find a horse for Larien to ride to Minas Tirith. She had noticed that the Mirkwood Prince's gaze would often wander toward the elvin healer since their arrival in Dunharrow.

"So you seem to like Larien," she said casually as she looked over a smoky gray mare. She could not help but notice the fain blush that crept into the ellon's pale complexion, "If it helps I think she is pretty fond of you as well."

Sighing loudly Legolas sat down on a bench that lined the wall of the stable and replied, "My father would never approve. As the heir to his throne he would only allow me to marry a high born lady. A healer no matter how noble the profession would not gain his approval."

"Well then I guess it is a good thing that she is also Lord Húrin, only daughter. I have to say though that if your father would force you to marry for social standing alone and sentence you to a loveless marriage then he has managed to loose my respect before even meeting me. Love would only strengthen you as it has me. I do not believe I could rule our people without my husband at my side. He makes me stronger," she said with conviction.

"At least your advise makes better sense than Gimli's," he replied getting up and walking toward the mare Jesse was looking at, "This mare would suit Larien. She has a very calm disposition for such a young horse. This will be a perfect mount for Larien to use on our journey to the White City."

Laughing softly as she imagined the advice Gimli would have given Legolas, she said, "Gimli is better with an axe than he is with words. I have no doubt that his advice was at least similar in intent as mine." Guiding the mare back into her stall the elleth then turned her attention back to her friend, "Talk to her Legolas. Don't turn from what could be love. Being alone is a sad thing to be and I do not want that for you. If need be I will help you with your father."

The following morning Jesse was awake before the sun. After checking the supplies one last time she sat down to enjoy a cup of strong coffee. She was soon joined by her husband and daughter as he carried the still yawning child. "Good morning my little love," she said softly taking the child into her arms, "Are you ready to ride your horse today?" Taking a small cup she poured a small amount of coffee into it before filling it the rest of the way with fresh milk and handing it to her daughter, "Here baby drink this. It will help warm up your tummy and help you wake up."

Glorfindel soon joined them he cheery attitude causing Haldir to cringe while Jesse and Brigid laughed. Legolas and Gimli arrived escorting Larien, and carrying her and Brigid's bags. Breakfast arrived and the group talked about the up coming trip over steaming platters of sausages, eggs, and freshly baked bread.

Because they were traveling with a small child they took up an easy pace on their journey to Minas Tirith. Brigid handled the trip well and by the fourth day of June they were riding up through the city on their way to the citadel.

The rest of the Fellowship was waiting for them in front of the King's Hall when they finally reached the seventh level of the city. Aragorn walked over to Brigid, whose eyes were large as she tried to take in the huge city around her. "Welcome to my home little one. It is good to see you again," he said taking the excited three year old into his arms and allowing a page to take Thundercloud to the stables.

Once the travelers had had a chance to wash and rest a bit, Jesse went in search of Gandalf and Aragorn. She knew the wizard might be able to shed some light on her daughter's gifts and the vision she had while in Dunharrow. She had sketched a drawing of the ellon and castle she had seen not being able to get them out of her mind.

"Gandalf. Aragorn. I had a vision while I was in Dunharrow and I need your council on it," she said taking a seat in front of the King's desk, "It was a good vision but I just do not know what to make of it." She took a deep breath then began to explain the vision in as much detail as possible.

Upon looking at Jesse's sketches Aragorn gasped in surprise, "If I am not mistaken this is King Oropher. A painting of him resides in the Hall of the Fallen in Imladris. He has been trapped within the Dead Marshes since the end of the Second Age. How is it possible that he could be present in this school?"

Looking briefly to Gandalf Jesse told her Dúnedain friend of what she had learned from her parents. She then explained her theory of how they might free those trapped in the Marshes. "It may take years to figure out exactly what we need to do but at least this vision gives us hope that they will be freed," she finished.

"It was most definitely Oropher you saw in the vision and your description of the castle is a most accurate description of the old palace of Anar, before its partial destruction by the Witch King of Angmar and his forces," the old wizard put in thoughtfully, "The Dúnedain have been rebuilding it for sometime now."

The elleth then told them what had been discovered about her daughter. "She was talking to Pyre and Thundercloud as easily as I am talking to you. I know that her birth mother was from Gondor. Is it possible that she is of Númenórean blood?" she asked looking to the wizard that sat next to her, puffing his pipe.

"I believe that your daughter may have much in common with you my dear. Shortly after his arrival in Middle Earth Radagast took a wife. Sadly she perished during the birth of their only child, a daughter. The babe was raised by an elvin nurse in Mirkwood. She married a man from Dol Amroth and raised her own family there. It is my belief that young Brigid is her descendant. The ability to speak with animals was a gift shared by both Radagast and Alatar," he explained while walking over to one of the large windows that looked out over the courtyard. Below the child was being entertained by the hobbits under her father's watchful eye. "I would say she is as you call it a witch and if I am not mistaken, one with a fair amount of power," he added turning back to the stunned elleth.

"It would seem that Brigid is most fortunate to have fallen asleep in your lap that night on the way to Helms Deep," the new King observed honestly, "You are possibly the only one to teach her how to properly use her gifts."

That night as she was tucking her daughter into bed Jesse's subconscious mind was still on the school from her vision and inspired the story she began to tell her daughter. A story about witches, wizards, and filled with magic. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense….," as she told the story Jesse watched as Brigid seemed to get lost in her words.

She managed to get through the sorting ceremony before her daughter finally lost the battle with sleep and she kissed her gently on the forehead before making her way out of the little girl's room. Haldir was waiting for her when she entered their chamber and as he wrapped his arms around her body he whispered, "That was a most interesting tale my love."

"It is from a series of stories that children love in my old world. My sister Paige had just given me the last book in the series before I left. I I left it in my bag in Imladris. I haven't had the chance to read it yet. I've read the other books multiple times so they are practically committed to memory," she replied in a tired voice as she lay her head against his chest, "That vision I had while we were in Dunharrow brought the story to mind I guess."

She allowed him to guide her toward the bed, their clothing falling to the floor with each step. Gently he picked her up and lay her upon the soft cotton sheets, before joining her on the bed, his hands ghosting over the planes of her body eliciting sounds of delight from his wife. "Haldir please!" she begged her voice shaky as his hands worked magic on her body. That night they made love as though it was their first time all over again. Every touch, every kiss, was like it was all new again. That night as they made love two tiny sparks were lit that would change their lives forever.