Chapter Thirty-Five
Ghosts of the Past
I hope you guys like this chapter and I managed to answer a few more questions. I would love to hear what you think, so send those reviews my way.
The day they were due to leave for the Dead Marshes Jesse awoke from her place held tightly against Haldir's body. Carefully sliding from the bed she walked over to the window and watched as the last of vestiges of night faded from the sky. Today she would leave her daughter in the care of Princess Lothíriel and ride toward Mordor once more.
Soon Haldir joined her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against his body. "It will work out my love," he said resting his chin on her shoulder, "The city is waking up. Aragorn will be ready to leave after breakfast."
"I am just worried about how the Marshes will have effected those that have survived all of this time. In my vision Oropher was fine but how far into the future was I seeing. I just don't know and the not knowing worries me," she said leaning back into his comforting embrace.
The small family made their way to the King's Hall where their friends and family were waiting. Almost everyone was already there taking up most of the two large tables that were set up in the hall. Upon seeing her Uncle Rúmil, Brigid made a bee-line for the handsome young ellon and was soon perched happily upon his slender shoulders. Smiling at the antics of her daughter and youngest brother-in-law, Jesse made her way over to the table and sat down across from the Lady of Light.
"How are you feeling this morning, child?" the older elleth asked smiling serenely at the young Princess of Noldor, as she passed a cup of steaming coffee over to the younger elleth. "The little one seems most fond of her new uncles," she commented she added smiling as the child's laughter filled the hall.
"She adores them," Jesse replied smiling before taking a sip of her coffee, "She already has them wrapped firmly around her little finger. Erestor has met the same fate and Lord Elrond will be next, I'm afraid."
Laughing the Lady of the Golden Wood glanced over at her husband who was receiving a hug from the small child and said, "As will my beloved husband I am most sure." Turning her attention back to Jesse she asked, "Have you thought of your own coronation child?"
"I would like to at least wait until the twins are born. I know that I can't put it off any longer than that but I want the babies to be born in the Golden Wood. Once I am Queen I do not know what will happen," Jesse answered honestly as she took a bite out of a slice of apple.
"Speak with Elrond of this, dear child. He will be able to offer you the solution you are searching for," Galadriel advised gently, "I do not believe waiting until the birth of your little ones shall pose a problem and I would be most pleased to attend you during their birth. It was I who attended you mother during your birth."
A look of relief came over the younger elleth's face as she heard the Lady's words, "I will speak with him as soon as I am able, and thank you. It is a relief to know that you will be there when my time comes. I guess it is times like this I really miss my sisters."
"They were and always will be your family. That you miss their presence in your life is understandable as well," Galadriel assured with a gentle understanding smile.
Once breakfast was over Jesse and Haldir bid farewell to their daughter, promising to return as soon as they were able. Gripping Haldir's hand tightly she drew strength from their bond as they made their way out to their horses.
"Are you boys ready to go?" she asked walked up to Swiftwind and offered her arm to Galahad, removing him from his temporary perch on her saddle. Swiftwind stamped his feet and gave a pleased whinny as Galahad ruffled his feathers and clucked proudly, their antics bringing a much needed laugh from the elleth.
"I may not be able to read their thoughts as you do but I do believe they are most ready," Aragorn chuckled as he and Arwen walked up leading their horses. "Are you ready?" he asked scratching Swiftwind between the ears by way of greeting.
"Yes, I am ready when you are," Jesse replied with a smile, shifting Galahad to rest on her shoulder, "Are the healers ready?"
"They have just finished loading the last of their supplies. I will give the order to move out in a few minutes. We are only waiting for the last of the horses to be brought around," the King of Gondor explained.
Soon Aragorn was leading the host across the fields of Pelennor toward Mordor. Riding alongside Aragorn and Arwen were Lords Elrond and Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, King Thanduil, Jesse, Haldir, Radagast, and Gandalf. Pyre and the Eagles soared overhead casting large shadows upon the ground as they kept an aerial lookout for signs of trouble.
As they rode Jesse allowed her mind to reach out to touch what awaited them in the Marshes. She could feel the anguish that saturated their souls. Something surprised her though. Through the anguish and torment she could sense hope, as thought the victims of the Marshes knew that help was on the way.
That night once they had made camp Jesse made her way over to where the Lady Galadriel sat by the fire with Arwen to tell her about what she had sensed. "They know that we are coming," she said taking a seat next to the Lady of Light.
"They can feel your presence, child, and have felt you from the moment of your return to our world," Galadriel explained, "They may not completely understand but they can feel the hope you bring for them. You use your mind much in the same way I do, to sooth away pain and suffering for those around you, but your power however is vastly more far-reaching than my own."
"How is that possible, Grandmother?" Arwen asked just as surprised as Jesse, "You make it sound as though Jesse is more powerful than Mithrandir."
Laughing the Lady replied, "Oh Penneth, in many ways she has greater power than a white wizard. It is Jessica's task to see our race into the future, and the Valar have given her the power to perform that task. It is her guidance that will be called upon by not only the race of elves, but the other races as well, throughout the ages to come."
Jesse sat in shock for several minutes. "I know I was powerful but I will never see myself as powerful as Gandalf. I am still learning how to use my powers," Jesse replied with stubborn smile, "Unless you have the knowledge to wield it, all of the power in the world is useless."
"In time child, you shall gain the knowledge as well. The time of the Rings of Power are over. In a few short years the bearers of those rings shall leave Middle Earth and our world will look toward you their leaders, for guidance," the Lady explained further, "The experiences you will face in the future will make you the guiding light of our people."
Soon the others joined the three elleths by the fire and they enjoyed a peaceful dinner. At the insistence of the hobbits Jesse told them the story of how her sisters had once been turned into goddesses. "You have to remember Pip, that at the time I was the only one who knew who Chris really was," she said laughing, "It did not really take long for him to become my closest friend."
"You really do miss him don't ya, Jesse," Sam asked from his place next to Frodo.
"Yeah, Sam, I really do," she answered solemnly as she cuddled closer to her husband's body seeking strength and comfort from their bond.
It was almost three days before they reached the outskirts of the Dead Marshes. At Jesse's urging camp was set up outside of the boundary of the cursed lands. "I do not know how the spell will effect the land and I would rather play it as safe as possible," she explained as Aragorn directed the camps construction with the help of Boromir and Faramir.
While the others were setting up camp Sam and Frodo led those that would actually be performing the spell and their anchors to where Gollum had led them into the Marshes.
Jesse with the aid of Gandalf and Radagast sent a massive wave of soothing energy out to all of the souls trapped. Once she had done that, the elleth began to set up a large circle with six white pillar candles. Lighting the candles she stepped into the center of the circle and was soon joined by the others. Glorfindel and Haldir each knelt at her side, placing a hand each on her trim abdomen, and linked with the twins that she was carrying. Galadriel, Celeborn, and Elrond stepped up behind Jesse and the two wizards, as they stood facing one another.
As one Jesse, Gandalf, and Radagast began to chant their voices rising with each repetition of the spell. Just as they reached the third round of the chant they were all but shouting, as the wind began to blow with an almost hurricane force and the ground began to shake violently. Suddenly the roar of a dragon filled the air and a bright light flooded the Marsh. When the light finally dimmed the Dead Marshes were solid ground once more and standing before the group was about eighty elven warriors and the spirits of hundreds of elves, men, and dwarves.
Jesse gasped when she saw a magnificent blue and gold dragon soaring overhead. Looking down at her husband, who was still kneeling at her side, she found him staring into the eyes of a handsome elven commander. "Go and greet your father, my love." She whispered in a soft voice as she stroked the back of his head, "He is going to need you."
As she watched Haldir walk toward his father she allowed her mind to reach out to touch Aragorn's, 'Aragorn, it worked. Please bring in the healers and send my brother-in-laws and Pyre. Their fathers are alive.'
Just as she severed the link to the King of Gondor she was approached by three ghosts. One of the ghosts, an ellon, knelt before her with his head bowed and fist over his heart. "Princess, you have returned," he said in reverence.
"The one responsible for my abduction has been vanquished and just as the Dark Lord has been. You can all find the healing and peace that you need in Mandos's Halls, knowing that our world is now free and I will do everything in my power to keep it that way," Jesse said with a gentle smile, "You have had to wait far to long to be free of this place. Take your rest and find your peace."
Slowly the spirits began to fade and disappear upon a gentle breeze that blew across the barren plain. Elrond approached Jesse with a very familiar ellon at his side. "Jessica, I would like for you to meet a very dear friend of mine, Oropher the King of Mirkwood the Great," the Half-elven said with a proud smile.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my Lord," she greeted happily. She could not help but notice just how much Legolas took after his grandfather. Oropher's eyes however told of an even greater wisdom, the wisdom of one who had touched death and survived to tell the tale.
"No child the pleasure is all mine. It gives me great comfort to know that you are safe and whole. I witnessed the pain and anguish that your abduction and the loss of your mother caused Ereinion. The only thing that kept him from fading with your mother was his hope that we would find you one day. You were your father's most precious jewel," Oropher replied with a smile as her upper arms and placed a reverent kiss upon her brow.
A massive shadow covered the ground where they were standing signaling Pyre's arrival and perched upon his back were Rúmil and Orophin. "Jesse, is it true? Is Ada alive?" Rúmil asked excitedly as he leapt off of Pyre's back and ran toward his sister-in-law.
"Yes, Rúmil. He is with Haldir right over there," she said turning him to face the opposite direction. "Go and see him. Tell Haldir that I will see you all as soon as I can but right now you three need to spend some time alone with your father.
Once Rúmil and Orophin had left Oropher spoke up once more, "So you have bound yourself with Tóur's eldest son? He was training to become a warden the last time that I saw him. A natural leader that ellon is, just like his father."
"Yes," she answered glancing over to where her husband was standing with his father and brothers, "Haldir and I married a few months ago. We met when the Fellowship of the Ring entered Lothlórien. I was done for the first time he ever scowled at Gimli. He is the March Warden for the wood now."
"Jessica's bond with Haldir is as strong as the bond I share with my lovely wife. It will be a great asset to them in the centuries to come," Lord Celeborn said as he walked up with Galadriel by his side, "I find myself feeling greatly relieved that they shall be guiding our people in the future."
"You are most fortunate to have such a bond. I often found myself envious of the bond shared by Celeborn and Galadriel. My Serindë, sailed shortly after our son reached his majority. I miss her a great deal but I know that we will see one another again when I am ready to sail," Oropher said solemnly.
Through their bond Jesse could feel the joy that her husband was feeling at having his father back with them and it brought a gentle smile to her face. Turning her attention back to the conversation she replied, "Before I met my husband I firmly believe that I was fading. The separation our fëa were forced to endure when I was taken was slowly ripping our souls apart. When I met my husband I found the most important part of myself. Haldir and our daughter are what make me strong."
At Oropher's look of confusion Lord Elrond explained, "Shortly after leaving Lothlórien the Fellowship went to Rohan to lend aid to King Théoden and his people, as they were under attack by Saruman and his minions. There, Jessica and Haldir adopted a young Rohirrim girl, that had been orphaned shortly before the Fellowship's arrival."
"The Valar have truly blessed us," Haldir said as he walked up with his father and brothers at his side, "Ada this is my beautiful wife Jessica," he added wrapping an arm around her waist and turning to face his father.
"And by mid-spring we will have our twins," Jesse said smiling as she cuddled close to her husband, "It is a pleasure to meet you sir," she added meeting her father-in-law's gaze.
"It is a pleasure to know that my son has found the one his fëa was destined for. I look forward to meeting my granddaughter," a smiling Tóur said walking over and hugging Jesse warmly, "Your father was a most treasured friend and I mourn his passing from this world. It brings me great joy to welcome his most loved daughter into my family."
Soon those that required treatment were being tended to in the camp by the healers. It was then that Jesse was finally free to speak with Pyre and his father. 'Greetings Firetooth,' she sent out telepathically to the huge blue dragon as she walked up to the pair, 'Welcome back.'
'It is good to be able to stretch my wings once more. I am most grateful for your rescue dear lady,' Firetooth's deep and booming voice echoed through her mind, 'My son has told me of your return and of the role you have played in freeing those of us trapped within that watery prison. It is wonderful to see Gil Galad's little jewel thriving so.'
Smiling Jesse replied, 'I am glad to finally meet you. Pyre and Ada have told me a great deal about you. I was so happy to see that my father's three great friends had survived Sauron's evil trap. I look forward to getting to know you better in the future.'
'The Princess has bonded with Lord Tóur's eldest son,' Pyre rumbled in addition, 'She has a little nestling that remained in the white city of men. The little one is able to speak with us as well.'
Laughing Jesse explained happily, 'Pyre is a bit proud of my daughter, Brigid. It was because of him that we learned that she has the gift of being able to speak with animals and ultimately her relation to Radagast the Brown. My husband and I adopted her a few months ago in Rohan and we are just now learning of her gifts.'
'Tell me of your father's fate, Princess, for my worry for him has haunted me greatly during my imprisonment,' the older dragon requested laying his enormous head down at Jesse's feet.
Sighing sadly the elleth took a seat and began to relate the story of what had taken place after Firetooth had been ensnared in the Marshes. She and Pyre both cried with the anguished Firetooth when he learned of the horrendous way Gil Galad had been killed. 'Ada has been reborn but he and Naneth are residing in the healing gardens of Lórien. I have been gifted by the Valar to be able to speak with them in the realm of dreams. My father and mother helped me to figure out how to free you.' Thinking for a moment she added, 'It was never your fault Firetooth. If you have need to blame anyone, blame Sauron, and know that because of the actions of two small hobbits he has paid for his crimes.'
'I am familiar with the race of hobbits. They made their home not far from our clan's nesting caves. To my knowledge they never venture far from their homeland. How is it that two hobbits were drawn into the dealings of the Big Folk?' Firetooth asked, trying to draw his mind from the violent death of his charge.
The elleth explained to the dragon about how Isildur had taken the Ring for his own. Then of how the Ring had been lost and later found by the river hobbit called Déagol. She then explained how Déagol had been murdered by Sméagol, and how Sméagol had been twisted by the power of the Ring into becoming Gollum. She told him of how Bilbo had discovered the Ring and how he hid the Ring away in the Shire. Then she told him of how Bilbo had left the Ring to Frodo and of how the four young hobbits had had to flee from the Shire. She told of how they had met Strider, traveled to Rivendell for the Council of Elrond, and of the forming of the Fellowship. As her story unfolded the two dragons listened with their minds enthralled by what they were being told. 'And then Gandalf and the eagles flew into Mordor and got them,' she finished finally.
By the time Jesse had finished her story the sun had gone down and the stars were shining brightly overhead. Pyre had at some point made a little fire out of tussock grasses with his fire breath. Just as Jesse was about to make her way to where Haldir and the others were she noticed Lord Elrond walking toward her.
'It would seem that Lord Elrond needs to speak with you, Princess,' Firetooth commented knowingly, 'My son and I shall leave you to talk privately and scout out the area from above. I find myself needing to stretch my wings a bit more. Should you have need of us you need only call and we shall come. Sleep well dear Lady. We shall see you in the morning,' and with that the two dragons took to the sky.
"It is good to see my old friends safe and well once more," the Half-elven Lord commented with a gentle smile as he entered the firelight looking skyward at the retreating dragons, "The Lady Galadriel has told me of your wish to remain in Lothlórien until the birth of your little ones. I would love for you to have them in my home but I know that at times like this you need the comfort and guidance of a mother. As your mother's most trusted and dearest friend, the Lady can be that for you. I only wish for you to consider Imladris as a home to you as well."
"Imladris will always be my home that will never change," Jesse declared with confidence, "As soon as the twins are old enough to travel we plan to go to Imladris. We want our children to know both of the places we call home."
Smiling the ellon took a seat next to Jesse by the fire and said, "It pleases me a great deal that you feel that way about my home for it is most deeply a part of me," he paused for a moment thinking of his words before continuing, "Galadriel has told me of your thoughts about where you should settle once your have been crowned Queen. I believe I may be able to offer you a solution to your problem. As you know your parents made their home in Lindon, which became the capital of the Kingdom of Noldor. Perhaps it would serve you to rebuild your father's home. The location would be most convenient for you. It is quite close to the Northern Kingdom of Arnor and would make travel to the school you have envisioned quite easy. Also as it was built along the River Lhûn travel to the other elven kingdoms will be much simpler."
"Restore Lindon," she whispered in deep thought, "That could work but it is what they say in my old world a 'Fixer Upper'. It would take a lot of work but it would be worth it in the end. I would love to live in the place my parents called home." Reaching out to her husband's mind she asked, 'What do you think, my love? Would you be happy there?'
'I would make my home where ever you are my beloved,' his mental voice whispered through their bond, 'Lindon would make a wonderful place to raise our family.' Through the bond he gently caressed her mind before closing the connection.
"Haldir agrees. We will rebuild Lindon," she said with a bright smile from her place next to Lord Elrond, "I think it would be a good idea to have homes in all of the elven realms but Lindon will be the capital of the new kingdom."
Smiling proudly Lord Elrond replied, "That is a wise choice, and I shall help you to rebuild your father's home. I have little doubt that the other realms will want to provide assistance as well."
"We shall all see Lindon, rebuilt," Oropher announced as he, Celeborn, Glorfindel, Erestor, and Tóur stepped into the firelight, "We owe Ereinion as much, to see his daughter's Kingdom strong." He took a seat on Jesse's other side and continued, "Celeborn, Glorfindel, Erestor, and I will remain in Arda to assist you in any way we can. Your reign as Queen is the future of our race and it is our duty to our people to do anything in our possible to aid that future."
"When your father was slain," Celeborn began, "Our people began to loose hope. When you returned to us child, that hope was restored. Since that time you have saved many lives. Because of you the race of elves will thrive on these shores, and live on in the ages to come. We merely wish to witness that future and offer council and aid when we are needed."
Glorfindel then took a seat across from his niece and added happily, "For the first time in a very long time I truly have a family and I am not about to leave that family anytime soon. You my dear are that family, and I would be a fool to leave that gift behind." As soon as he finished speaking his arms were filled by his weeping niece, "I would never leave you, little one," he whispered wrapping his arms around her slender frame, "Even if I must bear the burden of that husband of yours."
Taking a seat as well Tóur spoke up, "I have missed much of my sons' lives. I believe that I would like to stay and get to know them for the ellons they have become. Now I shall have grandchildren and I know that my beloved will require a full accounting of our sons and grandchildren when the time comes that I do finally sail."
"Someone has to stay and see to it that Glorfindel behaves himself," Erestor said with a resigned sigh causing the crying elleth to giggle against her uncle's shoulder and for Glorfindel to give an indignant grunt, "But alas it is a task that I am most familiar with. After all you will require someone to tend to your libraries."
Smiling over at the stunned elleth, Elrond in his usual sardonic tone stated, "It would appear that you and Haldir shall have a great deal of assistance. It gives me great comfort to know that so many that I hold dear shall be together when I sail from these shores with the other ring bearers."
"I don't know what to say," she whispered in a choked voice, "Except that the future is a great deal less terrifying when I know that you guys will be here. I know that I shall need your council if I am going to make this work."
Upon returning to camp Jesse ran excitedly into her husband's arms. Sharing the cause of her excitement with him through their bond causing those that sat around the camp fire to look inquiringly at the older ellons. "Why is Jesse so excited," Pippin asked being his usual out going self.