Of Love and Eternity

by jubes-zcg

This is yet another story featuring a tenth member of the Fellowship, but with a Charming Twist. Basically the story is about Jesse, a girl raised by Penny Halliwell, and the discovery that she and her adopted sisters make that will change her life forev

39. Caledonia

Chapter Thirty-Six

Caledonia

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It had only been six short days after Jesse had spoken with her father's friends that the host returned to Minas Tirith triumphant with Aragorn leading them through the city. The day before the new King had sent word of their impending arrival and orders to have loggings prepared for the survivors of the Dead Marshes.

As they rode through the city people came out of their homes and shops to cheer for their returning King and Queen as well as the rescued elves. Making their way through the sixth level the healers led away those that were still in their care to the Houses of Healing, while pages escorted those that had been released by the healers to their temporary lodgings, and the Kings party continued on to the seventh level.

That night as they sat around the dinner table a messenger bearing the colors of Rohan arrived carrying a message from Éomer, alerting Aragorn of their expected arrival the next day. "It would seem that we have returned just in time," Aragorn said with a smile as he watched the expressions on Faramir and Lothíriel's faces at the news. "There shall be a feast in honor Théoden King and those that were rescued from the Marshes tomorrow night," he declared, then turning toward Jesse, where she sat with Brigid sitting on her lap, he asked, "Jesse, would you sing something to honor the fallen?"

"Of course I will, Aragorn," she responded with a sad smile, "I believe I already know just the song. I will work out the music with Lindir in the morning, but right now it is time for a certain little someone to seek her rest," she added looking down at her sleeping daughter. "Goodnight everyone," she added as she and Haldir got up and walked out of the hall toward their rooms.

As Haldir lay Brigid in her bed and Jesse tucked the covers around her the small child mumbled sleepily, "Stowy Momma," as she turned her tired blinking eyes toward her mother.

"Okay Baby," the elleth replied smiling, "Quirrell, however, must have been braver than they'd thought. In the weeks that followed he did seem to be getting paler and thinner, but it didn't look as though he'd cracked yet." As she finished speaking she leaned down and kissed the now sleeping little girl on the forehead, and whispered, "Goodnight Baby."

"It is time for bed my love," Haldir whispered taking his wife's hand and leading her to their room. Once there he proceeded to make love to her well into the early hours of the morning until they both into an exhausted sleep.

Just as Jesse was about to awaken the next morning she was pulled into a vision. She found herself to be standing within the Halls of the Dead, standing before the stone vault that contained the body of King Théoden. Kneeling before the vault was Merry, great sobs wracking his small form.

Coming out of the vision the elleth sat up in alarm. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed and she quickly began to throw on a gown, her actions waking her sleeping husband. "Merry needs me," she said answering his unasked, "I saw him sobbing before Théoden's resting place in a vision."

Then go to him, my love," he answered helping her tie the back of her gown, "I will see to Brigid's needs. Take care of our friend, he needs you more at the moment. We shall see you at breakfast."

Making her way quickly out of the King's Hall she wound her way toward the Halls of the Dead. As she approached she noticed that the massive doors were slightly ajar and a soft light spilled out from within. Stepping into the hall she could just make out the Hobbit's small form kneeling before the dead King of Rohan's vault. Walking quickly over to him she knelt down next to him and wrapped her arms around him in comfort.

"It's okay Merry, I've got you," she whispered soothingly, "Just let it out." Looking skyward she prayed to the Valar that she what she was about to do was the right thing as she pulled out six white candles and stepped away from the hobbit. Lighting the candles she began to chant, "Hear these words, Hear this rhyme, Spirits from the other side, Come to me I summon thee, Cross now the great divide."

Lights began to dance within the circle and the all to familiar form of a man began to materialize, "Hello King Théoden," she greeted sadly, "It is good to see you. I am sorry to have to have summon you away from your wife and son but I did not know how else to help Merry."

"It, my dear Lady," the dead King's voice echoed through the hall, "Is quite alright. I must say this is a most wondrous way in which to speak. What ails the little one?" he added a look of concern covering his face as he gazed down at the hobbit who was now staring at him in awe.

Sniffling Merry took a knee, bowed his head to the spirit of king he had pledged to serve, and said, his voice filled with regret, "I have failed you, My King. I could not stop the Witch King in time."

"You have at nothing my dear boy," Rohan's fallen King corrected as he looked down sadly at his squire, "Rise Squire of Rohan and do your King's bidding one last time." Once Merry had complied he continued, "Serve my nephew as you would have served me and know that you shall always be as dear to me as my own kin. It was my time and I knew of it long before I rode into battle. I can now live in honor in the halls of my fathers, knowing that I did what was right in the end. You my boy have made me most proud and I know that you shall continue to serve my nephew and Rohan to the best of your ability." Turning to face Jesse he spoke to her, "My time here is over and I must now return to halls of my fathers. May the Valar bless you dear Lady, for you have brought many blessings to my family," and then his form disappeared.

"Thank you, Jesse," Merry said wiping his eyes as he walked over to her and hugged her around the middle, "You are a good friend."

"Your welcome, Merry. I am just glad I could help," she replied returning his hug, "What do you say we go and get some breakfast? I'm starving." Gathering up the candles the elleth and the hobbit left the burial hall and headed back toward the King's hall. As they walked Merry peppered Jesse with questions about the spell she had used to summon the King of Rohan. "Since I was to become the High Priestess of the Halliwell coven that was one of the first spells that Grams ever taught to me. It is sometimes critical to be able to communicate with the ancestors and could mean the difference between vanquishing a demon or loosing our lives," she explained as they entered the hall, "I plan to teach the spell to Brigid as soon as we get settled in Lothlórien. I want her to be able to summon help should she ever need it."

"Do you ever think that you will ever be a teacher again? I know you said that you loved it before you came to our world," the hobbit asked as he took a seat at the table, "I think you would make a real good teacher. I don't know if hobbits can learn spells and such but it would be nice," he added as he loaded his plate.

"I knew quite a few dwarves and hobbits that had mastered several aspects of magic in my old world. Magic is divided into groups or fields and we taught all of them at the Magic School. There is Transmogrification, Potions, History, Runes, Arithmancy, Charms, and Herbology for starters. There were also subjects like Spell Creation, Linguistics, and the study of Magical Creatures. I even helped to teach archery, and I am proud to say that none of my students ever missed their targets," Jesse answered taking her seat as well and following the hobbit's example.

Chewing thoughtfully on a buttered piece of bread Merry suggested, "You should open a school here. I bet a lot of people would want you to teach their children. You could probably get a lot of folks to help. It would be a good way to teach the races to get along."

"Merry, has a very good point," Arwen commented with a serene smile on her face as she entered the room on Aragorn's arm. "Does he not, my love?" she added as she locked her knowing gaze with Jesse and she took her seat.

"I could not agree more, beloved," the King of Gondor agreed taking a seat next to his wife, "It sounds like a most wonderful suggestion. Should you decide to explore the idea further, please let me know and I shall endeavor to do all I can to assist you," he added taking a biscuit from the basket in front of him.

Laughing Jesse replied, "I will probably be taking you up on that offer at some point. While I was in Rohan getting Brigid I had a vision that points to the construction of a school, as you well know, but before I can even think about something like that I need to restore Lindon. That is where Haldir and I plan to set up our home."

"When you are ready, Gondor will be ready as well. In the mean time if there is anything Gondor can do to help you restore your father's home please let me know," Aragorn pledged solemnly reaching across the table and grasping Jesse's hand in understanding just as the others entered the hall.

After breakfast Jesse and Lindir sequestered themselves in the Queen's garden were she used her guitar to teach the ellon the song she planed to sing that night. It took no time at all for minstrel to learn the song and so barely an hour after the morning meal had ended she found herself helping Lothíriel to choose a gown for that night.

"We are lucky," the elleth declared as she pulled an armload of gowns from the young woman's wardrobe, "You look gorgeous in all of Rohan's colors. I would suggest you go with the burgundy gown, it is most definitely your color," she added holding up a beautiful burgundy gown that was sure to render Éomer speechless if not completely catatonic.

The Princess of Dol Amroth spoke up from her place by the window, "The Lady Jessica is correct my dove. The burgundy gown will look most lovely on you and your gold cloak will marvelous with it."

"I have some ruby hair pins to use in your hair. I will send a maid with them this evening," Jesse added hanging the burgundy gown up so that it would not wrinkle, "Idril has brought all of my things with her so tonight I will wear the gown I wore on my first night in Imladris. My husband has never seen it so I can not wait to see his reaction."

Leaving Lothíriel's rooms Jesse headed for the King's Hall in search of Erestor and Lord Celeborn. She found the two ellons speaking with Lord Elrond in hushed tones near the large fireplace at the back of the hall. Erestor was the first to notice her and called out, "Come and join us, child."

"I need to speak with you and Lord Celeborn about something, but I believe that Lord Elrond may have some ideas as well," she began taking the seat that Erestor had pulled over for her, "This morning I was speaking with Merry, Arwen, and Aragorn about the school I had seen in one of my visions. I told Aragorn that I would have to wait to form the school after I had restored my father's home but I have been thinking, and there is something I think may need to be done now." Pausing she took a sip of coffee that Celeborn offered to her before continuing, "When we do open the school we will need text books for the students in the subjects that we will be teaching."

Nodding thoughtfully Celeborn responded, "That would be most prudent. We will have need of quite a number of scribes to accommodate the number of learning materials we will have need for."

"Not necessarily," the elleth answered smiling, "There is a very simple spell that was used in my old world before the printing press was invented. I used the spell just before we left for the Marshes to copy the scroll that Faramir and I found. I could easily teach it to those that will be writing the text books. That would make it only necessary to write one original copy of each book."

Turning to face the elleth Lord Elrond added his thoughts, "We will need to consider the need to cater to the different age groups of the students that will be attending the school. The youngest students will only require a more basic type of learning material, while the older students will need more in-depth and challenging instruction."

"I would suggest seven levels of instruction. There will always be an opportunity to develop new materials if we need to expand on that," Celeborn said from his place next to Jesse, "We will need to discuss a list of subjects that will be part of the curriculum. I believe we should speak with Glorfindel and Oropher and make a list of subjects."

"We can speak more of this later as I believe the party from Rohan will be here quite soon," Lord Elrond interrupted nodding toward the messenger that had just entered the hall.

Soon they were all standing in the courtyard in front of the King's Hall watching as Éomer led his party through the seventh gate. Riding in the group was Háma's wife, Gwyneth and their children. Jesse was surprised to see Éothain and Freda riding alongside their mother, the young boy dressed in the livery of a page.

"Wook, Momma, Fweda," Brigid whispered excitedly into her mother's pointed ear. The small girl waved excitedly at her little friend earning chuckles from all of the adults at the looks of pure joy on the faces of the two little girls.

"How would you like to go and greet Freda with me, penneth," Glorfindel offered relieving Jesse of the child's weight, "Speak with our friends, Jesse, I wish to speak with Éothain. I shall watch over her for you."

"Thank you, Glorfindel. Please tell Morwen that I said hello and that I shall speak with her soon," Jesse replied with a thankful smile as she watched her uncle walk away with her daughter in his arms, before she walked over to where Éomer and Éowyn with her husband at her side.

"It would seem the young sister of my new page is more important than I am," Éomer said with a fake pout before he hugged Jesse with a smile and added, "It is good to see you again Jesse."

"And you as well my friend," the elleth replied smiling as she hugged his sister next. "How are you supposed to compete with the likes of Freda?" she added laughing as she returned to her husband's side.

That night Jesse dressed as she had on her first night in Middle Earth. She had just put the finishing touches on her hair when there was a knock on the door. When she opened it she found Lord Elrond holding a dark wooden box, just like he had that night all of those months ago.

"Before I left Imladris I commissioned the crafting of these," he said opening the box to reveal two circlets very similar to her own but clearly made with an ellon and small girl in mind, "The Lady Galadriel also has circlets to match the one you wore in the Golden Wood."

"They are beautiful," Jesse exclaimed in awe, "Thank you." Walking toward the door to her daughter's room she called Haldir into their room. "My love, Lord Elrond has something for you and Brigid," she said when Haldir entered the room carrying their daughter in his arms.

While Jesse helped her husband to place his circlet over his warrior braids, Lord Elrond helped Brigid with hers, telling the small girl the story behind the one that graced her mother's brow. The elven lord then produced a miniaturized version of the necklace he had given her mother so many months before and placed it around the child's neck. "Now, little one, you truly do look like a princess," he said kissing the Brigid's temple and picking her up.

The hall was already filling up by the time the small family arrived, with Lord Elrond still carrying Brigid. Taking their seats at the head table they soon found themselves pulled into various conversations.

Jesse found herself drawn into a conversation with Oropher and Thranduil, about the possibility of freeing Mirkwood from the darkness that had consumed its very roots, despite the best efforts of the elves that lived there. "I have spoken with Aragorn and Gandalf about Mirkwood's problem and I believe the best thing to do is to speak with the ents. They did a marvelous job of freeing Isengard from the evil of Saruman. We will be seeing them on our trip home, after Éomer's coronation and I am sure that they would be willing to help heal Mirkwood," Jesse advised honestly.

Taking a sip of his wine, Thranduil considered the elleth's advise before replying, "You pose a good point my Lady. My son has told me of the roll the ents played in the cleansing of Isengard and of the trees sent to aid in the battle of the Hornburg. I must admit that it is a sight that I would have very much liked to have seen."

"Oh it was a very interesting sight. I mean how often do you see an entire forest just get up and move. The fact that Merry and Pippin were the ones responsible for getting the ents involved in the battle is all the more amazing," Jesse replied with a smile, "When we rode up to the gates of Isengard and found Merry and Pip lounging on the broken wall eating and smoking it was a bit of a shock to many in our party."

"My grandson has told me that you were most impressive in the way in which you handled that traitorous wizard, Saruman," Oropher commented looking toward his old friend's daughter, "Is it true that he had a hand in your abduction?"

"It seems that way," Jesse answered, "I always thought that Gideon would have had to have had help here to pull off what he did. I believe Saruman may have switched sides a great deal sooner than anyone may have realized. I think we will have to wait until we can get into his former home before we will know the full depth of his treachery."

"Sadly I believe that you are correct my dear," Thranduil said shaking his head, "We may never know all of his crimes I fear. I suspect that you may be correct however in your belief that he aided in your abduction. It would take someone of considerable power to take you from your parents."

"That is what I think. The spell that Gideon used to take me was created by someone with a real ability to use magic. You could actually feel the power behind the words. The Elders do not have that type of power," Jesse said, then sighing sadly she added, "He was also most likely the one to curse the athame that Gideon stabbed and killed my friend Chris with."

Taking a moment Jesse cleared her thoughts and excusing herself from the two ellons, she made her way over to where Lindir and the other musicians were set up. Aragorn seeing that they were ready, stood and addressed the crowd, "Tonight we honor those that have given their lives fighting for the freedom that we now enjoy. The Princess Jessica has agreed to something tonight to honor their sacrifice," bowing his head toward Jesse he retook his seat.

The musicians began to play a beautiful melody and Jesse stepped forward and began to sing,

"I don't know if you can see

The changes that have come over me

In these last few days I've been afraid

That I might drift away

I've been telling old stories, singing songs

That make me think about where I've come from

That's the reason why I seem

So far away today

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving

Proved the points that I needed proving

Lost the friends that I needed losing

Found others on the way

I have kissed the fellas and left them crying

Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying

I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying

Somewhere with the wind

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Now I'm sitting here before the fire

The empty room, the forest choir

The flames have cooled, don't get any higher

They've withered, now they've gone

But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear

And I know what I will do tomorrow

When hands have shaken, the kisses float

Then I will disappear

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had."

(Caledonia "Celtic Woman")

As the last strains of the music faded away Aragorn stood once more, raised his goblet, and said, "To the fallen!" All around the hall his words were echoed by everyone in attendance. Through out the night the musicians played songs honoring the fallen from not only the recent War of the Ring but also the Last Alliance. Lindir and the other elves sang laments for the elves that had been lost, a balladeer from Minas Tirith sang of those brave Gondorians that had fallen in defense of the White City, Éowyn sang a sorrowful song honoring the riders of Rohan that would never again ride the endless plains of their home, Gimli sang a dirge in honor of the dwarves that fell during the Last Alliance, and to the surprise of just about everyone in the hall Thranduil accompanied him.

The next morning after breakfast, Jesse, wearing the circlet that Lady Galadriel had brought for her attended a meeting in the King's Hall. The purpose of the meeting was the damage that had been suffered by Rohan to its food supply. If they were not given aid it was very likely that many of them would parish in the coming winter.

"My King, an old portly lord spoke up clearing his throat pompously, "Surely you do not expect us to deplete our own food stores to aid Rohan? How would that profit Gondor? What of our own people's needs?"

Imrahil, having recognized the Prince of Tolfalas, who had come to power during Denethor's reign actually laughed at the fat man's words. "Forgive me, Sire," he said first turning to bow in Aragorn's direction before turning to the self-important prince, "Your stores alone could feed the people of Gondor for three years at least. Rohan sacrificed her own King in order to come to Gondor's aid. We owe Théoden King's memory that much at the very least," turning back to his king he declared, "Twenty wagons worth of food and supplies are on their way to Minas Tirith. They should be here before we are to depart for Rohan my King."

Jesse gave Éomer's hand a reassuring squeeze, then standing she began to speak for the elves of Middle Earth, "Healing supplies have been sent to Dunharrow, Edoras, and Helms Deep. They should arrive at their destinations any day now, if they haven't already. Also building materials will be sent as soon as they have been made ready. I also have a message from Pyre, the Lord of the Northern Dragons, and Gwaihir, the Lord of the Great Eagles, they will scout out the land from above and find locations where game is still plentiful."

"The dwarves of the Lonely Mountain have sent word that stone masons have been sent to help in the reconstruction, "Gimli said proudly from his place across from Jesse, "And a group of our best metal smiths are being made ready and will leave by the end of the week."

One by one the other Lords around the table offered what they could to help the people of Rohan. Seeing Éomer's discomfort at having to ask for help, Jesse reached out her mind and spoke gently to the young King's mind, 'Éomer, you have nothing to be ashamed of. When Gondor needed aid Rohan answered the call. It is only right that they help you now. Now as for the aid the elves sending, don't you dare deny that Rohan has not given me the most precious gift it ever could. My daughter is Rohirrim after all.'

As the meeting broke up Jesse, Imrahil, Éomer, Gimli, Faramir, and Boromir accompanied Aragorn into his study where they could relax and speak more freely. "I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you, all of you, for what you have done for my people," Éomer said honestly as he took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the King's large desk.

"You are my friend and brother, I could never turn a blind eye to the needs of your people," Aragorn began, the others nodding their heads in agreement, "Rohan answered Gondor's call when we were in need of aid and because of that your uncle is among the honored dead. You have no need to thank me my friend."

"Just accept that your friends want to help, and go with it," Jesse declared patting Rohan's new king on the shoulder as she took her seat and accepted a cup of coffee from Boromir, before continuing to speak, "There is no way in the world that I could rebuild my father's kingdom without the help of others. Sometimes we just have to accept that we can not do everything on our own."

Laughing Gimli raised his pipe in silent salute to the elleth and added, "A bit of advice Lad, never argue with an elf witch," causing Jesse to laugh hysterically and Boromir and Aragorn to chuckle as well.

At Faramir's look of askance Jesse explained, "When we first entered Lothlórien Gimli warned the hobbits of the Lady Galadriel by calling her an elf witch of terrible power. The reason I thought that what my dwarf friend just said was because very soon Lothlórien will be the home of an actual elf witch," she paused for a moment looked the young Gondorian directly in the eye and finished with a very simple, "Me." Her words lightening the moods of everyone in the room, none more so than Éomer.

That afternoon found Jesse relaxing in the Queen's Garden with the other ladies that were currently residing in the King's Hall, with Brigid under her mother's watchful eye talking with Galahad under a small tree near by. The ladies were discussing the wedding of Idril and Boromir that was to take place the next day. The ladies were helping the elleth to put the final touches on her wedding gown.

"Idril, everything will be fine, I promise," Jesse soothed, the nervous elleth, "You and Boromir are perfect together. Your soul-mates for goodness sake. You can not get better than that."

"I know you are right. I fear I am just being silly," Idril agreed with a sigh, as she leaned her head onto Jesse's shoulder, "I do not have an Ada to present me to Boromir tomorrow."

"Is that all that you are worried about? Oh, Idril, that is probably the easiest problem to solve. Lord Elrond would gladly step in for your father. So would Glorfindel and Erestor for that matter," Jesse told the other elleth, the other ladies nodding their heads in silent agreement.

Smiling Arwen agreed, "Father would gladly present you. You are a part of our family, as is Jesse. You are as much sisters to me as Elrohir and Elladan are my brothers."

"Do you really believe he would?" the worried young elleth asked as she stitched a small white tree onto her wedding gown.

Smiling gently Galadriel enveloped Idril in a motherly embrace and said, "Of course he will child. Fear not, you shall be presented as any elleth should on her wedding day. The standard bearers have already been chosen. You are a part of our family and shall be presented as such."

"Idril, what do you think that Haldir and Glorfindel are doing today? They are shining their armor so that they are ready to carry the standards tomorrow," Jesse commented as she tied off a stitch. At Idril's disbelieving look the future queen went on, "And so are Legolas, Elladan, and Elrohir. We are not about to let you get married without being properly presented to your future husband. Then after the human portion of the day, you and Boromir can be married in the way of the elves."

Looking confused for a moment Éowyn asked, "How is the way of the elves marry different from the way humans do?"

"Elves to no simply marry, child," Galadriel began delicately, "Ours is a bond of both the physical body and the elven spirit, the fëa. Our marriage custom is to bind body and fëa simultaneously," she paused for a moment as her words sank in and the White Lady of Rohan blushed, "By binding in this fashion we become one for all time and not even death can separate us." The words of the Lady of the Golden Wood left Éowyn blushing profusely and the other ladies to to laugh hysterically.

That night after having told her daughter of how Harry Potter had defeated Voldamort for the second time in his young life and tucking the now sleeping toddler securely under her covers, Jesse joined her husband in their bed. As she snuggled against his warm body and her mind relaxed into sleep, she was pulled once again into the Healing Gardens of Lórien. This time however she would not make the journey alone.

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