I am sorry this took so long but I suffered from a bout of writer's block and have been in the process of moving. I hope you guys like this new chapter and I hope to have more soon.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Namárië

By mid-day on the twenty-seventh the tower of Isengard was in sight. Jesse took up her place next to Aragorn much like the first time she had rode up to the obsidian tower to confront Saruman. Looking around she could see the drastic change the ents had made in the once blackened and waterlogged place.

Young trees had been carefully planted and were thriving under the gentle care of the tree herders. Fruit trees were now growing where Saruman's war machines once stood. The Isen now flowed as it should and the ground was now dry and fertile for planting.

As they approached the tower Treebeard walked toward them and bowed his head in greeting to the riders. "Saruman's filth has been cleansed from the earth and the trees have agreed to return to Isengard," the ancient tree herder said in his low booming voice. Turning toward Merry and Pippin where they sat on their ponies decked out in the finery of Rohan and Gondor he continued, "Greetings my small friends. It is good to see you well." Finally he turned his attention toward Jesse and smiling the ent said, "The Princess has begun to grow her own saplings," his knowing gaze drifting to the elleth's slightly rounded stomach.

"Yes, my Lord Fangorn, come this next spring my husband and I shall be welcoming our little ones," Jesse answered with a smile before motioning to Brigid, who was looking up at the tree-like creature in awe, "And this my Lord, is our eldest child, Brigid. After hearing Merry and Pippin's stories of their adventures with the Ents, she was most excited to meet you."

Slowly Treebeard bent down so as to not spook Thunder Cloud and spoke gently in his rumbling voice to the small girl, "Greetings, little one. Welcome to Isengard."

A brilliant smile lit up the girl's face and she replied, "Hewo Ward Tweebeawd." Bravely she dismounted from her horse, walked up to the tree herder, and shook one of his branch-like fingers in greeting. "I be's big sissy, soon," she announced proudly, "They be wittwe twees."

"Jessica, is what she says true?" Elrond asked as all of the elves and Istari in the company looked in shock at the slight bulge in the Princess of Noldor's middle, "How is it possible?" Giving his horse a gentle nudge he rode up alongside the smiling elleth and looked at her with a raised eyebrow that he normally reserved for his children.

"Ummm," Jesse replied nervously, "Yes, Sir, it is. I learned the identity of my babies during my last dream walk with my parents. Haldir and I's children carry the essences of the two blessed trees of Valinor." Pausing she thought back to what she had learned from her parents and mother-in-law and added, "Naneth and Ada told us that they each posses the surviving sparks of the blessed trees."

Galadriel smiled serenely and commented, "The Valor have truly blessed Jessica and Haldir's union with a most wondrous gift. When their time comes the twins shall be great leaders of both elves and men."

"It is a good sign that the future is safe and that the race of elves will endure in this world," Celeborn agreed with a smile. Turning to face Treebeard he bowed his head in respect and greeted the ent, "It is a great pleasure to meet you Lord Treebeard. I was most pleased to hear of the awakening of the Ents and look forward to getting to know you."

"And why, my lovely niece, have you not told us of this sooner?" Glorfindel asked as he looked at the smiling younger elleth with a pout, "You could have at least let your own Uncle in on it."

"What do you guys say we go into the tower and get started looking through Saruman's things?" Jesse suggested in hopes of distracting the others, "We really need to do that, don't you think?"

Clearing his throat Gandalf decided to come to Jesse and Haldir's rescue and agreed, "Jessica is correct. We really must see the true depths of Saruman's treachery." Turning to the blushing elleth he added, "That however does not mean that Haldir and Jessica will explain things to us later."

Before long Jesse and the others had made their way into Saruman's inner sanctum and the true depths of the fallen Istari's duplicity were revealed. From his place near a cluttered bookcase Erestor called out to the others, "I believe that I have found something." When he was sure that he had gained all of their attention he began to read, "Sauron believes that the child of the High King must be eliminated. To that end I have taken it upon myself to reach out to another that has the same belief. The one known as Gideon has offered a much needed solution to my problem. With my assistance he will take the child from her parents and remove her from Middle Earth."

"That no good son of a bitch," Jesse growled as she looked at the book from next to Erestor, "He was in on it all along. Now I wish that I had done more than blow up his staff. That bastard cost my mother her life." Taking up reading where the older ellon left off she continued, "It is Sauron and I's hope that this shall be enough to weaken Gil Galad once and for all and ultimately be the end of the elves in Middle Earth."

"It would appear that Saruman has been at this for a very long time," Aragorn stated as he looked at Jesse with sympathy, "It saddens me that his treachery could not have come to light sooner." Shaking his head the King of Men walked up to the now crying elleth, hugged her close and whispered, "I am truly sorry, my heart-sister, for that is what you are to me. You must remember that had they not done what they did, you may never have met your other family."

Taking a deep calming breath Jesse gave Aragorn a watery smile and replied, "You are right, Aragorn, I know. It is just difficult for me to think of all that I missed with my parents because of what that monster has done. I don't know what I would have done without the Halliwell family in my life." Pausing she hugged him back and whispered, "And you are a brother to me as well my friend."

After several long hours of searching the group finally retired for the night and as she lay curled into Haldir's body Jesse's mind continuously went over the words from the dark wizard's journal. She had deep down already known that Saruman had played a key role in her abduction. She was unsurprised that Sauron had basically ordered her kidnapping in order to hurt her father. She could even make sense out of Gideon's involvement. She still however could not allow her mind to rest.

Sensing his wife's distress Haldir reached out to her mind and used their bond to help her to relax. 'Rest my love,' he whispered softly into her mind, 'You must rest.' As their bond wrapped them both in a cocoon of love the young couple fell asleep in one another's arms.

The next morning found the travelers leaving Isengard and making their toward Fangorn Forest. It was with a somewhat heavy heart that Jesse faced this day. She knew that Legolas, Gimli and, Thranduil would break away from the group and with them the other Mirkwood elves. As the group neared the edge of the ancient wood, Jesse prepared herself for yet another farewell.

"Gimli," Jesse began, "I want you and Legolas to take care of each other. Don't let him get to serious. You know how he gets."

"Aye, Lass, I'll watch over him," the dwarf agreed with a laugh, "You make sure that elf of your takes care of you and the little Lass."

Laughing the elleth reached up and kissed the dwarf on the cheek and answered, "I will I promise." Turning her attention to Legolas she ordered, "You had better come and visit when the babies get here. I know that Larien, will be happy to see you." Laughing she watched as the tips of the young ellon's ears began to turn pink with embarrassment and she added, "Why, Legolas, is that a blush I see?"

As the final farewells were said the remaining members of the Fellowship watched as two of their group rode away. "I am really going to miss those two," Jesse sighed as she watched the Mirkwood party disappear into the trees, "It is going to be entirely to quiet without their constant bickering."

"Though I am loath to admit it to anyone, even myself in fact," Haldir began with a resigned sigh, "I too shall miss the dwarf. He is a true and loyal friend."

"Ohh, don't worry my love," Jesse replied with a soft smile, "Your secret is safe with me." Pausing for a moment she allowed him to help her onto Swiftwind's back before continuing, "But we will see them both again, perhaps in the spring."

That night as they made camp Jesse went in search of Aragorn, finally finding him sitting quietly on a rock overlooking the plains of Rohan. "Aragorn," she called out softly, "I need to talk to you." When the former ranger motioned for her to take a seat next to him, she began, "In a couple of days, your group will split off from ours and continue on to Arnor. I need to ask you to do something for me."

"Of course you need only ask," he replied lighting his pipe and taking a long drag from it, "We are family are we not?"

Smiling she took a deep breath and asked, "I guess we are now aren't we." Taking a breath she went on, "I need you to promise me that you and Arwen will be there for my carination. As you just pointed out we are family now and I want my family there with me."

"Morgoth himself, could not keep me away," the king of men replied with a smile as he hugged the elleth, "And I know that my wife shall wish to be there as well." Thinking for a moment he added with a slight grin, "Besides, we will want our children to get to know each other."

The next two days moved all to swiftly for Jesse's liking and soon, she and the other members of the Fellowship were bidding farewell to Aragorn and his party, and with them Pyre and Fire Tooth. For the hobbits it was an even more difficult parting and as they watched the King of Gondor ride away, Frodo said, "He has been with us since Bree. This parting will be the hardest. I still remember the night we met him and Sam didn't like the look of him."

"You will see him again, I promise. After all I do expect you guys to be at my carination as well. If it were not for the four of you I probably wouldn't even have a kingdom to rule," Jesse said with a smile as she kneeled down to the level of the four young hobbits, "No, you guys will definitely see Aragorn again."

It was only one day later near the Gap of Rohan that Jesse and Boromir were saying their final farewells to Gandalf and the hobbits. It was also time for Jesse to say goodbye to Glorfindel, Erestor, and Lord Elrond. Saying goodbye to the three of them was by far the hardest for the young elleth. In her mind she knew she would see them again but the parting was still a difficult one for her heart to take.

"Wild wargs could not keep me from being there when you welcome you twins," Glorfindel declared with a smile as he wrapped the elleth in a comforting embrace, "After all I wouldn't want the little ones to become as bull headed as their Ada."

Laughing through her tears Jesse replied, "Be safe and behave, Erestor is going to start getting grey hair soon enough with Elladan and Elrohir as it is."

"I shall see you when you and your family are ready to travel to Rivendell, child," Erestor whispered as he too hugged Jesse as well, "You have done very well and I know that your father would be most proud."

Finally Elrond stepped forward and embraced the daughter of his dearest friend and one that he had come to love as a daughter as well, "My house will always be a home to you, Jessica, and you shall always be known as a member of my house. You have become as dear to me as my own children and it is with a sad heart that I part with you now." Pausing for a moment he wiped away some of her tears and continued, "When you are ready for the next step in your journey, know that I shall be there to help you in anyway I can."

As she stood watching them ride away she whispered a silent prayer to the Valar to look over those that she called family. As the last rider disappeared Jesse turned and walked straight into Haldir's comforting arms. "We will see them again, my love," Haldir whispered as she held her close. Placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head he continued, "The Lady is ready to move on. Soon we shall gaze upon the beauty of the Golden Wood once more. Soon, my love, I shall hold you and our children in our home." Gently he guided her toward Swiftwind and helped her onto his back, "Soon my love you shall rest within the comfort of your on bed."

That night around the fire Galadriel and Celeborn approached the younger couple and sat down. "The time of the ring bearers is coming to an end on these shores, as you know," the Lady of the Golden Wood began, "And soon Lord Elrond, Mithrandir, Frodo, and I shall sail into the west. You will be the guiding light for our people here on these shores, Jessica and you as well Haldir. Our people shall look to you for guidance and protection. When that time I wish for you, Jessica, to have my mirror."

For a moment Jesse found it hard to speak from the gravity of the Lady's words and she sat there silently thinking of what to say. "My Lady, I can not find the words to express how much the faith you have in me and I hope that I can be worthy of such faith," Jesse replied sincerely as she was wrapped in a hug by the older elleth. Closing her eyes for a moment she allowed her mind to wander for a moment and caught sight of something in the near future. First she saw the ring bearers boarding the swan ship that would spirit them away to the west and herself, Haldir, Brigid, Erestor, Glorfindel, Oropher, Lord Celeborn, and the hobbits watching the ship as it faded over the distant horizon . Then slowly the scene changed and she saw the ship returning with many more ships. People were cheering in the streets surrounding the harbor as dozens of elves poured from the ships. She saw herself and Haldir standing next to Piper, Leo, Paige, Phoebe and two men she did not recognize greeting her parents, the ring bearers, Legolas, and Gimli as they disembarked from their ship. As the images faded she opened her eyes once more and smiled serenely, sharing a knowing look with Galadriel.

"What did you see my love?" Haldir asked as he looked into her eyes.

"She has glimpsed the distant future, Haldir," Galadriel supplied with a matching smile as she leaned into her husband's body, "Jessica has seen the ultimate out come for the sacrifice she made when she returned to Middle Earth. She has seen a most wondrous future for us all."

Smiling Jesse cuddled closer to Haldir before saying, "We definitely have our work cut out for us but in the end it will be worth it." Glancing down at her swollen stomach she whispered, "It will all be worth it in the end." It was at that moment that the babies she carried decided to make their presence known and Jesse felt the first stirrings of movement from them, "It is all worth it," she whispered as she placed his hand on her belly.

As the sun reached high into the sky, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn led their party into the outer borders of the Golden Wood. The familiar sounds and sights of the forest brought a sense of peace to Jesse's fëa as she rode along side her husband and daughter. "We are almost home, Baby," she said looking over to the excited child, "Soon you will get to see your new home."

"Is we weawy gonna' live in a twee, Momma?" the small girl asked as she looked all around her at the enormous trees that made up the Golden Wood.

Laughing Jesse shared a smile with her husband before answering, "Yes, Baby, we will live in a house built high in the trees."

Finally the gates of the city came into view and the party was allowed through. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and had come to welcome home their Lord and Lady. "We have finally come home, my love," Haldir said as they bid their good nights to the others and led their daughter toward their home. "Welcome home my little dove," Haldir said as he lifted her into his arms and began to carry her up the winding staircase to their home, "Welcome to Lothlorien."

That night once they had tucked the still very excited Brigid into her new bed, Jesse and Haldir also retired to their own bed. As the people of Lothlorien sung with joy over the return of their beloved rulers, the young couple made love to one another and as they finally allowed themselves to fall into a peaceful sleep, they knew that though they had a great deal of work ahead of them that they would always have each other.