Title & Chapter Number The Wayward Wish 10/14
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Tortured Scribes
Fandom: Tolkien
RatingNC-17
Disclaimer Thank you J.R.R. for the wonderful playground of Middle Earth. Thank you Peter for the wonderful playground created by your casting department. I don't own any copyrighted material in this fic, I'm just borrowing it and I promise to return it when I'm done. Did I mention I have no money?
Warnings None
Betas Jay Foppins III and Constance Ambrose
Cast Characters for Lord of the Rings, Original Female Character
Timeline Lord of the Rings AU
Spoilers The Two Towers and The Return of the King
Summary The realities of being a modern woman zapped back in time to Middle Earth - minus the fluff.
Notes Elvish is Sindarin; If it looks like Tolkien and it sounds like Tolkien, it probably is. He wrote it first, he wrote it best, I'm just repeating it for storytelling purposes and make no claim that I came up with it. Everyone else has done the Modern Female in M.E., so now it's my turn. Hopefully, I've done it with a bit of style and believability.
Chapter Ten: Exodus and Waiting
The King led them all into the dining hall where Éowyn was waiting for them. They ate hastily while Théoden and Gandalf discussed Saruman. Finally when they had finished, Théoden offered Gandalf to choose a gift, reserving only his sword from the choosing.
"I chose Shadowfax!" came Gandalf's immediate reply.
To the others, Théoden offered them armor as gifts. It was on their way to choose from the armory that Legolas managed to speak to Aragorn.
"Nown gadaelm i gwenn si. Authna aldôr anhen." [I think we should leave the girl here. Battle is no place for her.] Legolas gestured towards Jessy when she wasn't looking. He knew that she had been unable to grasp Sindarin and would not be able to understand their conversation.
Aragorn smiled slightly. "Nauthn tanya hefyd. Nawshen lothron toghen andilyn'ammen." [I thought that also. Her nature may lead her to follow us.]
Legolas thought for a moment, "Trenarm hen tanya dyan cymorthe toghe i'Rohirram bandan." [We could tell her that she is to help lead the Rohirram to safety.]
Hady gwerth ceisio. Trî nown an'tanya Éomer i'mean i hyderm anho gallu an'canfod hen nu clo'ac'agoriad tan ymaithm."
Faint lines of disapproval marred Legolas' forehead at the idea of Jessy being held under guard but he did not see another option if she did not accept the idea of staying behind. He said nothing more on the subject for they had reached the armory.
Both Aragorn and Legolas chose mail, helms and round shields. The shields were overlaid with gold and set with gems of green, white, and red. Gandalf did not take any armor and Gimli chose a helm and shield only.
Jessy was somewhat overwhelmed by all the armor. She couldn't even name half of the pieces or even tell you what they were for. She didn't want to offend the king and started to pick up a small pair of gauntlets when Aragorn stopped her.
"That mail there would serve you well." He pointed to a small set of mail that had obviously been made to fit a young lad. It was plain but serviceable as befit a squire of little station. There was a helm and shield next to it and he added these to the armor.
"Thank you." Jessy sent Aragorn a grateful look.
They changed into the armor, Aragorn having to help Jessy get into hers properly. It was a little large for her but would serve its purpose, keeping her safe in case Orcs attacked.
Back in the great hall, Éowyn came forth with a cup of wine. "Ferthu Théoden hál. Receive now this cup and drink in happy hour. Health be with thee at thy going and coming!"
The king took a sip and then Éowyn offered it in turn to each of the guests. Jessy did not miss the look the lady gave to Aragorn. It was quite obvious she had the hots for him. Poor girl, Jessy thought silently, to bad he is taken. Galadriel had spoken of her granddaughter Arwen and her betrothal to Aragorn.
After they had all drunk from the cup, Théoden went to the doors of the hall to address the men that had gathered beyond the hall.
Éomer chose this moment to pull Aragorn aside. "Do you really intend to bring the girl with us?" He looked pointedly at Jessy.
"When did you figure it out?"
"During our first meeting. At first I thought her a young lad but I could see the fire in her eyes at being called so by us both. That is why I offered to bring her with me before we parted ways. Now I ask you yet again do you think to bring the girl into battle with us?"
"Nay! But she is a stubborn lass and was raised by the Elves who are equal despite their gender." Aragorn did not feel the need to explain the true nature of Jessy's arrival into Arda. "I thought to tell her to stay and help your people escape to safety. It would assuage her pride while keeping her safe. I do not wish to answer to the Lady Galadriel should something happen to her ward."
Éomer nodded. "Nor would I, my friend. Though I wonder how much she would really care for the well-being of one Human maid."
Aragorn smiled wearily. "She would care as would her husband, Lord Celeborn. Wither it be a foster child or simply a ward, Elves do not take their guardianship of others lightly." Aragorn did not tell Éomer that it was from experience that he knew this. More than once as a child, he had faced an angry Elrond for one childish prank or another but never had he sensed anything but genuine affection from the Elf Lord.
"And if she does not wish to be left behind." Éomer asked, another unspoken question plain on his face.
"Then I would ask you to do what we both know must be done. Even though it pains me to hold another against their will when they have done no wrong." Aragorn said simple knowing that Éomer was of like mind.
They quieted as Théoden began to address the men outside. "Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding. I have no child. Théodred my son is slain. I name Éomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as you will. But to someone I must now entrust my people that I leave behind, to rule them in my place. Which of you will stay?
No one spoke.
"Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?"
"In the House of Eorl," answered Háma.
"But Éomer I cannot spare, nor would he stay and he is the last of that House." Théoden argued.
"I said not Éomer. And his is not the last. There is Éowyn, daughter of Éomund, his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone."
"It shall be so. Let the heralds announce to the folk that the Lady Éowyn will lead them!"
"My lord", Aragorn spoke up. "I would offer my squire's services to help the Lady Éowyn."
Théoden frowned, "Would not the lad be of better service on the field of battle?"
"The lass would be of better service here, my lord." Aragorn paused to let his words sink in. He ignored the gasp of outrage from Jessy. "She can fight but is untried in battle. I would not be the one to send her forth to test her skills." He added to soften the blow to her pride.
Jessy stared at Aragorn. That prick, she thought. First he wants me to pretend to be a boy and now he's telling everyone I'm a girl. She looked to Legolas and the others but found no support for her in that corner. She decided to argue her own case without their help. "I want to go with you. I have come this far; I will not be left behind. I assure you that if push comes to shove, I can kill Orcs with the best of you"
"Hush girl, it is not your place to decide." Aragorn hissed before sending a look towards Éomer.
The king noted the stubborn look on the girl's face and decided to soothe the girl's pride, which was obviously being torn to shreds by her companions' reluctance to support her petition. "I would feel better if I knew that I was leaving help for Éowyn. She will need it if she is to get our people to the mountains and safety. Your skills with bow and sword would be of great use for I dare leave none behind in this dark hour."
Jessy recognized the statement for what it was, an attempt to manipulate her into staying behind. She had to admit it was working. "I would be honored to serve you, my lord." She mimicked the courtly speech that had dominated the conversation of late. Casting an ugly look at her companions, she moved to stand behind the seat Théoden had taken on the steps.
Legolas let out the breath he had been holding. For one moment he thought they would have no choice but to restrain her. The look she had sent him hurt but he knew it was all for her own good.
The king turned back to the matter at hand, Éowyn had come forth and knelt before him. He presented her with a sword and a corslet. "Farewell sister-daughter! Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to the Golden Hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves, and if the battle goes ill, thither will come all who escape."
"Speak not so!" Éowyn answered. "A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your return." Her eyes strayed over to Aragorn.
"The king shall come again." Théoden said. "Fear not! Not West but East does our doom await us."
Théoden, followed by the others went down the stairs and began to pass through the gates. Éowyn stood alone on the steps save for Jessy.
Legolas looked back and raised his hand in salute but Jessy did not return it. He watched as she crossed her arms, a mutinous look upon her face. He felt a sadness that so much discord had passed between them. But, his duty demanded that he place the fate of the world before his own personal feelings. He turned then and passed through the gates, Gimli at his side.
Éowyn and Jessy watched, as the men became nothing more than a silver haze, the result of the sun glinting from their spear points.
"You had wished to travel with them, yet you have been left behind because you are a woman." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes." Jessy answered quietly. "They were all that I had left. Everyone else is gone." It was true enough. Jessy had been tossed about this world from one place to another. She wondered if she would ever know peace. Her plan of settling in The Shire seemed an impossible dream and she wondered if she would see any of the Hobbits again. Maybe she should have stayed in Lothlórien. It was to late to second-guess herself now. "Well, we have work to do if we are going to get your people to safety."
Éowyn turned and smiled at the girl. "We are not far apart in age I would think. We shall be friend, you and I. If you wish it."
"I would like that. I will warn you, every time I make friends with someone, fate seems to rip them away from me." Jessy said sadly.
"Then we shall defy fate together." Éowyn turned and went back into the hall.
Jessy stayed for a moment longer, wondering for the thousandth time why she was even here.
The rest of the day was spent making plans for the exodus to the mountains. It was late in the evening when Éowyn showed Jessy to a guest room.
"Tomorrow will be busy day. Try and get some sleep." Éowyn hugged her new friend good night.
"You too." Jessy felt kind of weird being hugged by the girl who she barely knew but returned it, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
Jessy entered the small room, which held a bed, nightstand and a chair. She took off her weapons and mail and settled herself on the bed. It wasn't long before she was fast asleep.
Éowyn laid awake much longer, her thoughts on Aragorn. Never had she seen such a handsome man and her heart fairly leapt from her chest as she thought of him. She felt a little guilty about her offer of friendship towards Jessy. She had initially made the gesture for purely selfish reasons, to learn all she could about Aragorn, but she found that she genuinely like her. She had yet to broach the subject of Aragorn because she had not wanted to arouse Jessy's suspicions. There would be time enough for that later, after they reached Dunharrow.
Despite her exhaustion, it was not long after dawn when Jessy awoke with a start. She knew that Celeborn's sadistic need to rouse her at daybreak combined with the journey across the plains would ensure that she would not be sleeping in for a long while. This was truly disturbing to Jessy because she was most definitely not a morning person. Dressing quickly, she made her way to the dining hall where Éowyn was already up and eating breakfast.
"Forgive me for starting without you." She offered in way of apology.
"That's fine." Jessy was quite pleased when a plate of scrambled eggs and ham was set before her. It had been a long while since she had eaten a decent breakfast. Her stay in Lothlórien seemed to have happened ages ago. "This is really good!" She complemented between bites.
The rest of the meal was spent discussing last minute details about the journey. Jessy was pleased as punch when a servant set a steaming cup of coffee before her. The lovely flow of caffeine into her system was making the day seem much better.
After breakfast, the woman retired to the main hall where they called forth the elders who would serve as leaders. They had decided to break the population down into groups, each group lead by an elder. The morning was spent briefing them on what would be taken and what would be left behind. Food was of vital importance if they were to survive. The men had taken most of the horses but those that remained would be brought to Dunharrow.
The rest of the day was spent coordinating the packing of supplies and preparing for the journey. They would leave at first light.
The trip to Dunharrow was mostly uneventful. Once, halfway across the valley, a group of young girls had strayed from their group. They had been found in a small meadow, beyond a grove of trees, picking wildflowers much to the relief of the adults searching for them.
It was late in the evening by time they reached Dunharrow and near dawn before Éowyn and Jessy were finally able to retire. It would be a day or two before everyone was settled but they had a good start.
The days melted one into another. Éowyn and Jessy began inseparable often being found sparring with swords. Jessy had only a rudimentary understanding of swordplay but her abilities grew with each day until she became fairly proficient. She made sure to practice often with her bow building on the training Celeborn had given her.
On the trip to Dunharrow, Éowyn had discovered Jessy had no horse riding skills whatsoever. She found it strange that one raise among the Elves would be so lacking but she made no comment. Jessy soon found herself on the back of a young horse learning the ins and outs of horsemanship. She found that riding came easy to her and she really enjoyed the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair as she galloped across the meadow before the stronghold.
Éowyn often questioned Jessy about Aragorn. Jessy told her what little she knew about him. Éowyn seemed to ignore the fact that he was to marry another. Jessy felt bad because she could see that Éowyn was headed for a major heartbreak. Everything she did know about Aragorn told her that he would always remain true to Arwen and Éowyn had little hope if any in capturing his heart. Not that she had much success in her own love life. What did she know? She was stupid enough to fall for an Elf and didn't stand the proverbial snowball's chance in hell of making that relationship become anything more then infatuation on her part.
She was pretty sure Legolas thought of her as nothing more than a stupid, child despite his flattery that night in Lothlórien. She never mentioned it to Éowyn, Jessy was too embarrassed and was sure Éowyn would laugh at the thought of her affections for Legolas.
Finally, Aragorn returned with Legolas, Gimli and a great company of men dressed in gray. Éowyn greeted them before leading them into the hall. Jessy was stiff with her greetings to her three former companions but was greatly overjoyed to hear that Merry and Pippin had been found. It was short-lived when she learned that Pippin would not be journeying to Dunharrow but had instead gone with Gandalf.
Legolas tried to ignore the pain he felt at Jessy's lackluster greeting upon their arrival to Dunharrow. He understood that she was still smarting from being left behind. He resolved to speak to her before they left in the morning for the Path of the Dead, to impress upon her the need for her to remain behind where it was safe. To that end, he followed her into an unoccupied seating room.
"Jessy, have you withdrawn your friendship so easily. We meant no disrespect in leaving you behind but you were not raised in this world and have no clue to the dangers it would bring you."
Jessy turned blazing eyes upon the Elf. "What would you know about how I was raised or what dangers my world presents? How can you be so quick to judge me? I admit I was not prepared when I first got here but things have happened to change that. Less than a year ago if you had told me that I would have learned to fire a bow, use a sword or ride a horse, I would have laughed in your face. Not to mention the fact that I have encountered more races of myth then I can count." She paused mid-rant to catch her breath. "I don't see what you are so concerned about, since I joined the company you have acted like I was nothing more than a burden. Don't even think of standing here and denying it. And I happen to know for a fact you wouldn't last very long in my world."
Jessy plopped down on a wooden bench being unable to read Legolas' expression. She wondered if he was even listening to anything she was saying.
Legolas remained silent for a moment unsure of how to continue. "You are correct when you say that I know nothing of your upbringing or of your world. Your ability to adapt is impressive and I would be blind not to see that you indeed are possessed of strength and courage. But you have trained but a little bit with the bow and sword. Granted you had an excellent teacher in Lord Celeborn but a seasoned warrior you are not. Would you have us drag you onto the battlefield? Failing would not mean a reprimand from your trainer but death. From death there is no return. Have you considered that?"
Jessy felt he had a point but was too stubborn to admit it out loud. It was easier on her pride to argue with him. "I don't see you packing Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo off to some mountain retreat. They have no more skill than I with weapons yet they are allowed, nay encouraged to gallivant around the countryside fighting orcs and god knows what else. I understand all too well that this has nothing to do with my fighting skills. This is about the fact that I happen to be female. Don't stand there all high and mighty spouting crap about not being seasoned. At least have the balls to tell me the truth."
"Fine, truth be told, you are naught but a female. Among my people that would mean nothing but you were not raised among my people. Damn your stubborn pride for it shall get you killed if you do not cease trying to impress us." Jessy's stubbornness was beginning to make Legolas angry.
"Impress you!" Jessy yelled in disbelief. "Why in the hell would I bother trying to impress a spoiled, arrogant, pointy-eared jerk like you? Don't make me sick! You don't need to worry about me anymore, Legolas. I am not now nor will I ever be your concern so why don't you go primp or whatever it is you do in your spare time when you are not off saving the world."
Jessy didn't wait for a response but stomped from the room in a huff.
Legolas was not about to give her the last word though and he called out, "I was foolish to think I could ever reason with a child such as you. You do nothing but throw tantrums like an undisclosed brat."
Neither was aware that Aragorn and Gimli overheard the last bits of their conversation.
Jessy was conspicuously absent when Aragorn and company left the next morning. Legolas was feeling a bit remorseful at his harsh words to her but there was nothing he could do about it now. There were bigger things to worry about then the feelings of one young girl. He pushed her from his mind as he spurred his horse after the others.
It was the next evening when the call came from the rocks at the entrance of the valley. "Théoden King! Théoden King! The King of the Mark returns!
Then there was a long call on a horn, which echoed into the valley. Other horns answered it until it sounded like a great chorus of trumpets.
Word spread like wildfire that Théoden had returned, Jessy and Éowyn rode out to greet him. As Éowyn hailed Théoden, Jessy's attention was turned to Merry.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck, you little scoundrel!" Jessy all but threw herself off her horse.
Merry was lifted off his little gray pony before he had recovered from the shock of seeing Jessy again.
"I beg your pardon for knocking you out back at the river but Pip and I felt it was for your own good." He voice muffled by Jessy's shoulder.
"I already forgave you!" Jessy was so overjoyed to see him again that she forgot the tongue-lashing she had planned to give him.
The Riders of the Mark watched the touching reunion between the two. It was obvious that they shared a great friendship.
"Come! There will be time enough for reunions later." Théoden called to the two.
Jessy helped Merry back onto his pony and remounted her horse.
Théoden turned his attention back to Éowyn. "Is all well with you Éowyn?"
"All is well." She answered her face stern.
Merry thought that her voice held the tone of someone who had been weeping.
Jessy knew that she was upset because Aragorn had denied her petition to travel with his company.
"It was a weary road for the people to take, torn suddenly from their homes." Éowyn continued to address Théoden. "There were hard words, for it is long since war has driven us from the green fields; but there have been no evil deeds. All is now ordered, as you see. And your lodging is prepared for you; for I have had full tidings of you and knew the hour of your coming."
"So Aragorn has come then," said Éomer. "Is he still here?"
"No, he is gone," said Éowyn turning and looking to the mountains to the Southeast.
"Whither did he go?" asked Éomer.
"I do not know," she answered. "He came at night, and rode away yestermorn, ere the Sun had climbed over the mountain-tops. He is gone."
"You are grieved, daughter," said Théoden. "What has happened? Tell me, did he speak of that road?" He pointed to the darkening lines of stones towards the Dwimorberg. "Of the Paths of the Dead?"
"Yes, lord." Said Éowyn. "And he has passed into the shadows from which none have returned. I could not dissuade him. He is gone."
Jessy did not like the sound of the Paths of the Dead. She suddenly wished she hadn't been so harsh with Legolas. Stupid Elf. Stupid Aragorn. They have gone and gotten themselves killed. She shook her head to clear it of her morbid thoughts and realized that the company was returning to Dunharrow. She kicked her horse and moved up to ride next to Merry.
There was a small tent set up for Merry next to the King's Pavilion. He and Jessy sat there for a long while bring each other up to date on their adventures. It was not long before their conversation turned to their missing companions.
"The Paths of the Dead? What do you think it means?" He asked Jessy.
"I don't know. I am just a mere female. Legolas didn't bother to tell me about it, he was to busy reminding me that I am completely useless." Jessy was still smarting from their argument and felt a little betrayed that he had not told her of their plans.
"You are not useless." Merry tried to sooth his friend. "Besides if Lord Celeborn or the Lady Galadriel thought that, you would have never been taught to use the bow or been allowed to leave Lothlórien."
Jessy smiled at Merry. "Well at least someone has confidence in my abilities."
Merry frowned again as his thoughts turned to the others. "Gandalf and Pippin to war in the East; and Sam and Frodo to Mordor; and Strider and Legolas and Gimli to the Paths of the Dead. Are they all gone to some doom?"
"I don't know Merry." Jessy had been thinking much the same.
"I suppose our turn will come soon enough. I will not leave you behind." Merry told his friend gallantly.
"Just try and see if I don't smack you on the head this time."
They both laughed heartily at this and it helped to lift their gloomy thoughts a bit.
"I'm hungry. Let's find something to eat." Merry said once their laughter had died down.
Just then a trumpet sounded and a man came, summoning them to the king's board.
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