Chapter 10: Home!!

I could see the city of Gondor up ahead. Arazeize commanded us to canter the rest of the way so we would arrive quicker. I was now more confident on Filomere and did not hesitate to kick her into a fast but smooth canter.

We were greeted at the gates by an adoring crowd. I felt very pleased to be part of this team and was very happy that I was alive. I was going to miss this place when I went home, even though I could read my book about Gondor whenever I felt like returning here, although being here beats the book.

We rode up to the Kings stone palace and dismounted. I said goodbye to Filomere in case I never saw her again and I hugged her neck. She nuzzled me in response.

We stood before the King who was looking very happy and proud.

"I am proud of you all. You have proven me right and I owe the lives of millions to you, including my own." He turned to look at me. "Legaramir, or Chris, I expect you wish to go home?"

I nodded. "Yes sir but if it's alright with you I'd like to stay a few days in Gondor or at least one more night just to say goodbye properly and tell you the tale of our journey."

The king smiled and agreed that I could stay until noon tomorrow but then I must go home.

That night there was a huge outside feast where the whole of Minas Tirith was invited to welcome our safe return.

We told the king of the entire journey. How we passed through Dalduin, how I killed the 19ft troll and how we destroyed the gem and the final battle before we returned.

Of course the king was very interested.

"Does this mean that evil has been destroyed forever?" I asked.

"Oh not forever, Evil will never truly be gone, it will just be delayed"

When I finally went to sleep that night I was so tired I fell into sleep as my head hit my pillow.

At noon the following day I was summoned before Aragorn.

"Here sit down and drink this" I sat down and he handed me a goblet of red liquid. "This will transport you back into your home."

"Wait" Arazeize appeared at the door, followed by Legosis and Giblet. "We would like to say goodbye, good luck and thank you" He handed me a small ruby coloured stone with the crest of Gondor in the centre. "To remember us with"

"We have enjoyed having you on our team" Legosis shook my hand.

"Goodbye Legaramir. Sorry Chris" Sobbed Giblet. Since when do dwarves cry?

"Bye" I said as I raised the goblet and drank the entire contents in one gulp. The liquid burned my throat before sending me into deep dreamless sleep.

I woke in my own bed, in my own room in my house and in my Lord of the Rings pyjamas. Had all that been a dream? I reached to where my pocket would be. No. No pocket. I realised that my left hand was clasped shut. I opened my hand to find the stone. It hadn't been a dream. It had all really happened. Had my parents realised I was gone?

"Chris, come on breakfasts ready!" I heard my mum call up stairs.

"I've just had the best week of my life, riding horses into battle and slaying evil armies! Did you know I'd gone?"

"Gone? Gone where love? You've been asleep love, you were dreaming"

"No this was real I know it was. I actually went into middle earth and defeated the evil or at least delayed the evil."

"Yes I'm sure you did"

"No I did I actually went there!"

"The only thing you went was mad now eat your breakfast"

I ate my breakfast before going back up to my room. I lay on my bed and looked up at the dragon that was painted on my bedroom ceiling.

"I'm proud of you" the voice of Aragorn echoed in my head. I smiled to myself. It had been real, not a dream, reality.