Journey to Mordor (By SUV)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Lord of the Rings besides owning a copy of the DVDs and books. So do not even think about suing me! I'll sue you first! I only claim rights to the idea of this story and my plot lines. And I own Tess. Emily, Dolly, and Kate are all being used with permission. And I borrowed the Suburban from my Aunt Debbie.

Chapter Thirteen: The King of the Golden Hall

Tess drove quickly to their destination—Edoras. They were going to see Theoden King. Gandalf was explaining more of what Eomer had told Tess and Aragorn earlier. He explained the Saruman, using Wormtongue, had put Theoden under some spell and caused him to lose his mind. Gandalf planned to oust Saruman and Wormtongue from Rohan but he would need their help. Gandalf was quiet sure that they would meet some resistance. So he warned them of that ahead of time. The others were not to let anything interfere with Gandalf.

They soon arrived and drove the SUV into the city. People stared at them and the 'machine', quite surprised at what they saw. On and on they drove until they reached the Golden Hall. Once at the foot of it, Tess parked the SUV and grabbed the keys, stuffing them into her pocket. She then checked to see if she still had her sword and a dagger hidden under her cloak. Everyone else double checked their weapons and Legolas helped the 'old man' up the steps to the doors of the Golden Hall.

Hama stopped them at the entrance and spoke to them. "I can not allow any of you before Theoden King so well armed. It is an order."

Gandalf looked to the five and nodded to surrender their weapons. Legolas handed over his bow and quiver full of arrows along with two Elven daggers. Gimli glanced mournfully at his axe as it was taken away. Dolly handed her sword over. Aragorn handed over his bow and quiver first before his sword and dagger. Tess was the last to hand over her sword and dagger. And she glared daggers at the guards who dared to take away her weapons. Hama tried to take Gandalf's staff but Gandalf responded that, "You wouldn't part an old man from his walking stick, now would you?" and was allowed to walk in, with Legolas's help once more.

They proceeded to enter in single file through the door, Gandalf first with Legolas, then Gimli, then Dolly, and finally Tess and Aragorn. Once entering, they spread out into a line. Aragorn and Tess standing on Gandalf's right, and Gimli and Dolly on Legolas's left. They all walked slowly towards Theoden King and his worm of an advisor, Grima Wormtongue. No emotion could be seen on any of their faces.

Gandalf spoke to Theoden, "Your hall seems to have changed much of late."

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" asked Theoden after Wormtongue whispered something in his ear. Tess and Aragorn surveyed the room and notice a group following them on the side, staring at them. They exchanged glances with each other before returning their attention to Gandalf and Theoden.

Wormtongue was now speaking and saying insults to Gandalf. No one paid any attention to the words he was saying. They were waiting for Gandalf's signal to move. So far, they didn't see it.

Gandalf was now speaking and suddenly raised his staff. The five prepared for the attack. And when Grima yelled and a rush of people came towards them, the five attacked.

The exchanged punches with the attackers. They knocked several people out. One of them exclaimed, "This one's a woman!" as he grabbed Tess around the neck to restrain her. Aragorn turned to her, but she had lifted her right leg and delivered a powerful back kick that knocked him to the ground. Tess smiled and mouthed 'I can take care of myself, thank you very much' to Aragorn as she flipped her hair out of her face. Aragorn shook his head in disbelief and was almost stuck from behind.

"Aragorn! Behind you!" warned Tess.

Aragorn spun around and knocked the attacker out. "Thank you," he said to Tess who nodded and rushed to check on her friends.

Gimli had found Wormtongue. Tess nodded for him to leave and she faced Wormtongue. She began to fight with Wormtongue. Wormtongue wasn't too bad and managed to strike her once across the face. He also tried to distract her by insulting Aragorn. But that didn't work seeing as it only made her madder. Finally she delivered her fist right into his nose, breaking it and the worm sank to the floor in pain.

"You can say whatever you want to about me, worm, but I'm going to have to ask to not talk about my friends like that," she said.

The worm replied, "Bitch!" as he spat at her. Tess kicked him in the head with her boot and he was knocked out.

Tess brushed her long hair back from her face and turned to face the others. Gandalf was now in the middle trying to rid Theoden of Saruman's presence. She walked over to where Aragorn stood, watching Gandalf. She too watched as Gandalf revealed himself as Gandalf the White and returned Theoden to normal.

In the middle of this, Eowyn, the White Lady of Rohan, Eomer's sister, rushed in and attempted to run to the King. Aragorn grabbed her arm and pulled her back, hissing into her ear, "Wait." He gripped her arm as he focused his attention once more on Gandalf.

Tess glanced over at Dolly who came over to speak to her. "Who's that?" whispered Dolly, jerking her head towards Eowyn.

"Eowyn, the King's niece and Eomer's sister. She's also known as the White Lady of Rohan," was Tess's whispered reply. Dolly nodded.

"And why is Aragorn holding her back?"

"So she does not interfere. He is just doing what Gandalf asked."

"Are you sure that you aren't jealous?"

"What? Why would I be jealous of her?"

"Because she's got Aragorn's attention and you don't! I know that you like him!"

"Do not!" hissed Tess.

"Yes you do!"

"So maybe I do," she admitted and Dolly said "A ha!" at this and then Tess added. "But I also know that he loves Arwen very much and that she loves him back and I will not do anything to mess that up."

"Who's Arwen?"

"Elrond's daughter, the granddaughter of the Lady of the Golden Wood. She is an Elf. You have not met her yet."

"Did Aragorn tell you that he loves her?"

"No!"

"Then makes you so sure that he does?"

"Because I know much more about Middle-earth than you do! And that's the way the story goes! When Aragorn is crowned King, he marries Arwen and they are married until he dies at the age of 190. Then she dies a year later."

"So? Nothing that has happened since we have arrived here happened in the book! Things could change!"

"No! That would be a big change! I've tried so hard to keep everything close to the book! I can't mess with something like that! That would throw everything off!"

"So?"

"So?! The Valar only knows what would happen if major events were changed like that! No matter what, I'm not going change what shouldn't be changed."

"So did you know that Boromir was going to die? And that Gandalf was going to come back?"

"Yes!"

"And yet you did nothing?"

"That would be messing with major events!"

"So who's supposed to kick the bucket next?"

"No one else in the Fellowship. Unless us being here has changed that, which I'm afraid it might."

"Great! That's just great!"

"Yea, I know!"

And with that Tess turned back to everything else. The King was being helped by Eowyn and looked much younger than he had moments before. Gandalf must have broken Saruman's hold over him. Theoden was standing up, talking to Eowyn and Gandalf. Theoden had just gotten his sword back. And Wormtongue was awake and slinking out of the hall.

"Get your ass back here worm!" cried Tess as she raced after the fleeing creature dressed all in black. He turned and looked at her and ran. They ran down the steps. Tess tackled Wormtongue and held him down until Theoden and the others were able to come out. Theoden was carrying his sword. Once he was right next to Wormtongue, Tess got out of the way and watched as Theoden raised his sword to strike the worm.

But Aragorn grabbed his arms before the King could deliver the blow. He cried out, "No my Lord, no my Lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account." Then he let go and the King brought his sword down to his side.

In the meantime, Wormtongue escaped from Edoras on the back of a horse, fleeing towards his master, Saruman. Aragorn then said, "Hail, Theoden King!"

Everyone showed their respect to the King, including the visitors. Aragorn looked at Tess who looked back at him. His expression seemed to be saying, 'why did you want Wormtongue killed?' and Tess's read, 'I'll tell you later'. He nodded and broke eye contact with her and walked off.

That's when Theoden asked about his son.

[Author's Notes:

That was a long chapter to write! I just couldn't stop writing it! And today is a double post day! So enjoy this treat!

Reviewers!

A Darker Side of Light – Sure you can teach Frodo a lesson! And Denethor must die! Maybe you can scare him to his death that'd be a nice twist.

musical geek – I know that I love the thought of them driving around in a SUV. It never gets boring when I'm writing this story which is part of the reason why I like it so much. And today, as a special treat, you get TWO chapters!

Krista123 – Evil it is, homework. It must die! Glad you think that the next chapter sounds good.

TrekieGreenieShannaraElfOfME – Well I'll have to read it, wouldn't I? Good luck with the writing, I'll leave a review for you.

Dark Borg Drone – This one will defiantly continue, mellon nin. Double chapter day!

Ari Moon – Ahh! You're back! And I did that just to annoy you! Ha! Not, I did it cause I was getting so many ideas that I couldn't stop writing. Hope you enjoy today's two updates too.