Journey to Mordor (By SUV)

Disclaimer: No, I still do not own Lord of the Rings!

Chapter Fifty: The End of All Things

Dolly, Kate, and Emily had finished packing and loading the SUV. The SUV still hadn't been fixed and it never would be. But the only thing that mattered was that the three of them made it back home. And they wouldn't be able to carry their stuff. It would have to remain here. All they could take would be a light bag or backpack that could be easily carried.

They would be the first to leave. Many others were leaving that day. Mary and Faramir were leaving for Ithilien that afternoon. And Tess was leaving for the Wild eventually, but no one knew when. Sam had already left for the Shire a long time ago and Merry and Pippin would eventually return to the Shire.

"Moo!" cried Emily as she said good-bye to Merry and Pippin.

"Legolas! Don't leave me!" cried Kate as Dolly and Emily dragged her towards the swamp that was the way home.

"I guess this is good-bye," said Dolly to Aragorn and Arwen. "And I hope Tess is happy here. Tell her that I said good-bye."

"We will and feel free to visit any time," said Arwen.

Aragorn nodded and Dolly gave a half smile before she dragged Kate towards the swamp and Emily too.

"It's time for us to go," she said softly to her companions. "This place is not for us and we don't belong here."

And the three companions walked through the swamp back to their world, leaving behind Middle-earth. Their journey had come to an end. They had made it to Mordor, destroyed the Ring and now they could return home. One person less that was. But Dolly carried with her notes written by Tess, Aragorn, and Arwen explaining every thing.

The SUV had finally finished its journey too and would be later pushed through the swamp to get back to where it belonged.

Things had changed drastically for the friends but things would be better later on. All the changes had been for the better.

Tess had every thing packed into her saddlebags and had tacked ES Brego up. She was dressed in worn old clothes with her Elven cloak. All she had with her was stuff pertaining to her new life. She had a sword, dagger, bow and a quiver of arrows along with other stuff that she needed to survive. Every thing that was from her other life was either in the SUV or back in her room in Minas Tirith. She had become who she had been born to be. She was Tess no more.

Aragorn snuck away from everyone and found Tess before she left.

"You wouldn't leave without saying good-bye, now would you?" he questioned, looking into a pair of sadden grey-blue eyes.

"It's better this way. For everyone."

"I don't see that at all. So stop trying to fool yourself."

"I'm not trying to."

"Yes you are," he said as Tess tried to turn away from him.

"I'm bloody not! Why can't you just leave me alone?!"

"Look at me," said Aragorn as he grabbed her by the shoulders, keeping her from running off.

"Why the hell should I?"

"I'm not the enemy, Tess."

"Really? Cause the way you're acting…"

"Do you really want to go through with this?"

"Why the hell wouldn't I?"

"Are you just trying to run again?"

"No!"

"You have to face your demons, Tess. You can't run forever."

"Well I sure as hell can!" she cried, tearing away from Aragorn and hopping into ES Brego's saddle.

Aragorn closed his eyes for a second. What could he do? He couldn't stop her.

"At least take a gift with you," he said, pleading with her.

Tess said nothing and Aragorn held something out to her in his hand. She took it and blinked furiously, several times. In her hand lay the Evenstar.

"I can't take this."

"Keep it. Maybe it will help you figure out what you are looking for."

"But…"

"And take this also. May Anduril protect you since you don't want me to be around," said Aragorn sadly as he handed his sword to his daughter.

"Ada, I can not take your sword!"

"You will," he said as he smacked Brego's rump, sending his daughter away towards the Wild.

Then he turned and walked slowly back towards the Citadel were his duties awaited him. His daughter was gone. Every thing had changed. Before he hadn't had a daughter and then he did and now he sent her away. But he knew that she'd back. Eventually.

Mary and Faramir were heading out when Aragorn caught up with them. They were already on their horses and leaving the Citadel. He ran to catch up with them. They stopped when they heard him calling their names.

"Mary! Faramir! Wait!" cried Aragorn as he ran.

"What is it?" asked Mary impatiently.

"I just wanted to say good-bye and I hope you come and visit sometime."

"That's it?"

"Well yeah, no wait."

"What now?"

"I want you to keep an eye out for Tess and an ear for news."

"What the hell for?"

"She's left for the Wild and I'm worried."

"Then go after her!"

"I don't want to chase her anymore but I want her to stay safe. If you see her, or hear anything about her, please send word. That's all I ask."

"Whatever…" said Mary as she and Faramir rode off.

Aragorn dragged his feet all the way back to the Citadel. He was not looking forward to heading back to another council. He was sick of the King stuff and wanted to go back to his old life but he couldn't. There was no turning back from here on out. Everyone had been placed on the right path and all they could do was follow it. And hope that their paths would meet again at some time.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it begun.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

Author's Notes:

That is the end! I know, it's probably not the best ending but it leaves space for a sequel. As a matter of fact, it begs for a sequel. We shall see if and when a sequel is written. Big thanks to everyone who made it this far. One phase of the journey is over and another can begin.

Reviewers!

A Darker Side of Light – I'm glad that you could see the party in your head, I know that I could. Happy Halloween! And I will defiantly be doing a sequel but I'm not sure how soon that will be! And hope this chapter was long enough for you cause it took me a long to time to type. Praise the candy!