Mystique, First of all, my apologies for the long waiting. Second of all thanks again for the review. Terry is a cute guy and a better looker then Alex, but the Terry Lara will meet is not a nice Terry. Enjoy the next chapter.

Bluekrystal, For u too first an apology for the long waiting. I'm glad u liked the moments between Lara and Aragorn, there is this tension between them but it has nothing to do with love. Anyway thanks for the review and enjoy the next chapter.

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Chapter 8, The beginning of the end.

Once the friends had arrived in Africa, Lara had advised them to go to the tribe where Kosa came from, Lara had asked for this because Kosa might be willing to help and because it had been a while since the last time they saw each other. The journey to Kosa was long and quiet, a little too quite if it came to Aragorn. He was right, there wasn't a single orc on their path to Kosa, that means that they must be planning an attack.

"Lara! Good to see you again."

Kosa came running at her and wrapped his arms around Lara to give her a good hug. Lara grunted and immediately pulled herself free.

"Kosa, to what do I earn you're enthusiasm?" the tomb raider asked.

"To nothing Lara, it's just wonderful to see you again." His eyes ran over her body, it had nothing to do with the lust of her beauty, just to see if she is ok. "You look horrible."

"Thank you for reminding me Kosa." She replied sarcastic and stepped aside to introduce her friends.

"Kosa, these are my friends, Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn and Kurtis."

Kosa nodded at them, then a throat clearing sound came from behind Lara. Lara turned and saw Van Helsing standing behind her.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" he said.

"Off course not, you're not my friend, you would fall under the category, annoying people." She turned to Kosa "And this is Van Helsing, an annoying man."

"Ha-ha, very funny Croft." Van Helsing said.

"Lara, please come forward, the head of my tribe wants to talk with you."

Kosa showed Lara into a tent. Once she and Kosa were inside, guards stepped in front of the entrance, preventing anyone else from entering the tent. A very short old man stood in front of Lara, his grey hair covering his head and chin. To show her respect Lara kindly bowed to the man, the man nodded back and told Lara to sit down with a gesture from his head. Once Lara was seated the man started talking and Kosa translated it for Lara.

"He thinks it is brave what you're doing, he also can see the ring is hurting your soul so it is important that it will be destroyed as quickly as possible, he is willing to help you with that."

"Thank you." Lara said and Kosa didn't even have to translate it as the man understood what Lara's words meant.

The man started talking again, at the same time Kosa translated.

"Today we rest, tomorrow he will give you all our men to guide you to the Cradle of life." Kosa paused shortly as the man offered Lara a cup of warm liquid. "This is our herbal tea, it will bring peace in you're mind, it tastes quite bad but it's good for you Lara."

Lara accepted it, she smelt at it and immediately pulled her head back.

"What are you trying to do to me Kosa, kill me? This smells horrible."

"Just drink it Lara, it will really help."

Lara hesitated a little more but then she took the tea. Her face turned white in disgust and she was relieved when the taste of the tea was completely gone.

"That was horrible." She said.

Kosa laughed "Come, let me show you to you're tent." He bowed towards the village head, Lara did the same and then she followed Kosa outside.

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The next morning Lara woke up when she felt someone tugging at her leg, her eyes opened and were locked on those of Gandalf.

"Come Lara, it is time to go."

Lara nodded and removed the sheets from her. She was happy to have spend the night without nightmares and horrors, the herbal tea really worked. She strapped her gun belt around her waist, tied her boots and exited the tent.

Outside the men from Kosa's tribe were already waiting to leave. It had to be around a hundred men, could be a little more or less. But still Lara believed it was not enough to fight the orcs. It doesn't mean they don't stand a chance, Lara has been in situations like this before.

"Ready?" Kurtis asked as he stepped next to her.

"I am, let's do this." she replied.

Kosa joined her on the other side, he nodded at Lara and then ordered the men from his tribe to start moving. Lara was shocked to see him carrying a shield, a spear and a sword.

"I never knew you liked to fight." She said to the tall African.

"For cases as important as this one, I do."

The tomb raider smiled "See Kurtis, another man that's willing to die for me."

"What is that supposed to mean, that I am not willing to give my life for you?"

"No…" Lara replied "That's what you make of it, I'm just telling you that a lot of men are willing to die for me."

Kurtis threw his hands up "Damn it Croft, you're such a pain in the ass sometimes." He said desperate and made both Lara and Kosa laugh at his words.

They were traveling fast, which was mostly Aragorn's and Legolas doing. They told Kosa that he should inform his men there are no breaks allowed, that way they'll loose time, and time is valuable right now.

Van Helsing was ahead of the group, looking for a sign of the orcs. It was important they could make it to the valley in one piece. From there on they could stall time and block the only road to the cradle of life, while Lara can make her way to it and destroy the ring. It was all theory, still not certain if it will work but it was their only possible way off succeeding.

The end of the day was nearing, in the distance Lara could already see the valley. Just another half an hour walking and they'll arrive at the valley. Lara had found her way next to Aragorn now and they had been talking about his children and Bryce and Hillary. Lara turned around when she heard someone nearing on a horse. It was Van Helsing and he seemed to be in a hurry.

"Aragorn, increase the walking speed, there is a complete horde of orcs gaining on us."

Suddenly the ground under their feet started trembling.

Lara hurried back up the hill as Aragorn and Gandalf followed her. When they reached the top Lara's eyes went wide in surprise. It must be thousands of them, the horizon was filled with orcs and humans. She could feel fear leap into her body but did her best to suppress it.

"We should hurry." Aragorn said and immediately they ran back down the hill.

"Kosa tell your men to start running." Lara said as she passed the African.

Everyone started running, all they had to do was reach the valley, then they might stand with in a chance.

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Darkness…nothing but darkness…he was trapped between heaven and hell. It was all her fault, Croft, she made him suffer like that. But one day he'll come out of this nightmare and he will get his revenge.

"What the…"

Was he seeing things, or was all the time in this darkness making him crazy. He narrowed his eyes, light, there was light and it was getting brighter and brighter. Soon there was a flash and seconds later Terry was standing in front of the Cradle of Life.

"Bloody hell." He said.

He looked around, it all felt so real, Terry moved his hands over his body.

"What happened?" he said and strangely enough he received an answer.

"I brought you back to life." A male voice from behind him said.

Terry turned around and looked at a middle aged man, dressed in a press suit. It didn't combine that good with the environment.

"You brought me back to life?" Terry asked in his Scottish accent. "How the bloody hell is that possible?"

The man smiled "My name is Russel, a demon who serves the lord Sauron."

"I really must be going crazy." Terry said as he didn't understand a word the man said.

"No Mr Sheridan, this is all very real and I brought you back because I want to ask you to do me a favor."

This Terry did understand "A favor? Go on."

"As we speak a certain person is on her way to the Cradle of Life to destroy something that is really important to me, I want you to stop her and kill her."

Terry smiled "Croft…" He said but he looked up again and his smile faded. "But if she wants to destroy something it means it is a danger to the world, what is it?"

Russell started to get angry "Mr Sheridan, all you have to do is kill Lady Croft, just as you desire, you need not know anymore. If that is not enough for you I can easily put you back to death."

Terry started laughing "Take it easy my friend, there's only one thing I want to know, what will happen to me after I killed Croft?"

"You'll be granted an immortal life." He left the part where Terry will be forced to serve the Lord Sauron out of it.

"Okay, that's fair enough, when will Croft arrive here?" he asked.

"Soon." Russell answered and then shimmered out of Terry's sight.

Finally, after all these days of torment, he can get his revenge on Croft. He will enjoy this and makes sure Lara's end will be slowly and painful.

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Please keep reviewing and stick with me till the end.