A/N: I'm glad you like it Samantha-Girl Scout. :D I've had a lot of fun writing it too, but it's almost over! (sigh) For those that ask really nicely though, I might write a sequel.

Chapter 7: The End of the Journey

Valia followed tiredly after Frodo toward the mountain at the center of her father's kingdom. She stumbled then fell with a cry, and Frodo was quickly at her side.

"Are you all right?" he whispered, holding her close.

She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes. "I'm just tired. I've been tired since I woke in that tower," she breathed.

He looked around. "Let's get under cover of these rocks, and then we can rest."

She nodded, and he helped her to her feet. She leaned against him as they slowly made their way to the rocks. He helped her to the floor, and she leaned against a rock, breathing heavily.

"I think it may be from the poison," she whispered. "But I'm afraid it might be something my father has done."

He caressed her hand in his. "What do you mean?"

"The dream I had." She closed her eyes, a tear trailing slowly down her cheek. "I held a dagger and I…" She swallowed. "I killed you." She opened her eyes. "I'm afraid."

"No, you would never do that." He gently kissed her. "You're nothing like your father." He caressed her hands in his. "I trust you, and I love you."

She gazed into his eyes then nodded. "I love you too," she whispered.

Estellia paced in the garden of the Healing Houses waiting for any news of the battle. Eowyn stood watching her. Estellia had introduced the shieldmaiden to Faramir not long ago, and Eowyn wanted to help her now.

"I'm sure you would have heard something now if Legolas was injured," Eowyn said.

"No, Legolas is safe," Estellia whispered. "That I know, but when will he return to me?" She turned to the dark shadow in the east, hoping Legolas would return to her soon.

Frodo and Valia slowly climbed up the mountain. Valia looked up then stopped.

"There's a doorway," she said, pointing to it. "We're almost there."

She looked to Frodo, and they shared a smile. Gollum climbed over a rock before them, growling.

"Clever hobbits to climb so high!" Gollum leapt at Frodo.

He grabbed for the Ring, but Frodo ripped the chain from his neck and threw it to Valia.

"Go!" he yelled as Gollum ran after her.

Valia ran up the mountain and into Mount Doom, stopping for a moment at the immense heat that greeted her. She struggled forward, stopping at the end of a long precipice. She held the Ring out, gazing down at the lava.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice said.

Valia slowly turned around, her eyes wide. A phantom of her father, a dark figure clothed in shadow with glowing red eyes, stood before her.

"Valia!" She looked beyond the phantom; Frodo ran into the cavern and stared in shock.

"You thought you could defeat me with your foolish quest," he laughed, "but I shall defeat you!" He hled up a pale knife, and Valia felt her breath catch in her throat: the dagger from her dream. "With this blade you will strike down the one you love so I may live again!"

"No!" Valia screamed, but before she knew what had happened the blade was in her hand. Sobbing, she felt herself walking toward Frodo with the dagger held high. "Frodo, run. Please, leave me here. Destroy the Ring and run." She held the Ring out to him, but he didn't move. "Frodo, please!"

He stepped toward her. "I will not leave you."

She closed her eyes. "Please, I don't want to kill you! Just run away, and leave me here to die!"

He stood inches away from her, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were filled with fear, mirrored in his own, but he wouldn't leave her.

"You would have to kill me because I would die without you," he whispered.

Her hand shook, and the dagger fell from her trembling fingers. The Ring slipped from her grasp into the lava below as she fell sobbing into Frodo's arms.

"No!" the phantom shrieked as it began to melt and disappear.

Valia and Frodo dropped to the ground as the phantom shrieked again, and a great wind blew. Valia looked up; the phantom was gone. Without wasting a minute, she and Frodo ran from Mount Doom, standing on a protruding rock as the lava slowly poured from the opening they had just escaped from.

"It's gone; it's done." Frodo laughed then pulled Valia into his arms, hugging her tightly.

Valia smiled. "Yes, it's over now."

The ground shook, and they both fell to the ground laughing. They knew they were going to die, but the quest was done. They couldn't help but be glad even though they would die.

Frodo looked up at Valia who was lying on top of him. (A/N: No, you nasty minds. She fell on top of him. They're not going to do anything:P) "I wish we could have gone back to the Shire," he ran his hand through her hair, "so I could marry you."

She smiled and gently kissed him. "Then consider us married since we're going to die now anyway. I love you, Frodo Baggins."

"And I love you, Valia Baggins." (A/N: Can you get any lamer! I write some lame stuff sometimes, don't I?)

Valia heard an eagle cry and weakly opened her eyes. The rock they lay on was now surrounded by lava, and the two of them were nearly overcome with hunger, thirst, and dire heat. Both she and Frodo looked up as the eagles swooped down and lifted them up. Without another thought, she closed her eyes hoping death had finally come.

A/N: But of course, we all know that she's not dead. And neither is Frodo. Also, here's a little side story as to what happened to Gollum: he burned to death by lava. Mwahahaha! I was tempted on having him live, and like change back to hobbit-like creature. Obviously, I decided against it.