A/N: Hey hey! Let me see…oh, what a cliffhanger have we left in the last chapter! Oh no, it's too nasty. We have to fix it quickly! So there is the next chapter for you, dear Readers!

Disclaimer: I always forget about disclaimers.

"Riza!"

The guards practically tossed the older sister onto the floor. She lifted herself onto her knees just to be swiftly bound to the bed beside her younger siblings.

Sir Ling was standing in the doorway, feasting his eyes at the sight of his plunder.

"Now, my dear ladies," he began in a particulary malicious tone, "you will have to wait for the priest to arrive. Miss Winry, soon you shall be delivered a new white dress, which I am certain will live up to your standards. Miss Riza on the other hand will be a guest of honor on the wedding reception. I understand that you can not wait until the wedding, but please be patient. The ceremony will start at the evening."

He bowed to the sisters and proceeded to leave the chamber. However, he stopped just behind the doorframe and turned his head back to the women.

"I suggest you prepare yourselves mentally," he smirked spitefully and with that he walked away. The guards closed the door behind him and two of them remained outside to watch the abducted. The sisters were left alone inside.

"Riza, are you all right?" asked Winry, looking sympathetically at her. She didn't like the way her sister was thrown into the room.

"Yes, I'm fine."

But it wasn't exactly the truth. Her body was more or less fine indeed (beside the few bruises that she got from being treated so roughly). But her mind almost ached from all the recent events. Winry was locked up here and waiting for the horrible yet inevitable. She herself was here as well, tied tightly to a bed pole, unable to prevent any nasty actions of Ling. Edward was terribly wounded, who knows how long he would make it now. And sir Mustang…

She suppressed the tears forming in her eyes, but didn't manage to stifle a quiet sniff.

"Riza?" amazing how her sister could see through her in an instant. "Something has happened, right? What is it? What is wrong?"

Riza looked at her seriously.

"Listen to me, Winry," she said quickly. "We have to get out of here ourselves. We do not have any time to wait for help. The more that, to the best of my knowledge, there is no one who would come for us. So…"

"Edward will come," interrupted Winry, her expression suddenly firm and determined. "He will, I know it."

Riza gazed in her blue eyes and turned her head away.

"I…I am not so sure of that…" she whispered, hurt in her voice.

"Why?" questioned Winry in an alerted tone. "He loves me, just as I love him! He will come and rescue us both, and then…" she stared at her sister attentively. "Hey, you know something! Has something happened to him? Riza, tell me!"

Riza forced herself to look at Winry once more. In her eyes she saw terrible fear… The same fear that she noticed in Roy's eyes back then…

"Riza, please…" she almost begged. "Is he all right?"

"I…I don't know…" she closed her eyes. She knew lying would do no good. "No, he is not. We…we were travelling to Ling's castle to bring you help… But we were ambushed and…"

Winry's eyes watered.

"Is he dead?" she whispered.

Riza quickly shook her head.

"No, no, he isn't…" well, that might not actually be true, but when she last saw him, he was still breathing. No need to depress Winry more. Maybe a miracle would happen and he would make it somehow…maybe… "But he is seriously wounded. They tried to fight those horsemen, but they were heavily overnumbered…"

"Wait," Winry stopped her abruptly. "Who are 'they'? Did father give you some men?"

"No, he did not," the older sister's voice coloured with bitterness. "He would not even believe that it is Ling who has kidnapped you. He did send some people under captain Havoc to find you, but they went in the wrong direction. Only I and Edward realized the truth."

"So…if there were just two of you…"

"We were not alone. Sir Mustang persisted in going with us."

"Sir Mustang?" Winry's eyes, despite her fear, widened in surprise.

"Yes…he caught me when I was on my way to father's room, at the morning after your disappearance. He listened to our conversation and decided to accompany me so that I would have someone to protect me. Besides, he believed what I said about Ling. Then I met Edward at the stables and we set off."

She missed the fact that they left Roy behind, but that was insignificant now. Winry managed a sad smile through tears.

"I told you he was interested."

Riza dropped her gaze to the ground.

"So," continued Winry, "maybe he could somehow take care of Edward and then…"

"No, he couldn't," Riza's voice, so different from ordinary, cut her sentence.

Winry blinked. "Why?"

Riza swallowed hard and blurted out: "He's dead."

The sound of those words echoed in the chamber. Then there was silence. An awful, tense silence. Finally Winry broke it.

"How do you know?"

"I saw it," tears eventually welled up in Riza's eyes as well. "They wounded him with a poisoned blade…he could not even stand up after a few minutes…and then they threw him into the river…he was too weak to swim or at least move his legs, and…"

"Don't," said Winry softly, but it was useless. Riza had to say it, had to throw it out of her soul, because she needed to somehow sooth the pain. The memory would haunt her forever anyway, but just for a little while…

"I saw him disappear in the water…" she sobbed. "I saw it… He tried to protect me, but he already couldn't, and then…they just did it…"

"Shhh…" Winry tried to console her, but it was impossible. She wanted to hug her sister, but her arms were tied behind her back. So instead she just leaned forward and slightly pressed her forehead against Riza's one. "You don't have to remind yourself about that…"

"I do!" cried Riza, closing her eyes. "Because he died defending me, and I…I was so mean to him just a few minutes earlier… I accused him unjustly of something he would probably never do… I don't know what possessed me back then…"

"It's all right, Riza…"

"It's not!"

She sobbed and couldn't stop. She remembered his last glance at her, those deep, black eyes filled with guilt… He was dying, he knew that, but the only thing he would feel was blame, because he proved to be unable to protect her. Even at the moment of his death, he still put her first. And that's why she knew she'd never forgive herself for the way she treated him in.

"I…I think I had been wrong all along… He really did care for me," she confessed.

A shy suspicion grew in Winry's mind.

"Did you care for him as well?" she asked in a gentle whisper.

"I…" Riza was taken aback by this question. She thought for a moment. "I'm not sure…"

But they both knew it was a lie.

The sisters nuzzled their heads against the crook of each other's neck. Then, with no interruption from the outside, they soothed each other's pain. Siblings, no matter if they have good relations or not, always understand the feelings of the other. That is just the way this world was built.

"Will you accompany me to the next dance, miss Riza?"

She looked at the stranger in front of her. Astonishing as it may seem, no one at the ball found him suspicious, even if he wore a dark cloak and a huge hood covered his head so that his face remained unseen. But there was something familiar in him, something she couldn't grasp with her mind, but it was still there.

"Who are you, sir?" she asked politely.

"Will you grant me the next dance, miss Riza?" he repeated, not revealing his identity.

"Sir, I can not dance with you not knowing who you are."

"And if I ask you on my knees?"

She blinked in surprise. "Wha…?"

But he was already kneeling in front of her, gently holding her hand.

"One last dance, miss Riza. Please."

"But, sir…" she was perplexed. "I…I can't…"

"Is it really so difficult to tell who I am?"

He lifted his head to gaze into her amber eyes. Then his hood fell backwards and she finally recognized him. She gasped.

"Sir Mustang!"

He smiled at her. "That is correct, my lady."

She obliviously tightened her grip on his hand. "What are you doing here? I thought you were… That you…"

Suddenly his hand felt extremely cold. A strange, gentle wind blew past him and his image began disappearing from her sight. She screamed at his now blurred appearance.

"Sir Mustang!"

But he just stared at her seroiusly, until the last bit of his face was dispersed in the wind. She heard his whisper:

"I'm sorry, miss Riza. I am so sorry…"

"NO!"

With that, she found herself again in Ling's castle, tied to the bed. At first she looked around in surprise, but then she realized it was just a dream. Beside her Winry was dreaming as well, having leaned her head against Riza's shoulder. They must've fallen asleep from all the crying. Riza hung her head down.

"Sir Mustang…"

A familiar knock could be heard from the window. Winry wanted to rush to open the shutters, but she was still tied to the bed. However, the casement opened by itself and a young man appeared in the window frames.

"Edward?"

He was there, looking at her, that beautiful smile of his on his face. His golden eyes lit up at the sight of her, just like they always did.

"Hello, miss Winry."

"Edward!" she couldn't believe her own eyes. "How did you manage to get here? Riza told me you were seriously wounded…"

"It's nothing, miss Winry," he replied, jumping off of the window sill. "I'm fine now. And I came to save you."

He walked up to her and tugged on the knots holding her hands.

"It will be dificult, miss Winry," he said. "But we will manage to deal with it somehow."

He fished into his pocket and found a small knife. Then he carefully began cutting the ropes. They were thick, but gradually the blade travelled through them, heading towards the end. Finally after a longer moment the ties fell to the ground, freeing Winry's hands.

"Thank you, Edward," she smiled at him. He mirrored her expression and proceeded to cut the ropes holding Riza.

Suddenly they heard footsteps. Someone was coming. Many someones.

"The guards!" said Winry. "What now?" she turned towards Ed. "Hide, quickly! You can not stand against them alone. Please, Edward!"

But he already stepped in front of her and drew his rapier.

"No, miss Winry. I will face them. I will protect you."

"Edward, no! Please, I don't want you to die!"

He turned his head around to look her into the eyes.

"Miss Winry," he announced, smilig gently. "I will protect you at any cost. If it is for you, I will even sacrifice my life so that you could be safe."

"Edward, please, no…" she begged. But it was already too late. The door flew open and six guards entered the chamber.

"Edward, no!"

Her eyes popped open. The same chamber, the same door, the same footsteps. But no Ed.

It was a dream.

Wait, footsteps?

Winry looked at Riza, who was now also awake. She reponded with the same alarmed gaze. Was Ling already coming for them?

They proved to be right as soon as the door opened to reveal sir Ling, accompanied by four of his men. He smirked at the sisters and bowed to them courtly, evidently deriving a spiteful satisfaction from treating them that way.

"My dear ladies," he said. "The priest has just arrived. Miss Winry, your dress is ready. The maid will help you with everything."

Two of the guards were already untying her knots and leading her out of the room. She took one last glance at her sister before disappearing behind the door. She saw a black-haired maid, holding a white dress.

"This way, miss Winry," she said, heading towards some other chamber. The three followed her suit.

"And you, miss Riza," continued Ling, "please enjoy the wedding."

Riza greeted her teeth, but she couldn't do anything. She let the men take her out of the room and lead herself downstairs.

"I will not wear it," stated Winry firmly.

"Please, miss Winry, you have to."

"No, I do not. I will never marry Ling!"

"But miss Winry…"

"I refuse."

The maid sighed. Then her gaze saddened.

"Why are you so stubborn? What is sir Ling lacking, miss Winry? He is handsome, he is rich, and if you acknowledge him, he might do anything for you."

"I love someone else," she replied. No matter if he was dead or not, she would be faithful.

"Miss Winry, you should be happy that such a man as sir Ling is interested in marrying you. There are many who can only dream about such an honour."

Winry stared at her. Suddenly she felt sorry for the woman in front of her. She asked softly:

"Many like you?"

The maid didn't respond. Instead she said:

"Miss Winry, if you do not obey sir Ling's orders, your sister would be in danger."

Winry hung her head down. "Yes, I know…"

"You have no other choice. So why not to try enjoying it? This marriage has numerous advantages, and from what I have heard, you were to marry sir Ling from the beginning."

"That was only because my father refused to acknowledge Edward!" she replied fiercely. "I have never agreed to this marriage. It had been established by my fater and Ling alone, without asking about my opinion in this matter."

There was a moment of silence.

"Miss Winry, please wear the dress," the maid repeated gently. "Believe me or not, but I am truly sorry to say this…there is nothing else you can do at the moment."

"I know," she finally let her untie the corset of her own dress, an expression of deep sorrow on her face. "I know…"

The chamber was decorated properly, regarding the occasion. A table was standing in the middle, with numerous dishes on it. Riza was sitting by the table, firmly tied to a chair with a high backrest. She began to wonder if she would actually spend the rest of her life being tied to various things. This was no fun, believe me.

Sir Ling was walking back and forth, waiting impatiently for his fiancée. To the left a priest was making last preparations for the wedding ceremony.

"Where is she?" muttered Ling in annoyance.

As if called, the door opened and miss Winry with the company of the maid, entered the chamber.

We should do Ling justice and mark that the dress was a really beautiful one. It had a square-shaped neck and belly sleeves. The corset was embroidered with a golden thread and the skirt was large, with some ornaments as well. Winry looked like an angel, exept the fact that angels usually do not have their faces twisted with anger.

Ling's eyes widened a bit at the sight.

"Miss Winry, I must say that you look even more beautiful than ever," he stated.

She didn't bother to reply, but only eyed him coolly. She had no intention whatsoever to speak to him if it wasn't necessary.

"We shall begin then," added Ling, not discouraged by the lack of an answer.

He took her hand. Winry flinched slightly at the contact, but didn't dare to rip her hand off of his grip. She was tense. It was only then when she lost the last bit of her hope. In a moment she would be married to Ling, a cruel and appaling man. She had no other choice, for Riza was held hostage to make sure she obeyed. And Edward…who knows if he was still alive… She suppressed a sob, but could not hold back the tears forming in her eyes once more. Edward wanted to save her and lost his life in the proccess. How could she look herself into the eyes in a mirror anymore? She felt like a murderer. A murderer of the one who loved her so much that he didn't hesitate to put his life on line just for her sake.

And then again, Riza was in the same situation. Winry felt sorry for herself, but for her sister as well. Riza never really acknowledged sir Mustang. Well yes, he was a womanizer beyond doubt, but still… Winry had always thought that the attitude he had towards her sister was quite different from that towards any other woman. Sir Mustang respected her, which…well, which wasn't exactly the case with any other female… Winry vaguely realized that something must've happened between the two during the past several days. Maybe they had even finally admitted everything to each other. But it made the things even worse. It'd been awhile since Riza was in love with someone. She and sir Mustang were so bound to be together. They would make a perfect couple, Winry always used to say this. They were exactly what the other missed. Riza was cool, composed and careful, while sir Mustang was spontaneous and swift. They were like…like ice and fire. Every ice melts in flames, and every fire can go out from the water created in the proccess. Only he could curb her sharp witts, and only she could tame his fiery temper. The two complemented each other ideally. It was just a pity that they found one another so late. And that they lost their chance forever.

The ceremony began. Winry didn't look at Riza. She didn't want her to think that she was to blame for this, being a hostage. She barely heard what the priest was saying.

Riza watched as her little sister was getting married to the man she detested. She couldn't do anything, just stare at the couple. But then she heard some noises from outside the window. She glanced at Ling, but he apparently didn't notice. If so, she was free to observe the window. She gazed into that direction and her eyes widened as she saw a hook catching on the widow sill. Good thing that she didn't gasp from the astonishment. She didn't know who it was, but…

Well, if that person was on Ling's side, he wouldn't sneak in through the window, right?

Her mind raced at full speed. How far was from here to the ground? Not much, she suspected. They were led downstairs, far downstairs… She actually thought that the distance could be the same as from the window in their room in their mansion to the ground. Which is not that much, truth to be said…well, at least it could be worse.

What was holding him (or maybe her) so long? The hook was trembling on the sill, someone was climbing up beyond doubt. But if it wasn't that high, why did it take him/her so long? Unless…

Unless he/she was wounded…

"If there is anyone present who knows just cause or reason why these two should not be joined in marriage, let him speak now or remain silent forever," announced the priest.

His words met no response. Riza was still busy watching the window. And then, finally…

"If there is none, then…"

"There is one!"

At this point everyone turned towards the window, when they found no other but Edward, staggering slightly on the sill. Riza let out a releved sigh. So, after all, the boy was alive.

"Edward!" it was Winry, who couldn't believe her own eyes. Ed gazed at her and smiled.

"Hello, miss Winry."

His voice was weaker than usually. But just a bit weaker.

Sir Ling stepped in front of his bride and drew his rapier.

"What are you seeking here, boy?" he hissed. "Unless you want a painful death. I certainly can give you that."

Then he turned to his guards.

"Why the hell is he still alive? I told you to kill everyone but miss Riza!"

"He…he was almost dead," stuttered the man. "We didn't think we needed to kill such a kid…"

"Idiots!"

"Sir Ling," began Ed, carefully stepping down from the window sill. "Never ever underestimate me because of my appearance."

"I'll remember that for the next three minutes, in which you are going to die."

"We shall see about that."

Ling snickered. "Are you really going to fight me in your condition? You can hardly stand on your own!"

"If I do not fight you," Ed's eyes narrowed, "you're going to hurt miss Winry. And this is something I can not allow to happen."

"I will not hurt her. I will just make her my wife. You know, she could make a good one," a malicious smirk appeared on Ling's face. "She is pretty and rich, and, as you probably know yourself, her lips taste really good…"

From the terrified expression on Ed's face Ling read more than the blonde wanted to tell him.

"So you don't know…" Ling said in an undertone, nasty amusement in his voice. "She didn't even let you kiss her… And she claims that she loves you so much…"

"Love isn't about letting somebody kiss you or not," replied Ed, struggling to regain his composure. Somewhere in the background he heard Winry's sob. "It's about caring for that person and respecting him or her. Both of which are the things you fail to do when it comes to miss Winry."

"Are you really going to fight for her, now that you know everything?"

"The fact that I know does not affect my feelings for miss Winry."

"Fine then. I am looking forward to the moment you will be kneeling in front of me and begging for your life."

"This is never going to happen, I assure you."

"As you wish. It's just a pity that I didn't make it in time to do anything else before your arrival. I would be delighted to tell you that I had taken not only miss Winry's first kiss…"

"How dare you!?" Ed, despite his wounds, attacked Ling with everything he had. Winry watched him with her eyes widened in horror. She could see his slowed reflexes and tentative movements. His clothing was practically soaked with blood. He must've stopped the bleeding somehow, but the loss of blood took its toll on him.

"How dare you insult miss Winry like that?" hissed Ed, when his blade crossed with Ling's and they found themselves face to face with each other. "You will pay for this!"

"Oh, really?" replied Ling and attacked him again.

The guards tried to help their master, but he barked at them: "Stay out of this!" So they did.

Winry was watching the whole battle, but then she heard a muffled sound. It was Riza, asking for her help.

"I'm sorry," Winry ran up to her sister and tugged at the ropes. She fiddled with them a little and they fell down, freeing Riza. She quickly stood up and grabbed Winry's arm.

"Let's get out of here."

"No," Winry pulled back. "Edward is still fighting."

"I know, but how can you help him now?"

The younger sister looked down at her feet, no response coming through her lips. Riza's gaze softened. She didn't want to leave Ed there as well, but she knew it was the best option at the time.

"Come," she said gently. Winry obeyed, though reluctantly. But they were swiftly spotted.

"Don't let them escape!" Ling snapped out.

Riza reacted almost instinctively. She quickly grabbed a heavy, silver candlestick and took a swing at the men. They stopped half-way, bewildered.

"Ahh!"

Ling's scream caught everybody's attention. The kidnapper fell to his knees, bleeding heavily. Apparently Ed took advantage of his momentary distraction and send his rapier just through Ling's stomach. Despite being seriously wounded, he was a far better swordsman.

And he had far better reasons for fighting.

Ling felt the tip of Ed's rapier pressed against his throat.

"Do you surrender?" asked Ed through gritted teeth. He totterred a bit. His wound was bleeding intensively again from the fight, it wouldn't be long until he loses consciousness. Still, he quickly regained his composure.

There was no answer.

"Do. You. Surrender?" he repeated louder.

Ling gazed up at him, anger and pain twisting his expression. He nodded ever so slightly.

"Good."

The guards, seeing their master at death's door, looked at each other. The conclusion was simple: no master, no payment. No payment, no work then. So why to stay there any longer? They hated him anyway, and served him just because he paid them well enough.

They say that what the tirants fear the most is their subordinates.

They are right.

Seeing that there was no more threat from the guards, Riza quickly ran for the ropes that were tying her to the chair not so long before. She grabbed them and used them to tie sir Ling, who tried to protest, but was in too much of pain to succeed in this. Once the knot was well tightened, Riza walked up to Ed. But her sister was quicker. She supported her defender, who lost his balance once more.

"Edward…" she whispered. "Edward, please…just a little longer…"

He was unable to stand on his own anymore. Winry fell onto her knees as he leaned onto her with his whole weight.

"Edward, talk to me!" she demanded desperately. She placed gently his head on her lap. Riza knelt beside her with a worried expression.

"Are you all right, miss Winry?" they heard his faint voice.

"Yes, I am, but think of yourself! You're bleeding!"

"I'm fine, miss Winry…as long as you are fine too."

He turned his head to Riza.

"Please forgive me, miss Riza," he dropped his gaze. "I was unable to save sir Mustang…"

"It's all right, Edward," she replied quickly, but her insides twisted painfully. All along she still had some hope left. She thought that maybe if Ed could make it to the castle, he could rescue sir Mustang as well… Tears appeared in her eyes, but she blinked quickly to hide them. "I do not blame you for anything. You spared no pains to come here and help us, which is already a great achievement, regarding your current state…"

"Edward!" screamed Winry, seeing that those golden eyes that she loved so much were slowly closing. "Edward, look at me! Please!"

"Miss Winry…" he smiled at the sound of her voice, even if it was a terrified one. "Please remember me…"

Then his eyelids shut. He yet felt her tears fall onto his cheeks and everything went black.

A/N: Oh my! Yet another cliffhanger! Hell, I'm really mean, aren't I?

You think that Ed's appearance exactly in The Moment was cliché? Blah to you! It is a fairy tale, and a love story to that. I have the right to be blissfully cliché if I want to :)

Well I know that there wasn't much Royai in this chapter, but first: we have to give some time to Edwin as well, and second: this chapter has to be composed the way it is…so that there can be more Royai in the next ones! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about sir Mustang yet. He is going to have some part in the future, believe me. We need him. We know that.

I had really hard time searching for the phrase "If there is anyone blah blah blah…" at the wedding. In Polish it says more or less the same, but when I tried translating it into English it was a bit different. In a nutshell, the same sense is expressed in different words in Polish and in English. We change it here and there…but how happy I was when I finally found the English version on the Net! The hunting was successful.

And I just want to say that I do not hate Ran Fan (she was the maid, in case you wonder. But that's not important). I just think that she is ugly, that's all.

So, is Ed dead…or is he just playing a bad joke? And what about poor sir Mustang, whom we last saw disappearing in the wild river? Find out in the next (and probably last) chapter!

R & R!