Hi there peeps! The next chapter is officially up and ready for public viewing. Let's have some applause…*crickets chirping*…Awww! Well, here it is anyways. I'm gonna be gone to overnight camp for two weeks, so no updates until I get back. Sorry! However, I'll try to update all my stories (yes, all seven of them) before I go. Sorry about the long wait.

Now for the responses to all of the amazing reviewers…

FairElvenMaiden: I salute you! As my only reviewer of this chapter. I'm considering putting a little bit of Legolas and Gimli into this chapter, but I also have some character development planned for Ishleen. I was talking to my literary friend and he said the best stories are the ones where the character changes for the better as the story goes on, and finds out more about themselves. I'm going to try my best to follow his advice. Thank you so much for always reviewing my work!

And now, we continue with the much-anticipated installment of As The World Comes Crashing Down! *Theme song plays*.

I toss and turn in my small wooden bed, tracing the patterns in the stone wall absentmindedly with my middle finger. The events of today replay over and over in my mind, haunting me like a shadow of my past.

Flashback

I walk absentmindedly around on the wall, thinking of all the carnage that took place here mere hours before. Now, the whole place is silent, except for the occasional wail of grief. It sends shivers running up my spine.

A slight tap on my shoulder causes me to turn, startled.

"Ishleen." It is Aragorn, "I wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier. I was not myself, and I think the recent battle was still too near."

Out of the blue, I start to cry, and he looks down, shocked.

"It's not you who needs to apologize," I murmur, "But me, for what I am about to say. I am not ready for this love, Aragorn. Not yet, maybe not ever."

And I turn and run back along the stonily silent corridors.

End Flashback

Why did I do that to him? What devil possed my heart when I spoke those words? But there is something in my telling me to stop, that this realtionship can't possibly turn out. But what emtion does this voice speak for?

I slight tap on my door causes me to raise my head, curls flying everywhere. Who could be calling on mw at this hour?

"Enter." My voice is thick with sadness.

The door opens and a slight crack of light shines through. Then a lantern enters, followed by it's bearer. Said bearer is Éowyn.

"You looked so sad earlier," she says, coming over to sit next to me. I move over and we both lean against the cold stone wall, "I wanted to make sure you were ok."

"You have enoug troubles. I do not want to burden you with my own."

"Ishleen, look at me."

I stare up nervously into her sad blue eyes.

"I can help you, and you are my friend. Don't try to be selfless when you obviously need to talk to someone. What happened?"

"I told Aragorn that I didn't love him when I actually do," something snaps inside me and it all comes pouring out, "There is a part in me that tells me this won't work out, and whenever I try to fight it, it brings back memories of Elestren, and Angaharad, who I was helpless to save. And then my mother and sister and Maghaid. All the relationships I have ever had have gone wrong, Éowyn! I don't think I trust myself any more."

Éowyn pushes her golden hair back out of her eyes.

"Once, when I was young, my world was empty. I saw no hope. Darkness clouded the light in the world. It took me years to realise why I was friendless, why I was so cold. I was afraid, Ishleen. Afraid of loosing another after my whole world was taken from me. I think you feel the same way."

"I am not frightened."

"Ishleen, you lost your whole kingdom, your father, your best friends, your mother, your sister and the only home you ever knew after Toiréasa was destroyed. You have every right to be scared. Stop telling yourself you aren't."

"But my whole life was centered around being strong…I can't become afraid when Middle Earth needs me the most."

"You are a very proud person, Ishleen. It was what was expected of you when you were younger, and still lived in Toiréasa. But you lead a different life here. Your pride can be used for something more, something queenly. All you have to do is explain what happened to you to Aragorn, and apologise. This won't be easy, trust me. I am proud, too. But in the longer term, it will help you rule Gondor."

I stare at her. Faith is something I have not experienced for a long time. Faith in me. I think when the last of my friends, Maghaid, died, the faith went out for me. And here is someone who trusts me, someone who could just have easily become my enemy. And yet, Éowyn believes that I can become the queen of Gondor.

OK, I know that there was no Legolas or Gimli in that chapter, but I felt like it was necessary for the story to continue nicely and the characters to develop. Thank you so much for reading and please review for me!

~BeautifulCrimsonChaos