Okay. Finally, I have gotten "ungrounded" and was able to type this next part. I'm in the middle of chapter 3, so it should be up before long. And thanks, of course, to my friend Breggo13, whose constant support and ideas made this chapter come alive. (said friend happens to be a coauthor of this story)

Anyway, that's that, and let's get on with the story.

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"Eldarion!"

"They're coming-"

"Become who you were born to be!"

"Remember me."

"Eldarion!"

"My son-"

"No!"

"There is nothing to fear…"

"Ada!"

"Remember me."

Eldarion shot out of bed, breathing heavily. What was that all about? Running his fingers through his messy dark hair, he stood up, wrapping his cloak around him.

****

As he walked through the halls of the palace, Eldarion marveled at the peace and serenity of the night. Stepping out into the courtyard, he breathed in the fresh air. What could that dream have meant, if anything?

"Rough night?" Eldarion jumped, hearing a voice from behind him.

"You could call it that," he answered, smiling in relief. The voice belonged to Faramir, the father of his fiancée.

"What brings you out into the cold?" the older man asked.

"I could ask you the same question," the Prince responded. Faramir raised his eyebrows. Eldarion sighed. "I had a nightmare."

"About?"

"I haven't figured it out yet." Faramir smiled.

"Eldarion," he started. He laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You're tense. Relax. Dreams pass in time."

"I know," the Prince said quietly. "But I can't help feeling…"

"Like something's about to happen?" Eldarion nodded silently. "Don't dwell on it," the Steward advised. "It's unhealthy." As he began to walk away, Eldarion turned around.

"Faramir…thank you." The older man looked at him in surprise.

"For what?" Eldarion looked down at the ground, his face reddening.

"For trusting me," he said honestly. When Faramir still looked confused, the younger man clarified, "For giving your consent." The Steward smiled.

"My daughter deserves nothing less than the best," he stated, a twinkle in his eye. "I trust you can provide it for her."

"I will," Eldarion said firmly. "I promise."

"Get some sleep, Eldarion," Faramir said quietly, heading towards his quarters. The Prince watched him go, and then turned to the night sky. His eyes drifted to the mountains surrounding the dark land of Mordor. He studied them apprehensively. No. He's gone. I'm living proof of that.

****

The next morning at breakfast, Eldarion was still pondering his dream. He shook his head. Calm down, he told himself. It's just a dream.

"You all right, El?" asked his sister Gilraen. At ten years old, she was already as beautiful as her mother and as wise as her father.

"I'm fine, Rae," he answered with her nickname. "Just thinking."

"Figures," she muttered, just loud enough for Eldarion to hear. He looked at her strangely.

"What?"

"Well, if you're thinking about Feowyn," she hinted. He stared at his sister.

"What about her?"

"You're betrothed, aren't you?"

"What of it?" he asked, starting to get annoyed. The girl giggled.

"So it is true," she said. Then a thought struck Eldarion. She hadn't been at the dinner the previous night. Great. He groaned. Now she'll tell everyone in the whole city.

"If you tell anyone…" He glared at her. "You know what? I'm going for a walk." Eldarion stood up and stalked out of the room. Gilraen giggled again.

"Touchy, touchy," she muttered, knowing full well he couldn't hear her.

****

"She doesn't ever respect my privacy," the Prince muttered to himself. Leaning against a pillar, he observed citizens going about their daily duties, paying no attention to the young man so intently watching them. His eyes rested on a girl wearing a dark green cloak, her hair pulled back tightly. Then he noticed something glinting in the sunlight- the hilt of a sword. Eldarion frowned.

Why would a girl like her have a sword?

She looked up and he realized that her eyes were a light grey color, almost blue. Their eyes locked for a moment, but she looked away. Confused, Eldarion headed towards her. She left her spot, heading the opposite direction. He tried to follow her, but got pushed in with the crowd. Giving up, he sighed.

Who is that girl?

***

"That's just not possible," Eldarion heard his father say. "We saw it destroyed."

"Too right we did," agreed a gruff voice that could only have come from Gimli the Dwarf.

"You have to listen-" said a voice Eldarion did not recognize.

"No," Aragorn said firmly. "You listen. We have been through too much. We have lost…much. We cannot go through this again."

"If you'd just believe me, you wouldn't!" the voice, a girl, cried. She took a deep breath. "It's your fault if your people die," she muttered, and then headed for the door. She pushed in open, giving King Elessar one last menacing glare. Not looking in front of her, she crashed into Eldarion, who tumbled down next to her.

"Watch it," she said roughly.

"Sorry," he mumbled. Standing up, he offered a hand to help her up, which she ignored. Getting a good look at her for the first time, Eldarion realized this was the girl he had seen before. "Hey-" he started.

"Move out of the way, rich boy," she said, pushing past him. Flustered and confused, Eldarion entered the throne room.

"Ada?"

"Eldarion?" Aragorn smiled, seeing his only son. "What can I do for you?"

"Who is that girl?" the younger man asked.

"She's one of the Dunedain," the King answered softly.

"She's a Ranger?" Eldarion asked, surprised. "But I thought-"

"I know," Aragorn said, nodding. "Nothing is what it seems anymore, Eldarion."

"I-uh…" the Prince started awkwardly, "I heard her say something about the people dying…what was she talking about?" Aragorn sighed.

"She said…darkness is spreading from Mordor," he answered, his voice barely above a whisper. "The city is to be attacked."

"Why didn't you listen to her?" When he got no response, Eldarion looked at his father worriedly. "Ada?"

"I didn't want to believe her," the King said. "In that last battle, we lost so much…everyone wanted to believe it was over."

"Ada…as long as there is good in this world…there will be those who challenge it," the young man said quietly.

"I know, ion nin," Aragorn said. "I know."

****

Later that night, Eldarion shivered, though not from the cold. What if it wasn't a dream, but a warning? The city will be reduced to nothing…and I can't do anything about it. He took of his dark blue tunic and laid it across a chair. Running his fingers across the shining, silver tree emblazoned on it, the Prince sighed. He turned around, only to see his mother standing in his doorway.

"Naneth," he said, surprised. "What-" She smiled softly.

"Estel told me that you overheard a young Ranger talking about…Mordor," she explained, her voice quiet.

"Naneth-" Eldarion protested.

"I came not to punish you, my son," she said, a light smile upon her face. He smiled back, though half-heartedly. "I came to give you a gift."

"I should eavesdrop more often, then," he responded dryly.

"Eldarion," she said sternly. They stood there for a few moments in silence.

"Naneth?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think-" Eldarion started to ask, a look of fear etched onto his face.

"Do I think that the girl is right?" his mother finished for him. A subtle tear trailed down her cheek. "Yes."

"But what everyone else sacrificed…all the stories…the Hobbits…all the lives that were destroyed…" Eldarion said hesitantly. "Is that all to happen again?"

"I hope not, my son," Arwen said softly. "But some things cannot be avoided."

"The future is not written," he replied, his eyes turned toward the mountains. "We can always change our fate."

"Then it would not be fate," the Queen corrected. "Eldarion…" She placed a gentle hand on her son's broad shoulder. Turning around to face her, Eldarion's face was one of grim determination.

"I won't let it happen," he said. "I'll protect this city if it's the last thing I ever do." Arwen smiled gently.

"Then you'll need something to protect yourself." She took a silver chain from around her neck and Eldarion's eyes widened. No way. His mother handed him a small silver pendant that shone brightly.

"Naneth, this is-"

"The Evenstar, ion nin," she said quietly. "May it be a light for you in dark places…when all other lights go out." Eldarion swallowed.

"I don't know what to say…" he said, a lump in his throat. Arwen gave him a gentle hug and smiled at him.

"Sleep well, Eldarion," she said. The Prince watched his mother walk down the hall and turn out of sight.

Why do I feel like I've said goodbye to her for the last time?

****

Okay, so what did you think? If you have any ideas for how to make it better, I'd be glad to hear them. I promise, there won't be such a long wait for the next chapter. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!

Jason