Okay, sorry this has taken so long. This story has really been giving me brain-freeze, and I've been working on my stories for The Dark Knight and Iron Man instead. But I've been meaning to get this chapter out. And yeah, I know it's short, but I didn't want to put the whole thing (because I don't have it written yet).

Hopefully, I can get the next part out before I start school.

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"I can see you…"

"Eldarion!"

"My son…"

"…Do not be afraid…"

"I will always be with you."

Eldarion woke from a nightmare once again. But somehow this one was different, he thought. Very different…and not in a good way.

He stretched his legs and yawned. He was about to lay back down when Gilraen burst into his room, a look of pure terror in her eyes. Eldarion immediately sat up straight, wide awake.

"What is it, Rae?" he asked quietly. She didn't seem able to speak. She just motioned with her hand.

"El…" the girl managed. "You must come." He nodded silently and they took off down the corridor together.

****

"Gilraen," Eldarion panted, "If this is a joke, you are so in trouble." His sister glared at him.

"It's not," she said softly. She stopped in her tracks. "El…that girl Ada was talking about was right. I saw them." The Prince's mouth dropped in horror. "Follow me." Gilraen once again took off at a run, and Eldarion realized they were headed to the throne room.

As quietly as he could, Eldarion helped her to open the great wooden doors. Feeling the cool air, he felt a sense of calm, though he knew it to be out of place. He followed Gilraen to the edge of the courtyard, where she silently pointed to a dark mass in the distance. Eldarion stared at it, confused.

"How can you possibly see that?" he asked. "It looks like nothing more than trees swaying in the night." Gilraen frowned. "You must learn the difference between dreams and reality."

"I didn't dream it, Eldarion!" she cried. "I saw them from outside my window!" He frowned, then understanding struck him. He knelt before his younger sister and smiled.

"Keen are the eyes of the Elves," he said softly. Eldarion gave her a gentle hug. "I never should have doubted you."

"What are we going to do?" she asked. "There are no less than ten thousand." He gaped at her.

"Ten thousand?" he asked, horrorstruck. The armies of Gondor were powerful…but there was no way that they could beat numbers that large.

A bloodcurdling screech sounded from over the mountains, causing Eldarion and Gilraen to bend down, clutching their ears. The Prince looked up, and saw a shadow flying towards them.

Nazgul.

"Gilraen!" he cried, grasping his sister's hand and taking off at a run. They rushed into the throne room and they slammed the doors with no effort made to be quiet. They had just finished when Aragorn came rushing into the room, followed closely by Arwen. He was dressed, his sword in hand.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked. Gilraen looked at her father, scared. She had never heard her father speak with such rage. His angered expression faded and he dropped his sword.

Aragorn knelt down and wrapped his only daughter up in a hug. "It's all right," he whispered quietly. "Nobody's going to hurt you." She nodded silently, her crying muffled by his robe. The King looked up at his son, releasing Gilraen from his arms. Eldarion gulped. Standing up, Aragorn placed his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Ada-" the Prince started to say.

"Eldarion…" Hearing the way his father spoke, Eldarion knew what was to happen.

"What must I do?" he asked quietly. Aragorn sighed heavily.

"You must be brave, ion nin," the King said softly. "Nothing more do I ask of you." He looked at Gilraen and Arwen, standing together in the corner. "Protect your mother and sister. At all costs." Eldarion nodded solemnly and stepped aside.

"I will," he said, barely above a whisper. Aragorn gave his son a firm hug.

"I'm very proud of you, Eldarion," he said, so only the Prince could hear. He picked up his sword, and with one glance back at his family, Elessar, King of the United kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, went to battle.

****

Yes. Very short, right? Sorry about that. And I take credit for anything that you don't like here. The next chapter will be mine also, but chapter 5 will go to my friend Breggo13, and the story will get much better, I promise.

Thanks for reading...and reviewing. (Hint, hint...)

Jason