Okay, seriously, I know this has taken me a long time, and I'm sorry. There has been A LOT going on, plus being sick, going on retreat...whatever. Haha if I've forgotten something, please remind me. Oh yeah. School sucks.

But moving on, this chapter is AU all the way, so if you don't like that...sorry. If you're okay with a few changes, great, I hope you'll really like this chapter.

And Daina is the Ranger girl mentioned in the previous chapters. I think this is the first time her name is mentioned, so I thought I'd point that out for you guys.

On with the story (finally)-

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Eldarion groaned and threw a rock against the wall, causing it to break into five little pieces. On the other side of the dark room, Gilraen shuddered into her mother's cloak. Arwen frowned.

"Eldarion," she said, her eyes staring into her son's. "You're scaring your sister." He rolled his eyes.

"I think that might have to do with the city being under attack," the Prince said sarcastically.

"Eldarion!" Arwen said, shocked. "What's gotten into you?" He ignored her and picked up his sword from off the ground. She sighed sadly.

"Naneth," he said quietly, "I'm sorry. I just-" Arwen stood up and gave him a warm hug.

"You want to be out there with him," she noted quietly. "I know."

"I have as much cause to go to war as any of them," Eldarion said angrily. "Why can't-"

"If something happens to your father tonight…"

"I'm not the only heir to the throne," he said. "Gilraen would be a much better ruler than I would ever be."

"But it is not her place," Arwen said softly, "Ion nin…lasto." Eldarion nodded silently. "Too long has this house sat in darkness. You cannot let Sauron win, do you understand?" The Prince swallowed. "If you are killed…he has won."

"El…he will never cross you," Gilraen said quietly from the corner. "He fears you-but the Orcs do not. The know nothing except hate and destruction." Subtle tears dripped down from Eldarion's grey eyes and he took a deep breath.

"Hain u-'rogon," he said softly, but somehow it couldn't have been louder. "I do not fear them." Arwen smiled sadly.

"Naneth-" the Princess started to say. But she didn't finish, for a rattle shook the room. Eldarion opened his mouth, dismayed. A tear slipped down Arwen's cheek, and the Prince's body shook with rage. He dropped to his knees, silent tears falling.

I do not know what courage I have left. But I swear on everything I hold dear in this Middle Earth, I will not let this city fall into the hands of that filth.

****

"Fall back to the second level!" King Elessar called to his men. "Fall back!"

"My lord," called a bloody and beaten Faramir. "There are too many of them! We cannot hold!" Aragorn swallowed.

"We will hold," he called back, stabbing an Orc in the chest. "I swear to you I will not let this city fall." Faramir nodded tiredly, running up to the second level. "Fall back!" Aragorn called once again.

I do not know what strength is in my blood. But I swear to you I will not let the White City fall…nor our people fail.

A tear slipped down the King's cheek. He wiped it away and followed Faramir up to the next level.

****

Eldarion paced back and forth, anxiously listening to the despairing screams of the soldiers he knew would not live out the night.

"The city will be razed to the ground," he said harshly. "And all will fall into darkness."

"Do not despair, Eldarion," Gilraen said softly, enfolding herself into her brother's arms. "All is not lost."

"How can you say that?" he asked, staring at her, his eyes red.

"We have you," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. The Prince smiled sadly.

"I do not know if I can prevent this from happening, my sister," he said quietly. "But I will do everything within my power to-" The wall shook violently.

"They're coming," Arwen said, her eyes filled with grief. "This cannot be." Eldarion took a deep breath.

"I'm going out there," he said, his voice resolute.

"You cannot possibly-"

"But I am," he said calmly. "I have made my choice." He drew his sword and unlocked the door, closing it behind him.

****

"Aragorn!" The beaten and bloody King looked up as he heard Faramir call his name. "My Lord, there are too many!"

"Retreat!" Aragorn replied. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Steward nod, and chase an Orc up the street. The King breathed in heavily, and exhaled slowly. He followed after Faramir, wiping blood from his nose.

As soon as he had gotten through the door, the soldiers shut it, giving their weary King the rest he needed. Aragorn sat down, taking a deep breath, coughing as he breathed out.

"My Lord?" asked a young voice. Frowning, he looked up. Faramir's young son, Elboron, was shaking with fear, looking at the King with hopeful eyes.

"This is not your place, Elboron," he said firmly. "Get up to the throne room. Eldarion is there. He'll protect you." The boy shook his head slowly.

"It's being guarded," he whispered. "They cannot get out. And no one can get in." Aragorn looked up, and felt his heart stop. One of the Nazgul was guarding the throne room.

Is this what it comes down to? Should I live to see the last days of my house? Why didn't I listen to her?

"My Lord?" Elboron asked again. Seeing the look on the King's face made the boy tremble with dread. "Is there any hope?" Aragorn's face turned from weary to fiery. He looked the boy in the eye, placing his hand on Elboron's shoulder.

"Elboron, son of Faramir," he said firmly. "Listen to me. There is always hope." The wall shook again, and Aragorn stood up, regaining his kingly posture. He solemnly looked down at they Steward's son. "Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll watch over you." Elboron nodded, his face grim.

"Aragorn!" Faramir called over. "My family…they're…this level…" His face full of fear, his eyes widened when he saw Elboron standing beside the King. He knelt down in front of his only son. "What are you doing here?"

"Father…I'm scared…" The Steward took the boy into his arms.

"So am I, my son," Faramir said quietly. "So am I. Go to your mother and sister. I promise…you'll be safe." Elboron swallowed and nodded warily, running back to where he came, with one last look of longing at his father and the King. Aragorn took a deep breath and turned to Faramir.

"Are you with me?" he asked, as more Orcs attempted to breach the wall. Faramir's face was grim as he responded.

"To the death."

****

No more training. This is not dueling practice. There are no second chances in war. Eldarion exhaled and stepped into the throne room. He knelt before the marble statue of Elendil. He closed his eyes and sighed.

I don't know if you can hear me, Elendil. But please…help me. I cannot do this on my own. There are very few who can. Please…help me to be brave.

The Prince drew his sword and walked towards the door, where he stood, listening to the screams of anguish that filled the night. Tears slipped down Eldarion's cheek, tears of despair.

I must believe that there will be hope. Otherwise we are already lost.

He bit his lip to stop from crying. He opened his eyes and stood firmly in front of the door…the only thing standing between him and the horrors of war.

****

"Naneth…" Gilraen sat in the far corner of the stone room, hugging her knees to her chest. "Why did you let him go?"

"There was no avoiding it," Arwen said softly. "He is much like your Ada, more than either of you will ever know."

"But he'll die," the Princess said, tears starting to penetrate her iron will. "And I won't be able to save him."

"Eldarion's story will not end at Minas Tirith," the Queen responded reassuringly. "He will see more than we can scarcely imagine." Gilraen shakily stood up and walked over to her mother, who wrapped the girl up in a tight hug.

"It doesn't end here, does it, Naneth?"

"I'm afraid not, iel nin," Arwen said gently. "But I know Eldarion will be brave…when his time does come. He will prove his worth."

"Your time will come. You will face that same evil…and you will defeat it."

Silent tears slipped from her blue eyes.

Was it not barely twenty years ago when we had to struggle for survival? If someone is out there that can help us…if anything can save us from this destruction…I plead you…

****

Eldarion kneeled behind the door, his sword held in front of him. His eyes closed, and he heaved a sigh. His grey eyes scanned the floor, and he noticed than light was starting to flood through the darkness.

This is it, then. I've got no other choice. I have to go out there.

The Prince bit his lip and extended his shaking hand to push open the door. It had opened about halfway when he heard footsteps behind him. Acting on impulse, he spun around, sword handy.

"Rae?" he asked. "What do you think you're doing?"

"El, you are walking to your death!"

"I know," Eldarion said softly. "But it's the only way."

"You just want glory!" the Princess cried, disgusted. "You care nothing for the safety of others!"

"You don't understand, Gilraen!" he retorted.

"You're being selfish!" she argued. "And now is not the time for such things."

"Rae…this is not about me. I…" he started. "There is much I cannot explain. But this is necessary. Now back away." Eldarion pushed the door open the full way, and he raised his sword, looking like he had more confidence than he felt in his heart. Gilraen stayed put, and gasped when she got the full view of the Nazgul standing in their way.

"El…" she whispered, though knowing that her brother wouldn't respond.

****

"Elboron!" Eowyn called. "What do you think you're doing?" The boy turned around, frowning.

"We've lost," he said quietly. "There's nothing we can do." She bit her lip and turned to her daughter.

"This city will never fall while we defend it," the Steward's wife said through gritted teeth. Feowyn nodded solemnly.

"Come here, 'Boro," she said softly. The seven-year-old hesitantly walked over to his elder sister.

"Fea?" he asked, with an air of innocence, a hopeful smile on his face. She smiled gently, giving her brother a firm hug.

"Yes?"

"Is this the end?" Feowyn frowned.

"No," she answered firmly. "For many, it may be. But not for us. We are protected, brother. We have to be hard, hard so that nothing can ever touch us. Do you understand?" The boy nodded slowly, processing what had just been said.

Dressed in rough armor, Eowyn walked over to them. A few tears trailed down her cheeks when she saw the dismay on her son's young face.

No one his age should feel the sorrows of war.

"Mother?" he asked quietly. "You're going out there?" Her heart broke, and she brushed Elboron's golden-brown hair out of his face.

"There's no other choice," she admitted. "You have to be strong. Strong for those who survive." He swallowed and nodded. She gave her daughter a firm hug. "I hope we all last the night."

"We will," Feowyn said calmly. Eowyn smiled gently, and bent down to give her son a hug.

"Always believe in the impossible, my son. And it will come to show for you."

"You promise?" he asked, as if he didn't believe it.

"Nothing less than the truth." Elboron smiled widely and backed up to stand by his sister.

And with one last glance back at her children, Eowyn, wife of Faramir and shieldmaiden of Rohan, drew her sword and bravely headed to war.

****

Eldarion vaguely heard his sister whisper his name. But his eyes rested on the Nazgul, and his blood boiled.

Rule your own lands. I will not let you take control of ours.

He slowly took a step forward, but tripped on the step and tumbled down the rest. Groaning, he sat up, to see the full attention of the Shadow on him. He tried to stumble backwards, but he just tripped again.

No…

"You cannot avoid what is to happen, Prince," the ghostly yet harsh voice breathed. "Your lands are yours no longer." Eldarion swallowed.

Do not show fear. I must not give in.

"Your plans have failed," he said loudly. "Men are not as weak as you supposed."

"Your reluctance is plain, Prince," the Witch-King said, almost with a hint of laughter. "You have never fought. This will be an effortless win." Eldarion glared at his enemy.

"Eldarion!" The Prince spun around, to see his mother running towards him, a fire in her always-calm eyes. "Back away!" His grey eyes widened.

"Naneth, no!" he called in fear. The Witch-King laughed and drew his sword, clashing with Arwen's.

"You will not forestall my judgment," he hissed at her, "She-Elf."

"And you will never harm my son," she said harshly. The Wraith laughed again, and knocked Arwen's sword out of her hand, stabbing her stomach with his own weapon. She gasped, slowly falling to the ground, clutching the wound.

"No!" Eldarion yelled, starting to run forward. "You son of a-"

"El!" Gilraen hissed, grabbing hold of his arm. "No! No man can kill him." Hearing the connecting of two swords, they spun around, to see someone dressed in the poor armor of a Rohan warrior sparring with the Witch-King.

"Lady Eowyn," the Prince breathed. "We're saved." His eyes drifted to his mother's motionless body, and he gritted his teeth, breaking out of Gilraen's grip. He ran over to Arwen and bent over her body. "Naneth, please…"

"El…dar…ion…" she said weakly. "My son…"

"Naneth, no…" he said, tears streaming down his dirty face. "You can't leave me…"

"Never forget your place…never forget who you are," she whispered. "When darkness falls…"

Pray your heart will remain true, Eldarion finished silently.

"Hebo estel, ion nin," Arwen said with some difficulty. "And you will always find your strength." Her eyes closed with finality, at peace. The Prince bowed his head, silent tears falling.

"El…" Gilraen whispered, her voice shaking.

"She's gone, my sister," the Prince said quietly, not able to believe it. "And I couldn't save her." Gilraen slowly put her hand on Eldarion's broad shoulder, just as a loud hissing noise was heard from across the courtyard. Breathing heavily, he turned around. Eowyn was standing tiredly in front of a diminishing Wraith.

Despite the bleak circumstances, Eldarion smiled slightly.

"Lady Eowyn," he called urgently. She hurried over to them, wrapping each of them in a hug. "You saved our lives."

"I wasn't fast enough," she admitted sadly, looking over at Arwen's body. "I'm sorry."

"One person can only do so much, Lady Eowyn," the Prince said quietly. "And you have shown your quality." She smiled gently.

"She would be very proud of you," Eowyn said. "Both of you."

"Hannon le." Eldarion sadly looked at his mother's silent and still body. Hot tears dripped from his grey eyes, and his face turned into one of grim determination.

I swear on my mother's grave that I will not let this city fall…nor our people fail.

He screamed in anguish, grabbed his sword, and ran down to fight.

"Eldarion, no!" Eowyn called helplessly. "Don't throw your life away in anger!" She only got silence in return.

****

"Aragorn, we must surrender," Faramir said desperately. "Do you know how many Orcs are out there…against the few of us there are?" Aragorn placed a heavy hand on the Steward's shoulder.

"I know our chance at victory is unlikely," he said quietly. "But we must fight until the end. I will not surrender to that filth." Faramir nodded.

"I get the feeling this is not as straightforward as you make it seem," he said slowly. Aragorn smiled sadly.

"I made a promise," the King said. "And I keep the promises that I make." He swallowed as the door broke open and Orcs and all other fell beasts of Mordor came creeping through. Aragorn swung his sword and the battle began once again.

Eldarion ran down the silent street, and caught an Orc, who had been trying to sneak up unnoticed, at swordpoint.

"Nice try," he muttered, smirking. Carelessly, the Prince slashed a few others on his way.

****

"Ada!" Eldarion called over the noise of the battle. "Ada!" He slipped on a fallen shield and landed in front of Feowyn and Elboron. He immediately turned a shade of red. Feowyn smiled and motioned for him to come with her. He nodded slowly and followed her deep into the stone building.

"Eldarion, what do you think you're doing?" she asked, lighting a small candle. "That was foolish." He nodded silently.

"I know," the Prince said quietly. "It was just…"

"You're different, El," Feowyn noticed. "What happened?"

"My mother…she…" he tried to say, and swallowed. "The Nazgul…" Feowyn gasped and wrapped her arms around his shaking body.

"Oh, Eldarion…" she whispered. "I'm so sorry…" He frowned.

"Yeah, everyone's sorry for something, aren't they," he said bitterly. Kissing her lightly, he said, "Fea, you stay here. Stay safe. I have to do this." He followed the narrow passage out of safety into the battle.

****

Daina breathed in heavily and stabbed another Orc in the chest, slicing its head off for good measure.

This could have been avoided. No one listens to me…I guess that would be the downside of being a girl Ranger.

Out if the corner of her eye, she saw the Prince who had been staring at her just the day before. His face was dirty, and his eyes were filled with grief and horror. His sword was dark with Orc blood and he was locked in battle with a particularly large Orc. Daina gritted her teeth and pulled a knife off her belt and threw it across the street, stabbing the Orc in the back of his neck. He fell to the ground. Eldarion grinned and wiped sweat off his brow, pulling the knife out and stashing it in his own belt.

****

"Ada!" Eldarion called, slashing his sword through an Orc's chest. "Ada!" Aragorn slightly turned around, seeing his son running towards him, his sword stained with blood.

"Eldarion…" he muttered to himself. "What are you doing here?" The Prince reached his father and breathed in heavily.

"Ada…" he said quietly, not able to continue. "I failed you. I couldn't-" Tears trailed down his grim face. Aragorn placed his hand on Eldarion's shoulder.

"You could never fail me, ion nin," the King said firmly. Then his eyes turned upward to the courtyard. "What have you done?" he asked slowly.

"I tried, Ada," the Prince said through hot tears. "But I just wasn't fast enough. I'm sorry. Ada…" Aragorn shook his head.

"No, Eldarion," he said quietly. "This was not your fault. None of this was your fault. I should have listened to the girl." He gave his son a tight hug. "Be brave. There is not time for anything else." Eldarion nodded solemnly and gripped his sword. Aragorn smiled sadly as his son struck an Orc down, and slashed another.

He should never have had to experience this.

The King quietly slipped away up the street and took off at a run. As he entered the courtyard, Gilraen ran into his arms, not bothering to hide her tears. He bent down and wiped them gently.

"Everything will be fine," he said. "I made a promise…once. This city will never fall as long as I defend it. And I promise you again." She sniffled and nodded in her father's arms. Aragorn stood up and saw Eowyn bending over a fallen body. He squinted his eyes and felt his knees weaken. "No…" he breathed. He released Gilraen and sprinted over to his fallen wife.

"My Lord…" Eowyn said softly. "I tried everything. I'm sorry…she's gone." Tears trailed down his face as he held her lifeless body to him. He kissed her cold forehead and brushed hair from her face.

Namarie, Arwen. Vin lu achenitham...le melon.

****

Anger flowing through his veins, Eldarion slashed Orc after Orc. He stumbled on a step, and fell to the ground. He groaned and tried to stand up, but felt a sharp pain in his ankle.

"Ah!" he said painfully. He gently felt the wound, and saw blood shining on his hand. Eldarion grimaced and sighed. An Orc noticed the Prince testing his leg and smiled evilly. Eldarion's eyes widened as a rusted Orc sword was raised towards him, and there was nothing he could do. His eyes started to close, making everything turn to grey haze, and he dropped out of consciousness.

****

On the other side of the street, Daina's eyes narrowed and she quickly ran towards the fallen Prince. As she neared, she realized that he was unconscious. She dived in front of him, stabbing the Orc in the stomach. He fell down, dead, and the Ranger heaved a sigh of relief. She sheathed her sword and grabbed the Prince by the hand, pulling his arm around her shoulders.

He's the only hope for redemption. I have to get him away from this.

Quietly, she slipped into the darkness of the empty streets, where her faithful horse, Runshaw, was silently waiting. Daina put the unconscious Eldarion up front, and jumped on behind him. She snapped the reins and the horse took off down the street, out the gates, and beyond the Pelennor Fields.

"Noro lim, Runshaw, noro lim," would have been heard, but there was no one left now who understood the language of a once thriving culture, and with that knowledge, Daina knew in her heart that nothing could be changed, and things that weren't meant to happen would soon come to be.

I saw a star rise high in the
Evening sky,
It hung like a jewel,
Softly shining.

I saw a star fade in the
Evening sky,
The dark was too deep and so light died,
Softly pining.

For what might have been,
For what never was.
For a life, long lived
For a love half given.

****

Was it good? Dramatic? Angsty? Me, myself, and I (and of course my co-writer Breggo13) want to know. If it seems like no one is reading this, we won't keep writing it. And I know you don't want that...

ELVISH TRANSLATIONS:
Ion Nin: my son
Lasto: listen
Naneth: Mother
Ada: Father
Hain u-'rogon: I do not fear them.
Iel Nin: my daughter
Hebo Estel: Have hope
Hannon Le: Thank You
Namarie, Arwen. Vin lu achenitham...le melon: Farwell, Arwen. We will see each other again...I love you.
Noro lim, Runshaw, noro lim: Ride on, Runshaw, ride on.

Thanks for reading. Please review. Please press the light green button and take a second of your time. I promise, it doesn't bite. Neither do I (often).

Umm...I think that's about it. Thanks for sticking with me-

Nestaron (Jason) and Breggo13