Okay, so here's chapter 5. This was wasn't written by me, it was by Breggo13. All hers. Haha, she was sure to make it longer than my last one. And succeeded.

Plus, we have an author's note from the actual author of this chapter at the end. She has a few things that she wants to clear up.

And if you guys are out there, reading this, PLEASE review! If we don't get any, we'll stop writing it!

On with the chapter-

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Far from the distance came a steady resonance of soft hoof beats, rhythmic and relaxed. The sound echoed through the forest, this part of Fangorn where even the birds were quiet. It was early morning, way too early for even a messenger to pass this way if ever one was brave enough. Yet, as all small creatures scurried back into their burrows, from behind the bend on the barely visible animal trail, a strapping young stallion emerged. His nostrils' flared and his breath coming out in quick, rasp breathes the noble animal didn't dare disobey his nimble rider. Still even he couldn't go on forever and after a few minutes he started to slow down to a quick trot.

"A little more Runshaw, a little more," a soft voice called to the charger and with a swift flick of the tail, the grey mount continued on, gathering what speed he lost. The young rider bit her lower lip and looked around her one more time with her grey tear-filled eyes. Daina was still wary. Though she galloped Runshaw for hours, she was still afraid that the Orcs that had captured the White City were on their trail. Straining her ears until she could almost hear the little stream they passed an hour or so ago, she could not hear the heavy footsteps of an army. Relaxing for the present, Daina saw a clearing beside a pond and turning Runshaw towards it let him trot. The tiered animal stretched out his neck and shook violently trying to rid himself from the water that covered his whole body.

"I'm so sorry boy," Daina whispered stopping her friend and, swinging her leg over the saddle, jumped down. Runshaw turned his head and rubbed it against Daina's shirt leaving it soaked and wet. Laughing tiredly, too tiered and sad to care, Daina rubbed him behind the ears before turning towards the unconscious body still on her mount's back.

Eldarion had not been conscious for the past couple of hours, and it was starting to scare the young Ranger. With no help available here, no trained healer at hand Eldarion didn't have many chances of surviving. Daina sighed, tucked a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear and as carefully as she could, pulled Eldarion out of the saddle. Half dragging and half carrying his body, the young girl settled her charge under a tree. Looking at his leg, she was surprised that it was slightly soaked with blood. Walking back to Runshaw to retrieve a new bandage, she noticed just how tiered she was. Her arms ached, she couldn't feel her legs and it didn't help that her stomach growled.

I shall just bandage his wound again, take care on Runshaw and then I will think about myself, Daina promised herself as she tugged back towards Eldarion. Bandaging his leg, the young girl couldn't help noticing just how attractive the young prince was. His dark locks fell into his face which was covered in blood, now dried and foul smelling but even that didn't make it less perfect. His high arched brows, his hard set jaw, his thin yet expressive lips were all relaxed right now, and if she didn't know better, she would have assumed the young monarch was sleeping. Tying the last knot in place, Daina straightened up and before leaving reached down to press her cool hand against his forehead. His skin was blazing; no burning under her fingers and it took all of her self control not to jerk her hand back.

Walking back to Runshaw who was still standing patiently, she undid the girth of her saddle and pulled it down onto the ground beside her. Digging in one of the saddlebags, she pulled out the small light blanket that she always had with her and started whipping down the sweat from the silver stallion's back.

''Runshaw, what shall we do now?'' Daina asked her arms aching from the work but her mind forcing them to continue their effort. The stallion shook again and lowered his dashing head down to take a huge bite of grass. His tail, relaxed and soft started swishing side to side. Daina rolled her eyes and tried to hide her small smile. Her stomach made a huge growl. Finishing with Runshaw, the young Ranger covered his back with the blanket.

Reaching into her saddlebag once again, Daina got herself a piece of dried meat and two more light blankets. Once again she thanked the Elves that they were able to make such thin, strong, warm material that was weightless and pretty much size less. Unrolling one of the two bundles, she walked up to the feverish Prince and covered him with it.

''Sleep well your majesty,'' she murmured her eyes hard as she herself rolled into a ball to sleep. As soon as her head hit the grass, she fell into a deep slumber hand on the hilt of her sword.

******

Where am I? It's so dark...Help! Please, help me! I want to go home, I can't do this anymore, please let me leave! Daina shuddered as she cried there, standing on her knees, her head bowed. He was here, again. He- the person who knew everything. And also He who wanted more than she could give. These two people were here again.

Quiet child! You have done well, don't lose hope! There, in the shadows hidden from Daina's view stood and old man leaning on his staff, his white beard hanging loose and dressed in white robes. Continue helping the young Numinor and you shall succeed.

What if I don't want to anymore? I am not free, and I know that he will never understand. Neither of them will. Let me go, take the burden off of me. Daina stood up and subconsciously noticed that she was dressed in a white robe with long sleeves.

Daina, Daina, Daina! Is this the way you treat the request of your teacher? The old man smiled and his deep grey eyes danced with amusement.

You know I tried and I failed! You know I told them but who believed me? Laughed at me that's what they did. But I stayed, stayed because you told me to protect him. But my life is with Araphor, and you know it! Who am I to Eldarion? A nobody at the most, perhaps the very reason he hates life.

Or maybe the very reason he will live and maybe the real person he may love, mused the old warlock smiling slightly as he turned to leave. Remember, you are a Maiden Bride. You are his destiny...

No, wait! How would I know that it is me he is destined to? I don't want anything to do with that ignorant selfish boy!

Then look into the soul, see who he really is. Ah, well it's time to go. The old man started to turn and suddenly, before he could leave into the darkness again, Daina found herself briefly in a church, her white dress refined and with a veil and beside her, instead of her beloved Araphor stood Eldarion.

Remember who he really is child, the voice of her teacher sounded in the empty space once again. Remember and one day you shall be his salvation or his doom.

Daina, unable to support herself any longer slumped back down onto her knees, tears running down her face once again. Her future was told, no options there. What have I done? She though grimly as her spirit came back into her body.

******

Daina was awaken by a soft nose gently pushing her. Rolling away from it on impulse she silently got onto one knee her sword in her hand looking around. Runshaw looked at her with his crystal blue eyes and shook his head. Relaxing a bit, Daina put her weapon back in the sheath and stood up. The stallion looked eastwards, in the direction which they came from hours ago. Following his gaze the young Ranger gasped and stared in horror into the distance. The White City, or so she guessed was burning. Long, dark smoke was rising from the trees in the far distance, seeming like the darkness we fought. Daina shuddered and turned bitterly away.

Runshaw gently nuzzled the girl trying to comfort her. Daina hugged the noble animal's neck then remembering that she was a warrior quickly let go. Here I go again, she thought embarrassed and taking a quick glance confirmed that the prince was still sleeping.

Still...sleeping? Daina eyes widened as she quickly calculated the amount of time he was unconscious. Five, six hours and now another six. Half a day, maybe more. One look at the sky established her truth. It was now dusk, still light but then again soon the trees of Fangorn would cover the sun and the moon from view. Daina shook her head, thinking about what to do next when her eyes drifted to her charge.

The prince was still covered in blood, dried up, foul blood. Being made a Ranger by choice of sacrifice but also by her own desire, Daina still underneath all her wounds and bruises was a girl who was meant to marry. And leaving a helpless person however angry she was at him was not in her competence. The decision came right. Quickly building a fire, Daina grabbed a bunch of leaves and after drenching them in the pond with the cold water, quietly walked over to Eldarion.

******

"What shall we do Sir?" Eowyn asked as she looked upon her king and friend. For a second her old obsession returned but she waved it away. Ironically, she though as she looked upon the man with grief in his blue eyes, that I should remember my youth at a time like this.

"Eowyn, I don't know anymore. I lost the path I followed!" Aragorn slumped down, leaning against the wall as Eowyn knelt down to bandage the wound on his arm. "I never wanted this! In one day, no in a matter of hours I lost not only my wife but also my son, my one and only son. The White City is burned, our army dead and we are hiding in the caves. All is lost I failed you!"

"Nothing is yet lost Aragorn!" Eowyn cried and putting her hands on his face forced the older man to look up into her tear filled eyes. "Nothing is yet lost, nothing at all. You hear me? I do not, will not believe that Eldarion is dead! And hope still lives. Look at Gilraen! Look at how brave she is! Don't you want to continue battling for her?"

Aragorn looked away, unable to tell her the truth. I have sworn to protect the White City until my last drop of blood but now there is no Minus Tirith. I have failed, and I shall loose the respect of all of the people I knew. The King who lost his City.

Another voice, a sweet soft voice of a young lady he once denied sounded in his head. A Cage. I cannot think of my life in a cage controlled by the darkness and for that I shall fight. You need all the help you can get.

Why? Why bother fighting when you can be decently married and give birth to children? Why choose this path? He asked her then. She looked at him with her piercing eyes and looked away blushing.

Who would take me? I have dishonoured all I care about by choosing to fight, by being able to use a sword. They try to hide it but they know that it will never be for long. I am already in a cage...

"In a cage but not forever held inside," Eowyn whispered into Aragorn's ear and standing up disappeared into the mists of people to help the next person who needed her help. Looking after her Aragorn let his grief finally show, the grief he held in the cage of his heart. His daughter, covered in blood from the people she had been tending too ran up to him and he pulled her close to him ignoring that his wound was bleeding again.

"What will happen to us now, Ada?" she asked in between sobs. Aragorn pressed his cheek against the top of her head. His tears continued running down his cheeks.

"Iel Nin, Hebo Estel," he whispered as her shaking slowed.

"I'm trying Ada…but I miss El...Is he even alive or dead...like Naneth?" Gilraen looked up with her bright blue eyes, Arwen's eyes, up into Aragorn's. He sighed and looking seriously into her face said,

"No one lives forever. It is your destiny now to lead these people. As for Eldarion," Taking a deep breath Aragorn forced the words that seemed spoken way too much lately out of his mouth, "Namarie Eldarion....Vin lu achenitham..."

"Le melon, Eldarion....Namarie," whispered Gilraen as she pressed her two fingers to her lips, the sign of love for a dead one. The daughter and father stayed silent for the rest of the day, their eyes bright from crying, Gilraen helping the wounded, Aragorn talking to the dying.

******

Daina whipped the sweat from her forehead. She has spent the last hour scrubbing the blood of Eldarion's face using leaves and now most if not all that blood was on her hands. At least the prince was clean, tended to and sleeping. He now was just in a deep troublesome sleep which had made the Ranger's work even harder.

Sighing in frustration, Daina took of her blood cover clothes and washed the in the pond. The water to her surprise was warm and inviting. After a moment's though Daina smiled and, leaving her damp clothes to dry near the fire, dove in. The water was soothing helping her relax and enjoy herself. Maybe it's not my smartest idea, she thought closing her eyes and floating on the surface, but it is relaxing.

As she swam Daina's thoughts turned to Araphor. She smiled as she remembered her groom to be. Before the war, Araphor was what every young woman could want. Tall and elegant, he had sandy blond hair which made him stand out beside all the other young men. Lean muscles toned his body, and his eyes sparkled an emerald green. But that was before he came back.

Injured in one of the raids at the end of the battle, Araphor broke his leg when he fell off his horse. Coming home, he knew he wouldn't be looked at the same way as he had been when he left. All the girls now thought it a dishonour to be considered as his wife, and even his own sisters were awkward around him. Hurt to his soul, Araphor hid in the forest, building himself a home and breeding horses.

One day, he met a young hunter in the forest, a boy that looked around fifteen. Araphor had thought that it was another joke, more kids coming to look at the crippled one. In his anger, he knocked the boy to the ground. Imagine his surprise when the hood which the boy wore fell back to reveal a young maiden. Ashamed by his actions, Araphor left as fast as he could back to his house.

But that wasn't the last time he saw Daina. She came back time and time again, talking to him, helping him around his stables. Quite obviously after so much pain, the young man fell in love and Daina returned his feelings in kind. She felt proud and happy to walk beside him, to help him. Soon they were engaged. As a present, Araphor gave Daina Runshaw, the best colt he ever had.

*SNAP* Daina flipped onto her front and turned towards the shore. Eldarion was standing up, looking in wonder at her horse who in turn was evaluating him, with some grass still sticking out of his mouth. The picture was quite comical but Daina didn't have the time to laugh, since at that moment Runshaw turned his head towards her and greeted her. Eldarion followed the stallion's gaze and gasped, staring at Daina.

Daina wondered what the prince was so boldly staring at and looking down, her eyes widened. The water was as clear as a window, giving anyone on shore the clear view of her exposed body. Turning red, Daina tried to cover herself up. Eldarion continued staring.

Let's see who can wait the longest, she thought sarcastically and a small smile played on her lips. Huh, I can work with this.

Letting her arms drop to her sides, Daina turned her head slightly to face the Prince, and now smiling broadly, started walking through the water towards him. With every step she took, the water revealed her body more and more until she was standing in front of Eldarion with just her ankles in the water. Here comes the hard part, she thought as she reached out to the still staring Prince. He reached out to her and at the moment their hands touched each other, Daina pulled the prince into the water face first.

Runshaw neighed from the shore, prancing in place from laughter. Quick as a mouse, Daina threw on her dried clothes and walked back to the mere. Eldarion was already standing, wiping the water of his face with his hand. Looking up, he saw the girl dressed and waiting.

I was made a fool, but every man has his weakness, he tried to reason with himself but it didn't help. He couldn't deny that at that moment he wanted the girl. Moving slowly out of the water, he walked up to her.

"Is his highness cooled off?" the girl asked innocently as Eldarion looked closely at her features. She was pretty, but not beautiful. Her dark hair was only long enough to reach past her shoulders, and her eyes were grey. Her cheeks were blushing and she was biting her lower lip, probably to stop herself from laughing.

"Cooled off? Yeah, I guess I am. Who are you?" he asked in wonder looking at her.

"Do names really matter?" the girl asked laughing. Eldarion grinned back and leaned in. Immediately his head turned to the left, his right cheek burning. Slapped, denied, unwanted. Eldarion turned to the girl, who was watching him fiercely.

"What was that for?" Eldarion asked suddenly angry. The girl looked at him again and turned away.

"For forgetting who you really are, Eldarion," she said in a low whisper. Those words hit him like a knife. He sank to the ground. Naneth...dead, Ada....Gilraen....White City....Feowyn...war...thousands...Ada...fighting...Orcs...blackness...hope...gone...Nazgul. Eldarion slumped down to his knees as realization hit him. He was alone. All hope was dead. Everyone he knew or loved were dead. And the White City was burned.

"NO!!!" he yelled, his fists hitting the earth as hard as he could. Hurt, loneliness, disaster. He was alone, he would always be alone. And he was weak. He knew that, knew that for certain.

Daina turned to look at him with understanding as she leaned against Runshaw. The stallion looked at the trembling figure on the ground and bowed his head down. Daina cursed the darkness in as many different ways as she knew while Eldarion continued to grieve.

Suddenly the Prince stopped, stood up and grinned. His eyes were slightly tinged with red and he licked his lips. Drawing his sword out of his sheath, Eldarion walked over to Daina and putting his hand behind her head, pulled the surprised girl closer.

"I know who I am," he whispered into her ear as held her close, "The question is, do you know who I am?"

"I know who you are, Eldarion," Daina whispered relaxing her hands and arms "And I don't like people who forget their oaths."

"Ouch, that hurt," Eldarion laughed and then bringing the girl close to him kissed her full on the lips. Daina struggled, she did. She tried to pull back, to slap him, kick him, step on his foot. Nothing worked. The prey was trapped.

******

"Mother," Feowyn called across the small cave seeing her mother's figure. Lady Eowyn smiled sadly up to her daughter and broke. Tears flowed down her cheeks, unstoppable.

"Mother, what has happened to Father? Is he...dead?" Feowyn asked sitting down beside her mother and hugging the older woman. Eowyn cried, her whole body shaking, leaning into her daughter. She couldn't tell her the truth. She wouldn't want to crush Feowyn after the girl so bravely took to the news of Eldarion's disappearance.

"Your Father..." Eowyn struggled to find words, "He's somewhere here. Probably being looked after." Feowyn looked at her mother.

"I shall go find him," the young lady retorted, standing up. Eowyn tried to stop her, grabbing for her hand, but Feowyn was already running, dashing in between people and disappearing into the crowd. Feowyn looked everywhere. She looked where the minor sick were, the majorly sick, and finally, the dying. Faramir wasn't anywhere. Feowyn slumped down and hid her face into her knees. Her thoughts travelled to one of the many summer days that she had spent with Eldarion.

What are you looking for? He asked her then as she sat on her knees, looking through a big chest in her room. He was lying down beside her on the floor, stretched out with his hands behind his head, his eyes closed.

Something special, Feowyn retorted as she continued her search. She smiled slightly, amused how her friend knew what she was doing without looking.

Will you show it to me?

Definitely you silly! Just wait till I...there it is! Feowyn grinned and pulled out an old wooden box, tiny but beautifully carved. Eldarion sat up and looked at the object in the girl's hands. During the summer months his hair grew longer and now it covered most of his face, but the young boy didn't seem to want to push it back.

What is it? He asked curiously. Feowyn smiled and shrugged.

I just thought that since it is my last day here, with you...well, I have something to give you, the twelve year old girl blushed a deep scarlet and opened her sacred box. Inside lay two simple rings, small bands of metal really. Eldarion picked one up and examined it carefully. Simple yet delicate, it was meant to fit a child.

A nice joke Fea, the prince commented, smirking. But I like it! Taking the ring in his hand, he slipped it onto her trembling hand and the second one on his own.

Now we will always be united, forever and ever. Am I right, El? We'll always be friends...no matter what?

No matter what, Fea, we shall always be friends. Friends and family.

"Feowyn!" someone called to the young girl who was now softly crying. Looking up she saw that the man talking to her was Aragorn. "What happened to you?"

"Where's Faramir? Where's my father?" Fea's voice trembled as she tried to look into the older man's eyes.

"I...I don't know," Aragorn couldn't meet her gaze. "He should be here but- Feowyn! Fea wait!" Feowyn didn't want to listen to their lies anymore. Jumping up she hiked up her skirt and raced away, away from the man who couldn't even tell her the truth. Not looking where she was going, she was almost at the exit when a pair of strong arms grabbed her across her stomach and pulled her back. Looking up, Feowyn's eyes met soft, kind ones, ones that were so familiar.

"Father," she whispered before fainting in Faramir's arms.

******

"Eldarion, you don't want to do this!" Daina warned the Prince as she once again blocked his attack. If not for the fact that she was starting to tire, this could be over in seconds, but she wasn't sure what had gotten into this young man.

"Oh, yes, I do," he grinned evilly as he once again faced his opponent. The two have been at this for a couple hours at least. Both tired, both sweating but neither giving up. Runshaw was watching from the shadows. It was dark, the only source of light coming from the fire.

"Please, Eldarion, remember who you really are!" Daina pleaded ducking under a careless swing. Great, first the kiss, then this sloppy sword work...my luck I have enough experience and a great reaction, the Ranger thought grimly as she stood up again.

"This is me! Can't you see it?" the young man laughed and his eyes became redder yet. Daina bit her lower lip. This was getting her nowhere. Her thoughts travelled back to her dream.

Remember, one day you will be his salvation or his doom, the man said. Daina gasped with understanding as her sword again blocked Eldarion's attack. He couldn't have meant this, could he? Why was the crown prince acting like this? And his eyes? Red like...blood! Daina's grey eyes widened. She once, long ago heard a prophecy told to her.

You think you love one, but really love another. Beware of his good looks for evil he will fall half the day, and half the day he'll be himself. Remember- catch him when he falls and he will recover this land... Daina dropped her sword down. She must have been crazy at that moment for Eldarion's arm shook as he raised his sword once again.

"Kill me if that helps satisfy your hunger," Daina smiled sadly her heart beating intensely in her chest. Eldarion's eyes recovered some of their original grey. Standing on her knees now, the girl gathered her hair and pulled it to one side, bowing her head to reveal her pale neck. Eldarion hesitated once again, the red leaving his eyes. Only a little bit remained. "What are you waiting for sire? Kill me if you wish!" Daina let one tear roll down her cheek. Eldarion, who was already bringing his sword down, somehow flung it to the side, away from the girl missing her by mere centimetres. Daina let out her breath.

"Why did this happen to me?" Eldarion exclaimed, his legs unable to support him. Daina shrugged and tried to calm down. Too much had happened that day, and the fact that she was stuck with a maniac against her own will was a bit too much. Even if she would one day play an important part in his life, which she didn't want to be a part of, she hated him.

Araphor, where are you? Her soul called out to the young man as she hid her face in Runshaw's mane. The stallion, though a little upset by the yelling and fighting, eagerly turned his head around to rub against his master. Eldarion, meanwhile, was cursing himself, his life, and anything that got in his way. Annoyed now, Daina's patience was never her strength.

"Will you quit banging your fists against the ground?" she asked, turning to the Prince. Eldarion glared at her.

"You're not the one who lost everything and everyone in less than a day!" the Prince shouted at the girl. Daina's frustration gave way to pure white blinding anger.

"An apology would be great right about now," she growled.

"Yeah, I accept yours, girl," Eldarion snapped in reply. The two headstrong young people faced each other, their swords once again in their hands. Funny, Daina thought, looking across the flames at her opponent, that now we fight with him being himself. Peace will never be between us often. I was a fool to ever believe that!

"I'm not the one who nearly raped you!" Daina screamed at him hurt to the core. Eldarion gasped, his grey eyes becoming darker than ever.

"Well, you're not the one who lost everyone they ever loved! Why did you save me anyway?! You should have let me die!" Eldarion was yelling now as well, tears of despair running down his face.

"Maybe I should have!" Daina replied in no mood to remember the countless warnings that her teacher told her. "At least it would have saved me the trouble of knowing a selfish, noble, weak..."

"What?" Eldarion spat, his voice lowering alarmingly. "Say it, a selfish, noble, weak what?"

"A selfish, noble, weak, babe!" Daina shouted, merely ducking Eldarion's blade.

"Take it back, you girl!" Eldarion shouted as Daina blocked his next attack. Before the Ranger had time to reply, the two heard a sound. Heavy footsteps, old war songs, foul smell.

"Orcs!" the two exclaimed at the same time, momentarily forgetting their fight. Eldarion started putting out the flames, Daina saddling Runshaw. Working quickly, they packed their things quickly, not speaking, but still angry and hurt. The sound was getting closer. The two got onto the silver stallion and Runshaw took off at a gallop. But they were a bit too late....

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AN: Hey guys! Here's the new chapter, totalling 12/13 pages long and with a total of 4,820 words! I am really sorry if some memories are not *Up to Book or Movie* but that is how I imagined this whole chapter. Just another note, when Daina calls Eldarion a "babe" it is NOT in any other sense (such as love name or anything) than just the fact that she is calling him a "baby".

Guys, a little reminder...COMMENT! Please leave us some supporting comment or criticism! And Favourite this story! I promise you, the plot is done and agreed on, it gets better as it gets farther in the story and yes, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli are returning for another epic adventure. Love you all!

Breggo13

And that was, quite obviously, Breggo13. This is Jason again. I know, aren't you guys sick of me? But I'm like a bad penny, I always turn up. If anyone knows what movie that quote is from, you get extra points and a mention in the next chapter (whenever it comes out).

Thanks for reading, and PLEASE, PLEASE, review!

Jason