As I tend to say, I feel that we depend too much on RWS images. I am not saying that they don't matter - sometimes they speak literally - but still, the symbolism of the cards is far more extensive and deeper than the RWS representations.
5 is a number of challenge, it is in the middle of the set (10-1), it is between 4 and 6, and it can also be related to Hierophant, if you chose to use Major Arcana connotations. Then, you can also look at astrological connotations, if you chose, of course again there may be different systems.
All the fives for me are, firstly, a temporary thing, since they are a bit unstable, it is a challenge and challenge are by nature not stable. We have balance and harmony in 6, then the challenge, and structure in 4. Hence, 5 is a certain kind of a break-down - which can be very good and useful.
It is a break-down or challenge in the air element, the element of the mental, mind, thought. If we relate it to Hierophant: a break down of the usual, established patterns of thinking or behaviour. Astrologically it is Venus in Aquarius - a 'stranger', someone who has their own ideas, innovative, original, non-conventional.
So, 5 of swords is simply: think outside the box and stand up for your own beliefs, even if they differ from the majorty or collectively accepted values (Hierophant). This can sometimes lead to feeling excluded, alone, even lonely, but there is courage and even a certain fight in this, hence the 'conflict'. Conflicts are needed for growth. Without the conflict we remain mellow, weak, we cannot assert ourselves, we are just part of the crowd, we do what we are told to do (Hierophant). Little sheep. Conflict makes us sharper, more decisive, integrated. it is needed sometimes. Life is full of 'conflict'. Birth is a certain 'conflict' - child needs to leave behind the warm and safe womb in order to start his life. We need to cut the cord, we need to separate. Number 5 in this sense corresponds also to the 5th house of the horoscope, where we find the child. Child needs her own identity - she needs to go into 'conflict' with her parents, with her background (Hierophant) to start her individual path.
So, don't be afraid of the conflict, don't fear certain allienation - it is needed in order to become fully who you are, and not just a carbon copy. 5 of swords is a challenge to think for yourself, act for yourself - which, of course, is not socially accepted, we are supposed to be 'good girls' and 'good boys'. Perhaps this fight/conflict/challenge aspect of the card touches some of these issues inside of you - maybe you were raised to be good, kind, accepting and this may be your nature, but then the shadow follows where the opposite is constellated which we fear and won't accept. But we have to, since life is still dual, and softness combines with hardness, peace with conflict, altruism with egotism, etc. They are all needed to make us whole.
Just some thoughts.