With much confusion and much threats from both sides, the two armies finally settled the kidnapping of the High King and Yuki and Peter decide to end the mission early so they can resolve the confusion in Narnia.

"And that's what happened apparently," Yuki finishes, embarrassed at her army's actions.

"They really don't know what a joke is?" Edmund questions for the hundredth time.

"That's so sad," Lucy sighs. "The White Witch must've not allowed them any fun or joy at all!"

"Now we know we should watch our words around them," Peter says, glaring at Yuki while she massages his back to apologize.

"Come, we must address this situation and clear it up publicly or the Narnians will be quite upset with Yuki and Aslan's Shield," Susan claims, being the most logical of the group.

"She's right," Yuki sighs. "You guys know I really didn't mean those things right? I'd never betray you." She looks down, afraid to see disappointment in their eyes. However Peter rolls his eyes and puts a comforting hand over her shoulder.

"You're very annoying, but yes, we all know that," he replies, smiling at her. Edmund smirks at their physical contact. "I'll be there to support you."

"So will I, let's go," Lucy offers, holding her hand. Taking a deep breath, Yuki leads the monarchs out to the stage.

"I heard the Guardian's betrayed the High King and they will banish her soon," a faun whispers.

"But she's our friend!"

"Really? Someone told me that the Guardian was betrayed by her troops!" another nymph gossips to a dryad.

"What happened?"

"The White Witch's followers have planned this betrayal and framed her!"

All kinds of rumors traveled across the crowd, each crazier than the last. Finally, Peter holds up his hand, silencing the crowd.

"Peace, friends," Peter commands. The crowd silences as the High King comes into view. "We know there are many different rumors about the incident with Aslan's Shield." At the title, everyone glares at Yuki's army, who in turn glare back. "However, everything is just a huge misunderstanding. The truth is..." He trails off, embarrassed to continue, so Yuki takes over.

"You see, it all started with a joke..."


By the time Yuki finishes her explanation, no one dared or could make a sound. Instead, they all stared at their monarchs and Guardian with disbelief. Could the White Witch's former army be so dense as to not know a joke when they hear one?

"You've all mentioned this 'joke'! But no one's explained to us what it means!" a werewolf states, breaking the awkward silence. Behind him, agreements were heard, causing the Narnians to shake their heads and for the Pevensies and Yuki to simply stare.

As the first to regain herself, Lucy says, "Well, you see, a joke..." They wait for her to finish. "Well, I don't know how to exactly explain it, but it's meant to make you laugh."

"A joke is something one says or does to cause amusement or laughter," Susan defines knowledgeably.

"So if I do this, is it a joke?" a battle ox asks, punching the werewolf next to him. The crowd from Aslan's shield cackle at the action while Yuki tries to hide her amusement. Despite their gruesome appearance, their clueless acts are absolutely adorable. Peter glares at Yuki as Edmund chuckles lightly.

"Not exactly," Edmund says, trying to regain posture.

"Let me give you an example," Peter says. They watch as he thinks for a minute or two. "Knock knock." The Narnians stare with confusion, forcing him to look to Edmund for help.

"Who's there?" he groans, rolling his eyes.

"Who?" Peter asks, smirking as if he had the best joke ever.

"Who, who?" Edmund replies, trying to play along.

"Is there an owl in here?" Peter asks, laughing on his own. However the crowd looks on with confusion, silencing Peter. "You were supposed to laugh after that."

"Why?" asks a minotaur.

"B-because!" sputters Peter, trying to think of an answer. "You see, in our world, an owl makes the sound 'Hoo hoo!' And I made Edmund say that, so of course I asked if there's an owl here."

"But why would we ask who's there when someone knocks on our door?" a hag asks. "What if we don't like the person?"

"Wouldn't it be better to check who's there ourselves in case we want to pretend we are not home?" asks another ghoul. As they ask more questions, Peter face palms himself. Finally Edmund decides to help out.

"Let me give you a better example," he laughs. "You see, there are good jokes and bad jokes, but they are all still jokes. Peter's given you an example of a bad one, now let me show you what a good one is." The crowd laugh slightly as Peter crosses his arms and grumbles.

"That is also a joke actually," Lucy points out quickly.

"So do you see how our High King's hair is growing slightly out?" asks Edmund, and everyone nods. Peter groans, knowing he's going to be the victim for Edmund's next 50 jokes. "You can say he's about to become a werewolf." In response, the crowd laughs lightly, imagining their king as a hairy wolf. The werewolves in the army howl with pride.


The four humans finally had enough of Edmund's jokes and left him with Narnians to go on entertaining them while they return to their meeting room.

"It's good that we've finally settled that," Lucy sighs, hopping on her chair. "It would be quite sad if we went to war again."

"Yes, and we've managed to settle that just in time," adds Susan.

"Why? Is something big coming up?" asks Yuki, walking over to her friend.

"Yes, King Lune of Archenland is planning to visit us to congratulate us on our progress," she states. "He will be arriving in a week. I've already arranged a ball to welcome him."

Finally Edmund enters the meeting room.

"I am the Just and Jest King!" he proclaims proudly, raising his hands in the air.

"You're just in time for our plans, Ed," Yuki greets, ruffling his hair.

"And who is Archenland again?" asks Peter, rubbing his eyes. Susan gives him a look.

"King Lune!" Susan spits out angrily. "King Lune of Archenland is one of our best potential allies! He's coming with a boy about Lucy's age too, Prince Core I believe."

"Actually, I think it was Prince Corin," corrects Edmund, earning a thankful nod from Susan.

"Hurray, a new friend!" Lucy cheers.

"So that means we finally get to wear our ball gowns?" asks Yuki, excited. Susan nods with enthusiasm.

"Oh, Susan, Yuki, you two will look so beautiful in the Narnian ball gowns!" Lucy squeals. "Yuki, please let me do your hair! Dorea's been teaching me how to braid!"

"Of course, if you'd let me help you get ready," smiles Yuki, glad to see the little girl so happy. Unlike the three girls, the boys were awfully sluggish to hear about another ball.

"That means a lot of dancing doesn't it?" groans Edmund.

"This is important to an alliance between Archenland and Narnia," informs Susan, going through her papers. "Peter, Edmund, and Yuki, you three are expected to impress King Lune during his visit. Most likely King Lune will have much of his nobles accompanying him, so that means many of them may bring their daughters along."

"You expect us to talk to girls?!" Edmund exclaims in disbelief.

"Don't worry about it, Susan, you can count on me to protect and appeal to King Lune," states Yuki, bowing. "Is there anything else?"

"Oh! Some of the animals have been dealing with the reconstruction with much difficulty," reports Lucy, frowning. "They requested for some assistance in rebuilding their homes in the Wavern Woods in the east. I wish I can go help, but the Healing Wing needs me tomorrow to heal some injured griffins."

"Susan, can you take care of this problem?" asks Edmund. "It sounds like they would need a motherly touch for comfort."

"I wish I could, but I have three cases in court tomorrow and prepare for King Lune's arrival," replies Susan.

"I'll go then," offers Yuki. "It pains me to hear that such creatures are suffering. I promise to improve the conditions for them!" Her determination brings a smile upon Lucy's face.

"Thank you!" Lucy squeals, hugging her. "Please send them my regards and that I will visit them as soon as I get back from my mission."

"Of course, Lucy," promises Yuki.

"Then I'll go too," Peter volunteers. "Maybe with both our armies, their homes will be rebuilt faster."

"We do make a good team," Yuki smiles, returning his hug. "Will you be coming along too, Edmund?" An amused glint shines in his eyes.

"Oh no, I think I will take care of Aslan's Shield's punishment," he chuckles, causing Yuki to furrow her brows in confusion.

"Wait, what punishment?" Lucy asks.

"Well, even though their kidnapping happened because of a joke, they still did commit a crime," Edmund points out. "But luckily I managed to convince the Narnians to lighten their punishment. Instead of exiling them, we shall simply give them tougher training and more missions to make it up."

"Thank you Edmund, you're the best!" Yuki laughs gratefully, tackling him in a hug. "Thank you for protecting them! I don't know what I'd do if they were to be banished at my expense."

"You're hugging a lot today, aren't you?" teases Susan. "May I have one too?" Giggling, Yuki nods and hugs her Susan.

"Wait, so Yuki would not have an army for the reconstruction of Wavern Woods?" asks Peter, disappointed at the lack of volunteers.

"Well originally, they are to train under my supervision, but this is community service," Edmund thinks aloud. "I guess this is the beginning of their punishment. When the other troops get a break, Aslan's Shield must continue working."

"Thank you," Yuki whispers, happy that her troops escaped a harsh punishment. "We'll do our best!" She turns back to Peter. "So, when do we set off for Wavern Woods?"

"We leave tonight after dinner," Peter states.


"Have you found the map to Wavern Woods yet?" questions Peter, entering the meeting room. Earlier at dinner, Yuki finished early to study the geography of Wavern Woods.

"No, it's so strange," Yuki groans. "I've checked at least 3 different atlases already, but none of them contain Wavern Woods. The closest thing I've gotten to it is that Wavern Woods is extremely small."

"Maybe it's so small that our mapmakers decided it's not needed to include it?" Peter suggests, looking at the book over her shoulder. Feeling the closeness, Yuki's body stiffen, attempting to not make any strange movements.

"Maybe," she whispers in response. A small gasp escapes her throat when Peter leans down, resting his elbow on her shoulder to get a closer look at the maps. His face is so close to her! What should she do? What if she stinks from sweat of the battle? Can he smell it? Oh that's ridiculous, Susan forced her to bathe before dinner, so the sweat should be off. But what if her natural scent stinks? What is her natural scent? Oh dear... Wait... Yuki subtly sniffs the air, taking in Peter's scent. She smiled softly, smelling a light scent of sweetness from him 'He smells so good.' The heavy weight on her shoulder finally lightens.

"What's wrong?" asks Peter. Turning toward her, he chuckles, seeing her wide eyes as he sits down next to her. "Is my presence too dazzling for you?" He strikes a pose, snapping Yuki out of her trance and throwing a book at him.

"You wish," Yuki laughs nervously. "I don't think our maps will have it, let's just ask Lucy." She quickly stumbles out of her chair as Peter continues laughing and following her.

"Why don't you get the information from Lucy while I round up the two armies?" Peter asks.

"That's fine, we'll meet in the east entrance in one hour," Yuki agrees and the two split. Lucy had mentioned her duties earlier, so Yuki assumed she can find Lucy in the library. "Lucy? Are you in here?"

"Is that you, Yuki?" asks an excited voice. In a blink of an eye, Yuki is tackled down by a small body.

"Whoa! Where's the fire?" Yuki demands, glancing around. But a giggle from Lucy immediately calms her down. "Why'd you tackle me?"

"I may or may not have accidentally slipped the fact that you like Peter to her," Edmund's guilty voice chimes. The older girl sends him a quick glare because looking back at Lucy.

"You two would make a wonderful couple!" Lucy squeals. "And not to mention it will save Peter from the discomfort of meeting all those ladies of other countries!"

"Whoa there!" Yuki laughs nervously, trying to shake Lucy off. "I admit I do have some feelings for your brother, but I believe they will not escalate to anything beyond a high school crush."

"But Yuki!" pouts Lucy, giving her the ultimate puppy dog look she's mastered on Peter for years. Mustering all her strength, Yuki turns away. "But why don't you want to marry my brother?" Her soft voice causes Yuki to look down, which she regrets right away. Edmund smirks, knowing Yuki had a weakness against Lucy and other children pouting.

"It's not that I don't want to marry him," Yuki groans.

"So you DO want to marry him!" Edmund yells in an "Ah-ha!" voice, earning a high five from Lucy.

"No!" shouts Yuki, rejecting the idea.

"You don't?" Lucy pouts playfully again.

"No I- I- AH!" Releasing a frustrated and embarrassed groan, Yuki crazily beats the bookshelf next to her. "Look, that has nothing to do with anything!" Her red face causes Lucy and Edmund to cackle at her discomfort. "Please hurry Lucy, Peter and I need a map to get to Wavern Woods. We couldn't find it in any of the maps."

"Oh my, right away," Lucy complies and runs to create a quick sketch of the routes. "This will have to do for now. If you need help, simply send me a message through the trees."

"Thank you, Lu. I shall report to you three once we return!" promises Yuki, running out. She suddenly stops before opening the door. "Oh, if you have time, please have our map makers include Wavern Woods and any other small areas and villages in an updated map as soon as possible."

"I'll do that!" volunteers Edmund enthusiastically. "Have a safe trip." After making sure Yuki is gone, the two younger Pevensies face each other. "Are you still going to help me set them up?"

"Of course!" Lucy agrees happily. "She makes it so obvious that she wants to be with him!"


"Finally! What took you so long?" the High King asks playfully, helping Yuki onto her horse. Lucy taunting her about her crush makes its way into Yuki's head.

"Lucy and Edmund were talking a lot, that's all," Yuki replies quickly, shaking her head. "I've got the map." She hands Peter the map so he can lead the way.

"Alright, come on troops! Move out!" commands Peter, and everyone begins riding into the night.


"Peter, are you sure you're going the right way?" Yuki whines against Snowflake's head.

"Please sire, please say yes!" the horse pleas, praying for her mistress to stop whining.

"Yes, we are!" Peter growls, feeling the same annoyance as Snowflake. "According to Lucy's map, we should be there in about 5 more miles."

"Oh dear, I sure wish Narnia had more maps of the smaller villages," Beaver groans from Yuki's back.

"Tell me, trai- I mean Garen, when you worked for the White Witch, have you ever attacked villages near Wavern Woods?" Oreius asks. Garen scoffs, obviously annoyed by the slip up from Oreius, but lets it go, for no one was in the mood for internal struggles.

"No, we simply left a blanket of snow there," he growls.

"We did not waste our time with small villages," Gore the werewolf adds.

"Oh, I've had it! Let me see that map!" Yuki groans, snatching the poorly drawn map out of Peter's hands.

"Hey!" Peter shouts.

"No wonder it's taking so long!" criticizes Yuki. "You were holding it upside down!"

"No I wasn't! You snatched it when it faced that way!" argues Peter. Both armies groan, knowing they would probably not reach the village until the next day at this rate. First, their leaders are arguing and second, they no longer know if they are lost or going the right way. Suddenly a tearing sound shocks everyone. Both Yuki and Peter stand there, each holding half the map in their hands.

"Look at what you did!" they yell in unison. "ME?! YES YOU! STOP COPYING ME!"

"Why don't we just send the werewolves, wolves, and cheetahs to scout the area and find clues?" Beaver suddenly suggests in a 'duh' tone. Silence falls upon the High King and his Guardian.

"Great idea Beaver," Oreius agrees. "Go! Check the area and return in 5 minutes!" Immediately they spread out and cover the area, forcing everyone else to wait. but most importantly forced the two leaders to quit their silly argument and give everyone else peace. Finally one of the soldiers come back.

"Luster! What did you find?" Yuki demands impatiently, yet gently when she recognizes her soldier.

"My Guardian! I found a nearby village being attacked!" he pants. "That way! two more miles!" He points to the east river, trying to catch his breath.

"Come on everyone!" Peter shouts, mounting his horse again.

"Luster, stay here and take a well deserved rest," Yuki commands, and the werewolf nods gratefully, slumping against the tree. "Snowflake, I want you to stay here and protect him. If enemies come, take him and run to us immediately. When our troops come back, lead them toward us." Leaving the two behind, she jumps on behind Peter, who has been waiting for her.

"Let's go!" commands their High King, riding off to lead the troops. Yuki raises her wand into the air and sends an ice blast into the air to summon the troops who ran off to scout.

"I've signaled them, so they should be there to back us up soon," Yuki informs him.

"Good. Yuki, are you with me?" asks Peter, turning to her with concern.

"Forever and always my king," she smiles back, drawing her blade.

"For Narnia and for Aslan!" Yuki and Peter declare pridefully, approaching the village.