Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: Less than ten years before the White Witch conquers Narnia, tragedy struck the royal family and in its midst, Aslan reminded them that life goes on...

A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe and it is part of my Pre-Winter story cycle and ties in with Praying for the Children. I recommend reading Praying for Children first, but you can give this one a whirl on its own too.

Part One

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17 Mayblossom 889

Asbolus watched in silence as Keziah paced through their chambers and once again went over the letter their daughter had sent four days earlier. Keziah had already worn the creases of the letter smooth. She stopped mid-step and looked at him with a mix of frustration and concern in her eyes. "Her letter doesn't make any sense, Asbolus. She says she wants us to come early, but doesn't say why. She hardly says anything. Nothing about Lew, or their sons, or any of the other chatter she usually includes in her letters. This letter is not like Hadassah at all!"

He knew. That was why they left their home in the southwestern part of Narnia and set out for Cair Paravel within an hour of receiving the letter. Asbolus moved to close the distance between Keziah and himself as she lowered the letter and brushed at her skirts in an attempt to regain control over her emotions. He reached out and tilted his wife's chin up as he slid his other hand into her hair, "Keziah, we will not know what is going on until she tells us, which she will when we see her today. And, when you find out what she's up to, then you will also have the chance to scold her for worrying her mother by not chattering and sending cryptic messages." She started to smile and he continued drily, "Not to mention, Pholus and Petraeus are both here, so you can guilt all three of our children at once. You haven't been able to do that in two years."

Keziah smacked him on the arm and stepped back, "You make me sound like a horrible mother."

Asbolus chuckled, "Not horrible, terrifying. You put the fear of Aslan in our children. And, they seem to have turned out well because of it."

Keziah shook her finger at him, "You are terrible." But, Asbolus noticed she didn't protest when he pulled her close again so he could kiss her. After four days of worrying, she finally relaxed as the kiss deepened briefly and she leaned further into his embrace.

He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers, "Don't worry, Keziah, we will be able to handle whatever Hadassah comes to us with...after all, we handled her falling in love with Lew."

Keziah laughed, "Oh yes, after you embarrassed your daughter terribly by threatening the crown prince when you first found out he was interested in her and this was before your sons threatened him individually and then together."

Asbolus shrugged, "If he hadn't come back, she would have forgiven me eventually and he would not have deserved her."

Keziah leaned back and raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? And, does that mean you think he deserves her now?"

Asbolus didn't even blink as he simply stated, "No." He smirked when Keziah just shook her head at him. He held his hand out to her, "Let's go find Hadassah. She should be having breakfast about now."

They finally found Hadassah in one of the smaller private gardens. Asbolus hid a frown when he noticed that she looked exhausted as she spoke to her youngest son. Neither Hadassah nor Leith had realized he and Keziah had joined them yet. "Leith, you must listen to your teachers and I do mean all of them, do you understand?"

Leith sighed, "Yes, Mama. Can I go now? Liam said he was going to show me a new way to block Levi's attack flurries that even Lieutenant Cadfael approves of."

Hadassah leaned back in her chair and nodded, "Go."

Leith swiped at the unruly brown hair hanging in front of his eyes before he hopped up from his seat only to backtrack and plant a kiss on his mother's cheek before he ran out the garden's other gate. Asbolus exchanged an amused glance with Keziah before he broke the barely settled silence, "What was that about, daughter?"

Hadassah looked over her shoulder at them and smiled. "Apparently, etiquette is boring, Da." She paused then gave them a mischievous grin as she whispered, "He's right."

Asbolus laughed, "Second one to think that, Hadassah."

"Actually he's the third, Da. You're forgetting the entire six month period that Llewellyn found etiquette boring...until he met Melissa." Hadassah smiled for a moment, and then she looked from him to her mother. "Join me for a walk?"

He met Keziah's gaze for a split second before he stepped forward and helped Hadassah out of her chair. It was odd how she neatly avoided mentioning what had been troubling her enough for her to send the letter. Keziah narrowed her eyes at their daughter until Hadassah ducked her head a little to whisper in her ear. Asbolus didn't know what she said but it was enough to make Keziah nod as she linked arms with their daughter and they began walking. He only half-listened as Keziah and Hadassah began chattering about all the news they hadn't already shared...and some they had.

Asbolus didn't say a word as he noticed the Leopard Captain Sekhmet appear briefly as she shadowed their movements along with a Faun archer and a Wolf. Lew had become more insistent about Hadassah's guard after Fell Beasts had murdered his parents, Queen Swanwhite and Prince Consort Lev. Nearly twenty-five years later, he knew Hadassah and Lew still disagreed at times over how many guards she needed when at the Cair, which was why he was surprised there were only three guards...until Pholus and Petraeus caught up with them just as they left through Cair Paravel's main gate. Well, three Centaurs were an effective guard, even if his sons were the only ones in armor and it was unlikely any Fell Beasts would get past the outer watch.

Hadassah and Keziah seemed content to continue chattering for a while until Hadassah moved her hand slightly, signaling Sekhmet and the two other guards to do a large sweep of the area. She turned and glared at her brothers, "Who invited you?"

Asbolus glanced at Keziah who was trying not to laugh as Pholus took his sister's challenge. "Stonebrook saw you and let us know that you were trying to sneak out of the Cair with less than your minimum assigned guard...again. Unless you wanted to get into another argument with Lew and lectured by Tuulea...again."

Asbolus and Keziah pinned their children with identical stern gazes as they chorused, "What?"

Petraeus cleared his throat, "Hadassah had a free moment last week and she went with Leith to hunt for sea shells on the beach...without any of her guard. They came back just as the alarm was raised after Lew found out Hadassah was missing."

Hadassah crossed her arms and muttered, "I was not missing. They overreacted. And, apparently I am not allowed to go down to the beach with my son."

Pholus snorted, "And, I'm sure Tuulea's reaction in particular had nothing to do with the fact that you are eight months pregnant, 'Dassah."

Keziah interrupted before Hadassah could argue further, "That's enough, out of both of you. Pholus, Petraeus, go make sure no one eavesdrops on your father and I's conversation with your sister." Their sons immediately obeyed. Asbolus raised an eyebrow when Keziah glanced at him. He had no intention of stepping in when she had already nipped their children's argument before it progressed beyond the initial stage. Keziah turned back to Hadassah, "You will explain your letter now."

As soon as Hadassah looked uncertain, Asbolus knew that whatever was troubling his daughter would be very different from anything she had come to them about in the past. "I...I've been having a dream, the same one every night for almost eight weeks now and I don't think it's a normal dream."

Asbolus held up a hand and asked, "How many times does the dream occur?"

Hadassah brushed her hair back, "It...it varies from night to night."

He felt a growing sense of unease as he pressed for the details. Yes, the dream had steadily increased in its nightly occurrences as the weeks progressed. No, the dream never changed in detail. It felt different from any other dream she had ever had, like a foreshadowing. No, she didn't know what, if anything, had triggered it. No, Lew didn't know about her dream. Asbolus hesitated as he met his daughter's blue eyes, the details she had provided were coming together to create a disconcerting picture, a picture about which he prayed to Aslan he would be mistaken. "You're right, it is not a normal dream. It seems you've been given a prophetic foreshadowing of an event that appears to be tied with the upcoming birth of your child, but I cannot determine the exact meaning. Hadassah, until the birth, you should stay close to the Cair." He paused and waved for Pholus and Petraeus to rejoin them before he continued, "We should probably head back now."

Hadassah slowly nodded as she rested her hands on her belly, "All right, Da. But first, let me walk with Mama for just a few minutes, please?"

"Why?"

Hadassah shrugged a little, "I want to ask her something about the baby."

Her tone told him that she would not go into details with anyone other than Keziah. Pholus still gave his sister an incredulous look, "This is your sixth pregnancy. What's left to ask?"

Asbolus had to grin as Hadassah retorted, "As the only unmarried person here, Pholus, you are not allowed to have an opinion on the matter. Besides Sekhmet, Colyer, and Canute are all forming the perimeter, so I will have my guard and still be able to talk to Mama privately."

He glanced at Keziah and she gave a barely perceptible nod. Apparently, she shared his feeling that Hadassah's question about the baby also tied in with her dream. Asbolus hesitated a moment longer then shook his head as he conceded defeat and looked at Keziah since she would actually mind the time. "Meet us back here in ten minutes."

Both Pholus and Petraeus looked doubtful as Keziah left arm in arm with Hadassah heading toward a stream that curved a little further north around some bushes. Asbolus folded his arms across his chest and studied Petraeus before asking, "How is Briarwind?"

His youngest son grew pensive at the mention of his wife before he shrugged, "She is better than she was last week and last week she was better than she was a fortnight ago. But, right now, she still prefers to stay in our quarters."

Asbolus nodded, such behavior wasn't unexpected for a young Centauress who had suffered through a premature labor and stillbirth just over a fortnight ago. He knew Keziah was planning to go see Briarwind that evening to talk to her and to listen if she was willing to talk. "Tuulea is checking on her?"

"Every day."

"And, you?"

Pholus spoke up, "Stonebrook checks on him every day and I check on him every other day."

Petraeus gave his older brother a friendly shove before he responded, "We're getting through it, Da. It's just right now, Briarwind doesn't have a lot to keep her occupied since we were supposed to head home tomorrow if...well, if it hadn't happened."

Asbolus was about to respond when Sekhmet emerged from the underbrush, "Captain Sekhmet, why are you here?"

The Leopard tilted her head in confusion, "You didn't summon me?"

A sense of dread swept over Asbolus as he breathed, "No. Who told you I did?"

"Canute Windwolf. Asbolus, why would-"

Sekhmet cut herself off as screams filled the air. Asbolus dropped his hand to the pommel of his claymore as he galloped toward the screams of his wife and daughter with his sons and Sekhmet right behind him. No, Aslan, please no, not this, anything but this, I beg Thee. He drew his claymore and galloped into the little clearing by the stream just as the screams ceased. Keziah and Hadassah were both on the ground, with Hadassah nestled between Keziah and a large fallen tree that stretched across the eastern side of the clearing and over the stream...and six Fell were closing in on them. He immediately cut down two Ghouls hovering near Keziah while Sekhmet tackled a Werewolf away from Hadassah. Pholus and Petraeus thundered past chasing Canute Windwolf and two Satyrs out of the clearing. Asbolus scanned the clearing to confirm the Fell had already been driven back before he rapidly cleaned his claymore and sheathed it. He carefully lowered himself to the ground beside Keziah, shouting, "Sekhmet, tell Pholus to get back here."

The Leopard captain nodded then ran off with a low growl. Asbolus touched Keziah's side and groaned as his hand came away soaked with her blood. It looked like she had somehow managed to stay between Hadassah and their attackers. He leaned closer as he realized what he wasn't hearing, "Keziah." She didn't answer and his hand shook as he brushed her black hair away from where it was obscuring her face. Her eyes were open, but there was no spark of life in their dark blue depths. "No. Aslan, no."

Hadassah. That was the only thought that kept him going as he closed Keziah's eyes and then moved her body with utmost tenderness so he could reach their daughter. Hadassah was on the ground just behind where Keziah had been laying with her eyes closed but he could see she was breathing. The front of her dress was cover in blood though and he couldn't tell if it hers or Keziah's. "Hadassah. Hadassah, open your eyes. Open your eyes, my filly."

He reached out to touch her face as her eyelids fluttered open only to stop when he realized both his hands and forearms were covered in Keziah's blood, instead he quickly shifted his hands down to keep Hadassah from seeing them right away. She seemed disoriented and it took her longer than it should have for her to focus on him. "Da?"

Pholus galloped into the clearing right after she spoke. He was speaking before he even came to a halt, "Colyer is dead, probably Canute's work." He looked down and gasped as the scene fully registered with him.

Asbolus looked from him to Hadassah as she tried to sit up. He reached out to help her and noticed the bloodstains were growing, confirming his fear that she too had been wounded. She hissed in pain and both Centaurs gasped as they caught sight of her right side. Asbolus stopped her when she tried to move again, "No, don't...do not move, Hadassah."

Her eyes focused on him and then she raised her right hand, staring at the blood covering it for less than a heartbeat before she looked down and gasped as she caught sight of the dagger hilt sticking out of her belly. She glanced back up, "My dream." Her eyes widened in horror, "Da, the baby."

Asbolus murmured, "Hush, don't assume the worse." He prayed fervently that the worse hadn't already happened.

Pholus moved in closer and accepted Hadassah as Asbolus gently lifted her into his waiting arms, taking care to avoid bumping the dagger. Pholus whispered, "Easy, 'Dassah. Another trip to Tuulea for you, little sister."

Asbolus held his son's gaze, silently conveying just how dire the situation was for her. Pholus nodded, and then tightened his hold on Hadassah as much as he dared before he launched into a flat-out gallop back toward Cair Paravel. Please, Aslan, please let him bring her to Tuulea in time, please. Don't let us lose Hadassah and the baby too. He leaned down and scooped Keziah's limp body into his arms, cradling her close as he set out for the Cair at a gallop, only there would be nothing Tuulea could do for Keziah. He raced into the courtyard and judging by the shouts and running soldiers, Pholus and Hadassah's passage had definitely been noticed. He paused in his gallop as he realized he couldn't take Keziah to the healers...and he didn't know where else... "Asbolus! Asbolus, bring her here."

He twisted around to see Stonebrook standing just outside the healers' wing. He shook his head, unable to find the words to tell his friend what had happened. Stonebrook stepped closer, "Bring her in here, Asbolus."

Asbolus silently followed as Stonebrook led the way to a small curtained off corner, one of the junior healers moved toward them but Stonebrook waved him off as Asbolus gently laid Keziah down on the raised cot. Stonebrook gave him a measuring look, "Tuulea is with Hadassah right now. You should be there for your daughter."

Asbolus gave a curt nod then forced himself to leave. He galloped through the halls up to Lew and Hadassah's quarters. Hadassah needed him, even if all he could do was stay in the room with her while it all played out to whatever end. He entered just as Tuulea finished her initial examination, she glanced up at him and he gave a single shake of his head. The Black Elder Nymph stiffened and he saw the glint of pained grief in her eyes before she hid it. She and Keziah had grown up together... Lew burst into the room and Asbolus moved slightly to the side as the King of Narnia hurried in, still in full armor from training. His gloves fell to the floor as he went stock-still as he took in Hadassah's battered and bloody appearance, "You can help them, Tuulea?"

Tuulea looked down at Hadassah who had opened her eyes again. Asbolus felt the band of dread and grief tighten around his heart as the healer shook her head, "I cannot save both, only one or the other...and neither is guaranteed." Lew sagged against the bedpost...Asbolus wanted to do the same.

Instead, he watched silent and immobile as Lew straightened then made the harshest statement he had ever heard his son-in-law utter, "Save Hadassah."

"No." Asbolus bowed his head as Hadassah gasped again, "No. Tuulea, save the baby. Whatever it takes, you must save the baby."

He couldn't see Lew's face, but he could see how Lew's knuckles turned completely white as he choked the bedpost and hear the strain in his voice as he hissed, "Hadassah."

Hadassah was already shaking her head, "No, Lew. Not my life instead of the baby's, I won't let that decision be made by anyone, not even you, my love."

Asbolus stepped forward as Lew slammed his fist against the bedpost. "So, between the Fell, traitors, and that babe, I must lose you? No, Aslan...Aslan would not demand you too. He could not. Hadassah, the babe may be dead already. You can't sacrifice your life when you don't even know- You don't even know if the sacrifice will succeed." Lew abruptly slammed his fist again and roared, "This is too much!" He spun and stormed from the room just as Asbolus reached out to grab him, to remind him of where he was and what he needed to do.

Pholus glanced in the room and Asbolus motioned for him to follow Lew. Pholus immediately left...Asbolus sighed, at least his son would make sure Lew didn't do anything too stupid in his rage and grief. He turned back to see Tuulea was feeling Hadassah's belly with a faint frown, she looked from him to Hadassah, "You're already in labor." Hadassah nodded and Asbolus knew why she was being so insistent that Tuulea focus on saving the baby, no matter the cost. Tuulea moved briskly around the room from where she had placed her healing kit to the bed and back. "Then we can't wait any longer to remove the dagger, otherwise if by the grace of Aslan it missed the baby, we run a new risk of the contractions causing the blade to do even more damage."

Dione ran in just as Tuulea finished the painstaking task of removing the dagger while also monitoring the progress of Hadassah's labor. The younger sister of the late Queen Swanwhite took her place at the head of the bed, quietly encouraging Hadassah as Tuulea cast Asbolus a wide-eyed look over her shoulder before she told Hadassah it was time to push. Asbolus watched fearful of what it meant by Hadassah's labor progressing so much faster than any of the previous pregnancies, what did it mean for the baby and what did it mean for Hadassah...he didn't know. Instead, he just prayed to Aslan that Hadassah's sacrifice would be worth it, that the baby would survive. Less than two hours after the attack, Tuulea was holding a tiny baby. Asbolus finally moved, following as Tuulea carefully examined the newborn. He watched out of the corner of his eye as he at last washed the dried blood off his hands and forearms...he had forgotten it was there. Tuulea whispered, "A daughter...Hadassah has her little girl and she's healthy, praise Aslan."

He looked down at the tiny infant who so far hadn't cried and frowned slightly. She was so small...smaller than her brothers were as newborns and smaller even than Hadassah had been when she was born. "Are you sure? The others were bigger when they were born and she is very small by comparison, Tuulea."

"Being born three weeks early will have that effect, Asbolus."

He nodded and then Dione called them. He watched and felt his heart was breaking even further as he listened to his daughter give her first and last blessing for her daughter. Holding his granddaughter, Asbolus barely managed to finish the ancient blessing he had given to his children and then to each of Hadassah's sons when they were born as his tears finally spilled and he gently pressed a kiss against the babe's forehead. He looked back at Hadassah and knew before Tuulea or Dione said anything that she was now in Aslan's country...with her mother. He allowed Dione to take his granddaughter then he leaned down and pressed one last kiss against Hadassah's temple. The baby she had named 'Alambiel' was back in Tuulea's arms when he straightened. "Dione went to open the nursery."

Alambiel...a new responsibility. He poured fresh water into the waiting bowl and splashed his tears away. Turning back to Tuulea, Asbolus gently ran his finger along the side of Alambiel's face, "She will live?"

Tuulea nodded, "Yes, there seem to be no ill effects from the circumstances of her birth, at least none that I can detect. The most challenging prospect at the moment is finding someone who can nurse her that we can trust completely."

Asbolus paused then he barely whispered, "Briarwind."

Tuulea looked thoughtful then nodded, "Yes, it would work and she would die before betraying family...it will also help her at the same time."

Asbolus took a breath and then let it out slowly. "I will send her to you before I inform the colts about their mother." He did not look forward to explaining what happened to any of his grandsons, but he knew the worst would probably be Leith since he had seen his mother alive and well only three and a half hours earlier. Nevertheless, glancing back once more to see Tuulea cradling his tiny granddaughter, Asbolus wondered if Alambiel would not turn into a reminder from Aslan for her hurting family that life goes on.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so this is probably going to be the most tragic of the story chapters. Lots of hurt and comfort ahead, but I promise the ending will be happy. Leave a review below and let me know what y'all think about this chapter.