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: There's danger in the north. Giants hunt for Narnia's Kings and General. Who will survive when hope is eclipsed?
A/N: If you have not read the first nine stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, and Unveiled), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.
Chapter Three: Expectations
"You are not going in, my lady?"
Alambiel glanced at Leeta in amusement for a brief moment before she peeked around the corner again. Susan, looking like a larger than life humming bird in her jewel-tone dress, was directing the Queens' ladies-in-waiting, Thalia's ladies-in-waiting, pages, servants, soldiers, and various other courtiers in the latest round of preparations. Lucy and Thalia were helping as best they could (passing on the Gentle's instructions). Susan started to turn and Alambiel hurriedly stepped back, dragging Leeta with her. She placed a cautioning finger to her lips then whispered, "No, we're the only ones who can escape. Come on."
She stole away with a smirking Ptah and giggling Leeta in her wake. Then Susan's voice rang out, "Leeta! Oh there you are. Would you bring in that box of the blue, no, the red and yellow flowers? Please? And is the Princess Royal with you?"
Leeta's eyes widened and then she spun around and picked up the basket overflowing with various red and yellow flowers. "I fear I do not see her, Your Majesty. Shall I send a messenger for her?"
Alambiel bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at her dear friend's valiant attempt to save them all from her having to help prepare for the latest Calormene poppycock. And she had best get moving if she didn't want a vexed Leeta. Her practical, minimally decorated clothing tended to vanish and leave only very 'Princess Royal' dresses behind when Leeta was vexed.
She didn't slow until she reached the beach. Looking around, she had to admit coming to the beach was never quite as exciting as when Oreius was lurking about waiting to throw her in (not that her Kentauri ever admitted to lurking). Alambiel strolled along the gently crashing surf then waved to a passing Centaur. "Stormwind!" She laughed as she picked up the pace to greet her favorite of Oreius' cousins (of course, he was Oreius' favorite cousin too). "I thought you were still visiting your herd."
The Centaur who looked so like her husband save for his coloring being a bit lighter and his generally cheerful demeanor slowed to a stop as she reached him. He grinned and bowed with exaggerated courtesy. "Ah, fairest of cousins, you have blessed me with your vaunted notice. Is Oreius in a meeting?"
Alambiel laughed as she rested a hand on his arm. "Not this time. He is off on an inspection. I am hiding from all the fuss going on inside."
"What did you do?"
She propped both hands on her hips and glared at him. "Stormwind, what have I told you about sounding like Oreius?"
He chuckled then pretended to cower away from her. "Ah, my lady, pray spare me your fearsome wrath!"
She tried to fight the grin then let it curl her lips as she shook her head. "In answer to your insufferably rude question, I did nothing. The ruckus this time is solely for the preparation of the arrival of Prince Rabid Radish or whatever his name is."
Alambiel grinned as Stormwind burst into laughter. Of course, it wasn't the accomplishment it was with Oreius since this particular cousin was far more lighthearted and more readily given to humor than her Kentauri. She gestured toward the beach. "I decided to escape while I could. Sadly, Leeta fell to the chaotic masses. Her sacrifice shall be remembered."
The Centaur was still chuckling when he caught up with her and Ptah. "Are you certain the beach is the safest of options? Perhaps you would prefer to walk through the gardens or the memo-"
He cut himself with a sharp inhale and Alambiel turned her face away, unwilling to let him see that suggestion had hurt. Not everyone who walked through the memorials had reason to mourn, but she did. The beautiful statues and memorandums and plaques were not merely something to look at to her. And she certainly wasn't going without Oreius. She could barely stand it when they went once a year. They had not had time to go to the memorial this year so she could place flowers for . . .
Tears threatened and she blinked rapidly to banish them. Ptah was growling at Stormwind. "Foolish."
"Alambiel, I did not intend to-"
"It is of no matter." She fixed a smile in place and watched as her husband's cousin relaxed a little, relief flickering in his tawny eyes. "Now, let us walk down the beach and you can help plot my next prank for the Kentauri."
Stormwind looked at her a little uncertainly now although his mouth quivered with barely suppressed amusement. "Oreius does not like it when I help you plot. My cousin believes I encourage you in your mischief."
Alambiel threw her head and laughed. "You do encourage me! And I must say you are quite fortunate Oreius never learned you were the brains behind the fish and onions incident."
He cleared his throat even as he grinned unrepentantly. "But it was the only way I could get you to talk to me again with more than your frigid cordiality, fairest cousin." He offered her his arm and she took it.
"You know I'm still haven't completely forgiven you for braining Oreius during that so-called game last year."
"It wasn't intentional!" He paused then looked down at her with a grin. "Do you think your husband is keeping out of trouble right now?"
"He'd better." Alambiel's gaze was drawn north as she added with a soft laugh, "I am not there to rescue him and the Kings after all. Besides, they are to return in a few days. Susan's orders and no one disobeys the Gentle when she's in the midst of her guest preparations. Not to mention, Calormen was quite adamant that Prince Rabid Radish is to be greeted by the Four together or insult will be taken by the Tisroc (may his schemes result in eel pies forever) as per usual."
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"What now?"
"I don't know."
"We're going to have to make a litter of some type."
"If more than one of his ribs broke . . ."
Oreius opened his eyes. Hot pain licked up his sides where the Giant's club had grazed him enough to crack and break ribs and where the spear had torn its furrow. His colts were crouched nearby, their hands resting on daggers. They had lost their swords. He frowned. How was it his colts were always losing their swords?
And why were they staying still when they should be headed south? The Harfangers and Ettins were clearly attempting to work together. It always proved ill when the Fell Giants laid aside their differences to focus on Narnia. He had to get up. He had to get his colts to safety.
The pain threatened to steal his breath as he gathered his legs beneath him and then lurched up, bracing one hand against the ravine wall. But still he stayed on his hooves.
"Oreius," the hissed cry caused him to look up. His golden colt had already gained his side and Edmund followed. "Oreius, your wounds."
"I am well enough to move. And you both should have kept moving. We've no time to be caught by the Giants again." He did not let on how much pain the simple task of talking caused. Instead, he moved forward, slowly but still forward, for which he knew he should thank Aslan. "Come, both of you."
His golden colt looked over his shoulder at his brother who only shrugged. The High King sighed and ran a hand over his scruffy chin. "Kat's going to kill all three of us."
Alambiel. Oreius shook his head then stopped when the movement made the entire ravine waver before his eyes. "I have no intention of giving my wife cause to be vexed with me. No more talk. Move."
They trudged at an interminably slow pace to Oreius' way of thinking. His colts should have gone ahead but they refused to leave him. He could only pray that the Giants had failed to find their trail again. Although the odds were against them. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling a conversation thirteen years ago. "Numbers do not win a battle." He had spoken them to encourage a frightened colt who was in over his head. He had spoken them despite the despair in his heart over the news of Aslan's death and the loss of the One whom Jadis feared. They had been true. They were still true.
"Oreius, perhaps we should stop."
He opened his eyes and then gritted his teeth. "No."
His golden colt swallowed then gestured to his brother. "We're pretty tired. Maybe just a five minute rest before we press on?"
"No. We must not stop." He looked around the widening ravine and where one side abruptly dropped into a chasm. It was too exposed for his liking. If it were not the only path leading south that they had found so far, he would have scouted out a different path to Narnia. But it was and he could not. "We must not stop. We must get through the open area swiftly. Silently."
"But Oreius-"
He leveled Wolfsbane with a stern glare. "Swiftly and silently, sir knight."
For a moment, he could tell that the High King was considering ordering him to comply with his wishes. Then his dark colt stepped forward and nudged Peter. "Yes, General. Come on, Pete."
They had just entered the most exposed area of the ravine when a stupid but no less odious laugh filled the air. "Found you!"
Oreius raised his head to see one of the Ettins lumbering toward them, a spear in hand. The Ettin laughed again and drew his arm back, aiming for Peter. No. Ignoring the protest of his wounds, Oreius drew his claymore and charged forward. He knocked Peter to the ground as he passed him, making sure the colt wouldn't lose his head if he failed to stop this initial onslaught.
The Ettin faltered, fear beginning to seep into his dull eyes. "Not you. Culhwch not want you!" He slung his spear at Oreius, knocking him over as the shaft collided with his side.
Oreius groaned as more ribs cracked but still he scrambled to his hooves once more. He could not raise his left arm properly. Gritting his teeth, he begged Alambiel for her forgiveness and Aslan to protect his colts. Ignoring the searing pain, Oreius raised his claymore once more and galloped forward. The Ettin stumbled over his own feet. Oreius' claymore sank into the Ettin's chest. The Fell Giant's eyes widened as his heart was pierced but still he managed to slam his spear into Oreius once more.
A hoarse cry ripped free of the Centaur's throat as the spearhead found its mark, shattering bone. But by some miracle the Giant's death grip was not forceful enough to drive through to render an immediately mortal wound. Instead, the Ettin shoved then jerked his spear free, slicing through muscle.
Oreius stumbled to the side but his hooves came down on naught but air. He lurched to the other side, dropping his claymore in his attempt to regain his balance, but still he fell. He saw the rocky shelf rushing up to him and heard his colts cry out. An unbearable pain blossomed and then he knew no more.
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A/N: Please Read and Review! Dun dun dun duuuuuuun! Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought of this chapter.
