We were led by Peter and Caspian through the woods. Behind Ed and me I could hear Trufflehunter speak to the dwarf, Trumpkin.

"So, what are they like?"

"Complainers… Stubborn as mules in the morning."

Nikabrik asked almost sarcastically, "So you like em?"

"Well enough."

Edmund mumbled to me, "A year…and all this."

I whispered back, "For us. For them it was three hundred years."

He squeezed me hand, "It's hard to believe."

"I know, but we're here now."

The party approached Aslan's How, Centaurs stood on either side of the entrance and raise their swords in a salute. Caspian stopped and let us go first.

We entered the How and I found it just as hot and stifling as when I first got here. They were making weapons and the heat from the fires made the enclosed space feel like an oven.

"It may not be what you are used to, but it is defensible," Caspian said.

"Peter, you may want to see this!" Susan called. We followed her voice to the cave carvings of us. "It's us."

Lucy looked to Caspian and asked, "What is this place?"

"You don't know?" Caspian looked to me and Edmund. He grabbed a torch and led us through the darken tunnels to the room with the stone table.

It was dark.

He lit a fire and it spread around the room to reveal the carvings of Narnians and Aslan.

Lucy walked up to the carving of Aslan. She then turned to Peter, "He must know what he's doing."

"I think it's up to us now," Peter said.

Despite Peter's certainty I agreed with Lucy. I trusted Aslan, he knew what he was doing.

Caspian and Peter set up a sort of war counsel with a few of the other Narnians. However the entire time Peter seemed to be wanting to "one up" Caspian in some way. He had changed so much. Gone was the king that I would follow into battle with without a second thought. Gone was the man who valued his people more than his pride.

"It's only a matter of time. Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle," he said.

"What do you propose we do, Sire?" Reepicheep asked.

Caspian- "We-."

Peter- "Our-."

They were practically stepping on each other's toes here. Peter looked at Caspian. Caspian conceded to Peter.

"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us."

"But that's crazy, no one has ever taken that castle," Caspian argued.

"There's always a first time."

Trumpkin agreed with Peter, "We'll have the element of surprise."

Caspian argued again, "But we have the advantage here."

"If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely," Susan added.

"I, for one, feel safer underground," Trumpkin added.

"Look, I appreciate what you've done, but this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb," Peter said.

Edmund spoke then, "Yes, and if the Telmarines are smart, they'll just starve us out."

A squirrel named Pattertwig said, "We could collect nuts!"

Reepicheep then added sarcastically, "Oh yes, and throw them at the Telmarines! Shut up!" The mouse then turned to Peter, "I think you know where I stand on this, Sire."

Peter turned to Glenstorm the centaur, "If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?"

"Or die trying, my liege."

"That's what I'm worried about," Lucy said.

Peter turned to his sister who was sitting near the table, "Sorry?"

The valiant queen continued, "Well, you're all acting like there are only two options: Dying here, or dying there."

"I'm not sure you've really been listening, Lu."

"No, you're not listening. Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?

Peter added with a pessimistic comment, "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough." He turned to me. "Lady Champion?"

I frowned. The entire time I sat at the wooden table, my hands folded in front of me, listening to their talk. My confidence in Peter's ability to lead was small now. Too much time had passed for him since he was leader of a country and here where the people's minds had changed with over three centuries of wait.

Everyone was looking at me, waiting for me to agree with either man. Edmund walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "Will?" I jumped, slightly startled.

Finally I stood, placing my hands on the table; my next words had to be careful. "Aslan made you high king, Peter." I looked to him, "I follow your orders."

He gave me a small smile and nod. Thinking that I agreed with him. "Then we attack tonight."

With that the assembly exited the room. I sat back down.

Lucy, however didn't leave, instead she walked over to me, "You don't agree with him. Do you Will?"

"No, Lu," I said and looked up to her, "but sometimes we must do things we aren't sure are right to protect the ones we love."

"You mean Edmund," Lucy said sitting down.

I nodded. "Edmund will follow Peter into battle. And where Ed goes I go as well."

"I see. Edmund isn't going to let you go you know."

"What?" I deadpanned.

"He doesn't want you to get hurt." Lucy explained.

I didn't stay to hear the rest as I stalked off to have a little chat with my husband. "Edmund Pevensie!" I shouted walking down the corridor. He was watching as a dwarf sharpened his sword. "I need to talk to you." I grabbed him by the ear to get his attention.

"Will!"

Dragging him off to a secluded area I ignored his protests.

"Will, what has gotten into you?" he asked, after I released his ear.

"What is this I hear about keeping me away from the fighting?"

He frowned, "When did you hear that?"

"A few minutes ago actually. And you're avoiding the question. What makes you think that I would just stay here while you, Peter, Susan, and everyone else goes out there and risks their lives?"

"Because they need you here."

"I'm needed out there."

He grabbed my arms firmly, "You need to stay here where I know you are safe."

Narrowing my eyes at him I replied firmly, "No."

"No?"

"No!" I snapped. "I'm not going to sit here-."

"YES YOU ARE!" he shouted.

Years of marriage had taught me that I should listen more and talk less. I put this lesson into practice now. Standing silently I waited for him to finish.

"I can't risk losing you again, and this time forever. We don't know what happens when we die here. For all we know we die for good and never go back to our world." he said. "Willow, I had to wait for a year back home to be here with you again. I don't want to have to wait a lifetime to be reunited with you in death."

"I won't die," I said quietly and put my arms around his shoulders. "And what about you? What makes you think, I want to wait for death to be with you again?"

Edmund didn't answer.

I smiled whispered in his ear. "Please…please…don't make me sneak in." And he knew I would. "I'll be a lot safer if you know where I am."

With a sigh he conceded, "Alright."

Giggling I gave him a peck on the lips, "I love you. Even if you are an idiot sometimes."

"Hey…"

"But you're my idiot," I said and kissed him again, this time much longer.