Reepicheep heard noise in the forest and went to investigate. He quickly saw King Edmund in the unmarked armor the Dwaves had just made for him fighting some unknown stranger. Reepicheep scurried up a tree and jumped on the attackers' head, making the human unconscious in a matter of seconds.

"Now, you reveal yourself," Edmund said as he hooked his fingers under the attacker's mask and lifted it up. A large group of Narnians had gathered and leaned in to see the stranger's identity.

Reepicheep was shocked to see it was merely a young girl. The Narnians began murmuring to themselves, wondering who she might be, for there were no females in the Telmarine army. But the most surprising reaction was when the young King's face turned ashen as he cradled the girl's head in his hands.

"Lucy? By the Mane! Lucy," he pleaded, feeling the back of his sister's head for blood.

"Lu- Is this the Queen Lucy?" Reepicheep asked, awestruck.

Edmund nodded as he gently caressed the side of his sister's face.

"Forgive me, Sire, for daring to hurt the Queen. I would not have if I had know her identity," the Mouse said formally.

"It's alright, Reep. I didn't know it was her either. Go get a healer," he said. "I think she'll be fine, but just in case."

Reepicheep came back with not only a healer but also the High King, followed by many interested Narnians. Peter was understandably furious that his sister was hurt, but seemed unsure where to direct his anger.

"Ed! How could you?" he hissed after seeing to his sister.

"Sire, I am afraid I must be to blame for the blow which hurt your royal sister," Reepicheep repeated.

Peter was about to turn on the Mouse when Edmund intercepted, saying, "There was no way of knowing it was Lucy. Reepicheep only attacked because he saw Lucy and I fighting, neither of us recognizing each other thanks to our helmets. Don't blame him."

"How could you not recognize our own sister?" Peter shouted furiously.

"I'm sorry, Pete," Edmund said, contrite, but Peter was far from placated.

Peter was about to start shouting again, but the healer said, "She's coming too."

Peter rushed to Lucy's side and held her as she came to consciousness. "Lu? Lu? Are you alright?"

"Wh-What happened?" she asked groggily.

Edmund and Peter helped her sit up. "I… I didn't recognize you and accidently attacked you. Are you alright?"

"That was you?" Lucy asked. "Oh… that would explain why the moves seemed so familiar. But where's Trumpkin?"

"Trumpkin?" Peter asked.

"The Dwarf that went missing, remember?" Edmund said. "You've seen him?"

"He traveled her with me," she explained. "He should be around here somewhere."

"I can fetch him for you, your Majesties," Reepicheep offered.

"Oh! Who's this?" Lucy asked, rather perkily for someone who had so recently been unconscious.

"Your Majesty! I am Reepicheep, and my heart and sword are at your service," he said, twisting his sword in a fancy salute.

"By the Mane, he is so cute," Lucy said quietly in a amusement.

"Who said that?" Reepicheep demanded, brandishing his sword threateningly.

"Oh, sorry," Lucy said, blushing a bit at realizing he had overheard.

"Oh, uh, your Majesty," the Mouse said, flustered from not having realized it was her. "With the greatest respect, I do believe courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might better befit a Knight of Narnia."

"Reep, go find Trumpkin, please," Peter said, trying to hide his amusement. The Mouse scampered off and quickly returned with the Dwarf who had been worriedly searching for the Queen.

"I thank you, my good Dwarf, for accompanying my sister," Peter said. Trumpkin mostly just grunted in affirmation.

As they walked back, Lucy asked, "Has there been any word of Susan? Where is she?"

Peter and Edmund quickly filled Lucy in on how Susan had been working from inside the palace.

"Susan's going to fight? She always would stay behind at Cair Paravel when we went to war," Lucy said anxiously.

"I don't like it either, but she's too stubborn to listen to our pleas for her to return here to us," Peter said.

Edmund saw it differently, saying, "Susan's always been our last line of defense in case Narnia was ever at its worst. Well, now Narnia's at her worst. It seems almost fitting that Susan's the one to spot an opportunity to help Narnia."

"Still, Susan only really practiced archery!" Lucy complained. "Maybe there's some way we could switch me and her?"

"You try arguing with stubborn Susan," Peter groused.

"So what's our plan? Sit around and wait until Su acts?" Lucy asked.

"Training mostly," Edmund said, sharing a look with Peter. Lucy took it to mean that training wasn't going well.

"And the Telmarine Prince's tutor is with us. But he is more of a nuisance than a help," Peter scowled.

"He says he brought Caspian – that is the name of the prince – up with stories of Narnia and believes the prince sympathetic to our cause. Susan is waiting to act until she knows for sure whether Caspian a possible ally or not," Edmund explained. He wanted to tell Susan his secret suspicion that Peter honestly was hoping Caspian would not be on their side. For a Telmarine Prince sympathetic to their cause may be a threat to his rule. Edmund knew having a powerful ally was more important, but he couldn't help somewhat agreeing with Peter.

"Speaking of Susan, Reep, can you tell her Lucy's been found?" Peter asked of the Mouse.

"Of course, Sire," the Mouse said. It had quickly become his duty to be the go-between for Susan and the rest of the Narnians, but of course he saw it more as an honor than a duty.

To his dismay, he found the queen sitting alone, still as a statue.

"What thoughts trouble you, your Majesty?" he asked softly.

"Oh!" she said, startled out of her reverie. "Ah, it's just you. I didn't hear you come up. I was just… thinking. Of nothing in particular."

"It seemed much more than that, your Majesty. I know I am merely a humble Mouse, but I would consider it the highest honor to be in your confidence," he said kindly.

"Oh, thank you, Reep. But, I fear you wouldn't understand," she said, gazing off in the distance. Reepicheep followed her gaze, but it offered him no clues. So it must be something from earlier that day that bothered her so.

"But having a companion to talk to surely wouldn't hurt," he pressed.

"I… Will you promise to not tell anyone? Not even my siblings?" she asked anxiously.

"As much as it pains me to keep secrets from any of my monarchs, for you, my queen, I would," he pledged, a paw against his heart.

"Thank you, dear Reepicheep. I… It's the lords here. I fear them," she said quietly.

"Fear them? If need be, every Narnian would storm the castle to protect you if they should attempt to hurt or kill you," he said emphatically.

That brought a small smile to her face. "I'm sure you would. But I don't think their aim is to kill me. Far from it."

Reepicheep thought it over, puzzling out what she said. "Forgive me, but I'm afraid my limited knowledge of humans fails me here. I do not comprehend what their aim may be."

"Of course you wouldn't," she said softly. "Most Narnians… mate for life with one and do not think of being with another. Nor is it a part of Narnian culture to force oneself on another in that way."

Reepicheep's eyes grew wide as he finally comprehended why she was upset. "Then come home to your family where your Majesty will be safe from such men. In fact, your royal sister was found this morning, which is the real reason I am here. That, and to inform you the Dwarf you mentioned before, Trumpkin, has returned safely as well."

"Lucy's been found? Is she alright?" Susan asked anxiously, her own worries forgotten.

"There was an, ahem, mishap in which the Just King and I did not recognize her, but she is fine now and quite worried about you in fact," Reepicheep said.

"Well, then be sure to not tell her what I just told you," Susan said sternly.

"I swear I would never betray your Majesty's confidence," he said, affronted.

"I believe you. Forgive me for coming across paranoid. The lords have rather set me on edge," she confessed.

"What about the prince? Has he been treating you well?" Reepicheep asked fearfully.

"I, uh," she said, clearing her throat. "I think the prince only acts as his culture has taught him. He means me no ill will, but…"

Reepicheep's whiskers twitched in confusion. "What has he done?"

"Nothing," Susan said, her voice small.

He touched her shoulder with the tip of his tail. "Please, my queen. It would honor me greatly to know that your Majesty trusts in me."

"You're the only one I've seen in quite some time that I have any trust in," she said with a thin smile. "And more than just a bit."

"Then please, your Majesty. Tell me," he pleaded.

Susan mulled it over and finally said, "He's interested in me. But he is better than most. He cares about me enough to not press the issue since I have made it clear I do not return the interest."

Reepicheep was about to comment, but he heard noises. "Someone comes."

"Quick, go! Get far away so you won't be caught. I'll be alright," Susan insisted.

But the Mouse merely hid in the bushes, having a rather bad feeling about this. Perhaps it was lucky that he happened to linger, perhaps it was the will of Aslan. But either way, Susan would be forever grateful that the Mouse had disobeyed her orders to leave.

"Phyllis. An odd spot for a maid to be, don't you think?" some Telmarine Lord said.

"Lord Scythley," Susan said, turning to curtsy and greet him with perfect cordiality. Only her shaking hands betrayed her fear.

"It's a rather nice spot though, isn't it? Secluded, away from prying eyes," he said, his hand running down her arm.

"I like seclusion. It's rather nice, being alone," she said pointedly.

"So is his Highness giving you the afternoon off? So you have plenty of time," the lord asked. Reepicheep wasn't entirely sure why, but he felt anxious at those words and clenched his sword tighter.

"I… I… no?" Susan said uncertainly. She then collected herself and said, "I should be going to him to see if he requires me."

"I'm sure he can wait," the lord said, grabbing her arm and forcing her to stay.

"Please," she squeaked. She then took a breath to collect herself and said, "Please let me pass."

"Not so fast, missy," the lord sneered, his arms encircling her as he pulled her in roughly. Reepicheep wondered why Susan did not even attempt to defend herself. But then he realized, the moment she acted against the lord, he was sure to find some way of blaming her. Reepicheep's mind started working as fast as he could for ways to help Susan. He could try to make some human hear him in bushes and slowly lead them there, but then who says that human would actually help Susan and not make it all worse?

But then the lord shoved Susan towards a tree to pin her against it and Reepicheep saw his chance to act. He snuck through the underbrush around the tree until he was right behind the lord and stabbed the bottom of his foot when he took a step.

The lord screamed like a child at the pain. The corner of Susan's lips lifted in the tiniest of smiles as she saw Reepicheep scamper off before he could see. "Stepped on a thorn, my lord?" she said, her voice dripping with icky sweetness.

"Damn you. Get me a doctor, girl," he spat. Susan was far too happy to leave. As soon as she was out of the lord's view, she began running.

As she turned a corner, she ran straight into Caspian, knocking him over.

"Oh! By the- Do forgive me, your Grace," she said, almost slipping into Narnian cursing.

"But of course," he said amicably. "But what are you in such an awful rush for?"

"Ah, um, Lord Scythley asked for a healer," she said, grateful she did not even need to lie.

"And you rush about on his orders?" Caspian asked skeptically.

"Well, er, he rather shouted them," she said.

He smiled. "You're adorable. But I'll send someone else to get the healer. Come with me."

"I rather sit down for a spell, if it pleases your Highness. I feel rather faint," Susan said.

"Then we'll sit down in my room," he offered eagerly. "Come."

She followed silently. The prince gestured chivalrously for her to sit first, but it seemed he merely did it so that he could be sure to sit beside her, knowing full well she would have chosen some other seat farther away.

"Phyllis, you always seem so sad," he said, bringing her face to look at him with a finger to her chin. "I… I would like to know why."

"I … merely homesickness, your Grace. Nothing to bother yourself with," she said.

He searched her eyes, realizing she was more upset than she wanted to let on. But whether it was truly homesickness or not, he did not know. But he wished she would confide in him for once. And that he could confide in her. He sorely needed someone he could trust and confide in now that his professor was gone. He decided to test the waters, so to speak.

"Phyllis, have you ever heard of … Narnians?" he asked slowly.

"Oh, those fairy tales," she laughed aimlessly. "Why are you talking about bedtime stories made to scare children into behaving?"

"Wait, Narnians are spoken of regularly amongst commoners?" Caspian asked.

Susan then realized her mistake and covered with, "It may just be my mama and papa. I do not know. They only ever spoke of Narnians to scare my brothers into behaving. 'Oh, the evil Narnian will eat you should you venture to far into the woods'."

"Well," Caspian said slowly. "The man who you asked me to plead on the behalf of? Some believe him to be a Narnian."

He was disappointed to see a look of pure fear acrossPhyllis' face. She got up and began pacing about frantically. "But… Narnians do not exist. They can't!"

He got up and held her in place. Well, any chance of her being his confident about his love of Narnia was gone. "Phyllis, calm down. No one thinks you to be involved with Narnians."

Susan found this to be the golden opportunity that she had been looking for. "My Prince, you and your men will protect us from Narnian, no? Hunt them down so they can never harm us again?"

Caspian was taken aback by Phyllis' question. Now he knew that as much as he sorely wanted to, he could never confide in her. Not about this anyways. It pained him more than he thought it would. Phyllis had seemed like the perfect confidant, the perfect partner in general really. But if she feared Narnians so, then she could never understand him fully. He smiled and lied, "Of course. You needn't fear Narnians ever coming close to you."

Susan forced a smile. So the prince's tutor was wrong. Caspian had no intentions of every supporting Narnia, even if he knew it to exist. She had wasted enough time in waiting for this confirmation. It was time for her to act.