"A Change in the Winds"

Ch. 4

(Narnia, Forest)

After Trumpkin's note, Audrey found it even more difficult to fall asleep. Despite her lack of sleep, Audrey walked the forest with high energy and excitement she had net felt in a very long time. Audrey had the Minotaur scout ahead of the group, in case there were any Telmarine soldiers around.

As Audrey walked along with Badger and Nikabrik, she suddenly heard a warrior-like yell. She began to run to see what the commotion up ahead was. Prince Caspian and Peter had begun to fight. Audrey gave a big sigh, collected all of her energy and strength and then stepped forward into view.

"Enough!" she yelled firmly as loud as she could.

They stopped. Her presence caught Peter completely off guard and dropped the rock he had held over his head, ready to attack Caspian with. She stood between them, holding up both hands, waiting to restrain them, if necessary.

"We are all on the same side," Audrey reminded them.

Lucy immediately went to hug her. Susan followed her, with a bit more dignity than her younger sister. Caspian dropped Peter's sword, the sharp edge now touching the ground.

"I have missed you," Audrey told them softly. When Lucy let go she spoke louder, "I have missed all of you."

"It's good to see a familiar face in Narnia," Edmund said.

Caspian swallowed hard and gave a short bow.

"I apologize."

Audrey didn't hear him. She made her way to Peter and hugged him tightly around the neck. Peter wrapped his arms around her. She was doing her best not to get emotional in front of the group, who were watching intently. Audrey did, however, kiss him lightly on the cheek before releasing him.

"How?" he asked.

"Later," she told him, putting a hand on his cheek where she had just kissed him. "I promise."

Peter nodded. Audrey turned her attention to the crowd.

"We must go. It will be dark soon," she said.

(Narnia, The Dark Forest)

"I grow as you do," Audrey told Peter and the rest of the Pevensie's as they made their way to Aslan's HOW. "Not long after you went back to your own world, I reverted back to my 16 year old self, as did you."

"But what about your powers? What happened to them?" Susan asked.

"They left me. I woke up one morning and they were gone. The same time as I reverted back to my 16 year old self. Not long after the Telmarines had begun attacking us," Audrey answered, with a touch of bitterness in her voice.

Trumpkin heard the bitterness that was in her voice and told her firmly, "It wasn't your fault. Their numbers overwhelmed us. Don't go blame yourself."

"I can't help but to blame myself. Narnia fell during my rule as Queen," she said.

"It hasn't fallen," Edmund said. "Not yet."

"We won't let it," Peter assured her, taking her hand.

(Narnia, Aslan's HOW)

Prince Caspian had showed the Pevensies the carvings on the wall. But there was still more to see. Audrey guided them deeper inside the mountain. There was silence as they followed her deeper and deeper. When they reached their destination she dipped her torch. The fire immediately spread around the perimeter, completely lighting every inch of the room.

"During my rule as queen I had this place built to preserve and protect the Stone Table," Audrey told them.

*****

The looks between Audrey and Peter could not keep their restraint for physical contact, despite the temporary embrace and the gentle touch of their hands meeting. Peter had sent the others to gather more wood for the fires. There was really no need for more wood, but it was a good excuse for Peter and Audrey to spend some time alone together before going into battle against Miraz and his Telmarine army.

Audrey and Peter kissed the moment that they were alone. It had only been a year for Peter, but for Audrey it was over a thousand years since they had shared a moment like this. When they broke away finally, Audrey rested her head on his chest. They stood there for a moment, enjoying the embrace and warmth of one another.

And then suddenly, it had happened. She hadn't felt like this in nearly a thousand years, or more. Her head ached. She gripped Peter's chest as the pain hit it's highest point.

"Audrey?"

When Audrey looked up to answer, Peter knew exactly what was happening. Her eyes had gone pearly white and a drop of blood trickled down from her nose. She was having a vision. Audrey collapsed from the pain. Peter swiftly caught her and tried to make her as comfortable as he could. He had just wiped her bleeding nose when Caspian, Lucy, Edmund, and Susan entered.

"What has happened?" Caspian asked, kneeling down beside her.

"I think she's had a vision," Susan said, noticing the nose bleed and the milky eyes.

"I thought that she didn't have her abilities anymore?" Edmund asked.

Peter stroked Audrey's forehead. A sheet of sweat had appeared. Audrey shook violently and gasped. The vision was over. Lucy dropped a single drop of Nectar into Audrey's mouth. At the very least it would get rid of the bloody nose and headache.

Peter helped her up and walked her to the Stone Table, where she sat down. Audrey wiped the blood with her sleeve. She shivered slightly, even though there was no breeze.

"Peter, we've called a meeting," Edmund told the High King. "To deal with Miraz."

"Well, we could either fight to the death or stay in here, protected," Caspian said.

"This isn't a fortress. It's tomb," Peter told him.

"The castle will have very little soldiers protecting it," Nikabrik said.

Audrey finally noticed that several people had entered the room.

"Miraz will have concentrated all of his efforts to fight us, here," Glenstorm said.

"We could go in, in the dead of night and take care of Miraz then," Edmund said reasonably.

"We'll have the element of surprise," Trumpkin pointed out, gruffly.

"There's another option," Lucy spoke up, climbing on the Stone Table and sitting behind Audrey. "Aslan."

"I don't think he's going to help us this time, Lu," Peter told her.

"I think you need to remember who really defeated the White Witch, Peter," Lucy said.

Peter turned to the others in the room.

"Raiding Miraz's castle is the best plan we've got," he told everyone.

"No!" Audrey spoke loudly and firmly. She stood up to speak to the surrounding group, "I have just foreseen the outcome of the raid."

All of the attention was now on Audrey. She was still a bit weak, but she regained her confidence with each word she spoke. Audrey was talking to Peter now.

"The raid will not be successful and we will have lost many good men," she told him slowly.

"What would you suggest, then?" Peter asked.

"Lucy is right. We should wait for Aslan to arrive," she said.

"I'm sorry. I just don't see that happening. If he could, he would have arrived by now, wouldn't he?" Peter said gently.

"Maybe you just need to have a little faith," Audrey told him wisely.

Peter turned into the group, "In the meantime we should prepare a decent sized group of troops and prepare for the raid. We need to find a way in without alerting the entire castle," he ordered. "Let's get to it then."

With that he walked away. Audrey exchanged looks with Caspian, Edmund, and Susan before leaving to follow Peter.

"At least let me go with you on the raid," Audrey told Peter when she saw him.

"You were never good with a sword," Peter said.

Audrey put her hands on her hips.

"I've had a lot more time to practice since we fought Jadis' army. Edmund taught me well," she said. "And you'll need as many fighters as you need."

As they walked along a corridor, she tripped over a small rock. Peter caught her in his arms.

"Going into Miraz's castle will require stealth," He said. "And I can see your just as clumsy as ever," he added chuckling.

Audrey pushed him away and stood up straighter.

"All of the 15 years we were married and as your advisor, you have relied on me and my visions without hesitation," she reminded him. "Why you wouldn't listen to me now, is beyond me. Good luck with the raid," With that she dashed past him and left before Peter could say anymore.

To be continued . . .