Long story short, and I don't want to go into it right now, I've had some bad news so this could be the last update for a while until I get my head and life straightened out. Sorry about that. Please stick with me as there is a little more written and much more planned out so once I'm back on track things should start moving again.

Usual disclaimer, I don't own anything recognizable from The Chronical's of Narnia but I'm holding onto my OC's for dear life... I get a little attached to them...


Chapter 6 – Stronger

Ariadne was dragged from her ice cell by a stern looking dwarf who obviously didn't care for conversation as he grunted a response to her protests. After climbing the ice stairs from the cells to the throne room the dwarf left, leaving her alone in the room. No, not alone, the White Witch sat on her throne, clothed in white fur with her trademark ice crown on her head.

"It seems your husband doesn't want you back my dear." She said, her tone was a mixture between mocking and sympathy, an odd combination. "I thought he'd been willing to sacrifice anything to get you back. It appears I was wrong."

Ariadne stood silently as the Witch began to descend from her throne. "He thinks he can fight me. After all, a King and Queen of The Golden Age have returned." She smiled viciously, "But I've grown stronger, much, much stronger."

xXx

"We need to show our strength, force her to meet us in battle." Said Edmund, he and his sisters joined Caspian, his sons and two of his generals in the council chamber. What needed to be done was obvious, how it was going to happen was currently being debated.

Lucy shook her head, "Things never happen the same way twice." She said, quoting Aslan. "We might have beaten her in battle before, but I doubt it will work a second time."

"She's right, who knows how long she's been watching us, she could know every last detail about our armies." Added one of the generals. "We need to be stealthy."

Caspian nodded slightly as he listened to the advice, "Perhaps both are needed." He looked to the general closest to him, "If we can get to the Queen, warn her and make sure she's ready…"

The general smiled, "Draw the Witch into a battle and sneak in to retrieve the Queen while she's busy. It's a good idea."

"But no-one knows the terrain." Added Susan, ever the voice of reason, "It's been too long, it must have changed since we fought her, and without knowing where we're going…"

Sighing Caspian finished her sentence, "we'll be caught as soon as they realise she's missing."

"There is another way." Said one of the twins, the Pevensie's where still having trouble telling the two apart. "If we let someone get captured then they can learn the terrain while they're being taken to her castle. Then when they escape they'll know a route back to the armies."

"It'll be the most obvious route but probably the fastest too." Added his brother, "But if someone else followed at a distance they could supply horses to make the escape faster yet."

There was silence around the table as the group digested the idea, finally the general beside the King broke the silence, "The idea is risky yes, but it has its merits. It's worth considering Sire."

Caspian shook his head slowly, "No, because the only people she wouldn't kill on sight are far too important to risk."

Edmund nodded, "She'd expect us to head the armies, and any of your men would be killed on sight." He looked to the Princes, they knew what they had suggested and they were prepared to follow it through.

xXx

Peter expected the worst when the door to his cell was opened, even more so when he was greeted by the same dwarf who had taken Ariadne only a few minutes ago.

"The Queen wants a demonstration." He said with a cruel smile on his face.

Peter quickly calculated the risks. There was a chance he could overpower the dwarf and make a run for it, but that would mean abandoning the woman he assumed was Caspian's wife. On the other hand, going willingly to the Ice Queen would mean she would recognise him in an instant. Making a snap decision Peter barged past the Dwarf to make a run for it up the stairs, he didn't however, expect to run into a minotaur and be laid flat on his back with one punch.

After a beating which had left blood trickling down into his eye from somewhere on his head and a fat lip he was dragged into the throne room and thrown on the floor beside Ariadne. 'At least I'll be harder to recognise now' he thought, groaning as he hit the floor.

A pointed look from the White Witch had the dwarf quickly explaining himself. "He tried to escape, put up a fight…" the dwarf was silenced with a wave of the Witch's hand, dismissing him and the minotaur from the room.

"Does your heart bleed for him your majesty, this poor boy who's been residing in my cells? He was found snooping around by one of my patrols, a spy perhaps?" The Witch moved towards the pair. Peter kept his head down as she approached, "Perhaps if I sent your King a message…"

Every single muscle in Peter's body contracted violently as the Witches spell hit him, he could hardly breathe, let alone scream. The best he could manage to utter was a small croak as pain rippled through his body.

"Stop!" called the Queen as she fell to her knees beside him, her green clad arms unsure of where to hold him as she so desperately wanted. "Please."

Peter relaxed as the pain left his body, leaving him with a chill in his bones, almost as if he'd been half frozen by the Witch's spell. He sucked in air greedily, feeling the gentle hands of Ariadne on his shoulder, comforting and protecting him.

"Take them back to the cells. Let them consider their fate in there." Shouted the Witch, obviously bored of her show of power to the Queen of Narnia. Her message was clear, she was not afraid to harm them, kill them perhaps if the King didn't do as she asked.

Back in the cells Peter simply stayed where he had been left, still shivering violently, Ariadne called through the window in the ice to him. "James? Are you alright? I'm so sorry."

"I'm f-fine," replied Peter through chattering teeth, "It's not your fault."

The Queen quickly removed her cloak and passed it through the window to Peter. He couldn't be much older than her boys, but he had the heart of a warrior that much was clear. "Of course it is, she was going to use you to send her message." She said, as Peter wrapped the green cloak around his shoulders. He was shivering violently after the Witch had started to encase him in clear ice. Would it have killed him? Ariadne didn't know, hopefully they wouldn't have to find out either.

xXx

A decision had been reached in the Kings council room. A small spy group would be sent towards the Ice Palace with strict instructions to turn back rather then get captured or killed. This was strictly a reconnaissance mission. The group of forest creatures would collect information on possible escape routes, the enemies' numbers and, if possible, find a way to ready the Queen for the planned rescue.

"I still think it's a good idea, it's dangerous true, but I think it's the best we're going to get." Edmund admitted after Ramin and Raoul had left the room along with one of the generals.

The remaining general nodded his agreement. "I've got a few suggestions My Lord. Raoul is the better swordsman, with a better chance of defending himself against an attack, but if he wears Ramin's armour he will appear less of a threat."

"That's provided she knows the difference." Replied Caspian, still obviously hoping for another solution.

"Oh, she'll know." Said Edmund simply.

"Edmund, I can't believe you're suggesting this!" interjected Susan suddenly. "You can't seriously agree with putting them in danger like this!"

Edmund rounded on his sister. "They're old enough to make their own decisions Susan. This is Narnia, not England. Besides, boys their age are fighting in the trenches back home, why can't they fight to save their country?" He knew she meant well but sometimes Susan infuriated Edmund. Not everything could be won with a cautious approach.

Caspian nodded, agreeing with Edmund. "They're older then I was when I fought Miraz, they have every right. I just wish there was another way."