A/N: Shorter chapter this time, not as well-written, sorry but I had to get this part in. Hope you don't kill me for writing it anyway!

Disclaimer: You all love C.S Lewis for writing Narnia, not me. I just add more awesomeness to it!

Chapter 8

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll be fine," I assured the cheetah currently on guard duty. Her name was Karise, and she was one of my closest friends in my wolf life. "I've dealt with Morgrim before, and this time he's stuck in a cage."

The cheetah was quite small for her age and unusually light-colored. She was smaller than a normal wolf already, so her head only came up to about my chest. She was leading me through the trees to the field that branched off from the training grounds where they had decided to put Morgrim. We'd never taken a prisoner before him, so this was a completely new system, and about the only one I didn't quite yet fully know.

"I'm sorry about Aslan," she suddenly stopped to apologize. "I'm sure he must've had a good reason for sacrificing himself."

"If anything, Aslan surely knew what he was doing," I agreed strongly, though with a sad sigh. "Though I will never hope that it couldn't have been different."

Karise nodded before continuing on her way. We walked through the trees just a few more yards before ducking under a natural entryway into a field where a lone metal cage sat containing the gray wolf. There was a centaur on one side and a griffin on the other, guarding him.

I quickly dismissed them. Karise looked at me once more before she followed them back into the trees.

"I wondered when you were going to get around to me," Morgrim sneered through the bars. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about finding out the truth."

"Shut up," I growled at him. "I can easily rip you apart, still." Temporarily subdued, Morgrim sat still in his cage, waiting for me to ask the first question.

"I want to know about my mother," I demanded. "Who killed her?" For a moment a look of sadness flashed in his eyes, but it was almost to fast for met to be sure it was there.

"I don't know," Morgrim answered, using a much softer tone than he had before, though it was still defendant. "But I can tell you that it was not me. I have often asked the same question before, too. I would never do something like that, Miko." I recoiled the slightest bit in shock. I had never heard him call me by my name before. The same look of sadness returned to his eyes, and this time it stayed.

"I loved your mother."

"What?" I asked in shock. It came out almost a whisper. "No, you must be lying!"

"I swear on Aslan's mane," Morgrim promised, "I tell the truth. I was once part of your mother's pack with your father and uncle. After you were born, your father left to join the Witch. He never really loved you and your mother like I did, and I helped take care of you. One day we were attacked by some of her followers and I was captured to work under her. Your Uncle escaped, too, but everyone else was killed. I can't tell you anything after that, but I was forced to work for the White Witch. I couldn't let her know how much you really meant to me. I'm sorry for the times I hurt you, Miko. Truly, I am." He glanced at my bandaged leg as he said this.

I stood speechless at his story. I could tell he wasn't lying. It wasn't just that he made an unbreakable swear. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice- the truth behind his words was undeniable. I couldn't believe what had just happened. My mortal enemy had just become one of my greatest allies.

"Your mother once told me that she always thought of me as your father more than that traitor whose blood you share," Morgrim said. "But there's so much I don't know about you."

"There's too much to say now," I said, shaking my head, still greatly in awe. "But will you help us defeat her?"

"Gladly," Morgrim agreed. "I would have no greater pleasure in this life aside from seeing you once more."

I took the metal lock between my teeth and ripped it from the door of the cage. The thing landed in a mangled piece on the ground as I tore chain off with my claws. Morgrim shoved the door open with his paw and hastily came into the open for the first time since he was captured, stretching as he did.

"I've got to tell Ferrid!" I shouted in excitement. "Come on!" I raced back through the trees, Morgrim at my tail.

There were various protests from the Narnians at the appearance of Morgrim in camp. But none stopped to question us, since he was with me. I saw my brother talking with Peter and Orious .

"Ferrid!" I shouted, running up to him. He turned to look at me as I stopped next to them, Morgrim behind me. "You'll never believe this!"

"Miko!" Ferrid snarled, morphing as he jumped past me onto Morgrim. He pinned the gray wolf to the ground. "You stay away from my sister!"

"Ferrid, wait!" Miko shouted. "Don't hurt him!" Her brother turned to her in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. "Have you gone crazy?"

"I'm here to help boy," Morgrim barked. "You wouldn't want to go killing an ally, would you?"

"What do you mean?" Peter asked. "You tried to kill me!" He had his sword drawn and was pointing it at the gray wolf.

"Everyone, please!" I shouted. "Just shut up and listen to me!"

It took awhile to get things settled, but eventually Morgrim told them what he had told me, apologizing a lot for what he'd done under the White Witch's rule. Eventually the understanding was come to that he was now on our side, though Peter still kept him under close watch. After everything was sorted out he left to go explore the camp and try to catch up on what was going on.

"So, you've found out more about your father after all," Peter said.

"Yeah, but I've still got diddly squat on what happened to my mother," I retorted.

"At least you're getting anywhere at all," Ferrid pointed out.

"What we're not getting anywhere on are the battle plans," I changed the subject back to what was really important.

"Right," Peter agreed. "I want you two right on the front lines. Aslan confided in you enough about this battle, Miko, and I trust his choice in an advisor."

By the time we knew the basics of the battle plan, the sun had begun to rise. Ferrid and Orious had gone off to direct some of the other Narnians and make sure things were going smoothly. I was starting to worry if Susan and Lucy would make it back in time. I was sure we could do without them, and it would be better if I didn't have to worry about them as well, but Susan was an amazing archer and Lucy's cordial would come in handy in the end. I was beginning to regret sending them off.

"What will you be bringing to the battle?" Peter asked, trying to make conversation.

"Besides myself, it'll just be my sword," I answered. He looked surprised at this.

"No armor?" he questioned. I shook my head.

"It would just slow me down," I explained. "I'll be spending most of the time as a wolf anyway, and if I ever get into a swordfight I would never be able to maneuver with a load of heavy metal on me." I yawned after completing my sentence.

"You won't be able to fight at all as tired as you are," Peter laughed.

"No, I'm fine, really!" I protested, yawning again.

Then suddenly, he had scooped me up into his arms.

"I don't think so!"

"Peter!" I shouted laughing. I was too tired to fight back and just leaned against his chest.

"I can walk back," I mumbled, eyes half-closed.

"You're not that heavy," Peter joked. I lightly pretended to hit him, yawning again. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my tent at the edge of the camp, but before we even got inside I was asleep.

I bolted awake at the sound of clanking in the room, grabbing my sword. Before I could unsheathe it, I realized who it was. Peter was standing there in the center of the room, clad in armor from head to toe.

"Miko, it's time."

Yes, I made Morgrim the good guy here. Because I always liked him in the movie and was sad that he died. (Yes, shocker, I know. Haha, Morgrim haters.) R&R or I SWEAR, NO MORE CHAPPIES FOR YOU! EVER. Man, I got NOTHING the last two chapters! ZERO, ZIP, NADA! . Now that that's outta the way, prepare for the battle next time! :)