Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia.

Hello again folks! I'm sure that you are all thinking, "NO! They don't meet another character and spend several meaningless chapters with him!" I promise you all, they don't stay with Sullen-Reed long...in fact, they've left his company at the end of this chapter! :)

Thank you all for the reviews! Also, thanks to a and Britta for your reviews.

Britta: Marshwiggles are severely underappreciated-and I don't know why, I think they're great. Also thanks for the tip about the commas, I'm always confused about that rule, so I appreciate you helping me out. :)

Anywho, onto the story!

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Peter was wrong about the Marshwiggle. The creature very well could be gloomy all the time.

As we sat on the spongy ground eating a surprisingly tasty eel stew, we were forced to listen to Sullen-Reed ramble on and on about how we were likely to die of food poisoning, or how a sudden wind was going to blow out the cooking fire, or the marshes were sure to be flooded with rainwater. He adeptly ignored the fact that the rain had stopped a while ago and all that was left were clouds.

I tried to tune him out as I spooned more stew into my mouth.

Peter was eating as well, nodding every now and then to be polite, but I could tell from the vacant look in his eyes that he wasn't paying attention to Sullen-Reed any more than I was.

"....or perhaps," the creature went on, "we might all be accosted by the pack of wolves and hags that passed through this way not too long ago. Nasty creatures they are, I'm sure we would all die very painful deaths."

Peter choked on his stew. As he coughed and hacked, his trembling hand put his bowl down.

"See?" The Marshwiggle said gloomily, " I knew my food would not be to your liking."

But I knew what had disturbed my brother, for it had caught my attention as well. "No, no! Your food is fine, but what were you saying about wolves and hags?"

"Hmm? Oh yes. They're horrible, dreadful even. They'll probably attack you first, they have no decency towards ladies-"

"No!" Peter hacked out as his coughs gradually died down. "You said they were here not too long ago."

Sullen-Reed thought for a moment, his dull brown eyes rolled up to the heavens. "Oh yes....they came through here right before you did. I hid in my tent as it were-though I thought I was sure to be found and killed-but they weren't interested in me. I overheard them talking about a king and a queen that they were going to ambush....the poor souls will more than likely not survive. In fact..."

But Peter and I weren't listening anymore. Both of our faces had gone deathly pale.

"They know we're alive," Peter whispered. "They're going to kill us before we can get back to Narnia."

"What are we going to do?" I asked, fear clenching my heart. We had come so far. We were so close.

"What was that?" Sullen-Reed looked interested....or as interested as a Marshwiggle could look. "You are the ones that they are looking for?"

"Yes, I'm King Peter and she's Queen Susan of Narnia. We were ambushed a few days back by werewolves, dwarves, and hags. Our company was killed and we almost died ourselves. But Aslan protected us and we were able to escape. Please, do you know anything about where they were going or how they are planning to attack us?" Peter asked, his good hand clenched into a fist.

I could almost see his mind working out a strategy. He and Edmund had become quite adept at planning out attacks and retreats.

Dear Aslan, please help him to come up with something. I knew I would be virtually useless in strategizing. I hated battles-far too bloody for my tastes.*

"....heard they were planting themselves near some trees, but I can't say precisely where. I don't venture into Narnia very often. In fact, the last time I did I had the misfortune of-"

"Please! Not now!" I nearly cried in frustration.

Peter looked irritated too, his face pinched up in thought. "Mr. Sullen-Reed, the woods that border Narnia are extensive, did they mention any specific direction that they were taking?"

The Marshwiggle shook his head glumly. "I'm sure they did, but I did not hear it. My curse has come to haunt me again. I'm afraid I've always been bad at details. The other Marsh-"

"Wait." Peter held up a hand. "You mentioned only wolves and hags, were there any dwarves with them?"

Sullen-Reed pursed his lips, trying to remember. "I don't think so, but I was hiding in my tent at the time. I more than likely missed some of them..."

"Or," Peter gave me a tense look, "they're coming along behind us to harry us into the trap."

I swallowed hard and set my bowl of food down, no longer hungry. "We should go then."

Peter nodded and began to stand up. Then his gaze fell to the Marshwiggle. "What about Sullen-Reed? Do you think he'll be alright?"

The creature held up one of its' webbed hands. "No, no. Do not concern yourselves with me. I will stay here. I prefer my solitude to running around in the wilderness. I've lived a long life anyway. If I die, which I'm sure I will, at least I have lived long enough to enjoy myself."

I wondered how he got any enjoyment in his life, but at the same time, I worried for him. However, if he had decided to stay, I would not force him to leave against his will. I stood up and brushed my skirt off. "Well, thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Sullen-Reed. If we should survive, we will be sure to return your kindness."

"Do not trouble yourself for such a low creature like myself. It is my solemn duty to help those in need-though they seldom cross my path-"

"Yes, well," Peter hastily interrupted before he could continue in one of his long, drawn-out speeches, "we'll see you again, Sullen-Reed, but for now, we must be going."

"Of course." Sullen-Reed blew out his cheeks in that disturbing way of his and lifted his hand in farewell.

"Goodbye!" I called as Peter and I walked rapidly away from the encampment. Before we had gone too far, my brother took the time to crouch on the ground and study the footprints that had been left there earlier. They led off straight ahead.

"Maybe they're headed to the woods north of here. We could turn east now and head to Narnia that way." Peter pointed to the right. He looked up at me. "Whatever way we decide to go, we need to make a decision fast and walk as carefully as we can."

"I'll follow you wherever you go. Lead the way, Peter," I said breathlessly as I stole furtive glances around the area.

Peter nodded and turned east. "Let's go."

No more words were necessary as we moved at a brisk but wary pace. Every moment was tense, now that we knew our enemies were still hounding us. I half-expected to be shot at any moment and my side gave a phantom twinge at the very thought of being wounded again.

The marsh was difficult to get through and Peter had taken to the water-probably so we wouldn't leave footprints. We splashed along as quietly as we could, but every splash sent a chill through my heart, knowing that we could be covering up the noise of pursuers. But every glance behind me proved that my fears were unfounded, for I could see no signs of pursuit.

"The marsh is ending," Peter panted, startling me at the sudden break of the silence.

"Good," I whispered back.

And he was right. The water level dropped and the ground became harder packed. Soon we were jogging along firm ground again, heading for some trees in the distance: our entrance to Narnia.

The sight of trees made my stomach twist unpleasantly. I didn't want to go into woods again, especially since our enemies might be lurking in them. But the only way to get to Narnia was through them.

Oh Aslan! Please let us not be caught! I prayed as we got closer and closer to the looming forest.

"It's okay, Susan," Peter gasped as if he had sensed my thoughts. "No matter what happens, we'll be okay. Aslan will be with us in death as in life."

But I don't want to die, I thought, tears blurring my vision.

A sudden, chilling screech sounded directly above us.

Peter and I stumbled to a halt, looking up. To my dismay, I recognized one of the creatures that the White Witch had employed in her service: a great, winged creature that was similar to Earth's pterodactyls.* I could still remember how these evil creatures had screamed happily in the air as Aslan was killed on the Stone Table.

It stared down at us with greedy eyes, letting out another piercing shriek of triumph. In the distance, I could see more of the flying creatures rushing to join it. Little black dots behind us began to move in closer: dwarves no doubt. And the area around us began to issue forth wolves and hags that had crouched down behind fallen logs and boulders.

"Run!" Peter screamed.

We both darted forward, hearts pounding with fear as shrieks and screams erupted around us. The creatures rushed in towards us, taunting us with wild cries.

"Duck!" Peter called and we both hunched over just in time to avoid being caught up by one of the flying creature's talons.

I felt the wind in the creature's wake as it snorted at its failure. I was so frightened that I almost wanted to lay down and cry. But I kept running, even as the sound of our pursuers got closer and closer. But, furious as they were, the creatures had yet to throw any weapons at us-unlike the last time they had attacked us.

They must be planning to capture us. The thought spurred me on to go even faster and as I ran, I hunched low to the ground and gathered stones. I tossed them at my enemies as I tried to escape, more often than not missing them because I wasn't aiming properly. But every now and then, I would hear one of our pursuers give a cry.

And then, the unexpected happened.

Peter stopped running.

I ran past him for a few paces and then stopped as well, nearly frantic. "What are you doing?! Run!"

He shook his head and drew out his sword with a grim look. "No, go Susan. Find Ed and Lucy. These creatures mean to capture us; I can hold on until you rescue me."

"Peter." My heart twisted in anguish as the creatures drew closer.

He glanced at our enemies, his face set in determination. "Run, Susan."

"But-" I hesitated, one hand gripping a stone.

Run, Susan.

That voice did not belong to my brother. It was too deep and rich. I half-expected to see Aslan standing nearby.

And I knew what I had to do.

Tears running down my cheeks, I turned and ran towards the woods, leaving my brother to the enemy.

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I know, I'm a bad author, leaving you all like that. :) Sorry! Ok....well...not too sorry. *sees the reviewers brandishing weapons* Eep!

*I know that Susan fights in the movies and they make her out to be this great warrior woman, and I know that she can fight. But according to the books, she doesn't like fighting and it is usually Lucy who goes out with the boys on campaigns while Susan stays at Cair Paravel.

*Does anyone know what these creatures are called?

Thank you all for reading and I hope you have a great week!