When Nimueh opened her eyes the next morning, there was an uncomfortable chill in the air. The spring had brought with it a pleasant warmth, but something felt different, as though the season had weakened. Pulling on her trousers, Nimueh laced up her shirt and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"Lady Firesong, his Majesty wishes to see you." Oreius spoke from outside her tent.
"Alright. Tell him I will be there shortly," Nimueh confirmed and started to re-tie up her mass of tangled locks. There was little doubt in her mind that the battle against the Witch would be soon, if not that day. She had been expecting Aslan to summon her before it all began.
When she came out into the air, the atmosphere of the camp was far colder than she had feared. Tension was riddled in the bodies of the few she saw as she made her was to the top of the campsite. The two Pevensie boys stood with Oreius over a table outside Aslan's tent, but the Lion was nowhere in sight. She walked over, though carefully, as if any wrong move could cause a riot. She stopped opposite Edmund, not looking at Peter but instead the map spread out on the table.
"Is Aslan still in the tent? He asked to see me."
"Aslan's gone," Peter mumbled.
"What do you mean? Aslan's gone where?" Only then did it occur to her that the 'Majesty' Oreius had been referring to was Peter.
"He's...dead." Nimueh looked up, wide-eyed, at Edmund. "We got word from Susan and Lucy earlier this morning. They're at the Stone Table."
Nimueh bowed her head. "I understand." She couldn't bring herself cry; Aslan knew what he was doing, he always did. "What are your orders?"
"I don't know." Peter gave her an expression of despair.
"Well you have to know. With Aslan gone, you have to lead the army into battle. They're ready to follow you. No doubt the Witch's army is already on its way; we don't have time for this."
"And what if I can't do it? I'm just a kid."
"Aslan wouldn't have gone if he thought you couldn't handle this. He believed in you." Edmund said. "And so do I."
"And what about you?" Peter turned back to Nimueh.
"Aslan trusted you, and I trust Aslan." She wanted to reach over and touch his shoulder, but thought better of it. "You aren't alone in this. You have your brother, you have Oreius, and you have me. And we're all going to be right beside you." Peter nodded, smiling only slightly. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" It was the first time she had verbally acknowledged his status. Peter dropped his shoulders and breathed deeply. The air seemed to change; there was hope as of yet.
"Your Majesty?" Nimueh stood outside the Kings' tent. "I have your unicorn ready." There came not reply. "Your Majesty, is everything alright?"
"Yes, I think so. Could you come in for a second?"
Nimueh was hesitant to sweep the curtain aside. Peter stood in the middle of the tent, reaching over his shoulder to adjust this armour. Suppressing a sigh, she approached him. "Here, let me do that." Smoothing out the chain mail on his shoulders, she tightened the straps on his upper arms.
"Thanks. Are you not wearing any mail?" Peter asked, eyeing her leather armour.
Nimueh shook her head. "It weighs me down." Stepping back, she inspected the blonde boy, not missing the worry in his eyes. Despite his grand attire and talent with a sword, he still looked little more than the teenager that he was. "Come with me." She exited the tent, expecting Peter to follow.
Leading him over to where the white unicorn stood with Levi, placed out of sight of the rest of the army, Nimueh turned and stared Peter in the eyes. "Ever since I first came to Narnia, since I have been able to fight, I have fought for and beside the High King and his consorts." Pulling out a pendant from inside her shirt, she showed him the firebird within a circle. "This is the emblem of the Firesong family; they are the most important people in my life, no matter what world I am in. Do you remember Elijah? Her mother was my closest friend, so when Elijah made me promise to do everything I can to protect the your family, to protect to saviours of the kingdom, I have intended to keep that promise. Just because Aslan is gone, that does not mean that you are going into battle alone. I have been in enough battles to know that you are ready, and that you will make a great leader. I am going to be there, and I will not abandon you if it kills me."
Something about Peter changed as she spoke. He straightened up and there was a strengthening in his eyes. He held out a hand to her. Nimueh thought perhaps it was for a handshake. Maybe this was something that humans did before they went into battle. But this was Narnia. She clasped his forearm, and patted his shoulder with her free hand. "Let's go."
