Hello again everyone. My apologies for taking so long to update again, but I have been at summer camp in Spain and free time was very limited! Also, this chapter is quite important so I had to re-write it several times before I was completely happy with the end result. Thanks to everyone for giving me such a warm welcome back :) I hope you all enjoy this new chapter!

Universal Indicator: And very happy to be back! I'm glad you do and thanks for reading :)

Lairyfight: Thank you, I'm very glad to see your username come up in my inbox again! I thought you might be happy to see Tom and Alice back together again, and I have some more plans for them in my head. Charlotte will begin to change and have a bigger presence in the story now, so do let me know what you think about that! That is an awesome suggestion, I will definitely try and get it in sometime soon! Thanks again for your review, and I am definitely here to stay this time!

Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER: Their relationship will definitely start to improve now, but you'll have to wait and see what happens!

Arya Stark: That's a good question and you phrased it very maturely. Well done. To answer it, they wouldn't have been able to be intimate since coming back from Narnia, because they've always either been separated or surrounded by other people. I don't think there would have been an opportunity for it. Also, I think considering the time period they're now living in Peter would have made sure they kept their distance in that respect.

Tinkertot95: I'm glad you do and thank you! Thank you for reading it and good luck with your own story, I'm sure it will be wonderful :)

The dance passed off without incident. Charlotte was very quiet for most of the night, but after a few dances she began to relax a little. She even accepted an invitation from a local boy to dance, although he was scrutinised heavily by Tom the entire time. When Peter had told his friend to relax, I had laughed and quietly pointed out that his comment was akin to the pot calling the kettle black.

It was almost midnight by the time we arrived back at Kingston, and we received stern looks from the grounds staff as we ran through the gates just before curfew. But we were on a high from the night, and everyone just laughed and joked around, paying the disgruntled staff no attention as they noisily locked the gate behind us.

We all sat in the common room for an hour or so, talking and laughing amongst ourselves. Even Charlotte joined in a little. But one by one, everyone began to excuse themselves, until only Peter and I remained.

"Are you still going to stay with us for a week when we get back?" Peter asked.

"The Professor had no problem with it, so I should like to think so," I said. "Then we'll be going to Tom's house for a week. Professor Kirk will begin to think I don't like living with him!"

"I doubt that," Peter laughed. "I've never met a kinder man. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him enough for taking you in."

"He told me how you can do that," I said.

"He did?" Peter asked.

"Yes, he said you can go and learn about logic so that he doesn't have to keep explaining simple things; such as why your sister is telling the truth about the mysterious land in the back of the wardrobe," I laughed.

Peter smiled. "That seems fair enough."

"Oh, and that you stay at university to get a good job so we can get a house together sooner," I added.

"Sometimes it feels like we'll never get there," he said. "If this was Narnia, we'd be getting married in a year. Instead, we have to wait for another three years at least."

"What happened to good things come to those who wait?" I asked. "But it will happen, no matter what. I know it will."

"Yes, but you know how impatient I can be about this." Peter reminded me with a smile. "But at least we get to go home soon, which is as good as it will get for now. I like Kingston, but I miss Finchley."

"I just need a break. This is almost as exhausting as running a country," I joked. "But I miss Su, Ed and Lucy. Writing letters to each other isn't quite the same as being able to talk together, especially about Narnia."

"Lucy has demanded the first thing we do when we get back is meet up with Jill and Eustace to talk about Narnia and their adventure. Not that you'll need to hear it again," Peter said teasingly.

"I could probably tell the story for them," I laughed.

Peter paused for a moment, looking as if he didn't know how to say what he was thinking.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Have you talked much with Susan lately?" he asked.

I knew he'd start to notice.

"Just the usual letter every few weeks. Why?"

"Something's not right. Every time I mention Narnia to her in my letters she never responds to it. And Lucy's been telling me she does the same to her and Edmund when they talk about it," Peter explained.

"You know I can't tell you anything, Peter," I said.

"You don't need to."

Two days later

The now familiar piercing wail of the air raid sirens woke me with a start. I felt sick as I sat up and reached for the light next to my bed, my hands shaking a little as fear took hold of me. Grabbing the nearest coat and pair of shoes, I bolted from the room to find Alice and Charlotte also emerging from their rooms. We all exchanged a quick, frightened look before joining the group of students hastily making their way downstairs towards the shelter. It was eerily quiet in the corridor, save for the constant moan of the siren and blasts of ever approaching bombs. Some of the girls whispered to each other in hushed, solemn tones, but no one made any other noise.

"I h-hope the b-boys are alright," Alice whispered to me.

"They'll be fine. They're close enough to their own shelter anyway," I assured her, trying to calm my own nerves and thoughts of what would happen if...

"Quickly now, ladies! Come on, there's plenty of room in the back there! Move on up!" The calm and firm voice of Mrs Thompson, one of Alice's history teachers, easily carried through the night air and swelled to fill the large shelter we were all hurriedly filing in to.

"Ah, Miss Hughes." Mrs Thompson paused to flash Alice a quick smile. "I was just half way through marking your wonderful essay on Napoleon with a rather delightful cup of tea. I was very sorry to have to stop. One does have to wonder how we teachers can stay sane when faced with situations like this," she said brightly as we shuffled past her. Alice blushed but gave her teacher a pleasant smile all the same.

We quickly found an empty space on the long bench that stretched the length of the shelter and sat down. I saw Elizabeth and Kathleen sitting a little way down from us on the opposite side of the shelter, and I waved over to them. I scanned the room again in search of Martha, and caught sight of her when she half fell down the steps in to the shelter.

"Careful there, young lady!" Mrs Thompson said cheerily as she caught hold of Martha's arm to stop her from falling.

"Thanks, Miss," Martha replied, looking a little flustered and embarrassed, before she spotted Alice and me. She quickly scurried next to us and sat on the floor in front of us, smiling cheerfully up at us.

"Hello ladies! Trust these bloody Germans to come swooping in while I'm sitting in the common room trying to finish off my art work. I swear, if so much as a piece of dust gets on that painting, this war will be the least of their problems!" Martha said jokingly, and we all laughed quietly.

"Don't worry Martha, I'm sure the Germans wouldn't dare to cross you and incur such wrath!" I replied teasingly, and we all laughed again.

We remained in the shelter for a little over four hours until it was nearly six o'clock. I think I must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next thing I knew Alice was shaking me awake and telling me that it was safe to go back inside. As we were walking across the grounds, there were a few gasps of surprise when we saw that a bomb had landed very close to the far west corner of the building, charing the stone and causing part of the structure to cave in slightly. The damage was nothing too substantial, they'd probably have it fixed in a week or so, but I wouldn't have liked to have been there when it collapsed.

We continued through the humid night air and back in to the main building, but the smell of smoke lingered in the halls. Everyone was herded in to the main hall, the only space large enough to accommodate the entire school, even if it was a bit of a squeeze.

I scanned the room for any sign of Peter or Tom, but there were so many people moving around that it was almost impossible to see anyone.

"Anyone in first year, please gather over here!" Mr Doris, one of the dormitory advisors, called over the cacophony of noise.

"Come on, let's try and get through," I said to Alice and Charlotte.

We had to push our way through the mass of people, almost being knocked over several times whilst doing so as everyone tried to join with their friends. When we finally reached Mr Doris gave him our names, I began to search for Peter and Tom in the crowd but was still unable to find them. I turned to Alice and Charlotte.

"Can you see Peter or Tom?" I asked, trying to sound as if I wasn't as worried as I really felt.

"No, I've been looking but I can't see them either," Charlotte said.

"And I can't find Jack, Ben or John," Martha added, biting her lip.

Please, no. Please let them be here.

Just as I was about to ask Mr Doris if any of the boys had been registered, the Principal of Kingston, Professor Henley, stood on the platform and called for everyone's attention. Silence swept through the room and not a single person moved. My heart pounded in my chest, hoping that she wouldn't prove my worried thoughts to be right.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your speedy exit of the building and co-operation with the staff. Your behaviour was excellent and I am very pleased with you all," he called, moving his gaze around the room. "However, we have six students who are still unaccounted for. If they are now present or if anyone is aware of their whereabouts, please make yourself known. The names are as follows."

Oh, Aslan. No.

"Jack Barnes, William Connolly, Benjamin Gormley, Peter Pevensie, John Quinn and Thomas Rutherford."

I had to breathe deeply to stop myself from throwing up at that point, and when I turned to Alice, Martha and Charlotte they all looked equally as shocked. I tried to find Elizabeth and Kathleen in the crowd, but I couldn't see them in the mass of bodies. The room fell silent as everyone waited to see if one of the boys would call out and show that they were safe, or if anyone knew what happened to them. Nothing happened for a few moments, and my anxiety grew until a boy who I recognised from Peter's medical classes spoke up in a thick Scottish accent.

"Wait, I saw somethin' funny going on when we were bein' evacuated," he announced, and everyone held their breath as they waited for him to continue. "I think that William lad seemed to be causin' some trouble," he continued, and the entire room turned to look at him.

"Do you know what happened, young man?" one of the senior teachers asked him.

"No, ma'am. I got pushed away before I could figure out what they were doin'. But there was definitely an argument or somethin'." he called out, and I could feel Alice tremble next to me. I grabbed her hand, feeling it shake like my own, and we held on tightly to each other.

The room broke out in feverish whispers, everyone speculating as to what had happened and the fate of the six boys who clearly had not made it to the shelter in time. I felt ready to be sick or pass out, and glancing at Alice, Charlotte and Martha they didn't look like they were far behind me.

The senior staff spoke amongst themselves with serious and grave expressions, probably trying to decide what to do. After a quick discussion, it seemed they had made their decision and a group of them hurried across the room as quickly as they could through the students.

"We ask that everyone please remain in the hall until it is deemed safe for you to go back to the dorms. Feel free to take a seat but please do not leave this room," Professor Henley called.

"A-a-anna. Th-the b-boys," Alice choked tearfully, her grip on my hand tightening.

I stared at Alice, and for one of the first times in my life, I didn't have a clue about what I should do. I'd always been able to work out a solution to most situations, remained as calm as possible, thought with a clear mind. But now, I was scared beyond a level I had ever been scared in my life. Most people would laugh at that statement, saying that after everything you've faced; dying, going to Narnia, facing the Witch, almost dying again, ruling a country, fighting for it and losing it, how could this possibly be the most frightening thing you've ever faced? But for all of those situations, I had known things would be all right in the end. I had know that the people I loved would still be able to walk away, even if I didn't. Now, I had no information, no foresight and no control at all over what was happening. A faint voice in the back of my head reminded me of the events in Narnia that were yet to take place, but my doubt had pushed my mind over the edge to irrationality. What if I had interfered too much, and this was the price to pay? The man that I love could be lying dead in a pile of rubble, and it would be my fault.

"Alice, Anna!" Kathleen's hysterical call brought me back to reality for a few moments, and I looked around wildly for her distinct dark curls.

"Over here!" she called again, just off to my right, and waved her hand in the air.

"When I get my hands on those boys I'm going to give each of them such an earful!" Elizabeth fumed as they came to stand next to us, but the tears spilling down her cheeks gave her away.

"I think I'll join you," Kathleen said.

"I'd bet my good set of hair curlers that William was the reason they couldn't get to the shelter in time," Martha added angrily.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Charlotte muttered.

"We'll find out what's happened soon enough. Let's just sit down until we're allowed out of here," I said, noticing everyone else in the room begin to sit on the hard wooden floor.

In a little less than an hour, there was total silence again, save for a few short whispered conversations about the room.

After a while, Ryan and Daniel, Jack's twin brothers who we had met only a few weeks ago at the party, came over and sat beside us. Both men looked equally as distressed as the other.

"Just wanted to check that you ladies were alright," one of the twins asked, but I still wasn't sure which one it was.

"As good as we can be, I think," Martha replied, the rest of us remaining silent.

"I'm going to kill Jack when I get my hands on him. I don't know what any of them were thinking," the other twin added.

"We think it might not have been their fault," I explained.

"You all think William had something to do with it?" one of them asked.

"We know that he did," Elizabeth said firmly.

It was at this point that one of the senior staff came striding back in to the hall, and we all watched her anxiously as she made her way to the top of the room. The six of us waited as the atmosphere in the room grew tense when the other students noticed her return. The woman quickly spoke to the other teachers, one of whom gasped in shock and covered her mouth, and we instantly knew that it wasn't good news.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please," Professor Henley called in an authoritative tone, and silence fell across the entire room. Surveying us all with a serious expression, his eyes swept across the sea of faces in front of him, before delivering the news. "The situation we are faced with is much graver than we first thought. A body has been found in the western corridor of the boys dormitories. We are yet to establish the identity of the person, and this may take some time. The other five boys are still unaccounted for. Unfortunately, I can not give you anymore information at this moment. All students are to remain in this room..."

I stopped listening at that point, my mind too numb to take in anything more. Elizabeth had broken down in to shuddering sobs, Martha had her arms around her as she fought back her own tears and Kathleen had covered her mouth with her hand. Charlotte had simply sat there with her hands covering her face, but I swore I heard her muttering something along the lines of "William, you bastard", whilst Alice and I had turned to each other simultaneously, staring wordlessly at one other and at a complete loss as to what we should do.

The feeling of helplessness was unbearable, but also tangible in the room as everyone looked at each other uncertainly. Someone was dead, that someone could be any one of those six boys, and the others were still missing. We had no way of finding out who was safe, and it had put everyone on edge. Upon this realisation, my feelings of helplessness and anxiety only increased. The only thing that I could think to do now was pray to Aslan. Surely he had not abandoned us so entirely?

Aslan, I'm afraid. I don't know what to do. Please, I need your help.

I waited then, hoping for a sign or a miracle of some sort. I'm not sure what I really expected, but I was willing to try anything; perhaps a set of magical instructions that would make everything all right if I followed them. But this time, silence was my only answer.

I don't know when, or even how with the thoughts that were constantly running through my head, but at some point I found myself standing under the arch on the beach below Cair Paravel. My mind instantly realised that this must be a dream, because I was quite certain that I was neither dead nor called back to Narnia. I stood there for what could have been for a few seconds or a few hours, but time did not seem to matter at all in this place and so I simply listened to the waves break against the rocks and come crashing to the shore, only to retreat and try again to overcome the barriers in their way each time. While I was aware that this must be a dream, it was one of the most vivid and clear dreams that I had ever had. I could easily pick out every grain of sand, rock, wave in the sea and object on the beach.

Then, I saw him.

Aslan stood at the far end of the beach, and I smiled broadly at the magnificent golden Lion that stood before me. He simply stared back at me, his calm amber eyes locked with mine.

"Aslan!" I cried happily, but a sudden rush of wind overpowered my voice and it was lost in the space between us. When I tried calling out again, the same thing happened. Puzzled, I tried to take a step towards Aslan, but I found that I could not move forward no matter how hard I tried. It seemed that an invisible barrier had been placed between us, and I didn't know how to break it down. I sank to my knees as my last piece of hope abandoned me, and I stared at Aslan who had remained silent and stationary.

Aslan, please don't abandon me. I need you.

I waited for a reply of any kind, but it seemed that I would not get one. As the silence that was only broken by the sound of the sea continued, I began to become angry.

Why did you bring me here if you weren't going to help me? Peter, Tom or any one of my friends could be dead, and when I ask for guidance I don't receive any. Why? Why is that, Aslan?

Aslan continued to stare at me, and I looked back at him as I felt my sudden rush of anger quickly subside. It was soon replaced with a sense of shame and regret at my last words, and I bowed my head again as I was no longer able to look at Aslan in my guilt.

I stayed where I was and made no sound, sure that Aslan would end the dream and send me back to England once more. Fear took hold of my heart as I thought about having to leave Narnia again, even if it was only a dream. As I waited to have one of the things that I loved most in this world torn away from me again, I heard a small whisper in the wind, and it seemed to be speaking to me. I froze on the spot, not daring to move as I concentrated on the voice calling my name that I knew belonged to Aslan. I closed my eyes, reaching out in my mind to Aslan's voice, knowing it was now my only way to reach the Lion.

"Anna."

The gentle roar of the lion's voice was suddenly next to me, and I gasped as I looked up to find Aslan standing before me. He had grown again since the last time I had seen him.

"Aslan," I choked.

"Rise, my child," Aslan commanded gently, and I immediately stood.

"Aslan...I'm so sorry," I said.

"I know, dear one. But I have not brought you here to extract an apology. You have asked for help, Anna, and I give what assistance I can to those who remain faithful to me. However, it may not be the help that you expect," he revealed.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled by his words.

"You know that I can not directly assist you, not in the world you currently live in. But I may help you through others and, if you look carefully enough, you will be able to see me guiding you. Your faith in me is strong, Anna. Let it lead you as it always has, and you will not falter. And remember, once a King or Queen, always a King or Queen. You know how to lead people in times of despair and difficulty; look to yours years of experience for help," Aslan explained.

I rushed to hug the Lion, burying my face in his smooth fur, attempting to seek what comfort I could as fear took hold of my heart again.

"I'm afraid, Aslan," I said quietly.

"Without fear, we may never know courage. Trust in yourself, Daughter, just as those who love you most place their trust in you," Aslan replied.

I stood to face the Lion again, and everything around us began to fade away. I knew that it was now time for me to go back, and I would have to face the challenge that lay before me. But even with Aslan's help, I was still uncertain of the rocky path that I would have to take.