A/N: Ooh, another secret meeting! *covers mouth* I've said too much! But enjoy!

Chapter 10

The next few days were uneventful. More planning, and I barely got to see Caspian at all. I did talk to him once, though. We're meeting in his study; it's easier for me to sneak out than it is for him. After dinner, I change into a light dress, glad to get the gown I wore to dinner off of my body. I hate gowns.

I wait until the guards are done their rounds, and then sneak out of my room, and to Caspian's study. Before I can even knock, he opens the door and pulls me in. The first thing he does is press my lips to his. We break apart, and I rest my head on his chest for a minute.

"Where have you been?" I ask, and poke his stomach playfully.

"I am so sorry," he says. "I've had a lot of work to do, planning, training soldiers, everything." I let out a sigh.

"I can understand that," I say. "But still, I miss you." He pulls me into his arms once more.

"And I miss you," he says softly. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I say, speaking just as softly. I capture his lips in a passionate kiss once more.

"Look," he says when we break apart, taking my hands. "If something goes wrong, you're going to need to get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you," I say. "Whether the castle gets taken or not, I'm not just going to leave."

"Aura, please, just hear me out," he says. "You could be Narnia's only hope."

"Go ahead," I say. "Tell me." He pulls a key from his pocket.

"This unlocks a secret door in the back of my closet," he says. "I used it to escape when Miraz was trying to kill me. If Will takes the castle, then you need to use this to get out. Take Cassidy with you, she wouldn't be safe if Will finds that she's your friend. Take Lacey, too. She'll know what to do." I raise my eyebrow at him.

"But what about you?" I ask. "You wouldn't be safe either."

"I'd die for Narnia, you know that," he says. "Besides, the Witch wouldn't kill me. The people would riot if she did, and she wouldn't be able to keep control. She'll probably keep me here, and use me. The kingdom trusts me, so she'll probably do things through me."

"I don't feel right about leaving," I say. "Even if it never happens, I still don't like the fact that I have to be prepared to abandon my people. Again."

"I know, and I would feel the same," he says. "But you need to be ready. If we can't win the battle, then you'll need to be somewhere safe." I see the logic behind his plan, I honestly do, but I can't abandon Narnia. Not like my ancestors did.

"I guess," I say. "We still need a plan. It's not going to be easy. Someone has to destroy the Witch, and someone has to keep Will busy. And there has to be soldiers holding her minions off."

"Holding off the minions will be easy," he says. "But why don't we talk about this in the morning?"

"Ok," I say with a yawn. I sneak back to my room, and change into my night gown. I collapse onto my bed and fall into a deep sleep.

*~*&$12$&*~*

I blink my eyes open as; once again, sunlight floods into my room.

"Can I not sleep, Cassidy?" I ask grumpily.

"There's a war meeting today," she says, her face creased with worry. "They want you to be there."

"That explains it," I say, and sit up. I choose a pale blue dress, and Cassidy helps me into it. It only goes to my mid-calf. She leads me to the throne room when I'm ready. The Council is already there, along with Caspian and a few guards. They all seem to be in the middle of a heated discussion.

"So you're saying that we should surrender?" I've never seen Caspian this angry.

"I'm only saying that you should consider joining the Witch, my liege," says Lord Jonathan. At this, anger swells inside of me.

"I can't believe you would even say that," I say, announcing my presence. Jonathan starts with surprise, and I smirk. Cassidy backs out of the room.

"And why should we not consider it?" he asks, composing himself quickly. "After all, the Witch could easily force you to raise her, kidnapping you wouldn't be a problem." Anger surges through me once again.

"Do you not know what the Witch did to Narnia?" I ask, my voice seething anger. "She almost destroyed Narnia. I would die before letting her take over. So don't you dare ever even think for one second that I will easily step aside and let her take my country." He blinks, shocked, and sits down. Caspian gives me a smile of thanks.

"Any other suggestions?" he asks. The council is silent, so he continues. "We need to kill the Witch, first and foremost. Her second in command, a human called Will, is going to be another top priority."

"Getting soldiers in their camp will be easy," I continue. "We just need to get someone in there to kill the Witch first. That should set off her army, and shock them at the same time. Our soldiers will then have the advantage. And surprise is going to be a huge element in this, as well." A few of the Council give me some admiring looks. I'm starting to get tired of this. Just because I'm a girl, doesn't mean I'm helpless. Some men shout suggestions, but all of them have problems. Caspian and I exchange a frustrated look. Suddenly, a thought pops into my head. It's desperate, and my own life is put on the line, but it just might work. Caspian gets the Council's attention, seeing the look on my face.

"I think I have a plan," I say, starting to smile. "Here it is." I tell the Council my plan.

"You could be killed," says Lord Jacob. "Are you sure that you're up to this?"

"Of course I am," I say. "I repeat: I would die for my country." I thought Caspian would protest, but to my surprise, he's nodding.

"Now all we need to know is when," he says.

"We need to attack as soon as possible," I say. "I'll go tonight. Get your soldiers ready." At my command, they all leave the room, except for Caspian. He looks at me, and I see my own misgivings reflected in his eyes.

"I hope you know what you're doing," he says quietly.

"So do I," I whisper. Caspian walks over and wraps his arms around me. I rest my head on his chest. We stay like this for a minute or two, until I finally step away. I give him a quick kiss.

"Be careful," he whispers.

"I'll be fine," I say, and give him a half smile. I turn towards the door. "I hope."

A/N: The plan is actually really cool! I made it up when I was deciding how many chapters I want, around the time I was writing the first chapter. Actually, I've had the whole idea for this story since I saw the movies, and then got in a fight with my brother and was all like "What if Aura had an evil brother?" You guys get 2 more chapters, partly because 12 is my fav number, and partly because that's all I can fit. Review=2 seconds, write=2 hours/days! So review!