Sorry it's been so long. My computer has a virus, so I can't really access the Internet from it. I'm on my mom's computer now.

Yeah, this chapter is pretty short compared to some... I'm not sure if I have more loaded or not, but I'm working on it =)

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Chapter 10

Amber sat with the Pevensies, waiting for the Lion and the Witch to come out of the tent. She was impatient to learn what they were talking about, but she dreaded what would happen when the Witch left the tent. She was staring at the sparkling sea meeting the sky, inadvertently leaning against Peter's arm. He didn't seem to notice. Lucy was braiding some grass, just for something to do with her hands. Susan was still staring at the tent flap. She gasped, and everyone looked up. The Witch strode out, staring at Edmund with contempt. When he met her eyes, she smiled evilly and walked back toward her host. Aslan followed her out of the tent.

"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood," he announced. The camp erupted into a roaring cheer. Amber released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"How do I know your promise will be kept?" the Witch asked. The company became quiet once more, but when the Great Lion bared his great teeth and roared, everyone cheered all the louder. Suddenly the children were surrounded by creatures who wanted to pat Edmund on the back. Amber was surprised when Peter put his arm around her shoulders. She looked up at his face. He was grinning, but he wasn't looking down at her, but he tightened his grip on her, pulling her close. Amber smiled, feeling his muscles under the thin cotton shirt. She leaned into him contentedly, vaguely wondering how Aslan had managed to get the Witch to release Edmund.

When Amber woke early the next morning, Susan and Lucy weren't in the tent that the three of them shared. She was surprised, because neither of them were early risers, so she went out in search for the girls. She saw a dryad hurrying toward the boys' tent. Amber followed suspiciously, entering just in time to hear the dryad tell Peter that Aslan had been killed. Edmund looked like he might be sick, and Peter looked scared, like a little boy. Amber knew she had to be strong.

"Lucy and Susan saw this?" she asked.

"Yes, Lady Tigress," the dryad replied. "They bade me come as fast as I could." Peter rushed to Aslan's great tent, but soon emerged with a defeated look on his face.

"She was right," he said numbly. "He's gone."

"But the Witch will attack," Amber said. "She'll take advantage of our confusion."

"We don't have a leader!" Peter was panicking.

"You, Peter! You are going to be the High King! You're the person the Narnians are going to expect to lead them."

"But I can't do this," Peter said quietly.

"Aslan believed you could," Edmund said. "And so do I."

"Peter, you won't ride alone," Amber reminded. "You have an army behind you." One of the Centaurs chose that moment to come up. The rest of the camp had been informed of the Lion's death, and they were looking to Peter for answers.

"What is your decision, High King?" he asked. "The Witch's army will be here any moment; we cannot delay." Peter looked at the map, scared. Amber and Edmund both put a hand on Peter's shoulder, and listened as he tentatively set up the battlefield.