A/N - So I've had a huge set back with my studies and I think I've experienced a mental breakdown (and hour crying at my placement officer has got to be up there with the signs of a breakdown!) so this is my 5 minutes to myself. Hope you enjoy this chapter because the writers block has only partially broken so there is still a chunk of story missing with nothing waiting to fill the gap.
Also, I'd just like to shamelessly plead for a few more reviews/comments. I keep getting notifications of story follows but please, please, please, if you want anything else written then I need some feedback so that I can make my next story even better!

Again, I don't own anything other then the general storyline and my original characters (Although if someone will sell me Ben Barnes then I will gladly take him off your hands! I don't care who he is at the time, i'll have him :P)

Chapter 10 - Awakening

"What was her name?" asked a voice to my left.

"Ariadne sire, Astrum I believe was the family name she gave to Parareepit" said a second voice in reply, a familiar voice.

"Ariadne." The first voice again, but this time much closer, "Please, open your eyes if you can. You are safe now."

I tried desperately to follow the command, every ounce of my consciousness focused on the normally subconscious task of opening my eyes, achieving only a small flutter of eyelashes for all my efforts.

"Well she can certainly hear us." Said the voice again, the one who had been addressed as 'sire'. "She seems to be aware, just unable to respond."

"My lord, a report from the men. It seems the Free Telmar Movement broke off from the fighting in a matter of minutes, dispersing into the forest. We sustained no losses and only a few casualties, even managed to free a few of our men and collect some of their supplies and weapons, including the Archer's weapons. If I may sire, this all seems rather easy…" said a third voice, perhaps a messenger from the camp.

The three men discussed the outcome of the attack while I mulled things over. So the wine had been poisoned, that much was obvious and the report about the Free Telmar Movement retreating meant that I must be in the Loyalist Camp. It certainly didn't sound as if the King had been killed, or even hurt so maybe the trap had failed. Or it was still to come.

I felt a hand sweep gently across my forehead, moving my hair as it did so. The presence of someone who wasn't trying to kill me was comforting, relaxing even and I soon found myself drifting back into unconsciousness as my guardian gently stroked my hand in the style of a lover.

XXX

"Rest is the best thing for her My Lord, it seems that her body is fighting the poison, whatever it may be. See, her skin is less pale and her hands warmer."

"Nether-the-less, we must move the camp, we have stalled for too long. Who knows what the Free Telmar Movement have in store for us. Their use of the Arch-, of Aridane seems to have bought them little advantage, I suspect she may have been merely a distraction to get me away from Telmar." Argued the voice I assumed belonged to King Caspian.

"She cannot travel My Lord, not until she regains consciousness, we do not understand the condition."

The Kings voice was dangerous, "We have stalled for two days and there has been little change, I will not leave her yet we must return to Telmar. Find a way."

Desperate to see the exchange I forced my eyes open just enough to see the brilliant yellow of the tent roof and the blur of movement above me.

"My Lady?" came the questioning voice of the blurred figure above me.

I mumbled a response.

"Find Harriot Nefrey, tell him to come at once." Barked the voice of the King as his shadowy figure also entered my vision.

The first figure left my vision and began clattering glass and pottery behind me. "Are you alright girl?" Asked the King, his concern obvious in his voice.

I mumbled again, this time with more purpose yet still my words were incomprehensible.

"Any ideas on what she is saying?" asked the unknown voice, seemingly uncertain as to how to react to my awakening.

"She's probably telling you she's not a 'girl' but a 'woman grown'." Said a familiar voice with obvious amusement.

At the sound of Harriot's voice I found my lips curving into a small smile. He obviously been just outside the tent and had heard the Kings question, recalling the conversation we shared during our imprisonment.

"She recognises you." Noted the King, moving from my side to allow Harriot closer. "See what you can do for her, as much as it pains me to leave her, I must speak with the soldiers. I will not be long."

The toxins freed my body as quickly as they had incapacitated me, Harriot told me about the attack on the Free Telmar camp and the events of the last few days. By the time King Caspian returned I had regained control of my body and aside from blurry vision and being a little unsteady on my feet, and feeling incredibly hungry I seemed none the worse for my experience.

"That is a remarkable recovery My Lady." said the King as he swept back into the tent, attendants bustling all around him "Are you able to ride?"

I looked towards the blur I took to be the King, "I believe so Your Majesty, although my sight is still blurred but I imagine I can handle a horse."

"Good, you will travel with me. We will discuss matters once we are underway. Harriot, prepare to leave immediately."

"Yes Sire." Replied Harriot, standing from his position beside me. "I'll get your weapons and a couple of horses, I'll be back soon." He said to me, squeezing my shoulder gently before leaving with the King.