Trumpetfire ducked through the doorway of Jess' bedroom as she opened the door.

"Hey!" Jess smiled at him.

"Hay?" he questioned her, puzzled.

"Sorry, it's short for "hello" where I'm from."

"Are people so busy there then, that they cannot take the time to greet each other with two syllables?"

Jess shrugged, "Some are, I supposed." She thought of her work at the ARC where the greetings were often omitted altogether as people ran past barking orders at each other. But it was okay, there. Everyone understood that they were, usually, happy to see each other. They just couldn't waste time when there was an anomaly alert; that was all. Here though, it was different. Even strangers didn't pass her without inquiring about her general well-being. It was nice, she decided, but it wasn't home. She missed the ARC. Especially Becker.

"That's… rather sad," Trumpetfire said, looking at her thoughtfully.

"I guess so," Jess agreed, "but the greetings are implied there, and we feel comfortable enough around each other that we just know we wish each other well, without the syllables. It's meant in a friendly way."

Trumpetfire shrugged, "To each their own. Anyway, I came to ask you about something." Jess looked at him expectantly and he continued. "You sent a group of four to go fetch the scouts."

"That's not a question. Is there a problem? It may not be a four person job, but they can keep each other company along the way and look out for each other. Narnia may be at peace right now, but that doesn't mean one travelling alone won't get lost or hurt."

"No, you made the right choice," Trumpetfire agreed, "But why did you not plan for anyone to travel with you?"

Jess hesitated. She knew it had been wrong, but she'd felt as though this was meant to be her quest and her quest only. She scolded herself. If someone had tried to get away with that sort of behaviour at the ARC they would have been lectured quite severely. Possibly by herself.

"I don't know," she admitted, "But maybe I'll see if Bree and Hwin will come with me. I am sure they will attend the coronation."

"As am I," Trumpetfire replied, "But they have already returned to Archenland to bring supplies and help set up."

"Well, it isn't far is it? I'm sure I'll be alright alone."

"It is further than it is to Lantern Waste where you sent the group of four," Trumpetfire pointed out.

"Okay, then who would you recommend I take?"

"Stormcloud and Triste. They know the way well and they are very loyal friends to Narnia. I would trust them with my life."

The names weren't familiar to Jess. "Who are they, exactly?"

"They live up north, but they arrived here last night to offer their services. You haven't met them."

"Okay, what are they, exactly?" Jess asked this time.

The centaur hesitated and then finally replied, "Marshwiggles."

"Marshwiggles? You seriously want me to journey with a couple of Marshwiggles? Won't that be, rather… depressing?"

Trumpetfire nodded, "Perhaps, but they'll be company and they know the way."

Jess bit her lip as she thought about it. Finally she sighed, "Alright, point me in the right direction and I'll ask if they're willing."

Trumpetfire grinned and led the way.

Jess stared at the wigwam in front of her. It hadn't been there before. "So, they just set that up then?" she whispered to Trumpetfire, "Why don't they just stay in the Palace?"

"They feel more comfortable in a wigwam. They're used to it."

"Ah."

"Well, go on, knock. I'll wait for you inside."

"Wait, you aren't coming with me?"

"Nah, Marshwiggles depress me."

"What about me?" Jess demanded.

Trumpetfire grinned at her, "Have fun!" he called as he took off at a canter.

Jess scowled and stomped her foot once to let out her annoyance. "Still," she whispered to herself, "Eustace and Jill travelled with a Marshwiggle for much farther and they kept their wits. Still, that was one, not two of them!"

She approached the wigwam slowly. Trumpetfire had told her to knock, but how was she supposed to knock on a wigwam flap? She stood, staring, for awhile, trying to decide how to go about it, before finally giving up.

"Stormcloud? Triste?" She called out. Immediately the flap opened and Jess found herself staring up at the tall lanky couple who really did resemble a pair of frogs.

"Uh, hi!" she said, a bit nervously.

"Jess, welcome," the female marshwiggle spoke, "I'm Triste and this is my husband Stormcloud. We are surprised to find you here. We thought you may have died in your sleep last night."

Jess was very tempted to ask why, but they she reminded herself who she was talking to and decided she didn't want any further answer to it. "Uh, no, no, I'm still alive. How do you know my name?"

"You are the only Daughter of Eve left in Narnia," Stormcloud spoke, "It was easy to guess. I suppose something dreadful has befallen the Pevensies. Eaten by tigers, I'd guess."

"Or drowned!" Triste added.

"No, they're alright," Jess said, "They've just returned to their own world, that's all."

"Then they'll probably find that all their friends and family over there have perished and they shall kill themselves in despair, I'd imagine."

Jess gave up; there was no point in arguing with them. "Well, anyway," she said, "I am heading to Archenland tomorrow morning…"

"It's a shame too, isn't it? I suppose you'll find Archenland overrun with enemies or burned to the ground," Stormcloud interrupted.

"If she makes it there at all, you mean," Triste said to him and then turned to Jess, "I'd be surprised if you got that far. You'll probably fall in a hole and die a long and painful death from starvation and no one will ever know."

"Not, if I had company on my journey," Jess said, making use of the Marshwiggles' natural negativity, "Would you two like to join me on my trip?"

"We will come with you, but I daresay none of us will like it. I'm sure it will rain the entire time and we'll quarrel the whole way. We'll never get there alive of course."

"Great!" replied Jess, forcing a smile, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"If birds don't peck out your eyes before then so that you can't see us at all," Stormcloud noted after her as Jess hurried away."

Well, this journey would be pleasant.