A/N: Hello again! Chapter nineteen is finally finished. This chapter's been a labor, but also one of the most enjoyable to write. We get to see a bit of Redian's past and of course the battle. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Nineteen

Weather is fickle, though it is consistent. The snow, instead of falling gently and avoiding possible destruction, lashed and whipped through anything in its path. Wind was a harsh adversary working to combat the flakes that spun around the land, but only succeeding in making visibility impossible. The battle continued even as beast and man alike huddled in their homes. Not even the warmest fires, it seemed, could fend off the inconceivable storm.

Redian squinted as the company trotted along. He felt Arised tremor and tightened his grip on the reins. The wind whistled as an eerie howl broke through the trees.

Orieus stopped turning to the company. Redian looked around. They were in the middle of the Western Wood. Without the clamoring of horses' hooves, there was not a sound, save the echoing crunch of boots in snow. The trees stilled as they stepped into the clearing.

"It will be in our best interest to set camp here." Frank said. "Rupert reported that this is a frequent patrol point of her forces."

Redian raised his hand. "Sir… no disrespect, but isn't that the exact reason we don't want to set camp here?"

Frank smiled. "That, Sir Redian, is why we do."

Redian shook his head as he began removing Arised's packs. "You have a strange sense of strategy Your Majesty."

"It has never failed before." The king set his packs down before proceeding to help the knight with his.

"It's foolish." Redian knelt turning away as he untied the bundles. "You're working on blind confidence."

"Blind confidence you say?" Frank crossed his arms.

Redian groaned. "My liege, what is to say they will come unawares?" Redian waved his arms. "What is to say we will make it out?"

Frank shook his head. "And if they don't? We'll fight. Keep your aim true and your heart will not fail. Keep your head high and let courage prevail."

"What?"

"The creed of the Lion, The warrior's truth. There is always a chance. Blind confidence, nay. It is faith." Frank stood and walked to the center of the clearing. "Orieus, take first watch."

Redian watched as the centaur strode to the edge of the clearing. He was lucky. He had the ability to walk without sinking knee deep. It seemed the only two who could get around well in the land were the general and Rupert and even he kept to the trees. Redian laughed as he remembered the first time he had encountered the fox in the tree.

"What is it Fer? What did you call me here for?" The voice was sharp, loud even. It sounded as though it came from above.

"Look Rupert." A second voice spoke as something wet jabbed into his hand. "The boy is freezing. He's been here for a while."

He struggled to open his eyes, squinting at the bright light. His eyes twitched as the scene came into focus. A large cat with black tipped ears sat on its haunches next to him prodding its nose into his hand. A… lynx he remembered. He himself was lying on his back in cold, wet, white as his head throbbed. Snow? Why am I … lying in the snow?

"We must get him to the Cair. The queen can help him." The first voice from above spoke again. He let his eyes drift upward. A fox sat in the tree above him.

"Boy?" The lynx prodded him again. "Can you walk?"

He shrugged. "I… don't…"

The lynx shook his head. "Stay put. Rupert… watch him. See if you can get him to… you know."

As the lynx ran away, the fox hopped down next to him. "So… what do they call you?"

"I don't... I don't know."

The fox's ears twitched. "Do you know where you are?" As the boy's eyes widened the fox spoke again. "You're in Narnia, the land of King Frank and Queen Helen, the Lion's country. I am Sir Rupert, knight and scout of his Majesty. What would you like to be called?"

The boy creased his brow as he racked his brain. He had a name. Why couldn't he remember? He felt it on the tip of his tongue stuck unwilling to come out. "R…Redian." He laughed with joy. "Redian Sir."

"A strong name. It is a pleasure Redian."

Shortly after that, he had been taken to Cair Paravel and introduced to the king, the queen and their children. They'd nursed him and when he told them he had nowhere to stay, they had offered to let him stay at the castle. When he was well enough, the king, General Orieus and Rupert even began training him to become a knight. They considered him family and he thought just as highly of all of them. That, he supposed, was where his fear of this battle came from.

He looked around. The glade, like the rest of the land, was heavily coated in white. He couldn't remember a time before the snow, but Redian was certain it was less threatening. The trees heeded for neither strong wind nor flake of snow. They must be her spies. Not a tree in Narnia, no matter how deep their slumber, was ever that dormant during a storm. The quiet rather than being peaceful felt engineered. Blended with the darkness of the midnight hour and the subtle whistling of the western wind, it seemed too good to last.

"Shouldn't you be catching some sleep?" Redian looked up to see Rupert in the tree above him.

"Shouldn't you?" Redian chuckled. "You haven't seemed to sleep since we set out."

"I sleep." Rupert shook his head. "You just never notice." The fox jumped down from his place in the tree. "Something's bothering you."

Redian raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"I have been your partner for four years lad. You show signs that even you aren't aware of."

Redian shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

Rupert flicked his tail. "Good one, but it won't work." He froze as his ears twitched.

"What's going on?" Redian stood listening. He registered nothing but a singular howl, a long mournful note in the distance. The trees shook with the note

Orieus galloped forward pulling a horn from his pack and blowing hard, three long notes. They blended with the howling producing an eerie mournful song.

"They have come." Rupert dipped low and his voice came out a growl.

"How could they have known?" Redian dropped his voice to a whisper.

The fox folded an ear. "Do you not remember?"

But he did. The note came early just three days before they left. Faun Tumnus had been arrested for treason or so the note said, by the witch's secret police. That could only mean one thing. It hurt him to think it, but it was the only possibility. He had given information away.

Redian slammed his visor down and unsheathed his sword. It was time. For family, for country, for the Lion, he would fight.

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Over the crest of the hill was the small camp. He could see the horses just ahead. Edan crept forward letting his lips twitch as he saw them all looking the other way. Maugrim had always been the one to divert attention while he started the chaos. It was not a partnership he enjoyed, but it had always been quite effective.

He continued forward letting the trees cover his path, and stopping in front of a chestnut colored gelding, pulled his blade. The creature's eyes widened as he began nickering wildly. Edan dove backwards as he bucked. He made his way to the back of the creature keeping his eyes focused on the leather reins. He bit his tongue as he cut the straps watching as the horse galloped toward the camp.

"Oi! What do you think you're doing?" Edan felt the pressure of a point on his back. He drew his sword slashing the point away as he spun to face his adversary.

The man had at least a foot on him and seemed prepared too. Instead of losing his blade as expected, he simply twisted his wrist, reversing his grip as he stepped forward. "I asked you a question." He struck aiming the side of his blade for Edan's shoulder.

Edan pulled his second sword as he rolled away from the blow. He swung his left point for the man's ankle. He watched in satisfaction as his leg buckled and he fell.

As the ground came nearer, Redian grabbed a nearby pack hurling it at the boy. It clipped him in the stomach. He gasped dropping his right blade as his hand went to his abdomen.

Redian took advantage of the distraction to get to his feet. He rushed forward swinging for the boy's sword arm. Edan reached forward as Redian slid on a patch of ice. He wrenched the man's arm back causing him to fall and drop his blade as a shout died on his lips.

Redian searched frantically, looking for anything that would help him get an advantage. He noticed the boy leaning forward and reaching for his sword. He still held his arm. Redian rolled sideways as the boy fell beside him. A barely there pain shot up his arm as he crawled to where a tin of provisions sat. With his good arm, he chucked the tin.

Edan scrambled to his feet gripping the man's sword in his right hand. He winced as the tin slammed into his knee.

"It is done." Edan looked ahead as Maugrim's howl reached his ears. Enri stood over the gasping king. The man's sword lay just a few feet away; his tunic grew scarlet blending with the clean white snow.

"Get up your Majesty." Enri's growl was mocking as he prodded the monarch roughly.

The man's eyes narrowed as he struggled to his feet. "You will not win."

Edan threw the sword aside as he ran following the pack. They had completed their objective, captured the king. Even so, he caught himself looking back at the fallen knight with a heavy heart.

"Can you walk? Boy… get up. We have to keep moving." The general's voice broke through the cloud of pain.

Redian sat up groaning softly. "W…what happened?"

"The king has been taken prisoner and our horses released." The general held up three long leather straps.

The events came rushing back to Redian as his head swam: the boy cutting the reins, the fight, and the king being wounded.

"General…?" Redian looked at the centaur.

"Rupert found this nearby." Orieus scoffed handing Redian his sword. "Your opponent has a soft side." He reached for Redian's arm causing a burning pain to shoot through it.

"Orieus!" Redian hissed.

"Sorry." Orieus grasped the other arm gently. "We have to start heading back now. It is going to be a long journey on foot and we have a stop to make."

Redian bit his lip. That had been too easy, the retreat too quick. Why are you kidding yourself? They abducted the king! And yet, it did not seem like the end. Redian had a nagging feeling, tiny like a pinprick in the back of his neck. "This isn't over."

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In another part of the wood, in the dam; a fox, a beaver, a cat and a lynx were gathered around a fire, in which cooked a stew. A she beaver and she-lynx fussed over a pot of tea.

"It's begun." Rupert stood walking to the center of the room. "She's struck against the king."

"Then what are we sittin' 'round here for?" Beaver pounded the small table. "Shouldn't we tell 'em?"

"As much as the Guild would like to help," Fer shook his head. "It is not our job to rush events. Rupert and Redian alone must guide the children at this time."

"They know what they're doing Love." Mrs. Beaver put a hand on her husband's arm. "We'll get to help soon enough."

A knock on the door caused them to jump. Aliea and Mrs. Beaver went to the door. "Oh my stars, come in, come in!"

"Thank you."

"I'll just leave the door open so you know what's going on General." Mrs. Beaver said. Clicking her tongue, she ushered the young man in as the centaur general stooped down to see.

Redian looked around seeing a group of creatures gathered around the small table. He had to stoop to fit in the doorway. "General… why did we stop at the Beavers?"

"You need someone to look at that arm for you." Orieus' eyes narrowed. "Don't argue. And…" Orieus nodded to the fox.

"This is the reconvening of the Guild. It is our priority to help the Pevensies restore Narnia to what it once was."

Redian shook his head. "I don't understand. Wasn't the Guild disbanded years ago?"

"You are correct." Mrs. Beaver began examining Redian's arm. "The witch did outlaw the Guild from meeting publicly. But-."

Redian winced. "Watch it!"

"It was a necessity with the Prophecy coming to pass." Rupert said.

"It is your job to ensure their safety on this journey." Orieus said.

Redian let his head fall back shutting his eyes in frustration. "Please tell me you're joking. I can't… couldn't you do it General?"

"Nay. He has given me a different assignment."

"Tell Him to let me do your job." Redian rubbed his eyes.

"Now you listen to me lad." Beaver stormed over to where Redian sat. "He knew you would be the one that could do this job well. There's a reason He trusts you."

Later, as the members of the Guild prepared for sleep, Redian let his mind wander. As he lied on the ground, his thoughts drifted to the Pevensies. He thought of the girls' wide, terrified eyes as Frank said his goodbyes and of Peter's calm. The boy had always been calm ever since he met him.

"The boy's only ten and yet he already acts the part of one who's seen too much." The king sighed as he leaned on the hard backed chair. "He needs someone who can help him get his childhood back."

"A companion you mean?"

The king shook his head. "A friend."

That conversation spun in his head. He had become just that in the years since he had joined the king's court. He felt the heat rush to his face as the beaver's words came rushing back. There's a reason He trusts you. The children wouldn't need a babysitter. They'd need a friend… and a friend he would be.

A/N: Well, what did you think? Any questions for me? Let me know in a review or PM. Now to answer my question. During this chapter, I listened to a lot of Two Steps from Hell and Thomas Bergersen. The fight between Ed and Redian was fueled by the songs Am I not Human? by Two Steps from Hell and Immortal by Thomas Bergersen. The conversation between Frank and Redian at the beginning of the chapter was inspired by the songs Promise and Femme Fatale by Thomas Bergersen. Redian's first flashback was inspired by Remember Me by Thomas Bergersen. The scene when Frank is taken by False King by Two Steps From Hell. The Guild scene was inspired by Winterspell also by Two Steps from Hell and Redian's final reflection once again by the song Promise by Senor Bergersen and Heart of Courage by Two Steps from Hell. And with that horrifying look into my writing process, I leave you with this question. What is the most insane new thing you've gotten into recently? TV show, music, story, fandom, anything. What do you think of it? How'd you get dragged in? R&R. May Aslan be with you.