Author's Note: I hope you guys like this chapter. It took me a little while longer to type since I've been so busy lately. Anyways, on to the story! Enjoy!

Song for this chapter: A Place For My Head by Linkin Park

A dark procession marched forward into the camp. Four cyclops carried a bier. Atop rode the Witch, gleaming in white fur. Behind her, a phalanx of minotaurs marched in lockstep. Aslan's army rumbled with an uneasy growl. Peter and Lucy scowled. Susan placed her hand on Edmund's shoulder, and for once he didn't shake it off. Ari grabbed his hand and squeezed in support.

Ginarrbrik ran ahead of the procession. He cupped his hands and shouted. "Jadis, Queen of Narnia! Empress of the Lone Islands-"

Aslan's army roared in protest, drowning him out. The cyclops lowered the Witch down, right in front of Aslan, who waited with the five children in front of his flag. The Lion raised his paw for silence, and gradually the growling protests died. The Witch gazed at him and her lips quirked up into a cruel smile.

"You have a traitor in your midst." She said, not taking her eyes off of the Lion. Edmund swallowed thickly.

"His offense was not against you." Aslan said evenly.

"Have you forgotten the Deep Magic?" She said absentmindedly. Aslan growled in response.

"Do not cite the Deep Magic to me Witch. I was there when it was written."

"Then you should know it well." Her eyes took a cruel glint to them and her smile turned even nastier. "Every traitor belongs to me."

Lucy gasped. Peter's hand unconsciously went to his sword. Susan's hand that wasn't on Edmund's shoulder clenched into a fist. Ari's hand tightened around Edmund's. Edmund just closed his eyes tightly.

"Try and take him then!" Mr. Beaver growled.

"Peace, Beaver."

"Do you really think that your master can rob me of my rights by mere force?" The Witch said to Beaver before she looked back at Aslan. "He knows that unless I have blood as the law says, all Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water." She paused. "You dare not refuse me."

Aslan stared at the Witch, his eyes smoldering. "What you say..." He paused and looked at the five humans, his eyes large and sorrowful. Peter stared at him apprehensively. "Is true."

Edmund opened his eyes and a strangled sort of croak came out of his mouth in defeat. Lucy gasped, her face going red.

"It can't be true!" She shouted. "How can it be right to just give Edmund to her!"

Aslan looked at the small girl sadly. "I didn't say it was right."

"You said you'd help him! You said he was safe!"

The Witch looked sideways at Lucy. "I don't know, Edmund...Perhaps I'll call off our little bargain." The Witch slowly swiveled to face Edmund, her mouth stretched into a grin. "They wouldn't have made good servants after all."

Edmund's face dropped even more, if that was possible. Susan jerked her hand off of his shoulder, Lucy backed away some, and Peter's face was full of disappointment. When Edmund tried to pull away from Ari, she only gripped his hand tighter, refusing to let go.

Aslan growled lowly. "Enough. I shall talk with you alone."

Aslan and the witch walked into his tent, leaving everyone staring at Edmund. He shook Ari's hand off and sank to the ground. He wrapped his arms around himself, as if he was trying to hold himself together. In a very small voice he spoke.

"I said I was sorry."

Nearly an hour later Edmund sat forlornly on the ground, pulling out blades of grass. Lucy leaned on his back, glum. Ari lay on her back, staring at the clouds in the sky. Susan looked at them, then to Peter, who stared at the tent. A bee buzzed, a bird chirped, and then...

"They're coming." Peter said, standing up.

All eyes turned to Aslan and the Witch as they exited the tent. The Witch beamed triumphantly. Aslan stared at Edmund for a long moment before he raised his head to take in the entire assembly. He finished on the children.

"She has renounced her claim on Edmund's blood." Aslan said, his eyes twinkling. Edmund's mouth dropped open. Peter clapped him on the shoulder.

The Witch mounted her bier, then peered down at Aslan. "How do I know this promise will be kept?"

Aslan's black eyes bored into hers before he roared. The Witch stepped back, afraid, She signaled her troops, and marched away, trying to maintain her dignity. The crowd jeered as she left, and then rejoiced when she was gone.

Susan hugged a relieved Edmund. Peter clapped him on the shoulder again. Ari gave him an awkward one armed hug. Only Lucy watched Aslan pad sadly into his tent.

Later that day, Peter walked with Aslan along the boundaries of the camp. "Will there still be war?"

"Nothing has changed." Aslan said as he acknowledged some creatures preparing their weapons. "Tomorrow will be hard, Peter. Have no doubt about that."

"I had a thought." Peter said. "If I were the Witch-"

"I would enjoy this talk much less." Aslan cut him off. Peter stopped and stared at the deadpan Lion. Aslan's whiskers twitched, and then he smiled. Peter laughed.

"Continue, Son of Adam. I'm sorry."

"If I were the Witch, I might try an attack during the night. It happens a lot back home." Peter paused, considering his next words. "We'd be safer if our camp was on the other side of the river."

"An idea worthy of a general." Aslan said as he laid a paw on Peter's shoulder. "But don't worry. The Witch will not make an attack this night."

The great Lion walked away, leaving a puzzled Peter behind staring after him.

Author's Note: So...there you have it. The next chapter will probably be up next week sometime. Hopefully... No promises though. :) Leave a smiley face to let me know you read my author's notes! :D