A/N: A few more. We're getting so close to being done, can you feel it?

Chapter 21: Within

Oreius greeted his returning sons of Adam and daughters of Eve with a sigh of relief. His sword hand unclenched and his tail swished once excitedly, the only part of him that did. His relief was greeted with the wary faces of his soldiers and brief nods from his two, eldest sovereigns. The youngest ones still asleep.

"For how long," he asked the Faun Titus as the royals were situated in the readymade rooms of the Storm.

The Faun looked exhausted, but pleased. Likely to fret sooner rather than later, as was his nature, but for now content at mildly worried. "For almost a full day," He glanced up at his general. "I doubt they'll wake before the morn."

"Have they eaten?" Oreius asked, though he felt quite sure of the answer.

"No, General," Titus said regrettably. "They swallowed a little water in their sleep, but could not be persuaded to drink much."

Oreius nodded and watched Susan order a page to put Edmund in his own room before guiding Peter, who carried Lucy, into the same. They would sleep together, Oreius knew, in times of unease or mourning. He wondered perhaps if it was a uniquely human aspect, but felt more certain with each day that it was a Peter-Susan-Edmund-Lucy aspect. That it was part of what made them strong and kind in the face of adversity.

He looked around at the eyes of the Creatures and Animals and smiled softly. Most returned it. They felt as he, in some way or another, that a piece of themselves had returned. They felt comforted after such a long period of grief and worry. Once again safe, as their kings and queens were safe.

The two nymphs stood solemnly beside him and the fairer one smiled as the doors to King Edmund's chamber slid closed.

Susan settled herself with an inquisitive look at her older brother when he claimed a chair next to the bed.

He caught her eye as he settled, and noticed the unasked question. "I'll keep watch," He felt both settled and unsettled. Alert and asleep. Neither and both. He ran a dry hand down his face and reveled at the sensation of blood rushing up under his skin.

"Do you want me to stay awake with you?" Susan asked though each blink was heavier than the last.

He smiled in a moment's tenderness. "No. Go to sleep," The command was softly spoken. He felt it wise to speak softly for a while henceforth around her. To tread carefully and watch closely. Because even as Susan nodded and settled deeper into the bed he knew she was not alright. Neither was he, nor were their siblings, but Peter had the privilege of being the oldest. Their protector. It was a task he would not relinquish under threat of death - or insomnia, as it were - and it was a duty he had so far in his reign never neglected.

As the three of them slept, once in a while stirring in the throes of a dream, he felt warmth in his chest. A soothing heat, not put there by any one thing, but rather by the knowledge that they were all back. Safe for a little bit.

The night passed in silence, by the flickering light of a lone candle. Once did the door open to a weary Celer, but Peter only acknowledged him with a nod before returning his eyes to his siblings. His hand found his chin and he pondered the aftermath. How it would affect them all.

Come morning he was, rather surprisingly, the last to wake, having fallen asleep despite himself. Once he woke he found himself looking into three sets of wide eyes. Two accompanied by weary smiles and the third, Susan's, dulled by exhaustion. She had not slept as well as he'd hoped, it seemed.

"Peter," Lucy said with a wide smile. She seemed carefree though oddly withered. Almost as innocent as the day she left and Peter's instinct was to accept it as truth. How wrong that would prove to be.

"How long have you been up?" he asked, even as he straightened in his chair and rubbed his face. Once again willing a little blood to his skin. He walked over to the bed and placed a hand and a kiss on her head. She reached up and hugged him back. After a second, wide smile from her, he was released and repeated the procedure with Edmund. Producing a similar, if even duller result. All except Susan jumped when Titus peeked his head into the room.

"Yes?" she asked. The eldest sister was still under the covers, behind Edmund and Lucy, but alert still it seemed.

"Breakfast, Your Majesties?" he whispered. He looked to Peter when none of the others answered.

All Peter managed was a nod and the Faun vanished, once more closing the door. "How long did I sleep?" he asked, retaking his seat in the chair.

Susan was stroking Edmund's arm, seemingly without noticing, seated behind him on the bed. "For a few hours I'd guess. Why didn't you just come sleep on the bed with us?" she asked in the voice that was so familiar to her. A note of disbelief, parental exasperation and concern. Edmund smirked from beneath layers of duvets and blankets, curled up behind Lucy. Probably with his arms wrapped around her under the covers.

Peter smiled widely, about to answer, but perked when four maids entered the room, carrying large trays. They were balanced on bed trays that were placed carefully by the bottom of the large bed. Peter's on the night stand. Each lady smiled at the sovereigns in return before they left.

The meals were eaten without interruption, thought Peter kept glancing to the door, expected it. He and Susan nibbled at their own dishes, more tired than hungry. Sharply contrasted by Edmund and Lucy who ate theirs with a vigor seldom seen by any mortal creature. Each one crooning at their first sip of warm milk or bite of crisp toast. "Oh I've missed this," Lucy lamented in between bits of fluffy pastry.

"Mhnf," Edmund agreed, mid-bite of his own treat. Delicious things, native to Eion and not made as well anywhere else, or so they claimed.

Peter smiled and forgot his meal in favor of watching them both.

"Might want to pace yourselves," Susan cautioned, once again with a concerned expression.

He felt a sudden sting of irritation. Why did she always have to sour the moment? Spoil their fun, a petulant voice grumbled in his mind. But his annoyance at her was forgotten the second their siblings both rather abruptly paled and began swallowing convulsively. He jolted into action with a massive heave of energy, marveling at the sudden strength and panic running through him. "Titus!"

Three Fauns and a Dryad crashed into the room with varying degrees of concern or downright terror. "Bucket, now!"

But it was too late.

Edmund keeled right across Susan's lap, knocking all trays in the process, to reach the far edge of the bed. He vomited with deep heaves that expanded his entire back. Whimpers at the end of each. A bucket was swung in front of Lucy just as she joined him out of sympathy.

Peter's joy vanished like it had never been there and was replaced with stark concern. Terror even. He held their sister as Susan held their brother. Each elder looked at the other across their siblings' backs in stinging regret. Peter rubbed Lucy's back in circles until the very last drop of milk had been expelled with an exhausted whine. Tears running down her reddened face. Susan shushed their youngest brother until he reached the same inevitable conclusion and leaned back. Shivering.

Each was once more tucked under the covers whilst Peter and Susan ran hands over brows and down flushed faces. Checking for anything. Heat. Chills. Shivers. Anything. All they found was a slight warmth and teary eyes as their two, youngest looked up at each of them with such vulnerability.

Peter felt afraid at the discovery. Edmund and Lucy were both looking at him with such trust. Searching for comfort. He stammered as the fear climbed back into panic, aching to lash out.

It was Susan who saved him.

"Shh, go back to sleep," she said softly. Each little, lamb looked to her as she gazed down at them. Trust and confusion warring within their expressions as she ran her hands over their faces and brows. "Go to sleep," she said again.

Peter's racing heart slowed a bit, as did his breathing. His hands were trembling, but those too seemed to still little by little as he watched them. Not until Titus touched his arm did he realize that Nex, Rango, and Hydox were there as well. The three Fauns waiting in abject terror for whatever horrible scenario they each imagined. Hydox, the darkskinned Rowan, watching them in concern with her bow, no longer strung, but placed at the ready.

They had burst in expecting the worst. "It's alright," Peter whispered. He nodded when they all looked at him. He glanced at the door. "Do you think you can call someone to clean up the mess? Quietly."

Rango glanced at his master, Titus, before he nodded and left the room as quietly as possible. Peter watched him leave before he turned to Titus. "Do you know where Oreius is?"

The Faun swallowed and banished some of his fear. "He's with Celer. I believe they wanted to speak with King Baskar."

Peter nodded and exhaled a deep sigh through his nose, his last panic settling reluctantly. "Very well," His eyes cut to Susan. "Would you or should I?"

Her clear, blue eyes deepened as she looked him over, Edmund and Lucy's heads cupped protectively in both her hands. "I will," she said to his surprise and gently excavated herself from the bed.

Peter watched her in another moment of surprise before he moved Lucy's bucket and quietly dragged his chair closer.

"Who's watching the room?" Susan asked Titus on her way out the door.

"Myself, the three Cats and Connie," he whispered back.

"Very well," She stepped into the hallway. "Dahlia, follow me. The rest of you remain here."

The door shicked closed in her wake, sealing in the silence, and Peter drew a relieved sigh. The chair squeaked as he leaned back and placed a hand on his brow. Both his siblings were falling back to sleep. He hoped they would sleep as deeply as before, though he doubted it would last long.

The silence lasted a moment before Titus once again peeked into the room. Peter jumped at the disruption. "A boy is here to clean, Your Majesty?" the Faun whispered.

He nodded and gestured to the far side of the bed. Titus allowed the page admittance with his own accompanying presence and a subtle touch on his sword. The boy took great care not to look directly at the sleeping children or Peter on his way around it and hurried to clean up the mess.

He stopped on his way out with a bow. "Sire?" he asked with his head down. Peter looked up. "Do you need anything else?"

"No. Thank you."

The boy nodded again and hurried out, leaving Titus. The Faun received a nod before he too took his leave. In the silence once more, Peter wondered how long before he could feel Narnian soil under his feet. It hinged solely on his siblings' progress and he was doubly unnerved by the knowledge that each of them would lie their very best to get home the second they were able. Putting their own health at risk.

His expression folded into worry as the minutes ticked nearly into a full hour.

Then with a rapid shifting, Lucy came to and whirled around in the bed. Checking on Edmund. Searching for Susan. Her frightened expression had Peter pushing out of the chair to grab her arm which was the exact worst thing to do.

"No!" she screamed in painful terror that struck him so dumb he instantly released her and took a step back. She whirled around and looked up at him with heaving breaths and burgeoning tears. Edmund jerked in his sleep.

"Lucy," Peter breathed and inched closer she recognition flashed across her face. "Lucy, it's alright," he said, half pleading with her even as Edmund awoke without a sound.

"Peter," she chirped and reached out. Gripping him when he offered a hand and then sank down onto the bed.

"I'm right here, Lu. Right here," he said in a shaky voice when her shivers transformed to a strangled sob. Her little fingers grabbed onto the folds of his clothing and pulled him closer. Her sob turned a high pitched whimper as she buried her face against his chest. It was then Peter realized he was panting.

Edmund had opened his eyes and was staring at them with a stricken expression. He made as though to speak when the door suddenly swung open once more, Titus reacting to the noise - once more. On his heels were Coastar, Lir and Connie. The Hyena was panting and darting her eyes about the room, sniffing out enemies before she turned to the royals. The Cats were less inclined for displays of emotion, but even Peter could tell they were agitated. Reacting to their queen's distress.

"Sire?" Titus asked at length. His hand hadn't left his undrawn sword and he looked tense, as though about to snap.

"It's alright," Peter said without turning away from Lucy. "Wait outside, please."

With murmured agreements the four Narnians acquiesced, closing the door behind them. Peter floundered a moment before Edmund suddenly reached over and petted their sister's back a little clumsily. She whined low in her throat at the touch and pressed harder into Peter's chest. Peter looked at his brother, wordlessly seeking support which the dark haired gave without pause. He scooted in behind Lucy, wrapping his arms around her and Peter both.

Something released then in the youngest and her fearful whimpers turned to long, drawn out sobs that shook the three of was wrapped around them both like he was afraid they would disappear and Lucy still seemed lost in her nightmare. Peter just felt lost.

So they sat, Peter regretting the silence that had been lost.

Susan was joined in a meeting room of sorts by Queen Hira, her only remaining son, and her oldest daughter-in-law. A servant of sorts, was seated with them at the table, which led Susan to believe he was more of a counselor or advisor. An air of awkwardness and sorrow still hovered over their heads like a thick blanket. Determined to strangle any sense of comfort they might've found in each other's presence.

Susan glanced over at Oreius, Ayel, Helios, and Celer who were watching the gathering silently and with interest. The high duke of Galma had changed into his signet colors, blue and gold. Each one rivalling his golden hair and blue eyes. Oreius and Celer had donned their Narnian parade armor of electrum, covered in golden wreaths, and in Oreius' case three golden bars across his left pauldron, and Lion idols and red velvet. Helios still wore Narnian dark green and had donned a breastplate embossed with the golden head of a lion.

Susan turned back from her brief glance. She made a conscious effort not to swallow down her nervousness, preferring to tackle any barriers between her and the royal house with grace and poise. Oreius was watching her intently, standing parade against the wall, breathing deep breahts in and out. He had enough patience to rival Aslan, she thought. Had to in order to get any use out of her brothers, no doubt. The thought almost banished the sorrow she felt, lingering in the room though she quickly snapped back to present.

The queen was in mourning colors of blue, almost black. Her advisor and daughter-in-law as well. Hilio was the only Terebinthian not and he sat arrow straight with eyes pointed down and hands clasped in his lap. Attempting with every fiber of his being to emulate Susan's general and almost successful. The notion, when she had it, surprised her: He would make a valuable ally without doubt.

"It grieves me that I wasn't able to bring you good news, Lady Llithus," she then said, figuring it was up to her to commence. Lady Llithus glanced up and offered a composed nod before she lowered her eyes again, as though unable to keep them up for any span of time.

The only order of business as far as Susan was concerned was to sign the negotiations her siblings never fully officiated, before- An official agreement sat in front of her along with a perfect copy for Narnian records, inkwell and feathers resting beside them. An agreement of collaboration, signifying a lasting alliance between Terebinthia and Narnia. It had been revised, she knew. She had been presented with the records of alterations, the prior accord, and the amended one, to become effective upon its signing.

It specified an equal partnership between the two nations, particularly with regards to sovereign rule. It was partly per her brother's request, she knew. She didn't have to see the evidence to recognize his words on paper. He had wanted Terebinthia autonomous, but she wondered if that was still the case. Wondered if Peter and Lucy agreed with him or if she even did herself.

"We are here to sign our two nations into alliance with one another," She said on a tempered exhale. "A collaboration of this nature is unprecedented and will signify a close friendship for many years to come," It was the first of many legal agreements that would pass between them. "It signifies hope," she said, pointedly drawing the attention of the grieving Terebinthians, "and is the first of its kind. A first for an accord of this nature," she said in a measured voice. "And the first of its kind for the Royal Seat of Eion," She looked into the eyes of the people around the table with her. "It was brought forth by request of Prince Hilio of Eion and effectuated by the keepers of records for the Public Annals."

The counselor, Hellon was his name, gave her a brief nod as she nodded to him. He wasn't a statesman, but something just as valuable. A sympathetic ear to Hira perhaps?

She grabbed the quill and dipped it in the well. Smoothing away any excess ink. "As per verbal agreement between Terebinthia and Narnia, I, Queen Susan the Gentle of the Four Narnian Thrones, Ruler by decree of Aslan, hereby declare the proposed bill lawful and superseding of all prior agreements between our nations."

The quill scratched across the parchment and she quickly repeated the procedure on the copy. A page stepped forward and poured fine sand on the signatures before removing them with a cautious flick of the paper. Dusting it on the floor without a second thought. He placed the agreement in front of the Lady Llithus for the final signature.

"All witness, note that the future Queen Regent of Terebinthia signs on behalf of her Royal daughter, Crown Princess Liliana," Hellon announced with his head bowed, respectfully, as the page retreated. Llithus signed without pause or hesitation, steeling herself it seemed, and put down the quill when the page repeated his previous procedure.

"This agreement signifies the end of the reign of King Baskar the Fifth and proclaims the sovereign reign of first born daughter to Bastian the Sixteenth," Susan declared to all who were present, looking around the room where she received nods from Celer and Oreius. They were all witnesses.

Hira drew a relieved sigh to Susan's surprise. Hilio as well, seemed to sink in on himself in his seat as the agreements were handed to Hellon and rolled into boarded leather tubes. One for Narnia's records and one for Terebinthia's. When Susan met Lady Llithus' eyes she looked anything but fit. In fact she looked almost fragile and far from the ruler Terebinthia would need. She hoped her daughter would prove a better fit or that the lady would rise to the occasion. As she sat there she looked deeply wounded by the loss of her husband and his brothers, a wound that might never heal. Susan couldn't begin to understand the depth of her sorrow and felt ill at the thought that she might've exacerbated the situation by destroying Blue Mine.

Following a more thorough report from lieutenant-general of the Terebinthian court she understood a bit more of the circumstances surrounding their deaths. One of the men who had survived, Gedeminas, had given a detailed report of the events in that strange nether-place where they had been trapped. She understood that her own actions has brought no more damage to human life, but still preferred not to think of it.

Preferred not to consider what would have happened if no other connection to that place had been discovered. How out of control her siblings' situation had been and how easily their bright lights could have been squelched by forces beyond anyone's understanding or control.

"Let us all bear witness to this blessed, new reign," she said, snapping back to the room.

Every person there, save herself, rose and offered a salute to the young woman. "All hale the Queen Regent," was voiced in chorus, if solemnly. From Susan as well.

An empty seat remained at the table where Baskar should have been present. The now former king had fortified himself in his rooms and refused the admittance of even his wife since the return of the Narnian sovereigns. Susan wasn't sure of his mental state and wasn't keen to postulate on it. All she knew was that Hilio had proclaimed his father unfit for rule upon their return. That he, before anyone could accuse him of high treason, had proclaimed an amendment to the legislation Edmund and Lucy had been there to sign.

Liliana, daughter of Bastian the Sixteenth would rule once she came of age. Her mother would rule by proxy until such time. It was the first time in Terebinthian history that a woman had inherited the throne. Though not the first time a king had been deposed. She had no idea how this change would reflect on the inhabitants of Eion, or the outlying regions, but felt sure the young Queen would have many bridges to mend on her predecessor's behalf and didn't envy her the task. She and her siblings were in their third year of rule and were still struggling to reconnect with some dukedoms and sovereign states.

Galma was one success out of many failures, Calormen an apt example of one such failure. One she knew would soon have to be dealt with.

But not today.

She rose with the others when a crown was brought forth by an officiator and placed on Llithus' head. The lady curtsied and straightened, hands clasped in front of herself.

"All hail the Queen," Hira suddenly intoned, startling those present by the volume of her voice.

Susan watched each woman and Hilio next. The prince seemed at ease considering his loss, and pleased, though his sister-in-law had yet to even glance in his direction. Susan knew the new queen harbored doubts about her position. Knew it was a task she had never been trained for, but neither had the Pevensies. She often reflected on the madness of events that had brought her and her siblings all they had. Well, she used to reflect. With every passing night it became harder and harder to recall any details of her former existence with any kind of clarity.

That too, was something she did not like to think about. Preferring to keep her mind on the present.

She smiled and curtsied when Queen Regent Llithus exited the room, followed by her honor guard in silent procession. She turned to watch the prince and followed him out of the room, herself followed by Oreius and Celer. "Prince Hilio," she called as the gathered dissipated. Consort Queen Hira shot her son and Susan a glance in the distance before she too left. Susan didn't see her as she grabbed Hilio's arm and joined him down the hall. "I wanted to congratulate you for your courage."

He looked surprised, but didn't speak.

"It's not all who would so selflessly abdicate their claim to a throne," she said in explanation. "I'd like to think I was able were I ever in your shoes," They turned down a branch of the castle that led to the prayer garden. A gallery opened up into the garden, lovingly framed every other step by a hollyhock covered pillar and wide open glass doors. They exited into the sunlight, Hilio's hand finding her own as it sat on his arm.

"She blames me," he said in a solemn voice, head bowed.

"She won't for long," Susan said with a kind smile. "She'll come to understand the value that's been placed on her and she'll ask you for help."

He looked up at her. "Do you think so?"

"Most definitely," Her smile brightened a little, but failed to infect him.

His faithful expression melted away once again into something somber. "She's not the only one, Queen Susan."

Susan nodded and cast her own eyes down. "Baskar."

Hilio's jaw worked and when he next spoke he sounded as though on the verge of tears. "He must hate me."

"Oh Hilio," she sighed and drew him to a stop. "He does not hate you."

He glanced away with angry tears in his eyes. "Why not? My mother does."

"No she doesn't," she said with absolute certainty.

Hilio wiped an angry tear that rolled down his face, still refusing to look her in the eye.

She watched him a moment before she pulled carefully on his arm.

"Where-"

"Come with me," she said gently and led him towards the grand statue. Aslan's idol peeked out among pale roses and summer flowers. A Monarch butterfly hovered in the air around it. The Lion statue's gaze pointed north as it had always done. It's mane, stiffened in petrified marble. Susan stopped them both before Him, but didn't kneel. "Do you believe in Aslan?" she asked in a soft, curious voice.

Neither looked at the other, instead staring at the solemn Lion. "I do," he answered.

She nodded, having expected no less. "Have you ever seen Him?" Then she looked to him. Awaiting his response.

"Once," he said softly. "In a dream," He glanced her way and huffed when their eyes met. "That sounds ridiculous to hear it aloud."

"Not at all," she said as a calmness overcame her. "My sister sees Him all the time in her dreams. Swears He whispers to her about the future."

Hilio looked at her with wide eyes. "Does He really?" he whispered.

Susan allowed a smile to blossom as she gazed up at the Lion. Her own doubts momentarily assuaged. "I think so," she said. "I think He visits everyone who needs Him in whatever form they need."

Hilio was staring at her, transfixed. "How does He appear to you?"

Her smile softened. "Just as He is," She glanced over and laughed self-consciously. "He doesn't tell me the future though. He saves that for valiant little sisters."

Hilio breathed out a laugh with tears stubbornly clinging to his eyes. He was younger than her, but by very little and yet as she looked into his eyes she saw her brothers in some way or form. A lost boy, was what she saw. She removed her hand from his arm and took one of his hands in both of hers. "Listen to me, Hilio," He looked at her, eyes open wide. "I can never return what you've lost," A look of insurmountable sorrow flashed across his face. "But I swear to you that I will never abandon you or your niece. Every weapon at my disposal, my help, is yours should you ever need it."

As his eyes filled to the brim with tears he nodded and looked away. A few drops dislodged and it was as though opening the floodgates. He leaned into her ready embrace and wrapped his arms around her, clinging as wretched sobs quaked through his body.

Susan's heart broke for the young man and she wished there was more she could've done. In the midst of his grief she glanced to the solemn, silent statue and her determination melted away. Taking her compassion with it.

Leaving behind nothing but a dull hollow.

TBC