Chapter 25: Moving

As soon as the Witch was gone Aslan said, "We must move from this place at once, it will be wanted for other purpose. We shall encamp tonight at the Fords of Beruna."

So everyone went back to eating, Madison eat a few bites but her mind was wrapped up around what was wrong with Aslan.

"Maddy?" Edmund asked worriedly.

"Hmm," Madison looked up from the table she had been staring at, and met Edmund's eyes.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked quietly.

"Sure," Madison agreed and the two got up from the table and started to walk away. "What do you want to talk about," she asked once they were out of earshot from his family.

Edmund licked his lips and swallowed, "there is someone besides the Witch, who wants to kill me. I wouldn't normally bother anyone with this information but Aslan-"

"Edmund," Madison said cutting the boy off in mid-ramble. "Who's trying to kill you?"

"I don't know his name but its a centaur, who is as black as midnight," Edmund stopped and swallowed.

Madison snorted lightly, "So that's why he wanted to take you."

"Take me?" Edmund asked.

"When we were about to leave from rescuing you, we got into a slight problem which was how fast should we get back to the Stone Table. A centaur that was completely black said he would carry you. I didn't trust him since I had never saw him before and my gut was telling me not to trust him. I didn't, and you spent the entire time with me. Be on the lookout for the centaur. Is that all?" Madison looked down at Edmund. Edmund shook his head and wrapped his arms around Madison and started to cry.

"I'm so sorry," he wailed, startling Madison at the sudden mood swing. "I'm sorry. For everything I've called you. For not telling the truth and running away. For being mean and inconsiderate when you first arrived with us. I'm so sorry."

Madison felt a bit of shock at the younger boy's apology, but it quickly left and she wrapped her own arms around him. Holding him close, as she stroked his hair softly and rubbed his back while saying softly, "It's all right, Edmund. I forgive you." Edmund cried. She knew he had changed, and for the better. That so many things had happened that the only way to release it was through crying. She had been there before and would help Edmund in any way she can.

Slowly his tears left and Edmund sniffed a few times, "thanks Madison." He gave her another hug. "I can see why Peter likes you so much. Thanks and the two of you make a good couple." Edmund smiled. Madison blushed a bit but also smiled.

"Your welcome, Edmund. I'm glad you approve," Madison said. They soon separated, "Come on. I'm sure the others are waiting for us."

TP

"As soon as she is finished in these parts," Aslan started as he talked with Madison and Peter. The entire army was moving toward the North West and Aslan started to tell the two his plan of campaign. "The Witch and her crew will almost certainly fall back to her house and prepare for siege. You may or may not be able to cut her off and prevent her from reaching it." Then he started to tell them of two different battle plans, Madison had a feeling to grab some paper and some ink and start transcribing what he was saying.

"If you meet the Witch in the woods, have your centaur archers in the back, then have the other centaurs on the right flank. The good dwarfs should be in the front, with the talking animals. Dwarfs to the right, cats to the left. Filling up the space in between will be the horses, dogs..." On and on it went.

Once the army got to the Fords of Beruna a group of winged horses were waiting there. The largest one walked up to Aslan and bowed.

"My Liege, we are sorry for coming so late but we had just got the message you had sent and came as soon as possible," the horse bowed its head.

"You are forgiven, Pegasus," Aslan replied.

"Protector Madison," Pegasus said and turned to Madison.

"Yes?"

"We, Fledge's Children, pledge our lives to never let this happen again. For it was our fault the Witch came down from the Wilds of the North and seized Cair Paravel. We promise to never let that happen again. We will be with you in battle." The winged horse gave a deep bow to Madison and left.

"Um," Madison said as Pegasus left. "Okay." Madison caught Peter's eye and he shrugged.

"Wouldn't it be better to camp on the far side of the river? For fear she might try a night attack or something," Peter asked after a minute of looking at the Fords.

Aslan shook his head as if rousing himself up from his thought, "eh? What's that?" Madison raised her eyebrows at the lion. What did the Witch say to make you so spacey, Aslan, Madison thought as Peter repeated his question a confused expression n his face.

"No," Aslan said in a dull voice almost like he didn't care. "No. She will not make an attack to-night." Aslan sighed deeply, almost sadly like. "All the same it was well thought of. That is how a soldier ought to think. But it doesn't really matter." Aslan then left the two.

"Is it me or has Aslan seem really spacey," Peter asked Madison.

"No, I have noticed it. And doesn't make me feel to good," Maddy agreed.

"What did you think the Witch and Aslan agreed on?" Peter turned to her, his blue eyes worrying and a little frightened.

"She mentioned sacrifice..." her sentence railed off. Suddenly an idea popped into her head. But would Aslan do it? Would he sacrifice himself to save Edmund? Would he really be willing to have himself being killed so Edmund could live? Madison felt her chest constrict itself, making it hard to breath. Aslan would be willing to do that.

"Maddy?" Peter asked and put his hands on her shoulder. "Do you have an idea?"

Madison pulled herself from her thoughts, she couldn't tell Peter. He was freaked out enough with going to battle with Aslan. Going without him, even she wasn't ready for that.

"No," Madison lied. She wrapped her arms around Peter's torso and laid her head on his chest. "We'll just have to hope he knows what's he doing," Madison said out loud. More to herself then to him. She felt Peter hug her and lay his head on her own.

"Agreed," Peter murmured. She felt his lips brush her hair. "I can't wait for this to be over."

"Can't wait for what to be over?"

"This battle. Everyone can sense it's going to be soon and the suspense is killing me." Madison smiled gently and kissed his lips. Tracing his cheeks with her thumbs.

"I can't wait for it to be over, so I can, hopefully, spend more time with you." Madison slowly peeled away but held on to his hand. "Come on we better help set up camp." Peter followed and the two quickly busied themselves with setting up camp.

Once all was set up, dinner was served. No one talked and everyone went to bed early. But none would have been prepared for what was going to happen that morning, not even Madison.

A/N did anyone notice that in the movie version of PC one of the men who pledges himself to Miraz says, "Tashbaan pledges it's troops." Tashbaan is all the way in Calormen. I planned for this to be updated yesterday, but things got hectic, so it' happening now. Please review!