Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: "Life is a reflection of intent. Love reflects love. Hate reflects hate." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Can the reflection in the ocean waves be trusted?

A/N: If you have not read the first six stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, and Refracted), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Tarrin's Sacrifice

Always clean your dagger, Lucy. If there's a chance in the battle to clean it, take it. Remember you have both advantage and disadvantage, so turn every potential disadvantage into an advantage. Kat's words echoed in Lucy's thoughts as she pulled the dagger free of Le- No, as she pulled the dagger free of Circe's chest. The green blood merely confirmed that she was not the Daughter of Eve she had pretended to be. Lucy wiped the blade clean on the creature's tattered red skirt then picked up Shafhelm in her free hand.

Edmund was bent over on his hands and knees gasping while Tarrin had already staggered to his feet. She winced in sympathy when she caught sight of his obviously broken nose and the blood streaming down from his nostrils. Tarrin held up his hand in silent warning then turned his attention to her brother. "King Edmund?" He gingerly swiped the blood away then asked again in a slightly clearer voice, "King Edmund? Are you with us?"

Edmund didn't respond. Ignoring Tarrin's glare, Lucy edged closer (though she angled herself so Shafhelm was farther from Edmund) to her brother. "Edmund?"

Groaning, Edmund raised a trembling hand to touch his head. He looked up just then and Lucy instinctively froze. His skin was so pale that it looked devoid of color beneath the dirt and a couple of bruises, but his dark eyes were clear and focused. "Lucy." His gaze darted to her arm. "You're bleeding."

It was strange how it took Edmund pointing it out before Lucy truly registered the pain enveloping her left arm and her right wrist. Adrenaline helps us fight through the pain and stay alive, but it can kill us too. Be aware of your wounds and keep your limits in mind. You are Aslan's Chosen, but you are not invincible. She had been in battle before, of course, but she usually avoided injury. Breathing through the pain, she shook her head. "It's all right. I'm all right."

Edmund closed the distance between them, concern in his dark gaze, before carefully prying Shafhelm from her grip. Lucy inhaled shakily, trying not to wince, as the throbbing pain in her wrist flared first and then an accompanying flash of pain issued from her arm. Her brother touched it barely and the world seemed to spin. She sensed Tarrin move in and brace her elbows, holding her steady. Fighting to stay upright and not lean against either boy, Lucy swallowed hard. Edmund scowled. "You are not all right, Lucy Marie Pevensie." He examined her arm more closely, muttering, "Bad as Peter and Kat. All right, it doesn't look too deep."

"See, I'm all right."

"I said it wasn't deep, that doesn't mean you're all right, Lu." Edmund took her dagger and cut away her sleeve before turning it into an efficient, if crude, bandage. "We need to find clean cloths and then-"

Lucy blinked then turned her head to see why Edmund had stopped talking. Her brother was staring past her and Tarrin. "Edmund?"

"What is that?"

She stepped away from Tarrin's supporting hold and turned to see Edmund had spotted Circe's body. "Circe. That's what she called herself…after she stopped pretending to be Leto."

A greenish tint crept into Edmund's face as he mouthed "Leto" then shuddered. "You fought her." Lucy nodded but didn't say anything as her brother glanced from Circe to her than back to Circe. "I…I thought you were Pratima. I saw Pratima fighting Leto and I almost killed you." The green took on a stronger hue as he added, "And I kissed that thing…twice. Ugh." Raising Shafhelm, Edmund strode toward Circe's body then severed her head in a single blow.

Tarrin muttered, "At least we know she's dead for certain. No one can come back from decapitation."

Giving a little nod, Lucy would have said something but then the ground shuddered. She exchanged a wide-eyed look with Tarrin. "What was that?"

Edmund rushed back toward them. "Circe's magic must be collapsing." The ground shuddered again. "We need to leave. The cutter was real, we have to find it."

Tarrin stiffened then pointed. "They may object to that plan, Sir How."

Lucy tensed then pulled her dagger out once more, keeping it in her left hand. At least ten creatures were blocking the exists, only three of them looked to be Fell Nereids, but all of them were armed with an assortment of spears, tridents, axes, and swords. It was a good thing Kat had insisted she learn how to fight with her left hand instead of solely focusing on her dominant hand. With more confidence and cheer than she truly felt, Lucy lightly quipped, "We'll just have to remove their objections then."

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"Annnnd there be a tavern, a tavern most small but there be ale for all!"

Oreius pinched the bridge of his nose as that nit pranced around the cabin, wailing another drinking song. "Dalzeel!"

Dalzeel whirled around then staggered to the side before regaining his balance. "Captain! It be Captain Dalzeel. We could use some more ale by the way. And you need to get yourself a girl, mate. It would improve your mood significantly, spatially, spiritually, mathematically." The drunken sot half-stumbled, half-walked toward the cabin door. "I don't want to talk to you anymore. I want to talk to her royal loveliness."

"The Princess Royal has declined to accept any audiences with you until your latest suggested headings prove useful," Oreius said stonily. "And, as I have warned you before, any further attempts to encroach upon the Princess Royal's person will result in you being lashed to an anchor and dropped overboard. This in addition to the Princess Royal's most creative and imminent threat."

The smuggler paled slightly then he winked. "I think she be more than a bit fond of old Dalzeel. Of course, I do be Captain Dalzeel, savvy?"

"Do not mistake tolerance for fondness."

The door swung open, knocking into Dalzeel so the nit lost his balance and sat down hard on the floor. The Black Dwarf responsible barely spared Dalzeel so much as a glance. "General Oreius. You're needed on deck, sir."

"Oi! What about some more ale?"

Oreius ignored the fool of a nit's demand as he locked the door behind him then swiftly made his way above deck. Dame Sepphora was standing near the bow carrying on an intense conversation with a woman whose blue-green hair was braided with seashells while her dusky skin and one-shouldered silver gown glistened with unshed water droplets. Purple eyes met his and she bowed her head slightly. Dame Sepphora glanced over her shoulder at him. "General Oreius, this is Melite of the Nereids. She has sworn by the Name of Aslan that she has come to provide aid."

He did not miss how Melite gave no sign of discomfort at the use of Aslan's Name. No doubt, Dame Sepphora had made her swear by it in order to determine whether she was Fell or not. "You have information for us?"

Melite inclined her head once more. "I do. I come at the behest of my kin and the King of the Merfolk. Though the Merfolk would gladly fight beside you to rid our waters of the curse that is Circe and her Fell servants, the Sea Witch's magic is too powerful yet. The Merfolk cannot penetrate these waters. My kin wish to aid in the fight for Circe is our curse, our reminder of a failed attempt to turn one who was once the most powerful Nereid in the Great Eastern Sea away from a path of folly and of death. More than once, we sent messengers in an attempt to sway her to our Lord Aslan's path but the messengers never returned, corrupted instead by Circe's deception. However, during the course of these events, we discovered a hidden harbor. It is only large enough for a small ship, but it is closest to Circe's established lair and she does not set a guard over it."

Dame Sepphora turned to him. "Melite has agreed to show me the way to this harbor. I will take Ptah, the Greybacks, and Dalzeel."

"Dalzeel."

"He has been on the island before and I will ensure that he doesn't run away ere he proves himself useful to me."

Oreius held her gaze for a long moment but then he gave a curt nod. "Lieutenant Lonn, fetch Dalzeel and send the Greybacks above deck." As the Faun hurried below, Oreius returned his attention to Melite. "Have you any kin who might guide us to the larger harbor?"

"My sister, Sao."

"Land! Land to the starboard side abaft!"

Turning around, Oreius raised an eyebrow at the clear outline of an island to the right and behind the Splendor Hyaline where only five minutes past there had been naught but open sea. As the ship's crew prepared a boat to launch, the Greyback twins bounded on deck. Remus Greyback, easily distinguished from his brother by virtue of the still-healing scratches across the front of his nose, grinned and yipped, "We found King Edmund!"

Dame Sepphora shook her head as she passed them. "Not yet, Remus, but we're definitely close. And, you two, mind your footing, we don't have time to fetch you out of the sea."

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A trident pierced the air above Edmund's head. Still crouched, he lunged forward, slicing through the Fell's scaled arm. The creature shrieked, revealing sharp, needle-like teeth, and then it grabbed him by the neck. Its webbed hand was covered in slime, but it was strong enough to prevent Edmund from easily wrenching free. The creature tightened its grasp, its talons cutting through his skin.

Edmund twisted his hand as he brought Shafhelm up and sliced through the creature's triceps. The creature shrieked once more as its hand opened. Dropping into a crouch, Edmund thrust his sword up beneath the creature's ribcage, silencing it forever. He raised a hand to his neck, but the wounds weren't too bloody. Probably no more than shallow scratches.

Scanning the patio, Edmund scowled as two of Circe's followers appeared for every one they slew. Tarrin was grappling with a large Sea Folk warrior, who was more human-looking save for his blue skin, but he was holding his own. Lucy was… Edmund scanned the patio again. Where was Lucy?

Another of the Fell attacked him, slamming its shield against him and bowling him over. Maintaining his grip on Shafhelm, Edmund slashed at the legs of a creature creeping up on Tarrin. That creature fell with a grating shriek. Edmund blocked the strike of the sickle-shaped sword his original attacker wielded in addition to the shield. Rolling out of easy strike distance, Edmund caught sight of Lucy.

With her right wrist injured, his sister was limited to using her left hand but as she darted in and under the Nereid's slashing attacks, it didn't seem to hamper her in the least. She kicked out, catching the Nereid just below the knee. As her attacker faltered, Lucy moved in but then a hulking grey-green creature loomed behind her and grabbed her right wrist. Horror and rage flooded Edmund as the creature cruelly twisted Lucy's wrist, making her scream in pain.

Edmund leapt to his feet. The creature who had been attacking him placed itself in his path. He kicked at it then slammed his sword against the creature's blade hard enough to make it shatter. The creature brought its shield up then swung it at his feet. Edmund stomped down on the shield's edge, pinning it to the ground. The creature shrieked as his weight wrenched its arm. Edmund slashed the creature across its neck then shoved it aside. He had to reach Lucy.

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"Cease your squirming before you send us all into the sea."

Katerina cast a sympathetic glance at where Ptah was clinging to the bottom of the cutter. He could handle being aboard a large ship and even wandering the docks, but the small boats always, always reminded him that he was too close to the water for a Leopard's taste. The Wolves were hanging over either side of the bow now, noses nearly touching the water. "Remus, Romulus, don't fall in."

Melite spoke up from where she was sitting between the Wolves. "We are almost there, Lew's daughter."

She nodded then smacked Dalzeel's hand before he could touch her thigh. "You're still not allowed to touch. Now help me bring the boat in."

Dalzeel winked at her. "Whatever you say, your royal loveliness." If she didn't suspect he knew something useful about the layout of Delos, she would have shoved him overboard again. Melite pointed out the narrow crack between two cliffs and Dalzeel steered the boat into it. The cliffs almost brushed the sides of the boat, leaving no room for oars to be used until the crack widened ten feet past the entrance.

Checking her weapons, Katerina wished she had thought to pack her armor as well. Instead, she had borrowed one of the spare cuirasses from the Nymphs, which, of course, didn't fit as well as she would have preferred. It was too snug in certain places and too loose in others. She found herself wishing she were wearing a winter-weight tunic to counter the inevitable chaffing. The boat lurched suddenly and she quickly grabbed the side to keep from falling headfirst into the water. "Remus!"

The Wolf automatically went down on his belly, which placed his chin on her foot. His soulful yellow eyes begged for leniency as he tentatively wagged the tip of his tail. "Dame Sepphora. I smelled King Edmund!"

His brother snorted. "No, you didn't. You smelled seaweed, silly pup."

Remus lifted his grey head and twisted to snarl at his brother. "I'm not a pup. You're the pup."

"I'm older than you are."

"By five minutes! I-"

Remus looked slightly ashamed as he gazed up at her. Katerina didn't release her hold on his muzzle, though, as she gave him a stern look. "Enough, both of you. Perhaps you did smell King Edmund, Remus, and perhaps you didn't. In any case, I am depending on the two of you to smell him and the others out once we are on the island proper, but until then you both need to be quiet."

When Romulus hunkered down in the bow, Katerina released Remus. The Wolf pup stayed by her feet, but she could feel how tense he was. No doubt, he and his brother would spring from the boat the moment they were close enough. Reaching down, she pulled out a wrapped package then tossed it to Dalzeel. "Your personal effects. Try not to make me regret giving them to you."

Dalzeel winked at her. "I thank you for your interminable and most generous trust in me, your royal loveliness."

Melite pointed once more. Following her directions, Dalzeel steered the boat into the natural harbor originally hidden from sight by a jagged line of rocks. Katerina unsheathed one of her knives as they drew closer. The Wolves didn't wait, leaping out of the boat to land with their paws scrabbling for purchase on the slick rock shelf. Ptah leapt as soon as the boat was close enough to ensure he wouldn't fall in the water. Katerina gave Dalzeel a pointed look after he finished securing the mooring lines to a stone piling. The smuggler bowed, the ends of his headscarf falling over his shoulder, and then hopped up onto the natural pier.

Ptah bared his teeth in a silent growl as he quietly warned, "A patrol."

Katerina unsheathed her second knife and twirled both knives, warming up. She had hoped to be a little further in before fighting. Melite stepped forward. "I will delay them."

Katerina nodded. The Nereid turned, her silver dress flaring slightly, but then Dalzeel grabbed her hand. Before anyone could react, the nitwit had the audacity to pull Melite close and kiss her. An impish grin spread across his face when he broke the kiss. "I always wanted to kiss a Nereid, love."

Melite looked at him, but her skin was dark enough that Katerina couldn't tell if she blushed. The Nereid unsheathed a mother-of-pearl handled misericorde dagger. Dalzeel stepped a little further back but she ignored him as she disappeared around the bend.

As the Beasts stole their way after Melite, Katerina glared at Dalzeel when he stepped toward her. "Don't even think about it."

He grinned unrepentantly then followed the three Beasts. Katerina shook her head. At least, Captain Annoying didn't try to kiss her too. The clash of metal made her scale the low rise quickly. Melite was embroiled in a fight with two Fell Nereids and three other Fell Sea Folk were closing in. Katerina jumped.

Knocking two of the Fell flat, she twisted around and hamstringed the third. A fourth Fell, this one covered in glistening green scales, charged her but then two grey blurs barreled into it. The Greyback brothers snarled and snapped, flashing fangs tearing into the Fell, as they circled it. With a roar, Ptah tackled one of the Fell Nereids away from Melite, his jaws closing around her neck in a fatal hold.

Katerina blocked one strike then bent backwards, allowing one of the Sea Folk's blades to pass over her. She winced at the unfortunate pinch the action earned her from her ill-fitting cuirass. Note to self: Pack your own cuirass next time. She blocked another strike then sidestepped, the spear just glancing off her cuirass as she did so. Jumping up and to the right, she pushed off the rock rise then twisted to knock aside the spear before hitting the Sea Folk warrior in the throat. Landing on his chest, she gave the knife a final twist, ending his death throes.

Straightening, she registered the Wolves finishing off her second opponent while Ptah was standing over Melite who had crumpled to the ground. Dalzeel… Katerina scanned the area once more before shaking her head. Dalzeel was nowhere to be seen. Reaching Melite's side, she pulled the Nereid's hand away from dark bluish-green stain spreading across her left side. "This does not look so deep that you will not heal." Katerina hurried to get through the necessary formal wording as she helped Melite to her feet. "I thank you for your aid, Melite of the Nereids. Your pact is fulfilled. Seek now the healing and safety afforded to you by the sea. Aslan's blessing upon you."

Melite gravely bowed her head, the seashells in her hair clacking together softly. "Aslan grant strength and success to you, Alambiel, Lew's Daughter."

The Nereid did not bother to return to the boat. Instead, she limped the few feet necessary to reach the water then dove beneath the waves. One of the Wolves howled. "King Edmund! King Edmuuuuund! I smell him! Romulus! Romulus, come on!"

The Greyback brothers raced off. Katerina exchanged a look with Ptah. "Come on." Running after the Wolves, Katerina prayed they had arrived in time to find the kids before those three landed in too large a helping of Murphy's Law.

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Gasping at the pain as the creature behind her twisted her injured wrist, Lucy barely registered the shape charging them. A loud war cry filled the air just as steel flashed and the creature abruptly released her arm. Panting, Lucy defiantly raised her dagger once again as the Nereid swung at her. Dropping into a crouch, she heard the staff whistle as it sliced through the air above her. Lunging forward, she grabbed the Nereid's legs then rolled, tumbling her opponent.

The Nereid hissed, "You will not win."

Lucy didn't answer. Instead, she threw her dagger. It sank into the Nereid's right eye. "Lucy!"

She looked over her shoulder at Edmund's shout. Another Nereid filled her view as her staff swung toward her. Lucy ducked. A new pain bloomed in her left temple. She vaguely heard Edmund shout her name once more as the world spun. Then it all went black.

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"There!"

Oreius followed Whitmore's low rumble. Gaining the Bruin's side, he nodded grimly at the sight of the crumbling, half-destroyed manor. "General!"

Circe's followers had noted their arrival. A score of Fell creatures were closing in on them. Hissing orders to Lieutenant Lonn, Oreius drew his claymore as the Faun raced toward the manor with a handful of soldiers. He had to find the foals and these creatures would regret their part in slowing him.

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Tarrin shouted in dismay as Queen Lucy collapsed. Sir Edmund's howl of outrage barely registered. The Just moved toward his sister but then one of the larger Fell attacked him, pushing him back. Tarrin dodged a spear thrust. Racing to reach the fallen Queen, Tarrin cut down one of the smaller Fell and leapt over another.

The Fell Nereid drew her staff back, aiming at Queen Lucy's head, only this time Tarrin knew the blow would be fatal. Roaring, he slammed into the Nereid with his shoulder, knocking her over and away from Queen Lucy. Raising his sword, Tarrin planted his feet so he stood squarely over the Valiant's limp form. The Fell Nereid hissed as she regained her feet. She charged, swinging the weighted end of the staff toward his head. Tarrin caught the end of the staff, hiding a wince at the pain radiating from his palm and hoping that he hadn't actually broken anything, then yanked her forward onto his sword. It felt almost underhanded to use that tactic but he couldn't risk leaving Lucy exposed.

Another of the Fell loomed over him, axe raised high. Tarrin raised his sword, wondering if he could manage to be quick enough to cripple the creature before the axe cleaved him in twain. The creature jerked. Then the axe clattered harmlessly to the ground followed a moment later by its master. Sir Edmund was standing there, sword still held overhead. His pale features were pinched with tension as his dark eyes sought out his sister. "Tarrin, get her out of here."

"What?"

"Get Lucy out of here. Find the cutter and get her out of harm's way. I'll hold them off and then follow." When he didn't move, King Edmund scowled at him. "Go! That's an order!"

Tarrin finally nodded. Not taking the time to clean his sword, he thrust it back into its sheath then carefully picked up Queen Lucy. She was even lighter than he had expected. King Edmund stopped him just long enough to return the Valiant's dagger to her belt. Then Tarrin carried her toward the doors.

Sprinting through the dank halls strewn with debris and occasionally piles of bones, Tarrin prayed he could get Lucy to safety. The unease about leaving King Edmund on his own against at least six more of the Fell haunted him like an itch between his shoulder blades, one he could neither scratch nor shake off. Abandonment. Abandonment of your post. 'Tis never condoned…never condoned. He reminded himself that King Edmund himself had ordered him to go, to take Queen Lucy to safety. But still the sense that he was abandoning both friend and king nipped at his heels.

Bursting into the fading sunlight, Tarrin was shocked to see Narnians. In the distance, he spotted the Splendor Hyaline, nearer was the General and other Narnians fighting against more of the Fell creatures inhabiting the island. But, nearer still was Lieutenant Lonn and just behind him, Whitmore, that faithful Bruin. Tarrin hurried down the crumbling steps. "Lieutenant Lonn! Lieutenant!" The Faun looked up and concern chased surprise across his face. Tarrin didn't wait for questions. He handed Queen Lucy to the lieutenant. "Here, take her. She's hurt, knocked unconscious. I must return to Sir How. He fights alone and outnumbered."

The ground shuddered and debris fell to the steps beside him. Paying no heed to the Faun's call, Tarrin ran back the way he had come. He had to reach his King's side. He vaguely registered the huffing breaths of a Bear behind him, but didn't look back. Racing out into the patio, Tarrin saw King Edmund being pressed back by no less than three of the Fell. Then one of the Fell slipped away, leaving King Edmund's back exposed. Out of the corner of his eye, Tarrin saw the silhouette of an archer. Tarrin threw himself forward as the archer loosed his arrow.

It didn't hurt, not really. An odd pressure against the right side of his ribcage but nothing more. Tarrin absently noted that it was most likely adrenaline that caused him to feel nothing more than a slight discomfort. Surging back to his feet, he thought he heard the sound of a Bear's roar of challenge and then howls…Wolves. A warrior with glistening purple scales running down the sides of his thick neck and shoulders filled his view. The creature bared his teeth and lunged forward. His sword felt heavy as Tarrin lifted it to block the Fell's attack. He heard a shout, but couldn't decide if it came from King Edmund or his own throat. The Fell grinned and Tarrin stabbed at his chest, but his sword glanced off the creature's side, barely slicing through the scales. He could only watch as the creature raised a short dagger and buried it in his shoulder. His arm was too weak or his sword was too heavy, but either way Tarrin couldn't raise his sword arm. Black spots danced in front of his eyes as the Fell warrior wrenched his sword away then raised it. Its mocking salute was the last thing Tarrin saw before everything went black.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! So, was it intense enough for you? What do you think will happen next? Needless to say, we're finally nearing the end of our story, only about four chapters left I think. So, leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.