Your wait comes to an end as I post this chapter. Its not very long and perhaps its a bit rushed but I have so much to do these days. I have started working on the next chapter, and I hope it will be better than this one.

A tight hug to all my reviewers. You da Best! :]

Disclaimer: No, still not mine.

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FATE OR DESTINY?

TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE

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"May I introduce you all to Lady Lenora Wolfe," Caspian said, "Sister of Aldous and Vane Wolfe of the Ramrar tribe." His words were greeted by silence as the others turned to look at Lenora with wide eyes.

"Please! I mean no harm to anyone." Lenora spoke slowly, tears running down her cheeks. "Don't lock me away."

"Why are you here?" Caspian asked again, his voice hard.

"I was r-running away from the men who were after me," Lenora replied. "I never thought I would end up here – in the royal palace."

"Why would anyone attack you?"

"Not just anyone," Lenora spoke, pain etched on her face. "My brother... I-I told him that it w-was wrong to rebel, but he wouldn't listen. He thinks he will overthrow you all and take your place... He had me locked up in my room and didn't allow me to talk to anyone."

"And yet, here you are." Edmund stated, raising an eyebrow.

"I ran away," Lenora told them. "I heard him… Gerald. He is our cousin and Vane's closest friend. They have planned this war together and he has helped my brothers in his plans against you all. He was there in our village a couple of days ago and I heard his plans."

"What plans?" Edmund questioned.

"I…" Lenora shook her head. "He'll kill me."

"What did you hear?" Edmund pressed firmly.

"Vane has more allies. They are planning to attack the High King's army."

"We already know that," Caspian told her.

"But do you know that this army will reach the battlefield in two days? They are taking another route, a short cut," Lenora told him. "It will be a surprise attack. Gerald himself is leading the army. He plans to catch the Narnian army off guard and slaughter as many as he can get his hands on."

Everyone stared at Lenora, wide-eyed.

"Why should I believe you?" Caspian asked, slowly. "It could be a trap for all I know."

"I swear what I say is true. They will kill your army."

"Our army is not so weak. You forget who leads them."

Lenora glanced at Isabel and then spoke slowly. "Gerald means to assassinate the High King. I don't know when or how but his life is in danger. Please! I am telling you the truth, you have to trust me."

[][][][][][][]

"Can we trust her?" Caspian asked, running his hand through his hair.

"I think we can." Edmund replied. The two kings were sitting in Caspian's study, discussing their talk with Lenora.

"I'm not so sure."

"And why is that?"

"Instinct," Caspian replied with a shrug. "Why do you trust her?"

"I don't," Edmund replied. "But I also find no reason not to trust her."

"She is Vane's sister," Caspian pointed out. "And we have already been betrayed by the people of Ramrar."

"No one chooses their family," Edmund said wisely, and then after hesitating for a second he continued. "You, of all people, should know that."

Caspian's face hardened. Of course he knew that. Miraz… His blood still boiled when he thought about his 'uncle'. His father's murderer…

"I think we should ask Lenora for the details she knows about this attack." Edmund went on. "And then I should leave immediately and try to get there before Gerald does. Or at least help Peter in case Gerald reaches the battle plains first."

"What if it's a trap?" Caspian questioned.

"It could be," Edmund admitted. "But it's a risk we will have to take. If what Lenora says is true, then Peter and his army could be in great danger. I was going to leave in a day or two anyways, I'll just leave sooner now."

"You're right," Caspian agreed. "Your sister will not be very happy about this."

Edmund winced, reflecting how his sister had reacted when Caspian had sided with Peter. "Susan will probably kill you!"

"That she won't," Caspian said, his lips curving to form a small smile.

Edmund looked intently at him. "Speaking of Susan," he said. "Is there any specific reason that she was in your room at midnight?"

Caspian stilled. This was not how he wanted to tell Susan's overprotective brothers that he wanted to court her. "Uhh… s-she just…" Caspian trailed off, clearing his throat as he looked around the room, thinking of a good reply to that.

Edmund chuckled. "It's about time."

Caspian's eyes snapped back to the king before him. "… I beg your pardon?"

"I was beginning to wonder if you and Susan would ever realize that you loved each other," Edmund commented.

Caspian shrugged awkwardly. He didn't know how to act, what to say, what to do… Who knew talking to the brother of the one you loved could be so hard. And this was only the younger brother. The thought of confronting Peter about this was scary enough to give him nightmares.

"I approve, you know." Edmund said slowly. "I always knew that you and Susan would end up being together, from the moment you first laid your eyes on my sister. You're a good man, Caspian, and I know you really love Susan. As long as she is happy, I'm happy. And if she is not… Let's just say, you won't end up being happy after that."

"I understand."

"It's good to know that someone will always be there to look after my sisters if something happens to me or Peter in the battle."

"Please don't tell Peter about… Susan and me," Caspian said. "This is something I wish to talk to him about myself."

"It won't matter if I tell him or not," Edmund shrugged. "You'll end up dying by Peter's sword in both cases."

"Thanks," Caspian said dryly. "Besides, Peter needs to focus on the war, and not come up with ways to kill me."

[][][][][][][]

The sun was beginning to rise, breaking the darkness of the night. Streaks of sunlight shone on the royal palace, and into the room of the High King. Isabel was sitting on the couch, running a hand through her hair absently as she thought about the previous night. I hate wars, Isabel decided with a sigh. Peter was gone. And now, Edmund would be going away… in a couple of hours.

Peter… His absence was continuously piercing her heart like a sharp needle. It had been so long since she had looked into those ocean blue eyes or that arrogant smirk, or heard his velvety voice – so full of authority, and yet so caring in different ways…

But Peter was far away. Fighting. And not talking to him made her feel angry, frustrated and, well, angry. She was surprised at how much she had gotten used to Peter's presence. Not being with him made her realize that he really mattered. And that she missed him.

Isabel walked over to the bedside table and opened the drawer. Pulling out a piece of paper and a quill, she sat down on the bed and began writing.

Dear Peter,

How are you? And how is everything there? I heard from Caspian that you were slightly injured. I hope it is not serious, and that you are taking good care of yourself. I do not wish to sound like a scolding mother, but from what I know of you – you have to be constantly reminded of few things.

We just received news that these people are intent on hurting you – they want you dead. So please, be careful. Don't let them succeed. For Narnia, for your family, and for me. We all need you, my King, more than you can imagine.

Life here has been busy ever since you left. And everyone misses you a lot, especially Lucy. She was really sad about the fact that you missed her birthday ball. But that doesn't matter – what matters is that you get back as soon as the war is over.

I know, it is silly of me, writing this letter to you. I mean, the others would have probably mentioned these things to you and you probably won't have time to read letters but… I just felt the need to remind you of the promise you made to me.

Take care and be safe,

Isabel.

Isabel slowly sealed the note in an envelope and then went to see Edmund. "I'll miss my trainer," she said when she found the Just King garbed in his armour in his chambers.

He chuckled. "Caspian will take over, don't worry."

Isabel made a face. "Why should I go through training now? I can fight."

"You can, but you are not perfect, yet."

"No one is perfect." Isabel grumbled.

"One can always try."

"But –"

"No buts, Isabel. Caspian will be very busy, so it is unlikely that you will have to long, harsh lessons, but you will have them nonetheless. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" Isabel said, bringing her hand to her forehead as she saluted him. Then, she walked closer to him. "Will you do me a favour?"

"Anything," he replied.

She hesitated and then held out the envelope to him. "When you reach the battlefield, will you give this to Peter?"

Edmund raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"A letter."

"From whom?"

"… Me," Isabel mumbled shyly, lowering her eyes.

"Love is in the air!" The Just King sang.

"No, it's not!" Isabel shook her head.

"Yes it is," Edmund said, taking the letter from her. "You are asking me to deliver your love letter, so love has to be in the air."

Isabel bit her lip as her cheeks reddened. This was not a love letter, but Edmund would not listen to her. She should have known that giving him this note would lead to loads of teasing. "Oh, shut up!" She mumbled. "You have my full permission to tease your brother, but not me."

His eyes twinkled. "I will remember that."

"I'm sure you will." She said, then grew serious. "Be careful, Edmund."

"I will be."

"You will win this war with your brother and come back soon," Isabel told him. "Just have faith in Aslan."

Edmund smiled, and after a moment's hesitation, hugged Isabel. "I'll miss you, dear sister."

"And I, you. Take care and be safe, little brother."