A/N: Hello, I have returned temporarily from my respite. College is a time drainer of epic proportions. Luckily I have an in my opinion epic chapter to make up for it. It's very action driven. A lot of things happen in this chapter. Here's a brief recap. Lucy was taken by the Witch, her and Helen are imprisoned at Cair Paravel, meanwhile the rest of our party is at Aslan's camp. Ed is starting to piece some things together and it ends with the wolves having discovered the camp. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Thirty-Five

How could it be so changed in such short a time? Lucy stared, scarcely blinking as they were led up the once familiar staircase of Cair Paravel, her former playground. The stairs were narrow and spiraling, usually able to be jogged with ease, only the slightest hike of skirts necessary. Now though, the steps were in disarray, slick with ice and crumbling stone.

"Careful," Lucy sighed as she grabbed her mother's arm, pulling her gently up the last step.

Awaiting them at the top of the steps and outside the door was Jadis, watching their changing expressions with what could only be described as hunger. Her lips curled as she spoke. "I took it upon myself to do some redecorating. I must say I prefer it this way. What you call art is much too optimistic."

"No…" Helen's eyes roved from statue to statue and her voice came out paper thin, as mother and daughter took in the court. It was clogged with comrades, frozen in time. They couldn't take a step without coming across a face they knew, fear permanent and present in what this Witch called art.

Lucy shuddered huddling closer to her mother and burying her face. She didn't want to see any more.

"This isn't even the whole collection," Jadis smiled, sickly and syrupy as she pulled Lucy roughly by the arm, tipping her chin back with the edge of her wand.

Lucy growled, windmilling as she tried to strike. "You won't get away with this. We'll fight you!"

"How amusing." Jadis chuckled, then proceeded to push her aside right into the waiting vise grip of Ginarrbrik. "Take care of her."

"C'mere!" Ginarrbrik forced Lucy roughly around the corner, leaving the two queens alone in the court.

Helen straightened, clamping down a protest from her aching muscles. Being chained did not bode well for one's regality. "State your piece."

"Oh darling," Jadis purred sliding an icy finger down the queen's cheek. "Don't you understand? You don't make the rules anymore."

Helen's eyes narrowed. As far as she was concerned, she had never made the rules, but that didn't mean that she was going to let Jadis make her own. Helen raised her chin as she spoke. "You have control of the kingdom. We both know that it is unlikely you will lose it, that is, unless you know something I don't." Helen kept her expression neutral as she observed Jadis.

"Don't play dumb with me Your Majesty. I know your game." Jadis stepped closer to Helen, a stormy expression crossing her face as the wand came out. "You know what is at stake here, but of course," she shrugged. "I have the upper hand. I have your kingdom and your daughter. Your family, divided as they are, will be of little consequence."

Helen shook her head. "I know my children better than you, Witch. Even apart, they are stronger than you will ever hope to be!"

"We shall see," Jadis smiled a serpentine smile as she flicked her wrist. And Aslan's queen knew no more.

Susan raised her bow, letting out a shaking breath as she aimed toward the target. It had been Redian's idea really. He thought she needed something constructive to do to take her mind off of things. They stood at the edge of the camp with three makeshift targets set up in front of them. There was not a drop of ice to be seen. Susan almost could believe it was just a normal spring afternoon… almost.

They had long ago abandoned winter equipment in favor of lighter fare, somehow already in the trunks of their respective tents. Unfortunately, Susan was having a harder time shaking off the chill. She knew it was fear. Logically, that is all it could be, but her thoughts continued to drift toward Lucy, probably already frozen to death by the Witch's hand. "Susan," A gentle hand fell on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

She blinked lowering her trembling hands letting the arrow fall limply from her grasp. "I…I can't do this right now." Her eyes met Redian's as the words spilled out. "I'm sorry. I know I have to learn it but I'm just…"

"Worried about your sister?"

A wordless nod.

Redian grabbed Susan's hand. "Susan, you don't have to apologize. We are all scared, but Lucy…" He chuckled. "I've never met a lass so capable. And we have Aslan to help us. Between the two of them, you have absolutely nothing..." He paused. "Did you hear that?"

Susan strained, but soon enough a sound reached her ears. A low moan like a siren, an eerie sound that soon multiplied. It sounded like five or six horns or was it….

"Your Highness! Get above ground!" The swish of a sword mingled with the knight's shout and a multitude of growls as a group of gray blurs bursted through the brush.

Susan ran without thought to the nearest tree desperately wishing she had taken Peter up on his childhood offer to teach her how to climb properly as one of the wolves latched onto her skirt. "Get...off you mutt!" Susan kicked, hearing the sound of ripping fabric and hitting the wolf in the snout before scrambling the rest of the way up the tree.

Redian struggled swinging his blade and kicking out trying to stay the wolves, but two of them had already broke past growling and jumping in an effort to break the branch Susan sat on.

Suddenly a thought hit Susan, and she struggled to balance reaching across to where her horn was strapped. She put it to her lips and blew low, long notes in quick succession. She would use all the air in her lungs if she had to. She only hoped someone heard.

Edan looked up with a grin as Peter held a sword to his neck struggling to hold in his own smile. "You are improving Your Highness."

Peter shook his head hiding a grin and sheathing his sword as he held out a hand to the younger boy. "You're mocking me."

"Not at all Majesty….er...Peter." He evaded a swat to the head. "It's the truth!"

"No titles. What Lu said..." Peter sighed, running a hand through sweat soaked hair.

Edan nodded stiffly. "I understand." He sighed. He wanted to comfort the older boy. There had to be a way, but he didn't want to be the giver of false hope.

"Will you do me a favor Edan?" Peter met his gaze, all earlier amusement already drained out of him.

"What do you need me to do?"

Peter registered a sound, what sounded like growls intermingled with an urgent single note. His earlier inquiry shelved, he held up a hand, his gaze locked straight ahead. "Wait, listen! Do you…?"

The sound was a low somber note, and yet it held an urgency. It was a horn. "Susan!"

A/N: Uh-oh! What do you suppose is going to happen next? Sound off in the reviews. The good news is most of the next chapter is already written, and the end is in sight. I'd estimate maybe seven chapters or less plus an epilogue. When I will get the next chapter completed, up and posted is to be determined. My schedule is all kinds of crazy. :) Do you have any ideas for future stories either in this verse or out? Let me know in a PM or review! Until next time Happy Halloween!