Disclaimer: I don't own this wondrous set of books.

Errrrr. Sorry. I know, I have been forever!
_

The Army of Narnia

King Marli left a week later, his ship gliding from the port, filled with gifts from the Narnians. The Pevensies waved him off, looking sad that they were losing their friend, but they were glad that he had been around for Edmund's birthday celebration. The four year old Princess Callie had grown bored and pulled her older brother back into the castle and into the kitchens where Mollie found them later, helping Mrs Tiddly bake.

A month had passed since the tournament and Mollie's birthday was the next day. Edmund couldn't sleep. He had tossed and turned for hours until eventually he had given up and climbed out of bed. He walked out onto the balcony. Warm air was blowing in from the sea but bringing him no relief. The heat had been horrible. Weariness crept through the castle. No one wanted to work during this heat, it was stifling. Ever since the tournament the heat had grown, each day hotter than the last.

Edmund hadn't noticed it. He had been shut in his study most days with a jug of cool water next to him, furiously scribbling on spare paper as he read and re-read cases and agreements. He left for meals in the evening, hearing all about Callie's fall in the water or Kye finally reaching the top of the tree. Mollie would watch him carefully, her eyes showing concern, but she never said anything to him, even when he wouldn't retire to bed, and be found the next day surrounded by coffee, his eyes bloodshot from staying up all night.
"Given up your horizontal dancing?" Mollie asked her feet silent on the floor.
"I thought you were asleep" he replied.
"I was, until you woke me up" Mollie said with a smile. She stood next to him. Her pale skin seemed white in the moonlight, her eyes were closed and her lashes rested on her cheeks. She opened her dark eyes and tilted her head to look at the stars. She tossed her plait over her shoulder; it hung down her back almost reaching her waist.
"Ed you're looking at me funny" she said suddenly
"Sorry, daydreaming" he replied
"Anything nice?" she asked curiously
"No, just tomorrow's training" he said
"I will beat you" Mollie grinned happily. If you turn up, she thought
"What are you doing?" Edmund asked, as she leant forward.
"Aren't the stars beautiful" Mollie replied, her face tilted towards the heavens.
"Yes Mols, but not as beautiful as you" Edmund replied with a smile as he caught her, when she began to dance about.
"I thought I told you not to lie?" she said
"I'm not" he replied with a grin
"Are" she replied stubbornly.
"Mollie, Mollie, Mollie, when are you going to learn to believe me?" Edmund asked
"Never" Mollie called with a smile
"Always arguing" Edmund said softly, catching her slender hands with his.
"Yes" Mollie replied "But you wouldn't have me any other way"
"Of course not" he laughed.
"Come on a ride with me tomorrow" Mollie suddenly said, after they had lapsed into a comfortable silence.
"I can't Mols. I've got the Telmarine agreement to look over" Edmund said tiredly.
"I know for a fact that it doesn't need to be finished for three weeks" Mollie said.
"I've got that case on the wolf to look at" Edmund added.
"It's a straightforward case" Mollie said "He isn't coming to court till next week"
"I know its straightforward Mols, but I've got to check the evidence" Edmund replied.
"Ed, you've been working since Marli left" Mollie said looking at him in concern.
"And?" Edmund asked.
"Please Ed. I don't want you to overwork yourself" replied Mollie.
"I can't Mols" he said.
"Ed, please. I'll let you work the rest of tomorrow, just come for a ride with me in the morning" Mollie pleaded "It can be my birthday present off you"
"Alright Mols, only for you" he replied.
"Good, now come on, bedtime" Mollie said firmly. She took his hand and led him back to bed. Edmund fell asleep quickly, Mollie by his side.

The sun rose in the morning and Mollie dragged Edmund out of bed.
"Mols" he complained tiredly.
"Oh come on Ed, breakfast then a ride!" Mollie beamed. Edmund looked at her amusedly. She was already dressed in a pale blue riding dress. Edmund dressed as Mollie roused Kye and helped Callie dress.
"Mama what we doing today?" Callie asked as she followed Mollie through the door.
"You're learning" Mollie said.
"What you doing mama?" Callie asked.
"I'm taking Daddy on a ride then training and me, you and Kye are going to play in the garden this afternoon" Mollie replied.
"Auntie Susan said it's your birthday and you're having a party" Kye said.
"Yes it is, and yes I am" Mollie replied, a scowl on her face.
"Can I come?" Kye asked.
"If you two are good and your Professors tell me you've worked hard, and then you can come" Mollie replied.
"Yes!" Callie cheered. They walked down to breakfast shortly after. The family sang happy birthday to Mollie who smiled and thanked them all.

"I thought I should remind you that we are going on a tour of the country. Visiting the border regions mainly" Peter said.
"Peter we know" Edmund replied, throwing a raspberry at his older brother who caught it and popped it in this mouth with a smile.
"I know Ed, but we've got to make sure everyone knows" Peter replied, then addressed the table "As Narnia is too big to tour in one group, we'll be doing it as two. Ed, Su and I will be in one group and Anna, Lu and Mollie in the other"
"Why can't I go with you?" Lucy asked.
"If Anna is in trouble I can count on you two to get her out of it, same with Su, Ed and I will protect her" Peter replied. Lucy nodded.
"It's mainly about children. I don't know who should go with who" Peter said.
"Why don't we leave them at home?" Susan asked "They'll be much safer"
"I promised Kye he could come on the next tour, leaving Cal at home by herself isn't fair" Edmund said.
"Same" Peter added.
"I would like to have Alyanna and Alaina with me. Peter you should spend some quality time with Edward" Annabel said.
"I should" Peter replied.
"I'll take… Oh I don't know, I'd say Kye, because he can help protect Annabel, but you promised him Ed, that you'd spend more time with him in the future"
"I'll take Cal. Kye and I are going fishing tomorrow" Edmund said.
"Can you fish?" Susan asked.
"Yes" Edmund replied.
"When did you last fish?" Lucy asked with a smile.
"I don't know. But I can." Edmund said
"Alright, at least that's sorted." Peter said.

"Mollie, we're having a ball tonight for you. Don't worry; there are no foreign dignitaries coming, or none that I know of. Anyway, will you come into my room around half four, I'll have a bath drawn for you?" Susan said.
"Alright, but I refuse to wear pink" Mollie said.
"I know" Susan replied.
"Mols, The horses, they'll be saddled about now" Edmund said. Mollie smiled again.
"Come on Cal, Kye; let's get you two to your lessons" Mollie said.
"Leave them here; I'll take them when I take Eddie, Alyanna and Alaina" Annabel said.
"Thank you Annabel" Mollie replied. She gave both her children a hug and a kiss. "Remember what I said" she added.
"Yes mum" Kye said with a grin as he picked a few more strawberries.
"Yes mama" Callie replied.
"Alright, love you, see you at lunch, and work hard." Mollie said.
"Have fun. And Kye don't misbehave" Edmund added and looked at Kye sternly. Kye nodded innocently.

Mollie and Edmund walked out to the stables.
"What horse have you got for me?" Mollie asked the stable master.
"The new stallion, Fringle, he's Calormen bred, Your Majesty, he's a tad flighty though, but Lydia is available" the stable master, Mr Capps said.
"No, I want to ride him. I'm sure he isn't too bad" Mollie replied. She liked it when a new horse came into the stable. One that was a tad skittish or flighty. A challenge.

The pair rode out through the town, which by now was busy. They went at a walk, waving and greeting the locals. Then once the town was replaced with a gate, they were bowed too as they rode through and into the lush green, rolling expanse of Narnia. A single, straight track ran in front of them, stretching out till the woods on the horizon. Mollie looked at Edmund who smiled at her. She kicked Fringe's sides and he leapt into action, bolting forward. Edmund, on Jeanne, a young mare, raced after her. They galloped side by side. Once they reached the woods they slowed their panting horses. They led them to a little stream and tied them up so they could drink and reach the grass. Then the pair flopped down on the grass.
"Happy Birthday Mollie" Edmund said.
"Thank you" Mollie replied "I'm 26; I'm getting old" she sighed.
"You're not old sweetheart" Edmund said.
"I'm growing older. Can we not go back to when we were 16?" Mollie asked.
"No, unless you can turn back time" Edmund replied.
"Maybe I can" Mollie said.
"Your talents are endless?" Edmund laughed.
"Even I haven't discovered them all yet" Mollie replied a slight smile twisting her mouth up at the corners. Edmund just smiled, sitting up.

The pair sat in silence for a while. Their horses cropping the grass behind them, the birds fluttering and singing in the forest behind them and the water gurgling as it moved over the rocks and stream bed. Slowly as the pair bathed in the sunshine, lying in the grass with their eyes closed, a storm began to creep in from the west. When the first drops of rain fell from the sky the pair opened their eyes.
"How long have we been here?" Mollie asked.
"Not long. Come on! The good weather is breaking" Edmund said, pulling Mollie to her feet. They mounted their horses and urged them on. They galloped forward, racing over the grass. A flash of lightening lit up the sky briefly and Fringle reared, whinnying in alarm. Mollie clung on as the thunder followed, making the horse rear in alarm before bolting towards the forest. Mollie tried in vain to stop him, but as the lightening lit up the sky once more, the stallion came to a standstill, rearing once more. As the rain poured down Mollie's grip loosened and she tumbled off the horse's back. The stallion disappeared into the woods as Mollie rubbed her head. Edmund pushed Jeanne towards the woods. He stopped her when he came to Mollie.
"Are you all right sweetheart?" he asked.
"I'm fine" Mollie said sitting up, rubbing her head.
"Are you sure?" Edmund asked.
"Sure" Mollie sighed.
"If you weren't I would have said that we would cancel the party" Edmund said.
"Oh no, Edmund, I'm so injured" Mollie pretended to swoon.
"Sure you are, come on darling" Edmund laughed, he offered his hand and pulled her up behind him. Jeanne galloped down the road towards the castle. They arrived at the castle before long. The stable master took Jeanne's reins and they dismounted.
"We've lost Fringle" Edmund said. "He spooked and bolted"
"It's all right Sire, he'll find his way home once the storm's over" the stable master said.
"You've made sure it's ready, haven't you?" Edmund asked as Mollie found some hay for the mare.
"Yes sire"
"Thank you" Edmund smiled. Edmund and Mollie ran into the castle and headed to get changed.

I'm sorry. I had this written about 3 days after I posted my last chapter, I sent it to my new beta and she never got it back to me, it's been too long and I've decided to just post it. I'll have another one up soon; I'm already about half way through it. Sorry!

Jedhev.
As always, please review.