A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I'm back now and in writing form again. I hope you like this next chapter. Thanks for the reviews, the last one in particular from a guest reviewer helped me get back to writing.

Last time …

As Susan walked through the gardens, she noticed a small dark shadow slipping through the trees to her left. Angling her path slightly, Susan headed towards the old palace. It was a deserted part of the complex, rarely used, except by the Tisroc, for his most secret meetings; the meetings that Edmund's spies had been unable to penetrate.

Slipping into one of the rooms and lighting the lamp that stood there, Susan turned to greet the small shadow that had crept into the room behind her.

"Greetings Kalloo" she said to him. "How goes your assignment in Lasaraleen and Azrooh's palace?

"Challenging My Queen!" the monkey replied. "But most illuminating!"

Monkey See / Monkey Hear.

Susan settled down on the divan in the room with the monkey, Kalloo beside her. Kalloo was her most secret spy, one that even her brothers and sister did not know about. When Edmund had confided in her the difficulties of overhearing the Tisroc's most secret councils, Susan had considered the problem at some length. The meetings themselves were impregnable, and so, she concluded that the only way to learn of the content of the meetings was to obtain that information from one of the meeting's participants.

The Tisroc was of course out of the question as was any member of his family – they were too heavily guarded to spy upon, as was the Grand Vizier, who in any case, was so disliked that he had no one to talk to, and so, there would be no opportunities to overhear any conversations. That left Azrooh; he was a close confidant of the Tisroc and attended practically all of his secret councils. And … he had a new, young, pretty wife named Lasaraleen, who he was besotted with, and … who he told everything to.

Not long after Susan discovered this information, a small, adorable monkey found its way into Lasaraleen's rooms and charmed her so much that she decided to keep him as a pet. The Monkey was extremely spoiled by his mistress, who allowed him to roam at will through her palace, no matter who was there or what was being discussed. Azrooh, although he found the monkey irritating, did not object … he would tolerate anything to please his young wife, Lasaraleen.

Susan turned to the monkey smiling, "It is good to see you again Kalloo" she said. "What news?"

Kalloo bowed to Susan, "Grave news My Queen" he replied. "Azrooh has been in meetings with the Tisroc," (here he turned and spat on the ornate carpet – Susan pretended not to notice, one cannot expect perfect manners from a monkey after all.) Kalloo continued. "Azrooh is concerned that the Tisroc may force Your Majesty to stay even if you decide to end your courtship with Prince Rabadash. He told Lasaraleen that the Tisroc intimated as much in their meeting. The Tisroc (another spit) told Azrooh that this might be the excuse he needed to go to war with Narnia. Azrooh is worried, he is a timid man and dislikes warfare. He would much prefer to stay at home and enjoy the charms of his young wife."

"Thank you Kalloo" Susan said standing. "We had surmised as much but it is good to get some confirmation. We are preparing to leave in secret tonight. Is there anything else?"

"Well … there is one thing." He said hesitatingly. "Your Majesties will not be the only ones fleeing Tashbaan tonight. There will be others."

Susan raised her eyebrows in shock. "Who?" she asked stunned.

Susan could hardly believe her ears as Kalloo outlined the tale that the young Tarkeena, Aravis (the fiancé of the Grand Vizier, no less) had told Lasaraleen. Kalloo told how Aravis was fleeing Tashbaan that night and making for Narnia with two talking horses and a young peasant boy.

"You are sure they are heading for Narnia?" Susan asked Kalloo worriedly. While neither she, nor any Narnian would hesitate to offer succour to anyone, not least a young girl who was being forced to marry against her will, the political ramifications would be enormous. To shelter the fiancée of the Grand Vizier of Calormene would be an act of direct defiance to the Tisroc. Although, Susan reflected, the Tisroc intended to go to war anyway, this would just be one among many reasons he would give."

"Thank you for the information Kalloo. I must inform Edmund and the others of this" she told the monkey. "Go back to Lasaraleen's palace and keep an eye on this Aravis. It may be that we can smuggle her and her companions aboard our ship. The journey across the desert is arduous, especially for ones so young."

"To hear is to obey, oh My Mistress." Answered the monkey in a perfect Calormene accent.

Susan raised an eyebrow. "I think you may have been in Calormene for too long Kalloo." She said. "I believe we shall also be adding a monkey to the passenger list for our return voyage."

"I confess I am glad My Queen." The monkey replied with a short bow. "While it has been an honour to serve as a spy for my country. I must confess that Lasaraleen's constant chatter is wearying, even for a monkey, ironic as that may seem!"

Hurrying back to the palace that the Narnian's were lodged in, Susan spied Lord Peridan making his way hastily towards her.

"My Queen" he called loudly. "You will be glad to hear that we have found Prince Corin. He is currently with King Edmund in the small reception room." Susan made her way towards Peridan, her eyes fixed on his rapidly moving fingers that were giving an entirely different account. "Prince Corin is still missing, the boy we found is his twin, the missing Prince, Prince Cor. He does not appear to know his identity." He signed much to Susan's shock.

Susan struggled to maintain a calm countenance at this information, as she realised how dangerous it would prove if this information reached the ears of the Tisroc through his spies. They must continue the pretence that this boy was Prince Corin and find the real Prince Corin before he returned and gave the game away.

As if reading her mind Peridan continued to sign. "Prince Corin is still missing, but I have sent Sallowpad out to look for him. He is also looking for a young girl and two Narnian Horses that were with Prince Cor."

"That is wonderful news, Lord Peridan" she replied aloud while furiously signing back to Peridan. "I have found the girl. She is with Lasaraleen and plans to escape the city tonight. We need to meet together to discuss this!"
"Peridan" she continued aloud. "Will you tell my brother that you have found me and informed me of the situation, and have his meet us all in the main sitting room with His Highness?"

Nodding with a bow, Peridan raced off to find Edmund.

Susan and the other Narnians waited anxiously in the room for the arrival of Edmund and Prince Cor. Peridan and Susan had quickly signed the situation to the rest of their party and everyone knew the intricacies of the situation and how to act in front of the Prince, and more importantly in front of the hidden Calormene spies!

The door opened and Edmund entered with a young boy.

"Here's our run-away" he announced.

On the surface the boy was identical to Prince Corin, but to a careful observer who knew the Prince better, the differences were at once subtle and yet profound. This young boy had none of the bearing of a Prince. His posture was slouched, as if he were trying to make himself as small as possible. And his eyes! They were apologetic, timid and frightened, very unlike the confident, mischievous Prince Cor.

Before the boy could say anything, Susan rushed forward to him and embraced him tightly. If he was going to protest his identity, now might be the time he chose to do it. He must be stopped at all costs from revealing himself.

"Corin" she cried. "Where have you been? You've been gone all night." The boy looked as if he were about to reply so Susan rushed on hugging him again. "I've been so worried. How could you worry me so and us so close since your mother died? Cor, why don't you answer me?"

Susan knew that she risked the boy answering with this question, but they had agreed that the boy must be allowed to say something or else the spies would be suspicious that the normally verbose Prince was so quiet. Hopefully, she had bombarded him enough with speech and embraces that he would be too stunned to be coherent.

Cor looked around at them all with stunned eyes. It was obvious that he had never seen such creatures as dwarves or fauns before by the stares he directed at them.

"I … I … don't know!" he stammered.

Edmund quickly rushed in before the young Prince could continue.

"You see Susan, I can get no tale out of him, true or false" he said to her. "He will not tell me where he's been."

Edmund's eyes widened as Susan updated him on Kalloo's news of the Tisroc's plans and of Cor's companion being with Lasaraleen and just who the young runaway Tarkeena was.

Tumnus jumped in to cover their sudden silence and to introduce the cover story for the Princes sudden quietness.

"Your Majesties" he said. "King Edmund, Queen Susan. The Little Prince is stunned. Look at him. He has had a touch of the sun. We must allow him to rest!"

At this they all proceed to make a great fuss of the boy. They had him lie back on a sofa a gave him a drink. They used the excuse of his fatigue to leave him alone for a time so that they could make their plans. As they left the room Edmund turned to Tumnus.

"Tumnus" he addressed the faun. "Get some food for the Prince and stay with him. He is not to be left alone. Tell him some tales of Narnia. They will comfort him and make him eager to visit us."
The faun nodded and trotted off to see for a meal for the Prince, He would also make sure to paint a wonderful picture of Narnia, to ensure that the boy did not change his mind about escaping to the land.

Susan, Edmund and the other Narnians made their way to another reception room to continue their plans. Walking into the room, they stopped short. There standing in front of them was the last person that they expected to see …