The next day, Harry and Luna left the castle under Harry's invisibility cloak. The pair walked into the Forbidden Forest before they removed the cloak.

"How are you going to find them Peter?" Lucy asked as they walked deeper into the forest.

Peter gave a small smile. "They are centaurs; I have no doubt that they already know who and where we are, and why we are here." Peter said softly.

"Correct young foal." A voice said from the side.

Both Peter and Lucy jumped, and Peter had his wand in his hand without conscience thought.

Quickly, he dropped it back to an unassuming position and bowed to the centaur.

"Greetings honored elder." Peter said respectfully.

The centaur was surprised by the greeting, and it showed on his face.

"How do you know of the ancient greeting young one?" the centaur asked.

Other centaurs emerged from the surrounding forest, quickly circling the children.

Peter straightened and said "I am High King Peter of Narnia; I come to seek the counsel of the centaur Elders."

The centaurs moved restlessly, obviously surprised. A few even muttered angrily, surprising the two royals. The centaurs they knew never did something as vulgar as muttering.

Finally after a few minutes, a centaur stepped forward. "You claim to be of Royal blood foal, what proof do you provide?"

Peter frowned slightly. "I can give little more than my word, and my knowledge of your customs that I learned from one of my closest friends."

Bane stamped a hoof "That's not good enough foal! We do not accept any who can say a sentence in the old ways! We are an ancient and proud people, we will not submit for you, no matter your claims!"

Peter's eyes narrowed. "While I can understand that events in recent years may have damaged your faith in the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, do not let anger blind you to the truth of the stars Bane."

"You are no Son of Adam foal" another centaur said "I recognize you as a Son of Merlin, and one who has been here before."

Peter gave a small nod and said "Indeed, I have blended with a Son of Merlin who has entered your lands in the past, but I am no longer just him. I am also the High King, and I seek an audience with your Elders."

"Lies!" Bane spat out. "You are just another of the lying wizards who would control us!"

Peter had barely a chance to move as Bane fired an arrow at him. Anger filled Peters mind as he realized that the centaur had tried to kill him. Within his mind a lion roared, and Peter reached out.

Peter's sword and shield fell into his grasp as they did in Narnia. The Centaurs eyes widened and grew even larger as Peter spoke in a commanding tone.

"Centaur Bane, I herby challenge you."

Bane had recognized the deep magic the boy had called upon, but he still refused to believe the boy. He brought forth a spear and charged the boy.

In the commotion, as the Centaur observers backpedaled quickly, Lucy slipped outside their circle and into the forest.

She knew Peter would be fine, he had faced fiercer foes in the past, but she had a mission to do.

Peter ducked the first thrust of Bane's spear and retaliated with a quick chop that knocked the spear away from him.

Bane turned and drove the spear straight into Peter's shield. Both grunted at the impact, but Peter recovered faster and pushed his shield forward, unbalancing Bane.

Then he swung his sword up and around, striking Bane with the flat of his blade.

Bane fell to the ground and Peter stepped on the spear and held his blade to Bane's throat.

"Yield Bane" Peter said in a cold voice. Bane held up his hands and let his spear fall from his grasp.

"I yield to the High King" Bane said subdued.

Lucy walked through the forest. She knew she was looking for a sign that these trees were even somewhat awake. Unfortunately, it seemed that the trees were so deeply asleep that they couldn't even feel the wisps of Deep Magic floating through the forest in her wake.

Lucy, by her very presence was releasing Deep Magic into the forest that had not felt its touch for centuries. Unfortunately, while the animal denizens could feel her presence and respond to it, the trees were oblivious.

Lucy sat against a tree, large enough to hold her three times over and placed her hands on the trunk. Then she pushed with her power. A pulse of Deep Magic filled the forest. Animals and magical creatures that had been hidden or lost for years suddenly sat up and took notice.

The Queen had returned, and She was calling them.