Disclaimer: I may start a savings account to see if I can buy the rights to Narnia, become a millionaire, and create seven movies that echo the book in almost every detail, but until such money becomes mine, Narnia does not belong to me.

Beta'd by trustingHim17 - look, I remembered again this time!

OOOOO

Peter strolled the halls, looking for the Wolf who had so lately interrupted them. She and the Pack often patrolled the halls willingly, for they felt it was their territory and theirs to keep safe. It had, in the past—particularly when an unpleasant Dwarf had taken his axe to a few of Cair Paravel's support pillars—helped to keep everyone much safer, but it also made them difficult to find at times. Peter, however, enjoyed the quiet reprieve the search offered and didn't enlist help.

So it was Peter was wandering about the halls when his brother and the Leopards found him. Peter, curious as why the Leopards were with Edmund rather than Susan, let the question die before it reached his lips when he saw Edmund's grim face.

"What news now, King Edmund?"

"News I have, and ill. Hast found the Pack and sent them to our sister?" Peter shook his head, and Edmund sighed sharply. "Patterfeet!" he called, and Peter heard a curious thump from the hall down where he'd come and the quick scratches of scurrying clawed paws swiftly following. A few second later Patterfeet came in sight, Edmund speaking before he'd fully reached them.

"Find at once the Wolves of the Cair, and bid them go to Queen Lucy. They are not to leave her, and bid them guard her well."

"At once!" Pattertfeet squeaked, bowing. As he straightened he hesitated, eyes flashing to King Peter. "But, but, Oreius said, he said-"

"My brother will not leave my side till Oreius again has a Narnian trailing him; my word as knight and king. Now off!" Edmund replied, Leo adding a low growl to emphasize the words. Patterfeet bowed once more, taking a single instant, then leaped four times his height onto the wall and ran on it down the hall, once jumping over a tapestry.

"We go to find them as well. The more eyes the better." Peter lengthened his stride, going the opposite way from the Squirrel, and Edmund easily matched him, the Leopards falling in behind. "Leo, repeat for the High King what your sharp ears overheard. In the order you told me, that he may hear all."

"I left my brother to watch the noble Tarkaans and went to market to find what Narnia thinks of our guests. I heard first the stories of Narnian disappearances from the border, grown into taller tales than are true, and little talk of Cair Paravel's guests. But after I had walked the market many times, and still heard nothing of note, I caught the unpleasant scent of fish and oil, of a man who stinks with such things and lives in them, and I heard his soft footsteps slinking down an alley, as if the human trying not to be heard." Peter smiled grimly; such sounds as they made were all too loud to a Cat, even a Great Cat. "I jumped on top of the nearest roof and followed him, doubting he would look up. He was dressed in a turban, not the rich purple or scarlet of the Tarkaan guests, but a simple white, as their soldiers wear. He did not know his way well, and cursed barbarians and even Aslan Himself," and Leo's words became a growl, "till he found his way to a gap between two houses overshadowed by trees. I have found illicit dealings taking place there before; whomever he met, knew of the hiding places of criminals. I could not see for the branches, my Kings, and I am sorry, for the Calormene and his uneasy partner met to discuss how and when they could procure the person of Queen Lucy, and whether or not seven or eight somethings, I do not know what, were sufficient payment. I leaped onto the tree, and from there jumped down, meaning to demand in Aslan's name they stop their foul business, but the branches betrayed my presence—I am no Panther—I am so sorry, my Kings, but when I reached the ground they had run, and I could find neither."

"I should have come," Por growled. "I am faster, and we could have chased both, and one we could have caught! But no, I stayed to watch the Lamash go to the counting house and figure the balance of Narnian coin to Calormene crescent!"

"Peace!" Peter thundered, his stride already lengthening. "Regrets do nothing; there is no mistake to learn from either. Leo, We commend you on the warning you gave; 'tis to us now to act. To the North Tower, Por, with all your speed, to find if the Queen is there; Leo, to the gardens, she might go there to walk. Edmund-"

"I stay with you," Edmund interrupted. "I gave my word to take Patterfeet's task of following, and till I am released, I stay. We will find her," he promised, even as the Leopards bounded away, Por passing them in a trice. "Now save your kingly breath to run."

Run they did, knowing, however their hearts urged them on, it was useless to sprint till they could not breathe. The steady run Oreius trained into them, loping strides to match a Centaur's trot, heads swiveling down each hallway and sometimes stopping to knock on doors. She was not in the kitchens, up the stairs to where the Naiads were singing, in the Great Hall, nor the treasury, and Peter wished in frustration his sister was not so well traveled!

"Mr. Tumnus," Edmund gasped at last, pausing Peter. She'd be with Mr. Tumnus.

"Her sitting room," Peter realized, and once again the two kings turned to run. Up one flight of stairs, down an arched hall, up the flight of stairs at its end, and Peter's heart began to calm as he heard beautiful, fluting music, growing louder as they neared her rooms. They did not bother knocking, but opened the door, rushing in at once, and seeing a startled Mr. Tumnus with his pipes still on his lips though he was no longer playing, Queen Lucy with her head tilted, listening, in her favorite chair, and Ikelken with tears on his cheeks on her couch.

"Oh dear, oh dear, something bad must have happened," the elderly faun said, his pipes falling.

"What ill tidings bring you at such speed, my brothers?" Lucy asked, rising swiftly, her hand falling to the dagger she now had belted around her waist. Peter paused and glanced at Ikelken. His turban displayed a deep blue, and he did not seem at all guilty, but Peter did not trust him near Lucy at the moment.

"News came of an urgent need for you, fair sister. If our guest would excuse us?"

"The peace of—peace and success attend all your endeavors," Ikelken replied, also rising. He bowed in the doorway, Peter watching him till the door closed. In other circumstances he would have been impressed with how quickly the Calormene left, giving up the greetings of his people, but for now Peter had no trust in them.

"The Leopard Leo overheard a plan between Calormene and a person unknown to kidnap you," Peter told his sister bluntly. She did always prefer the outright truth.

"For what reason?" she asked calmly, her hand still on her dagger, while Mr. Tumnus puffed up in indignation.

"Kidnap a Narnian Queen? Such has always failed, by the grace of Aslan, oh, why must people try again?"

"We do not know, my sister," Edmund put in more quietly, ignoring Mr. Tumnus for the moment. "Their plans were interrupted before we could learn more, but I would have you away from here."

"And go to where? There is surely no safer place than Cair Paravel! Except to be at Aslan's own side," Lucy added as an afterthought.

"Not while we entertain guests who may let their collaborators behind our walls," Peter pointed out grimly. "Where do you think to send her?" he asked Edmund.

"Archenland, though without letting rumor fly of journey or destination," Edmund said quietly, lowering his voice. "There are naught there but our friends during this season."

"So I shall slip away in the night?" Lucy questioned, and Peter saw her good humor start to rise at the prospect of another adventure.

"The Wolves go with you," he warned her, and her smile grew larger.

"Would you have me steal a horse from our stable and go meet them, my brother, or by what means do you plan to get me unnoticed from behind our walls to the open road that may be seen many miles ahead?" she asked Edmund, who frowned.

"I was more concerned with finding you first, sister fair," he said dryly. "But we could yet try—what is the matter, Mr. Tumnus?" For the Faun, as he had once in Tashbaan, was holding his horns as if his head would fall off and dancing about, thinking.

"I thought, I thought—behind the Low Dunes, the Wolves pulling it out—provisions, of course, I hadn't thought of that—stop, stop, stop! I'm thinking!" though the siblings had said nothing. At last he let go and nodded his little head. "What if we didn't go by the road?" he asked carefully. "Two nights past the Turtles came again to our shores, and Purpoise and Squint* asked me to give their greetings to the Queen. There're unused rafts behind the Low Dunes; if Queen Lucy goes to visit her old friends-"

"And the Wolves pull out a raft," Peter added, catching on.

"And the Turtles do not mind guiding the raft, which they will not," Edmund interjected, a smile beginning,

"Then off we race to Archenland!" Lucy finished. "But did you say 'we," Mr. Tumnus?" she asked, smiling, and he bowed to her.

"May I have the privilege of an old friend and invite myself to your adventure?"

"I welcome you," she answered, holding out her hand.

"And I give you thanks for going," Edmund added.

"Seconded, old and faithful friend of ours. Yet you mentioned problems with provisions?" Peter asked.

"I don't know how we are get those without attention," Mr. Tumnus admitted.

"Susan will; my sister ever astounds me with her ability to manage such things in ways no one notices. 'Tis how surprise parties happen for the Kings and myself, always by her hand. The little that we require will cause no problem," Lucy assured him.

"Then, good cousin, I request you go and quietly tell our sister the news, and beseech her to provide such as you, Queen Lucy, and the Wolves may need on this journey." Mr. Tumnus bowed and went out, and the two brothers waited till the door shut behind him. Then Peter held out his arms, and Lucy came and hugged him. Peter held her a moment, relishing the fact that she was safe, and this evil plan had been so far thwarted. "Stay safe in castle in Archenland," he told her, and Edmund's hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"Aslan goes with me to all places," she reminded them. "Cor, Corin, and Aravis will prove most pleasant companions, and it will be little time before I am again home." She hugged Peter tighter, then let go, spinning to embrace Edmund as well, holding him just as long. Peter watched them, and asked for Aslan's blessing on her journey, and on Edmund's safety as they hunted down those who planned his sister's ill.

For neither brother would be resting soon, and Peter's eyes grew hard as he thought of how much was bent against them at this moment: Calormenes with fair words and unknown intentions, evil at the north border, and now a plan to take the youngest Ruler.

"If your face remains in such a look much longer, brother, I fear you will not even need your voice to frighten away all who see you," Lucy broke into his thoughts. She came closer to him, looking up. "What is it?"

"The Calormenes, the north, and now this," Peter explained. "An ill wind blowing from many directions, and there seems to be little shoring against them."

"The north may be solved!" Lucy exclaimed, brightening. "Captain Stonewar sent word by the Eagle Swiftflight. One more kidnapping was attempted, and word of it was waiting on their return. A band of ragged and disreputable men, talking of the profit they would make from his sale, chained a Son of Adam and dragged him to their camp on the border. But the Son of Adam learned smithing at the hands of Dwarves, and knew of how to break the rusting chain. He escaped his tether, fleeing and finding nearby a Talking Horse, grazing, and the Horse offered its speed. The Scouts and soldiers set out for the band that very day, finding it and giving chase; since the chase no glimpse nor tracks of the band has been seen."

"Then one worry is set aside, though not finished," Peter agreed, sitting down with a sigh. "Glad am I to hear it." The other two sat beside him.

"So we need only hunt in Cair Paravel," Edmund murmured, the fire of a Judge seeking justice in his tone. "The hunt begins soon."

"Our sister safely gone first," Peter reminded him, pausing as they heard light footsteps running up the stairs. All three stood, hands stealing to their weapons, but falling back to their sides when the door opened and Susan stood breathless in the frame, three leather bags swinging in one hand.

"Mr. Tumnus has told me all," she said, her eyes going to Lucy. "Oh, Lucy, you are well?"

"It is my turn to play the bait, my sister," Lucy reassured her, eyes twinkling. "But poor bait I shall be! For I go to dwell above the fishes, not lure them in."

"And here is food for your journey," Susan said, handing her the largest bag. "These two I give for the Wolves. But you will go, and soon?"

"As soon as the Wolves, Turtles, and Mr. Tumnus be ready," Lucy responded. She turned back to her brothers. "You sent word?"

"To the Wolves; Patterfeet goes swiftly down the walls of our home. Speaking," Peter said, turning back to Edmund, "of our good cousin the Squirrel, who spoke briefly of following me, what meant he by that?"

"You have lost some skill, if your aging eyes did not notice," Edmund teased. He and Peter looked at each other a moment, agreeing to lighten the mood for the sake of their sisters, and play out this quarrel. "For all the four of us have shadows, set to task by Oreius after he spoke with Ren. Lucy's was to be Mr. Tumnus, though I fear he forgot in the newest news we brought. Oreius will have words with him for that!"

"No, he won't, for Mr. Tumnus will not be here," Lucy interjected, and Edmund bowed to her, sitting down once again.

"I found, on inquiry made to our good general, that my sister Susan's shadow was delineated to a Mouse,"

"The one washing all the furniture behind me, no matter where I went?" Edmund nodded, and Susan shook her head. "The poor dear thing."

"Peter's was the quick and clever Patterfeet, whom he did not notice, and mine was the Kitten a few weeks old, for Oreius was requested to start his training young."

"Then yours was easier to notice, my brother, and you have but little to crow over with such loud voice!"

Edmund's reply was broken off by steps outside once again, this time many of them. Peter drew his sword as he rose, Edmund taking up a stance by his side as they stood between their sisters and the door. The door slowly swung open, Peter keeping his grip light and versatile, and then he relaxed as the Pack poked their heads in the door.

Explaining the situation took little time. Ren did not like leaving Cair Paravel unprotected (no Pack liked completely leaving their ground). Socrates and Salsha agreed to stay, though under protest, for Socrates had liked Queen Lucy from the first. But Durai overrode him, and he, Rena, Ralf, and Ren agreed to meet by the Low Dunes, Rena staying with Lucy as they walked to the shore, and Ralf fetching Mr. Tumnus to the same place. To their dismay, the older siblings realized they could not all go with their sister to meet the Turtles, for that would attract too much attention. Instead they hugged her in her room, Susan wrapping a cloak around her shoulders and packing a few things Lucy had forgotten she might need (like a brush) in the pack, Edmund handing her an extra, tiny dagger that could be hidden in her sleeve, and Peter bestowing the High King's blessing.

"Aslan go with you," he said, kissing her forward. "We are safe in His paws."

"Aslan is safety," Lucy said, smiling at him.

"And Narnia is freedom," he finished, reversing the order to finish their saying. Mr. Tumnus stood waiting in the doorway with Rena, and he turned her towards them, gently pushing her. "Keep my sister safe," he bid them quietly.

"With our lives," they responded, and a few moments later they were gone.

"Swiftflight still soars the skies, glad to be home, and I asked him to watch her safely to shore," Susan said in the silence that overtook the room once Lucy left.

"'Tis well thought of," Peter responded, trying to smile. It didn't really work.

"To the hunt?" Edmund asked grimly, and Peter nodded.

"To the hunt. A Calormene went to market, by turban and accent, and the Calormenes we will watch. Leo to Ikelken, who sat with our sister, Por to Uvayeth, whom I still mistrust."

"Oreius to Lamash, for he will want a part of our hunt, my brother, and his wits are a match for the Calormene's."

"As long as he leaves the Calormene's head in place, which he will not wish to do when he hears of this." Peter thought a moment. "For the sheep-like of our guests?"

"I will find two Squirrels," Susan put in quietly. They turned to look at her and she smiled a strained smile. "For our sister," she added softly, with iron beneath.

"For our sister," her brothers repeated.


The hunt went nowhere. Oreius, once notified (and that had been unpleasant, for he would rather have sent Queen Lucy with a stronger guard, and told his Sovereigns so—respectfully), set soldiers to watching all who belonged to the Tarkaans' escort as well.

None of them did anything untoward. The remaining Three met the only in public places, and plied them with questions on the powers that had sent them, wishing to see clearly—and to have them gone soon—but they met with frustration there as well.

Nothing new has been revealed, my sister, Peter wrote a few days later, the quill moving smoothly in his hand as he bent over his desk. I wish I had more to send than greetings, but Aslan has willed it so. The Mice and Birds keep watch by the passages filling the market, but see no strangers but sailors lurking there, and though their disgust grows with each unlawful trade they hear—it is only by strict instructions that the Mice are kept from challenging each villain then and there—yet there is nothing of danger. Though none of us have spoken of it to each other, we fear the danger may have followed you, though we know not how. Keep caution as your companion, and courage in your heart, my Valiant sister! I commit you to the care of Aslan.

Your brother,
Peter, High King of Narnia

He paused, then dipped the quill in ink and added a postscript.

One more day and night till our answer must be given to the Calormenes. Glad I shall be when this finishes, for the lines on our fair sister's face grow minutely deeper each passing sunset. Her own courage stands steadfast under the strain, but I would wish it were not so. She lacks your presence to remind her of the peace trusting Aslan brings, and that, too, I would see restored. But in your absence I shall do my best. I take her out, on our Healer's advice (our brother Edmund laughed afterwards at the sight of a demure Skunk stopping the High King four times her Aslan-given height and demanding of me "to do something about the Gentle Queen's health or I'll spray the entire Cair to send her outside for a break"—laugh at me if you must, but you know even Oreius fears to cross that Skunk—and so tomorrow the two of us ride, leaving Edmund to care for our illustrious and ever-pompous guests. 'Tis sweet revenge for his laughter, to leave him behind, and so the last smile belongs to me. Or rather to you, dear Queen, since I shall have finished my laughing by the time Swiftflight brings this to you, and your laughter will have just begun.
Once more, for I wish it always, Aslan's care guard you.

The High King sealed the letter, slid it into a messenger's pouch, and carried it to the open window to give to the waiting Eagle. He watched the Eagle till it was out of sight, going north first, that none could follow it by foot, and then heading to Archenland. Lucy's reply would come by some other means, and it should keep her whereabouts unknown.

Peter sighed heavily, turning to go to bed. Tomorrow would have challenges enough, and sleep would help make him fit for them. Though he would have a break, and he smiled to himself. Riding with any of his siblings, away from guests, guards, responsibilities, and cares, was one of his favorite activities at Cair Paravel, and he was quite ready for the peace riding with the Gentle Queen would bring. He fell asleep smiling, unaware that his ride tomorrow would bring the very opposite of peace.

OOOOO

*From A Turtle's Tale

Response to Anonymousme: I read your review in my sister's kitchen, listening to the cacophony created by my numerous nieces and nephews, and I was indeed smiling. My sense of mischief only developed in college, but after so long a repression it was overdeveloped, and remains so, despite the years between college and myself. And while I do try not to let it out in my writing, I don't try very hard. :) I've read most of Alara's works, and liked both Grey England and Golden Narnia. The second has been updated recently, by the way. I think anyone outside the Moonspring clan will say Belana's done well; I think those in it will either have to keep their own opinions private, or join her clan themselves. But if that happens, and most of them leave, a part of me does feel sorry for Biss, who brought about the very thing he feared by listening to nothing but that fear. What do you think will happen? And it's always fun to hear people want to hear the rest of the story, so thank you for that. And it's less real life than trying, gradually, to switch my current career to that of writing, eventually. I'd like to have something to out by next January, and that means quite a bit of work in the meantime; and since I still have my fulltime job, that means a lot less fanfiction, sadly. I'm glad my summaries are good (thank you for that), because they're the worst part of the story for me to write! I had to summarize The Abolition of Man into three pages, and you'd think summarizing the already-concise Lewis would prepare me for writing story summaries, but no, not really.