All I own is Jewel

"There's a cave up ahead. I can see the overhang, just go straight on."

Peter had to roar louder than he'd ever shouted a battle cry to be heard over the raging storm. Conan didn't even bother trying to reply, instead he just hunched is shoulders to try and keep any warmth he still had and flicked his poor pony into a faster trot. On either side of the cart Jewel and Edmund signalled that they were going to ride a head and make sure that it was safe, and if it wasn't to clear out whatever was making it unsafe because there was no way that they were going anywhere else.

They splashed ahead as they forced their two horses to keep going. They had found the two in the forest a few days ago; they'd taken an immediate liking to the couple and after a few hours both would allow husband or wife to ride them, Conan was amazed, Peter and Lucy were just surprised it hadn't happened sooner.

After a few minutes of rough going Edmund entered the cave a few seconds before Jewel, rapidly dismounting he scanned the cave for any signs of trouble, hand on the hilt of his sword in case there was any. It looked like someone had lived here a while ago but moved out recently, and a blackened spot and a pile of old twigs hinted that it had been a person, there were piles of straw, hay, and heather littered all over the floor like beds, but there was an empty feel to it. Like it had been abandoned in a hurry.

After checking that it was safe they rubbed the horses don with a few scraps of dry cloth and gave them some of the hay, and there was a little spring at the back that they could drink from. It was about then that the other three appeared. Lucy ignored everything else and concentrated on making a fire while Peter unpacked everything and tried to dry out what he could, and Conan took care of his pony.

"We might be stuck here for a while, that storm's not going to quit any time soon."

"Everyone dry off before we worry about that, we won't be any good to anyone if we're all sick."

About an hour later they were all semidry and seated around the small fire, how far away from Frewen's castle are we."

"About three days, but what exactly are you planning to do when you get there."

"Find the magical creatures, with any luck they'll have more up to date information about Frewen and his plans."

"If we're really lucky we might be able to get away with a challenge from the High King, like you did with Miraz. But, I don't think we will, I've heard some of the stories about Frewen when I was at the Peak. He sounds like a limpet, he'll hold on until there's no choice except breaking away."

"What do we do then?"

"Fight back. But this'll have to be stronger than last time; we can't let Narnia go through another few years of peace, and then have another maniac take over the throne."

"Stronger how?"

Peter, Edmund and Jewel all looked at each other after Lucy's question, while the youngest sat there trying to figure out what they would do. Those three were always the better tacticians and fighters out of the five of them. She would fight, and Susan used to be a brilliant archer, but those three were the real stars on a battlefield. The first to charge and the last to retreat.

"I think I have an idea about that, but I want to talk to the magical creatures before I tell you what it is."

"All right lad, now why don't we all get some sleep. WE have to keep moving and it's not going to be easy going tomorrow."

Peter smiled as he put his head down; his family was back together again. Edmund had a light in his eyes that he hadn't seen since the last time he'd been with Jewel, and as for Jewel. When they'd first rescued her she'd had a hollow look in her eyes, and Peter hadn't been sure if it would ever fade away, but already after only a few days in the company of her husband the loneliness and pain had diminished, there were still shadows echoing in her eyes, but it was better than he had thought it would be in three years. Although he really shouldn't be surprised at anything Jewel did anymore, she'd never done anything remotely resembling normal, slapping him the second she woke up being a prime example. And Lucy was just ecstatic to be back in Narnia, as was he, and Conan had slipped into their lives as a father figure, or even an Aslan figure. As he thought of the lion Peter's eyes shuttered over, he still wasn't ready to forgive him for leaving his sister alone for hundreds of years where she was abused and neglected.

Deciding that he would need his sleep tomorrow, and not memories of analysing his family late into the night Peter closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep.

Things continued in that fashion for roughly three weeks, the weather wasn't always that bad, in fact, some days they even managed to travel in the sun, although it didn't happen very often, it was mostly dull, grey and overcast, and very, very cold. Well, Jewel and Lucy thought it as cold anyway, all the guys just thought it was a bit chilly, and ignored Jewel when she insisted that all males were allergic to heat.

They replenished their supplies at the various towns they passed, and picked up some clothes for the royal four that were made in the current styles, instead of their richly made but somewhat archaic clothes.

Two of the teenagers always went into the towns with Conan, and while he bought the things they needed they found out all they could about Frewen, facts and rumours were all useful, and they often helped out in return for the information. And as they journeyed away from the villages Edmund and Jewel rode side by side scratching things onto a bit of paper they had picked up on their first stop. Apparently it was something to do with Edmund's idea about what they could do about Frewen, but the other three weren't allowed to see it.

It was exactly three weeks after the night they spent in the cave, and Lucy was getting crotchety. She may love travelling, but the other four were used to spending this amount of time outdoor, travelling to market towns or on battle campaigns.

They came across the castle just as the sun was setting, and seeing the bright globe go down behind the castle battlements should have been a beautiful sight, towers standing out in sharp relief against nature's natural beauty. But instead steady streams of black smoke rose up into the air, coarse laughter floated on the wind towards them, accompanied by a rotten stench. Could this really be the home of Narnia's 'King'?

I finally updated.

Christina: hope you liked this one too

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