"So let's see if I understood;'' The Magnificent king finally broke the silence after Edmund explained what had just happened. The brothers were outside the house both sitting in a makeshift bench, while waiting for Lucy who was inside talking to the alleged princess and her...body guard? perhaps?

Usually Edmund was the diplomatic sibling -a talent he's learned to master during the Pevensie's reign in the Golden Age of Narnia, but right now the circunstances were diferent ''I can't pass out for a couple of minutes and you have a fight with the sister of the man we are supposed to help?'' Peter asked sarcasticly. If Edmund didn't know him well, he would've actually thought his brother was mad at him.

''You're one to talk, Pete. You've done exactly the same thing before'' Edmund muttered, remembering the eldest of his first encounter with king Caspian years ago. That reminder made the Just king smirk at the coincidence of actually crossing swords with Caspian's daughter herself.

Though the pain on his upper arm wasn't cooperating with his mood, he tried to handle the situation as calmly as possible in front of Peter and specially Lucy, who seemed really worried after seing Edmund's blouse stained with his blood.

"Now that was different! For all I knew Caspian was just another telmarine soldier who invaded our lands'' Peter immediatly defended himself ''...You should know better than attacking a random lady inside her own house when she was obviously narnian'' A random lady who turned out to be royality, the blonde concluded to himself.

"For the love of Aslan, she attacked me!'' Edmund replied a little louder than he intended to ''I would never hurt her, I was just ready to defend myself and Lucy'' He lowered his voice at the last sentence. "And how could I know she was the king's sister? What in the bloody hell would a princess be doing here so far away from the palace?''

''I don't know, really. Everything seems a bit...off. Dont you think?'' Peter asked. His tone immediatly changed. He wasn't talking about Rilian or Syrena anymore. He was talking about the things prior these events.

''I don't think everything is a bit off. I know everything is compleatly off'' Edmund shared the same worried thoughts.

How were they here? Where were Jill and Eustace? Did Aslan called for the siblings instead of their cousin and his friend? And the worst question of them all... ''What in the actual fuck happened in that station''.

The Just king tried to avoid the obvious anwser to that last question. They were in Narnia now, so they would do what they had to do to protect their people. He could worry about England later.

The door in front of them cracked open, and the brothers lifted their gaze to see their sister exiting the cottage with a sweet smile plastered on her freckled face. Both Peter and Edmund immediatly stood up when Syrena followed Queen Lucy making her way out towards the Pevensie boys.

At day light, Edmund could analize the young lady's features better. Now she definetly looked like royality... even wearing a casual light blue dress torned above her knee. And now Edmund could notice how the color of her clothes broght up the green of her eyes, they weren't as dark as he tought they were when he was holding her down inside that dark cold cottage...and her expression was softer, thought she was narrowing her eyes, probably due to the sun beaming down on them.

''I belive I owe you an apology, Your Majesty'' She broke the silence looking directly at him, straightening her posture. Edmund bowed his head courdially.

''No harm done, my lady.'' He said in the calmest tone he could master, but the pain on his arm said otherwise. It was bothering like hell, even though the bleeding had already stoped.

''I am more than delightful to meet Your Highness'' Peter interfered their interaction, taking Syrena's hand with his and placing a gentle kiss on top of it.

"High King Peter the Magnificent at your service. Please forgive us for the intrusion in your lovely house''

Syrena gave him a lovely smile and small bow in return, her cheeks slightly red.

Edmund held the urge to roll his eyes at his brother mentioning his full title...in fact he was glad Peter didn't introduce himself as 'Emperor of the Lone Islands, Lord of Cair Paravel, knight of the most noble order of the Lion, sir Peter wolf's bane, and Peter the Magnificent High King over all the kings of Narnia' as he once did during one of those fancy balls Edmund hated to attend to.

''I am King Edmund, pleased to make your acquaitance, my princess.'' He gave his hand for Syrena to shake, she faced him with a puzzled look. Of course...'she probably doesn't know what a hand shake is, you plonker'. When he was about to repeat Peter's gesture and kiss the woman's hand, Syrena suprised him again by actually giving him a hand shake.

''I'm Syrena. Please just call me Syrena.'' She made the request for all of the three siblings, even though she was still holding onto Edmund's gaze. Her lovely sounding voice couldn't hide the bittersweetness on her tone. Or at least it didn't pass unnoticed by the just king.

Ed opened his mouth to say he also hated when people adressed him as King Edmund, when once again their interaction was interupted by someone else coming out of the cottage.

''Your majesties!'' The four royals turned their attention to the Elf. ''I apologize imensely for my previous actions" Banriel aproched the group bowning before them.

''That's not necesseraly at all Banriel.'' Lucy said, though the apology wasn't exactly directed at her.

''Oh but it is, my queen. I feel ashamed of how I've adressed you, my Lord'' He was now talking to King Edmund, afraid to even meet his gaze. "Aslan's mane, If I knew who you were...''

''That's alright, mate'' Edmund tried to console him. "You were just protecting your lady'' He indicated Syrena with his head.

Banriel laughed at his statement. "Like this lady here would accept any help'' he concluded with another dry ironic laugh. " This thick head is so stubborn she can make giants look like nice reasonable creatures"

The three Pevensies looked at Syrena in disblief. How could he talk to her like that? Even if he was a close friend, that was unusual habbit.

During their times at Cair Paravel, no one dared to joke about the rulers that way, though the siblings wouldn't mind at all. Edmund actually had to remind his subjects how much he hated the formalities, and how he wished they would treat him as an actual friend, and not as someone who had the power to execute them for daring to look a him in a wrong way.

Syrena seemed unbottered by her friend's acid humor. Thought she did answer:

"Not in front of Their majesties Banriel...or I will cut off the tip of your ears and make me a beautiful necklace with them" she smilled sarcasticly.

While they took their way to Rivenorm, Syrena viewed the distance between her and Banriel speaking to the siblings ahead of her as a chance to process everything. Her elf friend was guiding the royals to the village. He insisted to shelter Lucy, Peter and Edmund inside his own home for the day.

He talked to the siblings in a way Syrena had never seen before. It was amusing to see how embarassed and excited Branriel was to be standing before the Kings and Queen of old.

It was hard for her to belive that as well. Syrena had met their cousin Eustace before, but she never thought she would actually meet the Golden Age royals themselves one day.

Weird enough to know these people had met her father in his young days, and that they fought together in the battle against his uncle Miraz, Syrena also remembered when her mother told about the day she first met her father in Ramandu's Island, and that King Edmund and Queen Lucy were there too. Of course this whole thing was an excited event, but that just confirmed their suspicious: something was wrong. Narnia is in danger, and the reason why the king couldn't do anything about it was because he is in danger too.

Remembering Lucy's words about how they saw Rilian tied to a tree, begging Aslan for help made her sick. She actually wanted to vomit that horrible feeling out of her body, and it was hard to have had to keep her posture when she formaly met the Kings -one of them who she had just cut the arm, and also felt strangely attracted to- right after learning her brother's life was at stake.

Despite everything that had happen in the past between her and Rilian, he was still her brother. The only person alive in her family . She loved him, even though he couldn't love her anymore.

Syrena wanted to run back to her cottage and scream away the pain of incertanty. She started to feel extreme anxiety, like there were heavy rocks inside her lungs making it impossible for her to bring fresh air inside of them. Syrena even had to stop a couple of seconds to take deep breaths, allowing a couple of tears to run down her cheeks she prayed. He can't be dead. Please Aslan, if you really exist, don't let him be dead.

Just when she was about to mentaly thank her own choice of staying some meters away from the four people in front of her, so they wouldn't see her disquiet state, Edmund glanced behind in order to see what was taking so long for Syrena to catch up. He held his gaze for longer than he intended after noticing the princess' apprehension. Under the Just King's eyes, Syrena imediatly regained her posture, whiping away any trace of angust she had seconds ago and ran towards the group.

The elves were agitated with the arrival of the Pevensies. Though most of them didn't belive in the tales of Aslan and the children from another world, they did respect the old narnian belif, especially around Syrena. Most of them wanted to throw a fancy reception and dinner to host the siblings, but the royals insisted it wasn't necessarely and that they had really important matters to discuss.

Arathorn, as the leader of the village was especially introduced to the Pevensies. Yralissa and Erlan where amazed to face the actuals kings and queen who they've only have had heard in stories before, and people they thought weren't even real.

''I thought elves were one of the most magical creatures to exist, but they seem pretty skeptical about the deep magic to me'' Lucy whispered in Syrena's ear, while watching her brothers and Banriel talking to Arathorn who was having a hard time beliving the true intention of the humans in their lands.

''it's a long story...'' Syrena awsered after recovering from the small jump scare the Queen gave her with her sudden aproach ''Elves are not originaly from Narnia, most of them still belive in their old gods of their ancestors. Especially Arathorn. His family had led the elves for centuries''

''That explains why i've never seen elves in Narnia before'' Lucy responded with a nostalgic look while Syrena pulled her away from the crowding surronding them. Syrena tried to remember how much Narnia has actually changed since the golden age, the telmarine invasion and the reign of her father. Lots of kingdoms were risen, new creatures discovered, new lands conquered in 1300 years. She could only imagine how much Narnia, and the whole world for that matter was different for Peter, Lucy and Edmund.

''Come. I'll take you to Ban's house.'' She said guiding the way. ''You must be starving. I know I am.''

''The only thing we know about Rilian is that he was being held prisioner when he apeared to us'' Peter said after taking a bite of his bread. Banriel's house was build around a tree, some parts of the second floor were sustained by it's strong branches. The elvish arquitecture was splendorous and excentric. ''Now, if what Banriel told us is true, and calormanes are around Narnia, the most obvious conclusion is that... perhaps they kidnapped the king''. He concluded looking at everyone in the house.

''That's impossible'' Syrena answered immediatly. "You know how hard it is for someone to infiltrate Cair.'' She tried to hide her visible discomfort. 'Denial' Peter thought.

''Well if it wasn't the calormanes it surely was someone else'' Peter struck back ''either way I belive assuming the worse is best now, so we can be prepared. Aslan woudn't send us here if something wasn't wrong'' He finished the sentence taking a sip of his wine.

''Aslan isn't the one who is ordering the calormanes to enslave our people either'' Lucy said deffensively. Oh, so Ban told her about his suspicious too.

''We can worry about the calormenes once we found the King. Then if se find Rilian he can help us'' Peter started talking again. Syrena held her breath. At every mention of her brother, she felt the not on her throat narrowing more and more.

''And we will find him!'' Edmund spoke finally drawing everyone's attention to him. He cleared his throat before adding ''I mean, that was what Eustace was supposed to come here for right? That's why we got the rings... We can do it." Edmund adressed everyone but quickly gave an reassurance look at Syrena who was still looking at him.

''The best way to find him would be going to Cair Paravel and talk to the guards, to everyone who was with him...someone must've seen something that can lead us to some clue...perhaps take some soldiers with us'' Peter started to make a plan, talking more to himself than to the people inside the house.

''If it pleases you, My lord'' Banriel started. ''I'll gladly escourt your majesties to the mighty palace''

''Any help shall be welcome. We'll be needing previsions and weapons...and maybe horses if possible'' The high King requested .''We thank you for the hospitality. As soon as we are ready, we will be taking our leave'' He conclueded.

''My lord, you should at least stay for the night. We can leave at first dawn'' The elf opined ''It is late already, It will be dark within hours'' he begged.

''It wouldn't hurt to have some sleep actually'' Lucy answered. ''I am knackered!'' The young queen complained playfully.

''I insist, please! I shall go and provide what we need, so we can waste no time tomorrow morning.'' Branriel informed.

They all agreed to the elf's point and decided to stay longer.

''Well, since everything is set for now, I must go and help Myleala.'' Syrena said getting up, trying to avoid the subject to keep going further. When she was about to open the door, Banriel's question made her froze in her steps.

''You will be going with us, right?'' The elf asked, more like a confidential order to her friend.

Syrena quielty turned, really wishing Banriel wouldn't have had choosen to ask this question in front of the guests, who were now looking at her with puzzled looks. After all, it seemed so obvious that she would be joining them to help find her brother.

''...Perhaps'' Was all she answered before closing the door.

"You look like you've had a long day" Myleala's voice brought her back to reallity. She was busy polishing one elfstone, it was one of the main sorce of elf magic, the more you polish them, the more magic it can release.

"It is only a mere impression" Syrena awsered a little humorous.

''Does it have anything to do with our new guests?'' Myleala asked with an amusing smile.

''I mean, they did invade my house'' Syrena joked in a defensive tone, but then mentioned the serious matter ''They are here to help find the king. That's pretty exausting to think about.''

''What exaclty are you thinking about?'' Myleala was a good listener, one of the few people who wasn't quick to judge, and one of the few friends Syrena had left.

''That I shoudn't go with them...That my brother doesn't want to see me even if it is to save him. That I might think Narnia needs me again when the truth is that it is so much better off without me'' Syrena stoped her job to face her older firend.

''Do you know what I aways tell Arion when he makes a mistake? That his sins don't define who he is. You need to let your past go Syrena'' Myleala held her hand and placed a Green stone on it ''I polished this one especially for you'' She winked after pulling away"

Syrena looked at it knowing what that meant "I think it's impossible to let my past in the past.'' She concluded with a distant look.

At night, the girl was back at Banriel's house. Syrena still needed to give an answer about going with them or not. She still didn't have an awnser though she had plenty of time to think about one after Myleala's talk

She thought about hiding at Myleala's house, after they were done with their chores and come out in the morning, when Banriel and their majesties were already gone, but that stupid ideia woudn't work anyway.

She opened Banriel's door, expecting to find her friend and the siblings, but the only person there was King Edmund sitting by the table reading a book, could he read Elvish? Great. Actually good. He was the reason she was back anyway.

He stopped reading to look a the girl in front of him.

"Hi" he said in a suprised entonation.

"How's your arm?" She asked simply making her way towards him.

"Oh...hmm. I think it's better now" he pulled his sleeve up for her to see the red cut, it was cleaned, but still looked pretty ugly.

Edmund was now wearing fresh clothes, very beautifuly designed showing off the vanity of the elves when it came to appearences."They took good care of It" he gave her small smile.

"I'm sorry for that" she finaly said, sitting on the bench beside him "You know, these people have the power to heal themselves, therefore they don't have actual medicine for injuries around here. But I do. So I thought the least I could do..." The girl said opening her satchel and grabbing a small bottle with a weird looking balm.

"It's alright, no more apologies...please" He said aproaching his arm for her to take care of it.

Smiling, Syrena focoused on his arm applying the meddicine on top of the cut.

They stood silent for a while, each one of them with their thoughts.

"So...Does Banriel live in this big house all by himself?" 'Jesus Christ, Edmund, what kind of question was that?'

Syrena looked at him and then concentrated again on his injure.

"Ah, It belonged to his family, but now he lives here by himself, yes. His mother was human... he had two brothers." she anwsered finishing the job on his wound.

"I see...So he is half elf?" Edmund mumbled bitting his lip right after, Syrena nodded her head ''that's a way of putting it'', "I tried to understand their past better but I just noticed this book about elves is written in an ancient language" Edmund said poiting to the book over the table. Syrena laughed a bit.

''They really are mysterious creatures'' She said with a smile. ''Ban would be pleased to tell you some of the elves past''

"Yes, well, he already told us somethings about the last decades of Narnia'' Edmund a he said checking his arm one last time before bringing the sleave of his gown down again. Syrena froze. lots of things happened in Narnia on the last decades, especially the last five years, How much did they know? ''You would understand if we told you that we were curious to know about the last years of our friend Caspian'' He said.

"I do understand, he was a close friend right?'' Syrena asked already knowing the answer ''He told me a lot about you and your siblings too''

''Oh, i'm not sure how to feel about that'' Edmund responded in an playful tone. They both giggled, and then they were silent for a couple of seconds.

"I guess tomorrow the cut will be looking a lot better" Syrena said breaking the silence and gathering her medicinal suplies.

''Sure. Thanks'' Edmund awsered akwardly.

When she was making her way to exit the tree house, Edmund finally worked up the courage and got up.

"Syrena, wait" He called, causing her to turn around again. It was the first time he had used her name. She liked how it sounded on his voice, with his foreign accent.

"Yes, my lord?" She waited for him to talk.

Edmund stared at her for some seconds, wetting his lips, looking for a way to speak his mind.

"I don't know what happen between you and your brother for you to be living here, nor have I anything to do with your life. But I do belive we woke up close to Rivenorm for a reason, and that reason has something to do with you" He said slowly closing the distance between the " If you are considering staying behind, please think past Rilian, and think about the lives that might be at stake...We want you on this journey with us" Edmund blowed the last sentence in a whisper. His hot breath touched her cold face.

Syrena's features were soft while he was speaking to her, wich made her look almost angelical, reminding him of the beauty of the stars when they were in their human form. But suddenly her beautiful face hardened. Her jaw clenched and her eyes were now dark shade of green, not light green like the greenish color of the clear waters from the silver sea anymore; now her eyes looked cold, like the leaves of the darkest tree in the most chilling forest.

She steped away from him almost instantly after processing everything the young man had just said.

"You are right, your majesty" her voice sounded bitter. He furred

"You have nothing to do with my life " Syrena concluded and then walked out through the door, closing it with a loud thud.p