Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: The General's mission had most certainly not anticipated this most unexpected arrival.

A/N: This story is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. It is set at the end of ALitD: Glistened. And contains some spoilers for that story if you haven't read it. Enjoy!

An Unexpected Arrival

Part Two - Alambiel

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

1 Greenroof 1015

It was far too hot even for Greenroof and most especially by the sea. Cair Paravel had settled into a sleepy routine as the months' long drought continued with irritating determination with most choosing to avoid an unnecessary activity during the day's heat. I fanned myself as I walked around the nursery, simply needing to reassure myself that nothing else needed to be rearranged or moved to accommodate our daughter when she arrived.

"Kat? Are you in here?"

I stopped moving and rested my free hand on the crib's railing as I turned to see Lucy come bouncing into the room, looking far too energetic. Apparently being very pregnant during a heat wave in the middle of summer makes me far more inclined to resent anyone who wasn't obviously miserable…or slow. Fortunately for all of us, that observation was far more amusing to me at the moment and I couldn't help chuckling. "Lucy, what have I told you about bouncing in here?"

A cheeky grin appeared and laughter danced in her eyes as she responded simply, "That you currently find me a great bother and resent me a good deal to boot."

"Yes." I waved the fan toward her, ignoring Neith's smirk, as I continued, "So why are you inflicting yourself upon me before noon?"

Lucy laughed. "I came to invite you to the picnic. Since Oreius hasn't returned yet and Thalia needs a holiday from being a wife and mummy, I thought you would enjoy coming with us."

"Oh, I very much doubt that," I murmured already dreading a picnic in the conservatory. "No, thank you."

"Oh Kat, please say you'll come. We aren't even going to the conservatory this time. Last time was far too stuffy and then the suitors managed to show up and well… We've come up with a far better location for a picnic today." Lucy clasped her hands beneath her chin as she pleaded, "Do join us. It shall only be the four of us."

I rolled my eyes. "The only reason Oreius hasn't tripled my guard yet is because I'm not in my eighth month and I did promise him I wouldn't leave the Cair unescorted anytime soon. No picnic for me, Lucy. I don't want to go down to the glades or the meadows, either. No, thank you."

"What about the beach? At the cove."

"The one north of here is off limits to me," I murmured even as I struggled not to be tempted by the idea of cooling off in the waves. The streams and lakes had all dropped enough that many of the Naiads and Dryads had retreated deep into their Waters and Trees to sleep until the drought broke, which meant only the sea could actually offer the sort of relief I was already craving. "It is too far a walk from Cair Paravel."

Admittedly that reminder was more for myself than for Lucy.

She seemed to know it too as she smiled brightly. "What of the cove to the south? The one that's sheltered and can only be accessed one way by land. It's not a very far walk at all. Come with us, Kat. Thalia is going and Susan. But I haven't invited anyone else along so it will be a nice quiet little gathering of part of the Royal family, which you know you like."

I jabbed my fan at her as I countered, "You mean you want me to come along and keep Susan from finally strangling you for everything that happened whilst you were getting Tarrin into trouble in the islands."

"I did not get Tarrin into trouble!" she protested even as her face pinked. "And Susan is no longer…very upset with me."

I rolled my eyes at that. The Gentle was very much still put out with her younger sister for quite a few things. And I agreed on several of those things. However, going would mean a chance to actually cool down in the water. Meeting Lucy's pleading gaze, I sighed. "Oh fine. I'll come with you but we do need to keep the guards relatively near if I don't want the Kentauri or Peter to have aneurysms when they find out. Not to mention how much trouble I would be in with Tuulea."

Lucy squealed and clapped her hands before dashing out of the nursery with a disgusting amount of energy. I caught Neith's narrowed eyed stare and shrugged. "It's water, Neith. I can't say no to the beach."

The Leopardess huffed, looking rather similar to her brother when Ptah would always give me those looks of reproof. "Are you certain it is wise for you to go down there?" Before I could protest that I and the baby were perfectly fine, she continued with a faint smirk, "You will cause the General much consternation should he return to find you've decided to embrace your Nereid heritage by swimming away."

I laughed as I made my way to our bedchamber. "It would serve him right too. Leaving on a patrol and then neglecting to return as scheduled. If he misses our anniversary, I think I shall have to swim away." As I dropped my fan on the bed, I added, "Let Sobek know we're off to the beach, Neith. Between the two of you and the Queens' guards, there should be more than enough watchers for today."

"Yes, my lady."

It was not quite three hours before noon when we made our way to the beach. And it was already so very hot. It seemed the only one not truly bothered by the ever worsening heat was Aravis. And…Dejen. Of course they were from the south… I, on the other hand, was very bothered and wasted no time at all in walking to the surf. The waves were cold by comparison whenever they rolled over my feet, bathing my puffy ankles, and I loved it.

"Kat, aren't you coming to join us?" Lucy called laughingly.

Reluctantly leaving the water, I picked my way to the blanket where the others had set out a light repast as well as jugs of sweet water and lemonade. The shadow cast by the cliffs above us provided a nice haven from the early sunshine and the heat. Although it would've been better if there had been a cool breeze. Lucy bounded to her feet in order to help me down onto the blanket.

What a horrid idea. And I was only going to get bigger. Something I wasn't looking forward to given how hot I felt all the time and my distinct lack of grace these days. Although I supposed I should be grateful I was no longer having to accommodate my healing back.

"How are you feeling, Alambiel?" Thalia asked as she grasped the sweating jug of lemonade and poured two glasses.

"Large and hot," I replied drily before accepting one of the glasses. "Much as I have been since Mayblossom." Wiping the condensation from my glass, I dabbed at my neck. The cool was a relief but not by much.

Lucy offered me an apologetic smile. "I thought it would be a bit cooler this close to the sea but it seems the weather is far more determined to remind us of summer's full strength."

I glanced past her to the guards. Between the Talking Beasts' fur and their compatriots' armor, they looked a bit overheated as well. "We shan't be able to make a full day of it. However, we should enjoy the moment while we can." Returning my attention to Thalia, I smiled. "Where is William?"

"With his father." A touch of amusement entered the Beech Nymph's voice as she added, "Peter insisted he and William needed a holiday as much as I did. Something about teaching him the finer points of fishing."

"In a drought?" Susan asked doubtfully.

I smirked. "Sounds like Peter."

Lucy's merry laugh filled the air before she took the jug of sweet water and a stack of bowls then hurried off to the guards. I watched her go to each of them, every one of them accepting a bowl and looking more than glad for it. Then I took a drink of my lemonade as I turned my attention back to the sea. It truly was a tempting idea to go wading or even swimming.

"How long did Lucy plan on this picnic taking, Susan?" I murmured.

She lowered her own glass. "Oh, she convinced Peter to let us shelter out here until teatime. Giving Thalia her holiday and allowing us more than enough time to hear the whole of her tale. The pieces about her and Tarrin she didn't think to share when Peter was in charge for asking questions. I think you and Oreius are the only ones who've heard the whole of the beginning."

I covered a yawn before nodding. "Only the beginning. And the Kentauri has yet to hear everything else that's happened. I only know of the very ending since we all witnessed that particular piece." I moved to lying flat on my back as the baby continued her kicks against my ribs. She had flipped over again and kept managing to kick so it felt like she was purposely targeting my diaphragm, the little troublemaker. Lying down or standing helped and I certainly wasn't interested in standing up at the moment.

"Are you all right, Kat?" Lucy asked breathlessly as she rejoined us.

Opening my eyes, I was a little surprised that I had to do so since I didn't recall closing them. Keeping one hand on my stomach, I raised the other to give a lazy wave. "I'm fine. Just needed to change positions to catch my breath. My gem of a troublemaker has decided that kicking her mama's breath away is the best way to announce herself."

"Thalia, are you going to nap too?" Lucy sounded amused but I had already closed my eyes again.

Thalia's answer was slow in coming and she sounded half asleep. "William has been very fussy for the last several nights. We believe he's started teething and that is why."

I didn't hear Lucy's reply. To be honest, I felt too heavy to move and far too weary. So many sleepless nights between the filly's increased antics and the horrible heat making me miserable… Well, I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I knew something was very wrong. There was an odd aftertaste lying thick on my tongue like a poorly mixed sleeping draught would leave. No sooner had the thought occurred to me than I realized I was lying beneath a tarp and rocking with the movement of a cart. My wrists were tied with strips of cloth and I could feel the same bindings on my ankles. Not tight enough to dig into my skin but not loose either.

Oreius is never going to let me out of Cair Paravel again. Like I wanted to be abducted. Again. By who knows what evil or insane or evil and insane persons this time. It was bad enough when I was four months pregnant. I most certainly did not want to be dealing with this at seven months.

Looking around as the cart jostled me, I didn't know whether to be relieved or dismayed to see Thalia was also there. She opened her eyes as we hit a bad rut and I bit my lip to keep from shouting at the idiot driving that jostling me around was a stupid thing to do. Letting whoever had abducted us know that we were awake would not be an advantage. Then the cart stopped. I shook my head at Thalia and she froze in place.

We waited, listening. I could hear two voices murmuring to each other…in Sisemaalian. They were speaking in an undertone I couldn't quite catch before the cart lurched forward. By the way we were being bounced, however, I didn't think we were on one of the proper trade roads. Not knowing how much time we had before our abductors thought to check on us, I decided to try and level the field as best I could. Wriggling around, I managed to put myself head to foot with Thalia.

Fortunately she knew exactly what I was trying to do and immediately worked on freeing the bindings around my ankles, which I never would've been able to do on my own. At least not easily or quickly enough to be of use. The cart heaved just as I reached for her bindings then it lurched, throwing me against the front of the cart. I could hardly breathe in that moment as an unpleasant pain wrapped around my back and then my middle.

By the grace of Aslan, I managed to keep from crying out. I could hear the men cursing in Sisemaalian before one of them whined, "Now look what you've done, Tiivo! First you make us lost and now you break our cart!"

"It was not my fault, Paalo! I did not know we went the wrong way."

"There wouldn't have been a wrong way if you hadn't agreed to this…this…disaster!"

"It was good money and we can go back home if we have the money to pay off our cousin's debts, Paalo. A simple task. We just drive the cart and leave it with the princess and baby where he said."

"And where did he say to leave them?" The bench above me creaked as one of the men shifted his weight. "And we did not bring a baby! Only two women. That is all we found in the boat."

"Well, one of them is carrying a baby. He didn't say which princess and baby, only that he needed them to present at a gathering."

"A gathering in Sisemaal?" Paalo demanded, sounding crosser by the word.

"Of course not. This is a place not in Sisemaal but with the money we earn, we can finally return home without worrying about the watch or the magistrate."

"I don't know how you expect to leave the princess, whichever she may be, where this man wants if you can't tell me where to drive, Tiivo."

Tiivo started to sound tetchy as well when he finally replied, "He gave me a map, brother. I am not a fool."

I heard the rustle of parchment before both men shouted in dismay. Then the bench jostled above me as one of the men leapt to the ground and I heard him run off. The other man, his whiny muttering making it Paalo, cursed their luck and his brother's fool-headed ideas. I could most certainly agree with that sentiment. The mention of a boat and a gathering was…worrisome. Then Paalo climbed down from the cart and stomped around to the back. The tarp moved slightly and I quickly shut my eyes.

Tiivo's cross voice returned. "I cannot find it. You must help me find the map or we will not receive the promised money."

"Why not simply leave the cart here? There is something wrong with the wheel or the axle."

"We cannot be seen dragging two princesses through the woods. What if the Narnians know their faces?"

"Why would royal women show their faces to the common folk? Tiivo, this is a fool plan. I say we leave the cart and the women here. Let them be found by others. We can find another way to return to Sisemaal."

"And do what, Paalo? Join the bandits or the army? We've tried both and been driven out of both."

I rolled my eyes. These two made Remus and Romulus Greyback seem the most levelheaded and mature of creatures. And they were part of my abduction… How embarrassing.

Paalo cursed rather colorfully then stomped away from the cart. I waited until I couldn't hear their steps anymore before I finally managed to crawl over to Thalia. It hurt more than I thought it would to get there, which was what made up my mind. "You need to go. Before they return. Don't let anyone see you until you return to the Cair."

"But you will be trapped."

I shook my head. "These men do not worry me. I just need them to be a touch more distracted before I slip away. And you vanishing will do just that."

Thalia still looked uncertain. "Alambiel, I am not sure this will work."

"It will." I managed a smile. "Go. I will be fine. Might even make it back to Cair Paravel before you've time to miss me."

She gave me one last worried look before she gave a quick nod. She vanished into a swirl of green leaves, leaving behind the cloth bindings, then slipped through a gap in the tarp where Paalo must've undone it before his brother called him away. Thank Aslan.

With Thalia safe beyond our rather foolish abductors' reach, I could focus on getting myself out of this…mess. I winced as my efforts to get my hands free made the pain spiking in my back worse. I had almost managed to get both hands free when I heard the brothers return. Closing my eyes, I tucked my feet as far back as I could to hide that they weren't bound anymore. Just in time as I heard the tarp lift then a hissed curse.

"Tiivo! One of them is gone!"

"Which one?"

"The one who is not big with child, you fool. She cannot escape on her own."

Oh good, they were severely underestimating me. I was going to ignore the insulting part. I was not that pregnant yet. The brothers argued in furious whispers before they hurried off in different directions, one looking for Thalia and the other still looking for the map.

I waited until I heard only silence for a good while before I slipped my hands completely free of the bindings and then pushed the back of the cart open. Thank Aslan there was a tail I could open because dragging myself over the sides would've been both inconvenient and vastly annoying. I hesitated only long enough to ensure I didn't hear any shouts before I slipped out of the cart. My back ached terribly, the pain settling low at my hips, but I was relieved to feel the baby kick against my ribs as I started walking.

It was early dawn but it was already so hot that everyone seemed to be hiding. I couldn't find any Trees who were awake and when I was about to try and rouse one, I heard something approaching from behind. A sense of being hunted had me on the move, staying as silent and light-footed as I could manage. I couldn't figure out what was hunting me but I didn't dare stop and now attempting to rouse the Trees or call out for help seemed far too risky. Better just to keep moving.

And I did. I kept on the move despite the heat of the day. And…in spite of my worries about the baby. She wasn't kicking as much as the day went on and the pain in my hips and lower back was growing worse. It came in waves and I could only pray that it was no more than warnings, false contractions that would subside once I reached a place I could rest for a little while. Although I had the rather horrid feeling that Tuulea was going to put me on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy when I got home.

I finally stopped beside a nearly dry stream, just long enough to try to quench my thirst. The clouds had gathered overhead and I could hear the rumble of thunder yet there was no hint of moisture in the air. A dry lightning storm during the middle of a drought…that was just what I needed. I had to get out of the open.

When I stood up to keep moving and try to find shelter, however, there was a slight problem. A puddle of water appeared at my feet, coinciding with the sharpest pain yet, and I knew I was in trouble. But there was nothing I could do. No one was out, there were never any calls or greetings. Save for whatever was hunting me, it was as though I had wandered into a stretch of utter silence.

As worried as I was about keeping on the move, it would've been worse to stay out in the open. Especially when whatever creature followed me growled. That kept me moving despite the increasing pains. I could hear the thunder growing louder though the clouds kept their moisture. Just another reason I couldn't stop yet.

I was attempting to find a house or a cave, something I could take shelter in when I heard noises of something large approaching. It wasn't behind me anymore. I found a broken branch and picked it up just as the sounds came closer. And then a particularly strong pain distracted me to the point I had to brace myself against a tree to keep from sinking to the ground. I dropped my meager protection of the branch in favor of cradling my stomach as I bit back the urge to cry or scream from the intensity of the pain.

What I heard next was most certainly unexpected. "Alambiel. What are you doing here?"

I looked up to see Oreius staring at me with an expression that looked far closer to, I'm going to say, horror. Oh, yes, it was definitely an expression of horror. Such a nice way to greet one's wife. I could only shake my head. "It's complicated."

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

A/N: Please Read and Review! And yes, this is a certain story I know everyone has been waiting for a while. :)