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 Five

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7 Greenroof 1015

It was still early when I reluctantly left Alambiel and Selene's room, lingering only long enough to assure myself that they were both settled comfortably after another feeding. Alambiel had already drifted into sleep with our daughter still cradled against her chest when I pressed a kiss to her brow. Neith was lying across Alambiel's feet, keeping watch, while Chava quietly made notations for the healers' records. My fillies were well looked after and yet I still hated leaving them.

"Oreius."

I looked up at Tanith's soft call and slowed my steps as I entered the main room. "Tanith, what is it?"

The Centauress offered a slight smile. "Tuulea has asked that you meet with her in your study before you attend to your duties this morn."

I nodded. "Thank you, Tanith."

"And Oreius," she waited for me to look at her again before continuing, "Firemoon asked that I pass on a question shared between him and his brother." She blushed slightly when I nodded, making me wonder just what my cousin had asked of his new wife. "Firemoon and Stormwind wish to know if you would like them to send word to the matriarchs of your foal's arrival."

"They've never been able to keep their noses out of my business," I grumbled before allowing a smirk to appear. "You may inform those two that I sent a message to Alcippe and one to Despoina as well two days past. And that this is the sort of meddling that makes me question our kinship. For I have never attempted to interfere with them to such a degree."

Tanith smiled. "I will tell them. And I shall speak to Firemoon about allowing his brother to talk him into such acts they know are likely to annoy you."

"Thank you, Tanith."

Hurrying out of the wing, I wasted no time in making my way up to my quarters. As I suspected, Tuulea was waiting for me in the study I shared with Alambiel. She nodded to me. "Oreius, I thought it would be good to speak where we are less likely to be overheard and far fewer interruptions as would be found in your main study."

My good mood faded slightly as I studied the Nymph's expression. "Has something changed? I thought Alambiel and Selene were both doing well…improving."

Tuulea raised a hand. "Do not leap before you look, young one." She smiled. "While Selene lost some weight, she's still nursing as she should and Alambiel's milk has come in as needed. The foal's lungs seem to be holding up as well, thank Aslan. Which means I am going to allow them to be moved here tonight."

I stared at her for a moment then felt a huge grin spread across my face as I picked Tuulea up in a tight hug. "Thank you!" Setting her down again, I could only shake my head. "I will have my fillies back."

Tuulea laughed. "Tonight, Oreius, and we will continue to monitor them both but I think being in her quarters will help Alambiel especially."

"Good, good." My mind raced with the guards I needed to move closer, giving Neith some relief in the near guard position since she'd attached herself completely to Alambiel surpassing even Sobek. But like her brother before her, Neith allowed Alambiel's need for touch without offense or complaint. Then a thought struck me. "I need to finish it."

"Finish what?" Tuulea smiled at me. "I do believe your thoughts have turned into a certain pair of Wolves, my dear son."

I chuckled. "Just when I forget Alambiel came by her cheek honestly, you serve me a fair reminder. Come, I would have your opinion."

Fetching my project from the bedchamber, I set it on the floor in front of the long wide couch then removed the protective covering. "Do you think it is large enough? I wasn't certain as to the size compared with her crib in the nursery but Riverstone said this was the size most used for Nymph foals." I paused, looking down at the hooded rocking cradle I had selected only yesterday, then frowned. "It is too small."

Tuulea's soft laughter pulled my attention back to her and she shook her head. "Oreius, the cradle is big enough that Selene is going to look like a misplaced doll in it for some time. Indeed, I believe she'll be able to use this cradle throughout her first year without complaint for size."

She crouched down to examine the unfinished carvings I'd been etching into the cradle's sides. Roses and forget-me-nots forming a curling border along the bottom half of the cradle. And the beginnings of stars along the top half until I could curl them up across the hood. When she didn't speak, I cleared my throat and flicked my tail suddenly feeling more than a little nervous. "Alambiel would've been able to paint the cradle, I know, but I thought I would surprise her by preparing it myself so she would not have to worry about it when she and Selene first returned home."

"Alambiel already painted the nursery." Tuulea stood up with a smile as she continued, "I think she will love that you made Selene something. She loves it when you surprise her with your talents."

"She…has told you about them?" I questioned.

Tuulea's grin widened. "The leather wristlet you made for her and then the times you made her jewelry. The Lion coin necklace being a particular favorite. She could hardly wait to show me that one when you gave it to her four years ago." She touched the hood of the cradle and nodded. "She will love this too."

She left after that, calling a reminder for me to break my fast as she went out the doors. I sent a message to Ardon, asking that he oversee Wolfsbane's training tomorrow morn for I knew I would not be able to force myself to leave so soon. The duties I had meant to address today in spite of it being Seventhday would also be put aside. My fillies were coming home tonight, which meant I did not have as much time as I'd previously believed to finish the carvings. A dilemma I thanked Aslan for as I fetched my tools. I had much to do.

Evening had fallen before I finally laid my tools aside. The cradle was almost fully finished, the carvings completed and any stray splinters smoothed. All it lacked was ribbons of dangles attached to the hood as well. Something I had forgotten to collect beforehand.

I ran a hand over my chin as I wondered if I had time enough to acquire some before Tuulea summoned me to fetch Alambiel and Selene home. Perhaps. It was only half past seventh hour and Tuulea had indicated she would not release Alambiel and Selene from the healers' wing until closer to ninth hour. I heard the doors open behind me but didn't look away from the cradle, critically examining it. Instead, I merely waved a hand. "Yes, Tuulea, I know I should eat. I shall do so soon enough."

"A very good suggestion, Chuisle."

I whirled around, not quite believing my ears, to see Alambiel smiling at me. She glanced down at the blanket covering her shoulder and most of her front then adjusted it enough for me to see the top of Selene's head as she lay tucked against Alambiel's chest. I shook my head slowly then closed the distance between us until I could cradle her face between my hands. "I was not expecting you to appear so soon, my star." Smoothing my thumb against her cheek, I added in a low murmur, "Please accept my humble offering of a greeting." Then I captured her mouth with mine.

She returned the kiss eagerly enough though her hands weren't free, stepping closer to me until the blanket brushed against my chest. Then I heard Neith speaking to someone in the hall, slowing them down as the main doors were not fully closed. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, I couldn't help brushing my lips against her brow before I pulled back enough to twitch the blanket so I could see Selene's little face more clearly. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was open as she slept securely against Alambiel's skin. I smiled down at her then carefully cupped her head in my palm, gently brushing my thumb against her dark hair.

"I see you managed to persuade an entire wing of healers to ignore their instructions again, Alambiel."

I looked up to see Tuulea standing just inside the doors, frowning at Alambiel. Who shrugged when we both looked at her. "I only persuaded Chava…and Linus but it's very easy to talk him into not having to keep an eye on me." She offered a tiny mischievous smile as she added lightly, "And besides, Tuulea, you already said we could come home tonight. I just thought it would be wise to come a little early and make sure Oreius actually had supper. Since you did say he hasn't been taking care of himself properly and that you hoped he would start behaving when his balance returned."

I frowned slightly, flicking my tail. "I do not have anything wrong with my balance."

Alambiel arched an eyebrow at me. "Am I not your balance, Kentauri?"

I started to respond then thought better of it. Tuulea laughed softly, providing me a reprieve, as she spoke. "My hope is that the two of you manage to avoid stumbling into any more trouble for some time. This spring and summer has been far too exciting for my liking." Her smile didn't waver as she added, "I've asked the Sparrows to wait outside your quarters tonight. Should you need me, they will alert me as well as Alithia. And we will be swift."

Alambiel's smile dimmed and her gaze dropped to our daughter. Caution entered her eyes when she looked back up, glancing from me to Tuulea. "It is…safe for Selene to be in our quarters already?"

"The first night will likely be the most challenging since you will not have Chava or myself in the room to help," Tuulea said simply. "However, we have not noted any specific concerns that would make it unwise to move your little filly. It would be different if you lived away from the Cair or even the palace proper. Be sure to swaddle her when you put her down and it should allow you both to get some sleep tonight. And as I said, the Sparrows will fetch us should there be any need."

I nodded to her. "Thank you, Tuulea."

She smiled then raised her hands palm up. "I shall leave you to enjoy being home again. I have also taken the liberty to arrange a proper meal for you. It should be here shortly."

She flitted out the doors, closing them behind her, before I could think of a proper response.

When I turned back to Alambiel, she wasn't smiling or teasing. Instead, she was gazing down at our daughter who still slept against the exposed skin of her upper chest. She rubbed soothing circles against her back through the blanket. A movement I strongly suspected was more to comfort herself than our sleeping daughter. "Tuulea said she told you, warned you about everything when you first brought us back."

"She did." I paused then added softly, "I pray you'll forgive my absence today. When Tuulea told me that my fillies were coming home tonight, I wanted to ensure everything was ready."

As I had hoped, Alambiel glanced up at me with curiosity replacing the worry I had glimpsed in her eyes. "Have you been bothering the nursery?"

I raised my hands as fast as I could, making her giggle. "I would never dream of disturbing your arrangement of the nursery, my love."

"Then what have you been up to, my Kentauri? Especially since you didn't come back to see us today of all days. It's Seventhday so you had better not have been puttering around with your official duties or paperwork. You need to rest."

Flicking my tail, I gave her a dour look as I grumbled, "I do not putter. I've never puttered. And for your information, Wife, I have not spent the day on paperwork or my duties as a general." I stepped to the side and swept my arm toward the middle of the sitting room where the cradle still sat in front of the long wide couch. "It was the only thing you hadn't brought into the nursery yet, so I thought I would ensure it was ready."

Alambiel's jaw dropped as she gasped, "Oh Oreius! When did you have time to get this? Riverstone takes two months to construct cradles and we didn't purchase one yet. We were supposed to do that next week." She drew even with me then paused to hand me Selene.

The simple act of holding our little filly against my chest still made my heart clench. She squeaked once in protest at being removed from her mama then relaxed against me as I cradled her in place. Once she was settled, I turned my attention back to her dam who was now kneeling beside the cradle as she ran her fingers over the carvings. "Riverstone agreed to my purchasing one of his undecorated cradles since our little Selene arrived early."

She gave me a sharp look. "Undecorated? Then who did all of this?"

I cleared my throat. "I did. I thought it would be better than leaving you with the task of decorating the cradle with your paints. Unless of course, you would've preferred…"

Trailing off as my wife shook her head, I could only watch as she placed a trembling hand over her mouth. Her free hand, however, continued tracing over the carvings. Across the roses and forget-me-nots then to the stars until she reached the hood. She gave a tearful laugh as she touched the carvings I had only finished a scant time ago. "You put the moon phases on the trim. Oreius… It's perfect. It needs the bedding but I love it. It's perfect for her."

Crossing to her, I adjusted my hold on Selene, easily cradling her against my chest with one hand as I reached for Alambiel. As I brushed away the stray tears, I murmured, "I didn't think my carvings were so poor as to bring you to tears."

She laughed softly. "And you didn't even last a sennight before hiding behind the baby so I can't smack you for saying such foolishness, you blockheaded Centaur."

I feigned serious consideration as I looked down at Selene. She slept blissfully, mouth open and eyes closed once more, fully ignorant of her parents' foolishness. It took everything in me not to chuckle or smirk as I met Alambiel's gaze once more. "I fear it would not be the most sound strategy to attempt hiding behind Selene given the fact that it would be as effective as the time Heptu attempted to hide from his father by ducking behind Queen Lucy."

Alambiel's laugh came a little louder now though she attempted to stifle it with her hand. "I actually think the size disparity between you and Selene would be more along the lines of him holding a Lemur baby in his trunk and hoping no one would notice the Elephant in the room."

I smirked then glanced down as Selene suddenly squeaked a protest. Then she stirred restlessly. Before I could determine what had disturbed her so thoroughly, Alambiel was reaching for her. "She needs to be changed," she murmured helpfully as she plucked the filly from my hold.

Watching her tend to our daughter (as she had refused my offer of assistance) in the nursery, I couldn't help feeling as though all had been set to rights. It was not how we had planned it, not in the least. And yet, this was right… Having my wife and little foal home in our quarters brought a sense of relief and also restoration. Particularly after the struggles we had endured to reach the point of even having Selene with us. My prayer of thanksgiving rose on silent wings to the Great Lion for the precious gifts of my family, my fillies.

"What makes you smile like that, my Chuisle?"

I glanced down to meet Alambiel's blue eyes then reached past her to pour more lemonade into her goblet. Choosing to tease her a little, I made a show of tasting the drink before I offered it to her.

She rolled her eyes at me as she accepted the goblet. "The first time was more than enough, my dear Kentauri. It's not as though the drinks are going to magically be tainted after we've had a few glasses."

"Is that what you think happened on the beach?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Although I'm certainly hoping that it's not the case because I do not want to deal with a witch on top of everything else."

I almost pursued the matter further before Selene gave a squeaky cry from where she lay in the cradle. Alambiel started to sit up further instead of relaxing against the raised arm of the couch. I raised a hand as I quickly gained my hooves. "No, I will get her this time."

Rounding the head of the long, wide couch, I stopped in front of the hooded cradle just as the filly gave another cry. Leaning down, I carefully lifted her into my arms and straightened. I rocked her gently as I murmured, "There, hush now, little one. You are all right. Da has you. Hush now."

The tiny foal in my arms wriggled restlessly then turned her head toward my chest, nuzzling close. She turned her face away from me, scowling fiercely before she opened her mouth in another protest. She still wasn't nearly as loud as the crown prince had been when I first met him on his second day of life. I hid my concern over what that meant for her lungs (and I would take care not to ask Tuulea or Alithia about it where Alambiel could hear me) and focused instead on the good. She was crying and she was still protesting my lack of speed in delivering her to her dam.

I chuckled softly as I carried her the few paces to Alambiel's side. Alambiel slipped the strap of her dress down her shoulder before she accepted Selene. My concern faded further as I watched Selene root around until she successfully settled in and began nursing. She was stronger today than she had been her first day and it was only her fourth day of life. Every successful feeding, every successful hour, was another step in her campaign to being a healthy, strong little filly. Aslan willing, there would not be any setbacks to her campaign and it would not take so nearly as long as her da's campaign against the Northern Giants.

Alambiel hummed a wordless tune I didn't recognize as I quietly gathered the dishes and returned them to the tray. I carried the tray out of our quarters, leaving it with a pair of Badgers who whispered their congratulations for the blessing of a new cub, before I attended to one final errand.

There was only a faint sound of murmuring behind the slightly cracked doors when I returned from my errand. Neith and Sobek were both standing guard in the hall while the Sparrows were hidden from view though I knew they would be attentive for any sign of need. I nodded to the Leopards. I'd already told them they did not have to stand guard tonight if they did not wish and both had declined to leave off just yet. Most likely they would leave when we were fully settled in for the night.

Entering my quarters, I found Alambiel still sitting on the long wide couch though she had let her hair down as she continued holding the filly close. She hummed softly then brushed the over long gown back to tickle Selene's feet. She crooned as our daughter flailed one hand in apparent protest. "I know, I know, eating is a tiring activity for you right now. But you must eat some more so you can grow stronger. There we go, that's it. See, Mama knew you were still hungry."

She touched the Lion coin pendant hanging around her neck and murmured, "Do you see the coin, my little moonbeam? Da turned it into a necklace for Mama four years ago but we've had it longer than that. A coin that means not alone and remembered. One day you will hear those stories, our story together. I certainly wrote enough of it down to keep the details straight." She paused when Selene broke off nursing and helped her settle in once more, waiting until the foal was suckling before she continued, "I was going to blame your early appearance on you taking too closely after your da but he's been on a new habit of being very late. Although you do share his penchant for waking me up between third and fourth hour in the morning. However, your early and most unexpected arrival has thrown everything off schedule… Which has always been my specialty. Let's not imitate Mama too much more in that regard, please. We don't want Da to have a conniption."

"I do not have conniptions," I intoned as I crossed to stand next to the couch.

Alambiel glanced up at me. "Took you long enough to interrupt." Her gaze fell to my hand and smiled. "What's this?"

I couldn't feign annoyance as I answered with a smile of my own and raised the offering of a rose twined with forget-me-nots. "For my guiding star, my love, and my wife, to mark our sixth anniversary."

She accepted them, smile widening. "They're beautiful. But…I didn't finish your gift."

Bending down to press my brow against hers, I couldn't help smiling further before I stole a kiss. Staying there, I touched Selene's hand where she'd grasped Alambiel's hair and rumbled, "You've given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for, my sweet. Early and unexpected, yes, but her presence is all the more welcome. Whatever else you planned as a gift… It could not surpass our Selene. It could not match having you both here with me."

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A/N: Please Read and Review! I hope you've enjoyed this little story. I am planning to work on Edmund's story next so keep an eye out for ALitD: Illuminated! (And yes, baby Selene will be making appearances throughout that story!)