This one is a tad shorter than the others, but only because I couldn't resist stopping at such a big cliffhanger. :D

Before you start making plans to hurt me for leaving a cliffhanger, let me reassure you. The next chapter will be out momentarily.

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

I got about four hours of sleep before Lucy woke me up, telling me to quickly get dressed and follow her. I did so, dressing in the first tunic and pants I grabbed. I pulled a plain black cape on over the outfit, and pulled on my boots. I grabbed my daggers, my gloves, and an energy fruit from the bowl of fruit that had been left in the tent. I stepped outside, only to find Susan and Lucy quietly sneaking off. I followed them as quietly as I could, eating the fruit while I went. When I finally caught up to them, they were standing next to Aslan. The Lion looked sad, but at the same time, grateful for our presence. Without a word, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He purred for a moment, and then nudged me. I let go, but kept one hand in his mane as we walked on. All too soon, Aslan told us to go back to camp. Of course, we didn't, and instead hid to watch what would happen.

Susan, Lucy, and I watched in horror as Jadis and her minions tortured and humiliated Aslan. The three of us clung to one another, trying not to alert any of the monsters to our presence. None of us could look as Jadis killed Aslan. We closed our eyes, and then waited and watched with tears running down our cheeks in rivers as the Witch and her minions celebrated. Eventually they left, and we crept out and silently made our way to Aslan. We sat with him and cried for a while. Eventually our tears stopped, and we sat in silence.

About two hours after our vigil started, Lucy spoke.

"Someone needs to tell the others."

I hesitated, debating whether to stay or go. Finally, I stood.

"I'll go."

Neither of them protested very hard. With a last hug to each of them, I left. I had to ask directions from sleepy dryads a couple of times, but I managed to make it back to the camp without any incidents. From what I could tell, dawn was still a couple hours away, so I asked one of the guards to wake me up at first light, and then I collapsed on my bed and slept.

Three hours later, I was gently woken by a Tigress. I sleepily thanked her before getting dressed in a fresh tunic and putting on my boots and gloves. I grabbed my knives and headed out to get the boys. Peter and Edmund were sound asleep when I entered their tent. I woke Peter up first, and then wisely let him wake Edmund up, as I'd heard the younger boy was a bear in the mornings. I left the boys' tent and headed to the breakfast table. I grabbed some energy fruits and a few other breakfast items and then headed over to the strategy table. Oreius was already there, and the boys joined us a few moments later. I handed each of them some breakfast, and while they ate, I told them was Susan, Lucy, and I had seen last night. Peter insisted on checking Aslan's tent just to be sure. Once the news was confirmed, we got down to the business of strategizing. It quickly became clear that while Oreius was the only one who actually knew what he was doing, Edmund was rather good at tactical stuff. Peter and I took a bit to figure out how things worked, but we still weren't very good. Everything was going rather well until it came time to decide where Edmund and I would be placed. An argument started when Peter said that Edmund and I were to be placed at the back of the army. Neither of us were happy with that assignment, and Edmund very forcefully let his brother know of our displeasure.

"Enough!" I finally yelled. "Arguing will get you nowhere." I paused, collecting my thoughts for a moment as Peter, Edmund, and Oreius stared at me in surprise. "Look Peter," I said. "I know you don't want us getting hurt, but Edmund and I simply want to be where we can help you the most." I looked down at the tactical map, contemplating different scenarios. "Why don't we compromise? Let's do this: either Edmund or I will be up with the archers. From there, we can see what's going on. The other person will be hidden amongst the rocks with a squad of soldiers. Whoever's with the archers can then direct the hidden squad to go help where needed. This way, we're more protected, and we're helping. What do you think?"

Peter and Edmund looked at each other for a moment, and then looked at Oreius, who nodded his approval. The boys looked back at me and nodded.

I smiled slightly. "Archers or hidden squad?" I asked Edmund.

He raised an eyebrow. "I'll take the hidden squad," he said as if it should be obvious.

I rolled my eyes. "Now, is that everything?"

Oreius nodded. "I believe so. I'll go relay orders to the commanders, and ready a squad."

We watched him go, and then I turned to the boys. "Come on, we better go get ready."

I went to go change into better fighting clothes. To my surprise, I found armor in my tent. Better yet, it actually fit me really well. I had to get help putting it on, but once it was on, I found that it was much, much lighter than I'd been expecting, and it allowed for a lot of movement. In all honesty, it was rather comfortable, which I hadn't expected. I knew armor was supposed to be uncomfortable, hot, and heavy, so I was incredibly happy that my armor wasn't any of that.

I strapped on my daggers and headed for the armory. I wanted to find some backup knives, just in case. It didn't take me long to find the weapons I wanted. I found several different types of knives, and chose some long ones, similar to the short swords Oreius had been having me use. I also grabbed some daggers about the same size as the ones I'd received from Father Christmas. I wanted to be prepared in case anything were to happen. Weapons chosen, I decided it was time to go find Amata.

To my surprise, Peter and Edmund were right outside the armory waiting for me. Peter asked me to follow him, and after exchanging a confused look with Edmund, I did. We were led to a small clearing that was currently empty.

"Peter? What's going on?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. "Look, you know I don't really want either of you in the battle." He held up a hand to prevent either me or Edmund from speaking. "But since it seems that I can't stop you, I want you to promise me something. If anything goes wrong, get out. Find the girls and get out."

I looked at Edmund and saw agreement there. Neither of us would abandon Peter, but I also knew Peter well enough to know that he would worry himself into a situation where he could die if we didn't give him this reassurance.

I looked at the eldest Pevensie. "If there is absolutely no hope left, I promise I'll get your family out."

Edmund looked at me, shocked, and I held his gaze, silently trying to tell him what I was doing. I don't think he understood, but Peter sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Alexa," he said, and then he sighed as a voice called his name. "That would be Elgar. I'd better go." He turned and jogged off, calling the unicorn's name.

Edmund waited until his brother was out of earshot, and then turned to me. I spoke just as he opened his mouth.

"Don't start, Edmund. You know I have no intention of leaving this battle without all four of you alive. Trust me. There is always hope. I simply knew that he would be more likely to get himself killed if he was also worrying about you and your sisters. I will keep my promise, and if somehow all possible hope fails, which I highly doubt, I'll get you all out." I paused and grinned wickedly. "Besides, I never said I wouldn't let you back in."

Edmund smiled a bit at that, placated. I gave him a side hug.

I smiled at him. "Now come on. We've got horses to find and a battle to win."

I left my arm around his shoulders as we walked back to the camp.

An hour later, everyone was in place. I was standing with the archers on a cliff overlooking the plain where the battle was to take place. Amata was nearby, ready to carry me into battle. I wouldn't have to be a part of any fighting for the first bit of the battle, but I fully expected to have to fight at some point. Edmund was standing among the rocks with thirty soldiers. I could see Ed and his squad, but Jadis and her army wouldn't be able to. Looking down, I could see that Ed was nervous and probably scared. I couldn't see the enemy yet, so I figured I'd be ok if I went to talk to him. I carefully made my way to where Amata was standing.

"Edmund's down there worrying himself to death. Want to go cheer him up?"

Amata whinnied. "Climb on," she told me in her musical voice.

I obeyed, and we trotted down to where he was. We were careful as we made our way down, not wanting to give away the fact that there were people hidden among the rocks.

I dismounted once we arrived and walked up to Edmund. Neither of us said anything for a moment, and then he spoke.

"What if he dies?"

I didn't need to ask who he was talking about.

"He'll be fine."

"How do you know that?" Edmund cried, turning to face me.

"Because," I told him calmly, "I have faith that you will succeed. Aslan chose you four, and I know that he had a plan. A plan that won't work if one of you dies. Besides," I added, "I'm going to do my best to get the four of you on those thrones, and if that means I die instead of you or Peter, then I'll do it."

Edmund looked up at me, and I could tell he wanted to cry, but wouldn't in front of the soldiers.

"I don't want you to die either," he whispered to me. He wrapped his arms around me. I didn't hesitate in doing the same to him.

"I'm going to try my hardest not to," I whispered back.

We stood there, hugging each other for a few minutes, and then we had to let go of each other, as the Witch and her army were starting to approach.

"Thank you," Edmund told me. "Stay safe."

I smiled at him. "I will if you will."

He smiled back at me. "Deal."

He let go and I made my way back to Amata. We headed back up to our spot, just in time to see Peter look up at us. I smiled and nodded at him. He nodded back and then turned around. A moment later, his sword went up, and many griffins and birds began to drop stones onto the opposing army. I raised my own arm.

"Ready!" I called.

The archers readied themselves. The Witch's army charged. I waited until the enemy was close enough before dropping my arm.

"Fire!" I yelled.

As the arrows flew, Peter's arm went down, and I heard his battle cry.

"For Narnia! And for ASLAN!"