What's up everybody? I am trying to update fast, but I have 2 projects due and they require a lot of energy. I will try to dream up a suitable story for you, since I enjoy writing so much. PLEASE, though, PLEASE review and vote in my polls. Thanks to StardustfromthePlanetGallifrey, who has an awesome story. Seriously though, ENJOY!

How am I going to be able to explain? Caspian thought. It was after 10 in the morning, and he had called a morning council assembly so that he and the court could inform the King and Queens of Old why they had been called. He very much doubted that they would find the reason good. It was very, very bad. He paced back and forth across the balcony, thinking. And he thought now of Susan.

What made her learn to swordfight? He wondered. And had she been happy when she had gone back to England, had she been happy to come back to Narnia? All his questions would have to be answered, but he had more pressing matters. He walked into the throne room and signaled the trumpeter. He waited as everyone filed in and sat in their seats. He was standing at the head of the table, Peter on his right followed by Edmund, then Susan and Lucy on his left. He looked at their faces for courage and began explaining.

"About a month ago, we received reports of strange going-ons in the forest, reports of colder than normal weather and animals that weren't particularly friendly to people who got too close. Just two nights ago, a night attack was sprung upon this very castle. I was woken by the Professor, who informed me that the White Witch," there was shocked silence, "was in charge of the attack. I blew Queen Susan's horn, but just after, a very large minotaur bounded into the room, having killed my night guard. After several minutes of fighting and help from the Professor, we finally managed to imprison the minotaur, whose name is Krulin. We have him in a cell in the dungeon, but he seems to be of no harm." Caspian waited, knowing what would come next.

"How can you say he's HARMLESS?!" Peter asked. "He tried to kill you in your own castle, for pity's sake!"

"Well, that probably had to do with the fact that he was under a spell that made him attack me. The castle nurses gave him a medicinal herb to keep him drugged, and when he woke he had no memory of the attack at all. In fact," Caspian said in a voice laced with steel, "he has been very, very helpful. He told us that the last tthing he remembers is seeing a creature come out of the woods toward him, and he felt as though he had tried to move, but couldn't."

"Well..." Susan said slowly. She had listened to the whole exchange, nt saying a word. She had a theory that she wanted to test, but didn't think it would go over quite well. "If it is the White Witch again, don't you think she would have done everything in her power to stop us from coming back?" Susan watched their faces as this sunk in, then stated her theory. "I think, now this is just a guess, that maybe we should send somebody to check this out. And, I think it should be me."

"Susan." Peter couldn't believe his ears. Her was his sister, calmly sitting there, telling him he should let her go into the forest without knowing what kind of threat she was getting into. "Absolutely not. No, don't even try to change my mind. You are NOT doing that."

"Peter, it's the perfect solution and—"

"You know, I could go instead of Susan." Caspian watched, his statement made everybody stop, stare at him. "Then, if it was her, you would still win. Simple matter to save Narnia really."

"Caspian..." Lucy's voice trailed off as she looked at him.

"Lucy, it will be fine." Susan stated. "Besides, Caspian can't do it anyway." She suddenly looked smug.

"Oh, and why not?" He asked.

"Caspian, things can't happen the same way twice." She said it in a slightly superior voice, then went back to working on a solution.

"Oh. Well, thank goodness." Lucy then launched herself from her chair to give Caspian a hug.

"Lucy. Please sit back down, you're crushing him." Ed's voice was dripping with sarcasm, which made them all smile. "You don't want to kill him, especially after we just decided that he should probably live."

"Right. Sorry." Lucy's cheeks were turning red as she took her seat again. She glanced at Susan, who was frowning slightly. "What's wrong Su?"

"Well, I was just wondering why, since in all likelihood, the White Witch hasn't issued a war. She would have wanted to take Narnia back over as soon as she could if..." She had just thought of another idea, one that seemed more right than the first.

"If she was working alone." Caspian had just thought of that, and felt something frightening stir in him. "But she's not, is she?" It was a rhetorical question, one that answered itself.

"I'm afraid, with what Su just concluded, that she's probably not." Peter said this with a grim look on his face. He didn't like this one bit. He wished Aslan was here to help again, but knew it wasn't possible. "But now, you also have to find out who she's working with too."

"Another kingly duty, I guess. I think we could all use a break to digest this news, don't you?" Caspian got up, and waited until they stood. He smiled to relieve the tension, and was suddenly younger and happier. "Why don't we all just get some fresh air?" He needed a walk to clear his mind, as it was very confused at the moment.

"Yes."

"Yeah..."

"Hmmmm."

They all walked in different directions, each choosing a private location that suited them. They all had a lot to think about right now. Especially the person who was currently looking out at the ocean, once again wishing things could be simpler all around.

Like it? I just about *yawn* fell asleep writing this for you. It has to be the fastest I've ever written! Love all you guys, especially those who review!

Tonight's bar consists of cherry pie (YUM!), candy corn, and Coke! R&R, PLZ!