By the first cock's crow, Tholyn had already alerted her father, sent a troupe of message hawks in every direction, and lettered the king of Archenland to inform him of her situation and promise that she be home for the ceremony before the year was out. A quick breakfast of toast and eggs was prepared with a hot cider drink that tasted wonderful in the crisp morning chill.

Idlebeek had been the last of the hawk to fly out and Tholyn couldn't help but comment on the ornate leather belt he'd acquired from Queen Lucy that helped him carry letters. The bird showed as much modesty as he could muster and finally flew off to gather allies, making sure to secure his new belt as he soared from the tower peek. They bid each other goodbye and promised to meet up at Beaversdam in four days.

Before Tholyn knew it, all of Cair Paravel had been warned of the pending urgency and all sorts of preparations were made. The kitchens broiled briskets and potatoes and filled as many canteens as they could with spiced wine while the armory was alight with the flame of industry. All swords were sharpened and every gathered soldier was equipped and prepared for launch by the next morning. The centaurs and great cats had been the first to arrive and by noon there were tents set up on the lawn of the palace.

In the hustle, Tholyn managed to find time to escape into the stables to spend a few hours with Jeza, talking and laying with her back against the mare's great belly. The both of them stretched out luxuriously on the sweet-smelling hay and yawned together. There was a beautiful marble trough on either side of the large stall, one filled with lush greens, oats, carrots, and feed while the other sparkled with crystal clear water.

"Sorry I haven't taken you out yet Jeza. I've been pretty busy," Tholyn said finally after a long moment of silence.

Jeza snorted and swished her tail at the girl.

"Don't worry about me, love. I rarely get to sleep on a nice soft bed," the mare replied comfortingly. "Besides, you've got important people to please now, like king Edmund." She posed purposely, her face hidden from Tholyn because of the angle but clearly displaying a little sparkle.

Tholyn scoffed and patted Jeza's underside a few times to let her know that she'd caught the insinuation.

"Why is everyone talking about that? We're getting ready to launch battle against the enemies to the northern lands and I keep hearing about Edmund. I say, what is so peculiar about making friends with me?" Tholyn asked heatedly, all of a sudden talking more aloud than to Jeza who was clearly not a culprit of gossip asleep in the stables.

"Oh calm down, I was merely poking fun. I just hear the stable-hands talking about king's odd behavior and thought perhaps you had something to do with it."

"Me?!" Tholyn asked, unable to stop from grinning as she rolled over Jeza's belly and lie on top of her with her face in the braided mane of her friend.

Jeza laughed as her mistress crawled over her, tickling her sensitive spots and whinnied a few times out of good nature.

"Yes you! That boy may be young but he is a king you know, and this is Narnia. Wherever he came from is quickly leaving him and you're the first mortal friend he's made here. Do not fool yourself into thinking that counts for nothing," Jeza said wisely.

The two both laid there for quite some time, breathing together and sharing each other's warmth while the other, simple horses next door looked on without particular interest.

The stable door opened and Peter came through, letting in a great deal of sunshine that startled Tholyn.

"Tholyn!" he cried, looking about in all directions. "Tholyn!"

Lifting her head, she replied, "I'm here!" and then scrambled to get up without kicking Jeza anywhere. The horse flicked her tail at her owner, telling her to get a move on and allow her to enjoy the perks of Cair Paravel before she was forced to leave.

The king dashed over to where Tholyn was and laughed shortly upon seeing the Charge's hair once again full of straw. However, important matters were at hand and Peter felt the king in him take over the young boy.

"We're set to march at dawn. Let Jeza get as much rest as possible and we can scour the maps for the simplest approach."

"When last I spoke to Finry he was taking the northern legion to Beaversdam. That's dreadfully close to the witch's keep," said Blane gravely, tapping the map before him with his fingertip to indicate Finry's approximate location. There were small tacks to represent where everyone was approximately located.

Peter, Tholyn, Lucy, Susan, and Edmund crowded around the table in the observatory. The torches in the sconces cast dancing light over all of them. Edmund watched them all, carefully listening and taking in the information. He had gotten over his initial unease concerning Tholyn but was still not ready to come out of his shell again, especially when there was a battle to be planned and legions of the Charge's army to be saved.

Tholyn cleared her throat and reread the letters that she had received from her other captains. Afterwards, a silence hung in the air as they all stared at the map.

"They all speak of haste. Horus is coming the furthest south and Durlin has a long journey to make from the western plains. They've all had one day's jump on us," Tholyn explained, her eyes never once leaving the map.

Susan and Lucy shifted uncomfortably and exchanged worried looks. Ever since they found out that they were staying behind they'd felt anxiety instead of relief. Edmund and Peter were all speaking with Blane about whereabouts he sent Finry so they could estimate a location. No one was particularly keen to announce the tension that they all felt. Despite the fact that the Pevensies had already endured an incredible battle at Beruna only days before, they had not accounted for there to be leftover remnants of the evil they'd strived to eliminate.

Tholyn pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips as she addressed them.

"We can make it to Beaversdam in three day. Does every soldier have a steed?"

"Yes, and the centaurs are looking at the stars as we speak." Edmund replied, catching Tholyn's eye momentarily. "They'll be able to guide us somewhat as well."

"Great. It takes three days to ride to Beaversdam from Cair Paravel," Peter said as he looked at all of them. "We must be up and ready by dawn."

"But Peter," interrupted Lucy. "You won't have my cordial! What if people are hurt?" she asked pleadingly, staunching the urge to stomp her foot on the ground. She wanted to go, she deserved to go. Her eyes were filling with tears as she thought of all of them leaving her and Susan while they had adventures and got into danger.

"I must agree," Susan added somberly. She'd been quiet and apprehensive while they made their plans but took after her sister's lead and voiced her concerns. "The two of us could stay back here, sure, but it would be just as easy to appoint someone to watch the throne while we're away!"

"No, your majesty," Blane said firmly, his voice very firm, almost stern. "Narnia has just gained four sovereigns a few days ago. You cannot strip all of them away so soon." He looked tenderly to Susan and Lucy in a way that Tholyn recognized instantly. It was the same look he gave her when he told her that she was going to take over his seat as the Charge.

"Listen Su," Edmund said, taking his sister's hand. "They've got a whole fleet of hawks. We can report to you every step of the way."

"Yes," Peter added as he laid a reassuring hand on Lucy's shoulder. "If things go sour then you're only a hawk away." This didn't seem to do a whole lot for the girls' disposition but they stopped protesting and watched on, eyes glassy with tears.

"So we are in accord," Blane stated as he rolled up the maps and stuck them in a leather sack. "We leave at dawn."

That night, in his chamber, Edmund sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed his forehead. This had definitely been the most rewarding and taxing trip of his life. He owed a lot to Narnia and to Aslan in particular but no matter how much his character had changed over the slow progression of Narnian time he was still partly a little boy who had no idea what the hell he was doing.

He bathed and changed and was getting ready to slip into his bed when he noticed something moving outside of his northern window. It was a grey blob against the muted window and he approached it with trepidation. Upon opening the window, however, in flew a small grey lump that zipped straight through the room.

"Hey!" Edmund shouted as he leapt from the window and started chasing the grey bird. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked angrily once he got a good look at the bird. He ran after the bird for several more minutes before he finally got tired and sat down.

"Fine," he said grumpily. "You'll tucker out eventually."

To his delight, as soon as Edmund stopped pursuing it, the grey bird stopped avoiding him and alighted tentatively at the edge of the bed. The bird was rather silver than grey and looked to be a young falcon with sharp green eyes.

"You're a lively one, son of Adam!" the bird chirped cheerfully as he took a step closer to Edmund, who was looking at him suspiciously.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" asked Edmund shortly. The bird clucked in laughter.

"Excuse, excuse, your majesty, I am Malchior, distant relative of Idlebeek." He answered politely with a sweeping bow that was made less stately by accidentally toppling over on the soft bedding. He righted himself and fluffed all his feathers before continuing to say, "My cousin sent for me a few days ago and told me to report to the third window on the left. You are King Edmund are you not?" Malchior prodded further, narrowing one eye to show his suspicion. Everything he did was a little exaggerated but somehow Edmund took a liking to the bird, though he did think he was a bit much.

"I am."

"Great! I'm your charge, friend, messenger, and whatever else I can help you with. It is an honor to serve your majesty – "

"Call me Edmund. Or Ed," Edmund corrected simply as he yawned thickly. If Idlebeek had suggested that this bird be his then he trusted in Idlebeek's judgment. He would never admit it but the chess game conversation with the wise bird had truly snapped him out of his sulk.

Malchior preened himself at the edge of the bed after agreeing to only address Edmund by his first name. They spoke momentarily before Edmund shut the window and explained that he needed to get to bed in order to leave at dawn. Malchior stifled his desire to know more about what he was leaving for and said only, "am I coming with you?" in an excited little voice.

Edmund rubbed his eyes and nodded before pinching the candle flame.