Author's Note

Once again thanks to elecktrum for continuing to read and review each chapter.

I do not own any of the characters created by C. S. Lewis or any that are featured in the movie. All others, however, are my own creations.

Please if you would be so kind as to leave a review afer reading I would be extremely grateful.

Love is a Battleground

Chapter 3

With nothing more they could do for him at the time being, Nyra took leave of the tent to tend to others not as badly injured. "Do not hesistate to send for me if you need anything, my friend," she told the female centaur softly before stepping outside.

Taking the next few minutes to clean up the supplies they had scattered throughout the tent as well as wash the blood from her hands, Lareyna was slightly startled by the ringing blast of a trumpet, it's melody echoing throughout the camp.

That could mean only one thing, that King Peter had returned.. The sound of footsteps hurrying towards the tent soon confirmed that fact as the young King pushed through the opening, followed moments later by his brother, King Edmund.

His blue eyes swept haphazardly around the tent, landing on Lareyna for a moment, before catching sight of Oreius's still frame upon one of the beds. For a moment, a look of panic entered his gaze. "Please, tell me he's not..." here Peter hesitated, as if not daring to say the word dead for fear it would be true.

"Nay, Sire, General Oreius still lives," Lareyna quietly informed him, seeing what the High King was thinking by the look on his face. His features relaxing slightly at her calm words, Peter stepped over to the bed, his young face seeming suddenly much older to her eyes than it had earlier in the day.

Watching the two kings with slightly troubled eyes, Lareyna cleared her throat softly, "I'm afraid I need to apologize for not having you both told sooner about the General's condition," Lowering her head slightly, she continued in a soft tone, "Upon finding him so, my only thought was to bring help and get back to the camp as quickly as possible."

Raising her face to meet the eyes now trained upon herself, Lareyna finished quietly, "Forgive me, Your Majesties, for causing you added worry."

Shaking his head slightly, Peter gave the female healer a faint smile, "There's nothing to forgive. You did the right thing by getting him back here as quickly as possible."

Heartened by her King's approval, Lareyna had no time to express her gratitude as a sudden commotion of voices sounded outside of the tent, Susan and Lucy appearing most suddenly through the opening of the enclosure. The youngest queen began talking almost as soon as they entered, her expression one of mischievious disaproval as the words came tumbling from her lips.

"Why Peter, whatever are you and Ed doing? You promised to come back and rest as soon as you retu- Oh!" her mouth formed a small o as the rest of her words trailed off, hazel eyes growing large at the sight of Peter and Edmund standing beside the still form of their General.

Walking over to stand beside their brothers, Susan and Lucy gave the boys a shared look of concern. "Whatever happened?" Susan questioned Peter, her eyebrows drawn together in perplexity. In all the battles they had been in during their short reign of Narnia, the General had yet to be injured, his skill in combat easily keeping him from harm.

The High King, having no answer to give to his sister's question, glanced towards Lareyna, who replied softly, "The place where I found him was away from the main area of battle and judging by the number of slain enemies around his body, he was greatly outnumbered and eventually overcome."

"Will he live?" Asked Lucy, her voice trembling slightly as she turned her eyes upon the female centaur.

Working to control her own emotions, Lareyna answered slowly, "I cannot say, my queen." Her brown eyes met the little girl's sadly for a moment, before she continued, "I have done what I can, as has my fellow healer, Nyra, and we will continue to do all that is in our power to save him."

"If only I had some of my magic cordial left, then he could be healed." The young queen said mournfully, referring to the gift she had received from Father Christmas before the White Witch had been defeated. The many battles since then had soon depleted what was in the tiny bottle and though they were glad for those it had saved, all in the room could not help but wish there was a tiny bit left to heal Oreius.

"So do I Lu, but don't give up hope just yet, remember, Aslan is never far off." This came unexpectedly from Edmund, and Lucy gave him a wavering smile as he put an arm around her shoulders in reassurance.

Ever since the great lion had given his life in exchange for his own, Edmund had become a much different person than his siblings had originally known and at times were still suprised at the new gentle side of their brother.

"You're right, Ed. We need to trust that Aslan will save him." Peter said with an approving smile at his brother, who couldn't help but flush slightly at the praise. He was still not used to receiving compliments from his elder brother and it pleased him when he did.

Susan, who had remained rather quiet throughout the last few minutes, suddenly gave a sharp look at Peter, her voice somewhat accusing in tone as she cried out, "Why, Peter, you're wounded!" Grabbing his right arm, she pointed out a cut in the fabric of his sleeve, across his forearm.

Glancing down, the young king gave a somewhat sheepish look at the gash, shrugging as he replied. "Oh, it's not all that bad, just a minor cut." At his casual dismissal of it, he was rewarded with a glare from Susan and Lareyna stepped in, a slight smile parting her lips.

"Minor or not, My Lord, it would be best if I took care of it for you."

Peter conceded rather quickly to Lareyna's request, as the cut hurt more than he would admit to either of the girls as he did not wish them to worry.

Pulling up the sleeve, Lareyna swiftly cleaned and dressed the wound, seeing it was not overly deep and would no doubt heal in a few days time. "There, Sire, all done." She announced after tying the bandage. "I recommend you both get some rest." She added, noticing the fatigue on both king's faces.

Though Peter was reluctant to leave Oreius, he was eventually persuaded by Susan and Lucy to go and rest in the tent he and Edmund shared, though he made Lareyna promise to send for him immediately if there were any changes in the General's condition.

Before the four siblings left, Lucy impulsively ran over to give Lareyna a hug, or least as best a hug as she could considering the differences in their size. "Oh Lareyna, you are simply wonderful." She exclamied softly, causing a soft tinge of pink to appear upon the healer's cheeks. "As are you, my little queen." She replied with a soft smile, watching as the youngest Pevensie hurried out of the tent to follow her siblings.

As she was checking on Orieus, Lareyna's attention was once again drawn towards the opening as Nyra appeared through the curtained entry. "How is he?" She questioned softly, coming over to stand with her friend at his bedside.

"Much the same as before, though his pulse is a little stronger." Lareyna replied, removing her gaze from Oreius to look down at her friend.

"That is good." Nyra replied with a more hopeful smile, though there was a regretful look in her eyes as she continued, "However, I am afraid I must call you away from him for a time. The last of the injured have just arrived and they are in need of your assistance."

Though loathe to leave him, Lareyna knew he was in no danger at the moment and could not neglect others who needed her help. Nodding, she turned to go, satisfied in knowing he would at least be in Nyra's skillful hands if anything were to happen while she was gone.

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It was dark by the time Lareyna returned to the tent, feeling both physically and emotionally exhausted from the events of the last few days and this day in particular. Stepping quietly inside, she spotted Nyra in a chair near his bedside, reading by the light of two small lamps burning inside the tent.

"Has there been any change?" She questioned the faun quietly as her friend stood upon seeing Lareyna.

"No, neither for good or ill." She replied, brushing back her auburn curls before suppressing a yawn.

"Go and get some rest, my friend." Lareyna said with a kind smile, appreciating all the faun had done for her. "I will stay with him the rest of the night."

"Are you sure?" Nyra inquired, concern showing in her wide green eyes. "You must be tired yourself."

Shaking her head slightly, Lareyna gave her a grateful look nonetheless. "I will be alright." Truth be told she was not overly tired and wished to have some time alone.

"Very well then, I shall see you in the morning." Nyra conceded, exiting the tent a moment later.

Giving a soft sigh, Lareyna turned towards Oreius's bedside and settled herself in comfortable posistion beside him, finally able to let out the emotions she had so carefully kept inside throughout the day.

"Oh Aslan, please let him live." She whispered, a tear trailing slowly down her cheek, daring to reaching out and brush her fingers across his face.

Even unconscious the General exuded strength, his muscular frame sillouhetted in the dim light shining from the two lamps. Yes, he was a warrior through and through and there were few who could equal him on the battlefield. However, there was a gentle side to him that many did not realize existed. Lareyna had witnessed it when he came to visit those injured, concern for their well being clearly expressed in his actions. It was perhaps what she found herself loving most about him, that gentleness, found so unexpectedly in so great a warrior.

It was less than an hour later when he regained consciousness for the first time, a low moan drawing Lareyna's attention from the book she was reading towards himself, relief passing over her features. Reaching to run a cool cloth over his forehead, she watched as his eyes flickered slowly open, holding a dazed look at first before clearing slightly.

A hand went automatically towards his bandaged middle, a grimace of pain contorting his features momentarily as Lareyna spoke gently to him, "Lie still, General and try to relax, it will help with the pain."

He did as she said, and though Oreius found the pain grew slightly less, the burning sensation that radiated from his torso reminded him all too well of his last moments on the battlefield before all had gone dark.

Fighting the blackness that once again threatened to overcome him, Oreius captured Lareyna's gaze, needing to have the answer to just one question. "What...of the...royal...family?"

Lareyna was not suprised by the question, though it took all of his strength to speak the words. "They are all safe and worried for you, General." She replied, giving a gentle smile as his features relaxed at the news before he slipped back into oblivion once again.

Encouraged by the fact he had gained consciousness even for such a short time, Lareyna stretched her weary muscles, deciding to get some sleep while she could. Blowing out the small lamps, she murmured her thanks to Aslan before her heavy eyelids slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep.

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Author's Note

I tried to make this chapter a little longer but without boring you and hope I have succeeded. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of the story so far. Thanks.