Edmund opened his eyes and squinted against the darkness. He sat up slowly and put his hand up to his head. He found a bump there and groaned. His entire body ached. As his eyes adjusted he could make out shapes in the darkness. He realized he was on a stone floor. The air around him was hot and damp. A shadow moved toward him. Edmund flinched at first reaching for his sword. But his sword was gone.

"Ed." That was Peter's voice. "It's alright."

"Pete." Edmund's throat felt tight. "Where are Lucy and Alyssa?" The silence lasted only a second, but it was enough of a hesitation to terrify Edmund. "Where are they?" Edmund stood up too quickly and nearly lost his balance.

"Darius has them." Edmund spun around to see who just spoke.

"Caspian?" Edmund felt a mixture of joy and fear as he embraced his old friend. "Who is Darius and what does he want with them?" Edmund asked as he stepped back. Looking around he saw five others with them. Caspian looked away for a second. "Tell me what's going on!" Edmund nearly shouted.

"A Lord called Darius…" Caspian began. "We used to be friends. But he's grown power hungry. He joined up with Laric, a sorcerer from Calormen. They are trying to take over Narnia. The plan was to bring you back so they could use a potion to make Lucy or Susan fall in love with Darius and want to marry him. Then the queen will order my execution so they can take the throne."

"But Susan's not here! It's Lucy and Alyssa-my girlfriend!"

"Then they will give the potion to Lucy." Caspian said simply.

"What about Alyssa?" Peter asked the question Edmund was about to.

"I don't know." Muffled voices interrupted them. "Shhh.!" Caspian hushed them and ran to the far wall. Edmund and Peter followed him and saw a old air vent just below the ceiling.

"Your plan seems to not have worked as well as you said it would." A male voice snarled.

"That's Darius." Caspian said quietly.

"You've got your queen. What are you complaining about?"

"The other one is Laric?" Edmund asked. Caspian nodded.

"Yes, but who is this other girl? Do you even know how many others your spell brought back? There could be an army for all we know!" There was a crash.

"They spell was for four. She must have been with them when the spell took effect so she was brought back instead of the other queen. You only needed one."

"Do you have my potion ready or not?"

"Yes. But there is something you should know first."

"What is it now?"

"This potion has a cure. You must not allow the queen's brothers to ever see her."

"I'll have them put to death with the other king then."

"And I want something." There was a pause. "The other girl. I want her. And you must not ask why. Otherwise you can find someone else to make your potion."

"Fine. I will have her sent to you directly."

"No!" Edmund shouted. "No! Alyssa! Don't you touch her!" He yelled towards the vent.

"He can't hear you." Caspian said.

"What does he want with her!" Edmund demanded. Caspian shut his eyes. "You know something. Tell me!" Edmund grabbed Caspian by the shoulders and shook him.

"Let him go your majesty." A new voice spoke from the shadows. Edmund spun around and came face to face with Coriakin, the magician he had met his last time in Narnia. "This is not his fault. It's mine. Laric was once my student. But he grew corrupt. He became obsessed with Jadis, the white witch. I assume you remember her." Edmund and Peter both nodded. "Laric plans to bring Jadis back into this world."

"How?" Peter asked.

"He will give a love potion to a daughter of Eve. That girl he sent for, he will use her to bring Jadis back. Once she takes the love potion she will do anything Laric commands. Jadis can be brought back if a daughter of Eve willingly sacrifices herself. Jadis will posses that body… And become invincible. But first, the daughter of Eve must take on the witch's powers. This will take some time. So we may have a chance to save her."

"They spoke of a cure. What is it?" Edmund sounded desperate.

"Only true love can conquer a love spell."

"That's why they don't want us to see Lucy. Because they know we love our sister." Peter rushed forth. "Is that all it would take? Just her seeing us?"

"If Queen Lucy has no doubt of your love for her. Yes, that is all you need. Just to look in her eyes will lift the spell."

"What if someone does have doubts?" Edmund asked. Peter looked at Edmund.

"Then you'll have to prove yourself to her." They heard a door open above them.

"Here is the girl you wished for sire."

"Good bring her to me." Laric said.

"What do you want with me?" They heard Alyssa shout defensively. "Where are my friends?" She demanded.

"Calm yourself my lady." Laric spoke gently to her. "The kings and queen are in other parts of the castle being tended to like yourself. My name is Laric. I hear your name is Alyssa."

"If my friends are safe, then why can't I see them?"

"Please, my lady, sit down. You must be tired and hungry. I have had food brought in for you… And some fine wine from Calormen."

"I don't want anything from you except to see my friends." Edmund smiled at Pete. If Alyssa refused to eat or drink, she couldn't take the potion.

"Alright, Queen Lucy is in a nearby room. I will have someone fetch her."

"What about Ed… I mean, what about the kings?" There was a pause and then the sound of footsteps.

"The kings are being cleaned up from their battle. It is a good thing my men were nearby and heard the fighting. If they had not reached you in time… I fear it could have been much worse. The kings both sustained injuries and are being cared for by our best healers. As soon as they are well enough to be moved, I will bring them to you."

"Why can't I go to him-them."

"My lady please, it is very important that they rest and not be disturbed. You wouldn't want to disrupt their recovery would you?"

"Are they really that bad?" Her voice was strained.

"I am afraid so. But now, let me go and send for your friend the queen. I will let her tell you that they are all alright." They heard the door shut. By the sound of the light footsteps going back and forth Edmund could tell that Alyssa was pacing. Several minutes later the door opened again.

"Lucy!" Alyssa exclaimed. Edmund and Peter both looked at Caspian. All three shared the same expression of relief. "You're alright!"

"Of course I am." Lucy's calm voice frightened everyone listening. "Aren't you?"

"No!" Alyssa stomped her foot. "They won't let me see Edmund!"

"Oh, you don't want to go there. To see Ed like that… It's bad. But they say he will get better soon."

"You've seen them?" Alyssa's voice was incredulous.

"Of course. They are my brothers. But I promise we are all in good hands."

"They must have given Lucy the potion already." Peter said solemnly.

"Yeah, and Alyssa has no reason to not believe every word Lucy says."

"But for now," They heard Lucy speaking again. "Let us sit and eat. Have you tasted the wine? It's magnificent. You might even say… It's magical." Edmund couldn't listen anymore. He sunk to the floor and buried his face in his hands.

((((((Sorry this is so short but I was just so excited to post what I had!)))))