A/N; My apologies for keeping you waiting so long for an update. A bit shorter chapter this time around, but it was still a bit of a challenge to write. I hope you enjoy it.

5.

Varme and Vann

Peter and Edmund both rose from their sleep at mid-day. They both knew they should have been stiff and sore from their duel the previous night, but they found themselves well rested and refreshed. They exited their tent to see their Army going about its daily business. Perimeter guards were keeping careful lookout around the camp. Scouting parties were returning and new parties were setting off. Smiths were honing blades and the ring of hammer on steel told the story of armor being repaired or adjusted. Near the cook tents were lines of off duty soldiers who were waiting for the meal. At the center of all this activity stood a large knot of soldiers gathered around something the Kings couldn't see. Setting off they made their way in that direction.

Their soldiers allowed them to pass with friendly greetings. Sitting at the center of the assembled fighters was Aslan himself. Peter and Edmund bowed at once to the Lion.

"Good day Kings of Narnia," Aslan's warm voice broke over Peter and Edmund.

"Aslan are you here to help us rescue our sisters and friends?" Peter asked. He was pleasantly surprised to find that his throat wasn't sore from all his screaming the night before.

"In a way," Aslan replied. "Walk with me Wolfsbane and you as well Knight of the How." The Lion stood up and began striding into the forest.

Both brothers looked at each other with an odd expression. Few save their closest friends and weapons teachers used their chivalric names. Wrapping the cloaks tighter about themselves they set off following Aslan.

The Lion led them to a nearby clearing where he turned and looked at the boys. "High King Peter, King Edmund what troubles you so?"

It was Edmund who answered. "Aslan our sisters and five good friends have been captured."

"Yes, this I know Edmund," Aslan told him. "Yet by the duels you two fought last night it is clear there is much on your minds." When both Kings were still silent Aslan pressed them further. "Do you feel yourselves unable to find your sisters and friends?"

"No," said Peter. "That's just it. I know we'll find them. But I'm scared of what we'll find when we do."

"How so Peter?"

Peter knew that Aslan probably knew what he was going to say before he said it, but it was still a balm to him to talk to the Lion. "Edmund was once captured by the White Witch. I was captured by the Ettins not long ago. Neither of us came away from those experiences the same."

"None could have after such trials you know," Aslan told Peter.

"I know Aslan," Peter said as he looked at the ground. "It's just I had hoped to keep the girls from such dangers. I can't help thinking what we could have done to prevent this."

"Few are told what might have happened you know," said Aslan. "You waste energy thinking about such things."

"Yes Aslan," said Peter.

"Aslan please, we know there isn't anything we can do to change what has happened. We know we can only change what will happen. Can you help us with that?"

Aslan looked carefully at Edmund and then at Peter before looking back to Edmund and answering. "Edmund when you think of your captivity under Jadis what is the first thing that now comes to mind?"

"That by knowing the true face of evil I know the true face of good," Edmund replied.

The Lion then turned to Peter. "And you Peter, what do you think of now when you reflect on your abduction by the Ettin giants?"

"How blessed we are to live in Narnia among such fine friends and close family." Peter told Him.

The corners of Aslan's mouth turned upwards in a hint of a smile. "As well as you should think so. It is through your trials that you have grown. Surely as a smith hammers off the impurities from a bar of steel while forging a sword so have your experiences shaped and molded you. Thus it shall be with your sisters."

Peter was confused. "Does that mean you wish us to turn the Army around and let the girls fend for themselves?"

"No Peter, they will still need your help and the help of all who accompany you on this quest." Aslan then sat down as he addressed them both again. "You two have accrued many titles in your time in Narnia. Magnificent, Just, Sword, Shield, Emperor, Duke. I have one more for you to add, though I ask you to keep these titles you yourselves.

"Peter, the Magnificent King. Your courage and bravery in all things warms Narnia. Your spirit blazes the brightest in adversity and in challenge. At times quick to rush forwards, but able to smolder waiting a spark. I name you Varme.

"Edmund, the Just King. Calm, cool, and intellectual. You are able to seep through the cracks to find the truth. As swift as a torrent or as quiet as a trickle you balance your brother. I name you Vann."

Neither King knew what their new titles meant, yet somehow they felt something glow within them. Once again Aslan had summoned them and called them His own. They found the doubts and worries that had plagued them had vanished as Aslan have spoke to them. In its place was only a quiet resolve.

"Now let us return to the camp. There is still much that needs to be done." With that Aslan began walking back through the woods. Peter and Edmund walked on either side of him holding onto His golden mane. They walked in comfortable silence not wanting to disturb the moment. Soon they reached the camp and were greeted at once by a flash of red fur that leapt at the Lion and the Kings.

"Aslan! Peter! Edmund! You're back! Father and Orieus said I had to wait till you returned to tell you!" Peterkins was jumping up and down in his excitement.

Aslan smiled down and the Kit. "And what news is this young Fox?"

Peterkins wasn't ready for Aslan to address him directly. He stopped his leaping and simply stared up at the Lion in a find state of shock. Aslan chuckled to Himself as he looked at Peter. The High King also had a smile on his face as he bent down to pick up the thunderstruck Fox. "What is it you wanted to tell us?"

Peterkins came back to himself with a bit of a start. "We've found a sign from the Queens!" he exclaimed proudly. "Cyn just returned from a patrol with the report!"

"Where is Cyn now?" Edmund asked.

"With the Swordmasters near the Officers Tent." Peterkins said quickly.

Peter paused only long enough to set Peterkins back down in the snow before he ran off after Edmund who was already dashing ahead. When the Kings arrived at the tent they found many of their officers gathered around the Swordmasters who were studying a map.

Orieus was the first to see Peter and Edmund arrive. Stepping to one side he allowed the Kings to view the chart. "My Kings, Captain Cyn has a new report concerning the Queens and the Ladies."

Peter nodded at Cyn to make his report. "Sires," began the Gryphon. "My scouts have been patrolling to the south. They came upon this." Raising a talon he deposited Lucy's belt on the table.

Edmund snatched it up at once. "Where exactly was this found Captain?"

"Here," said Cyn as he pointed to a point south-south east of their current position.

"It looks as if those who abducted the Queens mean to skirt Archenland and Calormen in their escape," Peter commented.

"That was our observation as well," said Peridan.

"Sir Peridan you lived in Archenland nearly your whole life. What do you know of the passes to the east?" Peter asked.

"Sadly little I'm afraid my King. They are said to be wild lands, full of deep crevasses and hidden gorges in the mountains. Few journeyed there. Perhaps we could send an envoy to King Lune. The court at Anvard might have more detailed information that could prove useful."

"An excellent suggestion," Peter said without looking up from the chart. His brain was racing. According to the map in front of him there were less than ten places where he could move his army through the southern mountains easily. However a small troop could easily take many paths. "Cyn send three of your fastest scouts at once with mine and Edmund's royal greetings."

The Gryphon left at once to dispatch his troops. Edmund was also looking at the maps and raised a question. "How easy would it be to hide a force say half the size of ours in those peaks Sir Peridan?"

Peridan thought for a moment before he answered. "Since we have such limited information it would be difficult to hazard a guess my King. Yet by looking at this chart it appears that it would not be difficult to do so. Especially if there are any caves where such a force could take refuge."

"So if we split up our forces to scour along these easily travelled routes we could be walking into a trap and attacked?" asked the Just King.

"Precisely," Peridan said.

"What if we didn't stick to the easy paths?" Peter asked.

"Sire?" Peridan was a little confused to the comment.

"It makes sense," Peter said. If in fact that is where these bandits are heading they would expect us to split our forces to cover more ground. They could then divide and conquer our troops much easier. Not that I doubt the fighting heart of the Army."

"What do you propose my King?" asked Orieus.

"Keep our forces together," Peter replied." It might be a harder road over the mountains and through these woods," he said indicating a swath of forest on the map. "But we'll have the advantage of numbers. Should we receive any better maps from King Lune I propose we continue scouting for any signs of these bandits, the Queens and the Ladies, yet march on this high plateau."

Celer looked over the chart at the plateau Peter had indicated. He nodded with approval. "A wise choice Sire. From there we can establish a central camp and be able to operate in any direction in these mountains. If this chart is accurate it wouldn't be hard to secure the plain with timbers as a strong redoubt."

Peter nodded in approval once more before looking up at Orieus. "General, strike the camp and sound the march."

The Centaur bowed as he left to carry out his orders. Peter turned to where Aslan had been standing. Looking around Peter didn't see the Lion anywhere. Edmund also looked around for the Lion hoping to converse more with Him. Sir Giles noticed their searching glances.

"Whom do you look for my Kings?" he asked.

"Aslan," said Edmund.

Giles looked over the camp before smiling and again looking up at Peter and Edmund. "I think Aslan may have departed us."

Peter slumped his shoulders in mild disappointment. "Pity, I had been hoping to talk to Him some more."

"Did talking to him help my King?" the Fox asked.

"La, it did," Peter replied.

"Then I think Aslan told you all He needed to. After all He's…"

Edmund cut off the Fox. "Not a tame Lion. We know."