A/N: hey I tried. Like I said, uber-busy weekend. So here's the last bit. Hope you like. Read and review please.

Krinkin led us through the dark dank tunnels of Aslan's How. I had asked Krinkin what this fortress was and he said that the mound was built around a chamber that contained the broken Stone Table. The entire Narnian army was using the tunnels and caverns to store materials and as bunks. The far-off clangs of metal on metal echoed eerily throughout the entire passage.

"They're preparing for war. I'll bet those are the smiths," whispered Max.

"We already know that, dimwit," I said back.

The tunnel opened up into a large chamber with torches burning along the wall, dispersing the gloom. There was a stone dais split in two in the middle of the chamber. In front of it stood Sir Peter Wolfsbane, the Magnificent, High King of Narnia. Although I bowed to him, I bowed just as much to the glorious stone carvin of the Great Lion behind King Peter.

I had never heard the old tales of Aslan, king of all Narnia, in a way that moved me. Here in front of this carving, though, I was touched. Though the stone couldn't possibly convey it, I looked at Aslan's soulful eyes and sensed that he wanted to help me. The Lion had helped others, he had conquered death for the sake of his people. Miraz had never done anything like that. He had barely conquered Narnia much less death. Miraz could barely control his own army and castle.

I had looked in at the other chambers as we made our way through Aslan's How. All the soldiers I had seen, be they fauns, centaurs, or even humans, had looked like they had a purpose to be fighting this war. They wanted a new life for themselves, one that didn't include tyrannous kings or living underground. I realized that I wanted a new life too.

"You have information for us then?" said a miffed voice. I looked up at King Peter. His blue eyes were filled with cold anger but in theire depths I saw something else: desperation. His army was not enough to defeat Miraz and he knew it. He needed an advantage.

"Yes, your majesty. My friend and I were dismissed from the Telmarine army and-"

"Why were you dismissed? Incompetence, perhaps?"

"No, m'lord. I, well, we were… our king, no Miraz, he-" I faltered

Max piped up. "Sir, Miraz wanted last nights raid on the Telmarine supply wagons and armory to seem like a bloody savage attack. Lysander, Dromidian and I were meant to be executed as casualties but our general dismissed us into hiding instead."

King Peter stroked his chin. "What of the third?"

"He would not betray his county, m'lord."

"Very well." King Peter dropped his hands to his hips. "What information can you give?"

I stepped up. "I was Commander of the King's Own of the IV Cavalry. I know the positions of the units, their numbers, their camps, and several of their tactics."

Max came up to stand next to me. "Sir, I was Junior Lieutenant of the Palace Guard."

King Peter's eyes lit up. "Good! Just what we needed." He put an arm around Max's shoulders and led him down one of the tunnels. He waved his hand at me dismissively.

I raised my eyebrows at Krinkin, who shrugged

"You can walk around the fortress just don't bother anyone and don't leave the area. As you know, there are som Telmarine soldiers on patrol."

I nodded my thanks and left.

I wandered through the tunnels, which were gradually getting light as they headed upward. The tunnel widened into a ledge just outside the fortress. I looked down and saw that Aslan's How was built like a pyramid and I had come out on near the top. I sat down and took a deep breath. I was grateful that I could still do that considering how many times my life had been on the line in the past 24 hours. The field in front of me was encircled by woods and I knew that the Telmarine army was steadily marching closer. If I listened closely I could hear the sound of the hammers pounding in the final stakes of the bridge. The afternoon grew hot so I took off my armor and left only my thin cotton shirt and trousers. I looked back at the bees bumbling through the field and spotted a wily fox hiding among the tall grass.

I suddenly saw the flowers crushed by the thundering feet of hundreds of soldiers and the grass turned slick with blood. I buried my face in my hands. I never wanted any of this. I never wanted the glory and honor that was supposed to come with a Telmarine uniform. All I ever saw hidden in the armor was murder and carnage. At least now I wasn't going to be killed in a war.

Yes, but I'm a captive now. I have no more freedom than I had when I was pressed into the King's Own. They might decide to kill me for all I know.

I knew that Miraz would have killed a prisoner as soon as they had given all their information and ceased to be useful. I certainly hadn't been useful to King Peter.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Hello, soldier."

I looked up and gasped at seeing Prince Caspian's face. "Prince Caspian!" I scrambled to get up and bow.

"There's no need for that, Commander." Prince Caspian sat next to me. "I only came to see if you needed anything."

I looked off towards the setting sun. I had been so lost in my thoughts that the afternoon had passed me by.

"No, Prince Caspian. There is nothing I require. Aside from a warm meal and bed, that is."

The Prince smiled. "That can easily be arranged. Are you sure there's nothing else?"

I turned towards him. "Sir, I want to know what you will do with me. I know you are not as cruel as your uncle but I feel that I am no use to you."

Caspian's smile fell from his face. "I-I actually hadn't thought of punishing you, if that's what you mean. I felt enough scars on your back to know that you are not unfamiliar with my uncle's punishments."

I shuddered. I still felt pain from those welts on my back. Miraz had ordered me whipped after I disobeyed orders to save the fallen drummer boy in the original conquest of Narnia.

"I only want to be left alone to choose my own life, Sir. I've spent enough time forced to do the biddings of others." I plucked at the grass growing between the stones and tossed them over the side.

"That's why, after this war, I will set you and your young friend free."

I looked up in disbelief. I will be free? "Sir?"

"You will be given a small purse, enough to ensure that you won't starve and then you can choose from there."

I looked back at the sunset and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. The most glorious shades of orange and red streaked across the sky. Here and there, a star poked out is shining head to light the evening sky.

"Thank you, Prince Caspian. That's all I ever wanted."

The prince quietly stood up and headed back into the tunnel. "Your meal and bed are waiting, whenever you are ready."

I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. The sun was winking out over the horizon. Today was ending but tomorrow's dawn would bring a new day, a new life. I had what I wanted. I was free.

A/N: well as porky pig says "Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-... That's all, folks!" hope you enjoyed