The way back to Caspain's castle was long and painful. It didn't help that Peter had to stop and rest frequently. Whenever that happened, Violet just sat patiently staring at him or the scenery until he recovered. Violet, he mused, seemed to be very stressed. Every time he tried to make conversation with her, he was lucky if Violet gave more than two words in reply. Her steps were tense, and her back was stiff. Peter was glad he could walk without her help. But all the same, he was happy Violet was there. It was as if she was the other half of Peter, and without her, his life was incomplete.

The sun was just starting to set, and Peter thought that he had had never been more relieved as Caspian's castle came into view. Violet walked him up the steps, then stepped back and smiled.

"It was a pleasure getting to spend time with you, Peter. Now I must bid you farewell."

"No! Wait!" Peter called after her, "Please stay."

Violet raised a sculpted eyebrow, "Why?"

Peter tried to find a reason, "You…..you saved my life. I will never forget that. If you go traveling all over Narnia, how can I repay you? It's better to repay you while you stay here."

Violet stared at him, probably thinking over his words. After a long moment, she nodded, "Alright."

Peter smiled and was just about to say something when he heard a squeal behind him. Suddenly, thin arms wrapped around his chest, "Peter! What happened to you? I was so worried!"

Peter turned to face his little sister, "Lucy, I'm ok."

She eyed his bandages, "You're gonna have to do better if you want to convince me."

Peter watched as his other siblings and Caspian walked down the steps.

Edmund saw his bandages and shook his head, "I told you Peter, it was odd for you to go out. Now you go and get yourself hurt."

Susan said nothing, just shifted uncomfortably form one foot to another.

They all questioned him carefully, until Caspian finally acknowledged Violet.

"Excuse me Miss, who are you?"

Violet crossed her arms, "My name is Violet. I saved Peter after he fell off the cliff. Without me, he would have died."

Wow, thought Peter, she's very direct.

Caspian smiled, "Well, I must thank you then. How about you stay here for a while? And please join us to dinner."

Violet smiled back, "Of course."

They all walked into the castle, passing servants who always bowed to them. Peter noticed that Violet was uneasy whenever someone bowed to her. They all came to the large dining room, where Annie was sitting at the head of the table.

"Peter!" Annie jumped up, "I'm so glad your ok!"

He just gave her a reassuring smile, not wanting to retell what happened to him.

"Please, sit!" Caspian waved an arm after he took his place next to Annie. Peter took a seat, and Violet sat next to him. Throughout the whole meal, Violet did not speak unless someone spoke to her, and she ate her meal in short, choppy movements.

The main course was finished, stuffed duck with vegetables and other foods. Desert was served, and a servant set a small cake in front of Violet.

"For you, my angel," He purred to her. Peter felt jealousy build up inside him, and he watched as Violet's face paled, though she gave a warm smile to the servant.

"Excuse me," Violet pushed back from the table, and glanced at Caspian.

"Oh yes, please, one of you show Violet to her room," Caspian said distractedly.

The room relaxed a little as Violet left, Lucy was telling the story of how they first came to Narnia. It was the story everyone wanted to hear, and the one she loved telling the most.

Only after the meal was finished and cleaned up, Violet came back. She was wearing the same clothes as he met her in, but her hair was tied into a ponytail. Edmund, Caspian, and Peter were discussing about the shadow creatures.

"What we need to know is what they are, why they attacked you, and what their weaknesses are," Edmund was saying, his brow knitted into a frown.

"May I intervene?" Violet asked politely, standing between Peter and his brother.

"Go ahead," Edmund said.

Violet started talking fast, "Very little is known about the shadow creatures. I don't believe they even have a real name. They aren't not really what they appear, as they can be slain in the same way a human can. By being hit in the heart, decapitated, blood loss, the same as humans. But they are a solitary race, mostly keeping to themselves or their mate. If they attacked you, Peter, in a group like you said, that must mean that someone is controlling them."

"Who that is though," Caspian added, "we need to find out."

"And what are we supposed to do?" Peter asked.

"Nothing now," Violet answered him calmly, "There is nothing we can do, unless you fancy getting attacked again."

Edmund protested, "We can't just do nothing!"

"I agree," Caspian said, "We can't just wait for them to attack us."

Violet placed her hands on her hips, "Then what do you suppose we do?"

No one answered her.

Violet smiled, "Now unless you think of something better, we are going to have to wait," And with that, she strolled out of the room, and probably went outside.

"That girl is a handful," Caspian shook his head, then departed the room also. It was just Peter and Edmund, standing awkwardly next to each other.

"Do you think that these shadow creatures are the reason we came back?" Edmund asked.

"Probably, that, and maybe we're supposed to save Narnia from their ruler," Peter replied.

Edmund sighed, "I wish we could visit Narnia without it being in danger."

"Me too, Ed. Me too."

They stood there in silence for a little while, until Edmund bade him good night. Peter was left there to stand alone, then he realized that Violet was still outside. So Peter went to go look for her. He found her sitting in the garden, her back to him, her head staring up at the stars. Her voice reached his ears.

"The rainbow colored wind is being blown. Aiming for the distant cape. The melody I could hear before sunrise, is a very nostalgic song. The birds fly towards the sky in the east. Cause it's the shortcut to the end. The paradise of the Seven Oceans, after the night of the storm. To be born again to convoy love," Violet's voice faded away.

Peter walked over to her, "That was beautiful."

Violet started, then blushed, "Oh, you heard that?"

"Yup. You should sing more often."

Violet didn't say anything, just stared at the stars.

"Don't you need to sleep?"

"No."

"You really should sleep."

Violet turned and stared at him, "I really don't need sleep."

"You need sleep, I'm telling you as a…..friend," Peter was scared to use the term with her.

Violet beamed, "Well, friend, I'm telling you that I don't need sleep."

Peter stiffened, "I could make it as an order of the High King. Then you would have to obey me."

Violet tilted back her head and laughed that clear laugh, "Peter, do you really think I'm as bound to you as your other subjects are?" She turned serious again, "Because I'm not. I don't have to follow your orders," Violet stood up, "But, I guess you are right. Even I need to sleep sometimes. Goodnight Peter," With surprising stealth, Violet walked up the stairs and disappeared into the shadows. Peter was left alone again to ponder her words.

I don't have to follow your orders. She had said. Was that because she held a higher position than him in Narnia? Or was it simply because she didn't like rules? Peter sat there, trying to think of reasons to explain what Violet had said. More confused than ever, Peter shook his head and gave up the effort. He walked up to his room, one question boggled his mind.

Who is really Violet?

The song lyrics are not mine. They belong to the creators of Mermaid Melody, the Anime.