Darkness faded as they clumsily stumbled out of a seemingly endless tunnel. Sunlight piercing their sight. Before them was a land of color. When Peter emerged from the tunnel he was greeted with the sight of familiar green fields, with Edmund and Lucy skipping about in circle with their hands joined. Peter's heart lifted.

"Narnia" he breathed.

Behind him Susan was muttering again. Peter couldn't understand her reservations about being in Narnia, despite her claim to love it. Edmund danced up to Peter and Susan.

"We're back. And on our old battle field as well."

Peter, for a second, was concerned as to why the tunnel would lead them here to this spot. But that quickly faded with watching Lucy and Edmund laugh for like what had seemed ages. Susan tugged on Peter's arm.

"Something really is happening for us to be here again, isn't it?"

"Yeah Sue, it is. But lets just enjoy being back for the moment." He watched Lucy and Edmund running down the hill they were on. "Come on Sue," and he chased after them.

Edmund and Lucy was mock sword fighting on their great ancient battle field. It was here Peter had fought in his first battle. He was but a child at the time. He wondered what part of Narnian time they were in. Their time moved so much quicker. He and Susan wandered after the other two. There was a figure in the distance. He called to Edmund and Lucy to stick close by. Lucy and Edmund stopped to watch the figure come into view. They were unsure of who they'd meet this time. Narnia was wild, and its inhabitants were just as wild too. The figure materialized, but it wasn't a figure at all. It was a great best of majesty. His mane like his crown.

"Aslan!"

Lucy screeched and tore off back down the field. Edmund was soon on her heels. Peter could hardly contain his grin, and he noted happily, nether could Susan. They shared a glance and ran down to greet him.

"Ah children," his deep voice purred, as he enjoyed the scratch behind the ears from Lucy and Susan. Peter was always in awe of Aslan and bowed before him, Edmund followed suit.

"King Peter, King Edmund, no need to bow before me."

The boys stood up. The great lion nuzzled the girls as their poured affection on him. Aslan nudged Peter's right arm. He knew of Peter's injury.

"I do apologise for the wound young king, it was not intended."

"Don't worry about it Aslan, barely a scratch." That wasn't entirely true, Aslan knew that, but Peter was brushing it off as nothing.

"What Narnian time are we in this time Aslan?" asked Lucy excitedly, bouncing like she'd been made of jelly beans. Narnian energy was completely infectious. Aslan made no move. Peter found this to be curious.

"Aslan?"

"You're in the years of your golden reign."

The bouncing and smiles stopped. Peter could only frown and the others looked just as confused. The great lion sighed heavily. He was circling around the children. Almost like he was trying to find the right words.

"I had to bring you back in time. There wasn't much of a Narnia left."

"What on earth do you mean?" it was Susan that asked the obvious question they were all thinking.

"Narnia was crumbling. Under the weight of destiny unfulfilled. And some of it needed to happen with you, my children." Aslan seemed saddened. Like he had watched the end of his world. "Sit and I shall explain, as best I can."

Peter sat first, placing himself in front of Aslan. Lucy and Susan had cuddled up to the big cat's side and leaned into his mane. Edmund placed him self on Peter's right side.

"A lot of Narnia is run by destiny, fate, paths pre-determined by the unseen forces from which I come from. And when that main path is strayed from, and not given its chance to take its place in our world, our lives, it has the potential to unmake the very world that is Narnia."

"We missed something didn't we? Something big."

"It is an integral part of the history that was meant to be."

Peter breathed heavy. His thoughts traveled to the dream. The woman in the burning mountain. He felt this need inside, this drive to find her. He had only noticed it when they arrived but thought nothing of it until now.

"The sleeping lady Aslan, do you mean her?"

"Yes, she is part of it. In two ways."

"In two ways?" Susan questioned. Aslan read the look on Peter's face. A part of Peter had already figured out her role in his life to come.

"She's part of my destiny, that's why you came to me." Peter said finally, looking for confirmation. And Aslan gave it.

"Yes Peter."

"And? What else?" Susan pried again.

"She is part of the forces that made me. She is the only one left of the original four living ones."

Blank confused faces looked at Aslan.

"The Living ones were living representations of living elements. Three have gone missing, presumed destroyed, and now only she remains. She needs to find the essence of the other three. Before it's too late."

Aslan bowed his head again. A sadness, a heaviness, seemed to overwhelm him. What had happened to Narnia? He sighed heavily again. Was this going to be to big for them?

Peter didn't think twice. He wasn't going to lose anyone else that he loved.

"What do I need to do Aslan?"

Aslan looked at Peter with admiration. He could see that Peter understood what was at stake. Yet the High King in him did not second guess, did not question. To save Narnia, this High King would go through any quest. Aslan's eyes smiled and smirk touched his lips.

"First, we need to take you to Cair Paravel."