AN: Hey! I'm still amazed! Thanks so much! Five reviews equals another chapter. Usual deal.

We reached the main pathway leading to Aslan's tent just in time to see the Witch coming through the crowd. I felt it grow colder suddenly, and stiffened. Then I felt Peter's hand slipping into mine. He interlocked our fingers and warmth spread through me. How could the simple act of holding hands with him feel so good? How was it even possible?

Four Cyclops were carrying the Witch on a chair-like thing. They set her down and she stood up. She walked toward Aslan, and said "You have traitors in your midst, Aslan."

"His offence was not against you," Aslan answered calmly.

"But hers was," she said, looking at me. Everyone near us moved away, staring at me. Everyone, that is, except Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and Becca. I looked up at Peter to find his eyes smoldering with a hidden rage. His grip on my hand tightened a tiny bit. The White Witch turned back to Aslan. "Have you forgotten the Deep Magic?"

Aslan growled. "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written."

"Then you will know that they belong to me. They will die on the Stone Table." She pointed at Edmund and I.

Before I could stop him, Peter had drawn his sword. "Come and take them then," he said, hatred in his eyes. I put my hand on his arm, and pulled at him, hoping he'd look at me. He didn't, but I heard him take a small, sharp breath when I touched him, like it had affected him.

The White Witch smiled as though she thought it was funny, and said "Do you think that mere force will deny me my right, little King?" Peter stiffened when she called him that, and lowered his sword, but he didn't sheath it. Finally, out of frustration, I simply took it from his hands and put it in his sheath, giving him a look that said Don't push it.

"I may be in love with you, but I can take care of myself," I whispered so only he could hear.

Meanwhile, the White Witch was still talking to Peter. "Aslan knows that if I do not have blood, as the law demands, then all of Narnia will perish in fire and water."

Aslan intervened. "Enough. I will speak with you alone." They went into his tent.

We all sat down and I watched Peter. He sent me a look that said Talk to me. I slipped into his head. Hey. What's up?

The sky.

Really? I didn't know that. I mean, what's wrong?

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine, Peter.

What's going to happen?

I don't know.

Well, you're no help.

I'm rarely any help.

What are you guys talking about?

Becca! Out of my head, now, before I hurt you.

Okay, okay. You guys were probably being all mushy anyway.

OUT!

Your little sister's nosy.

So are yours.

True. Very true. Alex?

Yes?

Do you love me like you said?

More than you know.

'More than you know.' I knew it! You're in lo-ove!

BECCA! For Aslan's sake, GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

I shot Becca a murderous look from where I was sitting. She was whispering something to Lucy, who giggled. They both got squirts of water in their faces. "Hey!" Lucy squealed.

Peter glared at Becca. "if you tell them, we'll do much worse to you than squirting water in your face. Believe you me." Becca cackled.

"Oh, but you wouldn't hurt me, Peter. I'm too cute!" she giggled.

"Wanna bet?" he asked, and faster than she could react, he was behind her, gripping her hands and pulling her daggers out of their sheaths again. When they were all out, he shoved the pile out of her reach and held her arms behind her back. "Because if you do, then we'll kidnap you and submit you to torture by fluffy stuffed animals for hours on end until you beg for mercy."

Becca's eyes widened. "Not stuffed animals! You'll kill me!"

"That's the point of the threat."

We were all laughing now, and the people around us were looking at us like we were strange.

I felt a cool breeze on the back of my neck and remembered the Witch. Everyone else did as well. Peter came over and sat by me. Edmund was picking at the grass. We waited for the Witch to appear.

I turned toward the tent when I heard the Witch leave it. She stopped for a moment watching Edmund and I. Just for fun, I gave her a cheery smile, and waved. Peter snickered and squeezed my hand. Following my example, he gave the Witch a cocky grin that would infuriate me.

Aslan came out of the tent. We waited with baited breath for the verdict.

"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood." Cheers erupted everywhere. We stood up. Lucy hugged Edmund.

"And how do I know this promise will be kept?" the Witch asked.

In answer, Aslan roared.

The Witch sat down.

We Narnians? We had a party.

An impromptu celebration was underway. I turned toward Aslan, and felt my smile slip away as he watched me, a sad expression on his face. I let go of Peter's hand, and walked over to him.

"Lord King, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, Alexa. Go back to your friends."

"Aslan, I know you're lying. You know I know you're lying. What's wrong? Please, Father. I want to know."

"It's something you can't know, My Daughter."

"Was me telling Peter I was Gifted with killing something he couldn't know?"

"Child, he would have found out soon enough."

"And it will be the same with this. Either you tell me yourself, or I'll find out later."

"Alex."

"Father, please."

"I can't."

"Alright, Lord King. If it is what you wish."

"It is." I turned to leave. "Oh, and Alex?"

"Yes?"

"Not admitting to the others that you and Peter are in love is the same as me not telling you what is wrong."

"When you tell me, I'll tell them."

He sighed, and smiled that lion smile. "Sometimes I think you're too smart for your own good."

"Only because you're my Father."

"Go on, Alex."

I went. Lionel was close to Peter, congratulating him for something. I listened to what she was saying. "You were so incredibly brave when you threatened the Witch, Peter."

"Or incredibly stupid, as Alex kindly showed me," he answered evenly. "Where were you?" he asked me.

"Talking with Aslan, my King, about things that you wouldn't understand." I took his hand. Lionel glared at me.

"Oh, sure."

"Really!"

Becca ran over. "Alex! They've got food!"

"It's said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," I joked. "Apparently it's the same for Lady Knights." Peter laughed. We headed over to the table that had been laid out. It was getting dark.

Some Fauns were running back and forth with great armfuls of firewood. Lucy ran up. "Alex! Peter! Becca! They want our help lighting the fire! We get a colorful bonfire tonight!"

"Alright!" We jogged over. I looked at Peter. "Ready?"

"Wait! Everybody, watch the mages!" one faun called out. All heads turned our way.

"Three, two, one," I said so only Peter, Becca, and Lucy could hear. "Avra!" we said together. Green, blue, silver (the color of Becca's magic) and purple fire shot from our palms, and the logs were set ablaze. I focused heard, and made the flames gold and red. Pictures danced in them. I made Aslan's face come up, made the flames rise higher, and then made him roar. "Let's see the Witch face that!" I yelled. "Are you ready to win this thing?" The army yelled, drawing their swords, knives, daggers, arrows, axes, and other, various pointy objects. "FOR NARNIA! AND FOR ASLAN!"

About an hour later, I sat down next to Peter, and watched the flames. His arm snaked around my waist, and he pulled me close to him. I laid my head on his chest. A few minutes later, I was asleep.

AN: Again, review.