Disclaimer. I own absolutly nothing. Except for ebil little Maible, who I hate just as much as you. -laughs-

A/N. Whew. Okay! So, I'm glad you all liked the first chapter. . Here's numero dos...Hah, and warning for slight language; it's not really even typed in here, but I don't wanna get into trouble. -blinks-

Maible also came to a pause at the sound of hurried clopping hooves within the barn. Her face twisted into a scowl; it was that ungrateful boy, more than likely, getting ready to leave. 'Oh, what's his name…Edmund, yes that's it.'

Abandoning her livid look for innocence, she poked her head inside the entrance, clearing her throat.

It was empty.

The only occupants were the horses, who had stopped their business to stare at the strange woman. Bewildered, she stared back until the beasts lost interest whispering to each other. Finding this deeply satisfying, the girl released a breath of relief and gathered up her voice, musing, "That's what I thought, you stupid, uncivilized-"

"I say!" Maible jumped a clear foot in the air as she was interrupted. Her eyes flit the stable, searching for the person who had spoken, though she would've sworn she did notice dirty looks coming from the horses- then realized with a terrible jolt of shock that it was not a human. "I say!" snorted the chestnut horse again, having peered inside the stable. "I daresay that is a piece of rude, unbelievable sh-"

"Phillip!" A boy emerged also, placing a firm hand on his horse's muzzle, bringing the steed's words to a halt. He spun around, obviously embarrassed, but that emotion quickly faded as his brown eyes registered with who she was. "Oh," he said glumly.

"Uh…" Maible remained frozen in shock, staring wide eyed at King Edmund and his horse, which, wait, no, who was obviously not just an animal you called to as 'horsie'. The boy sighed and shook his head.

"The horses of Narnia talk," he informed her. She didn't seem to hear him.

"I-I know…" Maybe she did. She held up a finger, pointing at Phillip. "Your horse talked." Or maybe she didn't.

He gave her a strange look, but made no effort to correct her. "Idiot…" A glossy black mare shook her head, her voice mixing with the King's whispered insult. Maible again didn't seem to hear.

--

Edmund stared long and hard at her, then nervously checked over his shoulder. The silky white tail of Peter's unicorn melted away from prying eyes into the Wood. 'Good; he had the sense to go fast now.' He turned his gaze back to Maible. 'Now to rid of this ditz.'

"I'm to leave immediately to seek my brother."

Okay, perhaps the wrong words to get rid of her.

The mention of Peter seemed to remind her to gain her head back, and she did, giving it a small shake. A small, wry smile curved her lips.

"Immediately." He didn't mean to come off as pushy, but if Peter was stupid enough to come back and see what the hold-up was—which he probably would—and Maible saw him…

She nodded and curtsied. "Of course, Sire. Queen Susan informed me already that it was not a woman's business."

He had to stifle a shout of laughter. 'Yeah, right.'

Nonetheless, he swung up on Phillip's back, resting a hand on the pommel of his sword. He glanced at her, slightly disgruntled—she was really getting on his nerves—but he nodded and said, "Very well, then."

Phillip seemed to get the cue and snorted, throwing one last dirty look at Maible before tossing his head and turning on his heels to pursue Peter at a breezy canter, keeping his strides smooth and leaving the girl alone in the stable.

--

"Honestly, King Peter; I really hope you manage to push her out of there sooner than not."

"Phillip, not to seem rude, but between you and Edmund both, I've heard that line at least fourteen times; and I haven't even met her."

"For that, I envy you, brother."

Peter glared at Edmund, giving his brother a good smack 'cross the head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" whined Edmund, already plotting some sort of twisted revenge as he gingerly touched a hand to where his brother had hit him. Peter only shot his brother a look that clearly told him to shut up. With a disgruntled sigh, Edmund obeyed.

"If you were serious about hunting, let me inform you now; talking will not coax the dumb, witless beasts you seek."

"Then perhaps the miracle will happen and your Majesties will cease this bickering!" Phillip snorted, exasperated. A dryad nearby giggled.

"And perhaps another miracle will happen and you two will hush over the girl at our castle! Really, Ed, it makes me wonder why you're already trying to draw me from her…"

"What? NO! Ugh, Peter, don't even try to say that!"

"Denial."

"I am not in denial! She's a prat! We'll see how you take it when you see the fake, little b-"

"Edmund!"

"- flaunting and giggling around you. Don't come crying to me for help."

"Hush!"

Both mounts halted promptly, causing the brothers to both topple forward onto the horses' necks, nearly falling to the damp ground. The snapping ceased; the forest echoed in silence, the last traces of talking fading through the trees (those who were the dryads had fallen silent now, though they had taken their Kings' small spat quite humorously).

Groaning slightly, Edmund pushed himself back up. Phillip's ears were pricked forth, his body tensing as he grew alert; likewise with Peter's mount. The boys shared questioning looks, confused; both rested assuring hands on the hilts of their swords.

'Perhaps we shall have a bit more than just hunting,' thought the younger with a slight buzz in his head. He knew that there were still remains of the Witch's army scattered about—it had been about five years since she had been killed— and it still alarmed him each time he ran across them unexpectedly. Which, he thought, he should expect it.

For a minute or two, the four stood silently, all straining their ears; only two managed to hear anything worth hearing. Finally, Peter's usually silent horse spoke in his quiet manner; "Wolves; a few, only a mile or so ahead."

The faint grinding of steel was heard for a moment as both boys drew their swords, letting their horses cautiously began to move forward once more, each of the beasts' steps tentative.

Again, Edmund found himself alarmed.

"Ah!" Unprepared for any sudden attack, the cry sprang from his lips as a grey blur shot from the foliage at him and his horse. But, at least, he was not slow. He lifted his sword, plunging it forward into the wolf's frame, ending its wretched life. That was the end of his surprise.

"Ed!"

On cue, two more beasts leapt snarling at the two Kings; Edmund again made fool of his attacker, having been slightly put on guard; his brother had not been so lucky. The wolf had landed on the unicorn's back, its claws scrabbling at the poor creature's hide as well as snapping at an unsuspecting Peter. Quickly as he could, Peter twirled his sword, lashing his blade at the nuisance. With a whine, it fell to the ground, also dead.

Panting slightly, the four waited, tense, to see if any more were to accompany those who laid slain upon the ground.

"Peter, are you alright?" Edmund glanced at his brother, who seemed to be repressing a wince or two, his hand on his shoulder.

"Ed, you worry yourself…Just a small bite here."

"Is it deep? Should we head back now?"

"Shut up, Ed, I'm fine."

Edmund sniffed, hurt. "Excuse my concerns."

Peter smiled slightly. "It's my job to worry, remember?" His brother scowled, but likewise inwardly agreed. With enthusiasm. And exasperation. After assuring that Peter's mount was likewise well, Ed's own spoke up again.

"There's still one left." Phillip nodded curtly, his eyes fixed ahead…Even so, he was noticing the forest was growing thicker. "It's…pacing. Ahead, just a small ways."

"So it was a very small pack…" mused Edmund, letting his horse on.

"Luckily. Still…Why would they send all but one off? Not good strategy, that's for sure…"

"Peter, they're wolves of a darker age."

"True-"

"Look."

Again, Peter's mount stunned them with words, or a word, drawing them all silent. A small, dark little pool of liquid was before them… It held the color of crimson, noticed Edmund, appalled. "That remaining wolf; it's back with whatever they caught," he breathed, glancing at Peter. Perhaps a small Talking Beast who had been unsuspecting? Anything larger would have been prepared for an attack.

Sure enough, as the two headed forth, the dark shadow of a pacing wolf loomed into view, its sight and bearings failing to trace the approaching four…That is, until, King Peter's sword was already upon it. It fell, dead, and the last of their current concerns ended abruptly.

"I don't see anything," said Phillip, referring to his rider's theory of the wolves having caught something…

Or someone.

Both Kings dismounted, looking around the shadowed area. "Not yet, anyways," mused Peter. No, he was convinced something or someone was here. As was Edmund.

And the younger King's suspicions were confirmed as he pulled away a tangled mess of vines; alarmed and slightly shaken, he dropped the tendrils abruptly, taking a step back. "Peterrr…" The word escaped his lips shakily, hushed, his eyes wide. His voice must have been a bit too hushed, for his brother did not look up across the tiny clearing. Managing his voice, Ed snapped, "Peter!"

This time, his older brother looked up. "Ed?" His brother looked completely and utterly petrified. Crossing beside him, Peter gave Edmund a questioning look, who shook his head.

"Sorry…Startled me 's all…" muttered the younger, who remained stunned nonetheless, pointing to the thick weeds. Peter's face contorted, glancing at the vines. Taking a fistful, he threw them aside.

An appalled sort of grimness took to his features at the sight revealed. "Well…We need to go back now. Lu needs to help us with this." That was all he said.

---

Slam.

The sound of the main doors closing fast alerted nearly everyone in the castle, but most simply went back to their activities. Or started new ones.

Maible's anxiety paused a moment at the thud, her form going rigid as she strained her ears for any trace of footsteps—perhaps the High King come to see her?—or talk—maybe he was discussing her? Neither happened, of course. But her vain hope was not to be stopped. She was smart enough to know that the small noise was the alarm screaming that King Peter was back.

Quick as anything, she snatched a brush, running it through her long, sun kissed hair in dramatic attempt to make herself shine. Her gown, she noted, was a tad wrinkled- frantically, she smoothed it out with petite hands. She wanted to look her best for dinner tonight. And why wouldn't she? After all, he handsome King would be there…Two pro's for her part.

--

But others also grew alert on the entrance of King Peter's return, but they, on the other hand, included their younger King equally. Lucy and Susan both looked up, knowing their brothers had returned. Wanting to spend at least one more moment peacefully with them before that horrid Maible ruined their evening, the two girls hurried down the hallway, peering into the entrance hall just in time to catch Edmund commanding Rerian- "Please, if you would fetch our sisters; healing needs to be immediate-"

"Edmund!" Lucy rushed from the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. When she had heard him, she feared the worst for her oldest brother, considering the trembling fear in Ed's voice. But her eyes filled with both relief and confusion as she drank in the sight. Peter was standing quietly, apparently unharmed, likewise for Edmund, who looked up at her calling.

But what was odd was the girl held in Peter's arms. She was unfamiliar, the young Queen having not recognized her. But what did daunt the valiant girl was the fact that the other was making no sign of movement. And, as she rushed forward to throw her arms around Edmund in greeting and comfort, she sensed a growing morbidity near the stranger.

"Lucy, could you help tend to…" He glanced at the girl. Lucy nodded as Susan took her sister's place, embracing her little brother.

"Are you two alright?" Susan asked breathlessly, looking them over, staring more so at the girl.

"Goodness, Su, we're standing." Older siblings could be so overbearing. "She is the one who needs help!"

And, almost as if on cue, Maible took light steps down the hall, poking her head into the room, a sweet, coy smile on her face. But her cheer did not last but a moment. As she herself registered exactly what she was seeing, a frustrated, tight frown replaced her silly grin. Her mind only screamed one thing- 'My King is holding some girl!'

All eyes turned to the newcomer, who everyone felt was slightly unwelcome, but the siblings remained silent; all except for Edmund, who let loose an agitated, but quiet growl. He really did not like her, and she was just getting in his way. Peter remained emotionless, trying hard to appear confused, which he succeeded in. Sort of.

Before she could restrain her words, she snapped, "Who's that?" She could care less if the girl was dying; she just wanted to know what Peter had to do with her.

Edmund didn't even try to hide his irritation. Before Peter could explain, he snapped right back, "We found her in the woods, okay?" He managed to whisper the last word to himself, having gotten the clue from Susan and Lucy after a sharp elbow in his side. 'God, woman, calm down.'

"We need to get her to the healing chambers." Peter managed to cut into his brother's rage. "Stay here. We'll be right back." And before she could protest, he had left the room. Lucy and Susan didn't dare risk a glance back, but hurried after their oldest brother.

The young King remained a moment in the room with Maible, their heated glares unwavering. Both felt deep hatred towards the other; As far as Maible was concerned, King Edmund was her only problem with getting to his brother. And as far as Edmund was concerned, Maible was his only problem with enjoying his brother's company and staying far from the concept of outside love.

This was going to be a problem.

Edmund gave her a look that clearly read "You-don't-like-me-and-I-sure-as-hell-don't-like-you, -got-it?" And just as quickly as the other three had disappeared, he, too, turned heel, breaking his glare. Maible, however, was left alone, absently listening to the click of his boots fading down the hallway.

"I've got it, your Majesty," she hissed quietly, any and all noise fading away.

A/N. Well, there you go for chapter two. And come on, people! -waves dramatically like Ed- Reviews! Good reviews! I hope!

I'd like to thank my unregistered reviewers, lola and Samatha, or maybe you two aren't logged in. I just don't want to get pointed wrong. -nervous laugh- Anyways, thanks you two, as well as to all my other readers. Sorry I haven't got to reply to your reviews! I've been real busy round the house and all...And YOU Llama llama duck...-laughs- You already know what I say to your review, considering you wrote it right in front of me and pressed 'enter' before I could stop you. -laughs again-