I raced back to the Howe, sneaking my way past several Telmarine guards, which was getting harder now that I had grown a bit more. I was spotted by several Narnians who pointed me out.

I came to a stop in front of Glenstorm, "where is Caspian?" He sent me a small smile before gesturing behind him with his hand. I slinked past him and darted across the grass, following that familiar musky, outdoors smell that I knew belonged to the Telmarine Prince. It was sharper than most of the Narnians and stood out quite a lot.

He was tacking up a large pitch black stallion. He stopped for a moment and just trailed his fingers through the horse's mane and gave a small smile.

I watched as the horse threw his head back and blew out a large burst of air before turning back to Caspian and nussling him. It was a rather sweet sight. Caspian placed an arm gentle and loosely around the horse's neck, returning its strange embrace.

"You two must have been through much together," I spoke softly.

My sudden appearance seemed to startle both man and horse as they both seemed to jump at the same time (which was quite amusing) but the horse seemed rather nervous at the sight of a lioness as my form now showed. I was almost at my proper age in this body, I could not only feel my body growing but developing aswell as my mind.

"Yes," Caspian said finally regaining himself. He must not be used to talking to animals yet, or lions at least. "We have been through much, he has been my horse since I was very young."

I could feel an almost connection to this horse. It took me a second to realise it was the Deep Magic. Through the Deep Magic I was connected to all Narnian creatures. This horse was a descendent of a Narnian horse. I was glad that I had not lost my touch altogether with the Deep Magic but my other powers were as though they were locked away inside my mind. Unreachable for the time being.

"This horse, is highly intelligent. If it hadn't been raised in a Telmarine stable I believe he may have learned to talk. He may yet learn. Narnian horses live much longer than regular horses do. Your horse still has strong Narnian blood running through him." I calmly walked towards them.

I sent calming emotions and thoughts through the Deep Magic, this seemed to settle the large beaut. A glance over my shoulder showed that my calming message was delivered to not only the horse but every creature with a connection to the Deep Magic. All Narnians that stood on watch seemed to relax and have more focus. They were less nervous and tense. I was glad to see what I could do.

It seemed I wasn't the only one to notice this as Caspian gasped, "how did you..?" I just smiled at him and lay at his feet, my large glowing eyes staring up at him. He smiled down at me.

"You sure are something."

I glanced down at my paws feeling a blush covering the skin under my fur. I was so glad for my fur at that time as he couldn't see my redness.

"You are growing into a beautiful lioness. And so quickly too."

I brought my paws up over my mussel and eyes. Caspian sensed my embarrassment this time and laughed loudly and happily. Then he suddenly stopped and all happiness fled his face and his eyes went sad and cold.

"I haven't laughed or even smiled like that since..."

I rose up and nussled his leg with my head. I heard the Telmarine let out a small gasp before carefully placing a hand on my head. I was pleased to still feel that soothing sensation that also managed to give me butterflies in my stomach at the same time even if I was a lion and Caspian didn't know it was me. When I didn't pull away, Caspian continued to stroke my fluffy head and scratch my ears.

"I never thought a lions fur could be so soft and silk-like," he wondered aloud.

I smiled and leaned against him more as he rubbed my neck and behind my ear where my fur was at its best. "Well not many ever touch a lion's fur so not many know."

Just then a loud (fake) cough interrupted our time.

We turned to see Susan and Lucy. Lucy was practically beaming at us and skipped over to me.

"You're here!" she exclaimed happily.

I gave a small laugh, "as I said I would be, I have a mission I must complete."

Susan on the other hand looked a bit annoyed, her eyes glancing from Caspian to me to Caspian's hand which still hadn't left my fur. I had to fore myself to with hold a snort of how unbelievably stupid and jealous she was. She was jealous of me as a lion for being close to Caspian next she is going to be jealous at Glenstorm or the Professor.

I knew she had a thing for Caspian. Well, not really. If she sees a cute boy, he is automatically her's. Nothing usually gets in the way of this, most guys never even glanced twice at either Lucy or I. Lucy was really young and shy and quite while I was a bit of a loner and a freak. But this one man, Caspian, did something Susan didn't expect, looked past her and at me. He never spared her a second glance. It was her turn to be left alone. I often caught her glaring at me when she thought I wasn't looking or staring at Caspian leeringly. She just always assumed guys liked her after they said one word to her, as long as they were handsome anyway. Edmund, Lucy and I often talked about this and we hated that quality about her. Her vainess. Susan the Gentle, had disappeared long ago. As far as we knew Queen Susan the Gentle never truly existed.

"Well, we have a lot of ground to cover so maybe we should be going," stated Susan smartly with a wide, toothy smile at Caspian. Who remained passive and helped Lucy onto the horse and then gestured for Susan to get up with her. He had seen Susan pull herself onto a horse, there was no reason she couldn't do it now. This horse was no bigger than any others she had ridden.

This seemed to annoy her slightly but she hid it well, sort of. As her sister who made it my life goal to annoy her as much as humanly possible, could tell.

Caspian stepped forward and pushed up leather at the side of the saddle and began to raise the stirrups to the right height for Susan to ride with.

"Destrier has always served me well. You are in good hands," he spoke softly as he finished what needed to be done.

"Or hooves!" threw in Lucy, bring a smile to both mine and Caspian's faces.

Caspian glanced down at me and rubbed my head, "and paws."

Lucy nodded, agreeing with him"and paws!"

I beamed up at her, "I will protect you with my life, Lu- Your majesty."

Caspian stroked my ear once again as he said looking intently at Lucy first then to Susan for a short while then to me, "Good luck."

It was Susan who replied in a rather cold tone, "thanks." She turned her head away from him but I could just make out a small smirk on her face.

"Look," spoke Caspian. He reached down to his side and pulled out Susan's horn, "maybe it is time you had this back."

Susan glanced down at it then at me before replying, "Why don't you hold onto it. You might need to call me again." I couldn't help but notice an annoyed look on Lucy's face and Caspian had tensed slightly and looked rather uncomfortable. He slipped the horn back into its place as Susan urged Destrier forward and down a passage.

I looked up at Caspian and rolled my eyes with a smile which caused him to give a small laugh before I turned sharply and bolted down the passage after my two sisters on horseback just to hear Lucy ask in rather angry tone, "'You might need to call me again?' Susan!"

Susan just kept going without glancing back at her but shot back, "Oh, shut up!"

I raced up next to them before shooting past, "I thought you were supposed to be the 'Gentle' Queen."

I didn't see it but I knew she rolled her eyes at me.

We had been moving quickly for quite some time and the forest was starting to play tricks on my eyes as I was growing tired. I could only imagine how Destrier felt with having to keep this pace while also carrying my two sisters. It felt like we were going in circles and I wasn't certain but I may have heard other horses not far behind us but when I would circle back to check I would find none. I figured if we were being chased our only option was to keep going and hope we eventually lost them along the way.

Other than the sounds of Destrier's hooves breaking through the topsoil underneath us as we practically flew through the trees in search of our destination, there was silence. We were all far too afraid that we would give away our positioning with just the smallest of whispers.

When I had finally started to feel comfortable that we weren't going to be found my large, furry ears picked up the sound of men's voices and the sounds of horses approaching.

Glancing up I spotted a group of men galloping alongside the edge of ridge following us. Yelling orders for our capture.

"They've seen us!" cried Lucy in terror, not that I could blame her. Susan pushed Destrier to go faster in desperation.

She suddenly brought us all to a halt as we entered a less crowded clearing, the ground covered in dried and dead leaves. Swinging her leg over Susan dropped down onto the ground.

"Take the reins," ordered Susan as she handed them over to Lucy.

Lucy gazed down at her in terrified confusion, "what are you doing?!"

"I'm sorry, Lucy," said Susan sadly, "it looks like you'll be going alone after all."

"I'll help you if I can but I must join Lucy to find Aslan," I spoke up.

Susan gave me a small smile of thanks, not noticing my slip up of not referring to her with a title like most Narnians.

Susan gave a Destrier a strong slap to the rear, urging him into a slow trot.

Lucy glanced back at us but we quickly turned away as Susan pulled an arrow from her quiver which lay lopsided on her back and set it on her bow, ready. I closed my eyes trying to keep my breathing steady. I wasn't about to let my family lose someone else.

It was silent for a few moments as we waited, the sound of Destrier's hooves getting fainter. We glanced back over our shoulders one more time. I gave her a nod. She seemed so torn in what to do but finally she turned back and forced Destrier to move forward once more.

Susan and I turned back to our challenge on hand, just as several men all dressed in well kept armour, entered the clearing. They came towards us and I waited for her to take the first shot.

Take it she did. Hitting the man straight in the chest causing him to fall from his horse.

Again and again she shot when finally she wasn't fast enough to load her bow and I quickly lept from the ground tackling the man from his saddle. He swiped at me with a dagger as he had lost his sword when he fell. He managed to slice my leg but not too deeply. I bit deeply into his neck. He thrashed and cried out as my sharp teeth sank deeper until finally he fell still. The horrible taste of blood filled my mouth and I tried to spit it out but there was always some there. I was far too used to killing but it never became easier and this way of attack was new to me and felt much more personal and was much bloodier. I didn't like it.

I turned as Susan gave a cry she had been knocked back by one of the riders still on horseback her bow laying forgotten. Another rider along with the one that knocked her down circled us and poised their swords at us as I prepared to once again attack.

My attack was halted as the loud, familiar cry of Caspian sounded as he took out the man with his sword aimed towards me before dealing with the other. He glanced from me to Susan, "are you sure you won't be needing that horn?" He asked, "this could have been much worse."

Susan rolled her eyes before taking Caspian's out-stretched hand, letting him pull her up onto his horse.

"Hope, come with us! You are hurt," exclaimed Caspian.

I shuck my head, "no. I must join Lucy. Finding Aslan is more important than a small scratch."

I gazed up at him, "be safe." I turned to look at Susan, "both of you."

I didn't give either of them a chance to reply as I turned and bolted out of the clearing, dodging some of the horses that still lingered around the place from the attack.

Back at the Howe

Peter rose to his feet, his shoulder was out of place and was agony to move his shield arm, though he hid it as best he could. Miraz had also gotten to his feet once again.

Peter spied something over the 'King's' shoulder. It was Caspian and Susan riding towards them.

"Does his highness need a respite?" asked Miraz, mocking Peter but it was clear that he needed it just as much as he did.

"Five minutes?" suggested the younger King.

Miraz scowled and replied, "three!"

With that they separated, Edmund quickly moved forwards to help his brother. Peter settled his weight onto Edmund as he limped to where Susan and the oter Narnians were waiting. Caspian joined them once he handed off his horse.

"Lucy..." said Peter, unable to say any more, he also spotted that lioness from before wasn't there either.

"She got through," explained Susan, "with a bit of help." She glanced at Caspian.

"Thanks," said Peter to Caspian. The older boy shrugged, "Well, you were busy. Hope is with her. Hopefully."

Peter turned his attention back to Susan, "You better get up there, just in case. I don't expect the Telmarines to keep their word." Peter stared around at the men in question. Susan stepped up and gave him a hug which caused him to give a low groan. She immediately moved back with worry.

"Sorry," she said quickly, checking over his injuries.

"It's alright," replied Peter.

"Be careful," advised Susan.

This was quickly followed by Edmund who had looked back at all the Narnians who were intently watching them, many of them shifting nervously.

"Keep smiling."

Peter turned and with a wide, forced smile raised his sword, hiding the pure agony he was in from his injuries. Susan raced forward through the crowd that stood on either side of the entrance. She went through the entrance so she could get to the higher levels to lead the archers.

Seeing Peter, all the Narnians broke out in loud cheers, not knowing what was truly being said or happening.

Caspian helped Peter to sit down and went to remove his shield when he gave a loud cry. Caspian darted away to lay down the shield and sword as Edmund moved over to inspect his brother's injuries more closely.

"I think it's dislocated," exclaimed Peter.

"If only Dawn was here, this was more her thing. She would know what was wrong and could fix it, make you feel less pain aswell," spoke Edmund sadly. They never knew how much they depended on their sister's magic until she was gone.

Caspian glanced at Edmund from the corner of his eye at the mention of the girl's name.

"What do you think happens to us if we die here..." Peter trailed off as he spoke to Edmund who sent him a small glare as he thought of his twin sister. He didn't want to think of going home and finding her not there. How would they explain it? How would he be able to live with himself?

"You've always been there for me, you and Dawn. I never really.. AHH!" Peter cried out as Edmund forced his arm back into the correct position. The pain automatically made him lean forward.

"Save it for later," spoke Edmund sharply as he moved aside to retrieve his brother's things.

Peter took up his sword and shield but declined when Edmund offered him his helmet.

The Narnians cheered as Peter stepped back into the fighting 'arena'.

Miraz not wanting to be showed up by a man not even half his age, shoved away General Glozelle when he stepped forward with his gold helmet. Walking steadily into the fight once more.

Peter raced forward, not hesitating, his blade poised to attack. The fight raged on and was much worse then it was before. It was brutal with much slam and battering with the shields. Each fighter seemed more desperate to defeat the other. Miraz fought with an almost mad glint in his eye now that he could see the skill that the younger King possessed. With a hard blow to the face using his shield, Miraz sent Peter to the ground ut he hesitated in his next move causing Peter to ready himself for the attack and managed to once again trip Miraz on to his back.

Peter was forced to forget about his shield as he got to his feet with haste. Just barely managing to block a hard swing from Miraz's sword. Now without a shield Peter was at a disadvantage but with a few tricks and and quick movements, Peter had the other man disarmed. Now all Miraz had on hand was his shield. Suddenly Peter found himself without a sword and he had to think of another way to win as Miraz still had his shield.

Thinking back to the times he would spar with Dawn, swordplay wasn't her strong suite but there was one trick that she used that just might work. Though she never did to hard as not wanting to hurt him or Edmund, but this time he was going to put all his strength into it. He just had to get a good grip on the edges of Miraz's shield.

It took a few sly dodges and close hits but he finally got a hold of the edge of the shield. Miraz not knowing what he was going to try tried to twist the shield in hope of turning Peter's arms into an awkward position. He fell right into Peter's trip.

Peter twisted with him except he brought the shield above their heads, doing this caused Miraz to turn the opposite way, stupidly Miraz did not let go shield, the same mistake he always made when fighting with Dawn and being fooled into this position.

His arms were painfully twisted behind his back. Finally realizing a way out of the move let go of the shield with one hand and elbowed Peter in the face causing him to let go. He shoved him forward into a large rock that was left over from some structure many years ago. Miraz grabbed a sword from the ground and gave a wide swing at Peter who blocked each attack with his vambraces. Loosing his balance slight Miraz took a step back to regain himself. Taking the chance, Peter lept forward and sent a hard punch to Miraz's already injured leg. Causing him to cry out and double over with the pain.

Peter stepped forward threateningly, all for continuing but Miraz raised a hand as he sank to his knees on the stone ground. Weak from his injuries. His sword fell from his hand with a clatter.

"Respite! Respite," he coughed out.

"Now is no time for chivalry, Peter!" called across Edmund from the sidelines. Peter raised his fist slightly, hesitating so as to glance around at all those watching him. Miraz raised his hand in preparation for the blow but Peter let his hand fall to his side before turning and walking away back to his side, breathing heavily as he went.

Miraz was not a noble man and what he did next proved that to be so. Once Peter's back was turned, Miraz rose gripped his sword and launched himself at the boy. It was only Edmund's cry of "Look out!" in warning to his brother that saved him.

Peter spun around sharply and dodged the attack just in time, grabs Miraz sword and twisted harshly and stabbed Miraz right in his side with his own blade. An agonized gasp escaped Miraz mouth. Peter rose to his full height and removed the sword from the man as Miraz fell once more to his knees. His face an expression of shock and disbelief.

Peter brought the sword up to his shoulder for one last blow but he hesitated. He couldn't take this man's life.

"Whats the matter, boy?" mocked Miraz but it came out forced and rough, "too cowardly to take a life?"

This man ordered the death of his sister. Put the rest of his family in danger and threatened the rest of the Narnians. But there was one with even more reasons to hate this man.

"It's not mine to take," spat Peter.

Turning away from Miraz, Peter took the blade of the sword in hand and offered the hilt out to his side of the arena, where Caspian stood with a hard look across his face.

Caspian stepped forward, his eyes never hovering from their hard glare set on Miraz until he finally reached Peter. He spared him a glance as he settled his hand onto the hilt of the sword. Peter moved aside, grabbed his own forgotten sword and went to join his brother and Glenstorm at the edge.

Caspian slowly brought the blade up, letting his hand lay flat along it so as to steady it for the killing blow. His eyes glared down at the man who kneeled pathetically in front of him. Everything this man had ever done wrong passed through his mind.

The death of his father. The many deaths of the Narnians he had caused. The almost death of himself.

The death of the girl he loved.

Miraz's cold and haunting voice broke his thoughts, "Perhaps I was wrong. It seems you have the makings of good Telmarine King after all."

Caspian's whole body was shaking with pure anger and hatred. Miraz's calm and defeated manner just added to his taunting words. Miraz let his head fall in defeat. Waiting.

With a loud, earth shattering yell that was heard by all present, Caspian raised the sword and lunged.

Piercing the sword right into a patch of grass next to Miraz.

"Not one like you."

Miraz stared into the boy - no man – that had just moments ago held his life in his hands and had let him live. Staring into his eyes he could see this was not the foolish and naive boy he had once known and resented. This was a king. One he would loose to.

"Keep your life but I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom," stated Caspian forcefully.

Caspian's glare rose and settled now on the Telmarines ahead of him, including General Glozelle and Lord Sopespian.

Finally, Caspian turned away and returned to his side of the field to the victorious cheers of the Narnians.

Edmund patted Caspian's shoulder and whispered to him so no other could hear, "Dawn would be proud of you." Caspian sent him a small smile.

Behind them, Lord Sopespian had joined his King and was helping him to his feet.

"I shall deal with you when this is over," growled Miraz at him.

Sopespian smirked darkly, "it is over." From behind his back, Sopespian took one of the arrows that had been found at the castle from the Narnian's attack and pierced it through Miraz's armour, in a lethal blow.

Miraz once again, for the last time, called out grasping the attention of the Narnians, Peter, Edmund and Caspian who had been walking away. They turned just to see Miraz collapse face first onto the stone ground with a Narnian arrow embedded in his side.

Sopespian hid his triumphant and gleeful looks behind a dark mask as he cried out, "treachery! They shot him! They murdered our King! To Arms!"

Peter knew better that none of the Narnians would have done such a thing but he knew that there was a battle coming and he would be stupid to ignore it.

"Make ready!"

Caspian spotted something behind Peter and immediately called out to him in warning.

Peter and Edmund spun around to spot, a soldier striding towards them, a silver version of Miraz's helmet set on his head, sword at the ready as he stepped forward to attack. Peter dealed with him quickly, slice his throat once he had the upper hand before turning back to the Narnians, "GO!"

Caspian retrieved his horse from earlier and watched as Glozelle and Sopespian returned to the Telmarine army giving the orders of attack. Large catapults sent large spheres of stone towards the Narnians. Peter and Edmund stood tall and confident as they stood far ahead of the army of Narnians.

The order for the Calvary must have been given as dozens of Telmarines on horseback raced forward, the catapults still launching rock after rock.

"Archers! At the Ready!" ordered Susan up on the ledge above the entrance of the Howe. Each of them readied their arrows and bows.

Seeing that Telmarines were almost where they wanted them. Caspian and Glenstorm charged down into the Howe to their positions. Caspian grabbed one of the torches off the wall as he went, "Narnians! Charge!"

Caspian led them forward under the battlefield, through the tunnels for a surprise attack.

Hearing the horn blow Peter knew it was time.

"One.. Two.."

While Peter counted aloud, Caspian was doing the very same beneath his feet.

"Three.. Four.."

"Five.. Six.."

Susan above on the ledge gave the next order, "Take your aim!"

"Stay with them!" called out Trumpkin from next to Susan as her second. The Telmarine were getting closer with every second, each with their swords drawn.

"Eight.. Nine.."

"Get ready!" called Peter so the Narnians could hear him.

Below them with Caspian and the second group of Narnians, "Now!" With this order the giants and other Narnians able began to smash the pillars supporting the ground above them that held the Telmarines.

Above on the surface, the ground began to crumble as all the supports beneath were destroyed. A large cavern appeared and nearly all the Telmarine Calvary were sent tumbling into it.

As the Telmarines tried to get back onto the field and into control. Susan gave a yell of, "Now!" With this hundreds of arrows were sent flying through the sky towards the Telmarines.

Edmund pulled himself up onto a horse, while Peter gave the order of the charge. The Narnians charged forward into battle determined to win for the chance of a better future.

Under the ground in the tunnels at separate areas, two dwarves were stationed and just as Caspian reached the two where he was they took a sword and cut a rope each revealing a platform that allowed him and the Narnians following him to come up behind the Telmarines that had entered the battle. Several other large groups of Narnians were appearing from two other similar platforms from under the ground.

Among the fighting was Peter who spotted Caspian entering the battle, Edmund rode steady, a crossbow in hand as he shot expertly with it even though it was one of the few times he had used one since arriving. Trufflehunter was also fighting and was seen tackling a Telmarine back into the cavern. One Telmarine that had managed to climb to the edge was met with a sight he had not expected. Reepicheep.

"You're a mouse," the man exclaimed, having nothing at all else to say in what most likely was the last moments of his life. Like seriously if you were about to die, at the hands (or paws) of a mouse, no less, you think you would say something a bit more meaningful. If Caspian had been there at that moment he would have laughed remembering when he himself spoke those exact words and how foolish they now sounded to him.

"You people have no imagination!" called out Reep in annoyance before lunging forward with his small needle-like sword.

Peter's face fell as he spotted the foot soldiers were coming to join the battle and there were a lot more of them than there were of the Calvary and they had enough trouble with them, tricks included. Griffins caring archers flew overhead but it appeared that the Telmarines had prepared for this, sending large mechanical machines that shot out arrows that took down the Griffins.

Peter turned to stare up at his sister, "Lucy" he said desperately.

Though so far away, Susan understood and after a quick glance around at what, if they were given no miracles, was going to be a loosing battle. She shook her head. There was no sign of the younger girl or Aslan or even the energetic lioness who had hopefully reached her sister and not been ambushed by Telmarine soldiers or who knows how long it would take Lucy to reach Aslan, if ever.

Seeing there was no other choice Peter gave an order, "Back to the Howe!"

Immediately all the Narnians fled the battle and headed for the Howe entrance, The Telmarines seeing this took immediate action. With some well aimed shots with the catapults, many stone spheres hit the Howe.

The Narnian archers up with Susan lost their balance and did what they could not to fall while also trying to dodge the attacks. Susan seeing what was coming gave a loud, clear order, "BRACE YOURSELVES!"

Unfortunately, luck was not on their side as it was too late as the entrance was destroyed and caved in, sadly taking a couple of Narnians with it that had been almost inside. Susan was thrown off balance and ended up toppling over the side of the ledge only to be grabbed by Trumpkin and with his help managed to swing over to land on a lower down ledge above what had been the entrance to the Howe.

Seeing that she was alright, both Peter and Caspian gave small sighs of relief before turning back to face what was to come. Susan with the help of some Narnians climbed down and quickly joined Edmund who had come to a stop next to Peter.

The four of them shared worried yet determined looks. They now had no choice but to fight. They were vastly out numbered, defeat was almost definite but that didn't mean they weren't going to try.

Without a single word shared, they didn't need any, all four of them raced forward into the heat of battle.

With Dawn/Hope and Lucy

After several hard minutes of running and after taking out a couple more Telmarine soldiers I could see Lucy just ahead of me.

"Lucy! Don't look back! Just keep going! It won't be much longer!" I cried out. I could sense us getting nearer to Aslan at an alarmingly fast rate. It took me a moment to realize just maybe he was coming to us.

I reached Lucy and sent a burst of energy through the Deep Magic towards Destrier, he needed it as he appeared exhausted.

Spotting something out of the corner of my eye, I called, "Lucy to your left!" Heeding my call, Lucy looked over expecting to see a Telmarine about to attack but instead spotted what appeared to be a large golden lion darting past the trees.

As she rode faster the lion appeared next to her and gave an enormous roar! Destrier frightened beyond belief rose onto his hind legs causing Lucy to slip backwards onto the hard ground. The large lion growled and glared down at her, Lucy was shocked and was hoping beyond hope that this was actually Aslan.

Suddenly the lion launched himself over her head tackling the Telmarine that had been following the two of us, much like I had done earlier.

The Telmarine ran away through the trees in terror as Lucy and Dawn climbed up the hill to where the giant lion stood waiting for them.

The lion turned it's large furry head to gaze at them with wide, wise and kind eyes. Lucy knew straight away that it was him.

"Aslan!" and without another word raced towards him and hugged him with such force that he fell sideways onto the ground with a loud chuckle as the girl burried herself in his fur. I laughed happily as I joined them, rubbing my head with a purr against Aslan who returned it most happily.

"I knew it was you. The whole time I knew it. But the others didn't believe me. Except for Dawn, of course. They didn't believe her either." I nudged Lucy lightly with my head. She brought up her hand and scratched my head and ears happily.

"And why would that stop you from coming to me."

Lucy lost her smile and said, "I'm sorry. I was too scared to come alone. I wasn't brave like Dawnie was." I rose my head up higher forcing her hand to drop, "You are much braver than you think!"

"Why wouldn't you show yourself?" asked Lucy after a kind smile to me and returned to rubbing my head, "why couldn't you come roaring in to save us, like last time?"

Aslan sighed before saying, "Things never happen the same way twice, Dear One."

A strange look came over Lucy's face as she spoke again, "if I had come earlier... would everyone have died? Would Dawn still be alive? Could I have stopped that?"

Aslan stared down at her sadly and glanced over at me with a sad smile, "we can never know what may have happened. But what will happen is another matter entirely."

Lucy's smile had returned, "You mean, you'll help?"

"Of course, and so will you!"

Lucy's face fell a little, "oh, I wish I was a bit braver." I gave her another nudge with a sly look.

Aslan laughed, "I agree with... Hope... if you were any braver you would be a lioness, like her!" He leaned down his head and gave a loud purr as he rubbed his head over mine once again.

The sound of thundering hooves nearing us sent Lucy and I alert yet Aslan seemed not alarmed at all. My face lit up as a familiar face entered the area.

"ORIOUS!" The tall dark hair centaur raced towards us both sword and horn still in hand. "All is as you asked Aslan. The word has been spread." Lucy stared in amazement up at the centaur.

I raced forward and much like Lucy did with Aslan, tackled the centaur into a hug causing him to fall with an amused chuckle.

"Your mission is complete, Orious. You may now live your life as you once did. Both of your missions are now complete."

I spun around to face Aslan, "complete? Really?" Aslan smiled, "yes, you are fully grown now. You have brought Lucy here to me. It is time you rejoined your family." Aslan stepped towards me and gave a large roar sending me backwards onto my back, my hands flew to brace myself on something.

Wait, hands? Not, paws?

Lucy gasped, "DAWNIE!" She tackled me with a loud cry as tears streaked her face. I ran my numb fingers through Lucy's hair as I laughed happily to be holding my little sister again.

"I thought you died!"

"I did," I replied sadly, "but I'm back now. You're not getting rid of me that easily!"

Lucy smiled as she hugged me tighter.

"Now, Orious has done his part. I believe your friends have slept long enough, don't you?" Aslan gave another mighty roar, it was time for the trees to join the fight.

"Dawn, Orious! Make haste to the battle you will be both be needed there. Though try to stay hidden for as long as possible. Try and stay out of sight until I arrive."

I nodded at his order before with the help of Orious flung myself onto his back. I once again wore the long red dress with the deep green over guard with the headdress and necklace with alchemist symbols. I was also glad to see that I had my staff. No idea how it got there but I wasn't going to start questioning Aslan now.

There was also a dark green cloak over my shoulders, pulling up the hood as we left. Calling back a farewell to Lucy and Aslan and wishing them luck as we raced to join the fight. Hoping we weren't too late to help.