Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia or any of its characters or fictional land/lands; I am not C.S. Lewis, sadly. I only own the plot and characters not featured in the original books.

Lucy stared at Ryder in bewilderment, the things she was saying began to sink in and a look of horror crossed her face. She gazed at Ryder as she finished her sentence.

"Lucy, will you please say something?" Ryder asked taking hold of Lucy's hands and staring into her face. "Please say something."

Lucy finally managed to find her voice and choked out, "I'm so sorry, for everything that's happened to you."

"It isn't your fault Lucy, you didn't know me then. You couldn't have prevented it, it is what is." Ryder said.

"But he found you and tried to take you back! I wish I could do something. I feel useless." Lucy sighed.

"It's in the past and it's staying there now. That man is dead, gone forever. We don't have to worry about him." Ryder optimistically told Lucy.

"We don't have to worry about him but what will happen when Sergio realises that his right hand man is missing. He was sent to retrieve you, but now he won't come back. Sergio will immediately know something's happened." Lucy stared at Ryder with wild, scared eyes.

Ryder didn't know whether or not Sergio had anything to do with this, her attacker or imprisonment. She knew that she hated the man but she did not know why she did. It is possibly because he was the one who imprisoned her though it could also be because he killed her mother. It could also be because he stole the throne of Telmar or that he was just an unpleasant man.

She then thought back to the first day she had awoken in the forest, dirty and lost, with no recollection of anything. It had completely slipped from her mind what she had remembered that day, pushed to the back of her mind as though unimportant. Though it was, it began to link together Ryder's past. She remembered the same dark, dank cell and a towering man telling her to kill the Kings of Narnia; it all came to her in a flash.

"I think we should go down, Peter's been waiting long enough." Lucy broke into her thoughts.

"Oh yes." Ryder said shaking the image from her head and exiting the room after Lucy.

Edmund rushed down the corridor from his room still, tucking his shirt in and buttoning up his tunic. He skidded down the long, bright corridor leading to the throne room and trying to flatten his uncooperative hair into place, entered.

Peter, Susan and Lucy were all sitting on their thrones, while Ryder and all those who were there yesterday excluding the women, were either sitting or standing, shuffling their feet awkwardly. They all looked up at the same time to watch Edmund take long strides towards his throne. Edmund caught Ryder eye; like before it was no longer the shining blue it had always been but dull and tired.

Finally, Peter rose from his seat after much thinking and spoke. "King Sergio has written to me." There was a long pause and he spoke again. "He has found his niece and no longer requires our help. He also mentioned he was looking forward to Lucy and Theon's engagement party."

"But Ryder's his niece! How could he have found her when she here?!" Edmund exclaimed, rising from his seat to face Peter.

"My own exact thoughts Edmund; if he has found his supposed 'niece', who is Ryder?" Peter looked intently at Ryder who was pale white.

"He could be trying to deceive you, Peter." Prince Asa piped up. "If you believe he no longer looks for his niece he may think your security on Ryder will lax; making it easier to retrieve Ryder."

"This makes no sense at all. Why does he want Ryder so badly? What has she got that he needs back?" Henry said.

"No one knows Sergio's motive." Caius explained. "He rarely has one; he took the Telmarine throne for himself because he was jealous, and nothing more. It wasn't like Favino was a bad king just that it wasn't how Sergio would have commanded his people. He doesn't need a motive for the things he does."

"Either way, we can't allow Ryder into his hands. If Asa is right and that man yesterday was Sergio's right hand man, Ryder's in danger. He almost killed her which shows Sergio needs her back because she knows something and if he can't get her, kill her. Either way she'll be silenced." Susan said loudly.

"But Ryder remembers nothing, at all." Peter sighed.

"She does," Lucy said looking at her brother. "She told me this morning that… I don't think it'll help us solve it anymore but it may give us a lead or an idea." She looked at Ryder, who simply nodded, tears burning in her eyes.

So, Lucy told them everything Ryder had told her, while everyone listened quietly and patiently, listening to every word that came out of Lucy's mouth. By the end of it Susan was reduced to tears and the men stood rigid in their place, their jaws clenched tight together. Ryder was looking down at her feet, silent tears sliding down her cheeks when she felt Dictino arm wrap around her shoulder in a comforting way. It took a few minutes for Peter to speak, unable to say anything but finally he spoke.

"I'm sorry Ryder." He mumbled.

"I wish you'd all stop saying sorry, it happened there is nothing you can do. You didn't know me then; it's in the past and it should stay there." Ryder said, with authority. "Don't pity me, and don't feel guilty for what was."

Peter nodded, seating himself back on his throne. "If you were treated so horribly, that must mean you can't be Sergio's niece. Surely, he wouldn't have locked you."

"He killed her mother, his sister; it shows how cold hearted he is towards family." Susan said, recovering from the news. "Sergio killed his brother and his brother's wife. Then his sister, he probably locked Ryder away, assuming she's his niece, because she reminded him so much of his sister."

"Sergio doesn't feel guilt, he doesn't feel much." Edmund mumbled, still staring at Ryder. Dictino arm had not left her shoulders.

"That could be true, but we are no further in the matter." Peter sighed. "Either way we must stay on guard for Sergio because I've got a feeling that this may not end well."

"Not war Peter?" Lucy asked casting a worried look towards Theon.

"If we cannot prevent it, yes we may have to go to war with Sergio."

"It's been coming for a long time now, ever since Sergio got the Telmarine crown his been after this one." Edmund said.

The room fell quiet and one after one he men left the room, quietly talking to one another. Ryder followed after them, allowing the Kings and Queens of Narnia to talk privately. She trudged along the corridor back towards her room when, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Jason was sneaking along a passage way to her left and disappeared through the door. She was about to follow when she heard someone call her name. Ryder turned to see Dictino was walking towards; tall and broad with locks of dark hair and the tiniest of stubble on his chin.

"I didn't want to leave you after what happened. How about I walk you back to your room?" He offered, smiling at her.

"Oh you don't have to!" Ryder said, slightly embarrassed.

"No I don't have to but I want to." He offered her his arm.

Ryder thought about what he was saying for a second. He was just being friendly and polite, nothing more; there is nothing wrong for Dictino to walk Ryder back to her room as long as that was all it was. So, she took his arm and they walked along the corridor, then up a few flights of stairs to the corridor in which her room was on. They stopped at Ryder's door and she turned to look up at Dictino.

"Thank you for walking me up, it was very considerate of you." She smiled slightly at him.

"I hope you feel better." Dictino said.

"I will once it all sinks in."

"Good day then."

"Yes, good day." Ryder turned the handle of her door and entered, as Dictino walked back down the corridor.

Ryder had only just closed the door and was about to run herself a bath when there was a sudden urgent knocking at her door. The first thing that jumped into her mind was that Dictino had come back and she frowned at the idea. So, when she opened the door she was surprised to see Edmund's towering figure looming over her in the doorway. Without a word, he entered her room and closed the door behind him.

"Sure Edmund come in!" Ryder said sarcastically; slightly angry with him for his rudeness.

"I just saw Dictino on the stairs." Edmund told her, turning to face her.

"And?" Ryder asked, wondering where he was going with this.

"I asked if he'd seen you."

"Well, he walked me up." Ryder frowned slightly.

"I know he did." Edmund said, casting an angry glance at Ryder.

"Yes, and that was all Edmund. I can see where you're going with this." Ryder exclaimed.

"I don't know what you are saying Ryder."

"Don't act like that, tell me what going on inside that mind of your, because you are acting weird right now!"

"It's something Dictino said to me." Edmund frowned then looked up at Ryder. "He said that you were a beautiful woman who'd be fit for a Lord's wife! He was basically saying he wanted to marry you."

"Who's to say I want to be his wife?!" Ryder shouted at him. "Are you jealous?"

"Jealous?! Of what exactly?" Edmund exclaimed.

"That you're not the only one who shows interest in me."

"He doesn't love you, I do!" Edmund threw at her.

"And I love you! So stop doubting me."

"I do not doubt you."

"Good then, stop acting so jealous." Ryder grabbed his hand and looked up at him, her eyes flaming with anger. "You've got to remember you're not the only man to have noticed me and just because I love you back, that does not mean you've got some claim over me."

"I wish they didn't. First Jason, now Dictino."

"How do you know about Jason?" Ryder asked, frowning slightly.

"The maids know almost everything around here. One of them over heard his proposal." Edmund said, pulling his hands from hers.

"Which I declined." Ryder said angrily.

Edmund turned away from Ryder. His thoughts drifting to what she was saying, why they were arguing. Ryder was beautiful and drew attention from any man who thought the same; of course Jason would fall in love with her and Dictino would want to marry her. But they don't know her like he does. Ryder was never alone with them, they had never talked before, they didn't love her, and they did not know what made her smile, laugh, and cry. Her nightmares, her fears. That had been him. He knew the really Ryder, he'd seen past her beauty and skill, and seen who the young woman really was.

"Edmund, please will you leave?" Ryder asked quietly, staring at her feet.

"Why?" Edmund asked, turning to look at her.

"I don't want to be around you when you're like this." She said, turning her back on him.

"I'm not leaving." Edmund said stubbornly, taking a seat on her bed.

"I've asked nicely, so please leave."

"No, I'm not just leaving things like this."

"Like what?"

"You being angry with me."

"Well if you weren't much an ass half the time, maybe I wouldn't be angry with you."

Edmund sighed and ran his hands though his dark, tangled hair, then rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not leaving."

"Fine, don't leave! I'll go instead." Ryder pulled the door open but Edmund had gotten up and slammed it shut, pinning her to the door. She was fuming with anger, her chest rising and falling quickly. "Let me go." She said through gritted teeth.

"Not until we have resolved this." Edmund angrily said.

"Alright, you want to resolve this. Then let me get a few things off my chest." Ryder pushed him away. "Firstly, I think that you think you have some claim over me because I love you."

"Well, I do have a 'claim' over you don't I? Even if other men come after you, you'll always love me!" Edmund shouted back.

"That might be true but it doesn't give you a right over me." Ryder snapped.

"This is all so stupid." Edmund sighed tugging at his hair. "Of course I have no right over you, I never will, will I?"

"What's that meant to mean?" Ryder voice softened.

"Well, I can't marry you."

"You're still on about that?!" Ryder cried. "Didn't I tell you not to worry about it?"

"We've got to think of it at some point Ryder. I love you and I want to marry you but my brother's one stubborn bastard and your uncle is never going to agree either."

"Who said we need their permission?"

"I'm not going to marry you in secret. I already find it hard having to sneak around with you all the time, I've gone against my brother once falling in love with you but secretly marrying you. It's a step too far, we wouldn't be able to do married couple things, we'd have to live in secret and I'm a King for Aslan's sake!"

"Well, its clear isn't." Ryder said, looking once again at her feet, Edmund's eyes boring into her. "We end it, here and now."

"What?! No Ryder, I love you." Edmund exclaimed, grabbing hold of Ryder by her shoulders. "This won't resolve the situation!"

"And I love you but this is impossible. I said to Jason falling in love would complicate things and it has." Ryder sobbed, not looking at Edmund.

"No, I won't let you." Edmund crushed his mouth to hers and pinned her against the wall; he wrapped his arms around her waist while Ryder tried with all her will power to push him away but she couldn't. What was she doing?! She couldn't step away from Edmund; he was the best thing that had happened to her since she'd arrived in Cair Paravel. So, they argued. They were so similar that they had to clash at times but she loved him and he loved her. She couldn't deny him.

Slipping her hands around his neck, she pulled him into her more and responded to his kisses passionately. Edmund hands grabbed onto the fabric of Ryder's dress while he hands knotted into his messy hair. They stood, tangled in each other's arms, passionately kissing for what seemed eternity. Edmund's hands moved up into her hair and he pressed himself against her. A moan of pleasure escaped Ryder's lips and her hands tightened in his hair. He removed his lips from hers and kissed her neck, Ryder's eyes were closed and her hands lank in his hair.

Edmund suddenly grabbed Ryder by the legs and hitched them up onto his waist. She wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him wildly once again. He moved along her room to the bed and they fell on to it in a tangled heap, Edmund moved on top of her and his hands moved up her inner thigh. Ryder's hands tore at his shirt and pulled it up over his head, then running her hands along his smooth chest.

They were kissing fiercely and savagely, hungry for more, when Edmund stopped and looked at Ryder, pushing her hair out of her face. "Do you want this?" He asked.

Ryder thought for a second. Edmund was the man she loved and she'd been waiting for this moment, they had so many close encounters. She was sure. "Yes." She whispered.

"I mean after what happened to…" Edmund began but Ryder placed her hand over his mouth, preventing him from finishing his sentence.

"I want you." Ryder mumbled as she leaned up to kiss him once again.

The sun was streaming in through the window, onto Ryder's bed where she and Edmund were tangled together, casting shadows and shapes across their bodies. They were sound asleep, wrapped in each other's arms. Her head lay against his chest, moving up and down with every breath Edmund took, their hands entwined together.

It was just past noon; Peter was in his study, working as usual. Susan was in the sitting room having tea with close friends of hers while Lucy had taken to wondering the nearby village with Mr Tumnus to watch over her. None was aware of the couple who lay together in bed, nor did the maids who knew everything that went on in the castle. No one had any idea that their Just King and the beautiful but mysterious lady of Telmar were at that moment together.

Edmund was the first to awake, stretching slightly to awaken his sleeping limps. Ryder stirred in his arms, turning over to face away from him. He pulled the covers off of him and climbed out of the bed, naked. He walked along to the bathroom, when he heard the giggles of Ryder. He stop in his tracks and looked over at Ryder, who was wrapped in the covers and looking at him, her eyebrows raised and her eyes sparkling.

"What?" He asked.

"You have a nice arse." Ryder giggled.

"Hey don't look." He joked, throwing his discarded shirt at her and closing the bathroom door behind him. He began to run a bath and climbed in just when Ryder walked in wrapped in only the covers of her bed and sat at the end of the tub.

"I think we should argue more often." Ryder said, flicking the water at him.

"Do you, now?" Edmund chuckled, sliding further into the tub.

"Well, if it leads to that then yes." Her eyes shined with amusement. She dropped the covers, to reveal her naked body and climbed into the opposite end of the tub.

"You can't fit in with me!" Edmund exclaimed, but he stayed still, admiring her as she slide in, her knees held against her chest.

They sat quietly for a bit; Ryder's eyes were closed, thinking silently to herself, while Edmund watched her. Her eyes opened widely and she looked at Edmund.

"What do you think Sergio wants with me?" She asked, for the first time.

"I don't know." Edmund answered, shaking his wet hair slightly. "I think Susan was close. That you know something that Sergio doesn't want anyone else to know about."

Ryder sighed. "Do you think I'm his niece though? He says his found her but I look so much like Princess Katrina."

"I think you are his niece, and that his is just trying to play us." Edmund said. "Your likeness is too close for you not to be related."

"Mmm." Ryder mumbled, thinking to herself.

Ryder climbed out of the tub and reached for a towel. She heard Edmund climb out of the tub and he slipped his wet hands around her waist, kissing her neck softly.

"I wish I could spend every waking moment with you." He whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"I wish we could too." She whispered back, turning around and kissing him.

Suddenly, there was a faint knocking at Ryder's door, and the two looked at each worried. Ryder threw Edmund a towel and told him to stay in the bathroom. She ran across her room, barefooted and soaking wet, and opened the door an inch to reveal Peter in her doorway.

"King Peter! This isn't the best of times." Ryder exclaimed. No it was not the best of times because his brother was currently wet and naked in her bathroom.

"Oh I'm so sorry Ryder!" Peter exclaimed too averting his eyes from Ryder and staring at the door. "I was just looking for Edmund; no one seems to have seen him. Dictino said he went looking for you but hasn't been seen since."

"Yes but he left hours ago. He came to check if I was fine and then left. I wanted to have a nap after it all." Ryder lied.

"Oh, well if he does come back will you tell him I'm looking for him. It's urgent." And with that Peter bowed his head and hurried back down the corridor.

Ryder closed the door quickly and turned the key in the lock, to make sure no one came barging in. She rushed over to the bathroom, where Edmund was preoccupying himself with pulling the string on the towel apart.

"It was your brother, he's looking for you." Ryder exclaimed grabbing his hand and pulling him into her room. "Here, get your clothes back on." She chucked his clothes at him.

As Edmund struggled to get back into his own clothes quickly enough, Ryder had dropped her towel and had pulled her undergarments on. She threw her previous dress onto the bed and grabbed another from the wardrobe. She'd tugged it over her head when another knocking came at her door.

"I'll be in the bathroom." Edmund mumbled, trying to get his shirt on over his head in a hurry.

Ryder pulled the door open, her dress still undone at the back and her damp hair tangled. Standing in her doorway was her dryad maid, Willow. She was carrying new bed sheets in her arms and smiled at Ryder.

"I've come to change your bedding, Milady." Willow said.

"It isn't the best of times, Willow. I just got out from the bath and as you can see I'm not yet dressed." She smiled sweetly at the young girl.

"I'm sorry Milady would you like me to come back later?" Willow asked.

"Yes, that would be great. I shouldn't be in so…" Ryder told her. "Thank you."

She watched as Willow disappeared down the corridor. She closed the door once again, locking it and Edmund came out fully dressed. He frowned at her.

"That was close." He chuckled.

"Help me tie this up will you?" Ryder asked, turning her back on him to reveal the untied laces on her dress.

Edmund hurried down the corridor towards his brother's study after he'd left Ryder's room, she'd decide to go find Susan or Lucy. He knocked loudly on his brother's door before entering. Peter looked up from his desk and leant back against it.

"Finally, I've been looking for you for ages." Peter exclaimed.

"Sorry, I went for a walk." Edmund lied.

"No wonder no one knew where you were. I checked at the stables but Philip was still there so I assumed you were still somewhere in the castle."

"I had to clear my head, get some fresh air." Edmund lied again.

"Well, next time just tell someone where you are going." Peter chuckled. "Come sit down, I wanted to talk to you privately, without Lucy or Susan."

"Sure." Edmund took a seat on Peter's couch opposite him.

"It's about Ryder." Peter said.

"What about Ryder?" Edmund panicked.

"Just about Sergio and the whole situation." Peter answered. "I think we should move her from Cair Paravel."

"Why?" Edmund exclaimed. "Surely, it's safer here at Cair Paravel than anywhere else."

"Yes well, I was thinking of moving her to Archenland. To live with the King and Queen there. She'll be as safe as she is here and further away from Telmar. I am going to go visit him to discuss this further. I do not trust writing to him at this point, it could be intercept and Ryder's cover will be blown."

"I disagree with you their Peter. You can't move her, for all we know Sergio could be watching who comes in and out of Cair Paravel, out of Narnia!" Edmund cried in disbelief. Surely, his brother, the High King, would understand that moving Ryder was not an option. The Telmarines could be covering every entrances and exit from Cair Paravel, and they wouldn't miss Ryder, not if their lives depended on it. Also, he couldn't stand the idea of Ryder anywhere but with him, Archenland was miles away at least a day or two days ride. They were only just getting serious and Peter wanted to move her! And he didn't trust Asa or Caius around Ryder; he knew they'd try to court her.

"Edmund we have to look for what's best for Ryder. I'm pretty sure Sergio knows she's here, and that means her life is in danger." Peter sighed.

"Sergio will soon know that she's been moved!" Edmund shouted. "Then he'll come after her there and I won't be able to protect her then!"

"No, she'll be protected by thousands of guards and the three Princes of Archenland, Edmund." Peter paused and ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. "Though remember, the King of Archenland hasn't agreed to this yet."

"I doubt he will. King Ralph will not go to war over some girl."

"Who says it'll lead to war?" Peter asked.

"Pete, we all know it'll lead to war. We're concealing something he wants from him and we lied to his face when he visited. He is not going to let us off lightly." Edmund grumbled, angry at his brother's stupidity.

"Well, what do you suggest?" Peter asked, annoyed.

"Ryder stays here, where I know she is safe." Edmund paused. "And then we help her recall her memory."

"That'll take months, possibly years Edmund! We barely know anything about her and we wouldn't know where to start!"

"We have to help her Ryder. Otherwise we may as well hand her back to Sergio, which isn't an option!"

Just then there was a gentle knocking on the door, which interrupted their conversation. Edmund strode over to the door and swung the door open to come face to face with Mr Tumnus; he was looking at his hands nervously and fidgeting on his feet. He looked up at Edmund with worried eyes.

"King Edmund, thought I might find you here… Um you see… Lord Eric is here to see you." He informed Edmund, awkwardly shifting on his feet.

"Lord Eric, Lady Jane's father? What could he possibly want to see me for?" Edmund asked, puzzled.

"You better come with me sir and find out." Mr Tumnus answered with raised eyebrows.

Edmund glanced back at Peter, who shrugged his shoulders, and then followed Mr Tumnus out of the room and down many corridors, to Edmund's own study. He paused at the door his hand on the doorknob, and looked at Edmund with sympathy. "I wish you luck Edmund."

"What do you mean? Wish me luck? What going on Mr Tumnus?" Edmund asked panicking.

But Mr Tumnus had swung the door open before he could answer and Lord Eric was standing with his daughter, Lady Jane, at his side talking in hushed voices. They quickly looked up when they heard the door and at the sight of Edmund bowed to him. Mr Tumnus closed the door behind Edmund and Edmund slowly walked towards them, slightly suspicious of their reasons for being here.

"Please sit down." Edmund motioned for them to sit on the luxurious couch.

"Actually, I wish for Jane to leave the room so we can discuss this business privately." Lord Eric smiled and looked at his daughter. "Jane, thank you."

Jane, though reluctant to at first, left the room, leaving the two men, one much older and haggard looking and the other young and ruggedly handsome, to talk privately about some 'business' but what Lord Eric was referring to wasn't of business and came to quite a shock to Edmund; a nasty, unpleasant shock.

"I beg your pardon?!" Edmund asked, staring at Lord Eric in utter bewilderment in what he had said.

"I wish to discuss your engagement to my daughter."

Ryder had finally found Susan in her private sitting room, happily enjoying tea with Princess Zelfa and Helena, accompanied by Lady Aurelia, who Ryder had only briefly met at Edmund's birthday ball. Zelfa had beautiful twisted curls of light brown hair with a set of forget me not blue eyes and Helena, much like her sister, had bright blue eyes but a darker strike to her hair. Both were astonishingly beautiful, in each way but sat next to Susan, they didn't stand out. Lady Aurelia was completely opposite to the four women she sat with, each with their brown hair, Aurelia had golden blonde hair like the sun and liquid grey eyes with a tint of blue among the swirls.

They all sat chatting to each other cheerily, the upcoming wedding of Lucy and Theon, the arrangements (Susan was more worried of having to design 6 bridesmaid dresses, her maid of honour dress and then Lucy's wedding dress all in the space of four months than anything else) and Lady Valentina's latest arm candy were some topics of conversation.

Suddenly, Lady Jane burst into the room to everyone's surprise and horror. She looked slightly flustered but happy at the same time, a mischievous smile playing at her thin lips. She sighed and pushed herself in between Zelfa and Susan, opposite Ryder, and poured herself a cup of tea quietly, still smiling, like she knew something everyone else didn't.

"What a surprise Jane!" Susan said, forcing a smile. "And what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Ryder raised her eyebrow at Susan who shrugged her shoulders and suppressed a giggle.

"Oh my father is just talking with Edmund, about some private business." Lady Jane smiled and sipped her tea happily.

"Your father's here? I haven't spoken to him in a while. I didn't get to see him at Edmund's ball. I do hope your mother is well too." Susan said politely.

"Oh my mother, she's very well yes." Jane said rather bitterly. "But yes father is here. You'll probably be seeing him more often, along with me."

"And why would that be?" Susan asked, raising her eyebrows at the other women.

"Oh you'll soon find out why." She chuckled to herself and the women sent glances to each other. It wasn't long until they found out what Jane's mysterious news was.

They'd decided that as the sky was still bright, they'd have a stroll around the vast garden of Cair Paravel before the night befell them, when they came across a hideous scene. It was as they were making their way along the corridor from Susan private sitting room, which just happened to sit above Edmund's study, when there was the sound of angry shouts of Edmund. Ryder looked at Susan in surprise and then they both turned and made their way up the winding staircase to the floor above, Lady Jane at their heels and the other women, curious to know what was happening, were following eagerly.

"I think you are being highly irrational Edmund!" Lord Eric cried.

"It's King Edmund to you!" Edmund shouted. "I cannot believe you would come here and presume this!" The shouts were coming from inside Edmund's study.

"I have been told by many sources that you have been courting my daughter under my nose, without my permission!" Lord Eric shouted back.

"I don't know where you heard those absurd rumours but I have never planned and never will court or marry your daughter!"

"I think you have made it clear how you feel King Edmund. You clearly are a man to lead women on!"

Just then, Edmund drew his sword and Lord Eric mirrored his actions. Susan swung the door open and her eyes fell upon the scene in front of her, Ryder peering in over her shoulder.

"Edmund!" Susan cried. "Put your swords away at once!" She added firmly. Susan grabbed hold of Edmund's arm and pushed him back, standing in front of him.

"Let me go Susan!" Edmund snarled; his eyes were locked on Lord Eric.

"You are grown men acting like children!" Susan shouted at them. "Now, withdraw your weapons!"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Edmund slipped his sword back into his belt and Lord Eric did too. Edmund's eyes fell on Ryder's figure, her hands rested on her hips and she was looking at Edmund with a spark of anger in her eyes, he bowed his head in shame, and then looked up again to Lord Eric this time.

"I think it would be best if you left, there is nothing more to say on the matter. We have each expressed our thoughts." Edmund said politely to him.

"Yes, well… Come on Jane." Lord Eric bowed his head in respect, and then grabbed hold of Jane's hand, dragging her from the room. The noise of her whining carried itself back to their ears.

"But what happened? Aren't I marrying Edmund?"

Susan stood silent for a second; staring daggers at Edmund, who in turn had once again hung his head in shame. Zelfa, Helena and Aurelia were stood just outside the door quietly chatting before they excused themselves to their rooms for the night. Suddenly, Susan irrupted unexpectedly.

"What the hell was that all about?" She turned on Edmund.

"Susan, just leave it." Edmund mumbled, taking a seat at his desk and burying his head in his hands.

"Ed, I don't know what it is with you lately but something is different. I don't know whether or not it's good or bad." Susan stated. "I'm going to see how my guests are." Susan strode from the room, taking no notice of Ryder's figure standing in the centre of the study. The door slammed gently and Edmund let out an exhausted, withdrawn sigh. Running his hands through his dark, matted hair, he looked up at Ryder. He eyes met his though his brown eyes were not charming or broody but tired and a slight spark of anger was flashing in them. His eyes still locked on Ryder's he cupped his hand around the back of his neck and massaged the tense muscles; then he leant back against the chair, his eyes never leaving Ryder's, and bite his bottom lip in annoyance.

"Aren't you going to say something?" He finally asked.

"What is there to say?" Ryder mumbled, tearing her eyes from his and studying a book that lay on his desk, which became much more interesting to her than anything else, her eyes darting along the paper.

"Ryder…" Edmund whispered. "Ryder…" He grabbed hold of her hand that leant upon the desk, which she used the flick through the book, and held it tightly in his.

Ryder sighed in defeat and looked at him, right into is tired, dark eyes. He held her gaze, wanting her to stay there forever looking at him with those innocent but fierce eyes, blazing blue, like a bright, dancing fire. He waited for the dreaded question which he knew was hanging on her tongues, which were haunting her thoughts, but she didn't say anything. She was determined to keep his gaze, not to be the one to give in. Stubborn, she was but so was he.

So, he dropped her hand and once again leant back in his chair, now more interested in the pile of papers scattering his desk, while Ryder went back to scanning the large book in front of her. She didn't know why she stayed and didn't just turn a leave, he didn't know why he didn't just leave or just ask her to leave. They were giving each other the silent treatment. But Edmund had had enough, he wanted to know what her mind was telling her, what sense she was making of the things she had just witnessed. It was nothing, so he shouldn't be worried but the look in her eyes that look of anger, of hurt, shone in her eyes like tears.

"Say it." Edmund simply said.

"Say what?" Ryder asked innocently, not looking up from the book but biting her lip, preventing the words from creeping out of her mouth. "I don't understand what you're saying Edmund." She mumbled.

"Ryder… it's not what you think." Edmund said, rising from his seat and approaching Ryder's side. He slowly closed the book she was so determined to read but she continued to stare aimlessly at the now closed book. "I'll explain everything if you just listen to me. You didn't hear the whole conversation."

"And I'm glad I didn't!" Ryder spat at him, her eyes finally meeting his, burning with anger. She suddenly bit her lip in annoyance for what she had said.

"No, you don't understand Ryder. Please don't become jealous and spiteful, it's not you." He grabbed her by the top of her shoulders and held her to him. "I don't want to lose the Ryder I love. The fierce, selfless, kind, beautiful and perfect woman."

"There is nothing perfect about me. I'm just some messed up, angry, idiot who ended up falling in love with a moody, vicious but just King!" Ryder sighed in irritation.

"Thanks." Edmund smiled. "But Ryder, about what you heard. Lord Eric was making assumptions based on rumours and lies not factual evidence, probably egged on by Jane and her gang. I have never and never will have any intention to marry Lady Jane. I only want to marry you."

A smile twitched at the side of Ryder's mouth and she leant up, he lips met his and she kissed him, drawing it out for ages. Edmund held her against his desk, eager for more but restraining himself; his hands frantically moving from her hips to her back. She pulled away first and sighed.

"I hate you." She sulked.

"You love me really." He chuckled, kissing her lips lightly.

"Why do you have to be so irresistible but an idiot as well?" She frowned and pushed her bottom lip out in a sulky manner.

Edmund smiled and looked at her, and then an early conversation crept into his mind. His discussion with Peter. And right then, with Ryder in his arms, he knew he couldn't move her from Cair Paravel, from him. Not only would it crush his heart for her to leave but also hers. He thought she had the right to know what Peter had been thinking, it was about her and it was important; he couldn't keep it a secret from her.

"Ryder, I need to tell you something."

"Hmm." She mumbled, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Don't overreacted or anything, just listen to me." He paused, and then continued. "Pete wants to move you to Archenland. It hasn't been confirmed but he's going to visit King Ralph to talk. I've tried to persuade him otherwise but he thinks it best for your safety. But it'll be like handing you to Sergio, if Archenland is attacked, he'll be sure to get you."

Ryder didn't interrupt but listened attentively to every word Edmund was saying. Peter wanted to move her from Cair Paravel, for her own safety. The attack on her must have worried the oldest King; he knew that Sergio had discovered her location and he wanted to move her as soon as possible. It may be to protect her, his siblings or his country, either way he was completely right to move Ryder out of Narnia. Maybe even best if she just went back to Telmar. Though there was something that was nagging at her and was preventing her from confirming her decision. Edmund; she couldn't leave him, she didn't want to. But what if it's best for him, what if it saves him? There were a lot of ifs and buts and Ryder wasn't entirely positive of the decision but what was better than sacrificing some girl for the whole of Narnia. Anyway, it wasn't like she was special, Edmund would find love again and Narnia will be saved from Sergio and a war. Though was she putting Narnia's fates in her hands? She was merely a girl, nothing more nothing less. Was she over estimating her importance?

"Ryder, what are you think?" Edmund asked.

She shook the thoughts from her head and focused on Edmund. "I think Peter has a point. This isn't Narnia's problem, I'm merely a girl from Telmar and that's where I belong."

"One second, a minute ago you were saying you love me and now you want to leave me!" Edmund exclaimed in shock.

"Yes but it isn't just about you and me anymore Edmund! I know it's a big thing to say but what if me just being here is dangerous? For you, for Narnia or for you siblings. Would you rather lose some girl you've known and loved for a month more than your siblings, who have been there for you through everything? No, you'd want to save them. I know I would!"

"You can't ask me a question like that. I won't answer it!" Edmund shouted at her.

"You don't have to because I know the answer. And Edmund, even if you won't admit it, it's true. You would choose your siblings over me and I hoped you would. I am nothing, your siblings are everything!" Ryder's eyes were shining with tears, she could feel her heart being crushed, screaming for her to not let him go but the logic in her mind was telling her otherwise and she knew it was the right thing. "Edmund, I have to leave."

"NO!" Edmund shouted, banging his fist on the table. "I won't let you leave! You're everything to me. You're the best thing that has happened to me since I came to Narnia. I won't let you leave me that easily."

"But I have to! Don't you see? Sergio will not give up till I am found, dead or alive. There are only so many places you can move me to that may prolong my life. It's just better if I go back to my old life, whatever that life was. It would be better for you to live, along with you siblings and Narnia, for as long as you live without me hanging on your shoulders, worrying that Sergio may try to kill me at any time or that he'll attack Narnia. I won't let that sort of thing way on your shoulders."

"It's suicide! He'll kill you the moment you step in Telmar!" Edmund raised his voice, as if shouting would persuade her. In rage, he threw the book that lay on the desk across the room and Ryder winced in fear.

"I'd rather that than you." Ryder whispered, tears streaming down her face. In an attempt of escape, she side step around Edmund and hurried towards the door but Edmund caught hold of her arm, holding her tightly, and pinned her to the wall. His breath was ragged and short with fury; Ryder was too but in fear. She'd never seen Edmund so angry before, not even when she'd attacked him the first time they had ever met. Love was a dangerous thing and made him act in the strangest of ways.

"Edmund, you are hurting me." Ryder sobbed.

"Say you won't leave me." Edmund cried. "SAY IT!" Ryder could see tears of anger or sadness sparkling in his eyes.

"I cannot because it would be a lie."

Edmund's grip on her arms loosened and she slipped them out of his grasp. Pushing his body away from her, she slipped under his arm and ran from the room. Her heart was beating fast in her chest and for the first time, since she was attack, she was scared. She was scared of Edmund and his reaction.

Meanwhile, Edmund dropped to his knees where he was standing and sobbed hard into his hand, for the first time in what seemed years. He was aching all over, his head was pounding, and his heart was beating angrily. He ran a hand through his tangled hair and hit his hand against the metal of his crown. In uncontrollable rage, he tore it from his brow and threw it with such force across the room; it hit a table leg and fell to the floor with a loud clatter and clang. He was shaking all over, he looked at his hands as they trembled and balled them up into fists but they continued to shake wildly. He pressed them hard against his stomach, his legs but nothing would stop the shaking. The tears were still streaming down his face.

The sun was setting in the distance, creating dark shadows to dance across Ryder's room. It was just coming to 7 'o'clock of the night and Ryder was clattering around her room, collecting together clothes and other useful items. She'd tugged off her pretty, luxurious dress and pulled on a similar outfit she wore to duel Edmund; a shirt and tunic with trousers and long, hard leather boots.

The sky was growing darker as the evening came to a close and the night crept in. Ryder wasn't going to leave her room until late, when everyone was safe and sound in their beds. She passed the time away by to continually to worry over the decision she was making. Not only would Edmund kill her if he could get her hands on her it would break his heart, but she knew it was for the best, it was the only thing she could do to keep him safe.

Finally, the clock in the courtyard struck eight and Ryder grabbed the small satchel from her bed, nothing held inside and slowly unlocked her door, and crept out into the shadow of the corridor. The castle was quiet; the only sound was watch guards silently roaming the castle grounds and corridors. She wondered down to the kitchen which was deserted and unlocked to those on the inside and grabbed the minimum food; bread, cheese and three apples. Then she left the kitchen and made her way to the armoury, nearly clashing into Carlisle as he patrolled the corridor. Quickly grabbing a dagger, which she slid into her boot, a sword and bow and stack of arrows, she sprinted back along the corridor, down the stairs to the maid's quarters. She let herself out of the back door, which lead to the stables.

No one was in the stables and she'd hoped Cemal had settled there for the night. Luckily, he lay cuddled up in the corner of the stable, on a stack of hay, sleeping loudly. She clicked her tongue and Cemal's ears pricked up, she did it again and he open one eye. Once he saw her, he whined and got up off his feet, trotting gently towards her.

"We're going for a long ride Cemal, so you're going to have to wear a saddle." She whispered to him. He whined again but bent down so she could fasten the saddle and reins on him. She had just finished tying the saddle onto Cemal, when she heard footsteps approaching the stable. Ryder pushed Cemal to sit and she slipped into the shadows.

She waited silently, trying to breathe as quietly as possible, when she saw the silhouette of a tall, towering figure in the stable door. She held her breath and fell more into the shadows, wishing he couldn't see her.

"Ryder, I know you're there." He said quietly.

Ryder froze on the spot and watched how the shadow grew bigger, until she could finally she the person who belonged to it. He slowly turned to look at Cemal, who whined at him and then turned to look at the spot in which Ryder was hiding in. She sighed in annoyance and stepped out of the darkness so Edmund could see her.

"Yes?" Ryder asked, raising her eyebrow.

"I can't believe you were going to do this." Edmund said, shaking his head.

"Were? I'm still doing this." Ryder frowned at his assumption.

"Not now I'm here."

"I've told you Edmund, you can't stop me. This is the right thing to do." Ryder sighed.

"I am stopping you. You are not leaving here, I'll carry you back myself."

"Goodbye Edmund." Ryder said sadly. She clicked her tongue and Cemal got to his feet but Edmund moved quickly and drew his sword, pointing it at Ryder's throat.

"Make one move and I'll hurt you." Edmund threatened.

"Don't be so stupid Edmund!" Ryder exclaimed pushing the tip of his sword away from her.

"I'm being serious Ryder! Do not push me." Edmund snarled.

"Edmund stop this right now. You are scaring me." Ryder cried.

"If you only listened to me, I wouldn't be like this!"

"You know it is the right thing to do, you'll be safe and so will everyone and everything else that you love will be too."

"It's not good enough!" Edmund dropped his sword and grabbed Ryder. "I love you!"

"And you know I love you but I won't let you get hurt!" Ryder cried, holding him.

Edmund lost it and dropped his sword; crushing Ryder's body to his he kissed her. With all the power he had, he kissed her wildly, with anger, with love and passion. She tried to resist but this time her heart won the battle and she kissed him back as fiercely.

Suddenly, there came the voice of someone, Ryder and Edmund froze.

"Edmund? Ryder? What is going on?"

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