Wow. I'm exhausted. I've had a crazy summer and a crazy first few weeks of school. But I've somehow come through the craziest of it. And with all that time I've only come through with one little chapter to show for it. I am infinitely sorry for that. But I hope you all enjoy it and I deeply appreciate everyone who's read my story so far. It's been a great joy to write and wouldn't have come nearly so far without you. Especially this and any chapters that follow.

It was certainly one of the more splendid triumphant returns the Pevensie brothers had come home to. Though this was probably due to several factors: First, they had defeated the giants of the North (again). Second, it was the anniversary of their defeat of the White Witch. And thirdly, it had finally stopped raining and Spring was now in full, beautiful bloom (that always made the Narnians happy). There were cheering crowds for miles, before the army reached the Cair. There was also a lot of flower throwing, ribbon streaming, flag waving, and various other celebratory activities to enjoy. But this all paled in comparison when they finally reached the front steps of the castle.

The crowds there, of course, were the largest, the loudest, the most colorful, but it was the two shining jewels of Narnia that took both kings' breath away. To finally be home and swept up in the arms of their sisters was truly the best feeling in the world. To know that they were safe and well, all four of them, was a wonderful thing. Or so Edmund knew he should be thinking.

Instead, when Lucy finished strangling (I mean, hugging, right, hugging) him and tried to drag him and Peter into the hall for the awaiting Victory Feast, he pulled away. "Where's Miri?" he demanded.

"Oh!" Lucy looked around, blonde hair flying about her face. "She was just here a moment ago...Wait, Ed! I'm sure she's fine. She's around here somewhere. Oh dear…"

"Ha! Don't worry, Lucy," Peter said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "He's been pining since we left. Not that he'd admit it, oh no. Let him go."

"Has he really?" Lucy asked, face brightening.

"Well, maybe there's hope for him after all!" Susan added, slipping her arm around Peter's waist from his other side.

Peter threw his head back, laughing long and hard as they walked into the hall, followed by their multitudes of pleased subjects.

No one in the crowd had seen where Miri went. Not that Edmund really expected them to. If Miri didn't want to be seen or followed, she, quite simply, disappeared. But he was used to her tricks by now and started looking in the first of her usual hiding spots: The Gardens.

The flowers were well into blooming now and the hedges were thick, tall and as green as anything in Narnia could be. But Miri was not among them. Nor was she at any of the various fountains scattered among the grounds. Edmund wandered restlessly across the lawns and little rocky paths. No Miri. Neither trees nor low benches tucked among the hollyhock held the object of his search. So Edmund moved on to the Cair itself.

Everyone was in the Great Hall, leaving the long halls and corridors deserted and strangely silent. Edmund found it rather unnerving and went along at a brisk walk, his mail rattling and spurs clicking loudly on the marble floors. He tried the library, but found it empty except for the huge tomes that seemed to look down on him from their shelves above.

The suite of rooms belonging to the girls were empty as well, and by this time Edmund was tired of his armor. He had, after all, just spent the last several weeks almost constantly in it and he was beginning to feel the bone-aching weariness in his shoulders and back, not to mention a chafing in places he'd really rather didn't chafe. He figured that if he got out of the armor and found Miri he could manage at least the feast, though he wasn't sure he'd survive through the dancing. He could have gone to sleep standing up, now that he thought about it. So off to his own room he let his feet take him.

There was a small alcove across from his room. It had padded cushions, a curtain that could be drawn across it and a small window that looked out over the ocean. There were such nooks and crannies all over the castle, but they had always seemed rather odd things to Edmund. As he came up to his door he heard a small sound and, turning, he caught the pair of green eyes watching him from around the curtain's edge.

"Ed?" came the small whisper.

"There you are, Little Lady." He took a step toward the alcove and Miri jerked back behind the curtain. "What sort of greeting is that?" He pulled back the fine, blue cotton to find Miri curled up tightly into the corner of the alcove. "May I?" Edmund gestured to the cushion beside her. She shrugged one shoulder and shifted away, head pressing against the bright emerald glass.

Edmund cautiously perched on the edge of the cushion, wishing once again that he was out of the armor. He leaned back, groaning as sore muscles came up against cold metal. "What's wrong, Little Lady?" he sighed.

"Nothing."

"Yes, right, of course." There was silence for several minutes, long enough that Edmund had almost dozed off when the girl finally spoke again.

"I...I thought you weren't coming back…"

Edmund struggled for a reply and was somewhat saved by the fact that Miri slapped him across the face hard enough to sting. "Ow! Miri! What was that for?" He rubbed at his jaw as Miri's hands flew to her own cheeks, eyes wide.

"I didn't mean to! Oh, Ed, I'm sorry. You just scared me. You left. I didn't know if you were ever coming back...I'm sorry...I'm sorry…"

"Ah, Lady Love, now, don't cry. I'm here now. I came back." Chuckling briefly as she threw her arms around his neck, he held her tight, muttering reassurances in her ear. "What had you so worried?" he asked as her sobs began to slow, though her hold never loosened. "You knew I'd only be gone a few weeks."

"You've never been gone before. I-I...You'll have to do this again, won't you?"

"Yes. Most Summers have at least one campaign or another."

"Why?" Her voice had fallen so low it was barely a breath of air against his ear.

"Everyone wants to live in Narnia. And not all of them come as peacefully as you did."

"But I caused a duel."

"My point exactly! Now." He tried to disentangle Miri from around his neck but she wouldn't let go so he simply left her for the time being and settled his arms around her waist. "You'll have to figure out how to work with this. You'll have to get used to my being gone for weeks at a time like this last campaign. But I'll always do my utmost best to come back to you. Alright?"

There was a nod against his head, curly hair tickling his cheek. Then Miri finally pulled back, nose wrinkled. "I don't suppose you'll be getting out of that armor now?"

"If you insist, my lady."

"I'm afraid I must." Edmund laughed and Miri's lips quirked up in a grin.