As night fell upon the petite party of monarchs, children and elders, in a hut in Hogwood, a small squirrel was re-awakening from his nap.

He yawned lazily, rolling over. He expected to see one of his brothers smirking at him with a large nut ready to throw at his face, or the smiling face of his mother as she welcomed him home. Instead, he woke too eerie voices and grunting brutes. He wiggled around, only discovering that he was bound from head to toe; only able to roll around like a log.

"What the-" he swore, tears brimming in his frightened eyes. "What did I do?"

"Shhh!" breathed a voice from beside him. "They'll hear ya!"

Rolling over again, he saw chocolate brown circular-shaped eyes staring back at him. Its' dark face was contorted into a worried expression, as curbed ears were straining to locate any approaching foes.

"Who's they?" replied the Squirrel.

Young chocolate-eyes grumbled a laugh, it's round pot belly shaking.

"The Hags and their minions."

"H-h-hags? Like from the stories?" The squirrel stuttered.

"The very same," replied chocolate eyes. "I don't know what they want from us yet, but they got us tied here, so who knows?" replied the Grizzly cub. "I am Griz, by the way. Who are you?"

"Nelson," the Squirrel replied.

"I don't want to leave…" muttered Helda, folding her slim arms.

"Me neither," snapped her brother. Pointing at the king, he continued. "I want to stay here and help you!"

Edmund chuckled, leaning down to look the younger in the eyes.

"Tell you what," he started. "If your Grandfather says it's okay, in a few years I'd like to see you beside me on the battlefield."

The young Faun beamed. "Really?"

"Only if you want," Edmund confirmed.

Zarin's smile didn't fade. Swords and battles, blood and guts, fighting for your life-none of it seemed to scare him. He'd heard stories from Grandpapa and they never frightened him. In fact, they fascinated him. As he looked back into the face of King Edmund, he didn't just see a boy; he saw a boy who had seen pain and loss, hurt and guilt. He saw a boy who had lost his innocence at the young age of ten; as he'd stepped into the Witch's Castle, as he'd given out personal information, as he'd killed his first combatant on the Battlefield at the Battle of Beruna, as he'd rejoiced after so many had perished, his innocence slowly slipped away, leaving behind a grown man in a child's body. A child's body who had already learnt his lesson and who, wanted to share that message, to spread it before anyone else committed similar wrongdoings. Zarin stood, nodding gravely.

It would have looked comical from any outsider the way Zarin acted; as if he was speaking to a grown up and not a boy only a few years older than him.

"I'd be honoured, Your Majesty."

Edmund bit back a smirk, saluting the new recruit.

"Now," Lucy continued, breaking the silence. "Why don't we get settled and wait for whoever Fordunus is bringing us."

For the next few minutes, they set up their new living space. In the hut, there were only three rooms; two bedrooms and a living area with a kitchen. Flintisk had tried to make Edmund and Lucy take the rooms, but they wouldn't do so. He then slyly tried to tell them that it was technically their house now, since they'd paid for it.

"Oh," Lucy had chirped. "About that…" She had pulled out a handful of monies, dropping it into their host's hand. "Now it's yours again." She had smiled angelically.

They instead decided it was best to just stay in the front room, close to the door, in case someone came. Edmund had tried to get his sister too stay with Helda and Zarin, but she, once again, wouldn't have it.

"Don't pull a Peter, Ed." she almost screamed at him. "I'm perfectly fine."

Edmund laughed. "I know, I know. You win. But only if you got my berries."

She rolled her eyes. "I think everybody has a sack of them by now, Edmund. There was so many…"

He strolled over to where their bags were and fished some out. Stuffing some into his mouth, he grinned. "Mmm," he murmured. "Never thought worrying tasted so good."

Lucy hit him over the head with a book.

"Hey!" he said. "I didn't do nothing!"

"You did," she huffed. "Eat your berries. I'm going to go check on Helda and Zarin."

"'Ave 'un," he called, chewing impolitely.

She shook her head, turning too the half opened door behind her. She knocked lightly.

Giggles erupted from the other side of the wood, as tiny hooves scampered away from the door. She opened the door softly, trying to hide her own laughter.

"Hello, anyone home?"

She looked over to the mattress that lay on the floor. Navy covers were piled unceremoniously on top, with twin bulges sitting on either side. Lucy couldn't help but let out her laughter as the bulges shook themselves vigorously, replying to her question.

"Alright, then. I guess I'll have to kill that big evil monster in the other room by myself," She jeered.

Immediately, the twin bulges uncovered themselves, leaving twin Fauns in their places.

"Wait!" Zarin shouted. He ran to the left corner, where a trunk was placed. Flinging it opened, he brandished a wooden sword. "Lemme get it, Queen Lucy!"

He ran out of the room, flailing the sword high. Shouts and the sound of metal being furiously yanked was heard. Lucy and Helda erupted into laughter.

"Brothers," Lucy said, taking a seat by the giggling Faun.

"Brothers," Helda replied. Her face suddenly fell into a twisted frown. Lucy wrapped an arm around her shivering shoulders.

"It'll be okay," she whispered. "I promise."

Helda nodded, leaning her head against the other girl's side.

"I know," she whispered hoarsely.

In the front room, Edmund was sitting sternly, facing the window. Beside him, sat Flintisk, who had been retelling his story.

"So, are you still on sentry duty, then?" Edmund asked.

"Yes, Majesty." Flintisk replied. "In fact, my next shift was supposed to be 'round midnight."

"Well, then. It's settled. By that time, you and yours will hopefully be safely out of here. I shall take your place."

"But, sire! They will=="

"They will what, soldier? Ask me what a human child is doing carrying a sword and patrolling a village full of unknown foes? Or why you aren't there? Why I took your place?""A-all of them, my king," Flintisk replied, lowering his greying head.

"I know they will, Flintisk. But I won't let that stop me." Edmund stood, pacing back and forth behind the chesterfield. At that moment, he heard a shout and someone calling his sister's name. Twirling around, he drew his sword on a small Faun toying around with a wooden one

Zarin had his eyes shut tight, as if not wanting to see the monster in front of him.

"Take that, you stupid beast! And that!" he hit thin air, until Edmund decided to stop the nonsense by crossing blades.

"What?" Zarin cried. "No monster?"

Lucy and Helda stepped out of the room behind him.

"No, Zarin, there is. My brother the Monster."

Seeing the hurt expression on the king's face, but the amused one on the queen's, everyone laughed.

So, pointless, I know. It had no real importance-except the beginning.

Anyways, time to go study for a Trig test…L

Thanks!