"Your Highnesses?"

Both Lucy and Enna looked up at the soft voice. "What is it, Katla?" Lucy asked, sniffling. "I hope it is important."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty…" said the dryad timidly.

Lucy patted Enna's hand comfortingly and set it down for a moment, turning to the dryad, where they began conversing in low voices. Enna did not try to listen. What was the point? She could sense her own end circling closer and closer, perhaps by the hour; it took all of her energy just to lay there in the dim tent with her eyes half-open. When Lucy turned back to her, though, she struggled to look more awake.

"Katla says that my brothers have sent a message," the young queen said softly. "They are returning with all haste from the south."

"It is good of them," Enna replied.

"They love you dearly, Enna. Even Edmund does, though I do not think he shows it well."

"I am sure you are right."

"I know I am right. If they had only known what would happen to you, they would not have forbidden me from bringing my cordial."

"Quite."

Lucy bit her lip. "That's it, Enna…just rest."

And Enna intended to do so—but another faun came in. "Your Majesties…"

"What is it?" Lucy said loudly, then quickly covered her mouth. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry—what is it, Desium?"

The faun's ears quivered as he rubbed at one of his horns. "My queen…the lion is here."

"Who?"

"…Aslan, Your Majesty. Aslan is here."

Lucy sat up quickly, her face flushing. "Oh, Aslan! Enna, wait right here for a moment—"

Before Enna could nod, Lucy had leapt to her feet and flown from the tent, leaving her quite alone in the dim light with the elderly faun. Desium rapped his hooves on the ground, chafed his palms together, and fluttered his tail—all things that would have driven Enna up a wall, had she not been so tired.

At long last, though, the tent flap began to twitch. Enna, expecting Lucy, laboriously pushed a strand of dirty hair off of her cheek and looked towards the entrance.

But it was not Lucy's wild, tawny mane that came through the opening.

Aslan, great and golden-eyed, seemed to take up half of the tent as his silent paws padded across the bloodstained mats. His fur cast yellow shimmers on the canvas walls, as if it had captured rays of sun and was slowly letting them leak out; he seemed out of place—and yet strangely at home—inside the dark and airless room.

"Peace, my child," he rumbled as Enna's heart thundered into labored panic. "Still your fright. I am not here to eat you, nor have I ever been."

As he spoke, he blew warm breath over Enna's face, and it smelled faintly of sweet sea breezes. The warmth surrounded her cold body, soothing her many aches and easing the harsh throbbing in her stomach. She shivered momentarily, relishing in the painlessness.

"Sit up, Daughter of Eve," Aslan said, his eyes staring unblinkingly at her.

Enna shook her head. "I can't, sir Lion, I've been—"

"Sit up."

Trembling a bit with apprehension, Enna did so—and found that the motion was effortless. She slipped a hand beneath the heavy blankets, reaching for the ravaged wound—but found only the soft skin of her belly.

"Lucy," Aslan said loudly.

"Yes, Aslan?" the young queen said, obviously standing right outside the tent.

"Come inside. The lady Enna requires your assistance."

Lucy twitched the tent flap aside, and her little round face went slack in astonishment. "Enna! You're—you're—"

"She is restored," said Aslan. "Help her, young Lucy, rise up from the sickbed. Help her wash—help her dress—and bring her to me when she is ready to your satisfaction."

"Aye, Aslan," Lucy squealed, clasping her hands under her chin. "Katla! Bring that hot water here immediately, and help me ready a bath!"

"I expect your amenability, Daughter of Eve," Aslan said in a low voice to Enna, who shrank back from his knowing gaze.

"A—aye, sir lion," she whispered.

He watched her for a moment more, then turned and exited the tent, leaving Lucy to rush forward and fling her arms around Enna's neck, overflowing with joy. Enna stood up from the bed for the first time in many long days, her knees wobbling, but the moment she set foot in the steaming bathwater, her muscles relaxed and she smiled. Weeks' worth of dirt lifted off her skin and dripped out of her hair as she scrubbed carefully, Lucy happily digging through long-forgotten satchels for something decent that Enna could wear.

At long last, clean, well dressed, and full of hot oatmeal, Enna was ready to face the Lion. Lucy tagging at her heels, she pushed the tent flap aside and felt the warm glow of sun on her face. Aslan paced nearby, his long tail brushing the ground. When he saw her, he wordlessly began climbing a gradual hillock, and Enna glanced once at Lucy before following him.

Soon, they were out of earshot of the camp noises below, only the warm breeze of April ruffling Enna's skirts and making a sound. "Long I have wanted to speak with you, Daughter of Eve," Aslan said.

Enna clasped her hands in front of her. "I have been with the army all these months."

"And yet you took no notice of me as I passed right under your nose."

"No notice!" This made Enna's hackles rise—who had taken no notice of them? "No notice, sir Lion? I never saw you, not once!"

"That is my point exactly," Aslan growled.

"How can I take notice of you when I cannot see you?"

"You did not look for my presence, ill-mannered young woman."

"I mean no offense, Aslan, but if I cannot see you, how may I know you are there?"

"You failed in your responsibilities," he replied gravely. "When your obedience left, so also did your perception."

Enna scoffed in disbelief. "You could have sought me out—where were you? Where were you when the harbor burnt? When Galma streamed onto Narnia's shores and took to her river? Or when my uncle maltreated my mother? Where were you when Galma descended upon us and took me hostage? When the captain beat Aramir—or when good Lord Lorendo was killed in the fray? Where were you when I gave my life for Aramir's?"

"Where was I? Where was I?" Aslan's voice dipped briefly into a terrifying snarl, his lips drawing back over sharp teeth. Enna took a step back.

"Tell me, mortal woman—where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, and measured it breadth by breadth? Have you seen the wellsprings of the oceans? Or walked in their hiddenmost depths? Have you seen the gates of death, Daughter of Eve? Tell me. Where does light abide? And where does darkness make its home? Surely, you know, for you have lived so many years! Who directs the raging storms, gives a path to the tempests, to water a land where no man lives, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?

"Tell me, Daughter of Eve," Aslan growled. "Where were you when I touched the arms of Galma's archers so that the burning arrows fell only where you and your people could reach? Was it you that lowered the waves of the River so that their swift boats foundered in the shallows? Or did you stay your uncle's hand so that your mother might live to see her daughter a final time? Where were you when I showed Peter the way to Galma's hiding place? Or scratched at the heels of the tarrying army? Where were you when I loosened your bonds and used your life to save that of another?"

Enna's knees buckled and she fell to the ground, staring up at Aslan's fierce golden eyes. "I…I…"

"I was the cat that led you to Galma's encampment," Aslan said slowly. "Had I not, they would have crossed the River and taken Beruna…and the war lost. What say you to that?"

She shook her head. "So you…you are guiding this war?"

"I am."

"And…despite all that I have done against you…"

"I will always defend my people," Aslan said, his voice low and suddenly almost kind. "Despite the sins of her rulers."

"'Rulers'?" Enna looked up. "What have Lucy and Edmund and Peter done?"

"The two youngest have done nothing. But you and Peter…"

Enna, suddenly realizing the full implication of her actions, looked down.

The soft breeze ruffled Aslan's mane. "I warned you, Daughter of Eve, not long ago, to rid yourself of Peter Pevensie. Did I not?"

"Aye," she whispered.

"You swore to uphold that promise, if all three of my prophecies came true. And did they?"

"Aye…"

"And yet you still disobeyed me. You are wretched in my sight, Daughter of Eve, for your sin repulses me."

"I'm sorry, Aslan—!" Enna burst out, running her trembling hands through her wild curls. "I…I did wrong by him, and I know it. But—but I...I worry so about my fate, and I thought that if I could connect myself to him, I would be safe…" She shook her head weakly, tears splattering into the grass. "I am but a sea rat. Nothing more."

"Nay!" Aslan said, his sinewy tail twitching in a very cat-like way. "You are a Daughter of Eve, and no puppet to fate. Have I taught you ill? Fate is nothing! As you put it those long months ago, perhaps your entire life was meant to grace another's. Having choices, as people in your world understand them, creates more doubt in disorder than not being able to choose. Wouldn't you say?"

Enna sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand as she nodded. "But what about Peter? I am…I am so unhappy, wed to him. And I do not think he loves me as dearly as he says."

"How can he?" Aslan asked. "I did not condone your union—it is impossible for him to refute my will."

"What shall I do?" Enna said, sopping at her eyes.

"You must retain your maidenhood, first and foremost," Aslan replied, his voice softening. "Though I did not allow the marriage, you have not shared a wedding bed with the high king, and so are bound only in name. I wish for you and Peter to maintain that legal bond, for the time being, for there is much work now to be done."

"Aye, Aslan," she whispered.

"There, there." His great, tawny head lowered to hers, and, to her surprise, his sweet-smelling mane dried the tears on her cheeks. "It is easy to trespass, but it is also easy to be forgiven."

She took a deep breath. "Then…all is forgotten?"

"Hardly forgotten. I have forgiven you, but I will not remove the consequences of your actions from you—they yet must be dealt with."

"Then what must I do?"

A pleased rumble sounded in the great lion's throat. "Your pride will haunt your footsteps, Enna, for all your life, but, with time, you will learn to overcome it. Begin by humbling yourself before your kings and queen. They shall take instruction from me, in due time, and pass it on to you—it is your duty to obey modestly."

Enna cringed at the idea, but she tried to hide the reaction. "Aye. And…what will you tell Peter? About the marriage?"

"That is not for you to know," Aslan chuckled. "I have told you your story...but will tell none other's."

A sharp shriek rose up from the valley, and Enna turned to look. Over the faraway rise, an eagle held poised on an updraft, wings spread wide, as a trumpet echoed. "That will be the kings and their host," Aslan said.

Enna shielded her eyes and smiled slightly as the scarlet banners crested the hill. "Aye."

"Very well, then. You and I are finished here, for the time being. Go and greet your husband. But be ready, Enna," he added as she made a move to leave. "You will not spend another night in his company. Tonight, this very day, I expect my orders to be carried out."

"What do you mean?" she asked, quite puzzled.

"You will know in time. Go and receive them, and send Peter up to me."

"Aye, Aslan."

He nodded, and Enna went away down the hill, the soft breeze tossing her plait over her shoulder. As much as she was reluctant to admit it, she had missed Aramir and Edmund and Peter, and her feet carried her swiftly over the spring grass just as the host's horses thundered towards the camp.

Lucy was already waiting at the entrance, her long brown hair flowing out over her shoulders and her round face aglow. "I am so glad they are come, Enna!" she cried, catching the older girl's hand and dragging her along to meet the approaching contingent

"Not so fast, Lucy," Enna laughed, lifting her skirts with her other hand and tripping along behind her.

Peter and Edmund, riding at the front, reined their horses in abruptly when they caught sight of their sister, and Peter flung himself from the saddle. "Enna!"

"Hello, Peter!"

"You're—you're—you're healed!"

"Aye! Aslan is come."

"Oh, Aslan…" He reached out to take her in his arms, but Enna shook her head.

"He wishes to see you."

Peter looked at her, understanding dawning in his blue eyes. "Oh. I see."

"I'm sorry…"

"No, no, it's not your fault." He sighed and drew a hand across his sweaty brow. "I knew I would have to stand before him someday."

"I'll take your horse in for you."

"I'd be much obliged. Thank you."

Enna nodded and took the beast's reins, and Peter went off, walking with a manner as if he were a man doomed to the gallows, but proud of his misdeed. Lucy, meanwhile, had caught Edmund in a vise-like embrace, gushing on and on about how brave Enna had been and how particularly majestic Aslan looked!

"Lucy—can't breathe—" Edmund managed.

She released him without batting an eyelash. "Aramir!"

Enna strained to look where the young queen was running, but Edmund had extended a hand to her instead. "Welcome back, Enna," he said grudgingly.

Unsure of what she was expected to do with the hand, she quickly squeezed his fingers and smiled. "Thank you. I heard what you did…back in the last battle."

"Oh, it was nothing," the young man muttered. "Scoundrel got away, anyhow."

"It was noble, nevertheless. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Enna!"

She and Edmund looked over to see Lucy dragging Aramir by the hand, her cheeks rosy with delight. "Enna, Aramir is back!"

Edmund looked a little bored with this observation, but Enna smiled, partly because she knew just why Lucy was so pleased, and partly because that life which she had almost given up hers for had grown proportionately dearer to her heart. "So I see. How do you feel, Aramir?"

"I should be asking you that," he replied, grinning.

They clasped hands briefly, a slew of communication passing through their fingers but going unsaid. "I am well—very well."

"I have heard Aslan is here."

"He is!" Lucy exclaimed. "Oh, he is, he is, he is! You all must come and rest and eat, so you can meet him at your best."

And so the tired Narnians came back into the small camp and began to reconstruct their fraction, and the joie de vivre that had been missing during their absence quickly returned. It was not long before Aslan summoned Lucy and Edmund to join their brother in conference with him, and during this lull in activity, Enna told Aramir almost all that had happened.

"So Aslan will have you leave?" Aramir asked.

"I gather as much. He said that I would not spend another night in Pe—in Narnia's company. I will have 'orders' to fulfill, I think."

"Do you know what they are?"

"No."

Aramir sighed in thought, taking a hearty swig from a flask of water. "I can only imagine what Aslan desires we do next. The Galmanians crossed the border late last week into Archenland—we cannot pursue them fast enough with our main strength."

"They are in Archenland, now?" Enna said in surprise. "Whatever do they want there?"

"One can only guess, I suppose."

"Oh, dear."

"Aye."

The conversation lulled, and soon, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Aslan came down from the hill and entered the camp. It was easy to tell where Aslan was at every moment, for wherever there was reverent silence, there he was. He passed through the open space where Enna, Aramir, and several other Narnians were seated, and touched Aramir's cheek with his tongue as he passed by.

Enna was about to comment on Aramir's radiant face, but Peter got her attention before she could. "Peter calls for us," she told him.

Together, they stood up and went to the royal tent, wherein Peter stood at his cartography table. "Ah, thank you for coming," he said. "There's much to discuss."

Enna looked at the maps he had unrolled. "Aramir tells me my uncle has gone south, to Archenland. Does this meeting concern it?"

"Aye, very much so," Peter replied.

She nodded. "I see."

"Come and study these maps with me," he said, motioning Aramir over, too. They looked obediently over his shoulders. "Do you see this pebble?"

"Aye."

"That is the Narnian camp, where we are now."

"Of course."

"And do you see this castle?"

"Aye."

"That is the royal city of Anvard, the capital of Archenland."

"I see."

"Here are the Archen Mountains. This pass here"—Peter traced a narrow gap in the long mountain range—"is through which Galma invaded Archenland. They have fractioned their army, Enna—one third of it is drilling straight through the Archen Mountains toward Anvard. One third of it is headed across the Archen River, and will cross into Archenland through the far western hills of the Mountains. The other third is headed northwest, higher up and deeper into Narnia."

"Their strength is diminished," Enna noted. "But they are also spreading out. Why is that?"

"We think that it is because they either desire allies in southern countries," Peter replied, "or they are simply hoping to diminish our main force, as well."

"What are we to do, then?"

Peter sighed. "This is where you and Aramir come in. I suppose Aslan has spoken to you, Enna, about your duties?"

"He told me I had some, but that is all."

"Very well, then. I have been commanded to lead my main strength against the Galmanian forces still in Narnia. Another fraction of our army will follow the Galmanians crossing the Archen. And another, smaller, fraction will be sent ahead to Anvard, to warn King Lune to refuse any Galmanian advances."

"Aye. Where do we assist?"

"In the latter," Peter said. "You and Aramir, along with my brother and sister and a contingent of forty or so Narnians, will go to Anvard and argue on our behalf."

Enna blanched. "But, Peter—I've never been to Archenland. I don't—what if—"

"They are Sons of Adam, as well," Peter said gently. "You will not be out of place. King Lune is a good man, recently ascended the throne. His son, Prince Corin, is scarcely ten years old, and is a boisterous young fellow. I daresay His Majesty will be unfazed by anything even you can pull."

Aramir chuckled, and Enna managed a weak giggle. Archenland! That was so far away! And yet…the fate of an alliance, and therefore a kingdom, was being given to her, and her heart began to pound wildly with anticipation. This could prove exciting. "When shall we leave, Peter?"

"No later than this afternoon," he replied. "I wish to head off any more conflict that might arise from our idleness."

"Aye."

"So, Aramir," the high king went on. "My brother and sister have begun readying their persons and people for the journey—I suggest you do the same."

"Aye, Your Majesty." Aramir bowed and left the tent.

Peter sighed, looking at Enna from across the table. "Did Aslan express his displeasure with us to you, as well?"

"Aye," she admitted, looking at her feet.

"I might have expected it."

"I, too."

He rapped on the table. "Well, Enna…perhaps, after this is all over, we can begin again."

"Perhaps."

"When the war is won, and we all return to Cair Paravel…perhaps we may learn to love each other better than we could on the campaign trail."

"Aye, Peter. Perhaps then."

He came around the table and took her hand. "It is farewell, then."

She squeezed his, smiling sadly up at him. "I will miss you, you know."

"And I you."

"I promise to take care of your brother and sister."

Peter chuckled. "Edmund, I do not worry about. I have doubts that you will find it easy to control Lucy, however."

"Since when have I been able to?" Enna laughed.

"Never! And I should not be surprised if you try your whole life and are still unsuccessful."

"Nevertheless," Enna said. "I will try."

Peter smiled and kissed her hand. "I have faith in you."

"Goodbye, then."

"Goodbye."

He released her hand, and she smiled once last time, and then turned her back on him and walking out of the tent into the sunshine.

The End

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A/N: OMGOSH WE FINISHED!!!! AHHHH! But wait! There's an epilogue! :D (This means that if you haven't voted in our Wufoo poll yet, now's your last chance!) Stay tuned for the conclusion of "Sea Rat"…