Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: Not all shields look as we expected... Not all shields are physical...

Chapter Three

24 Stormfall 1001

There is a good reason that Narnians refer to the month of November as Stormfall...thunderstorms, snowstorms, just about any kind of storm you can think of, it tends to hit Narnia in November. Now, for the most part, storms don't bother me unless they wake me up in the middle of the night with a huge clap of thunder right on the heels of a nightmare. I jerked upright as a streak of lightning illuminated my room with my heart pounding in my chest and for one terrifying moment I thought I was back in that place I now only visited in my nightmares. I jumped as another clap of thunder sounded right outside my window, but this time I thanked God for it because it shook me out of the last remnants of my nightmare. I took a fortifying breath then crawled out of bed and walked over to the window, pulling the drapes back I immediately had to shield my eyes as more lightning flashed across the sky.

Fortunately, I remembered to raise my right arm and not my left, so I actually avoided aggravating my injury. Dropping my arm, I leaned a little closer to the window and marveled at how a thunderstorm had been turned into a snowstorm. It was too cold now for rain, so instead Cair Paravel was receiving thunder and lightning with a side of snow. Another clap of thunder sounded and I felt the glass beneath my fingers tremble as the entire window rattled from the force. In that moment, I made the decision that there was no way I was even going to attempt to sleep through the storm.

I pulled the drapes in my bedroom close and then changed into a warm tunic and trousers. After tugging on my boots, I wandered into my parlor with every intention of sitting in there until daylight finally came around. However, a flash of lightning illuminated the entire room including the water clock sitting on the mantle over the fireplace, which showed it was about an hour past midnight, and I decided to see who was in the hall. Half hoping to spot Ptah or even Sefu, I was a little confused to see no one at all. Perhaps the storm was fierce enough that even the nocturnal inhabitants of the Cair were hiding out.

I hesitated in the doorway wondering if I really wanted to roam the halls of Cair Paravel in the middle of the night. A particularly loud clap of thunder sounded behind me and I jumped into the hall. At that moment, I decided anything was better than sitting through the storm with nothing to distract me from it...even getting myself lost in the Cair. I comforted myself with the knowledge that I was not going to head for the armory and the training grounds or the forge, so I wasn't breaking any of the promises binding me for the next six days and twenty-three hours. No broken promises, no angry Centaurs.

After wandering down one hall after another after another after yet another, I was starting to rethink the whole 'let's get lost in order to avoid the storm' plan. I also had the nagging feeling that I was being watched and had been for a while now. Not to mention the fact that not only had I gotten completely lost but I was going in circles...unless Cair Paravel had the exact same motif of Aslan surrounded by a circle of sun bursts with His banner over His right shoulder carved into more than one wall directly across from a large window. Possible, but highly unlikely. Another flash of lightning illuminated the carving, but then a sleek shadow glided across it before disappearing. I casually glanced over my shoulder, but there was nothing in front of the window or beside it that would have cast the shadow.

Puzzled and, I'll admit it, more than a little curious, I started to quietly make my way down the hall I had seen the shadow heading towards before it disappeared. I spotted the tip of a tail darting around a column head of me and I knew I was on the right track. I knew that it couldn't be an enemy because there was no way they could have sneaked this far into the main palace without some type of alarm being raised, storm or no storm. I became so engrossed in following the shadowy form that I actually forgot about the storm raging just outside until a flash of lightning allowed me to clearly see that the shadow I had been following was a Fox. I paused when the Fox stopped in front of a door then let himself in, for a moment, I considered not following, but then I looked around and realized I had no clue where I was or how to get back to my rooms. I really needed to pay better attention to my surroundings when chasing after random shadows.

Knowing I had to ask someone for directions if I ever wanted to get back to my rooms, I opted to ask the Fox. The door he had slipped through was cracked open, but I didn't hear any sounds coming from inside. I pushed the door open and froze when I saw the room was occupied by more than just the Fox. The Fox was perched on the ledge running underneath a huge window that covered the far wall from floor to ceiling talking to none other than Oreius and Ardon, who had been facing away from me until they heard the door open. Another flash of lightning lit up the room while I stayed motionless inside the doorway. Ardon beckoned me to step further into the room as he rumbled, "Come in, Katerina Alambiel, or do you intend to stand there all night?"

Ardon was not someone who you refuse lightly, especially since he was one of the biggest Centaurs I had seen during my stay in Narnia. I mean he was at least a head taller than Oreius who's a good foot taller than I and I stand just under six feet. In short, Ardon was a bronze giant of a Centaur who definitely towered over me that night as he crossed the space between us. I let him guide me to the center of the room and Ardon grinned down at me before he turned his attention back to Oreius and the Fox, who I realized was the same Fox I had seen among the royals' advisors the two times I had been called before the royal family and their council. He was looking rather smug as he looked from me to the Centaurs and said, "I don't know why you're complaining, General. You did say you needed to speak with her."

Oreius didn't answer the Fox instead he looked at me, "Katerina Alambiel, the one who led you here tonight is Sir Rupert Grefftus Fox."

I inclined my head to the Fox and Sir Rupert returned the gesture, "It is an honor to be formally introduced to you, my dear Lady Katerina. If I do say so myself, you are quite adept at tracking. Something that your instructors should take into account perhaps." He paused then added, "Well, it seems my task is done, so I'll be off. Good night, Lady Katerina."

I barely stifled a laugh at the look Ardon had given Sir Rupert on being excluded from the niceties, while the Fox quickly slipped out the door. The huge Centaur just shook his head and muttered, "Foxes" before he glanced at Oreius then he followed the Fox out of the room.

After a moment, I let my curiosity come to the fore and I crossed to stand by Oreius as he watched the storm raging on the other side of the glass. I toyed with the end of my braid before I finally asked, "Why did Sir Rupert say you needed to speak with me, Oreius?"

"I told Rupert that I needed to speak with you this week on a private matter. When the Fox volunteered to pass the message on to you when next he saw you, I didn't realize he would do so in the middle of the night."

I decided that was good time to interject before poor Rupert got the blame for what was really my doing. "Actually, Oreius, Sir Rupert never really passed on the message. See, I was already up and followed him when he passed me in one of the halls. I only came in here to ask for directions." I paused and Oreius raised an eyebrow as he waited for me to continue, which I did by trying to put the focus back on him. "So, what is the private matter you wanted to talk to me about?" Nothing like redirection, although I have since learned that it only works with Oreius when he allows it.

Oreius folded his arms and stared down at me for a moment before he stated the last thing I expected to hear. "I wanted to ask you how you've become so skilled at influencing other people to let their guard down around you when you refuse to let the majority of your own barriers down."

I was too shocked to form a real response, so all that came out was, "What?"

Oreius circled around me and I turned to keep sight of his face even as it struck me we were repeating our actions from that night over two months ago when he had questioned me about what we later learned was Jannes' doing. The biggest difference was that night I had been infuriated by his questions but tonight I was simply confused. He finally stopped moving as he broke the silence, "Four days ago you assured King Edmund that you did not think of him as a traitor and he believed you. He and the other royals all count you as a friend, but do you count them as friends in return?" He paused but I had no answer to give him just yet and he knew it. I don't know how but I know that somehow Oreius knew it and that was why he continued speaking, "From what I have seen, you do consider them and perhaps a few others as friends at least. However, you don't know how to let your guard down enough that those who wish to know you and be a true friend, a close friend, actually have a chance. You are hiding in plain sight, Katerina Alambiel, and I cannot help but wonder why?"

Again I didn't answer, but this time it wasn't because I had no answer, rather it was because I couldn't answer. Yes, I knew the difference between friends and close friends, but Oreius was right. I had almost forgotten how to let my guard down, but then I've not had a reason to do so in years. Oreius suddenly stepped closer and I stubbornly held my ground, but instead of answering his question, I simply stated, "There is nothing wrong with protecting myself."

Last time we had this type of conversation Oreius had pushed me into pointing out two of my scars. This time I was determined that no matter how hard he pushed, I was going to keep my remaining secrets and push back just as hard. Oreius suddenly stepped back and gave me an indecipherable look before he responded. "No, but the problem is that you are protecting yourself by barricading everyone out of your life. Not just your enemies, but those who would be your friends as well. You never reveal more than you absolutely have to and even that information is given grudgingly. I know because I can see it in your eyes before you manage to hide it. Just as I see the haunted looks when you think no one sees, and I know they are the remnants of the time in your past when someone hurt you...badly. That is something I would have known even if you did not have the scars on your hands. I will not push you to reveal your secrets, Katerina Alambiel, but there is a boon I would ask of you."

I believed him when he stated he would not push me, though I did not intend to reveal my darker secrets to anyone if I could find a way to avoid it. "What is this boon?"

"I ask you, Katerina Alambiel, to consider that if you lower the barricades you have established in the past, perhaps those of us who would be your close friends might serve to shield you from all types of harm. Consider my words and perhaps you will find that the best shield is not the one you wield but the ones others set around you. After all, there is more than one kind of shield in the world."

I paused before answering as I mulled over the boon Oreius was asking of me. Could I really break a life-long habit of keeping things to myself and protecting myself any way I was able? This was not the first time I had been told that I needed to let people in, but unlike when the Professor had spoken to me, I found that I was finally tired of keeping so many barricades between myself and others. I wanted...I wanted to let my guard down. I wasn't sure if I could do it, if I could take down all of those barricades I had out between myself and the world, but I wanted to try. My mind was made up and I answered before I could hesitate long enough to lose my courage, "I do not know if I can actually grant this boon you ask of me, but I give you my word that I will certainly do my best."

Oreius bowed his head in acceptance with my decision, and then he gave me a curious look. "Katerina Alambiel, you wouldn't happen to know why Baumur took your cuirass from the armory this past Sixthday, would you?"

I frowned as I tried to figure out what the chief smith would be doing with my cuirass of all things. I gave up with a shrug, as I had no idea how the Dwarfish mind worked. "I have no idea. Did you ask him?"

"Yes, he said he was taking it for maintenance." Oreius looked at me expectantly, but I just shrugged again. After all, I didn't know Baumur well enough to say what he was up to...unless...well, it just might have been related to the little project I gave him last week. However, Oreius didn't need to know about that, after all I could be wrong. He shook his head, apparently resigned to not having any answers for the mystery of Dwarfs because he finally asked me the one question I had expected to hear tonight. "Why did Rupert find you wandering the halls, Katerina Alambiel?"

"I got lost, but it was semi-intentional."

Oreius gave me a look that said he questioned my sanity before he calmly asked, "And, why were you trying to get lost? It's almost third hour, or did you also intend to avoid sleeping tonight?"

I raised a finger, "It's not that I was avoiding sleep, Oreius, it's that sleep was avoiding me. And, do you never sleep?"

Oreius smirked but he didn't allow me to redirect the conversation this time. "Yes, I do and more than you it seems." He paused and looked out the window then he turned back to me with that knowing look in his eyes. "The storm. You cannot sleep because you are afraid of the storm."

I scowled at him, "I wouldn't say I was afraid. I just couldn't sleep through it and I had no way of distracting myself except by wandering the halls." An extremely loud clap of thunder sounded on the heels of my statement and I nearly jumped out of my skin. However, I did jump forward so that I was directly beside Oreius with scant inches separating us. "Okay, I lied. I'm terrified of these types of storms; you know the ones that are directly overhead and very, very noisy."

Oreius raised an eyebrow at me and I barely kept myself from giving in to the urge to stick my tongue out at him. "You said you were trying to distract yourself earlier. I take it you have other methods of distracting yourself from such storms?"

I nodded, "Yes, before I came here, I would usually curl up with a book and read until the storm passed or until I was so tired that I fell asleep in spite of the storm. Reading was my escape and it was how people could get me to stay still long enough to recover from illnesses...and broken bones." I had to add the last bit, I just couldn't help myself.

Oreius rolled his eyes, "And, you do not mention this little fact until after you have driven Ptah, Sefu, and Heru to distraction for almost five days?"

I shrugged, "I was bored and you didn't ask."

Oreius stared at me and then he shook his head before he steered me towards the door. I was starting to wonder if I shouldn't have added the bit about the broken bones when he gestured for me to follow him into the hall. He glanced back and smirked, "Come, Katerina Alambiel, I wish to show you something that should make this next week more bearable for everyone."

I figured it would be better to indulge him than to argue, so I walked beside Oreius as he led the way through halls and up several flights of stairs. We passed a few soldiers on guard duty, but nobody said anything, one of the benefits of walking through Cair Paravel with the General of the Army, although I still got a few stares. Oreius finally stopped in front of a huge, beautifully carved pair of doors and I glanced at him, but he didn't say anything as he opened one door and gestured for me to step inside. I entered and fell in love at first sight.

It was a library, a huge library full of towering shelves with scores of books and that was just the ones I could see. I felt myself smiling with delight even as Oreius stepped in front of me and he chuckled softly when he saw my expression. "If I had known this would be your reaction, I would have brought you here sooner. Elwood is in charge of the library, and he can help you find any book you desire if it's here. However, I think you might want to start with a couple of books that should be over here."

Oreius led the way to a bookshelf to the right of the doors and I noticed there were tables and chairs scattered around the library. I promised myself that I would take advantage of my enforced rest and come explore the library to my heart's content for the rest of the week. Oreius pulled four books from the shelves, then he handed me the thinnest one. "You may carry one, Katerina Alambiel, and I won't tell Alithia that you've been wandering around without your sling. Agreed?"

I scowled at him, but reluctantly agreed. "Oh, all right, but only because Alithia is scarier than you."

Oreius chuckled then waved for me to head to the doors, which I did, but not without looking back with absolute longing. "Come, Katerina, I will show you a shortcut between the library and your rooms. Don't give me that look, I promise you can come back, perhaps during the daylight hours even."

True to his word, Oreius showed me a hall that functioned as a shortcut between the library the hall my chambers were situated on and this time I paid close attention to where we were going. I wanted to be able to find the library without asking for directions, especially if I was going to carry out my plan of visiting the library during the night when suffering from insomnia. I glanced down at the book I held in my right arm and a flash of lightning allowed me to see it was a collection of various legends and tales of Narnia. I couldn't wait to read it.

Oreius led me to my chambers and stayed long enough to put the other three books, all about Narnia's history, on my desk before he told me to get some sleep. As the door closed behind him, I carried the book I was still holding into my bedroom. Ignoring the storm still raging outside, I pulled off my boots and lit a single candle before I stretched out on the bed and quickly became engrossed in reading. Nevertheless, even as I happily fell back into this old habit of seeking refuge in books, the question sparked by Oreius' boon still lurked in the back of my mind: How did I let go of my own barricades and allow someone else to act as my shield?

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A/N: Please Read and Review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, especially those of you who were sent reeling by the latest chapter of Revealed. Don't worry, there's more chapters coming for both Shields and Revealed...but it might take some time to post because I've a paper to write and grad school paper trumps the stories in importance. Click the little review button below and let me know how I'm doing and if you like learning about what happened during the time gap. If there's a specific story or incident mentioned in Shadowed or Revealed that you want to know more about, let me know and I'll do my best to work it in.