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...

A/N: As requested by Lady Firewing, anonymous reviewer "Hey", and dreaminsapphire, the first part of this chapter is in Oreius' POV while Kat is sick, and the last two sections are both in Katerina's POV. I hope it lives up to your expectations!

Chapter Eight

There are few things in this life that truly frighten me anymore, mainly the situations my Kings find themselves in as they are quite talented at finding danger even in the most mundane activities. However, I could not deny that I felt more than a little concerned when Rupert told me he could hear something break as we walked down the hall where Katerina Alambiel's chambers were located and he thought it had come from within her rooms. There were still more than a few soldiers who resented her presence as her altercation with the Satyr Laurus a little over three weeks ago had reminded me and there was always the possibility that one of them had allowed their prejudices and fears to overrule their good sense and attacked Katerina Alambiel. I almost wished that had been the case, because at least I could protect her from physical attackers.

When I felt how hot her skin was, I was shocked because she had been fine when I spoke with her the afternoon before. Alithia finally arrived as I looked down at Katerina who had closed her eyes again, "Oreius, why did Rupert...what is it? What's wrong?"

I kept my voice low as I replied, "She's burning up." I was not a healer, but I knew that it was not a good sign for a Human to feel so hot especially compared to a Centaur. Alithia jostled me out of the way to feel Katerina's forehead even as she pressed me for every possible detail. I told her what I knew while studying both Katerina and Alithia's faces for some indication of what had happened, and I didn't like the worry I could see in Alithia's eyes. I scowled as I watched Alithia try to coax Katerina into opening her eyes without success for several moments. I couldn't hold back my impatience any longer and pushed for some answers, though I took care to keep my voice low. "Alithia, what is wrong with her? Was she poisoned?"

Alithia glanced at me before she went back to checking Katerina's face and neck for...something. "To be honest, I don't know what's wrong yet. However, I doubt this is the result of a poison. The symptoms do not match, although the speed with which this struck her is worrisome. There were no signs of this coming on yesterday..."

Alithia trailed off as she checked Katerina's head and brushed against the lump she had sustained from her fall. Alithia barely touched it, but it caused Katerina Alambiel to give a pained moan. I barely curbed the sudden impulse to make Alithia stop her examination before she caused any more pain, but I knew she needed to do this if she was to determine how best to help Katerina. I freely acknowledged that I was overprotective when it came to those I had decided needed my protection such as the Kings and Queens, but sometimes I still managed to surprise myself with the extent of my protectiveness...such as with Katerina Alambiel. Alithia was being unusually quiet as she would typically be speaking, or scolding, as she examined her patient, but just as I was about to press her for answers again, she briskly ordered me to leave so she could finish examining Katerina Alambiel. I frowned but retreated from the bedroom after I made it clear to Alithia that I would remain in the parlor until she was able to tell me what was wrong with Katerina Alambiel.

I stood in front of the window and watched the snow falling steadily outside with only the occasional glance at the water clock on the mantel as I waited for information. I could hear the occasional burst of voices as various residents strolled down the hall outside as they continued tending to the finishing touches of preparing the Cair for the Christmas festivities. The spirits of everyone in Cair Paravel were even higher than last year as we did not have the unspoken question of whether Christmas would truly happen and would winter turn to spring at the appropriate time lingering in the back of our minds.

I turned from the window when I heard Alithia open the bedroom door, but I didn't say anything as she stepped into the parlor then gently pulled the door close before she finally spoke. "I don't know for sure what it is, Oreius. However, I believe it is similar to the pneumonia the High King suffered from last year. She has a very high fever and she is only semi-aware of her surroundings at the moment. I managed to keep her awake and focused long enough that she confirmed that she wasn't attacked or poisoned, though I doubt she will remember the conversation."

"Does she need the cordial?"

Alithia shook her head, "No, I believe if we can keep her fever down and keep her hydrated, she will be able to recover from this on her own. However, I do not think it would be wise for her to have many visitors while she is this ill, especially since I do not know if it could spread. Perhaps we should consider that the fewer who know the exact nature of her illness, the better."

I chose not to point out that even Alithia didn't know the exact nature of Katerina's illness, after all it was better for the army and myself to keep Narnia's foremost healer in an appeased state on principle. "You're right. Any idea as to how long this illness will last or how much worse it will become before she starts to recover?"

Alithia couldn't quite hide her frustration at the situation as she answered, "I have no idea. It could be anywhere from a day or two to a week or even longer. As far as how much worse she will become, we shall have to wait and see. I believe I will have a better idea as to the intensity and length of this illness by tonight. Will you inform the Royals of the situation?"

I nodded and headed for the doors as there was currently nothing more I could do by staying. I would explain the situation to the High King and Gentle Queen and leave it to them to break the news to the younger Royals, especially Queen Lucy. Just before I left, Alithia made a request. "Oreius, if you should see Tuulea, might you inform her that I would be glad of any assistance she could render?"

I didn't hesitate before agreeing and I decided to find Tuulea first. Though she currently chose to serve their majesties as the head seamstress of Cair Paravel, the Black Elder Nymph was very wise and she had often served in the role of healer in the past. I had been more than pleased to hear that she and her husband, Stonebrook, had accepted the invitation extended by the Kings and Queens to come to Cair Paravel. Stonebrook was one of the wisest elders of my tribe and Tuulea more than matched him, though their sons had informed me that Tuulea wanted to come to the Cair just so she could mother anyone of the younger generation she could...apparently she was tired of waiting for grandchildren. Fortunately, Katerina Alambiel was included among the Cair's inhabitants who had been taken under Tuulea's wing, so I knew as soon as I explained to Tuulea what was going on, she would immediately help.

I was right, and it only took the mention that it was Katerina Alambiel who was ill for Tuulea to sweep down the halls towards Katerina's chambers. Stonebrook shrugged in the aftermath of his wife's whirlwind departure from the library and commented that Tuulea was rather fond of Katerina Alambiel before he went back to his own work. It was well that I had looked for Tuulea first as it took me much longer to find and then gain a private word with the High King and the Gentle Queen, especially since Queen Susan had been supervising the decorating of the Great Hall. In the end, High King Peter had been forced to send a message via a Hummingbird in order to locate his sister among the crowd.

It was past noon by the time I had finished explaining to the eldest Royals in the privacy of the High King's study what had happened. Queen Susan looked at me with wide eyes and her concern was readily apparent in her voice as she asked, "Are you quite certain that she does not need Lucy's cordial?"

"It is Alithia's belief that she can recover without it, though it will take some time."

Queen Susan nodded silently as she allowed Peter to speak, "Oreius, we will take care of letting Lucy know and of keeping her from disturbing Katerina before Alithia believes it wise. However, please make sure Alithia is aware that we would like to know if there is any change with our Katerina's health."

I gave my word to do so then bowed before leaving the study. I did not envy them the task of not only informing Queen Lucy that her friend was ill but also keeping her from her side for an unknown amount of time. After all, the youngest Royal had formed a very strong attachment to Katerina Alambiel that continued to grow even stronger every time the two interacted with each other. No, I did not envy them that task at all.

I spent the rest of the day tending to my duties, but concern over Katerina's sudden illness was a constant presence in the back of my mind. As soon as I could, I made my way back to her chambers with the faint hope of finding her much recovered from that morning. However, I knew that was not the case as soon as I saw Alithia conferring with Tuulea just outside the bedroom door, which they had pulled to until it was nearly shut. Tuulea had placed a comforting hand on Alithia's wrist then she waved for me to come closer. I noted that Alithia looked frustrated in addition to being worried, and Tuulea confirmed my growing suspicion. "Ah, Oreius, I suppose you are here to learn how things go? Of course, you are. Now, as far as we can tell this is not the result of foul play nor is it the result of that little bout of increased training you put her through earlier this month, so you just put that thought out of your head right this instant. She opened her eyes a few times this afternoon, but the poor dear was so miserable that I doubt she'll remember a thing. The biggest concern is that her fever has risen and we don't dare leave her alone for more than a few minutes at a time. In fact, it is about time to change out the cloths. Alithia?"

Tuulea barely paused for breath throughout her entire speech, much less for anyone to answer her, before she began speaking again. "You wish to help, Oreius? Of course, you do. Now, there are several ways you could help...hmm, give me a moment to think of what they are."

I glanced at where Alithia was leaning over Katerina Alambiel, and even from where I stood outside the doorway, I could tell that Katerina's color was off. I knew immediately how I wanted to help and I looked down to find that Tuulea was watching me closely. She didn't say anything and I spoke in a low, firm tone. "I will take the night watch."

She nodded slowly, though I wasn't entirely certain that it was solely in response to my statement. "That seems like a wise choice. Alithia and I will take care of her in the day, and I shall make sure that anyone who inquires too closely after the night arrangements knows that she is well guarded. Now, you will find plenty of cloths on this table here and be sure that the water is cool not freezing. Keep them on her forehead and the side of her neck. Her fever will probably rise even higher over the next day or two, so expect to be changing out the cloths frequently. Oh, and try to see if you can wake her enough that she'll drink some water. It doesn't matter if it's only a sip or two, just make sure she drinks something. If you suspect she has taken a turn for the worse, you send for me, understand? Good."

Tuulea didn't even wait for me to say a word before she shooed Alithia out of the room, I could hear Tuulea telling her that we would be fine and that she needed to see to her own family. Then, the doors shut behind them and I was left standing in front of Katerina's bedroom. Stepping into the room, I was shocked at how bad she looked even compared to that morning. She was so pale that the sweat-darkened strands of hair clinging to her face and neck looked black by comparison. I stayed by Katerina's side all night, in fact the only times I moved away was to change out the water for the cloths. Alithia had mentioned that she might recover within a few days, but I highly doubted that would be the case as her fever started climbing again during the hours after midnight.

Alithia relieved me at sixth hour and I forced myself to participate in the festivities for Christmas Eve, though I was too concerned for Katerina Alambiel to truly enjoy myself. I made an appearance at the Christmas Eve feast, but I only stayed long enough to make sure my absence would not cause comment. As soon as I could manage it, I slipped away and went back to my self-appointed post. Tuulea looked up as I entered the room and nodded, but I stopped her before she left. "Is she supposed to look so pale, Tuulea? I've seen mortally wounded soldiers who had more color in their skin than she has right now."

Tuulea patted me on the forearm as she reassured me that as terrible as Katerina Alambiel looked at that moment, she actually wasn't dying. After Tuulea left, I looked down at Katerina's still form for a moment before I moved the table holding the current bowl of water being used to a place where it would be in easy arm's reach of my chosen watch post. It bothered me to see her so still, in the months since she came here, I had yet to see her be perfectly still save for when she was running through her tracking skills with Sherket and Sefu. But, this was different, she was too still and too pale for my liking...far too still and too pale...too fragile. For someone who wasn't dying, she could have been based on how bad she looked, to my eyes anyway.

It was an hour 'til midnight when my concerns for how still Katerina Alambiel had been were proven unfounded. I was about to try and wake her in an attempt to coax her into accepting some water when I heard her make a slight sound, almost like a half-formed sob. I leaned in closer to see if she had awoken on her own and she suddenly twisted away from my presence. I straightened in shock as she moved her head restlessly and her hands fluttered in exhausted half-attempts at blocking the attack of an unseen enemy. She was having a nightmare, a very bad one judging by her actions.

I set the cup of water back down and started talking to her in a low voice as I reached out and stilled her hands, which clenched into fists at my touch. "Katerina, Katerina Alambiel, shhh, it's just a nightmare. I'm here. You are not alone, I promise. It's just a nightmare, don't believe it. Shhh, I'm here and you are not alone. Katerina Alambiel, I promise you I'm here and I will stay for as long as you need me." As I continued to speak, I noticed that she slowly relaxed her hands and stopped moving so restlessly until finally the only sign of the nightmare was the lone tear that slid down her left cheek. I brushed the tear away but her skin was so hot I wouldn't have been surprised to find my hand had been burned from the contact. I kept talking to her as I soaked another set of cloths and placed them against her neck and on her forehead. After coaxing her into taking a small sip of water, I kept my hand over her limp ones in hopes that she would be able to sense that I hadn't broken my promise by leaving while I watched her slip back into a restless sleep.

I sensed his presence before I heard the scrape of boot against a section of the marble floor that wasn't covered by a rug and my hand automatically went to my side grasping for a sword that wasn't there. I wheeled to face the newcomer, nearly upsetting the table holding the bowl of water and dwindling supply of cloths as I moved to stand between Katerina's bed and the being in the parlor. He filled the doorway and raised his hands when he spotted me and I relaxed from my defensive stance as I recognized who stood before me. I bowed my head in respect, "Forgive me, I did not realize it was you at first."

He chuckled and waved away my apology as I moved to light some fresh candles while he took a close look at Katerina Alambiel. "Oreius, you are a warrior and a protector. I would be surprised if you didn't have such a reaction to anyone who intruded on your watch duties, even me. Now, let's see what we have here." I glanced over my shoulder to see him dig into his bag while he continued in a low, conversational tone that seemed to be directed both at me and at himself. "Unfortunately, it is not in my power to heal her illness. However, I do have something that will cheer her immensely once she wakes long enough to appreciate it, if I do say so myself. Now, where did I put that...ah, here it is. Yes, these will do quite nicely."

I moved closer as he lifted several sketchbooks and other artistic supplies out of his bag and deposited them in the chair on the other side of the table by her bed and then he added a pair of very fine leather vambraces to the pile. I smirked and he laughed before he picked his bag up, slung it over his shoulder, and then he disappeared back into the parlor which he left without ever opening the door. I glanced from the art supplies to Katerina Alambiel who was lying perfectly still again, and I wondered what exactly she drew. I had known that she sketched a rough outline of her knives for Baumur, but I never guessed that she would do more.

The rest of the night passed peacefully save for when another nightmare struck her at about fourth hour. The second one seemed worse as it took me much longer to calm her down and her fever definitely had risen again. I talked to her until I heard the doors open and I knew Alithia had come to relieve me. Alithia, Tuulea, and I settled into a routine where they took care of Katerina Alambiel until I relieved them for the night watch though Tuulea fussed at me a little for going too long without sleep myself. I might have missed some sleep, but I was still better off than Katerina Alambiel whose fever would level for up to an hour or two and then it would rise again. I continued to keep watch over her and provide reassurances when the nightmares struck her, which had worsened until she had reached a point where I suspected that if her throat had not been too hoarse, she would have been screaming. As it was, she would often murmur hoarsely when in the midst of the nightmares but I could never quite make out what she was saying. Finally, after supervising the Kings' training three days after Christmas, I heard from Tuulea that Katerina Alambiel's fever had broken at the ninth hour that morning and she was now on the road to recovery. She woke later that afternoon.

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When I first opened my eyes I felt like I had been run over by a herd of elephants and then flattened by a blue whale (sometimes I surprised myself with the mental pictures I came up with...this was one of them). I blinked the world into focus and spied Tuulea sitting in a chair by my bed as she worked on a sewing project of some sort. The Black Elder Nymph was one of the kindest women I had met and I was also a little relieved to see her instead of someone else because she would be the other sole being in Narnia privy to one of my darkest secrets if not the story behind it. She looked up and smiled at me through the inky black hair that had fallen over her face as she worked. I tried to smile back, but I couldn't quite manage it instead I gasped out my most pressing need, "Water...please."

Tuulea immediately poured me a glass and then held it to my lips so I could drink it. Thank God for water, thank God for Tuulea, thank God for Tuulea helping me with the water...did I mention I was extremely thirsty and therefore extremely thankful to have the thirst quenched? After helping me to the bathroom and back, Tuulea pressed a hand to my forehead then she ordered me to stay still while she fetched Alithia. Honestly, where was I going to go? I might have passed the sick as a dog stage, but I was still weak as a newborn kitten as witnessed by the fact that I was barely able to walk the short distance between the bed and the bathroom even with Tuulea's help. Thus, Tuulea's order was redundant.

Alithia hurried into the room and gave me a thorough examination before she asked, "How do you feel?"

There should be a law against asking these kinds of pointless questions. "Horrible." How else would I feel? I just suffered through a non-contagious version of the flu, what did she expect me to say? That I was fine and ready to start a new career as a circus entertainer? Although, I didn't think that example actually worked as I didn't think Narnia had a circus, so maybe it would have been a new career as court magician... Fortunately, I managed to keep these thoughts to myself, especially since Alithia probably would have taken them as confirmation I had gone completely insane...er.

Alithia nodded, "I'm not surprised, Katerina Alambiel, you've been unconscious with a high fever for the better part of five days. It will probably take a few more days before you fully recover. In the mean time, I want you to stay in bed and continue to rest, I don't want you to start moving around and cause a relapse. I'll be back to check on you in the morn and we shall see exactly how long you need to stay abed."

Tuulea stayed with me for a little bit after Alithia left and even though she told me I would have to wait at least another day before I could have a bath, she did unbraid, brush, and re-braid my hair. Tuulea reassured me that she and Alithia were the only ones who had seen to my personal needs, so no one else in Narnia knew about my secret. I was too exhausted to stay awake much longer and I was already drifting off as Tuulea informed me that someone would be in the parlor if I needed any help during the night, but I fell asleep before I heard the name of my nighttime guardian. The only thing I remembered from that night was the faint recollection of shivering from the cold and then murmuring my thanks in my half-asleep state as someone pulled the sheets up and tucked them around my shoulders.

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29 Yule 1001

The next afternoon to my relief, I was allowed to bathe and wash the crummy feeling of being sick off my skin. I even tolerated having to let Tuulea assist me, if it meant I could feel totally and completely clean again. Tuulea chattered softly and I felt myself relaxing as I listened to her voice while she scrubbed my hair with a shampoo that smelled like cinnamon and sandalwood (not my normal shampoo choice but Tuulea was quick to remind me that since I wasn't sneaking around there was no need for my scent to be subtle). But, then she said something that I was certain I had heard wrong until I asked her to repeat it. She happily obliged, "As I said, Child, Oreius kept watch over you during the nights while Alithia and I took care of you in the day. He was quite concerned by how he found you the morn you took ill and he made it very clear that he would be the one to take the night vigils. A few well-placed words from my lips to certain ears that General Oreius himself would be keeping watch over you at night resulted in any mischief that might have occurred dying before the owners of such thoughts could fully dream them up. The young one tends to have that effect on the ill-mannered lot, no matter who he decides to protect and shield from any type of harm."

I was too busy pondering the fact that the memories I had half-dismissed as the products of my feverish dreams were real to really notice what else Tuulea was saying as she helped me out of the tub and get dressed in a thick wool nightgown. I was momentarily distracted from my thoughts as I refused to let Tuulea do anything other than pull my hair back into a thick braid. I couldn't hide my smile as Tuulea grumbled over not being allowed to do something more interesting with my hair. Poor Tuulea, I truly was a challenge for her as I refused to allow more than the simplest of embroidery on my clothing, which so far I had succeeded in keeping to only practical tunics, trousers, and skirts (Tuulea, Susan, and Lucy were plotting how to get me into something less basic...I was winning through sheer stubbornness). Not to mention the fact that I also refused to do anything complicated with my hair. Nor, would I allow it to hang loose, the length made it impractical with my preferred daily activity and my own quirks had caused me to promise myself not to let anyone see me with my hair down if I could keep from it (hanging in a sleep braid doesn't count, no matter what Tuulea says).

After Tuulea got me settled in bed to her satisfaction (this included the fluffing of pillows, tucking and re-tucking of sheets, smoothing of hair, and a peck on the top of the head), I drifted off again as she chattered about the Kings and Queens. When I woke, Tuulea was gone and I couldn't hear anyone moving around in my parlor. I lay there staring at the canopy overhead for a while, then I carefully levered myself up on my elbows and tried to find something to preoccupy myself with before I died of boredom. Unfortunately, the book that had been on my bedside table had apparently been moved to an unknown location at an unknown time. I laid back down and closed my eyes in an attempt to fall asleep again, but that worked about as well as when I was ten and I tried to scale a seven-foot brick wall with a broken arm...in other words, not at all.

I gave up trying to sleep and frowned as I tried to determine where my book might have been moved to, and then I perked up as I remembered the desk in the parlor. The book would probably be there. I carefully sat up and pulled on a night robe (like any sane person sneaking from their sickbed) before I tried to stand. The room swam a tiny bit but then it stopped and I took several shaky steps towards the end of the bed, I braced myself against the bedpost as I listened for any movement on the other side of the door. Hearing nothing, I wobbled my way to the door and managed to get halfway to the desk before my legs buckled. I would have fallen flat on my face if someone hadn't grabbed me mid-fall, I tilted my head back to meet the gaze of my frowning rescuer who shook his head and grumbled as he scooped me up, "You just can't stay out of trouble when you're conscious, can you?"

I shrugged even as I decided Oreius was still being a bit of a grouch, and then I tried to avoid returning to the boring existence of the sickbed I had just escaped. "Wait, wait, don't make me go back in there yet. Let me stay out here for a little while, please, Oreius. I can rest on the settee just as easily as in bed. Please, Oreius."

Oreius paused and gave me a skeptical look. "You will not try to get up and move if I put you on the settee, Katerina Alambiel?"

"Yes, I promise. No moving from the settee." The moment he sighed I knew I had won (Lucy wasn't the only one who knew how to plead others into letting her do things).

Oreius put me down on the settee and moved around to stir the fire to life and light some more candles. He was facing away from me when he broke the silence, "What were you trying to do?"

"I wanted to see if the book I was reading had been moved to the desk."

He glanced at the desk as he finished lighting the candles and shook his head, "If you had asked, someone could have told you that Tuulea took all of the books you borrowed back to the library. And, why did you decide to do this?"

I gave a little shrug, "I was bored."

He rolled his eyes at me as he picked up a throw and pulled it over me, "Tell me something, Katerina Alambiel, how often have your mad ideas been preceded by or explained with the declaration that you were bored?"

I had to pause to think about that one (yes, I know that's usually a bad sign), then I looked up at him. "Well...there was that time I...hmm, no that one too...well, apparently all of my more inventive ideas have been directly connected with my state of boredom."

Oreius straightened then he asked me something I didn't expect. "What else do you do when you're bored?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to know, so I can plan ahead of time on how I can either distract or stop you from carrying out the most insane of the bunch."

I bit my lip then I decided it would be unfair to make him go completely blind into the situations I have a habit of landing in. "Well, let's see. I read, but you already know that, I draw, I concoct pranks, which is usually followed by the performance of said pranks...oh and I plan coups."

Oreius had picked up some pillows from the end of the settee when he raised an eyebrow at me, "Do you carry out the coups too?"

I tried to look innocent as I muttered, "Sometimes, but I have to be very bored to do it."

"And, is there any way I can keep said coups from happening that does not involve tossing you in the dungeons?"

I perked up as I thought of what would work and grinned at the Kentauri as I replied, "Oh yes, you could bribe me with a very good book or chocolate or a very good book that I haven't read before with something chocolate to go with it. What? I like books and I like chocolate and bribes involving said items will almost always persuade me to turn from my evil and devious ways of carrying out coups."

Oreius looked at me than shook his head, "You worry me."

I barely kept from laughing as I replied, "I get that a lot."

The cheeky Kentauri actually managed to keep a straight face as he intoned, "I can't possibly imagine why." He tucked the two pillows behind my back then he gave me a funny look, "Cinnamon and Sandalwood?"

I definitely needed to wash that stuff out. I shook my head, "Tuulea." Saying her name reminded me of the questions I wanted to ask Oreius. "Why did you stay with me? Shouldn't you have spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with your family?"

Oreius looked faintly surprised at my question, well, questions, but to his credit, he actually answered me. "I stayed with you because you needed a friend and protector to stand by you. Unlike Tuulea and Alithia, I don't have any immediate family so it made sense for me to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas nights watching over you."

I mulled over his words for a little while as he settled down on the rug in front of the fireplace before I decided to ask another question. "Oreius, why did Tuulea refer to you as a "young one"?"

He grinned before he answered, "Well, there is the fact that she is my elder by a good century and a half. And, because I am only one hundred and seven years old, which is not quite a quarter of the average lifespan for Centaurs."

I couldn't quite hide my shock, "You're only one hundred and seven years old?" He chuckled at my expression and tone as he nodded, while I did some quick calculations in my head. "Wait, so you're essentially the Centaur equivalent of a Human in his 20's?" He shrugged and I took that as an indication that my calculations were close enough. "So, how is it that someone as young as you is the General of the Narnian Army?"

His response was so simple I couldn't help grinning a little. "Aslan chose me."

I pointed at him before I adjusted my pillows so I was in a more comfortable position, "You're a bit arrogant, Oreius, fortunately for you, you've actually earned the right to be that way." He chuckled in reply and I smiled in return. I could feel sleep tugging at me, so I decided to ask one last important question, "Oreius, are we friends?"

In the four months since we had met, I had never seen him looked more shocked than at that moment. He stared at me then he spoke slowly and carefully as if he was examining each word before he said it. "I consider you a friend, Katerina Alambiel, a pesky, sometimes annoying, and fairly insane friend, but a friend nevertheless. I have observed the way you interact with the people here, both friendly and indifferent, and even when you were trying to shield yourself from everything and everyone I could see that you had a good heart. I already consider you my friend and am honored to do so, but I would also like it very much and be honored if you counted me as one of your friends. Even if you never completely let your guard down, I hope you will consider me your friend."

I reached up and ran my thumb over my pendants before I carefully chose my words, "I do consider you my friend, Oreius. I wouldn't be in here talking to you if I did not. Nor, would I have told you how to stop my coup madness." He smirked at that and I changed the topic to something a bit lighter as I asked, "Do you never sleep, Kentauri?"

He chuckled, "Yes and more than you it seems."

I smiled as I whispered, "I doubt that, my friend." I fell asleep shortly after that little exchange. Oreius must have moved me sometime after I drifted off because when I woke in the morning I was back in my bed with the sheets tucked around my shoulders. After that night, our conversations were no longer mostly in the mentor/student vein instead they turned more and more to the varied types of conversation one finds in close friendships. Oreius was quickly becoming my confidant and I was slowly letting him act as one of my shields, but I still left a few barriers standing in the middle. I could only change so fast.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Did you make it to the end? Well, this chapter grew quite a bit during the writing process, so I don't expect to get any complaints about the length being miniscule this time. I had a hard time writing it too, so hopefully it comes across okay. I only have a couple more planned chapters left, but if y'all have any requests let me know and I'll do my best to meet them. Click the little button below and let me know what y'all think about this chapter. Did you like Father Christmas' little cameo? Any requests for the next one?