It took the group a short while to reach the Stone Tables, to find that a tomb was built up around it now. As they approached the entrance, a voice called out to them warningly.

"That is close enough!"

Makeeda signaled for the crowd to stop as she watched a centaur walking closer to them.

"I bring Narnians, we are allies." she said aloud.

He watched Shruikan as he landed beside the Varden. He looked back to Makeeda.

"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am Makeeda. This is Gabriella. We are your Queens."

He did not hesitate to bow to her after she said this.

"We have been waiting for you."
"You know us?"
"Of course."
"Why did you not address your High Queen first?"
"No." Gabriella said. "Please, answer to Makeeda. I cannot lead you as well as she can."

Makeeda looked at Gabriella for a moment, then back to the centaur.

"Why have you built a tomb here?"
"It is the only place the Narnians have found to be safe."
"How is morale?"
"We have nothing, your majesty, except angry Narnians who want their freedom back." he said, lowering his head slightly.
"Build a forge. As good of a forge as you can. I want weapons made, and scouts to be on watch at all times. They need to be stationed on rotating shifts."
"Yes, my Lady." he replied, leading them into the tomb.

Makeeda looked at Gabriella before they walked with their group.

"Do not ever shame your crown like that again." she said.

"My Lady… We have news from Telmar." the centaur Bane said to Makeeda. "Two nights ago, Miraz's wife had a son. Prince Caspian has been reported missing. The Narnians are blamed for such events… We must prepare for an attack."

Makeeda nodded in agreement.

"Prepare our men, make sure that they are ready to respond to an ambush."
"Yes m'am."

As Bane left, a fawn came in the room.

"My Lady, more Narnians are approaching the tomb."
"Be sure they are tended to if needed, and give them a position in our army if they are able."
"Yes m'am." he said, bowing and leaving.

Makeeda looked at Gabriella, shaking her head.

"When will it stop?" she asked. "How the Telmarines think Narnia is theirs is beyond my comprehension…"
"The Narnians will have their kingdom back. In time." Gabriella replied.
"It would be easier to lead them with our Kings and Queens…"
"I miss them."
"As do I…"
"I cannot imagine what they would do if they knew…"
"Knew what?" Makeeda questioned.
"What the Telmarines did to us…"

Gabriella's eyes did not meet Makeeda's as she looked around the room to avoid them.

"What would he have done?" she asked.
"He…" Gabriella laughed. "I would imagine he would be able to spit fire."

Makeeda laughed, nodding her head as she thought of Peter. He had been a caring husband, Gabriella being someone he quickly fell in love with after meeting her. She remembered the night Gabriella had been taken to the castle, found wandering alone in the forest by Narnian scouts. She had told the Kings and Queens she was from Calormen, traveling alone to find a home in Narnia during its Golden Age. She had claimed her family had died of sickness and she left because of it, and Peter agreed to give her a home in Cair Paravel. They were fast friends and were married a year later.

"What would Edmund say?"

Makeeda remembered a time when Edmund told her if anyone ever hurt her they would have him to answer to. She knew he was protective over her, but could not imagine what he would do if he found out a man took her against her will.

"I do not know what he would say… He would be angry."

Gabriella smiled.

"I miss all of them."
"My Lady!" the fawn said, running back into the room, making Makeeda and Gabriella stand at his alarming voice. "You may want to see this!"

The women followed the fawn out of the room, walking quickly to the forge in the main room of the tomb. They stopped to examine the numbers that had joined them, the fawn turning to them.

"The Narnians had four leaders with them."
"Leaders?"
"Yes." he said, pointing at the crowd.

Makeeda's stomach dropped as she took in the sight of the four leaders of the Narnians. Her jaw hung open as a centaur stepped forward to greet them.

"Who are you that lead the Narnians to us?" he asked.
"They are your Kings and Queens of Narnia." Makeeda told him and the crowd bowed to them.