Author's Note: Another chapter, much sooner than I had intended! I'm very happy with this chapter. It practically wrote itself, so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's rare that my characters just take over and steal the scene away from me. But I especially hope you like the second half of the chapter, since this is the first "romance" scene I've tried to write, save for the wedding in the prologue. Anyway, read and review, and of course, enjoy!

Chapter Nine: Emotions

Peter led the group back to the tree-line, where they found some old logs and small boulders to use for seats. They settled down on the make-shift seats and then the four royals turned to Trumpkin and fixed him with attentive gazes. "Now then," Peter began, taking control of the situation. "If you would, please, Trumpkin, tell us what has been happening in Narnia? The last thing that we know of what has happened is that we left to hunt the White Stag."

Trumpkin frowned in thought. "I'll do my best to tell you, but keeping the history has always been my friend Trufflehunter the Badger's forte." He paused to gather his thoughts, although he still seemed skeptical of their identities. "After you disappeared from Narnia, Queen Krisalyn continued to rule Narnia. The stories say that she never gave up hope that you would return and reclaim your thrones. About five years after you went missing, the first attacks on the Narnia border occurred by the Telmarines."

All four of the Pevensies shook their heads, but didn't say anything to interrupt the narration. Peter noticed that Trumpkin hadn't said anything about his child, which made his heart clench in fear. Had Krisalyn lost this baby too? He mentally shook himself. Perhaps Trumpkin simply didn't know anything about it. He and Krisalyn had not formally announced that they were expecting another child, since they had planned to do so when he and his siblings had returned from the hunt. If Trumpkin had never had cause to be in the Court, he very well might not know that Krisalyn was pregnant. Just because the dwarf hadn't mentioned it didn't mean that Krisalyn had lost the baby.

"The Telmarines were well-armed and organized," Trumpkin replied. "From what I understand, the land of Telmar had been devastated by a famine, so the entire nation packed up and moved east, looking for a new place to live. They encountered Narnia, not realizing that it was occupied, but when they saw Narnians for the first time, they believed Narnia to be a wild, untamed land, and they attacked. Because they were so well organized, they were able to push quite far into Narnia before word reached Cair Paravel of the invasion."

Peter glanced at his siblings, nodding to validate the point. Edmund had always had charge over the Western Marches of Narnia, and there were very few Narnians living in that area. If the Telmarines had attacked as viciously as Trumpkin was describing, it was quite possible that until they reached more occupied lands, no one had realized what was going on. The lack of residents in the Western Marches had always been one of that region's greatest weaknesses, since it could take quite some time for news to reach Cair Paravel.

"The Queen and Council immediately called the army together and sent messages to Archenland, but Archenland couldn't spare anyone to help because Calormen had been attacking their borders. By the time that situation was resolved, the Telmarines had control of Narnia."

The Pevensies were horrified, but Trumpkin wasn't finished yet. The dwarf continued. "The army went out to meet the Telmarines, but they were defeated quite soundly, and driven back and back until the Telmarines were able to lay siege to Cair Paravel. Those who barricaded themselves inside Cair Paravel held out as long as they could, but the siege was finally broken and they surrendered. It was just about this time that, so rumors say, Queen Krisalyn disappeared. If anyone knows what happened to her, no one is saying."

Peter felt his heart clench again with worry, but he again forced it from his mind. Now was not the time to be worrying about his wife. Wherever she was, she had to be safe. He had no doubt that if the Telmarines had captured Krisalyn, everyone in Narnia would know it. He took a deep, steadying breath. "Please, continue good Dwarf."

Trumpkin shrugged. "After they captured Cair Paravel, the Telmarines began hunting the Narnians down systematically. The Narnians fled into the deepest parts of the woods, and when the Telmarines followed us in, the Narnians would ambush them. After almost a year of this, the Telmarines stopped going into the woods, and the Narnians stopped coming out. Most of the Telmarines now believe that the Narnians are extinct, so our lives have been mostly peaceful, but we don't dare to venture far beyond the woods."

'What about the trees?" Lucy asked. "They are so quiet…"

"Many of the dryads were killed when the Telmarines began cutting down the trees to make their homes and cities," Trumpkin replied disgustedly. "The rest retreated so deeply into the trees that they've never been heard from again."

Edmund and Peter exchanged glances. "Trumpkin, you say the Narnians never leave the woods. How is it that you were captured?" the Just King asked.

"Two days ago I was at Trufflehunter's place with Nikabrik the Black Dwarf," Trumpkin answered. "There was a disturbance from outside, and we went out to see what was going on. A Telmarine soldier was lying on the ground outside and he was apparently being pursued by other soldiers. I was about to take care of him with my sword, when I noticed an ivory horn lying on the ground beside him."

Susan gasped. "My horn! But how did a Telmarine soldier get hold of it, or even know what it was?"

Trumpkin shrugged. "The Telmarines may have gotten hold of it when they captured Cair Paravel. I wanted to know why he had it, so I left him lying there and told Nikabrik to take care of him. I went after the other Telmarines that were pursuing him. I heard him sound the horn, but then it cut off. I looked back to see that Nikabrik had knocked him out, and then I was knocked out and taken prisoner."

Peter frowned deeply. "So the Telmarines know the Narnians still exist."

Trumpkin nodded. "Oh yes. I was hauled into the Telmarine Council and I overheard their Lord Protector Miraz say something about Prince Caspian, and also that he intended to eliminate all of the Narnians if it meant getting Prince Caspian back."

Peter's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It sounds like the soldier that was being chased was Prince Caspian. But why would the Telmarines be chasing their Prince?"

Trumpkin shook his head. "I don't know."

Peter sighed as he considered everything that Trumpkin had told them. After a moment, he looked back at the Dwarf. "Trumpkin, what happened when Archenland beat back the Calormens? Did they send additional troops?"

Trumpkin shrugged. "I don't know. I was still a young Dwarf at that time, since it was almost twenty-three years ago. My father was working with the resistance, but I don't believe that Archenland ever did send reinforcements to aid us. King Cor –"

All four Pevensies smiled at that for a moment, making Trumpkin pause in his recitation. The Dwarf looked at them, puzzled. "What did I say?"

Peter chuckled softly. "King Cor. We went to Archenland to celebrate the birth of he and his twin brother Corin, and Queens Susan and Lucy and King Edmund were in Calormen when Cor was found, after having been missing for ten years." He shook his head, remembering. "But, please, continue."

Trumpkin still looked skeptical. "King Cor did send a message, I believe, but I don't know what was in it. But I don't believe they ever launched a counter-invasion of Narnia against the Telmarines. They do aid us by sending supplies clandestinely at times. Because of the Telmarines' fear of the woods, the gryphons are able to fly over the border to fetch supplies and bring them back."

Peter frowned slightly before he glanced over at his siblings. Susan and Lucy were visibly upset at what Trumpkin had told them, and while Edmund appeared calm, Peter knew that his Just brother was inwardly seething at what had happened to their beloved home. Peter was also upset. Narnia's welfare, as a whole, had always fallen on his shoulders and to know what had happened because he and his family weren't there to stop it…it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Peter turned back to Trumpkin. "Can you take us to the Narnians?"

Trumpkin knew where the Narnians were likely to go if they felt that they were once again in danger from the Telmarines. Fortunately, it wasn't far from the River, just north a short ways and then inland to the east. Trumpkin thought that it would take them about a day's walk to reach it, which meant they would be there just after mid-day the next day.

After Peter and Edmund put their now-dry shirts back on, Trumpkin led the way, skirting the edge of the forest that surrounded the Dancing Lawn and heading inland. It was a strange little procession that they made. Peter and his siblings were still dressed in their English clothes, the likes of which had only rarely been seen in Narnia. None of them were armed, which meant they would have to be extra cautious, because if what Trumpkin had overheard was true, the Telmarines were still searching for their missing prince. If they were caught, they wouldn't be able to defend themselves.

None of them were quite sure where they were going. Trumpkin had called it Aslan's How, but that name meant nothing to the Pevensies, except for the fact that it was named for Aslan. The dwarf had assured them that it was quite defensible, and had in fact been constructed at the suggestion of the Faun Tumnus when word first reached Cair Paravel of the Telmarine invasion.

"Mr. Tumnus suggested it?" Lucy asked, pleased to hear news of her first friend in Narnia.

Trumpkin nodded. "So the stories say."

Lucy hesitated for a moment. "Trumpkin, whatever happened to those who defended Cair Paravel? The Beavers and Tumnus, General Oreius and the others?"

Trumpkin frowned. "I don't know about the centaur Oreius, since he traveled with the army to fight off the Telmarines. If he survived, I had never heard of it. The Beavers and the other defenders of the Cair vanished at the same time as Queen Krisalyn. Some say that together they helped the Queen escape just before Cair Paravel fell, but what happened after that has been lost."

Edmund looked skeptical. "In only twenty years?"

Trumpkin shook his head. "Twenty-five, and yes. The Narnians were scattered when Cair Paravel fell, and along with it were all the records. It took years just for the Narnians to come together, and if a group left Cair Paravel specifically for the purpose of getting the Queen to safety, they never rejoined the others."

Peter sighed at the thought. That no one knew what had become of his wife and child was deeply troubling him. He was certain, however, that if it had looked like Cair Paravel would fall, that the Council would have done everything in their power to get Krisalyn and the child to safety, even if she refused to go. She had family in Archenland, which made it the most logical place for her to go. Cor would never deny his cousin and her child refuge.

Susan stepped closer to her brother. "Don't worry, Peter. Everything will be fine."

Peter smiled half-heartedly at his sister, grateful that she was trying to keep his spirits up. He was getting tired of hearing them say that everything would be fine, but until they had solid proof of what had happened, that was all the comfort that they could offer him.

Sometimes, Peter reflected to himself, sometimes the burden of being High King is too much even for me to carry. Like now. Not knowing what had happened to his wife, but knowing that he had to put Narnia's welfare, and that of her people, ahead of his own personal needs was not always easy for him. Fortunately, the conflict had only rarely come up during the fifteen years that they had ruled Narnia. The only time when he had found himself torn in this way was after Krisalyn had lost their first baby. They had tried so hard to get past their grief, but it had, up to that point, been the hardest thing they had ever had to cope with.

But just after Krisalyn had miscarried, word had come that there was trouble up near Ettinsmoor. The giants were supposedly stirring for an attack on Narnia, and Peter had been forced to leave Krisalyn to deal with it. Fortunately, Lucy and Susan had still been at Cair Paravel to help, and Edmund had come along with Peter, but the separation, so soon after the tragedy had been difficult for both of them, and when Peter had returned after quelling the unrest in Ettinsmoor…well, it hadn't helped.

Peter and Edmund rode up to castle at the head of their victorious regiment of troops who had accompanied them to Ettinsmoor to settle the rumors of unrest among the giants. This wasn't the first time they'd had to do so, and it wouldn't be the last.

Edmund noticed that his brother seemed glad to be home. During the – thankfully – brief campaign, he had noticed that whenever they weren't discussing strategy or actually engaged in battle, Peter had been very melancholy and had kept to himself. Edmund knew what was causing his brother to be so quiet as well. The recent loss of his unborn child, only a few weeks ago, had left his brother and sister-in-law grief-stricken.

Their people had been very sympathetic to their King and Queen's loss, and very supportive. Lucy, Susan, and Edmund had taken over as many of Peter and Krisalyn's duties as they could in order to give them the time they needed to grieve. Peter and Krisalyn had appreciated their efforts, but when word came that the giants of Ettinsmoor were planning an attack, Peter had had no choice but to lead the regiment sent to deal with the situation.

Edmund had offered to go alone, with General Oreius as his second-in-command, but Peter had pointed out that Ettinsmoor was part of the Northern Marches, and it was his area of responsibility. Krisalyn had understood, and had urged Peter to go. Although she had wanted him to stay, she had known that he needed to go, that it was part of his duty as High King.

Together the two Kings entered the courtyard of their castle and, turning in their saddles, dismissed the troops that followed them so that they could go home to their own families. The soldiers all saluted their Kings before beginning to disband. Peter and Edmund turned back to the steps of the castle and dismounted. Servants came out to take the Kings' horses and gear to be cleaned and taken up to their rooms.

Peter looked up at the steps leading to the great doors and saw both of his sisters and his wife standing at the top of the steps, smiles on their faces as they waited to welcome he and Edmund home. The two brothers ascended the steps together and smiled at the waiting women.

Lucy broke the line first and ran into Peter's arms. Despite the fact that she was twenty years old, she still fit easily into Peter's arms. He reached down and embraced her tightly as Susan came over to hug Edmund, with Krisalyn right behind her. After a moment, Lucy broke the hug and moved over to greet Edmund. Susan stepped aside to give her room before walking over to her older brother and giving him a brief hug as well. They were the two oldest, and while there was a great deal of caring and affection between them, they showed it in different ways than they did with their two younger siblings.

As Susan stepped back, Krisalyn stepped forward to greet her husband. She smiled at him, although Peter could see that there was still a bit of strain in her features, and she was rather pale. He reached forward and pulled her into his arms, dropping a deep kiss on her lips, not caring that they were in public. The last three weeks had been stressful for him and at times he had wanted nothing more than to have Krisalyn with him. Her gentle voice and words of encouragement would have helped immensely during the campaign.

As they broke the kiss, Peter pulled her forward so that her head rested on his shoulder and he reached out and smoothed her black hair away from her forehead before leaning down and dropping a kiss onto the top of her head. He sighed. This was home for him. He felt a great deal of the strain and stress melting away just because he was able to hold her in his arms.

"Kris, beloved," he murmured against her hair. "It's good to be home."

"I'm glad you're back, Peter. I've missed you," she whispered. She looked up at him, and he could see that some of the color had returned to her cheek, and some of the strain had faded, although she still looked pale and tired. Concern welled up in him.

"Are you well, Kris?" he asked her softly.

"As well as can be expected, my lord," she replied softly. "I will not say that everything has been perfect while you have been away, but I've managed."

Peter didn't like the sound of that. He knew that Kris was still upset about the son that they had lost, as was he, but he had had other things on his mind of late, and he'd been able to push his grief aside in order to deal with the unrest in Ettinsmoor. He'd had Edmund and Oreius with him to help keep him focused on what needed to be done, and he'd managed.

Releasing his wife, he grasped her hand and started to lead her inside. After a few steps he paused and turned back to his siblings. He started to excuse them, but Susan shook her head.

"Go on, Peter. I ordered a hot bath drawn for you, and you and Kris have a lot to catch up on. We'll see you at dinner."

Peter smiled, the first truly genuine smile he'd felt since the night when his child had been lost. "Thanks, Su. We'll see you at dinner."

Edmund pouted as Peter started to turn away. "You mean I have to order my own bath?"

Lucy reached out and smacked him, gently, trying to repress a giggle. "Of course not, Ed. I took care of it for you. Now get out of here. You smell like horse, sweat, and dirt."

Peter chuckled as he and Krisalyn began walking towards the doors again and he heard Edmund's protest behind him. "What do you expect, Lu? I've been out on campaign, and I just spent the last three days on horseback."

His siblings' banter faded as Peter and his wife entered the castle and headed for the stairs which would take them to their apartments in the tallest tower of the castle. As they passed servants and friends in the halls, everyone greeted their returned King and his Queen, and Peter had the presence of mind to return their greetings, even though all he wanted at the moment was to be alone with Kris, followed by a hot bath, hot food, and about a week's worth of sleep.

Normally the walk to his apartments didn't bother him, but as weary as he was, each step seemed to sap more and more of his strength before he reached his door. Krisalyn reached out and pushed the door open, and led him inside. Peter closed the door behind them and made sure that it was firmly latched before he pulled Krisalyn back to him and captured her lips again with another searing kiss.

When they finally broke for air, Krisalyn leaned her weight against him. "I'm so glad that you're home safe and uninjured, Peter. I've been so worried."

Peter reached down and lifted her chin so he could meet her eyes. "Why were you worried? I had Ed and Oreius watching my back. Nothing was going to happen."

"I couldn't help it, Peter," Krisalyn confessed. "We just lost our son…I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too in such a short time."

Peter moved to speak but she reached up and placed a hand over his lips. "I know you've had dealings with the giants before, and you know how to handle them. I know you had Edmund and Oreius guarding you, and the entire regiment backing you up. But I couldn't help myself. It might have been irrational worry, but I couldn't stop it."

Peter looked down at her. "Krisalyn. You know that I'll always come back to you, don't you? I love you so much. My life has had so much more meaning with you in it. I could never abandon you, or leave you wondering what happened to me." He stared deeply into her intense eyes, which were beginning to fill with tears of relief as the last of the stress in her features began to drain away now that he was home and safe. "I swear it, Kris. I'll never leave you."

Krisalyn's eyes had widened at Peter's words. "Peter, you can't promise that. We never know what the future holds."

Peter shook his head and kissed her again. As soon as he broke the kiss, he looked her right in the eyes. "Only Aslan could ever keep us apart, Krisalyn, and I don't believe that he could be so cruel as to do that. I'll always be there for you and our family."

Krisalyn leaned against him again and rested her head on his shoulder. "Aslan forbid that we would ever be parted like that," she murmured, tears beginning to creep down her cheeks.

Peter wrapped his arms around her and rocked back and forth slowly, giving her the comfort that she obviously needed and had been lacking while he had been gone. He stood there, holding her for several long minutes before she broke away.

"Go take your bath, Peter," she told him softly. "You smell worse than your brother."

"For good reason," Peter replied, a small grin creeping over his lips. "I'm the High King. I have to do everything better than him. It's expected of me."

Krisalyn laughed. "I think that this might be one thing that you don't want to do better than Edmund," she teased him. "Now go, before I have to hold you down and scrub you clean myself."

Peter winked saucily at her. "That doesn't sound that bad to me, if you're planning on joining me."

Krisalyn's jaw dropped open and she swatted his arm. "Go! I don't want to see you again until you're clean and you have clean clothes on. Toss those things to the side, they're going to need a thorough washing before they're fit to be seen or worn again."

Peter pouted as he turned towards their bathing room. "Does that mean that you're not going to join me?"

"Not this time," Krisalyn shot back. "Now go! Dinner starts in just over an hour and you have a lot of work to do to get ready. I'll find you some clean clothes and bring them in shortly."

Peter laughed and headed for the bath that was waiting for him. He closed the door and proceeded to strip his dirty, sweat-stained, horse-smelling clothes off. He had to admit that Lucy and Krisalyn had been right, since he was starting to be able to smell himself.

Steam rose invitingly from the tub and he could smell that his wife had already added his favorite bath salts to it, given the clean scent of sandalwood that rose on the steam. Clean towels had been set out for him, along with a thick, absorbent robe and house shoes. Peter stepped over to the tub and eased himself down, gasping at the feel of the hot water on his skin. It wasn't long before he was up to his neck, soaking the aches of the campaign out along with the sweat and horse smell that had been clinging to him for the last three days.

Krisalyn entered a few minutes later, a pile of clothes in her arms. Peter lazily opened his eyes and stared up at her as she left them on the small table across the room in front of the mirror. "Are you sure you won't join me?" he asked.

"As tempting as it sounds," she teased, "there's no time right now. I wouldn't be able to get ready if you distract me."

Peter sighed heavily and nodded, ducking his head under the water in preparation to washing it. When he surfaced a moment later, water dripping from his hair, he looked up at her. "I don't suppose I could at least get another kiss?" he asked.

"Will it get you out of the tub sooner?" Krisalyn asked, standing with her hands on her hips in mock-impatience.

Peter pretended to consider. "It might."

Krisalyn sighed dramatically and moved over to the tub, pushing up her sleeves so the silk wouldn't get wet. Leaning over the edge of the tub, she lowered her lips to meet Peter's as he pushed himself upright. For a moment he was tempted to pull her into the tub with him, but he knew she wouldn't appreciate it.

She kissed him gently, before pulling back. Looking down at him she smiled. "You'd better hurry, Peter. Dinner will be soon, and you must be starving."

"I am," he replied, his voice husky. "For something besides food."

"Peter!" she protested. Steeping away from the tub, she frowned down at him. "Hurry up and finish Peter, or we'll be late." Turning away, she exited the room, pulling the door closed behind her so Peter could finish getting ready in private.

Peter sighed. As wonderful as the hot water felt, he knew that Krisalyn was right. Quickly soaping up, he dunked back under the water to rinse himself off. He pulled himself out of the tub and reached for a towel so he could begin drying himself off.

Peter smiled to himself as he remembered that night. Dinner had been wonderful, and being home with his family and Kris had done a great deal to ease the stress that being away so soon after Kris lost the baby had brought. Everyone had been glad to welcome their Kings home, and knowing that they had returned victorious, having once again secured peace for Narnia, made their return all the sweeter.

The smile faded from his face as he remembered what had happened after dinner when he and Krisalyn were alone in their rooms together again.

Peter closed the door and leaned wearily against it. The last few weeks had been so exhausting. He hated being out on campaign, for more reasons than just the fact that it meant that Narnia was in danger. The hard travel, the rough conditions, the feeling of always needing to be tense in case of an attack…it sapped his strength it a way that not even the busiest week at Court could do.

For the last three days, his attention had been focused on getting his troops home, and he had shoved his weariness aside. Now that he had gotten himself clean, and had a good, solid meal, the weariness was coming back in force. He and Krisalyn had chosen to retire from dinner early, simply because Peter was so tired. Edmund was just as tired and had nearly fallen asleep over his soup.

Krisalyn had gone to the wardrobe to select a nightgown and her robe, and she turned and saw Peter leaning against the door. She frowned and tossed her nightgown and robe onto the bed before stepping over to Peter. "Peter? Are you all right?"

Peter opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Just tired, Kris. The last three weeks are finally catching up with me."

Krisalyn sighed and leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his back. She rested her head against his chest, craving the contact with him that she hadn't had for three weeks. Susan and Lucy had been incredibly supportive, but it wasn't the same thing as having her husband here with her.

"I've missed you so much, Peter. The last few weeks have felt like one unending nightmare. Everyone has been supportive, but it hasn't been the same thing. I know you needed to go, and I know that I forced you to go…but I didn't think how hard it would be."

Peter wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head. "I know, Kris. If it hadn't been so serious, I wouldn't have left. You know that, right?"

Krisalyn nodded. "I needed you to be here, Peter, but I know why you had to leave. Your responsibilities as King come first. I've always understood that, but that doesn't make it easier, especially after our son…"

Peter closed his eyes, the painful reminder stabbing through him and making him tighten his arms. "I know, Krisalyn. I know. The hardest thing I had to do was to keep my focus on the campaign instead of you and our baby. Edmund was wonderful about helping me keep focused."

Krisalyn sighed. "I'm just glad to have you home, Peter. I hope you don't have to leave again any time soon. I need you here with me."

"I wish I could promise that, love, but you know there's never any guarantees." Peter pulled back slightly so he could look her in the face. "Just remember that as long as I have any choice, I'll always come back to you."

The emotion, the relief of being reunited had been incredible and it had led to a chance for them to purge the feelings that they had been harboring for the past three weeks. Despite her understanding, Krisalyn had been a little resentful that he hadn't been able to be there when she needed him most, and Peter had been resentful that she had pushed him into going with the troops when he wanted to be there. It had been one of the few real fights that they had had, but once the strain and stress and resentment had been purged, their relationship had been stronger than ever.

Peter sighed. All he could hope was that they could resolve the situation with the Telmarines as soon as possible so that he could then go and find Krisalyn and reunite with her again. But Narnia had to come first, of course, as it always did. That was part of the burden of being the High King, and it was part of the oath that he had sworn to Aslan when they had taken the thrones.

Soon, Kris, Peter thought as he followed Trumpkin towards the Narnian refuge. Soon enough we'll be together again. I promised I would always come back for you, and I intend to keep my word.