They planned all day. They did not stop for meals. They knew the risk of this mission and what it could mean for the Narnians, if they were successful or if they failed.

Lily accepted that it was inevitable and that no amount of words or emotion could prevent it or her brother's force. He knew much more than she realized. And it frightened her.

"They're building a bridge?" she asked quietly, becoming more disheartened with every question she asked. Her brother had the answers and was blunt, holding back nothing. But it only raised other questions, some she was afraid to ask.

"How could they hide something like that so easily?"

"Money," Leland said. His tone was hateful, clearly disgusted with what he knew. "He paid off the councilmen that wanted to vote against the bridge. And those that didn't take the bribe were executed. No one is willing to stand up against him. He has control of the council and the generals. And now that they've seen the Narnians – the flying beasts – they will be more willing to believe his lies."

"What has he said about the Narnians?" Caspian asked.

"That they were not myths. And that they kidnapped you. He needed a reason to sway the council to approve his attack – to wipe out the Narnians completely. What he was planning after that, I do not know."

Leland laughed, looking up at Peter, "Alvarez was never good at keeping secret papers locked up."

Lily, Gabriel, Eris and the Pevensies were gathered around Leland, some sitting on the stone table, others standing with their arms crossed; they were wound to tight to sit and relax.

"And now they will be here, right outside…" lily's thoughts drifted, imagining Telmarine soldiers marching through the woods and over the raging River.

"What if we destroy it?" asked Eris. "That would buy us some time."

Leland shook his head, "it's too strong. I've seen it. It would take more than axes to destroy it."

Lily looked at her brother sadly.

Leland met her gaze, "I'm sorry. For keeping these things from you. I did it for your safety as well as the good of the kingdom. If they found out that you knew too much as well…none of us may be here. My life is the only life worth risking."

"So says the one who threw her out a window," smirked Edmund.

Lily smiled and pushed the dark haired boy playfully.

Leland laughed, "it worked, did it not? And now you know everything."

But his eyes glanced nervously to Caspian, as if afraid his lie was not convincing.

But no one took notice of this.

"Well," Peter began, walking around the room as he thought. "We have the plan: Susan, Caspian and I will rescue his Professor and open the gate. Edmund will stand sentinel on the northwest tower and will signal the troops when the gate is down. Leland and Lily will mark the quickest path from the city gates to the castle bridge. And once the troops are in, be mindful of crossbows from the battlements and take the castle."

They nodded in agreement but Caspian was still, staring at the floor. He had to fight for Doctor Cornelius' rescue because he nor the Pevensies would be there if it had not been for him. But he could not win the battle to stay at the How.

"Their armor is flawed at the neck," Leland pointed out, looking at the drawing Edmund had drawn of the Telmarine soldier. "And they're not the brightest stars in the night."

They laughed, their moods lightening.

Leland stood for the first time in three hours. He had pulled his long dark hair back and a light sheen of sweat was on his brow. His dark eyes were tired.

He looks so old, thought Lily.

"We need to leave as soon as possible so we will have the night to cover us."

Peter nodded, "tell Glenstorm to prepare his troops."

….

Lily walked quickly through the forest, seeking solitude for as long as she could before preparing for the journey. She had to breathe, to get away. She wanted to yell at Leland but she knew it would be out of fear. She needed to focus her thoughts on the raid.

Fallen leaves crunched under her boots, her strides taking her deep into the cover of the tall trees. The air was cool and I cleared her mind. Her long hair caught on some branches but she fought her way through, not knowing where her feet would take her. But it was much more pleasant to wander through the woods without snow and icy piercing your skin.

She saw and opening and to her surprise, she had found a cliff. She stepped out of the safety of the trees slowly, not knowing what may see her. But it was breathtaking.

The cliff was sudden, falling hundreds of feet below. It over looked the forests and the river that went off to the right, the mountains to the left where they grew smaller, and far away at the horizon she saw the sea.

She felt very exposed out on the small rocky cliff but the view held her captive and she stared at it: the massive sky and the many colors of the trees and the sea…

She heard cracks of twigs behind her and her breath caught in her throat, wondering who had followed her.

"Not thinking of jumping, are you?" he teased.

She could hear the smile in his voice.

"Am I that easy to read?"

His voice was closer, "you are to me."

She turned to look at him. Caspian was twirling a leaf between his fingers, his brown eyes looking at her innocently.

"I know that you are angry with me," he said carefully, his voice like a purr.

She dropped her eyes and crossed her arms, something she rarely did.

"I do not like being lied to. Especially by Leland…and you."

He stepped up to her side and she noticed that he had grown taller; her eyes were at the level of his shoulder. He had dressed in his uniform and armored vest, a green cape hanging down his back. His sword was in its sheath and at the sight of it, she inhaled deeply, meeting his eyes briefly before looking out to the sea.

"I did not know how much Leland knew either. But what I did know…I did not want you to worry."

"And having me think you were dead is better?"

Her words took him by surprise, she could tell by the long pause that followed. She wondered if she had given away too much…she was never good at expressing her feelings…but what feelings were there to express?

"I … didn't know…" he said slowly.

Even though she was angry, his voice was still the most comforting thing to her now. It was soft, his Telmarine accent made his words gentle and warm.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, "you are my dearest friend. And…"

She took a deep breath, sighing. She felt frustrated. Why was she talking like this? They never talked this way…Her heart was beating fast.

It was then that she understood why.

….

Caspian watched her for a moment, reading the emotions that were revealed in her eyes only to disappear again. He understood her almost as well as Leland did. Or he thought he did. She used to be easy to read…now he looked at her and saw a young woman hiding her emotions. At least she did with him. What was she hiding?

"I never meant hurt you," he finally said.

She turned her head towards him, staring at the ground. She heard him and her eyes flickered as she thought. He began to get frustrated.

He smiled, laughing once without humor, "We never used to be like this."

She looked at him, reading his eyes.

He continued. "I…it was much easier when we were children…to say what's on our minds. Even before we were separated."

Lily's cheeks glowed, like soft roses on her skin.

"I am sorry," she said. "I'm afraid of what is going to happen tonight…"

Caspian understood now: she never liked admitting her fear. But he sensed her distance, even in that moment. She did not look at him. He could not understand the desire in his heart to say things he had never considered saying to her…at least not out loud.

"Every time we keep going back, every time I walk through that castle now…" she waited and he could see the hurt in her eyes. She looked out to the horizon again, no doubt looking to the sea. Her body was graceful in this place, the sun shining gently on her face and long dark hair. But her fear was tangible, as if she saw her greatest fear before her.

"I fear one of us won't come back out."