Lily listened for the birds but there were none, not a sound came from the trees. It was too quiet. The sunshine began to shine through the branches but she still felt a shiver course through her body.

She had stopped behind a great thick rooted tree. She had not traveled far but once she felt the warning in her heart, she had stopped. She felt discomfort and fear strike her heart and she searched the trees.

Then she saw him, a rider on a black horse…a Telmarine horse.

She turned and pushed her feet off the forest floor as fast as she could. She felt panic seize her body and it gave her the strength to sprint through the trees and back onto the field. She saw the How in all its greatness and wondered how it would survive the battle it was about to face. Her brother had been right; the Telmarines were coming here.

Her feet carried her swiftly across the grass and she darted up to the courtyard and down again through the How entrance. Edmund saw her face and looked at the door, expecting to see the thing that was chasing her. He followed her to the Stone Table.

"Peter!" she said breathlessly.

Edmund and Susan came in behind her, their eyes startled.

Peter and Lucy stood, their figures small in front of the Lion statue.

Lily panted but ignored the sting in her chest, "they're here."

They went up to the upper level onto the balcony. Caspian was standing there, already dressed in his battle armor: thick metal, leather, and chainmail encased his chest and his long sword hung at his side. He met Lily's gaze as she came to his side, hearing the shouting.

Everyone's face turned to stone.

A great army of black emerged from the tree line. Their feet stepped in rhythm like thunder and they had great weapons with them like catapults and great crossbows.

Reepicheep scurried to the space between Peter and Caspian.

"Well, I guess we know what we are to do today."

"Yes we do," Peter said evenly. He looked at Caspian, "We have work to do."

….

"Cakes and kettledrums," Trumpkin said skeptically, his deep voice echoing in the silence. "That's your big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!"

"It's our only chance," Peter stressed.

"And she won't be alone," Susan said calmly over the arguing voices.

Trumpkin's eyes pleaded as he looked at Lucy, his dear little friend.

"Haven't enough of us died already?"

"Nikabrik was my friend too," said the badger, stepping forward. "but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I."

Reepicheep stood high on his toes, crossing his sword over his chest. His eyes were filled with reverence, "for Aslan."

"Then I'm going with you," said the blonde dwarf.

Lucy placed her hand on his shoulder, "no, we need you here."

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back," Peter said.

"If I may…" Caspian said quietly from Doctor Cornelius' side. The professor nodded to the prince, encouraging him.

Caspian stood, looking at the faces staring at him. But instead of feeling inferior, he felt confident.

"Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer…but as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people."

Lily questioned her friend but he looked at her purposefully.

"There is one in particular that may buy us some time."