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: When disaster strikes, sometimes even the most conventional warrior must resort to unorthodox measures.

A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. Enjoy!

Unorthodox Measures

Epilogue

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A week after I had first left the camp to find Alambiel and two days after the troops returned to Cair Paravel, I was summoned to appear before the Kings. Entering the council room typically reserved for military matters, I was only slightly surprised that besides the Kings themselves none save the higher-ranking officers and one scribe were present. I stopped before the thrones and bowed, "Your Majesties."

The High King nodded, "General Oreius. You know why We have summoned you?"

"I presume it is in reference to my actions a sennight past."

"It is. You left the camp after battle and ignoring Our own words on the matter concerning the rescue of Dame Sepphora, which We had hoped to achieve through negotiations though in truth We and Our Royal Brother did suspect that the negotiations were but a front. By all rights, General Sir Oreius Cyneward, your actions should be construed as those of one who has gone rogue." The High King met my eyes solemnly. "Are you aware of this?"

I bowed once more. "I am, Your Majesty. I was aware of how my actions would be construed when I first chose to leave the encampment."

The Just King leaned forward then and spoke in the same cool voice I had heard him use these past eight years when he sat in the role of judge, "Then you are acquainted with the entire litany of punishments customarily handed down to those military officers who have gone rogue in the past? Rogue officers are usually punished with having their pay reduced by at least two ranks, which for you would mean a reduction from twelve Lions each Sixthday to four Lions each Sixthday, for a prescribed amount of time, which can range up to four years. Other punishments would include a reduction in military rank, the stripping of the offender's chivalric title, confinement to the barracks, imprisonment in the dungeons, a cessation of any pay for up to two years, or receiving a dishonorable discharge with no hope of returning to military service. You understand these punishments are applicable to you, General Sir Oreius Cyneward?"

I knew it, I understood it far better than even Alambiel did and she had been concerned over what would happen with what she did know. I nodded curtly. "I understand any and all of the punishments may be applied to me, Just King."

"Then understanding how your actions would be construed and having full knowledge of the range of the available punishments for your actions, will you explain to Us why you still resolved to follow this particular course of action?"

"I've never been one to stand by idly when someone was endangered and I could do something to aid them. Ask any of those gathered here who have known me through the Long Winter and Your Majesties' reign. They will confirm this is true. I knew Dame Sepphora was in grave danger, as that had become exceedingly clear with the presentation of her armor and blades, one of which was covered in her blood. Due to the circumstances I could not take a troop to rescue her and flush out the robber baron's men, so I chose to go myself as a private citizen."

King Edmund nodded. "And did the fact that you are courting Dame Sepphora have any bearing on your actions, General Sir Oreius Cyneward?"

I gave a slight bow as I answered, "I would attempt to rescue any who had fallen into the same situation, My King." I paused, weighing my words for what I freely said to Alambiel I did not deem suitable to say before an audience, most especially within a formal hearing that was being transcribed. Then I continued, maintaining my formal tone, as suited the situation. "Nevertheless, I do not deny that my...particular connection with Dame Sepphora had a substantive role in my decision to proceed with my plan."

The Just King studied me and I knew that he was probably weighing the same question that had been mentioned when Alambiel and I finally revealed our courtship exactly one month ago. The same question that was always asked when two members of the military court or marry: would the bond between our hearts interfere with the completion of and adherence to our duties? I had personally reassured him and his brother both that it would not. And in truth, it did not this time for I had completed my duties before I went to find Alambiel. His dark eyes met mine and he nodded once, "For your sake, General, it is well that Ourself and Our Royal Brother, the High King, inspected your tent after We learned of your absence as We discovered something that proved to ameliorate the situation."

He leaned back and my golden colt, the High King, spoke up once more. "Our inspection uncovered your armor, that which would identify you as Our General, had been left behind in your tent. Therefore, it is clear to Us that Our General never left camp. We will not cite you with the charge of abandoning your post or as having gone rogue since you did return promptly and were absent less than three days."

I could not deny the sense of relief that I would not be stripped of my position. Then the Just King raised his hand and my dark colt met my eyes with a stern expression, alerting me to the fact that merciful though my Kings might be, I was still to be punished (as is only just). "However, We suggest that if ever a private gentleman were known in the future to endanger himself and others by his recklessness in a similar case again, he should be horsewhipped. Furthermore, since you freely acknowledge that you were aware that your actions would be construed as those of one who had gone rogue, General Sir Oreius Cyneward, your pay will be docked for the duration of five weeks so you might receive four Lions each Sixthday within that time including today instead of your customary amount. It is Our decision that you will also take part in the extended patrol that is scheduled to leave the Cair this coming Firstday. Have you any objection to the fairness of your determined punishment, General Sir Oreius Cyneward?"

I bowed. "I have none, My King, and I thank you and your brother, the High King, for the mercy you have shown in this matter."

The Kings exchanged looks then the High King turned back to me. "Then We trust that you will not resort to such actions without Our blessing again?"

"I give you my word that I will not do so, My Kings."

King Edmund nodded. "Very well, then this tribunal is over."

I watched as the other officers and the scribe filed out, but before I could take my leave, the Kings called my name. I turned back to them just as they rose from their thrones, stepping off the dais. Now, I was being addressed by my colts and not solely my sovereigns. My golden colt clasped my forearm, grinning. "Ed and I are both glad that you and Kat came out of the situation last week with no more hurt than was already sustained. I know it could have been a lot worse."

"Aslan was with us both."

Peter nodded, "And how is Kat doing? Is she still chafing about being on bed rest until her ankle finishes healing?"

I chuckled, "I am afraid so, though her wrists were bad enough that she still would not have been permitted to do much even without her sprained ankle. But, she should be completely healed soon and well before your wedding."

Edmund smirked. "Be sure to warn Kat that Susan and Lucy are plotting to descend on her with Tuulea and Thalia for more wedding madness. And Oreius, tell Kat she's not allowed to get into any more situations like the one last week because now we know for sure how you'll react."

I huffed a little laugh, catching the hidden meaning that my colts did understand why I did what I did and that they would have expected no less from me, and bowed. "I will tell her."

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Entering Alambiel's quarters, I admit I was slightly concerned when I saw she was preoccupied with writing something. When she was forced to rest (be it in bed, or, as of this particular moment, on her settee) and not grumbling about it as soon as she saw me, she was most often up to no good. "Alambiel, what mischief are you up to now?"

She didn't even look away from the portable writing desk resting on her lap as she answered, "I thought it would be amusing to send a declaration of war to the Lone Islands."

I opened my mouth then shut it. Surely, she could not be serious. Shaking my head, and already planning a suitable lecture, I approached the settee and made no pretense about my intention of reading what she was drafting. She pursed her lips but said nothing. Looking at the parchment, I had to laugh when I saw what she had written in her pretty script: Ha. Made you look. I shook my head and leaned down to press a kiss against her forehead then whispered, "Must you delight in deviling me so, Minx?"

She laughed even as I lifted the portable writing desk out of the way then slid another pillow underneath her wrapped ankle. "It's too much fun to resist, Kentuari." When her laughter died down, she watched me for several long moments before she finally asked the question I would not be astonished to learn she'd been mulling over all day. "What did Peter and Edmund hand down as your penalty?"

Taking her hand, I lightly rubbed my thumb over the scar gracing the back of it then I kissed her fingers. "They were merciful and decreed that their General had never left the camp. However, I am still having my wages docked for this month and…I shall have to accompany the extended patrol that departs Cair Paravel on Firstday."

Alambiel raised an eyebrow. "You mean the one that is going to last about six weeks because of the surveying of border patrols and inspection of the various outposts?"

I nodded. "It is probably past time that I accompany such a patrol."

Alambiel looked amused. "You would say that, Kentauri. Well, I shall write to you so you may keep abreast of all that's happening here in the Cair…and so I can freely lament the fact that Tuulea is still somehow finding time in all this chaos of planning Peter and Thalia's wedding to give me the look she gets when she's up to her chin in matchmaker-y plotting."

I chuckled, "Perhaps you should be more concerned about behaving yourself so Tuulea and Alithia won't follow through on their threats to tie you down until your injuries have completely finished healing?"

She threw a cushion at me. Catching it, I tucked it back behind her shoulders then tilted her chin up so I might have a better view of her bruises. They were mostly faded now and only the faintest mark under her left eye indicated that she had had a black eye. "How are your wrists?"

"They itch." Her smile grew a little wider. "My wrists and my ankle will be completely healed before you get back from the patrol. And before you ask, yes, I will be plotting, so there's the only warning you get, Oreius."

"For that I am most grateful." Leaning down, I kissed her.

"Kat, has- Oh."

"Edmund, have I ever told how much I despise your timing?"

Straightening, I looked over my shoulder to see my dark colt, who cleared his throat, "Once or twice, I think. Ahem. My apologies, Kat, Oreius. I'll just come back on Firstday…when I know I won't be interrupting anything."

I raised an eyebrow as he started backing out, but Alambiel merely switched to the dangerously sweet tone she used when whoever irritated her was soon to meet an uncomfortable fate. "Try to remember, Edmund, that Oreius is not the only one who can assign you to visit the points of the compass."

"This is true, but you prefer making us run suicides and after what happened the last time you were injured, you're not allowed to oversee training when injured."

That had been one of the more interesting weeks, according to all reports (including Alambiel's nearly gleeful ones). When I had returned, the Kings had nearly worn their relief a little too openly after learning an injured Dame Sepphora would not be overseeing their training again.

Alambiel arched an eyebrow then leaned forward, still with that dangerously sweet smile on her lips. "But, everyone who will be overseeing training while Oreius is gone and I am injured owes me favors." I barely kept from laughing as she added, "Not to mention, my memory is quite good and I'll be where I might oversee your training before Oreius returns."

My dark colt's eyes widened slightly. "Right. I'll just be going before you decide to remember too well."

I watched in silence as he left then I gave Alambiel a mildly reproving look. She looked up at me innocently, "What? I never actually said I would call in those favors for the express purpose of making training more interesting, I merely mentioned the fact that everyone who will oversee training does owe me favors."

"Behave yourself, Sepphora."

The glint of playful challenge appeared in her blue eyes as she flashed a smile. "I wonder, Cyneward, how you're going to make me if you're going to be roaming Narnia for the next six weeks."

"I will find a way."

She laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised…and only slightly impressed."

I snorted, "Minx." Then I touched her hair, "I will look forward to your letters, my milis cantalach."

"You will write back, a chara?"

"Of course." Leaning down, I kissed her once more and this time no one intruded. Cupping her cheek, I kissed her forehead. "I fear I must see to my paperwork now. We will talk more later."

"Eighth hour?"

I went over what yet needed my attention then shook my head regretfully. "No. I would prefer spending tomorrow with you and not with my work, so I cannot come at eighth hour. However, I should be able to join you at eleventh hour and then we can watch the stars together."

Finis

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.

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