The dark night, the hard fight

The long climb up the hill knowing the cost

The brave death, the last breathe

The silence whispering all hope was lost

The thunder, the wonder

A power that brings the dead back to life

I wish you could stay

But I'll wait for the day

And though you've gone away

You come back

'Remembering You', Steven Curtis Chapman

We headed back towards the woods quickly, Trumpkin and the Pevenies easily slotting in. Peter joined me and Caspian at the head of the group, to no complaints from me. I felt light and elated at having him back after so long, and relished the touch of his hand on my arm.

"Where are we going," he asked me as we walked.

I smiled, not minding having to re-explain it to another king. "Aslan's How. You don't know, it don't worry, although in some ways you do!"

Peter grinned, perplexed. "One thing I didn't miss was your riddles!"

I punched him lightly, before grabbing back the spears. Peter had offered to carry them but I'd refused, not minding the load. "I never riddle! I just tell the truth."

"Whatever you say," Peter murmured.

"Arneia!" a voice yelled ahead and a young centaur colt cantered up to us. He shot Peter a quizzical look before turning to me. "Arneia, thank goodness you're nearly back, Mother wants you to fit your armour!"

I stared at him. "I told Marion I didn't need."

"Oh," the young Narnian looked confused, until his eager eyes fell on my bundle. "I'll take that for you, if you like!"

"No, Rhindor, it's fi-" I began to protest but I knew Rhindor. He was young, headstrong and pushy.

"No really," he interrupted, pulling the spears from my arms and cantering back the way he had come.

"You wouldn't let me take them, but you let him!" Peter said in mock outrage. "And I'm the high king!"

"Neia, I'm confused," a voice behind me began and I looked around at Edmund.

"Still?" I smiled brightly. I was in a shockingly good mood.

"Why do some of the Narnians not address you properly?" he asked. "I mean as 'my lady' rather than your name. Are you just being modest?"

"Probably," Peter grinned but he frowned a little as he looked at my fading smile.

"No, they don't call me 'my lady' because they don't believe I am one," I said quietly.

"You don't believe she's High Lady Arneia?" Peter asked accusingly, looking at Caspian.

"No Peter, Caspian does," I interjected quickly as Caspian glowered. Peter and Caspian were more alike than they yet knew. Kind but quick-tempered. "And some do. But others just think I'm an old Narnian who ages strangely and inspired the stories with my own tales."

Peter's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

"Many Narnians don't believe in Aslan or you or Arneia anymore," Caspian explained. "You've all been gone so long, they think you're just stories."

"But Arneia's right here?" Edmund said, his eyebrows raised.

"And like I said, they just think I'm a normal age old Narnian who inspired and encouraged stories," I repeated shrugging. "You're my proof I'm not completely out of my head."

"Good thing we're back then," Peter growled. "It seems we have some sorting out to do."

"Just don't bully them," I told him firmly, my smile returning, as we approached the fringe of the trees and the great How came into view, the stone pavillion between us and the stronghold. I gave a long whistle and it wasn't long before Alrohar was galloping over the horizon to meet us.

"Alrohar!" Lucy cried delightedly and stroked the muzzle of the stallion. He nipped at her hair before turning to me.

"I'd better go prepare them," I told Caspian, swinging up on to Alrohar. He nodded, and I turned Alrohar away with a last smile at the Pevensies.

I galloped Alro back up the hill to the how, relishing in my emotions. Caspian was becoming the king Narnia needed. The battle was being well prepared for both in the How and out. And Peter and the others had returned.

Alrohar reined back into a canter down the stone slope into the how and clattered to a halt inside. The main chamber was full of Narnians preparing weaponry.

"Okay everyone, listen up!" I called and everyone looked up. "We need a centaur's welcome at the entrance, please!"

"Why? Marion asked, Rhindor at her side. I smiled knowingly, I couldn't help teasing them a little after what they had held me under for so long.

"The kings and queens of the Golden Age have come home," I replied. I waa greeted with wide eyes and gasps as every centaur present bowed one knee, before cantering past me to form the traditional welcome, swords raised.

I swung off Alrohar and left him to his own devices, instead standing just inside the entrance to wait for them.

The Pevensies entered first, Caspian close behind them. The four siblings all looked around curiously, moving around the chamber, watched the entire time by the staring eyes of the Narnians.

"It may not be what you are used to, but it is defensible," Caspian told Peter quickly and firmly.

"Peter," Susan called from a side passage. We all turned to look at her and I realised which side passage. "You may want to see this."

Peter picked up a torch and headed towards her, the rest of us following. I picked up another beacon as I went, knowing what this would lead to. The four kings and queens inspected their rocky counterparts in awe. Caspian and I stood by, watching silently. I could guess what was coming.

"It's us," Susan murmured.

"What is this place?" Lucy

"You don't know?" Caspian frowned. He picked up a torch from the wall and we both led them down the dark tunnel. As we reached the end, we lit the fires from either end. The flames spread as quickly as before, illuminating the Stone Chamber. I looked back at the Pevensies who were wide eyed in surprise. Lucy looked up at the carving of Aslan and slowly walked forward a few paces. Then she turned back to her siblings.

"He must know what he's doing."

Peter sighed. "I think it's up to us now."

I swallowed. I had the feeling he was right and I'd said it myself, we couldn't do nothing. I looked up at the carving. I was confident that my father would come when the time was right. I just wished I knew when that would be.

"Your majesties? My lady?" a voice asked tentatively. I tuned to see one of the fauns.

"Yes?" Caspian said quickly.

"A Telmarine has been spotted in the woods," the faun said.

"It's only a matter of time," Peter told the crowd, who had assembled with us in the Stone Chamber. "Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't

protecting his castle." I bit my lip. Peter was right but I wasn't sure I was going to like his proposition.

"What do you propose we do, Sire?" Reepicheep asked.

"We-" Caspian started as Peter simultaneously began, "Our-"

The two kings paused, unsure and looked at each other. Caspian motioned for Peter to procede.

"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us," Peter decided.

"But that's crazy, no one has ever taken that castle," Caspian interjected. He ws right. I'd got in and out on countless occasions but I was one girl. Peter was talking about an army.

"There's always a first time," Peter replied calmly.

"Well have the element of surprise," Trumpkin agreed.

"But we have the advantage here," Caspian argued.

"If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely," Susan added. Peter glowered at his sister.

"I, for one, feel safer underground," Trufflehunter said.

"Look, I appreciate what you've done," Peter told Caspian, "but this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb." I began chewing my lip in earnest. Peter was getting into a good habit of making smart points that I didn't like the direction of.

"Yes, and if the Telmarines are smart, they'll just starve us out," Edmund agreed.

"We could collect nuts!" Pattertwig suggeted enthusiastically.

"Oh yes, and throw them at the Telmarines!" Reepicheep said sarcastically. "Shut up!" He turned to Peter. "I think you know where I stand on this, Sire."

Caspian looked at me. "What does High Lady Arneia say?"

The gathered crowd looked around at me, nodding.

I sighed but said nothing.

"My lady, you know Narnia and indeed the castle better than anyone," Trufflehunter. "What do you think."

"Peter knows that whatever decision is made, I will follow it to the death," I began, choosing my words carefully. "And the high king is correct, this is not a fortress and there is always a chance of success. However... I'm not sure a raid is the best plan. I think there are too many risks."

Peter looked slightly downfallen at my lack of support.

"But say it was possible," Edmund suggested. "You can get in?"

I nodded. "For me, entrance isn't a problem. But that's not what I'm worried about."

Peter turned to Glenstorm. "If I can get your troops in, can you

handle the guards?"

"Or die trying, my liege," Glenstorm replied.

"That's what I'm worried about," Lucy spoke up.

"Sorry?" Peter asked.

"Well, you're all acting like there are only two options: Dying here, or dying there."

"Im not sure you've really been listening, Lu," Peter said slowly.

"No, you're not listening," Lucy told him. "Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"

I looked at the young queen carefully. "I agree with Lucy."

Peter looked at me, then Lucy. "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough."

I frowned to myself. This wasn't Peter, not my Peter. He'd changed...

I suddenly heard someone say my name and I looked up.

"Arneia, do you think you can get us in?" Peter was asking.

I sighed. I'd already I follow, whatever the decision and I wouldn't fail them. "Yes, but it's going to have to be a combined force. To get the forces in, we'll have to get the main gate open and lower the drawbridge. The drawbridge levers are in the gatehouse itself, while the wheel outside the gatehouse raises the gate. Right?"

Caspian nodded in agreement.

"The gatehouse is locked from the inside," he added.

"But there is the possibility of getting in, following the ropes through the top," I said. "Reepicheep, you'll be able to fit through the gate and along the ropes, do you think-"

"Consider it done, my Lady," the mouse replied gallantly.

"Once you're into the gatehouse, you'll need to take out the guard, and unlock the door. We can get someone to join you once you've taken the gatehouse."

"And how are you planning on getting your good self in exactly?" Nikabrik asked sarcastically.

The entire room stared at me, Caspian curiously, Peter expectantly. I had my answer ready with a smile.

"The griffins."

Confused and blank faces greeted my solution, with the exception of the Pevensies who seemed to understand, and the only present griffin in the chamber, Drake the leader.

"Miraz places half the number of guards on the battlements and towers than he does the ground, because he doesn't expect the enemy to come from above," I explained. "We can land on the battlements under cover of darkness easily. It wouldn't take long to take out the few guards who would notice us.

"We even may be able to shoot some from the air," Susan suggested and I nodded.

"Drake, you can drop us, can't you?" I confirmed.

"Not a problem," Drake replied, "as long it's not one of the centaurs or minotaurs or anything like that."

"So you're suggesting we all fly in on griffin's backs?" Nikabrik asked.

"No, only a few of us," Peter said. "Enough to get to Miraz and open the gate."

"And give a signal," Edmund added. "The forces need to know when the gate is open."

"What will the signal be?" Glenstorm asked. Edmund frowned in thought.

"Ed, you're torch!" Lucy suddenly said.

"Is a torch reliable enough?" Trumpkin frowned, but Edmund had picked up a long silver tube of a metal. I stared at it.

"This torch is perfectly reliable," Edmund said. "Look, how about three flashes if the gate open?"

My eyes saw starts as a sudden bright light hit my eyes in three steady flashes.

"Ow!" I yelled, and I could hear other Narnian's around me cursing.

"Sorry," Edmund said quickly, turning the torch off. "But anyway, if you drop me on one of the towers, I can see what's happening and give the signals when ready."

I nodded, still blinking rapidly."Drake, could Juliter drop Edmund on the North tower?"

The griffin nodded.

"So who else?" Susan asked.

"I'm going," Caspian said firmly. "I want to see Miraz."

"Arneia needs to go," Peter added, "and I'll go."

"I'll come," Susan put forward.

I sighed. "Alright, so Edmund's on the tower. Peter, Caspian, Susan and I can take the battlements and get to Miraz. Four should be enough but we need someone to get down to meet Reepicheep. Either way, another would be good."

"I'll go," Trumpkin said.

"Alright," I nodded. The planning was coming together...

And things are tensing up...