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: 21 Yule 1006 will see the first lunar eclipse to occur on the Winter Solstice in four hundred years. Enemies of Narnia rejoice! For the time of the Golden Age will come to an end with the spilling of royal blood and Jadis will be revived!

A/N: If you have not read the first three stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed), I highly recommend you do so. However, if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Four: In the Company of Lune

3 Yule 1006

Oreius had never traveled to Anvard before and, though no land compared to the beauty that was Narnia or the breathtaking sight of Cair Paravel shining bright in the sun, even he had to admit that Anvard was impressive. As their party approached the capital in the early morning hours, the wintry sunlight hit the red-brown stones making it seem all of Anvard were crafted from red stone. Maintaining an easy pace through the snow, Oreius noted the inherent strategy of Anvard's positioning on a hill. He knew from the reports of soldiers who had escorted the Royals in the past and from the tales he had heard from the Royals as well as Peridan that it overlooked the vast lawns betwixt Anvard and the wooded ridge to the north. He could tell even from a distance that the thick walls and numerous towers made up for the lack of a moat. As they drew closer, he noted the soundness of the sturdy gate and portcullis. All in all, it was secure city placed in a readily defensible position.

The gate opened almost immediately for them and a man hurried out. Oreius exchanged a look with Ardon as the Kings and Peridan swung off their horses to greet the man. The man was broad and while no stranger to battle, Oreius could tell the doughty warrior was more at ease than in times past and enjoyed a generous spread at the table. The man threw his arms wide as he boomed out, "Welcome! Welcome to Anvard, friends and allies! Welcome Narnia! Ha ha! High King Peter! What good it does me to see you again!" Oreius hid his amusement as he watched the jolly King of Archenland grabbed first the High King and pulled him into a tight bear hug before he set him down and pulled King Edmund into an equally tight embrace. "King Edmund, welcome! Welcome! Still as skinny as a quarter staff I see. Ha ha! I had thought your lovely sister the Gentle Queen was conspiring to remedy you of that condition. Doesn't seem to be working from where I stand. Ha ha!" King Lune set King Edmund back down then his grin somehow managed to widen as he clasped Peridan's hand in his own then slammed his other hand against Peridan's back, "Peridan! Peridan my friend, it is good to see you again! Narnia seems to suit you, or perhaps I should say you suit Narnia? Ha ha! You know, your majesties, you have yourselves one of the best soldiers I have ever had the honor of fighting beside and I would complain about this fact save for one very important detail...I thank Aslan that his twin scalawags are no longer able to conspire with my scalawag. Betwixt you and I, if they had stayed, why Anvard might not still have her walls! Ha ha!"

King Peter and King Edmund exchanged grins and Oreius knew they were thinking about how much chaos Peridan's youngest sons had already caused in Cair Paravel. Then, the High King cleared his throat and motioned for Oreius to join them, "King Lune, please allow me to finally introduce you to our beloved cousin and General Sir Oreius Cyneward. General Oreius, this is King Lune."

Oreius bowed slightly, "Your majesty."

He was a little surprised when King Lune's natural enthusiasm and jolliness seemed to wane slightly. Instead of the more enthusiastic greetings the Kings and Peridan had experienced, King Lune merely gave him a considering look before he extended his hand and clasped Oreius' forearm in a firm grip. "Welcome, General." Lune released his forearm then clapped his hands together and boomed, "What are we doing standing around in the snow? I am a poor host indeed! Come, allow me to escort you inside. Come! Come! We should have accommodations prepared for all of your party by now. And, you should be pleased to know that the Zelaians have sent word to confirm that they shall be reaching Anvard in the next three days. I fear they had a later start than they originally estimated, but praise Aslan it was not so late as to delay or forfeit the trade meetings."

Oreius only half-listened as he and Ardon walked behind the four Humans, paying more attention instead to his surroundings. Looking at how Anvard was most certainly not designed with Centaurs or larger Talking Animals in mind, he was grateful that he had chosen to leave the other Centaur soldiers at the border outpost and there were only two bull Elks with them. As they passed one area, Oreius could hear the raucous baying of dogs. Passing into the main courtyard before the castle, Ihbari called out to warn of his imminent landing causing some of the stable hands and other servants to scatter while several army officers came out of the barracks to watch as the Gryphon folded his wings and landed with the grace typical of his kind. King Lune let out a deep laugh and clapped both Kings on the back hard enough that they each staggered forward a step. Ihbari took command of the soldiers as Oreius and Ardon followed the Humans into the castle.

King Lune led them to a room that was spacious enough neither Centaur felt the room was closing in on them. He clapped his hands together, "Well, my friends, I admit I was wondering if the snow would keep you from crossing the pass, but obviously you're hardier folk than that. And, the delegation from Zelaia... If I remember aright, they were questioning who would be present from the Narnian delegation, and- Dash it all! I don't know why I keep trying to memorize their letters, I never remember the entirety of it and this is why I write the stuff down. Old age, your majesties, old age takes your short-term diplomatic memories first. Ha ha! Pardon me for a moment while I go find the last letter and my notes because I do remember deciding you should see it."

After their host left, King Peter grinned at King Edmund, "Do you think Stonebrook would accept that excuse?"

King Edmund snorted, "Stonebrook will accept that excuse when he accepts that Kat is truly incapable of being diplomatic."

The High King chuckled, "In that case, we will be dead before he accepts that excuse."

King Edmund nodded, "Ex-actly."

Oreius hid a grin at the conversation as he reflected on the many arguments and debates he and Tuulea had arbitrated in the past between Stonebrook and Katerina Alambiel. Katerina Alambiel might be capable of acting in a diplomatic manner when she felt the situation warranted such behavior, but when she decided it did not warrant the effort and accompanying annoyances, as she called it, of being diplomatic, she flatly refused to put forth the effort. And, when Katerina Alambiel decided to be stubborn about something, it would take less effort for him to move Cair Paravel with his bare hands than to force her to quit digging her heels in and be cooperative. Or he could just throw her into the sea.

Oreius was abruptly drawn from his thoughts when a child's voice interrupted the conversation. "King Peter! King Edmund! Lord Peridan! You're here! Finally! Lord Peridan! Did Thane and Shane come with you? Did they? King Peter! King Peter, will you knight me? Then I can go fight! King Edmund! Father says you use two swords! Two! Do you really? Can you teach me? Where are the Queens? Did they come with you? Did you bring Christmas presents? I hope I get a sword! Then I can fight with you and-"

The fair-haired slight boy finally seemed to realize there were two Centaurs in the room. Oreius noted he looked roughly the same age as Peridan's six-year-old twin sons, but then the boy regained his composure...and his torrent of questions. "Who are you? Father said he didn't know if any Centaurs was coming with the Kings. But, you're here! Does Father know? How do you fight? Like the war horses? You have three swords! Three! Can you use them all? Can you?" The boy bounced impatiently from foot to foot as he chattered another series of questions, this time they were all aimed at Oreius. Oreius didn't even attempt to answer, resigning himself to waiting for the questions to die down, and then the boy suddenly lunged forward and wrapped himself securely around Oreius' right foreleg. Even Peridan's sons hadn't done that! Oreius looked down and raised a single eyebrow at the boy, who seemed to only register that he now had Oreius' complete and utter attention. He grinned, showing off his three missing teeth, before he launched into another round of questions. "How old are you? My tutor says Centaurs live a long time. Have you lived a long time? Do you fight with the Kings? They say they learn from a Centaur. Is that you? Oh! Do you box? Do you? I love boxing! I'm good too and someday I'm going to be the bestest boxer in the world! Boxing is better than archery! And, it's even more fun than swinging swords, oh but I still want a sword for Christmas. When you leave, can I go with you? I want to box some Fell! That will be the greatest fun!"

Oreius was silently wondering how he was to detach the chattering pint-sized pest without causing harm or offense when King Lune announced his return by booming, "Corin! Corin, lad, what are you doing in here? And, let go of the General's leg. That is not how you treat guests. How many times must you be told that, my lad?" Prince Corin reluctantly unwrapped his stranglehold around Oreius' leg and ran up to his father who, wisely in Oreius' opinion, held up a hand before Corin could speak a word. "No, you mayn't stay. You must go back to your lessons with your tutor. We'll talk about everything once I've seen to our guests. Go on, lad, go on." Oreius watched as Prince Corin nodded reluctantly then one of the servants led the little prince by the hand down the hall and out of sight. King Lune shook his head, "Ah that lad, what am I to do with him? General Oreius, I apologize for Corin's behavior. I hope he didn't commit too great an offense."

Oreius shook his head, "No offense was taken, your majesty."

King Lune nodded, "Ah, good, good. Lion alive, if that boy isn't bouncing off the walls and furniture, he's bouncing off of or clinging to guests. Well, I'll just hand over that letter and those notes for your perusing pleasure, King Edmund, King Peter, and now please allow me to show you to your quarters. I believe the staff finally made the necessary adjustments to make your quarters comfortable, General, Captain, but if not, please tell me what to do to remedy it and I shall see it is carried out."

King Peter chuckled, "Don't worry, sir, I think the General and the Captain will be more than satisfied with their quarters."

Oreius inclined his head slightly when the High King and King Lune looked at him, "Indeed." That seemed to be all the reassurance King Lune needed as he launched into a tale about something that had happened the last time the High King had visited without his younger brother, much to King Edmund's interest and amusement. Oreius caught the amused look Ardon gave him before the other Centaur's gaze flicked down to his right foreleg. He sighed as he realized there was naught he could say or do that would keep Ardon from relaying the tale of his encounter with Prince Corin to Alithia who would then share it with Katerina Alambiel. The only way to curb the exaggerated tale was to relate the event to Katerina Alambiel himself. He just hoped she was feeling well enough to laugh otherwise not only would she delightedly harass him, but he would also be scolded by Tuulea and Alithia for making Katerina Alambiel laugh.

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9 Yule 1006

Peridan let out a sigh as he walked through the marketplace, listening to the vendors hawking their wares, and taking in the familiar sights. But, to be honest, Anvard felt small and closed in after just six months of living in Cair Paravel. He couldn't even begin to imagine how the native Narnians were feeling, especially Oreius and Ardon. The late start to the negotiations with Zelaia meant they would not be able to depart from Anvard until at least the sixteenth or possibly even the seventeenth or eighteenth and Peridan had a hunch that the General would push them to a much faster pace in order to return home as soon as possible. He paused mid-step when he noticed General Oreius walking through the marketplace with the crowd easily parting before his imposing stature with the Centaur ignoring the whispers and stares as people turned to see the uncommon spectacle of a Centaur in Anvard.

Changing the angle of his path, Peridan angled his way toward the General. However, just as he drew close enough to hail him, he noted with surprise that General Oreius had stopped in front of a small booth that held various jewelry and trinkets. Peridan knew the booth and the jeweler who ran it well as he had purchased several trinkets for Marsalla from there, including a pair of emerald earrings she only wore on very special occasions; in fact, he had been there but the day before purchasing some Christmas gifts for Marsalla, Raisa, and even little Maisee. He drew a little closer as the General examined a necklace; from his earlier visit, Peridan recalled it had been a silver oval formed from twining knots that cradled a teardrop of amethyst. The jeweler had called it an elegantly understated piece that was perfect for the lady who preferred the understated look as opposed to a flashier display of jewels, which of course came with matching earrings. The jeweler seemed too nervous and surprised by his potential customer to give his pitch, but that didn't seem to matter as the General asked, "How much?"

Peridan didn't blame the jeweler for seeming a bit flustered as General Oreius looked at him impassively, "Oh, ah the necklace is thir-"

However, even Peridan was surprised when General Oreius interrupted, "No. How much for the set?"

The jeweler was only flustered for a minute though as the long-practiced drill of please the customer asserted itself, "W-well, in that case, the set is seventy-five shillings or twenty-five Narnian Lions. Would you like me to place the set in a case that will stand up to travel, sir?" It was a fairly hefty price, but General Oreius just nodded and the jeweler lifted first the necklace then the matching earrings from the display and nestled them into the lined box. As soon as he shut it, General Oreius set the required amount on the counter then picked up the box. If Peridan hadn't been looking right at him when he turned, he had no doubt he never would have seen the flicker of surprise when General Oreius saw him standing there. But, the Centaur didn't say a word just inclined his head slightly and walked past him as the crowd once again parted before him. The jeweler suddenly called out, "Sir! Sir, you have overpaid." The jeweler turned to Peridan, "Oh dear. Lord Peridan, you're with the Narnians now. Might you please inform the Centaur that he has overpaid, not even the box I chose was worth the five extra Lions! I wouldn't want him to think I used trickery or tried to take advantage of him being from Narnia."

Peridan opened his mouth to hail the General, who was not so far as to be unable to hear them, but then he paused. "Marin, consider it a bonus for excellent service. Good day." As the jeweler whispered a blessing upon the General for his generosity, Peridan smiled at Marin's three-year-old daughter who smiled around her thumb as she waved with the hand clutching her blanket from where she was peeking out the door to the back of Marin's booth.

Peridan quickly caught up to the General and decided to risk pushing the bounds of their newly established friendship, "Who are they for?"

General Oreius seemed a little surprised or perhaps even lost in thought, but then he looked at Peridan with the same stoic expression he was accustomed to seeing after six months of knowing the Centaur. "Katerina Alambiel."

Peridan nodded, somehow he was not as surprised by General Oreius' answer as he thought he might have been a few months ago. "Why?"

The General responded in a simple tone, "Because they suit her."

"Are you going to tell her soon then?"

General Oreius stopped walking and turned to look at Peridan, "Tell her what?"

Peridan also stopped, silently grateful they had already reached one of the more deserted streets of Anvard as he hesitated then clarified, "Are you going to tell the lady how you feel about her soon?"

Something flickered in the Centaur's dark eyes but then the stoic impassive look was back as he quietly responded, "She knows I value her friendship."

Peridan cleared his throat then gestured to a pale birch tree, its slender branches delicately covered in snow, "The first time I saw Marsalla, she was standing underneath that tree in high summer. It was autumn and the leaves had changed colors but not yet fallen when I saw her standing there and as she walked toward me, I had the sudden realization that I was in love with her." A glance at the Centaur's still-impassive face made Peridan wonder if he wasn't going to get himself left in Anvard by the end of this conversation, but then he forced himself to continue. "Oreius, the first time you told me about Sepphora, I honestly thought she was a Centauress because the way you talked about her was completely different from the way you spoke of anyone else. It surprised me greatly when you asserted that the Lady Katerina and Dame Sepphora were one and the same because I had thought I heard the kind of admiration tinged with love in your voice that I have heard in the voices of my brothers-in-law and in the voice of my own sister's husband just before he began to court her. I just wonder if or when you are going to tell her that you feel more than just friendship for her. For can you honestly say that your Katerina Alambiel is just a friend?"

General Oreius flicked his tail as he spoke in a calm unemotional voice, "Peridan, I would appreciate it if you did not attempt to infer or in any way interfere with my personal life. I already have Alithia for that...and Ardon when she forces him. Please do not speak of this again." Peridan nodded and the Centaur resumed walking toward the castle. However, Peridan had not missed the fact that Oreius had never once told him he was wrong. Marsalla just might have been right all along about the General simply being unaware of the true depth of his feelings where Dame Katerina Alambiel Sepphora was concerned...but Peridan didn't think the Centaur would be able to go much longer without examining those feelings now that he had pointed out what it looked like from the outside.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! So, this chapter was a bit of a challenge for me since I didn't have a lot of inspiration to work on it, but I finally made it. Please leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about Lune, Corin, and of course Oreius and Peridan's interesting encounter. Remember your reviews are what help inspire me to keep writing.