"Lucy? Where's Lucy? Peter wake up?" Susan said, shaking everyone awake.

Peter was groggy for just a moment before he realized what Susan was chattering about. Lucy wasn't here. Peter was up and running in a matter of moments. Ester was still trying to wake herself up. It took ten minutes for Ester and Susan both to figure out where Lucy and Peter were. Susan had been too hectic to pay attention to Peter running off. Ester saw Lucy crouched down watching something. Both Ester and Susan jogged over to her but she was quite a ways away.

"No!" Lucy suddenly shouts making herself known.

The next few moments were practically magic. Narnians came out from all angles around them. Narnians who used to be enemies, hiding alongside each other in hopes of survival. The unknown man pointed Rhindon at Peter. Deep breaths could be heard from both boys even at such a distance.

"Prince Caspian?" Peter asked, jaw ajar.

"Peter!" Susan shouted, joining the rest of them there.

"High King Peter?" Caspian asked, staring at the sword he was holding.

"I believe you called," Peter said. Ester rolled her eyes.

"Well, yes but... I thought you'd be older."

"Well, if you'd like, we can come back in a few years," Peter said.

"No!" Caspian said. "No, that's alright. You're just... you're not exactly what I expected."

"Neither are you!" Edmund said, pointing at Caspian.

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes," Trufflehunter said in an attempt to explain the minotaur. Ester felt a weird surge of happiest. The Narnians that didn't get along in the past, the ones pinned against each other in an ancient war – united.

"We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service," Reepicheep said to Peter.

"Oh my gosh, he is so cute," Lucy whispered to both Ester and Susan who nodded in agreement.

"Who said that!?" Reepicheep said, unsheathing his sword and waving it at people threateningly. Lucy apologized quickly making Ester chuckle. "Oh, uh... your majesty. With the greatest respect, I do believe courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might more befit a knight of Narnia."

"Well," Peter said. "At least we know some of you can handle a blade."

"Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to god use acquiring weapons for your army, sire." Reepicheep said.

"Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get," Peter said.

"Well then, you'll probably be wanting yours back," Caspian said.

"Where are you set up then? Take us there at once," Peter said to Caspian who looked stunned but nodded. There was a clear power clash on the horizon, Ester already worried about it.

Caspian began to lead the Pevensie's to their make shift camp when Ester tugged on Peter's hand. She brought him in close so she could whisper something. "Be nice," she said sternly. He only stared ahead, and grabbed her hand to hold. Until Caspian turned around to look at him of course, then he dropped her hand and rushed to walk alongside him, two steps ahead even.

They were brought to the camp hidden snugly inside the face of a wall. The entrance was lined with centaurs holding their swords for the royal company to walk under. Inside the camp was dusty due to the fact they were underground. Narnians were making weapons all around. They all stared but no one stopped making or sharpening their weapons. Time wasn't on their side at the moment. They didn't have a moment to waste. A glimpse at the Kings and Queens would have to do.

"It may not be what you're used to," Caspian explained. "But it is defensible."

"Peter, you may want to see this," Susan said. Susan led them down a tunnel. Soon they were met with carvings in the stone. "It's us."

"What is this place?" Lucy asked looking at the drawing of herself.

"You don't know?" Caspian asked. Caspian grabbed a torch and gestured for them to follow him.

"Peter, wait," Ester said staring at a piece of the wall no one else had noticed yet.

"What is it?" Peter asked. He was still slightly annoyed at her.

"It's our wedding day. Do you remember?" Ester asked. Her fingers ran across the veil she had worn that day.

"Of course I remember., Peter whispered, all his annoyance was gone as memories flooded over him.

"Best day of my life," Ester said smiling.

"And mine," Peter agreed.

The next hours were used to create a battle plan. Peter and Caspian had bickered, but settled on a plan finally. Peter sat beside Ester as he explained the plan to everyone who would be involved. He didn't like Ester being involved but he couldn't leave her behind. Lucy was the only one who had to stay. It was an all hands on deck operation. They couldn't spare such a good fighter just because Peter was an overprotective boyfriend.

It was the brink of midnight and the plan would set into motion now. When the castle was defenceless. Ester was to stay with Edmund, it was a way for her to help without being in immediate danger. It was the only compromise they could come to where Peter would actually allow her to go on with the plan. Riding on the back of the Griffin with Edmund was terrifying. Not only were they way above the ground but they were going into a battle. Well sneak attack, but it is still a battle.

The griffin dropped the pair off on top of the tower. Edmund gave the signal to take out the soldier that was on guard. The griffin grabbed the soldier by his shoulders and whisked him away. Edmund and Ester jumped down onto the ledge. Edmund pulled out his torch and began to signal the others. It was time. The time passed slowly as Edmund did nothing but the signals he had practised. Ester felt useless. She tried to look around for any sign of movement but nothing was jumping out at her. She couldn't see her friends anywhere.

A soldier surprised Edmund and a brief struggle began. Ester was kicked by the guard as he struggle against Edmund.

"Now, Ed, now! Signal the troops!" Peters voiced yelled from elsewhere.

"I'm a little busy right now, Pete!" Edmund yelled back. Ester grabbed the torch from the ground and began to signal.

It was chaos from that point on. Edmund slide down the roof to kick a soldier aiming a crossbow off the edge. But Edmund didn't notice the line of soldiers also on the rail. He ran out of Esters sight. Ester remained where she had been. She held onto one sword as she balanced herself on the tower with the other hand. She peered over the edge only to have an arrow pierce her shoulder. She screamed and stumbled backwards. Another arrow came so she tried to avoid it but she found herself falling off the ledge completely. She didn't know where she landed but her head was spinning. The arrow in her arm was broken, it was bleeding horribly. Ester tried to pull herself up but she couldn't.

Until she got a good look around. A man with a sword was running towards her, and she rolled out of the way in time to dodge the sword coming down. It crashed on the stone next to her, making a terrible sound as it did. Ester swung her sword at the mans arm, inflicting serious damage where she hit. He screamed, but she silenced him with a sword through his torso. It was the worst feeling. This was the first time Ester had ever killed another human being. Sure, she'd had to kill creatures in the last war, but this wasn't a war. Peter and Caspian had planned a slaughter. Ester pulled her sword out of the man, and wiped it clean on the back of his light armour. Ester sat down, and stared at the body. A life she had ended.

She heard footsteps, fast moving footsteps, and quickly got up, ready to fight again. But they faded, as if they had turned and went a different way. Ester was trapped, and had no way to get out of here. She didn't even know if she would make it out alive. So she would fight to the death, it was what was best for Narnia. She masked her fear, in a way she didn't know possible, and took stock of where she was. She'd somehow feel onto a patio, the man must have just woken up from his chambers, since he was only wearing the quickest armour to get on. She was in some kind of barracks. She made her way down a hallway, not a noise around. Maybe there was a way out. But then she was knocked out, from the handle of a sword hitting the back of her head.

Much later, Ester woke up in a bed that most certainly wasn't hers. She was about to scream when a man rushed in and covered her mouth. She looked at him with wide eyes, he saw how terrified she looked. Was she a captive? Did captives get beds?

"I'm not going to hurt you. I promise, okay? But if you scream then one of the other soldiers will find you, and you'll be as good as dead, as will I. So be quiet," the man said and slowly took his hand off of Ester's mouth.

"Who are you?" Ester asked, raising a hand to her head. She had a headache that could easily be compared to an earthquake.

"Sebastian, my name is Sebastian," the man said.

"Where am I?" Ester asked looking around the grimy room.

"My house, I found you. You were still alive but surrounded by, well, the dead," Sebastian said.

"Were there any other humans? Other than the Telmarines?" Ester asked.

"No, just you. That why I took you here. I don't know what the other men would do to you if they realized you were alive," Sebastian said biting his lip.

"Oh god..." Ester said looking at Sebastian with fear.

"I won't though! I won't do anything! I swear it!" Sebastian said backing a few steps.

"I want to go back." Ester said standing up. "I want to go away from here."

"Look, I get it. I can sneak you out of the castle but that's all I can do. When you get out of the gates, you're on your own," Sebastian said. Ester nodded.

Sebastian explained to her that she'd been unconscious for a full day. It was nearly midnight now and the attack had happened about twenty hours ago. Sebastian had to get her out now because Miraz was planning on making a base near the Narnians in the morning. Sebastian brought Ester just out of the gate and wished her good luck before he went back to the castle. Ester ran into the forest quickly but soon realized she didn't know how to get back. She started crying as she walked blindly through the trees. Ester walked for hours. The sun was beginning to rise in the distance. Ester was ready to just give up.

"Ester? Ester is that you? Oh crap! It is! Ester!" Ester heard someone yelling. She turned and saw Edmund. He ran to her.

"Edmund!" Ester cried throwing herself into his arms.

"I am so glad to see you," Edmund said picking her up and carrying her towards the camp. "Pete's losing his mind. He cried all day but he acted like he didn't. He almost brought the White Witch back to life, it was a crazy day."

Ester looked at him like he grew two heads. "What's this about the White Witch?"

"I think it was a trance or something. I don't know. But he almost did it. I killed her though," Edmund said smiling.

"Thank goodness you were there, then," Ester said holding him tighter. "What were you even doing in the woods?"

"I just needed some air. And Peter's crying is getting out of hand. I couldn't sleep," Edmund said. Ester chuckled.

"I don't even know if I want to see him after what you told me about the White Witch. It's hard to believe in the Spirit of Narnia when I can't even believe in him," Ester sighed. "But I love him so much."

"I think if he heard you say that he'd have a full scale melt down. He thinks you're dead, ya know?" Edmund said. He was taking her to Peter.

"Take me to him then, I won't bring it up," Ester said.

Edmund nodded. "Anything for Peter's Queen."

Edmund brought her to the dusty room Peter and Edmund were sharing. Peter's back was to them as he cried whole heartily. Ester's heart broke at the sounds coming from Peter as he broke down. Ester wiggled away from Edmund and shooed him out of the room. Once he was gone she walked over to Peter. She knelled by his back resting her hand on his shoulder.

"Go away," Peter said. He sounded absolutely nothing like himself.

"Peter, honey, it's me," Ester whispered rubbing his arm.

"Ester?" Peter asked turning over quickly. "Ester! Oh, Ester! Are you alright? Have you hurt yourself? You're covered in scratches! How'd you get here? Am I dreaming? I love you," Peter rambled on.

Ester pulled him into a bone crushing hug. He sobbed into her shoulder gripping onto her like she could disappear any moment. Peter pulled away first only to lean back in and kiss her. It was only for a moment before he went back to hugging her. During the kiss Ester could taste Peter's salty tears as he wept continuously. Peter pulled her onto the bed and pulled off her clothes. He pulled off his own shirt before pulling it onto her. He pulled her into a cuddle where he held her tightly.

"Nothing like this will ever happen again. You're safe with me. I swear it," Peter whispered. Ester knew it was more for himself than for her.

"I know, I love you," Ester whispered tucking herself into his chest.

"I love you more," Peter whispered back stroking her hair. "I don't want to wake up." Peter cried lightly, and held onto Ester tighter.

"You're not sleeping," Ester said.

"Mmm."

"Peter."

"Mmm."

"Peter you won't stop me from fighting, you know that right?"

"Like I'm gonna let you after this."

"Peter, be serious."

"No you be serious. I almost lost you once, do you really think I'll take another chance like that? Don't think so."

Peter gripped onto her tighter. Her hair was scratchy against his face but he didn't mind. It could cut him open and he wouldn't care less. It was hers, and she was here. He had no right to complain about anything. She'd almost died.

"Peter, these are my people too."

"Well, I'm High King."

"You've never pulled rank on me before."

"I've never had to, but if making you mad at me is what I have to do to protect you then so be it."

"We'll talk about it in the morning."

They were both well aware that Ester would fight when she needed to. But for now, the pain in her shoulder woke her up. Sneaking out of Peter's grasp, she snuck her way to Lucy. The youngest sibling was still sleeping peacefully, but her eyes were red. No doubt from the belief that Ester was dead. Ester shook Lucy awake, only to be greeted with a bone crushing hug. But, the excitement of being back had worn down to dull happiness, and the pain in her shoulder where the arrow had hit her hurt very badly now.

"Lucy," she said, gently pulling herself away. "I wondered if you might help me."

"What's wrong?"

"I was shot with an arrow," Ester said, peeling Peter's shirt back, even though the blood had seeped through her own clothes, in the dark, Peter hadn't noticed. He'd been more concerned with the fact that she was back at all.

"Oh my god," she said, fumbling for her belt right away. She found it, and instructed Ester to sit down and tilt her head back. Following orders, Ester sat down. Lucy let a drop fall from the vial and into Ester's mouth.

"Ow!" Ester shouted, holding onto her shoulder. It was a searing pain, one that Ester could barely handle. A piece of the arrow must have still been in there, even though Ester had been fairly certain that it had all been taken out. Or more appropriate, it had just snapped when she fell and adrenaline kept her from feeling the full pain, which she felt double of now. She fell off the bed and onto her knees, her cries attracting the attention of Susan, Caspian and Peter.

"I don't know what happened! I gave her a drop of the firefly serum and she just started screaming," Lucy explained to frantic ears. Caspian and Susan were trying to talk out an explanation while Peter struggled with the pain of watching Ester suffer at the hands of something he couldn't punch. It was torture to him.

"What happened? Why was her shoulder hurt?" Susan asked, kneeling by Ester's side. Peter watched in horror a few feet away, Caspian noticed the pain on his face and took a knee across from Susan, willing to help in anyway.

"A piece of the arrow must still be in there, it must hurt for flesh and bone to grow around a piece of wood, not to mention it could be stabbing her every time she moves. Stay still, Ester, try to stay still."

"What do we do?" Caspian asked, trying to hold Ester's shoulders still. She squirmed, but quieted down. She raised a hand out to Peter, who immediately grabbed it, sitting down beside her. Caspian moved over to Susan's side to make room for him. "We have to get it out, don't we?"

"Lucy, be ready with another drop of that, Caspian is going to cut it out, then use that right away. Should prevent any infection and heal it without the pain she's going through." Susan handed Caspian Lucy's small knife, as Lucy got ready by Ester's head. Ester's head was placed on Lucy's lap. The screaming had stopped, but tears still fell down the sides of her face, wetting small patches of hair by her ears.

"Why me?" Caspian asked.

"We've all known her for so long, it would be harder for us. Please," Susan said.

"Yes, yes, of course." Caspian held the knife, his hand slightly wavering. This was High King Peter's love he was about to carve, it wasn't an easy task. "Sorry about this." He dug the knife into Ester's shoulder quickly, reducing her back to screaming. There was no adrenaline in this situation, just terror. "How do I get out the pieces of arrow? I don't know!"

"Move!" Susan shouted, shooing Caspian's hands and the knife away. Without hesitation, Susan stuck her fingers into the cut, no doubt causing pain. But she pinched the small piece of wood between her tow fingers, and pulled it out. "Lucy, go on."

The drop of serum falling between her lips caused all the shouting to stop. The pain was gone, it no longer caused a stabbing pain in her shoulder to cease immediately.

Peter brushed his thumb across her cheek. "I was useless," he said. "When something happens to Ester I become useless."

"Nothing else will happen, if you stop shoving her off to the sidelines, leaving her isolated just makes it worse. From here on out, she stays with the rest of us. No more of this, just relax, she can handle herself." Susan stood up, Caspian following.

"Better let her get some sleep," Lucy said. "Put her in my bed, I'll go to yours."

"Get some sleep, Lu." Peter didn't look up from Ester's face. She was already half asleep. "I'll see you in the morning."