Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia or its characters. They belong to C. S. Lewis.

Forward March!

…

Recap:

She moved quickly and swiftly, her feet finding strength in the fact that she was free. Her joy did not last for long. The growling of angry creatures reached her ears. Her feet stilled.

'No….' she whispered. 'No….'

…

Vladimar raised his covered feet and propped them lazily upon the antique table, standing nearby. The room was in semi darkness, the only light being the flames leaping in the fireplace. He rested his head back, yawning in mock boredom. Someone knocked at the door, breaking the stretching silence. His deep, dark blue eyes opened abruptly and narrowed sharply as he raised his voice calling out.

'Come in!'

The door opened, slightly as if the person was hesitating. Vladimar glanced at the person standing in the shadows, a sneer upon his handsome face.

'Well Heidi. I'm glad you could make it. Do come in.'

He gestured towards a chair nestled beside the lit hearth. Heidi stepped forwards, removing her dark hood and the dim light of the room fell upon her features. Her face was a reflection of radiance and perfection. Her dark eyes were shadowed by her smooth fair waves. She was tall and statuesque with a pointed chin and square cut jaw. She sank gracefully into the chair glancing at Vladimar through lowered lashes. He smiled to himself. Heidi would be perfect.

'You summoned me, my lord?' she asked nestling her pale hands in her lap. Vladimar looked at her carefully, a smirk growing upon his lips. He spoke up

'My pretty one, I have an important job for you.'

She glanced up quickly.

'A job? What kind of?'

'Patience.' He held up his hand. 'I need you to….ah….shall we say, seduce High King Peter?' He raised his eyebrows coyly. Heidi looked at him astonished.

'My lord….I do not understand.'

He sat up, all traces of humor gone. His eyes flashed oddly and Heidi flinched.

'Do you not? I am asking you to take that arrogant boy under your spell. Now do you understand?'

Heidi hesitated and whispered out.

'But my lord, they have already sent all the maidens back. What excuse will I have to offer?'

He glared at her violently and she ducked her head.

'That is your choice, my dear.' His voice turned sweet. 'You would not want me to force you, would you?'

Heidi winced and shook her head.

'But-'

'You shall leave at the first sign of daybreak.' He continued oblivious to her pained expression.

'But, my lord, he and that girl form Liviope are quite close.'

Vladimar stood up towering over her and she cowered in her chair holding her face in her hands as if to protect herself.

'I told you.' He hissed harshly. 'That is your job. Get out now.'

She stood up at once, fleeing from the room, her footsteps echoing away. The ghost of a smile went up on his face and he recline din his chair, his face hardening into bitterness and hatred.

…..

Hooves sounded upon the forest floor as the paws of the fine horses struck the mossy ground wet from the drizzle that morning. The sun was at work, bravely attempting to dry the forest but the shading canopy was not making it easy for it. The branches shook and the range of flowers fluttered as five horses came into view, with a pack of talking wolves at their feet. In the lead was Peter, his fair hair tousled, smiling. Edmund, close on his heels, grinned and shouted out.

'You are such a goner!'

Peter stuck his tongue out and Susan, her curls flying behind her and an ivory horn at her side, behind the two brothers called out.

'So are you, Ed!'

'Ha!' Edmund retorted. 'I'm so scared!'

Lucy's sweet laughter rang around the forest as she stared at her sibling's antics. She flapped the reins and the horse sped up, following Isabella's dark horse with its glossy mane. Isabella turned around and smiled brightly. Lucy nodded her head, a competitive gleam in her eyes. She pulled her horse into length with Isabella but the dark haired girl only increased her own speed, sticking her tongue out. Lucy laughed again, throwing back her mane of auburn hair, her light brown eyes twinkling. They sped on through the forest, their fine clothes glittering in the faint sunlight, their hair shining and their expression radiant.

Edmund grinned wider and allowed his horse to increase its speed, the hooves thudding across the ground. He turned his head to Lucy laugh at Isabella's actions and smiled. Those two would get along very well. The horses slowed to a trot as they were forced to go through a narrow opening of branches and shrubs and huge trees. Philip remained behind, slowing down and neighing. Edmund glanced at his quizzically and t the retreating back of his companions, disappearing through the thicket of greenery. After a moment's hesitation, Philip too followed them, trying to catch up to the others. He succeeded. Somewhat. Edmund looked around, narrowing his eyes as he caught sight of a banner of fair hair, damp and matted. He reined in calling to the others. They too stopped.

'Ed? What's wrong?' Susan asked, coming up to him. Edmund jerked his head to the east.

'I saw someone.'

Peter started his horse, biting his lips.

'Come on.'

They formed together to the girl lying between the moss covered rocks and stones, her face hidden in her arms. Isabella dismounted first, stepping towards the girl and gently turning her around. Her face was scratched and bruised and her hair sticky with blood. Her clothes were torn badly. Edmund stared at her, his heart lurching with pity. Isabella's emerald eyes widened and she cried out.

'Asha!'

…

Peter sat under the shade of the huge maple tree, his back against the large, gnarled trunk clad in a dark tunic, leggings and riding boots, Rhindon at his side. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes and so blocking out the star lit sky. He sighed, relaxing for the briefest moment.

Asha lay in one of the magnificently decorated guest chambers, under the care of Lucy and several other healers. A message had been sent to Dane in Liriope of Asha's safety. But the princes had not wanted to return in case of battle. The healers were hopeful that she would recover soon. At least they hoped. Peter heard the sound of his horse neighing nearby, roaming around and tasting the wet grass. He crossed his arms behind his head, shaking all thoughts from his head.

'Ouch!' He opened his eyes to see a hooded girl standing against the tree opposite him, rubbing her foot as if in pain. He stood up gracefully, moving next to her. She was quite pretty with long tresses of dark blond hair and dark eyes n her pale face but she was no where near compared to Isabella. He flushed. What was wrong with him? But whether he wanted to admit it or not, Isabella had captured his heart. To some extent. The girl glanced up, forcing a stray strand behind her ear. Peter stopped next to her, questioning.

'My Lady, are you alright?'

'Yes, thank you Your Majesty.' She replied standing up straight and letting her hood fall back. 'But I am dreadfully lost. Can you tell me my present location?'

'Cair Paravel.' He said kindly, offering her an arm. 'But perhaps you need some lodgings for the night? You could not possibly find your way home in this dark.'

'I don't have a home.' She blurted out. Peter raised an eyebrow.

'Then you will have to stay at the castle tonight. I insist.'

'Oh, I would not want to intrude.' She hesitated, masking the triumph dancing in her eyes. Peter smiled wanly.

'Not at all, My Lady.' She took his offered arm. 'Shall we?'

He assisted her upon the horse, wondering who the girl was. She flashed him a smile.

'I'm Heidi Valkov, Your Majesty.'

'Peter.' He replied absently. He wondered dimply whether it was just a coincidence that they had found two girls on the same day? Must be 'find roaming girls' day.

…

Lucy opened her cordial and carefully dropped a scarlet droplet in Asha's mouth. She stood back and replaced the top, watching Isabella's worried face intently. Lucy wiped her brow and touched her red hair, pulled back in messy bun, before asking her.

'You are friends?'

Isabella glanced up, a faint smile forming on her face.

'Closer. We are the best of the friends- sisters.'

'Is she from Liriope as well?'

Isabella shook her head, tucking a black lock behind her back. A fond smile placed itself upon her face.

'Asha was born in Avra, Long Islands. She was orphaned at a very young age. I met her at the age of six but we went of on the wrong foot. As the years passed we grew closer and closer. She celebrated our joys and our triumphs, cried in our pain, helped us in ruling and comforted us. She participated in our happiness, our unions, our ecstasy and also our pains, our grief and our sorrow. She loves Liriope as much as we do. She's family. '

Lucy was touched by the depth in Isabella's voice. So they were good friends. She watched the cuts and bruises on Asha's face fade as the potion did its magic.

'She'll pull through.' She said softly. 'Don't worry.'

Isabella glanced at her.

'Why should I worry when she has a healer like you, Lucy?' she teased lightly. Lucy's cheeks turned into two roses.

'Do you like my brother?' she asked abruptly. Isabella stared at her curiously.

'Which one?'

Lucy rolled her eyes, exasperatedly. Isabella laughed slightly.

'Of course Peter!'

'Well…' she said cautiously. 'Sometimes, when he's not acting like an arrogant big head.'

Lucy could not maintain a sober face and she giggled, looking at the doorway as Edmund knocked gently, his hair tousled.

'How is she?' he asked, keeping his eyes on Asha's face. Lucy smiled secretly to herself. He was truly taken with her. They would make a beautiful couple but Lucy did not dare voice it aloud. Edmund would murder her and later ask questions.

'She's alright.' She looked at Isabella's dancing eyes and knew that Edmund's attitude was apparent to her as well. 'Thank you, Edmund.'

If Edmund was surprised at her using his name he did not show it, smiling brightly at her and mock saluting her.

'My pleasure to help two such fine ladies.'

Isabella and Lucy glanced at each other knowingly before bursting into laughter. Edmund cocked his head to one side.

'What?'

'Nothing.' Lucy said stifling her laughter. 'Come. Let us go for dinner.'

'You go on.' Isabella said, waving away their protests. 'I'll catch you later.'

Lucy walked down the hall, her feet making quiet thump, thump noises. Edmund strode beside her and as they entered the dining pavilion she caught sight of a young, charming girl sitting at the table beside Susan, who was talking to her but it was obvious to Lucy that the girl held no taste for her sister and it was only her graciousness which made her pick up a conversation with the girl. Susan looked perfect as always.

'This is Heidi.' She said as soon as Lucy took her seat that Edmund pulled out for her. Edmund nodded silently while Lucy smiled stiffly, reaching for a roast bun across the table. She glanced at Peter, who looking up said.

'Where's Isabella?'

Edmund choked on his glass of Narnian refreshment and Lucy thumped him on the back, giggling. Susan arched a delicate eyebrow.

'She's with Asha.'

Heidi stiffened and drew in her breath but Lucy was the only one who noticed it. Heidi spoke up, her voice sweet.

'Who is Asha?'

Edmund cut across Susan, replying quietly.

'A close friend.'

Peter stared at Edmund but said nothing and Susan too noticing the tension intervened hastily.

'Come, Lady Heidi, I will show you to your chambers.'

As soon as she was out of earshot, Lucy burst out.

'Something's wrong with her!'

'Hmmm…' Edmund said absent mindedly. He stood up pushing his remaining dinner. 'I'm not hungry.'

'Me neither.' A smile lit Peter's face. 'A game of chess?'

'Oh you are so losing!' Edmund retorted and they strode out together, leaving Lucy behind, rolling her eyes.

Boys…

…..

AND Voila! Another chapter done! Sorry for taking so long but my computer broke and then it got a virus. So yeah…. Reviews please! I am currently working on another writing assignment and so it might take a little while to update. But I will! Kindly REVIEW!

A. L. Potter