Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. C. S. Lewis does.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][

The bleak atmosphere of the room, tinted with misery, anger and a desire for revenge reminded Isabela of a death chamber. If the golden sunlight hadn't been shimmering into the room, lighting up its interior she might have fled it but despite her inner feelings she remained in her seat on the round table glancing at the impassive face of the High King beside her.

She was the High Queen, after all.

Peter knelt his head over a large pile of papers and pictures sprawled over the large, polished table, his fair head ducked down and his sea blue eyes running over the documents, boring down into each curve of the letter.

Isabela realized it was tinged with drops of blood and ink on different areas and she shivered. Blood.

Edmund was deep in discussion with one of the Narnian generals, Lord Peridan who had a wise face, shadowed by a shock of a dark hair, and a kindly manner. A map of Narnia was laid out before them with Edmund's messy writing here and there, marking important areas and discarding the unimportant ones. A battle plan.

They were planning to fight.

Of course.

She turned her eyes back to the letter catching the small, faded phrases.

My lord Peter, they were monsters…. Black beards, large heads…. Larger than a normal man, not even humans are that tall….. huge…..fierce….a furious wind whipped about… faces invisible….. so high…. It was beyond…. Us…destroyed everything… people screamed…. Locals say…. Spirits of the dead….. not sure but….. certainly from tales and legends… I must go…. Hope…..May Aslan

'He didn't get to finish the letter, my liege.' A fatally injured bear croaked out, clutching its bandaged paw. 'I had too run before..' he faltered. 'I hope you understand, my lord.'

'I do.' Peter said firmly, raising his eyes. 'I understand that you tried your best and I am proud of these soldiers. They shall be honoured and their families supported and assisted by us.'

'Yes.' Susan agreed in a soft voice. 'I will make sure of that.'

'My lord, I believe the creatures that are spoken of in this letter are the natives of the north.' Mr. Tumnus said, fingering his scrawny beard. 'I have heard of them before. I believe they are known in your world as… giants. Yes.'

'Giants?' Isabela asked, incredulously, her voice slightly high. 'Giants?'

'Yes. Giants, my queen Lia.' Mr. Tumnus said, apparently alarmed. 'I have not distressed you, have I my lady?'

'No. Not at all, Mr. Tumnus. I was just… surprised by this.'

'And the fact that giants are real.' Edmund said dryly.

'Well that too.' Isabela said heat rising to her cheeks.

'There is nothing to be startled about, my queen.' Peridan said calmly. 'Almost everything is possible in Narnia.'

'What do you propose we do?' Edmund interrupted, peeking at his brother under his night-like bangs.

'I think you know, Ed.' Peter said in his exasperatingly composed manner. 'We fight.'

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][

'I want to go with you.'

Peter did not answer but just strode across the room.

'Peter!' Isabela said sharply, throwing a pillow at him.

'Yes, Isabela?' he asked impatiently, not stopping even for a second.

'Can I go with you?'

'Where to?' He asked running a hand through his blond, dead straight hair. Isabela stared at him, her mouth agape.

'To war, of course!'

'Absolutely not!' Peter said sternly, his expression strict. 'Not you.'

'Please, Peter.'

'No.'

A pout formed on her mouth and she stared at Peter, tears pooling in her eyes.

Peter turned around stunned by her expression.

'Isabela?' he asked anxiously, sitting down beside her. 'Are you hurt?'

She did not speak but stared at him, her eyes huge and pleading.

'Are you crying?' he asked in utter disbelief. He tilted his head to the side and then scowled as he saw the smile fighting on her lips.

'Never do that again!' he said angrily getting up.

'Come on, Peter! I can take care of myself. And I can fight very well.'

'That doesn't matter.' He shook his head. 'You are a queen. And queens do not fight in battles. I do not doubt your skills. But if you go, both my sisters will also insist on going.'

'But warrior queens fight in battles. Susan did in the First Battle of Beruna.' She protested.

'That's different. It was a desperate situation and we needed all the soldiers we could get. And I intend that it never happens again.'

'But Peter.' She said getting up and catching his arm. 'Please?'

Peter sighed, rubbing his eyes.

'Isabela I am tired. Let us discuss this tomorrow.'

'But tomorrow you leave for battle!'

'Hm…'

'Peter if you don't let me come with you then I will run away to join you by myself.'

'What? Have you gone insane?' He thundered losing his temper. 'Do you plan on committing suicide? Are you so eager to get yourself killed?'

'Stop being so over dramatic Peter.' Isabela admonished mockingly. 'You are a king not a child.'

Peter huffed and crossed his arms, his hair standing up, the tips shining in the sunlight.

'No. I forbid it as your king.'

'But, Peter-'

'Isabela…' He wandered off as there was a hurried knock on the door. He called out, striding to open the doors.

'Come in!'

'I couldn't help overhearing your conversation, Peter and I believe that Lia's reasons are fully justified. She deserves a chance to prove herself, don't you think?'

'Lucy.'

'Hey! I am here too!' Edmund protested shaking his head and walking into the room. 'I believe Lia should come with us.'

Peter frowned deeply and stared disapprovingly at Isabela.

'So you convinced them too?'

'On the contrary we overheard her persuasive argument and thought it best to help her.' Lucy said brightly. 'I think she should be included in the army.'

'And if she is killed?' Peter asked, raising his eyebrows. Edmund smiled softly.

'What if you are killed Peter or me?' He asked. 'We live the same danger, all of us. The enemy can even attack the castle while we are gone, then she can be killed. She can be killed in an accident, she can fall off a cliff or hit her head against the wall.'

'You make me seem like a complete klutz, Ed.' Isabela grumbled.

'Hey do you want to go or not?' He rolled his eyes. 'So, Peter, what is your final decision? May we be enlightened by your wise choice?'

Peter sighed.

'Prepare your clothing, Isabela. And you Ed. We leave at sunrise tomorrow.'

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][

Vladimar stared straight ahead, his narrowed eyes glistening in the light of the fire.

He tilted the goblet of wine he held in his hand and the blood red drops fell on a dead man lying unconscious, his head lolling beneath Vladimar's booted foot.

He smirked softly, lounging back against the chair with predatory laziness. He pushed back his head and emitted a loud almost manic laugh like a flushed Mad Hatter just back from a wild party.

His ears pricked up when he heard a man come in and he snarled at the intruder who fell down in alarm and fear.

'My… my lord, they…. They are coming…'

'Who? Who is coming?' He hissed springing to his feet. 'Surely not that old king of Archenland or those brats of Narnia.'

'The brats.' The man faltered. 'The kings and queens of Narnia are coming.'

Vladimar gave a wolf-like howl and through the goblet in the face of the man. It shattered against the man's skin and blood dropped from it.

He would not let them. As that worthless lion, Aslan, as his witness, he would kill those brats before they reached camp.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][

'Take care.' Susan whispered softly. 'Protect yourselves completely. Wear warm clothing and remember to take your camping tents with you. Don't forget to drink plenty of water and eat a healthy breakfast before going out. Don't act rashly and watch your backs. And-'

'Oh Su. You act as if we are going away to another galaxy rather than going to war.' Edmund grumbled rubbing his dark eyes and yawning.

Susan glared violently at him and he laughed weakly before disappearing behind his elder brother.

'Take care Su. And you as well Lu.'

Susan nodded tearfully, waving her hand but Peter embraced her lightly and then wrapped his warm arms around Lucy's small frame.

'Come home soon.' She told him. He nodded. 'And especially you Lia.'

Isabela nodded, running a hand through her tangled ringlets.

'I will.'

They flung themselves on their horses, followed by the entire party, and soon were galloping off to the horizon where the sun lay, rising lazily and glowing gold. Susan stared after them.

'May Aslan be with you.' She whispered.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][

Another chapter though way smaller. I hope you find it entertaining and brilliant. Thanks again for the reviews and keep reviewing. Thanks to all who take out the time to read and review my story.

A. L. Potter