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: A sorcerer challenged by Aslan. Love and friendship alike are tested by his presence. And the Gentle Queen faces her own challenge when the sorcerer's true colors are unveiled.

A/N: If you have not read the first eight stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, and Veiled), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Nine: Elucidation

31 Sunbend 1009

The room was almost suffocating from the tension. Oreius knew his colts were most displeased and he had to admit he was also irritated. How did the cheeky little pest manage to bring such trouble in her wake? Folding his arms over his chest, he refused to be moved by the dark shadows beneath her eyes and the faint scratches marring her skin. "Why didn't you alert us sooner?"

Alambiel sighed, her gaze moving from him to the Four. "We returned at ten minutes past third hour. You two showed up at the door just past sixth hour. I was tired, I slept. Markus is still secure in his cell and hasn't caused any difficulty. If any of you ever waited until a decent hour to get up, I would have been able to alert you to the situation and the circumstances surrounding it before you started yelling."

His dark colt leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, gaze intent on Alambiel. "You said we needed him. Why?"

She looked away, already shaking her head. "I can't tell you that, I just know we need him. And there is something different about this one. He does not feel evil."

"Kat. He's a sorcerer," the High King looked stern as he continued, "and as such he cannot be trusted. He was on the battlefield. He set himself against Aslan."

Alambiel glanced at him, something flickering in her blue eyes, hope or perhaps a plea for his help, his understanding. Oreius didn't move. He didn't know what to give her, not with this one. The flicker turned to just the briefest hint of disappointment before disappearing all together as his wife turned her attention back to the Four. "Have you spoken to him?"

"No."

His colts exchanged a long glance before Edmund asked, "What are you trying to make us do, Kat?"

Now his wife smiled as she placed her hands on her hips. She gave the slightest shake of her head. "I'm not your mother to make you do anything. However, I think it would greatly benefit you if you took the time to talk to Markus. Hear what he has to say."

Peter cast him a sharp look then turned back to Alambiel. "Listen to a sorcerer? Have you lost your mind?"

"Only once or twice and I always find it again."

Oreius frowned at her. "This is not the time for jests." He gestured to the empty room around them. "You are fortunate that you are not having to explain yourself to the full council. Why would you trust this sorcerer enough to bring him to Cair Paravel?"

Alambiel crossed her arms, frowning slightly. "You're acting like I invited him to have tea and biscuits. I put him in the dungeon. Hardly a warm welcome with open arms."

The Queens exchanged looks then Queen Susan nodded. "She has followed protocol for prisoners, Peter, and you didn't need to drag Kat down here before breakfast."

What his golden colt would have said, Oreius didn't know, for Thalia leaned down to speak to her husband. Her voice was soft but carried still in the quiet room. "Peter, you know the Princess Royal would not have brought the sorcerer here if she thought him a true threat."

Peter leaned back with a sigh. "Very well. We can question the sorcerer but really Kat, the next time you decide to drag a sorcerer home, please send us a message so it won't be an unpleasant surprise."

Alambiel glanced at him then shrugged. "I thought speed counted more than warning but if you say so, the next time a sorcerer surrenders to my custody, I'll be sure to send a message."

Queen Lucy giggled and King Edmund smirked. Oreius didn't smile but he thought it was good the High King too relaxed. "All right, Ed and I will interview this sorcerer after breakfast. You girls can handle the court if we run late, I know."

"Actually," Queen Susan interjected, "you and Thalia have to be present for the ambassador's speeches."

"Speeches?"

Alambiel glanced at him again then interrupted before his golden colt could do more than groan. "Which ambassador?"

"Terril," Susan answered as she frowned at her brother. "Peter, he is from Terebinthia and apparently it is absolutely required for you and Thalia to be there along with Lucy. You have to go."

"But, the sorcerer-"

Oreius smothered the urge to chuckle as the Gentle rose from her seat, pinning the High King with a flinty look as she smoothly countered, "Will still be in the dungeons tomorrow. Edmund can question him today. You can do so tomorrow, Peter. You can't keep avoiding Ambassador Terril. That's part of the reason he has lingered here."

"Aww, Su." The colt shook his head then sighed. "Well, if it will get rid of our guests faster, I suppose I can stand it." He made a face as his brother snickered. "All right, Ed, we'll interview him separately and compare notes to see what he lied about afterwards."

"Of course. Now let's go get breakfast. I'm starved."

Oreius waited until the Four and Thalia had departed before he approached Alambiel. She tucked her hands behind her back and watched him with just a hint of a smile. "Am I still in trouble?"

"It seems the Four have chosen to forgive you for the slight breach in protocol." He reached out and tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear then lightly touched her jaw. "You still need to write up reports detailing exactly how you came across this sorcerer, though. And there is the matter of the letters."

Alambiel smiled as she took his hand. "And I will write the report…eventually. As for the letters, can we at least have coffee first?"

He squeezed her fingers lightly. "Breakfast then the letters. And Alambiel," he waited until she looked up at him before continuing, "if you ever bring home a sorcerer unannounced again, I will throw you into the sea."

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A/N: Please Read and Review!