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 Seventeen: Unforeseen, Part Two

"And they killed her too!" Aslan, let it not be so. Oreius prayed it was not true, that Alambiel was not dead. Not now, not so soon. He increased his pace but kept the impassive mask firmly in place as he followed Remus Greyback through the halls of Cair Paravel. If Alambiel were dead . . . No. No, he would not allow himself to contemplate it. She could not be dead.

The Wolf pelted into the healers' wing then yipped. "Here! Here! She's in here, General!"

Oreius slowed his steps as he entered the healers' wing. There were several junior healers scurrying around, carrying bloodied cloths and other healing implements. One of the Nymphs hurried forward to inspect Remus although he suspected the pup was well based on how he had raced from the dungeons. Oreius' focus shifted from the Wolf to the curtain that had been drawn around one of the beds. One of the healers emerged and he caught a glimpse of a sheet covering a head. No.

Pulling back the curtain, Oreius paused, his heart constricting, as he took in the body laid out on the cot. The sheet prevented him from seeing her features. He needed to see it before he could bring himself to believe it. He didn't know if he could believe it even when he drew the sheet back, though. He stepped up to the cot and then drew the sheet down. The face staring up at him was pale from death and her eyes were closed but it was not Alambiel. The sable-haired Nymph was not Alambiel.

Relief fought with worry as he took a steadying breath. Alambiel was not here. But . . . He looked around as the curtain shielding the cot was drawn back once more. Tanith met his gaze for a moment then dropped her eyes to the Nymph. "Her name is Merry. She was one of Queen Susan's ladies." She didn't look at him again as she approached the other side of the cot and drew the sheet back over the Nymph's face.

He nodded curtly but he could not rid himself of the true reason he had come here. He could not focus on this Nymph until he knew whether Alambiel was in one of the private rooms. "Tanith, my . . . the Princess Royal was not brought here?"

She glanced at him then looked down, a blush decorating her cheeks as she shook her head. "She was not brought here. Only Merry."

For the moment, relief gained the upper hand. Tanith would have told him if Leeta had been sent to fetch aid. He was certain. But . . . A single cold realization stole relief before it could fully unfurl its wings. The Werewolves got Alambiel. What if the pup had not meant that they had just attacked Alambiel or killed her? What if they had taken her? The Hag had said she had come for the linchpin. Alambiel taken again, stolen when she should have been safe.

Tanith was murmuring something but he did not register the words. Instead, Oreius clenched his fists. "I will return," was all he managed to say before he shoved the curtain back. He scanned the room, searching for that pup. He would tell him exactly where his wife was and in what condition. But Remus was nowhere to be seen. Oreius grabbed one of the Fauns. "Linus, where is Remus Greyback?"

The junior healer paled as he stuttered, "H-h-h-he l-l-le-left! J-j-just a m-m-m-moment pa-pa-past!"

Oreius bit back the urge to shout at the Faun for letting the Wolf go and to banish the Greyback twins to Caldron Pool. Releasing the Faun, he barely registered the fact that Linus promptly fainted. He needed to find Alambiel. He had to find her first. He still did not know for certain if his wife was all right. All Tanith knew was that she was not there but Alambiel could have been laid out in their quarters quietly, wounded or . . . or worse.

Perhaps it would have been wiser to take actions that would draw less attention to himself but he could not command himself to move at less than a gallop. Already his mind raced with the worst possible scenarios. Alambiel dead. Alambiel wounded. Or worst of all, Alambiel taken by the Werewolves who wanted Narnia's linchpin. If she had been taken, if she had been taken and he was too late in finding her, he would kill that damnable sorcerer.

The sitting room was empty when he burst in but the door to his study had been pushed to and he could hear a low conversation taking place inside. Oreius shoved the door open and was immediately greeted by the sight of Leeta standing next to the chair in the corner. The dark-haired Nymph looked up, worry in her black eyes, but then she returned her attention immediately to the occupant of the chair. "My lady, please. You need to clean up and you need to allow someone tend to the wounds."

The vise around Oreius' heart finally began to ease when Alambiel countered, "Only if you agree to follow my instructions, Leeta."

Oreius spoke before the Black Elder Nymph could protest further, "I will see to her, Leeta."

She curtsied slightly then frowned at Alambiel. "If you don't cooperate for him, I will bring Alithia and Tuulea back with me and then you will no longer have the option of protesting, Your Highness."

Oreius waited only until he heard her shut the doors again before he crossed to Alambiel. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head. She looked pale and the front of her dress and the side of her face were covered in blood but he didn't care as he pulled her into a tight embrace. She was alive, thank Aslan, she had not been snatched away again. Pressing a kiss to her hair, he rumbled, "Where were you?"

"The beach."

She gasped a little and Oreius immediately loosened his grip even though he kept his hands on her arms. "You are hurt. Come with me." He led her into their bedchamber and into the bath. After helping her out of the soiled gown and underdress, he was relieved to see that the wounds mainly consisted of scratches to her arms though he suspected some others were hidden beneath the blood that had also stained the neck of her shift. Pouring steaming water into the bowl on the washstand, he soaked a cloth before he finally looked at her. "Tell me what happened."

"Edmund found me as I was going into the maze. He wanted to speak . . . in private and suggested the beach. I agreed." She glanced at him from beneath her lashes as he gently wiped the blood away from her temple and cheek. "The Werewolves surprised me. I only had enough time to knock Edmund out of the way. I'm still their favorite snack, apparently."

The cloth stilled for a moment as he stared down at her. "And where is the colt?"

"He is quietly rounding up his siblings and alerting them to the situation." She offered a little grin but the smile never reached her eyes. "Other than being soaked and rather bad-tempered, he emerged from the scuffle unscathed."

"Scuffle." Oreius pursed his lips when she winced as the cloth wiped blood away from a long red scratch running the length of her throat. "They should not have been able to come this far inside our defenses."

"There's a hole, obviously." Alambiel winced again then rested her hand atop his, stilling the cloth and then taking it from him. She turned back to the bowl but her movements were stiff and she seemed to be favoring her left side. "But, I came out all right. They didn't even have the chance to bite me this time."

"How are your ribs?"

"Ummm, there's a hole in our defenses. Edmund told me that Remus and Romulus followed one of the Werewolves to a victim. Close to where Jezreel attempted to assassinate Susan last year. Ow!"

Oreius frowned at her then slowly removed his hand from her lower ribs. "I see why you favor this tactic when I attempt to avoid your questions."

"Yes, it's very effective. But aggravating my bruises doesn't help." She stepped away from him but called over her shoulder, "And now you should focus on cleaning yourself up. The Four will be expecting us sooner than later."

He did not follow her but only because he could still see her through the open doorway. Keeping one eye on Alambiel's movements, he quickly cleaned off the blood that had transferred from her dress. But when he tried to help her with the salve, his wife only allowed him to apply it to a large bruise in the middle of her back before she changed into one of her plainer dresses, only the rich velvet giving away that the dark brown gown belonged to a noble lady.

Alambiel glanced at him over her shoulder as he finished lacing the back of her dress up. "They're waiting for us."

Oreius gave a curt nod but he did not move. Alambiel turned to face him, a gleam of curiosity appearing in her eyes as he took her hand. He considered his words carefully before rumbling, "You will not like what I am going to say in this meeting but please do not argue. Trust me that everything I say, everything I require is necessary."

"All right."

She did not look particularly pleased with the agreement but Oreius did not press. A furious wife who was safe was far better than a wife who was lost because he tried to please her at the wrong time. He could only hope that she would resist balking during the meeting. The Kings would give him enough trouble as it was.

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Edmund scanned the little room. In the interest of keeping the attack on the beach as quiet as possible, they were meeting in the small solarium closest to the girls' rooms. Lucy and Susan were seated together on one of the settees, clutching each other's hands but they both wore the serene looks of Narnia's queens during any diplomatic meeting although Susan was a tad paler than usual. Romulus had reached her first and there had been a small patch of blood along his muzzle that Edmund had missed (Remus had charged off to find Oreius before he could clean him up along with his brother), which resulted in Susan frantically checking him for any wounds when he caught up to the Wolf. Peter was also sitting and though his brother looked calm, the way he sat perfectly still and the barely detectable tightness around his mouth gave away that he was worried. Thalia was standing directly behind Peter's chair and this time she had laid both slender hands on her husband's shoulders. Edmund hoped that his sister-in-law's calming touch would help Peter not to fret too much as more time passed without Oreius and Kat arriving.

He resisted the temptation to send a page after them. He wasn't sure exactly how severe Kat's injuries were even though she had gotten to her feet fairly quickly . . . after killing one Werewolf and maiming another. Edmund crossed his arms in order to keep from drumming his fingers against the mantelpiece as he stood next to the fireplace. The day was warm enough that the logs were unlit, which removed a good excuse to stab them with the poker. Although if he had to wait much longer, he might stab them with the poker anyway.

The solarium door opened and Kat entered with Oreius right behind her. Edmund noticed that Kat's hair had been pulled forward over her left shoulder, obscuring that side of her neck and probably hiding a mark from the Werewolf attack. As soon as the door shut, Kat propped her hands on her hips. "Do we know why the Fell are trying to kill us this time or is this just one of those lovely gifts of Murphy we tend to attract?"

Edmund smirked a little even knowing the seriousness of the situation. Oreius, however, gave Kat an impatient look and motioned for her to sit in the empty chair next to the settee. To his surprise, Kat didn't make another joke and simply took her seat. Edmund exchanged a glance with Peter and nodded slightly. He would let Peter take the first question.

His brother immediately turned to their general. His voice was only somewhat taught as he asked, "How did Werewolves get to our beach?"

Oreius flicked his tail but his dark gaze remained steady and unwavering as he met Peter's inquiring one. "I do not know yet, Your Majesty. It is possible there was a breach or . . ." he paused only for a moment before continuing solemnly, "or someone else diverted a patrol's attention long enough for the Fell to slip through a gap. Lieutenant Gemon's patrol captured a Hag this morn."

Edmund perked up. "Have you had the chance to question her yet?"

"I was only able to ask one question, My King, before the creature perished from her wounds. She made it clear that the Fell are hunting and their target is here in Cair Paravel."

Kat propped her chin on her hand. "Meaning here in this room."

Oreius looked at her. "Yes." He turned his attention back to Edmund and Peter. "Majesties, you are both aware of what that sorcerer has been telling us. The vague mentions of threats."

Peter glanced at him and Edmund knew they were both thinking of the same thing–Markus' mention of Kat as the linchpin. But . . . Edmund studied Oreius' face, looking for the little hints beneath his impassive expression. Worry, definitely worry and a cold determination lingered in the Centaur general's dark eyes as a barely detectable flicker that most people would miss. In that moment, Edmund realized that Kat did not know about Markus identifying her as the linchpin and Oreius wanted to keep it that way. Or he at least didn't want Kat finding out in this meeting. He cleared his throat. "Markus hasn't or won't tell us enough details to narrow down who might be plotting against us."

The Centaur gave a curt nod then he fixed each of them with the stern look usually reserved for the training yard. His tone was impassive, steady, and forewarned that any arguments would be useless. "That is one of my main concerns. We must find the hole in our defenses and determine if we have a traitor in our midst. I cannot focus on these concerns if I am unable to secure the safety of the Royal family. Both generations of the Royal family."

The offended look that crossed Kat's face at the last bit was almost enough to distract Edmund. He wasn't sure if she were reacting to being numbered among the royal family or to being a generation separated from him and his siblings. Nevertheless, the words that next reached his ears ensured his complete attention. "It is for this reason that I am imposing tighter security measures for you." Oreius' stern visage seemed even more so now as he waited until everyone was looking at him before continuing, "None of you are to go anywhere outside of your private chambers without your guards. When you return to your chambers, one of the guards must inspect each room before you enter. You will not leave the grounds of Cair Paravel without a heavy guard and with a confirmation that the area you need to visit has been secured by two patrols. I do not want any of you to so much as visit the beach or go down to the docks until this current threat has been identified and rectified."

Edmund scowled but Peter spoke first, "I agree with the measures. Being inconvenienced is better than dead." He reached up to touch Thalia's hand and concern grew in his blue eyes as he added, "However, I think Ed and I should be involved in this hunt. Or, at least, the inspection of our defenses."

Lucy popped up from where she had been on the settee, a look of fierce determination on her sweet face that usually preceded her drawing the little dagger on her belt. She raised her chin as she gazed up at the general who still towered over her even though the top of her head came just under Kat's chin now. "We can't just let people approach the Cair without warning them if there are any more Fell. We have to protect our people too. I can go with a patrol and we can help search for any holes in our defenses around Cair Paravel while we're warning travelers to be careful or to dissuade them from coming to see us unless it's a priority, something that can't wait a few days."

Kat had her chin propped on her hand again as she quietly interjected, "We can't afford to seal off the Cair completely, Lucy. Not when we're hosting that Tarkaan." Other than the slightest narrowing of her eyes, there was no sign that the Tarkaan's presence troubled her.

"But-"

"She's right, Lu," Edmund stated. He sighed when she turned wide blue eyes on him that begged him to support her suggestion. Raising his hands, he began ticking off points, "First off, that Calormene chap's main business in Narnia is to spy on us for the Tisroc (may his cake be stale forever). Second, if we warn the Narnians, we'll cause a panic among our own people and the visiting merchants and the diplomats, especially if we don't warn the visitors as well. Third, if Oreius is right about the six of us being targets, then you, Susan, and Thalia will be viewed as the most vulnerable and easiest targets." He smirked, remembering all the times the same three ladies had surprised their enemies. "Even if that isn't true. Kat's a target just by being Kat. So we need to be smart about this. Peter and I can join Oreius in hunting out at least the weaknesses in our defenses if we do it right. Besides, I'll be busy with the spies."

Peter nodded. "It will be easier if we don't spread ourselves too thin even here in our home." Edmund saw his grip on Thalia's hand tighten but his gaze was steady and his tone was that of the High King, which would brook no argument, as he stated quietly, "You four should try to move in pairs or at least keep two or three of your ladies with you if for some reason you're by yourself."

Lucy pouted but Oreius nodded once. "A wise plan, My King." His dark gaze met and held each of theirs again as he rumbled, "No unnecessary risks."

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Susan sank back onto the settee, her hands were trembling and her breathing was unsteady. When Kat had asked to speak to her privately, she had not imagined . . . had not dreamed that it would be about . . . about . . . Oh it was too much. She looked up at Kat whose eyes had softened with understanding. Susan blinked back the tears threatening to obscure her vision. "You are certain it was Merry?"

Kat sat next to her on the settee and took one of her hands. Susan shivered as she realized how cold her hands were compared to Kat's. The older woman kept her voice low as she said, "I didn't see her myself. Oreius informed me of the identity of the Werewolves' victim before we came here. He's going back to the healers' wing as soon as he finishes issuing the new orders to the Royal Guard to find out anything else that might be discovered through the attack."

She paused and Susan blinked back another stubborn tear. Then Kat asked softly, "How long has Merry been among your ladies?"

"She . . . I invited Merry to take the position of one of my ladies-in-waiting after Thalia married Peter." She looked at Kat uncertainly. "I don't think you two ever had a chance to become truly acquainted since Merry joined my ladies after you, that is, she joined my ladies after you and Lucy sailed for the Seven Isles."

Kat nodded slowly but thank Aslan she did not pale nor act as though an unpleasant memory had been triggered. "What about her family?"

"Oh, Merry was an orphan. An uncle, a Satyr by the name of Loc, raised her if I recall correctly." Susan frowned as she went over everything she could recall about Merry's kin. She shook her head slowly. "Merry's uncle died last Frostmoon. I don't think they had any other family still living."

She pressed the back of her free hand to her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut. A headache threatened and there was so much she needed to do, especially now. "I'll have the funeral arrangements made for her. She didn't have a Tree. And since there's no family to claim her, we'll claim her."

Kat squeezed her hand. "It's going to be all right."

She didn't say anything more but Susan still sensed that she had more to say. Opening her eyes, she withdrew her hand from Kat's gentle hold and folded both hands in her lap. Straightening her shoulders, she raised her chin slightly to meet Kat's considering gaze. "What is it?"

"Do you know why Merry was outside Cair Paravel today? Edmund's Wolves found her in an area that would work well as a trysting place. Did she have a suitor or at least someone interested in chasing her?"

She had to think about it but then she shook her head. "Merry never mentioned anything of the sort to me. I assumed she was still grieving her uncle but it is possible that she simply hadn't relaxed enough to take me into her confidences."

Kat looked at her. "Deianeira gets to shepherd the newest ladies-in-waiting, especially if they're Nymphs. We'll have to talk to her tomorrow, though. Shayna's teething and Silverstone mentioned yesterday that there is currently a visitor ban with the exception of Tuulea, of course."

"You're trying to retrace Merry's steps." Susan glanced at the solarium door, reassuring herself that it was still tightly shut. The guards outside would ensure there weren't any eavesdroppers. But, she still lowered her voice as she queried, "What is it you think happened?"

"I want to make sure this was an unhappy accident with Merry," Kat's murmur was barely above a whisper. "But if we have someone on the inside who lured Merry to a place where the Fell would be sure to attack her, then we should do as much tracing of her last movements as we can."

"You're not going to trace her steps from the Cair, are you?"

Kat shook her head and Susan sighed in relief. A hint of a smile appeared on the older woman's lips as she gave her a knowing look. "Oreius would lock me up if I tried to go beyond the walls after today. And I don't fancy spending time in one of the tower rooms because Oreius would not tolerate putting me in one of the cells across from Markus. No, I think we should trace her steps here in the palace. Talking to Deianeira will help, I hope. But I think we should inspect her quarters too. Now before word of Merry's death spreads."

Susan nodded. "I think that would be wise." She knew what Kat wasn't saying. That they were really going to search for any indications that Merry had been a traitor. She prayed that Merry hadn't been one, she hated to think that the grief over her death might be tainted by disloyalty. Nothing in the Nymph's interactions with her had ever given her a sense of wariness but she had not known Merry very long, barely a full year, and in the chaos of Kat's memory loss, the assassination attempts, and then planning Kat and Oreius' wedding and reception . . .

Well, she had not been as focused on reaching out to her new lady-in-waiting as she normally was. And Merry had been shy about opening up to people.

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The healers' wing was still compared to before when Oreius returned. But they were no longer attempting to save a life. His iron-shod hooves echoed loudly through the main room as he saw no reason to attempt to soften his steps. There was no need for secrecy now.

He caught a glimpse of Linus coming around the corner but, before he could hail him, the Faun's eyes widened as he turned alarmingly pale. Linus swallowed hard and then spun on one little cloven hoof and hurried back the way he had come. Oreius huffed but continued to the only cot that had the privacy curtain drawn around it. The curtain opened and Tanith's eyes widened slightly upon seeing him. Then she stepped aside. "General, you must want the report."

"Yes." He ignored the nervous way Tanith avoided his eyes as he joined her beside the cot. Her uneasiness around him since the day he had let her hopes down as gently as he could only faded when she was making a report. Once she began discussing her findings, she would be more relaxed. He glanced down at the sable-haired Nymph. Such a waste of life.

The silence stretched as Tanith took up a place on the other side of the cot. He would need to prompt her. He kept his tone professional and took care not to sound impatient. "How was she killed?" Oreius flicked his tail as he asked, "Werewolves?"

Warm brown eyes darted up to meet his then Tanith shook her head. "No. The Werewolves were interrupted as they," she paused, her face twisting into an expression of horrified disgust, and then continued, ". . . as they ate. But she was murdered by . . ." The Centauress trailed off.

"What is it?"

Tanith sighed. "It will be better if I showed you." She reached across the Nymph to grasp her shoulder and then rolled her onto her side. Keeping one hand on her shoulder, Tanith reached down and pulled the sheet up to expose the Nymph's bare back. Dried blood and the torn remnants of a fine gown clung to her skin but that was not what stole the breath from Oreius' lungs.

He stared in disbelief at the fresh wounds cutting into her back. Four long cuts ran down from either shoulder until they overlapped at the center of her back. He did not move the sheet to see but he had no doubt that the wounds continued to her hips. Just like Alambiel's scars.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Also, I have a poll up on my profile. Cast your votes! Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one and if you have any requests for a Valentine's Day fic.