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 Twenty-Seven: Distraction

21 Twirleaf 1009

Alambiel was beginning to regret her choice to be lazy even if it was Sixthday. She lowered the letter and took a deep breath.

"Alambiel?"

She glanced up in surprise that the Kentauri had even come back to their quarters without going directly to his study. In the almost two weeks since her most rumored about collapse, she'd barely seen him. His presence was normally testified to by a steady stream of soldiers and pages and the occasional glancing kiss when she was more asleep than not. She hadn't been able to keep up with his long hours since she needed to sleep in order to function properly.

"Alambiel?" Oreius repeated as he approached the bed then touched the back of his fingers against her cheek. "You are very red. Do you have a fever? Are you feeling ill again? Shall I summon Alithia?"

She sighed. "I don't think Alithia has a cure for acute embarrassment."

The Kentauri raised his eyebrows and she reluctantly handed him one page of the letter. It was easier than trying to explain what she'd been reading. Oreius studied the page briefly, flicked his tail, and then handed the letter back to her, stating, "Creative."

"More like physically impossible." Alambiel grimaced as she fold it and the rest of the pages up. "This and others were written to Merry. I had hoped he would slip up and provide a name but no such luck. Then I came to the unpleasant realization that it was possible they were using the letters as a coded message. So I read it more carefully. Pretty sure it's not a code. Although it can be used for handwriting analysis, I suppose."

She pinched the bridge of her nose while the Kentauri removed the letters. Why couldn't this be easy? Leeta had yet to send word of any new information and she had officially run out of ideas for searching for more information about Merry without breaking her promise to Oreius.

"You are certain you do not need Alithia?"

"Yes, dear." Alambiel opened her eyes and watched him in silence for a few moments as he moved about their bedchamber. She had a feeling he was just there to check up on her because she was too lazy to get up early when there wasn't any training. "You look tired, a chara. Did you not sleep last night?"

She didn't add the 'again' even though she was sorely tempted. Oreius shrugged. "I am a Centaur, Wife. I do not need as much sleep."

Boneheaded Stallion is going to work himself to death. "Well, if you're going to ignore sleep, you might as well have some coffee with me. I have to brace myself for another afternoon helping Susan put the finishing touches on tomorrow night's banquet." She grimaced at the thought.

"Is that why there is a tea tray in the sitting room?"

"Yes. And you know you want to have coffee with me, Kentauri, so hurry up." At her husband's amused look, she knew he had given in. She reached back and fluffed the pillows, making sure they looked invitingly soft, before the Kentauri carried the tea tray into the room. He placed it on top of the low trunk where he kept his tunics then poured two cups of coffee. He handed her one but she immediately set it aside when he tried to step back. "Oh no, you don't. We haven't seen each other and had a proper conversation in weeks."

Alambiel held out her hand as she tossed the covers back. She arched an eyebrow, smirking, when the Kentauri hesitated. "Afraid you won't want to leave?"

Oreius drained his coffee in response and then poured himself a second cup. "I suspect you will go out of your way to misbehave if I don't join you. But only long enough for one cup of coffee, Alambiel. I have more paperwork to take care of today."

"Yes, dear." She picked up her coffee and held it close, inhaling the heavenly scent, as Oreius removed his swords before he joined her in the bed. "How has the search gone?"

"The trackers could only gain so much information and most of the witnesses did not notice anything or were too frightened by the sight of the Fell to notice anything useful." Oreius took another drink of his coffee then he leaned in and touched his temple to hers. "I am sorry that I have been neglecting you. My duties have been requiring more of my time than I had originally anticipated."

And he was too dedicated to ensuring everyone's safety to even think of putting off his duties. Alambiel smiled a little. "Well, unless you wanted gossip about my tiff with the noxious Tarkheena, you haven't missed much." She raised her cup to her lips then lowered it when Oreius chuckled. "What?"

"You told that Tarkheena that she shared her bed with a beast."

She probably shouldn't have grinned . . . or laughed. "She started it."

"And you finished it, my fierce lady. The soldiers are most impressed." He paused then drained the cup of coffee once more but he didn't rise immediately as he set the cup aside. Instead, he kept his head bent near hers. "Are you feeling better? No more collapses or dizziness?" He moved his left hand to rest on her stomach. "Are you . . .?"

Alambiel didn't answer right away. She knew what he wanted to know, what he had been waiting patiently to hear over the last fortnight and she had promised him an answer as soon as she was certain. And she was fairly certain now. "Oreius, I am-"

She cut herself off when the Kentauri sagged a little. Alambiel turned her head to see her husband staring at her with a rather betrayed expression as he blinked slowly then sagged more, sinking against the pillows. She set her own cup aside and then kissed his cheek. "I think we'll have to save this conversation for a later date." He blinked at her once more and she could see weariness stealing away his indignation. She smiled and patted his chest before she slid out the other side of the bed.

If Oreius hadn't been so sleep-deprived he would have noticed that she was dressed in something other than a nightgown or shift. Alambiel shook her head then pulled the coverlet up before she leaned down to kiss him on the tip of his ear and breathed, "It's for your own good."

After lingering just long enough to confirm that the sleeping draught had taken full effect, Alambiel gathered her own tainted cup as well as the other cup and returned them both to the tea tray. Between his own weariness and the double helping of the draught, Oreius would most likely sleep all day. Leaving their quarters with the tea tray, she paused long enough to address Ptah, "The General is indisposed. Captains Ardon, Cletus, and Sherket shall attend all messages and paperwork for the rest of the day. If they are not available, the matters shall be brought to my attention. Make sure everyone knows, if you please."

The Leopard bowed his head. "Yes, Your Highness."

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Edmund scowled at the small book. Why did the Dwarfs have to write on such tiny parchments? He pressed his palms against his eyes and rubbed. He supposed he should be thankful that the handwriting was legible, if faded in some places.

"Looking for tips on how to properly exercise chickens?"

"Not funny, Peter." Edmund set the book aside and then went back to the treaty of Stormness, which had some of the more detailed dealings between Calormen and Narnia. "Susan is still angry with me because of what Remus and Romulus did. She hasn't let me have any of the apple pies she's made since then. Revoked dessert privileges!"

His older brother just snickered then he looked around the library before turning back to him. "Speaking of the Greybacks, where are they?"

"Not exercising the chickens!" Edmund exclaimed with more vehemence than he had intended. He pushed his chair away from the table cluttered with books and treatises. "I sent them to inspect the training yards."

"Without exercising chickens or disturbing Sophocles." His brother snickered again as he pulled out a chair then took a seat. "For your sake, I hope they do stay out of trouble this time. At least, they can't ruin anything Susan's doing today."

"Don't invite trouble. And I thought you were spending the afternoon with your wife."

Peter sighed, far more dramatically than Edmund personally thought necessary, and then shook his head. "Theia decided that Thalia needed to help her with . . . with . . . Well, I'm not entirely certain other than it's something that involves Beech Nymphs and it wasn't in Nymphs and Their Ways." He sighed again and then brightened. "Hey I can help you explain the fine art of chicken exercising to Susan."

Edmund snorted. "Do you want our sister to use me for target practice? Or, worse, pair me with all the obnoxious and flirtatious females who come to Cair Paravel for the rest of the year?"

His brother's laughter was far too loud. Peter's broad shoulders shook as he attempted to stifle his laugh but his eyes still twinkled. "Forsooth, Brother, thou doest fear Our royal sister beyond ken."

"On the contrary, it is my ken of Our Sister's cruel punishments that inspires my resolve to avoid making her wroth."

Peter chuckled then grabbed one of the heavy law books. "Have you read this one yet?"

"Not for the information we currently need."

"Then I'll start here."

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22 Twirleaf 1009

Humming. That was the first thing that drew him away from the dark embrace of sleep. For several moments, he was content to listen to the humming and its distinctly happy tone. Alambiel was in a very good mood to be humming that particular song. Oreius opened his eyes slowly, feeling the stiffness of his limbs that came from sleeping overlong- Sleeping overlong. The memory of his minx of a wife coaxing him to the bed and insisting he drink the coffee that must have been tainted returned in a rush. Oreius scowled as he pushed himself up with one hand.

Alambiel was sitting in front of her dressing table, a hairbrush in one hand, when she looked into the mirror and had the cheek to smile. "I was wondering when you'd wake up."

"You drugged me."

The little minx giggled as she ran the brush through her hair. "Actually, Kentauri, you drugged yourself. You poured the coffee, remember?"

His scowl deepened. He remembered. "And do you recall that I had important paperwork and meetings to see to today?"

"Yesterday."

"What?"

"You slept yesterday and most of today away, Oreius." Alambiel glanced at him in the mirror as she started twisting her hair up. "The dose was only enough to last through the night so the fact that you stayed asleep tells me that you really needed to catch up on all that rest you avoided over the last fortnight. I guess Centaurs do need sleep like the rest of us, after all."

Oreius growled as he tossed the coverlet back then gained his hooves. "You deliberately incapacitated me when Cair Paravel is in a state of heightened alert, when you know that there could be trouble at any time."

"Again, you incapacitated yourself but it was for your own good." Alambiel finally looked over her shoulder at him, still looking more amused than she should. "I also think you should contemplate the fact that I spared you the embarrassment of falling asleep during a meeting. Can you imagine the horror?"

Oreius scowled at her. "This is not a jest and I do not appreciate you mocking me."

"You needed sleep. Besides it's revenge for your underhanded manner with the guards. Now," she rose from the bench, came towards him, and then turned around, "lace me up if you please."

It was very difficult to argue with someone who refused to cooperate. Oreius' scowl deepened even though he kept his touch light as he tightened the laces on the back of her blue velvet dress. Still, he grumbled, "This conversation is not over."

"Of course, it isn't." She turned back around and then lightly kissed him. "However, we are expected to show up at the banquet in less than thirty minutes, which means you, my grumpy Centaur, need to clean up so you can be my date."

He raised his hand and pointed a finger at her. "You are attempting to distract me. And it will not work, Sepphora."

She just grinned. "It's Seventhday."

Oreius huffed and walked past her but then she called, "And if you don't hurry, I'll be forced to accept Terrick's offer to escort me to the banquet."

He flicked his tail, still irritated. "You would not dare."

"Is that a dare, Kentauri? You recall what happened the last time you dared me."

He remembered. He also decided not to dignify her cheekiness with a response, but he still hurried through his ablutions. The minx was sitting on the corner of their newly made-up bed when he emerged. She looked up, still amused, and then stood. Oreius looked her over carefully. She was wearing her crown this time and had pulled her hair into a half-up, half-down style that was pretty but he already missed seeing it loose. The blue velvet gown was simple and elegantly understated much like the amethyst and silver pendant necklace and earrings she had chosen to wear. There was no doubt in his mind that he had married a beautiful and most infuriating mare.

"Shall we go?"

Oreius frowned. "Or you will go with Terrick?"

Alambiel laughed softly then came close and wrapped her arms around him. "Are you jealous?"

"You are mocking me again."

She squeezed him, laughter dancing in her blue eyes. "Actually, I'm hugging you. You looked like you needed a hug."

He stared down at her and then sighed, enfolding her in his arms. Sometimes the best thing to do was to admit defeat. "You are still an infuriating, cheeky, little minx."

Alambiel laughed. "I know." Then she tilted her chin up. "Now I think you should kiss me and then we need to leave before we are late."

"As my lady commands," he rumbled then he bent his head and kissed her. He deepened the kiss and dipped her until Alambiel clung to him. Gently breaking off the kiss, Oreius grinned at her as he rubbed his thumb over her lips. "You will not be thinking of Terrick tonight now, Wife."

She blinked at him. "Terrick who?"

Oreius nodded, feeling more than satisfied as he allowed Alambiel to step out of his embrace long enough for her to ensure he had not mussed her appearance too much. "Precisely."

He had to admit it was with a far better mood than he'd awoken that he left his quarters with his wife by his side. He had almost taken her hand or, even better, offered his arm but then he recalled the sobering warning in the notes. He could not risk it. Not when they had a little foal to think of now. He could not recall all of their conversation before the sleeping draught took effect but he was certain that was what she had been about to tell him.

"Alambiel, you do not have to stay for the entire banquet."

She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to set a curfew, Kentauri?"

A whisper of wings and a delicate clearing of the throat prevented him from explaining as one of the Swallows swept in front of them then perched in one of the niches carved into the wall. "General Oreius, news from the gates."

He tensed. "What is it?"

"The Centaur Frostmoon, his wife Lady Despoina, and two other members of their herd have just arrived. They wish to speak to you immediately."

Oreius frowned but gave a curt nod. "Thank you." As the Swallow flitted away, he glanced down at Alambiel. His wife was watching him closely.

"You know them."

It was not a question but he nodded. "Yes, I do. I must see why they have come."

"Susan will not miss us if we can be quick about it."

"No." He paused, taking in the surprise and slight hurt that flickered through her gaze briefly, and continued gently, "They may not be in the palace yet and you are needed at the banquet. I will return as swift as I may."

Alambiel gave a little nod, sighing, but then she offered him a faint smile. "All right. I will make sure that Ambassador Terril's nephews aren't acting too boorish. Try to arrive before Terrick attempts to corner me again, will you?"

"I will." He accompanied her as far as the large corridor that led to the banquet hall. Then he watched as she went on without him. Only once he had seen Deianeira come to greet his wife did Oreius turn his full attention to the interruption. What could have brought Frostmoon and Despoina to Cair Paravel?

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A/N: Please Read and Review! A somewhat lighter chapter for you. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.