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 Thirty-Five: Death, Life

The Princess Royal seemed too calm as she placed cool cloths against the sapling's forehead and occasionally pressed her fingers against her bruised neck. Thalia clasped the sapling's frail, trembling hand, trying to will some of her own strength into the failing roots. Shirin's dark eyes were dulled and her breaths came in lighter and lighter gasps. Oh Aslan, do not let the axe have bitten too deep.

But it had. Thalia gasped and clung to the sapling's hand harder as her eyes fluttered close and she gave one last little breath. "No!" She gave her hand a little shake but there was no reaction and her senses were not deaf to the truth before her. Still she denied it. They were supposed to find a way to save the sapling. "No! Please you must do something!"

Alambiel pulled her away. Tuulea and two other Nymph healers came in, but they did not linger long around the little pallet. Thalia struggled against the Princess Royal's grip. But it was no use. Alambiel guided her away from the room. "Thalia. Thalia, listen to me. Are you listening?"

"Yes," she whispered, feeling numb as though the coldest winter had enveloped her to the roots of her Tree.

"Good. Now listen. You must tell Peter and Edmund what has happened. Go now. Tuulea and I are going to help Paniz take care of her. Go." A little shove forced her to move and the command in the quiet words sank into her.

She did not recall the journey from the room death's pall had settled over like a thick, chilling fog. She did not recall telling her husband of their failure to save Shirin. Or the questions his brother must have asked. She barely recalled the replies that fell from her numb lips. Warmth was what brought her back from the cold, dreary place she had wandered. Warmth like the summer sun on her Tree, caressing the green leaves and stately trunk. Peter's warmth. His strong arms were wrapped around her as they sat on the floor in the middle of the council room. His brother and the others who had been there (for she was certain there had been others even if she could not recall their faces) had gone, leaving them their privacy.

Peter's voice flowed like honey as he held her close, stroking her hair with one hand. "Oh Flower, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry we couldn't save her. I failed you. I'm sorry."

Thalia twisted around, wrapping her arms around him as she pressed her face against his neck. "Peter! Oh Peter, why?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry I don't know." His kisses fell like the lightest of rains on her face, refreshing her, reviving her. "She is in Aslan's paws now. She is free from suffering and pain."

"I did not want her to be freed like this, Peter."

Thalia looked away, ashamed of her words, but her husband did not condemn her, only held her tighter, whispering comfort. It was only after her sobs faded to soft shuddering breaths that someone came looking for them. Edmund, pale and grim, informed them of the pyre. She knew Peter would have denied it but Thalia insisted they go. She watched, clinging to Peter's arm, as a large woven basket with flowers covering its lid was placed on the stack of logs. The Tarkaan permitted his Tarkheena to come forward with the torch and Thalia saw Zinat's rogued lips turn up in a pleased smile beneath her sheer veil as she lit the funeral pyre. She prayed for Shirin to be welcomed in the Great Lion's country and for Zinat to learn true justice. The woman had wielded the axe that felled the little sapling before her time, she was certain of it.

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

6 Frostmoon 1009

"And these, My Lady?"

Alambiel glanced at the basket of handmade dolls from the toymaker. An unbidden smile came to life as she picked up one dark-haired and green-eyed lovely. "These will be perfect. And they will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas."

The Black Elder Nymph returned her smile as she carried the basket over to the next open crate. "The Calormenes seem to only bring sorrow and dispute, do they not?"

"Interesting choice of topic, Leeta."

The Nymph blushed and ducked her head. "Forgive me, My Lady, I know how you feel about the girl."

"Felt."

"Yes, felt." They worked in silence for several minutes, moving packages and sealing the crates. Then Leeta quietly asked, "How do you stand it? The evil you see, the evil you rescued the children from in Redhaven."

"Evil only triumphs when good men do nothing." Alambiel tucked some clothing into the crate with the dolls. "I do not always win but I try and some days it is enough to try. One voice crying against the storm may not reach far but it reaches some and if the cry is taken up by just one or two in each area, there will rise such a cry that it can drown out the storm and point the way to safety, to hope. I stand it because I know evil will lose in the end."

"What will-" The Nymph cut herself off as a Humming Bird darted into the room.

The Bird darted over to Alambiel and whispered in her ear, "Healer Tanith and Lady Tuulea have been summoned to provide aid to one of the Tarkaan's wives. They request your presence, Your Highness."

Not again. Alambiel hid a scowl even as the bitter thought came that Zinat had probably tried to kill off her next rival. She nodded to the Humming Bird and the messenger flitted off in a blur of green and blue. "Leeta, send word to Oreius that something's going on in the Calormene quarters again."

"Are you certain you should go?"

Alambiel sighed. "I don't think Babak is stupid enough to try to assassinate me. At least not where Oreius will assume it's him."

She didn't wait for the Nymph to offer another objection. Making her way to the Calormene quarters, she could only hope that things wouldn't turn out as dire. Tanith was waiting for her. The Centauress' warm brown gaze avoided meeting hers. "Tuulea went ahead. The situation is very bad." She glanced at the Calormene guards then said nothing more.

Somehow, it wasn't a surprise when Alambiel entered the rooms to find Tuulea and two young slaves tending to Paniz. A quick glance was all it took to confirm that the woman was in labor. Early. Alambiel's gaze darted to Zinat and the way the viper caressed the hilt of her "decorative" dagger, her limpid eyes cunning and fixed on the activity around the bed. On Paniz's pale, strained features. How long had she waited to summon aid for the younger woman? What had she done to force the early labor?

Alambiel moved next to Tuulea then whispered, "How long?"

"An hour at the most," the Black Elder Nymph murmured as she cast a disapproving look over her shoulder. "More towels, Tanith." She gently patted Paniz on the knee. "Not much longer, young one." She leaned toward Alambiel and whispered, "The bleeding is worrisome. Distract her. When it is time I will distract the dragon."

At least Tuulea had not missed the true danger in the room. Alambiel quickly moved to the head of the bed and took Paniz's hand. Her clammy grasp was weaker than it should have been, even as she cried out due to another pain. The viper took a step forward, her lips parted in a disturbing mask of anticipation as her grip tightened on the dagger hilt. They needed to get her out of the room. Alambiel glanced at Tuulea who gave the tiniest of nods.

How Tuulea managed to signal Tanith she wasn't sure but a moment later there was a gasp and the sound of shattering glass. "Tuulea!"

Zinat's attention was diverted as Tuulea quickly rose and motioned for Tanith to take her place. The Black Elder Nymph took one look at the supplies and then turned to the Tarkheena. "Have you your own healing supplies?"

"Of course, we do. My Lord Tarkaan would not be so fool as to travel without them."

"Then will you show me where I can find them? I cannot send a runner back to the healers' wing. It is too far and the labor is nearly over but I will need to replace these solutions in order to assure the mother's health."

Tuulea was a genius at reading people. Alambiel watched as a wicked contemplation filled Zinat's limpid dark eyes then a poisonously sweet smile curved her lips. "It will be my honor to show you, O Healer. My Lord Tarkaan would want only the best for the new son." The viper in burnt orange silk slithered out of the room with Tuulea following behind and she knew that the viper planned to keep the Nymph away until it was too late to save the mother.

As soon as the viper left, Alambiel turned to the slave girls. "Go and fetch warm water for the babe and cold water for your mistress. Hurry!"

The girls scampered off as Paniz cried out again. The woman's head lolled on the sweat-soaked pillow as she panted, "It never gets easier."

Alambiel squeezed her hand. "It's almost over. Tanith?"

The Centauress glanced up. "I can see the head."

Paniz screamed. Tanith urged her to push once more and then the Calormene woman went still, gasping for air. Alambiel squeezed her hand once more then grabbed the shears and clamp while Tanith held the little babe. The child hadn't cried out yet but arms and legs were moving as the women cut the umbilical cord and then wrapped the newborn in a soft blanket. Alambiel placed the little one on Paniz's chest.

The woman sobbed softly as she brushed her lips against the babe's head. "Thank the Great Lion for me."

"He hears your thanks." Alambiel touched the baby's cheek. "Lungs might be a little weak but-"

"Boy or girl?" She didn't wait for an answer, just pulled the blanket back to see for herself. Another little sob escaped her as she whispered, "A girl child. A little jewel I cannot keep." She grabbed Alambiel's hand with renewed strength. "Do not let them have her. Keep her in the north. She will be free. She will not share Shirin's fate."

Alambiel glanced at Tanith then turned back to Paniz. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." The woman pressed another kiss to the little one's matted dark hair. "Yes. Take her. Tell Babak the babe was a stillborn girl child. He will not be angry. He only cares about sons. Take her."

"Here." Tanith held out a small basket that was partially filled with bloody towels. "Use this. It should deter the Calormenes."

And conceal the baby from their own curious people. Alambiel nodded. She waited for Paniz to kiss her baby one last time and then she scooped the little one up. She fit like a tiny doll in the basket and still didn't utter a sound. They would have to examine her closely to make sure her lungs were not injured by both the early birth and whatever Zinat did to cause it. Alambiel carefully covered her up with more bloody linens, leaving enough room to ensure the baby didn't suffocate. Then she picked up the basket just as the slave girls rushed in and Tanith began issuing orders.

She heard the wailing as the girls were told the new 'truth' and rushing steps as Zinat and Tuulea raced for the rooms. No doubt, Babak would go too. Alambiel kept walking and praying that the baby would remain silent until she was safely hidden. She picked up the pace a little once she was away from the Calormene wing. But she didn't relax until she finally reached the healers' wing.

Alithia was there, but she didn't dare slow. "Alithia! Come and give me a hand." She led the way to one of the smaller rooms then immediately uncovered the baby, unwilling to risk suffocation any longer.

The Centauress gasped. "What has happened?"

"It's a long story but I have an impolite question for you. You haven't weaned Solon for long, right?"

"Yes."

Alambiel nodded absently. "Then this might work." The baby stirred, the tiniest of cries breaking free as she wriggled. Alambiel hushed her then muttered, "She's hungry."

No sooner were the words out of her mouth than Alithia held out her arms. "Let me see to her while you explain."

By the time the baby finished her first meal, Alambiel had laid out her plan. Alithia gave her a long look. "All right, but I fear you will have to move quickly because I do not know how long we will be able to hide her."

"Hiding her in your house is the safest option. The Calormenes won't think to search for a human babe with a family of Centaurs."

Alithia stroked the baby's dark hair. Her gaze softened with a familiar maternal glow. "We will keep her safe."

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

A/N: Please Read and Review!