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 Forty-Eight: Struggle

"You!"

The man chuckled, grinning at her while a tic set his left eyelid twitching. "I am so sorry I took so long to come to your rescue, Princess. But you do remember me. I knew you would."

Alambiel stepped back, trying to be subtle as she turned the key in the center drawer. "Rescue, Lord Barin?"

He nodded as he ran a hand over his close-cropped black hair. It had been shoulder-length the last time she had seen him and his sharp features had not been so skeletal. His bulging grey eyes burned with an eerie intensity as he stepped forward. "I saw the truth, dearest lady. I saw the truth. He trapped you. Made you join your life to his, that beast. I didn't want to kill you, of course. You know that, don't you? Otherwise," he gave an off-kilter laugh, "otherwise you would not have figured out my message. You are so intelligent, I knew, I knew that you would come here, come to me, just like we planned."

Aslan save me from the raving loony. She slid the drawer open and slipped her hand inside, feeling for her dagger. "You saw it? I didn't think anyone would."

"I did," he insisted, grey eyes gleaming with feverish madness. "I saw. He doesn't care about you. Not like I do. But you know that, don't you?" He barely waited for her to draw breath before he screamed, "Don't you?"

She barely suppressed a flinch. Fear would only provoke him. She had to play along. "Yes, yes, Lord Barin. Yes, Barin." He grinned, the tic in his left eyelid twitching. Alambiel forced a small smile. "It is just some of the notes were so frightening and then the flowers . . ."

"Yes! You knew it was me. And I wasn't trying to kill you. I just wanted you to see his true nature. That beast would have let you touch them and die. Then he would have taken one of his own kind as mate like the unfeeling animal he is. I know you don't trust him anymore. That's why he's kept you so close and deliberately provoked me! But I know." He pointed himself again and then fumbled with the pouch on his belt. "I know you were just waiting for me to find you. Because you sent me this to remind me of our love." His thin fingers uncurled, revealing her wedding ring resting in the palm of his hand.

Alambiel resisted the flare of anger. She had to keep him talking. She hid the dagger up her sleeve as she edged around the corner of her desk, gauging the distance to Barin. He had a warrior's stance and he was a couple inches taller than she was and he still filled his tunic with what was unmistakably muscle, but she had some hope that if she took him by surprise, she would be able to best him long enough to get Ptah.

"You are so clever. No wonder the General has been unable to find you. But . . . you did not kill those two girls. You're not that kind of man. I know you are not and Merry . . . she mentioned she was working with an Archenlandish lord. Was it you?"

He nodded, an expression of absurd bliss appearing on his skeletal face. "She was a fighter when Babak shared. But she could not defeat my compatriot. You must forgive me that I enlisted such a foul man to carry out the dirty work but such acts are his specialty. And I told him he could have you but I was going to rescue you from him before he could do anything. I had to make sure the beast was too preoccupied to notice our plans, my dear darling, you understand. And it has worked! We are together." He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and reached out to grasp her hair. He tugged a handful toward him and sniffed loudly. "So exotic. He told me you have scars, horrible ones that mar your beauty. But it is a lie, I know. He is only jealous that you will be mine and mine alone."

She flinched but still kept the quaver out of her voice as she murmured, "You are so resourceful. But who is your compatriot?" In an instant, his face changed. The madness was back and he yanked her toward him as he raised his other hand, curling his fingers into a fist.

Alambiel struck, slicing into his arm. Barin bellowed and slammed his fist into her ribs then knocked her knife away. He brought both arms up and she head-butted him, slamming her forehead into his nose. He screamed and her vision blurred slightly as the blow broke his nose. She staggered back a step and then punched him hard in the eye.

There wasn't enough room to maneuver. She had to get out. Shoving the teetering man into a bookshelf, she sprinted past him and yanked the study door open. She barely got out when he roared and a heavy weight caught her legs, tumbling her to the floor. Alambiel kicked. Barin dug his fingers into her hair and yanked her back, making her yelp in pain.

She glimpsed the main doors and nearly sobbed. The settee had been shoved in front of them. Still she screamed, "Ptah! Get help! Ptah!"

Barin's fist collided with her temple, dazing her just enough that he slackened his grip. She slammed her elbow into his face, crunching his broken nose again. Then she hurled herself forward, scrambling for the fireplace. She pulled out one of the daggers, no longer than her hand, from behind the waterclock but it was a weapon. Then he slammed into her, knocking her over and toppling the waterclock. The dagger bit into her arm.

Barin grabbed her by the hair again and yanked her up, punching her into another daze. He flipped her over, his hands clawing at her. She screamed as he ripped the front of her dress. Barin snarled a curse that blistered the air and his hands went around her throat, squeezing. "Witch! Heartless, conniving, scheming harlot of a witch! I will teach you! I will teach you!"

The main doors boomed as something heavy slammed into them. Barin looked at the doors. Then he stared back down at her as he tightened his grip. She had lost hold of the dagger. She tried to kick but his weight and her own skirts combined to prevent her from doing so. Alambiel heard wood groaning as the doors suffered another hit. Barin's grey eyes were glowing with madness and spittle flew as he screamed, "I will kill us both before I let him have you. He can watch you die!"

Her fingers bumped against cool metal. The dagger. Another hit to the doors. Barin squeezed tighter, making her gasp for air. She grasped the dagger and then drove the small blade between the madman's ribs. He stiffened. Then he collapsed heavily on her, making her cry out as her wrist was pinned awkwardly as she still gripped the dagger between them.

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The doors finally gave away and Oreius galloped forward, shoving the settee away uncaring as its legs scraped against the marble floor. He raced to the two bodies lying in a tangle in front of the cold fireplace. "Alambiel!" He grabbed the villain and yanked him off her, tossing him across the room. He heard the tiny sob that escaped as Alambiel tugged at the torn edges of her bodice. Oreius snatched the afghan dangling over the chair's arm and quickly wrapped it around his wife then he picked her up. She was trembling and her pupils were completely dilated.

"Oreius."

He looked over his shoulder, unwilling to expose Alambiel's current vulnerability. His dark colt was kneeling next to the man. "He's dead."

Alambiel shivered. "He has a friend."

At her whisper, Stormwind ducked into her study with his sword drawn. Oreius cradled her closer even as he forced impassiveness into his gaze. "Sweep the Cair. Find out who saw him and how he was able to find his way to the Princess Royal's former quarters. Secure anyone seen in his company for questioning. And see that filth is tossed into a pit."

The soldiers who had answered Ptah's summons saluted and then dispersed taking Lord Barin's body with them. His dark colt sighed. "I will let Peter know what's happened. Take care of her."

Oreius nodded even though he did not need to be told. He glanced down at Alambiel and recognized the signs of a panic attack. He needed to take her somewhere she would feel safe. Ptah and Stormwind followed at a distance as Oreius galloped back to his quarters. The doors shut behind them and Leeta came rushing forward, alarm in her black eyes. "General, what has happened? I came looking for my lady as you instructed but she was already gone."

He ignored her as he carried Alambiel into their bedchamber. She was shaking harder now and she whispered despondently, "Tuulea's going to be mad about my dress being torn."

He shushed her as he tried to set her down on the bed but she clung to him in a panic as soon as he tried to straighten. "No! Please, don't go away."

"Summon Tuulea. Now." As the Nymph raced off, Oreius knelt next to the bed. "Alambiel, sweetheart, I want you to listen to my voice. I am not going to leave you, beloved. I am not going away." He chafed her hands as she bowed her head and another sob escaped. "He is never going to touch you again, Alambiel. Never. You made sure of that." Her breathing grew more rapid, more frantic and he knew that the panic attack she had been fighting since seeing the Nymph had finally ensnared her.

Moving gently and slowly, Oreius got on the bed behind her. "Alambiel, breathe, slow and deep." Her sobs tore at his heart even as he gently rocked them, crooning to her. "Breathe with me, slow and deep, sweetheart, slow and deep."

She let out another quiet sob then whispered, "Mordad's involved."

"No, no, that one is dead. Nothing can heal a severed head."

"No, Mordad's men. One of them. He told Barin about my-"

Her scars. Oreius cuddled her closer then pressed a kiss to her unbruised temple. "Shh, shh, I am here. And I am going to fix this. Mordad's man or not, the filth will never come near you again and he will never send someone to hurt you again."

Alambiel pulled away and he knew better than to try to hold on. Then his wife turned her tear-ravaged and bruised face toward him. She pressed a hand against her mouth as another sob fought free and then curled against his chest, pressing an ear over his heart, and then she let herself weep.

Fury coursed through his blood, boiling and eager to bring the fiend to justice who had done this to his beloved. And who had dared to commit murder before the gates of Cair Paravel herself. Alambiel was still crying when Oreius heard the main doors open. Leeta and Tuulea appeared in the open doorway. He nodded once and Leeta slipped into the bath while Tuulea approached the bed.

Oreius stroked Alambiel's tangled locks once then he pressed a kiss against her brow. "I must go."

She looked up at that and his heart broke as she gave him such a lost, hurt look even as tears fell free. But she said nothing. He cupped her cheek very gently. "I will not be long. Leeta and Tuulea are going to help you clean up and they will stay with you until I return."

She said nothing, only closed her eyes against more tears. As Oreius left, he heard Tuulea murmuring, "Do not worry, child. A bath will help put this out of mind and then that husband of yours will be back to take care of you."

He gripped his swords as he exited his quarters. "None but the Four and Tuulea are permitted inside until I return."

It was with a new purpose and determination that Oreius sent messages to Ardon, Stormwind, and Firemoon to meet him in the courtyard. They were waiting when he arrived as were his colts. Oreius inclined his head, his expression grim. "My Kings, I am going to find the man responsible for tonight's murder. I will use force to stop him."

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Edmund and Peter sprinted after the Centaurs. Ardon and Firemoon stayed with them while Oreius and Stormwind galloped ahead with Peter's Tigers and his own Wolves helping them hunt. Edmund cast a wary glance at Peter. His brother was almost as grim as Oreius and he kept a hand on Rhindon. But they did not ask Oreius to slow the pace. He doubted the General would even consider doing so. The soldiers searching the woods had sent back a report that a Man had fled from one of their searches but he had used some sort of powder to throw the Beasts off and his trail had been lost.

Bast growled and one of the Greybacks howled in excitement. They had found something. Oreius' order echoed through the near-silent woods. "Halt!"

Captain Ardon gave him and Peter a cautioning glance and Edmund gave a slight nod. They would be careful. The Centaurs spread out as Edmund and Peter caught up to Oreius. The General was glaring at a man half-hidden behind some low bushes. The Wolves had lowered their heads, yellow gazes intent as they growled softly. Edmund touched their heads, not wanting them to attack yet. "We are hunting the fiend who killed an innocent woman tonight. Are you he? Speak truthfully. If you are not, you will be released. If you are, you will stand trial for your crimes."

A hoarse laugh emerged from the shadows. "Narnian justice? I care not for your justice, Barbarian. However," the man's voice grew oily as he continued, "however, I will accept the gift of the woman. I've a price to extract from her and I shall enjoy taking it. What do you say to that, demon?"

Oreius took a step forward, the moonlight glinting off his drawn sword, but Peter stopped him with a hand to his arm. "Wait." Edmund watched as his brother stepped forward, his head held high and his stance full of kingly hauteur as he called out, "You will take no other lives this night or any other night. Our brother King has presented the options open to you but your own words have barred one of them to you. Trial is your only option. Surrender now and We shall note that you were cooperative at your trial."

"You know nothing, boy. Tash take you all!" The man charged, his scimitar held high. Oreius leapt forward. The fool never had a chance as the General easily parted his head from his shoulders.

Edmund sighed, shaking his head. It was a pity that they had not been able to question him. Babur was nosing around the body. The Tiger raised his head and wrinkled his broad nose. "This bag smells different."

Edmund pulled the bag free and then opened it. He peered inside and then, as Firemoon lit a torch, he drew out a bloodied necklace. The silver pendant was bracketed by twin hinds and bore the image of a seated woman swathed in a veil with a crescent moon resting atop her brow. Peter leaned close. "Is that?"

"An image of Zardeenah." He had only seen that particular representation of the Calormene goddess once before when Susan received an almost identical necklace for her fifteenth birthday when a Tarkaan wanted to take her as his bride.

"Merry's?"

"Seems likely based on what Kat and Susan uncovered." Edmund handed the bag to Oreius, who immediately emptied its remaining contents into one broad hand. An earring stained with fresh blood, then a thumb ring, and two blue hair beads. "Aren't those Kat's?"

"Yes, they were stolen when Mordad abducted her." The General frowned as he returned the earring to the bag. "She mentioned that she believed one of Mordad's men was involved. It would seem she was correct."

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"Alambiel?" Oreius' heart clenched when he spied her sitting in the corner, half-hidden by the dressing table. She was rocking back and forth, eyes closed, as she whispered to herself in Irish. "Chéadsearc?"

She flinched. But she opened her eyes and did not resist when he picked her up, cradling her close as he crossed to their bed. "Did you find him?"

"Yes. He is dead." Oreius smoothed her damp hair back. "They are both dead. This is over." He curled his fingers around her chin and gently pushed until she was looking up at him. The ugly bruises around her throat sent a shard of burning anger through him and it took everything to keep his fury from showing. "It is over, Sweetheart. We are safe now. You are safe. The man was Mordad's, the only survivor of the battle last Yule. He wanted revenge and Barin offered it to him. But it has all come to naught. It is over. They will never trouble us again."

Alambiel took a shuddering breath. "I'm okay."

He cuddled her close, pressing gentle kisses against her hair and brow. "You will be and I am here. I will not let go."

Tears wet his neck and he crooned to her. Alambiel pushed away from him abruptly. "Why did you not tell me of Merry's wounds? Why did you not tell me that there was a Monster copycat?"

"I did not know for certain why Merry was given those wounds and you were ill. You were . . . fragile." Oreius touched her cheek. "So fragile. I did not want to risk breaking you again. Not when you fought so hard to recover the last time and you were still recovering." He sighed heavily. "Perhaps I should not have kept that detail from you but I thought it was the best way to protect you."

Alambiel blinked hard and then swiped away some tears. "Next time you tell me what's going on. The whole thing, not just what you think I can handle."

He could not promise her that, not when he knew she was at times more vulnerable than she would ever admit. But, for her sake, he bowed his head. "I will attempt to do so in the future, my star. Though, I pray we shall never need to have such a conversation pertaining to your Monster again."

"I would be okay with that."

Oreius brushed his lips against her brow. Then he reached over to grab the small cloth bag he had dropped on the nightstand. He picked up Alambiel's left hand and emptied the hair beads, thumb ring and her cleaned wedding ring into her palm. "I believe these belong to you, My Lady."

He started with the hair beads, threading them into a slender braid. He pressed a kiss to the braid before he allowed it to slip through his fingers. Then he picked up her right hand and slid the silver thumb ring on. He kissed the ring then where the star-shaped scar decorated either side of her hand. Finally, Oreius picked up the wedding ring. He pressed a kiss first to her betrothal ring and then he slid the wedding ring on her finger.

Looking deeply into her eyes, Oreius murmured, "For the one who is my guiding star. Know I shall never seek to waver in my course as I strive to fulfill all I have pledged. From now to beyond the end of time itself, you are my mate and wife. May this ring remain as untarnished as our love and may the stars themselves sing of our marriage long after we have gone to Aslan's Country."

He kissed her hand again then looked up to see Alambiel giving him a tearful smile. His wife flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. Oreius held her close and once again thanked Aslan that this was finally over.

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A/N: Please Read and Review!