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: When memory is veiled, can the love forged between two hearts survive?

A/N: If you have not read the first seven stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, and Reflected), 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 Eleven: Disruption

"Ow."

A laugh as soft and merry as the wind dancing through newly budded beech leaves was the only answer. Peter forced himself to frown. "Ow. Dear lady, do you know whose pain you mock?"

Thalia's light green eyes danced with mirth as she helped him out of his tunic then leaned forward to brush her lips against his. "A great warrior should be able to withstand the removal of his jerkin and tunic, should he not?"

Peter's grin broke free at his bride's cheekiness. "You showed very little tenderness, Flower." Privately, he was quite glad he had winced when Thalia lightly touched his side as it had garnered him her undivided attention even if Bast and Babur had exchanged a knowing smirk before Thalia led him to their bedchamber. Now, her fingers skimmed a good-sized bruise he had received during training, which had darkened to a rather impressive shade of bluish-purple over the last six hours.

"Your brother?"

"Tarrin, actually. He was supposed to be guarding my back, but we had a slight miscommunication."

Thalia arched a delicate brow. "That much is clear, my lord husband." He winked at her then pulled her into his lap. "Peter!"

"Ah, that's much better," he murmured just before he pressed a tender kiss to her throat. "Now, Flower, it seems I have neglected a very important meeting with my wife. Do you think she might be available this afternoon?"

Her hands came up and her fingers buried themselves in his hair as he nuzzled her neck. "I believe she is; oh, but what of the meeting with the Lone Islanders?"

Peter ran his hand up her back until he found her laces. "Hmm? Ed and Lu can take care of them. No need for our involvement this afternoon." Toying with the loose ends of the laces, he captured her mouth in a fervent kiss.

Thalia didn't make another protest as he rose from the chair with her gathered against his chest. He had only taken a single step toward their bed when a commotion rose outside the doors and then a furry body hurtled into the room. "King Peter! King Peter!"

It was one of Edmund's Wolves. Peter groaned as he set Thalia down, although he was somewhat grateful that he hadn't actually unlaced her. "What is it, Romulus?"

The Wolf cocked his head to the right. "I'm Remus, King Peter. Where's your fur?" Yellow eyes widened slightly as he looked from Peter to Thalia. "Are you mating?"

Peter choked, a flush rising in his face that was mirrored by Thalia's blush. Bast growled and Babur pounced, catching the Wolf pup by surprise. Remus yelped then went limp as the huge Tiger lifted him by the neck and carried him out of the room. Peter cast Thalia an apologetic look as he snatched a tunic, pulling it over his head as he strode into the sitting room. Bast's eyes were fixed on the cowering Wolf pup as her fur bristled with outrage. "You should know better!"

Remus ducked his head. "I forgot." Then he caught sight of Peter standing there and bounded over. "King Peter! Alpha-" His eyes widened again. "King Edmund said to get you. The Princess Royal killed a Lone Islander!"

"What?" At first, he thought he heard wrong, but then Thalia gasped and he glanced over his shoulder to meet her stricken gaze. Peter clenched his jaw then snapped, "Take me to them. Thalia, I need you to find Susan, tell her what you heard and then meet us in the west council room with the rest of the council. Bast, stay with her."

Running through the halls with Remus leading the way and Babur fast on his heels, Peter could only hope that Kat hadn't become lost to the battle shock. It happened sometimes. Soldiers suffering battle shock would simply snap and attack those they could no longer discern as friends, seeing only foes. And for a warrior as skilled as Kat to be lost to the battle shock…

There was a crowd gathered by the time Peter and the two Beasts reached one of the lower gardens. Fortunately, it was only soldiers and several of Lucy's ladies. His gaze automatically searched for Lucy among the crowd and found her standing next to a very solemn-looking Captain Cletus. The Wolverine, Babet, was bristling from where she stood on Lucy's other side. The three seemed fixated by something, not the soldiers combing the slight hill and flowerbed but on the one who had caused this potential disaster.

Kat was standing, but she looked…lost as she hugged herself. Even from where he stood, Peter could see how her eyes were focused solely on the limp body lying just before her. Edmund was standing just to her right, one hand on the hilt of his sword and a wary eye on his companion. Even Romulus Greyback was watching her with an intensity usually aimed at strangers. Peter looked again at the still form of Count Achan. Broken neck. He schooled his features not to give any hint of his concern and horror at what Kat had done.

One of the Great Cats broke off from the search and approached Edmund. They kept their voices down but Peter could still see the grimness in his brother's expression as he glanced at Kat. Something else was wrong… He strode over to them and caught the last bit of the conversation. "…no sign of any weapon."

Kat tensed. Romulus was wise enough not to growl but now Remus was prowling around on Kat's other side. Peter stepped up, hoping to diffuse the situation before another attack was triggered. "We need to see that Count Achan's body is returned to his companions. Reassure them that we are giving this matter our full attention and shall inform them of the results of our inquiry when we are able."

Captain Cletus offered a short bow then waved several soldiers bearing a litter forward. As the body was removed, Peter caught Oreius' gaze as the Centaur approached and then tilted his head slightly at Kat who had gone pale. She didn't seem to notice as the General took up a position just behind her. Her eyes looked hollow and just a touch too bright as though with fever, but there was an emptiness in them where once there had been confidence and a knowing humor. "There was a knife. He had a knife. I saw it."

"I know you think you saw a knife, Kat, but-"

Peter cut himself off as Kat abruptly stepped closer. "No. There was a knife. I saw a knife and it was poisoned. He was going to kill your sisters with it. It is what he was sent here to do."

"Who?" Edmund shifted next to him, no doubt vying for an opportunity to watch her eyes. "Who sent him?"

Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth but no words came out. A wild fear entered her eyes instead. Battle shock…there was no other explanation for it. Peter glanced at Oreius again. The Centaur dipped his head then carefully wrapped his hands around Kat's upper arms. "You have made your defense, my Lady. Caia."

The Centauress, one of Susan and Lucy's senior guards, quickly took charge of Kat. It was distressing to see how meekly she went even with the occasional backward glance. That wasn't Kat. Peter forced his attention back to Edmund. "Have you gathered all the information you need?"

"Yes."

"Then, we need to meet with the others about what has happened. The Lone Islands will not want to wait long to hear our ruling on this matter." As his brother nodded grimly, Peter could only pray that this would not end with Kat appearing before the formal court on a charge of willful murder. Aslan, help her, but what had happened to make her attack and kill an unarmed man?

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

A/N: Please Read and Review!