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 Sixteen: Assignment

Oreius studied the map, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand and not on Alambiel. One of the guards had mentioned she had been in the army's Hall of Remembrance looking for him but she had fled before anyone could inform her that he had been meeting with the other swordmasters. If not for this meeting with the Kings, he would have sought her out himself. Instead, he had requested Ardon keep an eye out for her.

"I still think poking around where Kat was found might provide us with some clues." His dark colt glanced at him then addressed his brother. "Peter, you and I can scout this area to the south of the border and then we'll meet up with the patrol to search the other side of the river. If Kat was being chased, her captors might have come back in the interim to try to find her trail."

The High King studied the map then ran his hand through his hair. "This might not be a good time for us to be gone, Ed." Oreius took care not to show any emotion when his golden colt glanced at him. "I mean what about when Count Achan's body is returned to the Lone Islands? His family will contact us."

"It won't take us that long to do some scouting. Oreius?"

Folding his arms over his chest, Oreius gave a curt nod. "You make a strong case, my King. It is possible someone else has hunted for Alambiel in recent weeks. And I am certain, their majesties, the Queens, will be able to handle any diplomatic difficulties with the Lone Islands should the queries reach Cair Paravel before you return."

King Peter still looked reluctant before he slowly nodded. "All right. We'll need to make some arrangements, but we'll leave tomorrow early."

As the High King left, already preoccupied, King Edmund stopped in the door and looked over his shoulder. "He didn't mean anything by it, Oreius."

Oreius bowed slightly. He knew, he knew that his colts were reacting to the events as they must and not because they meant to slight Alambiel. But, still it was difficult to witness these events and their consequences. Once King Edmund hurried after his brother, Oreius sent a Hummingbird to find Ardon and then retreated to his study. He purposefully covered the yet-unrepaired dent in his desk with some papers.

Still, he could not focus on his work. He wanted nothing more than to find Alambiel, to comfort her and reassure her that she was loved even in this most difficult time. He turned away from his desk and all the paperwork awaiting his attention to look out the window. Not as vibrant as usual after over three months without rain, the trees' leaves were changing colors in spite of the lingering summer heat. He wished he could spot Alambiel from the window, just to reassure himself that she was, indeed, well.

"Peridan confronted her."

Oreius stiffened then schooled his features to be impassive as he turned to face Ardon. "Why?" As leery as Peridan was of Alambiel at the moment, he knew the man would not confront the Princess Royal without reason.

"Maisee approached Alambiel."

"And?"

"Nothing happened save garnering Peridan's attention. Alambiel was as gentle with the filly as always."

Ardon's expression shifted to sympathy and Oreius realized he was clenching his fists. Forcing himself to relax his hands, he nodded. "I did not think she would change that much. Ptah, Kumbali, and Sarti were watching her as well, yes?"

"Yes, though she only seemed aware of Ptah. The Tigers were hidden."

"Good." It was better if she didn't realize how close a watch the Tiger cousins were keeping on her or that several Birds now watched her as well. He didn't want her to feel like a prisoner. Oreius returned to his paperwork. But, still he couldn't resist asking one unprofessional question. "How did she seem?"

"She seemed wearied and haunted. Much like she did the night she told us of her Monster who gave her those scars." Ardon shook his head. "Alithia and I are going to have her join us for a meal tomorrow in the hopes it will help her realize she does have friends. Will you join us?"

He wanted to say yes, but he knew what he had to say. "No. My presence agitates her and summons the worst of her memories. It will be better if I keep my distance for now."

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"Your Highness, a moment, please."

Alambiel stopped still. She shouldn't have gotten so turned around the last time she didn't wait for Ptah. She would have been able to bar all the unknown faces and questions out by now if she had already reached her quarters. Taking a steadying breath, she turned to see Peridan. Where before the man had been a fierce and protective father, he was now a polite lord. He bowed slightly and gestured to a small library. "May we speak in private for a moment?"

She nodded. Ptah was watching Peridan through narrowed eyes but he stayed in the doorway at her silent signal. Alambiel was glad she managed to keep any emotion from her voice as she asked, "Why do you wish to speak to me?"

"I wish to apologize for my behavior in the gardens," Peridan stated gravely. There was a sincerity in his eyes and in his tone that bade her to believe him. "My children…" He cleared his throat, trying to hide the emotion she glimpsed beneath his solemn bearing. He loved his children very much…that much was obvious. "I must protect my children, especially my youngest. I will fail at times, but I do not wish to fail them…or you. We have not always gotten on well, you and I, but I do pray that you will recover from the affliction of battle shock. And your memories…if you do not recover them, I hope the new ones you form will give you some measure of peace."

Alambiel was unsure of the correct response. Hoping she would not cause offense, she gave him a tentative smile. "Thank you for your words. And I do understand. I understood in the gardens. You are a father. It is your task to be protective, even overly so at times."

Peridan bowed again then strode from the room. Alambiel peeked out after him. "Ptah, let's not take any more visitors today, all right?"

The Leopard chuckled. She hadn't actually meant it as a joke but still she smiled. Returning to her quarters, she pulled out the blank drawing pad and the drawing implements. After staring at them for an hour, she slid them back into the drawer with a sigh of defeat. The single drawing she had sketched the first day she found the drawing supplies had been terrifying to the point she had torn it to pieces and cast the tiny remnants off the balcony to be swept away by the wind. Something dreadful prowled behind the door blocking her memories and she was afraid of opening it. Opening the door would unleash the monster… And how many innocents would she kill if she did that? She didn't want to find out.

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Lengthening his stride, Edmund hurried to catch up to his brother. "Peter, wait." His Wolves yipped in excitement as they happily followed alongside at a pace above the sedate walk everyone had been trying to get them to adhere to when not on urgent business. Edmund waved his hand, hoping to silence them. Grabbing Peter's shoulder, he pulled him to a stop. "You need to calm down."

"I am calm." Peter scanned the hall then lowered his voice slightly. "I just don't know about leaving the girls and Thalia. Especially now."

"Susan and Lucy have their own guard. The most competent soldiers comprise the Queens' guard, you know that. And Thalia-"

"Doesn't have her own guard yet. Kat was supposed to assign the guard and she can't now, can she?"

Edmund sighed. He wished he could say something to ease his brother's burden, but he had the same concerns. As far as he knew, only he, Peter, and Oreius knew that Kat played a very large role in vetting the guards for their sisters. And she was supposed to go over the list of candidates for the Princess Consort's personal guard… "We can't wait for you to do the vetting yourself. It's been nearly too long as it is and you did say we're leaving tomorrow. Early."

His brother shook his head slowly. "I just don't feel right leaving Thalia without her own guard."

Remus suddenly shouldered his way between them, yellow gaze fixed on Peter. "Why? Is your Thalia having puppies?"

Edmund tried to stifle his snicker as Peter turned bright red and sputtered. Then a delighted squawk filled the air. They spun to see a Peahen fluttering her wings as she hurried up the hall, calling for…Susan. Peter groaned and Edmund chortled, rubbing his hands in glee. Dinner is going to be so entertaining tonight. Remus, though, was still gazing up at Peter. "Is she?"

"Is who what?" Peter muttered as he grabbed Edmund by the arm and forced him to duck inside an empty solarium.

"Is your Thalia having puppies?"

Peter tripped over his own big feet, blushing even redder than before, and Edmund cackled. His Wolf simply looked confused. Remus turned to his brother. "Can't Humans smell when puppies are coming?"

Romulus considered. "I don't know. Maybe when King Edmund stops barking, he'll tell us."

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A/N: Please Read and Review!