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 Eighteen: Lull

5 Frostmoon 1008

He hadn't found anything useful. Peter glared at his horse's mane, trying to think of some way he could have done more. They had waited too long to look and combined with his insisting on bringing Edmund back to Cair Paravel after being injured by that Harpy… He shook his head then straightened as he rode through the Cair's main gates.

It was a bit of a surprise when neither his siblings nor his wife appeared to greet him. He had been hoping to at least see Thalia first. He cheered himself up with the thought of surprising his beloved Flower. Swinging down from the saddle, he allowed one of the Fauns to lead his horse away then, with light, quick steps, he strode toward the palace.

"Peter!"

Peter smiled as Thalia came running down the path. Her delighted laugh was a sweet comfort to the burden of his failed quest. She threw her arms around his neck and he clasped her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Finally, he set her down on her feet. "Thalia." He traced the curve of her cheek with his thumb then gently captured her lips.

She pulled back and rested both hands against his chest. Her eyes were shining with more than love for him. "Aslan is here."

Relief coursed through him, simply knowing that the Great Lion had come already eased the burden on his mind. Peter grinned. "Show me."

Taking him by the hand, Thalia led him into the gardens. The sound of children's laughter reached him first. Then, they turned the corner and there amid the reds, yellows, oranges, and browns of the autumn lay the Great Lion. Lucy sat before His paws, giggling, as the children of Cair Paravel cavorted around Aslan. Little Maisee was toddling about helping some of her friends (Nymphs, Centaurs, and two Fauns) place leaves in His mane. Smaller Animals, especially the Cats, big and small, were climbing all over Him. One bold little Tiger was trying to catch Aslan's tail. Susan was sitting on the nearest marble bench, smiling in contentment.

As golden eyes turned to observe their approach, Peter bowed deeply and Thalia curtsied. His smile was clear as He turned His head to look at the little ones gathered around and then Peter saw Him hold His tail still so the Tiger cub might leap upon it. Then Aslan spoke, "Now, children, it is time for you to return to your parents." He blessed each child from the Centaurs down to the Squirrels and Mice with a Lion's kiss. His rumbling purr turned into a chuckle as the young Tiger cub proudly shouted to his mother about catching Aslan's tail. Aslan fixed His gaze upon Peter and nodded. "Peter, come and walk with Me."

Peter squeezed Thalia's hand then followed the Great Lion from the garden. As they walked through one of the orchards, he relished being once more in the company of the One who could calm the storms buffeting his spirit and Cair Paravel more fully than anyone else. "Will You stay long?"

"I shall be here for as long as I am needed." Aslan's golden eyes were filled with amusement when Peter sighed over the enigmatic answer. Sometimes it would be far easier if Aslan spoke plainly. "Would it?"

Clearing his throat, Peter shrugged only somewhat sheepishly. "Perhaps. But, then something else would likely occur to complicate the matter." He smiled as Aslan chuckled, then he grew serious. "Will You heal Kat? Or have You already done so?"

He hoped He had because then Kat would be able to explain everything and she would be herself…safe. The Lion at his side raised His head and looked out over the Eastern Sea. Peter followed His gaze and paused at the sight of a merlin resting at the base of a tree with its wing out at an odd angle. The bird, typically fierce and proud, now looked rather harassed as it attempted to avoid a Faun who had no doubt come to fetch it to the mews where its wing might be mended. Aslan's voice flowed over him, "The bird reminds you of Alambiel."

Peter nodded. "She's hurt and the efforts of those who wish to help her seem to only aggravate her. She needs healing." He looked again to the Great Lion. "Won't You heal her, Aslan?"

Aslan's gaze was solemn and a touch of sadness filled His rich voice. "I have not come to heal Alambiel. The physical hurts were healed by the cordial. The hurts to her spirit must heal in their own time. I have come to bring her the peace she needs in order for those hurts to be healed."

"When those hurts have healed, will she remember everyone properly again?"

"I tell no one any story save his or her own," Aslan said gravely. He nodded to where the merlin was now being carried off by the Faun. "Time is a gift and it brings its own healing. The form of the healing may not always take the shape you most desire or even want, but it is never left to chance. There is good in the healing. No matter what form or how long it must take."

Peter nodded. Aslan's words made sense, but still… It was hard to have to treat Kat with such wariness. And he knew it must be even harder for Oreius. "Does Oreius know?"

Aslan looked at him and he thought for a moment that He might remind that it really wasn't part of his story. But, then Aslan bowed His head. "Oreius is aware of why I have and have not come. But, we shall speak more later. You are needed elsewhere for now."

Before he could question His meaning, a Humming Bird darted close. His soft voice was barely audible as he whispered, "The Gentle sends word that Count Achan's family has arrived in port, High King. She wished to warn you so you might make yourself presentable before they arrive."

Peter barely kept his frustration at bay. He had hoped to have longer with Aslan and his family's company before dealing with such unpleasantness as would accompany a grieving and accusatory family. But, it was not to be. He nodded. "Thank you. Please inform my sister that I shall be ready." As the Humming Bird darted off, he bowed to Aslan. Perhaps Aslan would not provide an easy solution but surely things could not grow worse now that He was here.

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"The Great Cat has returned."

Mordad flinched. The demon who roamed Narnia in the shape of a lion. He had no desire to meet such a creature that even Tash could not find a use for… "Then it is over. I will recall-"

"No." The sorcerer's harsh laugh made him tighten his grip on his dagger. The demon red flash appeared within the shadowed depths of the sorcerer's hood once more. "No. You are redeeming yourself and you cannot do so if you retreat. And the Great Cat will not interfere."

"How do you know what that demon will do?"

A tone of satisfaction entered the sorcerer's voice as he hissed, "I have seen it." He raised one gloved hand and red flames engulfed it, circling and almost caressing the glove. Mordad's hate for this demon sorcerer only grew. The sorcerer pointed at him. "My spell will ensure your men's success as long as they do not err…as Achan did."

"I have warned them. They will not attack when Ishara Reborn is present. They will wait until she is nowhere to be found. And then your latest requirement will also be fulfilled."

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Thalia smiled as Peter offered his arm and escorted her from the solarium where they and his siblings had passed the hours after supper. Her thoughts were still filled with the wonder of seeing Aslan but now…now she focused on her husband. Peter paused just inside their quarters and turned back to face his Tigers. "Bast, Babur, thank you for keeping Thalia safe while I was away…and goodnight."

The Tiger twins bowed their heads and Thalia pretended not to notice their smirks as they slipped out. Peter shook his head, muttering about propriety and things not being jokes, as he closed the doors. Thalia slipped her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his broad back, enjoying the warmth emanating through the fabric. It felt similar to how the sun would warm the earth beneath her feet after a chilled night. "I missed you."

His calloused fingertips grazed the backs of her hands then skimmed her arm, pushing back her loose sleeves. "I missed you too, Flower." Twisting around, he stared down at her with such love and heat, she blushed even as he reached up to gently cradle her face. "I missed you every moment."

Their kiss stole her breath away. As they moved to sit on the settee, Thalia immediately insisted on removing Peter's boots. After tugging off the boots, she helped him out of his tunic, leaving him in his soft undertunic. Peter grinned then tugged her down to sit on his lap. Thalia smiled, her cheeks warming with another blush, and gently touched her lips to his forehead. "Bast and Babur were most worried about you, especially after you refused to allow them to accompany you after you brought your brother back injured."

"I needed them here to protect you." Peter murmured as his hand trailed up her arm to fiddle with the shoulder of her gown. "Oreius and I will create a short list tomorrow and then you will meet the guards and we'll see who is the best match for you."

Thalia laughed softly as she recalled the tales concerning both brothers' guards. "That is not what the General did for you and it is certainly not what you did for King Edmund."

Her husband had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Well, Oreius has informed me that if I ever randomly promise an assignment as personal guard to green recruits that no one has vetted again, I will spend so much time visiting the points of the compass that I won't even notice the Elephants he's assigned as my new personal guard." The giggle bubbled out before she could stop it. Peter grinned then he dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "Did I mention how much I missed your company, Flower?"

"You may have mentioned it in passing." Thalia reached up to touch his hair. "However, I thought you might be in need of a proper bath. It should be waiting for you." As soon as Peter gave her a contemplative look with a glint of no little mischief, she knew what he was planning. "Do not pull me in as you did at the lake."

Peter placed a hand over his heart and gave her his most innocent look, while still keeping his other arm firmly around her waist. "I did not pull you in, Flower. I merely slipped when attempting to climb out." Her playful retort was cut short before it could even leave her lips when he kissed her and she relaxed into his embrace. Whatever came on the morrow, it was enough to know that Peter had returned home safe and that now Aslan Himself was within the Cair. What evil would dare to act when the Great Lion was there?

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Hmm, what are those villains planning now? Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.