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 Thirty-One: Dreams

Every breath was coated in fire. Her ribs were cracked and she thought some of them might be broken. Her hands… She held back tears at the pain enveloping her crushed hands. She would never be able to paint again, never be able to hold a knife or throw it with accuracy. She pushed the sorrow down and focused on the here and now. She had almost gotten out the last time; she had made it far enough to see the light of day illuminating the cavern's mouth. Somehow, somehow she had to escape again. And this time she would not be dragged back. She would escape or die trying.

They hadn't bothered to tie her up again. Instead, Mordad had left her lying on the cave floor, staining the stones with her blood. He probably thought it was funny. The psychopath. He was almost as bad as the Monster. At least Mordad hadn't thought to bring eels into it. Oh, she hoped Murphy didn't pick that thought to use for his thrice-cursed law.

She could hear coarse laughter and lewd shouts from the far tunnel combining with the screams and pleading from the poor girl Mordad's men had kidnapped for their…entertainment. At least, she finally knew Mordad was the robber baron behind the attacks a few months ago. Boots scraped against stone from a different tunnel, coming closer. She closed her good eye as they came inside the smaller cave. Mordad and another of his goons, the former pretty boy if she'd guessed right. He had a distinctive hitch in his gait.

Mordad's voice echoed slightly, "No, you fool, we shall set up a pretty ambush for the Kings. Once you lead the men in an attack on the westernmost Marsh-Wiggle village, I will be waiting for the Kings to come investigate the site and we'll catch them in our trap."

"When will the attack occur, my lord?"

The sneer in Mordad's voice was contemptibly obvious. "The seventh of Yule. Even the Narnian demons' patrols are more lax as they prepare for merriment and the Kings will be eager to return home. They won't see anything is amiss until it is too late."

Alambiel leapt off the bed, nearly stumbling in her haste to reach the door. Ptah's yellow gaze met hers. She gasped, "Where are the Kings?"

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2 Yule 1008

Edmund nursed a cup of coffee as he blearily watched Peter and Oreius looking over a map. Kat had woken them all at third hour and then proceeded to tell them about Mordad's plot to slaughter a Marsh-Wiggle village. All that death just to ensnare him and Peter. His brother tapped the marked village. "We can't allow Mordad to kill innocents. We need to stop him before he can send his men."

"You're sure he identified the westernmost village, Kat?" Edmund waited until she nodded then pointed to a marshy plain a few miles north and west of the village. "We can catch them here. If they cross the Shribble where our patrol found Kat, then we should be able to pin them in the marsh."

Peter was nodding but Oreius merely continued to focus on the map. The Centaur General shifted his hooves. "An attack on the seventh does not guarantee we can arrive in time to prevent the ambush if we do not leave until tomorrow."

Edmund took another drink of coffee, already knowing where this conversation was going and wishing it wasn't going in that direction. "We can arrive early on the fourth if we leave by noon today and take a third of the army."

"Our swiftest third," Peter added. "Since Mordad was our phantom robber baron, we know he's lost a number of his men between the robber town being burned down and our last battle with his forces." He glanced at him and Edmund nodded his silent agreement. He'd have to leave his Wolves here at the Cair but they could pester the girls. Peter turned to Oreius. "Assemble the troops, General. We leave by ninth hour."

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Thalia willed her hands not to tremble as she tightened the straps on Peter's vambraces. She knew he would go to war whenever there was a threat that could not be dispersed through negotiation or treaty. But the thought of him going directly after the man who had already tried to assassinate three members of the Royal family sent a chill to her very roots. Peter cupped his hands around hers then lifted them so he could press a kiss to the ends of the fingers. "Don't worry, Thalia. I'll be back well before Yule and then," he tugged her closer with a roguish grin, "I shall be your mistletoe king again."

She laughed softly even though she could not shake the feeling of dread. At least there would be no Giants involved. "I shall have to ask the Raccoons for their assistance in giving you a proper mistletoe crown then." She swallowed back tears before clinging to him, balling his red tabard in her fists. She didn't plead for him to stay or to forsake his duty to his people. He would never be able to turn away from those in need and that was why he was High King.

He tipped her chin up, blue eyes studying hers with compassion. "Thalia."

"I know, Peter." Rising on her toes, Thalia pressed her mouth against his, kissing him with as much passion as she could muster. When she stepped back, they were both panting and Peter's fingers were still caught in her hair. "Come home swiftly."

"I will, Flower." He traced her jaw with one gloved finger. "And know your kiss will keep me warmer than even my finest wool cloak."

She blushed then hugged him once more. Peter's breath tickled her neck and his strong arms clasped her close. Their embrace ended too soon and then she helped him buckle Rhindon around his lean hips. Thalia allowed him to settle her own cape around her shoulders before she placed her hand on his arm and they walked together to Cair Paravel's doors. Peter smiled at her and stole one last kiss, whispering "I love you, Flower" as he pulled her hood up.

The Queens and King Edmund were waiting for them. Edmund accepted her hug then whispered, "I'll bring him home, Thalia." She gave him a tremulous smile while Peter accepted his sisters' hugs, kisses, and admonishments to look after himself and his brother. And then Thalia could only stand beside Susan and Lucy as her husband rode out at the head of the troops with Edmund and the General on either side of him into the drizzle that was strengthening by the moment. Aslan, protect them and bring them home safe.

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She must have passed out again. But now the pain clamped down on her and refused to let go. Someone kicked her in the stomach. She forced herself not to react, not to open her eyes.

"The witch dead?"

"Don't be a fool," Mordad hissed. "The demon witch still draws breath. She is not going to die until she gives me the information I want."

"What's so special about a tunnel?"

"The tunnel that the Royals used to escape Jadis is unmarked and the Narnians have forgotten it. The best way to conquer Narnia is to take Cair Paravel. And we will take Cair Paravel from within."

"What of the army?"

Mordad's voice burned her ears. "Once the Queens have been assassinated by Achan, Ammon and Jezreel will visit during the mourning period and plant the letters indicating that Achan is hiding in the Northern Marshes and plans to burn down a Marsh-Wiggle village on the seventh of Yule. The Kings will be filled with a thirst for vengeance and they will ride straight into the trap. The army will be directed toward hunting the assassins and we will be waiting to cut them down as they return to Cair Paravel. Those we don't slaughter in the marshes, of course."

They were going to kill them all. She forced herself to wait until Mordad and his goon tromped out of the cave, disappearing into one of the tunnels. She had to get out, had to warn them. A Presence enveloped her, covering her in His warmth and His strength. "Run."

She couldn't use her hands to push herself up. She crawled, dragging her broken leg. Pain flared. She pushed through it. "Run." The Voice echoed in her mind. She had to run. Voices coming toward her again. Had to run.

She pushed up with one elbow. Pain squeezed and threatened to drag her into unconsciousness. Couldn't faint, not with the latest head wound. "Run." Had to warn them. She limped up the tunnel, the one she knew led out of the caverns, gaining speed with every step. A shout rang out from behind her. They knew. Oh Aslan, give me strength.

She ran out into a storm. She had to hurry. Her surroundings were only vaguely familiar. Where was she? Ettinsmoor, yes, she had to be in Ettinsmoor. South, find the river, cross it. Should be a patrol or a border outpost. She could find it. She had to find it. She had to warn them.

"No!" Thunder rumbled outside followed by a flash of lightning. Alambiel didn't care. She had sent the Kings into a trap. She had to stop them. Barely pausing long enough to grab the thick robe, she yanked the bedroom door open.

Leeta looked up from setting down a tea tray. "My Lady?"

Alambiel didn't slow, leaping over Ptah as she dashed to the door. She had to stop them. "My Lady," Leeta called again. "My Lady, wait!"

It will be a slaughter. Narnia will lose her Kings and General. Army crippled. Have to warn them before Mordad ambushes them. She flinched when someone grabbed her. "Let go!"

"I cannot, Your Highness."

Looking up, Alambiel met Peridan's steady gaze. He tightened his grip on her arms when she tried to wrench free. She shoved at him. "Let go, I have to warn them. They are headed straight into an ambush. Mordad is plotting an ambush!"

Peridan shook his head. "You already warned them, Your Highness."

"No, you don't understand! There is a trap waiting for them! I have to warn them before it's too late."

"Your Highness, you need to calm yourself. The Kings left yesterday with their troops. They are aware of the planned trap. They look to stop it." He looked past her. "Leeta, come and take your lady back to her chambers."

Leeta's slim hands wrapped around her shoulders and concern was evident in her black eyes when Alambiel looked over at her. "Come, My Lady, please. I will send for the Queens and the Princess Consort if you wish, but please come with me."

Alambiel shook her head, words escaping her in her frustration that no one would listen. However, if she spoke with the Queens and Thalia… She could convince them. That would make things easier. Planning what she would say, she allowed Leeta to steer her back through the corridors until they finally reached her quarters.

"Just wait here a moment, My Lady." Leeta wouldn't leave her be until she conceded to sit on the settee. Ptah was watching her with an intent gaze that put her in mind of being stalked. Alambiel wrinkled her nose in response, making the Leopard twitch. She just needed five minutes to talk to the Queens. Lucy would believe her.

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"Tanith!" Peridan strode into the healer's wing, his gaze intent. "Where is Alithia?"

"She is off-duty today, resting for the sake of her foal." Tanith studied the man. He looked somewhat alarmed. "What do you need a healer for? Is it your colts again?"

Peridan dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "No, it is the Princess Royal." He ran a hand through reddish-brown hair then sighed. "I had thought Alithia or Tuulea might be the best to help her this time. She is struggling with her battle shock again."

"What happened? Has she injured herself?"

"No, but she tried to run out after the Kings, frantic about an ambush she already informed them was planned. I fear she may injure herself or others in her attempt to stop this hallucination."

Tanith picked up a small vial. "I will see to her and then I will let Tuulea know as soon as she returns to the Cair." Swiftly making her way to the Princess Royal's quarters, she had just reached out to knock when the door opened.

Leeta beckoned her in then whispered, "I coaxed her into going back to bed, but she may change her mind at any moment."

There was a tea tray with fresh hot chocolate and Tanith seized the opportunity to add the contents of the vial to a cup then poured hot chocolate in to cover the taste. The Princess Royal was notorious for avoiding sedatives (and stitches) and Alithia had made certain all of the junior healers knew the best way to sedate her. She handed it to Leeta then waited until the Nymph returned. "Did she drink all of it?"

"She only managed a mouthful before dropping off," Leeta whispered as she pulled the bedroom door to, "She had another nightmare and was simply exhausted. How long will the sedative hold?"

"Around four hours." Tanith flicked her tail. "I had hoped she would drink more, but it should keep her asleep long enough for Tuulea to return. We shouldn't risk the chance of something waking her, though."

Leeta nodded. "I will set a page to watch for my aunt's return." They left the Princess Royal's quarters together. Leeta turned back to address the guard, "No one is to disturb the Princess Royal until Tuulea comes to see her."

The Leopard dipped his head in silent acquiescence.

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Alambiel opened her eyes when she heard the outer doors close. Creeping from the bed, she spat the mouthful of tainted hot chocolate into the washstand bowl. It was a very good thing she had noticed the vial in Tanith's hand; otherwise, they might have succeeded in drugging her. No one was going to listen to her, fine. She would go after the Kings and General Oreius without help.

She pulled on her thick robe and then grabbed the black cloak that had been draped over a chair since the night before and pulled it on as well. Tugging the hood up, she pulled open the wardrobe door then got inside. Alambiel felt for the slight catch in the top left corner then eased the hidden door open.

She stumbled through the dark tunnel, trying not to let the wrong memories overwhelm her. She needed to stay focused. The tunnel had two exits, one near the conservatory and one near the old throne room. She needed to go through the old throne room to reach the escape tunnel. Alambiel kept her steps light and her breathing shallow when she finally reached the end of the tunnel and peeked past the large tapestry. No guards here.

Alambiel stole barefoot across the marble floors, not daring to take a deep breath until she reached the throne room. The throne suddenly shimmered as her mind insisted that her father sat there, smiling with fond exasperation when Grandda caught her hiding behind a tapestry. She blinked and the memory was gone. There was only an empty throne. She crept onto the dais and past her father's throne until she found the little door set into the shadowed alcove. She could remember her brothers' silent panic as Leith grabbed her hand, squeezing almost too tightly, and led her into the dark tunnel behind the others.

She opened the door and ducked inside. Now, she just had to make it to the end. Alambiel wasn't sure how long it took her to reach the end, minutes felt like they crawled by and turned into hours. The stream was practically at her feet when she forced the door open and the surrounding woods were overgrown. The tunnel concealed once again, Alambiel waded downstream grateful for the rain as she approached the horses grazing in a large meadow. There was a small cave with a tack box stored in it just as she remembered and a chestnut mare wandered over to see her almost as soon as she found a bridle. She didn't bother with a saddle as she bridled the horse then swung up onto its back. Turning the mare's head north, she squeezed her knees against its sides. Galloping through the rain, she prayed she wasn't too late.

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A/N: Please Read and Review!