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: There's danger in the north. Giants hunt for Narnia's Kings and General. Who will survive when hope is eclipsed?

A/N: If you have not read the first nine stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, and Unveiled), 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 Nine: Prepare

Susan moved through the halls of Cair Paravel as quickly as she could without running. Her mouth hurt from all the smiles she had forced herself to give every day since Kat, Lucy, and Thalia had left. She had barely kept herself from summoning Ardon every hour to inquire if any word had been sent from the north but that would give away that something was wrong. Kat's wandering off during the middle of preparations for diplomats who were known to be fussy was not unusual. In fact, it would have caused more eyebrows to be raised had she not left, especially without Oreius being present to make her behave herself. Lucy too would conveniently disappear whenever she felt she was of no help during such preparations. But Thalia's absence was being noticed more and more, for though the Beech Nymph would periodically retreat to her father's grove, she rarely did so when it would leave Susan to handle all of the preparations herself. She felt it was inconsiderate to do so.

Oh she wished she had insisted they take a Bird or Bat to act as messenger. Perhaps then she could do more than sit at home and wait for word. If the Calormenes were not due so soon and if someone had not had to remain behind to see to the running of the kingdom, she would have gone after them all. Instead, she had to wait and pray.

"Your Majesty?"

Susan glanced up to see a little Dove fluttering her wings as she settled on an unlit sconce. "Yes?"

"The Mermaid Syrena has come to the lower pavilions with news for you, Queen Susan."

"Thank you, Paloma."

She tarried only long enough to send a Humming Bird in search of Leeta with instructions for that Nymph to join her at the lower pavilion. Rushing down to the pavilion, Susan could not help fearing the news the Mermaid brought. After all, she had asked the Merfolk to keep as close a watch on the north as they could manage with winter coming. The Mermaid was waiting with her slender pale arms braced on the edge of the pavilion. The afternoon sun reflected off her silver scales and her blue-green hair glistened. Susan curtsied and then knelt on the floor. "Lady Syrena, I was told you have news for me."

The Mermaid bowed her head. "I do, Gentle Queen." Her gaze flicked to someone behind her and Susan knew that Leeta had arrived. When she did not speak, Lady Syrena bowed her head once more. "One of my sisters has brought word from our kin in the southern waters regarding the Calormene ship being a Calormene prince. The ship is yet docked in Terebinthia's harbor but they intend to set sail for Cair Paravel within four days."

It took everything in her to keep from springing up at the news. The Calormenes coming early! Susan swallowed hard, recalling the politely worded and long-winded threat from the Tisroc that promised retribution should his son be insulted by the absence of any of the royal family. For this prince was the current heir apparent. And as it was, she was the only royal not wandering Ettinsmoor! She had yet to finish the demanded preparations for the coming visitors either. And if Peter and Edmund weren't there to greet Prince Rabadash . . . The Tisroc would likely see it as a sign of weakness, especially if he learned her brothers' absence was due to Giants abducting them.

Well, she would just have to see that the Calormenes didn't reach Cair Paravel before her family returned. Susan rose, took a deep breath, and then turned to Leeta. "Do I recall correctly that the Princess Royal put certain safety measures in place should we need to ensure a delay in our guests' arrival?"

The Nymph's black eyes twinkled as she bowed her head. "She has set a number of 'ill omens' in place, My Queen. They need only to be alerted that their services are now required."

Susan nodded, allowing herself a small smile. She knew just the 'ill omen' that would prove most effective. Turning back to Syrena, she did not hesitate to ask, "Would you arrange for a message to be sent to Blodeuwedd?"

"It shall be done, Gentle Queen."

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A/N: Please Read and Review!