Author's Note: Marie back again! Just forewarning, this chapter is kinda short, but for good reason! We are approaching the Battle for Narnia, and I really want to keep that in one piece. So, please enjoy this chapter—even though it's short—and drop a review!

That night, I couldn't seem to get comfortable enough to go to sleep, which is very unusual for me. After tossing and turning for maybe an hour, I got frustrated, grabbed my cloak, and walked out of our tent, envying Susan as she slept peacefully. I found a little patch of grass in between our tent and the Pevensie brothers', and just sat there, looking at the stars and wishing I could go to sleep as the grass cooled my bare feet.

"You can not sleep, dear one?" a voice asks, making me jump.

"A-Aslan?"

The Lion smiled. "I don't think you shall be getting any rest outside, either, especially tonight."

"What's tonight?" I asked.

Aslan sighed. "I think you should return to your tent. Many things shall be happening tomorrow." I nodded, standing. I walked over to the Lion, giving him a small hug, well, small because he is massive. I could hear a soft growl from him, one of content.

"I'll see if Edmund is faring off better than I am." Aslan nodded, then walked away from the camp, his tail lower to the ground than usual. I sighed, peeking into the guys' tent. Peter and Edmund seemed to be sleeping well.

Am I the only one with temporary insomnia? I went back to my little grass patch, staring at the stars and attempting to count them all.

"You can't sleep either?" another voice scares me.

"Edmund?" I whisper, "Why are you up?"

"Same reason you are," he replied. I nodded in understanding, patting the grass next to me. He sits down, and I realize how cold it is, which makes me shiver, even with a cloak on. "Cold?" he asks.

"Just a little chilly."

"C'mon, our tent's warmer than out here," he rose, helping me up. "I can't stand being cold, especially after being in the Witch's castle." I followed his lead, sitting on his hammock bed while he studied the carpet rug between the two hammocks, Peter sleeping in his peacefully. After a while I laid down, content to watch Edmund trace the pattern of the rug with his fingers. I reached my hand downwards, tracing the pattern that was nearest to me. Eventually my eyes closed, my finger moving slowly back and forth, not really tracing anything anymore.

I felt a blanket being pulled around my shoulders, and a hand placing my own back on the hammock. I felt a little pressure on my hand for a moment, but it left, and I drifted away.

I heard the rustling of leaves, and the unsheathing of a sword.

I shot up, grabbing for my sword and realizing that I didn't have it…and didn't really need it.

"Do not fear, my princes," the dryad soothed. "I bring grave news from your sisters."

Peter turned a questioning eye to me. "Why aren't you in their tent?"

"Couldn't sleep. I-I did see Aslan though. He said something was going to happen last night. Is that what this is about?"

The dryad nodded. "It does. Aslan is gone."

"Gone as in left? Or gone as in…." The dryad nodded again, and Peter's face paled. I ran from the tent to my own just to get away from the bad news, finding the tent empty. I grabbed my sword in effort to go back to Peter and Edmund's tent, but I just sat down and cried, the news finally hitting me like a ton of bricks:

Aslan is dead.

I felt an arm drape around me, and it made me look up. "Peter?" I asked. He nodded, and I sniffled. "W-Where's Edmund?"

"He's getting a sword. I came in here to see if Susan and Lu were here, but…"

"You just saw me sobbing like an idiot."

"Yeah," he smiled, and I gave a mirthless laugh and sniffed again. He patted my back then stood up. "I have to confirm this with Oreius."

"Peter?" he turned around. "I think it's going to be up to you. Like, leading."

His face paled again. "I don't know if I can if it does."

"Then I'm coming with you to find out." I stood up, actually strapping on my sword this time and making sure I had all my arrows in my quiver.

"It's true," Peter sighed when he emerged from the tent, me not far behind. I almost started crying all over again.

"You left this," Edmund whispered, handing me my cloak. I smiled, almost crying, and took my cloak back. Edmund wrapped me in a hug, and I buried my head on his shoulder, fighting tears with all that I had.

"He's gone." Peter looked utterly shot.

Edmund squeezed me for a moment, then released me. "Then you'll have to lead us. There's a whole army waiting for you."

Peter shook his head. "I can't."

"Aslan believed you could," Edmund walked closer to his brother. "And so do I."

"Sir?" Oreius looked in question. "What are your orders?" Peter looked at his map, then went to get armour.