For the record, this story is never far from my thoughts. It's just always a challenge to find time and the motivation to get those thoughts down. Sorry faithful readers! Here's a new chapter for you. The Second Challenge awaits!

XoX

Chapter 10

White Cloud galloped hard until they reached the edge of the forest. Peter stopped him from pushing himself too much though, there was still a long way to go. They had lost Darrin at some point in the maze of side-streets as they left the city, and looking back now, there was no sign of him.

Peter knew the best way of reaching the Caldron Pool was to follow the river that ran the breadth of Narnia, with its mouth at Cair Paravel. The river passed through the few villages, then up into the Western Woods and from then on the Caldron was not too much further. He guessed that he would make it there by nightfall the following day.

Darrin would no doubt be following the same path as he. Not knowing the terrain would put him at a disadvantage and if their positions were reversed Peter would be tailing Darrin. He made sure to tell White Cloud to keep alert.

The forest path that they kept to was not often used and there were many trees that parted to allow their King a clear route through. He made sure to thank each and every one of them.

He and White Cloud did not speak unless they had to through the first part of their journey. The terrain being one reason, the other that Peter was mentally running through every single thing he could recall about Phoenix's. They rode until the light failed and they couldn't safely continue any further. Peter didn't want to get them lost or hurt while stumbling through the dark forest.

'We should camp here' Peter instructed as the last shaft of the sunset dipped below the horizon, 'we'll move on at first light'.

He un-saddled White Cloud quietly and dug through the small pack for something to eat as his friend wandered down to the river they were still following. The hadn't strayed far from it, and Peter was pretty confident they had made good progress.

He doubted he would get much sleep, but setting down his pack to use as a pillow he wrapped his arms around himself at the base of a tree. Obligingly the tree curled slightly around it's King, the moss creeping over Peter's legs like a blanket to keep him warm on the cool summer evening. White Cloud dozed nearby and they both drifted off almost instantly safe in the knowledge that the forest would protect them.

XoX

It was White Cloud's ears pricking that made Peter suddenly fall silent. The horse swung it's head around identifying a sound out in the forest that wasn't natural. Peter waited, frozen in position as he made eye contact with his friend.

Furrowing his brows quizzically he silently questioned White Cloud who shook his head in response with a snort, whatever he had heard was gone.

If there was anything out there, it had moved on. Returning to his pack Peter continued to stow his things. He hadn't much, only a few supplies that he needed to secure back on the saddle. He had found some bread and cheese tied in a neat paper package that he had ate quickly as he worked.

His weapons were already in place in White Cloud's saddle, including his sword and his dagger. They had ridden further that expected the day before and they both believed they would reach the Cauldron Pool by noon.

Peter leant to reach underneath White Cloud's belly to tighten the saddle straps when he heard a noise of a twig snapping directly behind him.

He had no time to react before pain bloomed like a flare in his temple and the world went black. He fell roughly to the ground to the sound of White Cloud's fierce and alarmed whinny in his ears.

XoX

Queen Susan the Gentle wasn't feeling very gentle. Grinding her teeth she glanced at Lucy to see how she was coping.

They had spent the morning entertaining the Queen of Archenland and it had been tedious beyond belief. Susan had always believed she could keep her emotions in check when the occasion called for it.

But in this moment she was doubting herself. More than once she caught herself clenching her hands, her nails digging into her palms. Her worry for Peter was becoming something that she couldn't ignore.

It was nearly noon now. He'd been gone more than a day and she didn't know how she would cope any longer in the unknown. This was a different kind of agony from watching him fight for her.

Which was even more removed from the feelings she had for him. The way she had wished for him to kiss her before he had left. In a way she had never wished a man kiss her before, brother or not.

'And I said to Lady Mistl –'

'If you would excuse me Ma'am' Susan announced suddenly, surprising even herself, as she interrupted her guest. Without further explanation she gracefully got to her feet and exited the room, glancing at Lucy's pleading eyes.

Emerging from the room where they had been holding tea Susan found two of her Queens Guard at the door. 'Give it a couple of minutes, and then could interrupt and ask Queen Lucy to join me? I'll be in the sun room.'

They nodded, both attempting to hide light smiles.

'Thank goodness' Lucy exclaimed as she burst into Susan's favourite room in the palace, 'I didn't think I could take much more of that'.

The Queen had been droning on for hours, gossiping about her Court. It had been more than Susan could stand. Their Court had seemed nothing but lies and scheming. It was no wonder that the Royal family were just as conniving.

Susan had been aware for many years of how unique her Kingdom was, but the visits in the last couple of weeks had really opened her eyes.

The Narnia that she and her family had created was a fair and just place. A land free of the schemes and lies that the Queen seemed to take a perverse joy in. She was proud of Narnia, she realised.

Proud of the peace they had achieved and proud of her people.

And now her peace was being disrupted and she would not stand for it.

'We need a plan' Susan said seemingly out of the blue to Lucy who was leaning against the balcony, letting the sun warm her skin.

'If Peter doesn't win these challenges, we need a plan' she repeated, her voice lowering as she went to stand alongside her sister.

'Peter will wi-

'But just in case he doesn't' Susan interrupted, 'I will never go with Darrin. Never. But I can't endanger Narnia'.

Lucy tucked her arm around Susan's middle and leant on her shoulder in solidarity. Susan drew comfort from the gesture. For so long it had been her that had mothered and sort to comfort her sister, it was nice to be the one comforted for a moment.

'Ed has all the treaties in his office' Lucy offered, 'we should try to learn as much as possible. Then maybe would could come up with something'.

Susan nodded, pleased, and together they made their way to Ed's chambers with part of their Queen's Guard tailing them closely. The Fawn brothers, Castor and Mart, had not strayed far from their side since Peter had left.

They had provided a comforting presence. While Susan could and had defended herself in the past; that had been on the battlefield. She had never had need to in her own Palace. Darrin's attack had interrupted the safety of her own home. So when Castor and Mart had silently appeared she had welcomed them.

They left the tall, heavily armed Fawns at the door to Edmund's study and Susan went directly to the tomb open on Ed's desk. Their brother himself was absent. Lucy had said he would be with General Orieus for most of the day.

'I think Ed's already been thinking about this' Susan commented, as she scanned the handwritten notes on his desk. There were comments about previous challenges in Narnia's history and their outcomes. 'Look at this'.

Pointing at a passage Ed had underlined and then referencing to the marked section in the book Susan read aloud.

'When the outcome of a challenge issued leads to or in some way instigates conflict of any kind the prize has the right to choose'.

'What does that mean?' Lucy questioned looking between Susan's face and Ed's notes, 'Choose the victor?'

Susan wasn't sure, and looking at Ed's notes it seemed as if he had been mulling on this line of text as well. Was it an escape clause? Susan couldn't imagine Darrin or his father being particularly happy about it, if it was.

Sitting down Susan pulled another law book over to her as Lucy took up Ed's notes. They spent the rest of the afternoon sorting through the numerous and ancient tombs that spelled out the laws of their land – searching for anything that would help them.

XoX

Peter was first aware of darkness, and then of the hard ground beneath him. He could hear White Cloud snorting gently somewhere nearby and then when he groaned and moved slightly he felt the horse nudge him with its nose.

The fog across his vision slowly cleared as he rolled over on to his back. Reaching up his hand came away damp with blood from the side of his head.

'It was Prince Darrin' White Cloud said, answering the question he had yet to voice. 'I did not notice him until the last moment my King. I am deeply sorry'.

Wincing as he pushed himself up Peter had to stay sitting for a moment as he regained his equilibrium. Of course Darrin has done something like this. He had obviously followed him for as long as he had needed, and then, when he could guess the rest of the way, Darrin had taken his chance to immobilise him and get to the Phoenix first.

'How long was I out for?'

'It is nearly noon, Sire. So a couple of hours at least'.

Peter swore harshly. That meant, providing Darrin stuck to the river, he would almost certainly get to the Cauldron Pool first. There was no time to waste though. Using White Cloud who bent his neck down in assistance, Peter got to his feet.

Shaking his head slightly to rid himself of the remnants of the haze across his vision, he quickly pulled himself onto White Cloud's back and tugging on the reigns urged him into a steady trot.

After repeatedly assuring his mount that he was fit to continue they increased their speed as much as the path allowed. There was no time to stop and eat some of the remaining bread and cheese for his lunch, so he ignored the hunger pangs, and the soreness of the split skin at his temple.

They reached the small woodland he knew held the pool earlier than he had anticipated. He contemplated that perhaps they had made it before Darrin.

'Stay here' he commanded as he dismounted quietly, leaving White Cloud where the woodland began. Ignoring the animal's protests he didn't glance back as he passed through the ancient trees.

He could see the shimmering glint of the water from a good hundred yards off. The light reflected through the yew trees and birches making the forest dance with movement.

Stopping at the edge of the clearing Peter held his breath for a moment.

There was old magic here. The air was thick with it. He could taste it on his tongue. The light that glittered off the pool illuminated the dappled trees that surrounded him like diamonds. There were few sounds excepting the gentle trickle of water that ran from a small stream into and then out of the pool. This was the water that ran down from the Great Waterfall.

It was rumoured that Narnia had been born here and Peter could well believe it.

He drew his sword quietly and placed it on the ground at the tree line in deference to this sacred place, before stepping over it into the clearing.

It had been many years since he had seen a Phoenix and he'd never met this particular one. They came to Narnia's aid when called, but they retreated to their solitude just as quickly.

A soft trill sounded in the tree canopy above him before a flash of vibrant red and then there was a Phoenix on a large stone at the edge of the pool.

'High King Peter' the Phoenix greeted, inclining it's flame coloured head.

'Noble Phoenix' he returned, also bowing in respect. Stepping forward he waited for the Phoenix to speak.

'I am simple for some creatures. But hard for them to hear. I live inside secrets. I bring out their worst fears' the Phoenix trilled, its voice soft and musical, 'What am I?'

A riddle Peter thought rapidly, as he bent to one knee before the bird. A riddle. He had never been good at riddles. Susan had quizzed him and Ed on them when she was young. It had been a game they used to play and he had been terrible at it.

Something simple, he thought, and yet something difficult. Something that was linked to secrets and yet something fearful. What could it be? If it was something hard to hear then it wasn't a creature of any kind. But yet if it brought out the worst fears in people surely it had to be a creature.

Getting to his feet he paced back and forth, his hands clenching as he thought furiously.

What could live inside secrets? He deliberated, his eyes darting around the clearing, as if looking for inspiration.

Oh, why wasn't Ed here. He had no doubt he would have figured it out already. He truthfully believed that his brother was the smartest of them all.

Truthfully.

Truth.

'It's the truth!' Peter all but shouted in his excitement, utterly astounded at himself, 'the answer to your riddle is the truth'.

There was a moments silence when the Phoenix just stared at him, to the point that Peter felt his nerves fly.

'That is correct my King' the Phoenix finally replied. Peter grinned widely relief flooding through him. He wasn't quite sure how, but he had done it. Ed would be proud.

'Regretfully I must inform you, that you are not the first to beat my riddle today'.

Peter's heart dropped, his face turning ashen.

'Prince Darrin bested my riddle a short while ago and I was obliged to grant him a feather from my plumage' the Phoenix lowered his head in regret as he spoke, 'I am truly sorry my King'.

Swallowing his disappointment Peter steeled himself. Straightening up he addressed the bird.

'What is your name?'

'Fire-Heart, your majesty'

'Fire-Heart, you have nothing to apologise for' Peter was crushingly disappointed and angry, but he didn't let it show, 'thank you for participating in this challenge'.

He didn't feel he could speak any longer, words lodged in the lump at his throat and with a parting nod to Fire-Heart he turned back towards the tree line. Striding away, angry with himself, he stooped to retrieve his sword and mounted White Cloud in mere moments. Tugging on the reigns more harshly than he intended he dug his heels into the horses flanks and barked an order to return home as fast as possible.

Nothing but the sound of White Cloud's snort was left in their wake and the clearing returned to its peaceful silence.

XoX

Night had already fallen when Peter and White Cloud clattered loudly into the stables at Cair Paravel. It had taken them a day and a half to return, with only a few breaks for food and sleep.

Peter wanted nothing more than to fall into his bed and not have to think of his failure. There had been no sign of Darrin on his return trip and Peter could only assume the Prince had already arrived back.

At the noise he made a stable hand came flying out of one of the buildings and took White Cloud's reigns as Peter dismounted.

'Thank you my friend' Peter acknowledged to his mount, taking the sword from the saddle and returning it to its place at his hip. 'Take care of him will you, he's worked hard' Peter directed at the fawn, in his tiredness he couldn't recall the fawn's name.

After the stable hand led White Cloud away Peter made his way up into the castle. It was warm and quiet inside the dark building. He scaled the steps to the family wing quietly, his body protesting slightly at the movement. A few days of sleeping on the ground had made him achy and sore.

There wasn't a sound and he was very conscious of how the chink of his light armour and sword echoed in the hallway. He briefly considered putting his head round the door to Ed's study who was likely still awake. His brother always worked late into the night, he'd always said he got more done in the stillness of the evening. But a yawn clawed through him and he didn't pause in his steps.

He would gather everyone in the morning and talk through the loss of the second challenge then.

Then at least he would only have to explain once. He would also have the calming influence of his family close by when he no doubt became angry at Darrin's assault. The man had no honour whatsoever.

Entering the hallway of the King's and Queen's chambers he nodded silently to the two guards stationed at the entrance. They in turn acknowledged him but said nothing, for which he was grateful.

He glanced at Susan's door and unable to stop himself he approached, giving a momentary look at the turned backs of the guards. He did not expect her to be awake and so quietly cracked open the door.

The first thing he noticed was that she had her balcony doors thrown wide open. The sheer light drapes were billowing in the wind and the moonlight danced around the floor. His eyes swept the room and then fell on to the bed.

'Peter' she whispered softly, the relief in her voice palpable. Sitting up her hair fell gently around her face and Pete knew instantly that his heart was irrevocably and hopelessly lost.

XoX

Hope you liked it. I promise there will be more Susan/Peter interaction in the next chapter. I realised (and it was pointed out) that I had made an error a couple of chapters back. I'd got some names the wrong way round – which I have now fixed! So thanks for spotting that.