May 23: Your Character's anxious or panicking about something. What do they do to cope with it? Do they stress eat or talk it out? Or both??

I had trouble writing this chapter, when I first wrote it it was rather sloppy, but it's better now. The end note though...that is a strange thing. It appears that I invented a place where all the characters stay when they aren't in use….Very odd. Thanks to all my readers!

Note: The rest of the May Chronicles chapters are written, they are just waiting to be edited.

Review responses:

AmberRising's response for Chapter 7: Yes I feel the same about the season and holidays. Although I like our Christmas because it is a time with friends. We do Sinterklas a few days before Christmas where we give presents and have family time.

AmberRising's response for Chapter 8: you soon shall see. Hopefully.

Edmund was searching the castle. He and Anmih had agreed to meet at the training ground the night before, but after waiting for a few hours without the other boy showing up, Edmund was beginning to worry. A month ago the Calormen had been captured by a rouge group and had been in their hands for a week before Edmund and Oreius were able to rescue him. And Anmih was still showing signs that he was not fully recovered yet; jumping at sudden noises occasionally and pulling away from touch.

As a servant passed by him, Edmund reached out, gripping him by the arm. "Have you seen Anmih recently?" The servant shook his head.

"No, your majesty."

The king sighed, watching as the servant hurried away to do his duties. He looked up as Oreius came up to him.

"You have not found him yet, your Majesty?" As Edmund shook his head, the centaur frowned. "Where does he spend his time?"

Edmund shrugged, not meeting the general's eyes. "I don't know. When he came to stay with us I wanted to give him some space, a place he could go without being bothered." As he was talking, Lucy came up to them, worry in her eyes.

"No one saw him today. He has not had any food yet today either." Edmund pinched his lips together. That was something that they had quickly found out about; their friend got migraines when he skipped a meal. The knowledge that Anmih had missed a meal upped Edmund's need to find the Calormen. Lucy was silent for a moment, then her eyes lit up at an idea. "Have you checked the gardens? I think I've seen him there a few times."

Edmund spun, running towards the gardens, slowing as he reached the edge of the garden path. He moved slowly down the path, looking around for the missing Calormen. As he followed the path, it continually turned, making a spiral to the center of the garden. When he reached the center, he stopped, looking at Anmih, who was sitting on the ground, knees drawn up to his chest. Edmund shuffled his feet as he drew close to the Calormen, but Anmih made no move. Edmund sat on the ground beside the other boy, keeping an arm's length away from him. He saw the shuddering breaths.

"You good?" Edmund kept his voice quiet. "You gave us all a scare."

After several minutes, Anmih looked up, his face pale and dark bags under his eyes. His hand trembled as he brushed hair out of his face. "Sorry." He fell silent again, then sighed. After a moment, he spoke again. "I had a nightmare last night. Couldn't sleep, then almost panicked when a plate was dropped near my room."

Edmund nodded. "You needed to get away. Have a quiet place to collect yourself. How are you doing now?"

"Still shaky, and I am worn out. But I'll be fine over time." His voice was hoarse. "With Aslan's help." He closed his eyes tight, raising a hand to rub his head, swallowing convulsively. Edmund moved closer, reaching for Anmih's shoulder, hesitating as the other boy flinched. The Calormen opened an eye, looking at the king. "Sorry." He let Edmund help him up, supporting him as they made their way out of the garden. As they reached the castle, Anmih lurched to the side, stomach heaving. Edmund held him up by a shoulder, and helped him straighten when he was finished. Anmih felt himself being led into the castle. The cooler, dark building soothed his migraine slightly. As he felt himself being put on a bed, he heard steps leaving the room and the door closing softly.

He woke up to a gentle knock on the door, and he sat up as the door opened, revealing Lucy holding a tray and Edmund standing behind her. He looked at the food that was on the tray and began eating, mindful of his headache that was still present, though much less painful. When he was finished, and Lucy had taken the tray. Edmund was leaving as Anmih looked the king in the eyes.

"Thank You."

Anmih: Such good friends.

Edmund: Thanks!

Anmih: *Lifting a eyebrow* Wasn't talking about you.

Lucy: He was talking about me, because I gave him the food, right?

Me: No. He was talking about me, because I helped him.

Anmih: *Looking off to the side* No, I was talking about them. *Points to where Legolas, Aragorn, and Faramir are talking together.*

Me: You three need to stay in your own story area. You can't bother the other characters.