PETER POV:

That evening, two messengers departed. One went to Archenland with our plea for help. The other went to the heart of the forest to inform the Narnians of the attempted attack.

A tense and heavy silence had descended upon the castle. It was decided that it would be best to stay within the confines of the castle, with the windows covered. Edmund took it upon himself to teach Lucy how to play chess - she could beat him within the week. Susan read any book she could get her hands on. I, however, kept myself busy a different way.

When I wasn't planning with advisers, I spent my days in a walled-off pavilion safe from intruders. I made it into my own training ground. For hours at a time, I would take my sword and just practice. I erected targets. Pretend opponents. I added obstacles. I added weights to my sword. On days my arms were too sore, I would just jog laps. I convinced myself that I needed to stay in peak physical shape to protect my family. So I fully devoted myself to training.

One week after sending the messengers, I was in the middle of a particularly intense training session when I heard the clip-clop of Tumnus's hooves. I sheathed my sword and wiped my forehead, jogging over to meet him.

"News?" I asked.

He nodded. "Come see for yourself."

I gulped. "An army?"

"Better. A navy."

I heaved a sigh of relief, walking briskly through the castle.

"Peter, you're not wearing those sweaty things, are you?"

"Susan, I-"

"You're about to meet diplomats from Archenland for the first time, you must change!" she insisted, grabbing me by the wrist. "Ugh, boys."

She dragged me to our shared bedroom and hurriedly got out my coronation clothes.

"This'll have to do," she muttered to herself. "I'll go find your crown while you change."

She stormed out of the room. I laughed to myself. Girls.

She returned as I pulled my tunic over my head. Susan ran her fingers through my hair to brush it; she regretted it instantly.

"Ew!" she squealed. "Ew ew ew ew ew!"

"Just a little sweat, Su," I chuckled, pressing my crown onto my head. I kissed her temple. "Thanks for the help. Make sure Ed and Lucy behave. I'll be back soon."

"Lucy! She's in her playclothes! Ed, too! Oh goodness gracious!" And with that, she vanished. I took a deep breath. Before leaving, I took one long look at my outfit. The last time I had worn it, Ruth had been here. I longed to have her in my arms again... to hold her tight... to protect her...

As I slowly started down the hallway, fighting tears, I began to worry intensely. Where was she? Was she safe? I remembered her ghastly wounds. Were they being properly cared for? Would they heal properly? Would they become infected? What about her sleep? She had spent so much time sleeping since her return. Would she get enough sleep?

I reached the front door of the castle and placed my hand on the handle.

Now was not the time to worry for Ruth.

That could wait.

Now was the time to ensure the safety of my siblings.

Before I lost them... too.

🦁

A man with shoulder-length brown hair stepped off the boat, wearing red Archenland robes.

"Welcome to Cair Paravel," I said warmly. "I am High King Pe-"

I was interrupted by a harsh laugh. "I am no fool, boy. Thank you for your welcome. I would like to see the real king now."

I swallowed. Ouch. "I'm sorry that I am not what you are expecting, sir, but I am High King Peter the Magnificent, Knight of Narnia."

He was taken aback. "But... you are but a boy. Who are you, that you can rule Narnia?"

"Anything is possible with Aslan," I said, smiling crookedly.

There was a heavy silence. "I suppose so. I apologize. I am King Knowlton of Archenland."

"Thank you for your aid. It will be needed."

"Anything to help the family that defeated the White Witch."

"Allow me to introduce my family," I offered. We began to approach the castle.

"How old are you, Peter?"

"Fourteen."

He nodded. "You must have wisdom and strength far beyond your years. The White Witch possessed powerful magic, that kept us living in fear at all times that she would turn against us as well."

"Yes, I can imagine that would be perpetually concerning. We have our fears concerning her lasting influence."

I held the door open. "Lucy! Edmund! Susan! King Knowlton is here!"

He grinned. "I have never seen a kingdom run quite like yours before. Everything is typically so formal. Yet you are just a family who stumbled into power."

I shrugged. "To be fair, we have only ruled a few weeks. We will learn soon."

"Oh, there is nothing to learn! I have grown weary of formalities. This is charmingly refreshing."

My siblings made an appearance right then. Introductions were made, then Edmund and I showed the king the way to our planning room.

"So here is the map of our castle," I said, pointing as I talked. "One week ago, my brother and I were sleeping in this room, and our sisters were sleeping in this room. We heard a sound coming from the floor above us... about here. Edmund went to protect the girls, who had also heard the noises but had not left their room. I walked this way and made my way up the stairs. The sound stopped. I was soon joined by Mr. Tumnus, a faun, who was sleeping in this room at the time and came up to investigate as well. I had searched this much of the floor when we heard a loud bang and a scream coming from the girls' room, which is here. I did not notice this until the morning, but an indent had been made in the door about four hands above the ground. We had not been in there more than a minute when this came through the window." I handed him the rock, waiting patiently as he read the text. "And we sent messengers the next day. We're frightened, sir, and we don't know what to do."

"Has the island been combed?"

"N...no, sir. We have limited staff." I kicked myself. That should have been the first thing we did!

"I will send a team of men at once, then."

"The primary action we have taken is barricading every window, and we are all sleeping in one windowless room, with the door locked. We also do not wander about the island. We've remained on castle premises."

"That is all very good," he encouraged. "I will offer what aid I can to cover the bases you missed and hopefully ward off any future attacks. What kind of creatures were loyal to the White Witch? I can place special emphasis on those."

"Wolves," Edmund said immediately. "Minotaurs. Giants. Polar bears."

"Oh! Dwarves!" I exclaimed. "A dwarf must have been what caused the indent on the door. I'm sure they are behind the attacks."

"I will tell my men to keep an eye open for those creatures. What are the good creatures?"

"We are currently living here with a faun and two beavers. Here, we'll introduce you n-"

A sneeze ricocheted throughout the room, but it did not come from Edmund or Knowlton. I immediately closed the door and drew my sword.

"Who is in here?" I demanded. "I will not hurt you if you reveal yourself."

There was no answer. Edmund and the king likewise drew their swords. My eyes roamed across the cabinets. Which one would be big enough to hide a dwarf?

I silently pointed with my sword at the one I assumed must be hiding the intruder. We approached slowly.

I placed my hand on the handle, and in a swift move, yanked the door open and touched my sword tip to the nose of... the Beavers, bound together and gagged? We hurriedly sawed the ropes off and gently pulled the gags from their mouths.

"What happened?" I asked, helping them to their feet.

Mrs. Beaver nuzzled against her husband, whimpering fearfully. Mr. Beaver was the first to find his voice.

"Dwarves," he hissed. "Dwarves."

"How many?" I asked.

"Three," he said. "Go, find them! We'll be okay."

I gulped. Three dwarves running loose in the castle. With Susan and Lucy and Tumnus somewhere.

"I'll get my personal guard to help you find the dwarves in the castle, then I will lead a small group around the island to sniff out any others."

"Thank you," I said anxiously. I gripped Edmund's shoulder. "Let's go find some dwarves."