PETER:

When the messenger didn't return for three days, I got antsy. Four days, I got nervous. Five days, I didn't stray far from the entrance hall. Six days, I parked myself on the front shore and did laundry all day. When a week passed, I began to pack a bag.

"What on earth are you doing?" Susan asked that morning as I threw a couple of apples into a small sack.

"Bendt hasn't returned, so I am going to go find the wood for myself."

"Peter, why don't you just dismantle some of what you've already made?"

"It'll be no good."

"You're very skilled by now, Peter, I'm sure you could make it work."

"Too many small parts. It would never look any good."

"Well... what about what you made for-"

"No." I set the sack down. "I refuse to take apart anything I made for Ruth."

"Honestly, Peter, there's no need for you to go to the mainland just to get some wood. I'm sure Bendt will be back tomorrow or the day after."

"It's been a week."

She hesitated. "Still, Peter, shouldn't we think about this a little more?"

I sighed. "It's about more than just the wood, Susan. First of all, we haven't heard anything from Edmund or Ruth the whole time they've been gone, and while I trust them, I'm the High King and it's my job to make sure my kingdom is safe. My thinking is that if they haven't at least gotten a lead at this point, I can try to help. Second of all, the disappearance of Bendt is concerning. Even if he were to have fallen ill or the like, surely someone would have been sent in his stead to pass along the response, or the message, or the wood. I need to know what happened to him, if he even made it. Third of all, if Telmar doesn't get the cribs and other things soon, they might rescind their offer, and I-" I swallowed hard. "I can't risk letting anyone starve because I didn't do everything possible to make sure this deal goes through."

She nodded slowly. "I understand now. Thank you."

I nodded back. "I'm sorry to leave you and Lucy, I really am. You'll be alright for a couple of days, won't you?"

She smiled. "Of course we will. Besides, it's not like there's anything left to steal of value here anyway."

"Oh! Except for the healing cordial... should I take that?"

"Please do."

"Alright. Do you want me to wait until morning to leave? I can stay and make sure everything's secu-"

"We'll be fine, Peter, really. Bored, perhaps, but fine."

"Alright. I trust you." I grabbed the sack, threw it in my bag, and left the kitchen, Susan behind me. "Hey, Lu!" I called.

"Yes?" she replied, descending the stairs.

"I'm going to the mainland to find out what happened to Bendt, and try to find news of Ruth and Edmund. It shouldn't be long."

"Oh, do be safe, Peter," she said, rushing to hug me. "If you're not back in a week, we'll come after you."

"Thank you, Lu. Don't worry, I'll be safe and home soon, hopefully with Ruth and Ed."

I hugged each of my sisters one more time, planting kisses on their temples. Adjusting my pack on my shoulders, I made my way down to the water and grabbed another boat.

I followed the path Ruth and Edmund had planned to follow. I floated past a couple of camps, which were oddly quiet. I could hear faint conversations occurring in tents and huts, but nobody milled about in the courtyards or fished by the river. I drifted down until I came across Ruth and Edmund's boat. I began rowing as quickly as I could, the prospect of seeing Ruth again making me giddy. But when I arrived at the dock, I was greeted by only one elderly satyr fishing. Nobody else was in sight.

"Hello there!" he called. "High King Peter, if my old eyes do not deceive me. Tricksy, they are at times."

"Greetings!" I responded, forcing a smile. "Yes, I am High King Peter."

"Well, what brings you here in such a troubled time?"

"A couple matters of business, really. Are you the leader of this camp?"

He wheezed with laughter. "Goodness no. My name is Themaus. The leader can be found in the largest hut in the middle of the camp. I can take you there, if you'd like."

I climbed out of the boat and began walking. "Oh no, I'd hate to disturb your fishing more than I already have. Thank you for talking to me."

"Of course. You remind me a lot of your Ruth."

I froze and turned around. "You know Ruth?"

"Oh, sure. She was very pleasant to talk to while I fished."

"When was she here? Was she with my brother?"

"She and King Edmund were here a couple of weeks ago. They said they'd come back soon to take their boat back and go further up the river, but we haven't heard a word from them since. But we've heard many other tidings though, of the worst sort."

I gulped. "I suppose I should go talk to your leader now. I'm sorry to disturb your fishing."

He waved a hand dismissively, and it took a tremendous amount of willpower not to sprint forward to the leader's hut. I knocked softly on the door, and was surprised to see the fear in the eyes of the child who peeked through the window before opening the door.

"Hello," I said as warmly as I could, flashing my most disarming smile, the one that often made Ruth's eyes sparkle as she smiled back. "I'm King Peter. Is your father the leader?"

Surely enough, a centaur strode behind the girl, laying a hand on her shoulder and bowing slightly. "Greetings, High King Peter. I am Oakhane, leader of this camp. How can I assist you?"

I glanced over my shoulder, a curious feeling of being watched making the hair stand up on the back of my neck. "May I come in? Such conversations are better left for indoors."

He nodded, opening the door wide. When it was closed securely behind me, he asked, "I suppose you're here in regards to the disappearances?"

"Disappearances?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Yes. We received a messenger nearly a week ago from Cair Paravel, bringing a request for wood. We sent him on his way, with a message of our own."

"It would seem some tragic fate has befallen him," I replied grimly. "His own apparent disappearance is the reason for my visit, but I suppose I have stumbled into a greater catastrophe than I could have imagined."

"So it would seem," he agreed. He turned his attention to his daughter. "You can go fish with Themaus, darling."

"But Father, what if someone comes to take me?" she asked fearfully.

He rubbed his forehead. "You can stay, then. Go with your mother in the bedroom, please."

She scurried away, and Oakhane and I exchanged a look of shared burdens.

"What has happened?" I dared to inquire. "We have reached no news in Cair Paravel of any disappearances. We have heard of the possible famine approaching due to the heat, but nothing of disappearances."

"We had reason to believe they were random at first. But now that dozens have occurred all over the Narnian mainland and there have been signs of increased activity at the White Witch's castle, we have begun to suspect something more sinister." He sighed heavily. "I am a part of a rather unofficial council, headed by your friend Tumnus. We have debated taking action ourselves so Your Majesties could focus on securing a food supply somehow. But it would seem now that these pursuits could be related, as more kidnappings have occurred as the food supply has dwindled."

I nodded slowly. "This news weighs heavily on my heart. Is there anything else I should know?"

"Your brother and your friend arrived shortly before these disappearances began. While we have all agreed that they are not to blame, we have all admitted that the timing may appear suspicious to less-than-loyal Narnians."

"I understand. Well, as you know now, we have secured at least some supplies in exchange for lumber. Thank you for helping us, I will ensure the trade takes place as soon as I return. But before I do, I want to help solve this mystery as much as I possibly can."

"We have been informed that Lady Ruth and King Edmund have reached a reasonable conclusion as to what had taken place. Mr. Tumnus came downriver just this morning, telling me to spread the word inland. He would not tell me the specifics, for fear of being overheard even here, but he told me to begin sending small numbers of troops to Aslan's How."

I scratched at the stubble on my chin. "Thank you for your information. How long of a journey do you believe it would be to meet Mr. Tumnus myself upriver?"

"You would have to travel about four hours upriver, then walk inland until you reach the lamppost. Would you be able to find your way from there?"

"I believe so," I said with a nod. "Thank you for your time. And I'm truly sorry that we had no idea about the disappearances."

"'Tis not your fault, Your Majesty. We will do everything in our power to get them back as well."

I rose and laid a hand on his shoulder in Narnian tradition, and he did the same to me. Then I left, saying farewell to Themaus and attacking the oars with vigor. I never took my eyes off the shore, scanning for the lamppost. When I saw it, I hurriedly pulled the boat up to shore, grabbed my belongings, and grabbed the oars before running inland. I knew the way to Mr. Tumnus's home well, and my feet willingly trod the familiar trail.

I knocked on the door, which opened almost immediately.

"Oh! Peter!" He blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry, I just thought you were Ruth or Edmund."

"Good evening, Mr. Tumnus," I chuckled.

He glanced over my shoulder. "Oh, I suppose it is evening by now. Have you seen them, by any chance?"

"Er... no, I haven't. Why, are they alright?"

He cleared his throat and shook his head as if he were clearing fog. "Sorry to be so jumpy. Come on in." He closed the door behind me, and quickly poured two cups of tea. "No, I am sure they are quite alright, I was just hoping to have heard from them by now. Tulia went to the Beavers to see if they had heard anything. Ruth and Edmund were just here, yesterday morning, in fact."

"I am disappointed to have missed them."

"They were not expecting you. Has something happened?"

I nodded grimly. "Yes, actually. To make a very long story short, we sent a messenger to the Narnian mainland to ask for lumber to trade with Telmar in exchange for food. But we hadn't heard from him in a week, so I took it upon myself to find out what happened to him. But all I've heard is that his disappearance is not unique, so it would appear that my errand may coincide with Ruth and Edmund's."

"We have reason to believe they've figured out what may have occurred."

I nodded. "That's what I heard. I was hoping you would be able to tell me, though you couldn't tell Oakhane."

He lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned closer to me. "Ruth explained yesterday morning that the missing vial has the ability to produce the enchanted food. As the threat of famine grows, it would have become easier and easier to ensnare desperate people."

My eyes widened. "That makes perfect sense."

"Too much sense," he agreed, sitting up straight in his chair again and taking a sip of tea to calm himself. He glanced nervously out the window. "My dear wife has been gone a while," he remarked in a louder voice. "I hope she is alright."

"We can go looking," I offered. "I'm sure she is alright, but I would like the consolation as well given the danger of the times."

He nodded gratefully. "Let us go, then, she was going to the Beavers."

Tumnus and I walked briskly in silence until we reached the dam. It would seem construction had been completed, I observed with a small smile. Mr. Tumnus knocked on the door, which was opened only after we were spied upon through the window to make sure we were safe.

"Come on in!" Mrs. Beaver said warmly. "I am sure you are merely concerned for your wife. She's right here."

Mr. Tumnus visibly relaxed, and I smiled and waved at the young beavers scurrying all over the dam. Tulia had one on her lap, whom she was bouncing happily.

"Sorry to steal her for so long, Tumnus, but one of our little ones scraped her knee outdoors, and she was kind enough to help with that while I made dinner and then another one spilled milk over the floor and... it's been madness."

He smiled. "'Tis quite alright. Peter and I just wanted to make sure everything was sound."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" I asked.

"Oh, it's quite alright," she insisted as she carried a tower of dishes to the washbasin. "Just cleaning up for now."

"Will you play a game with us, King Peter?" one of the young boy beavers asked.

I smiled. "Of course! What game would you like to play?"

"The one Ruth taught us at the wedding!" another exclaimed, pulling a bag of jacks from a cupboard and holding it above his head triumphantly.

"Sounds good to me!"

The five of us made a small clearing on the floor and began to play. I went easy on them, as my hands were so much larger, but I had fun regardless. After a handful of rounds, Mr. Beaver came around and said it was bedtime.

I laughed aloud at their protests, and I laughed even harder when Mr. Beaver consented to joining in on a round. Unfortunately, when Mrs. Beaver came around she meant business, and the game came to a close. I rose from the ground and wished everyone a good night before leaving with Tumnus and Tulia.

"I was thinking about trying to find Edmund and Ruth," Tumnus whispered as we left. "They were going to camp in the wilderness around the castle for a couple of nights."

"We could rendezvous and see what they've learned," I agreed with a nod, the familiar butterflies at the thought of seeing Ruth fluttering in my stomach.

When I received two confused looks, I rephrased. "Rendezvous means to meet up to discuss something, usually with a mysterious connotation," I explained.

They both nodded understandingly, and we set off in the direction of the castle. We were about to pass the treeline into the clearing when we heard howls coming from the direction of the castle. My stomach dropped to my toes. I looked left and right, hoping to find the two of them a safe distance away, perhaps playing a game of cards or even sleeping.

A few trees to our right, I saw the familiar red of Ruth's bag. I took off running, and swiftly climbed the tree. Surely enough, Ruth and Edmund had left their bags in the tree. I exchanged a glance with Tumnus.

"They must be in the castle," I said, the words sounding foreign to my own ears. "You said they came to get information."

He nodded slowly. Tulia pressed her knuckles to her mouth, shooting a frightened glance at the castle. Tumnus wrapped a reassuring arm around her, and I felt a pang in my chest. I wanted Ruth under my arm.

I turned my attention once again to the castle. Indistinct shouts could be heard, along with howls and growls.

"Is this the type of activity you meant?" I asked.

"We've never heard anything," Tulia answered, her voice trembling. "Only seen creatures going in and out."

The blood in my veins turned chill. Something must have gone wrong. I prayed Ruth and Edmund were safe. I strained my eyes, hoping to see them fleeing to safety. Surely if anything happened, they'd run right back here, to their bags. And I would be waiting. I drew my sword and jumped down.

"You're not thinking about...?" Tumnus began.

I shook my head. "I won't go in. This is in case anything comes out."

Just then, a horrific scream cut through the still summer night. My already-chilled blood turned to ice. My heart dropped to my toes and my sword dropped to the ground. I had only heard that scream in the dead of night a handful of times before.

It was undoubtedly Ruth who screamed.