Disclaimer: I do NOT own Narnia or any of the Narnian characters that have been created by C.S. Lewis. The rest of the characters I have created from my own imagination.

A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to get up this new chapter. I've had a REALLY bad case of writer's block but of all the days for something to come to me, it had to be a day that my mind was not in my body if that makes any sense. :) Thanks again for being patient with me as a beginning writer. Enjoy!!!

It was only a few days before Aurora was able to be on her feet again. Edmund and Lucy wouldn’t let her do anything involving the upcoming war, much to her objections.

She was walking around the castle one morning when she heard a horn sound from the gate tower. She looked out of the window and saw a familiar grey horse trotting down the stone path to the stables. The rider was in a black cape with a hood that covered her face.

Aurora walked out of the door to meet the guest. She hurried as fast as her legs would carry her towards the stables. A huge smile played across her face as the hooded figure dismounted its horse and the stable hands took it away. The figure turned around. Bright green eyes pierced through Aurora. The guest had a similar expression when she saw her welcoming party. It took all of the self control either of them had not to jump into each other’s arms.

Aurora approached and embraced her old friend. As she did, the hood of the black cape fell revealing unnaturally white hair that was shaggy on the girl’s head. The girls laughed at nothing unparticular other than the joy of being reunited after years. Aurora held her friend at arm’s length as she spoke.

“Amara, my dear friend, it is so good to see you again. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get the chance.”

“You too, Aurora. How are you? I was so worried when I heard that your land had been attacked. It was a bit better when I found out that you had come to Narnia though. I hope I’m not intruding on anything.”

“Amara, you should know me better than that by now my darling. You are intruding on nothing. And I see you’re still pulling that male charade.” She took her friend by the hand and they walked to the castle together.

“You know why I have to do that, Aurora.”

Amara looked down and noticed the line of the bandages that showed through Aurora’s dress. Startled, she asked what they were there for. Aurora explained the entire story of what had happened in the previous weeks. Amara listened intently, her facial expressions changing with each mood of the tale her long lost friend was relaying to her.

It wasn’t long before they reached the grand entrance hall of the castle. When they walked in, a young girl in her mid-teens greeted them.

“Hello there. Aurora, who’s your friend?” Lucy asked, trying to be respectful but her curiosity got the better of her.

“Lucy, this is Amara. Amara, this is Queen Lucy.” Aurora introduced the two strangers. Lucy curtsied. Amara bowed and took Lucy’s hand and kissed the air just above it with gentility.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you your Majesty.” Lucy blushed.

“My brothers and sister will be very excited to meet you.” Lucy said, turning around and racing up the stairs to catch her siblings. Amara and Aurora followed her slowly, savoring each moment that it was just the two of them. They began to catch up with each other on the long stairwell. When they finally reached the top, one young man and two young women stood watching them approach.

“Everyone,” Aurora began the introductions. “This is my friend, Amara. Amara, this is Queen Susan.” She continued pointing to Susan. Amara greeted her the same way that she greeted Lucy. “High King Peter.” She pointed to the only male present at the moment. Amara bowed respectively and shook Peter’s hand firmly. “Where’s Edmund?” Aurora asked just as the dark haired boy entered the corridor.

“What about me?” Edmund spoke looking at each one of them.

“Edmund, this is my friend Amara. Amara, this is King Edmund. He’s the one I was telling you about.” Aurora turned to her best friend as she said the last sentence.

Amara bowed and went to shake Edmund’s hand. As soon as their hands touched, an electric shock was felt flowing through both of their arms. Amara narrowed her eyes as she looked down at the young king. She was at least a few inches taller than him. Her expression turned to one of hatred of him and protection for her friend. Edmund felt the shock also. He pursed his lips. He was getting strange vibes from this stranger. It was as if time had frozen around them. Finally, Amara spoke.

“Good to meet you, your Majesty.” Her lips were tight as she spoke.

“Likewise, Amara.” Edmund retorted with the same strained attempt. They broke their hands away from the other and separated quickly. It seemed that the encounter had gone unnoticed to those surrounding. Amara walked back to Aurora and put her arm around her friend’s back protectively.

“So, what can we do for you Amara?” Peter asked.

“Actually your Majesty, I’m here to offer my services to you. I’m commander of a militia regiment. We understand that you are soon to begin a war with them also. I came to offer the help of my men.” Amara explained.

“We thank you very much for your support but we have everything under control,” Susan cut in. She was not wanting a war, even though it was inevitable.

“With all due respect, I’ve seen your military. It is no where near enough in number or skill to even make a dent in this army. My men have been fighting these people for centuries and I intend to be the commander that finishes them off.” Amara spoke sternly to the gentle queen. Peter was the one to respond.

“Your services are greatly needed. We thank you. How many men do you have?” He asked, hoping for an approximation of what they were receiving.

“Two thousand men are at my command twenty four hours a day.” Peter nodded when it blew the number he was expecting out of the water.

“There’s one problem, Peter. We have no more bedrooms. Amara has no place to sleep.” Edmund pointed out, hoping that Peter would change his mind and send this intruder home.

“That’s quite alright. I can sleep in the tents along with my men.” Amara suggested but Aurora interrupted before anyone could agree.

“No you won’t. No friend of mine is sleeping in tents for Aslan knows how long. You’ll be staying with me in my room.” At the suggestion, the eyes of the Kings and Queens of Old grew to twice their size. Edmund nudged Lucy. She realized what he wanted her to do and silently agreed.

“Well, Amara, wouldn’t it be better if you were to take my room. I can stay in Aurora’s room with her.” Aurora looked just as confused as her companion.

“Why would that be necessary, Lucy?” Aurora asked, trying to clear the air of any misunderstanding that may be on her part. The four siblings remained silent. But their eyes involuntarily flashed over to Amara. This didn’t go unnoticed. Amara scrunched her eyebrows together as she looked down at her tunic and pants. Suddenly it dawned on her their concerns. She closed her eyes and had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. There was one thing that she forgot to explain to them. Her shoulders shook with silent laughter.

“Amara, are you okay? What’s wrong with you?” Aurora asked, looking at her friend curiously. Amara held up a hand to silence her until she could regain her control. She took a deep steadying breath before explaining.

“I think you four have me all wrong. I’m a girl and I’m not gay.”

This is exactly what the Pevensie children had been thinking. They blushed, knowing that they were found out. Even Aurora turned a light shade of pink. Amara just continued to laugh.

“We ought to test her Peter. If she can beat us swordsmanship we’ll allow her men to help us.” Edmund suggested. Aurora was about to protest when Amara spoke up.

“Deal. I’ll take each of you on individually then both at the same time.” She accepted. She stuck out her hand for agreement. Peter shook it with a mischievous look in his eye. Edmund took her hand with a disgusted look that matched his previous one as did Amara.

“It will take place tonight as soon as you get settled in Amara.” Edmund arranged as Amara and Peter nodded.

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