I never made promises lightly,
And there have been some that I've broken.
But I swear in the days still left
We'll walk in the fields of gold
We'll walk in the fields of gold

Corin's POV

One hour later…

"Yer brother seeks an audience wi' ye."

At that moment, I was very diligently involved at the rear of our column, trying my utmost to organize the bands of women and older children who were setting up our camp. As the morning had dragged on and turned into early afternoon, I began to doubt that Kollin would answer my summons (or challenge, depending on how one looked at it), and gave the order to prepare for the possibility of an overnight encampment. Being very caught up in that project, it took me a few moments for Arn's words to register, and a few more to comprehend their meaning. Once it finally did, I snapped my head towards the large mountaineer behind me. "Cor is here? As in, here outside the walls?"

"Aye and aye. Arran is keepin' him at the front ta wait fer ye."

I nodded, not sure how I felt about facing my twin at this particular time. Aslan only knew what he thought of me or what I was doing with a small army outside the walls of our capitol city. Aslan only knew how I was going to explain it all – or how he would take it once I did. "And Lady Aravis is with him, I presume?"

"Nay, though there be another lady wi' him, howe'er." Seeing my quizzical expression, Arn went on. "In fact, I think it be Queen Lucy o' Narnia, though I don't know what she be doin' here."

I started as if Arn had struck me a blow. "By the Mane…" I whispered. "By the MANE!" I repeated, almost shouting this time. Disregarding Arn's very puzzled expression, I went on talking to no one in particular. "Of course she would be here. Of COURSE she, of all people, would be here now, at THIS time, at THIS hour, at THIS moment!"

"My liege?" Arn was completely flummoxed.

I didn't answer him immediately, as my mind was racing almost as fast as my heartbeat. "Come, Arn." I finally said. "Let's attend to my brother."

We walked to the head of our encampment in silence, and this time it was Arn trying to keep up with me. I was not of a mind to say much of anything, and I can only imagine Arn did not know what to say (which would explain his absolute silence). As we approached the front, I heard Cor before seeing him, "…must understand, events inside Anvard are spiraling out of control, which is why I must see my brother urgently."

"I have dispatched a man to find him, but I cannot allow anyone to enter our encampment without your brother's permission, your Highness," I heard Arran calmly reply.

I rounded a row of tents with Arn on my heels...and then I saw her, on a palfrey I recognized from my father's stables. She did not see me (none of them did), was still fixed on Arran and Cor, and at that moment I heard Arran continue on, "And you still haven't explained why it is so urgent that Queen Lucy of Narnia of all people see Prince Corin. We have no quarrel with our Narnian neighbors, I assure you."

"Queen Lucy...let's just say she has her own reasons for wanting to see my brother. At any rate, it is quite urgent…"

…and then she saw me, as I got closer. With a soft cry, the dream of my heart alighted from her palfrey and ran towards me. Without realizing it, I had begun running as well, and I swept her up in my arms as she threw her arms around my neck. With no thought for anyone else (and virtually everyone was watching by now), she kissed me with more passion than I had ever seen or felt in her before. Be assured, public scandal or no public scandal, I kissed her back as I lifted her off the ground. Oh yes.

"Well, there you have it. That's the main reason Queen Lucy of Narnia urgently wanted to see my brother." I heard Cor said to (I can only imagine) a completely dumbstruck Arran, in the sardonic manner than only Cor could pull off after I taught him how to do it. I must say my twin learned from the best.

We finally broke apart, gasping for air, and I set her back on the ground, never taking my eyes off hers. "Why are you here?" I whispered. "Why did you come?"

Tears that I could tell had been long-suppressed began invading her eyes, as she quickly kissed me again, her arms firmly enfolded around my neck, before softly responding with a slight grin, "To surprise you, my love – though you have provided the bigger surprise by far."

"You can say that again…" Hearing my brother's voice next to me broke my concentration on my beautiful object of affection, and I turned to face the music as Lucy released me and stepped back. "I'm only going to ask this once, and I would like a full explanation," said Cor, calmly and mildly, which I could tell was the opposite of what he was feeling. "What in the bloody name of Tash is going on?"

I sucked air in and blew it out before responding. I could see in my sibling's demeanor that though he was calm now, the stress he was under was great. If anything, his eyes told a haunting story. "How much time do we have?"

"Not much, seeing as Parliament is probably drafting a declaration of war against you right now."

My eyes narrowed. I had not expected it to get that bad this quickly. "Truly?"

"I doubt it, but it wouldn't surprise me too much. They are panicking in the city right now, Corin, and you're responsible. Oh, and Parliament locked me out, so there's that."

"THEY LOCKED YOU OUT?!" I exploded.

"They locked me out, and Kollin ordered the city gates to be sealed - and so they have been." Cor continued without missing a sardonic beat. "So cut the cuteness, and fill me in on what's happening."

My eyes narrowed again, as a key detail suddenly dawned on me. "If they sealed the city gates, how did you make it out here?"

"Partly due to an impressionable young Captain of the Guard, and mostly due to the quick thinking of the man behind you," Cor pointed beyond me.

I turned to see a familiar, yet unexpected face. "Lord Tallum, my good man!" I was surprised yet truly happy to see him, and heartily shook his hand. He smiled broadly and clapped me on the shoulder. Him being also happy to see me was a good sign as well. "Very happy to see you hale and sound, my Prince."

"Indeed, as hale and sound as can be expected, my good knight of the realm," I responded as brightly as I could muster. After a short pause, I went on. "It does my heart good to see friendly faces, though I wish Kollin would follow suit and answer my summons so we can be done with this."

"We'd be a lot friendlier if you'd quit ducking and dodging and finally answer my question." Cor cut in, sounding a bit more serious now. "And what exactly is 'this' that you want to be done with Kollin about? The sooner we know, the better for Anvard."

Tallum, somber now, nodded in agreement with my brother. "I concur with your royal brother, and the sooner the better. Events in the capitol are about as bad as he says."

"Please Corin…" Lucy all but whispered.

I did not respond immediately, looked around instead at the faces of three people I cared about, wondering how I could protect them from Kollin's wrath and the consequences of my actions should the worse come to pass. Knowing they could suffer if this quest went down to defeat had haunted me from the beginning, and seeing them before me made the emotion rise in my chest. I tried to speak, and the words choked in my throat. Being torn between love and duty is never an easy path to tread. How was I to explain all of this to them (assuming I could, in fact, do such a thing)? How could I rationalize a concept like Duty and Obligation, as both of those were intensely personal feelings and beliefs? And how was I to explain any of my actions to Lucy at all? Was it even possible? This very thing had haunted me from the beginning of this venture, and even more so now as I was faced with the specter of having to do just that.

Finally, I held out my hand to Lucy, and she came to my side and took it instantly, intertwining her fingers with mine. "I am a Prince of Archenland, and I am seeking justice for my people." I said huskily, emotion evident in my voice. "I cannot – no, I will not – stand aside and see my people suffer injustice and oppression without raising my voice and my arm to aid them. No, my brother, my love, my friend," as I looked at each of the three faces beside me, "Corin of Archenland will do his duty to his people, or he is not their Prince."

They all appeared taken aback by the force of my words, the lack of understanding plain on each of their faces. "Injustice and oppression?" Cor finally asked, incredulity marking his voice.

"Aye, but there is a man here better suited to answer your questions than myself." Lucy released my hand, and I stepped back and motioned for Arran, who (with Arn) had been standing back while I conversed with our visitors. He approached, and I introduced him. "This is Arran, blacksmith and tenant – former tenant, more like – of Kollin, and he has a story our country needs to hear."

Arran bowed. "I hope Your Royal Highness does not begrudge me our previous conversation of several minutes ago."

Cor shook his head. "Not at all, you were following the orders of my brother. But please, for myself or Lord Tallum to be of any assistance to Prince Corin or you and your people, we must know what you have to say, especially as it pertains to the meaning of all of….this," as he motioned around him. The word must have gone around the camp that the heir to the throne of Archenland was at the head of our encampment, and men, women, and children had slowly been gathering as we had been conversing. They remained behind Arn, none of them bold enough to approach, but a quick glance told me nearly our entire following (if not the entire lot) had gathered on three sides of us – and were no doubt trying to listen in on what my brother and I were talking about.

Arran inclined his head again. "Gladly, my liege. I-"

"LOOK TO THE GATE!" roared Arn from his position several yards behind us as a collective gasp arose from the crowd behind him. I instantly pivoted toward the Northern Gate, and saw what he was saying – the Gate was opening, and behind it was a procession of what looked to be knights of the realm on horseback. It appeared my summons was answered after all. They were still too far off for me to recognize any faces. "Your spyglass, Arran!" I shouted, and the blacksmith instantly jerked it out of his belt and handed it to me. I quickly extended it out and peered through, taking a moment to angle it into focus. It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for.

"Well?" Cor asked, taking his eyes off the approaching line of horsemen to glance at me.

I snapped the spyglass shut, faced my brother, and nodded. "He's coming." Kollin had indeed answered my call.

"They must want to parley," said Tallum from his stance on my other side.

"How can you tell?" This from Lucy, standing slightly behind me.

"No sign of men-at-arms, milady."

Tallum was correct. Kollin had not brought his troops with him, though I was all but sure they were standing in formation behind the city walls at that very moment should their lord change his mind about coming to us with no armed escort. As he and his Parliamentarian entourage (and a long line of knights it was) approached, I silently prayed that negotiations – peaceful negotiations – would be the climax of this day.

My old nemesis slowly drew near, finally halting with roughly 15 paces between us. "Some concerned soldiers reported to us that you had defied Parliament's authority and left the city in a noble, but very foolish, effort to speak to this rabble, your Royal Highness," he called out so all could hear him, in the grandstanding manner that he pulled off with perfection. "Though we are disappointed in your rashness that is unbecoming a future king of this realm, we are here to assure your personal safety from these rebels."

Cor was unmoved. "I trust my royal brother with my personal safety more than you or the rest of Parliament does, Lord Kollin. Your concern for my welfare is noted, but unnecessary."

"If not your own safety, my Prince, then what of the younger Queen of Narnia I see standing behind you? Do you have reliance in the safety of a monarch of our northern neighbor among this horde?"

"Queen Lucy is here of her own accord, just as I am, sir knight. As you can see for yourself, both her and I are unmolested." My brother was in fine form on this day, unshakable as the oak trees that adorn our rugged country.

"And you, Lord Tallum? You who led our future king outside these walls that Parliament ordered closed for the safety of all inside? You who led him here to take a terrible risk before these rebels and traitors? What have you to say for yourself, sirrah?"

Tallum straightened before answering. "My loyalty is to Archenland above any man or assemblage of men. Though I am honored to count myself a knight of this realm and a member of this nation's Parliament, I will stand against both knight and Parliament if it means serving my country, sirrah!" as he spit the last word out in unveiled contempt.

Kollin smirked. "And what have this rabble to say for themselves, who are besieging our capitol city in direct defiance of the laws of this kingdom?"

At that, I stepped forward. "These 'rabble', as you call them, have names, Kollin. They have families to provide and care for, livelihoods to sustain them, and better affairs to attend to than be here. But they also have grievances, grievances that have been borne silently until lately, when they have been pushed beyond the limits of any normal human being. Grievances against YOU, Kollin, that they have come here to see you answer for. So now that you have been good enough to answer the summons of your Prince, by the Mane, I will see you answer for them!"

Kollin laughed to my face. "I come not to answer any summons, young Prince, only to inform this mob that they have one hour to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully, if they want to live. This Parliament will not tolerate threats against our beloved Anvard. You have been served warning. Heed it." And with that, Kollin wheeled his steed and slowly headed back in the direction of the city.

"You have chosen the way of cowards then, have you?!" I shouted after his retreating figure.

That did the trick. Kollin pulled up and wheeled around again, anger visible on his face. The man's ego was too large to put up with being called that term, of all terms. "If you were not royalty, young sir, I would run you through for that insult!" he roared at me.

"You do not see me running from those who would challenge me!" I yelled back at him.

"Is it you who challenge me, then?!" he shouted from atop his mount.

"Nay, that be I, Kollin!" came from behind me before I could respond, and Arran pushed past me and stepped forward. The raw anger on his face was plain. "I call you out, and I will have my say!"

"I will not have peasants call me in the familiar, scum!" Kollin roared.

"And I will not have a worm as you shout me down!" Arran roared in return. "Kollin the False! Kollin the Shameless! Kollin the Wicked! Kollin the Beast!"

"What right has one as low as you to refer to me in such a manner, and not deserve to die?!" Kollin was practically purple with rage, pushing his steed forward several paces. For a 69-year-old man, he was surprisingly agile and a great horseman on a charger.

"YOU KNOW WHO I AM!" Arran bellowed even louder, and I found myself staring at him. I knew his story, knew what he had against this man, and yet his anger surprised even me. "You know what cause I have against you, and by Aslan I will see you answer for it!"

"One as low as you has no right to hold anything against one as high as me, worm!" Kollin had gone from purple to red and back again.

"My father trusted you!" Arran continued roaring out his grievances as if Kollin had not spoken. "He was an educated man who fell on hard times, and had to leave his home to take up blacksmithing on your estates! You promised him just wages! You promised him advancement! You promised him the opportunity to for me to continue my education as a young man! AND YOU LIED, JUST AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE!"

"Your father was a lazy fool, Arran, and his son has turned out worse than he!" Kollin shouted in return.

"My father was the best blacksmith your estates ever had, old man!" Arran's rage was a thing to behold, and the rest of us were mesmerized by what we were seeing. "It wasn't enough for you to break your promises! It wasn't enough to pay him starvation wages, if you paid him at all! No, you had to take his WIFE! MY MOTHER!"

I had not heard this, and I listened in awe and increasing anger as Arran went on. "How many times was she coerced into your bed against her will so my father would be spared a beating from your men for crossing you, for daring to raise an outcry against your crimes and your tyranny?! How many times was she forced into your arms simply because you wanted it, because you basely desired another man's wife?! How many times did my father and I stand by helpless while your thugs brought her unwillingly to your bedchamber so you could have your way with her before passing her around to your retainers?!"

"One does not need permission from a wench!" Kollin laughed with derision, perhaps unwittingly displaying his true character in front of his Parliamentarian colleagues.

"The inner torment became too much to bear! She took her own LIFE for the shame of it!" There were tears pouring down Arran's face, though his voice never wavered as he verbally took on his old tormentor. "And my father died for the grief of it! And it wasn't enough! No, you eventually came for MY WIFE AS WELL!"

Another detail I had not heard. "I NEVER took your wife to my bed, scum!" Kollin drew his sword and pointed it at Arran, though he made no attempt to approach the blacksmith. "And so help me, if you say I did…"

Arran pointed a long finger at the old knight. "Aye, you merely made public passes at her and forcibly groped her 'til she could not stand the shame of it! Too many times did you molest her publicly before the eyes of her friends and neighbors! Too many nights she sobbed herself to sleep in my arms, and too many nights did I pray for an end – for YOUR end, old man, that you might face justice for your crimes in the next life, if not this one!"

So Kollin was guilty of rape, kidnapping, and torture, as were at least some of his men. I was stunned to hear it said, though not entirely as surprised as I thought I would have been. "All this I bore with shame and resignation," Arran went on, seemingly gaining courage as he – finally – faced the man who had been the cause of so much of his woe. "I continued as a blacksmith on your main estate – not that I had much choice in the matter – willing myself to ignore the injustices all around me. But my mother was not enough for you! My wife was not enough for you! Nay man, you had to try and take my DAUGHTER!"

"By the Mane…" I heard Cor and Tallum whisper simultaneously behind me, and I knew the enormity of what they were hearing was just now sinking in. Taking a glance behind me, I saw Lucy with her eyes full of tears, her kind and beautiful heart breaking at the knowledge of so much pain and hurt in one person. She caught my glance, and in her eyes I saw understanding – not acceptance, but definitely understanding – in what I had done, in the course that I had taken.

"You rose up against me! You killed many of my men!" Kollin thundered, not one to surrender any sort of high ground.

"AYE, and it were fifteen years too late!" This from Arn, as the hulking mountaineer shouldered up next to his friend. "And we'd do it again, fer aye, if we had ta do it a' o'er! Ne'er again will these men o' Archenland allow men like ye to tak' our women agin' their will. NE'ER AGAIN!"

"Tell me," as Arran turned to face the multitudes behind us, "am I the only one with such grievances against Kollin?!"

"NAY!" and the outraged roar that went up in response was almost palpable.

"Do I speak for most of Kollin's tenants when I state my cause – OUR cause – against him!" the blacksmith thundered.

"AYE!" as the roar went up again.

"We have suffered much indignation over the years, Kollin!" as Arran wheeled around to face the old knight. "And now we have come for the reckoning!"

"And they will have it!" I shouted, as I stepped up beside the two peasant men. "You have broken faith with your people and with Archenland law many times over, Kollin! It is time to surrender yourself to Archenland justice! Hand over your sword to your fellow MP's, and this assembly of which I am head will disarm and allow justice to run its peaceful course!" I looked over at Arn and Arran. "Agreed?" I asked quietly. They stared at me for a long moment, but finally Arn nodded, and Arran slowly did as well. "Agreed," they said quietly, and in unison.

Kollin, sheathing his sword, wheeled his steed around once more and trotted back to the line of waiting Parliamentarians on horseback behind him. They gathered around him, murmured tones rising and falling as they spoke back and forth. I hoped for the best, but knowing Kollin's prestige and influence, feared the worst.

Cor stepped forward. "Lord Kollin, a confrontation can be avoided should we-"

"You have been locked out, Prince Cor!" Kollin wheeled his charger around yet again and approached a few paces, his finger jabbing in my brother's direction. "You have no legal authority in this matter whatsoever, and this legislative body will have you remember that! As for the rest of you rebels," and he raised his voice to a fever pitch and turned towards the rest of us, "anyone following the insurrectionists known as Arran, Arn, and even Prince Corin have been declared outlaws! Unless you throw down your arms and disband, no mercy, not quarter will be shown to you! The time for your choosing is upon you! I return to the gates to order forward the retainers and men-at-arms of the knights of Parliament! Surrender to them, or your lives are FORFEIT!" With that last cry, he wheeled his mount again and trotted back towards the Northern Gate, the rest of the Parliamentarians following behind.

"I take it that didn't go exactly as you would have liked?" Tallum said to me, as he watched the procession of knights returning to the city.

"Not entirely. But I can't say I'm fully surprised either." I had bigger things to worry about now, however. I turned to speak to Cor, but he was already speaking with Arn and Arran. "…known about this, please believe me when I say that neither myself nor my father the King would have stayed silent." He fell silent as I joined them, and I saw no more confusion in his eyes. "I understand now, brother," he said to me, and I could see he meant it wholeheartedly.

I nodded in response. "I knew you would."

"There is only so much a man can bear, Your Highness." Arran said quietly. "Kollin is more monster than man, and as if were not enough that he would treat us thusly, he then would try to have our good Prince Corin murdered in cold blood just seven days ago!"

"WHAT?!" Cor and Tallum burst out simultaneously as Lucy cried out in horror. Five pairs of eyes instantly snapped to me, and Arran and Arn both looked taken aback. "Ye didna tell them?!" the big mountaineer asked me incredulously.

Truth be told (as unbelievable as it may sound), the attempt on my life had not even been on my mind as I faced Kollin. "Aye, there is that bit, I suppose..." My voice trailed off from there.

"YOU SUPPOSE RIGHT!" Cor thundered. He ran his fingers through his hair, turning toward the northern gate to glare at the Parliamentarians now re-entering the city. "That son of a..." He didn't finish his sentence before turning to me. "Tell me the details."

"We don't have much time, I'm afraid."

"Then tell me what you can." If it was possible to inherit a trait from a sibling, Cor definitely got his stubbornness from me.

"The long and short of it is, I was ambushed by three men (dressed as peasants) shortly after I crossed the border. Arn here" and I motioned to the hulking mountaineer, "and four other men saved me, captured my assailants, and brought me to their encampment in the mountains. That's where I met Arran, heard his story and the events that led up to their insurrection."

"And read this," Arran broke in, pulling the same parchment he had showed me on the fateful night and giving it to Cor. Tallum and Lucy gathered on each side of my twin and read over his shoulders. Their respective reactions were the same yet different: Tallum's face darkened, and he looked angrier than I had ever seen him before. Lucy went white. Cor...I could not quite make Cor's reaction out. His features did not change as he read the brief note to "G" from "J" outlining their plans for me, which showed me he had been working on his poker face (a good asset to have in politics). I could tell, though, that there was much he was not showing. "Well, that's crystal clear. Someone wanted you dead. I'm assuming Kollin is 'the chief'?"

"That's what we all think as well. All circumstantial, though, and not provable unless someone in the know starts talking."

"Indeed," both Cor and Tallum murmured, and I wrapped up the abbreviated version of our tale. "We broke camp two days later, and I led them here to confront Kollin."

"And not to 'besiege the city', as half of Parliament thinks your aim is?" This from Tallum.

I laughed aloud. "Is that what they're saying? Anvard is the largest city in the North! It has nearly one hundred thousand inhabitants - it's practically a metropolis compared with the rest of the kingdom! The City Guard could raise a fifteen thousand-man militia within the week if they had to! And I'm supposed to be besieging the city with barely three thousand men, virtually none of whom have had any military experience?!" I shook my head, still chuckling. "Is that how hysterical Parliament is at the moment?"

"Yes." Cor said with a deadpan delivery and a just-as-serious expression to match. That sobered me up a bit, as I could tell he was not joking. "What's the mood of the people inside - not Parliament or the aristocracy, but the people themselves?" I asked him.

Cor looked to Tallum, and the knight responded. "They are confused, concerned. The only thing keeping them from backing Parliament completely is you, my Prince. They still think of you as the hero who stood for the common man against Kollin that morning almost a year ago - and then rallied from the worst beating you ever took in a ring to win your greatest boxing triumph (so far) that very night. They still respect you, admire you, love you. They just don't know what to make of this."

That was about as good as I had hoped. "We had well over a dozen knights who were willing to risk war with the Lone Islands to avenge my honor against Avra and his cohorts. Where are they now, and can they – will they – take up arms on my behalf again?" I asked Cor.

Cor shook his head. "The vast majority of them had already left us to return home before we reached the outskirts of the capitol. The very few who remained with us when we entered Anvard last night are minor knights who are not Members of Parliament and have no men-at-arms. Even if they were disposed to your cause, I don't think they would have the will or the courage to go against Parliament in a civil conflict."

I looked to Tallum. "And the Army? What of them?"

The knight shook his head. "There are no army encampments anywhere near the outskirts of Anvard. I don't even know if they have been alerted to the situation - though the fact Kollin did not call for them to begin with raises suspicions in me that he doesn't want them asking questions about this ordeal. Regardless, as both Dar and Darrin are with your father the King, I don't see their immediate subordinates taking any action in a civil dispute, since the Army is not equipped or designed to deal with domestic conflicts. As you all well know already, we are too far removed from the ocean for the Navy to be of any assistance to either side."

I sighed, even though this news did not come as a surprise. I would just have to stand against Kollin without aid, and by the Mane I would do just that. Now was the time for me to take charge of these proceedings, and time was now at a premium. "Here's what we make of it, then." I looked over at Arran and Arn. "Get the women and children to the rear, and arm the men. Tell them to form ranks once they're ready, and be quick about it."

"Aye, for here they come," said Arran, pointing to the gates. We all turned, and saw what we feared to see - the Northern Gate had closed after Kollin and the Parliamentarians had re-entered Anvard, but was now opening again, and the first line of men-at-arms were marching out in formation. I could see Kollin again, still on his charger, at the head of his men. Arran and Arn instantly left to follow my instructions - I could hear them shouting orders as they ran back towards our encampment, and could also hear the commotion as the people followed them.

I stood silent for a moment, watching the preparations of Kollin's men-at-arms. "A time for choosing..." I murmured, echoing Kollin's words. "Here's what I choose, old man - come against us with sword and steel, and I will meet you with sword and steel!"

Cor quickly spoke up. "Corin, I-"

"No, brother." I interrupted, turning to meet my twin face-to-face. "I know what you're going to say. I know you're going to try and talk me out of it, try to talk me into either separating myself from these people or giving the order to surrender, but I will not. I also will not give the order to retreat, just to watch these good people get slaughtered away from the eyes of Anvard. Kollin is right this once - this is a time for choosing, and he has left me with the options of unjust surrender, hopeless retreat, or stand and fight. Let it be said..." and here my voice constricted momentarily. I was not blind to the consequences of what I was choosing, but I was determined to face them nonetheless. "Let it be said that Corin of Archenland chose to stand and fight!"

Cor was also not blind to the implications of what I was about to do. "And what will be accomplished, if you fall fighting Kollin?"

"Then the time will come when Kollin is forced to answer for his actions on this day. Our nation will not forget this, and the memory of those who die here will demand an accounting for their deaths." High and mighty words, but I meant every one.

"For the Lion's sake, Corin!" Through his facade of exasperation, I could hear the distress building in my brother's voice as he realized I was not going to back down from Kollin, that I was willing to (very realistically) face death to see justice done for these people who had followed me to Anvard. "Who will tell them, then, that 'Corin of Archenland chose to stand and fight', as you say, if you fall in battle against Kollin's men?"

"You will."

"No..."

"Yes."

"No, please Corin, you can't make me eulogize my own twin brother before our seventeenth birthday has even arrived!" The tears in Cor's voice were apparent, even though they did not yet appear in his eyes. "By the Mane, no...I can't do it."

"Yes, you can."

"I won't do it."

"You must."

"For Aslan's SAKE, CORIN!" Now the grief came forth as the tears sprang to my brother's eyes, the inner anguish building within him to such an extent that even his legs appeared unsteady. "How can I face Aravis or our father with the news of your death?! How can I eventually rise to the throne knowing I watched you die on this day?! How can I ever be a king to our people without you beside..." and his voice could not continue, tears running down his face unabashedly.

If ever I had wondered if I had my brother's love and devotion (and I had never doubted it), I had my final answer. In spite of the gravity of the course I had chosen (alongside Arran and Arn), in spite of the bold temperament I knew I needed to lead the people behind me, Cor's grief began to affect me as well, and I grabbed my twin by his shoulders and pulled him into an embrace. In spite of being identical twins, I was an inch taller than Cor, which allowed him to crush himself against me with his head on my shoulder, his hands clutching frantically to my back, as he gave into his emotions and soaked my cotton shirt with his tears and gasping sobs. I realized, as the tears invaded my eyes as well, that he believed that this was quite possibly the last embrace he would ever have from me. It very well might be the last indeed, and I had no words of comfort for him in that regard. "Even if you survive this day, it will be the gallows for you tomorrow if you are taken prisoner..." he finally was able to say, his words somewhat muffled against my shoulder."Kollin will see to that, and I have no legal way of protecting you. I will have to stand by and watch it happen…"

I nodded, my arms still enfolded around him. "I know," I whispered, "and I accept that fate, as horrid as it is. But don't go against the law, brother of mine. Do not join me in this venture. My death will be hard enough on Father – neither he nor our country could bear it if the Crown Prince fell victim to this fight as well. Our land and our people need you, but they do not need me."

At that, he pulled away, though he kept one arm on my shoulder. "I need you, brother," he said hoarsely through tear-glazed eyes, "You were supposed to stand at my side when I married Aravis." Those words were very nearly the sorrowful undoing of me (I had wished with all my heart to do that exact thing), but by some miracle I kept my emotions in check. I nodded my understanding as I held his earnest, emotional gaze for a long moment, knowing that this could very well be the final goodbye between myself and my beloved twin. "If I fall, Cor, be a friend to Lucy."

Cor nodded, unable to speak, though the mentioning of Lucy seemed to recall to him his responsibility to keep Narnia's younger Queen safe through the events of today. "Aye, and for always, brother," he whispered, stepping back. Speaking of Lucy, she had withdrawn to her retainers (who I just now noticed as being present) and was standing with them, facing away from me. "Go to her," Cor said, gaining control of himself. "If this is the end, she needs to hear it from you."

Nodding my thanks to Cor, I did just that, slowly walking towards the dream of my heart. As I approached, I kept my eyes on Kollin's men, more of whom were exiting the city and forming their ranks. I could still see Kollin on his charger at their head, directing them, preparing them for their advance. There had to be over a thousand already, and only Aslan knew how many more were waiting to march out of the city and spill our blood if we did not surrender - which we had no intention of doing.

Before I reached Lucy, the head of her security detail approached me. He was a faun who I recognized, but could not for the life of me remember his name. "Prince Corin, if I may...?"

"By all means."

"Your Highness, I must look to the safety of my Queen first and foremost." The faun warrior seemed conflicted, as if he were having trouble choosing his words. "In my humble opinion, your cause is just, and deserving of our support," he finally said after a short pause, "but this is not our fight, and without the authority of the High King I cannot enter into armed conflict against the forces of our ally's Parliament, regardless of my personal feelings."

I shook my head in assent. "I quite agree, this is not Narnia's fight. Your country stood with mine against Rabadash and his thugs almost four years ago, saving this very city in the process, and for that we will always be in your debt. This, however, is a civil matter, and one you have no reason to be involved in, my relationship with your Queen notwithstanding. Be assured, Queen Lucy is under the protection of the Crown Prince of Archenland, and my brother will die before any harm reaches her. See to your Queen, my good Narnian, and do not think long on this day."

The faun warrior bowed his head. "My country will always remember you, good Prince Corin," he said quietly, before stepping aside and ushering me forward to my beloved.

She heard me approach, and turned to face me. I could see the reason why she was not facing me earlier – her beautiful eyes were full of tears. "Is there no other way?" she whispered, her words and her eyes pleading with me. "Must you go down this path that can only end in death – your death?"

My heart was breaking at the sight of her tears and the knowledge that I was the cause of her grief, but I slowly shook my head. "I once said I wanted Aslan to create in me a man worthy of you, worthy of your heart, worthy of your love," I said tenderly, softly smiling as I reached up to gently brush the tears off of the most beautiful face I had ever seen. "This is the road and the journey He has chosen for me, and I must follow it."

"How can you be worthy of me if you're dead?"

Her blunt question cut me to the heart, but I kept the soft smile as I cupped her gorgeous face with my palm. "I'll just have to ask Aslan that very question when I reach His country across the sea, my love."

She closed her eyes at that, more tears spilling out. "Please come away with me, back to Narnia," she whispered urgently. "I have just begun to love you as you love me, and now you are breaking my heart! I have never wanted any man as much as I want you – please tell me you'll come with me?"

For a split second, I wavered. I had hoped beyond hope for almost three years that Lucy Pevensie would say those exact words, and now I was faced with the all-too-horrible choice of walking to my death at the exact moment when she was finally willing to share her life with mine. Very few people, I think, would have begrudged me the decision of doing exactly what she offered.

But I could not do it. I simply could not. "Would you give up Narnia for me, if I asked you to?"

That direct, no-nonsense question caused her to open her eyes in mute surprise, and I almost regretted my blunt choice of words at this moment. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but remained silent, as if she could not find the words to say in response to such an upfront query. In her eyes, however, I saw her answer. Of course she would not give up Narnia for me. That blessed land was just as much an integral part of her being as it was Edmund's, or Susan's, or Peter's. "Then don't ask me to give up Archenland for you," I said in response to her silence. This land and these people are just as much a part of me, my love, as Narnia is a part of you.

She was staring at me now, silently, as if in the final throes of realization that I was indeed set upon this course that I had chosen to tread. "Guard!" I called out, stepping back and motioning her retainers to approach. "See to your Queen, and make sure she reenters Anvard safely, regardless of what takes place outside the walls," I ordered. The faun warrior I had spoken to earlier curtly nodded, gently taking Lucy by the arm. "Come, my Queen," he said softly, slowly drawing Lucy away, even as her eyes (still full of tears) remained on me. I knew if I embraced her, it would do nothing but weaken my resolve, and so I resisted the temptation to take her in my arms and kiss her sweet lips one last time. Now was the time for hard tenacity, and I would need to be at my best for the sake of my people. Cor moved past me, joining the Narnians, though his eyes remained on me as well. "Tell Aravis I said goodbye, if the worst comes to pass." I called out to him as he moved farther away, leading the Narnians back to the Eastern Gate.

He nodded in response. "And Father?" he called out in return.

"Tell him the same." And I pray he understands.

Cor nodded, and with one last heartfelt look, he turned away. I took a deep breath, part of my heart dying within me, and did the same.

Taking a quick glance toward the city, I could see Kollin's men-at-arms fanning out into a long line, and it appeared as if they were finally read to advance on us. Speaking of "us", Arran and Arn had ushered the women and children to the rear of our encampment, and had done the best they could at arranging and organizing the men at the front. Tallum was with them as well, motioning with his hands, seemingly trying to impart his own limited military experience and advice to them in an effort to keep as many men alive in the upcoming fight as possible. At seeing this, I felt my heart sinking. These men had little else, but wooden (though finely sharpened) swords, pikes and shields, while Kollin and his men had the finest steel armor and weaponry available in Archenland. I, of course, had the same (if not better) as our adversaries, but I was one man, while they were at least a thousand strong. This day would be a bloodbath, and there was nothing else I could do (besides shameful surrender that would accomplish nothing) to avoid it.

The low chatter ceased, and I looked back towards the city to see the reason for the sudden hush - it was as I feared, Kollin and his men were advancing, the long line of retainers slowly approaching our position. It was finally happening, and I would be a liar if I did not admit that I felt a flash of fear as I watched them come. But just as quickly as my fear came, it was replaced by anger. I was to be forced to watch my fellow countrymen shed each other's blood, and my sword would take part in that very thing as well. Would to Aslan I had been able to avoid this, but Kollin left me no choice. If this was to be Corin Thunderfist's last day alive, then I owed it to the people behind me (many, if not most, of whom would perish with me on this day) to bring Kollin down before breathing my last.

Almost without realizing it, I had marched to the head of the rebel force and taken my stance front and center. "I will break through their lines and fight Kollin directly, or die trying." I murmured.

"If the Lion is with you, you will succeed, my liege." That unexpected voice half startled me, as Tallum stepped up beside me. I had not expected him to still be here. "What are my chances, think you, of breaking their lines and reaching Kollin?" I asked him quietly.

Tallum narrowed his eyes as he studied the oncoming forces approaching our position. "On your own, not good," he finally replied, in a quiet tone to match my own. "Most likely you'll be cut down before breaking through. With me watching your back, however, your chances are better."

I nodded, though I did not miss the entirety of what he had said. "And what makes you think that I will allow you to take up arms on my behalf when this isn't your fight and you are not a warrior?"

"Because I am not leaving that decision in your hands." Glancing at Tallum after his quiet statement, I could see the same resolve in his eyes that I felt in mine, a firmness I had rarely seen in him before. I could see I was not going to be able to dissuade him easily. "And why is that, pray tell?"

Tallum was silent at first, his eyes still on Kollin's advancing men. After a long moment, he softly spoke. "I am not a warrior, just as you say. I'm a patron of sports generally, and a boxing promoter and manager specifically. My limited military experience consists merely of constant drills as a younger man, the naval fight alongside your father against Lord Bar and his traitors, and the battle against Rabadash and his Calormene warriors outside the Eastern Gate of this very city. Besides that moment, I have never..." and he fell silent briefly "believed in something so fiercely and with such fervor that I would stand against forces such as are arrayed against us now." He shook his head, ever so slightly. "Many times I have questioned the worthiness of my promoting and managerial career, wanting just one to do something bold and courageous for a noble cause." His eyes wandered over to me. "And now I have that very opportunity, and I have a prince with whom I am glad and honored to stand beside. A prince who - and I mean no disloyalty to your royal brother - I would have counted it all joy to swear fealty to as my King."

At that moment, I once again felt the saltwater threatening my eyes - but this time, it was for a different reason. Who was I, to be the object of such loyalty and affection? What had I ever done in my young life that could ever have been worthy of such devotion from men much older than myself. I, who had faults beyond measure - who was Corin of Archenland, that noble men like Tallum (and yes, like Arran and Arn and all the rest) would draw their swords and willingly meet their deaths with me at their head? What had I ever done with my life to deserve this? How could I ever repay their loyalty? "This is my fight now, because I choose to make it my fight," Tallum continued, oblivious to the solitary tear trickling down my face. "and I choose to follow a Prince I watched grow into a young man I have come to love, and not just because he has made me a good deal of money in a boxing ring."

That last statement caught me by surprise, and I chuckled as I quickly dashed the tear from my face. "Has Tel of Greenore ever gotten over his defeat?" I asked, speaking of the young naval officer I had come from behind to knock out the very day I had addressed Parliament.

"Quite, though he chose to retire from boxing and requested a transfer to active duty on the sea." Tallum smirked, though his grin did not remain long as Kollin's first line of infantry resumed their march towards us, having halted to tighten their ranks. "How many are they, do you think?" I asked.

"I would guess fifteen-hundred men, maybe more."

That was my estimation as well. They were now about two hundred fifty paces off, still advancing slowly toward us. We had a numerical advantage of two-to-one (if our estimations were correct), but the training, skill, and advanced weaponry of our opponents negated that advantage almost entirely, which cause my heart to sink yet again. If Kollin were to slaughter us wholesale, however, he would have to do it with the eyes of Anvard upon him - and that was a consolation, however slight. Arran and Arn chose to rejoin us at that moment, coming up on the other side of me. "Any last orders, my liege?" Arran asked quietly, his eyes also fastened on the oncoming enemy.

I nodded, resting my hand on my sword belt. "Tell the men to feign a panicked retreat when Kollin's first line approaches within twenty-five paces, but tell them to listen well, for I will give the order to charge at the opportune time. I hope our fake retreat will cause Kollin's front line to break ranks and try to reach us quickly, so our own advance will catch them off-guard and out of formation, where our strength in numbers can be used to the greatest advantage. Also, tell our men on the extreme right and left of our position to try and flank the enemy's lines, where we can hit them from the side or the rear."

I was a boxer, not a soldier, and that was about the best plan I could come up with on the spot. It must have sounded good enough for the two peasant men, for they both nodded and instantly trotted back to the lines of men behind Tallum and myself, quickly filling them in on my orders.

As my plan rippled its way through the ranks of peasant men behind me, I glanced at Tallum. "What think you?"

He nodded. "About as good a plan as any for untrained woodsmen going up against trained fighters with better weapons."

I nodded as well, as I once more faced the enemy before us, now only two hundred paces away. Kollin was on his charger behind the first line with a second line behind him, his sword drawn and the sick smile plain on his face. He had me where he wanted me - but if these was to be my last hours alive, then I would do everything to make sure the same would be true for him.

"We won't survive this day, Tallum," I said quietly, risking one last glance at the man who had not just been my manager and promoter, but had also become a friend. "I know it, and you know it." He stood still beside me, then slowly nodded. "Aye Corin, that much is clear," he replied just as quietly, referring to me in the familiar (and most appropriately, given the situation) for the first time I could remember. "But I have no regrets."

"Any last words?"

Unexpectedly (to me, at least), I saw an almost-wistful expression come over Tallum's face. "I was going to match you up against Kelvin four months from now."

He said the words calmly and without any sort of exclamation, but when it registered, that statement half-jolted me out of my concentration on Kollin and his men. "Kelvin of Ashworth?! The undisputed Super Middleweight champion of the North?!"

I got a half-smile and a quick nod. "Aye, you are his mandatory challenger, and he verbally agreed to face you when I spoke with him last."

I was surprised, almost stunned, and suddenly it was my turn to get momentarily wistful. "Aye, that would have been a fight to remember..." I murmured, momentarily regretting that I would never be able to fight for the boxing title I had trained so hard to attain. "But not half as important a fight as this one."

"My sword is yours, Corin," and I could tell he meant it.

"Your sword is Archenland's, just as mine is on this day, and we wield them together for our people." They were now one hundred fifty paces off and closing, and my breath started coming in faster, knowing the most desperate fight of my life was mere minutes away. The knowledge that all-but-certain death was only ten, maybe fifteen minutes away involuntarily set my heart racing, and once again I had to shove my inward fears down to a place where they would not become a distraction. Fear or no fear, I found I was ready for a fight, as the adrenaline and the anger began to rise in me. "Let them come, retreat be dam-d" I whispered to myself, finally drawing my sword. Tallum drew his along with me, and I could hear the several thousand men behind me stirring as they did the same. "Let them come!" I said louder, turning to face the peasant woodsmen. "WILL YOU STAND FIRM, MEN OF ARCHENLAND?!" I shouted to the ranks, and they responded with a mighty shout. "AYE!"

"YOUR PRINCE HAS STOOD FOR YOU AND STANDS WITH YOU NOW!" This from Tallum, who held his blade aloft, commanding the attention of all before us. "WILL YOU NOW STAND WITH ME FOR OUR PRINCE ON THIS DAY?!"

"AYE!" and the cry from several thousand of Archenland's hardy sons echoed across the northern fields to the very gates of Anvard.

"IF THIS IS TO BE OUR END," I took up the cry once more, "THEN LET US MEET IT AS SONS OF THE MOUNTAINS! LET OUR NATION NEVER FORGET WHAT THE SONS OF ARCHENLAND DID ON THIS DAY!"

The roar that followed nearly shook the ground, and I found myself ready, almost eager, for the oncoming fight. I spun around, adrenaline racing through me. I could still feel remorse that it had to come to conflict and bloodshed, but the anger I felt at Kollin and those who refused to halt his madness had overtaken me at this moment. If Kollin wanted a grand fight, I would give him one, to my last breath, so that those who he had wronged beyond measure would have some measure of justice.

Kollin shouted out an order, and his men-at-arms halted, finally drawing their swords. They were readying themselves to charge us. This is it. I quickly looked to either side of me, saw Arn on the left side and Arran on the right, fanning their men out in order to attempt flanking maneuvers when the time was right. Tallum stood at my side, and the center of our armed host looked to me. The time was now. Into Thy paws, great Lion, I commend my life.

"...halt!" Or so I thought I heard.

"Front rank, advance!" I heard Kollin cry out.

"Halt!" I heard it again - faintly, but distinctly this time.

Our foes' front rank was now a mere fifty paces off. "Halt!" It came again, and this time I could see Kollin had heard it as well, as he looked from left to right to find the location of the command. "Did you hear that?" I asked Tallum.

"Aye, but I can't see or hear where it's coming from..." he replied.

"HALT, IN THE NAME OF THE KING!" This time is was loud and clear, and I could barely believe the voice I recognized. Cor?

It was my twin, indeed, and in a surreal moment I saw him galloping at full speed from the east towards us. His steed dashed in between Kollin's men and mine, reigning in almost directly in front of me. "HALT, I COMMAND YOU ALL, IN THE KING'S NAME!" he roared out, though gasping for air.

"Must I keep reminding the Crown Prince that he has been locked out?! That he is unlawfully interfering with Parliament's legal authority in dealing with these traitors?!" Kollin shouted, pushing his charger forward past his front line to confront my brother.

Cor did not respond immediately as he sucked in air, but stuck a finger almost in Kollin's face before speaking. "I am locked out, yes, but the King is not and cannot be locked out! I return here on his authority!"

Kollin once again looked to the east and the west. "I know you are attached to your foolish brother by the bonds of family, your Royal Highness," he said more calmly this time, "and I know you would do just about anything to spare him the consequences of his treasonous actions, but I do not see Lune, King of Archenland, anywhere before us. If you are bearing false testimony, so as to protect these villains from legal repercussions, Parliament has the authority to place you under arrest!"

Cor wheeled his horse around, facing eastward. "If you do not believe me that I am here to halt these proceedings by the authority of my father the King, then you, sir, had better believe them!" and he pointed to the east.

We all strained our necks to try and see what he was pointing at. Sure enough, I saw two riders rapidly approaching us on horseback - and as they approached, I sharply drew in a breath as I recognized them both. Praise the Lion, as my head fell to my chest in pure relief. Praise the Lion!

It was Dar and Darrin.

They had sailed to Galma with my father. If they were back in Anvard, then so was...

"THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE TO BE HALTED, ON THE EXPRESS ORDER OF KING LUNE!" Dar roared, as he and his brother reigned in their chargers beside Cor. Darrin backed his twin up. "He is coming here now, and ordered us forward to ensure his orders are followed! NAY, KOLLIN, do NOT attempt to challenge us," as the old knight was still attempting to argue the point of my father's actual presence back in Archenland. "Any interference from you, and the Army will take direct control of this situation!"

Kollin had nothing to say after that, and after a long glare at my brother and the two officers beside him, he pulled his steed back several steps, sheathed his sword, and (perhaps most surprisingly) kept his silence. Even he was wise enough to not go against the top two commanders of the Army. His men sheathed their swords, though they remained in their ranks, and stood at ease. I rapidly motioned to Arn and Arran to rejoin me, and they did so instantly. "Order our men to remain where they are, and make no attempt to advance on or fight Kollin's men. Quickly, before any of them think it's a good idea to take advantage of this stalemate. You too, Tallum - spread the word, make sure they all know." They nodded, and split up to do just that.

I turned back to face my brother. He met my gaze, and relief was plain on his face. Alighting from his steed as I sheathed my sword and strode toward him, he threw his arms around me and pulled me in to a bear hug. "He has returned, truly, and he knows what is happening" he whispered. "I got here as soon as I could."

I released him after several seconds. "Aye, in a knick of time, and just barely at that," I quipped, playfully punching his shoulder. I was, however, enormously relieved as well, and could feel the adrenaline slowly draining from me. It looked as if I just might survive this day after all. Dar and Darrin both dismounted and joined Cor and I. "I've never been happier to see you two arrive on a scene," I grinned, though gratefulness was evident in my voice, at which they both grinned and chuckled.

"The men are standing down," I heard as Tallum came up behind me. He shook hands with Dar and Darrin, before turning to Cor. "The King is coming?"

"Indeed, he sent us ahead to halt the fighting until he arrived. It was the work of Providence, Tallum - the same young Captain of the Guard who we persuaded to allow us to leave the city got word that the King and his party had docked at Greenore several hours ago and were making their way back to Anvard. He set out, met them halfway, and informed my father of what was occurring - upon which they instantly doubled, almost tripled, their pace and quickly made their way here." Cor appeared to barely believe the very story he was relaying, but Dar and Darrin were nodding in agreement. "The Lion has His paws on this day, I warrant!"

"Amen," I whispered, before going down on one knee. I was suddenly weak, the thrill of the moment leaving me. I just needed a moment to rest, and waved off Tallum and my brother as they instantly made as if to help me regain my feet. "Nay, let me rest and feel the cool earth of our country. I thought for certain I was going to be laid to rest beneath it by the morrow."

"Aye, and several thousand men with you," Tallum murmured, before straightening. "And here rides the King!"

It was my father indeed, and I had never been more glad to see him in all my life. As Lune of Archenland cantered up to us, surrounded by his sentinels and a Captain of the Guard who I assumed to be the young officer of whom Cor had been speaking, a low cry came forth, as the peasants behind me rose up and saluted their King. He raised his hand in acknowledgement, though his demeanor was serious, even stern. He alighted, strode up to our little party, and sought me out. "Art continually in trouble, my son," and though he shook his head, his eyes shown with happiness. "Our young Captain of the City Guard has informed me of all he knows of these state of affairs, and I find my son could very well have lost his life on this day at the head of a peasant army." As I nodded solemnly, his eyes softened. "'Twas it a near thing?"

"Very near, Father," I replied softly.

The King's response was to reach out and embrace me. "I have buried thy mother, and once thought thy brother lost forever, dear Corin," his voice full of feeling. "'Twould have been nearly the end of me to lose thee as well." He pulled back, though keeping his hands on my shoulders. "I must know all about this rising of peasants, my sons, if I am to make fair judgment, and I have no intention of wasting any more time" addressing Cor and myself. "Who should I speak to first?"

"There are multiple layers to this fiasco," I told him, "but at its core lies a major dispute between Kollin of Parliament and his tenants, who are being led by a blacksmith named Arran of Kollinwood. To those two first, you should speak."

My father nodded and finally released me. "Bring yon blacksmith to me, then," he said to Cor. To Dar and Darrin, he said "Order Kollin's men to retreat to below the Northern Wall."

Our group split up to do as the King bid. I left as well, returning to the peasants. "Those of you with families here, return to them and tell them the King has arrived and will adjudicate on our matter," I called out. "The rest of you may remain here, but there is to be no fighting - for lo, our foes are falling back even now," as Kollin's men began tramping back towards the city. "We have been spared bloodshed, and now peaceful justice will run its course." The nods and sighs of relief of the hundreds of men around me was proof enough that they were more than willing to allow peace to prevail, at least for now, and most of them turned and headed back towards our temporary encampment, eager to spread the good news of the cessation of hostilities and the King's arrival to the women and children therein.

Knowing that my immediate presence would only serve to remind the King that he had nearly lost another son on this day and not wanting to impair his impartial judgment, I stayed back as Cor brought Arran (and Arn) to one side of our father, and Dar brought Kollin to the other side. Our general had the good sense to keep the MP and the peasants separated, and the presence of the King standing between them kept either side from any rash action. I watched their conversation, voices rising and falling, a finger from one side being occasionally jabbed at the other, emotions flaring and calming, as the story of Kollin's injustice I now knew so well was relayed to the King. My father had years of experience of dealing with domestic disputes, and that neutral look on his face was a well-practiced one. I could see him listening intently, as both sides spoke for a good deal of time, only speaking to ask clarifying questions of both parties from time to time, while taking this quite-incredible story in.

And then his neutral expression disappeared, his eyes widening as Arran began speaking again while pointing at me.

Anticipation began rising in me. Here it begins. I suspected Arran must now be relaying the story of the attempt on my life – and was sure of it when I saw my father turn to Arn and ask a question, to which the big mountaineer nodded vigorously. Cor, who had kept the "J-to-G" letter on his person, produced it now for his perusal, and while our father was reading its contents, he discreetly motioned me to join them. Knowing things could quickly turn ugly were my father to lose his temper (a rare thing indeed), I motioned Darrin to follow me, and we both quickly joined the circle.

The King had just finished reading that note as we arrived, and was ominously silent as he handed it back to Cor. My father was by far not a man quickly disposed to wrath - quite the contrary, he was kind and gentle, almost to a fault (his fawning leniency to Rabadash in the aftermath of the Calormene surprise assault on Anvard had gained him a negative reputation in many circles, which he had never fully quelled). Anyone who did not know him, however, would never have guessed that by the present look on his face, as he cast a baleful eye on Kollin. "Do you deny your involvement in this?"

The old MP was not cowed as of yet, throwing his head back in an almost-defiant manner. "How can I respond, when I know not of what you speak, Your Majesty?"

The King motioned to Cor. "Show him the letter." Cor handed the parchment to Kollin, who snatched it out of his hand and read it closely. I scrutinized his face carefully, looking for anything that would betray him. Only briefly did I think I saw a look of concern in his eyes - but he quickly reverted to his old self as he handed the letter back to my brother. "This is not my handwriting, Your Majesty, and I know of no one in my inner circle who would write such a letter or make an attempt on our young Prince's life."

Cor laughed bitterly. "What would you call your actions of today, then, if not an attempt on my brother's life?"

Kollin threw a haughty glare his direction. "I would call it 'following Archenland law in dealing with an unlawful gathering', which is the opposite of what the Crown Prince did to begin these proceedings!"

"That is quite enough from both of you," my father said sharply, sending warning glances to both Cor and the old MP.

I felt compelled to speak up. "Is not the head of your Anvardian security detail named Godwin, Lord Kollin?"

"Aye..." the old knight said warily.

"Could he have been the recipient of this letter?"

"Not to my knowledge, and there is no proof of such a claim."

Dar spoke up now. "I know this Godwin fellow, milord. He was leading the first rank of Kollin's men forward when my brother and I rode up to enforce your ceasefire order."

"Find him and hold him for questioning," my father commanded, and Dar and Darrin bowed their heads in assent and left to do just that.

"I must protest, my liege. Godwin is my employee, and as such is under my protection. There must be solid circumstantial evidence, at the least, in order to place him under arrest," Kollin protested.

"I am not ordering his arrest, sir knight, merely holding him for questioning in this matter. That is the King's legal right in all adjudicating matters." The King looked to me. "At any rate, my son, sharing an initial with the intended recipient of this letter is hardly grounds for questioning, let alone arrest on charges of attempted assassination of an Archen Royal. Have you any other proof?"

"I do indeed have further proof, and I have sent for it. If it pleases the King, we must wait for its arrival."

"Very well then, we shall refresh ourselves in the meantime," and the King turned, motioning his personal guards to bring jugs of water for the men around him. As we drank, Cor shot me a look of questioning, but I shook my head and slightly motioned as if to encourage patience. All will be revealed, brother.

Unbeknownst to any of the men surrounding the King (as well as my father himself), I had earlier caught Arn's eye and motioned for him to join me away from the others. "Do we still have our three prisoners?" I had asked in hushed tones.

"Aye, they were bound hand-n-foot, and I left several o' the lads ower young for the fightin' tae watch them," the hulking peasant had whispered in return.

"Fetch them and bring them here, Arn, and quickly." The man nodded and had silently yet rapidly left to do just that.

Our sabbatical had barely started when Arn returned - and behind him, being half-dragged by peasant rebels, were the three men who had tried to kill me a week before. "Here is my evidence, father," as I turned to face our small assemblage. "These are the three men who carried out the attempt on my life."

As I said those words, I kept my eyes fastened on Kollin, hoping to see the final proof I needed to tie this legal albatross to his aged neck. As he looked up with the rest and searched out the party approaching us, I saw it - his eyes widened, and his face went as white as his hair, even as he (in vain) tried to quickly recover. He eventually did recover before anyone else noticed his reaction (though I could see his breath still coming in low and fast), but it mattered not. I had him. He was mine. Once the men we held captive started talking, the game was up for Kollin, Member of Parliament. He knew it, and I knew it.

But what was I going to do, now that I had him? As strange as it may sound (and strange it felt, I assure you), I felt no bitterness towards the old man who had nearly taken my life (twice now). All my anger from this day, along with the previous fury that would have led me to attempt to break his lines and fight him directly, had left me. A younger Corin of Archenland would have seen Kollin swing from the gallows for what he had done (and tried to do), both to me and those who had followed me to Anvard - but now, as I looked on my old adversary as he was slightly trembling, he himself knowing as I did that it was all over for him, I felt (as daft as it might seem) a measure of compassion for this man. I could not explain it, and a younger Corin of Archenland would have been justified in the eyes of all around him to seek the harshest measure of justice to be served - but the younger Corin of Archenland had not sought Aslan as the final Authority over his life and as the final word of truth in all matters and areas of this world. Perhaps that was the reason why an older Corin of Archenland felt no desire for revenge. Perhaps it was, once again, the will of the Lion that vengeance should not be the final mark of this day...

"My son?" I blinked, hearing the King's quizzical voice for the first time, and took my eyes off my old enemy. "Yes?"

"Arn of Kollinwood Estate has stated that these are the men from whom he rescued you. Do you confirm this?"

I nodded. "Aye, these are the men. The taller man in the middle is the one I heard give the order to attack, and his name is Jod - a known man-at-arms for Lord Kollin."

"The 'J' in the letter..." Cor murmured, loud enough for my father to hear.

King Lune's malevolent eye once again turned on the old MP. "Do you deny what my son says?" and his menacing tone was something I had rarely heard before.

Kollin swallowed before answering, and all could see the arrogant knight was gone, replaced by a clearly-frightened old man. "Aye, he is one of mine," and his faltering voice was something new from him. "But I swear I knew nothi-"

"THAT is yet to be determined!" the King proclaimed loudly and turned away. "Captain of the Guard! Take these three men into custody, along with yon Godwin whom Generals Dar and Darrin are holding for questioning before the city walls. Hold them in the city jail to await questioning and charges of attempted murder on Prince Corin of Archenland!"

The young Captain of the Guard nodded, visibly sweating under the weight of responsibility. "Any further orders, Lord King?"

"Not as of yet - though I swear to you, sir knight," as my father wheeled around to face Kollin once again, "to say this matter will be investigated thoroughly is the understatement of our times! If I find that you gave these men the order to assassinate my son, I will see you HANG!" Kollin almost visibly wilted under my father's verbal assault, and he looked to all before him as a beaten man.

While this was happening, I had edged up next to Arran and motioned Arn to join us. "Do you trust me to adjudicate fairly on our collective behalf?" I asked them quietly.

I got a raised eyebrow from the peasant leader. "We had followed you to Anvard in hopes that you would do just that..." he replied with a slight grin, as Arn nodded his agreement.

I smiled. "It's glad I am to hear it. Do you trust me enough to fully abide by whatever justice I choose to mete out?"

This time I got momentary silence. "We stood and watched as you sent yon Queen of Narnia away, and your love with her, so that you might lay down your life on our behalf," and Arran was absolutely serious now. "There is not a man in our camp who has a right to refuse you anything on this day. Make your judgment, my liege, and whatever it is, it will have our compliance."

I reached out to clasp Arran's shoulder. "Your father would have been proud of you on this day, most noble Archenlander." The blacksmith dropped his head and nodded in grateful acceptance, as I stepped past him to speak with the King. "A request, father, if I may?"

"Name it, son." The King was making an attempt to pacify himself. Anger was rarely a part of his nature.

"If it pleases the King, I would request the opportunity to make judgment upon Kollin now, at this moment," I said clearly, so all could hear me. "Lawfully, of course,"

"Lord King, this is an outr-" Kollin sputtered.

"Permission granted," my father interrupted, inclining his head to glare at Kollin once more. The old knight was now pale as a corpse, which was probably what he was expecting he would be once I finished with him, thought he was making a valiant effort not to show it.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply, knowing a time for wisdom was now upon me. "Lord Kollin, as I said earlier this day, you have broken faith with your people," I began quietly, though loud enough for all standing near me to hear. "You have been charged with committing acts of what can only be described as rape, kidnapping, torture, and perhaps even forced slave labor. To add to that is the very real possibility that you secretly ordered the assassination of myself, a Prince of Archenland who is currently second-in-line to the throne of our kingdom behind my Royal brother. To the first set of charges, I have little doubt that you (with your wealth) could buy enough lawyers to get at least half of the charges dropped on lack of evidence, and to escape with paltry fines for those that would remain - assuming you were found guilty, since while the spirit of Archenland law protects estate tenants from mistreatment and exploitation, the actual letter of the law is vague and ambiguous in this matter to the point of potentially allowing you to face no legal justice whatever. Simply put, I will not allow that possibility to transpire."

Kollin laughed bitterly. "So what then? An extrajudicial killing, to satisfy your anger?"

I held his gaze hard, the same way I had last year in the halls of Parliament. "The same extrajudicial killing you yourself attempted with your men-at-arms not even an hour past?"

That shut him up, at least temporarily. "But since you asked, no. I am not like you." That earned me another glare, but I ignored it and kept going. "It's the second set of charges that is the most serious. If Godwin and Jod both give a statement that you were at the head of a conspiracy to see me killed, that is enough to see you arrested - and if you are found guilty, you know as well as I do it will be the gallows for you."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Kollin asked, glowering, still defiant in defeat. "Arrest me. Hang me. I can see any defense I offer will be meaningless, and I am too old to flee and become a fugitive. Have your revenge, young Prince, and be dam-d to you!"

I did not respond immediately, merely kept my eyes on the old man before me. I could feel all eyes on me - Arran, Arn, my father, Cor, and anyone else within hearing distance were waiting for my response. Kollin himself tried to glare back at me, but his bravado eventually failed under my cool gaze, and I saw a defeated and (surprisingly enough, for all his attempts to hide it) a frightened old man in front of me. Not that he did not have reason to be slightly afraid - even if I had drawn my sword at that moment and run him through, there was a very real chance no charges would have been brought up against me. I had every right to hate this man, not just because of what he had tried to do against me, but also for the blatant crimes against those he should have protected on his estates.

But I did not hate Kollin - aye, and to my own surprise. I almost pitied him, to my greater surprise. "Here's what I will have you do, Kollin. You will resign from your seat in Parliament. You will be stripped of your knighthood. You will leave Anvard, never to return to this city unless with the express permission of Archen royalty. You will sell every estate you own save your main estate (which is your largest as well, I believe) in addition to all of your property within Anvard itself as well any international properties you might own, and the money you receive from those sales will be distributed to those of your tenants who want to leave your service outright. Of those who remain, you and they will negotiate new wages and terms of rent which you will honor to the letter. If any of the tenants and laborers who decide to remain in your service for the time being decide to leave at a later time, they can do so without fear of retaliation. They will also have freedom to travel as they wish, when they wish, when they are off-duty from their respective tasks. Beyond accepting rent or payment for any services rendered, you will take nothing from them apart from that which they offer freely and willingly. Do I make myself clear?"

Kollin failed to answer immediately, as he mulled over my declaration. If anything, I could tell he had not been expecting this turn of events. "You have no legal authority to dictate any of this to me, young Prince. I am free to reject such an ultimatum in the eyes of the law."

I was expecting that answer. "This is true. But I give you a choice: Comply with my ultimatum, or I will have you arrested here and now on the charges I have mentioned earlier - and as I have said before, should Godwin and Jod (to say nothing of Jod's two accomplices) both swear in a court of law that you ordered my assassination, no power in this kingdom will save you from facing the hangman. You have my terms, lord knight. The time for choosing is upon you," as I used his earlier words against him.

Kollin's face reddened, as the fact that I used his words against him was not lost on him. "Am I to be a prisoner on my main estate, then?"

"Nay, you will be free to come and go as you wish. Never again, however, will you be allowed to enter the gates of Anvard without the permission or command of the King or Prince Regent. Also, there are currently several thousand men, women, and children in the encampment behind me, and our supply of victuals are running low. The last of my terms is that they will be wined and dined in their encampment tonight, and you personally will take on the expense."

Kollin's face could not get any darker, but by now he knew not to say anything that he would later regret. He and I both knew I could have him clapped in irons with a single nod to my father. "Do you accept the terms, or shall I see you in a court of justice?"

Kollin was determined not to go down without some show of defiance. "You would strip me of the honor I have worked for all my life?" the man all but hissed at me.

"You did that to yourself long since, lord knight," was my calm but firm reply.

"Even if I do all that you demand, what guarantee do I have that you will not renege on your word and have me arrested to complete my humiliation?" he demanded.

"You have my word as a man and a prince - nothing more, nothing less. But I swear to you, Kollin," and I had steel in my voice now "if you fail in just one of my demands, I WILL see you in irons before a court of your peers. I will show no mercy on that day, I assure you."

He did not respond to that immediately, and I could tell that though he kept his defiant gaze on me, he was deep in thought. "There is something I do not understand," he finally said. "If you are certain it was I who gave the order for your death, why this ultimatum at all? Why not see me in irons beside Godwin and Jod? What reason do I have to not expect being double-crossed by you?"

Aye, now we come to it. "Because..." I started, before pausing to breathe in deeply. "Because even though I strongly believe you have lost your way, even though I absolutely and utterly loathe and abhor what you have done to these people behind me and how you have brought shame upon the name of Archenland by your actions, I still can't help but remember what the name of Kollin used to mean to this kingdom." I could feel all eyes upon me, even as I held Kollin's eyes with mine. "I still remember the story I was told of it being Lord Kollin who was the first knight to rally to my father the King after my brother had been kidnapped by Lord Bar, and that it was Kollin who fought most bravely alongside my father in that epic and bloody sea battle against the traitor and his men. I still remember myself, when Rabadash attacked our beloved Anvard, looking up to the southern walls as I charged down with the Narnians and seeing Lord Kollin resolutely standing there, too old to join the sortie with my father, but with the presence of mind to take command of as many archers he could find and man the walls to provide cover fire for those of us fighting our foes hand-to-hand. More than a few Anvardian defenders' lives were saved by your quick thinking and the steady flights of arrows your archers sent into the Calormene ranks." I stopped here, not sure of what to say next. Everyone around me was quiet and still (including Kollin), waiting for me to speak on. And so I did, eventually. "I guess what I'm ultimately trying to say is that even though I think you are a craven criminal, you were once an honored soldier and knight of this realm. Even though I have come to detest and despise the very sight of you and the very mention of your name, that doesn't change the fact that you are at heart a loyal Archenlander and my compatriot. We will never be anything remotely resembling friends, and I hope to Aslan I never see you again - but even though we came very near to drawing swords against each other on this day, you and I both fought under the same banner once, in defense of this great country that we both call our homeland." I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, wanting all of this to be over. "At the end of all this, you are still my fellow countryman, Kollin, and in my view that has to count for something."

There was naught but silence around me, and even Kollin himself seemed utterly devoid of words. The only movement was the turning of heads towards my old nemesis to await his reaction. "I'm done speaking, Kollin, and I want this to be over for good." I said wearily. "Accept my terms and abide by them to the letter, and I will leave you in peace. Reject them, and since I am all but certain you did in fact order my assassination (to say nothing of the crimes you inflicted on your tenants over the years), I will see a noose around your neck before all is said and done. Take it or leave it, the choice is yours."

Kollin was still staring at me wordlessly, leaving me to wonder if my words had truly affected him in a way that I had thought unlikely. After a long pause, he slowly nodded. "I accept the terms." he said quietly.

"Good. It's done. Unless my father the King requires my presence still, I now wash my hands of this dishonorable affair," I said curtly, my patience nearly at an end. "Let us move on, then, for the good of Archenland. With your blessing, Father, I will retire."

"Nay, my son, I need thee here no longer. You have endured much on this day, and I will return to the city to work over the details of this arrangement with my advisors, Parliament, and Lord Kollin. Take a rest, my son - you have earned it." With that, the King signaled Kollin to follow him into the city, and our assembly began to break up and go their separate ways. It looked as if the entire ordeal was finally over and done.

"Are you satisfied?" I thought Cor was speaking to me, but looking up, I saw he was addressing Arran and Arn.

The two men glanced at each other and at me before Arran responded, "I was not expecting this course of action." I initially feared he was unhappy, but the blacksmith continued on, a smile slowly widening on his face. "Justice tempered with grace is rare, especially when our Prince could easily have chosen revenge. Such wisdom, such grace in one as young as our good Prince Corin is rare."

"The Lion would not have wanted our just and righteous cause mixed with revenge," I said quietly, but seriously. "Kollin will pay for his crimes, but in a way that allows for no reproach on our part."

"Hear, hear." This from Arn, who was also grinning ear to ear. Arran laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "We've done it and survived, old friend!" as he then threw his arms around his giant of a friend. Arn reciprocated, also bellowing with laughter, and I grinned myself, happy to these two honorable men with the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders.

"Well, here comes a face I am very glad to see once again!" I looked up to see what made Cor sound so happy (and indeed, my twin was beaming), and soon found it - Aravis was trotting towards us on her pony (a gift from my father on her last birthday). She reigned in next to us and alighted, throwing her arms around Cor. "I feared the worst, until your father's diplomats brought word to the Keep that fighting had been avoided and the King was had returned and was on the scene!" She released a grinning Cor and turned to me. "I should slap you senseless, dear friend, for scaring us silly once again," as she put her hands on her hips, but kept that sweet Calormene smile. "But I think I shall save it for another time."

I chuckled, happy to see her again. "Come to my arms, dearest Aravis," and she nearly made me lose my balance at the force of her embrace. I held her close, breathed in the scent of her black hair. Narrowly escaping death had raised the value of the people I loved, and I did not for the world want to risk losing them again. "It does my heart good to see you," I said as I finally released her.

"Not nearly as good as mine, dear Corin," as she kissed my cheek. "Just don't even think about pulling a stunt like this again."

"We'll see." I stuck my tongue out at her, and ducked away laughing as she made as if to backhand me. She shook her head in mock exasperation. "Men," was her apparent judgment of the whole situation. "Enough about me, Corin: Go to her already. She knows as much as I do, but it will restore her to see you in the flesh."

Lucy! My heart leaped - partly for joy, partly in trepidation. I had not thought about, had not allowed myself to think about her after I had bid her farewell, but now I wanted nothing more than to see her again, to hold her in my arms, to kiss those red lips, to... "Where is she?"

"She rode with me partway to see you, but sent me on ahead."

"Why?"

Aravis looked at me as if I were born with only half-a-brain. "She's a Queen, my dear and all-too-dense Corin. She didn't want anyone else to see the tears of relief at knowing you were going to survive this day. So if you're done leading a rebellion, young Prince, there she is: Go to her."

Turning to the east, I saw her roughly seventy-five paces away, her retainers behind her. I could never have mistook those golden locks of hair anywhere in the world, and my heart did the usual flip at seeing her gorgeous face once again. "Your work here is done, Corin," I heard Cor behind me. "Father will work out the details of the arrangement with Kollin, and Aravis and I will see to it that the people in the encampment are wined and dined. Put off the warrior, become a lover once again."

I may or may not have heard Aravis say something like "You might think about becoming that yourself, young sir" to my twin (to which Tallum, Arran, and Arn burst out laughing in response - the unofficial romance between my brother and Aravis was common knowledge throughout our kingdom), but I blocked it out as I kept my eyes on my beloved. Without realizing it, I was already halfway to her, watching her as she dismounted.

I got to within five feet of her when I realized she was not smiling and did not entirely look happy to see me, which caused me to come to a halt. Her eyes told the story - I could see she had been frightened nearly to death for me. I softly smiled, just happy to see her. "Forgive me for scaring you?" I asked in a half-serious tone.

She came to me, making up the distance between us. It was then I noticed that I was almost looking straight down at her. By the Mane, when did I get so tall? Indeed, I was now five feet, eleven inches in height, whereas Lucy measured out at five feet, four inches. Once I had literally looked up to her; now I had seven inches of height on her. The things you do not notice as time goes by...

...and my meditation on our difference in height came to a crashing halt as she slapped me (hard) across the face.

"Well, okay. Ouch." I said in response as I massaged the left side of my face in a vain attempt to rub out the tingling. Her response was to slap me again, this time on the other side of my face. I did not have time to respond to that one before she grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me down into a kiss.

(Remember when I said earlier that "she kissed me with more passion than I had ever seen or felt in her before"? Forget that. This one took the prize. Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes.)

Well, my cheeks were still smarting, but Lucy Pevensie knew how to do it to a boy with a kiss. After Aslan-knows-how-long (and while ignoring the sudden coughing fits from several of her retainers behind her), she finally released me (and she had left me gasping for air). "Wow," I breathed, looking down on her with a wry grin. "I guess this means you still love me?"

For a moment, I thought I was in for another slap. But she merely reached up to briefly kiss me again. "Oh Corin," and now she finally smiled. "I'm afraid I will always love you, in spite of yourself."

"It's very glad I am to hear it, my love," I whispered as I slipped my arms around her waist. She pressed herself against me, laying her head on my chest. "Don't do that to me again. 'Twould have been the end of me, if you had fallen," she whispered in response.

"Rabadash couldn't kill me. Tinuviel couldn't kill me. Kollin couldn't kill me. I'm afraid I'll be alive for at least a while longer, Lu-of-my-heart," I breathed against her golden hair. I could see her smile at that, and her lips sought mine once again. I swear upon the Lion I could spend a lifetime kissing Lucy Pevensie.

"Ahem." That is, I would have liked to have spent a lifetime doing just that had my brother decided not to interrupt my very-enjoyable task. I was exceedingly tempted to ignore him, but pulled away from Lucy with a sigh. "Yes, brother dearest?" Was that annoyance mixed with sarcasm in my voice? Yes, I think it was.

My twin just HAD to have that annoying I-see-what-you-were-doing-there grin on his face. "Sorry to...interrupt." No he was not sorry, because he was Cor. "It's just that you might want to take that elsewhere, seeing as the news of your courtship with one of the Narnian queens hasn't even reached Father yet - and frankly, methinks our fair capitol city has had enough shock for one day."

As much as I did not particularly care about that, Lucy blushed and pulled away. "Cor's right, my love," she said somewhat regretfully. "We shouldn't make so free with our affection, not yet."

I sighed heavily, more for show than anything. "More like Cor has delusions of being king already." That got them laughing. Noticing Arran and Arn standing with Tallum and Aravis behind Cor, I waved them forward. "How goes it in the encampment?"

Arran answered. "Everything is fine, my liege. The encampment is finished and set up to allow us to remain here overnight, if not longer."

I still felt like I should be doing something. "Think you that I should address our assembly, inform them of what has taken place?"

"Nay, yer highness," Arn spoke up. "Ye've done quite enough. Us Archenland peasants are hardy folk, and no' the kind to need a prince to look after us. We can take care o' our own. Ye've run yerself ragged takin' care o' us. After all this, ye should put yer feet up and look to yourself."

"He's right," Cor seconded the giant mountaineer. Though he was grinning, I could tell he was serious. "As I said before, Aravis and I will ensure that these folks are wined and dined this eve. You don't need to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders any longer."

"If it pleases our young Prince, let him state his pleasure and I will see he gets it." This from Tallum.

They were all looking to me - Cor, Aravis, Lucy, Tallum, Arran, and Arn - and once again I was struck to my core at how much these people loved and cared for me. They were right as well - I was starting to feel emotionally drained and weary after everything that had occurred in the past week, and desperately needed a rest. Lucy took my hand in hers, and her beaming, beautiful face set me at ease. Perhaps Cor was right. Perhaps I had done enough for once, and I should take my leave and seek peace and rest while entrusting the immediate needs of these good peasant people to the capable arms of my brother and Aravis. Feeling Aslan's peace within my soul, as I looked around at the people I loved and cared for, I breathed in deeply and said the words that any self-respecting Archenlander would have said at that moment.

"In that case, I could use a stiff drink."

...

...

...

...

Lucy's POV

Later that night...

We all ended up at The Roasted Boar, the largest tavern in Carlingford. Lord Tallum (correctly, I believe) inferred that Corin would have been mobbed in Anvard by people overjoyed to see him alive and wanting to know what-in-the-bloody-name-of-Tash nearly happened outside the Northern Wall. He then suggested Corin and I make the roughly (on horseback) one-hour journey to the river town, where we would have more privacy. Corin agreed, and so did I. In truth, I would have agreed to almost any crazy venture that night, such was my joy at having him alive and at my side.

Corin, good lad that he is, insisted that Arran and Arn fetch their wives (and Arran's daughter) from the encampment so they could all join us in Carlingford. Both men demurred until Cor ordered carriages brought round for them for the journey, and all but commanded them to join Corin and I. Corin also insisted Lord Tallum join us, to which I also insisted, wanting to better know this good-hearted and loyal knight who had stood by my beloved Corin when all looked lost at the hands of Kollin. He finally relented, and rode with Corin, myself, and my retainers to Carlingford.

We arrived just as the sun was beginning to set over the land. The carriages carrying Arran, Arn, and their families arrived at The Roasted Boar shortly after we did, and it was then Corin realized he had never formally introduced me to Kollin's former tenants. After doing so, he called out to my retainers, thanking them for their loyal service to me, and said that every one of them would have victuals and ale on his tab. To say Corin instantly became the most popular Archenlander these Narnian guards ever met would have been an incredible understatement.

The first hour at the tavern was one of introduction, as I had only met Lord Tallum that afternoon and did not formally know the peasant men or their families at all. My initial good impression of Tallum was only confirmed, as the middle-aged knight acted just as honorably at the dinner table as he did armed and in chain mail before his future king. I quickly learned that Arran and Arn were both men who could hold their liquor and not make utter fools of themselves. Arn's wife (named Finvola), though not as tall or large as her hulking husband, was still taller and larger than the average woman. She was also more outgoing than her man, and it was clear those two loved each other dearly. Arran's wife, named Hoel, was shy and reclusive (which I believe was more a result of Kollin's sexual assaults on her than anything else), but slowly opened up as I tried my best to show her as much kindness and interest as I could. Her daughter, Leana, was also of a quiet sort, though I judged that to be more her personality than her past. She was a comely girl, perhaps a year or two older than Corin, and I was grateful that she had been spared the terrors of what had happened to her mother and other women on Kollin's estates.

It was the inherent nobility of these people, peasants and lords alike, that struck me. It was a dignity and nobleness born out of their love for each other, their homeland, their liberty as free northerners, and a devotion to the Lion and His ways that was rivaled only by the inhabitants of Narnia. In none of the foreign lands that I had been to would peasants and nobles have shared a table (much less a conversation) with each other as equals. In Archenland, it was treated with complete normalcy. The ancient proverb about Aslan rang true. "He who made us, has made us equal in His sight."

It was during our second hour at the tavern that I began to notice the way all of them, from Leana to Tallum, would look at Corin. My young love would speak, and every eye would turn to him, listening to his every word. It was the admiration that I noticed first, the esteem in which man and woman alike held their Prince. I knew, had always known, that Corin loved his land and his people (if anything, the events of today had proved that a hundredfold), but it was only now that I had seen a tangible example of the love these people held for him. It was the same veneration I had seen in the eyes of Narnian soldiers whenever Peter addressed them. It was the look of men and women who knew that this young royal truly and deeply cared for them as his countrymen, knew that he would willingly lay down his life and future for them, and were willing to do the same for him. Corin would most likely forever be a prince, but in some way, he would forever be a king in the hearts of his people. Outside of a boxing ring (and his many triumphs therein), Corin was uncomfortable with adulation, but he had earned it forevermore on this day. Oh Aslan, how I love this boy...

"Do I sing?" Corin's incredulous question to Tallum brought me out of my inward musings. "Why would anyone think I could sing?"

"Just something the bartender said earlier about a certain evening when a certain young Prince came in to this very tavern having forgotten all his coins back in Anvard, and ended up having to very literally 'sing for his supper'." Tallum's eyes were twinkling with mirth. The knight had just returned from the bar with fresh tankards, and had apparently picked up a tidbit of gossip about his Prince.

Corin winced. "He mentioned that, did he?"

"Aye," and Tallum's smile was almost feral. "What say you to giving your subjects a song?"

Corin held his hands up. "First off, I am not the king, and therefore have no subjects (strictly speaking). Secondly, I have not forgotten my money on this eve, and therefore have no need of singing."

"Oh, come now." I said slyly from my seat next to my young prince, slipping my hand into his. "I happen to know that Corin has a very nice singing voice, better than he is letting on."

"He would have to, if his song of choice was what the bartender said it was on the night," Tallum winked. "Something like:

'In Ashworth town, there are no pubs,

And I'm sure you'll wonder why,

My brother and me, we went on a spree,

And we drank the pubs all dry, all dry

We drank the pubs all dry.'

Was that the one, Your Highness?"

I made a show of gasping in horror. "Such a bawdy drinking song, sung by the son of the King?!" I shook my head in mock disappointment. "Corin, you horrible bad lad!" The rest of our table, as well as my retainers along the bar, were listening by now and practically roaring with laughter.

"That...might have been the song, I will neither confirm or deny." Corin was doing his best to look serious despite the ruckus, though his face was almost beet-red and he could plainly see where this was going.

"It was that very one, Your Highness, and that's the Lion's truth!" the bartender called out amid fresh peals of uproarious laughter. Corin tried to deny it at first, then gave up amidst the tumult. "Will you sing now, for our pleasure?" Tallum was relentless, as his eyes twinkled.

"The later verses in that song are hardly appropriate with the ladies present, sir knight," Corin protested.

"Didn't stop you the first time!" the bartender called out again, which brought forth a new wave of laughter from everyone in the tavern, even those who were not with our party.

"No, no," as Tallum was trying his best to stop laughing, "not that one. Sing us a song about our country, about Archenland. That is what the warrior poets of old used to do. When they weren't fighting to defend their countries, they would sing about them. We here, our Narnian friends excluded," and the laughter had died down by now, "we have faced death on this day in defense of our rights as Archenlanders, in defense of the very principles that this kingdom was built upon, to the glory of Aslan. Sing us a song of the land we nearly fought for today. But make it a happy song, so we can end this day on a high note."

Corin shook his head, but we all insisted, and so he wavered. "Well, if you all insist..."

"We do!" Several of us said simultaneously. "Do you love your homeland?" Tallum asked him, more seriously.

Corin looked him steadfastly in the eye. "You know I do, with all my heart."

"Then give us a song about our land."

Corin sighed, then looked around the tavern. We were all quiet now, and nodding him on. It seemed to me as if there was an undercurrent of emotion here, that the Archenlanders who had stood against Kollin on this day wanted something that would allow them to forget the bloodshed that nearly transpired. Corin seemed to realize it as well, and finally acquiesced to thunderous applause. "What should I sing?" he called out to the tavern as the noise died down once again.

"Something we all know," called out one of my retainers to more laughter.

"Very well then," Corin laughed, as he rose from our table. "But first, an ale!" and he scooped up a full tankard of Carlingford's finest and drank half of it down. He stepped out to the center of the floor where all could see him. "I think I've got one. If it goes down in flames, please remember I did this under your unanimous consent!" he pointed at each of us in the room, a full grin on his face, to further laughter and applause. Clearing his throat, he began:

When I was young and in my prime,

And could wander wild and free,

There was always a longing in my mind,

To follow the call of the sea.

So I'll sing farewell to Carlingford,

And farewell to Greenore,

And I'll think on you both day and night,

Until I return once more,

Until I return once more!

A quick cheer went up when Corin first began. It was indeed one we all knew, a seafaring ballad popular in both Archenland and Narnia called "Farewell To Carlingford". Any doubts about the quality of Corin's voice were soon dispelled - my handsome lad could sing, and that quite well. After a quick bow, he went on to the second verse.

On all of the stormy raging seas,

I have sailed before the mast,

And on every voyage I ever made,

I swore it would be my last.

"You asked me to get up here, Tallum. At least help me on the chorus!" Corin cried out. Tallum laughed and nodded, and both prince and knight belted out the chorus.

Yet I'll sing farewell to Carlingford,

And farewell to Greenore,

And I'll think on you both day and night,

Until I return once more,

Until I return once more!

Corin was now getting into his musical task with vigor.

I had a girl, my own dear Flora,

And she lived in Greenore,

And the foremost thought 'twas in her mind,

Was to keep me safe on shore.

"Arran and Arn, with me and Tallum on the chorus. Show us those mountaineer tonsils!" It took some loud cheering and applause for the two peasants to agree, and they finally joined in.

But I'll sing farewell to Carlingford,

And farewell to Greenore,

And I'll think on you both day and night,

Until I return once more,

Until I return once more!

By now, the tavern was clapping along in time, and Corin was waving his half-empty tankard aloft throughout the last verse.

The landsman's life is all his own,

He can go or he can stay,

But when the sea gets in your blood,

When she calls you must obey.

Corin did not need to urge any of us on this time, for man and woman alike joined in with him on chorus.

And I'll sing farewell to Carlingford,

And farewell to Greenore,

And I'll think on you both day and night,

Until I return once more,

Until I return once more!

"Once more," cried the prince, and we raucously followed his lead.

Yes, I'll sing farewell to Carlingford,

And farewell to Greenore,

And I think on you both day and night,

Until I return once more,

Until I return once more!

We ended with a loud hue and cry and instantly broke into applause. Corin took a exaggerated low bow and applauded his audience in return. Holding his hands up for silence, he waited for the noise to die down. "Neighbors, friends, fellow Archenlanders, this has been a night of fantastic victuals, wholesome ale, and stimulating singing!" He got laughter and scattered applause with that once. "But all fun times must come to a close, and our good bartender and tavern-keeper would eventually like to get some sleep this eve. So let us finish our drinks and be on our merry way. To Archenland!" as he held his tankard aloft. "To Archenland!" the tavern occupants responded with a cheer and drank down whatever they had left.

After several minutes, as the tavern emptied and Corin kept his word and paid the bill for everyone in our party, he took my hand as we bid Arran, Arn, and their families goodnight - as well as Tallum, as the knight had promised to escort the peasant families back to the encampment. "What a day, my love, what a day," he sighed, after our friends had left. "What a wondrous thing it is, that a day which began with so much uncertainty and looked to end in bloodshed should instead end with good company, great ale, fine singing, and most of all, peace."

I merely smiled in response, wrapping my hands around his arms and resting my head on his shoulder. Just feeling his body next to mine, at the end of a day where I thought for sure I had lost him, was the perfect ending to this day. After several precious minutes of merely being close to each other, I put my arm around his neck and pulled him down to kiss his forehead. "You must be exhausted by now, poor dear. I'll tell my retainers to mount up so we can return to Anvard Keep."

I began to pull away, but he reached out to grasp my hand. "Lu, wait!" Though he looked extremely tired, his eyes were bright, and I could tell there was something on his mind. "Lu, I..." He looked unsure of what he wanted to say, however. "I don't...I have to..." he sighed in frustration. "I don't know how to begin."

I took his hands in mine. "Take your time, my love. I'm listening."

He breathed in deeply several times, his eyes never leaving mine. "Lu, you know me," he finally spoke. "I don't mean you know who I am or anything that trivial - I mean you know me inside and out. You have this uncanny ability to know what I'm thinking at any given moment. You know my strengths, you know my weaknesses. You've see me at my best, you've seen me at my worst. You know where I'm strong, you know where I'm weak. And for some crazy reason, you still love me," he chuckled. "We've been close friends for a long time. We know almost everything about each other. I can also pretty accurately guess what you're thinking at any given time. I know your strengths and weaknesses, and I am in love with them all. I know all of your perfect imperfections, and they are glorious beauty in my eyes." Corin knew how to bring the tears of happiness to girl's eyes. "What I'm trying to say is that we know each other as well as two unmarried people can every know each other, and I think it's time we stopped waiting."

That last part confused me. "Stop waiting for what?"

"A courtship is a time for a man and woman to get to know each other before becoming engaged. But I know you inside and out, Lu, and you know the same about me. There's nothing more that we can learn about each without being married."

"I don't...what are you saying?" I was still confused.

A wide grin spread over his face. "Isn't it obvious by now, Lu? I'm asking you to marry me!"

I nearly gasped aloud. There it was. Out in the open. Plain, simple, and straightforward. I merely stared at him for the longest time. "But...but Corin, we've only been properly courting for three weeks?!"

"I know, it's highly irregular and very un-traditional." Corin reached up to caress my face, tucking several rebellious strands of golden hair in behind my ear. "Fact is, Lu," and his voice grew more serious. "I came within several minutes of dying today. It was for a good cause, a cause that was just and that I believed in, and I would do it again for my people if I had to." His eyes closed momentarily. "But part of me died inside when I sent you away. And the plain truth of it is, I never want to lose you again. I don't know what my future, your future, our future holds, Lu. Only Aslan knows that. But whatever path He sends me on, wherever He has me go in this life, whatever my purpose is in His plan - I want to share it with you. At the end of each day, I want to come home to you."

I had tears in my eyes by the time he fell silent. "So if you'll have this sixteen (soon to be seventeen) year old Archenland Prince for your wedded man," he went on after a short silence, "I'd like very much to make Queen Lucy Pevensie of Narnia my wife."

I tried to smile, as I quickly brushed away my tears. "You realize, young sir, that accepting your proposal would entail me leaving for Narnia at first light so I could inform my Royal siblings of this new turn of events, after I arrived in Archenland this very morning?"

My oh-so-handsome beau laughed softly and nodded. "Indeed, my love - but I would rather we have a brief separation now, so that we might be married sooner."

"And you also realize that I, as a Narnian Queen, cannot leave Cair Paravel to live elsewhere."

Corin nodded, though his demeanor became more serious. "Aye, I know," he said quietly. "I never thought to leave my homeland to live anywhere else. But Narnia has almost always been my home-away-from home, and I would sooner be parted with my beloved native land than be parted with the love of my heart."

For Corin, of all men, to say that was no small surrender on his part. His life was in the rugged Archen mountains, his soul was in the scenic Archen valleys, his heart found its joy in these quietly running Archen rivers. I had seen with my own eyes on this day how much he loved his land and his people, in the same way I loved Narnia and all those within it. To leave his kingdom behind to dwell in mine, and all for the love of me, would be a great sacrifice on his part - one that I would not have fully understand, had I not been an eyewitness to the events of this day, and my eyes nearly welled up again at the significance of what he had just said. "Am I worth such a sacrifice, dearest Corin?" and my voice was nearly choked with tears.

His soft smile was one of his most beautiful features. "Aye, my love, and so much more."

He was sure, and his mind was set. Of that, I could not doubt any longer. And after a brief moment of searching my own heart and soul, so was I, and entirely so. I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him down to my waiting lips. After a sweet kiss, I gave him my reply with no uncertainty.

"Yes Corin, my love, I'll marry you."

A/N: Corin's song in The Roasted Boar Inn is taken from an Irish seafaring folk song titled "Farewell To Carlingford". To hear the original version, go to YouTube and search for "Farewell To Carlingford" by Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers.