Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: After almost a year of conflict in both the North and the South, Narnia's borders are secured once more. Hope brightens as Narnia prepares for a year of peace. Yet, when shadows from the past threaten, will the light be smothered or shine all the brighter?

A/N: If you have not read the first eleven stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, Eclipsed, and Obscured), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Epilogue: Lucy

5 Fairdawn 1015

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Alambiel grumbled as she waddled toward the door. She had stopped being graceful a week past (although Oreius still insisted she was perfectly graceful…the liar) and she was no longer able to see her feet. Not that it mattered since half the time they were too swollen for her to even consider wearing shoes.

The pounding came again and she grumbled under her breath. Why couldn't visitors come when Oreius was there to answer the door? Instead, he was in at the market for some reason or another. She, on the other hand, had been trying to sleep. Until someone decided to turn her door into an anvil, anyway.

Her foal kicked and she rested a hand on her stomach as she reached the door. She glanced down at herself. She was wearing a light toga with a belt that rested under her chest, something Tuulea had insisted would help with how hot she was feeling. Perhaps slightly underdressed for entertaining but she wasn't going to put on anything heavier.

Besides, her visitors were still beating on the door. She yanked it open and raised both eyebrows. "Lucy. I thought you were still in the Islands." She glanced past the youngest Queen and met Tarrin's eyes. He blushed and quickly looked down. She ignored him as she turned back to Lucy. "Why are you here?"

"A very good question," Oreius intoned as he approached. "Another is the question of your escort, Your Majesty."

"Oh never mind that, Oreius," Lucy protested. She turned to Alambiel and clasped her hands beneath her chin as she pleaded, "Can you help us, Kat? We must know about Oberon and where he lives and how we can find him. Please help us!"

Alambiel exchanged a glance with the Kentauri before she stepped back and opened the door further. "You might as well come in and have a seat. It seems there are stories to be shared. Beginning with what in the worlds you've been up to that you've dragged Tarrin all the way to Oreius' herd."

Lucy gave a faint laugh. "It is… Well, it's a bit of a long story and I fear it sounds most outrageous."

"I love outrageous stories," Alambiel replied as she carefully sat on one of the chaise lounges. "Don't you, Oreius?"

He gave her a dour look but she ignored him. Lucy dropped down on the chaise lounge opposite from her with an ease that she rather envied. Tarrin, on the other hand, hovered behind the Valiant Queen. He looked rather troubled. Something Alambiel was certain that Oreius had noted.

Lucy sighed loudly. "Oh Kat, so much has happened since I left Cair Paravel. I don't even know where to begin."

"The beginning seems a good place to start," Alambiel stated cheerfully. "Now what happened when you arrived at the Lone Islands?"

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A/N: Please Read and Review! And so ends Brightened! Now I am sincerely going to try not to take as long to finish the next story but it may take a little bit before I return to Narnia due to my real life work. However, I actually have two options - return immediately to Glistened or to Sea of Deceit. You, my lovely readers, can help me pick by sharing your vote in a review. So Glistened or Sea of Deceit? Until next time!