“Hello?” Edmund called into the dark. He looked around the vast plain. There didn't appear to be anything around him. However, it was dark and he was unable to see very far from where he was standing. He had a feeling he was in Narnia, but he wasn't sure exactly where yet. It was unusual to be there without his brother and sisters, but he knew that Peter and Susan would not come back.

“Where is Lucy then?” he asked himself out loud.

It didn't appear that anybody was around him at the time, but when he turned around he saw a figure standing a few feet away. For a moment he was afraid it wasn't friendly, but it walked closer revealing itself to be a dryad, with pink petals floating around it.

“Your Majesty,” she said, bowing. “I am Lavender. I believe you were called here to help us.”

“Who called?” Edmund asked.

“Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, and Reepicheep,” Lavender answered. “Your sisters are on their way to the house with a friend of mine.”

“Sisters?” Edmund asked. “You mean Susan's here too?”

“Yes,” Lavender replied, she looked down to the ground frowning. “Your brother too.”

“Peter's also here?” Edmund asked. “I thought Peter and Susan weren't suppose to return to Narnia.”

“They were not,” said Lavender, refusing to look Edmund in the eye. “However, the time came that we needed all four of you.”

“Is there something wrong?” Edmund asked, noticing that the dryad seemed to be trying to avoid something.

“We found your sisters, but your brother. . .” she began.

“Is Peter okay?” Edmund asked, suddenly worried.

“For now,” she stated.

“That's not really making me feel any better,” said Edmund. “Where is he?”

“He is in the castle on the other side of the forest,” Lavender explained. “I don't know how far he got in there, but he is going to be in trouble if he meets the queen.”

“Why would meeting the queen put him in trouble?” Edmund asked.

“She is the reason you were called here,” Lavender stated. “The former King and Queen are dead. The Queen was expecting a child and the Princess poisoned her mother for fear of losing the throne. When the Queen died, the King killed himself. Now the corrupt princess is queen and she has ordered the capture of all of the animals and soon, we fear, she will try to destroy the rest of the Narnians.”

“What is she going to do with Peter if she finds him?” Edmund asked, fear in his eyes.

“I don't know,” Lavender admitted, “but I fear for him if she realizes why you all are here. We must hurry to meet the others. Your sisters should be on their way Trufflehunter's house now.”

“Are you absolutely sure this will bring them back?” Trufflehunter asked Trumpkin.

“I don't think we can be sure about anything,” said Trumpkin. “I just know the last time someone blew this horn, the Kings and Queens returned. I'm just hoping it has the same effect this time.”

“I don't mean to be negative, but what are we going to do if this doesn't work?” Reepicheep asked.

“I haven't figured that out yet,” said Trumpkin as somebody knocked on the door. He looked to the two animals as they scurried off to hide. Trumpkin walked over to the door and opened it.

“Trumpkin,” said Lucy as she threw her arms around the dwarf before he had time to react. Trufflehunter and Reepicheep came out of their hiding places laughing.

“It's good to see you too,” said Trumpkin, hugging the small girl back.

“Have you heard from Edmund or Peter?” Susan asked walking into the house and closing the door behind her.

The three looked at each other sadly.

“What is it?” Lucy asked.

“We haven't heard anything about King Edmund yet,” said Reepicheep, “but High King Peter was seen in the castle, with the Queen.”

“She's the one who you called us here for,” said Susan. “The dryad was telling us. Peter is with her? Does he know who she is?”

“We don't know,” said Trufflehunter. “There is no way to get word to him. All of the animals are being captured and Narnia is becoming dangerous once again.”

“But why is she doing this?” Lucy asked.

“That is a question, that we all want answered,” said Reepicheep.

“Is there someone in there?” a voice asked at the door. “I have news of King Edmund from Lavender.”

“Edmund?” Susan asked, opening the door. A dryad stood there looking behind him.

“I don't think I should stay long. The soldiers are getting more aggressive. King Edmund is on his way with Lavender. She will be leading him,” he said beginning to let the wind take him away.

“Thank you,” said Susan, closing the door.

“What are we going to do about Peter?” Lucy asked, worried.

“There are some dryads keeping an eye on the castle for us,” said Reepicheep. “As soon as they get any information, they will let us know. In the meantime we are going to have to make a plan to get your brother back and take down this Queen. She is more powerful then most realize. I wish I would have known of her evil intentions before I taught her all I know about handling a sword.”

“None of us could have predicted this,” said Trufflehunter, putting a hand on the mouses shoulder.

“Do you know exactly what this queen is up to?” Susan asked.

“Not really,” said Trumpkin. “She wants Narnia for herself and she will do whatever she can to get it. She has already done away with her parents. I fear we may have another Jadis on our hands.”

“What does this queen know about Narnian history?” Lucy asked.

“What do you mean?” Reepicheep replied, confused.

“Does she know about us?” Lucy asked. “Or what we have done in the past? Anything about Narnian history? You say she is another Jadis. What if she tries to bring Jadis back?”

“That is not possible,” said Trufflehunter. “King Edmund destroyed Jadis on your last trip to Narnia. She cannot be brought back now.”

“Are you sure about that?” Lucy asked.