Wanted ? Peter Pevensie [2]

Chapter XI - Explain Yourself

"Exactly! You didn't do anything!" Peter raises his voice, "Now Ash is in great danger! Think about someone other than yourself!"

Susan rolled her eyes, still unapproving of her brother's worry for the girl. "Oh please! Her powers are second only to Aslan. I'm sure she's fine. And I'm sure Ben is with her since he is not here."

"And that's what puts her in danger!" Peter yells back at Susan across the table.

He turns around, finding a mountain lioness guard, "Send all the guardsmen we can spare. She needs to be found as soon as possible."

Edmund speaks up, "Peter, I'm sure. Ash is fine. She doesn't-"

"She does! You don't understand!" Peter shouted again, grabbing his coat and the sheath that held Rhindon.

"Peter! What's wrong with Ash?!" I question desperately before my brother can run out the door. Hearing the worry in her brother's voice, I knew this was a greater problem, concealed by secrets.

Peter stopped his rushing, turning around to look at us, debating his next words. "A few months ago, I received word about the motives of the remaining witch supporters. They want their Queen back."

"The White Witch is dead." Edmund scoffed, not understanding.

"They don't mean that queen," Peter answers, keeping his voice low.

Susan's hand came to her mouth in shock and I left the wave of fear that made me feel like crying outright.

"When did you discover this information?" Edmund demands.

Peter rushes to fill us in as we follow him out the door and through the halls. "The night of the Victory ball from the King of Archenland. He offered his country's aid to end the witch's supporters once I marry his daughter."

"You proposed to Princess Claudia that night," I concluded, putting together the timeline of events.

"How could you not tell us!?" Susan shouted, guilty growing in her voice.

"Have you considered that the King of Archenland was lying? To get you to marry his daughter for power?" Edmund questioned, "No offense, Princess."

Claudia shook her head, not wanting to speak any words that got her involved in this family fight but following along.

"Of course, I did Ed!" Peter exasperated, hoping his brother didn't think he was that stupid. "But I didn't want to risk it. Not while Ashton's life was on the line. So I agreed, but it was proved true when later that night, Ashton was targeted and drugged. Ben interrogated those involved, but all they kept saying was that they were here for the Queen. Ben must have assumed that they wanted Lucy or Susan."

"Ben doesn't know either!?" I questioned with increasing worry.

Peter picks up the speed as he runs to the stables with us trailing behind. "I had it sorted!"

"Peter, are you out of your bloody mind?" Edmund yells, spooking his horse Phillip as he throws a saddle over his back.

"I didn't want to worry anyone," He attempts to justify himself, "Besides, if Ash knew she would have done something drastic and you know that's true!"

"You forget that you are not ruling this country alone." Susan spits, rolling her eyes, readying her horse as well.

Peter finishes as we all mount up, "I was just trying to protect her. We have to find her."

"She could be anywhere," Claudia states, not unhopeful but not exactly improving the situation either.

"The Western Wood. It's always been her favorite." Edmund advises, without a doubt.