If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself.

Henry and Thea got me up to speed on everything I had missed and... well, let's just say things are far from dandy. Dean kidnapped Darren. Roy broke into Danielle's room. Dean impersonated Darren. Roy fell in love with Danielle. (There's something definitely off about that) Then Dean fell in love with Danielle as well (what's with everybody falling in love with her, she's so annoying) and so Henry thought the best thing to do was to kidnap them both.

Boys, boys, boys... kidnapping should never be the first option! Honestly, if it weren't for women, the world would be ablaze.

"Take me to them," I order Henry and off the three of us go. 

"Madness. This is absolute madness, Dean," I say pleadingly, trying to remain as calmed and composed as I possibly can upon confirming all Henry and Thea have told me in the castle.

I went to see her brother first. She was most concerned about him and I felt like I owed it to her (seeing how she spent all week long dealing with Danielle and whatnot). I couldn't believe it when I talked with him, on some level I still can't, but he sure does seem enthralled with her. As does Dean. I don't think my day can get any weirder. Both of them in love with Danielle? Something most unnatural must have happened.

Side note: I'll have to thank Roselynn personally for accommodating both Thea AND Danielle all week long. Especially with her sick mother. I must pay her a personal visit to thank her myself. She must know how very grateful I am.

Alright now, back to the three blithering idiots... I guess I can somehow fathom and wrap my head around the idea of both my cousins falling for Danielle, but Roy? That's just bonkers!

"I'll tell you what's madness, cousin. Keeping me in here when my beloved," uh, don't use that word, Dean, my ears are going to bleed, "is out there. I must confess my love," Dean says, staring longingly at Cair Paravel, pining by the window over a woman he hasn't even met.

"You don't even know her!" I exclaim, losing my composure a bit. Just breathe, Imira, breathe.

They must have hit their heads or something.

"I do not need to to know it's love," Dean says with this odd glassy look in his eye.

I am going to gag. I think I might vomit.

There is definitely something off about all of this.

"What about Darren? What about Datram?" I ask, appealing to his sense of duty. Surely that ought to strike some sense into him. He is as devoted to the cause as James and I are.

"Who needs them when I have love," Dean replies with a stupid smile that mirrors the one Darren usually has when talking about Danielle and that now Roy shares as well.

Why can't he see reason?

"You are mad!" I exclaim in exasperation and go for the door.

"Mad with love," Dean replies as I reach the door.

I turn to give him one last look. Still smiling like an idiot. "And you wonder why Stryder locked you up," I say and close the door behind me.

Thea and Henry stand up from the armchairs they were waiting in as soon as I exit the room and stop their conversation.

"So?" Henry asks expectantly.

"They have lost the plot. They both have. No offence," I turn to Thea.

"None taken, they really have," she replies. "But I must say, there is something most... unnatural about this behaviour, don't you agree?"

"Yes. They are both acting like a completely different sort of idiot. Nothing like their typical selves,"

"What shall we do about them?" Henry asks me. "We can't keep them locked in here forever,"

I love how he's saying we as to avoid receiving all the blame for any mishaps that may occur from him keeping them locked up.

He's right, however. He is absolutely right. And now that I've seen them, he was right in locking them up. I thought it mad when he said it, but I'm starting to believe it was the right call.

"We certainly can't," I agree. "And we shan't. But for now, we must," I declare. "At least for tonight,"

They don't look very convinced, but Henry does seem a great deal relieved. "I'll have something figured out by the morning," I reassure them. "But for now, I am afraid I must leave you,"

"But-" Thea intervenes.

She wants me to fix her brother, I know. And I want to fix her brother AND my cousins, but I haven't a single clue as to how to proceed.

"Tomorrow, Thea. I promise. We will figure out what happened to them and fix it,"

"You really shouldn't make promises you can't keep," Edmund looks at me more serious than usual as the after-dinner tea is served. Nothing strong, just a light, calming blend of chamomile and lemon and honey and all things nice. I have decided to share with them everything that's happened. I have to be honest with myself, I need some help. As much as I would like to, I can't do it all. Susan doesn't look like she approves much, Peter's expression tells me nothing (but he already knew most of it anyway), and Lucy seems a little troubled.

"I know, but what was I supposed to say? Sorry your brother got mixed up in this but he's not my top priority?"

"I just meant you shouldn't get her hopes up for nothing if you don't have a plan," Edmund says.

"I know. And I don't want to either. That is why I am speaking with you all, to get some advice. I am waking up early tomorrow and heading there right after breakfast," I inform him.

Ed nods.

"Very well, then I'll go with you," he volunteers and we all turn to stare at him confused. "Lady Thea is my friend," he shrugs.

"That means he fancies her," Lucy whispers to Susan and they both giggle a bit. I catch Peter smiling and I smile myself at the comment too. I have no clue as to what's going on between Ed and Thea. Last I heard they were just friends.

"She is just a friend," Edmund rolls his eyes at them.

"But you used to, didn't you? Fancy her," Susan asks.

"That has nothing to do with this," Edmund says, clearly annoyed. "I am also friends with Prince Darren,"

"That means yes," Lucy whispers to Susan and they start to giggle again.

"I may have a theory or two about what could have happened to Prince Dean and Lord Roy," Edmund states.

"Then we shall go together," The more, the merrier. I could use his point of view on things. He's good at spotting clues and assessing situations.

I could also use Peter's point of view.

"You are being uncharacteristically quiet," I turn to Peter. "Is there anything you'd like to add?"

"I'd rather not get involved," he says carefully.

"Well, I'd rather hear your opinion," I insist.

"It's more of a concern,"

"I still want to hear it,"

"I am worried about how your volatile brother might react when he hears your top advisor kidnapped the Princes of Datram while you were away and held them captive in his residence,"

Oh.

"Well, when you put it like that..." It doesn't sound very good, does it?

"What other way is there to put it? Look, I don't want this to become an incident and-"

"It won't. If my brother has any problem with this, I will handle him. I promise," I reassure him.

"Again with the promises," Edmund says before sipping his tea.

"I can take care of my brother," I look at both Kings. "He can never stay mad at me for long,"

"No, but he can stay mad at us for allowing it to happen under our watch," Edmund points out.

"Precisely," Peter adds.

"Look, I will handle James. He will not be a problem, so stop making him into one. I already have enough problems in my hands as it is,"

I was in dire need for sleep, so, of course, my mind decided to panic and I spent most of the night either tossing and turning and being told by Peter to stop moving and to let him sleep or staring at the ceiling in complete silence and stillness. And when I finally managed to fall asleep the birds started singing and I knew I had less than to hours before someone would come to wake me up. And the worst part was that I couldn't even come up with a plan or a solution or even a theory as to what made them act like that. I went over and over what Henry said, but it made no sense. Then I started to worry about how James would react and then about how the Acanthæans would react, and then for some reason, I began to worry about Roselynn's mother and made plans for going to visit her. But then I told myself I first had to fix the current problem and then I thought about what Susan said over dinner about how naming our first son Peter was very confusing (which I totally agree) and I started to come up with a way we can change his name, or at least give him another name so we can call him by that. And I had this feeling like a dark cloud was looming over me and a storm was about to unleash. In conclusion, my mind was all over the place but my body wanted to sleep. Neither had their way.

"I apologize if I wasn't very supportive last night," Peter stops me before we go out into the courtyard.

"No, it's alright. One of us has to keep a cool head and look out for the greater good," he keeps me balanced out. Another reason I love him. "But don't worry. I'll make certain that whatever happens does not affect Narnia. Hey, if anyone needs to apologize, it should be me for keeping you awake all night,"

"What was that about?!" He asks in a relaxed yet enthusiastic manner. "All morning you kept talking about the need to sleep and when you finally got the chance you didn't,"

"I suppose I was worried. My mind was just all over the place. I had this feeling like something bad was happening. Or about to happen,"

"It will all work out. It always does," Peter says as my horse is finally brought and he walks with me towards it.

I nod, trying to convince myself.

It will all work out.

"I'll see you for lunch?" Peter asks once we reach the white stallion.

"Don't make a promise you cannot keep," I hear Edmund say from behind me, already on the saddle. He is a bit nosy, isn't he?

"Dinner for sure, lunch I can't promise, but I shall try,"

"Dinner it is," he smiles at me.

"Come on, we're wasting daylight," Edmund pressures.

I roll my eyes at him.

"When did he get so bossy?"

Peter chuckles. "Happens every time I'm away,"

A quick kiss and it's up on the horse and out on the road. 

I thought things couldn't get any worse, but oh was I wrong.

Lady Phoebe looked like she was about to faint, Becc looked like he was going to be sick and Henry looked like he was readying himself for the scolding of his life.

The only one who wasn't panicking was Thea. She looked just as worried as yesterday, which wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.

I didn't look very good myself. I had bags under my eyes and was trying my hardest not to yawn, still, I could sense something was terribly wrong.

They bowed and curtsied when Edmund and I approached but I skipped through the pleasantries to get straight to whatever was bothering the Stryders.

"What happened?" I asked very calmly.

"I am awfully sorry, Your Majesty," Phoebe starts. Why, she's so nice and pleasant. whatever could she have done wrong? "I should have kept a better eye on him. Becc didn't mean to-"

"Becc?" I turn to look at the little boy with a puzzled look. What has her son done?

"He said he wouldn't run away, he-he just wanted some fresh air," he boy says, eyes red and about to cry.

"Who's he?" I ask carefully. Please don't say Darren, please don't say Darren.

"Your cousin," Henry says. "Prince Darren," Curse my luck! "He's gone. Left last night,"

"I didn't mean for it to happen, Your Majesty. I'm sorry," Becc says, now crying.

I don't know if it's the lack of sleep, but I barely react.

"Hey, don't cry," I say crouching down to his level, "Don't cry. It's alright. I'll find him," I offer him a reassuring smile and then stand back up. "He's probably gone back to Cair Paravel to look for Danielle. I'll take care of him," I tell Henry. "You all just stay here and make sure Dean and Lord Roy don't run off. Ed, can you-"

"I'll figure this out. You go find your cousin,"

"Thank you. I owe you one," I give him a grateful smile.

"Eurybe, you're with me," I say and she gets on her horse, I get back on mine, and we rush to Cair Paravel.

We check Darren's quarters but there is no one there. Not even the servants can be found.

"He must have gone to see Danielle," I say and we head to her place.

"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Imira to see the Lady Danielle," a servant of her family announces.

Her father is gone but her mother and cousin are here to receive me. Danielle, notoriously absent.

Curtsies, pleasantries, polite chatter and an invitation for tea, which I politely refuse.

"Where is Lady Danielle?" I finally ask her mother, Eurybe looming behind me like a threatening shadow. She is so good at her job.

"She left this morning, Your Majesty," Her mother says innocently while her cousin stares at the floor, mute as a rock.

"Pardon," I am completely taken aback by her answer.

"I thought Your Majesty knew," The woman replies with what I can only describe as a sly smile. "My daughter and Prince Darren left on first light for Galma. They are getting married,"

"Aaaaagh!" I scream in rage and frustration, breaking a flower vase and a lantern with a wave of my sword, pacing my rooms anxiously as I wait for the ship to be readied.

I am definitely my brother's sister.

"It will only take an hour," the captain said.

I knew the request was unreasonable, but I am a Queen and I am a woman and I do not have time for reasonable. I do not have time to wait for the crew to be gathered, the ship to be stocked and for Eurybe to send a raven to Henry's to update him on the situation. I do not have the patience to write to my brother and give him an update, and I most definitely do not have enough self-control right now to be composed.

The maids were tidying up, attending the fire, watering the flowers and doing whatever it is maids do, a dwarf was standing beside Peter, who was in here entertaining the twins and reading some documents when I walked in. He was happy to see me and thought Edmund and I had fixed everything, but when I asked everybody very calmly to go out, he knew there was something wrong.

"How about you hand me the sword?" Peter walks back in after taking the kids back to their room.

"How about I cut someone's head with it?" That stupid annoying Danielle... she must have planned this somehow.

"Give me the sword," Peter repeats, stretching out his hand.

I comply and offer him the pommel. He puts it down on a chair.

"Eurybe told me what happened," he says as I continue to anxiously pace the room. "You're chasing after them,"

I have way too many words in my mouth and too much fury to sort them out into coherent sentences. I tighten my hands into fists very fiercely and then open them and shake them.

"It's the only thing I can do," I say.

I take a deep breath trying to calm myself and sigh heavily, crouching down on my knees and placing my palms together (as one does when one prays) and resting my index fingers across my lips and my thumbs on my chin.

I can fix this, I can fix this, I can fix this.

"I'll go with you," Peter says and I turn to stare at him and then stand back up.

"You don't have to do that," I say very seriously. "This is my mess to sort out. You need not get involved. I am sure you have better things to occupy your time with than chasing after my cousin. We only just got back from a voyage, I don't want my problems to interfere with your business,"

"Hey, we're a team, remember? And besides, one of us has to keep a cool head when we find them,"

He's right. I can't embarrass myself when we catch up with them.

"Thank you,"

"No problem," he says and gives me a much-needed hug. "Let's say our goodbyes, shall we?"