Special thanks to @LadyAristana for suggesting a fantastic dwarf name. 

The wind was howling, the moon. invisible behind the thunderous clouds. Distant lightning flashed in the north, and silence reigned over Cair Paravel. But Cair Paravel is not where this story begins.

No, the action was happening many miles north of Cair Paravel, past Owlwood, across the Northern Marsh and up the River Shribble. There, on the northern plains, on the furthermost corner of the kingdom, a small settlement of friendly Narnians was located. A settlement composed of a dozen or so wooden huts, empty tree trunks turned into homes, a few farms, and the simplest of castles. There is where the next chapter of our story begins. 

"That sounds terribly close, m'lord," Ogerius said, glancing nervously at the window.

"Nevermind the thunder, Ogerius. The council's got greater concerns than lousy weather," Sir Derrick said, dismissing the centaur's anxiety. "Dimius?" he turned to his right.

"Our latest scouts place the Ettins here," Dimus the satyr said, pointing to an area less than two hours from their position on a large map of the North Sir Derrick had spread before them on the large oak table, "and here. They are getting closer, I do not like it,"

"Neither do I," Sir Derrick agreed, thinking of the mess he had gotten himself into when agreeing to travel north and take Lord Tyrne's place safeguarding the northern settlement. Not like he could have refused King Peter, but he certainly did not expect to find the place in such a dire situation. He had been given a garrison to take north with him to protect the border from the ever-increasing Ettin raids, the latest of which took Lord Tyrne's life. 

"I've said it before and I will say it again, we need to relocate all these people," Sir Derrick insisted. He had been trying, to no avail, to get the council to agree to relocate the settlement temporarily until the Ettins were dealt with, but Sullenose and the others were stubborn.

"These are our lands, we can't just pack up and leave," Sullenose, the head of the marshwiggles, huffed.

"Just temporarily," Sir Derrick explained. He had been trying to convince the council of this since his arrival but Sullenose keep blocking his efforts.

"And just where do you propose we go? The woods?" Sullenose asked mockingly.

"Not the woods, of course," Sir Derrick said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the marshwiggle. "There's the beach, the riverside... How about the great lake?" he suggested, but the look on Sullenose told him everything he needed to know: he and the Marshwiggles were not going anywhere.

"What do you propose we do then, Master Sullenose? Fight the giants?" Ogerius asked mockingly. Ogerius was the only once who thought Sir Derrick's suggestion ought to be listened to, everyone else refused to leave the settlement.

"Why, yes. There's a good idea, Ogerius. I like the way you're thinking. We need to fight these Ettins," said Sullenose enthusiastically, either not catching the sarcasm of Ogerius or choosing to ignore it.

"But how?" asked Dimus. He wanted the giants gone as much as the Marshwiggle, but fighting giants is no easy feat.

"Weapons, of course!" Sullenose replied excitedly. "I say we prepare an attack and brace ourselves. Sure, it will be a difficult task, very tiring. And, yes, some will die, but so is the inevitability or battle," Sullenose said as if it were no big deal, "If we do nothing we'll still die. We will all die one day. Eaten by a giant, stomped under his boot, in a fire, drowning, of some illness, choking on one's eel pie,"

The casualness with which Sullenose discussed grim matters made everyone uncomfortable. Especially Derrick who had lost his mother a few years back.

"Hold on there master Sullenose. We can't just start a war against the Ettins," Sir Derrick stopped him before he could continue down his one thousand ways to die list. "That's not how this works,"

"We can't go to war without the High King ordering it so," Ogerius added.

"Precisely. And we can't go to war without first exploring all our options," Sir Derrick continued. "We should evacuate the settlement and try to parley,"

"You want to talk with giants, gee, why didn't I think of that?" Sullenose said. "Oh, that's right, because they are all brutes! You've lost the plot, m'lord, you can't reason with giants, they'll have you for dinner! They'll either eat you alive or roast you with some nice carrots and a-"

"Oh, but we can go to war against them?" Sir Derrick had had enough of the Marshwiggle's attitude for one night and he was tired of not being taken seriously.

"As opposed to inviting them over for tea and giving up our lands? yes," Sullenose replied.

"Peace, my lords," Ogerius intervened before Sir Derrick could continue the argument. He knew the marshwiggle was a difficult character to deal with. "Our problems are big enough without arguing amongst ourselves. This is the reason we have gathered. We must come up with a solution to present to the High King,"

"War is the only solution," Sullenose insisted.

"Then it's a good thing you're not the High King. You'd have us going to war for every minor inconvenience!" Sir Derrick said. He was so done with the discussion.

The marshwiggle was about to reply with a snarky comment, but a loud crashing sound outside stopped his words from ever coming out.

The ground shook and everyone in that small room exchanged confused glances.

Bam! There it was again. Sir Derrick was certain he had heard that sound before, only he could not pinpoint its source. It was right on the tip of his tongue.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

He crossed the room in a few strides, opened the door and exited into the rain.

Screams flooded his ears. Cries for help and despair emerging from the village just outside the gate. And then a boulder flying above Sir Derrick's head and crashing into a tree. 

 Out in the village, a fire had erupted, although it wasn't of much worry with the ongoing storm. What was of worry was the sudden rain of boulders. It could only mean one thing.

"Ettins! It's the Ettins! It's the ahhh!" a dwarf sounding the alarm bell shouted from the top of the tower before being picked up by one of the Ettins and devoured. 

IMIRA 

"Might I just say, I do not approve of this," Edmund whispers to me as we go out to wait for and welcome our latest guest. 

"And you think I do?" I whisper back. Thinking about Susan marrying a Calormen does not sit well with me. Anyone who condones slavery I simply cannot approve of.

"Can't she fancy someone else?" Edmund grumbles. Of all the men who have pursued Susan over the years, he has never thought one worthy enough of his sister. 

There is, however, one man I am certain Edmund would have no objection to. One man both he and Susan get along great with. One man I am positive she'd say yes to if only he asked. 

It was a pleasant summer afternoon and I was in the balcony overseeing the twins first training session when Susan approached. 

"Imira?" She called out my name, but I did not need to turn to recognize her voice. 

"Susan?" I replied, not taking my eyes away from the boys.

"Can we talk?" She asked as the twins' instructor, a red dwarf, teaches them a simple move.  

"Of course,"  

"I just... I have to tell someone or else I shall do mad," 

"Do go on," I turned to face her. 

"But you must not tell anyone," she insists. 

"Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly. What else would she have to hide if not something wrong?

"No, no, it's just... I have to talk to someone about this and I don't think I can trust anyone but you and Lucy. Only Lucy would tease me mercilessly about it so I cannot tell her,"

"Is this about men?" I asked. What else would Lucy tease her about if not someone she fancied? 

"Yes," she admits, turning a little red on the cheeks. 

I gasp. "You like someone," I whisper excitedly. Oh, this is so juicy!

"But you cannot tell anyone," she said seriously. 

"Never," I swore. "Now who is it?" I asked, trying not to think about the options in order to be surprised. 

"Lord Peridan," she said with a sigh and a dreamy look. 

I gasped yet again. Lord Peridan. "Well, he is very handsome," I agreed with her. "And have you seen his bare arms?" 

She nods. "He must exercise all the time," 

"Makes you want to touch them,"

"Imira," she laughed, scandalized by the comment. I laughed along with her. 

"I am married, not blind. Tell me you don't want to touch them," I dared her. She shook her head, but her smile said yes.  

"Ah, just talking to him makes me feel all giddy and nervous," she admitted. "But I would never dream of doing anything about it, he is just a friend," she clarified. "A rather good friend," 

"He could always be more than a friend. I am sure he thinks you are pretty," Everyone thinks Susan is pretty. 

She shook her head. "He is with Lady Roselynn. She's fantastic. I would never do anything about it while he's with her. And even if he weren't, if I did something and he refused me... that would be so very embarrassing, it would completely butcher the friendship. I just... I can't help my thoughts when I see him. The other day he had finished training and he spoke to me. Without a shirt. I had to use all my willpower not to stare,"

"Ooh," Yes, not staring is difficult. 

"Every time I talk to him I just keep reminding myself, he's just a friend, he's just a friend, but, he is so very handsome. And so nice," she continues. 

"He is very nice," I agree. "Not problematic at all,"

"Unlike your cousin Dean," she adds. I can't help but laugh a little at that. 

"You two were really passionate about your discussions," 

"He is just so unreasonable," she says with a familiar irritation that comes to her whenever someone mentions my cousin. "Why couldn't he see that killing her was not an option?"

I shake my head at her question. I understand where he was coming from. "I am sure he was just looking after his brother's best interest. Out of both of them, he is actually the most mature one. Always stopping Darren from doing silly things. Well, dangerous, silly things. They share a sense of humour. I thought you two were getting along before,"

"We were," she grants. "But he is just so vexing. I cannot stand him,"

I tried not to laugh but failed. On some deep level she won't admit to herself, I think she likes him. 

"You should try and make friends with him, he will be here for a while," I said, for at the time my brother was still to send someone as his replacement. "So you butted heads on one matter, it happens. No one will agree with you on everything. No one who is being honest at least. And in our position, honesty is a rare commodity. I'd say it is rather refreshing finding someone who will speak the truth without worrying for their own neck," 

She nods. "Still, if it came to that, I think I'd prefer Lord Peridan," 

"He is kinder, about it," I granted.  

She sighed. "He is perfect," 

Perfectly unavailable. 

Until now. He broke up with Lady Rosselyn a few years ago and has remained single ever since. Susan, however, has been heavily courted by foreign princes and kings. If only Lord Peridan fancied her and took action, they would make a most handsome couple. I am certain Edmund would not object to that pairing.  

"You know that's not how it works," I reply to Edmund. "Although I do share the sentiment,"

Calormen are not my favourite people. Maybe it's the way they talk, maybe it's their policy and slave trade, maybe it's that hundred-year-old rivalry between them and my people, who is to say. 

"Then let us hope she does not like him very much," Edmund replies.

"Lets," I agree. 

"You do know one day she is going to say yes to someone, right?" As much as I fear her saying yes to a Calormen, it is a possibility. We might as well to get used to the idea. 

"I rue the day that ever comes to happen," Edmund replies, half-joking. 

A trumpet announces the approaching party and I tell the boys to come and we all hurry to stand in our places. From left to right Edmund, Susan, Peter, William (we added another name and it just made everything so much easier, whenever he inherits the Kingdom he can call himself Peter the second and everybody wins), me, Edward and Lucy. 

A man I presume to be Prince Rabadash rides in on a beautiful black stallion, its saddle covered in jewels more expensive than anything we are wearing. He, (the prince, not the horse) wears a turban and a pointy beard that reminds me of a goat's. I'll have to tell Edmund about it later and share a laugh. His clothes are also embellished with jewels that, although pretty and expensive, are a little too ostentatious for my taste. Does he normally dress like this or is he just showing off? 

He dismounts and approaches. 

"Prince Rabadash, heir of the Tirsoc," his announcer introduces him. 

"Your Majesties," he bows handsomely with a smile and I can't help but get a bad feeling about him. 

"Did you like him?" Lucy asks me as we walk aimlessly through the castle and stop by the new orchard the moles are planting. Susan had the wonderful idea to have apple trees planted. 

"I barely exchanged words with him," I point out. The truth is, I did not. But I do not want to be too judgmental. 

"You have formed an opinion on someone from far less," she points out. 

I can't help but smile. She is not wrong there. 

"I suppose he is alright," I lie. I want to be supportive of Susan and Lucy is always so nice, I'd hate to be the one who says she dislikes this suitor first. "He's not fantastic, but he could be worse. What about you? Did you like him?" 

"I-" She starts to say but before I can find out what she thinks of Prince Rabadash, Eurybe interrupts us. 

"Your Majesties," she bows. "King Peter requires your presence in the small council," 

"We'll be there in a minute," I smile dismissively at her, but she insists.  

"I'm afraid it is rather urgent," 

Lucy and I exchange a puzzled look and follow her inside. Whatever could he need us for? 

"You were saying," I press for Lucy's opinion after a while of silence. 

"I am withholding judgement until I get to know him a little better," she says, placing her hands behind her back. 

"A very diplomatic answer," I tease her and we laugh a little. 

"What do you think Peter called us for?" she asks me once we're outside the council chamber. 

"I am as clueless as you are," I reply, "Let us hope it is something good," 

Guards open the doors for us and we are confronted with a buzzing room. Dwarves carrying documents, servants carrying ink and paper in, the master of arms and the master of coin having a heated discussion, and Oreius and Peter pointing at a map. 

"What is going on?" Lucy asks him. 

"Perfect, you're here," he drops what he's doing and turns to face us rather seriously, hesitating before he speaks. "Our northmost settlement was raided last night by a group of Ettins. Many died," 

Oh, that is definitely not good. 

"You just sent Roselynn's brother up there," I point out worriedly. "Did he..." I cannot finish the question. What if he did die? How could I ever tell his sisters? 

"Someone's been sent to check on the survivors. But I am convinced we would have heard if something had happened to him particularly," Peter reassures me. 

I hope so. 

"Your Majesties, these attacks are becoming more frequent," Rumblekin the dwarf says rather grumpily. "The Ettins do not fear us, they do not fear you," he tells Peter directly. "What is to stop them from venturing further south next time? Who is to say they won't venture to the marshlands? Or cross the river shribble and reach Owlwood? We have to respond,"

"By my council, we should reach out to the Ettins and inform them their visits are not welcome. Remind them they ought to stay on their side," Susan says to Peter.

Following a banquet held in honour of Prince Rabadash's visit, during which, I must say, I did not pay much attention for I was worried about the Ettin attack, we all gathered in our sitting room to put Susan and Edmund up to speed on the situation and figure out what to do next. 

"Yes, because they are a reasonable species," Edmund replies. 

"Perhaps if we got our giants to speak to them they could... persuade them it is in their best interest to stay out of Narnia," Lucy proposes.

"We've tried that before and it brought us, what? a year? Ettins only respond to one thing: violence," Edmund says. "Peter, I think you know what has to be done,"

Peter stares at him, chin resting on his knuckles, and nods ever so slightly. "What do you think?" he turns to me. 

I hate disagreeing with Lucy and Susan, but... "I believe Edmund is right. Ettins are not exactly known for their reasonable mind,"

No, they are known for being savage brutes who commute with witches. 

"Very well, then it is decided," Peter stands up, his expression, unreadable. 

We all stare at him expectantly. This is no light decision and I can see already how heavily it will weigh on his shoulders. 

"We are going to war,"