Author's note: This will be a series of seven short ficlets, each of them inspired by a movement in Gustav Holst's symphony "The Planets". They were written as I listened to each piece and I recommend you do to. They're wonderful bits of music. I know that they're on YouTube. They're written in changing points of view, but follow one story. I'm trying to get into the heads of the various Pevensie children. I hope to write something a bit more action-packed soon. In the meantime, though, I hope you enjoy.
I'm uploading this without having it beta-read. If anybody would like to beta the rest of the chapters, please feel free to e-mail me or say so in a review. I'd greatly appreciate it!
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Mars, The Bringer of War
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Going to war does not get easier.
I know this because my brother and I have done it several times now. No matter how we train or learn or how old we are, a part of me will always be the scared child staring down from the cliffs at Beruna.
We are not at Beruna today. We are north of it, in a valley between old and worn mountains. They rise up on either side of us, silent and foreboding witnesses of our struggle. This is an ancient land.
Ettinsmoor.
We have come today to slay giants, and nothing will turn us back except total victory.
Or, though we try not to think it, total defeat.
Our scouts report that we outnumber the giants by nearly three-to-one, but when one factors in their size we are nearly evenly matched. The area we have chosen is marked by tall, rolling hills in a long valley between the mountains. As our army marches forward this morning we know that the next crest will bring us the sight of the giants.
Peter leads the middle charge. He's riding his unicorn mount from Beruna, both because they are used to fighting together and even more so to inspire our people. I am momentarily struck by awe of my older brother. He is so different than the boy who fought the witch's army a scant few years ago, and yet so very much the same. His armor gleams and his head is held high and I know that our army will follow him no matter the circumstances.
I will too.
I have control of the right flank, Phillip's solid form below me. I know how lucky I am to have such a sure and trusty companion in battle. We move forward at a steady march and I watch the peak grow ever closer. As we near it I am afforded our first view of our enemy.
They are across a deep field, their soldiers not nearly so structured as our army, but mighty in their own right. They vary in size, but even the smallest are easily twenty feet tall. Their leader is not the tallest, but he would still tower over most trees. Their armor is so large that it could stand in for housing for most of my regiment.
I steel myself and gaze about me at our troops, trying to gauge their reaction. Few of them have fought giants before, myself included. They are an awesome sight, but I cannot allow their size to intimidate my men.
We have come today for Narnia. It is my job to see that we do her justice.
I see Peter pause atop his hill and wait as the ranks form about him. He raises Rhindon high above his head, flashing in the noonday sun. The wind carries me his battle cry.
"FOR NARNIA!"
