A/N: For those of you who also follow Crystal Manning (formerly Crystalized Chaos), yes, she has a similar story. We discussed the similarities and differences in our stories before I posted mine, and they take very different directions. Please do not accuse me of copying, because that is not the case here! We just want to share our alternate takes on a story we both love. On that note, thanks so much to Crystal for taking the time to work with me on this! Keep rockin' and writing! ^-^

A King's Responsibility

It was with sinking despair that Peter called the retreat. The Narnian forces fled before the gathering onslaught, their numbers already so much fewer. He didn't want to admit making such a fatal mistake. Not in front of an inexperienced crown prince and so many Narnians who believed in the monarchs of old. Believed in him, supposed High King Peter.

From a side doorway, Caspian and his professor burst out on horseback, leading a third by the reigns. "Come on!" he shouted over the chaos.

Peter surveyed the courtyard for remaining Narnians. Many were having to fight to reach the gateway. A minotaur strained to keep the portcullis open, but he couldn't manage it much longer. Miraz's forces concentrated their fire on him.

"King Peter!"

"Peter!"

Susan now joined Caspian, riding on Glenstorm's back. It was time to go. Peter stepped toward them—and felt his left knee give way to searing pain. A wounded Telmarine had struck him from the ground. He kicked the man's sword away, but he couldn't let the others continue to wait for him.

"Go! I'll catch up!"

Even Caspian was reluctant to follow the order. Peter watched them duck under the portcullis as he hobbled toward the extra horse. He'd barely taken three steps, however, when the minotaur's strength finally gave out. The rest of them were trapped, and surrounded by archers.

A satyr knocked Peter to the ground, shielding him, just as deadly arrows rained down. Screams of pain and panic were all around. Then everything became quiet.

"Check for survivors!" barked a voice. Through his own haze of pain, Peter could only assume the order came from Miraz.

Indistinguishable sounds crept closer and closer to where he was hidden. Should he still try to fight? In all his years as High King, he had never encountered a position such as this. He had no idea what to do.

"Ahh!"

The decision was made for him; a large boot found Peter's knee, none too gently. Rough hands followed his cry to its source, and extracted him from the surrounding bodies. "Sire, we have a prisoner! One of the other humans!"

Peter was hauled to his feet as the Telmarine lord shoved his way to the center of the courtyard. Blood drawn by Caspian's sword was smeared on his ruddy neck.

Unexpectedly, the older man's expression was one of confusion. "You do not have the look of a Telmarine. Who are you? What business do you have here?"

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you, but my business is the freedom of Narnia, for all its creatures," Peter replied. He inhaled sharply when his captor shook him. "Fine. I am the High King of the old times. My sisters, brother, and I were called back here from another world by your nephew, I believe." As he spoke, his shoulders regained some of their old regal bearing.

"Is that so?" purred Miraz. Peter lost sight as the Telmarine stalked around him, sizing him up. Of course—at his present age he couldn't possibly look like a king (a fact he was quite tired of). Then suddenly, a heavy blow crashed down on Peter's head, and everything went black.

"What happened?" Lucy asked as she came rushing out to meet the returning forces.

Caspian hung his head. "We were outmatched once the alarm was sounded. They…managed to trap a fair number of our troops as we retreated." Unable to muster further explanation, he looked helplessly at Susan, whose face was drawn.

"Peter was…separated from us in the chaos," she continued, swallowing hard. "We're not sure where he is."

Tears brimmed quickly in Lucy's eyes. "He…he's not…he can't…"

"Susan!" came Edmund's voice from above. The gryphon he rode alighted wearily on the grass beside them. "We'd best get everyone inside." His eyes betrayed more, much more, that he obviously did not want to say in front of Lucy. The situation was grim. "Lu, start tending to the worst injuries. Everyone else, get some food and rest; there's no telling what Miraz is going to do next, or when."

The youngest Pevensie was very reluctant to leave them, but eventually gave up trying to convince them to include her in the discussion of Peter. When they had gone separate ways in the Howe, Edmund spoke again, softly. "He's been captured! Miraz ordered him to be taken away as we flew over the castle."

Caspian's heart clenched. His uncle did not treat prisoners kindly, and losing the High King was a tremendous blow to the Narnian forces. And as much as he hated to admit, it was partially his doing…

"What do we do now?" Susan choked.

"First, we need to regroup," Casipan finally replied. He couldn't bear the anguish in her usually soft features. "There's nothing we can do in this state. After that, and only after that, call a meeting with the officers to weigh our options. Right now Miraz has leverage on us. We'll have to move carefully, for Peter's sake. Come on." He touched Susan's shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring way, and entered the makeshift dining hall.

"Are you alright?" Susan asked Edmund. Her younger brother nodded even as he rubbed his tired eyes. "Did you see anything else? Was Peter badly hurt? Was he struggling?"

"Couldn't tell," mumbled Edmund. He surprised Susan by suddenly hugging her. "He never gave up on any of us. We'll get him back, don't worry."

Susan smiled and hugged Edmund back. "I hope so. I hope so."