It was a bloody and vicious battle. The once clean stone streets were stained and littered with blood and the bodies of the fallen. Steel plates of armor, mail, and weapons were scattered throughout the battlefield. And the once peaceful city within Narnia was nothing more than a battlefield written within a history book. Those that still fought were not felt unscathed, if not physically, then mentally. The battle was for a futile reason, noting was to be gained beyond bloodshed and death, yet still it was fought.

Telmarine supporters, that did not take the journey from Narnia, had brought about open war between themselves and the King himself. They had bided their time from the moment Aslan left Narnia, waiting for the right moment to strike with great furry. And they did. They had stormed the palace without warming and slaughtered all they could find, killing hundreds of Narnian's and Telmarine's alike. With the limited warning from the slaughter, the King and many others managed to escape, but not without killing the few renegade Telmarine's they encountered. But once outside the palace walls, the situation of the people was no different. Telmarine's destroyed homes and set fire to others. Women and children ran in fear as their husbands and sons fought back. No matter how hard the people fought, they withdrew from their burning city, into the safety of the forest.

They found safety as the Narnian's had found safety, at the front of Aslan's How. Although it still remained buried under ruble, it held the comfort the people needed in this unspeakable horror that had besieged them. The injured were tended to by those who were less injured and the casualties were estimated. Those that held positions within the Kings court quickly assembled to form a plan of action. The people were outnumbered and without arms. Whatever action they took risked the severe outcome of their loss even greater than the one they had just suffered.

In the end, it was decided that the women and children, and all thought that could not fight, were to remain within the safety of the How, and all those that would give up their arms for the King would return to the city and retake it. And that night, the small army of men and Narnian's marched back to the castle walls, and slipped back into the city. Moment's later, open war broke out.

The Kings and Queen stood amidst those in battle within the castle courtyard. The youngest queen had been left to aid those back at the How. They fought the many Telmarine's with all their strength, but they were weakening. The strain of the day's events were finally affecting them all.

Queen Susan released the string of her bow, unleashing her deadly strain of arrows upon the Telmarine's. She had lost count of the arrows she had shot and began counting the arrows that still remained in her quiver. Once her arrows were gone, Susan would have to resort to a stolen sword their army had managed to acquire.

Four.

Susan watched the upper courtyard. Several Telmarine's looked upon the lower courtyard, taking aim of those below. Susan retrieved another arrow and set her bow. She pulled back her string and took aim. Susan released and her string snapped from the release. The arrow soared through the air and struck the Telmarine in the chest. He stumbled backwards and collapsed out of Susan's sight. Susan exhaled but looked to her bow. She had no time nor string to fix her bow.

A Telmarine patrolling the upper courtyard took aim of Susan. Susan rolled to the ground as the Telmarine released its arrows. Susan picked up a Narnian bow and quickly strung up her third arrow. With only seconds before the Telmarine could fire again. Susan released her arrow and struck the Telmarine.

Two.

Susan looked around quickly. She found her brothers fighting near each other. Edmund was holding his own against his opponent, however Peter was having difficulty. His left shoulder still bore the weight of his duel with Miraz years ago and now suffered a stab wound from the morning ambush. To add to the disadvantage, Peter was fighting two Telmarine's at once. He swung his sword at one, while the second Telmarine tried to take a kill strike, only to manage to slight slice to Peter's side, causing Peter to cry out in pain.

Susan wasted no time in stringing up her arrow. She took aim as one tried to finish Peter. Susan released the arrow, instantly killing the attacking Telmarine. The second Telmarine was so distracted with his partner's demise; he failed to notice Peter as he rammed his sword into the Telmarine's chest. Both Telmarine's fell to the ground, their blood adding to the fallen. Peter looked to Susan and gave a thankful nod before returning to battle.

One.

Susan continued her quick survey of the courtyard. They finally seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Her eyes wandered around the courtyard. She found Narnian's and Telmarine's, but no Caspian. Panic began to rise in her chest and she stared to look more frantically. Then she saw him. On the steps of the courtyard, lying on his back, a Telmarine rebel above him. The sword held above his head ready to strike down Caspian.

Susan pulled out her arrow and strung with great speed. Her aim was quick, but true. The arrow spun through the air and struck the Telmarine square in the chest. The Telmarine jerked backwards, stumbling to the ground. Caspian's head tilted back to see Susan. He smiled with appreciation before rising.

Zero.

A Telmarine charged Susan. He swung wildly at her head. Susan dove to the ground, releasing the bow. She rolled onto her knees, pulling her sword from her sheath. Susan turned and brought the sword above her head. The Telmarine's sword came on Susan's sword. Susan cringed as the blade cut into her hand. Blood rolled down her palm and down her arm.

With a cry, Susan threw up her sword, knocking the Telmarine's sword off her. Susan stood and took the sword into her hands. The Telmarine steadied himself and charged Susan again. Susan brought her sword up, protecting herself. She moved with then Telmarine, blocking every chance she could. But Susan was not a swordsman, she was an archer and the battle was affecting her fighting. She couldn't keep this up for long.

The Telmarine pushed Susan toward the steps of the courtyard. Susan watched her footing as the steps were covered in blood. She occasionally caught a glance from Peter or Caspian, watching her carefully, but neither could come to her aid. Susan slipped on the steps and stumbled. The Telmarine took the moment to attack. Susan rolled from his sword and swung her sword. She felt the impact against her opponents arm, slicing through his skin. The Telmarine cried out in pain, dropping his sword. He looked angrily at Susan and pulled out a dagger. Susan crawled back up the stairs as the Telmarine lunged at her.

Susan thrust her sword up as the Telmarine came atop her. His dagger dug into her arm as her sword pierced his chest. With her teeth grit tightly, Susan kicked the Telmarine over her with her legs. His body slammed to the ground several feet behind her. Susan exhaled painfully. She looked to her arm where the dagger was protruding out. Susan pulled the dagger from her arm and covered the wound with her hand. She sat up on the steps, slowly rising to her feet.

Suddenly the air was sucked from her lungs with a sharp pain piercing her stomach. The sudden impact and force caused Susan to stagger backwards. She tried to breathe but the pain was too great for her to receive a decent amount.

"SUSAN!"

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