Prologue

My eyes slowly fluttered open to meet the dull sunlight that filtered in through the entrance of my tent. I sat up slowly, and rubbed my eyes gently to rid of the sleep. I looked around the tent, and smiled gently at my surroundings. I've been in Narnia for six days now, and I grinned at the thought.

I felt someone stirring beside me, and looked to see Alana still in a deep sleep, curled around me. I carefully detached myself from her, and slipped out of bed. I slipped my shoes on, while crossing the tent to the entrance.

I noticed that Susan and Lucy's beds had already been abandoned. What is it with people from the forties, and always having to get before the sun rises?

I stepped out into the dull light, the sun hadn't quite risen yet, and then I noticed everyone was dressed in armor. I looked towards Aslan's tent, and spotted Peter, Edmund, and Orieus all dressed in armor aswell. Edmund's arms, and shoulders were covered in sliver chain mail. He had a sliver helmet. There was layered metal covering his shoulders over top of the chain mail. He was waering a deep red tunic with a gold lion embroidered on the front. He was also waering two brown gaunlets on his hands that went to his mid arms. I noticed he was wearing a leather type material under the chain mail, and layered metal. He had on leather pants, and gold cuffs at the top of his brown leather boots, and around his waist was a leather strap holding his finally I noted that he was wearing a strap of leather around his shoulders that tied up at the centre of his chest.

The only differences between Peter, and Edmund's armor was that Peter wore metal boots, and metal gaunlets. Orieus was wearing a sliver helmet, and sliver metal over his arms, and chest.

My heart started to pick up as I made my way to them, They all had their backs to me, looking at the surronding moutians, so they didn't notice my quiet arrival.

Orieus sighed, "Are you sure, Sire?"

Peter nodded, "Yes. Now please go tell everyone else the orders. I assume the White Witch and her army will be arriving soon."

Orieus nodded, and then bowed his head quickly, "Yes, your Majesty."

Orieus turned, and then halted when he seen me. He looked at me for a moment, and then galloped past me without a word.

I let out a quiet breath that I didn't realize I was holding. "What's going on?" I whispered. Peter and Edmund both spun around surprised to see me standing there. Peter closed his eyes briefly, and sighed, "How long have you been standing there, Melissa?"

I looked at him seriously, "Long enough to know that were going to war." I took in a shaky breath, my heart thundering against my ribs. "And I'm joining you."

Edmund glared at me, "You are not joining us."

Peter nodded, "Ed is right Melissa. It's too dangerous."

I snorted, "Why, because I'm girl?"

Edmund sighed, "No not because your girl, because you haven't been trained."

"So train me now," I insisted.

"No," Edmund said trying to signal it was the end of the discussion.

I ignored him, "I'm not going to hide when you guys are out there risking your lives." A thought then occurred to me. "Where are Susan and Lucy?"

"Yes you are," Edmund ordered. "As for Susan and Lucy they're safe."

I sighed, happy that Susan and Lucy were okay. "Look," I said firmly. "Either someone trains me now or I'm joining you guys just like this. I am fighting with you two whether you like it or not."

Peter groaned, "Were not going to be able to change your mind, are we?"

I smiled slightly sensing victory, "Nope. So when do I start training?"

Peter cussed quietly, "Orieus!" A few moments later Orieus was standing at Peter's left side, "Yes, Sire?"

"You are to train Melissa on how to use a bow and arrows," Peter instructed.

"But your Majesty we haven't got much time," Orieus objected.

Peter gave him a harsh look, and Orieus obeyed. "Yes, Sire. This way Lady Melissa." I turned to follow Orieus, but then spun around to face Peter and Edmund again. "Alana is still in the tent sleeping. Can you two watch her?"

They both nodded. "But who is going to watch her during the battle?" Peter questioned.

Shoot I didn't think of that!

"I'll get Okreus to stay with her in the tent during that time," Orieus interjected, "He's my brother, and I know he'll protect her with his life."

I nodded feeling slightly better. "Thank you Orieus."

"Of Course."

After walking in silence for a few minutes, I asked, "How long do we have until the White Witch's army arrives?"

Orieus sighed, "Musayeroh just flew over the field to check not to long ago, and she reported that we have about two hours. So, we'll train for about an hour and a half. Then go get you measured for your armor."

"Okay," I responded meekly.

Orieus looked at me, "Are you alright?"

"Yep," I swallowed. "I just can't believe in about two hours I'm going to be in battle. It's a bit scary. Back in my world I could never even imagine going to war. If my mom knew what I was doing she would have a cow."

"A cow?" Orieus asked confused.

Ops! I forgot they don't talk like that! "She would be upset."

Orieus nodded understanding, "Oh. Well you can still back down."

I glared, "No way! I'm not letting my friends do this alone!"

Orieus smiled, "Well I hope you learn fast then." We just finished climbing a massive hill, and I was about to ask how much longer we would have to walk when Orieus announced we were here. We stood in a large open field that had dark green grass. About twenty feet straight in front of us were four targets. Orieus handed me a gold bow and a quiver full of arrows, "Ready?"

I nodded determinedly, "Yes." I took a deep breath, and blocked everything else out, but Orieus's instructions. I was ready to learn how to protect my family, my friends, and Narnia.

***

Very good, Lady Melissa," Orieus praised.

"Thanks," I grinned. "And it's just Melissa."

"Are you sure Lady Melissa?" Orieus questioned.

"Yes," I smiled looking at him.

"As you wish Melissa," Orieus replied awkwardly. "I'm afraid that's all the practice we have time for. We must go get your armor."

I nodded feeling butterflies invade my stomach again. "So, I did good?"

"You did very well. You are quick learner, and if you keep practicing you could become a very skilled archer."

"Thank you," I smiled proudly. The rest of the walk back to the camp was silent. Once we finally reached the camp, we made our way to the tent in the very back. "Kamrel!" Orieus said loudly.

From the tent entrance came a very large male centaur. He had light brown mane, and a tail of the same color. His flanks were a beautiful chestnut, and his eyes were a deep sea blue.

"Yes Orieus?" came his rich voice.

"Melissa needs to be measured for armor," Orieus informed him.

Kamrel nodded stepping towards me with a measuring tape already in his hands. Kamrel took down my measurements quickly, and then with a bow of his head he said, "I will finish as quickly as I can." Then he disappeared back into his tent.

I don't really understand why people have to resort to war. Why can't they just talk about their disagreement? But then again this is the White Witch were talking about. She doesn't have the patience to talk about anything.

"Melissa!!!!" A voice screamed form behind me. I turned just in time to have Alana jump into my arms. "Where did you go? I thought you left me," Alana whined. I hugged her tightly to my chest.

"I was just with Orieus. You were still sleeping when I woke, and you know I would never leave you."

Alana nodded hanging on to me tightly, "But I was still scared."

"It's okay Alana," I comforted giving her a kiss on the top of her head. I noticed Peter and Edmund standing in front of me glancing at Orieus and I. "So, how did it go?" Peter asked worriedly.

Orieus smiled widely, "Great! Melissa is a quick learner. We're lucky she insisted on joining us because I believe she will help us tremendously."

Peter smiled lightly, "Glad to hear it. Well not glad that you're joining us, but glad that you're a quick learner."

I glanced at Edmund quickly, and noticed he was glaring at Orieus with a cold expression. Orieus looked at him for a moment, and mumbled, "Sorry Sire." Edmund snorted lightly, and then looked at his boots. I wonder what that look was about. Peter didn't seem to notice their strange exchange, or at least he pretended not to notice.

Alana lifted her head from my shoulder to look at me, and asked, "Can you play with me?" I smiled at my little sister, and answered, "I can't right now. I have some things I have to do. But Okreus is going to play with you inside our tent, okay?"

"But I want you to play with me," Alana objected.

"Okreus is a lot of fun to play with. Trust me," I grinned.

Alana face lightened up a little bit, "Really? A lot of fun?"

"Yeah, a lot of fun," I laughed.

Orieus came to stand beside me, and said, "Would you like to meet him now? I'll take you to see him."

Alana nodded eagerly, and I put her back on the ground.

"Can you play with us after you finish doing your stuff?" Alana asked.

"Sure. Now go have fun and thanks again Orieus." Alana and Orieus both grinned.

"I'll race you," Orieus challenged playfully.

Alana laughed, "Okay. Go!" They both raced down the north side of the hill.

"Wow I never knew Orieus was playful" I mused.

"Nor did I," Peter agreed.

"So, are you really ready?" Edmund asked.

"Yes." Edmund looked over my face for a minute then turned to Peter to say, "Melissa is standing on the cliffs with me since she is an archer, right?" Peter nodded.

A little while later Kamrel trotted out of his tent. "Your armor is ready, Lady Melissa."

I looked at Kamrel smiling gently, "Thank you."

Kamrel returned my smile, "Your welcome, Lady Melissa. If you need anything else just ask. You too Your, Majesties."

"We will," we all answered in unison.

Kamrel bowed his head, "Your, Majesties." Then he trotted back to his tent.

I looked down at my armor, and asked, "How do I put it on?" Peter grinned, and Edmund chuckled.

"Here I'll help you," Peter offered. It only took a few minutes to get it all on, and I looked down to admire it.

I had a silver helmet just like Edmund's. I was wearing a heavy cover that was made out of copper chain mail. It covered both my back and front ending at my waist. It also covered my arms down to my elbows. On top of the chain mail was a copper breast plate that reached my hips. On the plate is a large silver circle in the lower right-hand corner. There's a smaller silver circle in the lower left-hand corner. There are two straps on the left side of the plate connected from the back of the plate at the top to the top of the plate in the front. There is another strap that runs across my right shoulder and my collarbone. It is connected from the top of the plate on the right in the back to the top of the plate on the left in the front. Then I noticed a tan piece of leather that ran from the top of my left shoulder on the plate to the middle of the plate on my right. On the leather strap in the center is a small gold circle. On my right hand I had a red leather gauntlet. It was strapped around my elbow, wrist, and in between my thumb and pointer finger. The gauntlet covered my entire forearm to my elbow. This hand is probably for holding my bow. I picked up my bow, and quiver. My bow is brown and embroidred with gold. The string is also brown and gold. The arrows are brown with gold tips, and the quiver is snow white with a brown strap.

I sighed finally finishing my admiration of my armor. I looked at both Edmund and Peter, "Well I guess it's time then."

Peter answered quietly, "Yes."

I nodded, and walked down the South side of the hill. I stopped at the bottom and turned around. "Where are you standing Peter?"

"At the front of the army. I'm the one leading us, so I have to," Peter said.

"What do you mean your leading us? Isn't Aslan leading us?" I inquired. Peter's eyes glazed over with sadness, "Aslan isn't here."

"What do mean he isn't here? Where did he go?" I demanded.

Edmund stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Peter. "Melissa now isn't the time to be worrying about that." Edmund then stepped toward his older brother, and they shared a look I didn't understand.

"Are you going to be okay?" Peter demanded suddenly.

Edmund rolled his eyes, "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? It's not too late for you to back out. For both of you," Peter pressed.

"I'm not backing out," Edmund said frimly.

"Neither am I."

"Just promise me you'll be careful. I can't let anything happen to you," Peter replied locking eyes with Edmund.

"I'll be fine ," Edmund insisted. "Now go lead your army, O High Mighty King"

Peter smiled slightly, about to respond, but a faun interrupted. "It's time your, Majesty."

"I'll be right there. Thanks," Peter murmured. The faun bowed, and then left.

"Peter they believe in you. I believe in you. We're going to win," Edmund declared.

"I hope your right," Peter grimaced placing his hand lightly on Edmund's right shoulder.

Edmund and Peter shared one last look, and then Edmund turned to me, "Let's go."

I took a shaky breath and smiled at Peter. "Be careful," I pleaded.

"You too, Melissa." Peter agreed.

What if this is the last time I see Peter? I only meet Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy six days ago, but I already consider them my family. I bit my lip, and then rushed over to Peter throwing my arms around his neck. I placed my head on his chest, and he wrapped his arms around my back tightly. I pulled back after a few seconds, and whispered, "Let's do this."

"Yes, let's do this," Peter uttered.

I stepped over to Edmund, "I'm ready," I lied, and continued to walk forward without looking back.

Edmund jogged to catch with me, "What was that about?"

I debated yelling at him, and calling him an idiot for not knowing what a hug was. But I noticed the look on his face, and thought better of it. "What if we don't see anyone again? Not just Peter, but anyone," I whispered. My vision started to become blurry from the sea of tears that was beginning to form in my eyes.

Edmund for silent for a minute or two before he commented, "That's not going to happen. We're going to win."

I blinked rapidly to force the tears not to fall. I hope he's right. Once we reached the cliffs I noticed Mr. Beaver standing to the far right in front of everyone else. Mr. Beaver rushed over to us, "Edmund, everyone is position and ready." Mr. Beaver looked at me for the first time and asked, "Melissa what are you doing?"

"I'm helping you guys," I answered simply.

Mr. Beaver opened his mouth, but what ever he said was drowned out by a frantic voice, "They're coming!!"

I whirled around quickly not realizing how close I was to the edge of the cliff, and I slipped. I closed my eyes tightly, and screamed the first name that came to mind, "Edmund!!!!" My heart started to thunder against my chest. It felt it like I had been falling for minutes, but in reality it was only a few seconds. I'm going to die!!! All of a sudden a warm firm hand grabbed my hand, and it pulled me back up to safety.

I slowly reopened my eyes to see beautiful Caramel colored eyes only a few inches from my face.

"Dam it Melissa! You're going to get yourself killed before the battle even begins!!" Edmund yelled, but his eyes were soft and concerned.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. I went to step away from him, but my legs were too wobbly, and my knees buckled out from under me.

Edmund caught me quickly, and steadied me. "I want you to stay close to me."

I looked at him with trembling lips, and questioned, "Why?"

"Because I want you to okay?" Edmund exclaimed.

I was getting ready to object, but the softness of his eyes stunned me. "Just please Melissa, stay behind me. Please," Edmund pleaded.

"Fine," I vowed. "I promise."

I walked over to the others stopping a couple feet in front of them. Edmund followed , and stopped about a foot in front of me. Mr. Beaver hurried over to stand on Edmund's left with a small bow in his hand.

The commander Griffin was flying across the hills back towards the Narnian army. He flew over Peter, and Orieus who were standing on a small ledge at the head of the Narnian army. He flew up towards the cliffs, and looked directly at Edmund letting out a screech. He finished a full circle around the Narnian and landed beside Peter. Peter was sitting on a large, beautiful snow white unicorn.

I looked out into the rolling green hills of Beruna. I heard a horn in the distance, and looked to see the White Witch's army approaching at the far end of the field. Edmund glanced at Mr. Beaver quickly, and then looked back at the White Witch's army.

The large General Minotaur came into view first. He stopped on a small ledge, and let out an echoing battle cry, raising his ax into the air, signaling for the others to come forward. I cringed at the sound of him. There were thousands of them, at least. There were tigers, giants, dwarfs, hags, and more hideous creatures I've only heard of in stories.

The White Witch drew up to the front of her army on the ledge beside the Minotaur in a spiked chariot drawn by two large polar bears. The White Witch was dreadful looking. She had long dirty blonde hair with a gold crown on the top of her head. Her face was cold and hard looking. She wore a brass metal plate that went down to her hips, and from her hips down she wore a copper skirt made of chain mail. She had light brown hair around her neck, and at the top of her head. I looked at the hair for a minute, and realized it was a mane. I gasped, Aslan!!! She killed him!!!

Tears started to prick my eyes once again. I looked at Edmund, who was already focused on me. I asked silently if that was Aslan's mane, and he seemed to understand me for he nodded gravely.

I chocked back a sob, and looked back out at the hills. Peter turned around and looked at Edmund giving him a nod. Out of the corner of my eye I seen Edmund return him a stiff nod. Peter turned back around to face the Witch's army, and he drew his sword. There was another horn, and theNarnian army erupted with battle cries.

The White Witch's army let out a thunderous battle cry in return. Then with the Minotaur's lead they started jumping off the ledge, creating mini earthquakes, and running towards our army.

A few moments later I turned to Edmund to see him draw his sword with his right hand, and with his left he held on tightly to a shield.

A few more moments went by, and Peter waved his sword over his head. Edmund copied Peter swinging his sword over his head, and down. Griffins flew over my head with huge rocks grasped in there talons. The Griffins followed behind the commander Griffin. Once they were over top of the White Witch's they let the rocks go. The rocks were landing with enormous bangs. The little dwarfs started firing their arrows at the griffins, and I had to close my eyes when I seen a few of them being hit.

When I opened my eyes again I looked down at Peter. "For Narnia and for Aslan!!!!!!!" Peter roared while lifting his sword into the air. His horse reared, and then he and General Orieus ran off down the ledge they were standing on. The rest of the Narnian army right behind them. Their battle cries echoed off the surrounding cliffs.

The armies charged each other for what seemed liked years. The closer they got to each other the slower they all seemed to go. Once the two armies finally reached one another all I could hear was swords smashing, and Narnians crying out as they got stabbed, and attacked.

I watched as the battle went on below me. We seemed to be doing okay despite the number difference. The Narnian army slayed enemy after enemy littering the grass with bodies. I searched for Peter, and spotted him fighting a large white Siberian Tiger.

I moved my gaze, and watched as the White Witch, and the rest of her army moved forward.

Edmund raised his sword and shouted, "Fire!!"

A male centaur fired an arrow with fire on the tip of it. As the arrow soared through the air, it turned into a Phoenix. It flew down, and the earth between the armies was scorched with fire. I grinned, yes we really are going to win! "Yes," Mr. Beaver cheered excitedly.

But I immediately stopped grinning as I watched the fire being distinguished by an ice blue light that the White Witch emitted. Peter quickly whipped around to look and Edmund and I.

Then there was another horn, and Mr. Beaver announced in a shout, "That's the signal! Come on!"

Edmund glanced at me quickly to whisper urgently, "Stay behind me, and when I raise my sword fire as many arrows as you can." Then he rushed after Mr. Beaver, and I was close behind, and everyone else followed closely behind aswell. I rushed down the slopping hill gluing my eyes to my feet to make sure I was avoiding all the jagged rocks, holes, and uneven ground.

We reached the rocks, and the entire group of archers toke their spots on either side of Edmund in front of a cave entrance. I resumed my spot behind him. I fumbled for an arrow, and placed it in my bow unsteadily. Once everyone in the Narnian army passed us down below, Edmund raised his sword, and sliced through the air bringing it back down. I hastily let my arrow fly towards the White Witch's army. I snatched another arrow from my quiver on my back, and let it fly too.

I saw Peter in his blood red tunic rush swiftly towards a rock as I reached for my third arrow. I was about fire when out of the corner of my eye I saw an arrow being fired at the Narnian army. I turned to glance at Peter. Oh please don't have hit Peter!

My heart jerked painfully when the arrow sunk deeply into the hindquarters of Peter's horse. His horse tripped sending Peter flying over the shoulders of his horse. Peter flipped in mid air losing his hamlet, and landed on his back in the dark green grass.

Peter!!!!!!!!!!!! Get up!!!!!! Peter squirmed trying to regain his breath. He climbed to his knees with great difficulty, while the Witch was coming his way.

General Orieus and a rhinoceros stopped dead in their tracks looking at Peter. They seemed to notice the Witch coming in their direction headed straight for Peter, because they speed off right at her.

I peered at Edmund, who was stiffly staring out into the battle. I resumed shooting arrow after arrow, but the Narnian army wasn't doing well anymore. We were losing solider after soldier.

All of a sudden Edmund jumped off the ledge we were standing on, and started to battle his way down the cliff side to the ground.

My heart continued to pound wildly as I stumbled after him. He stopped to hit an ogre in the back of its head with his shield knocking it off of a leopard. We reached the ground, and right away a Minotaur swung its club at Edmund. Edmund shoved his shield over his head blocking the blow from the Minotaur.

I spun around, and it was a good thing I did because a tiger a few feet away was getting ready to pounce on me. I shot it down hurriedly just to have a dwarf sprinting in my direction. I grabbed another arrow, but my hands were shaking terribly which caused me to drop the arrow.

I swiftly bent down to pick it up, and when I stood again the dwarf already let an arrow go. The arrow was only a few inches away, so I had no chance of escaping it.

The next thing I knew Edmund dove in front of me with his shield up to block the arrow. The arrow bounced off his shield, and he turned back around just in time to engage in battle with another Minotaur.

I shot the dwarf, and saw no one was coming at me at the moment, so I circled around to gaze at Edmund. I watched as Edmund dug his sword into the back of the Minotaur.

The suddenly Peter ordered, "Edmund, there's too many!!!!!" Edmund wheeled around to face Peter. "Get out of here!!! Get the girls and get them home!!!!" Peter finished as a Minotaur threw his sword at him, and Peter had to hurriedly raise his shield to protect himself.

Mr. Beaver appeared at Edmund's side yelling, and tugging on his hand, "You heard him! Let's go!"

Edmund wearily followed while looking at Peter. We had only made it to the beginning of the cliffs when Edmund turned around. I looked back at Peter too, who was fighting difficultly with a Minotaur. I tore my eyes off of Peter to look around. Beside a towering boulder was a faun jumping on the back of a hag. To the right of them was a griffin snapping it's beak at a dwarf.

The sight of everyone fighting gruesomely sent a shiver down my spine, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from crying out. I snapped my head back to look at Edmund once I heard his sword being drawn.

"Peter said get out of here," Mr. Beaver pointed out.

"Peter's not king yet," Edmund declared, and with that he sped back toward Peter.

The White Witch came into my view, and I gasped as I realized her cold eyes were focused in on Peter.

I pulled out yet another arrow, and chased after Edmund. "Melissa!!!" Mr. Beaver roared, but I ignored him. I raced through Narnians fighting trying to keep up with Edmund. The Witch was getting closer to Peter, and we started to run faster.

Edmund jumped off a small ledge with a cry landing in front of the Witch, and he brought his sword down trying to hit her wand. I stopped right before the ledge trying to make my hands work to fire the arrow, but my entire body froze. All I could do was watch in terror as Edmund pulled his sword back up into the air. He shattered her wand which emitted a blue and white light.

The Witch looked even crueler then before as she hit her wand on Edmund's sword sending it flying out of his hands. She lunged forward with the sharp end of her wand, and shoved it into his stomach. She pulled it upwards, twisting it further into his stomach.

Edmund gasped looking dazed. His eyes remained on the Witch's smug face for another moment, and then they fluttered closed as he fell to ground with a soft thud.

I dropped my bow with the arrow in it, and my quiver, my breathing irregular, my hands vibrating, and my heart throbbing achingly.

"Edmund!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I shrieked at the same time Peter roared. The Witch must have heard me over the noise of the battle because she turned to face me with an evil smile as she slowly raised her sword ready to kill me.

_______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: C.S. Lewis owns everything, and everyone except for the few character I made.

A/N: This is my first fic ever, so I'm pretty nervous. I love the Chronicles of Narnia, and I've seen both the movies, but I've read the first two books.

I've been writing fanfics for a couple years now, but I've never shown them to anyone. I have taken a lot of the lines that are said in the movie aswell as in the book, so those lines do not belong to me. Well that's it for now. I hope you all enjoy it.