Rowing the boat down a river, Peter stayed silent as Lucy looked at the trees. "They're so silent."
"They're trees. What do you expect?" Trumpkin asked.
"...They used to dance."
Trumpkin looked at her bfore saying, "It wasn't long after you left before the Telmarines invaded. The trees were so frightened, they hid away within themselves. And Narnians? They went into hiding."
"How could Aslan have let this happen?" Susan asked.
"Aslan?" Trumpkin asked before scoffing and saying, "We thought he abandoned us when you did."
"We didn't mean to leave, you know." Peter said, glancing at the dwarf.
"Doesn't make much of a difference now, does it?"
Across the woods, Prince Caspian and Jami walked with Nikibrik and Trufflehunter. "I smell something..." Trufflehunter said before Nikibrik raised an eyebrow. "It's human."
"Who? Them?" he asked, jerking a thumb at Prince Caspian.
"No...Them!" The three turned to see Telmarines heading their way. "Run!" Taking off, the four manuevered through the trees as quickly as possible, the tall grass making them slower. Telmarines drew their crossbows, aiming and firing. The arrows flew past them before one struck Trufflehunter. Falling to the ground, he caught his friends' attention.
"Go! I'll get him." Caspian said before running towards Trufflehunter.
"Wait...Take this. It's more important than I am." Trufflehunter said, holding out the arrow.
"Caspian, don't leave him." Jami said as Caspian quickly put away the horn and then picked up Trufflehunter.
"Jami, go!" Caspian shouted as they took off running again, his movements slower. She nodded before running as Telmarines followed. "Take him." Caspian said, handing Trufflehunter to Nikibrik. He then turned and brought out his sword, facing the Telmarines as they drew their crossbows.
"Caspian!" Jami shouted while turning to him. But, before the Telmarines could attack, a rustling was made through the grass. And then...a Telmarine fell. And another. And another. And then another Telmarine. The final one standing struck the grass, trying to find his attacker but not succeeding.
"Ah!" he shouted before falling to the ground.
"What the-" he started before seeing movement in the grass and someone, or something, running straight towards him. "Jami...run!" he shouted, but she stood still. "Jami. Go!" In a matter of moments Caspian fell to the ground and his attacker was standing on his chest, pointing a sword at him.
"Choose your next words carefully for they may be your last!" he declared.
"It..." Jami said, dumbfounded.
"You are a mouse." Caspian finished.
The mouse sighed and shook his head before saying, "I was hoping for something a little more...original. Now pick up your sword. I won't fight an unarmed man."
"Which is why I choose to not pick up the sword. I might find myself living longer." he said before the mouse brought his sword closer.
"I said I wouldn't fight you. But I will still kill you."
"Reepicheep!" Looking up, the mouse's eyes widened at the sight of Trufflehunter.
"Trufflehunter? You better having good excuse for being with the likes of this Telmarine." Reepicheep said before noticing Jami. "And that one."
"He is why you are here. He blew the horn." Trufflehunter explained.
"Then he should show it to us." a new voice said. Everyone looked up to see centaurs and fawns and other animals surrounding them. The voice that spoke belonged to a centaur.
That night Edmund and Krista sat at the fire, watching it as the others slept. Sighing, Krista looked at Edmund. "Would you tell me the story? Of what happened to all of you and the fight?"
Edmund looked up in surprise, not expecting her to want to know. "Well, back when we first came to Narnia, it had been winter for a hundred years. And the White Witch ruled the land. I was...foolish enough to listen to her. I believed her lies of making me king. I didn't know she wanted to kill the others and myself. But...I told her what I knew, she prepared for war...and she would've won. But then...Lucy and Susan," He sighed and stared at the fire. "Lucy and Susan stepped in. They brought forth Aslan and all the people the White Witch had supposedly killed. And, while Peter probably told you he had beat the White Witch, it was Aslan. He killed her. Destroyed her. After that, the rest is simple. We just ruled Narnia."
"What about your return?"
Edmund shrugged. "We were after the white stag. It was-" His words were cut short when they heard rustling in the trees.
"Do you hear it too?" Lucy asked, earning their attention.
"Yes, Edmund, wake up the others. Lucy and I will see what's going on." Krista said before she and Lucy walked into the woods. Lucy seemed very sullen and quiet as she watched the trees.
"Please...wake up." she whispered.
"Lucy, they'll wake up when they're ready." Krista told the young girl, though was very confused as to what Lucy had meant. They heard rustling amongst the trees before they caught sight of a minotaur. Krista shoved Lucy behind a bush and knelt down beside her before they could be seen. Lucy peeked out from behind the bushes, about to speak before a hand was placed firmly over hers and Krista's mouths.
"Sh..." Peter whispered while looking at them before silently pulling his sword free and standing. Walking towards the minotaur, he got ready to strike. But, as always, Peter's idea didn't exactly go as planned.
CLASH!
Sparks flew as Peter's sword was met with another. And on the other end of that sword, was what looked to be another Son of Adam. The two continued to clash, violently moving, Peter swung his sword before it connected with a tree, getting stuck. Smooth, Peter thought. Quickly picking up a rock, he moved to throw it at his opponent.
"Peter, no!" two mingled voices shouted before Lucy and Krista jumped out of the bushes. "Stop." Krista said while stepping forward as Trumpkin, Susan, and Edmund appeared. Several animals moved to surround Peter and the other, ready to attack.
Looking around, Peter sighed before looking at the man. "Prince Caspian?" he asked while the Telmarine Prince nodded.
"Caspian, what're you doing?" a female voice asked before a girl around Edmund's age dismounted a centaur and stepped forward. Edmund's eyes widened at the sight of her before a small blush appeared on his cheeks. Lucy giggled at her brother.
"I...I was fighting...Well, him. Who are you?" Caspian asked, turning his attention to the others.
"King Peter. I believe you called?"
Caspian's eyes widened slightly before he said, "I apologize...I was just expecting someone a little...older."
"Well, if you'd like we could come back in a few years." Peter said, chuckling.
"No! No, that is alright." he said before looking at them all. "I thought there were only suppose to be four of you."
"Well, last time there was. But we accidentally brought her along." Edmund said, jerking a thumb at Krista.
"How by accident?" Jami asked, catching Edmund's gaze.
"I...Uh...Peter'll explain." he said, looking down and blushing again.
Peter looked at his brother curiously before looking at Caspian and Jami. "When we come and go from Narnia...we don't exactly plan it. Ever. It just sort of happens. And this time she was with us."
Krista smiled sheepishly as Caspian watched her, an unknown expression in his eyes that matched the one Edmund gave Jami. "What is your name?" he asked, his accent thick.
"Krista."
"Well," Reepicheep said, coming through the crowd. "I am most honored that we have you in our presence. And the fact you have brought a friend is all the better."
He bowed to them, showing his respect while Lucy leaned towards Susan and Krista and whispered, "Oh my gosh, he's so cute..."
Reepicheep drew his sword and turned while shouting, "Alright! Who said that?"
Lucy took a step away from her sister and friend and stuttered out, "S-Sorry...I did."
"Oh," Reepicheep said, sheathing his sword. "I apologize, Your Highness. But how about...Daring? Couragous? Or even chivalrous? All would suffice for a knight such as myself."
The girls chuckled before Peter looked at everyone. "It seems you have already started building an army for us." he said while looking at Caspian.
"For you?" Jami asked, crossing her arms. "But-"
"Yes." Caspian interrupted. "We have prepared this army for you." Krista looked at the two, instantly knowing that wasn't what was planned. So why change it when they were there to help? Not lead. "Come. We shall take you to where we have been staying."
It didn't take them long to reach Aslan's How. And when they did, the Pevensies and Krista were amazed. "How...I don't remember this place back when we reigned." Susan said, looking at Trufflehunter.
"Of course not. It was created after you vanished. We needed something to honor you all and Aslan. So this was made." he explained before they watched the centaurs align the sides of the walkway and pull out their swords, raising them high to show their respect. Sharing a smile, the siblings walked down the walkway, heads held high while Krista stood back with Jami and Caspian and the others.
"If it helps, I do not know if we should follow or not either." Caspian said, looking down at her. Krista blushed lightly before Caspian encouragingly took her arm and the three followed the Pevensies, entering the tomb of Aslan.
"So how long have they all been training?" Peter asked, looking at Caspian.
"A few days, Your Majesty. But they learn fast." Caspian said while Peter nodding. It seemed Caspian was looking for the oldest Pevensie's approval.
"Peter," Susan said before the animals parted to reveal her standing beside an opening. "You might want to see this." The four followed her into the tunnel before she showed them carvings of them and their history in the walls.
"That's us..." Lucy said, astonishment in their voice. "But...if that's us...what's all down here?"
Caspian walked in with Jami behind him, holding a torch in his hand. "You mean...you don't know?"
"Know what?" Edmund asked before Caspian walked past them and led them further down the tunnel and into a large room hidden in shadows.
"What is this place?" Peter asked before Caspian lowered the torch and the rim around the room started lighting with fire. In the center of the room was the stone table and, opposite the children, was a carved image of Aslan.
"This is a tomb for him?" Edmund asked.
"In a way. It's a way to honor him." Caspian explained.
"Look, all of this is fine and dandy. But now? We need to figure out our next move." Peter said. It took only moments before they had Reepicheep and a few others in there, trying to prepare a strategy. "The best thing for us to do is strike them before they strike us."
"We'll be killed. No one has ever taken down the Telmar castle." Jami said, standing.
"Well, there's always a first time." Peter said, glaring at her.
"Peter, this is foolish. We'll be slaughtered." Susan said, stepping forward.
"No one will expect us to attack them. Naturally, we'll have a better chance of winning." Peter argued.
"It would be better if we stayed here and let them come to us." Caspian spoke, glancing at Lucy or Krista, wanting help.
"But if we went we'd have the element of surprise." Trumpkin argued.
"Besides, if the Telmarines are smart they'd just starve us out."
"So that's it! We attack!"
"You're all being foolish. You're not thinking." Lucy spoke up, catching her brother's attention.
"Excuse me?" Peter asked, disbelief in his voice.
"You all are acting as if we have two choices. Die here. Or die there." Lucy said while leaning back.
"Have you not been listening?" her brother asked before Krista, from her spot beside one of the columns, spoke up.
"We have been listening. You haven't been thinking. All of you haven't." Krista said while walking forward. "Peter, you can't march into the Telmarine castle and expect instant victory. It doesn't work like that."
"And how would you know? Were you here last time?" he asked as he stepped towards her, anger in his eyes.
"No, and I'm beginning to wonder if you were." Krista sneered.
"Hey, calm down. There's no need to fight." Jami said, stepping in between the two.
"You aren't of any importance here, Krista. We are. He called on us for help. And we will invade tonight."
"But that's not helping! Don't you get it, Peter? You can't do this on your own. You need help. But you have too much stupid pride to sit and wait. And you know whose help you need."
Peter stiffened. "I can do this on my own. I have before."
Krista scoffed before saying, "No. You didn't. Don't tell me you've forgotten who really defeated Jadis."
Caspian and Jami shared a look before watching the two as Edmund stood, "Krista-" he started before she glared at him.
"Someone needs to tell your brother he's not the king he was. He's Peter Pevensie. Not High King Peter the Magnificent!" she said, mocking the title as she looked at the older brother. "Both of you are wrong. Caspian and you. But at least he has a better idea than you do."
"Peter, listen to her. She's right." Lucy said while Peter shook his head.
"We've waited for him long enough." he said before turning to the centaur. "Will you and your sons hold off the soldiers?"
Caspian stepped forward, a silent plea in his eyes. "Please, stay." he mouthed before the centaur looked back at Peter.
"We will hold them off...or we will die trying." he said, bowing as Peter smiled.
"Good. Then we'll leave tonight." Peter then stalked out of the room with the animals close behind. The only ones that stayed were Jami, Edmund, Caspian, and Krista.
"You all can't be serious. Peter will get you killed." Krista said as Jami nodded.
"I'm with the new girl, Caspian. This'll get you killed. It's the perfect time for Miraz to kill you." Jami said, fear in her eyes as Caspian hugged her.
"It'll be alright. I'm sure Pete has a plan." Edmund said wile Krista scoffed.
"Yeah, he probably has a plan. But here's my question, Ed. How many of his plans have worked without Aslan's help?" Krista asked, making Edmund go silent. "That's what I thought." she said bitterly before walking out of the tomb.
Edmund groaned and said, "Why does she have to be right? She's never even been here before and she knows more than she should."
"Didn't you tell her?" Jami asked, raising an eyebrow as Edmund frowned.
"Well, yes, but-Oh, please don't try to correct me! I'm mad!" Edmund said, crossing his arms as Jami and Caspian chuckled.
"I will check on your friend, King Edmund." Caspian said, bowing before following Krista out of the room, surprised when she was already gone. She moves fast, he thought before leaving the tomb to see Krista outside, sitting where the stone table used to be. He walked to her side, silent before he said, "...Are you alright?"
"Fine. I'm just...frustrated. Lucy's smart. Isn't she the one who found Narnia in the first place? Shouldn't they be smart and listen to her?" Krista asked as she stood. "Don't answer. Please. It was just a rhetorical question."
Caspian watched her as she stood and walked along the remains of where Aslan's table once was. "This is truly your first time to come to Narnia?" he asked, earning a nod before he said, "Then I apologize you have to see such a horrible side of it."
She shook her head and looked at him, smiling sadly as she said, "It'd doesn't matter. I highly doubt I'll ever be coming back here anyway. It's just another place I wouldn't fit in with." She gave a half hearted shrug.
"What do you mean, 'another place where you won't fit in'?" he asked as she sat on the remains of a column.
Krista looked at him and shrugged, tossing her hair out of her eyes. "Just...back in England, I never fit in. I always...felt out of place. I never felt like I truly belonged. I heard the others talking about Narnia and thought it might be a place where I could finally fit in. But now...I'm probably wrong."
"You never know. This might be the place for you. There's only one way to find out."
She looked at him, raising an eyebrow as she asked, "And what way is that, Prince Caspian?"
He smiled before saying, "Well, I believe that if you belong in Narnia you shall know it when you find you are more open to it. So, tonight, you shall come with us rather than stay with Lucy like King Peter probably planned."
Krista raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "That...would be interesting. I guess it might work. You never know."
"Well, Miss..." He paused, not knowing her name.
"Krista." she said with a half smile.
"Miss Krista, you shall come with us tonight. And, to make sure no harm comes to you, you can stay with me." She nodded before the two continued talking, not knowing that Edmund and Jami were having a much similar talk inside.
"You know your friend and Queen Lucy are right." Jami said, crossing her arms. "Why can't you just agree, King Edmund?"
"Will you stop with the titles? It's just Edmund and Lucy. Also, that girl isn't my friend. And her name is Krista."
Jami's eyes narrowed before she sighed and sat next to him, "I apologize. My brother...he means everything to me. I would hate for him to get hurt during as foolish a mission as this."
"It's not foolish. Peter has fought in wars and battles."
"But, Edmund, how many has he been in without hundreds and thousands of Narnians to back him up?" she asked, looking at him as he met her gaze.
"...Miss-"
"Jami. It's just Jami."
"...Jami, my brother doesn't need all of them to back him up."
"Edmund, you and I both know he does! He needs help but has too much pride to admit to it. He's turning against every person who actually wants to help him!"
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do. Edmund, you're taking his side so it appears he's not turning against you. But Susan? She said to stay here. As did Lucy, Krista, Caspian,and myself. You boys and your lust for blood is all that is making us do this. Peter thinks he's still the High King he once was with all the power and glory he held. He's not. Neither of you are. I'm starting to wonder if Caspian did the right thing by calling you here." Jami then stood and stormed out of the room, leaving Edmund to watch her leave. Was she right? Should they not have come?