This will most likely be my longest chapter. Thank you, Witchy Pixie as always for your edits.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone except Alexa, my OC.
~The In Between Times~
Chapter 3 – Year Four Part I
Month 3
"Susan, you have known him for only a few days and already you are going to Tashbaan with him?" Alexa asked incredulously. Susan sighed, making a discreet glance at the Calormen prince across the hall. He was talking animatedly with the High King and the Just King, most likely of their arrangements and possible marriage.
"What can I say? There is something about him that just simply charming. I've never met another man like that of my prince. He is so kind, caring, and gentle towards me…how can I say otherwise?" said Susan. Lucy rolled her eyes, though her older sister would probably count it an un-ladylike gesture.
"Tread carefully, sister. I fear there is something about him I don't trust," the Valiant Queen warned.
"Yes, there's something in his eyes that definitely speak falsely," Alexa agreed. But Susan couldn't hear anything but her own praises for the handsome, dark-skinned son of the Tisroc.
"We will be leaving at the end of the week," she said with a wistful smile.
A Week Later
"Peter!" Edmund called urgently from down the hallway, Alexa in tow. The High Kings paused in his brisk pace, turning at the sound of his brother's voice.
"Yes? Why do you both look like you've seen a ghoul rise from between the floor boards?" Peter asked, trying to make something of a jest.
"Peter, there's something wrong in the North. There are more reports of the Giants," Edmund said. Peter became serious at the Just King's words.
"What?" he asked in alarm.
"There have been three more reports of Giants attacking settlers' villages along the Northern Frontier," began Alexa. "Many casualties, and the villages are being overturned and stripped of anything beneficial. Peter, something must be done." The High King straightened.
"Send for Orieus, Tumnus, and the rest of our court advisors."
"From what we've learned, the Ettins come from a remote location beyond the northern mountains. They have been attacking Narnian settlers, warriors, and travelers alike along that border," said the High King.
"We should make an expedition to the northern lands," Edmund said.
"Yes, but who will go? I am bound by my word to accompany Prince Rabadash to Tashbaan," stated Susan. Peter's expression became strained.
"Yes, there is that matter. Edmund, I ask that you go with her. Blame my protectiveness as my reasoning, but I do not want Susan to go alone unaccompanied in another country as far as Calormen." Edmund frowned, hoping he could join Peter in the journey to the mountains, but refrained from speaking his thoughts. He had no wish for Susan to go alone with the prince, whom he didn't trust with the dirt of his shoe, much less his sister.
"Orieus, you will come with me, I trust?" Peter asked the centaur.
"Of course, your Majesty." The High King looked to Mr. Tumnus, who smiled pleasantly.
"Shall I accompany King Edmund and Queen Susan to Tashbaan?" the faun asked. Peter smiled.
"Yes, Master Tumnus. Thank you."
"Peter," Alexa said, drawing his attention to her in silent question.
"I would like to join the expedition," she said, but with all the confidence she could muster. He paused.
"I would rather you not, Alexa." But she persisted, not to be so easily dissuaded this time.
"I know the Northern Lands fairly well from my maps, and have a route for easier travel through the mountains. They're tricky, but I think I found the right pass to get through them." Peter sighed. She made a good point, though he was loathe to admit it. But he was persistent as well.
"I would have a better mind knowing that you're here, helping Lucy manage the kingdom." Lucy knew her brother would place this task upon her, so she held her tongue against the easy protest that she could have followed. She contented herself with watching her friend and her brother argue.
"Lucy can manage by herself. She's not a child anymore, and neither am I." Peter let out a deep breath, trying to hide his annoyance.
"I never said you were a child, and I know my sister isn't. I only said it would give me a better mind."
"Then I fail to see why I cannot come when I have accompanied you, Edmund, and Lucy through every other battle." Peter tried his best not to scoff.
"What other battles? Our patrols through the woods for fell beasts? Other than this, there has been peace in Narnia for the two or so years we've ruled."
"Be that as it may, I have a map, and Talia as my informant. I could be of help…why are you so against this?" Alexa asked. Her tone softened as her confidence began to wane. Peter deflated a bit, not quite having a ready answer himself.
"I think it would be a good idea for her to go with you, Peter. She isn't an inept woman," Edmund commented.
"Her swordsmanship has improved some since her first battle," Orieus stated, referring to their war with the White Witch all those years ago. Alexa looked at Peter, silently waiting for his answer. Of course she would be fine if he still commanded her to stay, his word ruled over hers and she respected him. But she couldn't say that she wouldn't be disappointed. Her curiosity for the Northern Giants had been progressively growing since the mounting attacks, and she would like to see them herself—their forgotten city closed off within the mountains.
Finally, Peter sighed in defeat, seeing no other excuse he could conjure up to make her just stay here with Lucy, where it was safe.
"All right, Alexa. You'll be helping me guide the army with Orieus. We leave in two days time, so make sure all of you pack the necessities for a long trip," Peter said as he addressed all the occupants of the room. Soon after, the meeting dispersed.
"Goodbye, Su. Be careful," Alexa said, embracing the younger girl.
"You as well, my friend," the Gentle Queen replied before hugging Lucy, and then her older brother.
"Watch over her, Ed," said Alexa as the younger man pulled her into an easy embrace.
"Oh don't worry. She's not leaving my side. I don't trust this Rabadash for all their god, Tash, is worth to them," he replied sollemnly, pulling away.
"It really isn't fair," Alexa muttered.
"What?" Edmund asked.
"How can you be almost a head taller than me when I'm older than you?" The question made the Just King chuckle, and he gently ruffled the Queen's hair.
"Oh stop. Go say goodbye to your brother," Alexa said in her annoyance.
"Yes, Ma'am," Edmund replied with a final laugh as he walked away to Peter, who stood beside his horse.
In a few minutes, after everyone had said their goodbyes, the two parties were off: Edmund and Susan with Prince Rabadash and his entourage, and Peter and Alexa with the army in their trek to the North.
Peter followed the river that stretched along upward next to Owlwood, taking a few days' ride. Of course this was easy while walking on soft grass. However, they found that the farther north they travelled, the tougher the terrain became. Once they passed the old Battlefield, where the war against the Witch was fought, they were forced to walk around the steep cliffs to the River Shribble.
"Are you sure we can't just cut across?" Peter asked. Alexa pointed on a location the map for him to see.
"The mountains are too dense, the cliffs to steep. We would lose men trying to cross over them. Our safest bet is to go around these, and take rest at the River Shribble," Alexa explained.
"Okay, and from there, we cut into the real mountains we need to worry about," he said.
"Yes. There may be some resistance, though. Where we need to go to get through to the pass is towards the middle—here. The only problem is that Giants will be sure to be guarding it, possibly settled along our border boundaries."
"I see, well we're just going to have to drive them out."
Alexa smiled as she was finally able to get the second candle lit. Trying to read different colored lines was aggravating without enough light. She spread it upon the makeshift table once more, adding more detail to the spots they had just traveled that day. The Queen was relieved that they had made it to the River Shribble, the men sure needed the rest they would gather while replenishing their stock of water and other things.
When the black ink started to fade out in the line, Alexa paused to dip it in the cartridge, and then start up again once more.
"You should be in bed, resting," Peter said from the tent's entry way. Alexa was startled, but then again, it was the "meeting room" of sorts. She had ventured out of her own tent to work on the map in front of her, and hadn't bothered to close the flap entrance.
"If I should, what are you doing here then?" Alexa let the words slip, and bit her lip. She looked at him with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, that was very rude. I'm just…tired," she said. Peter raised a brow, but gave a small smile and approached the table she was working at.
"Maybe this is a sign that I'm right? I was making sure all the men had their fill of water, and noticed the light in here was still on. I thought I would turn it off before it caught fire." Alexa blushed, slightly embarrassed.
"I was just trying to find a way to get in that wasn't so hazardous, and perhaps a shorter route."
"Did you find anything?" he asked.
"…No. I've been up and down this stupid page several times and can't find not one other pass. Not one." Peter frowned as Alexa sighed in agitation.
"There is nothing wrong with the original. We can stand against Giants. Why are you stressing so much over this?" he questioned, giving her a puzzled look.
"Well…once we defeat the Giants, we will still have to travel through the mountains. I said it was a pass, and it is—but there is no telling what dangers lurk between the rocks in that commonly used path. Other fell beasts roaming outside the city, more Giants, who knows," Alexa admitted. Peter regarded the map thoughtfully for a moment, before speaking.
"I think…that we will be able to handle it. The royal Army of Narnia is no small thing to trifle with. These creatures may be brutal and savage, but we are strong and skilled enough to outwit them. Have faith in your people, Alexa," Peter said, standing on his feet.
"Go to bed, and get a full night's sleep. Tomorrow morning we set for the mountains' borders." He touched his hand briefly to her shoulder before exiting the tent. Alexa sat for a moment in silence, looking to the dimly lit page. She stood and blew out the candle, and then made her way to her own tent to rest.
Peter let out a deep breath as the last of the Giants retreated through the pass, screaming guttural roars and spitting as they went. The High King would let them go for now, for his men were weary, as was he—even if he was loathe to admit it. He panned his ranks, finding Orieus's large frame quickly among the crowd. Peter approached him, urging his horse forward.
"What's the damage?" Peter asked, trying not to wince when his injured arm bumped against the chainmail of his armor.
"We lost men, but nothing too dire. May their souls find peace in Aslan's Country," Orieus answered sollemnly. Peter nodded with a sigh.
"I see that Talia sustained no injuries," the King said, noticing the dryad queen yelling triumphant praises to Aslan along with her sisters. She had come to their aid sometime in the battle, and had helped much to ensure victory.
"Yes. A lively warrior, that one is. So unusual from her graceful, reserved kind," Orieus commented.
"Are there many injured?"
"Raleus, the faun, is tending to the injured." Peter was about to reply, but paused as a thought occurred to him with a pang.
"Wait, have you seen Queen Alexa among the ranks? I lost sight of her in the battle," Peter asked. He looked around, looking for a glimpse of black hair. 'Please, let her be alright.' He paused in his thoughts before adding, '...Su would kill me if something happened to her.'
"I believe she is helping the faun with the injured." Orieus made a meaningful glance at his King's shoulder.
"I suggest you make a visit with that arm." Peter shook his head negatively. But he did feel a wave of relief at knowing Alexa wasn't hurt.
"There is still much to be done, and this isn't a detrimental wound. I will live without treatment for a bit, while others may not." The centaur said nothing, but he did not need words to express his skepticism.
"I will go, Orieus. Just not right in this moment." A few minutes later, however, Peter eventually made his way to the healing tent.
"Oh, my King! My greatest apologies, I am working with someone at the moment who needs immediate attention. I will get to you as fast as Aslan allows," Raleus said, applying another bandage on a heavily wounded satyr. Peter nodded.
"It's fine. I'm in no hurry. Thank you, and fantastic work here," Peter replied.
"It's all right Raleus, I will help him," said a voice from behind the two. Peter looked up to see Alexa holding a roll of clinical bandages, her hair swept from her face for better visual on the injuries.
"Oh, thank you, your Highness," replied Raleus as he worked.
"You needed more help anyways," she said before she turned to Peter, and smiled. He returned it and stood up a little straighter.
"Where do you need me to sit?" Alexa led him to a vacant corner of the tent with relative privacy, and had him sit next to her.
"Now I'm going to need to either rip the sleeve off your tunic, or you need to take it off," Alexa said with a blush. Peter ripped the sleeve—it was already in shreds anyway.
"Oh, but this chainmail. I'm going to have to roll it up without injuring you further." He nodded, and let her work, only wincing when some of the chainmail caught on the wounded flesh.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, beginning to clean it out.
"No, it's alright. I'm fine." He had experienced worse than this little slice.
"What happened?"
"A Giant took a swipe at me and I ducked. It just barely grazed my arm with one of its claws." Alexa winced, and applied the healing balm.
"This will help against infection, and with the healing. Good thing this isn't your sword arm," she said.
"Yes…it would be nice to be able to have your ambidexterity, being able to wield a sword with both hands for that very reason." Alexa smiled.
"It has come in handy. But you know you can learn at any time."
"I suppose. Perhaps Orieus can teach me when we return."
"Perhaps," Alexa agreed. "Alright, this is going to hurt, but just let me know if you feel that it's cutting your circulation."
"Cutting my—ow!" Peter yelped as Alexa tied the bandage around his upper arm.
"It has to be tight," Alexa said, trying hard not to laugh at the High King's expression.
"I think you're enjoying this," he muttered, slowly stretching the abused limb.
"Not necessarily. But watching you shriek like a child was worth the small pain I caused," replied Alexa, a grin playing on her lips.
"Shrieked like a...I beg your pardon—"
"It's quite unbecoming," Alexa said, barely restraining laughter as she stood. Peter got up as well, though Alexa noticed wryly that he was at least a head taller than her.
"At least I'm not as small as one," Peter retorted, also noticing their height difference. Alexa frowned, looking up at him.
"I may be short in stature but believe it or not, I am a woman." She placed her hands upon her hips. For him it only drew attention to her figure, which he quickly stamped out the thought of with a mild shake of his head.
Stop it, he ordered, and this alone, this act of "commanding" his own thoughts, was why he drank special teas to relax his mind.
"I am not contending that, but your behavior leaves much to be desired," he said wryly, to which she mocked offense.
"Well, do excuse me for cleaning and dressing your wounds while you sat there whining on about my supposed cruelty."
"There was nothing 'supposed' about it," he said tartly, though he noticed their playful argument was beginning to draw certain stares and quiet smiles from the few around them.
"Honestly, I was as gentle as I could be," she said, her exasperation evident. He couldn't help but poke at her a bit more.
"I think you derive personal pleasure from my pain."
"I believe that is called friendship, Pete."
"No, I believe that is called sadism." She rolled her eyes and slung the damp, now bloody towel over her shoulder.
"Whatever, I can't be bothered."
"But we were having such fun," he said sardonically.
"Oh, go bother someone else for a change."
"I would if I could. You're always with me, it's like we're attached to the hip."
"Oh, what are you going to say? I'm suffocating you?" she asked, raising her brows. "Next you'll say I'm a nag."
"What are we, married?" Peter asked. Alexa hesitated and her eyes widened a bit, a blush dusting her cheeks, but then she grinned.
"A surly pair we'd make, none would ever get a word in," she teased. He'd noticed her pause and wondered if he'd said something off-putting, but he relaxed when she did, though she still looked slightly stiff.
"Maybe, but at least we'll have each other," he replied with a grin, "To tease and to annoy."
"In mental illness and in health."
"Until death do we part," Peter finished, but the air between them seemed less that playful than before. Alexa's smile faded a touch, but again she saved them from the unspoken line they seemed to be dancing upon.
"It's a promise then, you're stuck with me for a while yet," she said with a smile, then pat his good arm. "I have to give these supplies back, but you should go ahead and get some rest."
Peter nodded and let her walk away as he remained, pensive with a blank expression. His mind was, however, whirling in confusion. What the bloody hell was that?
Just as he had thought might happen, they were ambushed half way to the city. How could he have known the Giants were blended into the rocks? They had won, but at the cost of more men. It was, strangely, at times like this when the High King wondered what his sister and brother were doing in Calormen, or Lucy back at home. How were they fairing? Had they run into any trouble, as he had? He sincerely hoped not, but pushed the thoughts away to urge his horse forward. They were almost to the gate.
...
He could hardly believe it. A large grassland, the size of Shuddering Wood, covered the entirety of the area. The city, now somewhat in ruins by these Giants, was made of rock and thick stone. As far as he knew, this region had no name. The High King would call it, Ettinsmoor.
"In the name of Aslan, the Great Lion, Narnia wages official war with your nation, Ettinsmoor, for the attacks waged on our borders." With these words, the royal Army of Narnia charged, pushing the Giants further and further north above Narnia's boundaries.
"The trip back is always the easier journey, I think," said Alexa with a sigh. She stretched her aching limbs from being settled in a horse all morning and afternoon.
"I agree. There is less stress, but you always feel more tired," replied Peter, taking a mouthful of water from the small satchel. They were able to have gathered it from the Great River, and hold it in the many pouches for use.
"Would it be longer to follow the Great River all the way to the Cair, or do you think it would be better to just cut across?" Alexa asked. They were now on the edge of Owlwood, where the forest met the river, debating on what route to take.
"I think cutting across would be much faster—a couple day's ride at most, while following the river might take us a few days since it winds about."
"This is true, but will we have enough water to last us?" Peter nodded affirmatively.
"Of course, we just replenished the supply. I think we'll be fine," he said. She looked thoughtful for a moment, but didn't disagree.
"Alright, good then." Peter regarded her for a long moment before speaking again.
"Alexa…" The Courageous Queen looked to him curiously when he didn't continue.
"Yes, Peter?" she asked. He hesitated, regarding his friend silently for a moment. She had been with him through the entire journey, through all the battling and violence...he would probably never admit it but...he was glad that he had let her come.
"Never mind."
Alexa sighed in relief at seeing the familiar palace gates. The tired army walked through, being greeted by family members and friends. When they were near enough, Peter and Alexa both dismounted their horses, and were received by Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.
"So, what happened with Prince Rabadash?" Alexa asked after everyone had greeted one another again after a long few weeks. The other three quickly began to dissolve into laughter, to the confusion of Peter and Alexa.
"This, my friend, is a long story."
Well, there ya go! Input will be much appreciated. ^_^