CHAPTER 6

"It's only a matter of time!" Peter started. They had decided to call a council of the leaders to discuss what to do next. They were all currently sitting around the stone table. Caspian was stood off to the side while Peter paced. "Miraz's men and war machines are on their way! That means those same men are not protecting his castle!"

"What do you propose we do your Majesty?" Reepicheep asked. Both Caspian and Peter spoke at the same time. They looked at one another and Caspian stepped back. He had a very strong feeling that Peter didn't like him!

"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us!" Peter said but Caspian cut in "But that's crazy, no one has ever taken that castle!" he said. Peter turned to him. "There is always a first time!" Trumpkin but in "and we would have the element of surprise!"

"But we have the advantage here!" Caspian said. Susan joined his argument "If we dig in he could probably hold them off indefinitely!" she said ignoring the glare she got from Peter. The badger agreed with Susan's words. Peter tried to talk calmly to Caspian.

"I appreciate what you've done here! But this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb!" Edmund had had enough. "And if they're smart the Telmarines will starve us out! And what about Kate?" he said standing "Do you think I'm going to sit here while they kill my wife!" he said. Susan gave him a shocked look "No one has forgotten Kate..."

"Ed's right...We have to rescue her!" He turned to Glenstorm the head Centaur "if I get your troops in can you handle the guards?" he asked. He gave Caspian a quick look before replying "Or die trying!" now it was Lucy's turn to speak.

"That's what I'm worried about!" she said. Peter turned to her. "Sorry?"

"You're all acting like there's only two options. Dying here or dying there!" Peter got annoyed

"I'm not sure you've really been listening Lu!" but she cut him off. "No you're not listening Peter! Or did you forget who really defeated the white which" The name ran a cold chill down Edmunds back. "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough!" he said. Edmund shot his head up at Peter's words unsure if they had actually left his brothers mouth. Lucy sighed and left as the other started planning. She would come back later to find out where she was positioned. She sat on the lookout at the top of the how where Edmund found her.

"Lucy?" he asked as he sat beside her. "Where is he Edmund?" she asked looking out to the trees.

"I don't know who you're talking about...Peter or Aslan!" he said and she sighed sadly in agreement. "I wish I knew!" she said and he agreed. "We'll get her back Ed, she'll be fine" she said putting a hand on his knee. He tried to smile but failed. He got up and walked back into the how Lucy following. Everyone knew where they were going and there was a small argument between Lucy and Peter about her staying behind. She lost in the end and walked off to her room ignoring them. She did come to say goodbye to them, still unhappy with his decision but knowing he said it from his heart. And she watched as they all left.

Edmund too was annoyed about Peter's decisions but for the reason he was not allowed to find Kate. He was to signal the troops from the West tower and stay there. "But why!" he asked.

"Because I know you Ed...you'll find Kate and then forget about the plan...We'll get her!" He said a stiff goodbye to his family as he was lifted by the griffin and towards the west tower. The griffin dropped Edmund and grabbed the guard on duty. Gathering himself he took the torch from his belt he pointed it towards the woods where the troops were. Flicking it on and off, the next stage got underway. He watched Susan, Peter, Caspian and Trumpkin fly in next. He knew somewhere below Reepicheep was towing his men to the gatehouse. He guided his family onto the wall and watched as they took the guards down. They disappeared down the side of the castle and he saw no more of them. All he could do now was wait.

Inside, Caspian had gotten into the Professor's room. There was more dust than normal on the old books and Manuscripts and he noted the Professors glasses on the table. "We have to find him!" he said to Peter.

"You don't have time you need to get the gate open!" Peter said annoyed. "You wouldn't even be here without him, and neither would I!" Peter looked to Susan for help. "You and I can deal with Miraz!" she said. But Caspian jumped in "And I can still get to the gate on time!" and with that he was gone.

Kate was in a deep sleep. Her head felt like a tonne of bricks and she was jumpy, a fact that scared the Professor. He knew she was not in a good way. Her breathing was heavy, whether from fear or illness he didn't know. But he glanced at her every now and again to make sure she was alive. There was a noise behind him which he assumed was a guard.

"Professor!" came a familiar voice. Caspian started to get the cuffs off the Professor who was mad.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "I didn't help you escape just so you can sneak back in!" he said. But Caspian remembered "Where is the queen?" he asked. The professor looked over his shoulder and Caspian ran to her cell. He was shocked but the severity of her injuries. He lifted her and walked her back to the professor. "you have to get out before Miraz finds out you are here!" The professor said, pulling Caspian who was holding Kate towards the stairs.

"He's going to know soon enough! We are giving him your cell!" Caspian smiled handing the professor his glasses and walking up the stairs with Kate, the Professor behind "Don't underestimate Miraz like your father did!" It was just as well Caspian had set Kate down because the reality of what he had just heard had stuck him and his body went numb.

"What are you talking about?" he asked in a low angry voice. The Professor bowed his head. "I'm sorry!" he tried to stop him but Caspian was gone. He turned to Kate. She wasn't waking up. He went to the stables which he knew were empty at this time of night carrying her. He didn't know how long he was there but suddenly there was the sounds of battle overhead and he had just enough time to pull Kate from view as the soldiers ran from the building and the horn sounded overhead.

Edmund was getting anxious from the waiting and had started playing with his torch, losing his grip and dropping it to the turret below. A Telmarine soldier on duty picked it up and turned it on. Ed knew he had to stop it as it would confuse the troops. Jumping on the man he quickly knocked the torch from his hand. But the man now knew he was there and they were locked it a small battle of their own. Peter, having noticed this called to Edmund.

"I'm a bit busy Pete!" Edmund knew his mistake before it happened. He raised his sword at the wrong angle and it was knocked from his hand. Dodging the next few swipes he managed to grab the torch from the ground and knock the man out cold, damaging the torch in the process. He banged it around a couple of times before the light finally came back on. Giving the signal the troops charged into the courtyard.

"For Narnia!" Peter called as he and the other ran straight into the oncoming Telmarine soldiers. They seemed to gain the upper hand for a bit but the Telmarines kept coming! Edmund and Susan both realised at the same time the archers surrounding the courtyard. Edmund was looking down from the roof and noticed the one directly below him was aimed at Peter. Forgetting he was made at Peter he jumped and slid down the roof knocking the archer over the wall.

"Ed!" Peter shouted warningly and Edmund turned to see 10 archers pointing at him. Running to the nearest door he closed it in time to see the arrows indented in the door. He ran up the staircase behind him and came out at the very top of the castle. He was away from the battle but he knew that the soldiers had followed and would be there any minute. The worst part was he didn't know if Kate was safe or not! Then the men broke through the door. Stepping back all the way to the edge he looked down and smiled before falling backwards off the edge. The soldiers looked over but were blown back by the griffin as he soared over them.

Caspian, Peter and Susan watched as the Minotaur got under the gate to stop it from closing. "FALL BACK!" Peter cried. The last thing they wanted was to get caught. Caspian ran towards the stables as they were the closest point to where he left the professor and Queen Kate. Thankfully they were already in the stables. He noticed the professor was trying to get Kate on a horse. Running over he help and get her on the horse jumping up behind her as the Professor jumped on another horse Caspian grabbed the reigns of a third horse and caught Kate to make sure she was stable. He noticed he wince in her sleep and dreaded to know what arks lay under her dress.

The three rode into the courtyard again. Susan was nowhere in sight when he came back but Peter was trying in vain to get everyone out. Caspian came up beside him with a horse. He noticed Peter's eyes flick to Kate before jumping up. He looked to the skies and Caspian knew he was looking for Edmund. Caspian pushed his horse forward and Peter followed still looking for Edmund. Even in the brief second he had seen Kate he knew she looked bad. They made it out under the gate when the Minotaur collapsed, trapping the rest of the soldiers inside. Caspian had rode on and was now next to Susan. She was touching Kate to see if she would wake. Caspian helped lift Kate over to Susan, who was now in mother mode. In the dark light she could see the purple bruising on her face and she seemed to be in pain in her deep sleep.

Overhead Edmund was flying over the courtyard and witnessed for the first time the devastation below. Bodies sprawled everywhere and the living ones trapped in the gate. He noted a horse running over the bridge and his heart soared when he realised it was Peter. But something in his eyes made him look at Susan and he had to hold the griffin for support when he saw Kate's lifeless body in Susan's arm. She knew what he was thinking. They had set off for the how and Susan called to Glenstorm whose back she was on "We have to get her to Lucy!" he picked up speed as they raced through the forest. She rubbed Kate's face whispering she was safe.

Peter and Caspian led the way through the night and jumped from their horses as they approached the How where Lucy was waiting. Susan had gotten off Glenstorm so he could run faster and Ed didn't get off the Griffin until the edge of the woods. He heard a small argument between Caspian and Peter but he had by now reached Kate and broke down beside her. He took in every bruise on her face and hands and arms where her dress was ripped. Her breathing was heavy and she was obviously in pain. He heard to cries and looked up to see Peter and Caspian holding swords at one another. Taking another look at his dying wife he lost control. He needed Lucy!

"STOP IT!" he yelled drawing their attention to him "LUCY HELP HER!" He cried . She ran forward and Susan was at his side in an instant. Edmund didn't stop the tears now. He just held her as Lucy administered the Fireflower cordial and waited. She coughed and her breathing returned to normal and after a few seconds her eyes flickered and the purple swelling on her face started to disappear. She finally opened her eyes and found the dark black ones she fell in love with.

"Oh thank God!" Edmund said hugging her. She winced at the contact as all her injuries hadn't healed yet. "I'm sorry ..." he said pulling away but instead she gave him a kiss. "I've missed you" she whispered and he nodded. "I missed you too" She felt stronger every second and after a minute was able to stand with Edmunds help. Both Susan and Lucy hugged her. "What have we said about scaring us like that?" Susan scolded as she hugged her. She noticed her brother refused to let her go completely. After hugging Lucy she looked at Peter.

"Are you alright?" he asked She was surprised he wasn't huddled over her like he normally was when she was injured. Taken aback she nodded "I'm fine!" He gave her a quick look and walked away. Kate stood there watching him go. "What's the matter with him?" she asked worried. This wasn't the Peter she knew. "Ignore him, the good thing is you're safe!" Susan said squeezing her hand before heading into the How, Lucy following. Kate turned to Edmund, who cupped her face in his hands. "Susan's right, you have been warmed before! What if I had lost you?" She stood on her toes to kiss him. It will take more than Miraz and a few punches to stop me!" she smiled hugging him. He laughed "You're right! And you look alot better!"

"I feel alot better!" she said turning to face the building. "What is this place?" she asked him.

"Oh this is Aslan's how! Kind of out headquarters!" she looked confused. "What about Cair Paravel?" she knew by his face it was bad news. "Cair Paravel is gone! Telmarines destroyed it!" He whispered and she looked away. "Let's get you changed. Susan took some stuff for you from the treasure room, which managed to survive!" She took his hand and walked into the How with her husband.