"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."
Edmund finished reading, standing before Miraz and his court. Alex stood at the entryway to the tent between the minotaur Wimbleweather and Glenstorm, each of them holding green branches. She watched as Edmund started to roll up the scroll. Miraz glanced at her briefly before addressing Edmund.
"Tell me, Prince Edmund-"
"King." Edmund interrupted, briefly looking up from rolling the scroll. "Pardon?" Miraz asked incredulously. Edmund finished rolling up the scroll and gave Miraz his full attention. "It's King Edmund actually. Just king though." He added. "Peter is the High King." Miraz and his lords shared looks of confusion. "I know, it's confusing." Edmund admitted with a shrug. Miraz glanced at Alex once again before continuing as though there had been no interruption.
"Why would we risk such a proposal when our army could wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz asked contemptuously and Alex had to suppress a biting response.
"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" Edmund asked, looking each of the court in the eye. "Only a week ago, Narnians were extinct."
"And so you will be again." Miraz taunted and Edmund looked at him. "Then you should have little to fear." He replied and Miraz laughed. "This is not a question of bravery-"
"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund questioned him with raised eyebrows. There was a pause before Miraz leaned in menacingly. "I didn't say I refused."
"You avoided answering." Alex piped up and Miraz glared at her.
"You shall have our support, your majesty," one of the Lords interjected, "whatever your decision."
"Sire," Lord Sopespian chimed in, "our military advantage alone allows us the perfect excuse to avoid-" Miraz stood angrily, drawing his sword while Alex suppressed a smile- he had chosen the wrong word. "I'm not avoiding anything!" Miraz thundered and Lord Sopespian leaned back slightly, warily.
"I am merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse." Lord Sopespian answered carefully. Miraz was about to retort when General Glozelle interrupted from his place behind them all.
"His majesty would never refuse." Miraz glared at his general, but Glozelle continued calmly. "He relished the chance to show his people the bravery of their new king." And Alex knew they had him. There was no way Miraz could refuse now. He paused to contemplate before pointing his sword at Edmund.
"You," he sneered, "you had better hope your brother's sword proves sharper than his pen." Edmund smiled back, but it quickly dropped as Miraz pointed his sword at Alex. "Tell Caspian to prepare for his funeral, for we shall not worry to prepare one for him!"
Alex took a step forward, her eyes glinting dangerously, but Edmund stepped back, grabbing her by the arm. Miraz watched with great interest as Edmund shook his head and Alex pursed her lips. Alex gave Miraz a final glare as the four Narnians silently took their leave.
"Why'd you stop me?" She asked angrily as they made their way back to the How. "We need him to think he's still got the upper hand to some degree." Edmund answered. "And my lashing out doesn't help?" She asked confused when Edmund grinned. "Nope, you're scary when you're angry. If I'd let you just yell at them, the Telmarines would probably go off running and we can't have that can we?" He teased and Alex laughed, shaking her head.
"Ed," Edmund's heart leapt as he heard his nickname fall from her tongue. "Why'd you stop me? Really." She asked, pulling him to a stop just outside the entry to the How. Edmund glanced around. They were alone- Wimbleweather and Glenstorm had gone on ahead inside. He sighed.
"I was worried you'd end up hurt." He admitted softly. "Technically you're a Telmarine- I didn't want you to draw too much attention because if Miraz fought by law, he has rule over you and could try you for treason; and we wouldn't be able to stop him." Edmund admitted and Alex frowned. "Well, technically you're the king of Narnia, so he'd have to answer to you but you don't see him doing that." She pointed out, and he shrugged. "Like I said, I just wasn't going to take that risk."
Alex wrinkled her nose before she laughed at him. "You're such a worrywart, Ed," She laughed and Edmund joined in. "Well, you know you love it." He said without thought before biting his lip, wondering if he'd gone too far. Alex looked up, a little surprised, but when she saw his anxious face she smiled. Lifting a hand and resting it against his cheek, she gazed into his startled eyes. "You have no idea." She said simply, before dropping her hand and going off in search of her brother, leaving Edmund standing there stunned.
"You so like her."
Caspian started and whirled around to face his sister. Alex was leaning against the cave mouth, grinning up at her brother.
"You saw that?" He asked nervously and Alex laughed, pushing herself off the wall and going to stand next to her brother. "Yup." She popped the end and Caspian looked away, a little embarrassed at being caught by his little sister. Alex patted his arm comfortingly. "If it's any consolation, I think she likes you too." She said reassuringly.
"And what about King Edmund?" He asked and Alex blinked. Caspian looked back down at her with raised eyebrows. "Don't think I haven't noticed the way he looks at you… and the way you look at him." Alex's cheeks heated up as it was her turn to avoid her brother's amused gaze.
"None of your business." She muttered, embarrassed and Caspian chuckled. "I'd better have a talk with the young king, can't have him breaking my adorable little sister's heart and making her cry." Caspian mused as the siblings started off into the stables.
"Don't you dare!" Alex exclaimed and Caspian laughed at her. They walked in silence before Alex whispered as they stopped next to a horse. "Does he really look at me like that?" Caspian sighed as he stopped and peered down at his sister. Alex stopped with him and raised her eyes to his. Caspian placed a gentle hand on his sister's cheek. "Like you're the most special girl in the world." He said quietly, and his face took on a sad smile as Alex beamed at him. Not noticing her brother's mood, she hugged him tightly before skipping on ahead.
"Come on, we need to hurry if you're going to go after Susan!" She said and Caspian chuckled, helping her prepare the horse even as his ached a little. His little sister was growing up and too fast for Caspian's liking. He could see the love blossoming between the two young monarchs and while he was happy to see his sister find herself a good man (and Caspian didn't doubt Edmund on that) he couldn't help the sadness that came with the knowledge that his sister was also moving away from him. Caspian dreaded the day when he would have to give his beloved sister's hand away, and it now seemed that time was moving far too quickly for his liking.
