Crimson
Chapter 8
***Arabella's POV***
I arrived much before dawn and I sprinted to my tent still in my true form. As I entered my room I dropped onto my bed, exhausted and distraught. Slowly I changed from my true for back into a human and I cried. I cried until I could cry no more, my head ached and my throat sore. My eyes burned and my cheeks wet, my body covered in sweat. I did not care that I was still completely bare after my transformation, I still had my ring and my pendant however the blood red colour no longer shined, It was now dull and lifeless. It was still dark outside but the sky slowly lightened.
No longer crying, I pushed myself off my bed and slipped on a plain green dress. No belt, no crown and just shoes. Before grabbing my old sword and stepping outside to the practice field.
Taking my stance at the fighting range, I stood between several wooden figures all arranged randomly. For the next few hours I practices aiming and striking the major areas, neck, heart, head and knees.
***Peter's POV***
I woke in the night to a touch on my cheek, my eyes fluttered open as I saw a figure in the corner. Upon instinct I grabbed my sword and aimed it at the figure, startling my brother.
"Be still my prince's" it was a Dryad "I bring grave new from your sisters, the great lion has passed"
"What?" I sat up instantly
"Aslan has fallen, you're sister are safe but the witch is preparing her troops for battle, I suggest you do the same, good luck my prince" the Dryad then blew away into the distance leaving the message to sink in.
Once I had full grasped the message I flew out of bed with Edmund, he ran to Orieus and I ran into Aslan's tent just to be sure.
"Aslan!" I called searching the main area frantically but he was no where to be found, I searched in his chambers and he wasn't there either "Arabella..." I ran from Aslan's room to Arabella's room only to find it empty, I sighed, she must be with my sisters.
I slowly walked out of the tent to find Oreius and Edmund waiting with the battle plans "She's right, he's gone" he sighed "Arabella isn't in her room either"
"That poor child" Oreius muttered
"Then you'll have to lead us" Edmund announced, I looked at him like he's totally lost it "Peter, there's an army out there that's ready to follow you"
"I can't" I protested
"Aslan believed you could" he countered "So do I"
"The witches army is nearing sire, what are your orders?" Oreius asked me an my eyes fell upon the battle plans.
***Arabella's POV***
By now many of the figures had lost limbs, were severed in half or were headless. You'd assume by now that I had used all my strength in order to take out my anger but you'd be wrong. With each strike and each swing I only gained energy, I was prepared and ready to fight. For my father, in his honour.
Dawn had fallen and I could hear the commotion from the camp grounds, I decided now would be the perfect time to get ready. Taking hold of my sword, I held my head high as I exited the training grounds and entered the camp sight. As I did, people fell silent and I could feel them watching my every move. As I approached my tent I noticed Edmund, Oreius and Peter leaned over a table discussing something. They hadn't yet noticed the deadly silence across the camp nor had the noticed my presence. Orieus was the first. He stood up straight and gave me a small bow, Edmund then noticed and followed but their eyes held pain and sadness and I'm sure my own did too.
Peter was still staring at the battle plans and I had noticed that his head flicked up to meet his brother and when he saw what Edmund and Orieus were doing he quickly spun around and that's when his eye met mine.
"Arabella..." he whispered and took a step forward as I held my ground "I'm so sorry"
"What's done is done" I nodded and spoke flatly, I must stay strong for my people and for my father "I shall need to prepare for battle-"
"You're going to fight? No! It's too dangerous, I can't lose you too" Peter said as he stepped even closer, clearly unaware of everyone's eyes on the two of us
"With all due respect" I started "Your majesty" he flinched as I used his title rather than his name "I refuse to go against my fathers wishes, now if you'll excuse me" I said before brushing past the prince and heading to my tent , before I entered I turned to Oreius "Have someone ready my horse" I told him.
"Right away Princess" he nodded.
Without another word I marched straight into my tent and to my chambers. Dropping my sword onto my bed I made my way over to my trunk where I kept my battle gear. I tore off my simple green dress and tossed it aside before pulling out a plain white under vest and a white long sleeved blouse. I slipped the two on before grabbing my dark brown trousers and pulling them on. The blouse hung loose but the trousers clinged tightly to my legs allowing easy movement. I tucked the blouse and vest into the trousers before pulling out my boots and armour. Making sure my lion pendant and ring were tucked safely into my blouse, hidden away from everyone, I put on my corset armour and shoulder pads.
This particular corset I needed not assistance with as it was made of steal that was moulded for my body shape and fit perfectly. It clipped in the front as I buttoned it all the way down giving my chest and abdomen protection. I slid on my shoulder and neck armour that clipped into my corset. The shoulder armour flared out as to protect me from any outer blows and they folded in against the arch of my neck at the sides and back to protect me but not cover the front as so I could breath. My collar bones and a little of my neck at the front were left bare but I continued on by adding my wrist armour and fastening it tightly over my sleeves. I pulled on my fingerless leather gloves that allowed me to grip onto my weapons and my shield better so that they could not be easily knocked out of my hands and as the few final pieces I strapped on the several different holsters for my weapons. Around my hips, my calves and on my back.
I slipped on my slightly heeled leather boots that came up, just below my knees giving my calves extra protection and tucked over my holsters. Before I left my room I pulled all my hair back into a French braid so it would not get in my way making sure each piece was tucked away. I had my own signature battle make up. It sounds silly but it makes me feel like a real warrior. Taking a dark khol pencil I lined my eyes with black making my hazel brown eyes look all the more lighter, just like my fathers. Once I was finished I stepped out of my room and into the main area.
Layed out on a table and covered with a red velvet cloth were my weapons. I stripped away the cloth revealing several freshly sharpened tools. Each blade shone a brilliant silver and the handles were wrapped in a vibrant red leather and each handle was topped with a a deep red jewel. Just by looking at them I knew that if I each touched the blades of these weapons that it would tear my flesh open instantly. Taking hold of my sword I swung it around and sliced it through the air, testing its weight. When I was satisfied I drew my sword into its sheath around my hip. I slipped the four daggers into the holsters around my boots. One on each side and then taking my Sai's I swiftly spun them around my wrists several times before slipping them diagonally into the holsters on my back, forming an X shape.
Finally I grabbed my shield. The gleaming silver adorned with a red pouncing lion and carved around the edges was the golden aged prophecy.
"Wrong will be right when Aslan comes in sight,
When he bares his teeth winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane
We shall have spring again.
When Adam's Flesh and Adam's Bone
Sit's at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done..."
I slid my shield across my arm and marched out of my tent ready for battle.
***Peter's POV***
"Right Ed, I want you here at the top of the rock with the archers-" My gaze flicked up to my brother and I noticed he wasn't even paying attention to me, instead he looked sad, his gaze was fixed to whatever was behind me. I noticed Oreius was the same. I swiftly turned around to see what possibly could of grasped their attention when I saw her standing there.
"Arabella..." I whispered her name and took a step towards her "I'm so sorry" I felt the need to apologize, we may have lost our leader but I cannot imagine how it feels to lose your father.
"What's done is done" she nodded, her voice was flat and void of emotion but her eyes were different. She was staying strong for everyone"I shall need to prepare for battle-" she continued but I stopped her as soon as the word 'battle' escaped her lips.
"You're going to fight? No! It's too dangerous, I can't lose you too" I argued and I stepped even closer, I had to be near her, to be there for her at a time like this, I was aware of the many pairs of eyes trained on us but I didn't care.
"With all due respect" she started "Your majesty" her voice was harsh as she spoke my title and not my name and I couldn't help but flinch slightly "I refuse to go against my fathers wishes, now if you'll excuse me" she said before brushing past the me. I guess I can't argue with that "Have someone ready my horse" she told Oreius, not even looking at me.
"Right away Princess" he nodded . My eyes never left her until she was out of my sight and in her tent.
I sighed, my shoulders slumped and I made my way to my own tent. I suppose I should get ready too.
Getting ready for a battle was more difficult than I thought. The armour was heavy and there was lots of it. It was difficult to put on as I have never actually worn armour before let alone lead and entire army.
Once Ed and I were ready we went back outside to meet Oreius who had brought Arabella's horse and the three of us continued to discuss battle strategy as we waited for the Princess.
Eventually I heard the sound of footsteps breaking grass and I turned around to Arabella standing there in all her glory. I was astonished in the different look. She was no longer the delicate Princess I thought her to be, no, stood before me was a mighty warrior and so much more. My eyes drank in every detail of her. Everything from her weapons that were strapped around her body, to her armour and even that black that was lined around her hazel brown eyes making them look golden. Like a lion. I trained my eyes on her face as for the first time ever she had nothing covering her features. Her cheekbones were sharp and her skin was sun kissed, her lips full and her head held high as always.
She ignored our presence and made her way over to her horse. I feeling of fear crept over me as I realised how magnificent she looked but this warrior, this beautiful princess was about to go into battle and fight against the enemy with her life without knowing how I truly feel and I was not about to let her go without at least telling her no matter how she feels back.
***Arabella's POV***
"Hello Arthur" I greeted my majestic all black stallion, his saddle was already fitted and it held an extra sword
"Greetings Arabella" he bowed
"Are you ready for battle?" I asked as I stroked his obsidian mane.
"I was born ready, Princess, to go into battle with you would be an honour" he chuckled and I smiled at the stallion
"No Arthur, it is an honour for me to ride with you" I whispered before grabbing the reins and leading him over to where we would set off to battle.
Once Arthur was in position I made my way back to my tent and the followers started to gather near awaiting further instructions. Edmund had informed me of the battle plan as Oreius told the rest of the camp but now the four of us, Peter, Edmund, Oreius and I were all stood before the camp.
"Sire" Oreius whispered to Peter who stood there not knowing what to do "I believe they are waiting for a speech"
"Right okay" Peter breathed before taking a step forward
"The time has come" he spoke loud, his voice projecting across the camp "For us to finally fight against the White Witch, for us to finally re claim Narnia and although we may not have Aslan here with us he lives on, in all of us, in our hearts and we shall make him proud by fighting for what is ours!" He raised his fist in the air and the crowd cheered with their leader, my hand travelled down my side and across my body as I grasped my sword.
I swiftly raised it in the air and called out "For Aslan and For! NARNIA!" my sword raised high and mighty everyone followed raising their weapons and cheering, I turned to look at Peter who was smiling at be and I smiled back before returning my sword to its original place and heading off to my horse. The troops began rallying up any final necessities or re evaluating the battle plans before meeting at the horses. Day light had now broken across the camp and the early morning air was cool and fresh. I was ready to fight, for Narnia and especially for my father. When my stallion was in sight I quickened my pace.
"Arabella!" someone called out my name and I stopped suddenly and turned around to seen Peter running towards me
"Peter?" I was confused, shouldn't he be with Oreius "Shouldn't you be-"
"I know but I couldn't have you going out into battle without you knowing" he breathed as he stood directly in front of me, our bodies only an inch or two apart.
"Knowing what?" I questioned as I stared into his blue eyes.
Rather than answering me, Peter took his time, he stepped even closer so now our bodies were pressed together, the only thing separating us was the armour we wore. He brought his hand up and gently caressed my cheek and at this point my whole mind had gone blank, I didn't know what to do or say so I let him continue. His finger tips brushed under my chin as he leaned forward, his eyes flickering to my lips before meeting my own eyes once more, using his finger tips, he lightly lifted my head slightly and pulled it closer to his own so now our lips were so close I could feel his cool breath resting on them. I couldn't help but glance at his lips for a second and in that second his lips lightly brushed mine.
I was shocked to say the least but warmth filled me as I felt the contact. He brushed his lips against mine once more before slowly attaching them to my own. The kiss was slow and hesitant. Delicate and soft, not hungry and forceful. My eyes fluttered shut instantly, he was so careful and gentle like he did not wish to harm me in anyway. Almost too soon that one single, light kiss ended and he slowly pulled away, his eyes opened as I opened mine. His eyes searched my face looking for an answer but I stayed blank. His hand left my chin and fell to his side and he took several steps backwards, still facing me before turning around and walking away, leaving me standing there. Alone.
as another sorry...
