Welcome back to The Five Monarchs! I'm so glad you all enjoyed that last chapter! :) And you all have gotten me over fifty reviews! Yay! Thank you all so much! I am so grateful for your positive comments and messages about this story. I love you all!

Okay, let's get to the good part, shall we?

Sing Out!

SW

Disclaimer: I do not claim any copyrights to C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian, nor the movie version by Disney and Walden Media.

Chapter 9: The (Almost) Return of the White Witch

Edmund

I trudge inside Aslan's How next to Lucy, who seems genuinely concerned about my well-being at the moment.

"I'm sorry it didn't go as planned," she says.

"It didn't really affect Henri and I, Lu," I reply. "Well, we did have to ward off a few guards, but that wasn't a problem."

"Of course it wasn't. You and Henri are the best fighters in Narnia," she says encouragingly, giving me a small smile.

I put my arm around her shoulders. "Thanks, Lu."

We follow Susan and Henri into our bed chamber.

Henri sits down almost hesitantly on her pile of pine needles and feathers, pulling her hair out of its long braid. I flop down on my own pile, conveniently located next to hers. I unbuckle my sword belt and place my weapon beside me on the floor.

"Now, I want you two to get some good sleep," Susan orders.

Henri sighs. "Su, I know you just want to do us good, but, honestly, I—"

"Henri, for once, I have to insist that you listen to me," Susan interrupts. "You two have had a long night."

"What about you? You've done much more fighting than we have," I point out.

Henri nods. "Yeah, I agree with Ed. Why aren't you taking a nap?"

Susan squares her shoulders and huffs, "Because I don't need one. Come on, Lucy, let's let them sleep."

And without another word, Susan puts out a few of the torches and stomps, pulling Lucy behind her.

I hear Henri groan in the semi-darkness and grin slightly. She really does hate this. I know she wants to be talking to Caspian right now, assuring him that Peter isn't usually this angry and that everything will work out.

I think back to that moment on the roof, just after we had taken down those two guards. There was this moment where I could have sworn I thought…I thought she was going to kiss me. It's a strange thought, really. I mean, Henri Rodree, my best friend in the entire world, kissing me? But at the same time, it's sort of a pleasant thought.

But here's the thing—I wanted to kiss her. Oh, how I had yearned to just grab her hands, pull her near, and put my lips on her plush pink ones. How would it feel to have her run her hands through my hair? But she's my best friend! She'll never feel the same way. We felt it once, but who says she does now? Those feelings came to us so many years ago. Or, if felt like years and years ago…

I glance over at my best friend. Her hair glows in the dark light of the single torch on the back wall. And that gray shirt of hers makes her blue eyes even brighter.

I'm quiet for a long while, wondering if I should say something.

"Henri?" I finally whisper.

She rolls over to face me. "What is it, Ed?"

"Do you think Peter really meant what he said? You know, out there with Caspian," I say quietly.

Henri's eyes harden and a deep scowl settles into her usually cheerful features. "Yeah, I think he did. And that's what worries me. What about you?"

"I agree. I think he sincerely meant every word," I say.

Henri rolls back over to face the ceiling with a disgusted snort. "I can't believe him, Ed. After all Caspian has done for the Narnians and for us. I mean, what happened to Peter? What happened to that kind, noble, respectable king? What happened to that fair, sensible boy I used to look up to?"

I shake my head, not knowing the answer. "I don't know."

"It makes me sick to think that that boy is gone," she whispers, seemingly almost in tears. "He's nothing but a monster; a greedy, angry monster who wants nothing more than glory and power. In my eyes, he's just as horrid as Miraz himself."

For the first time in a long while, I have to disagree with Henri. I quickly sit up. "As bad as Miraz? You can't mean that, Henri."

"Well, I do," she says defiantly. "It's true and you know it."

"No, it's not," I refuse somewhat angrily. "Peter hasn't killed anyone just to become king, he hasn't purposely caused misery to his own people, he hasn't—"

Henri sits bolt upright and counters my argument. "He left the Narnians behind, Ed! Because of his stupid decisions, we lost troops! We lost some of our Narnians, and all because of his own choice! To me, that's just as bad as what Miraz has done to the Narnians!"

I clench my teeth and reply angrily, "But he doesn't just want Narnia because of the power! He's working to get Caspian in power!"

"Is he? Is he really, Ed? Because from what I've seen, he's acting like he's going to be High King again! He's treated Caspian with nothing but contempt since we've been here!"

"How do you know what he's thinking, Henri?!" I shout, getting heatedly to my feet. She stands just as quickly, right after me, yelling in my face.

"I don't! But I pay attention! It doesn't seem like you have been! Did you not see the Narnians tonight as we flew over the castle?! They were dead, Edmund! DEAD!"

We stand there, furious at each other. I haven't been this mad at Henri since before we came friends. Can she not just accept the fact that that whole fiasco is over with so she should just…

I didn't realize how close we were to each other. I can see the fire in her blue eyes and her long, blonde and brown eyelashes blinking rapidly.

I feel a strange burning in my stomach.

She's right there, Edmund, I think. Just lean in and do it.

And that's what I do. I grab her hands and lean down. I feel her hot breath on my face as I draw near. But she doesn't protest, in fact, she doesn't seem to move at all. But this is my chance. I can't resist the urge to kiss her.

I close my eyes, anticipating what her lips will feel like on mine. I'm almost there, I'm going in…

Our lips almost brush when Henri steps back, a sad look on her face. She looks up at me, a neutral expression on her face. She grabs her sword and scurries out of the room, leaving me standing there, confused and hurt.

What just happened?

Henri

I hear Ed calling my name as I walk out of the bed chamber.

I just walked away from a kiss; my first kiss, actually. Or, it would have been…

I hope he's not mad at me. But be probably is puzzled why I left. I left because something struck me as soon as he started leaning in. Our friendship is so important to me. It's actually frightening how much he as a person means to me. And I'm scared that this whole romance thing will ruin us. I've been friends with Edmund for over fifteen years (which is strange to people in England considering we're technically only fourteen). Perhaps we really are the perfect match, but…if we do start seeing each other and someday soon we break it off, how will that affect our friendship? That will make it awkward at home and between all of the Pevensies. Nothing would be the same.

I keep a serious expression on my face and strap on my sword as I enter the passage to the Stone Table. I need to be alone for a moment, to think about what just happened.

"Henri!" Edmund says breathlessly as he catches up to me. He blocks my way down the tunnel.

I push past him, not daring to look him in the eyes. I stride down a few more paces before he grabs my arm and whips me around to face him. He wears a miffed expression, his eyes full of hurt and worry.

"What was that for?" he asks quietly. "Why did you just walk away?"

I sigh and put a hand to my forehead. "I-I just did, Ed…I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? What does that have to do with why you pushed me away?!" he shouts.

I walk down the tunnel more, just wanting to be by myself. He jumps in front of me again.

"Answer my question!" he yells. "Please! I just want to know!"

"It doesn't matter!" I reply, frustrated that he can't let me have one moment of peace.

"Is it really that complicated?!" he bellows.

"Yes, it kind of is!" I counter.

"Then explain! We have time!"

"Actually, Edmund, we don't! We need to be working with Peter and Caspian right now! The Telmarines aren't going to stay put for very long and we need to have some sort of plan to make sure that we don't die!"

"I was going to kiss you so that if I do die, you'd know how I felt about you!" he screeches.

I stop and gape at my best friend. I've never seen him like this before. His eyes are watery, like he's about to cry.

I make no sound as I quietly go around him. So he really does feel the same way I do. And there I go, ruining it, just like I ruin everything else.

"Please, Henri," he says, following me. "I just want to know."

I sigh and stop in my tracks. He wants to know? Fine, I'll tell him.

I spin on my heel, an angry feeling boiling up inside me.

"I walked away from you because I didn't want to destroy what we already have," I reply quietly.

And with that, I turn and continue to the Stone Table. Unfortunately, Edmund follows me.

"Henri, I—"

Suddenly, I push him up against the wall and shush him. "I heard something, and it doesn't sound good.

"What are you—" he starts.

"Shut up!" I hiss. "Something's not right."

I let go of his collar and creep forward so that I can see what's going on inside the room. Edmund comes up behind me, looking over my shoulder.

My eyes widen and I hold in a gasp. There's Caspian, standing in the middle of something that looks to be very bad news. I see a hag, chanting in some sort of ancient Narnian language. Then there's a werewolf of sorts, drawing a circle in the dirt around Caspian. Nikabrik stands in front, smiling evilly as he watches the whole encounter.

"Blimey," Edmund whispers. "They're summoning Dark Magic."

I step back and look Edmund right in the eyes. I whisper instructions. "Go get Peter and anyone else who will fight. Hurry!"

Edmund backs up and silently flees down the passage. I hope he gets them quickly!

I turn back to the scene behind the Stone Table, a feeling of dread weighing me down. This is not going to turn out well.

The hag keeps chanting and pulls something long and golden from under her cloak. My breath catches in my chest and my heart skips a beat. The White Witch's wand. How on earth did they get that?!

I watch in horror as the hag brandishes the wand in the air and smashes in onto one of the steps. The temperature drops in the room as ice crawls its way up the arch in front of the Table. I feel sick to my stomach when I realize what they're doing. They're going to bring back the White Witch!

The ice solidifies on the archway and a figure appears. It is ghostly white and pale, trapped within the frozen water.

"Wait," Caspian says shakily, trying to back out of the circle. "This isn't what I wanted!"

I grip my sword tightly as the werewolf grabs him from behind and holds out Caspian's hand. My instinct is to rush in and destroy those stupid creatures, but I must contain myself until Edmund comes back with the others.

The hag reveals a jagged stone knife from beneath her cloak. How many things can she fit in that? Honestly…

"One drop of Adam's blood and you free me, then I am yours, My King," rasps the Witch, her cold voice echoing through the chamber.

My stomach churns at the sound of her voice. It is not one I thought I'd ever hear again. I am reminded of all the things she did to me and to my friends and I am filled with anger.

I hear footsteps at the end of the passage. Edmund and some reinforcements! Finally!

"No!" cries Caspian, the hag slicing his hand with the dagger. The wolf moves him forward, urging him to complete the task. The Witch's hand slides through the ice with a crackle. He's going to do it!

I am about to go forward and fight off the three of the evil ones myself when I hear Peter's voice.

"STOP!"

I draw my sword as Peter, Edmund, and Trumpkin round the corner, looking fierce and ready to fight.

We charge into the cold chamber and start to battle. Peter runs towards the hag while Edmund and I are left with the werewolf.

It leaps over us and crouches with a vicious growl. I hold my sword at the ready, waiting for the attack.

It dives forward and I swing, the wolf dodging it with a snarl. Edmund swings at his head and the wolf ducks, making Edmund fall in the process. He slices its leg as the wolf lets out a strangled howl.

Ferocity coursing through my veins, I stab to the left and manage to wound the wolf's arm. But its legs swing around and catch my own legs, knocking me to the floor. It hunches over me, about to strike, when Edmund shoves it out of the way. It chases Edmund over a bit of stone, launching itself at my best friend. I hear it howl again. Ed must have gotten it again.

I scramble over the side and stab it unceremoniously in its back, sword easily running it through.

I quickly turn to the sound of Lucy's yell. How did she get in here?!

"You brought Lucy along?!" I scream at Edmund, pulling my sword out of the dead werewolf.

"She must have followed us!" he replies.

Thankfully, Trumpkin kills Nikabrik and helps Lucy stand.

"No!" Edmund yells. I turn to see Caspian getting too close to the White Witch. Peter rams the prince out of the way, his sword poised at the Witch.

I hurry over and help sit up. I think he hit his head pretty hard. I look up at Peter, still staring at the Witch.

"Ah," coos the White Witch, "Peter, dear." She sticks her hand back through the ice. "Come. Just one drop."

"We'll never ally with you, Witch!" I spit.

The Witch turns and smiles at me coldly. "And little Henri. Such bravery. It's a shame, really. We could do great things together, you know."

"Like heck we could," I snarl, helping Caspian stand.

"Now, Peter, don't listen to your little friend. You know you can't do this alone," the Witch says, offering Peter her hand.

Peter's face softens and, slowly, he lowers his sword. Good lord, he may actually do it!

"Are you out of your mind?! Don't you dare, Peter Pevensie!" I yell.

Suddenly, with a loud shing, the tip of a blade appears in the Witch's stomach. The ice cracks around her, the sound echoing brilliantly in the chamber. I hear her gasp and her head limps back, the ice crashing around us with a loud crackle. Warmth returns to the room as the spell breaks.

Standing behind the archway, his sword above his head, is Edmund. I breathe a sigh of relief when he puts it down and away.

"I know," he says grumpily to Peter. "You had it sorted."

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