A/N Okay, this author's note will be a lot shorter I promise. Here's my second chapter in my attempt to grovel and beg for forgiveness. I made sure it was nice and long. Look for Dawn Treader coming soon!

Disclaimer: I only own the Montgomery family, I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia.

One on One, Help at Last, and Returning Again

Edmund and Selene marched across the long field with Glenstorm and a giant, both creatures carried olive branches. They hoped Caspian's plan would work and they wouldn't be completely obliterated. Once inside the Telmarine camp, Edmund and Selene stood before Miraz and his generals as Edmund read off a scroll on which Peter had written.

"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."

Once finished Edmund began to roll up the scroll as Miraz gazed at them as if they were splashes of mud on his riding cloak. "Tell me, Prince Edmund…"

Selene and Edmund interrupted him by saying slightly venomously, "King!"

"Pardon me," the usurper asked.

"It's 'King Edmund', actually. Just 'King' though. Peter's the High King. I know, it's confusing…" Selene cleared her throat to tell him he was getting off subject and he needed to focus.

Miraz glanced at her, appraising her, "And your lovely friend?" Selene shifted uncomfortably.

Edmund's expression hardened a bit, "My wife, you mean?" Miraz looked down at the long table he was seated behind for a moment.

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?"

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?
Selene stepped in, "He means, only a week ago Narnians were extinct."

Miraz leaned a little over the table, "And so you shall be again."

"Then you should have little to fear." Miraz began to laugh at her statement.

"This is not a question of bravery."

Edmund then intervened, "So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age."

"I think half is generous," Selene whispered so that only Edmund would hear. He bit his lip to keep from bursting out in laughter.

"I didn't say I refused," Miraz growled lowly.

A Telmarine a few seats down from Miraz added his input to the false king's decision, "You have our support, Your Majesty. Whatever your decision."

Another Telmarine on Miraz's other side spoke before Miraz could, "Sire, our military advantage alone provide the perfect excuse to avoid…"

The Telmarine was cut off by Miraz, who stood up and growled angrily, "I'm not avoiding anything!"

The other Telmarine shrunk back a tad, "I was merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse."

The general behind Edmund and Selene threw in his two cents, "His Majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new king."

Miraz turned back to the two real royals in the tent and pointed at Edmund, "You. You had better hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen." Selene and Edmund smirked at each other as they left and journeyed back to the How to deliver the good news. The plan was now in motion.

The Narnians cheered as Peter, Lyra, Edmund, and Selene walked out of the How, all dressed in chainmail and armor. This was the big part of the plan; while Peter fought Miraz, the other four children would be searching for Aslan. Hopefully, all would go well and the battle would be avoided all together. The four royals approached the center of the battlefield where Miraz, his general, and the general from earlier were waiting for them. Glenstorm stood on one side of them and the bear from the meeting on the other. The centaur nodded to them, affirming his allegiance. . The Telmarines cheered for their 'King'. Miraz said something to his general before standing and approaching the center of the duel space, which consisted of a patch of stone with broken marble archways and some deteriorating piles of the same material. Lyra handed Peter his sword and kissed his cheek as he too advanced towards his opponent. Miraz put on his helmet and drew his sword. The two began to sort of circle each other.

"There is still time to surrender," Miraz taunted Peter.

Peter, however, was unfazed, "Well feel free."

"How many more must die for the throne?"

"Just one!" Peter said as he pulled down his helmet. The duel then began.

The two kings struck, blocked, stabbed, parried, swiped and ducked repeatedly, trying to get the upper hand. Although Peter had experience and youth on his side, Miraz was cunning and tricky, despite his age. Peter was doing well until Miraz managed to knock off his helmet. They continued fighting. At one point Peter was struck to the ground and the onlookers flinched when they heard a sickening crack when Miraz stepped on the young high king's shoulder. But Peter was able to trip Miraz and get back on his feet as did Miraz. Peter then noticed, as did the others, Erik, Susan, and Caspian approaching.

"Does His Highness need a respite?" Miraz asked jeeringly.

"Five minutes?" Peter asked ignoring the usurper's tone.

"Three." The two males returned to their entourages to doctor their injuries. Peter and Lyra turned to the new arrivals inquiring their younger siblings' safety.

"Lucy?"

"Harry?"

"They got through," Susan assured them.

"With a little help," Erik added referring to Caspian.

Peter and Lyra faced Caspian, "Thanks."

Caspian shrugged, "Well, you were busy."

Peter turned to Erik and Susan, "You two had better get up there." He nodded to the place where the archers were perched, just in case. "I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word."

"Just keep smiling," Selene suggested as Peter faked a smile and raised his sword to the Narnians to keep their spirits alive.

"Be careful," Susan told Peter as she grabbed Erik's hand and headed for the How. Peter then sat down and let the others treat his wounds. Peter grunted a bit as Edmund started to push on his shoulder.

"I think it's dislocated… What do you think happens back home if you die here." Lyra began to wipe the blood from his face. He grasped her chin gently and gazed at her sadly. "You know I love you, right?" she nodded as he kissed her.

"You'll be alright," she said after they pulled away and she went to go stand near Caspian and Glenstorm.

Peter turned back to his younger brother, "You know you've always been there, and I never really… Ah!" he stopped as Edmund popped his shoulder back into its socket.

"Save it for later." Edmund replied.

Peter sighed, "Always tell her how you feel, Ed. It'll hurt too much to be away from her." Edmund glanced at Selene, not knowing that she could hear every word. Edmund nodded to Peter as the latter stood up once again and sauntered towards Miraz, both without helmets.

It was much as before neither could seem to gain the upper hand. Finally Peter managed to punch Miraz's injured leg. "Respite! Respite!" groveled the tyrant.

"Now's not the time for chivalry, Peter," Selene called to him but Peter started to walk away. Miraz, however, grabbed his sword and tried to strike Peter.

"Look out," Edmund and Lyra called in unison. Peter caught the sword and stabbed Miraz. Miraz then fell to his knees in front of Peter.

The old dictator tried to taunt Peter again, "What's the matter boy? Too cowardly to take a life?" Peter lowered his sword.

"It's not mine to take." He then turned around to face the others and handed the sword to Caspian, who brought it up as if to strike Miraz dead.

"Perhaps I was wrong," Miraz wheezed. "Maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine king after all."

Caspian's face was a mask of pain, anguish, and pure hatred; he screamed and plunged the sword… into the patch of greenery on the stone ground in front of Miraz. "Not one like you." The young prince stood straight up and glared at the man in front of him, "Keep your life. But I am giving the Narnian's back their kingdom."

After finishing his statement, Caspian turned away and started for the other. The Narnians cheered as one of the Lords came to the fallen tyrant's side and began to help him up… but Miraz fell down dead, pierced by one of Susan's arrows. But she had not fired one.

The Lord yelled to the Telmarine troops, "Treachery! They shot him! They murdered our king!" The Lord and the general ran back to their side as the inevitable battle began. The five of children, Peter, Lyra, Edmund, Selene, and Caspian, as well as Glenstorm stood in a line at the forefront.

"Be ready!" Peter called to the army.

"Peter!" Caspian yelled in warning and pointed to a Telmarine rushing towards Peter but the soldier was struck down dead by Lyra. Peter nodded to her his thanks but she did not see, she was ordering the bear and a few others to head back to the lines.

"Go!"

The Telmarines began to launch catapults at them and the How. Seconds later the Telmarine cavalry started to charge across the battlefield. Peter looked to Caspian, signaling him and Glenstorm. The two as well as about half the army rushed into the How as Peter began to count. "One, two… three, four… five, six… seven, eight, nine… Get ready!" he yelled to everyone.

The earth beneath the Telmarine cavalry gave way. The Telmarines fell into the trap as the Narnian archers shot arrows into the "pit". Selene jumped onto a horse and Edmund jumped on behind her as Peter shouted, "Charge!" The Narnians followed Peter into the fray as Caspian led the others as they came up out of the ground and fought as well. Selene guided the horse around the pit as Edmund shot Telmarines trying to escape with a crossbow.

On the other side of the field, line by line, the Telmarine battalions marched towards the fight. Eagles flew overhead with more archers who fired down upon the Telmarines. Peter suddenly bellowed across the battlefield, "Back to the How!" but before majority of them could, the Telmarines launched a catapult that caused the doorway to collapse. Susan fell from the lack of stone beneath her feet but was caught by Erik and Trumpkin, who placed her safely on solid ground.

Edmund and Selene rode back over to join Peter, Caspian, Lyra, Erik, and Susan. They jumped off the horse and drew their weapons and charged back into the skirmish.

Selene and Edmund fought back-to-back, taking on at least four or five Telmarines at a time. It was like they knew each other's moves before they were made and worked as a cohesive unit. Suddenly, trees began to move across the battlefield snatching up Telmarines. The other Telmarines, who managed to avoid the tree's grasp made a break for the forest.

Peter and Lyra smiled at each other, "Lucy and Harry."

Peter turned towards the forest and shouted once more, "For Aslan!" The whole company rushed after the Telmarines. The newly empowered Narnians chased the Telmarines to the river; the Telmarines began to cross their bridge as the Narnians stopped at the tree line. Lucy and Harry appear on the far side of the bridge with the Great Lion himself, Aslan. The Telmarines started to cross besides the presence of the lion. Aslan lets loose a mighty roar and the waters begin to recede. They culminate into a giant river being. Telmarines shout here and there frantically. The Telmarine Lord who killed Miraz was in the center of the bridge. He gazed up at the hydro-monster with fear but slashed futilely at it anyways. The river creature picked up the man-made bridge and destroyed it along with the Telmarine Lord. The river being then dissipated and the river returned to its previous state of calmness.

A little while later, the Narnians were collecting the Telmarines' weapons as the seven royals approached Aslan and the two little ones and knelt before the former. "Arise, Kings and Queens of Narnia," Aslan commanded and everyone but Caspian rose back to their feet. "All of you."

Caspian glanced at Aslan quickly before staring back down at the sand beneath him in shame, "I do not think I am ready."

Aslan smiled, if a lion could smile, "It is for that reason I know you are." Caspian arose and all of the children smiled at him.

Just then a few mice carried in an unconscious Reepicheep and laid him before Aslan. Lucy knelt down at the mouse's side and fed him a drop from her cordial. Nearly instantly he awoke and stood up. "Oh! Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you." He then noticed Aslan there next to her. "Uh… oh! Hail, Aslan! It is a great honor to be in…" he started to bow to the king but nearly fell over from lack of a tail. He turned and looked at his backside to see the missing appendage. "I'm completely out of countenance. I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion." He attempted to hide the fact that he was missing a tail and turned to Lucy and implored her, "Uh… perhaps a drop more?"

Lucy looked at her cordial doubtfully, "I don't think it does that."

"You could have a go," Reepicheep suggested hopefully.

Aslan chuckled at the mouse's actions, "It becomes you well, small one."

"All the same great king, I regret that I must withdraw, for a tail is the honor and glory of a mouse."

"Perhaps you think too much of your honor, friend."

"Well, it's not just for honor. It's also great for balance. And climbing. And grabbing things."

Another mouse spoke up and held a sword to his tail, "May it please Your High Majesty, we will not bear the shame of wearing an honor denied to our chief." The other mice held their tails and swords just as the first mouse had, ready to cut off their honor as well.

Aslan chuckled yet again, "Not for the sake of your dignity, but for the love of your people." A tail magically appeared on Reepicheep.

"Look!" the mouse exclaimed, grabbing the tail and bowing to Aslan. "Thank you, my liege. I will treasure it always. From this day forward it will serve as a great reminder of my huge humility." Edmund and Selene grinned at each other at Reepicheep's antics.

Aslan then turned to Lucy and Harry, "Now, where is this dear little friend you've told me so much about?" They all glanced at Trumpkin, who was nearby collecting Telmarine weapons. He approached the lion wearily and knelt before him. Aslan roared, scaring the poor dwarf half to death. Everyone laughed.

"Do you see him now?" Harry queried, sending everyone into peels of more laughter.

A couple of days later, there was a huge parade through the town near the Telmarine castle. Aslan and Caspian, on horseback, led the procession. Following close behind, the Pevensies and the Montgomerys too rode in on horses, each couple to a steed. And just behind the brave Narnian's walked along and were actually accepted by the Telmarines welcoming them and the royals into their city. That night Caspian was officially crowned a King of Narnia and to celebrate an enormous ball took place. Edmund and Selene danced for much of the night before retiring to a room to get a good night's sleep before the gathering the following morning.

The sun rose high in the sky as Narnians and Telmarines alike gathered in the courtyard of the castle. The eight children stood just off to the side of Aslan and Caspian and on the opposite side stood, the bear, Glenstorm, Reepicheep, Trufflehunter, Trumpkin, and Doctor Cornelius. Caspian, as the new king, addressed the Telmarines, "Narnia belongs to the Narnians, just as it does to man. Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. But for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers."

A voice yelled out, "It's been generations since we left Telmar."

"We're not referring to Telmar," Aslan answered. "Your ancestors were seafaring brigands. Pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world. The same world as our kings and queens." The eight children glanced at each other in shock at this new piece of information. "It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

Miraz's general, Glonzelle, who had managed to survive the battle, spoke up, "I will go. I will accept the offer." He began to make his way to Aslan and Caspian as Miraz's widow, Prunoprismia, voiced her acceptance as well.

"So will we," she then, along with her father and her baby boy approached the Great Lion.

Aslan nodded, "Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good." The lion then breathed on the child, the woman, the ex-general, and the old man. A second later, the large tree just behind Caspian and Aslan twisted, revealing a doorway. The four Telmarines then entered through the natural arch and disappeared. Gasps erupted all around the courtyard.

Telmarines began to shout out from the crowd, "Where did they go?"

"They killed them."

"How do we know he is not leading us to our death?"

Reepicheep moved toward Aslan, "Sire. If my example can be of any service, I will take elven mice through with no delay." Aslan did not respond, but instead looked over to Peter, Lyra, Erik, and Susan meaningfully.

Peter sighed, "We'll go."

"We will?" Harry asked dumbfounded.

"Come on." Peter looked to Lyra, ""Our time's up. After all…" the High King walked over Caspian and handed him his sword. "We're not really needed here anymore." 'Well, at least he finally learned,' Selene thought.

Caspian gulped as he took the sword from Peter, "I will look after it until you return."

Lyra came up behind Peter, "I'm afraid that's just it. We're not coming back."

"We're not?" Lucy questioned fearfully.

"You four are," Erik answered. "At least, I think he mean you four."

"But why?" Selene inquired.

Harry gazed at Aslan, imploring, "Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one," Aslan assured them. "But all things have their time. Your brothers and sisters have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."

Lyra placed a comforting hand on her little brother's shoulder, "It's all right, Harry, Lu."

"It's not how I thought it would be…" Peter agreed as he trailed off, eyeing Lyra. "but it's all right."

"One day you'll see, too," Erik promised them.

"Come on."

Seven of the eight children walked over to the Narnians directly across them. Peter shook hands with Glenstorm, it seemed he always had good relationships with centaurs whenever they came to Narnia. Lucy hugged Trumpkin tightly and he her before he shook Harry's hand. Edmund and Selene bowed to Trufflehunter and Reepicheep. Erik shook hands with Dr. Cornelius as Susan curtsied to the bear. Lyra hugged Caspian before joining the others as all eight of them walked through the doorway made by the tree.

The world of Narnia faded away and transformed into the train station they had been at previously. They then noticed that they were in their schools clothes once more, somehow. A moment later, their train arrived. And the boy who had flirted with Susan called to them from said train. "Aren't you coming, Phyllis?"

Selene glanced at Susan with a smirk on her face, "Phyllis?" Susan shook her head as they all grabbed their luggage and boarded the train.

"You don't think there's any way we can get back?" Edmund asked suddenly.

Everyone glanced at him questioningly, but it was Erik who asked, "Why?"

"I've left my new torch in Narnia." They all erupted into laughter. Selene kissed Edmund's cheek as the door closed and the train left the station.