Disclaimer: I'm saving up… but I don't think I'll be able to buy them

Chapter 10- Peter and Lucy

Through the woods the sound of a pair of hoof beats could be heard. This sound was followed by breathing that was irregular and frightened. The breathing could be heard approaching a corner, then turned said corner, revealing Queen Lucy the Valiant. The young queen, who was usually so vibrant and excited, looked terrified, her hair flying out wildly behind her, and her blue eyes open wide. She chanced a look behind her shoulder, then urged her horse onwards. She had to reach Peter

Lucy finally reached the grounds of Cair Paravel, where she knew she would find at least one of her siblings. The sun shone down eagerly on her, forcing her to acknowledge her dress, which was sticking to her skin uncomfortably. She spotted both Peter and Edmund, who were walking casually across the gardens, and called out.

"Peter! PETER!"

Peter turned around, surprised, as did Edmund. As Lucy approached, the two brothers walked forward.

"I say, Lucy, you really know how to make a brother feel unappreciated," Edmund began, but was stopped by the look on Lucy's face.

Peter hurried over to her and gripped her shoulder.

"Lucy, what is it?" Lucy swallowed, her throat incredibly dry after her long ride. She waited for a minute, gathering her breath, then revealed her worry.

"I was riding in the woods, and I heard noises. So I stopped, and I went to see what it was, and… it was an army, Peter! They were talking and preparing to go to battle, so I listened to what they were saying, and-" here Lucy broke off, unwilling to say anymore. Peter held her hand, offering support, while Edmund stood nearby supportively.

"They're coming to attack us," Lucy whispered. Both Peter and Edmund glanced at each other.
"Us?" Edmund repeated.

"Yes. They said that they would defeat Narnia, and that once they had killed both... both you and Peter, they would come up to the Cair and make me and Susan their slaves!" Lucy glanced beseechingly at her older brothers, begging them with her eyes to do something to prevent this awful fate.

Edmund looked at Peter, who stared back.

"Did they say when they would attack, Lu?" Edmund asked slowly. Lucy nodded.

"Tonight."

"Hmmm. That doesn't give us much time. How many did you see?" Peter asked her.

"About…" Lucy tried to picture it in her mind. "About 300, maybe?" Peter nodded grimly.

"We can't wait for them to reach here. We must surprise them by attacking first. It's out only chance." Edmund nodded approvingly.

"Edmund, go and inform Oreius. Ask him to gather all the troops available. I'll go and find Susan. Lucy, come with me." The two siblings hurried to do Peter's bidding.

About an hour later, everything was ready. 200 soldiers had been gathered, a number which please Peter in the short time they had had to gather troops. Susan was also ready with a few archers as back up in case something went wrong. Everyone was dressed in armour with his or her weapons ready. Everyone except Lucy.

"But Peter, I have to come!" Lucy exclaimed. Peter shook his head.

"No, Lucy. You have to stay here."

"Peter, I received my cordial to heal people. I can't do that if you keep me away from battlefields!" Lucy replied hotly.

"Lu, I know you want to come. But I'm not willing to put my little sister in the line of danger. Not if I can stop it."

"Peter, I'm not a child anymore." Peter's look made her backtrack. "Ok, I am still a child…. well, young adult. But my point is that I'm old enough to take care of myself. I'm responsible, and I want to be there to look after my family, just like you do."

"Lucy, we'll be fine. I'll be looking out for Su and Ed, you know that."
"But who will look out for you?" Lucy asked softly. Peter was prevented from replying by Edmund, who approached the pair.

"Pete, we have to go."

Peter turned to face Lucy.

"Look, Lu, I do trust you. You're independent and you're strong. But please understand that I want to keep you safe. I know you can fight, and I know you want to help protect Narnia. But please stay here. I get worried enough with Edmund and Susan in battle. Please? I just want to stay safe." Peter's pleading look made Lucy waver.

I hate that look," she said crossly. Peter smiled at her.

"I deal with it from you everyday."

Lucy watched with a slight sadness as her three siblings rode of with the army towards a fight to protect their land. The sun was slowly sinking in the sky, warning of the upcoming night. Lucy watched them go and prayed to Aslan that her siblings would return to her safe and sound.

Late in the night, she heard the sound of horses and voices approaching. She was afraid of who the voices belonged to; was it the Narnians returning victorious, or the enemy, come to take over Cair after defeating the Narnian army? As she crept down the hallway leading to the entrance of Cair Paravel, she thought she heard a familiar voice. It sounded like Edmund. She peered around the corner, and was delighted to see the Narnian army, who had returned triumphant. In the lead were Peter, Edmund and Susan. All looked the worse for wear; Edmund was supporting various cuts and bruises, Susan had a long cut across her cheek and her dress was slightly torn, and Peter was holding his right arm, and even at a distance Lucy could see the cuts and bruises on his face. Despite this, her family looked happy, which warmed Lucy's heart. She raced down to greet them.

Susan received the first hug, which was warm and joyous. Edmund received the next, which was slightly gentler because of his bruises, but nonetheless loving. And last came Peter's hug, which was more of a tackle, despite his bruises. He let out a slight 'oof' as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him in a fierce embrace. He held her tightly back, happy to see a reminder of why they had been fighting; to protect Narnia and it's innocence, which shone through Lucy. Lucy eventually pulled away, frowning slightly.

"Next time I'm coming with you, Peter. It was horrible just sitting here, waiting, not able to do anything…" she hugged him again. Peter chuckled, messing up her hair.

"I don't think I could stand seeing you in battle, Lu." She stared up at him, eyes shining.

"How about when I'm older then?" she suggested. Peter thought about it for a minute.

"21?" he suggested.

"Peter!" she slapped him playfully on the arm. He laughed.

"Well, we'll see. But in the meantime, I think we all need a rest. And some food," he added as an afterthought. Lucy smiled broadly.

"Well, you're in luck. I had the cook prepare a meal just in case you were all hungry," she said, leading them to the kitchens. Peter looked fondly at her.

"You're a legend, Lu."

As they walked to the kitchens, Lucy stopped suddenly.

"Oh! What about my cordial? Does anyone need healing?" she started to head back to the gardens, but Peter stopped her.

"No, everyone is fine. It was an easy battle, they all panicked when we arrived. The only problem was that we got lost coming back," he admitted sheepishly. Lucy giggled.

"What about your face? Or Susan's cheek? Or Ed?" All three siblings shook their head.

"We're all fine, Lucy. Nothing time won't heal," Susan said. Lucy gave a relieved sigh.

"Good, because I'm starving. I couldn't eat without the rest of you." Peter laughed at this. As the four headed towards the kitchen, the aroma of their dinner urged them along. To anyone who was watching the four, it was very obvious that the four were very close. They all found ways to hold onto each other, whether it be Edmund, who had an arm wrapped loosely around Susan's waist, or Susan, who had linked arms with Peter, or Peter, who was holding Lucy tightly, unwilling to let her go. Something she was quite happy about.

A/N- ok, this is a VERY different style to what I normally write… so I'd be grateful for any feedback!