All characters and character likenesses are copyright of C.S. Lewis and everyone affiliated with him and his estate. I only own parts of the plot and any miscellaneous characters I may introduce.
This is a heavily alternative universe based on the Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do not intend to offend any purists out there. Again, I own only parts of the plot.
'Return to Gold' – Chapter 9 – Battle of The Howe Pt1
Lucy walked around in a daze, holding Caspian's hand as he led the way back to the Table Chamber, the two of them having been summoned to a war meeting. She was still stunned by the kiss that they had shared, unable to believe the words that he had spoken concerning her. He was so serious and intent on her that it frightened her, making her realize that she was no longer the starry eyed little girl that she had once been. Part of her ached for that little bit of lost innocence, and yet she knew that it was Aslan's plan for her to grow and mature.
"We have to step up our time table." Peter's words brought her quickly back to reality. His face was set in grim lines while Edmund looked pinched, anxious to get the battle ahead over with. Susan, as always, was hard to read.
"As I was standing as scout, I saw one of Miraz's men observing us." A fair, blonde faun by the name of Gabriel told them. "I saw him, he saw me and then rode away in a hurry."
"It's a safe bet that the bridge at Beruna is complete and the army is marching into the forest as we speak." Ed rubbed the back of his neck on a sigh. "Looks like it's your turn Lu."
Everyone in the room turned to look at her, most with questions in their eyes, having not been present at the first war council. Beside her Caspian stiffened.
"You can't mean what I think you are!" He blasted, flinging his arm out. "She'll be slaughtered!"
"Caspian." Peter shook his head. "There is no other way."
"The prince is right." Trumpkin spoke up. "You can't send a young woman into the forest alone. You have no way of knowing that Aslan is even out there, or where He is at."
"Lucy is the only one who can find Him, she always had the ability to do so." Susan spoke gently, limbering up her bow.
"Then I am going with you." Caspian looked down at Lucy, and her heart broke at the pain and determination in his eyes. She knew he would not like the outcome, already knowing what had to be done.
"We need you here." Lucy took his hand in hers, willing him to understand. "You need to lead them, to show them that you want the throne as badly as they want Miraz gone."
"But, you'll be vulnerable on your own, I can't protect you out there." He argued, grabbing her upper arms and pulling her closer to him. In his eyes, however, Lucy could see that he was coming to grips with the plan.
"You can't protect me all the time." She shook her head. "Peter and the others had to learn that lesson long ago. I have my sword and the grace of Aslan, nothing will stop me."
Sighing, giving in, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her forehead. She slid her arms around his waist, but her eyes were fixed on her family. The odd emotion that Lucy had seen in Peter's eyes were now in Susan and Edmunds as well. She realized that they were having to watch their baby sister grow up, becoming her own person, not needing to lean on them as much now that she had Caspian to lean on. They were letting their grip on her loosen, allowing Caspian to slip in to stand beside her.
"That's all well and good," Trumpkin broke the moment. "But how exactly is she supposed to out run the scouts?"
"Destrider." Caspian hugged her tighter, and Lucy soaked up the feeling of being safe. It was not the same as the feeling she felt when she had her face in Aslan's mane, but it was close.
"He managed to get me deep enough into the forest for Trufflehunter and the others to find me. He can surely keep Lucy out of harms way as she searches for Aslan."
"Get ready then," Peter nodded. "You have a long way to go Lucy, and not very much time to get there."
"We need to buy some time to get her out of here." Edmund added. "Any idea how to do that?"
Lucy pulled away from Caspian, gathering herself for the ordeal ahead.
"You plan that, I'll tell them to get Destrider ready while I change."
"I still don't like this." Caspian told Lucy a little while later as they met in the cavern that served as the stables.
He had changed into this battle gear, his dark Telmarine armor a sharp contrast to the varied Narnian armor of the others. He would have loved to wear something different, to distinguish himself from the other Telmarine soldiers that were appearing at the edge of the forest.
Lucy had changed into a dark brown outfit, her long hair braided down her back. He could hear the slight hissing as her chain mail dress shifted when she moved. She was slipping Aurora onto her back, and he moved to help her, lifting her hair out of the way.
"I know, do you think I like making myself a moving target." She snapped, then sighed. Turning she snuggled close to him, and Caspian wished he wasn't wearing his armor. He returned the hug, careful not to squeeze her too tight.
"I wish I could go with you." He whispered into her hair, heart burning at the knowledge that she would be out there all alone, dodging men who were experienced at hunting prey. Irrationally he waned to squire her away, to wrap her in layers of protection so thick that nothing could hurt her. But that was not real life. Real life was a woman who could give as good as she got, ready to fight for those she loved and a cause she believed in.
"So do I." She looked up at him, a wry smile on her face. "We are called to do different tasks to achieve the same goal. You are to lead; I'm to give hope in the knowledge that I'm bringing the cavalry."
"Peter is the one who is really going to lead, I'll simply be following him." He told her as he lead her over to the black stallion that pawed at the stone below, eager to be off.
"How is that?" She struggled to put her foot in the stirrup, Destrider being several hand spans higher than Glenstorm, who was magnificently tall.
"Well," Caspian, not thinking about the inappropriateness of his next move, slipped his hands under her bottom and hoisted her up. "Peter is to challenge Miraz to single combat to determine the outcome of the battle. Battle to the death and winner takes all."
"What?" Lucy gasped as he moved to adjust the stirrups. "A battle to the death? You know Miraz will cheat right?"
"We're counting on it." Caspian laid a hand on her thigh to reassure her. "Peter knows what he is doing and is ready for anything. There will be several archers at the ready as well as Edmund, Glenstorm, Braw and I will be there to make sure nothing happens."
"Protect him, will you?" Lucy whispered. "Stay safe."
"I will." Caspian slapped Destrider's rump before she could see his emotions on his face. He watched her lean low over the horse's neck as she thundered away, heart squeezing. He never realized how hard it would be for him to watch the woman he loved ride away, and know there was nothing he could do to keep her safe.
"Stay strong." Susan spoke as she and her brothers joined him.
"I know, but it's so hard not to go after her." Caspian could hear the anguish in his voice, and he knew the others heard it too.
"It's never easy, but there is nothing else we can do." Peter added quietly as the ring of hooves faded.
"She would want you out front, being the man Aslan has called you to be." Edmund clapped a hand on his shoulder, being closer to the youngest one in a way the others were not, just as they had special relationships as well. Caspian took a deep breath, and let go of his fears.
"Let's go, we have a battle to prepare for."
The end ……….. Not! Kidding, I couldn't help it. ~SG84
Lucy clung to the Narnian stallion as she ran fast, so fast to find the utter ruler of him and his land. Destrider had a smooth gallop, seeming to float over the forest floor, effortless in his movements. At first there was a sense of peace surrounding them, but the echo of hoof beats behind them shattered the peace.
Looking back she saw that there were three men following. They weren't close enough for a crossbow to reach her, but they were too close for comfort. Facing forward she prayed to Aslan, prayed to find Him, to know Him when she saw Him, to keep her safe, to keep the ones she loved safe. She prayed as she hadn't prayed in a year and a lifetime.
"Please Destrider, don't slow down." She begged the stallion, hugging his neck.
"Stay focused on Aslan, little one, let me worry about the men." He sounded barely out of breath, even though they had been running for nearly an hour.
Deeper into the trees they plunged, seeming to move faster and faster. The woods around them grew dark, sunlight barely being able to pierce the thick foliage above. Out of the corner of her eye Lucy saw a flash of gold. Gradually the flash became solid, a creature running through the forest beside them, matching their pace.
"Please Aslan." Lucy spoke aloud to the golden shape. "Save me, save us all."
The shape changed and began to grow larger, brighter even in the dimness. She felt Destrider becoming winded and heard her pursuers gaining ground. Dazzlingly bright, a lion bigger than Aslan leapt out of the trees, landing behind Lucy and Destrider, roaring at the Telmarine men. Horses whinnied, but Lucy pushed Destrider on, not wanting to see what was happening behind her. Once the sounds faded she pulled back on the reigns, stopping the horse.
"I'm sorry that there isn't a stream nearby." Lucy told him as she slid off of his back, ready to draw her sword if need be. "Still, rest and gather your strength, we may still need to run."
"Thank you, My Queen." He slowly moved to stand in some shade and nibble at the grass below his hooves.
Lucy cautiously made her way to where she had last seen the lion, not sure of what she would find. The lion had felt like Aslan, but he had been bigger than she remembered, the bright gold having changed into a tawny brown, mane fluffier than the mane of her memory. Halfway back to where the soldiers had fallen, the lion stepped into view, regal and majestic. At first Lucy felt fear, and then she saw his eyes.
"Aslan!" She bolted, running to the Great Lion, throwing herself at Him, burying her face in His mane. One if His powerful arms came up around her, hugging her gently. Peace greater then anything she had ever known settled over her, wiping out her fear, her doubts, any pain and filling her with warm love. Aslan purred softly, bringing tears to her eyes at the beauty of the sound. After a few minutes she pulled back, looking the Lion in the face.
"You've grown." Wise, ageless eyes smiled down into hers, utter love in His gaze.
"Every year that you grow, so do I." He shook his mane, settling it back into place. Silence filled the air until Lucy asked the question that she had been waiting to ask.
"Why haven't you come in saving us like last time?" Sadness shadowed Aslan's golden eyes, tail flicking idly.
"Things never happen the same way twice, otherwise we would not grow and mature."
"I'm sorry I did not come sooner." Lucy dropped her eyes, feeling inadequate, ashamed. "I was too afraid to come by myself."
"There is nothing wrong in being afraid, dear one." He told her, voice soothing. "What matters is that you overcome your fear to do what must be done. You came to me, sought me out, and you have found me, you have not disappointed me.
"Now, about this war." Aslan stood and she followed suit, Destrider joining them, sides still slicked with sweat. "I think Old Narnia has slept long enough."
Lucy ran to jump up and attempt to cover Destrider's sensitive ears. The horse bowed his head just in time, Aslan letting loose with a deafening roar that echoed through the air long after he had finished, rattling Lucy's bones. All around her trees woke from their self induced comas, leaves rustling in a sound that made Lucy's heart light.
"My friends, the Kings and Queens of Old need our help." Several of the largest oak trees began uprooting themselves.
"Where are they?" One of them asked in a deep, sonorous voice.
"Aslan's Howe, the same place where the Stone Table is." Lucy replied. "It's north of here."
"Our cousins near there are waking even now. We will go to join them."