Chapter 9
Everyone was up early the next morning. Kate woke still in Edmund's arms and smiled to herself as she sat up on her elbows and kissed him once. He stirred in his sleep "Eddie?" he moaned and she giggled. "Come on!" she said trying to shift him. He moaned and hugged her pinning her arms to her sides. "What if I want to do this instead?" he asked kissing her.
"Ed!" she groaned between breaths. "Want me to stop?" he asked lifting himself to look at her. "No!" but before he could kiss her again she added "But we have to!" He sighed and rolled off her.
"Way to kill a mood Kate!" she giggled and kissed him once before getting up. "Hurry up!" she called back to him and he finally sat up. "Good little King!" she mocked. He shot her look to which she stuck her tongue out at. "Yea, real mature!" she heard as she walked to the stone table.
"Morning!" she said as she walked in looking at the girls, Peter and Caspian. They returned the sentiment. "You're looking alot better today!" Susan commented with a smile.
"Yea, I feel better too. Ed and I had a good talk last night..." she smiled just as he came in, rubbing his eyes of sleep. "Morning!" Kate repeated as he came in. He shot her a playful glare before sitting beside her. Kate missed that sly look Peter shot Edmund, to which he responded to putting an arm around Kate. Susan however didn't miss it. "When you're both ready..." she said. They both looked away but Kate wasn't paying attention. She remembered what was happening today. They had something to eat quickly before going with Caspian to see the girls off. She wanted to have a word with Susan.
"So," she began as they walked to where they were meeting him. Susan looked at her "Caspian's quite...handsome isn't he?" she said shooting a look at Susan who blushed. "I haven't noticed, and mite I remind you, you are a married woman Kate, to my brother!" Kate laughed and so did Susan. "Come on Su, you can talk to me!"
Susan blushed even more "I guess he is" she mumbled. Kate smirked "He like's you, you know!" she added causing Susan to slow. "Really?" Kate had to laugh at her reaction "Really! I swear. He looks at you like Edmund looks at me! Not to sound vain or anything!" she added. Susan didn't seem to believe her.
"Ok!" she stopped and made Susan look at her "When he looks at you, does it feel like you are the only one in the room?" she nodded "Do you feel the knots in your stomach and somehow your brain has decided to stop working?" she nodded "Do you want to run from him yet at the same time be as close to him as humanly possible?" she again nodded. "Welcome to my world!" Kate said with a smirk. Susan smiled.
"I felt all that too...you feel special and stupid all at once and they have an uncanny way of making them forgive you...remember the night Ed proposed?" Susan laughed at the memory. She leaned against the wall. "I just don't want to get hurt" she said. Seeing Kate's questioning look she continued.
"I don't know how long we'll be here this time and I'm afraid that if I get to close to him, when I leave..." she didn't continue. Kate gave her a sad smile but before she could say anything the very Telmarine came around the corner with Lucy and a horse. "Are you ready?" He asked Susan. Kate gave her a look before turning to Lucy. Susan nodded and with help from Caspian, got up on the horse. He helped Lucy up too. Kate stepped back allowing Caspian to fix the straps.
"Destrie has always served me well!" we said, referring to the horse. "You are in good hands!"
"Or hooves!" Lucy joked. Caspian finished tightening the straps. "Good luck" he said to Susan. Kate saw the confused pain and emotion in Susan's face and the realisation hit her that this may be the last time she saw her sisters. She fought against the tears and won, for now. "Thanks" Susan said back.
"Look, maybe it is time you had this back!" Caspian said taking the horn from his belt. Susan looked at Kate and gave Caspian a small smile.
"Why don't you hold onto it? You might need to call me again!" she said, throwing a very amused Kate a smile before steering the horse towards the exit. Caspian had the biggest grin in his face when he turned to look at Kate. Laughing, Kate joked "I wouldn't look that happy when you see Peter and Edmund! They get very protective" She grinned before walking away, leaving a slightly scared Caspian behind her. She was still laughing to herself when she found both boys getting ready in Peter's room.
"Are you decent?" she called before entering. Edmund returned the call, telling her to come in. She walked in still smiling. "Hey!" she said. Both boys looked at her. "What's going on?" Edmund questioned.
"Why would anything be going on?" she asked innocently but then remembering Caspian's face before she walked away she laughed to herself again. "I don't know why, but you and laughing always make me nervous when I don't know what's happening" Peter said. Edmund looked at him and back at Kate "Tell us!"
"No! Because you'll both go into brother mode!" she said regretting her words. "What about the girls?" Peter asked walking toward her. She looked for the exit but Edmund stopped her. "Oh no you don't"
"Tell us!" Peter said. They back her into a corner and she held her hands up in defeat. "Ok, Ok but before I tell you, you swear not to go into brother mode" she asked. They nodded but she knew they were empty promises. Sighing she just said it. "Susan and Caspian are in love!"
Both brothers shared a look before walking away from Kate. She was so glad she was fast because she made it to the door before they did, pulling Edmund's sword on her way. "Liars!" she said holding it in front of her. "Move!" they both said. "No!" she wasn't scared of them and they knew it.
"Kate!" Edmund warned. She spun the sword in a way that made them pace back from her. "Why are you both acting like idiots?" she asked. They looked at each other. "Because she's our sister!" Peter said. "I'm your sister and you didn't act like this when I first got with Edmund!" she said defensibly, cursing herself for getting into this situation.
"That was different!" Peter said, Edmund nodding in agreement. "Can you both stop acting like children and calm down and let me explain something?" she said angrily. They nodded, relaxing their stance.
"Think about. How long do you think we're going to be here?" she asked. Both shrugged but allowed her to continue. "Ed, you and I had 12 years and I'm living in your world but for Su and Caspian, he can't come back like I did...and when Narnia is safe again, how long will we be needed?" Both seemed to grasp her explanation and shared looks. "Can you see how bad she'll feel when we leave? I mean imagine me staying here Ed, while you go back, not knowing if or when we'll see each other again!" she lowered the sword.
"Just don't say anything, for Susan at least!" she said, begging something she hated doing. They nodded and she smiled as a thought crossed her mind "Heaven bless Lucy should she start dating!" she said. Both boys shot her a look that caused her to laugh. "I don't want to think about that!"
"I'm curious... Men always came after Susan when we were in old Narnia and you were never this bad...What's changed?" she asked smiling. Peter answered. "To be honest, I had a feeling there was something between Susan and Caspian for awhile...I don't know, I guess I know she really cares for him and I don't want to see her get hurt!" Kate couldn't help the "Aww!" that came out. Peter blushed slightly. "Well she is my sister! I want what's best for her....and Lucy too!" He smirked at Edmund "You have Ed, I guess he's ok!" Edmund shoved him lightly and Peter laughed. Kate walked over to Edmund and hugged him. "Ignore him!" she said. Peter threw her a look and she smiled.
"Does this mean I get to be all protective of you when you get a girlfriend?" she joked but Edmund got there first "He has to find someone to have him first!" Kate laughed at Peter's face. There was knock that interrupted their talk and it was Caspian. She watched both boys carefully, but they didn't act overly tense towards him, just enough to make him slightly jumpy. Even Kate had to admit it was a funny sight.
"Um...The Telmarines...they are on their way!" he said before leaving the room quickly. Peter and Edmund laughed under their breaths and Kate found it hard not to laugh. "You both should be ashamed!" she said. They threw her a look before the three broke into laughs.
"Come on Ed we have to get ready!" Kate smiled leaving the room, Edmund following. They went to their room and started butting on their Armour. Although the fight when won meant total surrender, the Narnians didn't believe the Telmarines would keep their word. Edmund was ready before Kate and just looked at her while she finished. "What?" she asked looking herself over, making sure she had everything right.
"I couldn't do it!" he said. "Do what?" Kate asked.
"Leave you here...not knowing if I would ever see you again!" Kate smiled at him. She walked over to him and put a hand on his face "Well aren't you lucky, because I'm not going anywhere!" she said. She kissed him. It was the longest most passionate kiss they had shared in a long while and they both felt it.
"Can I ask you a favour? Kate asked. Edmund nodded "When this is over, and we've won. Kiss me like that to prove it's real!" she said and he nodded. Peter knocked and the three walked through the How together. Kate walked ahead of them as they left. She walked with Caspian who kept his gaze fixed on where his uncle was getting ready. Edmund and Peter walked behind. Edmund was carrying Rhindon as tradition. He had his eyes on Kate, eyeing her reaction to Miraz's presence. She refused to look at Miraz. Edmund however did see Miraz trying to get her attention and he turned slightly to face his general. He kept his head straight on and Edmund could make out what he was saying.
'If it should appear to be going poorly...' eyeing the crossbow in the general's hands. He spoke again 'And when I win, I want the girl! The others too" he said, eyeing Kate and looking around for Susan and Lucy. As Peter turned to Edmund for his sword he saw that Edmund was watching Miraz.
"What is it?" he asked calmly looking to give nothing away. "We were right, they will fight if he loses...the general is going to fire at you!" he whispered back. "What else?" sensing there was something more. "He wants Kate and the girls!" he whispered. Peter was mad now. He wasn't going to lose this fight. He couldn't. Kate smiled at him once as Edmund joined her side. He walked forward to meet Miraz, who was now walking towards Peter. "There is still time to surrender!" Miraz said. "Feel free!" Peter said back.
"How many more must die for the throne?" Miraz asked. Peter lowered his helmet as he spoke "Just one!" Stepping up on the nearest rock he lunged for Miraz. They stepped away before going at each other again. Peter was knocked in the head by Miraz's shield.
Kate momentarily distracted by movement from the corner of her eye. 4 Telmarine horses were heading into the woods in the direction Lucy and Susan took. Grabbing Caspian's arm. She nodded in the direction and he understood. Back pacing a few steps he turned to the How and made his way to the side. Grabbing the first horse he took off into the forest after them. Kate turned her attention back to the fight. She didn't tell Edmund what she had seen. He hadn't realised Caspian was missing either. The fight progressed and for the most part was fairly even. What Peter lacked in experience he made up for with speed and agility to bloke the strikes from Miraz. The opposite for Miraz. He was trained well and able for the most part to bloke Peter's lighting strikes. Everything was going well for the young King when Miraz knocked his helmet off. Kate gasped and squeezed Edmunds hand. He too looked worried. However Peter took Kate's advise to aim for his legs as they would be unprotected. He sliced at Miraz leg, tearing through the cloth and skin like butter.
However, Miraz stayed in the fight and swung for Peter causing him to jump over and roll away from Miraz. He was barely back on his feet when Miraz charged again. In a second Peter went from standing to being on his back. Miraz stepped his shield and pressed down. Kate winced at Peter's cry of pain. His shoulder was being forced out of place. He swung at Miraz's leg causing him to step back. Peter rolled out from under him, continuing to until he reached a boulder. He turned the opposite way, causing Miraz to fall over him. Peter stood quickly but he and Kate heard the horse at the same time. She saw Caspian and Susan riding back in but Lucy was nowhere in sight. Edmund too looked as scared as the others. "Where's Lucy?" Kate whispered. Edmund shook his head.
"Does his highness need respite?" Miraz asked. "5minutes?" Peter suggested.
"3" Miraz said. They shot each other a look before walking to their respective sides. Kate had run to him with Edmund. Susan and Caspian joined them "Lucy?" Peter asked. Kate and Edmund looked at her too. "She got through!" both boys let out sighs of relief. "With a little help!" she added looking at Caspian. If there was one thing he could do to make the boys like him, saving their baby sister was defiantly the top one. Both turned to him "Thanks" they said.
"Well you were busy!" Caspian said. Edmund smiled at him as Kate gave Susan and Caspian hugs. She whispered to Caspian "You recued their sister's...I think they may like you now!" He gave her a smile as they broke apart. "You better get p there...I don't expect the Telmarines to keep their word!" Peter said to Susan and Kate. They nodded. Kate turned to Edmund and kissed him once. "I love you!" she said "I love you too!" he whispered back. He kissed her again She turned to Peter and said "I'll see you later!" She said. He smiled at her. Susan hugged Edmund and as he pulled away Edmund said "Keep smiling!" looking at the Narnians who were watching their reactions. They both smiled at Caspian as they ran into the How. They heard the Narnians cheer for Peter and then they were inside. They passed the waiting hidden Narnians and made their way to the overlook where the other archers were waiting. Trumpkin bowed his head to them as they came forth.
Below Edmund was tending to Peter. "What do you think happens at home if you die here?" Edmund was slightly taken by his words and also annoyed that he would say them. "I don't plan on finding out!" he said as he felt for the notch in Peter's arm to relocate his shoulder. "You know you've always been there and OW!" Edmund refused to hear what called quitter's talk. "Save it for later!" he said. "But Ed..."
"No Peter!" he said handing him his sword as he stood. "You are not going to die! You are going to allow Miraz to get the girls, because if you are, then I'll fight! I won't let him get Kate or Susan or Lucy!" he said. Peter looked to the over look where the girls were. He shook his head and looked back to Miraz who was standing already. Edmund nodded and went to hand Peter his helmet. Kate and Susan both shared scared looks when he refused but relaxed more when they saw Miraz refuse his too.
When the fight resumed Miraz took control, forcing Peter back with every strike. Peter defended himself but Miraz was too strong, his shield connecting his Peter's face. Peter swung blindly, disorientated from the blow. He swung a few more times but Miraz spun his shoving him against a lone pillar causing Peter to fall to the floor. He blocked Miraz's next strike and swung his legs knocking the feet from under Miraz. They both got u and Miraz struck again.
Peter caught Miraz's swing, holding the sword from Miraz's hand, leaving him only with a shield. Peter struck again and again and went to strike Miraz, but the sword got locked under Miraz's arm. He pulled the sword from Peter's grip leaving him without a sword of shield. Kate, Susan and Edmund held their breath as Peter stood defenceless. Miraz continuously struck Peter's unprotected head with the shield. The knocks were starting to get to Peter. Peter however was ready for the next one and as Miraz went to strike Peter grabbed the shield and spun it, causing Miraz's hand to turn up his back. Miraz elbowed Peter and threw him into a boulder to the side. He then grabbed one of the dismissed swords on the floor. He swung for Peter and Kate watched Edmunds hand twitched to his sword. "No Edmund!" whispered and Susan heard her. She looked at her baby brother and prepared herself to fire at anyone who attempted to hit Edmund.
Peter's speed worked for him and he dodged all on Miraz's strikes. He managed to get into position where we struck Miraz's injured leg. He fell backwards, ending up on his knees infront of Peter. Peter raised his fist to strike Miraz but stopped much to Edmunds annoyance.
"This isn't the time for chivalry Peter!" he yelled. There was an expecting silence around the battle field. Peter gave Miraz a glare before lowering his hand he walked away from Miraz. He was startled when Edmund shouted "Look out!" but it was echoed by Susan and Kate from the lookout. Edmund was about to pull his sword but Peter turned and dodged his attack. He dodged the next before turning grabbing the sword and driving it into Miraz. He pulled the sword from him and held it over him.
"What's the matter boy? Too cowardly to take life?" Miraz mocked after a few moments. Peter glared down on him "It's not mine to take?" he spat back. He turned to look at Caspian. Kate felt Susan's worry as she watched Caspian walk forward to his uncle. He took the sword from Peter who walked back to Edmund. Caspian and his uncle spoke as Caspian raised the sword over his head.
"Perhaps I was wrong...maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine King afterall" Miraz said. He hung his head as Caspian's cry rang out across the field but the moment they expected never came as Caspian brought the sword down and stabbed a small piece of grass in front of Miraz. "Not one like you!" he whispered. "Keep your life! It's not much but I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom!" He looked over to the other lords before walking back to Edmund and Peter. Edmund put a hand on his back. No one was paying attention to Miraz. The Narnians were too bust cheering for Caspian but Kate watched Lord Sopespian walk up to Miraz. She knew what was coming but couldn't do anything! "Susan!" she called and Susan turned just in time to see what happened too.
Sopespian had lifted Miraz and was helping him back to his chair but half way there Miraz fell forward and protruding from his back was Susan's red tipped arrow!