So here I am sat in bed with a cup of tea feeling sorry for myself. Being ill sucks. At least I get to update! So I left you on a big cliff hanger, I may leave you on an even bigger cliff hanger this time…..
Thank you to the people who reviewed the last chapter!
Fearing the woods.
'As we speak, hundreds of Telmarine soldiers are attacking Cair Paravel. They have destroyed the throne room and we have reports that the west side of the castle has been destroyed too. The Telmarines have also taken the life of Queen Lucy, the Valiant. I cannot express my grief enough and now I speak to you not as a king but as a brother and friend. The Telmarines must be stopped. Every able soldier is to fight. They may have numbers, but numbers do not win battles. As for the women and children, if you want to fight I can not stop you but I will say this. Think carefully. For those of you who choose not to fight we have to get you out of the caves. There is no knowing what the Telmarines will do. Are you with me?' Peter asked. A roar from the Narnians told him that they were. Edmund sat and watched. He could never have done what Peter had just done so soon after loosing Lucy. He watched the Narnians set about packing and putting on armour. Peter came and sat by him and pulled him into a hug.
'Ed, she knew you loved her' Peter whispered. Susan was too distraught and wasn't talking to anyone. She was just sitting there with Lucy, staring into space.
'I don't think she did. Pete, what are we going to do? You know we are not going to win this battle, don't you? They are too strong and have probably destroyed the castle by now' Edmund cried. Peter was crying now too. There was too much truth in what Edmund had said.
'Edmund listen to me. Susan is leaving with those who do not want to fight. Go with her. I can't loose the two of you as well.' Peter said. Edmund shook his head.
'No Peter. If am to die I shall die fighting.'
'Oh Ed…..' Peter sniffed.
'Your majesties.' A voice said and Edmund and Peter recognised it to be Tumnus. Edmund felt sorry for the faun. He had been Lucy's best friend and he knew that Tumnus would not recover from her loss.
'Tumnus. What can we do for you?' Peter asked.
'Could I see Lucy before we go to fight?' He replied shyly. Peter nodded.
'We'll take you; someone needs to sort out Susan.' Edmund said. The three of them got up and walked slowly to the bed which Lucy lay on.
'Susan, come here' Peter said softly and Susan flung herself into Peter's arms and cried to her hearts content. Edmund patted her back as he passed her and looked at Lucy. He could hear Tumnus crying softly a few yards from him. Edmund couldn't help but cry as he looked down on his little sister. Who looked to be sleeping peacefully.
Her skin was white and had dirt and bruises all over it. Her dress was torn- Susan had asked to bury Lucy in a Narnian dress. Susan obviously hadn't finished her feeble attempts to change her sister. Her hair was fanned out on the pillow behind her and the sliver knife that killed her was by her side, covered in blood.
'Oh Lucy' He whispered before he broke down in tears. He felt arms around him and realised it was Peter and Susan. Tumnus was holding her hand and crying. When he suddenly moved, Edmund called out.
'Tumnus! What is wrong?' Edmund asked. Peter and Susan looked to the faun as well and looked at what he was doing. Edmund hurried over to Tumnus and saw what he was doing. The faun was having trouble pulling back the sleeve of Lucy's dress. Edmund pulled back the sleeve and gasped.
'Peter! Susan! Come here quick.' Edmund called. When Peter and Susan reached him they cried out. For there on Lucy's arm was the word: Traitor.
'Why would they do such a thing?' Susan cried. Peter stood rigid.
'She was telling the truth. She said they burnt her. They burnt a lie into her SKIN!' Peter yelled. Susan tried to calm him down.
'YOUR MAJESTIES!' A shout was heard from the entrance of the cave. They all turned.
'The Telmarines have stopped firing. They have requested a meeting between you and King Edmund!' A centaur called from the entrance of the cave. All eyes were on the two kings.
'We ride out to meet them. I want everyone who's fighting to be behind me. We leave in five minutes.' Peter told them. As they both had their armour on, they spent the last few minutes with Susan.
'Su, if we don't come back can you remember that we love you and we will never forget you.' Peter told her. Susan nodded.
'Susan, we will see you again. Please, for all our sakes, bury Lucy somewhere nice and safe. Somewhere she'd love. I love you Susan' Edmund said. Then before they could breathe, Susan had flung herself at them and was now crying and hugging them both.
'I-I w-will try t-t-o k-eep them a-l-l s-s-safe.' She stammered as tears were flowing down her face.
'No Su, You will keep them safe. They have faith in you.' Peter said.
'Good-bye Susan, I'll miss you' Edmund sighed. Susan finished her goodbyes and stepped back. Tumnus came and comforted her.
'For Narnia! And for Aslan!' Peter shouted before he, Edmund and Narnia's army charged for the Telmarines.
Susan watched them go and turned to face the remaining people. To her surprise, there weren't very many left. She faced them with a determined look in her eye. She knew what she had to do.
'Remaining people of Narnia. We have to get out of the caves. Gather food, supplies and shelter material. If we have enough room, personal belongings can be brought along.' Susan said and she felt the pressure of leading these people to safety, was on.
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When Peter and Edmund stepped out of the caves, they were not prepared for what they saw. The castle was in ruins. Rocks were falling everywhere and the four thrones were they were crowned not so long ago were snapped in two. Edmund looked around at the ruins and felt anger boil inside him. This was many people's home and these outsiders had the nerve to destroy it. He looked over to Peter who seemed to be thinking the same thing. They rode through the ruins and smoke. When they reached the city gates, there were tents as far as they could see. They were just about to pass through when some minators stopped them.
'Just you two and a guard. No one else' He told them. Edmund was about to ask him why there were minators on the Telmarine side but Peter had ridden on. Dmund followed and Orieus after him. They made their way through the sea of tents, getting strange looks from those within. Soon they reached a very royal looking tent which they presumed was Driand and Rolden's tent. Peter made to go in but he was stopped by a guard, this time a human one.
'Wait here' He told them and disappeared into the tent. He came out a few seconds later with Driand. Driand was grinning the very same grin that he had worn when he had killed Lucy.
'Peter, Edmund and….' He began looking at Orieus but quickly looked back to Peter.
'This is Orieus. Our guard.' Peter told him.
'Lovely' Driand replied, still eyeing Orieus. 'Why don't you come in for a chat' Edmund hated the way he was being so calm and cheerful about the whole situation. He led them into the tent. It was a very grand tent with what looked like a banquet in. At the table another man was sitting down. Edmund clenched his fists when he realised that it was Prince Rolden. Driand noticed this and tried to provoke Edmund.
'His majesty' He stretched the majesty part. 'Prince Rolden was just telling me about how he was rudely treated in the hands of the Narnian monarchs. It was a gripping tale I can guarantee' Peter stiffened at this. Driand sat down. 'Well, sit down' Peter and Edmund dropped onto the sofa.
'So Peter, Edmund. How's Lucy? Oops sorry, how was Lucy?' Driand asked. Rolden snickered. Peter stood up and held a knife to Driands throat.
'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't run you through were you stand' He snarled. Edmund stood back, scared.
'Because Prince Rolden is holding a knife your throat.' Driand replied. Peter turned and sure enough, there was Prince Rolden standing with a knife to his throat. Edmund mentally kicked himself. If he had stopped Rolden they would have had a better chance of finishing Driand.
'Now lets all calm down. Sit back down and we shall discuss what I was going to discuss with you' Driand told them. Peter and Edmund obeyed.
'I want Cair Paravel. So do you. But you also care about your men, whereas I don't. I can keep going whereas you can't. Give me Cair Paravel and I'll call off our attack, leave you to bury your dead and kick you out. How about that?' Driand asked. Peter thought about it but Edmund had other ideas. Edmund just laughed.
'What's so funny?' Driand asked.
'Well you want Cair Paravel but you've just blown it to pieces. You do realise its going to take years to rebuild, don't you?'
'Which, in that time we will have built an army to take it over again.' Peter finished, realising that Edmund was trying to provoke them. It seemed to be working.
'Boys, now you do realise-'
'No, do you realise? And as you are in our kingdom we are more than boys, we are your king. You will never take Cair Paravel' Edmund said and stood up. Peter stood by him and they stared at the other two before turning to walk out of the door.
'You have an hour, and then we attack.' Driand called after them.
'Sire, what shall we do?' Orieus asked Peter as he clambered on his horse.
'We ride back. Cair Paravel will become a battle ground' Peter replied.
Edmund looked up to the dark sky and prayed Susan had gotten the remaining people to safety.
Sooo the chapters finished! What did you think?
This took me ages to write! The battle will be in the next chapter so keep reading!
Reivew!