10
"…Then pull it back as far as you can, and then let it go!" Susan said, I pulled the arrow back on the string and released it. I scowled when the arrow fell at my feet. Edmund laughed behind me. I turned to him.
"Something funny?" I asked him.
"Yes," He said, "Your horrible hand-eye coordination."
"Edmund, she's only just started." Susan chided, "Don't be so harsh on her."
"Yeah, and if I were you," I said, pointing the arrow at him, "I wouldn't make fun of somebody who kicked your brother's butt."
"With your aim? You'd have a better chance of shooting yourself." He said.
"I never said anything about shooting at you." I said, holding the arrow and tossing down the bow. Edmund's smile disappeared.
"You wouldn't dare." He said, I smirked.
"Try me." I said, I ran towards him, wielding the arrow the arrow like a sword and running after him.
"Max!" Susan called, running after me to try and stop me. Edmund wasn't much faster than I was, and it was really hard for him to stay out of the arrow's reach as I kept swiping it at him.
"Hey, Max! Stop it!" Edmund shouted as he kept trying to get away from the arrow, "I was only joking! It was a joke!" He ran around a corner, and I followed him.
"You're still gonna get it!" I said, swinging the arrow as if it were a sword, "This little guy is going straight up your—" I didn't finish as I hit something hard and fell back on my butt. "Ow…" I reached up and rubbed my nose, looking up at whatever I had hit, and saw Caspian standing in front of me, holding his hand out.
"Are you all right?" He asked, I took his hand, letting him pull me up.
"I think so." I said, "What are you wearing under there?" I sniffed, moving my nose around a little bit.
"Under my clothes?" Caspian asked confusedly, "I'm not wearing anything." I looked at him in doubt.
"You're lying." I said, Caspian shook his head.
"No, I'm not." He said, I looked at his chest suspiciously.
"Hold still." I said, I put my hand to his chest, and was surprised when I actually felt strong muscles underneath the clothes, "Oh… wow. That's muscle under there." I pulled my hand back, looking up at him.
"What did you think was under there?" Caspian asked amusedly, I shrugged. Susan ran up next to me, panting hard.
"You can really run." She said breathlessly, "Don't do that again." She took the arrow from my hand, "And don't listen to Edmund, he always gets like that. There's no need to worry about the bow and arrow. When I first started, I was terrible, too. It just takes some time."
"I've been practicing for hours." I said, "I don't think I'll ever get it."
"I'm sure you will master the bow." Caspian said, I quirked an eyebrow at him, "But as a long range weapon, only."
"What about short range?" I asked.
"There won't be a short range." Caspian said sternly.
"What the heck does that mean?" I asked, when Caspian looked at me, I saw the stern look in his eyes.
"If we are to battle," He said, "You are not going to fight hand-to-sword. You will die."
"So show me how to use a sword." I said.
"No." Caspian said immediately, "I'm not going to teach you that."
"Why not?" I demanded, crossing my arms across my chest.
"If I give you that kind of knowledge," Caspian explained, "You will throw yourself into the fight, and I won't let you do that."
"I can fight!" I said, I poked him hard in the chest, "Better than you can, that's for sure!" Caspian grabbed my hand.
"That is exactly why I won't teach you." Caspian said softly, "You fight too well, you will become overconfident, and that will be the death of you."
"Why does that matter?" I asked him.
"Because I don't want you to die." Caspian said, I stopped short of whatever I was about to retort with, surprised by his words. He put my hand down, "If you like, I will show you the proper way to hold the bow."
"There's a proper way?" I asked, I turned to Susan, "You didn't think to point that out?"
"It seemed fine to me." She said, "I don't remember seeing anything wrong with your stance."
"I will show you," Caspian said, putting his hand on my shoulder and directing me back to the targets and putting the bow and arrows back in my hands.
Other POV
"First, your posture must be a bit straighter." Caspian said, putting his hand on Maxine's back, looking over at Susan as she watched them. Maxine straightened her back and set up the arrow to be ready to be pulled back, "Now, hold the bow like this," He put his hand over hers, demonstrating the right grip necessary to hold it, he shot a quick glance at Susan as he did this, looking at the way her hair gently fell down her shoulders, but the young queen didn't notice, "Set the arrow on the string and pull it back. Make sure that your hand is level with your eyes." Maxine's back was pressed against his as he steadied her arm with his hand. He began to wonder how Susan's back would feel if she were in Maxine's position. He began to think of what her curves might feel like, and Maxine's body wasn't much compared to Susan. "Now hold the arrow taut, and when you aim, make sure both eyes are open. And when you are ready, let go." They both released their hands together, and the arrow flew out from their grasp and hit the center of the target, but just barely.
"Max, you did it!" Susan squealed happily, clapping her hands together, "You hit the bull's eye!" She ran over and threw her arms around Maxine's shoulders. Caspian could only see Susan's body as it came so close to his. When Susan pulled away, Maxine turned to Caspian, and he was surprised to see the anger in her eyes.
"Thanks for the lesson." She said stiffly and quietly, shoving the bow in his chest, "But I think I can find a teacher that doesn't ogle their student's friends." She stomped away from him, and Caspian looked after her in surprise. Had she noticed he was looking at Susan?
Even more surprising than that, was she jealous?
Max POV
"Hey!" I shouted, "Blondie!" Peter turned to me with a glare as I walked up to him, "Teach me how to swordfight." Peter gave me a surprised look.
"Excuse me?" He asked.
"Teach me how to swordfight." I said again, "Caspian won't do it, so I'm asking you."
"You beat me." Peter said, "And you have yet to let me forget it."
"Yes, I did beat you," I said, seeing Peter scowl, "In a fist fight, not a sword fight." The scowl lifted to a face of confusion, "In hand-to-hand combat, I win. In sword-on-sword combat, you win. Teach me."
Peter looked me up and down for a moment, then finally asked, "Why won't Caspian teach you?"
"He's too busy checking out your sister." I said bluntly, feeling myself getting angrier at the thought of it, "Now, are you gonna teach me, or not?"
"…Fine." Peter said, "But you'll need a sword."
"I'll get one." I said, "Where do we start?"
"Meet me over there." Peter said, pointing to an area with a flat ground, "And I'll teach you."
"I'll be right back." I said, running into the How. It took me a minute to find where they were making swords, and it took me a little longer to find one that would suit me. I looked over one of the swords that was made by one of Glenstorm's sons, a centaur named Bladestrike.
"How's that one?" He asked, seeing me weighing it in my hands, "It should be the proper length for someone of your size, and it's very light compared to most other swords. It's perfect for a beginner."
"Good enough for me." I said, taking the sheath that had been made for the sword and putting the sword inside, "Thanks."
"No problem." He said, I took the sword and went back outside to where Peter waited for me. I showed him the sword and he pulled out his own.
"Alright then," Peter said, "Get into your fighting stance." I held onto the sword with both hands, ready to fight. Peter sighed, "You're holding it wrong."
"How?" I asked.
"Your hands are too close together." Peter said, he showed the way he was holding his own sword, "Your hands shouldn't be touching, at least not that much. Now, are you right-handed or left-handed?"
"Right." I said.
"Then that's the hand that goes on top, right under the hilt." He said, I changed my hands so they would be properly positioned. "Good, now we can work on the rest of you."
"What?"
"Your feet are too close together." Peter said, pointing to my feet, "Spread them out." I moved them further apart, "A little more. Perfect. And make sure your elbows are always tucked in."
"Okay, got it." I said, bringing my elbows a little closer to myself.
"Good, that way, you always protect your center." Peter explained, "Now, come at me." I ran at him, swiping at him with the sword, and he blocked it and quickly counter attacked, "Not bad. A little sloppy, but not bad."
"Cut me a break, I just started." I said, smirking at him. He smirked back.
"Try again." Peter said, and I did as he said. So began our sword fight, where Peter kept giving me tips on how to better myself with the blade. Every time my sword went against his, I felt it hit, and it hurt. I guess my face must have showed it, because Peter said, "You're holding your sword too tight. Loosen your grip and the vibrations won't feel as strong."
"I can barely hold onto it as it is!" I said.
"You'll get used to it." Peter said evenly. I frowned, but did as he said, and loosened my grip, coming at him again. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I said, coming at him again. Peter skillfully maneuvered his sword while I tried to parry back with all the clumsiness of a beginner. Peter didn't come right at me as if he were trying to kill me, but he sure acted like it. Whenever I screwed up, Peter would always correct me, and if I dropped my sword, Peter would wait until I was ready before he started again. I was surprised he had so much consideration for me after I had humiliated him, "Parry. Good! Block and step. No, you want to step as the blades connect to avoid a rebound swipe. Try again. Perfect!" That, and metal on metal, were the only sounds coming from us as we moved about the field. It was incredibly difficult to concentrate on my movements and listen to Peter's directions at the same time. Eventually, we got to a point where our swords connected and slid down to the hilt, making a small 'V'. Peter and I held that pose, swords quivering as we held them against each other, both of us running out of breath. He grinned at me, "You're getting better."
"So… I guess I win, huh?" I panted. Peter's grin grew wider.
"I don't think so." He said, and then flawlessly disarmed me with a twirl of the wrist, taking the sword out of my hands and having it fall to the ground, as well as having me fall on my butt. I glared up at him, but Peter kept that grin on his face, "I'm not going to let you beat me again that easily." He held out his hand and I took it with a smirk.
"I should've known." I said as he pulled me up.
"What's going on here?" A voice asked, we turned and saw Caspian coming towards us with a displeased expression on his face. "What are you doing?"
"He's teaching me how to use a sword." I said, turning to him, "Since you wouldn't do it."
"You could just as easily use a bow." Caspian said sternly.
"Well, I prefer swords." I said evenly. Caspian glared at me.
"I told you," He said, "You will not learn swords."
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" I said angrily, "I don't need you to make my decisions for me!"
"I am only doing what I think is best for you!" Caspian said.
"That's exactly what Social Services said." I said angrily, "And look what happened! I have no home! No parents! And hardly any friends! If people start looking out for me now, I will die, and you're not making that prospect any better!" I shoved him aside angrily and stormed away from the two boys, heading straight into the How. I heard Caspian calling after me, but I didn't stop to look back. I just kept running. I ran through the How, passing by some of the Narnians. They looked at me as I ran through the How, sprinting into another room.
I ran into the room with the broken table. I stopped once I reached the table, putting my hands on it. I panted heavily as I felt my eyes fill up with tears. I kneeled down, resting my head against the table, scrunching up my face, trying desperately not to let the tears fall.
"I can't take it anymore." I said to the empty room, "I want to go back." My hands slid down the table as my shoulders began to shake, tears falling from my eyes, "Take me back. I want to go back!" I let out a sob, "Someone take me back! I want to go back!" I hit the table with my fists, and began to cry, "I wanna go back… Take me back…" I turned around, my back leaning against the table. I pulled up my knees and rested my arms on top of them, burying my face in them. "Somebody… Take me back…" Everything I had ever kept inside, everything I had ever bottled up, began pouring out of me. Every drop of anger, sadness, and longing for everything I always wanted but never had, came out in each tear. "Why me…?"
"Why you, indeed." A voice said, my head shot up and I saw Lucy standing at the doorway. I quickly scrubbed my face of my tears.
"I wasn't crying." I said, turning away from her.
"I never said you were." Lucy said, walking into the room. She sat down next to me, "Want to tell me why you're here not crying?" I sniffled and kept my eyes on the floor.
"…I don't know." I said quietly, I pulled my hands into my lap, looking down at them.
"Well, there must be something wrong." Lucy said, "I saw you running through the How. You looked like you were going to cry your eyes out at any moment." I sniffed again and wiped my nose on my sleeve.
"I don't know." I said again, "I guess it's just the stress or something."
"I have a feeling it's something more than that." Lucy said. I didn't look at her, rubbing my eyes again, "Max, what's wrong?"
"I don't know!" I said, "If I knew, I'd tell you!"
"You know." Lucy said wisely, I looked over at her, "Somewhere deep down in you, you know." I looked back at the floor.
"…All my life, I've never been treated like I wanted to be." I said, "I want to get adopted, some better kid comes along, and I'm sent back to the orphanage. I want friends, I end up fighting people and being expelled from school, again. I want a loving parent, my mom dumps me on the first doorstep she finds." I pulled my knees closer to myself, "I've never cried since then. Not once."
"And now it all comes out." Lucy said, I nodded my head.
"I guess so." I said, sniffling.
"You know," She began, "They say people who cry, are much stronger than those who try and bottle it up."
"I've heard that." I said, "I never thought that, though." I wiped my nose again, "All these years, I've kept everyone out. I've never gotten close to anyone, and I made sure no one got close to me."
"That's changed, hasn't it?" Lucy asked, "You've let people in."
"I guess I have." I said.
"You let in Caspian in, right?" She asked, "That's why you're so upset."
"I'm not sure." I said, "I just know that, since I've come here, I've started to change."
"Well, that's good." Lucy said, I shook my head.
"Change isn't always better, Lucy." I said, she nodded in agreement.
"Some change isn't." She said wisely, "But this change is good. It's making you a little more open to others."
"But I don't want to be." I said, looking at her, "I never want to be open to anyone."
"Why not?" Lucy asked.
"Because… it hurts." I said, "When I was a little kid, and I thought the family I was with adopted me, I would be so happy. I would be completely open, and I would hope they would love me. But they wouldn't. They would send me back, not wanting to take care of me anymore. When I figured that out, I knew it would hurt every time I left. So I shut myself up, making sure no one come in, or get close to me. I've always made sure of that."
"Sometimes, it does hurt to trust others, and have them betray you." Lucy said, "But it's also the greatest feeling in the world to know that someone loves you just as much as you love them." I was silent, thinking that over. Love was a heavy thing. I understood what she said, but when you've lived like I had, it's hard to love someone after knowing them for such a short time. Although, it certainly didn't feel like it. I looked over at the young girl.
"Lucy, how old are you?" I asked.
"Twelve and a half." Lucy said, "Why?"
"Because for a while there," I said, smiling at her, "You sounded a lot older than twelve." She smiled at me.
"I get that a lot." She said with a laugh. I laughed with her. She stood up from her spot and I followed her. We started to walk out when Peter and Caspian started coming into the room, followed by all the Narnians. We looked at them confusedly as they all filed in, I looked over at Peter, "What's going on?" I asked.
"Miraz's army knows where we are." Peter said grimly. Lucy and I shared a worried glance. I looked back at Caspian, who looked back at me. I looked away from him. I wasn't ready to explain myself just yet. I went to another part of the room, going to find a place to listen to everything. Once everyone was in, Peter began speaking.
"It's only a matter of time." He said, "Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle."
"What do you propose we do, Your Majesty?" Reepicheep asked.
"We need to get ready for…" Caspian said.
"To start preparing for…" Peter began. I snorted behind my hand when they spoke at the same time. Peter sent Caspian a hard stare, and he shut his mouth, nodding for him to continue. "Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us."
"But that's crazy!" Caspian said, "No one has ever taken that castle!"
"There's always a first time." Peter said evenly.
"We'll have the element of surprise." Trumpkin agreed.
"But we have the advantage here!" Caspian insisted.
"If we dig in, we can probably hold them off indefinitely." Susan said.
"I, for one, feel safer underground." Trufflehunter said.
Peter turned to Caspian, "Look, I appreciate what you've done here," He said, "But this isn't a fortress. It's a tomb."
"Yes, and, if they're smart," Edmund began, "The Telmarines will just wait and starve us out."
"We could collect nuts!" A squirrel suggested eagerly.
"Yes, and throw them at the Telmarines!" Reepicheep said in sarcastic cheeriness, "Shut up." The squirrel flinched at his tone of voice, "I think you know where I stand, sire."
Peter looked over at Glenstorm, "If I get the troops in, can you handle the guards?"
Glenstorm looked over at Caspian, who looked back, begging him to say no. Glenstorm looked back at Peter, saying, "Or die trying, my liege."
"That's what I'm worried about." Lucy said, catching her brother's attention.
"Sorry?" Peter asked.
"Well, you're all acting like there's only two options." Lucy explained, "Dying here, or dying there."
"I'm not sure you've really been listening, Lu." Peter said.
"No, you're not listening." Lucy said, "Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"
Peter set jaw, "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough." With that, he walked out of the room. The Narnians filed out after him, dispersing. I was about to leave the room, when someone caught my arm. I looked back to see it was Caspian, I pulled my arm away.
"I have nothing to say to you." I said quickly, trying to follow the others out, but Caspian grabbed my arm again.
"Maxine, please." He said gently, "Let me speak." I moved my arm away, but I didn't face him.
"I'm listening." I said quietly.
"Maxine, I never meant to insult you." Caspian said, moving in front of me, I turned my gaze to the ground, "I just… With this war going on, I don't want to lose anyone." He put his fingers under my chin and made me look at him, "Especially not you." I frowned and moved his hand away.
"I somehow doubt that." I said.
"I don't know what you mean." Caspian said, by now, the room had emptied, and it was just me and him. I looked up at him.
"You know exactly what I mean." I said, glaring at him, "Ever since she got here, you've been giving Susan those googly-eyes that only guys can get around a pretty girl!"
"I don't get 'googly-eyes'." Caspian said.
"You were this close to drooling when you looked at her during our little archery lesson." I said, holding up my thumb and forefinger to show him.
Caspian stopped on whatever he was about to say and there was silence between us before he said, "Maxine, are you jealous of Susan?"
"What?" I asked in surprise, "No! No, no, no. What do I have to be jealous of? I'm not jealous." I didn't sound very convincing, feeling my face flush. Caspian was about to say something, but someone interrupted us.
"Caspian," Edmund said, poking his head into the room, "Are you coming, or aren't you? Peter wants to talk about invading the castle." He looked over at me, "He wants to talk to you, too, Max."
"About what?" Caspian asked.
"Why do you care?" I asked, shoving him aside and following Edmund. Caspian scowled and followed Edmund as well as we went into the forge, where a round, stone table waited with a map of Miraz's castle on it. Glenstorm, Peter, Susan, and Nikabrik waited around the table for us. Once we took our places at the table, Peter directed his attention to us.
"Here's our plan so far," He said, "We'll arrive at midnight, Ed," He turned to his brother, "You'll fly in first on one of the griffins, and you'll give us the signal that it's all clear. Then, Susan," He looked over at his sister, "You, Caspian, and I will fly in when he does, and get inside." He put his finger on the map and dragged it from a point in the courtyard to a room labeled 'PC's Room'. I realized it must have been Professor Cornelius's room, "Caspian suggested going in through the window here," He pointed to where the window would be, "Because the room won't be as heavily guarded as the rest of the castle. Once we're in, Max," He looked over at me, "You will lead the troops to the forest's edge until Ed gives the signal."
"No." Caspian said instantly, "She's not going, she's staying here." I sent him a harsh look, but ignored him and looked back at Peter.
"I think I can manage that." I said, Caspian looked at me incredulously, "And when Edmund gives the signal, what do I do?"
"You lead in our troops with Glenstorm." Peter said, "Can you do that?" I nodded.
"No! Absolutely not!" Caspian said, "She is staying here and waiting for our return. She is not ready to go to battle!"
"And you would know all about battles, wouldn't you?" I asked him sarcastically, "I've been fighting for years, Caspian. I think I can handle a little invasion."
"You aren't ready." Caspian insisted, "You've only just started learning archery, and your sword could do with sharpening. And how would you get there, anyway? On foot?"
"I could just ride with somebody!" I said.
"I would be willing to take you." Glenstorm said.
"Thank you, Glenstorm." I said.
"No, you cannot go." Caspian said sternly, "I completely forbid it!"
"Since when were you in charge of me?" I demanded, "You won't have to worry about my safety, because you'll be too damn busy worrying about your girlfriend!"
"Maxine, enough!" Caspian said, "I will chain you to the walls if I have to."
"Ha! You don't have the guts!" I said. Caspian huffed in exasperation and grabbed my arm, pulling me away.
"I want to speak with you, privately." He said dragging me away, with me resisting him the whole time. He pulled me into a vacant part of the How and released my arm, "Maxine, listen to me."
"Why should I?" I asked, "You haven't let me do anything since I got here!"
"Please, Maxine!" Caspian said, grasping my shoulders tightly. I winced from the feel of it, and he loosened his grip, "Just listen to me." I sighed and looked at him, waiting for him to speak, "This plan of Peter's is ridiculous, and something is going to happen. When that something happens, whatever it is, I don't want to risk losing you."
"You seemed to get along just fine without me before." I said.
"Yes, but I didn't know you then!" Caspian said, "I don't love Susan."
"I never said you did." I said. Caspian held up a hand to stop me.
"Let me finish." He said gently, "Maxine, I care for you, very much more than anyone else." He carefully reached up and put his hand on my cheek, "If something were to happen to you… I would be beside myself." I looked away, feeling a little guilty for yelling at him. "If nothing else, I want to make sure you're safe. Please, don't do this." I looked back up at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes, silently begging me not to go. I sighed and reached up, taking his hand in mine.
"Okay, fine…" I said, Caspian smiled at me, "I'm… sorry for yelling at you."
"Apology accepted." Caspian said, he leaned over and kissed my cheek. I felt my cheeks begin to warm embarrassedly, "I'm going to tell the others you're staying." He released me from his arms and walked away from the room, "Oh, and I'm sorry for offending you!" He added as an afterthought as he left. I didn't respond.
I lifted my hand to my cheek, putting my hand over the spot he had kissed. It felt warm. I sighed to myself and put my hand to my forehead.
"I'm getting in too deep…"
I just guessed at Lucy's age. I don't know if she's twelve or not, so... yeah.