Chapter 10
"TRECHERY! THEY SHOT HIM! THEY HAVE MURDERED OUR KING!" Came Sopespian's call from the below. He grabbed Caspian's sword from the ground. Glozelle was already on his way back to the troops.
"BE READY!" Peter called up to girls and archers above. Edmund and Kate shared a small look before hearing Caspian's cry to Peter. He and Edmund turned to take down the closer Telmarines. He yelled for Caspian to go and get ready before running to the edge of the stone circle where he fought Miraz. Glozelle and Sopespian were calling commands to the Telmarines. The large war machines they had brought with them were catapults and they were now firing large boulders at the Narnians.
"ARCHERS TO THE READY!" Susan called as the first cavalry of Telmarines rushed forward. Kate took her bow and readied an arrow. Archery wasn't her best sport but she was better than average and it was Edmund's idea to keep her out of harm's way. She did however keep her sword on her too.
Peter turned to give Caspian and Glenstorm the signal and they both took off into the how where they would lead the waiting Narnians. A dull horn could be heard underground and Peter and Kate started counting. At the count of 6 Susan called "TAKE YOUR AIM!" AND AS Kate called 10 Peter yelled from below.
"GET READY!" the earth under the How started shaking. And suddenly the advancing troops were falling. The ground beneath their feet disappeared and they all fell into the hole. There was mass confusion from the Telmarines and dust clouds rose from the hole. "NOW!" Susan yelled and a hundred arrows flew through the air. They landed on target in the whole, striking anyone who had survived the fall. Kate watched as Edmund grabbed Glozelle's discarded crossbow and jump on a horse, riding directly towards the Telmarines. Peter yelled and ran forward, the Narnia's on the ground following. On the far left and right of the field behind the hole the ground opened and out poured Narnian soldiers.
The Narnians closed in on all sides, surrounding the Telmarines. Peter swung Rhindon wildly and took down every man in sight. He saw Caspian pass also taking no prisoners. Animals of all sizes jumped into the hole and attacked who they could. Kate's eyes were trained on Edmund, who rode the outer ring of the hole, firing at any Telmarine who tried to get out. Yells from pain and victory along with battle cries and the clinking of swords rang out in the air. Kate watched as Glozelle got back to the remaining army and urged the larger part of it forward. Griffins flew overhead carrying dwarfs who fired at the Telmarines. They had however expected something like this because they brought out a large arrow shooter, larger than a house and aimed it at the skies. The griffins were struck down and killed. Peter turned to Kate and Susan. "Lucy?" he mimed. Both looked to the surrounding forests and shook their heads.
"BACK TO THE HOW!" Peter cried. Edmund having heard the call made his way back to Peter. Sopespian had anticipated this and was sending boulders towards the entrance. Susan and Kate noticed this. "BRACE YOURSELVES!" she yelled at the archers as boulder after boulder struck the how. One boulder struck above the main entrance closing it off completely. A tree that had been growing out of the stones fell in Susan's direction. "SUSAN!" Kate pushed her out of the way but lost her footing. She fell completely to the ground almost 20 feet down, small rocks falling on her. "KATE!" Edmund cried as he watched her fall. He looked back to see Susan hanging onto Trumpkin's hand. Both Peter and Caspian were watching too, both worried having not seen Kate get up. "Come on Kate!" Edmund whispered as he joined Peter and Caspian. All three let of sighs of relief as Susan made it down unscathed to a ledge maybe 10 feet below. Peter turned to see were the Telmarines were while Edmund's eyes remained on the spot where Kate had fallen.
Susan made her way down from the ledge and over to Kate. She looked like she was sleeping but the blood from the side of her head said otherwise and her face was scratched from where the smaller rocks had fallen, leaving red scrawl marks and bruises. Susan checked her over but she couldn't feel Kate breathing. "No! No!" Susan said. She shook Kate lightly. "Kate? Come on, please wake up! Kate? Please!" she begged but Kate didn't move. She didn't want to leave her but she had to get to her brothers to help them fight. "SUSAN?!" Edmund's voice rang out over the noise. Taking another look at Kate she stood. Caspian and Peter stood beside Edmund looking at her. She knew she would have to tell him. Her eyes stung as she looked at him, about to tell him the news that would destroy him. Seeing the question in her brother's eyes, she shook her head, putting a hand to her mouth to stop the scream that was coming. Her heart, along with Peter's and Caspian's broke at the look of pure devastation and sorrow on Edmunds face.
He felt as if the world had disappeared from under him and all the oxygen in the world was gone. No! No! She can't be! She wouldn't leave me! She can't be dead! He screamed at himself. He fell to his knees, pain coursing through them, wickedly proving this was his reality and not his worst nightmare. Tears fell down his face as he fell. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Peter, tears also in his eyes. "I'm sorry Ed!" he whispered. "She can't be gone!" He yelled at him as he got up. He tried to run towards her but Peter stopped him. He pushed against him until he couldn't anymore. Susan joined them and she hugged him too. Edmund looked to see some of the female Narnians who do not fight lift Kate and take her away from the battle. Caspian cleared his throat causing them to look at the oncoming Telmarines.
Edmund was blinded by pure sorrow and rage for his wife he saw red and throwing the crossbow aside he pulled his sword from its cover. Peter looked at him and Susan "For Kate!" he whispered to them, tears flowing silently down his face. Susan nodded, as did Caspian. Edmund just looked straight ahead and ran. The minute he entered the battle no one stood a chance. His sword flew in every direction making direct hits and killing most instantly. He pulled a second sword from the ground, killing twice as many in single strikes. Peter too was striking everyone in sight and Susan took down those who got anywhere near her brothers or Caspian. She did however see Caspian fall into the hole and disappear into the chaos below. Peter looked around to see more Telmarines coming. Edmund however refused to give in. He continued fighting, until the earth beneath him shook violently and he was knocked on his back.
He looked up to see trees. Except they weren't your average tree, they had woken up and were running in to join the battle. The wing blowing through them was making them roar. The Telmarines fled, scared of the unknown magic of Narnia. Peter pulled Caspian out of the hole and gave him a small smile "Lucy!" he said as Susan and Edmund came up to them. They watched as the roots shot underground and came up at the other side, pulverising the Telmarine Catapults. The Narnian cheers were clear as they watched their stories from their past turn to reality and destroy the enemy. "FOR ASLAN!" Peter yelled knowing full well he was behind it. He led the remaining Narnians after the trees and battle resumed once more.
Battle continued all 3 Pevensies and Caspian killing all the enemies in sight. There was a horn sounded in the Telmarine camp and they watched as the Telmarines retreated back into the woods. Giving each other questioning looks Edmund realised where they were going. "Beruna!" he said. He wasn't quite ready to stop his revenge for his wife. He wanted them to feel what he was feeling, the pure sickening rage that was eating him and the blackness of his future without his Kate. He wanted them to suffer. He wanted to make sure that they knew what they had done. But most of all was guilt. Guilt at the fact that he had failed her yet again and this was his penalty.
He raced through the forest, the others behind him, expecting some kind of ambush but when the trees broke and he arrived on the riverside the Telmarines were stopped in place. There on the other side of the bridge was Lucy. She stood alone, facing the oncoming Telmarines, holding her dagger out to the side. Peter, Susan and Edmund watched her with relief as she was unharmed and fear as the Lord Sopespian seemed ready to rush forward and strike her down. They couldn't lose another sister! And then they saw him. Aslan!
The great Lion came to Lucy's side. They shared a look before looking back to Sopespian. "CHARGE!" he yelled and the Telmarines rushed forward. They stopped however when Aslan's roar echoed through the surrounding trees and there was an eerie silence. But that was soon filled with the panic calls of the Telmarines. The water level dropped quickly and it all seemed to head upstream. Even the Narnians stopped to watch as the water rose from the river. A tidal wave of sorts rushed up the river and coming from inside it came the face of a man, The River God.
He shook his head, splashing Telmarines and Narnians alike. Those who it had not reached yet ran from the water. Those of the bridge backtrack, the lucky ones making it off after a few strides, others jumped off before wading back to shore. One who did not make it off in time was Sopespian. The river God surged forward, pulling the bridge from its supports, lifting it up into the air. The Narnians and Telmarines watched in awe as the water god looked at Lord Sopespian as he tried in vain to swing his sword at the water. The god lurched forward, opening its mouth, swallowing the bridge and Lord Sopespian before diving back into the remaining water. There was a calm for a few moments. The Telmarines left stood expecting to be killed where they stood.
Peter looked at the others before facing them "IT'S OVER! SURRENDER YOUR WEAPONS AND YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED! It's Over" He put Rhindon away and the other followed his lead. He looked at Trumpkin, who nodded and started calling for Telmarines to hand over their weapons. Peter looked to where Lucy stood with Aslan. He turned to motion t the others to follow him but when he turned Edmund was no longer standing. He was kneeling, head in his hands, crying. Susan was unable to move though tears fell down her face. Peter stepped towards him. "Come on Ed!" he said lifting him. He took a deep breath as he stood and when he looked at Peter the difference was clear. He looked totally devastated and broken. "I need to see her!" he whispered. Peter nodded "Let's go see Aslan first! I'll send someone to find out where she is" Edmund nodded not looking up. They walked to the river and now it had settled they were able to walk through it. Telmarine masks littered the river floor, glinting in the sun through the crystal clear water. They made their way up the far bank coming face to face with the great Aslan!
Lucy smiled at them but the question was clear on her face, where was Kate? The 3 Pevensies and Caspian knelt infront of Aslan, his gentle voice washing over them. "Rise Kings and Queens of Narnia!" he said. They all rose slowly, all except Caspian. "All of you!" Aslan said noting Caspian still on the floor. Caspian looked up at the great lion he had heard so much about through stories from the professor.
"I do not think I am ready!" he said. Aslan smiled and spoke again "It is for that very reason I know you are!" Caspian stood. Aslan turned to Edmund "Where is Queen Kate?" Edmund didn't answer, he couldn't. He simply put his head down and Lucy gasped, understanding. She looked at Peter and Susan for confirmation of his silence. Susan was now in tears and Peter was trying to be strong but failing as small sobs came from his throat. Lucy ran forward to Susan, who held her. Aslan had his head bowed. "I am sorry Edmund" he said. Edmund nodded not looking up. There was a call behind them and they turned to see Trumpkin.
He eyed Aslan warily until her said "Come forth Dear Little Friend!" she said. Trumpkin nodded, walking up to the group, avoiding eye contact with Aslan. "King Edmund?" Edmund looked at him. "Um...Queen Kate's eh...she's near the how if you would like to see her" he said. Edmund nodded."Do you want us to come?" Susan asked. Edmund knew he couldn't do this alone. "Please" he whispered. He set off across the river, followed by Caspian, his siblings and Aslan following. The walk took a few moments and soon he saw the small gathering near the how. His breath caught and he didn't know if he could do it, say goodbye. His legs totally gave out when he actually saw her.
Her face was cut from the rocks and bruised from where slightly heavier ones had hit her. She looked like she was sleeping, her face peaceful. Her sword was still attached to her belt. Edmund totally lost it. He knelt beside her and touched her face, praying that she would wake up. She didn't. She remained still infront of him. "I'm sorry!" he said. Lucy was holding Peter and Susan was holding hands with Caspian, a fact she didn't even know. She was too busy looking at her adopted sister's body, the girl who had pushed her out of the way to save her, killing herself in the process. No sound was made except Edmunds pleas for Kate to forgive him. He leaned down beside her and whispered in her ear "I love you Kate Pevensie" But most heard. Susan turned away from the sight, unsure if she could watch her brother's pain any longer. Unconsciously she turned to Caspian and he put an arm on her back. He calmed her. Aslan stepped into the group. Edmund looked up, begging the Aslan for some sort of miracle. "Isn't there anything you can do?" Peter asked. "Please Aslan! She saved my life!" Susan finished. Edmund looked back at Kate, his world.
Aslan stepped forward. He blew once on Kate and Edmund waited. Nothing! He put his forehead to hers and kissed her once. "Goodbye" he whispered. The girls cried harder at his words, both Caspian and Peter standing helpless.