A/N: Hey people, sorry about not updating sooner. It's been crazy for me. First, I've been traveling between Minnesota and Colorado. And then there's the fact that I had a serious case of writer's block. Luckily, I'm over it and I've had time to write. Next chapter is going to be so much easier to write….hopefully.
Riley walked along the beach. Cair Paravel stood in all it's glory, as if it never was in ruins. The ocean was calm and the sun was setting. She wore a light blue sun dress and her hair was in loose curls. Her bare feet felt every grain of sand it touched. The cool breeze washed over her and made her entire body shiver.
Arms slowly wrapped around her waist from behind and forced her to stop walking. She placed her hands over his arms and pulled him closer.
"Will, what are you doing here?" Riley asked.
"I had to come to see you. I've missed you," he answered.
"I haven't been gone that long. Plus, time moves differently here."
"But, still, even the tiniest moment away from you feels like an eternity." Will told her. Riley smiled a little and turned her head slightly so she could look at him.
"You always know how to make me feel like I'm the only girl you ever see," Riley replied.
"That's because you are the only girl I see."
"I love you."
"I love you, my Queen."
Riley's eyes shot open and she quickly observed the room. Everything was the same as it was when she went to sleep. She turned over and found that Peter was gone. Riley sat up and got out of bed. She walked down to the main floor where Narnians worked effortlessly to make armor and weapons. She found Susan who was observing the arrows that were being made.
"Oh, Riley, do these look sturdy enough?" Susan asked as she held up one of the arrows. Riley looked at it and then looked at Susan.
"Looks fine to me. Hey, have you seen Peter?" Riley replied.
"Stone Table." Susan answered. Riley said thanks and headed down there. She found Peter just sitting there, staring at Aslan's mural.
"And you were the one that always got upset when I left while you were sleeping," Riley joked. Peter jumped a little by the sound of her voice. When he saw that it was her, he smiled and stood up.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful," Peter told her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"You're so sweet," Riley told him.
"I try to be. Have you had anything to eat?"
"No, I woke up and then I went searching for you. Food never crossed my mind." Riley answered. "What about you?"
"I'm not hungry." Peter replied.
"Peter, you have to eat something."
"I'll find something in a bit. Go on, I have to sit and think."
"About what?"
You Peter thought to himself. "This war and everything I've done wrong since I got here."
"You've done nothing wrong. So, quit it," Riley told him. Peter stepped away from her and sat back down. Riley sat down next to him, knowing there was more to say.
"No, I have. I treated my brother like he was a thorn in my side. I treated Susan like she's just another soldier. With Lucy, I acted like she was completely psychotic. And, then there's you." Peter explained.
"Me?"
"Yes, I created tension between us that shouldn't have been there to begin with. I've acted like you can't take care of yourself. I mean, you've died once. And, I don't want to see that happen again."
"That's because you ran a sword through me," Riley said in a soft tone. Once she said it, however, Riley wished she could take back her words. Peter didn't know what to say. Riley's words hit him hard.
"Oh God, I don't know why I said that. I..I..I should go," Riley said. She stood up and ran out of the room. She ran past Lucy who was on her way down.
"Riley, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, but Riley ignored her. Tears were streaming down her face, and she could barely see where she was going. Riley bumped into someone and stopped walking.
"Riley, are you okay?" they asked. Riley looked at them and that it was Edmund.
"Ed, I…what's wrong?" Riley noticed the worried look on his face and it wasn't worry for her. It was something else. Everything that she was thinking about a second before, was gone.
"You need to get to the lookout balcony now," was all Edmund said before he ran off. Riley looked at his disappearing figure, confused.
Why would I need to go up there? She thought for a minute. Riley's eyes got large as she figured it out. Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and began to drag her down the hall. She was about to protest but saw that it was Peter, so she immediately shut her mouth. She saw Edmund and Lucy were quickly following behind them.
They got to the balcony and Peter let go of Riley and they all stared across the valley and to the woods. Everyone else was already there. Telmarine soldiers marched onto the clearing, followed by large catapults. Then more soldiers came, but they were on horses. Soon, the soldiers parted and some men rode to the front of the army. Everyone instantly saw that it was Miraz and his generals.
"We need to have a meeting, now," Peter told them. "But, not down at the Stone Table. I don't want anyone to know we're discussing stuff. It might cause panic."
"There's a small chamber on the first floor, just before you reach the steps." Riley said. Peter nodded and walked back inside. Everyone else slowly followed him. They reached the chamber and filed in.
"So, what's the plan? What are we going to do?" Caspian asked. Peter looked around the room. His eyes settled on Riley, silently asking her what she thought. Riley motioned toward Lucy, and Peter understood what she wanted. He walked over to Lucy and looked her in the eye.
"If I asked you to, could you find Aslan? Even if it means going into the woods?" Peter asked her.
"Of course. I'm positive that if I look for him, I'll find him." Lucy replied.
"Okay, I want you and Susan to go into the forest and find him," Peter told her.
"I'll go with them," Riley said. Peter turned to look at her, unsure if he wanted her to go, or stay with him.
"Cakes and kettle-drums…That's your big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest alone?" Trumpkin asked, thinking that Peter was insane.
"It's our only chance," Peter replied.
"And, she won't be alone," Susan added, motioning at Riley and herself. Trumpkin walked over and looked at Lucy.
"Haven't enough of us died already?" he asked her.
"Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't," Trufflehunter told him. "And neither have I."
"For Aslan," Reepicheep said and he held up his sword in honor.
"For Aslan," Bulgy Bear said as well. Trumpkin looked at them and then back at Lucy.
"I'm going with you," Trumpkin told her.
"No, I need you here," Lucy replied.
"We need to hold them off until the Queens get back," Peter informed them.
"If I may," Caspian started. Everyone turned their attention to him and he stepped over so he was almost in the middle of the room and next to Peter.
"Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer. But as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one in particular that may buy us some time." Caspian pointed out.
"What is it?" Peter asked him.
"A challenge to prove one's strength and skill with the sword. Miraz has to agree to it in order to prove himself as King." Caspian answered. Peter thought for a second and nodded.
"That could work. Okay, meeting adjourned. Ed, Riley, I want to speak with you two and get a letter written up to take over to Miraz." Peter announced.
"I'll go get the parchment and ink," Trufflehunter told them. Peter nodded in thanks and everyone left the room except for Peter, Edmund, and Riley.
"I want you two to deliver the message and get Miraz to agree to it. Glenstorm and Wimbleweather the giant will accompany you. But, Riley I don't want you to say a word," Peter instructed them.
"Why can't I talk?" Riley asked.
"Because you can sometimes be a sarcastic bitch," Edmund told her. Riley's jaw dropped and she stared at Ed.
"That was so uncalled for!" Riley exclaimed.
"Riley, I hate to say it, but Ed's right," Peter said. Riley was about to speak but Peter held up his hand a silenced her. "Sweetie, your mouth has a way of saying stuff and almost starting wars. Remember Prince Rabadash?"
"I wasn't being sarcastic, I was being honest. He was way to into himself," Riley defended.
"Not the point. We almost went to war with Calormen because the Tisroc thought that all Narnians were rude. It took me months to get him to agree to call off the war," Peter explained. "And right now, I'm afraid that one wrong word could cost us a lot."
"Fine, I won't say anything," Riley agreed. Trufflehunter reentered with a thing of parchment, ink, and a pen. "Will you be needing anything else your highness?" Trufflehunter asked Peter.
"My armor…I need someone to go to Cair Paravel to get it," Peter answered.
"That's already done. Queen Susan ordered a few gryphons and others to go to Cair Paravel early this morning. They should be back shortly," Trufflehunter explained.
"Send her my thanks," Peter said. Trufflehunter bowed his head, set the parchment and pen down and left the room. Peter picked it up and began writing. Riley and Edmund watched him and waited. After a while, Peter finished and rolled up the parchment.
"Go see if the armor is here. I think it would be best if you were wearing it when you delivered this," Peter told Edmund as he handed him the parchment. Ed took it and left the room.
"Caspian is not going to be happy when he hears that you're the one challenging Miraz," Riley said.
"Yeah, I think he was planning on it being him that was going to battle Miraz. But, I have my reason to keep him from it," Peter replied.
"Of course. Well, I better get going," Riley told him rather nervously. She turned to leave but Peter grabbed her arm to stop her.
"You were right. It was me that ran you through with a sword, it was me that hurt you. And, now I want to make it up to you," Peter said. Riley just looked at him, making no move to speak. "Please say something."
"I love you, but…" Riley stopped herself, not knowing what to say. "I don't know. I'm so confused. And, to be honest, I didn't mean anything by what I said down at the Stone Table."
"No, there was a reason behind it. Otherwise you wouldn't have said it," Peter replied.
"I guess I was just trying to prove a point," Riley admitted.
"And that would be…?"
"That you're the only one with the power to really hurt me. Sure, there was the whole 'raid incident' but I survived that. I'm a better fighter than half this army. I'll be okay."
"I know you will be, but I just feel that this is all my fault," Peter told her.
"It doesn't matter now. There's worse things going on at the moment," Riley pointed out.
"You're right. You better go find Edmund. It doesn't take him very long to get his armor on," Peter said. Riley nodded and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, too," Peter replied.
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"Alright, just remember not to talk," Edmund told Riley as they walked across the clearing, toward Miraz's army. Glenstorm and Wimbleweather were on either side of the Just King and High Queen.
"I know. Peter already had the talk with me," Riley replied. They got to the edge of the camp and found three men waiting for them. The one in the middle was Miraz and then there was a taller man to his right and a man about his height to his left.
"How may we help you?" Miraz asked.
"Sir Edmund and Lady Riley have a message to deliver from King Peter," Glenstorm announced.
"Very well, General Glozelle will escort you to the Council's tent. Lord Sopespian and I need to round up the other Lords," Miraz said.
"And why, pray tell, do you need to do that? The message is for you," Edmund asked.
"It is the way I run things. Please, do come in," Miraz replied. Edmund shut his mouth, knowing that it was best not to say another word until he read Peter's letter.
General Glozelle led Edmund and Riley into a large tent that had a long table and many chairs inside. After a few minutes several men entered and sat down. Miraz sat in the center with Lord Sopespian by his side. Glozelle stood at the entrance. Riley and Edmund stood in the center of the room, facing the council.
"So, what is this important message that you have to give me?" Miraz asked. Edmund held up the roll of parchment and opened it.
"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan. By election and by conquest: High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands," Edmund read. " I order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."
"Tell me Prince Edmund…" Miraz began but Edmund cut him off.
"King."
"Pardon me?" Miraz asked.
"It's 'King Edmund' actually. Just 'King' though. Peter's the High King." Edmund explained. He saw the look on Miraz's face and added, "I know, it's confusing." Riley let out a soft chuckle which received a glare from Edmund.
"Sorry," she whispered. Edmund shook hi head and turned back to Miraz.
"Why would you risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz asked.
"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" Edmund replied. "I mean, only a week ago Narnians were extinct."
"And so you will be again," Miraz said coldly.
"Then you should have little to fear," Edmund replied. Miraz couldn't help but laugh at Edmund's comment. Riley raised an eyebrow, wondering what was so funny.
"This is not a question of bravery," Miraz told him.
"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund asked.
Oh, burn. Riley thought. She almost laughed at the question, but knew Edmund would just get mad at her. Miraz looked at Ed for a moment before responding.
"I didn't say I refused."
"You should have our support Your Majesty," one of the Lords said. "Whatever your decision."
"Sire," Sopespian spoke up. "our military advantage provides the perfect excuse to avoid, what might otherwise be…"
"I am not avoiding anything!" Miraz yelled as he abruptly stood up and unsheathed his sword in anger.
"I was merely pointing out that my lord is well in his right to refuse," Sopespian explained.
"His majesty would never refuse," General Glozelle chimed in. Everyone's attention turned to him. "he relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new king." Edmund and Riley turned back to look at Miraz, waiting for him to say something. Miraz thought and then raised his sword and pointed it at Edmund.
"You should hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen," Miraz said to him.
"Well, if it isn't then he's just going to have to kill you with his pen," Riley blurted out. Everyone snapped their attention to her and she realized that she said it out loud.
"Riley!" Edmund exclaimed. He was fighting whether to laugh because it was a good comeback, or yelling because she spoke when she promised to shut up.
"What? I'm sorry, but he set himself up for that one," Riley told him.
"And who might you be?" Lord Sopespian asked.
"Riley, High Queen of Narnia, Lady of Cair Paravel, and Empress of the Lone Islands," Riley answered.
"Aw, so you are the wife of High King Peter. I've read about you. Some books call you a witch," Miraz told her.
"Well, keep that attitude up and you'll see just how much of a witch I am," Riley snapped.
"Okay, Riley that's enough." Edmund butted in. "Miraz, back to the subject at hand. Are you up to a dual?"
"Certainly. Noon, tomorrow. It will be in that stone area in front of your fortress. I will be pleased to see you all there," Miraz answered. He looked at Riley.
"Whatever. Ed, let's go," Riley said. She turned and left the tent. Edmund quickly followed and grabbed her arm, pulling her back so she was walking beside him.
"Don't you understand the meaning of 'shut up'?" he asked.
"Sorry, it just slipped out," Riley replied. Edmund huffed and began to walk faster than her. Riley didn't dare to try and walk with him, so she walked with Glenstorm and Wimbleweather who emerged from behind her.
"Is his majesty okay?" Glenstorm asked.
"He's fine," Riley lied. She felt nervous and scared, but not because of Edmund. Because in 24 hours, Peter would go up against Miraz and either live or die, and Riley wouldn't be there to see it. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.
