This chapter low-key is boring but its a filler chap! Bare with me here, the next chapter is very exciting as we all know!

Chapter 14: The Plunge

It was late afternoon when the scouts returned, bringing word that the White Witch's Army was marching to battle. The two brothers and Joanna were immediately pulled to different tents to be dressed in their armor. Joanna had insisted a pair of pants be made for battletime and they were presented to her in the tent by Bryne.

Talia and Sharpley entered the tent as well and approved of her armor. Bryne presented her sword to her with a graceful bow, causing Joanna to blush. She hated the formalities that were practiced here.

She unsheathed the sword in her hand and stared at it's shining blade. While she had not had near enough training with the sword she felt confident in its strength as she held it. Father Christmas' words echoed in her head as she looked down upon it.

'I know the doubts you have, but with this sword you will lead a strong fight.'

When referring to the sibling sword of her own, Peter's own Rhindon, Father Christmas had said that they would put up a hard fight when in battle together. She prayed to Aslan that he was right.

'It is because of your great humility that I know you are ready.' His words echoed in her head.

Her hands shook as she sheathed it and turned to her friends. The days had brought them closer to one another and she was thankful for all the company they provided. Joanna opened her mouth to speak but was then interrupted by the blaring of a horn from the camp.

Joanna looked to the ground and sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. Bryne placed a tanned and worn hand on her shoulder and smirked at the girl.

"Just think of this as training," Bryne tried to comfort.

Talia purred and circled around her, "But it is okay to be scared, Lady Joanna." she nudged her nose under the girl's hand.

Joanna smiled and gripped onto the black fur of the panther. Sharpley bowed low to the Seer, "The Gryphons will follow your every command, as will I, they are ready for flight."

The Seer of Narnia held her head high and nodded, leaving the tent behind. Her friends followed behind her as they made their way through the valley of tents. A small crowd was gathered just beyond Aslan's tent. Peter had mounted the back of a beautiful, white unicorn that was fit for a King. His head was bowed close to Oreius as the latter spoke quietly to him. Edmund sat atop Phillip besides his brother, patiently waiting for him to give the word to march on.

Oreius caught sight of Joanna and pulled away from Peter, nodding slightly to her. The breeze picked up suddenly and she felt a presence beside her. For a moment, she was reminded of the powerful and demanding presence of Aslan that always followed him and she wondered who stood next to her.

Myron smiled to her and bent to his knees, "We follow the Kings into battle, m'lady,"

Joanna swung her leg over Myron and settled onto his back comfortably. Since her time at the camp she had gotten used to the sensation of flying and had grown to like it.

Peter looked to his younger brother who stared after him silently. The rest of the army had gathered at the joining of the valley and waited for the command to march onward.

Edmund nodded his head in the direction of the Narnians behind them, urging Peter to speak. Jo urged Myron forward and stopped between the two Kings, who were much higher off the ground.

"Maybe someone should say something, uh," she paused and looked behind her, "Inspirational?"

"Peter, you're King so you should do it," Edmund said, slightly annoyed.

Peter sighed, "I'm no help to these people, they need Aslan."

The three humans went silent and realized just how quiet it had been during their discussion. Myron shook his head and ruffled out his feathers, trying his best to seem as if he had not heard his King say anything. Joanna looked back to Peter and shook her head, "You are exactly what they need right now, Peter Pevensie."

Edmund smiled at his brother, "A King,"

"They look to you now," Joanna said, "So, no pressure." she winked.

The younger boy rolled his eyes but urged his unicorn to turn and face the waiting army. As he looked out into the crowd of Narnians he was overwhelmed with emotions. Many of them were angry for Aslan and wanted vengeance for what had happened to their King. Peter saw the determination in their eyes and in the way they gripped their swords and weapons. He was relieved at the sight of such a strong and prepared army.

Oreius placed a hand on his shoulder, "This is what we have been waiting for my brothers and sisters of Narnia!"

The sound of the warriors crying out to the sky reverberated inside Peter and he was stunned at the strength of their voices. Their weapons were raised and their faces were red with determination.

"Since the citing of the Deep Magic this day has been a long-coming dawn and we will see the rising of the sun!" Oreius cried, "We must reclaim what is rightfully ours!"

Swords and shields clashed in agreement and the cheers grew louder. For minutes the voices did not stop and it was only when Peter raised his sword that it silenced. The boy went wide-eyed as all attention turned to him.

"W-we cannot forget A-Aslan," Peter said hesitantly, "We fight th-this war for Him!"

Peter thrust a fist into the air and the voices boomed all around them. Edmund steadied Phillip after the roar of the voices frightened him. Joanna chuckled at Peter's shocked eyes and cheered with them. Her heart picked up in pace as Peter gave the signal to march to the Fords of Beruna. Peter and Edmund rode before Oreius and Joanna, the rest of the army following closely behind.

Myron took to the sky as the Fords of Beruna came into view. Joanna blinked in the light of the sun and thought to herself how ironically beautiful the late afternoon was at this moment. Their impending doom was marching towards them with an army far larger than their own. Joanna clutched onto his feathers tightly and the Gryphon bristled beneath her touch, "Aslan help us."

"He will, we just have to trust in what He left us with," Joanna said as she urged him to turn back.

Peter watched as Myron landed gracefully beside him and frowned at the worried look on Joanna's face. The Gryphon knelt to the ground and allowed the girl to slide off, she mounted Phillip and ran a soothing hand down his mane.

"They come, your Highness, in numbers and weapons far greater than our own!" Myron relayed to Peter, who sighed.

"Numbers do not win a battle," Oreius said quietly.

Peter scoffed, "No, but I bet they help."

The three leaders looked back out to the army with dread and watched as they drew nearer. Joanna waved her hand to Myron, signalling for him to return to the Gryphons that were stationed near the hill Edmund stood at. The wind hit her face as his magnificent wings took flight into the air. All was silent as they waited for Peter's command and it only made Joanna's heart pound louder in her ears.

"Aslan has left us," Peter whispered with his head hung low, "I don't know if we can do this, Jo."

She could only agree with him because she had also been feeling abandoned. The one who was supposed to be the Savior of Narnia had left them, with nothing but a single vision left for Joanna that not even she could explain entirely. She had said that he was physically gone and that they needed to remain trusting in Him. But how could they do this when He was gone? It made no sense to her now, the vision she had been given was useless to this army.

She felt alone, completely alone.

Peter looked out to the army and into view came the White Witch herself, Aslan's murderer. His breathing picked up and the anger built up inside of him. If Aslan could not overpower this Evil then what were there chances?

He felt despair and doom.

Oreius turned to the two and saw the thoughts cross onto their faces, they were downtrodden and hopeless. He placed a hand on Peter's shoulder, "Tell me what is on your mind, my King."

Peter looked up to him, "Why would He leave us to fight this battle alone?"

Oreius smiled lightly, "We are not alone," he motioned to the army behind him, ready at his command, "These are His people and they will follow you, they will fight for you."

Peter nodded, "Are you with me?"

Oreius straightened up and gripped his sword tighter, "To the death,"

"We are ready when you are, Peter,"

The boy turned to the small voice next to him and smiled, he unsheathed his sword and she soon followed. Neither broke their stare as the rest of the army cheered and blared the horns. It was the sound of angry cries across the valley that broke their stare, Jo's breath hitched in her throat as she saw the Witch's army growing closer. The ground began to rumble and she took the small golden whistle around her neck into her fingers. She let out one, shrill note and soon the Gryphons filled the skies above them.

"Are you ready?'

She turned to the King, "I'll be right beside you," she whispered.

Peter nodded and thrust his sword into the air, "For Narnia! And for Aslan!"

She galloped beside him with her sword drawn and helmet pressed against her cheeks. The thudding of the army's steps behind her filled the air and all she could think about was the collision of bodies and swords that was soon to happen. Cheetahs and jaguars alike sprinted far ahead of them and she caught sight of Talia with the wind in her fur and determination on her face. Her heart skipped a beat and she nearly called the cat back to her side, but she knew that this was also her battle to fight and let her sprint onward.

With every inch she began to feel something else, something stronger than fear. There was anger in her bones and determination. She urged Phillip faster and he grunted in frustration, but she needed to push him. Soon she had matched the speed of Peter's horse and they rode together into battle.

He pulled his helmet down, he was nearing the oncoming forces and he was ready. He was angry, but he was ready.