Hey everybody! Here is the next chapter, one that was really difficult to write and I don't know if its good enough or not. Well, you'll have to tell me that. Thank you to all my reviewers! You all are amazing, really! :)

Disclaimer: Narnia belongs to C.S. Lewis and not me.

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'FATE OR DESTINY?'

TORN

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Peter felt like screaming with frustration. Lucy had warned him that this would happen, and he had tried his best to keep that from happening… but it did anyways.

One moment, he had been staring into Isabel's eyes, feeling a strange calm wash over him even in the middle of a fight. Next moment, he had gasped in agony as a pierced his arm, leaving behind a deep cut with blood oozing out of it. After that, he had lost all his thoughts in the battle, momentarily forgetting about Isabel and Julia and Lucy as he beheaded the man who had injured him.

And when he had turned around, Isabel was no where in sight. Perhaps she was hiding somewhere. Perhaps she had used her brains and rushed towards their camp. Or perhaps, she had not used her brains and got captured… That was when worry had crept into his mind. He couldn't lose her again. He had to look for her. And that is exactly what he did.

But he or his companions did not find her or Julia. They had actually gotten captured and were taken away to the hideout of these… villains.

It felt so stupid, calling them villains, but Peter didn't even know why they were doing all of this or who these people were. And so he had no name to address them with except villains.

It was so childish that for a moment Peter thought that he was a kid again, playing a game with his siblings back in their garden in their world, where they would pretend to be heroes and fight these anonymous, invisible villains. Deep down a small, very very very small part of him still wondered how all this came to be. How he became the High King of Narnia, the best place in the world… no wait, in another world.

But he did not have time to wonder about the worlds. He was trying to control his panic, for he had lost his wife once again. He knew where these villains would take Isabel and Julia. Lucy had told him that. But Lucy had also told him that it would be too dangerous to go there. It would be equal to walking into a wild animal's lair, waiting to be eaten.

He looked around himself, taking in the scene where he had rescued his little sister, almost rescued his wife… The villains had retreated, running away into the forest. He could follow them. He should follow them, if he wanted to bring Isabel back. But…

"You won't be able to defeat them there." Lucy had said, as she looked had him, holding his hands tightly. The message was clear in her eyes: You'll fail if you go there.

Peter stopped, confused as to what he should do.

"I don't have a family," Isabel had said.

"Everyone here considers you a part of this family?" He had told her.

"Even you?" Her eyes had been filled with doubt.

"Of course. You're my wife." He had said. Her gratitude had been clear in her eyes.

He couldn't just abandon Isabel. Peter will have to go after her, help her, save her… yes, he would. He turned towards his army. Men and creatures who were loyal to him, who would die for him… And then unbidden, an image from long ago came flashed across his mind.

Peter looked back as the gates of Miraz's castle closed, trapping many of his soldiers, his army and he watched helplessly as arrows rained upon them.

They all stared at him, as they all breathed their last breaths, wondering why he was not helping them. And yet, he could see it in their eyes, their loyalty. The message in their cries, in their eyes and in their deaths was clear: we die for you, my king, for you.

He couldn't let that happen again. No, he shouldn't let that happen again. Just because his army would die for him doesn't mean that he should order them to throw their lives for him… no, that would be wrong.

Isabel's eyes! When she had stared at him during the fight, not hours ago, they had reflected fear, relief and happiness. And he had seen the wonder, the disbelief. The message in her eyes and in her silence was clear: You came…

Aslan had told him to protect Isabel, to take care of her, and here he was, torn with indecision when he shouldn't be. He had a duty to Isabel, and he should simply go after her.

"You could have called it off, there was still time!" Caspian had shouted outside Aslan's How when they had returned from Miraz's castle, injured both physically and emotionally. The prince's tone had been full of accusation. The message was clear: You are responsible for all those deaths.

Hopelessness filled Peter's heart. He didn't know what to do when he knew that he should do something, and quickly.

"Peter Pevensie, do take Isabel Hunter to be your wife? Do you offer yourself to her with your faults and strengths, in the only true way – completely and forever? Do you pledge to support her through all times, both good and bad? Do you pledge to respect her as your wife, promise to be a good husband to her?"

"I do," he had promised.

Peter looked up helplessly at the sky, begging to Aslan for help, begging to the Great Lion for some mercy, and for an indication of what he should do. He knew he couldn't leave Isabel to die but he also knew that he and his army would not return unscathed from there. They would be greatly outnumbered. He knew nothing about that hideout, and yet he knew that he had to get Isabel from there. How? He did not know. This would be a huge risk.

It was sometime later when calm filled his heart and a decision formed on its own. Some risks must be taken, he thought and stood up. I know what to do.

[][][][][][][]

Isabel opened her eyes and closed them again. Her hands were tied together. She was lying on the cold, hard ground. And a soft thing was touching her cheek lightly. Nothing made sense. Where was she? What was going on? And why did it feel like her head had been split open in half.

"Q-Queen I-Isabel," a soft whisper reached her ears. "W-Wake up."

The voice sounded so scared, so weak, so naïve… and Isabel's eyes flew open. Julia's face hovered above her, her small hand cupping Isabel's cheek gently. The little girl seemed terrified, her eyes wide and wet and her lips trembling.

And Isabel remembered instantly. The kidnapping. The fight. Lucy safe. Julia captured. Peter hurt. Peter… Peter and Aldous fighting. Vane. And the pain in her head.

Isabel slowly brought her hands to her head and grimaced. There was dried blood all over her head and on the side of her face and she had a severe headache. She got up slowly, her vision swimming, and tired to take in her surroundings. Her heart sank. They were at the hideout. The hideout they had overheard Vane and Aldous talking about. Men, armored men were everywhere.

And Isabel knew that she would never be free now. These people will kill her and Julia. By the time a proper Narnian army came here to rescue them, these people would have burned them, considering Vane's anger.

Perhaps she would be able to talk to them. Not them. To some sane person. Ask them why they were doing all of this. Perhaps try to convince them to negotiate with Peter and Caspian and Edmund. She won't just stand there and let these people kill her and Julia. No, she won't.

[][][][][][][]

Lucy urged her horse forward, pushing him to his limits. A part of her felt guilty for being so hard on the animal but she had to get back to the palace as soon as possible. Caspian's life depended on it. And Lucy will save him no matter what.

A part of her was eager to go back home, to her palace, where she would be around the people she loved: Susan, Edmund and Caspian.

Susan was the best sister ever. Boring at times, yes, but still the best. She and Lucy would sit together in Lucy's room, with mugs of hot chocolate in their hands and talk about random, pointless things for hours. And Lucy was looking forward to that.

And then there was Edmund with his obnoxious jokes and pranks. Despite the fact that he annoyed Lucy too much at times, being the bossy big brother and all, Lucy loved him to no depths. Edmund's humor would definitely lighten her mood and help her forget all that had happened in the past few days.

And Caspian. He would be a comfort to Lucy, once he got well of course. Caspian was a great friend to the Valiant Queen. He was smart, funny, and a great person to talk to. Even though he was different than Peter in many ways, still he meant almost just as much to Lucy as Peter did… and that was a lot.

Lucy wondered how Peter was. He would probably have rescued Isabel and Julia by now. At least she hoped so. But there was this uneasy tingling in her chest, telling her that something was wrong, that something had not gone according to plan. She hoped it was just a thought. A bad thought. But still, she couldn't ignore it. All the more reason to get back as soon as possible.

She will tell Edmund to send reinforcements to Peter. Peter needed help, that much she knew. And even if he and Isabel and others were fine and on their way back (she prayed that this was the case) then it would be better if they still get some reinforcements. That would be more secure in these woods and with Aldous' and Vane's hideout being so close. Who knew what would jump out from behind these trees and…

Wait a minute.

The trees!

Lucy's eyes lit up. She didn't have to be at the palace to ask for reinforcements. That would take too much time. She had just come up with a quicker way to send Edmund the message.

The uneasy tingling in her chest returned. She just hoped it was quick enough.

[][][][][][][]

The pain in her head was increasing with every breath she took and worry filled her heart. She took a deep breath to calm herself and looked around. The sun had set some time – minutes, hours? – ago and a darkness had crept up everywhere. The sky was cloudy, but a few shinning stars could be seen. A soft breeze was blowing, and the leaves rustled. Isabel would have enjoyed the beautiful night if it weren't for the situation she was in.

The hideout was a small establishment. There were a few huts, a well, and a stable for horses but it was all so well hidden behind the trees, deep in the forest that is was not shocking that no one came to know of it. From what she had seen of this place, she estimated that the number of people here were greater than hundred, less than two.

At the moment, she was sitting outside a hut. Julia sat next to her, asleep. Vane walked over to her, his face oddly contorted with fury. "So, how do you like our little den?" he asked. "This is one of many, by the way."

Isabel chose not to reply.

"Why is it that whenever I ask you something, you refuse to reply, my dear queen? Do you not like talking to me?"

"I thought it was clear that I don't," Isabel retorted. "Why are you doing this?"

"I have my reasons," Vane replied, lowering his face until he was at the same level as Isabel's. She could see a strange gleam of madness in his eyes. "The latest of which is that your fucking husband killed my brother." He licked his lips. "No matter. I will avenge Aldous."

"Your brother attacked him, kidnapped his wife and sister and rebelled against him," the words slipped out of Isabel's mouth before she could stop them. "I think your brother deserved what he got."

"Then your husband will deserve what I do to him as well!" he growled. "He will be begging me to kill him by the time I'm done with him."

"Don't you even think about hurting Peter," She hissed.

Vane raised an eyebrow. "And you're going to stop me from ripping his intestines out with my bare hands, I take it?"

"Yes." She said confidently. She did not know how, but she would protect Peter if she had to. She wouldn't let anyone hurt him, least of all this maniac.

"And how, may I ask, will you do that?"

Isabel glared at him. "You will not hurt Peter."

"I will not only hurt him, but I will crush him as well." Vane spat. "That bastard deserves it after what he did to my tribe. He, along with you other great kings and queens, took away all that we had – all our property, wealth, status, everything! And now, he killed my brother." He leaned forward. "He will pay. They all will pay for what they did. The time of these great monarchs is over. I will bring it to an end myself!"

"You will fail." Isabel told him. "Aslan will never let that happen. Peter will defeat you."

Vane looked calmly at her. "We'll see."

"Yes," Isabel nodded. "Yes, we will."

Before Vane could reply, shouts and cries were heard. They were followed by sounds of clashing swords and fired arrows.

"Lord Vane," Fray hurried over to them, followed by a couple of other men, all of whom seemed alarmed. "The High King has come! A fight has erupted on the other side of the camp."

Vane met Isabel's gaze and smirked. Then, he turned to the men. "Retaliate," he commanded. "Leave none alive except the Magnificent King. He is mine to kill."

Isabel's eyes widened as the man dashed away, relaying the message to everyone. The sounds of the clash grew closer.

"Fray, take her!" Vane jerked his head towards Julia.

Isabel tried to stop the man from taking the little girl away from her, but her hands were tied and there was not much she could do. She felt so helpless - as helpless as she had been back in another forest, at another time, watching her parents die. No, no. This could not be happening again. Aslan wouldn't do this to her, wouldn't make her go through the horror again...

Vane's hand curled around Isabel's arm and he pulled her up. She felt the cold touch of a blade pressed against her throat, and Vane's whisper in her ear. "This is going to be fun!" He was excited, the lunatic.

They stood there, waiting. Isabel saw Vane's men take up position, swords and bows at the ready. And then, Peter rode on his white stallion, Rhindon shining silver and red in his hand. His companions were at his heels, but they numbered no more than twenty. Not enough. Not enough at all.

"Welcome, High King Peter!" Vane called out cheerily, and Peter's eyes snapped over to them. "We had been waiting for you."

"Leave the girls," Peter replied, his voice filled with nothing but authority. To Isabel, he sounded like a true king. "This is not about them. Whatever your grudges are, we shall talk about them. There is no need for bloodshed. This is my first and last offer to you."

"I don't think I will leave her," Vane shook his head, pressing the dagger to Isabel's throat.

She tried not to wince as the blade broke her skin, not deep enough to cause any serious damage, only enough to leave a small, threatening cut. She saw worry flicker in Peter's blue eyes before they went cold as he looked back at Vane, but it was so quick that she doubted anyone saw that flash of concern.

"Very well," Peter spoke. "Then you will die. As will any man who refuses to surrender."

Vane laughed. "You and your men are so greatly outnumbered."

"Numbers do not win a battle," the High King stated.

"No," Vane agreed. "But they sure help, don't they?"

"I may have believed that years ago but not now."

"Then I'll make you believe it again." Vane shouted. "Kill them!"

And the fight broke. Men and creatures rushed forward, aiming to kill each other. Swords clashed, cries echoed and blood dripped…

And Vane held Isabel tightly in place, forcing her to watch the battle. "King Peter!" He called out. "I just wanted to ask you that who will you choose to save, your pretty wife or that little girl over there."

From the corner of her eye, Isabel could see Fray holding a dagger to Julia's throat, dragging the little girl far away, towards the opposite side of the camp. Julia's cries - filled with fear and pain - could be heard even over the sound of the clashes.

Peter's eyes flicked back and forth between Isabel and Julia. He seemed torn – torn between what he wanted to do and what he had to do. He looked at Isabel, and his face was unreadable.

Isabel hoped he would go save Julia first, so that the innocent child would be out of danger. She could see the hesitance, the confusion, the indecision in Peter's icy blue eyes; he was trying to tell her something. It took her a moment to realise that he was silently apologizing to her. And she knew what would happen next. Something on her face must have shown for Peter looked intently - almost longingly - at her for another moment before rushing towards where Fray had taken Julia.

"Would you look at that?" Vane snickered in her ear. "Your dear husband left you to die for a child. I suppose you don't mean much to him."

Even though Isabel knew that they were all lies, his words stung her. "He will come back for me," she stated confidently.

"I don't think so."

"I know so."

"Remember when I told you that the High King wouldn't want you once I was done with you? I meant that." With that, he dragged Isabel away from the fight, dodging any attacks that came his way.

Isabel struggled to break free but his hold was too tight. Vane opened the door of a hut at the edge of the small village and shoved her inside. She stumbled, barely managing to keep her balance, and turned to face Vane. The man stepped in and closed the door.

"Do you really think that hiding me in a room will keep Peter from saving me?" Isabel demanded.

Vane did not reply at first. Instead he walked over to her and cut loose the bonds on her hands. Once her hands were free, Vane held them tightly in his. "Do you really think that I brought you here so I could hide you?" he smirked and then brought his lips crashing on hers.

Isabel's eyes widened. No, no... No! She pushed him away and tried to run towards the door, but Vane caught her by the waist and pulled her back, shoving her against the wall.

Isabel struggled, her hands scratching his face, his neck, his arms, whatever she could reach of his. And she screamed, as loud as she could, hoping someone would hear her and come to her rescue. She would not let this man have his way with her. "Don't touch me!" she growled.

"Or else what?" he asked, as his lips grazed her throat and his hands.

Isabel tried to jerk away but he had trapped her against the wall. She could not help it - tears ran down her cheeks. She buried her hands in his hair, pulling them, hoping to get him away from her, but his actions became more animalistic. His hands roamed all over her body and tore at the skirt of her dress.

Heart pounding with panic, Isabel saw a jug on the table nearby. She reached out.

Close.

Almost there.

Just an inch.

Her fingers grasped the piece of ceramic and she swung it towards his head as hard as she could. The piece of crockery broke and Vane howled in pain. During this, Isabel had managed to free herself of his grip and she ran towards the door. She reached for the handle and pulled open the door.

A hand grasped her hair tightly and pulled her back and she cried out in pain. Vane kicked the door close again. "You cannot escape me!" he said, his lips nibbling on her earlobe.

Fear flooded through her veins and she became momentarily immobilized. And that was perhaps all the time that Vane needed. He threw her on the cot and tore her dress even more so that it bared her legs. Isabel kicked him again and again, trying to keep him from doing what he was doing.

No…

Vane pulled at the laces of his breeches and jumped on her, hovering above her, pulling the sleeves of her dress down.

No…

"Peter!" Isabel shouted. She clawed at Vane's face, digging her nails into his skin.

Vane winced and then a dark look came across his face. With a growl, he trapped both of Isabel's hands in his and pulled them over her head.

No…

"Peter!"

"Scream all you want, but he won't come," Vane said. "You are all mine."

Isabel jerked and twitched, but she was badly trapped this time. There was no way out. Her heart banged wildly in her chest, her tears trailed down her cheeks, dripping into her wild hair, and Vane's body pressed against hers.

Her heart all but gave out when she felt his hand between her legs. No. No. NO! "Peter!" she screamed so loudly that she thought her lungs would burst.

Vane's smile was wild. And frightening.

"Peter!" What was she going to do now? "Pet –"

She was silenced as Vane's lips crashed on hers once again, and his hand roughly pulled apart her legs.

No…

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