Please Read Author's Notes at the End!
OUT OF A DREAM by TerraForever
CH. 26 Take Flight
Merely hours after leaving Tumnus' home, en route to the Beaver's Dam Esme's body froze and her eyes widened. "They're here," she cried. Without hesitation, swords were quickly unsheathed while arrows were readied, and Esme pulled out her staff. With unspoken orders, the party raced to get away. They were headed for the opening in the woods but they did not get far before they noticed that their exit was guarded by dark figures.
"We're surrounded, Your Majesties," said Rew, a cheetah.
"How many?" asked Susan.
Esme closed her eyes trying to sense her surroundings. "A rather large number." She was growing colder by the second. "We have to keep going."
"But where?" asked Welltoose, one of the leading centaurs.
"There's an opening over there," shouted Susan, remembering the Allie's Enclave. There might be some shelter there where they could at least try to make some sort of stand since it seemed all their exits were blocked. They know that we've figured out how to take their advantage of stealth away from them if we're out in the open sun and now they're preventing us from using it, she thought. The group rode to the enclave and sure enough, while there were no animals present, there were small caves. Maybe they could take the passage to the Beaver's house, she thought. But we'd be less safe there and they are still in the middle of this blasted forest… Susan, Lucy, Esme, and two other human warriors dismounted to take shelter in one of the caves. The cheetahs hid in another and the centaurs and Fauns protected them. Susan started to reach for her horn when Esme gripped her arm and stopped her. "What are you doing?" Susan looked incredulously at Esme.
"It's a trap," whispered Esme. "They're waiting for us to call Peter and Edmund. Once they arrive, they'll show their true numbers and I'm afraid they'll have Peter for the taking." Not to mention the rest of you, she thought. Maldorn will get his wish – the four Pevensie rulers together in battle.
"How can you be so sure?" asked one of the human warriors.
"I can feel their presence – a large number, yet we can only see a small fraction of that."
"A small fraction?" asked Susan. "We've seen more than a dozen –probably two!"
"Exactly," said Esme. "And knowing Peter and Edmund, they'll charge over here without a second thought."
"They knew we were coming," murmured Susan. "Mr. Tumnus was the bait." She watched as Lucy's eyes darkened. Why they didn't just kill him anyway I don't know, but I am grateful.
"We have to find a way to reach them and warn them," said Lucy, pushing back all other thoughts. "We can't fight them all on our own."
"You won't have to," said a voice from down below. Lucy blinked in surprise and moved aside just as the dirt she stood on began to move and up came Badger and Mr. Beaver. "Mr. Beaver," smiled Lucy.
"Shhh," whispered the Beaver. "We caught wind o' those stinkin' monsters and we figured you'd 'ead ova 'ear."
"Can you find a way to send Peter and Edmund a message?" asked Susan, kneeling down.
"Right away, Your Majesty," replied the Badger.
"We'll 'ave 'elp 'ere in no time," promised Mr. Beaver. "In the mean time, 'ang in there." Susan and Lucy nodded as the two creatures dove back into their hole.
"Do you think they'll make it to the High King in time?" asked the human warriors. "We're not even sure where they are."
"I trust them," said Lucy confidently.
"Until they arrive, we've got to hold these things off. They're not going to sit around and wait for us forever. Once they realize we're not going to blow the horn, they're going to attack…possibly with their entire troop," said Esme.
"We'll try to hold them off," said the oldest of the human warriors. "The three of you must make a run for the Rock Bridge and toward Cair Paraval."
"We're not leaving you," said Lucy, matter-of-factly.
"Even if we managed to get that far, that will leave as far too vulnerable," said Esme. "We have to stay together. That's our only chance."
"We'll let them make the first move," said Susan. "Hopefully it will be enough time for Peter and Ed to get here."
--
Hours passed, and the waiting game was taking its toll on both sides. The creatures were growing anxious. They made a myriad of noises to intimidate their prey. Meanwhile, the Narnians kept a close eye on their enemies and tried to maintain their composure. But, the longer time drew on, the more afraid they were that something terrible awaited them. Although they knew this meant it gave Peter and Edmund more time to get there, they also feared that they would be too late because the Beaver and Badger might not have been able to reach them at all.
Finally Esme let out a gasp and several bolts of energy struck the ground around the Narnians. No one was injured but everyone was stunned. "What was that?" asked Susan.
Esme's mouth ran dry. "They're toying with us… Whoever was powerful enough to send those things, whoever is doing this is growing impatient as well…" Whoever it was…it was calling her and she fought to ignore it.
"They're also charging," shouted the centaurs. Everyone was up in arms and in moments they were all engaged in battle. But half the enemies remained hidden in the shadows of the forest, watching and waiting.
For the meantime, the party was fairing well enough. Lucy and Susan remained in as much cover as possible while they fired their arrows at their enemies. Esme led the other Narnians as they engaged with the monsters. Esme had improved in her ability to fight on a horse, but she still preferred having her feet on the ground, for the most part. She ordered Vertroon to stay back not wanting her friend to become an open target. Susan was glad that Esme insisted on extra arrows when they left the Great City. Cair Paraval, thought Susan. Oh how far away it now seems. Peter, Edmund, please hurry!
"Susan," Lucy turned to her sister. "I'm so sorry! I didn't…I just wanted to make sure Mr. Tumnus was alright!"
"No Lucy, don't you start that too," said Susan, taking her sister's shoulders firmly. "It's not your fault! I would have done the same – any of us would have! They came ready for us, Lu. They were expecting this." Susan quickly fired a shot at an incoming Cyclops striking it right in its single eye. She then turned back to Lucy. "They would have lured us out one way or another. Besides, we're going to beat them at their own game! They aren't aware that Peter and Ed are coming anyway and they'll be ready! We just have to hold out until then. Come on Lu, are you going to let them beat us here?"
"No," Lucy shook her head.
"You ought to make sure each of them pays for what they've done here in Narnia; how they've made so many suffer, like Mr. Tumnus."
Lucy's countenance hardened as Susan expected and soon Lucy was firing arrows left and right, hitting her mark every time. Unfortunately some of the monsters required more than an arrow on their back or chest to be stopped.
--
"Peter," shouted Edmund spotting the battle from the distance. He pointed up ahead and turned to his brother.
"Hurry," ordered the High King, gritting his jaw, his knuckles white as he gripped his reins tighter. Please, let us be in time, he prayed.
As the two Kings and their group neared the Allies' Enclave, they saw a large number of monsters waiting in the forest, staring at the fight. Some of them were cheering in their own demented little ways while others made more noise, anxious for blood. But many of them never had a chance to taste any but their own. Peter and Edmund surrounded the entire area and attacked. The monsters were taken completely off guard. Even the flying creatures charged as scouts were too busy watching the two queens and their escorts fight for their lives.
"Look Lucy," shouted Sydney. Lucy looked up and saw Edmund fighting one of the monsters in the distance. She immediately alerted Susan, which gave the older girl more energy.
Peter saw several large minotaurs heading toward the circle of warriors protecting Lucy and Susan. He and Reynor charged toward them. He engaged with one and managed to strike him to the ground, but the creature was not yet dead. Just as Peter turned to strike another Minotaur the first one began to get up. It grabbed Reynor and shoved him to the side. Peter flew off the horse and tumbled to the side. He quickly stood up and gasped when he saw the Minotaur about to strike Reynor who was still struggling to stand. "Get away from him," he shouted, rushing up to the creature. But before he could get near, the Minotaur let out a cry as it was kicked in the head by another horse. "Vertroon," Peter exclaimed. The horse kicked the Minotaur again, this time pushing him away from Reynor and right into Esme's staff. After several hard blows the Minotaur fell to the ground. With a nod they all ran toward the other Minotaurs, their weapons ready.
There was no telling how long the battle was taking, but Peter saw that the Narnians were definitely on the winning side. After driving his sword into a snake-headed creature, he looked around and hoped there were no more hiding in the shadows. We have to move them out into an opening, he thought. Then he saw the edge of the Rock Bridge. Not wanting to alert his enemies, he had his plan passed down to each Narnian discreetly. Soon their quarry was being pushed out of the forest and out toward the edge of the Rock Bridge. He ordered Lucy and Susan, along with a few fauns, to stay behind to help the wounded.
Now the smaller party of monsters were trapped in the middle of the Rock Bridge. On either side stood armed and angry Narnians. "Tell me who is responsible for all of this," said Peter, walking toward the trapped monsters, his sword and shield held tightly. He held the tip of his sword out at the monsters. "Answer me! Who is this Maldorn and who is it that commands him?"
"You cannot stop him," cried one of the creatures. The others shrieked and grunted in agreement.
"What does he want?" demanded Narnia's High King.
"Death!"
"Destruction!"
"Blood!"
"Darkness!"
As the monsters shouted, Esme could not help but feel their eyes turn to her. You, their eyes glared. You. Her body froze as she let out a shiver.
Just as Lucy gave a drop from her cordial to one of the centaurs, Susan thought she heard something in the trees. Looking around, she saw nothing out of the ordinary. "What is it?" asked Lucy, looking at Susan. "What's wrong?"
"Shh," whispered the older Queen, her brow furrowed. Lucy looked up at the trees as well. "I feel like… we're being watched…"
"The trees-"
"No…"
And then Lucy saw it. "Susan!" She spotted the creatures high in the trees just as they took off toward the Rock Bridge. The two Queens immediately rushed to their feet. "Peter," shouted Lucy.
Esme shivered again and then looked behind her. There were at least a dozen bat creatures coming straight at them. "In the air," she shouted. Everyone looked up. The Narnians made ready for the creatures while the monsters on the bridge squealed and snorted with delight. Susan and Lucy took their remaining arrows and shot a few flying monsters down but there were still more and they attacked the Narnians without mercy. The fighting began again as the monsters on Rock Bridge took this opportunity to retaliate.
As Susan, Lucy, and other archers, tried to hit the creatures that still flew overhead, Lucy saw something from the corner of her eye. She turned and gasped. There was no doubt in her heart what the creature wanted. She was about to fire when something came at her from behind. "Ah!"
"Lucy!" Susan gasped when she saw a dwarf come after her sister who managed to dodge a flying axe. She fired her arrow into its head and pierced the skull.
"Susan," cried Lucy. "Susan, Peter's in danger!"
Esme sensed something but she was engaged in a fight with four different enemies, all towering over her. But then she heard Lucy and Susan's shouts over the clamor of weapons. When she finally managed to take down one of her attackers she caught a glimpse of Peter. Edmund was already running toward him having spotted the same creature that Lucy saw take flight.
"Peter, look out," shouted Edmund. Peter blocked a Minotaur's scimitar with his shield and swung out to strike the creature. He was pushed back by the Minotaur's strong defense. He swung again, but this time the blade struck his quarry. Edmund was almost to Peter when suddenly he let out a cry and fell to the ground with a long knife lodged deeply into his back.
"Edmund," cried Peter. Abandoning his fight with the Minotaur, he started to run to his brother when he saw the bat creature almost on top of him. "Argh!" The High King ducked just as the creature swooped down at him, squealing as it came at the young man, its sharp claws ready to attack. But, Peter quickly drove his sword up into the creature's body. The creature let out a squeal and it plummeted to the ground hundreds of feet below. The moment Peter pulled his sword out of his quarry, he immediately rushed to his injured brother. "Ed!"
"I'm ok," gasped Edmund. He grit his teeth painfully.
"Don't move," said Peter.
"Don't worry I haven't any plans to," muttered Edmund. Peter sheathed his sword and carefully and quickly took the knife out of Edmund's back. "Aagh!" The pain seared throughout his body and his head grew light. He was losing a great deal of blood far too quickly. If not for Peter's support, he would have fallen face forward.
Peter started to put pressure on the wound when he heard his name being called. Looking up from Edmund's wound, he saw Esme who was running toward him, blood running down the side of her face, which was contorted with fear. He turned around just as the Minotaur he had wounded earlier suddenly appeared before him.
The next instant he knew, he was flying through the air.
"Peeeeteeeer," shouted Esme, her voice echoed loudly. All heads turned to see Narnia's High King, who was still struggling to free himself from the Cyclops, begin his descent off the bridge. Tears sprang from Lucy and Susan's eyes as they were frozen in place when they saw their brother. Edmund forced himself to his elbows, hoping this was all a dream. There was nothing anyone could do now to save Peter. Esme felt a tear slide down her cheek, her eyes wide. But, before it could fall from her chin, she holstered her staff and ran.
"Esme," cried Lucy who saw the girl in the corner of her eye. Everyone turned to see Esme run to the edge of the bridge. Before anyone could utter another word, she jumped, her arms spread wide. "No! Esme!"
Silence fell upon everyone and suddenly everything moved as if in slow motion. Peter's eyes widened when he saw Esme plummeting to the ground with him. No, he thought. "No! Esme!" But then his eyes grew even wider when he saw what happened next.
Esme closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them, wings of pure, shimmering white sprouted from her back.
End Ch. 26
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A/N: My greatest apologies for not updating in what…over a year? I kind of lost my groove and got quite busy over the past year and am still rather busy. Don't ask how I managed to squeeze time to update with this chapter.
WARNING: This story is already fairly Mary-Sue-ish… it's only going to get WORSE, much worse. I wrote this originally to have fun with Mary-Sue characters and go one step further. I also wrote this more for my sister and myself than for the public so bear with me. The future chapters will be a lot less 'finished' as I had never been able to completely smoothen out the wrinkles and fill in the huge gaping plot holes so expect to take giant leaps of faith in the near future ; Things may not make a whole lot of sense because it always sounds better in my head than written out. I will do my best to explain things and make everything as coherent and tolerable as possible… but no promises.
From here on out it will get quite silly/ridiculous/ludicrous? If you couldn't tell by the way this chapter ended. ;
Art – Please check out my deviantArt site which has Narnia related doodles (Esme, Peter, Susan, costume sketches, Esme & Peter, etc). Buried somewhere in my list of things to do I have a sleeping Peter and Esme that was supposed to go along with CH. 24… not sure when it'll get done but maybe I'll try and post a sketch of it… You can find the site in my Profile as well as html addresses for my doodles.
Reviews – Thank you all for your support and thank you so much for the pointers! I totally didn't realize I was misspelling Cair Paravel and Finchley wrong this entire time. However I knew that it was a castle during the reign of the Pevensies, but I intentionally wanted it to be a city. It just made things easier that way for certain events… And I do apologize that it's so Americanized . I tried to write it a little closer to how I wrote Lord of the Rings fanfics which is closer to the language of the books but I just…couldn't .
I really appreciate everyone's comments, be they positive or otherwise, and I'm also really grateful that people have actually read up to this point! It's been a long haul and I promise it's near the end…not sure how many chapters but it's getting there! I do apologize if you no longer like the story from here on, but I did try to warn you.