Tales of the Unexpected

Edmund sat at the top of tower, looking over the view. The view from here was stunning and he could only presume it would be as beautiful in daylight.

"Yes" he thought. He could picture himself living here. Overlooking the lands would be far different than looking over the sea like he had done great a many timewhilst living at Cair. From here, the view was completely different. It was like a side of Narnia he had never seen before. Well, it had been 1300 years!

He wondered what was possibly taking them solong in there. He hoped they hadnt got into any trouble because he was no use to them where he was standing if they were.

He looked out into the distance once more and it was only once he heard a scream coming from inside the castle that things went wrong. The torch he had been fiddling with in his hands was now on the floor below him in the hands of a Telmarine soldier.

Edmund was in trouble.

Caspian pressed his blade roughly against his uncle's throat. Miraz stirred in his slumber before opening his eyes, regaining his vision slowly. When his vision cleared, he smiled slyly at the sight of his young nephew. He chuckled silently to himself.

"Thank goodness, you're safe." Miraz remarked, lying through his gritted teeth. Caspian did not take his Uncle's remark lightly and pressed the blade even closer against his neck.

"Get up." He ordered forcefully.

Miraz simply followed Caspian's order, and began to rise from the bed, his face expressionless. He did seem at all fazed by the situation he was in. He seemed very tranquil to say that his nephew was holding a blade to his throat and that he could only be a few moments away from death. He tapped his wife as he arose gingerly from the bed, to which she awoke clumsily.

"What?" She asked, stirring in her dream.

She took a few moments to awaken fully, but when she did she was surprised at what she saw.

"Caspian?"

"Stay where you are." Caspian spoke through gritted teeth.

"What are you doing?" Prunaprismia asked timidly.

"I should think its obvious dear. Y'know some families might consider this inappropriate behavior." Miraz said furtively.

"That doesn't seem to have stopped you!" Caspian raged pushing the blade closer to his uncle in attempt to scare him.

"But you're not like me are you?" Miraz narrowed his eyes to his nephew, unaware than another presence was in his bedchamber.

"Neither am I!"

Eilonwy entered the chamber, her own sword drawn, pointing it Miraz. Miraz and Caspian both turned to her attention.

Prunaprismia sat upright in her bed at the sight of her daughter.

"Eilonwy—" she began but she was interrupted by Miraz.

"My daughter," Miraz paused, a false smiled spread across his face. "So glad to you too have returned home safely."

Eilonwy looked dangerously over her swords at her father.

"No thanks to you."

"Where have you been?" Prunaprismia questioned curiously.

Eilonwy still didn't move her eyes off her father.

"Perhaps you should ask him." She indicated this reply at her father.

Prunaprismia turned to her husband.

"Miraz?"

Miraz exchanged a glance at his wife, subtly hiding his fear.

"She's deluded my dear, she doesn't know what she's talking about." Miraz seemed to make everything so convincing. His ability to twist his words was beyond any magical power. "I see the Narnians have bewitched your mind as well."

"Rather them than you." Eilonwy gritted her teeth, her words darting at her father.

Miraz laughed at his daughters comment.

"You talk so feebly my dear. It does not do you well."

Eilonwy's rage was growing and she held her sword more tightly.

"Don't try and make out like we are the ones who are in the wrong here."

"Eilonwy what are you talking about?" her mother questioned her once again.

Eilonwy finally turned to address her mother.

"Did Father not tell you? No, oh course he wouldn't we he? Being truthful wasn't always a strong quality of the Telmarine race though was it?" Eilonwy paused, allowing her mother to take in what she was saying. "Did he tell you what truly happened that night I went missing? Captured by Narnians I suppose like Caspian?"

Eilonwy shot a precarious glance at Miraz hoping he would finally confess his sins.

However, Miraz laughed once more, hiding his guilt.

"Two blood traitors in paradise. Such a touching story. I do hope I live to the see the ending."

"You will soon enough." Caspian lunged at Miraz slightly, causing Miraz to back off against the wall.

Eilonwy moved forward as well.

"Caspian, just back down."

Miraz smirked.

"Do as the Lady says." He mocked.

"Shut up!"Caspian raged.

Eilonwy stood metres behind Caspian, and all four of the people present made the room feel tense.

Miraz looked at Caspian directly as he spoke once more.

"It's sad. The first time you've shown any backbone, and it's such a waste."

Eilonwy nor Caspian had noticed that Prunaprismia was now holding a crossbow, loading with arrows and she was aiming it at Caspian.

"Put the sword down Caspian." She urged. "You too Eilonwy—"

Eilonwy panicked turning to her mother.

"Mother please—"

Caspian seemed reluctant to put his sword down.

"I don't want to do this."

Suddenly the door slammed open and Eilonwy raised her sword in the direction of the bedchamber door thinking it may be soldiers.

"We don't want you to either."

Susan's voice echoed through the chamber.

Susan stood there, her bow and arrow raised pointing it at Prunaprismia. Stood next to her was Peter, his sword drawn and raised in the direction of Miraz. Eilonwy thanked Aslan it was just Peter and Susan,but Peter's face indicated that he was not happy, especially when he caught Eilonwy's glance.

"Y'know this used to be a private room."Miraz stated looking at all the people that were in his bechamber.

"What are you doing?" Peter questioned in an authoritive manner. "You're both supposed to be in the gatehouse."

Caspian ignored Peter and turned back to face Miraz.

"NO! Tonight for once I want the truth." Caspian took a deep breath before continuing. "Did you kill my father?"

The whole room went completely silent. Eilonwy felt as though somebody had stuck a knife in her heart. She couldn't seem to breathe properly.

Caspian stepped back and froze, glaring at his uncle, who again seem careless to the question he was asking.

"What?" was all Eilonwy could say.

Miraz smiled slyly at Caspian. "Now we get to it."

Even Prunaprismia halted, lowering her weapon as she turned to face her husband.

"You said your brother died in his sleep."

"That was more or less the truth." Miraz replied sketchily.

Eilonwy had lost all her inhibition to hold her stance. She lowered her weapon.

She shook her vigorously. "No. You wouldn't. Uncle Caspian died in his sleep like you told us." Eilonwy looked her father directly in the eyes, pining for his statement to be proved false. She found no remorse in his guilty eyes. " You lied to us. To everyone."

Peter and Susan exchanged solemn glances at what they were hearing. Peter sensed Eilonwy's pain. He watched as her body began to edge closer to Miraz.

"This proof that everything you ever told us was a lie!" she shouted at her father moving closer towards Miraz at a much faster pace. Peter lowered his swords, grabbing Eilonwy before she reacted.

"Eilonwy stop!" he urged her.

"MURDERER! YOU KILLLED YOUR BROTHER, THE KING, MY UNCLE, CASPIAN'S FATHER! ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A FUCKING THRONE!" Eilonwy raged violently at her father. Her anger had hit an ultimate high now and Peter was fighting it hard to control Eilonwy.

"Eilonwy –" Peter murmered.

Eilonwy's rage combined with her distress made her weak against Peter's strength.

"No Peter! LET GO! You have no idea what he is like and what he has done."

Her eyes filled with tears and she gave in to Peter. She was breathing heavily now and Peter held her with his spare hand, retraining her from doing something she would regret. Peter felt her pulse race through her body. He thought he had seen Eilonwy's rage, but his conflicts with her made her seem like a pussycat compared to this. She held her tightly and he felt her muscles relax as she tried to regain her stamina.

The room was more tense now than it had ever been and Susan broke the silence.

"Caspian, this won't make things any better."

Caspian was still frozen. He was torn between slitting his uncle's throat now or wanting to grieve for his father.

"We Telmarines would have nothing had we not taken it. Your father knew that better than anybody." Miraz spoke fiercely.

"Yet he didn't kill to be placed on the throne." Eilonwy remarked.

"Oh he did far worse than that my dear. You seem to be under the impression that that your Uncle, the great King Caspian was all sweet and innocent. He was anything but!"

Caspian lunged again at Miraz.

"Don't you dare speak about my father in that way!" he shouted causing the room to go silent once more.

Eilonwy released herself from Peter's grip, placing her sword back and walked over to Caspian.

"Leave him be Caspian. Don't stoop to his level," Her eyes met with her father. "Don't become like him."

Her words were simple, but seemed to have an impact on Miraz like nothing else. Peter understood now why her words had so much impact on people. Her words were more powerful than any physical damage. Peter admired her chivalry. Eilonwy placed her hands on Caspian's hand, and lowered the sword gently, just enough so it was pressed against Miraz's breast. She looked at Caspian and nodded and turned to walk away towards Peter.

Miraz narrowed his eyes, watching her walk away from him.

"Harsh words my daughter." He called after her.

Peter saw her face. She swallowed before turning her head to face him once more.

"I am not your daughter anymore." She answered; her voice had a sense of danger about it.

Miraz glared at his daughter.

Caspian looked lovingly at his cousin, admiring her bravery as she stood facing him next to Peter and Susan. He knew she was right deep down. He shouldn't become a murderer like his uncle. He lowered his sword slowly and faced his uncle giving him a small look of vengeance before turning away from him and following his cousin. Eilonwy watched Caspian walking towards her. She smiled in her heart knowing he had made the right choice. She smiled proudly knowing what a great person he truly was. It was only when Eilonwy's eyes stirred away for a moment that she realized Caspian wasn't safe.

Eilonwy saw her father draw a small blade and he was aiming it at Caspian. Without a seconf thought she darted past Caspian playing right into Miraz's hands. Miraz grabbed Eilonwy and placed the blade against her throat, his other arm snaked around her body restricting her from moving. Caspian defensively raised his sword back towards Miraz, as did both Peter and Susan with their weapons.

"Now where do your loyalties lie?" Miraz whispered in Eilonwy's ear.

"Miraz please—our daughter—" Prunaprismia pleaded.

"She is no longer my daughter are you my dear?"

"If you wish to use my words against me." Eilonwy hissed.

"Let her go!" Peter ordered, moving forward with his sword.

"Why should I?"Miraz questioned.

"She spared your life so it is only just to do the same." Peter replied,his teeth gritted in anger.

"That's not how we Telmarines play our game, young King." Miraz spat slyly.

"Please darling, let her go." Prunaprismia pleaded once more.

Miraz backed off, keeping a tight grip of his daughter.

Eilonwy winced as the blade pricked her skin harder.

"If any of you come any closer, then she dies." Miraz warned.

Peter and Caspian stood side by side, both wanting to lunge at Miraz.

"Peter he is serious." Susan exclaimed.

"How does it feel Eilonwy? How does it feel to be betrayed by your own kin?" Miraz spoke into her ear once more. Eilonwy breathed heavily under the pressure.

"You tell me. You started all of this. You lied to our people, to your family, you lied to me. In my eyes that is betrayal. Lies have a way of catching up with you."

"I always knew you were smart. Professor Cornelius sang such praises of your intellect. Shame that such a great mind was not put to better use."

"For your use you mean?"

Miraz's gripped tightened on her arm causing her to struggle more.

"Right, you call off this raid and I will release your Princess."

"DON'T DO IT! ITS LIES!" Eilonwy screamed.

"Now now dear." Miraz silenced her, mocking her.

"I don't care what happens to me, just go!" Eilonwy spoke, her eyes meeting with Peter's.

Peter saw her strength and courage combined with fear.

"This is no time to be noble Eilonwy." Peter responded.

"I suppose you have a better plan?" Eilonwy spat.

Miraz chuckled maliciously.

" Lovers quarrel?"

Peter and Eilonwy both became a little flustered both searching for an answer.

"Hardly." They replied in unison.

"Come now make it quick. I am a very impatient man."

"PETER GO! FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED. This is what you wanted isn't it?" Eilonwy shouted.

"Aww, such touching words." Miraz mocked.

Eilonwy was getting annoyed with her fathers mocking terms.

"Will you just kill me now if you are going to?"

"All in good time."

Susan interrupted the chaos.

"Stop trying to play the hero Peter and call it off for Aslan's sake!"

Peter's head was spinning with problems and he had no idea what to do.

He couldn't let Eilonwy die, but he needed to win Narnia back.

Eilonwy continued to struggle against her father's grip.

"Why do you continually defy me?" He spat at her.

"Because I believe in a free Narnia, and a rightful heir!"

"I am the heir andI should kill you now for your disloyalty! Princess or not!" He raged.

"Miraz! How could you?" Prunaprismia cried.

"For the same reason you would pull the trigger. For our son!"

"I should kill you now!" Caspian spoke stepping forward, pointing his sword as close to Miraz he could get.

"Stop!" Prunaprismia shouted raising her crossbow at Caspian once more.

"Stay right there!"Susan aimed her bow at Prunaprismia.

Miraz turned to his wife.

"You need to make a choice dear. Do you want our son to be King? Or do you want him to be like Caspian here?" Caspian halted at the mention of his name.

"FATHERLESS!" Miraz shouted.

"Your words are poison!" And with those words, Eilonwy stamped hard on Miraz's foot, causing him to let her body go limp.

She heard Peter shout Caspian's name as she retrieved her stance. She reached for the dagger and as Miraz grabbed her arm, she turned viciously, the blade catching his cheek. His knife too contacted with Eilonwy's skin, a deep line cut straight across her palm causing her to scream. In the blitz of chaos, Prunaprismia shot the arrow at Caspian, causing him to fall to the floor in pain, clutching his shoulder, red stains seeping through his shirt.

Eilonwy landed next on the floor on the opposite side of the room, her palm bleeding severly. Miraz made a run for the door, holding his right cheek in pain, exiting his bedchamber. Peter went after him, but was too late and the door had been locked. Susan ran straight to Caspian, tearing off the bottom of her dress and wrapping around his shoulder to stop the flow of blood.

"Thankyou." Caspian responded shooting Susan a warm smile. Susan blushed slightly as she tightened the dress bandage around his wound. Eilowny moaned in pain as she held her arm closely to her chest. Peter ran over to her, concerned for well being.

"Are you alright?"

"I've had worst," She replied.

"Give me your hand."

He grabbed her hand opening out her palm. She winced in pain.

"Sorry." Peter apologized.

"Don't apologise. We haven't time." Eilonwy responded.

Peter grabbed the bottom of his own shirt and ripped it off, creating a bandage. He pressed it hard against Eilonwy's wound, trying to stop the flow of blood. Eilonwy didn't look. She had never done very well with blood. As a child, Caspian once fell of his horse and broke his nose causing Eilonwy to faint due to the amount of blood than was spread over Caspian's face and since that day, she had never cared much for blood.

Peter's hands were warm against Eilonwy's. He was so careful and delicate with her. Eilonwy admired how he wrapped the shirt around her hand so intricately and skillfully. His hands were soft and comforting on her own that Eilonwy no longer felt any pain from her wound. Peter knew that Eilonwy was watching him. He felt her warm eyes watching him as he wrapped the cloth around her injured hand. He was trying to be so careful. He knew the wound was deep, but he didn't want to worry her. Her hands were supple and her skin was desirable. He looked up at her once he finished tying the cloth together. She looked directly into his eyes and he saw a smile spread across her face.

A genuine smile.

The smile that made him feel weak.

"Gracias." She said calmly.

Het foreign tongue was still a mystery to him but he accepted.

"No problems." Peter replied, returning the smile.

"That was a brave thing you did back there. Foolish but brave. Miraz didn't deserve it."

"Yes well, I didn't think that Aslan would have wanted my cousin to become a killer."

"What did you say?" Peter asked.

The pair snapped back into reality when Susan and Caspian walked over.

"Are you okay?" Caspian asked immediately.

"Si, y tu?" Eilonwy replied.

Caspian nodded, still holding his arm in pain.

Susan grabbed Eilonwy's right hand and pulled her up.

"What do we do now—"

Susan had no time to finish her sentence as the sudden chime of bells echoed throughout the castle.

Eilowny and Caspian exchanged worried glances.

"The bells!"

"We need to get out, now!" Caspian exclaimed.

All four ran for the door, not stopping. Caspian and Eilonwy knew what the bells meant and it wasn't a good thing. This was Miraz' call for help. In less than a few minutes the place would be swarmed with Telmarine soldiers and they would be trapped or worse, killed.

They needed to get out and call the raid off. As they ran down the corridor, Eilonwy stopped.

"Edmund?"

Everybody stopped.

"What about Edmund? He's stuck at the top of tower giving the signal."

Peter started running the other way.

"Peter! Where are you going?" Susan shouted after her brother.

"To the gatehouse come on!"

"Peter it's too late!" Eilonwy called after him.

Peter paid no attention and kept running, desperate to get his own way. Caspian, Susan and Eilonwy looked at each other.

"Is he mad? He is going to get us all killed!" Caspian exclaimed.

Susan stared at Caspian before turning her attention to me, a look of guilt on her face.

"I can't leave him. He's my brother." Susan was about to go after him, when Caspian grabbed her arm.

"We can still get out and save your brother." Caspian replied.

Eilonwy looked at the pair, her mind spinning a thousand thoughts.

"You two go to the stables and find Cornelius and get out while you can. I will go with Peter." Eilonwy brushed past Susan and Caspian.

"No way Eilonwy. I am not loosing you again!" Caspian grabbed Eilonwy, with his injured arm.

Eilonwy faced her cousin, and saw his eyes water with frustration and love for her.

"He is sending us to our deaths." Caspian whispered.

"I am as a good as dead anyway," Eilonwy whispered back. "Caspian listen to me. Save yourself. If you die, this whole thing is pointless. You are the true king and never forget that!"

Eilonwy releases herself from his grip and ran off in the direction of Peter, drawing her sword once more.

Caspian watched his cousin run off in the distance. He looked at Susan who had her bow ready in her hand.

"Are you in?" She asked.

Caspian draw a small smile,drawing his own sword once more.

"Until the death." He replied.

The pair sprinted off after Eilonwy knowing that tonight was now a battle of survival and not a battle for Narnia like Peter had wanted.

Oh no...things are going from bad to worse...

Firstly I want to thank everybody for their reviews. They are much appreciated. I wasnt originally going to update this early, but seeing as readers requested it, I could hardly refuse!!!!

Bit of a long chapter. I wanted to fit the fight scene into one chapter, but that obviously wasnt going to be the case! This chapter alone was SEVEN PAGES ON WORD.

Miraz is an evil evil man and I really wanted to see how far he would go to be evil which is why I added and extended the bedchamber scene to fit the criteria. Hope you enjoyed it.

Next Chapter - The Battle - will everything go smoothly? Nothing is ever as simple as you think....especially not in this story!

Keep reviewing and let me know how you are liking the story and your favourite bits. Also let me know if you want more of any other characters so i can make my story even better.

E xXx