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...
It was the eve of the full moon when they finally reached the entrance into Underland. Gwaine had led Bear and Nymeria back home to Cair Paravel for their safety as Caspian had asked. Caspian and Susan hadn't said two words to each other after that night. Though it didn't stop them from stealing glances, when the other wasn't looking.
The entrance to Underland was hidden well as it was nothing special or eye catching, just a hole in the ground hidden by some bushes. They each filtered into Underland one by one, remaining silent and keeping low. They crouched behind some wet rocks and peered over them, observing the ruined city below, filled with goblins and Orcs.
"Where's Lucy?" Edmund whispered.
"My guess is she's in the temple." Gloin replied.
"There's so many of them." Durin whispered.
They all huddled together. "Right we need a plan." Caspian whispered. "Peter, Edmund and I will charge straight, head straight to the temple, cut down anything in our paths."
Peter nodded in agreement. "Gloin, Durin, could take the left, the others the right. Susan, you cover us, stay high, don't miss."
"Your lack of faith in me is worrying dear brother." She said lightly making them all smile.
"Hang on, I'm coming with you." Eldar protested.
"We don't have time to argue this." Caspian said.
"I'm the guardian of the Auryn. Once we are in the temple ill get the Auryn, King Peter can get Queen Lucy whilst you and King Edmund cover us." Eldar whispered firmly.
Caspian and Edmund shared a glance. "It could work." Edmund said. Caspian nodded finalising the agreement to the plan.
"We don't have much time." Susan reminded them as they rose to their feet, hiding behind a wall.
"Be careful." Peter reminded her in his protective tone.
"You just concentrate on getting Lucy and yourselves out of here." She said gently to both her brothers and Caspian. Caspian and Susan shared a long gaze into each other's eyes before he tore himself away from her, leading her brothers and the guardians quietly down the stone steps, trying to remain unseen for as long as possible.
...
Eris was sat on her throne caressing the Auryn in her hands as she smiled lovingly at it.
"Soon, my plan will be complete."
"The time for the sacrifice is almost upon us my Queen." Barbas said.
Eris walked over to her ancient text book, placed on a long table and flicked through the pages.
"Only the blood sacrifice of the pure of heart can activate the power of the Auryn." She said thoughtfully. She put the Auryn around her neck and turned to Barbas. "They are coming for her my sweet. I can hear their courageous hearts beating in their chests. Do not let it get out of hand Barbas." Eris said threateningly.
"I have the troops in position ready for an attack. Everything will go according to plan mistress." He said reassuringly as she sat back down on her throne.
"See that is does." She said threateningly as she glared at him.
She quickly looked up over to the giant double doors and Barbas quickly turned to face them at the sounds of a battle breaking out. Swords clashing and war cries could be heard even from inside the temple.
"There just so happens to be an attack Barbas." She said calmly as he turned back to her wide eyed. "So send out the troops!" She roared.
"Send out the troops!" He echoed.
Two of the goblin guards blew their horns, a signal for the troops to attack.
"Bring me the girl." Eris ordered.
...
Caspian, Peter, Edmund and Eldar ran through the centre of the city, cutting down every creature in their path with ease. Each was a skilled warrior and their blood was boiling with rage as the fought their way towards the temple.
Caspian and Edmund fought back to back, covering each other and changing positions taking on a wave of Orcs. Eldar fought bravely with two swords cutting them down swiftly as he calmly walked through, not even needing to side glance to see what approached him before cutting it down effortlessly. Peter took on two at once and wheel barrowed over one goblins back kicking one in the face, landing at the side of another and hitting it with his shield before turning and slicing the other with his sword. They re-grouped and fought in a rotating square covering each other skilfully. Finally working together as a team.
Durin and Gloin, were large elves, almost as big as the Orcs and just as skilful as Eldar in the field of fighting, though as the sound of horns echoed throughout Underland, more and more Orcs and Goblins ran out to defeat them. The fight became more tiring and brutal by the minuet. The other guardians to the right were cut down leaving just the two of them fighting both the left and the right. And Susan of course.
Susan had reminded at higher ground, shooting down creature after creature effortlessly. Once her quiver was emptied it magically refilled itself, one of the perks of being given a magical gift by Santa Clause. She jumped down and charged over to Durin and Gloin as they became swarmed by Orcs and Goblins. She shot down four as she reached them before pulling out an arrow and stabbing one in the throat, ripping it out and throwing it into the heart of another. She notched another arrow and shot down two goblins, one behind the other, as they charged at her. The three of them fought valiantly as the other four reached an entrance of the temple.
Caspian turned to see Susan, Durin and Gloin struggling through the battle as Peter, Edmund and Eldar opened a side door. Susan was hit across the head and she fell to the floor gasping in pain. Caspian ran back down the steps as the giant Orc stood above her, ready to deliver its final blow as she reached out for her bow that was two inches out of her reach. Caspian knew he wouldn't get there in time. He quickly unsheathed his dagger, flipped it in his hand and threw it across, hitting the Orc in the back.
Susan gasped as it fell by her side; she sat up looking at the familiar dagger in its back and pulled it out. She turned to face Caspian, as blood trickled down the side of her face from the large gash at the corner of her forehead. Gloin helped her to stand with one free hand as he braced himself to kill another creature that was charging at the two of them. Caspian and Susan shared a final nod before he turned and ran back up the stairs entering the temple.
...
Lucy was dragged into the throne room and was thrown to the floor in front of Eris. She looked up into the witched eyes as she held herself strong and proud.
"Chain her to the altar." Eris said gently with a sadistic smile.
Two goblins picked her up as she screamed and struggled against them.
"Get your hands of me!"
They lay her down on a stone alter and chained her to it as she continued to struggle in vain. Eris calmly walked over to her with a dagger in her hands.
"I want you to know, how truly grateful I am to your sacrifice." She said gently.
Lucy looked at her sceptically. "You're insane!" She spat.
"Perhaps, but I want you to know that the deaths of your friends will be much more painful." Eris sneered.
Lucy glanced over to the side of the room to see Peter, Edmund, Caspian and Eldar quietly entering the throne room from a side entrance. Her heart swelled with hope as she tried not to smile at them. Peter peered round a column and held his finger over his lips telling her to stay quiet. Lucy quickly turned back to Eris smiling back at her.
"Not as painful as yours." Lucy said threateningly as she glared at her defiantly. Eris smirked as she raised her dagger in the air.
...
"We can't hold them off!" Durin yelled over the battle.
"Into the temple!" Susan shouted.
The three of them quickly ran into the side door the others hand entered in and quickly tried slamming it shut, but the Orcs were too close behind them and they proceeded to push it open. Susan, Durin and Gloin pushed back with all their might.
"We need something to barricade the door!" Gloin shouted.
Susan quickly looked around the room and ran towards a large candle holder, grabbed hold of it and threw it across to the other two as she looked for more things to barricade the door with. Durin and Gloin set it in place but it wasn't enough.
"We need more!" Gloin shouted.
She ran over to a large desk and pushed against it but it was too heavy for her. "I need your help!" She shouted.
Durin ran over to her and lifted it easily, without much of her strength assisting him as they moved it against the door.
Durin dusted off his hands as they sighed in relieve. "Well that will hold them."
"Lucy!" They heard Peter shout.
...
Peter yelled out Lucy's name, making Eris turn to face him. He ran forward with the others, cutting down Eris' personal and most skilful guards. Peter charged towards Eris raising his sword at her, releasing a battle cry as he swung for her. Barbas charged and blocked Peter's deathly blow, protecting his mistress as she remained completely calm.
Susan, Durin and Gloin ran into the throne room scanning round the room quickly. Caspian was fighting three goblins at once and was winning the upper hand. Edmund fought against a very large Orc that used a giant spiked club against him. Yet Edmund used his speed against its brute strength. Eldar was fighting by another entrance, cutting down each creature that ran through with ease. Peter was being backed into a wall by Barbas as Eris turned her attention back to Lucy. Susan, Durin and Gloin ran towards Eris and Lucy as fast as possible.
"No one will save you now." Eris sneered as she raised her dagger once more.
Lucy struggled against her chains as she looked at her fearfully. Suddenly a hand grabbed hold of Eris' wrist tightly.
"I'd like to test that theory." Susan said in a threatening voice as she forcefully pushed Eris away from the altar. "Unchain her, help the others." She ordered Durin and Gloin without breaking eye contact with Eris. Eris smirked as Susan put her bow into her quiver and pulled out Caspian's dagger.
Durin and Gloin broke Lucy's chains with clear cuts of their swords. They helped her off the altar and handed her a sword as more of the Orcs and Goblins filtered into the room.
"Susan." Lucy protested.
"Go." Susan said firmly. "I'll be just fine."
Lucy reluctantly ran to help her brothers with the two guardians as Susan and Eris walked around in a circle, preparing for the first move.
"You really think you can defeat me?" Eris mocked.
She suddenly lunged for Susan with her dagger but Susan blocked her easily with one arm and punched her in the face, turning into her and attempting to stab her back. Eris grabbed hold of Susan's arm and twisted it up her back, causing her to cry out in pain. Susan stepped forcefully on her foot and hit her in the gut, punching her once more in the face with the other fist as she turned back around. Eris staggered back clutching her bloody nose.
"I like my chances." Susan said breathily.
Eris snarled as she lunged for Susan. Remembering her training from her brothers, Susan remained calm blocking each of her blows defensively. Eris managed to gain the upper hand, knocking Susan over and kicking Caspian's dagger out of her reach. Within seconds Eris tried plunging the dagger into Susan's throat. Susan grabbed hold of her hands now fighting a battle of strength. Eris lost the upper hand in the struggle as Susan gained control of the dagger and rolled on top of her as she pushed against her. Susan looked in shock as Eris's eyes glowed red, with one quick hand gesture Susan was thrown into the air across the room, hitting her back against the throne steps.
Susan looked up in pain as Eris chuckled as she walked towards her. "You really thought I would fight fairly? I have waited hundreds of years for this, and you will not get in my way."
Durin and Gloin tackled Eris to the floor as Lucy helped Susan up. She wore her cordial around her waist with her dagger in her hand once more. They quickly scanned the room, seeing they were greatly outnumbered.
"We need to get out of here!" Lucy shouted.
They each turned to her briefly in the midst of their fights. Susan saw another closed door and dragged Lucy towards it with Durin and Gloin in pursuit of them.
"This way!" She shouted.
Peter kicked Barbas to the floor and ran after them, grabbing hold of Edmund on his way as Caspian followed them. They filtered in and slammed the door shut breathing heavily against it.
"Oh, Aslan please help us." Lucy muttered as she closed her eyes.
A furious roar rippled through Underland causing the ground to shake and crack.
"This is not helping!" Edmund yelled as they struggled to stand straight.
"Where's Eldar?" Gloin asked worriedly.
"He's still in there." Durin said panicking.
Peter and Edmund opened the door to see Eldar fighting back the evil creatures. Eris rose to her feet and raised her hand as it glowed. She released a powerful energy ball from her hand, hitting Eldar in the back with it, causing him to fall to his knees and cry out in pain. The ground split separating him and Eris from the Orcs and Goblins. The temple began to crumble and with another roar, part of the ceiling caved in on Eris, crushing her. The Orcs and Goblins all screeched as they fled for safely, leaving only Barbas remaining, staring in shock at the limp hand of his mistress beneath the rubble.
"We have to go get him." Durin said quickly to Gloin.
"I'll come with you." Caspian said. True he didn't like the man but he didn't derive to die. He quickly turned to Peter and Edmund. "Take the girls, and find a way out of here."
Peter and Edmund nodded and grabbed hold of Susan and Lucy. Susan shrugged Peter off her and grabbed hold of Caspian's arm, turning him back to her.
"Caspian, no." She said urgently as she searched his eyes fearfully.
In one swift movement Caspian cupped her face and kissed her quickly and passionately, relieved to feel her return it. He pulled back enough to look deeply into her shocked eyes. "I need to know you're safe. Please do this for me, Susan." He whispered. His kissed her once more before he tore himself away from her, following Durin and Gloin as the temple began to cave in slowly.
"Caspian!" Susan shouted after him.
"Susan, come on." Peter said taking hold of her arm. She snatched it back and glared up at him.
"I won't leave him." She said determinedly.
...
The three of them helped Eldar to his feet and began to drag him towards the others, dodging falling boulders as the ground continued to shake and crack. Barbas roared as he jumped over the large crack that separated them. Caspian unsheathed his sword taking him.
"Go." He ordered Durin and Gloin. They nodded to him and helped Eldar over to the Pevensie's.
"Are you alright?" She asked as she gave Eldar a drop of her cordial.
"I am now. Thank you." He said gratefully as they turned their attention back to Caspian as he fought bravely.
Barbas backed him towards the edge of the crack as Caspian deflected each of his blows. The ground shook forcefully and Caspian fell over the edge dragging Barbas with him.
"NO!" Susan shrieked as Eldar grabbed her waist holding her back.
She recognised Caspian's hands as he grabbed the edge and pulled himself up to his chest. Barbas was hanging onto his leg firmly making it impossible for him to pull himself up any further. He looked over to Susan as the ceiling of the temple fell apart.
"Susan go! Get out of here!" He yelled to her.
Susan struggled against Eldar as he tried to pull her away to safety. She turned in his arms and punched him forcefully causing him to stagger back.
"Get out of here!" Caspian yelled.
Susan's heart was beating out of her chest as she turned back to Caspian. Without hesitation she ran out into the open heading straight towards him as the ceiling caved in. She just followed her heart, and it was beating for Caspian. She dodged several boulders and almost fell into one of the cracks herself as she lost her balance.
"Susan!" Lucy shouted as one fell above her sister.
Susan dived towards Caspian, just missing it and grabbing hold of him tightly. Her siblings all gasped as their insides churned. Susan fisted Caspian's shirt as she tried to pull him up, but Barbas was too heavy.
"Shake him off!" She shouted. He tried but it was hopeless he was too strong.
"Susan, just let me go!" Caspian shouted back at her.
"I'll never let you go." She said passionately mimicking Caspian's words he had said to her. Caspian gazed into her eyes briefly as she looked at him determinedly before trying to pull him up again.
Two other pairs of hands reached out for Caspian and grabbed hold of him. Susan looked to their owners in shock to see her brother's had run in after them. They smiled at her briefly.
"Pull!" Peter said as they pulled Caspian up.
Barbas grabbed hold of the edge and began to pull himself up. Peter stood over him as he looked up into his eyes. Peter stood on his hands causing him to lose his grip and fall into the depths. He turned to see his sister hugging Caspian tightly both of them breathing heavily as Edmund patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's get out of here." Peter said urgently.
Caspian held Susan's hand as they fled across to the others. They looked around searching for another door.
"This way!" Durin shouted, leading them out of the temple and down the stairs as the city fell in ruins.
"Which way?" Lucy asked.
A beam of light shined down onto the floor. They each turned to it to see Aslan standing by the entrance, showing them the way.
