Author's Note:
Alright this one is a little longer and a little more involved. We're getting closer to the end...and I've got some cool ideas for a sequel if you guys are game. Anyways, here's chapter 29. Enjoy!
My Saving Raine
Chapter 29
Taking My Place
Raine's POV
My bow and quiver of arrows were slung over my back, and my twin blades were strapped over my shoulders. One of the horses who had sworn to bare me on my mission stood before me, padded and saddled. With each step I took, my muscles remembered their strength as the extra weight of my mail balanced. The horse whinnied and bowed, bending a knee to curtsy low.
I frowned. "Please, dear friend, do not bow for me. I am no royal."
The horse rose and blinked at me. "Milady, a royal you may not be, but you are as noble as any I have seen. It is an honor to be chosen as your mount." He bowed his head to me in respect, his dark mane falling over his eyes. His praise humbled me, and I stepped forward, running a gentle hand down the length of his nose.
"And it is my honor to ride with you, friend," I rubbed the wrinkled patch of skin behind his ears. "What do I call you?"
The horse bobbed his head. "Segreime, milady."
"Very well, Segreime. But please, just call me Raine. The formality is far more than I deserve." With a soft nod the horse agreed and steadied, allowing me to mount him. Gripping each end of the saddle, I hoisted myself up and swung my right leg over his back. The horse shifted on his feet below me.
"It has been many years since I've felt a Young One upon my back."
"I'm not too heavy am I," I asked, peering over his broad, muscled neck.
"Oh, no, friend, you're just fine."
I sighed, petting his smooth neck, and then nudged his flank, urging him forward. And down a small secluded trail we rode, alongside the how where we wouldn't be seen. For if anyone spotted us, my mission was as good as terminated. And what was that? To spot Susan and Lucy and make sure they got through the woods safely.
We stalled by a small opening in the stone wall. This is where Susan and Lucy would ride out from. And this was where I would follow them. We waited until I heard the horse's heavy footfalls upon the gravel trail, and then we jumped out onto it behind them.
They were riding Destrier. How noble of Caspian to give up his horse to the queen…
"Susan!" I hissed from where I sat.
She and Lucy whirled around in the saddles, Susan's eyes guarded and defensive. But when she saw me she relaxed. "Raine, what are you doing out here! You should be inside, preparing for the attack!"
I waved a hand, dismissing the order. "I am as prepared as I can be. But right now my main concern is seeing you both safely into the forest."
"We've got it sorted, Raine. We can make it through before we're noticed…just go back to the how," Lucy said from Destrier's saddle, her eyes reserving the fear she felt for her task.
"I will return to the how, as you ask, as soon as I know you are past the woods and on your way to finding Aslan." There was a finality in my tone that I had never heard before. Susan heard it and lifted her head up.
"Alright, but as soon as we're through, you must go back. Caspian will be worried si-,"
I flinched and bit my tongue at the mention of his name. "Caspian will be tending to the army and reassuring Peter. Trust me, Su, I am the least of his worries."
Susan frowned, her eyes glazing over a bit before bowing her head. And with that, she turned Destrier in the direction of the trail and took off at a canter. I let them ride a few yards ahead of me before urging my own horse back onto the trail. With one hand on the reins and one hand on my hip, I kept my ears open and my eyes peeled for any signs of Telmarine soldiers. So far, the forest had been clear and the queens were having no trouble getting through. But then I heard Telmarine shouts, and a few clipped Spanish phrases caught my ears.
Up ahead of me, Lucy looked franticly in the direction of the shouts. Up on a ridge high above the trail, half a dozen Telmarines were following them. "They've seen us!" I heard her cry.
I looked up at the soldiers, knowing that sooner or later the ridge would descend and meet the trail. And sooner or later my two friends would be in trouble. So, I patted the horse's neck and let go of the reins. "You've got to do this without my help, Segreime. Can you follow them while I shoot?"
"Yes, just do what you can to protect them!"
Grabbing my bow with one hand and an arrow with the other, I locked my legs around the horse's abdomen. I knocked the arrow and aimed at a rider. Letting go, I saw the arrow pierce the man's shoulder and with a cry, he fell from his mount. One down. But the others looked behind to see me, and urged their horses to go faster.
Coming up on a clearing, I saw Susan standing, her bow and arrow ready. Her eyes were trained on the ridge, waiting for the Telmarines to ride into her shooting range. Where's Lucy!?! I could see the soldiers drawing closer, and loosed another arrow. The target was struck and fell to the ground in a heap. Ahead of me I could see Susan's scarlet fletched arrows hitting their targets flawlessly. But one soldier got past her and almost knocked her out. Luckily she ducked but lost her balance.
"Don't touch her," I said, replacing my bow and grabbing my knives. The soldier turned his horse and when he saw me, a sickening sneer spread upon his lips.
"Or you'll what? Give me a hair cut with your lil knives, princess?" He chuckled nastily in his thick accent, his horse taking another step toward Susan where she lay sprawled on the leaf-strewn earth. But as he neared closer to her, he kept his eyes on me.
"I'd say a little more than a hair cut." With another nasty sneer he turned his back on me, which is mistake number one. Mistake number two is that he insulted my abilities. As he dismounted his horse, he flashed an ominous look at me. He slowly sauntered to where Susan lay, pulling back his sword to deliver a final blow.
"One down, five to go." He began to swing, and I leapt from Segreime's back and darted in his direction, preparing to launch myself at him to save my friend's life. But I didn't have to. Because out of nowhere flew Caspian upon another horse's back, slicing the man's head clean off. The body flung to the ground, leaving Susan still and pale where she lay. Upon seeing Caspian she slowly rose and took his outstretched hand.
"Are you sure you don't want your horn back?" He teased, hoisting her up to ride behind him.
"Hardly. I had everything completely under control," she muttered sarcastically as she straightened her chest strap for her quiver. From where she sat she looked at me, her clear blue eyes clouded with worry of what would happen when we noticed each other.
The prince, still not noticing my presence, looked around the surrounding woods in worry. "…Lucy?"
"She got through," Susan replied, her eyes glued to the ground. She looked up at me, biting her lip. "Raine…"
I hadn't moved from the place I stood after Caspian slaughtered the Telmarine soldier. When I saw the prince, I froze. And I remained so when he looked upon me. For a brief moment nothing in the clearing could be heard save Susan panting to catch her breath and the soft wood of my bow creaking beneath my iron grip. I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want to look into his eyes and know what he was feeling, but I couldn't muster myself to turn around. His eyes were soft as they peered into mine from where he sat upon the horse's back. I could see his lips parted softly and the gentle rising of his chest as he breathed. His hands clenched the reins, and his hesitance was visible on his face. My heart was craving for me to close the twelve foot distance between us and rest my hand on his so he wouldn't feel the need to squeeze the leather in them. It wanted me to wipe away his uncertainty and tell him that I was still his. That I did love him. That I could forgive him.
But I was far too headstrong to listen. Susan sensed my resolve in the dilemma and looked down at her foot where it hung behind Caspian's, worrying her bottom lip. I wrenched my gaze from Caspian's to look at Susan. I gave her a gentle nod. "You are safe and Lucy is on her way. I have done all I can do for you." I turned, clicking my tongue to call Segreime to my side. When he pulled up in front of me, I leapt upon his back and turned once more to Susan. "I will see you back at the how." And with a pat to the horse's neck, he carried us loping into the woods. I knew when we were out of Caspian's sight because I couldn't feel his unwavering gaze on my back anymore. At its absence I wanted to cry. Being away from him was the worst torture I could imagine. I wasn't sure which was worse, being parted from him or being only a few steps away from him and not being able to touch him or speak to him. It took all I had not to turn Segreime around and return to the prince's side and tell him I was back…that I would never be apart from him for as long as I lived. But I couldn't go back…not now. Another held his affections, and the time when he and I were happy together was long past.
I threw my head back to see the sun's light jumping in and out of the gaps in the trees' foliage. I was inhaling heavily to keep from collapsing into a fit of tears. Segreime's ears flicked back and he cantered to a stop. "Raine, are you alright?"
I sniffed. "I am. Don't worry about me." When I wiped away the tear that I thought had trickled down my face, I pulled back my hand to see more than one smear on my skin.
"As many times as you tell those around you to not worry, you must know you are wasting your breath."
I leaned around to see the horse's face. "W-what do y-you mean?" I croaked out between breaths.
"Everyone is concerned for you, my friend. We all see what you're putting yourself through. We also can feel the misery that the prince is drowning in. And we all know that both of you suffer needlessly."
I sniffed again and straightened up. I brushed away one last tear before lifting my chin up. "I'm sorry. I won't worry you anymore. There are greater things to be worrying about than me."
"Why do you suffer yourself so? You know that your heart calls for him. Every Narnian here can hear its call. Why do you ignore it?"
This isn't happening. I scoffed lightly, swinging my right leg around to jump from his back. I didn't make eye contact with him as I stomped forward. "That is none of your concern."
"You may believe that all you want, my dear. But as long as your heart is connected to that of our prince, it is my concern."
I halted where I stood, one foot frozen behind me. "You know naught of what you're saying."
"Oh?" The horse snorted in frustration. "You think I didn't hear the little dispute you had with him the evening of the castle siege? Do you think I didn't see the way you both rode away into the woods after you broke each other's hearts? I have been watching you both, Raine. I have never seen such a pair of broken hearts…such despair and hurt. And it could easily be remedied."
I knew he was right. Every word he said stung at my heart like ice cold raindrops on my skin. Which is why I couldn't respond. I just let my head drop and I finished the rest of the trip back to the how on foot. But as much as I wanted to right what was happening between me and the prince, I knew that I had a much more important obligation to see to. As I snuck around the small path back around to the front of the how, I ran right into the back of a minotaur.
Even after spending my time in Narnia training with weapons and toughening myself up, I was still a klutz. I smacked into the minotaur's back with a clumsy "umph".
I was just about to fall sideways onto the ground thanks to my fickle sense of balance until two burly black arms picked me up and set me back on my feet. I felt bad for running into him so I blushed in response while rubbing my elbow awkwardly. But the minotaur only laughed. "It's quite alright, princess. You did no harm. But I would suggest you take your place with Their Majesties." I turned around quickly, my eyes focusing on the ruins where Peter's duel was to be held. And then I heard the clashing of metal on metal and the groaning of blows that were received. Peter was already going head to head with Miraz, his blade singing in the air as it met Miraz's in a crash. Standing below the arch was Edmund, his stance firm and proud. But even from where I stood I could see his fists clenching with every blow Peter blocked.
I straightened up, feeling for the cool metal of my blades on my back for reassurance. When my finger slid across the cool surface of one, I pulled back my shoulders and held my chin up. Nodding to the minotaur I strode forward, crossing the plain until I reached Edmund's side. Seeing the strain on Peter's face as he met Miraz's every swing, I laid my hand on Edmund's hand trying to control the fear I felt for the high king.
"Where've you been?" Edmund asked, turning to look at me with a playful smirk on his lips. How could he joke around at a time like this?
"I made sure that Susan and Lucy made it through," I said nonchalantly, returning my gaze to the duel. I flinched as Miraz's blade landed roughly against Peter's shield. In my peripheral vision I saw Edmund nod.
"I figured you would ride out after them. Everyone has been worried sick about where you were. But I had a hunch that you were alright," he smirked, clapping me on the back.
I allowed myself to smile at his lighthearted gesture. But it faded as I spoke. "How has he been doing?" I tilted my head towards the high king, who cried out as he took another swing.
"He's been doing pretty well. And Miraz is beginning to tire, I can tell." We watched on as Peter fought the Telmarine lord, Edmund shouting encouragements along the way. I gasped as Peter stumbled, but he caught himself. He stood there, holding his shoulder and panting.
"Does his highness need a respite?" Miraz jeered through his face mask.
Peter nodded, biting his lip as he grasped his shoulder. "Five minutes?"
The lord shook his head once roughly. "Three," he growled nastily. Peter turned to us and stumbled forward, no longer hiding the pained scowl on his face. But he was looking beyond us with a hopeful look on his face. I turned and felt my heart pang in my chest. No, not now. I must be strong for Narnia.
Riding toward us were Caspian and Susan. Susan swung from the horse's back and ran forward. Caspian followed, his eyes focusing on me.
"Lucy?" Peter asked through ragged breaths.
Susan nodded. "She got through…with a little help." Her eyes flashed to me first, then to Caspian.
Peter looked at me with wide eyes and an open mouth. "You rode out after them, then?"
I nodded, not meeting his gaze again. "I did."
He put an unsteady hand on my shoulder. "Thank you." I only nodded in response.
He looked up to Caspian who was looking at the ground with a broken look on his face. "Thanks for helping my sisters, Caspian," he said quietly. I looked up through my lashes to see the exchange.
"Well, you were busy."
The king and the prince nodded to each other and smiled weakly. Then the king's eyes flew to the how's ledge where their archers waited. Susan followed his gaze, her brows furrowing.
"You better get up there…just in case," Peter eyed the ledge, then looked to the Telmarine army behind him. "I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word."
Susan nodded, and threw herself forward to hug her brother.
"Ah!" He cried when she squeezed his wounded shoulder.
"Sorry!" She backed away.
"It's alright," he said, clenching his teeth from the pain. He forced an encouraging smile to his sister, who smiled back with guarded eyes.
I could see the worry in her eyes. She feared as much as I did that this wouldn't go well. But she held it back so that no one else would see it. "Be careful," she said to him, giving him a gentle pat before turning and striding to her post.
I noticed the way he was cradling his shoulder as if it might fall off. "What happened?" I asked him, stepping closer to look.
"He stepped on my shield when I fell. I think it's dislocated," he replied, his eyes squeezing shut at the pain.
Edmund looked from Peter to the Narnian army, "Keep smiling." Peter saw the looks of hope on their faces and raised his sword, forcing a confident smile on his face. The uproar of cheers coming from them still didn't convince me, though.
I put my arm gently around the midsection of his back, guiding him to have a seat on a boulder. "Here, let's have a look."
He sat down, panting. Caspian pulled the shield off of the king's arm and he cried out from the contact. Caspian flinched, and frowned apologetically to him before stepping back. Edmund stepped forward to inspect the damage.
"Yep, I would definitely say that's dislocated," Edmund said, one brow raised at the state of his brother's shoulder.
Peter looked back at him, then looked back out to the Telmarine army across the field. "Wh-what do you think happens back home if you die here?" he gasped through his breaths. Edmund looked up at me, for the first time showing me the fear he felt for the outcome of this battle. "You know," the king looked up to his brother, his brows slanting, "you've always been there, and I never really…Ah!" He cried as Edmund popped his shoulder back into place.
"Save it for later, Pete," He patted him on the back and walked away. Peter looked to me for some encouragement, and I was shocked that the usually confident and collected king was asking me for comfort. I kneeled before him as he sat on the boulder, waiting for the moment when he would return to the duel. He looked down at me, his blue eyes begging for me to say something that could calm him. He needed me to say something that could give him the strength to finish it. He needed me to let him know it was okay to be afraid of death, should it come.
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know what you have to do."
He nodded.
"You're the most hope they have had, you know," I said, straightening his armor back over his repositioned shoulder. "They believe in you, Peter, and so do I," I finished, taking his hand in between mine.
He smiled. "Thanks, Raine. It's comforting to know that if I don't come out of this, Caspian will have someone like you by his side when he takes my place." His last words came out weakly and his lips formed a thin line.
It hurt to hear him say that…to imply that he didn't think he would make it…and to imply that I would be with Caspian when he was crowned. But I couldn't say anything, I only hugged the king, giving him his last bit of encouragement before he returned to the duel. I watched as he stood and walked forward, leaving his helmet behind him. Caspian and Edmund took their places on either side of me. I could feel Caspian's eyes on me, and I knew he didn't want me to fight. I could feel his desire for me to retreat to the how where he knew I would be safe. But could I? Could I stay in the stronghold's safe walls while my friends fought…possibly to the death? No, I couldn't.
His small voice begged from beside me. "Raine, please go back to the how. Please don't fight," he begged. I actually turned to meet his gaze. His plea was swimming in his brown eyes. He took my hands into his, which were trembling. Was he afraid of me? "I can't fight knowing that you're out here, risking your life. I know you hate me," he said quietly, squeezing my hands in his, "but please heed my order this one last time. After this you can beat me, ignore me, and personally torture me if it puts your heart at ease," his voice cracked a little and he blinked back a stray tear, "…but please don't put your life on the line this day. Please seek safety in the how."
I don't know how I found my voice or my nerve. It felt like my heart was lying on the trampled ground beneath my feet. But somehow I found the words. "Your Highness, I appreciate your concern for my life. But it's not for you, or for my own selfish needs that I fight today. It is for Narnia, and for the hope that one day it shall have the justice and peace it deserves."
His face dropped at 'Your Highness' and the small hope that was previously shining in his eyes fleeted away. Nodding sadly in defeat, he turned away. I watched him from the side, wondering if this was the last time I would ever be able to look upon him. It was hard not to throw my arms around him and cover him in kisses. But I couldn't go back. I stood as tall as I possibly could, taking deep breaths to calm the storm raging deep inside of me. But just as I was starting to accept that this was it, this was the end, I was turned and pulled into Caspian's arms. His lips crashed upon mine, releasing emotions that I never knew could exist in one person. Against my wishes, I melted into him on the spot, not being strong enough to stand against everything I felt from him. I could feel his fear for the war that was forcing itself upon us, and fear for our lives. I also felt the relief that he drew, just from feeling my lips against his. When he pulled away, his eyes still looked empty, save for the familiar twinkle I thought I may have seen. And that's when I knew that someday, somehow, we would be together again.
"Respite! Respite!" Miraz cried from where he leaned on his knees against the ground. His hands were held high in defense. Peter stood looking down on him, his sword held back.
"Now's not the time for chivalry, Peter!" Edmund called from beside me. Peter looked up at the three of us, and shot one last look at his opponent before stepping away to grant him a breath. But Miraz sneered viciously and stood as the king passed, raising his sword high to attack him from behind.
"Peter, look OUT!" I cried, bracing myself against Edmund and Caspian to keep from running forward. Peter halted, allowing Miraz to get a little closer, and with one fluid movement he caught Miraz's blade in his iron glove, and swung around, plunging its tip through its wielder.
"AH!" the lord cried, falling to his knees with both hands clutching at his pouring crimson wound. "Ah…ah…" he panted, his eyes wide in shock at Peter's quick attack. Peter held the blade high, ready to finish the lord off when he looked back up at him, the lord's lips returning to his evil sneer. "What's the matter, boy? Too cowardly to take a life?" he spat as his eyes narrowed to slits.
Peter's back went rigid and he flinched as if to swing, but held himself. "It's not mine to take," he spat back. Edmund and I looked at each other before looking to Caspian, who was watching the scene unfold with a face of cool steel. Peter turned to him, holding out the sword. My head flashed to Caspian and he looked at me, his eyes asking me to help him decide if he should do it or not. But then he stepped forward and took the blade. He stood before his uncle, setting his palm against the flat face of the blade and held it up, ready to strike. His entire body shook in his rage and his opportunity to avenge his parents' deaths. I didn't realize I was holding onto Edmund for support until he put an arm around my waist. I watched in boiling contempt as Miraz glared back up at the prince.
"Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine king after all."
I saw Caspian shaking in his rage and held my breath as he plunged the blade toward his uncle, but let it out slowly when the tip of the blade punctured a tuff of grass beside him instead. Caspian leaned over his uncle, staring daggers into his eyes. "Not. One. Like. You. Keep your life, but I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom." His voice was so low and deep that I trembled in fear. Never had I heard him speak so. It was frightening. But as Caspian turned back to face us and walked forward, I could see the suffering in his eyes. It had to have been hard to not kill the man who took his parents away from him, be it family or not. I wanted to hold him and let him cry out his tears, but I knew there was no time.
From behind me I heard a cry of outrage, and turned to see Miraz's two guards cursing rapidly in Spanish. Then they looked up at us and shouted, "Treachery! They shot him!"
"Whaa??" I looked at Edmund who looked just as bewildered as I felt.
"THEY MURDERED OUR KING!" One of the men said, holding up a scarlet fletched arrow, its tip stained red with the Miraz's blood. But I knew that Susan wouldn't have shot for no reason. Something didn't feel right.
I turned to Peter, who was signaling for Susan to be ready. "BE READY!" he shouted to the Narnians, holding up his sword. The Narnians around us took stance and lifted their weapons, waiting for Peter's order. "GO!"
For a brief second I wanted to turn back and run for the how. I seriously considered seeking refuge within the sturdy stone walls of Aslan's how as Caspian asked me to. But before I could turn back, I was enveloped in the swarm of Narnians and Telmarines. All around me battle cries filled the air and metal sang. I looked up to see Caspian slashing and parrying, his hair flying as he moved. He stepped and lunged in a sequence that could have been dance. And then I felt it…that powerful sensation that had drawn me to Caspian since the day he saved me from his uncle's grasp. The need to be near him…the need to protect him and take care of him. And as I watched him cut his way through the army of men he had spent his childhood with, I found my blades. And I did what I set out to do. I took my place in fighting for innocence and love and beauty and all that was good.
