A/N: I am SO Sorry for the long delay! But I've pretty much finished the final chapters so I'll be uploading them little at a time – there aren't that many left so bear with me! Also I want to THANK YOU ALL for the support and reviews and what not! I especially want to thank those of you who have been with me since the beginning! Btw I've reuploaded some of the chapters to try and change a few things here and there; nothing major really just minor details, diction changes, etc.
Warning: things really start getting ridiculous (more Mary-Sue, more cheesiness, etc) and I have to admit, somewhat shoddy too. The explanations of why things happen and what not aren't great, so uh, you'll need quite a bit of imagination and suspend all beliefs because it probably makes better sense in my head then written out P
Art: There are a lot of character sketches, costume sketches, even scenes and other art in my deviantart site (link in my profile) including some really new stuff. There's a folder in my gallery all for Narnia related fanart. Check it out!
OUT OF A DREAM by Terra Forever
CH. 21 Eve of Battle
She knew the morning she awoke that their time was nearly at hand. Their great battle would be at dawn the following day. There was not much time left for preparations. After long farewells and even longer embraces, those partaking in the battle were moved to the Battle Field where the last war was fought for Narnia. It held many memories for those who had survived that fateful day against the White Witch Jadis and her army.
All around the field Narnians were making ready while Achenland warriors were doing the same. The visiting warriors were privileged to see Aslan in person. Each one committed his great image to memory so they could clearly recount his greatness to their people back home. There was no mistaking the stories and legends of his magnificence and it raised all their spirits. And of course, when they set eyes on Esmiel, even before they saw that she had beautiful white wings, they were awed by her beauty and by her mystical aura. Cor and Corin were both there to lead their army. Even Avaris was present –nay she would not miss this for anything. Where her beloved went, she followed and the same could be said for him. The three Archenlanders took every opportunity to speak to both Aslan and Esmiel.
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that there was something special between the High King and the warrior angel. Though they showed no obvious signs of anything other than friendship, the looks that they shared and the smiles that graced their lips were more than enough to signal otherwise. On some occasions there were a few who were fortunate enough to see them walk close together or sit side by side, sometimes with their hands clasped tightly together. And even rarer still would a random bystander catch site of Esmiel with her chin on Peter's shoulder. Had she still been Esme, the top of her head would only reach his chin, but now that she was much taller she could lean more against him.
The Narnians were very happy for their king. While they often saw his handsome smile, it had only been since Esme's arrival had they ever seen him glow with happiness. And now that the truth had been revealed, his smile shone brightly as the sun. No one could be happier for the High King than his siblings who often giggled to themselves when they caught site of their brother and Esmiel. Had they been younger, there was no doubt that Edmund and Lucy would be teasing their brother endlessly – not that they weren't already throwing him knowing glances and smirks.
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That night, Peter and Esmiel lay on the tall grass, high over the camp, staring at the glimmering stars, lying in each other's arms. They had just had their last practice and were now resting, and enjoying the last peaceful moments before the sun would eventually rise to greet them and announce the beginning of battle. It was not unlike the last battle they had fought together, eons ago when Peter had been a different man – but not entirely so.
"I can see why, as Esme, you chose to fight with a staff," said Peter, his hands running through Esmiel's silken locks. "You are amazing with yours…and you didn't even use any of your magic."
"I have not shed blood in a very long time, Peter," murmured Esmiel. "I did not want Esme to ever have to. And with a staff, she would be able to protect herself and her innocence." Peter looked at her and she returned his gaze. "The reason Esme was unable to shed blood was because deep inside I did not want to. I have enough on my hands and have stained the grounds with it many times over… I have been fighting more battles than you can possibly imagine, Peter. I did not want her to know that life."
"I understand," nodded Peter. "It is not pleasant and I wish that my sisters and even Edmund did not have to know it either."
There would be no room for hesitations or for mercy tomorrow, thought Esmiel. She could already smell the stench of blood. Memories of previous battles flooded her and for a moment she longed to be a mere human again. Perhaps ignorance was bliss, she wondered. "I wish you did not have to fight yourself, Peter…"
"You're worried that Esorael will try to attack like he did before," murmured Peter, clasping her hand in his. Esmiel did not have to respond for him to know what she thought. "Esmiel, why didn't he ever attack me himself? All this time, he could have struck me down as easily as he did his own men."
"Because we are forbidden."
"That didn't seem to stop him before."
"We cannot physically turn the tide of war. Killing you, Peter, could very well do this. Yes you have your brother and sisters to lead in your place but you are and will forever be High King of Narnia. The battle must be won by the mortals whom it involves not by the angels who are merely…overseeing it. This is why he always had to have those monsters try to kill you instead." Esmiel closed her eyes for a moment and a terrible memory came to mind. She took a deep breath, trying to fight back the tears. Even after these many years, that memory was all too vivid.
"In the past, Peter, he killed you after the war was ended so it could not influence either side. Your death was no great turning point for the battle, for Good or Evil… but… it was for me." Peter squeezed her hand. He was glad he had no memory of that moment. But Esmiel could still see it all too clearly – her brother killing the only other person she loved. "Oh why couldn't you be like those other kings who had their armies fight for them and stayed safely in their castles?"
"Because I am not a coward," replied Peter, his voice hard and slightly defensive.
Esmiel smiled a little. "I know." She touched his cheek gently. "You and your bravery… your valor…" Her smile faded. "I'm so frightened he will come for you."
Peter could feel Esmiel's body stiffen. "Shh, I know he will… and probably in more ways than one. It is inevitable and you and I both know it. But I am not afraid. You mustn't be either, Esmiel. I will take whatever he throws at me and I will throw it back two-fold."
"I won't let him harm you," said Esmiel, looking back at Peter, her eyes full of resolve. "I will protect you and everyone. I won't let him harm you ever again."
"You've done a good job of it so far," grinned Peter, trying to keep a light heart. "You've protected me three times already."
"I just know he must have something else hidden…something I haven't thought of."
"Well we'll find out in a little while, won't we?"
"Peter," Esmiel's brow was furrowed. She could not believe how lightly he was taking this. Normally Peter was very serious about fighting yet here he was with a gentle smile on his face.
"Shhh," the young man shook his head and kissed her gently. "You mustn't let your fears overcome you. Whatever happens, will happen. All that matters is that we face this together."
Esmiel snuggled closer to Peter. "I don't want to lose you again."
"You won't," smiled Narnia's King. He kissed her again. "We've defied a lot of things haven't we? Death? Fate? We can defy your brother's wrath as well." He kissed her forehead. Now it was his turn to look solemn.
"What happened to all that spirit and conviction?" asked Esmiel, surprised to see the change in Peter's countenance.
"I did fail you though," sighed the High King.
"Fail me? How?"
"I promised you I would free you from whatever connected you to all this. I'm afraid can't keep that promise," he said. "You will always be a part of this because you and your brother will always be tied by your love, your fate. I fear there is little I can do to change that." He felt Esmiel squeeze his hand. "As much as I want you to be free, I know how important Esorael is to you… that even if you are on opposite sides, this is the only way you can remain together."
"Then you haven't failed me at all," said Esmiel. "There is nothing to free me from. This curse that Esorael and I are under… it is one we both gladly accepted. It is this or face the rest of eternity without each other. And that is something I could not do. And neither could I do it without you." The two smiled at each other and Peter moved in to kiss Esmiel deeply.
When the two finally pulled away to take a breath, they realized that there was someone drawing near. The two of them stood up to greet Aslan. "You should get some rest, Peter," the lion said gently.
The young man nodded in agreement. "Would you like a lift?" asked Esmiel, grinning. Peter was more than happy to accept. Esmiel's wings folded out. She took his hands and they glided down to the camp below, right to Peter's tent. There they shared another kiss and Peter disappeared inside. Esmiel took a step back and then lifted her wings to fly back to Aslan so they could watch over the camp together and greet the sun when it rose.
As the two sat together, Esmiel leaning slightly against Aslan, her eyes scanned the horizon and a myriad of emotions and memories washed over her, wave after wave. Wherever her eyes wandered, they always fell back onto the High King's tent where they lingered for a few moments before returning to the horizon. And when the dark skies began to lighten, Aslan took a deep breath. Just as he let it out, a soft breeze blew through the camp and the sun peaked through the horizon casting long shadows over the land. Esmiel took a deep breath as well and as she welcomed the warmth of the rising sun, she closed her eyes as a tear fell.
END CH. 29
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Uh so thanks for bearing with me with my long absences AND my shoddy writing AND the pure CHEESE of it all. I was kinda laughing as I re-read all this. I am such a lame-O but thanks for putting up with all of that. You all get (insert cheesy dessert/snack here) Haha I know I'm such a dork but that's in part because I'm in real physical pain (hurt myself a few days ago)
