Owning Up To The Faults Of Life


Eilonwy sat by the riverside. She was still wincing in pain as she attempted to wash her damaged hand. As she looked down into the clear water, she stared down at her reflection. She saw the damage that the battle had left her with. She had a trail of blood leading from her temples which lead to her left cheek. Just below her right eye, a small ink of rouge surfaced her skin which had stretched down to her other cheek. Her lips were cut also, bloody and swollen. Using her only good hand, she managed to wash her face slightly, hissing at the stinging from her injuries. Scars that would be left upon her to remind her of what she had down. She glanced down at her hand, and again she saw the evidence. She couldn't but think she deserved to be in the pain she did. She was so lucky to have left the battlefield in better condition than those who hadn't left at all. The ones that had been left to die. Had she not come around from the blow to her head that could have been her.

Just another fallen warrior.

Just another forgotten hero.

She switched her senses, trying to concentrate on cleaning her hand. She dipped the skin into the cool water, but this time when she looked at her reflection, she saw another one, standing behind her. She hissed to herself. Now was really not the time for confrontation, especially since she had already given him an ultimatum. She tried to ignore him.

"Hi," Peter said gently. His breathing was slightly not in sync. He didn't understand why he got so nervous around this girl. Well, actually, he did deep down. He just didn't want to admit it anytime soon.

"Hi," Eilonwy gritted her teeth, forcing a simple reply. She didn't make any eye contact with him, and instead carried on washing her hand.

Peter sighed. He could sense her tone, and her body language practically spoke for her.

"Look, how long is this going to be awkward for?"

"I thought I told you to come to me when you had sorted things out." She answered.

"Well, that's what I am doing." Peter replied calmly.

Eilonwy looked up from washing her hand, and glanced at his reflection in the water. "What do you mean?"

Peter shuffled his feet nervously, and took a deep breath.

"I wanted to come to you first."

Eilonwy sighed heavily, and placed her head back so she was looking in the water but not at Peter.

"Its not me you should be apologizing to Peter," She took a pause, allowing herself time to think about what she truly wanted to say to him without hurting his feelings. He had had the guts to come to her first and she didn't want him to be struck down too early on. "You should be explaining to your army why we returned with so little soldiers."

"Look of Caspian had stuck to the plan—"

"Stop trying to pass the blame Peter."

"I'm not! I am just stating—"

"You are impossible."

Eilonwy grabbed the hem of her dress and got up, leaving behind her shoes, and began to walk away from Peter. Peter could have kicked himself in that moment. A confrontation was the last thing he had come for. All he wanted was the chance to apologize and he was not letting her go until she heard him out.

"So that's it? You're not even going to listen to me?"

"Exactly." Eilonwy snapped.

"So much for maturity eh Princess?" Peter mocked.

Shit. Bad move.

Eilonwy halted in her steps and turned to face the middle king. "You're talking to me about maturity?" Peter looked at her, covered in bruises and cuts, and still she looked beautiful; but he sensed how distressed she was and he was only aggravating it. "I'm seventeen Peter! You don't have to talk down to me like some silly child okay? If I wanted to be treat like a child, then I would have stayed at the castle with my murderous father and let him do his job!"

"Well then why didn't you?" Peter snapped, not fully realizing the power of his words.

"I have been asking myself the same question." Eilonwy and Peter stood facing each other. Once again what had set out to be a quiet talk had once again become a full blown war between the two bloods. Eilonwy took a deep breath, not truly thinking about what to do. She looked deep into Peter's eyes, and saw that he too was feeling exactly as she was, even if he wasn't truly showing it.

"Can I ask you something Peter? Did you feel anything when you looked at your army trapped behind the gate?"

Peter swallowed hard. Oh course he did. How could he not? Nobody could forget the fear on their faces. Even the greatest hypnotist could not get anybody to forget what he had seen.

"Eilonwy look—"

"No. You look Peter! You think it was easy for me to see those Narnians trapped behind that gate? Do you think it was easy for me to look them in the eyes, knowing they were going to die? I saw the fear in their eyes, I saw their hearts bleed Peter, I really did. They knew they were going to die, they just knew! And there was nothing I could do to help them." Peter watched as Eilonwy's emotions took over her once more. He was used to seeing her express herself. "And you know, I have had that feeling my entire life. The feeling of total inadequacy. I came after Caspian because I knew if anybody on this whole earth could make a difference, it would be him. I read books, and heard stories about you." Her eyes shot directly into Peter's, gripping his attention. "You made a difference! I guess I am sorry for ever thinking I could do the same."

Eilonwy turned away from Peter once more and sat down on the grass, pulling her knees upto her chest. Peter needed to act now; but he froze. Damaged by her words. Her beautiful, sorrowful words that made him feel like the smallest man on the planet. But she was right. She was always right.

"You're right."

Eilonwy turned to face Peter once more; a look of bemusement filled her face as he sat down next to her.

"And you were right before as well."

"What do you mean?"

"Before we went to the castle. What you said, well, everything you said. It all made sense."

Peter bowed his hand, placing his hands together in a firm grip, pleased that her finally confessed his mistakes. Eilonwy acknowledged his honesty and responded.

"Then why didn't you listen to me?"

Peter had no idea. "I don't know. I guess—I guess I was just so wrapped up and obsessed with wanting to take charge that I believed my way was the only way."

Eilonwy couldn't believe that Peter was actually owning up to what he had done wrong. She only wished she could have it in writing at this present time!

"And, I am sorry for the way I treated you---have been treating you. And I never meant all those things I said about your father and Caspian. I was just –"

"Mad? Angry? Hormonal?" Eilonwy suggested sarcastically.

"Yeah, one of those three." Peter scoffed slightly.

"Caspian didn't mean those things either you know." Eilonwy responded reassuringly.

"Did you mean the things you said?" Peter asked.

"At the time. Yes." Eilonwy replied.

"Well, I guess I should have prepared myself for that answer," Peter replied. "You always tell the truth."

Eilonwy giggled.

"You should know though Princess, your words cut deeper than you think."

"Why should you care what I think?" Eilonwy replied. "Can't you just have me hanged for my disobedience against a royal member? Usually a quick tongue in your day would have got you nowhere in court but a one way trip to the gallows."

Peter smiled. "True about the quick tongue business, but lucky for you, public hangings were never really my thing." Eilonwy smiled back at the king's response.

"I am sorry I am like that though. I guess my sarcasm is like a defense mechanism." Eilonwy said.

"A defence mechanism for what?" Peter asked gently.

"How I really feel sometimes." Eilonwy went quiet after speaking. She spoke out of context, and she didn't want Peter to catch on with what she meant. Peter decided it best to change the subject.

"Erm—do you need any help with—that?" he asked pointing to her hand which was still covered in dried blood.

"Why did it look like I was having trouble with it back there?" Eilonwy responded wittily. They both laughed, not knowing what would truly become of their endeavor to find a common ground.


Caspian glared at the hollow wall of the cave, a rush of anxiety and frustration flourished through his already bruised veins. Why did he always have to lose his temper? He could have killed Eilonwy, or Peter for that matter. No matter how angry he wanted to be at Peter, Caspian didn't think he truly had it in him to kill him. Just like her couldn't kill Miraz. He wanted to; by god he wanted to kill him with every fibre of his being, but he just couldn't do it. Especially with Eilonwy in the room. He was her father after all.

A father that tried to kill him and would have killed Eilonwy given him half the chance.

Why didn't he just kill Miraz? He had all the motivation, all the hate and desire to do it. Just not enough to complete the deed and to Caspian that made no sense at all.

His deep hazel eyes glared at the wall intensely. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, just searching for a way to explain all of this. Through his careful concentration, Caspian did not even realize that he was no longer alone in the chamber.

"You so glad about blowing that horn now boy?" Nikabrik sneered at the young prince.

Caspian exhaled deeply. This was the last thing he needed right now. A dwarf with serious attitude winding him off the clock. "What do you want? Congradulations?" Caspian mocked.

Nikabrik merely screwed up his face as he edged towards the prince. "You want your uncles' blood? So do we."

Caspian turned to face Nikabrik, disturbed by the truthful words that Nikabrik had spoken.

"You want your Uncle's throne? We can get it for you."

Caspian could not help but feel intrigued by his offer. He knew that dwarves had a tendency to be sneaky and disloyal, but Caspian felt like there was no other alternative. It was too much of a good offer to pass up. If Nikabrik could help him claim Miraz' life, then there would be no need for War. He and Eilonwy could go back to the Telmarine Castle and live without fear of neglect. They could grow old together and get married and have children of their own. But that would mean that he would take up place as King. He would be the King of Narnia. Was he ready to handle such a responsibility? Was Narnia ready for him to be a King?

It didn't seem like he had much of choice as his legs spoke for him as he followed Nikiabrik down the tunnel leading to the tomb belonging to Aslan.

"You tried one ancient power. It failed. The Kings and Queens of Old are of no greater use to you anymore King Caspian."

"What did you just call me?"

"Well that's what you will be called when you take up your place on the throne will it not?"

"Well yes but—"

"But what?"

"Well, surely, the Kings and Queens, I mean—its not there fault—"

"Are you really sure about that? Who wanted to stay here and strengthen the army?"

"I did."

"And who wanted to go to battle and ended losing over half the army in less than an hour?"

"Peter did." Caspian answered through gritted teeth.

"Exactly. You see, Caspian. There are good people in the world, like me and you who want what is best for Narnia, for our people. And then there are people like Peter, who care only for themselves. What do you think will happen once you become King? Do you think he is going to stand back and let you reclaim what is yours? No. He will try and take it from you Caspian." Nikabrik lowered his voice, intriguing the young naïve Telmarine. "He only came back here for one reason. To get his throne back. He wants to rule Narnia again like he once did. But we mustn't let him, must we? King Caspian?"

Caspian was fuelled with a sudden rush of adrenaline. He wasn't going to let Peter take what was his. Nikabrik was right. He was the rightful heir and nobody, not Miraz, not even Peter was going to take that away from him.

"Okay, so what is your plan?" Caspian asked curiously.

Nikabrik merely smiled slyly at the foolish Telmarine Prince.


Awww, an emotional chappie and an intriguing one too I can only hope. I am really sorry for not updating for a LONG TIME! I have been so busy with school and xmas, so I decided that a way to make up for it was to update on xmas day (except I expect most of you wont actually get in on xmas day!)

Thankyou for all of the reviews and please keep them coming. It can only encourage me to keep writing! :)

In the next chapter, we continue with Eilonwy and Peter's endeavour ;) and what will happen with Caspian? (well anybody thats seen the film or read the book knows) but as always my story has a little twist and a sting in its tail.

Xoxo

Emmmerald