Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own original characters but I do own a glass of orange juice and I think that's saying something.

A/N: Here's the final chapter of collapse, you guys. Everything is now going to be out and in the open. I worked on this sporadically throughout the semester, and now that it's coming to a close, I was able to get it done. Just a small warning before you read it - there is some intensity towards the end of the chapter, including deaths. It's not gorey like Game of Thrones, but if you don't care to read that bit, you honestly don't have to. (Even though it's kind of crucial.) But anyway, I hope you enjoy! Because this is what we've all been waiting for.

Collapse: Part III

I awoke before the sun came up, bathed, dressed, and packed my things. I was in a frenzy, really—preparing for the journey home and all the while trying not to think about what had happened last night.

I looked at Peter's figure and clenched my fist. On one hand, I wanted to grab him and shake him and make him tell me it wasn't true. On the other hand, I didn't want to see him again. I gave nearly fifteen years of my life to this man in exchange for what? Infidelity? No, no, I shook my head, cursing myself for thinking about it. I had to keep myself busy, though I knew there wasn't much else to do. I had to get through today. I had to.

At breakfast, Susan performed admirably on our behalf. Both Rabadash and the Tisroc were sold on the idea of the banquet and after our meal we immediately went to work. Edmund gathered an emergency meeting with the council and court members, and after we finished packing our things, we helped pack theirs as well. There was always a line of bodies heading to and from the ship, all carrying large bundles (but strategically disguised as decoration). We broke our pattern only to eat lunch and immediately resumed once our stomachs were satisfied.

At one point, Peter, Edmund, Sosorion, and Lord Hakim proceeded in a line towards the ship all carrying heavy trunks. The lords' brows were beaded with sweat, but Peter and Edmund were all but soaked.

"I say," Peter wheezed, "this is a lot heavier than I remember." Then he looked at me. "Charlotte, could you take some thing out of this trunk and carry them down? I feel as though I'm about to fall over."

A glare took over my face and, out of spite, I walked past Peter towards Edmund's trunk, retrieved a few items and made my way down the ramp.

"Damn," muttered Edmund. Sosorion and Hakim chuckled.

I put everything back in the trunk as it went into the ship's cargo and climbed down the ladder to go back to the palace. I suddenly felt a hand on my leg, and I tensed up for a moment before reaching the ramp.

Peter took my forearm and pulled me close to him. "What you did back there was cruel."

"For all I know those could've been Callie's things."

"They were not, and you know it." He gripped me tighter, sucking in a breath before speaking. "Charlotte, I didn't know it. You know that. You need to know
that—"

"Don't touch me." I retracted my arm and strode away.

"What was that about?" I heard Edmund's voice against the wind.

"I wish I could explain it, Ed. I wish it were easily fixed."

Lord Sosorion

Sosorion had been in correspondence with the Tisroc—may he live forever—for years now, but only recently did he reveal his desire to rule the Narnian land. The Tisroc responded in kind, voicing his plan (well, more Rabadash's) to make Narnia part of his empire, and granting Sosorion the privilege of overseeing it. Rabadash, however, was upset as he wanted Narnia—and all its contents—to himself. The Tirsoc waved off his son's wished, reminding him that soon, he'd be in possession of one of Narnia's greatest prizes—Susan the Gentle. (Of whom he would not be gentle with.) But in light of recent events (partly attributable to Callie), Rabadash's chances of matrimony were going down. And Sosorion, without giving away the whole plan, was going to tell them that.

When he arrived at the Tisroc's door, two guards blocked him. He sighed, saying he wished to speak to the king as a fellow Calormene. The guards looked at each other, let down their weapons, and opened the door. He instantly fell on his knees, crying "Oh merciful Tisroc, may you live forever!"

When he looked up, he found the Tisroc, Grand Vizier, and Rabadash all sitting together.

"Ah, Lord Sosorion. What brings you here?"

"I feel impressed to notify you that you must prepare an army. Gather the horses and sharpen your swords."

"Why do you say that?" Rabadash asked.

"Let's just suffice with the notion that Narnia may not give in so easily."

The room was silent.

"I don't mean to keep you long," he continued. "I'm sure you have other things to attend to. Just be ready, should they do anything... sudden."

The Tisroc blinked. "Thank you, sir."

As he backed away, Sosorion saw the three men lean in to discuss what they just discovered.

Charlotte

Even the sky sensed turmoil on the night we stole away from Calormen. The Splendor Hyaline glided through the water so swiftly I thought we were flying. Every five seconds, someone's head turned back, but their body couldn't follow. We all wanted to be sure we evaded danger, but at the same time, we knew that just wasn't true.

Most everyone was on deck, either eating or drinking or huddled in groups for soft conversation. Lucy, who was exhausted by the events of the day, had already turned in, but Susan, Edmund, and Peter and I still remained outside.

"Are you alright? Do you feel better?" I turned to see Edmund handing Susan a glass of wine.

"Somewhat," she said, pulling a shawl around her shoulders. "I'm mostly relieved. That I don't have to marry him."

"But you still feel upset about what he did to you?"

"Yes," she murmured without looking up. "Yes I do."

Near to them, I found Lady Calloway talking amongst other Ladies of the Court. I had a good mind to throw her overboard right then and there. But before I could entertain the idea any further, she made eye contact with me. I froze, cleaning my teeth. She nodded, squinted her eyes, and smirked before looking away.

I felt paralyzed, unable to initiate anything against her. I don't know how long I stood in that position, but before I knew it, most had gone to bed below deck. The sound of silence was daunting; I could feel an elephant rising in my throat. My mind wouldn't stop cycling and everything it conjured up was unpleasant. I needed occupation, so I went below deck to my [our] quarters and began reorganizing what we had packed. The thought made itself at home before I could bar it: "Why not leave Peter? Why not divorce him?" I blinked, shocked by myself. What kind of thing was that to think? Besides, was divorce a Narnian option? Whatever the case, I had to act. Right then, speak of the devil, Peter appeared.

Ignoring him was difficult since I'd finished cleaning, so I brushed my hair and changed (strategically) for bed. It was almost amazing; funny even: Peter and I at each other's throats for the last day or so and we still managed to sleep together. Sort of.

I put away my hairbrush, but before I could get in bed, Peter stopped me.

"We need to talk about this."

"When everything's already on the table? No, we don't."

"You know I didn't do it, Charlotte." Of what I could make out, his eyes looked like glass. But I didn't care. The hell he didn't. I'd heard that phrase too many times to give a fig anymore.

"I saw you with her," I said through my teeth.

"She came onto me," he was trying not to yell, "I was the victim!"

"Bloody right you were."

"I wouldn't even consider that idea. Ever."

"Oh really? How long has this been going on, Peter? If you were the victim you would've come to me immediately. Not keep it secret. Everything you're telling me is bull and now I know it always has been."

"And I'm not the only one keeping secrets? What about you! I've hardly been able to touch you for weeks on end! Like you've become some fragile china doll, and I know you're not."

No. Don't bring that up. Damn Sosorion. But Peter was still speaking.

"Tonight that is going to change," he was saying. "I didn't do it, Charlotte. And I'm going to prove it to you. Once."

And on that note, he kissed me. But I didn't want to be kissed. I pursed my lips together and did everything I could to break away but he locked my fingers in his and held my wrists with his thumbs. In an effort to free myself, I dug my nails into his knuckles and stomped on his foot as hard as I could.

He drew back, completely surprised as I began screaming.

"No! I will not have anymore of this!"

"Why?!" He roared, taking a step towards me.

"Because I didn't want to—"

"But why?!" He said again. "You have not once explained your reasoning to me, Charlotte."

"Well why should I have to?"

"Because I've seen your body!" I've seen your bruises and your scars and you have lied to me for years, given me dumbarse excuses and I will not tolerate it anymore."

"Then why do you still persist with me?" I said softly.

"Because you're hiding something too!" A pause of menacing silence. "What the hell happened fourteen years ago that has been damaging you so much?!"

I flinched, my eyes full with tears. I couldn't speak for fear of my voice shaking.

"Tell me!" His face and neck grew red.

"Get out," I managed.

"What?"

"Get. Out."

He took in a deep breath. "I've received word from home. I have to go to war with the giants. I'll take a separate boat from Archenland after we leave Corin."

"Good. And maybe you'll die so I don't have to deal with this anymore."

Oh my God. I didn't meant that. But it was too late. By the time it registered, he was gone.

Sometime later, when I willed myself to move, I hastily went around the room tidying things that were clean hours ago. I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, and I at least needed to apologize, so I went to the bedroom door and opened it slowly.

There he was, slumped against the wall, his face stained with tears. I couldn't bear to look.

"Come back," I whispered, turning away.

He got up and followed me inside, his arms folded. I finally faced him, the tears already spilling.

"I didn't mean what I said," I cleared my throat to speak level.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure!"

He sighed, shifting from one foot to the other. "Are you going to tell me... why?"

"I..." I started breathing so hard I thought I was going to pass out. He saw my discomfort and immediately softened.

"Charlotte, I'm so sorry. For everything. I'm so sorry."

He walked towards me until we weren't even inches apart. And this time, I kissed him.

I put my hands on each of his forearms and he wrapped an arm about my waist. When I came up for air, his open mouth met mine and his free hand managed to lift one of my legs. I heard his belt buckle snapping and felt my skin come alive with goosebumps.

Somewhere in there I must've made a noise because he stopped and smiled against my lips. "I'm sorry. May I?"

I brushed his nose with mine as a yes.

But, to be completely honest, I was nothing short of afraid to go down this road after Sosorion and now Callie. Everything had started to collapse around me and I didn't know what to do. And yet here we were, no turning back, and the familiarity of Peter's hands almost put me at rest.

With one hand still on my leg, he grabbed a bundle of my nightgown and lifted it above my head. His skin felt fire as we fell back on the bed, a mesh of skin colliding in ways that wouldn't be done justice by the english language. A final tear fell as he lifted my head to kiss my neck. He found his way to the scar on my shoulder that harbored the cut I was still in possession of after all these years.

I gasped, arching my back before I could stop myself. I then put a hand in his hair, swallowing and looking at the ceiling.

"I'll be gentle," he said. "I promise."

Something Sosorion was never good at.

"So... are we okay now? Are we good?" Peter asked, resting his head in the dent in my side.

"Well, I suppose. I'm still fairly shaken up and confused as to why she would do this. You didn't technically do anything wrong, though. However, you could have killed her. That might've been an appropriate response."

"Harsh," he remarked, licking his lips. "But I see what you mean. You're letting me touch you now, though. Are you in any pain?"

"Not at the moment, no. And yes, we have come a long way."

"Why means we're good?"

"It means I don't want to lose you, Peter. Also, must you go away to the giants?"

"I'll send another warrior in my stead. Everything will be alright, darling. Everything will be just fine." He kissed my hipbone and rolled me over so I was on my back. "You don't have to worry about anything."

I nodded just enough so he could see my head moving. He propped his head up on his wrist and looked at me as I looked for any signs of sunlight (none yet). "Do I have to worry about anything?"

I looked at him dead on then, maybe a bit too quickly. "What? We just talked about this—"

"I know, I know. But I just want to make sure."

"It's fine everything's fine I'm fine," I exhaled, turning onto my stomach.

"Okay okay," he chuckled half-nervously, rolled me over again and hovered over me, pulling my waist into him. I accepted his embrace with genuine excitement, but a thought flashed repeatedly above our heads, like a marquee of some sort.

Oh dear God. I think I might have to kill Lord Sosorion.

Three short knocks on the door broke our slumber. "Peter? Charlotte?" It was Edmund. "We're here. We're in Anvard."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before opening my eyes. "C'mon, Peter. We have to get up."

He lay on his side with his kneecaps rubbing my thighs. Instead of sitting up like I expected, he rolled over onto me and fixed his hands under my back.

"Darling, this isn't up."

He parted my lips with his and slipped his tongue in between my teeth. "I know, but... I just wanted to have a moment with you before... we get off the ship."

"Peter that's lovely... ahh... um, darling we need to go now."

"Okay, okay," he sat up, pulling me with him. "Good morning, wife."

"Good morning, husband," I giggled. "Now, let's get you dressed."

The assumed plan was that we dine with King Lune and fellowship for some hours before leaving Corin and going back to Narnia. However, when we docked and met on the pier, I could tell in King Lune's eyes that we were in for something different than we expected.

"King Lune," Peter said, bowing at a 45 degree angle. "How have you—"

"I just received word that Anvard is to be ambushed. Hundreds of men from Calormen are coming. Rabadash's army."

"What?" Susan gasped, colour flooding her cheeks.

He nodded. "The boy who informed me was very serious about it. I'm going to need your help, your weapons, all the warriors you have at the ready."

"Whatever you need, we can get it for you." Edmund assured him, putting a hand on the head of his sword.

"It was strange," King Lune's eyes took on faraway look.

"What was strange?" Peter asked.

"The boy... He looked just like Corin."

We left the pier and entered the city, preparing as much as we could under the circumstances. Peter, Edmund and I dressed for battle (a precaution we took when leaving for Calormen) and sharpened our weapons, leaving Susan and Lucy in charge of those who couldn't fight. In less than two hours, we were as ready as we could ever be. We mounted our horses, left the palace and started toward the gate, humans and creatures alike. We weren't sure what to expect, but we stood our ground.

A little while later the silence ended and faint shouting faded into existence. Before we knew it it grew closer and closer, until it was just beyond the gate. The ground shook beneath us and spooked the horses as Rabadash's army began to batter the gate open with a large tree trunk.

"What do we do now?" One of the fauns asked me.

"We take our aim."

It went like this. By the time the gate was battered open we had already begun charging. Each army was upon each other in seconds, the air full of passionate cries. I couldn't make out much, I just knew who to shoot at and who to give aid to. We pushed Rabadash's army outside the city gate and onto a large field, and that's when they started to give in. Within minutes, most of the opposers were disabled or killed. Both Peter and Edmund were off their horses now, fighting in one-on-one combat. I rode through the field looking for any in our army who were wounded, and the Lords of the Council (that is, those who fought) took care of any group of opponents we had. For the most part, the battle was over. Peter had finished, and now Edmund was against the 'great' prince himself. It was quite the tussle, swords and scimitars going every which way but loose. Because Edmund was outnumbered in weaponry, he caught Rabadash by surprise by boxing him quickly in the face. Rabadash wobbled back against the wall as Edmund cornered him. It looked as though Edmund was about to run him through, when—

"Wait!" Screamed Lord Sosorion at the top of his lungs. I felt him twist my arm behind my back as he pressed his cold dagger against me. He thrust me forward, leading me towards Edmund. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Peter making sense of what he was seeing. In a moment he was sprinting toward us.

"Ah, perfect," he hissed.

When we reached Edmund, Sosorion looked at all of us hastily. "No one is going anywhere, do you understand? I've waited too long to do this and I'm going to do it right."

"What?" Edmund asked, still holding onto Rabadash.

Just then, Lucy, Susan, and the rest of the company came running out of the castle. "Is it over yet?" Lucy asked. "The shouting stopped!"

"Lucy don't come any closer, darling!" I said, struggling against Sosorion.

"Oh my God," Susan gasped as we entered the gates.

We were soon surrounded by both Narnians and Archenlanders. Instead of shouts, the air became a sea of whispers. Edmund and Rabadash reared off into a corner but both Peter and Lord Palamore remained close to me.

"What is this, sir?" King Lune growled.

"This is what happens when a Lady of the Court becomes High Queen of Narnia," Sosorion's voice carried to the towers, "When a woman who lacks any importance worms her way into the bed of a boy king. How could you possibly want them to rule a land when they can't even get their emotions together? Why on earth would you submit yourself to a prophecy that promotes the reign of children?!" He lightly ran his dagger over my armor and began ripping it off as best he could. When I was bare of all protection, he traced the scar on my shoulder.

"Why," he continued, "would you embrace the rule of a woman who could give in to you with one touch?" With that, his other hand grazed over my chest. Tears began spilling over my eyes like a torrent of rain. All became blurry, but I could still make out Peter's shape.

His face resembled the crimson flag of Narnia he was so red. His fists were balled at his sides, and in a flash he began running towards Sosorion.

"Ah-ah-ah," Sosorion admonished, pressing the dagger into my skin once again.

"Peter don't run, darling," I panted. "Don't run."

Peter stopped immediately, putting his hands up in surrender. "Oh my God, no. No, please."

Sosorion chuckled. "What fun is doing to a statue what you could do to a human being?" He breathed against my neck, I convulsed in a sea of shivers, collapsing onto the concrete ground.

I heard a little rumour that you and the High King made up last night, after Callie's little escapade. I was connected to his thoughts. That is, I heard you two in your bedroom. Since you didn't give me the opportunity to drive you both apart as I wanted, this will have to do.

"This," Sosorion yelled again, "is your High Queen. Look at her now. She is nothing but a whore—"

I looked up to find Lord Palamore standing over Sosorion with a dagger of his own. Sosorion doubled over and fell on the concrete beside me. I scooted away from him as best I could, next to Peter, who'd evidently been hit by the butt of a sword.

"Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to the show. For the last several years, I have let Lord Sosorion develop his plan. I've let him indulge in his passion of ridding this world of the kings and queens of Narnia with his whore. I've let him carry on as though I didn't care anymore. But on the contrary, I have been so full of hate for him, for all of them, that I can't stand by and watch while they die by another person's hand. So, bear witness."

"You've got to be joking," I heard Edmund say.

I finally stopped my tears from flowing and focused my vision on what was going on with the two lords. Sosorion had managed to get back up and swing at Palamore. It appeared as though he'd only sustained a leg injury. The two were really going at it now, daggers barely missing fatal parts of the body. I turned to find Lady Calloway looking on in horror, biting her nails as if she were a badger. When I looked back, Sosorion had kicked Palamore to the ground and held his arms against him so he couldn't move.

"This," he breathed heavily, "is not your kill to make." And with that, Sosorion stabbed him in the stomach. Several screams were heard as Palamore clutched at himself in shock. It was Sosorion's turn to stand over him now, and he had the biggest, dung-eating grin on his face.

"It's alright, my love," he said to Lady Calloway. "He couldn't kill me—ahh!"

When I got up, I found Sosorion laying next to Palmore in just as much shock. A small pool of blood began to form around his ankles, a sign that he was stabbed in the foot. It was my turn to laugh now, nervously. I took a double-edged spear out of my sheath.

"Do you understand, how it feels now?" I said, my voice shaking. "To be disabled? Frozen against your will while someone you hardly know takes advantage of you? Well—" I shrugged "—I suppose you don't. Not exactly. But let me put you out of your misery."

I walked to his side and put the spearhead on his chest.

"I am not your chattel. And you, not my master. I hereby release you from your duties as Lord of the Council, and as a human being." And with that, I lodged the spear into him.

"No!" Lady Calloway shrieked, clutching her hair in the palms of her hands. Before anyone could stop her, she ran to Lord Sosorion and threw herself on the other end of the spear.

And suddenly, it was finished.

I don't remember much of what happened next, but later on, this is what they told me:

Corin had run away and the boy we found at the parade was named Shasta. Shasta was, or is, the long lost son of King Lune and Queen Adelaide. His rightful name is Cor.

Prince Rabadash was apprehended, tortured, and eventually turned into a donkey.

The remaining Lords of the Council were questioned and incarcerated for high treason.

I didn't eat for three days, and I slept for even longer.

Peter has not spoken to anyone since.

Thursday morning I awoke to the sun's relentless glare. My mouth was dry, my hair disheveled about my upper body. When I got the sleep out of my eyes and focused in on my surroundings, I noticed I was home. At Cair Paravel. In my bed. Our bed.

I got up and managed to bathe and dress before entering the grand hall. It was mostly empty, save for a few fauns and centaurs who left when they saw me inside. I sat down at the head of the table and fixed myself a plate of food, eating as much as I could in between ample sips of water. Afterward, I did a bit of exploring.

The hallways were empty. The council room empty. Edmund, Susan, and Lucy's rooms were empty. I left the castle and went down to the stables, where the horses were engaging in idle chatter.

"Have you seen him?" I asked. They stopped immediately, digging their feet into the mossy ground.

"Seen whom, your majesty?" Copper asked.

"Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, anyone."

"Ah, um, the High King Peter walked by here a few minutes ago. Well, I should say a half hour since we've been known to talk the day away."

"Where was he going?"

"He took a horse, madame. To the garden."

I started running.

When I got there, I found Peter standing next to the fountain, where the statue was. He had his hands on its shoulders. I felt nothing.

"I don't think it works for you. Or for anyone. Not anymore," I said softly, startling him.

He didn't answer me, but instead went back to the statue. No matter what he did, it had no affect on me. He eventually tried toppling it over, which resulting in nothing as well.

"How long had this been going on," he asked, his voice cracking.

I sighed, swallowed. "Almost as long as we've been here."

"That's over ten years!" He cried, putting a hand on his sword's hilt.

"I know, I—"

"My God, Charlotte. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know how," tears filled my eyes.

"I wouldn't have behaved like an ass half so much if I had known."

I turned away, covering my mouth to stifle the sobs. He walked up behind me, moving my dress out of the way of my shoulder. He caressed the scar and began looking for others. He turned me around, searching my face and neck for anything else. When he found nothing, he searched my arms and hands. His breathing was shallow and quick as he pulled at my bodice.

"Peter, you can't do this there are people—"

"No there aren't. Not anymore." And with that, he tore the top of my dress in half. He found a few bruises on my chest and some markings on my back. When he got to my legs, he was shaking so hard he couldn't focus.

"Peter, stop. Stop, there's nothing you can do about it now."

"He did this to you," he stood slowly, pulling me to him. "You are my wife and he did this to you. And I built this place, this garden. I practically gave him a vessel to do it."

"But you didn't know. You were being a good husband and you didn't know."

"That doesn't make it any better!" He shouted, fisting through a section of my skirt.

I am so sorry, my love," I whispered as the tears fell into my mouth. "I am so sorry."

I fixed my hands behind his neck as he buried his face into mine. We were like that, entangled in an embrace for so long, that we'd have to relearn what it was like to do anything else.

A/N: Please let me know what you thought! I truly hope you liked it. The next (and possibly final chapter) should be up sooner than later!