This chapter is a tad on the morbid side. Sorry about that but I kind of had to work out a way for Ana to survive (can't kill her off this early, can I? ;)). This was how it worked best. I believe it's also a tad longer than the other chapters. (I think).

Chapter 14: Aftermath of the Battle

The onslaught of arrows continued. Both Telmarines and Narnians alike were hit and many killed. A majority of the Narnians trapped inside were right at the gate. Although we tried to fight our way through it, we knew there was no escape. Several were slain within feet of the gate. The bodies piled up. But they still fought as hard as they could, many taking many arrows before they collapsed.

I managed to take out a few Telmarines, but Narnians were falling down around me. I knew it wouldn't be long before I was killed. On my own, I couldn't do enough damage to make a difference. With the Narnians' help, there was at least hope. But very few could take more than a few hits and none lasted long enough to take many Telmarines with them.

"Ana!" someone cried and I looked around for the source. Before I could find it, something—or rather someone—pushed me. An arrow breezed past and I fell to the ground, hitting my head on something hard in the process. I had just enough time to see a minotaur collapse before my vision blurred and everything went black.

When I awoke, everything was quiet. I wasn't sure how long I had been unconscious but by then the fighting had stopped. My head throbbed and whenever I tried to move to examine my surroundings, I almost passed out again. Definitely a concussion, but from what I could tell I had no other injuries. There was a heavy weight on my legs and I thought something might have fallen on me. I didn't know if I would even be able to walk.

"Check for survivors!" someone shouted and I tried to find the source. I couldn't see anyone from my limited view and tried to raise my head to look further. The movement caused dizziness and nausea to rise up and I couldn't fight it. The last thing I heard before I passed out again was: "Kill any survivors and burn them all."

The next time I awoke, I heard voices and footsteps nearby. I wasn't sure how much time had elapsed but knew I was still in the courtyard. Knowing they were checking for survivors, my only way to get out was to pretend I was dead. I had to remain perfectly still and keep my breathing as steady as possible. If they checked close enough, I figured I could hold my breath.

"These are all dead," a different voice from before said. They weren't too far away from me and I closed my eyes as their footsteps drew closer.
"These as well," another said. "Wait... What's this?" I felt the weight on my legs shift and be removed. They were numb but I didn't feel any pain, indicating they likely weren't broken. "Looks like one of the royals got left behind." I quickly realized they were talking about me and held my breath.
"Is she dead?" said the first voice.
"Looks like it... She's not moving or breathing. Her head was bleeding at some point, likely from that thing there." I couldn't see him, but I figured he was pointing at whatever I had hit. "It probably killed her instantly."
"Dead like the rest of her companions. How fitting that the Queen should die with her people."
"She looks rather young... Such a shame a beauty like her had to die."
"Well, serves them right for being rulers of these foul creatures." Both men chuckled and it took everything in me not to react. "When we load her on the wagon with the others, we can give her weapons to Lord Miraz as a gift. He'll be pleased to know one of their own didn't survive this egregious attack."

The two laughed again and their footsteps departed. I released the breath I was holding and tried to plan my escape. Being cautious of my aching head, I slowly raised it to get a better look. There was a pile of bodies just to my left, blocking my view into the courtyard. I would have to push myself up on my elbows to see anything more. But I couldn't risk that until I knew where the Telmarines are. If they knew I was alive, nothing good would happen. My only chance of survival was to escape before they realized I was missing.

To my right lay another pile of Narnians and the gate just beyond them. Asterius was still buried underneath it, but they likely wouldn't move him until they confirmed all the Narnians were dead. Opening the gate would only give them a chance to escape. I slowly scanned the area and saw two Telmarines not too far away from me. I saw a minotaur's body just meters away from my feet. The Telmarines must've moved him. He was killed and then probably collapsed on top of me.

The minotaur was likely the only reason I was still alive. I remembered that someone had pushed me out of the path of an arrow. I also vaguely remembered seeing a minotaur collapse afterward. He tried to save my life. I felt guilt rise up again. Another Narnian was killed so that I would live. Aslan was keeping me alive for a reason and I still didn't know why. What was the point?

Feeling the pain in my head grow stronger, I laid back down. I was listening to the voices and the footsteps to try and figure out when best to escape. Judging by the way my head hurt, I wouldn't be able to rely on Phoenix for an escape. I would likely lose consciousness and she would be in complete control—that is if she didn't blackout with me. Aside from that, a large bird in the sky was rather obvious and could result in another attack. I couldn't risk that.

I don't know how long I laid there, but I eventually regained feeling in my legs. The sharp pins and needles came first but once that settled, I was relieved to know I would be able to walk. Nothing was broken or damaged in any way, it seemed. Shortly after that realization, I heard the sound of wagon wheels and horse hooves as well as men groaning as bodies were dragged. Based on whether they were tossed—by the sound of the body hitting the wagon—or gently placed aside, I could tell which were the Narnians. The wagon would likely be my only way out alive, but I had to figure out how to get to it without being seen.

Slowly I sat up. This brought on another wave of nausea and dizziness but I was able to push them down this time. I couldn't lose consciousness or the next time I woke up I likely wouldn't be in a Telmarine courtyard. They'd either kill me on the spot, capture me for information—especially if they believed me to be a royal as they had said before—or be carried off to be burned if they thought I was dead. No, I had to fight the vertigo and the urge to vomit. Instead, I focused on the Telmarines and the moving carts.

A cart started to approach the gate, piled high with the bodies of my fellow warriors—and friends. As it drew closer to me, I played dead again so the Telmarine directing the cart didn't suspect anything. But once the driver was out of sight, I shifted my position and started to crawl towards it. I would've walked, but I knew the lower to the ground I was, the less likely I was to be spotted. It stopped just before the gate and gave me just enough time to reach the cart.

I heard the rattling of the gate as it opened and the cart began to move forward. Taking a quick glance as to the Telmarines' whereabouts, I grabbed a hold of the cart's edge. I dragged myself onto it and laid still as another bout of nausea ran through. Moving had caused my head to throb even more and everything was spinning.

I felt weak as well as tired and tried to resist the urge to fall asleep. The edges of my vision blurred and I knew I wouldn't be able to fight it much longer. I still tried, knowing I didn't want to find out where the cart ended up. But as the cart rolled on, every bump made everything worse. Eventually, my eyes fluttered shut and I knew no more.

~Prince Caspian~

There was a sudden jolt, startling me out of my slumber. Before I could process what was happening, I was on the ground. The wind was knocked out of me and suddenly my head wasn't the only thing hurting. My ribs were too. I laid there in the dirt, trying to process what had happened and if I should move.

The cart rattled away, unperturbed by its lost cargo and I heard that another was approaching. I knew I couldn't stay on the beaten path or I would be caught. Possibly killed and I made a promise to return, hadn't I? That seemed so long ago. With a great deal of effort, I picked myself up and stumbled into the woods. I barely managed to clear them when I heard the second cart pass by. But I assumed I was clear when the driver didn't stop the cart.

Giving myself a moment to rest and get my bearings, I leaned against a tree. One arm around my chest and the other holding onto the tree. It was the only thing keeping me standing at this point. The fall had left me winded and disoriented but I willed myself to push through it. I would be fine with proper rest and something for my killer headache.

The battle had taken place during the night. Now the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon. The cart carried me safely out of town, but I would have to make the rest of the journey on foot. It was my best chance to travel undetected. I stumbled away from the tree, glad I was finally able to walk without falling and headed in the direction of Aslan's How. However, after only walking for a few leagues, I noticed my surroundings started spinning. At this rate, it would be harder for me to get back.

So I decided to throw caution into the wind and allow Phoenix to take me the rest of the way. I was away from any serious threats and hopefully would avoid any Telmarines in the woods. While I still didn't feel like the warrior had come out, I knew a dangerous one could emerge if I wasn't careful. If I gave Phoenix full control, I may not get it back. But I had to trust that she understood and wouldn't attack without provocation. I hoped there wouldn't be any problems to begin with.

By the time I reached the edge of the woods near the How, the rest of the Narnian army was straggling back. The delay at the castle must not have taken as long as I thought. But then again, it was hard to tell how much time had passed when you couldn't remain conscious for very long. Traveling by cart—and not having to hide—as well as flying likely made up for the lost time.

I saw Lucy run from the How, worry in her movements, and decided to land. I needed to shake off the concussion before I got too close. They had enough to worry about then my injury and I didn't want the fuss. Besides, in my current state, I knew I couldn't deal with Peter—or anyone for that matter—yelling or worrying about. Not that Peter seemed in the worrying mood, but Lucy and some of the others would be.

I approached slowly on foot, trying to judge the attitude before I showed up. Peter would be angry that I disobeyed a direct order and I didn't want to deal with it in front of everyone. If he had time to cool off, I might be able to handle it. But as I got closer and could finally make out the conversation, I realized that wasn't going to happen.

"Peter..." Susan warned.
"Me?" Caspian questioned. "You could've called it off. There was still time."
"No there wasn't thanks to you. If you had kept to the plan, those soldiers might be alive right now," Peter stated. He pointed at the Prince as he spoke and while his voice was sad, it held bitterness as well.
"And if you stayed here like I suggested, the definitely would be!" Caspian argued back and I realized what was happening. Neither royal couldn't admit to their faults and was blaming the other. Yes, the plan was foolish but if the Prince had done his job, it might've worked. Both of them were in the wrong.
"You called us, remember?"
"My first mistake."
"No. Your first mistake was thinking you could lead these people," Peter retorted, walking angrily past Caspian.
"Hey!" he shouted, causing Peter to stop. "I am not the one who abandoned Narnia."
"You invaded Narnia! You have no more right to lead it than Miraz does!" Caspian pushed past Peter as he shouted. "You, him, your father. Narnia's better off with the lot of you!"

The mention of his father caused Caspian to stop in his tracks. As soon as Peter finished shouting at him, Caspian whirled around. Both boys yelled and drew their swords, pointing them at the other person. They were ready to duel each other right then, in front of everyone. I quickened my approach—intending to knock some sense into both idiots—and reached the group just as Edmund shouted at the two to stop.

No one paid any attention to me as I pushed my way forwards. I needed to set something straight before it was too late. But as I made my way towards the front, I stopped in my tracks. The red Dwarf, Trumpkin, lay unconscious between the two Queens. My gaze flicked from them to the two boys, who lowered their swords. Seeing as they were calmer, I refocused my attention on our injured friend.

I heard the familiar sound of a sword returning to its scabbard and a set of footsteps march away. I didn't have to look up to know they belonged to Caspian. I thought about following after him but decided to wait. There were more important things to worry about than the Telmarine Prince's hurt pride.

The crowd was silent, some grieving over the loss, and others watching Trumpkin. Lucy placed a drop of her cordial in his mouth and I breathed a sigh of relief when he gasped for breath. He opened his eyes not a moment later and immediately sought out Lucy.
"What are you all standing around for? The Telmarines will be here soon enough," he stated.
Susan and Lucy looked at each other and exchanged a smile. Both Queens made to stand up, with Lucy putting her cordial away as she did so. When she turned to walk away, she was halted by Trumpkin's voice. "Thank you. My dear little friend," he told her and Lucy smiled in return.
"Glad to see you on your feet," I told the Dwarf and several heads turned to look at me.
"Ana!" Lucy exclaimed as she ran to hug me. "You're alright!"
"I kind of promised," I admitted.
She sent me a small smile. "Yes, you did. But you look terrible, worse than the rest. Did something happen?"
"I'm fine," I told while sending her a look that said 'not here.' I didn't want to discuss what happened in front of everyone. She seemed to get the hint and merely nodded.
"I'm glad you're back," she said instead, ending the conversation.

I placed my hand on her shoulder, comfortingly, but pulled away from her. We had a battle to prepare for and I had enough time spent on me. As I walked towards the How, Susan gave me a sideways hug and Edmund's face held relief. I gave him a small nod to insure him I was alright. He wasn't the type to hug in public but I knew he was probably concerned when I wasn't amongst the returning soldiers. At least he had been in the past.

But I knew someone would be angry. I had avoided looking in his direction thus far, but I couldn't do so much longer. As I drew closer to Peter, I could read the anger coming off of him. It was barely concealed on his face, but his posture radiated it. I had spent enough time around him to know that others cowered under that look. But I would not. I did what I believed to be right and wouldn't back down from it. No matter how much lecturing came my way.

I kept my face stoic as I walked up to Peter. Saying not a word to him, I continued past him and into the How. The crowd seemed to have gone silent again, wondering what would happen between us. But Peter said nothing as I entered, though I did hear footsteps behind me. Knowing it was him, I took one of the tunnels. He wasn't in a good mood because of Caspian and I knew it would only get worse because I disobeyed an order. But there was no way I was going to let him humiliate me in front of the Narnians. Not this time. This was between me and him. No one else needed to hear what was said.