ANNABELL


I WENT searching for Caspian as he had walked off and I wanted to see how he was feeling. I found him and Cornelius seated on the ledge that overlooked the clearing outside the How. I kept myself hidden as I listened to their conversation. "Why did you never tell me about my father?" I heard Caspian asked Cornelius.

"My mother was a black dwarf from the northern mountains. I risked my life all these years so that one day you might be a better king than those before you," Cornelius explained and I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face.

"Then I have failed you," Caspian's voice weaved as he spoke.

"Everything I told you, everything I didn't... It was only because I believe in you. You have a chance to become the most noble contradiction in history: The Telmarine who saved Narnia," Cornelius said, and I decided to make myself known to them.

Cornelius turned his head towards the sound of my footsteps walking towards them. He began to stand up and I reached down to help him up. "Thank you, Heda," he bowed his head towards me before he walked away.

I took over his place beside Caspian and looked out at the clearing. "You must be disappointed in me," he said to me and I let out a deep sigh.

"No, I'm not. Every king or queen makes mistakes. But it's how they own and deal their mistakes is what makes them a good ruler," I explained to him before turning my head towards him.

"We are human. We aren't supposed to be perfect," I told him which made him move his eyes from me and looked down towards his hanging legs.

I rose to my feet and left Caspian to his thoughts as I walked back into the How. As I walked down an empty hallway, Susan walked towards me. We stopped in front of each other as Susan spoke; "I wanted to apologise. For how I've been treating you."

I gave her a grin as I nodded my head. "We're sisters Susan. You don't have to apologise for anything," I informed her which made her wrap her arms around me.

I reciprocated her hug and as we pulled apart, Edmund came rushing up to us. "You two better to come quickly," was all he said, and we followed him.

We made our way to the ledge where Caspian was now standing. I stopped beside him, and my eyes narrowed at the sight of the Telmarine army marching towards the How. Miraz rode towards the front of the army, wearing full gold armour. "We need a plan and fast," I spoke as I stared down at Miraz.


"Cakes and kettledrums! That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl alone into the darkest parts of the forest alone?" Trumpkin exclaimed as we all stood around the table in the war room.

Our plan consisted of sending Lucy into the forest in search for Aslan whilst the rest of us fought against Miraz's army. I wasn't a fan of the plan, but it was all we had.

"It's our only chance," Peter argued back to Trumpkin and Susan spoke up; "And she won't be alone."

Trumpkin walked over to Lucy, and I could tell he was anxious for her. "Haven't enough of us died already?" he asked her; his eyes moving to look at those around Lucy.

"Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I," Trufflehunter spoke and I gave him a small smile.

"For Aslan," Reepicheep announced as he drew his sword, crossed it over his chest and bowed.

"For Aslan!" Bulgy Bear also spoke as he leaned off the wall.

I looked over at him and gave him a smile. My eyes moved back over to Lucy as Trumpkin spoke to her; "I'm going with you."

"No, we need you here," she told him as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back," Peter explained as I began bitting my bottom lip; trying to think of another plan but my mind drew a blank.

"If I may..." Caspian began which caused everyone to look at him where he was seating on a set of stone stairs with Cornelius besides him.

Caspian stood up from the stairs and stepped forward. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer. But as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one, in particular, that may buy us some time," his words caused my eyes to widen in realisation.

"Of course. Challenge him to a duel," I spoke as I turned to look at Peter.

"We can appeal to his pride and arrogance. Have Edmund deliver the challenge and he can make sure that Miraz doesn't refuse. That will definitely buy us enough time," I explained to them and although my face remained emotionless, my heart was screaming that the thought of Peter fighting Miraz.

I couldn't offer myself to challenge Miraz as he would feel insulted by a woman challenging him and Peter was still High King of Narnia meaning it was his duty to dual Miraz.

I turned towards Bulgy Bear who was sucking on his paws and stepped towards him. "It is a tradition in Narnia for a bear to be a Marshal of the List but…" I stopped myself as I grabbed his paws and pulled them away from his mouth.

"You must not suck on your paws," I finished speaking as I gave him a smile.

"Of course, Heda," he nodded to me as my smile grew and I released his hands.

As everyone left to prepare, Peter and I remained, and I felt my smile disappeared. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and hold me against his chest. His chin rested on my shoulder as my arms moved to hold his arms. "This will work," he told me, and I let out a deep sigh.

"I hope it does," I said as I bite my bottom lip.

If our plan didn't work…then we lose everything.