Hey, everybody! I'm back and I'm not dead! I'm so sorry for not updating a lot, but I just finished school, so I'll have time to update this more often. However, before I get this show started again, I have to get some things out of the way first. The bad news is that this is my third to the last chapter, so this story is nearing its end. But the good news is there is going to be a sequel! And it's not Prince Caspian, either. This one will be an all-original story taking place during the Golden Age. I hope you all read it, but I hope you will like the way that this one ends, too!
(Diamond's P.O.V)
I awoke to the cool summer dew on my face. Sitting up, I bent my back to crack it and relieve some of the strain from laying in an awkward position all night. Looking around, I almost forgot where I was. I was still at the Stone Table. I looked down at Aslan, whose frame had now gone cold with the icy unforgiving touch of death. Fighting the welling tears I gently shook Susan to wake her. She sat up and blinked a few times, looking around as I did. "It's morning?" she asked almost in disbelief.
"Yes," I replied. "We must have-" I paused, choking down a sob. "cried ourselves to sleep." She laid a gentle hand on my shoulder. Our small conversation must've awoken Lucy because she sat up and looked at us, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"We should go," Susan said. This time I didn't protest but worked out a crick in my neck as I waited for the sisters. I wanted to be the last one to say goodbye to Aslan.
"So cold," Lucy said. Whether she was referring to Aslan, herself, or both, I didn't know. Finally standing up with them, (rather slowly because of how sore my legs were) I turned to face Aslan's body. Placing my forehead on his I kissed his muzzle one last time. Turning away before I could cry again, I joined Susan and Lucy and we all wrapped our arms around each other before walking down the steps. However, we didn't make it very far.
We had just barely started descending the steps when a great cracking sound rang throughout the still air. The lurch from it threw us off balance and we all had to grab the next step to keep from falling. Susan and I looked at each other with wide eyes and we were breathing heavily from the suddenness of it all. "Look!" Lucy exclaimed. We did and what we saw baffled us. The Stone Table had a huge crack in it, one so massive that it was splitting the Table in two. But there was no sign of Aslan's body. He was gone.
"What have they done?" Susan whispered in confusion with an undertone of anger. Then suddenly, a bright glorious golden light came towards us. And out of the light stood Aslan himself.
I couldn't believe it. Aslan was alive! He had risen from the dead! With a cry of his name, Susan and Lucy ran around their respective sides of the Table to throw their arms around Aslan's neck, earning a happy chuckle from him. When they let him go, he looked at me. I hadn't moved; I was too shocked to do so.
"Hello, Diamond," Aslan said simply. Then, I couldn't hold myself back. I grabbed my skirts and climbed up the stairs, over the Table, (not even minding that it had a dangerous crack) and flung myself at Aslan with so much force that we tumbled to the ground. I grasped his mane and felt his two front paws circle around my back. Fresh tears flowed, but this time they were tears of happiness and relief.
"I love you, Father," I whispered.
"I love you, too, my dearest daughter." he said. I clung to him a little while longer and when my eyes were dry, I let go of him so he could stand.
"But we saw the knife!" Susan said in half-disbelief, half-happiness. "The Witch-"
"If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice," Aslan interrupted. "she might have interpreted the Deep Magic differently." He led us to another side of the Table, and we saw the ancient text carved into the rock."When a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table will crack and even death itself will turn backward."
"We sent the news that you were dead," I said. "Peter and Edmund have gone to war."
"We have to help them!" Lucy said valiantly, drawing her dagger.
"We will, my child," said Aslan, placing a gentle paw on her hand to lower the dagger. "But we won't do it alone. Climb on my back." I didn't hesitate. Susan climbed on after me and Lucy sat between us, with her being the smallest. "We have far to go and little time to get there. And you may want to cover your ears." He let out a thunderous roar that shook the trees, similar to when we first started our journey. Taking off with a burst of speed, we raced towards our mysterious destination. I didn't know where we were going. I didn't even care.
I had Aslan back. That was all that mattered.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
(Peter's P.O.V)
We had ridden out at dawn.
The entire army of Aslan stood at the cliffs of Beruna, which overlooked the biggest plain I had ever seen. The Witch's army was fast approaching us and I was still trying to control my breathing. A screech overhead forced me to look up. The griffin that I had sent out as a scout, Aegaeon, had come back with his report. He circled up to Edmund and screeched once more before landing next to me, seemingly out of breath.
"They come Your Highness," he breathed. "In numbers and weapons far greater than our own."
"Numbers do not win a battle." said Orieus boldly from his post beside me.
"No," I agreed. "But I bet they help." Then another thought came to mind. "Aegaeon?" I asked. "While you were up making your rounds, did you see any sign of the Queen?" Diamond did not return last night, and Susan and Lucy were gone as well. I admit that I was getting worried.
"No Your Highness," said Aegaeon. "I'm afraid I didn't." Mumbling a quiet thank you, I focused my attention once again on the upcoming battle. The troops waited and twitched in anticipation as the Witch's army finally cleared the hill. Aegaeon was right; their numbers were significantly greater than ours. The Witch herself was riding a silver chariot pulled by two immense polar bears.
And then, silence.
I looked back at Edmund for reassurance, and he gave me one firm nod. Nodding back I turned to face the enemy and drew my sword. A trumpet sounded out one single note, strong and clear, and shouts rose up from our side. Then, the army of evil started their advance. But I didn't. This was a part of my plan. I jerked my sword once, and that was the signal needed for the other griffins, using a German technique from back home, to drop heavy rocks and small boulders onto the ensuing forces. However, a few troops noticed this and shot down several of them, but we had gained an advantage.
It was time.
"Are you with me?" I asked Orieus.
"With you, and the Queen," he said. "To the death."
That was all I needed to hear. I rose my sword up even higher and shouted in as strong a voice as I could muster.
"For Narnia! And FOR ASLAN!" Leading the charge with Orieus, we went as swiftly and as powerfully as we could to meet the Witch's army in the center of the plain. I lowered the face mask of my helmet as we approached and time seemed to stop for a few seconds. The knights lowered their lances and placed them at the ready. Finally the frontmost troops collided.
The battle had begun.
There was nothing but the sounds of metal clanging, animals growling, troops shouting, and yells of pain and anguish. we had made a slight dent, but so did they. Then the Witch started her advance, eyes locked onto mine. Now it was time for one of our secret weapons. From on high, an archer shot a flaming arrow into the sky, giving birth to a magnificent phoenix. Letting out its majestic screech it turned to flames once more and burned a severe border line in between the Witch and us. Cheered exploded, but they fell flat when the Witch extinguished the flame with one wave of her wand. In that moment, I felt stupid. I had failed to take into account that she had the same powers as Diamond. I had to come up with a new strategy.
"Fall back!" I ordered. "Draw them to the rocks!" I retreated with the rest of my troops as another trumpet blast played; the final signal. Arrows from our side rained down everywhere, piercing enemy troop after enemy troop. Then, right as I had gotten into the clear, an arrow came out of nowhere and sank into Crystal's side. "Ugh," I grunted as I got up and looked her over. "Diamond's gonna kill me." Noticing the wound wasn't too deep, I let her alone, and sitting up, my eyes fell on Orieus. His eyes were locked on something in the distance - the Witch. I looked at her too, and was about to scoop up my sword when he raced past me. "STOP!" I shouted, but it was too late. He was already charging full speed towards her, wiping out every adversary that got in his way. I could do nothing but stand glued to my spot and watch him take out even the Witch's general. Drawing his spare sword with a mighty shout he leaped up to the Witch, but it was to no avail. Driving her wand into his armor, she had turned him to stone. I looked on in shock. My general was down. This battle suddenly seemed like a giant, more deadly game of chess. It was now up to me to take out the "Queen" and win this. But I had to remove some extra weight. "Edmund!" I yelled. "There's too many! Get out of here! Diamond told me to tell you that if this happened to get the girls and get them home!" I never wanted them to get involved in this, so this seemed like the only choice.
"You heard him!" I heard Mr. Beaver yell. "Let's go!" At this point, I didn't care whether I lived or died, as long as the people I loved were safe. But like always, I should've known Ed wouldn't listen. I snuck a glance over my shoulder and saw that Ed was looking at the Witch, or rather her wand. I knew what he was thinking. If he destroyed her source of power, then we could win. "Peter said to get out of here!" I heard Mr. Beaver yell again. "So did Diamond!"
"Peter and Diamond aren't married yet!" I heard him retort. Jumping down from the rocks and running past me, up another small cliff and jumping off of that, he destroyed her wand in one fell swoop. But the Witch was quick to retaliate and I was unable to tear my eyes away from the scene as she stabbed Edmund in the stomach. My mouth formed his name in a scream louder than anything I thought I could muster. As I saw him slump to the ground, my mind only had one thought.
"What have I done?"
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
(Back to Diamond's P.O.V)
Aslan ran with the grace and agility he had always possessed. My heart was still overflowing with the waterfall of joy. I felt the warm sunshine and the breeze upon my face and was enjoying it for so long that I almost forgot that there was a war going on. I felt at peace for what seemed like the first time in forever. "Where are we going?" asked Susan, shaking me out of my small trance. I opened my eyes and while I couldn't pinpoint exactly where we were, I could sense it.
"Home," I replied. It came at exactly the right moment, too, for Aslan crossed over a hill, where we saw the spires of Cair Paravel in the distance. I didn't know what we were here for, but knowing Aslan, there was a reason.
"Hang on." he said. Soon we charged straight through the gates. The bars were so frozen that they shattered with ease. As we entered the courtyard, it was plain to see that this was the only place in Narnia still touched by my mother's winter. I slid off of Aslan's warm back, as did the sisters. We took in the courtyard; stone statues of fallen soldiers and whoever else got in Mother's way were everywhere. It was sort of haunting as we walked around, looking at the figures that weren't quite dead, but at the same time were. Suddenly, a sob made me turn around. Lucy was standing in front of a statue of a faun, who's face was twisted in agony. Susan stood behind her in a knowing way with a hand placed upon her shoulder. Aslan and I made our way over. He looked to me, and somehow I knew what to do. Summoning my power I encased the statue in thick layer of ice until the stone was no longer visible, watching the white and pale blue tendrils of magic swirl between my fingers. When Aslan nodded again, I stopped and stepped back. Aslan blew a breath upon the faun, who I knew by this point was obviously close to Lucy, and rather quickly, my ice began to melt and turn into water. As it washed down over the now alive faun, Lucy dashed forward to catch him. The two locked eyes and shared a happy laugh. I looked at Susan, who was smiling as well and even Aslan's ears fluttered with delight at the touching scene.
"Susan, Diamond," Lucy said. "This is-"
"Mr. Tumnus!" Susan said with joy as she rushed over to wrap the faun in a hug over her own. Then then his eyes fell on me, and he immediately hit his knees and grabbed the hem of my dress in a begging act for mercy.
"Forgive me, Princess Diamond," he said. "I truly, deeply regret everything that I-"
"It's alright, Mr. Tumnus," I said with a wave of my hand. "You saved Lucy's life and did the right thing. You are forgiven."
"Oh, thank you, Your Highness," he said, letting go of my skirts and standing up. Looking at me, he seemed to hesitate for a moment before wrapping his arms around me in an embrace. I tensed from surprised but hugged him back, and soon I felt Susan and Lucy's arms do the same. Our tender moment ended when Aslan came back with more unfrozen statues.
"Hurry," he said. "We must search the castle. Peter will need everyone he can find. Diamond, you must prepare yourself for battle." I nodded once, but before I made myself some armor, I shot out another stream of ice, coating all of the remaining statues in it. I knew that it was a little unnecessary, but it did make the unfreezing process hurt less. As Aslan walked away to unfreeze them, a design came to mind. I readied my hands and using my magic, I made myself armor that was indeed fit for a Queen. The silk shirt was a dazzling forget-me-not blue, as was my cape, which was emblazoned with a silver lion that looking exactly like Aslan. The silk leggings were black and had a silver chain-mail skirt. The actual armor itself was the same shade of blue, but it was decorated with silver metal designs. The intricate pattern reminded me of vines or the tendrils of my magic. My shin guards and boots were the exact same. I placed my butterfly crown on Lucy's head before adorning my own with a silver crown. It had seven rising spikes and six blue sapphires decorated the band. When i was finished I looked up at the sisters, who were staring at me in what looked like awe. Turning I addressed the now all unfrozen troops.
"Listen to me." I said. "You are about to enter battle. For those of you who don't know me, I am Princess Diamond Wolfsbane. I am the daughter of the White Witch by blood, but I am the daughter of Aslan by heart. We are going to win this battle for Narnia. Now, who's with me!" I was not expecting the cheers that followed, but I took them with pride. I climbed on Aslan's back, and helped the sisters on two horses. Then together, we led the troops to Beruna, feeling unstoppable.
When we approached the cliffs, I could see Peter bloodied and bruised and Mother above him, looking ready to kill him. "Aslan, can you do anything to let them know that we are here?" I saw him bare his teeth and heard him roar at a modest volume. That was enough to stop Mother from pursuing Peter and look up. We made it to the top of the cliff and Aslan let out a roar so great I'm sure even Archenland felt it. My sword was drawn and held above me. I saw Mother's lips mouth out the word 'impossible' and my troops shouted with a readiness to fight. "CHARGE!" I yelled out, and the troops did just that without hesitation as Mother went back to fighting Peter. Aslan and I led the troops, simultaneously gaining on Mother. We sliced through everyone in our path, and soon I saw Mother send Peter to his back.
It was time for this to end.
I rose to my feet and balanced. "Are you ready Diamond?" asked Aslan.
"As I'll ever be," I replied, sheathing my sword for now. We were getting closer. "Steady Aslan," I said. Right when Mother had her sword poised above Peter and ready to kill him, I let out a great shout and jumped on top of her, tackling her to the ground. I pinned her down and stared into her eyes for a few moments letting it sink in for her that she was defeated, before summoning all my strength and power and let it out, freezing her solid. Then in one fluid movement I drew my sword and declared,
"In the Name of Aslan, swift and sure, may Evil die and Good endure!" And I drove my sword right through her heart, shattering her to pieces. When I looked at what I had done, even if it was for the greater good, I let out a huge sob and fell face first on the ground. Then I heard Aslan's voice cut through my grief, apparently speaking to Peter.
"It is finished,' he said gravely.
"Why is she-" he began to ask.
"Even though the Witch spread tyranny and fear throughout the land, and even though it was written in the prophecy for Diamond to defeat her, she was still her mother." Then I heard the sisters run up to Peter with shouts of his name.
"Where's Edmund?!" Susan said with fear. That was enough for me to dry my tears and stand, looking at the remains of Mother one last time before sending them away with a wind. We found Ed lying on the ground, breathing heavily. the blood seeping his tunic signaling a stab wound. We all rushed over to him in worry. Susan shot dead Mother's rather annoying dwarf helper as he pointed an arrow to him. She unstrapped his helmet and placed his head in his lap. I let out a cool breeze over his face to calm him. Peter and I had yet to look at each other. We were just in a warzone after all. Luck unscrewed her cordial and let a single drop go into Ed''s mouth. His breathing slowed, and then stopped altogether for a few moments. The siblings let a few tears shed, thinking that they were too late. Then, Edmund gasped and coughed a little, trying to catch his breath. Then finally, he opened his eyes. The three siblings scooped him up into a bear hug. Susan grabbed my hand and pulled me in, too. I wrapped my arms around Peter''s middle from behind and I felt him lean into my touch. We all pulled back and Peter looked at his brother.
"When are you going to learn to do as you're told?" he joked before pulling Ed into another hug. After they pulled apart again, Peter and I finally looked at each other and it felt like we were seeing each other for the first time. He slid his hands to my neck and brought his lips to mine in the sweetest of kisses. After separating, we all sat back and looked at Aslan. He blew another breath on a stone soldier, instantly reviving him. Then, I looked at Lucy's cordial and got an idea.
"Lucy?" I asked. "That heals any injury, right?" She grabbed the cordial and looked at me. Then getting the hint she sprang to her feet and rushed to cure anyone else who was wounded. I went over to Aslan to help him unfreeze any more stoned troops. When everyone that could be saved was, they all stretched and talked to each other , with handshakes and jubilant cheers alike. I noticed Peter standing with a smile on his face, so I went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We did it," I said reciprocating his expression.
"Thanks to you," he said, taking my hand from his shoulder and holding it before turning to face me. "Narnia is so lucky to have such a great Queen." He placed his forehead against mine.
"And it has an equally great King," I said. He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Yes, indeed," said Aslan, who was approaching us. "I believe that now...there is a wedding to be held?" He smiled.
"I believe so," I smiled back before turning to look at my new family.
"Come one, everyone." I said and then turned back to Peter, grasping both of his hands.
"Let's go home."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Jeez, guys did this take forever! I'm super sorry for making you guys wait so long! But that's why this chapter is also pretty long too. Thanks for readingthis one and I'll see you guys soon!
XOXO -Blue
