Hi, how is it going?
Chapter 9 is now up! The song at the end is "Fix You" by Coldplay.

This is the first part of the raid, which will conclude with chapter 10.

Disclaimer: I only own Beth's storyline. The rest belongs to its respective owners.

As always, favs, follows and reviews are very welcome. Cheers for reading!

Chapter 9. "For Narnia!"

Beth stood slightly to the left of the Stone Table and studied her best friend in silence.

Something she had come to admire in Lucy, and maybe one of the reasons why they became such good friends, was that she was always cheerful. Regardless of the odds or the situation, she always chose to see the silver lining and urged the other five to see it too. Beth loved her for it.

Now, Lucy was far from her usual cheerful self. She sat on a stone step in front of the carving of the Great Lion, her posture sad, gaze down as she played with her sleeves. As she sighed, Beth frowned and decided to snap into action.

She would do anything to keep her best friend from feeling sad.

"How are you holding up, kiddo?" Beth asked, her voice the brightest she could manage, her smile the widest she could evoke.

"Beth, please distract me," Lucy whispered as she looked back at the princess, "I fear for them so much."

Beth rushed to her side, hugging Lucy tightly as she tried to keep her own concern controlled. After all, she too had seen her loved ones leave to battle.

"I do not need to tell you that your siblings are three of the best warriors Narnia has ever seen, right Lu? And Caspian, you haven't seen him fight yet but I can promise you it's quite a show. The guy was taught by the best telmarine teachers. He is frightening when he fights, if I'm being honest," Beth spoke as reassuring as she could. She smiled at Lucy as the young queen looked up at her, some of her concern gone from her face. "But I also don't need to tell you that whatever we might come up with to comfort each other until they come back, it won't stop us from worrying sick about those brave idiots."

"What do you suggest, then?" Lucy asked, too intrigued to feel as concerned as she felt before.

Beth smiled at her small success. "What I suggest, kiddo, is that we should do what best friends do best. Gossip."

Lucy smiled excitedly, the prospect of getting to know her best friend better interesting her greatly. Since Beth told her about her past, Lucy had been deeply curious in how life in the twenty-first century was like. It had been shocking for her to learn than, in a way, Beth came from her future, but it also explained many things about her best friend such as her confidence and her open mind.

"Why do you keep calling me kiddo?" Lucy asked as she took notice of the nickname, one Beth had been using to refer the Valiant Queen for the last couple of days. "I can't help but imagine there's a story behind that nickname. Otherwise, your cunning' mind would have come up with something much more complex."

"You are right," Beth chuckled before raising to lay on the floor in front of Lucy. She crossed her arms behind her head, her blonde waves carelessly fanned across the dusty floor, her mind obviously far away from the How. "A little less than nine months before I came to Narnia, my mother told me she was pregnant. I had always wanted to have a sibling so I was very happy and I loved my little sister or brother immensely. I used to call him kiddo, even before I learned I was having a baby brother but then, I came here without ever getting to meet him."

Beth seemed to snap back into reality and smiled slightly at her best friend, who was looking at her with pitiful eyes. "I feel, despite the short time we've known each other, that you are the closest thing I've ever had to a sister, just like Caspian is my older brother, and since you are my youngest sibling in Narnia, you've inherited the nickname."

Lucy smiled fondly at the last part, feeling exactly the same. She loved her siblings immensely but they'd always sheltered from the world, even as kings and queens. Beth and Caspian, they protected her as well but they also understood that she was no ordinary twelve-year-old. They knew she was perfectly able of making her own decisions and protecting herself and her people from those who would have harm them and for that, she was eternally grateful.

The young queen studied her best friend as she laid once again and stared at the ceiling thoughtfully. Beth had never talked about her past in England so until now, she hadn't even considered the princess's life as an ordinary english girl to be anything but normal.

However, taking in her tense figure as she lay on the stone and her controlled expression as she talked about her mom and brother, Lucy narrowed her eyes, fearful of Beth's past for the first time.

"Sis, can I ask you a question?' Lucy finally asked, trying to keep her voice as calm as she could, her body as relaxed as she was able but still, never taking her gaze out of the princess.

Beth smiled brightly and glanced at Lucy for a short moment before focusing on the ceiling once again. "Of course you can, kiddo."

"How did you arrive into this world?" Lucy asked slightly carefully, fearful of her reaction.

If Lucy hadn't been studying the princess already, she wouldn't have noticed any change in her demeanor. The Archenlandian girl stiffened slightly, her hands clenching for a second before slowly relaxing again.

Beth cleared her throat before answering, her gaze never leaving the ceiling. "I'm afraid I don't remember all the details, for it happened rather quickly. My little brother was finally born, so my father came to our house to pick me up and take me to meet him. As we were in the car, we started arguing. I don't really remember what about honestly but at one point he took his eyes off the road...there was a loud noise, so loud I remember thinking it had left me deaf...and then everything went black."

Beth then gazed at Lucy, concealing her pain behind a nonchalant shrug. "I suppose it was an accident but I felt no pain and if my brother had come here with me, then I would have no resentment towards my fate. This two years in this world have been the best of my life."

"And when you woke up, you were in this world?" Lucy asked, worried for her friend. Seeing her there, it was hard to imagine Beth going through such pain but still, stranger things had happened in Narnia and at the end of the day, Lucy had to believe everything would be answered and okay by the time this adventure was finished. If she didn't have her faith, she didn't have anything to hold on to.

"Yep," Beth said and then gave a short laugh, "It was strangest part of my journey here, if you ask me. I ended in the Archenlandian woods at the edge of its border with Narnia. When I woke up, barely past dawn, there was a boy slightly older than me wearing expensive clothes and studying me closely. He would become my brother later but in that moment, all I saw in him was a creeper who liked to watch sleeping unknown girls."

Both girls laughed before the youngest one asked, "That was Tor, right?"

Beth nodded, her gaze nostalgic as she remembered the sweet older brother she had lost to a pack of wild wolves. "He was indeed. I was about to snap at him- as confused as I was by my whereabouts, I still had always been too hot-headed - when he told me he was ambushed and chased by a witch infamous for her attempts of bringing the White Witch back. She needed the blood of a true heir, so she had taken the opportunity when he took a ride alone in the forest."

"Are there still followers of the White Witch?" Lucy asked incredulously, frowning angrily when Beth nodded. "Do the rest know about this?"

"I don't think Caspian knows. Until now, he's lived with people who believed the Narnians to be nothing but stories, after all. I'm not really sure whether the Narnians told your siblings but those followers have stayed in Archenland so far. The telmarines have been a threat for all races."

"I see," Lucy nodded gravely but brightened considerably as she remembered her best friend's tale. "I'm sorry, I completely interrupted you. What happened then?"

Beth chuckled, remembering her first day in that magical world all over again. "Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise was heard. The witch let out a terrified scream and took off as fast as she could. Deeply intrigued, the boy looked around, trying to find the source of that strange noise...and it was me, snoring away in the middle of an Archenlandian' clearing."

"You snore!?" Were the words Lucy could gasp eventually, her amusement too strong to allow her anything but laugh.

"I must admit it surprises me you haven't heard me yet. I'm quite loud," Beth laughed as well, not in the slightest embarrassed, "Tor would always say there must have been something else about me that caused the witch to flee but I've always been skeptical about that. A witch drawn away by a loud snore...it wouldn't be the strangest thing I've heard during my time here."

Lu nodded her agreement, still chuckling at her story. "When I fall asleep, it is extremely difficult to wake me up. I'm just like Ed in that matter - complete sleepyheads. Pete has always been a light-sleeper, which I believe it's just a habit he's developed to check on us if we were under the slightest threat. Su is light sleeper as well, but she also talks while she sleeps."

"Oh, do please tell me more about this interesting habits," Beth smirked as she sat again, leaning towards the younger girl with interest.

Lucy laughed before complying, momentarily forgetting about the attack developing in a castle not too far away.


All four Kings and Queens of Old were legendary. Each of them was completely different from the others and yet, the four of them were equally admired and loved.

Out of the four of them, Edmund was perhaps the one who had developed the most. He had entered the realm of Narnia as a cowardly, egotistical boy and left it as a just, cunning, righteous man. He had entered that beloved world as a traitor, and left it as a King.

What he had endured gave him the knowledge that bravery is fighting when most afraid. That everything happens for a reason. That nothing is set in stone, so what you make of your life, that is up to you.

As they walked towards the telmarine castle, the Narnians relished in the cover of darkness. King Edmund used the cover of darkness also to hide his terrified' gaze.

He knew Beth was different to the other girls he'd met in Narnia. He knew that no man held the right to give him their permission to court her. He knew that if he hurt her, Aslan forbid, the person who would kick his ass the most was the princess herself.

However, he had been raised in a different time back in England and as King, he had been taught a certain protocol.

He knew Beth had an adoptive father and brother but they were in Archenland and her english family was out of the question so that left Caspian.

Damn merciless Prince Caspian.

He would tease him endlessly.

However, Beth was worth it, so Edmund straightened his shoulders and tried to regain any sense of calmness as he approached his best friend.

Caspian was talking to Peter and Susan at the front of the army and all three turned to look at the youngest king as he carrasped nervously.

"Caspian, can I talk to you for a moment?" Edmund asked, rolling his eyes when neither Peter nor Susan left. "Alone?"

Susan, always the sibling who knew everything, smiled reassuringly at her younger brother before walking away, dragging Peter with her.

Caspian turned towards the Just King, frowning when Edmund paled slightly. "Is everything okay, Ed?"

Edmund gulped. Out of the four kings and queens, he had always been the most detached with his feelings. Perhaps because of the White Witch, perhaps out of simple fear of losing his loved ones, but beside his family he had never really felt strong feelings towards anyone else.

Beth was so worth facing his long time demons, though, that having this conversation was something his was willing to do without hesitation. And that exactly was what terrified him, because he knew that was only a sign of how strong were his feelings for the girl in question.

"Look, Caspian," Edmund started, trailing off as he heard a loud snort. After glaring at his older brother, he turned back towards his best friend. "I know I should be asking for your permission and if we weren't talking about Beth, perhaps I would but the truth is that she is the kind of girl who is in no need of protection."

"But whether we choose to protect her, that's another story," Caspian smirked and both leaders chuckled. Now that the feisty princess had forgiven them, they felt free enough to make jokes about the uncomfortable incident.

"Exactly. So, anyhow, I wanted you to hear it from me because I know she considers you to be her brother. You are the only family she has here."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, now that you all have made it to Narnia," Caspian cut him off, his smile warm despite the need to tease that made his eyes glimmer with amusement. "When did you start courting? Right before we left the How?"

Edmund would have been surprised, if he was talking to anyone other than Caspian. His best friend had acquired the ability to read his mind more often than not.

"Not precisely," Edmund chuckled, "I have to make it back from the raid for us to become a couple."

Caspian nodded to himself for few seconds, before his eyes suddenly widened. The prince gasped as he hit Edmund's arm lightly. "You mean Peter will have won the bet!? Mate, if Lucy had won, that I could have dealt with, but Peter? How could you do that to me!?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know I had to take your gambling into account when declaring my feelings for your sister," Edmund drily replied, though a grin threatened to emerge from his lips.

"Look, you're right, I'm sorry," Caspian said apologetically, though chuckling lightly as he lay a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I'm happy for both of you. Just take care of her, okay? I know it's hard but if there's anyone I can trust with that task, that's you."

"Of course, Caspian," Edmund answered with a wide grin, ecstatic that the heart-to-heart was over.

"Now, we only have to be extra careful to get you back to my sister with no injuries," Caspian called with a smirk as he slowly retreated, "Even if you did make your brother win the bet instead of your best friend."

"I appreciate it." Edmund nodded, tingling with anticipation for the next morning, when the army would theoretically be back from the raid.

But before, there was a pending task for Edmund, one essential, one that would bring him enormous joy.

"Ow!" Peter screamed when his younger brother smacked him upside the head.

"That's for betting on my love life," Edmund growled as he walked past his older brother.


"We can send somebody else if you're not sure about this," Peter spoke lowly to his brother as they walked towards Dramos, the young griffin who would take the Just King towards the tower. "You don't have to do this."

"Shut up," Edmund snapped back before adding in a louder manner, "Dramos and I have memorised the plan. There's no use in worrying now."

"Do not worry, my King." Dramos bowed as both brothers stood before him. "I shall protect your royal brother from any harm."

Peter nodded his thanks and gazed at his brother as he winked at his siblings and left towards the castle.

A few moments later, the signal was made and every single Narnian released a breath they didn't realise they were holding.

"Caspian, Su, Trumpkin, are you ready?" Peter asked as he moved to stand next to his griffin, Arian.

Caspian and Susan exchanged a look but nodded and Trumpkin bowed slightly before the four of them were lifted by griffins.


As they flew silently, Susan closed her eyes in delight as the cold wind brushed gently against her cheeks. On any other occasion, she wouldn't have cared for the chilly night, but things had been so busy during the last couple of days that she took relief in the way her head was cleared.

She had thought she'd had a hard time adjusting in England for the past year but then, she had travelled back to Narnia to find the place completely different from the one she left.

Narnia would always be her home but she still couldn't help but feel like a little girl who had stumbled into another world and was suddenly meant to lead it's people. She felt like she had stumbled out of that beloved wardrobe all over again.

Not only that, but also Aslan had been missing for the past thirteen hundred years, allowing the Telmarines to come and invade Narnia, slaughtering it's creatures and pushing the dryads into a deep slumber. Out of her siblings, she'd been the last to have complete faith in the Great Lion and this was something she couldn't ignore. What sort of rulers were they if they allowed the slaughter of their people? Where had Aslan been if not helping the people who depended on Him?

She wasn't surprised at the Narnians clear scepticism when they encountered them. She couldn't blame them. She would have been just as distrusting if she had been in their place. But it hadn't been her choice to leave, nor had it been her sibling's.

It had been Aslan's, and King of Kings or not, she had the right to feel anger at how her people had been abandoned by him.

So maybe she could take all the anger she felt at Peter for how irrational she was being, she could take the jealousy she felt towards Beth for the role she had taken in her brother's life and she could take the fear she felt at her feelings for Caspian and she could direct it all to the anger she felt towards Aslan. It was healthier for her, after all.

And if there was anything she was sure of was that she would see Aslan again so once that moment came, she would discuss this with Him.

In a quiet night such as this one, the quietest sound could echo enormously, Susan mused as the click of a crossbow snapped the Gentle Queen out of her thoughts. She glanced in the direction of the castle just in time to notice a soldier aiming his weapon at her brother, who was still making the signal. The good thing about the immediate dangers was that, even a protective sister such as herself, didn't have the time to feel alarmed. In a moment, she had aimed, shot and the threat was no more.

They kept on flying without any incidents and after they landed safely, their griffins left to take down the rest of the guards and prepare for battle.

"Caspian," Peter spoke lowly and calmly as he unsheathed his sword and glanced around. "Go first. You need to open the window."

For a moment, the Magnificent King was back. Not the obnoxious, self-centred king, but the leader she had devotedly followed during their entire reign.

Susan rolled her eyes but a smile appeared on her lips. She felt more hopeful than she had felt in a long time.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Peter whispered, his brow furrowed in confusion. Susan shrugged, her smile never faltering.

"The leader I knew back in the Golden Age. He was back for a moment," she replied softly. Peter widened his eyes in shock but he quickly recovered and smiling slightly, he climbed down, followed by his sister.

She could have followed Peter and Caspian inside the study but she decided to wait for Trumpkin. Good thing she did for as the dwarf placed his feet on the stone, he tripped with the rope and stumbled, almost falling down towards the courtyard.

Fortunately, Susan caught him...by the beard. Realising it, she hurriedly grabbed him strongly by the shoulders and placed him beside her.

"Thank you...Dear Little Friend." Trumpkin smirked, nodding gratefully.

Susan smiled before following her brother into the study to find Caspian grabbing a pair of glasses with a troubled expression.

Her smile melt off her face. That couldn't mean anything good.


Lucy had finally fallen asleep but, just in case, Beth remained sitting beside her, double-checking the state of her arrows to occupy herself.

She couldn't decide what was worse, knowing for a fact that your family was facing mortal danger, or not having any idea what had been of your family.

But in both cases, she mused as she gazed at the sleeping queen, they hadn't been able to help. Just like Lucy couldn't help her siblings now, she was totally in the dark as to what had been of her mother and brother back in England so maybe, both cases were just as bad.

Maybe that was what made the two of them such close friends.

"What a sad thing to bond over," Beth quietly commented before chuckling to herself, always minding not to bother Lucy.

"Your Graces," a voice called suddenly from the entrance.

Beth shifted her gaze to find a clearly troubled Trufflehunter.

"What is it, my friend?" Beth spoke once she reached the badger. They would need their Valiant Queen rested, so she decided not to wake her up just yet.

"A witch and a werewolf have come to the How asking for an audience, Your Highness," the Narnian explained carefully.

Beth raised her eyebrows, eyeing her friend knowingly as he fidgeted anxiously. "There's something else, isn't there?"

Slowly, Trufflehunter nodded gravely. "Your Highness, they have openly admitted to be supporters of the White Witch. Also, the witch has claimed to have once chased your brother, Prince Tor, through the woods between Narnian and Archenlandian territory, on the same day you arrived to this world, according to her."

Beth tried to snap out of her stupor, for she knew the Narnians and Lucy both needed her help. She straightened, ignoring the fact that this creatures knew of her past, and tried to convey as much determination, strength and calmness as she could, the way she had seen her adoptive royal father do thousand of times.

"Take them to a secluded room until we are ready for them. There is not need to frighten the others with these...individuals," Beth almost spat, anger flaming inside her. This was the witch who had attempted to murder her adoptive brother. She was furious. "I need to wake Queen Lucy up."

"Your Highness, the kings and queen of Narnia have left specific instructions regarding their sister's safety!" Trufflehunter's eyes were wide with apprehension. "Is it really wise to let her know of the situation?"

"Yes. I am here to help but I'm not an authority here. Lucy is your queen. She has been a queen for a long time and more than prepared to deal with this," Beth declared gently, but still in a firm manner, "We need the Valiant Queen. She's here for a reason, after all."

"Of course, Your Highness," Trufflehunter replied and, with a bow, he left to follow the princess's instructions.

With a sigh, Beth walked as calmly as she could back towards the sleeping queen and gently shook her awake. The last thing they needed was a frightened queen because her protector couldn't keep her crap together.

"Lu?" Beth whispered gently, "Kiddo, wake up."

Lucy stirred and smiled as she rubbed the sleep away from her eyes. "There it's that nickname again, I see."

Beth was silent for a moment as the queen regained complete consciousness. The way Lucy rubbed her eyes reminded her of how young she actually was.

It pained her to bring this stress to Lucy but she knew it was for the greater good. As they always said in Archenland, a good leader meant being the bravest at the most desperate times.

And who better for that than the Narnian Valiant Queen?

"I'm sorry, Lu, but we're going to need you awake for a while."

Despite the calmness in her best friend's voice, Lucy could sense they had a serious problem so she sat up completely, brow furrowed in concern.

"Trufflehunter just came with news. Two supporters of the White Witch have come with a request for an audience with us. The witch is also the one who was chasing my brother the day I arrived to Narnia."

"Where are they now?" Lucy stood up, her face regal and for a moment, Beth saw a true queen from the ancient stories.

The princess smiled proudly. "I asked Trufflehunter to have them escorted to secluded room, away from curious eyes. There's no need to frighten anyone. I thought we could go there and talk to them."

"No." The queen shook her head. "Have them sent here."

"Are...Are you sure, Lu?" Beth barely held herself from stammering, unconsciously fiddling nervously with a strand of her hair. They idea of having two supporters of the White Witch in the same place Aslan had been murdered by said witch was deeply unsettling.

"What better place to held an audience with two supporters of Jadis than the place were Aslan's presence and magic is felt the strongest?" Lucy replied smirking and in that moment, Beth could see the resemblance between her and her cunning older brother.

"Very well but if the situation becomes dangerous I'm taking you out of here, okay?"

"Of course." Lucy smiled, slightly confused. "Why are you allowing me to stay? The others would never allow it."

"I promised your siblings and Caspian that I was going to protect you and I intend to do so." Beth smiled back. "But we need the Valiant Queen to make decisions for herself and for her country. Narnia needs you, Lu and frankly, I think it's time to let you be the leader you are."

Lucy was astounded at how different she was from her oldest brother, to give an example. One thing was to protect your loved ones, and another one entirely was to shield them away from dangerous situations, even if they were born to deal with them.

It was in that moment that Lucy secretly acknowledged Beth as another sister, because of the trust and faith she had on her. Lucy knew they didn't have time for a heartfelt conversation so she contented herself with hugging her friend silently, trying to convey all her appreciation in the hug. "Thank you, Beth."

Beth chuckled and stood up, offering the queen a hand. "Thank me when I survive Peter's wrath."


"Everything is going according to plan, Your Majesties. I saw the mice entering the castle as we were flying over the building."

Trumpkin's voice felt really far away to the Gentle Queen as she stood beside the window they'd just entered through, still and ready to move, but with her mind in a far place.

She couldn't shake the feeling every battle woke in her, that haunting feeling that any misled minimal movement would make them lose.

Of course, that didn't meant she was going to stop fighting for the rights of her people but as they encountered their first potential problem, a recurring thought exploded in her mind with intense force.

They should have never gone there.

Caspian was still staring at the pair of glasses, not even trying to listen to what his companions were saying.

"He has been captured," Caspian suddenly declared, effectively cutting off the ongoing conversation, "I need to find him."

"There's no time for that," Peter snapped, gaining himself a glare from Caspian, a scowl from his sister and a nod from Trumpkin, "You need to stick to the plan and open the gate!"

"You wouldn't be here without him!" Caspian snapped back, startling Susan. He glanced at the queen apologetically before continuing in a softer tone, "And neither would I."

Peter considered his words, glancing at Susan to see where she stood on the matter. At the kind glance the girl sent the prince, the Magnificent King felt decidedly pissed. Why did Susan have to be so understanding with this cocky Telmarine idiot? Why couldn't she have fallen for any other prince at a more peaceful time?

"Try to be understanding, Peter. You would do the same thing if it was your friend," Susan finally declared, "You and I can deal with Miraz."

Caspian smiled gratefully at her, glad to know she was on his side as always. Peter, on the other hand, was on the verge of huffing like a toddler. He didn't even know why this relationship bothered him so much more than the one Edmund had with the Archenlandian princess. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that those two weren't batting eyes at each other in the middle of a bloody raid.

Trumpkin silently sat on a stool, trying, as patiently as he could, to wait for the family quarrel to end so they could continue with the mission.

"And I still can get to the gate in time!" Caspian exclaimed.

Peter, whether it was from conviction or exhaustion over having this discussion, sighed and nodded, gesturing Caspian to proceed.

With Trumpkin at his heels, Caspian quickly complied, but not before sending Susan one last look.

And just like that, brother and sister, High King and Queen, were left in a most awkward silence.

"We should get going, Peter," Susan said hesitantly after a few minutes.

"Do you really have to side with him every single time?" Peter blurted out, immediately regretting it.

For a second, Peter thought his sister's usually clear eyes flashed red and silently braced himself for the outburst.

"This is hardly the time or place for this discussion, Peter. Can we leave this for later? Before I attack you?" Susan snapped, readying her bow as she went towards the door, Peter hot on her heels.

Peter sighed and started walking towards the door.

"Just stop agreeing with the guy, at least once," Peter suddenly requested as they left the chamber.

"Try being right and maybe I won't have to side against you," Susan replied murderously.


While the two mighty monarchs were bickering, Reepicheep and his knights were busy dealing with a guard.

So busy they were that they didn't notice the guard aiming his crossbow at them until he fell with a thud, throat slashed by the ginger dwarf standing behind him.

Reepicheep huffed in outrage, partly from pride, partly from humiliation at never having even heard neither the second guard nor Trumpkin.

"We were expecting someone taller," Reepicheep teased without realising that he himself wasn't so much tall...or taller than Trumpkin for that matter.

"You are one to talk," Trumpkin grumbled as he sheathed his sword.

"Is that supposed to be irony?" Reepicheep snapped as he sheathed his own blade, a light blush colouring his cheeks.

Trumpkin merely shrugged, not at all interested in arguing at the moment, and the group started making their way to the gate.


Lucy stood on the stone table, her hands clasped together in a queenly manner, her gaze cold and unforgiving. That part was the hardest to convey but she knew it was paramount in order to give the right message to the potential enemies.

Beth slowly placed herself one step lower than the queen and to her right. She glanced back at her friend, feeling as grave as the Valiant Queen looked. "Are you ready?"

Lucy nodded before glancing at Trufflehunter. "Summon our uninvited guests, my friend."

Trufflehunter bowed and left. Beth momentarily reached back to grasp the queen's hand. "Whatever happens, I'm here."

Lucy wanted to look and smile at her friend but she feared losing her facade for even a moment. She nodded thankfully, and both leaders stood straight, waiting for the two creatures that would put their leadership skills to a test.

A moment passed, and the two creatures appeared at the entrance, closely flanked by two centaurs. Trufflehunter followed with two fauns, all three of them looking deeply unnerved.

Beth eyed them almost interestingly, never having seen such creatures while Lucy couldn't help but glance at them even more harshly, having battled such kind in the past.

The witch had covered her face with an old rag, only her beak and a pair of beady, greedy, black eyes being distinguished from underneath. It was obvious how elderly she was- a cane helped her to walk- and yet, her walk was as graceful as a panther.

Beside her, a man was openly sneering at the two young royalties. Almost completely covered by a brown cloak, his rugged face and black eyes were the only features distinguished. Nothing seemed to faze him. Not the centaurs' blades, not the rage in the princess' face, not even the freezing gaze the queen regarded him with.

"I must admit I felt curious about your arrival. It's been a while since I've encountered open followers of the White Witch," the queen commented calmly, "I suggest you use the time you're being given wisely."

"Compared to your brothers and sister, I admit I underestimated you. I see now that I was wrong," the witch replied and Beth tried her hardest not to wince at the sickeningly sweet tone, "We've come here with a proposal for both of you, Your Majesties."

At that moment, one of the fauns stepped forward, carrying a thin, long package.

"Your Majesties," the faun spoke as he bowed. He unwrapped the package as he continued, "The witch was carrying this when we detained them."

Beth paled as Lucy showed emotion for the first time since the meeting had begun.

It was Jadis's broken wand.

"This is the weapon that almost killed my brother," Lucy spoke as evenly as she could while Beth tightened her grip on her bow, "Speak your purpose here. Now."

"It hurts our feelings, it really does," the witch mused while the werewolf chuckled darkly, "To hear of our mistress' name spoken so foully."

Beth had really tried to be patient but that was the last straw. In one second she had two arrows on her bow and was aiming at her enemies' chest. "I'm not as patient as the queen. Speak quickly or die."

"I was wondering when you were going to start taking the lead, my queen." the Witch quipped secretly, as if she knew something the princess did not.

That angered Beth even more but Lucy stepped in before things reached too far.

"You are running out of time," Lucy intervened. Beth's aim didn't waver but she loosened her grip on her bow's string a little bit. "I would suggest you deliver your message promptly."

"If you only knew who your father is, my dear queen," The werewolf stepped in, mockingly bowing at the princess before glancing at the queen. "We've come here because we know how little are your chances of winning this. Independently of how your family's enterprise goes at the castle, the numbers are not in your favour. We might have never been allies, but even the worst of enemies can make a truce against a common, more powerful enemy."

"The White lady's wand (we've never been fond of calling such outstanding leader a witch)," his companion continued, "is the only magical belonging of hers we've managed to retrieve. With our magic and the wand, we can bring her back. All you need to give us is a place where magic can flow freely and she'll save us all."

For a moment, a complete, horrifying silence was all anyone could hear in that room. Beth and Lucy were too appalled to talk. No matter how despairing may the situation seem, bringing an eternal dictator to life was never an option!

"How can you expect any of us to agree to your suggestion when she held Narnia hostage for more than a hundred years, killed anyone who would dare to defy her and made her people live in eternal torment?" Lucy's voice got louder with every word she spoke. "How can you expect us to agree?"

"We really hoped you would," the werewolf said with a smirk and in a moment, both newcomers had attacked their guards.

Before they could cause any serious damage, however, they fell dead, each with one if Beth's arrows through their heart.

After a stunned moment, Beth rushed to help the soldiers up. Luckily, none of them had been actually hurt.

"Your Majesties, what shall we do with them?"One of the centaurs spoke once they all regained their breath.

Beth glanced at Lucy but seeing how feebly concealed was her fear, she quickly drew the attention to herself by replying, "I want the wand to be left in an empty chamber as far away from here as possible. I want two guards with it until the other royals come back."

From the top of the stone table, Lucy cleared her throat as she slowly sat on the hard material. "About this two pests, I want you to throw them in a hole."

"Very well, Your Majesty," Trufflehunter said. The two fauns were already retreating with a once again covered wand.

"I killed them far too quickly for my liking," Beth mused aloud as Trufflehunter was about to turn and leave. He looked at the princess with an intrigued face. "They came here with an objective, one they personally believed in. Why did they let themselves be killed so easily?"

"You have a point," Lucy admitted, Trufflehunter nodding in agreement.

"Thank you." Beth smiled before glancing at the expectant badger. "I want at least one guard with them at all times. Once the others come back we will make our final decision on this matter."

Trufflehunter bowed and left, the centaurs leaving with him. As soon as they were gone, Lucy felt free to drop her fake facade so she hugged her legs tightly, her entire posture dropping in fear.

"Lu," Beth sighed before sitting beside her friend. She wrapped her arm around the queen. "It's okay Lu, they are gone, they can't hurt you anymore."

"I know." Lucy wiped her tears as she tried to breathe calmly. It really pissed her off to lose her composure during war times but she hadn't dealt with this in a long time. She glanced sadly at her friend. "It just really upset me the evil radiating from them, didn't you feel it too?"

"Yes, I did." Beth closed her eyes momentarily, trying not to think of the encounter. They had radiated more hatred and evil than she had ever felt. "But, tell me, do you still feel it?"

Lucy was silent for a moment as she carefully felt the air around her. Then, she smiled. "No. I feel warmth. Hope. Faith."

Beth also smiled. "Exactly, Lu. Evil comes and goes but if we do have faith and believe in that everything will turn alright, that nasty feeling of darkness sooner or later fades and it is replaced by the thing that is always there...the good."

"You sound like Aslan." Lucy laughed as she rest her head on Beth's shoulder. Now that the adrenaline was beginning to fade, she was ready to go to sleep again.

"Very funny, Lu...as if I could ever sound like Him." Beth smiled. "Now kiddo, we are going to sleep. But not here. In a more comfy place."

"Now you sound like Susan," Lucy mumbled as Beth half dragged her towards their bedroom.

Beth's giggle was heard all through the How.


Caspian's frustration grew more and more as he sprinted down the crooked corridors of the castle' prison.

He never questioned his decision of going to the rescue of his professor but at the same time, he feared Peter was right and he didn't have the time.

Just then, he saw a familiar figure lying on the floor in one of the cellars. Caspian smiled before rushing to open the door. He had to shake his professor a few times until he woke up in a startle.

"Five more minutes?" Caspian smirked as the Professor glanced at him with recognition. Then, Cornelius panicked.

"What are you doing here?" snapped as he raised, Caspian with him. "I did not help you escape so you could get in again! Get out now! Before Miraz learns you are here!"

"Oh, he will," Caspian quickly replied as he pushed his friend towards the door, "We are giving him your cell."

The professor barely budged but instead, he grabbed the prince by the collar, looking straight into his eyes as to get the message through. "Do not underestimate your uncle like your father did, Caspian."

Caspian stared at him in horror, the truth finally sinking in. For a long time he hadn't dared to believe such possibility but now, as his tutor and close friend regarded him pitifully, he had not choice but to deal with the fact.

"What are you talking about?" Caspian whispered, barely noticing when he was released from his professor's grip.

shook his head sadly. "I'm so sorry."

His sight burning red, Caspian ran away, leaving a sorry Professor behind.

He would finally serve revenge, for his people, his father, and himself.

Miraz was as good as dead.


Giving up all sense of calmness, Peter rushed through the corridors, carefully looking into every chamber they passed, trying to remember which one was Miraz's. He thought he had memorised Beth's map thoroughly but he hadn't taken into account the amount of stress and pressure he was meant to feel during the actual raid.

At last, he came across a sturdy wooden door with golden carvings on it. Susan and Peter exchanged a look before nodding and aiming their weapons, adopting a defensive stance. Peter took a deep breath and softly pushed the door open, only to find a baby peacefully sleeping in his ornamental crib.

"What the hell is this?" Peter muttered, utterly bewildered.

Susan couldn't help but smirk as she lowered her bow. "Weren't you given 'the talk'?"

Even as he blushed furiously, Peter refused to adopt anything but a proud face.

"Shut up, I was the one that gave it to you!" Peter whispered loudly as they went back to the corridor, weapons ready. Miraz couldn't be too far away.

"Ugh, don't make me remember that conversation ever again," Susan mumbled but before Peter could retaliate, they heard a very familiar voice coming from the room to their left.

Peter growled. Why couldn't the Telmarine idiot stick to the bloody plan?

Susan effectively snapped him out of his raging thoughts as she elbowed him and sent him a warning glare. They carefully made it towards the door, weapons aimed and ready.

"Thank the gods you are okay, dear nephew," a thick, Spanish voice was sneering.

"Get up," Caspian ordered and both Pevensie winced from their side of the door, not used to hearing such hatred from the usually cheerful prince.

"Caspian?" a new voice spoke, this time a soft, sleepy, feminine one.

"Stay where you are," Caspian ordered again. Susan stepped forward silently, attempting to watch the scene through the slight gap of the ajar door.

A beautiful woman with long, black hair and big, dark eyes sat on the bed. Her gaze and features did not speak of hatred, but radiated intelligence and cunning. She never took her gaze from her nephew, carefully studying his every move.

Now, the man Caspian was pointing his sword at was an entirely different story. As rather short as he was, that did nothing to diminish his aura of power. Caspian's uncle radiated as much hatred, violence and thirst for power as they had ever seen in their lives.

Overall, it was a merry family gathering.

"What do you think you are doing?" the woman asked in outrage. Outside, Peter stepped closer to his sister in order to study the situation as well.

"I think it is rather obvious, dear," Miraz looked almost bored as he eyed Caspian, "You know, some families would think this is highly inappropriate."

"That didn't stop you," Caspian replied murderously, placing the tip of his sword deeply into his uncle's neck.

"But you are not like me!" Miraz sneered, his gaze as smug as ever. He shook his head at Caspian in mock pity. "It's sad, though. This is the first time you have shown any back bone...and it's a total waste."

He then glanced slightly in the direction of her wife, Caspian following instinctively. Then, he pressed his blade even closer.

That didn't deter the woman, however, or at least the grip on her crossbow didn't falter as she aimed at Caspian.

"Lower that sword, Caspian." the woman's order fell to deaf ears as Caspian didn't move. "I don't want to do this."

Outside, both siblings nodded before bursting in.

"We don't want you to either," Susan demanded as she aimed at the woman. Besides her, Peter almost rolled his eyes in annoyance.

It was like his sister belonged in a corny movie, sometimes.

"You know, this is supposed to be a private room." Miraz crossed his arms in annoyance but then, he showed the first glimpse of interest as he glanced at the siblings' weapons. "Welcome back to Narnia, Your Majesties."

"What do you think you are you doing? You are supposed to be at the gatehouse!" Peter growled at Caspian, deciding to ignore the prince's uncle completely.

"No! I want the truth, once and for all," Caspian hissed before turning towards his uncle and pushing him back with his sword. "Did you murder my father?"

An utter, defying silence fell in the room.

"Now I know why you are here," Miraz finally replied, his eyes never leaving Caspian's. Uncle and nephew so alike, and yet so different. "I'm surprised you didn't come sooner though, I thought your princess friend would have told you about it by now."

Caspian's eyes widened in shock "What are you talking about?"

"She helped in covering the crime, why did you think she came to visit so often? Why do you think King Ersan refused your tutor's request for men and supplies?" Miraz replied, secretly growing triumphant as he noticed how Caspian believed him without questions asked.

Peter and Susan opened their mouths to deny the story but Miraz's wife spoke first.

"You said your brother died in his sleep," she whispered, looking at her husband with a betrayed gaze as she lowered her crossbow.

"That is more or less the truth," Miraz replied calmly without taking his gaze of the conflicted prince.

"Caspian, this won't solve things...and neither will it bring your father back," Susan quipped in, trying to keep her voice from breaking as she noticed how destroyed he seemed to be. "And we both know Beth is not capable of that."

"How gentle of you, my queen." Miraz smirked. "We Telmarines would have nothing had we not taken it. You and your father knew that."

"How could you do it?" the woman whispered, her grip on her crossbow barely existent.

"Because of the same reason you will pull that trigger, Prunaprisma!" Miraz snapped as he took a step forward. Blood started pouring from the injury in his neck. "For our son!"

"Stop!" Susan and Prunaprisma screamed at the same time but it went unnoticed by uncle and nephew.

"You need to make a choice, dear," Miraz continued, never taking his eyes off Caspian, "Do you want our son to be a King of Narnia or do you want it to be like Caspian here? Fatherless?"

"No!" Prunaprisma yelled painfully as she pulled the trigger, shooting Caspian in the shoulder.

"Caspian!" Susan yelled as she shot Miraz, missing as he chose that moment to rush through a secret door, Peter hot on his heels.

"Caspian, we need to move!" Susan yelled as she helped him up.


In retrospective, Edmund should have known his part in this raid was going to be extremely boring.

Until the battle started, he barely had anything to do so his thoughts wandered. To his sister, his people and his girl. And for the first time that night, he felt the uneasy feeling of knowing that if anything went wrong he would never see any of them again.

His mind elsewhere, he barely noticed when he started playing absentmindedly with his torch. But then, he dropped it carelessly, the torch falling to a tower right underneath his, next to a bewildered guard.

Fortune just kept on smiling down on him.

Without hesitating or allowing himself to panic, he quickly climbed down the stairs and poised himself behind the guard, ready to attack at the opportune moment.

And in that moment, the Telmarine accidentally turned it on and flashed it around in confusion, the light bright and large amid the dark sky.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Nikabrik asked. Glenstorm gazed shortly at him and looked at the light again, starting to fear that something wasn't happening as planned.


Miraz did not have to run too far to find a guard. He grabbed the intimidated man by the collar, screaming into his face. "We are under attack, ring the alarm!"

The guard, scrambling to understand the meaning of those words, nodded hurriedly and ran towards the quarters, shouting the same words as he skidded to a stop in front of the door.

Only as his company hurriedly got out of bed and grabbed their weapons, one of them rushing to ring the bell on the nearest tower, did he understand the true meaning behind those few words.

The first battle had finally began.


Caspian and Susan rushed out of Miraz's chambers in agitation, turning to despair for the first time since their plan had been set in motion as they noticed Peter heading towards the courtyard and not towards the tower where the griffins were expecting them.

"Peter!" Susan groaned in frustration but still notched another arrow to her bow. Regardless of her personal feelings, she wanted to be prepared for anything.

"The army is just outside! We still have time!" Peter yelled back, not even glancing back at the pair as he dashed down the stairs and towards the courtyard.

Susan and Caspian exchanged a defeated look. They could do nothing against the High King's authority.


"Now, Ed! Signal the troops!" Peter yelled, only rapidly glancing at his brother before facing the four guards quickly approaching him. He knocked the first one out before quickly slashing the other three with Rhindon.

"I'm a bit busy, Pete! One moment!" Edmund yelled in return, himself barely glancing at his brother as he dodged his opponent's sword. His desperation grew on the fact that his role in the success of this operation was as essential as ever but he couldn't seem to get this bloody guard off his back.

And then, he remembered one of the many lessons Beth had given him when they were practicing back at the How, before the arrow, before they were discovered, before everything got so complicated.

Telmarines are cunning in the way that they will use anything in the battlefield to gain advantage over an adversary. They don't play honourably, and neither should you.

Edmund smirked and, quickly grabbing his torch, he knocked the guard out.

Feeling exhilarated with triumph, he tried to turn the torch on, only to find it broken.

"You could have warned me of that, love" Edmund muttered as he desperately tried to fix it. After a few chilling moments, the torch turned on and he quickly made the signal.

"Charge!" Glenstorm roared and the army raced towards the castle.


Down in the courtyard, Peter finally reached the gate and started pulling at the wheel with all his strength.

He then realized it would be easier if his companions would actually help him.

"Peter!" Susan snapped exasperatedly as she and Caspian stood on either side of him, both looking in trepidation at the archers filling the balconies. "It's too late! For Aslan's sake, we need to call it off while we still can!"

"No! I still can do this!" Peter yelled, always pushing. "Help me!"

Susan and Caspian exchanged a fearful look but sheathed their weapons and rushed to help their leader.

"Exactly who are you doing this for Peter?" Susan muttered angrily as she let go of the wheel to shoot at the incoming guards.

Peter could only glance at her wordlessly.


"Charge!" Glenstorm ordered again as they reached the castle' bridge.

The army followed the command without hesitation but secretly, they were starting to have the feeling they were falling into a trap.


Meanwhile, Edmund rushed down the stairs, trying to find a secure spot from where to jump and join the fight.

"Aslan, please help us" he silently prayed as he took notice of the soldiers reaching the courtyard.

His last coherent thought was of relief at having left Beth and Lucy back at the safe How.


Just in time, Peter, Susan and Caspian opened the gate for their army.

"For Narnia!" Peter screamed as he started running towards their enemies, Susan at his right and Caspian at his left.

Susan almost faltered, overcome with the reassurance such familiar words made her feel. They brought her back to happier, better times, and immediately made her feel the bravery she needed for the pending task.

And just like that, the battle started, a battle that would turn into a living hell.

The Narnians were convinced they had gotten themselves into a trap.

All that they had left was to fight for their lives, even if they secretly knew that they had lost the battle before it had even started.


"Beth."

"What is it, Lu?" Beth asked from her friend's side, a concerned look in her face as she noticed the panicked expression of her suddenly awoken best friend.

"The battle has started," Lucy whispered, her voice dazed, almost as if she wasn't really there, "I just know that they are in danger."

"It won't do you any good to stay awake stressing about them," Beth replied as calmly as she could as she stroked Lucy's hair, "Go back to sleep. I promise to wake you up once I get any news."

"You do believe me, right?" Lucy said, frowning slightly but nonetheless closing her eyes.

Beth smiled slightly.

"Of course, kiddo. Always will."

"Could you sing to me for a while? Mom and Su used to do it when I couldn't sleep," Lucy mumbled, snuggling close to the princess.

"Of course. Sweet dreams, Lu." Beth kissed Lucy on the forehead before raising her head to stare blankly into the ceiling, singing the first thing that came to her mind.

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed,
When you get what you want, but not what you need,
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try, to fix you"

Making sure Lucy was already asleep, she stopped singing and closed her eyes.

"Please, Aslan, help us," Beth mumbled, "for Narnia."