Disclaimer : I do not own Narnia in any shape or form, so don't sue, I'm saving up to buy the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe game.
Replies to Reviews :
Seronothenin – Like I said last time flattery is always appreciated. Thanks for another upbeat review.
Erin MB – Thank you for updating Black Fire, remember my threat still stands, there's one more chapter after this plenty of time for a tragic accident to occur. I mean it's shame you updated so quickly, I was going to enjoy writing about a headless Peter. Actually I think being dismembered would suit him better, what do you think?
Du Weldenvarden Farcai – Thanks for the review, hope the wait wasn't too long for you.
Shannon – Thanks, you can cancel the funeral though, but you might need to arrange someone else's after next chapter if Erin MB doesn't pay up…
Anorwen06 – Let me just say, I'm a weird kid I choose my favourite character out of a book or movie and then sent him to hell and then save him, then send him back and then… well you get the picture. Oh and I'm working on making killing characters twice legal so don't get your hopes too high up. Evil Grin
Tarien Lakilea Tel'anor – Well the next instalment is here and I promise there are no teenage kings in this chapter, well there are but there aren't if you know what I mean. I don't even know what I mean, well thanks for reading the story… Heh heh… insert awkward silence here
Author's Note
Well after rambling on for nearly a page I should probably start the story so here it is chapter 9 the second to last chapter, enjoy.
Chapter Nine
It was early, so early that the Sun hadn't reached the horizon yet, when Peter was awoken by the loud hammering of metal on wood. Still tired he just closed his eyes again and had almost drifted off again when an enormous crash resounded from the courtyard. This woke both Peter and Edmund, startled they sat up and rubbed the sleep out of their eyes. They stayed silent, just listening to the chatter, banging and obvious chaos that was occurring in the courtyard outside.
The Sun had risen now as the two workmen were finishing the wooden scaffolding they had started construction on two days ago. They were humming, one was even mumbling some out of tune words as he knocked in the final nail. It was a day of double rejoicing today. First, King Miraz would show off his baby son for the first time and then there was to be a double execution in honour of the new prince. It wasn't just any double execution either, it was the two heathen Kings who were being put to death. The scaffold was being built higher than usual, King's orders, Miraz wanted everyone to see this event.
Unbeknownst to the workers the shadow that was behind the three barrels of wine, was at that moment swearing that he would make sure the festivities were cancelled.
Many hours after awakening Edmund and Peter were happily chatting as though they weren't trapped in a dank, dark cell. Peter occasionally shifted, the bloody cotton shirt he wore aggravating his wounds. It wasn't being worn in the traditional way, it was wrapped around his chest like a bandage. Edmund noticed his brother's pain but said nothing, knowing that Peter would only deny his discomfort. Edmund was just about to remind Peter of the time they borrowed their father's two best ties to use as ropes when the cell door heaved open. The two boys looked up at the older King who strode into the room. Miraz was looking smug, even though the colour of his jaw was a bright purple and, he was practically waltzing up to them. The siblings looked at each other, knowing that a happy Miraz meant unhappy news, unfortunately they were not wrong.
The King smiled at his captives, eyeing the stormy and suspicious faces he laughed, long and loud, until Edmund was ready to get up and knock him flat. Miraz must have noticed this, as he stopped laughing and gave a short cough as if clearing his throat.
"Good day boys, sleep well?" He glanced at Edmund's clenched fist and Peter's restraining hand, he just straightened his robe and continued. "Well to business then, I am here to inform you of your imminent execution which is going to take place, hmm… round about now." He motioned to the guards, "Bind them." He then turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
Edmund readied himself for a struggle but then he heard Peter's sharp whisper in his ear.
"Not now Ed, patience, we can't beat them right now so why waste the energy." So he allowed his hands to be bound, but he whispered fiercely at Peter.
"Well it better be time soon because even I don't think we can take them when we're dead." Peter just smiled at his brother's humour, but his eyes reassured Ed, they had the mischievous, confident glint that Edmund recognized so well. Peter had a plan.
The harsh sunlight almost blinded him as he walked through the crowds, his makeshift bandage had come off sometime while they were still in the dungeons so now he was only half covered from the prying eyes of the spectators. So recoiled slightly at the sight of his back, others just jeered, some turned away, and others pushed forward for a better view. Peter took a deep, calming breath and looking over at Edmund went over his plan, one he knew Edmund wasn't going to like. Tearing his gaze from his brother Peter watched as the scaffold carrying the executioner and the axe loomed closer. Soon they were upon the steps and slowly Peter climbed them, one step at a time until he reached the top. Miraz also was there, he was shouting something to the crowds but Peter wasn't listening, something had caught his attention but as he saw it, it was gone. Clearing his head with a small shake Peter forced himself to listen to Miraz.
"… and so, I present to you the two heathen Kings who dare to stage rebellion against our people, and using our own warriors to do so." There was muttering here as the crowd shook their heads and shouted abuse at the 'heathens'. Miraz hushed the crowd and continued his speech.
"I shall not say anything more, only that these boys will now pay for their crimes against me and against you. I think it only fitting that the 'High King' goes first don't you?" The crowd roared their approval as Peter was roughly dragged forward and all Edmund got for his struggling was a hit to the back of the head.
Peter was pushed to his knees and his head forced violently onto the wooden block, which made him see stars but he regained control and he lashed out hitting the executioner hard on the nose, all this accomplished was getting him restrained by both guards. Though Peter noticed the flaw in this strategy a second before the guards did.
"Run Ed! Go!" Edmund hesitated, as if just realising he was free, and then he jumped of the platform and began fighting his way through the crowd. Peter watched his brother until he couldn't anymore as Miraz had hold of him and was shaking him roughly, cursing him, then the shaking stopped and the smile returned.
Edmund had reached the edge of the crowd and had darted into the shadows of the walls and buildings. He had managed to free his hands and was now leant against a wall panting. He heard Miraz calling his name, but couldn't make out the rest of the sentence. Cautiously, he approached the courtyard again, staying safely hidden but able to see Miraz throwing Peter down onto the floor of the scaffold. Then Edmund heard the false King yell his name.
"Edmund! Come out now and I'll make sure your brother dies swiftly, stay where you are and I'll make him wish he was never born. It's your choice but you must choose now!" Then Edmund hear the fainter but as determined shout of Peter.
"Don't Ed! I'll be fine, just get back to Caspian and the others." Edmund was torn but summoning up his courage he was about to step back out into the courtyard when he felt something stopping him and a familiar voice whispering;
"Don't worry everything's under control, just watch." Reassured by the voice Edmund stopped and turned and looked at the scene in the courtyard.
Peter waited with baited breath, his eyes scanning the crowd looking for Edmund, sure that his brother had obeyed him he breathed freely again. Miraz noticed this change in Peter and dragged him off the floor, drawing a dagger he handed both Peter and the knife to the executioner, who with the help of the guards secured Peter to the scaffold itself, binding his hands, arms, legs and feet. They were taking no chances. Peter heard what Miraz whispered to the executioner and he prayed that Miraz wouldn't announce it, he knew Edmund wouldn't be able to stop himself if he heard. Miraz turned back to the murmuring spectators and they quieted down.
"So Edmund, you want me to do this the hard way? Well so be it." He clicked his fingers and the executioner positioned himself, poised, the dagger resting just above Peter's left arm.
"Can you Edmund, just sit by and watch as your brother bleeds to death, there's still time all you have to do is declare yourself now."
It took all of Edmund's restraint not to jump out and attempt to throttle Miraz with his bare hands, he wouldn't have been able to control himself if he hadn't felt the reassuring weight on his shoulder. He looked back into the shadows and then there was a piercing cry and Edmund whipped his head back around unable to do anything but watch.
A/N So what do you think?Only one more chapter left, please review, I'll have the last chapter up before the end the month, promise.