JUST AND MAGNIFICENT
Volume 3: The Price We Pay For Love
3.6 – Before Fate Divides Us
Most of Volume 3 of Just and Magnificent takes place in the 3-6years after the events of the movie. It is the last of three volumes. It is AU and if you haven't figured out, contains slash and incest. Hopefully you find it handled in a way that is as pure as possible.
Summary: Peter and Edmund share their last moments together before going to war. Edmunds goes to war in the Eastern Seas. Susan defends the south against Calormen. Peter marches toward the north.
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, Mystery, Action.
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! And since they're all dead except Orrin, well I only own him now! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis
A/N: This chapter has been broken into two parts. This is, you guessed it, the second part!
THE HIGH KING OF NARNIA SETS FORTH HIS DEFENSE
Peter contemplated the situation that Narnia now faced. Enemies from all sides had set their sights on Cair Paravel. Calormen to the south, the Lone Islands to the east, Ettinsmoor to the north. All had pledged allegiance to him. He who also marched from the north with an army of living and fallen.
"We will have to trust that Susan and King Lune have the Calormen in hand. We cannot spare them any more of our forces when Calormen has another army on its way by sea. Oreius, assemble the main army and have them ready to march north to Ettinsmoor. We will fight our way past Ettinsmoor and continue north until we meet his army."
"I will lead the northern advance, Peter." Edmund insisted, "I will face the one who is many. It is my destiny, Peter."
"No. You will fly to Terebinthia and lead the naval defense against the Lone Islands. With any luck, you will be able to return before the Calormen arrive. Then you can lead the defense of Cair Paravel, should they make it this far. I will march north."
"No, Peter." Edmund insisted again, his force demanding more than asking, "I will lead the army north. I am the only one who can face him. It is fate."
"The only fate I believe in is the one I make for myself." said a Peter who clearly would not be swayed, "You go east, I go north, Susan goes south, Lucy maintains Narnia. We all do our part. That is how it is going to be."
Edmund bit his lip, trying his best to quell his anger. He knew Peter had made up his mind, and this time there was nothing Edmund could do to sway him. Try as he might to think of a way to convince Peter to let him march north, the steely look in Peter's eyes made him concede. Yet Edmund could not help but press the matter further.
"Peter, no." said an equally steely Edmund, "And I do not say this because I wish to defy your order. I must be the one to face him. Please let me lead the army north. Please, Peter. There's too much at stake for you to try and protect me. I'm the only one who can stop him."
"Do you not think me capable of such a task?"
"Peter!" Edmund said grabbing Peter's arms, "Please. Trust me. I have no desire to die, but I must be the one to face him."
"Edmund, I'm not debating this. I have made my decision. You do not go north, you go east. Do I make myself clear?" ordered a stern and demanding Peter.
"Don't speak to me like that, Peter."
"Then please just do as I say for once without challenging me." Peter said as if his resolve would break any moment, "I ride north, you ride east, Susan goes south. Ok?"
"Peter …"
"I do not believe in fates that are not made for ourselves. I will not suffer you to a fate I would not dare to face myself." Peter said with intensity that burned in his heart and poured out of his eyes, "He has threatened all I hold dear. He has threatened my home, my fellow Narnian, my family, my husband, and he threatens all that is good and decent in this world. I am high king. This is not only my duty, it is my fate. Will you please trust in my ability to carry it out?"
Peter silently motioned for Oreius and Lucy to leave the cartography room, and they did so. Edmund's eyes were welled up after Peter's impassioned statement. Aslan was right. The fates were not set at all, and Peter was going to rewrite his fate whether Edmund like it or not. Edmund could feel in his bones that at this very moment, the fate he expected could very well be lost. As horrifying as the thought of Peter leaving him in the future seemed, it was nothing compared to increasing fear he felt at losing Peter now. Losing him to possible death. And yet after Peter's impassioned words, Edmund knew he could do nothing to sway him.
"I should have taken his offer." Edmund whispered, before he looked at Peter, tears in his eyes, "Peter, I don't want you to go. Please don't go. Please send me instead."
Peter pulled Edmund into a hug, brushing his lips across the cheeks of his husband. He pulled Edmund's body plate off and tossed it aside so their hug would know softness. A softness still blocked by chain mail, but that at least was more pliable than a body plate.
"Do not fear for me, my love." pleaded Peter, his strong hands gripping Edmund's back, "Believe in me."
Edmund responded by burying his head in Peter's shoulder and crying bitterly, "If I believe in you, will you promise to come back to me?"
"I will never leave you."
"Promise me you'll come back."
"Ed …" Peter whispered, before Edmund spoke with a forceful passion.
"Promise me or you can go east and I'll go north whether you like it or not."
Peter let out a sigh, but continued holding his shivering lover. He could feel the fear in Edmund's body and his breathing. He could feel it in the anxious way Edmund's hands gripped his tunic and fumbled through his hair. He could feel it in Edmund's painful sobs that were muffled by his shoulder.
"I can promise you that I will fight him with every fiber of my being, and with the warmth of your love inspiring me to victory. I can promise you that the image of your sweet face as it is right now, will make me ache to return." said Peter, tasting Edmund's tears as he softly kissed his eyelids.
"Peter …"
"One more night, Ed. Stay with me one more night. Then you can go east and I will go north. It may be some time before we see each other again, but I promise you, we will see each other again."
Once again, Edmund clung to Peter with a mighty grip. He cried out, lifting his legs and clamping them around Peter's waist so he was now being carried. He sobbed and gasped, his eyes clenched with tears and his mouth shaking as he cried into Peter's shoulder.
Edmund could muster no words. They came out in the form of anxious gasps and fearful cries. Instead, he continued to be held by his husband. He no longer felt like the Rogue Warrior, but instead he felt like a husband petrified with the prospect of losing the greatest part of his being.
Still Peter continued to hold him, reassuring Edmund with a presence they would no longer feel in a day's time. He continued to rub Edmund's back, and whisper sweet words of love and adoration. He continued to temper his own tears with thoughts of sympathy for his beloved.
"Th…th..thi…this is not … not … how it is supposed to be." Edmund finally managed to stutter coherently, still gripping fiercely to Peter, "N..no…not you. Su…pposed to be … be me."
"I love you, Doubt-bucket." Peter whispered, "I love you with all my heart, and every breath. It is for you that I do this. And with fortune on my side, it is for you that I shall return."
"I love you so much, Peter." cried a desperately anxious Edmund, "I love you so very much."
The two kings held each other for a desperate time that neither cared to end. Edmund's tears were interrupted only by shivering bouts, while Peter found himself trying his best to comfort his husband. It seemed as though both knew that war was upon them and that the fates were turning at this very moment.
Peter could only imagine why Edmund was so upset, as they had seen many battles before. He dared not entertain the notion that perhaps he should send Edmund instead of himself, for it would go against the very nature of his being. This time, Edmund would have to let Peter go. Let him go to uncertainty. Let him go to a fate of his own choosing. Let him go to either victory over him, or a death that would turn Narnia on its head, and render Edmund a broken shell of a man.
"I don't want to let you go." Edmund cried, "Send me. Please send me. You can go east. Let me go north. Don't go, Peter. Don't go."
"This is perhaps one time when you will not sway me, my love. I am going."
ONE NIGHT BEFORE FATE DEPARTS US FROM OUR LOVE
After a day's planning of battles and meals that were filled with more planning of battles, the two kings found themselves back in their chambers. They had barely left the sight of one another throughout the day. Edmund was particularly affectionate toward Peter, more so than his usually proper self. He would randomly clasp Peter's hand in his own, even when speaking on official duty. He would linger around Peter's waist, holding close to him, even while others consulted on matters of the utmost importance to Narnia's security.
Peter, for his part, relished the attention Edmund gave him. He was completely resolute in his orders for Susan to continue her defense of the south, for Edmund to defend the eastern seas, and for himself to march north. His resolute and steadfast determination seemed to strengthen Edmund's sense of anxiety, but Peter would quell them with a hand through Edmund's hair, or a gentle kiss on the neck. And just as much as Edmund had today, Peter would clasp his hand to Edmund's and interlace their fingers. In fact, they'd almost dragged each other around Cair Paravel, for fear of being without the other for even a moment.
Now for the first time after a day of anxious planning and desperate strategies, they were alone in their chambers. Not a word was spoken, for both seemed to fear that a word would become longing and despair. A word would shatter the silent strength that managed to foster in one another's presence. A word would bring the truth out from beneath their silent exteriors.
Instead of speaking, their eyes simply locked onto one another. They came together as one and made love for what both hoped would not be the last time. Yet both held the fear that perhaps it might. Perhaps Peter had turned the fates on their head. Though neither said a word, both feared that perhaps he had done just that. Yet his mind was made up. He would not waiver in his decision. For once, Edmund would not be able to sway him. And so they shared a moment between a married couple that neither hoped would be the last time. And yet both feared that it might be.
Words do not permeate the air of their afterglow. Instead, their hands clasp together and Edmund's sweat is tasted on his neck by Peter's shivering lips. Cries are muffled by tensing muscles as Edmund buries his head in Peter's shoulder. They do not know when this moment will come again. They do not know if it will ever come again. They only know, that no matter what fate brings them, they will have shared this moment. Though it is laced with grief and anxiety for the future, it is nevertheless overshadowed by the depth of their undying love.
GONE TOO SOON
When Edmund wakes up in the morning, it is to an empty bed. He begins to whimper when he realizes his Peter is gone. Peter's side of the bed is graced only with the imprint of his form upon the sheets. An imprint Edmund cannot help but trace with anxious eyes and desperate fingers that want something more than a creased sheet to touch.
There is a sealed note on Peter's pillow, but Edmund cannot bear to read it. Instead he takes the pillow and holds it to his face. He closes his eyes and cries out as he inhales the wondrous scent of his husband. He can almost feel the golden locks upon that pillow. He can almost feel his Peter is still with him. And yet when he opens his eyes again, he knows that his Peter is gone.
"Peter …" Edmund whimpers as he cries unabashedly into his husband's pillow, "Oh, Peter."
When finally his tears subside, he finds the strength to read the note. He had contemplated keeping the note sealed in the unbearable event that his Peter did not return. He would still have this note unopened, as if it would still keep his husband here. Yet Edmund did not have the resolve to wait for that day. He wanted to feel his Peter with him now, and so he opened the note and gazed lovingly at his husband's handwriting.
'My beautiful love,
I could not bear to say goodbye, for fear I would break and have no strength to leave you. If words could give justice to my love for you, I would surely use them here. I can only think of one thing to perhaps remind you of how much you mean to me.
I am, because you are.
I love you always, and should I be taken from you, then please remember those words.
Forever yours,
--Your husband, Peter'
FROM HERE WE DIVIDE
The four thrones at Cair Paravel were devoid of any occupants. High King Peter had marched to the north, with General Oreius and Narnia's largest mobile army ever assembled. Queen Susan was in Archenland preparing to face the might of the Calormen Empire. King Edmund had flown with a gryphon wing and some of Narnia's finest sea farers to Terebinthia, where they would rendezvous with a waiting naval fleet. Queen Lucy remained at Cair Paravel in order to watch over the daily affairs of the kingdom.
Lucy did not enjoy being left on her own. She feared for her siblings and always felt powerless to help. They were all so brave, and she could not even accompany one of them to help with the medical wing and infirmary. She had begged Peter to let her go with him, so her cordial could be put to good use. He informed her that it was in Narnia's best interests for her to remain behind.
"Mr. Tumnus, I want to be a fighter like Susan."
"You're too young to be a fighter." Mr. Tumnus reassured as he studied over some of the latest security updates, "There are plenty of other fighters without you needing to be one, Lucy Pevensie."
"I am not too young. I want to do more than just sit here and hope that my brothers and my sister aren't killed along with so many of my precious Narnian." Lucy said with hurt in her voice, "War is absolutely horrid. There must be something I can do to help."
"You can help those who are here. You can help the ones who are left behind. The ones whose loved ones have gone to battle. The ones who, like you, have to stay behind and worry. You can help them. Put their minds at ease."
"I suppose that is rather important." sighed Lucy.
"Very important."
"Still, I do hope they're ok."
"I have taken the liberty of asking General Lero to present his defensive strategies for Cair Paravel, should the Calormen army traveling by sea arrive before King Edmund can return."
"I imagine they will arrive before he can return. Perhaps I will get my wish to do something other than just sit on this throne while my family put their lives in danger for the rest of us."
"Perhaps you just might, Lucy Pevensie. I sincerely hope you don't though."
TO THE NORTH
The bulk of Narnia's armies marched north under the guidance and leadership of their High King, Peter the Magnificent. This was perhaps, the greatest campaign in Narnian history. Never before had such great numbers threatened Narnia, and never before had Narnia mustered such a large infantry in her defense. It was no small undertaking to even march north. Feeding an army of such a large quantity proved difficult, and every provision was made to gather food as they marched.
General Oreius, perhaps Narnia's most loyal centaur, cantered alongside King Peter as they marched well inside the borders of Ettinsmoor. It had been a great many weeks since they'd left Cair Paravel. It would be another month, likely even longer at least, before they reached his army, and Peter knew they would encounter many dangers within that time. Ettinsmoor was a dangerous place at the best of times, yet now that it was officially an enemy of Narnia, it was an even more dangerous place. Scouts were on high alert for any enemy that would attack. Peter wanted to minimize the combat his army was forced to deal with until they reached his army. To this end he had led his forces through some of the least occupied areas of Ettinsmoor.
"Any sign of trouble ahead?" Peter asked Oreius wearily, tired from yet another long day of marching.
"Nothing yet, Sire. The path you have chosen for us is proving very beneficial."
"Good. We must do our best to save ourselves for the battle that matters most."
Peter's thoughts wondered to the wellbeing of his sisters, and of course, his husband. He trusted Lucy would do her best to guide Narnia in his absence. He hoped Susan would be gentle with the Calormen and send them running back to Tashbaan with their tails between their legs. He hoped that Edmund, wherever he was, was thinking of him at this moment. He hoped the seas were kind to his love, and that he would vanquish any enemy who would seek to threaten Narnia.
He looked at his wedding ring and closed his eyes while his fingers rubbed the ring affectionately. It seemed so long ago since he'd seen Edmund. So long since they shared their last night of love. So many weeks had passed by, and not one had been free from thoughts for his Edmund. He wondered if he would ever see his love again. Had their last night together been exactly that? Their last?
TO THE EAST
In the eastern seas between Terebinthia and the Lone Islands, naval fleets the likes of which the world had never seen before, sailed on a direct course to one another. At the head of one fleet, the Salis Reas was commanded by King Edmund the Just, Rogue Warrior and once King of the Fallen.
Though he had flown from Cair Paravel to Terebinthia a month earlier to prepare for this very battle, the Salis Reas had sailed the journey and just recently joined the fleet with some of Narnia's finest ships. Terebinthia had contributed all of its naval forces, and as the greatest shipwrights in the world, their contribution was valued highly by Narnia. Galma had also sent a fleet of almost its entire navy, adding to Edmund's sizable armada. Indeed, where Peter and Susan faced overwhelming odds, this was one instance in which the odds were most definitely in the lion's favor.
From destroyers and frigates, to merchant ships and transports, the fleet spanned thousands, with ten times as many souls between them. Indeed, the sea was littered with specks of dots as far as the eye could see. Peter had asked Edmund to defend the Eastern Seas from the Lone Island attack, and defend them he would.
The Just King stood at the aft deck of the Salis Reas, looking back at the huge fleet he had amassed. It was not simply a task of finding numbers or resources, but convincing dukes and rulers of what was at stake. Politicking had never been Edmund's strong point, and he found his temper fraying whenever he was forced to emphasize the importance of this battle. This battle wasn't just about protecting Narnia, it was about protecting all who believed in freedom and decency, love and virtue.
He found himself constantly wishing he was simply a soldier. Simply the Rogue Warrior who did not deal with politics, and instead went on grand adventures to slay dragons and venture beyond the veil. He found politicking to be far less honorable and entirely more deceptive than perhaps even the one who is many. Yet Edmund had prevailed and brought together this fleet. Peter would've been proud.
Edmund had even tried to negotiate with the Lone Islands, but his pleas for peace had fallen on deaf ears. Perhaps they feared him more than they feared Edmund and this fleet. The Seven Isles had been neutral up till now, but some of their own had recently sided with the Lone Islands and were sending many of their ships alongside Edmund's enemy.
"Majesty, we've received word from Queen Susan in Archenland." said a Terebinthian herald, "She sends you her love and her best for our battle."
"Thank you, Su." Edmund said to himself with watery eyes, "I love you too. Good luck to us both."
"King Peter still marches through Ettinsmoor and has so far met little resistance. They are still a month's march away from engaging him."
Edmund fumbled inside his tunic, before he pulled out the same note that Peter had left him over a month earlier. He had carried the note with him as if it were his wedding ring. Though he had left his wedding ring in his old world, he now wore his engagement ring as if it were his wedding ring. The note however, had become a prized possession that he would not let go of until he saw Peter again.
"I will see you again." Edmund said to himself as he kissed the note, "I will see you again, my magnificent love."
Once again Edmund surveyed the sight around him. Ships as far as the eye could see, all preparing to do battle with the Lone Islands, who fought for him, the one who is many. Commanding a fleet of such a huge size would be no easy task. He had however managed to formulate a plan of communication that would allow the separate fleets to work as one.
Edmund had high hopes to end this battle quickly, sparing as many Lone Island lives as possible. He knew after his last encounter with them, that many of them fought against their will. He had no desire to take the lives of men who did not freely wish to fight him. However, this battle would not end with largest naval encounter in Narnian history. Edmund had ordered the fleet to plough through and invade the Lone Islands. All traces of his influence were to be wiped out. It was this particular task that frightened Edmund. For this particular task would mean more time spent traveling, more time spent campaigning, more time spent away from his Peter. He desperately wanted the defense of the Eastern Seas to be over so that he could fly by gryphon's wing to the north and fight beside his love. Yet before he could even do that, the Lone Islands would need to be purged, and Cair Paravel still faced risks of its own. Yet he feared if he did not fly north and face the one who is many, then Peter would fall. Each night since Peter's departure he had visions of him. Visions of him taunting Edmund as he held Peter's lifeless body up like a rag doll.
"Love will fall, Son of Adam."
Those words were repeated in Edmund's mind like a taunt. A taunt of the future. Love will fall. Edmund could not let that happen. He could not let evil take his Peter away from him. He would not. And yet he knew that his duty and Peter's command bound him to defending the Eastern Seas. As much as he wanted to fly north right now, just like Peter, he had responsibilities to freedom, to life, to Narnia.
Edmund's thoughts of Peter were soon shattered by the sounds of impending battle. On the horizon he could see the enemy sailing into view. A seemingly endless fleet of ships that did not appear to be as small as Edmund was led to believe. He did not waiver or find fear welling in his heart. He had a task to complete, and he would do so for Narnia, and for Peter.
The high seas were an odd place to see so many gryphon, yet Edmund had brought them to provide an edge in the coming battle. They could track the enemy much easier, and could perform dropping raids. Large boulders that were housed in freighter ships toward the rear of the fleet could be carried by the gryphon and dropped from great heights above enemy ships. The force of their descent would rip through the hulls of many ships and perhaps even sink some.
With the enemy now on the horizon, Edmund signaled the gryphon to begin their first raid. Via a series of flag signals and horn calls that began from the mast of the Salis Reas at the head of the fleet and continued to the large freighters at the rear, the gryphon were given their orders. The mighty birds flew from their perches on the freighters, grabbed their boulders and climbed into the air.
As the two fleets sailed toward each other, by power of wind, current, and oars, Edmund gave the signal to implement his battle plan. His fleet broke off into three main groups. Edmund's group sailed ahead, while the other groups attempted to flank the enemy. This, coupled with the gryphon's raid being focused on the outskirts of the enemy fleet would hopefully force the enemy to close ranks. Edmund hoped this would enable his fleet to surround the enemy and disrupt their ability to implement their own battle strategy.
As the gryphon began raining destruction from the clear skies, Edmund's plan swung into action. The fleets came together with the cries of battle heralding their collision. The battle was on.
TO THE SOUTH
"Archers!" Susan yelled, "Ready your battle lines on the eastern ridge! Prepare to cover the Archenland riders!"
Susan readied her army to fight alongside the Archenland forces. The Calormen army far outnumbered their own, but they had the benefit of being in Archenland territory. Calormen were not accustomed to fighting in such mountainous terrain, which changed the nature of the traditional land battle. It had been over a month since Susan learned of Orrin's demise along with the fourth battalion, yet she still refused to believe it. If by some cruel twist of fate it was true, she would make sure every last Calormen soldier paid for it.
"Queen Susan, there is no need for you to take part in this battle. Please fall to the rear. A battle is no place for a lady." King Lune said as he rode alongside Susan.
"I am no lady." Susan smiled, "I am a queen. This army follows me. That usually means I lead them from the front, not behind."
"Very well." smiled King Lune, "I have heard much of your bravery. I take it you will not be standing with the archers?"
"Not today. Today I will ride as Peter would. I fight with my Narnian, as you fight with your people."
Susan was already in full battle armor, looking nothing like a queen. Though her armor was still lighter than Peter's or Edmund's, it still gave the impression of masculinity. The armor had been a wedding present from her husband, which he had hoped she would never need to use. It was more a symbol of his respect for her willingness to fight alongside her soldiers. Though it was in Narnian colors, one patch on her right shoulder was adorned with the royal blue colors of the Shian. On the patch was a flecked gold symbol traditionally worn by Shian Queens or Princesses, which would have been her status with her marriage to Orrin had the Shian Kingdom survived his wrath.
The Calormen would arrive within hours, and so the final preparations to the defense of Castle Anvard and Archenland were about to take place. She had been informed by messenger of Peter's march toward the north and Edmund's naval defense in the eastern seas. She wondered how this war could have gone so horrifically wrong. She, like Peter, and even Edmund, had anticipated the war would come from the north. That if they had enough forces, they could make one concerted stand against him. However, it was now obvious just how much bigger this war actually was. A war that was consuming the world. A war fueled by the deception that he was master of.
The sight surrounding Susan was remarkable to say the least. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers of different species and sexes and races, all bound together in the name of freedom. From her archers on the eastern ridge, to the centaurs and forward chargers on the western valley. The Calormen would be forced to narrow their advance through a gulley that would make them a much more even adversary for both the Archenlanders and Narnian.
"The Calormen Army approach!" Roan cried from above.
"Good luck to us both, King Lune." Susan said as she held a Narnian banner high and yelled with all her might, "Narnia, form lines! Prepare for battle!"
THE SEA IS A BATTLEFIELD
In a huge swath of water in the Eastern Seas between The Lone Islands and Terebinthia, the sounds of battle filled the sky. As far as Edmund could see, the entire horizon was dotted with ships that crashed and pounded into one another. Battle cries of boarding parties were heard all around. Cries of fire barrages turning ships into floating pyres set alight. Hazy smoke broke filled the sky, causing Edmund to choke and his throat to burn.
"Signal the seventh frigate group to charge the right flank! Send the Galma destroyers to their left! Squeeze them in!" Edmund yelled, as the Salis Reas found herself in the thick of naval battle.
The trusty ship had survived many attacks and still continued to fight on. The Lone Islanders had proven to be a far greater enemy than Edmund expected. Their largest ships were outfitted with trebuchet like bombardiers that hurled huge fireballs at Edmund's fleet with deadly accuracy. They had broken Edmund's attempt to surround them with his fleet, and over three hundred of his ships had already been lost under the devastating weapons. Now, with the winds beginning to favor the enemy, Edmund found himself forced to change his strategy.
"Charge in!" Edmund yelled, "Signal the central fleets to advance while we still have the wind! Break their ship lines and scatter their formations! Make their bombardiers work for ever ship of ours they target! Sail close to the enemy and add the risk to them!"
A myriad of colored flags went up to signal the respective fleet commanders, while a few gryphon wings circled the skies, flying from ship to ship to convey Edmund's orders. The fleet commanders passed their orders on and soon the entire armada was responding to Edmund's orders.
"Full power to the oars!" Edmund bellowed, "All ahead!"
It was indeed a sight to behold. The sight of thousands of ships coming together. The sea was a hunting ground, and the ships that traversed her were both the hunter and the hunted. The sight of smoke filled the air, along with the sounds of ships crashing together violently. This battle had already raged for hours, and even as hundreds of ships were already lost, the battle would rage on for hours more.
THREE NATIONS, TWO SIDES, ONE BATTLE
In the southern ends of Archenland, another battle in the war that consumed the world, had already begun. The Calormen had arrived to invade Archenland on their way through to Narnia. Susan would not allow that to happen. Neither would the thousands who fought under her and King Lune's leadership.
The Calormen had ridden hard into battle with horsemen advancing their infantry. Theirs was an army of men, who were frightful in their intent to destroy any and all who opposed them. The Tisroc himself led this charge, declaring Archenland an enemy of his master.
The sounds of battle were fierce and unending. Horrific cries of death and suffering that stilled Susan's heart. Many of her loyal Narnian had already fallen under the might of the Calormen. Many Archenlanders had already fallen. The rocky terrain had provided a small advantage for her army, but the Calormen's numbers negated much of it.
Susan had fought in this battle much differently to any before it. She fought as if she were Peter himself, remaining on horseback and leading the charge at the heart of the enemy. Over and over she cut her way through Calormen horsemen, along with some of her greatest centaur.
She had not seen blood the likes of which stained the ground today. The blood of men mixed with the blood of beasts. Such was the horror of war. Yet she fought on, even as she found herself the constant target of her enemy.
Her sword would often give way to her bow, and she would interchange without missing a beat. Her helmet had been smashed from her head by a Calormen blow that could have been much worse. The stench of death was high, and Susan could feel the tide of battle begin to favor the Calormen. If something was not done soon to halt their advance, they would march through Castle Anvard and invade her Narnia.
Her greatest assets had been the few giant who were loyal to Narnia. They would crush and smash through the Calormen, but eventually be overwhelmed and brought to their deaths. Even now as Susan clashed swords with a horseman, she could feel the sinking sensation in her stomach with every death cry she heard from one of her own.
"A battlefield is no place for a woman." The horseman taunted, before Susan struck him dead with a thrust of her sword.
Susan did not pause to celebrate her small victory. Her eyes scanned the battlefield for a sign of hope. It came in the form of the Tisroc. His arrogance and belief in his army's might had led him to the heat of the battlefield.
Susan saw her opportunity to strike a blow, if even psychological, to the Calormen army. There were at least a hundred infantry surrounding him, though several Narnian rhino had charged through and led the way for some of Narnia's infantry to challenge the Tisroc.
Susan kicked her horse into a gallop and crossed the rugged terrain toward the Tisroc. Her centaur companions covered her, while she made short work of horsemen with her arrows as she rode. They charged through the Calormen infantry with a mighty battle cry from Susan. Despite the Calormen's large numbers, she and King Lune had managed to hold them back quite well. Their numbers were beginning to even out, for what Narnia and Archenland had lacked in numbers, they made up for with heart and the unique make up of their army. Though the Calormen had them on the backfoot, Susan believed a decisive strike would weaken the resolve of her foes. So she set her sights on the Tisroc and continued her charge at him.
As she rode hard, she was knocked from her horse by an unseen blow from a Calormen soldier. She fell forward and hit the ground with a fearful momentum. In agony, she still managed to roll with the momentum and spin up to her feet. As an enemy soldier thrust at her with his sword, she screamed at him in anger before she kicked the sword from his hand. She grabbed his own sword in mid air and spun with a slice that cut at his chest. He fell to his knees and she smashed the butt of his sword at his head, knocking him out.
With heavy breaths and a face covered in dried blood, she picked up her own sword and bow and continued to step toward the Tisroc. She fought on adrenaline and determination alone, with her strength sapped from hours of battle. Soldier after soldier came at her and she continually cut them down with a mixture of techniques she learned from both Peter and her husband. She could see the Tisroc almost within range of an arrow, and readied herself to strike him down.
"Retreat, Queen Susan!" King Lune yelled from behind her, "Fall back to the castle!"
Susan's heart fell at those words. She could not believe he was giving the order to retreat. There was no retreat in her mind. They won or they died, there was no retreat. Yet when she looked back, she could see that Archenland was preparing to do that very thing.
"No retreat!" Susan yelled back, "No retreat!"
Angered by what she perceived as a premature admission to defeat, Susan turned and continued fighting toward the Tisroc. Indeed, many Narnian rallied to her side as they seemed to read her last ditch effort to deal an important blow to the Calormen's morale. Her screams of anger fueled every blow, but they were not enough alone to stem the tide of defeat.
Three soldiers had targeted her, and she deftly countered two of them with sword blows that were not pretty, but very lethal. The third however, she could not, for her fatigue had lessened her instinct. She felt his sword slice at her right thigh and she cried out with tears that mingled with dried blood. The pain heightened her instinct enough to swing her bow at the soldier enough to knock him back. Before he could regain himself, her bow was loaded with an arrow that in seconds ripped through his heart.
She collapsed to the ground as her injured thigh, mixed with fatigue, rendered her leg a numb failure. Her centaur fought to her side as she struggled to her feet. She screamed in both pain and anger as she felt tears of defeat streaming down her face. She glared at the Tisroc who only just seemed to notice her presence. He waved her away dismissively before ordering more of his soldiers to finish her off.
Susan readied her bow with a steely determination. She held the Tisroc in her sights, oblivious to the soldiers who bared down on her. In a flurry, she let her arrow go at the same time as her leg gave out again. Her arrow shot through the air and missed the Tisroc's head, instead slicing through his ear. She cursed herself and her leg, as the Tisroc dismounted his horse and was lost from her sight. All she could hear was his taunting yell in the distance.
"You shall not have my head today, Queen!" the Tisroc yelled, "Instead, I shall have yours!"
Susan responded by shooting dead three of the Calormen who ran at her. She forced herself to her feet and staggered forward, letting loose another volley of arrows at any who stood before her. Soon the Calormen soldiers were too close and she was forced to fight them in close combat melee.
"Narnia will never yield!" Susan cried, her yell becoming more of a tearful plea of desperation than a cry of defiance, "You cannot break us!"
She wanted to believe her own words, but her heart began to falter at the sight of Archenland pulling back and her own Narnian lying dead on the ground. Still she fought on against the soldiers. Her gentle skills were still too great for their scimitars. The Tisroc had eluded her and so had a shot at turning the battle in her favor. At least until an unusual cry was heard.
"Queen Susan! Look! We have allies!"
Susan's eyes shot open in disbelief as she pulled her sword from an enemy's lifeless body. She scanned the horizon and found her heart doing a leap for joy. The break she had sought had come, in the form of an unexpected ally. The Fourth Battalion.
They charged out of the thick forest like an avenging angel, led on horseback by her long lost husband, Prince Orrin. The sight was one of the most incredible Susan thought she would ever witness. She never believed her husband had left her, and her belief had proven right.
The Fourth Battalion charged at the Carlormen from the east, cutting at them from the side. Over a thousand souls had joined the fray, and Susan believed Orrin's appearance with the lost battalion would be the morale blow to the Calormen that could help turn the battle.
It was.
The Calormen were not prepared for such a fierce strike on their flanks and they scattered in disarray. This allowed the returning Archenlanders to force the fleeing Calormen into the ridges where they could not group, and were quick prey. Susan also found an unexpected surprise when the Tisroc was unable to join the bulk of his army, who were quickly losing their heart for battle.
The Tisroc ordered his army to advance, but they had a difficult time pushing through the fourth battalion that separated them. In a fit of rage, he marched toward Susan surrounded by many of his royal guard. Susan staggered toward him, with her sword in hand. She switched to her bow and shot off her last three arrows. None of her arrows hit the Tisroc, for he was preceded by two lines of soldiers.
Susan found herself isolated as her forces fought their way to her. It was obvious the Tisroc was positioning her for execution. She fought with as much anger as she could muster, calling out to her husband so that he would cast eyes upon her. If either of them fell in this battle, she wanted them to at least share a glance that would acknowledge their love. Her eyes did not find his, for he was still too far away to see or hear her.
"I see that husband of yours managed to evade our trackers." said the Tisroc as he emerged from the line of Calormen as Susan stood defiantly.
She charged at the Tisroc before she was overwhelmed by his soldiers. She managed to slay two of them before she was kicked to the ground. She gasped in pain, holding her still bleeding thigh as she struggled to her feet again.
"Uncle!" cried a Calormen who looked more like a noble than a soldier.
"What is it, Rabadash?" the Tisroc asked as his nephew ran to his side.
"Let me take her, Uncle. I will force her to marry me." Rabadash said with a wicked smirk, "She will bear my children and thus provide us with a divine right to Narnia."
"I'm afraid she is fated to die with the rest of her siblings." the Tisroc said as he glared at his nephew, "And who says we need any divine right to take Narnia? We need only force and power. We serve him. We need no divine right. Away with you, Newphew."
"But my father said I could have her!" Rabadash demanded, before the Tisroc slapped him hard.
"Do not speak to me in that tone, Boy. Your father is not Tisroc, I am."
Rabadash backed away, his eyes smiling wickedly at Susan as if she were a prize he demanded for himself. The Tisroc drew his scimitar and slashed at Susan. She instinctively backed away but still drew a nasty gash that cut through her chain mail, and cut her right side.
She fell to the ground before the Tisroc stood over her with his scimitar high in the air. Susan felt her life flashing before her eyes. He brought his sword down and pierced her chest, and yet the blade stopped just as it drew blood. Susan breathed hard with defiant tears in her eyes as she realized the Tisroc had stopped.
"Killed in the heat of battle." Rabadash said with a snicker as his sword stuck out through the Tisroc's chest, "And your royal guards will say nothing because they are loyal to my father and not you. And when I return to Tashbaan and kill your son, Prince Lash, my father will be Tisroc and I will one day inherit our kingdom."
Rabadash pulled his sword out as the Tisroc fell dead to the ground. The surrounding guard did nothing but watch on uncertain of what to do. Rabadash glared at them and they soon nodded in obedience.
"I will do the same to you without hesitation." Rabadash said to them, before he grabbed Susan by the neck, "Thank me, Susan the Gentle. I saved your life. Aren't you grateful?"
Susan had no strength to even shrug him free, yet she managed to spit in his face. She was quickly held down by her arms by two soldiers as Rabadash wiped his face. Her defiant act earned her a stinging slap, drawing tears from a weak and distraught Susan. Yet still Rabadash continued staring at her with want in his eyes that disgusted her. Even as battle raged around them, he ran his hands along her cheek before grabbing her by the back of the head. He forced her lips to his and she struggled to free herself. She cried bitter tears as he forced a rough kiss between them.
"Rabadash!" Orrin yelled with furious anger.
Rabadash pulled away from Susan and stood up just in time to see a long sword fly through the air at him. He jumped away, but still the sword slashed his arm. Susan could see Orrin standing over the dead bodies of several Calormen as he glared with rage at Rabadash. Without saying another word he ran at Rabadash, with one of his long swords still in his hand.
"Stop him!" Rabadash yelled as his guards ran at Orrin.
Rabadash covered his wounded arm and grimaced, before he grabbed Susan. He tried to carry her with him, but she fought him and broke his wrist with a well aimed chop. The furious prince glared at her and then looked to see Orrin was making short work of his guards.
"I will have you, Queen Susan. Your husband will not always be around to protect you. Fortunately for you, I now have matters to tend to in Tashbaan. For the moment, this battle is yours."
With those words spoken, Rabadash ran like a coward into his own ranks. With humiliated tears in her eyes and gasps of painful agony, Susan pulled herself to her feet. She had suffered greatly in today's battle, but she managed to stagger toward her husband who fought with an unfathomable rage against the last of the Calormen guard. Susan's tears were free and anguished as she struggled to walk toward him. Though she had a sword in her hand, she could barely carry it, and the closer she came to her husband the weaker she became and the more desperate her cries were.
"Orrin …" Susan cried out as her tears washed dirt and blood from her cheeks, "Orrin!"
Their eyes met as Orrin cut down the last of his enemies. His eyes had at once been filled with fury at Rabadash's handling of his wife, and yet now they were filled with both sadness and relief. They shared their first look since they'd parted company at Cair Paravel so long ago. Susan's pent up emotion and grief found itself manifesting along with her fatigue and her injured leg gave way again.
"Orrin!" cried Susan as she stood up again and stumbled toward him.
"I have you, Promised One." Orrin said as ran toward Susan and pulled her into his arms, "I have you."
Susan's sobs were loud and sent chills up Orrin's spine. He soothed and comforted her, oblivious to the battle that raged on around them. The two lovers were finally reunited and Susan's grief was replaced with relief. Broken and bloody, she held onto her husband with all her might, crying tears of despair that she had long kept within. Her hands traced his skin as though she was still convincing herself he was real. Even as the battle drew to a close with Calormen retreating, their thoughts were only with each other.
THE EASTERN FURY
In the battle on the Eastern Seas, victory had gone from probable to almost impossible. The Lone Islanders had ripped through Edmund's fleets and sunk over half its numbers with their bombardiers. That one weapon proved far more devastating than Edmund's unorthodox gryphon raids. It had constantly broken any strategy that Edmund could implement and destroyed many of the strongest warships.
The sea was littered with the wreckage of ships and dead. Smoke filled the air as Edmund tried desperately to think of a way to salvage a victory. With over half their ships lost, victory was looking almost impossible.
"Incoming!"
Edmund heard the call of the deck hand and looked up to see a huge fireball being catapulted from an enemy ship. It flew at the Salis Reas like a harbinger of death, and yet the sacrifice of a gryphon flying straight at it prevented it from hitting its target. The fireball was pushed off target and fell into the sea. The gryphon paid for his heroism with his life. Yet there was little time to be grateful for their lives, as the Salis Reas was rammed by an enemy tall ship. In mere moments, the Salis Reas was being boarded and Edmund swung into action with his sword.
At the start of the battle, he had hoped to win this battle quickly with little loss to either side. It was obvious now that he'd been far too hopeful. Losses were already in the tens of thousands and the Galma fleet had been literally wiped out. The Salis Reas was constantly under attack by an enemy who obviously had orders to see Edmund dead. As if to emphasize this point, even as the Salis Reas was boarded, a fireball was catapulted from another enemy ship. This time, there was no gryphon to lay its life down for Edmund and the fireball hit the middle of the aft deck. It smashed through the upper levels and set the mighty ship alight. As the ship was rammed again by an enemy frigate, the Salis Reas finally began to list. She was going to sink.
Edmund's face was covered in ash as he fought the Lone Islanders for a ship that would not see out the next hour. He no longer held back in his attacks. He jumped and weaved and sliced with little discretion or regard. Yet another ship came alongside the Salis Reas with a boarding party. Edmund could hear his crew being cut down and he gritted his teeth in tear filled anguish.
With an angry cry of defeat, he cut the rope to send up the flag of submission. The flag that would see the rest of his fleet disperse and attempt to retreat. This battle had been lost, and now he would try to save as many lives as he could. Defeat tasted bitter in his mouth, and he exacted his rage on any who continued to challenge for the sinking ship. There was nowhere for him to run and so he would fight on until the sea claimed the Salis Reas and him along with it.
The mighty ship finally began to list up at the same time as her aft end had burned through. Water began rushing the ship and the boarders now jumped into the ocean in an attempt to get back to their own ships. There were no allies in sight. Only enemy ships surrounded the sinking Salis Reas. Edmund found himself holding onto the mast as the ship slowly sank into the sea. So many had fought and died today, only for their sacrifice to mean nothing. The Lone Islanders had won. He had won. This battle had been lost.
Edmund took Peter's note from beneath his tunic and kissed it as tears filled his eyes. He dreamed of his Peter as the sea lapped at his feet. Slowly the sea enveloped the Salis Reas and Edmund along with it. He did not struggle, and he did not fear for his life. He simply held onto the mast as it pulled him down into the deep waters of the Eastern Seas.
THE TASTE OF LOVE DENIED
In the north of Ettinsmoor, Peter's army had set up camp for the night. He sat inside his tent, mulling over the latest reports from the far north. Yet his mind was not on the battle ahead. His mind was on his husband. He knew that battle had taken place in the Eastern Seas recently, just as it had in the south. He'd recently been informed by gryphon messenger that Susan had successfully defended the south against Calormen. He had yet to hear the outcome from the Eastern Seas battle.
His duties for the evening were over and so he took the opportunity to ready himself for bed. The warm night air made him dress only in night shorts, and gave no need for a blanket. He sat on his bed, tucking his feet beneath his knees as he studied a parchment sketch of Edmund. It had been a gift for their wedding day, and one that Peter never traveled without. He traced the outline of his lover's face, closing his eyes and imagining the face was real.
"Wherever you are, Doubt-bucket … I hope you think of us as often as I." Peter said as he kissed the parchment and slid it under his pillow.
"King Peter! News from the east!" Called a voice from outside his tent.
"What is it?" yelled Peter, running outside without bothering to robe himself, "What news!"
"The Eastern Seas have been lost to us. King Edmund's fleet has been defeated. The Lone Islanders continue on toward Terebinthia."
Peter could not believe his ears. Though he knew battle was always a risk, he never believed Edmund would fail. How could it be?
Was this his own fault? Was Edmund right? Should Peter have been the one to defend the east while Edmund marched north?
"And King Edmund?" Peter asked anxiously, "Where is he?"
"He …"
"He's not dead." Peter said bitterly, "I'd know it. I'd feel it. Where is he?"
"The Salis Reas was destroyed in the battle. King Edmund was lost. He has not been found."
"Then find him." Peter said with gritted teeth that barely masked his anger, "Now."
"Our gryphon were still searching when I left for here. It is quite possible he has already been found."
"Very well." Peter said realizing that it did no good to be angry at this messenger, "How badly were we defeated?"
"It was a major defeat, Sire. Half our fleet was lost. Many were heavily damaged. We are attempting to regroup at Terebinthia, but the Lone Islanders have reinforcements joining their fleet. Terebinthia has already begun evacuating."
"By jove …"
Peter held his hands to his face as he digested the information he had just been given. The Lone Islanders had defeated Edmund's naval fleet. What defense could be mounted to keep them from taking Terebinthia, Galma, and finally Narnia?
Peter dismissed the gryphon with a grateful nod and was left alone to ponder his thoughts. He feared for Narnia. Susan had held her own against the Calormen, but the East had fallen, and he was still to face his own battle in the north. Could Narnia survive an invasion if he failed? Could it even survive an onslaught from the east?
Peter looked up at the stars, wondering if by some small miracle, Edmund was perhaps looking up at them as well. Whenever he felt too incredibly alone, he would look up at the stars. He would find comfort in the fact that somewhere, Edmund was beneath the same sky as him. That small thought would bring him a semblance of comfort. And just as he had done every night since he left Cair Paravel, he looked up at the brightest star and whispered;
"I love you, Doubt-bucket."
THE TASTE OF LOVE'S DESPAIR
Edmund awoke to find himself in familiar surroundings. On the island of Terebinthia, he found himself in the same hut that he and Peter had shared on their honeymoon. He sat up with an ache in his head, a chill in his bones, but otherwise in good condition.
"You are awake."
Edmund was greeted by the sight of Duke Lorel entering the hut. His expression was grave and sobering as he sat down beside Edmund. Edmund recognized the look of defeat in the Duke's eyes.
"You were rescued by a gryphon and flown here." the Duke said as his eyes finally met Edmund's, "A great deal of Terebinthian died today, King Edmund. We no longer have the manpower to defend our island. We have begun evacuating to Galma. Galma's navy has been all but destroyed. I ask on behalf of Terebinthia and Galma for sanctuary for our people in Narnia."
"You need not ask." said a distraught Edmund, "We were in this together. I am sorry, Duke Lorel. I failed us all."
"We underestimated them. Their weapons were too great for us. There is no point discussing what is already done. We must evacuate to Galma, and from there we will decide whether to make one last stand there or to retreat to Narnia. I will give you some time to get ready. We will be waiting for you outside."
"Do we know how many were lost today?" Edmund asked, fearful of the answer he would receive.
"Too many, King Edmund. Far too many."
Edmund's eyes welled up with tears of guilt as the Duke left him alone. How many wives would not see their husbands? How many sons and daughters would not see their fathers? How many daughters would not return home?
The guilt consumed Edmund with an ache that filled his gut and he thought he would throw up. He stood to his feet and ran outside. The night sky was warm and nothing like the empty cold ache in his heart. He ran along the beach, with sand brushing between his toes. He ran so fast that even his shadow seemed to kick up sand. He ran as though he could outrun the anger and frustration and guilt that consumed him. When his body failed him and he collapsed on the sand, the anger, frustration, and guilt caught up with him.
"This is too much." Edmund screamed at the sky, "This is too much! How many will die before it ends! How many more must die before the prophecy is restored! It was supposed to end with Jadis at Beruna! Aaaahh!"
Edmund punched the sand over and over again. The sand received his blows like a soft cushion, drawing out his strength and anger until he could punch no more. Once again he looked at the sky with tears streaming down his cheeks and guilt still resting in his heart.
"We must stop him, Peter." said Edmund as he collapsed to the sand, "We must."
Edmund lay on the sand with granules brushing against his face. He closed his eyes and imagined for a moment that this war was over. He imagined he was lying on his bed at Cair Paravel with Peter laying beside him. He imagined Peter's reassuring hand resting on the small of his back. No words were said, for none were needed. All Edmund knew was that he was safe, because Peter was with him. It was just his imagination, but for now, it was all he had of his Peter.
"I love you, Peter." Edmund cried into the sand, "I love you."
THE TASTE OF LOVE REBORN
In Castle Anvard, the heart of Archenland, a Queen and her husband shared a dance beneath the moonlight. It was not a traditional dance by any means. Susan's right leg was heavily bandaged, as was her midsection. She was not even supposed to be out of bed, but she would not be denied the moonlight dance that had become tradition for her and her husband.
It was less of a dance and more of Orrin moving slowly for the both of them. He held Susan's right leg softly against his, while he had her left foot standing on his so he could support her movements. Their dance was slow and somewhat awkward, but for Susan it was the most wonderful feeling she had known since they last parted company.
She rested her head on her husband's chest as they danced. Her hands rested on his neck and she let herself falter in his embrace. She did not feel the need to be gentle or unbreakable in his presence. She only felt the need to be loved and love in return.
"I knew you would not leave me." Susan said with a sigh, "I would not believe it."
"Your Narnian are brave, Promised One. I led them through the desert and they did not hesitate to follow. We were forced to march in places that others would not find us."
"Our Narnian, Orrin. Our Narnian. They followed you because you are worthy of being followed. You have earned their respect. You are one of us."
"We have gained a small victory in this war. The Tisroc's death will cause great disarray in Calormen. Perhaps we have gained some peace. If not, then at least I shall have another excuse to kill Rabadash for daring to touch you."
"Forget him. Forget the war for one night. You are back with me, and that is all that matters." said Susan as she pulled herself closer to her husband, "I love you so very much, Orrin. So very much. My heart has ached so long without you by my side."
"Believe me, the thought of being by your side again is the reason I am alive. I am sorry I have caused you worry, Susan."
"It matters not. You are here with me now. That is all I care for. Besides, you could not leave me. I need you."
"We need each other, my radiant queen." Orrin smiled, kissing Susan's temple.
"I may need you a little more than usual, Orrin."
"Is something wrong, Susan?"
"It seems that … when the healers were tending to me … they discovered something." Susan said nervously as she looked up at Orrin's face, "Something … unexpected."
"Susan, do not be sparing with your words." said an anxious Orrin, "What is it? Is there something wrong that I do not know of? I will have you flown to Cair Paravel to see Lucy right now. In fact, yes …"
"Orrin!" said Susan, smiling at her husband's unusual anxiety, "I know we have been apart for a great deal of time, but … you need not fret. My life is not at risk."
"Then what is it?"
"The seers were wrong." Susan said with joyful tears, "You will not be the last Shian."
"What?"
And for one of the few times in her life, Susan bared witness to a wide eyed, slack jawed Shian Prince. He stared at her as if time had frozen and would not start again until she asked it to do so. Stifling a small laugh, she buried her face in his chest.
"They said I would not bear children. They said none of us four would have children, but they are wrong. I'm afraid my days of being gentle are over. I am carrying our child inside me. I'm pregnant, Orrin. We're going to have a baby."
- TO BE CONTINUED -
An assassination attempt is made on Orrin's life, with Susanbeing kidnapped at the same time. Lucy is forced to act as Narnia prepares to be invaded. Edmund tries one last attempt to hold the Eastern Seas from the Lone Islanders so that he can fly to Peter's side. Peter's army meets its enemy. Peter comes face to face with him.
A/N: I have messed with canon by introducing Rabadash here, however in a strange way it sort of ties everything together. If you want canon, read the books. Lots of action here. Peter and Edmund are torn apart by war, and Peter has turned the fates on their head by denying Edmund the right to face him. Only time will tell what the result of this will be. We're around about halfway now. A lot of Susan in this chapter, but I always said this volume would be spread a bit more between the four. You can be sure that the focus will return to Peter and Edmund by the end of the volume. But come, Susan rocks! And I hate Rabadash. I always have since I read the books. So you know, now I got to write him getting his ass kicked, muahahah! Reviews are LOVE! Flames are not nice. I do hope you enjoyed, and thank you for reading.
