JUST AND MAGNIFICENT
Volume 3: The Price We Pay For Love
3.8: Love Will Fall - Part 3of 3
Most of Volume 3 of Just and Magnificent takes place in the 3-6 years 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: Love Falls.
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
JUST AND MAGNIFICENT 3.8 LOVE WILL FALL, Part 3
A JUST HOPE
"King Edmund!"
Edmund opened his eyes to find himself still collapsed on the balcony. He was surrounded by aides who rushed to help him, though he swiftly refused them.
The cold ache in his heart still lingered but did not overwhelm him. He still felt weak, but he no longer feared that Peter had left him. Yet he could not help but feel that Peter was not out of danger yet.
"Come back to me, Peter. Come back to me."
Edmund stood to his feet and leaned against the railing. He gasped and stared at the northern sky. He hoped with all his heart that somehow Peter was alright. He hoped that somehow Lejious would be defeated. He hoped beyond hope that his Peter would return safely to him. Yet all he could do was stare at the northern sky and wait for news to come of the battle that raged on at this very moment. A battle that could very well change the course of this war.
PRINCE ORRIN, LAST OF THE SHIAN
Though Orrin had been tempted to return to Susan's side and away from the fate that he felt himself bound to, there was never any choice. Susan married him for his character, and to change it now to serve his own wants and needs would betray everything he believed in. Though she pleaded with her eyes for him to return to her side, the moment he saw Peter being struck by a cowardly arrow in the back, he knew what he had to do.
Holding both his swords aside himself as he ran with fire in his eyes, Orrin ran along the precipice that connected to the lower end of the suspension bridge. With each step he could see Peter being literally beaten and bashed senseless. By the time Orrin reached the suspension bridge, Lejious had his sword over a kneeling Peter. Though Orrin ran with all his might, he did not arrive in time to stop Peter from being skewered by Lejious's sword.
With a gasp of horror, Orrin feared he was too late for the life quickly faded from Peter's eyes. Angry at his moment of hesitation that could have somehow spared Peter from Lejious, Orrin jumped atop the suspension bridge and ran along one of the rope railings with the agility of a cat. Though he met some resistance, his swords made short work of his enemies.
It appeared that Peter was already dead and Orrin truly felt an overwhelming guilt, but when he saw Peter's hand flinch, he knew he was not too late. Once again Lejious readied his sword in the air, about to remove Peter's head from his body. This time however, Orrin made certain the blow did not connect.
Lejious did not even see the Shian coming. Orrin leaped off the rope railing and met Lejious's sword with his own two long swords. With a fearsome scowl, Orrin used all his strength to force Lejious back.
"Protect the king!" Orrin screamed as he struggled to push his swords against Lejious's, "Roan! Protect the king!"
With a fearsome cry from above, Roan soared down picked up the almost lifeless body of Peter. Lejious screamed in anger as Peter was flown to the safety of Lucy's makeshift infirmary. Only when Peter was safely away did Orrin dare to falter. Lejious's strength quickly threw the Shian backwards. Orrin rolled back and onto his heels as Lejious ran at him and the Shian soon realized what he was planning. Lejious still had intentions to seek Peter out and kill him.
"You will not stop me from slaying him, Son of Shian! Today he is mine!"
"Not while I'm still breathing!" Orrin yelled with a fierce cry as he threw one of his swords at Lejious.
Orrin's aim was as precise as ever, his sword impaled Lejious through his midsection. The Shian ran at his enemy with his remaining sword thrust out. Lejious screamed out but still used his sword to parry Orrin's attacks.
With a swift roll to Lejious's side, Orrin emerged to the left of his prey. He pulled his sword out of Lejious's chest and kicked at his leg. A quick strike from both Orrin's swords sliced Lejious's hand clean off, along with his sword. The dark lord's hand and sword fell off the side of the suspension bridge into the seemingly endless fog beneath them.
Orrin could sense that Lejious was still weakened from his battle with Peter and he intended to capitalize on it. He immediately swung his sword up at Lejious's head with intent to slice his head off. However, just as Peter had been struck from behind with an arrow, so too now was Orrin.
Orrin lurched forward as the arrow pierced his shoulder. With an angry scowl he ripped the arrow from his arm, but Lejious was already on him. Orrin was grabbed by the neck and tossed over the suspension bridge like a rag doll.
Lejious began making his way down the suspension bridge that now separated the bulk of the two armies. On the higher ground the fallen army had the advantage, on the lower ground the Narnian had dominated. Between them now was the suspension bridge with nothing but air and deep fog beneath it.
As he neared the lower end of the bridge, Lejious stopped dead in his tracks. Stopped by the sight of a Shian flipping up from underneath the bridge and landing on top of it. With heavy breaths, Orrin collected his strength before he raised his eyes to Lejious.
"I'm still breathing." Orrin said with a whisper.
Orrin stood up straight with his chin firm and proud. He raised his swords and crossed them over in front of him in the traditional battle stance of a Shian warrior. He met eyes with Lejious and his own eyes narrowed with intent.
"No …" Lejious said with fear in his voice, "I stopped the prophecy! I destroyed your people! I had that fool Rabadash swear to kill you and yet you blight me with your presence! I will not be stopped by a Shian!"
Orrin ran at Lejious before he once again found himself being inundated with arrow fire. Though he was quick on his feet, Orrin was not quick enough to dodge all the arrows. His left hand was skewered and he dropped one of his swords in agony. Lejious kicked Orrin backwards before picking up his sword. Now both had only the use of one hand to hold their swords.
Still Orrin stood up as Lejious rushed at him. Their swords met in a flurry of rage and fury. Lejious would use his power to force Orrin back, but Orrin's skill was more than a match. Soon Lejious was on the back foot as the duel moved to the higher end of the suspension bridge, away from the Narnian Army and closer to Lejious's.
Once again Orrin found himself inundated by a barrage of arrows as Lejious pushed forward again. Lejious screamed at Orrin to die and insisted that Peter would never be able to hide from him.
"I will have his life today, Shian!" Lejious screamed, "Just as I will have yours!"
Another arrow pierced Orrin's thigh and the Shian felt himself beginning to falter. Lejious's soldiers were charging at the suspension bridge and Orrin knew he would not be able to hold them all back. He knew if Lejious passed him, Peter would still be hunted down. In a moment of hesitation and reflection, Orrin realized that he had little choice if he truly intended to keep Peter from harm today and perhaps give Narnia the chance to win or retire from this battle.
Orrin staggered toward Lejious and once again their duel raged on. With a stiff kick, Orrin knocked Lejious backwards. Before the dark lord could capitalize, Orrin sliced through the suspension bridge.
The huge bridge collapsed, sending a flood of bodies falling to their doom. Orrin grabbed hold of a severed rope and braced himself to hit the rock face. He hit the rock face with so much force that he bounced off, feeling his right knee shatter in the collision. He managed to grab hold of another rope and could see Lejious doing the same a few meters above him.
With his body exhausted having been punctured by arrows and thrown against rock faces, Orrin could barely hold on. With only one good hand, he struggled to pull himself up. He grimaced in pain as he forced his injured hand up along the rope. Using all his strength he pulled himself up the rope of the severed suspension bridge.
Lejious had somehow managed to pull himself up, with Orrin not far behind. When Orrin emerged and pulled himself onto the precipice, he was greeted by the sight of a few fallen soldiers standing behind a resurgent Lejious. In a flash Lejious thrust a sword down at Orrin, but the Shian rolled away and kicked to his feet on adrenaline alone. His leg buckled, and he faltered to one knee. Yet still he was an adversary to be feared.
As two fallen satyr ran at him, Orrin kicked up off his good leg and rolled at them. He emerged with a hand spring before using his sword to slice the legs from his enemies. The rest of his enemies were soon disposed off by some frighteningly accurate arrows. He turned and stared across the chasm to see Susan firing furiously across at Orrin's foes.
Lejious was obviously too weak to summon anything but an angry cry, but his raw strength still overwhelmed Orrin. He grabbed Orrin by the neck and simply tried crushing it, before one of Susan's arrows pierced the neck of Lejious. Orrin kicked himself free and fell to the ground. Three more arrows pierced Lejious's torso and Orrin knew the moment had come when he could finally be defeated.
Using his only remaining sword, Orrin threw his sword through Lejious's heart. Lejious finally fell to his knees and screamed out with a force that shook through Orrin's body. Still not satisfied, Orrin smashed his elbow at Lejious's helmet, knocking it off and for the first time, revealing what lay beneath it.
Where he expected to find something entirely fearsome he was instead greeted by something far more surprising. Orrin was staring into the eyes of his own father, King Firson. With a gasp, Orrin crawled backwards as he shook his head.
"No … you're not real …" Orrin said shaking his head, "You're not my father. My father is dead."
"You wouldn't kill your own father, would you?"
"Yes … don't you understand, Son? We are him now. He is us. We are the many. Come with us …"
"No!" Orrin screamed with tears in his eyes, shaking his head, "You're not real!"
With angry tears, Orrin pulled his sword from Lejious's chest and closed his eyes for he did not trust them. When he opened them again, his father's face still looked up at him. Though Orrin knew it was some deception, he could not help but falter.
"Father?" Orrin cried, "Father, is it really you?"
"Son …"
"Father?"
"It is I, Son. We live within him. We are one and we are many, Son. Come with us. Be one with us. Do not fail us again."
"I'm sorry, Father." cried a desperate Orrin, his face full of tears, "I'm sorry. I didn't know what was happening. I should've been there with you. I should've died with you all."
"All is forgiven, Son. Just take my hand …"
Orrin fought his better judgment as the remaining hand of Lejious raised up to him as though it were his father's. The Shian fell to his knees in a mess of sobs and reached out toward the hand he hoped was truly his father's. Somehow, could it be? Even if his people were somehow bound to Lejious, would it not be better for him to be bound with them?
"Orrin!" Susan's voice screamed across the chasm, "Orrin! Finish him now!"
Susan's voice shook the tears from Orrin's face like an awakening. Orrin quickly pulled up his sword, ready to thrust at the demon who took his father's guise. He met the eyes of his father again, but this time with a clear mind as though Susan had somehow broken through Lejious's deception. This time his father's eyes were condemning and accusing. When he spoke however, it was not his father's voice, but that of Lejious.
"You cannot stop me, Shian. Your people could not stop me, and neither can you. You should have killed me when you had the chance."
Orrin thrust his sword at Lejious when suddenly his mind flashed with images. Images of his great city, SharShian. Images of his people preparing to defend themselves from the treacherous Secson's army. He could see his people rallying together to defend their city.
"No …" Orrin cried shaking his head, "Get it out … get it out!"
"You failed them, Shian."
Struggle as he might, he could not shake the images from his mind. Images of him appearing like a demon in the knight. Images of his people screaming and writhing in agony. No man, woman, or child was spared the horror.
Orrin fell to his knees, holding his head in agony as he saw images of his father crawling along the ground, begging Secson to save their people. The Shian cried out a piercing scream of anguish as his mind continued to flood with images of his people being wiped out by Lejious. Wiped out and perhaps bound to him as well.
With his face a pained gasp of tears, Orrin slumped down as he was forced to experience the last moments of his people. When the images finally stopped, he could see Lejious standing above him. The one who is many now had his helmet back on and appeared to have recovered somewhat. Orrin however, was a broken shell who could barely stutter.
"Perhaps I will kill your wife even before I kill Peter."
Orrin's eyes lit up like fire and he charged off his good leg, struggling but managing to stand up. He now realized that in the time he'd been overwhelmed with images of his people's demise, many of Lejious's army had surrounded him. He could hear Susan screaming out to him, but he could no longer see her.
"If it is any consolation, it will take me some time to recover from our battle." Lejious said with a dry laugh, "But unlike you, I will recover."
Orrin felt a series of arrows pierce through his back. He faltered as the soldiers around him taunted him. He remained on his feet as blood filled his mouth. He glanced at the arrows but stumbled toward Lejious anyway.
Another series of arrows struck Orrin from the side and he cried out in pain, falling to his knees. He struggled to his feet with tears of defeat staining his face. With an anguished gasp, he stumbled toward Lejious and thrust his sword out.
Lejious caught his arm with ease, as Orrin was far weaker now. Lejious held his arm there before a soldier smashed it at the elbow with a club. Orrin cried out with agony as his arm fell limp. Yet still he continued to stumble at Lejious, as though somehow he could defeat him. The watching soldiers taunted Orrin with mocking fingers and twisted smirks.
"You are defeated, Shian."
Those were the last words Lejious spoke before the soldiers launched themselves at Orrin. They took turns punching and kicking the helpless Shian. Orrin cried out, but still struggled to his feet at every opportunity. Soon kicks were replaced by stabs. When fists became swords, he cried out one last desperate plea.
"Susan!" Orrin cried as he felt his death upon him.
Though he had no strength to mouth his apology to her, he knew she would receive it nonetheless. For some reason, the soldiers stopped their assault on him. Orrin could feel his vision blurring and his strength fading. His entire body was racked with blood, gaping wounds and piercing arrows. Yet somehow, he remained standing. Somehow he stood like the true Shian warrior he was.
"You have fought well, Shian. I am not completely merciless. You stand proud and true, I will let you die in such a fashion."
It was then that Orrin felt a spear pierce through his back and out of his stomach. He cried out again, his screams and tears far unlike any heard from the Shian before. They were filled with pain and desperation. He was hauled into the air on the end of the spear and held up on display.
"Scream for me, Shian. Scream for me and I will let you die." Lejious taunted, "Scream for failing your people. Scream for failing your adopted home of Narnia. Scream for the king whose life I shall still take. Scream for your wife. Release your pain, Shian."
Orrin could feel his life fading from him, but still the pain of his body was outweighed by the grief in his heart. The grief for his people. Grief for a child he had never known. Grief for his wife and a life they would now be denied. Proud as he was, he faltered. Strong as he was, he weakened. In that final moment, he did as no one expected.
"Ahhhh!" Orrin cried out, his eyes filled with tears of grief.
The low drone of his cry filled the air and when it was over, he let his head fall back as his body was held up in the air.
THE PRICE WE PAY FOR LOVE IS PAIN
Susan's bow could not reload fast enough. She could not see her husband for he had disappeared into the mass of soldier. She struck many dead with her arrows, but still she could not see her husband. When finally she saw him raised into the air, impaled on a spear, she screamed out the most anguished cry she had ever mustered.
She sobbed as she continued to fire arrows as if somehow she could help him. She cried out helplessly as her husband was carried toward the side of the cliff. Lejious held his body up and taunted Susan with his stare. She begged for her husband's life, desperately pleading. Lejious responded by throwing Orrin into the chasm that now separated the two armies.
"Orrin!" Susan screamed out.
Narnia soon let loose with a barrage of fire arrows that soon had Lejious's army retreating from the cliff face. As Orrin fell into the fog, a piercing cry could once again be heard. Roan dove with fearsome speed into the fog, emerging moments later with Orrin in his clutches.
Susan felt her heart rise in her chest and she screamed frantically for Lucy to come, even though she was well out of earshot and still tending to Peter. Though Roan intended to fly straight to Lucy, he was struck by a stray arrow that clipped his wing and forced him to land. The gryphon still managed to lower Orrin to Susan's side, with a somber bow.
"Lucy!" Susan cried as she fell to her husband's side, "It's ok, Orrin. Lucy will come."
Orrin did not move, but as Susan cradled his head in her arms his eyes fluttered awkwardly. Susan let out a low drawl of a cry as she witnessed the horrifying injuries on her husband's broken body. Her hands shook as she touched his bloody chest where the spear still impaled him. Yet when his brilliant eyes met hers, she felt a surge of hope when her logic said there was little.
"Peter … Peter … safe?" Orrin gasped, "Pe… Peter … safe?"
"He is." cried a Susan who tried desperately to smile proudly through her tears, "He is safe because of you. Lucy is helping him as she will help you. You saved him, Orrin."
"Must … retreat … to Narnia. Tell Edm…"
"Shh … shh …" Susan soothed, "Save your strength."
Susan held Orrin in her arms, kissing his temple and pressing her head to his. She closed her eyes and silently willed Lucy to hurry, for she could feel the weak beat of her husband's heart growing ever fainter. Susan did her best not to break down into sobs, and instead tried to remain calm so as not to distress her husband.
"Have I restored my honor and in turn yours?" asked a seemingly peaceful Orrin.
"It was never lost, my love. But yes, I am certain even that stupid Order of Justice will agree it was restored today."
"It was always meant to be this way. I hoped … I hoped I could do so without leaving you … but …"
"Shh … do not speak of such things. You are not leaving me."
"No one will look at … look at our marriage with … disgrace. Your name will not be tarnished. You will not be shamed because of me."
"You and your stupid honor. I don't care what anyone else thinks about you or us." Susan cried, "This is Edmund's fault."
"It is not. It is fate. Please do not be angry with him. He is your brother. He will take care of you."
"I don't want him to." sobbed a desperate Susan, "I want you to. You just have to wait a little longer. Lucy will come."
"Susan … it is too late for me."
"You cannot leave me. Who will dance with me beneath the moonlight?"
Orrin forced Susan to look into his eyes. His brilliant eyes had already faded, but his gaze was still sure and clear. Susan shook her head, for she knew he was silently telling her to let go. She refused to, instead feeling as though she would break down at any moment if Lucy did not arrive soon. She could not bear the growing notion that her husband would truly leave her. Yet when her eyes once again met the calmness of his, she found herself being forced to consider the idea that he might.
"If love …" gasped a pained Orrin, "If love … were enough … to keep me with you, then I … would never leave your side."
"Then let it be enough." Susan cried, "Let it be enough. I will give you a baby. I will give us a family. Remember what we said? We would tell our children and our grandchildren of these adventures. And I will tell them about how noble my husband is and how I love no one else but him. I will tell them what a selfless and honorable man he is and how much he loves me. And how very proud I am of him. And our children and their children will all love you, Orrin. And we will be old and grey together. Won't that be wonderful?"
"That is perhaps the most wonderful dream … Promised One …" Orrin said with weak breaths, struggling to form a smile.
"It is, isn't it? A wonderful dream."
"Could you … could you dream it for the both of us?"
Those words sent Susan into a mess of painful sobs. For it was in that moment she truly realized her husband was going to die. The only love she had ever known would soon leave her and there was nothing she could do about it. Yet still his eyes met hers with a surety and calmness that she lacked.
"I will try." sobbed Susan, "I will try."
Orrin raised a weak smile and touched his shattered hand to Susan's face. His eyes smiled gratefully at her, as though thanking her for the life they had lived together and the love they had breathed together. She met his gaze with as much of a smile as she could muster. She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips, her tears mingling with his blood.
"Goodnight, my love." Susan whispered with silent but potent tears, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Promised One."
The last image Susan had of herhusband's life was that of him smiling at her, with peace in his eyes. She held him close, never once taking her eyes off his. With a faint gasp, he breathed his last breath. Susan felt the moment overwhelm her with the rush ofa cool breeze and knew her husband had left her. And so died the last of the Shian, Prince Orrin.
- To Be Continued -
A lull in the war as Lejious regroups and Peter's armies retreat and regather in Cair Paravel. Peter begins his recovery and he is finally reunited with Edmund though their reunion is marred by grief. Peter orders a funeral for Prince Orrin with full honors, while Susan's despair overwhelms her and she no longer feels part of the 'four'.
A/N: Love fell, but somehow Orrin twisted fate so that it was he who fell instead of Peter. Prince Orrin is dead and might I just say, though he was only a supporting character, I really, really, really felt bad writing this chapter. No more Shian. I liked Orrin, because he wasa good guy and he gave Susan depth and he was a freaking killing machine, and he was likable and noble. In the end he died by the sword in this war that has ruled this volume, and suffered greatly before doing so. Now you guys know why it was so Orrin heavy in the first two parts of this chapter. At least I won't need that protective armor anymore, since Peter's fine and it was Orrin who died, not him. The repurcussions of Orrin's death will linger on though, for Susan will not be so eager to embrace those who shunned her husband before his death. Such a sad chapter. Though I have no intention of giving away the ending, I can assure that before this story ends, there will be some fluff, though not for Susan. Like I said though, you can expect the events of this chapter to have a major effect on Susan and even Edmund, especially Edmund and his relationship with Susan, and also Peter. Peter will need time to recover and he will no doubt be angry when he learns what has transpired in his absence. Edmund will probably feel guilty. Lucy will miss her brother in law and Susan will miss her husband and begin pulling away from everyone else. In a way, this(her love and marriage with Orrin, the loss of herchild,followed byOrrin's death)was my own spin on why Susan might want to forget Narnia when she gets to real world, or why she stops believing in Aslan and magic or love. Because to remember it would remind her of what she had lost. I told you the focus would switch back to Peter/Edmund before the end. The final arc of Just and Magnificent begins with the next chapter 'The Price We Pay For Love'. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this three parter as much as I enjoyed writing it and this story. To Susannah who thought this was the last chapter, it wasn't, it's just the last part of this three part chapter. Reviews are love and make me feel good, and after writing that depressing chapter, I need to feel good lol.
