Hey, everyone! Thank-you so much for all your reviews. This will be another long chapter, but I hope you enjoy it. I also must put in, like I said in a previous chapter I haven't read all the books so I'm not sure if Calormen and Archenland are countries, but I've them ones.
Roxy xxx
Disclaimer: Own nothing
Henry stood there stunned as he watched Susan ride away towards a war. Oh what was he going to do? He fell to his knees and felt tears plunge into his eyes. His children, his beloved children had gone to war, by there own choice.
Meanwhile Susan rode hard and fast along the green grass. She knew that Peter and Edmund would probably be about to start the battle by now. She rode for what seemed like hours and after long last the sound of battle drums filled her ears. She slowly down when she saw out 200 soldiers waiting outside the wood. Susan recognized them to be part of Peter's army. The drumming was coming from inside the wood.
She saw Peter himself at the front of the large group. She resisted the feeling to run to him. She took her place behind the last soldier and wondered where Edmund would be.
She concentrated on steadying and calming her horse. Suddenly the soldier she was behind spoke.
"Your late, Susan," he said. Susan immediately recognized the voice. It was young and boyish. Edmund!
"Edmund," she said. How could she not have recognized him! How could she not have recognized Phillip!
"I knew you'd come. Peter knew as well, but he didn't think you'd actually do it. Is Lucy somewhere here?" Edmund asked, speaking over his shoulder
"No," said, "I left her at the castle. She doesn't even know I'm here."
She saw her younger brother nod and said, "I know why you're here."
Susan tense and started to panic, "You do?"
"Yes," said Edmund, "Your there because you want revenge on the Witch. You there because you want to die fighting her and," he paused slightly, "you're here because of Peter."
Susan remained silent and Edmund continued, "I purposely pretended not to notice you coming out of Peter's room last night, Su."
Suddenly the drumming stopped and Edmund pulled out his sword and said, "Susan battles are not for queens, but this was your decision and I trust your judgment."
Susan peered at her little brother's back and couldn't help but smile, "You sound so grown-up on the battlefield."
"Yeah," said Edmund a grin tugged his lips, "and guess who I get it from?"
Susan couldn't help but laugh at her brother's words.
"Hey Su," said Edmund quietly, "Thank-you."
"Thank-you for what?" asked Susan confused
"Thank-you for never giving up on me. Thank-you for forgiving me. I know that I was always a nuisance but I really do love you, Peter and Lucy. I just wanted you to know that," said Edmund
"Oh Edmund," said Susan, coming up to stand beside her brother, "I already know that. You didn't need to tell me."
"No," Edmund agreed, "But I just had to make sure."
Suddenly a loud cry echoed through the wood and hundreds of the Witch's soldiers came running through the trees.
That's was the last thing Susan could remember clearly in her mind. The rest of it was just stabbing, killing, and the fresh smell of blood. Susan had abandoned using her bow a long time ago and saw fighting with the sword that had been at her side.
Both armies were separated by a long line of fire that rose about eight feet from the ground. Smoke was everywhere and made it hard to see.
Susan felt her whole being was about to break as the enemy attacked her over and over again. She hadn't seen Edmund or Peter since the fighting had begun. She looked around and saw a tall woman with blonde hair, dressed in white, fighting and killing Peter's soldiers.
It was the White Witch. She was fighting with an axe and Susan felt anger and hate suddenly burst her gentle and kind sprit and she ran towards the Witch.
Jadis turned and recognized the girl and smile nastily. With all her strength Susan met her sword with Jadis' axe and they fought, hard and fast. Spin, slash, smash. It was metal against metal.
From the other side of the fire, Peter attention caught something through the tongues of fire. It was two humans fighting. One was tall and dressed in white and Peter knew it was the Witch, but it was the other that held his attention.
It was a young girl, with milky skin and raven hair. Peter eyes widened in horror when he recognized her. It was Susan. But it was the scene that made his heart turn cold. It looked awfully familiar. He watched as the Witch stuck her sword and slashed Susan's cheek. She stumbled backwards and the sword she was holding slip from her grasp. She fell over a dead body behind her.
"No," muttered Peter, his voice hoarse, "Please no."
He looked around and saw his horse near the edge of the wood. Pulling the helmet off his head and dropping it to the floor he ran to his horse and mounted her and nudged her into a canter. He raced down the battlefield as fast as his horse could go and jumped clear over the flames. Looking up at the scene, what he saw made his heart stop.
The Witch was straightening, blood dripping from her axe a limp figure lying on the floor behind her. Dark red covered the figure's pale stomach, her raven hair mussed from fighting…
Pain speared across Susan's cheek as the Witch sliced a deep cut along it. She stumbled back and her sword fell out of her hand. She felt herself trip over something large, but she couldn't care what. She looked up at the Witch who stood above her axe ready and a triumphant smile on her white face. Susan suddenly felt very exhausted.
Susan looked over at her fallen sword and was about to move for it when she felt her stomach tear open and fire hotter then hell had speared through her body. She gave a pained cry and through tear filled eyes she saw blood spill from her stomach.
She wanted to sit up but she couldn't, the pain was so harsh and her world was spinning before her eyes. She tried to breath but her breathe was catching in her throat and her lungs were painfully in need of air.
"Susan!" she heard her name be cried from somewhere. The voice was familiar. It was a boy, the voiced played over and over again in her slowing down mind. She finally recognized it.
"Peter," she gasped softly. She looked up and saw the Witch was no longer there…
As Peter called Susan's name the Witch turned and saw him, but instead of waiting for him to came and fight her she did the most unexpected thing.
"Retreat!" she cried in a high pitched voice, "Retreat to the trees!"
Peter watched in amazement and confusion as the Witch turned and ran towards the woods as her soldiers did so as well, all crying to there fellows to retreat. He shook himself out of his daydream and ran across the field to where his sister lay.
Skidding to his knees he stopped beside her and looked down at her. Peter felt his heart breaking. She was in a terrible mess. She was extremely white-faced and covered in blood. A deep long gashed was across her stomach.
"Peter," said gasped, "Peter, I-"
"You came," he said, stroking her soft cheeks with a gloved hand, "Why did you come?"
She shook her head and gasped, "Peter, I will not survive this."
"No, Su, you are, you hear me?" Peter's voice was shaky, "I won't let you die."
He scooped her up in his arms and held her against him.
She drew in a deep breath and said, "Peter, you're going to be a good king."
He hushed her and kissed her lips. Standing up he held her in his arms and looked around.
"Edmund!" he cried out, "Ed!"
There was no response.
Oh not Ed too Peter pleaded Please not you too Ed
Peter felt a nuzzle at his ear and looked around to see his horse standing next to him.
Peter grinned, "Always there when I need you."
"Peter!" he heard a small cry behind him, "Peter!"
He turned and watched Edmund stumbled towards him. He had a large gash along the side of his neck and he was holding his left arm to his chest. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he saw Susan.
He took one look at her and said, "I should've told her to leave. Oh God it's entirely my fault Peter, it's all my fault! I let her stay, I actually let her stay."
Peter shook his head, "Edmund we need to get back to Cair Paravel. Susan needs Lucy's potion. Come as soon as you can, don't stop for anything."
"Your majesties," Peter turned and saw Oreius coming towards him.
"Oreius," said Peter, "I need you to round up any survivors and help the injured and get everyone back to Cair Paravel as soon as possible."
Oreius bowed and turned and hurried away to do what the High King had asked. Peter turned to his horse and mounted it and looked down at Edmund.
"Please Edmund," said Peter, "Please find Phillip and get back to the castle. You're injured and it's no use for you to stay here."
Edmund nodded and knew it was best not to argue because the more he argued the more life was taken out of Susan. The younger boy watched Peter race away, back to Cair Paravel.
Looking around he tried to ignore the pain in his arm. It was hurting really badly. He had no idea what he had done to it, but right now he had other things to focus on. Looking around he saw Phillip and hurried to his horse.
"Edmund," said Phillip in a deep voice, "Are you alright? I saw the enemy slam a sword on your arm? I heard a terrible cracking noise."
Edmund smiled painfully and said, "I'm fine Phillip. Don't worry about me."
"Ah," said Phillip, "You ask to much of me when you say that, sir"
"Please Phillip," said Edmund, climbing onto him, "Please call me Edmund. I hate it when everyone calls me sir or something else that makes them sound lower then me."
"As you wish, Edmund," said Phillip, "Now, where are we to head to?"
"Home," said Edmund, grinning slightly, despite the pain in his left arm, "but first I need to help the other soldiers."
Edmund knew there that he should be doing as his told and going back to Cair Paravel but how did Peter expect him to leave straight away without helping anyone else first?
"Ah" said Phillip again, "A good choice Edmund, a very good choice."
Edmund couldn't help but silently agreed with his friend.
Peter shot through the gates of the castle and pulled his horse to a stop. He dismounted her and ran up the steps and was meet at the top by Lucy and his parents.
"Peter! Oh thank God, you're alive! Where's Edmund? We were so worried," Helen gasped. She moved to hug her eldest son when she spotted the girl that Peter held in his arms, "Susan, oh my word, Susan! What happen to her?"
Helen drew back, but her hands over her mouth and a shocked look on her face. Henry just remained silent, standing just behind his wife. He looked almost as pale as Susan with shock.
Lucy however didn't waste anytime. Peter dropped to his knees and held Susan to his chest. Lucy drew out her bottle of healing liquid and knelt down and placed a few drops into Susan's mouth.
Susan looked as though she was dead. Her eyes were closed and she was limp in Peter's arms. And she remained like this, after Lucy had used her vial.
Please work pleaded Peter God please, please let it work. I can't live without her…
Seconds past, seconds turned into moments, moments turned into minutes and still Susan didn't wake nor did she move at all. Peter and Lucy looked at each other every so often.
Finally after what seemed like hours Susan moved. She turned her head slowly and her eyes fluttered awake. Peter and Lucy smiled in relief and Peter gently placed her down on the floor between himself and Lucy.
There parents remained silent behind them, while Lucy was the first to speak, "Did you know that she would go?"
Peter looked up and shook his head but secretly he knew that Susan would come.
"Where's Edmund?" Lucy asked, as Susan eyes opened fully and she started to sit up
"He should have been here by now," said Peter looking behind him, "Maybe I should go back to the battle-"
"Certainly not!" said Helen suddenly.
The three siblings looked at her. She seemed to have found her voice and she had an angry expression on her face.
Susan, who was now sitting up fully, said, "Peter's High King, if he wants to go somewhere he can go-"
"And I am your mother and I will say whether or not you can go somewhere. Especially to a battle," said Helen. She was clearly furious know, however her husband remained silent behind her.
Lucy turned away from her and said softly to her sister, "You okay?"
Susan smiled and nodded and she turned to Peter, "Thanks for saving me."
Peter pushed his gaze from his furious mother to Susan and blue eyes meet hazel but there connection was broken when Susan looked back at Lucy and said something to her.
Probably a good thing, Peter thought if she hadn't looked away I suspect I would have kissed her, here and now, right in front of our younger sister and even bloody worse, our parents…
"Excuse me," snapped a voice, interrupting Peter from his thoughts and making his sisters look up at the speaker, who was their mother, "I am talking to you all. How dare you ignore me!"
Sighing Susan suddenly became uncharacteristically rude to Helen, "Listen, right now we couldn't care less about what you think. Edmund is still at that battle field and I nearly died, so please excuse us from not listening to you."
Lucy blinked in surprise but it was Peter's quick thinking that got Susan out of a lot of trouble, "Look, there's no time for arguing right now. And Su's right, Edmund is still on that battle field and I'm going back and see what's keeping him-"
"No need Peter," said a boyish voice suddenly, "I'm right next to you."
Peter looked up in surprise, while Helen gave a cry of relief and ran to the youngest boy and hugged him harder then even. However as soon as she had squashed him he gave a cry of pain, but still Helen did not let him go.
"Mum," he cried, "Let me go, your hurting me! Mum, let go!"
Helen unknowingly was squashing his injured arm and just hushed Edmund and hugged him harder.
"Peter," Edmund's voice sounded thick, like he was crying, "Make her stop!"
Peter stood and said, "Come on now Mother, your hurt Ed."
Peter pulled Edmund away from Helen and was surprised to see tears pooled in his eyes.
"You were hurting me," said Edmund. His eyes narrowed to splits and he moved away from her, "Why didn't you let go?"
"I'm sorry, dear," said Helen and she moved forward to hug Edmund again but he took a couple of steps away from her and Peter watched as his right hand suddenly gripped his sword's handle.
"Edmund," said Peter warningly. Henry, Lucy and Susan had all remained quiet, while Helen looked at her third child with hurt eyes.
She suddenly turned to the whole group and spoke to all her children, "I will not have this. None of you are you have weapons again and most importantly none of you are to go anywhere without mine or your father's permission. Is that clear?"
"You might be forgetting but we are the ones with authority here," said Susan as she rose to her feet and helped Lucy up.
Helen's face changed from hurt to absolute anger. She stood frozen to the spot then suddenly moved forward and slapped Susan across the cheek. A bright red mark appeared across her pale face. Her three siblings stood, unmoved, there feet stuck to the floor and there mouths rooted shut.
Susan looked up at her mother in surprise until finally turning and walking through the front doors. Helen stood there for a few more moments, before turning to the rest of her children and saying, "I am serious. I will not have any bad mouthing or disrespect to us. We are your parents and that is how we should be treated. Now go to your rooms, all of you are grounded"
She eyed her children. Edmund was the first to move. He followed Susan through the doors, next went Lucy and then Peter brought up the rear.
"What's she going to make us do?" Edmund whispered sarcastically to Lucy and Peter, "Make us right lines, give us house chores? Susan's right, were the ones with authority in Narnia. Anyway we have to speak to Aslan, tell him what happened at the battle."
Suddenly Peter stopped. Edmund and Lucy looked at him, "What's wrong," asked Lucy
"At the battle, the Witch commanded to retreat even though it was us that were outnumbered. Well she injured Susan with an axe but she never dropped it. She carried it back with her when she ran into the woods."
"So," said Edmund slowly, "What's your point?"
"The axe still had Susan's blood on it. Remember what Aslan said? The blood of her enemy would make her immortal," said Peter urgently
Lucy stood there staring at Peter in horror, while Edmund blinked and breathed, "Oh no."
"So now what do we do?" whispered Lucy, "Should we speak to Aslan."
"Well there's nothing else we can do," said Edmund shrugging helplessly, "Hang on, where do you think he is?"
Peter shrugged and turned to Edmund, "I don't know, I haven't seen him since last night, but first, you need to get your arm looked at Ed."
Edmund looked down at his painful arm and nodded, while Peter turned to the youngest, "Lucy go send word to all our allegiances about what has happened."
Lucy nodded and said, "Come on, Ed, let's get you down to a nurse."
Peter watched Lucy led the youngest boy away, while he stood there for a moment. He looked down at his armor and thought, 'I'd better get out of this.' And without a second thought he headed to his room.
It was late afternoon before the kings and queens were in the throne room with their main allies and Aslan. Peter had explained to them what had happened and how the Witch would defiantly return to power, only this time she would be immortal. Peter noticed that Susan seemed to be very quiet, not saying much, but Peter thought it might have been the aftermath of the battle. Seeing all the blood and flesh and everything…
"I say we attack her army and kill every living creature that is in league with her," said a faun, by the name of Farness. He was met by muttering and nodding by some of the other.
"But too many have been killed from the battle this morning," said Edmund, whose arm was wrapped up, "and a lot have been injured. We can't afford to have another battle, not right now anyway."
"I agree with Farness," said a dwarf, Siward, "I think we should attack the Witch's army now because they would be weak."
Again there was muttering and agreement.
"But we don't have enough soldiers," said Edmund, "How do you expect our armies to fight when they are still wounded and tired. We wouldn't stand a chance."
"I say we call for help," said Lucy. She turned to Aslan, "Lord Aslan, there are neighboring counties are there?"
"Yes, there is young one. There is Archenland and Calormen," said Aslan
"Well I suppose we could try and ask for their help," said Susan. She looked over at her older brother and he hesitated.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt," said Peter
"Well then its settle," said Siward, smiling, "I'll send word to Archenland. My cousin, Hares has high authority there, I'm sure he could work something out."
"What about Calormen?" asked Edmund
"I will see to Calormen myself. At the moment, the country is ruled by an every stubborn king, whose father died recently and he's taken the throne. It is a shame he is not as generous as his father was. He will need a lot of convincing," said Aslan, his deep voice ringing in the hall.
"And what if they don't want to help us," said a lead nymph, standing up, "What are we to do then?"
"We'll just have to wait and see," said Peter, "Edmund's right, we can not fight with the armies we have now. We need more soldiers."
The nymph opened his mouth but silenced himself and sat down again.
"Then I will take my leave," said Siward, "The quicker I speak with my cousin the better."
"As will I," said Farness, "I will round up any good and strong fauns and I will start training them. I bid you farewell, your majorities, Aslan," and without another word Farness exited the hall.
Siward also stood and nodded his respects to the children, Aslan and his fellows and walked out the hall, followed by the rest of the group, who did the same as Siward. Soon the young kings and queens were let alone with Aslan.
"You are troubled, Just King," said Aslan suddenly, "Why do you doubt my decision to call upon Calormen's King for help?"
Peter, Susan and Lucy looked at Edmund, who looked up in surprise. He hesitated and said in a quiet voice.
"Well, I've heard things, Aslan," said Edmund, "I've heard about Archenland and Calormen. According to the tree spirits they say that Calormen's new king is not to be trusted. The Archenlanders seem to be pleasant and the Calormeners, but it's just the king that seems rather, well, untrustworthy."
Aslan eyes shone brightly as he stared at Edmund. The others noticed how Edmund avoided eye contact with the lion. Suddenly Aslan chuckled and he said, "You have a good sense to be reluctant, Son of Adam. But hear me child, hear me all of you. There are many rumors that are not true about the new king. He is only a few years older then you, Peter, but I trust him and are you to question my trust, child?"
Aslan seemed to point the question at Edmund, who looked at the lion, "No of course not. Forgive me Aslan."
Aslan smiled, walked to the youngest king and touched his forehead with his nose, "I did not name you Just for no reason Edmund. You are wise to be suspicious of King Domanic, but wait until you actually meet him before distrusting him."
Edmund didn't say anything, either did his brother or sisters.
"Now," said Aslan, "I must take my leave, but I will be back every soon."
He rose to his powerful paws and in a flash of gold he was gone. The four siblings sat quiet for a moment before the door slowly opened. Their mother and father stood at the door.
"Who where all those people?" asked Helen, eyeing her children. Still was still angry at them, mainly Susan.
"There friends of ours," said Susan
Helen's lips tighten into a thin line, she was about to say something when Susan said, "I'm going to practice my archery."
It was a bit stupid thing to say because her archery skills were above excellent, but never the less she walked down the room, past Helen and Henry and through the doors.
"I think I'll go and help her," said Lucy
"Me too," added Edmund
"Hold it," said Helen, "I want all of you to give me your swords. Right now!"
Edmund and Lucy opened there mouths to argue, but Henry spoke first, "Come now, dear. They are sensible; you don't need to have to take their gifts."
Helen rounded on her husband, while Peter caught the attention of the youngest two and pointed to a door to the right. Quietly they crept through the door and closed the door quietly behind them.
"Now she's trying to run everything," whispered Edmund, "Listen I know she's our mother and all, but this is starting to get really annoying."
"I agree with Ed," said Lucy.
"Come on," said Peter, "Let's go before they realise that we went through this door."
The three siblings hurried down the torch lit passage and out into the bright sunlight.
"Hey," said Lucy, "Can you two help me with my sword skills?"
Edmund nodded and said, "I suppose so. How about it, Peter?"
Peter hesitated before saying, "I'll miss this one out. You two go ahead."
Edmund shrugged, while Lucy smiled cheerfully and grabbed his hand.
"Okay then, we'll see you later," said Lucy as she dragged Edmund off in the direction of the practice ring.
Sighing Peter looked towards the archery room, where he suspected Susan would be. The High King walked to the door and opened it and almost ran straight into his sister, who was carrying a bow and a fresh set of arrows. She looked at him but said nothing. He took hold of her shoulders and pushed her gently back into the archery room.
She placed the bow and arrows down on a table while Peter closed the door; he turned to say something but was met with Susan's lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Softly she pulled away and looked at him.
"What's going to happen now?" she asked him quietly
Peter looked at her confused, "What do you mean?"
"I mean everything," said Susan. She pushed herself away from Peter walked slowly from him. Peter remained where he was.
"You say if the Witch had the blood of her enemy she would be immortal. Now she has mine, she's going to make herself immortal. And what about us; now mum and dad are here…"
She trailed off, looking stressed and frustrated. She began to pace in front of him and she continued talking, "I think we need to tell somebody. About us. We have to tell someone, it'll be found out if we don't…"
"Aslan already knows," said Peter
"Of course he would know and so does Edmund," snapped Susan. Peter was slightly taken aback by her; nevertheless he went to her and stopped her pacing.
"Su, I think we should give things a rest, for the time being, anyway," said Peter quietly.
Susan stopped pacing and looked at him. Peter hesitated before walking to her and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Your right," he said, "Now mum and dad are here it'll be very difficult to hide the secret. I think we should just try to…"
He struggled to find the words.
"We should try to what, Peter?" he eyes were narrowed and her voice was as cold as ice, "Try to go back to being brother and sister and act like nothing happened? Is that it?"
"Look, Susan please just…" but Peter didn't know what to say. How could he word something like this?
Susan began to move away from him, staring at him. She suddenly turned and walked to the door and was about to open it, when she turned around and said, "I hope you do realise that we won't go back to being both brother and sister again. What happened last night is beyond what siblings should do. I just wanted you to know that."
And without another word she opened the door and closed it behind her. Peter stood there trying to register everything she had said. Yes, he thought, she was right. They won't ever go back to being brother and sister again. But Peter was willing to try.
On the other side of the door, Susan leaned against the door, tears swelling in her eyes and she gave a shaky breath. Now what was going to happen? She wiped her eyes and willed herself not to cry. But the lump forming in her throat was extremely painful. She took another deep breath and walked away from the archery room and back towards the castle.
So this is it, she thought, it's all over.
However, unbeknown to her it was only the beginning.
Hey, please review this chapter. I forgot to say in my AN at the start of the fic about taking so long to updating. I'm sorry about that! Chapter 12 on the way….