Eva nervously approached the horse she was to ride. "I…I've only been horseback riding once. This was a terrible idea."

"Do not fear," Caspian said kindly. "Saragon is perfect for more inexperienced riders. She will keep you safe."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." When he noticed that she wasn't getting any closer to the horse, he smiled. "Here, let her know who you are and that she can trust you."

Eva slowly inched forward towards the horse.

Caspian gently ran his hand over Saragon's muzzle. "It's all right," he said softly.

Eva wasn't sure which one of them he was talking to. She carefully reached her hand out and rubbed the horse's mane.

"It's okay."

"She's beautiful," Eva smiled.

"Yes, she is. Here, let her see you clearly."

Eva took Caspian's place at the front of the horse and began to gently rub her head.

"See? There's nothing to be afraid of." His eyes traveled to her bandaged cut. "How is your hand?"

"Oh. It's fine. It doesn't hurt as much now."

"I'm so sorry."

Eva shook her head. "I agreed to it too. This isn't your fault."

Caspian looked at his own injured hand. It sure felt like his fault. How was he supposed to lead the Narnians into battle, take the throne, become king, if he had nearly released their sworn enemy upon them all once again?

He decided that he should focus on winning the battle ahead of them first and then worry about his kingship later. "Can you mount her now?"

"I think so."

Caspian carefully helped her up onto Saragon's saddle and made sure that she wouldn't fall before he stepped back.

Eva nervously took the reins. "How will I know how to command her?"

"Just tell her what you want. She'll know what to do."

Meanwhile, Lucy and Susan mounted onto Caspian's own horse that he had prepared for the two girls' journey.

Caspian made sure that the saddle on his horse was secure and the stirrups were at the right length for Susan's feet. "Destrier has always served me well. You are in good hands."

"Or hooves," Lucy joked lightly.

Caspian smiled then looked at Susan. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Susan replied without looking at him, clearly still a little bitter about what had happened yesterday.

Noticing her coldness towards him, Caspian awkwardly looked away from her. Then he pulled her horn out of his belt. "Look. Maybe it is time you had this back."

"Why don't you hold on to it? You might need to call me again."

She smirked and urged the horse on. Destrier took off through the How's passageway.

Eva awkwardly looked at Caspian when Saragon didn't move. "Um…a little help?"

Caspian laughed lightly. "I told you. You just need to tell her what you want." He looked at the horse and put his hand on her flank. "Saragon, follow after them."

With a light tap of Caspian's hand, the horse immediately began galloping after Destrier as Eva clutched onto the reins for dear life and tried to keep herself from screaming.

"'You might need to call me again'?" Lucy teasingly shouted to Susan.

"Oh, shut up."

Dressed in his Narnian armor and armed with his sword and shield, Peter exited the How, Elaine on his left and Edmund on his right. Together, they walked towards the dueling grounds to face Miraz. The Narnian army lined the entrance and the ledges on the How and cheered for the High King. Across the battlefield, they could hear the Telmarines cheering for Miraz.

As they approached, they saw Miraz sitting on the far side of the dueling ground with Glozelle, Sopespian, and Gregoire.

On their side, Glenstorm nobly waited for his king's arrival. He politely bowed when Peter passed by him and then turned to face the dueling ground.

Miraz finished fastening the gauntlet on his right arm. "If it should appear to be going poorly…" He nodded towards the crossbow in Glozelle's hands.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Glozelle replied.

Miraz stood up from his chair.

Peter took his sword out of his sheath in Edmund's hands which made the Narnian army cheer again.

Elaine put her hands to Peter's chest and looked into his warm blue eyes. To say that she was nervous would be an understatement. Peter was a very skilled fighter and she didn't doubt his ability to win, but she also knew that it was likely Miraz wouldn't fight fair. And even if Peter did win, the Telmarines were probably still going to attack.

"I love you," she said softly. "I love you so much."

Peter put his armored hand to the side of her face. "I love you too."

Elaine firmly kissed him, hoping and praying that it wouldn't be for the last time.

Miraz took his helmet from Sopespian's hands. "I hope you won't be too disappointed when I survive."

Peter watched Miraz put on his helmet, and then both of them stepped into the center of the grounds.

"There is still time to surrender," Miraz taunted.

"Well, feel free," Peter answered.

"Tell me, little King, how many more must die for the throne?"

"Just one."

And with that, Peter charged towards Miraz, and the duel began.

Susan, Lucy, and Eva galloped out of the How and rode through the forest at breakneck speed. Before they'd traveled even a mile, some of Miraz's men lined the top of the hill and started after them.

"They've seen us!" Lucy cried.

Susan came to a small clearing and slowed Destrier to a stop. Eva quickly pulled on the reins and came up next to the others just as Susan hopped off the horse.

"Take the reins," she said to Lucy.

"What are you doing?" Lucy asked.

"I'm sorry, you two. But it looks as if you'll be going alone after all."

Susan hit Destrier on the flank, and he quickly trotted off.

"Saragon, follow her," Eva said to her horse. She tightly gripped the reins as the horse took off after Lucy.

Lucy stopped near the top of the hill and fearfully looked back at her sister.

Eva pulled on the reins again. "She'll be all right," she said to Lucy, hoping that she sounded more confident than she felt.

With no other choice, Lucy forced herself to leave her sister behind, and Eva quickly followed after her so that they could find the help they all so desperately needed.

Elaine thought she was going to burst with apprehension as she watched Peter fight Miraz for nearly thirty minutes now. She wanted nothing more than to jump in there with her staff in hand and fight by Peter's side. Together, she knew they could definitely beat Miraz. But the rules stood, and as much as she hated it, Peter was on his own.

Edmund put his hand on Elaine's shoulder, and she tightly clutched onto him knowing that he was just as terrified as she was.

Peter got in several good blows and dodged several others, but Miraz took the upper hand when he hit Peter's head with his shield and knocked his helmet off. He swiped at Peter's exposed face with his sword, but Peter threw his head back to evade it and just barely missed having his head cut off. When Miraz went in for another attack, Peter blocked it with his shield then slashed Miraz deeply on the leg.

Miraz charged at Peter, but Peter skillfully tucked and rolled over him. After exchanging two more blows, Miraz kicked Peter's leg out from under him then stepped on his shield. A loud crack rang out when Peter's arm bent the wrong way that made Elaine cry out in horror.

Peter swiped with his good arm which caused Miraz to step back. He then rolled over several times and made Miraz to lose his balance and fall over him. This gave him time to stand back up, and he looked past Miraz and saw Susan riding out of the forest with Caspian.

"Does His Highness need a respite?" Miraz asked mockingly.

"Five minutes?" Peter panted.

"Three!"

Peter winced in pain while Miraz hobbled over to his side of the grounds. Elaine bolted over to him, and while Edmund retrieved his fallen helmet, she carefully helped Peter back to his side all while examining his arm for any signs of a break. Susan and Caspian dismounted from the horse and walked over to the grounds.

"Lucy and Eva?" he asked Susan.

"They got through…with a little help," Susan told him.

Peter gave a grateful look to Caspian. "Thanks."

"Well, you were busy," Caspian answered.

Meanwhile, Miraz ripped off his helmet and glared at Glozelle. "I assume you won't let things get that close again!" He collapsed onto his chair to allow for his wound to be bandaged up.

Peter looked at Susan and gestured to the other archers on top of the How's ledge. "You better get up there. Just in case. I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word."

Susan gently hugged him, but Peter cried out in pain when she touched his injured shoulder.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"It's all right."

"Be careful."

Edmund looked at their troops. "Keep smiling," he advised.

While Susan left his side to go lead the archers, Peter smiled through the pain and held up his sword which made them cheer loudly for their King. Elaine turned away to ensure that none of the Narnians saw how nervous she was. If they thought that the High King's wife was afraid, then the entire army would be afraid too.

"How does he look to you?" Miraz asked his generals while Glozelle bandaged his leg.

"Young," Sopespian answered.

"But His Majesty's doing extremely well…for his age," Glozelle said coolly as he tightly tied off the bandage.

Elaine helped Peter onto a stool so they could treat his injury. Caspian carefully took the shield off his arm which caused him to cry out again.

"I think it's dislocated," he mustered out.

Edmund quickly looked at Elaine as he went to Peter's left shoulder. Immediately understanding what was about to happen, she knelt by Peter's side and tightly gripped his right hand.

"What do you think happens back home if you die here?" Peter asked.

Elaine gently moved his sweaty hair out of his face. "You can't think like that," Elaine said. "Not yet."

Peter looked up at Edmund. "You know you've always been there, and I never really—" He cried out in pain and tightly grasped Elaine's hand as Edmund pushed his shoulder back into place.

"Save it for later," Edmund said.

Elaine helped Peter stand again and looked up at him.

"It's too soon for tears," he said softly when he noticed her watering eyes.

"I'm sorry, I can't bear having to just stand here and watch. We're supposed to always fight together."

"I've been in battles and duels before."

"This is different."

Peter lightly put his hand to her face. "Do you remember the day that I asked you to marry me?"

Elaine's lips curved up a little.

"You've always had the most beautiful smile." He gently kissed her one more time. "I love you, Elaine."

"I love you too."

Much too soon, Peter was forced to pull away from her and resume his duel. He took up his sword and shield, but refused his helmet since his vision was already somewhat impaired due to the blow he had taken to the head.

Seeing the young boy refuse to put on his helmet, Miraz refused his as well, and they both stepped back to the center of the grounds.

"Last chance, Your Highness," Miraz said. "Your wife does not need to lose a husband on this day."

"My wife is a queen, and unlike you, she understands the responsibilities of one."

As their fight resumed, Elaine felt Caspian and Edmund put one of their hands on each of her shoulders and she gladly welcomed the small comfort their touch provided.

Miraz was clearly not happy about losing to a 'child' and his attacks became much more forceful and savage. He hit Peter's head with his shield again which was much more painful now that his helmet was absent. Their swords clashed several times before Miraz knocked him into one of the crumbled stone walls. When Miraz tried to attack him while he was on the ground, Peter skillfully moved his body around and knocked Miraz's legs out from under him. Peter attacked once, but Miraz evaded the blow and quickly stood back up.

When Miraz swung his sword at Peter, Peter managed to successfully grab the hilt and wrench it out of his grasp, forcing Miraz to use only his shield against all of Peter's sword attacks. Peter lunged forward, but Miraz moved at just the right time for Peter to land in between his arm and torso which gave him the advantage he needed to steal his sword and strike him across the face.

Elaine tightened her grip on Edmund's hand and Caspian's arm.

Miraz hit Peter with his shield again, but when he tried to go for a third time, Peter quickly grabbed it.

In an impressive maneuver, Peter twirled around with the shield so that Miraz's arm was pinned behind his back. With his free arm, Miraz elbowed Peter in the face and threw him into one of the stone walls. Then he quickly retrieved his sword and swung again which Peter just barely managed to avoid.

With no sword or shield, Peter used his gauntlets to block Miraz's attacks. After Miraz once again struck him in the face, Peter knelt down and hit Miraz's leg right on the deep cut he had given him a few minutes ago.

Miraz screamed in pain and sank to the ground. "Respite!" he growled. "Respite."

"Now's not the time for chivalry, Peter!" Edmund yelled.

Peter put his fists down and took a step back. Now had to be the time for chivalry because it was what made him a different and better king than Miraz. He slowly began to walk back to his side. Elaine met his eyes and released a large breath of air.

But then Miraz glared at Glozelle, picked up his sword, and headed for Peter while his back was turned.

"Peter!" Elaine screamed.

Peter quickly turned around and dodged Miraz's sword. When he went to attack again, Peter grabbed the end of the sword, turned the move on itself, and stabbed Miraz in the weak point of his armor. Miraz's mouth dropped open in shock and he sank to the ground once more.

Sword in hand and his enemy weakened, Peter stared down at the Telmarine king.

"What's the matter, boy?" Miraz taunted when Peter hesitated. "Too cowardly to take a life?"

Peter lowered the sword. "It's not mine to take."

He turned and held the sword out for Caspian. Caspian slowly but resolutely walked up to him and took the sword from his hand. Peter then retrieved his own sword and went back over to his wife and brother. Elaine hugged him tightly, relishing in the overwhelming relief that he was not going to die at Miraz's hand.

Then they turned and watched as Caspian raised the sword and prepared to sink it into Miraz's chest. His very bones trembled with anger towards his uncle for all that he had done to both him and his sister their entire lives.

"Perhaps I was wrong," Miraz said coolly. "Maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine king after all."

Miraz lowered his head and prepared for his nephew to end his life. Caspian screamed and brought the sword down. But he did not kill Miraz. He instead rammed the sword into a small tuft of grass in front of him.

"Not one like you," Caspian growled. "Keep your life. But I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom."

Caspian turned and walked back to the edge of the grounds. Glenstorm held up his sword in triumph and the Narnians cheered in victory. Elaine smiled proudly at Caspian from inside Peter's arms. Narnia would be in good hands with him as king.

Sopespian walked in front of Miraz and put his arms around him to help him stand back up. "My king."

Miraz turned so that they were side-to-side. "I'll deal with you when this is over."

With a triumphant smile, Sopespian told him, "It is over."

Peter, Elaine, Edmund, and Caspian suddenly turned when they heard Miraz cry out behind them. He fell to the ground dead, a red-feathered arrow sticking out of his back at such an angle that suggested it had been stabbed up rather than fired from a bow.

"Treachery!" Sopespian yelled pointing accusingly to the Narnians. "They shot him! They murdered our king!"

Elaine looked at the others in shock. While they had expected that the Telmarines would refuse to accept defeat, they had anticipated that it would be Miraz leading the charge, not one of his closest confidantes who had literally stabbed him in the back.

Simply invading Narnia and taking over wasn't enough. Seeing them as a threat to their existence, Sopespian personally wanted to wipe the Narnians out by any means possible.

Peter quickly looked to the archers on the ridge. "Be ready!"

"Peter!" Caspian yelled.

Peter turned just as Gregoire charged him. With no hesitation, Peter killed the Telmarine soldier in three moves. "Go!" he ordered his army.

Glozelle quickly hopped onto his horse and galloped back to the awaiting Telmarine army. "To arms, Telmar! To arms!"

Peter, Elaine, and Edmund rushed to the edge of the grounds in preparation for what they had always known they would happen.

The Telmarines began launching catapults that threw large spherical stones towards them, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Sopespian rode up next to Glozelle and nodded.

Glozelle held up his sword. "Calvary! Attack!"

The first wave of Telmarine soldiers charged straight for them.

Elaine watched the enemy get closer and closer under a flurry of stones thrown from the catapults. She gripped her staff in both hands and looked at Peter with determination. Their odds were even worse than a few minutes ago, but at least now, they could fight together.

Peter looked at Caspian and Glenstorm in a silent signal, and the two of them quickly turned and rode inside the How.

"Narnians!" Caspian yelled to the gathered soldiers inside. "Charge!"

The soldiers let out a battle cry and began running through the How's underground passages.

Peter could hear a horn blast underneath him. The moment it ended, he began to count. "One. Two."

Underground, Caspian counted with him. "Three. Four."

"Five. Six."

On the ledge, Susan readied her bow. "Take your aim!"

All of the archers held up their bows loaded with arrows and waited for the command.

"Stay with them!" Trumpkin ordered.

"Eight," Peter continued. "Nine. Get ready!"

"Now!" Caspian yelled.

The Narnians beneath them knocked out the stone supporters that created the passageway thus resulting in the ground caving in. Some of the soldiers and their horses fell into the resulting pit, and the others stopped their approach to try to rein in their panicked horses.

"Now!" Susan ordered.

The archers released their bows, and a shower of arrows rained down on both the Telmarines trying to climb out of the hole and the ones who had managed to avoid it.

Edmund hopped up one of the stone pieces on the dueling grounds and leapt onto a passing horse to gallop straight into the battle.

"Charge!" Peter yelled.

He, Elaine, and the rest of the Narnian army charged out of the How towards the Telmarines. At the same time, two ramps underground opened up, and all of the Narnians who had knocked down the supporters came flooding out to surround the Telmarines from behind.

The battle for Narnia officially began.

While everyone engaged with the first wave of soldiers and quickly cut down many of them, the rest of the Telmarines began slowly marching towards them with Glozelle and Sopespian in the lead.

Caspian signaled towards the ledge of the How, and several griffins began soaring over the army, each one carrying an archer. More arrows flew from their bows at the marching soldiers, but the Telmarines brought forth one of their machines and sent spears flying at the griffins. Almost every single griffin and archer was shot down and killed.

Peter frantically turned and met Susan's eyes. "Lucy?"

Susan looked around and shook her head.

"Eva?" Elaine asked.

Once again, Susan shook her head in defeat. Elaine sighed nervously. Unfortunately, neither she nor Peter had the time to worry too much about them because at the moment, it was their own lives that were in serious danger.

Peter quickly assessed the army's status and made a split-second decision. "Back to the How!"

The Narnians fell back and began running to Aslan's How in order to escape from the Telmarines and give them some advantage over the drastic difference in numbers.

"Cut off their escape!" Sopespian shouted.

The soldiers aimed the catapults for the How's entrance and launched more stones directly into the rocky structure.

"Brace yourselves!" Susan yelled.

A piece of stone from the dueling ground flew through the air and smacked into the stone entranceway. Peter suddenly pulled Elaine back to keep her from running into the How.

They both watched in horror as the entrance crumbled and crushed the Narnians who had been directly under it. Now their only escape and their only protection in the battle was gone.

Susan fell off the ledge, but Trumpkin managed to grab her hand. He could only hold onto her for a few seconds before she slipped from his grasp and fell to the collection of rocks beneath her. Now safe, she looked over at the others.

Caspian ran up next to Peter and Elaine. Then the three of them turned back around to face the fight ahead. The Telmarine army surrounded them from all sides, and more and more soldiers joined the fight as needed, quickly depleting their already small numbers. Edmund and Susan ran up to them, Edmund unsheathing his sword and Susan pulling out another arrow.

Sopespian smiled at the battle with an evil glimmer in his eye. "Crush them all."

Peter and Elaine looked at each other resignedly, clutching a sword and staff respectively. If they were going to go down, then they were going to go down fighting.

All of them charged forward and fought with everything they had.