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The Return

Chapter 6. Reflecting

Alex's POV

Even though I hid it, earlier really startled me. I had died, and the only thing that had brought me back was Aslan. Not that I was going to tell anybody that. That would only make them wory about me more, and we had much more important things to worry about right now.

And I was now trying to figure out how to tell Edmund we weren't just having one child, but two. Twins! I decided I would wait until this was all over with to tell. Aslan had told me of the twins before he brought me back.

He had also asked me how far I would be willing to sacrifice myself for them. He had said the pains were the only thing keeping the twins alive, but the pains were also a danger to me. I had told Him I would take the pains to my death, and however far torture could go. He had only nodded His head and breathed on me, bringing me back. Now I could only help as much as I can, and live like there's no tomorrow. Whenever I could I would pull Edmund away in private, ride horses with Lucy around the How, practise archery with Susan, tell Caspian a story, yet for some reason Peter kept his distance from me.

As soon as I could, I caught his arm and pulled him into the stone table room, blocking him in. "Peter Pevensie, what did I do?" I asked.

He looked at me in shock. "Pardon?" he asked.

"Don't 'pardon' me! What did I do to make you avoid me like you are?" I asked.

"It's nothing you've done." he said looking down.

"Then who did what?" I asked confused.

"Me." he replied.

"You?" I asked.

"Me. You wouldn't have been hurt, if I hadn't thrown you off. You were just helping Caspian." he said.

"Oh Peter. Don't blame yourself for that. It was coming anyway." I said.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Nothing. But now is not the time to be avoiding me, trust me." I replied.

"Why?" he asked standing up.

"Because I don't even know how much longer I'm going to be here." I replied.

"Well, none of us know how long we're going to be here, but..."

"I don't mean Narnia here, Pete, I mean anywhere." I interupted.

"Alex, what are you talking about?" he asked.

I closed my eyes. "I don't know Peter, I truely don't know. All I know is I'm going downhill... fast, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. And if you want to avoid me for the last days I might possibly have, then go right on ahead." I replied walking away. I know I most likely left him dumb-struck, but I didn't know what else I could do.

I walked outside and took a deep breathe. At the training grounds I heard what sounded like the clashing of swords, so I walked over. I smiled to myself once there.

Caspian and Edmund were practising, and teasing each other, almost like I had seen Peter and Edmund do. At least they were getting along.

Edmund get in a lucky shot and tripped Caspian. "Oh yes! The King of old prevails!" Edmund teased. I giggled.

"Yeah, well the King of old got in a lucky shot." Caspian retorted.

Edmund snorted. "Yeah, right." he said sticking his hand down to help Caspian up.

I walked over. "Well you two seem to be getting along." I said.

"We are." they replied in unison.

I smiled. "Where are Susan and Lucy?" I asked.

"Archery grounds." they said in unison.

"Alright you two can stop that now." I said walking away.

"Ma'am yes ma'am!" they called out, once again in unison.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. At least they're getting along. Acctually they seem to be pretty good friends. But I had to wonder, what is Peter's issue with Caspian? I shrugged and continued walking.

No sooner had I gotten out of sight I was being tugged towards the woods, a hand over my mouth. I tried kicking, but I couldn't fight no matter how hard I tried. But I was able to get their hand from my mouth for a moment to scream as loud as I could. Their hand went directly back over my mouth. "Shut up you little brat. We don't plan on hurting you, just using you as bait." the man said.

Bait? BAIT! Oh dear Aslan, their going to use me to try and get the Narnians to surrender. And with the Narnian's loyalty to me, that wouldn't be to hard. Once in the woods, I could see the Narnians looking around for the source of my scream, but the man had me too far into the woods for them to see. If only I could scream again, if only. But they were only 'if only's' for this man wasn't underestimating me like he did at first.

Once we were far away the man put me down, gagged me, tied me up, and started carrying my through the woods. "Now, will you be good so you can walk?" he asked. I nodded my head. I was too tired to fight anymore. I could always find a way to escape later. And surely the Narnians wouldn't give up just for me. But if it came down to Edmund, and he was the only one at risk, I knew he would most certainly do whatever it took to get me back.

When we got back to Miraz's castle, I was taken to a cell. There was already someone there, but I felt to tired too notice anyone else. My captor chained me up and walked out. Even though my stomach didn't hurt, I gripped it and fought the urge to cry. I didn't know what they were planning, and I wasn't in a position to where if I died someone could rescue the baby's in time. I had to stay alive, for now at least.

"Why are you here?" I heard someone ask.

I swallowed hard and looked over to see an elderly man. He reminded me, slightly, of Father Christmas.

"Bait." I said looking down.

"Bait?" he asked.

"They captured me to get the Narnians to surrender." I replied.

He gasped. "Queen Alex?" he asked. I nodded. "I had heard rumor's of your presence among the Old Narnians, but I didn't believe them. It is a pleasure to meet you." he said bowing.

I smiled. "Rise, please. And it is a pleasure to meet you." I replied.

He looked up and sat back against the wall. "I must ask, are the other Kings and Queens here?" he asked.

"Yes, they are here." I replied.

"And is Caspian safe?" he asked.

"Yes, for the moment, thankfully, yes." I replied.

"How long have you known him?" he asked.

"A few days." I replied with a shrug, and pulling my knees to my chest.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I feel as though I shouldn't, but I am afraid." I replied closing my eyes.

"It's alright to be afraid, especially where you are at now." he said.

"I don't fear for myself." I replied.

"Then who do you fear for?" he asked.

"Narnia, my friends, my husband..." I said then my voice became a whisper "my child." His eyes went wide.

"A child, the story's never said anything of a Prince or Princess." he said.

"That's because, I was the only one who knew before we were made to leave this world. I... I'm pregnant." I said, feeling a tear slide down my cheek.

"Oh dear. That is not good." he said. I nodded. "We must get you ou..." but before he could finish guards came in the room.

"King Miraz wishes to see you." one said.

Another unchained me and made me stand but my knee's buckled. "Stand you little brat." he said.

"STOP!" I heard the elderly man yell.

"Don't speak to us like that old man!" one sneered. I was able to stand, and when I did I looked over at the man, and smiled my thanks. They led me from the room into what seemed like a throne room. There were many people there, and I wished Edmund were here. He'd protect me and our unborn children. He'd comfort me. But he wasn't, so I just had to bare it.

"Queen Alex, is it?" a man sneered walking up. So this was Miraz.

"You would be correct." I growled.

"You do know I can kill you in an instant, do you not?" he asked. This made me stop talking and look down. "I am not in this to kill you, only to take back what is mine." he said. My blood boiled.

"Narnia was never yours!" I yelled "You invaded it and pushed out all the beautiful creatures she does belong to!"

"She?" he asked.

"Narnia." I replied.

"Your reffering to a land as if it were a person." he laughed.

"I do that because she is alive! And you will not win! Narnia will be Caspian's and the Narnian's! You will be dead before this is all over with!" I yelled, but I was stopped as he struck me hard across the face. I heard everyone else laughing. He picked me back up roughly and glarred at me.

"Talk like that will end your life." he growled. I looked down.

"I will protect you..." I heard Aslan say.

Protect. If I could handle the torture, he would kepp my baby's safe.

I looked back up at Miraz. "Tell me, King Miraz..." I sneered "... what makes you think, I am afraid to die?" He growled and slapped me again.

I laughed and he looked at me as if I'm crazy. "Is that all you've got. I knew you were a coward, but not even standing up to a queen of old. Hmm, what's going to happen when it comes to battle and your facing the Kings of old? Because I assure they are much bigger and stronger than I am." I laughed.

He growled and turned away. "Take her back to the chamber. Make her feel welcome." he said. The men forced me to my feet and took me back to the chamber. I felt something sticky on my cheek, and I reached up and felt only to see blood when I pulled my hand away. I shrugged and layed down. Might as well sleep. And soon I had fallen into a deep sleep.