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The Return

Chapter 11

Alexs POV

"Yes I am!" I exclaimed.

Peter sighed and turned to Edmund. "You take a crack at it, she still won't give up!" he exclaimed throwing his hands up in exasperation.

"Don't look at me." Edmund said.

"She's your wife!" Peter exclaimed.

"Well, I've already tried to talk her out of it. She's made up her mind. And as much as it pains me to say it... if there's battle... she'll be in it... on the frontlines... in danger." Edmund said turning paler with each pause.

"I'll be perfectly fine." I said.

"Tell that to the Telmarine's who will be SLASHING AND TRYING TO KILL YOU!" Peter exclaimed.

"And it's nothing I haven't done before." I said calmly.

Edmund sighed and walked over, running his hand down my cheek. "But last time you weren't pregnant." he said gently.

"If that's what your worried about, there's nothing to worry about." I said.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"It's hard to explain. But you don't have to worry about me... or the twins." I said.

"Well how..." but he stopped and his eyes went wide. Peter's mouth feel open in utter shock. "Twins? Did you just say... twins?" Edmund asked.

I glanced down. "Yes." I said staring at my feet.

Here was the confrontation I had hoped to avoid until all of this was over.

"Oh my Aslan." Peter muttered.

Caspian walked in the room and looked at Peter who was pale. "Are you sure you don't want me too..."

Pter put his hand up stopping Caspian. "No Caspian, I'm not nervous. It's just..." but Peter broke off, in silent confusion.

I looked back up at Edmund who was currently grinning from ear to ear, despite the fact battle was starring us right in the face. "Twins!" he exclaimed, sweeping me off my feet.

"Come again?" Caspian said, eyes wide.

"I'll explain later." I said laughing. But I was nearly cut off as Edmund pulled my lips to his in the most passionate kiss he had given me since... well... probably our wedding night. When he finally put me down, Peter was grinning.

"When you two go for something you really go for it don't you!" he finally exclaimed. I blushed and looked down. "I'm just gonna..." but my scream cut him off.

"Alex?" Edmund asked.

"Susan! Lucy! Have they left?!" I asked.

"Yes, just now." Caspian replied.

"Which reminds me." Peter said, putting his helmet on. Edmund sighed.

"Well, what's wrong?" Caspian asked.

"Something's wrong. I don't know what. But something. I'm going after them." I said.

"What?!" Edmund exclaimed.

"No, I'll go." Caspian replied.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"I'm sure Peter would much rather have you here than me." Caspian replied.

"It's true. I would. No offense to you Caspian." Peter said.

"None taken." Caspian said with a wave of his hand.

"So Caspian will go, Alex, you go ahead and get out there, and Ed will walk out with me." Peter confirmed.

"Yes." I said with a nod.

Edmund sighed. "I still don't like the idea of Alex in battle. Especially with the news we just recieved." he said.

"I'm already suited up." I said.

"In chain mail and a knee length dress." Edmund said dryly.

"Oh shut up. That's suited up in my opinion." I said.

"Would you give it up. She's going." Peter said to Edmund.

"Thank you." I said.

"I didn't say I liked it." Peter said to me. I

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Well, go on you two. I'd like to have a small talk with Edmund before heading out." Peter said.

Caspian nodded and jogged from the room.

"Be careful Pete." I said giving him a tight squeeze.

"I'll be fine. And if worse comes to worse, always remember your older brother." he said with a smile.

"I could never forget him." I said reaching up to kiss him on the cheek.

"I'm glad to hear that." someone said from te doorway.

I gasped and whipped around. Sure enough there stood the one person I would have never expected. "Eric!" I exclaimed barreling towards him. He laughed as I hit him full force.

"Good to see you too. Might you explain... oh I don't know... where we are and why your in a room with two complete strangers. Not to mention boys." he said.

"Oh shut up. I'll explain later, I promise but... I can't now. And promise me you'll stay here." I said.

"Stay here! I don't even know where the hell I am!" he exclaimed.

"Oh good grief! I don't have the time for this now!" I exclaimed. I gave Peter another quick hug. "Stay safe." were my quick words. I turned to Edmund. "And you, mister, better come back to me." I kissed him once more before looking back over at Eric who was in utter shock by now. "I really can't explain now. And you can't wait here. Just... AGH follow me!" I said dragging him out. "Be careful, Pete. I love you. And I'll see you BOTH on the battlefield!" I called over my shoulder.

"BATTLEFIELD!" Eric exclaimed.

"I said I'll explain later!" I said through gritted teeth. I led him to mine and Edmund's room. "Now, stay here, don't leave, and I promise I'll be back later. Though I'm not sure how much later." I said.

"Ok, I'll stay here." he said.

"Promise?" I asked.

"I promise." he replied. Apparently he was catching the seriousness in my voice. Or maybe it was the queenly catch it had here that was affecting him, but whatever it was I was glad it worked.

"Thank you." I sighed. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before running toward the entrance off the How. I slowed my pace to a slow jog as I exited. The Narnians cheered as they saw me. I smiled and continued jogging up to where Glenstorm was waiting. I stood at one side of the ring and sighed. Glenstorm nodded to me, a small nod of encouragement from one warrior to another, from one soldier to another, and from one friend to another. I gave him a grateful smile and looked at the entrance of the How, waiting for Peter and Edmund. And so begins the longest wait of my life...

PETERS POV

"So, what's up Pete?" Edmund asked.

"Is that supposed to be some kind of trick question?" I joked raising an eyebrow at him.

He laughed, realizing what he had just said. "No, and you don't have to answer that by the way... in fact I'd prefer if you didn't."

I nodded. "But anyway, Ed. I just wanted to make sure there are no barriers between us. Now woud not be the time for that, as you know." I said.

"There are none, Peter. Not anymore." he replied.

I sighed. "I was hoping you would say that." I smiled.

"Unless your mad at me." he said.

"No no, I'm not. I was just wondering if you were mad at me." I said.

"Nope." he replied shaking his head.

"Good." I said.

"There's something else you want to say." he said, and it wasn't a question either.

"Yes, there is." I sighed.

"Well, out with it. We don't have much time." he said.

"I just wanted to make sure the girl's were taken care of... if thing's don't go in our favor today." I said.

"Make sure the girl's are taken care of? What do you mean?" he asked.

"Will you take care of them?" I asked.

"Of course." he replied, looking at me as if I were an idiot.

"I know it's alot to ask of you, but..."

"But nothing Peter. I'm not going to have to anyway. But if worse does come to worse, I promise to take care of them." he assured.

"Thanks Ed." I sighed.

"No problem." he replied.

A silence hung over the room. It wasn't an awful, uncomfortable one, but more one of giving and taking comfort than anything else. Before I knew what he was doing, there was a clang of metal as he embraced me tightly.

"Be careful Pete." he said.

I embraced him back, just as tight, if not tighter. "I promise, I'll do my best." I replied.

We once again fell silent, but this time clinging to each other as if the other would disappear if the other let go.

After a moment I sighed. "It's time." I said.

"I suppose it is." he sighed letting me go. He then grabbed Rhindon and looked up at me. I gave him a reassuring smile and we walked to the entrance of the How. The Narnians started cheering as we approached, banging their weapons together. As we got closer both Alex and Glenstorm gave me nods and both turned toward the center of the ring. And probably nobody but Edmund and I caught this, but behind Alex's emotionless gaze was worry. I could also tell this by the way she was gripping the pommel of her sword. It was still in it's sheath, but she was gripping it for dear life.

I exchanged a glance with Edmund before pulling Rhindon from his sheath. I gave Alex one more reassuring smile and turned my attention to Miraz, the smile fading instantly. That was a smile meant for my younger sister, and only my younger sister. I would have sent one to Edmund too, but he hadn't been turned to me at the time. I walked forward as Miraz did and me circled each other once in the middle.

"Now is the time to surrender." he said.

Flashes of Edmund at Beruna, Lucy when I had said no to waiting for Aslan, Susan staring down at me as she tended to my wounds, and Alex when we had first gotten her back from the Witch.

My answer was swift. "Well feel free."

I heard him growl, barely audible enough for me to hear it. "How many more must die for the throne?" he said.

Once more those flashes ran through my mind, but also the scream the dryad had made as he came to us but it was too late as his tree had been cut down. The helpless look of the young creatures when the Telmarines had first come. The looks on the faces of the Narnians left behind at Miraz's castle.

My answer was once again swift, but this time with the hint of a sneer and growl. "Just... one."

And with that I pulled my helm down. I rushed towards a rock, using it as a leaver to throw me up into the air, hoping to gain a slight advantage over him, but still it didn't do much good. And after that, the real dual began.

I know, cliffie, or at least a slight one. But you guys probably know how things are gonna go... except for what will happen to Alex. *evil smile* No worry's, the next chapter's nearly done, I got busy as soon as my comp was fixed, and it should be up, the latest Sunday, but probably tomorrow.