Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Authoresses Note: OH YES! It's finally here! The battle! No romance, whatsoever in this one! Maybe one or two little ignorable quips, but hey, I couldn't resist. Anyway, please review!

The Return

Chapter 12

Edmunds POV

As Caspian and Susan rode up, my first thought was that the inevitable had happened and Lucy had been killed. And from the look on Peter's face, he was thinking the same. I looked at Alex. Her face was still emotionless, concealing whatever she was feeling. Even I couldn't tell right now. Mainly because she was focused on Miraz and Peter, and would not meet my gaze. If she would then I could tell. But what would I be able to do if I found she was scared out of her wits. I wouldn't be able to do anything.

But Miraz called a respite, which Peter gratefully accepted. I pulled his chair up, ready for him to sit. But his gaze fell on Susan.

"Lucy?" he asked, worry sketched across his face.

I looked up at Susan. "She got through... with a little help." she replied, glancing at Caspian.

"Thanks." Peter said with a nod.

"Well you were busy." Caspian replied.

Peter looked up at the archers. "You better get up there. I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word." he said.

Susan nodded and gave him a quick hug, making him wince.

"Sorry." she said quietly.

"It's alright." he replied.

I looked up at the Narnians. Each one had worry on their face. "Keep smiling." I said, but someone said the same at the same time. I didn't need to look to know it had been Alex. Peter lifted his sword plastering a fake smile on his face. I did the same, only the smile was smiler, and more subtle. Susan sighed and ran towards the archers. I glanced over at Alex who had a genuine grin on her face.

"What?" I whispered to her.

"You guys are pathetic." she replied "Well Peter is anyway."

"I heard that." Peter said with a smile, sitting down at the same time.

She grinned again. Caspian helped take Peter's shield, but Peter let out a cry of pain as he did. Alex rushed forward before I could.

"I think it's dislocated." he stated.

She looked up at me. "Keep him busy." she mouthed.

I was about to say something when Peter looked up at me. "Ed, there's something I didn't say. I just wanted to thank you." he said.

I paled. He wants to have a brother moment right here! NO WAY!

"You've always been there, and I never really..." 'CRACK' 'AHH'

"Sorry. And you'll have to save it for later." Alex said.

I gave her a thankful smile. She smiled back at me before helping Peter put his shield back on. I handed him his sword and I was about to give him his helmet, but he shook his head. I sighed and put it back down. And a moment later the fight was back on.

Alexs POV

"Go!" Peter called.

Caspian and I rushed for the horses. I jumped up on one I had gotten to know well while he jumped up on the one he and Susan had ridden in on. Of course his had a saddle though, mine didn't. Not that I minded, I preferred bareback.

I heard someone call my name and looked up. Eric was further up above the Narnians. I motioned for him to stay out of sight and apparently he caught on. I hated for him to have to see a battle, but he had chosen not to listen to me. So it's his own fault.

Peter glanced back at us and we took that as our signal. I turned my horse around, Caspian doing the same with his and we galloped into the How.

"Narnians!" we called in unsion, both of us grabbing a torch "Charge!"

We dove under ground. This was going to have to take perfect timing. We were quit a distance apart now, but it was neccessary for the plan.

"NOW!" we called in unison. How we managed that, I'm not sure. We started smashing at the collums, bringing the ground above our heads crashing down not loo long after we were out from under it.

A moment later, a ramp of grass appeared in front of me. I could see I was in perfect time with Caspian. Half of the Narnians that had stayed underground were behind me, the other half behind him. I tossed the torch aside and pulled my sword just as I reached the ramp. I rounded around, the Narnians close behind me, and met Caspian not too long after that, the Narnians forming into one whole group.

We were attacking from the rear, while the other half of the Narnians took the head on approach, trapping the Telmarines in the middle.

I dove into the mass of Telmarines. I loved the rush of being on the frontlines. I had no care that I could be cut down at any moment. I loved fighting for my country. And being one of the first to dive in... I loved it. Most people can't stand it, but these Telmarines had destroyed Narnia, they had sent the tree's into hiding, and now they were so deep inside themselves they can't find a way out. These thoughts only drives me further, making my slashes harder, my strokes more fluid. The sword was part of my arm by this point.

I felt someone grab my leg, hanging on for dear life. I gasped, utterly horrified to find that it was Telmarine.

"Does the pretty little girl want to come down here." the man sneered.

"No." I said sweetly before cutting his head off.

"You are amazing." I heard Caspian say.

"Why thank you." I replied.

"Back off, she's mine." I heard Edmund say, glaring at the severed head of the man I had just killed.

I snorted. "Yeah, that part of me is yours." I said rolling my eyes.

"Darn right it is!" Edmund said, releasing a crossbow bolt towards a Telmarine.

"Back to the How!" we heard Peter call.

"Come on!" Edmund said urging his horse toward the How.

Caspian did the same, but I stayed in the midst of battle, as many other Narnians were doing. I am not retreating at a time like this, even if it does mean certain death.

"Cut off their escape!" came a faint cry.

NO! "STOP!" I called, trying to stop the Narnians as the large boulders slammed into the How.

I rode forward, trying to reach Peter, Edmund, and Caspian in time. Edmund had stopped, and I pulled my horse to a stop beside him. Luckily both Peter and Caspian stopped.

Edmund and I watched in horror as the How's entrance was blocked. But what brought even more horror was the fact the archers were still up there. A tree fell, knocking Susan off balance. Trumpkin grabbed her hand just in time, but it slipped.

"SUSAN!" I screamed, my voice already hoarse.

"NO!" Edmund exclaimed, eyes wide with horror.

She wasn't my older sister, but she was like it. But to our great relief she landed saftely on a hunk of rock, before climbing down. I let out a breathe. Edmund was already dismounting, running over to where the Narnians were assembling for the next attack. I ran behind him, sword already drawn, and I picked up another on the way. Warrior was an understatement for me today. Ticked beyond reason fit more.

Edmund threw his crossbow aside and drew his own sword while Susan drew an arrow to her bow. It seemed idiotic to me how she could fight in a full length dress, and with a bow. She had only done that once, and nearly got herself killed in the process.

I stood beside Edmund, waiting for the next part of battle to start. I looked forward, my heart pounding in my chest, ready for what was to come. Desperate for what was to come... revenge. Avenging my people meant more than anything... except Aslan. And as Peter began the run toward the Telmarines I began the run as Edmund did. I found our steps in time with each other. Not once did we leave each other's side as we slashed at the Telmarines with force only found in anger. As a small break came through, I landed against Edmund's back.

"How you holding up?" I asked, finding I still had my breathing in tact.

"Peachy." he grinned as Telmarines attacked us once more "You?" he called.

"Perfect!" I grinned back. But just as I said this I felt a sword graze my side. And when I looked down I found it was a bit more then a graze. Luckily it wasn't too aweful serious, and I found the strength to continue. Strangely the pain subsided. Unfortunantly, the blood stain was growing slowly but surely.

"Your bleeding!" Edmund said, eyes wide.

"Thank you Captain Obvious!" I snapped.

"Get out of here!" he exclaimed.

"I don't think so!" I said through gritted teeth as I found myself fighting three Telmarines at once. I fought without thinking, my thoughts wandering to memories, the people I love. I was beginning to feel weak, but I wasn't about to back out. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. I was pretty much trapped in the heat of battle. But just as I thought this I tripped over something, something moving.

I let out a strangled cry as I found myself lifted back up. It was a... tree root. THE TREES! I found my way over to Susan and Edmund, my wound now forgotten, and my strength given back. "FOR ASLAN!" Peter called as we dove back into the battle. But with the tree's on our side, the Telmarines turned into cowards and ran towards the river. This wouldn't take long...