5) Lee And Peter's Realization
"What do you mean?" Susan asked slowly.
"What if I impersonated a soldier? I could cut off my hair, and pretend I ran away. You told me there are now other humans in Narnia, I'll join a band of them coming to join and I'll fight. I win, the end." Liz grabbed a pair of scissors and handed them to Susan, "Cut off my hair."
"Peter loved your hair," Susan whined, hoping to dissuade her friend. "He'd kill me if he knew I was doing this." Susan cut off all of her best friend's hair, watching it fall to the floor. After it was done, Susan addressed the next problem.
"What about clothes?" She asked, knowing there was no turning back now.
"Take some of Edmund's, we're about the same size." Susan nodded. She stole out of the room, to the West wing, into Edmund's room. He was in a war council with Peter, and wouldn't be back till the next morning. She took some of his clothes, and met a Dryad on the way back to Liz's room.
"Come with me." She said, and the Dryad followed. They arrived back in the room, where Susan gave Liz the clothes to change into. Susan gathered Liz's hair from the floor and handed it to the Dryad. "I need you to burn this, and no matter what, King Peter must not find out. You are sworn to secrecy." The Dryad nodded, and took the hair from the room.
"Liz, you know Peter will be heartbroken." Susan said, still trying to make her friend stay.
"He'll see me soon enough." Liz replied, coming out of the bathroom, actually looking like a guy.
"I think you just might pass for a guy, your looks paired with your swordsmanship, will convince everyone." Susan said. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I know this is what I want." Liz said, smiling at her friend. She hugged Susan close, and a few tears escaped. "Tell everyone goodbye, and I'll be back before they know it."
Susan nodded through her tears. "Don't get yourself killed." She whispered, trying unsuccessfully to lighten the mood. They walked to the castle walls, and gave each other on last hug. Liz truly looked like a man, as she walked away with a pack over her shoulder, her shield over her other shoulder, and her sword at her side. And all Susan could think was, what will Peter say?
The breakfast table was tense, because Peter wasn't there yet, and they were all nervous.
Peter walked in, and immediately noticed Liz's absence. "Where's Liz?" He asked sharply.
"She left. Last night." Susan said in a quiet tone.
"Where did she go?" Peter asked in a fierce tone.
"I don't know. She took her sword and shield with her; please Peter, don't get distracted. We need to win this war. We can't lose you. Just focus." Susan said, tears in her eyes. "She said to say goodbye, and that we'll see her sooner than you think." Peter left the room, and the room became silent.
Peter threw himself into the work for the upcoming war. Already, battles had taken place at Narnia's borders, and they had lost. People and animals were pouring in for the army, and he saw very few. Once in a while, Peter surveyed the people getting into the armies, but he missed who was the most important.
Liz entered the army camp, under the name Lee. She was so scared of being found out, by Sirius, by a Dryad, by Peter. But she was safe, for now. Nobody questioned the purple on her equipment; they were grappling for enough for everybody.
"Lee!" She turned to see Lucy, calling 'her' name.
"Yes Queen Lucy?" Liz answered.
Lucy narrowed her eyes and stared at her, "Come with me." Liz followed Lucy to an empty room in Cair Paravel. Lucy turned to Liz when the door was safely locked, "ELIZABETH CULLEN! WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR?" Lucy screamed at her for a moment, calming down again after a minute.
"Lucy, please be quiet. All I want to do is fight! And if I stayed, Peter would have never let me!" Liz stressed to Lucy.
"Please come back! Peter's barely seems alive anymore!" Lucy said.
"Just tell him I'll be home soon! As soon as the war's over." Liz said.
"As long as you promise not to get yourself killed…" Lucy trailed off.
"You sound like Susan!" Liz joked.
"Susan helped you with this!" Lucy yelled. "What did she do?"
"She cut my hair and stole Edmund's clothes." Liz answered truthfully.
"I'll kill her, no scratch that, if Peter finds out, he'll kill her." Lucy said shaking her head. "Good luck Liz, you're going to need it." They left the room, and Lucy ran immediately to Peter.
"Peter, Liz says she'll be home soon, as soon as the war's over." Lucy relayed Liz's message to Peter. He didn't look any less worried though.
"You spoke to Liz, where is she? Is she alright?" Peter asked immediately.
"She's fine, I can't tell you where she is, but she's closer than you think," Lucy said, and walked away to find Susan.
The first major battle of the war was gearing up, and most of the fighters expected it to be the only major battle. Peter was suited up in his armor, going over the last of the plans with Sirius.
"So you will be in the middle of the footmen, King Peter, and I will be at the back of them." Sirius said, pointing to the diagram.
"Let's go, it's all set." Peter exited the tent and mounted his unicorn, Apollo. Everyone got in formation, ready for battle. Peter surveyed his army, happy with what he saw. There were many strong fighters, archers, and bombs men.
Peter was looking at the footmen in front of him when he saw a glint of purple. When he focused, he noticed a teenage boy, with a purple-accented shield and sword. On further examination, Peter realized that this boy was not a boy at all, but a girl, a girl that he cared deeply about. He heard Sirius' horn signaling that he could give the battle cry; it was time. Out of all the battles he had been in, it was this one that made him truly terrified. He could lose her.
But it was too late. He couldn't stop Elizabeth Cullen from fighting.