Author's note: I was pretty disappointed about the lack of reviews, but never mind: thanks very much, as always, to Callie for your generous review! This chapter may be quite short and disappointing, but I felt I had to do it. Enjoy nevertheless!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that is C.S. Lewis's right.
Chapter 10: No Turning Back
After Gurd and his army were gone from the hill (with, unfortunately, John in tow), Laura ordered for tents to be set up and lunch to be prepared. The Animals quickly recognised her authority and obeyed without needing to be pushed by the Dryads, not even Maran the Horse or Whitter the Owl. Anne offered to help as well; she couldn't bear the thought of sitting around doing nothing.
As she helped a pair of Badgers (quite big for their kind) pitch a small, grey-coloured tent, she couldn't help but notice Laura walking slowly and tiredly, with her head hung, towards the chest that lay beside the Stone Table. There was a certain pang of sombreness that stabbed Anne in the heart. She muttered a quick apology to the Badgers (who were really kind Animals and didn't mind at all) and hurried to join her sister.
"Laura," she said.
She turned around and smiled. "Hallo, Anne. Have you been keeping yourself busy?"
"I helped two Badgers set up a tent, er, halfway."
"At least you've been doing something," said William with a grin as he fell in step with them.
They laughed, and then suddenly, there seemed to be nothing more to say. Anne was unexpectedly conscious of the reality of everything that was happening around her: the heaviness of how the situation had become: what turned out to be an escapade from Mrs. Lafferty and Miss Pevensie had suddenly grown into this: John's life was at stake; wait, no, both his and Laura's life were in danger; her train of thoughts halted there, and she burst into tears.
"Don't cry, Anne!" said Laura, stopping and hugging her little sister. "It's going to be all right."
"I – I don't see how," sobbed Anne, burying her wet cheeks into her sister's neck, "Oh, Laura – you're going to fight that – that horrible monster tomorrow – it's almost more than I can bear!"
"It's the only way, Anne," said Laura quietly, "It's the only way we can get John back."
"Is it?" said William, and the girls looked up at him. His expression was one of sorrow. "You shouldn't have done the bargain that way. What good will it do to you?"
"If I win, we'll get John back."
"What if you don't? I don't mean to sound condescending, but – but that Gurd is about ten times more powerful than you. He means it when he says he's got Magic; which you obviously don't have. What you've got is a sword, maybe a shield and some armour if we can find them in the chest, and sheer, dumb, luck. Face it, Laura, it's a dead end."
Her face hardened, and Anne didn't think she had seen her more resolute and determined. If anything, Will's advice had only thickened her shell.
"I'm going on with this, Will. I know that it's hard, but no pain, no gain."
"Laura – you don't understand – we can't lose you! I can't lose you!"
Laura stared at her brother openmouthed. "Will – I need to do this! I need to get John back!"
"But is this the right way?"
"What do you suggest? Do you want me to walk over to Gurd's camp and tell him that I've changed my mind? Is that what you want?"
"I – I don't know."
"Then hold your tongue! I know what I'm doing and I'm not turning back!" Anne couldn't help a whimper when she saw an unnatural blaze in her sister's glare. William shrank back and gave her an odd look before stalking off towards the encampment. Anne could tell that he was grievously hurt. She wanted to hurry after him and console him, but before she could do that, Laura had marched off towards the chest.
"Laura!" she exclaimed, catching up with the elder girl. "Laura – he's hurt."
"But not physically now, is he?" she replied savagely. They arrived at where they had left the chest. Laura knelt and threw the lid open. With a vengeance, she dissected the contents of the trunk, revealing a heap of swords, three or so shields, daggers, arrows, three helmets and an astonishing three sets of armour. Anne gaped. How could a chest fit so many things without overstuffing itself? Was it magic as well?
Laura seemed to have realised the very same thing. She would have liked to think about it, but she was too bothered to do so. Instead, she picked up a dagger, unsheathed it to inspect its sharpness, and handed it to Anne. "Here, Anne. This is yours. Keep it with you – you might need it."
"What about a sword?"
"They're too big and heavy for you," she said curtly.
"They might be useful!"
"Anne! I just gave you a dagger – live with it!" shouted Laura with such alarming fury that Anne jumped. Sensing her frightened gaze and realising just how uncivilised she was about to become, Laura tried to soften her tone as she told her to fetch Mapha and Rathan so that they could take the weapons and save the suits of armour for her and William. Anne didn't even argue about not getting one; she ran off to get the Dryads at once.
Properly grieved and distressed, Laura descended the hill and strolled forlornly, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, until she reached the river bank. The blank, gloomy hue of the motionless water depressed her. She sat down on the gentle slope of the bank and did something she had wanted to do for a long time: weep.