*Chapter 21- Of Twins and Aslan*
Hallo my lovelies! How art thou fairing?
Gabby was supposed to go back to school again today, but seeing as every time she stands up she feels faint, her mother decided staying home would be best. So I'm using this as an opportunity to update!
A couple of announcements before the chapter. First off, I would like to thank every one who reviewed and left me their opinions for my characters, especially darestodream for her magnificent opinions, which she was so kind as to pm me because fanfic wasn't letting her review. Thanks, hun!
Secondly, to all my readers, please go read Mystic Lover of the Fairytale's stories. Formerly known as Princess Lucy, she's a very good writer whose account has been hacked by a user known as ravenreturns because she reported his story, which deserved to be reported. So go help her out by reading her stories. Pwetty pwease? J
Third, me and my bestest fanfiction friend, Jordi(imprintedjet09) have teamed up and are writing a funny Narnia fanfic called 'EPIC' under the username 'Hillbillyhunter xD' Reviews for this story would be appreciated.
Fourth, PICTURE OF PENELOPE IS UP!! Go check out my profile and see :DD
That's all :D
For darestodream
As promised, Peter, Susan and Lucy entered Aslan's Chamber of Sacrifice several minutes after the rest of the group had. They arrived to the sight of Edmund pacing, Penelope staring wearily at the Stone Table, and Iridescent.. sleeping. When the three entered, everyone stood up, and Penelope nudged Iridescent awake. Everyone formed a circle around the Stone Table and waited for Peter to speak.
"We have a plan," Peter began. "It's risky, but at this point it's our only chance."
"What is it?" Edmund asked, his ears perking up at the sound of potential action.
Peter glanced back at Lucy and Susan before continuing. "We need to fight, there's no doubt about that. No matter what we do at this point, it's going to end in fighting."
"As well it should!" chirped Reepicheep, brandishing his rapier.
"But we can't do it alone." Peter finished, looking meaningfully behind the group. They turned, following his gaze to see the stone carving of Aslan looking down upon them.
"Aslan?" Penelope asked. Peter nodded to her.
"Um, sorry to be a spoil sport, Pete, but don't you think Aslan's made it pretty clear at this point that he's not coming to help us?" Edmund asked, looking skeptically at the stone carving. Peter evenly held his gaze.
"Exactly. Which is why we must go to him."
Silence. Then Dr Cornelius asked slowly, "I beg pardon, Your Majesty, but what exactly is it that you are planning?"
"Look. Lucy is one of Aslan's most faithful followers. I figure if we send her into the forest back to where she said she saw Aslan to find him, we can stay here and our army will hold off the Telmarine's until she finds him. Then he'll come in and help us defeat them, like the battle with the White Witch." Peter finished off looking at Edmund, who was the only one in the chamber besides himself who had been at that battle. The thought struck Peter dumb for a moment. All his good and faithful men, long dead, gone forever, forgotten..
In the corner where he sat, Trumpkin got to his feet, his face beat red and his hands clenched into fists. "Cakes and kettledrums," he hissed lowly at the High King. "That's you're next big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest part of the forest alone?!"
Peter stood his ground. "It's our only chance."
"And she won't be alone," Susan stepped in, looking defensive and ready for action. Trumpkin's eyes, which had been steely a moment ago, turned soft and hurt as he stepped up next to Lucy, his final hope for getting his side heard.
"Hav-haven't enough of us died already?" he asked pleadingly.
"Nikabrik was my friend, too." came Trufflehunter's serene voice from across the chamber. "But Queen Lucy hasn't. And, neither have I."
The sound of a sword being drawn echoed through the chamber. "For Aslan." Reepicheep said, calmer than anyone had ever heard him, as he crossed his sword over his heart.
"For Aslan." repeated the oldest Bulgy Bear, who had attended the meeting after relentlessly begging Caspian to be allowed into the next one. Caspian had seen he was a good and faithful Narnian, and had agreed after some time. True, it was partially to get him off his back, but still.
"Then I'm going with you." Trumpkin said determinedly to Lucy, who smiled warmly.
"No, we need you here." she said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Rather dejectedly, Trumpkin shuffled back over to his seat and sat, placing his head in his hands.
"If I may," came Caspian's quiet voice from the stairs leading into the chamber. All eyes turned to him. "Miraz may be a tyrant, and a murderer, but as King, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one that may buy us some time." he said, placing a hand on his sword and staring at Peter with a crooked grin, the wheels in his head turning.
"And what would that be?" asked Edmund, growing impatient from the dramatic buildups everyone was creating before saying their plans. Did they really think now was the time for dramatic effects every minute?
Caspian turned to him. "Challenge him to a duel. A duel to the death. As King, his people will expect him to accept, especially when the challenge is coming from his traitorous nephew who is competing for the throne. Telmarines revel in the opportunity to prove themselves, and do not turn down challenges. Their egos would not allow it."
"It's perfect, really." said Edmund, grinning delightedly and rubbing his hands together.
"I disagree," said Peter. "With one thing."
All the gathered sucked in their breaths, dreading what was coming back. They were all having flashbacks to Caspian and Peter's confrontation in the forest earlier that week. Aslan knew the last thing they needed was a repeat of that.
Caspian's eye twitched slightly. "And what would that be?" You pompous, egotistical, blond headed bas-
"It's not going to be you fighting Miraz. It's going to be me." Peter answered. He and everyone else watched Caspian, measuring his reaction.
"He is my uncle, this is my war, it is my throne. I will be the one who fights him." Caspian said, fighting to keep his voice even through his anger.
"No."
"Why not?!" Caspian shouted, letting his temper get the best of him. The others flinched as his voice echoed through the dark chamber.
"You said so yourself, it's your throne." Peter said back, fighting to keep his own temper in check.
"Yes, and?"
"Caspian it would be stupid to send the future king out into such an uncertain challenge. Aslan knows how this will turn out. And you're the only one who can save Narnia. YOU'RE the one leading this army. Narnia needs you a lot more than it needs me. You're worth nothing to it dead." he said, quoting Mr. Beaver from long ago on their first adventure through the wardrobe.
Caspian stood, considering this. The anger subsided as he saw the logic in Peter's reasoning. "I suppose you are right. But I do not feel right sending you out into battle purely so that it is not my blood being spilled at the hand of Miraz."
Penelope was listening to the exchange in horror. Although she could see the genius behind the plan, she did not like how it was going to end. Peter had admitted himself that either way, Miraz would end up victorious in the end, and that he was only trying to spare Caspian from certain death. The others were going with the fact that Peter was sending himself into a duel he knew he had no hopes of winning nonchalantly, as if it was a part of their every day routine. She, however, felt sick to her stomach. Her twin, her brother, facing death willingly so another would not have to. Surely, it didn't have to be royalty that challenged Miraz..?
Then, as she hopelessly watched Caspian and Peter write down a challenge to be sent to Miraz with Edmund, an idea so blatantly obvious struck her she was amazed she hadn't thought of it sooner.
"Peter, you are the High King of Narnia. You and Caspian both together are leading this army. Narnia does still need you. You shouldn't be going out to your death while there is someone else here that is much less important and could go fight him for the both of you." she said, jumping up and striding over to the two. They were watching her curiously, as were everyone else in the chamber.
"Who?" Peter asked, bent over the Stone Table on his way to begin the challenge letter. His pen was frozen halfway in the way.
Penelope took a deep breath. "Me."
A silence so intense it pounded on ones ears filled the chamber, broken after a few icy moments by Peter. "No."
"Why not?" Penelope demanded.
"It's too dangerous." Peter said firmly.
"Well you're already sending your other two sisters into a dangerous battle, why not make it all three?" Trumpkin muttered darkly. Peter glared at him ferociously and the dwarf regretted saying anything.
"Peter, think about it. It makes no sense for us to send you into a battle where there is no chance of you coming out again while Narnia so desperately needs you. Especially when there is the option to send someone else." Penelope said quickly.
Her brother stared at her with icy eyes, his jaw set hard. "I. Said. No. End of discussion."
"Hang on a second, Peter, I actually don't think that's such a bad idea." Edmund said from where he sat. His brother rounded on him, mouth open, ready to lash out at him like an angry cobra, but before he got the chance Penelope quickly continued talking.
"It's simple, really. Just put me in your armor, tie my hair up under the helmet, and voila! Miraz wouldn't be able to tell the difference. And I can fight with a sword, I'd be able to take him."
"Peter, I don't think it's that bad of an idea either." Susan said quietly, scared of her brother's reaction.
He didn't offer one. He was looking between the three of them like a wounded puppy, shocked and upset they were teaming up on him like this. He turned to Caspian, who was staring at Penelope with anxiety clearly written across his face.
"Caspian, what do you think?" he asked, knowing he had found someone who would agree with him.
"I think.. I do not know what I think. I can see the logic behind her plan, and I truly hate myself for it, but it is a smart plan. Cunning, and the Telmarines would never see it coming. But at the same time, my conscious is screaming for me to say no. After all, Penelope, you are also important to Narnia." he said uncertainly.
"I'm not a princess or queen, or even a lady. You two, on the other hand, are kings. My job is to defend Narnia and its rulers. And that's what I'm doing by going into this duel in your place, Peter."
"What do you think, Professor?" Caspian asked, turning to his tutor.
The old man looked thoughtfully between the three before answering. "It is devilishly cunning and most unexpected. I think it is the best way we could go."
Peter's shoulders slumped miserably. After a solid minute of staring no where in particular through clouded blue eyes while gnawing on his bottom lip, he finally said, "Will my armor even fit you?"
Penelope felt her face break out into a grin. At the pit of her stomach, butterflies fluttered around anxiously at the thought of what she was going to do, but her overall relief of keeping her twin was safe overshadowed the feeling.
"I'm not sure. We're twins, it should be fine-"
"Just because we're twins doesn't mean we fit the same clothes. I'm a good deal taller than you, and my shoulders are wider, and I'm bigger in general." Peter cut her off, rubbing at his temples as if he had a bad migraine.
"That could be a problem," the ever helpful and aware Edmund said.
Peter's eyes alit with hope. "Well if my armor can't fit you, then you can't wear it to the duel, which means-"
"We can have the dwarves make an exact replica. My wife can sew the tunic." Glenstorm cut Peter off, knowing exactly where he was heading with that. You could hear the hope hissing out of the blond king, deflating him.
"And we can each take turns fine tuning her combat skills. I call first session!" Edmund said, eager to show off his fighting abilities to his newest sister.
"I don't think so, sport. You're going to be delivering the challenge to Miraz." Peter said, not looking up from where he was scrawling down the details of his challenge. "Caspian and I will train her. But first, she must go get fitted for her armor."
Taking that as her cue to leave, she ran over and gave Edmund a hug, wishing him good luck, thanked Peter and Caspian, and exited the chamber.
"I can't believe I'm letting her do this.." Peter whispered to himself, not meaning for anyone to hear. But someone did hear.
Those same words were just running through Caspian's head, and for the first time since they'd met, the two kings agreed on something.
xxxxxx
Hours later found Penelope in the field outside the How, training with Caspian and Peter, who were both in very morose moods. But they were eager to show her any techniques they could; anything that could possibly help give her a better chance.
"Attack me with your sword and block with the shield." Peter was instructing, lunging at Penelope with the sword he was using. Penelope lifted the shield just in time, so that Peter's attack met the bright red emblem of Aslan, and at the same time she brought the flat side of Rhindon to her brother's shins, knocking his feet out from under him. In a second, he was on the ground and Penelope was standing over him, pressing Rhindon to the hollow of his neck.
"Dead." she said with a smirk before sheathing the sword and helping him to his feet. Peter brushed the dirt of his back and smirked at her.
"Very good, Penny. You're making great progress. Who knows? Maybe we'll make a king out of you yet,"
Penelope beamed at the compliment, her eyes shining with pride at her accomplishment. Few could best High King Peter at sword fighting. Then again, she was his twin.
"My turn." Caspian said, taking Peter's place across from Penelope.
"Are you going to actually try this time?" Penelope asked with a crooked grin, earning a blush from Caspian.
Indeed, Caspian had been going easy on her the entire training session, letting her get hits in and rarely ever using an attack in fear he might accidentally hit her. A fact Penelope picked up on, and appreciated at first because she thought it was chivalrous, but was getting rather annoyed with now. She needed him to be serious and tough, this was to train her. Miraz wouldn't go easy on her.
But as they got into position, they were interrupted by the sound of hoof beats and loud, thunderous steps. They looked up to see Glenstorm, Giant Rumblebuffin, and Edmund all returning from the Telmarine camp. The trio of duelers met them half way.
"Well?" Peter demanded.
Edmund grinned maniacally. "He accepted. Prompted, of course, by yours truly."
"Way to go, Ed!" Penelope cheered, clapping her brother on the back. Then her older sister side kicked in and she span him around, looking all over for any possible wounds. "They didn't attack you, did they? You made it out alright?"
"Yes, mum," Edmund said, laughing and swatting her hands away. She smiled sheepishly at him.
"Well, then its settled. What time did they propose?" Peter asked. In his challenge, as is Narnian custom, he made it clear that Miraz was to choose what time the duel would take place.
"At high noon in one day." Edmund answered, his smile fading, as did the others'. That didn't give them very much time to prepare..
Peter looked at his twin, seeing the weariness etched across her face caused by the finality of Edmund's announcement. Peter knew there was no time she would be ready for the duel by then, and he could tell she knew, also. He could feel the fear and incredulity radiating off of her in waves.
"Edmund, go into the How. Gather all the Narnians and announce the plan to them. Caspian and I will stay here and continue training Penelope. After you tell the men, go to the armory and check on Penelope's chain mail and armor and see how that's coming along. Then, report back to us. Then you can train Penelope." Peter said.
Edmund smirked. "Aye ate, captain. Penelope, get ready to be stomped into the dirt." and with that, he took off for the How.
"Right. Let's get to it, then." Penelope said, and the three made their way back to the combat field to continue their hours of grueling practice.
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Yee! Hope y'all liked it, that was one of my favorite chapters so far. Make sure to review ;)
REMEMBER-
-Read Mystic Lover of the Fairytale's stories
-Read "EPIC" by Hillbillyhunter xD
-Look forward to my next chapter. It's gonna be a big one!
Peace,
~Queen Lani Kaulitz the Hyper :D