Disclaimer: I don't own The Chronicles of Narnia.
Hey everybody! :D I must apologize for being so late on getting this chapter out... we had to get our computer worked on and I've been busy with extracurricular activities. But it's here now... so I hope you enjoy it!!!
NarniaQueen and QueenofFantasy- Thank you for the review! I'm glad you like this story! I try to bring out all of Peter's feelings and I try to make the relationship between the Pevensie siblings as strong as it can be!
kutlessgurl90- Aslan does always seem to know what he's doing, doesn't he?? :) I, too, agree that the work of an older sibling is never done, and I try to show that through Peter's character. I want him to be the best brother he can be, but also have flaws of his own.
Okay, well here is chapter 16!
Chapter 16: Preparations
"We need a plan… a strategy… something that will prove to be useful in this battle," I pointed out. Word had spread throughout Cair Paravel of Abran's encounter with the Telmarine and an emergency meeting had been called upon for anyone who could attend. My sisters, brother, and I sat in front of the council room and were trying to hold an orderly conversation, which was proving to be difficult seeing as though nearly everyone was surprised by the news.
"Any suggestions?" Susan questioned. The crowd fell silent and stayed that was for close to a minute. My siblings and I exchanged nervous glances. We were trying to get the input of the Narnians before we decided to do anything too outlandish; after all, it was their fate we were contemplating upon. Usually Oreius was here and would have a plan already thought out, but instead he was off recruiting more soldiers. After what seemed like forever, a fox finally spoke up.
"Your Majesties, I do believe it would be wise to have a spy, an inside man, if you will. I'm willing to do it, if I must," he explained. I thought it over for a moment. The idea did seem as if it could work out rather well, if we were to execute it correctly. My siblings looked at me and nodded, that meaning they agreed with the idea and wished for me to speak of our decision.
"Very well, the idea sounds reasonable. Do we have any volunteers besides this noble fox?" I wondered. Everyone in the room glanced around at each other. After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, a small voice piped in.
"I'll do it." The voice was familiar and my eyes wandered around the room to find its owner. Telula stood from her seat and continued speaking.
"It must be me to do this. If the enemy is expecting a spy, they'll expect a Narnian, and that I am not. I will do my best to not be seen, but if I am then I will think of a believable story; my mind is a keen one. Besides, I don't look like a Narnian dwarf, either. I won't let you down," she assured.
"Thank you, Telula. Now, if you would, please give my siblings and I a moment to discuss," I said. The four of us turned to face each other. We spoke in hushed tones.
"Well, what do you think?" Susan questioned.
"I, for one, think it's a brilliant idea. It's basically fool-proof," Ed declared. Lucy nodded.
"I have to agree with Edmund. The idea is simply wonderful and I believe dear Telula will be very true to her word," she put in. Su looked at me.
"I think this is our best option; we have to go with it. We don't have time to contemplate anything else," Susan reasoned. I nodded.
"Very well, then. It's anonymous," I turned back to face the crowd. The sound of their whispers instantly disappeared as if they were taken away with the breeze coming in through the open window.
"Our decision is anonymous. Telula, we thank you for your willingness. You will set out within the hour," I explained. Telula smiled sheepishly. I felt awkward putting her life in danger after she had saved my own, but I knew Aslan would watch over her. Edmund then spoke up.
"Thank you all for your promptness and cooperation during this meeting. We appreciate your time and effort. You all may leave, with the exception of Telula, and if you would like, I'm sure Oreius would appreciate some volunteers to help out. This meeting is adjourned," he said. The Narnians began to file out of the room while Telula made her way up to us.
"Telula, thank you ever so much for volunteering. How can we ever repay you?" Susan questioned. The dwarf shook her head frantically.
"Oh, no! I don't expect anything in return. It was my choice to do this; I want to do this. I don't want to be rewarded," she said, almost sounding offended.
"Okay, well, thank you anyways, Telula," Lucy put in, a smile on her face.
"You're very welcome. Now what am I to do, and how am I to do it?" Telula questioned, looking at each of us.
"Well, the task is simple, as long as you don't get caught, that is. You'll have to go out into the woods, find the hidden army, and listen to what they have to say. Make sure you remember anything that could prove useful to know. That is the key to success in this little mission. You'll set out as soon as you're ready and then report back when you feel you have gained enough information. We'll give you a dagger or some sort of weapon just in case any trouble is to arise; you won't be sent out there alone and defenseless. One of us would go along with you, but we feel it would be too risky if we are seen. At least you could create a somewhat believable story. One of us, on the other hand, would be killed on the spot and wouldn't be able to report back to help the army. We are sincerely sorry that you won't be assisted," I explained. Telula nodded.
"No… no, don't apologize. I completely understand. I wouldn't want any of you to risk your lives. You'll already be doing enough of that in the battle you will be facing, so there's no need to place you in any unnecessary danger. Anyways, I think I'm ready to go now. The earlier I leave, the more information I will gain," she reasoned.
"Very well. Come with me and I'll get you what you need for this task," Edmund said, standing up and walking to the dwarf. He began to lead her out the door, but Susan stopped the progress.
"Wait, Telula," Susan said. She turned back and faced us once again. "Be careful, and may Aslan be with you along the way," Su stated. Telula smiled softly and then followed Edmund the rest of the way out the door. I heard Lucy sigh quietly.
"So now what?" she questioned. I turned my attention over to my youngest sister.
"Well now, Lu, we wait," I declared. Edmund returned nearly fifteen minutes later, and we waited. And waited… and waited. It had been nearly three hours since Telula had left and we were all getting apprehensive. The four of us were up in Ed's room discussing a war plan with Oreius, which wasn't getting as far as we had wished. We were trying to think up the best strategy, given the time we had, and trying to figure out how to execute it with the least amount of Narnian lives lost as possible.
"Should we go look for Telula?" Ed questioned, uneasiness in his tone. I thought it over for a minute.
"Give her a little more time. If she's not back in half an hour, then we'll figure something out," I answered. He nodded. There was no need to fret, though, because not even ten minutes later Telula ran through the door. It's a wonder it didn't break off at the rate she was going. When she reached us she bent over, out of breath.
"They… they're… they're not…" Telula tried to say while catching her breath. I held out a hand and cut her off.
"Breathe, Telula," I insisted. She nodded and paused for a moment. After a few seconds, she began to speak.
"They're not going to keep their word. They plan to attack just before sunrise, not tomorrow afternoon. They plan on raiding Cair Paravel while everyone is still preparing for the battle later on that day. They want to kill the outside guards first for easier access into the castle. After they do that, they've decided to… well… they plan on somehow taking the younger three siblings hostage and killing them in front of Peter. They know you'd do anything for your family, Peter, and I'm afraid they're trying to use that to their advantage. Once the, well, you know, is done and over with, they think Peter will be so emotionally damaged that he will do anything to comply with their needs. Then they'll take him and hold him ransom, the cost being Narnia. They know the Narnians would rather give up their land than to see their High King, or any of the monarchs, be harmed. I… I'm so sorry, but I know this can be prevented," Telula explained, a frown on her face.
I felt Oreius's strong hand pat my back. Lucy's eyes were glassy, Susan was running her fingers nervously through her hair, and Edmund was staring blankly into the distance. I, on the other hand, seemed to be momentarily numb. I heard my heart beating rapidly, but I couldn't feel it pound against my chest. This couldn't be happening. No, this wasn't real. Aslan will not let this occur; I know he won't.
"It can be prevented, and it WILL be prevented. That's a promise, Your Majesties. We'll just have to attack before they expect us to. Even if that means we attack in the dark, which is a risk in itself," Oreius declared.
"It's a risk we're going to take. No one, absolutely NO ONE, will harm ANY of my siblings EVER again. That is a fact." I fumed. My voice had accelerated nearly three times as loud as normal by the end of my rant. All I could think of was my dream. I had finally started to block out all the pain of it, but now it came back as vivid and agonizing as ever. Their gruesome deaths filled my mind, one after another after another. I closed my eyes tightly and exhaled deeply.
"Are you in pain, King Peter?" Oreius wondered, sounding concerned.
"You could say that," I stated. It wasn't physical, as Oreius had meant, but it was definitely there. I felt the stares of all my siblings pierce into my skin.
"No, Peter. Don't even think about what I know you're thinking about," Edmund said sternly. I looked up at him. By the look on his face I knew this issue was nothing to debate upon.
"Okay, Edmund," I promised, beginning to think about what needed to be done in the present rather than remembering an unpleasant part of the past. He nodded. My sisters shared a confused glance with each other, seeing as though they didn't know about my dream. I just shook it off.
"Well, this changes things," I declared, running my fingers through my hair.
"Yes, it most certainly does," Susan agreed. I sighed.
"Thank you so much for your efforts, Telula, but I think you should go back to your home. We don't want you caught up in a war that's not even yours to fight. It's too risky," I declared. None of our soldiers deserved to die, but especially not ones who weren't even from the country they were fighting for. Though I wish it wasn't the truth, it was next to impossible to win a war with no bloodshed. Telula looked up at me.
"I would much rather stay here and help. I don't have to fight; I'll find something else to do. I could help the wounded, or be an archer. I hear it's much safer being an archer while in combat. I only want to do what I can. I'm beginning to feel an attachment to this country of Narnia. Please let me help," she pleaded. I contemplated on that for a moment. We would need more assistance with looking after the injured; the dryads were our main caregivers and always performed to the best of their abilities, but a helping hand never hurt anyone.
"Okay, Telula. You may stay and tend to the wounded. Thank you for being so willing," I put in. She nodded.
"May I leave now and familiarize myself with the castle's infirmary?" she asked.
"Yes. Lucy, please show her the way," Susan said. Lucy immediately hopped up and stood by the dwarf. They started to leave the room when Edmund suddenly interrupted their departure.
"Hang on, Lu. Make sure you get someone to go with you; I don't want the two of you roaming around Cair Paravel with Aslan knows what going on near the castle grounds. We're not taking any chances," he explained.
"I understand. I'll get Mr. Tumnus or Saydin to go with us. We'll be safe, I promise," Lucy assured, the smile that I loved so much touching her face. Saydin was a lioness who was one of Lucy's many close friends since entering Narnia. She was very trustworthy and had already proved that on more than one occasion.
"Okay. Meet us back here as soon as you're done," I declared. She nodded and they both left Edmund's room. I sighed.
"Now what are we supposed to do?" Susan asked.
"Now we need a plan. I need to tell my troops what we've just found out so they are prepared for the significant time change. What do I need to report, Your Majesties?" Oreius wondered. The three of us shared glances with each other.
"For right now, tell them they have to be ready to fight as soon as the Moon is in the Western portion of the sky; no exceptions. Edmund, Susan, and I will figure out a method of attack and report to you as soon as possible. We will call you in when we have what you need," I explained. Oreius nodded.
"Thank you, King Peter. But you do realize that I'm not leaving the three of you in here alone, correct? I will send in Daris and he will stay here until I return. I know you don't enjoy being looked after, but look where it got you the last time I left you unattended," Oreius put in, looking at my ribs. His tone on the last sentence was harsh, making me feel like a child who had just been scolded for doing something irrational. I sighed.
"Our many apologies, Oreius. I'm sorry we didn't allow you to accompany us on our journey, and we realize now that it was foolish to deny your protection. But don't put the blame on yourself; it was our mistake and we won't be making it again anytime soon. Our brother is fine and will recover quickly. Now please go and send in Daris," Susan declared. He nodded and exited the room. A few moments later Daris entered. He bowed and stood near the door. Daris didn't like invading our personal space, which we were grateful for.
"Now it's time to think, and we have to do it quickly and effectively," Edmund stated. Su and I nodded, and we got to work.
A/N: Well, did you like this chapter? Did it all make sense? Please review! :D