Disclaimer: I don't own The Chronicles of Narnia.

Well, I cannot apologize enough for how late I am on getting this chapter out. *laughs nervously* To be completely honest with you, you could say I have been procrastinating. Also, I have been reading a lot lately, which is something I haven't been able to do in a while so I was catching up on one of my favorite hobbies. But once again, I am very sorry. I won't be this late again. But anyways, I hope you guys have stuck with me through this long delay. :)

NarniaQueen and QueenofFantasy- You are definitely right in thinking that the bond the Pevensies have is not a weakness, but a strength. (At least that's how I view it, anyways.) Aslan is also a strength for them.

Kara- Yes, the word I meant to use was unanimous. Thank you so much for pointing that out! I guess I missed that when I was editing.

kaye- Goodness, you read the whole story in one day!!! That's amazing! I'm so happy that you enjoyed it and reviewed! :D

kutlessgurl90- I would also want Peter on my side in a time like this. I would be pretty scared if an angry Peter Pevensie came at me for threatening his siblings. :P

Jennifer L. Ricke- Jenny!!! You reviewed!! That makes me so happy!! Love you too, and I'm glad you love Edmund!! :P

Allrighty... well here is chapter 17! (finally!)

Chapter 17: Surprise

It was now nearly five hours later and the sun was setting; it was getting close to dark. The nerves began to settle in just about now, and as a result it was making me sweat. I hated battles. Absolutely despised them. I had never been a huge fan of violence; I thought of it as unnecessary and only for people who couldn't work out their problems by talking. But now it was I who was getting ready to lead this act of violence. I didn't like it one bit.

But back to the present, Edmund and I were down in the royal armory and I was helping him put on his armor. As I finished helping him I noticed how he flexed his arms easily and how he moved lithely; he made it appear as if he didn't have all that extra weight placed upon him. He looked almost… comfortable. I slightly envied him. Edmund had always seemed in his element when he was dressed in armor, I had just never realized how well this image had suited him until now. As soon as the silver metal was placed on his body, his face seemed to rid itself of its boyish features and was replaced with the profound determination of a grown man. It was a remarkable transformation.

Anyways, now it was my turn to get dressed. The hardest part to put on was the chest plate. Once it was on my torso Edmund pulled it tight. I gasped. The solid metal pressed against my ribs and immediately all the air left my lungs with a large whoosh.

"Can't… breathe," I stated, desperately trying to retrieve some oxygen.

"Sorry, Pete," Ed said, loosening the armor. "How's that?" It was still pressing against my ribs which made breathing –and anything, really- dreadfully uncomfortable. But it would have to do. I couldn't go out there and fight unprotected.

"It'll do," I declared. Edmund didn't look convinced but he went ahead and finished helping me anyways.

"So you're sure the plan will work," he wondered uneasily.

"Edmund, we can never be sure of anything. But we'll just have to trust that Aslan will guide us in the right direction. It's the best thing we could think of, and if it's not the correct decision, then Aslan will lead us the right way," I assured. He nodded and sighed.

Our plan wasn't exactly fool proof, but due to the limited time we had to construct it, it was the best we could think of. We were sending out our trusted crow, Hermeas, as soon as the moon was visible to spy on the awaiting army. After he came back -hopefully with a good report- then we would attack. The bears, large cats, and centaurs would be on the frontline, seeing as though they are the strongest part of the army, and then behind them would be Edmund, me, and the fauns. The mice also would be towards the front of our pack; they shouldn't be visible in the deprived light and would take the army by surprise by coming up from underneath them.

Our archers would be on our left and right flanks; some would climb the trees for better visibility and precision. We were keeping the giants towards the back. They would be the most easily spotted and that isn't the best approach to take when one wants the have a surprise attack. I prayed that this plan would work and that our soldiers were well trained enough to take anything coming at them. I shouldn't doubt Narnia, or Aslan, for that matter, but to be completely honest I was scared. I didn't feel like we were prepared enough, and my siblings and I still were recovering from our strenuous journey.

I was forced back into the present as Edmund handed Rhindon to me. I unsheathed my faithful sword and stared at it for a long moment. The familiar weight of it in my hand was almost a blade had never disappointed me. Rhindon was there for me through my first fight in Narnia, and it would be by my side in my last, whenever that may be. I flipped it over in my hand and watched as the light gleamed off the smooth surface. And then I saw my reflection.

I wasn't staring into the face of High King Peter the Magnificent; I was staring into the face of Peter Pevensie, English schoolboy. Sure, I was looking into the same blue eyes, and seeing the same physical features of my face, but right now I didn't feel like I was a king. I didn't feel the crushing weight of the armor against my skin. I didn't feel worthy enough to be holding a sword of such prestige. I didn't feel like I was leading Aslan's army. I didn't feel like I could live up to my Aslan-given title of "magnificent." But I did feel like a confused young man getting ready to lead hundreds of living creatures to their deaths. And I did feel like I was getting ready to let my country and people down. And feeling like the old Peter Pevensie again didn't feel comforting at all.

I closed my eyes for a quick moment and when I opened them again I saw something completely different looking at me from the metal. It was still me, with that uneasy look on my face, but then beside me were my siblings, the looks on their faces soft and understanding. But the best thing of all that I saw in that sword was a large gold figure, just to the right of Edmund. Dark eyes complemented the gold coloring, and the eyes were staring directly into mine. They were full of authority, but they looked proud and content, too. I instantly felt better, like a weight was lifted from me.

"Aslan," I whispered. I glanced away from Rhindon and looked to my right, seeing Edmund standing there, but no Aslan. To my left was Susan and Lucy, but again, no Aslan. Susan put her arm around me and squeezed my shoulders.

"We wish he was here, too, Peter," she assured. I nodded.

"I know, Su. I know," I said quietly. We all stood there for a moment, looking at each others' reflections in my sword. Then Oreius came in and I put Rhindon back in its sheath, ready to hear whatever he had to say.

"The army is ready, Your Majesties," he explained. I nodded. I figured it was getting close to time, seeing as though it was now past sunset and all. "We'll send out Hermeas on your command." I looked out the small window located in the east side of the room. The last few rays of the sun were escaping over the Eastern Sea, but other than that the sky was darkening and the stars were becoming visible.

"Go ahead and send him out. Report back as soon as he has any news," I commanded. Oreius nodded and left the room. I glanced down at Lucy. Her face was full of determination, but behind the set look in her eyes I could see the definite traces of fear and worry. It would not be detectable if you hadn't known her as well and as long as I had. I scooped her up and pulled her into a hug, holding her as close to me as I could without the armor crushing her seemingly fragile body.

"Lucy, no matter what happens tonight, I want you to be strong, okay? Aslan gave you the name 'valiant,' remember? Never forget that. I love you, Lucy; I love all of you." I sat her back down on the ground and the next thing I knew all three of my siblings were embracing me in a tight hug.

"We love you, too, Peter. And so does Aslan, and he won't let anything happen to us," Susan insisted. I nodded, picturing Aslan's refection in Rhindon from just minutes ago. Edmund stayed relatively silent for the remainder of the time we were waiting on word from Oreius, but I could tell he was just worried, so I didn't question his silence. After about twenty minutes, Oreius returned.

"Your Majesties, everything is in place. They are eating a quick meal as we speak, and then they plan to raid the castle. We'll need to head out as soon-and quietly- as possible in order for this plan to work," Oreius declared. I looked at my siblings and they gave me a single nod.

"All right, let's go." I stated firmly. Oreius led the way to our awaiting army. They were so silent I wouldn't have noticed their presence if I didn't see them for myself. Everyone was in place; the larger and stronger creatures in front and the others surrounding, with the archers on their left and right flanks. Susan gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and I hugged her as she left to take her position with the other archers. Edmund stayed planted by my side, and Lucy followed Susan. She would be the safest with the archers, and Saydin -the lioness- pledged to keep her safe from harm as she followed along. Before she could leave, though, I hugged her again and she threw her small arms around me. She told me to stay safe and I almost lost it. I squeezed her tightly and then let her go, praying that this wouldn't be the last time I see her. I didn't know where Telula was for the time being, but I'm sure she was safe and already in place with the archers.

I gained my composure and Ed and I made our way over to Bill and Phillip, who were waiting faithfully for us in position. Though Bill didn't talk, he seemed to understand all the commands he was given, and I think Phillip was helping him, too. It was nice to see that Phillip was feeling better, seeing as though he didn't come with us on our journey since he was feeling under the weather.

"King Peter, King Edmund, it is nice to see you again, though I wish it was under different circumstances," Phillip said as Edmund mounted him.

"As do I, Phillip," Edmund responded. I took one look at my brother. His face appeared expressionless, but in that I could see everything I needed to. He was scared. Nervous. Worried. Anything you could incorporate with fear. But I also saw a sense of strength. Authority. Willingness. And I could never be more proud of him. I clapped him on the shoulder and he looked over at me, giving me a quick half-smile. I returned it, wondering if he was sizing me up just as I had done moments before with him. Then I looked at the army and saw Oreius staring intently at me from the front of the pack. He was waiting on my command, the command that would eventually determine the fate of Narnia. I unsheathed Rhindon and pointed it towards the centaur. Edmund mirrored my action, and Oreius did the same. And that was it. The rest of our army held up their weapons, and for us, the war had already begun.

It seemed to take hours to get to the edge of the woods where we knew the soldiers were, and hopefully we would be catching them off guard. I sent up a prayer to Aslan – what else was there to do at a time like this- as my eyes scanned the expanse of trees. I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, and I was immediately beginning to think that maybe fighting in the dark wasn't the best idea after all. And then things started unfolding very quickly.

One by one the Calormene and Telmarine soldiers began to emerge from the woods, the look on each of their faces impassive, except for the single devious smile each was wearing. The archers had their bows at the ready, ready to shoot each of them, but something was stopping them. They were wearing looks of awe, and I looked at our frontline, who wore the same look, even Oreius. And then I stared at our enemies, figuring out what was stopping our army.

It was hard to explain what was happening, to be completely honest. Before my eyes the soldiers were standing there, but the strangest thing was occurring. It was almost as if their flesh was peeling off of them, like a ripe banana, only a million times more disturbing. And then a purple smoke engulfed their bodies, shielding us from seeing what was going on behind it. Within seconds it had disappeared, and standing before us now was something completely different than any of us would have ever expected. There were hags, Minotaurs, dwarves, werewolves… anything terrifying that you could think of. And then it hit me. There were never any Calormenes and Telmarines that were against us. They were her followers-the White Witch's- and they had been disguising themselves using dark magic all along. Oh, dear Aslan. They had tricked us, and they had tricked us well. But the biggest surprise of all was yet to come.

The army of dark creatures parted the way, letting their leader be revealed from the shadows. The small figure made its way to the front, and my breath caught in my throat. I felt like the largest idiot in all of Narnia, and I heard Edmund gasp. This was the biggest deception in Narnian history, and we all fell for it. Their leader was Telula.

A/N: Dun dun duhhhh.... Well, did you guys see that one coming??? Hmmm... :) Well, I hope you enjoyed it anyways! Pleaaase review! :D