I want to give a HUGE shout out to everyone that has reviewed so far. Thank all of you very much, and I hope that you will continue to read, enjoy, and review!
The last part of the chapter is dedicated to those of you that have been asking for some romance. I'm actually slightly uncomfortable with the scene, so please let me know what you think. Song for the moment—Hit the Ground by Lizz Wright. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
Out of the Shadows
When Peter reached Edmund he was laying upon the ground with a Telmarine attempting to push his head under the rushing waters of Beruna. Nearly everyone surrounding them was dead, save for a few that were slowly nearly their end. All that remained were Edmund and the soldier, both wrestling back and forth along the shore. Blood rushed into Edmund's eyes from a wound near the bridge of his nose, the pain a constant throbbing in his head.
Peter rode towards the man with his sword drawn. Without any hesitation, the High King drove Rhindon into the back of Edmund's assailant, killing him instantly. Edmund pushed the dead weight off his chest and turned onto his side, blood and water dripping from his face.
"We must hurry," Peter said as Edmund crawled slowly to his feet.
"Can you wait a moment," Edmund responded with a scowl. "I did just kill six Telmarines, get my head bashed in, and have a lovely swipe across my thigh."
"We don't have a moment," Peter answered as another group of Telmarine riders came into view.
Edmund looked to the riders with a blank face before turning to Peter and scowling. "You just had to make your exit as great as your entrance, didn't you?"
"Just get on a bloody horse," Peter responded as he urged his mount down the bank of Beruna and into the water. With a heavy sigh and a slight limp, Edmund made his way to a Telmarine horse and scrambled up its back.
"There they are!" a gruff voice shouted as the riders appeared between a set of trees only yards from the bank. Finally seeing the rush, Edmund urged his horse quickly into the rushing water, which spilled over his wound causing sharp pain to shoot through his leg.
Peter's horse shook its head frantically as he waited for Edmund to safely make it across. Frightened by the jarring movement, the dwarvin child clutched tighter to Peter's chest and buried her head between Peter's neck and shoulder. Her tears were now silent, but her face was smeared with sweat and dirt and her blonde hair was a tangled mess. "You shall be with your mother soon," Peter whispered as he kissed the top of the child's head.
"Just give us the girl, and we will promise to make your deaths quick ones," one of the soldiers shouted from the opposite bank.
"She is yours for the taking," Peter responded. "All you must do is come claim her."
"With pleasure," the Telmarine shot back and kicked his horse into the water. Soon the other's followed, the rushing waters doing little to hinder their path.
"Do you honestly think that was a good idea?" Edmund asked Peter as both Kings galloped from the bank and into the dense forest.
"I have a plan," Peter responded, his eyes staying focused on the dark trail ahead.
"And what plan is that? Lead them to the How, and then ask them to dinner?" Edmund shouted back as a dagger whizzed by his head and hit a tree in front of him. Peter shot him a dirty look before pushing his horse forward and expanding the distance between himself and the Telmarines. The only thought in his head was the child clutched close to his chest and the importance of her survival.
BBBBB
Cara's eyes searched the darkness as she galloped through the forest with Susan beside her and Glenstorm behind her. Everything was silent except for the erratic beat of their horse's footfalls and the rider's heavy breaths. Occasionally a bird would flutter feet in front of them, causing Cara's heart to jump with hope, but each time the ray of hope became smaller, for the fluttering wings never amounted to anything.
They were nearly halfway to Beruna when Caspian and the children finally crossed their path. It began with the fluttering of another bird, which raised no hope in Cara's heart, for the last five birds had led to nothing, but after this bird came another, and another, until the woods before them erupted in sound. Squinting her eyes, Cara was able to make out the shape of two horses, both seeming to be nothing more than moving shadows. As the forest opened up slightly and the light of the moon shown upon the ground, Caspian finally appeared to be more than vision in the darkness.
"Caspian!" Cara yelled as she pulled her horse to a jumpy halt. With wide eyes Caspian slowed to a stop across from Cara, his breathing ragged and his tunic drenched in sweat and blood. The three children slowed as well, all looking worn and weak with fatigue. Susan winced at the sight of the child centaur and glanced away, while Glenstorm moved closer to the boy and examined his hock. Although the general never showed much emotion, the look on his face was frightening.
"He is nearly gone," Caspian said with shaky breaths.
"Where is Peter?" Cara asked hurriedly as her eyes scanned the woods hoping to see movement of another bird. Caspian simply shook his head at her question, which caused Cara to look back at him with worried eyes. "Get the children to Lucy," she responded before kicking her horse forward and moving deeper into the darkness.
"One of you go with him," Susan said to Glenstorm's two sons. "General," she continued, "our night is not yet over." With quick nod Glenstorm galloped off behind Susan, leaving his youngest son to help Caspian back to the How.
Cara's body was bent low as she weaved between the trees and towards Beruna. No matter how hard she tried, her mind would not release a vision of Peter lifeless and covered in blood. She suddenly did not care if his lips had touched another's before her, or if his heart had found solace years ago. She simply wanted to see him alive. See that his heart beat with power beneath his chest and his eyes still shown with stormy blue. Cara's lungs became tight at the thought of never seeing those eyes again.
"Peter!" Edmund's voice sounded deep in the woods, causing Cara's heart to leap and her welling panic subside. Slowly the sounds of fighting began to echo through the trees mixed with yells and the shriek of a horse.
Cara pulled a dagger from her belt and galloped towards the turmoil before her. In the darkness that fighting figures seemed nothing more than outlines of shadows. Glenstorm and his son galloped passed Cara and attacked the men without mercy, their strength and swords unmatched by the weakness of Telmarine men.
Scrambling across from Cara was the outline of Peter, his horse tossing beside him as it fought to get up. From the shadows galloped a rider atop a black steed. His sword was pointed at Peter's chest as he quickly approached, but he would never reach the High King, for Cara's dagger was faster and more accurate than his horse.
The rider slipped over the horse's neck and fell beside Peter, while his mount continued passed him and disappeared into the woods. Cara pulled her horse to a halt and jumped from its back. "Peter," she whispered as she ran to him and dropped to his side. The High King stared back at her with wide eyes before shaking the shock from his mind and wrapping his arms tightly around her. Cara laughed in relief as she rested her chin on his shoulder and breathed in his musky scent.
"Where is the child?" Peter asked frantically as he pulled away from Cara and began to glance around.
"I have her, Peter," Susan said from behind Cara. The gentle Queen was feet from her horse with her bow clasped in one hand and the tiny dwarvin girl in the other.
"Get her out of here," Peter ordered. Susan nodded at his request and carefully mounted her horse. As Cara and Peter climbed from the ground and gathered their weapons, Susan disappeared back into the forest with the child in her arms.
"And the last one goes to safety," Peter said softly from beside Cara. The Queen turned to him, her eyes taking in his beaten body. Peter was covered with near as much blood as Caspian, and his great sword Rhindon glowed in the moon with a dark red. Around them the woods seemed silent once again, for Edmund, Glenstorm and the remaining group of Telmarines had continued their chase deep in the forest.
"We must find my brother," Peter said in a raspy voice as he grabbed the reins of the horse that struggled beside him only moments early. A small stream of blood dripped down the shoulder of the horse from a gash created during the fall, but he seemed unnerved by the pain and as anxious as ever to return to the chase. Cara watched as Peter climbed upon its back, his face contorting in pain as he eased into the saddle.
"Come on," Peter said as he began to trot off into the darkness. With a tired sigh Cara mounted and followed after Peter, both taking off at a gallop beside each other.
They did not have to wait long before another skirmish began. Edmund was not a quarter mile from Peter's point of fall, his sword out and a dead Telmarine beside him. Gone from sight was his steed; the horse well on its way back to the safety of the How. Deep in the shadows of a giant oak, Glenstorm and his son fought side by side against three soldiers, the clanging of their swords and deep grunts echoing in the darkness.
Peter rode to the aid of his brother, who was now battling another set of Telmarines, while Cara entered the shadow of the oak with her sword at the ready. With the aid of their High Queen, the two centaurs were able to defeat the soldiers and return to the side of their Kings, who were still struggling to maintain the upper hand.
Cara slipped from her horse and began to fight along the side of Peter. The two worked as a team pushing the soldiers back from Edmund, who was slowly becoming overpowered due to fatigue and extensive wounds.
Letting out a cry of pain, Cara fell back as a Telmarine sword sliced deep into her shoulder. Peter's focus immediately left Edmund and went to his Queen, who was holding her wound while trying to keep the soldier at bay. Leaving Edmund's side, Peter turned to the soldier and ran him through without an ounce of mercy.
Although Cara was now safe, Edmund found himself in a great deal of trouble without the help of Peter or Cara. The King winced in pain as a soldier came done upon his thigh, further aggravating the wound and forcing him to his knees.
"Peter!" Edmund called to his brother as another sword swung only inches from his head. The High King turned away from Cara at the desperate sound of his brother's voice. Glenstorm shot in front of Peter and crashed onto the group of soldiers, their swords leaving small marks upon his legs and stomach. Shaken from his shock, Peter ran to Edmund's aid as well and plunged his sword into the warm flesh of an attacking Telmarine.
Fueled by anger and fear, Glenstorm, his son, and the High King were able to slay the remaining soldiers within mere minutes. Edmund lay on his back holding his thigh tightly and staring up at the stars above him. Cara crawled laboriously to her feet and slowly approached Peter, who was bent forward and breathing heavily.
"Every one alive then?" Peter asked with ragged breath.
"Barely," Edmund responded as he held his bleeding leg tighter. Cara's shoulder was not in much better shape, the sleeve of her gown coated in a deep red and ripped. Peter turned to her when she reached his side and straightened his back. He looked at her with eyes filled with concern, while his hand reached out and touched her cheek lightly.
"Sire," Glenstorm's voice sounded from beside him, causing Peter to drop his hand from Cara's face and turn to the General. "King Edmund needs instant attention."
"Buck up, Ed," Peter said with a small smile as he helped the King onto the back of Glenstorm. Edmund gave him a weak chuckle before being carried off by the general. Once the two were gone from view, Peter helped Cara onto the back of a horse before climbing on himself. The High Queen rested her weary head against Peter's chest as he wrapped a strong arm around her stomach and ushered the horse into a slow canter.
"Do you think we killed them all?" Cara asked in a weak voice.
"It truly does not matter," Peter responded. "More will follow behind them, tracing the bodies and rider-less horses directly to our doorstep."
"What will we do then?" Peter sighed heavily at Cara's question, his mind racing with her use of we as well as the fact that he had no answer and no plan.
"We will think of something, Peter," Cara whispered when the High King did not respond, her small hand weakly rubbing his. Although Peter's heart still raced with the burden of what was to come, he was calmed by the acknowledgement that he was not alone.
The two continued in silence for the remainder of the journey. Cara was slowly becoming feeble from blood loss causing Peter to hold her tighter and urge his horse on faster. When the trees ended and the open valley began, the sky glowed above them with brilliance, and the How was alight with torches and commotion.
"There they are!" a voice shouted as Peter and Cara immerged from the dark. Caspian ran from the How towards them, blood and sweat still staining his tunic. Peter helped Cara into Caspian's arms before sliding off his horse and following after Caspian into the center of the How.
Lucy ran forward upon seeing the blood covering Cara's arm and her face pale and trembling. Peter moved Cara's head into his lap as Caspian slowly lowered her to the ground. All waited with bated breath as a tiny drop of the red liquid fell into Cara's mouth and down her throat. Slowly her eyes opened with new life and her arm reached up to massage her shoulder. Peter smiled softly and allowed his thumb to rub across her cheek.
"Ok, then?" he asked quietly. Cara nodded slowly and lifted herself up into a sitting position. Caspian smiled and punched her softly in the shoulder.
"Had to go get hurt, didn't you?" he asked with a laugh causing Cara to glare mockingly back at him.
"Not near as bad as the others," she responded, which reminded Peter of Edmund and the children.
"Where is Ed?" he asked Lucy suddenly. "And the children?" Lucy smiled back at her brother and wrapped her small arms around his shoulders.
"All alive and sleeping soundly. Susan is watching over them," she explained.
"You're bloody brilliant, Lu," Peter replied as he hugged his sister back.
"Someone say my name?" Susan asked as she appeared from around the corner. Cara smiled upon seeing the Queen and climbed to her feet with Peter following suit beside her. Susan smiled at both before running into Peter's arms and crushing him in a hug. "I was so worried about you," she whispered, "and then Edmund returned on the brink of passing out, and the children are all a complete mess an—"
"Susan," Peter said with a chuckle as he pulled out of her grasp. "It was a horrible night, but we are all alive." Susan nodded weakly at Peter's words before turning to Cara and wrapping her arms tightly around her waist.
"Thank you for making sure he returned alive," she said softly. Enjoying the feeling of being wanted, Cara placed her arms around Susan and returned the show of affection.
"I would have it no other way," she answered.
After a short moment, Susan released Cara and took a step back. "Let us get you cleaned up and to bed," she said as she grabbed Cara's hand and pulled her forward. "Lucy, you as well."
Lucy huffed at her sister before clamoring to her feet and rushing to catch up. Peter watched the three women in his life disappear down the corridor with weary eyes.
"You should rest as well, Peter," Caspian said from beside him. Peter glanced at the Prince and ran his hand through his damp, dirty hair.
"You're one to talk," the High King replied. Caspian laughed softly and looked at the blood and sweat covering his tunic.
"I do seem a bit dirty," he commented. Peter nodded with a small smile before walking towards a corridor.
"Caspian," he said as he turned around and began to walk backwards. The Prince looked to his King with questioning eyes.
"Wonderful job tonight," Peter said softly.
"Thank you," Caspian responded after a moment of silence, "Sire." Peter laughed at his formality and turned back around.
"And Peter," Caspian suddenly called out and took a step forward. Peter stopped and looked back at the Prince. "May I offer some advice?" The High King's furled his brow at the question, but nodded slightly in response.
"You have more to fight for than Narnia," Caspian continued. "I suggest you begin fighting now." Peter looked at Caspian with confusion, but before he could reply the Prince turned on his heel and disappeared down the opposite corridor.
BBBBB
Cara shifted uncomfortably, her arm accidentally whacking into Susan. She was attempting to fall asleep in her large comfortable bed, which was placed in her large comfortable chamber, but for some reason sleep was nothing more that a fleeting idea. Cara was changed and cleaned, her body not showing one remnant of the battle fought only two hours prior. Around her the How was silent and still. The children were sleeping soundly with their parents, and Edmund was only a chamber over recovering from his wounds and fatigue.
Susan grumbled something completely incoherent before rolling onto her side and breathing deeply. Cara watched her back rise and fall with envy before throwing back the thick covers and making her way out of the chamber.
The stones were cold beneath her feet and the walls and air seemed damp and thick. She walked aimlessly though the corridors and chambers, doing her best to not wake anyone that she passed. Just as Cara was finally becoming tired enough to return to bed, a small light in a distant chamber caught her eye. With hesitant, quiet steps she made her way towards it and peeked around the corner.
It was Peter. The High King was sporting a new tunic, but it was clear to see that he had still not bathed or fully changed. Lying on a small cot before him was the centaur child, his hock completely healed and his chest rising and falling softly. His mother was asleep across the room with her four legs wrapped close to her body. Peter sat next to the boy with his tiny hand clutched in his.
Cara stared in silence. Her eyes took in the beauty of the scene and the humility that shown on Peter's face as he watched the boy sleep. Fully awake once again, Cara walked quietly into the chamber and knelt down beside Peter. The High King acknowledged her presence before turning his eyes back to the boy.
"He is so beautiful," Cara said softly as he brushed her hand across his forehead.
"He came so close to death," Peter whispered, his face scowling in the dim light. Cara took her eyes from the boy and let them rest on Peter.
"But death did not overtake him," she replied, "because of you." Peter scoffed at her words and placed the child's hand softly beside him.
"Death did not overtake him because of Caspian," Peter answered.
"And Caspian was able to flee because of you," Cara responded with a harsh tone. Peter looked back at her with weary eyes and slumped shoulders. Soon the High Queen's face softened and he hand reached out to brush against Peter's cheek. "Why are you not resting?" she asked softly.
"I suppose for the same reason you are not," he replied with a small smirk. Cara smiled in response and allowed her hand to fall from his cheek. "Come on," he added as he pushed himself to his feet and pulled Cara up with him. "Let's leave them be."
As Cara followed Peter from the chamber, she could see traces of dirt and blood encrusted into his hair and across his neck. The King had taken no time for himself, and the blatant display of selflessness caused Cara's heart to swoon in her chest. Susan's earlier words began to swirl around in her mind, for Cara was suddenly struck with a bravery that she had never felt before. She wished to relieve Peter of his burdens and pain, but the possibility of her actions being inappropriate only reminded her of Susan's latest rant.
Lost in thought, Cara paid little attention when Peter lifted her small hand towards his lips and placed a small kiss on her palm. The feeling of damp warmth on her skin caused the vision of Susan to flee Cara's mind, and as she looked intensely into Peter's eyes, she decided that she was going to help the High King in any way that she could whether it was considered appropriate or not.
"Peter," she said softly, her hand still clutched in his, and her voice wavering. Cara had no idea what to say—what she wanted to say—and the look in Peter's eyes was heavy and unnerving. At a loss for words, Cara decided to simply say nothing, and after managing to pull her eyes from Peter's, she kept hold of his hand and led him deep into the How. They descended into the ground for nearly five minutes before finally entering a dimly lit chamber that was quite cool and slightly damp.
"Are you indicating that I need a bath?" Peter asked with a laugh once he realized they were in the public bathing chamber. A stream of fresh water ran down a small underground canal directly beside them, allowing those within the How the comfort of constant fresh water.
"Yes," Cara responded with a cheeky smile as she let go of Peter's hand and grabbed a small torch in the corner of the chamber. "Sit," she commanded and began to move about the room lighting numerous other torches. After the chamber was glowing with flickering light, Cara grabbed a bucket from a stack in the corner, filled it with water and placed upon one of the torches.
"I think I was four the last time someone forced me to bathe," Peter commented as he watched Cara work.
"And who forced you?" she asked as she tested the heat of the water with her finger.
"My mother," responded Peter.
"Well if she was here, I would allow her the honor once again," Cara said with a small smile.
"Then I am happy that she is not here," Peter answered with a blatant smirk sketched across his face. Cara's cheeks immediately began to burn with both excitement and embarrassment.
"You know," Peter continued after a moment of awkward silence, "this is surly on Susan's list of inappropriate acts that the High King and Queen should never be caught in."
"I guess that means we cannot get caught," Cara responded bravely as she lifted the bucket of hot water off of the fire and carried it towards Peter. Although her face was burning, she could not help but smile at the obvious flirting. Peter smiled as well and watched the Queen as she slowly made her way to his side.
"Take off your tunic," Cara said softly as she turned away from Peter and looked for a clean rag. Her eyes spotted a small pile beside the grouping of buckets, and with shaky feet she made her way over to the rags and picked one. Cara could hear Peter shuffling softly behind her, causing her heart to beat even faster. Only a few times in her life had she seen a man's bare chest, and each time it was covered in blood and in dire need of healing.
Deciding that she must turn around at some point, Cara released a deep breath and turned her body. Peter was still seated with his elbows resting on his knees and his eyes staring at his hands. In a crumbled heap near his feet lay his tunic.
Peter raised his eyes when he felt Cara watching him. The look he gave her was soft and warm. Cara stared deeply into Peter's eyes as she walked forward, far too afraid to allow them to wander anywhere else. Peter sat up straighter when she reached him, causing Cara's eyes to become distracted by his exposed chest. Realizing that she was staring, Cara quickly bent down and dunked the small rag in the steaming water. After ringing it out with a shaky hand, she moved around to Peter's back and stared down at his tightened muscles.
Large blotches of brown and blue covered Peter's skin; bruises and scrapes from the day's earlier battles. Cara slowly lowered the rag to the base of Peter's neck and with a hammering heart, began to wipe away the remnants of the day. As time passed, both King and Queen began to receive comfort from the situation. Cara bent down repeatedly to renew the warmth of the rag, while Peter allowed his eyes to close and his muscles to relax.
As the minutes dwindled away, Cara continued to run warm water over Peter's body, her hands becoming accustomed to the feel of his skin and muscles. Her breathing was now even, as was Peter's, for both realized that Cara's act of kindness went far beyond the physical, but as Cara made her way to Peter's chest, and their eyes made contact once again, hearts began to flutter and the air began to close in around them.
Cara continued to rub the warm rag along Peter's neck, but the motion was lazy and haphazard. Peter's eyes changed as he watched her, going from sincere and calm to excited and needy. Finding the rag far too distracting, Peter placed his hand upon Cara's and pulled the rag from her fingers. She looked back at him with wide eyes as he took her other hand in his stared intensely into her eyes.
Light danced across Peter's face and in his hair, creating a small glow that surrounded his damp body. Cara suddenly felt small and innocent before him, her body never experiencing such intense emotions. Her breathing became deep and ragged as Peter slowly pulled her body closer to his, their eyes never breaking contact.
Having never kissed anyone before, Cara had no idea what to expect when Peter's soft lips finally met hers. At a loss of what to do, the High Queen simply let go. Closing her eyes, she pulled her hands from Peter's and placed them softly on his chest. Feeling her encouragement, Peter moved his hands to her face and deepened the kiss. Cara's heart raced as Peter's warm mouth opened up to hers, her hands leaving his chest and traveling to his back.
Peter pulled back softly, taking his mouth away from hers and hold her head comfortably in his hands. Cara opened her eyes slowly and stared back at him, a small blush creping to her cheeks. "Hello," Peter whispered causing Cara's face to erupt into a brilliant smile. She laughed under the weight of his eyes and buried her head into his chest.
"We should be getting to bed," she said as she went to pull away from Peter. The High King had other intentions though, his hand grasping Cara's and pulling her back to him. With a laugh he covered her mouth once more with his. Cara responded immediately, her hands finding their way into his golden hair.
Breathless, the two parted moments later, both flushed with excitement. Trying to cover her smile, Cara pulled away from Peter and picked up the bucket and rag, while Peter grabbed his tunic and wandered around the chamber putting out lights.
"Shall we?" he asked softly as Cara placed the bucket back in its rightful spot. Unable to speak due to the smile on her face, Cara merely nodded and allowed Peter to lead her out of the dark chamber.
Both immerged from the bottom of the How sporting ridiculous smiles. Cara felt as if her body was on fire as Peter kissed her hand softly and accompanied her to her chamber. "Goodnight," she whispered once they reached the door. Peter simply smiled down at her blushing face and placed a light kiss upon her forehead.
"Night," he replied with a voice near as soft as hers. With one last brilliant smile, Cara headed towards the entrance of her chamber. Peter watched her back as she disappeared into the darkness, his mind deciding that possibly—in the very slightest—his day was not so horrible after all.
I was completely NOT planning on having them kiss yet, but just seemed like they really wanted to. Don't you think? Anyways, please let me know if you liked it!