I'm guessing by the amount of reviews that you guys enjoyed the kiss! YAY! Although this chapter isn't near as exciting as the last two, the ones after this will be filled with more fighting and more romance. Please leave a review and tell me what you think. Hearing from you guys truly does make me write faster. Cheers!
Ps- Sorry for taking so long to update. I was in Boston and unable to write.
Chapter 13
Into the Lion's Den
Looking back on his reign during the Golden Age of Narnia, Peter could not recall one instance when he truly wished that he was not High King. There were moments of exuberant anger when he alluded to such wishes, but deep down the thoughts were hollow and forged. Narnia was his home, his soul, and his purpose for living. The protection of his people was Peter's only thought and his everlasting duty, but decisions seemed easier then, for Aslan was beside him during times of need, and disorder was nothing more than a small hiccup in their continuous peace. Peter's people, his siblings and loved ones, even himself, were never truly faced with the possibility of death. Mistakes were made along the way, but they never went beyond the soothing breath of the Great Lion, or the life saving liquid of Lucy's cordial.
This time was different.
This time death seemed unavoidable—absolute. It was certain that Narnians would lose their lives, and a great possibility that any one of the royals were condemned to the same fate. In this moment of insecurity and apprehension, Peter wished that he was not High King. His thoughts were silent, his stone cold stare and tight back gave no indication of the growing dread inside of him, but hidden below his calloused exterior Peter was a boy with the world placed on his shoulders.
Although Peter's love always belonged first and foremost to his siblings, small portions of it were drifting into the soul of another. Cara had never known peace. She had never danced among the glowing fireflies in the fields beyond Cair Paravel, or sailed along Narnia's golden shores. Peter wanted to give her that. He wished to offer her the Narnia she never knew, but as problems continued to unfold, Peter's focus was nothing more than attempting to keep her alive.
The woman that consumed Peter's mind stood beside him along with Edmund and a Narnian scout, all staring out over the valley before them and into the first visible trees of the opposite woods. Three Telmarines sat upon horseback. The soldiers did little to shield themselves, their presence nothing more than a taunting threat. With a sudden yell and a show of swords, they turned their horses and disappeared back into the woods and out of sight. The faun turned to his High King; his eyes were grave and worried, yet gleaming with the trust that Peter the Magnificent would find the solution.
Cara looked to Peter as well, her fingers brushing softly against his in the hope of earning his attention—attention that was so fully hers just earlier that morning. Both royals awoke with giddy smiles and a small bounce in their step that was visible to all. Susan cast each disapproving glances during breakfast, for their faces were the perfect depiction of absolute happinesss, which caused the gentle Queen to realize that Peter had quite obviously not heeded her warning. For that reason, Susan vowed to keep at least one of them in constant sight, which Cara and Peter found to be more of a game than a hindrance.
As the morning continued with duties and commands, Peter and Cara attempted to escape the watchful eye of Susan, both laughing quietly when they found her gaze upon them once again. Nearly two hours into their game of cat and mouse, Peter was able to meander away from his sister when called on by Glentorm and Reepicheep. Without Peter as a distraction, Cara found herself working steadily with Caspian, both attempting to equip each soldier with a complete set of armor.
"She's not looking," Caspian whispered as he leaned in close to Cara. Before them stood a minotaur who was becoming increasingly difficult to fit with armor due to his sheer size. Cara stopped attempting to set his breast plate at Caspian's words.
"Sorry?" she asked with a look of confusion.
"Susan," he responded. "She isn't watching you." Cara glanced behind her to find the spot where Susan had been sitting empty. Caspian smiled softly to her and nudged her shoulder.
"Go on then; I'm excited to see her look of panic when she returns and you are no longer here." Cara looked at the vacant seat again and bit her lip before returning her eyes to Caspian and smiling.
"You are nearly as much trouble as we are," she whispered causing Caspian to laugh. With one last meaningful smile, Cara dropped the armor in her hands and disappeared out of the chamber. She felt freer than she had in ages; her heart was pumping with the giddy beat of a child, and her feet were unable to stay planted in one spot.
The High Queen wandered the corridors of the How in search of Peter for nearly an hour, her lips and hands craving the feel of his and the bubbling anticipation of finding him filling her chest.
Peter, having managed to finish his conversation with his general and troops, began to search the corridors as well. It was not long before he spotted her, and in a cliché act of romance, Peter hid behind a turn and waited with an erratic heart for his moment to pounce.
The moment came with clutching hands and a small scream. Cara struggled against Peter's chest, her elbows flailing until they finally came into contact with the High King's stomach. Peter let out an oaff as his arms dropped from around her and his feet stumbled back. Cara whipped around quickly at the release of her attacker. Peter looked back at her with laughing eyes and a mysterious smirk. Cara's face softened into a smile at the sight of him, both royals staring bashfully back at each other. Now that they were finally alone, it seemed that neither knew quite what to do.
Cara's heart quickened as Peter took a slow step towards her; his blue eyes staring purposefully back at hers. The High Queen waited with anticipation for his lips to meet hers, but the moment did not come, for the sound of Susan's distant voice caused Peter to pull back as if burnt.
"Is this also on her list of what not to do?" Cara asked with a laugh as they peered around the corner at the quickly approaching Queen. "I feel as if I am running from my mother," she added. Peter smiled at Cara's remark before returning to the safely of the corridor and pulling Cara with him. "What are you doing?" she asked with a giggle as Peter entered into a jog. Peter merely sent her a lopsided grin, his hand clutching tighter around her as he turned down another corridor and pulled the only torch from the wall.
Cara watched with a bemused expression as the High King extinguished the flame, which caused a blanket of black to fill the corridor. "Peter?" Cara asked with a laugh, her eyes trying to adjust to the lack of light. Peter's hands quickly met hers, and even though Cara could barely see him, she could feel the warmth of his body as he slowly pushed her against the wall and moved closer. Cara's heart raced with the same speed as the night before, her body yearning to be closer to his in a way that was foreign only days earlier.
"This is highly improper," Cara said in a breathless voice as Peter continued to move closer.
"Then tell me to stop," the High King responded, his smirk apparent in the dark. Cara struggled to form the words, but Peter's breath on her face and his body pressing against her was far too intoxicating.
"Peter!" Susan's voice rang out from down the hall. Peter sighed as he pulled back from Cara and rested his head on the opposite wall. "Honestly," her voice continued.
"I'm here, Susan," Peter said as he left the darkness and stepped into the light of another torch. Cara stayed hidden in the shadows as Susan came into view and glared at her brother.
"Where have you been?" she asked as the two moved down the corridor and farther from Cara.
"Just handling a few things," Peter answered, causing Susan to glance wearily at him.
"Well you now have a few more things to handle," Susan responded before falling into a long list of duties that Peter had to fulfill during the day. Once both were out of sight, Cara moved from the shadows and turned down another corridor, her face still sporting the blatant smile that she had worn all day.
It was not long after this moment that the faun spotted the soldiers and called to his Kings and Queens. At the mention of soldiers, Peter's newly found happiness seemed to disappear. Not an hour ago, the feel of Cara's fingers brushing against his would have caused a feeling of excitement to flow through him. Now the touch only reminded the High King of all he had to live for and of everything he could lose. Even in his mind Peter was unable to conjure up any thought that ended in a Narnian victory. Waiting equaled death. Leaving equaled death. Feeling all eyes upon him, Peter finally turned to Edmund.
"Gather a meeting together in the chamber of the Stone Table. All need to be present," he said sternly. Edmund gave his brother concerned nod before disappearing down the trap door of the How. "Go with him," Peter added to the faun, who happily rushed after his King and out of sight.
"How did you deal with these decisions?" Peter asked after a moment of stiff silence when only he and Cara remained.
"What do you mean?" Cara questioned as she turned her gaze towards him. Peter let out another sigh and ran his fingers through his hair before beginning his typical pacing.
"Every choice I have results in the inevitability of death. If we are to leave the How, we will be slaughtered. If we say, the Telmarines will surely attack, and as you have said before this place is no fortress. Again, we will be slaughtered. Slower, but the results are still the same," Peter explained with sporadic hand movements as he walked quickly along the rocks of the How.
"Peter," Cara interjected as he tried to prolong his rant, but the High King ignored her voice and continued his quick words. "Peter," she yelled louder in the hopes of gaining his attention, but again he disregarded her. Finally Cara stepped into Peter's path and shoved him in the shoulders.
"Peter," she said softly as he stared down at her with his golden hair falling into his eyes. With a hesitant hand, Cara moved his hair from his eyes and stroked his cheek. "Your greatest asset as High King is also your weakest."
"You care too much," she added when Peter's eyes stared down at her in confusion. Peter rolled his eyes slightly and pulled back from Cara's hands. "You do, Peter. No other King would have saved those children. Most would have sent soldiers. You put your life in danger for your people in a way that I have never seen before."
"And look where that got us, Cara," Peter responded. "The children nearly died; Edmund nearly died, and you—" Peter stopped mid-sentence as he looked to the Queen before him. A vision of her splashed with red and looking pale quickly entered his mind. Peter rubbed his hands over his eyes to get rid of the sight before continuing his sentence, "—you were harmed as well. Now the Telmarines know precisely where we are, and every option we have leaves us with little hope of survival."
"Yes, Peter," Cara said as she walked closer to him and placed her small hand on his torso. "Narnians will die. No matter what you choose, loss of life is unavoidable. Let go of trying to save everyone, and pick the option that saves the most. Narnia is no longer in a Golden Age, and quite honestly it never will be again."
Peter pulled away from Cara and returned his eyes to the horizon. After a moment of silence he clamped his hands into fists and turned towards the trap door. "I think I have a plan," he said as he passed Cara and pulled up on the large rock. Cara watched him as he passed, her face displaying a look of concern.
"What do you have in mind?" she asked. Peter glanced at her, his hand still propping open the heavy door.
"I will tell you when I address the group," he answered before indicating for her to enter the door. With a small scowl Cara made her way down the door and towards the chamber of the Stone Table. Peter followed close behind her, his left hand grasping tightly to Rhindon as the two royals walked into the chamber, which was now overflowing with all that remained of Narnia.
Silence filled the room as Peter walked into the center of his people, while Cara made her way over to Susan and Caspian. Both greeted her with a silent nod—Susan was kind enough to add a glare—before turning their full attention to Peter. With his hand still clutched tightly around Rhindon, Peter turned slowly around the room and took in the sight of his people. Although their numbers filled the room, what was before him was pitiful fourth of what Narnia used to be.
Peter's circle ended as he eyes fell upon Cara. She nodded softly to him, her support giving Peter the strength to explain his decision. With one last small sigh, Peter began. "I am sure that the happenings of last night are no secret to any of you. I am also sure that the appearance of Telmarine soldiers not a mile from the How has also reached your ears. We are discovered. Our last and only place of protection is now a spot on the Telmarine map. All that stands between us and them is the finalization of the bridge. For this reason, we have no choice but to act."
"What do you propose we do, your Majesty?" Reepicheep asked with excitement. Caspian walked forward and began to speak, his voice rolling over Peter's response. Peter stopped immediately and stared at the boy, his eyes commanding Caspian to stand down. The Prince looked solemn, but he said no more. Finding the room quiet once again, Peter turned to the mouse and continued.
"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us."
"You mean take the castle?" Cara asked with a small frown.
"That is precisely what I mean," Peter answered.
"But that is crazy," Caspian cut in as he stepped closer to Peter. "No one has ever taken that castle."
"There's always a first time," Peter responded with confidence. Cara sighed softly and rubbed her fingers over her eyes. Peter obviously took her advice slightly too far.
"We will have the element of surprise," Trumpkin added, but was quickly cut off by Caspian.
"But we have the advantage here," the Prince said as he gestured around the How.
"If we dig in we could probably hold them off indefinitely," Susan mentioned as she rose from her spot on a stone and came to stand beside Caspian. Peter looked at her with cold eyes, his mind reeling with the fact that she was taking Caspian's side.
"I, for one, feel safer underground," Trufflehunter added softly, causing Peter to frown at the unusual negativity. Even though he tried to subdue his thoughts, he felt as if Caspian was to blame for the uproar, for it was the Prince that first questioned Peter's plan.
"Look," Peter said as he walked closer to Caspian, "I appreciate what you have done here, but this isn't a fortress; it's a tomb."
"Yes," Edmund quickly added, "and if they're smart, the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out."
"We could collect nuts," Pettertwig the squirrel interjected with enthusiasm.
"Yes," said Reepicheep with a look of disgust, "and throw them at the Telmarines. Shut up," he added before turning to Peter. "I think you know where I stand sire."
"And where does the High Queen stand?" Trumpkin asked as he watched Cara hiding in the corner. Soon the Queen found all eyes upon her, and with a heavy sigh she squared her jaw and looked to her people.
"I agree with Peter when he says that this How is nothing more then a tomb." Her words quickly caused a small smile to appear on Peter's face, but as she continued, his newly formed smile slowly disappeared. "However, I support Caspian on his stance regarding the attack." Caspian looked to the Queen with wide eyes. Never in a million years did he believe that the High Queen would side with him against the King.
Peter watched with a stone stare as Cara approached the center of the circle and looked intently at him. "These people will offer no mercy. We need to stay where we know our surroundings and strengths better than they do. If we enter the walls of that castle, the loss of life will be of greater numbers than you can imagine," Cara said as she came to stand before Peter.
"If we stay here we will be slaughtered like beasts," Peter countered.
"When I reigned it took nearly two years for the Telmarines to overcome this How. It has capabilities that you can not imagine," Cara responded in a even tone.
"So you suggest we stay here and die?" the High King asked.
"No," Cara answered. "I suggest we stay here and fight."
"I agree," Caspian added. "As I mentioned before; here we have the advantage." Peter attempted to control his rising frustration. Only ten minutes ago Cara was urging him to cast aside his fear and make a decision. Now every option he presented was wrong. He needed her beside him again. He needed her confidence.
"If we can sneak into the castle and kill Miraz, we won't have to fight. I have a plan, Cara, and I will need your complete support to accomplish it," Peter explained, his voice becoming slightly pleading at the end. "I understand where all of you are coming from, but it is possible to do this. I can feel it."
The chamber filled with silence as Cara and Peter stood quietly staring at each other. Peter's eyes were no longer angry, but earnest and determined. Finally Cara sighed and nodded her head softly. "I will do as my King asks," she responded. Peter's lips twitched slightly as his gaze left Cara and landed on Glenstorm.
"If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?" he asked the general. Glenstorm looked passed Peter and too Caspian, before returning his eyes to his King and nodding.
"Or die trying, my liege."
"That's what I'm worried about," Lucy said softly from behind Peter causing the High King to whip around with a look of confusion.
"Sorry?" he asked.
"Well, you're all acting like there are only two options: dying here, or dying there," the Queen responded from on top of the Stone Table, the carved eyes of Aslan staring down upon Peter from over her shoulder.
"I'm not sure you've really been listening, Lu," Peter remarked.
"No," she replied, "you're not listening, or have you already forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?" Peter clenched his jaw in response and turned away from the depiction of the Great Lion.
"I think we've waited for Aslan long enough." An awkward silence filled the room at Peter's words, but no one went against the High King. Not even Lucy commented on Peter's outright rejection of their Lord.
"What are our orders, then?" Cara finally asked, for the silence was becoming too heavy. Peter turned to her with a small look of thanks.
"We use the griffons."
BBBBBB
The night was clear and cool. Lucy stood at the entrance of the How watching as Glenstorm and his soldiers moved quietly into the forest, their swords and armor glinting under the light of Narnia's two moons. The young Queen looked over the valley with sad eyes, her heart reaching out to Aslan and praying for his support and love. So often the Queen had told others to heed the thoughts and orders of their High King, but as she watched six griffons swoop and glide in the sky until they landed softly before her, she wished that Caspian, Edmund, Susan—anyone—had stood stronger against Peter's commands.
Lucy turned when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Cara's face shown down from above her, the moon igniting her form as she stepped out of the How. The High Queen said nothing, but in a move to offer comfort she kissed Lucy's hair before walking towards one of the griffons. Caspian brushed passed only moments later, his step and tight shoulders indicating his unhappiness with the situation. Edmund and Trumpkin soon followed, both talking quietly about the night that lay ahead of them.
Edmund's torch was clutched tightly in his hand, and despite the circumstances, Lucy could not help but giggle at the memory of the commotion the small relic from England had aroused among the Narnian's.
The plans for the raid were nearly set in stone when Caspian brought up the important point of communication. Peter had rubbed his temples in response, his mind aching with the occurrence of yet another hole in their complex invasion. Cara and Susan sighed as well, for both Queens were beyond tired of being locked up in a room filled with far too much testosterone and opinions.
Although Caspian tried his hardest to subdue his anger and distaste for Peter's blatant disregard for the other's opinions, occasionally his attitude would bubble over in the form of small comments or complaints. In turn, Peter did little to control the power he held with his station, which created an atmosphere of constant tension.
Finally, after nearly thirty minutes of ideas concerning communication, Edmund jumped from his seat sporting a content smile and excited eyes. "I've got it," he said suddenly, which caused the rest of the group to look at him with bemused expressions. "I truly have no idea how the thought of it slipped my mind, for truly it is the best thing w—"
"For heaven's sake, spit it out," Peter interjected.
"My electric torch," Edmund explained with a look of pride. Cara, Caspian, Trumpkin, Glenstorm, and the few other native Narnians present looked to each other with confused expressions while the Pevensies all smiled in delight.
"Bravo, Ed," Peter said as he slapped his brother on the back. "Truly good thinking."
"An electric torch?" Caspian asked, which caused the rest sitting in confusion to nod in consent to his question.
"I will show you," Edmund responded as he hurried out of the room. A few minutes later the King returned with a small object clutched in his hand. Cara remembered it from the night Peter awoke her, but she never paid much attention to the strange item.
"What does it do?" Caspian questioned as Edmund passed the small object over.
"Press this button here," Edmund answered as he indicated to a small lever that shifted back and forth. With a brow furled in interest, the Prince placed his thumb on the button and pushed. Not a second later brilliant white light shot from its end causing Caspian to yell in alarm and toss it from his hands. The torch sailed through the air and directly towards Glenstorm, who jumped out of the way just in time for it to crash into the dirty ground of the How. Silence filled the chamber as all its occupants stared at the small object and the eerie light it admitted.
Slowly a giggle fell from Lucy's lips, followed by another, and another. Edmund looked to his younger sister and laughed as well, which caused both Cara and Peter to emit small laughs in unison. The sounds of happiness proved contagious, for soon the entire chamber was laughing whole heartily, all allowing their pent up emotions to spill out in sounds of glee.
Soon the commotion ended and the conclusion of the plans began. Everyone had tight orders, all depending on each other to be completely successful. Peter made it perfectly clear that the entire raid relied on the accomplishment of everyone's separate duties. After Peter's final words, all went their separate ways to prepare for the battle that loomed ahead.
All laughter that was shared during the explanation of the electric torch was now long gone, save for the small smile that still rested on Lucy's Lips as she watched Edmund disappear into the glowing sky clutched in the talons of a great griffon. Peter and Susan exited the How just as Edmund vanished into the vast sky. Both wore grave faces as they passed Lucy and headed for the griffons, which were moving about excitedly in the quiet night.
"Ready then?" Peter asked his companions. Susan and Cara nodded quickly and moved to their mounts, while Caspian paid little attention to the arrival of the High King. Truly Trumpkin was the only one that seemed anywhere near excited about what was to come. With a heavy sigh, Peter made his way to his mount as well, and after casting one last look at Lucy, the four royals and Trumpkin disappeared into the sky as Edmund had only minutes earlier.
Lucy watched them go with a feeling of apprehension. Something told her that someone would not return.