I do apologize for having to push this chapter back until today (I have had a family member in the hospital), but now it is complete and ready for everyone's viewing pleasure! Because of all the happenings over the week, I feel that this chapter is sub par, so be warned! We are going to take a small break from all the excitement and let a little emotion poor out of everyone. Next chapter begins the battle funness. Oh joy!
I want to give a special thanks to all of you that left reviews over the passed week. I know that I have not responded to each one as I usually do, but your thoughts and excitement for this chapter helped me push through a crappy week. You are all AMAZING!!
Chapter 17
The Consequences of Falling
The How was bathed in glowing light as the sun's rays reached above the horizon and onto the back of the solid stone stronghold. Susan still stood beside Edmund with her bow clasped tightly in her long fingers and her face agape with disbelief. Noticing the figure approaching, others began to crawl from the crevices of the How and look across the valley with blank faces and beating hearts.
"What is everyo—" Peter said with confusion as he came to stand beside his siblings, his words drifting into silence as his eyes caught sight of the moving ghost.
Taking her gaze away from Cara, Susan turned to Peter and squeezed his hand tightly in hers. Peter's heart clenched at the vision before him while an unbelieving sadness washed over his features. Cara and Alvaro were now glowing in the morning light of the sun, each seeming to be more divine than real.
Lucy was the first to react, her childish innocence spilling forth as she leapt from the How and ran across the valley. "Cara," her voice sang, its joy reaching Peter's ears and causing a swell of emotions to build in his throat.
Seeing Lucy moving towards her, Cara slid from Alvaro's back and into the thick grass below. Her body winced at the strain, but the joy in her heart overcame the pain as she stepped closer to Lucy's smiling form. Falling to her knees, Cara opened her arms wide for Lucy and rejoiced when she crashed into them, her weight causing both to crumble backwards onto the soft ground.
Without warning, Susan's fingers released her bow from their grasp as her feet carried her forward. She stumbled and laughed as she ran down the rocky side of the How and along the path that Lucy had created.
"Susan," Cara whispered as the gentle Queen fell onto the ground beside Lucy. With tears cascading down her beautiful, pale cheeks Susan pulled Cara tightly to her and released a shaky laugh.
"We thought you were dead," she whispered into Cara's dirtied hair.
"I almost was," Cara replied as she closed her eyes and relished in the feel of Susan and Lucy's warmth.
Still watching from the top of the How, Edmund allowed a smile to form upon his face as he slid down the hill and to the rocky ground below. All forms of Narnians were moving around him, their shock turning to shouts of joy and their feet carrying them quickly to their reborn Queen.
Running through the growing crowd Edmund bumped harshly into Caspian, both laughing wholeheartedly as they nearly tumbled to the ground. Seeing the boys rapidly approaching, Cara climbed to her shaky feet and moved quickly towards them. Reaching her first, Caspian laughed as he lifted Cara from the ground and spun her into the air.
"Ed!" Cara giggled as she pulled away from Caspian's grasp and leapt into the young King's arms.
"Welcome home," he laughed, his voice muffled by Cara's shoulder. More hugs came as Narnians continued to crowd around Cara and Alvaro, all marveling at the beauty and hope that the rising sun and brought forward.
Slowly the crowd began to part, which caused Cara to look beyond the throng of creatures. Standing alone at the head of the How was Peter. His arms were limp at his side and his face was filled with sadness and disbelief. Suddenly captivated, Cara stepped forward, her dress trailing in the wet grass behind her. Watching her move, Peter let out a shaky breath as his hand moved closely to his mouth.
Her eyes brimming with tears, Cara stopped only feet from Peter and took in his ragged form. "Peter," she whispered. Allowing the sound of her voice to wash over him, Peter closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Seeing the pain before her, Cara released a shaky breath and reached her bloodied fingers forward.
"Are you real?" Peter whispered as his eyes opened. Unable to contain herself any longer, Cara's hand reached towards Peter's face, her fingers tracing the contours of his jaw and mouth. He responded instantly, his strong arms pulling her forward. Cara collapsed into him as his fingers wrapped around her back and became lost in her tangled hair. Feeling her body solid against him, Peter released a sputtered sob and buried his head into her neck.
Weak from fatigue and shaking with joy, both slowly collapsed to the ground. Peter pulled Cara forward and kissed the dirtied skin beneath his mouth. "Cara," he breathed as he ran his lips over her cheeks and forehead. With groping fingers, Cara's eyes finally released the tears that were fighting to escape. All of her fear and pain spilled forth as Peter continued to cover her body with warmth.
"You were dead," he whispered with a trembling voice as he cupped Cara's face in his hands and looked into her tear filled eyes. "I thought you were dead." Despite her tears, Cara released a small laugh and ran her hands along Peter's chest.
"You kept me alive," she responded as her eyes memorized every aspect of his face. Lowering his quivering lips to hers, Peter allowed every ounce of emotion to spill from him and into Cara. He did not care who saw. He did not care what Susan would say. All that matter was the woman in his arms and the feel of her body pressed tightly against his.
Cara's wet cheeks rubbed across Peter's as he deepened the kiss and pulled her completely onto his lap. Although his touch was gentle, Cara's body screamed in agony under the contact. Gasping, she pulled away slightly and stiffened her body. Peter watched her with sad eyes, his gaze finally taking in the beaten girl before him. "I'm sorry," he whispered against her lips. "I did this to you."
"No," Cara responded as she relaxed against his body and laid her forehead against his. "You brought me to life," she continued with a smile. "Remember?" With a shaky laugh, Peter released Cara from his grasp and rubbed his thumb softly along her cheek, each touch leaving a trail of fresh blood.
Peter's eyes narrowed as he pulled his fingers away from Cara's face and glanced down. Both hands were smeared with deep red, his pale skin stained. "You're bleeding," he breathed as he climbed to his knees and turned Cara around. She winced at the pressure and fell slightly forward, a portion of her dress riding up and exposing her leg.
"Lucy!" Peter suddenly shouted, fear rising in his chest at the sight of Cara's expensive wounds.
"I'm alright," Cara responded as she tried to cover the gashes on her legs.
"Alright?" Peter yelled angrily. "Your back is soaked in blood, Cara. Look at my hands," he continued as he forced her to look at his red stained skin. Cara's face contorted as another wave of tears cascaded down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," she said softly and pulled completely out of Peter's grasp. "It's all my fault. Everything happened because of me." Peter's face fell as Cara attempted to crawl away from him, her shoulder giving out under the pressure and her body collapsing forward.
Pushing through the crowd, Lucy ran quickly to Peter's side, her eyes noticing that Peter's hands were not the only ones coated in Cara's blood. The others followed close behind, each finding traces of the red liquid on their clothes and fingers.
Cara continued to cry as Peter wrapped his arm softly around her waist and pulled her back towards him. Once Cara was situated back in his arms, Lucy handed Peter her cordial and watched as he brought it closely to Cara's lips.
"Look at me," Peter ordered as Cara latched on to his tunic and buried her head into the crevice of his arm. With swollen eyes, Cara slowly turned her head and looked to her High King. "I'm not losing you again," he whispered as small tears continued to roll down Cara's cheeks.
"You don't need me to win this war," she replied, her eyes leaving Peter's.
"I'm not talking about the war," he answered as his free hand moved her eyes back to his. "Drink." Keeping her eyes steady with Peter's, Cara took the cordial from his hand and brought it to her lips. As a single drop fell from the diamond rim and hit her moist tongue, Cara felt the burning instantly leave every part of her body; the only sensation that remained was the cool blood upon her back and the warmth of Peter's breath.
Lucy stepped forward and carefully pulled her cordial from Cara's grasp, while Susan kneeled beside her and ran her fingers over Cara's forehead. "Come," she said softly. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Cara allowed Peter to help her to her feet, his lips placing a soft kiss upon her forehead.
"Go with Susan," he whispered into her hair as Susan wrapped an arm around Cara's waist and ushered her into the How. Peter watched her go, his hands and tunic now coated in blood and his shoulders slumped forward.
"Do you think she will be alright?" Edmund asked as he came to stand beside Peter. "I mean, physically she is fine, but mentally—who knows what they did to her."
"I don't know," Peter responded, his eyes glancing down at the blood on his hands. For a brief moment he couldn't help but think the image fitting.
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"Do you think it will help him the way it helps us?" Lucy asked Caspian as she allowed a drop of her treasured liquid to fall into a small bucket of water.
It was only an hour after Cara's arrival, and finding herself useless elsewhere, Lucy had trailed Caspian as he cleaned Alvaro's wounds and tended to the other horses in the stable. Both were in agreement that the gash along Alvaro's shoulder was beyond simple rest and cleaning, which is precisely why both were attempting to get a drop of healing potion into his massive body.
"For the sake of the horse, I certainly hope so," Caspian replied as he lifted the bucket towards Alvaro's muzzle. After eyeing the liquid with caution, Alvaro dipped his tongue in for a quick taste before lowering his lips into the precious water. Lucy and Caspian watched with bated breath as the horse finished off the water in a few large gulps.
"Look!" Lucy gasped. "It's working." Although Lucy had healed numerous gashes, she could not recall actually ever witnessing a wound's decline and disappearance, making her moment with Alvaro exceedingly special.
"Yet again you save another brave soul," Caspian replied as he smiled fondly at the young Queen.
"I wonder what happened to her," Lucy offhandedly commented as the duo offered Alvaro some hay and began to watch him quietly eat. Caspian remained silent for quite some time, his mind piecing together images of what Cara could have possibly gone through.
"Miraz is an evil man," he replied softly. "I cannot imagine that her life was easily spared." Turning her eyes from Alvaro, Lucy observed Caspian as his face displayed an array of emotions. She saw hate and sadness, worry and regret, but most blatantly she saw fear. A fear that twisted its way through the heart of each and every one of them and ate away at the hope and love that they all shared.
As Lucy continued to watch Caspian's face, her mind trailed back to the way Cara and Peter had held each other earlier that day, and to the way Edmund and Susan had rejoiced in returning to their beloved home. With the ones she loved moving through her mind, Lucy realized that something had to be done, and it was a something that only she had the heart and mind to do.
"Is something wrong?" Caspian questioned as Lucy turned quickly and fled from the stables.
"No," she shouted as she waved her hand in the air. "I—uh—I just remember something I need to mention to Susan."
Filled with the knowledge that she could truly help, Lucy ran through the corridors of the How and towards Cara's private chambers. After muttering sorry more than once and nearly knocking over a stack of shields, Lucy finally burst through the door to Cara's chambers and stumbled inside.
Both Cara and Susan turned instantly, their eyes wide with shock at the intrusion. "Lucy?" Susan questioned as she held a blanket out for Cara to crawl into. "What in Aslan's name is wrong with you?"
"I must do something, Susan," the young Queen replied as she moved further into the dimly lit room. Cara's torn and bloodied gown was now nothing more than a heap upon the stone ground, while her hair and body were wet from her first bath in nearly three days.
"The only thing you must do i—" Susan exclaimed before Cara stepped out of the bath and interjected.
"What must you do?" Cara questioned, her hands working quickly to dry the water from her body. Happy to have some sort of support, Lucy ignored the look on Susan's face and stepped closer to her High Queen.
"I must find Aslan," she replied with determination. Cara sighed as she pulled a simple gown from her closet and tossed her towel onto the ground, her long wet hair soaking the back of the dress instantly. "If I can have use of a horse I can leave the How and search him out in the forest," she continued valiantly. Cara stopped attempting to do up her dress and eyed the young Queen intently, while Susan stood with a look of utter disgust.
'That is ridiculous, Lucy. Really," Susan replied causing Lucy's excitement to fall from her face.
"Cara?" she asked desperately. Biting her bottom lip, Cara attempted to conjure up a reason why Lucy should not go, but as images of Miraz and his large army entered her mind, she quickly concluded that Lucy truly was right.
"I agree with Lucy," Cara finally responded, her answer causing Susan to step forward with a gaping mouth, while Lucy's face erupted into a wide smile.
"Peter will never consent," Susan interjected as Cara returned the towel to her hair and attempted to mop up the excess water.
"Peter won't have a choice," Cara replied. "The Telmarine army is crossing the Bridge of Beruna as we speak. Our troops are no match for what Miraz brings." Susan went to respond when Cara placed her finger softly across her lips. "Without Aslan we will not prevail. No words you can say will argue against that."
Susan moved away from Cara's finger and sat heavily upon the side of the bath. After a moments silence, she returned to her feet and looked defiantly at Cara. "Then I shall go with her," she said as her eyes moved quickly between Cara and Lucy.
"No," Cara responded. "We both will."
"Fine," Susan replied, "but you can tell Peter."
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When Cara found Peter he was rubbing a wet rag vigorously over his fingers. A bucket sat beside him, its contents splashed over the side and along the floor. The chamber was dark save for one torch directly above Peter and a small crack in the stone that allowed a stream of sunlight to leak through.
With her hair still damp and clinging to the back of her dress, Cara made her way over to Peter and kneeled before him. Although her purpose in locating the High King was to discuss Lucy's idea, the look on his face indicated that now truly was not the time. With a look of sadness Cara rested her fingers softly on Peter's thigh and attempted to look into his eyes, but he chose to ignore her presence and continue the battle he was raging upon his hands.
"I can't get it off," Peter finally whispered. Cara looked down instantly, her eyes taking in the sight of pale red across Peter fingers.
"Peter," she said softly as she placed her palm around his and forced his washing to end. Averting his gaze, he moved quickly away from her and climbed to his feet. With a sigh, Cara took his place on the ground and began to fiddle with the rag he had left behind.
"I keep on playing these scenarios in my head of what they did to you. Each one worse than the first. Each one leaving an imprint in my mind," Peter said as he leaned against the wall opposite from Cara, his forehead knocking against the cold stone.
Realizing that Peter needed to know the truth concerning her capture, Cara began to think of a way to retell the story while still allowing some dignity to remain intact. "The horse," she started softly before clearing her throat and beginning again. "The horse that carried me here is Alvaro." Peter turned from the stone quickly and looked to Cara, confusion sketched across his features.
"I abandoned Trumpkin," she continued, "and you." Peter's eyes narrowed as he watched Cara lean her head against the wall behind her and stare up at the dancing flames. "The arrows are from the front courtyard. I would have died along with our troops if Alvaro had not fought for my life, and if a Telmarine by the name of Glozelle had not found my body."
"And what of the gashes along your legs?" Peter replied as he walked slowly towards Cara.
"Trying to escape," she whispered after a few moments of silence. Peter kneeled before Cara and pulled the rag from her fingers.
"Why would a Telmarine save your life?" he questioned. Turning her dark eyes towards Peter, Cara released a sigh and pursed her lips.
"Penitence," she replied causing Peter's scowl of confusion to deepen. "He was ordered to kill Caspian the night he escaped." As realization washed over Peter's features, he sat down beside Cara and intertwined his fingers with hers.
"I have ne—" Peter began but was cut off by the sound of Edmund's voice. Both he and Cara turned to see the young King dazed with worry and breathing heavily.
"You need to see this."
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It was passed mid-day when the full Telmarine army arrived. The rock walls of the How reverberated with each foot fall and the shouted taunts of the soldiers echoed across the valley. Peter stood with a renewed look of determination and hate, his heart infuriated after Cara's retelling of her story. Thousands of men lined the trees, their armor glinting in the sun and their heavy feet trampling the swaying grass of the valley. Cara's fingers immediately found Peter's while Susan wrapped a tight arm around Lucy's waste.
Soon the sound of crashing trees mixed with the thunderous footfalls, and out of the shadows of the high forest came catapults pulled by teams of horses, their legs and bodies straining under the immense weight and soft ground.
"There he is," Cara whispered from beside Peter. As if her soft words were an introduction, the figure of Miraz became apparent as he stepped beyond his troops and looked towards the How. His white steed glinted with blinding light as he entered the sun. "He wears Alvaro's armor," Cara explained in a stony voice, her free hand recoiling at her side.
Clenching his jaw tightly at the sight of the newly crowned King, Peter turned his eyes away from the valley and moved towards the How. "Each of you to the Stone Table," he called over his back before disappearing completely.
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"If we are able to destroy the tunnels of the How, we can cause the ground to crumble from beneath them," Peter explained as he, Edmund, and Caspian studied an old map of the How's underground. Caspian glanced to the young King beside him with worried eyes, while Edmund sighed deeply and scratched his chin. Feeling the tension, Peter took his eyes off the map and looked at the boys before him.
"What other choice do we have?" he asked in an exasperated voice. After casting a quick glance to Cara and Susan, who were arguing quietly in the corner, Caspian cleared his throat and looked down at the map.
"That would ruin the How," he responded after a few minutes of silence. "Our only sanctuary would be destroyed."
"We won't need a sanctuary if we are all dead," Peter replied, his eyes also moving towards the Queens in the corner. "What are you two going on about?" he asked. Cara began to step forward when Susan's hand shot out and grabbed her. After a few more whispered words, both women stepped towards their Kings and look purposefully at Peter. Feeling the weight of their stare, Peter stood up straighter and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"What are you two planning?" he asked pointedly. Susan looked to Cara before stepping closer to Peter and squaring her shoulders.
"Logically," she began slowly, "our only hope is to find Aslan."
"I would feel far more comfortable if Aslan was here as well, but we have to fend for ourselves now," Peter answered as he leaned forward and rested his knuckles on the table before him.
"Lucy can find him," Susan continued, the confidence in her voice rising with each word. "All we have to do is get her into the outskirts of the How and the open wood."
"All we have to do?" Edmund asked incredulously.
"Yes, and once we have accomplished that she will be able to find him and bring him here to aid us. She has already seen him, Peter," she continued passionately as she grabbed Peter's shoulder.
"How do you plan to do this?" he questioned softly. Stepping back, Susan looked to Cara before returning her eyes to Peter.
"We will get her passed the Telmarines," she replied boldly. Peter and Edmund's eyes widened in response, each King looking at the girls in disbelief.
"Absolutely not," Peter answered as he walked towards Susan and Cara. "You have just returned from the dead," he continued as he pointed to Cara, "and I refuse to allow you the same opportunity," he said with his eyes ending on Susan.
"We are not asking for your approval, Peter," Susan replied as she pushed passed him and closer to the map of the How. The High King glanced to Cara for help, but the look on her face indicated that she stood completely beside Susan.
"This was your idea, wasn't it?" he asked Cara with anger trickling into his words.
"No," Cara responded smugly. "It was Lucy's." The look on Peter's face was nearly comical as he moved towards Cara as if he wished to strangle her.
"You are all staying here," he finally squeezed out as Cara backed away from him.
"No, we aren't," Cara responded as her face went cold and her eyes narrowed.
"Do you recall telling me that your entire mess was caused by you not following my orders," Peter shouted in return causing Cara's face to flush with anger.
"Peter!" Caspian suddenly interjected as he moved between them. "I think the girls are right, and I do believe that they can break passed the Telmarine barricade," he continued softly as Peter's eyes stared into his. Breathing deeply, Peter turned away from everyone and attempted to cool his anger. Behind him, both Cara and Susan smiled to Caspian in thanks, while Edmund rubbed his fingers through his hair and rolled his eyes.
"Fine," Peter finally replied, his back still turned to everyone, "but you will leave tonight, under the cover of darkness, and you will do it my way." Cara looked quickly to Susan, their eyes connecting in a meaningful glance.
"Deal," they replied in unison.
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"Cakes and kettledrums! That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest alone?" Trumpkin asked nearly an hour after the royals had formed their finals plans. The chamber of the Stone Table was now packed with Narnians, each anxious to hear the plans of their High King.
"It's our only hope," Peter responded as his eyes moved quickly to Lucy. The young Queen smiled in return.
"And she won't be alone," Susan added.
"Haven't enough of us died already?" Trumpkin asked with wide, sad eyes. Silence seemed to spread across the wide room, each person and creature feeling sadness wash over them at the remembrance of all they had lost already.
Stepping forward, Trufflehunter cleaned his throat and turned to Trumpkin. "Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't, and neither have I." Cara smiled softly at his words as her hands moved to Lucy's shoulders.
"For Aslan!" Reepicheep shouted in excitement as he pulled his sword from its sheath and waved it high in the air. Brimming with hope, the Bulgy Bear's voice spilled forth as he pushed his paws high in the air and repeated Reepicheep's words. Renewed optimism filled the hearts of all in the room at his words, save for Trumpkin, who looked to Lucy with worry.
"I'm going with you," he said softly.
"No," Lucy replied as she looked to Cara and Susan, "you are needed here, and I have plenty of protection."
"We have to hold them off until the girls return with Aslan," Peter explained after overhearing Trumpkin's statement.
"If I may," Caspian interjected as he stepped forward from the shadows. Every eye in the room went to the Prince as he moved to stand beside Peter. With a nod of approval, Peter allowed Caspian to continue with his plan.
"Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer," he began quietly before raising his voice and glancing around the room, "but as a King, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people, and there is one in particular that might buy us some time." As realization filled Cara's mind, she moved away from Lucy and closer to Peter, her fingers latching quickly to his. Peter glanced down at the contact, his face slightly worried.
"What are you indicating," Peter asked softly as he turned his eyes away from Cara and to Caspian.
"A duel," Cara replied. Looking to the High Queen, Caspian's head nodded in agreement.
"Between Miraz and I," Peter said as he pulled away from Cara and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Peter, you don't have to do it," Cara whispered as she moved towards Peter and wrapped her fingers around his forearms.
"Peter, it will buy Lucy an entire morning to find Aslan. If you win, then the King will be dead and his army will be easily defeated," Caspian explained before Cara quickly interjected.
"And what happens if Peter loses?" Cara shouted as she shot Caspian a deadly look.
"Then we will pray that Lucy can locate Aslan before the duel ends," Caspian replied softly.
"You toy easily with someone else's life," Cara said angrily as she moved away from Peter, his hand grasping tightly to hers before she made it out of his reach. After pulling her back quickly, he wrapped his arms tightly around her torso and moved his lips close to her ear.
"I will do my duty as High King," he whispered softly. Jerking from his grasp, Cara looked at him sadly before pushing passed Caspian and out of the room.
"Edmund," Peter said once Cara was far from sight, "prepare a piece of parchment. I shall send Miraz a challenge that he cannot refuse."
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Cara never expected to find her body so soon reacquainted with armor, but as she slid new daggers into her boots and belt, she realized that she felt most comfortable in such clothes. After a deep stretch of her shoulders, Cara pushed a sword into the sheath dangling from her side and made her way towards the stables.
Alvaro called to her softly, his body looking small without the armor that it usually carried. "Hello, old friend," she whispered into his neck as her fingers tangled themselves in his mane.
"The sun is near setting," Susan's voice said suddenly from behind Cara, the sound causing her to startle. "Sorry," the gentle Queen replied as Cara turned her head and let out a shaky sigh.
"Is Lucy prepared?" Cara questioned as she ushered Alvaro from his stall and into the aisle of the barn.
"We both are," Susan answered with a small nod, "we are simply awaiting Peter's final word." As if on cue, Peter entered the stable speaking quietly with Caspian while Trumpkin and Lucy trailed slowly behind. Moving away from Peter, Caspian went to his horse's stall and pulled her forward.
"Susan shall ride with Lucy," Peter explained as Caspian led the mare towards the small group. After hugging Trumpkin tightly, Lucy walked through the group and allowed Caspian to lift her light body onto the horse's back. Susan quickly followed, her body situating itself in front of Lucy as Caspian's hands left her torso.
Cara went to mount when Peter's arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back to the ground. "Caspian, take Susan and Lucy to the back exit. Trumpkin, go and inform Edmund that the girls have made their way into the forest," he said as Cara pulled away from him and glared. Nodding, both dwarf and boy did as ordered and disappeared from sight.
"Reepicheep's scouts found Telmarines on every side of the How. You will have to push passed them and into deeper forest," Peter said to Cara as he forced her to look at him. "I have sent numerous soldiers into the woods to aid in the escape."
"I understand," she replied, anger still sketched across her features.
"Would you not think less of me if I did not fight him?" Peter suddenly blurted out as his fingers held Cara's shoulders tightly. "I would be a coward if I ignored Caspian's advice, Cara. We both know this." The anger quickly fled from Cara's face and her tight shoulders softened under Peter's fingers.
"But what if he kills you," she whispered softly.
"I have as great a chance dying in battle as I do to his sword," Peter responded. Cara's face fell further at his words, her fingers running softly over his chest and her eyes moving from his. "Look at me," he whispered as his hands ran across her neck and to her face. "I fear you leaving as much as you fear me fighting."
Finally meeting Peter's gaze, Cara arched her toes and lifted herself closer to Peter's lips. He lowered his head at once, their lips meeting softly in a gentle embrace. Unable to control her growing emotions, Cara pulled her body closer to Peter's and opened her mouth to his. Responding instantly, Peter's arms wrapped tightly around her torso and pulled her petite body from the ground. He kissed her with every emotion that he had. His fear and apprehension of her leaving flowing from his body and into hers.
Breathing heavily, Peter pulled his lips from Cara's and set her softly on the ground. Forcing her eyes open, Cara placed one last kiss upon Peter's neck before pulling from his grasp and climbing onto Alvaro's back.
"I will return to see you defeat Miraz," she said as she moved passed Peter and towards the forest. "I promise."
Please let me know what you think! A little boring? Need more fluff? Less fluff? Anything?