Disclaimer- I don't own Narnia. It's kinda really depressing.

SO, SO, SO, SO SORRY for the long wait. I feel awful. I think I was kind of putting this chapter off because there will only be two or three chapters left after it and it made me sad. But that is in the future and right now we have this long chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

Sunlight broke through the clouds of night as the morning of Rabadash and Peter's duel arrived. I laid in a ball on the floor where Rabadash had left me the night before. I didn't move because there was not strength in me to do so. The events of last night kept replaying inside my mind and I just couldn't get over it.

Peter was here and he was willing to fight to the death for me.

I don't know why he would be such an idiot.

How could anyone be so careless and reckless with their own life? Especially for me? My own mother who had been in labor with me for close to fifteen hours-she'll never let me forget it,either-would not risk her life for me so why would this king?

Because he loves me. I froze.

He had told me he loved me last night, hadn't he? Perhaps it was true then, I wasn't sure. It is so strange to me how much one's perception of reality could be altered when you are, in fact, taken away from what you consider reality.

I was in a foreign land in a foreign world and everything was topsey turvy and inside out.

So here I waited, ankle pounding along with my heart. Soon, someone would be sent to collect me and bring me to watch the duel. By now I knew how Rabadash worked; he enjoyed the suffering and pain of others. And what better way to make me suffer than hurt the man I care about?

But despite my knowing that Peter was in danger I felt seemingly numb and calm. I didn't know if it was because of the fact that it was always easier for me to block out the things I did not understand or control or if it was due to lack of sleep. My guess was that it was probably both.

I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my fingers on my bare skin of my upper arms. The Tashbaan weather was unnaturally hot the last few days so I had taken off my heavy skirts and was left with only my white under skirts and corseted looking top.

I sighed and waved my hand over my face in an ill attempt to cool myself off; it did not work that well. The more I moved the more heat my body seemed to generate which completely defeated the purpose of fanning myself in the first place.

So I laid still. I was sitting, waiting, and worrying, sitting, waiting, and worrying, for what seemed like an eternity until the sound of the door pushing open stopped my heart mid-beat. My eyes stayed directed downward, looking at my lap, as the prince I knew was coming close to me approached the floor where I lay.

I heard his footsteps stop right next to me before he sighed. "Good morning, Lina. Laying on the floor like a dog, I see."

He waited for a response but none came to my lips; I had nothing I wished to say to him.

I heard him chuckle humorlessly. "Well shall we go then? No time like the presence to witness the downfall of a barbaric king."

My eyes shot up to him of their own accord at his threatening words. "You won't win."

Rabadash smiled before taking my wrist roughly and jolting me up from the floor. Instantly, my throbbing ankle gave way, but the prince caught me around the waist and began walking out of the room, dragging my dead weight with him. "You know nothing, you silly girl." He spat.

"I know he beat you at the tournament. I know you came in second up against him and you'll do it again this time."

Rabadash stopped mid-stride with a pained, furious expression on his face. He took a few deep breaths before turning his flushed face in my direction. I was waiting for him to slap me but instead he just shook his head. "You know nothing." He repeated before starting to walk again.

We went on in silence, Rabadash fuming and concentrating, and I, trying to keep the pain in my ankle at bay. It took us several minutes to get out of the castle and begin walking down to the grounds where this duel would take place. I saw a stadium stretching out in front of us. It was much like the one in Narnia except for the obvious Arabian tones. We continued walking and I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Peter; but there was no sight of him.

The idea that he had skipped out last night came to my mind; I would have preferred that. But to my surprise and shock, two familiar faces stood out from the numerous Calmorens. I looked from the beautiful queen, who was dressed for war with her bow in her hand, to her younger brother who stood regal and alert.

Edmund's deep brown eyes met mine and stayed there. His facial expression changed from one of concern to one of utter terror. Gosh, did I really look that horrible? I assumed so.

Rabadash continued to walk with me in tow until he came upon the two armed royals. He stood in front of them, proud and sickeningly confident. He sighed as he looked at Susan. "My queen."

Susan narrowed her blue eyes dangerously and looked every bit a warrior. "I shall never be your anything Rabadash."

The prince chuckled. "Well, that it truly a pity." His eyes then turned to Edmund. "Here she is, as promised," He said before roughly throwing me into Ed's arms. I stumbled at the motion and hissed in pain.

The Just king wrapped his arms around me tightly, taking all of my weight from my ankle that was starting to throb even more. I looked over my shoulder at Rabadash and that wicked grin spread across his face. "I'll be seeing you later, my Lina."

I shuddered slightly at the words, causing Edmund to wrap me up safer in his arms.

With a smirk and one chuckle, Rabadash turned around and went back to the center of the field where I now saw Peter waiting. The blonde man looked confident, like Rabadash did, without the pride. This was a good sign, I guessed. I knew from experience with my mother that pride could always get the best of a person. Peter's eyes searched around the field until he saw me.

He smiled a little and nodded a reassurance that did nothing to settle the knot of nerves that were settling in the pit of my stomach.

"Lina," Edmund's voice rang in my ears. I turned to look at his worried face. "Are you alright?" He asked.

I nodded weakly, not able to do much more.

"Oh Lina, I am so sorry!" I heard Susan speak now.

I furrowed my eyebrow at her. "For what?" I asked quietly.

"For not seeing through Rabadash's act! I should have known how much of a foul...monster he was from the first moment..." Her voice was full of remorse and contempt for herself which only made me feel guilty.

"Sue, I am the one who should be sorry. I knew what he was planning and I saw who he truly was. I should have given you some kind of warning or something." I told her.

"But I-"

Edmund cut her off. "Not that this "I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry." match is not needed but we should really concentrate on Peter and then getting out of here."

Susan and I both nodded in agreement. The three of us were silent as we watched as an official looking man talk to Rabadash as Mr. Tumnus whispered to Peter. The poor fawn wore a horrified expression on his face. I noticed that all of of the Narnians looked scared...and it was all because of me.

I shook my head at my own stupidity. All of the anger and frustration I had been bottling up within me began to take it's toll. How could I be so idiotic? How could I let Peter do this? How could I let them come back here and save me?

Why did I even come to Narnia? What was the purpose?

To find strength within yourself, young one.

At the sound of the voice inside my head, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Edmund rubbed my upper back and gave me a concerned look. "What is it?"

I just shook my head, not answering. The voice in my head was unlike any I had heard before. It was strong, powerful, and above all soothing. I waited to see if it would talk again.

"Lina?" Susan asked, coming up next to us and putting a hand on my arm.

Still I said nothing as I waited.

You have the power to stop this, Carolina Foster. The voice told me.

But how? I asked. Who am I to stop this? I am not strong or wise or smart or cunning. I'm just a weak girl.

Dear one,that is precisely the reason I brought you to Narnia.

I gasped. If the voice in my head was the one who had sent me to Narnia that must have meant that I was talking to Aslan.

The voice continued to talk. All of your life you were taught that you were no one of importance and you believed this lie to be true. I brought you here, Lina, to show you that you have purpose and that you are important. Look at Peter. I did. He is fighting this duel for you...and look at Edmund and Susan.

I turned to look at my friends who were still staring at me with concerned eyes. They traveled halfway across this world for you. Do you really think that they would have done this for someone that was not important in their lives?

I shook my head no.

Carolina, you matter and do not let anyone tell you differently...you were brought here so you would finally understand that.

The voice stopped speaking and I waited silently for a moment. Questioning if he would talk again or if I should say something.

How do I stop this? I finally asked with some strength in my thought.

What does your heart tell you to do? Think, Lina. You know what must be done to stop this duel.

My mind was blank for a moment. What could I do to get the best of Rabadash? Think, Lina. Think!

The idea then hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew what to do.

My head shot up just as Rabadash and Peter took the field, about to duel.

With the last burst of strength I possessed I ran out of Edmund's arms and hobbled over to the field. "Wait!" I shouted. "Wait!"

I vaguely heard Edmund and Susan shout after me but didn't stop.

Peter and the prince turned to look at me approaching. My ankle throbbed as I went but I ignored the pain. My grandmother used to say "No Pain, No Gain" and for once I was going to take the saying to heart.

I finally made it over to the two men at the center of the field, seemingly out of breath. Peter quickly took my weight in his free arm and looked at me as he did the night he had come to get me; he thought I was crazy. "Lina, what in Aslan's name are you doing?"

"Stopping you." I said, panting. The king raised an eyebrow at me, confused.

I took a deep breath and turned away from him to look at Rabadash. The prince looked just as stunned as Peter.

"Lina, you silly girl, what are you up to now?"

One more breath. "You are not dueling Peter." I say as confidently as I could.

Rabadash looked at me for a second, clearly puzzled, before starting to laugh. "And what makes you say that?"

I looked at Peter who waited patiently for my response. "Because you are going to compete against me for me instead." I said.

A sudden rumbling of hushed whispers came from the stands around us. I looked around me before my eyes went back to look at Rabadash. Once again he began to laugh, causing Peter to wrap his arm around me tightly.

"Lina, you can barely walk let alone carry a sword! You might as well just surrender and be done with it." He laughed out, clutching his stomach.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I wasn't suggesting swords."

The laughing stopped and Rabadash looked up at me with a serious expression on his tanned face.

I gave him a small smirk. "I'm suggesting archery."

The field was completely silent as everyone waited for Rabadash to say something.

"Lina..." Peter trailed off, his tone shaky.

I put my hand on his chest but kept my eyes on a still pondering Rabadash. "It's okay. I know what I am doing."

"But-"

I cut him off with a look. "This was never your fight, Peter. I understand you want to protect me and I love you for that but..." I trailed off as tears began to fill my eyes. "But I will not let you die for me. This is my fight."

Peter looked at me with pursed lips. He looked from me to Rabadash and shook his head before looking down. "You have been through a lot, Lina. You are still weak..."

I sighed before taking my hand and lifting his chin so he would look at me. "I can handle this, Peter. Just believe in me." I paused. "Aslan does."

The man wrinkled his forehead and was about to speak when Rabadash cut him off. "Lina..." My head shot around to look at him. "You are challenging me to an archery contest?"

"Yes, I am." I responded quickly. "Same rules apply as they did with Peter. If I win, I go home with the royals to Narnia. If I lose, I'll stay here with you."

I said the words confidently. Yes, I knew the risks of this arrangement. Yes, I knew that the odds were not in my favor. Yes, I knew this could end badly.

But this was what I was meant to do.

I needed to do this. To prove to my mother, my father, my grandmother, and myself that I was worthy. I was able to be loved, I was able to take care of myself and fight my own battles, I was able to live without fear. This is what the Pevensies taught me; this is what Narnia taught me. I owed all of them this.

My eyes focused back in on Rabadash who still stood pondering whether or not to take me up on my challenge. "Do we have an accord, Prince?" I asked.

He looked up at me, half angered, half...was that fear in his eyes? The man nodded slowly. "We have an accord."

A small smile spread across my face as I nodded at the man who only hours ago seemed to me to be the most terrifying person to ever live. "Then let's do this."

The prince grinned devilishly and bowed slightly, extending his hand in front of him. "After you, my lady."

I nodded my head to him before stepping out of the comfort of Peter's strong arms and limping over to the archery field fifty feet away. To my immense displeasure, my whole ankle gave out. Luckily, Peter was there to catch me. I looked up at him and smiled.

He just looked worried. "Are you sure you can do this?" He asked as he, again, took my weight and began walking over to the archery field.

"I've never been more sure of anything else in my life." I said gently. The king pursed his lips again but eventually nodded.

"Then, my lady, I believe that you will be successful." He said, pressing a gentle kiss onto my hair line.

The next second, Edmund ran up to us, with Susan trailing closely behind him.

The Just king looked furious. "What the hell just happened?" He asked, for the first time sounding like a normal teenager and not a king.

"Ed-" Peter started in a calming voice.

"Calm down." I added.

The dark haired boy looked at me like I was a mental case. "Lina, you are completely insane. Do you realize that?"

I wrinkled my brow at him. "Edmund Pevensie, you do not get to tell me I am crazy! I am doing this for you guys!" All three royals looked at me with questioning eyes. I sighed again. "You have done so much for me, more than I will ever be able to repay you for. This is the least I can do to repay that kindness." I looked at Peter. "I won't let you die for me." I said.

He smiled slightly. "I didn't really plan on dying in all honesty."

His words made me and Susan chuckle but Edmund still looked at me with furious brown eyes, causing me to look away. The pain and worry he so clearly had inside of him was too much for me to bare. This wasn't meant to hurt them, I never wanted that.

The four of us finally made it to the archery field and Peter took me to the first lane. I leaned greatly against the wooden railing that separated my lane from the one next to it. Peter made sure I was stable on my feet before letting go. The three royals crowded around me. Susan and Peter both wore looks of support and concern while Edmund was still angered.

"Are we going to do this now, Lina, or are you waiting for some miracle to save you?" Rabadash asked from the lane behind me. I looked over Peter's shoulder to see that he was playing with the string of his bow absentmindedly, as if this was going to be no competition at all.

"I'm ready." I told him.

I looked back at the Pevensies and smiled. "Well, I guess this is it."

Peter and Susan nodded. I looked at Susan for another minute; she looked so worried. Quickly, I gave her a hug. "Everything will be fine. You shall see."

She nodded her head and pulled away from me. "Here," She said suddenly, shoving her beautiful bow in my direction. "I want you to use this."

I looked at the amazingly crafted bow in my hands and my jaw dropped. "But this is the bow that Father Christmas-"

"It'll keep you safe and give me some peace of mind, Lina." She smiled at me.

I did the same in return. "Thank you."

She nodded before stepping back. Peter now came forward and kissed me on the forehead. "You just need to concentrate. Remember to keep your elbow down."

I chuckled and nodded. "I will."

He looked down at me and smiled slightly before kissing my forehead again. Both he and Susan stepped back and walked over to where Mr. Tumnus stood at the edge of the field.

I had nearly forgotten that Edmund was there when he finally walked in front of me with his eyes downward and spoke. "I hate that you are doing this." He said.

"Really? I never would have guessed." I teased slightly.

His brown gaze shot up to look at me. "This isn't funny, Lina."

I smiled slightly and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ed, lighten up."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I swear if you tell me that one more time..." He paused. "You have to win, Lina. You just have to." His words were quiet and desperate.

I felt hot tears come to my eyes again before I threw my arms around his broad shoulders. "Everything will be okay." I whispered into his shoulder.

A second later I felt his arms wrap around my waist gently, as if he were afraid he would hurt me. I heard him sigh. "It better be." He paused. "I love you, Lina. You need to come back to me."

I didn't even have time to react because the instant the words left his mouth he released me and walked away, leaving me stunned and speechless. Had he just said he loved me?

"I do not have all day to waste, my love." Rabadash said. I turned my attention back to him. He stood a few feet from me looking bored.

With my mind still wrapped around Edmund's words I stuttered to get words out. "Yes-Yes." I took a deep breath to compose myself. "I am ready."

The prince nodded. "Shall we start with the targets at fifty feet or is that too far for you?"

I narrowed my eyes dangerously. "Fifty is fine, seventy-five feet would be even better. I'd like to beat you quickly, Prince, so I can get out of this godforsaken kingdom before the evening tide."

Rabadash's face turned several shades of red. "Lina, you are on dangerous grounds." He paused. "Fine. Start the targets at seventy-five feet!" He called out to the men who appeared to move the large targets. They did as instructed

"Ladies first." Rabadash said with a smooth bow.

I nodded my head in his direction before moving from my perch on the railing. I took an arrow from the quiver on the rail before hobbling over to the center of the lane. I kept all of my weight on my left ankle as I took up Susan's large, gracefully bow and pointed it at the target. I bit my lip as I took my aim.

"Please Aslan, help me." I whispered, hoping the Great Lion could hear.

I took a deep breath and let loose my arrow.

I closed my eyes until I heard the thwack of the arrow against the target. Sudden cheers erupted from behind me and I opened my eyes to see that the arrow had come to rest in the red center of the bull's eye. I let a small smile escape my lips as I went to lean on the railing again.

I watched as Rabadash stepped up to his mark, not even daring a glance in my direction. Without hesitation, he shot his arrow and it too made in the center of the bull's eye. It was then that I knew this would not be as quick and easy as I had hoped.

The targets kept moving further and further way with every round and my vision of the red bulls eye became blurrier and blurrier. But still, my arrows would lodge themselves in the red section of the target.

The two of us fired shot after shot until the targets were as far back as they could get:two hundred feet.

I stepped up to the target and knew that this was it.

"The one who hits the arrow closest to the center of the bull's eye wins!" A herald called out to the crowd who did not know the rules. I took a deep breath and pulled the string of Susan's bow back. I anchored it to my lip and studied the blurry target in front of me. This was it. If I missed this shot I could not get myself out of this mess.

Steady on, Lina.

Believe in yourself, dear one. Aslan's voice appeared back in my thoughts. It is alright child, let go of your arrow.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let go. It felt like years before I heard the arrow stop. I opened my eyes and saw that it hadn't landed inside the bull's eye. I shuttering breath left my chest as I fell to my knees.

The field was silent as everyone stared at the target with the arrow sticking just out side the red. How could I have missed. I have failed them. I have failed them all.

I heard Rabadash begin to laugh at my failure. I looked up at him with a completely defeated look on my face.

He shook his head at me. "Do not look so sad, Lina. You put up a wonderful fight." He paused to notch and arrow in his bow. "Do not worry your pretty little head, Lina. You are much better off with me then those barbaric Narnians...you are now mine, Lina."

I narrowed my eyes at him and found the will to stand up. I limped over to the rail that separated him from me and placed my hands on the wood. "Rabadash, you call me whatever you want. You can try to break me and torture me, put me down. You could even kill me if you want. But despite all of these things I will never be yours. You can bet on that." I snarled at him.

His face fell at my words and I smiled. Oh, how the tables had turned. Had I truly gotten Rabadash worried? I didn't know what he truly was feeling right then but I knew it was not something he felt often.

I grinned. "So go ahead. Take the shot. But remember, prince, whether you win or whether you lose, you will never have me."

Rabadash pressed his lips together forcefully and and put the bow up. I saw the slight shaking in his hands as he readied himself.

"Please Aslan," I pleaded in a whisper.

Rabadash took a breath and the next instant the arrow was flying through the air. To me, it seemed like it was moving in slow motion. I studied the way it flew, trying to calculate where it would land.

It kept going and going for what seemed like an eternity until it finally hit the target.

It took me, and the rest of the people on the field, a moment to process where it had hit. I stared at the target blankly in silence.

I suddenly heard cheers erupt behind me and I was soon swooped off of my feet by Peter. He was cheering and laughing along with the rest of the Narnians. "You did it, Lina! You won."

He spun me around and I looked at the target again. I pulled back from Peter slightly so I could look him in the eye. I furrowed my eyebrow. "So I'm not just imagining that that arrow is stuck on the outer rim of the target?

Peter and Susan looked at me with giddy smiles on their faces.

"NO!!" They shouted together.

I nodded as huge smile began to spread across my face. The strangest thing happened after that: I began to laugh.

I couldn't remember the last time I had been happy enough to laugh and the sound of it only made me laugh more.

I had won. I was now free of Rabadash.

Peter finally put me down so Susan could envelope me into a bone crushing hug. I saw Edmund looming behind her with a quiet, regal expression playing across his face. He was happy, I could tell. But he refused to come near me.

Susan let go of me and held me at arm's length. She smiled.

I did the same in return. "Let's go home." I said.

The royals smiled and nodded their agreement. Peter put an arm around my waist, readying me to walk. It was then that I stopped him.

I turned around to where Rabadash still stood with his bow clutched in his hand, his tanned face stunned. I limped over to him and stood next to the man. It took him a few seconds to even realize I was there.

He looked down at me with a surprised expression. I turned my gaze up to his brown eyes. "After today, I will never think of you again. But I am very sure you will think of me everyday for the rest of your life..." I paused. "When I leave this field you will be dead to me."

The prince pursed his lips. "Goodbye Prince Rabadash...I hope you find peace." With those last haunting words, I turned around went back to my group. We walked away from the field and back toward the bay where the ship was docked and waited for our return.

I did not look back once.

I had won. I was free.

Okay, for the sake of this chapter let's say that Susan's bow isn't magical. That way it was a fair competition. I hope you liked the chapter and thank you so much for reading! Tell me what you think please!