Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the magical worl of Narnia. I only own Karina and Dimelo the tiger... whoo hooo new character!
Should i give up,
Or should i just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If i knew my place should i leave it there?
Should i give up
-Adele
Karina now officially hated being a damsel in distress. She was tied by the wrists and forced to walk behind the Telmarine soldier like a common headstrong colt. It was so very embarrassing. She looked to the sky, which was turning a purple crimson in the sunrise. Peter and Caspian would find her, of that she was sure of.
"Move it!" the soldier said, tugging on the rope. Karina complied and walked a bit faster, almost afraid of what he might do if she didn't. They were at a small encampment and the soldier led her through the rows of black and white tents. Outside of the tents were men. Karina closed her eyes as they gazed at her lustfully. When she was sure it was safe she cracked her eyes open. She was in an ornate looking tent, animal skins lay on the floor and a deep brown desk sat in the middle. At this desk was a man with a weird pointy black beard and cold brown eyes. Around him were guards, their crossbows at the ready. The soldier bowed,
"Hail, King Miraz."
So this was Miraz. Looks like Caspian got the lion's share of the looks in this family, Karina thought. Another man with graying hair looked at her, "Have you no manners?! Bow before your king, child."
"I bow before no man but High King Peter." Karina spat disdainfully. Miraz sneered, "How quaint, a little rebel." He approached her, taking her face roughly between his fingers, "I think we can break that feisty spirit of yours."
Karina smiled, "I don't even behave for my parents, what make you think you've got the balls to handle me?"
Miraz didn't say anything as he eyes traveled around Karina, inspecting her. They stopped around her neck, but not for the obvious reason.
"Where did you get this?!" he yelled, holding up the ring Caspian had given her. The guards a gasped in unison, "The mark of the king!"
Karina shrugged, "I stole it. Found it in the dir-"
She faltered as Miraz slapped her about the face. She staggered back; shocked that someone would actually strike her. "I want the truth."
Karina didn't feel so confident now, "I-I can't remember."
Miraz smiled, it sent shivers down Karina's spine, "Captain," he motioned to the man holding Karina's rope, "Tie her to the post, four days, four nights. Perhaps that will jog her memory."
Karina had no idea what the post was but she assumed it was something bad. The Captain saluted Miraz and tugged her out of the tent. He led her to a small post of wood near the back of the tent, tying her to it.
"Wait! You can't leave me here!" she screamed, pulling at the restraints. She heard laughter and knew they were probably have a grand old time at her expense. But she wouldn't give up hope. Hope was an eternal light in the darkness.
"Caspian… Peter… please hurry."
Susan paced throughout the How, her eyes frantic with worry. Caspian and Peter had set off to find Karina hours ago and she was starting to get worried. What if they ran into trouble? What if they were hurt? Or worse? Pushing these horrible thoughts to the back of her brain she heard footsteps coming to her. She turned,
"Peter! Caspian!" she hugged both rulers bindingly. It was then she noticed they were alone, "Where is Karina?"
"She's been kidnapped." Caspian said. Susan almost burst into tears, "What?! Do you know where she is now?"
Peter consoled his sister, "Caspian thinks they have an encampment near the river."
Susan felt much older than she was at that moment, "We have to find her."
Caspian shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, "There is something else. Something she didn't tell you."
"What?" Peter said, concern filling his voice.
"Karina is the Guardian of Narnia."
Susan and Peter both froze, "That can't be."
"Oh no it's true! Aslan told her so!" Lucy said, running to them all, Edmund behind her. All three siblings and Caspian looked at the young Queen.
"You knew?" Caspian said. Lucy nodded, "When you went on the raid that night, Aslan appeared to Karina and gave her weapons. He told her she had to protect us, to give her life for us even. Didn't you wonder where they came from?"
Peter sighed, that explained a lot. But he wondered; why didn't Aslan want to talk to him? Had he done something wrong? It didn't seem very fair, Karina was only here for a few weeks and Aslan was meeting with her secretly? It was outrageous. Peter stopped himself, it wasn't right to pass judgment without Karina's side of the story.
"We have to rescue her!" Edmund piped up. Peter nodded, "We can discuss this matter later. For now we have to think of a plan to rescue Karina."
"Wait, I have an idea." Caspian said, pacing now, "Miraz must uphold the traditions of Telmar as the King."
Susan thought this sounded like it was going somewhere, "Yes, so what should we do?"
"Call for a trade." Caspian said. Peter didn't like the sound of this, "Who could they possibly want?"
Silence swept through the How as all the Kings and Queens of old gazed at Caspian, a strange worrisome compassion in their eyes. "Oh no! This is not a good idea." Susan said.
Caspian rested his hand on the pommel of his sword, "Miraz won't trade for anyone less. I must go."
"But if you do he'll kill you!" Lucy cried, looking to her siblings for guidance. Edmund nodded, "Then everything we've done here will be in vain."
Peter closed his eyes, "It's a trap. Karina's just bait for you Caspian."
"What choice do I have? Do I let Miraz torture and perhaps murder Karina?!" Caspian said fervently. Peter sighed, "We'll have to ambush him. Under cover of darkness of course."
Susan nodded approvingly, "I agree, it's less dangerous and we'll have the element of surprise."
Peter smiled as they drew up attack plans, Don't worry love, I'm going to save you. Just hold on a little longer.
Karina had been tied to the post for two days. Two day without food or water. The Telmarine's were moving their camp so mostly she was tied to the back of a horse. Once they made their new camp closer to the river she was once again demoted to the post. Her eyesight was blurry and she desperately wanted at least a drop of water. She prayed to every God she knew, Jesus, Shiva, Zeus, Circe, Nyx, Isis, Horus, even Johnny Depp. But nothing happened. If anything she was more miserable than before. She sat, back up against the post, staring up into the sky blankly as one of the soldiers approached,
"King Miraz wishes to speak with you." He said gruffly. Karina tried to muster a smirk, "Tell him I'm busy cloud watching."
The guard only tugged her to her feet roughly. Karina stumbled, so weak she could barely stand. Miraz had moved from his desk and was pointing to a large detailed map of Narnia. The guard bowed but Karina remained standing, not wanting to give Miraz the satisfaction of breaking her spirit. Miraz chuckled sadistically, "I see you still have the strength to stand."
Karina's legs faltered but her voice was strong, "I told you, I ain't bowing to a king who stole his crown from his own flesh and blood."
"We'll see." Miraz snapped his fingers and Karina was lifted out of the tent and tied to a tree. She turned her head, as she was pinned to the tree with her back out, and saw Miraz approaching with a very large man.
"Bo'Sun, give the saucy little wench seven lashes to learn her place."
Karina's blood froze in her veins and her hard-boiled composure shattered. She began to sob uncontrollably, looking quite pitiful. "Please don't! I'll tell you anything, please!"
She heard Miraz chuckle, "We are quite past negotiating my dear. Poor Caspian, I'd hoped to return you to him intact and undamaged."
Karina felt like fire irrupted in her back as the whip cracked. She shut her eyes, resolute not to utter a sound. For Caspian, for Peter, for Susan, for Lucy, for Edmund, for Narnia, She repeated like a mantra in her mind.
"Cas… Cas…pian won't come… he's sm-sm-smarter than that." She said, the whip biting into her tender flesh again for the second time.
CRACK
"Caspian is not as smart as you give him credit for. He thinks with his heart, a poor quality for a King."
CRACK
Karina couldn't fight it anymore, she screamed. Her voice was almost a raw as her back.
CRACK
She felt faint, the pain was so immense. For Caspian, for Peter, for Susan, for Lucy, for Edmund, for Narnia.
CRACK
For Narnia
CRACK
For Aslan
Karina was dumped near the post, her hands still tied. She cried that night, she still cries about that night. It haunts her dreams and darkens her daytimes. She curled herself into a ball, hoping to disappear for view.
Dorothy, we're most defiantly not in Kansas anymore.
Peter and Caspian both rode out upon their steeds a breakneck pace. They tore through the forest, their small rescue army behind them. It was made up of mostly tigers, wolves, and mice; as they were stealthy enough to sneak around the Telmarines. Peter had told Edmund to stay and guard the How incase other Telmarine forces attacked.
"Your majesties," one of the tiger said quietly, "we have found them."
Caspian and Peter jumped down from their mounts to follow the tiger. They were silent as the grave as they approached.
"Any sign of Karina?" Caspian asked the tiger, whose name was Dimelo. He shook his head, "I have yet to see Lady Karina."
Peter wiped a hand across his forehead, "We should strike soon."
Caspian felt his blood boil as he saw his uncle exit a tent, "Miraz." He growled, stalking out of the bushes. Peter tackled him to the ground, "Are you mad?! Stick to the plan, Caspian." For once, Peter then thought. Dimelo was suddenly at their side, "We have located Lady Karina," the tiger's voice faltered as they neared her, "she is in a grave condition."
Through the trees Caspian and Peter could see Karina lying on the ground, motionless. They also saw blood. Caspian shuddered, "Miraz went too far."
Peter put a hand on the Prince's shoulder, "Change of plans, let's get her now."
When I see your smile
Tears run down my face I can't replace
And now that I'm strong I have figured out
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find deep inside me I can be the one
As silent as a panther with velveteen paws Peter crept down to Karina. He was glad she was in the back of a tent; the Telmarine's wouldn't notice she was gone unless they wanted her. He slid next to her, wincing as he saw the extent of her wounds. Angry whip marks marred her perfect skin, scarring forever. Peter cut her binds,
"What have they done to you, love?" he questioned, hoisting her over his shoulder.
"Peter, I knew you'd come." She managed to whisper through her bloodied lips. Peter was glad the Telmarine's were so negligent of their prisoners as they slipped into the tree line and back to the army. The rescue had gone without a hitch.
Or so they thought.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Pain exploded in Peter's arm and he almost dropped Karina. But Caspian was there to help, taking her from him, "Peter, you've been shot."
Peter pulled out the arrow from his shoulder, just managing to see the very angry Telmarine soldiers chasing them. He quickly masked his pain and replaced it with his confidence as High King, "We have to get out of here."
"My liege, my warriors and I would gladly sacrifice ourselves for the sake of Narnia and its Kings." Dimelo said with a bow. Peter nodded, "Try to hold them off. I will never forget your kindness."
Dimelo growled, "Nor will I forget yours my king."
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
Seasons are changing
And waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one
Caspian hoisted Karina up in front of him on the saddle, all the while whispering words of encouragement to her, "Don't worry, amour, you're safe now."
Spurring his horse on, Caspian followed Peter, as he said he knew a shortcut. He could hear the shouts of the soldiers behind him, making his escape even more relevant. He had to get Karina to safety. How dare Miraz think he could hurt the woman he loved without consequence! Caspian vowed the next time he and his uncle crossed paths he would make Miraz pay dearly. But his only concern at the moment was the beautiful goddess in his arms. He would save her, he had to.
Cuz you're my, you're my, my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Your Guardian Angel
Cuz I'm here for you
Please don't walk away and
Please tell me you'll stay, stay
Karina barley kept consciousness as her head bumped against Caspian's firm chest. His heart and the thundering of hooves a constant reminder that she was still alive.
"Wh…where's Peter?" she asked, still so very weak. Caspian was glad she was speaking and aware, "He is safe dearest. And so are you."
Never in a million years did Karina think she'd be whipped. It was something out of a fantasy novel, something she was in at the moment. Her back stung like hell and her head was throbbing but she wasn't dead. And in the long run that was what really counted.
"Just rest darling, just rest now." Caspian soothed. Karina closed her eyes, the cruel images of Miraz taunting her making her open them again.
Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray
Peter held his arm; damn it stung to be shot! Granted he's been hurt numerous times but somehow this felt more realistic. He was no longer numb to the pain. Numb to the world. He glanced at Karina, who's eyes were fluttering alarmingly. It was a two day ride back to the How and Peter didn't know if she was going to make it. No, he couldn't give up hope. He would save her. Just like he would save Narnia
I will never let you fall (let you fall)
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all (through it all)
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Authors Note: AWWWW what a mushy chapter! Well, just the end. BTW the song used if "Guardian Angel" by TRJA. Love them. Anyways, I almot teared up when Miraz was torturing Karina, I almost wrote it out of the story. It's a little dark for me to have something like that. Whatever, that's life. Shit happens, even to fictional characters. Review! Review!
