Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just Karina and that's gotta count for something.
A/N: Ghaaaaaa, I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. I'm swamed with Driver's Ed. (which is a boring as you've heard) Hope you really love this chapter, it took me centuries (an hour and a half) to write it! Enjoy!
I'm the guardian
I am the sole protector
Of a heart that's been abused-Delta Goodrem (Guardian)
Karina, Peter, and Caspian made it back to the How in one piece. Lucy, Susan, and Edmund were very glad to see them. Karina told them about Miraz and explained herself as Guardian. Peter and Caspian decided it would be a good idea to leave out the blood oath. Peter didn't think his siblings could handle it just yet. The battle was today, and everyone was anxious. Karina hadn't seen Aslan since her betrayal at the hands of the White Witch, this hurt her greatly. Was the great lion angry with her? Could he ever forgive her for being so foolish and selfish? She doubted it. She, Peter, and Caspian sat in a circle in the forest, their eyes closed. They were supposed to be discussing battle plans. They were really developing their connection. Peter was astounded. He could actually hear Karina and Caspian's thoughts! It was amazing!
"Karina, how is this possible?" he spoke into her mind.
"We have a bond now, all three of us. No matter what happens we'll always be connected. Distance and time are no option." Karina answered. Caspian nodded,
"So this is permanent?"
"Forever. Until one of us is six-feet under." Karina said. Peter blanched at the thought but Caspian apparently had no idea what that meant.
"It means when one of us dies." Peter said aloud, breaking the spell. Karina rolled her eyes, "Peter! I want to strengthen our bond before the battle, just a little longer and we can go."
Caspian blinked his eyes, "Wait, listen."
Peter drew his sword and stood, "That's no Narnian horn."
The three companions ran out of the woods in time to see a Telmarine soldier gallop back down a trail. Susan ran up to them, "They've seen us!" she cried. Caspian calmed her, "Don't worry; King Edmund is on his way with the duel proclamation. It won't be long before Miraz shows."
Peter was dressing for the duel, putting on his chain mail and helm. He wondered what happened in the real world if you died in Narnia. The real world. Peter laughed; he really didn't know what was real anymore. He tried to tighten the laces on his neck that held his mail together but was having trouble. He nearly jumped when he felt two soft hands on his own,
"Gotcha dude." Karina said, tying the laces tightly. Peter turned around and saw that she was dressed for battle. She wore black gown with a leather bodice and chain mail under it. Strapped to her back was the sword and at her hips the sabers. Karina smiled sadly, "This is so unreal."
Peter winced, "Yes, it is."
They both looked to the entrance of the How, where the shouts and cries of the Narnian's alerted them to the presence of Miraz and the Telmarines. Peter strapped
on his shield, he had to get his game face on. Karina thought he looked so aged, like he was thirty in a teenager's body. They both hugged, needing the support. She was so warm despite her armor and soft, Peter noticed, she was so soft. Her hair smelled of chocolate and strawberries.
"Be careful, Peter." She whispered in his ear.
Peter kissed her cheek, "Only for you."
"I'll meet you young and free…" Karina murmured as they walked out of the How.
"For a dance, round the memory tree." Peter finished as he put on his helmet and drew Rhindon. The Narnian's were going nuts and Karina was instantly reminded of a football game. As they neared the ruins of the battlefield Edmund was waiting for them. Susan and Lucy had gone to find Aslan and Caspian was nowhere to be found. Edmund nodded, "It's to the death Peter."
The two brother's embraced, hoping that it would not be their last. From his side of a battle ground Miraz sneered; pointing his sword at Karina, "So little Guardian, we meet again."
"Your fight's with me, not her." Peter snapped. Miraz drew his weapon, "Why don't you surrender?"
Peter took his stance, "I was about to say the same thing."
"Give'em hell Pete!" Karina yelled, whooping like a sports fan. The fight was brutal, they were both very experienced swordsman. Miraz managed to knock Peter's helmet off and pin him to the ground, but not before Peter slashed the Telmarine's thigh, making his scream in agony. Miraz stepped on Peter's shield, bending his arm in an abnormal position.
"Defense!" Karina cried, the added so that only Peter could hear, "Don't you dare die Peter Pevensie! If you die I'll kill you!"
A whinny made Edmund look away from the fierce battle, Susan and Caspian rode up the hill. They dismounted and ran over to Karina and Edmund.
"What happened?" Edmund asked.
"Did Lucy get through?" Karina asked.
Caspian and Susan nodded, "Yes, we made sure of it."
A time out was called and Miraz and Peter limped over to their respective sides. Peter slumped on a rock, "Can you heal this?" he turned to Karina; his cheek was slit. Karina touched his cheek and instantly the wound was gone, "Hells yeah."
Then there was the problem of his arm. Edmund wrenched it painfully, "Jesus Christ!"
"Ed, language!" Susan scolded, as if they weren't in the middle of a heated war for Narnian independence.
"I think it's dislocated." Peter grumbled, bracing for the pain. "I want you guys to know that- AGGHHHHH!!"
Edmund popped the joint back in place, "Don't say anything about goodbyes Peter."
"Edmund you're such a badass." Karina said. Peter nodded and the battle was on again. This time Peter decided to fight without his helmet.
"Idiot." Edmund, Susan, Caspian, and Karina said in unison. Always wear your helmet kiddies! Finally it looked as if Miraz was tiring and Peter punched him in his injured thigh. He rushed Peter again but the High King was quicker, he stabbed Miraz in the gut. The King sputtered and fell to his knees, submission at last.
"Finish it." He gasped. Peter looked at the man, hatred filling his every being. This man had tortured the Narnian's tried to eradicate them from their own land; he had stolen his throne and hurt Karina. This man, this thing didn't deserve anything from him. Instead he turned to Caspian,
"It's not mine to finish."
Caspian stepped forward, his hands shaking. Even at the brink of death Miraz had the gall to tease his nephew, "Haven't the heart to take life boy?!"
Caspian poised the sword at Miraz's throat and the King coughed, "Perhaps you have the makings of a Telmarine king."
Letting out a fierce cry Caspian plunged the sword into the ground, "Not one like you." His voice never wavered and he stayed strong. He had to. He was a King now. "Keep your life; I'm giving the Narnians back theirs."
Caspian turned and walked back to his companions, "Are you alright Peter?" he asked, surprised he was putting the younger king before himself. Peter stretched, "That was very noble."
"Murder! Foul Play! They shot him! They murdered our King!!"
Edmund sighed as he drew both his swords, "You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me."
"Language!" Peter said, almost laughing at himself. God, he sounded like Susan.
"Foul play?! That's bull shit!" Karina cried, shaking her fist in the air. Caspian scowled, "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"Ummm, ladies? This is no time for a tea party." Edmund said. The Telmarines were charging. Caspian, still angry at being called a lady, hurried into the How. Karina stayed at her place by the High King's left hand.
"One." Peter said slowly.
"Two." Karina said.
"Three." Caspian murmured, lighting a torch.
"Four."
"Five."
"Six."
"Seven."
"Get ready…" Karina whispered into her King's minds.
"Eight."
"Nine."
"Here we go." Peter said, gritting his teeth.
"TEN!!" Caspian called, leading the army of Narnians underground.
"FOR ASLAN!!" Peter yelled and the army charged. The Telmarines closed the gap instantly but fell short as the ground opened up. The crashing of earth and the cries of dying soldiers split the air. Karina was really getting the hang of totally kicking ass. She tried to stay close to Peter, sometimes muttering a "look out" or "behind you" in his mind.
"Guardian, you are needed elsewhere." A voice said.
"Aslan?!" Karina cried aloud, dropping her guard. She looked frantically for the lion, hoping he would make his grand entrance. A Telmarine soldier took this chance and almost stabbed her, but Caspian was there first.
"Be careful!" he yelled, slashing another Telmarine. What was she doing?!
"Lucy needs you, Guardian." Aslan said again, this time more forceful.
"Caspian!" Karina said over the clanging of swords. Caspian was by her side in an instant, "What? What's wrong?"
"Where did you last see Lucy?"
Caspian thought this was hardly the time to discuss the littlest Queen but he answered, "In the woods."
Karina nodded, "Watch my back; I have to go find her."
"What?! Are you out of your mind?!" Caspian cried as Karina moved through the crowd. She ran through the front lines, stabbing and slashing, trying to see where the trees were. Karina stopped Caspian with a signal with her hand,
"I have to go by myself."
Caspian embraced her, "Be careful."
I know
Days will come and go
Maybe I'll grow old
But I will die
For now
Is it worth it to be sad
If it's harder to be glad
To be alive
Karina luckily didn't have to go far when she found Lucy. The youngest Queen was wandering aimlessly trying to find Aslan. As the two walked hastily, they felt like the trees were whispering their names. Urging them forward, never looking back. They came to a glade, the sunlight streaming through.
"Aslan!" Lucy cried. Indeed the great lion was there. Perched atop a large rock, his magnificent mane shimmered in the war torn sun. Karina hung back as Lucy and Aslan hugged, afraid that her presence would upset the lion.
"Karina, why do you hide?" Aslan said comfortingly. Karina winced, "I messed up, Aslan. I'm not fit to be a Guardian."
Aslan nodded, "Everyone makes mistakes, dear one. The important thing is that you righted your wrong. You are here for a reason, do not forget that."
Lucy smiled, "I'm glad you were brought here, Karina."
They hugged, Karina felt the most support she'd felt in a long time. Aslan looked at her sternly, "The kings of Narnia need you. Forget your fears and become what you were destined to be, Guardian."
Karina breathed deeply, "I'm ready."
Aslan roared, the trees shook with a fury neither Lucy nor Karina had ever known. The forest itself seemed to come alive at the return of the lion. Lucy and Karina climbed on Aslan's back and they bounded off, the woods only a blur.
But the trouble I have caused
I wonder
Where do I belong
Is it here
Believe in dreams
You love so much
Let the passion of your heart
Make them real
And tell
All the ones you love
Anything and everything you feel
Karina took a deep breath as she and Lucy walked out onto the bridge. The wood creaked beneath her feet and she felt ill as she saw the Telmarine army in front of them. She looked to Lucy for courage and both drew their weapons.
"If you wish to pass you must go through us." Karina said, her blade pointed to the apparent leader of the army. The Telmarines laughed and their general motioned for them to move forward. Karina saw that the Narnians had them cornered; she also saw Peter and Caspian, who were giving her pleading looks as if to say 'don't do anything stupid'. Valor filled her heart as Aslan padded behind them.
Laugh about the past
And secretly
Wish we could go back
And save the child
As I look around this room
Seeing worried eyes that know
It's time we cannot buy
Was this worth the time to write
Was this worth the time to write
The great lion roared louder than anyone had ever heard. The water shook and rippled, agitated and ready to fight for Narnia. Water enveloped the bridge and the Telmarines as a water spirit emerged from the crystalline depths of the river. Karina gasped and she and Lucy backed off the bridge. The spirit destroyed the bridge, proving that nature was indeed stronger than man. Water rushed unbridled and feral like it had been created until there was no trace of the Telmarines left.
Believe in dreams
I believe in dreams
I believe in dreams
I believe in you
As the Narnians gathered up the remaining Telmarine soldiers, Karina ran to her friends. She hugged everyone, glad they were safe. And they all knelt before Aslan.
"Kings and Queens of Narnia, rise." He said his voice deep and full of authority. Karina and Caspian remained kneeling, their heads bowed with respect. Aslan chuckled, "All of you."
Caspian looked up, unsure, "I do not think I am ready."
"That is how I know you are, my son." The lion replied, and Caspian stood. Aslan pawed over to Karina, "You have done your job well, Guardian."
He nuzzled her forehead and Karina dared to look up. Everyone gasped in unison, Karina looked startled, "What? Do I have something in my hair?"
Aslan shook his head and laughed, "You are marked as a Guardian of Narnia."
Karina looked into her sword as a makeshift mirror, "Holy Joe Jonas!" She really had no idea why she'd actually said that, but in the presence of Aslan she decided against her original "Jesus Christ". On her forehead was a small golden star, just noticeable enough against her skin. It sparkled in the sunlight and Karina felt her eyes tear up.
Believe in dreams
You love so much
Let the passion of your heart
Make them real
And tell
All the ones you love
Anything and everything you feel
She threw her arms around Aslan, "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She felt so wanted, so needed. Something she'd never felt in her life. She never wanted to leave Narnia. She wanted to have this moment forever and never let it go.
Believe in dreams
Believe in dreams
OMG, that was so touching! God, it make me glad when I can end everything happy! Dont' worry, there's another two or three chapters after this. I just loved the song "Believe in Dreams" by Flyleaf. Jesus Christ I love them. I had to slip in a Jonas Brothers reference, I totally love them. Obsessed fangirl alert! Anyways, review and as always tell me what you liked or didn't I love feedback. Now hit the review button quick like bunnies!
