A Narnian Tale

Disclaimer: I own neither Sailor Moon nor Narnia

Chapter Nine

While everyone was safe in the How, Luna and Artemis agreed that someone should be on the lookout for Miraz's army at all times. It was near day break, when Artemis decided to go and relieve a minotaur from his duties of keeping watch. As he neared the watching point, he noticed a boy inching towards the Minotaur, with a sword in his hand. Artemis frowned and pulled his sword. He ran towards the boy and leapt in front of the Minotaur, clashing swords with the other boy.

The boy swung, missed, and stuck his sword into the tree. Artemis kicked the boy and he fell. The boy recovered, coming at Artemis with a rock. By now a crowd had gathered. Artemis grabbed the sword from the tree.

"Stop!" A female voice cried out. The two boys stopped fighting and Artemis pointed his sword at the other boy. The boy looked into Artemis's eyes and faltered.

"Artemis?" He asked. Artemis was taken aback.

"Yes. And who are you?" He asked. Before the boy could respond, another female voice shouted out,

"Peter!" Artemis looked down at the sword in his hand, as two girls, a boy and a dwarf came to stand beside Peter.

"Peter?" Artemis asked in disbelief. Peter grinned.

"I believe you called" he said. Artemis leaned against the tree.

"Well yes, but… I don't understand, I thought..." He trailed off.

"We'd be older?" Susan asked, raising an eyebrow. Artemis nodded, handing the sword back to Peter.

"It's hard to explain..." Lucy began. Artemis shook his head.

"Don't worry about it, My sister and I are very glad that you've come" he replied. "We have much to discuss"

"I apologize for attacking," Peter said gravely. "In the time of the White Witch, Minotaurs were enemies of Narnia"

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes" Trufflehunter replied. Reepicheep stepped forward.

"We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service" He said.

"Oh my gosh, he is so cute" Lucy whispered to Susan. Reepicheep drew his sword.

"Who said that?!" He snapped. Lucy stepped forward, sheepishly.

"… Sorry" She said, apologetically.

"Oh, uh… your majesty. With the greatest respect…I do believe courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might more befit a knight of Narnia" Reepicheep replied. Lucy smiled at him.

"What's going on, Artemis?" Peter asked. "Why have you called us here?"

"It was my sister who called you," Artemis replied, "Come, my sister will be excited to see you again" Artemis led them to the How. Centaurs stood on either side of the

entrance and raised their swords. Artemis stopped and let the Pevensies go first. Lucy smiled at a child centaur who was holding his sword too low. They entered the How and find Narnians making weapons.

"Artemis, what are you doing here, I thought you were..." Luna trailed off when she saw the four humans that were with him. "How on earth..."

"It's a long story" Peter said, "best left for a different time. Its wonderful to see you again, Luna" Luna smiled.

"It's weird seeing you as younger" Luna mused, "I suppose I'll have to get used to it"

The children laughed, remembering how they had taken care of Luna and Artemis, helping Serenity raise them. The Pevensies followed Luna and Artemis into a meeting room. Luna told them about the Telmarines and anything that Trumpkin hadn't told them, filling in the gaps as to why Luna and Artemis were no longer in power.

"Do you really think that Caspian is the right choice?" Susan asked. "He's only 12"

"Exactly" Luna replied. "Caspian is still at an age where he believes in the Narnians and in Aslan. An adult would ruin everything and might make things worse than Miraz. Our time and Your time as rulers is over. Caspian can bring peace between the Narnians and the Telmarines"

"I agree" Peter said, "but can we win this war?"

"We have a chance. Miraz's men are scouting for us. Those same men aren't guarding the castle" Artemis replied.

"What do you propose we do?" Edmund asked.

"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us" Artemis replied, pulling out a map of Narnia. "We‟ll have the element of surprise. They won't expect such an attack"

"We can't take Caspian," Luna said firmly, "Or Lucy" This did not sit well with either of them.

"I can't speak for Queen Lucy, but I for one, want to help," Caspian declared. Lucy nodded and Peter sighed.

"Listen, you two can help, from here," He said. "We may come back with wounded soldiers and we'll need someone to treat them. Caspian, we are meant to help you reclaim the throne. You can't that if you get killed" Caspian sighed.

"Fine" He pouted. "We'll stay" Lucy nodded grudgingly.

"Good, its decided then" Luna said. "We'll attack the castle, tonight"