This chapter was written faster than I thought it would! :) Thank you all for your kind reveiws! I apologize for the long delay. As some of you know, I was out for three months because of a broken wrist and elbow. But I'm back and ready to update! I hope you all will forgive me for my long delay! I really hope you enjoy this action packed chapter. :) Merry Christmas!

Battle Joined

The sun's first rays glittered over the horizon announcing the arrival of dawn. This was the morning of battle. The company had gotten word the day before that they needed to advance immediately, however they were delayed. Lucy sat with her back to the busy encampment and her face towards the sun. The morning was still, not even a breeze stirred in the heather. The Queen of Narnia felt tension in the air; something was bound to happen soon. A great storm had slowed their progress the night before and they were forced to stop three leagues from Minas Tirith.

"What troubles the lady this glorious morning?"

Lucy's breath caught. "Don't scare me so, Beriadan!"

"My apologies, I did not intend to startle you." He sat down beside her. "What is on your mind?"

Lucy's gaze flitted back towards the horizon. "I feel in my heart that something is going to happen that I cannot control."

"Evil has a tendency to tangle the soul." Beriadan comforted. "Fear has destroyed many a strong man."

"Fear is absent; it's the not knowing that makes me wary." She fingered the hilt of her dagger.

"Is that what troubles you?" He asked softly, his eyes lingering on her face.

"No," Lucy sighed. "Why would Aslan allow all of this to happen? Why am I here?"

"Aslan?" Beriadan said thoughtfully. "He was the one who helped you defeat the White Witch, correct?"

"Yes," Lucy nodded, "He is my best friend."

"Maybe He sent you here to help us."

"Well, I guess that could be true, but why couldn't my siblings and I come together? Why was my sister kidnapped?" She pondered.

"I do not have the answers to those questions, but I am sure that Aslan is going to work everything out for the best." He reassured her.

"How would you know what Aslan is like?" She glanced at him.

He put his arm around her shoulder, "Because you told me what He is like; if He is half what you described, than we are in good hands."

She smiled. "I guess you're right."

"Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you that Eowyn is looking for you."

"Where is she?" Lucy stood.

"I believe she was saddling her horse over near her pavilion."

"Thanks," she called over her shoulder, making her way back through the camp.

She found Eowyn with two horses saddled. Eowyn looked unhappy. "Faramir and Eomer has forbidden us to ride any further. We are heading back to Edoras."

"Why? The battle is to be in Minas Tirith and my sister is somewhere in Gondor." Lucy's face puckered.

"They do not want us to be injured or kidnapped." Eowyn said shortly.

"I refuse to ride back to Edoras. If my brothers were here, they would allow me to go into battle." Lucy disagreed.

"You are under my protection, whether your brothers would allow you to go or not, I will not let you travel any further." Eomer walked up behind them.

"I must go and help rescue my sister, besides I wouldn't be in the battle. I could help out with the wounded." Lucy suggested.

"There is too great a risk. You cannot go." With that final word, Eomer went to attend to his horse.

"Come." Eowyn said, mounting. "We must depart."

"I cannot go." Lucy shook her head.

"You must go. Eomer is sending a few guards to keep any threat away." Eowyn insisted. She leaned down to whisper. "I'll get you to Minas Tirith, but it will take time." She winked and rode east.

…

Edmund's eyes shot open from his doze as a cold bead of water hit his cheek. The wind had picked up considerably since Feriland had taken flight. "Is a storm brewing?"

"Indeed it is, your majesty," He spoke above the sound of the wind. "The storm is about a mile off."

"Should we land?" Edmund inquired uneasily.

"I have flown in many a storm, King Edmund; this should not hinder our flight." He said bravely.

Just then, a great gale of wind and torrent of rain swooped down upon them. Feriland fought the wind that blew through the canyon near the enimies' doorstep. The lightning thundered in anger. Feriland descended lower into the valley as Edmund probed the darkness for any sign of the enemy.

"There!" Edmund shouted above the wind. "I see a light down below. Circle around so I can get a better look at it."

Feriland obeyed, making a sharp turn to the left, he flew down and slowed. Edmund saw two points of light on the outcropping of a rock. He recognized the lights as two torches being held by two men. Feriland made another pass and the King of Narnia saw a large opening of a cave. The light that came from within revealed many men and beasts, assembling.

"They are mounting an attack," Edmund said. "We must turn back and warn the others."

Feriland began to ascend and turn back towards the west. A flash of lightning and the roar of thunder cracked horribly close. Another flash came and Feriland let out a groan.

"My King, something is lodged in my wing. I won't be able to fly back to Minas Tirith." The loyal creature struggled to stay in the air.

Edmund knew that they were in for a crash landing. "Land somewhere on the other side of the canyon, preferably in a wooded area."

Feriland didn't say anything, but folded his wings and dived. The steep descend was stopped short as Feriland unfurled his wings. The trees on the mountain came rushing up to meet them as the Griffin tried to slow down.

Edmund knew that Feriland wouldn't be able to slow them enough before they hit the trees. Bracing himself, he put his arms around his head. They crashed through the trees, Feriland taking the brunt of the crash and fell to the ground. Edmund was thrown off the Griffin and landed on his side.

Pain exploded in his head and was quickly followed by a soothing darkness.

…

"Father," Araakk ran into the room. "One of the scouts found a spy."

Lord Adrinnd looked up from the documents that were spread out before him. "When and where?"

"A few hours ago," Araakk replied. "The guards on the balcony spotted a large bird circling above them. They said it seemed to be carrying someone."

"Did they let it escape?" Adrinnd inquired.

"No, one of them shot the bird down." Araakk informed.

"Good," stated his father, "Send a search party out to look for the enemy. I don't want the news of our ambush to reach Aragorn."

"What are we going to do with Susan and Arwen?" Araakk asked. "They won't give up Gondor or Narnia."

"Well, my dear boy, when the battle is well under way and we know that our victory is sure, we will kill them. If the battle is going poorly, we still have something to bargin with." Adrinnd smiled evilly. "What about our friend Rabadash?"

"I made sure he was sent to the front lines a while ago." Araakk replied. "The first wave of the attack has already been launched."

"Very well," Adrinnd sighed, "Send me information on how the battle his going. I am trying to figure out how to get the portal to expand without Queen Susan's horn."

"Of course father," Araakk bowed and left.

…

"Aslan!" I gasped as the golden shape of the Lion flashed before me. The damp, musky smell of the dungeon gave way to a sweet aroma that smelled like the first day of spring.

"Daughter of Eve," Aslan addressed me. "You and your friends have much work ahead of you."

"But Aslan, what can I do?" I looked around my prison. "I'm stuck here."

"You will not be here long, but listen," he spoke. "Evil magic is at work in this place. To save Narnia, you must find the leader of this army and destroy what he is doing."

"Save Narnia?" I wondered. "Why does Narnia need to be saved? I thought it was Gondor that was in trouble."

"Daughter, you must listen closely and follow everything I say." Aslan spoke sternly. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Aslan," I nodded solemnly. "What must I do?"

"Find the man that is destroying this world and that which you come from. You must take him, but do not kill him, for it is not you to decide his fate. Secondly, the person I will send to free you from this prison will not have the power to deal with the darkness that is here. You must not be distracted." Aslan commanded.

"What about getting back to Narnia when this is all over?" I asked.

"You will get back the same way from which you came." Aslan said softly. "Now remember what I have told you."

"Of course, Aslan," I responded.

Suddenly without a sound or the flash in which He came…the Great Lion vanished.

"He said someone would come to free me soon…" I sighed. "I wonder how soon it will be."

…

Rabadash waited until the first line of soldiers had left. He walked out of his hiding place, pretending to get things ready for the battle. However, all he was really doing was looking for the dark haired woman that was a prisoner. He hoped she would have information of Queen Susan.

He was not very concerned about being caught. The only person he had to avoid was Prince Araakk. As long as his enemy didn't see him, he was a regular man preparing for war.

Rabadash retraced his steps and found the passage in which he fought Araakk. He began looking into different rooms. The first two rooms he walked into were merely storage rooms. The third room was down a short hall that branched off from the corridor.

Rattling the doorknob, he stepped into a dark room. Grasping a torch from the wall, he entered. His breath caught in his throat for he realized that he had stumbled upon an important discovery. This was no prison, nor a storage room.

The room was richly decorated. Carpets lined the floor and tapestries were hung on the wall. The furniture was made of a dark wood that looked almost black and a bed stood erect in one corner. A table stood near the center of the room and a crudely made fireplace sat along one wall.

Examining the room closely, something caught Rabadash's eye. A sliver latch protruded from the wall near the fireplace. Opening the latch, a door swung open and the Calormen Prince peered inside a small tunnel. Bending down, he entered and walked about five paces until he reached a dead end.

"Blasted tunnel," he muttered. "This must lead to somewhere." He felt along the wall again and found another lever.

Another door flew open, revealing a secret chamber. Stepping inside, Rabadash began searching the room. He bumped into something. Holding his torch high, he found that he had bumped into a trunk. The latch wasn't locked, so he lifted the lid and gasped.

"Queen Susan's bow and quiver!" He lifted the wooden bow out carefully. "Araakk must have her held captive somewhere. I must go find her."

Suddenly he heard something grinding. Spinning around he saw that the door to the secret tunnel had closed, shutting him in the room. Glancing at his torch, he saw that it began to dim as it burned lower.

"What am I going to do?"

…

Peter rubbed his eyes and yawned. He had been quite tired from yesterday's adventure, but awoke before the sun's rays had lit the sky. Standing up from his pallet, he opened the flap of his pavilion and peered out.

Most of the soldiers were still in their beds. A few were milling around the camp, but the activity was minimal. Peter had hoped to see Edmund the day before; however, he left on a mission before he had to chance to see him.

Peter spotted Aragorn sitting next to a small fire gazing into the flames. The Narnian King sat next to his newest friend. "Is there something on your mind?" He inquired softly.

Aragorn gave him a weary expression. "I am worried about my Queen that went missing with your sister."

"Then I guess I know how you feel." Peter sighed. "Have you gotten any rest, my friend?"

"Little," He spoke quietly. "My mind doesn't let me rest comfortably on the eve of battle."

"Well it is dark, why don't you try to get some sleep? I will make sure everything is fine." Peter suggested.

"Alright," Aragorn agreed. "Thank you, Peter." He got up from the fire and disappeared into his tent.

Peter stayed near the fire for a few minutes and then decided to go on a walk. The morning was fresh and pale. The grass smelled of the dew that had collected upon its stalks that night. The golden rays of the sun began to light the sky, hailing the morning.

Peter gazed at the mountains thinking about the battle ahead. He decided to head back to camp a few minutes later to see if Edmund had returned, but something didn't feel right. Peter glanced back toward the mountains and saw something like a black mist crawling on the ground. That's strange. He thought as he tried to figure out what the smoke or mist was.

Suddenly it hit him. That was no mist, nor any kind of smoke, that was an army…an army coming to crush Aragorn's troops.

Racing back to camp, he shouted, "To arms! Take up your weapons! The enemy is upon us!" The soldiers stumbled out of their pavilions still half-asleep and looking dazed.

He jumped into Aragorn's tent. "Get up, the enemy is upon us!"

Aragorn launched to his feet and began putting on his armor as quickly as he could. Peter departed and put on his own armor. Grasping his blade, he clasped it around his waist. Spotting Susan's horn, he secured it around his belt. Saddling his steed, he swung up into the saddle.

"Where are my horsemen?" He yelled.

Legolas trotted up. "The men of Gondor are foot soldiers, only a few have horses."

"Well let the horsemen join me and the others follow Aragorn." He responded.

"Peter!" Aragorn shouted. "Go around the camp and tell the men to assemble upon the plain."

Peter nodded and galloped off, "Every man report for duty upon the plain." After his job was done, he found Aragorn. "What's our new plan?"

"We have none, but to meet them head on." Aragorn said. "I have two dozen horsemen and I am placing them under your command. You must join battle after my men and I do."

"No," Peter said, "That won't work. Everyone knows that horses do the most damage in the front. My troop will clear the way for you."

"I cannot ask you to go to the front." Aragron disagreed. "This is my country, my people."

"I am also fighting for my country." Peter insisted, "Besides the horses are faster than the men."

"It's too risky." Aragorn protested.

"To risky? For whom?" Peter inquired; knowing the first in the charge had the highest fatality rate. "My men are ready and yours is yet to assemble. We must hold them off our camp and the city."

Aragorn nodded. "Be careful."

"I will," Peter responded.

Galloping to the front of his horsemen, he lined them up. "Men, I know I am not your king, but I am here before you to fight for the same thing you fight for. You fight to save your families, city, country, and king. This day we do not fight as friends, we stand as brothers. So brothers, Gondor will not fall until every man in this great country has resisted the enemy. Men of courage, men of honor, stand now and prove that you are worthy men of Gondor."

A cry sprang from every tongue; the fire had been kindled. Peter sat in the saddle in front of the company. Legolas rode next to him. Gimli had stayed behind with the infantry.

"Now, men, for the love of your king and for the love of Aslan!" Peter commanded the charge, holding up his sparkling sword.

The battle was officially joined.