Caspian approached her slowly as she prepared her horse. They were in the stables underground, a chamber that stretched the length of the How, supported by stone columns and lit with torches. There were many Narnians and their companions among them, preparing for battle. Susan saw Caspian and smiled knowingly. She held his eyes and nodded towards Lily, encouraging him.

Edmund had gone to the Telmarine camp with a white flag to propose the duel to Miraz and his court. They were all awaiting his return.

This underground cavern was where one of their battle plans took place, where a secret passageway would lead the troops to the ground above…

He watched the torchlight flicker over her dark wavy hair. She was taller than he remembered. Though most of his memories were when they were much younger. He felt warmth in his chest, a longing he faintly remembered from his past but was stronger now. She was a young woman, no longer a little girl. She was stunning, like the sun after winter. He was seized by her beauty.

He stood behind her and she turned, looking up at him. She was not surprised by his closeness but her wide eyes searched his as if looking for some sign. He stared down at her, forgetting how to speak.

Her eyes reminded him of the sea.

She opened her mouth, her words chosen carefully, "I know you promised him to protect me…but…" she read his dark warm eyes and he was confused when she looked at him sadly, her eyes longing too…

She looked down at her hands, "You must survive, above everyone else. You hold the future of this kingdom. And-"

"Why are you talking like this?" he asked. He did not like seeing her like this. And he did not like her alluding to the fact that she may not be there when the battle ends…

She was surprised by his question but she smiled. She smiled. He had not seen that smile in some time. It touched her eyes and she laughed quietly. He smiled wider in response.

"Too serious?" She asked.

He laughed and they stood there for a moment, smiling at each other.

Edmund came running into the stables, running up to Peter.

"They agreed. Duel, in the courtyard," he said breathlessly. He smiled mischievously, "At first he declined and said it was not a question of bravery and so I replied, 'So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?' What a git."

Everyone laughed, the tension relaxing.

Peter nodded and addressed everyone, "mount!"

Lily looked back to Caspian, "promise me something?"

His smile dropped a little and he nodded. He read her eyes carefully.

"Promise me you will find me when it is over."

He swallowed and his throat felt dry but he nodded again.

"I promise, Lily."

She turned and mounted her horse. She smiled beautifully at him.

"We will be successful this time."

Caspian could not help but smile at the hope in her eyes.

He went to his dark horse and mounted, standing next to Peter's horse. Glenstorm led the company out the side entrance where they entered the bright sunlight that covered everything in its golden warmth. They turned and went to the front of the How. Across the field, the Telmarine army still chanted and marched in place, their heavy footfall deafening.

As the Narnians approached the courtyard, they saw Miraz and his generals waiting for them, dressed in shiny armor.

Peter, Caspian, Edmund and Glenstorm stood opposite of them, the Narnians dispersing among the front of the How in lines. The dwarves and smaller Narnians waited on the upper levels of the How, arrows poised in their bows.

The duel was simple: Peter would duel Miraz to the death and whoever was the victor would decide the fate of the battle. But Peter watched Miraz skeptically, knowing full well he would not keep to his word.

Lily's horse stood behind Caspian's. She saw her father standing behind Miraz, dressed in armor. His dark eyes avoided her and she noticed he looked much older than the last time she had seen him. His hair was now dark gray. Even now, he couldn't look at her.

She looked behind her and saw Eris, Marsonia and Genia and Lukas standing with the archers. After the raid, they were determined to fight in the battle. Eris looked at Miraz with hate in her eyes. Lily nodded to them, hoping they would be alright.

Miraz said something under his breath to his general Glozelle. The General nodded and Lily's eyes narrowed.

She watched the scene unfold on the courtyard:

Edmund helped Peter with his sword, helmet and shield. Miraz had an amused expression on his dark face before he stepped onto the courtyard. Formalities were exchanged as well as terms and conditions of the duel.

"There is still time to surrender," Miraz said with a cold smile.

"Feel free," Peter replied mercilessly.

Miraz studied the blonde boy. "How many more must die for the throne?"

"Just one," Peter said as he lowered the face shield on his helmet.

Miraz lowered his face shield and loud roars of chants and shouts erupted from both armies as the two kings stepped onto the field. Miraz struck first and the duel began.

The swords were sliced through the air with vicious strokes and each sought to kill. The sunlight glinted off their armor and the clashing of metal echoed all around them. Lily watched Miraz's movements: he was skilled but Peter was faster.

The movements were fast and after a few minutes, Peter was on the ground and Miraz stomped on his arm, the arm that was strapped to his shield. There was a sickening crack and Peter yelled out in pain but still rose to attack.

Miraz said breathed heavily and smiled at Peter's pained expression. "Does his majesty need a respite?"

Peter thought for a minute and then saw something out of the corner of his eye: Susan was riding towards them from the forest. Lucy was not with her.

He looked at Miraz, breathing heavily as he hunched over, feeling the pain of his shoulder. "Five minutes?"

"Three!" Miraz hissed.

Peter nodded and both kings went to their corners.

Lily dismounted and went to see what had happened.

Susan's horse came to a stop and she quickly dismounted and went to Peter who had to sit down on a broken column based.

"Lucy?" he asked her urgently.

"She got through," Susan said quickly. She looked at Lily, "is that your father?"

Lily nodded.

"You better get up there," Peter nodded back to the How, to the archers. "Just in case. I don't think the Telmarines will keep their word."

Susan nodded and hugged her brother. He winced and yelled in pain.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly.

"It's all right."

"Be careful," and she turned to join the archers.

"Keep smiling," Edmund whispered to Peter, seeing the disheartened faces on the Narnians.

Peter turned to them and lifted his sword, smiling.

The Narnians smiled at his encouragement and cheered.

But when Peter turned away again, the pain in his shoulder took away his smile.

"I think it's dislocated," he said to Edmund.

Edmund put his hands on Peter's shoulder, trying to maneuver it.

"You know," Peter said, looking at his little brother. "You've always been there, and I never really—AH!"

Edmund snapped his shoulder back into place.

"Save it for later, Pete," he said as he clapped his brother on the shoulder, making him wince.

Peter nodded.

Lily's eyes scanned over the Telmarine army, concern growing in her eyes.

"There's so many of them."

Caspian looked down at her, "don't focus on numbers. It will defeat you before they do."

She thought for a moment then nodded in agreement.

Peter went back out onto the courtyard and the battle commenced. The two kings returned with more aggression and Miraz struck at the young king with all his might.

But Peter was swift. With one blow, Peter stabbed Miraz under the arm, the blade piercing his side.

The Telmarine king fell to his knees, stunned with pain and shock.

Peter withdrew his sword and put it below Miraz's neck.

Miraz breathed heavily but looked at Peter with hateful eyes, "what's the matter boy? Too cowardly to take a life?"

Peter lowered his sword and looked the Telmarine in the eye.

"It is not mine to take."

Peter turned and looked at Caspian, offering him his sword.

Caspian looked at him questioningly, unsure. But he approached Peter and took the sword, staring at Miraz.

Lily watched her friend, wanting to cry out to him, to tell him that there is another way other than death…though Miraz deserved it, Caspian was better than killing.

Caspian placed the sword at the base of Miraz's neck. Everyone was silent.

Miraz smiled maliciously, "Perhaps I was wrong…Maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine king after all."

Caspian's hands shook: he thought of everything this man had done to him, his family. All the rage he had felt the night before at the castle resurfaced and he lifted the sword, ripping it through the air as he cried out, all his pain and anger bursting inside him.

Lily put her hands to her mouth, not sure if she could watch.

But the sword fell and pierced the stone beneath them. Miraz looked at Caspian with shock in his dark eyes.

Caspian's face was close to the Telmarine King's, looking him straight in the eye.

"Not one like you."

Caspian dropped the sword and stepped away from Miraz, pitying him. "Keep your life. But I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom."

Caspian turned and went to his friends. They smiled at him and Lily ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. There were cheers behind them but she was elated, smiling at her friend whose arms were wrapped tightly around her.

"Your father would be so proud," she said in his ear.

He squeezed her tighter.