All characters and character likenesses are copyright of C.S. Lewis and everyone affiliated with him and his estate. I only own parts of the plot and any miscellaneous characters I may introduce.
This is a heavily alternative universe based on the Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do not intend to offend any purists out there. Again, I own only parts of the plot.
I'm sorry for not having updated sooner, life and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on Speed Channel got in the way.
This is going to be a very different take on the battle. I'm not very good at writing war scenes, so I apologize in advance. Also, I could find no record of the name of Miraz's castle, so I gave it one.
'Return to Gold' – Chapter 7 – Battle at Moondark Castle
"Do you need to take so many men?" Lucy asked as Peter, Caspian, Edmund, Susan, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, as well as others prepared to infiltrate Moondark Castle, Miraz's castle.
Caspian had always thought that the name of the castle had a particular Narnian feel to it. That is, until he had found out that while most Telmarines refused, hated and destroyed anything Narnian made, they had taken the ancient castle as their own, seeing it as impenetrable and easily defensible. The ancient Narnians were afraid of the dark keep, it having once been one of the three castles that the White Witch operated from.
"We need them to cover us in case something goes wrong." Peter told his littlest sister in a gentle, but firm way. Caspian had a sense that the High King had been forced to often have a bit of a firm hand with the willowy queen.
"It would be foolish to sneak into the castle without having warriors backing us." Caspian laid a hand briefly on the shoulder of the young woman whose eyes were dark and worried. "There is a chance that we will be discovered. We have to plan for everything."
"Then go with Aslan's blessing," Lucy resigned, stepping forward to give Peter, Edmund and Susan a hug. Caspian, oddly, felt left out, wanting to experience the warmth of one of her hugs. "But do hurry back, and stay safe."
Under the cover of darkness Caspian and the others left the Howe through a secret exit that led onto the forest. He glanced back to see Lucy at the entrance, the glow of the fires inside making her a silhouette, ethereal and warm. The night was cold, and Caspian longed to be inside with the queen, laughing and sharing stories. But he had a mission, and that was more important.
He was appointed the scout, leading the party back into the castle that he had so recently escaped from. Five gryphons flew in close formation, the lead having Caspian cradled in its claws firmly. The main party were to enter through the Astronomy Tower, it being the most likely to not have a guard posted at it. Silent, they landed on the uppermost balcony, the gryphons moving to fly higher, constantly watching for them to return while remaining undetected.
They were in luck, it was time for the guards to change, allowing them to get further in than Caspian would have thought. First stop was Cornelius' suite of rooms. Approaching them, however, something was wrong. He door was ajar, hanging open slightly, just enough to alert Caspian that there was something wrong. Inside he found what he had feared; the rooms had been ransacked, books and papers strewn everywhere.
"I have to find him." Caspian's mind was racing. He was afraid, the last link to who he was had been taken, made a prisoner or worse. Cornelius was the reason he believed in the old tales as well as the Kings and Queens of Old. The tutor was the only family that he had truly had during those dark years, and he would not let him down.
"We don't have time." Susan whispered harshly from her post by the door. She stood tall, bow held at the ready.
"You wouldn't be here if it weren't for him." Caspian had to make them see, to understand that the man wasn't just a teacher, he was family. "And neither would I."
"Fine." Peter sighed, running a hand through his long hair. "Ed, you lead the others in gathering what information you can, I will go with Caspian."
Thankful, Caspian led the way to the dungeons, fervently praying that he wasn't too late. The two of them managed to slip past all the sentries and down into the cold catacombs. In the back of him mind, he kept thinking that something wasn't quite right. It was all too easy, going too easily. They found the tutor quickly, Peter standing guard as Caspian went to the small man, who lay on his side on the floor.
"Five more minutes." Caspian woke Cornelius gently.
"What are you doing here?" Not the greeting he was expecting. Still, he helped the white haired man to his feet, handing him his glasses. "I didn't help you escape so you could sneak back in and be killed. Miraz will find out."
"Don't worry; we will be giving him your cell." Peter spoke over his shoulder as his eyes scanned the corridor, knuckles white around the hilt of Rhillian. "But come, we waste valuable time."
They had made it back up to the main level and were attempting to skirt around the outer edge of the courtyard when a shrill bugle sounded. Shouts rang out as Edmund and the others spilled out of a doorway across the courtyard. They all made their way to the Astronomy Tower even as soldiers spilled out after them. All drew their blades; Caspian also drew his short sword, a blade in both hands. After that, everything was a blur.
Caspian knew that he cut down every soldier that came in his path, but he couldn't recall how or their numbers. More Narnians fell from the sky, gryphons and giant eagles deposited minotaurs and fauns into the fray before joining the fight. More Telmarines were laid low than Narnians as they made their escape. But they did not come away unscathed.
One minotaur, three fauns and two eagles were lost. Trumpkin received a wound that was so close to fatal that Caspian prayed that they would be able to get him to Lucy in time for her cordial to heal him. Susan rode with the dwarf, using her skill to keep him alive.
Lucy was exhausted, but refused to sleep. Caspian hadn't come back yet.
Wait. Lucy thought. Shouldn't I be more worried about my family?
She knew that she had what could be considered a crush on the prince, but she was surprised that her concern for him overrode her thoughts about her family. Even when they were in Narnia last time, she had never let one of her few crushes overcome her feelings for her family.
But, this was the first time someone she cared for besides her family had gone off to battle. There was something different about Caspian, something deeper and more real to her than anyone else she had ever met here, or in England. Deep inside Lucy felt alive when she was around him, bright and excited. It scared her. She knew that she would have to go back to her own world, and if she fell any harder for Caspian, she would end up leaving her heart behind.
The lone cry of a horn pulled Lucy out of her thoughts. Leaping to her feet she raced to the entrance to the Howe, heart in her throat. Caspian and Peter were in the lead, both safe, if not a little battle worn. While she was overjoyed that they were back, once she saw Edmund carrying Trumpkin, she knew she had a job to do. Rushing forward Lucy slipped her cordial out of its holster.
"He's fading fast, Lu." Edmund told her as he laid the dwarf on the ground. There was a large gash on his stomach, oozing blood. There were also several cuts and bruises, but it was his head that worried her.
The back of his head and forehead were turning a bloody purple color, s sign that his brain was bleeding. His brain was being crushed by its own blood and fluids. Without her cordial, he would surely die, but acting fast, Lucy let a drop fall into the back of Trumpkins throat. Magic suffused the dwarf, spreading through his body, healing him within moments.
"Thank you." He mumbled once he was fully awake, making Lucy smile indulgently. She knew the little man was gruff on the exterior, but had a heart of gold on the inside, being true and caring.
"Your welcome." She turned her attention to her oldest brother. "What happened?"
"They were waiting for us." Susan replied. "Miraz seemed to know that we were coming." Unspoken words hung in the air. There was a suspected traitor in their party, but Lucy felt that her sister was seeing things that weren't there.
"If he is as smart as Caspian says he is, us sneaking in was just a probable course of action that he was preparing for." Lucy stood and shook out her skirts, slipping Dawn back into it's holder. "As a spy, it was part of his training to be ready for anything."
The others looked at each other, not having thought of that. Shaking her head Lucy led the way inside.
"Come, have a small bite to eat before going to bed; you need the nourishment after a battle." She hid a yawn behind her hand, but Caspian noticed.
"Have you not slept since we left?" He sounded concerned as well as surprised, dark eyes riveted to her. She shifted guiltily and Peter answered for her.
"She rarely sleeps when we go to battle." Peter moved ahead to lead the way to the cook fires. "She barely eats as well."
"You should take better care of yourself, Queen Lucy." She loved how his accent slipped over her name exotically.
"Please, it's just Lucy Caspian." She smiled tiredly up at the tall young man. "After all, we are friends here."
They all ate a light fare of broth, just enough to have something in their bellies, but no so much that they wouldn't be able to get to sleep. Lucy was also introduced to Cornelius.
"It's nice to -" Yawn. "Meet you." She slumped sideways, and ended up leaning on Caspian. He was so warm as he slipped an arm around her shoulders, taking the sudden invasion of his personal space in stride. She was so sleepy that Lucy didn't notice the dark look her siblings were giving Caspian.
He was just as warm and solid as she thought he would be. She fit against his side nicely and her eyes slipped shut, so heavy. She was quickly fading into the land of slumber as the voices around her seemed to come from far away. Lucy had a sense of flying, of being weightless, magic seeming to swirl around her. She was wrapped in warmth as she touched down, being jarred slightly. Coming around she cracked her eyes open to see Caspian tucking her in.
"Caspian?"
"Ssh, sleep." He whispered. "We'll talk in the morning."
Moments later she fell into the darkness of sleep.
Lucy looked so peaceful asleep. Caspian reached out and tucked a strand of her long hair back behind her ear, feeling the soft silkiness of it. It was such a contrast from the flesh of his fingertips that Caspian felt it all the way to his core. Lucy sighed and turned her head towards his hand, a small smile on her face. Knowing that the time wasn't right for him to act on his feelings Caspian stood and exited from the small alcove that the youngest queen had taken as her own.
"Caspian, if I could have a word?" Peter was waiting for him, arms crossed over his chest. He hesitated at the dark look in the High King's eyes and expression before following him into the Table Chamber. The room was empty, their footsteps echoing.
"Is there something wrong?" Caspian decided to break the silence.
"What are your feelings towards Lucy?" Peter growled, the ever over protective big brother.
"I admire her." Caspian said honestly. "She's just as I imagined her to be; brave and gentle. She's a contradiction, more gentle than valiant. She is a bright, shining woman, the golden glow of Aslan's favor and love shining all around her. To me, her faith is something I can only hope to aspire to."
"Is that all?" The High King raised one of his eyebrows, seeming to have only been slightly moved by Caspian's words. He decided to confess the rest.
"No." He rubbed the back of his neck, dropping to sit on one of the steps leading up to the Stone Table. "She is very attractive, as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside." He scoffed at himself. "She's even inspired me to speak as a poet."
Peter chuckled, a smile breaking though. He clapped a hand to the younger man's shoulder.
"That's good. In most cases, men looked her over in favor of Susan. If you have been so moved by having only just met her and us, then she must have really made an impact on you." Peter moved away, but paused to look over his shoulder. "But, I swear by Aslan's mane, if you hurt her in any way, Edmund and I will make you wish Miraz had gotten to you first."
Caspian stayed where he was seated, looking up to the wall carving of Aslan. He knew that the two kings could make good on the warning. As he sat there he prayed that Lucy felt something similar to what he felt.