Here's chapter 9. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Finally, their journey was over. They had arrived at the battlefield in Macebreth. But they were a bit surprised when they arrived. There was no one there.

"Where is everyone?" Edmund asked.

"Well, the battle isn't to start for two more days," Peter told him.

"I know that. But, I expected the others to be here," he replied.

All of a sudden, they heard something behind them. They turned around and saw a great Centaur.

"Your majesties," he called to them, "in here."

He brought them into a large cave that was filled with Narnian creatures; including Aslan. He walked over to the small group.

"I'm glad to see you all got here. Did you have any trouble along the way?"

"We had some trouble with some soldiers, but everything turned out alright," Peter answered, smiling at Melendie.

"And who is this?" Aslan asked, noticing Melendie.

"This is Melendie," Edmund answered. "She's the one who led us here. She's part Macebreth."

"It's an honor to meet you Great Lion," Melendie told him as she curtsied.

"And it is a great pleasure to meet you, my dear," He replied.

"Do we have battle plans yet, Aslan?" Peter asked.

"No. We shall discuss them in the morning. Now, we must all get some sleep.

Then, everyone found a spot and one-by-one, they all fell asleep.

The next morning, everyone was gathered around Peter and Aslan. They were busy making plans for the upcoming battle.

"So," Peter told everyone as he was wrapping up, "to review, Susan, you'll be up here with the other archers," he pointed to a spot on the map, "Ed and I will charge from here. The centaurs and fauns will be on our right, the dwarves and Minotaurs will be on our left, the griffins will fly above us, and all other creatures will be in the front with me and Edmund. And Lucy, you'll be over here helping the wounded. Everyone alright?"

"What about Melendie?" Lucy asked.

"Do you want to help fight?" Peter asked her.

"I have nothing to fight with," melendie told him.

"We have an extra bow," Susan commented.

"Is that alright?" Peter asked.

"Sure, but I don't exactly know how to use one," she explained.

"I'll teach you," Susan told her.

"Alright. So, Melendie, you'll be up here with the other archers," Peter stated. "Everyone know the plan?"

Everyone said "Yes."

"Good," finished Peter. "Do what you need to do to prepare."

Everyone went there own way.
Susan went up to Melendie with the extra bow, and asked, "You ready to practice?"

A few minutes later, the two girls were out on the battlefield, training.

"Alright, put use your left hand to hold the bow, use your right hand on the arrow, pull it back and fire," Susan instructed. Melendie then tried it, but when she released it landed to the far left of the target.

"It's alright," Susan told. "You'll get it. Draw back again." She did. Before she could let go, Susan stopped her. "Wait. I see your problem. You're putting your whole fist on the arrow, and when you pull back you're pulling back too far. You also have your arm straight out. With the arrow, just out your first and second fingers right under it. Then pull it back only to the corner of your mouth. Then make sure your left arm is bent at the elbow a bit. Try it again."

Melednie drew it back again perfectly. But, when she released it, it still didn't hit the target.

"What am I still doing wrong?" Melendie asked, disgruntled.

"It's your release," Susan told her. "You're practically throwing the arrow. All you have to do is take your fingers off the string. Go on, try again."

Once again, Melendie hooked her arrow and drew it back. Then, she released. When she looked to see where it went she saw that it was right in the middle of the target. She couldn't believe it.

Then, just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, she did it again, and again, and again. Each time, it hit the very center of the target.

"Wow. You're amazing," Susan told her.

"Thanks."

Peter then came over. "How's the training coming alone?" he asked them.

"Really well," Susan told him. "She's a fast learner."

"After many mess-ups. But, I'm getting the hang of it," Melendie added.

"That's great. I can't wait to see you in battle. I wish I could stick around and watch, but I need to go around to everyone."

Before he left, he smiled at Melendie, and she smiled back.

When he was gone, Susan said to Melednie, "Let's keep practicing. I'll do it too."

They, for the next half hour, just kept shooting arrows.

They, and everyone else, were ready.

Next chapter coming soon! Keep reviewing.