Darby was pacing around. She had nothing but that to do at five in the morning. She kept replaying her conversation she had with her friends.
"Do you think the war will still be in our favor?" asked Alyssa in a whisper. "Or will we...will we..."
"...die?" finished Maddie. "I doubt even Aslan knows."
Suddenly, Darby halted. She knew what she had to do to stop Peter from participating in that single combat. It was risky, and she could die, but now that she remembered everything from her previous stay in Narnia, she realized that she truly loved Peter. He was a leader and took risks... Now she would follow his example.
Darby ran to the weapons room as fast as she could. She would need to dress quickly and emerge from Peter's sleeping quarters. However, she would also need a way to keep the real Peter from waking up and intervening. This was the most difficult problem, but Darby was just thinking about tying him up and gagging him. She didn't like the idea, but it had to be done.
While Darby went off to Peter's room (and not like that, you pervs), Mallory lay awake, thinking about the approaching day. The plan was to gather everyone and ambush Miraz's army, should they refuse to cooperate. Also, they were sending Lucy, Alyssa, and Susan to go off and find Aslan. Alyssa had been complaining to no end, but it had already been decided. Logan was staying here with Mallory, which made her feel content. Logan was staying here with her! Mallory smiled.
She heard someone moving in the hallway. Mallory turned herself so her back was to the opening of her sleeping quarters. She slowed down her breathing, to seem as though she was asleep. She heard the footsteps stop in front of the opening, her heart pounding. Whoever it was, they walked into her room and sat next to her supposedly sleeping form. "I know you're sleeping," said a voice.
Mallory nearly jumped up in surprise. It was Logan.
"I know you can't hear this, but I need to get it out...I'm scared," he said. "I-I'm just an actor. I'm not supposed to really know how to fight with swords and such. I don't want to die, Mallory...and I don't want you too either."
That was as good as any love confession for Mallory. She sprang out of bed, a huge smile on her face. "Really?"
Logan was about to jump and yell, but Mallory put a hand over his mouth and only removed her hand from his mouth when he had calmed down. "I thought you were asleep," he said.
"Eh, not quite," said Mallory. "So, you feeling nervous for tomorrow?"
"Well, yeah," said Logan. "I don't want to die, and I don't want anyone else to die..." He mumbled something after that.
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing!"
"Tell me!"
"No!"
"LOGAN LERMAN, OPEN THAT TRAP OF A MOUTH AND TELL ME!"
"FINE, ESPECIALLY YOU!"
"Huh?"
"You wanted to know what I said! I said, 'Especially you.' "
"Oh," said Mallory in a faint voice. She felt woozy. She had never expected Logan to feel the same way about her, as Alyssa, Darby, and Maddie had thought at first about their guys but now...
Logan put his face in his hands. "Dammit. I didn't want it to come out that way. Dammit!" He stood up and began pacing. A few moments later, he said, "So what does this mean, Mallory?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, you obviously don't like me, you were just kidding around-"
"Excuse me, but I loved you the moment I saw you in Hoot," said Mallory knowingly. Then she clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes widening. Did she really just say that?
A smile appeared on Logan's face. "Really?"
"Well, yeah. You're an amazing actor, you're hilarious, you're not afraid to be yourself...and you're hot."
He laughed and took Mallory's hand. "And I love you for all you are, and all you are not, Mallory."
At that moment, they both started to lean towards each other, as though to kiss...
"ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE UP!" called a Faun from down the hallway. "ALL OF YOU! KING PETER FIGHTS MIRAZ SOON!"
Logan and Mallory sat, frozen, where they were before they had been interrupted. They could hear all of the soldiers getting up. "I think the moment's ruined," said Mallory, standing up. "I need to get dressed, so you better leave before anyone sees you coming out of my sleeping quarters. They'll get the wrong idea."
Standing up slowly, Logan kept his eyes on Mallory. "Not even a 'good luck, let's not die' kiss?"
Mallory smiled. She walked towards him, grabbed his face, and proceeded to give him a little peck...on his nose.
"That was my nose."
"I know."
Logan looked completely bewildered. "Why on earth did you kiss me there?"
"Because neither of us will die today."
Back with Darby, she stood in front of Peter's sleeping quarters. She had put the sheet Peter had been using as a blanket where a door would be, to hide the bonded and gagged Peter in the room. His armor was way too big for her, so she ended up finding things that would make her seem bulkier, manish, and taller. It worked fairly well, and she stood there with Peter's armor on her body, his helmet over her head, and his sword in her hand.
Edmund came down the hallway. "Ready, Pete?"
"Yes," said Darby in her best imitation of Peter. "I am."
They began walking down the hallway of the How, not saying a word.
Meanwhile, Maddie and Caspian were seeing Lucy, Alyssa, and Susan off. Lucy hugged Maddie. "I don't see why you can't come too, Maddie."
Smiling, Maddie said, "Sometimes you need to do things on yor uown, Lucy. Besides, they need all the help they can get here."
Nodding, Lucy climbed onto the horse. It was not a Talking Horse, but it was a horse that could carry out this mission.
"Desiree has served me well over the years," said Caspian, helping Susan onto the horse. Then he helped Alyssa, his hands lingering on her waist. "Good luck."
"Thanks," said Susan crossly. She grabbed the reins to the horse. Lucy held onto Susan, and Alyssa held onto Lucy.
Caspian looked at Susan and pulled out her Horn. "I think it's time I returned this to you."
Susan stared at it before saying, "Keep it. You might need to call me."
Alyssa had sat there silently, willing for tears to not flow. So this part was still the same. The part where Caspian fell in love with Susan...
"No, take it!" said Caspian urgently, surprising Alyssa. "I need to know if you three are in danger...especially Alyssa!"
All four of the girls' mouths flew open, but Susan grabbed the reins and began to ride off, angry.
Lucy turned around and smiled at Alyssa.
