Author's Note: Here is another chapter for all of you! Thanks again to my wonderful beta: Queen Su!
"Susan, can Chennault go any faster?" Lucy pleaded as they ran though the forest. Susan clicked her tongue and kicked until Chennault was in a full gallop. Susan stared into the darkness ahead of her hoping that they would near the entrance to the How.
Lucy had not told Susan what she heard Aslan say, but it was an emergency. Tension filled the air as the minutes ticked by.
They galloped out of the woods, into the clearing. A satyr was the first to notice the girls. Susan pulled the reins; Chennault came to an uneasy stop. Lucy jumped off and ran. Susan threw the reins to the satyr before pursuing her sister.
"Lucy!" Susan called as her sister ran through a group of warriors who had gathered outside. "Lucy what is going on?"
Susan ran the best she could in her dress. Finally, she caught up with her sister and readied her bow. Peter ran into the girls as they sprinted around the corner. Peter looked curiously at Susan who turned around with wide eyes and shrugged. Peter whipped out his sword and sprinted ahead of the girls.
"Queen Susan! Queen Lucy! King Peter!" Trumpkin called from behind them. They all stopped to face the dwarf. "I think Nikabrik is planning something! I can't find Prince Caspian," he said through each gasp.
"Hurry Peter!" Lucy urged her oldest brother. Peter took a small glance into each opening of the How, but continued to run. As they neared the center, he ran past the room where the Stone Table was; he froze.
Susan and Lucy had felt it too, an icy chill in the air. Peter looked at his sisters, Lucy's eyes widened and she turned to Susan.
Susan looked at everyone as a frightened voice filled the corridors of the How. "No, this isn't what I wanted!"
Peter lifted his hand, waving for the girls to follow as he turned into the lit hallway.
A cold voice confirmed their fears. "One drop of Adam's blood, that's all I need, and I am yours. My king."
Cries of protest were called from inside the How. Peter dropped his sword in shock. He slid down the wall and crumpled to the ground. Placing his head in his hands he took a deep breath.
No.
It couldn't be!
Susan was the first to regain herself; she shook Peter lightly to knock him out of his trance. He lifted his sword with a hint of confidence.
Peter stood up with the help of his sisters and stepped around the corner. Peter took in another breath and he glanced around at Trumpkin, Susan, and Lucy. "Susan, go get reinforcement," he whispered. The gentle queen looked unsure but did as she was told. "Trumpkin, come with me. Lucy, stay here and wait for Susan to return."
A shout left the king's throat, "Stop!" He leapt into the room and surveyed the scene.
A wolf held Caspian in his grasp. The Witch stood before them, locked in a icy prison. Nikabrik stood to the side, watching with glee and an old hag danced with delight.
The wolf was the first to react. It released Caspian and stormed at Peter. Trumpkin ran around the Stone Table and charged at his old friend.
Trumpkin thrust his short sword towards Nikabrik's stomach. "You know Queen Jadis can help us Trumpkin," the black dwarf teased. Nikabrik lifted his sword and slashed down at Trumpkin's shoulder.
At first Peter stood still in terror and shock when he saw the Witch. The werewolf noticed this and took a chance. Luckily, Peter spun from the creature's attack and sliced its lower leg. Peter vaulted off the Stone Table and dived at the creature. He landed on the werewolf's back, causing the creature to fall.
The werewolf rolled over, pinning Peter to the floor. Peter struggled under the weight of the werewolf. He reached for the dagger in his boot as the werewolf clawed at his face. Peter felt blood run down his face as the skin broke above his eyes. He could almost reach the dagger. Peter raised his arm and tried to shift his weight.
Making a daring move, he clenched his fist and jammed his hand into the snapping jaw of the werewolf. Peter cried out in pain as his skin cracked around his arm.
Lucy heard the struggling and Susan was taking too long. She pulled out her dagger and a rock lying by her feet. She ran into the center of the How and saw Peter dueling with a werewolf.
She looked at her brother and turned to help him, but through wet eyes she could tell that he didn't want help. Lucy almost disobeyed, but chose to go after Caspian. But not before calling, "Susan, please hurry!"
The hag continued to circle Caspian tempting him. She almost had him! His hand was raised on his own. She just couldn't break the trance…
Lucy slammed herself into Caspian's side. He immediately fell out from the witch's spell. He clutched his hand and rested his head on the wall breathing heavily. Lucy stopped at his side and placed a drop from her cordial on his hand. The hag charged at them, Lucy picked up the rock that was in her hand and threw it at the hag's head. The ancient hag let out a cry and stumbled back into the circle pressing herself against the ice. Jadis whispered into her ears.
She checked Caspian quickly before helping Trumpkin.
The valiant queen whipped out her dagger and swung it around Nikabrik's neck. The black dwarf shoved Trumpkin away and clutched Lucy's arm spinning her around. He dug his dirty finger nails into her skin around her wrist trying to release the dagger from her grasp.
Nikabrik's first attempt failed, so he pulled her arm up and the tip of dagger started to scratch the skin on her back. Trumpkin had ran around Nikabrik and slashed. Nikabrik's eyes widened and his breath left him as he fell to the ground. Lucy wrapped Trumpkin in a thank you hug.
Peter strained his other arm and shoved his knee into the werewolf's stomach. Peter grabbed the dagger and with a strong swing of his good arm he stuck it into the back of the werewolf's head. The wolf gave one last howl of pain before collapsing on top of Peter.
Lucy and Trumpkin ran to his side with Caspian following. The trio pushed the werewolf off Peter. Lucy took the time to pour drops from the cordial on his wounded arm. He cringed in pain as the cordial began to heal him.
Peter couldn't wait long enough for it to completely heal because the hag was still left and she was coming for them. He pulled out his sword and stepped around the Stone Table. The hag turned on him and stepped in the circle. She backed away causing Peter to come forward.
Her plan worked.
Peter turned and stared into the icy eyes of the White Witch. She didn't speak yet he heard a voice inside his head as she smiled at him.
Peter? Do you think Edmund's capture is your fault?
It did seem like it was his fault. He could have called it off, but he didn't.
Do you know what they are doing to your brother in that castle?
Images flashed through Peter's head of Edmund being beaten and teased.
He will give up soon…
There was another image of Edmund signing to become a solider for the Telmarines.
He has always been a traitor.
There was a moment where he saw Edmund fighting him off and winning.
Hurting your family…
He saw Edmund shouting at Susan and shoving Lucy.
You need someone on your side… I can help.
Peter didn't hear Susan enter the room. Lucy watched in horror as Peter took a step toward the White Witch.
The hag noticed that Caspian was coming towards her. She couldn't lose another chance at freeing her queen. She threw her body against Peter causing him to fall onto the ice.
Peter felt a cold hand wrap around his arm that had almost healed.
All the images that had gone through his mind disappeared as they were proven to be lies. The White Witch exhaled a breath of freedom, her first one in years.
She stepped out of the icy prison, and looked down at the now weeping king who was surrounded by his family.
"Peter?" She said a cold voice. "Have you missed me?"
The remaining Pevensies looked up at her black eyes and turned around. Other Narnians had filled the How and were staring at the new woman who had appeared.
"Where is Edmund? Have you lost him again?" She teased. "I should pay him a visit."
None of the shocked Narnians challenged her as she walked toward the exit. "I am beginning my own army. Anyone who wishes to join me may." Jadis turned her head towards Lucy, Susan, and Peter.
She stepped out with a few of the dwarfs and the hag now following. Their last hope had failed them. The High King had given into temptation.
Please review!