Author's Note: Hi everyone! I am sorry it took me a long time to update. I have been working on this chapter for almost a month because it has been such a pain. You all have no idea how many times I rewrote this. But, I hope you like it. I know that it is not my best chapter so once again, I apologize in advance. But please review!
Disclaimer: Chronicles of Narnia belongs to C.S. Lewis. I claim none of it as my own.
Maria woke up in the middle of the night; memories of her talk with Aslan still filled her mind. She pushed herself off of the cot where she had slept and stood up to stretch. Across the tent, her father was sound asleep.
Maria rubbed her eyes a few times before forcing herself to move; carefully she began to walk towards the exit. She needed to see Edmund, although her chances of being able to get past the guards were unlikely. Still, she pushed away the curtain when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Glozelle asked sternly.
"I- I was just going for a walk, to clear my mind," she mumbled.
Glozelle raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "What is going on? Maria, I am your father, don't lie to me."
"I'm sorry," she looked down at the floor.
Glozelle let out a deep breath, "I'm just worried about you. Did something happen that you aren't telling me about?"
"No sir," Maria answered.
"Then why were you trying to leave without waking me?"
"I wanted to see him," she said so quietly that Glozelle had to move closer to understand her.
"One more time," he tried to get her to talk to him. He didn't like how their relationship had been since she arrived, they weren't as close as before.
Maria straightened her shoulders, trying to sound as strong as possible. "I need to see him."
"Who?" Glozelle asked, but he already knew the answer. He just didn't want to accept it.
"Edmund, I need to talk to him."
Glozelle pulled her over to a chair, and then moved another out for him. Once they were eye level he restarted the conversation. "Why?"
"I just do. The time I spent with him changed me, and I need to make sure he is alright," Maria stuttered out.
"But, he is a prisoner, Maria."
"But, it's important to me," she tried to convince him to let her go. "He isn't a bad person, and during our trip he became my friend."
There was a long silence as Glozelle leaned back in his chair to think. "A friend, after what he did, you consider that boy a friend?"
Maria nodded, "Please let me go see him. You can even watch if you want too."
Glozelle rubbed his forehead, obviously his daughter had changed. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"
"I was afraid of what you would do," Maria said nervously.
"Afraid? Maria, I don't want you to ever be afraid of me." Glozelle was shocked at his daughter's words. No father wants his child to think of him as someone scary, parents were supposed to offer comfort and safety. "Maria, if I ever scared you, I am so sorry."
"It's alright. It's this war, not you. It changes people."
Glozelle stood up and extended his hand, pulling her up with him. "Listen, I don't want there to be trouble between us. If you need to see him, then you will. But at the first sign of problems, I will step in."
Maria grinned and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you Papa."
Glozelle rubbed her head before letting go and leading her out of the tent. The pair navigated through the darkened camp, only the soldiers on watch were still awake at the late hour.
As they approached the small tent where Edmund was being held, the guard nodded respectively towards Glozelle. "Is there something you need, General?"
"We have business that needs to be taken care of with the prisoner." Glozelle spoke strongly giving orders. "You are relieved of your post until we are finished. You are to walk around and check the perimeter of the camp."
"Yes, General," the soldier answered swiftly before disappearing into the night.
Glozelle looked down at his daughter who was shifting around nervously. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Positive," she answered waiting for him to let her go inside.
"Be careful, and remember if I think there is trouble, I will be in there fast," Glozelle, pulled back the curtain allowing Maria to go into the tent.
Edmund sat, tied to a pole in the center, wide awake and alert. "Maria, what are you doing?" he asked, confused.
"I needed to talk to you." She moved over to where he was and sat down in front of him. "But first, are you good, did they hurt you?" Maria reached up and lightly touched the bruise on his head.
"Aside from a few injuries and a headache, I'm fine."
There was a silence and then Maria spoke out. "Edmund, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I wanted to speak up for you, I really did, but I couldn't and I am so sorry for that."
"Maria, I didn't want you to speak up. Now you can be back with your family."
"But you can't," Maria said sadly.
"I will soon, this is just a delay. Aslan has everything planned out," Edmund spoke full of hope.
Then, Maria smiled. "I talked to Him, Ed. Aslan talked to me."
"Really?" Edmund leaned forward, as far as he binds would allow. "What did he say?"
"He said that He didn't forget about us. That we had to be patient, and He would light a path for us. He said to trust him," Maria explained.
"That sounds like Aslan," Edmund smiled. "What do you want to do?"
"I want to tell my father about what happened."
"Why?"
"Because he deserves to know, and I don't want to keep secrets from my Papa. I trust him," Maria answered.
"What if he-" Edmund was cut off by Maria.
"He won't hurt me. I don't have to be afraid of him." Maria looked towards the entrance where she could see her father pacing. "We have to trust him."
Edmund dropped his head and sighed. "If you are sure about this, then I think your father could help us."
Maria turned around, "Papa," she called out.
Immediately, Glozelle burst in with his sword drawn. "Papa, there is something I have to tell you," Maria motioned for him to put away his sword and come sit down.
Maria looked at Edmund, making sure that he was ready. When he nodded for her to start, she began to explain. "Papa, Edmund didn't force me to go with him. I helped him escape."
Glozelle was taken back, but he didn't speak. Patience was everything to him, and right now he needed a lot of patience.
"I took care of him while he was trapped in the castle." Maria started slowly after her father's silence. "I didn't think it was right for someone, who was only my age to be treated as Edmund was."
Glozelle just sat confused. How did his daughter manage all of this without telling him?
Maria continued on with her story. "One day I went back to our home in the village, and I found a key to unlock the chains. Then I helped him escape-"
"Sir," Edmund said, bringing the General's attention to him. "I had no intention of taking her with me. We were ambushed and if she didn't come with me, they probably would have hurt her."
For the next thirty minutes, Edmund and Maria took turns explaining their story to a very puzzled general. Including everything from their encounter with the dwarves, to discovering the horses could talk, Edmund teaching Maria about Aslan, and Susan's arrival. Not leaving out a thing, but their kiss. It wasn't time to share that just yet.
Then there was a very long and still silence. "Papa, say something," Maria begged.
Glozelle shook his head. "I can't believe this. I just- I don't understand."
"I know it's difficult to believe, but Edmund has really taught me so much. You need to hear what he has to say, it will change you," Maria scooted over towards her father.
"How do I know he isn't just telling me lies, and that you weren't forced into this?" Glozelle wasn't going to accept their story just yet.
"Then let me tell you about Aslan, Papa. I thought it was too good to be true, but Aslan is real. I heard Him."
"I just don't know, Maria."
"What if I could show you, where Aslan died," Maria said quickly remembering how Edmund had described the stone table, and that it was in the How where the Narnians were.
"You want to go to the Narnians?" Glozelle questioned.
Maria looked back at Edmund, "It is a way for me to help Ed's family and prove to you that I am speaking the truth."
"Maria, I don't know about this." Glozelle cared about his daughter's safety. The General cleared his throat, "Edmund, what would happen if I took her to the Narnians?" Glozelle asked awkwardly addressing the prisoner.
"Susan would help and Caspian also, but Peter won't like it," Edmund admitted. His brother would definitely be a problem for Maria and her father.
"I want to talk to Susan and find a way to stop Edmund from getting killed," Maria pleaded her case.
"Are you on their side now?" Glozelle almost shouted.
"Papa, listen to me. I don't want to fight for them, I just want to meet them and figure out how to stop Edmund from being wrongly punished." Maria thought of what to say next. "What if the roles were reversed? If I was about to be killed for a crime I didn't commit, wouldn't you want someone to help you save me?"
Glozelle looked between Maria and Edmund. "I have to be at your side at all times," Glozelle said.
Maria sighed. "Thank you so much, Papa."
"Thank you, Sir," Edmund added.
"What should we do?" Glozelle asked Edmund.
"Take my electric torch with you," Edmund suggested. "When we came to Narnia, we developed a code when it was safe: on and off really quickly, then on for ten seconds and repeat. That way, they won't attack."
"Electric torch?" Glozelle questioned.
"I'll take care of that. Papa, we need to leave soon while it is still dark," Maria said scooting back over to Edmund.
Maria pulled Edmund into a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Be safe," she whispered. "We will fix this."
"Take care of yourself," Edmund responded quietly.
Maria pulled away and looked back at her father. "Papa, are you ready to go?"
Glozelle nodded and held open the curtain, Maria stepped out and he took one last glance back at Edmund. Had he made the right choice?
The father and daughter walked silently over to the horses. Once Glozelle dismissed the soldiers Maria spoke. "Those two," she pointed to the horses that had been captured with the Narnians.
Glozelle went over to the dark horse and started to untie it when the horse kicked and pulled back. "Tulio, it's alright," Maria comforted. "We are leaving."
The horse stomped his foot and allowed himself to be untied. Glozelle had already freed Melosa and was waiting for Maria.
"Tulio, where is Edmund's electric torch? Do you know?" Maria asked quietly.
Tulio shook his head, "I saw it get put in a bag. With Ramillo, we can't leave him behind." Maria was a little shocked at the horse caring for the annoying hare.
"Where is Ramillo?"
"Over there," Tulio moved his head over to a tree and saw a bag shaking violently. Maria walked over with Tulio in tow.
Once she arrived, she saw a hole on the bottom of the bag. Not a moment later a nose poked out, followed by a mouth. At last the rest of Ramillo's face was stretched and pushed out, and then he noticed Maria and Tulio watching.
"Oh, I was just getting out to help." Ramillo pulled his head back and realized it wouldn't go back through the hole he had created, he pushed forward and discovered his body wouldn't move either. "But it seems I am stuck."
Maria smiled and picked the bag up, "We will have to cut you out of there." She opened up the top of the bag and pulled out Edmund's electric torch. The rest of Ramillo's body was now free and he just had the burlap sack as a very large collar.
Maria took a look back at her father, signaling she was ready to go. She pulled herself onto Tulio's back and allowed her father to show the way towards the How.
Glozelle found himself constantly turning back to look at his daughter, and how she had changed. Physically there was no real difference; it was her personality that left him confused.
She was very out there, not as shy. Before he left for the war, Maria would have never thought of leaving the village or castle. In fact, she often stated how much she loved it there and would tell him how the closest she would ever get to the woods was in stories. Now Maria was volunteering to go to the Narnians to make find a way to help her friend.
Why did that boy change his daughter so much? They had shared their story, and he wanted to believe it. But Glozelle didn't trust Edmund Pevensie. Not yet. He had to make sure that they were not lying. He trusted Maria with all of his heart; it was that boy that caused him trouble.
His thoughts were broken when he heard his daughter's voice, "Harken? What are you doing?"
Maria slowed to a stop as Harken perched on Tulio's head. The horse didn't like it, but he held still. "Delivering a message to Miraz from High King Peter, he wants to duel Miraz for Narnia."
"Why are you delivering a message at night?" Maria asked. "I don't think Miraz will listen to you, he has no respect for anyone but humans."
Harken sighed. "What are you doing out?" Then the swift noticed the General watching them quietly. "Why is he with you?"
"I'm going to the Narnians, we are going to help Edmund," Maria explained. "My father wanted to come along, to make sure it was safe."
Harken pushed himself off of Tulio's head, but not before noticing Ramillo's sorry state and biting back a laugh. "Then I will take you to them, follow me."
"Maria, what is going on?" Glozelle asked.
"Harken is taking us to the Narnians," she pushed Tulio forward.
Glozelle wrinkled his brow, "We're following a bird?"
"Papa, he's a friend," Maria clicked her tongue and followed Harken through the forest.
The horses moved slowly over rocks, fallen branches, and logs until they reached the edge of the forest. "Right over there," Harken said going out of the trees.
Maria pulled out the electric torch and followed Edmund's directions. As the light swept over the How she saw what looked like a centaur run into the cave. Now she was getting nervous, maybe this was a bad idea.
If only Edmund was with them, then there would be some reassurance of their safety. Maria could only hope that Susan would see them before the Narnians attacked. As they got closer, creatures of all shapes and sizes came pouring out of the How.
Centaurs, dwarfs, fauns, a giant, and many others stepped out into the grass; weapons all pointed at them. Maria tensed but kept the signal going, Glozelle had one hand on his sword as they got closer.
The Narnians stopped and stared at them. Maria wasn't sure what was more frightening: the Narnians coming towards them with weapons or just standing there and watching their every move.
At last, Susan pushed through the crowd. Maria let out a big sigh of relief and jumped off Tulio, pulling Ramillo along with her.
Glozelle still remained watching with dark eyes.
"Susan," Maria approached slowly to make sure nothing would happen.
"Maria, what is going on?" Susan asked. "Do you know what could have happened if I didn't come out here?"
"I know it was dangerous, but I came to help you all figure out what to do about Edmund," Maria said, Ramillo squirmed around in her arms. "Do you have a knife we could borrow?"
"Of course," Susan patted her on the back. "Let's get inside." Susan turned around and looked at Glozelle who still had not left his spot.
"Can he come too?" Maria asked Susan. "He wanted to make sure I was okay."
"If he leaves his weapons with the guards," Susan whispered quietly. "Peter isn't going to like this."
"Papa, did you hear what Susan said?" Maria asked. Glozelle nodded and followed Maria and Susan.
"What do you have planned so far?" Maria questioned as they walked towards the How.
"We sent Harken to try to purpose a duel for Narnia and Edmund's life-" Susan was cut off by Glozelle.
"Miraz won't set your brother free. But he will accept the duel for Narnia," Glozelle said slowly, making sure he didn't offend anyone.
Susan stopped and turned around. "Why won't Miraz let Edmund go?"
"Before I continue, I want to see the Stone Table," Glozelle refused to speak anymore, leaving Maria to explain.
"My father doesn't believe Aslan died and came back to life, he wants proof."
Susan turned on her heal and started walking again, "Then you will get proof."
As the approached the entrance, Glozelle dropped his sword without taking his eyes off of the faun that was to hold it for him.
Susan picked up a knife and cut Ramillo free who thanked her. "Now that we are all ready, come inside."
Maria felt fear prickle inside of her as they entered into the cavern. There was only light provided by the fire and everywhere she turned Narnians watched with hate. Ramillo and Harken dashed off to find their friends and family leaving Maria and Glozelle to follow Susan.
Susan led them further in until she came to a stop in a circular room, in the center was a cracked table. Susan called for a soldier, "Go get King Peter, Queen Lucy, and Prince Caspian." The dwarf bowed and ran around the corner.
The gentle queen approached the table. "This is where Aslan died for my brother, Edmund."
"So it is real then," Glozelle walked towards the hall and saw paintings of the children. "You are just children."
"Papa, do you believe it?" Maria asked, wringing her hands as she waited for his response.
To answer, Glozelle turned to Susan. "If a young woman such as you, can impact a country so greatly, than it must be true," Glozelle bowed slightly. "I am sorry for the struggles my people have caused. You hold yourself with such grace even in a time of despair. When I thought I lost Maria," Glozelle put his arm around his daughter. "I was barely able to go on. Yet you and your siblings manage to lead an army. I admire you, Queen Susan."
Susan smiled. "Thank you General."
"Susan, what is going on?" They all turned around and saw the famous High King Peter standing, fury in his eyes.
Maria curtsied and looked at her father to bow. "They have come to help us save Edmund," Susan explained approaching her brother cautiously.
"You lead them into our place of safety Su? They can't be here," the king almost shouted.
Susan turned around and pulled Maria closer. "She helped Edmund escape the first time."
Maria could barely look into King Peter's eyes, they were so angry. "You did?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"Y-Yes Your Majesty," Maria stuttered.
Caspian moved around Peter and approached Glozelle where they spoke it hushed tones. Another girl came to Peter's side.
"Who are you?" The girl asked.
"Maria, General Glozelle's daughter and friend of Edmund and Susan," Maria explained.
The girl looked between Peter and Susan. "Su, can they be trusted?"
"Maria can, she almost got Edmund home," Maria was thankful that Susan helped.
"I'm Lucy," the younger girl curtsied.
Maria did the same. "I have heard much about you."
Lucy smiled sadly. "This is my older brother Peter."
The older boy looked down at her. "Your people took my brother from me." Maria stepped back at his tone.
"My father and I want to help you get him back," Maria tried to stand as tall as she could.
"What plans do you have?" Peter asked.
Glozelle stepped between his daughter and the High King. "We can use the duel to our advantage."
Peter turned to him. "What do you mean?"
Glozelle cleared his throat. "During the duel, the majority of the soldiers can be watching. Your brother will be at the camp with a few guards. Then you can rescue him. Miraz won't free your brother because he knows that with Edmund separated, it will weaken the Narnians."
"Papa," Maria said slowly. Why was he telling them so much?
Glozelle glanced over at her and then continued. "I want to help you, if you will allow me too."
"I would love your help," Susan smiled.
Caspian walked over and clapped Glozelle on the back, "Sir, you are welcome here."
Lucy crossed her arms as she thought. "I think it would be lovely to have you help us." The young queen then looked at her brother. "Peter, what do you think?"
The king looked around at his siblings and Caspian. "Miraz won't listen to any creature we send with a challenge of a duel. Susan, will you go and check on Ed while you are there?"
Susan nodded, "Of course."
Peter turned to Glozelle, "Will you make sure my sister is safe?"
"No harm will come to her," Glozelle promised.
Peter extended his hand to the General. "I welcome you to join our forces."
"Thank you, King Peter," Glozelle shook Peter's hand. "I am afraid I must go, if Miraz discovers I am not at camp then we will have some trouble."
"Susan will be there at sunrise with the challenge," Peter said. "Will Miraz accept?"
"I can make sure that he does," Glozelle answered. "He wants to show his power, with convincing we will have a duel."
"Thank you," Peter started walking out of the room. "If you will excuse me, I have a challenge to write."
Peter and Caspian left leaving the girls and Glozelle waiting around the stone table. Glozelle straightened himself up and got ready to leave, Maria did the same.
"Queen Susan, Queen Lucy, can I have a moment?" Glozelle asked.
"Certainly," Susan looked back at her sister.
"Maria, will you come too?" Glozelle motioned for them to all go walk. Maria walked over to her father, Susan, and Lucy.
The group of four began to walk around the corridors with no intended destination. Glozelle came to a halt as they got closer to the front.
"I do not want Maria to come back to the camp with me," Glozelle started, hoping the young Queens would understand what he meant.
Maria on the other hand, was confused, "Papa, what are you saying?"
"I don't think it would be safe to leave her there while we are preparing for war. At the camp, no one will be able to take care of her," Glozelle explained. "Could I leave my daughter in your care?"
"Do you think it is better for her to be with us?" Lucy asked.
"Yes, here she can get the training she needs; I am too busy to teach her anything. I also do not want here near Miraz or the witch," Glozelle said reluctantly. "If Miraz asked what happened, then I can tell him that Maria returned to the castle with one of the nurses."
"She is welcome here if you think it is best. After everything she has done for Edmund, I see no problem in allowing her to stay," Susan agreed.
Glozelle smiled. "Thank you, Queen Susan and Queen Lucy, you live up to the legends." Glozelle pulled Maria into a hug.
"I think I should go now," he kissed her head. Glozelle kneeled down to get on her level. "When it comes time for the battle, I have instructions for you. If Queen Lucy, Queen Susan, King Edmund, or I tell you to leave, you must do so. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," Maria hugged him again. In all honesty, she was thankful that she wouldn't have to participate in a lot of fighting.
"Goodbye Maria," Glozelle smiled sadly. "Take care of yourself."
"Until next time," Maria smiled back. "Be safe, Papa."
Glozelle walked out and gathered his weapons from the faun. The General pulled himself onto Melosa, leaving Tulio behind with the Narnians.
Maria ran out and waved goodbye as Glozelle rode out into the forest and away. Susan came up at her side and turned back to Lucy. "Lu, can you help Maria get settled in and find her some weapons? I have to go find Peter and Caspian. We have much to do."
Author's Note: I hope you liked it! Leave a review with your thoughts!