Chapter 13

Lucy gasped and for a moment the world seemed to freeze. Then many thinks happened at once. Aslan roared and Caspian drew his sword, but the ground trembled beneath them. Lucy watched as Edmund stood up, seeming majestic even though his hands were tied behind his back. As he rose, thousands of Narnians appeared, all in full armour. The archers stationed on Aslan's How all raised their bows, but the How shook and they turned, a panicked look on their face. Caspian turned to Edmund, face white. The chained boy shook his head.

"Moles. Never forget that. You have terrible defences." he said, examining the How. Caspian narrowed his eyes in dislike for the boy that mocked his leadership. He raised his sword and opened his mouth to fight, but suddenly Edmund wheeled round and pulled Caspian's sword arm down, cut the ropes on his wrists, grabbed the sword and elbowed Caspian in the stomach so he doubled over. Edmund tutted. Then he turned to his army and raised the sword.

"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" he yelled, and his army swarmed down the hill. Lucy gasped as she saw dryads and naiads clad in armour.

"Stand firm!" Aslan roared and Susan notched an arrow into the bow. But then a great, golden lion appeared on the hilltop. He shone gold in the weak light and his mane seemed thick and luxorious. Lucy could see he was twice the size of an ordinary talking lion and a hundred times more magnificent. The lion roared and Lucy felt her heart clench in terror. She turned to her Aslan and saw the lion shrinking the face of this magnificent beast. The golden lon roared again, and the lion beside her bolted. The other lion bounded after him, but Lucy stepped in front

"Oh please don't hurt him! I'm sure he didn't mean to impersonate you!" she cried passionately, and the anger flew from Aslan's eyes.

"Little one, I will not hurt him." he said, and turned back to Edmund. One of Edmund's generals came forward and Lucy presented her wrists to be tied. After a moment's hesitation, Susan did the same. Caspian looked at the two girls, then closed his eyes and held out his wrists also. Lucy looked at Edmund, and saw him biting his lip as she was tied up. She raised her chin and looked away.

"Give them chairs" Edmund commanded, and Lucy saw fawns bring out chairs for them to sit on. A large chair was brought for Edmund and he sat in it like a King. He turned, as if to talk to Caspian but instead a large eagle squawked and Edmund looked to the skies and raised his arm for the eagle to land on.

"My Lord, a large Archenland army has crossed the border and are marching towards us!" it cried and Edmund nodded, then smiled.

"Caspian! Your call." he said and Caspian raised his head, startled.

"What?" he asked.

"Your call. You were the leader of these Narnians. Show me how good you are." Edmund said, only turning his head on the second last word. Caspian looked away proudly.

"Put out guards to meet them." he said, after a small silence.

"Good call. What I was going to say." Edmund said and the eagle nodded and flew off to do his lord's command.

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Edmund sighed and stretched. He saw Aslan look over at him and flick his tail in the direction of the forest. Edmund smiled, then turned back to his centaur general.

"I'm going for a walk. Caspian is in charge. Release him and Lucy and Susan." he said. Both Caspian and General Ceffylau asked

"What?" in perfect unison and Edmund smiled.

"Caspian is in charge. I don't why it is so surprising I trust a Narnian." Edmund said, then rolled his eyes and none of his fellow Narnians made any moves to follow out his orders.

"Fine. I'll just do it myself." and he walked over to Lucy and he put his hand on her back and smiled as he saw Susan stiffen, before he drew out the little dagger from the secret pocket he had helped Lucy sew into all her dresses, then he cut Lucy's bonds and did the same to Susan's and Caspian's. Then he turned and walked into the trees.

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Lucy looked at Edmund's retreating back as he walked into the trees. She took a step after him, then turned back to Susan. Suddenly, she saw a flash of gold and she saw Aslan's tail flick, almost unintentionally towards the forest. Lucy smiled, then turned towards her sister.

"I'll be right back!" she said, then raced after Edmund.

"Luce! Where are you going?" Susan called, and Lucy turned around, still running backwards slightly.

"Nowhere!" she called, then turned towards the trees and ran.

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Edmund kicked a tree and turned towards Aslan's How. What if Lucy didn't forgive him? What if he'd been stupid in coming back? He sighed and brushed his hair back from his face. He drew his hand back and saw Lucy emerge from the trees.

"Lucy..." he breathed, suddenly transfixed by her beauty. Then he pulled himself together and coughed.

"Yes?" he asked. She stepped closer.

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you." she said smiling. Edmund smiled.

"Oh Lucy. I can't stop thinking about you!" he said and stepped closer to her, till he was right up to her.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but I love you. I always will and I always have. I've wasted time trying to find the perfect woman, but all I had to do was disobey Miraz and-" he stopped as Lucy put her finger on lips.

"Did you know, that the hands of people meant for each other will be the same size?" she whispered and held out her hand. Edmund slowly put his hand up against hers and Lucy smiled.

"See? I told you." she said and Edmund looked at their perfectly similar sized hands. He slid his fingers down her and clasped her hand in his. He looked down into her eyes and she blinked slowly.

"I love you Edmund." she said and then he kissed her.