I love Liam's character so I thought you guys should know more about him! Hope you guys enjoy it:)
I sit on my horse, a trembling man in front of me. He limply grips his shield and spear and I can't blame him a single bit. The man is about to lose his life for an unpredictable and stupid battle. Everyone is. I lift my helmet off my head and toss it to the ground, the metal making a sound so loud, those around flinch.
"What are you doing?" the man beside me asks in a wheezy voice. "Get that back on before the General sees you!"
I sigh and shake my head. "I will not! This whole scrimmage is pointless!" The fellows in front of me are tall and hide my small rebellious act easily.
Slowly and with difficult, the man hops off his own horse and picks up my helmet. He pushes it to me, urging me to take it. "Come on! I can see the king begin to weaken!"
"He already is weak," I snap, taking the helmet. "There's no purpose for this fight! I know Miraz is in the wrong!"
Heads turn and the man lifts his helmet. "Quiet down, lad!" I look ahead and keep my eyes on the blonde-haired king's swift movements.
"Their king, he's very young." The man nods and I look at him again. His dark eyes watch me and his wrinkled face gives off the whole idea of sadness. "Looks about my age."
"Yes, it's terrible." I raise an eyebrow as he puts his helmet back on and struggles to mount his horse. "This really is an uncalled for battle...You. Him. So many others, still so young. You all have so much to live for."
The General comes over and yells for us to be quiet. Quickly, he realizes my bare face and jabs a finger in my direction "What do you think you're doing, soldier?" He spits. The trembling man and the one next to him part to create a path for him. "Helmet on. Now."
The elderly man beside me nods and I grudgingly put it on my head. The man turns after an approving nod and rides off.
"Thank you," I whisper to him.
"You're right," he responds. He's as still as a statue and stares at the ground. I gaze at him, confused until he hands me his shield to hold. "I want you to have this." With one hand, he reaches under his armor and pulls out a leather strung necklace with a small trinket on the end. He takes the shield out of my hands and replaces it with the necklace.
My fingers run over the smooth wooden figure. Whoever carved this had amazing patience-the thing is incredible. A majestic lion stands on his hind legs, mouth open in a monstrous snarl. There's a hole in his thick mane that hangs it to the leather; the thing looks like a priceless treasure. "Wow," is all I can manage.
"The lion on the end, that is Aslan."
I carefully pull the necklace over my head and admire the lion in my hand for a little. "Aslan?"
"Yes, Aslan. It's said that he's the savior of us all, the real ruler of Narnia. I'm not entirely sure of that but we all need something to believe in, do we not?"
"I suppose...but then why give it to me? I think you need this...god more than I do."
"No," he solemnly replies. "I think you're wrong there. Look at me, I'm but an old man who's certain he's going to die here today. I have lived my life. It has been long and happy. I...I think I believe in Aslan and I pray he will accept me into his promise land. As for you, I think you are halfway there. Perhaps you should consider converting yourself to Him?"
"I don't quite understand you. Are you suggesting I switch sides? Betray my country?"
"Let me guess, you're just a young man who was forced into the telmarine army? Yet inside you know everything we are fighting for is wrong."
"Well, yes but-"
"But nothing. No matter what, Aslan will save you. Just remember that, son."
"TREACHERY!" Lord Sopespian yells. All heads shoot up and we look at our fallen king. The rest of Lord Sopespian's words are drowned out by furious shouts and before I know it, we're charging towards the narnians. I gulp and tighten my grasp around my spear. My sword bounces of my leg as I ride through the crowd completely terrified. Yes, I know how to fight but I don't wish to die yet.
The ground shakes and I feel uneasy. I watch as the narnians stand their ground as we come closer and closer. Suddenly, the men of the front line come down and I widen my eyes. The ground completely collapses under them and I come to a stop to further watch. Tens of thousand of arrows fly through the air and land into the pit, killing those who have survived the fall. I must admit, their strategy is remarkable. Our side pulls out the catapults and my stomach twists as one hits the facade of their fortress, crushing a faun with the ruble. The whole thing begins to fall apart and I see a woman hanging onto a dwarf for dear life at the top. The arrows in her quiver match the one in our old king's back. The dwarf lets go of her and she miraculously lands on a nearby ledge, the blonde and telmarine kings relax.
Everyone is called off their horse and filed into sections. I stand behind the front line and the man beside me elbows me. He quickly lifts his helmet, revealing his aged face, and I smile. "May Aslan always guide you." We charge forward and head into the real battle.
I unsheathe my sword as a narnian soldier comes my way. We clash swords and I knock his out of his hands. I hesitate to bring the blade down but another telmarine stabs him from behind, killing him. The man goes his way and I just stand there, looking at the body in front of me. Someone knocks me down and I harshly fall to the ground. I quickly turn my body around and see the menacing looking telmarine prince. He lets out a battle cry and raises his sword above his head. I close my eyes and picture a majestic lion. When I feel no pain, I open my eyes. Empty, cold ones meet my own and my heart stops for a second. "What have you done?"
The old man kneels before me, a blade through his body. He coughs up blood and turns to the prince. "Do not harm him! Please! He does not want to fight! He believes in Aslan!" His wrinkled hands reach for the necklace and he holds it up for Prince Caspian to see.
The prince's face twists into an ugly expression and he quickly pulls the blade out of the man's body. "I'm so sorry!" The man falls on top of me and gives me a fragile smile.
"May Aslan always guide you!" he repeats. His eyes fall and I slide him to the ground as I begin to weep. I throw off my helmet and stare at his body. The man just saved my life and I didn't even know his name.
I sit there for some time, the prince standing over me."Come. The battle is not over yet." Prince Caspian gets me to my feet and I wipe my face of any feeling. As we walk, I strip my telmarine armor and proudly let the necklace hang. "Fight for Aslan."
I nod and run my hand over my sword. "For Aslan."
The 5 royals ride through the town and I clap as I see them coming my way. The narnians wave and I find myself smiling along with everyone else. A middle-aged woman leans toward me and points to the woman from before with the arrows. "That's Queen Susan! Isn't she beautiful?" At the same time she says that, Prince Caspian turns around and shares a look with the queen. She gives him a coy smile and I chuckle. Who would have thought? "Beside her is her brother, High King Peter. Behind those two are King Edmund and Queen Lucy!"
I turn to the woman and laugh. "I don't know why but I feel very happy."
"I know the feeling," she giggles.
Prince Caspian meets my gaze and he greets me with a wave. "May Aslan always guide you!" he calls. Unexpectedly, everyone repeats the words and I laugh. They'll probably never know the story behind them.
Ex-Queen Prunaprismia hushes her son in front of me as we stand in the assembly. The infant holds my gaze and I smile at him. Suddenly, they move forward along with Lord Glozelle toward the tree. The tree unwinds and an entrance is made at the base. I gasp along with many others as they step through and disappear. I look around and my eyes lay on the lion. He consults with the mouse, reepicheep I think, about something.
"We'll go," High King Peter announces. He and his siblings talk among themselves and the blonde king walks toward Prince Caspian. His legendary sword is handed over and Queen Susan says something I cannot hear. The prince's face becomes grave and a sudden sadness hangs in the air.
"What's going on?" I ask the man beside me.
He doesn't remove his eyes from the scene as he opens his mouth to fill me in. "The siblings are leaving. It seems High King Peter and High Queen Susan are not returning to Narnia again after this."
I look back and hold a strong pity for the prince. We all watch as they ready for their departure with goodbyes. The small queen holds onto the dwarf with much force and I become more and more depressed. Everyone holds their breathe as Queen Susan and Prince Caspian meet in the middle in front of the crowd. They say witty and sweet words to each other and the queen begins to walk away. She cocks her head to the side slightly and quickly returns to Prince Caspian, bringing her hand around his neck and kisses him. We go wild, people in awe, people dying at the bittersweet goodbye. They break apart and the prince swings his arms around her with much urgency. Finally, they let go of each other but not before a brief glance. The four monarchs walk right through the tree and Aslan walks over to comfort the prince. I turn around and walk home.
"Liam!" My mother calls. "Would you get the door, please?"
I set down my book and stand up from my seat at the kitchen table. "Coming," I call. I twist the brass knob and nearly fall on my back when I see the visitor.
"It's nice to see you again, as well."
"Who's at the door, Li-" My mother rounds the corner and brings her hand to her chest. "It's...It's...Liam, IT'S PRINCE CASPIAN! PRINCE CASPIAN'S AT OUR DOOR!"
"Good evening, my lady," Prince Caspian greets my mother. "I trust that you are well?"
"Very well," she breathes. "Where are my manners? Come in, come in!" She ushers him into our small home and seats him down on my old chair. "Would you like something to drink, your majesty? A snack perhaps?"
He holds up his hand to stop her. "No thank you, ma'am. If I could, I'd like to talk to your son for bit?"
She nods and returns to her bedroom. I sit down across from him and put my hands on the table. "What would his majesty like to talk about?"
He grins and ruffles his hair with his hand a bit awkwardly. "You fought very valiantly today," he states.
"Thank you, your majesty."
"I'm...sorry for...your friend. Really, I am...H-How are you faring?"
I hang my head and sigh. "I'm fine, thanks. I must admit that I didn't really know him."
"Really?" I look up and find the prince with an unreadable expression. "He looked like he desperately wanted to save you. You didn't even know the man but he gave his life up for you?"
"Yes, your majesty," I croak. "I mean, I spoke a few words with him before the battle began, it was all about Aslan. And now...the more I think about it...I feel more ashamed of even fighting with the telmarines in the first place."
"It's alright," he encourages. "I believe you've changed." I smile a little and the prince stands up. "Liam, correct?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Liam, I'd like you and your family to be at my coronation tonight. That is if you'd like to, of course."
"We'd be honored to, your majesty!"
"None of that 'your majesty' stuff! Please, call me Caspian. I think you and I shall be good friends, Liam." He shakes my hand and heads back toward the door. "I hope to see you at the castle tonight. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, your maj...Caspian." I wave farewell and lock the door.
"C'mon, let's get you ready!" I turn around to find my mother coming my way.
"What?"
She pats my hair down and pinches my cheek afterwards. "If you're going to Prince Caspian's coronation, we need to get you cleaned up!"
I swat her fingers away and make my way to my room. "You must get ready too, mother."
"Liam, I will not be attending." I look at her and she just smiles. "I am much too tired to go. I'd very much like to stay home tonight. You go out and enjoy yourself tonight."
I walk back and squish her in a hug.
"Ah, hello Liam!" Caspian meets me at the entrance and I greet him with a nod. "You look comfortable," he jokes me as I pull at the stuffy clothes my mother forced me in
"My apologies for being late, Caspian."
"It's alright. Where's your family?"
"My mother is busy. She told me to pass on her best wishes to you."
"That's very thoughtful of her. Please tell her I appreciate the kind words. But what of the rest of your family? Your father? Siblings?"
I half-smile. "My father died when I was younger so I'm an only child. It's just my mother and I."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Liam. Uh, let's go inside The ceremony will begin soon.." He gestures for me to enter and I walk up some steps. "You know, you surprised me today with your skills with a blade. Surely they didn't teach you those moves in the telmarine army?"
My smile grows. "I can teach you if you'd like."
Caspian chuckles and throws an arm around my shoulder. "That'd be great."
"C'mon, Adrian! Just a bit farther!"
We slow down even more and eventually stop. "Sorry Liam but it's not exactly the easiest thing to run with someone as heavy as you on your back." I hop off and pet his side.
"Oh, be quiet, you." I take the reigns and guide him to a nearby stream to allow him to drink.
"Thank you!" he exasperates between sips.
I roll my eyes and sit down in the grass. "Yes, yes. It is the least I can do for you."
"It's quite alright. Not your fault the doctors-" He doesn't finish his sentence and I sit up.
"What?" Adrian tenses up and I get to my feet. "What? What is it, Adrian?" Before I know it, the horse runs off farther into the woods and I hurry to follow him. "Adrian! Adrian, stop! Where do you think you're going?" I break through into a flower filled meadow and find Adrian standing in the middle of it. "What are you-"
I stop talking when I realize a girl sitting on the ground in front of Adrian. Her eyes are closed tight and her fists are buried in the wild grass and flowers. Her porcelain skin contrasts with her dark red garments. Long, dark hair cascades in waves down her back and shines radiantly in the over head sunlight. Her soft pink lips are pursed in anticipation. She's terrified.
"Are you alright?" I ask her. Slowly, her eyelids flutter open and my own brown eyes are staring into the most stunning pools of blue. My breath catches in my throat and my entire body stops functioning Something knots in my stomach and I feel everything else around fade. She's easily the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.
Another question I recieved: WHY DID YOU MAKE LIAM DIE? HE WAS ONE OF MY FAVS:[ I'm soo sorryyy! Truly, I am! But I'm glad you like Liam as much as I do though:D? As much as it pained me, I had to kill Liam to allow Lynn to grow To make up for my lameness, allow me to fill you in on a secret- I'M NOT QUITE DONE WITH LIAM PM me more questions?
I thought it was really weird that not much is known about Liam even though he plays a big role. I thought of his background story from the beginning but I wasn't sure how to incorporate it into the main story? But now you guys now the story behind the necklace and his last words to Lynn! After the last chapter, I learned some of you guys are as fond of Liam as I am(Which is awesome!) It was realllyyy interesting reading your reviews from last chapter! I loved your reactions to his death! The battle's coming next so please continue reading:) Review to make my day?
Much appreciation xx
