Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own characters and plots. The original universe and everything in it belong to C. S. Lewis. All photos used of film characters belong to Walt Disney Pictures. The content I have written is fanfiction and its only purpose is to inspire creativity and to further immerse oneself in the universe C. S. Lewis has created.

Author's note: Rated M for violence and death.

"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different..."

- C.S. Lewis, "Prince Caspian" (1951)

Chapter 4 – The Battle at Aslan's How – May 2315 – Narnia

The following day, Edmund, Glenstorm and the eldest of the three Bulgy Bears had entered Miraz' camp with a proposal: A duel to the death between him and High King Peter as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Miraz had accepted just as Caspian had predicted, but the duel was a ruse in order to buy Lucy and Susan time to find Aslan and ask for his help. Caspian made it absolutely clear that he doubted that Miraz would honour the agreement if he were to win, and so every Narnian prepared for battle as the sun rose swiftly in the sky.

Caspian was helping Lucy and Susan mount Destrier, Edmund was helping the archers assemble in Susan's absence, whilst Pippa was helping Peter with his armour before the duel. Everyone was where they were supposed to be.

Lost in thoughts of tactical movements and mentally preparing himself for the physical task he was about to undertake, Peter yelped as Pippa yanked on the ties of his vambrace.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry." Pippa mumbled under her breath, her movements sharp as she grabbed his arm and harshly tied the laces together.

Peter studied her intently as she helped him with his armour. He was as astounded by her beauty now as he was when they first met and during all those years they were married and grown up. The freckles on her hooked nose were more noticeable on her pale skin because of the sun here in Narnia, and her cheeks were round and rosy.

His blue eyes briefly met hers, and he expected to see them as they usually were; steel grey and inviting, but upon further inspection he noticed the hard look she sent him before concentrating on adjusting the metal breastplate.

As she moved to fasten the straps of the gardbrace after readjusting the pauldron on his right shoulder, Peter moved a gauntlet-clad hand to her neck to stop her hasty movements.

"Hang on a minute Pip, we still have time."

The sweet sound of her nickname did nothing to quell her anger. "We might not, thanks to you." She muttered.

Peter sighed heavily. "I know you're upset I suggested duelling Miraz myself, but you know why Caspian couldn't, and shouldn't, do it."

"Upset? No, no, I'm not upset. I'm furious! Why on earth would you even consider such a stupid idea?" Pippa knew she sounded hysterical, but she was not only angry, she was frightened for the safety of her husband.

"It's not stupid." Peter said.

"It's incomprehensibly stupid." Pippa countered as they stared at each other.

"It's not stupid, and you know why." Peter sat down on the pallet in the corner and moved her to sit beside him. "The Telmarines outnumber us at least two to one in soldiers alone, not to mention their weapons. They've got catapults, Pip. You saw them, they'll pummel us into the ground before we've even crossed the field."

"So? We've faced worse. Numbers don't win battles, Oreius said." Pippa added stubbornly.

"No, but they sure help." Peter said with a half-smile, remembering his very first battle. The odds had been against them that day, but Aslan had saved them. Lucy was right as always; they needed the Great Lion's help.

"But why you? Why not anyone else?" Pippa pleaded.

"Because I'm the best." Peter grinned. Pippa rolled her eyes. "And I would never risk Edmund's life, you know that."

Pippa stroked the bangs of blonde hair out of his eyes. "Do you even know you can beat him?"

"That's what I'm fighting him to find out." Peter said solemnly.

Pippa stood and offered him the silver helmet. Peter slowly got up from the makeshift bed and accepted the helmet.

Their moment alone was interrupted as Trumpkin entered the small cavern.

"It's time, your highness. Miraz and his men are here."

Peter nodded. "Alright." He turned to Pippa, pulled her towards him and pressed his lips to hers. "Stay close to me."

Pippa swallowed heavily and blinked her tears away before nodding. As Peter went to leave the room with Trumpkin, she hastily grabbed his arm and stopped him from advancing further. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him deeply one final time, breathing in his scent and relishing the feel of his soft lips.

"Be careful."

Peter offered her a boyish grin before rounding the corner and disappearing. Pippa stood frozen for a moment. Her heart beat a million beats per minute and threatened to escape her chest, as a lump in her throat formed and the knot in her stomach twisted and turned. She prayed to Aslan that it wouldn't be the last time she saw his smile and felt the warm touch of his lips on hers.

When Pippa walked out of the How to join Trufflehunter and Wimbleweather the Giant by their place just west of the field she saw that Peter's marshals – Edmund, one of the three Bulgy Bears, and Glenstorm had taken their places in the nearest corners of the marbled square. On the opposite corners between the highest pillars stood General Glozelle, a tall, dark-haired man holding a loaded crossbow, and lord Sopespian, an older man with eyes like beetles and a round belly showing beneath his armour.

Pippa could see Peter and Miraz exchange words, but it was impossible to hear what they were saying as both the Narnian and Telmarine armies were shouting and cheering like a crowd at a football match.

"I still think this is a terrible idea." Pippa muttered to Trufflehunter anxiously as she waited for the first clash of swords.

"Don't you worry, my lady." The badger patted her arm reassuringly, but Pippa could see that his eyes twitched nervously as he watched Miraz move about in his golden armour. "We must have faith that all will be well, and that Queen Lucy and Queen Susan shall bring Aslan with them soon."

Pippa opened her mouth to respond, but all words died on the tip of her tongue as she watched Peter raise his sword and a mighty clash was heard as steel met steel. She gasped in horror as Peter staggered backwards by the weight of Miraz' shield upon his chest.

The two fighters whirled around each other in an elaborate dance. Peter's footwork was light and quick, and he managed to get a few good stabs in here and there, but Miraz was stronger, and his blows barrelled down on Peter's shield, knocking the wind out of him. A forceful knock of Miraz' sword made Peter lose his helmet, but he managed to slice his sword through the left leg of his opponent in return. Miraz reeled back as blood splashed on the ground.

"Good, he's drawn the first blood." Trufflehunter spoke confidently. "That's a sure show of strength by our High King."

Suddenly a lot of things happened at once; Peter was knocked off his feet, but with one swift movement had Miraz on his knees also. Pippa was distracted by the sounds of a horse galloping nearby and watched as Caspian and Susan appeared on horseback close to the How. Wasn't she supposed to be with Lucy?

"Hold on, what's happenin'?" Grumbled Wimbleweather in confusion.

"It appears they've agreed to have a rest. The High King wasn't using his shield properly, perhaps his shoulder is hurt?" Trufflehunter questioned, but Pippa was no longer listening.

She ran forward to join Peter's side just as Caspian helped Susan dismount the horse.

Edmund supported Peter as he stumbled forwards.

"Where's Lucy?" Edmund asked as he helped Peter take a seat and quickly removed his shield.

"On her way. I got distracted but luckily I had help." Susan gave Caspian a small smile.

"Thanks." Peter panted with pain etched across his face as Edmund worked on his sore shoulder.

"No problem. You were busy." Caspian answered simply.

"You'd better get up to the archers, Su." Edmund winced as Peter groaned. Pippa wiped the sweat and blood of his brow with a damp cloth. "And you'd better get below Caspian, I doubt the Telmarines will keep their word and we must be ready to strike as soon as possible."

Susan was about to protest, but another groan from Peter as Edmund popped the joint of his shoulder to ease the pain had her nodding quickly before she ran toward the battlements.

"Everyone's watching you, your majesty." Caspian warned Peter.

Peter got on his feet and lifted his sword high in the air. The Narnians cheered loudly and encouragingly.

Peter turned to Edmund and Pippa with a shaky look in his eyes. "What do you think happens back home if you die here?"

Edmund averted his eyes and Pippa shook her head.

"Shut up, Peter." She whispered softly.

"You're doing great, Pete." Edmund finally said. "Just … keep it up. And tire him out more, avoid him as much as you can."

"You have to give my love to everyone if anything happens. Especially Lucy, she's too young and-" Peter rambled on, ignoring Edmund's advice.

"Save it for later." Edmund muttered and handed Peter back his sword. Caspian had wiped it off while they were talking.

"I'll see you when it's over." Pippa stroked his cheek discreetly, before turning on her heel to re-join Trufflehunter and Wimbleweather.

The Narnians and Telmarines were cheering even louder than before as Peter and Miraz resumed their duel. They were both tired and desperately hacking away at each other. Peter was on his knees again, before Miraz had lost his sword. Soon after the two men were both swordless and they fought with their fists and elbows like in a boxing match.

A punch to the gut and a swift kick in the leg turned the fight in Peter's favour as Miraz wheezed and struggled to get on his feet.

"Oh, sod chivalry Peter!" Pippa pleaded as if he could hear her. "Finish him now!" She shouted along with many other Narnians.

For a split second, as Peter turned his back, Miraz was on his feet with his sword raised.

"Look out, look out, look out!" Could be heard from the screaming Narnians.

Peter evaded the sword by an inch, turned the hilt of his own sword with one hand and swiftly impaled Miraz' gut with a powerful stab.

Pippa held her breath as the enemy's face twisted in a howl of pain. Peter's sword was raised and held against Miraz' throat, waiting to deliver the deadly blow.

Pippa couldn't hear the words that were exchanged, but suddenly Peter held out his sword for Caspian to take. Caspian slowly walked towards his uncle, ready to avenge his father.

Pippa had only taken a life in self-defence during the battles she had fought in, but she could understand why Caspian wanted to do it. His anger and hate over a miserable childhood and all the lies Miraz had told was enough to justify the murder. Just as Miraz had justified killing his own brother, and the attempted murder of his nephew.

Caspian looked uncertain for just a moment before he raised the weapon, screamed loud enough to challenge the noise of the armies and stabbed the ground an inch from Miraz' face. When he straightened his back and turned to face the crowd, Pippa could see the tears that filled his dark eyes.

Trufflehunter sniffled. "That's our king! That's the King of Old Narnia!" He cried and everyone else joined him as they cheered for Caspian, who willingly sacrificed his own revenge to become a better king.

Whilst the Narnians were busy cheering Caspian and Peter's victories, lord Sopespian and General Glozelle acted quickly.

"Treachery, treachery!" Lord Sopespian cried as Miraz staggered across the floor before falling to the ground dead; a red-feathered arrow pierced through his neck. "They've shot our king as he lay helpless!"

"To arms Telmar! To arms!" Cried General Glozelle at the same time as he rallied before the Telmarine army.

"Everyone to their stations!" Peter hollered as he and Edmund charged with Glenstorm and the first troop of centaurs to meet the cavalry as it was rushing towards them. The archers – with Susan in the lead – readied themselves above.

Pippa nodded to Trufflehunter. They were part of the second troop, that would charge once Caspian had attacked from below ground. She took a deep breath as she unsheathed her longsword and prepared for battle. There was no time to worry over anyone else, she needed to trust her own instincts and follow the plan.

Unfortunately, the initial plan for the second troop was shot to hell when the Telmarines began firing with their catapults at Aslan's How.

"We can't stay here, we'll get hit!" Pippa shouted over the dust and rubble as she urged Wimbleweather to move.

The ground beneath them quaked under the combined pressure of the slabs of rock from the catapults and the attack Pippa knew Caspian was leading from below. Pippa panicked as the soil broke and threatened to tear them apart. Now they definitely needed to move.

Pippa took charge and led the dozens of Narnians in her troop further east to avoid the cracks in the earth. Whilst the Telmarine cavalry charge hopefully would be devastated by Caspian's attack, Pippa knew they would soon face the hundreds of Telmarine infantry. Hopefully Wimbleweather would be able to step on them without hurting any Narnians.

When the ground finally caved in, Pippa heard the whizz of arrows fly past at the same time as battle horns rung through the air.

"NOW!" Pippa yelled out.

The two armies collided in a mix of dust, steel, and screams. Pippa heard the sounds of swords clanking and armoured bodies falling around her. She focused on the nearest enemy and quickly knocked him to the ground before wordlessly stabbing the soldier. She couldn't look at his face.

There was no time to think as the enemies surrounded her and her allies. Slash. Stab. Pull. Avoid. Hack. Punch. Duck. She ran her sword straight through a soldier's stomach as Trufflehunter screeched and clawed at an enemy close by.

Wimbleweather stomped his feet and crushed enemies with his bare hands as he flung them through the air. Pippa swallowed thickly, forcing down her fears. As she used a smaller sword to slash a man's throat, she noticed Reepicheep and his mice dancing between the feet of the enemies, taking advantage of the vulnerability of their legs.

"Reepicheep, are you mad?!" Trufflehunter screeched. "You'll be killed!"

"No, wait!" Pippa protested. "They're breaking through their ranks!"

And sure enough, the small mice were able to penetrate the carefully constructed shield walls, allowing the centaurs and the fauns to jump in and separate the Telmarine soldiers.

"Oh, well done!" Trufflehunter sighed in relief. "Brilliant mice! Brilliant, but mad!"

Pippa could've laughed if it wasn't for the fact that they were hopelessly outnumbered. She spotted Susan and Caspian fighting side by side not to far away. Caspian had a bleeding wound over his eye and Susan was limping, but otherwise they looked alright.

A Telmarine raised his crossbow, but Pippa was quicker as she flicked the crossbow from his hands and stabbed him in the chest. A second and third soldier fell from arrows piercing their necks. Pippa looked around to see Edmund pass by her on a horse with his crossbow raised and ready to fire again.

Pippa forced herself to focus. She was an impenetrable wall. She was lethal. No one would hurt her family and friends; she would not allow it. Wound. Prick. Dive. Jab. Slice. Soldiers were charging at her from three different directions. She threw herself to the right, narrowly avoiding Wimbleweather's large feet. She looked up to see what had caught the Giant's attention.

Pippa nearly cried with relief as the Awakened Trees plunged through the ranks of Telmarines using their branches as weapons. The trees shook their heads and leaves fell around her as many of the soldiers went white in the face and tried to flee the battlefield. The commotion scattered Narnians and Telmarines alike as the trees roared like monsters, but Pippa did not fear them. She knew Lucy had found Aslan at last.

Suddenly an unpleasant feeling squeezed at the back of her neck, not unlike the pull of magic she had felt back in Bristol. It distracted her long enough for her to take her eyes off the enemy for just a second, and then she heard a 'twang' and she was flung backwards into the ground. An arrow plunged through her lower abdomen as if it were merely made of air, and not flesh and blood.

Pippa could hear screams and shouts as if they were very far away. Her eyelids felt awfully heavy, but she forced her eyes open as she rolled over and tried to reach for her sword. Before she could get on her feet, another arrow hurtled through the air and settled itself deep within the small of her back. This time she felt the pain – it was as if her entire body was on fire and the flames were licking her skin and burning her bones.

She thought she heard someone call her name, but it meant nothing as the enemy was upon her. Through hooded eyes, the Telmarine was faceless and dark with his crossbow loaded and ready to fire. Fear coursed through her veins and clouded her thoughts as she could only wait for him to deliver the killing arrow.

Pippa's body seized and twitched as the third and final arrow punctured her upper chest, close to her heart. She coughed roughly, and blood filled her throat and mouth before every sound vanished around her and she fell into darkness.

She regained some consciousness as someone held her in a warm embrace and shook her forcefully. A familiar voice called her name, and with a gasp and a cry she opened her eyes wide.

"Pippa! Pippa? Pippa, please look at me!" Peter's face was whiter than a sheet and a look of desperation haunted his handsome features as he cradled her close to his chest.

"Peter." She wanted to say, but all that escaped her lips was a trickle of crimson-coloured blood.

"Shh. Don't speak, it's alright. I'm here. Lucy can help. Susan! Fetch Lucy!" Peter breathed heavily as he panicked. "SU!" He shouted.

Susan appeared with Caspian by her side. She had tears streaming down her dirt-covered cheeks. She shook her head. "Peter, she's not here. She can't help. No one can help."

"No!" Peter felt blood rushing to his ears, blocking out the noise of the battles around them. "No, she will come, and it will be alright. We just need to wait!"

Caspian stepped forward carefully as Susan shot two approaching soldiers. "I am sorry, truly I am, but the battle… They are retreating to Beruna, we must follow them!"

"No, no, I have to stay here! Help will come!" Peter pleaded. Hot tears dripped from his eyes and landed on Pippa's ashy face and neck where it mixed with mud and blood.

"Peter, please!" Susan sobbed as Caspian slashed at an enemy. "We have to strike now; it might be our only chance!"

Peter arms tightened around Pippa's body as he felt it go limp. "Please, stay with me. Don't leave me." He whispered as he wept.

"It's alright. I feel no pain." Pippa tried to tell him with her eyes as she stared at him.

Her fingers twitched as they tried to reach out to push the bangs out of his eyes as she always did, but her body no longer followed her commands. She sensed that she was dying. All noise faded away, there was no more air left to breathe and nothing left to see in this world. With one last flutter of her eyes she wordlessly uttered her last wish:

"Hold me."

And he did. He held her in his arms until he felt the final sigh leave her lungs and the last light in her eyes died away forever. He held her as close as he could before Edmund's voice pulled him away and he had to re-enter reality. He kissed her brow, breathing in the familiar smell of her skin and hair before he carefully lowered her to the ground.

By the Grace of Aslan, he managed stand and use the last of his strength to drive the Telmarines to Beruna where The Great Lion himself would be waiting for them. He couldn't look back as he followed Edmund down the field and into the woods, but he knew he would come back for her. He would bring Aslan, and he would breathe life back into her, and then all would be well again. He just had to trust that Aslan would do the right thing. Aslan would bring her salvation.

The battle was over and won. The remaining Telmarines had surrendered before Aslan and The River God, but the ones that hadn't had been swallowed whole by the water as it came crushing down upon them. The River God had wrecked the bridges the Telmarines had built, and Lucy sighed happily as Beruna was now once more a ford full of free, wild, and gushing water nymphs.

Many of the Narnians wept at the sight of The Great Lion and threw themselves at his feet. Aslan had time for them all as he listened to their kind words and let them kiss his mane or paws. As Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Caspian waded across the shallow waters, Aslan and Lucy stood before them to greet them. The four of them instantly fell to their knees with bowed heads.

"Rise. Rise Kings and Queens of Narnia." Aslan rumbled solemnly. As only Peter, Susan, and Edmund stood, Aslan studied Caspian with kind eyes. "Dear Prince, have you decided not to take on the Kingship of Narnia after all?"

The Pevensies looked at Caspian in surprise. He was still kneeling when he spoke.

"I- I do not feel that I am ready." Caspian stuttered.

"No one should undertake such a task lightly, my prince. But I have seen your heart and the courage that dwells within. Therefore, you must trust me when I say; I know you are ready to become king." Aslan murmured unwaveringly.

Caspian stood slowly with a proud look in his dark brown eyes as Edmund gave him a solid pat on the back.

"What's this now?" Aslan questioned as eleven mice strode towards the lion.

The mice's furs were soaked by the water, and the rest of their small bodies were covered in blood. Between them they carried what was left of Reepicheep. He was still breathing, but he had gaping, bleeding wounds, a bandaged stump where his tail used to be, and a mangled paw hanging limply by his side. Reepicheep's second-in-command played a melancholy tune on his pipe as the procession finally reached Aslan.

Lucy gasped and sprang forwards with her healing cordial. Although, one drop was all that was needed, it took a little while for Reepicheep's wounds to fully heal and for the mouse to regain his strength. As soon as he opened his eyes, Reepicheep leapt into the air and bowed before Aslan.

"All hail the mighty Lion! The magnificent Beast!" His voice high-pitched and dramatic. "I must say what an honour-" He suddenly stopped speaking as he stumbled through another bow. He looked over his shoulder to spot his tail. When he couldn't find it, he blushed scarlet. "Your majesties, your highness, I find myself in such bewilderment! A mouse without a tail, it is unheard of!"

All the other mice nodded vigorously.

"It becomes you, small one." Aslan added, a humorous glint in his golden eyes.

"That might very well be." Reepicheep replied. "But if there's anything that can be done about it, perhaps a drop more of your potion, my queen?" He turned to Lucy with a hopeful gaze.

Lucy shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid it doesn't do that."

"And besides," Aslan interjected. "Why would you even want a tail?"

"To own a tail is to be bestowed the highest honour, your grace! With a tail you can do anything you please, sire. It's great for balance, for climbing and for holding objects." Reepicheep ranted as the other mice agreed wholeheartedly.

Aslan and Lucy laughed.

"I do worry, dear mouse, that you might worry too much about honour and practicalities."

"If it pleases you, chief," Said Peepiceek – Reepicheep's second-in-command, and closest confidante. "We are all ready to part with our tails and bear your shame with you. We cannot permit ourselves to bear such a mark of honour if our leader shall have to go without!"

The mice drew their swords and held them to their tails.

"Oh Aslan, won't you please have mercy on them?" Lucy pleaded as she touched the lion's golden mane.

"Oh, very well." Aslan roared merrily. "You have conquered me. I'll remind you that I do not grant you this wish for the sake of your vanity and pride Reepicheep, but for the love that is between yourself and your people." As soon as he had finished speaking, a new tail had replaced the stump on Reepicheep's backside.

Lucy giggled as Reepicheep made a great spectacle of showing off his new tail and dancing to the merry tune that Peepiceek was now playing on his pipe. Her laughter soon faded as she glanced over at her siblings and Caspian. Despite their victory, there was hardly any joy upon their faces.

Susan was crying; silent, wet tears rolled down her cheeks as she bit her lower lip to keep herself quiet. Edmund looked uncommonly emotional, and he was fidgeting as if he very much wanted to be somewhere else. Caspian stared mostly at the ground, but ever so often glanced up to look at either Aslan or Peter.

When Lucy looked at her eldest brother, her heart broke for she knew then that something awful had happened. His hands were covered in blood though he himself did not display any injuries; superficial or otherwise. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face looked gaunt and aged beyond his seventeen years. The space to his immediate left that was usually filled by the presence of his wife was empty and cold.

"Where's Pippa?" Lucy asked Peter apprehensively. Her heart seized as he abruptly dropped Rhindon to the ground, turned on his heel and ran back towards the How.

"Where are you going?!" She shouted after him. When she moved to follow, Edmund stopped her with a surprisingly harsh grip on her shoulder.

"Not yet." Were the only words he uttered.

Confused, Lucy bit her nails and watched as Aslan followed a sprinting Peter into the woods. The lion's soft paws moved slowly through the brushes, and Lucy noticed his neck was hunched and his ears laid flat against his mane. His demeanour reminded her of the way a depressed cat would follow in its owner's footsteps when it did not know what else to do. Something had to have happened to Pippa. Perhaps she could help?

Lucy grasped her healing cordial tight and wrenched herself free from Edmund's grip. She dashed after her brother and Aslan, ignoring Susan's protests, and narrowly avoiding Edmund's attempts at grabbing her again. She ran as fast as her short legs would allow through the sand, grass and rubble that covered the battlefield. When she finally spotted Aslan and her brother upon the ravaged front line, she stumbled over the fallen soldiers and clumsily made her way over to them.

A sob escaped her lips as she fell to her knees beside Peter. Peter had taken Pippa into his arms; her skin was cold as ice and pale as the whitest snow and her eyes were tightly shut and unmoving. He had carefully removed the three arrows that had embedded her skin deeply and was pressing his hands against her open wounds. The crimson coloured blood that stained her battledress and the ground beneath her was hardened and almost dried up.

Peter's eyes met Lucy's. "Please. Please. Help me. Help her." He pleaded, his gaze wild and full of unshed tears.

Lucy held Pippa's limp hand tightly and felt the lack of pulse. All it took was one look to know there was nothing her cordial could do for her sister, but perhaps Aslan could do something? She shook her head as she wept. "I don't know what to do." She whispered.

"There has to be something!" Peter cried in despair. His head turned to the Great Lion. "Aslan, please save her. Surely, there must be something – anything – you can do!"

Aslan studied the grieving children intently, his yellow eyes bleak and full of pain. "There is nothing left to do, my dears. She is gone from this world; her spirit has already passed into my world."

"NO!" Peter wailed furiously as his grip tightened around Pippa's corpse.

"Peter, listen to Aslan. She's dea-" Lucy began though she could barely comprehend the idea of Pippa being gone herself, she needed to be strong for Peter's sake.

"NO! STOP IT! SHE'S NOT DEAD!" He snapped. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against Pippa's brow as he wept and clung to her. Lucy tried to put her arms around him, but Peter rejected her embrace. "Don't do that." He hissed. "Don't give up on her!"

Lucy swallowed thickly and tried to embrace him again. Peter slowly relented and together they held each other as they cried. Soon Peter pulled away and stared at Lucy and Aslan with a look of hope in his eyes.

"It's alright!" He breathed in relief as the thought hit him. "She's only gone from this world! Of course, that's how it must be! She's waiting for me back home! I have to go find her; I have to- I need to- Why are you looking at me like that Lu? That's the only explanation! Tell her, Aslan! Tell her how Pippa's in England!"

Aslan shook his great head. "She is somewhere far from here. You cannot reach her now, my son."

The hope and fire slowly died out in Peter's chest as he watched the expressions on Aslan and Lucy's faces – they looked as dreadful as he felt. He turned to his darling wife once more. He wished that she would just open her eyes, grin at him mischievously and laugh his pain away. Her eyes would sparkle and make him feel lightheaded and giddy with joy. She would hold him, tease him, and love him as she was meant to do forever. How could there be any light in his world if she was gone?

Peter registered that Edmund and Susan had joined their embrace. He could sense the comfort of their grief as they mourned together, but he could not feel it. Nothing felt real to him anymore. He vowed to the skies that if this was the cost of love, he would never love again.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Based on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' (1951) by C. S. Lewis.

Based on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' (2008) by C. S. Lewis (Andrew Adamson, Mark Johnson, Phillip Steuer, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures).

Songs for this chapter:

The Duel – Harry Gregson-Williams

Together or not at all – Murray Gold

Godric's Hollow Graveyard – Alexander Desplat

Battle at Aslan's How – Harry Gregson-Williams

Hands of Gold – Ed Sheeran (Cover by Peter Hollens)

Peter Pevensie – Born 19th of January 1924 (17 years old)

Susan Pevensie – Born 2nd of June 1925 (16 years old)

Edmund Pevensie – Born 6th of March 1927 (14 years old)

Lucy Pevensie – Born 25th of December 1929 (11 years old, turning 12)

Philippa Copland – Born 7th of July 1924 (17 years old)

Prince Caspian X – Born 14th of July 2296 (18 years old, turning 19)