back, again | prince capian

twelve

"I don't expect the Telmarines to keep their word," Peter stated, cutting through the tension that had settled between Caspian and me.

With determination, Peter sent Susan from her assigned position to shoot an arrow, ensuring I stayed on the frontline with the three boys.

Susan quickly gave Peter a hug, but he winced as Miraz's cruel strike had brought him pain.

"Sorry," she apologized, pulling back as concern clouded her expression.

"It's alright," Peter replied, shaking off the discomfort before turning his focus back to the battlefield.

"Be careful," Susan urged, her voice steady but tinged with worry.

"Keep smiling," Edmund chimed in, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

All of us turned in confusion at Edmund's words.

"Why?" I asked, glancing back at the Narnians, whose spirits were waning.

"Just keep smiling," I echoed, raising my voice to rally the troops.

With the sound of my voice, Susan sprinted to her designated position, and Peter quickly turned around, raising his sword high and forcing a wide smile. If one looked closely, they could see it was a mask—an effort to boost morale.

After Peter smiled, the cheers began to rise again, hesitant at first but growing stronger. Caspian helped Peter sit on a nearby rock, carefully removing the shield from his grasp.

I sat beside Peter and examined his injured hand. He winced slightly, and though he wanted to protest, my glare silenced him.

"Seems to be misaligned. I'll fix it," I stated firmly, holding his wrist carefully. "It'll sting a bit, but it'll help you in the fight."

"So, how dirty did that old hag Miraz fight?" I asked, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"He played so dir—AHH!" Peter yelped as I adjusted his wrist, eliciting concern from both Caspian and Peter.

"What happened?" they asked in unison, rushing to our side.

"Just trying to help our high king prepare for his fight. You should thank me; if I hadn't distracted him, he'd be in worse pain," I said with a smirk, brushing dirt off my dress.

"What do you think happens back home if you die here?" Peter's bluntness caught me off guard. I turned to him, instinctively smacking the back of his head, echoing Edmund's action. He looked at us, irritation flashing across his face.

"Why would you even think that?" I shot back, my frustration flaring before I realized my thoughts mirrored his. A solemn silence enveloped us, and Edmund nodded, perhaps pondering the same grim truth.

"You two have always been there for me, and I never really—AH!" Peter shouted again as Edmund made the final adjustment to his wrist.

"Save it for later," Edmund and I said in unison, irony surfacing in our voices as we exchanged a knowing smile.

With my help, Peter stood again, but he groaned, struggling to find balance. Edmund offered him his helmet, yet Peter refused, insisting that the pain was bearable without it. This defiance—mirroring the choice Miraz had made—spurred an unspoken challenge.

"Good luck," I said, placing a firm yet encouraging hand on his shoulder.

"No more injuries," I insisted, my tone leaving no room for argument. Peter's small laugh eased some of the tension before he looked away, lost in thought.

As they entered the fight zone, Miraz was the first to strike, lunging forward with a savage roar. Peter deftly shielded himself, the clang of their swords resonating through the air. I gasped in horror, my heart racing as I watched Peter deflect Miraz's blows, each clash sending sparks flying.

"Keep your guard up, Peter!" I shouted, my voice barely breaking through the chaos, but Peter's focus remained unwavering.

Caspian, standing slightly behind, tightened his grip on his sword, watching intently. Miraz slashed again, but Peter sidestepped, countering with a swift thrust that barely missed Miraz's side.

The Telmarine lunged again, this time aiming for Peter's unprotected flank. "Move!" I yelled, desperation fueling my plea as I felt the tension in the air rise.

Suddenly, Caspian stepped forward, determination etched on his face. "I won't let you harm him, Uncle!" he shouted, charging into the fray to defend Peter.

Miraz turned, surprise flickering across his features, and in that moment, the two young kings collided with their swords—steel meeting steel, the sound echoing like thunder across the battlefield.

While Peter and Caspian battled Miraz, I felt a pulse of adrenaline surge through me. I looked around and saw the Narnians beginning to rally, the fight reigniting their spirit. The air was thick with tension, and I felt myself swept up in the moment.

Caspian ducked under a vicious swing from Miraz, using the opening to try and jab at his uncle's midsection. Miraz blocked it just in time, the force of their clash vibrating through the ground beneath my feet.

Peter, now recovering a bit, moved to flank Miraz, forcing him to split his attention. "You've always underestimated us, Miraz!" Peter shouted, connecting with a swift kick that sent Miraz stumbling back.

Caspian followed, pressing the attack with renewed vigor, cutting through the din of battle. But just as victory seemed within reach, Miraz let out a roar, his eyes narrowing with fury. He spun, aiming for Caspian, who barely dodged to the side.

Seeing a moment of hesitation, I felt the urge to leap into action. "Caspian!" I called, pushing through the rising tide of adrenaline. The world felt hazy, but I KNEW I had to protect him.

In that split second, Caspian turned back to face Miraz, heart pounding. He thrust his sword forward, but Miraz grabbed it, attempting to wrestle it away. I watched from the sidelines, gripping my hands into fists, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Take him down, Caspian!" I shouted, as fear surged through me. My voice joined the growing chorus of encouragement from the Narnians as they began to push back against the Telmarines, sensing victory close at hand.

With a surge of strength, Caspian broke free, delivering a fierce blow that sent Miraz stumbling back. But even as he gained ground, I felt an iciness grip my heart. The stakes had never felt so high.

Peter moved to assist, using his momentum to strike. Miraz fell to one knee, momentarily stunned. "Finish this, Caspian!" Peter commanded, his voice steady and strong.

Caspian stepped forward, his sword poised. "This ends now, Miraz!" he declared, a mixture of resolution and sorrow in his eyes.

The silence that followed was deafening as everyone held their breath. I exchanged a glance with Edmund, who stood beside me, the urgency of the moment reflected in his eyes. This was a fight for our future—a fight for everyone who called Narnia home.

As Caspian aimed his blade, I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to witness the end of kinship and the beginning of justice. I felt Edmund's comforting presence beside me, grounding me amid the chaos.

The moment stretched into eternity.