The Choice

Telmarines

We hadn't walked long when we spotted a small rowboat on the river. Two armoured men sat inside, holding a bound figure. At first, it looked harmless—until they lifted him over the side, ready to toss him.

"Drop him!" Susan shouted.

The soldiers obeyed—by letting him fall into the water as the planned to do in the first place.

"Really, Su? Not your best choice of words!" I yelled, sprinting for the bank. Without thinking, I dove in. Cold water closed over me as I searched until I caught hold of a small body. Kicking hard, I dragged him back to shore.

Lucy knelt, cutting through the ropes around his wrists. He tore the gag from his mouth, coughing violently. "Drop him?! That's the best you could come up with?" He snapped at Susan.

"A simple thank you would suffice," she shot back.

I shook my head. "I mean...he's not wrong. It wasn't the smartest thing to say; however, you shouldn't be so unfriendly either. "

"I'm not unfriendly," the small figure huffed. "I'm just a dwarf."

Lucy smiled gently. "Why were they trying to kill you?"

"They're Telmarines. That's what they do."

Edmund frowned. "Telmarines? In Narnia?"

The dwarf gave him a look. "Where have you been the last few hundred years?"

Lucy laughed. "That's...a very long story."

The dwarf scanned us, his gaze lingering on Peter's sword. His eyes widened. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. You're it? The Kings and Queens of Old?"

Peter stood taller. "High King Peter...the Magnificent."

I burst out laughing. "The Magnificent? Seriously?"

"Probably could've left that last bit out," Susan muttered.

"Probably," the dwarf admitted with a chuckle.

Peter drew his sword. "You might be surprised "

"Oh, you don't want to do that boy." The dwarf said.

"Not me," Peter said. He nodded at me. "Her"

Why not? I could use more practice.

I took the sword, settling into a stance. The dwarf lunged first, but I dodged, countering with a swing that caused him to duck. My boot caught his chest and sent him sprawling. He rolled, slashing at my legs, but I leapt over him. Seconds later, I disarmed him completely, the sword at his throat.

He froze, eyes wide. "Beards and bedsteads. Maybe that horn worked after all?"

"What horn?" Susan asked.

The dwarf ignored her, staring up at me. "Who are you? There are only four kings and queens."

"I'm Maria Pevensie," I said. "Sister of the lot, but not a queen. I wasn't here the first time."

He chuckled. "So, you're related to those idiots."

"Unfortunately," I sighed. But then his expression shifted. Serious. Almost fearful.

"You know...there's a prophecy about you."

My stomach flipped. "What do you mean, prophecy?"

He turned to Peter. "It speaks of a close relative of the Kings and Queens—one who will rise to save Narnia and restore its freedom." His eyes locked on me.

I laughed, but it came out shaky. "You've got to be joking. I can barely handle a sword!"

The dwarf shook his head firmly. "You handled me. Alone. In minutes. Don't underestimate yourself!"

His name, we learned, was Trumpkin. And he told us of Prince Caspian, the rightful heir, and our only hope. Something about that name stirred a strange warmth in my chest.

We set out in search of him, sailing up the coast. Lucy told me stories of their first time in Narnia—dancing trees, giants, centaurs. But when she spoke of the trees, her face fell.

"They'll dance again, Lu" I promised. "I'll make sure of it."

Not long after, we anchored on a wooded beach. While hauling the boat ashore, I heard Lucy speak softly. At first, I thought she was talking to Susan—until I realised that she was talking to a bear.

"You've got to be joking."

But this bear wasn't the talking kind. It reared, ready to strike. Susan raised her bow, but it was faster—my dagger flew straight into its heart. An arrow landed beside it. Trumpkin lowered his bow.

"At least someone's got the guts," he muttered.

We pressed deeper into the woods, Peter insisting he knew the way to Caspian. Personally, I thought following the dwarf who actually lived here was smarter, but what do I know? Hours passed and my feet were becoming numb.

"I'm not lost," Peter muttered.

"No, you're just going the wrong way," Trumpkin replied calmly.

Lucy sighed. "I wish we'd listened to our DLF."

"DLF?" Edmund asked.

"Dear Little Friend," Lucy and I said together.

Trumpkin groaned. "That's not patronising at all."

We laughed, easing the tension—until we reached a gorge. The river Rush roared far below, with no crossing in sight.

"There's a ford near Beruna. Any of you mind swimming?"

"Anything is better than walking," Susan muttered.

We started toward Beruna, but Lucy suddenly froze. Her eyes lit up. "It's Aslan! He's right there—don't you see?"

We saw nothing, her smile faltered.

"I'm not crazy. He wanted us to follow him."

Peter opened his mouth, but I cut him off. "Here's the deal—we try Trumpkin's way. If that fails, we follow Lucy. And if any of you call her crazy, I'll knock you flat. Clear?"

Lucy gave me a grateful look. "Thanks, sis."

Beruna turned out to be crawling with Telmarines, and we glimpsed Miraz himself. Just one look at him sent shivers down my spine. We turned back as promised, returning to the gorge.

Lucy pointed. "It was right...here— "

The ground collapsed beneath her feet.

"Lucy!" We all shouted.

She slid only a few feet down, safe, but grinning. "—here."

A narrow path wound its way into the gorge. We descended carefully and crossed at last.

That night, we made camp under the stars. My brothers fell asleep quickly, but I stayed awake, staring at the constellations.

"Lucy, Maria? Are you awake?" Susan whispered.

"Mm,' we murmured.

"Why do you think I didn't see Aslan, Lucy?"

"You believe me?" Lucy asked softly.

"Well, Maria does. And you got us across the gorge."

"...Maybe you didn't really want to see him," Lucy said.

Susan sighed. "I'd just gotten used to life in England."

"I don't know if I ever want to leave this place," I whispered.

No one answered. My sisters were asleep. Only the stars kept me company.