The Choice

the battle

The next morning it was time for me and Lucy to leave and search Aslan, we were ready to mount the horse when Susan came running to us "Maria, wait! I'll go with Lucy! It's too dangerous, I can't lose you another time!" "No Su, you're needed here! You're the best archer we've got, without you we don't stand any change!" "Just be careful please." Susan said with a saddened expression. "I promise. Now go! They need you!" she nodded and embraced me in a warm hug. "This is not a goodbye Su." She nodded and ran away. I helped Lucy mount the beautiful and as I was mounting I felt two strong hands helping me onto the horse, once I was on the horse I looked at him to meet his warm brown eyes.

Oh boy, I could get lost in those eyes...

"This is Destier, he has always served me well, I've had him since I was a little boy. He's yours now Maria, you're in good hands!" I smiled at him "Or hooves" Lucy chuckled. We laughed, I turned to Caspian "He's beautiful Caspian but I can't accept a gift like this, he's your horse!" he looked at me with his loving eyes "And now he's yours and besides, why can't I gift you something? You're my girlfriend after all." he smirked. I laughed and leaned down to kiss him, he returned the kiss within a second, it was so passionate. "Please be safe" he said as I moved back onto the horse and took the reins. "Always my love!" I said as I took off on my beautiful horse together with Lucy. "You know I was there the whole time right, my love" Lucy snickered. "Oh shut up" I said, we rode into the woods as far as we could without being noticed. I wonder how Peter was doing, by now the combat must have started. I hope he's alright, I think I wouldn't survive without my brother. As I was thinking I heard hooves appearing behind us and so did Lucy "They've seen us!" she yelled in panic. After being chased for several minutes we created a gap long enough for me to get off the horse "What are you doing?" Lucy asked me confused. "I'm sorry Lu, it looks you'll be going alone after all." Lucy rode off on Destrier and looked back, I nodded at her reassuring her that everything will be alright. When Lucy was out of sight I grabbed my bracelet and whispered "Please Aslan, I need you right now. Narnia needs you! Please make sure Lucy is safe!". I got in my stance, ready for the soldiers that were coming for me. When the first soldier was in sight I threw a dagger into him, the second one was harder but I managed to eliminate him as well, the third came from behind me, I dodged him and flicked a dagger into him but I was not paying attention. There was another soldier who bumped me with his horse, now I was on the ground being completely vulnerable. Damnit, I didn't have any daggers left, I was completely unarmed.

Really?! I have the luck of an ironing board...

The man got off his horse and forced me against a tree, his eyes were filled with rage. He pulled out a dagger and held it against my throat, I felt like this was the end. I closed my eyes, accepting my death. Suddenly, I heard a scream and the soldier was being attacked by a mysterious person. When the soldier got defeated, the person turned at me and looked scared "I thought I had lost you again." "It's okay Cas, I'm safe now!" he smiled but still looked sad. "Cas?" "Yes, Maria?" "What did I tell you about yelling while doing a surprise attack? It's not a good combination you know?" He laughed and smirked "How come you almost died, again, and still you are so sassy?" "Oh admit it, prince, you love it" "I love you" he said as he putted his lips on my forehead. "I love you too, Cas." I embrace him, as I pulled away I couldn't stop thinking about Peter. "Hey Cas, shouldn't we head back? I'm sure they can use our help." "You're right princess, let's go." He helped me on the horse and we rode back to the How. As we approached I saw Peter leaving the battleground, I think they had respite for a few minutes. I ran to Peter and hugged him like my life was depending on it, he groaned and returned the hug very weakly. "What happened?" I asked him "Miraz, dislocated my shoulder." "But Pete, you can't fight like this! You'll get yourself killed and I can't live without my stupid ass brother!" he smiled at me but then saddened realising that I was right and that he was in no state to fight. "What do you suppose I do? I can't pull back, we'll lose." I thought for a few seconds and considered my options "Alright then, there's only one solution, I'll take your place." "No!" both Peter and Caspian yelled. "Pete, I promised mom I would keep you safe and that's exactly what I'm doing right now." he nodded and I turned to Caspian "Cas, I have to do this. I have to do this for Narnia, like you said, they're my people too. Then let me prove I'm worth being a Narnian. I love you Cas." "Please, just be careful. I can't do this without you, I can't live without you." I kissed him quickly and picked up my daggers, I went to Miraz "I will take High King Peter's place". Miraz laughed at me "That was not the deal, not that I have something to fear little girl." "Then, why would you refuse if you have nothing to fear? You're not scared that this little girl will beat your ass, are you?" he laughed "Fine, you mean more to the prince anyway. Your death would mean no more resistance from him." I felt my blood boiling at this statement. Miraz got up and grabbed his sword, just like I grabbed my two daggers that Aslan gifted me. I attacked quickly, but Miraz parried. He started hitting me with his shield, I fell and Miraz came running towards me. Luckily I was able to block him and then tripped Miraz. Unfortunately, Miraz recovered quickly, however, I succeeded at knocking Miraz' sword out of his hand. We then continued fighting for several minutes, Miraz only using his shield. I tried to stab Miraz several times but failed. Miraz then knocked my daggers out of my hands. The tyrant tried to slam his shield into me, but I caught it and twisted Miraz' shield behind him. Miraz elbowed me in the face and then pushed me into a pillar, I felt my nose bleeding. I looked at Caspian who was ready to intervene but I shook my head telling him to stand down. Miraz picked up his sword and swung it, but I blocked it using my vambraces. I stood up and punched Miraz' wounded leg, he yelled and fell down, dropping his sword.