Fearless • P. Pevensie

The Battle

"You look handsome." I tell Peter. He's dressed in a full suit of armour, wielding his sword.

"I hardly even recognized you under all that iron." He jokes with me, looking over the armour that I wear as well.

"Would you rather me not wear it?" I ask. He's quiet though. I let out a laugh. "That's what I thought."

A gryphon lands beside us, perching atop a rock as he looks up at us. Our arial troops are imperative for what's to come.

"They come, Your Highnesses." He warns us. "In numbers and weapons far greater than our own." He says.

"Numbers do not win a battle." Oreius laments.

"No. But I bet they help." Peter shakes his head, looking out over the field.

"Don't be so nihilistic." I tell him. "The battle's not yet over. Anything could happen." I assure him, but mostly I'm just telling myself.

"We're ready, Rose." Beetee speaks from my side.

"We are." I nod.

I watch as the first of the Witch's army comes bounding over the hill. They've got the low ground. Therefore, we have an advantage. But they have the numbers. The weaponry. The experience.

I draw my sword, reading it in the glimmering light.

I give you this weapon, not so you may use it to slay your enemies, but so that you may wield it, to protect the ones you love.

There'll be blood spilled today. Lots of it. This sword will aid in that. But, I'm sure that it will be for the right side. I am not here to kill. To viscously slay all those who oppose me. I am here to protect my people.

To protect my family.

I will honour my father's wishes. Blood shall not be drawn without the utmost necessity. Vengeance is not the goal. Freedom is.

A minotaur from their side bellows, raising a battle axe in the air. More troops march forwards. I see in just a few seconds how right the gryphon had been. They've got weapons, soldiers far more than we have.

But they're not as united.

I can see from here who the Witch has chosen to fight for her. Nobodies. Liars and thieves from across this world. Not unified, not marching in order, as our soldiers do.

They've more in number. But we've more in spirit.

The White Witch is pulled in a carriage drawn by polar bears. It's truly cruel to have the creatures out here in hot such weather, though I that suppose Jadis is not particularly one for kindness. Her chariot is forged out of silver and iron. With engravements along it, that I can't quite read.

I do not fear her. I do not fear her armies.

I look over at Peter, giving him a nod. His eyes turn back to Edmund as I follow suit. The boy nods to us, signaling that there's no turning back now. We will win today, or we'll die trying.

"On your command, Peter." I look over at him once more.

He sighs, drawing his sword. He holds it up to the air as a horn blows. I raise mine to accompany him, Beetee and Oreius following suit. Our army cries behind us, rallying together. No doubt holding up their own weapons as well.

This is our home. Each of us will lay down our life if it means protecting it.

"Ready the Avains." I nod towards the Gryphon. He nods, taking off to return to his kind in the air. For the first part of the battle, we need every set of wings we've got up in the sky.