Fearless • P. Pevensie

Peter

Peter charges the Witch first.

I know because I see him flash beside me. Time moves slow, but he doesn't. Everything around me suddenly doesn't make sense anymore as grief overtakes me.

I slash through enemies. Anyone in my path is a target now, as I've completely forgotten my purpose. Minotaurs, centaurs, fauns and dwarves. If they stand in my opposition, they don't stand for long. As I cut my way across to the Witch, I wonder if my parents would be proud of where I am now?

Peter falls to the ground. The Witch raises her sword, bringing it down, but it never hits him. My sword catches hers as I shove her back with all my might.

"Ah, little Queen." Her voice brings back the sound to my ears. "You've come far. It's a shame that you have to die here."

She's an expert swordsman, I'll give her that. But the pure fury I feel in my soul guides my movements. I counter her with ease. In ways I shouldn't possibly know how to.

"You could have ruled this land at my side. Instead, you chose Love." She laughs at me, as we circle each other. I glance at Peter, who's still on the ground. Did she get him too?

"Love is the only thing worth fighting for." I tell her, launching an attack again as she easily defends against me.

"Love is vile." She says, swinging a sword as it clashes against mine. "Love ruins everything that's good in the world. Power, fame. Love is the only thing that taints it." She tells me.

"You've felt love." I tell her, our swords sparking as they meet with such violence. She tries to attack again, but I kick her back away from me as she's forced to take steps backwards.

"I've felt pain." She tells me.

"Sometimes, they're one in the same." I nod.

She shouts, attempting another array of slashes. She's a better fighter than I am. But, I've got more to fight for. More to lose.

"Tell me, Rosemary-"

"For crying out loud. Just call me Rose!" I cry, sending two more slashes of my sword at her.

"Tell me Rose. What do you find you love about the little king?" She asks.

"Other than everything?" I ask her. "Maybe I'm just a child who's fallen victim to her childish desires. Or, maybe, I've discovered the meaning of love in its purest form." I say.

The Witch pauses, circling me as she stares me down.

"You've loved someone once." I tell her, nodding. "It's what's made you what you are today. But I promise you, Jadis. Love doesn't always have to hurt."

For a moment, I nearly convince myself she's actually heard me out.

She stabs me, running a sword through my side. It's not a fatal wound. No, I can still stand and fight for a few more minutes. But it's enough for her to take a stance on who she is in this world.

"Love is hurt." She tells me.

I go to thrash at her again, both of our attentions getting caught by a mighty roar. Before I've even looked, I already know what's happened. I don't know how, or why, but I know that it has.

Aslan.

"Impossible!" Jadis mutters.

His roar commands attention I look, at the cliff next to him. Susan and Lucy appear, along with a faun with a red scarf and some other creatures I've never met.

A Faun with a red scarf?

Tumnus!

I'll have time for introductions later. My eye catches Peter as he stirs, perhaps being awoken by Aslan's roar. He stumbles to his feet as he looks at our reinforcements.