The High Queen Book One

Chapter 18 - Plans

Third-Person POV

Tilly and Peter stood side by side, glancing around Aslan's tent, while Edmund and Oreius waited outside.

"I don't know if I can do this. Tell his people he's dead." Peter shakes his head, rubbing his chin. Tilly sighs, walking over to the older boy, laying a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

"You don't have to. I do." He turns to face her, frowning lightly. "I'm the one who killed him. I should be the one to tell them."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You and Edmund were able to choose to trust me again after the truth came out. They have that right too." Tilly's tone is solid and unwavering as she moves past the boy towards the exit. Pulling the fabric apart, she walks over to Oreius as Peter follows, and Edmund watches with curiosity, unsure of their next move.

"She's right. He's gone." Peter raises his eyebrows at Tilly, who's gaining the courage to tell the worrier before her.

"You'll have to lead us." Edmund jumps in, speaking mainly to his fearful brother. "Both of you." He smiles at the young girl next to him.

"Edmund is right. Aslan believed in you both. Knighted you both. It is only right you take his place as leader of our army. Together." Pete sighs, shaking his head while Tilly looks straight at the centaur.

"Oreius, there's something I must tell you and the army." The great centaur lifts his hand, comfortably placing it on her shoulder.

"My queen, I and the people can sense your guilt, and so can the land." She snaps her head to face the man who lightly smiling at her. "We all trusted Aslan, and now we trust you."

"I have to tell them." He nods, agreeing, moving to the side, nodding to the soldier on the hill to blow the horn. As the sound echoes through the valley and the army turn to face the young queen, Oreius gives one last piece of advice.

"Until you forgive yourself, no one else can either. Don't make yourself the villain when all you did was what he told you to." Tilly smiles at the wise centaur before turning toward the crowd staring up at her.

Looking down at all the faces of her people, some frowning, others smiling, and a few still yawning, Tilly still can't help the feeling in her stomach. But quickly glancing back at the two boys standing by her side and the great warrior's words ringing in her head, with a sigh passing her lips, the feeling of guilt leaves, allowing forgiveness to bloom.

"As you all know, The White Witch wanted to take away one of the sons of Adam. Aslan and wouldn't let that happen." The crowd cheers loudly for a moment, but Edmund frowns behind the girl, unsure what part he played. "Unfortunately, Jadis is a hard woman to appease. And there was only one other person she would take in Edmund's place, and that was Aslan." As his name passes Tilly's lips, every last people break out into up-roar, but she goes on, nevertheless. "Aslan sacrifices his life not only for Edmund but for you. Without the five of us, Narnia would still be kept under the Witch's rein and a blanket of snow." The army listens closely, taking her words in and agreeing with Tilly's words. "For that, I ask you not to blame Edmund," she takes a deep breath before her voice bellows out to the crowd. "As I am the one who plunged my sword into Aslan. I am the one who killed him." Tilly's voice remains strong so does her stature, but a single tear slips down her face. The crowd is dead silent; a mouse's squeak, a pin dropping on grass or even a breath into cold morning air could be heard until one soldier steps forward from the pack, raising his voice. Tilly expects him to yell and berate her, call her a traitor, and banish her. Unfortunately, so do Peter and Edmund as they reach for their sword, ready to defend their girl.