lunam et stellas

chapter seven

the great war...

Alex stared at the tent's ceiling for most of the night, sleeping was the last thing on her mind. She must have fallen asleep before Susan and Lucy left the tent because she did not see them leave. Her dreams, if you could call them that, were filled with recurring images of Aslan being brutally beaten and killed. She shook, pulling the blanket in closer.

She woke up mere hours later to the sound of leaves rustling and knew it was a message from the Pevensie sisters.

She sat up, her eyes already tearing up. "So it is true?"

The nymph nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so, my lady." She bowed, floating out of the tent quietly.

Alexandra put on her cloak and grabbed her swords, leaving the tent. She looked across the clearing and spotted Peter and Edmund leaving their tent as well. She walked over to them, their eyes full of grief.

Peter cleared his throat. "Did you know-"

She nodded grimly. "I- It was my vision. From earlier today." She stared at the ground. "It's haunted me this whole time. In my sleep, every time I close my eyes." She looked up at Peter, her eyes full of determination. "It's time. This has to end today."

...

They walked to the camp in silence. Peter had sent another nymph out to check on their intel, and she returned quickly, confirming what Alex had already known.

Peter sighed. "He's gone."

Oreius, Edmund, and Alex surrounded the battle table, a dark silence weighing over them.

"Then you'll have to lead us."

Peter looked up at his brother. "Peter, there's an army out there and it's ready to follow you."

"I can't."

Edmund shook his head. "Aslan believed you could. And so do I."

Oreius cleared his throat. "The Witch's army is nearing sire. What are your orders?"

Peter looked to Alex. "I-"

She smiled. "Have faith in yourself, Peter." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I do. We all do."

He nodded and looked back to Oreius. "Prepare for battle."

Alex ran through the camp, trying to find Mrs.Beaver. "Mrs.Beaver. Mrs.Beaver!"

The creature popped her head out of her tent. "Yes, dear?"

Alex smiled grimly. "Do you have any idea where I might find some armor?"

...

The griffin flew overhead the army, screeching. Alex took a deep breath, her hair placed behind her in a braid.

She looked over to her left and smiled at Peter. "Are you ready?"

His laugh was void of any humor. "As ready as I'll ever be."

She nodded, looking out at the empty battlefield. "We'll be fine." She tried to make herself believe what she was saying. "We'll be fine."

Peter sighed, looking at Alex quickly. "You still have time to join Ed."

"Peter-"

"You shouldn't be up here, it's dangerous. You could get hurt-"

"With that logic, you should be back there too." She glared at him intently. "I'm not leaving. I'm fighting by your side."