𝒩𝑜 𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝒯𝑜 𝒮𝒶𝓎 𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒: 𝐸𝒹𝓂𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝒫𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓈𝒾𝑒 ~ 𝒫𝒞

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐸𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 - 𝒟𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝑀𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒶𝑔𝑒 [Revised]

"Cakes and kettledrums. That's your next big plan?" Trumpkin asked.

A group of us had assembled at the round table in the How to discuss our plan. Once we were all there as a group it became clear just how much our numbers had dwindled.

"Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone?!" Trumpkin continued, pointing to Lucy.

"It's our only chance." Peter replied.

"And she won't be alone." Susan added.

"Haven't enough of us died already?" Trumpkin asked sadly, looking towards Lucy.

"Nikabrik was my friend too. But he lost hope," Trufflehunter said, "Queen Lucy hasn't, and neither have I."

A sword unsheathing was heard on the other side of the room.

"For Aslan." Reepicheep said, holding his blade over his heart.

"For Aslan." A bear repeated.

"Then I'm going with you." Trumpkin disputed.

"No, we need you here." Lucy replied, putting an arm on his shoulder.

"We have to hold them off until Susan and Lucy get back." Peter said.

"If I may," Caspian cut in, giving the professor a look of reassurance, "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer," he continued, causing me to feel the sting of our father's betrayal, still ever present.

"But as King he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people." Caspian mentioned, "There is one in particular that may buy us some time."

Earlier Capsian and I discussed any possible way we could hold Miraz off from enacting a full force attack on us.

I stepped forward and looked at Peter, "You can challenge him to a duel. He'll be too confident to decline and it'll save valuable blood from being spilt." I explained, "You should send one of us to announce the challenge."

"I volunteer myself. I am well versed in Miraz's tricks." I offered.

"Good idea. Ed, you'll go with her." Peter said, "And we'll send two others with you just in case." he continued.

I looked at Edmund and he flashed me a hopeful smile that made my heart melt.

Then, with the help of Capsian, Susan, the professor, and I, Peter wrote up his challenge to be delivered to Miraz.

And with that, Edmund and I, along with a centaur and giant headed towards the Telmarines camps behind the treeline, bearing olive branches, to deliver Peter's message.

As we approached the tent where Miraz and his fellow Telmarine lords sat I stopped and turned to look at Edmund.

"Your armor's crooked." I said, fixing the straps for him.

"Oh thanks." He replied, his face slightly flushed.

"Be prepared. Miraz will try anything up his sleeve to get his way." I warned.

Edmund nodded and shifted nervously.

"But uh- Don't worry. I'll be there with you. He will at least hear us out for the meantime." I said comfortingly.

We stepped into the tent and Miraz had a sly grin on his face.

"Ah! My little cursed niece, (____). Tell me, how have you been?" He asked, immediately trying to pit us against each other.

"Miraz, my little murderous uncle. There is no unrest for you to cause here. We have come on more forthright affairs. We have a message from High King Peter, the Magnificent." I answered.