My King // Peter Pevensie

ONE

Camila. It means 'warrior'. My mom named me that. She would always tell me that I would grow to live up to that name. She believed I could be a great warrior. So, when she died, I tried my best to make her proud. I trained every day. Alone of course because the men would never allow a woman, let alone a princess, train with the boys. I immersed myself in countless books, attempting to learn as much as I could. Even then, I was only ever allowed a sword when I turned sixteen.

My older brother, on the other hand, had it much easier. Caspian was a natural at everything. He was only a year older but was given every opportunity to be great. He got to fight with the boys. He got to go to school. He was even promised the throne. He had everything.

That is until the baby.

I woke suddenly to a firm hand on my shoulder. My eyes flung open to the sight of an elderly man. He had obviously just woken up, as he was clothed in night clothes and his long, white beard was not yet groomed.

"Professor, wha–" I didn't get to finish my sentence. The Professor held up a silencing finger.

"Your aunt has had the child tonight." I rose quickly out of bed, about to smile, were it not for the Professor's grim look.

"No." my heart dropped.

"I am afraid so, my princess. We must get to your brother." I quickly followed him up to my brother's room, my silver-white nightgown shining in the midnight light. A son. My brother had been promised the throne of Talmerania, but only because he was the only male in the family. That is the sole reason we both kept here. Now, however, my aunt has given birth to a son and they will kill Caspian, and possibly me, as soon as they get the chance.

We quietly entered my brother's room. I feared that the guards would hear us creeping in and kill us on the spot. The Professor swiftly laid a hand over Caspian's mouth. He jerked awake, only to turn away.

"Five more minutes." He groaned.

"You won't be watching the stars tonight, my prince." the professor pulled him back. "Come. we must hurry." he urged.

Caspian glanced over and saw that I was there. He caught my frightened look and hurried out of bed. He sent me a confused look and I tried to keep myself together. I have never been so worried for my brother in my life.

"Professor," he started as he dragged him toward the passage. "What is going on?"

"Your aunt has given birth... to a son."

Caspian met my eyes with worry and I returned it. Suddenly, we heard several footsteps outside of the bedroom. Caspian lightly pushed me into the passage and hurried in after me, closing the doors. He left a small crack and we peeked through to try and see what was about to be attempted.

We saw several guards shuffle in with crossbows. They circled the bed where Caspian should have been sleeping. We both watched in horror as the guards shot countless arrows at the bed. In a flurry of feathers, the soldiers looked in and saw that the bed was empty. I dragged Caspian by his loose shirt and we hurried after the professor.

When we made it to the barns, I saw that Destrier, my brother's horse, was already tacked up. My heart sank as I realized that this escape was expected and planned. The professor knew we would be killed tonight. I rushed to the armory racks and snatched up a cloak, my belt, and my sword. I saw that Caspian had put on a vest and took his weapons too.

I mounted Destrier, sitting behind my brother. Normally I would fight with him about who got to sit in front. However, tonight, I did not want to lead. I just wanted to get out of here. I did not want my brother killed.

The professor came up to the right of us. "You must make for the woods."

"The woods?" Caspian questioned.

"They won't follow you there." he pulled out a wrapped item from his cloak and handed it to him. "It had taken me many years to find this." Caspian took it with a lost look on his face. He put it quickly in his belt, only to be warned by the professor. "Do not use it except at your greatest need."

"Will we ever see you again?" I asked, trying not to tear up.

"I dearly hope so, my princess. There is so much more I meant to tell you." he turned to Caspian. "Everything you know is about to change."

Voices.

Destrier jumped and I held onto my brother tighter. "Now go!" Caspian kicked Destrier forward and we left our dear professor in the dark.

The run from the soldiers was all but a blur. I held tight to Caspian as we bolted through the castle courtyard. I heard fireworks begin to go off behind us. I dared not to look back, afraid that I would see the sword of a soldier descending onto Caspian's head. We raced past the gate, the sounds of horses and shouts not far behind.

"Hang on, little sister. Don't worry." My brother reassured me. I sighed, trying to do just that.

Destrier shot through the plains, through the bushes, past the river, which soaked the bottom of my nightgown. Finally, we made it to the woods, just barely getting away from the soldiers. Without hesitation, we plunged into the dark of the forest. We weaved through the trees, trying to lose them. I knew that the army was not far behind.

Caspian looked back, trying to see how far back they were. I only looked for a second, then looked back to see that we were headed for a tree branch. "Cas!" I warned him. He looked back forward and was immediately knocked backward, knocking me off as well, my head violently hitting a tree root.

The last thing I remembered was my brother being dragged by the horse, a few blurry figures, and a horn blow as the world around me went black.