Our Long Awaited Return Book #8

Chapter 19 Lord Raven Shows Up Again

"So let me get this straight," Gwen begins, "You and Peter are twins, but you aren't?" The two walk into the room of the stone table.
"Yes," Andrew nods, "He was born 5 minutes before twelve and I ten minutes later."
"That's interesting," they both sit down at the stone table, "You know for twins, your names don't even fit together."
"Why, should they?" Andrew asks, he looks at the beautiful young woman, sitting beside him, "Mom and Dad chose to call us that because Mom loved the name Peter. And they follow a rabbi who had two students who were brothers, named Peter and Andrew. And as they did, my parents hoped that we would one day follow that same Rabbi." he looks toward the carving of Aslan.
"Did you?" she questions.
"I did, but as for Peter, I don't know. We've never been close as brothers. I suppose it is because we're complete opposites. He is a leader, I'm a follower." he sighs, "We don't even share the same birthday."
Gwen chuckles, before grabbing his hand. The two stare at each other for a moment. Why, don't you just tell her, you like her? Andrew thought to himself.
"You look alike," she says, "I suppose, but from what I gather from your brother, he's impulsive and you are not."
Andrew chuckles, "The rock, I don't get it."
"What?" Sarah asks confused.
"His name means, rock. Susan's means lily; Edmund is protector, Verity means truth, Ruth's is friend, and Lucy is light," Andrew explains.
"What about yours," Gwen looks up at him.
"Manly," he replies unenthusiastic, "It isn't as good as the others."
"I think that's a fitting name," her gaze still on him.
"Gwen," he begins, "I like you a lot, ever since I've met you, well, you are something different from the many girls I've loved except one." He thought of Belle, it hurt his heart to think of her.
"I think the same too," she nods, "You make me feel safe, I've never felt that way ever since my parents died."
Their lips were only inches apart before Andrew cupped her chin in his hand and pressed his lips against hers, meeting in a sweet gentle kiss. Gwen places her arms around his neck.
When they pull away, she says, "So you believe in love at first sight."
"Well, love isn't just a feeling," Andrew states, "But yes I do." The two of them smiled at each other before they kissed again.
"Andrew!" he hears the familiar voice of his sister, Verity. She is standing in the room, the two lovers pull away.
"How long were you here?" Andrew asks embarrassed, as he stands up.
"Long enough, big brother," she smirks, "Ed and I have been waiting long enough." She says before she leaves.
Andrew turns to Gwen, "Well, maybe this isn't as private as I thought."
"She probably didn't hear it all," Sarah grins, "You'd better go, your siblings are waiting."

That afternoon, Edmund, Andrew, Glenstorm, the giant Rumblebuffin, and I went to deliver Peter's challenge.
As we entered the camp, I snuck off, so no soldiers saw me. I headed to the catapults and hid behind them. I got a good chance to examine them.
"Seems it was built very well," I mutter.
I took out a piece of paper and my dagger pen and began sketching it.
About 20 feet tall and 8 feet wide. I examine the wood, oak.
"Nothing a rock couldn't destroy!" I grin, "We're bringing out the griffins again."
I stand up to leave and hide in the forest to wait for my brothers. But I feel an iron hand grip my shoulders, and I turn around, and there's that Lord, who tried to kill me.
"Thornea," he chuckles coldly, "Seems you survived, but not for long."
"Listen I'm not Thornea," I protest, he moves me roughly into a large tent. My kicking attempts have failed.
"Sit down," he orders gruffly.
I listen, but he ties me to a chair.
"I won't gag you, because I wouldn't want a lie to be your last words, cousin," he gives me an evil smirk.
"I didn't kill your father," I protest, "I don't even know who he is. Maybe Miraz did it."
"You little liar, why would my king do such a thing? You're never leaving that chair." He yells.
"I can see that," I laugh, trying to be brave, but the idea of never seeing my siblings again scares me.
"Let's have a little chat shall we, before you die," Raven Lord sits down in front of me."Just who do you think killed my father."
So I decided to go down a long list, hoping that would save time for Andrew and Edmund to find me.

3rd person
Edmund stands nervously in front of Miraz and most of his lords. He reads them Peter's challenge, with Andrew standing beside him.
"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, and by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands. To prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge usurper Miraz to single combat in the fields of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward is total surrender."
Edmund closes the scroll and waits for the King's answer, who's silent for a moment.
"Tell me, Prince Edmund and Prince Andrew..." Begins Miraz.
"King," Edmund and Andrew correct him.
"Pardon me?" Asks Miraz.
"It's King Edmund actually, just king, Peter's the High King. I know it's confusing." He explains.
"And for me, it's King Andrew," adds his older brother.
"Why would we risk such a proposal, when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall," Miraz says.
Edmund grins at the king's stupidity, "Haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean a week ago, Narnians were extinct."
"And so will you be again," Miraz threatens.
"Well, then you should have little to fear," Edmund answers, bracing his courage.
"Because," Andrew says slightly, "You're fighting against mere children and creatures from fables."
"This is not a question of bravery," the king says annoyed.
"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age," Edmund tried to hide a smile at the king's cowardice.
"I didn't say I refused," scowled Miraz.
"You should have our support, Your Majesty," a lord encourages him, "For whatever decision you make."
"Sire, our military advantage provides the perfect accuse to avoid what otherwise might be..." begins Lord Sospesian
"I'm not avoiding anything," he unsheathes his sword and points it at the lord.
"I was merely pointing out that his majesty had his right to refuse," the lord explains.
"His majesty would never refuse," General Glozelle tells him.
Miraz points his sword at Edmund, "You two, let's hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen."
The boys nodded in agreement and decided this was his signal to leave. He and Glenstorm and Rumblebuffin made their way to where they'd meet Verity, but she wasn't there.
A sickening feeling met Edmund.
"Where'd she go?" He asks.
"She didn't go home alone," Andrew clenched his jaw.
"Sires isn't this her pen dagger on the ground," Glenstorm stooped to pick it up.
"Yes," he nods, "Oh, where is she."
"Footprints!" Rumblebuffin mutters, "Look those look like her footprints, heading toward that tent!"
Edmund swallowed hard, as he looked at his older brother, "Come on," Andrew replied, stepping forward.
"Or maybe we should stay," Glenstorm says, "Couldn't fit in that tent."
Edmund nods in agreement.

Verity's pov
I managed to entertain Lord Raven for a long time, maybe an hour. But then he realized what I was doing.
"Now, Thornea, it's over with your tricks," he unsheathes his sword.
I close my eyes and say a little prayer, expecting the sword to reach my throat any minute.
"Sir, in case you don't know, that's our sister you have there," I hear Edmund say.
I open my eyes and there are my brothers, their swords pointing at Lord Raven.
"Leave her alone," Andrew glares at him.
"No, she's my cousin, Thornea," the lord Argue's, "and today I get revenge."
"Let her go," Edmund orders."Or I'll tell Miraz you're harbouring an innocent person."
"Likely he'll listen," the lord snorts.
"You will," Andrew points his sword at him, making him back up against the end of the tent wall. While Ed quickly unites me, as soon as I get off the chair, I wrap my arms around him, as his lock firmly around me.
"Fine, she can go," Lord Raven replies, as Andrew sheathes his sword."But don't forget, young lady, I still know who you are. I'll still have my revenge.
Andrew puts an arm around me, as my brothers lead me out of the tent.
"Thanks," I tell shakily them, "For saving my hide, he was about to kill me."
"Why is he trying to kill you," Edmund asks me.
So I tell them the whole story about Lord Raven. We walk back to the how with Rumblebuffin and Glenstorm following us.
"Peter's not going to be happy about this; you'd better tell him, Key, that Lord Raven's still not done with you," Andrew answers.
I nod in reply, I'm still shaken by it all. I might be dead tomorrow. I wasn't safe and all because of another girl who looked like me.