Our Long Awaited Return Book #8

Chapter 21 Preparing

**Verity's POV**

"There you both are," Susan remarked as she came into my quarters. Peter was already up, polishing his sword. I sat up watching as the rest of our siblings entered the room.

"You're still not old enough for being babied, Key?" Andrew teased me.

"She asked me to stay with her," Peter retorted, annoyed.

"Let's not have another squabble," Ruth sighed, "Besides, I saw Andrew and Beth kissing in this very room."

"I told you not to tell," Andrew scowled at her.

"We all know anyways," Lucy grinned.

"Besides, I saw you kissing her too at the stone table," I replied cheekily, "His love life is not as secret as he thinks it is."

"About Susan?" Lucy asked, "She's in love with Caspian."

"That's hardly true," Susan retorted, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her.

"Oh, really," Ruth laughed.

"You know," Edmund looked over at Peter, "The more you polish your sword, the less of a chance you have of winning."

"Who says I won't win?" he grinned, determined.

"You're not underestimating Miraz's skill," Andrew smirked.

"I try not to think about him," Peter sighed. he eyed Lucy, a playful smile on his face, one he only seemed to share with Lucy nowadays, "After all, I know someone who's much bigger than him."

Lucy grinned before nearly making him stumble as she collided in a hug, "Aslan," she whispered as he held tightly to her.

"But be careful anyways," Ruth admonished him as she, as well, crammed into the hug and the rest of us crowded into it.

"One mistake and..." I leaned my head on Peter's shoulder.

"Well, can't I at least practice and not be stiff from your hugging?" he complained as we all let go of him.

"Of course," Andrew grinned.

Peter sighed as he grabbed his sword. He planted a kiss on both of Susan's and Lucy's foreheads before he walked out of the room.

---

**Leona's POV**

"Destrya has always served me and my sister well," Caspian told the two Pevensie girls. "You will be in good hands." 
"Or hooves," Lucy joked. 

Leona stroked their horse's hair softly. "Except for the time you got caught in her stirrup, but that was the tree's fault." 
"Sorry," Susan asked, confused. 
"Oh, that's just a story we'll save for later," Leona replied. 
"Good luck," Caspian made eye contact with Susan, who looked away. 
Lucy and Leona exchanged grins. 
"Thanks," Susan mumbled. 

Leona handed Caspian the horn. "Maybe it's time you had this back." 
"Why don't you hold onto it? You might need to call me again," Susan smiled down at him. 
Caspian slapped Destrya's back, and their horse broke into a run. 

Caspian and Leona stood there for a moment. 
"Where's another horse?" her brother asked abruptly. 
"What?" Leona asked, confused. 

He ran out of the room and returned with a horse. 
"Caspian, no! Peter expects you, Andrew, and Verity to lead the army, just in case he can't," Leona protested. 
"You'll be alright, will you?" he asked as he gave her a quick hug, but she held onto him. He broke free anyway and jumped onto the horse, and the next moment, he was gone. 

**Verity's POV**

As we got ready to leave the how, Peter looked at Andrew, Edmund, Ruth, and me. 
"I just want you to know, I love the three of you very much, even though we get into quarrels as siblings do..." 

He was interrupted by Ruth, who hugged him, and he hugged her back. Edmund and I did the same. 
"Just in case we don't make it..." he began, but Andrew cut him off. 
"Peter, you've got a duel to fight, let's not waste time." 
"But you promise you will take care of them?" Peter asked his twin. "If I..."
"Pete, you won't die," Edmund replied confidently. 

"I need to go now, they'll need me," Ruth said. "Goodbye." 
"Goodbye, Ruth," Peter said back to her. 

Then she left. I grabbed Peter's shield, and Edmund took Peter's sword, while Andrew put on his helmet. 
"Come on," I said, letting my elder brother lead the way. 

We walked out of the how; cheers rose as the High King came out, followed by Edmund, Andrew, and me. We walked up towards the ruins, where Glenstorm and Bulgy Bear already stood, where the fight would take place. Miraz and his three Marshals stood on the other side; thankfully, Lord Raven wasn't among them. Well, Miraz was sitting in a chair. 

Miraz stood up and put on his helmet as Peter put on his helmet and unsheathed his sword, stepping forward. From our group, a chorus of cheers rang. I handed my brother his shield, and he stepped forward just as Miraz did. 

"There's still time to surrender!" yelled Miraz. 
"Well, feel free," Peter commented. 

"How many more must die for the throne?" asked the king. 
"Just one," answers Peter as he put down the mask on his helmet. 

I watched as my brother stood on a rock and jumped down from it; the two kings charged at each other. The duel began.