lunam et stellas

chapter six

the war of deliverance...

(AN: Alex's twin swords)

A voice broke through their silence. "Peter? Alex?"

Alex sat up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "We're over here, Lu." The young girl approached them hesitantly.

"Are you alright?"

Alex nodded quickly, patting the spot between them. "Always. Come, sit with us."

Peter hummed, nudging his little sister. "You're lucky, you know."

"What do you mean?" Lucy looked up at her brother.

"To have seen him. I wish he'd just give me some sort of proof."

She sighed, staring up at the great lion. "Maybe we're the ones who need to prove ourselves to him."

"Pete." Edmund walked in, breaking the gaze the three had on the wall. "You'd better come quickly."

They raced outside, stopping on the ledge to take in the sight. A vast army of Telmarines marched on the field below. Alex sighed, watching as Miraz rode to the front on his white horse. "Of course, he has to be different."

...

"Cakes and kettledrums. That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!"

"It's our only chance."

"And she won't be alone," Susan spoke up, standing beside Lucy.

Trumpkin walked up to the young girl, his tone soft. "Haven't enough of us died already?"

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

Reepicheep withdrew his sword, crossing it over his heart. "For Aslan."

"For Aslan."

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

Lucy shook her head. "No, we need you here."

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

"If I may..." Caspian stood up. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer... but as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one in particular that may buy us some time."

Alex turned towards the Telmarine. "What is it?"

"If the king is challenged to a duel, it is regarded as cowardly to deny." 

Peter nodded. "So if he denies our challenge..." 

"His advisors and army will see him as weak."

Edmund grinned. "So are we?"

Alex tilted her head. "Are we what?"

"Challenging him?"

...

The High King and Queen watched as Edmund, Trufflehunter, Glenstorm, and a giant walked across the field with Peter's challenge in hand. Alex huffed, crossing her arms. "I still think we could have done this without the challenge."

"Alex, you know he can't turn us down without looking weak. It's the best way to stall his time-"

"And what about your time?" She walked back into the How.

"Alex!" Peter called out, chasing after her. "Please don't be like this."

"Excuse me?" She whipped around, laughing at the absurdity of it all. "You are volunteering your life for a few minutes of time. It-" Her voice broke. "Your life is worth so much more than that, Peter. It scares me that you think so little of it."