War of Hearts || 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐀

𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞

❤︎❤︎❤︎

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

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

Susan spoke up. "And she won't be alone."

Trumpkin walked over to Lucy. "Haven't enough of us died already?" He asked solemnly.

"Nikabrik lost hope in this cause," Athena reminded him. "Lucy hasn't, and neither have the rest of us."

Reepicheep pulled out his sword. "For Aslan."

"Then I'm going with you." Trumpkin told the young girl.

Lucy placed her hand on his shoulder. "No, we need you here."

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

"If I may," Caspian intervened politely. "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."

Athena realised and looked at Caspian. "Single combat."

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Edmund and Evangeline had been sent over with Glenstorm to negotiate with the Lords of Telmar, a duel between Peter and Miraz. He had given a testimony to Edmund, who (along with Evie) was always the diplomat. The others didn't have the patience.

"'I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenger the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be totally surrender.'" Edmund read aloud and closed the script.

"Tell me, Prince and Princess-" Miraz began.

"King and Queen." Edmund corrected.

Miraz looked confused. "Pardon me?"

"It's King Edmund and Queen Evangeline, actually," Evie joined in. "Just 'King' and 'Queen' though Peter and Athena are the High King and Queen."

"We know," Edmund shrugged. "It's confusing."

Miraz looked around uncomfortably before continuing. "Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?" He asked.

Edmund and Evie glanced at each other in amusement. "Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" Evie reminded them. "Only a week ago, you all believed Narnian's were extinct. That you wiped them out."

"And so you will be again." Miraz retorted.

"Then you should have little to fear." Edmund shot back quickly.

Miraz began laughing. "This is not a question of bravery." He told them.

Evie saw Edmund smirk and realised he was about to take an opportunity, she knew her husband all too well.

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund asked cheekily and Evie had to bite her lip in order to stop laughing.

Miraz froze for a moment before leaning forward. "I didn't say I refused."

"You shall have our support, Your Majesty," One of the Lords told him. "Whatever your decision."

"Sire," The one next to him spoke. "Our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse to avoid what otherwise might be-"

"I'm not avoiding anything!" Miraz yelled and stood up.

The Lord spoke again. "I was merely pointing out that My Lord is well within his rights to refuse."

Glozelle, Miraz's general, spoke up. "His Majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new King."

Miraz hesitated before pointing his sword at Edmund. "You. You should hope your brothers sword is sharper than his pen."

Part one of the plan: Completed.

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Peter, Caspian and Athena were walking through the halls when they had just gotten word that Miraz had agreed to the idea of single combat.

Athena sighed. "I can do this, you know. If you want," She reminded him. "And if I recall, from our last time fighting together, it's actually my turn anyway."

"Absolutely not." Peter shook his head.

"No, that is not what I meant," Caspian argued. "This is my fight."

"I think we've already tried that," Peter counter argued and looked at Caspian. "Look, if there's ever going to be peace with the Telmarines, you have to be the one who brings it."

"I won't, if you won't let me." Caspian told him.

Peter walked ahead of them. "How about this? If I don't make it, Narnia's future is in both of your hands."

"What about your future?" Athena asked him softly.

Peter gave her a shaky smile. "I was thinking about a career in medicine."

Athena's heart broke because in that moment, Peter knew that he wasn't the King of Narnia anymore. And this would most likely be his last time here, but neither of them wanted to mention that.

Trumpkin walked in with the helmet and Golden age Narnia armour they used to wear for Peter.

"You'll need to choose your seconds." Caspian reminded him.

Peter thought for a moment. "Tell Glenstorm I want him, Ed and..." He looked to Athena. "Would you-"

"Be your second?" She finished his sentence. "I thought you'd never ask."

He smiled in appreciation. Caspian nodded and walked off to tell Glenstorm and Edmund, leaving only Peter and Athena in the room who helped him get ready.

"If at any point, you want to back out-"

"Athena," He said. "I'll be fine."

She looked at him with a stern look. "You don't sound certain of that."

a/n: I love that scene between Edmund and Miraz bc not only is Edmund being an absolute savage but also in one little exchange he shuts down Miraz's attempt to patronise him, corrects his knowledge and states that he is King and thus Miraz's equal. He makes a joke about his title 'The Just' which flies right over Miraz's head while humbly affirming Peter's higher authority and finishes off making Miraz look like an idiot. In under a minute he reverses and takes control of the entire situation as easily and casually as if he's having a chat with Reepicheep. 

Edmund is a girlboss.