A Prison of Ice and Fear || Peter Pevensie x OC || Narnia

Chapter 23

The night is cool. Nothing close to the frigid nights of the last nine years of my life. This cool is almost pleasant. The reprieve after a hot day. Yet, despite the smoothing air around me, I can't sleep. I can hear Lucy tossing and turning in her bed across the tent. Susan is more peaceful, so I suspect she, too, lies awake. The strangest feeling settles in the bit of my stomach, and my back causes too much discomfort to ignore.

A twig snaps, and the sound of something soft swishes against the canvas. Lucy bolts upright.

"Susan, Cressida." She whispers.

We're both awake, sitting up as Aslan's shadow is cast against the side of our tent. I slide out of bed, pulling my dress over my head, lacing my boots and fastening my weapons belt. The Pevensie sisters do the same and we sneak as quietly as possible into the desolate camp.

We slink through the trees, hanging back from Aslan. My footfalls are nearly silent, but Susan and Lucy are not so accustomed to travelling unheard. A twig snaps between Lucy's feet, and Aslan's soft voice carries back to us, carried on the wind,

"Shouldn't you three be in bed?"

The three of us look at each other before emerging from the trees.

"We couldn't sleep." Lucy says, entwining her fingers in Aslan's golden mane.

"Please, Aslan, couldn't we come with you?" Susan asks.

"I would be glad of the company for a while. Thank you." Aslan's voice is sombre, deep and almost serene.

Something's not right, he's afraid.

The four of us walk in silence, Aslan barely makes a sound across the dry leaves and dirt of the forest. I feel the ground beneath me incline, and my ears prick to strange sounds.

Drums, shouting, squawks and cries. At the crest of the hill, I can see torches burning bright against the black of the night sky. I can't even see the stars.

"It is time; from here, I must go alone." Aslan sighs.

"But Aslan..." Susan tried to protest.

"You have to trust me, for this must be done. Thank you, Susan, thank you, Lucy." Aslan offers softly before turning to me.

The sisters have no idea what's about to happen. I do, and Aslan knows it. Tears well in my eyes,

"Please don't do this; there must be another way."

"You know the witch's wrath better than anyone, and you know what must be done."

I throw my hands around his great neck, the soft hair of his mane silky against my cheek,

"I'll go with you." My voice trembles.

"Take care of those I cannot, Cressida; you are a princess and warrior both." Aslan soothes.

He steps out of my reach, "Farewell."

The King of the Wood slowly pads away, and my heart seizes, knowing this will be the last time I speak with him. That one word could very well be his last.

Farewell.

The three of us duck behind some shrubbery, staying out of the light. We don't speak, and we barely breathe as Aslan reaches the dais. The stone table, a great altar inscribed with deep magic, looks cold and unforgiving.

The temple is meant to be a place for all, not tonight. Tonight, this is Jadis' domain.

"Why doesn't he fight back?" Lucy trembles as Jadis' army taunts and swarms Aslan.