The horizon crawls and writhes with the approaching army. A wave of soldiers greater than any I could have imagined.
Is this what Father sees in the trenches of Europe?
I shake my head, casting the thoughts of my father and his fight against the Nazis far from my mind. I only have the capacity to think about one war at a time.
Oreius stands beside me, his cloven feet worrying the ground, his great body moving back and forth. My unicorn mount beneath me chuffs and strikes the ground with a hoof. Even astride the large equine, Oreius still stands taller than I, his armour glinting in the sunlight.
From the clear blue sky, the commander of the Gryphon Arial Legion descends. He lands beside us on the jutting grassy knoll, brown feathers ruffling and tail swishing from side to side.
"They come, your Highness, in numbers far greater than our own."
"Numbers do not win battles." Oreius offers sagely.
"No, but I bet they help." I remark, feeling stiff and completely out of my depth.
All I can hope is that the girls are safe and they make it home, no matter what happens to me. My thoughts drift then to Cressida. The strange whirlwind of a girl whom I feel can see into the smallest facets of my soul, and I don't know how she managed to infiltrate even a fraction that far in the first place.
Something makes me trust her. Something intrinsic and undeniable. Part of me despairs that she isn't here based on the fighting skills I saw. The other part of me is immensely relieved; constantly worrying about her safety won't win me this battle.
Looking again to the horizon, Jadis' army begins their push to our lines, soldiers running full tilt. I raise an arm in signal.
Edmund is no doubt giving orders in response, perched atop the ridge with the archers.
Gryphons soar high and fast above us, carrying boulders the size of small automobiles. The first stones drop upon the incoming army, flattening soldiers into nothing. Snuffing out lives and pock-marking the terrain.
Some Gryphons fall, brought down by Jadis' archers.
"Are you with me?" I turn to my centaur general.
"To the death." He nods, pulling his sword from its sheath.
The metal sings, and my own sword rings in response. Holding the weapon high, the sun glints off its shining surface, and the leather handle feels warm and right in my hand. The lion's head pommel reminds me of why I'm here.
"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" I shout.
The battle cry rings across our ranks as my sword falls forward, and I urge my mount into a gallop.
Around me, the world becomes a mottled din, the cries of charging men, the crashing of hooves and my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.
Our army eats up the land, moving faster and faster towards the rapidly approaching enemy. The big cats are out in front, facing Jadis' own animal host, including her deadly wolves and white tigers.
They draw closer. Any moment the first of our two lines will meet. Fangs flash, and lances lower into striking position. The land between us is rapidly running out.
Five, four, three, two...one.
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A Prison of Ice and Fear || Peter Pevensie x OC || Narnia
FanfictionCressida's whole world is one frozen prison. The land of Narnia was long ago plunged into eternal winter by the White Witch, Jadis Queen of Narnia. The powerful sorceress who stole Cressida from her home and her people. Cressida is little more than...
