Secret - Edmund Pevensie

chapter two

The next day comes around quickly, the sun shining into Maeve's blue eyes. She quickly remembers the events of last night and her emotions are all too confusing. Everyone is hopeful, that is certain, but she can't help but worry.

War was never something she ever wanted to consider. Sure, she had trained with her weapons in case of any events, but she never wanted the training to go to use. Unlike her mother, she only ever wanted peace. Not peace that is instilled by fear, but by resolution and understanding.

It's unlikely Narnia will ever know full peace, and that thought lingers in her mind as she gets ready for the day.

She crawls out of bed to face her vanity. Maeve has had enough time alone to figure out the previously confusing concept of braiding her hair.

She runs her fingers through the long, light blonde hair, opting for two small dutch braids weaving into a half up half down. Her natural curls are enough to provide a volume to the hairstyle she adores.

With that, she heads back out of her room only to bed met with Badger in the dim lit kitchen.

"Good morning Badger." She speaks softly, joining him at the table for a cup of tea.

"Well don't you just look lovely?" He sips from his mug, earning a genuine smile from the girl.

"We have a very long day ahead." She looks around for a moment. "Has Prince Caspian gathered everyone together yet? Surely we should be leaving soon."

Badger lets out a soft chuckle. "You worry too much. I can hear the hooves outside as we speak. Everything is according to plan." Maeve sighs. "What's wrong dear?"

"Is war really what we want? I mean haven't we lost enough Narnians to battles?"

"Without war we won't ever be free. And a free Narnia is the most beautiful thing a mind could think of." He places a paw on her shaking knee. "Let's head out, we have work to do."

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The Narnians begin their hike through the forest, armour on and weapons ready. If she was nervous before, the sight of laughing squirrels definitely eased her mind.

Prince Caspian and the girl engage in comfortable small talk for a large portion of the walk, discussing all things Narnia. She hasn't shared her past yet but she was sure she'd have to soon enough.

The prince comes to a halt, his hand reaching out in front of Maeve to prevent her from walking further. "Do you hear that?"

She listens for a moment before nodding her head, opting to stay silent. He walks ahead of her slightly before immediately coming in contact with another human.

The sound of clashing swords can be heard in the distance, the prince is keen on fighting the blonde boy who clearly knows his way around a sword. What catches her eye though is his apparel. He looks nothing like the telmarine soldiers they had seen the day prior.

Nonetheless the fighting continues, the blonde clearly having an advantage on the prince. Caspians sword gets stuck in the oak tree behind him, giving the blonde the opening he needed to end this.

A plea can be heard in the distance. "No stop!" Maeve looks to her left only to be met with the sight of a girl, a few years younger than herself.

She takes this as a sign to move her body behind a tree slightly, trying not to be seen by these unfamiliar humans.

When the fight slows, the blonde takes a moment to look at his surroundings. He doesn't look scared or angry. It's impossible to read the expression on his face. "Prince Caspian?" He speaks.