For Narnia

16.2

Zoe, Peter, and Edmund walk out of the How together, hearing the cheering of the Narnians. Peter holds Zoe's sword as they reach the area in which she will be fighting Miraz. Zoe unsheathes her sword, causing the Narnians to once again cheer loudly.

"There is still time to surrender," Miraz offers Zoe as they begin to circle each other.

"Well, feel free," Zoe taunts as she holds her arms out with a smirk.

"How many more must die for the throne?" Miraz asks as he swings his sword around in a challenging motion.

"Just one," Zoe answers as she lowers her helmet.

Miraz let's out a battle cry as he advances on Zoe, who uses the ruins to jump off of for a higher advantage. They begin to parry as both armies cheer for their contender. Zoe and Miraz continue to parry before Zoe is able to get behind Miraz, slicing his back.

They parry some more before Miraz hits Zoe in the head with his shield, causing the helmet to be knocked off of Zoe's head. Peter goes to step forward but Edmund holds him back as Zoe kicks the helmet out of her way.

Zoe dodges an attack from Miraz before slicing Miraz's leg. Zoe and Miraz both attack at the same time before Miraz trips her which sends her into a roll which she easily stands from. Miraz quickly attacks before Zoe can get her proper footing which knocks her to the ground.

Before Zoe can get up a second time, Miraz steps on her shield which causes Zoe to cry out in pain as her shoulder dislocates. Edmund has to grab Peter's own dislocated shoulder to keep him from going to Zoe's defense. Zoe fights back the pain long enough to attack Miraz, causing him to step off of the shield.

Miraz quickly attacks again as to not let Zoe have the chance to get up. Zoe rolls away from the attacks before using her place on the ground as an advantage. Zoe knock Miraz's sword out of her way before rolling towards Miraz which causes him to fall over her. Zoe takes the chance to quickly stand up with her sword at the ready. Zoe notices Caspian riding back with Susan while Miraz struggles to stand back up.

"Does the lady need a respite?" Miraz asks since it is clear that they are both in pain.

"Five minutes?" Zoe suggests as she keeps her eyes trained on Miraz.

"Three!" Miraz agrees before they walk to their respective sides.

"Lucy?" Peter asks Susan as she and Caspian make their way over.

"She got through... with a little help," Susan responds as she glances at Caspian.

"Thanks," Peter tells Caspian which causes Zoe to slightly smile despite the pain because the boys are finally putting their differences aside.

"Well, you were busy," Caspian slightly jokes as he motions to Zoe which causes Peter to nod.

"You better get in position. Just in case," Peter tells Susan as he glances at Zoe, who is speaking with Edmund about her shoulder. "I don't expect the Telemarines will keep their word."

"Keep smiling," Edmund tells Zoe as he looks at the Narnian troops while Peter and Caspian walk over.

Zoe turns to the troops with a smile as she raises her sword, causing them to cheer. Caspian takes Zoe's shield off of her arm, causing her to groan in pain.

"I think it's dislocated," Zoe says with a small smile as she glances over at Peter. "I guess karma does exist." Peter softly chuckles as Edmund tries to figure out a plan for Zoe's shoulder. "What do you think happens back home, if you die here?" Edmund and Peter share a worried look since neither of them knew the answer.

"Let's not talk about that right now," Peter tells Zoe as he grabs her hand on the arm that is not injured.

"What if we put their shoulder's back in place at the same time," Caspian suggests as he looks over at Edmund. "Peter's groans can help silence out any scream that Zoe has."

"Let's do it," Zoe agrees with a nod of her head before Peter nods as well.

Zoe bites down on the handle of one of her dagger as Edmund pushes her shoulder back into place at the same time that Caspian pushes Peter's shoulder back into place. Peter groans in pain which blocks out Zoe's muffled scream as they squeeze each other's hands. Peter places a kiss on the side of Zoe's head before she stands as she grabs her shield.

Peter hands Zoe's sword to her before she denies her helmet. Miraz denies his helmet as well while the Narnians cheer for Zoe. They walk back towards the middle before Zoe is the first to attack. Miraz starts hitting Zoe with his shield, especially the arm that Edmund just put back in place. Miraz knocks Zoe into the ruins, causing Zoe to fall to the ground.

Miraz goes to attack but Zoe blocks before swinging her legs around, knocking Miraz down to the ground. They both quickly stand back up before attacking again. Zoe drops her sword, so she uses a dagger to aid her in taking Miraz's sword away from him. Zoe quickly grabs her sword before she attacks with both swords, causing Miraz to back away from her.

Zoe drops Miraz's sword, only attacking with her own. Miraz uses his shield to block the attacks before Zoe goes to stab Miraz but misses. Miraz uses the opportunity to take Zoe's sword away. Miraz punches Zoe before hitting her with his shield. Zoe grabs Miraz's shield before using all of her strength, mainly the adrenaline she is feeling, to twist the shield around until she traps Miraz's arm behind his back.

Miraz elbows Zoe in the face with his other arm before shoving her into the ruins. Miraz grabs his sword before attacking Zoe, who ducks out of the way. Zoe uses her arm guards to block some attacks before punching Miraz in the face which causes him to back up. Zoe quickly takes the chance to punch Miraz where she sliced his leg open earlier in the fight.

"Respite! Respite!" Miraz calls out of fear of losing as he backs away before falling to his knees.

"Now's not the time for chivalry, Zoe!" Edmund yells as Zoe stares at Miraz before walking away from him.

Miraz grabs his sword as he stands before going to attack Zoe.

"Look out!" Peter warns as he goes to run forward but Zoe dodges the attack before Miraz goes to stab her.

Zoe moves out of the way before using her daggers to knock the sword out of Miraz's hands. Zoe stabs Miraz in the stomach before pulling out her dagger, causing Miraz to drop to his knees. Everyone goes silent as they wait for Zoe to make the final blow to kill Miraz.

"What's the matter, girl?" Miraz taunts as he looks up at Zoe, who is staring down at him. "Too cowardly to take a life?"

"It's not mine to take," Zoe responds as she picks up Miraz's sword before turning to look at Caspian, who walks forward taking the sword from her. Tension builds as everyone watches Caspian raise the sword.

"Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe you do have the makings of a Telemarine King after all," Miraz tells him before lowering his head.

Caspian lets out a yell before stabbing the sword into the ground in front of Miraz.

"Not one like you," Caspian says as he straightens up. "Keep your life. But I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom."

Caspian walks away from Miraz, causing the Narnians to cheer. Zoe picks up her sword before making her way over to Peter, who pulls her into a hug. Peter keeps an arm wrapped around Zoe's waist as she turns to share a nod of respect with Caspian.