₁.₀ YES TO HEAVEN; peter pevensie ✔

025.

Even despite the distance still separating them from the returning troops, it's painfully obvious that the raid didn't go according to plan.

As soon as someone came to tell them that their forces had been spotted heading towards the How, she and Lucy wasted no time, rushing back into the open air. However, now Birdie is left completely petrified, coming to a halt mid step with her arms hanging lifelessly at her sides as she is left to stare blankly at the scene unfolding in front of her.

She knew, of course, that there was a chance the mission wouldn't be completed successfully, they all knew. However, none of them expected such a crushing defeat, for it is plain for all to see that their numbers have been significantly decreased, and those heading their way walk with their shoulders slumped and their heads hanging low.

How could this have happened? The plan was good. It was so good. So much care and effort were put into crafting it, the smallest of details discussed for hours, late into the night to the point the meeting would have to be adjourned due to most participants yawning far more often than coming up with new ideas. With the Kings and Queens of Old and their vast experience regarding warfare, and Caspian and his deep knowledge of the Telmarine customs... Birdie knows the collaboration was far from easy, for both parts included, but they all wanted to do what was best for the Narnians.

And she was sure something would come of it. Something good.

It's Lucy who speaks first, her question, even though asked softly, cuts through the morning air like a blade, "What happened?"

"Ask him."

Birdie sighs at the anger in Peter's voice. His entire posture appears rigid, jaw clenched so tight that a little bit more force would threaten to shatter his teeth, and so her gaze shifts up and down his silhouette, seeking for any traces of injury. Alas, it seems the wounds he has received are not physical in nature; she wishes she could simply step closer to him and smoothen the deep creases on his forehead with the pad of her thumb.

"Me?" Caspian asks in disbelief, his fists clenched. "You could have called it off, there was still time."

Peter turns around then, and the abruptness of the movement is enough to make Birdie realise that his temper is hanging by a thread, seconds away from breaking loose and wreaking havoc in its way. "No, there wasn't, thanks to you," he spits out harshly, stepping closer towards the prince. "If you had kept to the plan, those soldiers might be alive right now."

Oh. Birdie's heart breaks a little as she notices how his voice falters slightly mid sentence.

It was already clear to everyone around that there is tension between the two. Now, however, it seems that what once could have been seen as simply a matter of time, has turned into a gap impossible to ever be closed. Certainly not now that it has been made into a public spectacle.

And Caspian... Caspian knows Peter not nearly well enough to be aware that, in moments like these, it's better for everyone concerned to leave him be and give him time to cool off. Or, perhaps, he simply doesn't care. "And if you'd just stayed here like I suggested, they definitely would be!"

"You called us, remember?"

The prince's face turns completely blank then, his voice dropping an octave as he looks Peter dead in the eye. "My first mistake."

"No," Peter responds in kind. "Your first mistake was thinking you could lead these people."

When he turns to walk away, Birdie allows herself a moment of relief. She reaches out to place her hand on Peter's arm, hoping to bring him some comfort through the gesture, to make him remember his surroundings and urge him to save his anger for later, for those who truly deserve it.