Narnia's Lover

Chapter 5: Ego VS Ego*

Over time, everyone slowly trailed out of the room. Lucy and Susan left together to explore more of the How while Edmund went to get his sword sharpened, joking that Trumpkin had managed to dull it when they fought. Caspian was the last one to leave, though he seemed to have something he wanted to say to the High King.

"You've been awfully quiet since we came to Narnia. Normally you don't shut up." Peter teased Elizabeth, them being the only two left in the room. A gentle smile crossed her face as she looked at Peter. He stood in front of the stone table with the carving of Aslan behind him. A golden glow was cast over his face from the fire and Elizabeth admired his kingly stature from her place on the other side of the room.

"I've just been taking it all in I guess. It's a new place to me, and I know the circumstances we're in call for precision. I don't want to mess anything up here." Elizabeth confided in Peter.

"I've seen how determined you are out there; pushing yourself past your limits. You'd make an excellent leader, Elizabeth." Peter complimented the girl with a smile on his face.

"My Liege, forgive me for interrupting, but, a Telmarine soldier was spotted on the borders of the forest. They know where we are." A faun explained the situation as he came running in. 

"Gather everyone in here for a meeting. It would appear a battle is about to commence." Peter ordered the faun. All the Narnians began to slowly trail in over the next thirty minutes, though Peter's siblings were some of the first in.

"What's so urgent that you had to make us leave our dinner? I was enjoying the meal." Lucy half teased and half complained to her oldest brother as she walked in with Susan and Caspian. When everyone who was of utmost authority arrived, Peter explained the predicament and before long  plans were being made to defeat the Telmarines.  

"It's only a matter of time. Miraz' men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle." Peter began announcing his plan to everyone in the room.

"What do you suppose we do, Sire?" Reepicheep asked Peter. Both Caspian and Peter started to respond to the mouse's question. When they both realized what was happening they closed their mouths. Peter turned his gaze to Caspian and gave him a harsh glare. Caspian's face became one of guilt and regret under Peter's gaze.

"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us." Peter continued his sentence.

"But that's crazy! No one has ever taken that castle." Caspian argued against Peter's plan.

"There's always a first time." Peter retorted, his gaze telling Caspian to shut up.

"We'll have the element of surprise." Trumpkin added, trying to show support for Peter's plan.

"But we have the advantage here." Caspian fought. Neither boy was willing to back down. The two boys saw this as a battle of the rightful leader, whoever's plan they went with was the true leader and whoever's plan they abandoned was too weak for the part.

"If we dig in we could probably hold them off indefinitely." Susan added trying to help Caspian, her new found feelings making her turn against her brother's idea.

"I for one feel safer underground." Trufflehunter told the two boys.

"Look, I appreciate what you've done here but this isn't a fortress it's a tomb." Peter rebuked Caspian as he turned to face the dark haired boy.

"Yes, and if they're smart the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out." Edmund cut in on the argument.

"We could collect nuts!" A squirrel excitedly offered the lame argument.

"Yes, and throw them at the Telmarines!" Reepicheep mocked the squirrel with his sarcasm. The poor squirrel didn't catch on to Reepicheep's sarcasm and nodded eagerly to Reepicheep's plan. "Shut up!" Reepicheep scolded the squirrel. "I think you know where I stand on this, Sire." Reepicheep pledged his allegiance to Peter with those words. Peter nodded in appreciation and stepped over to a Centaur named Glenstorm.

"If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?" Peter asked Glenstorm. Glenstorm was wary at this offer, but looked to his fellow Narnians for guidance on the decision. 

"Or die trying, my liege." Glenstorm pledged himself and his troops to Peter.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Lucy voiced her opinion on the whole thing for the first time.

"Sorry?" Peter asked his youngest sister confused.

"Well, you're all acting like there's only two options, dying here or dying there." Lucy explained to Peter.

"I'm not sure you've been really listening Lu." Peter tried to argue with his sister.

"No, you're not listening! Or did you forget who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?" Lucy scolded Peter, aiming straight for his pride.

"I think we've waited for Aslan long enough." Peter replied, jaw tense with frustration. Peter then stormed out of the room, the meeting officially over. Elizabeth wanted to follow Peter and assure him he was doing the right thing, but she knew better. This was something Peter had to deal with himself; the inner battle of his ego versus his heart. Elizabeth instead joined the other Pevensie children for dinner, practiced her swordsmanship -Aslan knows she needed help with that- and went to bed. The next few days had a lot in store for her.

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I hope you liked it! I'm really sorry I didn't update yesterday! I had some stuff at church pop up and it threw me off schedule. Next chapter will be up as soon as I can get it done. For a dedication you'll have to post a quote from the movie Prince Caspian. It must either make me laugh or be something that hits you right in the heart because it's so touching. Also I still really need some ideas for what I should call you. I gotta go now until next time! BBBBBBYYYYYEEEEEEE!!!!