Narnia's Lover

Chapter 9: O Happy Day*

Edmund and Peter made their way out of the How. They had all their armor on, bearing the crest of Aslan. Peter and Miraz made eye contact as Peter walked out, Miraz glaring at Peter with pure hatred. Edmund held Peter's sheathed sword, offering it for his brother to take. Peter proudly unsheathed his sword, Miraz taking this as a cue to put his helmet on, and stand from his chair. The two men walked into the arena: a square area of stone outside the How.

"There is still time to surrender." Miraz offered as the two circled each other.

"Feel free." Peter spat back at Miraz, earning himself a glare from the Telmarine King.

"How many must die for the throne?" Miraz taunted Peter, trying to hit a sensitive spot with the boy.

"Just one." Peter retorted through clenched teeth, seeing right through Miraz' words. Peter got on top of a pile of stones, jumping down onto Miraz, Peter's sword ready to strike Miraz. Miraz lifted his shield, managing to block Peter's ferocious start. Thus, the fight had officially commenced for Narnia.

Meanwhile, the three girls had made it into the forest, urging the horses to gallop as fast as they could, knowing time was running out. The girls were not alone on their journey, a group of Telmarines rode to their left coming after them.

"They've seen us!" Lucy cried with a fearful voice. The girls rode past a lake, coming out in a small clearing on the other side of the trees. Susan brought Destier to a halt, Elizabeth reciprocating her actions with a confused face. Susan dismounted Destier and walked over to the other two girls.

"What are you doing?" Lucy asked with astonishment. Susan's going to get herself killed! Lucy thought.

"I'm sorry, Lu. It looks like I won't be going with you after all." Susan told her sister, exchanging a glance with Elizabeth. Susan then hit Astro's flank, sending the horse off deeper into the woods. Elizabeth and Lucy paused at the top of a hill, looking back at Susan. Susan gave her sister an apologetic look, as if she knew she wouldn't see her little sister again. Susan readied her bow for the approaching Telmarines and Elizabeth and Lucy once again set off, going deeper into the woods with Astro's every stride.

Back at the How, Peter and Miraz continued their fight. Each hit the other with extreme ferocity, but the blow would always be blocked or dodged. Peter finally managed to get Miraz' shoulder, the chain mail protecting him, and in return Miraz knocked Peter's helmet off his head. Peter leaned back as Miraz swung his sword to behead the High King, narrowly missing the deathly blow. Peter took this opportunity to reach down and cut Miraz' knee. Miraz' face became one of shock and worry, but it then morphed back into one of anger, lunging at Peter. Peter put his shield on Miraz' sword, doing a flip over it without getting hurt. Peter landed, rolling away from Miraz.

The two kings were back to blocking the other's hits, until Miraz pushed Peter onto the ground. Peter landed on his back and Miraz stepped on Peter's shield, forcing Peter's arm to dislocate. Peter desperately swung at Miraz, but the swing was easily blocked. Peter, still on the ground, rolled into Miraz' legs and knocked him over. Peter looked over Miraz' shoulder to see Caspian and Susan riding out of the woods without Lucy and Elizabeth. 

"Does his majesty need a respite?!" Miraz asked Peter, noticing the High King's unfocused manner.

"Five minutes?" Peter asked.

"Three!" Miraz spat back. The two then  limped away from each other to their proper sides of the arena. Edmund walked up to meet his brother, grabbing his helmet in the process. Peter rushed to Susan, his entire body filled with worry.

"Lucy, Elizabeth?!" Peter directed the worried question to his sister.

"They got through... with a little help." Susan explained to her older brother, allowing Peter to let out a breath of relief.