My Narnian Tale

Chapter 15

I turned around with my hands on my hips and faced Peter. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

"Before you say a word, Peter. Remember, I am not your little sister or your subject. I am your girlfriend. You can't stop me from doing something. You have been training me for the past six months and I have beaten almost every soldier in Narnia in combat. This is what I've been training for. I need to go." I angrily lectured Peter. He sighed before speaking.

"Elizabeth, I have not been training you so you could fight in a battle. I have been training you so that you could defend yourself if it was needed. I cannot allow you to fight in this battle. Battles are only meant for the rulers and for knights. You are neither. Therefore, you are staying here in Cair Paravel where you are safe. I will not discuss this with you any further." I'm gonna kill him. Wait... I have a better plan. It was not hard to act angry but I upped my anger level a bit.

"Fine. You know what? Fine. Throw me in my room and treat me like your subject. Maybe I'll just find my way home. Then you'll never have to worry about me. Is that what you want? Get your head out of your royal backside and realize what's right in front of you before it's gone." I yelled and stomped off to my room. I'm praying that Susan is in her chambers and that she'd help me with my plan. Sure enough, she was and I walked into her room. She looked at me with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry about Peter. He wants to be able to control everyone's lives. He'll eventually realize that you can fight and you'll be out there for the next battle."

"Nope. I'll be out there for this one."

"But how? Peter forbade you from coming."

"He won't know I'm there until it is too late. I have a plan. In my time, there's this movie called Mulan. It's about a girl who dresses like a man and takes her father's place in the Chinese army. You're going to help me do just that. Seeing as how when the knights leave, their helmets are covering their faces, we just have to make sure my hair stays under my helmet. If we bind my chest and steal a knight's uniform, it'll work and Peter will be none the wiser." I explained my brilliant plan.

"That's brilliant! I'll go down and get a uniform and armor and be back up here. I'll hide them in my wardrobe and before sunrise tomorrow, you can come here and we'll get you ready. You can sneak down to the stables and get a horse and ride with the knights. I think this plan will work! I only wish we could do something so that Lucy could come too. But she would never pass for a knight. She's too small."

"Yes but maybe if I am able to hold my own in the battle, Peter will realize that both Lucy and I can fight and he'll allow her to be at the next one, Aslan forbid if there is a next one." Susan and I continued talking for much of the night. After I retired to my chambers, Susan got the armor for me. I was standing on my balcony, looking at the moon's reflection on the sea when I heard a knock at my door. I walked to the door and waited a moment. I was about to open it when I heard a familiar voice call my name.

"Elizabeth, please, open up." Peter said, "Look, I know you are mad at me. I just can't imagine you being out there on that battlefield. I wouldn't be able to stand losing you. I just want you to know that you mean the world to me. I'm at my happiest when I am with you. I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable with you joining me in combat. But honestly, you're the bravest and strongest woman I know. And I love you so much for that. Goodnight, my love." After that, I heard his footsteps fade away in the direction of his chambers. Well, at least he knew that I was angry. Then again, he would have to be blind and deaf not to notice that. But still, he knew. I'm hoping this plan turns out well. Because if I get injured or worse, Peter will be furious.

I slowly walked over to my bed and climbed under the covers. As angry as I was at Peter, I did feel a bit sorry for him. I knew that the only reason he was trying to forbid me from fighting was because he wanted to protect me. He was able to protect Lucy by forbidding her from going. And even that wouldn't last long. Maybe I should just stay here. No. He needs to understand that I can protect myself and that he can't forbid me from fighting. I'm still going to fight tomorrow. I'm just praying nothing goes wrong.

Just before dawn the next day, Susan came barging into my room, waking me up. She threw the armor onto my bed and literally dragged me out from under my covers. I changed into a pair of pants that Susan found. They were a little big on my but we were able to cut off the excess fabric. Susan helped me bind my chest with fabric that was usually used for wounds and I put on a loose shirt. After I was dressed, Susan helped me put my hair into a French braid which we then tucked under itself so more of it would be hidden. I put on the chainmail, surprised at the weight. Susan gave me a hand with putting on the armor. Once I was all suited up, I strapped my new sword to my belt and put on my helmet. I stepped in front of the mirror and looked at myself through the slits in my face guard.

"Well, you definitely don't look like you." Susan said. I lifted the face guard and turned to face her.

"Do you think Peter and everyone else will buy it?"

"I think so. But there's only one way to find out. You should get down to the armory." We left my room and headed down the corridor. As we turned a corner, we were met by Edmund. Crap. How are we going to explain a knight in the Royals' corridor? I can't even speak, Edmund will know it's me right away.

"Hey Susan. What are you doing with that knight?" Edmund asked. Damn it. Think, Elizabeth, think.

"Oh Sir... Gwaine... was just dropping off some of my arrows that I had fixed. I figured I would need them before the battle. You should probably get down to the armory, Sir Gwaine." Thank God Susan can think fast. I nodded my head and hurried past Edmund. Before I was out of earshot, I heard Edmund make a joke to Susan.

"Quite a short fellow, isn't he? He's probably barely taller than Lucy!" He gave a hearty laugh and Susan gave an awkward giggle. Note to self: beat Edmund up after he finds out it's me. I continued on my way down to the armory, continuing my constant prayer that the battle would go well for all of us.