The Cold and the Just | E. Pevensie

XV

(outfit pictured - no gloves)

Miraz's face was smug, but I could see the nervous glint in his old eyes.

Peter was half his age and I didn't doubt the King could defeat my uncle.

Then again, Peter fought fair, while Miraz wouldn't blink an eye if caught cheating.

The Telemarines took a while to get close to us at the How, giving me time to find a new outfit - this one less restrictive and fit with pants that weren't made of tight leather.

I felt and looked better in this outfit. It seemed Lord Sosespian, Miraz's right hand man, seemed to think so too.

The man was vile. He was known for being a pervert, his reputation preceding him as one attracted to younger girls.

Much younger.

I thought of the many times he stared at me too long, or when Caspian would catch him lingering outside my bedroom.

I shuddered at the man, his twisted smile causing a wave of panic to rush over me.

Lord Sosespian was scum. I could impale him at any moment. I could kill him in an instant.
But I'm better than he is.

So, I walked towards the battle ground, a small square of concrete ruins. Miraz, Gonzales, and Sosespian were waiting.

I passed cheering Narnians, eagerly awaiting Peter's arrival.

I stepped onto the stone platform and held my uncle's gaze, showing no sign of weakness.

I was better than these men. Stronger. More powerful.

"Looking sharp, Princess. Lovely outfit," Lord Sosespian exclaimed, his tone slimy.

I looked at him and felt my hands chill. "I wish I could return a compliment, but you three look horrendous. Uncomfortable. Anxious. As you should be." I flashed my eyes so they were ice blue, hoping to scare them.

It worked. Both Gonzales and Miraz drew in short breaths, and Sosespian took a step back, tripping over a loose stone.

I could hear the Narnian's cheers grow louder. Peter was on his way.

I stepped back so I was level with Glenstorm, the centaur. He nodded in acknowledgment.

As Peter stepped forward, I kept my eyes on my uncle. He was saying something to Gonzales.

"If it appears to be going poorly..." Miraz gestured to the general's sword.
"Understood, your majesty," Gonzales replied.

I felt my hands tighten into fists. I stepped towards my uncle yet again, this time my pace quicker.

"You shall do no such thing, Gonzales," I snarled. "Telemarine tradition; a fair fight. Only cowards would dare cheat."

Gonzales' weapon, a sword, started getting frosty. He dropped the weapon and it clanged on the ground, covered in ice.

"Calling me a cheat?" Miraz stood to his feet, stepping closer. I don't move an inch, even though he towered over me.

We had a staring contest for a moment, my gaze icy and his steely. "I will not cheat. And neither will you," he growled. Tearing his gaze, Miraz out his hand in the air. "The witch! She has an unseen advantage! I demand she be taken away!"

Before I could move, Sosespian came forward and pulled me towards him, holding my hands behind back, my arms twisted dangerously tight.

"Let her go!" Edmund's voice was reassuring. "She hasn't done anything."

I met his brown eyes and he nodded comfortingly, but Sosespian noticed and twisted my arms even more, causing me to yelp in pain.

"Your fight is with Peter!" Edmund challenged, "not (Y/N). Let. Her. Go."

Miraz sneered and groaned, grabbing me by the shoulders and pushing me forward, over a pile of rough stone. I couldn't help but trip, only to land in Edmund's open arms.

"Good catch, Lover Boy," Sosespian chided, chuckling sinisterly. "But his Majesty is right. Princess (Y/N) has an obvious, but invisible, advantage...

...Blindfold her."

"Blindfold her?" Peter replied in unbelief. "Why?!"

Miraz replied coldly, "if she can't see the fight, she cannot interfere. It's only fair."

"Agreed." I mumbled. Peter didn't need my help. He could defeat Miraz without any cheats.

As Edmund ushered me to the edge of the battle square, I leaned into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Edmund. For earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you."

To my surprise, he laughed. "I'm sorry too. I don't like fighting with you, (Y/N). Let's not do it again?"

I smiled in response and nodded, then continued, "thank you. For catching me."

The Just King grinned cheekily. "Of course. I won't ever let you fall."

Peter passed us, reaching for his helmet that was held by Glenstorm. "(Y/N), you don't have to be blindfolded. You don't deserve to be treated like this."

I shook my head and moved towards Peter, placing a comforting hand on his cheek. "You don't need my help, Peter. You're strong and a great fighter."

He reached up and held my hand, before patting it and letting me take it back.  Caspian appeared behind Peter, a nervous look on his face and a blue scarf in his hand.

"(Y/N), if you need this off at any moment-" he started, fiddling with the fabric.

"I'll be okay, boys. I trust Peter will do just fine," I answered, pulling Caspian in a hug and taking the scarf from him.

I handed the scarf to Edmund, who placed it over my eyes, the world becoming dark in an instant.

"Good luck, Peter," I mumbled, hoping he was near.

"Thank you, (Y/N)." I heard Peter walk away, his footsteps heavy.

The sound of metal hitting metal caused me to snap my head towards the sound of the clanging.

The battle had begun.

•••
WOW
I ACTUALLY UPDATED A SECOND TIME

I'm amazing myself.

I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter, I really liked writing it.

Taking away sight from the equation should be interesting.

See you in the next chapter!

Later gators.