𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍 || 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 [ I ]

Chapter 18

There was hesitation in her steps as Muriel walked to the entrance. Edmund was waiting there for her and she had promised him that she would hurry, but her legs moved slow.

She didn't want to voice her thoughts out loud, but the Archenlander Princess was thinking thoroughly about Caspian's plan. She hated how her mind came up with every possible thing that could go wrong. For once Muriel wanted to be confident about the choices she made, she wanted to be sure that they would win this war. So the Princess balled her fists, sucked in a fresh breath of air and continued walking towards Edmund with a confident pace.

The Just King was comfortably leaning against the wall, accompanied by the centaur Glenstorm, who smiled kindly at the young woman when she joined them, and a giant Wimbleweather, who looked rather frightening at first but appeared to be very sweet. Wimbleweather and Glenstorm were very normal and kind creatures, but to any Telmarine they would look intimidating and frightening. And that's why they would join Edmund deliver a certain message to Miraz.

When Caspian had suggested Edmund take Muriel with him as well the princess had been confused. But everybody had agreed. Muriel would speak not only for them, for Narnia, but for Archenland as well. Maybe, just maybe that would stimulate Miraz to accept the challange they'd come up with.

And so Muriel had no other choice than to agree with the idea and walk next to Edmund and Glenstorm as they went to pay Miraz' camp a visit.

Edmund was dressed in his armor and Muriel, who had protested at first, was lent a new dress. She'd gaped at the thing for almost ten full minutes because the dress was not some simple, chique attire. Instead, the deep blue dress felt as if it was very comfortable to fight in and the chainmail that was attached to it made Muriel realize it was indeed meant for battle.

When she'd been younger her grandmother had always said: 'many Kings show their power through swords and crowns, Queens through their dresses.' But little Muriel had hated dresses back then so her dear mother had invented a new sentence: 'we through our kindness and care for our people."

Now Muriel began to understand what her grandmother had meant with dresses are power, though the advice of her mother made more sense. The dress made her feel self-assured, ready to take on whatever was coming their way.

And maybe that was for the best, because Miraz didn't look amused when they stood before him.

Edmund had rolled out the letter Peter had written and read it out loud with ease.

"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."

Miraz was leaning back, staring blankly at Edmund as he rolled up the scroll. He looked rather unimpressed and shared unamused glances with the men sitting around him. "Tell me, Prince Edmund-"

"King," corrected Edmund quickly.

A corner of Muriel's mouth rose when Miraz looked confused, "pardon me?"

Edmund was more than happy to explain the whole thing to the Telmarine King, "It's King Edmund actually. Just King though. Peter is the High King." He shared a glance with Muriel and winked jokingly at her, "I know, it's confusing."

Miraz didn't share their amusement in the slightest, "why would we risk such a proposal when our army could wipe you out by nightfall?"

Muriel smiled to herself, Miraz had no idea what was waiting for him. Before she and Edmund had departed she and Peter had sent a messenger to Archenland, to her father. They'd asked the King of Archenland for help, the princess was sure her father would accept and sent his troups. She didn't feel scared of Miraz anymore.