The Phoenix Archer ∞ Peter Pevensie

i. | E P I L O G U E (4)

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"You said you had something to show me?" Edmund raised a brow at his brother as they walked shoulder-to-shoulder as they were on their way to meet their sisters.

"Oh, yes." Peter beams, digging into his pocket to retrieve the velvet black box that he had stuck in there, not wanting to leave it behind in the castle.

He opens it to show its contents to his brother and his smile widens as he takes in the beautiful diamond ring that sat inside. The diamond had a subtle orange hint to it, that had reminded Peter of the fire that had burned within the woman that owned his heart. Regardless to say, he thought it suited Nerissa perfectly and had to get his hands on it as soon as he saw it.

It's been five years since they first started seeing each other. It was time. Peter knew it and he was more than ready to tie the knot and make all of this official.

Edmund snickered as soon as he saw the ring, making Peter's face fall. "Didn't she say no the last six times you asked her?"

"Well, there wasn't a ring those times. I'm actually going to do it properly this time." Peter argued.

The younger boy rolled his eyes, "Are you, now?" He asked, his tone dripping with so much sarcasm it made Peter grimace and his step falter.

"You think she's going to say no?"

"Think about it, Peter. Who in their right minds would want to spend the rest of their life with you? But then again, it's Nerissa, so I'd say you might actually stand a chance." Edmund pats him on the back, "I honestly haven't got the slight clue what she sees in you, brother dear."

Peter grumbles under his breath as his brother walks ahead of him. He stared down at the ring that glimmered in the morning sun, shaking any doubts from his head.

No, he knew Nerissa. She loved him just as much as he loved her- that much he was sure of. She'll say yes. Steeling his nerves Peter marched forward, making the decision that he was going to pop the question as soon as they got back to Cair Paravel after their hunt through the woods.

"Keep up, old man!" Edmund calls out from where he disappeared down the pathway.

A smile graced Peter's face as he broke out into a jog to join his siblings. He loved spending time with them, but he couldn't wait to return so he could finally make her his.

"My wife." His smile broadens as he tests the words.

He certainly liked the sound of that as well as what it meant; Together, till the end of their time.

*

They never came back.

Nerissa held out her hand, grazing the vines that covered the lamppost with her fingertips. She could almost still feel the bile rising in her throat the day Oreius came to tell her that the Kings and Queens had gone missing. Their troops had searched every inch of the forest but had come up with nothing.

The only thing they found were their horses; right where they left them by this lamppost. Philip had said that they entered an unknown entrance, one that no one else could find and never came back out.

It's been years since that day they left for through the mysterious entrance and sadly, they still have yet to return. Peter promised they would earlier that day...but they didn't.

But none of that mattered. She knew they'll be back. She didn't know how she knew, she just did. One way or another, Peter would always come back to her.

Coming here has easily become a part of Nerissa's daily routine as she awaited the return of her Kings and Queens.

Letting out a sigh, she mounted her horse, rekindling memories of Peter helping her overcome her dislike for horseback riding, which only made her miss him even more.

Nerissa shook the thoughts from her head, refusing to let her mind linger for too long. There were bigger problems to worry about after all.

Snapping her reins, Nerissa started making her way back to Cair Paravel.

A loud crash draws Nerissa's attention as she approached Cair Paravel. The sound of pure chaos grew louder and louder with every gallop.

Right away, she knew exactly what was happening. Telmarines. They had bid their attack sooner than her army was expecting.

Her erratic heart thumped against her chest as she picked up speed, rushing through the woods and ignoring the branches that whipped out at her as she did.

She hops off her horse as she neared the castle, placing a gentle hand on its snout. "Get yourself your safety."

The horse neighed, tearing back on its hind legs before galloping off into the woods.

Emerging from the woods, she made quick work searching for a point of entry that wasn't hard to find, considering that most of the castle was not destroyed with crumbling walls and fire engulfing most of its structure.

Nerissa didn't think, she just acted, letting her legs carry her into the burning building without hesitation. She needed to make sure her people have safely evacuated from the castle.

The heat didn't bother her, in fact, it felt familiar. Fire burned inside her as well after all. What had bothered her, however, was the smoke that was filling her lungs, leaving her choking and gasping for fresh air.

Nerissa ignored it, quickly scavenging for any survivors that may be trapped under what was left of Cair Paravel.

"Milady!" A familiar voice called.

Nerissa whirled around to find Mr. Tumnus, leading a group of fauns and centaurs.

"Mr. Tumnus! There's an exit this way! Lead them to safety, I'm going to continue searching." Nerissa instructs.

Tumnus grabs onto her, his eyes filled with fear. "Milady, you can't! We need to get out of here. There isn't enough time! The building is going to collapse."

"I'll be fine. You need to leave. I have to make sure there's no one left inside."

Mr. Tumnus hesitates, looking torn. Forcing a smile, Nerissa urges him forward.

"Go, Mr. Tumnus. I'll be right behind you."

Mr. Tumnus swallows before dipping his chin in a curt nod, "Thank you, brave Warrior."

Nerissa watched as he led the group out of the building, relief that they were at least safe now from the fire now before pushing forward and further into the what's left of Cair Paravel.

"Hello?" she called, "Is there anyone in here?"

Silence was all that followed, but still, she persisted. She couldn't stomach the idea of potentially leaving someone behind to die.

"Hello?" Nerissa yelled again, making her way deeper into the building.

She took another step forward, only to be met with the sound of the ground crumbling beneath her feet. Before Nerissa could even react, she felt herself falling, and the last thing she remembered seeing was the ceiling collapsing right above her.