The Chosen One

Ch. 25 War of Hearts

Edmund and I run up the ledge where Caspian and I had our heart to heart moments, minutes before. Standing in between Peter and Ed, I notice out of the corner of my eye, Peter and my brother glance at each other before looking towards the army of Telmarine soldiers marching at us. Some were on horses, some walking and others are hauling the catapults. The ones on the horses ride up to the front of the army, those must be the generals. Hundreds of men now stand on the battlefield, swords and shields at the ready, in formation for what is to come. 
Turning my attention to the others beside me, I notice the worried expressions on each face, mine probably looking quite similar to theirs. My gaze turns back to the army only to see my uncle in his golden armour come forth.
"Come on inside." Peter states, "we'll figure out what the plan is." everyone follows after him. I stay behind a minute, take a breath and head inside. Today my uncle is going to pay for what he did to my father, and family for that matter.
"Cakes and kettledrums. That's your next big plan?" Trumpkin asks. We are currently standing around a big table planning out our attack on Miraz. We are trying to find out a way to get Lucy in contact with Aslan to help us in battle. So far Trumpkin does not like the idea. Its quite adorable how he and Lucy have become friends. Seems like he needed one, and Lucy is so sweet. "Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!"
"It's our only chance." Peter defends his decision.
"And she won't be alone." Susan states, defending her brother.
Trumpkin walks up to Lucy, his eyes on the brink of tears. "Have... haven't enough of us died already?" He pleads. Badger than explains to Trumpkin that Nikabrik had lost hope, however he and Lucy haven't. I sigh leaning my back on Ed's legs. We are both sitting on the step that lead into the room. Looking up at Ed I see him smile down at me. Putting one of his hands on my shoulder I hold it with my own. He starts rubbing circles into my palms only making goosebumps form all over my body.
"Then I'm going with you." I zone back into the conversation. 
"No. we need you here." Lucy says sweetly while placing her hand on Trumpkin's shoulder.
"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back." Peter states.
"If I may..." My brother looks to the professor before standing up, "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer..." where is he going with this? "But as king, he is subject to the traditions...and expectations of his people." Looking at me I now realize where he is going with his argument. "There is one in particular that may buy us sometime."
After explaining the tradition to Peter and the others, Edmund gets fitted into his armor while Peter writes Miraz a note. Edmund, Glenstorm and I along with one of the giants are going to hand deliver his message.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Peter asks me, his voice full of concern. I look to my brother who is across the room from us, probably hearing every bit of this conversation. I nod my head not saying a word to the High King. We haven't talked since the moment we had in my bedroom. "You don't have to if you don't want to." He explains further.
"I don't want to go Peter..." I huff, "I need to go." He nods before heading in the opposite direction. I turn my gaze one last time towards Caspian, who only smiles, giving me the reassurance I need to go through with this plan.
"Terrain?" I hear Ed's voice from behind me. Facing him I see that he is holding the parchment which he means to read to my uncle. "You ready?" I mumble a yes before taking his hand and heading onto the battlefield towards the devil himself.

~

Currently Edmund and I are surrounded Uncle Miraz's, the Lords of Telmar and some of the generals in the war tent while Glenstorm and the giant wait outside. As Edmund reads Peters letter, I glare at my Uncle who has not taken his eyes off Ed. Probably because he is to scared to face me, knowing I know what he had done to my father. "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."
Whilst Edmund is rolling up the scroll, after he is done reading, my uncle looks him up and down, "tell me, Prince Edmund..."
"King." Edmund corrects him.
"Pardon me?" Uncle Miraz looks confused.
"It's "King Edmund" actually. Just King though. Peter's the High King."
"Do not bother explaining it to him. He's got the brain the size of an acorn." I say harshly. Ed looks at me, pity in his eyes because he knows why I am upset. Peter told him while I was having a heart to heart moment with Caspian. One the other hand Uncle Miraz glares at me rather harshly.
"Why would we risk such a proposal when our arms will wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz questions, completely ignoring what I said.
Edmund looks to everyone in the room before stating, "haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean... only a week ago Narnians were extinct."
"And so you will be again."
"Then you should have little to fear." Ed states.
Uncle Miraz laughs and states "it is not a question of bravery".
"So your bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund questions only making me smile. God this raven haired man is doing wonders for me. However Uncle Miraz leans forward, angered at what Edmund had said. He explains how he didn't say he will refuse the battle.
One of the men at the table explains how the generals will have his support whatever his decision. I do not recognize this man, however when I was living in the castle I kept mostly to myself, Caspian and to my professor. 
Lord Sopespian speaks up, "sire, our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse to avoid what might otherwise be..."
"I'm not avoiding anything!" Uncle Miraz states standing up to show his dominance whilst removing his sword from its holster.
"I was merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse." Sopespian defends himself.
"His Majesty would never refuse."  General Glozelle explains from behind us, only making my blood boil. It isn't because I hate Glozelle, it has to do with the fact that he called my uncle "his majesty". He is not a king, he will never rule after today, he will deserve everything that is coming his way.
"You." Uncle points to Edmund with his sword. "You should hope your brothers sword is sharper than his pen."
Edmund only smirks before he turns to head out of the tent. However before doing so he looks to me. "Wait outside." He nods before I turn to face my Uncle.
"How could you?"
"How could I what?"
"Kill my father, your own brother?!" I scream at him. His face goes white as if his soul has been pulled from his body. "I thought of you as family once. But now... now I can barely look at you without seeing what you truly are."
"And what is that?" Uncle Miraz questions.
"A monster." with that I turn round, wanting to leave as quickly as possible. When I emerge from the tent, I don't see Glenstorm or the giant.
"I sent them back." spinning around I see Ed standing behind me. Without thinking I run into his arms for it is truly the only place I feel safe. Ed begins to stroke my long blonde hair. I breathe in his scent, peppermint. The same scent I had smelt when he helped me calm down from my nightmares. "Should we head back?"
"In a minute."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just love being in your arms." As we slowly pull back from the hug, our faces are so close, I can feel his breath on my lips sending a sensation throughout my body no words can describe. It is as if the whole world had disappeared, all that was left is us. I am the first one to lean in closer, then him.
Suddenly we hear the sound of Susan's horn alerting us to come home. "We'll continue this later" Edmund says with a grin on his face.
"Agreed." I state before we both rush back to the howe. In mere minutes the battle between Peter and Uncle Miraz will begin!

Longest chapter yet!!!! Yay! Hope u loved it!!!