Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 11- Unimaginable Pain and A Saving Breath

Peter's POV

I looked around at the battle raging around me. We were severely outnumbered and growing tired fast. The witch pulled on the reigns of her carriage, the polar bears stomping forward. I thrust my sword into a nearby minotaur, turning my unicorn around to face the archers on the hill. I made eye contact with Edmund. He nodded, raising his sword. A female centaur to his right pulled back her bow, setting a flaming arrow and fired.

The arrow soared high into the air before erupting into a flaming phoenix. It dove down between the two armies, creating a wall of fire. The battle ceased in that moment, all of us letting out cheers. But the victory was short lived as Jadis reached the fire. One of her bears let out a roar, extinguishing the fire. She led the charge through the small opening.

"Fall back!" I ordered, "Draw them to the rocks!" I turned my unicorn around, heading for the hill where the archers were waiting. The archers stood at the ready as Edmund gave them the signal to fire.

Suddenly, I was thrown into the air as my stead collapsed to the ground. I landed on my back, the breath knocked out of my lungs. As I tried to gather myself, I looked up to see the witch's army advancing.

I got to my feet standing alone against Jadis and her army. The ground shook behind me. I whipped around to see Oreius and a large rhinoceros charging forward.

"Stop!" I shouted as they ran by. The rhinoceros jumped into the frenzy, flinging different creatures into the air before falling to the ground. Oreius went straight for the witch. He attacked, but Jadis ducked and attacked.

She parried to the side and thrust her wand towards Oreius' chest. He froze, mid swing, turning to stone.

Annabelle's POV

Pain coursed through my body as I lay face down on the icy floor. Everything was white, save for the blood that stained the ice around me. Silence hung in the air and I knew I was the only living breathing being in the entirety of this prison. But not for long. I could feel the life leaving my body. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I dared to move, turning my head slightly to see stone statues surrounding me, faces frozen in pain and sorrow. Centaurs, fauns, animals, and griffons alike. My breath caught in my throat and a cough racked through my body. My stomach was ripped open and bleeding profusely, my head pounded against my skull, my arms and legs were numb. I tasted blood on my lips, feeling tears run down my face.

The silence was broken by footsteps echoing from another room nearby. Whispers reached my ears, familiar voices. I opened my mouth to try and shout for help, but I couldn't form words. I let my eyes close and I drifted away.

Lucy's POV

I ran through the countless statues of creatures in the witch's castle. I tried not to look at the pained faces of the Narnian's as I passed by.

Why would Aslan bring us here? Away from battle? I thought, confused.

There was no sign of life around me. Susan followed closely behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder as I came to a stop, forcing myself to look at each face. I gasped as I found one I recognized. Running forward, I reached the statue of Mr. Tumnus. Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned, burying my head into Susan who ran up beside me. The silence of the castle was now only fulled with my cries.

Alsan stepped up beside me, sending me a look of sorrow. But he smiled slightly and breathed onto Mr. Tumnus. The stone began to creak and crack, fading away from the faun. Color restored in his face and his red scarf swung freely back and forth. Life crept back into his eyes and he let out a gasp, breathing heavily as he fell forward. Susan and I reached out and caught him. He composed himself and looked up, smiling when he saw me. I looked to Susan.

"Susan, this is-"

"Mr. Tumnus!" Susan tackled the faun into a hug. I joined the hug and we all laughed as Mr. Tumnus stumbled back a few steps. I turned to see Aslan standing a few feet away from us, standing over a limp figure.

"Susan." I whispered. My sister looked over to me then followed my gaze. Her smiled faded and she ran forward. Mr. Tumnus took my hand and we followed. Susan stepped in front of me before I could get a good look at who the figure was, but I saw a pool of blood surrounding them and staining Aslan's paws.

"Don't look." Susan ordered

"What is it?" I asked, trying to look around. "I can help." I pulled out my flask of the fireflower.

"Her life has already left, my child. There is nothing you can do." Aslan said.

"Who?" I asked, getting impatient. I pushed passed Susan and froze. Annabelle lay in front of Aslan, her body broken and still. She was covered head to toe in blood. I took a step back, feeling Susan's arms wrap around my shoulders. I sob rose up in my throat, tears streaming down my face. Susan sniffed behind me.

"Is there nothing to be done?" She asked frantically. Aslan shook his head.

"You do not possess the power to heal her and restore life. However..." The lion stepped forward and breathed gently onto Annabelle's face. Seconds ticked by. My eyes widened as I watched the pool of blood get smaller and her wounds beginning to get smaller. Her clothing even stitched itself back together and her hair twisted into a neat braid. Susan and I bolted forward as Annabelle's chest began to rise and fall steadily. Her eyes blinked open.

"Susan? Lucy? What happened?" She asked. Susan helped her sit up and she locked eyes with Aslan. Her eyes widened.

"How...?" Her question trailed off.

"You did not heed my warning, child." He scolded gently. Annabelle hung her head slightly.

"I am sorry, Aslan. But I thought you had died. I had to avenge you." She explained.

"As you can see, I am not dead."

"And for that, I am grateful." Annabelle stood up shakily and hugged the lion tightly. He wrapped a paw around her, a deep laugh rumbling in his throat. As Annabelle pulled away, Aslan turned to look at all of us.

"Come, lets search the castle- others may still be trapped inside. And Peter will need all the help he can get." He instructed.