Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 16- A New Queen and The Battle for Cair Paravel

Annabelle's POV

I stepped into the throne room, dressed in my grandest dress, a velvet cloak flowing behind me. The room was full of familiar faces. Creatures who had become my friends over these past fifteen years. All were silent as I walked down the aisle, joining Orieus at the front. Mr. Tumnus stood to his right, holding a crown, decorated in golden apple tree and oak tree branches. I turned to face the crowd, who all waited in anticipation. Orieus stepped forward, letting out a deep breath.

"In the name and power of Aslan, I give you Queen Annabelle the True!" He announced, Mr. Tumnus laid the golden crown atop my head. The crowd cheered, but an air of sadness for the lost Kings and Queens still hung in the air. I sat down on my throne, placed in the middle of the four empty thrones.

"Long live Queen Annabelle!"

Oh they have no idea.

****

The Telmarines attacked in the night. I had not seen it in my dreams. In fact, my visions had ceased the moment the Kings and Queens left, over three years ago. I leapt out of bed, rushing to the balcony to see ships making land upon the seashore. Shouts of the Narnians echoed into the night sky.

"Prepare for battle!" I shouted to the guards stationed on the balcony below mine. They bowed to me and hurried to meet the Telmarines. I grabbed my armor and weapons, quickly changing before rushing through the empty, quiet halls.

"The castle is under attack!" I shouted as I turned towards the stables. When I arrived, soldiers were in a frenzy.

"My Queen, there are too many of them. We must flee!" A centaur cried.

"We will not allow the Telmarines to take Cair Paravel! Not while I still have breath in my lungs." I demanded. "We must keep them on the beaches. And by Aslan's will, we won't fail."

The centaur bowed, though there was fear in his eyes. I could see he was not fit for battle.

"Do you have a family?"

"Yes, your highness. A wife and two daughters."

"Find them and sound the alarm throughout the kingdom. I put you in charge of seeing to it that the those not fit to fight are taken to safety. I trust in you to do this."

"Thank you, my Queen. I will not fail you."

"What is your name?" I asked, placing a hand over his arm.

"Balios."

"May Aslan be with you, Balios." I whispered. He nodded.

"And with you." He said back, a look of determination covering his previous fear. He galloped out of the stables.

"Where is Orieus?" I asked the faun who manned the stables and was quickly helping me saddle my horse.

"He is already fighting on the shore. He took his soldiers to meet the Telmarines head on." the faun responded, passing me the reigns as I mounted my horse. I nodded to him.

"Once you are done here, join the archers stationed in the castle. Don't let anyone onto dry land." I ordered. The faun nodded.

"And what about you, your majesty?" he inquired.

"I will join Orieus and his soldiers on the front lines." Without giving the faun a second chance to speak, I rode off, making my way to the beach. I dashed out of the gate leading down to the beaches and grabbed my axe from its holster on my back. Pushing my horse to go faster, I came up to the battle.

"My Queen, there are too many." My horse neighed, scanning the armies of men on the beach.

"I must do all I can." I said, dismounting.