𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 || peter pevensie [2]

chapter eleven ~ challenge

The steel blue army bled from the trees into the clearing. As expected, Miraz' military was far greater in numbers than their own. Nimueh glanced up the gage the expression on Peter's face, but she only saw his stern eyes fixed on the Telmarine soldiers.

After what had happened in the chamber of the Stone Table, Nimueh wasn't sure what kind of actions were appropriate to make in front of the other Pevensies and Caspian. Before, she had always known to repress any signs of her affection for Peter, even in comforting him, but now that everything was out in the open, things might have changed. Thankfully she didn't have to make that choice.

Peter closed his hand firmly over her shoulder. "Go and find Glenstorm, and meet us in the strategy chamber. We'll figure something out." She only nodded and left.

Minutes later, she and the centaur joined the four Kings and Queens, Caspian, Doctor Cornelius – Caspian's professor, whom he had rescued from the castle – Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, Reepicheep, and a large bear in the chamber.

"We need to get to Aslan," Peter said firmly. "If Lucy saw him in the forest, then that's where he'll be."

"You don't think he'll have moved on by now?" said Trufflehunter.

"If he wants Lucy to find him, which I'm sure he does, then she will."

"Is that your big plan?" Trumpkin, the Red Dwarf, sent the High King a hooded glare. "You want to send a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest alone?"

"It's our only chance," Peter stressed.

"And she won't be going alone," said Susan, placing her hand on Lucy's shoulder.

Trumpkin sighed, moving over to Lucy, his eyes pleading. "Haven't enough of us died already?"

"For Aslan," grumbled the bulgy bear. A muttering mantra of the same echoed softly in the chamber.

"Then I'm going with you," Trumpkin said firmly, but Lucy shook her head.

"No, we need you here."

"We have to hold them off until Susan and Lucy get back," Nimueh finally spoke up. "And for that, we need every sword we have."

Out of the corner of her eyes, Nimueh spotted Caspian leaning a little closer to his professor who nodded. Caspian glanced up and caught her gaze, and she looked at him expectantly.

"If I may," he smiled weakly, and Nimueh nodded. The rest of the company turned to the young Prince. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer. But as King, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one, in particular, that may buy us some time."

"We're all ears," Peter sighed.

"If we were to challenge Miraz to a battle in single combat, I doubt he will refuse. That should give Queen Lucy enough time to find Aslan at least."

"Single combat?" Edmund mused. "I hadn't thought of that."

"It's a bold move, a smart move even, on our part," said Nimueh.

"It's our best hope right now and we don't have time to think of something else," Peter frowned. "We'll send him the challenge immediately. Have you pen and ink, Doctor?"

♚

Edmund, Glenstorm and the Giant, Wimbleweather, were sent over to where Miraz had made his camp to deliver the challenge. Caspian, Susan, and Lucy went to prepare their weapons and a horse so that they could make a quick getaway whatever the circumstances. When the silence left by their departure became too much, each of the other creatures left the chamber, one by one, until only Nimueh and Peter remained.