Athena was left alone in Narnia, not knowing if the Pevensies would ever return. It's been hundreds of years and now there is a new evil in Narnia. Can Athena defeat this evil? Will the Pevensies return? This is the second book about the Angel of Na...
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CHAPTER 9
(3rd Person POV)
"Athena!" Lucy yells as she wraps Athena into a hug which is joined by Susan and Edmund. Peter doesn't move from his spot because he is so shocked. They let go and turn to look at Peter. Peter drops his sword and Athena jumps into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"It's really you," Peter says as he looks at Athena before pulling her into another hug which she gladly accepts. Caspian can't help but feel a spark of jealousy flow through him as he sees them. He had just got to close to her.
"We need to get back," Athena says as she pulls away from Peter and looks at Caspian who nods. Caspian leads the way as Peter and Athena walk together behind him. Athena catches Peter up on some of the things that have been happening before Peter drops back to speak with Susan and Edmund. Although Athena is incredibly happy that Peter is back, she can't help but feel like something has changed about Peter and it worries her because she's afraid her feelings may not be the same as they once were. Caspian notices that Athena is walking by herself and drops back to walk with her.
"Are you alright?" Caspian asks her.
"Yeah, I'm just glad they're back. There is so much hope now," Athena answers.
"You are the hope," Caspian says as he places his hand on her shoulder in comfort. Athena smiles at Caspian before they continue to lead the way back to the How. Peter notices the interaction between them and feels jealousy and anger churn inside him. Just another reason not to like Caspian. Athena and Caspian stop at the edge of the woods, so the Pevensies can catch up and see the How. As they walk up to the How, the centaurs gather on both sides of the entryway and raise their swords. Lucy, Peter, Athena, Susan, and Edmund continue forward with their heads held high in confidence. Caspian slowly trails behind.
(Athena POV)
We walk into the How and the Pevensies look around at the Narnians working on weapons.
"It may not be what you are used to, but it is defensible," Caspian says.
"Peter. You may want to see this," Susan says as she stands at the entrance to the tunnel that leads to the stone table. "It's us." The Pevensies look around at the engravings on the walls. It was the story of their last adventure in Narnia.
"What is this place?" Lucy asks.
"You don't know?" Caspian asks as he shares a look with me. I grab the torch from Peter and Caspian grabs another from the wall as we journey deeper into the tunnel. As we enter the room Caspian lights one side of the room while I light the other. The fire meets underneath an engraving of Aslan. The room is fully lit and the cracked stone table can be seen. The Pevensies all look at one another. Lucy walks up to the stone table before turning around.
"He must know what he's doing," Lucy says talking about Aslan which makes me smile.
"I think it's up to us now," Peter says and I feel my smile fall. He definitely has changed because the Peter I knew would never give up on Aslan. A faun that was on guard comes into the How and says that he saw a Telmarine. We all meet in the room with the stone table.
"It's only a matter of time. Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle," Peter explains.
What do you propose we do, your Majesty?" Reepicheep asks.
"We need to get ready for it," Caspian says at the same time Peter says, "To start planning for..." I would have laughed if it had not been a serious setting. Peter sends Caspian a slight glare and Caspian backs down.
"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us," Peter says. He is crazy, I have tried that and failed.
"That's crazy. No one has taken that castle," Caspian states and I nod.
"There's always a first time," Peter says.
"I have tried it and failed," I say but no one listens besides Caspian.
"We'll have the element of surprise," Trumpkin states.
"But we have the advantage here!" I say and Caspian nods. I see a hurt look quickly wash over Peter's face before it is gone in a second.
"If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely," Caspian explains.
"I, for one, feel safer underground," Trufflehunter agrees.
"Look. I appreciate what you've done here, but this isn't a fortress. It's a tomb," Peter states and I feel a little hurt inside.
"Yes. And if they're smart, the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out," Edmund says agreeing with Peter.
"We could collect nuts!" A squirrel states.
"Yes! And throw them at the Telmarines. Shut up!" Reepicheep says rudely.
"Reepicheep!" I scold.
"I think you know where I stand, sire," Reepicheep says to Peter.
"If I get your troops in, can you handle the guards?" Peter asks as he turns to Glenstorm. Glenstorm looks from Caspian to me before answering.
"Or die trying, my liege," Glenstorm answers as he bows his head. I feel hurt because I have known Glenstorm for a long time.
"That's what I'm worried about," Lucy says.
"Sorry?" Peter asks as if Lucy shouldn't be saying anything at all.
"You're all acting like there are only two options. Dying here, or dying there," Lucy answers and I nod my head agreeing with her as does Susan.
"She's right," I say but once again I am ignored.
"I'm not sure you've been listening," Peter states.
"No, you're not listening," Lucy argues back. "Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"
"I think we've waited for Aslan long enough," Peter answers before turning to leave the room. This is not the Peter that I remember at all. Peter plans out the plan of attack. I get dressed in my armor, leaving Lucy to help Susan get ready. Thankfully Lucy would not be going with us. I walk into where Edmund and Peter are. As I walk in Edmund walks out.
"Do you need some help?" I ask clearly startling him. It reminds of before we went to battle against the White Witch. Peter nods and I walk over to him.
"Just like old times," Peter says as I attach his sleeve of armor.
"It would be if Aslan was here," I state and I see Peter roll his eyes slightly.
"But he's not. I have this under control," Peter says.
"We're in this together, so you don't have to everything by yourself," I tell him as I back away from him.
"Why can't you and Lucy accept that Aslan isn't coming?" Peter asks angrily. I look at him in shock.
"Because we still have hope," I say as I turn to leave. "Where's your hope, Peter?" I look back at Peter one last time and he doesn't answer so I walk away to find Caspian. I walk into where Caspian is.
"Do you think what we are doing is right?" Caspian asks as he notices my presence.
"No but Peter has given up hope and won't see it any other way," I say as I pick up Caspian's sword. "We just do what we can until we can no longer do that." I hand Caspian his sword and he nods.
