Me, Glenstorm and Wimbleweather walk across the battlefield carrying green branches. They are a symbol that we do not mean harm in this moment.
Wimbleweather and Glenstorm wait outside a tent as I read the challenge to Miraz and his counsel: 'I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and Empress 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.' With that I roll up the scroll.
Miraz starts: 'Tell me, Princess Alexa-'
'Queen', I interrupt.
'Pardon?'
'It's Queen actually. As Peter is High King so am I High Queen. I know, it's confusing.'
'Why would we', he continues as if I hadn't said anything, 'risk such a proposal when our army couple wipe you out by nightfall?'
'Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?' I question, 'Only a week ago, Narnians were extinct.'
'And so you will be again.' Miraz threatens.
'Then you should have little to fear', I responded.
Miraz laughs, 'This is not a question of bravery.'
'So, you are bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age', I taunted.
'I didn't say I refused', he says quickly.
'You shall have our support, your Majesty', a lord told his king, 'whatever your decision.'
'Sire', another lord spoke, 'our military advantage alone allows us to perfect excuse to avoid-'
Miraz silences everyone as he stands up and draws his sword. 'I'm not avoiding anything!'
'I am merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse', the lord states calmly.
'His Majesty would never refuse', yet another lord adds in, 'He relishes the chance to show his people the bravery of their new king.'
Miraz now points his sword at me, 'You had better hope your boyfriends sword proves sharper.'
I smirk at this comment, 'Oh, he is not my boyfriend, he is my husband.'
Miraz' head visibly reddens in anger. He stabs his sword into the map before him. I turn around to continue our way back to the How.
It was the day of the Single Combat. Earlier I'd given Caspian my horn to give to Susan before they left. Now, Me, Peter and Edmund walk out of the How as the Narnians cheer us on.
I kiss Peter to wish him good luck before handing him his helmet. After, he draws his sword and steps forward. Miraz steps forward and they begin circling.
'There is still time to surrender', Miraz tells Peter.
'Well, feel free', Peter taunts.
'How many more must die for the throne', Miraz snaps.
'Just one', Peter pulls down his helmet and jumps at Miraz. They begin fighting, the two armies cheer but I watch in silence. As the fight continues, Peter hits Miraz in the back, Miraz knocks off Peter's helmets and then his coif. Peter swings low, and cuts Miraz' leg. I notice Miraz looking towards his lords, one of which is holding a crossbow. Miraz swing and Peter falls over but quickly recovers. Miraz trips Peter and then steps on his shield, Peter yells. Miraz swings again, but Peter rolls out of the way. He keeps rolling and blocking. Then he stops and causes Miraz to trip. Both quickly get up, breathing heavily. I hear something and see Caspian and Susan riding up.
'Does his Highness need respite?' Miraz snaps.
'Five minutes', Peter bargains.
'Three.' Then they both limp back to their respective sides.
'Lucy...' Peter mumbles as he sits down on a chair Edmund had sat down.
'She got through...' Susan assures him, 'with some help.'
Peter thanks Caspian. 'Well you were busy', Caspian nods.
'You two better get up there', Peter tells Susan and me, 'Just in case. I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word.' Susan hugs him and he winces, 'Sorry.'
'It's alright.'
'Take care', with that Susan made her way to the How's balcony.
'I'm staying', I insist.
Peter sighs yet still seemed happy I didn't leave his side, 'You're never going to learn to do as you're asked, are you?'
'Keep smiling', I told him, looking towards the How. Peter raises his sword and forces a smile, the Narnians cheer. Peter holds his arm and groans. He sits back down so I can look at his arm.
'I think its dislocated...' he says, 'What do you think happens back home, if you die here?' I hold his arms ready to relocate it, '... You know, you've always been there, I never really- AWW!' He yells out as I relocate it.
'Save it for later', I tell him.
Peter shakes his head when Ed offers him his helmet. I see Miraz also pushing away his. They walk out to the fighting area again. Peter attacks quickly, but Miraz parries. Miraz starts hitting Peter with his shield. He falls and Miraz runs towards him. He blocks and then trips Miraz. They both recover. Peter knocks Miraz' sword out of his hand. They continue fighting, Miraz using only his shield. Peter tries to stab Miraz but fails. Miraz knocks Peters sword out of his hand. He tries to slam his shield into Peter but he catches it. Peter twists Miraz' shield behind him. Miraz elbows Peter in the face and then pushes him into a pillar. Miraz picks up his sword and swings, but Peter blocks it with his vambraces. Peter stands up and punches Miraz' wounded leg. Miraz' yells and falls down, dropping his sword.
'Respite! Respite!' Miraz pleads.
'Now's no time for chivalry, Peter!' Ed yells.
Peter hesitates. Miraz holds up his hands preparing for the blow. Peter lowers his arm and starts walking back to his side. After Peter's back is turned we see Miraz grab his sword and run towards Peter.
'Look out!' I cry out.
Peter dodges just in time, grabs the sword, twists it around and stabs Miraz beneath the arm. Miraz gasps and falls to his knees. Peter, holding Miraz' sword, hesitates again.
'What's the matter, boy?' Miraz spat, 'Too cowardly to take a life?'
'It isn't mine to take', Peter snaps.
Peter looks back at Caspian. Caspian steps forward, and Peter hands Miraz' sword to him. Caspian slowly raises the sword. Peter meanwhile walks back to me. I wrap my arms around him, carefully trying not to hurt him.
'Perhaps I was wrong', Miraz says emotionless, 'It seems you have the makings of a good Telmarine king after all.' Miraz bows his head. Caspian raises his sword, screams and stabs... the ground.
'Not one like you', Caspian tekks Miraz, 'Keep your life, but I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom.' Caspian walks away and the Narnians cheer. The celebration however came too soon. We hear a loud gasp and a thud of something falling. We turn to see Miraz on the ground, an arrow sticking into his back. One of the lords runs op and takes Miraz' sword, 'Treachery! They shot him! They murdered our king! To arm!'
