A New Beginning | Edmund Pevensie {1}

[16]

"There may be times, when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time, when we fail to protest." - Elle Wiesel.

Edmund, Peter and I walked out of the Howe side by side, the Narnian's cheering was the only thing we could hear, as we approached the fight circle, where Miraz sat. The looks on our faces set in stone, to not show how nervous we were. Glenstorm sent Peter a reassuring nod and entered with us. Peter unsheathed his sword, and Edmund kept hold of the sheath, quickly putting it to the side. Miraz lowered his helmet, and unsheathed his sword, facing Peter. Everyone was silent as they approached each other. I saw that Edmund was breathing really heavily, so to distract him I entwined our fingers together. Slowly, his breathing returned to normal, and he sent me a grateful smile. 

"There is still time to surrender." Miraz offered Peter taking him as a coward, shaking his sword. 

"Well feel free." Peter retaliated, his voice not faltering in any way, he was confident. 

"How many more must die for the throne?" Miraz asked, his voice muffled by his helmet.

"Just one!" Peter spat, putting his helmet down. Using his surroundings to his advantage Peter slashed at Miraz, taking the high ground. Both of them dodging multiple strikes made by the other. They were both at the same level. I silently cheered when Peter hit Miraz, and squeezed Edmund's hand whenever Peter was hit by Miraz. Miraz ducked under Peter's sword, then hit Peter with his shield, knocking off his helmet, he then quickly sliced at Peter's neck, but missed. I gasped, quickly breathing, as the fight got more intense. Peter slashed Miraz's leg quite deeply. Miraz then tripped Peter, and stood on his shield, bending Peter's arm the wrong way. An audible crack could be heard, I winced at the painful sound, there's something wrong with his arm. Peter yelled in pain, rolling away from Miraz's attacks, and that definitely won't help, he managed to trip up the Telmarine King. Peter hesitated, as he saw Susan and Caspian return, but no Lucy.

"Does his highness need respite?" Miraz croaked out.

"Five minutes?" Peter offered, wincing in pain.

"Three." Miraz hissed. Edmund slowly helped Peter to the edge of the arena, carrying Peter's helmet. 

"Lucy?" Peter asked, as Susan and Caspian came towards us. 

"She got through." Susan said, relief spread quickly through me. "With a little help." she added nodding in Caspian's direction. 

"Thanks." Peter breathed to Caspian. 

"Well, you were busy." Caspian replied, like it wasn't a big deal.

"You better get out there, just in case. I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word." Peter told Susan warily. Susan hugged him, but Peter hissed in pain. She quickly apologised, then left, warning Peter to be careful. I nudged Edmund.

"Times almost up, and the Narnians aren't looking very hopeful." I whispered, motioning in the direction of the Narnians. Edmund followed my gaze.

"Keep smiling." he subtly told Peter, so Peter raised his sword, in the direction of the Narnians, all of them letting out a thrilled cheer. Peter sat down, and I took his shield, he let out a pained gasp, at the movement, I paused and looking at him worriedly. 

"I think it's dislocated." he told Edmund, who quickly came over to his side, to look at it. "What do you think happens back home if you die here?" Peter asked. Edmund froze on the spot and shared an anxious look with me. I didn't like this, it sounded like he was saying goodbye. Peter continued, "You know, you've always been there, and I never really-" he cut himself off with a groan, as Edmund popped his arm back into place, another loud crack was heard. 

"Save it for later." Edmund told him, passing him his sword and shield. Peter refused his helmet, as did Miraz. They re-entered the ring for round two. Quickly, they slashed at each other, some minor blows were administered, by the shields, but neither really managed to get a good shot. Peter managed to take Miraz's sword off him, leaving Peter with only a sword, and Miraz only a shield. From then on the fighting was sort of petty, until Miraz took Peter's sword, and attacked an unarmed Peter. Peter blocked the swings, and punched Miraz's injured leg. Miraz collapsed to the ground in pain.

"Respite!" he shouted, "respite." he whispered again, in pain. Peter backed off, as Miraz was on his knees.

"What is he doing?" I questioned Edmund, when I saw that he wasn't finishing Miraz off.

"Now's not the time for Chivalry Peter!" Edmund shouted to his brother, to try get him back on task. Peter left Miraz, and started walking back towards his friends. Miraz suddenly stood up, bringing his sword with him, to attack Peter from behind.

"Peter!" I shouted, Edmund also saw Miraz.

"Look out!" he warned his brother. Peter skilfully dodged the swing, and using momentum, disarmed Miraz, then stabbed him non-lethally. Peter stood above him, blade in hand, but he hesitated.

"What's the matter boy, too cowardly to take a life?" Miraz asked condescendingly. Peter tilted his head, before dropping his sword.

"It's not mine to take." he hissed and turned around, holding out his sword to Caspian. I put a comforting hand on his shoulder, before letting him go to Peter. Caspian took the sword, and Peter went back to the Edmund and I, and I welcomed him with a short hug, we all watched in anticipation, as Caspian raised the sword. I looked at the man I now called my brother, as Miraz seemed to whisper a few words to him. Suddenly Caspian let out a pained scream, and stabbed the sword into the ground.

"Keep your life, but I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom." he said, then walked back towards them. I was really proud of him, now he was acting like a king. The Narnians all cheered, and I hugged Edmund, glad that there didn't have to be a war. He returned the hug, burying his head into my hair, and took in my scent.

A gurgled scream broke us apart. We all turned to see Miraz, with one of Susan's arrows sticking out of his torso. He dropped to the ground dead, leaving all of the Narnians really confused. I looked back to Susan, but saw she didn't shoot any arrows.

"Treachery, they shot our king." Sopespian announced to the Telmarine army.

"Be ready!" Peter shouted to the archers stood at the top of the hill.

"Peter!" Caspian shouted, as a Telmarine quickly approached. Peter killed him, as Sopespian rode back to the Telmarine army, making orders. It was official, the war had begun.

(A/N Hope you enjoyed the chapter don't forget to vote xx)