Too Many Sunsets (Prince Caspian)

Trying Another Way

In the dimly lit hallway, Caspian studies the paintings of the Narnian monarchs. 

"You so glad of that magic horn now, boy?" Caspian turns to see Nikabrik. "Your Kings and Queens have failed us. Your army's half-dead and those who aren't, will be soon enough".

"What do you want? Congratulations?"

"You want your uncle's blood. So do we. You want his throne? We can get it for you." The dwarf smirks evilly and saunters past Caspian. He glances at the Pevensies and follows the Narnian. 

Red Feather walks through the labouring Narnians. She walked past everyone and made a point to keep her head low. Peter notices her walking out of the room as he talks to Glenstorm. He excuses himself and follows her. 

Peter finds Red stood in front of her painting. Her hand lightly strokes the faded image. Pieces of the decaying painting fall easily leaving small stains on her fingertips. She watches the fragments fall and holds her head low.

"Red?"

She closes her eyes at the sound of Peter's soothing voice. 

Peter walks closer to her and stands beside her. "I think they've captured your likeness perfectly".

"I shouldn't even be painted on here. I don't belong anywhere on this wall".

"And who do you think should be on here? If you're not on here I can't imagine who should be".

"All the Narnians who lost their lives protecting and fighting for a free Narnia".

"You represent them–"

"–Hardly. I left them. I didn't protect them. You don't know". Red turned away from Peter.

"Tell me", he spoke softly.

After a moment of silence, Red spoke, "It was hopeless. The Telmarines were merciless. They'd come all the way from Beaversdam. We had Narnians coming from all over seeking refuge. When word reached us, it was too late to fully prepare. I couldn't protect them. I couldn't be the Protector of Narnia. I'm not a Son of Adam, a Daughter of Eve and yet they all looked to me to help them".

Peter heard Red's voice crack and took her in his arms. Her tears stained his shirt. Red pushed him off.

"I was a coward to leave them. I should never have left. I don't see what difference I make. Whether I die here and now or if I had died then, clearly it doesn't make a difference. They still died. Innocent lives – because I couldn't protect them".

"It's not your fault. If we had followed through with the plan it would have worked. We could've taken the castle. If Caspian had just–"

"Peter, it's no use blaming someone else. Regardless of what Caspian did, if I was faster and protected the Minotaur, then maybe more men might still be alive right now". She paused. "I just wished you'd never left", she said quietly. Peter almost didn't catch it.

Red fell to the floor. "You know I waited for you. Every night before the Telmarine invasion, I would sit in the same place, just as we did before, and watch the sunset just hoping and praying that you would appear next to me. But you never did". She pauses. "I waited, Peter."

Peter sunk to the floor beside her. "We never meant to leave. I never wanted to leave you. I tried so many times to get back to you. I would go to the wardrobe at night and I would walk in hoping that I'd find green fir trees on the other side". 

He placed his hand over hers and held it against his chest. He then brought it up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Red let her head fall on his shoulders.