༄ 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑃𝐻𝑂𝐸𝑁𝐼𝑋 𝐴𝑅𝐶𝐻𝐸𝑅（𝐿𝑊𝑊）༄

Chapter 18- The Battle of Beruna: Part 1

Once I had reached where Peter had asked me to be, I hunkered down and kept hidden. From what I could see, I had arrived before both armies. When I peaked over the rocks, I could just barely make out where the armies would likely be fighting—Beruna. But I didn't really want to get involved in the battle. With any luck, Peter's original plan would work and I wouldn't have to intervene. However I was ready if I needed to be. It was in that moment that I realized something that no one had thought about. And that something could end up being very bad.

After phoenix's job was done I would return to my human form. That meant that I would end up right in the middle of the battle, and would have to fight my way out. I never considered myself a killer—I only ever killed dumb beast when my food supply became scarce and that was with traps (clearly marked so that a Talking Beast wouldn't stumble into them). So fighting wasn't something I was keen on doing but soon I may have to or die. Maybe that's the choice Father Christmas and Aslan were talking about.

In the distance, I saw Aslan's—now Peter's—army appear. They were all waiting for the Witch's army to come into view and I looked across the field to where they should be. I couldn't see any army on the horizon and looked back to our army.

Peter and Oreius were at the head and griffon stood beside Peter. The two were in conversation, but I was too far away to make out what was said. Then the griffon took off flying across the field and I assumed it was on the lookout for the Witch's army.

A short while later, the griffon came into view from the across the battlefield. It made a wide arch, flying above my head and letting out a screech before flying over to Peter. Here it screeched again and then the griffon landed. I saw it turn his head to Peter, obviously talking with him.

I felt the ground shake, even from my distance, and looked across the battlefield to see the Witch's army was approaching. The Witch herself rode in a chariot pulled by polar bears. She cane to halt at the top of an incline and the rest of her army pooled around her. By the looks of it, her army was twice the size of ours and I tried not to worry. From my distance, it was easy to compare the two. The largest army may not be victorious, but it certainly was an advantage. Once more I found myself calling on Aslan's help. This was not a battle we could afford to lose.

Before anyone could look my way and possibly spot me, I ducked down to hide behind the rocks. Though I didn't have to see the archers I thought it would be best so I that I was better prepared to intervene. A flaming arrow was my only cue to know I had to go.

Anxiety of the coming attack caused me to peak over the rocks for one last view. I saw half of the Witch's army start charging. The Witch stayed back with the rest of her army. I wasn't sure whether I should be pleased that we wouldn't have to fight her first or worried that she would come with the second wave. I had a feeling this would happen and I while I wished it hadn't, I was glad I had thought of this. At least now we were prepared for it.

Though I did have better eyesight than any human, and possibly some Narnians, it was still hard for me to make out what was happening at my distance. I could only see figures moving and was unable to tell who from who. The Witch's chariot allowed me to point her from the rest of her army. I did suspect that it would be hard to not notice her since she was the only one with human-like characteristics.

A herd of griffons flew above and I realized this was our first attack. We would make the first move in this battle. As planned, the griffons dropped boulder's on the approaching army. Several creatures were felled at once, but this assault hardly made a dent in the enemy's numbers. Only half of it was affected. The other half still remained strong in numbers. It appeared they shot arrows at the griffons but given that none fell I assumed none had been hit.

As the griffon assault raged on, I looked back to Peter. His sword was withdrawn, pointing at the opposing army. No one moved for a moment though the Witch's army was still charging. I didn't know what they were waiting for—I had stopped listening after Peter told me my part of the plan. Then suddenly, Peter's loud cry rang out.
"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" he shouted, as his unicorn reared. Then Oreius and he led the charge against the Witch's army.

I could only watch from a distance as the two armies collided. The first to collide were the cheetahs with the Witch's tigers. They were faster than the rest of the army and therefore received the first blow, each attacking each other. Narnian spears and flags were lowered just before the two armies met and several of the witch's troops lost their lives to them.

Chaos and carnage ensued. Everyone was fighting with each other and I couldn't tell who was who from where I was. On occasion I would see a flash of red and knkw it was one of ours, but for the most part it was nearly impossible to tell one from the other. It was just all one big blur.

The scene unveiled before me was a horrible and I wanted to turn away. However, every time I did I had a urge to look back, to see how we were fairing. But I couldn't deal with the violence. So I kept my eyes on our archers waiting for the signal from Edmund. The archers were all looking to the battle, all awaiting Peter's orders. Each was prepared to fire at a moment's notice and I briefly considered drawing my bow as well. But it was discarded when I realized I would have to transform and I was left with concerns of whether I would have weapons to fight with when the time came.

I hadn't been there when Peter explained to the archers what their part of the plan was. There was no need since I wasn't up there with them, though I knew they were suppose to try and prevent them from making it pass the rocks. However, sitting by myself, I wished I was with the archers or back at the camp. It was better for me to be with someone than on my own off to the sidelines, dreading the outcome.

A different movement on the battlefield drew my attention back to it. The Witch was now moving her part of the army forward. Anticipating what would happen next, I stood up and took a few deep breaths. Amongst all the fighting, a figure in red upon a white horse became visible. Peter.
I had barely processed that it was him when Edmund shouted "Fire!" and I quickly found myself transforming.

I had seen the transformation reflected on water and knew exactly what was happening. Small flames swept around my feet until they engulfed my whole body. Before the flames had a chance to settle, a bird flew from them, dragging the flames until they disappeared, leaving no trace. In my place, hovering just off the ground, was a black and red bird-like creature. All human characteristics were erased and replaced with talons and feathers.

A moment later, I saw it. A flaming arrow, heading right at me. I flew up and reached the arrow just as it began to fall down, the flame disappearing before reaching the ground. The time for thinking and fearing was over. It was time to embrace the phoenix and become the protector I was supposed to be. Finally my worse fear was coming true and I couldn't prevent it from happening. But I wouldn't let it stop me from doing my duty. I flew towards the battle, only one thought one my mind: protect the Pevensies, get them home.