Let’s go to Caspian who now (on the same day of what happened with Cerlesta on last chapter) met with the Pevensies and are on their way to Aslan’s How.

“Well, it’s good you have troops, but we need some fortifications. Somewhere to train.” Said Peter to Caspian as they walked to the How.

Susan and Edmund followed them right behind while Lucy was behind them, Tumpkin, Trufflehunter and Nikabrik with Reepicheep. The rest of the Narnians were behind them.

“Of course, King Peter, we have a whole field enough for the training. You’ll get it when we reach there.” Said Caspian.

“Hey just call me Peter, let’s cut off that ‘majesty-like nonsense’.” Grinned Peter.

“But –” Caspian started.

“No ‘buts’. I better not catch you calling me that again.” Threatened Peter playfully.

“Then the same goes with the three of us too.” Susan agreed.

“Alright, but it’s really hard to accept and use.” Said Caspian.

“That’s fine, you’ll find yourself getting used to that.” Said Edmund.

“So how long have you been here with the Narnians?” asked Peter.

“Today is the third day,” said Caspian. There was a touch of sadness in his voice which was unable for others to find other than the Gentle Queen.

“You have a sister, right? Named….” Susan trailed off remembering her name.

“Princess Cerlesta!” Edmund said as soon as Susan trailed off.

Caspian mentally froze. His eyes widened in shock and surprise at the mention of her name. He turned his head back to the Just King and the Gentle Queen with disbelief,

“Yes but how...do you know that? I mean, about I have a sister and her name.”

“We met her in Beruna yesterday almost at noon- evening time before we crossed the gorge to here.” Explained Edmund.

“And she told us, you’re her brother.” Said Susan.

“Wait, Cerlesta in Beruna? But how?” he asked, probably to himself.

“She said she came there with her uncle who wanted to check on the bridge’s work.” Said Peter.

“She never goes with Miraz anywhere.” Caspian murmured.

“She said she came along for some purposes. She even asked us that do we have you kidnapped –” Edmund was cut off.

“Kidnapped?” asked Caspian with a grin of disbelief. “What made her ask like…oh maybe that’s how she’s been told. Did she get you? As the old heroes?”

“No, we were about to reach there but someone called her and she had to go.” Said Susan.

“I say, Caspian, your sister was really wonderful. I mean she’s very friendly, honest, loyal, faithful and so good to trust. Why, as soon as she saw our DLF, (“He mean Trumpkin.” Susan translated the nickname to Caspian.) she understood that we are Narnians! And was so pleased to meet us and said that we are not safe here because of her uncle. Also promised that she’ll not tell this to anybody.” Said Edmund.

“That’s her. Please, will you tell me all what she said about me?” asked Caspian.

“Of course,” said Susan and told him all they had in their mind from their conversation with her.

Caspian sighed, “I shouldn’t have left her behind. Yesterday was her 14th birthday. I had so many outdoor plans to make her day better but it has ruined all because of me.”

“I’m pretty sure she’ll understand once she learns the truth, Caspian. She’s a nice girl.” Said Susan.

“I know, she’ll. It’s just…I miss her so much because she’s my happiness and my everything.” Said Caspian.

“A Brother’s Treasure. I can understand how you feel don’t worry, you’ll see her again soon.” Assured Peter, laying a comforting hand on Caspian’s shoulder.

“Since you’re here, I have a great hope.” Said Caspian.

                           …..

They came to a flat and wide opening of a spacious green field at the edge of the woods. On its end stood a huge hill. Lucy gasped at its sight and joined her siblings and Caspian in front.

The four monarchs of Narnia stood awe-stuck, staring at the hill before them. They felt very curious; there hadn’t been such building at the time of their reign in The Golden Age.

“It has been abandoned for hundred years, only the mice know of its existence.” Glenstorm, the head centaur told them.

“This is the place I told you about.” Said Caspian. Peter was pulled back from the awe-stuck,

“It’s spacious enough, here’s where we first had our training for the first battle of Beruna. I wasn’t expecting this is the place you meant.” Said Peter with a refreshed satisfied tone of feeling so homely at last after sneaking and peeking around in the parts of the land, of which he is The Magnificent High King, because of the Telmarine invaders.

They walked forth, straight to the cave entrance. The horns blasted at their arrival, Narnians gathered, to welcome their great respected monarchs for whom they have been waiting for all those years to save Narnia from her invaders.

Centaurs lined on each side of the path that led inside to the hill with their unsheathed swords held up in an archway (in an honoring ceremonious fashion) to give them a respectful welcome as they walked inside. Just as how it was on their coronation day at Cair Paravel.

The monarchs watched with satisfaction and walked forth from Caspian who stood still at this overwhelming site.

Respectfully keeping a distance, he stood there for some seconds and then followed the monarchs inside.

Once they got in, all four of them watched the Narnians who were busy with their works, making weapons. Susan and Lucy disappeared to a corner that seemed like to be a tunnel. Fire was the only thing that spread light in that dark cave. Peter and Edmund looked around and examined the works.

Enough weapons and a spacious field for training, Peter was satisfied, but not in Caspian’s opinion.

“It may not be what you’re used to, but it is defensible.” Said Caspian. Peter turned to him and nodded.

“Peter,” Susan called him from where she was, “You may want to see this.”

Peter and Edmund went to her, Caspian followed them. They climbed steps to that tunnel. Susan showed them the drawings that were on the wall. They examined them carefully.

“It’s us.” Said Susan.

Of course, it was! The drawings were of them; Mr. Tumnus the Faun standing near the Lamp-post in Latern Waste from where all their adventures began, Susan and Lucy ridding on Aslan’s back, The four of them standing beside their thrones at Cair Paravel on their coronation day (only in disorder), and so on. They looked clueless and surprised about this place.

“What is this place?” Lucy asked Caspian.

“You don’t know?” he asked surprised. They just looked at him confusedly.

Caspian grabbed the torch from the nearby wall and passed them, leading them inside further into the tunnel. Peter and Edmund also had torches with them. They followed him further inside the tunnel; climbing the steps down they, came to its edge, stepping into a wide hall-like place.

It was all dark there; as they entered, Caspian walked to the left and lowered his torch to a trench full of oil. As soon as the torch touched the oil, the fire blazed and passed through trench to its other end, spreading light to the room.

The four of them watched as the fire passed around in front of the wall that had some ancient carvings and statues, in awe. Lucy’s heart leaped and eyes grew wider as the fire came in the centre, showing Aslan’s carving. Susan and Lucy exchanged glance.

Just a few steps in front of them, was the stone table, on which Aslan sacrificed himself taking Edmund’s place to save Narnia. Lucy slowly walked up to the stone table, others followed behind.

She reached and touched it; turning to her siblings she said,
“He must know what he’s doing.”

Peter looked up to the carving of Aslan, “I think it’s up to us now.” He said to his siblings. Caspian stood behind, watching them.

“We need to call for a meeting here.” Peter said turning to Caspian.

                            …..

An hour later the meeting was dismissed by Peter, agreeing on training the troops the battle skills. Everyone was busy with the training now in different parts of the field.

That’s when Susan and Caspian noticed a Telmarine spy among the trees. They aimed towards that direction, but missed him because he was on a horse. They informed to Peter. Now since they and their hiding place have been spotted, they could expect any kind of attack.

                            …..

The next day came. Early in the morning while the coldness and mist were still around, a faun stood in his guarding position with a bow in his hand the balcony-platform of the hill. Peter placed him there on watching the whole area.

While he was running his eyes everywhere, looking very carefully, a *crack* sound caught his attention.

Startled, he scanned the place (from where the sound came) carefully and through the mist, he saw a movement; a movement of a soldier on his horse.

The faun kept staring to make sure. Realizing he’s been seen, that man rode away. The faun got inside and informed the High King, who at hearing this, called for a meeting at the stone table.

The main members (who by the way are the ones who mainly supported Caspian when they met him) presented themselves at the stone table just before the monarchs and Prince Caspian entered.

Lucy climbed to the stone table and sat on it, Edmund sat on the steps leaning back on a pillar, Susan sat on something that seem to be a huge broken block while Peter and Caspian stood in center. The others sat around the whole place.

Peter looked at them and began, “We spot a Telmarine spy yesterday hiding behind the trees. He must have spread our news and Woodwoon has spotted another one today, early in the morning. 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.” He finished.

All Narnians were carefully and respectfully listening to the High King’s words.

Caspian gave him a look as Peter mentioned about the castle.

“What do you propose we do your majesty?” asked Reepicheep.

“We need to get ready for it. -”

“To start planning for…-”

Peter and Caspian started together. They looked at each other. Caspian hoped Peter will him chance to continue. Realizing it isn’t going to happen, Caspian gave up nodding to Peter to continue.

Peter continued, “Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us.”

“But that’s crazy. No one has ever taken that castle!” protested Caspian.

“There’s always a first time.” Shrugged Peter.

“We’ll have the element of surprise.” Trumpkin told Caspian, agreeing with Peter.

“But we have the advantage here!” argued Caspian.

“If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely.” Said Susan, joining Caspian from her seat, agreeing with him.

Caspian looked at her in surprise of agreeing with him, while Peter gave her a ‘Seriously Susan? You’re standing with him?’ look in disbelief.

“I, for one, feel safer underground.” Suggested Trufflehunter, agreeing with Caspian and Susan. They all turned to look at him.

“Look,” Peter turned and walked to Caspian, “I appreciate what you’ve done here, but this isn’t a fortress. It’s a tomb.”

Lucy’s mind shot up at hearing Peter’s words ‘It’s a tomb’. She bit her bottom lip, her eyes filled with hurt, ‘how could he say something like that?’.

But she waited to get a chance to speak instead of exploding stupidly.

“Yes.” Agreed Edmund, who was silent up until now, “If they are smart, the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out.” Peter turned to Edmund, feeling grateful towards his brother for agreeing with his opinion.

“We can collect the nuts!” suggested a squirrel who stood beside Reepicheep. Everyone turned to him.

“Yes!” exclaimed Reepicheep “And throw them at the Telmarines!” then he turned to the squirrel and became serious “Shut up!” he sternly scolded.

He then turned to Peter, “I think you know where I stand, sire.” He said.

Peter nodded and turned to Caspian, “I know you miss your sister deeply, it’s a chance for you to save her from Miraz’s clutches than making her continue on to stay there and wait upon you longer.” He said.

Caspian was lost in thoughts when he heard Peter’s words. Maybe he should give it a try, shouldn’t he? For his sister? He didn’t answer but mentally and his face expression screamed out ‘yes’ in agreement. Peter, who took his silence as a ‘yes’ and turned to Glenstorm.

“If I get your troops in, can you handle the guards?” Peter asked him.

Glenstorm looked at Caspian, he did offered his sword as a pledge to Caspian to follow his lead; but that doesn’t mean he could disobey the order of the High King who has been appointed by Aslan himself.

He turned his gaze from Caspian to Peter, “Or die trying, my liege.” He said and bowed his head.

“That’s what I’m worried about.” Finally, Lucy spoke to tell her opinion.

Peter glanced at his little sister, annoyed “Sorry?” he asked, not understanding her statement.

“You’re all acting like there’s only two options. Dying here, or dying there.” She answered.

“I’m not sure you’ve been listening, Lu.” Said Peter.

“No, you’re not listening.” Lucy’s face and voice grew serious as she continued, “Or have you forgotten who really defeated the white witch, Peter?” she sounded hurt.

Peter saw the wisdom and bravery that reflected on her face reminding him the same but older Lucy, from Narnia’s Golden Age when they reigned altogether; 1 year ago for them according to the time of their world but obviously 1300 years ago according to the magical time of Narnian world.

But he wasn’t ready to give up his plan, “I think we’ve waited for Aslan long enough.” He said to her and walked out, dismissing the meeting.

Lucy felt hurt even more, she couldn’t push him to wait for Aslan’s help. She felt a bit anger towards him, her favorite brother. Not because of he didn’t agree with her (which had happened countless time in their reign. So it doesn’t matter) but because of losing his faith in Aslan.

That whole day, they were busy with making plans and making teams like ‘who goes with who to where and do what’.

Once everything was settled, on that evening itself, the chosen ones left for Miraz’s castle, leaving Lucy and all youngsters and females behind.

So guys, I hope you all are enjoying my story. Do you guys want me to continue this or not? Comment if you want me to continue.

Because my whole mind is in love with my another story and can't wait to write it. It's far more better than this one.

Stay home, Stay safe.

Love you all, thank you so much for trying my story!!

❤ A True Narnian