CHAPTER 13

EDITED 7/16/21

The Narnians gathered outside Aslan's How as they watched Miraz's troops enter the field through the forest. If hundreds of men with swords and shields weren't enough, they had rolled in catapults and other large weapons as well. In the middle of his army, Miraz, flocked by his strongest men, rode on their horses through the middle aisle before coming to a stop at the center in front of everyone else. There was no mistaking him; he was the only one wearing gold armor and rode a pure white horse.

Mary stood in between Susan and Trumpkin as they overlooked the scene atop the hill. Miraz wasn't a good person, but he seemed to be honourable enough to not attack while they were unprepared. It was as if they were waiting for them to be ready before officially striking.

The Pevensies, Mary, Caspian, and a few of the other Narnians soon gathered back in the Stone Table room to discuss their next plan. They didn't have much time before the battle begun.

"Lucy saw Aslan. It's only fitting that she be the one to find him and bring him here," Peter was saying, his hands on the Stone Table.

"Are you certain that will work?" Caspian asked from where he sat next to his professor, Doctor Cornelius. "It might be unsafe."

"I am," Peter answered without hesitation. Whatever he and Lucy talked about when they were the last two left in the room must have boosted his confidence.

"She'll just have to sneak into the woods without being seen, then," said Susan.

"She can do it easily if she leaves through the back," Mary said, remembering where she and Edmund returned the horses they rode when he taught her how to ride one a few days back. Edmund and Trufflehunter, who were seated with her at the steps, looked at her expectantly. "She'll go unseen by most of the army, but it's only a matter of time before she passes by some of them. Miraz's troops are scattered everywhere."

"Cakes and kettledrums!" Trumpkin said incredulously. "That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest alone?" He pointed at Lucy.

"It's our only chance," Peter insisted.

"And she won't be alone," Susan reassured.

Trumpkin faced Lucy with a solemn expression. "Haven't enough of us died already?" he asked in a sad voice.

"Nikabrik was my friend, too," Trufflehunter interjected. "But he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I."

Reepicheep drew his sword and raised it.

"For Aslan," he said.

"For Aslan," repeated a bear.

Peter was moved by the faith the Narnians had for them and for Aslan. He shared grateful looks with them before turning back to Lucy and Trumpkin. Although the dwarf still looked reluctant, he eventually conceded to the plan.

"Then I'm going with you," he told Lucy.

"No," the young girl cut him off, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We need you here."

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back," Peter explained.

"Is there some way to do that without a battle?" Mary asked. "As much as I believe in our own troops, we can't deny that we're outnumbered."

"If I may," Caspian said, briefly sharing a look with his professor before standing up. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer, but as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one in particular that may buy us some time."

"A single combat?" Mary guessed to which Caspian nodded.

"Indeed."

"But, Sire," Trufflehunter said to Peter. "With all due respect, will he accept a challenge even from you? He knows he has the stronger army."

"Very likely he won't," Peter admitted. "But, there's always a chance. And even if he doesn't, by then Aslan may have done something."

"I think we should take Caspian's word on this," Susan spoke up. "You should do it, Peter."

Caspian sent Susan a thankful smile while Peter nodded at her words.

"Alright, then. I'll send the challenge." The blonde boy looked at Doctor Cornelius. "Do you have a pen and ink, by any chance?"

"A scholar is never without them, your Majesty," the professor replied.

"Very well, then."

It took a few minutes for Doctor Cornelius to retrieve his set of parchment, pen, and ink before returning to the room. He spread the parchment out on the table and readied his pen and ink while Peter recalled the formal language he used to speak in and write with during Narnia's Golden Age.

Peter began dictating the words he wanted to be written down in the challenge while Doctor Cornelius neatly wrote them with his swift hands. To say Mary was shocked at Peter's use of such formal language was an understatement.

"Did he always know how to speak like that?" Mary whispered to Edmund, leaning towards him. Edmund chuckled at the look of awe on her face.

"We had to learn it when we grew up here," he whispered back. "It's quite a mouthful, though."

He was right. It took a few more minutes until Peter had completed what he wanted to say and the professor had finished copying it on the sheet of parchment.

"That ought to do," Peter said with a deep breath.

Doctor Cornelius scanned the parchment once more before nodding.

"And now, we must send at least two others with King Edmund to deliver the message. I think the giant ought to be one."

"He's — he's not very clever, you know," Caspian interrupted his professor, not liking the idea of the giant accompanying Edmund.

"But any giant looks impressive," said Peter.

"I think Reepicheep would be the next best," Trumpkin suggested. "If you want someone who can kill with looks."

"He would, but they wouldn't even see him 'til he was close."

"Send Glenstorm, Sire," the bear offered. "No one ever laughed at a centaur."

"Then I suppose we'll be sending Wimbleweather and Glenstorm."

"Sire, I think you should send Lady Mary, as well," Trufflehunter pitched in, shocking Mary for she was not expecting that.

"That might actually work," Doctor Cornelius added, only adding to Mary's surprise. "Miraz read through my books and papers before he imprisoned me. He should know of the prophecy by now. Sending the young maiden may intimidate him."

Edmund bit his lip to stop himself from disagreeing. He knew by now that Mary was capable of defending herself and was better at it after learning from him and Peter, but he still felt protective over her. Sure, there was almost no doubt left that she was the girl being spoken of in the prophecy, but Edmund couldn't help but still be worried for her safety. He felt that the Narnians were expecting so much from her, and though she had done a lot to help already, he didn't want everyone to expect her to do something drastic to save them. He knew they were only going to speak to Miraz, but he didn't know how much the man would stay true to his word. What if he lied and wound up attacking them while they were defenseless? However, Mary seemed to agree with Trufflehunter's idea and so did everyone else in the room, so he kept quiet.

Peter looked at those gathered around him and nodded, accepting all their suggestions.

"It's settled, then. Edmund will go with Wimbleweather, Glenstorm, and Mary to Miraz."

✧ ✧ ✧

"So, this is part of tradition?"

"Yes. Keep a straight face, Mary."

"Sorry."

Mary fought back an amused smile as she, Edmund, Glenstorm, and the giant named Wimbleweather walked across the field and towards Miraz's camp, each holding tree branches. She didn't know it was actually a tradition to carry a tree branch for their particular situation and honestly thought Edmund was pranking her. But he wasn't, and now they were on their way to Miraz, clad in armor as a safety precaution.

From Miraz's camp, the Telmarines used a telescope to watch as the group of four made their way to them.

"Perhaps they intend to surrender," General Glozelle told Miraz.

"No," the Telmarine king disagreed instantly. "They are much too noble for that."

Mary could feel the eyes of the Telmarines watching them suspiciously as they walked into their camp. She fought the urge to keep a hand on her sword, knowing they would notice it right away and would assume they were there to fight.

They finally reached the entrance of Miraz's tent. It was guarded by two soldiers, but upon seeing that the Narnians had arrived, Miraz ordered for them to step aside and allow them to enter. It wasn't only Miraz who waited inside, though; he was surrounded by his lords and advisors as well.

Mary, Glenstorm, and Wimbleweather waited outside the tent while Edmund entered, proclaiming that High King Peter had a message for them. Miraz, looking unbothered, motioned for Edmund to say it. Edmund unrolled the scroll and read:

"'I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King is Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor 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.'"

Edmund rolled the scroll back up and watched Miraz carefully.

"Tell me, Prince Edmund," Miraz began.

"King," Edmund corrected. Clearly taken aback, Miraz raised his eyebrows.

"Pardon me?"

"It's King Edmund, actually. Just King, though. Peter's the High King," he explained. They merely sent him such puzzled looks that it almost made them look comedic. "I know it's confusing."

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz gestured to his men.

Mary watched from outside with her breath held, ignoring the curious looks from the Telmarines that passed by which were mostly directed at Glenstorm and Wimbleweather. She waited in anticipation for Edmund's answer.

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" he questioned. "I mean, only a week ago, Narnians were extinct."

"And so you will be again."

"Not on our watch."

Miraz glanced at the group of Narnians that Edmund had brought along with him: a centaur, a giant, and a mere girl. His brows furrowed in curiosity before he widened his eyes in realization. He recalled reading something like a poem about Narnia in Doctor Cornelius's office just before banishing the old man to the dungeons.

"Not on your watch," Miraz echoed Edmund's words thoughtfully. "Bring the girl in."

"Excuse me?" said Edmund, caught off guard.

"The girl." Miraz pointed a lazy finger at Mary. Edmund gulped but obliged, momentarily leaving the tent to bring her in.

"What does he want me for?" Mary asked, eyes narrowed at the man suspiciously after having heard their conversation from outside.

"I have no idea," Edmund said in a low voice, guiding her back into the tent.

Mary tried to appear stronger and more respectable than she felt, standing up straighter next to Edmund and before Miraz and his council.

"You," he said.

Mary looked around, but he was only focusing on her.

"Uh, yes?" she responded.

"You're the one in the prophecy, are you not?"

Mary glanced at Edmund, silently asking what she should answer. When all he did was tilt his head towards Miraz, she sighed.

"I am."

"You expect me to believe that a mere girl like yourself is supposed to help the kings and queens of Narnia — barely of age, might I add — defeat me?" Miraz chuckled as if the situation was hilarious.

"Nobody expected you to suddenly bear a son at your age, but I guess the world is full of surprises, isn't it?" Mary retorted, her straightforwardness startling Edmund. "The things you'd do for power, right?"

Miraz's eyes nervously flitted back and forth towards his advisors, wondering if they had caught on to what this girl he knew nothing of meant. He was sure some of the lords knew why Caspian had ran away in the first place — it wasn't a coincidence that he did on the exact same night that Miraz's wife, Lady Prunaprismia, gave birth to a son. He was just waiting for one of them to speak up, but even as this young girl hinted at it, they did not say a word.

After a moment of silence, Miraz said, "I'd watch my back if I were you, young lady." He sent her a fake smile and leaned back in his chair. Edmund inched closer to Mary, hoping nothing undesirable would unfold within the next few minutes.

"It's not me you should worry about."

Miraz had an idea of what or who Mary was referring to, but Narnians were supposed to be extinct in the first place. There was no way that some almighty creature would appear out of nowhere after disappearing for hundreds of years.

"If anyone here should be worried," Miraz said threateningly. "It is you. I have nothing to lose."

"Well, then you should have little to fear," Edmund taunted.

Miraz laughed once again. "This is not a question of bravery."

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?"

"No, I think Miraz here is three times Peter's age. Look at him," Mary blurted out. She wanted to take it back, but seeing the offended look on Miraz's face was worth it. In spite of their situation, Edmund wanted to laugh, too. He decided against it, wanting the Telmarines to know that they were serious about their proposition.

Mary didn't realize how amusing her comment was to the other Telmarines until the man to Miraz's right snorted, only stopping when Miraz sent him a heated look. Fortunately for the other advisors, their entertained smiles upon hearing Mary's joke went unnoticed to Miraz as he glared at the two teenagers before him.

"I didn't say I refused," he hissed.

"You shall have our support, your Majesty," one of the Telmarine lords reassured. "Whatever your decision."

"Sire," Lord Sopespian said next. "Our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse to avoid what might otherwise be —"

Miraz abruptly got to his feet and drew his sword.

"I am not avoiding anything," he said defensively.

"I was merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse."

"His Majesty would never refuse," Glozelle pointed out. "He relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new king."

Miraz paused at Glozelle's words. For a moment, Mary actually thought he was going to refuse, but then he lifted his sword up and pointed it at Edmund.

"You..." he said. "You should hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen."

While Miraz's words sent goosebumps up Mary's arms, Edmund was confident in his older brother. The corners of his mouth turned up in a smirk before he and Mary exited, ready to return to Peter and the Narnians with the news.

A/N: It's literally been 4 years but I finally updated HAHA HELLO. Thank you for all the support and feedback this book has received even if I didn't update it for the longest time :< Honestly, all your comments asking me to update (whether it was back in 2015 or now in 2019) are one of the reasons why I chose to continue this book. Much love to all of you ♡

Edit (7/16/21): Hello to all the rrs and ftrs that see this :>