Annabelle's POV

The Narnians shouted over each other, surrounding Caspian in a dark clearing. I sat next to the centaurs, feeling safest amongst the most loyal warriors in Narnia.

"All this horn proves is that they've stolen yet another thing from us!" Nikabrik spat.

"I didn't steal anything." Caspian protested.

"Didn't steal anything? Shall we list the things the Telmarines have taken?" A minotaur called out.

"Our homes!"

"Our freedom!"

"Our lives!"

"You would hold me accountable for all the crimes of my people?" Caspian cut in.

"Accountable...and punishable!" Nikabrik snapped.

"That's words from you, dwarf. Or have you forgotten that it was your people who fought alongside the Witch?" Reepicheep accused.

"And I'd gladly do it again if it would rid us of these barbarians!" Nikabrik spat back.

"Then we are lucky it is not in your power to bring her back. Or do you want us to ask this boy to go against Aslan?" Trufflehunter said. The Narnians began to shout over one another again. Trufflehunter limped forward. "Some of you may have forgotten, but we badgers remember well, that Narnia was never right except when a son of Adam was king."

"He's a Telmarine! Why would we want him as our king?" Nikabrik shouted. I stood up.

"We've gone over this!" I shouted. "He is the one Aslan has chosen!"

"I can help you. Beyond these woods, I am a prince. The Telmarine throne is rightfully mine. Help me claim it, and I can bring peace between us." Caspian negotiated. Glenstorm stepped up next to me, laying a hand on my shoulder.

"It is true... The time is ripe. I watch the skies,for it is mine to watch as it is yours to remember, badger. And yours to foresee, my Queen." He spoke deeply, nodding to Trufflehunter and me. "Tarva, the Lord of Victory, and Alambil, the Lady of Peace have met, and here a son of Adam has come forth to offer us back our freedom." I nodded my thanks to him, as the other creatures seemed to heed his words.

"There is a prophecy." I spoke up, all eyes turning to me. "I have kept it with me in all my years of captivity, counting the days until I would see its fruition. It spoke of Caspian, and of the Kings and Queens of Old. I have seen it, they have returned to Narnia, through the power of this horn." I held the horn up for all to see. "It is with them and Caspian that Narnia will be pulled out of this dark age and into peace." A squirrel scurried down a tree and across a tree branch, twitching slightly in excitement.

"Is it possible? Do you really think there could be peace? Do you? I mean, really?" He sputtered, his eyes wide.

"I do believe so, my friend." I said with a smile. "We have been in the darkness for too long. It is time for Caspian to take his place on the throne and bring forth peace." I nodded to Caspian, urging him to speak. The prince took a deep breath and turned in a circle, looking over each and every Narnian.

"Two days ago, I didn't believe in the existence of talking animals, or dwarfs, or centaurs. Yet, here you are...in strength in numbers we Telmarines could never have imagined." He pointed to the horn still gripped in my hands. "Whether this horn is magic or not, it brought us together. And together, we have a chance to take back what is ours."

"If you will leads us, then my sons and I offer you our swords." Glenstorm spoke first, drawing his sword, followed by the centaurs behind him.

"And we offer you our lives." Reepicheep said, speaking for the mice around him. Unreservedly." He bowed. Each Narnian then bowed to Caspian. He smiled, his eyes resting on me.

"Annabelle? As their Queen, I will not take the throne if you do not wish it."

"Have you not been listening to a word I've said?" I held my hand out. "You are the rightful King. I was never born to be Queen." Caspian took it.

"Perhaps not, but you were born for better than all you have had to endure."

"Miraz' army will not be far behind, sire." Trufflehunter warned.

"If we are to be ready for them, we must hurry to find soldiers and weapons. I am sure they will be here soon." Caspian ordered.

****

Glenstorm led Caspian and I through the woods, the Narnians following close behind.

"We all been preparing for battle since the day we first drew breath. However, you will find that our numbers do not outnumber that of the Telmarines."

"Numbers do not win battles." I murmured. "And you have something the Telmarines do not have."

"What is that, your majesty?"

"Aslan." I said, "It is his will that we defeat the Telmarines. If we trust in him, we will not fail."

"It has been a long time since that name was spoken to the us. I doubt many will want to hear that a lion who has not been seen in hundreds of years is on our side."

"You may doubt, but that doesn't make him any less real. The time of his return is drawing near, I can feel it."

"I hope you are right, your majesty. For all of our sakes."

We reached the end of the woods and I saw Narnians mill around large mound of rock and dirt that was built up in a large open clearing. Various stone pathways were built up the hill face and a large stone entrance was built at the base, leading down into darkness. Crumbling columns lined the front and a stone pathway led from the columns to the doorway.

"This is Aslan's How." Glenstorm explained, leading us into the open. "Here, we have gathered as a many able bodied Narnians to fight. It is a...safe place for us away from the Telmarines."

"This is where all of you have gone?" Caspian asked. Glenstorm nodded.

"I have heard whispers of this place from Narnian prisoners, but I never fathomed that it was real." I breathed. Centaurs bowed to me as I passed, walking down the path and into the How. Inside, the Narnians were hard at work, organizing and distributing weapons and armor. They didn't so much as turn and acknowledge Caspian's and my presence, shouting orders to one another. I looked around in amazement at all they had done to prepare for this impending battle. Glenstorm walked up next to me.

"Come, my Queen, there is much to show you." I followed him down the twisting tunnels, the light becoming dimmer and dimmer the further we went. He grabbed hold of a torch and shone the light along the wall. Cave drawings and carvings covered the stone. I ran my fingers over the image of four kings and queens standing next to four thrones.

"These drawings have given a lot of us here hope that Narnia will one day be like this again." Glenstorm explained, leading me further down. I came to a stop at the draws of the Battle for Cair Paravel. "No one knew what happened to you..." Glenstorm said as I stared at the picture depicting my death.

I turned away and followed him down the rest of the tunnel until we reached a large cavern. He lit a fire along the edges of the room, revealing the broken Stone Table on the other end. I heard Caspian let out a gasp while I just stood frozen.

"It's still here." I murmured.

"The few survivors of the battle retreated here. And this is where they remained and raised up their families." I walked forward and ran my hand along the stone, reading the words inscribed on the sides. I turned back to Glenstorm and Caspian.

"If I could...have a moment alone." I whispered, feeling tears welling up in my eyes. Glenstorm nodded and bowed his head.

"Of course, my Queen." He left with Caspian, who cast a final glance at me before fading into the darkness of the tunnel. I knelt down in front of the Stone Table and closed my eyes. I was left in silence, thinking over the visions that now coursed through my mind. A thousand years without any visions of the future left me unable to control them as they took over my mind every time I closed my eyes. I tried to focus in on at least one, but they all overlapped and meshed together in chaos.

Some time had passed before my thoughts were interrupted by a quiet knock against the stone. I was surprised I could hear it at all over the chaos going on in my mind; however, when I opened my eyes, the visions faded and I was left to stare at the Stone Table. I turned to see Caspian standing in the doorway.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I am going out with a scouting group to search for the Kings and Queens." He explained, "Did you want to join?" I thought for a moment, turning my eyes towards the carving of Aslan above the Stone Table.

"No..." I said, "I think it is best that I stay here."

"You don't seem excited to see them again..." Caspian said, walking in further, "Were you not friends?"

"That's just it." I murmured, "We were closer than friends. They became my family over the years of their rule. And then they left..." Caspian laid a hand on my shoulder.

"I am sorry. I know what it is to lose family, but I can't imagine how it must feel for you after all these years."

"Go on and find them. Though I warn you, Peter will fight you."

"How do you know?"

"I know him well. And besides," I tapped my temple with one finger, "I have seen it."