11.2





Trumpkin, Zoe, and the Pevensies make it to Beruna, only to find Miraz's army building a bridge across the river.

"Perhaps this wasn't the best way to come after all," Zoe whispers to Peter, who lightly nods in agreement before they sneak away and head back to River Rush.



"So where exactly do you think you saw Aslan?" Peter asks as Lucy is staring at the spot she had seen the great lion.

"I wish you'd all stop trying to sound like grown-ups. I don't think I saw him, I did see him," Lucy answers with narrowed eyes as she glances back at her siblings.

"I am a grown-up," Trumpkin states with a frown which causes Zoe to lightly giggle.

"It was right over..." Lucy starts to explain as she steps closer to the edge before the ground caves beneath her, causing her to let out a scream.

"Lucy!" Zoe calls out as she rushes over to the edge before dropping to her knees to lean over while looking for the girl.

"...here," Lucy finishes from where she landed on a ledge that appears to be like a trail that leads all the way down.

They are able to climb down the side of the cliff and cross the river to climb up the other side. It is nightfall by the time they reach the other side so they set up a camp for the night.

"Lucy, are you awake?" Susan asks as she sits up while Lucy turns to face her sister. "Why do you think I didn't see Aslan?"

"You believe me?" Lucy asks as she also sits up before Zoe moves to sit with the two girls.

"Well, we got across the gorge," Susan responds with a shrug though she is still filled with doubt.

"I don't know. Maybe you didn't really want to," Lucy explains while Zoe nods in agreement.

"I think that is what made me unsure about whether I actually saw him or not," Zoe admits the fact that she had not been looking for Aslan because she figured things would not happen the same way twice.

"You both always knew we'd be coming back here, didn't you?" Susan asks as she looks from Zoe to Lucy.

"I hoped so. I mean we left our people behind. Honestly, I hoped that us returning would help me and Peter," Zoe reveals as she looks down while playing with her fingers, not realizing that Peter is still awake. "When we returned, it was like we were never in love. Everything has been so awkward. And..."

"And you still love him as if nothing has changed?" Susan finishes for her with a small smile, causing Zoe to nod in agreement as she holds the engagement ring in her hand. "I believe it will all work out for you two."

"Thanks, Susan," Zoe says as she gives the girl a hug while Peter's mind swirls with so many unspoken emotions, knowing he should have just spoken with her when they returned.

"I finally just got used to the idea of being in England," Susan states as she lies back down while looking up at the stars.

"But you're happy to be here, aren't you?" Lucy asks as she looks over at her sister.

"While it lasts," Susan answers before going to sleep while Lucy lays down with a slight frown on her face.

Zoe wakes up the next morning to find everyone else asleep. Zoe feels magic pulling her into the woods, so she follows it with one last glance at Peter. She watches as the trees come alive and a dryad floats past her. Zoe follows the dryad before another one shows up. The trees move to create a pathway that Zoe follows with an excited smile. Zoe continues to feel the magic pull her before she runs around a boulder.

"Aslan!" Zoe calls out as she really sees the great lion. Zoe runs up to the great lion and gives him a hug. "I've missed you so much." Zoe takes a step back from Aslan. "Where have you been? Why haven't you come to help us?"

"Things never happen the same way twice, dear one," Aslan answers which confirms her earlier thoughts which causes her to touch the engagement ring. "Speak with him, dear one. All will be made right."

A twig snaps and Zoe truly wakes up from the dream that she was having.

"Susan! Zoe! Wake up!" Lucy whispers as she looks over at Susan and Zoe since she had just woken from a dream as well.

"Certainly, Lu. Whatever you like," Susan says in her sleep as she rolls over.

"What is it, Lu?" Zoe asks as she walks over to the girl.

Lucy and Zoe hear another twig snap so they go to check it out. As Zoe follows Lucy, she realizes that it is the same way that she went in her dream.

"Wake up," Lucy tells a tree as she stops to touch it. Zoe does not notice that Lucy continued walking away as she looks at the tree before Peter is beside her. Petter motions for her to be quiet before they quickly follow after Lucy. "Aslan?"

Lucy walks around a boulder before Peter grabs Lucy and covers her mouth, pulling her behind some bushes. Zoe and Peter peek around the bush to see a Minotaur. Peter not knowing that they are now on the Narnian side goes to sneak up on the Minotaur. Peter unsheathes his sword as Zoe holds Lucy close. All of a sudden another sword clangs into Peter's.

Little does Caspian know, he just entered a fight with a king of old. Peter hits Caspian in the face before attacking again. Caspian is able to knock Peter's sword from his hands. Caspian swings hard at Peter, who ducks before Caspian's sword gets stuck in a tree. Peter goes to grab Caspian's sword while Caspian picks up Peter's sword. Zoe tells Lucy to stay put as she quickly unsheathes her sword to go back Peter up.

"No, stop!" Lucy calls out as Caspian heads towards Peter.

"Stay your blade," Zoe orders as she points her sword at Caspian's throat.

Narnians start to appear around them in numbers that Zoe never could have imagined remained. She then looks over to the boy, whom her sword is pointed at.

"Prince Caspian?" Zoe assumes as she slightly lowers her sword while Peter stands behind her protectively.

"Yes? And who are you?" Caspian asks in shock by her beauty and the fact that she knew his name.

"Zoe!" Susan shouts as she, Edmund, and Trumpkin run over before stopping behind Lucy.

"Queen Consort Zoe," Caspian says in shock as she sheathes her sword with a slight frown.

"Not quite," Zoe responds as Caspian takes notice of the handle of her sword before looking at the one in his hand.

"High King Peter," Caspian realizes as he looks around at the Pevensie's and how young they all are.

"I believe you called," Peter quips with his arms out while sarcastically bowing.

"Well, yes, but I thought you'd be older," Caspian states as he glances over at Susan, who he locks eyes with.

"If you like, we could come back in a few years," Peter retorts as he pretends to walk off.

"No. No, that's all right. You're just... You're not exactly what I expected," Caspian says as he looks at each of the siblings once more before staring at each Susan and Zoe.

"Neither are you," Edmund states as he looks over at a Minotaur confused while Peter steps closer to Zoe once again.

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes," Trufflehunter comments upon seeing the confusion.

"We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service," Reepicheep says as he comes forward and unsheathes his sword.

"Oh, my gosh, he is so cute," Lucy whispers loudly to Susan, causing Zoe to giggle.

"Who said that?" Reepicheep asks as he waves his sword around.

"Sorry," Lucy apologizes as she slightly waves at the brave mouse.

"Oh. Your Majesty, with the greatest respect, I do believe "courageous," "courteous," or "chivalrous" might more befit a knight of Narnia," Reepicheep suggests as he waves his sword around.

"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade," Peter says with a small smile.

"Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire," Reepicheep agrees as he explains what the Narnians have been up to.

"Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get," Peter responds as he turns to Caspian.

"Well, then, you will probably be wanting yours back," Caspian taunts as he holds out Peter's sword, causing Susan to smile as Peter grabs his sword.

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