✿ ( 𝐈𝐃𝐘𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐂 ) ✿

❝ ✧ *  𝖜𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖇𝖞: 𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗮  * ✧ ❞

ASTORIA turned her attention to Peter was fighting in the arena with Miraz as an attempt to buy Lucy more time. Susan looked to Astoria worriedly when she realized Lucy wasn't with her, but Astoria made an expression that Lucy was fine which eased the anxious sister a little.

   The battle resumed, and Peter earned himself a few jabs in his side, but he didn't hesitate to do the same to Miraz. They'd both even fallen to the ground multiple times, before Peter finally got the upper hand, tripping up Miraz as he collapsed down to his knees.

   But Peter hesitated, looking at Miraz. Miraz was down. He was vulnerable, but Peter didn't want to kill him. "Now is not the time for chivalry, Peter!" Edmund yelled.

   "Show no mercy!" Someone shouted from the crowd.

   But Peter turned his head to look at Caspian, just as Miraz went to attack when he wasn't looking. Peter easily dodged Miraz's feeble attempt, putting him back in his place—knees on the ground.

   Peter looked as Caspian, eyes meeting. He wanted to give the sword to Caspian. Caspian slowly walked up to him and met him halfway, standing before Miraz, whose lips moved to mutter a few words that Astoria couldn't make out. And he jammed down the sword, causing Astoria to look away. She opened her eyes slowly after a few seconds and saw that the sword was plunged into the ground beside Miraz.

   Caspian didn't want to kill him either, and it made Astoria proud at Caspian's nobleness. Astoria, despite wanting to see the false king suffer for everything he'd done to the Narnians, was proud of Caspian for his noble choice.

   But then, everything went to hell when one of Miraz's men stabbed an arrow into his chest, and blamed it on them.

   Susan's arrow.

   How'd they manage to snag one of her arrows?

   "Treachery!" He accused. "They shot him! They murdered our king!"

   Suddenly dozens of heavy rocks shot out from those big wooden machines they had, creating large holes into the ground, and knocking several people over.

   A battle broke out. People started charging and dueling. Everyone was fighting left right and center.

   Astoria was dueling a Telmarine soldier, when her weapons were knocked out of her hands. She was unarmed and injured, too weak to fight the soldier by hand.

   He then stabbed her in the side of her stomach and ran off to duel another person. Astoria ran to a tree. Breathing heavily, she rested her back against the bark, slowly sliding down it.

   And then everything went black.

***

   Astoria woke up abruptly, choking loudly with her head ringing in pain. "W-What happened?"

   "You were stabbed, and then you passed out, Love. Take it easy." Caspian replied his face hovering above hers.

   It was then Astoria realized she was lying in Caspian's arms on the ground next to a river.

   "Feeling peachy," Astoria grumbled, turning her face away from Caspian. They were in such a close proximity, it was slightly embarrassing. "Didn't die at least."

   "You almost did," he mumbled. "You picked a really bad tree to lean against on—too far deep into the forest." 

   "Did we win?" She asked, glancing around to see many others wounded being tended to. 

   "We won."

   "I missed the victory?"

   "Aslan came back. Woke up the trees and everything. The trees actually fought. Crazy, huh? Nature truly is a wonderful thing."

   "You're awake!" Lucy rushed to her side with Susan following behind. They both gently wrapped her in a hug. "We thought we'd lost you. Thank goodness for my healing cordial!" 

   "I'm glad that you're okay, Astoria," Susan added softly, before shoving her shoulder.

   "Come on," Lucy pulled her up by the hands. "Someone's been wanting to talk to you."

   Astoria turned her head to see a large majestic looking lion, who blinked, and it almost seemed that he smiled at her approach.

   "Ria, this is Aslan."

   "I sense you have some questions for me, yes?" Aslan said.

   "I guess so," she shrugged, and Lucy, Susan, and Caspian left to give them privacy. "It's just... my parents. They died trying to protect me didn't they?"

   Aslan nodded in confirmation.

   "How did I get shipped off to England anyway?"

   "I took you there myself. A Half-Telmarine wouldn't have been treated kindly here in Narnia in the time of war when you were born.

   "It was only right for me to give you a normal life until it was your time to return to your real home. Although, I am afraid that you will not be able to return back to London, seeing as your Narnian blood will only permit you to go there once. I formally apologize."

   Astoria was dazed. She couldn't go back to London? She would never be able to finish school. She would never be able to see her adoptive parents. She was to stay here. In Narnia. For the rest of her life. She never got to let go-to say her final goodbyes. She didn't know whether to be upset that she was brought here against her will and now she never got to take her time with her goodbyes, but Narnia was a wonderful place. It was everything and anything that Astoria could ask for and so much more.

   "It's alright. T-Thank you. For telling me. For everything, Aslan."  His eyes crinkled as if he were smiling again, and Astoria found herself returning it.

   She left to join the happy group, still cheering in victory.

   Astoria couldn't help but wonder, if anyone would miss her. Would she miss England? It hurt her knowing that she could never go back. She truly loved Narnia, yes, but England was her first home. Where everything started and made sense to Astoria. And now she couldn't go back. And now she was going to have to tell the Pevensie siblings.

   A pit formed in her stomach as she trudged back to the Telmarine castle.