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"I'll be lying awake counting all the mistakes I've made

Replaying fights,

I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight."

I Lost a Friend

FINNEAS

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Chapter XVIII - Dark

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Lucy is the first to find me in the morning as I helped Ben put on his armor, situating him for the journey ahead. Her face did not overflow with courage or confidence. She pulled my old cloak over her shoulders tightly.

"You have always been honest with me, whether or not I disliked the answer." She started. "Could Narnia fall?"

"The Witch's warriors are loyal and reckless, but to think they are stupid would be wrong. We know little about this enemy, and that's unsettling. You have power on both sides, I would never rule that out."

"Be safe."

"I'll see you for dinner." I smiled.

The sun turned the sky into brilliant orange colors, peeking through the tree line as we marched. We had no specific place of search but we knew the rebels would not leave the western wood so we started off to the darkest parts. The kings and I lead not speaking one word. Nerves and adrenaline stole our speech.

As we reached the outskirts of where my mother's castle used to stand, I felt goosebumps raise on my skin. I swallowed hard, "We're close. Real close."

"Keep a sharp eye." Edmund commanded the troops who passed the message along down the line of hundreds of soldiers.

"The caves, it's likely they took over what is left of the dungeons. It's underground, quiet." I advised the Kings.

"Can you get us in?" He followed up.

"Ben and I know the tunnels like the back of our hands, I'd be more worried about getting everyone out. If anyone is forced to divide, or the pattern changed due to the destruction of the castle, we could get aimlessly lost."

Peter nodded, "We'll send a small group in to scout the situation."

"Ashton, Ben, Ed, Mason, Alyssa, and Robin Hood." Peter instructs, conveniently picking the sneakiest people he knows. "I'll take the rest through the forest. We will meet at the castle at dusk."

"Make sure Ash doesn't do anything stupid." Peter tells Edmund specially with a chuckle.

"And how do I know you're not going to do something stupid?" Edmund defends.

I glare at him slightly, but he only responds by mouthing, "Love you."

I answered the same way, hoping Edmund didn't see so he wouldn't nag me about it for the next five hours. We all went our separate ways, trying to discover which direction would end in a fight.

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Most of the tunnels were in tack for our journey, but the deeper we got the less natural light came through the ceiling. Darkness overcame the whole tunnel, and we ignited torches.

With the tunnels showing no sight of life, we headed back to meet Peter. We kept our guard put, just in case we were to discover a new hidden corner. The end was in sight, we could once again see the western wood, and Edmund praised the idea of something to eat. We dismissed our torches to the side, paying it no mind.

The first thing to fall was merely a peddle, sounding like someone simply kicked it. Then the dust flew into our eyes and the opening of the tunnel.

"Run!" I yelled on instinct, but we were too late, our only exit came crashing down with significant force and filled out lungs with dirt.

Through the coughing I heard the faintest sing of metal. I lit a ball of fire in my hands, to see only the glow on the reflection of a sword, coming towards us. Eyes popped out next, focusing on us. All of my members stood taller, drawing their weapons.

Life is narrowed once the fighting begins. With each slash or kick I projected the more adderaline I gathered, only feeding my aggressiveness. We all circled up, only having our backs to each other for protection as they greatly outnumbered us. Robin was the first to receive a negative blow, slicing his leg with a seven-inch blade. He continued battling through it but the contact scared Allie more than it did her father, causing her to lose an instant of focus. The underside of her arm started pouring blood onto the stone floors. A team of dwarfs all jumped on Mason pulling him away from the group with two knives to his throat.

Screams and hollers came from places I could not see. With only the fire in my hand to light to see and only one blade in my hand, our enemies pushed in closer and it only became harder to breathe.

I felt Ben's fur next to me and when I looked down at him, he was already peering up at me with the truth in his eyes. More screams called out, and I felt a sting in my eyes.

"Ben, we can't win, not like this." I choked out.

He swallowed hard, "Cold or warmth, sun or stars, ice or fire, winter or summer."

"You and I. Till the world stops turning." I finished with tears in my eyes.

"I, Prophesied Prodigy, Knight of Narnia, Lady Ashton of the Western Wood, Daughter of The White Witch, deceased Queen Jadis of Narnia, offer myself as a trade for peace. I offer a full surrender of myself in exchange for the lives of the free Narnians."

A hand grabbed me by the arm, and the clatter of swords stopped. "You were born to be queen. And the queen you will be. We accept this treaty. Retreat."

The voice echoed in my head; I had heard it before. I knew it. My eyes glossed over. Torches lit around me from both sides, igniting the room. My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for a man to fulfill his promise. Robin stood in his stance, his bow pulled back. The search for my freedom started here the day I left the dungeons, it only made sense it would end here. I closed my eyes, hoping not to see the arrow headed straight to my heart. But it never came.

But he hesitated. In that moment of hesitation, a dagger, slender and silver, pierced through his back.

His knees gave out in defeat and the father of seven inhaling sharply. Crumpling where he stood. A deafening scream arose in my throat. As the dagger was pulled back and my knees buckled underneath me as he did. Our enemies continued pulling me along against my greatest efforts.

"Even the slightest drop in degree will land the same fate for the rest of them." A woman's voice threatened, holding my face from behind.

Edmund was the first to turn around to see the Lord of Loxley, and as he went to shield Allie from the pain, she turned herself. I watched her eyes float from her father, to the bleeding spot on his back, and then to the dagger that sat in her brother's hand.

He wiped the blood off on his pants, "Long live the Queen."

The dwarfs that attacked him now stood around him, guarding him with heavy weaponry. My eyes went murderous.

"What did you do?!" I shrieked. "Mason! How could you!?"

"Protecting an investment." He pinched my face as an entourage of witch supports circled us for his protection. He pulled the paragon diamond from Ben's neck, breaking the spell that kept his body cold enough, and tied it around me. With my hands restrained, I spit in his face.

He kept his eyes closed for a second, using his shirtsleeve to wipe his face, "Take her home."

Allie's shock wore off now as she screamed for her father to breathe before cursing her brother and then back to her father.

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We're in the endgame now.

Feel free to yell at me in the comments. I prob deserve it.

Rip Eagle Sleeve 2020

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