It was not a place of relaxation, either. To Catherine, she saw it as a symbol of the war they were about to face, of what was to come in the near future. She didn't like how it made her feel.

In the tomb room, the Narnians stood listening to Peter and Caspian, who fought for leadership and shouted louder words of dominance over the other – the current battle facing which one would be heard. Catherine thought it was pathetic.

'It's only a matter of time.' Peter was saying. 'Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle.'

Reepicheep was the first to speak his squeaky voice echoing from the cold walls and vibrating against the broken, stone table. 'What do you suppose we do, your majesty?'

It was impossible to figure out who Reepicheep was referring to, and both Peter and Caspian jumped too quickly to conclusions, making Catherine frown as their words overlapped each others.

'-We need to get ready for it.'

'-To start planning for-'

Peter spun around, his jaw clenched and he glared viciously towards Caspian, who gulped and stood down, obediently. Catherine rolled her eyes at the boys' ignorant behaviour, and she heard Lucy release a sigh to her right.

'Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us.'

Catherine's head shot up. Peter was planning an attack on the castle?

'That's crazy.' Caspian said, voicing her thoughts. 'No one has ever taken that castle.'

'There's always a first time.' Peter dismissed.

Catherine shook her head. He was arrogant with a damn hero complex that nobody could control. She had barely spoken to the High King, but she had heard enough of Caspian's grumbles and seen enough from their pathetic arguments and consistent bickering that he was not as superior as he thought he was. If he was, he would not constantly have to fight for leadership with a boy he had just met, a boy he felt threatened by. Catherine believed that if Peter was truly as special as he presented himself to be, it would be clear that he wouldn't be threatened by anyone. And certainly not someone as reckless and naïve as her brother.

'We'll have the element of surprise.' Trumpkin defended and Caspian swivelled around to face him, adamant that they were making a wrong decision.

'But we have the advantage here.'

As they fought, arguing amongst themselves, Edmund slyly moved across the room to stand next to Catherine. Sensing the newfound attention, she looked up at him with a careful expression. Edmund was taller than her, Catherine barely reaching his chin, and he hovered over her with a careful smile. She smiled back.

'I, for one, feel safer underground.' Trufflehunter said.

'Look,' Peter sighed. 'I appreciate what you've done here, but this isn't a fortress. It's a tomb.'

'Yes, and if they're smart, the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out.' Edmund pointed out, beginning to join the debate. Catherine fought this over, working through different strategies in her mind. Each one came out negative.

'If I get your troops in,' Peter says, turning around to Glenstorm and the rest of the Centaurs. 'Can you handle the guards?'

Glenstorm's answer made Catherine anxious.

'Or die trying, my liege.'

'There is no other way.' Peter instructed. 'We must do this.'

Catherine felt anger bubble in her chest, making her grit her teeth. She stood from where she sat on the stone table and directed a glare towards Peter.

'There are many ways to not die, King Peter.'

Surprised by her harsh tone, Peter spun around to Catherine, who locked eyes with him, her anger beginning to consume her. The tomb room was consumed in a long silence, everybody's eyes shifting between the Princess and the King, an unlikely battle. Until now, Catherine had been sweet, and quiet and innocent, only showing her strengths in a battle against King Edmund, which she had inevitably lost.

Caspian smirked. He knew his sister had a short fuse, something similar to dynamite. She would explode into an exaggerated rage whenever someone told her she had to do something, especially when she wasn't treated the same as others. Her anger was strong, but fleeting, regardless, but always, always passionate and deadly dangerous. Catherine took a deep breath, her eyes narrowed in annoyance.

'I don't think you understand, Princess.' Peter said, spitting out her title as though to remind her of her status – something lower than his. 'This is between life and death. We are either going to die here, or going to die there.'

'And that is all you can come up with?' Catherine said, letting out a dry laugh. 'I thought you were supposed to save us! All of us! You can't just take your pick, and kill off the rest! We have to do whatever we can to make the best for everyone, not just a few. I want to destroy everything my Uncle stands for, but I will not sacrifice others to do so.'

There was a pause. Peter clenched his jaw, unable to argue back. Catherine took a deep breath and attempted to calm herself.

'Look,' She said, gently. 'I know the stories. I've read them a thousand times. I know how each of them end, and who defeated who. I think you have forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Pete.'

Peter didn't respond, locking eyes with her in an attempt for her to back down. Catherine didn't look away. He kissed his teeth in anger, and rolled his eyes.

'I think we've waited for Aslan long enough.'

Catherine frowned. Defeat.

'It's decided.' Peter yelled, clenching his fist as he walked off towards the main entrance of the How. 'We leave once our weapons are collected and strike at night.'

Catherine sent a pitiful glance to her brother, who shook his head, gently. She bit her lip and sighed, averting her gaze to the ground.

He was leading them into death.

...

Peter that Catherine was allowed the afternoon off to do as she pleases.

While she was supposed to be training with the others, preparing for battle by learning more sword tricks or tactics to use with other weapons and equipment, Caspian saw his sister looking rather miserable about the whole ordeal and demanded that she would be given a rest. At first, Peter refused, saying that everyone must participate in order for the best results, but when he brought up that she was able to defeat even the wisest soldier in battle, Peter felt no reason why he shouldn't oblige.

Catherine had spent this time by taking one of Caspian's horses and exploring further into the woodland. She had hardly managed to see around Narnia apart from the journey to the How and running from the Telmarines, each time seeming occupied with other tasks that hoarded her mind. For the first time, she was able to think about the war they were about to claim, the large battle they would face, without others plaguing her thoughts with their ideas and opinions on how it would play out. It was beginning to get too much.

She rode far from the How, not bothering to check if she was on the right path or riding in the right direction, before stepping off to continue on foot. She sent the horse backwards where it acme, wanting to spend the time alone with her feelings and clear her thoughts. Catherine closed her eyes, settling into a peaceful calm as she breathed in, expanding her lungs to the nature that she was restricted from for so many years. She could feel the magic that lived within the tree barks, the power stretching in everything that lives in it's branches, watching her with awaiting eyes. Small creatures weaved around tree roots that had woven in and out from the ground, separating themselves from the earth, the sun sinking down beneath the tops of the pines. The light streaks made her skin look dappled and more tanned than usually, casting shadowy beams on her face and arms. White, gold, greens. They were colours that she wished she could taste, smell, feel, forever.

There was a crack on the ground that did not belong to her.

Stopping in her tracks, Catherine's blissful expression hardened instantly, her eyes calculating and flashing throughout the trees in a calm urgency, searching for something that may be of a large threat. The string of a crossbow was pinged, softly, and an arrow skimmed past her rosy cheeks.

Catherine gasped, her eyes widening as she instantly began to run, her dress seeming impractical against the setting of the forest. Her breathing had started to fall heavy as her vision blurred with panic, her mind beginning to stir; where was she going? Who was she running from?

Another arrow fell by her feet, imbedding itself into the ground. It's feathers were crafted from wood, engraved with symbols and stories, hand carved. Narnian.

The warm humidity of the forest was beginning to make her feel suffocated and sticky, her hair flowing behind her like a cape as she continued to make her way through the woods. She swatted a pesky insect, her breath beginning to tickle her throat as she craved water. Her heart throbbed inside of her chest, her ribs threatening to combust, wearing her out faster. Her graceful steps had now long disappeared, her eyes feeling heavy as she continued to run, and run, and run because it was only now that she fully registered it.

She was being chased. They were trying to kill her.

She was being chased. Why were they trying to kill her?

She hit branches out of her way as she reached a line of trees, praying that they would hit her attacker instead, buying her time. But the Narnians knew the woods much better than she.

At least they knew about the ditches.

Catherine fell, tripping down into the leaves and spreading dirt across her face. She cried out in pain, her ankle twisting and started to panic as the sound of her attacker came closer and closer. The brunette breathed in and out, anxious and terrified and her head began to pound with thick fear and confusion. She was about to shout for help when she heard the sound of hooves behind her, the neighing of a familiar horse, one she had sent back to the How a little over an hour ago.

Knowing what to do, Catherine held up her hand, open and ready to be caught. In an instant, the rider of the horse swooped down and grabbed it, heaving her onto the back of the horse with an easeful effort, chuckling.

Edmund spun around to the attacker, his freckles dancing as he smiled. 'She's not for you!'

Catherine followed his gaze, looking behind her to see a large troll, swinging a bow and arrow in one hand with a bat in the other. At the revelation, Catherine laughed, watching as the troll pouted and sat down, disappointed. Edmund grinned.

...

'Edmund said, squinting slightly from the sun. 'He was only playing with you. Troll's aren't really all there, you know, in the head.'

He tapped his head, lightly and smiled, making Catherine giggle and shake her head.

'It's alright.' She said. 'I shouldn't have been out there alone, anyways.'

Edmund grinned. 'I believe that you are the only person I have ever met to sympathise with a troll that has just tried to kill you.'

Catherine giggled again and didn't reply, looking down as she picked at the grass, a soft remainder of a smile on her face.

After picking her up, Edmund rode to a small, glistening lake on the edge of the forest, promising to take Catherine somewhere she would love to see, somewhere with no trolls or arrows that threatened to pierce her skin. The horse grazed, happily by the bank of the water as they sat opposite each other, sprawled out on the grass opposite the crystal pools that sparkled in the sun, small fish poking their heads out every once and a while to greet them before diving back in and showing them a few tricks.

Edmund had managed to bandage Catherine's ankle, which was raw from the running, and advised her not to run in such an attire again. She had laughed and informed him that she had only come out to get some peace and quiet, and hadn't expected a troll to try and kill her. Or as Edmund put it, 'play' with her.

'How did you find me, anyway?' Catherine asked, looking up. Edmund shrugged and leaned back, his elbows perched behind him.

'I saw you ride out,' He explained. 'You didn't have a map, so I thought I'd tag along. Then I was met with your horse on the way back.'

'Of course.' Catherine nodded before chuckling, lightly. 'I guess I should have probably just gone to training then, huh?'

A breeze passed them and they both ignored the faint smell from each other; Edmund supporting the metallic smell of iron and soft cinnamon. Mingling with Catherine's vanilla and raspberry perfume, Edmund couldn't help but take a deep breath before stopping himself. If she noticed, she didn't let on.

'Do you think this plan will work?' She asked, her voice much softer and serious than it was before. 'Do you think that Peter's right?'

Edmund looked out onto the water before replying, pondering deeply over the question. Eventually, he nodded.

'I think so.' He said. 'I think that Peter knows what he's doing. If this messes up, he won't blame anyone but himself.'

Catherine scoffed. 'Himself and Caspian.'

'Pete's scared of not being the right King. Of not ruling correctly. So, in consequence, he rules how everybody expects him to.' He sighed, pushing himself upright and wandering over to the lake to pick up a stone, tossing it in his hand before throwing it into the water. 'It just so happens that he does his best when nobody's telling him what to do, or threatening his position.'

Catherine nodded in understanding. 'And he feels like Caspian is more rightfully King.'

'He has been around longer. Caspian knows Narnia much better than we do.' Edmund said, a sombre frown on his face. Catherine's smile dropped almost immediately, knowing that he was undoubtedly feeling guilty for leaving.

'It wasn't your fault that you left, Edmund.' She told him, softly. 'You had to go home eventually.'

Edmund didn't look at her, staring out onto the lake. 'It's not like we meant to. It was an accident, really. And when we tried to get back, we couldn't. The wardrobe was sealed.'

Catherine pursed her lips. She couldn't imagine how awful it would feel to leave Narnia and never be able to return. Narnia was her home. It was the only place she had ever known. It was only know that she had discovered it, she never wanted to leave.

'I love him, dearly,' Catherine sighed, voicing her own thoughts. 'But my brother can be a bit of an idiot.'

Edmund turned around in amusement, grinning towards her. He laughed out loudly.

'I guess we have something in common, then.'

'Yeah.' She said, looking out towards the forest. 'I guess we do.'

...

it was time to head back to the How, Edmund and Catherine rode back just in time to watch Peter and Caspian start arguing again, over god-knows what. Edmund rolled his eyes as he brought the horse to a halt and Catherine unravelled her arms from his torso, allowing him to jump off the horse.

'I don't need you to tell me how to do it, Peter-' Caspian was saying, scoffing loudly. 'I am a King myself.'

Catherine frowned at the sound of her brother's voice, obviously agitated, and turned around to watch his animated conversation with Peter as Edmund slid an arm around her waist and helped her dismount the horse. Once she was on the ground, he too began to face his brother, who was turning red and blinking with irritation.

'You're such a child, Caspian!' He was saying. 'Please, grow up!'

'What's going on, now?' Catherine shouted out as she came closer towards them, Edmund close behind, his eyes knitted in confusion. The Kings stopped arguing to face their siblings, each of them pursing their lips and sighing in annoyance.

'Peter is trying to tell me how to lead.' Caspian says, shooting a side-ways glance to the High King. 'Tell him that I can do it myself!'

Catherine frowned, suddenly caught in the middle as Peter snorted, loudly.

'I am not telling you how to lead, I am just giving you tips on how to lead better.'

As the argument started up again, Edmund stepped forwards beside Catherine and shook his head, raising his voice to be heard over the two, bickering boys.

'Can't you all just stop for once?' He said. 'We need to get ready for tonight, and we're not going to get anywhere if you two won't stop fighting.'

Instantly, Caspian was pulled from the argument and furrowed his eyebrows, suspiciously glancing between the pair.

'Where have you been all afternoon? What happened to your foot?'

'I met a troll. It wasn't his fault, really. He just wanted to play.'

Caspian scowled at the thought, but didn't push it any further. He sent a disgusted look to Edmund, who swallowed in nervousness, his eyes flickering between the siblings.

'I thought you were going alone.' Caspian scowled.

Catherine rolled her eyes at his accusatory tone, not bothering to answer. Edmund shifted, uncomfortably under his scrutinizing gaze.

'We-we were just by the lake.' He stammered. 'I wanted to show her something.'

Caspian's eyebrows raised, considerably and Peter rolled his eyes, scoffing before changing the subject.

'We need you inside, Ed.' Peter said, pointedly to his brother. 'Come.'

Edmund nodded, obliging instantly and leaving to follow his brother into the How, looking back with a small, sympathetic smile to Catherine. Sorry.

She smiled back in response. It's alright.

As the Pevensie brothers made their way into the fortress, Catherine turned her attention back to her brother, who was still passing her a sceptical look. She snorted, rolling her eyes sarcastically.

'What?'

'Edmund Pevensie was just showing you something?'

'Oh, shut up, Caspian!'

'What was he showing you? Was it interesting? Can I see it?'

'-Cas!'

Catherine and Caspian make me happy