at his younger brother when he heard about the deal. Of course, Edmund hadn't told him, but Catherine had told Caspian, who inevitably told Peter so the pair could bitch over their younger siblings and their reckless behaviour together before making a decision and scolding the young King.

Peter had thrown his chest-plate across the room at his brother, claiming that he was stupid for putting his life on the line and that he had it handled. But soon, the eldest calmed down and prepared for battle in silence, shooting sympathetic glances to Catherine who got ready in the corner, and frowned because she didn't understand what they meant.

When the brothers entered the How, the Narnian's cheers and shouts were unrivaled, the rowdiness making Catherine's heart shudder and shake with nerves, a feeling she had gotten very used to over the past week.

The Telmarines cheered, also, their chants drained out by the Narnian's enthusiastic strength, and Edmund and Peter reached the middle, standing opposite Lord Miraz, who sat on a throne with Glozelle and Sopespian by his side. Catherine hastily made her way towards the boys, sighing when she reached Edmund, who was beginning to get ready for his battle.

He looked up in surprise as she pulled him back, gently, and he slid on the rest of his armour. He noticed that she was concerned and alarmed, a stark contrast to his own calm and reserved euphoria. They locked eyes.

'Aim from below, you have that advantage.' Catherine said, instantly, speaking fast and beginning to ramble. 'Defend from above because he'll easily be able to hit you from there. Use techniques you know, but remember his actual sword is heavier so you have to take that into account. You should-'

Edmund chuckled, making her stop and frown at him, searching his eyes for something she couldn't find.

'Why are you laughing?'

'I do know how to disarm someone, Rin.' He told her with a confident smile and she began to blush in embarrassment, looking away. Edmund smirked and slipped on the final parts of his armour before giving her one last look, the Bear ushering him to the front.

'Be careful!' She called, hastily.

Edmund turned around, walking backwards with ease as he smiled, flipping down his helemet.

'As you wish, Princess!'

...

first, causing another ear-splitting scream from the Narnians as he recoiled backwards. Edmund grinned through his mask, the stress and importance of the match not seeming to effect him through the adrenaline and pure euphoria he had felt.

He tilted his head, teasingly as the Telmarine lunged at him and allowed Edmund to easily defend him, clashing swords for a few seconds.

Aim from below.

Edmund's gaze switched to the soldier's legs, and instantly swooped down, hitting him in the knee. The soldier cried out, and the crowd cheered esthusiastically, once again, clapping and shouting with achieved grins on their face.

The Soldier quickly attacked, lunging once more towards him, his blade facing downwards as he jumped into the air, Edmund swerving from his position and deflecting the shot with his sword. The metal slid off, with ease.

Defend from above.

He felt himself smile, pushing the Telmarine off of him as his enemy regained his stance and defended Edmund's next strike, spinning the sword from his hand and throwing it from his grasp and into the air. Edmund spun around alongside the metal, and caught his weapon in the air, instantly swerving to ram his blade into the soldier's side, his own sword falling to the ground.

The Narnian's clapped hysterically, Catherine's own shouts and cheers drowned out by the crowd. Edmund could hear her, regardless.

Lord Miraz clenched his jaw.

'The Narnian High King, takes the first shot.'

Edmund made his way back towards Catherine and Peter, his chest heaving up and down. He takes off his helmet, passing it to Catherine, who takes it and replaces it with some water.

'Thanks.' He breathes out, breathing heavily as he ruffles his dark hair, now slick to his face from the sweat as beads slip down his face. He runs a hand through it, once more, making it stick up, untameable and unruly. Catherine grins, lifting her hand up to flatten it. His eyes shot towards Miraz, who was getting ready for his battle against Peter, now disadvantaged as Peter had the first shot.

'If it should appear to be going poorly...' Miraz was saying to Glozelle, trailing off knowingly. His second-hand-man nodded, a crossbow in his hand.

'Understood, your Majesty.'

Miraz stood, and Peter glared, drawing his sword. The crowd, once again, lifted themselves into a triumphant euphoria. Miraz slips on his helmet, breathing deeply.

'I hope you won't be too disappointed when I survive.' He says, turning to Lord Sopespian before drawing his own weapon and stepping into the middle of the grounds against Peter, who takes his own armour and begin to circle each other, like predators. The crowd fall into a silent hush as they watched in aguish.

'There is still time to surrender.' Miraz hissed. Peter shrugged, easily.

'Feel free.'

'How many more must die for the throne?' Miraz said, feigning compassion.

Peter's jaw ticked and he felt his teeth lock together. He flicked down his helmet.

'Just one.'

Jumping for higher ground, Peter lunged towards Miraz and their swords clashed in a dramatic flurry of light.

The Narnians cheered, once more.

...

spotted Lucy and Susan as soon as they entered the woods, following them quickly and aiming their weapons as they rode through the woods.

'They've seen us!' Lucy called out, squeaking slightly in fear. Susan didn't reply.

As the horse's hooves continued to kiss the ground, Susan made a decision in her mind, sighing deeply as she brought it to a quick halt and dismounted, much to Lucy's confused displeasured.

'Susan? What are you doing?' She asked, her voice wavering slightly.

'I'm sorry, Lu.' She said, pursing her lips. 'It looks like you'll have to go alone, afterall.'

'But I can't do it by myself.' Lucy said, her voice seeming innocent and vulnerable. It made it so much harder to send her off into the woods, alone.

'You'll be able to do it. I promise.' Susan said, trying to reassure both Lucy and her own restless soul. 'Now, go!'

With one hit to the back of the horse, her sister set off without her, cantering down towards the earth and away from her. With a large sigh, Susan turned back towards the King's men, who were beginning to arrive over the hill.

The dark wood of her bow flexes as she re-strings it, holding it ahead to aim towards the soldiers, armed with their own crossbows. She let the first arrow go, flying straight and true, always on target. The first rider falls, an arrow to his chest and hits the ground with a soft thud, allowing Susan to quickly re-arm and fire again, this time hitting the second. She repeated the process until four of the soldiers were down, before the next two riders came too close, closer and closer, until they knocked her to the ground, circling her and blocking off her exits. She let out a loud, long breath, her eyes scanning for an exit, an opening that invited her to run.

The openings stayed shut.

She squinted, a vague image clouding her head as she spotted a third horse, a familiar rider with a natural stance, instantly piercing their sword into the Telmarine soldiers and appearing in front of her, an arm hung downwards with a sly grin.

'Maybe you should keep that horn, afterall.'

Susan felt her heart whimper slightly as she grinned, not able to control herself as she reached up and clasped onto his hand. Caspian smiled at the contact, playing it off that he was smug he had been able to rescue her, but both of them knew better.

...

Peter held the blade even, a perfect daunting blade level with his nose, just like he had for years.

Years longer than Lord Miraz. Centuries, even.

Peter hit the Lord in the back, in which he retaliated by hitting off Peter's helmet, letting his blonde hair loose and free in the wind. Peter swings low in an attempt to slice Miraz's leg, instead indenting a small cut that makes him hiss in pain, momentarily glancing to Glozelle, who tightens his grip on the crossbow.

Miraz bites in air, seething and swings again, making Peter fall onto the ground. Before he can recover, Miraz steps on his shield, making Peter cry out in pain as a loud crack resonates through the cold, tense air.

The crowd frowns, wincing and Edmund flinches backwards as if he was hit himself. Catherine presses her lips into a thin line, beside him, and shakes her head. Things weren't looking good.

Groaning, Peter releases himself from Miraz's grip and rolls over and over, using his shield on each turn to block Miraz's attacks. Finally, he manages to grab Miraz's leg, twisting himself to trip him over, recovering himself as he stood up, breathing heavily as he panted. Over Miraz's side, as he slowly regains his stance, he notices Caspian and Susan riding back from the trees. Susan, who was supposed to be with Lucy. Lucy, who was supposed to be with Susan, but is evidentially not.

Peter mentally groaned and asked himself why things never went right.

'Does his highness need a respite?' Miraz seethes, hissing through his mask.

Peter winces, replying with a fake politeness. 'Five minutes?'

'Three!'

Instantly, the fighters limped back to their respective sides, Peter instantly sitting down and crying out in pain, wincing. The Narnian's begin to stir, panicked and concerned for their King. Edmund sits by Peter's side as Catherine scowls towards Susan and Caspian, who arrive next to them.

'Where have you been?' She growled. 'This isn't the time for sneaking off! Where's Lucy?'

'She got through.' Susan replied, casting an appreciative glance to Caspian. 'With a little help.'

Caspian smiles back, bashfully, and Catherine rolls her eyes, scoffing in response as Peter looked up, nodding towards him, respectfully.

'Thanks.'

'Well,' Caspian grimaced. 'You were busy.'

Catherine snorted, her arms crossed. 'You don't say.'

Edmund smiled, chuckling slightly at her dismissive and argumentative tone. Peter squinted up towards the How and speaks directly to Susan, instructing her on the battle he was sure would commence soon enough.

'Better get up there.' He said. 'Just in case. I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word.'

Susan nods and reaches out to hug Peter, who winces and bites the air.

'Sorry.'

'It's alright.'

She gave him a soft smile and turns to Edmund, gratefully before leaving, running towards the How. Catherine winces, grimacing as she notices the Narnian's faltering enthusiasm, replaced by panic and fearful glances towards their injured king.

'Keep smiling.' She says, pursing her lips once more.

Peter follows her gaze towards the Narnian's and lifts his sword, forcing a smile through gritted teeth. This seems to reassure them, and they cheer once more, loudly and filled with hope. Catherine frowns.

There's that word again.

I'm shit at writing fight scenes, so I'm really sorry if this I'd terribly boring. I'll try make it better eventually.

300 reads!!!