AN: I'm sorry this took so long. I needed to figure out how I wanted to write this. And I avoided it for a very long time, not gonna lie. Only the last part is really different from the movie but I couldn't just not write this chapter. But there's only one chapter left after this so hopefully I'll have that written before we're all another year older.

"This is not what I meant. This is my fight." Caspian was frustrated. They just had the meeting to discuss the upcoming battle and though they took his idea in stride, he didn't agree with how they were planning to execute.

The plan was well thought out especially considering how quickly they formed it. The Telmarine army was already outside their door. Part one of the plan was actually Caspian's idea. They needed to stall the Telmarines while Lucy and Susan went in search of Aslan. In order to do that, Caspian proposed a duel with Miraz. Winner take all.

"I think we already tried that." Peter tried to whisper that under his breath but as he looked up to see Caspian's hurt and insulted face, he realized he didn't. He sighed. "Look, if there's ever going to be peace with the Telmarines, you have to be the one who brings it."

"How can I if you won't let me?"

Caspian was stubborn. That much Peter knew from their time together. He wanted to be the one to fight Miraz as vengeance for the death of his father. But Peter knew all too well what happens when emotions and pride take hold before all else. So he needed to make Caspian understand. "Not like this. If I don't make it…then Narnia's future is in your hands." Saying that out loud almost scared Peter but he didn't even waver.

"And what about your own future?"

That question did hit Peter in the gut. This battle, this duel, against a mad man could be down to his dying breath. But that was the price you paid when you were king. He was willing to put his life on the line for Narnia and its prosperity. "Well I was thinking about a career in medicine." He said half jokingly.

As they entered the armory, they saw many people already gathered. Particularly Edmund who was laying down armor Peter hadn't seen since the early battles of his reign. Peter looked at Edmund with shock written all over his face. "How…?"

"Susan and I had a morning stroll to Cair Paravel. She thought you might need this."

Peter looked at the helmet Trumpkin handed to him. It had been so long. He almost wanted to tear up. But now was not the time to get nostalgic. This was war. Peter looked up at his younger brother. "Thank you."

Edmund smiled and just nodded back in return. Peter stared at his helmet once more. Hello old friend. It wasn't until a bear interrupted him that he was brought back to reality. "Your highness?"

Peter brought back his strong, stoic face. "Yes."

"I'm a bear, I am."

Peter honestly didn't have time for this right now. He had a fight to get ready for. But he didn't let his irritation show. "And a fine one, I'm sure." He turned away to look at the box of other things Edmund had brought back from Cair Paravel.

"Begging your pardon, but tradition holds that you pick your marshals."

Caspian leaned against the stone pillar and nodded. "He's right. You need to choose you seconds."

Peter was too distracted with getting his armor ready that he wasn't really paying attention to the others. But Trumpkin, always clever, knew exactly the underlying question the bear was posing. He stared at the bear with a glare on his face. "Don't let him. He'll just fall asleep and suck his paws."

The bear glared back at the dwarf but Trumpkin wasn't fazed. Where was the lie?

Reepicheep, also wanting the honor, stepped forward as well. "Sire, my life is forever at your command but I have thought perhaps…I might be sent for this challenge."

Trumpkin laughed. Like King Peter would allow a mouse as his second. The dwarf looked Peter waiting for him to tell the mouse no. The King only smiled at Reepicheep. "As you know, my good Reepicheep, many humans are afraid of mice. And it really wouldn't be fair for Miraz to have anything in site that could further dilute his courage."

Reepicheep smiled and bowed at Peter's noble answer. "Of course. Your majesty is the mirror of honor." Peter smiled humbly at the compliment. "That is exactly what I was thinking."

Trumpkin could only roll his eyes and turn away as Peter turned back to Caspian who was had an amused smile on his face. "Caspian." The smile was wiped of as he pushed off of the pillar to stand straight. "Tell Glenstorm I want him, Ed, and…"

Before he could continue, the bear interrupted once more. "Please…your majesty."

Peter sighed and nodded giving his consent. "It is your right. And my honor. But you must remember not to suck your paws."

Peter turned away from them as Trumpkin looked over at the bear once more. Only for the dwarf to tilt his head back in annoyance. "Oh! He's doing it right now." The bear quickly removed the paw from his mouth.

Peter could only sigh as he picked up his shield. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Before the bear could respond, Caspian interjected with a solemn look on his face. "Are you sure that you are?"

He wasn't. Peter knew he wasn't. But this was how it had to be.

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Susan was nervously putting on her own armor as Lucy got their horse ready. Every once in a while, Lucy would glance at Susan who didn't seem to let up on her nerves. "Nervous?"

Susan was startled out of her trance. "I'm fine." She gave a weak attempt at a smile but Lucy could see through it.

Lucy put her hand on Susan's. "We'll find Him, Su." Lucy had on her winning smile and Susan couldn't help but genuinely smiling back.

Lucy, feeling satisfied with Susan's calmed nerves, let go of her hand. Susan mounted the horse and was about to pull Lucy up as well before someone else spoke up. "Allow me, Queen Lucy."

Both queens turned their heads to see Caspian standing in the entryway. He walked over to them and helped Lucy onto the horse. It was his horse actually. When they agreed to ride into the forest to find Aslan, Caspian found some comfort in offering them his horse. "Destier has always served me well. You are in good hands."

"Or hooves." Lucy said jokingly.

Caspian gave a light laugh as helped Susan adjust her foot. He looked up to see she was looking at him as well. "Good luck."

She gave him a small smile. His eyes said 'I know you'll come back' but hers were saying the exact opposite. "Thanks" was all she could seem to say.

Caspian didn't know what else there was to say until he realized something. "Look…" He reached around his belt to grab something. "Maybe it is time you had this back." Her eyes widened.

She almost forgot that he had possession of her horn this entire time. "Why don't you hold onto it? You might need to call me again." She gave him a mischievous smile before riding away. Susan didn't even see the smile that Caspian mirrored back.

Unfortunately, they were still close enough for Caspian to hear them. "You might need to call me again?" Lucy asked amused.

Thankfully Lucy couldn't see the burning blush on Susan's face. "Oh shut up."

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The crowds cheered as Peter and Edmund exited the How and yet somehow the only thing Peter could hear was silence. There was a pounding in his chest and an ache in his stomach but other than that, all else was silence to him. And all he could see was Miraz waiting for him.

Peter eyed Miraz, trying to get a grasp at his build and any weak spots he could go for. He turned to Edmund and pulled Rhindon out of its sheath. It was time.

Miraz donned his helmet and met Peter in the arena. "There is still time to surrender."

"Well feel free." Peter said with unwavering stoicism.

"How many more must die for the thrown?"

"Just one." And with that, Peter pulled down his helmet, leapt onto a nearby stone, and made the first hit.

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"They've seen us!"

They thought they had gotten away safely. The forest was dense and it was only the two of them on one horse. And yet somehow, their departure from the How didn't go unnoticed by the opposing army. A small faction of Telmarine soldiers very quickly caught up to them and no matter how hard Susan tried, she couldn't seem to shake them.

Susan took a quick glance behind her to see just how many there were. Too many. They'd never be able to outrun or fight them all. Susan took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do. She urged Destier faster until they got to a small clearing. Susan quickly hopped off the horse, almost pushing Lucy off in the process.

She held the reins out for Lucy to grasp. "Take the reins."

Lucy did as she was told but she was confused. "What are you doing?"

One of them needed to find Aslan, and as history would show, it wasn't going to be Susan. This mission was far too important for Susan to be selfish enough to go with Lucy when it was clear to her now that it was always meant to be Lucy. So she took a deep breath and looked her sister in the eyes. "I'm sorry Lucy. But it looks as if you'll be going alone after all." Before Lucy even had the chance to object, Susan hit the horse's rear and she shot off and away.

As Lucy galloped away, Susan turned and pulled her bow out, readying in her defensive position. This could be it. This could be Susan's last moment. This could be the moment she died. At the very least, she always knew she'd die for a good reason. For her county and her sister was the best reason she could've ever thought. Susan turned back around just in time to see Lucy stop for a moment to get one last glance at her sister. The two girls looked at each other knowing and yet not really believing that this could be the last time they saw each other. This is how I want you to remember me, Lucy.

Susan nodded at the young girl to tell her to get a move on and so Lucy reluctantly turned and galloped away.

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Lucy galloped fast and far trying to keep her tears from falling. Now wasn't a time for crying. Susan stayed behind to keep her safe. She wasn't going to waste it. She needed to complete the mission. It didn't take long though for Lucy to realize she was still being followed. This time by only one soldier on horseback.

Oh no. What happened? How did he get passed Susan? She can't be dead! She hoped and prayed that this Telmarine was just slick enough to get passed her sister because thinking the alternative was just too much for her to bear.

Without dwelling on Susan's fate for too long, Lucy pushed Destrier harder. She maneuvered through trees to try and shake him off but he was too quick. She didn't realize it until it was almost too late that he had a crossbow in hand.

He began shooting at the young girl and would miss her by mere inches. The bolts imbedding themselves into the trees. Lucy did her best to not ride in a straight line so to ruin his aim.

Unfortunately, this Telmarine had gotten a lucky shot on her. A bolt had managed to get close enough to Lucy that it grazed her upper arm enough to cut her. The pain and her instinct to grab her bleeding arm caused her to fall off the horse. Although the horse ran off without her, she was fortunate enough to be a decent amount ahead of the soldier. She had just enough time to hide amongst the trees.

When she found a good hiding spot, she knelt to the ground and inspected her wound. It hurt and was pretty deep. The blood was staining her dress and sliding down her arm. Just as she was about to reach for her healing cordial, she heard the soldier catch up to her.

Lucy slowly stood up and tried to stay quiet, making sure her whole body was hidden behind the trunk of the tree. The soldier stopped his horse and Lucy could hear him jump off and unsheathe his sword.

Lucy tried really hard to listen for where the soldier could have gone. Suddenly there was silence. Lucy waited a second more before coming out from around the tree. She saw no one in sight and so let out a sigh of relief.

As soon as she stepped out, a pair of arms grabbed her around her body. The pain from her arm increased tenfold as the soldier tightened his hold on her. She tried to scream but his hand covered it. Lucy managed to get her unwounded arm free from his grasp and reached for her dagger. She was able to return the favor by cutting him back, right across the side of his face.

The soldier screamed as his hand went for the cut on his face. Lucy managed to take the time to get away. She ran fast and far. She needed to get away. Aslan, where are you? She thought she made it through and made it far away from the soldier until she tripped over the root of the tree. Lucy's arm hurt even more and now she was sure she twisted her ankle too. Not to mention her dagger landed a few feet away from her.

"There you are!"

Lucy's eyes widened as she turned onto her back to see the soldier had caught up to her. He was angrier than ever as the blood from the cut on his face kept pouring out.

He held his sword out ready to strike her down. Lucy was ready to accept her fate until suddenly something golden came out and struck down the soldier.

It happened so fast, she almost didn't realize what was happening. She tried to get up and steady herself on her hurt ankle. She grabbed the wound on her arm and limped to where the soldier was dragged to. But when she looked in that area, the soldier was nowhere to be found. In his place was a face she missed for so long.

Lucy broke into the biggest smile since coming back to Narnia. "Aslan!"