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✩.･*:｡≻───── ⋆♡⋆ ─────.•*:｡✩🤝Faith & Hard Work🤝✩.･*:｡≻───── ⋆♡⋆ ─────.•*:｡✩

Peter sat at the rough remains of the stone table, simply staring at Aslan carved on the walls. Aslan's eyes radiated so much displeasure and disappointment that Peter could feel his strong presence in the room.

His thoughts wandered, struggling to make sense of his situation. Just when he thought they had hit rock bottom, the terrible encounter with the White Witch only proved otherwise. How did everything go so wrong, and how could he make it right again?

Lucy leaned against the wall. She shed tears thinking of Trumpkin putting an end to Nikabrik's life, just to save her from him. He had left her side to bury his body, leaving her in a despondent state. She gazed at Peter, drained from fighting this cold war above that with the Telmarines. In times of difficulty, they should have been allies.

"What's on your mind?" She ceased the silence between them.

Peter fleetingly met her eyes, "Everything that's happened. Messing up the plan, losing Charlotte..."

Lucy's mellow voice followed. "I miss her."

Disappointment engulfed Peter as he noticed her solemn eyes glued to the floor.

"She wanted to speak with me before the troops left," she crossed her arms, "but I ignored her. She knew I was upset with you."

Peter now realised that Edmund was right. He had been a tad too arrogant and impulsive in his leadership. He deeply regretted pinning the blame on everybody else but himself, especially when Charlotte trusted in his leadership. And he let her down.

While he thought he was vindicated for Edmund's emotional decisions in keeping Charlotte from harm, or Caspian veering away from their mission, he could not deny that he was also to blame for merely seeing the girl as a sacrificial lamb to reign victory over Narnia.

Clearly, she had made an impact on everybody in the group since her arrival. For the first time, he saw Edmund so eager to rise every morning because of his evident predilection for her, even though Edmund himself was often in denial. While he incessantly dismissed Susan's opinions, Charlotte validated her. While he struggled so much to see eye to eye with Caspian, she easily connected with him.

Even she was a better sibling to Lucy than he was, listening to Lucy when no one would. It was as if Peter himself had forgotten Lucy's crucial role in discovering Narnia in the first place and no one listened to her. When had Lucy ever steered them wrong? She might be the youngest, yet she held much wisdom.

"I'm sorry, Lu," Peter leaned back, "I let you down. I was just so relieved that a prophecy didn't ask from us like it did the last time. You, Susan, Edmund. Don't you remember when we all thought we'd lost Edmund to the White Witch?"

"I remember."

"Instead, it asked from someone entirely out of our family, an important figure to Narnia, an offspring of two ancient rulers." He shook his head, resisting the urge to beat himself up. "And it wouldn't matter because we'd win because of her."

His lips quivered slightly, as his gloomy eyes met Lucy's solemn ones. Her arms were still crossed.

"I was wrong to treat her as such," he said in an epiphany, "because I realise now that she means a lot to us. She has become a part of our family too."

"That was awfully selfish of you."

"I know," Peter shook his head towards himself, "I was selfish to everyone, that Nikabrik roped in Caspian to seek help from the White Witch."

"Why would he even consider reviving her?" She pondered aloud.

"He lost faith, Lucy. We all did." He turned to her, "I lost mine too. But you haven't. You still believe in Aslan."

She approached him, taking a seat beside him.

"You're lucky, you know?" His tone was drenched in sorrow and envy.

"What do you mean?" She clarified curiously.

"To have seen him," Peter elaborated, "I wish he'd just given me... Some sort of proof."

She fleetingly glanced at Aslan, and back at Peter, who hung his head low.

"Maybe we're the ones who need to prove ourselves to him," she suggested, rubbing his arm comfortingly.

They shared a look with each other, mixed in relief and satisfaction. For the first time, Peter and Lucy saw eye to eye.

"Pete," Edmund's voice echoed as he approached the two, "You'd better come quickly."

"Why?" Peter's eyes were filled with concern. "What's happened now?"

"It's the Telmarines," Edmund beckoned them to follow him, "they've arrived."

They hurried to the top of the How where Caspian stood, onlooking the arrival of the Telmarine soldiers. Peter and Caspian exchanged worried glances.

The soldiers marched on in square formations, bringing in catapults into the arena. They arrived in huge numbers, and it terrified the Narnians. They began trembling, and murmuring among each other, some of them glancing towards the Kings and Queens of Old for a direction.

"Peter," Edmund's voice cracked, catching Peter's attention. "I see Charlotte."

Peter followed his finger back to the direction of the Telmarines. Where Miraz stood in armour, the soldiers brought out a wheelbarrow. There she was, squirming like a worm. She was bound by ropes, with her hands behind her back.

"They kept her alive," Susan pointed out, "why is that?"

"Beats me, she's alive!" Lucy exclaimed.

"They've gotten the wrong interpretation of the prophecy," Caspian suggested, "just as we thought before. They're afraid to seal it."

"King Peter!" Miraz's booming voice announced across the field, "Will you not lead your troops to fight?! This princess was supposed to be your saviour and she failed! She has only delayed your demise!"

"What do we do?" Caspian asked, turning to Peter for advice.

"Prince Edmund!"

"Did he just address me as prince?" Edmund took umbrage at his announcement, his face decorated in disgust.

"Sh!" Susan held a finger to her lips.

"Take her place and she will be released!"

Edmund's heart stopped. His eyes focused on her, already considering the man's offer.

"No, something's wrong," Peter said sternly, shaking his head at Edmund. "Don't give yourself up. It's clearly a trap. He might not let her go even if you do that."

"I know..." Edmund frowned, refusing to take his eyes off Charlotte, "but he must be doing this for a reason."

Susan shook her head uncertainly. "It doesn't make sense. Why would he want Edmund?"

"If he wants me..." Edmund turned towards his siblings, his eyes gleaming with sorrow, "then..."

"Edmund, listen to me," Lucy stepped forward, "I know you're better than this. We need to keep a level head before we decide on anything."

Edmund pondered over her words and nodded. "You're right."

"Gather everyone inside," Peter instructed, "We'll chair a meeting. I don't trust a single word out of him."

✩.･*:｡≻───── ⋆♡⋆ ─────.•*:｡✩

Later on, they were all gathered around the stone table. Murmurs spread across the room. Instantly, the room fell silent when the Kings and Queens entered the room with Prince Caspian. They watched their leaders, anticipating their proposed solution.

"Princess Charlotte is out there," Peter announced, "and we're going to get her back. She saved our troops, it is only right that we fight for Narnia, Aslan, and her."

"Aslan?" Trumpkin frowned, "he hasn't been a part of our fight for this long. Why are we fighting for someone who doesn't exist?"

"He exists," Lucy insisted, "we've all seen him before. And I saw him."

"And I believe her," Peter spoke up, catching Trumpkin off guard.

Lucy's face lit up and she nodded in approval. Peter beamed in endearment at her.

"Some of us lost our faith in Aslan," he explained, "and that is why we can't see him, or find him. Lucy hasn't lost hers. It is only fitting that Lucy sets off to find Aslan. We need him, and he can help us win this battle."

"Cakes and kettledrums," Trumpkin remarked in disbelief, "that's your next big plan?"

"Sending a little girl," he trotted over to Lucy, "into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!"

"It's our only chance," Peter stated firmly.

"And she won't be alone," Susan added to assure him.

Trumpkin peered up at them, with glassy tears.

"Haven't enough of us died already?" He asked softly.

The whole room was silent in memory of Nikabrik. A good friend corrupted by darkness, gone because of their mistakes.

"Nikabrik was my friend too," Trufflehunter empathised with him, "but he lost hope."

"Queen Lucy hasn't," he added in support, "and neither have I."

"For Aslan," Reepicheep drew out his sword.

"For Aslan," some of the creatures repeated in agreement.

"Then I'm going with you," Trumpkin declared to Lucy.

"No," she refused, placing a hand on his shoulder, "we need you here."

"We have to hold them off before Lucy and Susan get back," Peter explained.

"If I may," Caspian intervened, gaining Peter's attention.

Caspian exchanged glances with Professor Cornelius before standing up, "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer..."

"But as King," he continued, "he is subject to the traditions, and expectations, of his people. There is one, in particular, that may buy us some time."

"And what is that?" Peter questioned.

"A duel."

"A duel," Peter repeated, "are you suggesting that we challenge him to single combat?"

"Yes," Caspian nodded, "he has never refused a challenge from an opponent. Just as he willingly fought Charlotte before, this might work."

"Who shall fight him then?" Trumpkin suggested.

"I volunteer as tribute, your Majesty!" Reepicheep suggested, raising his sword. "I'll stab his monstrous feet, climb up to his hips, and to his shoulders, and-"

"With all due respect, I think a human should fight a human," Peter suggested, "but you make an excellent candidate, thank you, Reepicheep."

Reepicheep sighed and nodded, keeping his sword away. "Noted, your Majesty."

Peter, Edmund, and Caspian exchanged glances at each other. If a human were to battle Miraz, their options were clearly narrowed.

"I'll do it, Peter." Edmund stood up, "I can beat him."

"No, I won't allow it."

"It is only fitting, I'm the best sword fighter in Narnia in the Golden Age. That must be why he wanted me to turn myself in."

"Edmund, I don't want to lose you," Peter stood firm, yet gentle with his words. "I'm not taking that chance. He clearly has something in mind for you."

"Weren't you and Charlotte spied on the other day by the lake?" Caspian alluded, "Miraz must know you are a skilled fighter too. He will be ready for you, Edmund."

Silence filled the room as Peter pondered.

"I'll do it," he finally spoke.

"No, Peter," Caspian shook his head in disbelief. "I should do it. He's my uncle."

"All the more you shouldn't have to," Peter insisted, turning to Edmund. "I need you to trust me, Edmund. If we give Miraz what he wants, he will use it to his advantage to win."

It was Edmund's turn to reflect on Peter's words. He nodded faintly, "Alright. I trust that you know what you're doing."

"We'll send a proposal," Susan suggested, scanning the room. "Who shall deliver it?"

Edmund raised his hand, "I know how to make him accept the challenge."

"We'll send a few volunteers along with you," Peter suggested, "just in case they try to keep you hostage."

"But your Majesty," Trumpkin said, shifting his feet uncomfortably, "how do we know if this will work? Our last plan was a complete failure."

"Yeah, how can we trust your leadership when it led to our defeat?" Pattertwig added with a hint of skepticism.

"I trust his leadership," Caspian spoke.

"As do I," Edmund added.

Reepicheep echoed after them, instigating a chain of murmurs among the creatures in the room. Glenstorm held a fist to his chest, sending Peter a look with a flicker of hope. Peter inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"Last time, we all made mistakes," he admitted, turning to the rest of the group, "I wasn't a great leader. I thought we didn't need Aslan, and we failed without him."

"The prophecy may have foretold this," he scanned the room, "but we are supposed to learn from it together. We need to strengthen our faith together, or this will not work."

Peter turned to Edmund, before facing everyone else, "I apologise to everyone in this room. Charlotte suffered the consequences, but we will do whatever it takes to make it right again."

He met eyes with Trumpkin, who leaned forward with his full attention. "This time, we will have faith and hard work."

*****A/N: YAY another update! Thank you to those who have been sticking around up to this point, I really appreciate you for taking the time to read this book. I'm so hyped for the next few chapters coming our way omg!!

My next semester's just started so you can expect the next chapter to be published only a few weeks later. On the bright side, we're left with only 1/3 of the plot!! I'm just taking my time to write the last few chapters hehe, but we'll get there! 🥳✨

Feel free to leave comments and vote if you enjoy this chapter!❤️