CHAPTER 14
EDITED 7/16/21
It was noisy and chaotic in Aslan's How after Edmund delivered the news of Miraz accepting Peter's challenge. Many were excited to see their High King defeat the tyrant, but many were also in disagreement because this was merely a diversion; they knew the Telmarines wouldn't keep their word and war would be declared anyway.
Mary went to see Susan and Lucy off before they headed to the woods while Edmund helped Peter get ready for his single combat with Miraz. Caspian and Mary led the way to the back of the How with Susan and Lucy on either side of them. The two Pevensie sisters and Caspian filled Mary in on the strategy that they had formulated during the time she was out with Edmund delivering Peter's message to Miraz.
"I do hope you bring Aslan here soon, though," Mary told Lucy once she had finished explaining the plan. "I've been dying to meet him."
"Don't worry, I will," Lucy said with a smile. "He will love you."
Mary sighed. She truly believed in Lucy; she knew she wouldn't lie about seeing Aslan nor would she agree to this dangerous plan if she didn't have faith that Aslan would come back. But because Mary had never met him, there was a small twinge of doubt inside of her. What if he didn't show up? What were they supposed to do then? What was she expected to do as part of the prophecy? She wanted to do what she could to help save Narnia, but she was just going with the flow of everything currently going on. Anxiety now mixed with her doubts as she thought about what their last option would be. The Narnians were strong, but they were small in numbers. She feared the outcome in the event that Aslan didn't arrive.
"We'll be back before you know it," Lucy reassured, already sensing Mary's nervousness. "And even if we aren't back yet, they have you."
Mary smiled at Lucy's attempt to make her feel better.
"Thanks, Lucy," she said, nudging her playfully. "You better tell Aslan I'm gonna kick his butt if he doesn't show up to the party."
Lucy giggled and nodded. "I'll give him the message."
The four of them arrived at the stables that led to the back of the How. Caspian offered to let the two girls use his horse, Destrier, rather than a random one because he felt that in the event that things went downhill, he trusted his horse to get Susan and Lucy out of any sticky situation.
Lucy climbed up on Destrier first. Caspian assisted Susan next, and Mary shared a smirk with Lucy when the two of them looked at one another a bit too long.
"Destier has always served me well," said Caspian after a moment. "You are in good hands."
"Or hooves," Lucy joked.
Mary grinned in amusement while Caspian simply smiled softly. Then, he looked at Susan again as if he wanted to say something important.
"Good luck," was all he chose to say.
"Thanks," Susan replied shortly.
Caspian searched through his satchel slung over his shoulder. Mary watched curiously as he pulled out a horn — Susan's horn. Even if they had been in Narnia for weeks, this was the first time Mary had seen the magical horn everyone talked about. The one that brought help to whoever blew it.
"Look. Maybe it is time you had this back."
Caspian lifted his hand up to pass it to Susan. She paused and looked at the horn thoughtfully. Just before Mary thought she would take it, she leaned back.
"Why don't you hold onto it?" Susan told him. "You might need to call me again."
Mary's jaw would've dropped at how smooth Susan's reply was if she didn't stop herself. Once again, she and Lucy shared looks with each other, but it was cut short when Susan slapped the reigns of Destrier and the horse galloped away before either Mary or Caspian could say another word.
"You might need to call me again?" Mary heard Lucy mock, her voice echoing down the tunnel.
"Oh, shut up," Susan said.
Mary giggled and faced Caspian, whose mouth was slightly parted as he watched the two girls ride away.
"Close your mouth, Caspian," Mary said jokingly. The man blinked and pursed his lips, a blush spreading across his cheeks.
Ignoring Mary's teasing looks, Caspian cleared his throat and asked, "Do you think they'll be alright?"
"Susan can defend herself." But, Mary couldn't avoid the fact that with Miraz's troops scattered throughout the woods, it wouldn't be long before some of them spotted Susan and Lucy running away. "I suppose we can only hope for the best."
"Miraz may have agreed to Peter's challenge, but I must warn you, Mary," Caspian said seriously. "He is not going to let his troops leave without shedding blood."
Mary didn't say anything as she processed Caspian's words.
"I advise you to stay close to the other Narnians," Caspian continued kindly. "You may be a good fighter, but we are outnumbered. The Telmarines will not stop until we are all dead."
Mary stayed silent all the way until she and Caspian separated, her thoughts a mess. She bumped into Edmund just when he had left Peter on his own in the Stone Table room.
"Oh, Edmund. How's Peter?" she said.
"He's not showing it, but I can tell he's worried," he admitted.
The single combat between Peter and Miraz was set to take place after noon. Time was ticking as Peter prepared — physically and mentally — for his fight. Mary couldn't imagine how nerve-wracking it must feel to have to go one-on-one with someone as powerful as Miraz. She had faith in Peter, though. He was younger and quicker, and his experience as High King would certainly not go to waste.
"Did Susan and Lucy leave already?" Edmund asked.
"They did. I just hope they bring Aslan in time."
Upon seeing Mary's anxious face, Edmund said, "You don't have to worry. I know Susan and Peter have been skeptical about Aslan's return, but I believe he's out there."
"Am I that transparent?" Mary questioned with a small laugh.
"Not really. I can just read you well, I suppose," Edmund grinned. Mary chuckled and began walking, expecting him to follow as she made her way to the main room of Aslan's How. But, he didn't. He stayed rooted on his spot, a new thought coming to mind.
"Mary, wait."
Mary turned around to find Edmund still standing in the same area. She frowned and asked, "What is it?"
Edmund sighed and bit his lip. Now that Peter and Miraz's combat drew closer, he was growing worried for what would happen after. He was almost one hundred percent sure that it wouldn't end nicely; the Telmarines would declare war either way. This was what the Narnians had been preparing for, but it wouldn't be a pretty sight.
He remembered how his first battle went down in Narnia. He was younger back then, but he still fought until the end. Obviously, the Narnians reigned victorious, having taken down most of their enemies together with Aslan single-handedly killing the White Witch. But, a lot of blood was shed, too. Many Narnians were fatally injured and some died as well. Edmund would have been one of those casualties if not for Lucy's cordial that healed his stab wound from the Witch. It was impossible that they would come out unharmed. He knew his own siblings could defend themselves; they grew up in Narnia, after all. But Mary had never been in a battle that was as messy as the one he predicted the upcoming one would be.
"Listen," Edmund began, walking towards Mary. "I'm sure you know that the Telmarines are probably going to fight us even if Peter wins." Mary nodded slowly, wondering where this was going. "And I know you want to do your part but... please do not throw yourself too deep into the fight. You've proven to be faster and more skilled than I thought, but those men are ruthless. I'd much rather have us alive than dead if we lose. Stay with me or any other Narnian if you have to. Just don't try to take everyone down on your own, okay?"
Mary appreciated Edmund's concern. It was similar to what Caspian had said — that she should stick close to the others to avoid getting hurt. She really wished she didn't appear so helpless for them to go so far as telling her to stay with Narnians just so that she would come out alive, though. But, she knew they were only doing it for her safety, so with a hesitant nod, she complied.
"Okay," Mary reassured Edmund softly. "I'm not gonna die that easily."
Though Edmund knew she was only joking, he took it seriously. He stepped forward and brought her into a tight hug, resting his head on top of hers.
"You better not do anything stupid," he murmured into her hair.
Mary rolled her eyes, bringing her arms around him and returning the warm embrace as the familiar feeling of butterflies erupting in her stomach returned.
Edmund thought about telling Mary what he wanted to say right before Miraz's army arrived but decided against it, uncertainty and fear winning over his confidence. Instead, he gripped her tighter, letting out another sigh.
"If anyone would do something stupid," said Mary in a playful tone. "It would be you."