{ chapter twelve ~ the Narnians v the Telmarines }
"Ugh, well done pea for brains!" Mila said in a hushed whisper, which would have been a shout if she wasn't afraid of blowing her and Ed's cover. "Your such a clutz!" She mumbled as she watched a Telmarine soldier play with Edmund's torch. "It's not my fault!" He replied back. Mila rolled her eyes, a grin on her face to stifle her laugh. "Hey, Mi, want to see this cool trick I can do with my torch." She whispered, her voice deep and low, to mimic Edmunds. He rolled his eyes before playfully shoving her shoulder. The two glanced back to the soldier, "What are we supposed to-" Mila began, but the sound of loud ringing bells cut her off. "This." The Just King whispered before he jumped from the ledge the two were perched on. "Edmund." She whisper-yelled as quickly darted down the stairs to meet the boy and the hopefully, knocked-out soldier.
"Now Ed, now!" Peter's shouts were heard from the stairwell she was dashing down. "I'm a little busy Pete!" He called back, the guard pinning him forcefully against the wall. "The torch!" Edmund mumbled as he fought back the guard. Mila rushed from the darkness and dived onto the cold stone floor to grab the torch. "How do I turn the stupid magical thingy on!" She mumbled as she fiddled with it. "It must've broken when you attacked the guard," Mila said as Edmund joined her side. The guard lay beside them. "Try and fix it," Mila told him as she unsheathed her sword. "If only the sun was still out." She mumbled, "The moon might not be bright enough." She mumbled to herself as she positioned her sword in a way that it could reflect the moon's light and potentially signal the troops. "We're done for if this doesn't work," Edmund mumbled, the sound of the torch hitting the palm of his hand sounded like thunder suddenly breaking through on a warm summer night. "Come one, come one, come one." The two muttered under their breath, both trying to signal for more troops. Edmund's gasps and a sudden light caused Mila to stop. "You fixed it!" She squealed as Edmund began signalling the army. "Of course I did." He winked, "Ugh, don't act smart Edmund." Mila chuckled. "For Narnia?" She then said, "For Narnia." Edmund replied as the two made their way to the stairs. "Stay out of Peter's sight. Remember the signal. Stay safe Mila. I won't forgive myself if you get hurt and Peter will definitely kill me for helping you." The young Queen nodded, "That's why you don't tell him you helped, it's my plan, you had no idea." She told him. "Now don't worry about me Eddie, staying safe is my middle name."
It had been a long time since Mila had physically battled, but it all came back to her with ease. It was like riding a bike. The movement of her sword remained effortless as she fought with soldiers that stood in her way. She and Edmund had parted ways a while ago, only to meet again as he lay on the floor. "What happened to you?" She chuckled as she pulled him up. "Nothing much." He hastily replied, "You?" He said, pointing to a small cut she had on her face. And if she was honest, she hadn't noticed it until he pointed it out. "Just a few soldiers here and there." He shook his head, "It's not looking good. I'll have to signal for the gryphon soon, be ready." Mila nodded, "Don't worry Ed, I'll be there." The two ran quickly at the sound of footsteps, not wanting to fight many soldiers in a small enclosed space. "Edmund!" Mila called before darting in the opposite direction of the army, "Be rational!" He saluted her before rushing to help people. "Oh for the love of Aslan stay safe, idiot."
Her sword clashed with every other weapon she came into contact with. Her limbs ached from continually swinging her arms and kicking her legs. Cuts and bruises littered her arms after each attacker, but she left more damage than they. A hefty sigh escaped her lips as she attempted to take a breather. The Telmarines were ruthless. The sound of metal cut through the air, if she hadn't been listening she wouldn't have heard the deadly weapon being unsheathed. "Ah, a little Princess." Mila turned on her heel quickly, "Queen." She simply stated before colliding swords with the opposing man. Her grip was loose around her sword due to the painful bruising of her knuckles. A kick came her way, taking her off guard as she flung towards the wall. "It'll be a pleasure killing a Queen." A snarky remark came from the mouth of the enemy, his eyes dark and piercing as he looked into the struggling ones of Queen Mila. A few flashes of Edmund's flashlight were seen out of the corner of her eye. "Oh no." She mumbled as she fought back the Telmarine. She counted to thirty in her head before hearing the shrieking of the Gryphon that was supposed to take her to safety.
A sigh of relief escaped Edmund's lips as he watched the gryphon fly away. Mila was safe. At least he thought. Before his thoughts took him back to the Telmarines that were breaking through the door to get to the Just King.
An emotion Mila had never felt took over her system as she dodged the killing machine that was being thrown vastly towards her. Fear. She had missed her only way out, she wasn't in control of the dance she and the enemy were in, instead, she was helpless. Mila's sword lay on the floor, helpless to her as the Telmarine did everything he could to harm her. More and more cuts littered her skin. She could feel the blood fall from her face. Queen Mila hadn't felt this helpless in forever, well, since she was Princess Mila trapped in a wardrobe.
'Your not helpless Mila,' a male voice filled her head. 'You had hope of getting out of a mess for hundreds of years and then Peter and the Pevensies came along, don't give up now!" The voice was her father, he'd always been there for her, like a Guardian Angel. And he was right, she wasn't some helpless Queen. She was hopeful, she was a warrior Queen. And it may have taken her all, but in one quick motion, Mila ducked from the harsh blade as she dove to the floor. Her sword, her father's sword was now in her grasp, and with one swipe, the soldier who held all of the power, lay lifeless on the floor. 'That's my little girl.'
Mila pauses over her victim for a few moments, she had always hated the killing part of fighting, even if it was for the good of her kingdom. She had always felt some small guilt, however, that guilt never came further than the odd late-night thought that would keep her up until the early hours of the morning. "Fall back!" The loud yelling of her husband was heard. "We need to retreat! Now!" She heard his calls distantly. They were losing. The Narnians were losing.
Mila began her rush to the courtyard, Peter was definitely going to find out she was there. So she may as well leave with him, safe and sound. She rushed through the dark hallways of the dim castle, her sword swinging in all directions to end every soldier that attempted to stop her retreat.
It felt as though she was running in slow motion, the shouts, and the screams all deafening. The sound of metal hitting metal where so low she could barely hear it. The loud banging of the gate entrance to the castle courtyard shutting was barely heard over the shouts of no other than Peter Pevensie. "Mila." "That's Mila." "No, she's with Lu," Susan told him until she saw her for herself...
Mila shoved herself through the crowd of helpless Narnians. "I told you to stay at the table." He whispered, his ocean eyes glossy. "I know, I'm sorry," Mila whispered back, her bruised hands holding his. "You didn't listen to me." He said he wasn't mad, nor angry, just sad to see her in such a state. "I'll be alright, I'll find a way out." She hurriedly told him, although she knew she was definitely going to meet her untimely demise. "I can't lose you." The Magnificent King mumbled, a few tears tumbling down his cheeks. Mila raised her hand to his face, and she brushed them gently. "I love you Peter Pevensie." She whispered, tears coating her cheeks also as she kissed his trembling lip. "Now go." She whispered, her small, delicate hands pushing him away slightly. "No, I'm not leaving you." Mila sighed, "You have to, Narnia needs you. Lucy and Ed and Susan need you." She retook his hand gently and kissed it softly. The beautiful, hopeful Queen glanced at Glenstorm and Susan. A small and sad smile on her face, "Peter, go." She shuddered, "Please go, I don't want you to see what will happen next. Please leave." The usually brave Queen was sobbing now, as her King helplessly held her.
Glenstorm nodded to his children, "We'll protect her till the death, Your Majesty." One said to Peter as he remained clutching Mila. "Peter the bridge!" Caspian called. "Peter," she muttered quickly, "Take this." She said unbuckling her sword and sheathe. "I don't want the Telmarines touching it". She grunted through her tears as a centaur handed her a spare sword he had on his back. "Now go," she said kissing him one last time. "I love you Mila." She heard him say before the sound of hooves distanced. She let out another shaky breath before glancing at the remainder of their army. "Until the death?" She shakily asked. "Until the death." The majority of them replied before turning to face the worst.
Edited - 20/04/2023