The following morning, Amelia felt the most unprepared for battle as she had ever been. Her body was still weak from her months in the trade. Her mind was weak from the memories and flashbacks. Her heart was weak because she missed him. She missed Edmund. He hadn't spoken to her since she told him they could no longer be together for his own good, and while she still believed that, she had atleast hoped they would remain somewhat civil with each other. Instead, they haven't spoken. At all.
She stood on the main deck of the Treader as they sailed towards the island. She was surrounded by crew, all of them decked in armour and weapons. Eustace was flying high overhead, keeping watch for attacks. She stood to the left of Drinian with the minotaur, while Caspian, Lucy and Edmund stood to his right. They watched on as Drinian guided the ship towards an opening in the mist.
"So, what do you think is in there?" the minotaur asked her.
She sighed, "Our weaknesses."
"Our worst nightmares," Edmund added.
Caspian said, "Our darkest wishes."
"Pure Evil," Drinian also added.
The air was morbid. The fear was floating off the crew in waves. Amelia sensed it the moment she woke up. This would be a tough battle, and though she knew the crew to be strong hearted, even the strongest of men have failed her in battle because the fear overcomes them.
Caspian, Edmund and Lucy and some of the crew left to get the final battle preparations ready. Amelia stood beside Drinian, feeling comfortable with the Captain. She felt as though they had become somewha friends during her time aboard.
"Your mind is distracted, m'lady. That's not good for battle."
Amelia smiled, "I am well rehearsed in the art of war, Drinian. I am aware that my mind will do me no good today."
The captain gave her a side-glance, "May I make a suggestion?"
"Feel free."
"Whatever problem you have with those kings, m'lady, you need to clear them before this battle starts. If life on the sea has taught me anything, it's that life can be ripped away so easily. It's better to be at peace with someone than have them die while you were not speaking."
Amelia pondered his suggestion, but found that her situation was far more complicated. Niether Edmund or Caspian have made any attempts at reconcilliation. She doubted they wanted to. While Caspian h=and her were on better terms, they were hardly the power duo they used to be. And Edmund... him and Amelia were nothing like they used to be.
"I'm afraid it's more complicated than that."
The Captain gave her a sneaky smile, "Is it really?"
The horns sounded. It was too late.
Amelia immediately shoved the conversation out of her mind and put her war face on. War was as much a mind game as it was a physical one, and she needed to prepare herself.
The crew gathered on the main deck, all armoured and organised. Caspian, Lucy and Edmund met her on the upper deck with Drinian. She couldn't help but ponder over the Captain's words as she gazed solemnly at the faces of Caspian and Edmund. Both past loves, but only a true love. Both her closest friends, but only one would forever be her closest and most loyal friend.
She did not, however, have time to speak words of apology. Instead she took in the words of Caspian as he addressed his crew.
"No matter what happens here, every soul who stands before me has earned their place on the crew of the Dawn Treader. Together, we have travelled far.Together, we have faced adversity. Together, we can do it again. So now is not the time to fall for fear's temptations. Be strong. Never give in. Our world, our Narnian lives depend on it. Think of the lost soul's we're here to save. Think of Aslan. Think of Narnia."
Amelia couldn't help but smile at Caspian's powerful speech. The words had clearly resonated with the crew, and they now stood tall and proud in the face of death. Amelia never liked war, but she'd always admired how battle brought people together. In times of need, people will always be strong. There are those who are weak, but they will fall. Those who remain strong will survive. There are always strong people. They may not be great in number, but they exist in every battle. And before her, Amelia saw an army of strength. An army that stood a chance.
Amelia couldn't let Caspian walk off just like that. He was still her friends, and more than that, he was her king. She couldn't stop herself from screaming out a gutteral cry of, "FOR NARNIA!"
The rest of the crew followed suit. Their faces stout and strong as they shouted for the country they fought for.
Amelia smiled as an old saying popped into her head: Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori.
How right and fitting it is to die for one's country.
Despite all the commotion around them, Edmund and Amelia's gazes locked from across the deck. For a moment she forgot all of it. She forgot about the trade, her weak heart and his need to claim her. She forgot her anger, and all she wanted was him. He didn't look away. He held her gaze strongly, and she almost went to him, if she hadn't been interupted by the looming structure and darkness of the island before her.
The battle was about to begin. She could only hope there would be time for apologies later.
The light soon faded as they entered the island, and Amelia worried that the ship may hit something in the absence of the sun. They had a few lanterns scattered around, but not enough to fully light the way. The darkness crept into her bones and churned the fear inside her stomach. She cringed and swallowed, trying to get it to fade away. Here and there she saw flashes of green mist, and it reminded her of wicked snakes ready to bite.
The mist slithered its way to the ship and weaved through the crew. Amelia shuddered as it skimmed her shoulder, sedning the chills through her body once more. The crew all gazed at the mist wearily, knowing their weapons can do it no harm, and fearing for what it may do to them.
Then she heard that voice.
The voice of her mother.
"Edmund," the voice called out. Amelia whirled to her left, only to see the mist in shape of her deceased mother haunting a ghosty pale Edmund, "Come with me. Be my king.I'll let you rule."
"Go away, you're dead." Edmund said.
Amelia immediately stalked to Edmund's side, not caring for past grievances, but focused on the mage of her mother that she disliked so very much. Her mother seemed to notice her then, a snarl taking over, "Oh, it's you, daughter, trying to play saviour once again." Her mother circled around her, a wicked look on her face, "Too bad the evil runs through your blood. You'll be helping the darkness soon enough."
"Go away, mother," she sneered, "I helped Aslan kill you centuries ago."
Her mother cackled, "You can never kill me. I'll always be alive, in your minds." With that, her mother vanished into the darkness, her over-powering presence vanishing too.
"Edmund, Amelia, you alright?" Lucy asked them. The two whirled around to face her, each trying to wipe the fear out of their eyes.
"Yeah," the bother uttered in sync. They gave each other a side-glance, both feeling the same nostalgia. Edmund gave her a quick nod of thanks and she returned it. It's a start.
Suddenly, a loud wail pierced the silence. It came from within the darkness.
"Keep away!" it cried, "Keep away!"
Amelia along with the rest of the crew, analysed the surrounding visible rocks to try and spot the source.
"Who's there?" Edmund called out.
"We do not fear you!" Amelia added.
The voice replied, "Nor I you!"
Edmund then reached into his belt, pulling out a very familiar silver torch Amelia smiled upon noticing it and Edmund smiled back before switching it on and scanning the rocks around them with the light. For the first few rocks, nothing appeared, but just ahead of them they spotted a crumpled man standing upon a ledge. His clothes were tattered and his hair stringy and curled with salt water. The man shouted once more, "keep away!"
"We will not leave," Caspian said. Amelia then notcied the bright silver sword the man wielded. The last sword.
"You will not defeat me!"
"Caspian!" Amelia called out, "His sword!"
"Lord Rupe!" The king cried out.
Lord Rupe seemed shocked at Caspian's recognising of him, "You do not own me!" he yelled crazily.
"Stand down!" Caspian ordered, and the crew lowered their crossbows and weapons. "Get him on board, quickly!"
The crew was about to swing the ropes, but a roar from the darkness interupted them. Thankfully, it was just Eustace who emerged and grabbed Lord Rupe before setting him on the wooden deck. The man screamed as he landed and swung his sword around to keep away the crew. Amelia watched, analysing the movements of the madman.
"Be calm, my lord!" Caspian attempted to calm him.
"Off me!" the man cried, shoving away the crew.He swung his sword around in fear.
"No, my lord! We are not here to hurt you! I am your King, Caspian."
The man stood still, his blue eyes widening to the size of saucers, "Caspian?" he turned to face Caspian, his hand reaching out to touch the young king's face, "My Lord! You should not have come! There's no way out of here!" he then turned to the rest of the crew, yelling "Quickly! Turn this ship about before it's too late!"
Edmund agreed, "We have the sword, let's go!"
It can't be that easy. Amelia thought to herself. She stayed rooted to her spot, her muscles tense for any attack.
"Let's turn her about, Drinian!"
"Aye, aye, your majesty!"
Lord Rupe, however, had one more waning for them, "Do not think!" he called out, "Do not let it know your fears or it will become them!"
Amelia's mind jumoed before she could stop it.
Four faces.
Four men.
The men who stole her from herself.
She looked to her self where Edmund was, trying to find comfort, only to see that he held the same terrified expression, "Oh no," he muttered.
The crew was at a standstill.
"Edmund, what did you think of?" she asked slowly.
"Im sorry," he muttered, before running off to the side of the ship and glancing into the dark waters. The ship suddenly jerked to the side and Amelia fell with a clash of her forehead against the banister. She already felt blood, but ignored it when she saw the mist on her left gathering into four distinctly human forms.
"No, no, no, no, no ,no," she kept muttering to herself. Her body was suddenly paralysed as she gazed at the four faces who ripped her soul to shreds. She could not move, her eyes just watched as they stalked nearer. Edmund's creation was long forgotten, her own now stared her in the eyes.
She was on the upper deck, away from the rest of the crew who had jumped to the main deck to see the threat. She was alone, no one could see her. She faintly heard a hissing sound and cries of "Sea Serpent!" as the boat rocked back and forth. She hardly noticed, her eyes zeroed on the four men infront of her.
The first, Kirnan, gave her an evil sneer, "'ello poppet."
She could feel the scream tear through her throat, but she could not hear it. Her senses become blind to everything but her fear. All she could think of was the touching, the violations, the stealing of her innocence.
For a moment, everything froze. She knew she had a choice to make in that moment, fear or strength. The fear was tempting her. It was tempting her so much, but then she saw the main deck being completely wrapped around by the body of a sea serpent, and to her dismay, Edmund's leg was caught underneath the beast's massive body. He was already looking at her, apprently in a struggle to reach her. She knew then what her choice was. She knew then what she had to do.
Because Edmund would die if she didn't.
Another scream tore through her throat, but this was battle cry. She could hear herself now, the fear fading with the thought of Edmund's life taking over. Her ssword, which Caspian had fianlly returned to her, was unleashed from its cage. Like a dancer, she did a magnificent twirl on her feet and she sliced into the arm of her first opponent, Brinidad O'Leary. He cried out in pain before she withdrew her blade and sunk it into his chest. Like a balloon, his body popped into millions of tiny particles of green gas. The next was Kirnan, who tried to attack her from behind but she ducked before throwing her foot out and tripping him to the floor. She wasted no time in stabbing the blade into his chest before he, too, exploded. Next, was Oreicle, the man who beat her everyday for three months. In a sick irony she dropped her sword. With a cry she punched him in the face, his nose spurting blood onto her chest. She then kicked him in the stomach, causing him to keel over before she managed to grabe her knife from her belt and slice it across his neck. He too, fell. Lastly, she faced him. The worst of her nightmares. Jokan, the man who raped her.
He didn't attack at first. He just stood with an evil smile glinting across his features, "How I have longed to see your form again, my little maid."
She scowled, "I belong to noone."
"Wrong. You belong to me." His smirk widened, "Even in my absence I haunt your dreams, your relationships, your life. You belong to me, Amelia, and you always will."
The anger inside Amelia was something she had never felt before. She let out a loud cry, "Never!"
It all happened in slow motion. He tried to dodge her, he really did, but in that moment she had never moved faster. She bent down and grabbed her sword before crouching and spinning on her heel just in time to fling it into his chest. The blade poked out his back, and for a moment he just stood silent, his eyes gazing at the foreign object curiosly, before his form exploded before her very eyes.
The rest of the ship suddenly became real to her, and she ntoiced the giant snake wrapped around the hull once more, but Edmund was no longer trapped underneath its body, instead she saw him on the mast, facing the beast with only a sword in his hand.
"Edmund!" she yelled, but her voice drifted away in the chaos. No. This was not happening.
She rushed forward, past the broken wooden floorboards and past the mass of crew members tugging on ropes attached to the snake. Noithing matter anymore. Only him. It would always be him.
She jumped onto the mast rope before climbing up as fast as she could. Another figure had joined Edmund now, only it was not real. It was her mother, the green ghost coming back with the worst timing Amelia had ever known. Then she heard the words her mother spoke.
"What're you trying to prove, Edmund? That you're a man?" the women spoke slyly. "You want to prove that you can save her? That you're right for her? Just take a look Edmund, she's already dead."
Edmund looked to the upper deck where Amelia was fighting mere minutes ago. The carnage most certainly made it look like she didn't survive, as if her body had gone overboard, never to be found again.
"I can take you to her," her moter continued, "I can bring you both together again. Just take my hand, Edmund." Her mother reached out to him, her green form flowing out below her.
"No!" Amelia yelled, and climbed faster, but Edmund did not hear her.
"Just give in!"
"Edmund!" Amelia reached the platform and suddenly her sword and Edmund's, which Amelia recognised to be Peter's old sword, began to glow. With the loudest cry Amelia had ever sputtered in her lifetime, she jumped onto her feet and swung her sword at her mother. Her mother cried out in surprise, but it gave Edmund the distraction he needed, "Do it, Ed!" Amelia cried out, desperate.
With a yell, Edmund raised his sword as the serpent lurched for them. At the last second Amelia left her mother and fell to her knees, her sword raised. The creature's jaws enveloped them both and they stabbed their sword's into it palate and into its brain before yanking them out.
The creature froze, and slowly it began to tumble backward before finally hitting the ocean with a loud CRACK. Amelia heard her mother's faded screams in the background, but all she could see now was his face. His beautiful, scarred, freckled face.
Without thinking, she yanking on his shirt and brought his lips down to meet hers. The kiss was like nothing before. It was apologies and gratitudes. Explosions and silence. Warmth and a frozen night. Her heart no longer beat with fear of her memories but with love, love for him. His hand gently caressed her cheek as they kissed amongst the carnage of the battle. She smiled, having missed his touch so much.
They pulled apart and she gazed into his chocolate eyes, "I couldn't let you die without saying sorry," she spurted out, "I was dumb for leaving this. I was being stupid and idiotic and I can't believe I even fathomed life without you." His face was slowly morphing into a smile as he held her face, "Because life without you doesn't even exist, Ed. All those years I spent here alone, but you were always with me. My star to guide me in the night. The sun to liven up my day. You were always in my thoughts, and the fact that I said that we shouldn't be together was so, incredibly, undeniably, stupid." She paused, before once again adding, "I'm sorry." For good measure.
There was silence for a moment, and Amelia's heart raced with fear and anticipation, but the Pevensie King only laughed at her, "You stupid girl, there's nothing to forgive." He pulled her in for another kiss as the darkness around them faded to light. The birds started to sing again, and she felt heat on her skin for the first time in what felt like years. They kissed as the sun rose above the green mist, and light and purity returned with their love for one another.