Always || Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia) [1]

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

EDITED 7/16/21

Mary stood with Glenstorm at the place of combat, which was the square of cobblestone flooring in the middle of the field whose path led to Aslan's How. Peter had assigned her and Glenstorm as the duel's marshals while Edmund was Peter's second in command.

"Is this your first time watching an official duel, Lady Mary?" Glenstorm asked.

"Yes," she replied, bouncing on her heels. "Is it just me or am I extremely nervous?"

"Worry not. I feel the same way."

Mary raised her eyebrows. It was hard to believe that Glenstorm felt the same way when he spoke with such a poker face.

"I just hide it well," the centaur continued almost as if he knew what she was thinking. "We must have faith in his Majesty, though."

Mary sighed and nodded once more in agreement.

"You're right. Peter will do well."

Miraz arrived before Peter did, his army giving out deafening shouts as he made his way across the grassy field. Mary observed the three Telmarines Miraz had brought along with him, two of whom she recognized as General Glozelle and Lord Sopespian; they were present in the tent when Edmund declared Peter's challenge to Miraz. Mary's heart thumped in her chest in anticipation, watching as they grew closer and eventually arrived. Miraz sat on a chair while waiting for his opponent to arrive, his intimidating stare making Mary uncomfortable. She prayed that Peter would give his all in this combat against him and that he wouldn't get hurt too much.

Finally, Peter too made his entrance with Edmund by his side. The Narnians cheered and raised their swords as the two kings walked out of Aslan's How. Mary wasn't sure if she was just biased, but the cheers from their side felt much more uplifting rather than the forced ones that came from the Telmarines, which gave her more hope.

From the Telmarines' side, Miraz was scanning the scene before him. The same centaur from earlier and the girl from the prophecy were both already there. The two kings were nearing the area of combat as well. He leaned closer to General Glozelle, a plan formulating in his head.

"If it should appear to be going poorly..." he trailed off, glancing back and forth from the crossbow Glozelle held and to Peter. Glozelle's eyes flickered in realization and he nodded.

"Understood, your Majesty."

"Also," Miraz added, eyeing the brunette girl who had the nerve of making fun of him back at their camp. "I'm not very fond of that girl, so do something about it — if you know what I mean."

Glozelle subtly looked at the girl that Miraz was referring to. She was speaking in hushed tones with the centaur and the two kings of Narnia, oblivious to what he was ordered to do to her. He hesitated for a brief moment but knew that he had to comply to his king's orders.

"You have my word," he eventually answered. Miraz smiled in satisfaction and stood up.

Mary gulped nervously upon seeing the face Miraz made. It looked like he was up to something or knew something that the others didn't. It was unnerving to say the least and she wished she could hear what they were saying.

"He looks quite... experienced," Edmund commented as he adjusted Peter's armor.

"That's not really going to help him, Ed," Mary muttered upon seeing the pointed look Peter sent his younger brother.

"You have my full confidence, Sire," Glenstorm bowed before Peter. Mary snickered at Edmund as if implying that he should've given the same support to his brother the way Glenstorm did instead of saying that Miraz looked experienced. The raven-haired boy rolled his eyes at Mary and tightened Peter's armor a bit too much, the blonde boy sucking in a sharp breath as he did so.