The Return

Chapter Eight

A/N Hey guys pardon any mistakes I'm using my phone and I'm not used to it. I don't know why but this chapter feels special to me. Comment on anything you want to ask me. I want to be asked question I'm bored. I'll update more tomorrow when I'm actually not busy XD Enjoy!

Caspian stood in the center of the Dancing Lawns. He was surrounded by angry Narnains. I sat at his feet tail wrapped around my paws.

"Liar!" They yelled. They were angry that their home was taken. They were angry for the lives that were taken and the blood that was shed. I was to but I was most angry with myself. There was so much more I could have done but I gave up. And it was certainly not Caspian's fault.

"All this horn proves is that they've stolen yet another thing from us," Nikabrik said.

"I didn't steal anything," Caspian defended himself.

"Didn't steal anything? Shall we list the things the Telemarines have taken?" Someone yelled.

"Our home,"

"Our freedom,"

"Our lives,"

Some yelled out. It was true, but they were accusing Caspian of something he did not do. It was unfair. I knew the time to reveal who I was, was near and that I would have to do it soon.

"You would hold me accountable for all the crimes of my people?" Caspian asked looking around.

"Accountable? Punishable," Nikabrik exclaimed walking forward.

"Ha! That is rich going from you dwarf or have you forgotten that it was your people who fought alongside the white witch?" Reepicheap asked. I shivered at the memory. I could feel the sharp coldness from where she had stabbed me all those years ago. Caspian looked down at me but I refused to make eye contact.

"And I would gladly do it again if it would rid us of these barbarians," Nikabrik said swatting the mouses sword away.

"And it is not in your power to bring her back, or are you suggesting to ask this boy to go against us right now?" Truffle hunter asked. The badger always seemed to be filled with endless wisdom.

"Some of you may have forgotten, but we badgers remember well that Narnia was never right unless a son of Adam was king," he spoke. And there it is again ladies and gentlemen.

"He's a Telmarine why would we want him as our king?" Nikabrik yelled. I sighed, it was now or never.

I stood up and padded to the center. Caspian gave me a questioning look. All around me Narnians were depending on someone to free them and I realized then that I would help in doing so. I took a deep breath and began to shift. I felt my legs grow and my ears disappear. I stood to my full height which was five foot four. I felt the chain mail against my black tunic and the heavy armor that rested on top. I could feel my bow and quiver on my back and my sword at my side. My golden eyes shined and my curly hair matched. I heard gasps of surprise and disbelief.

"I am Willow the Noble, Guardian and Warrior of Narnia, first in command of the Kings and Queens of old," I spoke. I glanced at Caspian, he had a look of shock, disbelief, hope, and a small hint of betrayal.

"This boy is the key to our freedom, but whether you follow him or not, that choice is yours. But I will says this, I trust him to not fail as I have done but to succeed where I have not," I spoke clearly. Caspian looked relived. And nodded thanks to me. Glenstorm looked as if his mind had been cleared.

"If you will lead us, then my sons and I offer you our swords," he declared. He drew his sword along with everyone around him.

"And we offer you our lives," Reepicheap declared.

"Miraz's army will not be far behind us," Trufflehunter spoke.

"If we are to be ready for them we need to hurry to find soldiers and weapons. I'm sure they will be here soon," Caspian said.

~*~

I laid near Caspian by the campfire that night. Once I had revealed who I was the Narnians seemed to relax. No one recounted my failures. They welcomed me be back as a hero. They were all blind to my faults.

"So your the great Guardian?" I heard Caspian ask.

"The one and only," I smirked.

"But it's not all it's made out to be," I said.

"What do you mean?" I heard him ask. I heard a rustle as he scooted over next to me. We were both on our backs looking up at the sky.

"I've been seventeen for over a thousand years, I watched all the people I loved and the people I was suppose to protect die. I tried my hardest to stop the invasion but every attempt failed," I explained choking back tears.

"When the Kings and Queens left I did an average job of running the kingdom but in the end it wasn't enough," I continued.

"It's not your fault, the men who invaded this land they were viscous tyrants. They didn't understand the concept of war. All they knew was bloodshed," Caspian said.

"Yea but it still wasn't enough was it?" I asked turning on my side back facing him.

"You'll see one day Willow that you did all you could and that you saved as many people has you could," Caspian finished.