PREQUEL

My name is Zylli and I served in Aslan's Army of Narnia during the battle of Beruna. I, like my other female centaur comrades, stood as archers on the battlefield lead by King Edmund. Much depended on us when King Peter ordered the retreat, we were to provide cover as they made their way to better positions. We fired our arrows true, for we knew our Kings and our General could not accept failure. Not one arrow missed its target as the enemy, the White Witch, made her way closer and turning one of my centaur comrades to stone after the other. My duty was to my people, and upon seeing our General turned to stone, we all knew that if it didn't end here we were all stone.

The Witch had taken out the one centaur that was unmatched in battle, second only to Aslan himself. I knew that I had to lead them, our archers, for it was my duty being the second to Oreius. Duty always came before self. I could never let personal feelings or situations come in the way of what I was doing. If I did, well then I may not be telling you this now. But I refuse to dwell on the subject. I still feel uncomfortable about it, so let's talk about what happened when the great evil was defeated. Instead of spending my time training and marching on the parade grounds with my peers, I had to find another way to spend my new found free time, which came in great abundance.

I found myself bored and anxious to have a part again, a part in some military manor, in some form of duty. It was the only way I could be satisfied with myself and feel satisfaction from my leaders. Fortunately, duty came back into play when I chose to continue to serve as a guard and mentor to our Queens, Susan and Lucy. I followed them and watched them grow for a year before I let myself become close to them on a friendship level. It has been three years since then and I have developed the same quirky behavior as they posses. At least, that is what they tell me.

The Fifth Year of the Golden Age

It was a lovely day, as it is in Narnia. Queen Susan and Lucy decided to spend the afternoon in the orchards and gardens. I was happy enough with the idea. My poor legs are so tired of this marble flooring anyway. I need grass under my hooves and the feel of the outdoors and the feel of the wind through my auburn hair. It had been a long time since I had run through the forests; I needed to stretch my legs. When we reached the orchards, we began to pick fruit in season. I kept a slight eye on the queens knowing that there was no more threat to them due to the fact that there were armed guard around the grounds and all those in service of the White Witch had been slain.

We had been picking fruit for a couple hours when the sound approaching hoof beats was heard coming in our direction. I was on my hind legs at the time, reaching for a piece of fruit that Queen Lucy wanted but couldn't reach. When I came back down, I turned to see General Oreius. He was just as I remembered him from our last meeting five years ago. He was as close as one could have as a friend in such times as those. We grew up together, and one could say we would have had feelings for each other if duty didn't have to come first. He looked calm and relaxed. The calm part I was used to, but not the relaxed bit. However, it was a nice look for him; it made him more appealing.

I bowed respectively and he did the same to the Queens and to myself. He announced that the High King Peter and King Edmund wished to speak to with the Queens. I was told to wait there a continue on with picking fruit and if they didn't return soon, I was released for the afternoon to do as I please and so I was left alone with Oreius. He looked at me and his look was almost sheepish. I did my best to smile back. The best I could do was a small grin. I nodded my head and went back to picking fruit. He continued to stand there, looking at me and he would shift the dirt under his hooves every now and then. It was as if he wanted to say something but didn't have the nerve. 'Funny,' I thought, 'for a general to stand before me with no nerve to speak with me.' Well I hate uncomfortable silences. So I attempted to break it. I spoke without turning to look at him.

"General Oreius, is there some way I could aid you?" He coughs, clearing his throat, almost taken back by the sound of my voice

"You have changed, Commander Zylli."

"Really? How so?"

"You do not seem so…rigid." He inhales sharply and I turn to him and give him a little smirk. He then continues, "Forgive me. I did not mean for it to sound that way." I smile to myself and turn back to what I was doing.

"I understood you perfectly, General. There was no need for you to apologize."

He exhaled a sigh of relief and then he resumed his powerful presence. Standing tall both hands on the hilts of his swords, no sign of emotion, almost as if he has forgotten his little display of shyness. I just roll my eyes and smile.

"Beautiful weather, is it not?"

Ah, so he wants to be pleasant and distant. I can do that.

"Yes, General. However, I have seen far more glorious days."

I turn to see a smile on his face and a look in his eyes that seemed to say he was up for a good challenge, but since we were noble creatures, he would refrain. For now. Little did we know, a challenge was exactly what we were.