"Quiet now, Yvaine. Our guest is still asleep," a female voice cooed. "Though I do hope she wakes up soon."

If there was one thing Maria loved about Narnia, it was that she could be someone else. Or rather, she could be her true self. She didn't have to pretend that she was still broken. She didn't have to be so careful about what she said. And most of all, she could stand up for her beliefs – to be listened to and respected – instead of being shut down whenever she opened her mouth. In Narnia, she had always had a family, people who would look out for her, take care of her, and teach her how to take care of herself. Maria was always ready to go back to her family; it was just the knowledge that she would, one day, have to leave them behind once again that had kept her away.

"Why is she so cold?" said another voice, presumably that of Yvaine. Something brushed Maria's cheek.

"She has come a long way, from over the sea."

"Is she from Aslan's country?"

"No, dear. She comes from another world."

Maria tried to move under the masses of blankets. The weight of them trapped her in a bed of felt and silks. "Hello?" she mumbled groggily.

"Look now, you've woken her up," sighed the older female.

"No, it's okay." Maria struggled into a sitting position.

The room was very simple, the only light coming from the fireplace, flickering over the dark walls. There was an armchair on the opposite side of the fire, upon which sat a dryad, fiddling with a bundle of pale silk. She looked odd; Maria was used to dryad laced from head to toe in vines, leaves and beautiful flowers. But this dainty female figure was clocked in a felt-like tunic that drowned her frail frame. A smaller, child-like dryad sat at her feet, dressed the same and was staring up at their strange guest. Despite the lack of 'things' in the room, it was small enough to feel cosy.

"Where am I?"

"Underground, safe, for now," said the taller dryad.

"Safe from what?"

"Her."

"Who is 'Her'?"

"The one who calls herself Queen of Narnia."

Maria huffed. It didn't seem like she was going to get too much out of this creature any time soon. "Who is Elijah?"

"How do you-"

"I heard someone say that Elijah knew I was coming. Is Elijah a Firesong?"

"Yes; you knew her mother, Asher."

"Can I see her?"

In response, the taller dryad stood and ushered the smaller away, promising Maria she would do her best with the dress (the silk she had been picking at). Maria told her to keep it, that it no longer had any value to her.

Soon after the two had disappeared through a dark hole in the wall, another dryad stepped in, wearing a longer felt tunic than the first, with a thin veil wrapped around her head. She looked frail and old, not like any dryad Maria had seen. The dryad sat in the armchair opposite her, warming her hands by the fire before looking up with a kind smile.

"Elijah?"

"Yes. I'm glad I was able to meet you, Nimueh."

"Is Asher…" Maria trailed off into a moment's silence.

"I'm afraid so. She disappeared about a hundred years ago."

"I'm sorry," was all she could think to say. "You're having a bad winter this year."

Elijah smiled sadly. "We have a bad winter every year."

"I heard you knew I was coming."

"Oh yes, I saw you in a vision, you came to defend Narnia; we're certainly in need of you now."

"How long has it been?"

"Over three hundred years, I think."

"That long?" Maria turned away from Elijah, almost too ashamed to look into her eyes, instead staring at the fire as if it would make her feel better. "I must formally apologise. I…didn't mean to leave last time, but I have been trying to avoid coming back."

"Perhaps it was for the best."

"But you said you needed me," Maria said, looking up again. "Is this to do with the Queen of Narnia?"

"Don't call her that," Elijah scolded, though softly. "She's known as the White Witch."

"Jadis?! She's the ruler of Narnia? How could this have happened?"

"If you know her name, you probably know that she has been building up her power for centuries. She cast a spell upon this country so that it remains winter all year round. She terrorizes the creatures of Narnia, and has done for a hundred years."

"Hasn't anyone tried to stop her?"

"There have been a few, but most live in fear. No one who went after the Witch has ever been seen again. We nymphs have had to move underground; I haven't seen a naiad in years! It's far too cold to live above ground now because all of the trees are still or sleeping." Elijah leant forward, as if there were someone else who could hear them. "They say that even some of the trees have turned to the side of the Witch."

"Why didn't I come sooner?" Maria threw her head against her bed of pillows.

"Don't worry, my dear, you couldn't have done anything about it. The Witch is very powerful."

"But you said that you saw me defending Narnia."

"Yes, and that was around the same time that Asher made her final prophecy before she disappeared. I think hers might have triggered my vision. You see, many Narnians believe that you were killed in the Western Mountains on borders of Telmar on the day you travelled back to your home-world." Maria felt a little sting in her heart at these words. "The Witch doesn't think you are alive, which gives us an advantage." Elijah's smile grew wider and more mischievous. She looked younger, more like the nymphs that Maria had previously known in Narnia.

"An advantage? Why? I thought you said that everyone had stopped trying to get to the Queen."

"Ah, you see," she wagged a finger, "all of that has changed now, hasn't it? Now that Aslan is on the move."

Maria jumped forward in her blankets. "Aslan? In Narnia? Right now?"

"Yes; they say he is building an army."

"But why didn't he come sooner?"

"For the same reason you didn't, my dear. That's why it's good that you're here now; the Witch has been on the hunt for any humans who might venture, however unintentionally, into Narnia. There was nothing you or Aslan could have done to stop this. All because of Asher's final prophecy." Elijah paused, seemingly to gather her thoughts, so Maria didn't push her, only sat with eager ears. "Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight. At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more. When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death. And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again. That's what Asher kept saying."

"Forgive me if I'm wrong," Maria interjected. "But it seems like there is a considerable amount that he could have done about this winter issue. And that doesn't explain the killing of humans."

Elijah chuckled. "Asher talked of you often, and she always mentioned that you were never one to be patient." Maria apologised, rather sheepishly, and gestured for her to go on. "She also said something else; When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone, sits at Cair Paravel in throne, the evil time will be over and done."

"So that's why the Witch is killing humans; she wants to make sure no one takes her throne."

"Exactly. It was foretold that two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve would claim the thrones at the castle of Cair Paravel."

"I haven't heard of that castle before."

"I don't think you'll have seen it before. You've never been so far as the Great Eastern Sea, have you?" Maria shook her head. "Do you remember seeing a castle as you arrived out at sea?"

"That was Cair Paravel? It's very beautiful."

"It is indeed. And here is the best part." Elijah leant towards Maria again. "I ventured above ground yesterday and I heard a whispering amongst the trees; they say that a Daughter of Eve has been seen in Narnia. A faun took her home, but instead of following the White Witch's instructions to capture and turn all humans over to her, he let her go."

"Is she still in Narnia? Will she return?"

"Only time will tell, my dear. And that's why you and Aslan have been able to return, because the Witch's power has begun to weaken."

"This is good news," Maria smiled. "I suppose Aslan will be wanting me for his army."

"What would they do without you?" the dryad laughed. "As soon as you are well enough, we'll set you off for where he has made his camp. I'm sorry we weren't able to recover any of your old clothes, but the seamstresses of our people have been at work since you arrived."

"That's very kind of them. Thank you, Elijah, for your hospitality."

"You're a Firesong, part of our family. It's the least we can do."

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"Only that we have some of your old weapons, which are current being cleaned up for you."

"What of the Dwarves? Were they unable to make more?"

"I'm afraid the Dwarves have also joined the Witch's side."

"What? Them too? It's a wonder the rest of you still have hope. Well, thank you anyway. I'm feeling better now so I won't bother you any longer." Maria tried getting up but Elijah stopped her.

"Absolutely not," she said, firmly. "You're not going anywhere until I say you're well again, do you understand? You should have seen the state you were in when those two satyrs brought you here; anyone else would have died! No, you must rest still. I will bring you some food soon."

"But-"

"I know it's boring having to sleep when you feel fine. And I know you'll be restless because you'd rather be out there helping Aslan, but you must be fully recovered before you can fight anyone."

Maria smirked. "Exactly how much did Asher tell you about me?"

"Enough for me know how you'd react to all of this chaos. Or maybe that's just the prophet talking…" Elijah got up, smiling. "I'll be back soon. I don't want to see you standing up for at least another day, mind." Maria nodded as the dryad disappeared through the hole in the wall.

She settled back down beneath her blankets, with plenty of things the think about. Of course, she was happy to be back in Narnia, but not in such terrible times. Being trapped underground, she felt helpless to the tyranny of the White Witch. The only thing that could possibly lull her to sleep was that there was now hope that Narnia could be restored to its former glory.