Dark Witch
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia
Chapter 1: The Dark Witch of the Shuddering Woods
Caspian was woken up from a startled. A hand pressed against his mouth to silence his gasp of surprise. Dark brown eyes open to gaze at the intruder only to find his tutor, the old man, Doctor Cornelius. Caspian sighed, pulling the tutor's hand down and turned to go back to sleep thinking this was another astrology lesson.
"Five more minutes," Caspian mumbled.
"You won't be watching the stars tonight, my prince," Cornelius said in a frantic hush voice. "Come. We must hurry."
This caught Caspian's attention as he got out of bed and quickly slipped on his pants and boots. Afterward, the doctor grabbed Caspian by the arm leading him towards the wardrobe.
"Professor, what's going on?" The prince asked.
Professor Cornelius turned around facing his pupil, "Your aunt has given birth…to a son."
The crown prince stood there in shock. At the beginning of Lady Prunaprismia pregnancy, he thought nothing of it but a miracle. However, as the months gone by he heard vague rumors of his uncle, Miraz plans to assassinate him if by fate Lady Prunaprismia gave birth to a son. Now the stories might actually be true by the professor's frantic behavior. Not wanting to greet his executioners, Caspian got inside the wardrobe and closed the door very slightly.
Just a moment later, General Glozelle and ten other Telmarine soldiers surrounded the bed with crossbows. General Glozelle gave the order through a silent nod, which resulted in a massacre of arrows. Except once the tapestry was destroyed there was no prince, but feathers instead. Caspian's eyes widen as he and the professor snuck through the secret tunnels towards the armory. There Caspian grabbed an armor vest and sword. Afterward, they went to the stables for Destrier.
The dark fur horse has already saddled up thanks to Doctor Cornelius as supplies were strapped. Caspian mounted his horses though confused to see not a second one for the professors. Doctor Cornelius stood holding his student's hand.
"You must make for the woods." The professor said.
"The woods?" Caspian asked. "What about the Dark Witch?"
Caspian had heard tales of the Dark Witch of the Shuddering Woods. A banshee creature; that if you set sight on her, you are dead by a single glance. Those who were spared by her wrath said she was all in black, with skin white as snow, hair black as night, and eyes green as the scales of a serpent. An entity of darkness, who manipulates the forest like a marionette.
"They won't follow you there. Nor will the witch harm you." Cornelius said, pulling out a clothed package and handed it to Caspian. "It has taken me many years to find this."
Caspian nodded and placed it in his satchel, except the older man was not finished. "Do not use it except at your greatest need."
Then the professor took a medallion off his neck and gave it to Caspian. The medallion was made out of silver of what appears to be a lion etched in gold. Caspian stared at the professor confused.
"When you reach the forest…find Eirlys, she will help you. Make sure you show her that medallion first and say my name." Cornelius informed.
Caspian nodded as he put the medallion on. "Will, I ever see you again?"
"I dearly hope so, my prince," Cornelius answered. "There is so much more I meant to tell you. Everything you know is about to change."
"Close the drawbridge!" One of the guards yelled.
"Now, go," Cornelius ordered smacking Destrier back.
The horse gave a secretive nod to Cornelius as he took off with the prince without Caspian control. The action startled Caspian, as he held the rein tightly in the escape trying to gain control of Destrier. But the horse continued to stride through the courtyard towards the drawbridge in attempt to escape. Once they fled, Caspian managed to get control and lead Destrier towards the Shuddering Woods, ignoring the fireworks behind them.
The journey was tedious, for not a moment too soon General Glozelle and several of his men were in pursuit. They crossed mighty plains till entering the first portion of the Shuddering Woods. For a blinking second, Caspian thought he saw the mist evaporated creating a passage for them. He turned his head around to see the fog consumed the empty space as the tree branches condensed.
Don't look back. A woman's voice hissed in his head.
Bewilder, Caspian eyes searched for any sight of a woman…but none were found. Destrier now started continued galloping forward till reaching Beruna River, crossing it with such speed. The current made things difficult for the horse. Yet halfway through the current lighten up instantly making things easier. Caspian noticed, consider it a change in the tides of a nearby lake.
However, when General Glozelle and his men attempted to cross, the current change most rapidly as a few slipped off their horses. The situation became a conflict, which they had to retreat and find a different route to cross. Meanwhile, Caspian continued to escape more in-depth into the woods.
Up ahead in the trees a dark apparition hid watching the earth below. Deep green eyes evaluated the terrain after receiving a message from the falcon that several Telmarine has entered the Shuddering Woods. In fact, one Telmarine being chased by the rest. This draw the person's attention as she cast a spell to let the lone individual in and helped in his escape. Now this person desire answered.
When seeing Caspian making in the peculiar direction, the person jumped from the trees and tackled the prince to the ground. The impact shock Caspian as he fell off of Destrier and onto the hard compost soil. Immediately he got up, drawing his sword and aimed it at the assailant. Brown eyes widened to see a tall person in dark robes.
The Dark Witch of the Shuddering Woods, Caspian thought frighten.
Black leather encased hands moved slowly in front of the witch as she lowered her hood. What Caspian saw, surprised him. As a woman stood before him with a beauty of a statue with the features that been told, except for her ears that were pointed. Her green eyes narrow as she twisted her hand, which magically tossed Caspian sword.
"Are you the Dark Witch of these woods?" Caspian demanded.
"Indeed, I am." The witch said. Her voice soft and temping of a siren."And who are you?"
"I mean no harm. Only safe passage?" Caspian said.
"Thou still haven't answered thy question." The witch said.
"I am Prince Caspian. The tenth," Caspian answered quickly.
The Dark Witch stopped, her eyes widen, "And why have you entered my woods?"
"Running away," Caspian answered, pulling out the medallion. "Please, I am in search of a woman."
"Most men are," The Dark Witch muttered.
"I search for Eirlys," Caspian corrected himself. "Cornelius sent me to find her."
This caught the Dark Witch's attention as she walked over and yanked the medallion out of Caspian's hand. Her green eyes gazed deep into the medallion and back to Caspian. The hostility vanished, replaced by the softness of hope.
"So it begins," She breathed.
.o0o.
Eirlys POV
I stared at the medallion to see Aslan crest. I gave this to the Renegade Dwarf name Cornelius weeks after King Caspian IX funeral. The day he told me that the Queen has given birth to a son, one who shares the family name. I had hoped this day would come when a Son of Adam could restore Narnia. Even when this Telmarine stood before me, I hardly believed him until seeing the medallion. He had changed since the last time I had seen him when he was a mere boy sadden by death and burden with responsibility.
"So it begins," I breathed, then turned to face Caspian. "I am she."
The Telmarine's eyes widen. Yes, the Dark Witch is I, Eirlys. But I wonder how much does he know about me per say than the folklore the farmers proclaimed. I doubt he knows my heritage or who my mother was. However, that is not important. What is essential is getting Caspian to a safer location and rally up the rebels.
So I blew a whistle for Destrier, which the horse obediently obliged. When he was near, I petted his muscular neck, "Such a handsome creature. No longer a colt."
"How did you do that?" Caspian asked, cautiously approaching me. "Destrier obeys only to me."
"My dear prince, I've been watching since the month you were born." I murmured, mounting Destrier then offered a hand to Caspian. "Did you think I let you be alone in shark-infested waters?"
Caspian eyes widen to realize Doctor Cornelius or the nanny wasn't the only people raising him. Those two were obligated to fill stories of Narnia to the prince. And when the Prince was of age, I had Cornelius personally give Destrier to Caspian. An intelligent horse in fact. Though Destrier cannot speak, he knows his ways of communication.
Anyway, Caspian got on behind me as I started leading the way to Dancing Lawn.
"So tell me again, why are you running away?" I asked.
Caspian paused before answering, "My uncle has always wanted my throne. I suppose I have only lived this long because he did not have an heir of his own."
"Ah, I was wondering when Mizar will strike again," I muttered.
"Again," Caspian asked.
I contemplated if I should tell Caspian the truth. Let the human know that Miraz was the one who killed his father and possibly his mother as well. The tragic news would shatter his heart if told. Before I could open my mouth, an arrow shot by us scaring Destrier. The horse pranced on his hind legs causing Caspian and me to fall. I gasped feeling pain in my side then got up to see in the far distance other Telmarines.
Damn it, I thought about drawing my sword.
A sound of a door creaking open caught my attention. Turning around I saw two dwarves, Nikabrik and Trumpkin. They stared at me and then at Caspian. Cautious Trumpkin approached ready to attack. Quickly I intervene.
"Don't, get him inside," I ordered.
Trumpkin nodded standing beside me while Nikabrik as approached Caspian. I turned around casting a spell to create a fog to hide us before the Telmarine arrives. As the mist formed, I focused on Caspian to discover him grabbing his something off the ground. A horn. But not just any ordinary horn. No, it was made out of ivory carved into a lion. Queen Susan's horn.
How in Aslan's name did this Telmarine possess Queen Susan's horn? The Narnians believed it could summon the Kings and Queens of old. Caspian quickly got hold of the horn and blew on it.
"No!" I shouted but was already too late.
Nikabrik panic, knocking the boy unconscious in the head with the blunt end of his dagger. Having no time to spare, we carried Caspian inside Trufflehunter's burrow and turned off the lights. I panted peeking out through the window to watch the Telmarines. I recognized one of them being General Glozelle. He and his men searched around the area seeking for Caspian. After for some time, they left searching deeper into the forest. I sighed, turning around to see an unconscious human, two dwarves, and a badger. What a lovely way to greet the morning.
Let alone the damn horn has been blown.
I don't know what I should be worried about: the Telmarine Prince or the Kings and Queens of Old?
Narnia is not the same.
What do you all think?
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!
