This chapter is in Lucy's perspective. I really enjoyed writing this one. I hope you like it!
"Edmond! Ed, guess what Peter said in his letter?" I cried with a big grin on my face, running up to my brother who was in his tent looking over a map of the western part of Narnia. He looked startled at my outburst.
"What is it Lu?"
"Susan is getting married in a fortnight!" I replied, and my grin widened when I saw my brother's shocked face. Our sister had caught many a man's eye with her beauty and charm, but she had never settled on marrying anyone.
"What! We cannot come and speak some sense into her before the wedding! What is she thinking? What is Peter thinking for allowing it!" Edmond huffed.
I started giggling, "Calm down Ed, Susan isn't getting married." Then my face then turned more serious when I remembered why I had tricked him in the first place, "You have been worrying too much over hunting down the last of the Witch's army. I know you haven't slept well in days, and are very stressed about this mission. I was hoping this would get you to have some reaction."
My brother sighed and massaged his face. "I thought something was suspicious about it. Honestly Lu, aren't you getting a little too old for tricking me like that?" He asked, avoiding the topic I had brought up.
I just rolled my eyes, "Edmond, I am sixteen, so I'm not that old. And even so, I can still trick you, especially with good reason. And I know you are avoiding talking about your stress."
Edmond groaned, "I am stressed because Peter needs me to do this for everyone's safety while he governs Narnia. I think we have tracked down most of the followers of the White Witch, but I can't be sure! And now the birds say that there sightings of strange creatures that come out of the far western woods. It is all making my head spin."
I sighed. If Peter knew what this mission was doing to Edmond, he would send us back immediately. I could also tell Edmond still felt bad for betraying the Narnians years, so he's still trying to make up for it. When the White Witch was killed by Aslan, the survivors in her former army ran and hid. After years of hunting down Jadis's scattered army, we assumed that the remainder of them had either decided to live in peace or had been killed. We had lived in Cair Paravel for a few years in peace, time that we took to learn about how to be kings and queens. Then, almost a month ago, we received word that a few animals' homes had been attacked by groups of creatures that had been loyal to Jadis. There had been large groups of them spotted in the forests bordering the Western Wilderness. Peter thought Edmond would like to go and investigate this strange behavior and do what he could to make sure the Narnians are safe. Edmond had been starting to get restless in Cair Paravel. He had also grown distant, though we did not know the reason. Oh! If only Aslan would visit us, he could help Edmond. Peter suspected Edmond was troubled about his past, so he asked him to travel with a small battalion of Narnian soldiers. Peter had asked me to accompany them, so I could help if needed. We were camped somewhere between Lantern Waste and the Western Wilderness at the time.
I sat in front of my brother and looked into his eyes, "No not feel guilty about things that took place many years past, Aslan absolved you from those wrongs. The Narnians trust and love you, and you have done so much for them. We will understand things when we need to, right now though, maybe you could take a nap. Sleep will do you some good." I said firmly.
"Lu, I don't have time for a nap. I have to consult with the centaurs and leopards about where to search next, ask the squirrels for a report on the creatures from the forests, and make sure Mr. Badger's house is repaired." He said despairingly.
"I could do all of those things for you!"
"And I could not fall asleep anyways." He said, though I could see the tiredness in his eyes.
"We both know that is not true. And besides, you could not help the Narnians the best if you are too tired." I said practically.
Edmond threw his hands up. "Fine, but are you sure you can care of everything? I feel bad that you are doing my work for me."
I huffed, "That's what siblings are for! And we both know I am more than capable of handling everything. Why do you think I came along? To help you out of course."
"Alright Lu, thank you."
"Get some sleep Ed, you deserve it." I said as I started to walk towards the tent flap.
"Lucy."
I stopped and turn to face my older brother, "Yes?"
"Thanks." He said simply.
This made me smile. "Love you."
He gave me a smile. "Love you too."
I walked out of my brother's tent and started to do the tasks meant for him. I finished after sunset and, after making sure there were no more things that needed to be attended to that day, I headed towards my tent. Edmond had slept through half of the day, and I was glad because he needed it. I was feeling optimistic about tomorrow. With Edmond hopefully feeling better, the next day will go smoothly I thought.
I woke in the morning when horns blew across the camp. A faun poked his head through my tent flap.
"My queen, our scouts have reported back and found something we believe you and the king should see." He informed me.
"I will be there in a moment, thank you." I replied and hurried to grab my light coat that I used for mornings and evenings. I walked briskly out of my tent combing my fingers through my messy hair.
I saw my brother and fell in step beside him. His face still looked tired but he looked a little better to me. I knew that the mysterious scout's report was worrying him. I linked my hand with his, hoping to give him some reassurance. He squeezed my hand, letting me know he was ok.
We approached a group of leopards, fauns, and a few centaurs who crowded around something. The chief leopard, who must have heard us coming, turned to us and addressed us.
"My king and queen, we found some strange creatures that were with one of the groups we have been tracking. The group attacked us so we killed them. We brought back one of these creatures. No one here has seen the likes of it." He said.
Edmond stepped forwards and looked carefully at the creature. It was like nothing I had seen before. Seeing it sent shudders down my spine. The creature had the form of a human but it looked like a mix between a hag and several other creatures I had once seen at the Witch's gathering when she killed Aslan. Seeing it brought back bad memories. The creature had pointed teeth, a deformed nose, haggard and slightly pointed ears, and its skin was a slight green color.
"Have the centaurs seen anything like this before?"
Edmond's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I knew he was asking Lenus, one of the centaurs who accompanied us on our mission.
"I have only seen a creature with a resemblance to this in ancient scrolls. From what I recall, they come from far west in a land that has been forgotten. They are an evil race that plunders and seeks the destruction of others. They at one time followed the orders of some evil. There is no more from my memory about this creature. Though, I do recall it to be named an Orc." Lenus replied.
"An Orc." I repeated.
Edmond's face told me he was thinking hard. "Where did you find it? How many were there?" He asked the chief leopard.
"It came out of the woods just southwest of here. There were about ten traveling with a group of minotaurs, wolves, and a few dwarves. They seemed to be heading west." The leopard relied.
"Thank you." Edmond said to the leopard. "Lenus, do you think that these creatures present a threat?"
"I do not know your majesty, we have not seen any for many hundreds of years." The great centaur replied.
Edmond nodded.
I turned to the chief leopard, "Have they attacked anyone other than your scouts?" I asked.
"None that has been reported my lady." He relied.
"Thank you everyone, now my sister and I will discuss what is to be done. Please send out another scouting trip to attempt to locate any more hostile groups." Edmond said with an air of finality. "Let's talk in my tent Lucy." He said to me. I nodded and followed him.
Once we got to the tent Edmond groaned "This was not what we needed." I put my hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry Ed. Maybe we should send a letter to Peter and ask him what should be done. What troubles me is that they are traveling with the Witch's previous forces. The groups we have been hunting all are traveling west, towards the Western Wilderness. I wonder why they would all be heading west." I said thoughtfully.
Edmond sighed heavily. "I wish Aslan came. We could use his help. Something is afoot, I just know it. But I can't seem to figure out what it is. When do you think Aslan will come back? We haven't seen him in years." He said.
"I don't know know, and I miss him too. But I think he knows best. He will come when it is the right time." I said sadly.
"Well, no use wishing. Let's take a look at the map here." Edmond said, drawing out the map he had been studying the previous day. It had markings of where there had been sightings of our query. Edmond marked where the leopards had said they engaged with the Orcs and minotaurs and such.
After spending the rest of the day speaking with Lenus and collecting more reports of our query moving west in larger groups that normal, Edmond and I sat in my tent to rest from a long day. I was sipping some tea that a tree spirit made for me. Suddenly a soft wind started to blow gently through the tent. Edmond and I looked up, feeling a calming presence we had not felt in years.
My face broke into a huge smile. "Aslan!" I cried.
"Aslan." My brother breathed in relief.
Aslan chuckled, "Hello dear ones."
I rushed to hug the Great Lion, relishing the feeling of touching his soft fur. I looked over to see Edmond bow to Aslan.
"Edmond, come. Do not be afraid of me. Come and let go of your guilt, let yourself heal. I forgave you and I love you, know that." Aslan said to Edmond.
My brother nodded and walked briskly to Aslan and buried his face in the lion's fur. I saw tears in his eyes. "Thank you Aslan." I whispered to the Lion, still clinging to him. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, both Edmond and I pulled back and stood in front of the Great Lion.
"Now, listen closely. I will need you to so some brave things for me. Darkness is trying to cover all the lands, though it is starting further to the west. The remnants of the Witch's army have been called to serve a different master. They have answered this call in hopes they will rule Narnia when the time comes. They are meeting up with Orcs who serve the same master. These Orcs are evil creatures that come from far west. There are many lands beyond the Western Wilderness that Narnia has not been in contact with for over a thousand years. I am sending you to their aid to protect both lands from this evil. Do you understand children?"
"Yes." We both said. I knew both of us were trying to process this new information, and the prospects of a long journey.
"I will help you, though I will not be able to stay with you long, I have other places I need to be. But you mustn't worry, I will never abandon you. You must cross a forest called Westerna to enter the far western lands called Middle Earth. The inhabitants of this forest are an ancient and magical race that will help you in my name. You will later meet with five individuals who I am sending to guide you through Middle Earth and help you in the oncoming conflict." The Lion continued.
I felt very excited at the prospect of traveling to a long forgotten land. But then I started to worry. What about the Narnians in this region? Will they be safe? What about Peter and Susan? Why were they not going? I certainly thought my older siblings would be a better choice for this situation.
"Dear ones, I wished that you would go because you are both fit for the task in your own ways. All will be revealed in time. Send a letter to your brother and sister informing them of what has been occurring of late and what I am sending you to do. They need to stay and rule Narnia, especially in these times. Do not worry Edmond, you are capable of doing more than you realize." Aslan said, and looked deep into my brother's eyes.
"Will you do this for me?" Aslan asked.
"Of course Aslan." Edmond replied.
"Yes." I said simply, trusting Aslan with everything.
Aslan seemed to smile, sending us reassurance. "Come, let us prepare and I will give you further instruction." He said to us and turned and walked quietly out of the tent. Edmond and I followed him together.
And we are off! I chose Lucy and Edmond because Lucy seems more in touch with magic and is very caring and determined while Edmond is more experienced with battle and other things, he will also be good for future interactions. I think they both will do well in Middle Earth. It does not seem practical to me to have all four of them leave Narnia to travel to a foreign land. Please tell me what you guys think!
I based Lenus the centaur's name off of Oreius from the Lion Witch and Wardrobe movie's centaur. I hope its ok. :)
I wanted to thank BlondeAli for reviewing! You made my day! I'm really happy you are excited! Thanks. And I am going to be uploading a new chapter every Sunday or Monday.