The celebration could not be contained by four walls so took place outside under the rising full moon. A large bonfire was nurtured out in the field, huge plums of smoke scenting the air with the smell of wood and comfort. Men and women wound through the crowds in paper mache animal heads, imitating panthers, bears, minotaurs or satyrs. The opposite was true for the woodland Narnians, large bulbous human heads balanced on their shoulders. Many of the masks with open jaws to allow for sight. Braziers and smaller fires dotted the field throwing flame and shadow to dance along with the revellers.
Fauns and those dressed as fauns, filled the air with music after the lead of King Tumnus complete with large crown. Mr Edmund, outfitted with furry trousers and a woolen scarf beating a drum in time with the piping. Peter could be seen dancing wildly amidst a crowd of nymphs costumed as a satyr, sporting rather large horns. Susan and Lucy led a maypole dance with the children, their laughter adding high notes to the music playing around them. Along the outer edge of the festivities, trees swirled in and out in a dance of their own design.
As the girls walked the grounds, partiers smiled and greeted Eliandra and Mauna, remarking at their costumes while casting curious peeks at the cloaked figure towering over them. While the hood hid her from everyone else, Rhea could see out. Gawking at the crowd, never having seen such merriment and so many creatures in one area, she bobbed to the music unlike that of Terebinthia. Being so tall, Rhea caught sight of Edmund first and pointed him out to her companions. The three giggled as he struggled to keep his scarf out of the way of the drum even as he got lost in the beat.
Eliandra linked her elbow through Rhea's arm to guide the group toward the musicians, picking a good place to unveil her masterpiece. The music grew louder and more raucous, people and creatures began jumping over the smaller bonfires. Daring each other to jump directly across and not on the sides, entertaining the less bold with their abilities.
The centaurs took their turns at the main fire, four legs propelling them over the flames as the crowd gasped in delight. Amidst the spectacle no one noticed at first when Rhea slid the cloak from her shoulders, exposing her blank mask of a face to the night sky. Her voice joined the cheers rocking the crowd, her feet stamping in the stacked shoes along with the music. She was so taken in with the spectacle that Rhea didn't notice Mauna pull Eliandra away, leaving her alone. Moon and flame reflected off the chalk makeup, making the girl an unnatural beacon for the eye.
Screams rent the night. The Narnians scattered, those that could took flight exploding into the air with loud sqwacks and lost feathers. The land creatures ripped their costumes off, burrowing, trampling, anything to get away. Confused Terebinthians found themselves standing in a great open space where seconds before they had been pressed shoulder to shoulder. Hisses and snarls took the place of music as, from a safe distance, the creatures turned to face the White Witch. Their too-fresh memories of her terrible reign persuading the animals to find courage.
Now the music makers and performers took notice, the music died completely as the world held its breath. Borius, the mighty centaur, was mid-leap when he caught sight of the living nightmare in his range. Even before his front hooves regained the ground on the far-side of the fire, his giant sword was drawn. The wings of his Pegasus costume broke apart as he continued,
made a wide sweep of the bonfire, in a gallop that shook the world.
(Those in the know will agree, there is nothing more intimidating than a centaur holding a centaur-sized broad sword. Excepting that same sword being pointed at your throat as that same centaur bears down on you. And you being a young lady with no weapon and certainly not a battalion of soldiers.)
Not being familiar with the tales of Jadis, the White Witch, the Terebinthians near had drawn closer to Rhea in the confusion, they saw only another reveller, now they too scattered leaving the girl frozen to her fate. Eliandra, realizing how dangerous her trick had become, tore across the green fighting against the tide of evacuees. Tripping as the redhead yanked at her frozen cousin's arm, they fell to the ground. Clinging to each other and shrieking in anticipation of what would happen when the hooves reached their target.
A metal-on-metal squeal filled the ears of all, a sound so devastating that witnesses fainted without seeing what created the noise.
Those that did watch, saw as a single man stood in confrontation with the great equine warrior. Bronn, the old warrior and new luanatic, jeered Borius in Tereb as the wood of his battle-axe splintered at the second hit.
Borius' battle cry filled the air as shadows ran to protect the hysterical girls and keep Bronn or Borius from becoming a casualty of the night. Edmund and Peter, shouting and waving their arms to get the centaur's attention, Peter with only an unsheathed dagger. Prince Eleas, his short legs pumping in his wolf costume, shouted for Rhea and Eliandra to get up and run, his voice getting lost as Terebinthian soldiers overtook his strides to back up Bronn.
The soldiers took up a defensive circle surrounding the girls, Bronn shouting orders to the men, Captain Ithal at his side. With no weapon to protect himself, Edmund was at a loss as he looked on the spectacle. Then Philip, his Pegasus wings flapping (it's a popular horse costume) was at Edmund's side. The King vaulted on his back as Philip entered the fray. Borius was focused on the witch, his mental scars convincing him that Rhea was the evil queen and not just an ignorant visitor.
He couldn't fathom why these foreigners were protecting the White Witch, but came up short as his Narnian brother appeared in front of him.
Edmund could see that the creature was near mad with fear, Philip skillfully danced between the marauder and his prey, every moment giving the chance that Borius would come to his senses.
Bronn dashed forward with his broken axe, dodging Philip's kicking hooves and Borius' sword to slice a deep gash into the centaur's flank. The large broadsword swung round, catching the man with the flat to send him flying through the air to lay crumpled on the turf. Borius turned to finish the man off, yet saw it was a man and not some demon minion of the Witch that attacked him. The madness fled his mind, Borius dropped his sword as he recognized Bronn's battered form.
"Borius! What have you done?" The centaur turned to see the ashen faces of his Queens running toward him. Lucy veered off to kneel over Bronn, Susan had an arrow trained on Borius. His eyes followed the metal tip as she cut between him and the soldiers. As he turned, Borius saw the chaos he had wantonly spread. Edmund had slipped off Philip's back, Peter and he trying to calm their old friend. The Terebinthian soldiers who had fought at his side in many skirmishes now saw him as only dangerous.
With arrow still pulled back to her cheek, Susan commanded of the Terebinthians. "Disband! Our beloved Borius is no further threat to you or yours." The men shifted from their combative stance but did not leave, eyes still darting between the crying girls and the centaur. "As Queen above your homeland, I order you all to leave this field. Any found seeking vengeance for tonight's misunderstanding will be dealt with most harshly." Susan's voice rang clearly over the field to include all Narnians and Terebinthians, her tone made sure that no one would dare disobey.
Only when those damaged by the fight were left on the trampled grass did Susan lower her weapon. Waving her siblings over she spoke quickly, "Peter. Take the girls to Lucy's solarium, I wish to speak with them. Edmund, find Mauna if you can, I fear she plays a part in all of this as well. Leave them there, I will attend them in time. And for Aslan's sake have Rhea scrub her face clean." Susan's sensible mind had easily recognized the girl but the effect was still off putting. "Lucy, fetch your cordial, Bronn should not suffer so for his bravery." Lucy ran toward the castle, leaving Eleas to keep Bronn calm as pain spiked along his body.
The gentle queen walked toward the centaur who fell prostrate on the grass, exposing his belly and neck. To his mind, the only suitable punishment for his actions would be death. A herd of centaurs emerged from the crowd, the mares openly weeping.
"Please do not give up your life so easily, Borius. Come. Speak with me and we'll see if your mind can be eased." Susan slung the bow over her body, went over to a small bonfire to fashion a torch from a burning log and set off toward the ocean. Head hanging down, Borius slowly regained his feet to follow his queen as the red flare of her torch pulled away.
Edmund couldn't bring himself to look at the false White Witch as he turned to hunt down Mauna. Peter saw the trickles of sweat pouring off his brother's forehead, he didn't think it was from the bonfires. With a heavy sigh, Peter's gaze followed Edmund until he disappeared in the crowd before helping Rhea and Eliandra up. The girls walked with arms around each other, people parting the way for them as they headed for the castle.
a/n Thanks for all the awesome reviews from the last chapter, my favorite was Willow's Noooooooooooooooo! made me laugh. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, please feel free to call me out if there is something glaring wrong. I would rather catch it now cause this could be a long #$%#$ story.
a run down of ages for the characters
Peter-27
Susan-26
Edmund-24
Lucy-22
Mauna-17
Eliandra-21
Rhea-19
Bronn-55 (old for a soldier)
Ithal-30