AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Due to the amazing comments and increase in faves and watches for this story, I decided to pick it up again as a hobby. It was nice to work on it again, kind of like seeing an old friend :)

I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I'm trying to find my style of writing and such again. I don't write near as much as I used to...

Chapter 14: Life After Birth

It has been a week since Uri was born. She is walking and follows me everywhere. Since she is still too small to hold my hand, she is always grasping onto my tail which I don't mind much. She doesn't pull often and when she does, I hardly notice. She is quiet like her father but I can see a fire in her eyes. She is going to be a strong she-centaur someday.

I sat with Adel and Miya, drinking tea and watching Coen and Uri play.

"We have the cutest children Narnia has ever seen."

"Ha. My children will be far more adorable."

"Just a few weeks ago you said you weren't going to have children."

"Things change." Miya grinned.

"Hello, ladies." Oreius smiled.

"Hello, my love" I reply, giving him a kiss before he plops down and serves himself some tea.

"I've spoken with the Headmaster. Uri may start her schooling next week. As well as Coen."

"Oh, thank you, Oreius. I thought Coen would never start his schooling."

"It wasn't a problem. The Headmaster is a friend of mine."

"Do you suppose they will be giving combat training?"
"I wouldn't be surprised, my light. Although it is an era of peace, you never know what may happen."

"Yes. I hope she will be able to choose between the life of a soldier and something else, however. I want her to be happy."

"As do I, darling."

"Where are we going, Mum?"

"I'm taking you to school, sweetie."

"What's school, Mum?" she asks, still holding tightly onto my tail, eyes wandering.

"Well, sweetie, it's where you learn."
"Learn what, Mum?"

"About everything, I suppose."

She makes a small noise of understanding and continues to take in the scenery.

"Well, sweetie, we're here."

We stop in a clearing where children of all races and creeds are running and playing. The adults are standing off to the side, waiting for the Headmaster to arrive. I saw Adel and she waved me over.

"So far, so good." she says with a sad smile.

"Oh, it'll be alright. I'm sure the Headmaster will take good care of them."

"It's just hard, setting your child free like this."

"It is hard," I sigh, "but it's for the best."

3 years later

Uri has grown and her head reaches my chest. She is still quiet and reserved and very gentle, but on the other hand very passionate and protective of her best friend, Coen. She hasn't taken a liking to combat like most her age, which is rather odd to say the least. She has been known to follow her father to the training ring willingly, but the idea of causing harm to someone else, even in jest, isn't something she is fond of at all. She still looks on the world with wide, observant eyes and with a calm mind. Coen has always known her to be this way, which is probably why he gave her a book with blank pages, ink and a quill. She is always writing or sketching. Those two got on well since the day they met, but they are starting to reach a fork in the road. He is very much like his father; headstrong and willing to serve Aslan and country in any way necessary. In less than a year, he will join the ranks of Narnia's army and start combat training, leaving Uri behind to figure out her life. She is in no way lazy. She works hard and she is willing to please, but it isn't easy to find a lifestyle when you're a centaur who wants more than a military life.

Uri's POV

"Mum," I poke my head out of my doorway and whisper, careful to not wake Da, "are you awake?"

I step carefully, holding my sketchbook tight to my chest as if some unseen force might take it away. I poke my head around doorways, so I won't have to walk more than necessary and I see her in the kitchen making breakfast.

"Good morning, sweetie. How was your sleep?"

"About as good as usual. Inspiration struck again last night."
"Oh?"

"Mhmm." I say, quietly, setting the table for the meal.

"What did you see this time?"

"Not entirely sure. I just drew. I thought I might give it to Susan today."

"She has always liked your work. That would be a good birthday present."

"I might also give her last week's sketch."
"Have you taken that one to your Da yet?"

"I've thought about it. He isn't much for art, though."
"Its not that he isn't much for it... He loves your work and is very proud of you."

"He was just hoping for a son who would like fighting as much as him?"

She sighs, "No. That's not it. This is a learning experience for him. The fact that he can deal with me is a miracle in of itself. You know what I'm like."

I grin as I think about the silliness my mother gets into. She is a good wife and mother and does what is expected of her, but there are days when she needs to feel the wind in her hair. My Da can be so straight-laced…very much a man of rules and protocol. So when she suggests running away or going swimming or when they just sit there and he braids her hair, it's a sight to behold. I think of my father as a giant of a centaur. He is a hero in his own right and he puts his nation and his family before himself.

"Perhaps you should go star-reading with him soon. That's something he really enjoys and that is where all those stories came from that he used to tell you at night. Perhaps it could be something you might like as well?"

I grin up at her, "That's a wonderful idea, Mum!"

"I have those from time to time," she winks. "Now, go wake your father up. Breakfast is ready."

I nod and stand up, careful to leave my sketchbook on the table.

Zylli's POV

I watch her saunter away, still trying to be quiet to allow Oreius those few more seconds of sleep. She truly is a doll and thinks nothing but the highest of her father. It is true that they are both similar yet different, but she will forever be daddy's little girl. With a slight shake of my head I turn back to the counter, finishing up bowls of fruit and juice and setting them to the side to be moved to the table with Uri returns. I pull a meat pie out of the oven when I feel an arm wrap around my waist.

"Good morning, sweet light," I hear a low and earthy voice rumble into my ear, "spoiling us with treats and pies this morning?"

I turn my head and look up at him. His face calm as always, his eyes quietly burning with passion and desire. I plant a small kiss on the end of his nose.

"Of course, darling. Today is a special kind of day."

"Well, every day is special with you," he winks and carries the bowls to the table.

"Flatterer." I say, cheekily.

"Mum?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"After breakfast, may I go see Queen Susan?"

"Absolutely. Oh, and remember what we talked about last night before bed…"

"Yes, Mum. I will look into it while I'm there."

After breakfast, Uri collects her things and places them in her knapsack and trots away towards Cair Paravel, waving daintily at us and the house as she leaves. She won't be home until dusk, which is fine. Oreius and I are settling into having alone-time again…something that just didn't exist for a long time.

I start washing up our mess from breakfast when I feel his hands run down the middle of my back, giving me goose bumps. He brushes my long hair to the side and kisses my neck and shoulders.

"Fancy meeting you here, Lover," his voice rumbles from the depths of his chest.

Needless to say, the dishes didn't get done today…