Dawn
The sun seemed to set the stone on fire as it rose into the sky. It set Maugrim's fur ablaze as she crouched next to him, a single hand on his unmoving chest.
The entire place was empty, silent. Even the sprite that had led her to her faithful guardian had gone back to the camp. But she knew her brothers and sister were battling not too far away, and yet, it didn't reach her. The sounds of battle didn't pierce the air here.
It was heavy, thick and pressing on her shoulders.
She turned away, feeling it soften when she wasn't looking at him. Her hand slipped from his fur onto the smooth stone beneath and it went away entirely.
Susan closed her eyes, fighting back the tide of tears that had already unleashed on her mind. How could Aslan have let Maugrim go here? Let him sacrifice himself for her brother, for her? It made her stomach twist, as if she might taste iron in her mouth right then.