Dark Witch
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia
Chapter 17: Return of the King
Eirlys's POV
It was utter chaos, as the Telmarines surrounded us. The Narnians tried to hold them off. A wave after wave of soldiers charging in. We stood our ground, fighting them off. Keeping them away from the How so the Narnian families can escape. I don't know how long we can keep them off. The only thing we can do is hold them back until Lucy find's Aslan.
I pray the Valiant Queen does find the Great Lion. The signs are there that Aslan was here. Only he has not shown himself. He was testing us. It was his way of seeing how his children have grown. But this test may cost so many lives.
The Pevensies and I fought together. Susan using her bow to fire arrows and as a weapon to strike the enemy down. Her quiver being enchanted that it will never run out of arrows. Peter grasping Rhindon as he fought two Telmarine at once. Edmund was wielding two blades, using his surroundings. I used my Laputa sword while blasting any Telmarine who was about to give the killing blow on a Narnian. I glance around for Caspian, who was fighting beside Trumpkin, saving the Red Dwarf just in the nick of time.
The Telmarine Army was marching closer. Surrounding us, as each wave came in. It was getting a bit claustrophobic. Glenstorm lead his men as they leaped over the compass shields trampling the enemy down. The mice drawing their blades and crawling at the Telmarines feet in an attempt to slice their ankles. I turned to Edmund, realizing there's too many of them.
"Can you make a force field again," Peter asked.
"I don't know," I answered.
"She used too much energy," Edmund said.
"We need to push them back," Susan shouted to be heard.
"Caspian," I called out.
As I saw the Prince being pushed into the ditch. Seeing the boy, I raised vanished, caused me to snap. As I spread my arms out, casting a silent spell, to blast one regiment down, and then the other side. Exhaustion came over me that I fell to my knees.
"Eirlys," Edmund exclaimed, as he came over, blocking another attack.
I panted, feeling the effect of abusing magic. I looked down, grasping my pendent, trying to control the magic inside me. I closed my eyes, calming my nerves, then open them to see a forgotten friend. A root came out as it reached for my hand, giving a shake.
'We're back,' a soft voice whispered.
A sword came down on Edmund and me when all of a sudden, a massive hand made of branches smacked them away. Edmund and I looked up to see one of our hold friends since the Golden Age. The Birch Tree, Bircha. She looked different now, her face no longer intimidating, as her eyes were exposed, revealing grey eyes and lips much softer. Let alone the fact she has grown taller.
"Bircha," Edmund praised.
Bircha gave the nod, before facing the Telmarine, giving a screech as her leaves swirled around her. The trees crawled their way over, using their roots. Along with reinforcement of the nymphs in wooden armor and the dryads swirling in their petals and leaves. They are finally awake. After five hundred years, they are finally awake.
Edmund offered a hand as he helped me up my feet. Caspian managed to climb out of the ditch with the assistance of a tree's root. He walked over, amazed at seeing what is happening. Susan and Peter came over relieved.
"Lucy," Peter assumed with a smile.
"She found him," I breathed. "The true king as returned."
Edmund and Peter nodded in relief. Suddenly a projectile flew above us, striking an oak tree. In the leaves, a face formed as it screamed in pain, falling down. The tree next to him, became furious, digging his roots into the ground, and sending them across the field, even threw the open ditch, slithering its way to one of the trebuchets and destroying it. The Telmarines saw this, and without hesitation, retreated. The Narnians cheered, praising the trees.
Peter raised his sword, shouting, "For Aslan!"
We raised our sword and chased after the Telmarines out of the battlefield and into the Shuddering Woods. Glenstorm and his sons helped us on their back, as they galloped to lead us to the river. The hour we chased the Telmarines, capturing the fallen by compensating their weapons. By the time we reach the forest line, we got off of the Centaurs and drew out weapons, finding the Telmarines at a standstill.
They created a human barricade to prevent us from getting to the lords. However, we can see there was someone on the other side of the bridge. It was Lucy, as she held her dagger. She gave an innocent smile, taunting Lord Sopespian. Not long after, an immense lion appeared, walking with pride as he stood by Lucy. The Great Lion has returned. The might Aslan.
"Charge!" Lord Sopespian exclaimed, raising his sword.
The Telmarines on the bridge and shore, cross through. They were about halfway through when Aslan gave a mighty roar. One that created a wind through the entire military force. One filled with magic. The Deep Magic. The Telmarines stopped, sense the shift in the atmosphere.
At first, it seemed like nothing happened. Only, those in the water can tell, as the current lesson to low tide. The water used to be at their chest has now reached their hips. The soft whispers to be that of the Naiads says he was coming. My eyes widen, realizing who Aslan had summoned. The Great Lion summoned a River God. Not any River God, but Beruna himself. The First River God since Narnia's creation.
The current ceases, as Beruna charged in like a tidal wave just around the riverbend. The Soldiers cried for retreat, rushing back to the Narnian side. However, Lord Sopespian charged forward at Lucy and Aslan. Yet the River God stood, appearing as a massive giant made out of the water, while his hair and beard swirled around in foam. The River God lunged forward, stopping the knights in their tract, looking down at them in disappointment. He turned to Aslan as the Great Lion smiled, giving a nod, silently offering the command.
Many of the Telmarines jumped off the bridge or retreated their horses back. Lord Sopespian was paralyzed. The River God emerged back in the river, going under the bridge, before rising again, destroying the bridged that killed many of the trees and dryads. Some of the Telmarines fell or jumped off to avoid the River God's wrath. Leaving the Traitor Lord Sopespian to face the greatest Narnian. Lord Sopespian stared bewilder at the River God, knowing his time has come to an end. The River God stared at the mortal in his grasped, before opening his mouth and swallowing Sopespian whole. The River God drowned Lord Sopespian and vanished into the current of the water, dropping the bridge to become debris.
The Telmarine Army surrendered after that.
I felt the weight lifted off my shoulders. It was done. After three hundred and five years, the Narnians are free from the Darkness and returned to the Light. I sheathed my sword, back in its scabbard, and truly breathe for the first time without guilt. Edmund took my hand as he led the way across the river. Susan took Caspian's hand, gesturing him to follow, as did Peter.
We crossed the river and made it to the other side where Aslan and Lucy were. Once our feet were on firm ground, we knelt before the true king.
"Rise, Kings, and Queens of Narnia," Aslan calmly commanded.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and I stood up. Yet Caspian remained on his knees.
"All of you," Aslan said to Caspian.
"I do not think I'm ready," Caspian said, slowly raising his head in doubt.
"It's for that very reason I know you are," Aslan assured the future king.
The sound of small footsteps caught our attention, as Peepiceek lead his men. They were carrying their leader, Reepicheep, on a stretcher. Lucy gasped as she rushed over, drawing her cordial. The mice set their leader down, and Lucy did not hesitate to give Reepicheep a drop. A second later, the noble mouse gasped, sitting up. His eyes opened, staring at Lucy.
"Oh! Thank you, your majesty," Reepicheep said, until spotting Aslan standing up. Except he stumbled a bit. "Oh, uh…Hail, Aslan! It is a great honor to be in …" he stumbled again, and the cause was severe, as his tail was now gone. The noble mouse blushed, covering his wound. "Oh! I'm completely out of countenance."
Aslan appeared amused, yet remain regal as ever.
"I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion," Reepicheep apologized and turned to Lucy. "Uh… Perhaps a drop more?"
Lucy glanced at her cordial and gave him a sympathetic look, "I don't think it does that."
"You could have a go," Reepicheep suggested.
Aslan gave a deep rumble of a laugh, "It becomes you well, small one."
Reepicheep faced Aslan, "All the same, great king, I regret that I must withdraw, for a tail is the honor and glory of a mouse." As he removed his sword, presenting it to Aslan.
"Perhaps you think too much of your honor, friend," Aslan said.
"Well, it's not just the honor," Reepicheep replied baffled. "It's also great for balance. And climbing. And grabbing things."
The humans and I chuckled at the Noble Mouse's explanation. Aslan gave me a look in question, probably wondering why I knighted this small creature. I chuckled, giving him a shrug, for I ask myself that every day.
Peepiceek stepped forward, drawing his blade and holding his tail. The other mice did the same example.
"May it please your high majesty, we will not bear the shame of wearing an honor denied to our chief," Peepiceek offered.
Aslan laughed softly, "Not for the sake of your dignity, but for the love of your people."
In a blink, a new tail grew out of Reepicheep stump. He gasped, feeling it once more as he grasped it. His mice were amazed.
"Look!" Reepicheep praised, with a bow. "Thank you, my liege. I will treasure it always. From this day forward, it will serve as a great reminder of my huge humility."
I doubt it, I thought while chuckling.
Aslan laughed again and stared at Lucy, "Now, where is this dear little friend, you've told me so much about?"
We looked around, until spotting Trumpkin. We walked over until the Red Dwarf, who was collecting weapons, sensed our presence. He turned around; blue eyes widen in seeing Aslan. The dwarf grew up as a cynic the moment he left his parents care. So, seeing him amazed was refreshing. As Trumpkin knelt before the Great Lion. Aslan gave a growl followed by a mighty roar that created wind across Trumpkin's face. The Red Dwarf trembled.
"Do you see him now?" Lucy asked with a giggle.
Trumpkin panted with a smile. Aslan nodded in acceptance. We all smiled, for it was entertaining to see the Great Lion turning a cynic into a believer.
I smiled softly then felt a coldness consumed my body. The Deep Magic and the Sun-Drop Lilium magic diminished in my body. My breathing became ragged, feeling like my body turning to stone. I removed my gloves, staring at my hands, seeing both were completely black and grey like ashes. I tried to flex my fingers, yet they crumbled, turning to ash.
I fell to my knees as my eyes water.
"Eirlys," Edmund gasped, as he knelt down. His dark eyes widen seeing my hands disintegrating. "No…"
"Edmund, what is it?" Susan asked.
"Eirlys, no, you can't die," Edmund begged and faced Aslan. "Please, she's sacrificed so much for Narnia. Don't let her die. Not like this."
The Pevensies and Caspian gasped, begging Aslan to spare my life.
"Remove her armor," Aslan ordered softly.
Susan rushed in, taking the metal cincher off while Edmund and Caspian got the bracers off, follow by the chainmail. Not long after, in my leggings and short sleeve shirt, they could see my skin no longer pale, but like an ember, or burnt wood mixed of black, grey, and white. I panted, feeling the world was spinning as a migraine formed and the sun's light becoming too bright to see. Aslan stepped forward, pressing his forehead against my own.
"You have been my loyal champion. You suffered for Narnia, and not once have you doubted me," Aslan murmured. He pulled back, staring at Edmund, "Take her to the river and let the current flow."
Edmund nodded as he helped me up. A shot of pain went up to my spine that I cried out. Caspian reached to help, but Aslan gave a growl.
"This is Edmund's task," Aslan warned.
The Silver King mustered all his strength, maneuvering my arm over his shoulder and placed his arm around my waist. I set my weight against him for support, but it hurt, causing a whimper to escape.
"Hold on," Edmund murmured.
Using all of his strength, Edmund helped me into the river. The rocks became slippery, nearly tripping us over, yet Edmund stood his ground till we reach the middle. Edmund lowered us, that he was on his knees while holding my body against his chest, not letting go. The current becoming stronger that he would drown. I panicked, worried for Edmund when the water rose to cover our heads. We gasped for air holding our breath.
Everything was different underwater. The only thing you can see from the surface was from the shadows of the trees and the glistening light from the sun. But under the water, the rocks were a soft grey, and the sounds vanished. Stilling holding breath, I stared at Edmund, who struggled. His hold still tightens as the ashes were peeling off from my body. I blinked again, and no longer did I see Edmund as an adolescent but the man I fell for those many years ago. He seemed to notice this as he leaned down, pressing his lips against my own. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around him.
The clear water became murky. The ashes melted away by the river's current. All the pain, numbness, and the cold vanished, as it drifted away. Our lips never leaving one another, like there was no need for air, as we breathed in the water itself. My heart sang, longing for this embrace and touch. Feeling rejuvenated for the first time for 1300 years ago.
When Edmund pulled back, he smiled, cradling my face, and took my wrist, revealing my hands have returned. Unable to resist, I cradled his cheek and kissed him again. There was passion and longing, not wanting to let him go as the wall came down. Edmund kissed me back, sharing the same feeling, until the water that made us breathe no longer provided air. We pulled back with a gasp, sitting back up and stood.
I stared at Edmund with a smile, then frown, seeing Edmund returning to his adolescent form. Edmund realized this too. We looked at Aslan, who mainly nodded. A part of me had a terrible feeling that Edmund and his siblings won't be here for long. We made our way back, as Lucy embraced me suddenly that I almost stumbled back.
"How do you feel?" Lucy asked.
"Much better," I answered then looked at Aslan. "Thank you, Aslan."
Aslan nodded, "You know what this means."
I nodded, "My reign has ended."
I stared at Caspian, who held a nervous expression. I smiled softly, knowing he will be a good king. I came over, giving him a hug. He was baffled but hugged me in return.
"It's time," I said.
Caspian nodded.
Sorry for the short chapter.
Where do you think the coronation should take place? To those who are wondering, Bircha was a new character I written in the new edit on chapter 3: They're Telmarines. Please reread the story to know of the changes.
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!