The Eternal Queen
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia
Chapter 12: Nightmares
The storm was still terrorizing the Dawn Treader as half the crew tried to sail through it while the other half were exhausted sleeping away. Either asleep or occupied, none were noticing the Green Mist slithering through the deck of the ship and headed below deck and the cabins. It moved around like a serpent trying not to be spotted. The protection spells that Eirlys cast on board the vessel has prevented the Creature from capturing the crew. However, the Green Mist can do more than take people.
It continued onwards towards its primary target. As it sensed Eirlys, along with her companions at Corakan's Island. Despite the Magician neutralizing it on his island, the memory returned to Dark Island. Enough for the Creature to send more of itself out to stop these Narnians. It had one job to do, to provide its Mistress slaves. Nothing can stop it from that.
Many have tried, and all have failed. As the Green Mist caused Governor Gumpas to imprison Lord Bern. Follow by corrupting Lord Octesian into the dragon's gold and allowing the curse to take effect while Lord Restimar's mind of the unquenchable thirst to fall into the Deathwater Island golden pools. The remaining Lords the Green Mist corrupted their minds into madness, keeping near-insane that Ramandu had no choice but put three to sleep and spare the mind of Lord Rhoop. Unfortunately, the Last Lord has been its prisoner living in a world of nightmares.
The Green Mist saw the Minotaur Tavros and quickly seeped into the Captain's cabin. There the Creature spotted four occupants resting in hammocks. It slithered towards Edmund, curious in what he feared discovering the young man had multiple fears and temptations, and most importantly, regret. Stirring those memories, it leaped onto Caspian discovering the King feared disappointing his deceased father. Creating the man to lecturing the son of his disappointment and the fate, Caspian IX succumbed to his death.
The Green Mist then went over towards Eustace, seeing nightmares, only to find random things of no personal interest. The smoky body shook its head, going up to Reepicheep, and atlas, the Noble Mouse, had no fear. Half of the room's occupants sufficed as it went up through the cracks to the Stern Cabin, where Eirlys and Lucy rested. It is in the corner, noticing the girls were asleep. It hovered over them, seeping into their dreams and altering reality from sweet dreams to beautiful nightmares. Using their vulnerabilities against them.
As it sensed Lucy envy for beauty, recalling the girl stealing a spell of change. As for Eirlys, it sensed her loneliness, the anxiety, and fears in the responsibility of being Aslan's champion.
.o0o.
Lucy adjusted herself and turned to Eirlys.
"Eirlys, are you awake?" Lucy asked softly.
The Valiant Queen was answered from even breathing and soft snoring, indicating her Dear Witchy Friend was asleep. The Mist watches swirling around the lantern, yet Lucy did not notice the airy Creature. She pulled out the parchment from the book of incantation, seeing the beautiful woman in the mirror. Lucy adjusted herself to read the incantation.
"Transform my reflection, cast into perfection, lashes, lips, and complexion." Lucy murmured." Make me she whom I'd agree holds more beauty over me."
A flash of lightning crossed her eyes that caused her to blink. She looked at her appearance, her hands to see if the freckles vanished. Since the person's beauty, she wanted never had freckles. The storm began to settle as the sky turned grey. It was calm. Lucy stared at the mirror as she climbed out of bed, walking over to it.
As she stepped closer, the chemise she wore transfigured into a blue floral dress from her world with a dark green flower on her right chest, and a green bow at her midsection. Her auburn hair changing into soft ebony curls, her freckles, vanished to subtle ones, and lips painted red. When Lucy blinked, her hazel blue eyes were that of the sky. No longer did Lucy see herself; instead, she saw Susan's reflection.
She glanced over her shoulder, seeing Eirlys still asleep. The mystical beauty could not be translated from a jinn. Yet Lucy had been envious over Susan's beauty. During the Golden Age of suitors going after the eldest sister, and the repeating of it in London bothered the Valiant Queen.
Lucy touched her cheek, making sure it was not a dream. The reflection of Susan's did the same. It was strange, yet so bizarre for a spell to be able to do this. She couldn't help but smiled when realizing she was beautiful.
Suddenly there was a sound of music, jazz music. She recognized it to be "In the Mood," one of her parents' favorite songs they would play on the record. Seeing the light from the mirror's creases, she gently pushed the mirror forward, finding a garden by the bay. Wanting to join, she stepped forward, no longer on the Dawn Treader, but in America.
There were people dressed in the latest 1940's garments, as young American and British soldiers were socializing along with women in the fine outfits with men in dapper suits or high-ranking uniforms. The events Susan constantly bragged about that she and Peter attended with their parents. And now Lucy was attending.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Pevensie," the host called out.
Lucy smiled as the guest applauded, especially the handsome soldiers and sailors. The garden being more beautiful with vibrant flowers and green trees. The bay sparkling from the sunlight with not a single cloud in the sky. Today was perfect for a gathering.
"She's quite a looker." A soldier said.
"Swell," another agreed.
An arm wrapped around her right, being surprised to see, "Edmund."
"You look beautiful, sister," Edmund complimented, wearing a tailored tan suit.
"As always," Peter said, joining them while wearing a blue suit.
"Peter!" Lucy praised, wrapping her arm around Peter's.
A soldier came over with a camera, "Excuse me, miss, can I get a photo?"
All three of them stopped.
"Mother is going to love this," Peter said. "All her children in one picture."
This caught Lucy off guard.
"Smile," the photographer said.
"Hang on, where am I?" She asked, which the brothers stared at her confused. "I mean, where's Lucy?"
"Lucy? Who's Lucy?" Edmund asked.
A flash from the camera startled her, as she stumbled. Only Peter caught her arm and forced her back into place.
"Susan, what's wrong?" Peter asked.
"Come on now, miss," The photographer stepped over, cleaning the lenses. His eyes illuminating in a vibrant green. "Nice, big smile."
Lucy turned to Edmund, "Edmund, I'm not sure about this. I think I want to go back."
"Go back where?" Edmund asked, keeping a smile.
"To Narnia?" she reminded.
"What on earth is Narnia?" Edmund asked.
Another flash crossed her eyes, almost blinding.
"We need to help Eirlys," Lucy pleaded. "You know… your love?"
"Doubt Edmund would find love," Peter teased.
"Or someone name Eirlys," Edmund countered.
Why don't they remember their friends? Let alone Edmund having no recollection of his true love. Something was not right. How can her brothers forget about Narnia after everything they went through?
"What's going on?" Lucy pleaded. "Stop this!"
Another flash came from the camera. Instead of being a bright light, it was a blinding green. Lucy covered her face, trying to protect her eyes. Suddenly the music stopped. No longer did she smell fresh flowers and bay water. Instead, she heard silence and the cold air surrounding her along the rocking floor. Lucy lowered her hands and gasped, seeing her own reflection, and not of Susan's.
Aslan appeared behind her, standing right beside the frightened girl.
"Lucy," he greeted sadly.
"Aslan?" she asked to be sure it was not a dream. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing he was not there physically beside her. She then turned back to the mirror, seeing him still there.
"What have you done, child?" he asked in a fatherly way—disappointment in his golden eyes.
"I don't know," she answered ashamed. "That was awful."
"But you chose it, Lucy," Aslan reminded.
"I didn't mean to choose all of that," she mumbled. "I just wanted to be beautiful like Susan. That's all."
Aslan sighed, "You wished yourself away, and with it, much more. Your brothers and sister wouldn't know Narnia without you, Lucy. You discovered it first, remember?"
Her eyes watered as she stared at Aslan, "I'm so sorry."
"You doubt your value," he said. "Don't run from who you are."
With nothing else to say, Aslan turned around and left.
A clash of lightning and thunder startled Lucy as she has woken up, "Aslan!"
She shot up, glancing around to see the storm outside the window. Hearing the thunder and the creaking of the ship. Eirlys back still turned to her, fast asleep, unstartled by Lucy's outburst. The Valiant queen looked down, seeing the incantation page still on her chest.
Furious, she grabbed the parchment crumbling it as she climbed out of bed and towards the fireplace. Not sparing a second thought, she tossed the spell into the small fire. The moment the paper touched the flames, it burst into ashes, swirling into the form of Aslan as she roared along with the thunder.
Still focused on the fireplace, seeing the spell destroyed, Lucy did not notice the Mist splitting into two, as one entered into Eirlys through her mouth. At the same time, the other seeped into the cracks, falling onto Edmund in the Captain's quarters.
Edmund stirred in the hammock, as he was having a dream of the past. He dreamt back into the lake with Eirlys, when things were getting more serious. It was a bright and sunny day. They stripped their outer clothes, Eirlys still in her chemise as she ran into the lake. Edmund tossed his tunic and shirt and ran after her while kicking off his boots. Eirlys laughed as she splashed water at him. He laughed, lunging forward and grabbing her.
She chuckled, staring into his eyes. Those green eyes that were filled with life, not envy liked her mothers. Those eyes that were once dull from suffering from the cold were filled with joy. He leaned downed and kissed her. Eirlys kissed him back, wrapping her arms around her.
"Edmund," whispered a haunting voice.
Edmund pulled back, noticing a changed in Eirlys as her hair started to turn grey. Their environment was changing as a storm grazed over. The rain pouring down on them, followed by lightning and thunder. The sound of Philip and Garnet calling out to them to come out of the water. Edmund turned to them for a moment.
"Edmund…" the voice called out.
Edmund turned back to Eirlys; however, she was not there, but Jadis took her place. The sight of the White Witch startled him awake. Back in the cabin, as he noticed Caspian tossing and turning, calling out to his father. Edmund was about to sit up, seeing the green fog slithering under them. The ring around his chain started to glow, which confused him.
"Edmund…Edmund…" the deviant voice called out.
He stared at the window seeing the green fog taking the form of Jadis, "Come with me. Join me."
Panicking out of fright, he drew his sword, ready to strike the White Witch.
"Edmund," a familiar voice called out, followed by lightning that blinded him for a second.
He gasped, turning to the source to find Lucy standing there. Worried, the adrenaline still pumping through his veins as he stared where Jadis stood, only to find her gone.
"Oh, Lucy," Edmund sighed, clutching the ring for comfort.
Every time he had a nightmare, grasping the ring was his source of comfort.
"No…" Caspian pleaded in his sleep.
Lucy rushed over, waking Caspian up. The King gasped, sitting up straight, almost colliding into Lucy. He panted, staring at the Valiant Queen, then glanced around to discover Edmund was still awake while Eustace and Reepicheep remained asleep. For a moment, Caspian thought he witness Miraz putting the poison in Caspian IX drink, their arguments about the possible treaty with the Narnians…and then seeing his father choking, as Miraz stood there watching.
"What happened?" Caspian panted.
"I can't sleep," Lucy confessed.
"Let me guess. Bad dreams." Edmund concluded.
Lucy nodded as she stood between the two kings.
"So, either we're going all mad…or something's playing with our minds," Edmund said, laying back down.
Unexpectedly there was a sound of a scream. Not just any scream, it almost sounded that of a banshee. However, Edmund recognized that scream from anywhere. He had only heard it once when he was a boy when he was the White Witch's prisoner. When he was tied to a post, witnessing Jadis cast a painful curse on Eirlys as punishment for helping him.
Reepicheep woke from the scream, "What in Aslan's name was that?
Immediately, not thinking, Edmund grabbed his sword and ran upstairs. Caspian and Lucy followed, along with Reepicheep. As they left a still sleeping Eustace behind.
.o0o.
Moments earlier
Eirlys's POV
It was springtime in Narnia as a festival was happening by the Ford of Beruna. All the Narnians were setting things up for the festivities as Bacchus, and his maenads prepped the wine in massive barrels that had been fermenting for over a decade. I chuckled, seeing the nymph sampling the wine. Caspian was standing with Lucy as the two talked with the God of Wine. Looking around, I found Eustace sitting under a tree muttering to himself as Reepicheep tried to encourage the young man to join the festivities. Meanwhile, Drinian was walking to the Seven Lost Lords, all have been found.
The Voyage was a success as we found the Seven Lost Lords and brought them back to Narnia. Well, more of the Six out of Seven, since Lord Bern remained at the Lone Island's with Lady Lastelle. Still, all is well, after finding the lords and reuniting the Seven Swords to Aslan's table defeating the Green Mist. Aslan appeared with the missing people congratulating us before vanishing, not opening a portal for the Pevensies and Eustace to leave. They were here with us, and it has been a year since then.
"A penny for a thought?" Edmund asked, appearing to my side.
"What?" I replied, snapping out of my train of thought. Not recognizing the phrase.
"Nothing, you seemed lost in your head," Edmund teased.
"I was thinking how thankful the voyage was, and you are still here," I replied.
Edmund grinned, wrapping his arm around me. "So am I."
I smiled, for it has been a year since the Voyage, and all is well. Even though only half of the Pevensies are here, I'm happy to have Edmund back and a better friendship with Lucy. All seemed right since they were more Narnian than their older siblings. Although we still dealt with Eustace's whining, the young boy started to grasp that he would not be going home anytime soon.
"Come, let's join the others," Edmund insisted.
I nodded, taking his hand as we walked over to Lucy and Caspian.
When all of a sudden, the ground began to shake beneath our feet. It was like an earthquake as the ground shifted, and all the activities falling apart. All the Narnians were screaming, trying to grab their loved ones. Edmund still kept a tight hold of me.
"Lucy!" he shouted for his sister.
"Caspian!" I shouted out.
"Edmund!" Lucy screamed.
We spotted them rushing over to them when the ground sank as creatures burst from the ground, weapons in hand. Their appearance varied from one to seven feet tall. All of them made of stone. Their facial appearances varied as well, as there are those with long noses and others with horns on their forehead. They burst from the ground, causing mayhem on the festivities. Meanwhile, men in armor made of stone and metal came out with massive weapons.
All the Narnians who had their weapons drew them from this invasion. Edmund drew his sword as I started casting spells, creating a forcefield to separate the invaders from the young Narnians, basically the women and children to escape. However, we were outnumbered as all familiar faces were being captured or slain. Edmund and I tried to stay closed while searching for our friends. When more stone soldiers surrounded, to a point, they grabbed and restrained us. We were dragged to the edge of the water forced on our knees.
A white horse came into sight with a woman in green. It was none other than Lady Kirtled. Her green eyes illuminated, as a knight in black armor stood beside her. She glanced at Edmund then turned to the Black Knight.
"Dispose of this human," Lady Kirtle said.
The Black Knight nodded, unmounting his horse, and drew his sword. I tried to cast a spell, yet the restraints the soldiers cuffed me in stopped my magic. I watched in horror seeing the Black Knight decapitating Edmund. I screamed from the top of my lungs in horror.
"Now cut it out," Lady Kirtle said. "Then again, you are still in the illusion of the dream."
I stared at her, baffled, as she raised her hand where a green emerald ring was that started to glow as she said. "Crucio," she said as a burst of green struck me. A surge of pain consumed me as I fell to the ground. The pain was so intense that I no longer knew where I was…only feeling burning arrows piercing my entire body inside and out. My head felt like it would inevitably rupture with paroxysm. My blood turning into acid burning my insides. I screamed, unable to resist this godforsaken curse. I had not felt this for over thirteen hundred years when Jadis was still alive.
Lady Kirtle flexed her wrist, ending the spell. I panted, staring around to realize this was not real. It was all a dream. As the Narnians faded, as well as Edmund's body. Leaving only Lady Kirtle and her army. She got off her horse and made her way over to me. The Black Knight adjusted me, while still keeping me restrained. She came over and cradle my cheek.
"There, it has been a long time, Eirlys," she murmured.
"Lady Kirtle," I growled.
"No wonder they called you the wild. Then again, you spent nearly a millennium with the monstrosity and grotesque known as the Dark Narnians." She teased. "Although I should be pleased, you still remember me after one encounter."
"What is the meaning of this," I demanded.
"A simple visitation," she answered. "My little pet seeped upon your ship. Although your spell protected the crew from being taken, it didn't stop the Green Mist from plaguing those with nightmares." She then took a lock of my hair, twirling it. "Though it added a bit of extra to connect us together."
I glared at her.
"You have your mother's eyes, yet you are more of your father. A warlock of balance, despite not keeping balance." She taunts.
"Don't," I warned. "Gethen tried and helped the Dark Narnians."
"And yet he abandons you to a wicked mother," she taunted.
I held my tongue, knowing my father did what he did. Let alone, his magic was fading in Narnia. In order for his legacy to survive, he made a deal. On many questions, in the end, it restored the balance once more after a hundred years.
"Why are you here," I changed the subject.
"Oh, forgive me," she murmured, letting go of my hair. "I've come to give you an offer. From one Narnian Witch to another."
"You're no Narnian," I spat.
"True, despite being born from the Bism. I survive the same as you. A serpent slithering about to impregnate a shadow witch from another realm: yet we are born from the same soil. Only you were born on the iron soil ground and I hundreds of years later by crystals and diamonds." She said. "Our first encounter was a mistake since I was under false pretenses about you. But now, over time, I see you and I are one and the same. Rejected witches trying to protect the responsibility of the forgotten."
I glared at her.
"End your search for the Seven Lost Lords, returned to Narnia," she offered. "For thirty years, I will give you a chance to take your people to the Western Wild. There I, the gnomes, and my army shall spare you all."
"You think I would abandon the sacred Kingdom of Aslan," I growled at her.
"Has he not always abandoned you?" she asked, taking my chin. "I'm offering you a chance to have what you always wanted. Crucio."
As she cast the cursed on me yet again, causing my body to arched in agony as a scream almost escaped my lips. After a moment, she canceled it and stared at me.
"Must you always wait in the wings," she cooed. "always in someone's shadow? Your mother gave you false love with strings. And the moment you find happiness, Aslan takes it away. And once more, you have to wait. Yes, you've become the queen of the Dark Narnians for centuries, and soon all in the shadows of the Telmarine Empire. And when you are reunited with your love, he is gone and once more waiting. Why must you wait for everything."
I spat in her face.
She closed her eyes and scowled, wiping the spit off her face, "How uncivilized. You've truly lost your way. And here I was offering you a chance to keep your precious family. To have your Kingdom back, or maybe the Lone Islands. Wouldn't you want your precious Edmund by your side?"
I took a deep breath. As much as I would love to have Edmund by my side, forever…it would come out of a price in which Aslan would frown upon. I made a choice long ago back in Stone Castle during the Crowning of the Pevensies. One Aslan offered to be his champion. Let alone his promise.
I bowed my head feeling my heart ache knowing what the outcome will be of this immortal life.
"Join me, Queen Eirlys," Lady Kirtle offered. "I will make you and Edmund rulers of your own Kingdom while I take over Narnia."
I took a deep breath, trying to figure out a way to escape until remembering the Spell of Protection. The one Lady Lastelle whispered in my ear in Doorn.
"Lite latuperito ulus…areolus balo neetoril," I whispered.
"What was that?" Lady Kirtle asked.
I looked up, glaring into her serpent eyes, "Lite latuperito ulus areolus balo neetoril."
She scrunched her brows, trying to grasp my words. Then her eyes glanced down at my medallion, as the metal began to glow. I felt pressure on my left hand on my ring finger, where Gethen's dragon ring resides. As I felt its wings started to flap and the tail loosens and unwind. The medallion glows brighter as its blinded Lady Kirtle and the Black Knight to step away.
Meanwhile, the dragon burned the restrains before climbing along my back to land in front of me. The light swirling around in as the dragon ring grew, taking the size of a dragon, yet still metallic and mechanical of Laputa. The ruby eyes illuminating, burning with fire.
"What is the meaning of this," Lady Kirtle hissed on the last words like a snake. She stared at the Silver Dragon. "I've never seen such magic."
"It is magic of my father's blood," I said, rubbing my wrists. "Be warn Serpent Witch, that the light in which I have seen can never be tainted by your greed and corruptions."
Lady Kirtled screamed as a serpent appeared out of her hands to attack the dragon. The Silver dragon roared, fighting the serpent as the two collided, biting at one another.
"You are making a mistake," Lady Kirtle warned.
"And let it be so," I said.
Our reptile champions fighting one another. As the silver dragon blew fire along with the serpents' mouth.
"Eirlys…" called out a voice.
I glanced at the source, for I thought I heard Edmund. As I turned around, the Black Knight drew his sword and stabbed me in the stomach. I gasped, hunching over, staring at the helm of the knight seeing nothingness. The world became hazy, as I felt my body being shaken.
"Eirlys…"
The Black Knight shoved his sword deeper inside me as I screamed. Closing my eyes, only to open them no longer at the Ford of Beruna but back in the Dawn Treader. Edmund hovering over me, shaking my shoulders. I gasped, realizing I was back in reality and grabbed him, feeling that he was real and not an illusion. That he was still alive.
Edmund pulled me into a hug, "It's alright. It was just a dream."
I panted, trying to gain breath from the moment of death. Looking over his shoulder to see Caspian, Lucy, and Reepicheep standing at the door, confused. The storm was still roaming as thunder roared, and the lightning blinding the windows. I still felt pain in my stomach, where the Black Knight struck me, while my throat felt raw. My body was sore as if the curse actually happened.
"I'm here," Edmund murmured. "It was just a dream."
I shook my head, "No…a warning."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
I shook my head, still clinging to Edmund. Still traumatized by what I saw, despite keeping a poker face to Lady Kirtle…it was too much. Edmund always kept his hold on me. As he glanced at the others.
"Caspian is it alright if Lucy spends the night in your cabin," Edmund asked.
Caspian opened his mouth to say something.
"I assure you, nothing will happen for her majesty's honor," Reepicheep promised.
"I'm counting on it," Edmund warned.
Caspian nodded, placing a hand on Lucy's shoulder and lead the way out. Lucy ensures the door was shut, leaving us alone in the Stern Cabin. Edmund pulled away, yet I kept hold of him.
"Easy, I'm just putting the sword down." He assured. As she set his door down and climbed into bed. He adjusted the blanket to cover us before wrapping his arms around me. Rubbing my back. "You can always tell me what the nightmare was about."
I shook my head, still clinging to his shirt.
"I am here," he murmured, still rubbing my back. "Nothing can harm you."
"You are wrong," I mumbled.
He sighed, kissing the top of my head.
I sighed, breathing in his scent, relaxing some. "I confronted Lady Kirtle, and she tried to convince me to turn us back. Offering a deal that I refused."
"And what did she offer you?" he asked.
"All I have ever wanted, yet the price is not worth it," I said. " I spent a thousand years protecting Narnia and to give it up over a selfish desire."
He sighed, "You are the most selfless person I ever known."
I took a deep breath, for I doubt it. There was a period I was selfish, yet those selfish moments did not harm a kingdom and the Narnians except for the ones who lived out in the Eastern Oceans. For a selfish decision of not reviving Jadis cost five hundred years of the Green Mist terrorizing the islands.
I adjusted myself to look into his eyes. Those dark eyes were an abyss. The ones that haunted me for thirteen hundred years. Why have the fates bind us together when we can't be together forever? In the end, I have to put my trust in Aslan to wait for it. Still, at this moment, I let the small inner sin take over and kissed him. As I pressed my lips against his own.
The kiss started off in a loving gestured, being soft and gentle. His hands rubbing along my side, coaxing me to relax. It wasn't long as the kissing grew passionate. More pressure, more heat. The warms of his mouth ignited the fire deep inside me that grew when he slipped his tongue between my lips. I moved my tongue along his tasting him. Edmund crushed my body to him, bending my spine, kissing me with a passion. Having his mouth on mine created a hunger, skin buzzing with excitement.
He pulled back panting. A part of me wanted to go on, yet the setting was not right. As this bed would be shared by Lucy tomorrow night. Edmund sighed, understanding that we have to stop.
"You think you can lock our dreams together?" he asked.
I shook my head, "I'm a bit frazzled to do magic."
Edmund nodded, kissing the top of my head, "It's all right. Just get some rest."
So, we laid there in each's other arms savoring it. I closed my eyes, listening to his breathing. As my head rested on his chest, hearing his heartbeat from adrenaline as it slowly calmed down. The rhythm slowly lulling me to sleep. Feeling safe in his arms despite that, the Green Mist mentally attacked us.
In the end, we are here.
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Crucio cursed is from Harry Potter
The spell is from Castle in the Sky. Translated to "Save me and revive the eternal light."
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!