A/N: New Update. Please be aware that I went back and edited all chapters, with a focus on Chapter 4 where there is some major editing.
Chapter Seven: Aslan's Camp
The next three days seemed to pass in a pain filled pattern. I was taken out of sight of Edmund – and the only reason I knew he was unharmed and un-harassed when I was returned to the tree that he was bound to was because his binds were unbroken and he hadn't moved. At first it was just the dwarf and the wolves who tried to get me to talk, but as the White Witch's army started to arrive in the woods, more Beings tried to get me to talk. The Minotaurs refused to raise their hands against me, using the planning and weapon forging as an excuse, but other than that I was apparently free rain. Although the pain was more concentrated and consistent – only allowing me a few hours brake in which I was returned to the tree were Edmund was tied and gagged – it was still familiar. Something I was used to and could cope with. And when I couldn't, I could retreat to my mind and refortify. It was because of this that I learnt time in my mind passed at a much faster rate than time outside of it.
The clearing we were kept in wasn't where the main army was forming, only twenty or so beast linger here at any one time. The rest were with the White Witch about five minutes away from where we were kept.
I had been returned to the tree with Edmund for the night when they came. A wolf chased by a Centaur and other animals. While the Cheetah, Zebra, Lion, Jaguar and other animals went after the few beast that were in the clearing the Centaur removed the binds holding Edmund and me. Immediately, I removed my gag, grabbed Edmund's arm and pulled him behind me. He was too trusting of the people around him, and since the centaur had freed him, he would probably go with him without question. I wasn't so trusting.
"Who are you?" I demanded to know.
"I am Oreius, Aslan has sent me." he informed me, my eyes narrowed slightly before nodding in acceptance.
I didn't detect any lie behind his words. And it would make sense for Aslan to send someone after Edmund if his siblings and the Beavers had managed to make it to the camp. The quality of the Centaurs sword, and the lion embroidered sheaf he was wearing was also evidence to support his claim of being part of the rebellion under Aslan.
"Aslan?" Edmund asked hopefully. It was one of the few names he recognised, and the person he knew his family were heading to.
"Yes. Come the White Witch will be here soon." Oreius said, motioning the Horse over to them.
"What's your name?" I asked as Oreius helped me and Edmund onto the horses back.
"Phillip." He answered with a surprisingly deep voice before they took off into the woods.
I leant forward slightly and gripped Phillip's mane as tightly as I could in my hands without pulling at the hair. Edmund wrapped his arms around my waist, while also trying not to cause me further injury.
"Harry…. Are you okay?" Edmund asked worriedly, having not been able to do so during their time in the witch's camp.
"I'll be fine Edmund." I told him honestly.
"You are hurt?" Oreius observed from where he ran beside Phillip, only now taking in my physical condition. He had only seen a brave human before who acted immediately to protect another when he had been released.
"I have suffered worse, and I will heal once I have properly rested." I reassured him.
"And what is your name?" Oreius questioned.
"I'm Harry."
"That means you are Edmund, son of Adam, brother to Peter, Lucy and Susan?" Oreius looked to Edmund.
"Yes. Are my family okay? Did they make it to Aslan?" Edmund asked quickly, his worry for his siblings shining through now that they were no longer at the heart of the white witches' camp.
"Your siblings are fine. They made it to the camp four days ago and requested aid in getting you back." Oreius answered calmly. There was no more conversation after that – Edmund was too tired and relieved to comment on anything else and I was focused on keeping my balance on Phillips back while also circulating my magic gentle through my system in order to encourage healing instead of strength.
"We are here." Philip announced as they slowed to a trot around an hour later.
The other animals in the party broke off from the group as they entered the area where tents were set up. Oreius and Phillip continued on through the middle of the tents to a group of three tents that had been set up at the base of a cliff. They were more ornate than any of the other tents. When they came to a stop, Oreius helped Edmund and me off Phillips back, who bowed and then disappeared into the tents.
From the middle tent a lion larger than any other I had seen pictures of emerged. He had a full golden mane and was very intimidating. Edmund and I both dropped to our knees in a bow at the sight of him.
"Edmund, Son of Adam. Blessed of Merlin." Aslan greeted us. His voice was warm and welcoming.
"Edmund!" a girl's voice shouted.
I looked up to the tent on the left of Aslan too see two girls – one around my own age, and the other who was perhaps fourteen or so – running to greet their brother. The tent on Aslan's right opened to reveal a boy who was only a year or so older than the girl, who moved to greet Edmund. Standing, I moved to the side while Edmund greeted his family.
"Lucy, I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you." Edmund apologised, fighting back tears.
"You're forgiven." Lucy said before launching herself into her brother's arms.
"It's good you have you back." Susan agreed, pulling her two younger siblings into a hug.
Peter just silently clasped his brother on the shoulder, letting him know he was there and was forgiven.
"How are you feeling?" Susan asked when they finally released Edmund.
"I'm just tired." Edmund admitted, looking down to his feet.
"And you shall rest, son of Adam. But first, I would like to speak with you." Aslan interrupted their conversation.
"Of course." Edmund agreed, separating from his siblings and following him to a pathway that led up the cliff. He didn't even consider not talking to Aslan after all the grief he had caused since entering Narnia – especially the sadness he had caused Lucy.
"Lucy, do you have the cordial?" Oreius asked.
"Yeah," Lucy pulled a small red bottle from her belt to show him.
"Harry here was injured by the White Witch and her people." Oreius nodded in my direction bringing the three human's attention to me.
"I'm okay. I'll heal." I promised them shyly unused to the attention. I was no longer faced with a hostile situation, meaning all that strength and bravery that had gotten me through the attack and the subsequent imprisonment was starting to fade in the face of allies. I just didn't know how to interact around people who were kind, or people who weren't out to hurt me. My fellow prisoners had been different since they had been part of the situation I was in, and their presence had given me strength.
"Nonsense, you're covered in blood." Susan disagreed.
"It only takes a drop." Lucy promised.
Seeing a losing battle, I sighed and allowed Lucy to pour a drop of the liquid into my mouth. Immediately my eyes rolled and I fell to my knees, Peter reached out to catch me before I could fall completely and possible injure myself further. Absently I noted that he had some strength in his frame as he held my upper body off the ground. My magic surged to meet with the drop of healing liquid. From what little understanding I was gaining of my own magic, it copied the liquid and almost seemed to add its natural abilities to me. I felt the rib the queen had fractured when she threw me heal, the lacerations across my back mend, the torn muscles in my legs heal and it even seemed to try and make an attempt at fixing the old damage to my bones.
"What happened? What's wrong?" Lucy asked worriedly. "I didn't think this would happen."
"It's okay. My body's just reacting differently to how others would." I reassured her tightly, keeping my breathing under control as I got used to the unnatural feeling. I opened my eyes to prove my point, but ended up blinking in shock and looking around in slight amazement when I realised that it had also healed my ability to see. The world was no longer the blur it used to be. "It healed my eyes." I told them in amazement.
"You're the first person I've used it on." Lucy admitted, holding the bottle tightly to her chest.
"Then I am grateful, Your Majesty." The title fell from my tongue without conscious thought. "And thank you, King Peter, for catching me." I said before climbing back to my feet and bowing to the siblings. It seemed that the rest of the camp was waking up since various animals were wondering around performing tasks. Oreius disappeared off somewhere with a regale nod, now that he had ensured that I was healed.
"Please, I'm just Lucy." Lucy requested.
"I prefer to be called Peter."
"Susan." The siblings requested.
"Son of Merlin, may I speak with you?" Aslan approached with Edmund.
"Of course." I agreed, offering Edmund a smile and a slight bow. I was confused by the term of address but it was quite obvious he was referring to me, and I wasn't going to argue with a figure who seemed so powerful, and yet kind and calm.
"I wish to thank you, blessed of merlin." Aslan began once they were on the cliff looking out over a beach which led to a cliff top castle.
"Thank me? What for?" I asked confused.
"I have been kept from Narnia for nearly 100 years. But it was when you entered Narnia – someone who was so pure of heart and innocent, and yet so powerful and strong – that I was able to breach the barrier and offer my help." He explained.
"Me…? But I didn't mean to enter Narnia." I told him confused.
"There are many holes between this world and your own. But there are very few who can access them. You are one of the prophesied to come to Narnia and free them from the winter. Just as Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy will be the Kings and the Queens of Narnia, you will become an adviser and counsellor to them. You will offer wisdom to their questions as they watch over Narnia."
I was quiet at that. I was only seven. Although I was well read for my age, there was so much I hadn't learnt. I wasn't sure how good I would be as a counsellor to Kings and Queens. I would rather just be their friend. I didn't want power, and the position of counsellor would come with some kind of power and recognition. I shook off such thoughts. I could plot on how to avoid such power and recognition later while still giving the Kings and Queens my friendship.
"Why do you call me a Blessed of Merlin?" I asked curiously.
"In your world there are those born with magic. One of the first to learn to control this magic was Merlin. Therefore, all those blessed with Magic are also known as the Blessed of Merlin or just the Blessed." Aslan explained.
"But I couldn't use my magic before I came here. And even now I can't really control it." I told him.
"Magic is tied to your very being, child. As you learn more about yourself, you will learn more about what you can do and how you can interact with the world around you." Aslan explained.
"What happens now?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"Now, we prepare for war." Aslan answered simply.