Here's another chapter for you guys! Yay!
I know this chapter is somewhat lengthy and there's a lot of talking, but I really hope you guys like it, anyway.
I tried to picture how the arrest and stuff would go and this is what came out, so...here we go!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
My head was filled with worrisome questions as I walked back to the lampost.
What was this Edmund boy doing here?
Had anyone seen him?
Did the Witch know of the children's brief visit?
Something deep inside me told me I was right to worry, despite how eager I was to trust to the luck that had kept Lucy safe thus far.
Somehow, I knew we had a lot to worry about.
I then happen to take a look around for anything that could either confirm or assuage my worry as I approach the lampost.
Unfortunately, what I found confirms someone knew about Edmund being in Narnia.
There were fresh sleigh tracks through the snow, coming too close to where Edmund had been standing to lead me to any conclusion but that someone saw Edmund and talked to him.
I take off running along the trail Lucy and I had made through the snow.
By the time I got back to Tumnus' small house (my cloak somewhat obscuring my trail, thankfully) my mind was no less fraught. I had no answers and that added to my anxiety.
I had to tell Tumnus, get a Narnian's opinion on what happened.
Maybe he'd have more insight into this whole situation.
"Tumnus, we have a problem." I call as I close the door, stomping snow from my boots.
Instantly, Tumnus is scurrying over. "What is it? Is Lucy safe? What happened?!" I motion for him to sit down as I hang my cloak on a hook beside the door.
"Lucy made it out of Narnia safely. The problem is her brother was there, too."
"What?" Tumnus gasps softly, shock paling his face. I bite my lip as I walk over, sitting in a chair wearily.
"Yes. He didn't go far beyond the Lampost where we found him, but there were sleigh tracks, and- -"
"Sleigh tracks?!" Tumnus interrupts paling and grabbing his hair worriedly. "No, no, no!" Tumnus sighs heavily, hands still in his hair and elbows on his knees.
"What does that mean?" I ask, fearing I already knew the answer.
"It means the Witch met Edmund, probably sweet-talked him, too. She's very manipulative when she wants to be. She can make you think she's a kind, gentle woman, but she's just using you for information." My heart thudded into my stomach like an iron weight.
Edmund was only a boy...he knew nothing of interrogation and manipulation. He was a very easy target. And he knew that Lucy had been to Narnia before and that she had met Tumnus.
"...We shouldn't leave the house, then." I mumble.
"Oh, it's too late for that." Tumnus replies gravely, hand over his eyes wearily, elbow propped on his knee. "Her 'secret' police will be here soon."
"Secret police?" I ask.
"Yes, her small force of wolves that have pledged loyalty to her and act as her enforcers." I groan.
"Damn. Suppose there's no point in running, then?" I ask.
"None at all." Tumnus confirms. "I am terribly sorry to drag you into this mess." I sigh.
"If it protects those children from that Witch, I'll go through whatever I need to." I reply, meaning every word.
"You don't understand; the Witch literally petrifies people, keeping the statues in her castle as a warning to any who think of crossing her."
I shudder, but don't change my mind. "Has anyone ever been...un-petrified?" I ask tentatively. Tumnus chews his lip for a moment.
"The only person who could possibly help those poor souls is Aslan, and no one's heard from him in a hundred years." The gravity of the situation hits me then. Not only was I alone, but I would likely soon be as good as dead. "But, with the children showing up, perhaps the Witch's curse will weaken enough that Aslan can return." I find that a small comfort, but if Tumnus was clinging to it, I could, too.
"Perhaps."
It's then there's a series of rapid knocks at the door. Tumnus and I freeze in terror. Had the Witch's wolves come already?
"Psst! Quick, before someone sees!" I don't recognize the voice, but Tumnus leaps up and eagerly lets whoever is at the door in as I prepare myself in case this visitor was less than friendly.
My guard drops, however, when a beaver, slightly larger than any I'd ever seen, walks in quickly, shaking off some snow as Tumnus shuts and bolts the door.
"What're you doing here?" Tumnus asks, voice low like someone could hear.
"There are good spies still." The beaver replies and it takes several moments for me to process that the beaver was actually talking. "They told me- -what is a Dwarf doing here?! Are you mad?!" I frown at the indignant, shocked tone before remembering that most Dwarves were with the Witch.
"Oh! She's new here! I don't know how or why, but she's from a place called Middle Earth. I trust her." Tumnus explains hurriedly, coming between the beaver and I.
I step forward, bowing a little. "Aili Durin, at your service." I intone. "You needn't worry. Durin's line doesn't side with evil." I continue. The beaver frowns.
"...Forgive me, but how can you prove yer who you say you are?" I sigh.
"Look, I'd show you my runestone, but I gave it to Lucy."
"I've never seen a Dwarf wear clothes like this." Tumnus points out. "And, Aili is far more personable than other Dwarves."
"Well...I can at least tell you don't mean Tumnus harm." The beaver concedes, sighing heavily and pinching the bridge of his nose. His paw drops back down after a moment. "Who's Lucy?"
"One of the Daughters of Eve." I reply, remembering that odd title that Tumnus uses for female humans. The beaver blinks.
"You're the one that saw her to the Lampost, then?" He asks.
"Yes." I reply. "How did you know?"
"Aslan still has loyal spies. They are spreading the news as we speak. Now, I must ask your forgiveness." I smile at him.
"All is forgiven. Tumnus mentioned most Dwarves are with the Witch, so I understand why you didn't trust me."
"Then all that's left is to introduce myself. I'm Mr. Beaver. A pleasure to meetcha." I shake his paw and nod. Mr. Beaver then snaps like he just remembered something.
"Blimey, I almost forgot! The dryads told me the police have been dispatched. We have little time."
I pale, not liking the idea of wolves attacking us. "There isn't any hope of escaping. Not with the tracking capabilities a wolf has." I point out. "And I don't have any weapons on me. I won't be able to do much."
"Fighting them won't do any good, and I don't want you to get hurt." Tumnus protests, then turns to Mr. Beaver. "Could you take Aili, at least, keep her hidden?"
"I do not run from danger!" I bark.
"Please, Aili!" Tumnus insists.
"It's too late for me to hide!" I point out. "If the loyal Narnian spies saw me, who's to say the bad ones didn't? For all we know, the Witch knows I helped Lucy, too. Besides, I'd rather make a stand than hide like a coward. If the spies saw me with Lucy, so be it. Either way, I will not hide."
Tumnus seems to have an idea, pulling a handkerchief from the folds of his scarf.
"Here, take this. If you see the Kings and Queens, give Lucy Pevensie her handkerchief back. Tell her what happened so she'll understand to be careful." Mr. Beaver takes it reverently.
"I will." He promises, then looks between Tumnus and I. "You sure you don't want to come with me, hide with me and the Missus? Either of you?"
"No, I couldn't bear to see you hurt. You should go now, before the wolves get here." Tumnus replies.
"You're very kind, but I already made my choice." I add. Mr. Beaver sighs, looking hesitant, but finally does slip out, covering his tracks as he quickly scurries away. I take a deep breath. "If I had my weapons, I'd be able to do more. As is, I can't do much against them."
Tumnus nods. "I know. I appreciate the thought, though."
The wait is torture, knowing what's coming, but not when it'll arrive.
It takes about ten agonizing minutes in which nothing was said before we hear the howls of wolves and I go to grab my cloak. I had a feeling I'd need it.
Then, a wolf bursts through the door, squaring off against Tumnus, not seeing me yet as I stood by the door.
I can tell he's the leader, larger than the others and very intimidating. "Halt, traitor!" He growls at Tumnus and I barely feel surprised the wolf speaks after the beaver visited.
All around, more wolves break through the windows and search the house, trashing Tumnus' home thoroughly. I stay still, knowing I'd be killed if I tried anything. "You're under arrest for aiding and abetting an Enemy of Her Majesty, Jadis. You're lucky she wants you alive." The leader growls at Tumnus.
"I did what was right!" Tumnus barks and I am impressed by his bravery, inching forward automatically. "I still believe in Aslan and the return of the old Narnia!"
Unfortunately, the wolf then turns and notices me, halting whatever he'd been about to say in reply to Tumnus. He grins (I didn't know a wolf could grin, but here we are) maliciously "Ah, good. Here to lend a hand, eh?" He asks, chuckling. I set my jaw.
"No." The wolf instantly bares his teeth, all humor gone.
"Wrong choice." He growls, then leaps out before I could move aside, landing heavily on my chest, pinning me securely and snapping his teeth centimeters from my face. "You'll regret siding against Her Majesty." He warns.
"I don't regret it." I spit. Tumnus seems proud of my answer, but also sad it meant I would be subjugated to whatever horrors awaited us in the White Witch's castle.
"You will." The wolf promises. "Believe me, you will." The wolf then gets off me as his wolves finish trashing the house. "Take them!" He barks and I am hauled to my feet by wolves tugging on my shirt, making holes in my clothes and cloak.
Tumnus and I are then led out and into the woods, neither of us resisting.
The snow is cold and deep, almost up to my waist, but the wolves don't let up the pace as they tug my cloak to keep me on track.
On and on we trudge, and I notice we are headed for two hills that seem almost like mountains, easily distinguished from the surrounding woods. As we get closer, my heart starts to beat faster and a cold sweat breaks seeps out, adding to the frozen terror going through my veins as we get closer to our doom.
Once we arrive at the valley between the two hills, I spot a large structure entirely made of ice. If it wasn't the home of the tyrant that rules Narnia, I'd be impressed.
Knowing what awaiting us inside ruined whatever grandeur the palace might have otherwise held. In fact, it looked so imposing and cold in the light of the sunset behind the hills, I flashed back to Ravenhill for a moment.
It was as if I were riding the goat again, approaching the structure quickly with my Uncle, my brothers, and Dwalin.
As the flashback faded, I felt numb with cold and terror as we all but slide down the final hill, rushed along a flatland by wolves eager to return to Jadis.
The sound of the courtyard gate closing behind us sounds like a death toll and I swallow thickly as we're awkwardly led up the stairs. Then, the castle doors open and shut and it feels like the final nail in our coffins.
On the ice throne sits a tall woman, pale as the ice around her and donned in white furs, an icy crown peeking out from her blonde hair.
There's so much white about her, and her pale skin looks too similar to Azog.
The comparison makes my chest ache, but I force myself not to show fear, though my heart was pounding painfully, my mind struggling to differentiate my murderer from the woman on the throne.
When she stands, I find myself flinching subtly. "Well, well, well. So it true; there are still Dwarves loyal to Aslan." She growls. Tumnus pales, realizing she would deal with me first. I make myself stand tall, unwilling to let this woman see my terror.
"I am Aili of Durin's line. And we do not side with evil." I mean it to sound strong and clear, but my pounding heart makes my voice waver. I hate it.
"Durin's line?" She hisses. I swallow.
"Aye. Rulers of Erebor, the Seventh Dwarf Kingdom of Middle-Earth." I reply, managing to sound more steady and strong.
Jadis laughs. It sounds so much like Azog's cruel laughter, I can't help a shudder. "I don't know what kingdom you are talking about, but I am the only ruler here. Narnia is my domain." Almost perfectly in sync, Tumnus and I clench our fists.
"Aslan and the humans of prophecy are the rightful rulers of Narnia! Not you!" Tumnus roars defiantly, beating me by a second.
"Enough!" Jadis bellows, raising her wand. Subconsciously, I flinch away, as does Tumnus. "Those children will never sit in Cair Paravel." She growls, hatred dripping from every word. "Aslan will never return!" She then withdraws a step or two and turns to the leader of the police and a Dwarf I just noticed standing beside the wolf. "Take them away!" She barks, moving toward her throne, trusting the order would be carried out swiftly.
The dwarf, a scruffy, wild-looking being, comes forward, drawing a dagger. He decides to threaten me with it, the tip pressing between my collarbones. "You should be ashamed." He growls, voice nasally and irritating. "Siding with those treacherous Narnians."
I scoff. "You are Narnian. It's not me that needs to be ashamed." I retort even as we're led down a large flight of stairs into a dungeon.
We're shoved into one cell as the guard, a very large burly thing with one huge eye, comes forward. He grabs cuffs and roughly pushes us so we're sitting before chaining us to the wall by our ankles.
"Good luck resisting Her Majesty in there, 'ruler'." The Witch's Dwarf growls at me, locking the cell door before turning on his heels and leaving. The one-eyed guard resumes his post at the bottom of the stairs and all is suddenly silent and cold.
My mind can't get past the comparison to Ravenhill, my chest dully aching as time wore on.
It seems an eternity till the cold silence is broken.
"...Your uncle, what...what was he like?" Tumnus asks suddenly, shivering a little.
I turn to him. It was an unexpected question, and I fumble for an answer.
"O-oh...well, he is an honorable Dwarf. He's always looked out for my older brothers and I, even before my father was...lost in battle."
"My father was lost in battle, too. We fauns live a long time, and he was part of the last rebellion of Narnians against the Witch. They weren't successful." I sigh.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's...it's alright. Tell me more about your family, if you would."
"Anything's better than sitting here silently." I muse. "I remember when we started learning the bow and sword. Mother was furious when she found out. She never approved of her children learning to fight."
"Really?" I nod.
"Yes. Though many of the Dwarves are warriors, some choose a simpler life as craftsmen and traders. My mother married a blacksmith and had my brothers and I."
"You mentioned Orcs, I think, and some Lonely Mountain. What's the Lonely Mountain?" I smile, remembering that great city within the mountain.
"Oh, it's unlike anything I've ever seen! It's an entire city carved out of a mountain."
"Really?"
"Yes, sort of like your home, as I recall. There are vast open halls and mighty forges that would have created wondrous things, had Smaug not come."
"Smaug?" Tumnus repeats curiously.
"A dragon from the North. We Dwarves of Erebor had made our livelihood making and selling things of gold, silver, bronze, anything we could mine from the mountain as we expanded further into the ground. Then, my uncle's grandfather grew too greedy. He was never satisfied with what he had, becoming more protective of his horde as time went on. I suppose the dragon heard of the treasure horde in Erebor and couldn't resist. Either way, Smaug took the mountain with hardly a fight and my uncle and the surviving dwarves were left to fend for themselves. I was hardly 10 years old, so I can't remember the attack. My brothers weren't much older, but my uncle would tell us stories every night of the grandeur and majesty of Erebor at it's best. We grew up wanting to see Erebor reclaimed and restored, but my mother forbade us from going."
"And yet, you talked about reclaiming it from Orcs." Tumnus muses. I nod.
"Yes. When my brothers and I were old enough, my uncle called for volunteers to go with him to try and take Erebor from Smaug. My brothers and I were first in line. My mother was eventually talked into letting us go."
"I wouldn't let my child go fight a dragon." Tumnus chuckles. I laugh.
"Well, Erebor is my people's ancestral home. I can only imagine Mother wanted Erebor to be returned to the dwarves as much as my uncle. She was never much of a fighter, though, so she stayed in the Blue Mountains, where we'd settled."
"And your uncle? You said he was King?" He was dragging the conversation on, but I didn't mind. If it distracted us from our predicament, I'd keep talking.
"Yes. King Under the Mountain. After his grandfather and father were lost trying to reclaim another Dwarf kingdom, my uncle, Thorin, became king and since he never had children, my brothers and I are Heirs of Erebor."
"That would make your mother something like a duchess or a high-ranking noble-woman, correct?" I nod.
"I think so, but I never studied much of the court structure. That was left to my oldest brother, Fili, as he was Crown Prince."
"That's a lofty title." Tumnus chuckles. I smile.
"Yes, but he bore it proudly and without shirking, which made Uncle proud." I shake myself. "My brother, Kili, and I preferred learning the bow and sword rather than court life and royal duties. We would get into so much trouble." I laugh. "My poor mother."
"Your family sounds wonderful." I nod.
"Oh, aye, they are the best any Dwarrowdam could ask for…" I sigh, a sudden melancholy settling on my shoulders. There was something in my gut that could me the Battle for Erebor had ended in our favor, but I also knew, somehow, that Kili and Uncle, as well as Fili and I, were also casualties in the conflict.
Tears prickle painfully in my eyes as I think back to the moment I'd seen my uncle over the broken hallway in Ravenhill.
He'd looked so defeated and crushed when he saw Azog lording our capture over him. When Azog stabbed Fili, Uncle had gasped and I could see his spirit breaking under the weight of the sudden grief of losing a nephew.
He must have blamed himself, since he'd sent Fili and Kili into the tower, then had failed to stop me going after them.
Oh, I wish I could talk to him! I wish I could tell him it wasn't his fault.
"...Aili?" Tumnus's voice came as if from the far end of a tunnel, but I moved back toward reality, wiping my eyes and I look at him again. "Are you alright?" I nod.
"It's just...there was a large army of Orcs and goblins and other foul things that had come to claim Erebor for his own purposes. Their leader, a white Orc named Azog, had sworn long ago that he would wipe out Durin's line and was relentless in his pursuit of that goal. Uncle, during the chaotic battle against this army, reckoned that killing Azog would be the best way to end the battle and the curse on our bloodline. So, he took his closest shield-brother and friend, a dwarf named Dwalin, and my brothers and I, and we made for the guard station the filthy coward was hiding in."
I take a breath. This was where the story turned painful. "What we didn't know was that Azog had another small army hiding in the hills behind the guard station, waiting to strike at the right moment. Uncle sent my brothers into the tower to scout out where the enemy had gone, not knowing it was a trap. I had a bad feeling, and ran to join my brothers. We hadn't been gone twenty minutes when we heard the Orcs coming through the tower toward us. Fili sent Kili into the lower levels so he wouldn't be captured too, and he tried to send me away, as well, but I didn't listen. Fili and I were taken to Azog." Tumnus winces, piecing two and two together.
"He killed you and your brother?" I nod.
"Right before our uncle, who had been waiting for our report." Tumnus moves to hug me.
"Oh, Aili, I'm so sorry." I hug him back, sobbing.
We stay like that for a long time and eventually, I manage to get myself under control and sit up. "Thank you." I murmur.
"We're all we've got, right?" Tumnus says, trying for a smile.
"Right."
"You should try to rest, Aili. Here, my leg will do as a pillow, I suppose." Tumnus offers. "It's warm, at least. " I nod and yawn suddenly feel drained, the rush of adrenaline making me feel exhausted now that it was gone. Absently, I unclasp my cloak and try to blanket me and Tumnus, who merely puts a corner under him so he had some relief from the ice beneath us as I lay down.
I slowly feel into an uneasy sleep, plagued by nightmares of Ravenhill and the rest of my family dying before my eyes.