Dark Witch

Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia

A/N: Re-edited the chapter.

Chapter 5: Surrounded by Children

I've seen children of the Narnians from the Golden Age and to today complain over the simplest things. I even witness Caspian having his moments as well. Whether it is from being famished to physical exhaustion. It was something not to judge. They are, in fact, children. Learning how to adapt and let their bodies adjust to their surroundings. An evolution of endurance. One that an adult mentor in and helps the child to survive.

However, four adolescence Royals who were once adults in the Golden Age doesn't deserve that privilege. Even if the youngest is mere twelve. The past two hours, my ears are filled with complaints of feet being sore or how one of them is thirsty or hungry. With our shortage of supplied apples, we cannot risk anything. Peter, being the eldest, tends to his sister's needs. I glared at him to not waste our supplies. Let alone Lucy may be in the body of a girl, but her mindset was that of a woman. He merely gives me the cold shoulder.

Sometimes I'm glad for being an only child, if not having children. There was a time I longed for a child of my own. However, there is nobody in my race or similar. Any Warlock hardly looked passed my heritage. Those who did try to pursue a relationship…I denied it. It was not out of attraction towards one being, but men looking for power and an offspring for control. The same methods as my father did to Jadis, without the intimacy.

There were three men in my life I had let in. There was Bacchus, after his many pursuits, I finally caved in. The nymph who claims to be the god of wine was an on-again and off-again lover. We were more like friends with benefits when he and his followers were visiting the Western Wild. And then there was one man who saw me during the Dark Age. His name was Coriakin, a magician. Our affair lasted half a century before he was summoned by Aslan to give wisdom on an island. Coriakin offered me to go with him. However, I was bound to Narnia. I was a queen who needed to protect her people. Still, both men could not hold the same effect as my first. Someone who managed to make my heart flutter and bring emotions out of me so easily. Yet our history prevented such a possibility.

I stared at Edmund for a brief moment. He was talking to Peter about something involving their location. I didn't realize I was staring at him for a long time till spotting Susan staring at me with a questionable look. Quickly, I turned telling the Pevensies we need to cover more ground before nightfall. At this rate, we won't make it to the Shuddering Woods to join Prince Caspian at Trufflehunter's burrow. I need to contact Trufflehunter soon. Knowing humans, they are impatient.

By the time dusk arrived, we were still in the forest. Half a day's journey from Beruna. I sighed, stopping the center of the trail, "We'll camp here for tonight."

The Pevensies nodded before they started making camp. I told them I'll be back in a moment, as I stepped off the trail and pulled out my crystal orb. Using a bit of magic, I scribed onto Trufflehunter, Nikabrik, and Trumpkin. All three appeared to be having an argument while Prince Caspian ate some stew. It's nice to know the young Prince was physically well. For a second, I thought Nikabrik hit him hard in the head that Caspian wouldn't wake for days.

"What is that?" Lucy's voice interrupted.

I jumped, surprised, dropping the crystal orb. Lucy and Susan stood in front of me, amused, as the little one giggled. I took a deep breath to calm my heart before bending down to pick up the crystal. However, Lucy had the lead and picked it up. She examined the object curiously.

"Please be careful with that," I warned with caution. It was one of the few rare gifts Jadis ever gave me.

"Do you tell fortunes with this or see the future?" Lucy asked. "Like a fortuneteller?"

"Pardon?" I asked.

"A fortuneteller," Lucy repeated.

I've never heard such a person. Susan noticed my confusion and explained, "A seer?"

"Oh," I said. "Somewhat. But it takes a lot of magic and only focuses on the present day, mainly. It rarely tells the future… Unfortunately."

The only time the orb ever predicted the future was when the Telmarines invasion will occur. A back gryphon consuming the sky with clouds that rain steel and fire. Anyway, I don't feel comfortable with the Valiant Queen holding the crystal. Lucy rubbed the dirt off the gem delicately with her skirt and handed it to me back. Immediately I put the crystal orb away.

"Thank you," I said, being polite.

Lucy smiled, "You're welcome."

"Peter wants us to gather some food," Susan noted.

"How are we on apples?" I asked.

"Only five left." She answered.

Five! We had fifteen after passing the apple tree when reaching shore. Taking a deep breath to not let my anger get the best of me, I nodded. The girls and I scavenged the area near the camp to find food. Lucy and Susan apparently know their forest plants as they picked up nuts, berries, and mushrooms. Knowing which ones are edible and what is poisonous. I, on the other hand, looked at green plants. Centuries I learned about herbs that are edible and vegetables that disguise themselves, including roots.

Suddenly there was a gasp, followed by a thumping noise. I looked up to see that Queen Susan had caught her foot in an abandoned gopher hole. At first, I brushed it off, still noticing the pain she was expressing. Lucy was by her side, helping her sit up. Not liking this, I came over.

"What happened?" I demanded, kneeling down to Susan level.

"It's noting," Susan hissed. Her tone and expression of pain disagreed otherwise.

"Susan, you said you hurt your ankle," Lucy said. "I'll get Peter."

"Do that," Susan hissed.

"May I examine your ankle?" I asked.

Susan stared at me with caution. She doesn't trust me, which I understand entirely from our past history. Lucy, on the other hand, said "yes" and convinced Susan. Susan sighed as she lifted her skirt a little and removed her boot. Carefully I examined the ankle to find it starting to swell. I gently pressed on the area in which Susan gasped. Next, I moved it around, confirming she sprained her ankle.

Susan, now worried, told Lucy to get the boys. However, I went into my satchel and pulled out a small case. Inside was a dried golden lily. I had to be careful in the magic I used, decided to use this unique flower. I took the canteen pouring a small puddle on the ground and placed the golden lily in it. Immediately, the flower absorbed the water coming back to life, as the petals illuminated in a soft glow. Next, I removed Susan's boot and placed the flower on her ankle. Hovering my hand over it, I closed my eyes chanting the spell.

"Flower, gleam, and glow. Let your power shine…" I chanted the spell. As I sang the incantation, the petals began to glow under my hand, similar to the rising sun. Susan and Lucy watched in awe, while the pollen swirled around the ankle caressing the swollen flesh. When I reached the end of the spell, the lily light dimmed down and return back to a flower press. "…What once was mine."

Once the spell was complete, I removed the lily, putting it back in the case so it wouldn't get damaged. The girls stared amazed until Susan rolled her ankle. No longer she felt pain or discomfort.

"How did you do that?" Susan asked, amazed.

"Sun drop Lilium," I answered. "Legend says the sun would drop its essence onto the earth, creating a flower that glows at night."

Susan nodded as she put her boot on, and Lucy helped her up. Nothing further to say, we joined the boys back at camp. Edmund and Peter have managed to make a small fire. One not too big to catch attention, but not too small that it wouldn't produce a heat. We gathered around, distributing food, and eating in silence. Although, I distanced myself from the others.

"Can I ask you something?" Lucy spoke, breaking the silence.

"Um, very well," I said.

"What happened to everyone?" She asked.

"Come again?" I replied.

"What happened to our friends: Mr. Tumnus, the beavers, Oreius…"

I sighed; it has been a long time since the last time I thought of two or three people she asked for. The beavers, I never met, so I assumed they lived their lives than any intelligent animal. "The faun, Mr. Tumnus being the royal advisor, took temporary leadership of Narnia until Prince Corin took reign. Afterward, he wrote several novels and texts until his death. The Supreme General Oreius continued his military service, married, and had children. In fact, you all will be meeting his descendants, Glenstorm and his three sons Ironhoof, Suncloud, and Rainstone. Basically, everyone you once knew missed you dearly."

Edmund looked at me, "How bad was it when we vanished."

"Terrible," I answered. "After several months of your disappearance, my castle was surrounded, and most were planning to burn me at the stake, if not another battle if Aslan hadn't shown. That was the last time any of Narnians saw him."

Lucy, Susan, and Edmund nodded sadly while Peter held a stern expression.

"What happened afterward?" Peter asked.

"It took a few years, King Corin and I made a truce. Arranging territory, as I reign the northern

Western wilds from the Lantern Waste to Ettinsmoor boarder. As time went on, each generation of peace continued. However, when Swanwhite II died…anarchy rise since the late queen had no heir… It was harsh time during the Dark Ages…."

I was lost in the memory of the words of chaos. Not being able to protect my people from the corruption of others. Many of the Dark Narnians went extinct until there was some sort of peace, dividing Narnia into groups as I was one. And that peace did not last very long…until the Telmarines came.

A hand rested on my shoulder, snapping me back to reality. I blinked a few times to see Edmund break the spell with concern. I sighed, removing his hand, and got up to be alone. As I walked, I heard the Pevensies conversation.

"We definitely need to help them," Lucy said. "We have too."

"We will," Susan assured.

"I don't trust her," Peter muttered.

"Peter, she's been helping us since we arrived," Susan scolded.

"She's the White Witch's daughter," He reminded.

"She's not Jadis," Edmund growled.

"How do you know?" Peter challenged. "She could be using us. Maybe she'll kill us in our sleep for revenge."

"She won't." Edmund snapped.

"Ed-"

"No, Pete, you don't understand," Edmund said. "If you just listen…"

Soon I was out of hearing range. I sat down, gazing into the celestial sky. I remembered before Caspian had blown the horn, I was with Glenstorm watching the constellation. That was when the Centaur noticed the change. Saying that Tarva, the lord of victory, and Alambil, the lady of peace, has come together in the high heavens. A prophecy foretold by the Narnians of Old, that war shall rise, and a new revolution shall lead to peace. I pray to Aslan to be true. If I die when my magic is out, I want my people to be safe.

The Telmarines call me the Dark Witch. Long ago, I was once known as the Frozen Princess. When the Golden Age occurred, my title changed to the Stone Queen. Although, Aslan appointed me as Queen of the Wild. But over the centuries since the Telmarines came, the Narnians of both light and dark gave me a new name. They called me the Rebel Queen. Over three-hundred years, I rebel our foes, supplying for this very day.

Even after 1315 years of being a queen. There are days I feel like the title doesn't fit me. I feel like I've failed my people. I'm of three different species. Giant, Jinn, and Laputan who are the warlocks and witches. Two powerful species. Especially when my jinn heritage goes far to the children of Lilith. And yet, I couldn't prevent this war. Or the previous wars. Aslan told me in a vision that I can't stop everything, and the Narnians need to learn. Everything happens for a purpose.

"Aslan, please give me a sign that I'm doing the right thing?" I whispered as my eyes water.

I've been slowly dying for five hundred years, and now it has caught up to me. I'm merely a lost witch who is doing what is right for Narnia. A gentle breeze blew in a different direction. The air warm and soothing. I sighed, wiping the tears away, accepting the comfort.

"Thank you."

Hey guys, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Soon I'll have the short story up about Eirlys and Edmund's second encounter.

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