Dark Witch
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia
A/N: This chapter has been updated
Chapter 9: Before the Invasion
Eirlys's POV
Anger was one of my weaknesses. A common trait I had inherited from Jadis. No matter how calm I can be, one single comment or mistake will have me bursting in a furious rage. I loathed this anger. But anger is a part of me. Tis anger that corrupted Jadis to a point all her magic was nothing but darkness. As she cast the Deplorable Word. One spell I learned to which I wish Aslan can wipe them from my mind.
There were some spells I try to forget for the sake of Narnia. When Aslan spared my life, he told me to never use the darkest spells of Charn and the destructive spells of Laputa. As he whispers the names that are forbidden. No matter how dire the situation will be. These spells are forbidden to cast. I have kept my end of the bargain until recently.
As I removed my left glove to see the darkness slither up my forearm. The numbness creeping up my skin. How everything felt so cold. Did casting that death spell on the bear started the catalyst? Aslan never mentioned that spell to be forbidden, but I never used it. Everything was happening on the river shore, that the spell was the first thing that popped in my head. And now, it has a consequence.
Sighing, I put on my armor for the invasion. As I put on the black hard leather armor corset over my tunic, fastening it to a point, it was a second skin. As the straps were decorated in brass accent casting buckles. Follow by the leather pauldron, securing them to the buckles, so my shoulders were covered. Next, I put on my bracer and fastened my sword to the belt. I was about to turn to leave only to discover Susan standing by the entrance.
"Queen Susan?" I said, surprised.
"Eirlys," Susan greeted.
"How can I help you?" I asked.
Susan walked in and bit her lip. "None of the armors here fits me…and I was wondering if you might have something I could borrow?"
I nodded as I went into my chest, though I noted her outfit wasn't suited for battle. So being considerate, I handed the queen a dark purple dress that was more movable and leather armor corset and vest. Along with some bracers.
Susan took the outfit as I said, "I wore these during the Dark Ages. They suited me once; they should suit you as well."
"Thank you," Susan said, accepting them. "Would you mind helping me?"
I nodded as we walked over to the shield like a mirror that hung on the wall. Susan changed out of her clothes and put the second dress on, followed by the vest before wrapping the corset around her vital area. I came up behind, starting to tie up the back before beginning the tightening process.
"Have you ever been in battle before?" I asked.
"No," Susan answered. "I had taken charge of defending Cair Paravel when Prince Rabadash marched into Archenland."
"Was that when you rejected the Calormene prince?" I asked.
"Yes," Susan answered. "He was a horrible man. How did you know?"
"Oh, word spreads of such humiliation. In fact, several years after your rejection, he tried to ask for my hand in marriage." I said. "Thankfully, with Aslan's curse, he could not come to Narnia.
At first, he seeks my magic to break the curse. When I came to Tashbaan asking what his offer was, he suggested marriage in exchange for an army to reclaim Narnia."
"Did you?" She asked.
"No, as if I would marry a jackass," I answered. "Although I have to give Aslan credit. His temporary cursed made spoil git into a peacemaker."
Susan chuckled from that, "Yes. His mask almost had me until he revealed his true self. The punishment has indeed fit the crime." She then took a deep breath. "Have you ever married?"
"No, there have been a few proposals, but I declined all of them," I said.
"How come?" she asked.
I took a deep breath, "When you are part jinn, it's easy to tell when men are interested in your looks and magic, instead of you."
Susan nodded, relating to it.
There have been many proposals. The first being Rabadash, then Prince Ram, Bacchus, and even Silenus. Even though I have rejected their proposals, I had companions now and then from the wine god and his follower, even a traveling magician name Coriakin. The magician almost claimed my heart, but his sense to travel and my love for Narnia separated us. If not, Aslan appointed him to run an island. In the end, they had satisfied my needs for physical touch and a companion, yet…Yet it wasn't enough to fall in love. Not since my emotions once stirred for Edmund long ago.
"Anyway, you must never hesitate," I said, pulling strings too tight.
Susan gasped, "Too tight."
"Forgive me," I said and loosen it a bit.
This moment reminded me of the last night with Jadis when she helped me in my armor. Back in our camp, in the royal tent. It was a rare moment to see Jadis's motherly side. Then again, it was her way to manipulate me. Showing another side to ensure I was loyal to her. Then again, it was a rare moment since it was my first battle. As she stood behind me, fastening my corset:
"I remember my first battle," Jadis said, yanking on the strings strongly. I gasped, feeling the air leaving my lungs.
"Putting on the armor was the most complicating part."
"Really?" I gasped, as she yanked on the next string.
"Yes," She murmured, finishing up the corset and adjusted the left pauldron. She grabbed the bracers, standing in front of me, helping me put them on. "Be strong, Eirlys. Our family pride runs deep since the birth of Charn as Warriors. Your father's heritage does the same."
"Yes, your majesty," I said.
"And Eirlys," Jadis started. I looked up into her green eyes. She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. This surprised me, for she rarely does this mere gestured. "Make me proud."
"Of course, mother."
"A penny for a thought?" Susan said, snapping out of my memory.
I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts. "What?"
"You seemed lost in a memory," Susan stated.
"I guess I was," I said.
"May I ask of what?" she asked.
"The last good memory of my mother," I answered. "Before the Battle of Beruna, she helped me in armor. This corset was the last thing she helped me put on as I just did for you."
As I gestured to the one I was wearing. Susan nodded though bit her lips, "Was the White Witch…your mother ever a good mother?"
Why was she asking me this? My mother was nearly every Narnians' worst nightmare. Yes, Jadis gave birth to me, but no, she was hardly a mother figure. When I was younger…way young, there were a few moments that she considered it a weakness to care for me. Other than that, she was a horrible person. The rare expression of love was nothing more than manipulation.
"No," was all I could say.
Susan sensed the discomfort and went silent. Once I finished tying the corset, I worked on her hair and put it in a Narnian braid. Afterward, put the bracers on her wrist.
"Have you killed before, Susan?" I asked.
"Once," she answered.
"And who was that?" I asked.
"The witch's dwarf," She answered.
I stopped and looked at her. Ginarrbrik. I always wondered what happened to the loyal servant. Any of the Dark Narnians who retreated at the last minute said Ginarrbrik died in battle. No one knows who had killed him, but the feathers of the arrow were red. Now I recalled Susan's arrows had red feathers.
"Ginarrbrik," I said. "He was Jadis's most loyal servant."
"Did you know him?" Susan asked.
"Yes, he was one of my caretakers when Jadis was in command as a child," I answered sadly.
"Whatever you do, don't tell Nikabrik of this. He is descended from Ginarrbrik."
Susan nodded as she got her quiver on and bow in hand. With nothing else, we left my chambers to join the others in the main chambers where everyone was. Peter was going the plans for how we would get inside Telmar and get the rebels in. The first wave would be Peter, Edmund, Susan, Caspian, Trumpkin, and I would enter the city through griffins. Edmund and I would claim the towers to signal the Narnians while the others will open the gates. The second wave would be Reepicheep, and his men would enter through the dry sewers, which Caspian explained, securing the guards since no one would suspect mice. The third wave would be under the elder Minotaur Asterius and Nikabrik with selected Narnians to take care of the guards in the city. And finally, the fourth wave is under Glenstorm's order, who will wait for the signal.
"And if things go wrong?" Nikabrik asked bitterly.
"Eirlys would give the signal to fall back," Edmund said.
"And how can she do that?" Peter asked.
Like this, I thought, entering their minds.
Caspian and Peter jumped, not expecting it since my lips were not moving. Edmund held back a smile from that trick. Especially from his brother's reaction.
"You can read people's thoughts?" Peter asked in disbelief.
"More like having a conversation," I answered.
"So much for privacy," Peter muttered.
"I need to enter your thoughts before hearing them, King Peter." I reminded.
"Let's focus on the plans," Caspian said, preventing another argument.
We had everything settle as we made our way out. As we walked out the entrance, Lucy stood there with a sullen look. Peter walked by her, then stopped seeing the disapproval of her brother's decision. Edmund and Susan were the only ones who stayed to give her a hug. When I reached her, she stared at me sadly?
"Don't fret, Lucy," I assured.
"I worry about them," Lucy said.
I smiled softly and took my magical crystal orb. Lucy stared at me, curiously as I cast a spell to awaken the orb's ability. I handed it to her.
"When night falls, take the orb outside and let the moon gaze upon it. Then you can watch what is happening." I explained.
"Thank you," she said, holding the orb.
I nodded, resting a hand on her shoulder before leaving. I walked with Caspian and Asterius. I have known this elder Minotaur since his birth. His journey in becoming a warrior during the battle of the Telmarines to being the elder leader for the Minotaurs.
"Do you believe this plan will work?" Asterius asked.
"I don't know, my friend. But the Kings of Old are very confident." I answered.
"But you agreed with them," Caspian reminded.
"I did not agree, I let the vote go to the people," I corrected. "A good leader listens to their people."
"How did you become Queen?" Caspian asked.
Asterius grunted, knowing it was a sensitive topic.
I sighed, "I betrayed my mother."
"Betrayed your mother?" Caspian asked.
"My mother was Jadis, the White Witch," I explained. "During the Battle of Beruna against Aslan and the Pevensies, I found too much blood had been spilled. So, I abandoned my post as second in command and told the Dark Narnians to retreat. When Jadis died, I inherited the title as queen. Though I am no true queen."
"You are the true queen of the Dark Narnians," Asterius said. "And will forever be known as queen to the rebels."
"To be tittle as a king or queen must be earned, not inherited." I said. "Especially if Aslan gives you that divine right."
Caspian took all this information in.
It was a long day's journey towards Telmar. But when we reached the boarders did, we divide the groups. The Pevensie, Caspian, Trumpkin, and I took the Griffins to the castle. As we ask ourselves in the darkness of night.
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