Dark Witch

Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia

A/N: This chapter has been updated.

Chapter 12: Love's a Spell

Eirlys's POV

Edmund helped me in my quarters. It was a long walk than usual to reach there, with the exhaustion of using too many spells and recovering from my injuries. Once inside, he set me on the bed. A groan escaped from the pressure. He apologized and went over to the table, collecting the basin and rag. Ignoring the pain, I took off the cincher and the remains of my tunic. Leaving me in my leggings and wrappings. Edmund turned around and blushed to see my state of dress.

"It's not like you hadn't seen me naked before," I commented.

Edmund nodded as he came over. He grabbed a rag and dabbed it in the water to clean off the blood from the wound. I hissed for the tenderness my muscles were. When the dried blood was gone, a nasty scar remained. Lucy's potion saved me from death, but the juice of the fire-flowers can't cure everything. As the blackness of death revealed itself to Edmund. My entire left arm and the left side of my back was black, something between frostbite and scorched skin. I can barely feel anything from it. Only a cold numbness. I should be thankful that I can at least move my limbs.

"Eirlys," Edmund gasped, as he placed his hand on my left shoulder. Only I could not feel it. There was a slight pressure, yet no heat from his hands.

"It's nothing," I whispered.

"This doesn't look like nothing," he argued. "The dark veins I understand…but this? What is this?"

The fading of the deep magic, I thought. Laputans can't live this long in Narnia. Not when their magic is fading. Something about Narnia weakens Laputans. Their magic holds it off, yet it's not strong enough. I've lived this long because of the Deep Magic and my Charian heritage. Now that the Deep Magic is fading, my body is holding on by a thread.

"Overuse of magic," I lied. "Aslan punishment if I used forbidden magic."

"What happened?" Edmund asked.

"When I saw the battle was getting out of hand, I hurry to aid our soldiers. However, General Glozelle caught me by surprise." I answered. "Blast him across the hall before joining the battle."

"But you were injured," he countered. "You could've been killed."

"I have warrior's blood in me," I breathed. "A simple healing spell, and I be ready for battle."

"Well, it seems like that healing spell didn't work."

I nodded.

"If you don't mind me asking…what happened during the retreat?"

I took a deep breath, "Glenstorm grabbed your sister while Peter and I were about to search for Caspian. When the prince came, I forced Peter to the horses. I was about to grab the reins to a horse when my injuries consumed me. I lost so much blood, I couldn't comprehend until Rainstorm helped me, but it was too late. Asterius lost his strength. I saw Peter standing there and yelled at him to run."

Edmund nodded; he had a scowl written on his face.

"What is it, Edmund?"

"Peter had a chance to save you but didn't," he explained.

My eyes widen.

"He left you to die," he sighed. "I'm sorry, Eirlys. I don't understand why he can't see you are not Jadis."

I sighed, looking down, "Anybody with magic is an enemy."

Edmund bit his lip. Slowly getting up, I went to my chest to grab a fresh tunic.

"Rainstorm, mention you turned two men to stone." He added.

I looked down, "I did a temporary spell in turning them to stone. If I didn't, Miraz would have finished us off."

"Even starting the eternal winter," he continued.

"I dabbled into charnian magic, but once again… a temporary issue. Saved us time while Telmar deals with a blizzard."

"How long?"

"A week at most." I looked at him. "I would never be my like mother. Any more questions…"

Edmund nodded, rubbing his neck, "When Jadis appeared, your conversation seemed like…this wasn't the only time you saw each other."

I took a deep breath. "She tried to resurrect herself before in the past."

Edmunds' eyes widen.

"It was the Dark Ages. Anarchy was chaotic, and I was faced with temptation." I explained. "A witch came to support me, but instead, she tried to bring her back."

Sighing, I pressed my head against his, so he could see the last encounter I had with Jadis. Anarchy had been going on for nearly a decade. There were already several assassinations attempts by Narnians who wanted power after the Late Swanwhite II death. Our souls being taken to the past, standing in Stone Castle's throne's room. Outside was a tempest. The winds were howling, the rains pouring, and the screaming of thunder and lightning. We watched the scene before us:

.o0o.

I stormed into the throne room of Stone Castle, furious. Blood covered my purple gown as I held a sword in my hand. Members of the council were there baffle to see my state. Diomedus came over, checking my condition, realizing the blood was not my own.

"This has gone far enough," I seethed, sheathing my sword and sat on the throne. "The Archenlander and the Calormene are fighting to claim Narnia. While the Narnian anarchist is trying to take over the kingdom."

"What would you like us to do, my queen," Diomedus asked.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "I must confess, I do not know. Blood is being spilled than a battle itself. The hybrids are supporting whoever the ruler is, the animals are declining the ruler, and once more, our people are still the enemy. Aslan's name, King Corin, and his bloodline respected our truce. Now whoever the ruler is, sees me as the subplot."

"Maybe you should teach them a lesson," A goblin said. "Bring them winter."

"Winter doesn't solve everything, and even so, Aslan forbids it," I reminded.

"Summon a meeting with the rulers of Archenland and Calormen," a hag suggested. "Along with the leaders of the animals and hybrids."

"Our forces outnumber them," Diomedus offered. "Not to battle, but to intimidate to ensure they know we mean business."

"I might consider it," I said, wiping the blood off my cheek. "I do not wish for war. I wish what is best for my people and our lands."

"Indeed," spoke a bell-like voice.

All eyes turned to the entrance where a woman who held beauty and charm. She wore a fluttering poison green colored gown. Her tawny hair pulled back out of her face, revealing a pale face, red lips, and vibrant green eyes. She swooned over and bow before me.

"Who are you?" Diomedus demanded.

"I am Lady Kirtle," She answered, her voice very alluring. "I am a witch from the Shallow Lands."

"There's no such thing as the Shallow Lands," Diomedus huffed.

"Oh, but there is, underneath Narnia, from Ettinsmoor to the Wild Lands of the North." She replied.

"Why are you here, Lady Kirtle?" I asked.

"I heard Narnia has fallen into anarchy," she murmured. "From one witch to another, I came to help."

"How can you help us?" I asked again. Not forgetting the witches from the wildlands refused aid long ago.

"With this," Lady Kirtle replied, pulling out a wand.

All eyes in the throne room widen in seeing a silver wand as one end had the crystal that was shattered. The room was engrossed in a chilling atmosphere. The Emerald Witch held what remains of Jadis's want. Twenty-five years, we thought it was lost. We assumed Aslan destroyed its remaining or the Pevensies threw it into the ocean.

"Where did you find it?" I asked, coming cover and collecting the wand.

"A hag wandered north along with a werewolf," she answered. "Offered me anything I want in exchange for their service. However, the wand does not answer to me."

"It only answers to its master," I whispered.

"Or, one of Laputan and Charn descent."

I glared at her, "I will not bring back the eternal winter."

"Of course not," she murmured. "But I know a spell to bring you guidance. Retrieve what has been lost to you."

Confused, I was unable to comprehend her words.

The Emerald Witch smiled as she carefully took the wand out of my hand. She walked over to the balcony, speaking in the language of Charn. In her incantation, a green mist formed around her. Before I could stop her, she slammed the wand onto the stone floor. A burst of blue light illuminated, as a wall of ice, consumed the window. In the deep frost, a figure form of Jadis. Everyone gasped, shocked to see her. She smiled as she stepped forward through the portal. A shimmer taking a stable form of ice.

"You can't trust the mortals, your majesty," Lady Kirtle said. "They'll turn on each other for no reason at all. Only magic and witches can create order. Behold, Queen Jadis."

"Impossible," I whispered.

The council eyes widen to see the late queen.

"Eirlys, my snowdrop, my special girl." Jadis murmured, placing a hand over her heart. Something was not right. Her vocabulary was off. Never has she showed a loving persona. She walked over, standing before me. Her figure of ice, an opaque figure, almost seeing right through her. The only exception was her eyes and breath. As a puff of cold air came out.

"Jadis," I breathed.

She nodded as her eyes illuminated green.

"How?" I whisper.

"My magic will always live on in the wand," Jadis answered. "However, this form is only temporary. But one drop of your blood, and I shall take flesh once more."

To see my mother was overwhelming. As memories from the past clouded my vision. Her reign of suffering, abuse, and winter. This was the woman who killed Aslan to take the dark side of the deep magic. She was slain by Aslan. I know of this, for I felt her death. Aslan himself told me he consumed her flesh to ensure this dark creature could never return to Narnia.

All the inflictions of pain could be felt. Every slap in the face, tugging of hair, the curses, the emotional and verbal abuse. She was no mother! Jadis was merely a carrier for my father's seed. I was the debt she had to pay. Without Gethen aid, she would never have claimed Narnia so easily. But truth be told, Gethen did not help Jadis in means of her power. No. Gethen used her to help his friends. The Dark Narnians who were never treated properly.

"So, you've met the enemy, draw up solutions, and you think you know them for a space of a single conversation. You trust your advisors, and you sit around, making your plans on how to make peace with these mortals." Jadis said. "I know how these people think. These humans think of battle. I know how their minds work. I know both kingdoms will do nothing but exterminate our own."

"You're right," I murmured, which Jadis smirked. "The humans only think about is war."

"And you haven't done much with your life."

I stormed up, "And what haven't I done with my life. Playing with broomsticks? I fought in your war during the rebellion, I had made peace with the Ettins and the Light Narnians."

"Words and treaties can't save everything," Jadis smirked. "Fire and Blood is the answer. You have gone soft. I can help you, Eirlys. All I need is your blood and join our magic together."

A sound of thunder could be heard. Outside, a storm was approaching, thunder and rain to a much triumph degree. No longer to be safe outside. Best for all, to take shelter. Lashing my arm out, my eyes glowing, as it shimmers silver. I used magic to tame to the storm in an appropriate manner. The soothing of the storm was appreciated by the Dark Narnians. Jadis and Lady Kirtle's eyes widen in seeing my power. In the past, my abilities were limited to elemental spells. But the deep magic has made me stronger to control Narnia by Aslan standards.

"What are you doing?" Jadis asked.

"I think this is just between you and me, mother," I answered.

"Fine with me," the witch of green said, walking off.

Jadis grabbed her arm, "Lady Kirtle, don't be afraid. She's on our side. She's our Eirlys." She pointed her other hand toward me. "You listen to me. You're my daughter. I always wanted you with me."

I conjure lightning in the throne room. It came through the window and clash in front of them.

"No one can do that," Lady Kirtle whispered. She shoved herself out of Jadis grasped. "Let me go. She's more powerful than you."

The green witch scurried over, "Queen Eirlys, listen to me. It was her idea. She told me you were always dark."

I gazed into her eyes and gave her my sharp order, "Go. And never return to Narnia."

"As you command, your Majesty," she sneered.

Just like that, she ran out of the throne room.

My eyes set on Jadis. Her crystal form remained calm, as a soft chuckle escape her lips, "You know, you're a lot more like me than you care to admit. "

I smiled softly, "Well, nobody's perfect."

"Eirlys, you have great powers." She murmured. "I can teach you how to use them. I can teach you how to become the most powerful witch who ever lived. "

"Oh, that's so sweet of you, mother," I said. "But I read all your books. You taught me everything I need to know."

"Oh, my snowdrop," Jadis murmured. "I have heard of your encounters with the Son of Adam, Edmund."

"Don't go there," I warned.

"This mortal, you think you love? You can never be together. "

"I know," I said, my voice falling into a monotone. "Did you ever love me, mother?"

Jadis was surprised by the question. She gave a laugh, then sighed. "You know, I don't remember. No mother does, really. By Tash, my mother died after giving birth to Dijana." She began walking around, her ice feet tapping on stone. "It's not easy. Pushing another female out of your body, a younger, more perfect version of yourself, with every option and no mistake." She laughed, "Anyhow, love is just a trick of the mind, you know? It doesn't really exist. There's no such thing in nature. Love's a spell created by an entity to give its creation something to play with instead of power. I want you to have power. I want you to be who you truly are."

She stood in front of me. Her hand reaching forward to cradle my cheek. I lifted my head away,

"As long as I'm just like you."

I stepped away from her.

"There's darkness in you. Don't you try and deny it?"

"You are wrong, mother," I said. "It's the deep magic you sense."

"Then claim it and revive me to my true form." She said. "We can rule over a new dynasty, our world."

I turned around, facing her. The desperation in her eyes.

"I knew about the apple," I said.

She looked confused.

"Aslan told me everything. When you bit into it, it did more than change your appearance. It did more than give you longevity. It made you immortal." I said.

"Eirlys…"

"I was never going to be a queen of Narnia in the eternal winter." I interrupted. "As long as you were alive, I was forever your pawn and source of abuse."

She realized I spoke the truth.

I raised my hand, clasping it together. My magic warped around her form, crushing it. As cracks started to form. She gasps, clutching her chest. "What are you doing."

"I know the laws to which Aslan and the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea have made. I know of their sacrifices to create this world. I know that being a Queen, a leader is not about power or domination, it is the people. That is why Aslan has chosen Frank over you, for he served the humans from Spare Oom and continued onward with the Narnians."

"Don't you dare speak of that human!" She yelled.

"There is a new dynasty," I murmured. "But it is not all dark, and it is not all light. And it is not all ours. "

The pain caused her to fall to her knees.

"I remember now. I did love you. I do love you." She begged. "I did love you. I love you, my snowdrop. I love you!"

"You really shouldn't use words you don't understand." I murmured.

"You still need me!"

"No!" I bellowed then breathed. "I have my people and Aslan."

"He took you away from me."

"No, he did not. He saved me. He forgave me for my sins, and because of his forgiveness, he let me live and reign in the mountains. "

"I've done so much for you," She screamed.

"You've done enough, Jadis," I said. With a snap of my wrist, her form shattered to ice. The spirit forced back into the portal. She screamed, pounding her first onto the ice. "You never love me; I was merely a debt."

The dragon ring came alive, flapping its wings. Using the language of the Laputan, I cast a fire spell melting the portal away. A shriek of a banshee could be heard. No one said anything as I stood there.

"Never again."

,o0o,

The memory vanished as Edmund pulled back.

"I vowed to never be like Jadis," I whispered. "Banishing her soul back to Tash."

"And Lady Kirtle?" he asked.

"She returned to her world," I answered. "Back north, where she is spotted time and again by the

Ettins. She heaved my warning."

Edmund nodded as he rubbed his neck.

"Aslan told me that with great power comes great responsibility," I told him. "Because of that, I never used extreme magic."

"You're incredible," he said.

I raised a brow.

"I truly wish I was there for you," he confessed.

I sighed, as did I. But Aslan has said it before, what is Narnian stays in Narnia. What is not must return to their world? I shall cherish those five years. Edmund helped me in becoming social and interacting with humans. It had helped me work with Corin's bloodline. In the end, I can never get what I desire.

Suddenly soft lips were pressed against my own. A spark surge through me. My eyes widen when realizing it was Edmund who kissed me. Standing up, pulling away to the other side of the room.

"We can't," I yelled.

Edmund sat the puzzle.

"You should go," I whispered.

"Eirlys, I'm sorry…" He tried to apologize.

"Just go," I whispered.

"But-"

"You don't get it!" I snapped. "I'm a witch, practically immortal, and you are a human. When Narnia doesn't need you …you'll be back to Spare Oom."

"Maybe not now, maybe Aslan will let us stay longer. Time stops in my world, maybe he can let us stay longer…"

I shook my head. "I can't be hurt again."

"Eirlys-"

"GO!" I bellowed.

Edmund was unable to defend his case and left my chambers. Once the door was shut, I fell to my knees, sobbing my heart out. I am unable to love. I can love my people, my friends, the true king Aslan, but I can't love another being for a romantic purpose. I don't know why faith bonded Edmund and I…but we are not meant to be.

"Aslan…I need your guidance." I cried. "From all that I have done, free my heart or let him stay."

.o0o.

Edmund stood outside of the door, hearing Eirlys cry. He knew of the pain. There was something between them, but faith keeps pulling them apart. He hopes Aslan will let him and his family stay in Narnia. They were outcasts in their world. Narnia was their home.

He heaved a heavy sighed and left for his quarters.

"Aslan, let us stay." Edmund prayed.

Jadis and Eirlys scene is inspired by Beautiful Creatures.

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