It would have been completely impossible for me to get to army encampment than day or even that night, if I had not been captured. No, no, no, not by Fenris. In the end, I owed my thanks to none other than the one creature in Narnia who probably couldn't stand me.
At approximately five o'clock that evening, I assured my self that I would be at that Stone Table any moment now. And yet, over every hill there was but another valley that needed to be crossed, and for every unseen rock and root I tripped over came an ever more impressive string of obscenities that should never be repeated amongst genteel folk.
My patience was definitely wearing thin, and I think I might have given up soon had I not heard that light rumble of thunder. The sky gave no indication of a storm, being of a pretty blue color with sparce, wispy clouds. But that odd sounding thunder continued, literally; it never broke, simply echoing on in a long drawl that got louder every second.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, as I realized it could not be thunder. I shifted in uneasiness as I could feel the ground lightly reverberating beneath my feet. Spinning around quickly, I cursed as less than a third of a mile away four centaurs were galloping through the tall grass of the plain from which I had just come.
My first thought was to run, but I knew I could never outrun them! Besides, the Narnians, for being so naïve, were extremely "just" and "fair"; they would never think of hurting me if I had not done anything to deserve it. Furthermore, if I just let them come to me, they would have no reason to think that I was trying to hide anything. My mind quickly made up, I stood and waited for them to swim through that sea of grass, I was not nervous anymore since I knew they meant no harm on my person; they were but a scant quarter of a mile from me now.
Yet as I watched, I noticed a peculiar swirling around in the grass where the tall, course grass of the plain stopped and gave way to the shorter grass of the pasteur. To my utter shock, out jumped two sleek cheetahs. Suddenly those centaurs did not look quite so friendly as I could now see the sun glint on their shiny armor and sharply, pointed lances.
"Bloody idiot!" I cried to myself. Those cheetahs seemed bent on ripping me to shreds , and, though I could tell I had not a chance in the world against their speed, I turned on my heel and ran with what little strength I still possessed.
My footsteps sounded loud to my ears as did the rasp of my breathing; however, I did not have to keep the punishing pace for long. From the corner of my eye, I flash of red caught my attention, and I dove to the side as a lance thudded into the ground a yard in front of me.
"Halt! In the name of Aslan!" a deep, male voice resounded in my ears. I covered my head with my hands as a horse leaped over my body. Oreius? Shaking myself from my reverie I struggled to my knees, only to find the point of a lance resting at my chest. Where had he come from?
"Outlanders are not welcome in Narnia in this time of war," that deep voice said.
I swallowed the sticky residue in my mouth and spoke shakily, "I was not aware I was a stranger to these parts….Oreius."
The lance point was pressed more firmly against my skin, and I gazed up to challenge the centaur. His dark hair was strewn about his shoulders in disarray and sweat covered his face and flanks. He frowned at me, "It is General Oreius, now."
After fixing me with a good, hard glare, he lifted his eyes over my head and held up his hand. I heard a sliding noise and glanced over my shoulder to see the two Great Cats skidding to a halt a few yards behind me; dirt and grass clumps flew in the air as they tore their way to a stop. The four centaurs were nearly here as well, still in hot pursuit.
The Cats circled Oreius and I quietly. "So I see," I whispered softly.
Oreius stamped his hoof impatiently, "What do you here?"
I scowled, "I am on urgent business which is being delayed, thanks to you." One of the Cats hissed at me sharply.
I rose to my feet and began a show of dusting off my breeches and tunic; that lance point rose to my neck.
"Why?" I asked, "What is your business here?"
"Scouting party," came the reply.
"Ah, yes, you did mention something about a war. But really, you are wasting your time, as well as mine, in tracking me. After all, what could I possibly do to you people?" I said coyly.
"You have already caused enough damage in years past, that I cannot think even Aslan would believe enough in your "goodness" to let you roam freely in these lands at such a time," he said.
"You think me an enemy?" I could hear the other centaurs walking up behind me and forming a semicircle around me in case I thought to escape.
Oreius snorted and straitened to his full height, "Not an enemy, but a being who, although young, has definitely lived past her usefulness."
My eyebrow arched, "I am not exactly sure what your meaning is; however, I shall put your fears to rest. I have said that I am on business. I wish to speak to Aslan." I brought up a hand and with one finger on the tip of his spear, pushed it away from my neck softly. "There, does that satisfy you?"
He cocked his head to the side and let the spear head drop. "Why?"
I sighed, "I am concerned about the welfare of the human children." There, I had seen a momentary flicker of surprise pass over his features!
"You know of the children?"
I huffed in annoyance, "It was rather hard to miss…"
A glimmer of hope passed through his eyes as he spilled forth, "Ahh, Lady, they are the Chosen Ones; they will destroy the White Witch and bring this dreaded winter to an end. They will rule Narnia, and there will be peace for years to come under their kingship."
"Hmm, I recall you saying much the same thing about ten years ago. You and all the rest of Narnia tried to persuade me and my kin into believing that we could actually save you people. And what a failure that was!" I said, not impressed by his zealousness.
He was pensive for a moment, that momentary hope leaving his face as he sneered at me, "Yes, but… they have good in their hearts. The eldest is strong; he shall make a wise and good king. He shall bring us victorious through this war, with the help of Aslan as well."
Why had he said such a horrible thing? At the implication that my brothers and sister had not been superior enough to defeat the White Witch, tears stung my eyes. Were the Narnians so fickle that they had already forgotten the sacrifice my family had made for their freedom? I wanted to kill Oreius for what he had said; did he not care at all that Nate, Letty, and Joey had given their lives in an attempt to give him a better life. The Narnians were all so selfish!
I knew that to say anything in response to this outrage would only leave me weeping like a child, so I lifted my chin and said, "Again, I need to speak to Aslan now."
He regarded me a few minutes longer before giving me a sharp nod; he motioned for me to get on his back, and I slowly stepped towards him, suddenly nervous. He seemed to notice and sought to bring a somewhat humorous light into situation.
"Do I need to bind your hands or can I trust you to behave yourself?"
I stared blankly at him, uncomprehending his words; perhaps, he felt ashamed of his earlier language. A small smile manifested its way across my face and I successfully blinked back the remaining tears. Oreius and I had never been on the best of terms, but we had always been, at the very least, civil to each other.
"Now, how could I possibly ride with my hands bound?"
"You could never ride well to begin with!" he snorted.
I gave a mock lock of horror, but I knew he spoke the truth of it. I was a terrible rider; it was definitely shown as I unceremoniously slung myself over his back and wiggled into a somewhat comfortable position.
He chuckled lightly to himself, and I wondered when this new friendliness had come into our relationship. I tensed up as soon as Oreius began to turn around, and he could sense it. He told me I could hold on to him if I preferred, but I was not extremely comfortable with that suggested position either. I clamped my eyes shut when they started to run; I willed my nerves to calm and just focused on the wind on my face and the feel of Oreius musles moving beneath me.
But soon enough, he and the rest of the party had stopped. I was surprised to see that we were on the top of a hill, hundreds of small white tents dotted the ravine below us. We had finally reached the Stone Table.
A/N :Wow it's been a long time! School has been a bust lately and I haven't had any time to write, so sorry that it is so late! Thanks for all the reviews!