Hey, peoples! Wow, it's been a long time; I feel kinda bad for not updating in a while. Anyway, thanks to all you who updated forever ago. It was very encouraging:
BookWorm37
Orlitza
Violinisthamel
Du Weldenvarden Farcai
bluepixiedust34
gonewithdafeather
usaswim
Natalia101
elizabethjanetg
Aboiheme
Now, on with the elusive fourth chapter!
It seemed as if all the good-hearted of Narnia had emptied out of their homes and decided to take a friendly camping trip together. They were all there. Magnificent centaurs, stocky dwarves, pleasant fauns, every type of talking animal you could imagine, and I even think I might have seen flowers in the shape of a woman blowing in the breeze. At first look, one might think they were all gathered for some sort of social event, but, on further investigation, one would feel the tension that surrounded them.
Some wore expressions of gloom, others of sleepiness, and still others (mostly the younger ones) wore looks of excitement; however, the one thing common to all was their beautifully shining, red armor which symbolized the coming war. It was a rather depressing sight, for me anyway. Oreius obviously didn't think so.
Oreius, in his pride, was practically puffed up like a bloated frog; he turned his head to his scouting companions and motioned for them to go on. The Cats immediately bounded off towards the camp, but the other centaurs did not appear to keen with idea of leaving their commander alone. A slight frown poisoned his features but was gone in a moment. "I'll be fine; do as I say," came the firm command; with that said, the centaurs gave quick, awkward boys and set off down the rocky hillside. I watched them go with a bit of trepidation; I was not entirely comfortable being with Oreius by myself.
Oreius was back to staring down at the encampment; the Narnians were scurrying around like busy worker bees who had little time to get everything done. Oreius let out a heavy sigh causing me to sink lower on his back.
"Isn't it beautiful?" he whispered. A shiver ran through me, and I closed me eyes. I could understand that he felt moved by the courage he saw in his people; he was very proud at that moment. However, the picture that lay out before us moved me in a different sort of way; it was almost an image of despair to me. Like the violent but ineffective efforts of a wounded animal that seeks one last chance at freedom before it dies. Oh, how I hated the Narnians for their stupidity! But how I loved them for being so innocent; almost as children whose blind faith never fails.
A solitary tear slipped out of nowhere and fell down my cheek. They would never get their one wish; they would never be free of the White Witch's steel grip. So, so foolish. And yet, so moving. I cleared my throat and spoke in a hoarse voice, "How so?"
My eyes were still closed, yet I could feel him move and knew that he was trying to look at me. I did not want those eyes to see mine and read all my feelings, so I sat there squeezing my eyes shut and willing him to look away. A cool breeze fluttered past and cold air chilled the trail of moisture left behind by the tear I had forgotten of. I blushed hotly and reached up to wipe it away.
To my shock, a strong hand closed around my upper arm and yanked me from my perch. My eyes shot open, and I stumbled forward as my unready feet hit the ground; I had not gone more than two steps when Oreius whirled me around, grabbing my other arm and forcing me to face him. His face was such a mixture of emotions…I had no idea what had caused him to treat me so roughly.
"Why must you say things like that?" he shook me, "Hmm?"
When I said nothing, he continued, "Why must you be so desolate? It is not your fate."
"Do you think I have no compassion for you people? Do you think I am some horrible monster that has been consumed by hatred and bitterness?" It was Oreius' turn to be silent; confusion became his dominant expression. His head turned from me and his hands slowly fell away from my arms. From his lack of response, I assumed that his answer was a "yes"; tears unbidden trickled down my face. Is that what they all thought of me?
I humbly shook my head, "I have never hated you or any of your kind, Oreius. Perhaps, I once held a grudge against you all, but, Oreius…what did you expect?" He still refused to look at me.
"Oreius, we were only children; away from home, away from those we loved…in a place where we did not know, where we had no idea how we had even come there. It was like a fantasy land with fantasy creatures, not what you would call a logical place at all. We were scared, but then we were found by them," I gestured pointing down into the ravine, "And we were told of that insane prophecy about two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve who save all of Narnia. At first, we didn't believe; how could we, Oreius? It was impossible; our even being here was impossible. We thought it might be a dream or something unnatural, but we never woke up and we continued to live on here.
"So, we started to believe; believe that perhaps we could be some sort of heroic legends in this place where nothing made sense. And we thought that maybe if we could actually set Narnia to rights again, than mybe, just maybe, we could find away back home. You all were so hopeful, too, and so sure that we were the ones spoken of in the prophecy. Than She found out about us, and everyone tried to hide us from Her," I was practically blubbering at this point, but still he would not face me.
"And we fought our hardest against her; you saw how hard we tried! But our plans and attacks were always in vain, and all everyone ever asked was, 'Where is Aslan? Why hasn't He come for us?'. We never gave up hope, though; we kept trying until Nate gave his blood trying! And than poor Joey, too. Oh, sweet Letty; she just couldn't bear it after they were gone. She kept talking of how this couldn't be happening and how we were just dreaming it all up; how this could not be real." I let out one last shuddering sob; I just couldn't talk about them anymore. Oh, why wouldn't he simply acknowledge me in any way?
"And than, it was just me. I was all alone; I was the only one left. And it wasn't because I was the strongest either; it was because I was weaker. They were always trying to protect me from everything. Suddenly one morning, I woke up and realized that they were gone. And none of you had hope anymore; no, Oreius, it was you who all turned from me and not the other way 'round. How could you do that? How could you be so uncaring and selfish? How could you put all you dreams on the backs of children and than be disappointed when they could not perform? And how in the world could you all be willing to do it again to these poor ones?"
We were silent for what seemed like an eternity. I was too much of an emotional mess and refused to say anything more until he spoke. I had not talked of my family in forever and was feeling more than slightly vulnerable. Finally, he turned back to me. His voice was terse when he finally answered me.
"They have brought us a new hope."
I growled in frustration, "Haven't you been listening to me! We have all gone through this once before. What makes these children so much more different from my family that you have hope in them after what you saw happen to us?"
He looked me square in the eye, "Because, this time Aslan has come."
I wanted to punch him, slap him, do anything that might damage his persona; instead, my mouth dropped open and I stared. How would that make a difference in the long run? One more person shows up, and the Narnians think all the pieces are finally on the gameboard.
I scowled. "I don't understand."
Oreius smiled softly, sadly, "I can't make you. All I know is that with Aslan, we can never lose. We have our hope back now; a life without hope is not really alive," I opened my mouth to interrupt him, but his hand covered my lips in one swift motion. His eyes were filled with such desperation and pleading that I was taken aback. But as before, just when I thought I was beginning to understand something of what was the being Oreius, he again turned from me. No, my mind screamed, don't shut me out now! Don't turn your back on me now! Yet, my voice would not make itself heard.
"We should continue on, now. There are things that still need to be prepared for the war."
Solemnly, he gazed back down onto the Narnian encampment. "Come," was all he said. I took one step towards him but changed my mind.
"No, I would prefer to go down myself; I would like some time to think," and compose myself among other things.
He stared at me steadily for a moment attempting to read me. "If that is what you prefer, than I shall not gainsay you."
I nodded my thanks for not forcing me and began to walk away from him, down a less steep path into the ravine.
"Wait!" he called hastily. I sighed miserably, but nonetheless I turned to face him.
He spoke so softly and with such a longing that I was momentarily stunned. "Please," he said, "our hope is all we have left in the world; don't try to take that from me, from the men. Please…Missy."
And with that he was gone, leaving me and my thoughts in a blurr.