Chapter 2: Along Glasswater Creek

Eight Years Later

Maraidia could hardly remember the night of the escape from the White Witch's palace. Her father had told her the tale many times over the years and how Aslan provided the way out of the dungeons through her. If she tried hard enough, she could almost feel the magical wind blowing through her hair. Now that she no longer had to be passed off as a boy, it had now grown out to just past her shoulders and had taken on a deep golden-brown color. She was now eleven years old, a fiery young girl with dark, sparkling hazel eyes. She had been raised well by her father, Darius, who never let her stray too far from the fact that one day she would be crowned Queen of Narnia. Her days were filled with lessons on geography, science, Narnian history and politics, how to be a good diplomat, combat training and sword fighting. The women of the village taught her how to dress, sing, dance, play musical instruments and recite poetry. She also learned about different creatures in Narnia from the ones that had joined them throughout the years, like fauns, satyrs, talking beasts, and others. She didn't mind the lessons, but every once in a while a day came where she didn't have to worry about such things. She could escape for a few hours and have time to herself.

This day in particular was one of those days. She had awoken before her father and dressed herself in a warm black and dark purple tweed dress and cloak, her heavy boots and matching gloves. Her whole life she had dressed for the cold; the snow and ice all she had ever known. Before Darius knew she was gone, she grabbed her bow and arrows for protection and raced out the door of their house and sprinted into the woods, the snow softly crunching with each step. It was always strange to her spending her whole life surrounded by winter. Her birthday was when summer usually would be in Narnia. She dreamed of the day when she would become Queen and banish the cold. To feel the sun on her face and a warm breeze blowing against her skin was a great wish of hers. But as Darius had often told her, she would not get the crown "until Aslan says you are ready". And that was all he ever said when she would ask. Maraidia was quite annoyed by this. Aslan had not been seen for over a century. He did not appear to help save Narnia when Jadis killed her great-grandaunt Queen Ynacia and stole the throne from her family. Darius had always told her that it was Aslan's plan that Maraidia's great-grandmother, Princess Etheraya, was the only one of the female Moltenores to escape. He often used the story as a way for her to keep her faith in Aslan strong. Most of the nobles (now villagers) had kept theirs strong. But others did not believe in him anymore as they once did.

Maraidia went further into the forest. Darius had forbidden her to go there. He was afraid of Jadis's Secret Police finding and killing her. She thought this was foolish as well. They had been safe for many years and had never even had so much as a warning about wolves in the area. Maraidia thought that Darius was just being way too overprotective as he was about everything. He couldn't keep her inside the village forever. Soon, Maraidia came to one of the thickest spots in the forest. She quickly picked out her favorite tree, and scrambled up it into its branches. The tree had a big, wide trunk and plenty of space in between its branches for Maraidia to sit. She often brought along a book that she actually liked to read, usually a history volume, not the drivel that her father made her study with. Over the times she had snuck away here, she had brought heavy blankets and even two pillows to make her more comfortable. Whenever they had any, Maraidia would often sneak some candy. Food was another thing that was of little variety. The only fruits were a few types of berries that would grow on bushes. The only vegetables were hardy, rooty, and leafy ones that still flourished in the snow. For protein, fish from the nearby stream or any dumb beasts that were stubled upon were used, and the cows and reindeer were milked. It wasn't much, but it was all they had. It made Maraidia swear that no one would go hungry under her reign. She may have still been merely a child, but she had been dreaming and planning her whole life.

She was just getting into the exciting part of her story when she heard a crash, followed by some sort of animal noise. Her first thought was "Oh no. The Secret Police!" She wasn't going to let them get anywhere close to the village. Climbing down from the tree as quietly as she could, she loaded an arrow into her bow and had it at the ready. She wasn't a very good shot as she was more adept with a sword. But still she had to try. She followed the noise throughout the woods. The further she went, the louder it became. It sounded like something was in pain more than it sounded like a wolf. In fact as Maraidia got closer, she realized that it didn't sound like a wolf at all.

Finally, she came into a clearing and what she saw astounded her. There before her was a pegasus. She was taken aback. Pegasi weren't supposed to exist in Narnia anymore. As far as she knew there was no record of one ever existing since the very early days of the land. It was a beautiful creature. Its coat and wings were a tan dun color that almost looked gold. Where its hooves, mane and tail were the color was black. It seemed to be in pain. Maraidia took a closer look and realized that a decent sized boulder had fallen on the creature's wing. She lowered her bow and arrow and set them aside on the snowy ground. She slowly began to approach the pegasus. When she got close to it, the pegasus' ears perked up and it saw her. It got scared and tried to fly away, but could not because of the boulder. When Maraidia got closer, it reared up. Maraidia reached out to it and shushed it.

"Don't worry," she said calmly. "I'm here to help you." she reached out her hand and pet it on the snout. It jerked its head away from her, but the more persistent she was to calm it down, the more it realized that she meant it no harm. It was obvious to her now that it was a dumb beast, incapable of speech. She had to be cautious. She patted it until it began to be at ease with her. "Now let's get this boulder off you." She walked around to the other side of the pegasus and tried to roll the boulder off. It moved a little bit but the pegasus flapped its other wing and whinnied in pain. Maraidia immediately went to it and tried to calm it down again. After a few minutes it began to still.

"That's better," she said. "Now let's try again." It took several tries and several rolls of the boulder. Every time Maraidia had to rush back over to the pegasus and calm it down again. "Just one more push and I think then it'll be off of you," she said to the pegasus. This time it whinnied and shook its mane in delight. Maraidia went back over to the boulder, rubbed her hands together and gave the boulder one final shove. The pegasus neighed in pain but with the great shove Maraidia gave the boulder, it finally rolled free. Immediately, the creature tried to run to take off and fly but the wing that had the boulder on it flapped awkwardly. It only floated a few feet off the ground before coming down to a stumbling landing. It tried again only to have the same result. Maraidia immediately ran over to it and helped it back to its feet. "Oh no," she said. "I think your wing must be broken. If only there was something I could do…" She looked at the pegasus then got an idea. "I know! I'll take you back to the village! Herius could help you!" Herius was the primary healer who also took care of the animals.

Maraidia made a move to climb on the pegasus' back but it immediately moved to the side. She promptly fell on her face in the snow. She wiped her now bitterly cold skin. "Alright let's try this again, shall we?" Again, Maraidia tried to climb on the pegasus' back and again it moved away and she fell. After one more try, she finally managed to get on its back. It tried to buck Maraidia off and wildly flapped its wings. She grabbed its mane and tried to pull it back to being calm. But the more she tried the more the pegasus tried to buck her off. But Maraidia wasn't one to give up. She kept trying and trying for what seemed like hours. In fact it was. The longer she held on, the more that the pegasus seemed to get used to her. Eventually, by some miracle, Maraidia found that the pegasus obeyed her commands and was used to her now. "I'll call you Phobos," she said. She gently kicked his flank to lead him back to the village.

When Maraidia got to the edge of the forest she urged Phobos into a canter. She heard her father yelling for her. "Maraidia!" he yelled. "Maraidia where are you?!" Just then she burst out of the woods on Phobos, galloping to the village square, then rearing him up. Everyone in sight turned to look at her, including Darius. He walked up to her in a fury. "Maraidia Dulcinea Moltenore what are you doing?!"

"Umm…" she began. She knew that when Darius used her full name that she was in trouble.

"Impossible," said a nobleman approaching. "That's a pegasus!" More people began to gather and look at Maraidia on the back of Phobos.

"It is!" exclaimed another. "But…there are no pegasi in Narnia!"

"Except for Phobos," Maraidia said, patting his neck.

"And it's impossible to tame them!" said another. "According to legend no one can ride a pegasus!"

"By Aslan…" said a female satyr in wonder. "Maraidia really is the Chosen One. She really is the Queen." She suddenly dropped herself into a low bow. Everyone that was surrounding her began to bow to her, too. Except for Darius. Maraidia turned red in a blush but then spotted her father. He was glaring at her with his arms crossed.

"Maraidia," he began. "Put 'Phobos' in the stables. His wing is clearly broken. Then when you've finished with that, go home. Now."

"Yes, Father…" said Maraidia dejectedly. She slid off Phobos's back and led him to the stables. She told Herius about his broken wing and the healer assured her that he would do all he can to repair it. Maraidia walked as slowly as she could back to her and Darius's house. It was easy to spot. Theirs was the biggest house in the whole village. It was a two story house made of wood and stone with a thatched roof. She walked through the door and saw Darius standing there with his arms still crossed. He pointed to the table next to the roaring fireplace.

"Sit." he commanded. Maraidia looked at the ground but obeyed. "Maraidia, what were you thinking?!" he exclaimed. "You know you're forbidden to go into the forest! You deliberately disobeyed me! Think of what would've happened if the Secret Police were around here? You know that they've been looking for us ever since we escaped."

"Father, you can't keep me confined in the house forever!" she said back. "You want me to learn about the kingdom? Let me go out and explore it!"

"You can't, Maraidia!" said Darius. "Do you know what would happen if the Secret Police found you? You would've been killed!"

"I had my bow and arrow," said Maraidia. "I could've handled it."

"Maraidia, you can't fight off wolves with a bow and arrow!" he almost yelled. Then he shook his head and took a deep breath. "And you don't understand," he continued, crouching down to Maraidia's level. "You are the only hope that Narnia has to break free from Jadis. You are the Queen. The last heir. Aslan's chosen one. If you were to be killed then we have no chance. Everyone here is depending on you to one day reclaim the throne and free us. All I'm asking you to do is be more careful of your actions. I lost your mother and brother. I can't lose you, too. Be more careful. Can you do that?" Maraidia looked at her father and nodded. "Good," he said. Maraidia leaned forward and gave her father a hug. He looked into her eyes and ruffled her hair. "Now, it's time for your lessons." Maraidia let out a long groan. Darius could only chuckle.

Four Years Later

A now fifteen year old Maraidia stood with her sword at the ready. No longer a child, but now a nearly grown woman. Her hair had grown longer to her mid-back and had become darker and more wavy, her hazel eyes were more sparkling. She had an oval shaped face with a wide jawline, round cheeks, a slightly turned up nose, light eyebrows and full lips that complimented her smile. She had developed an ample bosom and curves with bigger thighs and toned calves. She stood across from Darius, who also held a sword within his grasp. He and Maraidia were doing their daily spar session. She had become quite gifted in sword combat, but Darius wanted her skills to be honed to perfection.

"Go!" he said. Maraidia lunged for him with a swing of her sword. Darius brought his up to block her blow. He parried her movements as she tried to strike. It was hard to move in her heavy winter armor. "You have to be stronger than that!" he said. Maraidia ducked and dodged Darius's swings. "More attack, less defense! Your enemies will see right through your technique."

"You taught me this technique!" Maraidia yelled back. However, when she said this, she momentarily paused. Darius took this advantage and used the blunt side of his sword to toss her legs from underneath her. Down she went on the snow. Phobos, who was standing nearby, whinnied in amusement. His wing had healed, but he could no longer fly. Forever walking the ground he was destined to be. But he didn't seem to mind too much. After all, Maraidia gave him plenty of food and kept him warm. She sat up and shook the snow from her hair. Looking above her, she saw Darius extending a hand to her.

"Again. Up," he commanded.

"Yes, Father."

"A Narnian rises as soon as she has fallen. Remember, hesitation only hastens–"

"The grave." she finished. "I know Father."

Maraidia nodded and got back in her stance. Darius circled around her. "Widen your stance," he commanded. Maraidia obeyed. "A warrior grounds themselves. Good. Your resolve is strong. Your form is better. But you're still not taking action."

"I was going to," Maraidia defended. "And I would've if you hadn't gone straight for my legs."

"I know," Darius said. "But it's the moments in between your swings that decide whether you win or lose." He came back around to her and readied his own blade.

"Approach me!" Maraidia rushed at him. Darius threw an overhead swing. Maraidia parried reflexively, quickly. They moved back and forth until, realizing that she wasn't on the ground yet, Maraidia noticed that Darius kept swinging overhead. She came up with a plan. For once she was thinking instead of reacting. When Darius swung again, she parried high, throwing him off balance. In her small moment of triumph, Maraidia nearly forgot to thrust, but remembered just at the last second. Darius barely reacted in time and knocked Maraidia's blade aside, parrying her. Maraidia turned the deflection into momentum. She tucked into a roll, then swung her leg out, taking Darius on his back to the snowy ground. She stood over him in triumph and pointed her blade at his nose. "I believe I've won," she said with a smirk.

"Alright," said Darius. "I yield." Maraidia sheathed her sword and helped Darius stand. "That was some of your best fighting, Maraidia."

"I hope you're not angry I beat you, Father," she said, suddenly feeling like she had displeased him.

"Angry?" repeated Darius confused. Then he chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "My daughter, I could not be more proud. I underestimated you. A fine swordswoman you are becoming."

"Thank you, Father," said Maraidia, hugging Darius.

"You have developed more strength and courage. Closer to becoming a true queen everyday." Maraidia smiled at him with teary eyes, finally feeling pride in herself after a long while. They began to walk back to the house before Maraidia dared to say something that was plaguing her mind.

"You know if I had the Jewel of Everlasting Light I wouldn't need a sword." Darius turned around to face her.

"Maraidia, I've told you this thousands of times: You will not have the Jewel until you are ready. And only Aslan will determine when that will be."

"Where did you even hide it in the first place?" Maraidia asked. Darius had told her how he hid the Jewel, but never told her where it was hidden.

"You will not know that until you are ready, either." Maraidia rolled her eyes. "That Jewel carries with it a long line of power," he continued. "A bloodline of incredible Queens of Narnia. The same blood that runs in you. Think of your great-grandmother, Etheraya. She had great courage and made a great sacrifice. You share in that strength. It is a burden that you are not yet ready to carry. Your enemies will recognize your magic, your power, and want it only for themselves. They will try to take it from you."

"I won't let them," said Maraidia defiantly.

"You will until you learn of the full weight that you will have to carry with your responsibilities," said Darius back.

"And how do you expect me to prevent that from happening without magic?" Maraidia asked again. "How do I not crumble under it?"

"Simple," replied Darius. "If you trust in yourself enough without magic to keep moving forward -always moving forward-, then you can face anything." Maraidia nodded. Heavy snowflakes then began to fall and the sky grew darker. "Storm's coming in," Darius said.

"Then maybe I should start moving forward now," grinned Maraidia. She took off running for the house, her father's advice echoing in her mind.