A/N - I've had such a good day today I just couldn't spoil it by writing an assignment... so I skived off, again...
First of all I'd like to say sorry for the story not turning out quite as I had pictured it. I'm thinking of writing a sequel now that I've written all of this one and just have the finishing touches to go. The idea was that I'd follow on chronologically from where this story ends, again moving away from the books / films and doing totally my own thing just carrying general themes through and the like, perhaps a few old faces will return? ;-) Please give me your thoughts, I don't want to say too much right now for fear of spoiling the end of this story, if you want more then send me a message and I will give you tidbits.
Still wishing I owned Narnia (or could go visit, visiting would do) and SERIOUSLY wishing I could steal Ben Barnes... still...
Chapter 12 - Prophecy
It was some time later when we had reached Telmar after having ridden at a punishing pace all day with his personal guard leaving the body of the army behind that the King called his advisors and me into the council room where a large table ran the length of the room. 10 chairs were positioned on each side and an elaborate throne like chair sat at the head of table, I hovered nervously by the door, not really understanding why I had been invited to the meeting while Harriot, part of the Kings guard, was not. The King noticed my apprehension and introduced me to the gathered advisors in a way I had never expected.
"My friends, I wish to introduce you to Lady Ariadne Astrum, The Bringer of Peace."
The silence was deafening, the only sound was my own heart beat and the steady beat of King Caspains footfall moving towards me. He took me gently by the arm and guided me towards an empty chair directly to the right of his own. I felt my face flush as the gathered advisors continued to stare at me, occasionally making comment to their neighbour under their breath.
"Excuse me Your Majesty, but, are you sure that the Lady is the foretold Bringer of Peace?" asked an elderly man timidly.
"What is it you doubt Lord Rarlow? Her age? The fact that she's a woman? Do tell us your worries My Lord." Asked Caspian who was obviously expecting such a response to his declaration.
"We simply mean, Your Majesty that the Lady Astrum is not what we would expect." Added a second Lord, a younger man at the far end of the table.
"Please, Lord Lifar, if you could remind us of the prophecy." said the King, a small smile on his face as he turned to face me. I blushed a deeper red then before and looked away quickly. This was ridiculous, how could I be part of any prophecy, least of all the Bringer of Peace!
Lord Lifar looked to his fellow lords before reciting the prophecy;
"They will come in disguise and attack from afar
Before questions of identity and words will spar
An innocent's life will be set in a trap
As the final puzzle begins to unwrap
They will arrive in sleep and by their natural charms
The Bringer of Peace will bear no flags or arms
Frail at first but strong at the end
A broken land the Bringer shall mend"
King Caspian looked around his council, "Lady Astrum, The Archer Girl, The Bringer of Peace. You asked why I was so eager to retrieve this specific prisoner when it was so clearly a trap, well this is why My Lords. She fits the prophecy, she joined the fighting in disguise, an archer attacks from a distance, her identity, her relationship to the Kings and Queens of Old was questioned and is the only reason she is still alive, and she is the innocent life set in a trap."
"But My Lord, there is any number of archers and innocent lives are being set in traps every day. What makes you so certain of this girl being part of the prophecy?" asked a third lord who sat two chairs away from me, he spat the word girl at me, his distaste obvious. I sunk into my chair, wishing the ground would swallow me up.
"They will arrive in sleep and by their natural charms, The Bringer of Peace will bear no flags or arms." Recited the King. "Lady Astrum was imprisoned at Aslan's How by the Free Telmar Movement before being poisoned by their Lord Commander Yarlet. When we rescued her she was in a deep sleep, unable to move." He looked around his councillors, "Never has there been such a clear fit to a prophecy."
"But she's only a girl!" protested the same lord.
King Caspain rounded on him, his eyes burning with passion. "The prophecy makes no mention of age, nor gender. You will keep your prejudices to yourself Lord Findlay. Do not forget the Kings and Queens of Old, even young Queen Lucy the Valiant had her place in the prophecies and in the fighting."
XXX
"Ilius my old friend." Said Harriot, smiling as he entered the soldiers training courtyard. "We got her back, Aridane I mean."
Ilius gave a small smile in response, "I'm glad, is she hurt?" he asked, his attention obviously elsewhere as he scanned the courtyard, looking at each soldier closely.
Harriot shook his head, sitting on the bench next to his old friend. "The poison is still affecting her a little but she has her balance back and her sight is near perfect again." Harriot followed Ilius' gaze to a group of four men on the far side of the courtyard. "You seem troubled Ilius."
"There are stirrings in the ranks. We must speak in private, these are not matters for the ears of common men." He whispered before standing and moving towards the castle. "Let us go visit the Lady, I'm sure she'd be glad of a familiar face." He said more loudly as Harriot followed his lead and the pair looked for a more secluded area.
XXX
"There are spies certainly, perhaps more." Said Ilius quietly as the pair walked along the castle battlements against the dark sky, "I'm certain there are Free Telmar soldiers in our midst and they plan to attack from the inside. You must be wary Harriot, get word to the King and Ariadne but deliver it yourself, don't trust anyone."
"Do you know when?" asked Harriot, pausing to look down on a group of soldiers below them.
"I overheard mere snippets of conversations, they will attack at night when the guard is lowest but I don't know any more detail. I will keep listening but you must warn the King." Answered Ilius, watching the men below as they suddenly broke away, their weapons drawn and headed into the castle. "Go, quickly Harriot. It's starting."