Lucy crept swiftly towards the stables as the morning sun rose, she wanted out of the castle. Once on the horse she galloped at great speed out to the woods; she enjoyed the feeling of the wind running through her hair, it reminded her of the carefree days, before the murders began.
The snow lightly dusted her hair as she continued, her silver crown staying put on her red head. She smiled as she galloped along the path in between the joyful, dancing, trees, both parties unaware of the darkness hiding in the woods.
Natavana pulled at her small plaits in a huff. Her little face twisted into a scold, her small lips pushed in an unimpressed pout while her gaze never left the floor. The little princess was struck inside Cair Paravel while the rain poured down outside. Her dolls lay scattered around her large room and many of her maids made themselves scarce at the princesses' temper. Only one female was known for calming the storm, her mother; Queen Lilanna. However, the queen was struck in another room in labour with her third child.
"Your Highness, how about we play dress-up?" A maid asked the grumpy two years old. The young girl gave her a look meaning 'are you serious'. The girl jumped ungracefully from her throne-like chair and marched to the door.
"Princess, you cannot leave this room." The princess ignored her maids and continued towards the door. But before her chubby hand could reach the doorknob, she was grabbed at the shoulders by her governess Mistress Margret, a stern woman in her late thirties; the Queen disliked leaving her children in the women's care. But Margret was a family member of the King and had an excellent reputation.
"Princess Natavana behave now, I will have no more of this foolish behaviour. Now be good or I will hit you." At that the young girl calmed down. "You know fully well why you cannot see your mother. Now sit down, why can't you be more like your sister?" Margret returned to the four year old Swanwhite in the sister's adjoining rooms. The two sisters could not be more different. Swanwhite was the quiet, well-behaved girl, who always kept her emotions under control, while her sister was known for her partial jokes and outbursts. But both of the princesses had inherited their father's stubborn nature.
The raven haired girl opened her eyes, to find herself on a black mare, the childish dream settling in the corner of her mind. She rubbed her eyes as the world slowly came back into focus; she was travelling in a snow covered forest unknown to her. She instantly tightened her hands around the blonde man in front of her. A head of them was an older woman on a black stallion, while an unseen shadow followed them from behind.
"This is the spot." The older women called to the others, as she dismounted from her horse. The blonde man in front of the raven-haired girl, by the name of Balen followed her example, before helping the sixteen year old down. The confused girl could only watch as the second part of her mother's plan was put into action.
The older women looked towards the thicker part of the forest, waiting for something to happen. Her mouth whispered soundlessly as her dark eyes gleamed a crimson red. It's time she thought with a smirk, her eyes returning to normal.
"Balen." She turned to the blonde man behind her. "There's been a charge of plans; you are of no longer of any use to me." She motioned with her eyes for him to leave. He growled, holding his ground. "I can make her Queen on my own, and you can return to Archenland." She said getting impatiently; Balen took off, leaving the two women alone, ready for the play to begin.
Lucy continued along her path until she heard shouts and pleas for help. In confusion she halted her sandy coloured horse. Through the trees the sight of three figures, two females and a wolf, unfolded in front of the young Queen's eyes.
Lucy grabbed her dragger, but heard the shuffling of hooves. Before her, the large wolf with black fur and royal blue eyes circled the dark haired females. Lucy was too busy forming a plan that she did not see the evil grin exchanged between the older woman and the large wolf.
Lucy heard the hooves again, causing her to cautiously revel. To her delight, she saw Mr. Tumnus standing in the snow as he had all those years ago, in a land at a Witch's command. In his hands was a sword he rarely used.
Together they advanced towards the strangers weapons at the ready, unaware it was a trap. In front of them the giant wolf turned its bared teeth at them, its threatening stance echoed in its endless eyes. Lucy's grip on her dragger became tighter while fear pulsed through her, her heart threatening to rip from her chest.
However, to the surprise of the monarch and the faun, the large wolf turned and left, its dark form disappearing into the shadowed forest from where it came. The queen turned her sky blue eyes back to the two females.
The taller woman looked older, mid-twenties Lucy would have guessed, with beautiful features pressed in an arrogant manner. Her straight dark brunette hair left down her waist famed her pale skin. The younger girl looked more youthful, around the same age as Edmund Lucy predicted again. Unlike the older women, the girl had black hair, with dark royal blue eyes encircled by a thick ring of green. She was not as beautiful as the older women or as tall, but she did not look as arrogant as her.
After introductions, Lucy reluctantly agreed to take them back to the castle, after the older women persisted that they were travellers without shelter. And so the faun and the three females headed back towards Cair Paravel. The young queen however did not trust two women.
"Queen Lucy the Valiant, Sir Tumnus and guests." Peter and Susan looked up from their thrones as the announcer bellowed their sister's arrival. Their youngest sister stood out in her yellow gown against the two females behind her, who were dressed in navy gowns and scarlet cloaks.
Lucy took her place beside Susan while the other two bowed low. The three Pevensies did not notice the smirk on the older women's hidden face. Peter commanded them to rise, concerned over the business in Narnia.
"Thank you your majesties for receiving us. We are without shelter and beseech your majesties to pity us." The older women convincibly lied. "Forgive me, I'm Lady Eben Ainsley and this is my daughter, Tatiana, we have travelled from Archenland back to Narnia."
"Back to Narnia?" Susan inquired.
"I family use to live here before the White Witch." Eben continued to lie, feeling the royal's defence's fall.
"Well, I believe you must be tired. Tumnus escort the ladies to the guest rooms." Eben pushed a thankful smile towards the High King, who was so easily charmed. The three Pevensies remained on their thrones; unaware they were only puppets in a bigger plan.