"House of the White Witch"
Lucy followed Jadis. Although looking nervously around and feeling unsure, she couldn't control her curiosity. Long ago Edmund told them about the vast, icy rooms and freezing dungeons of the White Witch's castle. This place was quite the opposite. It looked like made of ice, but there was no cold inside. The first word to describe it would be cozy. And comfortable. And somehow fluffy. There was the stairs inside, indeed, leading to the second floor, and each step was covered with a wool-like fabric. Without a word, Jadis opened one door and pointed the small room that looked like a guest bedroom. Inside of it there was a big bed with the pile of soft pillows and duvets, each embroidered with white and blue flowers. A little, white table and a chair stood next to the window, so the person sitting there could read a book and gaze at the landscape at the same time. On the other side there was a white cupboard, a crystal mirror and another door.
"I will leave you alone now. Have a good night." Jadis spoke the first time since they entered the house. And before Lucy replied, she closed the door, withdrawing to the corridor. Now, when she looked around more closely, she noticed another, little night table, standing by the bed. There was something on it, under the silver cover. To her amazement, Lucy saw a plate filled with pastries, another pot with the hot tea and a cup. With a sigh of deep relief, she finally took off her shoes. She felt a pleasant shiver going through her legs when she stepped on the soft rug. Her joy was complete when she opened another door that appeared to hide the bathroom.
'It must be magic,' she thought. The bathtube was filled with the steaming water, and she smelled a wonderful aroma of flowers. White towels and a soft bathrobe lay next to it. Lucy had a spare set of clothes in her bag, but she couldn't resist trying this one on. 'What if she is bewitching me with all these wonders? It all must be coming from her,' she mused, taking her clothes off. But her body was tired and sore. And cold. The water felt like heaven and she stayed there until she felt completely relaxed and sleepy. 'The animals here seem to love her.' She repeated in her mind, to calm herself down. When she dried herself, for a moment she found it difficult to decide if she should wear the own clothes or one of the soft, night wears she found in the closet. The mirror showed her the reflection of her own, naked body and while drying, she touched her sore muscles and felt her skin hot and her heart beating fast. There was something in that room making Lucy feeling wonderful. And beautiful, like never before. Was that a spell as well? She took a deep breath and unwillingly, put her own clothes on. She couldn't be sure, after all. But why shouldn't she check? If The White... If Jadis, she corrected herself, was hiding something from her, now would be the best time to find that out. Not thinking much, she sneaked out of the bedroom and as quietly as possible, started to open the next door. The first one already made her freeze. It was Jadis' bedroom. The snow and the stars behind the window were giving enough light to see clearly. Jadis was lying in the bed, sleeping. She was half uncovered, dressed only in a light, sleeveless night robe and her naked arms seemed to be almost white. The waves of her gold-like hair spread on the pillow and never before Lucy really noticed how long they were. She stood there, watching her in amazement, her heart was bumping loud, like never before. Jadis was simply stunning. Lucy would have stayed there much longer if a sudden movement didn't startle her. The queen moved. She struggled, as if something tormented her in a nightmare. And then, Lucy almost screamed, seeing how the bed cover moved as well. Two white bunnies sticked their noses from under it and climbed higher to reach Jadis' face. One of them licked her cheek. Lucy stepped back to the corridor, thrilled and embarassed. But at the same time, she felt an overwhelming relief.
"Lucy... Lucy, wake up. It is late." The voice in her dream sounded very close and familiar. Was that Susan? Did she miss some royal audience again? Unconsciously, Lucy protested with "mhmm" and rolled to her other side. "Just a moment!"
"Just a moment was already half an hour ago." The voice was clearly amused and it definitely didn't sound like Susan.
"Come on, little queen. Breakfast is ready."
"Little queen?!" Lucy finally woke up. She jumped on the bed, realising who really was the person standing at the door.
"I never would have thought that waking you up is so difficult", Jadis giggled seeing her confused and embarassed face expression. She was gazing at her with sparkling eyes and a gentle smile. Lucy's cheeks blushed and she looked down.
"I am sorry. I didn't know how late it was."
"Just come down when you are ready", Jadis smiled again and left the room. Lucy breathed with relief.
She felt so ashamed that it took her less than a few minutes to pack her things. She came down ready for travel. Jadis awaited her in the living room.
"Come, you really should eat something before you go. And I need to talk to you."
After the night Lucy wasn't so afraid anymore, but she felt a little bit awkward. After all, she needed to get used to the thought of Jadis not as an enemy but... Lucy was not sure, how was she supposed to think about her now. An ally?
"Before you leave I need your word that you keep the existence of this place, and myself, a secret." Jadis spoke straightforwardly and her eyes seemed to read right through her. Lucy felt her face getting red again.
"I wish I could give you that promise. But how can I hide what I've been through from Susan and my brothers? I am sure if I explain them..."
"They will panic and want to come here with an army. Looking for this place in vain, for they cannot pass the gate. You would cause a chaos to Narnia and they would hunt down all the animals that come in and out of here. Is that what you want?" Jadis' voice got colder. Lucy looked down.
"But if I could bring them with me, so you can talk to them, too..."
"No!" Jadis yelled and stood up. Lucy thought she looked like the White Witch again. Her anger filled the room like an invisible fire and her eyes seemed to be glowing not with sunlight like before, but thunders, ready to hit at any time. "You don't get it, do you? They won't pass the gate. Except of these creatures here, you are the only one who broke the spell."
"But how? Why me?"
"That remains for you to find out."
"Enough! If you want me to keep a secret, I need an answer from you, first! What spell?!" Lucy was also enraged. She won't be put down by her like this. For the next minutes they were looking in one another's eyes, both standing proud, the true queens, testing, which one of them was stronger. But the younger one was blushing and her heart beat so fast that she was almost loosing her breath. Finally, Jadis relaxed. Her anger was gone.
"Only those who don't hate me can find this land. That is the spell." She said stiffly.
Lucy gasped.
"Can I visit you again?" She said that before she even thought, it just slipped out.
"If that is your wish." The queen looked surprised and something on her face softened. She was standing still, watching her with a strange expression. As if she wanted something more, to say or to ask, but it remained unspoken.
"You have my promise."
Another moment of silence had passed. Finally Jadis nodded and said so quietly that it was more like a whisper.
"Go, little queen."
Lucy ran out of the ice-house.
[A/N: A few words about Jadis' appearance. I know she has black hair in all the books. After watching the movies and charismatic Tilda Swinton playing Jadis however, I am not able to imagine her differently as wearing the face and hair of the actress. Tilda is so wonderful in this role! So I hope you will forgive me this small discrepancy. Lucy on the other hand is described according to the books, so in this story they both are blondes. ]
