The glade looked different now. Perhaps, mother's death had left its' mark there. Or perhaps her death left its' mark on me and I looked at everything differently now. The green of the grass had once seemed beautiful to me. Now it seemed poisonous and unnatural. I wished the grass would turn brown, because seeing the serpent would be much easier. The water of the fountain had once seemed cool and refreshing. Now, it chilled me and made me yearn for something warm. I didn't want to stay a moment longer in this place. I had the desire to do terrible things here, to rip the flowers, cut down the trees, destroy anything that might have attracted us to this fatal spot. I did not. I searched. I went deep into forest. I looked behind every bush and tree. And I returned home, rather angry at myself for being disappointed. Had I really expected the serpent to be there still, three days later?
The next day, Drinian met me by the well at dawn.
"Good morning, fair Prince," he said.
"I doubt there is much good in it but I thank you for your kind greeting," I said, aware that I sounded like a polite marsh-wiggle.
At least, Drinian did not try to convince me that it was a good morning.
"Are you going to join your father today for the meeting with the Owl Parliament?" he asked.
"Today I am going to search for the serpent that killed my mother," I said, flatly.
Drinian frowned. "Are you sure that is wise, your highness?" he asked.
"I am sure it is right," I replied.
I had expected it to be difficult. I had not expected everything to turn against me. It seemed as if whichever way I headed, the wind followed me. Whenever I left my cape at home, it always rained. Whenever I wore it, the sun was so hot on my back that I had to take it off. Where was the land I so loved? It seemed to be treating me rather harshly. More than once I was tempted to stay at home, for I missed father and I missed the quiet joy of serving my people and having them serve me in return. Yet, when I thought of the green serpent quietly crawling out and driving its' poisonous fangs into my mother's arm, I was filled with enough anger to search in just one more place, for just one more day.
It was, I believe, the sixteenth day when I saw the snake. I did not think. I shouted and raised my sword, ready to bring it down when a thought came to me. It was brown. The snake was brown. For a moment, I contemplated killing it anyway, just for belonging to the species I now hated. But while I considered it, the snake slithered into the bushes and it was too late. And then I realized what I was about to do and hurriedly sheathed my sword. Was I really about to destroy an innocent creature out of anger?
"Forgive me, snake," I said quietly. "Forgive me, Aslan," I whispered.
The next morning, Starlight would not budge from the stable. I sent for the physician to examine my horse.
"He has severely injured his hoof, your highness." The short man scratched his chin gravely. "I can't understand how you didn't see it sooner."
Had I seen anything these past few weeks other than a vision of a green serpent that seemed to be just out of reach?
"I will do everything in my power-", I began but the man cut me off.
"Kindly, do not ride your horse to death once he is well again."
I turned to Starlight. His eyes looked at me with quiet accusation.
"Forgive me, Starlight," I whispered.
I seemed to be apologizing quite a lot lately.