I woke up with my head lying on something soft… it certainly wasn't tree bark. My eyelashes fluttered open, revealing something very strange. I was laying my head on Caspian's shoulder. Not only that, but his arm was wrapped around my waist. He wasn't awake yet, neither was anyone else, so I fell back asleep, with my head turned the opposite way.
When I awoke the next time it was to Caspian gently shaking my shoulder. My eyes popped open, to reveal his tan face. I smiled and managed an awkward, "Good morning."
"Good morning."
I found the strength to get up, with the help of his hand and muscles.
"Badger knows a place we can go to set up a base. We are heading there now."
"Oh. Would you like a horse?" I asked him, he looked confused at first. "I can call horses to us." I explained.
He nodded, "if you can."
As he went off to talk with the centaur leader and the badger about where we were headed I did my whistle. It was silent, only heard by horses, wild and tame. My wild unicorn—yes, unicorn, Blanca, was always nearby. She was beautiful, being all pure white. She wasn't bulky like the soldier's horses. She was speedy and graceful. Everyone in Narnia knew her by name. She was one of the only unicorns left.
Within minutes, just as Caspian was walking towards me, two horses came out of the dense forest, their hooves swishing the tall grass. There was Blanca, and a male coming from the opposite side of the forest. He was all black, with on white streak down his nose. I almost laughed at sight of the two of them standing together, before Caspian and I. Everyone stopped to gaze at Blanca. Even badger.
"This is my horse, Blanca. You should get to know her. She's always around when you need her."
I went around the side, swinging my foot over and mounting her. She neighed happily. I petted her mane as she kicked her head back, looking at me.
Caspian mounted his horse, still in awe of the connection between Blanca and I.
"Does she talk too?"
I smiled and sure enough…
"Well of course I talk!" She said in a Narnian accent. The prince's eyes widened. "I am a Narnian horse, aren't I?" Her voice was wistful and almost un heard. It was calming and almost like a mother's tone. Even when she raised her voice it was as smooth and controlled as a mother's.
"Yes, yes you are, Blanca. Now come on." I clicked her on.
As we were cantering along in a little procession, going towards wherever badger had in mind, she started to talk again.
"Oh my, now I recognize who you are, my dear," she addressed Caspian.
He looked down, startled. "Me?"
"Yes you. You're Prince Caspian, are you not?" she asked.
He nodded, just getting used to the fact that there was now such a thing as a talking horse. "Yes, I am."
"Sorry, she tends to be a little bit curious." I apologized.
"Oh no, no apology needed. I like talking to animals, now that it doesn't sound so…"
"Crazy?" I laughed.
"Um—yes." He laughed a little.
"Come," one of the centaurs said, "We can make it there faster, just the centaurs and you two. Then you can come back here and set up another temporary base."
Yes, finally, chances for Blanca to out run everyone here. I knew that's what she was thinking.
"Alright, you led the way." I agreed. He went into a full gallop, swerving between other centaurs, heading to the front.
"Come on!" He shouted. They obeyed.
With one look at Caspian I knew it was on… the race, that is. He galloped ahead first. But why not give him a head start. He looked back at me, grinning.
"Oh you know you want to beat him Blanca." I whispered.
"It's more of that horse I do." She laughed.
"Well then let's go get them!"
I felt her hooves dig into the ground, setting off on a high gallop. I centered myself like a true equestrian, moving with her, not just on her. In no time at all I was right beside Caspian, behind the head centaur.
Finally something came into view and we galloped at full speed into an open clearing that lead to…
Aslan's how.
It was perfect. I grinned at badger's thinking process. He was amazing.
At the final stretch we let the centaurs go ahead of us, so as not to bump into them. They reached the entrance and waited for us.
At first it was neck to neck, and then Blanca used the energy she'd reserved cantering and passed him altogether. I relished in the look on his face.
We reached the entrance. I was a few feet ahead of him.
His horse was breathless. Mine was barely affected.
"How did you do that?" he asked, the centaurs leading through the entrance.
"Blanca is simply amazing. That is how." I said simply.
We cantered into the entrance a while after the centaurs had checked it all out. When they Okayed it we went in all the way, inspecting everything. It was perfect.
"This was a brilliant idea on badger's part… and of course, yours, centaur." I nobly appreciated the both of them. He nodded in thanks.
Caspian took over from there. I'm not one for preparation for battle but put me in control of troops and strategy and you're guaranteed a win. We looked into the other rooms; until we came open another one… it was the broken stone where Aslan was 'killed'. Even I was in awe. I guess when the prince saw my reaction he knew it was okay to look overwhelmed.
"Get as many soldiers as you can. Start making the armor and weapons. I'll take care of the rest of the swords and bows. I know just where to get a wagon full."
What was he talking about? That smirk on his face told me it had something to do with stealing.
He turned, cantering out of the how. I followed him out, wondering just what he had in mind.
"Just what are you thinking, Caspian?" I narrowed my eyes at him, finally catching up and trotting by his side. He gave me a mischievous look.
"We are going to pay a late night visit to my dear uncle's troops tonight." Without a warning he started to gallop back towards the temporary camp. I rolled my eyes, clicking Blanca on. She gladly stayed right by his side.
We reached the forest, I struggled to keep my hood on my head. It kept falling off.
"Having a bit of trouble?" Caspian laughed, still galloping.
"Just a bit," I mumbled, flipping the hood off. I let my golden waves blow around me.
We passed the troop that was on their way to the how. We sped by them.
"Keep going!" Caspian shouted to the ones that seemed confused by our departure and reappearance.
We reached the camp, trotting into the circle of makeshift tents and jumping off the horses.
"Sire, we have gathered more troops. They have weapons, but how do you suppose we shall attain more?"
He looked over at me mischievously. "I know just where to get some. Where is Reeper Cheep?"