To Arms

Seren kept up a thundering gallop even as Cair Paravel was swallowed by thick vegetation. Zia trusted Davlon to guide the horse; her whole body felt heavy with physical and mental exhaustion as the overwhelming events of the last twenty-four hours began to catch up with her. Soon she could barely sit up and Davlon, noticing the state she was in, drew them to a halt. He helped Zia down from Seren's back and she immediately curled up into a ball on the ground, hugging her knees and fighting back the urge to burst into tears. Breejit lay down beside her in silence whilst Seren grazed and Davlon stood a little way off, keeping watch.

After they had rested for an hour without speaking, Zia stood determinedly to her feet and swung herself back astride Seren. Her growing ability to ride something so frighteningly high was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Even Breejit had almost grown accustomed to the rocking motion and the sensation of muscle flexing and rolling beneath him. He still would not ride a horse out of choice, though.

Relief flooded Zia's body when the Grove came into sight. Davlon's presence caused an eruption of mutterings amongst the Dryads as Zia slipped from Seren's back and lifted Breejit down. She immediately sought out Nina as the rest of her clan gravitated towards the newcomers, eventually finding the Empress on the training ground with her bow. Curious, Zia hung back to watch as Nina sent three successive arrows flying towards the target. Each one thudded into the centre of the yellow circle barely a finger-width apart. There seemed to have been almost no effort on Nina's part at all.

"Zia," Her name was spoken softly but Nina didn't take her eyes off of the target in front of her. "Welcome home."

She lay down her bow and Zia took this as permission to approach. The Empress welcomed her with a soft hug and Zia felt cool lips brush her forehead.

"Greetings, my Lady," Zia said formally as she stepped back. "I bring news from the Kings and Queens. They plan to ride into battle and would be honoured to have our assistance."

A troubled look flashed in Nina's eyes but it was gone in an instant. "Thank you, Zia. I have sent word to our brother and sister clans. They will set out to aid us as soon as they can." She let out a gentle sigh. "Battles are such hideous affairs. I was hoping it wouldn't come down to this."

The sadness in her voice unnerved Zia. Nina had always been so confident and sure. She took everything in her graceful, unfaltering stride. If she was worried, what hope was there?

"Do not worry, child," Nina murmured, sensing her disquiet. "I have faith in our leaders' judgement. We must always remember that Aslan watches over us. He will love and protect us - just as he always has and always will. Now, aren't you going to introduce me to your new companion?"

Davlon had been lingering under the cover of the trees. He walked humbly over when Nina beckoned him. Zia felt obliged to inform the Empress that it was because of him they had managed to make it to Cair Paravel and back in a day. She was intrigued to learn of Zia's first experience of riding a horse and insisted on getting acquainted with Seren. The horse was not shy of Nina and she wasted no time in snuffling around her in hope of finding some sort of tasty titbit. Nina laughed delightedly and pressed a kiss to Seren's velvety muzzle.

Zia stood beside Davlon and observed the scene with a faint smile on her lips. The Centaur placed his warm (and very large) hand on her shoulder.

"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked in a whisper.

She barely hesitated before nodding. The confirmation was a lie, but Davlon believed it. His large eyes were noble and gentle, and his smile sent a welcome flood of heat through her abdomen. The Centaur would have to leave soon – his duties lay with his people, particularly as war lurked on the horizon – and that knowledge made Zia sad.

"Will I ever see you again?" she asked him.

His eyes grew wide with surprise.

"I mean… well, you've been so kind to me and Bree, helping us get to Cair Paravel and back safely… I just thought…" she trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.

To her relief, his face softened. "That, I cannot say. However, I know that I do not regret having the pleasure of meeting you today. It has been an eye-opening experience."

"How so?"

He chuckled. "Never in all my life have I come across a Dryad like you. I didn't even know that beings as peaceful as Dryads could be so…" He paused for a moment, trying to find a word that fit. He had it. "Passionate."

She smiled. "You think that of me?"

"After that scene with the King, how could I not?" Her smile faded and he became apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up again."

"Don't be," she answered, a little too quickly. "It's nothing. He's nothing." She hoped she sounded convincing enough. It was becoming increasingly difficult to force the lies past her lips. If Davlon saw past her poor façade (which would have been hardly surprising), he did not press the matter further.

"In answer to your question," he said lightly, "I do hope we will meet again soon - though hopefully not within a setting as macabre as a battlefield."

The thought of a reunion with Davlon brought Zia's smile back and it remained in place until Nina approached them. She held up her skirts as she curtsied to Davlon. The Centaur bowed in his unusual way, earning a twinkling smile from Nina.

"It has been a pleasure, honourable friend," she said.

"The pleasure is all mine, my Lady," he replied, taking her hand and kissing it.

"I pray that you have a safe journey. Come, Zia, to bed with you. It's getting late and you must be exhausted."

"May I say goodbye to Davlon?" she pleaded.

"All right but don't dawdle, please." Despite her firm commands, Nina's eyes were gentle as she turned away.

Dryad and Centaur exchanged grins, and Zia performed her own curtsy for him. Davlon returned it and kissed her hand, as he had with Nina.

"Farewell, friend," Zia said softly.

"Until we meet again, Daughter of Aslan."

Little more than a week later, word that the enemy was approaching reached the Grove.

As soon as Nina announced the news, everyone leapt up to make the necessary preparations. Their high spirits surprised Zia; in a very short amount of time they would all be staring death in the face, and yet there was a bright smile on almost every one of their faces.

Perhaps they want to be joyous while they still can, she thought to herself. Then she shuddered and hurriedly dispelled the thought. She would soon face the greatest test of bravery one could face – this was no time for cowardice.

Although no one at Cair Paravel had mentioned the time and place for the battle, the trees were efficient in carrying the message: good and evil would come into vicious contact directly north of Dancing Lawn and across the Great River early the next morning. Zia briefly pitied the unfortunate creatures who had been the ones to locate the enemy base. She would prefer never to come within twenty miles of those repugnant beasts ever again.

That was the cowardly side of her talking. She would have to find a way to silence that frightened little voice in the back of her mind. She hadn't been subjected to almost five years of warrior training to take the gutless way out and remain at the Grove out of harm's way. She was a fearless Knight of the Forest and she would carry out her duties for Nina, for Aslan and for Narnia until her heart beat its last beat and her lungs drew their last breath, as the oath she had sworn demanded.

No one slept well that night. Excitement and anticipation electrified the air so that it almost hummed. The darker shadows of doubt and fear were outstripped but refused to fade. No words acknowledged them but every heart sensed the enormity of what was to come.

Early the next morning, Nina gathered her people around her. She looked down into their dependable, determined faces and felt a choking rush of pride and love.

"The time has arrived, sisters. Today we shall come face to face with the nightmare that has tormented our beloved home these past weeks. I have faith in each and every one of you. I know that you will not run, you will not cower, and you will not give up. I know that each and every one of you will fight to protect our family, our friends and our home. You shall not falter, you shall not fail. Today you will prove that your love for Aslan and for Narnia is a steadfastly flame that will never flicker or die. Come, my sisters, to arms!"

"To arms!" Zia cheered, her voice all but lost amongst various other shouts.

Before she could find her way to Nina's side, something bumped against Zia's leg. Breejit gazed up at her, his deep brown eyes full of a mixture of pride and anxiety.

"Promise me you'll be careful," he murmured as she knelt in front of him.

She smiled and fondled his ears. "Ever the worrier, Bree," she said gently. His eyes were shining in a way that suggested tears should be rolling down his face. She would be brave for his sake. "Take care of the twins. I'll be back before you know it."

The words had barely left her mouth before her arms were full of a bundle of russet fur. His tongue was rough as it affectionately slathered her face. Tears threatened to spill; Zia battled for all she was worth to hold them back.

"I love you, Zia."

"Love you too, Bree. See you soon."

The electric atmosphere surrounding the Dryads grew ever more intense as they marched. Those who had previously been plagued with trepidation now began to settle into their warrior state of mind. They looked fragile on the outside and their behaviour did nothing to contradict appearances but they were as good in battle as any knight. In fact they were even more fearless. They trusted their Empress and retained the solid belief that Aslan would always watch over them. A Dryad army was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

Distant shouts and the clanking of metal announced the battlefield before it came into sight. Along the way, Nina's clan had been joined by various other Nymph aggregations. Some were male, some female, some more plant-like than others, but all were largely unidentifiable under their armour. The clan leaders all joined Nina at the head of the procession. Any creature that witnessed the ten thousand forest Spirits all marching together would later insist that no more splendid a sight could ever be observed.

Finally, they broke through the cover of the trees and were greeted by a vast, open plain. They had emerged a little to the right of the Narnian army and Nina turned to lead them around the back of the ranks of Centaurs and Fauns, all stood rigid and awaiting command.

A large hill rose behind the cavalry; this is where the archers were positioned. Queen Susan stood amongst them, clearly in charge. She greeted Nina and the other Dryad Emperors and Empresses with a sweeping curtsy, which they each returned. There was not enough room for all of them atop the hill so Susan sent a sizeable portion of the army down to stand behind the left and right flanks. The buzz in the air was now a tangible charge that zipped back and forth like lightning. Zia had to force her feet to keep still and not hop about childishly.

The enemy was little more than a dark line across the far side of the plain. Each soldier was indistinguishable from the next. This did nothing to prevent Zia's stomach from squirming. Those monsters had demolished Dancing Lawn and their devastation had no doubt spread like poison through other areas of Narnia.

Well, Zia thought with a grim smile. That ends today.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the thrumming air. It was deep, rich, ancient and powerful although it spoke in little more than a whisper. Zia frowned and looked to the soldiers on either side of her. Neither showed any sign of having heard the voice; they merely stood silent and still with their bows at the ready.

Keep your eyes open, Daughter. They know.

If it hadn't been for the dead hush that had descended over the two armies, Zia would have demanded to know what the voice meant. Instead, she questioned it silently, inside her head.

What? What do they know?

The ghostly voice didn't reply. Zia's heart trembled.

The scrape of metal on metal carried through the silence like a thunder clap. With a shake of her head, Zia turned her attention to the front of the Narnian army. King Peter had drawn his sword and was holding it above his head. He looked truly magnificent in his gleaming armour, sat astride a stunning white unicorn. The entire battlefield seemed to hold its breath as he lowered his arm so that the deadly blade pointed straight towards the foe. Zia's hand closed around her bow.

"For Narnia!"

The battle cry washed over them like a shockwave. There was a second's pause, then Peter's unicorn plunged forward.