Rescue and Betrayal

Something woke her. But she wasn't really awake. She couldn't be. The last thing she remembered was Pelerine's unmistakeable violet eyes but she hadn't seen the Nymph for years. There had been a Minotaur and then darkness. None of it made sense. She tried to move but her muscles were sluggish and barely responded. After some struggling she managed to sit up and came face-to-face with solid steel bars. Panic flooded her as she recalled the events of the previous night - if it had even happened the previous night. It was near impossible to keep track of time when everything was submerged in darkness.

"You're awake." The voice didn't sound particularly pleased with the fact it stated. Zia squinted into the shadows, trying to pick out the silhouette of her companion. "Make the most of it. He'll be back in a few minutes."

"Who will?" Zia croaked. Her throat was dry as the desert and tasted like something only scavengers would dare to touch.

"The Minotaur," replied Pelerine's disembodied voice. "I wonder what's in the potion he's been giving you."

"You don't seem overly concerned."

"That's because I'm not. I'd rather you were drugged, that way I don't have to make conversation with you."

Zia leaned back against the rough stone wall. "Doesn't it get lonely?"

"I'm used to it."

"How long have you been here?"

"Too long."

"Why did they put you in a cell?"

Pelerine sighed. "Do you ever stop asking questions?"

Zia refused to be discouraged. "Tell me," she insisted.

"I was put here because I was naive and intent on getting my own way. There, are you happy?"

"Not really, no," Zia replied honestly. "You won't give me proper answers."

"What makes you think I want to give you anything at all?" the Nymph snapped. "You took something from me and gave nothing back. I'm simply returning the favour."

Zia scoffed in disbelief. "Are you still bitter about what happened with Edmund?" Even through the swirling dark, Zia felt the heat of Pelerine's glare.

"Of course I am. You were an annoying child meddling in my affairs. You still are."

"Edmund is no one's property." She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes, pulling forward an image of the King's face. A small smile was all she could manage before the reality of her situation chased it away again. "So what happened after the Solstice? Did you two see each other often?"

"He used to ride down to my part of the forest every week. We would walk for hours and talk for even longer. We spent the evenings at the beach." Zia murmured an acknowledgement - she knew about that part. "The time I spent with him was amazing. I'd never felt so strongly about a male creature before - especially not a Human."

"You sound a lot like me," Zia said amusedly. Indeed, she thought, Pelerine wasn't so different from her. It seemed that Zia just had more luck. "You still haven't told me how you ended up here."

"Do you really want to know?" she asked wearily, "Because I have no interest in telling you."

"Fine, don't."

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

Heavy footfalls cut through the strained silence - as Pelerine had promised, the Minotaur had returned. The flame from his torch caused unnerving shadows to flicker across his hairy face and made his frightening yellow eyes glint maliciously.

"Hello, my pretty."

Keys jangled noisily and the door screeched open. In the Minotaur's huge, gnarled hand was a little glass vial. Zia didn't bother to struggle; her efforts would be useless anyway. She lay back against the wall and allowed the dreamless sleep to reclaim her.

Queen Lucy stifled a yawn. The hour was far too early to be standing outside the door to her brother's chambers and she hadn't yet eaten breakfast. She had taken over the duty of guarding Edmund whilst the previous watchman - Mr Tumnus - headed down the stairs for something to eat. He had promised her he would be no longer than ten minutes but Lucy felt as though she had been waiting for an hour. For want of something to do, she knocked on the door and waited for a reply. When none came she cracked it open and peered inside. The large room was unusually tidy - the maids had already been in and done their cleaning. The grand four-poster bed draped with a royal-red bedspread was empty but the rumpled sheets and haphazard arrangement of the pillows were obvious work of a recently-surfaced (and probably grumpy) Just King. The door to the balcony was propped open. A light breeze caressed Lucy's long hair as she stepped out into the morning air.

Edmund was hunched over the parapet, staring at the golden sand far below. His jaw was set and his dark eyebrows met over his eyes in a frown that could only be described as brooding. His dark hair stuck up in odd ways and his slender body was swathed in only a white bathrobe. Moving cautiously in her soft slippers so as not to startle him, Lucy braced her hands on the stone parapet beside him and let the salty breeze tickle her face. Edmund did not acknowledge her presence - if he noticed it at all. His resolute silence worried the Valiant Queen - a lifelong grudge against Peter for imprisoning him was a dark cloud that she refused to let hang over Edmund's head.

"I know this isn't fair," she said, laying a hand hesitantly on his arm, "But we have to do as Peter says. He is High King after all and he believes he is acting in your best interests by stopping you from getting yourself killed."

The Just King made no reply. His eyes remained intently fixed on the beach as though he could whip the sand into a storm with his mind.

"Alex left for Archenland this morning." Lucy continued, watching his stony face for a crack of emotion. "She appointed Ivy in charge of the hospital during her absence." Ivy was a Dryad; she had been Alex's tutor during her early years of practising medicine and was now a good friend to all the Pevensies. "She might feel differently to Alex about keeping you up here."

Edmund's chocolate-brown eyes slid closed and a tiny shudder rippled through him. "I hate feeling so powerless." He slammed his clenched fist onto the parapet. "I should be out there looking for her, ready to kill anyone who even threatens to hurt her. But instead I'm stuck up here doing absolutely nothing." He turned his back on the ocean, disgusted with it for being so blue.

"You're not on your own, Ed," Lucy promised him. A savage emotional whirlwind finally broke through the steely resolve and his face crumpled into despair. With a soft cry Lucy flung her arms around his waist and hugged him with all her strength. "I absolutely swear to you that we'll find a way to rescue her."

"How? Peter has someone guarding my door every minute of every day. I won't be able to get far enough away from the Cair before I'm caught."

"Susan and I are working on a plan," Lucy assured him. "It should be much easier to find a way out of here without anyone noticing now that Alex isn't here."

Edmund nodded. Alex had been watching him like a hawk ever since she first drugged him. Edmund would definitely be having words with his best friend when she returned from her business trip and Zia was safe again.

"There are lots of secret entrances to the Cair. We could use one of those," he said.

"But there are servants all over the place during the day, you'd need to leave when it gets dark and the woods are so much more dangerous then." Lucy frowned slightly up at him. "I hope you don't intend to risk your life to save Zia. I know how important she is to you and I want to see her safe as well but if it comes down to a choice between you and her I'm afraid there's no contest."

"I'll do whatever it takes," Edmund replied monotonously.

The loud clip-clop of hooves on tile startled them both. Lucy put her head round the balcony door to find Tumnus back from his morning meal and loitering in the doorway.

"Oh!" the Faun exclaimed when he saw the two monarchs, "I'm terribly sorry for interrupting, Your Majesties, the door was open and..."

Edmund waved away the Faun's apologies. "That's quite alright. Lucy and I are done." This last was said with a pointed glance at his sister, who left the room after staring intently at him for a few seconds, hoping to convey how much she opposed his decision through her eyes. Edmund either didn't understand the message or disregarded it completely, for his face morphed back into an impassive mask as he watched Tumnus escort Lucy from the room.

"I do hope you weren't waiting long?" Tumnus enquired anxiously once they were out in the corridor.

Although her thoughts were distracted, Lucy managed to reassure the Faun and left him to his duties, heading in the direction of the hospital wing - there was a matter of great urgency to discuss with Ivy.

Word travelled quickly in Narnia. It was well known throughout the land that Trees loved a good gossip. If ever there was a story worth hearing, the Trees could tell it. If they heard of any goings-on that didn't fit in with the usual activities of the Narnians, they would waste no time in telling anyone and everyone. Within a few hours most of the country would be aware of what was happening.

When the Trees nearest to Cair Paravel witnessed the kidnapping of Zia and Breejit, they hurried to spread the news. Trees, Talking Beasts and forest Spirits alike hurried to and fro with great enthusiasm tinged with a deep worry that two of their fellow Narnians were in trouble and High King Peter seemed to be doing nothing to rescue them.

Davlon learned the news from a Naiad as he stopped to take a drink from the river. As soon as he heard Zia's name his tail swished and he galloped towards the Grove as fast as he could. The Dryads greeted him like an old friend. Every single one of their faces turned serious when he requested an audience with Maia, their new Empress.

Maia was the complete opposite to Nina; whereas Nina had been like a white rose, Maia's skin was tanned, her hair a rich brown and her eyes a deep shade of green. She was not as tall as her predecessor and far less dainty. There was unmistakeable authority in the tilt of her chin and the weight of her gaze.

"I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you, Milady," Davlon explained after making his bow. "It concerns Zia."

Maia inhaled sharply. "What has happened?"

"I'm afraid she was kidnapped, Milady."

Maia's brow furrowed and her slender eyebrows knit together. "Kidnapped? By whom?"

"The Trees claim they are allies of the White Witch. She was taken from Cair Paravel last night, along with her friend Breejit the Fox."

Maia's eyes narrowed. "And the Kings and Queens have done nothing in an attempt to rescue her?"

"As of yet they have failed to take action, Milady."

"Then we must take action ourselves," Maia declared. "As a member of my clan, Zia is under my protection and the fact that she was favoured by Nina makes it imperative that we retrieve her as soon as possible."

Davlon bowed again. He thought the Empress' actions a little hasty, but Maia was under a lot of pressure to keep her people strong in their grief and to live up to the example Nina had set. "Is there any way I can assist?"

Maia's dark eyes followed the contours of his muscled body. "I would request that you lead a band of warriors to wherever these allies of the Witch have taken her. Take as many soldiers and weapons as you need."

It surprised Davlon how many people were willing to risk their lives infiltrating the hideout of Zia's abductors to rescue her and Breejit. In the end he chose one hundred of the most able and experienced warriors, including a male Dryad who claimed he did not belong to the clan but was a distant cousin of Nina's and had travelled to Western Wood to pay his respects.

"I am Tigran," he announced, bowing smoothly. "I'm an experienced archer, swordsman and leader, personally appointed second-in-command by my Emperor Regnad."

Davlon raised his eyebrows. Well, Tigran was certainly sure of himself. If he was really everything he claimed to be, he would undeniably be a useful asset.

The small war band set off with a blessing from Maia and a promise to return safely with Zia. Davlon paced at the head of the formation with Seren at his side. Tigran took up the second's traditional position at his right flank. He rested one hand on the hilt of his sword and played absentmindedly with the string of his bow with the other. The rest of the soldiers followed behind, arranged into tidy ranks by Tigran. Davlon had to give him some credit; he knew how to organise an army.

After they had been walking for several hours, Davlon called the troops to a halt. The Centaur split himself off from the rest of the group, hoping to get some idea of their surroundings and the remainder of the journey ahead. Tigran followed almost silently, refusing to be left behind. Running a hand through his fair hair – cropped short to keep it out of his eyes – Tigran stood beside Davlon and followed his gaze into the trees.

"Are we close?" He sniffed the air experimentally. "We're close. I can smell those revolting beasts from here." He turned to Davlon. "So how is it that a Centaur is willing to separate himself from his brothers to rescue a Dryad?"

"It's my duty to protect all Narnians," he answered simply.

"Yes, but Centaurs are so mighty and brave, you know? I've never known them to get mixed up with creatures like us."

Davlon didn't answer. He gazed up at the patchwork arrangement of bright leaves and pale sky above them as Tigran drummed his fingers on the hilt of his sword.

"It'll be sunset before we get there if we wait any longer," the Centaur commented.

"We'll have the element of surprise," Tigran pointed out.

"We'll march to the fort and conceal ourselves before they have a chance to spot us. We'll wait for nightfall and then launch our attack," Davlon compromised.

"That sounds good. Shall I rally the troops?"

He was gone before Davlon had a chance to reply.

The next time Zia woke up, darkness had fallen. How she could tell, she wasn't sure; there were no windows in or anywhere around the cell. When she'd slept under the stars at Western Wood, she'd always noticed how still everything became after nightfall. Still, but not quiet. Everything, even the trees, waited peacefully and calmly for the night chorus to begin, then listened attentively until the night blended into dawn and the forest began to wake again. Here there was no night chorus, only a lonely kind of stillness that seeped through the walls and into Zia's bones, chilling them.

"Zia?"

She'd forgotten she had company. Groggily, she pushed herself up off the floor and leaned back against the wall. She gazed up at the black ceiling as she waited for the feeling to return to her fingers and toes.

"How long was I asleep?" she asked of her cellmate.

"A few hours," Pelerine answered.

"Did the Minotaur come back?"

There was a pause. "Yes."

"What happened?"

"He had a few… errands for me," was all she offered in reply.

"What, so you're a servant here now?"

"Yes. Well, more of a… slave," she admitted quietly.

"What? I thought you were on their side."

"Can you imagine that would matter to them?" she snapped.

Zia dragged herself a few inches towards where she thought Pelerine's voice was coming from. "Pelerine… what deal did you strike with those creatures? Tell me how you ended up here. Please."

Pelerine scoffed weakly. "I really don't think you want to know."

"I do," Zia insisted. "Maybe I can help you get out of here. Was Edmund part of the bargain?"

Zia still couldn't see her, but the Nymph was close enough now for Zia to feel her nod. "They offered me Edmund… in exchange for information."

Zia recoiled. She didn't like the dark edge that Pelerine's voice had taken on. But it was too late to go back now. "Information on what?"

Pelerine took a slow breath that echoed off the stone walls. She hesitated, deciding whether she really wanted to reveal the dark secret that would see her shunned from her kind forever. But it wasn't like Zia would tell anyone – either one or both of them was doomed to rot away in this hellhole, she knew it.

"They wanted to know how to kill Dryads."

Zia's hand flew to her mouth as she reeled back. "What?"

"I knew I shouldn't have told them but I was blind to everything except the possibility of keeping Edmund." As if that feeble explanation would soften the blow.

Zia tried to speak but choked on the words. Nina was dead because of Pelerine. How could she have thought that Edmund was worth the life of Zia's beloved sister, not to mention the entire clan?

"The first moment I saw Edmund, I felt something. Something inside me changed. I guess I became addicted to the way I felt when I was around him," Pelerine sounded close to tears. "I could barely think of anything else. I would have given anything to stay with him."

"Nina died because of you. You may as well have murdered her."

"I was tricked! Nina was always kind to me, how could I have meant to kill her?"

"It doesn't matter whether you meant it or not." Zia's voice had become a low growl. "Her death is on your conscience."

"Look at me!" Pelerine cried. "I've been locked up in a cell for years! I'm forced to work for those brutes whilst they laugh and jeer at the poor, gullible little Nymph who was naïve enough to think she could ever get what she wanted!"

"You don't deserve pity."

Suddenly, a great commotion broke out outside the door to the dungeons. They both jerked their heads up, listening. The unmistakeable scrape and clang of metal on metal drifted down the steps. She lurched to her feet, steadying herself by gripping the bars of the cell. The metal was cold against her skin but she paid it no heed.

"Edmund, in here!" she called. "I'm in here!"

The tumult outside went quiet. Then a loud jangling preceded a bang as the door was flung open. "Zia?" a bewildered voice called.

"Davlon? Is that you?"

"Thank Aslan!" Davlon trotted down the steps, holding a torch in his left hand. "Hold on, Milady, we're getting you out." As if on cue, a fair-haired boy Zia had never seen before appeared at Davlon's side. A bunch of keys dangled from his fingers.

"Zia, I presume?" he inquired politely as he searched for the correct one. "I'm Tigran. I'm a relative of Nina's. I'm sure she has mentioned me before?"

Zia shook her head. "Could we save the introductions for after we've escaped from this place?"

With a click, the door swung open and Zia threw herself unthinkingly into Davlon's arms. "I am glad to see you!" she cried, hugging his broad waist as best she could.

"And I you," the Centaur replied with a smile. "But we really must be going."

"Hold on, there's someone else!" Tigran called. He offered his hand to Pelerine. By the light of Davlon's torch, Zia could now see the full extent of the Nymph's deteriorating condition and the defensive position she had assumed in the far corner of the cell. She managed to stand with Tigran's support but barely looked fit enough to walk.

"Do you think you could give her a hand?" he asked Davlon. Zia turned away as Tigran helped Pelerine onto Davlon's back. She peered through the dungeon door in search of Edmund but was greeted only by the still bodies of the guards.

"Where's Edmund?"

"He's not here, Milady," Davlon replied, confused. "To the extent of my knowledge he remains at Cair Paravel." Zia's heart sank right down into her toes.

Footsteps stampeded somewhere nearby and Tigran drew his sword. "Right," he said a wicked glint in his eyes, "Let's get out of here."