Author's Note: Happy holidays to all of you! This will be the last chapter of the year, but the next chapter will have Edmund in it! Thank you to all of you who have reviewed this year, and a special thank you to my wonderful beta, Queen Su.
Maria woke up late again; she was always tired after staying up each night helping Edmund. It had been two nights since she had seen the worst of his injuries. King Miraz had left the next day to go see how the bridge as improving.
Last night Maria was able to have a real conversation with Edmund; he was still wounded and was stiff, so he didn't move too much. Maria had a discovered a few things about Edmund. He told the story of his family when they entered Narnia for the second time and talked about a rather interesting group of creatures with names like Glenstorm, Reepicheep, and Trumpkin. He still didn't mention anything about his first visit to Narnia which Maria was most interested in.
Maria yawned and rubbed her eyes, her ears picked up the sound of rain pouring down outside the walls of her home. Clumsily, Maria made her way towards her dresser where she chose a simple green and black dress. She then stumbled out of her room and into the kitchen where Hywet was sitting at the table eating what looked like very badly cooked food.
"Good morning," he crinkled his nose and thought for a second, "or afternoon, Maria. You slept very late today." He said with a smile. Hywet was just a cheerful man in general.
"Good afternoon, Uncle Hywet," Maria fulfilled his request of calling him uncle with a sleepy smile. "Thank you for cooking breakfast, or lunch."
Maria took a large bit of the food and discovered her thought was correct… the food was not well cooked. Forcing another smile on her face she smiled and took a large drink. "What are we going to do today?"
Hywet glanced out the window then back at Maria, "Well I wanted to go on a walk, but that seems like a bad idea."
Maria would have loved to go on a nice walk to take her mind of things, but that seemed unlikely with this downpour of rain. Maria loved the rain but was unsure that Hywet would allow her to go outside in this weather. "There are other things we could do inside."
Hywet thought about her comment and then his face brightened, "I have been meaning to clean out my office and maybe organize my books!" His face dropped again, "But you wouldn't want to do that."
"I would love to help you! Even if it is cleaning, I love spending time around all the books and seeing all of the artwork you have stored in that mess. But do you think when we finish organizing the library, I could take a book with me?" Maria asked eagerly.
Hywet laughed and pushed his plate away, giving up on what looked like food, and spoke, "I think that can be arranged."
Maria helped Hywet clean the table of the dishes and then simply tossed the remaining food outside and into the grass. The duo finished getting ready and within a few minutes they were standing at the door staring out at the rain.
Hywet found two cloaks and they both put one on, tossing the hood over their heads to prevent them from getting wet.
As soon as they stepped outside Maria realized it was unnaturally cold for this time of year. In fact some of the rain resembled snow.
The two scampered between streets until they reached the castle gates which were left open during the day hours. Of course they both had to be checked by guards before they could enter.
Once they reached shelter Hywet ripped off his cloak and shook it out causing water drops to fly everywhere.
"Those poor guards have to spend all day out in this storm." Maria glanced out at them sympathetically before following Hywet into the castle and towards the study.
As the pair reached the study Hywet pushed open the door. "Maria, could you close the window before we all freeze to death?"
Hywet was also very forgetful, so he often forgot to lock the window so when the winds were high it often blew open.
Maria fulfilled his request then turned to him. "Where should we start?"
"Let's start with just putting the books back on the shelves," he answered grabbing a pile of one of the tables.
Maria did the same and picked up books with titles like: The History of Telmar, Laws of Narnia, Narnian Creatures and Where They Are Found.
Hywet didn't have a very strict system, so Maria just set the books on the shelves before returning to grab another. Occasionally she would open the books that she found and read the first page, or set down one she may want to read later.
She turned back and watched at Hywet picked up scrolls and walked around placing them on tables and then he stopped and stared curiously at the window. "What is that?"
Maria's head shot up at the sound of his voice, she turned her head to see what he was staring at. Snow could be seen falling from the sky. "Is it snowing?"
Hywet nodded still confused, he made his way towards the window pulling it open and sticking his head outside. Maria followed and felt as cold snow landed on her skin. It couldn't be snowing! It was nowhere near the time of season. The wonderful rain had been frozen and now it was snowing. She glanced out at the village where people stepped out of their homes and stared at the sky, guards in the courtyards did the same. Young children didn't understand how unusual this was so they went outside and fell down in the grass playing in the snow.
Maria looked at Hywet again, "Professor Hywet? Is it snowing?"
The man laughed a little, "Of course it is snowing! Can you not feel the cold air and see the white flakes?" he joked happily.
Maria laughed at his reaction, "I can see that it is snowing, but why is it snowing?"
Hywet pondered her question and furrowed his brow as he tried to think. "I can honestly say that I have no idea why it is snowing."
"Professor, do you think we could-" Her sentence was cut short by Hywet's question.
"I thought I told you to call me uncle." He said, leaning picking up a book that sat on the floor.
"We are in the study now, so you are Professor," she corrected. "Do you think we could maybe go enjoy the snow?"
Hywet answered by handing her a cloak and putting his on as he walked towards the door, "After you, Maria."
The pair scampered down the steps and into the courtyard where snow was sticking to the hard stone. Guards attempted to remain stiff but they would constantly brush snow off the top of the helmets or shoot each other bewildered looks of confusion.
The two smiled at the guards and walked through the houses and towards Maria's home to get warmer before they trekked into the snow. Maria ran into her room and grabbed a pair of gloves and also changed into a thickest dress she could find.
"Uncle Hywet, I am going outside," she called back as she made her way to the back door.
She stepped out and into the field. She bent down and grabbed a small pile of snow. It had been so long since the village had a good snow! The last time she remembered seeing snow was when she was eight and had been stuck inside with a cold.
She felt the wet snow slid through the gloves and felt cold frost chill her fingers. At first she was surprised at the feel of snow, but it was wonderful all the same. She rolled the snow into a ball and pressed herself against the wall waiting for Hywet to step outside.
"Maria come play with me!" a small voice pleaded behind her. Maria turned to see a young girl no older than six and her black hair stuck to her face. Lilliana was Hywet's niece and loved to play with Maria.
Maria held up her hand and looked down at her, "Lilliana. do you want to help me play a trick on your uncle?"
Lilliana nodded eagerly and listened for Maria's instructions. The small girl picked up the snow like Maria had told her, the two girls waited for Hywet to step out of the house.
The man stepped out and squinted staring out at the people who were playing in the snow. He took a step forward and Maria threw the snow at him. Her aim was off but she still hit him on the back of the head.
Hywet turned around and saw Lilliana with her arm held up to toss her ball of snow. Lilliana threw the snow and it landed on his shoulder.
Hywet grabbed his shoulder and fell to his knees with "pain" and Lilliana ran up to finish him off. Maria laughed and followed the little girl over to where Hywet was gasping for breath.
Once she reached where he was laying in the snow and probably freezing she heard him say, "Oh, you got me!"
Hywet stood up and began to run away from the two girls. Maria helped Lilliana make more balls of snow as they ran after him giggling with joy. Maria and Lilliana caught up to him and threw all the snow they possibly could until Hywet ran up and lifted Lilliana into the air and spinning her around.
Lilliana was no longer giggling to herself, but bursting with laughter. Hywet was her uncle but more like a father to Lilliana. The girl's father had been one of the three soldiers killed during the attack at the river.
Maria's train of thought was broken as she felt snow hit her back. She turned to see that Hywet was standing beside Lilliana handing her snow as she threw it at Maria.
"Oh no," Maria cried as she pretended to run away. "Don't hit me!"
For a moment Lilliana hesitated until she realized Maria was still smiling so she pelted her with more snowballs.
Luckily Maria was saved by Hywet who made a suggestion to go back to Lilliana's home towards the center of the village.
Maria and Hywet each took on of Lilliana's hands and they scurried along the streets covered in snow. Maria had only been over to Hywet's house a few times. He moved in with his sister, Helanna, after her husband had died to help raise Lilliana.
As they reached the house Hywet knocked on the door before stepping in. Helanna greeted them warmly.
"Tamwyn, I wasn't expecting you for at least an hour!" Helanna laughed before hugging him and picking up her young daughter to bring her closer to the fire that was started.
Maria followed and stood next to the warm fire with Lilliana as Helanna and Hywet talked. As she warmed up her mind drifted towards Edmund once again, it was horrible that he had to remain in the dungeon instead of coming to play in the snow.
Helanna brought the two girls some warm hot chocolate, Maria took a big sip and then felt the back of her throat burn. She coughed a little bit and took a very small sip now prepared.
As the two adults talked Maria took a seat in an old chair and thought for a few minutes. Why had it been so cold today? It was around spring, and it was snowing. It had shocked everyone in the village. Had it snowed at the river too, her father, Sopespian, and King Miraz were all at the river. Could it be frozen? The wonderful, beautiful river that Maria loved so much could not be frozen!
Lilliana took a seat next to Maria. "That was fun," she cheered kicking her feet up.
Maria lost her concentration and turned to the little girl. "It was very fun! Was that the first time you have been in the snow?"
Lilliana thought for a moment. "I think so," she crinkled her nose with a confused expression plastered on her face.
Maria always thought Lilliana was adorable! She was small for her age of six, and her dark hair was wildly curly like Maria's although they were not related in any way. Maria had helped to take care of Lilliana since she was eight years old when Lilliana was first born.
Maria felt Lilliana's small hand wrap around her free hand, "Can we go play again?"
Maria nodded and they walked towards the table to ask is they could go outside again. As predicted the adults said it was alright as long as they stayed close to the house.
Lilliana jumped with excitement and ran towards the door. Maria opened the wooden door for the little girl as she followed her outside.
As soon as they were both outside Maria realized that more snow had fallen… a lot more. It was definitely colder than before too.
"What is happening?" Maria asked no one in particular.
Lilliana pressed against Maria to stay warm. "It's really cold!" she wined but it was obvious the child still had plans to play.
Despite Maria's wishes to return inside the two started walking towards the field once again. It was then that Lilliana asked a strange question. "Maria, who is that woman in the blue dress?"
Maria looked up to where Lilliana was pointing. She saw a woman with what appeared to be a long blue dress that looked like it was made from snowflakes. Her light blonde hair was swept back as wind whistled through the air. In her hand there was a wand made of ice and a group of dwarves followed behind the strange and intimidating woman.
"Are those dwarves?" Maria said to herself. She had never seen a dwarf up close before.
Maria pulled Lilliana along towards the house where she could be dropped off. As soon as she could see the front door she ordered Lilliana to inside. Reluctantly the child obeyed and Maria ran towards the castle.
What was happening? Were the Old Narnians coming back? What evil was afoot?
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