Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.
Summary: A sorcerer challenged by Aslan. Love and friendship alike are tested by his presence. And the Gentle Queen faces her own challenge when the sorcerer's true colors are unveiled.
A/N: If you have not read the first eight stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, and Veiled), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.
Chapter Forty-Nine: Unanticipated
28 Lenisgale 1009
Markus still could not believe that he had been given permission to not only leave Cair Paravel but to accompany the Gentle on an inspection. The guard had been doubled, of course, and he knew his movements would be closely observed and no doubt reported back to the Kings. But as he rode alongside of Queen Susan, Markus still enjoyed the crisp scent of a freshly budding spring. Of not being trapped inside a prison.
Queen Susan's laugh was soft and rich as she looked over at him. "You act as though you've been inside for a year or more with no fresh air at all."
"The last time I passed through these woods, I was not a free man." At her silence, Markus cleared his throat then offered her the slightest of smiles. "Forgive me; those thoughts are too melancholy for spring. It is a time of new beginnings, do you not think so?"
A faint blush colored her porcelain cheeks prettily. "Spring brings hope. It has always been so and I pray that never changes."
Markus looked away from her and patted his mare's neck. When had his feelings for the elder Queen turned so confusing? She had grown increasingly important to him as they conversed and discussed the Great Lion's teachings and their ways of looking at faith. "Queen Susan?"
She looked at him, tendrils of her dark hair blowing around her face. "Yes, Markus?"
"I- I fear my mind has wandered. Why have you chosen this little village near Owlwood to visit?" Coward. Fool. Yes, he was all that and more. Dare he tell her that she is important to him? Such foolishness. She was a queen, chosen of Aslan, and he was nothing more than a former sorcerer. His mind easily summoned the memory of the High King threatening him should he toy with his sister's heart and the subtler threat of the Just.
"We are going to see how the village fared in the winter. It is a tradition that my sister and I will tour the villages in the spring. We hear petitions and determine whether it would be best for the petition to be heard before all Four of us. And we bring food and supplies for the villages as well."
"Why does your sister not join us? I would think that Queen Lucy particularly enjoyed being able to bring happiness to your subjects in such a way."
Queen Susan's pink lips curled into a smile. "Lucy decided that this year she would be most pleased to introduce Thalia to the villages around Glasswater."
"I am certain they will be honored."
She laughed. "Thalia and Lucy will be the surest of signs that spring has come. Though my sister is more like the bright days of summer."
"And you are the cooler spring."
Queen Susan glanced at him then looked down at her horse. "I am cold compared to Lucy, it is true."
On impulse, he reached over to rest a hand atop her slender ones. "Not cold. Merely a gentler warmth. One that warms hearts just as your sister's blazing joy warms them."
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Edmund stared at the map. "You're certain?"
The little Starling bobbed in place as she fluttered her wings. "Yes, My King! Yes, yes! They covered the lands like, like, like a thousand seeds!"
He nodded. "Thank you, Pint."
As the little Starling fluttered off to rest from her long journey, Edmund's gaze returned to the map. Four northern villages destroyed and an army of Fell assembled on the northern border. Werewolves, Succubae, Trolls, Ogres, Cyclops, Ettins, and Hags among others. All poised to sweep down on Narnia. Edmund did not look away from the map as he snapped, "Send messengers to the High King and the General. Have them meet me here within the hour."
The Bats squeaked and soared off. Edmund focused on the reported movements on the Fell army. Where would be the best place to halt them?
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30 Lenisgale 1009
Susan glanced at where Markus worked, aiding the men of the village in building a house for a pair of newlyweds. She licked her lips nervously as she turned back to the task of baking. Still her thoughts turned to the tentative wondering that she had yet to control. She rolled out the dough then glanced up to see Markus watching her or perhaps he was looking beyond her to the village children shrieking at their game of tig. Her cheeks warmed as she realized how presumptuous she was being again. Though ambitious suitors oft sang praises of her beauty, how foolish it was to think that all men saw her as beautiful. Even the one man who saw she was more than her face, who looked at her heart and her mind and saw worth.
Oh it was too much. Susan forced her attention back to the dough, pounding and kneading. Why should she dare to imagine that he sensed the shift in their friendship (dare she say bond?) that she did? Perhaps the shift was merely imagined. A figment of her imagination born out of the longing in her heart for the love shared by her brother and Thalia, by Kat and Oreius, to have a man look at her the way two of the greatest warriors of Narnia gazed at their wives, as though no one else was as precious in their eyes. Their wives were as respected as they were protected. Treasures not only for their beauty but for their wisdom and the gift of balance they brought to their husbands.
It was hardly logical. She pounded the bread harder. Truly, it was not logical at all. A shadow fell across her worktable. "The dough surrenders and begs mercy for incurring your wrath."
Susan startled. "Oh!" Her eyes rose to meet Markus' bemused gaze. "I did not see you there."
"You seemed preoccupied with unpleasant thoughts, My Queen." He looked around then bent his head toward her. "May I be of service?"
"It is naught but foolishness." She quickly turned her attention to transferring the dough to a pan.
"I see. Then might I have a moment of your time?"
She looked up and, to her horror, blushed when she met Markus' sincere gaze. "May I, that is, may I inquire as to why?"
He cleared his throat but the sincerity did not fade from his brown eyes. "There is a matter I would like to discuss with you. Before we return to Cair Paravel and your duties require your full attention once more."
Could it be? She did not know if she dared hope but Susan still gave a little nod. She looked around and then motioned to where their horses were tethered. "We may speak while grooming the mares. I do not wish to call the guards' wrath upon you by leaving their sight completely."
"You are most gracious, Queen Susan." He glanced hesitantly over his shoulder at the large Gorilla and then offered his arm.
Susan placed a hand on his sleeve. They walked to the horses. Markus handed her a currycomb. "Queen Susan, I would like to-"
He cut himself off. She wondered if he were losing his nerve. "What is it, Markus?"
"I would like-"
He cut himself off again. A strange whistling filled the air that summoned an almost forgotten memory of that Other Place, of running and hiding in a little shelter with her siblings and Mum. Screams filled the air as one of the houses collapsed beneath a huge boulder. Markus grabbed Susan, pulling her away from the horses as they reared. He rushed her toward the trees only to stumble to a halt as a large face with piggish eyes squinted down at them while hands shoved trees over. A Nymph screamed behind them and then collapsed as though her feet had been cut out from under her. Horror filled Susan as she realized an Ettin had uprooted the Dryad's Tree.
She yanked her arm out of Markus' grasp and raced to their packs. Snatching up her bow, Susan nocked an arrow then sent it flying into the throat of an Ogre before it could kill a young Satyr and his little Naiad sister. Markus joined her as she nocked another arrow, his katana in hand. The soldiers were rallying the villagers who could fight. Aslan willing, they would survive.
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"Hurry!" Markus urged the struggling mare, her chestnut neck white with lather.
Susan clung to him, wishing they had found a way to save more people. She could only pray that enough of the soldiers had survived and were able to help the villagers escape after the Ettins tossed debris into the center of the village, cutting them off. The screams of the Dryads as their Trees were torn up by the roots still echoed in her ears. The screams of terrified children calling for their parents, of parents calling for children. She hid her face against Markus' tunic as branches tore at them.
A roar came from ahead. Susan raised her head. "Bast!"
The mare squealed and then collapsed, her breathing labored. Markus was on his feet first and then helped Susan up. Bow in hand, she ran to Bast. "Where are my brothers?"
The Tigress wrinkled her broad nose as her green eyes watched Markus with a hunter's intensity. "At the army's head. I was following your sister."
"Susan!" Lucy's call brought a burst of relief and joy as she slid off her horse and raced toward her. "What happened? We thought you would be on your way to Cair Paravel. Where are the others?" Her smile faded as she looked around. "Susan? Are you hurt? Is Markus hurt? Where are your guards?"
"Dead or lost. The village was attacked by Ettins and other Fell."
Lucy gripped her hand and tugged her toward the horse. "Come on! We have to let Peter and Edmund know. Markus, hurry! I'll find horses for you both."
No more than three hours later, the army crested a hill north of Beruna. Before them lay the Fell army. Susan tugged at the cuirass and mail Kat had provided her (for of course she had gone to battle too) then she slung her quiver over her shoulder. Taking up her bow, she joined the archers. They waited only for the horns to sound.
Clear and crisp came the trumpets. Susan nocked an arrow and then she and the first two rows of archers loosed the arrows, darkening the skies above their enemies. The battle had begun.
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A/N: Please Read and Review!