It all turned out for the best, at least that's what Helga said and Rowena wasn't so optimistic but she made do, learned to see the cup half full or some of the silly things Helga said, as long as that made her happy. A moody Helga was something Rowena wouldn't wish on anyone, really. If you couldn't win then you just had to go with the flow.

Helga was like sunshine with everyone, even with people Rowena wanted to eviscerate, literally.

The tax collector was first on the list and the man had the sense not to appear whenever Rowena was nearby, even with the heavy taxes they led a happy and bountiful live, leaving aside having to hide their respective gifts and take even more precautions than necessary and outthink their pursuers. Witch hunters, preachers, errant knights or your average resentful neighbor (but really, no one hated Helga). If Helga was sunshine, Rowena was the moon, or the darkness lurking around the far woods leading fools to their doom.

She also made a name of her own, like the unapproachable lady that didn't want to get married and really ate up guys' hearts for breakfast. The harpy they called her in whispers. And to her face when they were motivated enough but soon regretted it. You see, she really held her grudges close. She never forgot a slight.

Life in the village was dull most of the time, there was only so much you could do on a small village without giving away your magic. And whenever it wasn't dull, it was dangerous and they wanted it to end quickly so they wouldn't be discovered or even suspected. They had seen many of their kind meet a gruesome death. Each lost hit Helga deeply.

Helga always kept out of social events and anything that might make them relevant or attract attention to themselves. They only socialized with Helga´s regulars and that was when they were at the pub.

Rowena didn't help out at the pub. Her beauty tended to stir some troubles and some of the wives of the regulars where fishing for a fight or wanted a reason to burn her. To be hated for her looks wasn't new to her but not to this degree of viciousness. These women were baying for blood.

The village was roughly a settlement of 200 hundred people and everyone knew each other, the girls made the decision to spin a tell about then being cousins. They weren't physically alike but they had certain… energy, and that gave credit to the story.

You see, they couldn't be more different from one another in appearance and preferences, but they had a bond that made people think they might be sisters.

So if they claimed to be cousins, no one bathed an eyelash about it.

Life was easy.

They should have known it wouldn't last. Right?

They, Godric, Salazar and Rowena, walked to the inn in complete silence that none of them felt the need to break. There was a sense of familiarity in the whole situation, Rowena felt like this wasn't the first time she walked with them and that was just… silly. It was her first time around them. But then again, it was the same with Helga.

And speak of the devil, she was waiting by the door with a preoccupied frown on her face that vanished as she saw then approach, she seemed to illuminate even more at the sight of them

_ Welcome back, gentlemen. It's nice to see you again after what seemed like a lifetime ago. - Helga sounded slightly sarcastic at the end but her joy at having them here was palpable.

And then she took in their overall appearance and… hell, she looked scary.

_ What happened? - she demanded in a clipped tome, her hands on her hips and a murderous shine on her usually warm blue eyes.

_ Some lowlife jumped your friend here and we happened to be nearby and acted immediately. I left him on the alley around the corner if you want to check for vital signs. - Rowena couldn't contain her surprise at the way he spoke, someone that looked like that should be more… dignified. Right?

His friend gave him an exasperated look; it was subtle but definitely there. Classy.

Helga gave a murderous look to the alley and, really, Rowena didn't want to know what her best friend had in store for the poor bloke.

She didn't have to wait that long. That night at the pub everyone and their aunt commented about the miner that was found unconscious at the alley, all beat up and how he seemed to be… uninterested in women ever since.

And also, there was an overabundance of female patrons on the pub that night. It seemed every unmarried girl and some of the married ones as well, showed up that night to take a look at Godric and Salazar. Rowena found that funny and also… felt bad for the girls. Helga just tutted disapprovingly every once in a while.

She made a lot of money but she wasn't a happy camper. Rowena could tell.

When she finally closed for the night and sighed, she seemed refreshed and… bubbly as she looked at her friends expectantly.

_ So, did you find it? - Helga asked, impatiently.

And finally Rowena caught on. You see. Helga was one of the most compassionate individuals that ever walked this earth, she wanted to make a difference and help their people, specially, their children.

Many magical children died when their parents were discovered by non-magical folk. And hiding and running wasn't doing wonders for education, knowledge and lives where getting lost on a daily basis. Rowena herself was proof of that.

You see. She was what is known as a muggleborn, since she didn't come out of a family of magic bearers. (Helga asked her to kept that quiet around Salazar) and after knowing the man and speaking to him for 5 minutes she understood. He loathed muggles with a vengeance. Not to the point of going wild on a killing spree, but that might be due to his not wanting to dirty his hands or soil his attire with filth. Leaving that aside they got along swimmingly.

You see, Rowena herself wasn't so sure of her origins. She thought she could be a half blood since her mother kept her alive all of those years and that's something that shouldn't be possible for a non-magic bearer. Her father was an unknown factor, besides the fact that he had her mom killed after they were accused of worshipping the devil…

_ We´ve been traveling around looking for a suitable place, so far… we´ve found 2.- Salazar took the lead and spread a map on the table, Helga approached and studied it with a seriousness and eagerness that roped in Rowena´s interest as well.

_ The acquisition of the land might be a problem. I'm working on it. So far I haven't reached a breakthrough with the noblemen of the area. - Godric didn't sound happy.

_ I´m not surprised. You can be to direct or withhold too much information. They're not going to give away their lands without a royal decree or some benefit. You already know that. - Salazar intervened- I can carry out negotiations, you focus on security measures and finding artisans and workers along with Helga. There's a lot to do if we want to pull this off. Each one of us should focus on their strong points.

_ Time is of essence. I do not fear for us. But our children are dying. They're getting targeted, hunted and killed. They cannot defend themselves. This needs to stop if we actually want to survive. – Helga was all in. they had discussed this before the arrival of Godric and Salazar.

Building a safe place for magical children. A sanctuary and also a school.

She certainly dreamed big and had ambitions. Rowena was sold on the idea. She could practice and dedicate herself to research all kind of magical phenomena without worrying about non magic neighbors that could burn her alive.

And if she could help other people along the way. Children at that. Then she was in.

She didn't know it but her resolve would be tested sooner rather than later.

…

One of the worst preachers of the time reached town. He was a renowned man that thrived on adoration and traded with people´s fears. A disgusting fellow that looked like a rat, with thin clear hair and balding spots, he dressed with the best fabrics as if to compensate for his unattractive looks. He was the kind of man that felt irrelevant and had to have whatever he wanted or he might just raise hell.

He stayed at the inn, and Helga was on edge, she insisted that Rowena couldn't cross paths with him. There was only a problem. Rowena felt the calling. Narnia once again was whispering at the edge of her consciousness as a distant eco.

The worst timing ever. She really didn't feel safe enough to go. She didn't want to abandon Helga but she also wanted to see Caspian again, her poor lonely friend. She really hoped his son made it back home and he had some company. Or find him alive. He had told her about the ancient Kings and Queens of Cair Paravel and their time traveling. How they had disappeared and then came back to find centuries had passed.

She really didn't fancy going back to a Narnia without Caspian, be it in past or future.

That being said, she really couldn't risk a disappearing act with this nasty preacher prowling around town and even staying at their inn. Helga was on edge and if she disappeared without previous explanation…

She needed to find the perfect moment without eavesdroppers to let her know. She could leave at any time.

…

Helga wasn't so happy about her sudden desire to travel but she didn't push it. She told her that it could take some time and gave a fickle excuse about wanting to go and search for books they could use at the school. She didn't buy into it but as it was something that will get her out of town and far away from that nasty preacher… well.

So Rowena found herself deep into the forest, at ease at familiar surroundings and awaiting her impending arrival to Narnia.

She fell asleep near an oak tree, and had the weirdest dream ever.

A warty hog that led her to a cliff by a lake.

Of all the things she could dream about, she certainly had outdone herself this time. Maybe this was some kind of a premonition. Right?

…

_ If you don't wake up I´m throwing you head first onto the lake. - it was a tired tone of voice, slightly raspier than she remembered but it was him. No doubt about it.

_ I know you missed me even if you need to mask it by bullying me. - she replied, smiling at her friend and controlling her expression, he sure looked older and… sadder.

So, no son coming back home. She really wanted to go and find him, even when all logic pointed out to his death. Only a dead person couldn't make it back. It had been years since he went missing. Caspian didn't have much of a hope of ever seeing his son again. And she felt for him. Someone that good really didn't deserve such a trial.

_ You sure took your sweet time- he replied, smiling slightly at her- I thought maybe you finally settled down, you look nice. I like the new outfit.

She frowned at him as an answer. He really knew what she thought about "settling down".

He really enjoyed teasing her and pushing her buttons just to get a reaction out of her.

_ How long has it been? - she asked.

_ It´s been 10 years but it could've been 20- he admitted. He certainly didn't look it. But he must feel old beyond his years.

_ You don´t look that old, if it's any consolation. - she said- Where are we?

_ This is the place where my wife died. Where it all started. Sometimes I come here so I can remember her, and also for some stargazing. I like to think she´s up there and somehow I feel closer whenever I happen to be under the sky. It's the closest I get to her after that day.

_ You're one of a kind and after meeting you I doubt id settle for less. - Rowena said, smiling at him. Teasing him but also… sharing her thoughts.

Caspian smiled sadly at her.

_ Aslan has willed the return of my friend, so today we shall celebrate…

_ I demand stories of your travels! - she interrupted, acting a like a little girl. She had discovered that it amused him greatly and she also got to have something like a parent figure. A positive one.

_ And in exchange, my lady. You shall regard me with tales of your faraway homeland and what you've been up to- he said.

And they launched on a conversation under the moonlight and the stars.