Chapter 9: With Thine Own Eyes
The Army of Aslan was now approaching the cliffs of Beruna. They had awoken just before dawn on the third day of traveling. The fear and uncertainty among them had risen over the journey. Many of them were beginning to worry that they had come all this way for nothing, that only empty cliffs were awaiting them. But Maraidia refused to let them lose their faith. She, at Darius's request, had dressed in a most outstanding finery that some of the other women had made for her. She wore a red off shoulder gown with jewels embroidered around the neckline. It had long sleeves that were also gemmed and a matching belt that hung loosely around her waist and trailed down the middle to the ground. A golden cape that trailed behind her a few inches on the ground was fastened around her shoulders. It gave her warmth as today was particularly colder than normal. As always her sword hung faithfully at her side.
She was so nervous she felt as if she were going to fall off her saddle. What if she embarrassed herself? Would she say the right things? Darius seemed to notice. He reached over from his unicorn and took her hand. "Do not be afraid," he said. "This is what your entire life has led up to." Maraidia smiled at her father but gazed on ahead. Just two more hills, and then they would see Aslan face to face. The wind began to whip, more snowflakes began to fall. Maraidia wondered if perhaps Jadis's spell was trying to keep them away. When they cleared the second hill, Darius called for everyone behind them to halt. Maraidia nearly shed tears at the sight before her. There, gathered at the base of a mighty cliff, was an entire army encampment. Red and gold tents were dotted everywhere, the area easily encompassing a square mile. But what else there was were beasts and creatures everywhere. There were centaurs and fauns, talking beasts and griffins. They were all at work at various activities. And they were also all wearing some form of armor. This was it; they had found Aslan's encampment. And it was very much real. Maraidia cast a glance to her right at Dulcinea, who had tears glistening down her cheeks. Then she looked around behind her. Everyone who could see the camp were staring in awe.
Darius gave the signal to move forward. Phobos sprang forward very eagerly. Then it was that as soon as they cleared the hill the snow stopped falling, there was no wind, and the temperature was certainly a few degrees warmer. Perhaps this was Aslan's magic. When the entire Army had descended, everyone in the encampment turned to look at them. But as they saw Maraidia, it shocked her when everyone she passed began to bow to her. She felt warmth rise in her cheeks. "They know you're the Queen." Darius whispered to her. "You're who they have been waiting so many years for." She knew that he was trying to help her feel more at ease but it did little to combat her worry. Darius led the way to the very base of the cliff, where the biggest tent of them all was sitting. Maraidia's eyes lit up at the sight of Oreius standing guard by the entrance. She slipped off of Phobos's back and rearranged her cape to look as regal as she could.
"I trust your journey was not too difficult?" he asked.
"Only one minor setback," Darius replied. "But we're all here and accounted for, and ready to reclaim Narnia." Oreius nodded his head a single time and turned to look at Maraidia. He bowed low and deep to her.
"Lady Queen," he said. "It is an honor for us all to have you here. We know that you and your father will lead us to glory and freedom." Darius looked at her expectedly. She drew her sword and declared in a loud voice to everyone gathered.
"We have come to meet Aslan," she said. "And to offer our services to honor him on the field of battle!" There rose a resounding cheer from the Army behind her. When silence had returned. Oreius stepped aside from the entrance of the tent and bowed again. Maraidia kneeled on the snow and bowed her head. Everyone else followed her motion. When she heard the flaps of the tent rustle she dared to look up. Then there he was. Aslan, the Great and Noble Lion, standing before her, smiling gently.
"Welcome, Maraidia Moltenore," he spoke in his deep, fatherly voice. "It is a pleasure to meet you and the rest of your family. You may rise, my child."
"Aslan," Maraidia rose and sheathed her sword. "I present to you the rest of my family, and the other noble houses of Narnian Old. We call ourselves the Army of Aslan. And we are ready to fight for this land. To restore its freedom."
"You have my deepest thanks. All of you." he replied. "You will find these tents for your accommodation. I trust that you will remain most comfortable and in utmost warmth while you are here."
"Thank you, Aslan," Maraidia replied. "We look forward to fighting for you."
"While everyone is dispersing, my child," he continued. "I would like to speak with you alone for a moment." Maraidia's eyes widened in fear. Did she do or say something wrong? She looked at Darius who nodded his head, then went away to lead Phobos and the others to their respective tents. When she looked back, Aslan was waiting for her, still gently smiling. Maraidia walked up to him and deeply curtsied.
"Have I done something wrong already, Aslan?" she asked worriedly. To her surprise, he chuckled.
"Not at all, dear one." he said. "There is someone I'd like to introduce you to." Suddenly something landed directly behind Maraidia. She turned around and was shocked to come face to face with the manticore! Yes, the very same manticore whom she had saved her cousins from two days prior.
"Hullo, luv," she said. Maraida, on instinct, whipped out her sword.
"Sheath, your sword, Maraidia," Aslan said gently. "This is Zohla. One of my lieutenants."
"I- I don't understand," she was hopelessly confused.
"Aslan sent me on a special mission to test your courage and leadership, my dear," Zohla said with a smile.
"Test?!" Maraidia said, shocked. "It was all a test?!"
"Yes, dear one," Aslan said, as gentle as ever. "All of our challenges are tests of our characters and faith. I wanted to know of your strength of courage and ability to handle problems. These are things you must have in abundance when you become Queen."
"Well, in that case," Maraidia said to Zohla. "I'm sorry I cut your wing." There was a scar where the tear had been.
"Think nothing of it, my dear." she said. "Aslan healed me quite swiftly."
"Yes, and that's another matter," Aslan then said. Maraidia raised her eyebrows. "You had an opportunity to kill Zohla but instead chose mercy. This is the mark of a true Queen of Narnia, more than either courage or wit. It is your compassion for all those who are your subjects that is the most important thing of all."
"You passed your test with flying colors, Lady Queen," Zohla said with a bow. "And speaking of flying, I must be off! Ta-ta!" She gave a mighty flap of her wings and was gone into the sky. When Maraidia looked back, Aslan was walking up to the top of the cliff. She hiked up her gown and ran to follow him.
"So does this mean I'm ready?" she asked eagerly when they had reached the top.
"Yes," said Aslan. But before Maraidia's smile became too wide- "and no."
"Oh…" she said despondent. "What more do I have to do?"
"It is not anything you have to do, but rather something you must say." Aslan replied. "Tell me the honest truth Maraidia; what do you feel about your ability to be High Queen of Narnia?" This question struck Maraidia mute. She had never been asked that question before. She was always raised with the expectation of simply being the monarch, not how she felt about it. To her surprise, as the answer came to her, her eyes flooded with tears.
"Oh, Aslan, I don't know!" she exclaimed. "There are some days where I feel like I'm ready now and could take on any challenge, but then there are others where I fear that I'm not qualified - that the Jewel chose wrong."
"I created the Jewel of Everlasting Light, Maraidia." explained Aslan. "I designed it the way I did for a reason. You must understand, my child, that the Jewel does not call the qualified. Its power qualifies the called. As do I."
"There's another matter," she continued. "However trivial it may be. I've grown up learning about the Moltenores that came before me. I've grown up with the other women in my family. I'm nowhere close to as beautiful as any of them are. How can I expect for anyone to listen to me or follow my commands if I don't have a face to match?"
"The beauty of a Queen's heart and mind vastly outweighs her outward appearance, dear one," Aslan said. "Your subjects will have faith in you as long as you have faith in yourself and I, as you have always done my child."
"But how will I know what I'm doing is right? I want to be the best High Queen I can, since Narnia will be my sole responsibility for the rest of my life." she asked.
"Maraidia, look ahead," Aslan commanded. "What do you see?" Maraidia peered her eyes through the snow. Very faintly she could make out the Eastern Sea and the lump of a structure about ten miles away.
"Cair Paravel." she said simply.
"And as you should know from your studies, what does Cair Paravel have in its throne room?"
"The Five Thrones?" she guessed. Aslan nodded.
"There is a prophecy, Maraidia," he said. "One that I made many, many years ago. When your ancestor Irevern liberated Narnia. It is the Prophecy of Adam and Eve. It says: 'When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone sits at Cair Paravel in throne, the evil time we be over and done.'"
"That doesn't really rhyme," smiled Maraidia. Aslan chuckled with her.
"It has been added to over time," he replied. "But its meaning remains the same. Maraidia, listen to me. This winter, Jadis, will only be defeated when all five thrones in Cair Paravel are filled. There are beings like you and your family, humans, who will come to Narnia from an outside world. Two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve. They will join you in liberating this country."
"I suppose extra help is always a good thing."
"That is not all, my child," Aslan continued. "They will sit in the thrones at Cair Paravel with you. You will all rule Narnia together."
"What?" Maraidia asked, shocked. "Aslan, forgive me, but you can't be serious."
"I'm afraid it is true."
"But I've trained and studied my entire life for this!" she exclaimed. "And now I'm just supposed to share my crown with people that have no idea of Narnia? How much we have suffered all these years?! This is supposed to be my destiny!"
"And it is," Aslan said. "Maraidia, I do nothing without the best intentions for Narnia. You are my Chosen One. They will rule with you, but you will hold power over them. They are your advisors who share your title, but not your authority. This is part of my plan for you."
"I can't believe this. I can't believe Father never told me!"
"Perhaps you should speak to him. His reason might be more than you think."
"That I should," Maraidia agreed. "I don't need these people, Aslan. Despite my worries I can rule on my own."
"I am afraid that there is no stopping the prophecy from coming true," said Aslan gravely. "For you see, the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve will find their way into Narnia tomorrow morning and will arrive here the day after that."
"Though it may be in vain," Maraidia said. "I'll prove that I can be Queen alone." Aslan chuckled to her surprise.
"Kneel with your sword, Maraidia," he instructed. She unsheathed her weapon and kneeled at once, planting her blade in the ground. Aslan put his paw on her right shoulder. "Maraidia Dulcinea Moltenore, Daughter of Darius and Valera Moltenore, Descendant of Irevern Moltenore and the star Sirisea: I give you this anointed blessing; to be High Queen of Narnia, Lady of Cair Paravel, Empress of the Lone Islands, and a Dame of the Most Noble Order of the Lion. This be by birth, by election, and by conquest to serve myself and Narnia for the rest of your days. Now rise as the Chosen One, my child, as you will soon meet your destiny."
Maraidia rose and then dipped into a curtsy. "Aslan, I give you my solemn vow to serve you and Narnia always." She sheathed her sword and met Aslan's smile.
"Your tent will be the one next to mine. I believe your father is already there. You may go to him."
"Thank you Aslan." she curtsied one final time and made her way back down the snowy cliff to the encampment. She felt her anger as a dull burn inside her towards her father. She did not understand why he kept the Prophecy a secret from her for so long. Within a few moments she was at her tent. She only hesitated for a moment before pulling back the flap and going inside. It was surprisingly warm. There were two hammocks for her and her father to sleep in, several rugs on the floor, chairs, and plenty of squashy pillows. It seemed to have everything they needed.
"Well?" Darius asked when she entered. "How did it go? What did Aslan say to you?" Maraidia said nothing. She took off her cape and placed it aside. Then she turned back to her father and crossed her arms.
"Why didn't you tell me? When were you going to tell me? If ever?"
"You're going to have to tell me what I apparently did not tell you."
"The Prophecy of Adam and Eve!" she exclaimed. The color drained from Darius's face and his eyes went wide.
"Well…I had always assumed…that Aslan would. When you met him, of course. I- I didn't feel it was my place is all."
"Father…" Maraidia seethed. She did not believe his story one morsel.
"I would rather not discuss this with you right now, dear," said Darius. "Come, let's eat dinner and rest-"
"No!" she suddenly yelled. "Father, all this is my destiny! At least I thought it was until now! Why didn't you tell me that I wasn't going to be ruling on my own?!"
"Watch your tone, young lady!" Darius exclaimed back. "I did not tell you because I was afraid that if I did, you would not take your studies and training as seriously as you were supposed to! I feared you becoming lazy, that you would rely on them more than yourself and your own judgment. I wanted you to take your responsibility as seriously as possible."
Maraidia turned away from him. "I can do this on my own. Without these outsiders. Did you not have faith in me, Father?" Darius' shoulders slumped.
"Of course I do, Maraidia," he said. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I have always had faith in you to be the best Queen you can be. But Aslan made the Prophecy many, many years ago. Before even Ynacia and Etheraya's time. There is nothing you can do to stop it from coming true."
"That's not to say I won't try!" she said, whirling around. "This is my kingdom, my people." Then, Darius pulled her into an embrace.
"I also can't stop you from trying to prove that," he said softly. "Just do not be reckless. Be smart. There is no turning back now. We all look to you now more than ever."
"No promises," Maraidia smirked. Darius laughed and lightly shook her shoulder.
"That's my daughter, as she usually is. Now come, we must unpack."