I'm writing this on Saturday, August 05, 2023. I must say I got carried away trying to catch up with One Piece (my current favorite anime). I'll do my utmost so you have the updates of both stories within the days I promised.
Moonlight shined brighter than any other night they went stargazing, that's the first thing that should've warned her about something off going on.
Salazar had let up in his questions on going back and how her research was coming up. No one was allowed in her study while she tinkered away for hours on end, only Helga was allowed and that's because the woman was tenacious about meal times and proper rest. Not even Rowena in her research frenzy could overpower Helga on mother mode.
Those around them just laughed quietly while enjoying their antics. Helga commandeered the kitchens and gardens with little to no opposition, Rilian was just happy enough to do as she wished since she was the closest Rowena had to a mother figure.
Godric explored to his heart's content; alone or in company it didn't matter to him as far as he could go wherever the wind landed him. He asked around for any information on people like them, foreigners from another world.
So far, he learned that a boy and a girl had been present in Narnia´s creation.
Salazar dedicated himself to the library and geography of Narnia, Archenland… and Carlormen. He was of the mind that the bigger country might launch an attack or attempt infiltration and they had the numbers on their side.
If Narnians didn't have such a bad story with magic users, they might try and develop a magical barrier on the borders of the kingdom.
Someone had suggested they go out today for stargazing. Rowena and Rilian loved to look at the starts and they graciously invited their guests and friends today. It might be because Rowena finally had something to say to the other 3. Her research finally reached an end, she had the answer and the key back to their world. She was the only one in the known, she just achieved the portal earlier on her experiments.
They could go back. And she could see them again. Everything finally fit.
Something felt charged and otherworldly in the otherwise unassuming woods surrendering the little village, it could be felt in the air, people were awaiting and holding their breath, no one could sleep. Rumors abounded, from weird lights amidst the trees to vengeful fairies and missing people. But, just who was missing? They did a headcount and everyone was accountable. Just what was happening here? This used to be a quiet place just like any other town in Scotland.
Nothing atrocious or interesting happened here. People just lived their lives quietly, happy enough to have a roof over their head and afford shoes for their children.
Those preposterous pagan stories about faeries and vengeful ghosts had no place here. That's what the father in the church kept telling the anxious lot. He kept reassuring them that if they held enough faith nothing could go really wrong.
They were convinced that something lurked in the dark and wanted to have a go at them. None of the father's sermons and the noblemen's persuasions could convince them otherwise. They started to leave quietly. With barely anything to give away their moving out.
You see, farmers weren't as free as one could think. They could be beheaded if they were caught, but even the threat of death and imprisonment wasn't enough. They just felt it deep to their bones, they had to leave. As of yesterday.
Little by little, as the river goes to the sea and as a drop falls in a sink. The village was abandoned and wicked stories started to spread about something on those woods that hunted people. A boy was victim to the woods. An orphan boy no one seemed to remember until they found themselves established elsewhere, that just served to made them even more fearful of the place. It was cursed.
…
Designing a school that was destined to house not only kids but also to serve as a haven for an entire community if needed wasn't an easy task.
Godric wanted all suits of armor stored in the school to be able to defend it, so they had to come up with a spell that actually activated them and deactivated them so the children won't be hurt.
They, Rowena, Godric and Helga wanted their student's quarters to be placed on towers above ground, as for Salazar… he wanted to be underground. He even had an idea that Rowena found interesting and they both sat down with builders and artisans Rilian summoned for them, they spent hour in the library discussing their future school.
The program for their subjects was another thing they needed to agree on. Each of them had their strong subject in which they took the lead and decisions, they had to agree not to intervene.
They also discussed some ideas for the distant future in which they won't be alive to divide their students. Surprisingly enough depending on who you ask, it was Godric who came up with a solution they all agreed was best.
He donated his hat so they all could leave some of their essence on it. They´ll have to test it later since they hadn't even started building the school, let alone teach students.
Salazar was getting cranky since he couldn't really brew anything in Narnia. Godric and Helga could still develop most of their interests, but Salazar had it difficult.
Helga and Salazar designed the gardens of the castle, she wanted to have medicinal plants at hand and he wanted fresh and high quality products for his experimental potions and routine brews.
Godric couldn't be bothered with it. He wanted the kids to practice some physical activity, fencing and dueling could be it, they were a must for most boys on this time and age, but they also had to come up with options for the girls. Right?
Most of their conferences ended with tea and pastries, sometimes Rowena felt asleep and Helga ushered everyone out before they could wake her up.
God knows it was difficult to make her do anything. Child or no, she really won't stop willingly.
Only a fool might try to stop her from researching or reading. A really unfortunate fool at that.
…
Rilian was happy, after all of those years held prisoner of a wicked witch that wanted to rule over Narnia and had killed his mother, he finally felt happy.
Rowena filled his days with laughter and wonder, she was intelligent beyond anyone else he ever met, she solved every problem there was with that incredible wit of hers. Her friends were the closest to a family he had known. Closest to his age that is.
He loved his subjects and he respected his father's counselors and knights, those of them who still lived were family to. but he will lose them soon. As he had lost his father.
He had lost some of his soul while he was bewitched and prisoner underground, he felt incomplete before knowing Rowena and her friends. Even a little gloomy. His liking for both sun and moonlight and outdoors wasn't really a problem. It was the dark clothing that caused whispers and rumors to fly around, even so, Rilian couldn't bring himself to let go of them.
They were kind of a shield. He just felt comfortable wearing dark clothing and that's it. Even so, people had to make comments of it.
Lately he compromised. He adopted his wife´s colors, dark blue that looked almost like black. His wife, Rowena glowed under the moonlight like never before, she looked radiant in her pregnancy. They had conceived quickly and he was over the moon for his child.
His only regret in the whole affair was that his parents won't be able to meet his child. They would've been great grandparents. Maybe his father could share histories about his adventures on the sea, and his mother could share her wisdom about stars, that's something they'd never get to see.
_ Is there something on your mind, dear? – asked Rowena, holding his hand.
Ahead of them Godric and Salazar bickered about something under Helga´s slightly irritated frown.
_ I was thinking about my parents; I would've liked for them to meet our child. - he admitted.
She gave him a sad smile and kissed his check. There weren't words that she could use to comfort him, so she just acknowledged his pain and offered her quiet company.
That's something that also set her apart from everyone else.
_ Do let us know if you want some privacy- commented Godric with an impish grin
_ Hush, you- said Helga, crossing her arms and giggling.
Salazar just sighed.
_ Do not tease them. That's in poor taste. I believe they have something to share with us, at least, Rowena does- Salazar added.
They reached a clearing near the castle were the moonlight shined above their heads.
Rowena took her diadem silently and everyone stared.
She started explaining.
They really were impressed. She basically created a doorway out of nothing.
That was to be expected of the brightest witch.