A/N - Oh my goodness, hello, my readers! It's been a long time since I've written! This fic was actually written a couple months ago, encouraged by my students. Ever since I had purchased 3 candle sets from Mythologie Candles (great company!) that were Narnia and LOTR inspired, I've had my 6th graders do some creative candle writing based on what the candles smell like (they come up with a story and characters based on what they smell - not the title of the candle). They desperately wanted me to write a story, too. So, I picked my favorite candle, "Four Thrones Prophecy," but instead of basing my story on the smell, I went based on the title because I associate the title with the smell (if that makes sense).
And here is the finished product! I meant to post this during Advent, but Christmas season will do just fine. Thanks to Lady of Stormness Mountain for being my beta, as always.
I hope you enjoy! ~Fierce
Disclaimer - I do not own Narnia nor the candle company that inspired this fic.
Four Thrones Prophecy
Eermus was an old faun when it happened. He sat huddled next to the fire in the cozy cave he and his wife, a beautiful cherry dryad named Cherka, lived in for more than half a century. Together, they had four children and even more grandchildren, a variety of fauns and dryads alike. Eermus had been very blessed by Aslan indeed. Though it didn't look like Aslan had blessed the rest of Narnia recently.
Eermus pulled the blanket around his shoulders and stared into the fire. The chill permeating the rock walls was a little stronger that night. He blamed his age for his sensitivity to the low temperature, not the fact that snow covered the ground every day for half his marriage. Ever since the Tree of Protection was destroyed and Jadis, the White Witch, conquered Narnia, Eermus's beloved country had been covered in snow.
The constant snow had been a test for Eermus. There were days when he'd look out the window in months like Mayblossom or Sunbend and fight tears because a never-ending white expanse covered where lush green grass, cherry blossoms, roses, bluebonnets, and roses should have been. Some years it was difficult to get food, especially as the children got older and needed more. But Eermus, unlike other traitorous or desperate Narnians, never entered into Jadis' service. He believed Aslan would provide for him and his family, if only he remained loyal and trusted the Great Lion and Creator of the land.
"Aslan," Eermus prayed, still gazing at the fire. "Long have we suffered this endless winter." He dropped his gaze to his hands, rough from years of hard labor in order to care for his family and help his neighbors. "When will this time of trial end? Will it ever end? I cannot bear to see winter last forever."
"Eermus," called a deep voice. Startled, the faun looked up and saw a lion's face in the fire. His eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. Then he dropped out of his chair and onto the floor.
The Lion in the fire chuckled and looked upon him with kind eyes. "Fear not, my son," He purred.
"Aslan!" gasped Eermus. He opened his mouth only to shut it again for lack of words.
Aslan smiled. "My son, I have a mission for you to help bring hope to Narnia. Will you help me?"
Eermus gaped like a fish. "What can I do, Aslan? I am an old faun."
In the fire, Aslan gave a low growl. Eermus immediately lowered his eyes.
"Eermus," He called gently, and the faun glanced back up. "You already have the talents I require of you to undertake this task. Will you do it?"
Eermus paused but a moment before he replied, "Yes, Aslan. Command me. You are my King."
A pleased purr came from the fiery apparition. "You are to spread the news that I will soon return to Narnia. When I come, spring will return, and sorrows will end. When I return, I will also call two sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve to fill the four thrones at Cair Paravel, built long ago at my instruction."
Tears sprung into Eermus's eyes. "Truly, Aslan? How soon will this happen?" he asked, barely able to contain his elation.
The Great Lion looked at Eermus solemnly, curbing his excitement. "It will be longer than you wish, but have hope, Eermus, your descendants will know freedom."
Eermus nodded. "Of course, Aslan," he acknowledged.
"You will have to be brave. Many will believe the words I give you, but there will also be many who reject them or may turn you in for them. Do not fall prey to fear, for I am with you, and you are doing my Will."
Eermus bowed his head solemnly. "Yes, Aslan."
Eermus felt a warm breeze on his face and when he looked back at Aslan, he felt his fear melting away.
"Spread my word, my son." Aslan roared a great roar and disappeared.
The next day, Eermus began his mission by telling his wife, Cherka, his children, and his grandchildren. It took a little while to convince them he wasn't mad, but his earnestness ultimately persuaded them. Encouraged by their joy, he began to tell their neighbors in the forest around: horses, cats, centaurs, pigs, dogs, squirrels, and rabbits. Very few disbelieved Eermus. It bolstered many's hope in Aslan. Eermus began to travel through the rest of Lantern Waste to spread the word farther. Many communities of Narnians came to hear the prophecy of Aslan's return and the four thrones. And, after two months, so did Jadis.
It was a happy day until they came. Eermus was surrounded by his family, celebrating his seventieth birthday – singing songs and enjoying little sweet rolls – when suddenly the cave door was smashed in. Cold air whipped in, dragging snow with it. The grandchildren screamed and ran to hide behind their parents. Zarvin, a traitorous satyr and head of Jadis' secret police, stalked in followed by snarling Wolves and sneering dwarves.
Eermus stood shakily and stepped in front of his family. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked politely.
Zarvin smirked disdainfully. In a sudden blur of motion, pain erupted on the left side of Eermus's head, which was joined by a sister throb as his skull cracked against the floor. The Wolves promptly pounced. One lay heavily on his legs and one crouched with its jaws hovering threateningly over his throat. Behind him, a dwarf wrenched his arms behind his back and shackled them together.
"Father!"
"Grandpa!"
"Eermus!"
Eermus lay dazed on the floor as his family screamed for him. The remaining dwarves barred their way to him, threatening them with daggers and hard eyes.
"Eermus of Lantern Waste," Zarvin read from a scroll, "stand accused of high treason against her Imperial Majesty, Queen Jadis, for conspiracy to overthrow her lawful reign." The satyr rolled the scroll up before continuing. "You are here by arrested to be brought before her majesty for punishment suitable for your crime."
Tears began to pour from Cherka's beautiful green eyes. The grandchildren began to wail and clutch their parents. His children vainly tried to remain stoic, but their shining eyes and rapid breathing betrayed them.
"No," gasped Cherka.
Zarvin's ice-cold eyes snapped to her. "One move towards the traitor, and you will join his fate," he ordered.
The Wolves rose from their position, and Zarvin roughly pulled Eermus to his hooves. Eermus swayed, his head still ringing from the pain, but he managed to clear his vision to take in his family. Cherka longed for him. His sons yearned to die protecting him. His daughters desired to heal him. His grandchildren wanted to hug him and not let go.
But Eermus shook his head, causing his vision to swim and his balance to become unsteady. They all needn't face Jadis. They could live to spread the word and see freedom.
"I love you," he managed to say before Zarvin pushed him out his wrecked door, and the group began the trek towards Jadis' castle.
The journey took two days due to Eermus's age and the head injury. In addition, Zarvin and his posse barely fed him, clearly that believing providing him with food and water was a waste of resources. The dwarves and Wolves tormented Eermus by throwing ideas back and forth as to what his punishment would be. Zarvin, on the other hand, tried to sow doubt as to whether Aslan actually appeared to Eermus. Occasional "accidents" left Eermus with more bruises and sore spots than when they had left his house.
Eermus, however, continuously prayed to Aslan. He was deeply afraid. It appeared Aslan's warning that he may be turned in for obeying the True King and spreading His words had come true. He didn't want to face the Witch, but he wanted to do Aslan's Will.
So he prayed for courage to face whatever Jadis would do. He prayed for strength as his body declined. And he prayed for the steadfastness not to waver at the enemies' taunts.
By the time they arrived at Jadis' castle, Eermus was limping heavily and shivering constantly. It took him nearly an hour to cross the courtyard and climb the stairs as no one would aid him. His shoulders ached from being constantly behind his back, and his head, legs, and torso hurt from the repeated hits and knocks into trees and boulders. Eermus was actually relieved when they came before Jadis' throne, and he could collapse to the floor.
"Faun Eermus," came a lofty, silky, and frigid voice.
Eermus raised his eyes to meet hers. She was intimidating. Tall, pale, and stunning. He could understand, now, why many submitted to her. But for all her power and beauty, she was as hard as the ice throne she sat on. Cold and rigid. So different from the warmth of the fire in which Aslan had appeared.
"You stand accused of conspiring against me by spreading treasonous words." Jadis looked softly, almost caringly, at Eermus. He narrowed his eyes at her, suspicious.
"If you deny your words," she began gently, "then I may look upon you with leniency and let you live out the rest of your days with your family."
Eermus glared defiantly at Jadis. "And deny the true King of Narnia?" he retorted.
Jadis's face instantly darkened with fury. Eermus shook his head to emphasize his point, but inadvertently blurred his vision and swayed where he sat. He heard a distant ringing sound as he tried to settle his sight but couldn't place it. When his vision cleared, he saw Jadis stalking towards him.
"Narnia will be free of you," he said emphatically.
Jadis smiled with false pity as she stood in front of him crouched on the floor. Slowly, she lowered herself to his level. "It's a shame," she started sympathetically, "that you won't live to see it."
Eermus gasped as he felt a sharp object puncture his stomach. The breath he quickly took in left just as fast when the object left his body a moment later. Black swiftly filled his vision as he felt himself topple over and land in a warm puddle. The cold of the ice enveloped him in a freezing embrace.
Eermus closed his eyes. The sharp pain faded, and gradually he began to feel deliciously warm and comfortable. He opened his eyes cautiously to find he was lying in warm green grass with the sun shining above. Startled, Eermus scrambled to stand up and look around. He had not seen grass in a quarter century! Where was he? Belatedly, Eermus realized that his pains and sores had disappeared. He spotted a stream, bright as glass (1), close by and ran to it—faster than he had moved in years. His jaw dropped when he discovered he looked like his younger self, yet felt wiser.
Where was he?
"Well done, good and faithful servant," came a low, warm voice.
Eermus spun around and spotted the one thing he loved more than life itself. "Aslan!"
He ran to the Lion and hugged Him around the neck. Aslan chuckled and nuzzled the faun.
After a while, Eermus pulled back and asked, "Aslan, where are we?"
The Great Lion smiled. "You are in my country now, where winter cannot touch. Here is eternal freedom. Eternal love. Here, you will never worry, for nothing evil shall touch you."
Eermus beamed. "Thank you, Aslan."
Aslan nodded. "Come. Now enjoy your reward."
Eermus hugged Aslan again and was then called away by voiced he knew long ago.
Meanwhile in Narnia, Cherka turned her husband's prophecy into rhymes so others could remember them more easily—perhaps you've heard them. This is the way they went:
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again. (2)
When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done. (3)
The disguised prophecies were spread by her, her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. They all spread the news far and wide throughout all of Narnia. In order to avoid Jadis' police, they moved continuously. Friendly Narnians started lighting a single candle that could be seen from outside to let the family know they were a safe place to stay (4). Eventually, the family took to hiding out for longer periods of time in Cair Paravel itself, for it was a huge castle and one could easily get lost in it, until the day the snow began to melt.
1 – Silver Chair, chapter 2
2 – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, chapter 8
3 – Ibid
4 – Tradition started in Ireland by Irish Catholics to let Catholic priests know the house was safe for them to stay.
In case you were wondering, my students got a G-rated version of Eermus's death (again, thank you Lady for the help with that).