fiannaofnarnia-blog

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“What a great heart you have, Fianna. I like people who keep their word,” Edmund said and gave the knight a nod. He wasn’t feeling any tired so keeping watch with the lady would be good. It was a cold and lonely night and he didn’t know many of the people these days. Of course, everyone seemed to know him. “Is this your first war, knight Fianna?”

Fianna fought a smile which threatened to break her calm posture as King of the Past joined her by the fire. Shrugging softly, she nodded. “First war, yes, but not the first battle. I have fought in the Cair Paravel Massacre.” She sighed, fighting the images which threatened to overflow her. So much death, so much blood and pain... “It was worse than what the tales say.”

[fiannaofnarnia-blog]

Peter shook his head. “You have your duties, I don’t want to interrupt them.” He looked back at her steadily, but not unkindly. “I can find my way back, but thank you for your offer. King Tirian is lucky to have someone as loyal as you.”

--

“You are not interrupting me. I am done with browsing this place anyway. I have circled it three times already. My watch is at the How tonight.” She replied. “Come, it would be my pleasure to escort you securely and I am sure my king would like me to do so too.”

Flight -- Peter & anyone

[fiannaofnarnia-blog]

Fianna replied with a soft smile. “Yes, let us do just that. Are there any battle plans already in motion?” She asked.

Valor

Looking at her face, Tirian found his mind wandering to another brave woman. Another one with golden hair and blue eyes. His own mother… Cerafina, before her death at his birth, had guarded Cair while his father had been away at war. He’d heard tell from Elirius, Darnian, and Katya that the Queen had been just as fierce as many man when rightly crossed. Even with her face that scarcely ever lost its smile. 

They were together now… His mother and father. Reunited at long last. Were they watching him from Aslan’s Country? Were they cheering him on? Or were they turning from him in scorn? 

Thinking of Cerafina and Erlian made Tirian feel more sure. More brave. He had to be strong. He needed to return Narnia to the land they’d both given their lives for. 

“Then let us prepare for battle.”

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Fianna glanced at the king, with surprise on her face. “I have, but I doubt I have the skill. I am a woman after all.” She replied in a somewhat bitter tone. Men did make sure she knew her place.

A King’s Grief ¦Tirian & Open¦

Tirian beamed at her fondly. How very like his own trusted Knights she was! Brave, selfless, rational, and wise. “Tell me, Fianna. Have you ever considered what it would be like to become a Knight for Narnia?”

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“Do not worry, my king. Your secret is safe with me.” Fianna offered him a light chuckle and, as he set himself down beside her, she threw a blanket over him. It would be most inconvenient if the king would freeze to death on her watch. “I have them too, you know. Nightmares. That is how I know you suffer from them.”

Shadows Linger ¦Tirian & Open¦

Tirian froze. His blue eyes widened and he stared at her. How did she know? He’d thought no one knew of his troubles. Was he not hiding it as well as he thought? 

He did not confirm her suspicion, but neither did the King deny it. She already knew, and it would be most dishonorable to lie to the woman. He considered her offer. Tirian could remember being a very young boy, and whenever his sleep was plagued by terrifying visions, his father, the good King Erlian, was always at his side to chase them away. 

“Thank you, Fianna.” He whispered, settling himself in by her.

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Fianna listened carefully and found herself agreeing with the woman once again, nodding in approval. “I believe you are more than right, young lady. Nothing can be truly lost.”

Of Truth

[fiannaofnarnia-blog]

Fianna has joined the planning council. She was a smart woman, skilled in battle, but also quite skilled in rescuing missions and planning sieges. As King Edmund spoke, she listened carefully and observed the map, trying to find a loophole which would give them advantage. 

“Do we know where is king Tirian being held? If it is the prison, then we could break through the ventilation shaft. The bricks are weak and the bars nearly completely rotten out. We could get in and out with zero casualties, from both sides. They wouldn’t see us coming if we came from the river -- “ She slightly rose from her seat to point at a particular spot on the map “ -- here.”

“However, if he’s held somewhere else -- Then we might have problems with getting in and out unseen. Casualties might be great once we are discovered. I have heart that the woman who got a hold of Cair Paravel, reigns with terror. And witchcraft.” She hesitatingly added, eyeing king Edmund in the process. Everyone knew his history with witches -- or better said, his discomfort and hatred around them.

“I could go on a quick scout, if you’d like? I know how to move unseen though the woods and I might be able to gather more valuable information about the king’s precise location, the number of guards and the security around the castle.” Fianna offered.

Strategies | The Rescue of Cair Paravel

Looking around the improvised table in his tent, Edmund sighed heavily. He felt somehow anxious about what was coming. He had grown to become a quiet and grave man, not much of a leader as Peter was. Even Susan and Lucy were a lot better at this than him, however there was no doubt in Narnia that he had been one of the greatest strategists, still was. An intelligent King had as much competence of winning a battle than a warrior King. And he was both.

Still, his hand was trembling when he looked down at the maps in front of him, showing the Narnia he had once known, but different. He saw some lakes and rivers he was not aware of, as well as a hill close to Cair Paravel he had never seen before. How much could change in 250 years, he though. Swallowing a lump stuck in his throat, Edmund looked up at the people around the table and sighed one more time before starting to speak.

“The last time my sister and I have been here,” he smiled a little at Lucy, “King Caspian had proudly told us that he had rebuilt the castle of Cair Paravel. If the castle is the same my siblings and I have lived in, there shan’t be any problems for us to find the prisoners. However, we cannot allow ourselves to find any surprises along the way. That is the reason we are gathered here tonight. I believe if we plan our rescue tomorrow well, we will have no losses and the Last King of Narnia, in the name of Aslan, will be dining with us tomorrow night.”

It hadn’t been that hard, Ed thought.

“Before we start, does anyone have anything to add about our knowledge of the situation? Perhaps something about the locations, the castle or even the maps?”

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“Good evening, Fianna,” Edmund smiled and bowed his head a little when he spotted the soldier. He sat across from her and came a little closer to the fire so he could feel a little warmer. He shook his head and looked at the woman. “Not exactly. I woke up because of an owl and I don’t feel the need of sleeping any more. If you want, you can go rest and I’ll keep watch.”

“What kind of a knight would I be to break my word? I have promised to stay on the watch and so I shall stay on it. You are more than welcome to join me, if you do not feel like sleeping, my liege.”

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Fianna listened to the girl, trying to imagine all the other worlds. “Well, then you surely regard Narnia as your true home? Considering how you said that not many of you remember your history. That is a sad thing to happen. To lose one’s history and roots.” She said sympathetically.

Of Truth

[fiannaofnarnia-blog]

“You cannot blame yourself for being captured, my king. Neither you nor Jewel could have evaded it, not without even more sacrifices.” She tried rationalizing, something she was pretty good at lately. 

“Live to see another day. Knowing our enemies, battles would not be scarce. We may lose battles, but we cannot lose this war. Save your strength for where it matters, do not dwell on the things you cannot change. Regret will get you nowhere.”

Valor

Tirian had not expected that answer. He could only imagine the things she had seen. Had she watched one he loved die? 

“For that, my dear, you have my deepest and most heart felt thanks. There can be no saying how many lives may have been saved by your bravery. The likes of Queen Lucy herself would be proud of you.” He began. 

“I should have been there… I should have fought for my people. But I was already being held by the enemy by then. That was after Jewel and I were captured…”

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Fianna bowed her head in return. “I shall do my best to protect this country and the people in it.” She replied with a kind, but still somewhat reserved smile, on her face. “I am always at your service, my king. Yours and the service of Narnia.”

A King’s Grief ¦Tirian & Open¦

“Yes, we must all find a voice of reason in these trying times.” Tirian agreed. “And not many would have felt brave enough to call a foolish King on his selfish thoughts.”

“I do hope that your reason and logic will be of great aid to not just myself, but all of Narnia. We are lucky to have you on our side, my lady.”

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Fianna eyed him carefully, squinting her eyes for a moment, before a thought crossed her mind. “It is the nightmares, isn’t it? You have them.” It was more of a statement then a question. Sighing, Fianna offered: “There are some extra covers here. You could sleep here, if you think the company would help you send the nightmares away. It used to help me when I couldn’t sleep; company of another person.”

Shadows Linger ¦Tirian & Open¦

The King did not want to admit it, but he was very tired. He’d not slept for more than a couple of hours all week. He knew he should rest, but even the idea of sleeping filled him with fear. 

He barely bit back a yawn and tried to hide the fact. “As usual, my lady is right. But I fear sleep will not welcome me with open arms. If it will set thy mind at ease, I shall return to my tent and at the very least lay down for a while. I hope you will call for me if need arises?”

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“Yes, I am. King Tirian’s orders and I could always use some time away from the camp.” She replied. “Would you like me to escort you to the How, Your Majesty?” Fianna asked in a polite tone.

Flight -- Peter & anyone

Peter chose his words carefully, not wanting to alarm or dispirit her. In truth, he’d been trying to get his bearings – a thousand years had changed the lay of the land, and Peter was trying to get a feel for his country again, trying to regain that instinctive knowing he had once had. “Because I would prefer to know the scope of the danger, rather than be going forward blindly,” Peter said, his hand on the hilt of the sword that had been lent to him. “Are you on scouting duty, Fianna?”

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Fianna shrugged, deciding it be best not to argue with the king about sleeping. “If that pleases you, then who am I do say otherwise?” She concluded the topic.

Shaking her head, Fianna replied; “No, it is not mine first time in battle. I fought before, during the Cair Paravel Massacre.” She sighed, trying hard to push down the images which flashed before her eyes. So much cruelty...

Valor

Tirian rubbed his lips together and hesitated. “Sleep has not been a refuge for me as of late, my friend.” He replied briefly. “I’ve no desire to further deepen that fact.”

She was right, at least partly. Tirian had been to war himself. He knew the stakes. He knew that there was little honor or glory in it. It was not like the stories made it out to be, and part of him feared that this young woman was blinded by the desire to prove herself, and had no idea what she was truly walking in to. 

“Have thou ever been in a true battle before, dearest Fianna? Or is thi thy first venture with the horrors of war?”

[fiannaofnarnia-blog]

Fianna was glad to see that her words left a positive impact on Trinian, but she was slightly taken aback when he lifted his head up and she noticed tears in them. She wasn’t too sure what should she do next, but then he smiled so she figured he would live without her attempt of consolation. 

“Well, I am sure everyone would do the same, just no one had the courage to say it openly to their King. Sometimes, harsh truth is what everyone needs to hear.” She softly smiled.

A King’s Grief ¦Tirian & Open¦

The woman’s words took Tirian by surprise, and he stared at her open mouthed for a moment. He was at a loss for words. But in his heart, the man knew that she was right. There was nothing he could have done to stop this. And it would do no one any good for him to keep behaving as thus. 

Hanging his head, and allowing just a few tears to creep silently down his cheeks, the King swallowed his pride, quite literally, and lifted his gaze to hers once more. 

“Fianna, thou art a blessing for all Narnia; making this fool of a man see the truth.” He smiled.

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“Yes, there are three men on guards, but an extra pair of eyes and ears cannot hurt, can it?” She retorted, walking slowly round the site, her eyes fixed to the darkness and the woods, trying to see if there was something out of place.

Fianna briefly glanced at the king before returning her gaze to the darkness to her left. “My King, you ought to rest. A weary man cannot fight efficiently. I have battled tired once and it nearly cost me my life. You cannot help us dead and only your enemies would wish to see you that way. Do not give them the pleasure.” 

Shadows Linger ¦Tirian & Open¦

“I do believe that there are those already on guard.” The King mused. “But I suppose that more eyes cannot hurt.”

He was starting to learn more and more about those gathered, and Fianna was very like Queen Lucy, and not inclined to listen to any but their own hearts. Not that he’d ever order them about, of course. 

“I suppose that since I am already awake, I shall trade places with a sentry already posted. There are still a few hours left until the next shift, I believe.”

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“Thank you, my lady. I should be accustomed to it by now, after so long,” Parvati said and wrapped the blanket around her thin body feeling its warmth spread through her skin. “I believe I tend to think too much. Worry too much, too. It makes sleeping harder.”

Fianna agreed, quietly, merely nodding her head. “Yes, being troubled by the events cannot help one to sleep, I fear. Fret not, my lady. We are all safe here, with capable soldiers and our monarchs to keep us safe and our spirits high.”