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temptation-narnia-chronicles · 7 years

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From Upon the Golden Thrones

Episode 7: The Voyage for the Fireflower

Heavy clouds hung low in the red skies overhead as Captain Guildmore's crew loaded the luggage aboard the Splendor Hyaline. Peter chewed his bottom lip as he watched from the courtyard, turning Eilonwy's words over and over in his mind. It's my job to educate you about what you're all getting yourselves into. She never did give him a proper answer.

Lucy was absolutely incapable of sitting still. She clutched her cordial to her chest as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, desperate to board the ship. Susan cocked a brow, watching with tired eyes, and sighed in defeat. "Lucy, calm down. Please. If you're going to get this worked up, maybe we should just call this whole thing off" she said, tone desperate but laced with a tinge of hope. How she wished they could call the whole thing off. She glanced back toward Cair Paravel longingly, wringing her hands in the folds of her sheer overskirt. A warm bath and candlelit night alone called to her. "No! We can't call of the trip!" Lucy shot a glare to the gentle. "Lucy's right, Su" Peter added. "We've already made the plans. It's too late to turn back now." Despite his words, Susan could tell that he, too, appeared tired and distraught. "Besides, this is important to Lucy and therefore it's important to all of us" Edmund replied, stepping forward. Lucy beamed, whipping around to face him as he smiled down upon her. So far, he seemed like the only one genuinely enthusiastic about this trip. For everyone else, it was just another chore they were obligated to fulfill. "Peter, when do you think the ship will be ready?" Lucy then asked, turning to her other brother. She was brimming with anticipation. The High King glanced to the Splendor Hyaline, then back at his sister, biting his lower lip. "I'll go check" he replied. Sucking in a deep breath, he jogged down the dock toward the gangplank where Eilonwy joined the ship's crew as they prepared for departure. "Hey" he muttered as he snuck up beside her. Taken aback by the sudden company, the huntress gasped and swung a punch, just missing as Peter ducked beneath her blow. "Whoa, take it easy! It's just me!" "Sorry" Eilonwy replied, though he couldn't tell if she really meant it. "Peter, I'm very busy so whatever's the matter, can we please make it quick?" "I was just wondering how much longer it'll be" he replied. When she shot him a glare, he quickly added, "For Lucy! She's getting pretty anxious." The moment he mentioned the valiant, Eilonwy's expression softened. "Shouldn't be too much longer now. We're just getting the last of the luggage aboard. You know, you lot have a horrible habit of overpacking" she said, rolling her eyes as she hoisted another trunk aboard. "You know, I'm starting to really worry about her" Peter said, almost as if he hadn't even heard the huntress. He glanced at Lucy over his shoulder, still standing there uneasily as if she was required to keep moving or else the world might collapse. "I know this is important to her but she's not handling any of this well and I don't want this to become a problem." "It won't be if you don't treat it like one" Eilonwy replied, a tinge of harshness embedded in her tone. Peter cocked an eyebrow suspiciously, as if her words were a puzzle that he was trying to comprehend. He paused a moment before huffing and speaking again. "Eilonwy, you don't understand. I've never seen Lucy like this. It scares me. I'm honestly not even sure any of this is a great idea anymore. At least not if this is how she reacts." "Peter" Eilonwy sighed, loading another trunk aboard. "This is a good idea because this is what Lucy's needs to do. Regardless of how she's reacting, you have no choice. You have to go. Lucy has to go. She's bringing all of this onto herself, and rightly so. If I was in her position, I'd be the same way." By now, the High King was pacing back and forth with a very constipated expression. "I would've at least thought she would have calmed down by now. It's the day of the trip. She shouldn't be panicking anymore-- she has nothing left to wait for!" It quickly became clear to Eilonwy that her friend was not in the most attentive mood this morning. Rubbing her eyes, she leaned against the last couple of trunks and remarked. "Peter, you're a terrible listener when you're worked up. Did you even hear a word I just said?" "I just don't understand why she's getting so worked up!" he fumed. "Hmph. In one ear and out the other" Eilonwy scoffed. Not that she was entirely surprised. It wouldn't be the first time he jumped to conclusions and attempted hasty decisions about things he didn't quite understand. As she stood there listening to him ramble on and on about his misconceptions, she began to wonder what it would take to really capture his attention and bring him back to center. After a few more moments, she finally straighened her back, pinned her arms to her side, and announced out of nowhere, "Peter, I had an affair with a sea serpent and am now carrying his tentacled child." Just as she had hoped, the High King paused midsentence, face flushed and eyes wide. "Wait, what did you just say? Y-you're what...?!" he panicked. A sly smirk graced Eilonwy's lips as she folded her arms and revelled in her success. "There we go. Now he's back" she said proudly. "Ellie, that's not funny!" he protested, whacking her lightly on the forearm. "We have a real problem on our hands here and you don't seem to care very much." "Oh, and my unborn serpent child isn't a problem?" she asked with a chuckle. The High King remained unamused. "Listen, I know you're nervous, Peter, but you're not listening to me. Not that you ever do." "Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" he shot back. "Oh, nothing. Like you said, we have a real problem on our hands here" Eilonwy replied flippantly. "I know you're worried about Lucy but I'm trying to tell you that this is only natural. Just don't worry so much and she'll be fine. The anxiety will subside on it's own, probably once we get to Kronne and get all of this cordial business sorted once and for all." Peter sighed, knowing that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't possibly think of a better plan of action. Lucy was going to react however she reacted and he had no control over that. He just had to roll with the punches and respond as best as he could. After so many months of kingship, he felt he was getting rather good at that sort of thing anyways. "Now, if you'd excuse me, Peter, I've got some work to do so if you'd kindly...you know" she then said, motioning for him to return to his siblings. Peter nodded a moment, trying his best to feel a little more at ease about the circumstance, but as he wandered back to his family, a thought snagged him backward. "Ellie, wait! Wait a second!" he called, diving toward the gangplank. "What did you mean about my not listening to you, anyways? I listen to you." Eilonwy simply waved off his question as she dragged a rather hefty trunk onto the deck. Despite her rejections, however, Peter was not about to settle on a cliffhanger. She had been acting petty for weeks and he wanted to get to the bottom of it, and soon. Without a second thought, he swung around to the other side of the trunk, helping her to push it aboard. "Come on, Ellie, answer me for Christ's sake!" "You really don't like being ignored, do you?" Eilonwy asked bitterly. "Please just tell me what you're talking about!" he pleaded. "And give up watching you beg? I don't think so" she chuckled defiantly. The magnificent narrowed his eyes. He already had enough to worry about, he didn't need to weave through Eilonwy's pesky emotional labyrinth, too. "Come on!" "Fine. You really want answers? Then I'll give them to you" she muttered, tugging the trunk the last few inches up the gangplank. The sudden acceleration caught Peter by surprise, sending him reeling a few steps backward. Eilonwy smirked, leaning over the railing of the ship's deck as she looked down upon him. "I have two words for you, Peter Pevensie: Lord Lemuel." Peter paused a moment, trying to figure out what she meant. "You mean what happened in your room? But I saved you!" "I'm not talking about that incident, Peter. I'm talking about the one you blamed me for" she replied, now refusing to so much as look at him. He cocked his head to the side, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Ellie, what do you mean? That was the only incident!" "No, Peter. It wasn't. Now go run along with your siblings, I have work to do and this conversation is starting to really sap my energy" she replied, waving him off. At first, Peter was slightly offended but he knew there was no breaking her. Eilonwy was tough; it took time and patience to get to her core, even for Peter who he felt she trusted more than anyone. Or at least he hoped. And while he was hoping for things, he also hoped that whatever she was mad at him for wasn't enough to deter her from thinking highly of him, of caring about him, of perhaps even loving him. He doubted she felt that serious toward him but still, he feared the worst regardless. He had no idea what he'd do if he discovered he was at fault for Eilonwy no longer harboring affections for him. But he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. He didn't have the time nor the energy to focus on such negativity. Peter could only handle one dilemma at a time and right now, Lucy was his top priority. He could iron out Eilonwy's troubles later. She certainly seemed to have no issue putting things off, anyways. If she could wait, then Peter could wait. By noon, the Splendor Hyaline was fully supplied and departing on it's much anticipated journey. Lucy rushed ahead, cordial in hand, nearly stumbling over her own two feet. She was already standing beside the captain when the rest of the Pevensies boarded, her free hand on the ship's wheel as if she planned to pilot the vessel herself. Excitement brimmed from her eyes and flowed through her veins, electrifying her as Cair Paravel began to fade into the distance. The further they ventured, the more productive she felt but with that satisfaction came a sense of fear, as well. As night fell across the Eastern Ocean, the valiant found herself spiraling once again into waves of panic. "Susan, can I speak with you for a moment?" Lucy asked from the hall. The gentle sighed and set her pen down, immersed in secret paperwork. "Lucy, it's late. You should be in bed" she replied from the other side of the closed door. "Well, so should you but that hasn't stopped either of us, has it?" Lucy fired back. "Listen, Susan, I need to speak with you immediately. I need someone to talk to." "Lucy" the gentle sighed, "If this is about your cordial, you have nothing to worry about. By tomorrow, we should arrive in Kronne and then everything will be all taken care of. Until then, you need to sleep. Please." Though she didn't want to give up, Lucy knew there was no shaking her sister. Susan was distant and obviously preoccupied-- with what, however, the valiant hadn't the slightest clue. The moment she felt Lucy was far enough away, Susan let her guard down and sank slowly into her nearby chair. A bejeweled finger ran across the pages of parchment sprawled across her desk and a pang of longing struck her chest hard. Lately, she had begun to feel like taffy being pulled in fifteen different directions, never getting a moment to cool down and relax. In the privacy of her bunk, however, she was granted the opportunity to indulge in her own otherwise neglected pasttimes. She needed some isolation, some time to recharge, or else she feared she would implode under the overwhelming responsibility of being both a sister and a queen. Defeated, Lucy trudged down the hall back toward her chambers. She supposed if she was to feel anxious, then she would just have to face it alone. Nobody else seemed to care very much. Suddenly, however, she got an idea. "Eilonwy?" she called softly, rapping lightly at the door. The huntress rose from her bed, eyes heavy, and swung the door open. "Eilonwy, can I speak with you for a moment?" Without hesitation, the huntress ushered the little queen inside and motioned for her to sit upon the bed. "What seems to be the trouble, your majesty?" Eilonwy asked, seating herself on the edge of the bed. "I don't know, I just...I'm kind of...scared...about tomorrow. I just need someone to talk to about it" Lucy replied. Eilonwy cocked an eyebrow, urging her to continue. With a sigh, the youngest Pevensie drew her knees up to her chest and explained. "Maybe Susan was right. Maybe this is all a huge mistake, that we should've called off the trip. What if these fireflowers don't really exist? And we've come all this way for nothing? I know the idea of not having my cordial terrifies me, but I think the thought of this entire thing being pointless scares me even more." A sigh broke past Eilonwy's lips. Apparently she was becoming the designated royal counselor, or so it seemed. "Lucy, I know you're nervous. I am, too--" "You are?" she interrupted. "Yes. I am" Eilonwy replied. "But there is nothing we can do about what will happen other than to wait and see how everything turns out. I know that sounds horrible and probably doesn't help one bit but we just have to know that whatever happens, it's all for the best." The huntress prayed she sounded convincing, but even she didn't fully believe herself. Lucy nodded slowly, thoughtfully, before breaking the streak of silence. "Eilonwy...? Can you please tell me the story again? The one about the island and the lady who guards the fireflowers?" Eilonwy chuckled lightly and crossed her legs at the foot of the bed. By now she figured it was safe to assume Lucy wasn't planning on moving and proceeded to tuck her in and tell her the tale. She listend intently, eyes wide as she pondered whether such a myth really could ever be true. She remembered the illustration Eilonwy had showed her of Iraflora, the flower's guardian, and wondered if she was as steadfast and unrelenting in reality as the story made her seem. If she even existed in the first place, that is. And even if she did, who was to say she would think of Lucy any differently than she had the many lost sailors who searched for the flower before her? They were no doubt mere skeletons on the shorelines by now, bones scorched and loot repurposed. As Lucy slept that night, Eilonwy rested her head upon the desk in her chamber, watching as the little queen's chest rose and fell softly. She had no trouble with her stealing her bed, but what she did question was what made Lucy confide in her of all people? Tiptoeing across the room, Eilonwy snuck down the hall and gently rapped on Susan's door. "Lucy, I told you, please go to bed!" she complained, exasperated, as she swung open the door. Her face shone red in the candlelight when she discovered her midnight visitor was definitely not her sister. "Well, I think you'd be pleased to know your sister finally did go to sleep. In my bed" Eilonwy whispered harshly. She didn't even wait for Susan's permission before pushing past her into the room. Upon entry, the maiden immediately noticed the large collection of papers scattered about. Curiosity seized her as she peered upon the files but before she could get a decent view, Susan swooped in and detracted her attention. "Keeping secrets, are we?" Eilonwy asked slyly. "No, I don't think you have any right to look upon official government papers, let alone waltz right into my room in the middle of the night unwarranted!" Susan scolded. "Well, you must be hiding something if you're getting this upset about it" Eilonwy smirked. Susan stammered a moment, face contorting, before crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. "Eilonwy, it's very late and I'm very busy so unless you have something important to waste my time with, I am asking you as kindly as possible to please leave" Susan spoke. She tried to keep her voice level but it was easy to detect the undertones of frustration wavering in her words. "What I want to know is what could you possibly be working on here that is far more important than your baby sister's wellbeing?" Eilonwy asked, her query like knives digging into Susan's flesh. Anger rose in the queen's throat but fizzled out before she could make any real use of it. "That is absolutely none of your business!" Susan replied. "Really? Because it sounds like a poor excuse to me" Eilonwy shot back. "Listen, what I do in my spare time is not your concern! Not that I even have any spare time these days" she retorted. "Oh, now we're getting somewhere!" Eilonwy said triumphantly. "No, we are not because this is where we stop!" Susan shouted back. "Now leave my chambers, Eilonwy, and that is a royal order." "Oh really?" Eilonwy taunted. "And what are you to do if I refuse?" "Then I will have no choice but to call for the captain and have you escorted out!" Susan commanded. "Fine then. Call Guildmore! Tell him what a nuisance I've become. Better yet, call Peter and Edmund. A true royal removal! I'm sure they'd be mighty interested in your little pet project here!" "What is your obsession with my private property? Hmm? Why can't you just obey orders? Why do you refuse to obey your queen?" Susan asked, voice rising higher and higher in volume with each level of frustration Eilonwy broke through. "I refuse to leave until I get an answer! Why are you neglecting your sister?" Eilonwy shouted back. "Because I'm tired!" Susan finally cracked. "I've hardly had a moment to myself since we began this stupid journey and I'm tired! Ever since we walked through that godforsaken wardrobe, I've been pulled every which way into wars and treaties and now I have an entire country looking to me for guidance when I can't even guide myself! All I want is a smple night alone without anyone asking anything of me! Why is that so hard to ask for?" It wasn't that Eilonwy wasn't a sympathetic creature, because she liked to believe in some way that she was. However, she found it hard to find sympathy for the gentle as she stood before her screaming in a rather un-gentle fashion. Grimacing, Eilonwy clenched her fists at her sides and sucked in a deep breath. "So you're telling me all of this is just because you're 'tired'? Oh, bullshit, Susan! We're all tired! That's no excuse!" "You have no right--!" the queen began but Eilonwy interrupted before she could finish. "You are a queen, Susan! You have a duty to your country, nonetheless your family, and you need to start acting as such! Your sister is passed out in someone else's bed because you turned her away when she needed you! You need to start thinking less about yourself and more about what is expected of you" Eilonwy lectured. It wasn't until she had finished speaking that a bitter taste formed in her mouth and she made a truly horrifying realization: in that moment, she sounded exactly like her mother. Susan's eyes brimmed with tears but she refused to cry. "I never asked for this, Eilonwy! It's not like I wandered into this country expecting a talking Lion to make me a queen!" "You act as if you're the only one responsible for Narnia, Susan" Eilonwy fired back. "But guess what? You're not! Your siblings are under just as much stress as you are and I'm sure they all wish they could have a night off to themselves just as much as you do. But you know what they're doing instead? They're signing legal documents and creating organizations and working to better this fucking country. Last I checked, you haven't done a single thing to help Narnia other than the classic group projects." "You think I don't want to help Narnia?" Susan replied. "You have no idea, Eilonwy. You have no idea how much I want to do but I can't accomplish any of it when people are constantly coming to me for help with one thing or another! Why do you think I've locked myself away tonight? I need a break from the legal matters, the everyday grind, so I can actually work on things that I want to do! If I didn't, I would have no reason to have brought all of this aboard!" Susan shouted. By now, she had given up holding back tears, letting them rush down her flushed cheeks. Her arm spanned across the table to display the books and papers scattered across it, an invitation for Eilonwy to finally take a look. "Susan, these are architecture studies. What the bloody hell are you doing studying architecture?" Eilonwy asked, confused. "All those sick and abandoned children in Galma had me thinking about all those who are orphaned or underprivileged in our own country. I've been wanting to propose an idea for an orphanage ever since we returned but between entertaining visitors and all the drama that ensued from that, I haven't had a single second to myself to even so much as think of starting this, let alone giving myself a much needed personal break. Lucy may be queen, too, but she's still a child. There is only so much that she can do and where she falls short, I have to pick up the slack. That's exhausting, Eilonwy. Not that you would understand, since all you ever think of is yourself" Susan explained, catching her breath and wiping her face dry. Exhaustion overwhelmed Eilonwy's body as she recoiled and shook her head. She couldn't stand to be near Susan for one more second. "I wish you had any idea of how wrong you are" she whispered hoarsely, fists clenched at her sides, before disappearing down the hall. Silent rage overwhelmed her as she barrelled back to her chamber. She couldn't believe Susan had the audacity to assume she was selfish. Other people were all she ever thought about. As dawn stretched across the sea, Lucy stirred awake to find herself completely alone. A surge of panic rushed through her, leaping out of bed. As she rushed to the doorway, she tripped over a lump on th eground and went tumbling forward. Whipping around, she found a familiar figure curled up on the rug like a dog. "Eilonwy, what are you doing?" "Hmm? Oh, I decided I would just let you have the bed and so I took the floor" she explained drowsily. Squinting, she turned to investigate the scene, surprised by how quickly the night seemed to pass, before nodding slowly and hoisting herself off the ground. "You go ahead and join everyone for breakfast. I'll be down...momentarily" she replied, slinking back over to her bed. Lucy giggled softly at her slurred speech and drunken gait before departing. Once she left the room, Eilonwy turned to the mirror to inspect her reflection. She wasn't sure what she expected but she certainly found nothing extraordinarily different staring back. If anything, she looked even more gaunt and frail than usual. Rather than dwell on it, she simply shrugged and slipped into the cleanest dress she could find before following in Lucy's footsteps. "Captain Guildmore feels confident we should arrive at Kronne by daybreak" Peter explained that morning. Eilonwy listened halfheartedly as he and his siblings chatted idly, taking particular interest in every comment Susan made. The huntress was still bitter from their argument the night before and the tension between them now was obvious. Lucy glanced between the two of them, unsure of what exactly had transpired between them. She hated the thought of even more drama but couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was mad at each other for one reason or the other. She did her best not to think too deeply into it. After all, she had her own troubles to focus on. She didn't want to expend any more energy on anything that detracted her attention from what she needed to do. Her cordial was of utmost importance. Everything else could stand to be ignored, at least to the best of her ability. The rest of the day proved to be rather mundane, everyone occupied with their own endeavors. Lucy spent much of the day with Edmund, the only one she feared wasn't angry with anyone, and found a pleasant distraction in his company. He understood how nervous she must have been and wanted to do everything in his power to make her feel relaxed during this waiting period, playing chess and card games with her in his chamber and telling one another wild stories. Eilonwy stood upon the deck as she scanned the horizon for any sign of Kronne. The Seven Isles were growing nearer, faint masses of land seemingly perched on the edge of the world. A shiver ran down her spine at their proximity. Whichever island Kronne was, Maldonado was certainly not very far. Of all the thoughts plaguing her mind, Peter's betrayal was still at the forefront. As if manifested from her subconscious, the High King suddenly approached to join his friend on deck. He glanced her way as he leaned upon the rail beside her, sucking in a deep breath and struggling to find the right words to say. "I heard about last night" he finally spoke. "Oh, great. Are you here to yell at me, too?" Eilonwy scoffed. "You really do only think about yourself, you know that?" Peter grimaced, offended. Eilonwy opened her mouth to speak but was quickly interrupted. "I don't exactly appreciate you barging into my sister's room in the middle of the night and telling her off like that. If you were anyone else, you'd be black and blue." "Yeah? Well--" she started but was yet again interrupted. "I do, however, appreciate you defending and looking after Lucy. I didn't exactly appreciate Susan casting her off like she did, either" he spoke. Eilonwy's gaze softened, releasing a sigh as she turned her attention back to the sea. "I only did it because I was upset. I felt like Susan just wasn't listening. I couldn't understand why Lucy would come to me of all people instead of her own sister for comfort. It bothered me, you know? But I guess it wasn't my job to invade in the first place" Eilonwy replied. "You're right. It wasn't" Peter said. "Susan came to me this morning incredibly upset about everything you said to her. I can't have you picking fights with my family, Eilonwy" Because someday I hope you'll be a part of it, he thought to himself, eyes glancing to her left hand. He didn't dare express any of this out loud. Not yet, anyways. With a groan, Eilonwy buried her face in her hands. "I hate all of these stupid rules. I liked it better when society was nothing but oppressed animals" she mumbled. "Humans are far too complicated." "All you need to do is just say you're sorry" Peter said. "But it's not that simple" Eilonwy argued. "Why not?" he replied. "Because I'm tired of being blamed for everything, Peter. I'm tired of every little thing that goes wrong being my fault. You know what? Maybe I am selfish but that's because I feel like I can never trust anyone to actually listen to me for once" Eilonwy explained. "Hey, don't you start with that again!" Peter scolded. "I listen to you, Ellie." "No, you don't" she countered. Glancing to the boy at her side, the defeat on his face convinced her now was the time for truth. She tightened her grip on the rails, leaned back, sucked in a deep breath, prepared herself for the conversation ahead. "Do you want to know why I'm mad at you?" Peter's eyes widened, leaning forward, desperate. "I'm mad at you because you blamed me for what happened at the stables." "Well, technically it was Everlast's fault, not yours" Peter corrected. "No, Pete, that's not...that's not the issue here" Eilonwy replied, rubbing her temples. "Yes, Everlast spooked Lemuel and nearly pounded him into the ground but only because she was protecting me." "Protecting you from what?" Peter asked, beginning to fear her answer. Eilonwy mustered her strength before replying. "That night...that wasn't the first time Lemuel tried to take advantage of me. It was, by far, the worst attempt, I'll give him that, but not the first. He was suspicious of me from the moment he laid eyes on me. He wanted to take advantage of me, to threaten me for information. He was infatuated with me. That day at the stables, he approached me while I was prepping Everlast. He was...discomforting and eerie. I knew right away that he wanted something from me. And then he...he gripped my waist and lifted me up onto my own horse. As if I was incapable of mounting my own mare. As if he wanted an excuse to touch me. Something tells me that's not the only thing he wanted me to mount. Everlast was only trying to keep me safe and yet when you came running in, you sided with a man you barely even knew! Do you have any idea how much that hurt, Peter?" The High King's face had grown rather pale as he listened to Eilonwy tell her story, his hands shaking at his sides. He was physically nauseated both by the things she had told him and by his inability to see through Lemuel's facade. "Ellie, I...I'm so sorry" he choked out. He attempted to take her hands in his as a sign of comfort and apology but she quickly rejected his advances. "I had no idea, I just thought..." "You didn't think, Peter. That's the thing. All you cared about was making an ally. You never stopped to question why Everlast did what she did in the first place" Eilonwy interrupted. "You're right" Peter sighed. "I should've trusted that something must have been wrong and defended you. If I had, then maybe things wouldn't have escalated the way they did, and I wouldn't have put you in danger." "It would've helped if you had defended Edmund spy idea, too" Eilonwy added. Peter sighed and rolled his eyes jokingly but it was clear there was obvious upset hidden beneath. "I seem to really be screwing up this whole king thing, aren't I?" he replied. "Oh, no, don't you try to get any pity out of me. You knew this would be difficult from the very start" Eilonwy said. She was so tired of everyone's whining. This was life now whether they liked it or not. Obviously Aslan thought they could handle things, so she didn't understand their astronomical doubt. "That doesn't make this any easier, you know" Peter retorted. "But" he then added after a beat of silence, a small smile creeping upon his face, "you know what does?" "What?" "You." "Me? What do you mean? If anything, I'm certain I just make things ten times harder" she replied, but Peter shook his head vigorously. "No, you don't. I don't know where I'd be without you, Ellie" Peter replied, placing his hand upon hers. "I know we don't always see eye to eye but...but without you, I don't think things would've been the same. You helped us get to Aslan and defeat the White Witch. You've helped us adjust to life at Cair Paravel these past few months. You've done so much more good than you give yourself credit for." "Peter, stop" Eilonwy begged, averting her eyes, but Peter gently cupped her cheek and turned her head to face him. Her heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him, the look on his face and the glimmer in his eyes. She was terrified of what he was about to say to her. Red flags and warning sirens began clouding her brain, urging her to run below deck or hide in the crow's nest or, at this point, just abandon all logic and jump ship. "Eilonwy..." he began dreamily. "Peter, please, don't" she pleaded. "No, just listen to me. Eilonwy, I--" Before he could finish, the ship jolted and Eilonwy nearly stumbled into Peter's arms. A faun in the crow's nest cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted a hearty "Land ho!" In a matter of seconds, the door leading below deck swung open and Lucy blurred past the crowd toward the ship's bow. There, stretched out before her, was the most brilliant island she had ever seen. Soft mountains dipped and curved across the landscapes, valleys and shore smothered in the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. Even from their distance, the most glorious fragrance wafted from the fields and enticed Lucy to grow ever nearer. A swell of delight radiated from inside of her as she clutched her cordial to her chest. All of Kronne was in the palm of her hand, awaiting her to step upon it's shores. "Come on, hurry up! Let's go!" Lucy shouted, tugging on her siblings' hands. She couldn't stand to wait a moment longer, not when everything she had been yearning for was just within reach. "Lucy, hold on!" Susan replied. "Just wait a second. Nobody said we had to get off just yet." Lucy shot a glare at her older sister, tightening her grip on her cordial. "But I want to go now! We shouldn't waste any time" she countered. "I think Susan might be right, Lucy" Edmund stepped forward. The valiant whipped around to face him, almost betrayed. After all that time they had spent together that day, how kind and supportive he had been. Before she could protest, Edmund continued, "Think about it, Lucy. We don't really know for sure what's on this island and if we leave now, we might not be considering the kinds of danger we could run into. Don't you think it would be better if we prepared ourselves first and then set out carefully?" Lucy chewed over his words a moment before agreeing in defeat. Despite her desperation, she knew that safety was of utmost importance. If not, then that fireflower juice may end up becoming even more necessary. "I'll head down to the armament and get us some reinforcements" Eilonwy stated. The Pevensies watched her with suspicious eyes as she rushed down into the belly of the ship, face flushed and hands shaking. Peter joined the group shortly afterward looking much the same. "What has gotten into you two?" Susan asked, equal parts curious and irritated. The look on her brother's face read sweet and hazy but a bitter aftertaste from the night before hung in the back of her throat. She wanted Peter to be happy, of course, but why did he have to be happy with her of all people? The gentle still didn't quite see the appeal. "Nothing. We were just talking" Peter replied, running a hand through his hair. Susan cocked an eyebrow, hoping for elaboration. "Did you talk to her about last night?" she inquired. Peter nodded. "And? Well, what did she say?" "Susan..." Peter sighed. "Must we talk about this now?" The gentle pursed her lips and crossed her arms, completely displeased. She wanted answers. She wanted to know that her older brother was defending her like he ought to. She was his own flesh and blood, he was automatically required to side with her instead of that crass and crude woman. Peter appeared exhausted, however, and perhaps a little defeated. His eyes darted to Lucy nearly hanging over the edge of the ship, anxious to step aboard the island, and Susan was once more reminded that there were more important things at stake. She would have to shelf the resolution of her disdain for some other time. Peter rushed below deck, nails digging into his palms, as he searched for Eilonwy. "What is taking you so long? Lucy's getting restless" he called to her from across the way. She looked up at him, bow in hand, and blinked dumbly a few times. "I'm sorry, did you want to step onto a death island with inferior supplies? Inspection takes time, Peter" she explained, plucking the bow's string to test it's strength. "Well, while I'm down here, we need to talk" he replied. He came nearer, then rested a hand upon the bow, lowering it from her focus. She furrowed her brows as she rose her gaze up to meet his, a surge of panic rushing through her veins. "Peter, we have nothing to talk about" she croaked. "Yes, we do. I never finished saying what I needed to say up on deck" he explained. "Peter, please, you've said enough" Eilonwy begged. She turned to walk away from him but he snatched her forearm and forced her attention on him. There was a certain wildness in his eyes that terrified her, but it was not of malicious origin. Instead, it was something fond and affectionate, something dreamy and disgusting. Her stomach flipped. "I'm still not finished" he murmured. "Ellie, there are some things I need you to know. Important things. And if being king has taught me one thing, it's how to decide what's most important." Oh shit, oh shit, please don't do this, Eilonwy thought frantically. She felt her entire body begin to quake as Peter rose a hand up to carress her cheek. Everything felt hot and cold all at once and suddenly Peter's face appeared grossly unfamiliar to her. She was staring at a stranger whose mere presence made her feel like she was going to hurl. She needed a distraction, a detour, an interruption. She needed an escape. "Eilonwy, ever since we came to Narnia, you've been there" Peter began. "You haven't always been pleasant company, but you've been worthwhile company and I can't imagine my life now without you. I want your company always. You mean so much to me, Ellie. You're worth so much more than you know, and...and..." Eilonwy's eyes widened, her heart racing and palms growing clammy. "Eilonwy, I--" "Pete, you better come quick!" a voice suddenly called from the top of the stairs. The pair turned to find Edmund looking rather distraught, an urgency in his tone spelling trouble. "What's the matter, Ed?" Peter asked, secretly frustrated. It seemed as though every attempt he made to express his feelings was always interrupted in one way or another. Was it really that hard to get some quality alone time with a girl? Edmund chewed his bottom lip and wrung his hands together nervously. He had no idea how he was going to admit this, but he figured being straightforward was the best possible tactic. "I swear, we only looked away for a second but, well...Lucy's gone." In a matter of seconds, all thoughts of love and confessions completely disappeared from Peter's brain. His blurred frame raced up the stairs ater his brother, panic-stricken. Bow still in hand, Eilonwy rushed after him. Lucy may have been a brave child but Kronne was no place for venturing alone whether there was really a fiery guardian woman there or not. Susan was practically in hysterics, scanning the horizon for any sign of their baby sister. There was no way she could've gone very far so quickly and yet there was no sign of her anywhere. "Are you sure she left for Kronne? Have you checked everywhere on the ship?" Peter asked frantically. "Well, we haven't checked everywhere but come on, Pete. Let's be realistic" Edmund replied. "There's only so many places she could've gone" Susan commented, pacing back and forth. "Yeah, like on that island" Eilonwy interrupted from behind. The gentle groaned and tossed her head back. "Don't you start" she warned. "I think Eilonwy might be right" Edmund added. All eyes turned to him. "I mean, think about it: that island is the only place Lucy really wanted to go. She's been thinking about it non-stop for days. We were taking too long so she took matters into her own hands and went out there by herself. It's the most realistic scenario." Peter's face turned stark white as he slowly approached the railing, gripping the wood tightly. "Then there's only one thing left to do now. We have to go after her." Wasting no time, Peter hopped aboard the last lifeboat, ushering his siblings to follow suit, and began rowing toward Kronne. Eilonwy watched from the side of the ship, shaking her head and sighing. "Peter, you're being hasty! Just because Lucy is gone doesn't mean you still don't need to prepare!" she called after him. But Peter and his siblings were already too far away to hear her. With a groan, she grumbled something incomprehensible beneath her breath and stormed back to the armament to prepare for battle. She had no choice now but to become a walking arsenal. Nobody else seemed to be thinking ahead. If they were to go on a suicide mission, they needed someone to save their skins at the last second and Eilonwy seemed to somehow fit that role in every scenario. By the time she was finished, she swore she had gained fifty pounds just by the sheer volume of weaponry she had scavenged. Swords, bows, arrows, even a flail, and lastly a collection of kerchiefs, one of which she had already wrapped around her face like a trainrobber. Upon reaching the deck, she shouted some orders to Guildmore and his men, then swung her way down to the sea by rope and began her swim to shore. "Alright, I think our best plan of action would be to split up" Peter announced as he rowed onto the beach. "No, Peter, I refuse to get separated. We need to stick together" Susan demanded. She looked about the island nervously, absorbing the view. It was beautiful, no doubt, but there was something about the place that made her anxious. Or perhaps she was just far too concerned about Lucy to enjoy such a stunning scene. "Fine, you stay with Ed, then. But I'm going alone. This is a big island and we'll find her faster if we split up" Peter said. Before Susan could protest, he was already trudging through the fields of flowers toward a large mountain in the distance. The moment they began traversing the island, however, something strange began to take hold of them. A tingling sensation filled their heads, running up from their fingers and toes, through their arms and legs, and then across the rest of their body as all the tension in their muscles melted away. Colors appeared brighter and smells became stronger, especially that of the fireflowers themselves. Sweet and enticing, it lured them forward and Peter couldn't stop himself from reaching down and stroking their satin petals. In all their intoxication, however, they failed to notice the less pleasant aspects of the island. Bones scattered the shoreline, charred flesh tangled up in the gardens. As Eilonwy crawled onto the beach, she caught sight of the royals swaying to and fro and sucked in a deep, frustrated breath. And so it begins, she thought to herself, tightening the kerchief around her face. As expected, she was going to have to swoop in and save the day. Peter trudged through the fields, hands clenched at his sides, desperate to remain focused on the task at hand. Keeping his concentration became more and more difficult as the further he ventured, the foggier his mind became until he had nearly forgotten what he was there for in the first place. His limbs numbed and breath shallowed, his eyelids growing heavy with exhaustion. With a sigh, he leaned against the trunk of a tree and fought to stay awake. As he began to feel himself slip away, however, a pair of hands reached out from behind and seized him. He struggled in their grasp but he was far too tired and couldn't hold them off. They wrapped something around his face, tying it tightly at the back of his head, before spinning him around to face his captor. "Eilonwy?!" Peter gasped incredulously. "You can thank me later. Where are the others?" she asked, all business. "We split up so we could search for Lucy" he replied. The huntress groaned and whacked him on the arm hard. "Well that's just about the stupidest idea you've ever had! They could be anywhere! Nice, Peter. Of course you have to make this ten times harder than it needed to be." "Why do you just automatically assume this was my idea?" he protested. Eilonwy crossed her arms and stared at him blankly. "Peter, let’s be realistic here: how likely is it that this wasn't your idea?" she countered. Peter sucked in a deep breath and hesitated answering. "That's what I thought" Eilonwy added when he remained silent. "Now, come on. Let's not waste any more time. Sorry to break it to you, Pete, but your siblings may be in no small danger." It was her use of the word "danger" that truly terrified Peter. He knew this island was questionable at best but with a tone so confident, he knew she must be right. He chased after her back toward the shoreline, beginning to feel his strength return but with it came a swell of terror. "What kind of danger are we talking about here?" "The same kind I found you in" Eilonwy replied flippantly. The High King eyed her in confusion, silently begging for her to explain. Rolling her eyes, she leaned down and plucked one of the fireflowers from the ground. The moment she did so, a pang of panic surged through Peter's veins as if she had just spit on the Queen of England. "See this? This is danger. This is the worm on the end of the hook on a fishing line. This is what's going to kill you if you don't prepare." "Eilonwy, that's a flower" Peter replied quizzically. "I know what it is, Pete! But that's exactly the point. You think these flowers are harmless but here's one thing you don't know: they're hypnotic. One whiff and you're off to La La Land, high as a kite" she explained. Peter paused a moment as the realization washed over him, hand slowly rising to touch the kerchief tied around his face. At least he now understood why he and his friend were made up like thieves. A vision suddenly formed in his mind of Susan and Edmund completely oblivious to the hallucinatory qualities of the plant, stumbling around lost and tired and confused. He didn't even want to think of Lucy in the same state. Their search suddenly felt all the more urgent. Hours passed with no luck as the pair scoured in the heat for any sign of the others. Even some clue as to where they had disappeared to, such as a cave or abyss, would've sufficed. They were running out of time-- despite their kerchiefs, they weren't completely immune to the flower's affects. Just the sheer sight of them was enough to blur their vision and muddle their thoughts. As Eilonwy forced herself to stay focused, Peter wandered a few feet away in hopes of finding any clues nearer to the mountains. As he did, though, the ground disappeared below his feet and he was suddenly engulfed in darkness. The High King's startled shout captured Eilonwy's attention but as she whipped around, he was nowhere to be found. She called his name but found no answer. Gripping at her hair, she was immediately overcome with frustration. She stomped over to where Peter had been standing, expecting to find him lying in the grass but instead was met with a gaping hole in the ground. In that moment, her anger quickly morphed into fear. "Peter?!" she called into the abyss. No answer. She called again but was met with silence all the same. Dropping a pebble into it proved it's depth, the little stone disappearing with an echoed thud. She knew in a moment that there was only one thing left for her to do. Sucking in a deep breath, Eilonwy swung her legs over the edge and dropped down into the darkness. The tunnel was long and Eilonwy found herself falling for quite a few seconds before tumbling into the hard earth. Once she landed, she was surprised to find that the hole wasn't totally uncivilized. Torches mounted on the walls illuminated a long, twisting corridor ahead. A chorus of voices echoed from the other end. Pulling her kerchief away from her face, Eilonwy snagged a torch and stepped lightly toward the sounds of distress. As she grew closer, the noise became clearer until she could finally identify the bickering of siblings and the low, gravelly voice of their captor. "...and if anything, I ought to roast you all and leave you to rot like the others" they growled as Eilonwy grew nearer. "Please, miss! If you let us go, we promise we'll never come back ever again!" Susan begged. "Oh, how I pity you!" the voice mocked, pretending to break down in hysterical tears. "If you don't let us go right now, I swear in the name of Aslan, I'll--!" Peter began but was quickly interrupted. "You'll what? Stab me with that little needle at your side? As if!" she jested. "If not for my flames, that blade would never have been forged in the first place." Peering around the edge of the tunnel, Eilonwy caught sight of a large cage made entirely of fire burning in the middle of a circular room. And there stood their captor, Iraflora. She was just as the legends said with crimson hair and amber eyes and enflamed feathers breaking through every gash in her sunkissed flesh. She singed the ground with every step she took, every word pouring out of her mouth like molten lava, dark and hard and cracking. "Listen, why don't we bargain? Whatever you want, we'll give it to you! In exchange for our freedom" Edmund negotiated. A fiery finger skated down the woman's jaw and to her collarbone in a sensual display of thought. "Why do you think you deserve to be spared any more than the others? What is it that you find so outrageously worthwhile about yourselves?" "Is that what this has come to?" Peter argued. "Degradation?" The woman sucked her teeth and raised her eyebrows in displeasure. "I'm just trying to understand where the source of your desperation comes from. I've seen men of the lowest statures beg for their lives far more than you lot have." "Just, please! Let us go!" Susan pleaded. Iraflora flashed a quick grin in the gentle's direction, then added: "Except for her. She's become one of the whiniest victims I've found yet." By now, Susan was beginning to regret this entire trip even more than she already had. Not that she liked to admit this, either, but she was also beginning to regret not listening to Eilonwy about preparing. If only she had thought to bring her horn with her, then perhaps none of this would have become such an event. The blares would surely be loud enough to reach the ship and Guildmore and his crew would come racing to save them. If only. "There has to be something you want that we can trade you for" Edmund spoke. "Anything in the world, we'll do it for you!" Peter nudged his brother in the arm, terrified he was starting to make promises they wouldn't be able to fulfill, but it was no use. Iraflora was a cruel opponent. "Anything in the world?" she cooed, tilting her chin to the sky. Edmund nodded enthusiastically. A sly smile spread across her face as she clenched her fists at her sides and screamed, "Then I would love for you all to shut up because the only thing I want involves killing the lot of you!" If you really wanted to kill them, you would've done it already, Eilonwy thought to herself, rolling her eyes. She pressed her back against the tunnel wall and tried to think of a plan as quickly as possible. "But how to do it is the question" Iraflora continued thoughtfully. "I can't just extinguish all of you in the usual fashion-- no, no. Where would be the fun in that? After all, if you all insist you're so special, then you deserve a special sendout to match!" Lucy froze, hands folded tight against her chest. The reality of their situation was really beginning to sink in and the valiant couldn't help but feel like she was very much at fault. "P-please, miss! Spare my brothers and sister, at least. They didn't do anything!" she begged, voice cracking. Iraflora seemed to take great interest in the small queen's sudden outburst, blinking a few times before urging her to go on. "You see, it was my idea to come here" Lucy explained. "They didn't want to, but I insisted! They don't deserve any of this, ma'am. So if you'd please, just let them go and...and take your frustrations out on me." To say her older siblings were impressed would be an understatement. There was something about Lucy's selflessness in that moment that suddenly made her seem much older than she was. This still didn't change the fact, however, that what she was offering was wrong. "No, we deserve the blame just as much as Lucy does" Peter stepped forward. "If she goes down, we all go down with her." Tears welled up in the littlest one's eyes as her brother smiled back at her with solemn unity. She unclasped her hands to grasp his firmly, Susan and Edmund following suit until the four of them were standing with fingers interlocked staring at the face of death herself. Despite the touching display of family strength, Iraflora's opinion went unchanged. A look of disgust painted her face. "Alright, if you're all so set on going down together, then I know just what I'll do. I'll go in order from oldest to youngest. That way the last to die will see the first three go before her!" the woman cheered. Lucy tightened her grip on her brother's hand, terror-stricken. "Don't listen to her, Lucy. She's just trying to scare you" Peter reassured, kneeling down to her level. "She's not really going to hurt any of us" he continued, then turned and glared in Iraflora's direction to add, "Not if I can help it." "Oh, what a big, strong man we think we are!" Iraflora jested, reaching out to scrape her finger along his cheek. Peter winced as her touch burned his flesh, leaving a nasty scar from his cheekbone to the corner of his mouth. Even then, he refused to let his guard down. Peter opened his mouth to speak but before he could utter a word, another voice rang from the darkness. "It's not so much the man that's strong but the numbers backing him" it spoke. From the mouth of the cave, a familiar figure stepped into the light. Eilonwy. She glared up at the spirit with all the ferocity she could muster, sword at the ready. "Eilonwy, what are you doing...?!" Peter called uneasily. "Well, someone has to put out your fires!" Eilonwy smirked, glancing to the Pevensies. She seemed to find herself rather funny, though Iraflora starkly disagreed. "After all" the huntress continued, "you can only fan the flames for so long." "You...you wench!" Iraflora shrieked, clenching her fists at her sides. Her hands burned bright white the tighter she held them, growing hotter like metal beneath a flame. She whipped around to her prisoners with wild eyes, screaming, "I see we called for reinforcements! How divine! Now I'll have five to slay!" She narrowed her eyes back at Eilonwy and added in a growl, "Well, you know what they say: the more the merrier." In one swift motion, she lunged forward, fingers itching to wrap themselves around the girl's neck. She erupted in a bright blaze as she connected with the wall, Eilonwy tumbling out of the way just in time. "Eilonwy, for the love of god, get out of here!" Peter screamed, inching as close to the cage as possible without burning himself. "You're going to get yourself killed! Go!" "And miss all this? I wouldn't dream of it!" she shouted, ducking and slashing at Iraflora in retaliation. The spirit shrieked, barely harmed by the blade, her entire body glowing white with rage. "You intruders are causing far more trouble than you're worth!" "Are you sure about that?" Eilonwy asked, smirking. "Or are we worth more trouble than you think?" "Eilonwy, I'm going to have to agree with Peter on this one" Edmund called. "She's too strong for you! You can't fight her!" "If I can't fight her, then what would you say I'm doing right now?" Eilonwy shouted back. "Besides, I think it's a little too late for a retreat! It's either me or her now. One of us has to go!" Iraflora spouted an endless stream of fireballs in Eilonwy's direction, taking advantage of her rapidly decreasing energy. A grin spread across her face as she then lurched forward with indeterminable speed. This time, escape was futile. Eilonwy slammed to the ground with a hard thud, impacted by the sheer force of her opponent. Iraflora hovered over her, pinning her to the ground, with a devilish smile upon her face. "Any last words, wench?" Flames licked at Eilonwy's face, searing the tips of her hair and the edges of her clothing. Sweat beaded on her brow as she gasped for breath, desperate to break free but unsure of how. Staring straight at the woman's bright eyes, Eilonwy made a terrible, grating sound before spitting right in the woman's face. A small stream of smoke billowed up from where she saliva had hit. Iraflora shrieked, enraged, and lifted a hand to smite the girl but was suddenly interrupted by a rogue dagger slicing through her arm. The spirit growled viciously toward her prisoners. "Get away from her!" a voice shouted. Eilonwy identified it immediately: Susan. "Or you'll what?" Iraflora tested, keeping a firm grip on Eilonwy's wrists. Susan paused for a moment, trying to find a harsh enough response. "I'll..." she stammered. "That's what I thought" the spirit replied. As she turned her attention back to Eilonwy, however, the huntress took advantage of the distraction to knee the woman in the chest, loosening her grip and escaping her clutch. The moment she was free, Eilonwy scuttled to the farthest wall of the cave huffing and panting, vision blurry as she searched for her sword on the ground. Iraflora growled, reaching over to pick up Lucy's dagger and stalked closer. She pinned the girl's body against the wall with one strong hand, raising the blade in the other with eyes set on the huntress's chest. Before she could stab, a clinking sound then captured her attention as Lucy's cordial fell to the floor. "Don't hurt her! Please!" the littlest Pevensie begged. Iraflora's eyes fell to the vial, cocking an eyebrow in confusion. "What kind of sick trick is this?" she asked. Lucy inhaled shakily, forcing herself to look the woman right in the eyes as she explained. "It's not a trick. It's an explanation. It's my fault my family and I invaded your island and that cordial is to blame. It was a gift from Father Christmas, in Narnia, along with that dagger, to use in the Battle of Beruna against the White Witch." "You expect me to believe you four blubbering idiots defeated Jadis?" Iraflora replied. Lucy nodded. "My brothers and sister and I were sent here to fulfill the prophecy! That two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve would overthrow the White Witch and restore Narnia" she explained. The spirit paused a moment to consider Lucy's explanation, chewing over her words and weighing the supposed accuracy. It was no secret that most anyone knew of the prophecy, but she found it hard to believe children such as these had been the ones to fulfill it. They didn't seem like the warrior types she expected of them. "That cordial was filled with the juice of your fireflowers, and was of great use to me after the battle...and then some" Lucy continued. "And what happened to it's contents, then?" Iraflora asked. "I accidentally used it all..." Lucy admitted. Her cheeks burned bright red in embarrassment. "I didn't realize it would drain so quickly. I just wanted to help everyone but...but I guess I got carried away. I didn't want to see anyone suffer. I came here hoping to refill it but...but I don't think I want to anymore. Not if it's going to cause so much trouble. I've been selfish and I put everyone in danger...this is all my fault." Peter rested a hand on his baby sister's shoulder. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and comfort her, pray that Iraflora would have some sympathy and release them whether they refilled the cordial or not, but he restrained himself in order to give Lucy her moment of brave confession. "On whom have you used this cordial, anyway?" Iraflora inquired. An obvious interest radiated from her eyes as she began to cool down, slightly releasing her grip on Eilonwy and lowering the dagger to her hip. "Everyone, I suppose" Lucy replied slowly. "I used it to cure Aslan's army in the Battle of Beruna, and to help the Galmans during their epidemic. I even used it on my brother to heal him when he was wounded by the White Witch's wand." Iraflora nodded slowly as Lucy continued. "But it's not worth all the trouble I've caused. Not if it puts my family at risk. I know how much those flowers mean to you, and if I had something that valuable, I certainly wouldn't want anyone trying to take it from me, either. It was wrong of me to come here expecting you to willingly give me what is rightfully yours, and I know now that my time as a healer is up. After all, nothing can last forever, I suppose...I just...I'm so sorry. For everything." By now Lucy was on the verge of tears but she refused to break down and cry. Not now. She needed to be strong, to let go of such fine privileges with maturity and dignity. As Iraflora listened to her speak, however, her fury transformed. Rage slowly morphed into a warmth of heart, the kind that radiates from a fireplace in the midst of a brutal winter. She understood now the significance of Lucy's journey, and how she was very much unlike the others who stepped foot upon her island. She fully released her grip on Eilonwy, who watched with awe and mild suspicion, before skating across the room to cradle the cordial in her hands. The cage's fire began to dim as she approached and extended her hands toward the little queen. Lucy hesitated a moment, uncertain of what Iraflora wanted her to do, until the spirit urged her to take it and she obliged. "Little queen, you are unlike so many others who have selfishly tried to uproot my garden" she said, voice much smoother than before. "You have proven yourself genuine and humble and true, and I commend you for your selflessness." As the last of the flames evaporated into smoke, Iraflora coaxed Lucy toward her. Peter reached out to pull her back but paused and retracted his arm when he realized Iraflora was no longer here to fight. The valiant stepped lightly, looking up to the spirit with childlike wonder and restraint. "What now...?" she asked quietly. Her brain was having trouble comprehending what was even happening, if Iraflora had truly changed her mind. "Now" the spirit replied, "You shall get what you desire." She extended a hand for Lucy to take, then shot a glare back at her siblings as if daring them to stay behind. It was a risk they were smart enough not to take. The minute Peter had the chance, he ran toward Eilonwy and seized her tightly in his arms, brushing the hair from her face. Her sweaty brow and dazed expression quickly filled him with concern and he knew right away she desperately needed fresh air. Supporting her with an arm, he followed the others through the tunnel and to the surface. The sunlight seemed dazzling after having spent so much time down below, but was no doubt refreshing to those who thought they'd never see daylight ever again. Iraflora guided Lucy to a small patch of the brightest flowers, instructing her to pluck the one that appeared healthiest to her. Lucy paused for a moment, considering her options, before leaning down and gingerly plucking the purest one she could find. It's fragrance was so potent that had she not been accompanied by the spirit herself, she surely would've fell over and passed out in a happy trance. Iraflora smiled knowingly as she lifted the bloom from Lucy's grasp, levitating it between her hands mystically. She pressed her palms together and a golden glow radiated from between her fingers. The moment she separated her hands, the flower was replaced with a gelatinous bulb of red liquid. Lucy held her cordial up with wide eyes full of wonder, watching as Iraflora swirled her hands and twisted the juice into the vial. "So that's it?" Lucy asked, inspecting the bottle. "I can use this to heal any injury now?" Iraflora nodded, satisfied with her work. "You might need to make use of that a bit sooner than you expected, Lu" Peter murmured, voice hard and mildly shaky. The High King knelt by the shoreline, Eilonwy curled up helplessly in his lap. Raw, red welts patched her skin. Peter could feel her heart racing out of her chest as she swayed in and out of consciousness. No amount of sea water seemed to cool her down. Lucy rushed over immediately, tipping her cordial and letting a drop of fresh juice seep between Eilonwy's lips. She released a groan as she swallowed, squeezing her eyes shut tight. Her chest shook with ravenous coughs, her throat burning as the juice slid down, like swallowing whiskey. Peter brushed her hair from her face, watching with wide, panicked eyes as her injuries slowly faded into vague marks upon her skin. Eilonwy blinked awake, squinting up at Peter and then Lucy, then shifting her vision to Susan and Edmund alongside Iraflora herself. The moment she laid eyes on the fire spirit, she began to laugh. "Ellie, what the hell is so goddamn funny?" Peter asked, unamused. But Eilonwy was simply far too delirious to give a proper answer. Lucy furrowed her brows, glad to see her friend healed of her physical wounds but puzzled by her emotional ones. She gazed up at Iraflora, whose face had grown rather pale and saddened. "You did this to her, you know" the valiant murmured. Iraflora's breath hitched in shock, having not expected such a blunt delivery from the young queen. However, she could not deny the truth in Lucy's words, hollowed by regret knowing she could not reverse her terrible deeds. "I was only trying to protect them..." Iraflora whispered, gently grazing the flowers' petals. "I had no clue..." "You should apologize" Lucy stated. Though apologies weren't exactly the spirit's niche, she knew the young queen was right. Mustering her dignity, Iraflora floated forward and knelt down beside Eilonwy. Peter wrapped his arms around her protectively, unsure of what the spirit planned to do, but with one apologetic gaze, she unlocked his trust. Rather than speak, Iraflora closed her eyes and placed a hand upon Eilonwy's forehead. The moment she removed her touch, Eilonwy snapped out of her trance, gasping for breath as if she had just awoken from some terrible dream. Fear provoked her, instinctively wrapping her arms around Peter's neck and clinging to him for dear life. All he could do was rub her back and whisper reassuring words in her ear, doing his best to calm her down. Irafora watched the couple for a moment, a pang of jealousy striking her right in the chest. The affection between them was undeniable. She only wished she could've experienced such love. As she watched on, Lucy sidled up to her and silently grasped the spirit's hand in hers. "Thank you" she whispered, standing on tiptoes to plant a kiss upon the woman's cheek. Iraflora's face blushed as the little queen's lips grazed her hot flesh, filling her with a warmth quite unlike the fiery fury she was so accustomed to. "No, thank you" Iraflora whispered, looking down upon the young girl. "Without your kindness and humility, I may never have felt such warmth ever again." Lucy grinned, pleased to have appeased the woman so, before Iraflora added, "You are welcome to return to Kronne whenever you need, as you have found a friend in the fireflower's keeper. I pray that you may visit again soon, your majesty. It has been so long since I have had the company of a friend. May the great Aslan bless you." While Lucy was incredibly grateful for Iraflora's kindness, it was the mention of Aslan's name that truly captured her attention. "Do you know Aslan?" she asked. Iraflora nodded. "It was he who revived me and appointed me guardian in the first place. Without his greatness, I may never have been given such an opportunity. Hence why I take my duty so seriously" Iraflora explained. Lucy nodded in understanding. "I care for Aslan very much" she replied. "He is a good friend of mine. Without him, my brothers and sisters and I would never have ended up where we are now, ruling Narnia." "He is great indeed, small one" Iraflora said, closing her eyes and leaning her head back with gratitude. Lucy gazed up at her with admiration, grateful to have found a friend in which she can share her undying love for the great lion. As the sun set upon Kronne and the Pevensies returned to their ship, Lucy overflowed with happiness. Things certainly did not go as smoothly as she had hoped but she didn't regret one second. Not only did she fulfill her mission, but she reformed a hardened heart and found a friend in the process. She thought fondly of Iraflora as she watched Kronne fade into the distance and a strong hope coursed through her veins that this was only the beginning of a rather remarkable friendship.

#t: futgt #t: futgt c: seven #narnia #the chronicles of narnia #fanfiction #narniaff

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