The Forgotten (Peter Pevensie x OC)

Chapter 6

Evelyn stood by a destroyed hut. She could tell that it had once been a peaceful, loving and warm home. But now it lay on the frozen lake, and all that was left was a half-stitched tapestry and a pile of twigs and broken china. She crouched down, picking up the tapestry, leaving Arzis and Lobri to dig through the wood. From what she could see, it depicted a beautiful valley, lined with blossom trees, and flower bushes. Fauns stood in a circle, bent into such weird positions that they must've been dancing.

Was this what Narnia was like before winter? Evelyn questioned. It was so beautiful, and peaceful, and kind. A part of her missed the sun. She glanced up looking around at the frozen white lands, before her eye caught something to her right. The tapestry remained clutched in her hand as she stood, walking closer to get a better look. It stood, straight as a lamppost, at the base of a tree, vibrant green stalk and leaves contrasting greatly against the white ground. It's petals were a bright yellow, and she recognised it instantly from the gardens back at the mansion. It was a daffodil, one of her favourite flowers. It always reminded her of spring, when everything was blossoming into brightly coloured flowers. As beautiful as snow could be, it had been so long since she'd seen a plant that looked alive. Was a forever winter really the best option? Her mother wanted the best for Narnia, she really did, but sometimes...

It wasn't important. She shouldn't be questioning her mother. The Queen has lived in Narnia for over a hundred years, and Evelyn had been there for the whole of what? Five minutes? She had no idea what was good for the country and what wasn't. Which is why she should be looking for the rebels, not daydreaming about sewn fantasies.

"Arzis! Lobri!" She called, ready to move on. Noticing that they weren't listening, she tried again. "Arzis? Lobri?" a frown creased her face as they ignored her once again. "What have you got there?" They just kept digging. She rushed over, pulling aside branches to reveal a tunnel. Barely big enough to fit her, but an escape route none the less. Smashed wood planks lay at the bottom, remnants of a trapdoor used to hide it.
What happened here? But there was no time to waste. The sky was already growing dark, but she knew that none of the humans had been captured yet. They would've sounded the horn.

She felt her eyes droop as they entered the tunnel. It had been a long day, and if she wanted to actually capture the humans, she would have to be ready for anything, and that wasn't possible without sleep. So she snuggled up to Arzis, with Lobri lying on her lap like a blanket, and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

She awoke bright and early, heading along the tunnel with Arzis and Lobri following close at her side. Hopefully it would lead to somewhere with food. However, soon they came to a fork, and with Arzis pointing one way, and Lobri pointing the other, she had know idea where to go. She had been taught to track, but only in snow. It would be no use in an earthy tunnel. But still, she tried. There were tracks everywhere, but some looked a little deeper than others. These would be the freshest, probably. So, she followed Arzis, Lobri at her side.

After a few turns, and a couple more difficult decisions, Lobri led them to a small pile of dirt. Evelyn smiled as she looked up at the light streaking through the tunnel. She could smell ash, remnants of a recently extinguished fire. As she pulled herself out, Arzis and Lobri springing from the hole behind her, she smiled. To her left, she could see doors cutting into the rock, and straight in front were the remnants of what once must've been a roaring, warm fire, and five dents in the snow, which had not fallen for a while now, and was beginning to worry Evelyn. She pushed it aside, focusing instead on breaking into the houses above her, hidden in the stone. It was surprisingly easy, and she only realised why when she glanced behind her. Animals, frozen to stone. They must be the inhabitants. She thought. For a second, she felt the smallest bit of pain, sorrow, and regret. But she scolded herself. It was their own fault after all. They wanted to overthrow the rightful Queen, who was ruling Narnia for its own good.

But her heart was starting to question that. Over the past day, she'd seen more signs of life that she had since she'd arrived. What if the rebels were breaking the winter? What if they were the reason snow had stopped falling, and that daffodil had bloomed? Surely there was a reason that the first plant she'd seen was a beautiful one. Did Narnia not like the winter? Besides, if it was really for Narnia's own good, would the Queen be freezing it's people? Declaring war instead of trying to sort things out through a more calm and patient manner?

Maybe she's already tried, before you came. She forced the arguments through her head. Clearly, her mother cared. Clearly, and if she couldn't see that, then maybe she wasn't a worthy master of sword. And so she pushed on, putting her heart aside. From now on, she led with her brain, for her heart had proven it's weakness, and weakness was not worthy of a place in Narnia.

As Evelyn tracked them across the lake, she caught sight of a sleigh, speeding through the trees. For a second she thought it was her mother, but it was too decorative, and red. But who else drove a sleigh? She scoured the forest, hoping there would be something to find, only to see three human figures running into the middle of the woods, away from her. The Children of Adam and Eve! She sprinted after them. They couldn't get away! These were the people who were trying to destroy Narnia.
Destroy? Or Protect? Her heart questioned. She scowled. I thought I told you to stop speaking.

however when she finally caught up to them, someone had beaten her there. But it wasn't the minotaur, or the dwarf, or even Hadre! It's was the wolves. The secret police. She spotted three children standing in the middle of the frozen river. Her eyes widened when she realised that, slowly, the frozen river was melting. One of the wolves had a brown figure in his mouth, who called out to the boy,
"Run him through!"
Was that...a beaver?! She was extremely confused, but there were more pressing matters at hand. Two girls, one boy. Where was the other? She held a finger to her lips as she silently crept down the slope, unnoticed by those on the ice, who were too busy watching the boy brandish a sword at Maugrim, awkwardly. He was clearly a beginner.

"JUST BECAUSE A MAN IN A RED COAT HANDS YOU A SWORD DOESN'T MAKE YOU A HERO!" The taller girl close to Evelyn cried at the boy.
Evelyn covered the girls mouth and held a dagger to her throat. Lobri and Arzis stood next to the girl, teeth bared.

"This one has the right idea." Evelyn snarled. "Drop the sword."
The other two kids spun around, and Evelyn faltered slightly.
"Luce?" She breathed. It couldn't be.
The girl gasped as her eyes widened in fear.
"Evie?"
Evelyn's hand shook as she glanced at the girl she was threatening, and she nearly dropped the dagger as she leapt back in shock.
"Su..."
And finally, she looked at the blonde. His sword was clenched tight in his hand, and his face was pale. He looked afraid, but it was hard to miss the anger that roared in his beautiful blue eyes.
"What...what are you doing here?" Evelyn swallowed.
"The better question is, why did you just threaten my life?" Susan's eyes were wide, and her voice shook, but she stood tall, determined not to show how scared she really was.

From the corner of her eye, Evelyn could see Maugrim lining up an attack. She couldn't let the Pevensies be hurt, or worse...
So she did the only thing she could.

"Stop!" She commanded, making the wolves turn to her.
"And why would we do that?"
Evelyn spoke not a word, simply placing her hand on the sword resting against her hip, reminding him of her rank. Maugrim's eyes narrowed, and she knew he understood.
"Under the orders of the Queen, and the rules of the hunt, I command you to stop!"
Maugrim looked murderous as he told the other wolves to stand down.
Evelyn turned to the Pevensies as the wolves slunk back into the woods.

"Come with me."
"Why?" Peter demanded. "You just threatened Susan's life! Why should we go with you?"
She glared right back at him as she spoke, her tone annoyingly obvious.
"Because I also just saved all your lives."
"What?"
"If it wasn't for me, those wolves would've ripped you in two."
"I have my sword!"
"That's great! Now all you need is someone who knows how to use it."
"We were fine without you."
"Yea, completely fine. Did you not see your friend getting chomped to death by the wolves?"
"Look, princess-" Mr. Beaver began.
"I'll chomp you to death if you don't stay out of this." Evelyn snarled.
"Evelyn what are you doing here?" Susan spoke up. "And why did you hold a dagger to my throat?"
"Yeah." Lucy frowned. "Why are you in Narnia?"
Evelyn sighed.
"It's a bit of a long story."
"We have time."